Asia Palace Restaurant

"Comfort zones are most often expanded through discomfort."
- First Fortune Cookie Fortune

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
- Second Fortune Cookie Fortune (because who eats just one?)

I'm in a period of transition in my life and it's causing me no small amount of confusion and stress since I can be quite change-averse. Lol, it's kind of uncanny to get those two particular fortunes. Oh well. Y'all aren't reading this to see me try and weigh out my life plans through fortunes so let me get on with an actual review...

Speaking of their fortune cookies, though, I don't particularly like the brand that Asia Palace uses (if you've ever been to Panda Express, it's comparable). The cookies lack any discernable flavor and if I wasn't in danger of being a hangry driver on the way home, I would not have consumed even one sliver. (Hm, that was a pretty dramatic statement... it's around lunchtime... maybe I should eat something before finishing this review.)

Why am I picking on their fortune cookies? Well, I'd say it's really because everything else about this place is pretty great (great service, good food, clean interior, generous addition of fresh produce with your order, etc.). It's all too easy to be able to pick out the little things that don't quite live up to the overall standard that this place upholds. Yes, it's minor and won't dissuade me from coming back, but it's a noticeable thing.

Anyway, I called to order the following items at around 6:30 PM, and by the time I made it over to the restaurant at 7 PM (there are red Tsingtao paper lanterns hanging outside - you can't miss it!), my order was packed and ready to go:

California Roll (8 pieces) - 5.50
Pork Chow Mein - 8
Chicken Chow Fun - 8
Honey Walnut Prawns - 14
Mongolian Beef - 11.50

I really loved that there were two large mangoes packed with our order - you Yelpers were not kidding! Moreover, they separated the sauce for the Honey Walnut Prawns so that they would not get soggy. Some places don't take that extra step unless you specifically ask for it, so I was grateful that Asia Palace took the initiative.

Like I said before, the food is pretty solid. As far as Chinese restaurants in Lamorinda go, I've been to Yan's Restaurant in Orinda and China Moon in Moraga. Out of the three of them, I'd probably prefer to continue patronizing Asia Palace. China Moon's food can be really oily and salty. Yes, they do have large portions that are filling, but it's not quality food. Yan's is definitely on par with Asia Palace in terms of their dishes being (fairly) healthy, but I don't get the sense that their service is as great. That said, I'll definitely continue coming to AP!

All the way in the heart of Moraga; I only wish this place was worth the trip. The food was just OK. I just didn't have the love for this place the way other Yelpers do. Maybe because the day was just super hot. Pretty good tasting food, but nothing special or reason for me to easily give five stars or even make the drive way out there.

Upon arrival, the dining area appeared small and looked like it needs a bit of cleaning. Even worse is the lack of ventilation, especially on a 90 degree day. I thought I was gonna eat Chinese food, but instead their menu had a large variety of Asian food to choose from. Kinda reminded me of the Asian food eateries in Dublin IR. We weren't really greeted at the front, until someone in the back (assuming the manager) pointed and said "you can sit anywhere". Okie! The waitress was nice, but had a hard time understanding us. We were new, and we simply asked 'what's good' or 'what were they known for'. She seemed lost, or didn't know how to respond. Oh boy!

What we ordered:
~ 5 piece Sashimi: We ended up with the Nigiri & Sashimi Combo. With tuna nigiri ($5) two small but fresh pieces over rice, and salmon sashimi pieces ($7.30) also good and fresh, but 'yikes' on the price!
~ The Moraga Roll ($16 yikes again) - Tempura shrimp, crabmeat, avocado, buried, yes buried, under tempura flakes and sauce. Crunch, ok yes, pretty good. Rice was okay, but was a bit cold for a supposed fresh sushi rice. It just didn't justify the price.
~ Super Crunchy Roll ($15) - Crabmeat, avocado, tempura flakes and sauce. Boy was I fooled! Add the tempura shrimp, and I've got a Moraga Roll. The ol' switch'a'roo trick on the menu. Check out my pics on how buried in flakes both rolls ended up.

We did get a free sprite and free chow mein served to us, and I was full. But overall, I went to the wrong place expecting good sushi and the price wasn't worth the long drive. Also, looking at the Chinese entrees being $10-12 is like, WTH!!!

The manager was really nice, and he even gave us a big bag of fruit as a kind gesture. I really wanted to give a third star, but nothing earned it. I just don't see myself coming back any time soon.

I have been a loyal patron of Asia Palace for years - it's not authentic Chinese food by any means but it is pretty good fusion food. Also, they always sneak in a little something extra (sometimes a LOT of something extra) at the end of your meal. Usually its organic fruit or candy.

