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    The Rice Box

    3.6 (166 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated a few days ago

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    THE RICE BOX ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - The Rice Box

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    Elizabeth G.

    Great vibe, friendly staff, and nice menu variety. The atmosphere is quirky but relaxing... at night I bet it's an awesome place to nom and socialize with friends.

    Shveta A.

    I had not tried this location and was excited to do so, I was not disappointed! Honestly I like Rice Box because of the quality and quantity balance. The food is tasty and affordable, which allows for the trying of various dishes. The baby back ribs, general tsao chicken, Mongolian shrimp, house fried rice and chicken lo mein were all very good. The ribs were a bit dry texturally, but were extremely flavorful. The lava buns were good but definitely to be eaten in moderation for me due to their sweet cream filling. The server was extremely helpful and kind. I always love the neon brightness of the interior and exterior as it makes the restaurant appear otherworldly. A great spot to grab a bite!

    Ceiling decor
    Mike T.

    I love this place. The interior decor is straight out of an 80s retro future. Staff are friendly and helpful, and the food is great. Their Orange Peel Beef is outstanding, General Tso is addictive, and their fried rice is so good. Minus a star for the bathroom cleanliness, but I'll keep coming back!

    Tinishia A.

    This was our first time at the Rice Box. I ordered orange chicken with fried rice and lo mein. The portions are pretty huge and the food was all full of flavor. My kiddos really loved the food so that's a huge plus for me. My friend ordered Mongolian chicken and I tried it...I must say that it was very good as well. This location is no where near me as I live in Katy but since I was in the area I decided to give it a try. The staff let us know that there's another location much closer... on I-10 near Bunker Hill, on the Eastbound side of the Katy Fwy. I'm sure I'll be going there soon!

    Frankie H.

    I've been wanting to try The Rice Box since I was near it I decided to try it and I'm glade I did. The set up and music volume is nice. The water fountain is super great setup spot. I got lemon pepper ribs with side of lo mein noodles. Server nicely took the order and let me know it would take about 15 minutes. When I got the order it was wings. I took it back to the register and let her know that I ordered ribs. She nicely apologized and changed it. The lemon pepper ribs are so good, tasteful and tender. The lo mein noodles are ok, has a ok taste and too thick. My sister got house rice. Usually house rice includes multiple meats but here you have to select a meat and meats are charged, she selected shrimp. The house rice is good tasteful with no peas which is the best for me. The orders also comes with egg roll and they are good. Good spot and there are other foods I want to try there. Now the restroom room was not clean.

    Salt n Pepper Tofu
    Brandon D.

    I was studying in the rice village area and saw that Rice Box had a nitro Thai tea and people said good things about it so I decided to walk over and get it to keep me up. I also got a salt and pepper tofu to snack along with it. They were not busy at all during this time and my order came out really fast. The nitro Thai tea is like a healthier and smoother Thai tea. It has the same distinct taste but without the creaminess, and a fizzy foam on top. It was alright, I would rather get a normal Thai tea with the original sweetness. The salt and pepper tofu had way too thick of a breading coat. There was more of that than the tofu itself. It was also lacking the saltiness. I liked the grilled onions and bell peppers though. I honestly shoudlve just gotten the salt and pepper chicken because it's the same price as the tofu. Will most likely not be coming back here again

    Exterior
    Ediri N.

    Came here for lunch takeout since I was already in the area and had heard so much about it from coworkers. To be honest, I was not impressed for the amount of hype this place gets. Now, everything looks good, it's a very interesting design concept, but the food didn't quite match the ambience nor the price. I got the sesame chicken with fried rice and crab rangoons. I expected it to be one of the best Chinese spots I've been to, but the rice wasn't tasteful at all and neither was the egg roll. The sesame was decent and the crab rangoons were probably the best portion of the meal. I likely would pick Panda Express over getting food here, especially for half the price.

    General Tso ,Orange  and Kung Pao
    Gloria Emelina M.

