Sichuan Cuisine — Discover Málà and Its Spicy Treasures

Sichuan cuisine (川菜, chuān cài) is one of China's most fascinating culinary traditions. Known for its bold flavors, it's the only one to master the art of málà — that spicy-and-numbing sensation that transforms every bite into an experience. At Rêve Saveur in Martigny, we celebrate this tradition through our Mapo Tofu (where Sichuan pepper reigns) and our DanDan Mian with sesame sauce.

Málà: The Sichuan Signature

The term málà (麻辣) combines two characters:

• Má (麻): "numbing." The effect of Sichuan pepper, a berry that tingles and slightly numbs the tongue without burning.
• Là (辣): "spicy." The heat from dried chilis, omnipresent in Sichuan cooking.

Together, these two sensations create a unique gustatory experience. Sichuan pepper activates the mouth's tactile receptors (not heat receptors), producing a vibration-like, tingling, almost electric sensation. It's disconcerting the first time — and addictive by the second.

The Three Pillars of Sichuan Cuisine

• Sichuan pepper (花椒): this red berry has nothing to do with black pepper. It causes numbness and releases citrusy aromas. In Chinese medicine, it's used to "open the appetite."
• Doubanjiang (豆瓣酱): fermented broad bean and chili paste, sometimes aged for years. It's the umami base of many dishes, especially Mapo Tofu.
• Dried chili (干辣椒): used whole or in flakes, it provides the heat that dialogues with Sichuan pepper.

At Rêve Saveur: Two Classics, One Tradition

We showcase Sichuan cuisine through two iconic dishes:

• DanDan Mian — 23 CHF: fresh noodles extruded to order, sesame sauce, spicy minced pork, 24h tea-infused egg. The street food that became a classic.
• Mapo Tofu — 24/26 CHF: silky tofu in doubanjiang sauce with Sichuan pepper. Vegetarian (24 CHF) or traditional pork (26 CHF). The essence of málà.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sichuan cuisine?

One of China's eight great cuisines, from the southwest. Distinguished by málà flavors — spicy and numbing — achieved through chili and Sichuan pepper.

What is málà?

Má = numbing (Sichuan pepper), Là = spicy (chili). Together they create a unique tingling sensation on the tongue, the signature of all Sichuan cooking.

What Sichuan dishes are served at Rêve Saveur?

We serve DanDan Mian (23 CHF) and Mapo Tofu (24 CHF vegetarian / 26 CHF with pork), the two most iconic dishes of Sichuan.

Ready to Explore Málà?

Come experience Sichuan flavors at Rue du Grand Verger 12, Martigny. Our DanDan Mian and Mapo Tofu await.

Reserve a table →

Explore Our Cuisine

Discover our DanDan Mian, our Mapo Tofu and our types of Chinese noodles.

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