Paiks noodle has been my favorite spot for jajangmyeon in Houston and I go every Sunday to the location in Long Point. Recently it seems like the longpoint location changed management or recipes so the food there is not as good anymore. I was sad, but then I saw they opened this BELLAIRE location so i had to give it a try.
FOOD: 10/10 - it is just like how it was before the longpoint location changed stuff. I always get the jjaengbanjajang (stir fried seafood jajangmyeon), tangsuyuk, and the spicy wings
Jjaengbanjajang: it is spicy, sweet, and savory all in one. I love the spiciness and they have bits of beef and seafood all throughout. Portion sizes are great and large. The noodles are chewy and bouncy. it's always a must get for me
Pork Tangsuyuk: It is crispy on the outside but also chewy because the batter has cornstarch so it is a chewy crispy batter. The pork inside is not fragrant nor too porky. It is amazing with the sweet and sour sauce that is sticky and delicious. I do have to note that it is less crispy than the other location. It seems to be battered more lightly.
Spicy Wings: Another one of my favorites. The wings are sizeable, saucy, crispy, and juicy. Good meatiness to the wings, good light batter around it, and a good amount of sauce. The sauce is consistent. It is like a sticky, sweet and spicy sauce.
Bonus - Spicy and Sour Chicken: This is a new menu item that I tried. Personally I wouldn't get it again but it was good to try. It is similar to the tangsuyuk in terms of texture. It has the same cornstarch chewy crispy batter. Less crispy though. The sauce is more chinese inspired feeling kind of like szechuan spicy type of flavor. It is also sour. So..i guess the name is quite accurate. It is spicy and sour. Not really sweet. I prefer my usual tangsuyuk. I would consider trying the chicken tangsuyuk though! I haven't tried that one.
Service: I timed my order and it took about 15 minutes for my food to come out. I went twice and the timing is consistent. Food quality is also consistent both times I went. It is mainly self service, so you order from a kiosk and pick up your food when your number is called. There is a self service bar for utensils and bowls. You also bring your trays to the drop off zone.
Ambiance: This is where paiks noodle lacks. The chairs are cold metal, so it is not a warming family welcoming feel. There are lots of tables, so lots of room for many people to eat. there is a wall in the middle (probably for increased capacity to get more people to eat). It is kind of sterile feeling. So it is good for a quick bite but not somewhere to stay around.
Overall I am so happy paiks opened a new location that has good quality and tasting food! I was worried I wouldn't have a place to go for good jajangmyeon. I would highly recommend this paiks noodle location. read more