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    Little Tao

    4.4 (57 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Mimi C.

    Sichuan cuisine is super popular but I've been reluctant to try it because I cannot really handle spicy. However, I decided to give it a try with my friends and was very surprised that the spiciness wasn't too bad. Well, I've requested very mild. To my surprise, I absolutely loved the food here. Each dish had its own unique bold flavors. The staff were friendly and helpful with recommendations. The atmosphere is chill. Definitely a must visit!

    I am so glad I stop by at this place !
    Keiichi H.

    I tasted owner chef was not cooking on my 4 orders anymore For this prices it was quite wasting money Below the average experience with new chef or substitute chef. I used to work at few restaurants so I know running restaurants is very tough business, But, still, Food is art and we need good one hopefully every day. we go for chef's own creations not recipe and ingredients. Way Too Much Money for Below Average Tasting Food !! Some restaurants do like this, open restaurants with amazing experienced chef and train few chefs and quality and enjoyment go down. I was so disappointed to know this horrible pattern is on this restaurant. I hope it's temporary hiccups . . .

    Sichuan Twice Cooked Pork Belly
    Gary G.

    Small little place on Comm Ave, with about a half dozen tables. Authentic Sichuan with a good mix of dishes mostly appealing to a Chinese clientele. Service is unpolished but friendly, and they'll guide you through the menu with enthusiasm. Dry Chili Tiger Shrimp: Shells on, flavor in, and stays on even if the shells come off. Nicely spicy but well rounded. Plump shrimp and lots of them. Soft Tofu Fish in Chili Sauce: Very delicate fish, with force heat, some oil, and some herbs and peanuts. I could do without the peanuts, but interesting addition. Sichuan Twice Cooked Pork Belly: A standard dish at Sichuan places, and this one is as good as anyone's. Moist, tender, thin-cut pork with a light coating of spicy, slightly oily sauce, celery-like veggies, and some chile peppers. Flavor, crunch, and heat. Great with white rice. Spicy Cumin Beef: Similar to the lamb dishes with cumin had elsewhere, this was tingly spicy, with tender beef that still had some juices. Nice contrast of spices and fresh herbs. Signature Kung Po Chicken: Probably geared for less adventurous diners. Usually the Americanized stuff is a little sweet, but rather than swinging the pendulum in the opposite direction, they leaned in harder and made it even sweeter--with loads of honey, not sugar--but tempered that with an extra potent dose of fiery red peppers. Looks like a lot of peanuts, but many of them are actually large slices of garlic. Braised Beer Duck: This hearty, stewy dish is perfect for the colder weather. The duck is soft, on the bone (requiring some tentative eating, but no less enjoyable), and spicy from the rich broth. Lots of large chunked lotus root and some other vegetables along for the ride. Great on white rice. Wontons in Chili Oil: Wasn't expecting so much broth, but a nice surprise. Spicy stuff, and by no means blow your face off spicy, but the peppers and spices divided a constant tickle to the throat (a la Gene's wonton soup dish for those familiar). Smoky Tea Flavored Duck: Quite possibly my favorite dish of 2022. Great color (inside and out), great texture, great juiciness, great smoky flavor. Signature Fish: High ticket price ($37), but high quality, high voltage flavor, and even high theater (served in a huge coffee-table-like tray, hot and bubbling), even though it's tilapia. Fried to a crisp and then simmered to keep it both flavorful and tender. Lots of peppers for heat and lots of herbs for both textural and flavor contrast, along with a thin, chile peppery, oily sauce that had none of the sweetened brown glop found in most suburban Sichuan whole fish dishes. Decent amount of vegetables (mostly lotus root, jicama, onion), tofu, and aromatics. Twice Cooked Pork Belly Noodle: Ordinary noodles not much different from linguine, but served with a lively, thin, spicy sauce. Studded with leeks and onions in addition to the slightly charred, slightly wobbly pork. Satisfying. Tao Tao Noodle: Flavorful, with beans, nuts, and herbs, and the noodles sometimes soft, sometimes more pleasantly al dente. Basil Eggplant: Sweet, spicy, herbal. Melt-in-mouth tenderness. Somewhat oily sauce, but very doable. Sichuan Stewed Pork: About a dozen sizable slices of pork belly, stewed to become very tender, and with a very similar texture to Jewish deli brisket or pastrami. Nice saltiness and vegetal complement from the little chopped pieces beside it. Leafy, beany, salty, delicious. Basil Eggplant: Mildly spicy but more sweet, though a restrained sweetness and a nice blend. Very tender. I'm not much of an eggplant guy but I always wind up taking more of these than I expect, because it's very appealing. Beef With Cumin Lunch Plate: Seemed different from the entree, as the lunch plate version had more sauce, less spice, and less cumin. I did like the extra sauce for use with the rice. Had I not had it their previous way, I'd love this dish. I'll still get it again, but prefer the entree version. Stir-Fried Garlic Pork Ribs: Very crisp and very succulent bone-in pork, with garlic, ginger, and herbs adding flavor. No sauce to speak of, but juicy enough not to need one. Not necessarily an appetizer, but it makes a good makeshift one. Chengdu Stewed Duck: Tender pieces on the bone, in a very spicy thin broth balanced by herbs. Lots of poultry flavor in the broth. Under what's visible are glass noodles, bean sprouts, soybeans, and other vegetables, but it's mostly a meatfest and a delicious one at that. Some offal in there too, but minor. Eggplant in Mashed Chili: A cold appetizer with the feel of a tapenade, only spicier. Lots of green color from slightly pickled peppers, with purple eggplant underneath. Overall, fantastic. Not every dish is what you expect, so always ask about the preparation and whether it's hot or cold. But more often than not, the meal will have at least one and usually two wow-factor dishes.

