“Not too spicy” means different things in different countries. Our hosts translate your tolerance into local words before you ever sit down.
Sichuan peppercorn is not chili heat — it is a citrus buzz that numbs the lips. The chili is separate. Knowing this is the difference between a meal you survive and a meal you love.
Tell your host your real preference once — mild, medium, or local — and every table after that is already arranged. This is what a service brief is for.