Some of the best noodles in Arizona are made right next to nail salons, phone stores, and laundromats. You just have to know which plaza to pull into.
The four spots on this list make their noodles by hand or fresh in house, and each one brings something different to the table, from wide Shaanxi-style biang biang noodles to Guilin rice noodles and slow-braised beef soups. Two sit in the Valley and two are in Tucson, so there is a bowl within reach whether you live near ASU or the University of Arizona.
None of them are fancy, and that is part of the charm. Prices stay friendly, parking is easy, and the portions are big enough to plan on leftovers.
If you have been driving past strip malls without a second look, this list might change your lunch routine.
1. Kungfu Noodles, Tempe, AZ
Broadway Road in Tempe has plenty of quick lunch options, but few of them hand-pull their noodles to order. Kungfu Noodles does, and the result is a bowl with real chew and a broth that tastes like it took its time.
The braised beef noodle soup is the place to start. It brings rich, beefy broth and generous portions that lean heavily into comfort food territory.
Side dishes deserve attention too. Pan-fried pork buns, spicy cucumber, xiao long bao, hot chili dumplings, and spicy pork ears give the table plenty to share, and there is a full vegetarian menu for anyone skipping meat.
Most meals land in the $10 to $20 range per person. The restaurant is open daily from 11 AM, closing at 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 9 PM the rest of the week.
Friday evenings and Saturdays bring the biggest crowds, so a weekday lunch is the easier play. The lot usually has plenty of free parking, and takeout and delivery are available if you would rather slurp at home.
2. Shaanxi Chinese Restaurant, Mesa, AZ
Biang biang noodles are wide, flat, and hand-stretched, and they are a calling card of Xi’an, the capital of China’s Shaanxi province. That regional pride is right there in the name of this Mesa restaurant on Dobson Road.
The biang biang noodles have a satisfying texture that makes them the star of the menu. Cumin lamb, orange peel chicken, and tofu in Shaanxi sauce round out a lineup that stays focused on the food of the region.
What sets this spot apart from the other three is the mood. The space is cozy and a bit classy, and it hosts live music, which is not something you expect behind a strip-mall door.
Plan on about $20 to $30 per person. Hours run daily from 11 AM to 3 PM and again from 4:30 to 10 PM, so note that midafternoon break.
Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Thursday and weekend evenings. There is also a solid tea selection, plus high chairs for families bringing little noodle fans.
3. Noodleholics, Tucson, AZ
Two noodle traditions share one menu here. Noodleholics on East Grant Road is known for both Guilin rice noodles and hand-pulled wheat noodles, which makes it easy to come back and order something completely different.
The Guilin spicy and sour bowl with crispy pork and pig intestine is the adventurous pick. Prefer something familiar?
The sizzling garlic noodle, Taiwan beef noodle soup, and dandan noodles are strong choices, and the chaoshou dumplings in red oil make a good starter.
Portions are huge, so sharing is smart. Hong Kong milk tea and coffee are on the menu if you want a drink with your bowl.
I like this one for mixed groups because it has full vegan and vegetarian menus plus a kids’ menu. Outdoor seating is available too.
A heads-up on timing: it is closed Tuesdays and takes a break from 3 to 4 PM on open days. It does not take reservations, and Friday evenings and Saturdays fill up fastest.
4. Kung Fu Noodle, Tucson, AZ
Fresh noodles are made in house every day at this Campbell Avenue storefront, and you can tell from how many tables order a noodle dish. They come out delightfully chewy, often in a broth with a slight sour edge.
Dumplings are made fresh as well. The spicy pork wontons in red chili oil pair nicely with any noodle bowl.
Curious eaters should look for the separate offal section of the menu, which goes beyond standard takeout fare. Those wanting something milder can turn to cumin sliced lamb, seafood soup, mapo tofu, or the spicy salted crispy tofu.
The location is handy for anyone near the University of Arizona, and meals typically run $10 to $20 per person. It opens at 11 AM on weekdays and noon on weekends, with later closing on Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 PM.
Sunday afternoon is the busiest stretch. Reservations are accepted, and the free lot makes a quick noodle run simple.
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