Lao Sze Chuan

Chinese restaurant · University of Minnesota

Lao Sze Chuan

Chinese restaurant · University of Minnesota

2

304 SE Oak St, Minneapolis, MN 55414

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Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
Lao Sze Chuan by null
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Highlights

Authentic Szechuan cuisine: numbing spice & bold flavors  

Featured in Eater
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304 SE Oak St, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Get directions

orderonlinemenu.com
@laoszechuan_mn

$20–30 · Menu

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304 SE Oak St, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Get directions

+1 612 886 3906
orderonlinemenu.com
@laoszechuan_mn

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 12, 2025

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@eater

The 13 Best Chinese Restaurants Around the Twin Cities

"Also near the University of Minnesota campus, Lao Sze Chuan is a great place to share chilled, tangy Szechuan noodles; tea-smoked duck; and steaming beef soup, infused with spicy chili oil. Lao Sze Chuan’s appetizer list is notable, too — order some green bean jelly and spicy and sour squid for the table." - Eater Staff

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-chinese-restaurants-food-dim-sum-hot-pot-in-the-twin-cities-minneapolis-st-paul
View Postcard for Lao Sze Chuan
@eater

13 Outstanding Chinese Restaurants Around the Twin Cities

"Also near the University of Minnesota campus, Lao Sze Chuan is a great place to share chilled, tangy Szechuan noodles; tea-smoked duck; and steaming beef soup, infused with spicy chili oil. Lao Sze Chuan’s appetizer list is notable, too — order some green bean jelly and spicy and sour squid for the table." - Eater Staff

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-szechuan-chinese-restaurants-twin-cities
View Postcard for Lao Sze Chuan

Emily Lu

Google
We first visited the restaurant for dinner last Sunday night. The dishes came out super fast and tasted great! We ordered three dishes, and the spice level and ingredients were all perfect. We were really happy with the service and satisfied with our meal. One dish that stood out to me was the deep-fried eggplant tossed in salted egg yolk (金沙茄子). I loved the taste—the exterior was slightly crunchy, while the inside was chewy, perfectly coated in flavorful salted egg yolk. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to order the same dish again for takeout five days later. Unfortunately, the second experience was completely different, and I was extremely disappointed. As you can see in my last two photos, the eggplant in the takeout container was slimy, overly oily, and barely had any salted egg yolk, which should have been the main flavor of the dish. It wasn’t deep-fried or crispy at all—just soggy and drenched in oil. I paid the same price for this dish ($18.95), but the second one was nowhere near worth it. In fact, it even gave me a stomachache! There was a huge difference in quality between the two experiences. Hopefully, if I decide to order it again, I’ll get a better-prepared version—if I dare to try!

Zent Kitjaphiwatwong

Google
This is one of the best Chinese restaurant near UMN campus. The food is amazing and very authentic. The server is also nice and the atmosphere is very relaxing. Me and my friend ordered 麻婆头伏,红烧肉 and 弄哦脸牛肉。 At first, we came without any expectation due to restaurant limitation on Thanksgiving day, however, I think it is definitely a place I would love to come back again in the future. It might be a little intimidating when looking at the menu because there are many options to choose from the menu, you can always ask the server what the best recommendation for you!!

Peilin Li

Google
The *Twice-Cooked Pork* is both crispy and flavorful, with a delightful combination of textures that keeps every bite interesting. The addition of Lao Gan Ma chili sauce brings a rich, spicy, and aromatic layer that enhances the dish’s overall profile. The onions and scallions are more than just side ingredients—they provide a refreshing balance, cutting through the richness of the pork and keeping the dish from feeling overly heavy. The *Egg Fried Rice* is impressively authentic, with fluffy grains evenly coated in egg and a perfect balance of seasoning. It’s a simple yet comforting side that pairs seamlessly with the bolder flavors of the pork. As for the *Egg Drop Soup*, it’s impressively thick, with a velvety texture that feels rich and satisfying. The flavors are light yet savory, making it a soothing complement to the meal. Overall, each component of the meal was thoughtfully prepared, striking a perfect balance between bold flavors and comforting staples. The dishes work well together to create a dining experience that is both exciting and familiar. Whether you’re looking for something indulgent or comforting, this menu won’t disappoint. The service was exceptionally warm and attentive, adding to the overall dining experience. The dishes were reasonably priced, offering great value for the quality and portions.

yuhang yang

Google
The food is authentic and delicious, the quality of the fish is decent, they are fresh. This restaurant offers authentic and flavorful dishes, with the standout being the crispy fried chicken seasoned perfectly with spices and garnished with fresh scallions. The spicy fish hotpot is another highlight, with tender fish immersed in a rich, fiery broth. The clean and modern dining area creates a welcoming ambiance, perfect for small gatherings or casual meals. Service is efficient and friendly, adding to the overall positive experience. Whether you’re looking for bold flavors or a cozy spot to enjoy Sichuan cuisine, this place is worth a visit. Highly recommended for spice lovers!

