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Name: Royal East Restaurant
Address: 792 Main St, Cambridge, MA, 02139
Telephone: (617) 661-1660
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.42

Royal East Restaurant

792 Main St, Cambridge, MA, 02139

(617) 661-1660
Store is closed

Royal East Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Spring Rolls

Barbecued Baby Back Ribs

Fried Chicken Wings

Fried Chicken Fingers

Pork Strips
Soups

Roast Pork Wonton Soup

Hot And Sour Soup

Seaweed With Shrimp

Seafood With Bean Cake

Szechuan Pickles With Bean Cake
Seafood

Steamed Lobster

Pan Seared Grey Sole

Chef's Special Fish (sole)

Fillets Of Fish

Steamed Grey Sole
Pork

Pork Hunan Style*

Sliced Pork

Hot Spiced Pork

Spicy Diced Pork*

Roast Pork
Fried Rice

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Shrimp Fried Rice

Beef Fried Rice

roast Pork Fried Rice

Fried Rice

Healthy Meal suggestions for Royal East Restaurant

Appetizers

Spring Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbecued Baby Back Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Chicken Fingers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Strips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups

Roast Pork Wonton Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot And Sour Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seaweed With Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood With Bean Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Szechuan Pickles With Bean Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood

Steamed Lobster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Seared Grey Sole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Special Fish (sole) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fillets Of Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Grey Sole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pork

Pork Hunan Style* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sliced Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Spiced Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Diced Pork* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fried Rice

Yang Chow Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

roast Pork Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Kenneth O.

Royal East offers competently made standard Chinese American items, priced competitively. I rate the Royal East a cut above other restaurants in the genre because it also offers more flavorful dishes, consumed in large quantities by graduate students from China. For a good meal, look at what the Chinese graduate students order, then order the same. Some dishes and comments . . . . Appetizers Suan La Chow Show - standard fare well prepared... flavorful Juicy Little Neck Clams with Black Bean Sauce - delicious Peking Ravioli - standard fare but a bit too greasy Scallion Pancakes - not good -- too dry and tough Main dishes Sauteed Pea Pod Stems - excellent seasonal selection, with carefully cleaned peapod stems and excellent garlic sauce. Order this dish if available. Salt Baked Chicken - authentic dish, delicious. Salt and Pepper Squid - standard item very well prepared Singapore Style Noodles - standard fare well prepared Chow Foon - dry fried is standard fare well prepared Squid with Black Bean - well done standard -- personal favorite Roasted Duck - juicy meat and crispy skin on one visit; dry meat held too long on another. Fried Bean Cake with Minced Shrimp - tofu / shrimp dumplings... drew raves from some, left by others. Eggplant with Garlic Sauce - standard item well prepared Other comments - on street parking is fairly easy, a real plus in Cambridge. Would not leave valuables in sight in the car in this or other urban neighborhoods. Service is efficient and courteous. And an excellent value -- food is very reasonably priced.
(3)
Jess L.

My family has been going here for years, so there is probably some bias in my review. Though, given that my [Chinese side of the] family has been coming here for literally decades, I think that says something, too. Some of the best dishes I've ever had here are Szechuan beef and full fish -- including fish head soup. Really delightful.
(4)
Carol C.

I have a love-love relationship with the "Royal FEAST" as I call it. This place is amazing. Definitely some of the best Chinese food I've had in the Boston area, including a lot of spots in Chinatown, of course! So, I am currently dating a guy who, when we started dating, lived a floor above the restaurant, at 790 Main. You know how it is when you start dating someone, so we were ordering from there twice a week for a little while. It is easy, so DELICIOUS, fast, reasonably priced (order 2 entrees and make your own rice at home, you have dinner and enough for lunches the next day!!!). Love this place, and even though we've moved in together, and we are a 15-20 minute walk away from Royal Feast, we still go once in a while. And we are always delighted! The menu is part American-Chinese, part Cantonese & Szechuan. Ample spicy and vegetarian choices if that's your bag. My favorite dishes: +Crispy Spicy Beef with Tangerine Flavor. Spicy flavor, usually kind of tough so you have to be ready for that, tons of sweet, savory sauce to go with it. No vegetables at all in this one, and that's ok with me. +Salt and Pepper Squid. Calimari done spicy and crispy, never too oily. Mixed in with peppers and served with a tangy dipping sauce on the side..delicious! +Crispy Roasted Long Island Duck. While I do love their duck, I really suggest taking the T down to Chinatown and getting it in one of the windows for a few bucks less. +Lightly sauteed pea tendrils, with some garlic and light oil. It was on the oily side, but the only vegetarian dish I've EVER truly loved. They always give you too much fried rice, which is awesome. I think the only downside to this restaurant is that it is a little pricey, but for one of the best Chinese restaurants in Boston/Cambridge, I think its worth it now and again.
(5)
Hubert H.

Took a dip in standards over the last decade or so. I remember this restaurant as being the jewel of Cambridge, fresh fish, stir-fried clams in black bean sauce, etc. However the most recent visit yielded sweet and sour fish (a little undistinctive). The sour part of the evening was a fish dish where they were supposed to deep fry the bone to make it extra crispy to be edible, and the meat of that fish, stir-fried, would be put on top of the dish. They initially said $12.95 for the dish, but the bill came to $29 for that dish. It's possible we may have misheard the price quote, but in any case the deep-fried portion wasn't edible. And not enough fish meat either. The crispy chicken - somewhat big pieces of chicken, white meat not tender enough - you can do much better in Chinatown. Beef and vegetables - Beef tender enough but not super fragrant or tasty. All in all good, and might still be the best in Cambridge, but at this point a trip across the Charles might be worth the effort.
(3)
Eric K.

I joined Yelp solely to give this restaurant a great review. It is quiet, spacious, pleasant, and cheap. They've always been gracious hosts as well. I can't guarantee much of the menu, because I always get the same things: I really like the spicy tangy green beans, the eggplant in spicy garlic sauce, the roti canai appetizer, and the malaysian beef curry. It's really tough for me to find a nice restaurant that's quiet enough to talk with my friends. If that's what you're looking for, give this a shot.
(5)
Kristyn I.

I hate to do this as my review will probably deter MANY people from eating here but I have to...COOK WAS COOKING HALF NAKED!!! I went to the Royal East with my entire family and boyfriend on the recommendation of my father, who used to go all the time when he worked in Cambridge 13 years ago and remembered them having great soup. We went on a Thursday night and there was no one in there (should have been our first red flag). We ordered a plethera of appetizers and entrees, and soup to go around. I have to say, the soup and appetizers were awesome. The hot and sour soup was some of the best I've had in Boston, and the pu pu platter was fresh and crispy. The plates were all chipped and cracked which was a bit weird but easily dismissed. And it all went downhill from there. The entrees came out in varying degrees of horrifying. The peking duck had to have died of old age, and no one at the table could eat it. The friend rice was overcooked and a weird dark brown color, with no veggies or anything to be seen. The general tso's chicken was sickeningly sweet, and the beef with garlic sauce was swimming in so much grease that only one or two brave souls at the table tried it. No one ate anything for entrees and we did NOT have them pack it up. Just as we were laying our forks down, my sister got wide-eyed and starts nudging my boyfriend to look to the kitchen, so naturally we all turn to look. And see the cook sauntering about the kitchen door. WITH NO SHIRT ON!!!!! He had on a dirty apron and gym shorts and THAT'S IT! Seeing a shirtless man with man boobs sweating like a pig and knowing that he just prepared our meal was enough to turn us all a bit green. The restaurant owner saw us staring agape at the cook and shoved him back into the kitchen and our waiter came over and said in broken English, "Oh, very hot in kitchen!" I'm VERY sure the Health Department wouldn't have agreed with him that that was an acceptable excuse for half-naked men preparing food. Will absolutely NEVER go back and I'm sorry we wasted the money.
(1)
Dan F.

To me most three star reviews typically mean "don't bother. you can do better." But the Royal East is a solid three. Admittedly, this place has sentimental value for me. I went here frequently with friends for a long time cause it easily accommodated parties of 10 - 15. But going here now the food is still pretty solid. Here's a run down of what we had Scallion Pie - nice and crispy. good flavor. Tofu pillows with shrimp - texture is great, flavor is a bit lacking. the sauce could have given it more flavor but didn't. Pan fried noodles with fish fillet - Solid dish. Fish was flavorful. General Gau's chicken - strange. it was unlike most general gau's. it wasn't bad, but not what I was looking for Sirloin beef with pepper sauce - excellent. At the end of the day, this is why I went here anyways and the dish didn't disappoint. Would I recommend this place to a friend? No. Would I take a friend here? Definitely.
(3)
Jeff W.

Food is both really oily and not that great.
(2)
indojin i.

we have been coming here since longer back than I can remember. My favorite chinese restaurant in the Boston area. Here's a few things to ask for that don't always appear on the menu (but they have, and will make for you) pan fried grey sole with ginger and scallions lobster fried with garlic and butter pan fried noodles with vegetables (no bean sprouts) sauteed pea tendrils general gao's is the way to go. don't get lo mein, it's gross anywhere
(5)
Julia K.

