This place is absolutely disgusting. The tables are filthy, the floors are sticky, and the food made my daughter and I both sick. We are still sick a week later, and I know it was this food because it is the only thing that we both ate. I should have known not to eat the food when I sat at a table waiting for it to be prepared. I had second thoughts, but didn't act on them. I wish I would have listened to my instinct to leave. We have been plagued by stomach severe cramps and many trips to the bathroom. If you want the same, just order some egg rolls and General Tso's Chicken. Thanks for nothing Rice Kitchen. Interestingly, I've never seen anyone in this restaurant and I'm an East Lansing regular. That's a telltale sign not to enter.
(1)
Abby T.
I've had the General Tso's chicken, Sesame chicken and sweet & sour chicken and that's the order I'd rank them in for goodness. The General's chicken was nice and spicy. The Sesame chicken was a little sweet for me and the sweet & sour was just "meh". The quality of the chicken was good though. I love their egg rolls and crab rangoons, and their fried rice. The won ton soup is nothing to write home about though: very bland. Overall, I like Rice Kitchen and will continue to order from them. Delivery is reasonably fast, the quality is consistent and the price is right.
(4)
Nikki W.
Giving them 4 stars strictly on their chicken lo mein: spicy. Love it! Prefect balance of vegetables and chicken. And it's spicy!
(4)
Robert K.
Service = rude Food = worse than the service This might be acceptable to people who think Americanized Chinese is good.
(1)
Victor U.
Pretty cheap, pretty good, and open pretty late. I'm pretty fat, so this is fantastic.
(4)
Phet V.
If I could give this place less than one star I would. Normally, I'm pretty lenient when it comes to Chinese food, b/c honestly, I've never had "bad" Chinese food. Some may be better than others but never BAD. Well, I had BAD Chinese food when I went to Rice Kitchen at 1:30am last Friday. There were just a handful of people in there, my food came out fast, but wow - it was awful :( I ordered the Szechuan chicken (recommended by the cashier) and it tasted like "bland spiciness." I'm an avid food lover/adventurer, but Rice Kitchen almost made me think twice about never trying new food/restaurants. I thought it was just my dish but I tried my friend's dishes (almond chicken, Kung pow chicken, and won ton soup)... super bland, tasted like chicken dipped in boiling water and served on a plate. The soup was so salty that I had a hard time swallowing it. Hopefully lunch is better than this late night meal. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I honestly hope the people at Rice Kitchen read this so they can change their act and put some quality and effort into their food. Hopefully it was just a bad night for them, but I am honestly never going back there!
(1)
Sam L.
It stays open late (4am) and as long as you stick with "fun," you'll be safe. Rice kitchen is not the type of place you take a date to, unless dirty dining area, cheap food and blunt service are what you're looking for. Its prices are reasonable and their noodle dishes are actually really good. Stick with ho fun, mei fun, or anything that has the word "fun." They typically make them fairly authentic. The subgum wonton soup was a bargain at $3.85, but skip the wontons, as I'm not sure where they got the meat from. Overall it's not easy to find parking there, unless you happen to be walking on grand river or live nearby. There's a parking lot in the back that typically requires a fee at all times of the night. A staple place when I was a student, and still is when my flight gets in at 1am, but sticking to my tips will keep you alive and not run to the bathroom.
(3)
Jordan P.
Have you ever opened an old computer and seen the complete filth caked on the fans, walls and components from running years on end without being cleaned? This is what the inside of Rice Kitchen looks like; the LOBBY of Rice Kitchen. I can only imagine what the cooking space looks like. I point this out because most people order delivery from places like this and never see the actual restaurant. We ordered delivery once and it was sort of dry and super basic. A few months later we went in, saw the condition of the lobby and walked out. The food doesn't make up for the potential of getting sick because of cleanliness conditions.
(1)
Star J.
I give it one Star because my food is ALWAYS cold and the delivery doesn't come until an hour later.
(1)
Priya R.
Sometimes you just need cheap Chinese food delivered to your door at 2 AM. that's what Rice Kitchen is for. I honestly don't know how I would have survived college without it. If you are expecting "authentic" or "nice" or "clean" maybe this isn't the place for you. But if you always have a craving for crappy asian food in the wee hours of the night and don't mind the occasional questionable cooking methods, it's perfect. The portions are really big and as far as food goes, the pork lo mein was my go to and of course crab rangoons were awesome as well.
