Yum. I went here last night with a friend and I was really impressed. Nestled in the 1949 Hidden complex, the Noodle Bar is a perfectly gentrified place to itch your noodle scratch or give out-of-towners a gentle introduction to Chinese noodle soup. The Noodle Bar is aptly named--although it takes it's influence more from Kyoto than Beijing. Crowned with only 12 seats around a substantial noodle counter, the bar gives off a modern communal feel while still being intimate enough for a date. There is no magic here, as you can see your noodles being pulled, dipped in water, bathed in broth and garnished with chosen meat. The menu is simple and ordered much like sushi--just check off items on a list. You have a choice of thin or thick noodles, brisket/tripe/tendon, several hot veggies and half a dozen of cold dishes. Soups are 38RMB and sides are less than 20RMB. The broth is very flavorful and can be tweecked with any one of the 5 condiments that are left on the table. The noodles are chewy, without being too dense.
The side veggies were good--we ordered the vinegared spinach with peanuts (yum) and the sauteed lettuce (which was just ok).
I highly recommend Noodle Bar...you might even see me there!