This place did not come here to be subtle. New on the scene and already choosing violence in the best way. This Chinese spot wakes up your entire palate and then politely refuses to apologize for it. You might feel this for days but it is worth it. The hot crisp fish deserves its own holiday. It shows up aggressively crispy and this will ruin bland food for you forever. There's no toning it down here. No watered-down flavors for the cautious. Avoid the map at this spot. Order something unique. You might sweat a little. read more

See all

New kid on the block! The real question is how this place stacks compared to Chili Spot and Cate Zone, the other popular two spots on Olive. Our orders: Eighteen second stir fried fresh beef (20.95): thick slices of meat but a tougher cut, wish it was more tender, generous with vegetables-- using both slices of and green pepper. Overall, we did enjoy the dish though. Mapo Tofu (14.95): the sauce was mid, only little meat, not very spicy, and the tofu was not great. We generally like places that make their own tofu. Spicy Crazy Fish Fillets (18.95): favorite of the three and think it's better than chili spot's and cate zone's post COVID. Cate zone has to die for fried fish pre COVID, the first few years it was open Overall, prices are $1-3 cheaper here per dish (although smaller), interior is more spacious and nice. I like how the rice comes in a steamed bamboo container, similar sentiment to Korean cuisine when the rice comes in clay pots. At this point, we slightly prefer Chili Spot, but just like with any of the Chinese restaurants here, you really have to know what to order. I think Spicy Chef has its home here and looking forward to trying again read more

See all

Absolutely phenomenal meal from start to finish. We ordered the Chicken with Nine-Leaf Sichuan Pepper, sizzling boiling fish, Tujia-Style Twice-Cooked Pork Belly, Wuhan dry pot noodles, and the spinach. Everything was amazing, but my absolute favorite was the sizzling boiling fish -- incredibly spicy, bold, and packed with flavor. The chicken and pork dishes were fantastic as well, each with their own unique depth of flavor and authentic Sichuan-style heat. The Wuhan dry pot noodles were delicious and paired perfectly with the rest of the meal. Even the spinach dish stood out. I went to collect the order myself, and even from the inside, the ambience felt very authentic and inviting. This place definitely feels like a hidden gem, and I already want to go back to try more items on the menu. read more

It was honestly so good! I ordered the Szechuan Chicken in chili oil, the Hunan Lamb, and the Golden Sand Shrimp Tofu. The Hunan Lamb and Golden Sand Shrimp tofu paired so well together, especially with rice. The Sichuan Chicken was really flavorful, though it was served cold, which threw me off a bit. The interior is honestly so beautiful and it created such an elevated experience. The service was super quick, super nice, and the staff was really friendly. Plus, there's a parking lot, so no stress about parking. The price range is about $20 per entree, but it's worth it for the quality and experience. read more

See all

I visited Spicy Chef after being recommended this restaurant by a friend. This restaurant is located in U City and is a true authentic Chinese restaurant. Their dishes were well flavored but not too greasy / salty / saucy / sweet / etc. Their dishes were generally well balanced. I ordered a variety of dishes, but the ones to highlight are the YongZhou coin shaped eggs and the stir fried pork knuckles. The coin shaped eggs were lightly fried and one of a kind. The pork knuckles were tender. The water spinach was great as well and is a vegetable dish that is hard to come by in Chinese-American restaurants. They have a large parking lot and their service is quick. I would highly recommend coming back! read more

Spicy Chef - Tujia style twice cooked pork belly - Chinese Near Me - University City, Missouri