(4)
Anna B.
Guys I promise I've given this place about 6 chances (since it's the only chinese open past 1) yet every time I've been extremely disappointed. The meat is strangely gray and quite chewy, and I have much trouble even discerning what it even is. The flavors are extremely bland, just fatty and oily. The lo Mein was complete mush. Please just work on the quality of your food rice kitchen!
(1)
Haley H.
This place is so hit or miss its impossible to even rate it. The food is mediocre if that, and the only reason I order is because it's so cheap and the portions are big. However after my experience today I will never order again. Very poor customer service and on top of that I wasted $3 on terrible delivery service and the driver wouldn't even come to the door but made me walk through the parking lot to track him down. $5 lunch turned into a $8 nightmare. My coworker and I ordered at the same time and they came an hour apart
(1)
Henry R.
Came here for lunch & they give you more than enough, at an affordable price. Food was delicious
(5)
Irina B.
It's my fault for not reading reviews before ordering my food there...it is the worst and dirtiest places I've ever ever been in United States! So so nasty!!! Restaurant is dirty, rude service and food tastes as horrible as it looks...yikes, I just hope I don't get sick tonight!
(1)
Hannah L.
This is the worst place in East Lansing to order from. I placed an order and two hours later it still wasn't delivered. I called the restaurant and they claimed to call me three times however I have no calls on my phone. The lady on the phone cut me off and started YELLING AT ME that I was wrong. She claimed they didn't know where I lived, yet they have delivered to my house before. They were rude and unwilling to listen. The poor delivery boy, had to apologize for his boss writing down my information incorrectly, when she blamed me for not answering the phone.
(1)
Erica D.
Their ingredients are fresh and their meats are surprisingly quality (i.e. "real") despite how inexpensive the food is, but everything I've tried from Rice Kitchen is unreasonably greasy and from time to time on the bland side. I've had much worse and much better Chinese food - I'd say Rice Kitchen is just average to slightly less than average depending on the day. On a more disturbing note, the place is truly filthy inside. I would never ever eat inside, and I honestly am scared of what lurks behind their curtain in the kitchen if their idea of how the keep the public area's appearance is acceptable to them. Aside from the location, I can't think of any reason I'd order from Rice Kitchen again.
(2)
Matt C.
So, this makes me feel old, but I remember this place opening when I was in undergrad. And now that I'm starting a grad degree, I've fallen back into the habit of ordering my late night meals from Rice Kitchen. The food is awful for you, but for a few bucks, you get a meal that will keep you going through the late night debacles. Its definitely not the best "Chinese" restaurant in the area, but for quick, tasty, American fast-food version of Chinese food, Rice Kitchen is a solid place. The combos are definitely the way to go. They're open from lunch through bedtime (for most people), and they are quick if you order take-out. However, for all you other chili-heads out there, they don't make it terribly spicy, so have a bottle of Sriracha or ghost pepper sauce ready to spice up your food!
(3)
Yuanjie Y.
The food is okay, while I am doing the restaurant health inspection research for the restaurants around Lansing area, the 32-page inspection report from Restaurant Association indicates there are plenty of serious issues with food safety there. You can even check it online now.
(2)
Huyen V.
I haven't been to Rice Kitchen but I ordered for delivery one late night. Let's say do not order for delivery and this experience kind of made me not want to come to Rice Kitchen. My friend ordered general tso's chicken and it came warm and not very spicy when he asked for spicy. I ordered some shrimp szechuan mango combo which tasted kind of awkward but the amount of shrimp they give you and the size of the shrimp they give you is pretty decent. The chicken came with rice and a spring roll if you like your rice on the hard side then you would like it. We also ordered the chicken wings which was pretty good.
(2)
K T.