Qinghong Fan

Google
I had an excellent dining experience at this Chinese restaurant! The dishes were authentic and flavorful, with a perfect balance of spices and freshness. The service was prompt and attentive, ensuring everything we needed was taken care of. The ambiance was warm and inviting, making it a great place for both casual meals and special occasions. I particularly enjoyed the sour soup beef, it was simply outstanding! Overall, a fantastic spot for anyone looking to enjoy delicious Chinese cuisine. Highly recommended!

Ethan Austin

Google
I grew up eating a lot of Chinese food back home, so I loved how familiar and comforting the food and atmosphere of this place was. I ordered the Singapore rice noodles combination, which tasted amazing and was very fulfilling. It used a blend of authentic spices unlike anything I’ve ever tried from any of the other restaurants nearby. And to top it off, it arrived very fast! The service was also top notch. The servers were very nice and helped translate some Chinese that I didn’t understand. I would love to come again!

Junjie Gao

Google
Our meal at Lao Sze Chuan Chinese restaurant has been nothing short of delightful, with each dish offering something unique and memorable. The Spicy Chicken is a standout, with its crispy texture and vibrant, fiery spices that create a burst of flavor in every bite. It’s the perfect dish for those who enjoy a little heat. The Salt and Pepper Ribs are equally remarkable—juicy and tender on the inside, while the crispy coating is perfectly seasoned, making it a true comfort dish. The Stir-Fried Green Beans bring a fresh and smoky touch to the table. They’re cooked to just the right level of doneness, with a satisfying crunch and seasoning that enhances their natural flavor. Every dish reflects the bold, authentic taste of Sichuan cuisine, making this a dining experience we’re eager to share and recommend to others.

Chenfei Peng

Google
I had an amazing lunch at Lao Sze Chuan in Minneapolis. The restaurant has a warm and welcoming environment, with a clean and cozy interior that immediately sets the mood for a great dining experience. The service was exceptional—the server was friendly, attentive, and made sure our needs were met throughout the meal. We ordered the house special Chicken Xinjiang style, and it was fantastic! The dish was flavorful, with just the right level of spiciness to suit my palate. It’s clear the chef takes pride in crafting authentic Chinese cuisine. Every bite reminded me of the genuine taste of China. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a truly authentic Chinese dining experience!
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Will T.

Yelp
Chinese-American here. This is the best and most authentic Chinese place I've had in Minnesota and the food here is just as delicious and familiar as the dishes I've enjoyed during my six years in Beijing. I see a lot of negative reviews here from native born Americans who seemingly are used to being served an Americanized version of Chinese cuisine and are surprised by the unfamiliar flavors or wide array of exotic choices. If authenticity is what you want, you cannot get better than Lao Szechuan or Tea House in Minneapolis. If you prefer the more familiar "Chinese" flavors in America, you'd be better served by visiting Panda Express or Leann Chin. Furthermore, the $12.99 lunch special of an entree + fried rice + your choice of soup is an absolute bargain. I've been going here during my daily lunch breaks and will continue to do so, so long as they keep honoring the Szechuan culinary tradition.
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Ellie B.

Yelp
Really great Chinese food in the Twin Cities! We had crab rangoons as an appetizer and then we had orange chicken and sesame chicken for lunch. You can definitely tell the place is a little older but the people working there are so kind!
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Sandy X.

Yelp
Wow! If you want flavor, come to this place! I repeat come here. We ordered the Dan Dan Noodles. I give it 4/5. The thinly sliced Green Peppercorn Beef Noodle Soup. I give it 3/5. Forget me Not Chicken appetizer. I give it 5/5. Pork Intestine Schezuan Style. I give it 3/5. I thought service was fine. Staffs were welcoming and attentive to us. The place was clean and organized. Absolutely will be going back!
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Maikey M.

