Sun Chase Proves to Be a Posh (But Meagerly Portioned) Gansu Noodle Joint

Opened on May 9 on the fifth floor of Sanlitun Soho, Sun Chase reminds us of Bei 27 Hao at Nali Patio. Both specialize in Gansu cuisine, and both elevate that fare above the average dirty street food alternatives that abound in Beijing. Both also have concrete walls, large Chinese characters etched on the walls, floor-to-ceiling window with fetching views of Sanlitun, patterned tiles on the floor, large plants, and even a marble bar for solo diners and late night drinkers.

Unlike Bei 27 Hao, Sun Chase feels like a bar that serves food to you. Its menu boasts several Gansu-style noodle options. Highlights include six varities of banmian (literally stirred noodles), three noodle soups, and a fried noodle option. Their signature 茄辣西拌面 (qie la xi banmian, RMB 35) is served in an elegant modern bowl and features eggplant, tomato, green and red chili peppers with latiaozi noodles. Its chili peppers have a strong kick, and the sauce was quite garlicky and salty. Sadly, we wished the portion of noodles was a bit larger, in order to better match the volume of sauce.

Upon recommendation, we also ordered 油饼卷糕 (youbing juangao, RMB 10), which is a local snack in Wuwei, Gansu province that is especially popular during Dragon Boat Festival. It consists of a deep-fried pancake (油饼, youbing) rolled up with a generous filling of glutinous rice, dates, lotus seeds, raisins, and brown sugar. Sun Chase's rendition was rolled to a puny cigar-like size, and while it was sweet, sticky, and fruity, it was the second dish at this restaurant that left us longing for more. 

Clearly, there are many wrinkles to iron out at this recently opened eatery. And while we grumbled about the meager portions, as our unsatisfied bellies also continued rumble in protest, we could at least concede that the noodles might be suitable as munchies when Sun Chase operates as a bar at night. 

Sun Chase
Daily 10.30am-9pm. 5/F, Bldg 1, Sanlitun Soho, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (6587 1528)
日上三甘：朝阳区工人体育场北路三里屯soho一号商场5层

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Photos: Tracy Wang