Sichuan Impression

The meal was absolutely delightful! The flavors were perfectly balanced, with each dish offering a unique and satisfying taste. The ingredients were fresh, and the presentation was elegant, making the whole experience visually appealing. The spices and seasoning were just right, enhancing the natural flavors without overpowering them. The service was exceptional, and the ambiance added to the overall enjoyment. Each bite was a perfect harmony of textures and tastes, leaving me eager to come back for more. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy a memorable dining experience!

I’m giving this place a high rating not solely due to the taste, quality or price, but because of the experience. Never had I tasted Rattan Pepper, a spice with such a numbing/tingling sensation. The Boiled fish with Rattan Pepper is a perfect example of this. I’m not a big fish soup guy, but this is unlike any soup I’ve ever had. You need to try it if you are new to this place. My advice when ordering here is to be bold and adventurous. They offer a lot of things you don’t see on a typical menu, such as frog legs, rabbit and duck tongue to name a few. Make sure you get at least one thing with rattan pepper, like the stir-fried chicken. Everything else I ate was quite good. It all had an element of spice to it, but nothing made me reach for a glass of water. Pricing it quite typical, maybe a bit more then your average Chinese restaurant. That said, this is isn’t your average. You should definitely order family style and share. Give this place a try if you are feeling daring or if you love Sichuan cuisine.

very good restaurant Toothpick Mutton 🐑 (10/10): Cooking quality lamb meat is not easy. However, Sichuan Impression has definitely perfected this skill and as a result, this dish was mouth-wateringly good! The meat was juicy, mildly chewy and didn't have that typical weird lamb meat's smell. Moreover, those toothpicks definitely made it more convenient to eat.

Esteban Wu

I go for lunch and it's not crowded, the service is fast, but the best thing is the food takes me back to my days in Shanghai, the food just has that authentic Chinese taste. They make the food with love here. I hope you get a chance to try it. Sichuan spicy is a good genre on its own.

Andi Bai

Have been coming to this location for a while now. Food is great and as authentic as it gets in the US. Staff is friendly and helpful. Highly recommend the spicy grilled whole fish.

ZiHan

Authentic tastes from the Sichuan province! Delicious foods, and their spicy food was truly spicy! However, some food for example the pork belly was too sweet in my opinion, so if you are visiting that restaurant do not order their pork belly! It's way too sweet and sticky for taste. Other than that their soups were delicious, and their vegetables! Staff was all super friendly and nice! Highly recommend.

Vivian Wong

My husband and I love this place. Their wontons in chili oil are our favorite. Their green beans with minced beef and their cumin lamb have a great flavor as well. Hubby also got honey citrus tea and the taste was good but wasn't cold enough. Service is really good, staff is attentive and food came quickly.

Abbie

This isn't the best Szechuan food you will find in SoCal, but for West LA, I'll give it five stars. The spicy chicken was tender but could have been more numbing. I really liked the toothpick lamb though! Crunchy and fat at the same time with just the right amount of spice. They have a variety of authentic Szechuan dishes, and if that's all you want, this place will hit the spot. The food was not overly greasy, and the service was above average for a Chinese restaurant. The interior is very clean and decorated as well.

Dylan Shen

The food was great! Definitely will be coming back again. The green beans were flavorful and the mapo tofu was good. The vegetables in the dry hotpot could've been cooked for longer, and the meat had a somewhat soft and strange consistency. Based on reviews I'll have to try the skewered mutton. 3 dishes were a lot for 2 people, would likely stick to 2 next time. Do note that Sichuan food is known for being spicy. The restaurant toned down the spice compared to the traditional levels, but it still has a good kick and authentic flavor that stays true to the cuisine (good mala flavor). I feel bad that a lot of these reviews are 5+ years old, because it seems that the management has made a lot of improvements since then.

H Ys

Best Chinese restaurant in West LA! Absolutely loved the couple’s sliced beef in chili sauce — just the right amount of spice to open up my appetite . The beef was tender and flavorful. Also obsessed with the ice jelly — refreshing, lightly sweet, and the perfect finish to a delicious meal. Highly recommend!

