Strolling through Lausitzer Platz lately, you may have been winked at by a friendly neon panda. Next time you pass by hungry, step into the shop it fronts. Inside, you’ll find a modular menu full of textures and flavors from far across Asia. Welcome to ThePandaNoodle: the restaurant inviting you to leave your noodle-eating preconceptions behind. Start with the “basic set”: a bowl of freshly-made ramen noodles, croutons, lime and cilantro, and homemade pickled delights, such as cubed kohlrabi kimchi or cucumber, lightly pickled in soy. Top it off with a sauce and a side: The combination of tofu and avocado with vinaigrette gives a new meaning to the word silky. Owner Daeng and Head Chef Jar create their mostly-vegan offerings fresh from scratch in an open kitchen. The cozy interior is illuminated by neon installations and flickering candles. With the cold coming in, round up your friends, pick up a pair of chopsticks, and let ThePandanoodle warm your belly. (Text / Photos: Anna Dorothea Ker)
ThePandaNoodle, Lausitzer Platz 12, Berlin-Kreuzberg; map
Mon-Fri 12-21h, Sun 12-20h
Anna Dorothea Ker is a freelance writer, editor, and digital media consultant living in Neukölln.
