Szechuan Chef

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. Local favorite Chinese restaurant serves up bubbling hot pots and fiery noodle dishes in a Bellevue strip mall.

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willenajean

Joined 6 years ago

Our favorite Chinese food ever!. My husband and I tried Szechuan Chef after reading an article in Seattle magazine about it being one of the best new restaurants. Like others, we were skeptical of it's Bellevue, strip mall location, but it did not disappoint in the least bit! The food was superb. Everything tasted fresh and the food came to our table quite quickly. The garlic baby bok choy are a favorite, as is the mongolian chicken. Sometimes it can be a bit of a wait to be seated, if dining during peak hours, but otherwise is great.

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import25

Joined 10 years ago

Food was great. Don't Expect good Customer Service --- just like MOST Asian Restaurant. Food was great. Customer Service needs major improvement!

Waiter was not "polite". Appertizer came after main dishes were out. Took waiter a long time to get water for the kids (remember these are spicy food). Hot Tea was luke warm cold tea. We didn't complain right there and then because it is a Saturday nite and the restaurant was very busy. Nonetheless the waiter could have been more polite and courteous when serving. He had a attitude like "I DON"T want to be here working, it is so busy and here is the water and your food and stop bugging me!!". So we tip 10% instead of the normal 15% or more tips and the waiter while picking the check up, make a smart remark to another waitress "Guess how much!!!!" with a smudged look before we even got up from out table. We come to this restaurant with family/friends average once /week. Credit is due to the KITCHEN for sure BUT definitely NOT the servers/customer service. So enjoy your food but don't expect too much of a service. I will tip a quarter I am in the next time with a note saying "EXCELLENT food, lousy service". There is no excuse even if you are busy. The experiece got my wife really upset and the kids were not very happy either without any water for a while having spicy food.

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cjp1

Joined 6 years ago

Addicted in Bellevue. Somebody help me, I am addicted to this restaurant. They know me by name, I've offered to wash dishes for food!! I try something different EVERY time I dine here and it's all killer. Get adventurous, don't wuss out on Chow Mein, go for the whole fish, the szechuan crab, cumin lamb, smoked duck app. And if you see a shaky causasion guy in the corner with enough food for 6 people in front of him, it's just me! Seriously, I know Chinese food and this is the real deal.

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abslin

Joined 6 years ago

Best Chinese food on the Eastside!. LOVE this place! Coming from California, it's been hard to find comparable Chinese food here in the Northwest, but this place is a new favorite. I love Szechuan cuisine, and they have so many interesting spicy combinations! My ultimate favorite is lamb and tofu in spicy sauce. The hotpot here is great too - we get half picked vegetable soup, half spicy. Quality is great, always fills my authentic Chinese food craving.

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juliekb

Joined 6 years ago

Run, don't walk to this hidden gem!. This unassuming restuarant in a funky strip mall offers the best Chinese food you'll eat outside of the International District. My guy and I have eaten there more than a dozen times, always trying something new, and everything is consistently good. The atmosphere is nothing to rave about (neon painted walls, plastic plants, bright lighting)... but the food is iwonderful!! All the vegetables are cooked perfectly, the whole fish is noteworthy, the szechuan crab a taste sensation that is a great value,. On occasion we've ordered something spicey it isn't as hot as we'd like, but always tasty. The place is always packed, so go early unless you don't mind a wait!

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jimadcock

Joined 9 years ago

Best. Surprising location in a strip mall next to a dead K-Mart, we came early and found a strange decor. The customers were 2/3 Asian, and 1/3 White -- which sounded encouraging. My young daughter ordered chicken chow mein, my wife ordered garlic bok choy, and I ordered Szechuan Whole Fish. And then the food arrived and everything else faded into oblivion. The chow mein was 1/2 chicken and 1/2 homemade hand-shaved noodles, garnished with scallions, the garlic bok choy was delicate, garlicy and salty. And the Szechuan Whole Fish -- don't know what that was -- but we licked the bones clean. Our Asian neighbor had ordered some kind of fresh seafood and tofu hotpot, and then they brought a huge plate of shaved beef to go with it -- got to figure out what item on the menu *that* was! I'd give it all a 10 if it weren't for the strange decor! NOT your average Chinese restaurant.

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ograves

Joined 10 years ago

Line up (or get there early) for great Chinese food. Get there early, and make a reservation as this new spot is as authentic as it gets on the Eastside. Having just visited Beijing, I enjoyed seeing dishes like cumin lamb, shredded potatoes, Ma La cucumbers, and hotpot! on the menu. The hotpot could use more green veggies, but the broth and sauce were great. I can't think of a better place to go for Chinese food on the Eastside right now.