Yelp
Nice ambiance with great spacing and lighting, appreciate how bright and shiny the restaurant feels. I went here to see if I can finally find a Chinese restaurant Szechuan style-with Sichuan pepper corn where it leaves your mouth numbing and spicy. This place did not holdback the essence of Szechuan cuisine flavor like most Chinese Szechuan restaurant on the sichuan peppercorn flavor. Finally my mouth was numbing, and the flavors were very good. Order a variety of food with sichuan peppercorn flavor. Food: Forget me not chicken - cold chicken in cut pieces with sichuan peppercorn spices -very good with well balance of flavors and numbing goodness Cold bean jelly with Sichuan style : Szechuan pepper corn with spices on cold jelly slices - very light and flavorful numbing goodness.jelly takes any flavor you add to it. Spicy pork intestines Szechuan style: pungent funky goodness of pork intestines (some might not Like it) in Szechuan spice sauce with lots of red chili peppers- very good Dan Dan noodles: not your typical Dan Dan noodle with sesame paste, chili oil, black vinegar, soy sauce, but it's more of a black bean sauce on the sweet side - did not have pickle greens or Mustards- came with scrambled eggs . It was good but not your traditional Dan Dan noodle flavor Green peppercorn Beef: this one with green pepper-(the fresh version of Sichuan peppercorn before dried and store- to the pink color we know of ) very floral fragrance, super numbing spice , not too spicy , in a soup base with thinly slice beef , enoki mushrooms, glass noodles, shiitake mushrooms. Couple spoon of this soup will make your tongue and mouth go numb. Very good spicy numbing soup but on the light mouth feeling. Green hot Tea: good green tea, not on the cheap side like most Chinese restaurants - appreciate it. Would recommend for those looking in the twin city for that Szechuan style cousin for the numbing "Ma an La" taste in Chinese cuisine. Would go back again for the full flavor explosion. My only critique-(like most Chinese menu) the menu is extensive and hard to choose! Please my advice and suggestions to find what this restaurant does well- order Szechuan style cuisine of the menu- do not order the typical or stereotype dishes like sesame chicken, kung Pao chicken, beef noodle soup dishes, orange beef or chicken, Mongolian beef , beef and broccoli, PLEASE order what they are known for Szechuan style cuisine (spicy food region of China). You have been ADVISED or you'll be disappointed.....like the other reviews I have read.
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Taylor K.

Yelp
Lao Sze Chuan has the BEST crispy tofu. Been going here since college and still bring friends and family back for more!
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Pa V.

Yelp
I would say this is our go to place if we're looking for Sichuan flavored or mala style cuisine which features the Sichuan peppercorn paired with the dried chili giving it that numbing and spicy taste. Our go to is the Sole Fish Fillet with Mapo Tofu Flavor. For veggies- the green beans or pea pods are the basics for a reason. The menu here is pretty big so there is definitely going to be something here for everyone. Overall a bit oily but great mala flavors!
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Mary Y.

Yelp
This place... i dont really how to say it. I think the menu is just too big ! I understand there is a lot of things they can cook, but i really need to be minimize. The place had some people, it was very active area for people who know what they want. The place gives out a lively chinese vibe. But the food wasnt it. The service was ok. They didnt refill my water as often. The food... gosh i dont know where to start, but i do want to start by saying the noodle doesnt have a lot of flavor. It just taste like water and noodle with meat. The second beef noodle... my friend did not enjoy it at all. It had a weird taste that made her wanted to vomit. The wonton was oka, but it had a cream cheese like filling and it was oka. The Mongolian beef was good and that was the only good dish within our choice. I dont think i will ever come back, maybe with future friend who knows what to order.
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Lavee Y.

Yelp
Lao Sze Chuan makes some of the yummiest Sichuan food. Sichuan food is savory and spicy the Sichuan peppercorn makes your tongue tingling. It's something to become accustomed to because most people are use to eating HK style food and American Chinese which focuses on salty and sweet flavor profile. I enjoy the mapao tofu and sichuan boil fish. I always order these two!
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Yvonne H.

Yelp
Great experience. High expectations with the "America's best Chinese food" claim ;-) I really enjoyed my noodles, but the pepper beef was the star! Amazing. Just the right amount of heat, and the mushrooms and bell peppers were cooked just right. The beef made for a great breakfast the next day. The staff was wonderful. Not as "attentive" as you'd expect from a typical restaurant, but it was very authentic. I initially chose pork only for the waiter to come back with "get beef, it's better". We thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Kaylee L.

Yelp
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! The waiter was such a cool guy, offered us some of the most popular and delicious menu items, and was going above and beyond to make our first experience at this restaurant a great one! My husband and I commented on how this reminded us of our trip to Chinatown in Chicago because of the authenticity of the food! The pork short ribs were to die for and the Szechuan wontons were very oily but oh so good! The beef noodle soup was the chefs kiss!! This is now one of our new favorite restaurants!

Ziyu R.

Yelp
I ordered beef but they served me chicken, and when I ask they were like: this might be beef? Really, they don't even know what they are serving.
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Mary L.

Yelp
If you like mala spice this is the place to go! I love their Dan Dan noodles and their sole fish fillet with mapo tofu. This place is for spice lovers, but they do have non Spivey options too.
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Tonny Y.

