This is the first time that I have been to this restaurant and will not be the last. When I enter the restaurant, I instantly smelled the good food, although the restaurant is average looking wall in a hole kind of restaurant. I was very glad that I was able to find the fried large intestine that is my favorite dish that I have not ate in a long time and is fairly priced. The service is average but not that bad! I do think they need more waiters though!
Jenna P.
Tu valoración: 1 Irving, TX
We went for Mother’s Day lunch and the restaurant was pack. There was only 1 server/waiter. She was by herself running the whole front for the 2 hours we were there. Mind u there were only 5 of us. Most people basically had to help themselves with getting water, dishes and utensils. It was a mess. We were pretty close to walk out after almost 45 mins waiting when she gave us the rice bowl. The food was flavorful and yummy, but at that time we were too hungry to tell to be honest. I thought maybe this was just this one time an employee called in sick, I could probably come back. Then we all went home and passed out napping, possibly due to high MSG contents. I’m not sure if I ever come back. Thought they really cooked up good flavors…
Steven H.
Tu valoración: 5 Oklahoma City, OK
It was a bit weird that it said Barbecue and we walked in without the ducks hanging from the top in the glass display. Ok forget the BBQ, the food was a amazing mixture of canton/taiwanese style. We loved every dish that arrived one by one. We had great company next to us that wish to share their wines with our sesame beard(which takes about 1 hour to prep/bake). I can go ahead and say this is probably one of the best Chinese joints around town. Review is to be updated if I come across a better Chinese.
Amber D.
Tu valoración: 4 Richardson, TX
Found a new favorite Chinese place. Love everything we have ordered so far: Orange chicken, orange beef, cashew chicken, Mongolian beef, hot & sour soup
Viet N.
Tu valoración: 3 Fort Walton Beach, FL
We had a party of 7 and ordered a variety of food… including the infamous duck and #41 steamed pork. My opinion is that it was was salted to death and im probably gonna put on a pound of water because of it. Service was good, just the food was so… meh. Disappointed from the reviews.
Aaron L.
Tu valoración: 4 Midland, TX
This place is nothing fancy, but the food never disappoints! My favorite is the eggplant! We always come and order many dishes. They have blood cake, Chinese broccoli, tofu, pork belly, soups, intestine, etc… I do wish they had a mushroom dish without tofu, because I’m not a fan. You can walk right in with a large group on the weekend. And it’s BYOB! Great price for some yum, authentic Chinese food! Tip: it’s right across from Kirin Court(dim sum)
Alejandro C.
Tu valoración: 3 Dallas, TX
I was very excited for the pork dish here but i was sadly disappointed. The pork belly was soggy and really needed more flavor for my linking. I would say this dish is a don’t try and i’m definitely not coming back for it. However the orange beef! amazing! crispy and flavorful and worth driving back for. Also had the green beans which come with pork and thought they where great. Wish they where a bit more spicy. The scallion pancake is a bit too crispy for my taste. I was not a fan. As far as the restaurant goes, it’s a bit old and feels dirty. I think i would get three orders of the orange beef to go!
Anthony C.
Tu valoración: 4 Houston, TX
For dallas I think this is or might be as good as it gets for authentic Chinese food. It’s an old restaurant with tables that were put together before I even was born, according to my parents. I had dragged them back here since I saw the reviews were good. We ordered the crispy intestines which were probably the star of the dishes and brings my review from 3 stars to 4 stars. They were without a doubt some of the crispiest intestines I have had in my life so if you get these you will be happy. Most places I go serve this dish rubbery and unchewable claiming that this is the way it’s supposed to be. We also ordered the the pork belly, which has received a lot of praised on this Unilocal page. I was surprised by by the balanced flavors and oil levels of the dish but the pork was over cooked so that was a bit of a let down. Lastly, we ordered the ‘chicken casserole’ aka three cup chicken and basil. It wasn’t bad but lacked a bit of flavor but this could have been due to the pork belly. I am not sure but probably won’t order this dish again the next time I come back. I am happy to say it’s an old joint that hasn’t closed its doors for a reason. So if you are tired of waiting for the dim sum across the street, pop in over here and get your fix.
Danielle B.
Tu valoración: 5 Dallas, TX
A complete surprise, found on Google maps in a moment of «Starving and must eat NOW» desperation. My husband and I weren’t seeking out Chinese food especially, but the reviews for this place were glowing– and rightfully so. We stopped in for lunch, and found a simple combination menu: entrée, steamed rice, soup and iced water– inexpensive. I had the shrimp with vegetables, my husband the garlic shrimp. Both were fresh and savory, and unapologetically garlic-laden. Generous, too. Fast, easy, tasty– no complaints. As well, it’s worth mentioning that there are several items on the menu that are less American, more Chinese in nature– organ meat dishes, etc. As well, the patrons were primarily Asian– a good sign. In short, this is an unexpected treasure– a true hole in the wall surprise. We’ll be back many times, I’m sure.
Edwin Q.
