Being Hunan
Pro Prepare to get spiced.
Con Too much to try for one visit. Which is a pro, yes.
Pay
€€
Four shared dishes, 3 beers €45. El tenedor offers may be on.
Find
Website https://www.chilachila.com/
Access Step free for downstairs eating area.
Light bites
Hopes. As ever, we want authenticity.
Reality. Your life will be spiced up.
First Impressions. Smart simplicity.
USP? Hunan flavours.
The offer in three words. Fresh, hot, tasty.
Service! Excellent. Checked on our spice-tolerance levels.
Friend friendly? Plenty of variety to suit dietary requirements and preferences.
Rating for dating. Potential, yes. If you're on the same page.
Tip? Yes. 10%
Revisitability. We'll be back.
In Pictures
On Google Images
Digested
Star dish here was multi-time cooked tofu marinaded in 36 spices. Almost defying description, turning tofu into something not a million miles away from a fresh, spicy - almost bacon - taste and texture is not far short of magic. We loved it. We took half home as a) there was loads and b) the staff told us that's what they'd do themselves if they'd been in China. It reheated well. It's on the HR Recommended list - for spice lovers, for sure.
Panceta Liling was another huge portion, enough for a hungry trio, not just a greedy pair. Not over spicy compared to the rest, this means the fact it managed to hold its own after mouthfuls of the multi-spice tofu is a fine cooking achievement. As it turned out, our third choice, chicken Dongan, was the seriously spicy option, also challenging but not beating the milder Liling. This one has fresh chopped chilli and ginger coming out all over and, amongst other things, your sinuses will get a good workout. That's a recommendation in itself, isn't it?
A generous bowl of excellent rice, seasoned with smoked meat and chopped vegetables was a great addition and rounded things out for us. Three beers covered the drinks for the evening.
Enough food for three people for less than €40? Right on Callao? With authenticity from every pore? Who could say no?
Food ★★★★ Service ★★★★ Decor ★★★★
Pro Prepare to get spiced.
Con Too much to try for one visit. Which is a pro, yes.
€€
Four shared dishes, 3 beers €45. El tenedor offers may be on.
Find
Website https://www.chilachila.com/
Access Step free for downstairs eating area.
Light bites
Hopes. As ever, we want authenticity.
Reality. Your life will be spiced up.
First Impressions. Smart simplicity.
USP? Hunan flavours.
The offer in three words. Fresh, hot, tasty.
Service! Excellent. Checked on our spice-tolerance levels.
Friend friendly? Plenty of variety to suit dietary requirements and preferences.
Rating for dating. Potential, yes. If you're on the same page.
Tip? Yes. 10%
Revisitability. We'll be back.
In Pictures
On Google Images
Digested
Here's a place to try, pronto.
If ever a restaurant summed up how Madrid's international offer has come on in recent years, Chila is it. Friendly, multilingual service in a stylishly simple setting are the good signs for the excellent uncompromisingly tasty food offer to come.
You'll try. You'll enjoy. You'll want to go back.
Panceta Liling was another huge portion, enough for a hungry trio, not just a greedy pair. Not over spicy compared to the rest, this means the fact it managed to hold its own after mouthfuls of the multi-spice tofu is a fine cooking achievement. As it turned out, our third choice, chicken Dongan, was the seriously spicy option, also challenging but not beating the milder Liling. This one has fresh chopped chilli and ginger coming out all over and, amongst other things, your sinuses will get a good workout. That's a recommendation in itself, isn't it?
A generous bowl of excellent rice, seasoned with smoked meat and chopped vegetables was a great addition and rounded things out for us. Three beers covered the drinks for the evening.
Enough food for three people for less than €40? Right on Callao? With authenticity from every pore? Who could say no?
Food ★★★★ Service ★★★★ Decor ★★★★