Yelp
Amazing food! Everything is absolutely delicious! My favorites are the La La La bowls, eggplants, and the soup (I forgot the name of it, but it had pork and meatballs). The menu did have way too many options, but I suppose that's a good and bad thing. I've been a here a few times and service is typically good, but there's been a few times where service was poor. Overall, great place and is truly authentic!
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Andrew F.

Yelp
We went in on a Monday afternoon, the food was amazing and service was great! We got the dry chili chicken, green bean in garlic, Sichuan wonton, Peking dumplings, Sole in black bean and the dan dan noodle. Dry chili chicken is everything we wanted! Dry, spicy, crispy chicken with lots of Szechuan spice! Green bean with garlic is always a hit. Sichuan wonton were spicy and delicious. My wife loves the peking dumplings above all else. They have a nice thick dough with just the right amount of bite. Sole in black bean sauce was very flavorful and delicate, and last but not least, the dan dan noodles were fire too.
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Va W.

Yelp
Absolutely authentic Chinese food, very good sichuan courses, one of the best sichuan restaurants in MN area .
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Tatiana D.

Yelp
I feel bad giving this place such a low rating, but the food needs to be... tweaked. Possibly a new cook? I love hot and sour soup- thought I would try it from somewhere new. When I saw Dan Dan noodles on the menu, I got excited and got those too. When I looked at my food after getting home, I was disappointed to see regular old spaghetti noodles in the container. When I tried the dish, I was really taken aback. Overcooked noodles, no balance to the flavors. Basically just oily chili and mala. An unidentifiable, unappetizing, dried/chewy crunch from something (not chili crisp). Because I didn't want to waste it, I added peanut butter and Chinese sesame paste with some sugar, and turned it into cold noodles for the next day. The hot and sour soup was disgusting- It tasted simultaneously old (the tofu had become completely discolored), and very bland. Wasn't expecting this one to bomb, since it's a staple at every Chinese restaurant. I'll just chalk this experience up to supporting a local business, but I'm really leery of the positive reviews for this restaurant- Did we eat at the same place, or are they just being overly nice?

Alisa C.

Yelp
This is a great place to eat. The food was wonderful and the service very nice. The manager of the business is friendly and kind to us. Totally recommended!
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Yufei N.

Yelp
You could always count on Lao Sze Chuan restaurant. I've been to many of their restaurant in Chicago and Houston, their food are very consistent.
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Ann R.

Yelp
We came to Lao Sze Chuan to celebrate my daughter's 16th anniversary of her adoption day. The restaurant was recommended by her Chinese teacher who lived in China for 12 years and thought it represented the food there quite well. The lunch at Lao Sze Chuan was delicious and reminded us of our time in China in 2003. We were impressed with the extensive menu and variety of selections under each section (e.g., pork, chicken, seafood, hot appetizers, cold appetizers, beef). Some of the menu items were ones that we definitely would have seen in China, but were too ambitious for us to try - like pork intestine noodle soup or frogs. Yet, those menu items took us right back to restaurants we ate at in China where anything with a spine to the sun was something that could appear on the menu. So, we tried two appetizers to start off our meal: spring rolls and Zhong's dumplings. The spring rolls were lightly deep-friend and not greasy. They had a small amount of filling and a sweet dipping sauce. The Zhong's dumplings were lightly spiced with garlic and hot chili peppers. Our family ranges from not being able to eat spicy food to enjoying very spicy meals. The dumplings were something we all liked and would order again. We each ordered an entrée - chicken fried rice, Mongolian chicken, pork with garlic sauce, and pork shreds that were in a dark sauce. The entrees came one at a time which was a bit unusual. However, it gave us a chance to sample a bit from each person's entrée. In other Chinese restaurants, the meal is typically served with complimentary white rice. This was not the case at Lao Sze Chuan. We did have the fried rice to eat along with the other three dishes that had a sauce. They were fine without rice. However, the rice absorbed the sauce so we weren't wasting food. The chicken fried rice made the person who ordered it very happy since it didn't have big chunks of scrambled eggs like other restaurants put in it. There were substantial pieces of chicken and plenty of vegetables in Lao Sze Chuan's fried rice. The Mongolian chicken was liked by everyone. It was not spicy at all (which the person who ordered it knew). So, she was very happy that the meal was one she could eat without feeling like her mouth was on fire. We all agreed that the pork in a garlic sauce was one that we'd order again. There was a hint of spiciness to it and it the additional items in it perfectly complemented the pork and garlic sauce. The portions are VERY generous. Each entrée could easily serve two people. Next time we may not order as many entrees. That being said, it is nice to have leftovers to take home and have for some upcoming dinners and lunches. Parking was available in the Oak Grove parking lot across the street from the restaurant. Since we went on the weekend, it was only $2. Had it been during the week, the price looked like it would have been much higher. The only challenge with the restaurant was its information on its website which says that the Minneapolis location is closed. It isn't. That's the one we went to. It had customers who were dining in the restaurant as well as an extremely busy take-out and delivery business. We lost count of how many delivery people came in to pick up food that was ordered online. We also arrived too early - before the 11:30 a.m. opening time on Sundays. The wait staff let us come in and sit down at a table before it opened, though, and brought us water and menus. It was nice to get out of the cold weather and be able to take our time looking at the many items on the menu. We all agreed that Lao Sze Chuan is a restaurant that we will return to again.
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Kedar D.

