A Sunday Chinese buffet that’s been part of the dining routine for more than 25 years? That’s a tradition worth paying attention to, especially for anyone who enjoys having plenty of choices at lunch.
The New Hampshire restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat Sunday buffet featuring a variety of Chinese dishes. Guests can sample different flavors, return for another serving, and enjoy a relaxed meal without committing to just one entree.
I like how the buffet format makes it easy for families and groups with different preferences to dine together.
You might begin with familiar favorites and then discover something else that deserves space on your plate. The long-running Sunday tradition adds a nostalgic touch to the experience.
And with more than two decades behind it, this weekly meal has clearly become a familiar part of the restaurant’s identity.
Sundays From Noon To 3 Are The Hours That Matter Most Here
Szechuan Taste has turned Sunday afternoon into something close to a local tradition. The all-you-can-eat buffet runs every Sunday from noon to 3 PM, and it has been a fixture for well over two decades.
That kind of staying power is rare for any restaurant. Plenty of places try a buffet for a season and quietly drop it.
This one kept going, week after week, year after year.
The buffet draws a mix of longtime Exeter locals and students from around town. That blend gives the room a relaxed, everybody-welcome kind of feel.
Nobody needs to dress up, and nobody needs a plan beyond grabbing a plate.
Timing matters, though. The window is just three hours, so showing up late could mean a rushed meal.
Arriving closer to noon gives you time to browse, sample, and go back for round two without watching the clock.
The spread leans on familiar favorites rather than endless rows of trays. Think of it as a curated sampler of the restaurant’s greatest hits.
It’s a smart way for first-timers to test the kitchen before ordering from the full menu.
Honestly, a weekly ritual lasting this long says plenty on its own. Sunday clearly belongs to the buffet here.
More Than A Quarter-Century On Water Street Is No Small Feat
Restaurants come and go fast in most towns. Szechuan Taste has served Exeter, New Hampshire, for more than a quarter-century, which makes it a true downtown veteran.
The restaurant sits at 42 Water St., Exeter, NH 03833. Water Street runs right through the heart of town, surrounded by other local businesses.
That central spot puts dinner within easy reach of shopping, errands, or a stroll through downtown.
Longevity like this usually comes from steady habits. The restaurant has built its reputation on familiar Chinese dishes and a commitment to fresh ingredients.
It hasn’t chased every trend, and that consistency is part of its charm.
Think about how much a town changes over 25 years. Shops switch owners, buildings get makeovers, and new faces move in.
Through all of it, this spot kept its doors open and its woks busy.
Parking deserves a quick heads-up. The lot is shared with neighboring businesses, so spaces can fill up during busy evenings downtown.
Giving yourself a few extra minutes is a smart move.
There’s something reassuring about a restaurant that has simply stayed put. In a world of pop-ups and quick closures, a few decades in one spot feels downright impressive.
Booths, Big Tables, And That Classic Chinese Restaurant Feeling
Some dining rooms try way too hard. The room at Szechuan Taste goes the other way, offering the cozy look of a classic Chinese restaurant that feels familiar the moment you sit down.
Seating comes in a few flavors. There are large low-top tables with comfortable chairs, plus several booths for anyone who likes a little privacy.
A row of bar seats rounds things out for quick solo meals.
The decor is described as homey and nice, without any flashy gimmicks. That suits the food perfectly.
Comfort dishes taste better in a comfortable room, and this space understands the assignment.
Booths are the move for a slow Sunday catch-up with friends. The big tables work better for a crowd, especially if everyone wants to pass plates around.
Sharing is basically the house sport at a Chinese restaurant anyway.
Families will appreciate the practical side too. High chairs are available, and the place is known as a good fit for kids, groups, and solo diners alike.
Restrooms and a wheelchair-accessible entrance make visits easier for everyone.
Nothing here screams for attention. It just feels like the kind of room where a long lunch turns into an even longer conversation.
General Tso’s Chicken Leads A Lineup Of Comfort Classics
General Tso’s chicken might be the most famous dish in Chinese American dining. At Szechuan Taste, it holds a starring role on a menu packed with time-tested favorites.
Lo mein sits right beside it, along with chow mein, egg foo young, and sweet and sour chicken. Chicken teriyaki and beef with mixed vegetables also make appearances.
If you grew up loving takeout, this lineup will feel like a reunion.
Fresh seafood lo mein offers a twist on the noodle classic. Pork with string beans and shrimp with eggplant bring a few more vegetables to the party.
Those dishes are nice picks when you want something hearty but a little greener.
Starters cover the basics well. Spring rolls and wonton soup are both on the menu, and they make an easy way to begin.
Chicken wings and boneless spare ribs also come up often among fans of the place.
The kitchen focuses on authentic Chinese flavors with modern touches. That balance means comfort food without feeling stuck in the past.
Ordering for a group? Pick a few of these classics and share everything.
That’s the most fun way to explore a menu this broad.
A Chicken Dish With Banana Is The Plot Twist On This Menu
Battered chicken, sweet and pungent sauce, and fresh banana. That combo sounds like a dare, but it’s a real dish at Szechuan Taste called It’s Chiquition.
