Royal East Restaurant

Reviews 9

QU

Qurrat Ahmad

I went here with a party of five. Briefly: awful service, okay food. The waiters unfortunately refused to suggest anything on the menu despite us asking multiple times. They claimed "everything is good" which was not very helpful considering it was our first time at the restaurant. They were also completely clueless about dietary restrictions such as being educated that the dish we were ordering did not contain pork, and also not at all helpful with suggesting serving sizes (they said for example that "everything is regular" but we found that we did not need to order rice for every person at the table - one dish was easily split between two people). Some of the food was really good: the garlic shrimp, the peanut shrimp and the sesame chicken.) Their proportions are large. The fried rice was overly doused in soy sauce, giving it a very cheap taste. The fish fillet was less fish and more some unknown fruit/vegetable mixed into the platter. Also, since we had gotten in late, we were the last table to be served before the kitchen closed. Once it did, the waiters made it a point to come to our table every ten minutes or so to ask us if we were done (we were clearly still eating). They then started flickering the lights above our table for what I can only assume was a not-so-subtle sign that they wanted us to leave. After which they also put the bill on our table and stopped us midway through our food to pay. I understand they wanted to leave ASAP but they should have just refused to serve us on grounds of being close to closing instead of harassing us once we were seated. Overall awful service really took away from what might have otherwise been a pleasant dining experience.

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ZE

Zest and Leisure

I have a group of foodie colleagues and today we were in Cambridge for work, so we decided to go out for lunch. We went to Royal East restaurant; they serve both Chinese & Malaysian food. One of my colleague is from Malaysia, and recommended the authentic Malaysian dishes. For appetizer, we had Roti Canai, Satay Chicken & Poh Piah. The satay chicken was too good, specially the sauce that came with it was very different than the normal peanut sauce that you get in any other restaurant. I loved the roti canai as well; the roti was fresh & flaky (which is good) & the chicken curry that was served with it was just awesome! For entree, we ordered Kurma Lamb, Hainanese Chicken, Beef Rendang, Pineapple Shrimp, Chicken Rice and Coconut Rice. The kurma lamb was spicy, flavorful but not hot and the beef rendang was hot & spicy. I did not like the Hainanese chicken much, as it is a steamed chicken dish, so I found the smell of chicken in it very strong. The rice dishes were very tasty too. All in all food was very good, every bite bursting with flavors and absolutely tasty. Being in Cambridge area it was obviously very busy, but the host was very courteous. I will definitely visit Royal East again and recommend you to try this place as well.

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A Private User

I eat at Royal East often. My very favorite meal in Boston is their salt and pepper scallops, followed by roast squab and pea tendrils. They have a good wine list with reasonably priced Italian and French whites and reds. The Barbera goes best with the squab. There are really two restaurants here, a standard American Chinese restaurant and a first class Cantonese restaurant. The American Chinese food is fast and cheap. General Gao chicken is OK. For a quick lunch the crispy salt and pepper pork chops are good, along with hot and sour soup. But look around you. The Chinese customers are ordering from the main menu. Seafood. Crispy fried chicken. Pea tendrils. At night there are usually four or five groups ordering banquet food. MIT professors and their grad students, a smattering of local foodies. You can order a spectacular meal with the help of the owner, Otto Chang. Order in advance their rack of lamb. For vegetarians, the bean curd dishes are very good, along with the special vegetables listed on the chalk board. Royal East is a quiet, clean restaurant where a knowledgeable diner can eat extremely well.

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CA

Catherine Cremaldi

I often wonder what is in the head of owners/chefs when it comes to food…..this food we ordered for take-out was unbelievably salty, cold and second rate….never used to be at this restaurant, the service people havent changed, still curt and uncaring, at least over the phone….but it used to be clean food that we had gotten over the years when we frequented Royal East……as much as its being written that Boston is a "food mecca", true that lots more restaurants have opened but most are not good and very expensive, who cares if its expensive and the food is stellar. Another thought is that "seniors", who frequent restaurants regularly have very little to choose from due to dietary needs or healthy needs, it should be healthy for our children, this generation and seniors. Oh for the day that someone might venture into a great, healthy Asian cuisine without having to visit them at home where I cant help but think they "cook from scratch" with lower salt content and more vegetables. I rest my case, yes I know whats good for you. A former food provider.

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A Private User

This place is very close to MIT, and I often go there after long hours studying in the library. The food is pretty good, but what sets this place apart in my book is: A. The portion sizes are generous. B. They usually have brown rice available. If you dont know why you should be eating brown rice instead of white rice, I urge you to get hold of a copy of "Eat, drink, and be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating," by Prof. Willett of Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. That being said, the fortune cookies (like all fortune cookies Ive seen anywhere) contain Trans-Fat.

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JO

Joshua Berk

At this near-authentic, mainly-Cantonese restaurant, the owner has fascination for getting the freshest seafood around -- much of which youll see in tanks near the entrance. If you must order American-ized sweet/sour food (e.g. General Tsos Chicken), get it delivered, as they wont serve it at your table (luckily, pick-up is also efficient). Szechuan-Style (beef/fish) dishes are best. Highlights: Lightly-sautéed Pea Tendrils, Suan La Chow Soup, Salt & Black Pepper Steak w/Green Beans, Pot Stickers, Pan-Fried Noodles, Shrimp-Stuffed Eggplant.

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j Li

Royal East not only delivers rare Southeast Asian dishes, but is also generous with their portions and humble in their attitude. The beef rendang, fried chicken wings, mee goreng, and nasi goreng take us back to fond memories of the time we lived in Southeast Asia. The coconut juice is also a good choice of order, as it has the mild sweetness of freshly extracted coconut juice, and even comes with slices of fresh coconut. Definitely a favorite.

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JA

James Daniel

Over the years I have been a regular there. Otto, the owner always make us feel welcome and often sends foods to our table that are not on the menu. The Salt & Pepper Pork Chops are great. They also S&P Scallops which are just amazing. Fresh food and vegetables. One time I had Alaskan King Crab there. It was prepared 3 ways. One of the best meals I have ever eaten. Royal East is the best Chinese restaraunt in the city.

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EY

Eyal Zilberman

Loving Chinese food on the East Coast is a relative statement. This is the best chinese food outside of chinatown and outside of dim sum that I have found in the greater Boston area. Its pretty darn good. Not too greasy. They also do a nice Malaysian style Thai curry that was quite nice and solid Lo Mein. It isnt quite back to San Francisco good, but it is totally edible.

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