Hunan Mifen Lawrence

By Anna Yue Dec. 14, 2023

Mifen, or rice noodles, is a traditional Chinese delicacy tracing back to the Qin Dynasty. On a chilly Sunday evening, I decided to visit Hunan Mifen Lawrence, a rice noodle restaurant in Sunnyvale, upon a family friend’s recommendation. Its original Chinese name is Xiao Xiang Niu Gu Mi Fen, which translates to “tasty beef ribs and rice noodles,” and their signature dish is the Special Rice Noodles with Beef Bone.

The interior of the store was brightly lit with cool-toned lights, offering a clean and straightforward vibe to the room. After submitting my order with the QR code, my food was brought within two minutes.

I ordered the Rice Noodles with Braised Beef Sirloin & Tomato. The noodles were generously served in a steaming hot bowl of beef bone broth topped with Chinese pickled mustard, while the tomato and braised beef sauce was brought in a separate bowl. Additionally, the services were relatively independent; water refills and toppings were all self-serve.

The noodles themselves are soft yet chewy, and the beef sirloin was cooked perfectly–soft but not mushy. The tomato sauce was also great, adding the organic sweet and sour taste to the rich broth. I preferred dipping the noodles into the sauce for a more intense sweet and sour flavor of the tomatoes, although pouring the sauce into the noodles and soup was delicious as well.

A reminder for ordering is to watch out for the spice level of each specific bowl. The store’s signature dish, Special Rice Noodles with Beef Bone, is soaked in chili oil and labeled “super spicy,” which is no joke.

I also ordered the Rose Ice Jelly with Glutinous Rice Cake, which I strongly recommend. The faint flavor of rose honey was pleasant but not overwhelming, while the almond, hawthorn and cranberry toppings added additional texture and flavor. However, some of their desserts looked and tasted factory-made. Overall, I had a pleasant experience at this restaurant with the quick wait time and enjoyable food. The independent service style might not be a hit for everyone, but I found the lack of platitudes and social pressure pleasant. I would be willing to go back to try out new dishes, and the Rose Ice Jelly will always be on my order.

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About the Contributors

Anna Yue

staff writer

Anna Yue is a sophomore staff writer for The Charger Account. During her free time, she enjoys crocheting, sleeping, watching dramas, listening to music and reading web novels,