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    Spicy Chef

    4.4 (32 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    SPICY CHEF ATMOSPHERE

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    golden sand shrimp tofu
    Thao N.

    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.

    Tujia style twice cooked pork belly
    Stacey C.

    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!

    Spicy Chili Stir-Fried Noodles
    Winnie H.

    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.

    Fragrant Crispy Ribs
    Quynh N.

    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.

    Stephanie K.

    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.

    Leah N.

    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.

    Fried wonton
    Ninh N.

    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!

    Tujia Pickled Cabbage Fish
    Vinny M.

    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.

    Inside
    Orlando P.

    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

    Water Spinach Stir Fry
    Nan N.

    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!

    Giang P.

    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.

    Sunny P.

    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.

    Decoration
    Lucy M.

    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.

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

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    Chilispot - Spicy Pork Knuckle

    Chilispot

    4.5(314 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Been here a few times now and it is one of the most authentic Chinese spots in the city. Brought my…read moreChinese friends along and they fully approved and you can tell just by the crowd in there. Weekday visits are pretty chill but weekend dinner time gets busy, just something to plan around. Also a heads up on parking, the lot isn't very big so when it's packed it can be tough to find a spot. Would recommend carpooling if you can. I have a pretty low spice tolerance but there are still so many delicious dishes to choose from if you look around the menu. The soups are so hearty and comforting. Insider tip: the tofu egg dish is not on the menu but ask for it anyway. It is so worth it and the best way I can describe it is like eating a savory cloud puff. So unique and so good. The service is always super efficient, food comes out fast, and the staff will get you in and out. Every single dish I've had has been full of flavor and nothing has missed yet. Would absolutely come back and highly recommend.

    The mangolian beef is not made with flank steak which is…read moretraditional in mangolian beef not even 1 hot pepper on the entree which again is traditional the meat was top round and for $22.35 I expected flank steak. The Salt and pepper pork was all batter no flavor at all, not even salt on that batter, it was a terrible and a big disappointment the white rice was dry, $60 for 2 entrees and Luke warm pot stickers. Not to mention the rude service we received, you have to ask for napkins and basics, which seemed to be a bother tithe rude waitress. She never once said thank you or hello Also not very clean either. I should've turned back around when we noticed the filthy glass doors. However I've been wanting to try this place for a while. Don't waste your money on this place like I did. I

    Photos
    Chilispot - The dining table with the menu.

    The dining table with the menu.

    Chilispot - Chicken Chefs Special Stir Fried Chicken 1804

    Chicken Chefs Special Stir Fried Chicken 1804

    Chilispot - Whole Fish

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    Cate Zone Chinese Cafe - Braised Pork Belly Noodle Soup

    Cate Zone Chinese Cafe

    4.5(435 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Absolutely delicious! There was barely any wait time, and the service was quick. The portions are…read morehuge, and everything was also so flavorful:)

    I've been a regular at Cate Zone Chinese Café for a long time and usually go once or twice a month…read more I always order the crispy fish and mala tofu, and up until recently, I loved this place enough to justify a 30 minute drive. Unfortunately, my most recent visit completely changed that. I went on Sunday, 11/23, the weekend before Thanksgiving. I worked from 6-3 that day and placed my usual order online around 1:00-1:30 pm for ASAP pickup so I could grab it before their lunch break. I even left work early to make it there. When I arrived around 2:40 pm, I was told my order wouldn't be ready until 5:00 pm and that I would have to come back. I showed them my order confirmation, which originally showed a pickup time around 2:50 pm. Even when I refreshed the website, it showed 3:30 pm, still nowhere near 5:00. The cashier, a young man, was dismissive and didn't seem to care at all that my time had been wasted or that the information given online didn't match what I was being told in person. This was extremely frustrating and honestly unacceptable, especially for a place I've been loyal to for so long. I wasted my time, left work early for nothing, and left without food. As much as I've loved Cate Zone in the past, this experience was enough to make me question whether I'll be returning.