The menu is a mix of chinese and malaysian dishes. I'd focus on the malaysian dishes, since there are far fewer malaysian restaurants in the area. The owner, Auntie Karen, was extremely welcoming and is from malaysia; she can provide her suggestions and explain any of the dishes. The classic malaysian dishes were all delicious and real comfort foods: 1) Roti Canai - Crispy thin layered pancake with a side dipping sauce of curry with some small chunks of carrot/potatoes/chicken/light hint of coconut. 2) Char Kway Teow - Sauteed rice noodles in a rich brown sauce with smoky wok flavors; somewhat similar to chow fun. 3) Nasi Lemak - A wonderful assortment of curry chicken, sambal w/dried anchovies, boiled egg, cucumber and peanuts, all to be accompanied with lightly coconut flavored rice. The dish is seemingly so simplistic but the flavors marry so well together. Every bite is crunchy, fresh and savory. 4) Beef Rendang - Chunks of stewed, melt in your mouth beef flavored with chillis and lots of lemongrass. To end the meal, we were given some canned pineapple chunks and fortune cookies. The pineapple seemed a bit odd, but it was nice to have something sweet and cold to cleanse the palette. The restaurant is spacious, so this would be a great place for large groups. The eclectic menu is sure to please everyone.
(4)
Carolyn L.

This place... was terrible. I wanted to like it, since I drive by here all the time, and with the 3.5 star ratings I finally thought I would give it a chance. Starting out with why this is getting two whole stars - the pad thai, crispy, was amazing - probably the best I have had in Cambridge, certainly the best I've had in a long time. Would definitely order again, although I requested no egg and I feel I got EXTRA egg. Don't recommend for people with severe allergies. Wonton soup: oh, I wanted to love you but you were so, so, SO disappointing. There are only like, three ingredients in this soup - how do you mess it up?! The broth was so unflavored it was basically water, and they packed it horribly so half of it slopped out the sides upon taking it out of the bag. Fried rice: cold. Gross. Soggy...how?? It's fried rice! And the garlic pork: I requested non-spicy and got super spicy, and soggy/congealed. Unfortunately we won't be back, not even for the pad thai.
(2)
Chenkai L.

This restaurant used to be a strictly Chinese restaurant until they changed ownership a few years ago, they are now serve great malaysian food as well. Everything we ordered here was delicious. The dishes here comes pretty heavy on the palette so make sure to order white rice along with the dishes. We ordered the daily special, a sting ray dish for only about $18, very reasonable and tasty. Their roti canai is the best I have had in boston, perfectly made bread with awesome curry dip. We also got the red chicken and beef rendang, both also great. I rarely find a restaurant in boston where every single dish is great, and this restaurant did that for me, a must try for great malaysian cuisines!
(5)
Dorise G.

My friend and I went straight Malaysian on this order and were super pleased. We ordered the Mee Goreng and the Taro Pot to share, which was a perfect amount of food for full bellies and enough for one of us to take home lunch. The taro pot was crispy out the outside and velvety on the inside, the veggies were fresh, the shrimp large, and the seafood all cooked well. The Mee Goreng was spicy but not overly so, the tofu had a nice fry, the egg gave it an extra bit of chew, and it was all pretty much as good as you could hope for it to be. We asked for an extra spicy sauce, and the chile sauce they brought was on point for kick. Also, if you're like me and are a limeaid nut, this is about as close to perfection as I've found. Not too sweet or too sour or too syrupy, it tasted fresh squeezed (they said it would be and I believe them) and I might go back for the limeaid alone. Only wound up trying this place because I was in the mood for Thai and Pepper Sky was closed, but this place is a giant win. It was nearly empty, though, so I'm hoping they're making their $$ through takeout/delivery orders - I will definitely be back, and in a competitive market, this has made its way toward the top of my central square list.
(5)
Tracy B.

Co worker came over to me today told me we HAD to order from here and I needed to try the Swan Lake Duck Dive soup or whatever it was called... So first off Network down at work today and NO WAY to get to Foodler or find a menu so right away Panic sets in... What did people do 20 years ago with No Internet or Yelp or Foodler, OMG Can you imagine? So finally I can get some service on iPad so I am able to foodler my way through the menu (and they dont deliver directly - they use another service $5.99 Delivery Fee) Co worker says SO WHAT, Go for it.. Wow... This place must be that good... So we order some soups (I was going to get the Duck Dynasty whatever, but they have Tom Yum & OOOOHHH Its my fave) So we order the soups, and Black Pepper Steak and I get a Shrimp & Veggie Thai dish as this place has Cantonese & Thai = BONUS!!! Food comes before quoted time which I sooo didnt think would happen considering it was a second hand delivery service. Tom Yum was soo perfectly spicy & possibly the BEST I ever had... Co worker loved her Swan Shoes La Chow Soup (I must have called this thing 100 diff names before lunch was over) Pepper Steak was a little chewy but SMOTHERED in this black pepper sauce & it was soo tasty... Not spicy or just too much black pepper but just perfect. The Shrimp Pad Ped was with Veggies in Coconut Milk & spices, Not too spicy but had a little kick, but soo tasty with SEVERAL big plump shrimp... All in all a GREAT lunch, a little pricey as they had no lunch specials but I would soo pay again for the food it was that good & I have leftovers for tomorrow now... You wont be disappointed - Ill try more next time & report back!
(4)
Catherine B.

Great for any night when you don't want to cook. It's a staple for us a few nights a month.
(4)
Belinda L.

This is really an awesome place for South East Asian cuisine!! I'm really not sure why the ratings aren't higher. My friend from Singapore who's been living in Boston for the past 5 years highly recommended this place on my first visit to town. I was new to Boston, so of course I trusted her, and she couldn't have been more right. We ordered the Bak Kut Teh, the Ipoh Seafood Chow Fun and the Taro Pot. The chow fun and taro pot both had very generous servings of seafood so they were realy satisfying. Boston has some of the best seafood around!! I like how both dishes also came with lots of vegetables so it's not all seafood. I found the sauce for the chow fun a tad too salty for me, but the dish is nicely done, just like the way it is back home. If I go back I will remember to let them know about the sauce when I place the orders. The taro in the taro pot is perfect, light and crispy on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside. It does get pretty heavy after a while, the two of us couldn't finish it even though we were hungry, but I am not complaining since that means I got to take it home =)
(4)
Jared P.

Acceptable. I asked for spicy. I asked for really spicy. I even said it in Chinese. Whatever. The Malay curry was tasty, but I don't see why I should pay $3 for white rice. My food should come with that. My wife's pad thai was meh.
(2)
Angela Y.

+ plenty of seating, not squished with your neighbors + lots of menu choices, not just Chinese food + friendly server and staff + food comes out fast + a TV for game days (if that's your thing) -not very unique or authentic This place is your average sit-
(4)
BostonBestEats X.

Our Chowhound Saturday lunch crew went there for Malaysian, and it was quite tasty! They also have a Chinese side of the menu, but we didn't try it. We had: 1) Ayam Merah ~Spicy tomato chicken curry (bone in), a special 2) Beef Rending ($15) ~Beef stew in coconut milk sauce 3) Gado Gado ($10) ~Bean sprouts, egg wedges, tofu, cucumber and jicama with a creamy, spicy, tomato peanut sauce 4) Kang Kung Belacan ($13) ~Greens saute with spicy shrimp paste 5) Kurma Lamb ($19) ~Crushed cashews, red, green peppers, onion and sliced lamb in spicy curry, with cilantro My big "Good Bye Boston" party was held here 5 years ago, when it was under different owners, and I came back for a friends 65th birthday party as well. But it seems improved under the new management (I think they took over in 2012-2013).
(4)
Ann B.

Decided to try this restaurant after reading a recent Globe review and was not disappointed. The menu offers chinese, malaysian and thai dishes. We had the pan seared flounder which is served whole-very good-but pricy at $38. Also tried the garlic fried chicken, the skin was nice and crispy and had minced fried garlic showered on top; salt and pepper calamari, tender and seasoned well with chili pepper, ginger and spiced salt; beef lo men; and kang kung sauteed in a garlic sauce. Pricing of these dishes were reasonable and portions were generous. The staff was very friendly and water glasses were constantly filled. We will go back to try other dishes!
(4)
Christian S.

chjili crab! call one day beforehand
(5)
Fateh M.

Me and my friends decided to give it a try after hearing mixed review about this restaurant. We arrived and were seated at the corner by the window. The place was almost empty, which I don't understand why because it's Sunday and lunch time. I would expect more people. Anyways, the waiter gave us the menu. We looked at it but decided nothing was appealing for Malaysians cuisine. So when our server came, I didn't get his name but he looks like he knows Malaysian dishes. We asked what is not on the menu. So he suggested a few things: Kangkung Goreng Belacan, Asam Laksa, Stingray(Ikan Pari) with sambal, and some more. He even suggested to make the nasi lemak with ayam masak merah using halal ayam. That was so nice of him! So we ordered Nasi Lemak with Ayam, Asam Laksa, Char Kueh Teaw and Ikan Pari, Roti Canai. Nasi Lemak with Ayam was okay, the Asam Laksa was superb! Much better than the other Malaysian restaurant downtown. The Char Kueh Teaw wasn't what I expected, it's a bit dry and lack of taste. Roti Canai was awesome especially the curry that comes with it. But the winner is Ikan Pari. The sauce was so good it and the spiciness was just nice! All in all, it was a great experience, great food, great time!
(4)
Anna R.

We hosted a big birthday party of 60+ at the restaurant. We are not local, came from LA, the owner is very helpful. He even helped us to arrange planning service, birthday cake, help with transportation as well. Food is good, place is clean. Their service is the best, we are very happy overall. Thank you Royal East.
(5)
Sfo B.

It is an okay place for chinese food. The food is decent as well as the price and the service, but nothing special.
(3)
Ladyjane S.