They do tofu RIGHT. Generous amounts, nice big chunks, slightly tougher exterior (not slimy like so many other places!), and marinated long enough to have a very nice flavor. Their variety of vegetables is excellent -- when I ordered tofu with vegetables, it came with broccoli, carrot, baby corn, mushrooms, and a crunchy white leaf-ish thing I don't know the name for, in a nice garlicy brown sauce. It was delicious! If you're concerned about a healthy diet, skip the General Tso's and order something with vegetables in it instead -- it's good for you, and they make veggies taste GOOD. ;-) Food is cheap and good, and serving sizes are generous. I really can't say enough good things about them -- I am SO happy to have finally found a place in East Lansing that does good tofu!
(5)
Kristen B.
Oh, rice kitchen. Sometimes, your food is delicious. Other times, not so much. On a good night I've give you 4 stars and on a bad night I'd give you 1...so I'll settle on 3 stars due to your inconsistency. If you walk in and order, the food is damn FAST, but if you call in an order for delivery, it could be a few hours. BONUS: They're open late + they're cheap.
(3)
Brad C.
This place is horrible. Dirty, unfriendly, and the food is not good. Oh, its slow too. The only reason I'm not giving 1 star is because they probably don't know better.
(2)
Dave S.
Typical take-out Chinese. It was my go-to place in undergrad at MSU. For the price you really can't beat the dinner special. I swear the container with your dish, rice, and egg roll weighs a few pounds. While school is in session beware of delays with delivery, 30-40 minutes is about average.
(3)
Jay J.
The place looks cheap and service was not great. But it has everything I wanted from a cheap Chinese take out: decent food, cheap price, and quick food. I usually order the sweet & sour combo, mee goreng (spicy noodle dish that is sometimes good, sometimes bad), and vegetable egg foo young. Somehow I always find myself coming back to Rice Kitchen.
(3)
Cristopher B.
This place is terrible. I don't know how it's still in business. It was bad when it opened and it's still bad today. Their soup is bad ingredients in a cup of hot water, the bulk of their dishes consists of old celery and the barest minimum of other ingredients to actually justify calling their menu items by name. Their egg rolls, which come with most combination plates, taste rancid half the time. It's an insult to Chinese food to call this stuff Chinese food. It's an insult to food to call this stuff 'food'. If you've burned your tongue and can't taste anything, and you're willing perhaps, to knowingly stuff garbage down your gullet, Rice Kitchen will suit your needs. If you want to actually get something resembling a meal however, try ANYWHERE ELSE IN TOWN.
(1)
April J.
Yuck. I mean, you get what you pay for but cheap Chinese doesn't have to be so... gross. It is also dirty and they have slow service: wait service or delivery. With all the other options in EL there is absolutely no reason to eat here. Other places will give you a much better experience. My advice: try somewhere else. You will surely be disappointed if you try Rice Kitchen. At least you have a shot at another restaurant.
(1)
Bruce S.
Rice Kitchen has some of, if not THE best Chinese cuisine in East Lansing. Not only that but they are cheap. This is looking like a match made in heaven already. I have lost track of how many times I have eaten here. The menu under a magnet attached to my fridge is worn, faded, scibbled on, and even ripped in a few places from being used so much. Sure, the staff is aloof if you eat in, but they aren't waiting on you, so what's it matter? I bow to the dragon masters at Rice Kitchen. 5 stars.
(5)
Bee S.
Fortunately, this is one of the main staples of the college student. Cheap chinese food that delivers. UNFORTUNATELY this place sucks. I will never forgive rice kitchen for all the bad experiences I had while living in the dorms and ordering in. So many times they would deliver, literally, two hours late, bring the wrong food and still charge for it, etc. It happened maybe 5 or 6 times and towards the end of it all, my roommate and I boycotted rice kitchen forever. Maybe things have changed since then... I hope so otherwise I don't know how they're still in business. Maybe they're surviving solely to feed desperate people studying late at night or drunks.
(2)
Ian G.
Can't imagine living without Rice Kitchen during undergrad. Fast, cheap, and palatable. You can't pay $7 and still expect exquisite, gourmet entrees, right? Quaint little corner restaurant has delivery, take-out and dine-in options. Been out the bars all night thursday with a friday morning exam? Rice Kitchen can help. Need a touch of comfort food after realizing you didn't get into the Business College? Rice Kitchen can help. Find out your girlfriend dumped you for your suitemate's frat brother's math tutor? Rice Kitchen can help. Favorites include Sesame Chicken or General Tso's dinner combo, with white rice and eggroll. Eggdrop soup and Subgum Fried Rice are also very pleasing. Great spot for college-style grubbin'. Ironically, the amount of Rice Kitchen I've eaten during my undergrad is what will probably be the death of me.
