Emperor&#x27;s Palace

To be fair, I have only eaten their combo lunch/dinner here, so I'll keep this review to that…read moreparticular menu item. First, it's a deal. One entree, two eggrolls, fried rice and a cup of soup for under $20. Decent portions, too. I usually have the Mongolian Beef, but have also enjoyed the Sweet & Sour Chicken on a few visits. It's what you would expect of Chinese American food, and from a Thai restaurant to boot. Service has always been fast and friendly. The restaurant itself is clean and neat. During busy times the street noise can be a bit intrusive, but that's downtown Oly for you.

It's a busy Saturday evening. I stood by the entrance for 20 minutes waiting for a menu to order…read morefor take out. To which the host/server said they were out of menus and will look for one? Exactly how do you run out of a menu?

Dining Room

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Lettuce filled 4. Spring Roll

Far East

4.4(131 reviews)

5.8 mi

We stopped in for lunch today and took advantage of the all day special by ordering the Kung Pao…read moreChicken and the Spicy Garlic chicken (both dishes were less than $10/each) . We requested extra spicy for both and they did not disappoint! The food was excellent, the service was great and the portion size was decent for the price. It's nice to know that you don't have to spend $15 /person for lunch during these turbulent Trump inflationary times. We just returned to Washington state after an 8 year "detour" out in Wisconsin and are very happy to find places like this. We will definitely be back soon!

The decor inside is clean with watercolor paintings and blue sky with clouds ceiling. Nice air…read moreconditioning keeps the inside nice and comfortable. The food is VERY reasonably priced for Olympia's inflated prices..... This is simple tasty Oriental food at a fair price. It is not bland or dull and reminds me of home cooking. The curry dish was top notch as well as the Singapore fried rice. I highly recommend this as a little hidden jewel downtown for Oriental food

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All Day Specials (7/29/24).

Emperor's Palace Westside

2.3(198 reviews)

7.5 mi

Listen--this place holds a special place in my heart. I think it's the only place in the…read moreOlympia/Lacey area where you can get actual chow mein, by which I mean bean sprouts and celery in a sort of gravy sauce with a bag of crunchy noodles to put on top. When I need chow mein, I go here. I'm not a fan of most of their other dishes, but their veggie dishes are yummy. I grew up in a small town where folks had STRONG feelings about their American Chinese food, which feels like a rapidly disappearing business model in this part of Washington for some reason. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE some good authentic Szechuan food or dim sum, but this place serves a very specific, important utility for me (hungover and/or spending the day on the couch watching movies)

When in Olympia for various family-related business, I often stop in here for lunch - and, so far,…read moreI've yet to be disappointed. I usually order the teriyaki chicken lunch without sauce (too much and too sweet), which leaves me with a nice sized portion of grilled chicken breast, as well as pork fried rice, thin soft noodle chow mein, and a cup of whatever the soup of the day happens to be - today, a thick creamy curry rice concoction that was simple but pleasantly tasty. Lunch prices seem a mite high - $17.99 - until they arrive, when you learn that they're huge and offer enough for a decent leftovers dinner as well. Service is always friendly and efficient and I usually find myself dining in a room full of people of my general mid-60s demographic. Is it gourmet? No. Is it tasty? You bet! Do I actually set aside enough to bring home to eat later? No, I just tend to keep eating until it's all gone and then just skip dinner.

Lobby Aquarium

Diner number 5

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Sweet and Sour Pork

Lime Leaf Asian Fusion

4.4(136 reviews)

4.1 mi

We have dined here several times while we were in town. The employees were friendly and served the…read morefood fairly quickly after ordering. The portions were huge and delicious! However, one of the ordered dishes was a bit spicy and very greasy...there was a bit of oil left in the serving dish. Overall, we will visit again when we are in town.

Best tasting water by far in any restaurant I've ever been in. It is laced with mint and lime I…read morewas told. Food was Delicious if a bit spendy but portion was large and brought some home with enough for another meal...

Outside

And her stuff on rice that they give us with your meal.

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Vietnamese coffee, delicious

Mekong Restaurant

3.9(151 reviews)

5.8 mi

After going to Lakefare, stopped into Mekong for dinner. We ordered the Screaming Chicken and the…read moreTom Yum Seafood Soup with Coconut Milk. The food was delicious and fresh. At 3 stars, it tantalized my taste buds. The service was great and guys were awesome. The ambiance was basic and very clean. If you're looking for great Thai food, make a trip to Mekong!!

