Yokohama Panda Hotel Chinese Restaurant – A Very “Sichuan-style” Mapo Tofu

Text & Photos /Nata
The Sichuan-style mapo tofu tastes quite different from home-cooked versions. This one I happened to have in Yokohama was pretty intense in flavor.

Actually, I hadn’t particularly planned to eat in Yokohama, as I was already both hungry and tired from walking. So I stood outside this Panda Hotel for a while pondering. Since we were in Chinatown, I figured, when in Rome… Alright, let’s go in and give it a try.

The menu inside isn’t small, but there are simple illustrations of set meals to refer to.

Wade ordered the Sichuan-style mapo tofu set meal for 900 yen.

Along with the mapo tofu, the set came with steamed rice, pickled vegetables, fried spring rolls, a thick soup, and almond tofu.

The other sides were just okay, but the mapo tofu was pretty good. The flavor is quite strong—the saltiness and the numbing sensation on the tongue are quite intense. It might be too spicy for those not used to eating spicy food or who are afraid of spice, but personally, I didn’t find it that spicy. The aroma of Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers was distinct, and it was stir-fried with quite a bit of oil. After a few bites, it felt really appetizing, but finishing the whole thing by yourself is a bit heavy.

I ordered the black vinegar chicken set meal, also for 900 yen, with the same sides as Wade’s. The black vinegar chicken had a very rich vinegar aroma, and the overall seasoning was quite satisfying, though it was slightly oily.

Some variety shows have featured this place, and most of the diners are locals. But for us who can easily find Chinese food, it’s not necessarily a must-visit spot.