Today I tried this restaurant for the first time. I totally regret it. I'm glad everyone else had such a good experience because I couldn't believe how BAD the food was. We got back to our hotel hungry as ever only to find that the chicken was overcooked and dryed out which made it too tough to eat. The green beans were just as bad and for $45 dollars We felt ripped off and given food that should've been thrown in the garbage. I would'nt have fed it to a dog.
Empire probably has the best Chinese food in the US I’ve ever had. I’ve tried many different restaurants in Portland and I still have a hard time finding one that compares to Empire. I highly recommend the Shanghai Soup Dumplings, Kung Pao Chicken, Lobster Rangoons, Ginger Fried Rice, Bacon Fried Rice, Beef and Broad Noodles. You truly cannot go wrong with this place. Takeout only post-pandemic. Totally worth the visit!!!
My wife has celiac disease and this was heaven for her. Fairly common dishes but lot's of things (like dumplings) that she never gets to eat as a celiac. The food overall was also good quality so I enjoyed it as well.
Don't listen to those bad reviews below....there are no rodents in the food or kitchen!
I had another review up, but I've updated it, though it is still five stars. This is probably my favorite restaurant, though I tend to only really eat food I cook myself these days, this is a place I will still occasionally go. It's Cantonese fusion food, and it's very expensive, but the quality is high, and consistent. If you want janky American chinese food or authentic dim sum, you can sort of get that here, but might be happier somewhere else. If you want exciting, and good food, empire will deliver. Though not literally. I'm going to go over every menu item I've had. Bacon Fried Rice - I almost always get this, it's very good. This is probably the dish that's been the least consistent. I get it without eggs because one time it had egg shells though they made up for that when I told them. Order on weekends when they have their best people on. 9/10 Char Siu Bao - These are Very Good, probably the crown jewel of their menu. 10/10 Duck Bao - Everything about these is great except I have yet to order them and not find gristle. There are large parts of the duck that contain no gristle at all, maybe focus more on those? I actually ordered them this past time knowing they might have gristle and sure enough they did. 8/10 (they'd probably be a ten if I didn't have to spit anything out) Lobster Bao - These were really good. Though the lobster was too fishy. The X-O Aioli was great. 7/10 Spicy Pork belly bao- I didn't order these last time because I prefer my pork belly to be more crisped on the sides. These do come with the fabled "pickles", which used to come with other stuff and now apparently do not. 7/10 Soup Dumplings - These are pretty darn decent if basic soup dumplings. The broth has a lot of flavor. 9/10 Orange Beef - This used to be served with pickles and a weird little spicy pepper slice, but they've taken those away from me. Now unless you like bok choy that has been soaked in orange sauce, you get some extra vegetables to throw away. The sauce seemed a bit sweeter and a bit less acidic, but that could just be me. This is still one of my favorite dishes but bring back the pickles! 9/10 Beef and Broad Noodles - I want the recipe for this dish, it really is excellent. It's my girlfriends favorite and one of mine. Though this time needed more sprouts. 10/10 Empire Eggroll - This used to have asparagus, and while I miss that unique twist, it's just as good without it. 9/10 Lobster Rangoon - I don't know how they prep their lobster but once again, these get a bit too fishy. This is sort of the central part of their whole fusion vibe, but lobster is a very mild flavor, and they should consider trying to let that shine through more. 7/10 Chinatown Roast Pork - This is a pretty great char Siu. Another one I'd like their recipe for. My char Siu is great, but this definitely has more of a new England Chinese restaurant feel to it. 9/10 They used to have a glutinous rice pocket, and a curried noodle dish which both had Chinese sausage. I'm assuming they stopped getting Chinese sausage or they just didn't sell well. The best part of either was the Chinese sausage. I've also had the duck fired rice and Kung pow chicken but I can't remember them at all, which should be telling. I'm sure they're fine. Anyways, that's my review, updated for currency's sake. When I get empire I make moaning noises and say how good it is from the first bite until long after its gone. If this sounds like something you want to do, you should try empire as well.
I am not someone who particularly likes Chinese food. But this place.... AMAZING AND FRESH!The hot and sour soup, bao, and so much more is just wow!Prices are fair especially for the freshness and friendly staff. Plus the logo for the restaurant is absolutely adorable.
I called and ordered around noon. They said it’d be ready at 12:40pm, but it was ready when I arrived a few minutes before that. I had the Hot and Sour Soup ($6), Bacon Fried Rice ($16), and a Maine Root Root Beer ($3.50). Since it's takeout only, I went to a nearby park to eat. Everything was good, but nothing was great. Perhaps I need to explore other parts of the menu when next in Portland.
Ordered online, picked up curbside, eaten in the unused lobby dining room of the Canopy Hotel. Hands down best Chinese food I've eaten in recent memory. Everything - dumplings, Orange Beef, even the rice. We had 4 different types of dumplings - each fabulous in it's own right. The real show stopper was the Orange Beef - largely avoided by me due to the pathetic and lazy preparation found at basically every other Chinese restaurant. Not so here - I will be dreaming of this flavorful, crisp, perfectly seasoned, perfectly fried beef. Thank you Empire Chinese for restoring my faith and love of such a great cuisine!
So tasty! I’m a gluten free vegan and had no trouble finding something yummy on the menu. Chive dumplings and Broccoli & Broad Noodles made special with low oil. So delicious and perfect warmth after being outside in the cold. Take out only currently.
Delicious!! The lobster bao bun was out of this world! Everything we ordered surpassed our expectations, next time we're in the area we know where to go.