Maxi’s Noodles: A Dream Served Fresh
Discover the story behind Maxi’s Noodles, famous for supersized wontons and authentic Hong Kong flavors. Visit their Queens locations and look forward to their upcoming Chinatown opening, featuring signature dishes like lo mein, beef stew noodle soup, and a new vegan broth option.
What does it take to turn a dream into reality? For Maxi Lau-O’Keefe, the answer lies in fresh noodles, perfectly crafted wontons, and an unrelenting dedication to bringing Hong Kong flavors to life. Maxi’s Noodles has become a culinary gem, blending tradition, family legacy, and bold creativity to redefine the dining experience for New Yorkers.
At the heart of the restaurant is an inspiring story of love, loss, and perseverance. For Maxi, this restaurant is more than just a business; it’s a heartfelt tribute to her late mother and a testament to the power of hard work and resilience.
A Mother’s Dream, A Daughter’s Mission
Maxi’s journey into the restaurant world is far from traditional. With no formal culinary training or prior experience in the industry, she made an incredible leap from working in HR at Home Depot to running a thriving noodle shop. The catalyst? Her mother’s unfulfilled dream of opening a wonton noodle restaurant.
“My mom trained with a family friend in Canada to learn how to make wontons,” Maxi recalls. “She practiced for days, perfecting her recipe and working out the details for her shop. But everything came to a halt when she was diagnosed with cancer. We shifted all our focus to her health.”
After her mother’s passing, Maxi found herself at a crossroads. Inspired by her mother’s dream, she took a leave of absence from her job and traveled to Canada to train with her mother’s mentor. “It was a rare opportunity—this is a craft they usually only teach family. I knew I had to prove I was serious.”
The training was intense, but Maxi embraced the challenge, honing her skills over six months. “I showed up early every day, ready to learn. I wanted them to see that I was committed, that I respected the craft.” Armed with newfound knowledge and a determination to honor her mother’s legacy, Maxi returned to New York and began building Maxi’s Noodles from the ground up.
The Menu: Tradition Meets Innovation
Maxi’s Noodles has earned a reputation for its authentic and thoughtfully crafted dishes. The star of the menu is the supersized wontons, generously filled with shrimp and pork, wrapped fresh every morning. “Traditionally, wontons in Hong Kong are bite-sized,” Maxi explains. “I supersized mine to stand out, while keeping the authentic flavors intact.”
Other customer favorites include:
Beef Stew Noodle Soup: A rich and comforting bowl of tender beef, slow-cooked in savory broth, paired with chewy noodles.
Lo Mein: Maxi’s favorite, this dish is served with noodles and sauce on a shallow plate, with soup on the side. “Lo mein means to mix,” Maxi says. “You mix the sauce with the noodles and sip the soup separately. It’s all about balance and texture.”
Imitation Shark Fin Soup: A hearty take on a classic Hong Kong street food, made with glass noodles, mushrooms, and bold seasonings. Maxi loads it with ingredients, ensuring every bite is flavorful and satisfying.
Maxi is also introducing new dishes to cater to evolving customer preferences. A braised mushroom topping and a vegan broth are set to debut soon, providing options for vegetarian and vegan diners.
Starting Small, Dreaming Big
Maxi’s Noodles began as a pop-up in her aunt’s café, relying on word of mouth to attract customers. “I didn’t have money for advertising,” Maxi shares. “All I could do was focus on making great food and letting people spread the word.”
Maxi credits her father for helping to create a welcoming atmosphere. “My dad is the heart of the shop. He’s always cracking jokes and making customers laugh. If you speak Cantonese, you’ll leave with a smile—and probably a story to tell.”
The shop quickly gained popularity, leading to the opening of two locations in Queens. “It’s been humbling to see the response,” Maxi says. “Every time a customer tells me my wontons remind them of home, it makes all the hard work worth it.”
Expanding the Legacy
Maxi’s Noodles isn’t stopping there. A third location is set to open in Manhattan’s Chinatown in early 2025. “We’re excited to bring our flavors to a new neighborhood,” Maxi shares. The expansion will also unify the menu across all locations, including the new vegetarian and vegan offerings.
When asked about her ultimate wish, Maxi’s answer is deeply personal. “If I could have one person visit the restaurant, it would be my mom. I want her to see what I’ve built and know I’m making her proud.”