Chop Chop Noodle House

About Chop Chop Noodle House

Chop Chop Noodle House is Ponsonby's self-styled Noodle Saloon — the point where the best of Asian street eats meets, in its own words, the class and comfort of whiskey 'n' rye. Set inside Ponsonby Central on 140 Ponsonby Road and led by the founders of The Blue Breeze Inn, its kung-fu kitchen turns out steaming bowls of ramen from Japan, spicy Korean-style fried chicken and fluffy steamed buns, from roasted Chinese pork belly to the cheeky cheeseburger bao.

The bowl list runs from pork ramen and twelve-hour beef brisket to the loaded Cobra Kai Super Mega Ramen, with rice bowls, street-food plates, add-ons like Korean cowboy kimchi, and a kids' noodle menu alongside. Behind the bar, whiskies scoured from around the world — Canadian, Irish, Scotch, New Zealand, Japanese and American — sit next to Hong Kong-style cocktails, wine, tap beer and a 'virgins' list of house-made sodas and shakes.

No bookings: the food comes out fast 'n' fresh and the tables keep turning, so you just roll on up. Dine in or take away, 7 days a week (closed public holidays).

Chop Chop Noodle House: Ramen, Bao & Whiskey at Ponsonby Central, Auckland

Step into Ponsonby Central on 140 Ponsonby Road and you've arrived at the Noodle Saloon — Chop Chop Noodle House, where the best of Asian street eats meets, in its own words, 'the class and comfort of whiskey 'n' rye.' Led by the founders of The Blue Breeze Inn, the room runs on a cowboy-meets-kung-fu wink: Deputy Chang and the kung-fu kitchen sling steaming bowls and trays of street eats at speed, while the back bar lines up a smokin' range of whiskies for the wee hours.

Bowls first

The heart of the menu is the noodles. Every bowl comes built on rye noodles with an egg — and every one has a following. The Pork Ramen pairs roasted pork belly with pulled pork shoulder and pickled cucumber. The Twelve Hour Beef Brisket Ramen earns its name with slow-cooked brisket alongside bacon, shiitake, sesame, spring onion and black garlic. There's jerk-spiced crispy fried chicken in another bowl, and a vegetarian Miso Ramen with smoked eggplant and kombu smoked butter. And then there's the Cobra Kai Super Mega Ramen: crispy fried chicken, pork belly, pulled pork shoulder, kimchi, bacon, mushrooms and corn — the bowl you order when you came hungry and mean it.

Rice bowls cover similar ground with braised pork belly, fried chicken or tempura pumpkin, and a gluten-free substitute is available for the rye noodles in any bowl.

Street eats and small hands

Around the bowls sits the street-food board: koji fried chicken in chilli sauce with crushed peanuts and yum yum mayo, roasted pork belly buns, a cheeseburger bao, pork and ginger dumplings in miso seaweed broth, catch-of-the-day sashimi, eggplant tempura and a soba-noodle vege salad. Condiment nerds get soy, secret spices and free hot chilli oil on the table, plus kimchi, smoked kombu butter and extra toppings by the spoonful. Kids 12 and under have their own noodles-and-broth menu, topped with chicken, beef brisket or pork belly.

Whiskey 'n' rye

The drinks list is a destination of its own. Whiskies have been scoured from around the world — Canadian Club up to 20 years old, Irish Teelings, Scotch from BenRiach and Macallan to Laphroaig, Thomson's manuka-smoked single malt from New Zealand, Japanese Mars, and a deep American bench of bourbons and ryes from Buffalo Trace to Stagg Jr. The cocktails run cheeky: the Soju Strawberry Spritz is the house honour drink, alongside the Mai Tai #69, Black Dragon and The Drunken Master. There's wine by the glass and bottle, house lager on tap, and a 'virgins' list of house-made sodas plus a coconut milkshake that can take a cheeky bourbon shot.

Just roll on up

There are no bookings — but that's all good news. The food is fast 'n' fresh and the tables keep turning, so walk-ins almost always land a seat. Chop Chop is open 7 days: Monday to Friday from 12–3pm, then 5pm til late, and weekends from midday straight through til late. It closes for public holidays. Takeaway runs the same hours and can be ordered online for pickup — a handy trick for lunch or a night in.

Tucked among the bustle of Ponsonby Central with the kitchen action on show, Chop Chop Noodle House works just as well for a quick solo bowl at the bar as it does for a rowdy group dinner, or a slow dram when the wee hours call.

Signature items

• Cobra Kai Super Mega Ramen
• Twelve Hour Beef Brisket Ramen
• Koji Fried Chicken
• Pork Ramen
• Cheeseburger Bao
• Soju Strawberry Spritz

Menu

Wine

• NV Santa Margherita Prosecco — Bubbles by the glass.
• Soho Westwood Rose — Rose from Waiheke, NZ.
• Rohe 'Blind River' Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough, NZ.
• The Grateful Drop Chardonnay — Hawke's Bay, NZ.
• Q Wine Pinot Gris — Waitaki Valley, NZ.
• Spencer Block Malbec — Mendoza, Argentina — served chilled.
• Mon Petit Cheval Pinot Noir — Waipara, NZ — served chilled.
• Four Daughters Syrah — Hawke's Bay, NZ — served chilled.

