Royal East Restaurant
What People Are Saying About Royal East Restaurant
The Editor
Eric Grossman
Citysearch
The Scene
A favorite of local chefs and fussy foodies in search of fiery Szechuan and Cantonese specialties, Royal East sits quietly on Cambridge's Main St., between Central and Kendall Squares. After being greeted at the door by tanks full of live fish, crabs and lobsters, patrons head into the large, simply appointed dining room. Huge circular tables, complete with a giant Lazy Susan, are ideal for groups, and dutiful servers keep water glasses filled despite an occasional language barrier.
The Food
The kitchen's exceptionally lengthy menu allows room for Western favorites (sweet and sour pork, shrimp lo mein), but most patrons wisely opt for hard-to-find regional specialties like suan la chow show (hot and sour wonton soup) and Cantonese-style fried chicken. Aficionados of Chinese cuisine swear by house specialties like salt-and-pepper pork chops and intricately prepared Peking duck. Dessert options usually begin and end with fresh fruit like plump lychees.
User Reviews
asianfoodaddict
December 11, 2007
I have to disagree with the previous reviewer. I have been going to the Royal East ever since it opened (and even before when it was Colleen's Peking Duck.) I eat there on average once or twice a week. I have NEVER seen a dead fish in the fish tanks. Occasionally I see a fish that is not actively swimming around, but to give the impression that there are dead fish in the tanks is absurd. This restaurant has phenomenal seafood dishes ranging from salt and pepper cooked live shrimp (when available) to traditionally prepared Alaskan King Crab. They get these items when in season and available, along with live scallops, live giant clam and more. They almost always have Dungeness Crab (delicious in the salt and ppper combination) and steamed sole with ginger and scallions, two tremenous dishes. Even their chicken wings are the best I have ever had. and, by the way, I have never experienced an unpleaant odor in the restaurant other than that time when one of my friends joined me after two hour of basketball practice.
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2tia
November 18, 2007
Went there but did not make it all the way through the inner door to eat - there were dead and merserably dying fish in the tanks and the smell was outrageous. Can't comment on the food or service but I wouldn't order the fish!
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zerbertia
June 06, 2007
I have been going to Royal East for several years now and have never been disappointed. It has some of the most authentic and freshest Chinese food I've had around Boston. Try the specials for some of the best choices on the menu. Between two of us we often share two appetizers and one entree and eat wonderfully for under twenty bucks!
read full reviewThe Details on Royal East Restaurant
Save Money:
Bargain luncheon combination plates are served weekdays until 3pm and cost about $5 each.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Quiet, Private Rooms, Lunch Spot, Group Dining, Cheap Eats
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
