Truly authentic Chinese. No ridiculous pictures on the menu. And they don't serve 45 flavors of "smoothies"..
(5)
Wally S.
Short and sweet. They love their white pepper. Egg drop soup was bland. They let us order off the lunch menu which was nice. I ordered the curry chicken over rice and found it to be more of a white pepper flavored onion dish with a few pieces of chicken. That's what I get for wanting Chinese food in Michigan City. Rather disappointing.
(1)
dave a.
Ordered hot and sour soup and kung pao chicken. Soup had way too much corn starch used to thicken it and was unremarkable, bland, very little meet and hardly any tofu, not much of anything. The kung pao chicken was 3/4 diced canned bamboo shoots (I looked up diced canned bamboo shoots and found Panda brand on sale that day for $2.25 for a large #10 can), no peanuts, no spice, very little chicken, no celery, few carrots.
(1)
James R.
Very good. I really liked the four season. Pork was awesome. Good house special fried rice as well. Good egg drop The only thing I didn't like was the canned Pop. Rather have fountain. The Pop was 1.25 a can.
(5)
Lenny S.
ate there on 11/26/2013. have been here many times over the years. went w/my 82+ father and his lady friend. the service was very timely. not rushed or late. dad had chicken chop suey, friend had egg foo yong, i had beef chop suey w/a a carry out order of beef w/pea pods and water chestnuts. the portions are amazing. the ingreadeints were fresh. food tasted truely home made. just to watch the interaction of the staff is amazing. we where treated as family. this truley the very best oriental resturant in the area. they now also derve beer and wine. can't wait to back. chiwolves.
(5)
Cate S.
The "Cashew Chicken" should be called "Mushroom Water Chestnuts". The food had very little flavor and even though the portion was lunch sized, the lack of cashews and chicken was very disappointing. The egg drop soup was also bland (even though egg drop soup is bland, this was more so than others I've had.)
(1)
Phil A.
Overpriced and underflavored based on orange chicken carry-out tonight. Double battered or over-fatted chicken or both. I dunno, this wasn't very good and maybe this area where my folks live rates it higher since they have no clue what P.F. Chang's is around here.
(2)
Joe H.
One of the better Chinese places in Michigan city. Good price for lunch. In a city with a lot of crappy Chinese food it is good to know that there are actually places that put effort into their food.
(4)
Corinne G.
The best Chinese food in the area, hands down! If you're used to Chinese buffets and cheap take-out, this is the opposite. The food here is fresh, authentic, and cooked to order. The owner is always working in the dining room and though its obvious that she runs a tight ship, she always remembers her customers and greets us warmly. The quality is evident in both the service and the food. It will take you awhile to get through the multipage menu, but the owner is very helpful, willing to answer any questions, and even very accommodating of special requests, i.e. more or less heat in a particular dish. My particular favorites are the curry beef (make sure to get the "special" curry), mongolian beef, mu-shu pork, and shrimp with lobster sauce. Each of these dishes I've had elsewhere, and they just don't compare with those at the Oriental Pearl. The restaurant is located in the northern part of the downtown area, so it is convenient from the lake, outlet mall, or casino. I'm not sure how long they've been in business, but I'm guessing over 20 years -- I've been going there for at least 15 -- and there's a reason they've been in business that long. The food is simply outstanding.
(5)
Angie K.
They are so nice and friendly here that I really wanted to love their food. Unfortunately, I can't even say I liked it. It was edible, but not enjoyable. The Hunan sauce seemed watered down, and wasn't even spicy. On a positive note, my dish had a very good variety of vegetables.
(2)
Jim T.
1st night ad being a tourist I had no clue where to go, so I yelped this place cause I had a taste for Chinese food. When I walked in it looked like the place just got slammed with customers and there were only 2 waitresses that i counted. 1 hurried to clear a table for us and sat us in a booth gave us our menus and then we waited, and waited, and waited. Finally she reappear took our order yet seamed rushed. My guess is that she must have had several job functions. Found out that because they are withing so many feet of a church they could not serve alcohol (ok Indiana is living up to its reputation in my book). The food was mediocre, I was hoping for better. Maybe my expectations are to hi for a small town being from the Chicago area. Would I go back... Yes. Every place deserves a 2nd chance.
