Jea Kim
Google
Amazing Dan Dan noodles and Twice Cooked Pork, everything else just decent.
Heard rumors that this place was one of Boston’s top 10 Chinese restaurants, so my friend and I stopped by for lunch to see what the hype was about. Honestly, aside from a few, most of the menu felt like pretty standard Sichuan fare.
Their two most popular dishes—the Dan Dan noodles and Twice Cooked Pork—were genuinely excellent. The noodles might be the best I’ve had in Boston: chewy, al dente strands tossed with savory minced beef that had these crisp, caramelized edges. Twice Cooked Pork is a dish I always order when I try a new spot, but the one here was the first time I’d seen it made with thinly sliced potatoes. It worked. What really made the dish, though, was the fermented black beans. That intense, funky saltiness really added dimensionality to the dish and elevated the pork’s fat without overpowering it.
Everything else we tried was fine. The Mapo tofu was solid—nothing to rave about, but comforting and familiar. But the air-fried crispy duck? Should’ve known from the five-minute turnaround. It came out lukewarm, aggressively salty, and had a strange ham-like flavor. Some pieces were so dry they might as well have been jerky. If the intention was “duck ham,” then mission accomplished.
The beef tripe with source came cold, layered over roasted eggplant and meant to be dragged through chili oil. It felt more like a starter than an entrée, though it was priced like one. Not bad, just not memorable. The fish fillet with fermented mustard greens was exactly what we expected—tender fish, tangy broth, no surprises.
Boston’s Sichuan scene has improved a lot in the past couple of years, so I’m not sure if this place still holds the title as top 10. It definitely has a more family-oriented vibe—less student-heavy than places closer to Allston—which makes it a nice option for a casual lunch or dinner with family. I don’t think I’d go out of my way to try more, but wouldn’t mind coming back for the noodles and the pork.