Whiskey

• Canadian Club — Canadian whiskey.
• Canadian Club 12YR — Aged Canadian whiskey.
• Canadian Club 20YR — Long-aged Canadian whiskey.
• Teeling Single Grain — Irish single grain.
• Teeling Single Malt — Irish single malt.
• Jameson — Irish whiskey.
• BenRiach 10YR — Scotch whisky.
• Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10YR — Scotch whisky.
• The Macallan 12YR Double Cask — Scotch single malt.
• Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14YR — Scotch single malt.
• Laphroaig — Scotch whisky.
• Thomson Manuka Smoke Single Malt — New Zealand single malt.
• Mars Iwai Tradition — Japanese whiskey.
• Mars Maltage Cosmo — Japanese whisky.
• Basil Hayden's — American bourbon.
• Bernheim Original — American whiskey.
• Black Maple Hill Small Batch — Straight bourbon whiskey.
• Buffalo Trace — Bourbon.
• Charles Goodnight — Bourbon whiskey.
• Collier & McKeel — Tennessee whiskey.
• Colonel E.H. Taylor — Bourbon whiskey.
• Gentleman Jack — Tennessee whiskey.
• Jack Daniel's — Tennessee whiskey.
• Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye — Tennessee rye.
• Knob Creek Rye — Rye whiskey.
• Michter's Single Barrel Rye — Single barrel rye.
• Old Bardstown Straight Bourbon — Straight bourbon.
• Sazerac Rye — Rye whiskey.
• Stagg Jr — Bourbon.
• Tincup Colorado Whisky — Colorado whisky.
• Two True Legends Legent — Bourbon.
• Woodford Reserve Distillers Select — Bourbon.
• Woodford Reserve Double Oaked — Bourbon.
• Woodford Reserve Straight Rye — Straight rye whiskey.

Cocktails

• Soju Strawberry Spritz — The house honour drink: strawberry soju, aperitivo liqueur, prosecco, soda.
• Mai Tai #69 — Mount Gay Black Barrel rum, Cointreau, pineapple, fresh lime, house-made grenadine.
• White Warrior Lady Boy — Hayman's London Dry, Cointreau, fresh lime.
• Lady Viper Style — Mango, mango syrup, agave, apple and lemon juice with Finlandia vodka.
• The Drunken Master — Pear quarters, lime, agave, pear syrup, Finlandia vodka, pineapple juice, creme de bananes.
• Black Dragon — Blueberries, agave, lime, raspberry liqueur and Flor de Cana 4yo rum.

Rice Bowls

• Pork Rice Bowl — Braised pork belly, bacon, chilli, peanuts, coriander, kimchi, pickled ginger, mayo.
• Chicken Rice Bowl — Fried chicken, mustard greens, fried shallots, peanuts, baby spinach, chilli, mayo, kimchi.
• Vege Rice Bowl (V) — Tempura pumpkin, baby spinach, kimchi, green chilli, courgette, fried shallots, peanuts, mayo.

Chinese Tea

• Phoenix Dragon Pearls — Pearl-style Chinese tea.
• China Jasmine with Blossoms — Jasmine tea with blossoms.
• Lemongrass, Lime & Ginger Refresh — Caffeine-free refresher.

Street Food

• Sichuan & Chilli Peanuts — Peanuts tossed with chilli and Sichuan spice.
• Edamame, Togarashi Butter — Edamame dressed in togarashi butter.
• Chicken Yakitori Skewers — Skewers with mushroom, spring onion and pickled cucumber — priced each.
• Pork & Ginger Dumpling (3) — Three dumplings served in miso seaweed broth.
• Pork Bun — Roasted pork belly and pickled cucumber in a steamed bun — each.
• Cheeseburger Bao — Beef, cheese, pickles and mayo in a fluffy bao — each.
• Koji Fried Chicken — Korean-style fried chicken in chilli sauce with crushed peanuts and yum yum mayo.
• Egg Plant Tempura (V) — Crisp eggplant with orange ponzu and fried garlic.
• Catch of the Day Sashimi — Fresh sashimi with furikake and yuzu & rice vinegar dressing.
• Vege Salad (V) — Tempura pumpkin, courgette, daikon, soba noodles, toasted buckwheat, pickled ginger.

Beer & Cider

• Chop Chop Lager (Tap) — House lager on tap, 430ml.
• Kirin — Japanese lager, 5%.
• Tiger — Asian lager, 5%.
• Premium Yebisu — Japanese premium beer, 5%.
• Behemoth Hopped Up on Pils Pilsner — NZ pilsner, 5%.
• ParrotDog Birdseye Hazy IPA — NZ hazy IPA, 5.8%.
• Garage Project Fugazi Session Ale — Low-ABV session ale, 2.2%.
• Asahi — Japanese beer, 0%.
• Val de Rance Cidre Brut — French cider, 5.5%.
• Snake Bite — Chop Chop lager, cider and blueberry syrup.

