Hip-Hop Inspired Noodle Shop Sta Foods Will Quell Your Pre-Club Hunger Pains

At first blush it’s hard to believe that Sta Food is a place for noodles, what with its concrete walls and neon lights, not to mention its noodle bar that looks like a DJ stage and its non-stop hip-hop soundtrack blaring in the background. Instead, this restaurant in the basement of Sanlitun Soho gives off the vibe of a tattoo shop, or a smaller version of Mix Club.

And yet Sta Food has some pretty satisfying noodle and beverage options. Their signature “full power blended noodle” (豪华油泼面, RMB 38) was youpo mian, (literally hot oil noodle), which was sizable, topped with fish balls, mushroom, beef slices, half of an egg, octopus, shrimps, and mu’er, and seasoned with a generous handful of mild chili powder. It was flavorful and spicy, but it left us screaming for more oil to stir it nicely. We preferred their eggplant noodle (RMB 38), which was seasoned with aniseed, soy sauce, and black pepper that all elevated its al dente noodles.

As for the drinks, the “kill everybody milk tea” (RMB 22) was served in a heavy mug with the handle in a pistol shape. The milk tea was bold, delicious, and sweet, but maybe not quite strong enough to “kill everybody.”

Sta Food's hip-hop indebted decor will defy your preconceived notions of what a noodle shop should look like. Better still, its service was quite on point, courtesy of a staff dressed like nightclub attendees. All that, along with its midnight closing time, make Sta Food a solid spot for party people heading to Gongti to dance the night away.  

Sta Food
Daily 10.30am-12am. B1-307, Bldg 3, Sanlitun Soho, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (8590 0233)
面馆·無双：朝阳区工人体育场北路soho3号商场B1-307

More stories by this author here.
Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure

Photos: Tracy Wang