Noodz — Restaurant in Dearborn Heights

Terrible experience overall. First off, how are you advertising yourself as the first halal ramen place in Dearborn, when a) you're located in Dearborn Heights, b) other places like Blue Fish offer halal ramen, and c) you have menu name headers like "Dry Spells", "Wet Noodz", "Quickies", and "Side Pieces". I don't normally care about this stuff but either you're branding yourself as halal or you're not. The wait times were pretty long, which is fair for a restaurant that just opened, my issue was more so that they took 40 mins to inform me that the menu item I was supposed to get was out, and a refund was not offered either - seemed to be substitution only. A whole round of buns who came in after me were fulfilled and they tried to give me an order that was clearly labeled as belonging to another customer at one point, which I had to bring attention to. They also tried to tell me that my friend's order was my order, and that I had already received it (after being there for 20 minutes after she had received hers).

Probably the worst offense was when one of the chefs touched the inside of a trash can and went back to handling food. I asked him if he was going to change his gloves, and he responded by saying the trash can was clean, and then when I sort of stared at him, he then apologized and changed them (which included blowing them up with his mouth before putting them on).

As for the actual quality of the food, I firstly don't understand what this is a fusion with. The Asian inspiration is there for sure, but making watered down cuisine inauthentically and having AI generated "art" on the walls that has weird scribbles of what is (presumably) a poor replication of Chinese or Japanese characters is not in my books, fusion, but rather a poor attempt at doing so.

The actual food was ranging in quality, from meh to fine. The crispy onions in the kbbq bao buns were chewy, the sauce was somehow watered down and grossly sweetened at the same time, and the whole combo had a strong vinegar taste that permeated my nostrils and caused olfactory discomfort. The chicken "katsu" buns read like a hot chicken slider, but in a bao bun. Not bad at all, but I would just go to Dave's hot chicken, or one of the 18 other hot chicken places located in what is actually Dearborn. The ramen has been described to me as "severely mid" and the broth and chicken were flavorless. No veggies in the chicken broth aside from green onions, more cost extra. The portion was tiny for the ramen.

I would recommend checking out Lue Thai, Blue Fish, or Paradise Cafe for yummy and hygienic Asian food in Dearborn. I'm not sure if this was an off day or what, but I don't plan on returning, particularly because of the...

Updated Review 4/13/25 : I returned with my wife and her best friend. This time they did have the birria ramen. It was good, but ironically, I like the bang bang shrimp ramen even better! I was also impressed that Khalid remembered me too. Came here with my wife for a late lunch. I found this place on Instagram. Our Sunday was open so we decided to come here 😊

I was excited! I had looked at the menu ahead of time and was intrigued by the birria ramen and the crack croquettes. We arrived and we're greeted by Sophia, who was very welcoming.

The interior is cool! There's umbrellas on the ceiling in the hallway leading to the bathroom, along with mirrors that reflect cool neon signs. I also liked the Goku picture and the SpongeBob picture that said "You like Noodz don't you Squidward?" 😂

Well...They were sold out of birria ramen. I gave Sophia a hard time, saying "Why do you guys hate me?" 😂 I ended up ordering the bang bang shrimp ramen instead, they thankfully still had crack croquettes 👍🏻 My wife ordered the elote ramen.

When it came out I was impressed by the lovely presentation. I like the way they present the two fried shrimp in the bang bang shrimp bowl. It only took me one bite to realize that this was some seriously good ramen! Wonderful flavor and texture with the perfectly comfortable amount of spicy 👍🏻 The fried shrimps were good too, flavorful with a nice crisp and not overly battered.

Sophia at one point asked if we could have our picture taken and posted on the wall. We both agreed and then I posted our picture. So if you go, we're on the board now 😁 She also is so cool that if you dab, she'll dab back 😂

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Noodz, the exciting new ramen spot in town, and it was an absolute delight! From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the vibrant decor. The expansive mirrored area, coupled with cool lights and quirky signs, created a fun and Instagram-worthy atmosphere that set the tone for a memorable meal.

Now, let’s talk about the food—oh my goodness! I decided to try the Birria Ramen and the Bang Bang Shrimp Ramen, along with the Bang Bang Shrimp Bao Buns, and each dish was a knockout.

The Birria Ramen was a stunning fusion of flavors. The broth was rich and deeply spiced, perfectly complementing the tender beef. Each bite was a celebration of savory goodness, and the noodles soaked up all that deliciousness. Topped with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, it was an unforgettable twist on traditional ramen.

Then came the Bang Bang Shrimp Ramen—a dish that packed a flavorful punch! The shrimp were crispy and perfectly seasoned, sitting atop a creamy, spicy sauce that added a delightful kick to the broth. It was a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it hard to choose a favorite!

And let’s not forget about the Bang Bang Shrimp Bao Buns. These little pillows of perfection were light and fluffy, filled with fried shrimp and drizzled with a zesty sauce and a delicious coslaw that made them utterly addictive. I could easily eat a dozen of these!

What truly enhanced my experience was the amazing service from Gio and Mehdi. They were attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about the menu. Their enthusiasm made the meal even more enjoyable. It’s clear they take pride in their work and go above and beyond to ensure customers feel welcomed.

I also want to give a shoutout to the owner, who is not only a great person but someone I know personally. He created a warm and inviting atmosphere that reflects his character and passion for food. His dedication to providing an exceptional dining experience is evident, and it truly makes Noodz stand out.

Noodz is not just a place to eat; it’s an experience! With its creative menu, fantastic service, and welcoming environment, it’s perfect for both casual dining and special occasions. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their inventive dishes. If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and check out Noodz—you won’t be...