    Shardul T.

    Great place for a quick Sichuan meal! I found this place is very convenient to park and have a quick lunch/dinner stop. Paid parking is available right outside the door of this restaurant. We found the food was epic : special shoutout to the fish! Ambiance is good, but space is congested. Service was quick but our server missed a few requirements and we needed to re-ask them. Overall, moderately recommended.

    Sichuan spicy chicken lunch special
    Gloria H.

    We were going back and forth on where to have a weekday lunch in Allston and finally decided on Little Tao. I'm so glad we tried it! I'll definitely be coming back. The food came out very quickly and was all delicious. We got the weekday lunch specials, which range from $14.95 to $15.95. They all come with rice, which was really delicious! The rice has the perfect balance of sticky and al dente, and paired wonderfully with the food. The complimentary pickled vegetables were also delightfully mala, savory, and crunchy! I got the pickled fish fillet ($15.95) which was amazing! The soup had an addicting savory flavor without being sour and the fish was very tender. I usually don't eat much rice but the soup + rice combo was so good! I would come back just for this. The Sichuan spicy chicken ($14.95) came highly recommended by other reviewers, and I'm happy to share that it was amazing! Great flavor, big pieces of chicken, very fresh and crispy. The chicken took slightly longer than the other dishes, I assume because it was being freshly fried. I would definitely get this again. We also tried the braised beef brisket ($15.95) and braised chicken ($14.95, bone-in). I think the brisket could've been better, and what I tried was a bit tough. I think the other dishes we got were better than these. It's a small restaurant and there aren't many tables, so I imagine it gets quite busy in the evenings. Can't wait for my next visit!

    Menu
    Angela S.

    Unassuming storefronts are often the sign of a good authentic Chinese restaurant. There are only about 5 small tables, but each of them was full on a cold weekend afternoon around 3pm. The menu has solid traditional Chinese options and the portions are amazing. We tried the Sichuan beef noodle soup, yang chow fried rice, crispy cucumber, and kung pao chicken. Even though those dishes sound basic, each one tasted like the true homey Chinese dishes they are, and not the American-taste adjusted versions. Next time, I'd love to try their spicier dishes like soft tofu fish fillet in chili sauce and lamb marrow pot. They seem to do pretty well in takeout orders as well. I'm glad to see there's strong demand for this in Boston so hopefully more and more authentic Chinese spots stick around.

