The Best Spots for Noodles in Ottawa That Will Cure Your Comfort Food Cravings

The first noodle was slurped up thousands of years ago in China, and here in Ottawa, that delicious tradition is still alive and well. Whether you’re craving silky-smooth Vietnamese pho or a hearty bowl of Chinese wonton soup, our city has got you covered.

As a self-proclaimed noodle aficionado, I decided to go on a delicious quest (even though no one asked me to—because I’m proactive like that) and slurped my way across Ottawa. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it.

Get ready to drool because here are the best noodle spots in Ottawa that will make you cry tears of joy!

1. Paper Tiger Noodle Bar

Paper Tiger Noodle Bar, nestled in Old Ottawa South, is a vibrant and innovative dining destination that has captured the hearts of noodle enthusiasts. Since its inception as a pop-up concept in late 2019, the restaurant has grown into a beloved local staple, known for its unique approach to noodle dishes and its commitment to using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant offers a variety of noodle dishes, each crafted with care and creativity, ensuring a dining experience that is both flavorful and memorable. 

One of the key strengths of Paper Tiger Noodle Bar is its commitment to using authentic and seasonal ingredients in its noodle dishes. This dedication ensures that each dish is bursting with fresh flavors and vibrant textures. The menu features a diverse range of noodle options, including the popular Beast Ramen, Vegan Ramen, and Vietnamese Garlic Noodles, catering to a variety of dietary preferences and tastes. Additionally, the restaurant’s innovative techniques and unique flavor combinations set it apart from traditional noodle bars. 

Furthermore, the restaurant not only focuses on delivering exceptional food but also creates a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for its guests. The inclusion of a well-curated selection of wines, sake, beer, and scratch cocktails enhances the overall dining experience, allowing patrons to pair their meals with complementary beverages. The partnership with local beer and sake breweries further adds to the unique appeal of the restaurant, offering a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience. 

However, the restaurant’s popularity and no-reservations policy for lunches can lead to long wait times, especially during peak hours. This might be inconvenient for patrons with tight schedules or those seeking a quick meal. 

In conclusion, Paper Tiger Noodle Bar stands out as a unique and innovative dining destination in Old Ottawa South, offering a diverse and flavorful menu of noodle dishes crafted with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant’s commitment to quality, creativity, and a holistic dining experience makes it a top choice for noodle enthusiasts. For those seeking an unforgettable noodle dining experience, Paper Tiger Noodle Bar is a must-visit.

Customer Reviews

Here are some reviews from their clients:

“Wow this place was so lovely! I’ve lived in Old Ottawa South for a while, and if you have to, you’ll know that so many restaurants turned over at this location before Paper Tiger, and they were all just okay. But I finally got to come here yesterday and it was amazing! I enjoyed it so much more than the other restaurants there before. They have so many dishes that were elevated or spin offs from traditional meals like ramen and udon. Our server was fast and friendly, and the atmosphere was so cozy and modern. Only slight downside is some of the seats are a little small, but we didn’t mind much. And I didn’t get the opportunity to when I went, but their cocktails look amazing and I am looking forward to going back and trying them in the future.”

“Finally, Ottawa got a decent ramen restaurant. Lots of flavors and spicy punch to the food in a trendy atmosphere. You gotta try their house jalapeño sake, their roasted eggplant salad, oysters with sake sauce, and of course their ramen! We end up ordering dessert as well.. it had a good homemade feel to it.. none the less .. it was delish”

2. Di Noodle

Being a pho fanatic (thanks, mom!), I had high expectations for Di Noodle, a Vietnamese street food joint. Luckily, they seem to have lived up to their hype.

First up, their lovely broth—it was flavourful and not overly salty, which is a major win in my books. They didn’t skimp on the toppings either—fresh herbs, veggies, and generous portions of meat (for the non-vegans out there).  

Their noodles were also perfect—it had a satisfying chew and a delicate spring that allowed them to soak up the flavorful broth. To be honest, it reminded me of my mom’s homemade pho, which is a high compliment.

We also noticed their vegan options like tofu pho and vegetable spring rolls. They even have delicious vegan sides like traditional pickled daikon radish, carrots, and onions and topped with fresh cilantro—yum!

For the spice enthusiasts, they have a fiery selection including tom yum, bun bo hue noodle soups, and our fave, beef brisket red curry noodle soup. 

In addition to pho, they have classic Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, rice wraps, spring rolls, and a mean iced coffee—perfect for a refreshing pick-me-up.

We did hear about issues with the orders being given to customers, like tripe ending up in vegan dishes. 

