A couple of weeks ago, my boyfriend and I went to Red Chilli Chinese Restaurant, his favourite restaurant in York. Red Chilli is a Chinese restaurant that’s different from your typical Chinese menu. The food is authentic and there are a few strange dishes on the menu. Like ox heart, duck tongue, eels and more.
Red Chilli York remains the top-rated Chinese restaurant in York with consistently excellent reviews. We’ve been back several times since writing this review, and it’s still brilliant. They’ve maintained their authentic Sichuan and Beijing cuisine, and the restaurant is always packed with locals and Chinese diners – always the best sign of authenticity. Plus, Red Chilli Supermarket is next door if you want to pick up some Chinese groceries after your meal!
- About Red Chilli York
- Where is Red Chilli York?
- Our First Visit to Red Chilli Chinese Restaurant
- The Red Chilli York Menu
- Red Chilli Restaurant York Reviews – What Others Say
- What Makes Red Chilli York Different?
- How Much Does Red Chilli York Cost?
- Tips for Visiting Red Chilli Restaurant York
- Our Ongoing Love for Red Chilli York
- Why You Should Visit Red Chilli York
- Final Thoughts on Red Chilli York (2026)
- Our second visit to Red Chilli York
About Red Chilli York
Red Chilli Chinese Restaurant is a popular Chinese restaurant in York. The restaurant is known for its authentic Beijing and Sichuan cuisine, which is a style of Chinese cuisine known for its bold, spicy flavours.
The menu at Red Chilli features a range of traditional dishes, including hot pot, dumplings, noodles, and stir-fries. The restaurant uses fresh, high-quality ingredients, many of which are imported directly from China. The dishes are prepared using traditional cooking techniques, and the spice level can be adjusted to suit your preference.
Red Chilli also offers a selection of Chinese teas and other beverages, including Leffe on tap (which is a win for me!). The restaurant has a contemporary décor, with red and black accents and traditional Chinese artwork adorning the walls.
Red Chilli York is the top-rated Chinese restaurant in the beautiful historic city. It specialises in Sichuan and Beijing cuisine and offers various choices of authentic Chinese food with great taste and a fine dining environment with hospitable service. Benefiting from the great location in York city centre, just 7 minutes walk from York train station, they welcome all the locals and tourists.
Red Chilli is open for lunch and dinner, and reservations are recommended, especially during peak times. The restaurant is popular with locals and tourists alike, and its authentic Sichuan cuisine and welcoming atmosphere make it a great place to enjoy a meal in York.
Where is Red Chilli York?
If you’re looking for an Asian restaurant in York, you can find Red Chilli at 21-25 George Hudson Street, York YO1 6JL.
Contact Details:
- Phone: 01904 673 888
- Website: redchilliyork.co.uk
- Location: Just 7 minutes walk from York train station
Opening Times:
- Sunday – Thursday: 12:00pm – 9:30pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12:00pm – 10:30pm
Red Chilli also have restaurants in Leeds and Manchester, making them a small chain of authentic Chinese restaurants across the North of England.
Bonus: Red Chilli Supermarket is right next door if you want to shop for Chinese groceries!
Our First Visit to Red Chilli Chinese Restaurant
We went around 7:30 on a Saturday and it was packed full of people. You can’t book a table for two people, so we had a drink in the waiting area until a table became free about 20 minutes later.
Important note: You can only book tables for 3 or more people. If you’re dining as a couple, you’ll need to arrive and wait for a table. On busy weekend evenings, expect a 20-30 minute wait.
The Red Chilli York Menu
The Red Chilli York menu is extensive and features authentic Sichuan and Beijing dishes that you won’t find in your typical high street Chinese takeaway.
Starters & Appetisers
Popular starters include:
- Spring rolls (pork and shrimp)
- Salt and pepper squid (highly recommended!)
- Sliced duck (cold dish)
- Fillet steak rolls in black bean sauce
- Steamed scallops in vermicelli with crushed garlic
- Crispy beef (regularly praised in reviews!)
- Salt & pepper pork ribs
- Sesame prawn on toast
- Seaweed
Dim Sum selection available
Main Courses
The Red Chilli Chinese York menu includes:
Beef Dishes:
- Sautéed shredded beef fillet with chilli with Cantonese sauce
- Sizzling beef fillet in pepper sauce (I’d get this again 100%!)
- Poached beef with Sichuan chilly sauce
- Crispy beef
Pork Dishes:
- Sautéed sliced pork belly with chilli (boyfriend’s favourite!)
- Spicy potato slices with pork
- Hot and spicy pork belly
Seafood:
- Pickled sea bass
- Various fish dishes with traditional sauces
Authentic Dishes:
- Oxtail heart and tripe in chilli oil
- Pig intestines
- Chicken feet
- Duck tongue
- Frog’s legs
- Eels
- Ox heart
Vegetarian Options:
- Sweet & sour aubergine
- Spicy potato slices
- Pick your own seasonal vegetables
- Mixed vegetable stir-fries
Noodles & Rice:
- Various chow mein options (soft or crispy noodles)
- Egg fried rice
- Special fried rice
- Hot pot dishes
What Makes the Red Chilli Menu Special?
