I have noticed the distinct flash of lime green shop front of Noodlebox for a good few weeks now. It is more noticable when I am on my way to Cafe 37 further on down the road for a not-so-healthy serving of burger and chips swimming in catering sauce, rather than choosing the healthier stirfry option that Noodlebox advertises. I have also noticed that Noodlebox deliver, so I thought that I might try them out when working one of my evening shifts. I googled and downloaded the Noodlebox .pdf menu which like the website sports a clean, simple design and is easy to navigate. As the ordering process goes, it sits in the same camp as Nando's or Wok to Walk where you are instructed in '3 easy steps' on how to order.
Starting with the type of of noodle you would like, you then choose what type of box you would like for your main course. Options range from a noodle box to a veggie box, or you may instead prefer the salad box or the sushi box. Other boxes include the rice box, the soup box and lastly the ninja box, the box for the kids. Finally choose your side order and drink. Side orders are basically dips and drinks range from soft drinks to squeezed juices and beer.
My review is based on the takewaway and delivery service so I can't comment on the accommodation or service within the restaurant itself. However upon phoning for my order I was greeted by a polite and friendly young voice and was told that the minimum order for a delivery was £10, however they had a meal deal for £9 which included a main, a side and a drink with a delivery charge on top for something like £1.50. I opted for that and ordered Ramen Noodles with a Teriyaki Box, Chicken Katsu Skewers and a Passion Fruit, Orange & Apple juice. It arrived within 30mins as I am based just around the corner, delivered on the back of a lime green Noodlebox logo'd scooter.
As the name Noodlebox implies, the food [even the drink] all arrived in boxes with a dipping sauce and loyalty card on which you get a stamp for each order you place. 9 stamps gets you 1 free order, so in my case, spend £90+ and get a freebie. Not really a massive incentive but better than nothing. After opening the boxes and trying the rather nice refreshing juice drink, I realised that they had not supplied me with any chopsticks to eat the noodles with. This was my one slight niggle as I was eating at my desk in work and a pair of chopsticks would have proved very handy. I found a fork in my stationery pen pot so it was no big deal in the end.
The food itself was nice. I had to remind myself that this was a takeway so the veggies would have softened in transit within a steamy cardboard box. I imagine the food would be much fresher when dining in. I do like to my vegetables to be crunchy in a stir fry, maybe more than an average pallette so I guess I am being slightly petty in this respect. The flavours of the ingredients were distinct, although the teriyaki flavour did not shine through and perhaps overall the box could have been slightly spicier from what I was expecting from the chilli symbol on the menu. However, there were generous amounts veggies, especially ginger which gave the food that distinct and tasty stirfry tang and bite.
As for value, I am not sure how I ultimately felt about paying £10.50 for a stirfry, 2 peices of chicken in breadcrumbs and a fruit juice. Of course I could have made the same dish cheaper at home and in some respects just as nice. However, the point I have to remember is that I was not at home, I was at work without food, and Noodlebox could provide me with food, so at the end of the day I was a slave to the classic law of supply and demand. I also have to remember that the quality of the ingredients were very good, especially the squeezed fruit juice. Noodlebox advertise that they source all their ingredients locally, that their health conscious menu includes 97% fat free boxes with gluten free and tofu options and they never use MSG.
If I never have the luxury of ordering a takeout from Noodlebox again, I will definitely visit there and eat in. read more