Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine Brings Famous Sauerkraut Fish to Valley Fair Mall

The growing international restaurant chain opens its second Bay Area location in Santa Clara.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:03pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a steaming bowl of Sichuan-style poached fish with sauerkraut, repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the iconic dish that has made Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine a regional favorite.Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine brings its signature Sauerkraut Fish dish to the Westfield Valley Fair mall, expanding the reach of authentic Sichuan cuisine in the Bay Area.San Mateo Today

Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine, known for its signature dish of poached fish with house-fermented sauerkraut in pork bone broth, has opened a new location inside Santa Clara's Westfield Valley Fair mall. This is the restaurant's second Bay Area outpost after its debut in San Mateo in 2025. Besides the popular Sauerkraut Fish, the menu features other Sichuan specialties like Chongqing Spicy Crispy Chicken and Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, as well as two new exclusive dishes for the Valley Fair location: Lime-Glazed Sweet & Sour Shrimp and Truffle Vegetarian Fried Rice.

Why it matters

The arrival of Tai Er at Valley Fair mall signals the growing popularity of authentic Sichuan cuisine in the Bay Area, as consumers seek out bold, complex flavors beyond the typical spicy stereotype. The restaurant's focus on highlighting the nuances of Sichuan food aligns with a broader culinary trend toward celebrating regional Chinese cuisines.

The details

Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine is currently in a soft opening phase at its new Valley Fair location, with grand opening festivities planned for the week of April 20. The restaurant's signature dish, Sauerkraut Fish, features poached fish in a pork bone broth with the restaurant's house-fermented sauerkraut. Other menu highlights include Chongqing Spicy Crispy Chicken, wok-seared Black Pepper Beef, and Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs. Two new exclusive dishes have been introduced for the Valley Fair location: Lime-Glazed Sweet & Sour Shrimp and Truffle Vegetarian Fried Rice.

  • Tai Er opened its first Bay Area location in San Mateo in 2025.
  • The new Valley Fair location is currently in a soft opening phase.
  • Grand opening festivities for the Valley Fair location are planned for the week of April 20, 2026.

The players

Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine

A growing international restaurant chain best known for its signature dish, poached fish with house-fermented sauerkraut in pork bone broth.

Kevin Liu

The marketing director for Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“People often assume Sichuan food is all about spice, but there's so much more. We built this concept around showing the richness and depth of Sichuan — that it can be balanced, elegant, and still unforgettable.”

— Kevin Liu, Marketing Director

What’s next

Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine plans to host grand opening festivities for its new Valley Fair location during the week of April 20, 2026.

The takeaway

The arrival of Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine at a prominent shopping destination like Valley Fair mall underscores the growing appreciation for authentic regional Chinese cuisines in the Bay Area. By showcasing the nuanced flavors and techniques of Sichuan cooking, the restaurant aims to challenge stereotypes and introduce diners to the full breadth of this vibrant culinary tradition.