(4)
Dina E.
I love this little Chinese place in Michigan City. I am very particular about my Chinese food and I go here often. The restaurant is a local spot with great, hot, fresh, food and the owners take pride in their business. They've been around for many years and God willing will continue to be. Try the shrimp with pea pods and egg drop soup!
(5)
Tina W.
This family run restaurant is amazing! We've been going here for ever! It's fresh and amazing, something for everyone! I am SUPER picky about Chinese restaurants, would never eat at a buffet. Oriental Pearl is amazing! Great lunch specials, super carry out and huge family tables with Lazy Susan's to enjoy a dinner out with the entire family. The owners spend their one day off, Mondays, to go to shopping at the markets in Chicago. These folks are as friendly as can be and take great pride in running a fantastic restaurant. You might wait a little whole for the food or carry out might run a little late, but it's SO worth it. If you want fast, hit the buffet. If you want a super meal made with pride, Oriental Pearl is for you. Enjoy!
(5)
Alex B.
Get the Mongolian beef! Best thing on their great menu. Very nice owner.
(5)
Cari A.
Service was really slow, but it was because they were extremely busy! I have not found any chinese restaurant comparable to one close to home until now! Really really good food! Amazingly delicious!!!! I had the beef kow, plus egg drop soup, tried an egg roll and their crab rangoons... All delicious though the crab rangoons could've had some extra filling in them! My fiance ate the kung pow chicken and he said it was pretty good, but could use some extra spice! Will definitely be eating there again! YUM!
(4)
Tom K.
As good as it gets for Chinese in the Michiana area. Shrimp with Lobster Sauce is delish as is the Broccoli with Oyster Sauce.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Katie T.
Truly authentic Chinese. No ridiculous pictures on the menu. And they don't serve 45 flavors of "smoothies"..
(5)Wally S.
Short and sweet. They love their white pepper. Egg drop soup was bland. They let us order off the lunch menu which was nice. I ordered the curry chicken over rice and found it to be more of a white pepper flavored onion dish with a few pieces of chicken. That's what I get for wanting Chinese food in Michigan City. Rather disappointing.
(1)dave a.
Ordered hot and sour soup and kung pao chicken. Soup had way too much corn starch used to thicken it and was unremarkable, bland, very little meet and hardly any tofu, not much of anything. The kung pao chicken was 3/4 diced canned bamboo shoots (I looked up diced canned bamboo shoots and found Panda brand on sale that day for $2.25 for a large #10 can), no peanuts, no spice, very little chicken, no celery, few carrots.
(1)James R.
Very good. I really liked the four season. Pork was awesome. Good house special fried rice as well. Good egg drop The only thing I didn't like was the canned Pop. Rather have fountain. The Pop was 1.25 a can.
(5)Lenny S.
ate there on 11/26/2013. have been here many times over the years. went w/my 82+ father and his lady friend. the service was very timely. not rushed or late. dad had chicken chop suey, friend had egg foo yong, i had beef chop suey w/a a carry out order of beef w/pea pods and water chestnuts. the portions are amazing. the ingreadeints were fresh. food tasted truely home made. just to watch the interaction of the staff is amazing. we where treated as family. this truley the very best oriental resturant in the area. they now also derve beer and wine. can't wait to back. chiwolves.
(5)Cate S.
The "Cashew Chicken" should be called "Mushroom Water Chestnuts". The food had very little flavor and even though the portion was lunch sized, the lack of cashews and chicken was very disappointing. The egg drop soup was also bland (even though egg drop soup is bland, this was more so than others I've had.)
(1)Phil A.
