This Mid-City staple is known for its beloved owners (shoutout Ms. Vivian), po’ boys, hot line, and great lunch deals — basically, everything you could ask for in a New Orleans corner store. It’s also the neighborhood’s first choice for yak-a-mein when it’s not second line season; it’s traditional, fresh, and loaded with ingredients. Only downside is it’s closed Sundays.

Line up at the window (or now, order online) at the wonderful Red Rooster, just off Washington Avenue near the Magnolia Marketplace shopping center, and place an order for snowballs, po’ boys and of course, yak-a-mein. The soy-driven, salty broth studded with tender nibs of beef makes this yak-a-mein (spelled yet-ca-mein here) just about perfect.

New Orleans culinary icon chef Linda Green, aka Ms. Linda the Ya-Ka-Mein Lady, creates her signature dish at festivals, Second Lines, and for pop-up markets at universities, grocery stores, and more. Currently, your best bet is to follow Ms. Linda’s Instragram page for pop-ups, which usually take place on Washington Avenue on weekends during lunchtime. Check her website for catering and other opportunities. Hers is the ya-ka-mein gold standard, so don’t miss it; get the shrimp and beef.

A once lesser-known, now well-loved mini-mart located on Canal and Broad has a killer food counter known for its Vietnamese specialties like banh mi and pho. It serves a yak-a-mein with a dark brown broth that’s just as good (and a great value) with a somewhat notable distinction — a flat, linguine-shaped noodle.

This colorful, friendly food stand on Orleans Avenue by Carver Theater is a destination for its sno-balls first and foremost but also dishes a ton of local classics like red beans (which often sell out on Mondays), stuffed peppers, fried catfish, and crawfish bread. The yak-a-mein is another hit, loaded with huge chunks of beef and tons of fresh green onion. It’s a classic.

The Nguyen family is famous for their flavorful boiled crawfish, necessitating four citywide locations of their shop. The vast menu also includes marinated crab claws, stir-fry, side items like pig feet and turkey necks, and yak-a-mein, which comes with shrimp, chicken, beef, or a combination.

Gretna’s beloved Real Pie Man is as popular for its Creole gumbo and yak-a-mein as it is for its counter full of lovely fruit pies. Pie Man’s brew comes with dark broth with layers of flavor, all-the-way boiled eggs, and big hunks of beef debris.

This spunky little neighborhood bakery in the Bywater is famous for its birthday cakes (Taylor Swift ordered hers from here), king cakes during Carnival season, and Chantilly cake, which proprietor Chaya Conrad invented during her time as a Whole Foods baker. It also dishes yak-a-mein for lunch on Thursdays, a steaming cup of beef with a dark, savory broth. Save room for dessert here.