A ROBOT-OPERATED noodle restaurant in Beijing has begun a trial run, 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 city’s first fully commercialized robot noodle eatery. The trial is currently open mainly to company employees, with a wider public launch expected in the near future.

Once a customer scans a QR code and places an order, an integrated automated system prepares and cooks the noodles, then adds sauce, broth, and toppings. A robotic arm transfers the finished bowl to a delivery robot, which brings 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 (US$2.37) to 19 yuan. Additional options are planned.

The equipment was designed and developed by Beijing Yuli Technology and is currently 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, cited hygiene and standardization as the system’s main advantages. “Autonomous equipment helps keep the preparation process clean, while standardized production ensures consistent taste,” he said.

Yang Haibin, the company’s deputy general manager, noted that what sets the restaurant apart is its end-to-end integration as a commercially operated system, rather than automating only individual steps.

Tang Shuyan, a tourist from Hebei Province, described her first visit to the restaurant as “novel and high-tech.” Beijing resident Ye Tao said he could hardly tell the difference from noodles made by hand and found the prices affordable.(SD-Agencies)