Service and food were great. came in and sat down instantly. Menu was loaded with various items. They are cash only so remember to bring your money!!!

A group of coworkers all went here for lunch today based on the recommendation of someone who couldn't stop raving about the green beans that she tried yesterday. The green beans were worth the hype and most of our other dishes were fantastic as well. The mixed vegetables with shrimp/chicken were bland but otherwise almost all that we tried was full of flavor. The eggplant smelled amazing and was such a vibrant purple. The marinated cucumbers were a nice not hot treat in between trying spicier dishes. The pig intestines were mouth numbingly spicy and they looked surprisingly like calamari. Those who were in the mood to try it did enjoy. The Thai iced tea was disappointing due to a funky flavor and after taste, but maybe it was an off day. For large groups they do add tip, it's totally reasonable but we didn't realize at first that it was included. Overall if I had more time in Oakland, I'd go back here to have more green beans and a whole lot of eggplant. Side note - it's cash only.

Had to try a few new things on my work trip. Spices 3 has such an extensive menu that it will take me another 10 more trips before I get to taste everything in the menu. And the food is delicious! As many reviewers observed, this is a CASH ONLY restaurant. However, you can order take out online and pay by card. That is what I did. The cubed deep fried tofu snowed with crunchy bits of garlic, dried red chilli, and jalapeño... this dish is what will tempt me into the vegetarian world. This combination works really well! The other dish is not everyone's cup of tea but one of my favorite: pork intestine sautéd with basil and garlic. Slightly crunchy, the intestine was clean tasting with the basil and garlic rounding up one glorious mouthful at a time! Portions are generous, and I have enough for a second round tomorrow. Thank goodness for a microwave in the hotel room!

370-372 12th St Oakland, CA 94607 I stopped by Spices 3 last night around 8:45pm for some takeout after work. Originally I was planning on going to the Noodle House across the street, but it was closed. Parking was easy, and it was nice to see people dining-in at Spices 3. I didn't look at the menu, I simply asked for "Combination Chow Mein" to-go. The nice lady asked the all important question....."How spicy you want it?" I decided on medium heat. In about 5-10 mins the chow mein was ready, and I grabbed a takeout menu on the way out. Menu Price $12.95, Spicy Chow Mein, w/ small shrimp, pork, chicken (#156 on menu) I like their spicy chow mein. It's not super greasy. The noodles are thinner than regular egg noodles, and held up well as takeout. Lots of small shrimps, shredded chicken, and pieces of pork. Not a huge serving, but enough for 1-2 people. I would stop by again if I'm in the area. FYI- 12th St here is a one-way street.

I come here at least every month or couple months when I have the craving for the classic sichuan numbing spice taste. it is located in oakland chinatown, on a less busy street, so I usually don't have a problem finding parking. This place has been here for a very long time, the first time I came here was in the mid 2000s and a lot has changed, but overall the food is still good. I like the explosive chicken wings and hand torn cabbage dish the most.

Came here on a Friday evening and we were seated pretty quickly. We got the Szechuan chicken (replaced the pork), Ma-po tofu, and bok choy. I was shocked by the amount of pieces of jalapeños in the chicken. They weren't as spicy as I expected though. It was a little overwhelming in ratio to the actual chicken though. I love ma-po tofu and this one hit the spot. It's cash only which is a bit of a pain. I would definitely return and would highly recommend to any spicy food lovers.

I've been concerned about finding a Chinese restaurant staple in downtown Oakland since Bay Fung Tong closed during the pandemic. Spices 3 is on 12th Street, a lot further from the Paramount Theatre which is my usual destination, but it was a brilliant success. This is a tiny little restaurant, so inconspicuous it could easily be overlooked from the street, and not to be confused with Spices Noodle House directly across the street (another party of several people meeting by prearrangement got confused over that). Inside are large blocky wooden tables resembling picnic tables, and some stunningly good food. It's spicy, yes, but I didn't find the 2-chile dishes to overwhelm the flavor with heat at all. They were masterfully cooked. The lamb with cumin was not heavy on the cumin, so the taste of the juicy lamb came through well. Mixed in with, besides the chiles, jalapenos, onion slices, and lots of cilantro, it was in little pieces easily picked up even with those slippery plastic chopsticks. They do not automatically give Western customers a fork, and you'd miss the subtleties of the flavor shoveling in a bunch of ingredients at once with a fork, as well as having trouble stabbing the little pieces so easily pinched with chopsticks. An appetizer of salt and pepper chicken was similarly made. Not the wingettes with bones, this was little bits of very tender chicken, dark meat I think, lightly breaded and strongly seasoned, with pretty much the same other ingredients. They also don't serve water: unless you ask, perhaps, which I didn't; the tea that came automatically was sufficient. They did alert me that the restaurant takes CASH ONLY; main dishes are under $20, appetizers under $10.

Most important thing to know about Spices 3 is that it's cash only. The second-most important thing to know is that it is Hella good (and spicy!) As you can probably tell from the photos and menu items, Spices 3 is all about the chilies, and they're not playing. This is not for the faint of heart. This will burn going in and going out, if you know what I mean. Some friends and I shared a few dishes and they were all good, but standouts were the Fish Fillet with Explosive Chili Pepper (yes, I did eat some of the chilies), Lamb with Cumin Spice, and the Numbing Spicy Cucumber. The cucumber might have been my favorite item, and don't be fooled by the one-chili rating on the menu, it is pretty spicy! We also had a Shanghai-Style stir-fried noodle and Eggplant with Garlic Sauce. Both were good and not at all spicy, so there options for those who are spice averse. We were there early afternoon (after lunch hours) on a Sunday so it was pretty empty. It was quiet and cozy with large wooden tables and benches, and the servers were responsive. I'd love to go back and challenge myself by trying more of the three-chili rated dishes to see if I can take the heat. They also seem to have a pretty long list of spicy tofu dishes. So if you're looking to add some spice to your life, check out Spices 3.

Can't believe I've lived in the Bay Area for 10 years without trying this place! I think this was my first time having szechuan cuisine and it was deliciously packed with flavor. We ordered the Shanghai Fat Noodle, Salt and Pepper Tofu, and Spices Explosive Chicken Wings. All were 10/10 tasty, I especially loved the garlic crisps in the salt and pepper tofu, and I enjoyed the way the chicken wings were cut in halves. Service was quick and easy, we ate pretty much right away! Note that this place is CASH ONLY. Ambiance inside was fun and felt traditional (though I can't really speak on that as I am not from the region) but the artwork on the walls and the wooden furniture made it feel as such. Would love to go back again and try other dishes.