Robot noodle restaurant begins trial run in Beijing's Fengtai district

A robot noodle restaurant in Beijing began a trial run on Friday, offering diners a glimpse of an automated kitchen that can turn flour and water into a finished bowl in just over three minutes.

Located in Fengtai district, the restaurant is billed by its operator as the capital's first fully commercialized robot noodle restaurant. The trial is mainly open to company employees, with a wider public opening expected in late August.

Once a customer scans a QR code and places an order, an integrated automated system makes and cooks the noodles and adds sauce, broth, and toppings. A robotic arm then transfers the bowl to a delivery robot, which takes it to the table. Staff are still needed to refill ingredients, prepare drinks, and clear used tableware.

The menu currently offers mushroom zhajiang noodles, tomato beef brisket noodles, and braised beef noodles, priced from 16 yuan ($2.37) to 19 yuan. There are plans for more offers.

The equipment was designed and developed by Beijing Yuli Technology and is undergoing pilot testing ahead of mass production. The company is also testing humanoid robots for carrying items and collecting used dishes.

Li Pengzhen, the company's general manager, said hygiene and standardization were the system's main advantages. "Autonomous equipment helps keep the preparation process clean, while standardized production keeps the taste consistent," he said.

Yang Haibin, the company's deputy general manager, said what sets the restaurant apart is that it links the entire process into a commercially operated system rather than automating only individual steps. "Customers can place an order, watch the noodles being made and cooked through the open kitchen, and have the finished bowl delivered to their table," he said.

Tang Shuyan, a tourist from Hebei province, described her first visit to a robot noodle restaurant as "novel and high-tech". Beijing resident Ye Tao, who came with his daughter, said he could hardly tell the difference from noodles made by a person and found the price affordable.