Fashionable Noodles: Authentic Ramen and Halal Northwestern Cuisine

As you walk along Charing Cross Road from Tottenham Court Road station, it's hard not to notice the queue outside Funky Noodles. This halal Chinese restaurant has received so much attention for its ramen and northwestern cuisine. The lines are long, so be sure to go early. Or here's a tip: If you're already in the area early, stop by and ask for a reservation for later. No guarantees, but you might be able to do this and skip the long lines.

Funky Noodles: A Taste of the Silk Road’s Rich Culinary Heritage

Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang and other regions in northwest China have large Muslim populations and profound food culture. As a core part of the Silk Road, Northwest cuisine is characterized by bold spices and a focus on beef and mutton dishes. Think hand-pulled noodles, smoky BBQ lamb kebabs, flatbreads, biang biang noodles and more – that’s exactly what Funky Noodles’ menu has to offer.

Food at Funky Noodles (what we ordered)

Signature handmade noodles in rich lamb/beef broth (£13.80)

Lanzhou-style noodle soup is a highlight on the Funky Noodles menu. Each bowl of noodles comes with a clear broth, and the real magic happens when you combine the table-top chili oil with Chinese black vinegar. After trying the mutton noodles and beef noodles, we found the mutton noodles to be more flavorful. You can choose the width of your noodles from thin to wide. I like it thick and chewy, with a chewy texture that melts in your mouth.

Oily hand-pulled noodles with braised pork ribs (£18.80)

Chances are, you've seen this amazing Braised Pork Ribs Noodles dish on social media, which is how you came across Funky Noodles. The concept of oil-splashed noodles originated in the Shaanxi region, where noodles are topped with garlic and chili peppers and then doused in scalding hot oil to allow the aroma and spices to bloom. After the food is served, the waiter will use scissors to cut the meat and remove the bones for you. As you would expect, the meat was very tender, high in fat and flavorful. Although I think the spice could be a little more pungent

Desert style lamb chops (£13.80)

Next we tried a Northwest specialty and chose desert style lamb chops. These lamb chops are marinated with cumin, chilli and spices and are delicious. Each rib was of good quality and tender.

Tea Eggs (£1.80)

Tea eggs are essentially eggs slowly cooked in a spiced tea soup and are a very typical snack in China. Since there aren't many places in London doing this, we were excited to try it out at Funky Noodles. In my opinion, it paired particularly well with the fried noodles, but the flavor wasn't as rich as I'd hoped. Still, it was a nostalgic treat for me.

Lamb kebabs (£2.50 per skewer) (minimum order of 2)

When eating Xinjiang/Northwestern cuisine, barbecue mutton skewers are a must. These noodles from Funky Noodles have a smoky flavor from cumin and chili peppers and tender meat. There is still room for improvement, though, as I found them slightly less dynamic compared to what we have in China.

Funky Noodles Review Summary

Nothing makes me happier than seeing authentic Chinese food in London’s halal dining venues. Funky Noodles is a true halal gem where you can enjoy a delicious and affordable meal in the heart of London. The portions are huge and you certainly get your money's worth. If you like Chinese food, especially ramen soup, this must be your first choice.