The restaurant’s name is right on: the rice truly is nice at this Hunanese gem in Gulou. The interior is hipster cute, complete with an old upright piano and a bright and airy skylight, and the fare is solid and spicy. The menu comes with pictures and English descriptions, so even if you’re not familiar with Hunan cuisine, you know what you’re getting when you order hot plate fried beef (¥38), stir fried country tofu (¥22) and fried rice with pickled bean (¥16). If you are spice averse, go elsewhere: the dishes at Nice Rice are very la. We highly recommend starting with the cauliflower stir fried in clay plate (¥26), a savory beginning before the spice assault to come.
Find it: 79 South Jiaodaokou Street, 交道口南大街79号, Tel: 6407-9619
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