chuan cafe

Restaurant · Country Club View

chuan cafe

Restaurant · Country Club View

2

2004 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610

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chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
chuan cafe by null
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Highlights

Casual yet charming, this shopping center gem dishes out flavorful Sichuan classics with friendly service that makes you feel right at home.  

Featured in Eater
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2004 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610 Get directions

chuanxiacafe.com

$10–20 · Menu

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2004 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610 Get directions

+1 919 594 1772
chuanxiacafe.com

$10–20 · Menu

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Jul 11, 2025

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@eater

"A Christmas Day roundup wouldn’t be complete without including a traditional Chinese establishment. Standout dishes include the mapo tofu covered in a spicy Szechuan sauce and classic sweet and spicy General Tso’s chicken. Sneak in a vegetable by ordering the eggplant in a spicy garlic sauce, but beware that the spice level is typically cranked up high, so be sure to request a mild version if that’s an issue." - Elliott Harrell

16 Standout Spots for Christmas Day Dining in the Triangle
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@eater

"Sure there are classic dishes like General Tso’s chicken and shrimp lo mein, but Chuan Cafe really shines when it comes to the Szechuan specialties. The dan dan noodles, spicy hot pot, and double-cooked pork belly are all standouts. The Chongqing spicy wheat noodles are a step up heat-wise from the dan dan noodles, and the sour soup with beef is the perfect antidote to a cold, rainy day. Vegetarians should look at the dry fried string beans, eggplant in spicy garlic sauce, and stir-fried cabbage for a filling, meat-free meal." - Matt Lardie

18 Essential Chinese Restaurants in the Triangle
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Jim Vigilante

Google
Interesting experience, the food was very good although for chinese food, it was fairly expensive. When ordering takeout, I've gotten a ton of Chinese food for $50 bucks, but here it was just two entries, one drink, no fried rice, no appetizers, or any extras. The place is bare bones, but seemed clean and we got our food quick. We were the only people in the restaurant and one other table came in after us. It was early on a Saturday night. We were happy with the food which is most important.

Teresa Hong

Google
Finally another authentic Chinese food! Ordered takeout so no idea about dine in experience. Their fried chicken is absolutely top and the braised beef is godsend. They are on the pricey side but the portion and taste well worth the price. Can’t wait to go back to try other food!

Kyle Jones

Google
The food - Unfortunately, it wasn’t great for me. The sauce on the General Tso chicken tasted like it was from a bottle and the fried rice was really bland. I did take my food to go so maybe that was the disconnect. The service - The lady behind the register is a sweetheart. She’s honest, straightforward, and caring in her own way. If there’s any reason to go, it’s her. The Atmosphere - Quaint location on the inside. Don’t judge it by the way it looks on the outside as it sits in a pseudo-hood location. Not a lot of noise and it could be romantic given the right lighting.

Curtis xu

Google
Travel to NC at the night time. We find this restaurant close to my hotel. There was no customer when I arrived at dinner time. It’s make me feel uncomfortable, do I come to the wrong place? The food came so quickly. The amazing things is the food taste so delicious! All the food was tasty and flavorful ! You should give them a chance if you close to this restaurant !

Charlotte Motto

Google
We came in at the odd hour (3:30pm on Sunday). So we were the only table that dined in (but many take-out orders when we were there.) The taste is quite authentic. The stir-fried shredded potato is the best I had. The new dish garlic sauce lotus root is too sweet to our liking so 1 star off. The restaurant is clean, and the food is yummy. Although they don't have a waiter or waitress, Mr.Lee, who takes the order, is attentive to satisfy our requests. We would definitely return.

Destiny Nguyen

Google
We went to this place for lunch and it was great!! The service was prompt and the restaurant was nice and clean! I love Chinese food and I was looking for a Din Tai Fung (my comfort food) duplicate here in NC because that place is only on the West Coast and this place is pretty spot on! My absolute favorite is the wonton in chili oil and the steamed chicken slices are a close second. I would get everything again except for the Dan Dan noodles. They were okay, but not particularly my preference bc of the taste that remains in the back of my throat after eating it (from the oil/sauce) so I’ll try another one of their noodle dishes! Highly recommend this place and will be back!