I've been here 5 times now and probably tried half the menu. I wanted to do a re-review so you can order the BEST menu items! The first few times I didn't know quite what to order. Though the dishes were good, they didn't end up being my favorite dishes. The last few times I've figured out what the all-star dishes are. My all time favorites ranked in order at Spicy Chef are: FAVORITES: 1. Tujia Syle Twice Cooked Pork Belly (there's 2 pork belly dishes, get the TWICE cooked one!) 2. "Eighteen Second" Stir Fried Fresh Beef (there's 2 beef dishes, get this one!) 3. Eggplant with Minced Pork and Sour Beans (NOTE: contains pork, not good for vegetarians) 4. Appetizer: Wontons in Chili Oil (the best in STL) 5. Spicy Crazy Fish Fillets 6. Mapo Tofu HONORABLE MENTIONS: -Cucumber Salad - it's literally cucumbers but it's refreshing and also helps break down the spiciness of some dishes -Kung Pao Chicken - good flavor TIP: The Stir-Fried Beef with Nine Leaf Chili AND Chicken with Nine-Leaf Sichuan Pepper are literally the same thing with different meat. DO NOT ORDER BOTH because your mouth will be feeling so numb with no changing of flavors when alternating between them. Just pick one if you want to order this type of dish. read more

See all

Right when I stepped in, the decor was insanely beautiful. You can tell the owner put real effort into creating the ambiance, and it immediately sets the tone for the experience. We came in as a group of four and didn't have to wait at all, which was a pleasant surprise. They seemed a little short-staffed, but the team on the floor handled everything so well--super helpful, attentive, and quick. Our food came out fast, and everything was still hot and savory, which I always appreciate. I've been here twice now, and both visits left me impressed. My personal favorite is the water spinach stir-fried with garlic--simple, flavorful, and done right every time. But the most impressive dish, hands down, is the fragrant crispy ribs. Sounds like it might be dry, right? Nope. The ribs are perfectly crispy on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside--honestly insane. They top it off with crispy garlic, onions, PEANUT and chili. It looks spicy, but the heat is very balanced and not overwhelming. Every other dish I've tried has been solid too, both in presentation and flavor. One small minus point is the soup. The flavors are good, but the portions sometimes feel off. The ratio between broth and ingredients (meat, veggies, etc.) can be uneven, so it occasionally feels like a giant bowl of diluted soup rather than a hearty one. Aside from that, I'll definitely be coming back frequently. I'd love to see this place continue to grow and become a true U-City staple. read more

See all

The first time I tried Spicy Chef, I thought it was okay. However, today, I went with foodie friends and everything we ordered was fantastic, including all the Veggies (cucumber and cabbage). I like that the fried fish was crispy the whole and not super smothered in Sichuan, but still good amount of spice. The Kung Pao Chicken, Mapo Tofu, Chili Wontons, Fried noodles, Fried Rice. And the Egg Tofu and Shrimp all were delicious! I think it really depends on what you order. Just go with this list and I think you will enjoy it! Friendly servers, cute decor inside, convenient parking, spacious inside. read more

See all

Generally good, great seating area and service was generally attentive. Food was mixed. Some dishes were spectacular, such as the fried fish and the lamb, but the eggplant was drowning in grease and lacking flavor. Hope to give this spot another shot someday and see if their other dishes live up to the hype read more

We went here last night. The service was really good. Every one of the staff were nice and helpful. They worked together as a team. We got the tulia pickled cabbage fish, stir fried beef in chili, stirred fried beef noodle, and dandan noodles. All the food was good. read more

See all

Very excited that St. Louis got another great, authentic Chinese restaurant! I saw the grand opening post couple weeks ago and finally had time to stop by! Walking in, this is definitely one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in St. Louis. Very on themed with their logo! I love the seating arrangements. We got seated right away and service was really good! A little bumped out that a couple items on the menu we wanted to try were not available at lunch... maybe next time. The fried wonton is such a great appetizer! They definitely hand made these and they were fresh! I ordered the Yu-shiang shredded pork and stir fry beef with nine leaf chili for the entrees. The stir fried beef is so wonderful! Might be my favorite Chinese dish ever?! But be careful if you're not into spicy! The shredded pork has unique flavor and very different compared to other restaurant! It is less spicy than the beef for sure! Looking forward to come back and try more items! read more

