Sydney foodies were left shattered recently, after hearing the news that beloved Haymarket institution Chinese Noodle House would be closing in December. But heartbreak soon turned to confusion, as people found themselves starting to question their sanity. And it was all down to some plastic grapes. 

Chinese Noodle House has been a firm favourite among office workers, uni students and in-the-know noodle and dumpling lovers since the nineties. It’s recognisable for its simple storefront displaying a large-print menu, and the festive plastic grapes hanging from the roof. 

Neighbouring diner Chinese Noodle Restaurant has been a firm favourite among office workers, uni students and in-the-know noodle and dumpling lovers since the nineties. It’s recognisable for its simple storefront displaying a large-print menu, and the festive plastic grapes hanging from the roof. 

“Grapes on the roof is closing”, was the word on the street. But which one? The Chinese noodle one, or the Chinese noodle one? The one that does the great eggplant, or the one that does the best dumplings? Were they both closing? Is there some kind of plastic-grape-related conspiracy going on that we should know about? Wait, what day is it again?

Time to clear things up. 

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Which Chinese Noodle restaurant is closing?

Chinese Noodle Restaurant is the OG of the GOTR (grapes on the roof), and also the OG of the VUNFAR (very unoriginal name for a restaurant). According to SBS, they were later forced to remove most of the grapes by their building manager, but they still keep a few up, as it signifies that the restaurant is serving northwestern Chinese cuisine. Chinese Noodle Restaurant is not closing. I repeat, Chinese Noodle Restaurant is not closing. 

Chinese Noodle House, however, sadly is. They shared the news via an Instagram post, saying that they will be forced to leave, as their landlord will not be renewing the lease. Owner Eric Zhang told the ABC that they were “not prepared” for the news, and have not yet found any new premises to set up in. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chinese Noodle House (@housechinesenoodle)

Even though it’s not the OG, Chinese Noodle House still has legions of fans, many of whom were left devastated when they finally figured out what the hell was going on. One person commented on the post: “This is so sad. I live in Melbourne now but Chinese Noodle House has always been my favourite establishment in Sydney. The braised eggplant is the stuff of legends.”

Another said, “If the world is against Chinese Noodle House, then I am against the world.” We salute you, brave soldier. 

As if things weren’t already bewildering enough, The Guardian has since reported that when Chinese Noodle House moves out, the landlord plans to open a new restaurant in the premises called – yep, you guessed it – Chinese Noodle House. Meanwhile, Chinese Noodle House the First hopes to reopen in a new premises – called Chinese Noodle House, naturally – nearby. Whoever makes plastic grapes is going to have their work cut out for them soon.

So there you have it: Chinese Noodle Restaurant stays, Chinese Noodle House goes, but then comes back. Twice. If you’re still confused, well, join the club – we’re all just trying to noodle this one out. At least now you know which one to visit before it’s too late. Just look for the grapes. No, not those grapes. The other grapes.

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