    Came with my twin and friend. Love the look of the Rice Box gave me Total Recall vibes (fan scene inside the shop scene) iykyk. The menu has your staples, love that you can choose your protein and spice level as well as different style rice. Price very fairly. The service was great very friendly and attentive staff.

    Entrance
    Angie M.

    We stopped here for an early dinner. The building is very inviting and at the entrance there was a sign that said no soft drinks. However, the staff was very informative, friendly and patient. We sat outside on the patio because it was cold inside. The food came out hot, fresh and quickly. I was pleased With the chicken egg roll with the amazing sweet chili sauce. Next time I want to try the curry sauce. The entree portions are enough for two meals or sharing. I enjoyed the fried rice and suggest passing in the noodles. I'll be back to try the ribs, and chicken wings.

    Inside
    John R.

    Interesting place like walking into an 80's video arcade. Menu looked like out of a video game. Order orange chicken and drink. It was what I expected.

    Black pepper steak and white rice
    Joiya A.

    Ambiance is definitely the best part about this place. The service was also spectacular. The food however was neither. I ordered the black pepper steak with white rice. It came with an egg roll. I chose their JACK BURTON NITRO tea as well. Tea 3/5 Egg roll 4/5 Black pepper steak 3/5 White rice 0/5

    Wall Menu
    Ari E.

    Service was great! There was a bit of a line upon arrival but it didn't take long before we got our food. The wonton soup is a great choice for a cold day.

    Interior by the register to order
    Linda T.

    Great vibe, cool atmosphere, great bang for your buck, clean, and friendly service. Food quality to price is good. Overall good, Americanized Chinese food for the price AND great vibe to hang out with friends, especially if you attend Rice University. My only complaint is their shrimp with walnut (by the way, comes with white rice and a Chinese egg roll). It's not great as a leftover as it disagree with my stomach. Oh, and their green beans with eggplants can use less salt. Otherwise, everything else is good while dining in and as leftovers.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    A surprisingly great fast, casual Chinese place. Their food is quite yummy and you get pretty good portions for the price. (B)

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Food is always flavorful and hot. Service is prompt and polite. Ambience is welcoming.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Portions are nice! And the place just screams cool. Very fun place to spot some neat cars too.

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    2 years ago

    Ambiance online is overhyped. I'd consider rice box Taco Bell tier. Thia tea came out a soda gum and taste like beer somehow. Food was good.

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - The Rice Box

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    Kata Robata

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    Had a fantastic evening at Kata Robata! Our server, Gabby, was excellent and attentive throughout…read morethe evening. My favorite was definitely the Kobe Beef Skewers - I could have just eaten those all night long! Deliciousness in every bite. I'm not a fan of raw fish, so while my family enjoyed a handful of crudo dishes and nigiri, I got to enjoy the Longhorn Roll. This roll was solid, nothing mindblowing. We all enjoyed the Spicy Miso Ramen! Rich, flavorful broth that rivals some of my top ramen spots. I forget exactly what dessert we ordered, it may have been their chocolate bread pudding, but it was so good that I was literally scraping the plate! There's a lot of menu options so I'd love to come back and try some more things

    Kata Robata used to be one of my favorite restaurants before I moved away from Houston. After…read morerecently moving back, I chose it for my birthday lunch with friend because I had such fond memories of dining there. Unfortunately, this visit was disappointing. I arrived about 20 minutes before opening and had to wait outside in Houston's summer heat 93'F. While there are a few benches, there is very little shade, and guests are not allowed to wait inside. When the restaurant opened, there was no clear system for seating guests. Even though I was first in line, several people rushed in ahead of me, making the process feel disorganized. The biggest issue involved a $300 gift card that my friend had received years ago. She simply asked the staff to check the balance. When the server returned, he told us the manager had cut the card in half and that the entire balance had to be used during that visit. What bothered me was the lack of communication. We were never informed of the policy before the card was invalidated. If that is the restaurant's policy, it should be explained clearly beforehand. As two ladies having lunch, spending $300 was difficult, so we ended up ordering far more food than we normally would. The sashimi was fresh but cut thinly than what I've had at comparable restaurants. The hamachi kama, chirashi, and lobster mac and cheese were good. The green tea soufflé cheesecake was the biggest disappointment. For $10, it consisted of three very small cubes and felt overpriced. The waitstaff were attentive, friendly and professional, which helped salvage the experience. However, between the uncomfortable wait outside, the chaotic seating process, and the poor handling of the gift card, this visit did not live up to my previous experiences. While I have many good memories of Kata Robata, I'm not sure I'll be returning anytime soon.

