Silk Road Review: Exotic Flavours from Inner Mongolia

Silk Road 

When Mag showed me a video of the chef pulling the noodles and suggested we had dinner here, I was SOLD because there are truly few things I love more than thick, chewy noodles and Chinese spices. 

Their noodle and dumpling menu runs for a limited time till the end of May. It features four types of noodles, each paired together with a different sauce and protein, as well as two choices of dumplings. 

Out of the six items, we ordered 3 bowls of noodles and the pan-fried dumplings. 

Menu Highlights

小菜

One of the highlights of our meal was the little appetiser dishes they served us: spicy pickled vegetables and roasted peanuts in spice and salt. The fragrant peanuts were an addictive snack but I was partial to the Chinese pickles because of the aromatic Sichuan chilli oil it was drenched it.

四季豆

Other than our selection of noodles, we also ordered a vegetable dish from Silk Road's regular menu. Loosely translated to Four Season Beans, this quintessential Chinese dish features stir-fried string beans with pork. I especially enjoyed Silk Road's rendition as they added in some preserved vegetables for an extra oomph.

红烧猪肉刀削面

This hearty bowl of knife-shaven noodles and braised pork oozes with homemade comfort. The flavours are light on the palate with the fork-tender, savoury pork being a perfect accompaniment to the thick, bouncy noodles. 

如意牛腩面

While we expected a great deal from the braised beef brisket noodle, the udon-like noodles in the mild beef broth was a let-down in the flavour department as it was rather bland. However, the braised beef brisket itself was bursting with flavour from various Chinese herbs and spices. 

西安油波面

Our favourite noodle of the day was this wide, thick-cut noodle served with a spicy pork-belly gravy. This particular noodle reminded us of the italian pappardelle, and we both loved the satisfying chewy texture of this cut. 

The slightly tangy meat sauce was full of aromatic Chinese spices and just the right hint of Sichuan peppercorn, and complemented the noodles perfectly. 

山西锅贴

Lastly, we had these amazing Shanxi dumplings. The filling was juicy and moist, and the dumpling skin was part crispy and part chewy.

Overall Rating: 8/10 

I'm anticipating my next visit to Silk Road, where I can hopefully get another taste of these amazing noodles. Otherwise, I've heard pretty great things about their regular menu too, and I wouldn't mind sampling some of those dishes ;)

Till the next food adventure,
Butterball