Food was good service was good. A bunch of Asian ppl there the second u walk in only a few of the servers speak English but other then dat everything was great!
Reviewed by:
C K. on:
3/25/2013 3:42:00 AM
Fun place to go and get a hot pot with friends.
Reviewed by:
Sooshi K. on:
3/17/2013 11:34:00 PM
Seeing all the great reviews, my friends and I checked out this place. However, wasn't sure if we ordered the wrong food (do not get the tea smoked duck..) but the food wasn't too memorable. After checking in we tried to ask for the free dumplings and the staff said they don't speak english and ran away..... seems like I need to bring a mandarin speaking friend next time.
Reviewed by:
Jon Z. on:
3/15/2013 10:13:00 PM
This is a newer restaurant in Chinatown that I haven't tried until recently.Think of it as similar to Han Dynasty but geared more towards the Asian crowd. The Chinese menu has more items than the standard English menu. The food is spicy and good and the portions are nice and big!Their version of Dan dan noodles is comparable to Han Dynasty.The thing this place has over Han Dynasty is a more diverse menu with more of the "regular" asian dishes that are not crazy spicy like Han Dynasty.The prices are cheap and the portions are for sharing!
Reviewed by:
Ben W. on:
3/11/2013 3:23:00 PM
Never ordering their hot pot again.We were lucky to have a reservation, and my friends and I were immediately seated upon entering. We came in knowing we wanted the hot pot, and took out their order form and placed a bunch of orders. We got a wide range of ingredients, including meats like beef, pork, lamb, shrimp, and fish, as well as smaller add-ons like shrimp and fish balls, fried tofu, and assorted veggies. We decided to go with the half-and-half pot to satisfy those at the table that wanted some spice!The burner was quickly brought and within 10 minutes we had a boiling pot of broth at our table. This is where the experience went downhill. The chicken broth side was a little on the bland side but got the job when it came to cooking things. Unfortunately, the spicy side was almost inedible. NOTE: I am a huge fan of spicy, especially Szechuan peppercorn spicy, which was one of the bases of the spicy broth. Not only was it way too spicy (hurt just to touch), there were so many peppercorns, chiles, and seeds that you had to take a minute brushing off each food item just to make sure it wasn't going to kill you. And forget about vermicelli. When we pulled it out, it basically had peppercorns on every strand and was way too much trouble to try and clean. I was crying and sweating and my face was beet red after the first five minutes of eating. And my stomach wasn't happy the next day :(As some reviewers mentioned, E Mei's hot pot is also a little on the pricey end, and they weren't joking. What would normally cost me ~$5-6 per person to make at home cost me $27 for an even less-satisfying experience. Call me spoiled, but I would much rather go down the street to Asia Supermarket and pick up just about any of the ingredients on the menu for less than a quarter of the price.I will say though, I have been before for their regular menu items which are much more reasonable (in price and in spice level). I would definitely consider coming back again for those, but with Han Dynasty right down the block from me now, it would only be if I were already in Chinatown.Overall, very dissatisfied, especially since a lot of my friends had raved about the hot pot. For those of you with burners, just stick to those and be happy. Save your mouths (and your wallets.)Pros: authentic spice, varied menu, free appetizer with Yelp check-in!Cons (all dealing with hot pot): price, spice level, experienceDishes to skip: hot pot (especially the spicy broth. Unless you have a death wish.)
Reviewed by:
Hari D. on:
3/8/2013 8:02:00 AM
This is my favorite restaurant for authentic Szechuan food. The place is usually crowded around dinner time, but the service is fast and above all, the food is really really good. If you like spicy food, they have some really nice food. Being a vegetarian is not a problem either - their MaPo Tofu and their Vegetable fried rice are simply out of this world!
