After a few failed attempts, I finally made it to Han Dynasty in the East Village. This Chinese restaurant opened a number of months ago, but, since they don’t take reservations, it’s all first come first serve. And, lots of people are lining up to be served there. So, since waiting an hour and a half wasn’t really in the cards, I decided to go for an early dinner and beat the crowd. Mission accomplished. 

The restaurant’s decor is simple, but each table is set with attention, and a hot pot of green tea is dropped off right away. They have their entrees numbered in terms of spice level. There was a “10”, and, believe me, I wanted to order that. But, I didn’t want to be too ambitious, so, I went for a “7” and ordered Hot Sauce Style with Fish (stir fried with cabbage and celery in an authentic Sichuan chili oil hot sauce). So, the portion is huge, I guess it’s meant to share? But, I like ordering my own thing, so, I ended up with some left-overs. Served with a side of white rice, this dish was certainly a spicy 7 (I love spice, but I’m glad I didn’t order the 10). It has great flavor, and the fish is bountiful and delicious. 

The Shorts:
Name: Han Dynasty 
Location: 90 Third Avenue, NYC
The Long and Short: Would I go back? For sure, and, on a bitterly cold day, I’m going in for that “10”.
Would I recommend it? Yes, I’d recommend going on the earlier side if you’d like to be seated relatively quick. Or, they have a text system, so, show up, give them your number, grab a drink somewhere nearby, and you’ll be texted when your table is ready.