E Noodles keeps things casual without skimping on quality and authenticity

When you’re craving a variety of Asian food that isn’t Chinese take-out or sushi, E Noodles & Co. is ready to help. They categorize themselves as a ramen restaurant, meaning they specialize in noodle dishes from China to Thailand.

Three locations make up this small franchise, with the North Myrtle Beach spot being a popular lunch choice for friends and workers on break. Just like the Myrtle Beach site and the sister restaurant in Concord, North Carolina, E Noodles keeps things casual without skimping on quality and authenticity.

In a strip mall near Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, E Noodles has a lovely interior that offers a refreshing respite from the heat and brightness of outside. Asian decorations adorn the walls without being overbearing, and the bar is compact but neat and stylish.

The menu starts with dim sum, or what we might call appetizers, and offers steamed dumplings, tempura, pot stickers, and more. The steamed shrimp dumplings are amazing, steamed upon order, and much larger in size than expected. From there, a small variety of soups and salads like miso soup and Thai beef salad give you a taste of more Asian deliciousness to come.

Noodle dishes in a broth, such as Vietnamese pho and Japanese udon, make appearances but the real stars are the noodle plates and entrees. Chinese and Thai specialties make up a bulk of the noodle plates, so guests can enjoy favorites such as lo mein and their version of pad Thai.

The Singapore mei fun is a hefty dish piled up with rice vermicelli that have been sautéed with bean sprouts, scallions, onions, bell peppers, yellow curry, and your choice of a protein. The result is a filling meal with a kick that will be a definite win among curry lovers.

One of E Noodles’ most popular entrees is their pan seared grouper, with fans that come in regularly to devour. Other options like their Thai pineapple chicken and the Bangkok chicken keep things interesting, while the fried rice and lettuce wraps are more familiar options.

On top of the different Asian dishes, E Noodles does their best to accommodate dietary restrictions, happy to provide gluten free options and vegetarian meals. A small part of the menu is dedicated to those who prefer low carb meals, aptly named “No Regrets.”

E Noodles doesn’t have a huge menu, and it doesn’t need one. There is plenty of variety packed into a few pages, so take the time to read all the options. The servers are very friendly and will answer all your questions about the many Asian noodle dishes they have to offer. All that plus a good price range means making a decision to give this bistro a try shouldn’t be a strain your noodle.

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "E Noodles keeps things casual without skimping on quality and authenticity."