This casual eatery is located on a mezzanine floor overlooking the main casino of the Grand Lisboa in Macau. Thanks to the location, it will be hard to escape the pervasive smell of cigarette smoke even in the non-smoking sections. Also due to its proximity to the gaming floor, Noodle and Congee Corner can be loud and diners may have to shout to hear each other over the incessant pop music or live performances emanating from the casino below. The circular restaurant showcases the glass-encased open kitchen, from which you can see the chefs busily pulling, kneading and working the dough that you will soon be eating.

Noodle and Congee Corner carries an extensive menu, offering everything from Cantonese congee and cheung fun (a steamed rice noodle dish), la mian from Lanzhou in Gangsu province, handmade noodles from Shanxi, and dumplings from all over China including Shanghainese xiao long bao to northern-style pan-fried beef pies. As can be expected from any restaurant that has such a varied menu, not every single dish will be a success. The traditional Lanzhou la mian with shredded pork and cucumber in homemade spicy sauce, for instance, is disappointing. While there is no questioning the freshness of the noodles themselves or the deep flavour of the broth, it is the pork and spicy sauce that let the dish down. The shredded meat is too sweet and the sauce has none of its advertised spiciness, while there could also be a more generous amount of spring onion to supply contrast in both texture and flavour. The traditional Cantonese sampan congee is a better option with its plentiful tripe, spring onion and peanuts making the dish both hearty and comforting. Make sure to order it with a side of salted egg to give it extra depth. For side dishes, the Shanghainese xiao long bao are probably the soupiest version we’ve had for a long while, but the pan-fried beef pies are less successful, thanks to its thick dough, soggy bottom and overly-peppery filling. Opt for the perfectly seasoned and generously portioned barbecued pork and preserved vegetable steamed rice roll (cheung fun) instead.

The Lisboa’s master wine list is available at Noodle and Congee Corner where guests can order 15 to 80 year old moutai to complete the all-Chinese experience. More sensibly though, there is also a wine by the glass list that goes better with the informal atmosphere. There is also a tea menu, specially selected by a tea master.

Overall, the service at Noodle and Congee Corner is efficient. However, it would be better if condiments (for example dark vinegar for the soup dumplings or extra soy sauce for the cheung fun) arrived at the same time as the dishes.

A meal with a noodle dish, a congee dish and three sides will come to less than MOP300. While this may be considered expensive considering the casual surroundings, the quality of the ingredients makes it reasonable.