Try anything from YooYee’s menu with a flaming pepper icon next to it, and your first impression will range from “This has a nice kick” to “I need water, stat.” But it’s what comes with the spice that’ll leave an even longer-lasting impression—complex flavors, excellent textures, and flat-out great cooking from this Uptown Chinese restaurant. A stacked roster of fantastic appetizers, like refreshing yet tingly cold eggplant or beef tendon in chili sauce, makes sure every meal starts strong. And the momentum only builds as servers start parading around with larger entrees. Spicy brisket soup is loaded with perfectly chewy hand-pulled noodles. Slices of lamb burst with punchy flavors of cumin, sichuan peppercorn, and onion. And massive woks full of supple fish in spicy green or red broths have put us into a primal, seafood-feasting frenzy, only snapping out of the chili-induced daze to wipe sweat off our brows. YooYee’s minimalist look, neutral tones, and calming piano soundtrack might initially make you think “spa day.” But a meal here is significantly more action-packed than a place with cucumber eye patches. YooYee is always buzzing with friends catching up, parents with children (and the occasional iPad), and the staff zooming around, making sure everybody has water for any emergency guzzling. If you're bad with spice, it's OK. The sweet-skinned duck or vermicelli with shrimp will make any worry of “I wish I could eat spicy food” instantly vanish. YooYee isn’t just for heat-seeking daredevils—it’s for anyone who wants some of the best Chinese food in the city.