Anita Feng’s next chapter, Nouilles Sauvette, starts in a Chinese takeout box

People have been standing in front of the noodle shop J’ai Feng on Beaubien Est with concerned expressions for months: A sign on the door said to stay tuned with thanks, but there were minimal details about what happened to the Feng sisters, Anita and Amy, and why the shop was closed.

Over six months have passed since spicy noodles were last slung inside at the high-top counters. J’ai Feng’s unique big bowls of spicy Sichuan-style noodles, as well as the warm welcome of the beloved siblings, has been sorely missed.

The back story is that it’s been a tough time for the Fengs and their loved ones: a few months ago, chef Anita was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and she’s now undergoing treatments which will continue into the next months. She’d been thinking of switching up the business anyway, she says, but getting sick was not the impetus for change she expected.