Excellent quality Chinese in a friendly and spotlessly clean environment. You will appreciate the authentic classics offered at this quaint family run restaurant in this quiet little town northwest of Topeka. I really enjoyed their egg rolls. But be careful with their very authentic and high-powered hot mustard. The Moo-shu chicken was also particularly well done. read more

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We went last week to this restaurant. I indicated back in October that this place has excellent food. The family that runs it are very attentive, patient in explaining options, and make you feel like family. Silver lake is a nice drive from Topeka and probably less time that driving across Topeka. We11 worth trying this on your own and the relaxing drive seems to add to the enjoyment of the lunch or evening. read more

I recently ordered chicken fried rice (gluten-free, no onion, add egg). The staff was reasonably polite, and although my pickup time was written down incorrectly, they started preparing it quickly once I arrived. The chicken portion was generous, which I appreciated. However, when I requested no onion, all vegetables were left out (no peas or carrots), and that wasn't explained to me. I did not check my order until I arrived home & it's a bit of a drive so I wasn't interested in driving back to correct the order. The rice was also quite oily, so without vegetables to balance it, the dish felt heavier than expected. Pricing was high for what was received -- $13.95 plus $3 to add an egg, bringing the total close to $18 after tax. Portion size was a bit lighter than I've experienced at similar restaurants. It was also packaged in a plastic container, which I personally try to avoid. Overall, there were some positives, but clearer communication and better value would improve the experience. read more

Food was great,service was also , will be going back best Chinese Restaurant I've ever been to by far,worth the drive.

On the reputation of this tiny little Chinese restaurant in an equally small town West of Topeka we made the run to Silver Lake Chinese. Only open on Fri and Sat nights 5pm to 9:00 they had a full house at 5:30, maybe 12 tables. It took a full hour to receive the 3 entrees ordered. The food? Regrettable. On the menu was BBQ pork with vegetables. I couldn't resist trying something so totally unexpected on a Chinese menu and had to try it. Thanks to a side of garlic chili paste I was able to bring at least a little flavor to my dish. The General Tso's chicken was the same- delicious looking with no flavor, certainly no heat. Beef with pan fried noodles had a very good sauce but the noodles were so badly abused in cooking they bore NO resemblance to Asian pan fried noodles. Shoelaces yes, noodles NO. Topeka isn't known for having a wealth of great Chinese restaurants but maybe, just maybe, all the skilled cooks from past years at Silver Lake Chinese have moved on and the new ones have never cooked before? Keep looking, there has to be better options elsewhere. read more

Wow, what a locally owned gem, CASH or check only, open on Friday and Saturday nights. Outstand food! Crab ragoon some of the best anywhere. Tried Sweat & Sour Chicken, Happy Family & Cashew Chicken with only white rice. Soup good. Friendly service. Well worth the drive from Topeka!!! read more

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Best Chinese in the area! Great Family business with quality food. Worth the drive if you live in the area. read more

We have only heard wonderful things about the Chinese restaurant in Silver Lake. My wife is a little picky when it comes to Chinese food and I'm a tough one to impress. Let me just say, this place did NOT disappoint. It was our first time and it most certainly will not be our last. We got several dishes, but the one I'd totally write home about is their cashew chicken. It was well prepared and had a ton of flavor. The crab Rangoon was pretty awesome too. If you're in the area, this place won't disappoint. They're only open two days of the week, but that's what makes them special - I'd want to eat there more often in the week. Be sure to call in advance for carry out. They fill up orders fast. This place is a gift to the Topeka area. read more

Always great food and great service! We drive all the way from Lake Shawnee out here. Best fried wontons in the area!

Cash or Check only - well worth it!! Make sure you NOTE the time they are open as hours of operation are limited. The service is very friendly and welcoming. It's a small place just outside of Topeka which should be considered when looking for something decent to eat. Eggroll - nice quality. The split of 3 fed a table of four. Very nice. Crab Rangoon - nice and creamy Hot & sour soup - nice mix of broth and fixings. Chicken Lo Mein - noodles with a brown sauce with chunks of chicken. General Chicken - large pieces in a great sauce. Silver Lake Chicken - nice swing to a sweet and spicy sauce. Jowzee Sauce - something to try - would recommend a side with egg rolls. Sweet tangy swing in soy sauce. read more

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Great food. Never disappointed. Area favorite by far. Several great Chineses dishes to choose from. Jowzee is my favorite among some others.

