Noodle Tramp

Very sad this place is closed. Their soup changed my life and I tell everyone I meet the same

I will miss this place and hope that they open another shop and/​or start serving this amazing soup at the playground.
To those who have not had this amazing soup, I’m sorry u missed out.
There hasn’t been a single person that I have brought here that hasn’t loved the food. R.I.P

When I went to Thailand I didn’t get an opportunity to try Khao Soi since it is a more Northern dish, but my girlfriend recently went and was raving about it so I came to Unilocal to find us a place that served it and there really aren’t many! Maybe 3 – 4 places in Orange County.
We decided on Noodle Tramp not realizing it was one of the little places in the community of restaurants in the 4^th Street Market, not a bad thing, just didn’t realize it. I’ve been very pleased with everything I’ve tried from there so far.
Anyway, I ordered the Khao Soi with rice noodles (egg noodles contain wheat and I think traditionally this dish is served with rice noodles anyway) and I had the brisket and my girlfriend ordered hers with chicken (vegetarian option available).
Since I had never had this, I was expecting it to be somewhat similar to Phở, but I was way off with that assumption. Khao Soi is more like a curry stew. The base is not a broth, but more of a gravy and there are tons of noodles. Noodle Tramp was a little skimpy on the meat, and I wished there were more veggies… it’s topped with purple cabbage, bean sprouts, the smallest spring of cilantro ever, some crunchy noodle things and a lime wedge. I really enjoyed the richness of the whole thing, but the base was SO, SO, SO salty. I tried to cut it with the lime wedge, but there was no fixing it. It really felt like I was eating a bowl full of gravy with noodles. I think I made it halfway through before quitting.
I’m glad I tried it, and I like the «idea» of it, but in general Thai places in the states over-​salt thinking it’s the American taste, but there are still those of us who know what authentic Thai food should taste like, and it’s supposed to be fresh and complex, not rich and briny.
Such a simple fix, so I hope they will take a glance at their recipe and tweak it accordingly!

Definitely good and tasty noodles, but I wish the price wasn’t that high. $ 10.80 for a large bowl which for other restaurants would have been a small bowl is a little high for me.
The food is pretty good though– flavorful and has a little spicy kick to the broth without being very overwhelming. Oh and I should mention that you only get a choice of either noodle soup (Khao soi) with either chicken, beef (can’t remember), or veggies, or a salad on the menu. The noodles are great: they were thick medium hardness egg noodles with additions of crunchy ones on top that melt into your soup, which is different. The broth is a mixture of coconut broth with chicken broth i believe, reminds me of curry in soup. In it there are peanuts, red cabbage, shredded chicken, bean sprouts, and 2 pieces of lime. What I wish they had was side condiments for us to flavor stuff with. You pretty much have to eat whatever they serve you as is.

I really did not know what to expect from Noodle Tramp. On one hand, after a quick review of the summaries of the 4^th street restaurants, noodle tramp seemed promising with tasty food. On the other hand, I have had mixed reviews on the other food options at 4^th street I have tried.
So, the food turned out to be pretty good, and I did like it. I got the chicken, which was just roasted shredded chicken. The broth was very good, and it added all the flavor to this Khao Soi. The noodles, chicken, veggies, and stuff on top are relatively flavor-​less, but the broth does punch up the flavor with some sweetness, spice, and just overall unique flavors. Anyways, I would recommend it if you are looking to try something different!

