Mountain House — Restaurant in Boston

Another NY-transplant sweeping popularity in Boston.

Mountain House is currently reigning as Boston’s go-to Chinese restaurant, stealing the spotlight with its laid-back yet elevated take on modern Chinese dining. Since its arrival last year, the city’s Chinese food scene has been on the rise, but Mountain House offers a more casual vibe than places like Jiangnan—perfect for unwinding with friends without the need for a special occasion. The restaurant’s dedicated fan base speaks volumes, especially during dinner, when crowds of Chinese international students flood the space, no matter the day. Even on weekday lunch breaks, when neighboring spots sit practically empty, Mountain House still draws a decent crowd. Since the lunch and dinner menus are identical, I prefer to pop in at lunch to sidestep the dinner rush. Plus, the service is noticeably better during the day.

Like any modern Chinese hotspot worth its salt (or should I say spice?), Mountain House doesn’t shy away from the acid and fire of Szechuan cuisine. Expect plenty of Sichuan peppercorns, dried chilis, garlic, and all the fiery mala goodness. A standout example? Their fan-favorite Mapo tofu. They swap out the usual firm tofu for a soft version which allows the rich, mouth-numbing mala seasoning to be more prominent. The heat is there, no doubt, but the silky texture makes it all the more irresistible when paired with rice.

One of Mountain House’s signature showstoppers is the Swing Pork Belly. Essentially chilled slices of bacon, artfully arranged with delicate cucumber slivers, lounging atop a pool of chili oil. It’s definitely a dish that wins on the ‘gram, but for me, the texture of chilled bacon didn’t exactly “sizzle” for me. Their stewed fish is another crowd favorite that comes with a mountain of peppers that could make any spice-lover’s heart race. As much as the dish tempts me, the sheer amount of peppers in the pictures was enough to make me think twice—perhaps I’ll order it next time with a mild soup on standby.

A couple of my other favorites were the Grilled Beef Ribs and the Fried Rice with Bacon and Pickles. Even the classics like Braised Pork and Double Cooked Pork were on point. Sure, the prices are a bit steeper than your typical Chinese spot, but it’s money well spent - great presentation and a side of complimentary pickled cabbage to cut through the grease.

The competition for modern Chinese dining in Allston is fierce, but for me, Mountain House takes the crown. Whether you're seeking a fiery kick or a comforting Chinese classics, this spot delivers every time. If you haven’t checked them out yet, I highly recommend...

If you like SPICY (and I mean REALLY like spicy) then this place will be your jam. If you DON'T like spicy foods, then be prepared for a more limited experience!

Items we ordered (as of 7/2025)

MaPo Tofu - $16 - Dear lord this is probably the spiciest mapo tofu I've ever had. That being said, if you like that mala spicy taste then this will be highly recommended. Tofu is was cooked perfectly and while spicy, it's quite doable IF you take your time.

Sweet and Sour Pork - $21 - While pricey, this is probably one of the best sweet and sour pork I've had. The pork is perfectly breaded and very tender. Best part? It helps counter all that spice! I would 100% get this again.

Sauteed Chinese Long Beans w/ Eggplant - $15 - For this price this was an excellent dish both in quantity and quality. A bit of a kick in here but it really helps elevate this dish. I would get this again.

Bamboo Beef Rice - $20 - While on the pricey side, this dish was EXCELLENT. The beef was perfectly seared and super tender and the fried rice was absolutely delicious. Only negative? It didn't come in a bamboo bowl like the picture showed :/

Teppan Shrimp - $24 - For the price we wouldn't get this again. While the shrimp is large, you only get 6 of them and they are fully shelled which made eating them not very convenient. There is also a BUTTLOAD of garlic here (no kisses after eating this). I may consider getting this again if they deshelled the shrimp and gave you way more of it (I'd say at least double).

There's also complimentary cabbage in a spicy oil (emphasis on spicy) and their complimentary tea is also surprisingly good!

Overall we were quite happy with our meal for the most part and would definitely come back. The service was also impeccable and on point. The only thing we'd pass on is the Teppan shrimp which to us...

We stumbled into Mountain House on a rainy evening after many months of avoiding the long waits. Turns out 8pm on a Thursday + torrential downpour makes for a pretty unpopular meal time. Ordering was done entirely through the website, which made it hard to get the attention of staff when we had questions. We got 4 items, and while I definitely enjoyed the flavors in some of the items, the avalanche of peppercorn in other items made it hard to enjoy the rest of the meal.

We ordered the okra in chili sauce, which I really enjoyed! It was a simple dish, but the savory spicy flavor was addictive and the cold okra was refreshing and perfectly cooked. I also loved the sauteed pea shoots with garlic -- delicious soupy sauce and perfectly crunchy veggies. The pao cai that they give as a free app is quite spicy and good.

We got the ma-ma hot fish -- apparently the black fish has skin and bones, while the flounder is a fillet. We got the flounder. The amount of peppercorn in this dish was overwhelming. Otherwise, the fish was tender and the beansprouts were good. I'm not sure if I would get this again because of the peppercorn. My mouth was tingling on overdrive and I couldn't taste the delicious pea shoots :(

Finally, we got the diced chicken with lotus root. The chicken has skin and the occasional bone, and the flavor is very numbing, with some sourness. I wouldn't get this again but it was very interesting.

The restaurant is beautiful, with dimly lit elegance and artistic bowls and decor. Overall I enjoyed the vegetables more than the meats that I tried. I'd be down to go again and try some other dishes, and strategically eat things without peppercorn before digging into the...