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    Fusion Eats

    Fusion Eats

    4.0
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    Being on an assignment at the Greenway Plaza for several weeks in early April, this was our go-to…read morefor lunch. We ate here nearly everyday due to convenience. Normally I would suggest other places after one visit but found myself drawn to the convenience of the menu and the friendly staff. So the menu is asian fusion for breakfast and lunch items in the form of tacos, nachos, quesadillas, rice bowls, salads, and some cocktails thrown in. As tempted as we were to do an adult beverage, we stuck with lunch items for professionalism. Some items we tried were the following: Tacos: Brisket: 8/10 Tofu Tikka Masala: 9/10 Tilapia: 6/10 Pulled Pork: 7/10 Salads: Mango and Kale: 8/10 Caesar: 7/10 Taco Salad w/ chicken: 9/10 Rice Bowls: BBQ Pork: 7/10 Other Items: Brussels Sprouts: 8/10 Chips and Guacomole: 5/10 Chips and Spicy Hummus: 7/10 Only item we didn't care for was the chips and guacamole. The guac is bland as it's just mainly mashed avocado w/ minimal seasoning and missing items such as red onion, cilantro, lime juice, etc. The chips however are wonderful and excellent for dipping which goes well with the hummus. Hummus has a kick; not the best but good for the price and comes out quickly. The rice bowls are filling and ok. The taco salad was probably the best item; very powerful southwest flavors and the chicken very tender. Now the tacos; the brisket and tofu tikka masala are both tasty; brisket is tender and the tofu tikka masala might make you forget it's tofu. Pulled pork was alright but messy. The tilapia is tender but also messy and the tortilla kept breaking apart due to the salsas and toppings. Need to make it stronger! The plaza is lucky to have this and when I have future assignments out this way, I'll be sure to stop back in and try their other items.

    Not so much a review of the food which is ok. This a review of the pathetic to-go forks. How many…read moremore skits have to be made about these worthless forks that various restaurants throw in our to-go bags. It has to stop one way or the other.

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    Inside is kind of slow on a Friday afternoon
    Inside is kind of slow on a Friday afternoon
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    Fat Bao

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    This was not the first visit to Fat Bao, but it had been a long while. My purpose was to get the…read moreviral crab Rangoon burrito, which found traction from a IG foodie account. I was literally the second person in line, and also ordered the soft shell crab and peppered tuna baos. It was just as I remembered. Quality small bites. The burrito was 15.00, and was a little too much to eat at one time. I ate about a quarter at a time, spread out through the next few meals. The restaurant is a few communal tables, mixed with some small tables for 2-4 people. I'll be back.

    Fat Bao has been on my list forever because of the freaking crab rangoon burrito. It looks divine…read more We stopped by for a quick girl dinner, and unfortunately they were out. I think you have to go earlier in the day because they only make a limited number. I ordered the pork katsu bao and the honey walnut bao, and both were great. Honestly, these aren't your typical baos, but they're fun, creative, and really tasty. The pork katsu featured a thick piece of crispy fried pork that paired well with the thinly sliced avocado. The honey walnut shrimp bao was MESSYYYY, but packed with flavor- a cute sweetness on top of a fried shrimp patty. I will definitely need three baos next time, though, because two did not fill ya girl up. It's a counter-service restaurant with quick service, plenty of parking, and an easy spot for a casual meal. Now I just need to go back and get my hands on that crab rangoon burrito.