Unlike typical British-Chinese restaurants that serve sweet and sour chicken balls and spring rolls, Red Chilli York’s menu focuses on authentic regional Chinese cuisine. The dishes are genuinely spicy (Sichuan style), use traditional ingredients, and are prepared using techniques imported from China.
The menu can seem intimidating if you’re used to standard takeaways, but that’s what makes it brilliant! The staff are happy to recommend dishes if you’re unsure, and they can adjust spice levels to suit your preference.
Red Chilli Restaurant York Reviews – What Others Say
Looking at Red Chilli York reviews across platforms, the restaurant has earned strong ratings:
TripAdvisor: 4.0 stars from 887 reviews
Ranking: #314 of 894 restaurants in York
Awards: Top-rated Chinese restaurant in York
What Diners Love:
Authentic Cuisine: “The most delicious Chinese meal I’ve ever had in York. It’s extremely delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine.” Multiple reviewers praise the authenticity.
Always Packed with Chinese Diners: Consistently mentioned as a good sign of genuine food. People travel just to visit Red Chilli a few times a year!
Specific Dish Recommendations:
- Crispy beef (“great!” mentioned multiple times)
- Oxtail heart and tripe in chilli oil
- Salt and pepper squid
- Sizzling beef fillet
- Pickled sea bass
- Spicy wanton
- Sweet & sour aubergine
- Fish dishes
Attentive Staff: Reviewers praise the “very attentive” staff, particularly “the waitress from Nepal” who is described as “very friendly.”
Friendly and Relaxed Atmosphere: Despite being busy, the restaurant maintains a welcoming environment.
Value for Money: Considering the quality and authenticity, prices are described as reasonable for central York.
Common Themes in Red Chilli York Reviews:
- “Authentic Sichuan food”
- “Friendly and relaxed atmosphere”
- “Staff very attentive”
- “We travel here just to visit the restaurant”
- “Always full of Chinese people – good sign!”
- “Delicious noodles, beef and Multon”
- “Great customer service”
- “Best Chinese restaurant in York”
Some Considerations:
Wait Times: You cannot book for two people, so expect to wait 20-30 minutes on busy nights (especially Friday and Saturday evenings).
Authentic Means Different: If you’re expecting sweet and sour chicken balls and crispy duck with pancakes, this might not be for you. Red Chilli serves genuine regional Chinese cuisine.
Spice Levels: Sichuan cuisine is genuinely spicy. If you’re not keen on heat, ask staff for recommendations or request milder versions.
Adventurous Menu: Some dishes (pig intestines, chicken feet, duck tongue) aren’t for everyone. But if you’re adventurous, this is brilliant!
What Makes Red Chilli York Different?
Authenticity
One of the things I love most about Red Chilli York is how authentically Chinese it is. As one Chinese reviewer commented on my original post: “I’m Chinese and I can assure that beef heart and duck tongue aren’t weird in our culture. Organ meats like heart actually have certain nutritional benefits. It’s so hard to find authentic Asian dishes in the Western world and whenever I come across one, I will head back again and again.”
That sums it up perfectly. Red Chilli isn’t trying to appeal to Western tastes with sweet, sticky sauces and battered everything. They’re serving genuine regional Chinese cuisine prepared using traditional methods with ingredients imported from China.
The Red Chilli Chain
Red Chilli is actually a small chain with locations in York, Leeds, and Manchester. However, unlike many chain restaurants, they’ve maintained quality and authenticity across all locations. One reviewer described it as “the best of the Red Chilli chain of Chinese restaurants, and the best Chinese restaurant I’ve been to – of many.”
The York location consistently gets praise for being the best of the four Red Chilli restaurants.
The Clientele
Every time we’ve visited, Red Chilli York has been packed with Chinese diners alongside locals. This is always the best indication of authentic food. When people from that culture choose to eat there regularly, you know you’re getting the real deal.
How Much Does Red Chilli York Cost?
Based on our visits and recent reviews, here’s what to expect for pricing at Red Chilli Chinese York:
Starters: £4-8
Main Courses: £8-15
Rice/Noodles: £3-5
Drinks: Standard restaurant pricing
Example Bill:
- 2 starters, 2 mains, 2 portions rice, 6 drinks (3 each) = approximately £60-70
Per person: Expect to pay around £20-30 per person including drinks, which is very reasonable for the quality and central York location.
The portions are generous, and the quality justifies the price. You’re getting authentic, freshly prepared Chinese cuisine with ingredients imported from China – not your standard high street Chinese.
Tips for Visiting Red Chilli Restaurant York
1. Book Ahead (If You Can)
You can book tables for 3 or more people. If you’re dining as a couple, arrive earlier (before 7pm) to avoid longer waits.
2. Be Adventurous
Don’t just stick to what you know! Try the authentic dishes that you won’t find elsewhere. The oxtail heart and tripe in chilli oil gets rave reviews, as does the crispy beef.
3. Ask for Recommendations
The staff are knowledgeable and happy to recommend dishes. If you’re not sure what to order or are worried about spice levels, just ask!
4. Come Hungry
Portions are generous. Don’t over-order on your first visit!
