Hot Málà Pot & Great Coffee Hidden in DePaul’s Neighborhood ☕️🌶️

Back at Royal Highness Zhu )—my favorite Sichuan spot in Chicago, serving way more than just málà pot! Also took a stroll around the DePaul campus area—some nice coffee shops, and the leaves are turning yellow… autumn is truly here 🍂. 🍚 Royal Highness Zhu 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Must‑order 5‑star dishes: Bang Bang Chicken – Always order this! So fragrant, well‑seasoned, and not overly spicy. Sweet Water Noodles – Feels hand‑pulled—chewy and delicious! Grilled Pork Ribs – Crispy, savory, probably fried then roasted. Chengdu Fried Rice – Even a Chengdu native approved 😂. Not your average egg fried rice—grains are separate and super fragrant. Sweet Fermented Rice Tofu Pudding – So rare to find sweet tofu pudding here!! Sweet tofu pudding forever ❤️. ⭐ Other solid picks: Meat Málà Pot – Loaded with kelp knots, potato slices, lotus root, beef slices on top. Spicy for this Cantonese eater though 😅. Peach Blossom Pastry – Tasty but small, filled with hawthorn—refreshing and appetizing. Pork Trotter Soup – A bit herbal, but the trotters are tender and rich. ☕️ Olor Coffee Bar Had a latte—milky and decent. Small but bright space with wood‑and‑green decor, very fresh and cozy. Perfect for a lazy afternoon! 🥤 Printer's Row Coffee Co. They roast their own beans, but seating is limited (only a few high tables). Tried Cinnamon Toast Crunch (strong cinnamon, noticeable bean acidity) and a latte—good but no real sit‑down area. 🥯 The Bagelers Coffeehouse Pretty busy! Tried the Bageler and Fisherman bagels—both delicious, but I preferred the Fisherman (smoked salmon, tomato, cream cheese with tangy green capers—perfect balance!). #GlobalFoodGuide #ChicagoEats #ExploreChicago #EatWithTuan #ChicagoFood #StreetFood