Chi 棋 Restaurant, situated in Hell’s Kitchen, is an upscale establishment primarily focused on Szechuan cuisine but showcases other Chinese regional cuisines. Conveniently located about halfway between Hudson Yards and Penn Station, it’s just a 10-15 minute walk away, depending on your pace. With an expansive menu, Chi 棋 has offerings to satisfy a wide range of tastes and preferences. It’s a bustling restaurant when we were there one bitter cold but bright Sunday early afternoon with many Chinese families having a relatively quiet, leisurely lunch.
We began with a round of hot jasmine tea to ward off the chill. Shortly after, our order of Mongolian beef and Braised Pork Belly in Brown Sauce (文火红烧肉) arrived. The Mongolian beef, delicately spiced with cumin and other warm flavors, was tender and satisfying. The braised pork belly, a rendition of the classic Shanghainese dish dong pao rou (东坡肉), melted in the mouth with its fork-tender texture and delightful savory-sweet balance.
The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the steamed fish fillet with chopped chili (开门红剁椒鱼片), a quintessential Szechuan fish dish. When we ordered, the waiter presented us with a choice of fish—one fresh “black fish” and the other, presumably, frozen. Opting for the fresh fish elevated the dish to another level. Despite being served in a generous pool of chilies, the inherent sweetness and freshness of the fish shone through, adding a delightful contrast to the fiery spices.
We also indulged in the spicy cumin lamb, a dish hailing from Xinjiang cuisine, where lamb holds a prominent place due to the region’s primarily Muslim population. The lamb dish proved to be a culinary delight—expertly spiced, with tender meat that lacked any gaminess often associated with lamb. Bowls of jasmine rice is highly recommended for this meal.
Chi 棋 is truly a gem of a Chinese restaurant, especially considering its location. It has undoubtedly earned a spot among my favorite Chinese dining experiences in recent memory.
Information
Chi 棋 Restaurant
492 9th Ave
between W 37th & W 38th Street
New York, NY 10018
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