For lovers of real Chinese food, Melbourne is frustrating. In parts of the city there are multiple Chinese restaurants on each street, promising a dazzling variety of traditional meals – but all too often these restaurants are Westernized to cater for an Australian customer base, with overly-attentive waiters and 'spicy' dishes that barely register as hot. Sichuan House, on 26 Corrs Lane, is the real deal.
Up a short staircase is the dining room, where tables and chairs are arranged for practicality rather than décor. Waitresses rush from counter to table and back again and diners hold loud, raucous conversations. After taking your order, you won't speak to the staff until you pay, leaving you to attack your gigantic meals in peace (if not quiet).
A traditiona Chinese ham dish.
And the meals are gigantic: enormous bowls, full to the brim, with even the side dishes large enough to be a main meal at most other restaurants. Try the Cumin Pork Ribs or the Mapo Tofu – they're both excellent options. Also, unlike inferior Chinese restaurants, the bowls aren't mostly broth. Sichuan House delivers generous portions to its guests for low prices.
If you're not used to the spiciness of real Chinese dishes, be very careful what meals you order. Most options are cooked in chilli oil and will arrive covered in flakes of dried chilli, and good luck finding a waiter to bring you a jug of water. The best option for those unsure if they can handle their chosen dish is to order large quantities of soy milk, or 'soya bean drink'. This works incredibly well for easing the burn of spicy food.
Overall, this restaurant is a great option for people tired of the same old faux-Chinese restaurants. For people who are trying Chinese for the first time, or don't feel comfortable tackling the heat of traditional Chinese meals, work your way up to Sichuan House – believe me, it's worth it.