This is our go-to Chinese take-out place. I always get the pan fried noodles with the fish fillets. I love the way they do the pan fried noodles. The General Gao and other Malaysian dishes we've tried have been good too. Sometimes they can be a bit inconsistent. The veggies are sometimes overcooked and the sauce is sometimes bland. The reason I rate them so high is because we ordered from them on Christmas day for a party of around 12-15 people and they were just so on point. The food was fantastic and the delivery guy was great. Everyone loved the food! I'll continue to order from here for parties in the future.
(4)
Lydia N.

I'm from Singapore and my husband and I love having Malaysian food here. Our favorites for the moment are Assam Laksa and the Beef Rendang. Husband really likes the popiah and overall we generally like it here. We read some of the less positive reviews and think that some folks might not be used to certain South East Asian presentation styles. For example, serving the whole roast chicken (including head and the nether regions) is very typical and can be jarring when you see it for the first time. Just keep this in mind when you go and ask ahead about the presentation style if there are concerns. Most items really should be fine. Enjoy and hope that you like it here!
(4)
N Z.

Come here if you are looking for authentic Malaysian food. I am a malaysian that lived in Cambridge - and my family and i were at Royal East every week! I recommend the roti canai, rendang, nasi lemak, char kuey teow, asam laksa, among others. The vegetarian dishes are delicious too - try the snap pea shoots or eggplant with tofu. During chinese new year, try the yee sang (prosperity salad) sprinkled with pomelos, crackers and salmon. So good! You can also order malaysian dishes that are not on the menu. We loved to order the yin yong (cantonese style noodles) and it was perfect each time. The owner Karen is a very friendly host and Jimmy (formerly of Penang restaurant) makes a mean teh tarik. The food portions are huge and the place is well ventilated. Great, casual place for family and friends. A gem in Central Square!
(5)
Allison L.

Chinese food as good as NYC. A rare find in Boston. The beef chow foon my standby for comfort food. We also frequently order the baby bok choy with mushrooms. Very flavorful and not too saucy. 3 entrees are frequently under $40. We also never wait for a table, no matter the time.
(4)
A. D.

The food is very good. I tried a few authentic Chinese dishes, they were all great. The portions are *very* large.
(4)
Court S.

*500th review goes to all the chickheads* My family threw a 90th bday party for my grandma here. Although this wouldn't be the place where I would necessarily throw a party for my 90 year old grandma, for MSG & salt reasons, I must say that there was enough room to accommodate about 30 of us.We had a private room that was spacious, yet plain. I would have preferred some soft music or background noise. Each table got their own dishes of food to share. I was only able to eat the crab ragoon, which was tasty & some veggie fried rice. The chicken was in fact a whole chicken- head, beck, feet-everything! We called this a chicken head. It was actually quite gross & because I don't eat chicken anymore (1 year down) I had to face the chicken in another direction. Looking at its expressionless face and burnt beck made me lightweight nauseas. I also tried some sautÃ©ed mushrooms which were horrid. I was thankful that I ate before the party because the food served really did me no justice. At least Cuchi Cuchi is right across the street, so that's a benefit. I really felt badly for the poor chickenhead.
(2)
Sandy T.

Penang in Chinatown use to be my go to spot for Malaysian food but the last two or three times that I ate there were disappointing. We decided to come here on a snowy Sunday evening. With the exception of about 2-3 other parties, the restaurant was fairly quiet. For appetizers we opted for the roti canai and the satay chicken skewers both of which were very good. And for entrees we had their signature sizzling sirloin steak recommended by the owner, razor clams cooked in a black bean sauce and a steamed fish. The beef was so tender and juicy and the clams were to die for. I personally don't eat fish but my 3 year old ate it in its entirety so I am going to assume it was delish. Service was fast and our waitress/water boy was very diligent about clearing our plates and refilling our glasses. I enjoyed the food here and will definitely come again over Penang.
(4)
Paula P.

Tried this place for the first time and really enjoyed it. I am not a fan of Chinese foods (except the real thing) and was quite pleased at how good and delicious it was! Loved that there was Chinese and Malaysian items on the menu. Not over greasy and plentiful portions. They offer healthy options of brown rice and vegetarian (vegan) foods which was a nice surprise. Most Chinese restaurants add chicken and pork to so many of their menu items. Things that we ordered and found delicious were: Spring Rolls, Brown Rice, Vegetarian Rice, Poh Piah and the Lobster Rolls. Will be back for more! If you are in a rush and want to order ahead, their online ordering system is fabulous! We didnt have any problems with the pickup and they didnt forget anything! Wish more restaurants had this feature on their website.
(4)
Adrienne R.

We came here for lunch on a Saturday, around 1. If it's (really) cold outside, don't sit by the windows! I didn't wear enough layers so I was a bit uncomfortable. We came here to try the Malaysian side of the menu. We ordered the gado gado, beef rednang, a chicken special (red curry I think?), lamb curry, and watercress shoots cooked in shrimp paste. My favorites were the lamb and watercress; the lamb tasted like it was cooked in Japanese curry (but better) and the shoots had a lovely garlic flavor which really contrasted with our other items. the sauce on the chicken really sneaks up on you, it was so spicy. The beef was a bit dry, but if you add some of the paste/sauce it comes with it's totally good!
(5)
Poh Y.

As a Malaysian, I think this is one of the more authentic Malaysian restaurants. Truly enjoyed the dark Hokkien Noodles and the Ipoh Hor Fun. Don't forget to ask for the spicy Sambal Belacan to go with your food. It's not on the menu anywhere and the waiters might not know about it. You'll have to ask the owner Karen.
(5)
Liza S.

OMG!!! This was what came out of my mouth when I first tasted their Assam Laksa! ITS THE REAL DEAL! I am from Singapore and misses our local food back home constantly. I tried Penang in Boston and it didn't not came close at all. They have authentic dishes from Malaysia and Singapore. Parking is easy and not that hard to get to for people like me living on the South Shore! TRY THEM!!
(5)
Mr. B.

No frills superb. 4.5 stars bitches! Spotless restrooms says it all. Very low key, low budget decor but that's not what you go there for. I get lunch here once a week and I have not been disappointed once which is like miracle if you read my reviews. Get whatever you like it's all great. I do love the salt and pepper pork chop, I dream of it! Also it's a great value- if you have to buy lunch for a group it's win-win.
(4)
Bean C.

This is a mixed review. The staff were v. kind and attentive. The spicy green beans were excellent. Unfortunately, the Peking duck was awful. It was the worst we've ever had. The duck had absolutely no flavor. We recognize it's a problem to keep the duck warm when it's cut in the kitchen, but this was rather cold. Only the duck legs were somewhat flavorful. I do like the place, and I would go again, but order from the Malaysian and Singapore choices.
(3)
Kuidaore Sensei X.

The menu is a bit deceiving. I ordered the Pork Fried Rice and the Moo Shu Pork (delivery). I wasn't aware that I was actually ordering the Cold Fried Rice and the vegetarian Moo Shu Cabbage. Too many good options nearby. Look elsewhere unless you've got a thing for paying nearly $20 for half a boiled chicken.
(2)
Daanish N.

If you're chilling near MIT and craving Thai/Malaysian, this place is solid. Get a Thai Ice Tea with whatever you eat.
(4)
Amabel N.

Just came back again to satisfy my Malaysian food cravings. Had the Asam laksa..and it put a smile on my face. Beats having to go to Chinatown. Plus I personally think the Malaysian food is better here. I took off 1 star because service could be better. I'll definitely go back for the food.
(4)
Santa W.

We went here for lunch on Saturday around 12:30. There was only another party of around 10 people in the restaurant. The manager (owner?) was sitting behind the counter and told us to just pick a table. Soon thereafter more people started to come in. To our amazement, he brought everybody else to the table. What was wrong with us, we wonder? The food was good, but not outstanding. We ordered pohpiah, asam laksa and taro pot to eat there and Hainan chicken and rice to take away. The wait is rather long, even though the restaurant was not even one-third full, which means to us these are not the mainstream dishes at the restaurant. The pohpiah was good, and the taro pot was delicious with very fresh scallops and shrimp. The laksa was a bit too rich in my opinion, and the price was expensive for a noodle soup dish. The Hainan chicken and rice was a disappointment. It is not even close as being authentic, tasted more like the cantonese white chicken that you can get at chinese bbq places. The rice was not as tasty as the real hainan chicken rice. They served it on top of sautÃ©ed bean sprout, which was the first for us, and the condiments were generic chili sauce, ginger scallion sauce, and soy sauce from those plastic packets. Real Hainan chicken relies on the condiments to give the good taste, and this was a big disappointment. The waitress who served us was nice, but she is Chinese who has no expertise whatsoever with Malaysian food. She knows the names, but could not give any recommendation whatsoever. If I were them, I would have the manager, the cook, or the chef, or whoever come to the table and speak with us. While we were waiting for our food, and while we ate, the manager decided to show his DIY skills. He decided to fix several broken chairs very close to our table. We were separated by a low wall divider, but he kept using an electric power drill repeatedly. I can feel the noise in my teeth :-(, not to mention it disrupted our conversation. In summary, even though this place is walking distance from where I work, I'd rather take the Red Line to Chinatown and eat at a real Malaysian restaurant. I gave two stars because the taro pot was fresh and delicious.
(2)
Yaocheng L.

Had been here several times, I don't know why the rating is so low here, but the food is great! very Authentic Asian Food!
(5)
Hesam I.

