First glance: New Zhang Mama on Jiaodaokou Nandajie

As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The people behind the original Zhang Mama on Fensiting Hutong have apparently taken this maxim to heart in opening their new location at 76 Jiaodaokou Nandajie.

The menu has been transported wholesale from the previous location. As ever, the boboji is the biggest draw: take your pick from a fridge full of tofu and vegetable skewers (a bargain at RMB 1 each), then dump them in the piquant chicken broth that will be brought to your table. Spicy Sichuan stalwarts like mapo doufu and zhangmama xiaochaorou (Zhang Mama's pork stir fried with Chillies) are guaranteed to please and will have you gasping for another beer in no time. 

A word of caution: although delicious, the dan dan noodles are so Sichuan Pepper-laden that they will have your mouth tingling with pins and needles after just one bite.

Another thing that hasn’t changed: the long wait times. The new location has only been open for a week or so but it is already gathering a steady crowd. To increase your chances of snagging a spot, go on a weeknight in a small group and be prepared to share a table.