(5)
Simon P.
Best food and service you can get at 2:00 AM in the middle of a storm. I am a grad student living in Owen and I don't know what I will do with out this place. I will put up with the people's bull shit because they are delivering my food in an ungodly hour. Shit.... I will be bitchy too if I have to deliver food in the freezing cold. Ha Ha Ha.
(5)
Jackie R.
So I was at Michigan State for 4 years and I finally visitied the physical establishment 2 years after I graduated. Now mind you, I had tasted the food from Rice Kitchen many of times as we had it delievered more than once to our sorority house. Being from California, it's not the best but it has it's good points: -you call for delivery, and it's there fast -it's CHEAP (and we all know how college students are) -it hits the spot when you don't want to cook or are studying and need a food break -they always got our orders correct -they are open late too I had always had Rice Kitchen delivered but when I came back to Michigan for a wedding, the bride's bachelorette bar crawl was up in East Lansing. So it was late and everyone wanted food and everyone but myself and my two friends wanted Mennas. So we walked over to Rice Kitchen and behold it was open and we were served fast.
(3)
Tab B.
I mainly order the subgum rice from Rice Kitchen which I have taken a liking to. I'd give them a 4 star but the last time I ordered it the rice was not fully cooked, a bit crunchy. I hope they read these reviews. I can't say if I'll go there again. I did call them later and shared the experience. Sounded defensive at first. I told them I'm just trying to help them out.
(3)
Joshua R.
Closer to the bottom of the barrel in terms of all the Chinese food options in the area. First the good things: They're open late They deliver They feed you with a lot of food They're cheap Now the bad... thing: It's not that good.
(2)
K U.
there service sucks and the drivers are rude but they have pretty decent food but not as good as others
(2)
steve o.
Prior to my relocation to Providence RI for culinary school I used to eat Rice Kitchen's food semi-regularly and had good memories of the place. After having been back in East Lansing for about a month, I decided to give RK a try (for nostalgia's sake) and upon receiving my delivered order, I was sadly disappointed to see that my crab Rangoon's were a limp and soggy mess lying in my entrees sauce- so, they lost a couple of points for that. My entree was nicely spiced (usually I ask for my Szechuan or Thai entrees extra spicy and still have to add pepper oil) and didn't need to use the pepper oil I'd requested. Either the rice was from the very bottom of the warmer, or had been sitting around too long, but it was a bit dried out- not quite to the point of crispiness but just the same, too dry. So, I figured OK, they might've been having an off night so I gave 'em an other shot- this time, I had orange chicken, extra spicy. This time, my entree was incredibly bland, and if it weren't for the fact that the sauce had been completely absorbed by the chicken and become a sticky, gelatinous mass, I would've used my leftover pepper oil- they did however, get one thing right: my crab Rangoon wasn't limp, soggy and barely edible - also, their cook decided to leave numerous huge sections of COOKED orange peel in my entree- now, had it been orange slices, or wedges, I would've been overjoyed. But, leathery cooked orange peel? WTF? -In actuality, it's a 2 1/2 star review, not a 3.
(3)
Evan r.
much better options along grand river (chrlie kangs, peking express) .
(1)
Jessica S.
I get the beef and broccoli and chicken and broccoli all veggies about three times a week filling and super healthy food at two in the morning .can't beat rice kitchen. They deliver super late which is a big help. Also the beef sticks are killer.
(4)
Misi P.
Rice Kitchen has really good Chinese food. It's cheap too - you can get a lunch special with crab rangoon/eggroll/spring roll and soup for about $5. The staff isn't bad, but they aren't really friendly either- i mean they keep to themselves but the service is good and the food is pretty tasty. I'm kinda funky about my sauces when it comes to Chinese, and Rice Kitchen's sauces (whether it's a brown sauce or with chicken or something) aren't too thick, which is a problem with other Chinese places.
