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I have been coming here for about a year. Mind you i am a lover of having my mouth numb. This place truly delivers on the spicy savory nutty sichuan flavor. Fell in love with their Dan Dan noodles, dry pot, malatang, boiled fish love so many things they serve. Long live Taste
I thought I came here a few months ago, but it was almost a year ago! This place never disappoints. A smiling waiter - who seemed super busy but had a huge smile on her face - just the right attitude for people ringing in the Easter weekend on a Good Friday. We enjoyed every dish! The chongqin spicy noodles, the salt and pepper shrimps, the sizzling cumin lamb, the fish in chili oil. Yum yum yum! We ordered the hottest version but it was not too spicy for us - it was very flavorful. The fresh cut red chillies they give you, was really spicy - the red bean spicy sauce was just right. We enjoyed the cool beers with the spicy food. It's a unique ambience for a Univ Ave restaurant- it's just a Chinese kitchen serving good food - like you came to a home and got served really well. Will come back again with more family members. Ps: another surprising thing - we were a party of 6 and they didn't automatically charge us the tip - I took care of them - because I was super satisfied and happy with my meal!
It's hard to miss this one on the busy University Avenue with their bright red China elements -- and maybe really hard to beat too. This is probably the only Chinese restaurant around here with such an inviting outdoor patio, which makes it perfect for us since our dog babies can relax too. The menu strikes a really smart balance between authentic Sichuan spicy dishes and more Americanized Chinese classics, so there's something for everyone. The signature spicy fish fillet in flaming red oil is a must-try -- bold, fragrant, and so satisfying it might have just saved me an expensive flight back to China. The chili oil wontons are my personal favorite starter and never disappoint. This is an easy repeat spot for us, and we'll definitely go back around CNY days.
These are two of my favorite Sichuan dishes, but was a bit disappointed with them at Taste. The prices are very inflated compared to other restaurants where the quality and taste is the same if not better. The bones in the chicken make it a bit difficult to eat. The fish cools down pretty quickly and isn't as enjoyable after a while. This place would be good for people who do not want as much spice and mala. Service and restaurant space is standard overall. Located on University Ave so it's nice to walk around and many places nearby. Overall, nothing especially wrong with the food, just felt very overpriced for any dish. Unlikely to return.
A little hard to find street parking but there are parking garages around. Employees are exceptionally friendly. Food came out very quickly. Sesame chicken was a bit too sweet for me and could use more sesame flavor. Pea sprouts were nice and tender. Salt and pepper calamari had good flavor and crunch, however some were rubbery and chewy. House fried rice was our favorite but it only had 2 pieces of shrimp.
If you love spicy food, this place does not disappoint. The Szechuan dishes are full of flavor with the perfect level of heat that keeps you coming back for more. Everything we ordered was super tasty and authentic!
Here's finally some disappointment with Taste. I ordered the Yang Chou Fried Rice since they specifically say in the menu that it's Chinese Sausage and shrimp. But turns out it's just Spam/ Luncheon meat :( i was having high hope since they mention it so clearly. But i guess it's just any other Chinese restaurants that give Spam for chinese sausage. I'll give up Yang Chou for good :((. The Chong Quing Numbing Rice Noodle was just okay. broth is more bland comparing to the Spicy Braised beef. A few flaws from Taste but i will still come back considering so many good dishes !
Went to Taste for dinner with a friend and ordered the boiled fish, shredded potatoes, and spicy chicken wing w/ chili pepper. The flavor of all three dishes were great, really well seasoned and satisfying. That said, the portion sizes felt a bit small for the price, which was a little disappointing. Still, I enjoyed the overall experience and would love to come and try the bobo chicken and picked fish next time! For dinner, I recommend coming around 5:30 before it gets super packed.
3.0: The tea flavored duck is OK. Kind of dry, and the tea flavor is not strong enough. But the duck flavor comes through. I recommend getting something more flavorful to go with it, like fried rice or fried noodles. I ordered regular white rice, and it wasn't quite enough.