Gary McGraw

Google
Outstanding place for great food!! We ordered 3 dishes to share gen. Chows chicken, double cooked pork belly and braised beef in chili oil. This was the best by far that I’ve ever had. You absolutely need to eat here.

Dawn Keller

Google
Very nice relaxing decor. The food is fresh, colorful and has amazing flavor!!! Will return soon for bamboo flounder and twice cooked pork belly 😋 👌 😀

Tu T.

Yelp
This is a must try Chinese restaurant! We were attempting to get pizza around the corner but it was closed (again! 2x now and closed each time...maybe a sign lol). If only we had tried this place sooner! We tried the Orange chicken which had a nice spicy kick not usually found with Orange chicken. Also tried the Shredded pork (did not seem shredded but was very tasty) from the Lunch Special menu, scallion pancake, pan fried pork buns (right?! sounded interesting since these are usually steamed) and the egg drop/hot and spicy soup (soups included with lunch items...another score!) Everything was very yummy and we're looking forward to our next Chinese food craving to order here again. Decor was subtle. Does not have your usual Chinese restaurant decorations but felt like it needed just a little something to spruce it up. Some reds and greens for good luck and fortune so this restaurant is around for a long time! Staff was also super friendly and attentive. First time ever I was offered more rice in a Chinese restaurant. Crazy how the little things have such a big impact...

Sammy S.

Yelp
This place must have a new chef, or new ownership, or both. A friend and I purchased the "Stir Fried Chicken w/ Mushroom" about once a month for takeout. It was delicious. The mushrooms were woodear mushrooms, a type of black mushroom that made the dish. Last month we ordered the same thing for takeout. We commented on how it was the best Chinese dish that we had experienced. The server did not act happy, not thanks for the compliment, but just shrugged it off, as if he could care less. The woodears had been replaced with small mushrooms from a can. Not the same dish. We figured that the chef was temporarily out of the woodears. But again last night we made our usual order, and the same - no woodears. Also we asked for the dish to be mild. Instead it was laced with kung pan peppers. Way too hot. Since it was takeout, there was no way to return our entrees in a timely manner. We will not be going back, and do not recommend the place.

Rachel S.

Yelp
My friends and I came here for a Lunar New Year lunch and it was great! We were very happy with our dishes and had plenty of leftovers. If you're looking for authentic Chinese food and are in the area, check them out!

Lauren F.

Yelp
We found this restaurant on accident. We were lost and hungry and then there's this restaurant that does not require us to pay to park. We were the only customers eating in so we didn't have to wait long for our food. I ordered an vegetarian Eggplant dish that was delicious. My mom ordered Sesame Chicken, that just tasted sweet, more like orange chicken with Sesame seeds on top. The restaurant was clean, the service was here and there. We went a long time without water refills, and had to get our own to go box's off a table when no one would come to the table.

Dr. Cheryl K.

Yelp
While the cafe is way understaffed, my moo shu veggies were quite tasty. No hoison sauce, and I didn't want the pancakes. This item was actually not on the menu; I had to order the pork moo shu veggies, without the pork and was charged the same amount. All in all --a good experience.

Donna T.

Yelp
We came for dine in because we're in this area and it's the nearest Chinese restaurant. There was no server, just the Man at the cashier station served us. After we ordered and the got the food, he didn't come to check if we're okay or not. I said excuse me for couple times to ask for a fork for my food. And few minutes after eating my food there was a dead ant in my food. Called the guy and told him there was a bug in it but he just ignored us like it's not a problem. Didn't finish my food and just left after we paid. It was terrible

Bailey B.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious stuff, the tofu soup was my favorite and the tomato egg was really flavorful! I also got the egg drop soup with corn and it was great. The chongqing spicy noodles were lacking a little in flavor but the serving is much bigger than it seems. The ambiance was good but the autozone next door threw off my vibes because they kept honking and the door was open. Super sweet staff, we will be returning!