Tu valoración: 5 Dallas, TX
This place never put out ads and it is solely based on reputation for over 20 years so you know it is good! Typical mom and pop shop. Very authentic chinese/taiwanese dishes. My favorite here is the«Chicken Casserole», also as known as «San Bei» Chicken. BYOB!
Jaki S.
Tu valoración: 4 McKinney, TX
Came here for the first time for dinner last night. Our waitress was very attentive and made sure that we had everything that we needed. I ordered the lamb and leek and my date ordered the Hunan beef. both dishes were ample in size and very tender and flavorful. My appetizer shrimp roll was tasty but a little bit greasy. The tea was good but not what I expected for authentic Chinese fare, it was a simple tea bag, I’m used to tea leaves.
Matthew C.
Tu valoración: 3 McKinney, TX
Lots of great reviews, but seriously, this place used to have the best Hot and Sour Soup in Dallas. The Chef left and it hasn’t been close since. I am looking for that Great Chefs soup and haven’t found him yet. The rest of the dishes are high quality, but the soup, although good, isn’t the masterpiece they used to have.
Atish V.
Tu valoración: 4 Northridge, CA
First time here! The food was excellent! We came for the lunch special and got the schezuan chicken special which came with a TON of rice, hot and sour soup and a huge portion of the main dish. The food was perfectly seasoned. The chicken was perfect amount of spice and had a great ratio of chicken to veggies. In all the food was great! The service could be a little more friendly. But not out of the ordinary for a down home Chinese place. Prices are great too! I definitely recommend this place to anybody.
Jordan N.
Tu valoración: 4 Dallas, TX
Braised pork belly was good, but I didn’t think it was that great. I took some for leftovers, and oddly, it tastes better the next day. However, it was too much pork belly and it’s a dish that’s better served with a mix of other dishes so be sure to order some other stuff. Preferably with vegetables. Kung pao chicken was also excellent, according to my friend who is quite picky about them. I would like to come back to try the crispy fish. The menu is authentically Chinese, and the price points are also good. The décor is nothing to look at — simple, but clean.
Amy Z.
Tu valoración: 5 Dallas, TX
I have been coming to this space since I was a kid and now 15 years later, it is still hands down my favorite authentic Chinese food restaurant. You can’t go wrong with any dish but a select few noteworthy dishes include the braised eggplants, sweet and sour fish, hot and soup soup, and Hakka style pork belly. The food comes out super fast and fresh and it’s a perfect place to go for lunch or dinner. The lunch portions are very generous. Definitely worth checking out, you won’t be disappointed.
Elizabeth H.
Tu valoración: 5 Dallas, TX
This is an excellent authentic Chinese restaurant. I absolutely love their Fried Pork Chops. It has such great flavor and its crispy too(hence the fried part). I also ordered the sizzling beef and the tea smoked duck. I personally prefer the sizzling beef over the tea smoked duck but that’s because I’ve never really had tea smoked duck before so it was different and new. My boyfriend and I had a great experience at First Emperor. I’m so excited to be giving them a great review!
Lily F.
Tu valoración: 5 Northlake, IL
Right across from Kirin Court is an old, beat up restaurant that serves some really righteous food. If you’re a fan of home-style Chinese food, come here with your family and friends and I promise you’ll leave here happy and full. Although the ambiance hasn’t changed much in the years you’ll want to come back because the food never disappoints. Pork belly is of course a favorite as well as the sesame cake, but I really liked their seafood and vegetable hot pot, and their blood and intestines hot pot. It’s not as bad as it sounds… I promise. The menu is also in English so don’t be intimidated by the neighborhood. If you don’t speak Mandarin, the waitress is nice and will help you choose tasty dishes. She was pretty honest with us, giving us her input, at least. I’m surprised there’s not more reviews for such an old restaurant.
Keith B.
Tu valoración: 3 Dallas, TX
I visited this location and the food menu was actually pretty nice, the prices were decent although the staff was a little slow do to the limited staff. The food potions were decent as well. There was a very traditional feel about the location and it was very clean as well. Small location but it works for the traffic it gets. If you’re in the area and want authentic Chinese check this place out.
Melissa W.
Tu valoración: 5 Oceanside, CA
Delicious! Probably one of the best Chinese restaurants I’ve been to(and that’s a lot!) Pork Belly is tender and very flavorful. Hot and Sour soup is served piping hot and has just the right amount of bamboo shoots and egg to compliment the tangy broth. My favorite though has to be the sesame bread– call ahead and order it in advance because it can take up to an hour before it’s ready.
Jessalyn C.
Tu valoración: 5 San Diego, CA
This has been my favorite spot for non-fancy Chinese food for ages! This is the spot I always request to go to whenever I go home :)( Unilocalers, if there’s any other must-try’s in Richardson/Dallas, pleaseee let me know!) My grandparents love the wu gen tsong wang(5 organs in spicy stew?) and the huge sesame bread(make sure to order ahead of time!). My favorite? Definitely the dou fu yu pian(tofu with pieces of fish in a deeeelicious sauce). All the other basic Chinese dishes are great too, and you can definitely taste the smokey wok flavor. Dishes come out super fast, and everyone I’ve taken here has loved it as well!