    Dry pot Stir-Fried Fish Fillet with Dry Chili
    Rebeka S.

    I absolutely love Little Tao! My personal favorite Sichuan style Chinese restaurant in the Boston area that's affordable. Why does this place stand out to me? It's because the food here especially the dry pot, isn't too greasy or oil! I never leave with an upset stomach. Food always comes out fast, hot, and flavorful without being too overwhelmingly spicy! Everything about this place is enjoyable from the food to the cozy atmosphere. It's a tiny place, so perfect for grabbing lunch with a small group of friends or even dining alone. Staff is quick and attentive to customers. Can't wait to be back.

    Sichuan Sichuan Traditional Dumplings (8PCS)
    Lily L.

    Food: I thought the food here in very tasty and authentic. Sichuan Dumplings: I really liked the sauce. It reminded me of the dumplings that I had in Chengdu. Tao Tao Noodles: I'll admit, I've never really seen chickpeas in much of Chinese cuisine. But the overall flavor of the dish is great. Mashed eggplant: The sauce on the eggplant was great. Ambience: The restaurant seems tidy. It's not the most romantic of the atmosphere but it's nice. Service: We came and it wasn't very busy. So it was easy to order. Food came out quickly. Overall: I highly recommend this restaurant if you want tasty Sichuan cuisine.

    Braised Beef Brisket with Potato Sichuan Spicy Chicken Stir Fried Cabbage with Dry Chili Wonton in Chili Sauce They are delicious
    Jamie S.

    Food here are delicious. We enjoyed them very much. The restaurant looks nice and cozy. It likes family restaurant. There are meter parking in the front.

    Charlie L.

    Amazing food wood definitely come back again can't wait to eat here again best lamb chops ever !!!

    Twice cooked Szechuan pork belly and spicy cabbage  Sichuan Twice Cooked Pork Belly Stir Fried Cabbage with Dry Chili
    John M.

    Just may be the best Szechuan (Sichuan) restaurant I've found in the Boston area. This is probably not a secret either as on a Sunday night the restaurant was packed. Space is small but service was very polite and quick. The food was very well done with well balanced spice and not just an 'attack on your taste buds' barrage of peppercorn and other flavors. For two people we ended up getting an appetizer (wontons in chili oil) two dishes (tea smoked half duck and twice cooked Szechuan pork belly) with the house special cabbage and a side of rice. This was enough food that we took half home.

    Stir Stir-Fried Pork intestine with Dry Chili
    Paul T.

    The Tao Tao noodle and stir fired pork intestine with dry chili was a home run. So happy we found this place!

    Pumpkin Pencake (4 Pcs)
    Taylor S.

    I can't believe I hadn't heard of this place until now!! Little Tao is a hole in the wall Sichuan restaurant in Allston. The food is BOMB...literally every dish is a flavor bomb. We got a huge spread: the garlic cucumbers, tao tao noodles, twice cooked pork belly, spicy chicken noodle, pork trotters soup, and pumpkin pancakes. The spicy chicken noodle dish was insanely good.. I've had both these dishes separately (chili oil noodle and dry fried chicken) but never together! It was a total explosion of spice. The chef can go super but is also happy to adjust to mild too! The pumpkin pancake tasted like sweet fried mochi with a chewy center. It was the perfect end to the meal. Definitely would order both noodle dishes, the pork belly, cucumbers and pumpkin pancake again. I really want to go back to eat more noodle dishes and also try the beef noodle soup. Overall a wonderful experience and the staff are so kind and treat you well! We'll definitely be back for more noodle dishes.

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    7 months ago

    The food here is good but I find the bathroom placement right next to the kitchen very unsanitary. Plus the bathroom smelled bad

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    This place is fabulous - try spicy Szechuan chicken and Shanghai dumplings. aAl the noodle dishes tea great too.

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    Very rude service and did not deliver what I ordered. If you want anything with flavor or spice (any level) go to another place.