Jessica L.

Yelp
Takeout is always ready quickly and well packed (no utensils though). Got their seasonal stir fried vegetables with garlic, which turned out to just be baby bok choy. Not worth $17... I was lowkey hoping for snow pea leaves or something. To be fair, it was cooked perfectly. Bf and I were both addicted haha

Mary T.

Yelp
This place was so disappointing. The food was greasy and lacked flavor. I got the garlic shredded pork and it had no flavor nor heat. Rice is extra which is odd. I cannot believe this place is supposed to be authentic sezchuan because it didn't even pass as strip mall chinese except at double the price.

M S.

Yelp
This place is astoundingly good, and incredibly consistent -- the dishes come out the same way every time you order, and each time, they're amazing. The atmosphere is pretty mellow (although I've only been during lunchtime on a weekend, so maybe it gets more bustling at dinner) but that doesn't distract from the food. We moved to the area from NYC a few years ago and think this is some of the best Chinese food in the triangle (easily beating any of the Chinese restaurants in Durham)-- we drive 30 minutes just to come to Chuan. The dishes I most recommend are the fried flounder, dry-fried string beans, and dandan noodles, but we really haven't been disappointed by almost anything we've ordered. (Although the new pork buns on the specials menu were not all that amazing, to be honest.) I am a huge fan.

Lina S.

Yelp
Food was delicious and freshly made.Excellent Service was fast. Excellent Ambience was clean Excellent Located near the movie theater is convenient dinner place on Friday. Lot of take out. Very popular Loved the simplicity, cleanliness and ability to serve food promptly. Temperature of food was hot and it met my expectation for taste. The restroom was odorless, spacious, super clean and well lighted. The restaurant did not have any smell of cooking, inside and in the outside. Kudos

Trevor D.

Yelp
Love this place. If you like good food, you can ignore the complaints. Don't expect 5 star service, or someone to stare at you while you eat. If you like spicy szechuan style food, it's one of the best in the city for sure.

Jolina C.

Yelp
Had an absolutely lovely family-style meal here with some friends recently. (We ordered a few different entrees and shared everything--because how can you choose just one or two from their menu??) My absolute fave were the Bamboo flounder fish (fried and seasoned so perfectly!), the bamboo shoots, and spicy beef noodles! Chuan Cafe is a Raleigh gem in an unassuming location--and it is well worth the visit for some good Chinese food different from your regular takeout Chinese, and the friendly service.

John K.

Yelp
This restaurant has gone downhill over the course of the last three years. You are now lucky to have anyone answer the phone, staff the counter, or staff the dining room. Yesterday I called three times before being answered and able to order. The staff member then told me when she would cook my order ran than start it immediately as requested. When I arrived at the location, I could hear noise from the kitchen area, but after a while and several announcements of my presence, I went next door. Only to return a second time to the same scene. I left without food. The restaurant called me 15 minutes later to let me know my food was ready. Can't make this up!

Chung-Hsuan T.

Yelp
Nice food with quick service! There were no much diners but some takeout orders. Thus, no need to wait for seated in Saturday night.

Peter L.

Yelp
I have been here a couple of times over the past 2+ years and have been a little more hesitant leave a comment because I haven't been a huge fan for Chuan style Chinese food and I can't really eat that much spicy food. I was torn between giving it a 4.5 or a 4 since it had been a borderline case for me - but now it seems like it's comfortably sitting at the "4" range with its lack of improvement for the past 2+ years. I have ordered a fried fish fillet, vegetable soup, spring beans, stir fried potato - nothing of them really bombed it but nothing was outstanding either (the fish fillet is spicy for me). Of course it's really authentic. The service is spotty but acceptable. The interior is getting a little oily though it's still stylistically in a Asian theme...? Maybe it's just me. But it will definitely benefit from a couple of quick fixes here and there. I have a feeling that it is shifting more towards the takeout vs the dine-in. Solid 3.5-4 stars

Curtis H.

