Student-run noodle bar serves up big flavors for small prices

By Tania Cervantes
The Guardsman

The new No Name Noodle Bar, next to Ocean campus’ main cafeteria, offers a fast and casual dining style, student involvement and a low-priced menu that attracts a variety of people including neighborhood visitors.

The restaurant is part of the Culinary Arts Program at City College and recently replaced Taste Buds, also a student-run program, which served sandwiches and burritos in addition to food similar to that offered at the main cafeteria.

The noodle bar serves as lab time for culinary students who prepare and cook the food, serve, cashier and even manage. Students rotate duties each week so they all experience and learn the different positions.

Culinary student and manager of the week Patty Reilly was happy to work in the field. While she has previous managerial experience, she said for other students this is their first time in this position.

“It is definitely a huge confidence builder. We get feedback from customers as to how we are doing our job and how we can give good service and good food,” she said.

The No Name Noodle Bar, however, won’t be nameless for long. Instructors are hoping to hold a contest in the near future to determine a permanent name.

“We want student involvement. The No Name name was just for fun and we hope to get suggestions from students,” restaurant management instructor Vincent Paratore said.

The prices alone have gotten students involved. For $6.50, the Thai Style Seafood Curry just may save the day. Not only is it fulfilling in flavor but the large portion is more than enough for one person.

The spring rolls, at $3.50, are on the most-wanted list and are often the first items to sell out.

The appetizer, made of red leaf lettuce, rice noodles, carrots, cilantro and mint, is wrapped in rice paper and accompanied by a sweet, nutty sauce that truly resembles the freshness associated with the spring season.

City College student Nako Tatematsu enjoyed the spicy chicken satay, but thought the rice was too soft. This was no reason not to come back though – for the price, she said, it was actually really good and the food measured up well to its Asian style.

The menu includes a mix of meat entrees and vegetarian options, and tofu may be substituted at no additional charge. The crunchy and salty portabello fries are the perfect, guilt-free choice when craving junk food and the ponzu dipping sauce is an ideal match for them.

ESL instructor Anne Marie Fleming had the vegetable noodle soup, which she said is always comforting – raining or not.

“The food is excellent and very affordable. They give you a big portion for a very low price,” Fleming said. “Give ‘em my thumbs up.”

The Noodle Bar is open from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and proudly uses compostable tableware.