NIU Taiwanese Beef Noodles

Lovely little place right in the heart of soho. We popped in for a pre theatre meal to sample that famous beef noodle dish and we were pleasantly surprised. Service was friendly and quick. Beef was butter soft and flavoursome and not at all spicy. They also have my favourite yuzu tea which was a great addition to our meal. They have an upstairs with more tables and the lavatories downstairs. The do take card and cash payments.

After visiting Covent Garden, we headed to this Taiwanese noodle shop for dinner. The restaurant has two floors, but it's not very spacious, with limited seating. Luckily, we arrived early, so we didn’t have to wait for a table. The staff were very friendly and polite. We ordered the beef noodle soup and the Three Cup Chicken. The soup base wasn’t very rich, but the noodles were good. However, the Three-Cup Chicken wasn’t made in the traditional way, and the chicken pieces were a bit overcooked.

Food was simple and delicious. It wasn’t expensive, but the margins on the food must be high as it’s very simple was (scallion noodles are literally just noodles and oil). Service was polite and helpful. We were sat downstairs and they really went for the “just enough” approach decor and low effort at comfort. Overall very happy with our food, but not a destination restaurant.

I like this place. The flavors and presentation are quite authentic. However, to be honest, I wasn’t particularly impressed. Maybe because of the beef was a bit chewy, and the edges of the kombu and tofu skin were somewhat dry and hard. Overall, though, I was still feel satisfied that I could enjoy authentic Taiwanese food in the middle of London.

Food is simple and not pretentious. We a couple of meals to share. We went for veggie options and although they were yummy they were nothing to write home about. Simple decor with friendly service.

Went to this noodle shop on a bit of a whim, craving noodles in the city centre but not wanting to go to the usual places, giving a try to this place was an excellent choice. The locale is not too big but feels warm and calm even though it was full. The soft scent of beef broth wafts in the air invitingly, the staff is attentive and kind. The main's menu has few options but the point is that you come here for their beef noodles and you get the best bang for your buck in that regard. I tried the beef rib noodles and the meat was tender and incredibly flavourful, the broth was deep and nuanced but not overwhelmingly so. All other dishes looked very good as well, particularly the relatively wide selection of entrées. I will definitely be coming back for seconds, but this time I will be wiser and I will get some of those scrumptiously looking entrées.

Disappointing Taiwanese beef noodles - particularly for the price! For ~£17 (inc. service charge) you can find much East Asian food options (e.g. Eat Tokyo just up the road) if you absolutely don’t need beef noodle soup. Broth was bland and underwhelming, and didn’t taste like a high quality bowl.

I visited NIU Taiwanese Beef Noodles for a late weekday lunch. The restaurant has implemented an unusual security measure, keeping the front door locked and requiring staff to let customers in and out. While this might seem inconvenient, it’s understandable given the recent increase in crime in London. Upon entering, I noticed the floor was disappointingly sticky, which detracted from the overall cleanliness of the establishment. The menu offered a good variety, including traditional beef noodles and vegetarian options. The staff was attentive, and the food arrived quickly. However, I found it odd that all dishes (house pickles, fried chicken, and beef noodles) were served simultaneously, which isn’t typical in Taiwan. Food Quality: • Beef Noodles: The soup was acceptable, but not particularly authentic. The beef was inconsistent in size and cooking, with some pieces undercooked and others too chunky. The noodles were unfortunately overcooked and clumped together at the bottom. • Fried Chicken: The most authentic dish, though slightly dry. • House Pickles: Refreshing and well-seasoned, a pleasant addition to the meal. While the fried chicken showed promise and the house pickles were enjoyable, the signature beef noodles fell short of expectations. The lack of consistency in the beef and the overcooked noodles were disappointing. Price and Value:
The price for the beef noodles was comparable to more established restaurants like Din Tai Fung, which offers a more authentic Taiwanese dining experience. In conclusion, while NIU Taiwanese Beef Noodles has potential, there’s a lot of room for improvement in food preparation and overall dining experience. For those seeking authentic Taiwanese cuisine, other options in London might be more satisfying.