Reviewed by:
Rina G. on:
3/5/2013 8:14:00 PM
The best Chinese restaurant in Chinatown . The food is really good and fast and tasty and reasonable pricing. What else is to ask for
Reviewed by:
Margaret B. on:
3/4/2013 12:23:00 PM
Best Chinese food I've had. Even though reviews were excellent, it was an unexpected taste sensation (as long as you love spicy food). We arrived on a Sunday evening around 7 to a packed house...after about 15 minutes ( enough time to peer at what was on tables and peruse the menu), we were seated with apologies from the owner for having to wait. We must have hit rush point as within 10 minutes after being seated there was plenty of room. We definitely over ordered, but had trouble deciding. Hubby had to have hot and sour soup (quite good, but like nothing out of the ordinary) and I ordered cold eggplant with peppers which made my mouth water with tastes on the first bite. Also ordered the Chongqing Chicken based on a number of positive reviews...this was tasty but a little too much of fried fooD for us. What had our taste buds popping was the fish filets in hot and spicy pot, absolutely outstanding. Fortunately, we also balanced the meal with black mushrooms with bok choy to temper the rest of our meal. Fortunately we had lots to take home.I've eaten lots of Chinese food from China (mainland and Hong Kong), Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia to NY and San Francisco...but this was the best.PS...they do now serve beer and wine, at very reasonable prices.
Reviewed by:
Amy A. on:
2/26/2013 8:21:00 PM
One of the best restaurants in Chinatown. I've been to this place multiple times and I always come satisfied. It's also a BYO, so definitely feel free to bring all your beers and wine.Best dishes: Eggplant in Garlic Sauce, Sliced Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce, Griddled Cooked Pork RibPlease note this is a Sichuan restaurant, so the food is spicy! They also have non-spicy alternatives on the menu.I thought the service was above average because they were so attentive. They also give complementary peanuts, cabbage, and orange at the end.
Reviewed by:
Vivian T. on:
2/17/2013 4:49:00 AM
came here for Chinese new years. They had standard chinese but the BEST was the sichuan selection. it was AwESOME. super spicy- the kind of food that makes you feel like you are liquifying your insides while your face is on fire and you are sweating to death and yet you cannot stop eating it. The spicy hot pot was GREAT!! so yummy and so spicy.
Reviewed by:
Leo I. on:
2/4/2013 11:13:00 AM
Solid chinese food!
Reviewed by:
Beth B. on:
1/30/2013 6:55:00 AM
LOVE THIS PLACE. You know it's a good sign when you walk into a Chinese restaurant and the only people eating there are also Asian. I found E Mei on Yelp after coming out of the Car Show starving. We made the short walk over and got down to business.All 3 of us tried the Hot and Sour Soup and checked in on Yelp for FREE Dumplings in Hot Chili Oil. The soup was really good... piping hot, large serving, the perfect combo of hot/sour, and my favorite part- it wasn't too "gloopy" which is how I often describe Chinese takeout soups. I'm a fan.We shared the Garlic Eggplant, the Chongquing Spicy Chicken, and the Kung Pow Chicken. All three dishes were fantastic. Like... we had tons of food and hardly any leftovers. The Chongquing Chicken was lightly breaded (not like Sesame Chicken at ALL) and chock full of hot peppers and dry, no sauce. The Kung Pow sauce and the Garlic Sauce which came with the Eggplant were both delicious.The food was AMAZING and the service was good- they were very ontop of their water pitcher game which is HUGE when eating Chinese, especially when it's spicy. I think the food was a little on the expensive side.After my boyfriend and I fought over the little tiny container of leftovers we had the next day... I realized I'll probably be coming back real soon.
Reviewed by:
Michael F. on:
1/23/2013 1:41:00 AM
Excellent food accompanied by weak service means an average rating with potential for much more...I came here with a friend a bit late on week night. The restaurant was nearly empty, with just one other table already enjoying their food. However, over the course of the meal, it seems none of the three servers were interested in helping us. We were greeted and provided hot tea, but had trouble getting their attention once we were ready to order. We split the Dan Dan Noodle and Beef Tendon with Spinach. Both were great - although the Dan Dan were not quite as nice as Han's. Flagging a server down for water or refills was difficult and when we were ready for the check it almost seemed like they were dodging eye contact. Weird, but thankfully not enough to ruin our meal. Given the number of places I have yet to try in Chinatown, I don't see prioritizing a return trip but may be back.
