"Thanks to Tasty House, the scent of garlic and sizzling chili oil emanates from a quiet strip mall in Bellevue, pleasantly overpowering the yeasty smell from a nearby Subway (which we’re pretty sure is just pumped through the air vents anyway). At this laid-back Sichuan restaurant, you can easily grab a table and eat fantastic mapo tofu. The spacious dining room, with warm wood tones and soft lantern lighting, works just as well for a group making a lazy susan earn its keep as it does for a two-top date bumping elbows. While some folks might be next door customizing a sad 12-inch cold cut, those in the know are heading straight here. Food Rundown photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Mapo Tofu Somehow this excellent vat of silky tofu avoids that heavy slick of oil but keeps all the tingly, umami-packed flavor. Bright chunks of green onion add a fresh bite to the otherwise saucy dish, fermented black beans bring a salty depth, and a finishing crackle of peppercorn ties it all together. It’s comforting and excellent over a scoop of hot white rice. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Crispy Chicken Wings This mountain of pale golden wings, fried extra hard and showered with garlic, is a beauty. And while the wings themselves could use a touch more salt, the crispy skin crackles with each bite, and the garlic adds a punchy, savory kick that keeps you reaching for more. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Garlic Green Beans Din Tai Fung who? These green beans are giving the ones at a certain famed international dumpling chain a run for their money. They’re blistered, garlicky, and perfectly salty—an absolute must-order." - Kayla Sager-Riley
