Dainty Sichuan

Dainty Sichuan, also known as TianFu (天府) was that restaurant that always popped up in conversations with a friend of mine. It was his absolute favourite restaurant of all time. According to majority of my international Chinese friends, there was pretty much a synonymous link between Sichuan cuisine and Dainty Sichuan.

Upon walking in we were greeted by a waiter, with very limited English. We conversed in broken English to find my reservation on his reservation list. Having made a booking for 5.30pm, we were aiming to get in, order and fill our bellies up before the crowds came swarming in. 

Seated on a very spacious table, we were given their enormous menus. Along with the menus were given a jug of water and a few awkward dirty plastic cups.

Luckily, I was in charge of ordering. I already knew exactly what I wanted. However, for just a table for three, I may have gone overboard and ordered just a little bit too much.

Spicy Bean Jelly 

Spicy Cold Noodle

Chongqing Spicy Chicken

Spicy Fish 

Cumin Lamb Slices 

Double Cooked Pork Belly

 Pork Buns

You can imagine how much of a food coma we were all in at the end.

Thats a total of seven dishes, rice and soy bean drinks to wash it all down, my eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach. Though I do love large portions, it would've been nice if the dishes weren't as large as they were. Smaller sized dishes would've allowed for more variety and tastings.

Special mentions no doubt goes to Spicy Bean Jelly and Chongqing Spicy Chicken. The Spicy Bean Jelly had the perfect proportion of chilli, garlic, tingly sichuan peppers and bean paste. These noodles happily slipped and slided down into my belly. The Chongqing Spicy Chicken being the most popular item on the menu was ama-ZING! It wasnt just like any other fried chicken dish I've tasted. There was so much more depth and flavour, making it very addicting. The result, was a very sore throat for the res of the night, but well worth it.

Dainty Sichuan was certainly a Winner Winner (Chongqing) Chicken Dinner !

I'm always up for hit of chilli, and this restaurant was definitely a hit.


Dainty Sichuan
176 Toorak Road 
South Yarra, VIC