See all

Stopped by Chef Spicy on Sunday afternoon and was really impressed by this newer spot. I'll definitely be returning. The pickled fish soup was the standout -- deeply savory, gently sour, and comforting without being heavy. Tender fish, slippery glass noodles, and a clean, warming broth that keeps you going back for just one more spoon. The mapo tofu brought proper heat and that numbing chile oil tingle, balanced by silky tofu and plenty of aroma -- bold but not reckless. We also ordered the beef wraps, which were simple and satisfying, filled with tender meat, fresh herbs, and cucumber -- very craveable. Even the stir-fried dishes felt thoughtful, with good wok flavor, crisp vegetables, and seasoning that didn't blur together. The room is cozy, the menu is deep, and the food feels cooked with intention. Service was attentive and friendly. If you're in the mood for something warming, spicy, and genuinely comforting, this is the move. Come hungry and order family-style -- it's delicious. read more

See all

What an amazing new restaurant added to the St. Louis Chinatown! I live close by and was waiting patiently until this placed open and I couldn't be more happy. First the decor in the inside is very beautiful. The seating is spacious, the service was really amazing as well! Now the food was even better! Beef Wrap - this was good! The beef was tender and there was this sauce that was a little sweet inside that was good. It actually tasted fresh because of the greens that were mostly in the wrap. Sweet & Sour Ribs - these were very tender and like them but to me I couldn't really taste the sweet and sour part of the ribs. It wasn't not flavored but I didn't taste that. Chicken with Nine-leaf- now if you want some tongue numbing dish then get this one. The chicken was really good and tender with the vegetables but that spice will get you and numb your tongue lol but it's not blow your mouth out hot. Seafood & Pork Noodle Soup- this was my favorite dish of the dinner. The broth itself was really good, really flavorful. The noodles were perfect and the shrimp and pork was good. I was also surprised with the cucumbers in it and very goo Chef's Spicy Pork with greens- this is a good dish! The pork was tender and had a hint of spice and really loved the greens. This one is definitely a gonna be a staple for a healthier meal to get my greens and protein lol read more

See all

I really enjoyed the restaurant vibe and service. The food I tried was pretty good and looking forward to try other dishes on the menu. Kung Pao and the cauliflower dishes were the best. The restaurant is next to the new Chinese bakery, Soup Dumpling STL and Cube Tea studio. Plenty of parking. Give this place a try! read more

See all

So excited whenever I get to try out new Chinese restaurants in the St. Louis area. This one is definitely unique for sure. The interiors were so beautiful. You can tell that they put a lot of thoughts into decorating the place. Even though they just opened not too long ago, the service was very good. We were seated and got our food quickly. I highly recommend the Hunan stir fried lamb. It has quite the kick so be prepared. On the contrary, the sizzling boiling fish wasn't spicy. It's an okay dish. The chicken soup was comforting and packed with nourishing herbal ingredients, perfect for a cold day. You gotta try the peppercorn chicken if you like a good numbing sensation. They use fresh peppercorns so it looks so pretty and strong in taste. I really enjoyed my experience. Would definitely come back as a frequent customer. read more

See all

My friends had already been multiple times and would not stop raving about it, so we finally all went together and I totally get the hype now. The inside is super modern with bright lighting, food related decorations, really spacious. We got there at a good time and walked right in without a wait even though it was pretty busy. The service was great, the staff checked on us regularly and kept pouring our tea the second it got even a little low. We ordered a ton of dishes to share. I have low spice tolerance which is a little ironic given the name, but I was still able to find so many delicious options. The braised pork belly was absolutely incredible, the pork was so tender and the sauce is insanely flavorful. The glass noodle and cabbage dish was a 10/10, the beef fried rice sounds simple but was so good, and the chili noodle dish was a huge hit at the table. We also got the spicy lamb which was delicious. I noticed so many tables had soups and next time, I want to try those. Also we met the owner who is super young and so friendly! Lots of potential to become a real staple spot. Highly recommend. read more

See all

For most of us this was the first time to this newly opened Chinese restaurant with special on southern spicy flavors. We ordered 10 dishes. Overall we like them all. I personally like the last desert - rice ball in a sweet soup. But I forgot taking pictures. I would like to come back again. I think their decorations are very unique and I like it a lot. read more

