Day 39 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and today I’m featuring one of my absolute FAVE spots, Noodle King in Silver Spring. If you haven’t been yet, you need to fix that ASAP! This is an actual hidden gem, easy to miss from the street, but the Cantonese cooking coming out of that kitchen is the real deal (it’s even been named one of the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA).
I’m such a big fan that I basically order the same three go-tos every single time, I just can’t help myself, lol. Their salt and pepper tofu is one of my favorite tofu dishes in the area, the French-style beef cubes are indulgent in the best way, and the leek flower stir fry ties the meal together. Here’s exactly what I get, and why it keeps pulling me back to Colesville.
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What Makes Noodle King a Standout Cantonese Spot in Silver Spring
So what sets Noodle King apart? It’s proper Hong Kong-style Cantonese cooking, the kind of menu that runs way past the usual takeout suspects. You’ll find Cantonese roast duck and cha siu, beef brisket noodle soup, Singapore-style rice noodles, walnut shrimp, congee, whole Hong Kong-style fish, and a huge lineup of noodle and rice dishes. There’s even a French-style beef, which is a classic Hong Kong cafe crossover dish.
It’s the kind of range that tells you the kitchen actually knows what it’s doing. The spot itself is casual and unassuming, but that Top 100 nod isn’t for nothing. And with around 20 vegetarian dishes on the menu, there’s plenty here even if you’re skipping meat. It’s a hidden gem in the truest sense.
What to Order at Noodle King
Like I said, I’m a creature of habit here, so these three are my locked-in order every single time. Here’s the rundown.
Deep Fried Tofu with Salt and Pepper ($13.95)
Starting with my favorite, because this might be one of the best tofu dishes in the area, no exaggeration. The outside’s golden while the inside stays soft and custardy, and that salt-and-pepper seasoning with sliced jalapeno is SO good! It’s the kind of thing I can’t stop reaching for once it hits the table. If you order one thing here, make it this.
Beef Cube, French Style ($22.95)
This is the indulgent one. The beef comes in generous, juicy cubes, tender on the inside with a beautifully seared, slightly crisp exterior, and the sauce clings to every piece. It feels really rich and special without being too heavy, which is a hard balance to pull off. It’s the priciest of my three at $22.95, but it eats like a treat and it earns the splurge.
Leek Flower Stir Fried with Chicken ($19.95)
I always add this one to balance out the richer dishes, and it does exactly that. The leek flowers have a subtle sweetness I love, a mild oniony aroma that never overpowers, and it eats lighter and fresher next to the beef. Pro tip: drizzle a little chili oil over the top, it takes it up a notch. It’s become a non-negotiable part of my order.
If you’re branching out past my usual three, a few more of their known-for dishes worth exploring:
- Cantonese roast duck and cha siu (BBQ pork)
- Beef brisket noodle soup
- Singapore-style rice noodles
- Walnut shrimp
- Congee, if you want something cozy
And if you want to keep exploring Silver Spring Chinese food, Yu Noodles is another spot right in the area worth adding to your list.
Is Noodle King Authentic Cantonese Food?
Noodle King specifically does Hong Kong-style Cantonese, which leans on fresh, clean flavors, roasted meats, seafood, and comforting noodle soups instead of the heavy, sugary sauces a lot of Chinese-American takeout defaults to. That French-style beef I mentioned is a perfect example, it’s a Hong Kong cafe (cha chaan teng) staple, a Western-influenced dish that’s totally at home on a Cantonese menu. The Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA recognition backs it up too. So if you’re hunting for legit Cantonese in Montgomery County, this is a strong pick.
The Vibe and Experience
Noodle King is genuinely easy to miss from the street, the exterior’s low-key, but inside it’s casual, comfortable, and welcoming, the kind of neighborhood spot that’s great for a relaxed family dinner or a chill weeknight meal. It’s mostly walk-in friendly, so no reservation needed. Bonus: there’s free parking in the lot out back (you reach it from Hollywood Avenue), which it shares with the Hollywood Deli next door, so you’re not circling the block for a spot.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 12705 New Hampshire Ave, Colesville / Silver Spring, MD
- Hours: Sun to Thurs 11am to 9:30pm, Fri and Sat 11am to 10pm
- Cuisine: Hong Kong-style Cantonese Chinese
- Price: moderate, most dishes from the mid-teens to the low $20s
- Dine-in and takeout, plus delivery via Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash
- Order online or browse the full menu on their website
- Parking: free lot in the rear, accessed from Hollywood Avenue
- Vegetarian-friendly, with around 20 veggie dishes on the menu
- Walk-ins are the norm; reservations by phone
- Recognized as one of the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA
Should You Visit Noodle King?
Absolutely! I already go back constantly, which is the entire point of having three permanent go-to orders. For the quality, the portions, and that Top 100 pedigree, Noodle King’s easily one of my favorite Cantonese spots in the area, and it earns the hidden-gem title. Whether you’re brand new to Cantonese or you grew up on it, this one’s worth the drive to Colesville. Craving dim sum next? Far East in Rockville is a solid dim sum option not too far away.
Have you guys been to Noodle King yet, or do you have a go-to order there I need to try? Drop it in the comments, Nomsters, and save this for your next Cantonese craving.