Aweful restaurant. Very rude personnel and management. We walked in as a group of six we were completely neglected and they were sure they get their gratuity without providing service. Stay away from this horrible place.
(1)
Heidi O.

This review is based on only one take-out experience. Pad Ped chicken was unedible, had a sour taste to it as if its gone bad and I found a hair in it (most likely a nose or eyebrow hair) The Chicken Lo Mein was drenched in dark soy sauce without any additional flavorings. Scallion pancakes were dry, fried, burnt dough patties and not a trace of scallion. The only reason I give 2 stars instead of one is that the food was delivered much quicker than the estimated 45-90 minutes and that the Crab Rangoons were good.
(2)
McLaughlin P.

Being a singaporean looking for good Singaporean /Malaysian food, this was a good recommendation from fellow malaysian. Had their char keow teow (you have to ask for green chilies in vinegar because they don't offer it as standard) Also went there for their chinese new year dinner.
(4)
Justin H.

Eat here all the time with the family. Great Malaysian food that reminds us of home. The owner Karen is Malaysian too and very friendly.
(5)
Ziyan C.

GOOD FOR RUNNING EVENTS!! They have a private side room and can do a service menu for a group or buffet style like we requested. No extra charge for the room too, and I was able to reserve it just 4 days before a Saturday lunch event! While the food quality isn't the most top notch, major props for helping me run a 30+ person event. They... - opened up the restaurant 30 minutes before their usual time on a Saturday - created a menu within my budget (Otto helped me out. I just didn't want to really bother with looking through the whole menu and gave some general suggestions. He took care of the rest) - Were perfectly prompt and had the room set up and ready - Allowed us to bring in desserts from outside - Service was decent; we had to ask around for a server to bring out water/tea for everyone. The main manager who was in that day came in and checked up on things fairly frequently. The food: * Scallion pancake - soaked in oil and incredibly hard. * Vegetarian potstickers - don't get these. The filling is loose and lacking without meat. * Sesame chicken - good * Green beans - really liked this * Beef & Broccoli - the beef was really tender and good * Pork fried rice - good * Ginger & scallions Lo mein - also good
(4)
Liz O.

Food: No flavor, but you get a lot... to throw out Service: Well, it gets there REALLY fast, but they might drop it Price: Meh, I don't order take out much, but it seemed a bit pricey for what we got. The supposedly spicy mee goreng tasted just like lo mein from the food court. The chicken fried rice my boyfriend got had some nice dark soy flavor, but that was about it. The only reason they got two stars instead of one is that they delivered in 15 minutes, and I was really hungry. However, they dropped the soda on the ground and it exploded, but since I had already been charged on my credit card, the only thing he could offer was that I not give him a tip. Classy.
(2)
K V.

Really good food! Went with items from the Malaysian side of things - Kurma Lamb, Ipoh Chili Udang, and some Poh Aiah as an appetizer (was sort of like a spring roll, but different in a good way!) Nice and spicy! Went on a Tuesday night when most of the area seems to have cleared out (I would imagine this place gets packed at lunch). I'd go again when I'm in the area.
(4)
Halle R.

This place has improved a lot since I was here last year (both times with a group, neither time was I paying.) I couldn't stop eating the dumplings, which I believe are listed as peking ravioli. I didn't even mind that my dining companions were looking at me askance for taking them all. The tofu curry we got was also delicious, but skip the fried rice- ours was sort of boring in comparison with all the other flavor-packed dishes. I'd recommend it for large groups and business dinners, or if you've got out of town folk you're entertaining. The prices seem a little high for dinner out with just a couple people, though.
(4)
Z T.

My favorite place for Malaysian food. Been here solely for Malaysian food. This place is pretty good for Malaysian food. Some Malaysians items are not on the menu but on the specials board. Nasi lemak, Hainanese Chicken, Asam Laksa.
(5)
Jeffrey Y.

Nothing too special about this place. A big plus, the portions are large. Hot and sour soup: It was way too spicy. Shrimp in a black bean sauce with bok choy: Overall the dish tasted fine, but they were stingy with the shrimp. Diced chicken with cashew and bamboo: A generic and safe dish that is difficult to screw up.
(2)
P. J.

Consistently good fare, whether take-out or eat-in. Try the Shrimp With Lobster Sauce, Tangy Spicy Green Beans, or the Pad Ped Chicken. Some reviewers have commented that staff are rude or unfriendly. My husband and I have been coming to the Royal East for about 15 years and everyone -- from the delivery drivers to the waiters to the owner -- has always been pleasant and courteous.
(5)
Dan J.

I had a great meal here the other night. I had just learned that Royal East had been taken over by the former owners of Island Hopper, so we went in to try it. I was disappointed not to see my favorite Island Hopper dish, Kapitan Chicken, on the menu but Karen (the manager) assured me that they could make it anytime--no problem. It was just as delicious as ever. It was a lovely night, with good service, a warm welcome from the owners, and delicious coconut chicken curry. Now that I know that the Island Hopper owners are offering Malaysian food at Royal East, I will start frequenting there much more often.
(5)
Tiffanie L.

Food was delicious, party of 4, and we all loved our food. Plus, the entire order came to just $65! We ordered 3 appetizers! My Mom had a sweet and sour shrimp dish, both my daughter and her boyfriend had duck, and I had the Singapore Rice Noodle dish with curry, pork and shrimp. For appetizers, we had spring roles and two orders of beef teriyaki. The first order was that good! I only held back a star because the place is rather plain atmosphere wise, otherwise, wonderful and glad we ate here.
(4)
David W.

Good and cheap Chinese food right at MIT's backyard. The lunch specials are simply amazing. If it weren't such a walk from campus, I would totally be coming here all the time!
(4)
Bill S.

Royal East has improved a *lot* since new management took over (the owners of the dearly departed Island Hopper in Back Bay, closed when their building was sold and redeveloped). Now, in addition to the very good Chinese food they've always served, Royal East offers much of the old Island Hopper menu: Malaysian, Thai, and some other Southeast Asian cuisines. The Malaysian food, in particular, is wonderful and not easy to find in the Boston area. The service is very nice and at least one of the principals is always there to offer advice about the menu. They are always happy to make something special, too, if you want, even some of the old Island Hopper favorites not (yet) on the menu. Not surprisingly, former Island Hopper devotees like us are trickling in as they learn of its surprise resurrection in Cambridge.
(4)
Justin C.

Eggplant stuffed with shrimp and steak strips in black pepper sauce are exact translations which don't seem too appetizing but when they were placed on the table, between another coworker and I, both plates were literally cleaned out in 10 minutes. I've only been here once and tried two dishes, but those two dishes were great. The eggplant was soft and went well with the chewier consistency of the shrimp. I don't usually pair shrimp with eggplant in my mind, but somehow their flavors blended harmoniously with a spoonful of rice. how the steak with black pepper was so tender while still being on the hot skillet plate for a few minutes, I have no idea, but I'm definitely not complaining. The pepper sauce added just the right amount of kick. My only gripe is that it took a while for our food to come after we ordered it. maybe it just felt like a long time 'cause i was so hungry. :/
(4)
JY C.

Came here for Malaysian food, one of the best Malaysian dishes I've had in the US. I highly recommend Nasi Lemak (coconut milk rice) - better and fresher than most I've had in Malaysia. They also have excellent Asam Laksa. Thai Ice Tea if you're thirsty for something sweet!
(5)
Tammy K.

They claim to have authentic Cantonese cuisine here. I have yet to see it, but if you are looking for greasy, mediocre Americanized Chinese food, this is the place to go. It's cheap, fast, and fairly edible.
(3)
Kan C.

It may not be the best Chinese restaurant in town but is definitely worth a try. KungPao shrimp is my favorite and they do good vegetables in real Chinese style!
(4)
Sarah D.

Decent food. Decent service. Pretty boring room. Completely Awesome beef teriyaki. I have been craving beef teriyaki for, oh, I dunno, around 2 years now. I have eaten it many times from many many places and it has been disappointing every single time. I was beginning to wonder if I had imagined it ever being good in the first place. This stuff used to be the Holy Grail of the Pu Pu platter, everybody wanted one! Were we so, so wrong? NOPE. It's super delicious, at least at Royal East. Kinda chewy, kinda tender, but still definitely recognizable as beef, with crispy caramelized not too saucy but goddamn tasty edges. And it is even more wonderful with a little of that hot mustard slathered on it. Yeah, that's right. They give you the hot mustard. I feel like a kid again. Except I get to have a beer with my meat-sticks.
(4)
MH K.

We took five people for dinner at Royal East and was greatly disappointed by the attitude of the hostess and the waitress. We ordered a lobster cooked in butter and garlic sauce. It was dry and flavorless. We also ordered a fish dish for our American friend who preferred to have his own dish. Despite extensive explanation to the hostess who was fluent in English, she recommended a whole grey sole which cost $34 and was way too big for one person. Over all, we feel the service was geared to getting the guests to spend more, not to enjoy the food. I don't think I will take my guests to Royal East any more. M. Cheng
(2)
Pamela C.

Great food, (Malaysian chicken and Green papaya salad. But I had the food delivered, and it came without rice...
(3)
Eric R.

I really liked The Royal East for years, but lately it's been downhill fast. I typically go there for lunch, and the lunch specials are cheap and filling. The problem is that they don't really taste like anything lately. I could be eating beans and rice and get the same texture and taste. I still love their duck dinner, it's quite spectacular, but with the bevy of insanely good Asian restaurants in the area, it's gotta be 2 stars. The tea is good, and the water is cold. They also have really nice chopsticks.
(2)
Fabiola L.

