My visit to Noodle & Dumplings Chain in Kingsford wasn’t the worst meal I’ve had in Kingsford (that honour would go to Chinese Dumpling and Noodle Restaurant, located next door), but also very far from the best.
Kingsford’s reputation for good, value-for-money Chinese food stems from its position as one of Sydney’s few “college towns”, with a population consisting largely of Chinese international students as well as price-conscious local students. It is unfortunate, therefore, that Noodle & Dumpling Chain did not live up to the hype set by its neighbours.
The Shengjian Bao (6 for $9.80) were not bad. While I would rate them below other restaurants both near and far in terms of their soup content, they were one of the most passable dishes of the meal.
The Xiao Long Bao (8 for $10.80) were also okay, though really nothing special. I think what you’re really paying for here is not having to break out the steamer at home and steam your own very similar Asian-grocery bought frozen XLBs. Quite cheap, but otherwise nothing to write home about.
I don’t think anyone who orders Shandong Chicken expects to get this brought to their table. An easy recommendation to avoid.
The Battered Egg Combination Rice Noodle ($14.80) is large and well priced, though I wasn’t a fan of the flavours, and thought that it relied too heavily on seafood extender over meat.
COMMENTS
I wasn’t impressed by Noodle & Dumplings Chain, though looking at the prices I wonder how much of that is due to the sheer volume and quality of Chinese food I’ve been lucky enough to eat since my uni days. While I wouldn’t come back, I could see how Noodle & Dumplings Chain would be a reasonable place to eat for a struggling uni student.
Noodle & Dumplings Chain
321 Anzac Parade, Kingsford NSW 2032