Emily Cheng

I really enjoy Sichuan cuisine because I love eating spicy food. The chilis that are often used in Sichuan dishes are spicy and sometimes numbing but it's not in a way that is uncomfortable, it merely enhances the flavors in the dish.

My favorite dishes from Sichuan include the much-loved kung pao chicken, mapo tofu, and hotpot. I particularly enjoy hotpot for the experience: friends gather around a communal pot, cook their own food according to their preference, and dip into personalized sauces. Hotpot is great because it can be healthy (depending on how 'clear' you make everything), it's a great winter warmer, and it's a fun dining activity.