Uyen Ne

The food was really nice! The food came out supper fast and yummm

Tetiana Smith

Absolutely amazing experience and place to eat real Chinese Sichuan food.it was absolutely lovely and tasty. The food was ready for about 5 minutes which was fascinating. I would recommend beef dry pot and beef soup. The tea was lovely as well. The service was very good and portions were big. We got a full meal to go and eat Chinese breakfast next morning which was amazing. 😻 I would give this place 5 stars. It is very very good! 👍🏻

Kathryn Huang

Sichuan Impression is one of my favorite comfort foods. I absolutely love their boiled fish.

Jim Sherman

I had a really pleasant evening here at 8 really good food. Max and Hugo were outstanding servers. I didn't get my mapu tofu but my companion and I feasted luxuriously on a cold chicken appetizer that was like Hainan chicken butt in a beautiful Smoky chili oil. Then we also had Grandma's pickles which was very tasty , I make my own version so I prefer that slightly more but this was still very good, then we had cold noodles and hot dumplings , the dumplings were called impressive and they certainly hit the spot. The cold noodles had that delicious the dark Szechuan sauce. McDonald's on the balcony overlooking Santa Monica Boulevard and Carvel ice cream. All in all it was a lovely evening

Xuebing Wang

The meal was absolutely delightful! The flavors were perfectly balanced, with each dish offering a unique and satisfying taste. The ingredients were fresh, and the presentation was elegant, making the whole experience visually appealing. The spices and seasoning were just right, enhancing the natural flavors without overpowering them. The service was exceptional, and the ambiance added to the overall enjoyment. Each bite was a perfect harmony of textures and tastes, leaving me eager to come back for more. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy a memorable dining experience!

Jack Moran

I’m giving this place a high rating not solely due to the taste, quality or price, but because of the experience. Never had I tasted Rattan Pepper, a spice with such a numbing/tingling sensation. The Boiled fish with Rattan Pepper is a perfect example of this. I’m not a big fish soup guy, but this is unlike any soup I’ve ever had. You need to try it if you are new to this place. My advice when ordering here is to be bold and adventurous. They offer a lot of things you don’t see on a typical menu, such as frog legs, rabbit and duck tongue to name a few. Make sure you get at least one thing with rattan pepper, like the stir-fried chicken. Everything else I ate was quite good. It all had an element of spice to it, but nothing made me reach for a glass of water. Pricing it quite typical, maybe a bit more then your average Chinese restaurant. That said, this is isn’t your average. You should definitely order family style and share. Give this place a try if you are feeling daring or if you love Sichuan cuisine.

min fireair

very good restaurant Toothpick Mutton 🐑 (10/10): Cooking quality lamb meat is not easy. However, Sichuan Impression has definitely perfected this skill and as a result, this dish was mouth-wateringly good! The meat was juicy, mildly chewy and didn't have that typical weird lamb meat's smell. Moreover, those toothpicks definitely made it more convenient to eat.

Amazing authentic Chinese food! We loved the lamb tips, wontons, green beans, and especially the kung pao chicken. Recommend making a reservation - we walked in on a Sunday evening and our party had to sit outside (there were heaters so it was fine!).

Been coming here for years and it's just as excellent as ever. I never fail to order the toothpick lamb, which is spicy, meaty, and incredibly fragrant. The tea-smoked ribs are also a highlight, as is the boiled fish with rattan pepper. Service is always quick and efficient, and portions are generous. It is, for my money, one of the best Chinese restaurants in LA.

Alexander Collins

Been coming here for years and it's just as excellent as ever. I never fail to order the toothpick lamb, which is spicy, meaty, and incredibly fragrant. The tea-smoked ribs are also a highlight, as is the boiled fish with rattan pepper. Service is always quick and efficient, and portions are generous. It is, for my money, one of the best Chinese restaurants in LA.

Up to what you ordered. I ordered all these I liked a lot. 🌶️ Sichuan Impression – A Fiery Love Letter to Authentic Sichuan Cuisine 🌶️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’re craving bold flavors, tongue-tingling spice, and dishes that transport you straight to Chengdu, Sichuan Impression is the place. Must-try dishes: 🔥 Toothpick Lamb – Crispy, cumin-spiced perfection. Each bite bursts with flavor. 🔥 Mapo Tofu – Silky, spicy, and addictively numbing. An absolute classic done right. 🔥 Impressive Eggplant – Melts in your mouth with just the right amount of heat and umami. 🔥 Boiled Fish with Green Pepper Sauce – Fragrant, fresh, and fiery. A lesser-known gem! I ordered this time. It was great. I even saved the sauce after I finished fish in the soup and cooked with other Veges again. It was still delicious. 😋 Don’t expect a mild meal. Sichuan Impression leans proudly into its roots—the spice level is no joke, but that’s what makes it unforgettable. Even the cold appetizers, like the husband-and-wife beef slices or garlic cucumber, are layered and nuanced. I loved this mustard leaf 🍃 tofu soup. 🍲 as well.

