Bang Bang Noodles

Formerly a pandemic-era pop-up superstar, Bang Bang Noodles now has its first brick-and-mortar inside Citizen Public Market in downtown Culver City. The menu at this walk-up counter is concise—three different kinds of hand-pulled Chinese noodles (available dry or as a soup), plus a couple of small dishes like chili cucumbers and dumplings. While we go back and forth between the tingling cumin and Szechuan garlic as our favorite flavors, one thing is clear: order your noodles dry. The soup versions aren’t bad, but the bold, fragrant sauces and spices  at Bang Bang are more pronounced when they’re clinging to the thick, chewy noodles that are slapped and stretched in front of you as you order. If you’re looking for a quick lunch in Culver that isn’t another sad salad or panini, Bang Bang is a great option to keep in mind.