Laksa (and other dishes) are on the menu as Canberra restaurant expands into Queanbeyan

Queanbeyan’s food scene is expanding, with another name set to join the game from across the border.

Director of Asian Noodle House Tui Khamchuang said choosing Queanbeyan for his next restaurant was an easy decision.

“A lot of customers [from our other restaurants] were asking us if we could open in Queanbeyan, because some of them were driving all the way from Queanbeyan to us,” he said.

“I loved that sense of community and saw it in the Queanbeyan community.

“I wanted to make it convenient for everyone.”

The new restaurant in NSW will be affiliated with Mr Khamchuang’s other two locations in Canberra.

Mr Khamchuang said opening their latest venture had taken several years.

“We were trying to get a [Asian Noodle] House in Googong or Queanbeyan, but we couldn’t because of the COVID stuff and so we decided to postpone,” he said.

“We just worked to survive during that time, and then we decided to look at Queanbeyan again.”

Operating an Asian Noodle House was a family affair for Mr Khamchuang, who had worked at the business for several years.

“My dad opened the Asian Noodle House, and then we sold most of them and kept the Woden restaurant,” he said.

“After my dad retired, I opened one in Campbell and now we’re expanding to another one in Queanbeyan.

“Since I came to Australia, I’ve been working in only one place: Asian Noodle House.

“I know everything about these restaurants.”

Mr Khamchuang said he wanted to offer quality Asian food to new patrons and repeat customers alike in the Queanbeyan area.

“At our restaurant in Queanbeyan, I want to offer everyday food for everyone that is still affordable,” he said.

“I expect people to come and enjoy dining in, because we have desserts and tap beer and things that I couldn’t find in Queanbeyan,” he said.

“We want a place where people can enjoy their food in one place, but I know Queanbeyan will also be strong for takeaway.”

Mr Khamchuang said his Asian Noodle Houses offered well known dishes and some that might become new favourites, with the menu including dishes drawn from across East Asian and Southeast Asian cusine.

“If I had to pick one thing, I would definitely go for our laksa – you can’t miss it,” he said.

“We pick dishes that are popular from Southeast Asian food, and then we make our own recipe to suit everyone.

“But we also have a bit of Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese food in our menus.

“For the Queanbeyan restaurant, we’re adding more authentic Thai food and Thai desserts.”

Asian food has become more and more popular in recent years, Mr Khamchuang said.

“Everyone knows things like tom yum and pad thai, but we’ll have other dishes,” he said.

“This food is for everyone.

“Everyone can enjoy Asian food; everyone knows about it or has travelled to Southeast Asia.”

Queanbeyan Noodle House is set to open in early October.

It will be located at 13 Monaro Street in Queanbeyan, and open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 2:30 pm (for lunch) and 5 pm to 9:30 pm (for dinner).