'Go to' Chinese restaurant that's a favourite to many in the city

A 'go to' city-centre Chinese restaurant has been a favourite for generations in Liverpool for years.

Located at 12-14 Berry Street, the Liverpool ECHO recently spoke to Big Bowl Noodle Bar which first opened in the noughties. Known for its specials like the Big Bowl Rice, Big Bowl Noodles, as well as salt pepper dishes, traditional Chinese meals and more, the restaurant was originally found further down the same street, but moved to keep up with demand.

Manager John Chan, 45, has worked at the business for around 15 years and alongside a strong team of 12 staff, the business has continued to thrive. The venue is often packed out with customers, with some having to queue to wait for a table and John said the success of the restaurant has come from word of mouth and the loyalty of its long-standing customers.

Many ECHO readers have since complimented the business, saying it is their favourite "go to" restaurant. On our Facebook page, Kieran Jones said: "Hands down the best Chinese restaurant in town, love this place and all the staff. Well done John very well deserved!!."

Stewart Findlay said: "Best restaurant in Liverpool! Amazing food and amazing value. What's not to love!." Emma Mc posted: "The best Chinese food I have ever had. The salt and pepper squid and shumai is awesome!."

Big Bowl Noodle Bar on Berry Street, Liverpool pictured John Chan — Manager John Chan outside Big Bowl Noodle Bar on Berry Street (Image: Photo by Colin Lane)

Tia Wati said: "Best food and good price too, well done John." Lorraine Strandy said: "Best food and John is lovely, always a laugh with him xx."

Pauline Davies wrote: "My fave Chinese restaurant, food is gorgeous and fresh." Kat-rina Joel commented: "Love the food here. Kids always love coming and doing their drawing."

Barbara Corless commented: "Great place to eat and the staff are fab." Joanie Barlow posted: "See you on Friday John, all the family love the food."

Lucie Mcnamara wrote: "Best Chinese in Liverpool. John and the staff are so friendly. I go with my son all the time. Well deserved article." Simon Barker wrote: "My favourite Chinese restaurant by a country mile. Food is delicious and the quantity is unreal."

Colin Burns commented: "Great place to eat, John is always at hand to help with you requirements and nothing is too much. Great staff, always made welcome, wouldn't eat anywhere else in Liverpool, see you all soon." Marc Khanna commented: "Yes John, top man, great food."

Mark Colfar said: "Top top lad who runs that restaurant as well, he’s proper proper sound. Wish them all the best and every success possible." Julia Laskier Mcminn said: "Our go to Chinese. Love It Xx."

Mick Thomas said: "Absolutely unreal this place." Nlynn Roberts wrote: "Best Chinese in Liverpool been going there for years."

Barbara Liu posted: "Our go to place always. We love it." Samantha Bradbury wrote: "Love Big Bowl."

Connor Black commented: "Love this place!." Susan Mercer posted: "We eat here every week."

Glenn Dicken-titten Johnson posted: "Been going there for so long, it's so good!." Eilis Sweeney said: "The best." Scot Blackburn wrote: "Best Chinese I have ever eaten at." And Mark Howard posted: "Best Chinese in Liverpool by some distance. The king prawns are unreal. Salt and pepper Sui Mai are a must."

John told the ECHO: "When I started working here, it was already well established so it was quite busy. When the owners previously had the smaller one, it was quite tough in the beginning.

"It was a quiet restaurant, there was only about 12, 13 tables. Gradually the word got round and then it developed really quickly and it got really busy really quickly, that’s why they had to move to a larger establishment.

‘"The locals round here, with their support, the restaurant has just got bigger and bigger. It would be nothing without the locals really.

"It’s word of mouth, we've never really done any kind of advertising. It's generation after generation coming in - the fathers and mothers come in first and bring their kids and now their kids are all grown up and coming in. A lot of people spread the word for this place."

Have you ever visited Big Bowl Noodle Bar? Let us know in the comments section below.

Big Bowl Noodle Bar on Berry Street, Liverpool — Big Bowl Noodle Bar on Berry Street (Image: Photo by Colin Lane)

Today, there's a dozen strong long-serving members of staff and John said a number of staples on the menu have remained popular for years. He said: "House specials in here really are the Big Bowl Rice - that’s got duck, chicken, crispy chicken, char sui, egg, Chinese veg, rice and then it's drizzled over with a sweet soy sauce

"Then we have the Big Bowl ramen which we call the Big Bowl Noodle Soup and that's got wontons, pork dumplings, char sui, the crispy chicken, egg, veg, noodles. They are quite large portions., we're well renowned in this area for what we’ve got.

"Salt and pepper dishes, people go crazy in here for too, or the crispy chill chicken or crispy chilli beef. They tend to sell quite well."

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Continuing to welcome generations of customers through its doors, John said the vibrant restaurant is "just one of those places where you can go in and enjoy yourself." He said: "There’s a good vibe in here all the time.

"It’s not one of those posh restaurants or small restaurants, it’s more family-orientated. We get a lot of Chinese and local English people coming in all the time. Everybody just feels relaxed in here

Big Bowl Noodle Bar on Berry Street, Liverpool pictured Jon Chan — Big Bowl Noodle Bar on Berry Street (Image: Photo by Colin Lane)

"During the tea times we tend to get a few queues in here. We always take bookings as well but it does get really full quick in here.

"A lot of people do tend to book in advance too." After over a decade in the business, John said what he loves the most is the customers he has met who continue to support the restaurant "through thick and thin."

John said: "I love meeting the regulars that come in all the time. They give us that support, I value what they give us all the time.

"They have supported us through thick and thin. Even through covid, we were just doing takeaways, I just really thank the support of the customers - without their valued support I don't think this place would be going as long as it has."

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