I was excited to try the beef brisket egg noodles from here and the description sounded amazing: pickled cabbage, cilantro, peanuts, lime, bean sprouts and onions. I ordered it without the peanuts because I’m not the biggest fan, but my taste buds couldn’t wait to try this tasty Thai cuisine that had a coconut curry flavor to it. The wait felt really long about 15 minutes. As soon as I got my order I digged in and noticed the meat was white and that they gave me chicken instead of beef. I told them about the mix up, and they fixed it while also letting me get to keep the chicken order. The second wait was even longer. I remember it was past 10 minutes and they said it’d be a few more minutes but another 10 – 15 minutes passed by. While they were making it I reminded them I didn’t want peanuts and they were fine with it.
I finally got my order and noticed I got chicken AGAIN and couldn’t believe it. I was sort of confused to be honest I was right in front telling them what I wanted waiting but I’m guessing they mixed orders, I’m not sure but I was annoyed by the long wait and me getting hungry so I asked for a refund and took the second order with me home. I remembered telling them no peanuts but I found peanuts and the second order had meat that was very pink and a different color than the chicken, it sort of looked like pork. Nonetheless, the flavor was great and loved the touch of lime and onions to it and the noodles were tasty, just wish they heated it more.
The chef sounded very apologetic and was confused how he got it mixed up but I guess things happen. The portion was more than enough and I got the regular size and couldn’t finish it.

There’s pretty much only one thing you can order at Noodle Tramp, and that’s their Khao Soi. I was a bit hesitant to check out this place because local eateries inside shopping plazas or markets have had a bad reputation in my eyes: generally overhyped and very expensive.
But Noodle Tramp was definitely far from that stereotype. Sure, theres not much else to try here besides their Khao Soi, but it’s all you need to try. Their broth is very sweet and flavorful. The noodles are well cut, soft, and a perfect blend to the broth.
The only thing I can critique about is perhaps add a few more bits of meat. I felt like I didnt get as much as I paid for in terms of my chicken. However, everything else about Noodle Tramp is perfect.
In terms of atmosphere, its located right at 4^th street market. You order at the counter and pick up your noodle soup when you’re called upon. It might be difficult to find parking, but be patient!
Eat well and prosper,
–ß

Out of all the places in 4^th Street Market, Noodle Tramp is probably the most original and the most memorable.
They basically sell khao soi which is their version of a northern Thai dish. We ordered the chicken one night and it was pretty good — had some mild spice flavor to it but overall nothing my can’t-eat-anything spicy taste buds can’t handle.
The service is quick, and just like all the little shops here in DTSA 4^th Street, you order and pick it up food-​court style. Overall, this is probably my favorite place in this plaza.

These noodles definitely get around. I mean, who hasn’t got a taste? The second I saw that fine bowl of noodles, dressed in all those vibrant colors, I knew I had to get a taste. Best thing, I knew it was gonna be easy, cuz it ain’t the Noodle Tramp for nothing.
All jokes aside, this was my favorite shop of the night. The taste of their chicken khao soi is ridiculously good and the portion is surprisingly larger than I expected. Upgrade to their larger size, and that seems like it could even feed three people.
From what I remember, the broth was perfectly blended, reminiscent of a Thai curry. The mixture of creamy, savory, sweet, nuttiness, and citrus with the addition of lime is simply fantastic. The chicken was lean and tender, the noodles were soft, and the combination of herbs and fiber-​like chips gave this soup superb texture.
I still dream about this noodle bowl, and so does my girlfriend. Upon our next visit I can assure you this will be our first stop. It was that good.

Noodle Tramp is located in 4^th Street Market and is part of the lunchbox by the playground series of restaurants. The soup is definitely really unique and different. I always order the Khao Soi with Wagyu. It is very creamy and savory!
It is basically a Thai curry with noodles. The creaminess of the booth could make it hard to eat after a few bites because it’s so rich. The portions are shareable but they put very little protein the soups. I would go for the smaller size even if you are sharing so you don’t get sick of it. The noodles are just the right amount of firmness where they’re not too soft and not too hard.
Definitely would recommend trying this!

Located in 4^th Street Market next to PFC. I saw a lot of people eating bowls of noodles and we got a large bowl of the chicken noodles. I didn’t look at the menu or make the order, but from what I could remember glancing at it from PFC, the soup is the same flavor, you just choose your noodle and protein type. It was a lot better than I expected! Very fresh and appetizing. Prices aren’t the most affordable, but you get a good amount for what you pay for.
TLDR: Looks like one of the more popular options at 4^th Street Market. Delicious thai noodle soup, with your choice of noodle type and protein.