    Photos
    Cate Zone Chinese Cafe
    Cate Zone Chinese Cafe - 2023.09.07. Cate Zone Chinese Cafe, Saint Louis, Missouri

    2023.09.07. Cate Zone Chinese Cafe, Saint Louis, Missouri

    Cate Zone Chinese Cafe - Front

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    Front

    Movoc

    Movoc

    4.4(43 reviews)
    2.5 miThe Loop

    Such a unique and fun concept for hot pot! You pick out all your own ingredients, they weigh…read moreeverything, take it to the back, cook it up, and bring it out to you. It's a great place for friends or family or alone too. They to takeout as well or order delivery. The ingredient selection is really impressive and very vegetarian friendly. Everything looked fresh and they refill often. There are also lots of soup base options to choose from plus a stir fry option if you want to mix it up. The make your own sauce station is a great touch too. The staff works incredibly fast at turning tables and keeping everything clean. They only have one bathroom (it's clean) so just be aware for wait times. They also give you one free rice bowl which is a small but good bonus. There's a good amount of seating though I've heard the line goes out the door on weekends. Overall I really loved this place and I am already looking forward to coming back.

    This was my first experience at a hot pot by the pound restaurant. I've only been to all you can…read moreeat hot pot restaurants, so I was excited to try this place out. Apparently, I wasn't the only one because this place got packed by 6p on a weekday! The line was out the door. It can be a little confusing for a first time goer as you enter the place and grab a bowl to select the ingredients you want to eat. The minimum weight that you have to buy is 0.9 lbs, but you really won't know how much your bowl weighs until you get up to the cashier and put it on the scale. My bowl was underweight my first time through, so I went back to grab more ingredients. If I had to guess the minimum cost for a 0.9 lb bowl, it's probably about $16, which is a pretty good price for a hot pot. My bowl weighed about 0.97 and it was way more than I could comfortably eat. The next decision you have to make after you have selected your ingredients is the base and spicy level. I went with #1 Oil splash spicy soup at medium spice level. Now, I enjoy spicy foods, but this was at the upper limit of enjoyability. Although tasty, I think the oil in the broth got to be too much and I will want to try a different base next time. After you pay for your food, you get a number which you take to a table of your choosing and wait for your bowl to come out (they cook it for you). There is a drinking water station next to the free rice station, which was around the corner from the complimentary pickled vegetable station. Overall, positive experience and I would return for more. .|\---/| | @_@ | ..\_^_/..2026

    Photos
    Movoc
    Movoc - Sour and spicy.

    Sour and spicy.

    Movoc - Outside

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    Outside

    Mai Lee - Fried rice

    Mai Lee

    4.1(1.3k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    This is one restaurant that my husband and I can always agree upon when we are out. Couples, you…read moreknow the car conversations, right? Well you can't go wrong here. When you walk in you are always greeted with a smile. The seating is quite close but not so close you cannot walk through. Tables and booths. Very clean and well kept. Your order can be family style or individual. Family style allows you to share tea and big serving bowls of soups. Now for the good stuff. The menu is varied with authentic or Americanized "Asian" stirfry and egg rolls. The Pho is outstanding! My goodness, the flavors of the broth, with added ingredients from chicken and beef to vegetarian. What brings it home are the side dishes of flavor bombs they serve along side: jalapeños, bean sprouts, and Thai basil. Add it to the soup and the noodles seem to envelope it all with an explosion of flavor as you slurp even to the last drop. And grab those last leaves or noodles with your chopsticks. It's worth every bite. I highly recommend Mai Lee, as it is at the top of our all-time favorites list.

    Mai Lee has become one of our reliable STL comfort spots. The menu is huge, but the staff is always…read morekind and happy to help guide you if you're not sure what to order. My daughter especially loves the noodle dishes here, which makes it an easy family pick for us. Favorites: 17, 133, 34, 14, 54

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    Mai Lee - Wall of awards

    Wall of awards

    Mai Lee - Caramelized catfish (ca kho to)

    Caramelized catfish (ca kho to)

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