Customer Reviews

Quality pho soups and vermicelli bowls are EVERYTHING

“* Hidden Gem Alert * My husband and I order from here a couple times a month 🙃 we used to travel to Chinatown as quality Pho Soups and Vermacelli Bowls are EVERYTHING to our foodie family. We located this gem about a year ago and have remained loyal ever since because we can’t get over how delicious their Vermacelli Bowls and Pho Soups are every time, any day of the week. Hubby always gets the Grilled Pork Vermacelli Bowl. I toggle between the Grilled Chicken Vermacelli bowl and their Beef Pho Noodle soup all of which are superb.” — Sydney Mc, Google Review

Crab noodle soup is absolutely delicious!

“My family and I are regulars here. We love eating at Di Noodle and the food is always consistently good. The decor is lacking, but I come here for the good food, not the ambiance. I’ve tried almost everything on the menu but I consistently go back to their crab noodle soup, because it’s my favourite. It’s absolutely delicious! I haven’t been able to find this on any other restaurant menu in Ottawa, so it’s exclusively only at Di Noodle. I love that they use real crab. It’s sweet, salty, spicy and umami. I love enjoying it on a cold day. It’s warm and inviting. Highly recommend!” — Julie Wu, Google Review

3. The Noodle House

If you’re craving a taste of Southern Vietnam (and other Southeast Asian dishes), try The Noodle House in Centretown.

Their comforting pho was definitely clean-tasting—no MSG overload here; while I prefer a bit more depth of flavor myself, it was still enjoyable and light, leaving me bloat-free. However, I wish there was a bit more broth in the bowl itself.

Despite the pho situation, they still get major points for value. They pack their pho with fresh, juicy, tender beef (steak, meatballs, etc.), making it a filling and affordable meal.  

We also appreciate the fact that all their noodle soups come with classic pho fixings on the side: bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime, and chili peppers for customizable spice levels.

The Noodle House also offers a variety of dishes, including vegan and gluten-free options. They even have tempting off-menu specials (check out their socials) and a drink selection featuring iced coffees, juices, sodas, and a must-try jackfruit shake.

For dessert, we recommend their delicious and unique deep-fried bananas with vanilla ice cream. Premium tropical ice cream options such as green tea, coconut, lychee, and mango are also available, and they’re served with yummy wafer rolls!

There’s free parking on-site, but be warned because they’re limited.

Customer Reviews

The broth is to die for

“Best pho in Ottawa!!! I eat a lot of pho and I always a) run out of noodles and b) run out beef…. I had noodles AND beef left over at Noodle House!! The broth is to die for and the bean sprouts and basil are soooo fresh. We also had the pork spring rolls which tasted definitely hand made – delicious. Please go here you won’t regret it and you’ll want to come back ASAP! Customer service is also amazing! It’s my new favourite pho place!” — Beth Behnke, Google Review

Everything was delicious and fresh!

“Delicious food and great service! Friendly greeting as we entered and great service throughout the visit. Complimentary tea served upon seating us. Very clean and well-maintained (including the washrooms!). Ordered for two – shrimp spring rolls, dim sum, a beef flank noodle soup, a bbq pork, chicken, shrimp and crab noodle and a vietnamese iced coffee – $50 and change. Everything was delicious and fresh! The broth was very good. Definitely coming back for more. Very pleased with the entire visit. Parking on the street.” — Are Romero, Google Review

4. Le Mien

Le Mien in ByWard Market is an iconic spot known for its fresh, hand-pulled noodles. 

In fact, these beauties are made fresh right before your eyes. 

Watching the process is almost as fun as devouring the final product—in fact, we saw quite a few people catching the process on video and posting it on their socials.

They offer beef, chicken, and veggie broths, so there’s something for everyone. As for me, their braised beef tendon with brown sauce and their hand-pulled beef noodle with pickled cabbage are my top picks

Now, their noodle texture is what dreams are made of—silky smooth and perfectly chewy. It pairs beautifully with the broth, which boasts a clean taste reminiscent of classic Shanghai wonton noodle soup.

Be warned: portions are HUGE! We recommend ordering a small, especially for first-timers, or maybe a large if you want to share with another person.

Despite the line that can sometimes extend outside (this place is popular!), service is impressively fast. We even got our appetizer within minutes and their soup in just 5!  

However, the small size (seating around 20-25) and tight quarters might not be ideal for large groups. Le Mien does offer patio seating for a more open-air experience.

