Best Noodle Dishes in Austin

Okay, I have a problem, and that problem is that I'm obsessed with noodles.

As many of you know, As one of Austin's top Food Bloggers, I've spent years eating my way across Austin, and noodles are easily one of my favorite things to eat. Whether it's ramen, pho, pasta, beef noodle soup, cold noodles, or anything in between, I'm always on the hunt for the best bowl in town.

This guide is a collection of my favorite noodle dishes across Austin. It includes everything from handmade pasta and Japanese ramen to Vietnamese soups, Taiwanese beef noodle soup, Korean cold noodles, and more. If you're a fellow noodle lover, this is the guide for you.

Naengmyeon at Annyeong K Tofu

One of my favorite noodle dishes in Austin is the naengmyeon at Annyeong K Tofu. I always order it with an order of galbi, and together they make one of my favorite Korean meals in the city.

They offer both the classic mul naengmyeon and the spicy bibim naengmyeon, but my personal favorite is the bibim naengmyeon. The chewy buckwheat noodles are coated in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce that's incredibly refreshing, especially during the summer.

If you're looking for an authentic Korean cold noodle dish, Annyeong is easily one of the best places to get it in Austin.

Website here.

Pork Rib Stew Julie's Noodle

Another noodle dish that I'm very fond of is the Clear Pork Rib Noodle Soup at Julie's Noodles.

The handmade rice noodles are the star of the dish. They have a wonderful soft texture, are easy to slurp, and hold up beautifully in the broth. The soup itself is light yet incredibly rich in flavor, with tender pork ribs that have been cooked until they're fall off the bone tender.

It's one of my favorite bowls of noodles to order on a cold day, and whenever I'm craving something warm and comforting, this is one of the first dishes that comes to mind.

Website here.

Chilaquiles Men from Ramen Del Barrio

My current favorite ramen at Ramen del Barrio is the Chilaquiles Mazemen. Before that, my favorite was the Aguachile Mazemen, followed by his seasonal cold noodles, which, unfortunately, Chef Chris refuses to bring back for now.

The Chilaquiles Mazemen is topped with tender carnitas, crispy tortilla chips, a poached egg, and a variety of other toppings. What really makes this dish stand out is the rich green sauce. It's spicy, tangy, savory, and coats every strand of the thick, chewy noodles perfectly.

If you're more in the mood for a soup, I also highly recommend the Carnitas Tonkotsu. It's another one of my favorite bowls on the menu and showcases the same creative blend of Japanese and Mexican flavors that makes Ramen del Barrio so unique.

Website here.

Tsukemen at Ramen 512

Ramen 512 is my favorite spot for traditional Japanese style ramen in the greater Austin area. While every bowl I've had here has been excellent, the real highlight is Chef Kevin's seasonal tsukemen series.

Every summer, he serves a rotating selection of tsukemen, or dipping noodles, which are perfect for the hot Texas weather. Every version I've tried has been outstanding, and it's something I look forward to every year.

One thing that really sets Ramen 512 apart is the noodles. They're made from scratch using a dedicated noodle machine, and in my opinion, they're the best ramen noodles you'll find anywhere in Austin. They have an incredible chew and texture that pairs perfectly with the rich dipping broths.

The tsukemen is extremely popular and usually sells out quickly, so I recommend following Ramen 512 on Instagram to keep up with upcoming pop ups and special menu releases.

Website here.

Beef Noodle Soup at Mian and Bao

Mian and Bao is currently my goto spot for beef noodle soup. While they offer other Shanghainese style dishes, I usually stick to their beef noodle soup, soft egg tofu, and chili oil noodles. The space is a bit small, so expect waits during busy times.

That said, the food consistently delivers: the broth is rich, the noodles are fresh and well made, and the beef is tender. It's a reliable spot for hearty, comforting Shanghainese eats.

Click here for more info.

Bian Bian noodles at Happy Dragon

Happy Dragon serves Xian Style eats. They’re known for their biang biang noodles, along with a really solid sweet and sour fish.

I’ve enjoyed most of what I’ve ordered here, though I usually skip the dumplings and focus on the noodle dishes instead. Other favorites include the spicy crispy chicken, Cumin lamb noodles, pig ears, and cucumbers! All their noodles are hand pulled or made from scratch here. The Biang Biang noodles are chewy and bouncy but I recommend adding extra black vinegar for acidity!

Click here for their website.

Uni Pasta at Kane

If you're looking for uni pasta in Austin, my favorite version is the one at Kane.

Their uni pasta has a rich, creamy sauce with just enough ground meat to give the dish more body and depth. The noodles are similar in texture to ramen noodles, which I think work really well with the sauce.