This is a weird place & the Chinese food is middle of the road. Staff is a bit grumpy and they aren't very nice to each other. The rich white kids are fairly snippy with the girl at the front. I'd pass and head on in to Topeka for better grub and service. read more

We had heard about this place for years. Every time I'd mention it around my mother she reminded me how badly she wanted to go. So, a few weekends ago, we did. After a excursion to Wamego, we stopped on our way back to Topeka. We got there about an hour early - we were the first ones to arrive. Yes, we knew how early it was but we didn't mind. Women can talk a lot you know. As we waited, one vehicle after another pulled in to wait. And wait. At 5PM on the dot, the door was unlocked and in we went. With about five other groups. It was all the way full, but it was getting there by the time we left. Waitress was perfect. Attentive without being too nosy and knew her food. We ordered two entrees, one appetizer and one cup of soup. It was enough to make 6 meals. Well worth it - both monetarily and quality-wise. Yummo. We were so impressed, we are trying to figure out a night to get the rest of the family on board for a skip over to Silver Lake to eat dinner. We want to share this little gem we've experienced! Can't wait to try it again. Oh, one last thing - no credit cards! Cash or check only. read more

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This is my favorite Chinese place I've ever had. I'm obsessed with their almond chicken. When I visit family in Topeka, I always make sure we make the drive for dinner here. read more

After hearing such amazing reviews and since I loved Sun's when it was in town I happened to be in Silver Lake and on the advice of a friend we went later to avoid the 5pm craziness. Or still took awhile to get drinks and the entrees took a considerable time to arrive. The hot and sour soup was fantastic and perfectly seasoned. The food was above average and very fresh explaining the delay. But it was far from the quality I remembered at Sun's and not worth a special trip. If I'm in Silver Lake, I'll stop again. But Hunams will remain my go to (non buffet) Chinese restaurant. read more

I ordered takeout at about 3:30p on a Friday for pickup at 6p. It was about a $100 order as I was ordering for 5 people. The food was ready shortly after 6p and we took it and ate at home. We ordered pork fried rice, gourmet beef, silver lake chicken, sesame chicken, sweet & sour shrimp, crab rangoons, and lo mein. It was all delicious. The gourmet beef was a little on the spicy side but nothing you can't handle. Some of our entrees also came with steamed white rice. My favorite was probably the sesame chicken and the sweet n sour shrimp. I would definitely go back again. I read on Facebook that they make all the food homemade starting on Monday and that is why they are only open on Fridays and Saturdays 5p-9p. I would recomend sharing a dish with someone if possible. Whether you do or not you will most likely still have leftovers for another meal. They give you large portions which is reflected in the price. So if it seems steep, just keep that in mind. read more

Made the one hour drive from Junction City, KS to eat dinner, on a Saturday night, at Silver Lake Restaurant....after hearing a co-worker wax poetic about their food. They opened at 5pm and we walked in at 5:04pm. Small restaurant with only 10 or so tables, 5 tables were already occupied and two other couples walked in with us. It's a seat yourself establishment. Service was extremely disorganized. After being interviewed by the local news, their business has increased from "busy to crazy", per their waitress. We had to wait about 10 minutes for menus, as the harried waitress was being run ragged and kept walking by us to serve people who arrived AFTER us (but she was sweet and friendly regardless). There was a wait for beverages....and a wait to place our order. Our food arrived ONE HOUR later. In their defense....the entire restaurant was full by 6pm AND they had a steady line of people coming in to pick up to-go orders. Their kitchen was very busy. The food was tasty, freshly made with quality ingredients and enormous portions. It wasn't the best, nor the worst Chinese food I've ever had. I wouldn't make a special trip to eat there again. If I was driving by, I'd order the food to go....the dining-in experience was not enjoyable. read more

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Good Chinese in small town KS? You better believe it! Delicious and didn't make me need 5 gallons of water after eating...

Is there an option to give 6 stars? This is the best Chinese food I've had EVER. I've tried to find something comparable in Lawrence and KC, but there simply isn't anything that comes close. You may think I'm biases because I used to work there, but trust me, I've done the research. General's Chicken is the most popular, but my favorites are: cashew chicken, moo-shu pork, Szechuan pork, pan-fried Jowzee and Silver Lake beef. It can get a little backed up at times, but order well in advance of when you want it and you won't have any problems. Go easy on them! They're open 2 days a week and are insanely busy during those hours. Here are a few tips: put silver lake sauce in hot and sour soup and on lo mein, moo-shu and fried rice (it's like liquid crack). Add hot mustard to Jowzee sauce and use it for egg rolls. Get the cashew chicken spicy. Try mixing egg drop and hot and sour soup. Lastly, good luck ever being satisfied with Chinese from anywhere else. read more

My husband and I went here to step back in time when businesses were personally owned and consequently there's a deep investment in the quality of the food and you ...as a person. We found this treasured integrity at Silverlake Resturant. Some things to know so you will enjoy all of your trip: 1. from Highway 24, head West (left) on Railroad Street and NOT East as the GPS will lead you. The restaurant is nestled on the south side of the street. 2. cash or check only...the prices are quite reasonable! 3. They are open ONLY Friday and Saturday 5 to 9 PM. 4. It takes 30 extra minutes to cook Jowzee. These five stars are not reflective of what you'd typically think of as "fine dining"! No pretense ....no fanciness ..just genuine care and attention to the detail of your meticulously prepared food and your experience. We were warmly greeted, our beverages promptly delivered and kept consistently full throughout the meal ( a difficult task as I am a fast water drinker and it was a hot evening). The server was quite accommodating as we contemplated our choices on the fairly extensive menu ( including child friendly selections on the back page) . She even brought us a little taste of the Silverlake Sauce upon request to make sure it was to our liking before ordering. To our liking! Oh my goodness! We found the Silverlake Sauce to be like fireworks! It has a beautiful burst of flavor that excites your mouth and then a little pop of heat at the end .....not a lingering burn .....just a pop! which gradually fades away allowing your taste buds to once again enjoy the perfectly melded herbs and spices. We selected the Egg Drop Soup, Crab Ragoon, Chicken and Mushrooms and....after "tasting" the whole little bowl of sauce... Silverlake Beef. The soup had full bodied, well seasoned broth with actual pieces of fresh chicken. All of the dishes were expertly prepared from fresh ingredients , cooked perfectly and served in generous portions coated in rich, smooth sauces well proportion to the other ingredients. We will enjoy another full meal tomorrow from the take-out boxes containing our leftovers. We can hardly wait to relax as if we enjoying a great meal in a friend's kitchen at Silverlake Resturant again. The next time we will allow enough time to wait for Jowzee! Note: there where as many takeout customers as there were dining in. A thought for another day. read more