Yelp
I love the Lao Sze Chuan "chain" (all the restaurants are fairly different) and was excited to see this one open in Minneapolis. Pro tip: Legendary Spice and Tea House have nearly identical menus and are only blocks away. Legendary Spice even shows up in Google searches when you type "Lao Sze Chuan Minneapolis." But neither of those are as good as the true Lao Sze Chuan. We got the crispy peanut with dried bean curd ($9) which is vegan by default and tasted pretty good. It mixes well with any dish. The dan dan noodles can be made vegan without meat ($7.45) but I was less impressed given the over-cooked noodles and limp sauce. The fresh garlic peapod leaves ($16.45) were excellent---fresh, flavorful and beautiful. Get this. Lastly, the chef's special dry chili tofu ($14.45) tasted okay, but not great. At the other Lao Sze Chuan locations, this dish has batter-coated tofu that's crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, served with a dry, savory seasoning. Here, the dish was just deep fried tofu in a semi-sweet sauce, more akin to kung pao. The service is friendly and the portions are large. I look forward to coming back. I think they're on the right track.
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Octavia V.

Yelp
Very good Chinese food! I love thé Sesame Chicken and the Chicken Egg Rolls. I will be coming here again
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Cindy S.

Yelp
Gave me the wrong order and didn't want to correct it . But great food . Highly recommend the food! Tastes exactly the same as the original restaurant in Chicago's China town. BUT they got my order wrong ! It's a lao Szechuan thing. Happened to me in a few different locations ( Illinois and MN) . This location, I got fried noodles and Szechuan chicken. The waiter repeated the order out loud and confirmed . However they brought out Fried rice and fried noodles !!! No Szechuan chicken!!! When I tried to explain, they didn't get it and because it was a hassle, I just ate what was given to me. Disappointed So I would order online next time and still double check before leaving the restaurant . I get the language difficulty. I don't mind that but the waiter repeated my order so there shouldn't have been any problem. Secondly, when the mistake was pointed out, they should have corrected it without arguing . Waitstaff was overall nice but you get the wrong order . Is it worth it ? For the food it is! Just be prepared to be disappointed when the wrong item shows up.
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Pamela Y.

Yelp
1st: the guy working there is not friendly and does not care if you order or not. He literally sees you walk in and stays sitting until you say something and says "oh you want to order?" 2nd: ordered the schezuan wontons and zhong dumplings - they both had the same sauce which was fine. More sweet than spicy. It is a good sauce. But there was less than a teaspoon of meat (see picture), a little ridiculous. 3rd: twice cooked pork was good and came with white rice.
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Kay K.

Yelp
Little Szechuan is a solid and consistent Chinese restaurant in Dinkytown. I've been for lunch, dinner, and late night eats. I don't think I've had a bad experience here. If you're looking for pretty decent Chinese food that won't put a dent in your wallet, then swing by for lunch on the weekdays where you will literally get a MOUNTAIN of food for $10. You choose between 2 or 3 very large scoops of an entrée (which they usually have 6-10 selections...veggies, fish, meat, all food groups well represented) and another heaping mound of rice/fried rice/or noodles. The plate feels like it weighs 3 pounds when they hand it to you! You will easily get 2 meals out of it. Or if you show great self control, then 3 meals. Little Szechuan is also good for large groups and if you desire some privacy, they have 2 rooms set aside just for that.

Alexa H.

Yelp
Amazing food!! The service is excellent and the workers make the restaurant have a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
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Sarah P.

Yelp
Was decent and see they try to get some good quality food and meat . Flavor was a bit toned down for what I usually like. Dan dan noodles didn't have much sauce . Its mild food .
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Ricardo M.

Yelp
well.. well... well.... Its not like it used to be... the service was very very slow!! the food took forever to be served, it was warm inside, the water was warm too, the food was good but not like before, this place used to be my favorite restaurant pretty much so, i hope the can manage like it used to be so that i can give 5 stars again.
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Harshada S.