(5)
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Address :551 E Grand River Ave
East Lansing, MI, 48823
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, 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 : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Shawn Marie H.
This place is absolutely disgusting. The tables are filthy, the floors are sticky, and the food made my daughter and I both sick. We are still sick a week later, and I know it was this food because it is the only thing that we both ate. I should have known not to eat the food when I sat at a table waiting for it to be prepared. I had second thoughts, but didn't act on them. I wish I would have listened to my instinct to leave. We have been plagued by stomach severe cramps and many trips to the bathroom. If you want the same, just order some egg rolls and General Tso's Chicken. Thanks for nothing Rice Kitchen. Interestingly, I've never seen anyone in this restaurant and I'm an East Lansing regular. That's a telltale sign not to enter.
(1)Abby T.
I've had the General Tso's chicken, Sesame chicken and sweet & sour chicken and that's the order I'd rank them in for goodness. The General's chicken was nice and spicy. The Sesame chicken was a little sweet for me and the sweet & sour was just "meh". The quality of the chicken was good though. I love their egg rolls and crab rangoons, and their fried rice. The won ton soup is nothing to write home about though: very bland. Overall, I like Rice Kitchen and will continue to order from them. Delivery is reasonably fast, the quality is consistent and the price is right.
(4)Nikki W.
Giving them 4 stars strictly on their chicken lo mein: spicy. Love it! Prefect balance of vegetables and chicken. And it's spicy!
(4)Robert K.
Service = rude Food = worse than the service This might be acceptable to people who think Americanized Chinese is good.
(1)Victor U.
Pretty cheap, pretty good, and open pretty late. I'm pretty fat, so this is fantastic.
(4)Phet V.
If I could give this place less than one star I would. Normally, I'm pretty lenient when it comes to Chinese food, b/c honestly, I've never had "bad" Chinese food. Some may be better than others but never BAD. Well, I had BAD Chinese food when I went to Rice Kitchen at 1:30am last Friday. There were just a handful of people in there, my food came out fast, but wow - it was awful :( I ordered the Szechuan chicken (recommended by the cashier) and it tasted like "bland spiciness." I'm an avid food lover/adventurer, but Rice Kitchen almost made me think twice about never trying new food/restaurants. I thought it was just my dish but I tried my friend's dishes (almond chicken, Kung pow chicken, and won ton soup)... super bland, tasted like chicken dipped in boiling water and served on a plate. The soup was so salty that I had a hard time swallowing it. Hopefully lunch is better than this late night meal. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I honestly hope the people at Rice Kitchen read this so they can change their act and put some quality and effort into their food. Hopefully it was just a bad night for them, but I am honestly never going back there!
(1)Sam L.
It stays open late (4am) and as long as you stick with "fun," you'll be safe. Rice kitchen is not the type of place you take a date to, unless dirty dining area, cheap food and blunt service are what you're looking for. Its prices are reasonable and their noodle dishes are actually really good. Stick with ho fun, mei fun, or anything that has the word "fun." They typically make them fairly authentic. The subgum wonton soup was a bargain at $3.85, but skip the wontons, as I'm not sure where they got the meat from. Overall it's not easy to find parking there, unless you happen to be walking on grand river or live nearby. There's a parking lot in the back that typically requires a fee at all times of the night. A staple place when I was a student, and still is when my flight gets in at 1am, but sticking to my tips will keep you alive and not run to the bathroom.
(3)Jordan P.
Have you ever opened an old computer and seen the complete filth caked on the fans, walls and components from running years on end without being cleaned? This is what the inside of Rice Kitchen looks like; the LOBBY of Rice Kitchen. I can only imagine what the cooking space looks like. I point this out because most people order delivery from places like this and never see the actual restaurant. We ordered delivery once and it was sort of dry and super basic. A few months later we went in, saw the condition of the lobby and walked out. The food doesn't make up for the potential of getting sick because of cleanliness conditions.
(1)Star J.
I give it one Star because my food is ALWAYS cold and the delivery doesn't come until an hour later.
(1)Priya R.
