Sichuan

A couple of months ago, I went out to have lunch with a couple of my Chinese friends and they refused to let me pay. They have this idea that just because I am visiting their country, I am a guest to them. Most of the Chinese people I have met here have this mindset so it always makes it an awkward situation when I go out with them and it comes time to pay for the bill. I would have it the other way around and just pay the bill myself, but they should at least let us split it. Anyway, today my friends agreed to be my guests. I was relieved to go into this lunch knowing that I wouldn't have to worry about them trying to pay.

We went to a restaurant called Sichuan Mianguan, which not surprisingly specializes in Sichuan cooking. This type of cuisine is one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of China, so you know it’s a big deal. Sichuan food is known for being mouth-numbingly spicy (instead of heat spicy) through the use of different peppers and peppercorns. I love spicy food so this is probably one of my favorite cuisines in China, compared to other sweeter ones. On top of that, out of the top dishes which I have come to learn about in China, around three of my favorite five come from this style, so I may be a little biased.

Between four of us, we ordered 5 dishes. This may not seem like a lot of food, but when you come to China, you quickly learn that more often than not, there will be food left over. This was definitely the case in this occasion, seeing as the portions we received were quite huge. Instead of letting my guests order like I usually would, I ordered today. I feel comfortable enough with a Sichuan menu that provides pictures in order to know the dishes that I like.  

First came what we know in America as Kung Pao chicken. It’s basically stir-fried chicken with peppercorns, onions, garlic, and peanuts. It is extremely delicious and one of the milder dishes that I ordered when it comes to spiciness.

While we were munching on the chicken, the waitress brought one of those dishes that have become my favorites; Mapo Tofu. This is a popular tofu dish set in a chili sauce and peppercorns. Although I wished the tofu would have been a bit more firm, I absolutely loved the traditional way this restaurant served theirs

Next came the noodles with fermented vegetables in a chili sauce. The vegetables included spinach, cabbage, and lettuce. I have had better noodles but you could tell that they were prepared in house. I always appreciate this and would order this dish again. This is another thing that I have fallen in love with in China.

The third dish that I have fallen in love with in China is an unexpected one. It was an eggplant dish that will probably always taste better than it sounds. I’m surprised I like this dish as much as I do because I did not even like eggplant to begin with before coming to china. My favorite part about this dish is that it is sweet and spicy and if prepared correctly, actually tastes like it has meat in it. If you don’t know what you’re eating, you wouldn't be able to tell me that this is a vegetarian dish.

The last dish that came is one that the restaurant is popular for. Unfortunately for me, I did not enjoy it as much as most people do. It is a spicy chili stew with beansprouts that basically has a whole fish (head and all) thrown in it. Then, the fish is cooked until it is basically breaking apart from how tender it is. The reason I did not like this dish too much was because the fish was a river fish (which I do not prefer) and because the hot pot stew was a bit too greasy for me. Although I did not like it, I was glad I got to try it and recommend that you do too. It just wasn't for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed my meal. I got to eat three of my top five dishes in China, and that always makes me happy. On top of that, my friends actually let me treat them so it was overall a good meal. Now they’re saying they want to take me out one last time though. We’ll see who ends up paying that time.