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    Imperial Treasure

    3.9 (207 reviews)
    PriceyChinese
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Imperial Treasure Takeout or Delivery

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    IMPERIAL TREASURE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Upscale
    Dogs allowed

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    酸菜脆皖鱼
    Cindy L.

    Fish Fillet Boiled w/ Pickled Mustard Greens 酸菜脆皖鱼 3 the fish is so crunchy it tastes like cartilage instead of fillet, rice noodles inside, can ask for not spicy, super oily, large portion, flavorful

    Sautéed eggplant.
    Aaron W.

    Stopped by this catering spot on California Ave for a small get‑together and way better than I expected. We ordered a spread with yuxiang eggplant, beef short ribs with spicy peppers, dry‑fried shredded beef, shengjian bao, plus spicy fried chicken, and it was basically the "everyone shuts up and just eats" kind of good. The yuxiang eggplant was glossy, soft but not mushy, sweet‑sour with a nice garlic kick - you just keep going back for that sauce. Shengjian bao had that satisfying crispy bottom + juicy inside situation, super snackable. Portions felt fair, flavors were bold without being just pure heat, and everything tasted fresh, not like it had been sitting around. Staff was chill, quick to confirm the order and double‑check what size we needed, no pushy nonsense. For a casual hang with people who actually care about flavor, I'd totally use them again :)

    Julie T.

    I was searching for restaurant that served peking duck and after reading the reviews, this place seemed like a great place to eat at. I called them and they picked up right away and were able to accommodate our large party of 15 for a later date. We opted for a private room (semi-private) fyi it's not fully enclosed. They told us the minimum food & beverage is $800 to rent that space. We pre-ordered 2 ducks before we got there and I recommend if you plan to get any of the specialty MP items such as cod, lobster or crab to also pre-ordered in case they run out. Here's what we ordered and yes we had so so much food leftover since trying to meet our minimum! Roast Peking Duck ($78) 4/5 They roll it out on a cart and slice it up in front of you. Comes with thin warm pancakes little plates of toppings (cucumbers, green onions, sugar). Duck skin was crispy and the meat was tender. After that they deep fried the bones in and toss in a chili sauce and made a duck clear soup broth as well. That was really refreshing broth to slurp up. Honey Walnut Shrimp ($24.95) 4/5 These were massive! HUGUMOUS shrimp nicely fried and tossed lightly in the sauce and came with perfectly candied walnuts. Fried Shrimps with corn in salted egg yolk ($32.95) 5/5 I really like food in salted egg yok. I think they use the same size shrimp like the honey walnut shrimp. Nicely coated in the salted egg you along with pieces of salted egg yolk corn. This was one of the best dishes I had. Cumin Lamb $22.95 (4/5) I don't usually eat much lamb but this was really tasty. It wasn't gamey at all and the meat was cooked tender and slight spicy. XLB $14.95 (4/5) These were huge too! It comes with 6 and yummy piping hot soup inside. Dry-Fried String Beans w/garlic $16.95 (4/5) Everyone enjoyed this. This was the only dish we ate all of. Orange Chicken $18.95 (4/5) Nice chunks of fried chicken tossed in the sweet and tangy orange sauce and fresh orange slices. Sweet and Sour short ribs $22.95 (3/5) This wasn't was I was expecting. It was the really tiny pork bones and tasted caramelized sugar not really sweet or sour? I think they put in the wrong order. Fried boneless chicken with explosive chili $18.95 (4/5) If you like fried spicy, really spicy chicken get this. Pumpkin fried with salted egg yolk $26.95 (5/5) The pumpkin pieces were sliced thin and covered in the salted egg yolk. This was really good. Braised sliced pork belly w/preserved vegetable served w/buns $28.95 (4/5) The pork belly was super tender in a delicious broth. This was tasty as we put them into the buns to eat. Steamed black cod $128 (MP) 4/5 I think this as about 2-3lbs. Steamed perfectly and the fish meat was tender and really tasty. Pinot wine $128 (4/5) They only have like 2 selections of wine it was either this one bottle of pinot or this one bottle of cab only. So if you are picky about wine, you should probably bring your own and pay corkage fees. 10 steamed rice $20 The service was really good although one dish they brought out the wrong one and took it off the bill. They cleaned up the table for us since we brought in a cake to celebrate. Overall, I'd come back there to eat. The food was delicious, a little pricy but hey its, in Palo Alto and the food portions were worth it.

    Irene C.

    I recently moved to the Bay and was really excited to try some Chinese food up here, especially with all the hype around Imperial Treasure. Unfortunately, the experience was pretty underwhelming overall. The Peking duck was definitely the highlight of the meal -- crispy skin, flavorful, and probably the only dish I'd genuinely come back for. But everything else missed the mark for me. We ordered the string beans, salted egg corn shrimp, xiao long bao, pork buns, cabbage dry pot, and black pepper beef. Most of the dishes lacked flavor and were noticeably oily. The pork buns were especially disappointing because the dough was overly thick and dense compared to the filling. The biggest letdown was probably the black pepper beef. The meat quality was really poor..a lot of chewy pieces with tendons, and it was hard to enjoy because almost every bite felt tough. Definitely not what I expected from a restaurant with this reputation. Overall, aside from the duck, the food felt heavy, bland, and not very balanced flavor-wise. I really wanted to love this place, but it didn't live up to the expectations for me.

