China Sichuan Restaurant — Restaurant in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Restaurantasty Chronicle: China Sichuan, Dublin – Full Review Edition

We did go slight overboard on the ordering and specials but no regrets, why the extra price overall range has been increased due to 1 special menu, 1 meat dishes and two new vegetarian dishes.

Tagline: “Where flavor flirts, textures dance, and dessert sometimes ghosts you.”

Starter Vibe Check: Shrimp crackers light as air, paired with chili-oil bean sprout pickles that snap, crackle, and bite just right. A complimentary amuse-bouche that doesn’t just fill space—it sets the tone. A nod of culinary respect from the chef, not just filler.

Highlights:

A possible signature summer salad Tofu Salad Citrus-soaked mandarin segments, fried shallots, crisp tofu shards. A chef’s kiss of generosity. Perfectly balanced sweet, sour, and savory—a dish that felt like a private thank-you from the kitchen. Might even Please carnivores but beware for the classic light salad amateurs as the rainbow of flavors might be too much for you but the other, Why aren't ordering now ?

Restaurantasty Signature Dish Log – Summer Edition Name: Citrus-Soaked Tofu Salad Venue: China Sichuan – Dublin Tier: “Seasonal Starplate – Chef’s Secret Summer Symphony”

Profile Breakdown:

Base: Mixed seasonal greens, tomato wedges, radish slices, and microgreens

Main Element: Crisp tofu shards, soaked in a light sweetened vinegar—evoking the chew of marinated duck skin or yuba

Fruit Accent: Soaked mandarin/orange segments—deliberately mellowed to balance tang and sweetness

Crunch Factor: Fried shallot crisps add a deep umami edge and textural complexity

Balance Meter: Fruity / Savory / Sweet / Tangy / Crunchy

Audience Warning: Not for the salad traditionalist. This is east-meets-light-fusion with no apology

Verdict:

Not just a salad—this is a conversation starter in edible form. Feels like a chef’s signature whisper: “You paid attention. Here's something special.” A bold and delicate summer dish worthy of seasonal spotlight, and an emotional nod to thoughtful flavor choreography.

Cocktails – Fearless Tiger & Lychee Daiquiri Unexpected switch-up: Tiger brought the refreshing lightness, while Lychee punched with boozy fruit. Role-reversed brilliance.

Starters & Mains:

Typhoon-Style Crispy Vegan “Prawns” – cauliflower-based, crispy, chili-laced, with oceanic looks and faint heat for a nice experience.

Shredded Pork in Soy-Garlic with Fish Fragrance – deep, bold umami with a subtle fermented kick, perfect with rice. Felicitation to the chef for the excellent knife and good choice of meat and chewy but tender and delightful.

Kingsbury Wagyu with Onions – smokey, rich, almost jazzy.

Vegan Duck Roll (Bean curd) – crispy, layered, clever. Like duck cosplay that deserves its own fanbase.

Dessert Finale:

Sticky Sesame Dumplings (Tong Yuan) – Glutinous green mochi-like dumplings with toasted sesame and white chocolate filling. Topped with caramelized sesame-nougat crunch and served in coconut milk. The milk, served at room temperature or slightly cool, softened the richness and gently dissolved intensity into calm balance—creating a soft landing note of elegance and grace.

Asian Rum Baba – Incredibly moist sponge infused with a gentle rum blend, no harshness, just deep warmth. Served with poached rhubarb and a ginger-touched ice cream dusted with cinnamon. Sweet with savory undertones, this was the smooth velvet goodbye note.

The Tiramisu Tragedy Summer Matcha Tiramisu: sold out. Still hurts. Maybe next time.

Restaurantasty Verdict: 9.3/10 – Elegance without ego. Well-paced service, bold flavors, surprising depth across vegan options, and an ambiance that gently celebrates every bite. One of Dublin’s refined spots where care still seasons the plate.

Suggested Sharing Tags: #Restaurantasty #ChinaSichuan #DessertGhostedMe #VeganDuckDrop #MatchaRevengePending #BabaWarmth...

