"Hunanese are good cooks. Ask any Chinese and they will agree. This was why I was thrilled that Philly now has its own authentic Hunan restaurant. The place itself is simply delightful. Clean, quiet, and refreshing. Quite an oasis in the middle of downtown Philadelphia. The staff is friendly and helpful. And once you've tried the food, you will always want to come back. The most famous Hunan dish is the Fish Head with Chopped pepper. The special fish for this dish is not always available, but I was happy to substitute it with a whole Striped Bass. What can I say, a convergence of color, fragrance, and flavor (see photo, Striped Bass with Chopped Pepper). It was quite a treat. The trademark of authentic Hunan cooking include some unique ingredients (notably a variety of pickled vegetables and preserved meats), all with mouth-watering strong flavors. For a taste of authentic Hunan home cooking, try any of the preserved pork or beef dishes (each is augmented with a different pickled vegetable). For the adventurous, try frogs, which is a Hunan favorite. To cut the spiciness, try Mao's Braised Pork Belly, or a soup, e.g. Chinese Seaweed with Ribs or Chicken with Ginseng. Finally, Xiang Gourmet is your only chance in the metro area to find out what Shao Mei and Steamed Pork with Rice Powder should really taste like. Xiang Gourmei, a taste of Hunan at your doorstep!"
