Noodley there! But room to improve (Neds Noodle Bar)

Member Name: Homer213

Product:	Neds Noodle Bar
Date:	30/06/09 (111 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty, nice range, lots of choices

Disadvantages: Expensive, inconsistent quality and delivery service

Every now and then if we really don't feel like cooking and are after something a little different, we turn to Neds Noodle Bar and their home delivery service.

You can find Neds Noodle Bar at 3 locations; Belvedere Rd, London, SE1 7GQ (near Waterloo Station); Westbourne Grove, London, W2 4UW (Royal Oak or Bayswater stations are closest) and The Food Terrace, Eastgate Centre, Town Centre, Basildon, SS14 1EB (Basildon Station is closest).

I've not been to any of the above restaurants, but have ordered home delivery from the Neds Noodle Bar at Westbourne Grove. Therefore my review is based solely on my delivery experience with this store and the Neds Noodle Bar website.


=== What is Neds? ===
Neds Noodle Bar is exactly what it describes - a noodle bar. Their "claim to fame" is they serve "a variety of noodle dishes all in the original American takeout pailor boxes". So noodles in a box!!
They offer eat in, takeout and home delivery!

=== What's on the menu? ====
They serve - noodles!
They've 11 types of "Noodle Boxes", plus 4 monthly special noodle boxes. For all noodle boxes, you can also choose your type of noodles - egg, rice or udon noodles.
The prices range from £4.90 to £6.95 per box

In addition to noodle boxes soup noodle boxes, salads, soups, desserts and a kids selection are also on the menu!

They also have a "Set Menu Delivery Specials" section with the imaginative titles of: "Lonely Heart" - (noodles for one) - any noodle box, a drink and spring rolls - £8.95
"Couples" - any 2 noodle boxes, spring rolls, prawn crackers and 2 drinks - £16.95
"Threesome" - any 3 noodle boxes, spring rolls, ribs, prawn crackers and 3 drinks - £22.00
"Orgy" - any 4 noodle boxes, 2 x spring rolls, 2x ribs, 2 x prawn toasts and 4 drinks - £35.00

The website has pictures (they are a bit small) of all the dishes too!

I'll give them - 4 stars

=== How easy is it to order and pay? ===
The website appears easy enough to order and pay through except you can't order and pay for the set menu delivery specials above through the website. You have to call up and order, and you can either pay with credit card over the phone or cash on delivery. As we've only every ordered the "Couples" set menu, I can't comment on the online ordering experience.
When I have ordered over the phone, their system recognises my number and address and I've had no problems paying by credit card over the phone or cash on delivery.

I should mention that minimum order is £8 plus £1 delivery fee!

3 stars

=== How quick is delivery? ===
We've had mixed success with delivery. Generally it's pretty good - under 30 minutes, but there are times where we've waited close to 60 minutes for delivery (not great when you are starving) and had to call to followup.

3 stars

=== How good is the food? ===
Generally I'd say it is good. The items come as described online. They arrive hot in boxes along with chopsticks.
However our recent experience with Neds was not so good. We ordered the "Couples" set menu - so once again had to call up. My boyfriend ordered No. 4 - Barbecued Pork. It arrived hot but it took a bit of digging in the box to find the pork, and when he did, all he found were disappointing pieces of fat and gristle. The noodles were also a bit weak on sauce and flavouring. I went for my favourite - Singapore Seafood (No. 2) which has lots of prawns and squid, and isn't too spicy. If you like spicy noodles you'd be disappointed!! I should mention you don't have the option of vermicelli noodles for the Singapore noodles, so they are a bit different from the norm.
The spring rolls were hot and tasty - but you only get 5, which is a bit odd for a "Couples" meal. They serve a HUGE bag of prawn crackers - so you'll be well and truly stuffed if you eat them all.
The Coke came in glass bottles which was a pleasant surprise.
Overall it was okay meal - nothing to write home about - 3 and a half stars

=== Will I return? ===
Yes - I will return when I'm feeling "lazy" on a Sunday night, and there is nothing in the cupboard to eat! But I don't think we'll be choosing Barbecued Pork - No. 4 again. May have well selected a vego option.

Neds is expensive for what you get - I can eat out at a local Chinese restaurant for the same price or less. So you really are paying for the convenience of home delivery and the experience of noodles in a box.

The quality of the food varies, and the delivery times are inconsistent. It's also frustrating that not all the menu options are available online.

There are certainly things they can do to improve their service and improve the value for money!

== Overall ===
I'm giving them 3 stars as there is room to improve!

Summary: Nearly there, but room for improvement!!