Unfortunately I am going to have to update my review. I used to be able to get the roti canai very mild and they used to be nice enough to replace the meat with tofu but my last visit here was anything but pleasurable. When I called in my order the guy on the phone seemed to be in an extreme hurry but I made sure to explain to him at least 3 times that I wanted the curry to be very mild (the lady that usually works here would make it very mild as I am not a lover of spicy food)....When I got there I asked him if I could taste it to make sure that it was mild. The time before this I had asked for mild and it was way too spicy. I called in to let them know and whoever answered the telephone said he would give me a complimentary order the next time. I tried using that complimentary order about 3 times and they kept telling me to call at another time because the guy who had to authorize it was never around. The guy seemed very irritated that I asked to sample the curry and then insisted on telling me that curry could never be made mild...mind you on the phone he told me that making it mild was no problem. He was being argumentative and rude so I left. If he wasn't going to make it mild then he should of just said so when I called. They lost my 5 stars....... ------------ I have moved back to Mass from NYC and was looking for some good roti canai and found it in the Royal East. I tried Penang and you might as well have handed me paper to eat. I tried this place and now am addicted to it. Also, the staff is super friendly and helpful, 2 thumbs up!
(1)
Ree T.

I ordered for the first time and had it delivered. Instead of buying separate appetizers I thought the pupu plater for two would be great. I thought I was going to receive at least 4 pieces each boy was I mistaken. You only get two pieces each of the shrimp, chicken wing, terriyaki, and egg roll, so it's one for you and one for me. They did give a bit more on the spareribs and 4 pieces of chicken finger. Anyway small portions sizes aside, I was let down by their crab rangoon, those were not tasty at all. On the plus side the spare ribs were very well done however you can also find those elsewhere where they serve better tasting crab rangoons and give better portion sizes.
(2)
Max K.

Let me say the royal east and I go way back, i'm talking about 15-18 years. yea it's an institution in my family. reading some of the other people's reviews i can tell you that i've never ordered the dishes they've had a poor experience with, so my recommendation is taste around the menu or follow my advice. the signatures here are the suan la chow soup...mmmm heavenly wontons with sprouts in a lightly spicy broth. and they don't skimp i'm talking 5 wontons in a serving (hello meal in a cup). After I'm finished with that, I have what no longer exists on the menu and to keep my relationship tight with the owner, i can't divulge. but lets just say its the best fried eggplant u've ever had. For main course, i start with moo shu shrimp, sesame beef, crispy noodles with shrimp and vegetables, and pea pod stems. Da bomb. oh ya an finishing up with some standard pineapple from a can. Other things that are good go to's here: beef teriyaki, dumplings, scallion pancake, clams and black bean sauce, shrimp and pea pods. There's no frills here at the royal east. so those looking for a 5 star decor or that crap they give you at PF Smith's (see what i did there), you won't find it. see you soon royal east!
(5)
Chris S.

After four years in Cambridge, I finally get to write about Royal East. I've been to this restaurant in all kinds of weather - pouring rain, blizzarding, pleasant autumn night, slush...etc., but Royal East's pan-fried noodles have never failed to disappoint. Don't get me wrong, I've been to Royal East enough times to sample a large selection of their menu, but this review is specifically about their pan-fried noodles. Pan-fried noodles are a Cantonese concoction, where thin noodles are first deep-fried for a bit and the accompanying toppings are literally poured over the noodles. The saucy topping softens the fried noodles a bit, but yet the noodle dish as a whole still has a satisfying crunch when you bite into it. Basically, it's a glorified version of the common lo-mien, but it is A LOT more tasty. Royal East mainly offers two types of pan-fried noodles: eight delights (basically a combination of various veggies, squid, fish cake, and some roast duck in a soy-based sauce) and seafood (scallops, fish, shrimp, bamboo shoots, cabbage in a lighter sauce). I go for the eight delights one when I'm particularly hungry, and the seafood one when I want something on the lighter side. I am a ravenous diner, so I usually pair this with a side order of Beijing Ravoli (potstickers), and Royal East is not bad at this as well. The only thing that has kind of confused me is the soy sauce that comes with the potstickers - it's more slimy than normal soy sauce I think, so I'm not really sure what they did to it (but it's still very tasty, so who cares, haha) The rest of their menu is standard fare that you can find at an American-Chinese restaurant. You know, the standard string beans, black pepper beef, teriyaki, pu pu platter, their (scarily) red General Gau's chicken. If you want a more authentic experience, head up to Mary Chung's like one block away. But man, I'm still craving those pan-fried noodles six months out from Cambridge. I want to shake the chef's hand. --- SUMMARY: -Pretty standard American-Chinese joint, hence the 3 stars. -Most of their dishes come out doused in black or brown sauce, but not too salty. -Efficient pick-up. -Great pot-stickers and pan-fried noodles! -Dining room looks like it hasn't been renovated in 20 years. -Never had to wait for a table, it's not that busy normally
(3)
Josh R.

I went to this restaurant for the first time on Sunday with a large group. The service was excellent, and some of the dishes were quite good--the eggplant in particular. The place seemed particularly well suited for large groups given the many big tables. I hesitate to give the restaurant a stronger rating because it didn't seem like great value compared to many other Chinese restaurants in the area. Dishes were large and easy to share, but the bill was surprisingly large for entrees that consisted mainly of vegetables. Prices tended toward the higher end of the $11-$30 range. Bottom line: good, but you can find better value.
(2)
Christine T.

I'm not a fan of the royal east. The dishes, no matter what you get taste dirty to me and are often sloppily prepared, i.e. getting General Gao sauce flavor in my Kung Pao... not a happy camper. I will say service even on busy days is pretty darn good, and the host and waitstaff are very friendly. Sadly they did not satisfy my chinese food craving this week.
(2)
Tom V.

Utterly disgusting. Last Thursday, we ordered from Royal East's delivery menu, and chose the Salt Baked Chicken With Special Herbs. At $15, it was a selection that caused us to expect a reasonably palatable dish. What we received was half a chicken, crudely hacked into dissimilarly sized chunks, bones and all, apparently soaked in brine and then baked at low temperature. The gelatinous mess looked raw, although further investigation revealed it to be sort of cooked. There was no flavor other than salt, no evidence of "Special Herbs". In short both of us gingerly took a bite of the unappetizing rubbery stuff and spat it out immediately. My better half promised to doctor up the sorry-looking mess with some real herbs and spices, and to stir fry it the next day, or to do something with it to make it edible. Apparently the idea of improving this dish was so revolting that it undermined all good intentions, and the remedial program was shelved. I found the container of dead flesh in the fridge today, a week after we took delivery and finally put it out of its misery by throwing it in the trash. Our previous experience with Royal East was somewhat ok if not stellar, and we have received edible, if not inspired dishes in the past. This revolting experience however has permanently damaged out impression of this establishment. If you do go there or order from their menu, do yourself a favor and bypass the Baked Chicken.
(1)
Martha L.

There are so many good Chinese restaurants in Boston, I don't even know how this one managed to stay in business. The food is horrible and just taste bad. Not so awful that you would get food poisoning or anything, but there are lots of alternatives. Why waste your money? I was there with a large party and someone ordered what they perceived to be the signature dishes of Royal East. The peking duck was very soso and the quantity was to be laughed at, with accompanying soup (supposedly made with the rest of the duck, after it had been carved), but it arrived with 3 drumsticks. There was a beef dish that arrived on a hot plate with black pepper sauce. The meat must have sat in a vat of tenderizer for a week because the texture was not that of beef.. or any other meat I know of. There was a tofu dish..that was totally bland, salt and pepper pork chops that was made with poor cuts of pork and more spicy than it should be. Ginger scallion lobster that was severely overcooked. And all the portions are small. The service was ok. What can I say.... go somewhere else...really.
(1)
Iknow F.

It's been awhile since I've been here as well However the food is really good Salt and pepper pork Beef and tomato Spicy string beans And to top it all off the food is crazy cheap Only place I go to in Boston for Chiness
(4)
Odin B.

A wide array of options. This is a mainstay for us. They are consistent in their taste, quality, and friently service. Great for family celebrations and chinese banquets.
(4)
Dessa R.

Royal East-- the forgotten jewel of Kentral (that's the area between Kendall & Central, genius). This option always escapes me until it's too late. It's pretty cheap, always has seating-- even on a Friday night. Great lunch specials, and pretty satisfying Chinese food all around. Lame fortunes in the cookies, but hey folks- you can't win em all.
(3)
Jeremy K.

Located between Kendall and Central square, this big restaurant serves up your typical Chinese food. You have your orange chicken, scallion pancakes, your general gau, and the hot&sour soup. All are very tasty and good and they have plenty of seating. All meals come with tea and their manager does check in occasionally in the evening to make sure that everything is alright. Their prices are great and the decor isn't too bad either. They also have a few interesting, unique dishes like one of their appetizers which is known as Suan La Chow and which is very popular and typical Szechuan dish, as much as the peking hot and sour soup, but they're totally different because the hot spices are different as there is little soup but dominated mainly with plum juicy wontons. I adore this dish, it's just awesome! I am also a big fan of their sweet and sour chicken dish which is very meaty and not too sugary and just tastes great! Don't like white rice? That's fine, they have brown rice too. And they serve big portions. Great deal, decent food and good service.
(4)
Jeff M.

This place sucks. It's dirt cheap though.
(1)
john g.

