MDM Noodles

In the former Smoken' Joe's space in Brighton Center, MDM Noodles brings a vibrant energy to an area lacking Asian flavors. The noodles are fresh and the spices are bold. Start with the spicy cumin lamb burger, a nice appetizer to split with two entrees. The cumin is strong but not at an overpowering level to compliment the lean lamb and onions. The mala soup is available with beef, lamb, seafood, or vegetable. The seafood mala soup is an incredible deal - a big bowl of zesty and spicy (medium level brings modest heat) broth with a plethora of vegetables (napa cabbage, potato, bean sprout, seaweed, and baby Shanghai bok choy) and a small portion of shrimp, squid, and tofu. The soup comes with a ton of rice noodles.

The highlight is the hand-pulled noodles with the perfect texture (not too mushy or al dente). The spicy hot oil hand-pulled noodle is reminiscent of the spicy sauce in Sichuan dan dan noodles with a delicate red pepper oil, bean sprout, and scallion. The lamb with boiled hand-pulled noodles is also a solid option for less spice.