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    2 years ago

    staff/boss is a Chinese, every cold, face, we don't feel we are welcome. We don't want to come back again.

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    All the food they have is pre-paired dishes with bad taste, worst service I've ever met

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    Ask the Community - Little Tao

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    Mountain House

    Mountain House

    4.4(195 reviews)
    0.2 miAllston/Brighton
    Casual dining
    Romantic vibe

    Limited Street Parking…read more The food made up for the wait time but it was very long. This place was packed, we came in no reservation and the wait time they told us just kept getting longer. We eventually were able to get in, there is a small space to wait with snacks though. Once our table was almost ready the host allowed us to order and once sat it came almost right away. We ordered the la-xi chicken with less spice, this has small crispy chicken pieces and lot of peppers, had to go in and pick out the little pieces. Truthfully wish it was less pepper and more chicken especially $23.95. The mapo tofu was delicious the perfect numbing sensation that I love. A must try dish was the fish fillet with crispy rice. This was $34 but it is perfect for cold day. They bring this dish out pour the soup on top and let it boil until the crispy gets cooked. We got the green beans as well, pretty standard nothing special. We got a little discount as well, I think for a late night special. The entire meal came with tea and the restaurant had calm setting with wooden interior

    Disappointing Service & Poor Seating Arrangement…read more Extremely disappointed with our experience here. I made a reservation for 6 people One Month in advance (in fact, today is my birthday) expecting a comfortable dining setup for my group. However, upon arrival, we were squeezed into a table clearly designed for 4 people. When we pointed this out, the staff insisted it was a '6-person table' and refused to move us to the larger tables available, claiming those were reserved for 7-8 people. This is inconsistent and unprofessional, as we have been seated at those larger tables with a group of 6 before. What's the point of making a reservation so far in advance if the restaurant can't provide adequate seating? The lack of flexibility and the dismissive attitude of the staff ruined our evening. For a place like Mountain House, I expected much better service. Will not be coming back anytime soon."

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    Mala Restaurant

    Mala Restaurant

    3.9(396 reviews)
    0.2 miAllston/Brighton
    $$

    I checked the reviews before I wrote. As everyone commented, the food is not bad but the service is…read morehorrible. They don't even have any service and ask you to tips at least 15%. The employees like to gossip the customers. I sat right next to the front desk. I heard they said the big table didn't order too much food and didn't order expensive food (there was a table with 6 people). I didn't order the rice with my meal on purpose because they will bring my rice first before the meals come. They didn't happy with it. They were complaining about it in the front desk and I heard it. I ordered the soda after the meals came, they didn't like it either. One of the waitress pushed another waitress and said, I don't want to go to grab. The other waitress said, I don't want to go either. If they don't like to work or they don't like servicing people, they don't have to work as waitresses. I don't understand why the owner hired them or maybe the owner agreed what they do? I ordered the food from chowbus. They just delivered the food out. They even asked for at least 15% tips? They didn't even want to deliver my soda or rice, they asked me to tip them??? DONT GO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE SERVICE DONT GO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A HAPPY DINNER

