The Mandarin

Authentic Sichuan and regional Chinese restaurant at 1029 El Camino Real with mapo tofu, Kung Pao chicken, hand-rolled potstickers, dan dan noodles, and a two-floor dining room popular for group meals.

The Mandarin offers a Chinese menu with enough Sichuan depth to make a shared meal especially interesting. Spicy beef tendon, pork belly in chili sauce, garlic cucumber, and Sichuan pickled vegetables give the starters contrasting textures and flavors. We like how that regional focus continues through dan dan noodles, chili-oil wontons, and twice-cooked pork. Larger dishes include tea-smoked duck, egg tofu in spicy garlic sauce, and several whole-fish preparations, including sour-pickle and sweet-and-sour versions. Sizzling prawns and beef dishes add another set of choices, while fried rice, chow mein, orange chicken, and Mongolian beef keep familiar favorites available. At the El Camino Real location in Menlo Park, the appeal is the opportunity to combine a few dependable dishes with a regional specialty that makes the meal feel different.