Cancel

Open app

Search

Penny's Noodle Shop

3.9 (409 reviews)
InexpensiveNoodles, Soup, Thai
Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Order Penny's Noodle Shop Takeout or Delivery

Penny's Noodle Shop Photos

Business Info

PENNY'S NOODLE SHOP ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Outdoor seating

You might also consider

More like Penny's Noodle Shop

Recommended Reviews - Penny's Noodle Shop

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Penny Noodle Chicken Lad Nar the BEST

I wish I could get this Chicken Lad Nar anywhere... no place like Penny's Noodles Chicago... they make the noodles fresh, everything is fresh. So good!

Wonton Soup (takeout)
Gabby G.

Was looking for a cozy noodle soup for a Sunday afternoon lunch and Penny's delivered! No literally, I ordered delivery since they are near my neighborhood and the food came within 30ish minutes from placing the order. I had the wonton soup with pork and egg noodles. The pork was flavorful and tender and the broth hit the spot on a chilly day. It almost reminds me of Hawaiian saimin. I'm happy all my food came still nice and hot and not cold like some places that deliver. I find this can often be a miss when ordering soup to be delivered, but not this time! Penny's is a great place to go if you're looking for comfort Asian noodle dishes. Now that I know they have awesome delivery, I cannot wait to try their other popular menu items!

Pad Se Eu with chicken
Leland L.

I've now been to Penny's twice, and it's a new favorite of mine for a casual dinner! The space is small, but I've come on a Friday both times and been seated with a wait of about 20 min. During the summer they have tables outside too which helps the flow of seating. I like that the space feels casual but cozy, like a diner. My first visit here I got the Bean Thread noodle which was so unique and flavorful! My second time I got the Pad Se Ew, my go-to for Thai restaurants, and this was one of the better ones I've had in the city. Pretty good portions but not overwhelmingly huge which is nice. I like that the menu at Penny's has a variety of different dishes from soups to ramens to noodles and rice dishes which feels different than a standard Thai restaurant. It's also BYOB!

Exterior
Joe C.

You have one place to eat before leaving Chicago, where are you going? For us, Penny's just have a vibe for us that feels like home. We spent a number of years in chicago. So Penny's always has some of the common staples which we enjoy. Service is always friendly, food is excellent in my opinion. Some of it is simple but well made. I recommend this as your first experience in the area. It's my last because I spent many days- nights here. Love the picturesque corner lot. Try to get a shot with the train rolling by overhead. The spot exudes warm light even on the foggy and misty night. One of my favorites.

Chicken Noodle Soup
Anita P.

I saw this place blow up on TikTok for their infamous chicken noodle soup. It did not disappoint. The chicken noodle soup itself was very reminiscent of pho and was super comforting (pro tip- add the hot sauce they provide at the tables). The pad see ew was sweet and very tasty as well. Prices are fair and service was very nice.

Pad Thai  Hot Pepper Noodle
Hailey D.

This place was so cute! The crab ragoons could use a bit more flavor and the pad Thai was good but I bit different than others I have had. I'm excited to come back, the staff was very friendly! There is not a ton of inside seating so just a warning if you go when it's busy!

Avery J.

Authentic seeming joint in the Wrigglyville neighborhood. Would recommend if you are looking for a cheap eat.

Wonton Soup, Pad Thai, Wonton Bowl
Shu O.

Great cozy spot for all kinds of noodles - we got the wonton soup (with egg noodles), wonton bowl (no soup), and pad Thai. Service was efficient and friendly. The dishes were good overall and quite authentic, but nothing outstanding. If you're craving a quick hearty meal, this is a good spot!

Thai Iced Tea
Cassie H.

A cute small business owned Thai restaurant where everything is affordable (everything is less than $15). The Thai tea is so good - not overly sweet and it hit the spot. Our food was also tasty and flavorful!

Pad Thai with Chicken
David J.

Penny's has been, and still is, my favorite place for Asian comfort noodles in Lakeview. Their chilled beef noodles are perfect for this heat wave, and their Pad Thai should be the standard. Oh, and they have some of the best Thai iced tea in the city.

Wonton Soup
Caleb J.

