Chengdu Style Restaurant — Restaurant in Berkeley

进门就找阿姨和小哥推荐，剩下的最后一条新鲜鱼拿下，两个人又吃了两个热腾腾的锅盔，饱饱的心满意足😌As recommended by the auntie who have been working here for more than ten years, we chose the "Fragrant Boiled Fish" (飘香沸腾鱼). The fish slices were cut to the perfect thickness and cooked just right—tender and delicate without falling apart, melting in the mouth with no trace of fishiness. The chili oil broth was rich and aromatic, delivering a balanced blend of numbing and spicy flavors. The ratio of Sichuan peppercorns to dried chili was spot on, exciting the palate without overpowering the natural sweetness of the fish. The base vegetables included green Shanghai Bok Choy, which were crisp and refreshing—much loved by the whole family. The addition of firm tofu and cilantro provided a complementary texture and enhanced the overall layering of flavors. When the dish arrived, the aroma was incredibly enticing. The high-heat activation of the dried chilies and peppercorns released a deep, fragrant bouquet, while the vibrant red color made the dish visually irresistible. This dish was a perfect harmony of color, aroma, and taste—spicy, flavorful, and served piping hot. It was both satisfying and appetizing, an ideal choice for those who enjoy bold flavors! !...

I just really did not like the food here. It didn’t taste fresh and there’s some sort of coating on the food that taste very weird in my mouth. I’m not even sure how to explain it. Also if you’re vegetarian or vegan don’t eat here. Some of my chicken fell into the rice and he just scooped it using the rice scooper and put the same scooper back in. The kungpao and spicy chicken were probably the worst things I’ve eaten in a while and were idk chewy like gamey and not crispy. I’m sad I spent $14 here. This is how much of my food is left. Just not for me at all and now I’m hungry and my tongue feels weird and I need a pallet cleanser.

Edit: i've since found out that the ingredient that is not sitting well with my stomach and makes my mouth feel weird and tingly and made everything else also taste worst is the sichuan peppercorns that they use in their seasonings. I tasted it specifically on the spicy chicken. Some other people I was with liked it and others did not. I especially did not as...

Hanging around downtown Berkeley or just coming off of classes from UC Berkeley, and looking for some Sichuan style food? Chengdu Style Restaurant is a good consideration. Their biggest highlight is their noodles, which are pretty numbingly spicy and authentic to the ones you might actually find in Sichuan, China (of course, there are non-spicy options and they are also top tier). If you're not familiar with their dishes, the American fusion is also a great choice that pack quite the flavor.

However, be wary of some other dishes. While some are great, like the aforementioned noodles, others are mediocre at best. I have yet to completely try all of their food, but from past reviews I'm reading, there are some that are pretty awful. Also, be careful with the prices, as some of the dishes are kind of expensive. Overall, a nice restaurant to go to if you're looking for some authentic Sichuan restaurant, but go through the reviews section to know which dishes to taste and...