12 restaurants that will satisfy your noodle cravings

Whether it’s go-hot-or-go-home Chinese fayre you’re after or something a little less tastebud blowing, Ancoats indie Blue Eyed Panda delivers on both fronts. While from the outside, the restaurant doesn’t look much, there’s nothing bland about the food, which has tons of kerb appeal – and packs plenty of flavour to boot. 

Cantonese and contemporary, with a relaxed feel and lots of reds and golds tucked away downstairs in otherwise bustling Chinatown, Little Yang Sing is also dim sum-tastic and has plenty more besides, including much for the plant-based palate along with a proper wine list.

The clue’s in the name and My Thai serves up dishes inspired by the street food markets of Bangkok – as bright and vibrant as the bunting-adorned decor in Manchester’s original “shack”, the first after the small chain branched out from Leeds, York and Bradford.

Siam Smiles is famous amongst foodies in the city. Once a tiny café squeezed in next to some supermarket shelves in Chinatown, it now has (slightly) bigger premises but the same redoubtable chef manning the wok. Chef May is a bit of a legend on the Manchester food scene because everyone loves a story. She only took up cooking when the chef left and her professional training came down to watching YouTube videos of Thai cooks. Nevertheless, the food tastes like it has been years in the perfecting – and in a way it has: real recipes passed down from generation to generation and then sent out into the world via the magic medium of Internet.

Tampopo Albert Square is the original venue in this Manchester-born chain from restaurateur David Fox. It was here that they devised and tweaked their winning formula of fast, fresh and affordable East Asian food served in an informal, canteen-style environment, ideal for quick lunches or evening meals with groups of friends.

The original in what is now a chain of Thai streetfood venues founded by Sukhothai province-born Kim Kaewkraikhot (also behind the Chaophraya empire), the cavernous Spinningfields Thaikhun comes complete with tuk tuk at the entrance and the promise of a true taste of Bangkok.

Thai Kitchen No.6 is a real family restaurant. That means it’s a homespun affair without the sheen of some other South East Asian venues in Manchester.

But that doesn’t matter. There are plenty of decadent palaces around if that’s what you’re after. At Thai Kitchen No.6 the interior is basic but there’s a warm welcome and the sort of food eaten by families all over Thailand although they’ve turned the spiky heat down for British palates – perhaps a notch too far if you’re looking for the authentic experience.

There’s a focus on salads with real Thai staples that don’t always make the journey to Western menus.

Spartan and stripped back is the only description for Tokyo Ramen – and that’s both the menu and the restaurant itself. With barely enough space to swing a noodle, the place only accommodates 20 walk-ins. It’s not a sociable place, more a utilitarian slurping station.

Up some steps and through a doorway flanked by two statuettes making the wai, and you’re welcomed into Try Thai, strong on liveliness, bright colours and cocktails, and the punchy flavours of Thailand, smack bang in the centre of Manchester’s Chinatown.

Nelson Lam and Leo Tran’s Viet Shack empire started with a humble takeaway stall in the Arndale Market which quickly gained a reputation for its dazzling lunch dishes at bargain prices.