Yao Yao

Martin Michael “Michael” Babcock 2 months ago

Don’t let the translation of “pickled fish” turn you off- the fresh white fish in a sour/pickled broth is to DIE for. On top of that, the cabbage and pork belly is perfectly cooked and unrivaled in Chicago Chinese cuisine. Really hits the nail on the head with Szechuan cuisine.

ButterflyEats 3 months ago

酸鱼很好吃的！ ordered fish in pickled soup, garlic eggplant, string beans and mapo tofu. Loved all of it. Was a little bit less on salt which is surprising for a Chinese restaurant!! Portion sizes are big with good price.

Jess BoYd 9 months ago

I visited Yao Yao today and the experience was quite memorable. The restaurant has a bright, clean look with turquoise panels and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs cooking. It feels casual, friendly, and lively. The highlights for me were definitely the dishes. The crawfish bowl was full of flavor spicy, aromatic, and coated in a rich sauce. It was the kind of dish that keeps you going back for another piece. The pickled fish soup came in a huge sharing bowl, very comforting with a deep broth and a good balance of tangy and spicy notes. I also enjoyed the cold appetizer with clams and cilantro. It was refreshing and helped balance out the heavier dishes. The fried items, like the crispy beef pieces, were crunchy and fun to snack on. The noodle dish was also hearty and paired well with everything on the table. Service was straightforward and quick. The food came out fast and the portions were generous, especially for groups. If you’re coming with friends or family, I recommend ordering a few big dishes to share that’s definitely the best way to enjoy this place. Overall, Yao Yao is a great spot if you love bold Sichuan flavors, big portions, and a casual atmosphere.

Zachary Zhu 9 months ago

Came here Sunday for lunch to get my fix of Sichuan food and I did not leave disappointed! We ordered the dry pot cauliflower and the Chongqing chicken, both of which were delicious. Feel like the flavor of the dry pot and chicken both hit the spot, though I could have done with a bit more pork belly in the dry pot. Easy to get a seat, decent service, decent prices (pretty cheap for the portions you get) - strongly recommend!

J C (61) a year ago

so many people recommending this place online, so we decided to give it a try. The restaurant was very clean, and the male staff was super friendly. We asked if the portion would be enough, and he said, “If not, just order more!” but three of us ordered the two-person set plus two side dishes, and it was more than enough! The sauerkraut fish was perfectly tangy, my mom absolutely loved it! The fish was tender and silky, though there were a few small bones, so be careful. It went amazingly well with rice. The side dishes were decent, but the brown sugar mochi was freshly fried, crispy on the outside and soft inside, absolutely delicious! We loved everything about it and will definitely come back next time!