The journey to Sichuan Jin River

I agreed to check out Sichuan Jin River Restaurant in Rockville, MD with one of my favorite dining buddies. DG is a favorite dining buddy because she likes to try new foods and likes spicy dishes. DG  suggested Sichuan because she had read it was rated one of the 100 Very Best Restaurants in Maryland by Washingtonian Magazine.

I read reviews on Yelp and the Gazette before driving to the restaurant. Thanks to the Gazette review I discovered that the restaurant actually sits behind a fire station on Hungerford Rd. When DG walked in the door the staff glanced anxiously at me. I nodded affirmatively and the staff ushered DG to the booth where I sat. The server told DG that I had been waiting a loooong time and was hungry so we must order as soon as possible! DG retrieved a piece of paper from her purse - a list of dishes that had been recommended by other diners or that seemed interesting to her. I had two yellow post it notes affixed to my phone with a list of dishes that I had read about in the Gazette review and that had caught my eye when I perused the authenitic chinese menu on the restaurant's website.There is also a menu with with westernized Chinese dishes, but I didn't look at it.

DG suggested we start with the DanDan noodles. I suggested we try the lotus root salad.

L: Dan Dan noodles, R: lotus root salad

Both dishes arrived quickly after we placed the order. The noodles arrived hot to the table-steam slowly rose from the noodles. The lotus root salad was crunchy with a hint of spiciness. We had to pace ourselves not to consume all of the savory appetizers so we would have for our entrees.

DG ordered the flounder and vegetables in spicy soup. The picture in the menu caught her eye and she was curious about the flavor elements

flounder and vegetables in spicy soup

The flounder dish on our table looked just like what we saw on the menu. DG smiled after eating a few bites of the flounder. She reported that the flounder was tender and that the sauce was indeed spicy. She also said the cilantro garnish helped temper the heat of the sauce.

The server smiled when I requested Chengdu chicken. I had read that this was a popular dish, it was spicy and seemed to 'numb' diners' mouths,

Chengdu chicken 

The dish was delivered hot and steaming.  The red peppers and scallions were a colorful sight mixed in the apparently seasoned chicken. I excitedly placed some of the dish on my plate. too The warmth of the food spread in my mouth. The chicken was tender and full of flavor. As I continued to eat the dish my mouth felt cool and I felt the 'buzzing' sensation I had read about in reviews of this dish.  DG tried the dish and felt the 'buzzing' in her mouth too. I studied the dish- what was causing the buzzing sensation? It couldn't be the scallions- I'd eaten them. It couldn't be the red pepper - I'd mistakenly bitten into them before and the resulting sensation was searing heat, not 'buzzing'. I pointed to what appeared to be 'anise' and asked DG if she knew what it was. She didn't know. I was determined to solve the mystery.

Mystery solved: what I thought was anise', is sometimes called, 'aniseseed', but is popularly known as 'sichuan pepper'. My research  confirmed that this pepper's properties cause a numbing, tingling sensation. I planned to purchase the peppers on my next trip to the nearby international food market.

sichuan pepper and seed - courtesy of Wikipedia

DG and I didn't finish our entrees and asked that the dishes be packed for us to take home. DG was certain her husband would want to try the flounder. 

The restaurant is very family friendly - the servers smiled brightly at children and weaved around toddlers who want to explore the dining area, much to the distress of their parents.  I didn't check the bathrooms. The service is brisk and efficient.  

Single diners note: The restaurant makes a special effort to make single diners feel welcome. 

The closest metro is Rockville. Be forewarned- the restaurant sits on a large lot with parking spaces designated for each vendor. Park in the space designated for the restaurant. Towing is enforced.

I feel compelled to return to Sichuan Jin River Restaurant to try more items on the menu. Deep fried tofu with hot peppers, anyone?

Be well,

Technicolor girl