Where to Get the Best Hand-Pulled Noodle Spots in NZ

Great hand-pulled noodles are silky, springy, chewy ribbons to savour. Here are a few places across Aotearoa to find the best.
Words by: Johnny Gibson
Photography by: Neat Places
There is something seriously comforting about a bowl of authentic Chinese noodles. Thick, thin, spicy, soup or dry, and plenty more we won’t get into, the land of the hand-pulled noodle is fresh, fun to eat, affordable and absolutely delicious. Here are four neat picks across the country for the ever-popular noodles.
Taste of Home
128 Vivian Street, Te Aro, Wellington
This pint-sized steamy little space has a cult following; word of mouth has most definitely spread amongst Wellingtonians. Yo Po Mian (or hot oil noodles) are a Taste of Home special, and the chef/owners reckon they’re the only noodles like this in the capital. Have them with your choice of pork belly, crispy squid, wontons, spiced egg, fried tofu or chicken. The constant flow of hungry customers every lunchtime should be motivation enough to join the queue.
Miss Peppercorn
32 Nayland Street, Sumner, Christchurch, Christchurch & Canterbury
Establishing itself as a destination in the seaside community of Sumner, Miss Peppercorn doesn’t disappoint with a menu based around Sichuan peppercorns. Owner and operator Nicole Zou hails from the Chinese province of Sichuan, so prepare for the famous peppercorn kick. The star of the show is The Biang Biang Noodles, named after the clapping and slapping sound the thick hand-pulled heavenly noodles make. Drizzled in that distinctive spicy sauce with vegetables, the Biang Biang are available with beef, pork, chicken or vegetables, though we hear beef is the most popular.
Eden Noodles
105 Dominion Road, Auckland
Dominion Road is a hot pot of noodles, you just need to know where to look, even then it’s hard to pick a favourite, and even harder to pass Eden Noodles. The first choice is to pick a noodle - wide, thick, thin, kumara or rice noodles. Following that, the staple Dandan Noodles is the signature dish for good reason. You’ll be greeted by a healthy portion of goodness with dandan sauce and crispy pork mince up top. What more could you ask for?

Garden Place Noodle Bar
21 Worley Place, Hamilton Central, Hamilton
Hamilton has a solid selection of great Chinese restaurants, so noodle lovers are in good hands, but the best around town are at Garden Place Noodle Bar. This understated little local has a dark wooden interior and is lit by fun lantern lighting, the ideal place to dive headfirst into a bowl of noodles. The Beef Sirloin Noodle Soup is the favourite and is available Gluten-Free, followed closely by the Pork Mince Noodle, a hot second. Lovers of the cheap and cheerful, quick and quality, will find a little haven in Garden Place Noodle Bar.
Neat Auckland Places
Dizengoff

A Ponsonby Road favourite that, despite many comings and goings on the hospitality strip, has proved a bit of a mainstay.
Commonsense Mt Eden

A boutique and thoughtful shopping experience, you can rest easy at Commonsense Organics knowing every item you purchase is helping either the land, the people, your insides or a mixture of all three.
Little Rosie

Don't worry if you didn't get a seat at the ever-popular Rosie, their sister eatery is here to satisfy your hunger. Head next door to Little Rosie for a moreish selection of takeaway goods ready to devour.
Völla Café

Tucked away in York Street Courtyard, Völla Café is a sweet little garden oasis dishing out artisanal treats and killer coffee.
Dantes Pizzeria

An authentic Italian pizzeria with the freshest ingredients – right down to the mozzarella which strings its way throughout the melting pot of flavours each topping provides.