Hey Noodle – 478 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G9
Country: China (Chongqing Street Food)
Seating: Only indoor seating.
Must-try dish: Chongqing minced pork with peas (build your own).
Dinner guests: Pornstar Sam & Young Matt
The high: With the create your own option, you have the flexibility to curate an experience to suit your tastes.
The low: The menu can be a bit overwhelming as it’s not clear how the process works so you may need a little help from the server.
Hey Noodles is a noodle bar that specializes in Chongqing Street Food, a municipality to the east of the Sichuan province, and one of the more recognized regions in China. Chongqing is primarily known for its hotpot, but noodles are a staple in its street food scene.
As we sat down and tried to understand the menu, we put in an order for the majority of the appetizers on offer to get our bellies ready for noodles, noodles and more noodles. These starters included: Cucumber Salad, Black Fungus, Pork Dumplings, Tofu Skins, and Braised Bean Curd. The Homemade Plum juice was also a great addition to the meal.
Let’s start with the Cucumber Salad, which was refreshing as it added a vegetable component to the meal. The mushrooms (Black Fungus) are a staple in Asian cuisine, and if you haven’t tried them then you’re missing a good thing. Don’t be deterred by the dark colour and chewy looking texture because they’re actually soft and delicious as you bite into them.
The Pork Dumplings were forgettable, but they did satisfy the group’s craving for the things. Hey Noodles isn’t a destination to eat dumplings, and that’s reflected in the taste and build of them. In total contrast, the Tofu Skins were a highlight of the appetizer course. They’re strands of marinated tofu that melt in your mouth. Finally, the Braised Bean Curd is another way to serve tofu that both looks and tastes different to the skins. If you’re going to only order one, get the Tofu Skins.
The menu is designed to house several sections: appetizers, wonton soups, signature noodle and rice dishes, and a Create Your Own Bowl, which is the path our gang chose to follow. If you are dining in they also offer unlimited noodle refills, though a great marketing ploy, none of the gang had room for any noodle top-ups.
These are the steps to create your own bowl, and Mat’s exact order for reference:
- Protein: Chongqing minced pork with peas
- Noodle type & texture: Chongqing egg noodle regular
- Broth amount: Regular broth amount
- Seasoning (spice level & numbing – with Sichuan peppercorns): Mild spice & numbing (we love Sichuan peppercorns)
- Other toppings: All the toppings (cilantro, green onions, egg, garlic, peanut, sesame, and sesame paste).
Throughout the entire decision process, we relied heavily on our server to let us know the most popular, yet traditional way to place the order. Naturally we followed her lead.
The numbing agent comes from Sichuan peppercorns, which cause a phenomenon to the lips and tongue that gives the sensation of temporary vibration and numbness. Although Mandrea Bike is a mega fan, we recommend that you proceed with caution and order the mild version if you’re unsure.
We finished off the dinner with an order of Golden Deep Fried Buns, which are served with a side of condensed milk. It was the perfect end to a savoury meal. You’ll be happy upon your first bite!
Eat with you soon,
Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)
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