    Lauren T.

    The peking duck is really good here, and needs to be reserved in advance. There's a variety of dishes you can order, and they'll cut the duck in front of your table for you. The ambiance is very nice with koi lanterns and Chinese decor. A good place for celebrations!

    Excellent food, amazing service, and a beautiful atmosphere! Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The Peking duck and spicy fish were especially outstanding--honestly, some of the best I've ever had. I've tried many Chinese restaurants throughout the Bay Area, and Imperial Treasure is better than any Chinese restaurant I've experienced in the Bay. The service was also excellent. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. Overall, a fantastic dining experience. I'll definitely be coming back and highly recommend this place!

    Jennifer U.

    Hidden, but not so hidden, gem! The interior was really beautiful and had vibes of busy street in Asia, with fake store fronts and lanterns. The food is amazing! The Beijing duck is a must where they make it like a show and cut it in front of you. Don't worry they use the left overs to make a separate dish for you - a soup or fried spicy dish. We had both and they were both great. The potatoes were surprisingly delicious and the fish was not so surprisingly delicious. I would not get the corn illusion dessert again. It was just a little boring and heavy.

    Duck sides and fixings
    Christine T.

    I could not shut up about this duck. It was one of the best ducks I have had in a long time. Here are my 3 recommendations: 1.) make a reservation 2.) order the duck - also mention this during your reservation 3.) dry fry it! I know a lot of people pick the soup option but the dry fry is what sent me over the moon. The seasoning and spice was lip smacking The service is also really good. I was surprised by this because most Asian restaurants are sub par on service. Don't get me wrong - it wasn't Michelin star level but they were very attentive to us and making sure we had everything we needed since we had our two toddlers with us. Oh yes - they have high chairs which was amazing. We ordered additional dishes that were all equally delicious but the duck was the Star of the show. Can't

    The rest of the Duck, fried.
    Annie H.

    I've had so-called Peking Duck from many locations, but this is definitely the best that I've had in the Bay Area so far. To be safe, make sure to call and reserve your duck before you dine in! There are only so many ducks they have per day. The interior is gorgeous. You really have to come see it in person. There is a pagoda that is perfect for a large party, and another section that looks similar to a room in an imperial palace. Along the bar area, there are old-fashioned alcohol vases/jars. This is the first location that I've been to that has sugar and hawthorne jelly as side options for the duck, and I loved it! I've always preferred pancakes over buns for this dish as well. The duck slicing is always so interesting to watch, and the slices were plated quickly enough to retain the warmth and crispiness. The meat was SO TENDER and JUICY, and the skin was light and crispy! Such a perfect combination. They have such a unique menu, and not one that strays away from tradition either. The teas they have are related to TCM. There is something on the menu for taste buds that vary from Westernized to Traditional Chinese tastes! Besides the duck, our party also got corn chicken soup, salted egg fried mushroom, garlic green beans, numbing mala fried chicken, and honey walnut shrimp. It's really rare for me to go to a Chinese restaurant that I think is good enough for me to bring my family to, since we already frequent gems that are known in our community. This place, however, really did it for me! I cannot wait to bring them here for our next family outing!

    Garlic string beans
    Ryan C.

    *Takeout Review* Garlic fried string beans - good but missing a little bit of stronger flavor Cauliflower and pork belly - I liked that the pork was thinly sliced and the cauliflower was not hard. I think it was missing a little bit of spice Everything was awesome with white rice so I don't have really any negatives to say for a takeout experience. The hostess was very nice and the restaurant looked clean and decorative. Very busy on a Tuesday evening.

    interior
    Tiffany P.

    When you walk in, you'll see more modern take on chinese decor - with duck being served tableside at multiple tables. Been here a few times but I looove the variety they have on their menu and the flavor profiles they have. Its like they took the best of all kinds of chinese cuisine and serve it all in one place. Here's a rundown of what I've tried (from memory) and ratings: - Peking Duck (must reserve in advance) 4/5: Alongside the duck come with different options of how you want the bones / leftovers cooked. You can choose between a soup or deep fried. - Cauliflower and pork belly drypot - 5/5: Really enjoy the balance of mala spice and garlic. Mouth is watery just thinking about this dish. - Garlic String beans - 4/5: Solid but in comparison, lacked a little flavor - Shen Jian Bao - 5/5: Solid from what I remember. Highly recommend coming if you're looking for a nice date night out, family dinner, or night out with friends.

    Great Restaurant! Good atmosphere and amazing food. Love the fish and lotus root. The service is also amazing.

    Duck soup
    Yikai L.

