Second location for Cousin Snail Noodle inside the New York Food Court that just opened recently. If you never been to the original shop inside the Landmark Quest Mall, this is another option with more seating and bigger space.
Some people have a hard time getting past the smell of the dish and will miss out on one of the most delicious bowls of noodles in Flushing. Therefore, I recommend everyone to be brave and just take one bite before making any judgement.
My favorite is their LiuZhou River Snail Rice Noodle (With Soup). What makes this dish so special to me is the perfect combination of soup and noodles. I would change it up every visit with different toppings. On my most recent visit, I got crispy roast pork and tofu puffs.
With such a unique flavor, it is hard to describe the broth other than it has a ton of umami. There is a slight sourness that blends so well with that spicy kick. I usually ask for hot, but recommend starting at medium for your first time.
As for the rice noodle, they are the best I ever had anywhere. The bouncy texture and slight chew holds up so well in the soup. Every bite just makes me want to go back in for another. Addictive would be a good word to use for me. If you had tried as much rice noodle soups around NYC as I have, you will taste the difference in quality ... ... and love it.
Lastly, there is a huge list of add ons that you can choose from, which I change up upon every visit. The one in the picture, I added the $2.50 fried egg, pork intestines, and snail meat. Honestly, the snail meat does not do much for me, but the other two items are awesome. Fried tofu skin, tofu puff, pork skin, and regular fried egg are my other favorites.
I know Cousin Snail Noodle is not for everyone, but you will never know unless you give it a chance. Maybe you'll go crazy for it like I did. read more