Under new management since the last time I was here 2 years ago. Absolutely fabulous food and excellent service. The menu offers Chinese, Malaysian, and Thai dishes with some very clever and tasty "fusion" options.
(5)
Ryuji S.

Everyone knows that the quality of Chinese food outside Chinatown is very mixed. This place serves decent food and their price is inexpensive. Their lunch menu is definitely as cheap as Hong Kong Eatery () in Chinatown. Royal East seasons their food very lightly. The flavor is not as rich as other places, and their food is not very salty. This might not be a bad thing, because you can always add some salt, but impossible to remove salt. So, if you don't like Chinese food because of too rich flavor and saltiness, you might want to try this place. Another thing about their food is that their spicy food is spicier than most Americanized Chinese places. Their hot and sour soup is literally hot and sour. Some dishes like Szechuan spicy chicken with peanuts also used more vinegar and less salt than what some may be used to. In summary, I think their food tends to be under-seasoned, and a bit on the spicy side (which I like), but they use fresh ingredients. I think the interior and exterior of this place are rather hideous but in many other ways this place is in good contrast to Mary Chung just a block away.
(4)
Jocelyn C.

I've never been inside this place, but I've ordered delivery from them several times now and can honestly say it's good stuff. I take back what I said about Beijing Tokyo, because not only does Royal East have shredded pork with garlic sauce, they have shredded BEEF with garlic sauce on the menu too. Whaaa? Yep, that's right. Also, I think they put crack in their dumplings (I refuse to call them "peking ravioli," boo), because those bastards are addictively delicious. The soups are okay though, nothing to write home about. The first time I ordered was through Mix Menu, but then realized that they'll deliver themselves minus the extra $5.00 fee if you call them directly. Sweet! (Mix Menu's kind of a rip-off anyway.)
(4)
Terry W.

Wow do yourself a favor and just throw up now and save yourself the 40 dollars and simulate the after meal experience. It was awful. The Generals Chicken was basically Sweet & Sour with red peppers in it. I've never seen Red (Bright Red) General's Chicken before(way to much corn starch as well) The fried rice was bland, the Dumplings(aka)Peking Ravioli were a big disappointment as well as the outside was rather rubbery. The wait-staff was horrible as well as I had to ask for everything..more water, a straw, soy sauce? I've honestly had better chinese food at lunch trucks in Philadelphia....
(1)
Jules C.

Fast crappy chinese food, probably 2.5 stars cause it has a somewhat cheap lunch menu. This is the kind of place that if you like it or think it's at all good, you have absolutely no idea what decent chinese food is. In the boston area, this is the benchmark for it's horrid futile tasteless chinese food scene.
(2)
Ver D.

Here's the trick: always order the specials that are on the board.. and you'll get the freshest, best stuff. Amazing whole steamed fish (usually they have a grey sole) with garlic and scallions... great veggie dishes (pea tendrils and baby bok choy are amazing!) that are healthy and tasty... Yes the common things Americans order at Chinese restaurants are available (like general Gau's chicken)... but why bother? The stuff on the board is always soo much better. Great scallion pancakes and dumplings. There is always room, no waiting - good for large parties. You can even pre-arrange a menu with the owner if you are having a large group come in and he'll tell you what fresh ingredients he can have for you on a particular date. Friendly staff, they accept credit cards and the prices are very reasonable. My favorite Chinese food in Cambridge.
(5)
Mark C.

I used to go there regularly a few years ago, and thought the food was great. I went there recently, ordered some dishes that I've ordered many times in the past and it tasted terrible -- mushy and bland. I also recognized the server. Funny thing was, she used to be kind of impatient and frowny towards me, but this time she was really really friendly. My guess is: they got a new chef, the food is bad, and they're losing business.
(2)
Ben F.

The suan la chow show is amazing.
(5)
Youyang G.

Nothing wrong with this place. It's a pretty typical Chinese restaurant. The food is decent, but probably not too authentic.
(4)
Dana J.

I've been eating here for years, the best 'Chinese' restaurant in town. Order the scallion pie, salt pepper porkchop, pork and string beans, also pork or beef, lo mein and fried rice, order it dark and spicy.. It can be very spicy so if you ate a lightweight order just dark. Beef and tomato is also great... There ate 20 other great items on the menu but these are the most popular items we order.
(5)
N C.

Its an Ok restaurant for price. It is better to order rather than having it there. This place stinks and not so clean. Food quality is OK. If we order some particular items, this place is good. You may go at once and check yourself.
(2)
Dayin C.

Type of cuisine: Chinese For the record, my mom is the best Chinese food chef I've ever had, and whenever we ordered out, we ordered from this place. Why? Cuz they have the best Chinese food in town. Warning, don't go here to dine on American-ized Chinese food. Yes I'm talking to the General Gao'ers, and Orange Chicken'ers out there. Forget that junk, I don't care if they make them good or not, this is for people that enjoy their Chinese food with more than one flavor and not friend and saucy. First off, given the area, Central Sq, the only other nearby Chinese is Pu Pu Hot pot, which is decent, but not sure if it's even there anymore, and this other place, across the street next to the salvation army, the name I forget, this place is the best in Cambridge next to places in China town. Also, you really have to know what you're doing, cuz like the other guy wrote on here, the best things are not on the menu...but then again, when you're Chinese and dine at Chinese restaurants, you hardly order off the menu anyways. I haven't tried everything on the menu but here's where this place stands out. Great lunch special with decent selection. The usual Hot and Sour soup is not generic, it's one of the best I've had, and I've had approximately, over the course of my life, over 10000 bowls of H&S soup, give or take a few thousands, you get the point. It's Sour but not too sour, and just the right mixture of bamboo shoots, mushrooms and tofu, of course I like mine with tone of white pepper. Then you can select from a list of fake-Chinese (Americanized) or a little better, like stuff with black bean sauce, or sauteed bok choy, or hallowed greens with fermented soy bean. But basically, everything is cooked with not too much greasy sauce, even the fake stuff is good sometimes. Onto the dinner: A few things we always ordered: Pinneaple and chicken - sounds fake, but the the chicken skin was really crispy and meat tender, it's not dipped in flour then flash fried. Any type of sauteed asian greens - basically never overcooked and just the right amount of seasoning - usually salt and garlic and oil, just the way it's supposed to be so you taste the flavor of the greens, not thick sauce. Any type of fish, lobster or crab, it was really fresh. The fried dumplings are actually really good, skin is crispy and thin, meat is not bad quality, and you don't have to spit anything out. The crispy duck, is good too, get it with street-flushing style with hoisen sauce, scallion shoots, and steamed bun. This place is def worth a regular trip to if you live in cambridge/skummerivile/ or even boston and don't want to go to china town for good Chinese. Disclaimer, things might have changed since a few years ago, when I last visited, but hopefully, it's still how I remember - quaint, not too greasy, nice atmosphere for a Chinese place, and simple but well done not too fake Chinese food. Can't wait to visit next time back home.
(4)
Alvin C.

I have only been here twice, but it was for a special university related dinner. We had the whole menu pretty much! I completely enjoyed it. They did not get the concept of not chilling the red wine sometimes, but I think I liked it better cold. (I know, I know.) The have a bass that is fresh, I mean they show it to you live, and then it is spice and sweet when cooked. Not a bad dish. It is not super fancy, but it is nice enough to go on a date if you are really into Chinesefood.
(4)
Madison B.

This place is great. I love the old school chinese feel with the lazy susans and the jasmine tea service. Everything we got here was delicious and will def be coming back!
(4)
Charoline D.

We arrive to meet up with some friends/acquaintances on a Sunday night around 8. The floor is practically empty as we make way to the party of 15 or so in the back room. VIP MOB OPP IMDB. We are sat and promptly given menus and tea. I decide to go with the boring old orange chicken. I wasn't too hungry or feeling inspired by this place and it's golden dragons adorning it's walls. We thought about what sort of music we'd want to hear. Babyface? Wilson Phillips? I'd want to hear some Huey Lewis but my money is on Sheryl Crow, after all, who doesn't like Sheryl Crow? I don't. I fucking hate Sheryl Crow. The food arrives and is place on the gigantic lazy susan at the center of the table. My orange chicken arrives soon after and is garnished with...tomatoes? Why did I find this so funny? You're going to serve me some battered chicken in orange sauce, and then garnish it with thinly sliced tomatoes. You say tomato, I say tomahto, you say potato, I say what is this? Caprese?
(3)
john e.

I only ate here because my ex girlfriend thought it is great. I do not understand why she thinks this place is alright. There really is not much choice around Central Square, but I left this place thinking that was really poor value for money. We both had greasy noodle dishes. She does not mind extra greasy food as much as I do and the grease tasted like it was about 10 years old. My advice is jump on the Red Line, get off at South Station, cross over Atlantic Avenue and just past the Chinatown Gate, there are about a dozen first class Chinese restaurants that are at the other end of the scale compared to this one.
(1)
Moomin T.

Not impressed. The food seemed sloppily prepared--the sauces were just poured straight out of the bottle or can--canned/frozen vegetables (and even those in short supply). Not coming back again, ever.
(1)
Thuy Tien L.