    The food was not bad but the service was horrible. We went during dinner time expecting it to be…read morereally busy but surprisingly, it was only half full. They sat us (2) at the table nearest to the kitchen/front desk/bathroom, and I saw that there were open tables further towards the window. So I asked if we can sit by the window instead. Those tables are bigger and seats 4 people. The waitress turns to another worker and tells her in Chinese that we wanted to sit by the window in which this worker responds with "两个人还想坐窗边" (Two people and they want to sit by the window seat?!) in a sassy tone and then she scoffs. Mind you, this whole time we've only spoken in English but I am fluent in Chinese so I understood everything. The waitress turns back to us and just shakes her head no without any explanation. At that point, I was just like okay, they probably expects the restaurant to get busy and wants to keep the tables open. But guess what, there's literally two people sitting by the window who happens to be Chinese aunties and they were chatting it up with the waitresses and being all friendly. It was giving special treatment. The whole time we were there, they would put food down on our table and not even acknowledge us even when we would say thank you. It's almost like "here damn" when they put our food down. No eye contact, no smile, no your welcome, no "enjoy your food". And the whole time, I couldn't figure out who's actually our server because random people would give us the food and fill our water. And the whole time, that window seat was open. So I'm genuinely so confused. And it ruined my mood for the rest of the meal. Now for the food, it was what you'd expect, packed with flavor and spices. Though the dry pot was very salty and it was very confusing ordering it because it doesn't really say if it comes with vegetables and we also couldn't order any vegetables using the 3 meat option. The egg plants were really good. The soup dumplings were alright, a little dry and greasy for my liking. The skewers were my favorite. The chili wontons were flavorful, I love the sauce, but the wontons themselves taste kind of old/not fresh. We wouldn't come back again just because the food is not unique, you can find it at any Chinese restaurant like mountain house down the street. The service however seemed like it's consistently bad seeing the other reviews. And if you're going to expect a 15% minimum tip then at least act like you like your job and serve your customers with a good attitude.

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    B2J Tasty Pot

    B2J Tasty Pot

    4.6(21 reviews)
    0.3 miAllston/Brighton

    I've come here several times now and have always left with a full stomach and super satisfied…read more While there were long waits when they first opened, it isn't too hard to get a seat now, especially if you're able to put yourself down on the waiting list. We always get the pot for 4 (have never come with less than 4 people) and this worked for us even with a party of 5 - it's a ton of food for a decent price. We always get the traditional sauerkrout pot with fish and mix and match the appetizers - I am partial to the spicy chicken and fried dough (youtiao), but all are solid. The only one I didn't love was the noodles given you're given plenty of carbs already. The mochi is honestly super delicious as well if you have room for dessert - it's a great texture and flavor. Overall, we have enjoyed every meal we've had here and could not recommend it enough. Service is also solid and boxing your meal results in a super fun packaging that is easy to transport. Thank you, B2J Tasty Pot - I know I'll come back!

    parking is street as everything in this area…read more been here a few times, it's been very consistent, delicious, and spicy good! the place is small, with under a dozen tables. the service is quick. they'll take your order if you're waiting in line and serve you as you sit down. we usually select a set for two people or four and or both depending on the group. we haven't had a dish we didn't like here. everything is fresh. the flavors are BOLD and unforgiving. it doesn't apologize for its tongue burning numbing sensations. will return

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    Boston Soup Dumplings - Pork Soup Dumplings

    Boston Soup Dumplings

    4.2(111 reviews)
    0.2 miAllston/Brighton

    We got the rice bowl with tomato, egg, broccoli, and pork belly. It was really good - really hit…read morethe spot! We also got two batches of soup dumplings - the original pork and rainbow one. They were super juicy and hot when we got them. They have some high tops and regular tables. The people there were super nice! You order through your phone there. The service was very quick! I'd come again!

    I came to eat dumplings with friends from Sichuan, Guangxi, Hunan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. It was…read moreso spicy! As a Cantonese, I was ready to die for my friends. Bobo Chicken in Green Pepper Oil藤味缽缽雞: The best dish of the meal. The broth was very refreshing, mainly savory, umami, and fragrant, with only a slight numbing spiciness. It was also served cool, making it very appetizing. The chicken was thick and tender, and the other vegetables were fresh and flavorful. Mouthwatering Chicken in Chili Sauce口水雞: The only dish I ordered, and it's my favorite among Sichuan dishes. Very satisfying. The chicken was tender, and the chili oil was fragrant but not spicy. Steamed Pork Soup Dumplings with Crab Meat蟹粉小籠包, Steamed Pork Soup Dumplings豬肉小籠包: Like Fuchunju富春居, the soup dumplings had a slightly dry and hard skin, not as good as Zoe's風味亭. However, the soup was rich, the filling was tender, and the seasoning was umami, so it was still very good. It even came with ginger slices, which was a thoughtful touch! Pork Dumplings in Chengdu Zhong Sauce鍾水餃: I'd forgotten the Zhong Dumplings I had in Chengdu ten years ago, but I really liked these. The rich, sweet aroma of brown sugar was incredibly appealing. Shanghai Vegetable and Pork Wonton Soup上海菜肉大餛飩: The broth was light and flavorful, the meat filling firm and plump, with a satisfyingly coarse texture and a rich meaty aroma. A pleasant surprise. Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles四川擔擔麵: The first bite was good, the sesame sauce was very fragrant. But it got spicier and spicier, and eventually I couldn't stand it anymore... Chinese Wood Ear Mushroom Salad涼拌木耳: Bland and tasteless. Steamed Crystal Shrimp Dumplings水晶蝦餃: My friend ordered these. Extremely poor quality frozen products, the skin was mushy and the filling was soft--complete garbage.

