Mountain House Rowland Heights

A wooden rack holding paper-thin slices of pork belly and cucumber arrives at the table, suspended over a potent sauce of garlic and chili oil. This is the Swing Pork Belly, a dish that has become emblematic of Mountain House in Rowland Heights and its vision of Sichuan cooking. The presentation is theatrical, but it serves to introduce the bold, nuanced flavors that define the kitchen. This is a restaurant built on an authentic and multifaceted understanding of a regional culinary tradition, where every detail contributes to the story. The catalog of dishes explores the distinctive numbing spice of Sichuan peppercorns, the hallmark of the region’s ma-la flavor profile. Beyond the striking pork belly appetizer, the kitchen has become known for other assertive offerings. The La-zi chicken, a mound of crisp-fried poultry buried in a mountain of dried chilies, offers an exercise in texture and heat. Intricate preparations like the stewed fish with pickled cabbage and chili provide a different kind of complexity, with a sour and spicy broth that is savory. While the cooking is uncompromising in its heat, many dishes showcase the flavors of the region without relying on spice. The restaurant’s name is a direct reflection of its transportive interior. The dining room is a carefully constructed environment of wooden alcoves, interior trees, and koi ponds, creating a serene and almost maze-like atmosphere that feels far removed from its Southern California surroundings. The elaborate setting provides a fitting stage for a culinary tradition that is itself bold and dramatic. The time at Mountain House is a cohesive one, where the intricate decor serves as a prelude to the equally detailed and potent plates that follow.