Overpriced and underflavored based on orange chicken carry-out tonight. Double battered or over-fatted chicken or both. I dunno, this wasn't very good and maybe this area where my folks live rates it higher since they have no clue what P.F. Chang's is around here.
(2)Joe H.
One of the better Chinese places in Michigan city. Good price for lunch. In a city with a lot of crappy Chinese food it is good to know that there are actually places that put effort into their food.
(4)Corinne G.
The best Chinese food in the area, hands down! If you're used to Chinese buffets and cheap take-out, this is the opposite. The food here is fresh, authentic, and cooked to order. The owner is always working in the dining room and though its obvious that she runs a tight ship, she always remembers her customers and greets us warmly. The quality is evident in both the service and the food. It will take you awhile to get through the multipage menu, but the owner is very helpful, willing to answer any questions, and even very accommodating of special requests, i.e. more or less heat in a particular dish. My particular favorites are the curry beef (make sure to get the "special" curry), mongolian beef, mu-shu pork, and shrimp with lobster sauce. Each of these dishes I've had elsewhere, and they just don't compare with those at the Oriental Pearl. The restaurant is located in the northern part of the downtown area, so it is convenient from the lake, outlet mall, or casino. I'm not sure how long they've been in business, but I'm guessing over 20 years -- I've been going there for at least 15 -- and there's a reason they've been in business that long. The food is simply outstanding.
(5)Angie K.
They are so nice and friendly here that I really wanted to love their food. Unfortunately, I can't even say I liked it. It was edible, but not enjoyable. The Hunan sauce seemed watered down, and wasn't even spicy. On a positive note, my dish had a very good variety of vegetables.
(2)Jim T.
1st night ad being a tourist I had no clue where to go, so I yelped this place cause I had a taste for Chinese food. When I walked in it looked like the place just got slammed with customers and there were only 2 waitresses that i counted. 1 hurried to clear a table for us and sat us in a booth gave us our menus and then we waited, and waited, and waited. Finally she reappear took our order yet seamed rushed. My guess is that she must have had several job functions. Found out that because they are withing so many feet of a church they could not serve alcohol (ok Indiana is living up to its reputation in my book). The food was mediocre, I was hoping for better. Maybe my expectations are to hi for a small town being from the Chicago area. Would I go back... Yes. Every place deserves a 2nd chance.
(4)Dina E.
I love this little Chinese place in Michigan City. I am very particular about my Chinese food and I go here often. The restaurant is a local spot with great, hot, fresh, food and the owners take pride in their business. They've been around for many years and God willing will continue to be. Try the shrimp with pea pods and egg drop soup!
(5)Tina W.
This family run restaurant is amazing! We've been going here for ever! It's fresh and amazing, something for everyone! I am SUPER picky about Chinese restaurants, would never eat at a buffet. Oriental Pearl is amazing! Great lunch specials, super carry out and huge family tables with Lazy Susan's to enjoy a dinner out with the entire family. The owners spend their one day off, Mondays, to go to shopping at the markets in Chicago. These folks are as friendly as can be and take great pride in running a fantastic restaurant. You might wait a little whole for the food or carry out might run a little late, but it's SO worth it. If you want fast, hit the buffet. If you want a super meal made with pride, Oriental Pearl is for you. Enjoy!
(5)Alex B.
Get the Mongolian beef! Best thing on their great menu. Very nice owner.
(5)Cari A.
Service was really slow, but it was because they were extremely busy! I have not found any chinese restaurant comparable to one close to home until now! Really really good food! Amazingly delicious!!!! I had the beef kow, plus egg drop soup, tried an egg roll and their crab rangoons... All delicious though the crab rangoons could've had some extra filling in them! My fiance ate the kung pow chicken and he said it was pretty good, but could use some extra spice! Will definitely be eating there again! YUM!
(4)Tom K.
As good as it gets for Chinese in the Michiana area. Shrimp with Lobster Sauce is delish as is the Broccoli with Oyster Sauce.
(5)