Yelp
This was my first and last visit. Went in today (July 4) because of the good reviews on here and Reddit and the man at the register told me "you can't order the lunch special, it's a holiday." (With a lot of sarcasm) Obviously, I said thanks and have a good day and left. There's a million Asian places in the area and much cleaner to argue with a man who did not look the cleanest himself, nor seemed enthused about getting a sale in an empty restaurant. I'll never go back.

Destiny N.

Yelp
We went to this place for lunch and it was great!! The service was prompt and the restaurant was nice and clean! I love Chinese food and I was looking for a Din Tai Fung (my comfort food) duplicate here in NC because that chain is only on the West Coast and this place is pretty spot on! My absolute favorite is the wonton in chili oil and the steamed chicken slices are a close second. I would get everything again except for the Dan Dan noodles. They were okay, but not particularly my preference bc of the taste that remains in the back of my throat after eating it (from the oil/sauce) so I'll try another one of their noodle dishes! Highly recommend this place and will be back!

Julia T.

Yelp
Some dishes were amazing, others were mediocre. The yummy stuff: Spicy Boiled Beef. The portion size is HUGE. The beef (so tender) is immersed in a savory, spicy broth with other vegetables. The dish is garnished with chili flakes and minced garlic for extra flavor. Stir Fry Cabbage. Cabbage stir fried in a thick savory sauce with dried chilis, my favorite way to fulfill my vegetable intake. The eh: Chongqing Noodles: Not authentic and way too oily. Szechuan Cold Noodles: The noodles were too hard, was probably prepared in advance. Mapo Tofu: The tofu didn't seem to be boiled in the douban sauce, as it didn't absorb much flavor. I suspect it was just lightly tossed with the sauce. Curious to try their other dishes, as I really liked the Spicy Boiled Beef and Stir Fry Cabbage.

Josh W.

Yelp
Really awesome authentic Szechuan, but the owners apparently keep the tips from the staff if you leave it on your credit card. Leave the tips in cash, but not too much because the lady chased me out the door saying I left her too much and gave most of it back.

Crystal S.

Yelp
Food was a bit bland. Fried rice, green beans. Egg drop soup. I got it to go, he seemed bothered that I asked for soy sauce then came back in for utensils.

Dina L.

Yelp
It's not really dim sum it was surprising to go for Sunday dim sum and find it empty. Especially after the reviews.

Thuy H.

Yelp
Chuan Cafe is such a solid place! This was our first time and we got the general Tso chicken, crispy fried fish, hot and sour soup, and dry fried eggplant. The seasoning on the crispy fried fish and dry fried eggplants are very similar, so make sure to order a variety of dishes. Likely the ones with the chili sign may taste the same. BUT the crispiness and the fry quality is truly unmatched. Chuan did a great job at using the lightest batter (almost like a super light tempura) in order to keep the food item shining, and not the batter itself. So crispy and delicious!! I thought the General Tso chicken was good. The sauce was a bit thick, but if you're a fan of orange chicken, this is another great alternative. Even though I am generally not a fan of hot and sour soup (my husband's order)- I still recognized that it was very well made. Left super excited to come back and try more items! The menu is quite large. Taste: 4/5 Presentation: very neat and clean Recommend to a friend?: YES Consistent: 1st time Cost: $, each dish price was very reasonable to the quality and amount served. Parking: plenty of parking in the the lot.

Alanna V.

Yelp
Came here on 2 occasions already, and I've loved each time! Good service. Cute and clean interior. 10/10 food! Nicely seasoned with szechuan peppers and other flavorful spices. Highly recommend the Dry Fried Eggplant and Bamboo Flounder Fish!

Regine L.

Yelp
The food that I got was delicious but I got it through delivery I think it was with DoorDash but if not, it was Uber Eats so I haven't actually been in the restaurant.

Denise M.

