Golden Ox Noodles Ottawa Review – Tender Pork Belly and Bold Coconut Broth – Average EV Score: 6.4/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Golden Ox Noodles Restaurant Overview
422 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N2
Golden Ox Noodles is a relatively new addition to Ottawa’s dining scene, having only opened a few months ago. It is located right in the heart of Little Italy on Preston Street, an area already known for its concentration of restaurants. The space replaced an Indian restaurant, and while it hasn’t been around long, it already feels like a nice addition to the neighbourhood.
When we visited around dinnertime, the restaurant wasn’t very busy. Only two other tables were filled, which was a bit surprising given the quality of some of the dishes. Hopefully, as more people discover it, the place will see more patrons, because it does feel like it deserves more attention.
The staff were very friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and the food came out decently fast. That combination of service and timing made the dining experience smooth and enjoyable.
Like many restaurants along Preston, there is no dedicated parking lot, so you’ll need to rely on street parking. This can be a bit of a hassle during busier times, especially on weekends, but it’s fairly typical for the neighbourhood.
Overall, Golden Ox Noodles feels like a restaurant with promise and heart. The menu is creative, the staff are warm, and while not every dish hit the mark, especially when it’s slightly overpriced, it was a pleasant experience that left me hoping more people stop in to give them a try.
Would return?: Yes.
Crispy Shrimp Wonton
Menu description: Deep-fried shrimp wonton
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $7
📊 EV Score: 4.8/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
The crispy wontons at Golden Ox Noodles came out looking golden and crunchy, and the texture was exactly that — light, crisp, and not oily. Unfortunately, the issue was with the filling. There was very little shrimp inside each wonton, making them feel hollow.
The bites were mostly fried wrapper rather than balanced shrimp and crunch, which made the dish feel poor value for the price. While they weren’t unpleasant to eat, they didn’t deliver what I was expecting, and I wouldn’t order them again.
Golden Twirl Pork Belly
Menu description: Springy egg noodles tossed in fragrant aromatic oil, with your choice of braised pork belly or braised chicken. Topped with shiitake mushrooms, yu choy, and scallions.
😋 Enjoyment: 7.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $19
🎯 Benchmark Price: $19
📊 EV Score: 7.5/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
This was hands-down the best dish of the night at Golden Ox Noodles. The pork belly was incredibly tender, melting in the mouth with every bite. There were no rough or stringy pieces, just consistent, well-prepared pork that was packed with flavour.
The dish itself consists of springy egg noodles tossed in aromatic oil, topped with mushrooms, yu choy, and scallions. The noodles were decent — they had a bit of bounce, though they weren’t exceptional. The yu choy was well-cooked, adding a nice vegetal balance to the richness of the pork belly.
But make no mistake, the pork belly was the star, and it elevated the entire dish. I would absolutely order this again.
Tales of the Orient
Menu description: A savory rice noodle soup with tender oxtails and beef shanks in a flavorful beef broth. Topped with scallions, coriander, and fried onions.
😋 Enjoyment: 8/10
💰 Price Paid: $23
🎯 Benchmark Price: $21
📊 EV Score: 7.3/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
This noodle soup from Golden Ox Noodles came with rice noodles, oxtails, and beef shanks in beef broth, topped with scallions, coriander, and fried onions. The oxtail was excellent — tender, meaty, and flavourful. The beef shanks were also nicely cooked, soft and not chewy, and they added depth to the bowl.
The broth itself was decent but not standout. It had enough beefy flavour to be enjoyable, but I found myself wanting a bit more richness. The portion size of the noodles was disappointing, as there wasn’t much in the bowl compared to the price. The beef portions were fine, but for the cost, I expected more noodles and beef shank slices.
While I enjoyed eating it, I likely wouldn’t order it again because of the portion-to-price ratio.
Soto Sensations
Menu description: A rich and fragrant rice noodle soup in a coconut broth, served with tripe, tendons, and beef shanks. Topped with fresh scallions, basil, and fried onions.
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $23
🎯 Benchmark Price: $23
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
This soup stood out for its coconut broth, which was rich, fragrant, and unlike most other noodle soups in Ottawa. It had a nice balance of creaminess with a slightly sweet undertone, making it feel both hearty and unique.
The dish came with tripe, tendons, and beef shanks, and the portioning was fair. Each protein was cooked properly: the tripe had that chewy texture expected of it, the tendons were soft, and the beef shanks once again were tender. The noodles were cooked nicely and paired well with the broth.
Overall, it was a decent dish from Golden Ox Noodles and one that I might order again, though the coconut broth will likely be the main draw rather than the proteins.
Final Thoughts
Golden Ox Noodles is a welcome addition to Preston Street. The restaurant is still new, and while not every dish impressed, the overall experience was enjoyable. The Golden Twirl Pork Belly stood out as the dish I’d return for, while the soups were decent but could use slightly larger portions for the price point.
The crispy wontons were a miss, but the friendliness of the staff, the creativity of the menu, and the quality of the pork belly made up for it. The location, while small, has potential to grow into a neighbourhood staple, especially with its emphasis on unique soups and noodle dishes.
If you’re in Little Italy and want to try something different, Golden Ox Noodles is worth a stop. With friendly service, fairly quick food, and standouts like the pork belly, I hope more patrons give this spot a try.