The sauce is definitely on the heavier side, so if you're lactose intolerant, it's something to keep in mind. That said, the uni flavor still shines through. You get that signature buttery, briny richness in every bite, balanced by the creamy sauce.

Whenever I bring friends to Kane, this is one of the dishes I always recommend. It's rich, indulgent, and one of the best uni pasta dishes I've had in Austin.

Website here.

Jjajangmyeon at Fresh Heim

When it comes to authentic jjajangmyeon, the spot I recommend is Fresh heim. They specialize in Korean Chinese cuisine, which some people may not realize has its roots in Chinese food. Jjajangmyeon originated from a Chinese black bean noodle dish, but Korean cuisine adapted it into something sweeter, saucier, and packed with even more umami.

It's kind of like yin and yang with Korean Chinese food. You have to order both jjajangmyeon and jjambbong. In particular, the jjajangmyeon at Freshheim is quite good. I wouldn't say it's the best I've ever had, but it's probably my favorite version in Austin.

I also enjoy their jjambbong, which has a nice level of spice and a deeply savory seafood broth. If you've never had jjambbong before, I would compare the spice level to Shin Ramyun, although the flavor is much more seafood forward and complex.

Website here.

Bo bun Hue at Vua Bun bo

I absolutely love the bún bò Huế at Vua Bun bo. This newer spot specializes in the iconic Vietnamese spicy beef noodle soup, and it's quickly become one of my favorite places to get it in Austin.

Their version is served a little lighter than some traditional styles, with the broth arriving less seasoned so you can customize it yourself. They serve their house made sate on the side, allowing you to adjust the spice level to your liking. You can also add shrimp paste for an extra layer of funk and umami, which I highly recommend if you enjoy more traditional flavors.

What I really appreciate is how much of the rich beef flavor comes through in the broth. Combined with the homemade rice noodles and the generous assortment of tender meats, it makes for an incredibly satisfying bowl.

Because you can control the spice level yourself, I think it's a great option whether you're new to bún bò Huế or already love the dish

Boat Noodles at P Thai

The boat noodles at PThai's are one of my favorite noodle dishes in Austin. If you enjoy bold, intensely flavored soups, this is a bowl you need to try.

The broth is spicy, sour, savory, and has a subtle earthy richness from the pork blood that's traditionally cooked into the soup. It creates an incredibly deep, complex flavor that's unlike any other noodle dish in town.

The rice noodles do a great job of soaking up all of that flavorful broth, and I also love the assortment of meatballs and sliced pork that come in the bowl.

One thing to keep in mind is that this dish is genuinely spicy. Even as someone who loves spicy food, I find myself eating it a few bites at a time. But if you can handle the heat, I think it's one of the best Thai noodle dishes you'll find in Austin.

Website here.

Cowboy Pho at Pho Cui

Cui is a Vietnamese restaurant that recently opened in North Austin. The space is really small, but the food is very good. I like how they incorporate Texas barbecue flavors into classic Vietnamese dishes, giving them their own unique identity.

The thing I recommend most is their Pho Cowboy. It uses smoked Texas style meats like brisket, and I actually prefer it over their classic pho. They also have a really good bún bò Huế, and a lot of their pho options feature smoked meats that work surprisingly well with the broth.

The only thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant is very small, so I would expect a wait if you visit during the weekend or other busy dining hours.

Website here.

Pho at Pho Phong Luu

Pho Phong Luu is definitely one of the top pho spots in Austin. A lot of my Vietnamese friends, who I trust when it comes to pho, swear by this place and consider it one of their favorites in the city. They originally started in a smaller location on Lamar before moving to their current spot near Metric.

Their pho broth is consistently deep, aromatic, and full of layers from the herbs and spices, and it is clear that they put a lot of care into making it.

My recommendation is to get one of their combination phos. Personally, I like the meatball and brisket combination, although their rare beef is also very popular. And if you want to take it up a notch, you can even add chicken fat or beef fat on the side for extra richness.

Hours and location here

Bucatini at Intero

Every season, I make it a point to order the bucatini at Intero. As a seasonal farm to table Italian restaurant, Intero keeps bucatini on the menu year round, but the preparation changes throughout the year.

My favorite version is their summertime corn bucatini. The sauce is always perfectly creamy, while the sweet corn adds a subtle sweetness that balances the richness of the dish. The bucatini itself is consistently cooked perfectly with just the right amount of bite.

It's one of those dishes I look forward to every year, and for that reason, it easily earned a spot on my favorite noodle dishes in Austin.

Website here.

Pho at Tan My

Tan My holds a special place in my heart, and I’ll admit I’m biased, it’s probably my personal favorite pho spot in Austin.