Yelp
Me & my son made a trip here to find out about all the good reviews we saw online concerning these dishes. We ordered takeout of Mongolian Beef & Braised Beef in Chili Oil. Not as spicy to me as stated by many, the flavor is kind of bland on both, and I would not go out my way to go here again. The food is sitting in a lot of peanut oil. I would not recommend this place even with its cleanliness & good customer service.

Rose E.

Yelp
So...despite my high expectations (due to high ratings), this place turned out to be just O-Kay. Located in a bleak, shady looking strip, the place itself was surprisingly nice inside. Not "nice", but better than what I expected going in? Plus, I noticed an "A" sanitation grade. I also notice Christmas garland still displayed on its windows (Huh??). There was just 1 man doing everything...but since only 2-3 tables the whole time I was there, he seemed able to manage it. He was friendly, but not fluent at all. I asked for some suggestions on the menu, and he just stared back at me...like dead pan silence...more Huh??? (LoL?) I wondered how he can do business with that little English...but guess it's manageable as well? Anyway, I decided to go with a small plate of Bamboo Flounder Fish and Chili Wontons, and a side order of Rice. The Chili Wontons were delicious, but the Fish was way too dry. I liked the flavor, but it tasted almost stale...as if it had been reheated several times. A pity...'cuz if this WAS fresh and not too dry, it would have been damn good! Still, I appreciated the super-spicy Szechuan flavors that I've been regularly craving. Who knows...I may be wiling to give this place another try. I LOVE Szechuan Chinese food, and this is supposedly one of the better ones in the area.

Karen P.

Yelp
Can count on every visit being consistent. This place has never missed-- definitely try it out if you like spicy

suby n.

Yelp
A great place to enjoy great meal with Family & Friends. Loved the clean, fresh looking interiors. Food was great & they served it very fast

Britt B.

Yelp
We absolutely love ordering delivery from Chuan Cafe. Just put in our order for the evening! This is definitely our new favorite Chinese takeout in the area. We are thankful that they partner with DoorDash & GrubHub! We have ordered multiple times now in the last few months and it's always quality, flavorful, and delicious! First of all, the Szechuan Chili Wontons are hands down the best wontons we've EVER had. These are just the perfect amount of flavor, spicy, and slap your face WOW. We get these every single time we order, no question. We've also tried the scallion pancakes appetizer - delicious! Melt in your mouth little pancakes. Yes please! The Spring Rolls are also yummy. I love that they're vegetable and not TOO fried. That's a thing, right? For entrees we've had the Lo Mein, Fried Rice, and Genera Tso's Chicken. I love all of these entrees! My favorite is probably the Lo Mein. All delivered fresh, hot, super flavorful, and perfect portions! My only "complaint" is that they don't have baby corn! I also have a baby corn addiction so it's probably my fault but would love to see that as a vegetable option in their dishes! I highly recommend this spot. If you're craving GREAT Chinese, treat ya self ASAP.

Todd M.

Yelp
I was disappointed with our experience at Chuan. Our scallion pancake was probably cooked at too high of a temperature as the outside edge was crispy, but the inner portion was clearly undercooked and greasy. The double-cooked pork belly could have been delicious, but it was incredibly greasy. There was easily 1/4" of oil at the bottom of the serving dish. Likewise, the stir-fried cabbage arrived in a puddle of grease too. Portion sizes are generally reasonable for the money. However, the scallion pancake was definitely on the small side for $5.99. The pork belly and cabbage servings were easily enough to share for a family-style meal. Like many Asian restaurants, dishes arrive at your table when they are ready. All of our dishes were hot and had clearly come straight from the wok. Service seems very role driven. The person that seats you in the restaurant also takes your order, and brings you the bill. Otherwise he seems to play with his tablet and leaves it to another person in the kitchen to service diners and bring food to the table. In an almost empty restaurant, it had a very unusual feel. There are substantially more Sichuan restaurants in the area than just a few years ago and consequently the bar is higher now for good Sichuan than in the past. Based on my experience today, Chuan ranks towards the bottom of its competition. If our meals had not been so greasy, this would have likely been a three- or possibly four-star review.

