Eager to satisfy N’s noodle craving without heading to the inner west, we stopped by Yipin Hand-Made Noodle in Eastwood. Their menu featured a noodle main + side dish + drink package for $16.80. Ordered on their own, noodle dishes range from $12.80-$14.80 and side dishes are $3.80.
This is the Plum Juice.
It’s the Chinese version of the plum juice, which featured a richer and deeper sweetness that recalled longan and red dates rather than the clearer sweetness of the Japanese or Korean versions.
This side dish is the Fried Sausage ($3.80).
They were crisp on the outside and tender inside, an inexpensive and simple pleasure.
This is the Spicy Beef ($3.80). This was a surprisingly mild mala spice that didn’t leave much of a lingering numbness or burn on the palate at all.
This is the Hot & Sour Fungus ($3.80).
We weren’t a fan of the prominent vinegary acidity but we enjoyed the textures of the crisp fungus and chewy firmness of the tofu skin.
This is the Noodles with Garlic and Chilli Oil ($13.80)
The red puddle was less spicy than one would be led to believe, bringing little heat or flavour to the dish. The wide noodles were more doughy than chewy, leaving her noodle craving unsatisfied. She preferred the texture of the Sydney Dumpling King.
This is the Noodle with Braised Beef & Chilli Oil ($13.80).
This was essentially the previous dish with braised rather than sliced beef and the addition of a half egg. T found his version of the noodles fared similarly to N’s with the chilli oil adding minimal flavour to an otherwise bland dish.
This is the Beef Noodle Soup with Mustard Greens ($14.80).
To our surprise, this noodle dish may have fared the best of the three. Despite the lack of red, the mustard greens delivered a gentle spicy burn and acidity that added some interest to the otherwise savoury broth. The triangle noodles (thin noodles with a thicker centre) provided a good bite, while the beef was tender. That said, overall, the soup lacked depth and the noodles weren’t sufficiently satisfying for a return visit.
Unfortunately, Yipin Handmade Noodle falls short of being a more local candidate for satisfying our wide noodle cravings.
Yipin Handmade Noodle is located at 213 Rowe St, Eastwood NSW 2122.