Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
oChef » Noodle & Bun – San Diego
Noodle & Bun - San Diego
Photo from Noodle & Bun
Noodle & Bun at a glance
San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
- 🍜 Asian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 95 of the guests
#96 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#2 Asian Restaurant out of 5 in San Diego
Excellent
8.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
517
Reviews
89.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The restaurant Noodle & Bun invites you to experience a delightful Asian restaurant in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite, whether you’re exploring the city or looking for a convenient meal.
This spot offers a welcoming setting for both lunch and dinner, ensuring a satisfying experience.
Overview: Introducting Noodle & Bun
Excellent
8.6
out of 10
517
Reviews
89.7%
Satisfaction
37
negative
16
neutral
464
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on Noodle & Bun
Food (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 8.8 and an impressive 92.2% customer satisfaction, it's clear diners are thrilled. Out of 319 remarks, 294 rave about the delicious hand-pulled noodles, tender beef, rich broths, and amazing spicy wontons, making every bite a delight.
However, a few of the 14 negative comments mention some hiccups. While rare, some experiences included food arriving cold, and a couple of guests felt the portions were a bit small. There were also specific mentions of some dumplings getting hard quickly or being disappointing.
Food
319
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
14
negative
11
neutral
294
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh hand-pulled noodles
- Tender, flavorful beef
- Rich, authentic broths
What people don't like
- Food served cold
- Small portion sizes
- Disappointing dumplings
Often praised
- foodI visited this restaurant on two separate occasions during my trip to San Diego because there were multiple menu items I wanted to try. My experience was excellent; the service was great and the food was not only delicious but also arrived fast. While noodles are their specialty, the other dishes are also very good!
- noodlesWe visited on a busy night, but the staff was incredibly friendly, and our food arrived quickly. The amazing noodles and excellent soup dumplings were highlights for many in our group, with some even calling it one of the best meals of our vacation. The atmosphere was great, and the service was top-notch.
- dumplingsWe also had dumplings and string beans, which we always order when we go to Tin Tai Fung.
- hand pulled noodlesThe service was excellent, and the food was delicious. I particularly enjoyed the Spicy beef noodle soup with hand pulled noodles and the spicy dumplings. It was also fascinating to see the chefs pull the noodles through the glass in the kitchen.
- FoodThe atmosphere was rated a 5, and the service a 4. The food itself received a perfect score of 5.
- beefYou guys have to try the spicy beef brisket noodle soup! The broth healed me and the beef was so juicy and tender🥰🫶🏽✨. The food was exceptional, with the broth providing a healing quality and the beef being incredibly juicy and tender.
- brothYou guys have to try the spicy beef brisket noodle soup! The broth healed me and the beef was so juicy and tender🥰🫶🏽✨. The food was exceptional, with the broth providing a healing quality and the beef being incredibly juicy and tender.
- soup dumplingsWe visited on a busy night, but the staff was incredibly friendly, and our food arrived quickly. The amazing noodles and excellent soup dumplings were highlights for many in our group, with some even calling it one of the best meals of our vacation. The atmosphere was great, and the service was top-notch.
- beef wrapThe space is clean and open, and I love that we can see the noodles being made. We ordered the green beans, beef wrap, spicy wontons, juicy dumplings, Mongolian chow mein with hand-pulled noodles, and shaved ice for dessert. Everything was delicious and full of flavor!
- soupwe got soup and the second day we got appetizers
Frequently criticized
- appetizersmy appetizers came out before, during, and after the main meal
- braised beef slicessignature braised beef slices for the Lanzhou noodles were sold out
- cabbage rolls2 cabbage rolls short
- customization of ingredientscustomization of ingredients; I wish I could have added veggies but was denied
- dumplingsThe dumplings got fairly hard pretty fast
- foodfood was ICE COLD
- hand pulled noodlesThe braised beef noodle soup was very savory and had a wonderful broth. The hand pulled noodles weren’t my favorite - a bit on the thin side and lacking some of the chew I was hoping for. The beef was perfectly cooked and had a mix of gelatinous and fall apart goodness.
- hot teawhat kind of authentic Chinese restaurant runs out of tea?
- knife cut noodlesVery disappointing because that was the whole reason I went there
- mini wontonsThe service wasn’t great; we waited 30 minutes after being seated before receiving water and utensils. The portions of the food are pretty small, with only a few mini wontons served in a small rice bowl for $10. 99, and two cabbage rolls short.
If you're craving fresh, authentic noodles and flavorful broths, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that while most experiences are fantastic, a rare few have noted issues with food temperature or portion sizes on certain items.
Service (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 83% of the guests
Overall, the service here is quite impressive! With a solid score of 8.5 and a customer satisfaction rate of 85%, its clear most diners have a good experience. Out of 107 comments, a whopping 91 praise the friendly and attentive staff, often highlighting their efficiency and fast service.
However, its not entirely perfect. A smaller number of 12 remarks point to some hiccups, mainly concerning long wait times, occasional messed-up orders, and issues with getting water and utensils promptly. It seems there's a bit of room for improvement in consistency.