Kristen K.

Yelp
I have been on the hunt for a deliciously hot and spicy fried fish dish ever since I was exposed to the dish in St. Louis a couple years back. I came to the area from Northern VA for a weekend road trip and decided to try Chuan Cafe to fulfill all my mala cravings. We ordered online because we thought it was takeout only, but upon arriving realized there was a dine-in option (but the restaurant was virtually empty). The owner (I presume) let us eat our takeout food at a table which was really nice because I think the drive would've made our food soggy and cold (our hotel was about 30 mins away in Chapel Hill). The owner or worker that night was very nice and friendly. He brought us a couple of plates and water with our takeout food. It was really hard to choose only a couple dishes for the two of us because I wanted to try everything on the menu, but I limited it to 3 dishes (which was still much more food than we could eat). Food: - Bamboo Flounder - The name sounds a little unintuitive but it is essentially a flounder fried to crispy perfection and dipped in mala spices. Hot, crispy and an amazingly numbing spice. I haven't had this dish in almost 2 years and I was so happy that it was exactly what I wanted. - Dry-fried string beans - The veggies were delicious! Perfectly cooked with garlic and sauce. Excellent side dish to any. - Twice-cooked pork belly - Another good dish, lots of pork belly and onions also with a good spicy kick to it. Loved the food at Chuan Cafe! I feel like we don't have great Szechuan style Chinese food in Northern VA, so it was a very much needed meal for me. Definitely would recommend and I will be back here next time I visit Raleigh.

Natasha D.

Yelp
We got take out from Chuan Cafe. The chili wontons were excellent. Really delicious and the chili oil was just perfect. The fried dumplings were also excellent. We got the scallion pancake which was fine. It didn't have a lot of scallions in it but the size was good. The Mongolian beef is really spicy. A little too hot for my palette. As we ordered online I don't have any reviews of the service. The food was ready quickly and was delivered quickly.

Jason H.

Yelp
So I am giving this review at the feedback from my son and wife. We got the chicken Fried rice, beef lo mein, lotus roots, lamb on a toothpick and sesame chicken. The food was good, the quality was good, it was more expensive than my normal Chinese restaurant. My son loved the lamb however it was to spicy to eat for me and nothing in menu said it was cooked with chili peppers keep in mind I am very heat intolerant and I order accordingly most people don't suffer like I do. My biggest disappointment was the lotus root, I love lotus root but the description online includes nothing about it being included in a spicy sauce I discovered as the sides of my mouth began burning and sweat started dripping down my neck. I know many people have no issues but an acknowledgment of how it was served would have prevented a vary uncomfortable situation for me as I write this 20 minutes later while still sweating. The other food was very good,and no complaints, I felt the lo mein was more oily than I'm traditionally used to and the next morning my wife mentioned it also - it was good but just not thinking it's my favorite spot for Chinese in Raleigh.

Brad M.

Yelp
This is a great authentic seachuan / chinese restaurant in Raleigh! We ordered our favorites and they did not disappoint. Scallion pancake was a huge hit with our toddler along with the beef noodle - very good, not to oily. We also got green beans, eggplant w/ spicy garlic sauce and fish in spicy hot oil. Fantastic, no complaints. Restaurant was very clean, I hope they start getting a larger crowd soon - we were the only ones in the dining room. This is our new favorite as it's a little bit closer than Taipei 101!

Vinh P.

Yelp
This hidden gem is nestled in a strip mall next to an auto zone. The inside was super clean and inviting ambiance, not what we are there for but such a pleasant surprise The food was delicious, and the rice was perfectly cooked and fluffy. Their spicy chongqing chicken was delicious, and the kids devoured it all that I ordered more to go. Will definitely come back!!!

Tiffany L.

