It's possible that the cuisine of Hunan used to take a backseat to the roster of Chinese restaurants in the Bay Area; therefore, it's not surprising that this cozy gem has attracted many locals with an inquisitive palate. You will have a better view of what's going on in the kitchen if you are able to secure one of the exquisitely carved booths in the restaurant's back room. Make yourself comfortable and start looking over the menu of specialty items. Dishes with intense flavors feature an abundance of smoked, cured, and fermented ingredients, such as the pork that is reminiscent of bacon and is wok-tossed with leeks, garlic, and soy sauce. Another example is the pungent pork, black bean, and pickled chili mixture that is placed atop a mountain of spicy, hand-cut godfather's noodles. It is imperative that you consume that whole fish that has been braised in chili, as it will be flaky and bright in its bath of red chili sauce that is flecked with scallions and garlic.