Love love love the atmosphere in here! It's very cozy and a BYOB is always fun :) The servers here were very nice to us and even showed off in their kitchen while we were sitting nearby. Very intricate dining place here and the food is great! Warm environment here and since it's so cold lately, it's nice to warm up in here. Definitely would come back!!

Khusbu S.

Huge portions , good service, great food! The chicken noodle soup is out of the house great. The vegetarian soup was on a bit less flavorful

Thai Ravioli Bowl
Alexa W.

Such a quaint vibe! The Thai ravioli was a new dish for me and it did not disappoint!

Spicy Sesame Ramen

See all

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Pan B.
0
29
0

4 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Joe C.
355
1038
14226

9 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 14
Thanks 3
Love this 15
Oh no 1
Photo of Hailey D.
83
198
70

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Great noodles and Crab Rangoon. A nice ambiance for some delicious comfort food. The service was timely and very attentive.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Only go to this location... it's the OG The Pad Se Eu is life changing. The Tom Yum soup is so flavorful and full of goodness.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Jada C.
290
674
5240

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Jen S.
0
17
6

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Areerat P.

Areerat P.

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Best pad Thai I've had outside of Thailand and adding the peanut sauce with it makes it unreal

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Ella J.
323
3
3

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Steve A.
4747
5539
8461

4 years ago

Helpful 8
Thanks 0
Love this 8
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 11

Penny's Noodle Shop Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Penny's Noodle Shop

Is it byob?

No, this restaurant sell soft drinks and Thai drinks. Nothing alcoholic. They do not have BYOB.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Yummy Yummy Noodles - Wonton Beef Slice Noodle Soup

Yummy Yummy Noodles

4.3(375 reviews)
6.6 miChinatown
$$

Easily the best noodle soup I've had. It's not just yummy, it's yummy yummy!…read more This is a must go Chicago Chinatown spot if you're a noodle and soup lover. It's that legit! They have other Chinese staples too, but let's not kid ourselves, you come and come back again for the noodle soup. And they have PLENTY of different options of it to choose from. It's a small place and off the beaten path a bit, so get there before the lunch rush. Owners are super nice and welcoming. I discovered it on the walking food tour we did and I came back for more!

This spot has changed hands, names, and menus over the years, but it seems to have found its…read moreidentity - noodles. This family-run spot is quaint and doesn't offer much in terms of interior decor and lighting. The entrance is also fully covered in a decal, which makes it easy to walk right by this spot. The food makes up for some of these shortcomings. This is the familiar Cantonese cooking that is comfort food for many. The stir-fried noodles in particular are a must. There are rice dishes, soups, and more to choose from and you can't really go wrong with anything. The soup is my least favorite of these due to the broth lacking depth, but the wontons were good. The XO sauce stir-fried noodles with beef was my favorite. If you're looking for something casual with affordable dishes, Yummy Yummy is worth checking out.

Photos
Yummy Yummy Noodles - Inside

Inside

Yummy Yummy Noodles - Roast duck over rice

Roast duck over rice

Yummy Yummy Noodles - Pea tips with garlic

See all

Pea tips with garlic

Xi'an Cuisine - Hand-stretched noodles in hot & sour sauce +pork elbow 油波面加蹄膀 ($12) - not very spicy. Noticeable vinegar flavor.

Xi'an Cuisine

4.0(329 reviews)
6.4 miChinatown
$$

5 stars for the cold gluten salad and the flatbreads, 4 or 5 stars for the noodle soup. I'm…read morerounding up to 5 because, well, maybe I ordered wrong. The cold gluten salad is a true highlight here, with an impeccable springy texture and an absolutely perfect mix of chili oil and sesame in the seasoning. The flatbread was also a standout, being perfectly crunchy and flavorful alongside a cumin lamb with a good punch. I was less impressed by the hand-pulled noodles. The soup itself was fine, as were the lamb intestines (though I really prefer them grilled). However, for hand-stretched noodles, the noodles were just lacking and missing something. Maybe wheat noodles get better the further west you go, and it just isn't quite Lanzhou style.

