Mai Tai Spices up Sanlitun's Noodle Scene With Beef Boat Noodles
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Topwin lunchers looking for a good bowl of noodles will no longer need to mosey around the food court because the mall’s latest – and arguably one of its best – casual restaurants is located at the foot of the basement escalator. Mai Tai's popularity is immediately evident, with seats filling as soon as they're vacated courtesy of diners wanting to stimulate their tastebuds in a way that typical Chinese lamian falls short. However, vegetarians beware: there is nothing on the menu for you unless you're craving a plate of raw bean sprouts with a side of bitter melon.
Beef boat noodles, also known as kuaitiao ruea, are a Thai classic
Mai Tai's key selling point is their noodle's flavorful and slightly spicy broth with hints of star anise and clove, and a deep red color that traditionally comes from the addition of pig or cow blood. The standard choice is the beef boat noodles with both sliced meat and meatballs, but the adventurous diner might opt for the chicken feet, whose meat is tender enough to melt off the bone. Both cost RMB 38 and can be customized with several side dishes for a small fee, although the standard portions are certainly filling enough.
If you have never tried chicken feet, these noodles are a great introduction
In a testament to the power of a simple but well-crafted and authentic menu, Mai Tai looks to become a mainstay for Topwin foodies and makes for another welcome addition to the city's reviving F&B scene.
Mai TaiB1-18, Topwin Center, 1 Sanlitun South Road, Chaoyang District
売泰：朝阳区南三里屯路通盈中心B1-18
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Images: Joey Knotts, Tom Arnstein
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