Ramen and pho can’t hog all of the local noodle love. On April 18, Chinese noodle shop Noodleholics will open at 3502 E. Grant Rd. The 1,900-square-foot restaurant previously housed Tork’s Cafe.
Noodleholics co-owner Claire Wang was born in Guangzhou, China and moved to the US in 1998. While her background is in education and linguistics, she yearned for a place that offered the food of her childhood. Tucson’s Chinese food scene is predominantly Sichuan, so she decided to open a restaurant with the Guangzhou and Guilin cuisine of her past.
“We liked this space with all the windows with influence from Old England Hong Kong and the contemporary design. Service is fast-casual with customers ordering at the counter.”
The menu features around 10 different noodle soups ranging from $8.50 – $11. The small plate menu starts at $3 and also features around 10 different options.
Wheat noodles are made in house, sliced on the slightly thicker side to cling onto the broth. The Guilin rice noodles are on the thinner side, similar to vermicelli.
Although noodles are the star, Wang is also proud of the restaurant’s house-made barbecue pork and crispy pork. The barbecue pork obtains its distinct red exterior naturally through the honey glaze and cooking process without the use of any color additive, she said. The crispy pork features a bubbly crackling skin and juicy interior.
“People can come eat and be fully satisfied without having to wait,” Wang said. “Good for business people and students who just want to eat and go.”
The menu also offers options such as House Wonton soup for cautious eaters, while adventurous eaters can order the Guilin Spicy & Sour with pig intestine and a side of Pickled Greens & Bamboo. Eaters across the spectrum are sure to find something to fall in love with, considering the consistent quality across the menu.
Noodleholics Menu Highlights
- Half Duck – boneless and fried crispy, served with a sweet tangy sauce on the side
- Chaoshou Dumplings – steamed pork dumplings with spicy Sichuan chili oil
- The Guilin Spicy & Sour – rice noodle soup, bok choy, scallions, peanuts, and choice of two meats: barbecue pork, crispy pork, pig intestine, minced pork, or spiced beef
- Taiwan Beef – house-made wheat noodles with beef broth, beef shank, bok choy, scallions, pickled mustard greens
- Caffeine X2 – Hong Kong milk tea and coffee
Operating hours are noon – 9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday, and 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday – Saturday. From April 18 – 25, Noodleholics will offer a buy-one-get-one-free special on the Hong Kong Milk Tea, Caffeine X2, and Iced Lemon Honey beverages.
Noodleholics is located at 3502 E. Grant Rd. Keep up with Noodleholics on Facebook. For more information, visit noodleholics.com.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
