Instant Noodles, Upgraded: Malta’s First Self-Service Ramen Bar Opens in Sliema

There is something wonderfully entertaining about turning a humble packet of instant noodles into an entire dining experience. What was once the emergency solution to an empty fridge now involves dedicated cooking machines, an assortment of toppings and considerably more decision-making than boiling a kettle.

Noodle Lab, Malta’s first self-service ramen bar, has opened at The Plaza Shopping Centre in Sliema. Inspired by South Korean convenience-store culture, it’s a concept I experienced in Harajuku when I lived in Tokyo, and one I remember finding rather charming.

The concept is simple. Browse the shelves of instant noodles from Korea, Japan, China, Vietnam and Thailand, choose your preferred flavour and customise your bowl with whatever takes your fancy. Brands include Samyang, Nongshim, Ottogi, Nissin and MAMA, with noodles starting at €6.95.

The toppings are where things get interesting. There’s everything from peeled prawns, beef rolls and Korean fish cakes to enoki mushrooms, pak choi, kimchi, rice cakes, cheese slices and eggs, with most additions costing between €1 and €2.

Order at the kiosk, collect your ingredients and head to one of the self-service cooking stations. Approximately three minutes later, you’ve made yourself a rather respectable bowl of instant ramen.

But Noodle Lab has considerably more going on than noodles. The wider menu includes rice bowls (€12.95) with options such as kung pao chicken, braised beef and mushroom chicken, alongside Japanese chicken karaage, gyoza, Korean bulgogi mandu, takoyaki, bao buns, dumplings and wonton soup.

There’s also a selection of Asian drinks, including Japanese Ramune sodas, Korean Milkis, fruit-flavoured ice drinks, soju and rice wine. Mochi is available for anyone still contemplating dessert.

It’s a playful addition to Malta’s food scene. And with that many toppings to choose from, the three-minute cooking time might actually be the quickest part of the experience.

Noodle Lab
The Plaza Shopping Centre
Bisazza Street
Sliema
Website