Since launching in Hong Kong in 1996, noodle chain TamJai Mixian has expanded to more than 240 locations across China, Singapore and Japan. It specialises in mixian – firm, silky, round rice noodles originating from Yunnan province – served with a choice of soup bases, toppings and spice levels.

On Thursday, November 28, it makes its Australian debut, opening a store on the corner of Swanston and Little Bourke streets in Melbourne’s Chinatown.

“Australia is the first Western market for TamJai Mixian, and we are thrilled to begin our journey there,” chief marketing officer Ronald Wong tells Good Food.

“I guess the Hong Kongers [in Melbourne] are really excited about our arrival,” he continues. “We’ve received viral responses [in] our inboxes.”

Beyond the main-event mixian noodles – specially produced with non-glutinous rice and, Wong says, “cooked al dente” – these bowls are completely customisable.

First, you pick one of six soup bases, which include tangy tomato, numbing and spicy mala, and a vegetarian option. In Melbourne, they’ve installed a dedicated soup-tasting counter so you can try them before you order.

Then, you make a call on how much chilli you can handle, on a scale from “non-spicy” to “hellfire”. For those new to spicy mixian noodles, Wong recommends a 1/10 level – with a tagline like “spice up your day”, TamJai Mixian’s hottest options aren’t for the faint-hearted.

And finally, it’s topping time, with dozens of meat, seafood and vegetable options available, including pork belly and crackling, baby abalone and cuttlefish balls, enoki mushrooms, and beancurd sheets. Can’t decide? Order the all-in Supreme Mixian, a curated combo of Hong Kong diners’ 17 favourite toppings.

Aside from noodle soups, the menu also offers cumin-spiced chicken wings and preserved century eggs made to a 500-year-old recipe.

TamJai Mixian Chinatown is just the beginning for the chain, says Wong. There are already two more Melbourne locations planned, including one in Melbourne Central, and a Sydney store slated to open next year.

Open daily 10am-10pm

231 Swanston Street, Melbourne, tamjaimixian.com.au