Sometimes you just need cheap Chinese food delivered to your door at 2 AM. that's what Rice Kitchen is for. I honestly don't know how I would have survived college without it. If you are expecting "authentic" or "nice" or "clean" maybe this isn't the place for you. But if you always have a craving for crappy asian food in the wee hours of the night and don't mind the occasional questionable cooking methods, it's perfect. The portions are really big and as far as food goes, the pork lo mein was my go to and of course crab rangoons were awesome as well.
(4)Anna B.
Guys I promise I've given this place about 6 chances (since it's the only chinese open past 1) yet every time I've been extremely disappointed. The meat is strangely gray and quite chewy, and I have much trouble even discerning what it even is. The flavors are extremely bland, just fatty and oily. The lo Mein was complete mush. Please just work on the quality of your food rice kitchen!
(1)Haley H.
This place is so hit or miss its impossible to even rate it. The food is mediocre if that, and the only reason I order is because it's so cheap and the portions are big. However after my experience today I will never order again. Very poor customer service and on top of that I wasted $3 on terrible delivery service and the driver wouldn't even come to the door but made me walk through the parking lot to track him down. $5 lunch turned into a $8 nightmare. My coworker and I ordered at the same time and they came an hour apart
(1)Henry R.
Came here for lunch & they give you more than enough, at an affordable price. Food was delicious
(5)Irina B.
It's my fault for not reading reviews before ordering my food there...it is the worst and dirtiest places I've ever ever been in United States! So so nasty!!! Restaurant is dirty, rude service and food tastes as horrible as it looks...yikes, I just hope I don't get sick tonight!
(1)Hannah L.
This is the worst place in East Lansing to order from. I placed an order and two hours later it still wasn't delivered. I called the restaurant and they claimed to call me three times however I have no calls on my phone. The lady on the phone cut me off and started YELLING AT ME that I was wrong. She claimed they didn't know where I lived, yet they have delivered to my house before. They were rude and unwilling to listen. The poor delivery boy, had to apologize for his boss writing down my information incorrectly, when she blamed me for not answering the phone.
(1)Erica D.
Their ingredients are fresh and their meats are surprisingly quality (i.e. "real") despite how inexpensive the food is, but everything I've tried from Rice Kitchen is unreasonably greasy and from time to time on the bland side. I've had much worse and much better Chinese food - I'd say Rice Kitchen is just average to slightly less than average depending on the day. On a more disturbing note, the place is truly filthy inside. I would never ever eat inside, and I honestly am scared of what lurks behind their curtain in the kitchen if their idea of how the keep the public area's appearance is acceptable to them. Aside from the location, I can't think of any reason I'd order from Rice Kitchen again.
(2)Matt C.
So, this makes me feel old, but I remember this place opening when I was in undergrad. And now that I'm starting a grad degree, I've fallen back into the habit of ordering my late night meals from Rice Kitchen. The food is awful for you, but for a few bucks, you get a meal that will keep you going through the late night debacles. Its definitely not the best "Chinese" restaurant in the area, but for quick, tasty, American fast-food version of Chinese food, Rice Kitchen is a solid place. The combos are definitely the way to go. They're open from lunch through bedtime (for most people), and they are quick if you order take-out. However, for all you other chili-heads out there, they don't make it terribly spicy, so have a bottle of Sriracha or ghost pepper sauce ready to spice up your food!
(3)Yuanjie Y.
The food is okay, while I am doing the restaurant health inspection research for the restaurants around Lansing area, the 32-page inspection report from Restaurant Association indicates there are plenty of serious issues with food safety there. You can even check it online now.
(2)Huyen V.
I haven't been to Rice Kitchen but I ordered for delivery one late night. Let's say do not order for delivery and this experience kind of made me not want to come to Rice Kitchen. My friend ordered general tso's chicken and it came warm and not very spicy when he asked for spicy. I ordered some shrimp szechuan mango combo which tasted kind of awkward but the amount of shrimp they give you and the size of the shrimp they give you is pretty decent. The chicken came with rice and a spring roll if you like your rice on the hard side then you would like it. We also ordered the chicken wings which was pretty good.
(2)K T.
