DASHI Sichuan Kitchen + Bar – San Antonio, TX

Date Visited: 6/17/2023
Website: https://sichuandashi.com/

Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar is exactly the long-lost Holy Grail that we’ve been longing for!  Chinese food that is safe and (largely) free of gluten and MSG can be incredibly difficult to come by.  The owner is focused on health and inclusivity, with natural ingredients and plentiful vegetarian options.

As with many locally-owned restaurants, the website doesn’t give much background into the people doing the moving and shaking, but their Facebook page was created on April 26, 2021, suggesting that their existence is relatively recent.

Their curb appeal is mediocre, maybe even drab.  The exterior is plain and the outdoor seating lacks….seating.  (Keep going.  Good things await.)

Parking is benign, a paved lot in front of the restaurant.  It might be important to note that we arrived right at opening time (11:30a), so we’re not quite sure how the situation takes shape throughout the rest of the day.

Entering the restaurant did not exactly bring the bestest first impression.  The place was dark and eerily silent, with black walls and plum seating cushions.  The artwork was very well-chosen, though.  Once they turned the lights on, the place (predictably) came to life.

The head chef ran late and the place was unable to open on time.  We were unsure if this was a total fluke or if this is a recurring issue (Top Secret: we’re still not sure).  They wouldn’t let us order a drink from the bar while we waited for a table (“give us a few minutes”).  (Full Disclosure: We were on a time crunch on this particular day (which admittedly, may have played into our impatience), so this delay was the last thing we needed.)

Alas, we were elated to have to eat our initial words later…

Truthfully, we didn’t have to wait too long before we were shown to a table.  Full-length curtains darkened the room a tad much, but the server happily opened them for us.  The bar is a central feature, with elegant gold trim and neat fireworks-shaped lighting fixtures.

 

From there, the experience transformed.

The server was super-helpful, engaging, knowledgeable, conversational, and personable.  She helped us navigate the menu thoroughly (not that there was much to have to navigate, as explained below).  She even went the extra-mile, volunteering some information to us about some cool upcoming events.

The menu was incredible.  The obligatory standard Chinese fare (noodles, rice, and soup dishes) gave way to impressive elevations such as lamb, duck, and even rabbit.  The menu spilled over the edge into other Asian cuisines, such as Mongolian and Korean.  Bits of fusion teased our psyche, Americana (“chicken poppers” and green beans) and Indian/Middle Eastern (cumin).

Bonus: the server described the owner as prioritizing health very highly and also wanting to be inclusive of a variety of dietary patterns, needs, and preferences.  This means several things.

• All recipes are original and prepared from scratch, using fresh ingredients.
• There is no MSG in any of the food that we could detect at all.
• All gluten-free items (which impressively comprised most of the menu!) are clearly marked with a [GF].
• All vegetarian items are printed in “green” (teal) lettering.

Laina opted for water, but Lynn tried the Red Dragon Margarita.  It delivers the classic margarita flavor profile, but with a definite kick!  The Thai strawberry puts a fun twist on an old favorite.  Bonus – the preparation method is shaken and strained; no ice in the glass, so you won’t have any dilution!  Also, you can tell they use fresh juices – no pre-fab, artificially-flavored mix.

We rarely opt to order appetizers, preferring instead to “go for the gusto” and skip straight to our entrees.  However, this time was different, and we would go this route again!  The server recommended the Smashed Cucumbers, which consisted of daikon, carrot, sichuan chilies, mushrooms.  Seasoned beautifully.  Not too acidic, and also not a salt bomb.  Plenty of garlic and umami punch.  Excellent crunchy freshness!

The server hooked us up with a lunch special (even though it was a Saturday!), so our entrees came with soup.  We chose the Hot & Sour (which was, of course, to our pleasant surprise, gluten-free!  Lynn never thought he’d be able to have Hot & Sour soup ever again, and he had sorely missed it ever since his diagnosis, but yet, here he was!).  The broth base is thick and silky, coating the mouth beautifully.  The tofu is actually a “silken tofu”, which has a nice mouthfeel.  The vegetables are cooked well and retain their crunch.  Not too spicy – very well-balanced.

