Friday, February 29, 2008

Yunchuan Garden, Sichuan Food, Monterey Park, California

301 N. Garfield Ave,
Monterey Park, CA 91754

GOOGLE MAP

You those of you who think you know true Sichuan food, you probably don't, not unless you know the joys of the Chinese Peppercorn . A strange little dried plant that when eaten makes your whole mouth tingle and go numb, and when cooked correctly with spicy, and oily food makes for an amazing tingling combination that is addicting and can't be beat. And Yunchuan Garden is a master of this Sichuan cuisine. If you like spicy food you owe yourself a trip to this little restaurant, though communication won't be too easy, but it is worth the adventure, but be prepared to point to things at the menu, and be ready to drink tea, because getting water isn't always easy.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Mon Land Hot Pot, Sichuan Hot Pot, San Gabriel, CA

251 W. Bencamp Street #C,
San Gabriel,
CA 91776

GOOGLE MAP

After trying out Lug Gi a couple of weeks back, me and two of my friends went out to try Mon Land, which I have seen highly rated over at Chowhound. This place is right across from the big grocery store and mall (The Great Mall of China) with the big Sam Woo in it on Valley, and while it doesn't have many parking places, you could always park in the mall (if you are willing to fight for your parking spots). Initial impressions were very good, as the place is quite large, and has indoor and outdoor seating, and the hot pot is put into an electric heater that is rescessed into the table, instead of being on top. Also for the Yin and Yang Pot, which has hot and spicy on one side and a tasty not spicy broth on the other, is actually bent in the middle so it looks like an actual Yin and Yang symbol, it is just too bad the food is not as good as at Lu Gi, and especially the hot pot is not nearly as spicy. (Sorry I forgot my camera, so no pics this time, but you can see some over at My Culinary Adventures).