Yelp
This isn't the best Szechuan restaurant I've had but for Raleigh I'd say this place is awesome. The numbing flavors I crave are here! Spicy Chongqing Chicken was exactly what I was looking for and more! It has the spicy numb your tongue flavor on a very crunchy flavorful popcorn chicken. The bamboo flounder fish was very delicious and spicy as well (without the numbing). The fish tasted fresh and kind of refreshing with all the spicy dishes I got. The corn egg drop soup was great! Never had egg drop w corn before. Chuan's beef noodle was delicious but I was hoping this dish wasn't spicy since all the others were. But I guess if it's from Chuan then it is. The beef was tender and the broth was delicious! Definitely recommend getting at least one non spicy entree.

Jeremy A.

Yelp
Stopped in here to grab takeout since I didnt have time to eat in. I got the Schezuan Farmers Chili Chicken it was incredible, the mala flavor was intense and perfectly made, parking is plentiful since its in a strip mall and I cant wait to go back. Things im looking forward to try Next time! Bamboo flounder Dan Dan noodles Scallion pancake Schezuan dumplings

John B.

Yelp
[Coronavirus review] During corona, they are presently doing takeout by various online apps. I used their preferred app, qmenu, which resulted in my order being ready in a timely fashion but I paid in store (the app won't let you), which probably saves them money. This is a very anonymous-looking strip mall joint; there are probably a thousands of Chinese restaurants in strip malls that offer a generic American Chinese menu which is fine but not anything to write home about. This is not that. This one actually specializes in one of the major cooking traditions: Szechuan, which happens to be my favorite. They're the real deal. A proper ma po tofu is visibly drowning in oil and mixes the flavors of chili, black pepper, and Szechuan peppercorn (which cases a bit of a numbing tingly sensation). Three things we call pepper, three very different tastes. Virtually every Chinese takeout in the country offers something called ma po (or grandma, or szechaun style) tofu, but it usually has only one of the three (the chili) if that. Here, the full mix of flavors came through, and it definitely lights up the tongue. The ancillary dishes I got were impressive too; the wood ear mushrooms are probably something that requires a leap of faith for some eaters, but trust me, they have a nice crispness to them and take the flavor of the sauce well, and those little peppers they come with are fantastic. Unlike some of the more authentic Chinese restaurants, these guys are pretty vegetarian-friendly. The only real negative I had on them was portion size; there was clearly room for more ma po tofu in my takeout container (and even if they charged a dollar or two more I'd be quite happy if they filled it). The dumplings I got were nice, but again not a ton for the money. That being said, if the question is would I drive an hour and pay them the same money again for the same food the next time I have a craving, the answer is yes.

Prasad V.

Yelp
Such a nice find. The restaurant is in a small strip mall in deep Raleigh. So it's a good distance away from my home. However, I would say the drive is worth it. We ordered the dry broccoli Stryker, ma po tofu, eggplant, and veg fried rice. All vegetarian dishes. They had a good selection to choose from. The broccoli was crisp and the seasoning blend was perfect. It was an easy eat. The eggplant was extremely tasty and a great accompaniment to the equally good vegetable fried rice. The Ma Po tofu was the right spice level. It is a schezuan restaurant so I had this worry about how spicy it may be. All the food was tasty and did not have unmanageable spice levels. The service was quick, the quantity of food was great and pretty reasonably priced. We will go back.

Julie W.

Yelp
Oh man, the food here is still good but after seeing a huge cockroach crawling around and dead flies all over the floor.. I think my husband and I are going to have to find another Chinese restaurant to eat at. If they could only spray a simple pesticide at the entryways that would deter them..

Holly K.