Really appreciate this place when I just want a lot of food! I've dined in and gotten takeout and…read morefor both, the portions are huge and easily two full meals and probably a little snack too for most people. The combos are great because you can get curry and noodles, which is often an either/or debate when it comes to Thai food. The food itself is good, nothing mind blowing but fills a specific purpose in a completely satisfactory way. Oh I should add that like most places in Washington, it is not at all spicy even if you order 4 out of 5 spiciness level. Service is good and no quality issues at all. Always look forward to this place when I want a lot of food comfort!

33) Mekong Curry

A mixture of about four different dishes

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37) Mekong Fried Rice with beef!

China House

3.2(176 reviews)

4.3 mi

When it comes to Chinese food, I'm usually not one for the big chain restaurants. I prefer the…read morelittle hole-in-the-wall places, and despite some of the reviews, I thought China House was a great find. The portion sizes were generous, and the food came out fresh. The fried rice was on point, and I decided to try their potato chicken for the first time. I honestly didn't know what to expect, but wow--it was delicious and something I'd definitely order again. I was just passing through while traveling, and I'm glad I stopped here. If you're in the area and looking for a solid local Chinese spot, I'd recommend giving this place a chance instead of letting the reviews make up your mind.

It's a plain strip mall restaurant. Clean. Friendly service…read more Now for the important part. The food is really good. It's my partner's favorite Chinese restaurant in the area. Some highlights: The breading on the sesame chicken was light and crisp. The fried rice is flavorful. We ordered lunch specials and both took dinner home because the portions were generous.

Inside

Duck sauce

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Menu as of 11/29/23

Capitol Market

4.1(137 reviews)

7.1 mi

My go-to place for pho in Olympia!…read more Ambiance - Market/restaurant combo in an old strip mall-esque building. Seating for about 25-30 people in the restaurant area. Service - always prompt and efficient! Order at counter and grab a seat or grab a seat and they will come get your order... either way seems to work! Food - we haven't tried 'em all, but so far our family's preferred pho stop in Oly proper! Pricing is fair and reasonable for portion size. Broth is excellent... select 3 protein sources of your choosing for no up charge. We will continue to patronize Capitol Market! We love it!

The market is the only Asian market in the area located along a busy street. There were many…read more grocery staples available for purchase. However, the fresh vegetables were not as fresh and minimally available. The prices are moderate too. If you are hungry, there is a restaurant located next door to the market where you can dine in or order take out. The food was delicious and staff was friendly and attentive.

Condiments and Tableware at each table

Plump persimmons remind me of my grandma!

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Tea Leaf 2

3.7(234 reviews)

2.2 mi

I've been coming here for many years and it's the best Korean style Chinese food around…read more Haven't been here many years but decided to stop by for lunch after crabbing at Westport. I usually get the spicy Mongolian beef which is best I've had anywhere. The taste today is amazing and same as I remembered. If I live closer I'd be here at least weekly.

We love Tea Leaf 2. My husband has been taking me there for over 28 years--it was one of our very…read morefirst lunch dates. One time, my nephew came with us when he was only 2 years old, and he's been hooked ever since.

Exterior

Almond chicken!!!

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Saigon Fusion 8

4.3(314 reviews)

2.5 mi

I have a job that has me on the road all over the Pacific Northwest from Alaska to Oregon and…read moreIdaho. I have pho all over including a variety of places in Seattle. This is easily in the top 3 places I've been to. I was just telling my wife how good this was and it inspired me to write a review. I'll for sure be back.

Solid Vietnamese restaurant. I really enjoyed the Bahn Xeo-the fresh vegetables and herbs made it…read morevery refreshing. My dining partner liked his chicken vermicelli. Portions were generous. We probably didn't need the spring rolls-but they were tasty. Friendly staff.

