The BEST Ramen I have ever eaten. I eat from this place at least twice a week and it’s so affordable it doesn’t even hurt. An absolute gem of a place. Worth every penny you spend there.
Food: The was the least impressive out of the whole experience. But still worth the visit. No beer though. =(
Service: The gentleman who served us was extremely friendly. He was also the cook. Gave us a good introduction to the establishment and the food.
Ambience: The place was actually very warm and welcoming. Very homely.
Value: Was featured in Good Food guide for cheap eats.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Decided to try this place out after reading an article featuring this restaurant for best noodles in melbourne!
It was surprisingly really quiet when we visited on a monday night. The place was not big nor fancy but it was quite cute with a reasonable amount of seats. The staffs were friendly and food were quick.
Had the signature CQ noodles with pork (addition). I liked the noodles as it had a chewy texture and a nice bite to it, it does gets softer as I eat (as with most noodles). The broth was bit thick so I asked if I could have more soup and was informed that it was supposed to be dry. He kindly explained that it depends on personal preference (some liked it even drier) and added extra soup for me. I chose no spice at all, and the soup itself was nice and flavourful without being too strong though I would probably go with the beef the next time as the pork made it too oily and flavorful. Portion was satisfying and i like the crunch from the peanuts!
My sister got it in medium spice and it was not that spicy either, just the right amount for my taste. Thus I would recommend getting less spice or even medium spice as it elevates the dish than without any spice. Also since there was no topping, the soup was clearer and more enjoyable.
Overall a pretty great place for some noodle fix with a reasonable price!
( follow for more!✨)
ｘｘ，ｊｏｅｌｌｅ.
Believe the hype - this is badass! I haven’t eaten these noodles in China to compare, but I had tried visiting here before and they were all sold out of the beef noodles - their speciality. This time however, I was in luck. Had the beef and tendon mix at a mild spice level which was still quite spicy. The broth was flavoursome and more-ish. Would definitely have this again!
Telling your friends you went to "Hi Chong Qing" sounds like you're racist but it's GENUINELY the place's name
Ordered:
🍜 Signature ChongQing (CQ) Noodles: with less spice. This bowl of noodles of noodles is an explosion of flavor from the first bite as it uses more than 10 ingredients to make the sauce and soup ($10.80)
+ 🐮 beef ($3.00)
Review:
Unbelievable, unbeatable price for the decent quantity. Hi CQ's spicy levels are spot on. They recommended less spice for me who eats spice ~once a week and I found myself enjoying, but also dying, over this meal.
Adding beef is a fantastic choice (thanks zomato fam) as it adds a bit more texture and toughness to the dish.
The detail in their interior makes this place really fun. From the themed meme pillows, the calligraphy to the small knick knacks, hi CQ has a lot of character. I loved the use of wooden chopsticks and their interesting wooden spoon!
I'm working on the hypothesis that wooden spoons give the illusion of more flavour 🤣.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Hi Chongqing - Melbourne
Spicy Pork Mince & Chickpea Noodle Soup
Well well well, another day another Sichuan soup, this time smack back in the middle of university territory.
HiChongqing or Hi HC Cafe has really made quite the entrance into the Melbourne noodle soup scene. A cute restaurant with cute furniture and even cuter doggo cushions. They’ve really got it all. While I did come here to stare at the dog cushions I also came here to slurp slurp slurp. I ordered the spicy pork mince and my guest celebrity reviewer @bensonaus ordered the spicy beef noodles. What came out moments later were two delicious and contrasting bowls of the gods nectar. My pork mince and chickpeas was a piece of art. Pork to the left of me chickpeas to the right, here I am stock in the middle of the two. Yum. Yum. Yum. The crunch of the peas and peanuts, the bite of the noodles and the slurp of the broth all worked so well together. SYNERGY FOLKS. The Sichuan peppers were plentiful but not enough to overpower - nice and balanced. I had a quick dig at Benson’s spicy beef soup too. It was delicious beef - the stock had quite the powwow to it - quite spicy but also very oily. Which is what you should expect with Sichuan soups - this is ALOT. I’d say the pork mince was the better of the two but both are good options! Get here soon before the whole of Melbourne finds out about this place. (Bonus service star for dog cushions coz why tf not).
🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢
Broth Flavour: 🍜🍜🍜🍜/5
Soup ingredients: 🍜🍜🍜🍜/5
Service: 🍜🍜🍜🍜/5
Overall: 🍜🍜🍜🍜/5
🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢
I’ve been here quite regularly during the semester and now miss them! I tried their 3 noodles (broths) and I strongly recommend the Herbal soup one!
