Scotland’s first “noodle library” opens in Aberdeen
Aberdeen’s Granite Mile has welcomed a new East Asian-influenced dining destination as The Noodle Library opens its doors to the public today (09 January).
Inspired by the 24-hour ramen convenience outlets of Korea and Japan, as well as 7-Eleven stores in the United States, The Noodle Library is thought to be the first eatery of its kind in Scotland, allowing customers to choose from a vast selection of noodle types, sauces and toppings to craft their perfect bowl.
Open for business from 10am-10pm seven days a week, diners can prepare their own noodles at one of the venue’s interactive cooking stations, with meals going from shelf to ready-to-eat in under five minutes.
Bowls will be available for both dine-in and takeaway customers, with approximately 20 seats available to sit in at the establishment.
Customers can find The Noodle Library at 164 Union Street, a unit that has stood vacant on Aberdeen’s high street since 2019.
The brainchild of Robert Gordon University (RGU) graduate Maaz Vohra, the new venue offers a fast, convenient and affordable new food option for people of all ages visiting the city centre.
Seeing the increasing popularity of Korean and Japanese pop culture and their cuisines on supermarket shelves, Maaz was encouraged to launch The Noodle Library, recognising a clear appetite for a fresh Asian dining experience in Aberdeen.
He said: “Inspired by East Asian convenience stores, which offer tasty and accessible meals to customers at all hours of the day, we wanted to bring a new flavour to Aberdeen city centre and highlight the healthier side of fast food. Influenced by the variety found in Korean street-food markets, we’ve created a menu that offers plenty of choice, with different noodle types, flavours and toppings to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets.
“We hope the launch encourages people to try something new, whether they’re students, office workers, families or visitors passing through the city. With quick cooking times, flexible pricing and ingredients and spices suited for all palettes, The Noodle Library is designed to be an easy and welcoming option for anyone looking for fast, flavourful food.”
Dining at The Noodle Library will be self-service, supported as needed by the restaurant staff, with customers heating noodles using the same machines used in Korean establishments.
Meal deals will also provide customers with convenient options for a quick and satisfying meal.
In addition to the approximately 50 kinds of noodles, the 20 topping varieties, from eggs and cheese to dumplings and kimchi, that are all on offer, The Noodle Library will stock ready-to-eat snacks including crisps and biscuits, alongside bubble teas and popular Korean and Japanese sodas and ice cups.
An area of the venue will also be dedicated to special edition and limited availability noodle varieties, providing repeat customers with a new experience upon each visit.
Maaz, who grew up in India before moving to Scotland in 2016 for his studies, graduated from Robert Gordon University in 2020 with a degree in Management with Marketing, before completing a master’s degree in Digital Marketing in 2022.
Studying and graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic gave Maaz the opportunity to plan his next steps and identify a gap in Aberdeen’s food market, leading him to launch his own business.
He was able to turn his vision into reality on Aberdeen’s high street with the support of Our Union Street and Aberdeen City Council through the Empty Shops Grant Scheme, which aims to bring vacant units on Union Street back into use, alongside his own investment into the project.
He continued: “We are incredibly grateful for the support of Aberdeen City Council and Our Union Street in launching The Noodle Library. It is a privilege to open our eatery on Aberdeen’s famous Granite Mile and to play a small part in helping to revitalise the city centre by offering something new and exciting for locals and visitors alike.”
David White, board director at Our Union Street, welcomed The Noodle Library to Aberdeen. He said: “It is great to see another new business opening on Union Street. We wish Maaz and his team every success with their new venture.”
The Noodle Library will initially employ four full-time staff, with founder Maaz expressing a keen interest in growing both the team and the concept if the venue proves successful.
He added: “It would be a dream come true to open additional locations in the future, both elsewhere in Scotland and beyond, bringing our concept to new cities and communities. For now, our focus is on ensuring that our flagship eatery in Aberdeen delivers an exceptional experience for every customer that comes through our doors, and that we inspire new diners to explore and enjoy the vibrant flavours and culture behind each bowl.”
The Noodle Library will also encourage diners to vote on their favourite flavours in voluntary in-store polls, which could influence the menu and shelf selection.
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