5. Avoid Peak Times
Friday and Saturday evenings between 7-9pm are busiest. Visit earlier or on weekdays for shorter waits.
6. Try the Salt and Pepper Squid
From personal experience, this is one of the best starters. So well-seasoned!
7. Save Room for Exploring
The menu is vast. You’ll want to come back to try different dishes!
8. Visit the Supermarket Next Door
Red Chilli Supermarket is right next door if you want to buy Chinese ingredients, sauces, or snacks to take home.
Our Ongoing Love for Red Chilli York
Red Chilli Chinese Restaurant remains my boyfriend’s favourite restaurant in York, and I completely understand why. After multiple visits, the food quality has been consistently excellent, the service quick and friendly, and the atmosphere always buzzing.
What I particularly appreciate is how Red Chilli hasn’t compromised on authenticity to appeal to Western tastes. They trust their food, and rightly so – the restaurant is always packed, and the reviews speak for themselves.
We keep finding new dishes to try on the Red Chilli York menu. From the sizzling beef fillet (which I’d order every time!) to the salt and pepper squid, to the adventurous options like oxtail heart, there’s always something new to discover.
I still haven’t been brave enough to try the frog’s legs, but one day! And I’m still hoping that “brown crap” typo has been fixed on the menu…
Why You Should Visit Red Chilli York
If you’re in York and want authentic Chinese food, Red Chilli is the place to go. Don’t expect chicken chow mein and sweet and sour balls – this is the real deal.
The fact that:
- It’s always packed with Chinese diners
- Ingredients are imported from China
- Reviews consistently praise the authenticity
- People travel specifically to eat here
…all tell you this is something special.
Yes, you might have to wait for a table if you’re dining as a couple. Yes, some menu items might seem unusual if you’re not familiar with authentic Chinese cuisine. Yes, it’s genuinely spicy (Sichuan style). But that’s exactly what makes it brilliant!
Red Chilli York offers something different from the dozens of generic Chinese restaurants and takeaways in York. It’s authentic, it’s delicious, and it’s an experience.
As one reviewer perfectly summarised: “Don’t listen to the few detractors who don’t seem to know the first thing about Chinese food. Red Chilli is an excellent small chain of restaurants.”
Final Thoughts on Red Chilli York (2026)
I urge you to visit Red Chilli if you find yourself in York. It’s become one of our regular spots, and every visit reminds me why authentic cuisine is so important.
The bold, spicy Sichuan flavours, the traditional cooking techniques, the fresh ingredients imported from China, and the welcoming staff all combine to create something genuinely special in York’s dining scene.
Book ahead if you’re a group of three or more. Arrive early if you’re a couple. Come hungry and adventurous. And prepare to discover why Red Chilli York is the top-rated Chinese restaurant in the city.
Have you been to Red Chilli Restaurant York? What did you order? Let me know in the comments!
Red Chilli York
21-25 George Hudson Street
York YO1 6JL
Phone: 01904 673 888
Website: redchilliyork.co.uk
Opening Times:
- Sunday-Thursday: 12pm-9:30pm
- Friday-Saturday: 12pm-10:30pm
You can book a table at Red Chilli York on their website here.
For starters, we shared the pork and shrimp spring rolls and for the main, I had the Sautéed Shredded Beef Fillet with Chilli with Cantonese Sauce and my boyfriend had Sautéed Sliced Pork Belly with Chilli.
Both dishes were lovely. I’m not usually a big pork fan but I loved the sliced pork belly.
Service was quick and the prices were great. We had 3 drinks each (wine and beer) and the bill for that, plus 2 starts, 2 mains and 2 servings of egg fried rice came to £60.
I kind of want to go back and try some more of the weird things. I’m sure we will be returning! If you find yourself in York, I urge you to go!
Our second visit to Red Chilli York
We went again about 18 months after we first visited Red Chilli York. This authentic Chinese restaurant is always full of Chinese people – always a good sign that it’s not just going to be chicken chow mien with sweet and sour balls!
The food, as always, was delicious.
My one regret is getting the sliced duck starter. It was a cold dish and basically just sliced duck. It was a bit like eating slices of ham or turkey straight from the fridge. I think I’ve fallen for this trick before though! The best starter was the salt and pepper squid. It was so well-seasoned!
I got the sizzling beef fillet in pepper sauce for my main. I would get this again 100%. It was delicious. My boyfriend got his favourite hot and spicy pork belly – it was a bit fatty though!
I kind of wanted to try the frog’s legs – there were many dishes with it in them, but I bottled it! There are so many new things to try, like pig intestines, chicken feet, and tongue, we even found a funny typo where the menu said ‘brown crap’ instead of ‘brown crab’… at least I hope it was a typo!
They also do Leffe on tap. So that’s a win for me!
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Everything looks so tasty! I’m Chinese and I can assure that beef heart and duck tongue aren’t weird in our culture. Organ meats like heart actually have certain nutritional benefits.
It’s so hard to find authentic Asian dishes in the Western world and whenever I come across one, I will head back again and again.
The food looks so good!
I love chinease if done welll this looks yummy Lucy x