An unassuming classic old school spot in Chinatown. Your meal comes with a tea and I loved the…read moresubtle jasmine floral fragrance! I tried the biang biang noodles, but which was a bit bibimbap-esque with the tomato and egg, black bean pork, braised beef, and minced sauce. This was awesome as I love each ingredient individually but normally can't choose between which noodle bow I want. Mixed together, this creates a heavenly flavor of sweet, sour, and umami. The biang biang noodles were thick, chewy and bouncy, and like wider longer belts. The texture was actually so addicting and I devoured my bowl almost instantly. My friend got the Szechuan spicy vermicelli pot with beef, but this needed a bit more flavor and spice. Adding vinegar helped! Our server was super nice and friendly and helped us pack all our leftovers too.

Photos
Xi'an Cuisine
Xi'an Cuisine - Flat Bread

Flat Bread

Xi'an Cuisine - Biang Biang noodles with tomato, egg, black bean sauce with pork, braised beef and minced sauce 裤带面 ($13)

See all

Biang Biang noodles with tomato, egg, black bean sauce with pork, braised beef and minced sauce 裤带面 ($13)

Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings

Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings

4.4(2.1k reviews)
6.2 miChinatown
$$

Located right outside of the Chinatown gates and next to the cta redline, QXY Dumplings is some of…read morethe best I've ever had. They were full immediately after opening at 11:30am on a Sunday so expect a wait if you're not right on time or early. Their skin is thinner than I usually see, so their filling doesn't have to be super packed to even out the dough ratio. The chili oil and soup are 100% on point. Overate and overstuffed myself. Staff is efficient and fast. Would come back

we came around 8:40p on a Sunday night and the wait was only about 20 min…read more I was very excited to try this spot because I saw all the raving reviews but I would say only about half of the dishes I would order again we ordered: -- lamb skewers: 10/10 so flavorful and tender, I don't usually like lamb because it can taste gamey but this didn't at all -- cucumber salad: would order again - loved the texture -- crab roe steamed: 10/10 would order again, my bf and I both agreed it was the best dumpling flavor -- wagyu and truffle steamed: I honestly found the truffle overpowering in flavor, wouldn't get again -- lamb and dill steamed: the dill flavor was too strong, wouldn't get again we also ordered the osmanthus tea which had a light floral taste but it didn't standout to me also I will note, if I came back, I would come in the morning or afternoon - I think by the time we sat down, the staff was tired because several soup dumplings weren't wrapped tightly so the soup had spilled out before it got to our table I will say I agree with the comments about the prices here being high - it was $160 before tip because the wagyu truffle dumplings and crab roe dumplings were both market rate ($30-$35 each for 12 dumplings) I'm happy I got to try this spot because the crab roe was the best soup dumplings I've ever had but I think I will be more selective with what I order next time

Photos
Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings - Dining room

Dining room

Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings - Pork & Pickled Cabbage Dumplings, Lamb & Coriander Dumplings

Pork & Pickled Cabbage Dumplings, Lamb & Coriander Dumplings

Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings - Soup dumpling

See all

Soup dumpling

Kajiken - Takoyaki

Kajiken

4.4(140 reviews)
6.3 miChinatown
$$

Brothless Ramen? Sure, why the heck not! This is as far out of my comfort zone as I go, by the way…read more Now, Kajiken may be a chain, but that didn't stop the experience from being mind-blowing. A five-star experience by definition. I'd ordered Homura, and stepped away to wash my hands. Just as I was sitting down, the bowl of hot fresh goodness was placed in front of me. Even when the place was busy, the service remains lighting-quick! friendly and attentive too! As for the bowl, it was absolutely fantastic! Upon mixing, everything went together perfectly. The flavors were tremendously savory and rich, with accents from the egg, seasonings, veggies, and a healthy amount of meat. The noodles were cooked perfectly too! The bowl was perfect as is, and needed nothing. I was worried the bowl would be dry, but this couldn't be farther from the truth, especially with the ladle of liquid on the bottom, everything was perfect! Now, there are various seasonings and flavor enhancers on the table, but they weren't needed, in my opinion. If you do choose to add some, be careful, as some pour fast and heavy! After happily slurping this thing down in record time, I also ordered a single helping of Chashu, as I generally love it and wanted to try. It too was brought to me in no time, and was thin, well balanced, and melted in my mouth. Where it comes to value, the bowl was $13.50, and the slice of chashu was $1.50, IIRC. Great, especially in light of what everything costs nowadays. Final verdict: Kajiken came, and it DELIVERED. Everything from start to finish was top notch, and for a very fair value of $13.50 for a fresh, tasty, and filling bowl of goodness.

