Guyi Hunan Restaurant

spicy Chinese for everyone

Food

Service

Atmosphere

Guyi captures that notoriously difficult high-wire act: it satisfies both local Chinese who visit for the spice, as well as foreign visitors who visit for 'authentic' Chinese food that won't leave you frantically hunting for the local clinic emergency number in the middle of the night. 

While the ribs are not quite as tender as rival DiShuiDong, they are still delicious, as well as the sizzling beef, octopus hot pot, broccoli in garlic, and roasted whole shrimp-on-a-stick. Eat the entire shrimp, head and all, if you want to impress the locals. Prices are reasonable and a picture menu makes it easy to order, if you do not want to charade 'octopus' to the waitress. 

Note that reservations are only available for regular tables before 6, after that only one of the two private rooms are available to reserve. The friendly waitstaff is happy to start you on pre-dinner beers if you have to wait in the queue.