What has Chef Wai done to LeNu Noodle Bar

We visited LeNu Taiwanese Beef Noodle Bar in Bugis Junction when it had just opened for business back in 2014 (see our post LeNu @ Bugis Junction). Recently, we see that Lenu has a new look and has been rebranded as LeNu Chef Wai’s Noodle Bar. Who is Chef Wai and what has he done to LeNu? We don’t know who Chef Wai is but LeNu now offers more than just Taiwanese Beef Noodles. LeNu Chef Wai’s Noodle Bar has a range of Chinese and Taiwanese noodles and a fair selection of side dishes. Its beef noodles still taste just as good.

LeNu Chef Wai’s Noodle Bar is part of the Paradise Group. The Chinese name of the Paradise Group is 樂天 (le tian). 牛 (niu ) means cow. So 樂牛 (le niu or le nu) is a clever name for a 樂天 (le tian) restaurant selling beef noodles. There are now several LeNu outlets in Singapore – from Changi Airport Terminal 3 in the East to JEM in the West as well as Northpoint in the North and Resorts World Sentosa in the South.

LeNu Bugis Junction

The Bugis Junction outlet of LeNu Chef Wai’s Noodle Bar is a small casual diner with attractive decor. There are seats at the bar counter seats and there are tables that can be re-configured to cater for dining parties of different sizes. Tables can be arranged just inches apart. So do not expect LeNu Bugis Junction to be a suitable venue for a romantic date or intimate conversation.

Menu of LeNu Chef Wai’s Noodle Bar

Lenu still serves Taiwanese noodles in broth that involves over 12 hours of preparation. You can still choose the variety of noodles you like and decide on the type of soup for your noodles. However, Chef Wai, whoever he is, has introduced chicken, seafood and a selection of side dishes to the menu. A Straits Times article suggested that the menu was “inspired by Chef Wai’s travels to China and Taiwan”. Below are pictures of various sections of the menu of LeNu Chef Wai’s Noodle Bar.

Noodles at LeNu Bugis Junction

We ordered Braised Beef Shank Noodles ($12.50) with the traditional la mian as well as the Pork Chop Vegetable Noodle ($10.90) opting for the rice noodles (or kway teow). Having forgotten that LeNu’s Taiwanese Soy Milk ($2.30) would come in the form of canned drink, we ordered it again.

The Braised Beef Shank Noodles looked the same as the bowl of noodles we had at LeNu several years ago. The taste was still just as good. The noodles were cooked just right. The beef was tender and the hearty beef broth was flavourful.

The Pork Chop Vegetable Noodle came with strips of pork chop served separately. The portion of pork chop was quite generous. The pork bone soup was rich and delicious. On the whole, it was an enjoyable dish.