Yelp
Yesss! Finally some super delicious Chinese food that you can eat in or get delivered. The parking lot isn't much to look at, but once you step inside it's a whole different story. They really transformed the interior. It is bright, modern, and clean (check out my pics). Definitely not the aesthetic you see at most Chinese restaurants in the area. Since it's Szechuan food it definitely lends itself to spicy dishes, if you aren't crazy into spice like myself you can still find plenty deliciousness. The Szechuan chili wontons are my favorite. Just super delicious! My other favorite is the dry fried green beans (the menu says the dish has mushrooms too, but it doesn't and that is fine by me since I dislike mushrooms). Get them, trust me!! My husband was obsessed with the sesame chicken, he said it's the best he's had in Raleigh. The scallion pancake was also a tasty staple. I also really loved the Chongqing fried chicken. Now, that dish has three chilli pepper spice level, it had heat, but if you didn't eat the peppers and stuck to the perfectly crisp chicken you'll be golden if you aren't into super spicy foods. I also enjoyed the sizzling beef and lo mein. But compared to the other flavorful dishes I'll probably skip the lo mein next time. They also served us a complimentary hot and sour soup. I've never had this kind of soup before and I'd definitely order it on a cold day. The lunch specials look like a great deal, I'll be keeping that in mind for the future. If you are in the mood for Chinese food head on over to Chuan Cafe, I hope you like it as much as I do!

Herman S.

Yelp
Drove nearly an hour for this place due to the reviews. Was quite disappointed. Everything was overly salty and the shrimps are very small. No one in our party said they wouild go back. The place seems to do better business as take out especially for ubereats etc, as there was only one other table filled and then we were the only ones in the place. Not too clean, either! I feel bad writing this, but I always appreciate honest reviews. I give them an extra star for being nice, and the sauteed string beans were the highlight of our meal. Also, if you like old fashioned sweet and sour, the Pineapple Fish hits the spot.

Jay L.

Yelp
Love their eggplant dishes. I was blown away by the hot and sour soup. Did expect that. Great prices and you really can't go wrong with the menu.

Samantha W.

Yelp
Tried this place for the very first time and was not disappointed. We tried many things: - Eggplant in spicy garlic sauce - Chongqing chicken - Double cooked pork belly - Dry fried broccoli (a group favorite) - Vegetable dumplings Everything was super flavorful and tasty! The service was nice and we definitely would return!

Lalitha V.

Yelp
My husband is a hardcore Chinese food fan. We decided to go for lunch and knowing him I picked this place reading all the raving reviews on Yelp and it didn't disappoint. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers! The area is in a very small old strip mall in Raleigh. Location wise it isn't the best but food wise it is definitely a must try. Since it's Szechuan i was worried about spice level, but they did an awesome job reducing everything to our spice level and still maintaining the perfect flavors. Loved it!! For main course we ordered: Dry fried Broccoli - yum! Main Course Mapo Tofu Eggplant in garlic sauce Vegetarian fried rice Omg! These were so good! The portion sizes were great for the price and we had a lot of leftovers to take back home. Overall you are seriously missing out some real good Chinese food if you don't try it people. So go grab some!

Crissy A.

Yelp
The best thing that can be said about this place was that the sauces tasted fine. I ordered the sesame chicken and my dad ordered the sweet and sour chicken. Both came with grisly, overcooked, dark meat. The veggie spring rolls were all cabbage. We both paid to upgrade to fried rice and it was steamed rice with soy sauce. There was nothing else in it. We were the only people in the restaurant and it took them several minutes to take our order. Once they brought our food out they didn't come back for ten minutes to check on us and they didn't offer to refill drinks until we were leaving. I got up and went to the counter to pay, because they never brought the check. The man behind the register was on an iPad and didn't remember who I was until I asked to pay, even though we were the only ones in the place.

Dee C.

Yelp
This is our first meal in South Carolina. We flew in late and many of the restaurants were already closed. We came in around 7 and we were the only table before two other couples joined us. We ordered the beef brisket and tripe as appetizer, the pickled fish soup, and Chong Qing chicken. Overall, I would give a 6-7 out of 10 for authenticity. They gave their own little spin on the dish. For example, the picked fish, they put some sweet potatoes noodles underneath. The dishes were okay, not particularly outstanding. It was quite salty for all the dishes. The chicken had a lot of batter in it. The service was great though. The waiter was nice and he came often to fill up our drinks.

Purple M.

Yelp
Yum yum! Very Authentic, I love their dry hot pot! Also get the cold appetizer of beef tendons and eat with rice. My absolute fave! It's smothered in chili oil and cilantro!