I’m not going to sit here and pretend I’m any kind of authority on culinary arts. I’m just as likely to be impressed by a greasy hamburger wrapped in foil as I am an elegantly plated filet mignon. I just like food, man, anyway it comes and anyway I can get it (except for this abomination). This general philosophy applies tenfold to cuisines with dishes I cannot pronounce, let alone dissect into neat little reviews. And while I may need to ask my server from time to time about the differences between Szechuan Beef and Sate Beef, I can say without any hesitation that Tan Tan Restaurant has impressed with every visit.
House Special Rice Cake
Tan Tan is more…exotic…than the typical Chinese restaurants that line Houston streets. Look, I appreciate awesomely terrible Chinese buffets as much as the next guy, but Tan Tan isn’t anything like that. Even with my admittedly small amount of experience in true, legit Chinese dining, I can taste something beyond the fried everything dishes at other, lesser establishments. There’s something more authentic about the foods I’ve ordered at Tan Tan, an authenticity that translates into a more diverse flavoring in even recognizable dishes like General Tso’s. Nothing here feels or tastes reheated or pre-prepared, and certainly not anything like your run of the mill Chinese take out. Like a just-opened new rollercoaster, even though you’ve seen and experienced something resembling this at other places, you might approach with some trepidation at seeing the new twists and turns you’re not already intimately familiar with. But, after you’ve had it, done it, you’ll be exhilarated at the thought of more. In this way, the familiar but different entrees at Tan Tan open up your mouth to a whole new world of tastes. It’s like all that so-called Chinese food you’ve had up until this point served as little more than practice for this new, exciting prospect of something more real.
Hunan Pork
Tan Tan has recently expanded to a second location, with the original location on Bellaire Blvd and the new stop on Westheimer. Both locations can’t be missed, mainly due to the almost-tacky bright pink neon signs that highlight them. But don’t let the garrish lighting outside and in deter you; once you’re digging into one of the many different orders you and your party have decided on, you won’t even notice. And about the whole party situation, protip: make sure you all try to order different dishes. The servers bring rice for the table, and from there all of you will be serving yourselves. This allows for a very share-friendly dining experience, and if you all order a different dish, you can fill your particular plate with samples from all over the table. The portions served are generous, easily more than enough for any individual person. It’s funny, though, how easily tabs can grow here. Maybe it’s just my natural “eat everything” tendency, but despite knowing about the bounty of food already incoming, I find myself ordering different appetizers and dishes just to know. Know what, I don’t exactly know, but I know I want to know.
Garlic Snow Peas
Not everything at Tan Tan Restaurant is super exceptional. I’ve never had a dish there I didn’t like, but the egg rolls, for example, are pretty much just egg roll-ass egg rolls. They’re good, sure, but not surprising in the least. But the entrees themselves shine in a way that other places simply can’t match. And y’know, maybe it’s not for everyone. Some people are just comfortable with the deep fried everything Chinese places, but for those who are looking at doing something different for their taste buds, Tan Tan delivers.
Salt Toasted Three Flavors
It’s not the food my grandma makes. But it’s totally the food my Asian best friend’s grandma makes.
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