Szechuan Restaurants near Brea, CA

“Tang Bar offers an incredible variety of soup bases for malatang. I tried the laksa soup base, a unique Singaporean/Malaysian coconut curry flavor that I haven't seen at other malatang spots. The selection is impressive, and there's even a dedicated sauce bar where you can customize your mix with garlic, green onions, regular onions, cilantro, chili peppers, and peanut sauce. The pricing is fair too, at roughly $14.99 per pound. I managed to get a lot of food for $20, though I did find their rice a bit pricey at $2.50 per bowl. Overall, everything else was excellent!“

“Compared to a few years ago, a few of the menu classics from Kawasanja are still there!And then the surprise is that there are a lot of new dishes too!“

“**4.3/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Uncle Chili Rowland Heights: Bold Spice That Packs Heat, But Oil Weighs It Down**

Tucked in the always-busy Hong Kong Plaza on Colima Road, **Uncle Chili** draws crowds with its fiery Sichuan signage and the constant aroma of chilies and numbing peppercorns spilling out the door 🌶️🔥. The interior is bright and modern—clean tables, big menu boards with mouthwatering photos, and a quick-moving counter setup. Service is genuinely solid: staff are attentive, explain spice levels patiently (1-5, with 3 already serious), and food arrives lightning-fast even during peak dinner rushes.

The **spicy dishes** deliver on heat— the boiled fish in green pepper sauce swims in vibrant red oil with explosive mala kick, tender slices soaking up that tongue-numbing buzz. The mapo tofu is silky and fragrant with Sichuan pepper, while the grilled whole fish crackles with cumin and chili rub. If you crave that face-tingling spice high, Uncle Chili absolutely satisfies; the flavors pop and the heat lingers just right.

That said, authenticity takes a hit for me. The oil pools are generous (classic Sichuan style), but here it feels heavier and slightly refined rather than the rustic, fermented depth I’ve had in Chengdu or even Flushing spots. After a few bites, the oiliness overshadowed the nuances, and I couldn’t finish portions I normally would—points deducted there, even though everything looked and felt clean.

Still, for Rowland Heights, it’s one of the bolder Sichuan options, great for spice chasers who don’t mind the grease factor. Solid execution, fair portions, and friendly vibes keep it in rotation. I’ll return, but probably stick to drier dishes next time or ask for less oil. Worth trying if you’re in the area and need a mala fix.“

“I have been eating at Mandarin Taste since I was 4 years old. Since when they used to have to polaroid pictures taped to the wall where you waited for your seat. Since the shopping center was a thriving place for business.
I have been gone from the area for years now, but I came home over the summer and after a shopping trip at Brea Mall, I craved some Szechwan beef and nostalgia. Upon walking in, we noticed some small changes. The polaroid pictures are gone (mines was up there!) but everything else was exactly the same. Including the staff. They have of course aged as we all have, but I remember them in their younger years. We ordered all our old favorites. The pu-pu platter, chow mein, fried rice, and Szechwan beef. All of it tasted exactly the way it did the last time we had it. The consistency of this place is insane and much appreciated. The service was good too. I don't have any issues with Mandarin Taste and we always had great food and a good time here over so many years. Graduations, births, birthdays, and job promotions. All celebrated here. It made me sad to see the shopping center as desolate as it was. In the 80's and 90's, it was a busy place and again, many memories being there. I'm glad to see that Mandarin Taste has been able to remain and among so much change, they have been able to stay the same. Thanks for the memories. Please support this restaurant. You won't be disappointed.“

“I came here for a meal and was really impressed! I ordered the Beef Fried Rice and the Hunan-Style Fried Pork Slices, and both dishes tasted very authentic. The flavors were rich, well-balanced, and just what I was hoping for. The service was friendly and the atmosphere felt welcoming, making it a great place to enjoy a good Chinese meal. I’d definitely come back again !“

“Thanks to my son in law we got to try a new spot. How Rowland Heights has changed since the 80’s. Just love the rich food scene. Be forewarned. Friday and Saturday nights the parking can be very challenging. Once seated service was quick. But here is how it works. You order your broth selection an some premium proteins online. The rest is pretty much self service from the various refrigerators. Seafood, beef tendon, beef with cilantro, gizzards, plenty of mushrooms, and veggies. You select what you want and take it back to your table and immerse in the broth. Feels very cafe style which I just enjoyed. Totally a find. I will be back.“

“Rolling Boil is amazing! Great staff, fun atmosphere! Food is fantastic!“

“Clean, friendly & attentive staff, lots of options for ingredients, good classic bone soup, tomato soup, mushroom soup but my favorite is the stir-fried spicy wok (麻辣香鍋)🌶️🌶️🌶️, so much that I’ve been coming here weekly.“