Lucky Duck

Why we love it

Step into Lucky Duck on Caroline St. and you’ll feel a calmness wash over you. It’s a minimalist space, decorated with grey walls, clean wooden furniture and a handful of intricate sketches in neat black frames; crisp and modern, it feels equally like a home-from-home as well as a far escape from the clutter of inner-city life. There’s always a comforting murmur of chatter, as patrons slurp on broths served in beautifully patterned two-tone bowls.

As a noodle shop, there’s no prizes for guessing what the main item is on the menu. Bowls filled with handmade noodles (made fresh on-site daily) and a rich broth are the star of the show. There’s a beautiful selection to try which change regularly. As we write this, the kitchen are turning out this outrageously good shredded lamb bowl, spiced with cumin and szechuan pepper, and topped off with a handful of crunchy beansprouts. There’s always a vegetarian option to whet your whistle too; at the minute, that’s a spiced coconut broth, served with a generous portion of tofu and enoki mushrooms.

Alongside their staple menu, you’ll also find a few specials pouring from the Lucky Duck kitchen. We’re talking plates of crispy fried duck leg, and poached poussain with chilli garlic noodles, dressed greens and pickles to share.

But a trip to Lucky Duck is not complete without getting your mitts on a handful of their bao buns. Steamed to perfection, the buns themselves are slightly sticky to the touch but with a delicate pillowy texture. There’s a choice of fillings including duck leg with ponzu and spring onion, korean fried chicken, and our personal favourite of satay aubergine with chilli and peanuts. We always order a couple of these to start with, but since they’re so good, we can’t help to order more later on in the meal too. Who says you can’t have too much of a good thing?

Count your lucky stars that Lucky Duck is a part of Birmingham’s buzzing food scene - it’s one to cherish.