This is a great family restaurant. Food is excellent and much different than typical Asian restaurant flavors. We like going the short drive to a unique place. read more

This is my favorite Chinese restaurant. All the food is made fresh to order. One of my favorites is Szechuan Tofu or Chicken. The vegetables are always fresh and the broccoli crunchy and perfect, not mushy like many restaurants. Other favorites include Generals Chicken and Pork Fried Rice. Plus you can't go wrong starting with the Sweet and Sour Soup and some Fried Wontons. We no longer live in Kansas but we still talk about how awesome it is. It's only open on Fridays and Saturdays for dinner, so you have to time your visit right, but it is so worth it. read more

Always a wait - get there when it opens. Best chinese food I've had in a very long time. They are quick and efficient. Only open Friday's and Saturday's from 5p-9p. It's a must go to! read more

I give this restaurant 2 stars to show how disappointed we are with our dinner tonight. I will start with the call center they seem to be confused a lot. It was so frustrating to have to speak to several people. Our food came and the appetizers were soggy The rice was blan, the main dish was over cooked the broccoli soggy meat mushi. And the credit card process at time of delivery is inconvenient it takes to long and having to leave your door open in the frigid weather is not good. We have been ordering from here for years and they are slowly going down hill. As we will look for another restaurant to order from. read more

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT in KANSAS ( not far from Topeka ) ....RAY does a GREAT JOB ... It is a MUST experience... I wish Silver Lake Restaurant were open all week long verses Friday and Saturday evenings. It is worth the trip... read more

We have eaten here several times. Every dish is amazing. My favorite soup is hot and sour. Crab ragoons are delicious. These aren't cream cheese ragoons they are crab with cream cheese added. Jowzee is the house name for potstickers. These are a must. Moo shu chicken is another favorite. Also pan fried noodles. This is definitely worth the trip to silver lake. Our favorite restaurant in the Topeka area by a head and shoulders. Only open from 5-9 Friday and Saturday. read more

This is probably by far my favorite Chinese restaurant. I have been to a lot of Chinese restaurants and I just cannot seem to find something similar. PRO TIP: This restaurant gets extremely busy with Dine-ins and carry outs a lot of the times, so if you don't have the patience to wait for 2 hours sometimes, or you're looking for a quick meal, DO NOT GO because you will be largely disappointed on the wait, but if you're looking for the best Chinese of your life, you got to go!!! read more

So we were driving through Silver Lake on business and thought we would check Yelp to see if there were any "hidden gems" nearby to have dinner and wow did we ever luck out. Skeptical at first of the high reviews of this place that I wouldn't have even noticed driving through downtown, we figured they had all their friends reviewing them but I can't tell you how wrong we were. This is truly one of the best meals I have had in sometime. We had the egg rolls, the Silver Lake beef, and the beef with snow-peas and wow (I know I keep saying that). The egg rolls tasted of meet and veggies (not grease and egg roll wrap). The beef in both our dishes was melt in your mouth tender and the veggies were fresh and crisp (these ingredients have NEVER seen the inside of a freezer!) The sauces were plentiful but full of flavors, besides salt and sugar. They have ruined all other Chinese food for me! Very accommodating. No matter what you order they will add or tone down the spice level, substitute ingredients, what ever you ask. Can't wait to go back to try the crab Rangoon, the cashew chicken and the Jowzee (potstickers). So now my boyfriend knows that if he has a late appointment in the Topeka/Silver Lake area on a Friday or Saturday to grab some cash and he will have no problem convincing me to ride along for company. read more

The absolute best Chinese food ever. We drive 47 miles to eat there, but it is open ONLY on Friday and Saturday nights, 5-9. Often it is very crowded and somewhat loud as families bring their little kids and there is limited space. But the food is wonderful. I particularly love the egg rolls, crab rangoon, orange chicken, Peking shrimp and combination lo mein. I have never had better lo mein, even in China. It is full of beef, chicken and shrimp. The staff is interactive and attentive - and very friendly and helpful. We call ahead and walk in to our food. There are limited drink choices, mostly from a cooler, and tea. We try to dine here twice a month despite the 100 mile roundtrip. I love Chinese and try to have some on our many trips. I am always disappointed because none compare. read more