Having already tried Ba Shan across the street, Rachel and I wanted to try the Sichuan Bar Shu the last time we met up for dinner. Their humongous photo-illustrated menu reminds me of those I encountered in China and as usual, stressed me out! Everything always looks so good and it’s hard to decide though decide we must.
Mouthwatering Sichuan chicken was one of our choices, and this was possibly the first version I’ve had that was boneless and that boneless chicken was piled on top of bamboo shoots and something else. It was very flavourful but didn’t pack the heat you’d expect of its glistening red oil bath.
Numbing and hot dried beef was also from the starter section of the menu and was a great, hot, chewy beef jerky. I did feel, however, that the heat levels in this (and the rest of the dishes) had been toned down and I wasn’t detecting much use of Sichuan peppercorns (which I assumed they should use to get the numbing effect in the name).
Fish fragrant aubergines were all slippery and spicy and desperately needing lots of white rice to soak up all the sauce. However, I did feel it was a bit one dimensional in flavour and have had better versions elsewhere.
We also ordered off the street snacks section in the back of the menu. One order of Boiled crescent dumplings in chilli-oil sauce were excellent, with a great porky filling.
A one person order of Dan Dan noodles was just enough for a taster for two. These were incredibly moreish with its spare spicy meat topping and perhaps next time I could just put away two orders of this.
Portions were quite big and it was a bit cheeky for them to charge for each takeaway container we used to pack up our food – we did manage to pack it all into two boxes, enough for next day’s lunches for the both of us though. I think it was also that protein at the beginning of the meal that filled us up! In total, the food (2 starters, 1 “main”, 2 snacks) and one order of rice, a beer, a tea and those takeaway containers came to about £55 in total – this does seem like quite a lot of money for it all – and service was sometimes absent. The food is generally good but it certainly isn’t the cheapest Sichuan restaurant in London (there are cheaper and they’re just as good if not better).
Bar Shu
28 Frith Street
London W1D 5LF
Tamarind and Thyme 
Fri, 28 Sep, 2012 at 20:50
£55 for Sichuan?! I almost had a heart attack!
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:19
It’s very expensive!
Fri, 28 Sep, 2012 at 21:40
I want that dish of fish flavor-infused eggplant. Even an average plate of that slippery goodness is just fine by me. 🙂 Good post!
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:20
That’s a good point. All aubergine is good aubergine!
Sat, 29 Sep, 2012 at 00:35
I really hate it when restaurants charge for takeaway boxes when you’ve been eating there. Surely it should be free as you’ve paid for quite an expensive meal?
I’ve never been to Bar Shu but realy like Ba Shan. Have you been to Sichuan Folk at Brick Lane? Sichuan food too (or Hunan?)
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:21
I think takeaway boxes should be free too! I’d like to try Sichuan Folk – thanks for the tip!
Sun, 30 Sep, 2012 at 09:29
I was really interested to read this – I’m a huge fan of Fuchsia Dunlop’s recipes and was keen to see what the restaurant she consults for would be like. Shame it wasn’t the greatest and that the flavours seemed watered down ! I can highly recommend her cookbooks though. 🙂
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:23
I’ve not cooked from her books but I’m very keen to get her latest cookbook – the one on easy Chinese cuisine.
Sun, 30 Sep, 2012 at 17:04
Shame the heat was so dumbed down as certainly in Dunlop’s cookbooks they’re not. I found Ba Shan quite pricy too, so it doesn’t surprise me that your meal came to £55. Very cheeky about the takeaway boxes!
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:24
Yes, Ba Shan is equally pricey. But the takeaway boxes! Yes! Sheesh, 50p each!!!
Mon, 1 Oct, 2012 at 03:59
Wow, each dish looks delicious. I would love to try this restaurant if I ever get a chance visit London again.
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:26
Do let us know how you find it!
Tue, 2 Oct, 2012 at 00:30
Not been to Bar Shu in years, and having read your review I’m unlikely to. You’re much better off going to Empress of Sichuan in Chinatown imho.
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:26
For some reason, I’ve still not been to Empress of Sichuan. Thanks for the reminder – I suspect that might be our next restaurant to try!
Wed, 3 Oct, 2012 at 19:36
This looks DELICIOUS. A sort of fancy French hot pot.
Incidentally, I’m just putting my Paris visit on my blog at the moment.
And guess what? We missed Versailles too! Haha.
Wonderful blog with a lovely name 🙂
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:29
Thank you so much! I think you’re talking about the next post – the giant salads in a pot? They were fantastic!
Sat, 6 Oct, 2012 at 19:26
I like your post and the blog itself.Love reading the reviews from the people who actually know what a good food is. I have heard a lot abut this restaurant and Fuchsia Dunlop. very disappointed to learn that the food is not spicy as one would expect in a Sichuan restaurant.
I’m gonna consult you if I ever go to London :)))
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:29
Ah, you’re too kind!
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 20:47
I really like Fuschia Dunlop’s recipes so am disappointed to hear that you weren’t enamoured with Bar Shu. Can’t believe the price and the charge for the takeaway boxes!
Will have to reconsider a vist here on my next trip to London
Wed, 10 Oct, 2012 at 23:30
It’s freaking expensive! Ah well…. I am hoping to try the recipes from her latest book though!
Sun, 23 Dec, 2012 at 12:20
Super late to this.. But I would recommend Chilli Cool in-between Russell Sq and Kings X.. I went with my Mainland Chinese/Macua Chinese flatmates who go regularly.. It’s a winner.. http://www.chillicool.com/home-eng.html