Noodles in Cupertino, CA

“My daughter and I really enjoy the ramen.“

“This used to be my favorite noodle spot for years, thanks to its Hainan chicken noodle special and chicken rice plate. The dishes offered great value, and the soup, famously free of MSG, was a standout. For the price of a fast-food burger meal, you could enjoy a flavorful bowl of chicken noodles—an unbeatable deal.

Unfortunately, things have changed. Over the past six months, the quality of the chicken has noticeably declined. They’ve switched from ranch or cage-free chicken to a lower-quality alternative. The meat now has a mushy texture, barely surpassing that of Costco rotisserie chicken.

Even more disappointing is the addition of MSG to the soup base, which leaves you parched after finishing a bowl. While some might not mind, I don’t think my taste buds have changed—this isn’t the soup I once loved.

I’d recommend that Special Noodle Soup focus on preserving the quality of their signature dishes, even if it means raising prices. Compromising quality undermines the reputation they’ve built over the years.

I would like to hear your comments or it's just me getting older!!“

“No complaints! Came in for a late lunch and the restaurant was still fairly packed. Ordered a Dry Noodle with Ground Pork and it came out within 10 minutes. The noodles had a nice chew and the dish surprisingly wasn't oily overall. Simple and fulfilling! 🍜🐷😋🥢“

“3 people less than $100, large portions“

“We dined at their SM North Edsa branch. Good food. 👌 Crews were accommodating. 💯“

“Dough Zone was great for a late dinner. The service was extremely fast (we waited less than a minute for a cold dish and got out of the restaurant within 30m) and the food was good. And best of all, the prices are extremely affordable. Many filling items are under $10 and parking is free. Would recommend!“

“This is one of my favorite places to eat at in Cupertino.

QQ Noodle is a no frills, causal and quick service place. Don’t let that fool you though. The place is clean and the staff is friendly.

There is a QR code at each table and you scan to place your order. The waiters will then bring your food out to you. The food comes out quick and delicious.

What we ordered:

Liang Pi: This is one of my favorite dishes and not many places make this anymore. QQ Noodles makes my favorite Liang PI and this is a dish I will always order if I see it on the menu in both North Cal and NYC. The noodles are bouncy, the cucumbers refreshing and just the right level of spice. No frills deliciousness.

Sour Mustard and Grass Fish Noodle Soup: I tried it with wide noodle but next time I think I will get the round. The wide noodles are hand pulled which have that great texture and chew. It is done well so there is not a mouthful of dough like some other places. Fish is plentiful and so is the portion of sour mustard.

Large Plate Chicken Noodles (No Bone). Not on their printed menu, this was an option when you scan the QR code. They use chicken thighs and its braised with potato. Flavorful and just the right level of spice thats too spicy but offers a little kick for flavor.

If you are in the neighborhood, stop by for a quick meal. TP tea in the same strip mall is also a wonderful Bubble tea place that makes their drinks with brewed tea.“

“Aburi Shime Saba: (5/5)
The aburi shime saba is the best thing on the menu. It’s lightly poached and the caramelized sugar on top adds the perfect contrast of texture and flavor. I’ve been here a few times to try the appetizers, but the MUST GET item is still this saba.

Uzumakiya Udon: (4/5)
The Uzumakiya Udon is good，the noodles are chewy, not overcooked; and the broth is flavorful. The other toppings leave something to be desired, so if you want to be satisfied, order the Oxtail instead. (Although it’s gotten quite expensive😔）“

“Ox 9 in Cupertino is consistent in quality with all other locations I've tried. I always enjoy the Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles for their noodle texture and broth flavor--incredibly soothing and satisfying. Looking forward to visiting this location more as the weather cools down 🙂‍↕️“

“手工拉面不错，儿童友好，微辣的牛腩面也适合大人，总体不错，五星好评。“

“Food is nice and their tomato soup is my kid’s favourite. Their staff is friendly too.“

“I was surprised by the large portion sizes. The waitress made great recommendations! Everything looks great, tastes great and this is a great go to spot I’ll go to whenever I am in town!“

“Friendly owner & employees. Clean & quiet“

“XLB Kitchen is a real nice, clean, and pleasant place for a small Chinese restaurant. It serves foods of distinctive tastes and diverse styles beyond expectation. The service is prompt and warmhearted, giving you to feel at home and want to visit it regularly in the future and recommend the place to your friends, too.“

“Best ramen EVER ❤️ The tonkotsu is my all time favorite hands down!“

“I admit I mostly came for the vegan braised pork rice and it did not disappoint. It was so so good.
I wish the green onion pancakes were vegetarian but I'm very excited to try the rest of the vegan menu and appreciate that they have it!“

“Really great restaurant. We got two noodle soups and dumplings which were excellent and had a very authentic taste. The people working there were also super friendly - I dropped a chopstick and someone brought over a new set of chopsticks before I had even picked up the one I dropped. As someone who has traveled extensively in China I'd say this place brought back the most memories of great Chinese food and exceptional hospitality.“

“The foods are great. Service is good and the place is clean.“