Chou's Kitchen offers authentic northeastern Chinese cuisine. Unlike in southern China, the staple crop in northern China is wheat, which supplies the majority of the starch found in northern Chinese diets, found in the form of noodles and steamed buns. Popular dishes include pork and chive dumplings, suan cai clay pot, and cumin & caraway lamb. Due to the environment, northeastern Chinese people also like to eat spicy and preserved vegetables, according to their website.



My friends and I tried a few different dishes. First for me was kung pao chicken, which is a spicy, stir-fried dish made with chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers. It was a far cry from the super saucy and sweet Chinese dishes I usually order. A bit too spicy and dry for my preference.



Next up were dumplings, which I cannot get enough of. The Pan-Fried Chives Egg Pockets were super savory with that slight pungent onion flavor that I love. I also went for some pork dumplings, which always hit the spot. A little chewy, a lot satisfying. I love sinking my teeth into the thick dumpling dough.



Overall, a new and slightly different Chinese dining experience than I've had in the past. These dishes definitely pack some more heat than my typical tolerance, but they also bring the flavor.



Grade: B