Yelp
We went to this place because it's rates in top 50 restaurant. The menu has lot of options but it does not describe the dish. The ambience is good but I cannot say the same for food. The server was not able to explain the dishes due to language barrier but he gave us very good service. We got 15% discount with fries on the house! Appetizer: Never forget chicken - it was cold appetizer and tasteless! It tasted raw but we knew it's cooked. We barely touched the dish! It is bone in dish. If you can eat meat cold then you can try it. For me it was disappointing. Rating 2/5 Mains: House special spicy lamb: it was good but other restaurant do serve same or similar dishes. There was nothing special about the dish! Rating 3.5/5 Chef's special dry chilly chicken: it was very dry dish though name did indicate the same.only special thing in it was garlic and spring onions. For me the dish was so so. Rating 3.5/5 We had to park car a block away and walked to restaurant. Service: 4/5 Ambience: 4/5 Food: 3/5 Parking 2/5 I am not sure if I would like to go back. Hopefully menu is updated with description of the dish. Do try and update your experience.
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Cholan Z.

Yelp
I've been coming to this restaurant since I was very young, and I saw so many changes of their managers and food. I came with my friend, and we were blown away for the quality and quantity of the food. They even gave us a free appetizer of Mala French fries. They were so delicious that my friend asked me if we could order another one for free! We ordered two meat dishes and they cost only $38, and we only finished one dish. The flavor was wonderful and spicy! This is the best Szechuan restaurant in Minneapolis so far in my opinion. The atmosphere may be a little old feeling to me, but the waiters are exceptionally good at their job. Highly recommend, and one of the best Szechuan restaurant in Minneapolis, and perhaps the entire United States! 这个,真的OK的,挺早来这儿吃过,感觉OK,没有那么好,这次一来惊艳到了好吧。肥肠超级入味!!!然后红烧肉真的是入口即化!超级推荐,而且还便宜!!!!
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Alik W.

Yelp
I cannot speak for the more Westernized dishes (General Tso, beef broccoli, lo mein, etc.) that they carry, because there seems to be like zero reason to order those. Find the things on the menu that have chili pepper icons. Order them. Enjoy. The "hot pot" style dishes are particular winners. The pork and beef one, Szechuan Adventure, is a really interesting mixture of thin sliced beef, pork tripe (try it, it's like calamari), some type of sliced sausage, and lotus roots. I mean, seriously, lotus roots, when's the last time you've seen those? Cumin lamb was off the hook, perfect seasoning, as were the dan dan noodles. I was less impressed with the "plain" Chinese dishes, eg the sauteed bok choy, although those are a good option if you happen to have a spice-averse friend. It is expensive, esp for the U area. Easily $20+ per person unless you order under a dish each. You do also get two meals out of anything, portions are HUGE. A hot pot dish would feed 3 if you wanted it to. So price per actual meal is solid. They appear, as of this review, to be in the process of turning into a Lao Sze Chuan, i.e. an outpost of a national Szechuan chain. The good is that the menu will get even weirder, i.e. now you can get multiple varieties of crispy frog. The bad is that some of the unique menu items appear to be threatened.
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Milwaukee S.

Yelp
I spend about 2 weeks in this neighborhood / area every summer but never checked this place out. Due to Covid they were carry-out only when I was there in July. The food was fantastic. I will definitely hit them up again next summer.

Ilya K.

Yelp
Horrible. Stay away. Terrible food and. customer service. This place used to be called "Little Szechuan" and was a fine restaurant, I knew the owner and she truly cared about quality and cooking authentic Chinese cuisine. The place started going downhill rapidly after it was bought by new owners who adjusted the name slightly to run on the reputation of the previous restaurant. The name is where the likeness STOPS. The food is terrible, I ordered their signature dish "501, Spicy chicken with peppers" for $19, it was inedible, WAY TOO MUCH SALT and too dry, when I pointed it out to the waiter he just lied and said that it's the way it's supposed to be because it brings out the "flavor". He barely spoke English so it was useless arguing with him. I told him that I can't eat this and ordered a beef soup. It tasted like glue. I promptly asked for the check and wanted to leave, they charged me for BOTH dishes ( a total of $32) and didn't even apologize. Do yourself a favor and STAY AWAY from this place. The management doesn't care about serving you good or even eatable food, they just want your money and don't care about their reputation. Plenty of good food places on Washington Ave. just AVOID THIS ONE.
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Sheri S.

Yelp
I've been to this place because its conveniently located and is reasonably priced but would not recommend it. They have a CNN 50 Best Chinese Food in the US rating on their front door but don't let that fool you like it fooled me. Just do yourself a favor and keep moving. The University and Dinkytown area have plenty of options to choose from. I have two stars: One for location and two for their courteous customer service. I will admit they are pleasant folks but their food needs some improvement and the location is in need of a remodel.
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Allen H.

