Mala Spicy Beef Slices Soup

Opened earlier this year in Astoria. A chain, with a weird menu in Astoria compared to the Flushing location, but it's flavorful and filling. The broth is not exceptional, but the heat can pack a punch. It's inconsistent. Some days it's far spicier, and other days it's relatively mild. The noodles are good, and have more texture than some similar noodle soups. There are many similar rice noodle soup places these days, so we're spoiled for choice when it comes to a daily driver rice noodle. The beef slices are good, and the soup comes with plentiful toppings: tofu, corn, and mushrooms mostly. I ordered popcorn chicken on the side, and it was good, but it was a LOT, which seems to be a trend when you order similar style fried chicken (the salt fried chicken Taiwan railway bento box at Taipei Hang comes to mind for a ridiculous amount of chicken). I would not go out of my way for this but it's a good local choice. They have a bunch of other things on the menu but I have mostly stuck to the mala soup, since I don't think the broth is too special. It's a bit pricey but there is a good lunch special.