On the heels of the soup with perfect timing came our “impulse buy” of…green beans, of all things.  These aren’t just any green beans, however; the menu lists them as “Famous green beans”, cooked in–and drizzled with – traditional ggs (aka “ggg” – a standard Asian flavoring trio of garlic, ginger and scallions/green onions) aromatics (this is the giveaway that the owner is likely formally trained in the culinary arts, as some of the lingo bled into the menu).

These were stock, robust thick-cut green beans (unlike haricot vert from France).  The aromatic base (the ggg/ggs) flavor comes through strongly, and the beans are seasoned perfectly without being too salty.  They, too, retained plenty of crunch, which is a plus for us.

The steamed rice that accompanied our entrees was brought first.  It’s pretty standard, although done well.  It’d been cooked well, not gummy or mushy, and therefore not over-hydrated.

For his entree, Lynn chose the Triple Pepper with Lamb.  Oh my!  The lamb is cooked perfectly; tender and juicy.  Even when Laina had a bite, she didn’t experience any issues with her normally soft/sensitive teeth.  It was also refreshingly free of the all-too-common gamey note that lamb often has.

Vegetables (bell pepper, jalapeño, onion, sichuan, mushrooms) were cooked perfectly – retaining crunch but without the sometimes harsh flavor of raw vegetables.  The spice (hot and spicy) level is appropriate; it lets you know it’s there but it won’t overwhelm you.

(Stock photo from their website – Lynn was so excited he forgot to take a picture of his entree lol). That said, what he got looked practically identical to the stock photo.

Laina chose the Crispy & Spicy, with tofu.  The tofu has a light crisp on the edges, satiating without being too heavy.  Onions and green peppers have excellent seasoning.  The red pepper shells are the star of the show, generally packing more flavor than heat (!).  Do be careful, though, of the ones who might still retain some seeds; they can sneak up on you!  Nothing soggy, burnt, or too salty.

Chili oil – perfectly infused.  Plenty of spice.

Hours of Operation:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 11:30a-3p; 4p-8:30p
• Tuesday: Closed
• Friday and Saturday: 11:30-3p; 4p-9:30p
• Sunday: 12-8p

Other Information:

• Extremely friendly and helpful service!  They genuinely love where the work and what they serve.  They’re a bit chatty – your mileage may vary; this trait is welcome for some clientele, while others may find it a bit intrusive.  Very personable and engaging regardless!
• The restaurant is female-owned, and the owner is very health-conscious, with fresh, whole foods and natural ingredients a top priority.
• The owner also strives to be inclusive; omnivores, vegetarians, and even vegans alike will feel welcome and respected.
• The server disclosed that while some of their dishes are completely meatless and plant-based in their composition, they can’t necessarily bill them as vegan because of exposure to trace remnants of animal products in the shared kitchen.
• This isn’t really the place to come if you’re on a timetable.  It’s a much fuller experience that requires–and deserves–and dedicated chunk of time.  Plan to spend a good couple hours, especially if you order appetizers and other extras.
• That being said, the kitchen nor the service is slow!  The timing was perfect, with the next plate coming just as the current one was waning.  We were never made to feel rushed, nor were we waiting long at all.
• There is indeed a full bar, with signature cocktails prepared according to original recipes.  Where some drinks may typically be poured over ice, this bar shakes and strains into a glass without ice, preventing the dilution of the drink, which is a plus.
• We didn’t use the restrooms or venture anywhere else in the restaurant, so we can’t speak to any other areas for which we don’t have pictures.
• The restaurant and its people are very involved in the local restaurant and winery scene, mentioning Re:Rooted and specific events with chefs, indicating that members of the public are welcome to attend these events.
• The website is incredible well-done, with beautiful pictures of their food and plenty of information.
• Dashi also offers catering, as well as parties and private dining.
• They do allow table reservations and they do offer online ordering.  You may also call in your order by phone and provide payment (credit/debit card) information at the time you place your order.
• Yes, people actually make a special stop in just for the green beans!

Highlights:

• We’ve been looking for a Chinese restaurant that offered gluten-free options and did not use MSG.  Either of these can be hard to come by!  This is the place.
• The fare is reasonably-priced for what it is, but it can be a bit pricey and add up fast, so do keep that in mind if you’re on a budget.
• Excellent, conversational service, with items served with intuitive timing.
• Elevated food and cocktails, original recipes!

Verdict: If you’ve been longing for healthy, gluten-free, MSG-free Chinese food, look no further!  Makes for a perfect special occasion venue as well.