Nouilles Sauvette: Anita Feng’s noodle window is back on Beaubien

Since August 4, you can once again walk away with a box of noodles from the little window on Beaubien East. Following the unexpected closing of J’ai Feng, Anita Feng is bringing back Nouilles Sauvette, her street-side counter, with her sister Amy and her uncle by her side. The neighbourhood gets back one of its most endearing addresses, and let’s say it right away: we self-admittedly have a soft spot for Anita and her famous Sichuan noodles.

Small window, big story

For newcomers: J’ai Feng, in its original form, was the little grocery counter Anita ran on Beaubien, known among other things for its red oil, that chili condiment typical of Sichuan that regulars added to just about everything. When health troubles forced the chef to slow down, the place first closed, before coming back stripped down to the essentials, tailored to a very small team. “We’re doing a small, condensed version of J’ai Feng. Noodles in a window. I copied the concept from the gnocchi place on Fairmount,” she told us, laughing, at Nouilles Sauvette’s opening.

The noodle window then closed in turn, long enough to relaunch J’ai Feng. But on July 11, 2026, to everyone’s surprise, the address announced it was closing again. Thankfully, the pause was short-lived: right next door, Anita chose to open the window that had been such a hit, at least until the lease runs out, around November.

Family on duty

Anita is continuing her treatments and taking things one step at a time. In the meantime, service rests on the family: Amy and Anita’s uncle hold down the counter, and the chef drops by when her energy allows. The lucky ones might run into her, always smiling, between two orders. It’s that smile, as much as the noodles, that made this little address a stop we recommend with our eyes closed.

The Chinese box of happiness

The menu stays true to the spirit of the project: tiny, precise, designed to move fast. Two noodle options are offered at the moment, to which you can add a protein, pork or tofu, all served in the little Chinese takeout boxes that gave the counter its charm. Specials will punctuate the offering from time to time, one more reason to swing by again.

Nouilles Sauvette never claimed it was here for the long haul, but this time the deadline is real: after November, we’ll have to say goodbye to the counter at 43 Beaubien Street East, at least in this form. Until then, every box of noodles is a way to support Anita and her family. Above all, we wish her rest and full health, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for what comes next: whatever shape the next chapter takes, we’ll be first at the window to see her again.

Written by Marie-Ève Godin
Photography by Mikael Lebleu

Updated on August 24, 2026

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