In the ceaseless, high-octane culinary landscape of Orchard Road, finding real value—a dish that offers both exceptional quality and memorable flavour—can feel like a treasure hunt. Located strategically in the basement of 313@Somerset, GO Noodle House (GNH) has rapidly become an institution for Singaporean noodle enthusiasts, specializing in its signature Mi Xian (rice vermicelli) and the lauded Signature Bursting Meatball Noodles. This Malaysian-born chain distinguishes itself not just with affordable pricing (mains typically range from $10.90 to $16.80 SGD) but through a profound commitment to its Superior Soup broth, a complex, nourishing stock steeped in a blend of up to 40 different fish bones and elevated by a complimentary shot of premium Shaoxing Hua Diao Jiu (Chinese rice wine).
🍜 The Signature Dish: The Bursting Meatball Phenomenon
The core of the GO Noodle House experience revolves around their most popular item, the Signature Bursting Meatball Noodle. This dish is an exercise in textural and flavour precision, engineered to deliver a moment of culinary surprise.
The Superior Soup Base
The Superior Soup is the true engine of the dish. It is a light, fragrant, and full-bodied fish-bone broth that avoids the heaviness of typical pork broths. A crucial element is the optional but highly recommended inclusion of Hua Diao Jiu, a 3-year-aged rice wine which is served tableside. This addition instantly introduces a delicate, herbal sweetness and a sophisticated aroma that lifts the entire bowl, a technique tracing its roots back to ancient Chinese imperial cuisine.
The Bursting Meatballs
The eponymous Bursting Meatballs are handmade pork spheres, meticulously crafted with an inner filling of minced pork that remains moist and juicy. When bitten into, the interior "bursts," releasing a rush of savoury, meaty juices that perfectly merge with the fish-bone broth. For those who favour a kick, the soup can often be customized with a Homemade Spicy Soup base, offering an addictively fiery tang.
🥢 Menu Highlights Beyond the Signature
While the Bursting Meatballs draw the crowds, GNH offers a diverse, customisable menu that anchors its status as a high-value dining option in the heart of Orchard.
Customisable Noodle Bowls: Diners can choose between the classic, silky, and thin Mi Xian (Jiangxi province-style rice noodles) or the thicker, chewier Pan Mee (hand-made wheat noodles), which comes in both soup and dry variations.
Dry Noodle Excellence: For a flavour change, the Hakka Sauce Handmade Noodles with Century Egg is a standout. This dry-style dish coats the chewy pan mee in a rich, savoury dark sauce often enriched with lard, paired with the unique umami of century egg, minced pork, and crispy ikan bilis.
Hearty Toppings: Beyond pork, the menu is extensive, featuring Premium Beef Slice Noodles, Fu Zhou Fish Balls (fish balls stuffed with minced pork), and seasonal options like the White Clam Noodles.
Essential Sides: Complement your bowl with their popular snacks, such as the Crispy Fu Chuk (fried beancurd skin) or the Trio Platter, which typically includes ngoh hiang (five spice meat roll) and Gold Coin Pork (bak kwa).
🏙️ The 313@Somerset Location and Experience
Walking through the CBD this morning, one notices a shift in the dining expectation—speed, quality, and a comfortable environment are non-negotiable. The GO Noodle House outlet at 313@Somerset (B3-37/38) provides exactly this.
The restaurant's interior adopts a classic, spacious Qing Dynasty-inspired aesthetic, featuring traditional dark wood furnishings, subtle oriental decor, and an iconic wall of preserved rice wine jars. Despite its location in a high-traffic retail mall, the ambience is generally welcoming and comfortable, avoiding the overly rushed feel of some food courts.
The Real Value: The greatest value proposition of GNH is its ability to deliver a generous, custom-crafted bowl of authentic, high-quality Malaysian-Chinese noodles—complete with premium soup and aged wine—for an average price point of S$13–S18 in a prime Orchard Road location. It represents exceptional value for money for shoppers, students, and office workers seeking a satisfying, flavourful meal in the city centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price range for a bowl of noodles at GO Noodle House 313@Somerset?
A main noodle dish at the 313@Somerset outlet typically costs between S$10.90 and S$16.80 for the soup noodles, before service charge and GST, offering a highly affordable premium meal on Orchard Road.
What is the 'Superior Soup' famous for?
The Superior Soup is famous for its light, fragrant, and flavourful fish-bone broth, which is brewed for hours using multiple types of fish bones. Its signature characteristic is the addition of a shot of Shaoxing Hua Diao Jiu (aged Chinese rice wine) for an aromatic, herbal complexity.
Can I customise my noodle bowl at GNH?
Yes, GNH allows significant customization: you can choose between the Superior Soup or the Homemade Spicy Soup base, and select your preferred noodle type, typically Mi Xian (rice vermicelli) or Pan Mee (hand-made noodles). You can also add various proteins and ingredients à la carte.
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