7 Restaurants Tested! From Sichuan/Hunan Flavors to Brunch
The most anticipated part of traveling to Atlanta is definitely "eating around"! From viral Chinese restaurants to a top-floor brunch spot with great vibes, I even tried a restaurant on the way back. I’ve organized honest reviews of 7 spots, marking the delicious ones and the duds—follow this guide and you won’t go wrong~ 1. Da Feng Shou (Must-Go! Tastes Like Restaurants Back in China 🔥) Da Feng Shou, which I saw countless times on Xiaohongshu, really lived up to the hype! As soon as I walked in, I felt the familiarity of "eating back home"~ We ordered the Three-In-One Spicy Pot—fresh ingredients, just the right spiciness, and a perfect blend of numbing and savory aromas. Every bite was flavorful, even the potatoes and lotus root slices soaked up the sauce, so delicious we licked the plate clean. The Durian Roti was a pleasant surprise too—crispy on the outside, filled with rich durian flesh inside, sweet but not cloying. Durian lovers will go crazy for it! These two dishes are absolute winners—you must try them when you’re in Atlanta~ 2. Bao Bao Hao (Pleasantly Surprised! Authentic Clay Pot Rice Rarely Seen in the US 🍚) I didn’t have high expectations for this spot, but it totally blew me away! The Là Mei Clay Pot Rice takes 30 minutes to make, but "good things come to those who wait"—when the lid was lifted, the aroma of preserved pork and sausage filled my nose immediately. The rice had a layer of golden crispy crust at the bottom, crunchy but not burnt. Mixed with soy sauce, it was salty and fragrant—this was actually the only authentic clay pot rice I’ve had in the US! The Dry-Fried Beef Hor Fun was also amazing—wide rice noodles coated in rich soy sauce, full of wok hei (charred flavor from the pan). Even though the edges were a little burnt, it didn’t affect the taste at all; the more you chewed, the more fragrant it got. Highly recommended! 3. Sichuan House (Authentic Sichuan Cuisine! Comforts Chinese Taste Buds 🌶️) There are two "Lao Si Chuan" (Old Sichuan) spots in Atlanta, and the one we went to was super authentic! We ordered Garlic White Meat—thin and tender slices of pork wrapped in a slightly sweet garlic sauce, refreshing in every bite. The noodles in the Dan Dan Noodles weren’t regular dried noodles; they had a chewier texture, with a strong aroma of sesame paste and chili oil. The Yu Xiang Rou Si (Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork) was tender, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour. Paired with the big bowl of rice the restaurant served, we finished it in no time~ If you’re craving Sichuan food, order without hesitation! 4. Liu Li (Bubble Tea is Okay! Strong Tea Aroma but Not Stunning 🥤) We wanted bubble tea after walking around, so we chose this "Liu Li" spot. We ordered two bubble teas and a box cake. The 25% sugar level was just right for me—strong tea aroma, not greasy. The 50% sugar was a bit too sweet, so if you don’t like sweet drinks, go for a lower sugar level. The box cake had a creamy texture, but overall, it wasn’t particularly stunning—it’s "worth a try but not worth a special trip". 5. Lanzhou Lamian (Atlanta Chinatown) (Casual Eats in a Food Court, Beef Offal Soup is a Winner 🍜) Located in a food court in Chinatown, it’s always crowded with people, and there are all kinds of small shops—very lively. We ordered Beef Offal Soup and Stir-Fried Dao Xiao Noodles: The beef offal soup was fresh, with clean offal (no fishy smell), but it was a bit too salty—pairing it with a steamed bun would be perfect. The stir-fried Dao Xiao noodles were just so-so; the noodles weren’t hand-sliced, so they had a harder texture, and they used a bit too much oil and salt. Not stunning, but okay if you need a quick bite when you’re in a hurry~ 6. Juniper Greenville (Top-Floor Brunch Garden! Great Vibes All Around 🌼) A restaurant I checked out in Greenville on the way back—the top-floor garden design is beautiful, with a strong holiday atmosphere. You can also overlook the view of Fall Park, which is perfect for taking photos! For food, the Pan-Seared Salmon was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, paired with fresh vegetables that were refreshing and non-greasy. The biggest surprise was their non-alcoholic drinks—full of floral and fruity aromas, no harsh alcohol taste at all, very refreshing. Perfect for taking photos and chatting~ 7. Hokkaido Ramen and Sushi (Disappointment in Greensboro! Not Recommended ❌) A random Japanese restaurant I found in Greensboro, but it was a bit of a letdown. The Stir-Fried Udon Noodles and Ramen we ordered were both mediocre—the soup base and sauce were too salty, overpowering the original flavor of the ingredients. Not good value for money, so don’t make a special trip to eat here~ #Atlanta #EastCoastFood #Greenville #Greensboro