Nala Not Just Noodles: A Taste of Hong Kong on Whiteladies Road

Nala Not Just Noodles brings a slice of Hong Kong café culture to Bristol. Positioned at Unit 8C, Clifton Down Shopping Centre, Whiteladies Rd, Clifton but accessible only from the outside, this bright and vibrant eatery stands out especially on a Sunday evening when many of the Shopping Centre shops are shuttered but nearby restaurants remain buzzing.

After a long day exploring Bristol, we were looking for something comforting, satisfying and unfussy. Nala turned out to be exactly that.

What is a Cha Chaan Teng?

Nala is inspired by the classic Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng (茶餐廳) literally “tea restaurant.” These are fast-paced, affordable cafés that emerged in post-war Hong Kong, blending Cantonese flavours with Western influences.

Typical cha chaan teng staples include:

• Hong Kong style milk tea
• Instant noodles with spam and egg
• Macaroni soup with ham
• Baked pork chop rice
• Beef chow fun
• Hong Kong style French toast
• Scrambled egg and corned beef sandwiches
• Egg tarts

Nala doesn’t replicate the menu wholesale. Instead, it offers a hybrid interpretation adapted to the Bristol dining scene. You won’t find spam instant noodles or macaroni soup here, nor traditional café sandwiches. What you do get is a focused noodle-led menu with rice dishes and sides that nod to Hong Kong heritage while remaining approachable.

First Impressions & Atmosphere

We were quickly seated upon arrival. Ordering can be done via QR code at the table, but our server kindly took our order instead. Service was efficient, our food arrived swiftly without feeling rushed.

The interior is bright and energetic, dominated by bold orange files from the feature wall that give it a modern café feel rather than a nostalgic retro cha chaan teng. It’s casual, welcoming and ideal for an easy dinner with friends or family. There are a couple of long tables for bigger groups and familes. Which, coincidentally, on the evening, there was a large group with their children sat at one end.

What We Ordered

Apart from the App, there are photos and promotional cars on the table showcasing Chef’s Special and What’s New, these help give you ideas on what to order.

1. Savoury Pork House Noodle Soup

Premium pork chop, battered and deep fried, served on the side with hoisin and lightly spiced sauce and a bowl of noodles in rich broth topped with scallions.

The pork chop was the highlight; crispy exterior, juicy interior, properly seasoned. It was presented on a bed of freshly chopped savoy cabbage, which felt slightly odd as the cabbage was quite firm and strong in flavour, more robust than a light salad garnish. What we also liked was that the pork chopped was topped with crispy deep fried onions and vegetables for added aroma.

The noodles were thicker than the fine egg noodles in our other soups, giving this bowl a heartier feel. It was topped with a half soft center hard boiled egg. A solid, comforting choice. The broth was mild and garnished with chopped scallion, just enough taste and not too overpowering.

2. Fish & Beef Ball Noodle Soup

A savoury dried flounder broth with a hint of wonton flavour and thin egg noodles, garnished with beansprouts, crispy garlic and spring onions. Each bowl comes with four balls; fish, beef or pork, and we opted for a 2 fish +2 beef combination.

This was a standout. The fish balls were wonderfully bouncy with that signature Hong Kong texture, while the beef balls were juicy and not at all dry. The broth was flavourful yet not overpowering, clean and comforting.

Our server recommended their house-made chilli oil, proudly noting it was made with Sichuan pepper. It delivered a fragrant heat that elevated the bowl beautifully without overwhelming the base flavours.

3. Beef Brisket & Tendon Noodle Soup

Slow-braised brisket and tendon in a light dried sole broth with fine egg noodles.

The beef and tendon were excellent, soft, tender, and melt-in-the-mouth. Texturally, they were spot on. We did wish the broth carried a slightly deeper beef richness, but it remained well-balanced and easy to enjoy.

This is the kind of bowl you crave on a cold day.

4. Mock Fin Soup (To Share)

A nostalgic favourite for us, reminiscent of Malaysian night markets. This version uses mock shark fin, offering the classic texture without ethical concerns.

The consistency, colour and mouthfeel were impressively authentic. Like the noodle broths, it leaned toward the milder side. A splash of dark vinegar — and optional light soy sauce — helped boost the flavour profile.

Despite being gentle in taste, it was comforting and enjoyable, especially for those familiar with Hong Kong street snacks.

Beyond the Noodle Soups

Two of the noodle soups can be ordered as a Hong Kong Style Combo, which includes stir-fried iceberg lettuce and iced milk tea or lemon tea, another classic cha chaan teng touch.

While we focused on noodle soups, the Signature Series leans more directly into café classics with a twist:

• Hong Kong Style Curry Rice with pork chop or fried chicken
• Stir Fried Macaroni with Premium Soy Sauce (wok-tossed with that coveted “wok hei”)

The curry rice in particular sounds like a must-try next time; rich, slightly sweet Hong Kong curry soaking into rice beneath a crispy pork chop.

What We’re Trying Next Time

There’s plenty to return for:

• Barbecue Pork with Steamed Rice: classic char siu with caramelised glaze, served with a sunny-side-up egg.
• Spicy Laksa Noodles: coconut-infused broth with prawns or chicken.
• Char Siu Tossed Noodles (Dry): house noodles with scallion oil soya sauce and BBQ pork.

If noodles aren’t your thing, there’s also a solid rice section featuring grilled chicken fillet, Sichuan spicy minced pork, curry pork cutlet and braised tofu.

Sides range from curry fish balls and smashed cucumber salad to golden fried chicken bites and iceberg lettuce with scallion oil — a simple but very Hong Kong pairing.

The Story Behind the Name

According to their website, “Nala” was inspired by the owners’ beloved dog. The name means “gift” in a particular language and symbolises warmth, companionship and strength — values they aim to bring to the Bristol community.

It’s a sweet and thoughtful backstory that adds personality to the brand.

Nala Not Just Noodles isn’t trying to be a fully traditional cha chaan teng and that’s okay. It’s a modern, Bristol-friendly interpretation that captures the spirit of Hong Kong comfort food while keeping the menu accessible.

The noodle soups are well executed, the ingredients thoughtfully prepared, and the service warm and efficient. While some broths leaned milder than we personally prefer, the overall experience was satisfying and comforting.

Also, don’t forget to try the Hong Kong Style Milk Tea, strong black tea with evaporated milk.

If you’re craving Hong Kong-style noodles in Bristol or simply want a casual, flavour-packed meal on Whiteladies Road, Nala is well worth a visit.

And we’ll definitely be back for that char siu.

Location Information

📍 Unit 8C, Clifton Down Shopping Centre, Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, Bristol
🌐 Website: https://www.nj-noodles.com/
Closed Tuesdays
⏰ Sunday hours: 11am – 7:30pm