See all

The atmosphere and decorations of the restaurant was vibrant with dark wood furniture transporting you to another world. The service was hopeful and attentive with answering questions and providing recommendations to the dishes. The food was delicious and spicy with the right amount of spice and numbness that didnt leave any pain but encouraged you to eat more and more. One remark was that I was unable to try the first two dishes that was one their menu that was marked as a must try item. Will be coming back to try those in the future. read more

See all

Parking is good even on a Saturday night. It's pretty busy since it just opened, be mindful of the waiting time. the hunan region is specialized with its spicy flavor so please be prepared and make sure to check with the staff if you are not good with spicy food. Overall the food are amazing and I would definitely come back again to try more of there options. The interior design is very nice and spacious. read more

See all

Was very excited to try this place!! The interior is very well decorated and there is ample seating space. We sat at a table with a bench for a chair (no backrests unfortunately). We got the first two dishes probably 5 minutes after we placed the order. The staff are incredibly attentive and kind. The tujia pickled cabbage fish is savory, delicious, and light, and the Sichuan peppercorn flavor is present without being overpowering. The sweet and sour ribs is a decently filling appetizer. My childhood favorite vegetable is water spinach so I really enjoyed that dish, although at the end (soaking in the sauce of the dish) it was too salty. My one disappointment was when I ordered the stir fried beef with nine leaf chili. The picture on the menu looked like there would be more red chilis, so I was surprised when it was all bell peppers. The flavor of the beef was very light, not spicy at all, and slightly sour, whereas I had wanted contrast with the sour fish dish. Overall, nice restaurant! read more

See all

Wow! I loved everything we ordered, especially the picked fish soup and sweet and sour pork. Service was sweet and attentive. Our order came out pretty quickly. Me and my husband spent about 90 minutes enjoying our food and the hot jasmine tea. Such a vibe! I really wanted to try the iced jelly dessert but it was sold out : ( Overall, we were both very pleased with the food and service here. I'll definitely come back to try other items on the menu. read more

See all

We stopped by spicy chef on MLK day to check out the new place and really enjoyed ourselves! We got to try a variety of dishes including the pickled cabbage fish, mao's hong shao pork, eggplant, and Hunan fried rice with meat. The dishes were very flavorful and the stir fried dishes had a nice kick to them. Portion sizes were very adequate and we were all pleasantly full at the end. The place itself is spacious and has ample seating, even for larger parties. Service was a little slow, but seeing as they just opened and are quite busy I figure it's just growing pains. I look forward to coming back and trying more dishes! read more

See all

New Jianghu-Sichuan spot. The food here is fresh and undeniably flavorful, and you get a strong sense of the numbing spice even at their mildest. While we enjoyed a lot of what we tried, a lot of the dishes sort of tasted similar and didn't end up being the most memorable for me. I did really enjoy their stir-fried water spinach, which surprisingly ended up being the star of the meal for me. I was also really pleased with the service here. Nice people who took really good care of our large party. The atmosphere is unique and inviting. Would recommend. Favorite dishes: Water spinach, Tujia-style pork belly read more

Spicy Chef - DanDan noodles - Chinese Near Me - University City, Missouri

See all

I swear they must put some kind of, like, addictive substance in their food, because I'm here about twice a week since they opened nearby me! (I'm kidding; the only addictive substance is probably their excellent flavor.) Very authentic Chinese fare. If you're a fellow wàiguó rén (non-Chinese individual) lol, get either the Hunan spicy fried rice + a protein of your choosing or the kung pow chicken or the pork fried rice (non-spicy option for those adverse)--trust me . read more

The place looks like it was brought over from China. It was impressive. Chinese art all around. The service was good but could have been much better. I wished the server was more attentive. The food was a hit or miss. The appetizer was Szechuan Chicken in ChilliOil. It was full of chicken bones. Many of the bones were jagged and sharp. It reminded me of miscut chicken. My entree was Kung Pao Chicken. I wasn't a fan of it. The portion size was huge. There was a noodle dish that we tried. That was pretty good. That was the only thing that we ate most of it. The server asked a couple of times did we want a box. We had no desire to eat those items. We politely say no thank you. read more

