Mogouyan Hand Pulled Noodle (West Edmonton Mall) 磨沟沿老字号兰州牛肉面 — Restaurant in West Jasper Place

I went to this establishment a few weeks ago with some friends. I did like how clean the place was but it did have some issues that were very easy to see on a Friday night.

Atmosphere - the interior of the place looked very clean and tidy. Had a lovely look to it(though this was probably due to the place being open for only a month). No music whatsoever, just the sounds of people in a mall like always. This place has no original feel to it, just a noisy place with food like every other restaurant in Bourbon street.

Service - not much to say here. The servers were pretty good but I could tell they weren't ready for this amount of people. Had to remind them about beverages a few times but they still tried to remain pleasant and courteous during their ordeal.

Drinks - they ran out of alcoholic drinks before we grabbed a spot and they only had 2 flavours of their signature iced teas available. It was only 620pm at that point so I'm surprised they ran out . The iced tea itself had a refreshing taste but a not-so great flavour.

Food - the appetizers were meager at best but fine in relation to their price. The deep fried chicken did not taste very good but the 3 tiny pre-frozen spring rolls made me laugh out loud at least.

The main course was this very thick sauce covering the flat noodles I ordered. There were sparce bits of chicken in the dish(that had chicken in the name) but not enough that you could actually point them out. One thing I will say is that it was very filling, this was due to the abundance of noodles more-so than the "toppings". My friend had a beef noodle dish and pointed out that she had a good amount of meat but most, if not all of it was made up of bone or collagen. This seems to be a running theme where some Asian food restaurants cut regular beef like they would cut up black wagyu steak, meaning that they use every single part and think the fat is wholly edible.

Pricing wasn't too bad, probably the best part about this restaurant. Nothing to travel across town for though.

Overall - I think I'm giving this place too much credit but because they are newly open, I'm making the strong assumption that they are just not used to the weekend rushes yet. Maybe they'll be better when they adapt to the area. I wouldn't recommend this place unless you happen to be in the mall at the time and that's ONLY because the restaurants across and beside it are considerably worst. Definitely not worth traveling for but if you want to just fill you stomach and listen to the sweet sounds of people talking...

Located conveniently in the bustling West Edmonton Mall, Mongouyan Hand-Pulled Noodles is a hidden gem for noodle enthusiasts seeking a delightful culinary experience without breaking the bank.

Firstly, let's talk about convenience. Parking is a breeze as visitors can enjoy complimentary parking within the mall premises itself, eliminating the hassle of searching for a spot. Once inside, the aroma of freshly made, hand-pulled noodles tantalizes the senses, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience.

The star of the show at Mongouyan is undoubtedly their delicious noodle soup. Prepared with care and expertise, each bowl boasts a rich and flavorful broth that comforts the soul with every spoonful. Despite the affordable prices, there's no compromise on quality here – every ingredient is fresh and meticulously chosen to ensure a delightful dining experience.

One of the standout features of Mongouyan is its efficiency, especially during busy nights. Despite the crowds, the wait time is minimal, and diners are promptly seated and served, allowing them to focus on enjoying their meal rather than worrying about long queues.

Navigating the menu at Mongouyan is a breeze, even for first-timers. With its simple and straightforward layout, patrons can easily find their desired dish without feeling overwhelmed. For those new to the experience, here's a pro tip: opt for a regular-sized bowl of soup noodles and take advantage of the complimentary broth refill for an extra dose of satisfaction. Moreover, a large bowl is generous enough to be shared by two, making it an excellent value for money.

Parents dining with kids will appreciate the budget-friendly option of plain noodles, priced at less than $4. It's a simple yet satisfying choice that caters perfectly to young taste buds while keeping costs in check.

In conclusion, Mongouyan Hand-Pulled Noodles in West Edmonton Mall is a must-visit destination for noodle lovers of all ages. With its convenient location, delectable offerings, efficient service, and budget-friendly prices, it's a culinary experience that's sure to leave a lasting impression. So next time you're craving a comforting bowl of noodles, head over to Mongouyan and prepare to...

FOOD/DRINKS With a long awaited anticipation, I've finally had a chance to go with 9 other people. Everyone loved the food. We had all levels of spicy. For spicy level 1, it's not spicy at all; however, it does give the broth a nice boost. For people who love spicy, 3 isn't enough. Things we ordered: 5/5 = Deep fried chicken fillet (moist, crispy, and good seasoning); spiced egg (tea egg with good spice and pepper flavour); braised beef noodles (tender beef with tasty broth); beef noodles with pickled mustard (tasty broth with quality sour cabbage). 4/5 = Classic beef noodles, noodles with deep fried chicken fillet, and the tomato vegetable noodles (good/simple broth). 3/5 = Cucumbers with wasabi flavoured sesame dressing (simple and refreshing; the sauce is what makes this dish). Signature passion fruit green tea and signature mango green tea. 2/5 = Celery and tofu skin salad (doesn't seem like it had any seasoning added; good tofu skin; had to add some of the wasabi flavoured sesame dressing to it). Non-caffeinated strawberry refreshment.

SERVICE Since it's newly opened, I have lower expectation. Friendly and helpful staff (when you ask/stop them). Our assigned server didn't come as often as others. We were able to order some drinks and appetizers prior to the rest of the party coming. However, when we received our appetizers, we didn't get any napkins (limited) or cutlery until we had to ask for it (and it was another server that I had to stop). One of us didn't get his drink. Positive note: they provide kids cutlery and scissors.

FEEDBACK/RECOMMENDATION Although they do not take reservation, would recommend the restaurant consider taking reservations for groups 8+ and/or only Mon-Thurs? There is only one table that can accommodate up to 11 people. It can help the server prep the table for incoming large party. For the celery and tofu skin salad, a drizzle of sesame oil prior to serving would enhance the smell/flavour. Have an option of additional chili or your own spicier in-house chili oil that patrons could add more if they want.

Overall, would definitely return to try other dishes. Educating staff to improve customer service would help create...