Spicy Empire - San Mateo

One of our first food finds in San Mateo area, we chanced upon this place on a cold winter afternoon. Hot, spicy food was just what we needed!

Spicy Empire (Yelp link), a Sichuan restaurant is definitely a find! The food is always yummy, and is especially comforting in colder weather.

Our favourite is the House Combination Mini Hot Pot - not for the faint of heart, but definitely yummy. The hot pot also includes Sichuan peppercorns. Sichuan peppercorn, for those that have never tried it, is one of the ingredients in five spice powder. Turns out, it isnt really a peppercorn at all! Instead it is a a berry of the prickly ash tree, and its main claim to fame is the powerful numbing sensation it causes around the mouth.

Anyway, about the food. If there are only 2 things you ever get here, make sure it is the fried fish filet - a really well seasoned crispy dish, and the mini hot pot - spicy, rich goodness in a bowl.

We get both every time!

Spicy Empire
(Clockwise from Top Right: Fried Filet of Sole,
Mini Hot Pot - House Combination, Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
Dry Sauteed String Beans)

 

Bottom Line:
Price - $
Ambience - Casual

Vegetarian Friendly - Yes

Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot - San Mateo

My first Hot pot experience was at dinner at a friends place, and I was hooked. As I have said in posts before, there is almost nothing better than a good bowl of flavorful broth. Hot Pot is just that, plus you get to add various meats and vegetables to it, making it a pretty well balanced meal.

Little Sheep Hot Pot (unfortunate name, I know), in downtown San Mateo is a great place for hot pot. They also have a location in Cupertino on Stevens Creek.

The concept is simple:
1. Pick a broth, or 2 (they even have a completely vegetarian broth!), and they have a pot that keeps the 2 separate
2. Pick your meat, there are plenty of vegetarian options as well.

Soon, a steady stream of food set up in front of you. Bowls of vegetables - cabbage, bok choy, mushrooms, tofu, fish balls and fish cake come with every order. Another tray holds thinly sliced frozed meat. All this, and lunch only runs about $9.95 per person!

Every table is equipped with a heating coils in the center - this keeps the huge bowl of broth hot. Once the broth gets to a rolling boil, use tongs, and ladles to immerse the ingredients into the hot pot. The meats only take about 30 seconds to cook, while the fish balls and tofu etc. take a little longer. You can even ladle some of the broth into your bowl to enjoy as a soup.

Picking the 50-50 bowl allows you to enjoy 2 completely different broths, or as it was in our case, allows vegetarians to enjoy food with the rest of the group.



Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot
(Clockwise From Top Right: 50-50 Pot with Spicy Vegetarian, & Original broth
 Fish, Beef, Pork, Lamb, & Vegetarian Accompaniments)

 There is something really comforting about sharing this meal with a group of friends, and the interactive cooking makes it a fun, relaxing meal.

Fair warning though, lunch, or dinner, you are bound to have too much food.

Bottom Line:
Price - $
Ambience - Trendy

Vegetarian Friendly - Yes