    The restaurant is hidden inside a complex. Plenty of street parking nearby. I recommend making reservations or arriving early (5pm) to avoid waiting. The food: we ordered a peking duck, braised yellow croaker with spare ribs and pickled mustard greens, and sautéed eggplant in garlic sauce. The eggplant is the most memorable dish, followed by the fish, and the duck. The duck meat is dry and bland, duck skin is too fatty. Fish was ok but overpriced. Service: there were two misses. When duck was served, the pancakes were missing. We had to ask for it. After we finished everything and got the check, we realized the duck bone soup was not served and had to ask for it. Both left a bad impression. At this price point (which is expensive even for bay area Chinese food) I'd expect more from the food and the service. Neither gave me the wow factor. This kind of offering wouldn't survive the competition in NYC.

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    Imperial Treasure Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Imperial Treasure

    How many people does one Peking duck dinner serve, and how much does it cost?

    they charge around $88 per duck, you have to pre-order it. I feel you'd need at least 3 people to consume one duck, better with 4 people per duck, plus a few other dishes would be recommended.

    Do they deliver?

    I'm not sure but I've never seen any signs of takeout activity on my 6+ visits there

    Can i make a reservation on 1/21/24 at 12pm for 6ppl?

    Yes, just call the restaurant directly

    View All 5 Questions

    Chef Zhao Kitchen

    Chef Zhao Kitchen

    3.7
    (523 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    This place is located right off the Embarcadero exit and easy to miss if you're just driving by…read more Surprisingly, they were getting busy when we arrived. There were various dishes on the menu with appetizers, different proteins, carbs, etc. We had already looked at the menu prior to coming so we were able to place our order fairly quickly. Thick stir fried noodles: The noodles were pretty good! They were a mix of bouncy and chewy with small slices of chicken and bok choy throughout the dish. It was quite oily though. Spicy wontons: I thought these were going to be soaked in a peanut sauce but it was definitely more of szechuan chili oil. Maybe I read the description wrong. The wontons were tiny but plentiful. These were just okay, the pork filling was bland. Pan fried dumpling buns: The buns weren't as crispy as they're supposed to be. They had a small amount of pork filling but good soup inside. Be careful biting into one because it was hot. Sweet and sour chicken: Our favorite dish out of everything! It was the perfect combo of sweet and sour. There was more than enough chicken and gave us leftovers for another meal. I enjoyed the extra textures of the bell peppers, onions and pineapple throughout the dish. Definitely recommend! Service was as usual for a Chinese spot. There's a small private room on the right side if you have a reservation for a larger party. They do have a sign up at the front for a $2.50 credit card fee due to rising inflation so heads up.

    My husband ordered it to go for us, and got us some broccoli beef as I love it, some soup…read moredumplings, fried rice, wonton soup and chicken. They were all salty, the flavor was good, but everything was too rich and salty for my taste. Can't comment on service or the ambience as it was a to go order given we love Chinese food and wanted to try this spot. - General's Chicken 左宗棠鸡 - in the sweet side but also salty - 2 stars - XLB 上海小笼包 rich but tasty - 3 stars - Beef & Broccoli 芥兰牛肉 - 2 stars - Shepherd Wonton 荠菜肉馄饨 3 stars - Chicken Fried Rice 鸡肉炒饭 4 stars

    Photos
    Inside is small
    Inside is small
    Matcha ice cream
    Matcha ice cream
    Fried noodles

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    Fried noodles
    Taste

    Taste

    4.1
    (425 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    I came here with my company for lunch and I was very impressed…read more *Taste is only open for lunch, so remember that before coming *This place is usually nearly packed *They serve dim sum which comes in family-style sizes *The restaurant is small/medium size, so make sure to come in time! We were a large group of about 14 people, but the food came out pretty quickly. My favorites were the cucumber salad and the chicken dumplings. Everything was so flavorful, I will most definitely be coming back.

    I thought I came here a few months ago, but it was almost a year ago! This place never disappoints…read more A smiling waiter - who seemed super busy but had a huge smile on her face - just the right attitude for people ringing in the Easter weekend on a Good Friday. We enjoyed every dish! The chongqin spicy noodles, the salt and pepper shrimps, the sizzling cumin lamb, the fish in chili oil. Yum yum yum! We ordered the hottest version but it was not too spicy for us - it was very flavorful. The fresh cut red chillies they give you, was really spicy - the red bean spicy sauce was just right. We enjoyed the cool beers with the spicy food. It's a unique ambience for a Univ Ave restaurant- it's just a Chinese kitchen serving good food - like you came to a home and got served really well. Will come back again with more family members. Ps: another surprising thing - we were a party of 6 and they didn't automatically charge us the tip - I took care of them - because I was super satisfied and happy with my meal!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    LS11. / Spicy Fish Fillet in Flaming Red Oil(L)
    LS11. / Spicy Fish Fillet in Flaming Red Oil(L)
    Ma po tofu (we asked for no mala/numbing spice)

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    Ma po tofu (we asked for no mala/numbing spice)

    Imperial Treasure - chinese - Updated August 2026

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