Customer Reviews

Probably the best beef noodle soup I’ve had

“The noodle was probably the best Beef noodle soup I’ve had for this kind of traditional Chinese noodles. The soup was excellent with its own hot pepper oil. And the noodle ( 3rd, and Joyce) was both great. I was amazed.” — TOtheMoment, Google Review

One of the best bowls of beef noodle soup I’ve had in Canada or China

“Pretty much perfection. The service is fast, efficient, and nice. The kitchen is totally open and adds to the energy of the place. And then the food… seriously one of the greatest blessings in Ottawa. The broth is the most delicious savoury and salty liquid from heaven. The tender, thin sliced beef is amazingly flavourful and just… beefy. And the noodles are flawlessly tender and amazing. Pretty much a perfect bowl honestly. If you are looking for a bowl of noodles that’s truly authentic but also just straight up good: this is it. These guys clearly take pride in what they’re doing and they do it well. One of the best bowls of beef noodle soup I’ve had, in Canada or China. Bless.” — Brandon Robinson, Google Review

5. La La Noodles

La La Noodle, also known as 98 La La Noodle, is a place that celebrates the art of traditional hand-pulled beef noodles.

Get ready to be mesmerized because they boast a chef who creates the noodles fresh, right in front of your eyes. It’s like a live performance—watching them transform simple dough into perfectly formed noodles is a skill to be admired. 

The noodles themselves are the real deal— impeccably fresh and customizable to your preference: thin, thick, flat, the choice is yours!

Another star of the show is undoubtedly the broth—made fresh daily and simmered for over 20 hours with a mountain of ingredients (15 chickens and 40 kg of beef!).  No artificial additives here, just pure, concentrated deliciousness.

We opted for the classic beef noodle soup with pickled mustard greens, and it was a home run. The richness of the broth paired beautifully with the fresh, springy noodles, and the pickled greens added a nice tang. 

While beef noodles are their specialty, we also tried the Sichuan classic, dan dan noodles, and it was a spicy, peanut-sauced masterpiece. The flat, wide noodles were perfectly coated, and the bits of pork added a welcome textural contrast.  

We did notice that their portion sizes for meat could be a bit more generous compared to other noodle shops.  

Customer Reviews

One of the best noodle restaurants I’ve eaten at

“Amazing place, probably one of the best noodle restaurants I’ve eaten at. Ordered the classic beef noodle The hand pulled noodles are great quality. The meat was fresh and the broth was very rich in flavour. The amount of msg is appropriate, not too strong but also adequate. The side dishes like the brochettes and the spiced peanuts are also great and authentically Chinese. Friendly staff, thoughtful service. Would recommend to anyone looking for a authentic and rich Chinese noodle soup.” — Ding Yi Zhang, Google Review

By far, the best noodles I’ve ever had!

“This is, by far, the best noodles I’ve ever had! The broth was spicy and delicious! Definitely one of my favourite restaurants in Ottawa! If you’re in the area, please come try this place!” — Kai-Owen Van-Lane, Google Review

6. Wei’s Noodle House

My epic noodle crawl is complete! My last stop was Wei’s Noodle House, a hidden gem now tucked away in the basement of the REMAX building on Bronson Avenue.

While Wei’s boasts a variety of Asian dishes, it leans towards fusion cuisine. They offer classic noodle staples like pad thai, udon, and chow mein, alongside vegan options and interesting stir-fry combos.   

We like that they cater to all dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free), making it a great choice for groups with mixed preferences.

In fact, they take vegan options seriously. Their menu features dishes with “vegan chicken” or “vegan beef,” and customers rave about the vegan versions of their soups.  

I didn’t go the vegan route, but I can attest to the incredible spicy peanut sauté noodle soup. This dish was epic—thick and nutty, with a touch of curry and a perfect kick of spice. 

My personal experience with the noodles was great—perfectly cooked and springy.  However, we heard about customers encountering rubbery noodles in the past.  

Beyond the noodle bowls, Wei’s Noodle House tempts with tasty snacks. Examples include vegan chicken bites (or regular chicken bites for the non-vegans), crispy potato tornadoes, and refreshing edamame. 

Wash down your comforting meal by choosing from their selection of drinks. Real fruit smoothies (some vegan!), milkshakes, and classic teas and coffee are on offer.

Customer Reviews

Probably the best soup I ever had

“September 2023: Amazing food, great portions. Lots of vegan options. Order the spicy peanut sauté soup you won’t be disappointed, probably the best soup I ever had. Live in Montreal but will probably come back to Ottawa just for Wei’s Noodle House. Edit: Jan 2024, still amazing still great service and still so easy to order for pickup, delivery or to eat there. The food is so good!! Thank you!” — Anthony D., Google Review

Truly my favourite restaurant ever

“Truly my favourite restaurant ever. Their vegan menu is AMAZING and I have heard that their regular menu is great too. My favourite meal is the coconut hot and sour noodle soup. The staff is friendly and they work so hard to get orders out even when short staffed. Absolutely love this place and would eat here every day if I could ❤️” — Camryn Pollock, Google Review

FAQs about Noodles

While Ottawa’s noodle scene is awesome, this city’s culinary treats extend far beyond the slurping satisfaction of a perfect bowl. So, let’s set down our chopsticks for a moment and dive into the most famous and must-try food items Ottawa has to offer!