Reviewed by:
Kesi L. on:
1/16/2013 9:01:00 AM
Oh the smell of chili oil as you walk in, that delcious savory msg flavor. This place is delicious, compared to Philly stuff (I am a Los Angeles food snob...) and therefore 5 stars! So good! Tad expensive but not too bad overall.
Reviewed by:
Richie R. on:
1/7/2013 2:29:00 AM
Excellent food, definitely try the dumplings in hot oil. They are to die for! Decor is OK and service tends to be pretty standard for China town (ie. not great, probably interpretable is pretty rude viewed from certain standpoints...), but this is a place that I will definitely return to just because the food is so great!
Reviewed by:
Amanda G. on:
1/4/2013 10:51:00 AM
The Hunan Beef and General Tso's chicken were both NOT spicy (even though the menu indicated they were) but they both tasted good and were fixed with a little red pepper. The pork dumplings were pretty darn big and tasty as well.Next time, I will ask for extra dumpling dipping sauce and for extra duck sauce. They were skimpy with us this time!This is definitely our new go-to for Chinese food.
Reviewed by:
Percy K. on:
1/2/2013 2:54:00 AM
Food 4 stars! Despite giving this three stars I should say the entrees are worth 4. Somewhat standard American Chinese fare though I thought the entrees had more flavor and are more interesting than other similar restaurants! Would definitely go back. Casual.
Reviewed by:
Julie S. on:
12/29/2012 6:53:00 PM
YES, E MEI!We went for a very Jewish Christmas meal, and were pleasantly surprised by the whole affair. The service was warm and pleasant. How often can you say that about a restaurant in Chinatown?We got four dishes for two people - Why not. It's Christmas! - and all four were remarkable. Not a lick of brown sauce in sight and everything fresh with spot-on flavors.I was a fan of the two things I ordered - shredded beef with long hot peppers and dried string beans - and the gentleman liked what he ordered, which was smoked pork with garlic shoots (pork like thin slices of fatty bacon) and some kind of noodles with pork from the "special Szechuan" menu (which turned out to be soup noodles). The later reminded him of his childhood in Jamaica. I mean seriously. When was the last time a Chinese noodle soup reminded you of your childhood in Jamaica? This is special soup, people.E Mei does a really good job at being authentic enough for people who know the difference - the place was packed and 95% Chinese - while still remaining delicious to those of us who weren't raised with a Chinese grandma.
Reviewed by:
Aaron W. on:
12/16/2012 6:52:00 AM
I'm from out of town, and I feel very lucky that I stumbled across this place. If I lived here, this would be a regular stop.I started with Hot and Sour Soup, because it was cold out and then I found a checkin special on yelp for free Dumplings in Hot Oil. The soup was tasty in a way I hadn't quite had before. Both were very spicy, which I was happy to find. This is possibly the first truly Sichuan restaurant I've been to and the spice lived up to legendary heritage. The best part of my experience was the Chongqing Spicy Chicken. I ordered it only because of the very friendly waiters recombination and I and so very thankful that I did. Crispy, salty, spicy, and filled with flavor. I would say this place is a must try.
Reviewed by:
Julie H. on:
11/23/2012 7:16:00 PM
We came looking for hot pot and left very very satisfied.Upon hearing rumors that this place served DIY hotpot, we wandered in on a Friday night around 7:30pm. The place was PACKED and the three of us ended up waiting for 30 min, but all was forgiven when our half-spicy, half-not simmering pot was placed in front of us. The spicy side was seriously no joke - I think it was like 60% pepper. It was great to dunk the beef and pork strips into though, which came out tender and juicy with the perfect kick every time.I agree that E Mei is a little expensive for hot pot, but if it's one of those nights where you're just craving the stuff but don't have the materials, it's a great go-to spot.Just for kicks, I also ordered my standard Chinese restaurant dishes - sauteed string beans, hot and sour soup, and scallion pancakes - to see how E Mei measured up. The string beans were not as dry and garlicky as I would've liked them to be and were a little underwhelming. The hot and sour soup was appropriately sour and hot - no complaints. The scallion pancakes were delicious and I would definitely order them again.The service was exactly how I would expect service in a busy Chinese restaurant to be - just gotta be aggressive with those hand signals if you want something, no biggie.
