The chicken ho fun at Yippee Noodle Bar is a filling dish chock-full of textures. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
A recent move to the famed English university city of Cambridge spurred me to seek some restaurant recommendations from my friend Roe, who’s tried nearly every eatery in the area.
After selecting Yippee Noodle Bar, I went with Roe and another friend, James, to enjoy some Asian cuisine and pleasant dinnertime company.
The simple layout — with an open dining area, connected tables and noise dividers — is common in such places.
James and I shared the spicy squid appetizer, while Roe went for the satay chicken starter and jasmine tea.
The tea had a rich flavor that struck a nice balance between light and overpowering. It arrived warm and came with unlimited refills, which Roe took advantage of.
The chicken had a deep-grilled char and was marinated , leaving it juicy and flavorful. It came with what was billed as a spicy peanut sauce.
The spicy squid at Yippee Noodle Bar in Cambridge, England, is fried and topped with green onion and small chilies. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
Yippee Noodle Bar's Sichuan chicken contains roasted cashews, savory vegetables and tender strips of chicken in a sweet, tangy sauce. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
Spicy Singapore noodles at Yippee Noodle Bar on Dec. 10, 2025. The restaurant in Cambridge, England, makes the dish with vegetables, shrimp, pork, and chicken. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
The satay chicken at Yippee Noodle Bar in Cambridge, England, comes with spicy peanut sauce. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
My beverage, carrot ginger juice, was naturally sweet and complemented the saltier squid, which was crisp, pleasantly topped with fresh garlic, chili and spring onion without being the least bit greasy.
We all agreed it could have used a savory dipping sauce to round it out. By this point, the group had noticed dishes labeled spicy weren’t bringing much heat.
That set the stage for the noodle entrees, which are the restaurant’s calling card and the reason we chose this spot.
James’ chicken ho fun was a satisfying mix of textures, from crisp sauteed carrots, onions and bean sprouts to tender chicken and Thai chilies over noodles. He said he was glad he came hungry since the portion was larger and more filling than expected.
Roe’s spicy Singapore noodles struck a good balance of vegetables, shrimp, pork and chicken, but again, the spice level didn’t quite match his expectations. He thought the curry powder could have used more punch.
In the roughly two years since Roe’s first visit to Yippee, the mildness of items marked as spicy has been a recurring theme, he said.
My entree was the Sichuan chicken, which I’m happy to say got the sweet-savory balance just right for my taste. The chicken was so tender it fell apart under a fork, making chopsticks the better option. The smoky, roasted cashews added a rich crunchiness to the sauce and vegetables.
Aside from the slight disappointment on some dishes’ spiciness, Roe’s recommendation proved to be a winner.
We were treated to flavorful cuisine, generous portions and lightning-fast service at Yippee Noodle Bar, and our experience validated its place as a Cambridge staple.
Cambridge, England, is home to Yippee Noodle Bar, a popular Asian restaurant. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
Yippee Noodle Bar is among the popular restaurants off King's Street in Cambridge, England. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
Yippee Noodle Bar
Location: 7-9 King St., Cambridge, England
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 12-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, 12-3:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, 12-3:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Closed Tuesday.
Prices: Appetizers, 6-10 pounds; noodle entrees, 13-16 pounds; rice entrees, 16-20 pounds; desserts, 7 pounds
Phone: 01223-51-8111; Online: yippeenoodlebar.co.uk
