VUE

"We wake up to the slurping sound from rice noodle shops in little alleyways and go to bed with warm rice noodle soup in our stomachs after night-longs of drinking and chatting." ith nutty cumin and citrusy lemongrass, the Skewed Beef is served in a generous heap of toothpick-sized bites. Like many dishes on the menu, it is loaded with chopped red chili peppers, sesame seeds, and scallions which bring out its smoky flavors. e special seasoning mix was created by the Hunan people to counter the heavy humidity of the region. When it comes to the Hunan Slurp's design, it breaks free of the overcrowded tables, clanging dishes, and overzealous cooks of the stereotypical Chinese restaurant. e interior space engages with the robust streets of the East Village and honors the sophistication of each dish. e contemporary space is designed by the New York-based firm, New Practice Studio. e first thing pedestrians passing the storefront will notice is a crowd of people slurping on generous portions of Hunan rice noodle dishes. is design transports visitors into the restaurant through a large glass window that spans the length of the building's narrow façade. Inside, the wood-lined archways mimic the shape and color of rice noodles. is woodwork frame serves as a sort of geometric screen, and is illuminated by warm undertones from backlighting and lighting fixtures. ese fixtures, including large exposed bulbs, provide both an intimate and social dining setting for the restaurant's single and communal tables. And while being seated at the front of Hunan Slurp ensures a connection to the lively East Village vibe, diners seated in the space's back have a view into the kitchen. e restaurant fills just 3,000 square feet in total, but overall, it is a true image of hungry New York. To Chef Wang, food is an eloquent expression of his family's heritage. As he recalls, "We wake up to the slurping sound from rice noodle shops in little alleyways and go to bed with warm rice noodle soup in our stomachs aer night-longs of drinking and chatting. is custom defines us, the people of Hunan." Leaning heavily on the nuances of tradition, Hunan Slurp earns the designation as one of the East Village's most authentic Hunan cuisine establishments.

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