What's New Restaurants: Minoodle on Sanlitun Bar Street

James Franco was the worst thing about my visit to Minoodle. In truth, I didn’t expect to have to see him on the evening I stopped by for a quick dinner, but there he was, on the TV, swearing his way through my meal. Admittedly I could have taken my dinner in the neat sheltered outdoor seating area, but it was a muggy one and I was going to need the air-con. I endeavored to enjoy my zhajiangmian (RMB 26), xihongshi jiandan mian (RMB 18), and Wasabi Prawns (RMB 28) and ignore Franco’s potty mouth. I focused instead on the sound of satisfied noodle slurpers, of which there were many.

The soy bean paste dish was tasty with crunchy vegetables, although a little warm for my liking. The eggy tomato noodles came in a delicious rich broth, and the seafood had the gratifying nasal bite requisite of any good dish containing the condiment. I washed it all down with an imported Hey Song Sarsaparilla (RMB 12), and in spite of Franco’s best efforts, and the awkward seating – the tables are sturdy chests, which leave no space for long legs – I left contented.

Photos: Sui