First Hunan Style Chinese Restaurant

Tucked in a little corner at the intersection of Parker and Independence, you’ll find the first Hunan style restaurant in DFW.

Formerly known as North China, Hunan Taste brings new and inventive dishes from the deepest parts of China. The head chef started cooking in 1989, from there on he worked in 5 star hotels in China and helped open 2 restaurants in Houston. He has spent 28 years developing and perfecting his cooking and own style, and presents them all at Hunan Taste, as not only his first restaurant in DFW but also the first Hunan style cuisine in the DFW metroplex.

Photo Credit: Luwan

Hunan style cuisine is a Chinese cuisine that serves flavor filled dishes with house made spices using healthy cooking techniques. (Head chef name) aims to serve his customers delicious food with cooking styles that use less oil and methods such as steaming food versus deep frying them. His chillies are sourced from a vendor at the Dallas Farmers Market and undergo a secret but tedious process at his restaurant. His house special smoked pork belly takes a long 2 weeks to cure. The outcome are savory dishes that are packed with spices, but allow the consumer to feel light instead of heavy after the meal. His most popular dishes include, chilli fish head, cauliflower smoked pork dry hot pot, smoky pork, sliced white fish with chillies, and my personal favorite the pumpkin cakes. In addition to the Hunan cuisine, you can also find classic staple Chinese dishes such as lo mein, fried rice, beef broccoli, kung pao chicken, and moo shoo pork.

Photo Credit: Luwan

As for the technicalities of the restaurant, they run amazing lunch deals and there’s a soda special going on. Come between the hours of 11a-3p, and you’ll easily be able to score a meal, egg roll, and soup for less than $7. If you’re willing to venture to their more authentic special dishes ask for the Chinese/Hunan menu and you’ll also score a free drink for each dish you order. If you like to enjoy a beer with your food they also are running a buy 2 get 1 free beer bottle deal. In addition to dining in they also offer take out, catering, and delivery to surrounding areas near the restaurant ($10 minimum). If you’re in the area, or even if you’re not and want to try Hunan style chinese cuisine make sure you stop by Hunan Taste and give them a try!

D8 Sliced fish with chill: Boneless tender white fish fillets that sit on top of soft tofu. The entire dish is steamed in a tasty savory broth and topped with their house chilli. The chilli is very hot, so if you prefer more mild spice then ask for less before you order.

Photo Credit: Luwan

D34 Steam fish ball: Homemade fish balls shaped in a fun tail shaped. The entire dish is topped with quick stir fried vegetables and white sauce.

Photo Credit: Luwan

D22 Green chili with pork: Quick stir fried green chillies, with tender slices of pork.

Photo Credit: Luwan

D59 Appetizing Flammulina: string clear noodles, topped with with enoki mushrooms, and house cured chillies. This dish packs a punch with the chillies on top, and watch out for the noodles as they are tasty but tossed in chili oil.

Photo Credit: Luwan

Pumpkin cakes: Off menu, but ask them for it or flash them a picture and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. With an unassuming name as pumpkin cakes this dish was easily one of my favorites and would definitely bring me back. While the pumpkin flavor is subtle, each cake, is deep fried with chewy and mochi center. A great way to start off the meal and end it.

Photo Credit: Luwan

D13 Salted preserved pork: house cured salted pork belly, tossed with preserved radish and chillies. The house cured pork belly takes between 2 weeks to 20 days to cure. It is then sliced thinly and fried to a crunchy but tender bite.