Met up with a friend for lunch and let her pick items as she's a bit particular and doesn't eat meat. Fortunately, as long as she can pick it out ordering isn't too painful. :) :: Hot and Sour Soup - I haven't had this soup in awhile as I'm sensitive to msg but their soup was flavorful, not overly salty, good amount of ingredients without a headache after. Major plus and GOOD Taste :: Salt and Pepper Shrimp - simple but a bit too much batter (for me) so 2 pcs was perfect. Friend loved it and took home leftovers - OKAY Taste :: Shrimp Dumpling - standard but props for thin skin. - YUMMY Taste :: Hong Kong- Style Chow Mein - it was okay and had better. Extremely crispy noodles (not tender inside) that softened with the bland gravy... MEH Taste Overall Taste rating: 3.5 stars Service ok and not sure if because we sat in the front patio and forgotten. Had to wave for service, go inside for containers, ask for the check and back inside to pay. - BAD Taste $45/person with tip and without drinks. Decent food and would only return if friend picked. Bathroom: unisex bathroom: clean and stocked
Taste has been around university ave for a while and is popular among students and those work on or near campus. My friend always pick something to go before her ship: mala dry pot (they let you select veggies, meat and add on combos which is cool, overall not too expensive), plenty of appetizers some expensive some not (mouth watering chicken, scallion pancakes etc). service is quick. Staff is busy but very helpful and overall is nice. It is a bustling lunch and dinner spot with lots of turn over. The wait may not be too bad. Good comfort spicy Chinese food spot near campus
The Scallion Pancake appetizer is incredible! You have to try it! You'll probably reorder more of those, done very well here, in fact, best I've had!!
Delicious entrees, cumin lamb chow fun, yam and wood ear, excellent, fast service - I like that they let you enjoy the food without interrupting three times to ask how you like it! Lively, vibrant, noisy room, full of young energy!
I came here with my company for lunch and I was very impressed. *Taste is only open for lunch, so remember that before coming *This place is usually nearly packed *They serve dim sum which comes in family-style sizes *The restaurant is small/medium size, so make sure to come in time! We were a large group of about 14 people, but the food came out pretty quickly. My favorites were the cucumber salad and the chicken dumplings. Everything was so flavorful, I will most definitely be coming back. read more
I've dined in and gotten delivery from Taste. Both times I tried the dry pot which was pretty good but a bit too oily. Given the price I would've expected a bigger portion but it makes sense given the great location. Service was great! read more
15 days ago
Today I checked out Taste for some kung pao chicken...they're located right on busy University Ave in Palo Alto. There is tons of competition around, but that didn't stop me. I grabbed the lunch special and opted for white rice. It came with a hot and sour soup that tasted great, featuring a nice texture with egg and tofu. It was heavy on the white pepper, which I prefer, making for a really solid start. I forgot to take a picture of it so just pretend I had it. Getting into the dish, the chicken wasn't quite as fried as what I had at Grandma's Kitchen or even P.F. Chang's, but it was still very tender. The vegetable lineup brought green peppers and onions, delivering a really nice green onion aroma. The absolute highlight was the peanuts. They were honestly the crunchiest I have ever had in a KPC dish, which was awesome. The sauce had a nice amount of wetness and actually packed a good amount of Szechuan spice, especially compared to Shang Cafe. Flavor-wise, it started off as a nice sweet and sour mix, but after a while, the sweetness just became completely overbearing. Verdict: Incredibly tender chicken, a nice Szechuan kick, and the absolute crunchiest peanuts I have ever had, but ultimately held back by an overbearingly sweet sauce. read more
11 days ago
I have been coming here for about a year. Mind you i am a lover of having my mouth numb. This place truly delivers on the spicy savory nutty sichuan flavor. Fell in love with their Dan Dan noodles, dry pot, malatang, boiled fish love so many things they serve. Long live Taste read more
I thought I came here a few months ago, but it was almost a year ago! This place never disappoints. A smiling waiter - who seemed super busy but had a huge smile on her face - just the right attitude for people ringing in the Easter weekend on a Good Friday. We enjoyed every dish! The chongqin spicy noodles, the salt and pepper shrimps, the sizzling cumin lamb, the fish in chili oil. Yum yum yum! We ordered the hottest version but it was not too spicy for us - it was very flavorful. The fresh cut red chillies they give you, was really spicy - the red bean spicy sauce was just right. We enjoyed the cool beers with the spicy food. It's a unique ambience for a Univ Ave restaurant- it's just a Chinese kitchen serving good food - like you came to a home and got served really well. Will come back again with more family members. Ps: another surprising thing - we were a party of 6 and they didn't automatically charge us the tip - I took care of them - because I was super satisfied and happy with my meal! read more
