Restaurant Ach’i

Das gab es selten, dass ein China-​Lokal auf dem weltberühmten Tripadvisor-​Portal auf den ersten Platz kam. Und dies bei mehr als 1500 Restaurants in Zürich. Und auch jetzt ist das Restaurant immer unter den Top 50 der Stadt zu finden. Ein Erfolg, den es ganz selten gibt. Und Ach”i, wo auf der Speisekarte 190 Spezialitäten zu finden sind, enttäuscht nie. Hier werden die Gäste immer wieder überrascht — auch von den moderaten Preisen, die man in Zürich eher selten findet. Ach”i wurde im März 2015 eröffnet und fand sehr bald — im lebhaften Kreis 4 — ein grosses Publikum. Und es fällt immer wieder auf: auch viele chinesische Gäste sind immer anwesend. Für ein China-​Restaurant ein grosses Kompliment. — Das Besitzerpaar Lily und Edison geben in diesem Restaurant ihr Bestes und haben in Zürich das erste Restaurant eröffnet, das sich auf die nord-​östliche Küche Chinas spezialisiert. Hier gibt es viel zu entdecken. Aber auch die Klassiker fehlen alle nicht, viele Gerichte sind auch in vegetarischer Version zu haben und auch die Thai-​Gerichte sind perfekt und übertreffen oft die Thai-​Küchen der Konkurrenz. Auch wenn die Preise am Abend moderat sind, die Lunch-​Menüs sind noch preiswerter. So ist Ach’i auch über Mittag ein «place to be» geworden und das tolle Team schaut, dass alles bestens klappt. Hier denkt man an alles, auch gratis W-​Lan ist eine Selbstverständlichkeit für die Gäste.

A nice and usually crowded place with a rich selection of delicious meals. The meals are freshly prepared, even if you take the menu.
There are large tables so if you don’t like to sit at the same table as other people, it’s probably not suited for you.
The personnel is very friendly and serves you quickly.
I go there regularly.

You know it’s authentic when it’s the smell of frying oil that greets you before anything else. Cafeteria-​style benches makes it good for large groups of friends to have a casual meal together. The dishes taste reasonable and the portions are fair: somewhat larger than what you’d expect in Zurich, but no where near north-​eastern Chinese portions.
I’d say it’s somehow (more) authentic but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for everyone: ingredients are coarse, taste is very much on the heavy side with lots of oil and spices, and the service can be slow/​inattentive when they get busy. Unfortunately, they don’t always have everything on their menu so if you know what you want, call ahead of time and ask for it. Case in point, I have tried to get the 红烧肉 every time I’ve been to this place and have yet to taste it.
Bottom line, come for a very casual dinner and soak up the (oily) atmosphere that some say is closer to a dining experience you’d get in mainland China. It’s frequented by many Chinese students, tourists, and local Chinese expats so I guess that testifies/​contributes to the authenticity.
Wouldn’t come for a date, wouldn’t come wearing expensive clothes.
Funny side story, I came with some guys from the north-​eastern part of China and asked them what they thought of the supposed northern style of the food. Their response, «not bad for a Sichuan restaurant»…

The best authentic Chinese restaurant in town. The food makes you feel like in China. I am there time to time. Love it.

What a genuine Northern specialized Chinese restaurant this place is. Located near An Hua, I’d much hands down come here as An Hua is a nice mixed Thai-​Chinese… But I don’t like mixed. I like going to somewhere for specialities; and Northern Chinese food specialities you will certainly get. Their Cantonese dishes are good too. To top it off, even though I don’t mind paying extra… this place is reasonably priced for Zurich standards and the flavoring/​portions are also very reasonable.
There is a special Chinese only menu (written only in Chinese) for the über authentic dishes (sorry, of course no sweet and sour pork here, LOL!) which I’d recommend for you to order from if you can understand it. Otherwise the regular menu is also great and really authentic enough, so give it a go! I love the beef or fish hot pot (water boiled beef/​fish) — it is served with bean thread noodle and perfectly spiced w hot oil… Absolutely one of the most authentic in Zurich I’ve had. Even almost better than my love at Zum Gelben Schnabel… And Beyond at HB is a joke/​waste of time to compare.
Their Szechuan dishes are fabulous, and I’m really excited about the variety of this place. It serves a variety of seafood, meats — even various duck dishes and lamb w cumin.
Their Northern specialities are banging, and I’d recommend for you to try their Northern appetizers too! But please come here w some people as it is the best way to eat as many different dishes as you can.
They even serve Chinese style pork knuckle noodle soup — can’t get as authentic as this here in Zurich…