Noodle Bowls

• Pork Ramen — Roasted pork belly, pulled pork shoulder, pickled cucumber, rye noodles, egg.
• Crispy Fried Jerk Chicken Ramen — Corn, kombu smoked butter, shiitake, bean sprouts, rye noodles, egg.
• Twelve Hour Beef Brisket Ramen — Bacon, shiitake, sesame, spring onion, black garlic, rye noodles, egg.
• Miso Ramen (V) — Corn, smoked eggplant, mushrooms, bean sprouts, kombu smoked butter, rye noodles, egg.
• Cobra Kai Super Mega Ramen — Crispy fried chicken, pork belly, pulled pork, kimchi, bacon, mushrooms, corn, rye noodles, egg.
• Vegetable Noodles — Gluten-free substitute available for the rye noodles.

Sweet Treats

• Milk Chocolate Bar — Sweet treat from the counter.
• Dark Chocolate & Roasted Coconut Bar — Dark chocolate with roasted coconut.
• Hokey Pokey Clusters — Crunchy Kiwi-style clusters.
• Pineapple Chews — Chewy pineapple sweets.

Add-Ons & Condiments

• Soy Boy, Secret Spices & Hot Chilli Oil — Soy, special secret spices and table-side hot chilli oil — complimentary.
• Japanese Heart-Stopping Mayo — The house Japanese mayo for bowls and buns.
• Korean Cowboy Kimchi — Side of kimchi.
• Corn — Sweetcorn side.
• Smoked Kombu Butter Lover — Extra smoked kombu butter.
• Rice — Side of steamed rice.
• Ginger Ninja — Extra ginger hit.
• Chop Chang Chilli — Extra chilli.
• Roasted Pork Belly — Extra pork belly topping.
• Jerk Chicken — Extra jerk chicken topping.
• Beef Brisket — Extra brisket topping.
• Bacon — Extra bacon.
• Noodles — Extra rye noodles.
• Egg — Extra egg.
• Broth — Extra broth.

Kids Menu (12 & Under)

• Kids Noodles & Broth — Simple noodles in broth for the small fry.
• Kids Noodles, Broth & Chicken — Noodles and broth topped with chicken.
• Kids Noodles, Broth & Beef Brisket — A touch on the spicy side.
• Kids Noodles, Broth & Pork Belly — Noodles and broth topped with roasted pork belly.

Virgins & Non-Alcoholic

• Virgin Lady Viper Style — Mango, mango syrup, agave, apple and lemon juice.
• Virgin Drunken Master — Pear quarters, lime, agave, pear syrup, pineapple juice.
• Coconut Milkshake — Coconut milk and vanilla ice cream, topped with caramelised peanuts and toasted coconut — bourbon shot optional.
• Taiwan Milk — Papaya or banana, 500ml.
• House-Made Pineapple Soda — Made in house.
• House-Made Ginger Soda — Made in house.
• House-Made White Coke — Made in house.
• Fever Tree Soft Drinks — Dry ginger ale, pink grapefruit soda, lime & yuzu soda.
• Antipodes Mineral Water — Sparkling or still, 500ml.
• Chilled Tap Water — Complimentary.

Frequently asked questions

Do you take bookings?

No — Chop Chop doesn't take bookings. The food comes out fast 'n' fresh so tables are always turning; just roll on up and there'll be a seat for you and your mates.

What are the opening hours?

Open 7 days. Monday to Friday 12–3pm and again from 5pm til late; Saturday and Sunday from 12pm til late. Closed on public holidays.

Can I order take away?

Yes — take away is available 7 days a week during opening hours. You can order online for pickup or scan the QR code in store.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes — the Miso Ramen, Vege Rice Bowl, Egg Plant Tempura and Vege Salad are marked vegetarian (V) on the menu.

Do you have gluten-free options?

A gluten-free substitute is available for the rye noodles in the noodle bowls.

What about food allergies?

Advise your wait person of any allergies before ordering and the kitchen will do its best to accommodate you. Note that while they take care, they can't guarantee dishes are free of trace elements.

Is there a kids' menu?

Yes — kids' noodles and broth, with chicken, beef brisket or pork belly, available only for children aged 12 and under.

Tips

• {"body":"Monday to Friday the kitchen pauses between 3pm and 5pm between lunch and dinner; weekends run straight through from midday til late.","title":"Mind the weekday gap"}
• {"body":"Tables turn fast so walk-ins rarely wait long — just roll on up with your crew.","title":"No bookings, no worries"}
• {"body":"Order online for pickup, 7 days a week — perfect for lunch or dinner at home or in the park.","title":"Skip the wait with takeaway"}
• {"body":"Chop Chop closes for public holidays, so plan your ramen run around them.","title":"Public holidays"}
• {"body":"The back bar spans Canadian, Irish, Scotch, NZ, Japanese and American bottles — from Buffalo Trace to The Macallan — ideal for a dram with your bowl.","title":"Whiskey o'clock"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids' noodle-and-broth menu for children 12 & under.","dietary":"Vegetarian dishes marked V; gluten-free noodle substitute available; tell staff about allergies before ordering.","accessibility":""}