Few foods exude love the way noodles made from scratch do.
While instant ramen and dry pasta are respectable in their own rights, there’s something romantic and remarkably delicious about noodle shops that make their own noodles.
Although noodles often only contain flour, water, and sometimes salt, it takes time and technique to transform them into the slurpable delight beloved from cultures around the world today.
The earliest history of noodles dates back about 4,000 years in China. While other countries have since created their own legendary noodle dishes, let’s take a moment to respect China’s four millennia dedicated to the craft.
Here are six Chinese noodle shops in Tucson that make their own noodles from scratch.
Brother’s Noodles
5605 E. Speedway Blvd.
Brother’s features a humble menu. While the soups aren’t the most flavorful, they are delicate and satisfying. Go for the Pork Rib Noodle Soup, garnished simply with cilantro.
For more information, call (520) 393-3774 or visit brothersnoodles.com.
China Pasta House
430 N. Park Ave.
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Like all the other restaurants on this list, China Pasta House makes their own noodles in house. However, China Pasta House also manages to be one of the most affordable restaurants in Tucson.
You can’t go wrong with one of their 12 noodle dishes, but for a specialty from their region, order the Sauerkraut Shredded Pork Soup Noodles. They’re especially comforting in cold weather.
For more information, call (520) 623-3334 or visit chinapastahousetucson.com.
Fatman Kitchen
2610 N. First Ave.
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With a combination of Sichuan and Shaanxi specialties, Fatman Kitchen quickly became one of the hottest new restaurants in Tucson.
The Xian Oil Splashing Noodle features house-made length-of-your-arm biang biang noodles in garlicky chili oil with scallions and bean sprouts. For a splendid soup, order the Spicy Lamb Noodle Soup.
For more information, call (520) 882-3059.
Kung Fu Noodle
3122 N. Campbell Ave. Ste. 100
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The Traditional Beef Noodle soup swimming with chili oil will kick you in the mouth. The Dan Dan Noodles are also a popular favorite.
For more information, call (520) 881-7800. Keep up with Kung Fu Noodle on Facebook.
Noodleholics
3502 E. Grant Rd.
We’ve eaten 80% of their menu so far and we’re not stopping there. The Sizzling Garlic noodles are a staff favorite, but we’re also obsessed with Spicy Sichuan Beef noodles and Dandan noodles. Although The Guilin Spicy and Sour features rice noodles instead of the house-made wheat noodles, they’re still fantastic.
For more information, call (520) 305-4262 or visit noodleholics.com.
Panda House
1118 E. Sixth St.
For a lighter dish, try the Szechuan Cold Noodles. For something a little more substantial and fiery, get the Chong Qing Noodles. The mustard in the Mustard Noodles with Pork is for mustard greens, by the way.
For more information, call (520) 888-8282 or visit pandahousetucson.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.
