J’ai Feng: the powerful return of Sichuan excellence

This address has sadly announced its permanent closure as of July 11, 2026. We’ve chosen, however, to keep this article online in order to preserve a record of this address and its time in the culinary landscape.

J’ai Feng, the small Sichuan address created by Anita Feng, is quietly making its return on Beaubien Street in Montreal after a much-needed pause, during which the chef had to put her project on hold to focus on her health. In the summer of 2025, the Nouilles Sauvette pop-up — imagined to keep the team’s momentum alive during her recovery — confirmed just how much the neighbourhood had been missing the address.

Formerly a small Sichuan grocery, J’ai Feng now reveals itself in a more intimate format: a ten-seat noodle-focused counter. The kitchen is now led by Christophe Yu, while Anita continues her recovery at her own pace, still working behind the scenes to safeguard the soul of the house.

The shelves may be gone, but good news for regulars: Anita’s famous huile rouge is still available for purchase!

During our visit, the menu offered two Sichuan-style noodle bowls — a deliberately minimalist format that changes monthly. That day featured rice noodles with Mapo tofu (silken tofu, mushrooms, doubanjiang broth) and Yibin-style rice noodles, topped with minced pork from Beaurivage, mustard leaf, peanuts and sesame. A few homemade sides rounded out the offer, including Sichuan pickled vegetables and the classic soy-marinated eggs.

A streamlined and evolving menu that will adapt according to the inspiration and desires of the small team.

Where did the name J’ai Feng come from?
“I kept the same name as the previous pop-up concept, because it’s a logical continuation — different, yes, but still with the goal of introducing products from back home and Sichuan cuisine,” explains the owner with humour. The name originated from a joke among friends about her family name. “When my friends would come see me at the restaurant where I worked, they’d always walk in saying ‘J’ai feng!’ — it stuck with me ever since!” Anita laughs.

J’ai Feng returns with sincerity, still deeply driven — supported by its team, its neighbourhood and the undeniable affection of the public for this profoundly human project.