Last Updated: 21 days ago
Phone: (718) 321-8180
Address: 353 WEST 46 STREET 10036
Authentic Sichuan w/ bold, numbing spice. Favored for La Zi Chicken, Mapo Tofu & unique 'triple delicacy'.
Sonal Shah reviews Szechuan Mountain House's new Times Square location, a convenient spot for pre-theater dining and experiencing top Sichuan flavors in NYC.
This Midtown Sichuan restaurant offers a highly praised dining experience, with many considering it a favorite in NYC. The menu boasts authentic and intense flavors, with a particular emphasis on the numbing spice characteristic of Sichuan cuisine. Dishes like the La Zi Chicken, Mapo Tofu, and the unique 'triple delicacy' are frequently highlighted for their exceptional quality and memorable taste.
This restaurant is celebrated for its authentic and often intensely flavorful Sichuan cuisine. Many reviewers highlight the characteristic 'numbing spice' (mala) as a standout feature. Popular recommendations include the La Zi Chicken, Mapo Tofu, and a dish referred to as the 'triple delicacy', which is noted for its profound numbing effect. While many dishes are lauded, some caution that the spice levels can be very high and the menu includes adventurous options like various animal parts.
"Highly recommended dishes include the La Zi Chicken, Mapo Tofu, and the 'triple delicacy' which is noted for its intense numbing sensation. Other popular choices are hanging pork belly, Szechuan Double Cooked Pork, and various seafood and beef dishes."
Customers overwhelmingly praise this restaurant, frequently calling it a favorite in NYC and commending its authentic Sichuan flavors, especially the signature numbing spice.
Important Note
Some users note that the menu can be very spicy and includes less common animal parts, suggesting it might be overwhelming for those new to Sichuan cuisine. The 'triple delicacy' dish, while highly praised for its numbing effect, has reportedly been removed from the menu at some locations.
"This Chinese restaurant is suggested as being open on Thanksgiving and may not be on Resy, so calling ahead is advised."
Positive"This commenter, who is vegetarian, recommends Szechuan Mountain House for pre-show dining. They note that while the menu isn't explicitly vegetarian, the staff can make vegetarian versions of many dishes upon request. They specifically praise the vegetarian mapo tofu, emphasizing the need to ask for the vegetarian option to avoid beef."
Positive"The commenter believes Szechuan Mountain House is overrated and extremely average."
Negative"Mountain House is mentioned as a restaurant option in Hell's Kitchen."
Neutral"This comment suggests trying the mala pork intestines, stating it's the same dish as the laziji but with pork intestine instead of chicken."
Neutral"This user describes the triple delicacy's numbing effect as borderline psychedelic, causing a strong physical and almost mental reaction, overshadowing any perception of spice."
Positive"The cabbage dish, specifically not the complimentary one, is considered one of the best in the city."
Positive"This comment notes that the triple delicacy dish was available last week and found to be delicious but spicy."
Neutral"Recommended dishes include okra salad, pickles, sweet and sour pork, fried eel, pickled pepper fish, mama hot fish, stir-fried cabbage, and stir-fried lotus root."
Neutral"Regarding the triple delicacy dish, it was located at the Flushing branch and described as 'stir fried triple crispy delicacy'. It appears to have been removed from the menu."
Neutral"The triple delicacy is highly recommended for the unique, intense numbing sensation from Szechuan peppercorns, which can be almost psychedelic."
Positive"This comment directly states that the laziji is the best dish on the menu."
Positive"This comment describes the restaurant as great but notes that the menu is very spicy and contains many unique animal parts, suggesting it might not be suitable for beginners."
Neutral"The Fu Qi Special is considered the best in the city by this commenter."
Positive"The boiled beef is described as sublime and also spicy."
Positive"The mapo tofu is highly recommended. The sour cabbage fish soup, particularly with fluke, is a favorite and melts in your mouth."
Positive"The laziji (Sichuan chicken with peppers) is a highly recommended dish, noted for its delicious flavor despite its appearance with many peppers."
Positive"The salted egg corn is a personal favorite dish."
Positive"A warning that the sour beef soup can become more intensely flavorful or spicy as the meal progresses."
Neutral"Must-try dishes include swing pork belly, ma-po tofu, and fish filet in spicy broth. For non-spicy options, the egg yolk corn kernels, beef slices in sour soup, and stir-fried vegetables like cabbage are recommended. Kung pao chicken is also a good choice for a more conventional taste."
Neutral
