If you’re looking for noodles in Orlando, look no further! This one-of-a-kind noodle shop is perfect for tourists and locals alike with an incredible atmosphere and authentic cuisine. From unforgettable appetizers to bowls filled to the brim with noodles, broth, and toppings, there’s something on this menu for every foodie.
Anime and Japanese cuisine meet
I am not an anime fan. I can’t even say I’ve ever even watched a single episode. To be honest, I don’t know that I ever will. However, as a huge fan of Japanese food and experiential dining, I was more than eager to give Naroodle Noodle Shop a try!
As a Disney Parks fan, I can see the draw behind this quaint spot. It’s not just a place to slurp noodles. It’s a place where fans can feel like they are inside the story. The menu welcomes you to the “Hidden Valley in the Sauce” and gives details about this land and its’ founding, right on the menu. With a giant, animated bowl of noodles on the wall and a swing in the entryway, it’s impossible to miss the whimsical fun of this restaurant.
The menu at Naroodle was perfect – not too big, but with plenty of choices. To some, this may seem like a strange observation. However, this shows that the chef has kept variety while keeping the ability to put care into each dish. As I read through each item, I saw phrases like “limited quantities daily” and “house-made.” Always a good sign.
Oodles of noodles
At a noodle shop, we all know to expect ramen. At Naroodle, there were quite a few more options. On top of quite a few ramen dishes, all made with different broths and toppings, yakisoba, udon, and more were also on the menu. For our meal, we ordered the yakisoba with chicken, the chicken shoyu, and the spicy miso. Upon trying them all, I was so pleasantly surprised by the vastly different flavors in each dish.
Starting with the chicken shoyu, this dish had a very distinct smokey flavor that paired well with juicy, roasted chicken and fresh corn off the cob. Next, the yakisoba was a perfect balance with flavorful noodles, vegetables, and chicken. Out of every part of this dish, I most remember how much I enjoyed the preparation of the chicken and how well it complemented the noodles it was paired with. Our last dish was a spicy miso bowl that had delicious depth in flavor. The umami flavor from the combination of the miso and fatty pork belly was so fantastically memorable.
Blue ribbon bao buns
As memorable as those noodles were, there was nothing better than the bao buns. I would drive miles and wait on countless virtual lines for them again and again.
As a girl who has eaten more than her fair share of bao buns, I judge harshly on the quality of the bun itself. The filling is important, but if the bun isn’t just right, what’s on the inside doesn’t matter much. These buns were fresh and soft. I have noticed that bao buns can be stale and have an almost tough feeling film on the outside when they’re not fresh. But not these, these were perfect. If anything, they may just be the freshest buns I have had in Orlando, at the very least.
For our filling, we chose the fire style chicken. There were gems of crispy fried chicken coated in a vibrant and slightly spicy sauce inside the buns. Accompanied by crunchy bits of cucumber and a bit of Japanese mayo, these buns could have been my full meal. The flavors and textures were so well balanced. The crunchy cucumber with the soft bun. The thick, spicy sauce with the creamy, rich mayonnaise. Each bite was perfect, and I’ll admit I was sad I had to share.
Foodie Series
As a lifelong lover of travel and food, my foodie series allows me to share my favorite dining experiences. From Disney Parks to the 50 states, I love anything delicious, memorable, and fun. For more, check out my review of Jaleo by Jose Andres, Disney Springs, or check out my Instagram for IG TV episodes for my video highlights!
