Hey foodies! Today, I’m going to talk about a hidden gem in KL/PJ area known as The Noodle Shack serving, in my opinion, one of the best and most wholesome pan mee in KL!
Noodle Shack is home to authentic pan mee, each bite transporting you to the nostalgic flavors of your grandma’s kitchen. I got the pleasure of being invited to their Avenue K outlet recently and so here I am, giving you my honest review of their food, whilst sharing with you their humble roots and heartwarming story as well. (We love supporting small homegrown businesses at @thefoodienomad!)
From Modest Roots to Becoming a Foodie Favorite
The Birth of Noodle Shack
Picture this: a pint-sized shop snugly nestled in a bustling corner of town. That’s where the magic began for Noodle Shack. Born in 2009, this humble eatery has grown from its small beginnings into a local legend among noodle enthusiasts in Malaysia. It’s a testament to the power of passion and the pursuit of culinary perfection.
Driven by Passion and Purpose
But what sets Noodle Shack apart from the rest? It’s the unwavering passion and dedication that fuel every dish they serve. Tired of settling for lackluster meals loaded with MSG, the masterminds behind Noodle Shack was inspired by their own need to have access to healthy, homecooked meals after a long day of work. And boom! That’s why they decided to open Noodle Shack. Isn’t that impressive?
They crafted a menu that combines health-conscious choices with lip-smacking flavors, ensuring that every bite is a taste of pure bliss. For them, it’s all about capturing the essence of homemade cooking and sharing it with a community of food lovers like you and me.
A Taste of Mom’s Love
Before we get into trying the delicious menu dishes they have to offer, let’s quickly dive into the secret ingredient that elevates Noodle Shack to new heights—their homemade sambal sauce! According to the owners themselves, it’s a homemade recipe that was passed down through generations, infused with love and cherished memories. With each spoonful of their delectable sambal, you’ll feel a warm embrace, a taste of Mom’s kitchen and the essence of home.
It’s pretty hard to convey how good this sambal was through the keyboard and screen so I suggest you go and try it yourself! But for me, this is one of the things that sets Noodle Shack apart, making it a haven for flavor seekers (and sambal connosieurs).
What We Tried at The Noodle Shack!
Handmade Mackerel Fish Ball Soup
We started our meal with their light mackerel fish ball soup. They carefully craft each fish ball by hand, and you can tell; because you get a bowl of soup that’s brimming with authentic homemade flavors. It’s comfort in a bowl, that’s for sure.
Sambal Shrimp Okra
Not gonna lie, I liked this one so much I think it’s my new favourite appetizer combo. It’s just steamed okra served/topped with their iconic homemade sambal; but the okra was so fresh and crunchy I could totally down the whole plate on my own. The shrimpy homemade sambal was a perfect addition. You guys need to try it!
Crispy Stuffed Bean Curd Roll with Taucu Sauce
Another yummy appetizer, their crispy stuffed bean curd roll that is complemented by their tangy and savoury taucu sauce. I’m a big fan of bean curd skin so this is another must-order for me, but if you fancy other appetizers/sides, Noodle Shack has plenty other options to choose from.
Dry Flat Noodle with Spicy Sambal Shrimps and Soft Boiled Egg (Sambal Pan Mee)
Now, onto our much-awaited mains: starting wtih Noodle Shack’s Signature Pan Mee! The dry flat noodle with spicy sambal shrimps and soft-boiled egg, also known as sambal pan mee, is a flavor explosion waiting to happen. Dense and chewy noodles, served with a generous serving of minced chicken and topped with a good old soft-boiled egg and served with their shrimpylicious sambal sauce, offering just the right amount of heat and a burst of umami goodness.
Do keep in mind that this dish, and all their other dishes, do not contain MSG. And yet, because of the sambal and the spices they use, you’ll totally forget MSG even exists because seriously, who needs it when you have this irresistible medley of flavors?
Flat Noodle in Hakka Pounded Tea (Lei Cha)
Our second main course, first of all, is visually stunning as it is scrumptious. The flat noodle in hakka pounded tea, or lei cha, is a masterpiece of flavors and textures. Once again the same, signature chewy flat noodles Noodle Shack is known for, mingling with vibrant fresh spinach, crunchy peanuts, fresh long beans, tofu, chives, and fragrant sesame seeds. And that’s not all—the light and refreshing tea broth ties everything together, creating a harmonious symphony of wholesome ingredients. Consistent with other lei cha dishes I have tried before, this one’s a guilt-free indulgence that will leave you feeling nourished and utterly satisfied.