Reviewed by:
Paige C. on:
11/21/2012 1:20:00 PM
Oh Chinatown...how you disappoint me. It seems almost every place I have tried here I keep expecting to have something awesome and unfortunately E Mei has continued my bad streak. The sauces on the dishes were sickly sweet and were thick and gloomy. The orange beef was so tough I literally couldn't even chew it. The dan dan noodles were okay- very spicy- but not much other flavor. The steamed dumplings were wayyy too doughy with an improper dough to meat ratio. Service was also pretty sketchy, I had to ask for water halfway through our meal and our waiter was pretty nonexistent during the meal.Bottom Line: I continue my quest for great Chinese food in Chinatown. This place is just no good.
Reviewed by:
Chris S. on:
11/14/2012 6:20:00 AM
Used to be my favorite restaurant, until...I found 2 maggots mixed in with my order of dou miao (pea shoots).Maggots.
Reviewed by:
Robert B. on:
11/7/2012 1:08:00 AM
Spicy and delicious. If you're in a Chinatown-restaurant-rut like I was, give this place a shot. Order their Chongqing (sp?) chicken. You'll be happy.
Reviewed by:
Nanzi W. on:
11/3/2012 6:40:00 AM
This is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. One of the most authentic Si-Chuan cuisine you can find in east coast (and only one in Philadelphia). The chef is from China and the sauce he makes are so good that sometimes I even take home just the left over sauce and save it for another meal.
Reviewed by:
Nan S. on:
11/2/2012 3:45:00 AM
not authentic enough. still very americanized sweet sauce kind of stuff in almost every dish.the fried fish ( is not fresh fish, half of it is the dried dough. very disappointed.
Reviewed by:
Yun W. on:
11/1/2012 4:30:00 PM
Great Szechuan restaurant in Chinatown. Food is comparable to Han Dynasty, but ambiance and decor are more traditional and down-to-earth (versus trendy). We came on a Tuesday evening when it was relatively empty and the wait staff was very attentive and prompt. They started us off with complimentary side dishes including sauteed peanuts and pickled cabbage/cucumbers, which was a nice authentic touch. We ordered Dan Dan noodles, Dry Sauteed String Beans, and Shredded Beef with Long Hot Peppers. All dishes were above par, and the Dan Dan noodles were especially tasty. The portions were good and the spiciness was reasonable. We also utilized the yelp checkin for the free order of dumpling in hot chili oil. Overall great food for a good price. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by:
John L. on:
10/25/2012 7:01:00 AM
Burning, painful, sweating, and o so goooooooood.If you are a spicy food lover and in particular Sichuan style. This is the end of the road for you in Philly, and after this place you'll ride off in to the sunset and the credits rolls on.The hotpot is true Sichuan style, and with the exception of the Lamb(which is put in some weird powder to keep tender) everything is fresh. Your standard Hotpot fare of intestine, tofu, different meat, seafood, and o there is some sort of green/crunchy thing which some call... Veggie?To me there is no Sichuan restaurant that can pass for being called such without having a passable Dan Dan noodles, and this place does not disappoint. I'd also recommend the Chongqing spicy chicken, and the Pork Intestine with numbing pepper.Be sure you're ready for Ma La spices. Because if not, this is not for the feint of heart, and uninitiated. This place is a primary hang out spot for Sichuan exchange students from China for a reason, and unless you want to embarrass yourself and be that guy crying at his table, make sure you prep yourself ahead of time.
