If there were a mapo tofu award show (why isn’t there?), this Sunset Park Chinese restaurant that opened in 2018 would win for the category of Most Viscous Sauce. Each block of soft tofu is evenly covered in a shimmering, cohesive sauce - and they’re so delicate that they break apart perfectly in half just like we did at home when we realized our leftover bag was still sitting at the restaurant. Aside from the mapo tofu, we recommend trying Chuan Tian Xia’s pepper chicken dish, which is served cold, pulled, and drenched in a thin red oil the color of our favorite lipstick. If you respond well to things like tender pork and joy, add on an order of wontons in chili oil as well.

Chuan Tian Xia is open for limited indoor dining, outdoor dining on their spacious sidewalk corner, and takeout.

photo credit: Adam Friedlander