Service, Mountain-Sized Portions, Sautéed Beef with Rice Is Addictive!

I went into Sichuan Taste thinking most Downtown Sichuan restaurants are just "internet-famous hype," but I was blown away by its "speed, size, and flavor" triple punch—from the warm welcome by a friendly server to plates piled high with food, tender beef that melts in your mouth, and crispy fish that crunches with every bite. For just over $50, two of us ate until we had leftovers to pack—this value is unbeatable in pricey Downtown! 🏮 First Impression: A Taste of Home As soon as I walked in, warm lighting wrapped around me, and there was a handwritten sign on the wall that read "Sichuan Soul." A server in Hanfu smiled and handed me a menu—with a leather cover and vibrant photos of every dish: bright red spicy chicken, creamy yellow Mapo Tofu, golden brown brown sugar cakes. It instantly felt like I was flipping through a menu at a Sichuan restaurant back home. The server even recommended, "Today’s beef is extra fresh—our Sautéed Beef with Green Peppers is the most popular," speaking in a cheerful, unhurried tone that made me feel right at ease. 🥢 Dish Reviews: Two Hits, Two Minor Misses! 1. 🥩 Sautéed Beef with Green Peppers | My Favorite! Tender & Perfect with Rice This dish is made for rice! Thinly sliced beef, coated in glossy chili oil, hits your taste buds with a spicy kick first, then melts softly on your tongue—no chewy bits at all. The green peppers are the star: crispy, flavorful, and soaked in beef fat, adding a slight sweet aftertaste. I scooped two big spoonfuls onto my rice; the chili oil seeped into every grain, and I finished half a bowl in one go, saying, "This beef is even tenderer than my mom’s cooking!" 2. 🐠 Spicy Crispy Fish Fillet | My Friend’s Favorite! Boneless & Crunchy This is a "lazy person’s dream"! The boneless fish fillets are coated in a thin batter and fried golden—so crispy that crumbs fall off when you pick them up. Inside, the fish is so tender it could squeeze out juice, with no fishy taste—just the smoky heat of chili and Sichuan pepper. My friend ate it like she was watching a show, saying, "This fish gets me! No bones, crispy enough to eat the skin," and even wanted to take the leftover chili crumbs home to mix with noodles. 3. 🍛 Mapo Tofu | Minor Miss: Missing "Numbness" & Meat This was the only letdown: it tastes like hot pot base, but oil droplets float on the surface—greasy after two bites. Most importantly, it’s missing the "numbness" (a key Sichuan flavor) and has no minced meat, so it lacks richness. If you love traditional Mapo Tofu, ask the owner to "add more Sichuan pepper and minced meat" in advance! 4. 🍚 Brown Sugar Glutinous Rice Cakes | Just Okay: Not Soft Enough The outer layer is a bit hard—no "chewy, glutinous" texture, more like cold rice cakes. The brown sugar syrup is only a thin coat, so it’s not sweet enough. I asked for extra syrup, and it tasted better, but it’s still not a standout. If you want dessert, try their grass jelly (I heard it’s good—I’ll test it next time)! 💡 The Best Part: Portions & Price—Unbeatable in Downtown The owner is incredibly generous—when the two main dishes arrived, the plates were almost overflowing: the sautéed beef was full of solid chunks of meat (hardly any filler), and the fish fillets were piled up like a small hill. We ended up with half a plate of beef, leftover fish, and half the rice cakes—our takeout box was stuffed, and it made a great second meal at home. The price is even better: two main dishes + Mapo Tofu + rice cakes, plus tax and tip, was just over $50! In Downtown, where a salad alone costs $20, being able to eat until you’re stuffed is a total steal. 📍 Next Time: I’m Trying These! Even with the minor misses, I already have a "second visit list": crispy spicy chicken (with lots of meat) and boiled spicy fish (tender and soaked in chili oil). If they can make beef and fish this good, their other dishes must be great too! If you’re in Portland Downtown and want "real Sichuan food" (no long waits for internet-famous spots), Sichuan Taste is a must. Finding Sichuan food this hearty and affordable in the heart of the city? It’s a rare gem! 📍 Sichuan Taste (Portland Downtown) #Portland #PortlandFoodie #WeekendEats #HomeStyleCooking #SichuanFood #HiddenGem #RiceToppingDishes