Service
107
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
12
negative
4
neutral
91
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Messed-up orders
- Lack of attentiveness
Often praised
- serviceThe Lanzhou pulled noodles were fresh and perfectly chewy, and the buns were amazing. We experienced great food and super friendly service. Highly recommend!
- staffThey stretch the noodles right in front of you within the confines of the glass-walled kitchen. The staff was great, the food was exceptional, and the place was clean. Oh, and for the touristy nature of the area, the prices were extremely affordable.
- ServiceI was dining with a group of 3-4 people, and we experienced a wait time of 10-30 minutes. The atmosphere was rated a 5, and the service a 4. The food itself received a perfect score of 5.
- ownerMy favorites were the spicy wontons, green beans, and noodles. The service was great, and the owner was friendly. I cannot wait to go back and try other noodle dishes with the knife-cut noodles.
- managershout-out to the manager for checking in and making sure everything was great
- foodfood came out quickly
- serverDanny, our server and one of the owners, was very polite and friendly
- serversThe servers are very nice and welcoming.
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- attentive staffVery attentive staff
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The service wasn’t great; we waited 30 minutes after being seated before receiving water and utensils. The portions of the food are pretty small, with only a few mini wontons served in a small rice bowl for $10.
- wait timeI was very excited for hand pulled noodles at Noodle and Bun. We arrived early and were seated first, yet were served after several other tables that were seated after us. It was obvious that we were ready to order and were waiting patiently.
- messed-up ordersThe servers also kept messing up our orders
- operations/serviceoperations/service is still lacking
- waitersrude waiters who seemed uninterested
- waiting timePrepare to wait around 30+ mins
- waitressesone of the waitresses was fairly new because she didn’t do well in checking in with our table
- water and utensilsno water and utensils after sat down 30 mins
- watersnor keeping our waters full.
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly and efficient service, youll likely be pleased. Just be prepared for the possibility of a longer wait or minor service blips during busier times.
Ambience (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
The vibe at this spot is definitely a winner! With a fantastic score of 8.5 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 91.3%, its clear most folks love the atmosphere. Out of 69 opinions, a whopping 63 rave about the clean, open space, cool music, and the fascinating open kitchen where you can watch noodles being made, often calling it a hidden gem with great vibes and plenty of seating.
However, a few of the 5 negative comments point out that the lighting can be a bit too bright, and some found the seating arrangement awkward. While street parking is also mentioned as a challenge for the location, the overall feeling about the restaurants environment remains overwhelmingly positive, making these minor points rather than major issues.
Ambience
69
Reviews
91%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
63
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, open space
- Watch noodles made
- Great music/vibes
What people don't like
- Bright lighting
- Awkward seating
- Limited parking
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. The place is really clean with lots of tables and a very open atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed being able to see the people in the kitchen making the noodles.
- placeThey stretch the noodles right in front of you within the confines of the glass-walled kitchen. The staff was great, the food was exceptional, and the place was clean. Oh, and for the touristy nature of the area, the prices were extremely affordable.
- AtmosphereI was dining with a group of 3-4 people, and we experienced a wait time of 10-30 minutes. The atmosphere was rated a 5, and the service a 4. The food itself received a perfect score of 5.
- musicThey also have some really cool music
- cleanlinessMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. The place is really clean with lots of tables and a very open atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed being able to see the people in the kitchen making the noodles.
- locationGood location downtown
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- open kitchenSo fun watching this open kitchen preparing your meal.
- vibesThe vibes were immaculate!
- ACpaired with AC! :)
Frequently criticized
- street parkingWhat really surprised me was the sliced beef in the Lanzhou noodles — super delicious! The only thing to note is that the restaurant is located in East Village, Downtown, so you’ll need to find street parking.
- awkward seating arrangementit was super awkward to get in and out
- lightingThe view to inside the kitchen was so cool. The only point reduction for the atmosphere comes from the lighting being a little too bright, but other than that, the experience was fantastic. Thank you!
- parkingfew street parking, public parking cost around $12 an hour
If youre looking for a lively spot with great energy and a unique dining experience, this place is a solid bet. Youll likely enjoy the clean, open kitchen view and music, but be prepared for potentially bright lighting and plan your parking ahead.
Value (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark with a 6.9 score and a solid 72.7% customer satisfaction. Many diners, accounting for 16 positive remarks out of 22, rave about the food for the price and reasonable price for the area. Youll often find comments praising the great value for downtown and even convenient parking options.
However, not everyone agrees, with 6 negative comments pointing to some concerns. A few guests felt the price of the food was too high for the portions, describing them as double-overpriced. There were also issues raised about parking cost and a perceived lack of transparency regarding the bill' and tip.
Value
22
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable downtown prices
- Generous portions offered
- Validated parking available
What people don't like
- Portions felt overpriced
- Unexpected parking costs
- Billing transparency concerns
Often praised
- pricesWe even ordered an extra portion of plain noodles to add to the soup because it was so good! The prices are very reasonable and the portions are superb. We also enjoyed the refreshing garlic and cucumber dish on a hot day and finished with a frozen dessert that was the perfect end to the meal.
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was amazing for the price, with good portions and good products overall. While everything on the menu looked tasty, the brisket soup was particularly insane and a must-try.