Yelp
The flavors here are actually pretty good. I ordered a beef noodle soup and also a hot and sour soup on the side. The broth of the beef noodle soup is savory and flavorful, so much so that I could drink it on its own. The beef noodle soup also comes with a massive amount of beef, just chunks of it everywhere - it was a pleasant surprise. The hot and sour soup had a good flavor profile, just the right amount of vinegar and a nice little heat. With how hard it is to find decent restaurants near campus, I will be back!
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Kevin O.

Yelp
I wanted to try this Dry Chili's Chicken, since it really looked delicious in the pics. Well it was tasty, just way over cooked chicken pieces with hot chili peppers. I literally had to hunt for chicken, because most of the food was just crispy skin like pieces. Now the Eggroll were pretty tasty, but they didn't give me any sauce for them. This was an Uber order that arrived on time. I'm just slightly disappointed with this food.

G G.

Yelp
This is a go-to restaurant for authentic Chinese specialties. Vast menu, many vegan options, fresh ingredients, large portions. Plan on leftovers! I never leave without also ordering takeout.
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Shawn C.

Yelp
It is very good food but kind of pricy! My food cost only 59 dollars, they plus tax and include 16 % tip , plus tip on tax with total to 74 dollars? When I sign my credit card, they ask to tip again? Be careful when you pay, double check your bill!
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Patti I.

Yelp
My husband and I came here searching for ma la (numbing and spicy) fish. To round out the meal, we ordered scallion lamb and dry cooked green beans. The food was good, but not up to the standards we've grown to expect now that there are several Szechuan restaurants in town. The fish was la (spicy) but missing much of a ma (numbing) quality, and it tasted sweet, which seemed odd to us (is the cook from Shanghai?) The green beans were excellent, but the scallion lamb was a little bland. Service was friendly and portion sizes were large. We had another meal from our leftovers, and it was actually better the food at the restaurant because once we got home, we added sichuan peppercorn powder to the fish and some salt, chili, and cumin to the lamb.
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Kenny N.

Yelp
Overall, Little Szechuan does satisfy the occasional yearly Mainland Chinese food craving. I visited the place two times and was somewhat satisfied with its offerings. These are some of the dishes that I've eaten: - Peking duck with wrap (2/5) - Diced fish with garlic sauce (3/5) - General Tso's fried tofu (3.5/5) - Twice cooked pork belly (3.5/5) - Dumplings with ginger sauce (3/5) The dishes are a-ok, but it is way too heavy for my liking. The prices for the dishes are also very expensive when compared to nearby competitors of Village Wok, Hong Kong Noodles, and Kowloon. Nothing against this establishment, but it did not align with my palate and college budget.
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Ellen M.

Yelp
Good sized helpings and fresh ingredients. I can see why CNN named it one if the 50 best Chinese restaurants. We shared the pan-fried dumplings to start then had the Mongolian beef, milky fried shrimp, and spare ribs. We also had a side of green beans, which were also tasty. Portions were large and staff was attentive.
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Tumi N.

Yelp
Just ordered takeout a few days ago from this place. Couldn't really understand the guy on the phone partially because of his accent (I'm Asian too so I get it, not his fault ) but also because he was being kind of rude. I just wanted to order and be out of his hair. Ordered mongolian beef that was pretty good! Everyone in the house liked it. Also ordered pea pods. & ordered spicy fish and tofu expecting a big fish and tofu, but the guy on the phone got our order wrong. he had no clue how to inform me that the spicy fish and tofu was now soup with anise seeds (not spicy just a lot of anise seeds in it) A family member went to pick it up, said the place was a small place not that busy but the guy who i assume I was also talking to, was not very friendly and kind of rude. We just moved to this area & were recommended this place but don't think we will return. we'll be going somewhere else for Chinese from now on maybe Hong Kong or shuang Cheng.

Vivian H.

Yelp
The service we received from these two older gentlemen were great (Saturday evening shift). We ordered their "boiled" lamb dish and it tasted like beef. I let them know that it was odd and they immediately went to check with the chefs and took responsibility of their mistake. I appreciated their honesty and how quick they addressed our concern. Love their attitude! Had to bring it down to a three star because their menu is sooOoOoO HUGE, so not everything will be winners. Their Fresh Handmade Peking Dumplings taste like Ling Lings from Costco :( other than that their garlic sauce eggplant, Jiao Ma Chicken, and the boiled lamb is delicious :D that boiled lamb is extra numbing (in a very good way) if that's something you like :9
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Sharon L.