They do tofu RIGHT. Generous amounts, nice big chunks, slightly tougher exterior (not slimy like so many other places!), and marinated long enough to have a very nice flavor. Their variety of vegetables is excellent -- when I ordered tofu with vegetables, it came with broccoli, carrot, baby corn, mushrooms, and a crunchy white leaf-ish thing I don't know the name for, in a nice garlicy brown sauce. It was delicious! If you're concerned about a healthy diet, skip the General Tso's and order something with vegetables in it instead -- it's good for you, and they make veggies taste GOOD. ;-) Food is cheap and good, and serving sizes are generous. I really can't say enough good things about them -- I am SO happy to have finally found a place in East Lansing that does good tofu!
(5)Kristen B.
Oh, rice kitchen. Sometimes, your food is delicious. Other times, not so much. On a good night I've give you 4 stars and on a bad night I'd give you 1...so I'll settle on 3 stars due to your inconsistency. If you walk in and order, the food is damn FAST, but if you call in an order for delivery, it could be a few hours. BONUS: They're open late + they're cheap.
(3)Brad C.
This place is horrible. Dirty, unfriendly, and the food is not good. Oh, its slow too. The only reason I'm not giving 1 star is because they probably don't know better.
(2)Dave S.
Typical take-out Chinese. It was my go-to place in undergrad at MSU. For the price you really can't beat the dinner special. I swear the container with your dish, rice, and egg roll weighs a few pounds. While school is in session beware of delays with delivery, 30-40 minutes is about average.
(3)Jay J.
The place looks cheap and service was not great. But it has everything I wanted from a cheap Chinese take out: decent food, cheap price, and quick food. I usually order the sweet & sour combo, mee goreng (spicy noodle dish that is sometimes good, sometimes bad), and vegetable egg foo young. Somehow I always find myself coming back to Rice Kitchen.
(3)Cristopher B.
This place is terrible. I don't know how it's still in business. It was bad when it opened and it's still bad today. Their soup is bad ingredients in a cup of hot water, the bulk of their dishes consists of old celery and the barest minimum of other ingredients to actually justify calling their menu items by name. Their egg rolls, which come with most combination plates, taste rancid half the time. It's an insult to Chinese food to call this stuff Chinese food. It's an insult to food to call this stuff 'food'. If you've burned your tongue and can't taste anything, and you're willing perhaps, to knowingly stuff garbage down your gullet, Rice Kitchen will suit your needs. If you want to actually get something resembling a meal however, try ANYWHERE ELSE IN TOWN.
(1)April J.
Yuck. I mean, you get what you pay for but cheap Chinese doesn't have to be so... gross. It is also dirty and they have slow service: wait service or delivery. With all the other options in EL there is absolutely no reason to eat here. Other places will give you a much better experience. My advice: try somewhere else. You will surely be disappointed if you try Rice Kitchen. At least you have a shot at another restaurant.
(1)Bruce S.
Rice Kitchen has some of, if not THE best Chinese cuisine in East Lansing. Not only that but they are cheap. This is looking like a match made in heaven already. I have lost track of how many times I have eaten here. The menu under a magnet attached to my fridge is worn, faded, scibbled on, and even ripped in a few places from being used so much. Sure, the staff is aloof if you eat in, but they aren't waiting on you, so what's it matter? I bow to the dragon masters at Rice Kitchen. 5 stars.
(5)Bee S.
Fortunately, this is one of the main staples of the college student. Cheap chinese food that delivers. UNFORTUNATELY this place sucks. I will never forgive rice kitchen for all the bad experiences I had while living in the dorms and ordering in. So many times they would deliver, literally, two hours late, bring the wrong food and still charge for it, etc. It happened maybe 5 or 6 times and towards the end of it all, my roommate and I boycotted rice kitchen forever. Maybe things have changed since then... I hope so otherwise I don't know how they're still in business. Maybe they're surviving solely to feed desperate people studying late at night or drunks.
(2)Ian G.
Can't imagine living without Rice Kitchen during undergrad. Fast, cheap, and palatable. You can't pay $7 and still expect exquisite, gourmet entrees, right? Quaint little corner restaurant has delivery, take-out and dine-in options. Been out the bars all night thursday with a friday morning exam? Rice Kitchen can help. Need a touch of comfort food after realizing you didn't get into the Business College? Rice Kitchen can help. Find out your girlfriend dumped you for your suitemate's frat brother's math tutor? Rice Kitchen can help. Favorites include Sesame Chicken or General Tso's dinner combo, with white rice and eggroll. Eggdrop soup and Subgum Fried Rice are also very pleasing. Great spot for college-style grubbin'. Ironically, the amount of Rice Kitchen I've eaten during my undergrad is what will probably be the death of me.