- dishesevery dish is $16 or less
- food for the priceMy experience at this restaurant was positive. I ordered the beef noodle and steam bun, which I found to be decent food for the price. The owner was nice, and the open kitchen allowed me to see my food being made, which was a nice touch.
- good priceAll at a good price
- great value for downtownDeliscous & a great value for downtown.
- main menu items15 dollars all around for most main menu items
- parkinginclude 3 hour parking for only $12 with validation
- reasonable priceI was so eager to eat that I couldn’t even take a picture before finishing every last bite! If you're looking for an exceptional meal for a very reasonable price, you must get over to Noodle & Bun!
Frequently criticized
- billthe bank charge reflected $34 on my credit card
- parking cost99, and two cabbage rolls short. While the taste wasn’t bad, it was not worth the price of the food and the additional parking cost. Finding parking was also difficult, with few street options and a paid lot costing around $12 an hour.
- priceUpon entering, I encountered rude waiters who seemed uninterested in taking my order. After a considerable wait, I received my food, which was described as "double-overpriced, less-than-half-servings. " To make matters worse, the food arrived ICE COLD, with only one out of three items being hot.
- price of the food99, and two cabbage rolls short. While the taste wasn’t bad, it was not worth the price of the food and the additional parking cost. Finding parking was also difficult, with few street options and a paid lot costing around $12 an hour.
- tipthe 18% didn’t show up
- transparencythere isn’t transparency in conducting business
If you're looking for a good meal at a generally fair price, especially in the downtown area, this place is often a solid choice. Just be mindful of potential parking costs and double-check your bill for transparency, as a few guests have noted some discrepancies.
How are the prices at Noodle & Bun?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 95 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an Asian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, most guests tend to spend in the 11 – 30 $ range, showing that prices really cluster around this average, offering a consistent mid-tier experience rather than a wide mix of super cheap or ultra-premium options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 95 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Asian Restaurant. It offers good value for that mid-range sweet spot.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Noodle & Bun
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Heavenly Food at Noodle and Bun!
My experience at Noodle and Bun was truly exceptional. The food was nothing short of amazing, with every bite packed with flavor, perfectly balanced, and clearly made with care. From the first taste to the last, everything felt fresh, comforting, and indulgent.
It was truly heavenly food. The service and atmosphere were also top-notch, both receiving a perfect score of 5. I'll definitely be coming back and recommending this place to others!
- food10
- flavor10
- fresh9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
8
Surprisingly Good Brisket, Skip Soup Dumplings
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag, but with some definite highlights. The beef brisket noodle soup was shockingly good, especially for a downtown San Diego spot. The broth was incredibly deep and flavorful, the beef was tender and chunky, and the accompaniments like bok choy and cilantro were well-balanced.
I also enjoyed the beef rolls, which had a nice flavor profile enhanced by the Peking duck sauce. However, the soup dumplings were a major disappointment and I would definitely skip those. The green onion pancake was good, but it lost its appeal quickly as it became mushy when left sitting.
Be prepared for a wait, as this place is popular and you can expect around 30+ minutes during dinner. The service was pretty good overall.
- beef brisket noodle soup9
- broth9
- beef8
- soup dumplings2
- waiting time4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Fun Open Kitchen, Excellent Food!
My experience at this restaurant was really fun, especially watching the open kitchen prepare our meal. The food was excellent! While the restaurant decor is basic, it was very clean.
They even provided a bench for kids to stand on and watch the noodle making, which was a thoughtful touch. The service and atmosphere were both rated a 5 out of 5.
- open kitchen9
- food10
- restaurant decor6
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
8
Good Hand-Pulled Noodles, Long Wait
My first visit involved a wait of about 20 minutes for our group of 6, which could be improved with a text notification system to manage crowds. We ordered the Lan Zhou Noodle Soup, Beef Brisket Noodle Soup, Spicy Beef Brisket Noodle Soup, Special Fried Rice, and Beef Wrap. Overall, the food was good.
The hand-pulled noodles were chewy with a nice texture. The Lan Zhou soup was a bit heavy on pepper, but the beef was very tender. The other dishes were decent as well.
The staff were friendly and welcoming. I would be happy to come back and try it again.
- wait time6
- food7
- hand-pulled noodles8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Hidden Gem with Tasty Food
This is definitely a hole in the wall type of spot. I was really impressed with how tasty the food was. The atmosphere was great, rated a 5, and the food also received a 5.
Service was also excellent, rated a 5. We had no wait time and the price per person was $20–30 for dinner.
- hole in the wall spot9
- tasty food10
- atmosphere10
What Noodle & Bun offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and services are available at Noodle & Bun?
At Noodle & Bun, you can enjoy both dine-in and takeout services. The restaurant offers lunch, dinner, and even dessert, with table service provided. It’s a great spot for a casual meal, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or settling in.
What are the parking and accessibility options at Noodle & Bun in the Gaslamp Quarter?
Noodle & Bun is located in the Gaslamp Quarter, where you’ll find paid parking lots, paid parking garages, and paid street parking. While parking can usually be difficult to find, the restaurant does offer a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot for your convenience.