9 months ago
It's hard to miss this one on the busy University Avenue with their bright red China elements -- and maybe really hard to beat too. This is probably the only Chinese restaurant around here with such an inviting outdoor patio, which makes it perfect for us since our dog babies can relax too. The menu strikes a really smart balance between authentic Sichuan spicy dishes and more Americanized Chinese classics, so there's something for everyone. The signature spicy fish fillet in flaming red oil is a must-try -- bold, fragrant, and so satisfying it might have just saved me an expensive flight back to China. The chili oil wontons are my personal favorite starter and never disappoint. This is an easy repeat spot for us, and we'll definitely go back around CNY days. read more
These are two of my favorite Sichuan dishes, but was a bit disappointed with them at Taste. The prices are very inflated compared to other restaurants where the quality and taste is the same if not better. The bones in the chicken make it a bit difficult to eat. The fish cools down pretty quickly and isn't as enjoyable after a while. This place would be good for people who do not want as much spice and mala. Service and restaurant space is standard overall. Located on University Ave so it's nice to walk around and many places nearby. Overall, nothing especially wrong with the food, just felt very overpriced for any dish. Unlikely to return. read more
6 months ago
A little hard to find street parking but there are parking garages around. Employees are exceptionally friendly. Food came out very quickly. Sesame chicken was a bit too sweet for me and could use more sesame flavor. Pea sprouts were nice and tender. Salt and pepper calamari had good flavor and crunch, however some were rubbery and chewy. House fried rice was our favorite but it only had 2 pieces of shrimp. read more
1 year ago
Here's finally some disappointment with Taste. I ordered the Yang Chou Fried Rice since they specifically say in the menu that it's Chinese Sausage and shrimp. But turns out it's just Spam/ Luncheon meat :( i was having high hope since they mention it so clearly. But i guess it's just any other Chinese restaurants that give Spam for chinese sausage. I'll give up Yang Chou for good :((. The Chong Quing Numbing Rice Noodle was just okay. broth is more bland comparing to the Spicy Braised beef. A few flaws from Taste but i will still come back considering so many good dishes ! read more
Went to Taste for dinner with a friend and ordered the boiled fish, shredded potatoes, and spicy chicken wing w/ chili pepper. The flavor of all three dishes were great, really well seasoned and satisfying. That said, the portion sizes felt a bit small for the price, which was a little disappointing. Still, I enjoyed the overall experience and would love to come and try the bobo chicken and picked fish next time! For dinner, I recommend coming around 5:30 before it gets super packed. read more
25 days ago
3 months ago
9 months ago
3.0: The tea flavored duck is OK. Kind of dry, and the tea flavor is not strong enough. But the duck flavor comes through. I recommend getting something more flavorful to go with it, like fried rice or fried noodles. I ordered regular white rice, and it wasn't quite enough. read more
Met up with a friend for lunch and let her pick items as she's a bit particular and doesn't eat meat. Fortunately, as long as she can pick it out ordering isn't too painful. :) :: Hot and Sour Soup - I haven't had this soup in awhile as I'm sensitive to msg but their soup was flavorful, not overly salty, good amount of ingredients without a headache after. Major plus and GOOD Taste :: Salt and Pepper Shrimp - simple but a bit too much batter (for me) so 2 pcs was perfect. Friend loved it and took home leftovers - OKAY Taste :: Shrimp Dumpling - standard but props for thin skin. - YUMMY Taste :: Hong Kong- Style Chow Mein - it was okay and had better. Extremely crispy noodles (not tender inside) that softened with the bland gravy... MEH Taste Overall Taste rating: 3.5 stars Service ok and not sure if because we sat in the front patio and forgotten. Had to wave for service, go inside for containers, ask for the check and back inside to pay. - BAD Taste $45/person with tip and without drinks. Decent food and would only return if friend picked. Bathroom: unisex bathroom: clean and stocked read more
Taste has been around university ave for a while and is popular among students and those work on or near campus. My friend always pick something to go before her ship: mala dry pot (they let you select veggies, meat and add on combos which is cool, overall not too expensive), plenty of appetizers some expensive some not (mouth watering chicken, scallion pancakes etc). service is quick. Staff is busy but very helpful and overall is nice. It is a bustling lunch and dinner spot with lots of turn over. The wait may not be too bad. Good comfort spicy Chinese food spot near campus read more