Noodle Tramp has been on my list to try since they opened. I finally had the chance over the weekend. I ordered the chicken khao soi and was pleasantly surprised that the chicken was freshly sliced and not overcooked in the soup. The curry soup broth had a decent kick of spice but not overwhelming. The crunchy noodles on top were thicker than I’m used to but nice. The egg noodles tasted fresh and were a good consistency. The food is made to order. Originally they called my order but gave me the crunchy noodle salad instead of my soup. I was confused at first as to why there were citrus slices in it since it’s not traditional. Turns out they called by name by mistake. My order came out shortly later but it was indeed tasty. My only gripe is that the plastic spoons they give out are on the flimsy side so you have to be careful.
I also ordered the vanilla peach iced tea to be picked up at Recess across the way. If you’re in the mood for a soup that isn’t typical, check out the khao soi at Noodle Tramp. It might just hit the spot. They do not validate parking in the structure but it would be nice if they did. Enjoy!

So comforting. So delicious. Had a chance to try the Khao Soi with Wagyu Rare Beef (it was actually my gf’s). At $ 10, a regular bowl was more than enough to share between us two with some sides. This mainly due to the savory coconut broth that throws you a hint of heat. Rivaling a bowl of Ramen or Phở on a cold night, Khao Soi is the perfect comfort food that warms you to the core. Unlike the aforementioned noodle soups, you should opt to add all the sides to your order. While this may deter those who like to create their own meal to their taste, all the ingredients compliment each other to bring this noodle soup and your taste buds full circle.
Consisting of fresh egg noodles in a Thai red curry, coconut broth, topped with crispy egg noodles (wonton strips?) and your choice of peanuts, fried shallots, red onion, sprouts, lime and pickled cabbage, this noodle soup worked harmoniously. Crunchy, sweet and spicy, with hint of citrus from the toppings. Mix close flavors and textures with the smooth coconut curry broth and the perfectly cooked noodles and you are left with the perfect union of taste and texture.
Though on the heavier side, we mainly stick to ordering one regular bowl each visit and ordering another dish from the neighboring stands. But trust me, if I could eat a whole bowl without feeling overly full, I’d be back for seconds.
My only gripe? The large cup container that the Khao Soi is served in should be wider, not taller. If this could be achieved, mixing and accessing all the ingredients would be a lot simpler.
Khao Soi, in my opinion, is the best item you can order at 4^th Street Market. At $ 10 for a regular size bowl, you can buy a large bow of Phở or Ramen. But in this case, size doesn’t matter because quality always beats quantity. Heck, You might even walk away more full after a bowl of Khao Soi.

Is Noodle Tramp in the same family as EggSlut? Just wondering.
If I lived in the area, I’d come here ALL THE TIME. Gosh darnit, they make a mean khao soi. Andy P and I came here and both got the khao soi gai (chicken) in the large portion. It was pretty large! I think it was about $ 8 or so, but don’t hold me to that.
The texture in here is genius. You have the smoothness of the soup, tender chicken, smooth and soft noodles, crispy noodles on top, cabbage, herbs… GENIUS! And the FLAVORS oh my GOSH. Curry flavor, lime juice, peanut… it warms the soul. Comfort food to the MAX.
I was obsessed with eating this and am now SUCH a noodle tramp for Noodle Tramp.
4 out of 5 because the selection is so minimal, but 5 stars for deliciousness and happiness.

«Lady and the Tramp» slurping up some KHAO SOI instead of spaghetti and meatballs. Sparks will fly even faster!
As you delve into this beautifully layered and very tasty bowl of KHAO SOI your mouth will be in heaven. It’s a Thai style smooth coconut curry with your choice topping: veggies: $ 7 (S) and $ 9 (L). Chicken: $ 8 (S) and $ 10 (L). Wagyu brisket or Wagyu rare beef $ 10 (S) and $ 12 (L).
We went with the large Wagyu brisket and absolutely loved it.
*Creamy red curry: well seasoned with just the right consistency (not too thick or watery)
*Wagyu brisket: thinly sliced and very tender
*Noodles: flat, slightly wide noodles. Similar to fresh handmade noodles at Kitakata Ramen. I’d say it was in between an egg and ramen noodle. Went well with the curry broth.
*Toppings: pickled radish and cilantro enhanced the flavors of the dish.
*Pick your spice level: we picked 4, which had a nice kick.
Noodle tramp nailed it with their Khao Soi. We asked for an additional container b/​c we couldn’t finish our bowl. So, we split the noodles and broth and enjoyed another meal at home. Will definitely come back for seconds.
BTW: The Lemon cream soda also hit the spot. A cream soda taste w/​a hint of lemon. BINGO!
TID BIT:
1) Located inside 4^th Street market
2) Not kid friendly since there aren’t very many food options for kids
3) No waiter service. Find your own table

