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There is a brand-new noodle bar on Regent Street!

You’ve probably already heard the name JWD Hand Pulled Noodle Bar, considering they have over 200 locations worldwide. This is a massive move for the chain as it is only their third spot in the UK and they have finally decided to branch out of the London bubble, choosing Cambridge as their very first location outside the capital.

Ordering

The process is a little different from the typical family-run noodle places you commonly find in Cambridge. They use computer screens to take orders – just choose your food and off you go. The idea is to be super easy and efficient, and to be fair, it is.

The only issue I found was that everyone’s skill set with a touch screen is greatly varied. Because the machines are right by the door, a couple of ditherers caused a crowd right by the door as I entered. I know many people would see this backlog and walk straight back out the door to one of the other half a dozen noodle places on Regent Street.

Once you’ve used the machines to pick exactly what you want, you simply grab a buzzer and wait for the “buzz” before picking up your order from the counter. It works fairly well and the food comes out in no time, which is ideal if you are looking for a quick bite.

Noodles

I tried the signature JWD beef noodles and the braised beef noodles. You can really tell these are hand-pulled noodles as the texture is decent. The broth was light and delicate and while it was pleasant enough, it did feel a little bland in flavour. The meat itself was really good with the braised beef being particularly soft and plentiful but I was disappointed not to see an option for a huge rib on top, as seen on their social media page.

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I also had the Brisket Bang Bang, which was the best of the noodle dishes by far. The meat is incredibly tender and packed with spice – it is exactly the kind of bold, punchy dish I like. The noodles were thick ribbons and beautifully soft. This would be my “go to” if I were to visit again.

The best Rougamo in town?

But for me, the Rougamo (Chinese burger) was the star of the show. It was so crispy and delightfully messy, filled with pulled beef that was just incredible. Honestly, I’d go as far as saying it is the best I have had in the city so far (though I’ve still got a few left to explore!)

Conclusion

If you are looking for a quick noodle fix in the city centre, JWD is definitely worth a look (especially while they have 50% off until April 26th followed by another 20% off until May 13th). I am not sure if it is my favourite noodle joint in Cambridge, but the Rougamo is fantastic!
Either way, Regent Street is definitely the place for noodles right now.

Thanks for reading!

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