Noodle Kingdom - Preston

I'm back in town for a 4-day weekend.. .yippee!!!!  That means I get to eat .... with people!  I touched down at 1pm and instead of heading home, me, Moo and Moo's friend RachiePoo detoured to Noodle Kingdom.  I do make the distinction that it was the Preston and not the CBD branch.  The main block of High Street has become quite the Asian culinary centre of the north in the last few years.

Anyway, after fighting it out in the Preston Market carpark, we joined the queue inside Noodle Kingdom who specialise in handmade noodles and xiao long bao.  I can always do with zhajiang mian and xiao long bao.  I wasn't quite expecting a queue at 2pm but aaah that can only be representative of good things to come.

Initially the waiters seated us along the main side wall but as a group of three, we were essentially WASTING a fourth seat.  Just as we plonked down, we were then asked to move to the back of the restaurant.  Nice.  Even nicer was RachiePoo's seat which blocked the waiter's path.  As if it was her fault and as if she was a heifer, she was asked to squeeze in closer to the table.  You need to reconsider the seat configuration, Noodle Kingdom!

Anyway, that's not totally unexpected for Chinese restaurants so we brushed it off and started analysing the menu.  Never underestimate the eating prowess of three hungry Asian women.  We ordered a commendable amount of food.

Zhajiang mian, Dandan mian (which I thought I'd eaten before but realised I in fact haven't), xiao long bao and cumin mutton ribs.  We only ordered the ribs because we saw someone else eating them and they looked freaking good. 

Moo happy to be fed. 

Well all this food has gotta be quenched with a drink right?  Here's my sour plum bubble tea.  

Me and my wibbies.  Wibbies here I come!  Some were a little bit fatty but the crispy, cumin batter - num nums! 

Moo playing her wibbie harmonica. 

I've read the negative reviews and most seem to complain about the service.  But meh, I didn't think they were any more rude than most Chinatown places.  Otherwise, we were all very happy with the food especially Moo and RachiePoo who had been disappointed with last night's dinner at Dumplings Plus.  I didn't get food poisoning so there's another plus!  Forgiving the slack service, I'm likely to return to Noodle Kingdom again whenever I need a noodle/dumpling fix!