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    Clay Pot Cafe

    Clay Pot Cafe

    4.2(33 reviews)
    0.1 miAllston/Brighton

    Came by with a large party for a post-graduation celebration. Great service accommodated us, and…read moreeven when our party expanded beyond the original amount. We ordered a TON of rice rolls, clay pot rice (had to since it's the namesake) and other sides. Staff were extremely friendly, made great suggestions, and even chatted with us as we were ordering. Food came out quickly, and was fantastic. I admittedly don't have a lot of experience here, so I'm not sure what the norm is, but from a pure enjoyment perspective, enjoyment was definitely high. Things are definitely a bit cramped but it doesn't feel like that, as the environment is very home-y, with a lot of natural lighting makes this a great environment for a great lunch out with the friends. Would return to try more things from the menu!

    Ordered takeout from here, and the experience had some hiccups. The restaurant was out of several…read moreitems I wanted; fair enough but instead of managing it on their end, they left it for me to sort out. I had to cancel those items myself through customer service, which was a real hassle. I would've expected the merchant to handle that directly. As for the food, the honey BBQ pork was too sweet and dry, and the ribs didn't resemble the menu photo at all; also dry. The rice was decent and portion size was reasonable. It feels like this place has potential but could use some management tweaks. I genuinely hope they succeed, but based on this visit, I'd be hesitant to order again until things are more consistent.

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    Clay Pot Cafe
    Clay Pot Cafe
    Clay Pot Cafe - Honey-Glazed Barbecued Pork

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    Honey-Glazed Barbecued Pork

    Cubist Circle - Yu hsian shredded pork (鱼香肉丝)

    Cubist Circle

    4.2(25 reviews)
    1.4 miBrookline Village

    The best of the best!! The fish in a pot (干锅鱼)is the best!! It was crispy outside and very juicy…read moreand tender inside, the flavor was perfectly balanced with salty, peppery, and chili seasoning. Beef and tripe was very well seasoned and no weird taste at all. The duck blood is the best duck blood in Boston, very tender and delicious. The cost of the dishes surprisingly a little bit cheaper than other restaurants. Even though the restaurant was super super busy, a lot of people waiting for a seat, and there was only one server, a very friendly man, we had water refilled and all the dishes arrived quickly. The service was great. Because the food was so good, many people willing to wait for a seat. I love the small busy restaurant kind of ambience. I will definitely go back soon!

    A solid Chinese restaurant for the area. I have been to its Weymouth location. Not sure if this…read morelocation is newer than Weymouth or not. Limited street parking out front, but there are more street metered parking on the side street (next to the green line). The restaurant is much smaller than the Weymouth location, and the menu selection is also different. The server asked me to scan the QR code on the table for the menu, so I'm not sure if they have a paper menu. You can place the order directly via the QR code. I requested one dish to be non-spicy, and they were able to accommodate that. The only thing was that both dishes were a little bit too salty than my liking. I came here during a weekday lunch, and it wasn't super busy. I would return again.

    Photos
    Cubist Circle
    Cubist Circle - Chongqing noodles (重庆小面)

    Chongqing noodles (重庆小面)

    Cubist Circle - Mellow lunching

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    Mellow lunching

    Little Tao - szechuan - Updated May 2026

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