Noodle Talk
About This Spot
Stepping into Noodle Talk on El Camino Real, you’re welcomed by a space that quietly honors its roots with thoughtful touches—from the traditional style of the wooden tables and chairs to the warm hum of focused, friendly conversation. It moves at an easy pace, inviting you to settle in and savor the moment amid an unpretentious, family-run atmosphere. This is a place that feels familiar, yet full of subtle discoveries with every visit.
The dining room carries the unmistakable spirit of Hunan cuisine, where spice and depth lead the way but never overwhelm. There’s a rhythm to the meals here, shaped by shared plates meant to be explored together, whether it’s tender braised pork belly, the satisfying richness of beef shank soup, or the bright, lively zing of stir-fried vegetables paired with savory pork belly. The menu invites a trusting approach—engage with the staff and let them guide you through flavors that balance heat with a comforting home-cooked sincerity.
In the heart of this casual local spot, diners gather from across the neighborhood to celebrate both everyday meals and more lively group dinners, making it a quietly bustling destination where long-time patrons return time and again. It’s not just about food here; it’s the shared stories and moments that the simple act of breaking noodles together inspires.
For those who appreciate a vibrant culinary scene that stays true to its roots, Noodle Talk offers a thoughtful, grounded experience—a place where atmosphere and authenticity intersect in the most natural way.
What’s Available Here
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Delivery
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Fast service
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Comfort food
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Organic dishes
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Wine
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Trendy
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Groups
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Locals
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Tourists
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Accepts reservations
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Usually a wait
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 11:00 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 08:45 PM | |
| Tuesday | Closed | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 08:45 PM | |
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| Thursday | 11:00 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 08:45 PM | |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 02:15 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 02:30 PM , 05:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 02:30 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM |
Andreas Ramos 30 Dec 2025
easily the best Chinese restaurant in Palo Alto. incredible staff, menu, and interior. even the tables and chairs are Chinese style. waiters are friendly and helpful. this is real Chinese food, Hunan style. we bring friends there. we've had business dinners there. ask the waiters to recommend dishes. everything we've ever had delicious. Noodle Talk is locally owned by a family.
SC 16 Nov 2025
Would try and stretch this place to put four stars for the variety of good food selection, restaurant set up and service. Everything ordered was delicious and had its own distinct taste. Please check the spice level of each dish before ordering and ask for the ones you will be able to tolerate. Would highly recommend chicken wings, calamities and beef as appetizers to share. Very good quality furniture has a nice set up to keep the distance during pandemic. Staff is staying busy and sometimes are missed however do give you enough attention to satisfy the needs. Will absolutely come back with occasion.
Jea Kim 11 Nov 2025
Authentic Sichuan flavors, perfect for sharing with friends. My friends from the area said this spot was their go-to Chinese restaurant, so we decided to check it out for dinner. They're especially known for their fried pork intestine noodles, which caught my attention. I wasn’t quite in the mood for noodles, so we decided to try the sautéed pork intestines on their own, along with a few other dishes. Sautéed Pork Intestines with Hot Pepper – Most of my experience with pork intestines has been in Korean preparations. Grilled or stir-fried in thick cuts that often stay a bit chewy due to incompletely-rendered fat. This was my first time trying the Chinese-style version, and it was much better than I expected. Thinly sliced and crisped to perfection, each bite was like a savory, spicy chip. Surprisingly light and non-greasy, and the hot peppers gave it a subtle, satisfying burn. Honestly preferred this over most Korean-style intestines I've had. Cabbage Stir-Fry – Another first for me. My Chinese friend called it a classic side dish. The cabbage was seared just right, tender with a savory, umami-rich coating that gave it real flavor. A bit heavy alongside all the other stir-fries, but definitely pulled its weight as a simple, comforting vegetable plate. Boiled Fish, Sautéed Beef, Pork Liver, Mapo Tofu – All consistently solid. Good dishes to fill out the table and share.
Kimberly Zhu 10 Nov 2025
Great place for spicy food — almost all the food is spicy! Nice ambience and dishes come on fast. Ordering process and paying the bill on the home was super easy Had a bit of a wait on Saturday night (10 min) but still really fast. Decent portion sizes. The beef shank in the noodles was a bit hard and dry but everything else was pretty good.
Olivia Tam 16 Oct 2025
We came back a few times to try their different dishes. We particularly like the shredded tofu appetizer, the fish dishes are very good, the eggplant with thousand year egg is special. Many order the noodles soup too. The dish can be a bit spicy and salty . It makes a perfect pairing for the bun or the plain rice .
Victor 29 Sep 2025
The noodle soup is the standout dish at Noodle Talk with big portions at reasonable prices. The extra noodle serving for only $2 gives you a giant bowl of additional noodles in broth which I highly recommend for sharing purposes. We also ordered the fish hotpot and I wasn't as impressed, the fish had a strong fishy flavor which I didn't enjoy as much but they did add a little bit of spice to balance it out.
H T 23 Sep 2025
Would come back. Nicely spicy, noodles had good spring to them. Pretty big menu and I expect everything to be good based off of the two dishes we got. Not too heavy and still hearty, if I was in the area I'd definitely return, especially because the prices are reasonable.