Sichuan food in Beijing is not as good as Sichuan food in Sichuan, but there are still some really good restaurants around Beijing. Many foreigners are of the opinion that Chuan Ban is the best Sichuan restaurant. While, if you speak to Chinese people they will tell you that Feitang Yuxiang is the best, I have also heard good things about Ma La You Huo, but I have never been there. Ma La You Huo, is supposed to be even more in the Sichuan cooking style. But since I have only been to the big two and many smaller ones,I will only speak of those. Chuan Ban is good, but I don't know it is better than Feitang Yuxiang, but then again I didn't try their 水煮鱼(shui zhu yu), which is the real test of a Sichuan restaurant. A Sichuan restaurant is only as good as there 水煮鱼. Well, Chuan Ban's other food was good, it was not better than Chuan Ban's other food. If you go to Feitang Yuxiang, you must try the 水煮牛蛙, it is delicious. I will not tell you what it means, but it is spicy heaven.
When eating 水煮鱼. You must bite down carefully on the fish. If you are not careful, you will choke and probably die, because Chinese people don't know CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.
Also, when eating 水煮鱼, consider your beverage options careful. Many people will go with soda to combat against the spiciness of this beast. However, soda is not the best defense against this foe. Soda often makes the burning sensation in your mouth more intense. The best bet is water. But since water is normally boiling hot when served, it s not a very good option, unless you are impervious to third degree burns. The best option is actually beer, because it soothes and numbs at the same time. But this option is quit dangerous as well. Because the 水煮鱼 is delicious and irresistible, which means that you will consume it in mass quantities. The only draw back to the mass consumption means that the beer will flow down your throat like the golden rivers of the Mekong (whatever that means). And one will find themselves quite drunk and possible red in the face. So consider your options carefully. Oh yeah, there is also fruit juice option as well, but there was no downside to those options so I didn't write about them.
As you are eating the 水煮鱼, your lips and tongue may be come numb. Don't panic and scream, "they are trying to kill me they are trying to kill me." One, must Chinese people don't understand English and won't understand. Two, it is normal. It is the naturally toxins from the mercury in the fish you are eating. It will only cause slight blindness for a few days.
As If We Never Left
13 years ago
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