Ordered the ramen and roast beef soba noodles for takeout on a friday night, so not able to comment…read moreon the service. But the ambiance of the restaurant was really nice and clean, decorated with lanterns and a wood themed interior The ramen was pretty lackluster - the noodles were very tough and under done and the broth was less savory than I would've liked for a tonkotsu. The soba noodles were flavorful but also could've been cooked better. For a $20+ dish I felt the portions were disappointing, especially since I think I was missing some toppings Overall, id be down to eat here again and would probably have a better experience the second time around if dining in instead

Photos
Kajiken - Atmosphere

Atmosphere

Kajiken - The Original with Kon

The Original with Kon

Kajiken - Very bright and heaving

See all

Very bright and heaving

Joy Yee Noodle - Ox sauce spicy chicken chow mein

Joy Yee Noodle

3.6(2k reviews)
6.3 miChinatown
$$

I recently went back to Joy Yee Noodles in Chinatown after previously only trying their…read moresmoothies/boba drinks. This time, I sat down for a full meal, and overall I enjoyed the experience and would definitely return. This place gets packed, especially for the smoothies. The restaurant itself is a decent size, but the tables are very close together, so seating can feel a little tight. The ambiance is pretty simple and nothing overly memorable. They have a faux greenery wall with the restaurant's name on it and the smoothie counter area when you first walk through the doors. One thing I will say is the menu is HUGE. They have an overwhelming amount of options, which can honestly make it hard to choose, but at the same time I do appreciate that there's something for everybody, especially for picky eaters or people craving different kinds of dishes. I ordered the Thai curry shrimp, and it was honestly delicious. The shrimp were large, flavorful, and they gave a good amount. I didn't expect the green beans in the curry, but it actually worked well with the dish. My only complaint was that they should give more white rice with it because I ran out of rice quickly and still had a lot of curry left over. My boyfriend ordered the orange chicken. I personally thought it tasted really good, but he felt it was just okay..nothing to rave about. His brother got a Pad Thai dish and cleaned the entire bowl, so I'm assuming he really enjoyed it. After dinner, we ordered smoothies, and they were pretty good as well. One thing I found interesting was the service style. You order directly with your server, and there are staff members standing around if you need anything..you can literally raise your hand and someone comes over quickly, which I appreciated. However, the food delivery itself was a little impersonal. Workers push carts around with multiple tables dishes on them and stop from table to table dropping food off. I'm assuming this is common in Chinatown restaurants because I've seen it before, and while it's efficient, I'm not sure how I feel about it service wise. It felt less personal, and I did notice food sitting open on the cart while stopping at different tables before finally arriving at ours. Overall though, the food was good, the portions were solid, and I'd definitely come back again.

We went to sit inside. We got seated immediately we went during lunchtime it wasn't that crowded…read more We ordered the beef short rib soup and kimchi fried rice. As you can see in my picture there's no sign of a soup it's just noodles but in their menu it's called a soup. The noodles were garlic soy sauce noodle noodles. It was good! I had no complaints. The kimchi fried rice was very good as well too. The beef short rib is sweet and slightly lemongrass flavored. This whole meal is for the sweet and slightly savory palette. The garlic noodles honestly had way too much garlic on them. But once I ate it later in the day it was good. When you sit inside the price that you see on the menu will not be what you're charge you will be charged $23 instead of $16. Definitely clarify if that is the sizing price, we assumed we got dinner portions. You do get more than enough to take home. I will say about this place is if you do try something new you will have an interesting experience!

Photos
Joy Yee Noodle - Dining area

Dining area

Joy Yee Noodle
Joy Yee Noodle - Dragon fruit and mango freeze! Very fresh since I had a slight allergic reaction on my lips

See all

Dragon fruit and mango freeze! Very fresh since I had a slight allergic reaction on my lips

Penny's Noodle Shop - noodles - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...