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    Rim Tanon

    Rim Tanon

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    29th Anniversary
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    Ruggles Black

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    We pulled up for a coworker's birthday lunch and saw several open parking spaces. We were…read moreapproached and valet was the only option even though I had already parked my car. They took my key anyway. $5 valet. We were seated immediately with a reservation for 7. Waters were served and orders were taken. The food came out piping hot. It was quite the extensive menu with many healthy options. The decor was on the glam side. The staff was attentive and friendly. Everyone liked their meals. Portions were grand. I ate all of my food with a short lived thought to take half home. Good food experience but not so much with the valet when the guy yelled at me to pay the $5. They moved my car only for me to see that an older car parked where I was originally parked. Did they really have to move my car?!

    Got to try Ruggles Black this weekend. While we were taken aback at first by the prices, we were…read moreimpressed when the food actually came out. And also just seeing other people's food around us! They have a separate brunch menu that some of us ordered from. I ended up ordering the traditional eggs Benedict. The cool thing about their eggs Benedict is that it comes with potatoes or gratin as well as asparagus and mashed butternut squash with a cinnamon sweet crumble on top. Very delicious! My friends all enjoyed their meal and we had a great experience. I also got to try one of the mixed drinks which all of the drinks can be made into mocktails. So overall, while it was pricey, they were able to accommodate a big group pretty well. And the food came out delicious! I already have in mind what I want to order next time.

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    Beautiful interior of Ruggles Black
    Beautiful interior of Ruggles Black
    The Famous Crab Tower (GF)
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    Part of the dining area

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    Part of the dining area
    Hu's Cooking

    Hu's Cooking

    4.5
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
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    Look no further for authenticity, flavor, and complexity in Chinese cooking near the med center!…read more Though we opted for more "simple" dishes during this experience, you can judge a place by if they can do their simple dishes well. The mapo tofu is one of the best we've had outside of Bellaire with spicy, savory, numbing, and warmth that you expect from a good mapo tofu. Crispy popcorn chicken is a classic that's spicy, lightly fried, and crisp. It has an authenticity that other places around can't replicate and makes you keep craving more. The portions are also appropriate for their price. Service is incredibly quick, and you can order as you go and receive your dish within 10-15 minutes, regardless of how busy they are. As for the ambiance, it's loud, it's hectic, and it's simple... maybe a stretch, but makes me feel like I'm eating at a mom and pop shop in the heart of China. This place is definitely a go to if I'm convincing a friend of Houston's great food scene! Rating: 4.5/5

    I've been a happy patron of Hu's Cooking ever since they opened the year before the pandemic, but…read morebecause of their instant success and local renown from their excellent eats, speedy service, busy-but-not-crowded vibes (see: their 1000+ Yelp reviews) I've never felt the need to drop a review of my own - until just this week. On my most recent visit we ordered mapo tofu with pork intestines off the specials menu - a hybrid of two of my favorite Sichuan-style dishes. The blend of bouncy, savory morsels amidst tender, saucy tofu was at once revolutionary and so obvious; why hadn't I yet seen this at any other restaurant? And sure, innards may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's important for you to know that none of my past orders from the 50+ item menu have ever failed me, whether enjoyed in the restaurant or at home. Maybe you'd prefer the aromatic, classic, perfectly balanced three-cup chicken? Or the sweet-skinned duck, glazed so delicately that specks of sugar crystal threaten to jump off onto the plate as you pick up a juicy slice with your chopsticks? And if you're vegetarian, might you consider the punchy garlic eggplant or the wok-kissed string beans? I could go on. Do yourself a favor and come see for yourself, though I'd recommend parallel parking on the neighborhood streets behind the restaurant rather than the rocky parking lot, to save you some trouble. Bring friends and chow down family style - you'll need help covering as much of the menu as you can, but you'll definitely have to come back to try everything.

    Photos
    Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans
    Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans
    Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat
    Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat
    Hu's Cooking

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    The Rice Box - chinese - Updated June 2026

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