I am a huge fan!
PARKING
Located inside 4^th Street Market. Parking structure available — I believe the parking rates are $ 1 per hour and $ 7 flat rate the entire day. Correct me if I am wrong.
INTERIOR/​EXTERIOR
I love the food court concept. Many unique local vendors all in one location to satisfy whatever you are craving! Indoor tables available, but they also have a small outdoor dining area that would be wonderful on a warm sunny day. Personally, while I think that this entire place is cute, it is missing some sort of liveliness.
MENU
Small menu to choose from — we opted for the pricier meat upon recommendation. We went for the khao soi with brisket and there were no regrets! The soup broth of curry and coconut was the perfect combination with neither ingredients overpowering each other. The broth was sweet with a spicy kick that even I can handle! The noodles were my favorite — not soggy but fresh with the right chewiness that makes it so addicting to eat. The brisket was nice and tender but not enough. Even so, the ingredients worked very well together — it was like a cozy fireplace on a cold rainy night in my tummy. It made me feel warm even with the blasting air conditioner.
One downside from this visit — the menu was very limited! I don’t frequent around the area often, so it was a tad bit disappointing to see many of their items unavailable — including the rare beef option since it was sold out. There was only one side available as oppose to four, and for the price $ 13 there was not enough meat.
SERVICE
Not too busy on a Tuesday afternoon — the girl working here was nice, but as was everyone else in the other booths.

This place is located within the 4^th Street Market place.
I tried the Khao Soi here, and had difficulty deciding how to rate this place and what to use as a reference point. For the general area, this was one of the better dishes I’ve had. It is one of the lesser known Thai items I guess, and so it was nice having a more niche dish that isn’t always offered at Thai restaurants. However, the taste is quite a bit toned down than what I would expect at a Thai restaurant.
The curry itself was delicious, but it also tasted very toned down, like they decided to hold back on the fish sauce and instead it felt a lot lighter, like they substituted a bunch of ingredients to make it more palatable to more people. I would say the food itself was good, but I could definitely fine better if I searched out for something a little more authentic. In a way, it’s like a gateway version of the dish, providing the highlights and good tasting parts of the dish, while withholding what might not be easy to enjoy the first time around.
Given all that, I would probably eat here again, mostly because I did enjoy the experience and I like it more than a lot of the food in the 4^th Street market.

Noodle Tramp will widen your soup horizon and put a smile on your face.
I would consider 4^th Street Market’s most unique food stand Noodle Tramp which is really saying something as the market offers everything from a Pulled Pork Poutine to Gourmet Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwiches and Noodle Tramp really only serves one dish: Khao Soi.
So what the hell is Khao Soi anyway?
Fair question, I had no clue myself. The closest I can come to describing it is a marriage of Japanese curry and ramen laced with Thai heat and seasoning. Basically you get a large bowl featuring egg noodles, a curry, red pepper and coconut broth with a protein of choice swimming in it (I went with the Waygu Beef, as you should). Then crunchy egg noodles, peanuts, shallots, red onion, sprouts, lime wedges and pickled cabbage are all draped on top of the soup. Start by emptying the limes of their juice into the bowl and mixing the citrus into the broth, then just dive in.
The coconut and red pepper infused broth create a complex and interesting flavor profile while offering a divine mouthfeel. The Waygu Beef starts rare but if you leave it in the broth is will cook to desired temperature. Using the supplied soup spoon and chopsticks I created custom bites with different arrangements thanks to all of the available toppings with bites of the Waygu thrown in for good measure. Simply stated, this soup is damn amazing.
At $ 13.00 for the large bowl I thought the cost of admission was worth it for the triple X rated flavor explosion and although I would have preferred a bit more Waygu in my order, I am fully aware that it isn’t a cheap component and I always prefer more red meat making this a hollow criticism to be honest.
I know not everyone enjoys Jason Quinn’s brash style and insistence on serving food a particular way but I have been a fan for years and Noodle Tramp’s brand of Khao Soi didn’t not disappoint me in the least. I only hope we see more kitchen artistry here in Orange County while the spotlight is on us.

