Do you recall forging and slurping vast quantities of noodles growing up? Almost every person from all walks of life has tasted the captivating flavors of noodles. Whether the noodle is made of rice, potato starch, or bean starch, its popularity can never be disparaged. And that’s why being a noodle lover myself, I was thrilled to learn of Lulu’s Noodles at Springdale, Ohio, when I was living there.
If you are on a prowl for good tasting, inexpensive food, then don’t let the strip mall setting and unassuming exterior fool you: Lulu’s Noodle bar is not one to be missed. Unlike cookie-cutter strip-mall Asian food counterparts known for heavy sauces and dank selections, Lulu’s serves up delicacies that are fresh, vibrant, fast, and economical. Folks line up at lunchtime, waiting for a table or a quick carry out before hustling back to work. They can survey the menu, place an order, and pay cash upfront. Dinner time also draws a crowd and a short wait. The atmosphere is very casual. Portions are large, boasting flavors that are strong but don’t overpower the taste buds.
Begin your meal with vegetable tom-yum soup seasoned with lemongrass and cilantro or hot ad sour soup, and a traditional Chinese starter like chow-mien, pan-fried dumplings wontons or Japanese gyoza potstickers. The big draw, however, is the fifteen noodle dishes on the menu. Egg noodles or rice noodles prepared in various ways with or without meat such as Singapore noodle plate – stirred rice noodles covered in curry with chicken, shrimp, or vegetable scallions and bean sprouts. Most folks flock here just for over a dozen stats noodle dish varieties, like Pad Thai and the spicy Szechwan noodle bowls. Most entrees are available with a side order of rice or noodles for under seven dollars … an affordable lunch or dinner option.
Though there is no special menu for kids, a favorite is vegetable lo mein ($6.25). It is a tasty blend of soft, long noodles and vegetables that are also available with chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp. Another dish with kid appeal is the fried chicken wings in Szechwan honey ($4.40). The menu claims that Lulu’s originated this dish and warns diners to “watch out for copy cats!”
My personal favorite is the Cantonese noodle plate ($6.95). The pan-fried noodles meet my “crispy-ness” quotient, and the Asian flavor is simply divine. You honestly are in a food coma. Another best dish is the ‘Udon noodles’ ($7.25), which are noodles stir-fried in garlic sauce with bean sprouts, scallions, and eggs. A strong contestant is a tom yum mee ($5.95), a pleasing blend of lemongrass, green onions, cilantro, and Thai basil in broth over noodles.
Thai fans will love the assortment of rice noodles, egg, and tofu stir-fried in Thai sauce and topped with bean sprouts, cilantro, and red cabbage. You can also add chicken, pork, or beef for an additional $2.25 and veggies for $1. So no matter what you order, it is worth your money, and Lulu’s has a tasty variety of choices where you can never go wrong.
Lulu’s is located on 35 W Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45246, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Their contact number is (513) 671-4949.
Do check them out!
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