Yelp
It's such an authentic taste of Chinese food here-- and what's my measure of that? They offer you warm boiled water there instead of iced, just like your grandma would. Ambience: Decent-- standard Chunese restaurant vibe, with sort of ragtag furniture. Not a fancy daye night location, but nothing to complain about. Parking: Yuck. This is the reason for the star off-- I get that there's notning to do about it, but parking on the university campus is just always such a chore. Food is totally worth it though. Service: Very prompt, and the staff was nice. Nothing stellar, nothing horrible. Bathrooms: Also decent. It was clean and neat, which is all you need. No ringing praise, but no complaints. Food: Ay, the important stuff, and it was delicious-- portions were also HUGE. My husband, who is from Sichuan, gives it a ringing endorsement for authenticity and level of spice. My Shanghainese palate was pleased, too, by some of the (less spicy) appetizers-- potsticks were good, as was the cold plate chicken. We ordered two apps and one main dish and had enough leftovers to make two more meals.
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Tad S.

Yelp
Did Uber Eats and was very impressed with the food quality. Really good Chinese food. The spicy ratings are more truly spice ratings, so mild may be too spicy for some. But it wasn't for me!
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Britta H.

Yelp
I ordered a few items and was disappointed by each. I read the reviews prior to ordering so I thought I'd be in for a good meal! Unfortunately I was left feeling gross and unhappy... And out 30 bucks. The fried noodles with chicken- all i could taste was oil. They were literally terrible. There was like 3 pieces of chicken in the entire box. The spring rolls- so mushy and nasty on the inside. Basically inedible. Crab rangoon- too much crab in my opinion, over stuffed too I hope the restaurant can make some fixes... I definitely am not ordering again.
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kim R.

Yelp
We learned about "crack chicken" on Chowhound and decided we needed to try it when in Chicago a couple years back. It WAS crack. Amazing stuff. And now, they have opened in Minneapolis!. We feasted on crack chicken as well as clams in black bean sauce. Fantastic. Nice to have a choice now for excellent Szechuan food!
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Naly S.

Yelp
NOT AUTHENTIC. Not even spicy. In every dish I ordered they didn't use enough of the dried chili and szechuan pepper corns to give you that tingly spicy burn that szechuan cuisine is supposed to give you. Crunchy diced chicken was more like flavored popcorn chicken that just can't be described as crunchy. The mapo tofu was ok. Not spicy of course and doesn't give you the tingle of the szechuan pepper corns. It was a waste of $55. If you're looking for authentic szechuan cuisine, this is not the place you want to go. If you're wondering how I would know authentic flavors between non-authentic. It's because I've had dishes made by people from the szechuan province in L.A. and in Vancouver B.C. This place is no where near authentic. Some of the dishes look authentic, but the flavor is not. I'm not sure if they changed the recipes to be geared more towards American tastebuds but this is not what I was expecting. Don't waste your time and money on flavors that aren't even close to the real thing.

Dominic T.

Yelp
We got orange chicken, Peking noodles, and pepper beef. All of it was pretty awful. The chicken was like eating fried freeze dried chicken. I've never had Peking noodles so hard to say but they were pretty uninspiring. Pepper beef was ok but I've had much much better. They aren't open for dine in so maybe the food just isn't fresh right now but it was really awful. I chalk it up to a donation to a local business.
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Ajinkya L.

Yelp
I don't think I've ever had a meal experience that has left me in rage and anger, but theres a first for everything... I went for the lunch buffet/deal which in the past has been pretty ok -- a good amount of food for an average price. But this time was different. There was, what I had originally though to be a shrimp shell in my lo mien, but upon closer examination I determined it to be a large piece of plastic shrink wrap from some type of sauce bottle. It was big enough to obviously miss and mistakes happen so I didn't make a big deal about it. But to make the visit just a little more awkward, we were seated in a back room, at a circular table for 8 with other customers, closed off from the main dining area and were given a pitcher of water as the waiters did not want to wait on us back there. So there was no waiting. None at all. Upon paying, I decided that since we were not given the service that was expected, I wouldn't tip. I mean who would the tip go to -- the nonexistent waiter, the pitcher?? After signing, the manger/owner took the check and demanded I write a tip. I shit you not kids, he took the check, looked at it and had the audacity to say " you need to write a tip for us.". I told him no, for the very reason that we weren't assigned a waiter. No waiter no tip. Once again he stated that if you eat here you need to tip. The whole "you need to tip" followed by a "no" from me went on for about 1 minute. I'm sorry if this is the dissenting opinion, but tipping will always be up to the customer. The waiter/staff/owner is never in a position to hold out their hand and demand the customer tips. Especially in times where no service was provided, expecting a tip is even more outrageous. 100% will not return.