WA’s noodle scene continues to expand, with a vast variety in cuisine and style. As always, though, there are noteworthy bowls to count on as reliable favourites, and plenty more to discover along the way.
Craving Vietnamese? Seek out bún bò huế – a spicy beef noodle soup accented with lemongrass – at Hu Tieu Thanh Liem (Mirrabooka Village, 73 Honeywell Blvd, Mirrabooka) or try the Pho Phong (7/70 Marangaroo Dr, Girrawheen) version for more shrimp paste in the broth. Over at Trang’s Cafe & Noodle House (11/70 Marangaroo Dr, Girrawheen) the Saturday special is bún mắm, the pungent fermented fish rice noodle soup. For pho cravings (apart from the above) VietTown (Shop 14, 3 Wade Court, Girrawheen) delivers it in stone bowls with fresh noodles, and don’t go past Thanh Dat (425 William St, Northbridge) for the 24-hour braised short-rib version, which can be jazzed up with additions of oxtail and bone marrow.
If it’s Japanese you crave, then Hakata Gensuke (850 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park; Shop 7, 62 Roe St, Northbridge) excels at ramen. As does Tosaka (Shop 2, 305 William St, Northbridge) whose chicken broth can’t be beaten (but the vegetarian paitan is also worth slurping). Hifumiya (Shop 2, 100-104 Murray Street, Perth) specialises in udon, with their cold noodles in thick dashi a must in summer.
For Kuching’s famed aromatic Sarawak laksa (once described by Anthony Bourdain as “breakfast of the gods”) head to KCH (Unit 41, Angove St, North Perth). For a Singaporean laksa, meanwhile, Ya Kwang Singapore Hawker (Spencer Village Food Court. 17 Southdown Pl, Thornlie) delivers a flaming version. Over in Northbridge, My Bayon (313 William St, Northbridge) serves a Darwin-inspired curry laksa with fresh seafood.
Thailand’s boat noodles, featuring a rich and thick broth infused with spices, are a must-try at Sa Lung Thai Cafe (382 Fitzgerald St, North Perth) and S & T Thai Gourmet Cafe (347 William St, Northbridge).
For Malaysian-style dry wonton noodles with barbecue pork, Hong Kei (189 High Rd, Willeton) reigns supreme. While kolo mee, a dry-style noodle from Sarawak tossed and topped with pork, is the pick at Two Hands Noodle Shop (4/2 Downey Dr, Como), Tea Woks (2/369 Hay St, Perth) and Asian Golden Wok (Shop SV7, 388 Scarborough Beach Rd, Innaloo).
Myanmar’s national dish, mohinga, can be found as a weekend special at Blue Box Lunch Bar (2 Chokolich St, Wangara) or head to Mango Cafe (964 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park) for nan gyi thoke – a thick rice-noodle salad, dressed in flavourful chicken curry.
Other highlights worth seeking out include the duck egg char kway teow at Fugu 8 Asian Cafe (Shop 6/115 Cambridge St, West Leederville), the Yunnan specialties – including crossing-the-bridge noodles on Saturdays – at Mei’s Noodles (9/18 Milford St, East Victoria Park) and the Hakka noodles at Eat Well Gourmet Foods (Shop 15, 56-70 Langford Ave, Langford). Finally, check Uncle Eddie’s (facebook.com/uncleeddieperth) socials to see when they pop up in Victoria Park for their Penang prawn noodle soup and more specialties.
