Fish hotpot with stir-fried pickled cabbage (Image: Christopher Megrath)
Ever since I relocated to for my studies, a quaint basement restaurant has piqued my interest. Despite passing by it daily, I never mustered the courage to venture inside.
The intrigue only intensified when I found no trace of the restaurant online – no website, no social media presence.
All I knew was that Shu Yuan, an elusive underground establishment, would remain a mystery until I finally dined there.
The anticipation is palpable. The sign outside reads ‘No.1 Chongqing fish and original chicken’, revealing little about what awaits within. Shu Yuan could offer upscale takeaway or an avant-garde culinary experience, but there was no way to know without stepping in.
Even its name – Shu Yuan or No. 1 Chongqing – remained uncertain, reports .
Finally, I decided to satisfy my curiosity. Accompanied by my partner, Paul, we visited the restaurant early in the evening.
Note that Shu Yuan closes between 3pm and 5pm, so plan your visit accordingly.
Upon entering, I was struck by the restaurant’s nostalgic charm. Shu Yuan is quintessentially traditional.
Spread across two rooms, the first houses the kitchen and storefront. There’s no effort to conceal the kitchen, with fridges and metallic equipment in plain sight, adding to its unique appeal.
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Shu Yuan Chinese Restaurant on Mount Pleasant (Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The back of the restaurant is a cosy space adorned with simple, wooden tables and chairs. The interiors exude a lived-in charm, devoid of any ostentatious modern touches.
Subtle references to Chinese culture are scattered throughout the venue, keeping you engaged as you anticipate your meal.
Shu Yuan feels like it’s been lifted straight from a bustling East Asian marketplace. The walls are plastered with posters and notices, all written in Chinese, offering an authentic cultural experience.
When it comes to ordering, you’re handed a notepad and pen to jot down your choices – a unique approach I’ve never encountered before, but it certainly adds to the novelty.
Once we’d chosen our seats, our waitress – who seemed to be one of only two staff members running the place – presented us with the menu. It was bilingual, with one side penned in Chinese characters and the other in English.
The menu is straightforward, featuring around 20 dishes. There’s something for everyone, from classic stir-fried beef and noodle dishes to cater to less adventurous palates, to more exotic options like chicken gizzards.
I decided to dive right in and ordered the Chongqing fish hotpot. The specifics of the dish – the type of fish, spice level, and portion size – remained a surprise until it arrived, as the menu was rather cryptic.
Designed to serve two, my partner and I shared the hotpot, accompanied by a side of stir-fried Chinese cabbage with vinegar.
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Shu Yuan’s fish hotpot (Image: Christopher Megrath)
As we waited, we soaked in the laid-back vibe of the venue. A lively group of men conversed in one corner while couples and trios drifted in and out.
The place exuded a relaxed coolness that isn’t found just anywhere.
Our food arrived promptly. We were presented with a rectangular hotpot, heated by twin oil burners beneath.
I’ve savoured many hotpots before, but the visual appeal of this one was a delightful novelty.
The dish was layered with a generous amount of rice noodles at the base, topped with seaweed and an ample serving of white fish. All these ingredients mingled in a mildly spicy soup infused with garlic, onions and seafood.
Soon after, white cabbage was served, accompanied by a bowl of white rice as the main source of carbs. With everything set, it was time to taste the dish that had intrigued me for years.
Was the anticipation justified?
Absolutely – every bite was a flavourful delight. The fish, having soaked up the soup’s essence, was bursting with taste.
The servings were plentiful, allowing us to heap our bowls with what seemed like an endless supply.
The cabbage was tantalisingly good, and impressively, it stayed steaming hot throughout our meal. It offered a satisfying crunch and was drenched in a ginger flavour that was pleasantly subtle, not overpowering.
The rice was served in generous, fluffy heaps. For food enthusiasts, this quaint eatery is a must-visit.
Even before we polished off our meal, we were already planning a return visit to sample the No. 1 Chongqing chicken hotpot and the rest of the menu.
It’s rare for a place to have you plotting your next visit before you’ve even finished your current one.
We indulged in the lavish spread until we could eat no more. The unique ambience, a world apart from the city’s hustle and bustle, sets Shu Yuan a cut above its mainstream rivals.
I departed satisfied and satiated – the ultimate dining experience. The authenticity permeates every aspect of the venue, from the traditional decor and tantalising menu to the charmingly weathered building that houses it all.
Cast aside any doubts and pay this restaurant a visit. You won’t be disappointed.