A spicy challenge: We talk all things Sichuan Pepper while I take mouth numbing shots of it. How to cook with this Sichuan spice, where the peppercorn comes from, and what it does to our taste buds. Also: What does it have to do with chilies and black pepper? ►… Continue Reading How to Cook With Sichuan Pepper (+ Sample Recipes!)

In Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, hole-in-the-wall eateries are called fly restaurants because they have customers coming back like, well, flies. They’re often hidden and have questionable hygiene, but they offer some of the best home-cooked street food. Writer and chef Jenny Gao takes us on a food crawl of… Continue Reading Sichuan Food Crawl: The Best Mapo Tofu, Chili Wontons, and Noodles