Noodz, the new ramen noodle restaurant in Christiansted St Croix, has officially opened its doors and I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening. The restaurant is located at 1101 Strand St, in the former 40 Eats and Drinks location, next to the historic Club Commanche Hotel.
The first thing that caught my attention when I arrived at the restaurant was the fun and playful marketing on the staff’s shirts. The slogan “Good Noodz” is a light-hearted play on words from the risqué text or DM version of “Live Girls/Nudes”. This clever marketing tactic sets the tone for the rest of the restaurant experience, which is both fun and engaging. FYI, these fun shirts are for sale also!
As I walked into the restaurant, I was immediately struck by the unique atmosphere. The West Indian charm of 18th-century bricks, a cool little wine cage, and stylish jellyfish lighting all contributed to the restaurant’s cozy and inviting ambiance.
The menu at Noodz is centered around their homemade ramen noodles, which are made in-house. The hand-made bao buns and locally sourced ingredients make this restaurant a standout in the area. I had all three types of steamed gyoza, chicken, pork, and veggie, and the pork was my favorite. The steamed bao buns with Szechuan brisket were also bursting with flavor.
For my entree, I tried the Tantanmen ramen noodle bowl, which was made with simmered ground pork, tamari-cured local egg, toasted sesame, and coriander. This was not the ramen noodle I ate in college! The flavors were complex and nuanced, and the quality of the ingredients was apparent in every bite.
To wash down the delicious food, Noodz has an impressive selection of high-end Japanese whiskeys and sake. I even tried a “sake bomb” which was a fun little shot that is sure to make an enjoyable mess on your table. The staff was friendly and engaging, and they were more than happy to explain the different intricacies of the menu.
To top off the meal, I had a little mini-pie for dessert, which tasted like a sort of fruity creamy moose cheesecake combo topped with fresh ginger flakes. It was a perfect end to a fantastic meal.
Overall, my experience at Noodz was excellent. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was unique and inviting, and the service was outstanding. If you’re looking for a new restaurant to try in Christiansted St Croix, I highly recommend giving Noodz a try.
Opening night was a huge success and saw a local favorite band “No Problemo” adding their own flavor to the night with a variety of stellar tunes in the restaurant’s opening-night adjacent courtyard. We think the owners Jason Poll and Tiffany Tyler are on to a great concept here with more intros to the menu to come. They recently opened for lunch also.
So, what are you waiting for… “Stop in and show us your Noodz”.