The pho here is consistently excellent: a rich, clear, flavorful broth served piping hot with all the right fixings. Pair it with their crispy Vietnamese egg rolls for the perfect combo. They also serve hủ tiếu and bò bun hu, but honestly, the pho alone is reason enough to visit. There’s even something nostalgic about their super cold ice water that just ties the whole experience together.

One important note: Tan My does togo only on certain nights, so double check their hours/call before you go. Lunch is usually the safest bet if you want to dine in.

For me, Tan My isn’t just good pho, it’s comfort, consistency, and a little bit of Austin history.

Here is their website.

Pasta at Birdies

The reason I'm not highlighting a specific pasta dish at Birdie's is because their menu changes constantly. No matter what season I visit, though, I almost always order whatever spaghetti they're serving.

Over the years, they've had incredible versions, including a spaghetti topped with caviar that I still think about. Every pasta is made from scratch in house, and in my opinion, Birdie's serves the best Italian style pasta in Austin.

What really sets their pasta apart is the execution. Their sauces are always perfectly emulsified, rich and creamy without ever breaking. It's a level of technical precision that reminds me of some of the best pasta I had in Italy.

For those reasons, Birdie's absolutely deserves a spot on my favorite noodle dishes in Austin.

Website here.

Beef Noodle Soup Pot at Special noodle

This noodle guide wouldn't be complete without mentioning Special Noodle. After all, noodles are literally in the name.

The dish I always recommend is their Spicy Beef Noodle Soup. You can choose from thin noodles, flat noodles, or triangle shaped noodles, but my recommendation is to stick with their classic hand pulled flour noodles.

I also recommend ordering the larger pot version if you're dining with others. It comes in a generous portion that's perfect for sharing.

Even though the broth looks relatively clear, don't let that fool you. It's packed with rich beef flavor and a complex blend of spices that gives it a noticeable kick. It can be quite spicy for some people, but that's exactly what I love about it.

If you're looking for a hearty, comforting bowl of beef noodle soup, Special Noodle is one of my favorite places to get it in Austin.

Website here.

Zaru Soba Noodles at Kome

Don't give me a hard time if I'm wrong, but Kome might be the only place in Austin where I've found a really good zaru soba.

If you couldn't tell by now, I love cold noodle dishes, but they're surprisingly difficult to find in Austin. My favorite here is the Tempura Zaru Soba, which comes with chilled soba noodles, shrimp tempura, quail egg, wasabi, green onions, soba tsuyu dipping sauce, fresh grated ginger, and daikon. You can substitute the soba for udon, but I definitely recommend sticking with the soba.

The noodles are cooked perfectly with a nice chewy, springy texture, and they're incredibly refreshing when dipped into the chilled tsuyusauce. Paired with the crispy shrimp tempura, it's one of my favorite meals to order during the summer.

If you're craving cold Japanese noodles, Kome is one of the first places I'd recommend.

Website here.

Uni Pasta at Fukumoto

Fukumoto is a spot that doesn't get talked about enough. While they're best known for their izakaya style menu, they also have one of my favorite off menu pasta dishes in Austin.

If you know to ask for it, they have a secret uni pasta that's absolutely worth ordering. They also serve a delicious mentaiko pasta, which I highly recommend as well.

The uni pasta is rich and creamy with a subtle uni flavor that isn't quite as intense as the version at Kane, but I really enjoy that they finish it with ikura, which adds little bursts of briny flavor and great texture throughout the dish.

If you're a fan of uni, this is definitely a must order whenever you visit Fukumoto.

Website here.

Udon at Sushi Yume

Unfortunately, Austin doesn't have a restaurant that makes udon noodles completely from scratch, but that doesn't mean you can't find a good bowl of udon.

My favorite places are Sushi Yume.

They serve classics like Kake Udon with a simple dashi broth and green onions, as well as Inaniwa Udon, which features thin imported Japanese noodles with scallops, green onions, and egg. They also offer zaru soba if you're in the mood for cold noodles.

Personally, I like ordering the plain udon and adding a side of tempura. The noodles are consistently cooked perfectly with a nice chewy texture, and the broth is simple, comforting, and full of umami!

Website here.

Paitan Ramen at Sazan Ramen

Sazan Ramen is a spot that doesn't seem to get talked about as much anymore, but when they first opened during the pandemic, many people considered them one of the best new ramen shops in Austin.

They specialize in paitan ramen made with a rich blend of pork and chicken broth. My favorite bowl is the OG Paitan. The broth is incredibly creamy, rich, and packed with umami without feeling overly heavy.

I also really enjoy their tender chicken chashu, which is one of the highlights of the bowl. While the noodles aren't made in house, they pair well with the broth and have a great texture.

Overall, I still think Sazan serves one of the better bowls of ramen in Austin, and it's definitely worth a visit if you're craving a rich, comforting bowl of paitan.

Website here.