Reviewed by:
Shannon L. on:
10/11/2012 6:16:00 PM
Spicier than Han Dynasty! But... still not spicy enough :P But I love their fried meats, and it's pretty cheap! It feels much more like the Chinese restaurants I'm used to, so it's really comfy, no pretenses. They seem to have a karaoke room as well, although I've never checked it out.I know there's a huge debate over whether E Mei or Han Dynasty is better, and they both have loyal followings. However, it really depends on what you're looking for, they have different specialties (and you'll find that even among the different Han branches). So give them all a shot and figure out what you like best from each, so you know the best place to got to to deal with your next craving!
Reviewed by:
Angie K. on:
9/13/2012 12:54:00 PM
I'll say it: I prefer E Mei over Han Dynasty (no hate mail, please).Han Dynasty has a cult following (which I understand), and I also think that place is very good. If Han Dynasty is the trendier, more "hip" place, E Mei is the more family-oriented, down-to-earth place.To start, you get some roasted peanuts and pickled cabbage/cucumbers. This screams authenticity.I like the Dan Dan Noodles here better: the peppercorns pack a better punch in less of a peanutty/viscous sauce. The Chongqing Spicy Chicken is crispy and tasty, the Double Cooked Pork is great, Cold Noodle with Spicy Sauce is refreshing, the whole Sea Bass in Hot Bean Paste is filling. I really haven't had anything bad here, and the portions are bigger than that of its rival.They also have the usual American Chinese: General Tso's etc., but skip these and go for the more traditional Sichuan dishes. You won't be disappointed!
Reviewed by:
Ula C. on:
9/9/2012 2:47:00 PM
This review is mostly for the hot pot here. E-mei is a restaurant that I frequent all the time, possibly the one I go to the most when I eat out. I've gotten the normal Szechuan fare here, but usually I come here for hot pot. This is the only place in Philly that I know that actually serves the cook-it-yourself hot pot and it is pretty yummy. One of my friends (who is extremely picky) raves about the soup bases - both the spicy and the non-spicy. We always get the yuan-yan (half- half). I would definitely recommend getting the fish and the pork balls for hot pot. The pork balls are different from the usual meatballs which are much denser. It is softer in texture and pretty tasty. They also give you a plate of free jew's ear, veggies, bean sprouts, pig's blood, pork balls, and some other stuff.The normal Szechuan food is pretty decent as well. This is definitely not a place for people who don't like spicy food.My only quips about the place is that it is a bit overpriced. It's possible that my friends and I are just pigs, because our bill usually end up being $20 -25/person for hot pot. That is pretty expensive for hot pot considering doing hot pot at home would usually come to under $10/person. Of course, I wouldn't know how to replicate the soup base here.If you are can handle spicy food and enjoy hot pot, this is definitely worth checking out. It's a true Szechuan experience.
Reviewed by:
Jonny D. on:
8/31/2012 7:34:00 PM
I'm usually bored silly by Chinese food, but that's because I haven't had the bold flavors of proper Szechuan Chinese before. Now that I have, I'm definitely going to come back.Nothing about the food here wasn't a kick in the teeth (and I mean that in the most appealing, delicious way possible). Even upon sitting, the asparagus stalks you are given for free are partially pickled in some delectably spicy brine (?).The sour cabbage and pork stomach stew led things off for us--a full meal for two at $6 with powerful flavors throughout. The food here has spice, but not a lot of it can be called spicy by the usual definition. Tears won't be running down your eyes, although you will definitely feel a kick. Szechuan spice has been described as both "cold" and "hollow" which are such bizarre descriptions that they prompted me to come here in the first place.After that we had the shredded pork with long hot peppers. Instant classic! Everything about it is awesome, especially the price (I had 3 meals' worth for $11!).Service was impeccable and everybody else nearby seemed to be having a hell of a good time too (the couple next to us ordered 5 dishes and had their entire booth filled with bits of everything). I want to come back here and try out the whole menu. I can't get enough of this spice profile.
Reviewed by:
Yiye W. on:
8/27/2012 4:10:00 AM
This is one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in chinatown. As a native chinese, I like to explore authentic Chinese restaurants and this one comes on top of my list.You will especially like it if you enjoy spicy food. Highly recommended are those speciality dishes on the menu with lots of spicy symbols next to it.