But if you are new, should try their signature CQ noodle first as I tried herbal soup noodle just recently and I found that’s the best.
I love spicy hot but mild, and there are options. I always choose less spicy.
Also the staff are friendly and nice. They serve beautiful coffee as well and you don’t have to go to grab coffee somewhere else after noodle, which is also 👍
PS
I love their calligraphy artworks on the wall.
Enjoyed the noodles, probably one of the best ones I've had in Melbourne. Was nice of the owner to ask how the meal was. Would definately be back next time I'm in the area.
My friend told me took me here to try the noodles and I do not regret going one bit. I just got the signature and it reminded me of being back in China! I’ll definitely be back.
Signature Chong Qing noodles ($10.80)
⭐️ 4.5/ 5 ⭐️
🍴Voted by #timeoutmelbourne as the “best noodles in Melbourne”, we may not necessarily agree as it’s hard to define “best” noodles but the ones served here are certainly delicious and worth a try! At a pretty affordable price (even when adding $3 for meat), you get a delicious pork broth packed with flavours; I can’t pick out all 10 ingredients that supposedly go in besides the peanuts, coriander, garlic & ginger but the highly flavorful soup leaves me wanting more. The noodles are fresh and springy and cooked really well. You can also choose your spicy level so for those wanting more kick, adding lots of Sichuan peppercorns is an option. Already imagining how good this warm satisfying soup will be when winter comes~
📍@hi.cq, UniLodge D2, 26 Orr St Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
#cafehoppingkidsmelbourne
It was such a nice find. The chef was really nice and gave me a good recommendation and I got the signature noodles with beef and beef tendon original spice. It was so yummy and flavoursome. The spice packed a nice punch. Delicious.
If you can't handle spice I recommend 0 spice rather than less spice since my friend couldn't take it that well.
I only come here after reading the review about their beef noodle but unfortunately it's sold out. The only option I have is Signature noodle. Since it's only vegies (no meat) in the signature noodle, I add some mince pork topping. The noodle come out very quick but nothing special about it's taste, I ordered little spicy but the soup was really salty and not spicy at all (I still need to put on lots of chilli). But I'll go back to try the beef noodle. Very friendly owner who provide good service.
I work nearby and come here once (sometimes twice) a week. Their food is delicious. The noodles are the perfect texture and the broth is delicious and full of flavour without being overpowering or heavy. The meat is perfectly cooked. I have the signature with beef or the pork with chickpea every time. Both are delicious
I didn’t personally like my noodles because I’m from Chongqing, born and raised and this tasted nothing remotely like Chongqing noodles from home. Very bland and oily, no fragrance of the chilli (没有香味和辣味), not spicy either even though I orders extra spicy.
However it’s great for aussie taste, or someone beginner to Chongqing noodles. The noodles and beef were tasty in texture. The server was very friendly and smiley. Service was fast. Husband (who’s Aussie) loved his vegetarian noodles.
This place is amazing! Kevin is super friendly, and I could not fault the bowl of signature vegetarian noodles I got - the noodles were amazing, the broth was perfect and the peanuts added a lovely crunchy extra touch. The value for money is also amazing. I would highly recommend going out of your way to visit :)
Beef cooked so well…
Broth so flavourful.
The spice was just right.
Perfect for a cool winters day.
It was reminiscent of ramen, but not at the same time - the flavours in the broth were different.
The owners gave us some really good dish recommendations too, which were yummy!
Looking forward to coming back to this place.
A must try. Here you will find outstanding noodles in the best broth you will find in Melbourne. The richness and depth of flavour is mind blowing without being overbearing. Such good balance. When I ordered multiple bowls, including one for our little girl (number 4, no spice! which she loved) the guy suggested we stage the noodle bowls to ensure the noodles aren’t left sitting in the hot broth too long, compromising there texture - he had me sold on that show of such dedication to serving an amazing meal perfectly executed.
Also love the spicy kick they pack at standard level. Go original level spice only if you are comfortable with a bit of heat. Note it is not yet a licensed venue, so save the beer for afterwards. Once you’ve taste the noodles you’ll soon forget about the beer ;)
This was slurpilious!
The Beef was slow cooked til its so soft and tender Noodles had a good bouncy chewy texture. Happy Bellies
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