Uncle Noodles

CEBU, Philippines - How do you like your noodles?

I'm not fond of noodles but I did appreciate the "dry noodles" variety which is part of the menu board of "Uncle Noodles" (Lower Ground Area 2, Mango Avenue or General Maxilom Avenue).

Prepared by Chef Vance Valeri Lima Borja, who has had intensive study of – as well as immersion in – Singapore's culinary culture, that bowl of "dry noodles" serves as a new dining experience.

Unlike noodle soup, the clear soup (chicken-based stock) for the dry noodles comes separately. This allows the diner a healthy scoop of the soup, according to the right volume he so prefers, onto the toppings that come in a mix of shark's fin, fish ball, prawn, char siu and minced meat, bean sprouts, mushroom, and Chinese cabbage spiced up by fragrant oils, chili, black vinegar, and soya oil.

Flavors adhere easily to the noodle strands. Made from wheat flour, strands are purposely prepared wider than the noodles we have come to know. "The wider strands scoop the gravy and make the variety of flavors stick on," Chef Vance pointed out.

In his product developments, Chef Vance utilizes a good helping of the "sambal" (chili-based sauce used as a condiment). "This is my interpretation of the experience that I had in Singapore from 2008 to 2010, but in execution we source out locally produced products to give a local flavor."

Aside from introducing an interpretation of how Singaporean noodles is being prepared, Chef Vance also emphasized that sourcing local products would give more character to the food - as in the addition of dried danggit (rabbitfish or spinefoot) into my bowl of dry noodles. There's this saltiness in the dried fish you can instantly connect with, knowing that dried fish has always been part of the Filipino meal table.

"You get to experience a layering of flavors too while understanding components in a bowl of health," Chef Vance added.

As of now, delivery can be attended to within a 15-minute radius for a minimum order of P250. Call 520-1524. Ample parking space is also available very near their homey outlet, which closely resembles a "family park."

Business Hours: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Sun-Thurs); and 11 a.m. - 1 a.m. (Fri-Sat).