Here’s the Dish: The Tang’s Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Petai

By Ava Stryker-Robbins

For at least 4,000 years, noodles have been a culinary staple. Though wheat noodles have existed for about twice as long, rice noodles are also a very popular dish throughout China, India, and Southeast Asia. Originating in the Qin Dynasty (259-210 BC), these noodles were first created by people from Northern China, who invaded the South, as they adapted to the more rice-based cuisine.

The Tang serves a variety of noodle types, and those in the Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Petai are thick, sweet, and chewy. The beef is tender and tasty, and the onion adds a crunchy texture to the dish.

Petai, often called the “stink bean” or “bitter bean,” is a common ingredient used in Thai, Malaysian, and Indonesian dishes. It enhances the flavor and is associated with many health benefits. The slightly bitter taste added depth and character to this otherwise sweet dish.

According to Resy New York, The Tang serves food inspired by Chinese cuisine but with a twist that sets it apart from traditional Chinese restaurants. “We boldly create the new harmony of Chinese authentic flavors through pairing diverse ingredients, presentations, and Chinese cooking techniques to make our customers feel comfortable but with a hint of surprise,” it says on its website.

Lin, who has worked at The Tang for nine months, told West Side Rag on a phone interview that all noodles are prepared from scratch. “Everything takes a long time…the dish, the noodles…it’s not easy to copy,” he said.

The Tang was opened in 2019 by Yu Li, according to the New York Times. Li, who is from a Beijing restaurant family, and Eric Sze, had opened a noodle bar together in the East Village in 2016, before Li opened Tang Hotspot on the Lower East Side and The Tang on the Upper West Side on his own. The Tang’s chef is Kim Hui Tea, who previously worked at RedFarm, and Tim Ho Wan, the New York Times reports.

“A lot of Chinese people come here to eat noodles to get a taste of their hometown food,” Lin said.

The Tang has a casual, but elegant ambiance; it is dimly illuminated by a scarlet light. The service is quick and the staff are friendly.