3 months ago
Delicious entrees, cumin lamb chow fun, yam and wood ear, excellent, fast service - I like that they let you enjoy the food without interrupting three times to ask how you like it! Lively, vibrant, noisy room, full of young energy! read more
2 years ago
My friend craved for some Chinese food. So we dropped by here for a quick catchup. We ordered their signature fish dish, a stir fried pea sprout and a fried dough. Fried dough was okay. Pea sprout was tender and well seasoned. The fish was of a generous size and fresh. It was delicious! There were many other veggies hidden in the dish that tasted awesome along with the fish. Service was great! This place is not fancy but clean and cozy. We would love to come back again! read more
3 months ago
3 months ago
2 years ago
A solid Chinese restaurant that I will be going to again. Decent vegetarian options and has a good mix of "safe" food options for kids and spicy foods for your adventurous friends. Food: great levels of flavors in each dish. The highlight was the tofu dish. I can't find it on the yelp menu, but you should be able to order it in person. Scallion pancakes were okay, not as flaky as I would have liked. The noodles were flavorful and good spice. Service: quick service but you did have to wave down your waiter. There was only one waitress that night so I'm sure she was busy working the whole restaurant. Waving down a waiter is also typical of most Asian restaurants so I didn't mind. They were on top of filling our water, which I appreciate! Ambiance: both indoor and outdoor seating. Comfortable restaurant and can fit around 40-50 people inside. Parking: lots of available street parking or parking lots nearby. If you come during dinner hours or the weekends it can be harder to find parking, so alott for an extra 5-7 minutes for parking. read more
1 year ago
My go-to dish is the shrimp and pork shumai. Nothing fancy, but with each bite you get the pleasure of tasting shrimp. I tend to order appetizers and dim sum. I've enjoyed the potstickers ($12), Scallion pancakes ($7), bbq buns ($10) and Walnut Buns ($10) I keep coming back for the shumai ($10 for four). Parking can be a challenge, but so far I've lucked out and have grabbed a front door spot. I have yet to dine in, but my to-go order is always ready when promised. Here's What I Think...if you're in the area, give them a try. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
4 months ago
10 months ago
Great food clean restaurant just a great experience, highly recommended. I grew up eating Chinese restaurant in San Francisco and there slowly going away but now I found this spot in University Ave. Palo Alto I can comeback to. read more
Ordered a spicy drypot through DoorDash. The good: beef is tender and flavorful. So are the other vegetables. The bad: the portion. I was shocked when I saw the size of the container. Will try dining in next time and see if it would change my rating. read more
1 year ago
The tan tan noodle is amazing, probably the best i've had. The flavor is deep and umami and the noodles have the perfect al dente, chewy texture. Will definitely come back specifically for this dish! read more
2 years ago
I ordered Lamb with stir-fried vegetable and fish. They came out within 15-20 minutes. I liked both dishes and you could ask for less chili oil and less spicy. The portion is big. It is good to share among people. Pricing is reasonable. The restaurant is located on a main road. You can easily find parkings in weekdays. The waitress was friendly and helpful. The restaurant also offers an outdoor seatings. I definitely come back to try other dishes in the near future. read more
Finally, we have decent szechuan food here in the south bay! We enjoyed everything we ordered: Bobo chicken, fish flavored shredded pork, salted egg yolk, fried pumpkin. Not cheap, but I'm willing to pay for the authentic szechuan taste (and big portion!) once in a while :) read more
Came here on CNY and was not impressed. -They had TONS of take-out orders that were stacked on 2 different tables for 4+ parties so big parties had to wait for smaller tables to become available. -I saw staff members straight up IGNORING delivery drivers. One guy stood for 20mins holding out his phone because NO ONE acknowledged him even though he kept saying "Hello?" Ambiance: Modern decor and casual vibes but it was incredibly loud inside. Food: Small servings for pretty pricey dishes. Ex: salt and pepper calamari had 10 pieces of calamari for a whooping $32. Taste was just fine... there are tons of alternatives that serve delicious dishes for much cheaper $$. I guess that's what you get for eating at downtown Palo Alto. Parking is also a nightmare around here too esp in the evenings and weekends. read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
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More info about Taste
423 University Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
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(650) 323-6488
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