Reviewed by:
Tom L. on:
8/16/2012 4:30:00 PM
Loved this place from the minute we sat down. Plenty of help taking care of business. Water glasses filled, hot tea served, appetizers ordered and then our waitress stops by to order our dinner. Love it! I had the Fish Filet in Hot and Spicy Sauce and loved the non-fried option that was just spicy enough. My wife ordered the shredded beef with long hot pepper and it was blazing! I loved it (as a hot pepper nut) but my wife did have some trouble with the level of heat. Just a warning for those unsure.Steamed dumplings were great. Recommend.Cannot wait to get back.
Reviewed by:
Carol H. on:
8/4/2012 11:00:00 AM
The waiters were very attentive. I never had to wait long for my water to get refilled (which with the spicy food, it's a big deal!).I ate their "house special" chow fun and their Chong Qing spicy chicken. The chow fun was really bad. 1/5. The chow fun pieces were hard. And it was greasy.But the spicy chicken was nice and crispy. A little on the oily side but overall, very good and hot.I got a bowl of "boiled dumplings with hot oil" for free from checking in on the yelp app. I expected one or two dumplings but it was a full serving of 6-7 pieces.If I go back, I'll definitely be sticking to the spicy foods that they're known for.
Reviewed by:
Julie C. on:
5/18/2012 1:44:00 PM
Okay, I'm not really contributing much to the rating because E Mei is a solid four stars right now. But I will just state my experiences, yup.I've been to about maybe 5-6 different Chinese restaurants in Chinatown (let's say I'm not too experimental with my Chinese food) and E Mei is clearly the best. And maybe it's because I have a thing for food that has very strong taste. Szechuan, with its infamously spicy food, no doubt has very strong dishes.I've been here twice - the service is decent, nothing to write home about. But you should know what you want to order before you get there (authentic Szechuan dishes, the other reviewers covered this already), and skip the Americanized stuff on their lunch special that you can get cheaper pretty much anywhere else.Oh, the decor is alright, as people have mentioned, but the seats are kind of weird. My friends and I got a booth last time, and for some reason my seat had a hole in it. Not really a hole, but it wasn't connected to the wall and I had to put my bag on the floor. Not a big complaint, but kind of weird interior design since they've had the renovation.So the decor and the service is what takes it down to a four star for me. But overall, the food is very delicious and I would recommend the Shredded Beef with Long Pepper (I think that's what it's called). It's pretty spicy.
Reviewed by:
James L. on:
5/6/2012 1:04:00 PM
E Mei is where you want your authentic Szechuan food, if you know what to order. Not like Han Dynasty where most dishes are worth trying (and most of them tasted above-par), E Mei have some "must order dishes" and some dishes to avoid.Personally, I have been to this restaurant since its recent renovation on a monthly basis, the food quality has been consistant up until last weekend. Price has always been reasonable and their service was also good comparing to other Chinese restaurants.Recommendations:1. Chongqing Spicy Chicken (Fried popcorn chicken with LOADS of chili peppers)2. Griddle Cooked Intestine with Pepper (Fried pig intestine griddle cooked with potato and Chinese pepper)3. Fish Fillet in Hot and Spicy Sauce (Very spicy dish)Above-Pars:1. Wonton with Hot Oil (A traditional one, not fancy but good)2. Sliced Chicken in Hot Sauce3. Sliced Pork with Garlic Soy Sauce (Cooked pork belly dipped in garlic soy sauce)4. Dry Sauteed String Beans5. Sliced Beef and Tripe with Chili Sauce (Cold appetizer)6. Black Mushroom with Bok ChoySub-Pars:1. Fried Pork with Sweet & Sour Sauce (I ordered the "Fried Pork with Sweet & Sour Sauce" because my Szechuan grandpa used to make this delicious dish, but E Mei disappointed me with their performance)In conclusion, it is very clear that you shouldn't order something you'd see in an ordinary Chinese restaurant menu when you go to E Mei. Try something other than "Broccoli Chicken", "Sweat and Sour Pork", and "Chicken and Cashew Nuts". You'll be amazed by what E Mei has to offer.