See all

This place was packed. It was a Saturday night though and we waited for 20 minutes. It is a pretty nice space with lots of tables. We got the sour cabbage fish soup, a huge bowl of the most flavorful broth with big chunks of white fish and pickled vegetables- it was outstanding. We also got the beef wrap. Sizable and it was almost like a spring roll with lots of cilantro, green onion, and cucumber with a very light soy like sauce inside- really good! We also got the chili chicken appetizer. It was good, on the heavier side. Beware that the chicken is chopped up into chunks, skin and bones in all. Service was excellent and fast! Going back to try more! read more

Spicy Chef - Menu back - Chinese Near Me - University City, Missouri

See all

As soon as you walk in you smell how delicious your meal will be! The service was fantastic and the food was amazing! We had loads of leftovers too. read more

See all

It's an authentic Chinese restaurant with a unique, beautiful interior, and you know they're doing something right when almost all the diners are Chinese. I went with a group, and we enjoyed everything besides the mapo tofu. They have a large menu with a lot of good options. The dandan noodles are some of the best I've had, and I'd go just for these incredibly flavorful noodles. The eighteen-second stir-friend beef was also great. I was thoroughly disappointed in the mapo tofu bc the sauce's consistency and flavor left a lot to be desired. I should have looked at pictures before ordering. Unless that charges, I'll probably go others places more since mapo tofu is my favorite dish. I'd love to see some Szechuan-style short ribs on the menu. The entire staff is very friendly, and the restaurant is well decorated and inviting. The lighting at our table needed to be adjusted a bit bc it shined in your eyes, but it's an easy fix with either dimmer lights or tilting them a bit. I went shortly after their grand opening, so I assume they're still working out some kinks. It's worth mentioning that we frequently eat at authentic Chinese restaurants along Olive and across the country, so we aren't basic white people who don't know what dishes should taste like. read more

This is a new restaurant that opened up on Olive in University City. Based on their website, they highlight a part of China that specializes in spicy foods. I love the fact that St. Louis is getting a wider variety of Asian style foods, particularly Chinese restaurants that highlight the variety of regional cultural cuisine that China has to offer. I got three dishes. One was an appetizer of chicken and chili oil, the second was cabbage with glass noodles and the third was a shrimp and tofu dish. I'm only one man and it was entirely too much food, but there are certainly several other dishes I would like to try. The service was prompt and polite, and I did get my food to go. It was still warm when I got home and everything was delicious. The tofu and shrimp was good, but I probably wouldn't get it again as I am not a huge tofu guy, but I decided to step out of bounds with that. The chicken and chili oil was delicious and I also enjoyed the cabbage dish as well. Surprisingly it was not super spicy. It did have some spice, but if it would've been a little more, I would've been OK with that. Spicy chef hit the spot and I look forward to going back and trying the other food that they offer. read more

See all

This new restaurant still has a few things to work through. We arrived at 5:30 on Sunday. There were three parties ahead of us, and we ended up waiting about an hour for a table. Not terrible for a new spot, but longer than expected with only a few names on the list. For appetizers, we ordered the sweet and spicy ribs and fried wontons. Our rice came out with the appetizers, which felt a little early. The ribs and rice were both undercooked. We were pretty hungry and decided not to send them back, but it was disappointing. For mains, we had the Kung Pao chicken and the stir fried beef with nine leaves chili. Both dishes had diced bell peppers and were seasoned on the lighter side. I was hoping for a more traditional flavor profile and a bit more depth. They tasted fine, just not as bold or authentic as I expected. The space is decorated simply. Clean, but minimal. Service seemed stretched. On a full house Sunday evening, it looked like only four servers plus the owner were covering the whole dining room. They weren't assigned to sections, so if you needed something, you had to flag down whoever happened to walk by. Everyone was trying, but the system didn't feel organized. It has potential. With some adjustments to execution and service flow, it could be a solid spot. read more

Ordered a dish and waited for one hour and half, never showed up. Asked the waiter he said he forgot to input the order. Plus all dishes seem to be over priced too. read more

The food and service was good! I love the decorations and the vibe to this restaurant.