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We have always looked longingly over at the noodle bar in the David Jones food hall, and the long queue ever waiting for an empty seat at the counter. Today we finally had our day.

Fellow patrons ordering and eating at the Noodle Bar

For our friends back in the US, David Jones is a department store that has a gourmet food hall in the basement with separate counters for meet, sausage, seafood, cheese, bread, cheese, bakery, chocolates, fruits, veggies and prepared foods. It’s not quite on the magnitude of Harrods, but it is an elegant food extravaganza nonetheless. When we go, it’s usually to pick up ingredients for a picnic in the Botanic Gardens nearby or to search for some specialty ingredient. What is particularly enticing about the food halls is that there are several food bars where you can get a seat at the counter and eat right there on the spot. There is the noodle bar, an oyster bar, a pasta and panini bar, a grill bar, a cheese and anitpasto bar, and an espresso bar.

Needless to say, the bars are popular, and it is hard to get a seat, particularly on a weekend afternoon. The noodle bar sits just below the stairs where we exit the store, so we are always drooling over the the sight of noodles being tossed in hot firery woks and wonderful smells wafting up. There is simply never a spare seat. Today we just managed to spot two seats and grabbed them.

We ordered a Chicken Laksa (a malaysian-style soup with curry paste and coconut, served with meat and noodles) and a Chicken-Cashew Stir Fry. Both were cooked up to order and brought to us straight away. We indulged in a beer and a glass of wine to make our late lunch complete. Mmmmm.

Chicken Laksa and a glass of White Wine

Chicken and Cashew Stir Fry

The Stir Fry was very good and had a very nice balance of sweet and sour. The Laksa was good, but not as good as some of our favourite spots in town (I’m looking at you, Thai Me Up…). Still, a nice way to grab a bit and watch the crowds go by…, and we saw plenty of other dishes that will require trying in the near future.

David Jones Food Hall
Mains $10 – $20
Licensed, Beer and Wine

65-77 Market Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: 02 9266 5544