AYCE

Vermicelli salad bowl with eggrolls

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Grilled pork vermicelli salad bowl

Main Chinese Buffet

3.2(328 reviews)

1.4 mi

Stopped by last night a little bit over an hour before closing and service was friendly. Quick for…read morerefills and clearing any empty plates we had. Sushi was yummy, love the cuts of sashimi. Rest of food was good quality for the time as well, my fiancé had no complaints. Ambience was relaxing and the layout is simple and easy to get around. Would love to come back! I would maybe suggest some strawberries for the chocolate fountain (unless they already have it then awesome!! I didn't see any though, just grapes, oranges and melon at the time.)

We just weren't in the mood to drive up to Tacoma for Harvest, so we settled on this place instead…read more It really doesn't look great from the outside, but what the facade hides is a pretty solid buffet. Mom was happy to get her crab legs here and of the different buffets in the Olympia area, she liked this the best. They had a good mix of sushi, hot foods, salad, carbs, and desserts in this Asian buffet and enough seating that we didn't have to wait on a unsay afternoon. Plenty of parking too. Is this a place I'd take visitors to when they're in town? Probably not, but it's a place I wouldn't mind returning to with friends.

Hall

Sushi on my plate at Main Buffet

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Outside

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15 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Nathan R.

11 years ago

I am the constantly returning customer who likes to sit at table 15, wears a black hat and green coat, and reads books while eating. Last week, I was very very very very upset and frustrated by the extreme lack of service from the kitchen. I am one of the easiest customers since I am rarely in a hurry. Yet to wait over 30 minutes for the appetizer on Friday 11/13 was too much. I watched other customers waiting for bills and change over 15 minutes. No wait staff was tending the dining area. Then when I could find someone by walking back into the food prep area , I was told they were busy and would find my waitress. Who, when coming out, eventually, noted the appetizer was not even being cooked. I told her to cancel my order and left. I will never come back if this is the new way of customer service. read more

Alice H.

9 years ago

My Husband and I have been coming here for years. We live in Yelm, and have a Chinese restaurant there, But we will drive 20 minutes, out of our way,Just to eat Here! The service is Great, and the Food is even Better! I am addicted to their fried rice and chicken chow mein! Really Enjoying the New Remodel. Opened it up, and is so pretty! Please ignore the grumps on this sight, and give her a try for your self! Living the addition of the Thai food too mow, and Why not? Variety is the Spice of Life! Keep up the Good work! read more

M. M.

10 years ago

Excellent take out service. I ordered online hours before. They called me about 30 min prior to my scheduled pick-up time to confirm and ask if the time was still good and since I was running a bit late I was able to delay pick up by 15 minutes. Best BBQ Pork we've had in a really long time. Chow Mein and LoMein were good also. Prawns are excellent and that is the primary reason this is our #1 choice for Chinese. Fried rice is a bit on the dry side. Overall, great service and good American-Chinese food. read more

Tina M.

9 years ago

Always get delivery almond chicken and general Tao's we have asked plenty of times for the gravy with the chicken never get it. Pay for it though. Sent a message to the manager and from my point of view he could care less. Guess customers are disposable. Never eating there again looking for new place read more

shelly o.

16 years ago

I love Emperor's Palace. My family & I have been going for years. The service is always great & Food is great too. I have never had a problem in the 10 years we have been eating there. The bar is nice too. Pull tabs & Booze! read more

Josh G.

14 years ago

The only word to accurately describe this place is gross. Please just choose another style of food or even stick to something safe like Panda Express. Washington has no decent Chinese. read more

Joslin F.

2 years ago

Almost choked on this while eating a spring roll. It was very scary. Cool that we were able to get a refund but sadly lost my appetite for take out for awhile. read more

Bec M.

9 years ago

Great Chinese comfort food. Sweet and sour, Chow mein like when you were a kid. Great service. These guys know what they are doing.

Monica C.

4 years ago

Always friendly staff and excellent food. We highly recommend this place. The food was hot and delicious.

Teri W.

5 years ago

Usually they are super yummy, but this time everything was over cooked and dry. Very disappointed.

Carol S.

10 years ago

I ordered take out family dinner and the food was again delicious and fresh. We loved everything!

Rudy S.

13 years ago

The food is H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E !!! yuck ... Panda Express' 1000 times better!!

Alex L.

160

4 years ago

Good food, ok prices. Will try again. read more

Mamatoo T.

15 years ago

The worst chinese food I've ever had.

Kim W.

15 years ago

OMG, really gross and tasteless

Emperor's Palace - chinese - Updated August 2026

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