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ESSENTIAL TIPS & EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
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# Wow I never would have thought that I would find a khao soi restaurant other than the ones in Thai Town (Hollywood, CA). I commend the Playground’s owners for diving into Northern Thai cuisine, which isn’t as common and tends to be much spicier than your conventional Thai pad thai, pad see ew, and fried rice varieties. You may have heard of Andy Ricker’s Pok Pok. That’s Northern Thai style.
# Noodle Tramp is inside the 4^th Street Market, which I was never aware of, until I was told about it by a Unilocaler at an elite event. I was still hungry after the event which was why I came here. The 4^th Street Market is basically a one-​story food court with seating all around.
# If you want beer or drink, you can pay at Noodle Tramp and pick it up across the hall at the bar. The bar is owned by the Playground too!
# The reason for my 3 stars? The soup was on the sweeter side and there wasn’t enough spice like a true bowl of khao soi. Might be too much palm sugar. I think the Playground is going for an Americanized version and there’s nothing wrong with that, but I think they need to the lower the sugar content, increase the heat, and increase the coconut milk. The spiciness and creaminess should be battling against one another on the diner’s palate.
My direct comparison against Noodle Tramp’s khao soi is the Spicy BBQ Restaurant, located in the East Hollywood section of Thai Town. Fellow reader, if you ever visit the Spicy BBQ Restaurant, which is a complete hole in wall with a very few tables, please try their khao soi and ask for medium spiciness or more if you can handle it. If you don’t ask for the spice, the kind lady there will make it bland because she’s scared of overpowering the typical white American. If you’re Asian, she’ll make it spicy enough haha. But seriously if you have the chance, try that khao soi there to get an idea of how it’s done.
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MY EXPERIENCE:
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I still had a good experience here. The female cashier was friendly and when I told her about the Spicy BBQ Restaurant and remarked on how cool it is to find a khao soi shop here in Santa Ana, she wanted to get my opinion after I ate. I gave her and the chef inside the same opinions above. She said if I didn’t like it, The Playground has a policy of refunding or re-​doing the dish, which was a nice gesture. But I didn’t want a refund. I still liked the meal. Maybe the next time I visit, Noodle Tramp will hone its craft and create a khao soi that’s not overwhelming for a non-​northern Thai person’s palate and at the same time avoid getting it too Americanized.
I’m not sure if the Playground is creating an approachable version of khao soi (since they like to put their creative spin on well-​known dishes) or a truly authentic khao soi. If it’s the latter, then I recommend they take a day trip to Thai Town to calibrate their palates to Northern Thai cuisine. Besides that, it’s really cool that they’re trying to bring khao soi to the masses. It’s not a common dish that’s served and most people will not discover it.

A solid 3.5 for this Curry Noodle soup. I like the concept of this soup bowl, but it just wasn’t the «best soup you’ve never had,» as they posted.
I enjoy every content in the bowl, but individually. The curry broth was well flavored, creamy, and not too spicy for me. The egg noodles were soft yet chewy. The toppings were all great, minus the crispy egg noodle. It got in the way of fishing for the noodles. The chicken was a little over cooked, tough to chew.
However, I think if I ever order this again, I’d go with the rice. Curry noodle soup just doesn’t do it for me. OR, if you’re a big eater, order a side of rice to finish off the soup. There was a lot of soup left over because it’s not light enough to drink it alone.
Enjoy.