Aitana Blose

Up to what you ordered. I ordered all these I liked a lot. 🌶️ Sichuan Impression – A Fiery Love Letter to Authentic Sichuan Cuisine 🌶️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’re craving bold flavors, tongue-tingling spice, and dishes that transport you straight to Chengdu, Sichuan Impression is the place. Must-try dishes: 🔥 Toothpick Lamb – Crispy, cumin-spiced perfection. Each bite bursts with flavor. 🔥 Mapo Tofu – Silky, spicy, and addictively numbing. An absolute classic done right. 🔥 Impressive Eggplant – Melts in your mouth with just the right amount of heat and umami. 🔥 Boiled Fish with Green Pepper Sauce – Fragrant, fresh, and fiery. A lesser-known gem! I ordered this time. It was great. I even saved the sauce after I finished fish in the soup and cooked with other Veges again. It was still delicious. 😋 Don’t expect a mild meal. Sichuan Impression leans proudly into its roots—the spice level is no joke, but that’s what makes it unforgettable. Even the cold appetizers, like the husband-and-wife beef slices or garlic cucumber, are layered and nuanced. I loved this mustard leaf 🍃 tofu soup. 🍲 as well.

It was a Saturday evening, perhaps before 6pm, so the place wasn't crowded. However, it became increasingly crowded as the night progressed, which was quite surprising. It was my first time there, so I ordered four typical Sichuan dishes. The overall taste was acceptable, but not exceptional for a Chinese palate. Perhaps this is the standard of Chinese food in LA.

Its an adventure for taste. Specific province of China has a lot to offer. Chilly and oily tastes with a little bit pricy result.

Food taste is good. But I ordered two dishes involving eggs, and eggs are all black! Food safety is important too. Please pay attention to this matter.

Paul T.

It was a Saturday evening, perhaps before 6pm, so the place wasn't crowded. However, it became increasingly crowded as the night progressed, which was quite surprising. It was my first time there, so I ordered four typical Sichuan dishes. The overall taste was acceptable, but not exceptional for a Chinese palate. Perhaps this is the standard of Chinese food in LA.

Yalcin Kumeli

Its an adventure for taste. Specific province of China has a lot to offer. Chilly and oily tastes with a little bit pricy result.

Edna Zhang

Food taste is good. But I ordered two dishes involving eggs, and eggs are all black! Food safety is important too. Please pay attention to this matter.

Wow, the food was so bad that I had to to write the review even here on google, even though I used the app Instacart restaurant ordering….. I’m extremely disappointed with the food I received. It was incredibly spicy—so much so that I couldn’t even eat it. Nowhere in the description did it mention that the dish would be this spicy; had I known, I definitely wouldn’t have ordered it. I have a sensitive stomach and eating spicy food causes me serious discomfort. After just one bite, I was physically affected—I even struggled to catch my breath. On top of that, the food was drenched in oil as you can see in the picture, which made it even more unappetizing. I had high expectations from this restaurant, especially given the price I paid, but unfortunately, I had to throw everything away. Horrible experience, will never try anything else from this place. I’m requesting a full refund due to this unacceptable experience.

Sabina Grecu

Wow, the food was so bad that I had to to write the review even here on google, even though I used the app Instacart restaurant ordering….. I’m extremely disappointed with the food I received. It was incredibly spicy—so much so that I couldn’t even eat it. Nowhere in the description did it mention that the dish would be this spicy; had I known, I definitely wouldn’t have ordered it. I have a sensitive stomach and eating spicy food causes me serious discomfort. After just one bite, I was physically affected—I even struggled to catch my breath. On top of that, the food was drenched in oil as you can see in the picture, which made it even more unappetizing. I had high expectations from this restaurant, especially given the price I paid, but unfortunately, I had to throw everything away. Horrible experience, will never try anything else from this place. I’m requesting a full refund due to this unacceptable experience.