Sichuan food is famous in China and abroad, If you want the most authentic Sichuan cuisine, the most authentic Sichuan food is still to be found at Spices 3.
Will always be greeted with the warmest welcome, whether you are a habitual patron or dine in for the first time. We make best efforts to create the most tasty dishes, with friendly service. Food will be hard to disappoint
Unassuming storefront with bare-bones decor known for varying levels of spicy Chinese eats.
Abu
This is one of my most visited restaurants ever, where I have brought all my friends and family at least once. The reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that their food quality and taste has dipped quite a bit recently. Their price is still reasonable, but I feel like maybe their chef changed or something. But dishes are not that amazing quality anymore.
… moreStephanie Zhang
Overall decent. It’s just very hit or miss with the dishes. But very well priced.
We loved the salt and pepper chicken and cumin lamb, and enjoyed the green beans. But we were really underwhelmed by the spicy mung bean noodles and bacon stir fry with bean curd. Also, the food was very oily, but to be expected I suppose.
… morePaul K
Have been coming here for over 7 years now. Some of the best Chinese food I’ve ever had. Tons of spices and flavors, hot options are actually hot, I have to come here every time I visit Oakland, its mandatory. We will experiment with 1-2 new dishes each visit, but every time we get the same 3 items: Eggplant in Garlic (茄子), Chinese Black mushroom (冬菇才), and Beef Tendon Stew (独牛筋). I know, beef tendon stew sounds crazy, I said the same thing, but the flavor is incredible. If you appreciate authentic Chinese food bursting with flavors, this will be your new spot!
… moreJulian Rodriguez
I tried this place for the first time as my first meal of 2026, craving something spicy to recover from a post NYE hangover, and it was exactly what I needed. The complimentary tea was hot and nourishing, a perfect start. I ordered the spicy fish filet in flaming red oil, which was delicious and deeply satisfying, along with perfectly seasoned salt and pepper calamari and a side of rice. A cold Tsing Tao rounded everything out. Every bite hit. It genuinely chased the hangover away. Worth noting it is cash or Venmo only. I will definitely be back.
… moreness io olibhia kain
it seems prudent to address this off the bat since it comes up on other reviews, but i will openly admit that i don’t necessarily have the best handle on what constitutes authenticity for sichuan cuisine, because i have never been to sichuan or chongqing. i can, however, tell you when food is good. this food is good. the cold sesame noodle is a particular favorite, and the tofu and string bean dishes are also great, which all contributes to this place being a hit with vegan friends. i basically always eat takeout or delivery from here, but it is worth noting that the vibes of the dining room itself are… weird, and it kind of makes me feel for some reason like i’m in an elementary school from a bygone decade. i am not withholding any stars for this, though. i think the main issue holding this spot back is a lack of consistency. you definitely have to know what you want to get here and stick to the winners, because sometimes you’ll get a thing that is seriously underwhelming, with much less in the way of complexity of flavor or enjoyable texture. still, when you find the thing that hits for you, it really hits. if this doesn’t speak to you the first time, i do (rather unusually) recommend trying again with something else, because the best dishes here are worth coming back for.
… moreJames Li
Absolutely delicious with a great selection of stinky tofu and other vegetarian dishes.
Spice levels are pleasant and only enhance the flavor of all the dishes.
NOTE: Cash only, so make sure to bring enough to cover all the good food!
… moreAnnie Lai
Will not be returning and regret wasting my calories on the food here. $60 for 1 soup, 2 meat dishes, and 1 veggie dish — all of it was a waste of money.
Mongolian beef was sweet, not spicy at all. Food was overly oily and not flavorful or spicy at all. Wonton soup had sliced carrots and baby bella mushrooms in it, which made the already bland broth taste strange. I came here expecting the spice to bring me to tears but it was my frustration at this whole dining experience that nearly did. I could feel the cornstarch slurry on my tongue that they clearly used to tenderize their meat.
Service was impatient and curt, which is to be expected of this type of restaurant but if the food sucks, at least have decent service. Plus, it’s never a good sign when there’s no Chinese people eating inside a Chinese restaurant… I was the only one and should’ve listened to my instincts when they told me to go elsewhere. Came here from a recommendation and I will never be trusting that person’s recs again.
… moreMona
It’s too salty.maybe is Christmas so Kitchen doesn’t want to work. is hard to eat i am concern anything. never order Again. No receipt, no cutlery, and the price is different from the menu.
… moreDamon Tighe
Dine is cash only
Food is great. We had three dishes and they all met or exceeded expectations in terms of flavor and portions. Service was fast and efficient. Dishes came out within 10 minutes of ordering them.
… moreHeidi Liou
Came here on a Monday around 6pm (2 people total) and got a seat right away.
The eggplant with chili (different than the eggplant with garlic) is so delicious! Highly recommend getting that and the mapo tofu. Plenty of indoor seating. Service is quick (got our food within 10min).
Cash only.
… more