The Noodle Shop — Restaurant in Asheville

Me and my family were out and about in Asheville yesterday and decided to stop in at the noodle shop. We haven’t had them in a while and thought it would be nice to visit this place since we haven’t in a while. It will probably be a while before we go back based off of the service. The food was ok. It lacked in season overall. The noodle soup I had lacked season and barely had any seafood. It looked like they took a very small scallop and cut it in quarters, there were two small shrimp salad shrimp, 2 or three dime size pieces of squid and two mussels. My wife asked for beef and broccoli but received chicken (also no season on anything. My daughter did enjoy her dumplings. The major problem we ran into was the service. Our waitress just seemed to have had a really bad attitude and just didn’t care about anything. It was hot outside and we sat under the shade but it was still pretty warm. They didn’t have the fan on at that time so maybe she was just not wanting to be outside. But she talked down at my daughter at everything she ordered. She cut us off multiple times when we were ordering and rolled her eyes a lot. Then said she would be going inside and we need to flag her down if we needed anything. Our food came out hot and fast which was nice but then we didn’t see our waitress until close to the end of our meal when she did ask if we needed refills. I just handed her my card and paid for the meal. I want to give her an out for her poor service but there was a young lady with green/yellow dyed hair was working with a few tables and such a pleasant person. But that was the only person that we saw working there that was pleasant. There was a male that was seating people and a couple walked in and asked if they could sit at a table and he turned his back and walked someone to a table without even acknowledging them. They walked away. This was a spot that we loved to go to but the service was just not good. I hope they fix the service and get back those wonderful flavors that we loved so much.

Message to the owner in response to my review Everything I said was 100% true. We watched it happen and even had a conversation about it at the table. You looked at the couple as they asked you if they could sit at the table towards the front of the shaded overhang, turned around without saying a word to them and sat a single gentle man and took his drink order and had a quick chat. The couple said, "guess not, lets go somewhere else", and walked away. You turned around and looked for them for a second and walked inside. We weren't the only ones that felt the service was terrible. As we were sitting, we overheard a table saying the same thing. What I wrote was respectful. I could have said some very disrespectful things but instead I described my experience as it happened and left hope there that you will correct the issues lack poor quality food and correct orders so you can get back to the level of food we remember your place for. You could take a few lessons from the waitress with the multi-colored hair and to her, if you see this, leave this place. They don't deserve you. You can make soooo much more at any other place in downtown and I am sure you will be respected and valued for your hard work and effort.

But sir, with your response I can assure you that I and my family will not return to your...

I enjoyed a bowl of Szechwan Noodle Soup last night. The price was reasonable, and the taste was wonderful. I chose thin rice noodles, but you can choose Ramen noodles or several other types too. Vegetables were a little thin, but for the reasonable price it was a 5+ on a scale of 5. What makes Noodle Shop extra special, too, is it's location on a prime downtown Asheville corner where you can people watch as you eat. So many happy people and families. Next door was a sidewalk street musician entertaining passing strangers and me at my somewhat distant table. And the pedal bus beer tour passed by too, with laughing somewhat tipsy revelers loud as they could be. The service was exceptional, and more so for such a simple restaurant with lots of charm due to its location. The best part was at the end when a basket of individually wrapped fortune cookies was brought to me at my table for me to choose one. I've never seen that before. Usually we're handed a fortune, take it or leave it, it's yours and that's that, your fate has already been decreed. But this time my fortune and fate was in my own hands! No one to blame but myself if things didn't work out....

We enjoyed the food very much. Lots of options for everyone from soups to noodle bowls, dimsum, and rice dishes. Plenty of tofu and veggie options, which we were so excited about! Our server Olivia was very kind and friendly, but she was the only one working, so I am glad we were one of only two tables when we first arrived. As other tables started flowing in, it seemed the owner or another cook came out to help her with serving customers and they met everyone's needs efficiently. We enjoyed the artwork, which we assumed was done by the owner or an employee there. My son, who takes his sketch book with him everywhere, made a Noodle eating mermaid while we waited for our food. This was one of the first places we have dined in since Covid began and we felt very comfortable. We were so thankful that there so many seating options: indoor, outdoor, and covered outdoor areas. Don't be afraid to ask for whatever you need, just do so with respect, kindness, and appreciation and you'll get what you need. They are at a very central downtown location - Pack Square - so give yourself at least an hour if you choose to dine in. We had a wonderful, memorable experience and...