(5)Simon P.
Best food and service you can get at 2:00 AM in the middle of a storm. I am a grad student living in Owen and I don't know what I will do with out this place. I will put up with the people's bull shit because they are delivering my food in an ungodly hour. Shit.... I will be bitchy too if I have to deliver food in the freezing cold. Ha Ha Ha.
(5)Jackie R.
So I was at Michigan State for 4 years and I finally visitied the physical establishment 2 years after I graduated. Now mind you, I had tasted the food from Rice Kitchen many of times as we had it delievered more than once to our sorority house. Being from California, it's not the best but it has it's good points: -you call for delivery, and it's there fast -it's CHEAP (and we all know how college students are) -it hits the spot when you don't want to cook or are studying and need a food break -they always got our orders correct -they are open late too I had always had Rice Kitchen delivered but when I came back to Michigan for a wedding, the bride's bachelorette bar crawl was up in East Lansing. So it was late and everyone wanted food and everyone but myself and my two friends wanted Mennas. So we walked over to Rice Kitchen and behold it was open and we were served fast.
(3)Tab B.
I mainly order the subgum rice from Rice Kitchen which I have taken a liking to. I'd give them a 4 star but the last time I ordered it the rice was not fully cooked, a bit crunchy. I hope they read these reviews. I can't say if I'll go there again. I did call them later and shared the experience. Sounded defensive at first. I told them I'm just trying to help them out.
(3)Joshua R.
Closer to the bottom of the barrel in terms of all the Chinese food options in the area. First the good things: They're open late They deliver They feed you with a lot of food They're cheap Now the bad... thing: It's not that good.
(2)K U.
there service sucks and the drivers are rude but they have pretty decent food but not as good as others
(2)steve o.
Prior to my relocation to Providence RI for culinary school I used to eat Rice Kitchen's food semi-regularly and had good memories of the place. After having been back in East Lansing for about a month, I decided to give RK a try (for nostalgia's sake) and upon receiving my delivered order, I was sadly disappointed to see that my crab Rangoon's were a limp and soggy mess lying in my entrees sauce- so, they lost a couple of points for that. My entree was nicely spiced (usually I ask for my Szechuan or Thai entrees extra spicy and still have to add pepper oil) and didn't need to use the pepper oil I'd requested. Either the rice was from the very bottom of the warmer, or had been sitting around too long, but it was a bit dried out- not quite to the point of crispiness but just the same, too dry. So, I figured OK, they might've been having an off night so I gave 'em an other shot- this time, I had orange chicken, extra spicy. This time, my entree was incredibly bland, and if it weren't for the fact that the sauce had been completely absorbed by the chicken and become a sticky, gelatinous mass, I would've used my leftover pepper oil- they did however, get one thing right: my crab Rangoon wasn't limp, soggy and barely edible - also, their cook decided to leave numerous huge sections of COOKED orange peel in my entree- now, had it been orange slices, or wedges, I would've been overjoyed. But, leathery cooked orange peel? WTF? -In actuality, it's a 2 1/2 star review, not a 3.
(3)Evan r.
much better options along grand river (chrlie kangs, peking express) .
(1)Jessica S.
I get the beef and broccoli and chicken and broccoli all veggies about three times a week filling and super healthy food at two in the morning .can't beat rice kitchen. They deliver super late which is a big help. Also the beef sticks are killer.
(4)Misi P.
Rice Kitchen has really good Chinese food. It's cheap too - you can get a lunch special with crab rangoon/eggroll/spring roll and soup for about $5. The staff isn't bad, but they aren't really friendly either- i mean they keep to themselves but the service is good and the food is pretty tasty. I'm kinda funky about my sauces when it comes to Chinese, and Rice Kitchen's sauces (whether it's a brown sauce or with chicken or something) aren't too thick, which is a problem with other Chinese places.
(5)