The name alone earns it a spot on any must-try list. It brings a playful, fruity spin to the crispy chicken idea.
Think of it as a distant cousin of sweet and sour chicken that took a tropical vacation.
Banana in a savory dish may raise eyebrows at first. Yet sweet fruit and tangy sauces have long been friends in plenty of cuisines.
Pineapple shows up in sweet and sour dishes all the time, after all.
This is the kind of plate that sparks table conversation. Order it to share, and watch who goes back for a second piece.
Curiosity tends to win these battles.
Dishes like this help explain why the menu feels personal. A long-running restaurant can afford a few quirky signatures, and this one proudly keeps its oddball on the list.
Not feeling adventurous? That’s totally fine, since the menu has plenty of familiar choices.
Still, skipping the banana chicken at least once feels like leaving a puzzle unsolved. Your taste buds might thank you for the risk.
Spice Lovers Get Mongolian Heat And Ma-La Sauce To Play With
Heat seekers, this one’s for you. Szechuan Taste offers a handful of bold, spicy dishes for anyone who wants their lunch to fight back a little.
Mongolian spicy hot sauce comes paired with sliced beef, pork, and shrimp. It’s a punchy choice when mild sauces just won’t cut it.
A pot of hot tea nearby makes a smart sidekick.
Then there’s the spicy Ma-La sauce, served with chicken and scallops. Ma-La refers to a famous Sichuan flavor style known for its numbing, tingly kick.
Pairing it with scallops makes for an interesting surf and turf moment.
Shrimp fans have another treat waiting. Delicate deep-fried jumbo shrimp get sautéed with broccoli in the chef’s hot sauce.
The menu calls it a treat for shrimp lovers, and that description is hard to argue with on paper.
Spice levels can be a personal thing. If you’re unsure, ask the staff for guidance before ordering.
They’re known as friendly and knowledgeable, which helps when you’re choosing between mild and fiery.
Mixing one spicy dish with a milder one is a great strategy. That way the table gets a little adventure without anyone reaching for a fire extinguisher.
Vegetarians Won’t Be Stuck Nibbling On Rice Alone
Plenty of meat-free diners know the struggle of scanning a menu and finding only fried rice. Szechuan Taste does better, with vegetarian options spread throughout the menu.
Moo shi vegetables stand out among the choices. The dish features a mix of stir-fried vegetables, usually wrapped up in thin pancakes.
It’s hands-on, fun to eat, and great for sharing across the table.
Salads and soups add more variety for lighter appetites. Mixing a soup with a vegetable entree makes a satisfying meal without any meat at all.
Your carnivore friends may even try to steal a bite.
Here’s a helpful tip for mixed groups. Order one vegetarian dish to share alongside the meat options.
That way nobody feels left out, and everyone gets more flavors to sample.
The restaurant’s focus on fresh ingredients matters most in vegetable dishes. Crisp, colorful produce makes all the difference when there’s no meat to carry the plate.
It’s a detail worth paying attention to.
If you have specific dietary needs, ask the staff when you order. They can point you toward the best fits.
Good service makes vegetarian dining far less of a guessing game, and that’s a welcome change.
Save Room, Because Fried Ice Cream Is Waiting
Fried ice cream sounds like a science experiment that went deliciously right. At Szechuan Taste, it’s a popular way to end a meal.
The idea is simple but clever. Cold ice cream gets wrapped in a crunchy coating and quickly fried.
The outside turns warm and crispy while the middle stays cool. Kids tend to find this magical, and adults secretly do too.
Tea makes a fine partner for dessert. The restaurant is known for a great tea selection, which pairs nicely after a rich dinner.
A warm cup can help settle things after a big buffet plate or two.
Families should plan ahead for this one. After a long Sunday buffet, stomachs can fill up fast.
Leaving just a little space means nobody misses out on the sweet finale.
Sharing works well here too. One order passed around the table gives everyone a taste.
It also keeps the debate over the last bite lively and friendly.
Desserts at Chinese restaurants often get overlooked in favor of fortune cookies. This one deserves more attention.
Ending a meal with something warm, cold, and crunchy at once is a pretty great way to say goodbye.
Plan Your Visit Around Lunch Specials, Takeout, And Monday Closures
Mondays are off-limits, so mark that on your mental calendar. Szechuan Taste opens Tuesday through Sunday, starting at 11 AM each day.
Closing time shifts a bit through the week. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday wrap up at 9 PM.
Friday and Saturday stretch until 10 PM, which helps for late weekend cravings.
Lunch specials are a weekday win. They run Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 3 PM, except on holidays.
That makes a midday break in Exeter, New Hampshire, feel a lot more exciting.
Not in the mood to sit down? Takeout and delivery are both options.
Dine-in guests can also make reservations, which helps for birthday dinners or bigger groups.
Accessibility gets attention here too. The restaurant has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot.
Those details make a real difference for many families planning a meal out.
The staff is known for friendly, knowledgeable service. That helps first-timers figure out what to order from such a big menu.
So pick your style. Buffet on Sunday, lunch special midweek, or takeout on a lazy night.
Whatever you choose, this downtown classic has been ready for you for decades.