I think I will always have fond food memories of Royal East, all thanks to the very first time I ever ate here. It was during orientation week in my freshman year in college, and having been fed nothing (NOTHING) but burgers and chips for an entire freaking week (are MIT students supposed to have taste buds??), some friends and I were crying out for food, ANY KIND OF FOOD that was not grilled and slapped between two buns. In this sort of desperate state, we all found the food at Royal East to be mind-blowing and gobbled down every last noodle and grain of rice we were given. The moans and groans coming from our table must have elicited some stares. But yes, it was THAT good. The food I've gotten ever since that first time hasn't been quite comparable, but I've never been disappointed by a meal at Royal East. I still can't get enough of the crispy spicy beef, and their sweet corn chicken soup often nurses me back to health whenever I'm sick during those long, wet, frozen New England winters. Used to the shoddy service at most Asian restaurants, I don't really take it so personally if my waiter ignores me or forgets that I exist, but I have to mention that the service here is usually great. The owners are also really friendly and will remember your face and give you a little discount if you come in three times a week for take-out, as I did for a few weeks one summer a few years back. Wasn't much of a discount, but I thought the gesture was really sweet.
(4)
Shuo S.

Royal East is the place to go. If you're looking for a nice yet inexpensive lunch or if you're taking a group out to dinner, this place on the corner of Windsor and Main street in Cambridge is where you want to be. The food is always fresh and has a nice mix of southern-Chinese authenticity and Americanized taste so it's perfect for those wanting a little more than Chinese take-out. If you're on the adventurous side, you can always order the specials on the menu, or try the squab (you'll have to order it a day in advance so they can get the bird). If you're craving even more authentic Chinese food, or if southern Chinese is just not your thing, you can always go down the street to Mary Chung in Central Square. Ever since I discovered this place my freshman year of college, I've always come to Royal East for comfort food. What I get when I'm trying to settle down before finals or after a long day? Shrimp stuffed eggplant with black bean sauce. It's even better for lunch because for 7 bucks, you get the entree, rice, and a bowl of soup. The waiters are friendly, speak both Mandarin and Cantonese if you're into that, and will always keep your teapot and water glass freshened. Come here with groups too; Royal East is awesome when you order family style, and they have the rotating tray for the food at the bigger group tables! In short, come here for a nice mix of Cantonese authenticity and old-school Chinese flavor. And order the shrimp stuffed eggplant! =D Oh yeah, they deliver for free too if you order more than $25. Below that, it's $3 to deliver.
(5)
Huan z.

One of my friend really wanted to me try it. The taste of the foods are pretty strong, No wonder many people like it. For my own preference, I rather have lighter sauce, so I can have the real taste of the food. I would say the food are well prepared and cooked but it can be better. For people who like stronger taste. You should try it.
(3)
C S.

5 stars because the owner REALLY cares. He will look at the color of your tea and without a word, will have a waiter bring you better tea. Yes, it's what Americans want to eat and I'm an American. I go for lunch all the time. You will not find a bigger and better lunch selection for the price than at Royal East. This place is a bargain and the lunch crowd speaks for itself. Personal service, good food and great prices. 2 of us will have soup and a main dish. I like the chicken with baby bok choy with rice and maybe an eggroll. All for $12. For 2 people.
(5)
John D.

The food seemed fine, but the dishwasher was smoking in the kitchen. This was a favorite when we lived in Cambridge, now that we've moved away, it had become one of our stops when visiting. No more. The food was fine. It's pretty standard American Chinese food. I've had worse. We ate there on the evening of September 10. The quality of the food seemed a bit off. The scallion pie was greasy. The spinach in crab sauce was bland and gelatinous. The squid with ginger and scallions was good. After we finished our meal, one of us made a trip past the kitchen and saw that one member of the staff (later identified as the dishwasher) was smoking in the kitchen. This says to us that the restaurant doesn't care about the standards of hygiene. We first went to Royal East nearly 25 years ago. We won't be back.
(1)
Julia F.

Life-long loyal patron to Royal East. It is the place to go for Chinese in Cambridge. I love the place. I used to eat there when I was kid. I always got "Pan-Friend Noodles with vegetables" although I'm not sure I've ever seen it on the menu, I still ask for it and receive the comfort food of my childhood, just as I remember it. Although the menu has changed somewhat, it is still hands-down the best place to eat in Central. They cater to large parties, my family (well over ten people at a time) have gone there and enjoyed huge meals and not been ignored or under served because we were a large group.
(5)
J M.

I've eaten here before, and things seemed to be okay. But last night, I ordered "chicken in ginger scallion sauce", for delivery. What I got, over an hour later, was half of a roasted chicken, sliced up with the bone still attached. The whole works was stuffed awkwardly into a plastic takeout container with a whole bunch of greasy broth. No rice, no vegetables. Huge mess all over my counter. I was picking shards of chicken bone out of my mouth for ten minutes, before I gave up trying to eat it. Boo. :(
(1)
Kenneth R.

I don't live in the Boston area, so I can't tell you that I went to 10 Chinese restaurants in Cambridge and that this was the best one. I will tell you that I just walked out of there, all smiles, after a 3-hour banquet for 70 people. The dishes were pretty much all excellent. There were lots of dishes, many based on seafood (lobster, crab, whole fish). It's relevant that the dinner was organized by a Chinese customer who has been patronizing the restaurant for 10 years. I imagine that I won't get the same level of food if I walk in without him. Still, this evening at least, I was blown away.
(5)
Jessica R.

This place is ok. I've eaten there numerous times and thought it was not particularly great for vegetarians until I realized you could ask them to make anything you want and they will do it. So I normally ask for some kind of spicey dish with fried tofu and string beans. Still not my favorite though. They do have an interesting selection of chinese greens though. For some reason its a favorite of many professors I had at MIT.
(3)
molly f.

Assaulted with salt and pretty disgusted with the shape of the fish tanks in the entry...the staff was friendly and the tea kept coming, which was great. but otherwise my lo mein was so salty it was nearly inedible and the rest of the food was nothing to write home about. a miss, sadly.
(2)
Emily C.

Definitely the best Chinese food in Cambridge and quite possibly Boston to (yes I'm including Chinatown). There's two decently sized dining rooms so it's never super packed, and they accommodate large parties nicely. All the food is great--you can't go wrong. In particular, the pepper steak and lobster stick out in my mind as being awesome choices. The way a Chinese restaurant should be: huge portions and good prices. I lived four years in Cambridge for college and every time my parents visited, we had to have at least one meal here. And it was great because I got to keep the leftovers =).
(5)
David P.

Royal East is a solid option for Chinese food in Cambridge. It's a nice compromise between the crowded little store fronts that do more take out than eat in, and the upscale and much more pricey Changsho. They do the standards well and have a good variety of other items that focus on Cantonese and Szechuan styles.
(4)
Lynette M.

I just had my wedding rehearsal dinner for 60 at Royal East. The manager, Otto worked with me to put together a menu that met my needs and budget. He spent lots of time discussing the menu with me, accommodating the seating arrangements for the children in my party..making sure I ordered a well rounded mix of tasty dishes. The food is authentic and yummy, the service excellent and the price very reasonable. I look forward to hosting other family events at Royal East in the future. They have a separate room for parties in the back that is spacious. I found it hard to find quality venues in the Boston area for large groups that were not really expensive. Thanks Royal East!
(5)
Sami R.

Very good Chinese food. It didn't feel greasy like most Chinese restaurants. We ordered the Peking Duck, lobster with ginger and scallions, noodles with shrimp and vegetables, and the soft shell crab. Everything was really good. The ingredients tasted fresh.
(4)
Jean D.

Not only the worst Chinese food I have ever had, but possibly the worst meal I have ever had. I was almost sick after the first bite. I wouldn't feed this to my dog.
(1)
H L.

I may have a different taste over the chinese food. My Chinese friends from school days recommended this place to me many years ago. Since then, I have been a loyal customer with them during 4-5 years of my stay in Cambridge. They deliver the food to your door at no extra charge and I love the variety they have on the menu. Most of all, they do not add MSG in their food. The nicest thing of this restaurant is definitely the simplicity of the foods. They bring out all the flavors of ingredients and not greasy! The price is lower than other places in this area.(The price range is around the same as China town cometitors) Unfortunately if you are familiar with overcooked oversweetened take out noodles, you may find this place a bit noisy and you might have a different taste over the chinese flavors. I give 4/5 as it is slightly remote and you have to walk for 10-15+ min from the closest T stations(they do not have a parking space, but MIT parking lot is available at night for free) and the tired interior decor. Definitely worth a trip while you are in Cambridge.
(4)
RM S.

Decent setting, but the food is not particularly memorable. Definitely better than your typical take-out place. A went a few times for dinner and a few times for lunch. It good if you like American-Chinese food.
(3)
Patrick P.

I've been eating at Royal East for almost twenty years but I won't be any more. The food has remained basically the same, usually good quality but the service was horrifying the last time I was there. It was 8:30 at night and they had obviously just finished serving a very large group. Most of the tables were empty, but not in their usual places. We were squished into the corner next to the one other table with people. After we ordered, the wait staff started breaking down the tables and moving them all over the restaurant. Our table was shaking like a San Francisco earthquake! Thank God it only took about 10 minutes. Once it was done the staff acted as if it had never happened. It's a shame because I have always enjoyed the food here. But I work hard for my money and there was no reason that had to take place while we ate.
(1)
Carrie C.

Great tasting, well-priced food that comes in large portions. Haven't had a bad meal there yet. I recommend suan la chow soup and shrimp with cashew nuts. I've also heard that the sesame beef is great.
(4)
Aaron W.

It's really americanized, but perfect for large groups. The food is still tasty too.
(4)
Michael D.

