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Sanxia Renjia is a bare-bones Sichuan spot in the dead zone between Fitzrovia and Goodge Street. It has all the hallmarks of a classic Chinese restaurant: simple decor, red lanterns hanging off the ceiling, lazy susans on round tables, a karaoke room in the basement. And yes, the menu is massive, listing everything from hot pots, dumplings and shellfish to lesser-seen Sichuanese specialities of boiled pork blood and dry-fried pig intestines.
The two best dishes were a fiery plate of soft aubergine with green peas and chilli, and some soft, doughy pork dumplings packed with salty, tender meat. The beef hot-pot was fine – it had a nice heat to it, but there wasn’t much flavour to the broth, while the other chicken dishes we had, namely the sizzling chicken, were all tough and flavourless. Some of the standard Chinese restaurant orders were surprisingly good though: a plate of sweet and sour chicken with a fiery sauce in particular. Your unadventurous friends will love it.
If you’re near the area and need a quick meal, Sanxia is a nice option, but it’s probably not one to travel for. Looking for a restaurant that’s reasonably priced, with generous portions and something for everyone, though? It’s a great spot. Grab a few mates and share a load of plates doused in that Sichuan chilli – and enjoy all the Abba renditions coming from downstairs.