From the fragrant hawker-style stalls of St Kilda to the comforting embrace of slow-cooked carbonara in Traralgon, noodles are having a moment. This isn’t your average stir-through Tuesday night dinner. We’re talking rich broths built on patience and pork bones, slippery strands soaked in tamarind and palm sugar and heritage pasta rolled with precision.
This is your guide to four unforgettable noodle experiences across Melbourne, Sydney and Gippsland. Grab your chopsticks - or forks - and let’s twirl, slurp and savour our way through Australia’s finest bowls and plates.
Chinta Ria Soul – St Kilda, Vic
With its sultry soundtrack of jazz and a riot of tropical decor, Chinta Ria Soul on Acland Street is a soulful homage to Malaysia’s bustling hawker centres, artfully translated for the St Kilda crowd. Inside, earthy tones meet sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, while terracotta tiles and dark timber lend a warm, tactile charm. A mural of jazz legends oversees the dining room, setting a laidback tone that makes it easy to linger a little longer than planned.
The real soul, however, lives in the noodles. The mee goreng is a deeply nostalgic dish, elevated with a clever balance of sweet, spice and texture. Chicken, egg and prawns nestle into wok-tossed noodles alongside golden cubes of bean curd, buttery potatoes, tomatoes and just the right hit of fried shallots. A final flourish of lemon cuts through the richness, lifting the dish into next-level territory.
Khon Thai – Sydney Olympic Park, NSW
Just steps from stadium buzz and Olympic nostalgia, Khon Thai brings modern Thai dining to Sydney Olympic Park with finesse and flair. Its contemporary interiors - subway tiles, dark wood and moody lighting from Edison bulbs - set the scene for fresh, fragrant plates that honour tradition while looking to the future. Whether you’re inside soaking up the vibrant energy or basking alfresco under Sydney’s sky, Khon Thai delivers a stylish spot for casual-yet-memorable eats.
The chicken pad Thai is a masterclass in balance. Rice noodles are stir-fried to a glossy tangle with tofu, egg, garlic chives and bean sprouts, then crowned with crushed peanuts and a hint of tamarind. It’s sweet, savoury and just the right amount of sticky - comforting yet lively, like a good Thai dish should be. Looking to elevate your midweek meal or fuel up before a show?
Book a table at Khon Thai and let the spice guide you.
Traralgon’s Stellina offers more than just food - it’s an immersion into Italian heritage served with a Gippsland accent. Housed in the historic Star Hotel, this refined spot delivers charm by the forkful. The dining space celebrates rustic elegance with exposed brick, original features and a heartfelt nod to Italian hospitality. It’s the kind of place where you feel both transported and entirely at home.
Here, the pasta is the headline act. The spaghetti carbonara is an exercise in restraint and authenticity - no cream, just pancetta rendered to golden crisp, velvety egg yolk, sharp Grana Padano and a generous grind of black pepper. Each bite speaks of tradition, elevated with regional produce and a Chef’s understanding of balance. Whether you’re a carbonara purist or a pasta romantic, Stellina’s plate is one to remember.
Book your spot under the Traralgon stars and taste the little things done right.
In the heart of Redfern, RaRa Ramen takes ramen seriously - obsessively, even. This slick urban noodle bar is a shrine to the Japanese art of broth, offering rustic-cool interiors with exposed brick, polished concrete and a soft neon glow. It’s a no-fuss, full-flavour affair that draws a loyal following from ramen aficionados and curious newcomers alike.
The RaRa tonkotsu is its calling card: a slow-cooked pork broth, cloudy with collagen and umami depth, poured over thick, springy noodles. Topped with grilled chashu pork, seasoned bamboo, soft-boiled egg and a whisper of black fungus, it’s a bowl that warms you to your bones. One slurp and you’re hooked.
Whether you’re craving the silky simplicity of Italian spaghetti or the bold, layered flavours of a Malaysian mee goreng, these venues are rewriting the noodle rulebook. Each bowl tells a story - of heritage, innovation and a deep respect for the humble noodle. So, next time you’re in Melbourne, Sydney or Gippsland, ditch the supermarket sachet and dive fork-first into the real deal.
