From PhD to Street-Food Empire: A Belgian Noodle Stall Earning Over €1,000 Daily
Ding, 37, a Chinese PhD graduate from Jiangsu, and his wife Wang have turned a Chongqing spicy pea noodle stall in Belgium into a viral sensation. After completing his doctorate in China, Ding moved to Belgium for postdoctoral research in soil management and crop production, publishing around 30 papers. In 2015, they settled in Belgium and welcomed a child there. Unable to find stable work beyond research, they started their own venture this May, and the stall now draws crowds with daily revenue above €1,000.
In This Article:
A Scholar's Pivot: Lab to Stove
Unable to find stable work beyond research, Ding joined Wang in starting their own venture. In May, they began selling spicy pea noodles at local markets in Belgium. The dish blends chewy noodles with tender peas and a savory pork sauce, known for its bold salty-spicy kick. To appeal to locals, Wang eased back on the heat.
The Dish and Its Origins
Chongqing spicy pea noodles are a local specialty from Wang’s hometown. The dish pairs chewy noodles, tender peas, and a savory pork sauce with a bold salty-spicy kick. To suit Belgian palates, the heat was dialed down.
A Viral Hit in a Quiet Market
Since May, the stall has captured attention online and in person, turning a regular market into a destination. The couple’s immigrant story—Chinese flavors, Belgian life—resonates with customers and underscores the growing appeal of cross-cultural entrepreneurship.
What It Means: Resilience, Family, and Flavor
This story shows resilience: when one path ends, another begins. For Ding and Wang, the stall provides income, stability, and purpose as a family. Their journey illustrates how cross-cultural entrepreneurship can turn a regional dish into daily triumph.
