Mai Tai Spices Up Sanlitun's Noodle Scene With Authentic Beef Boat Noodles

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.

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.

One noodle-less option is the ka-prao rice served with ground beef (RMB 38) or pork (RMB 35), to which you can add a raw egg for an extra RMB 5. Once again, those looking for something different may want to opt for the rice with beef and cow tongue (RMB 38) instead. Despite its name, Mai Tai doesn't serve any cocktails, but you can pair your dish with a refreshing iced chamomile tea or pandan barley water, RMB 12 each.

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 Tai
B1-18, 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