China Sichuan occupies a surprisingly elegant space in Sandyford, offering a refined take on Sichuan cuisine. The restaurant immediately impresses with its generous interior, where there’s genuine breathing room between tables.

The atmosphere strikes a balance between sophisticated and comfortable, making it suitable for both business dinners and relaxed weekend meals.

The service deserves particular praise. Staff members are attentive without being intrusive, striking that difficult balance of being present when needed but never hovering. They’re genuinely courteous and seem to take pride in the restaurant, offering helpful suggestions when asked and checking in at appropriate intervals. It’s clear the team has been well-trained and actually cares about the dining experience.

The menu itself is thoughtfully curated, featuring dishes that will satisfy discerning palates. Rather than overwhelming diners with endless options, China Sichuan focuses on quality over quantity. The selection spans from prawns to duck, with excellent chicken and sole options for those preferring milder flavors. Notably, there’s a dedicated gluten-free menu with a generous selection of items, a welcome consideration for diners with dietary requirements. This thoughtful approach ensures everyone can enjoy the full range of flavors without feeling limited to one or two token dishes. Portion sizes hit the sweet spot. You’ll leave satisfied but not uncomfortably full, which feels refreshing. Each dish arrives properly plated, and the portions allow you to enjoy multiple courses without feeling obligated to roll yourself out the door afterward.

The quality of ingredients shines through consistently. Everything tastes fresh, and the kitchen demonstrates a light touch with seasoning, where flavors are clean, distinct, and genuinely delicious. The dishes showcase the natural flavors of prawns, duck, and fish, enhanced rather than masked by the cooking technique and spice combinations.

Even the desserts merit attention. They’re distinctive and flavorful, steering clear of generic offerings. While portions might be slightly smaller than some would prefer, it’s hardly a significant issue, particularly after a proper meal. The desserts feel like a genuine conclusion to the dining experience rather than an afterthought.

The main drawback is practical rather than culinary: parking in the area is limited. If you’re driving, plan to arrive with extra time to find a spot, or consider alternative transport options. It’s an unfortunate reality of the location rather than anything the restaurant can control.

China Sichuan proves that Chinese cuisine can be both authentic and refined, satisfying serious food lovers without alienating those seeking approachable dishes. The combination of spacious surroundings, attentive service, quality ingredients, and thoughtful cooking makes it worth the trip to Sandyford, just sort your parking...

First and foremost, the authenticity of the dishes was questionable. Sichuan cuisine is renowned for its fiery and numbing "mala" sensation, but unfortunately, the dishes I tried lacked that signature punch. The absence of true Sichuan peppercorns and other essential spices left the food feeling lackluster and dull, depriving me of the expected gastronomic adventure.

Moreover, one of the cornerstones of Sichuan cuisine is its spiciness, which I was eagerly anticipating. Regrettably, the heat level of the dishes was toned down considerably, catering to a more timid palate. I yearned for the fiery intensity that should have ignited my taste buds but was left with nothing more than a mild tingle.

Another glaring disappointment was the portion sizes. Sichuan restaurants are traditionally known for their generous servings, reflecting the Chinese culture of communal dining and sharing. To my surprise, the portions here were meager, almost resembling a European fine-dining experience rather than the hearty feast I anticipated. This lack of abundance left me wanting more, both in terms of taste and quantity.

Lastly, and perhaps most dishearteningly, the restaurant's attempt to Europeanize its offerings was evident in every dish. The flavors were toned down to suit the Western palate, resulting in a loss of the restaurant's unique identity. The essence of Sichuan cuisine, with its bold and authentic flavors, was diluted, leading to an unfortunate homogenization of the dishes.

Despite the pleasant ambiance and attentive service, I cannot overlook the disappointment I felt during this dining experience. The restaurant's lack of authenticity, insufficient spiciness, small portion sizes, and Europeanization of the cuisine overshadowed any positive aspects it may have had.

In conclusion, my visit to this Sichuan restaurant left me longing for the genuine, bold flavors that make this cuisine so exceptional. For those seeking an authentic and fiery Sichuan dining experience, I would advise looking elsewhere. Unfortunately, this establishment falls short of its reputation and fails to deliver on the promise of an authentic Sichuan...