Noodle Decatur

Noodle in Decatur, Georgia, has become one of the city’s long-standing downtown fixtures, located at 205 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030, with the phone number (404) 378-8622. The restaurant was founded about twenty years ago by siblings Lili, Lina, and Lenny Shou, who established it as a neighborhood spot serving pan-Asian dishes.

For many years the Shous operated the business, building a reputation for a menu that blended Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean influences, including noodles, dumplings, soups, fried rice, and sushi. Noodle was marketed as a family-owned, community-centered restaurant, and that identity helped it become part of the Decatur Square’s dining scene.

About twelve years ago, the restaurant changed ownership, when a new team led by Chef Gordon Lee (sometimes listed as Gordon Li in directories) acquired it from the Shou family. At that time, the restaurant underwent a gradual shift in emphasis, with sushi and Japanese offerings given more

prominence alongside the core noodle bowls and stir-fry dishes that had been the foundation of the menu. Some sources place the transfer closer to 2015, but according to staff the sale happened earlier, around 2013, which matches the timeline you were given directly by the restaurant.

The change in ownership has not diminished the restaurant’s reputation; if anything, the updated menu and consistent takeout and delivery options helped maintain its popularity with both longtime customers and new visitors. The menu today reflects this dual identity: comfort staples like fried rice,

pad Thai, and ramen-style bowls sit next to maki rolls and specialty sushi combinations, with appetizers such as dumplings, spring rolls, and soups rounding things out. Reviews over the years have been mixed but generally positive, with many patrons noting generous portions and affordable pricing.

Dine-in guests often comment on the casual, welcoming atmosphere and the convenience of covered patio seating, while takeout regulars cite efficient service and reliability. Like many neighborhood restaurants, opinions vary, but the overall picture is one of steady local support and recognition as a Decatur staple.

The restaurant has also become known for its staff and community feel. In 2019, local news covered the death of a longtime cook, underlining the sense that Noodle was more than just a business, but a place where relationships were built over many years. That community connection, alongside its enduring downtown presence and accessible menu, explains why Noodle has held on as one of Decatur’s most recognized pan-Asian restaurants for two decades.