MCCB Chicago — Restaurant in Chicago

MCCB Chicago is a culinary gem that skillfully blends traditional Chinese cuisine with modern twists. The restaurant's sleek, bar-like ambiance is perfect for date nights, creating a vibrant and upbeat atmosphere that enhances the dining experience. This lively environment complements the bold flavors of the dishes, making every visit memorable. Recognized by the Michelin Guide, MCCB Chicago stands out for its dedication to quality and innovation in its culinary offerings. The menu is a delightful exploration of Sichuan and Cantonese cuisines, featuring both authentic and creative dishes that shine in Chicago's crowded food scene. On my first visit, I sampled a mix of traditional and innovative items. The Crispy Crab Rangoon set the stage with its perfect balance of textures—crispy on the outside and creamy inside, bursting with the delicate flavors of crab and cream cheese. Next, I enjoyed the Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles. Cooked to perfection, the noodles had a firm bite that held up well to the robust, spicy sauce. This dish was a harmonious blend of savory and spicy, with a lingering depth of flavor. The minced pork added a satisfying meatiness, while the crushed peanuts provided a crunchy contrast, enhancing the overall texture and flavor profile. The highlight of the meal was the Stir-Fried Duck in Beer Sauce. This dish was a revelation, showcasing MCCB Chicago's unique take on traditional Chinese cuisine. The tender and juicy duck absorbed the rich, slightly sweet, and malty flavors of the beer sauce, which was a complex medley of earthy beer notes, subtle sweetness, and umami. MCCB Chicago offers a dining experience that is both familiar and refreshingly new. With its modern and upbeat atmosphere, it is an ideal spot for enjoying high-quality Chinese cuisine with a contemporary twist. Whether you're a fan of traditional dishes or eager to try something innovative, MCCB Chicago promises a memorable culinary adventure that will leave you eager for...

We ordered takeout from MCCB on a cold Chicago evening, and while overall the food was good and warmed us up, I was definitely expecting more out of this Michelin rated restaurant. It offers a good range of dishes and flavors though, ranging from classic mala hotpots/drypots to whole grilled fishes.

My group of 4 ordered 5 dishes total, which was a good amount of food for us (** = especially recommend):

Eggplant spicy garlic sauce**: the eggplant is creamy— slightly sweet and spicy— and melts instantly in the mouth.

Sour pickle and fish fillet soup**: This soup base was so flavorful and soul-replenishing, especially on a cold day. The noodles had a perfect texture and the fish was tasty and soft.

Szechuan dan dan noodles: This is a really popular dish here, but I was pretty unimpressed with it… The flavor was weak and lacking. On the menu, it has 2 spicy symbols next to it, but it was not spicy at all.

Pure cumin powder short ribs: The cumin flavor in this dish was not particularly strong. I enjoyed the crispy texture of the ribs, but overall did not impress.

Medium spicy custom Szechuan Mala drypot with fish fillet, baby bok choy, napa cabbage, and wood ear mushrooms: A generous portion of drypot ingredients and had good flavor, but “medium spicy” honestly did not feel spicy at all…

Overall, we enjoyed the meal, but we were definitely just expecting more flavor and spice overall.

I’m holding onto hope that maybe the food quality, presentation, and overall experience is better at the restaurant itself though, so I definitely will be going in person one day and updating my...

My recent visit to MCCB Chicago was a bit of a mixed bag. While the food had potential, the service experience left a lot to be desired.

Upon arrival, I was told by the hostess that I couldn't be seated until my entire party was present. That is standard policy at some places, but the way it was handled felt rigid and unwelcoming. I mentioned my group was just five minutes away, but was still asked to wait outside. As I stood there, I watched three separate groups walk in and get seated, which was frustrating and confusing. Eventually, the hostess came back out and said I could put my name down, but now there was a 45-minute wait and a $20 deposit required. It wasn't until later that it was clarified the deposit would go toward the bill, something that should’ve been made clear upfront.

Once seated, the service was fine, but the food was inconsistent. We ordered the chili chicken, eggplant, mapo tofu, lemon shrimp, chili dumplings, and string beans. Out of the seven dishes, five were noticeably over-salted, which overpowered the flavors and made it hard to enjoy the meal fully. It’s a shame because the ingredients and presentation suggested higher expectations.

Overall, MCCB has potential, but the uneven service and heavy-handed salt made the experience fall short. I might give it another try in the future, but disappointed since this place has had Michelin awards from...