Chuan Cafe — Restaurant in Raleigh

Nestled discreetly in the heart of Eastern Raleigh, Chuan Cafe is a culinary treasure waiting to be discovered. Situated conveniently close to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Raleigh on New Bern Avenue, this quaint eatery was recommended to me by my children, and I must say, it exceeded all expectations.

Upon entering, I was enveloped in a wave of nostalgia, reminiscent of cherished memories from my childhood. The ambiance exudes simplicity and warmth, with an unassuming interior design that instantly puts one at ease. It's the kind of place where you feel like you've come home, even if it's your first visit.

Now, let's talk about the food - simply put, it's phenomenal. Every dish on the menu is crafted with care and precision, resulting in flavors that dance on your palate and leave you craving for more. One standout dish that stole the show for me was the beef stew soup with noodles. From the moment it arrived at the table, I knew I was in for a treat. The aroma alone was enough to whet my appetite, but it was the first sip of the rich, flavorful broth that truly captured my heart. Each spoonful was a symphony of taste, with tender chunks of beef, perfectly cooked noodles, and an assortment of aromatic spices that left me utterly speechless. Even after I had finished every last drop, my mouth continued to water at the mere memory of its exquisite flavor.

In addition to the beef stew soup, Chuan Cafe offers a diverse range of culinary delights to suit every palate. Whether you're in the mood for savory stir-fries, comforting noodle dishes, or tantalizing appetizers, there's something on the menu to satisfy...

This is hands down some of the best food I've had in the whole triangle area. I've been craving authentic Chinese food and Chuan Cafe would hold up against what I have back in the DMV area. It's even worth driving 45 min from Durham. The place is located in the absolute middle of nowhere, but the restaurant itself is cute and generally pretty empty. It seems to be family owned and the server was very sweet. Don't expect 5 star table service lol. It's bare bones in that sense, but you're really here for the food.

Szechuan cuisine is known for its spice, so expect chilis and chili oil in most dishes. The Bamboo Flounder Fish is an absolute MUST! It's one of my favorites so I was so excited to see it on the menu. It doesn't stay crisp when you order to-go, unsurprisingly, so dine in to get it fresh. I also highly recommend the Steamed Chicken Slices in Chili Oil, which is a cold appetizer. I've tried the Toothpick Lamb, Double Cooked Pork Belly, Mapo Tofu, and Green Beans (a classic). Sometimes the dishes lean a little salty and the mapo tofu was not my favorite iteration of the dish, but I've been really impressed as a whole. I think if you order more typical American Chinese dishes (egg roll, dumplings, fried rice, chow mein, orange chicken) you will be sorely disappointed.

There's not a whole lot of authentic Chinese food in North Carolina, so I highly recommend trying something new when you come! There's still so many more things on the menu I've been eyeing, so I'm gonna continue making the trek to...

This is a must try Chinese restaurant! We were attempting to get pizza around the corner but it was closed (again! 2x now and closed each time…maybe a sign lol). If only we had tried this place sooner! We tried the Orange chicken which had a nice spicy kick not usually found with Orange chicken. Also tried the Shredded pork (did not seem shredded but was very tasty) from the Lunch Special menu, scallion pancake, pan fried pork buns (right?! sounded interesting since these are usually steamed) and the egg drop/hot and spicy soup (soups included with lunch items…another score!) Everything was very yummy and we’re looking forward to our next Chinese food craving to order here again. Decor was subtle. Does not have your usual Chinese restaurant decorations but felt like it needed just a little something to spruce it up. Some reds and greens for good luck and fortune so this restaurant is around for a long time! Staff was also super friendly and attentive. First time ever I was offered more rice in a Chinese restaurant. Crazy how the little things have such...