We were after a quick dinner while squeezing in some shopping at Macquarie Centre, so stopped by Zhaozier Sichuan Noodle (alternatively named Brother Zhao Chuan Style Noodles?).
As the name suggests, the restaurant specialises in noodles prepared in a style originating from Sichuan Province in China. Other than the pungent flavours of garlic, chilli peppers and Sichuan pepper, we know very little about Chuan cuisine, so we can’t judge its authenticity.
This is the Sliced Beef and Ox Tongue with Chilli Sauce ($9.80) or fuqi feipian (literal translation: ‘husband and wife lung pieces’). Here, it’s served cold. We’re not fans of this dish — the ox tongue was weirdly stiff and plasticky, while the sauce was spicy and mouth-numbing but lacked fragrance.
This is D’s Chongqing Braised Beef Noodle Soup ($14.80) with a two chilli rating. We were impressed by the size of the bowl, which is bigger than one’s head. The soup was fragrant with spices, while the noodles were al dente with a good portion of meat, but we were left disappointed by the lack of heat in the spiciness.
For me, this is the Beef Brisket with Tomatoes ($14.80). The tomato soup base is thin with a mellow tomato flavour so the noodles don’t pick up the flavour very well. That said, it’s a pleasant flavour, with ample pieces of tender braised beef and vegetables. We’d have enjoyed a much richer tomato flavour like the tomato ramen we enjoyed in Japan at Kyūshū Ramen Kio.
Zhaozaier Sichuan Noodle is located at Shop 3408B, Macquarie Shopping Centre, Cnr of Herring Rd & Waterloo Rd, Macquarie Park NSW 2113.