Photo by Rocco Fonseca | The Triangle
Address: Food Truck Alley (3141 Ludlow St.)
Items ordered: Vegetable chow fun and vegetable egg foo young
Price range: Under $10
Overall score: ▲▲▲▲△ Excellent
Good to know: Cash or Venmo only, but there is an extra tax if paying with Venmo.
Good Chinese food should be filling and tasty. The food at Mai’s Oriental is both of those things. Not only is the food here very affordable (you can get a meal for under $10), it is also some of the most authentic Chinese food available at Drexel.
Located in Food Truck Alley and open Monday to Friday, this simple Chinese food truck is a reliable option for a weekday lunch. The menu mainly features traditional Chinese entrees, with a few American-Chinese dishes such as egg rolls.
Many items can be ordered with a choice of beef, pork, seafood, or vegetables, and either white or fried rice, making options for lunch customizable and endless, and great for people with dietary restrictions.
The vegetable chow fun is loaded with bean sprouts and green onions, and the thick rice noodles are made the way they should be: chewy, flavorful, and simple. For an even more filling option, go with the beef chow fun.
As for the egg foo young (Chinese pancake-like omelette), it comes out steaming hot and filled with vegetables. The fried rice underneath the dish makes for a perfectly acceptable side.
Most of the food on the menu is less than $10 and will be ready in under 15 minutes, making it a great option for a filling, delicious, and reliable lunch in between classes, especially if you find yourself in the area.
Dining and Cooking