Sze Chuan Cuisine @ Bar Shu, Soho, London

One of my friends told me that Bar Shu serves one of the best Sze Chuan Cuisine in London. Actually, I haven't eaten much Sze Chuan Cuisine, but have heard about the vast amount of spices they use in their cooking. One night, we decided to give Bar Shu a shot.

Booking at Bar Shu is either from 7pm-9pm or 9pm onwards. This is to ensure that they can do at least 2 seatings per table. Its either you take it or leave it. Doesn't matter if you make a reservation at 8pm, you still have to leave by 9pm.

Anyway, most of the servers are Bar Shu are Malaysians. Our waitress was from Ipoh.

Preserved Century Egg with Green

After being spoilt with Century Eggs from Yung Kee (Hong Kong), the expectations I have for century eggs somehow went up. However, I must say that the century egg at Bar Shu was particularly bad. The egg was so tough I felt as if I was eating plastic. This dish was so bad nobody wanted to eat the egg that we left a few slices behind.

Boiled Sea Bass with Sizzling Chilli Oil

One of Sze Chuan cooking's trade mark dishes has to be their meat (chicken or fish) in Sizzling Chilli Oil. The Oil is flavoured with tones of Sze Chuan pepper and dried chilli. The fish didn't have any prominent flavouring other than the distinct taste of chilli. If I'm not mistaken, the fish was boiled before being soaked in chilli oil. It was a rather unique way of serving fish. I guess its a nice change to the usual steam or deep fried found at most Chinese Restaurants.

Mapo Tofu

The tofu was rather good. Other than the fact that it contained a little too much oil, it was a very good dish.

Chicken with Black Fungus and Bamboo Shoots

The chicken was a little too sweet for my liking. Then again, most Chinese Restaurants in London put lots of sugar into their food. I guess the Westerners prefer their dishes sweet.

Gong Pow Chicken with Peanuts

One of the least spicy dishes of the night. The chicken was rather pleasant. Nothing memorable about the dish though.

Hot and Sour Soup

The hot and sour soup wasn't great. I've tasted better.

Dan Dan Noodles

The noodles were very good. That dash of vinegar gave it a nice kick. I really enjoyed it.

All in all, Bar Shu had a few ups and a few dishes that didn't cut it for me. Then again, the friends who introduced me the place told me that I didn't order the correct dishes. It was certainly a nice experience eating Sze Chuan food after such a long time. In my personal opinion, Sze Chuan food in general isn't a very healthy cuisine. Oil is used in abundance in their dishes.

*Opinions expressed are solely based on my personal experience

Map to Bar Shu

Nearest Tube Station: Leicester Square

Address:
28, Frith Street,
Soho,
London W1D 5LF,
United Kingdom

Contact:
Telephone number: +44 (0) 207 2878 822 / 02072876688
Website: http://www.bar-shu.co.uk/

Opening hours:

Mon-Sun 12pm-11pm