Drinks: Chrysanthemum Honey Lime Tea & Ginseng Oolong Tea
Chrysanthemum and vibrant goji berries make the Chrysanthemum Honey Lime drink soooo visually appealing and it tastes just as good as it looks! This drink is a refreshing blend of tangy lime and honey that gives it its natural sweetness. When you take a sip, the flavors come together in perfect harmony. I particularly love the citrusy note on this drink.
As for the Ginseng Oolong Tea, it’s definitely a pick-me-upper! If you’re not a tea person to begin with, I can tell you, I’m also a fan of Noodle Shack’s soya milk so you can try that instead. But if you are, you’re in luck because the Ginseng Oolong Tea is pretty special (probably because I like oolong tea?) but it’s a pretty strong and robust tea (definitely because of the ginseng) and it’s something that can really quite wake you up and rejuvenate you from the inside.
Drinks: Homecooked Loh Han Guo
KL is very often hot and humid so cooling drinks are always welcomed! Noodle Shack homecooks their loh han guo every single day from a thoughtfully selected blend of traditional ingredients, producing cups of soothing and refreshing loh han guo drink every day.
For starters or for our readers not familiar with this traditional beverage: loh han guo, also known as monk fruit, is a small melon-like fruit that is well-known for its cooling properties and natural sweetness. It’s a traditional Chinese herbal drink carefully crafted with a blend of selected ingredients, which is particularly refreshing during hot summer days.
Seasonal Specials
Oh, and here’s some exciting news that will make your taste buds tingle with anticipation. Noodle Shack is currently serving up two mouthwatering seasonal specials until 30 July 2023: Nasi Kotor and Mee Kotor!
Nasi Kotor is a traditional Malaysian dish featuring fragrant rice infused with herbs and spices, while Mee Kotor is a flavorful stir-fried noodle dish. Both dishes highlight the authentic flavors of Malaysian cuisine and are not to be missed during your culinary adventure at Noodle Shack.
Fun Fact: Mee Kotor means “dirty noodles” in Malay, and the dish showcases the art of stir-frying flat noodles to achieve a delightful mess of flavors. Mee Kotor embodies the essence of Malaysian street food, packed with bold flavors and essense of Malaysia’s culinary diversity.
BONUS: for my followers and readers!
And because you’ve read all the way here, here’s an exciting treat exclusively for you all, my beloved followers and readers! As a token of appreciation for your continuous support, I’ve partnered with Noodle Shack to bring you a fantastic giveaway. Three (3) lucky winners will have the opportunity to win a unit of NoodleShack @Home Sambal Chili Shrimp, worth RM23.90 each!
Imagine adding that authentic homemade sambal to your own culinary creations, infusing your dishes with the same mouthwatering flavors that make Noodle Shack a culinary sensation. It’s the perfect way to elevate your home cooking and experience the magic of Noodle Shack in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Participating in this giveaway is simple. Just head over to my Instagram and look for the Noodle Shack giveaway post. Follow the instructions there to enter for a chance to win this delicious prize. Make sure to spread the word and share the giveaway with your fellow food enthusiasts. Who knows? You might just be one of the lucky winners!
Remember, this giveaway is exclusive to my followers and readers residing in the Klang Valley (as the prize needs to be collected from any of Noodle Shack’s outlets in Petaling Jaya and KL) and will only run from the time of posting until 28 July 2023, 23:59 Malaysia time! Winners will be notified via DM no later than 31 July 2023 23:59.
Keep an eye out for the details on my social media platforms and don’t miss out! Good luck, and may the flavors be with you 😘
Note: This giveaway is subject to terms and conditions. Please refer to the giveaway post for more details.
Where to find Noodle Shack:
Noodle Shack outlets are conveniently located across the Klang Valley:
- IPC Shopping Centre (IKEA)
- Address: Lot LG 1.26, IPC Shopping Centre, No. 2, Jalan PJU 7/2, Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Tel: 03 7491 9118
- 1 Utama Shopping Centre
- Address: Lot LG 111-112 (Old Wing), 1 Utama Shopping Centre, 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama City Centre Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Tel: 03 7499 3060
- Avenue K
- UC-6 Avenue K, 156 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
- Tel: 03-2303 0284
They are also available for delivery through Foodpanda, Grabfood, and ShopeeFood. That means you can enjoy their homemade noodles at the comforts of your own home!