I've tried this place twice and twice it has been awful. Today I went because the restaurant across the street (Beijing Tokyo - which you should go to) was super busy and I couldn't wait. This is your typical American Chinese joint with low quality meat products. Chicken that is rubbery and fatty, and as for the beef, try gristly and disturbing. Everything is coated with an ultra sugary sauce, even what was supposed to be a spicy dish was hidden under syrup. If you don't know what good food is, go here otherwise head across the street where they do a superb job even when busy.
(1)
T C.

This restaurant makes a delicious spinach with garlic! I will definitely order again. Also they deliver locally with a reasonable fee if you don't have a minimum order and the food arrived quickly and hot.
(5)
Emily J.

I ate here last night with 12 friends. We're all college-aged, so perhaps they weren't as eager to impress us. Nonetheless, I really was not that impressed. The szechwan shrimp that I ordered was advertised as spicy; it was anything but! I really hate when ethnic restaurants do that. Overall, pretty disappointing.
(3)
Sisi Z.

Ugh, I don't understand why people like this place. Too greasy and Americanized for me, the food is mediocre at best and usually unappetizing. I ordered the Szechuan Style Shrimp and got a plate of tiny shrimp buried in a sea of unnaturally red tomato gel. Maybe I just make bad menu choices. Oh well, I'd rather choose the lesser of two evils and go to Bertucci's across the street.
(2)
Dachary C.

I'm very torn on this one. The food isn't bad, and they were very pleasant about catering a large event for a group with which I'm affiliated. However, they showed up late for the catering and forgot some of the items that we had ordered - had to scramble at the last minute to produce them, and we were still putting stuff out as we were serving. But the food was decent. However, I recently had a horrible customer service experience there that will ensure I never go back. I placed an order from these guys using campusfood.com . I received a phone call stating that one of the items I ordered was unavailable. I canceled the order and someone else in my office placed an order using his credit card, because he still wanted his food. I discovered days later that they had charged my credit card, even though my order had been canceled. I got a great runaround from campusfood.com and Royal East about who was responsible for dealing with the incorrect charge, so eventually I placed it under dispute with my bank. A few days later, I started receiving phone calls *AT WORK* harassing me about the dispute I had placed with the bank. The person I spoke with told me that the food had been delivered and that I had to pay for it. I explained what had happened. He then told me that they had attempted to charge my co-worker's card first and it had been declined, so they charged my card. I asked him to read the card info back to me and they had it recorded correctly, so I know the co-worker's card hadn't been charged and declined. And even if it was, they should have contacted us instead of charging my card without authorization. This went on for weeks - they called about the same time every day to tell me to take my dispute off as I had received the food. Apparently this eventually escalated to the owner/manager, who was verbally abusive to me on the phone as he insisted that I cancel my dispute. After two weeks of calling me *AT WORK* (and they actually spoke to my boss a couple of times, who was pissed off that I was dealing with these calls at work), the manager finally said that they would charge the American Express card that my co-worker had provided but that they would never serve me or my office again. That was absolutely horrible customer service. I have never been treated in that manner by any establishment. I am still boggled that they called my office every day, sometimes multiple days, to harass me about placing the charge in dispute. I think it's a great pity they treated me in this manner, as I like to support local establishments and they had decent food. But I don't think I can ever give them my patronage again, after the way they handled this.
(1)
Beth M.

ick. my husband and i had a really boring, semi-bland, semi-strange experience here. i mean, i'm definitely not an expert on chinese food-- i actually love the villainized americanized dishes, because i don't know much else. but if this is the best Chinese in Cambridge...yeah. anyway, we got the sweet and sour chicken, spring rolls, and the scallion ginger lo mein. none of it was very memorable. the tea was nice and strong, but by far the best part of the meal was the very tasty fortune cookie. the place, which is huge, was almost empty at 7:30 on a Saturday night. our waitress was very militant and seemed to enjoy standing in the darkness of the bus station staring at nothing (i saw her!) more than waiting on us. but whatever.
(2)
Bernice S.

One of my favorite places for bigger GROUPS to feast on a variety of delectable dishes (especially yummy- whole roast chicken with shrimp chips, breaded pork chops, whole steamed bass, fried whole shrimp) that will definitely please your taste buds and go easy on the wallet.
(4)
m. p.

The Royal East Restaurant, imho, is a great place for Chinese food! No MSG is used in the cooking, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is quite warm, friendly, helpful and pleasant. Highly recommeded!
(5)
C S.

Their food is pretty good, but what's even better is their service. When I went with a friend, they let us sit for awhile after we'd paid , kept our water glasses full, and didn't hustle us out. Even better, when I forgot my wallet there (and was totally freaking out), they kept it for me and even let me come about 10 minutes after they closed to pick it up. For this, they have my eternal gratitude.
(4)
Andres M.

I am not a big fan of Chinese food but I think this restaurant has decent food.
(3)
Dorothy C.

My favorite chinese restaurant in Cambridge - definitely has tasty lo-mein (the dish by which I judge all chinese restaurants - easy to make, yet apparently easy to mess up as well - you can tell a lot by how well this seemingly easy dish turns out). The first place not to turn the noodles to mush that I've found - and the sauce is yummy, unlike Mary's (mushy noodles, icky weird sauce). I also like the Peking Ravs & General Gao's (not too spicy - yay).
(5)
Patrick B.

Good place for lunch (haven't been to dinner here in some time). I think I've been going here a few times a year for close to 20 years (more when I was in school or worked nearby, less when I lived/worked farther away). Lunch service is quick, prices are decent and they generally have enough tables so you get seated right away.
(3)
Daryl L.

I went to this place quite often, whenever after meetings around MIT. Some time for lunch, but most of the times are for dinner. About menu: Typical Chinese restaurant menu, similar to what you will see in those from China town, but the taste is very different from other typical Chinese restaurants, which are oriented to American customers' taste. The ones I like the most are the "Chunks of Sirloin Steak with Black Pepper", "Mix Seafood in a Nest", "Steaming Fresh fish", and "Fish Soup". About Parking: There is no parking lot for the restaurant, except street parkings on Main street, which most of times are very limited. However, there is a parking lot just right around the corner of Main St and Cherry St (along Cherry St actually), and at night or weekend, I usually park there. About Service: Waiter services are good and friendly. We go there a lot and the waiters know us. Lot of small talks. We often went there for dinner late at night and talked after the dinner. As a result, we often were the last table of customers. The waiters would never rush to ask us to check out, although I know that they are closing around ~10PM. About Price: Very reasonable. Typical dinner with a few friends will cost us ~$12/person. This is always the first Chinese restaurant comes to my mind when I am near Cambridge and want to have lunch/dinner.
(4)
Pokey R.

Great Chinese food. Somewhat oily. The dry fried chow foon is great. Plenty of room, so there's never a wait for a table. Seafood seems pretty fresh though I have never had it - my grandparents always order it.
(4)
Shannon D.

I wanted to give it 4 stars, but I just gave Mary Chung's 4 stars, and Royal East is definitely not quite as good. I'm Chinese, and Royal East serves relatively Americanized Chinese food. That said, the food is not too bad, though nothing to rave about, and it is decently priced. The interior decor is quite nice. An overall reasonable place to eat.
(3)
Tom v.

Yuk, yuk, yuk. Bland decor, indifferent service, and mass produced food that all tastes equally bland. If you're partial to tasteless glop, then by all means go here. Order anything you want. It all looks and tastes the same, and you'll never be able to tell the difference.
(1)
Ruth P.

I went here awhile ago as someone gave me a gift certificate to the place, but I wasn't too impressed. The selection of dishes was not too impressive, and out of the couple of items that we ordered in our group - none of them were exceptionally delicious or inventive. I wouldn't go here again unless I got another gift certificate for a free meal...
(3)
J S.

Average- I was disappointed with the meat, probably some of the toughest beef I have ever encountered. But, I guess it's cheap and fast. I think Pu Pu Hot Pot around the corner is better and possibly cheaper (despite the name...)
(3)
Sandra C.

This is a really decent chinese restaurant. They're fairly authentic and you can order off the menu. Friendly waitstaff and nice atmosphere.
(4)
So S.

Very decent Chinese for those who can't get to Chinatown. Suprisingly, they are pretty authentic and you can get "Hollow greens"--my favorite. Bitter melon soup was pretty good. Staff is friendly and place is clean.
(3)
J. H.

The guys that I work with love this place but I have never been overly impressed with anything I've tried here. It gets pretty crowded at lunch time since they have luncheon specials for under $5.
(3)
HJ U.

I'd heard this place was fantastic so we ate there this evening. The beef in several dishes was quite tender and flavorful (unsual in my experience of chinese restuarants) and everything we ordered was very good. Not amazing, but probably the best Chinese I've had in Boston outside of Chinatown. And they do an excellent chow foon, which is hard to find.
(4)
S L.

The only place to get real Chinese food in the MIT area, but it certainly doesn't top many of the Chinese restaurants in the Boston area. They do several dishes well but nothing particularly stands out.
(3)
Juliette V.

Very good quality Chinese food. I get the impression this is the real thing. I suggest trying the steamed fish but not the ginger lobster. It had way more shell than actual meat.
(3)

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Address : 792 Main St
Cambridge, MA, 02139
Phone (617) 661-1660
Website https://www.royaleast.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

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 : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Chinese Cuisine

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.

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Royal East Restaurant

792 Main St, Cambridge, MA, 02139

Royal East Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Soups

Seafood

Pork

Fried Rice

Healthy Meal suggestions for Royal East Restaurant

Appetizers

Soups

Seafood

Pork

Fried Rice

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