EMei 峨嵋
Chinese restaurant · Chinatown ·
Fiery Sichuan specialties, gluten-free and vegan options
Fiery Sichuan specialties, gluten-free and vegan options
"When the dry fry arrives at your table, it comes with the burning flame still roaring. And when the server opens the lid, you’ll hear the sizzle of the bright red chilis. The dish is literally telling you that it’s hot as f*ck.But the golden, crisp-fried nuggets of fish look so good, you ignore the warning. With each crispy, onion-y chopstick-full, it goes from a tingly dish to one that triggers impromptu breathing exercises. The relief is that theChinatownspot has a full bar and a citrusy tequila cocktail to temper some of the heat. Just just have three or four of them, and you won't feel anything anyway." - Candis R. McLean
"If someone asks us where they should go for the best Szechuan food in the city, we always tell them EMei. It’s sleek and spacious inside, with robots wandering around the dining room and tables that can fit all of your friends (and enemies). Plan on sharing everything, like the crispy whole sea bass in a sticky glaze, mapo tofu, and pea leaves." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"Emei brings the Sichuan heat to eaters of all stripes: The bulk of its food is naturally gluten-free or available that way at your request. The casual Chinatown restaurant also clearly designates its gluten-free dishes, like egg drop soup, dan dan noodles, and kung pao chicken, with symbols on the menu." - Ernest Owens
"For Sichuan dishes like Chonqing chicken, a perfectly executed mapo tofu, or beef noodles in a spicy Sichuan broth, EMei is a go-to. There are also items like a choose-your-own-adventure sea bass, as well as a range of offal dishes. Inquirer critic Craig LaBan calls it one of his favorites in the city." - Ernest Owens
"Come for the mapo tofu, stay for Chongqing spicy chicken and sea bass in Sichuan chile oil. If you’re looking for gluten-free dining in the city, the bulk of EMei’s food is gluten-free or available that way at your request." - Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme