Au bon bol — Restaurant in Brussels

Tucked away in the heart of Brussels, just a stone’s throw from the Grand Place, Au Bon Bol is the kind of hidden gem you’d expect to stumble upon in a bustling Chinatown—but instead, you find it here, surrounded by Belgian waffles and chocolate shops. The name might sound French, but don’t be fooled: this tiny, no-frills spot serves up some of the best hand-pulled noodles you’ll find outside of China.

And when we say "hand-pulled," we mean right in front of you—watching the chef stretch and slap the dough into perfect, springy strands is worth the visit alone. They specialize in just one dish: steaming bowls of silky, chewy noodles swimming in an aromatic broth, topped with your choice of meat. And they do it perfectly. No distractions, no unnecessary frills—just pure, comforting noodle magic.

The flavors lean toward a European-friendly palate, so don’t be shy with the chili oil and soy sauce on the table—your taste buds will thank you. But be warned: this place is popular. Expect a queue, especially during peak hours. It’s a small price to pay for a bowl of noodle bliss, and let’s be honest—if there’s no queue, is the food even good?

So, if you find yourself in Brussels and need a break from frites and beer (or just want to see a noodle master at work), Au Bon Bol is always...

I was showing around Brussels and they want some "authentic chinese food" and found this. According my companion it isn't really chinese food. However what i can say is how i found it. It isn't very expensive and for like noodles with soup and duck it was pretty statifying. However i do have to say the atmosphere isn't that cozy. You odered what you want (you can also see in front of you the dough being made), they give you a number on a table that is that. One hand pretty easy since they know exactly which table is free and which isn't. However going upstairs it felt like going in a sweatshop. It was quite warm, crowed and the ventilation thing they put there doesn't really work and just is there for decoration. in our case we got seated to a couple that order in front of us. a bit akward since i could totally follow what they were saying and it was quite difficult to hear what my companion was saying because of it.

In short: a good place to leave with a full stomach but not the best place to go for a date or you want to talk with someone. Also be prepared to sweat inside if you...

Good beef noodles, generous portions.

This place reminds me of the old Hong Kong cafes: questionable cleanliness, affordable dishes, tired-looking tables and an impassive waitstaff with no time for clueless newbies trying to figure out the ordering system. The only people who smiled at me was a fellow diner who wanted my menu and the beer delivery guy.

While this is fast food, the amount of orders means it will take a while for your food to arrive. This is not a bad thing as it means people want to eat where you’re eating.

The noodle making lady registered my bobble meerkat head and asked what I wanted, suggesting the beef or duck when I asked for a recommendation for noodle soup. I opted for the dish that was more popular with the Chinese diners, knowing this will not be Dierendonck produce and expecting sinewy grey coloured meat.

The beef was flavourful and tender, the noodles wonderfully chewy and the soup pleasant enough that adding chilli oil detracted from it. White pepper is the better condiment, and if I was a regular I would ask for more spring onions and...