Wa Jeal Sichuan Chili

Clearly best Sichuan on the Upper East Side. But why stop there? This is one of the best Sichuan places in all Manhattan. (If you have an idea to dispute this, please post because I would love to know of equally good alternatives!) I ordered cold sliced conch appetizer, stir fried shredded beef with ho jiao and chili, and stir-fried pork w spicy capsicum. All three were excellent--the pork and conch being my favorites. Latest order update: the cold poached white meat chicken in hot oil is great! The moo-shu pork is not bad either. UPDATE: they make a great beijing duck! Wok Roasted Chili Prawns are also great. Sauteed string bean dish very good. The not-so-good: "soft noodles" (lo mein) are bland spaghetti; dumplings are just okay; beef filets w/ brocoli are just okay.

Written by Tom R. on 2/24/2013 | 16 other reviews | Member since 2006
Tom ordered from here within the last week

I am so happy that the chef of the now shuttered Wu Liang Ye on 86th Street moved to Wa Jeal. I never expected to have such delicious and addicting Sichuan food just a few blocks from my apartment in the UES, but now I can't live without it! Yes, the prices are higher than what you can get in Flushing/Chinatown or even midtown Sichuan (Szechuan Gourmet/Lan Sheng), but hey you're in the UES and the actual restaurant (yes I've been there a number of times) is very nice and the service is actually good. I would stay away the Americanized Chinese dishes (Sesame Chicken, General Tso's Chicken, Beef and Broccoli, etc) and try their specialities. My favorites are: C38. Wok-Roasted Diced Chicken with Thousand Chili, C24. Braised Cellophane Noodles with Chili-Minced Beef, C23. Chef`s Ma Paul Tofu with Chili-Minced Beef, C19. Braised Beef Filets with Napa Cabbage & Roasted Chili, A26. Dan Dan Noodles and A32. Sichuan Pork Dumpling. If you're concerned about the numbing spiciness, you can select your spiciness level when ordering. I can't wait to order from them again!

Written by Teresa L. on 1/31/2013 | Member since 2005
Teresa ordered from here within the last month

The best Sichuan cuisine outside of Chinatown and Flushing!

Written by Darian H. on 12/25/2012 | 7 other reviews | Member since 2011
Darian ordered from here within the last year

I have ordered from here frequently over the past two years (99% of my delivery orders are made from this restaurant--I sometimes order out as frequently as 3 to 4 dinners a week) and I have gone through their menu almost dish by dish. Aside from Café China, this is hands down one of the most authentic Sichuan restaurants I've been to (Grand Sichuan is nowhere close; Wu Liang Ye used to be this good before they started listening to stupid suggestions from idiots who knew zip about Chinese cuisine and went belly up) and I don't order "typical Westerner dishes" either but classic Chinese dishes I remember from my childhood living in Asia. My favorites thus far are (I'm still working through their menu): Hand-Shredded Chicken (A1), Sliced Conch (A3), Poached White Meat Chicken (A9), Shredded Tripe (A19), Mini Jelly Fish (A20), Chef's Ma Po Tofu with Chili-Minced Beef (C23), Braised Cellophane Noodles with Chili-Minced Beef (C24), Stir-Fried Shredded Pork with Dried Tofu & Yellow Chive (C41) and Sautéed Tripe with Bamboo Shoots & Pickled Mustard Greens (C42). Their other dishes which I've tried range from meh to fairly decent but they don't make as big an impact on me as much as the above list does. Delivery is under 45 minutes; usually closer to 35, sometimes as short as 25 minutes after order is processed. I've also dined there periodically and service has been impeccable: Efficient without being unctuous, just the way I like it. UPDATE: Stay away from the Camphur-Smoked Duck (C9)--tastes like you're eating duck smoked with moth repellent (nasty). Also, the Poached Beef (A6) and Sliced Beef (A8) only differ from each other by a dusting of "stuff." Very disappointing.

Written by Kok-Yong T. on 11/21/2012 | 1 other review | Member since 2011
Kok-Yong ordered from here within the last year

My favorite Chinese place. The spicy chili sauce is delish!

