Lao Sze Chuan
If you're craving bold and authentic flavors, Lao Sze Chuan is the place to be. Nestled at 9398 Bellaire Blvd in Houston, TX, this gem offers a tantalizing journey into the heart of Szechuan cuisine. Known for its spicy, bold dishes and vibrant atmosphere, Lao Sze Chuan is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the rich, complex flavors of Chinese cooking.
The restaurant stands out for its unique take on Szechuan-style dishes. From the moment you walk in, the scent of aromatic spices fills the air, promising a fiery and flavorful meal ahead. Lao Sze Chuan is famous for its perfectly balanced use of Szechuan peppercorns, which create a tingling sensation that adds a layer of depth to the dishes.
One of the most popular choices here is the Szechuan hot pot, where you can immerse tender meats, seafood, and vegetables into a bubbling, spicy broth. For those who enjoy a bit of a challenge, the spicy fish fillet and mouth-numbing dry-fried string beans offer a delightful mix of heat and flavor that will keep you coming back for more. If you're into heat but prefer something with a twist, the kung pao chicken offers a zesty kick with just the right balance of sweetness and spice.
But it’s not all about the spice! Lao Sze Chuan also offers dishes that cater to those who appreciate milder flavors, such as their flavorful stir-fried noodles or the refreshing cold appetizers. No matter what you choose, each dish is prepared with an exceptional level of care and attention to detail.
When it comes to service, the staff at Lao Sze Chuan are known for being friendly and knowledgeable, ready to guide you through the menu and recommend the best dishes to suit your spice tolerance. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned Szechuan fan, you'll find something that excites your taste buds.
For an unforgettable dining experience in Houston, head to Lao Sze Chuan. With its rich flavors, warm ambiance, and fantastic service, it’s sure to become your new go-to spot for Szechuan cuisine.
Reviews
This Szechuan/fusion restaurant is something of an unnoticed gem in Chinatown. We have eaten here twice, several dishes each time, and the food here is among the best and most flavorful that we have experienced in the area, though you may want to be cautious about the spice level among the dishes. Today we had the Lamb Green Peppercorn (the numbingness of the green peppercorn is more restrained and flavor more floral than typical), Tony's Chicken with Three Chili (renamed as one of the chef specials this visit), plus the Fish Filet Tender Tofu. All were quite good. On our last visit we had the same chicken, plus a spicy whole fish dish, the latter being flavorful but quite spicy. Atmosphere is upscale for Chinatown, though they really need to replace the seats which are grungy light colored fabric which has been handled by too many hands. Service was friendly and relatively prompt. This place is worth a visit, and easily comparable to Mala and other well-regarded Szechuan restaurants.
Ordered a beef lo mein and it was actually very good! I didn't know what to eat for lunch and called them to ask what they could make that was a stir fried noodle with beef. They recommended a beef lo mein dish and it was very tasty! Flavor was just right and not too salty or oily like some places.
First time here and very satisfied with the food. Great food all around and very comfy love seats.
Amazing food! Highly recommend this place. Authentic Chinese Absolutely loved it! My husband and I ordered hot and sour soup 1 bowl was huge it was enough for at least 4-5 people! Great quantity and taste. We ordered the special dry chili chicken it was spicy and crispy just like we like it, will definitely go again!
Food itself is a 4.5 out of 5. We got the soup dumplings, sliced beef & maw Szechuan style, salt pepper pork ribs, dry fried string beans, eggplant with garlic sauce, and stir fried flat noodles. I would like to note that the pork and beef dishes were a bit dry, but flavor profile is yummy! I would like to note that the stir fried noodles have a lot more cabbage inside than what you'd expect. However, this was not an issue for my family because we LOVE vegetables. It was actually my mom's favorite dish there. Everything else was really good.. kind of what you'd expect those dishes to taste like. When we got the beef dish, we realized there were nuts inside. We asked our waitress to confirm if there were nuts and she said, "Yes, there's peanuts inside. Is there a problem?" We had to explain that we had allergies at the table. She responded back, "I can ask them to make you another one without the peanuts?" We told her it was alright because we already touched the dish and didn't want to send it back. She came back later and told us the chef was making another beef dish for us, and without the peanuts. AMAZING customer service from the waitress, chefs, and owners. I wish I knew the waitress's name because she was very sweet, attentive, and personable. She told us she was from Argentina. She was the ONLY waitress/waiter in the whole restaurant when we went. Because of me and my family's experience here, this place deserves a full 5 stars from me. Our total came out to like $84 for a 6 dishes. Totally reasonable in this economy! I highly recommend and will come back in the future