Shaolin Kung Fu Noodle Albany

The Verdict

Let’s be honest, there’s nothing more comforting than a big ol’ bowl of noodles. Pair with moreish dumplings and you’ve got a feast that will delight you from the inside out. All about that #noodlelife too? Head to Shaolin Kung Fu Noodle’s bustling restaurant in Albany to devour some of the best damn noodles (and dumplings) in Auckland.  

You’re spoilt for choice with 200 dishes (!) to choose from. The extensive menu is divided into sections with chicken, lamb, beef, seafood and vegetarian dishes all making appearances—there’s truly something for everyone. Better yet, the eatery has certification for using Halal meat.

First things first, no visit is complete without slurping your way through their famous noodles. The chefs make the noodles by chopping, whacking and slapping the ingredients into shape—hence the name Shaolin Kung Fu Noodle.

The curry-esque Meilan beef noodles are irresistible, while the delightfully chewy fried lamb noodles are an Urban List fave. Kung Fu Noodle’s signature dish of hot and spicy beef noodles is not to be missed. The sliced noodles are paired with beef, bok choy, sesame seeds and a whooole lot of spice.

If you visit with your squad, the aptly named sensational spicy chicken (it’s seriously sensational) will leave you full and content. The massive platter is loaded with tender chicken, capsicum, onion and potato. Mix through the side of hand-pulled noodles and you’ve got a feast big enough to feed an army (or two).

The friendly team are more than happy to alter the dishes to suit your taste buds. Less spice? No problem. More spice? They’ve got you covered. What’s more, you can pick and choose the type of noodles in your dish. Choose between thin, sliced, fried or pulled noodles.

There’s so much more than noodles though! Kung Fu dishes up all your Chinese faves in a glorious fashion. Think flavoursome chicken wonton soup, cumin-spiced lamb burgers, steamed pork buns, spicy cucumber salad and a not-to-be-missed flaky pull-apart spring onion pancake.

No Chinese feast is complete without dumplings and Kung Fu serves them steamed, poached, pan-fried or in sour soup. Pan-fried is our go-to with the dumplings arranged to fill a pan before being flipped and served like a dumpling pancake (yes, please!). They’re filled with the likes of lamb and fennel, chicken and corn or beef and celery.

Visit with your significant other for a cheap and cheerful meal or round up your squad and attempt to eat your way through the menu. And, if Albany isn’t entirely your neck of the woods, fear not—you can get your noodley fix from Shaolin Kung Fu Noodle in Balmoral, Howick and the CBD.

Image credit: Jared Donkin