Subculture is holding a soft opening of the Noodle Ninja from the underground Church St premises and will begin promotion from today.
Sisters Antonia and Michelle Crowley and Antonia's partner Simon Hendl have operated Subculture, the only Queenstown venue with a nightclub entertainment licence, for more than six years.
Antonia Crowley said the opening of the Noodle Ninja was prompted in part by the council's restriction of their licence from 6am to 4am, which meant a significant loss of trade from serving hospitality workers after their shifts.
All bar owners have been reined in by the restriction, as their licences came up for renewal.
"In Queenstown, when you pay so much rent, you need to evolve with the licence when they take away 30% of the business," Miss Crowley said.
"I think the whole of the country will switch to earlier closing with time."
Miss Crowley had run her own catering business KaiCulture for about seven years and the trio had discussed extending the business out of Subculture for some time.
Space was found and the kitchen was fitted out over winter.
"Queenstown needs good healthy fast food you can take away back to work or the beach, or they are welcome to eat here and listen to some funky beats."
Miss Crowley recommended pork belly doused in her special sauce, or chicken meatballs, garlic grilled prawns or green tea salad noodle dishes.
Future Noodle Ninja plans include installing a "Teppan Cave" in the chill out room, which would enable Subculture to open for evening dining.
An expanded menu would be devised to match.
"Eventually, we want a Noodle Ninja delivery person dropping off lunch orders around the CBD in a tuk-tuk," Miss Crowley said.
"That's where we're heading."
