By Sam McGrath

Photo courtesy of Mr Noodle’s website.

In a quiet shopping plaza on Broad Street in Henrico, there’s a place that brings the bold, spicy flavors of Sichuan-style cuisine to life: Mr. Noodle. This restaurant may look simple from the outside, but once you step inside, you’re greeted by a sleek, clean interior that gives off a calm and modern Chinese vibe. With its wide variety of Asian dishes and a strong focus on authentic flavor, Mr. Noodle offers a dining experience far beyond typical takeout.

Mr. Noodle is known for its Sichuan dishes, which are famous for bold spices, savory broths, and the perfect balance of heat and flavor. They make their own noodles and dumplings from scratch, and it shows in the quality of every bite. 

The restaurant offers delivery and takeout, but dining inside unlocks a whole new experience, with a peaceful atmosphere that makes it a kind of place you’ll want to linger after your meal is over. 

Kung Pao Chicken, Braised Beef Noodle Soup, Steam Soup Dumplings, Korean Spicy Kimchi, Chrysanthemum Tea, Yeshu Coconut Milk. Photo credit: Sam McGrath.

For my meal, I ordered several items to get a true taste of what the place had to offer. The Kung Pao Chicken ($15), a classic Sichuan dish, was packed with flavor. It featured juicy chicken pieces, crisp celery, carrots, diced onions, and crunchy peanuts. It had the right amount of spice and sweetness, and every bite delivered a punch of savory goodness.

The highlight of my meal was the Braised Beef Noodle Soup ($15). This dish came with tender chunks of braised beef, hand-pulled noodles, green onions, cilantro, white radish, and broccoli, all in a steaming, rich broth. The soup was comforting and filling, with the beef practically melting in my mouth. The noodles were chewy and fresh. 

I also tried the Steam Soup Dumplings ($13), which arrived in a bamboo basket, six to an order. Each dumpling was filled with pork and a burst of hot, flavorful broth. They were soft and delicate on the outside but rich and satisfying on the inside, which is just what you’d hope for in a traditional Chinese soup dumpling. 

Interior of Mr. Noodle. Photo credit: Anne Margaret White via Google Reviews.

As a side, I got Korean Spicy Kimchi ($6). It was made with fermented cabbage and chili red peppers, seasoned perfectly to create a sour and spicy kick that balanced out the heavier dishes. Even though kimchi is Korean, it fits well with the bold flavors of the meal. 

Noodle making. Photo via instagram @restaurantsofrva.

To drink, I ordered two unique options. The first was Chrysanthemum Tea (Cold) ($2), a popular Asian floral tea made from chrysanthemum flowers. It had a light, refreshing flavor that helped cool down the heat from the food. The second was Yeshu Coconut Milk ($2), a creamy, smooth beverage with subtle coconut sweetness. It was a great way to end the meal.

Overall, Mr. Noodle is a standout restaurant in Henrico that brings authentic Sichuan cooking to life. From the handmade noodles and dumplings to the carefully prepared sides and drinks, everything felt thoughtful and full of flavor. Whether you’re a fan of spicy food and noodle soups or just looking to try something new, Mr. Noodle is absolutely worth a visit. I’ll definitely be going back.