Written by Ciara F. on 12/9/2011 | 3 other reviews | Member since 2011
Ciara ordered from here within the last year

Since they've opened, I've been a huge fan and supporter of Wa Jeal. Their food is, for the most part, excellent. Why, then, the bad write up? Last night I got delivery (as I frequently had in the past). When I opened the dish, there was a pile of Szechuan peppers and a distinct smell of soap. The soapy taste came from one of the ingredients (in chunks large enough to suggest they should be packaged by Kiehls); the pepper quantity was enough to put down a democratic uprising. Oh, there were a few shrimp in there, too. I called the restaurant, explaining that the dish was inedible. The woman said, "That's what you ordered. That's how it comes." To which I replied, "Really?" So, go there for some really great food. Or the occasional inedible biological weapon which you will be stuck with because: "That's what you ordered. That's how it comes." Needless to say, there are other options in the neighborhood — some even know the how to treat loyal / repeat customers.

Written by Nicholas L. on 6/27/2011 | 2 other reviews | Member since 2010
Nicholas ordered from here over a year ago

Best chinese spicy sichuan food in upper eastside..I order from here every weekend..

Written by jing l. on 4/9/2011 | Member since 2011
jing ordered from here over a year ago

Shredded Pork w/ Spiced Tofu & Cayenne Chili that goes well with the Dan Dan noodles. Fast delivery and spicy food.

Written by Frederick W. on 4/6/2011 | Member since 2007
Frederick ordered from here over a year ago

We love Wa Jeal! I honestly think it has the best chinese food on the UES. It is always fresh and we love the white meat chicken in a brown sauce. Try it!

Written by Jason G. on 4/6/2011 | 4 other reviews | Member since 2006
Jason ordered from here over a year ago

I have had them twice.. The first I had some spicy chicken dish that was great.. If you like spice and flavor you will love Wa Jeal. Second time I had the brisket beef noodle soup. I have been on the hunt for a good noodle soup dish with meat in the UES, and this is the best so far. It is hearty, with tasty and well cooked noodles (not mushy and not hard, but just right), with a flavorful broth and super tender beef.. This is the one!

Written by Ali H. on 1/31/2011 | Member since 2010
Ali ordered from here over a year ago

Wow. This is like the authentic Sichuan food I grew up with, and haven't been able to find in the sea of Cantonese restaurants in New York. First time I haven't had to ask for a dish to be spicy! Terrific, and very good prices. We've only ordered a few times, but so far haven't found the slow service people have complained about.

Written by Evie M. on 11/7/2010 | 5 other reviews | Member since 2010
Evie ordered from here within the last year

Great food, quick delivery, and great prices! The food has great flavor without the typical oily taste of Chinese food. Chinese food that is easy on the stomach...this place is a gold mine. The Sichuan Pork Dumplings are fantastic.

Written by Tyler B. on 6/21/2010 | 1 other review | Member since 2007
Tyler ordered from here over a year ago

Wa Jeal is our absolute favorite Chinese food in the city. They have tons of spicy options, the portions are generous and the delivery is fast. You can't go wrong here.

Written by Mark L. on 5/4/2010 | 62 other reviews | Member since 2008
Mark ordered from here within the last year

If you're looking for boring old Chinese take-out, this isn't the place for you. This is an actual Sichuan Restaurant! Instead of ordering the Sesame Chicken, try one of their amazing authentic dishes like the Braised Beef Filets W/ Napa Cabbage & Roasted Chili (they'll make it with chicken too!), the Wok Roasted Diced Chicken W/Thousand Chili, or my favorite, the Wok Roasted Chili Prawns (best Chinese dish I have ever tasted)! They use Wa Jeal (Chinese peppercorns) in many of their dishes which gives them a unique flavor that sets the restaurant apart from other places on the UES!

Written by Scott W. on 4/8/2010 | Member since 2009
Scott ordered from here over a year ago

The chili dumplings and the soup are amazing!!!! Service is great. The shredded beef could have been a little bit less greasy, but it was tasty.

Written by Sindhya V. on 1/5/2010 | 8 other reviews | Member since 2007
Sindhya ordered from here over a year ago