I have noticed that in recent years, the quality is not always consistent. That's okay because its still reliably good and (I think) better than the other Chinese restaurants in the area. Some dishes are hit or miss. Like I said, not always consistent. I've ordered the Black Pepper Chicken a handful of times and most of the time its the one I expect (julienned onions, bell peppers, chicken in a thin/runny black pepper sauce), sometimes its this weird thick sauce with the same vegetables but peanuts added. Other things I usually like to order: orange chicken, chicken/beef chow fun, green bean beef. The honey walnut prawns are also good (you can sub chicken too if you're allergic). They also have that classic marble soda which is always fun. I have never ordered the sushi here so I can't report on that.

The owner is, as past reviews have mentioned, very kind and passionate about his restaurant. I remember one instance, my friends and I came after they had closed for lunch (around 2/3PM). The rest of the staff was taking a break but he saw our disappointed faces and immediately jumped up and said I'll cook for you. So he essentially opened the restaurant just for us and personally catered to our meal. Plus he gave us free pineapples after. He has really strong customer service values.

Definitely recommend it if you're in the area and craving Asian Fusion.

I have never had a bad experience at Asia Palace.... It takes me by surprise that this little gem gets quite mixed reviews.

Customer service, and good quality food and ingredients is what I typically look for when I choose to patronize a business.

Do different restaurants cook and prepare differently than others? Ofcourse.

I love the service and food at Asia Palace, as well as the sister restaurant, Golden Palace. This combination of quality food service will keep me coming back!

One of my most favorite places to eat whenever I do not feel like cooking at my apartment when I am at SMC or when I do not want to eat at Oliver, so I go here all the time. The service is impeccable. The waiters and waitresses are very hospitable and care about your stay. The owner is one of the most caring people in the world. After you eat, he usually gives you a grocery bag filled with vegetables, fruits, maybe some candy like airheads! The good is also really well prepared. They start you off with a complementary hot and sour soup and with some spring rolls while you decide what to order. After you order the food doesn't take long for them to cook and serve. I are the orange chicken today and it was on point. Is definitely a place I come back to time and time again.
Tl; dr: just go to this restaurant if you are in the area. Freaking amazing

FLIES were EVERYWHERE!!! When we told the waitress & the man behind the counter (possibly owner) that flies are everywhere & we literally couldn't eat our food they didn't even care. I was trying to swat flies out of my food & face damn near the whole time we were & all they said was "Oh sorry" !
Im not the type to complain & start a scene but this was just ridiculous!

#Disgusting

I met P for a mid-week lunch at this out-of-the-way restaurant. I am not sure what all of the fuss is about and what all five star reviews are based on. There was nothing special about my General Chicken or about the Mongolian Beef that P ordered. The Pot Stickers were good, and I enjoyed the dipping sauce, but nothing really made them stand out from other restaurants. The hot and sour soup, on the other hand, was quite good. The service was excellent and so was the organic fruit they gave us as we were leaving.

A large clear door refrigerator covers one wall, unfortunately it gives the impression that this is a take out spot and this really is a shame; the small restaurant is lovely

I will eat here again when I find myself in Moraga. There were other diners, mostly older women, enjoying lunch. I suspect that Moraga is not a lunch type town, and perhaps dinner might be a better choice at the Asia Palace

I don't really understand the hype. I like China Moon a lot better than Asia Palace. Asia Palace is a small restaurant that a lot of my friends love. I've never been impressed by the food here, although I can see why people like it. I think the food here is organic(?). However, the food just tastes a little bland to me.

They do always give you free stuff at the end, like Airheads, produce, and fruits.

Quite possibly the best chinese food I have ever eaten. Everything about it makes it amazing, not just the perfect food, but the hometown hospitality is so great. They randomly make stuff and hand it out to those eating, even though no one ordered it.
They give you fresh produce when you leave.
What makes the food so good is how clean it tastes. A lot of times, chinese food has a sense of tasting like the wok has never been cleaned and there's 10 years of dried flavors slightly mixed into everything.
Asia Palace has amazingly fresh veggies and meat which makes the meal match the experience.

I would give four or fewer stars for ambiance (it's a plain place with some inventory in boxes near customer seating).

But, the mundane decor is made up for by the generous food offerings (got soup and salad and spring rolls complimentary before placing orders, and produce upon leaving), and the oh so comforting hot and sour soup!

Been there three times now and it will definitely be our go-to place for Chinese or sushi rolls nearby!