Reviewed by:
Joyce L. on:
4/9/2012 5:58:00 AM
For an event on campus, the organizers ordered take-out from E Mei.Szechuan food with a good amount of spice. Had the string beans, bean curd, lots of different spicy meat, and fried rice. Everything had a great amount of spice and the fried rice was not oily. Looking forward to trying the restaurant!
Reviewed by:
Adrienne C. on:
2/21/2012 12:18:00 AM
I thought it was good, but still thought Han Dynasty was better. However, to be fair, we went to Han Dynasty with a huge group so I was able to sample much, much more than when I came to E Mei with the hubby.The beef with long peppers was, hands down, the best dish we tried. Dumplings in hot chili oil was also amazing. I actually wasn't a huge fan of the dan dan noodles - I thought the noodles at Han was better, although the hubby liked E Mei's version better.
Reviewed by:
Monica L. on:
2/7/2012 12:39:00 PM
I consider myself a snob when it comes to good Chinese food. I came here with a group of 50 people split into 5 tables and a fixed menu of over 10 dishes, which included:- Seafood Soup- Jelly Fish with Scallion- Sliced Roasted Beef- Beef Tendon with Hot Oil- Bamboo Shoot with Chili Sauce- Dried Tofu with Celery- Tea Smoked Duck- Mushroom with Vegetable- Rice Powder Steamed with Ribs- Whole Fish with Bean Paste- Braised Chicken with Chestnut- Sauteed Squash...and the only dish that was more than just "so-so" or simply edible was the ribs! I had such high hopes coming here, since I've heard several people mention that E Mei was comparable to Han Dynasty... but I think NOT.Also, terrible service. I saw the waitstaff accidentally pour the contents of dishes on the customers' belongings... which made me worry throughout dinner.
Reviewed by:
Bob Z. on:
1/17/2012 7:26:00 PM
E Mei is simply the best "honest-to-goodness", mouth-numbing, seriously spicy Szechuan restaurant I have been to in the U.S. It especially beats just about anything in Manhattan and/or Queens in my humble opinion. They say "good food transports you to another place and time" and E Mei reminds me precisely of the food I ate when I was in China a few years back. Even the atmosphere of the place is just like China. Brightly lit, spartan but comfortable tables and chairs and wobbly booths...this is a place for serious eating.No typical Chinatown fried noodles with mustard and plum sauce here either. Spicy pickled cabbage and cruciferous vegetables and roasted shelled peanuts come to you table instead to whet your appetite.One of the things that distinguishes E Mei's dishes from the wasteland of other so-called Szechuan restaurants is the liberal (and authentic) use of Szechuan pepper-corns in many of the dishes. The Szechuan pepper-corn actually slightly numbs portions of your tongue which opens your taste buds and simultaneously raises your spicy / heat tolerance levels. Trust me, you will taste tastes, flavors and nuances you did not think were there. Beer suddenly tastes sweet and so does the rice!You cannot go wrong with Dan Dan noodles, Spicy Beef, Ma Po Bean Curd (ask for it "ma la"), Chongqing Spicy Chicken, Steamed Pork Belly, Fish Fillet In Hot And Spicy Pot, and especially the Spicy Pork Stew (with duck blood!). The last dish is sort of like a parts department stew made with "everything else" from the pig except the oink. It also included fish...Go figure! The duck blood which I was initially squeamish about was great and reminded me of a very delicately flavored sausage. It was delicious and not at all minerally like morcillio, boudin or other blood sausages can be. Have this stew on a cold wintery day and you'll be able to begin you own Long March without fear of going hungry or cold.The staff is great and I come here enough that on many occasions I simply let them order for me - now that's a place you can trust! The prices are pretty good too, and at lunch they're even better because they have a fairly extensive lunch menu offering. Everything here is "hen hao chi!"
AVG:(5.0)
