Memory of Szechuan

3.5 ( 324 reviews )
£20–30
109 Friar St, Reading RG1 1EP, United Kingdom
+44 118 957 5533

At Memory of Szechuan, located at 109 Friar St, Reading, food enthusiasts are in for a treat, particularly those craving authentic Sichuan flavors. Many patrons rave about its all-you-can-eat hotpot offering, which is a standout feature that guarantees value for money. Reviewers consistently highlight the generous portion sizes and the absence of a time limit—a rarity that adds to the dining experience.

Customers like Mark Angelo Sunga and Wangwen Zhao express their enthusiasm about the authentic dishes, including spicy chili chicken and pig blood hot pot. Zhao, a native from Hunan, emphasizes its quality over many London establishments. This sentiment echoes the praise for flavorful, well-prepared entrees. Service is another positive point; despite a quieter atmosphere, customers report prompt and friendly staff interactions.

However, some reviews mention slight discrepancies in menu availability, with recent price increases for hotpot. Overall, Memory of Szechuan stands out in Berkshire for its dedication to authentic cuisine. This restaurant is highly recommended for both seasoned Sichuan lovers and curious foodies alike, truly a gem in Reading’s dining scene.

Amenities and More

  • Service options
    • Delivery
    • Takeaway
    • Dine-in
  • Popular for
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Offerings
    • Alcohol
    • All you can eat
    • Beer
    • Late-night food
    • Small plates
    • Spirits
    • Wine
  • Dining options
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
  • Amenities
    • Toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
  • Crowd
    • Groups
  • Planning
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Credit cards
    • Debit cards
    • NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids

Reviews For Memory of Szechuan

Mark Angelo Sunga
Jun 28,2025
Perhaps the best hotpot restaurant in Reading for value for money, as it's all-you-can-eat! I'm surprised that some people don’t rate this place highly, as you won’t find another restaurant offering such great portion sizes with no time limit. Definitely recommend.
Wangwen Zhao
Jun 22,2025
I am gobsmacked by all the low-rated reviews from non-Chinese people here. I am Chinese myself, actually from Hunan next to Sichuan, and all my family and I are crazy about food. This is indeed the best Chinese restaurant by a long mile within Berkshire or even better than many London ones. This has been our favorite spot ever since the closure of China Palace. The taste is incredibly authentic Sichuan cuisine, such as the chilli chicken with plenty of chilli and soft-fried chicken bits, as well as the pig blood hot pot, and so on. All the portions are a really good size as well. To be honest I did want to keep this place to myself as a secret, as if there are less people in the restaurant, this would mean better service for myself. That being said, the waiters are really nice people anyways. However, I am concerned that they are not receiving the recognition they deserve to better sustain their business. By the way, this is not a biased review - I don't know anyone in the business. I have merely lived in the Reading area for over 20 years. Come on all real foodies, give them a 5 star!
S D
Jun 4,2025
It was very quiet, which can be good or bad depending on your preference. It meant we were served quickly! The staff explained the concept to my friends well enough. The food was great, we got a mild and a medium spice pot. Both were very flavorful. Generous amount of each selected component. Great value for money
Ben Lau
May 7,2025
Best Chinese food around. Lunch menu worths every penny with a main and a soup.
anavah
Mar 21,2025
the hot pot price has increased to 25 pp but its good hot pot. not a wide selection- some options were not available
Jesumbo Oludipe
Mar 21,2025
The food was really great and the service was exceptional.
Andrew Rose
Mar 18,2025
We have childhood memories of this place when it was Furama. There is a slimmed down menu now but it’s still great choice and variety and good value on the buffet option. The starters are still great and the mains are tasty as well, if you have room. The decor needs a refresh but it’s still a good place to eat and nice to support a local business.
David Murphy
Mar 14,2025
We had a great meal here.

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