After taking my birth mother for a visit to her Dr. recently, she offered to buy lunch and we came here, a restaurant she was familiar with. I wasn't, but I was agreeable to giving it a shot. Chinese food used to be a staple of my diet, but I eat it sporadically at this point. Not that I find it suddenly distasteful, but in the past, I always associated it with "big feasts," and in recent years I've been trying to eat healthier and wiser. When my late father was still living in Caldwell, after my mother died, we'd get together once a week and eat out. We'd either eat at Olive Garden (which he, for some reason, loved and I came to grudgingly like) or the Original Pancake House (which I sorely miss) or a Chinese restaurant that was located in a Caldwell shopping center (the name of it escapes me now, although I liked it a lot). I'd always order Wonton Soup and the Happy Family platter, which included an Olympic-sized portion of pork, chicken, scallops, shrimp, beef, broccoli, carrots-- all mixed up in a thick brown sauce over a bed of rice (brown rice, in "deference to healthy eating."). After dining there, I'd waddle out with my father, feeling like an overstuffed King George IV, amazed yet again at my overindulgence, my head about to explode into migraine agony from the MSG. I later heard Andrew Zimmern say that it's racist to ascribe all MSG agonies to Chinese restaurants, since MSG has been present in all kinds of food, and I'd normally be in agreement, but I know that nearly every time I ate out in that particular restaurant with Dad, I'd get a brutal migraine afterwards. And you know what? I didn't mind. Maybe I'm a masochist at heart, but the food was so good, and so satisfying, that I was willing to suffer for my gluttony. Anyway, back to the present... Empire Hunan is located on Broadway, a heavily traveled thoroughfare that leads in 1 direction to Ft. Lee, in another to Paterson. There was parking on the side. Given that we were dining on an off hour, parking wasn't a problem. The restaurant also serves Japanese food, which I don't occasionally mind having, but we were focused on this particular day on the Chinese part of their cuisine (I think Japanese might be a little too exotic for my birth mother's somewhat finicky, idiosyncratic tastes. For instance, whenever I eat fish, which I love, she looks repulsed, and asks, "How can you eat that?" "Very easily," I reply. If she doesn't like fish...and she doesn't...Japanese cuisine is probably going to be a problem.). Inside, we were led to a booth. There were only a few other people in the restaurant at that hour. Atmosphere wasn't off-putting. The room wasn't especially well lit, but the shadowy ambiance appealed to me. Service was pleasant and prompt. I can't remember exactly what Mom ordered, but I started with a bowl of Wonton Soup, and... maybe for "old times sake"... the Happy Family. Wonton Soup was hot and tasty. We were also served those crispy noodles with a bowl of hot mustard and a bowl of duck sauce. Again, nostalgia kicked in (as well as hunger), and I dived in (but not before...being the gentleman I like to think I am... beckoning for Mom to partake first. She declined to partake at all.). The hot mustard was potent indeed and cleared my nostrils right out, as well as bringing tears to my eyes. I decided to stick to the pleasantly sweet duck sauce. The Happy Family wasn't the gargantuan feast I remembered from bygone days. It was still basically the same dish on a bed of brown rice (instead of carrots, it had green peppers, which didn't ruin it for me, but I would have preferred the carrots, as I'm not a green pepper lover) but the portion size was more moderate than I used to have at that Caldwell restaurant. Part of me missed the epic amounts of food that I used to readily consume in the past. But, overall, it was a satisfying meal, and the prices seemed fair (although Mom paid, so perhaps I'm not in the best position to access affordability. I did pay the tip, and I'm always a good tipper, or at least try to be). And I didn't get a headache. Also, I'm sure my delicate digestive system (it has become very delicate in recent years, unfortunately) was appropriately grateful for my restraint (if a digestive system has its own separate sentience from the human organism...namely, me...that it's a part of, that is!). And no dessert! Whoever thought I'd live to say that? At 1 point, I used the men's room, and the bathroom seemed clean and tidy enough. If I were still the glutton I once was, I guess I might have lowered my rating to 3 stars (which I guess rates these days as "meh") instead of 4. But since I'm trying in my old age to eat like a normal, healthy, civilized person--- I'm recommending Empire Hunan. Good food in a nice setting. read more

Great food at a great price. Delicious pork fried rice and General Tso's chicken and chicken and broccoli.

Very delicious Chinese food! The portions here are very big and filling and great prices. We started off with scallion pancakes and these were by far my favorite! For our entrees we had the sesame chicken which was also good and the chicken lo mein. The chicken in the lo mein wasn't my favorite. Overall I would come back to try other items out. read more

Empire Hunan - Scallion pancakes - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fair Lawn, New Jersey

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Not sure why their rating is so low! Honest their food is the best in the area! There are no other Chinese restaurants that food tastes as good as theirs. Also I will only do take out from there since other take out restaurants food all taste the same and like old oil and grease. I have never had a bad meal here! Dine in or take out always awesome! read more

Very disappointed. Been eating there for years. Ordered habachi. The beef had no flavor at all. Almost like it was just boiled in sauce. No grill marks no flavor. Also every hibachi meal you order from anywhere comes with noodles comes with mustard sauce dish did not. I think I'm done with this place. read more

This used to be the go-to place for Chinese Food. It was filled with people, all having a great time. Since it changed hands the atmosphere is dead. Many years ago I found Great Wall which is a mile away on the other side of Broadway. A much better product but only take out. I came here last week because Great Wall is renovating their kitchen. The Hot and Sour Soup was ok the Fried Rice was good but the Pork Egg Foo Young was not. Usually it comes with a light brown sauce on the side from most places. Here they have a dark brown sauce on the pancakes that didnt work. read more

great place, clean and spacious. We normally come in the morning and always quickly get served. Our regular purchase is tum yum soup, Godzilla roll(in my opinion the best roll I ever tasted), angry dragon roll, and the server always brings chips and two fortune cookies after the check. All the things we tried so far are well made, fresh and tasty, for they price the food is worth it. read more

I've been coming to this spot for years - I'm sure there's been changes in management throughout that time. We hadn't been here in a while but decided to pop in for an early dinner. They were clearly short staffed and service was definitely suffering. The food came out quickly. The food was good, not great. I've definitely had better sushi at other places, and I remember it being better than it was this visit. Ambiance is simple, but clean. I think this particular visit was very average, but I would give it another try. read more

Delicious wonton soup desserts and a lot of food to choose from. They also have sushi I still need to try. Staff is very nice. Inside dining. read more

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Service was so slow. There were 4 of us and we all ate our appetizers at different times. They were each brought out one at a time. My dish was served ice cold. All dinner dishes were served at different times as well. Each one was missing a component whether it was sauce, rice, etc. The worst part was that when we checked our bill - each and every item was around $.50 more than listed in the menu. When I asked the waitress she told me that they raised the prices but the new menus didn't come in yet. This was a horrible experience and I would not recommend it! read more

Amazing place they serve Chinese Japanese and Thai one of our party had sushi. I had the combination of shrimp and soup and egg roll. Excellent please come to this place. It is wonderful very clean. Excellent service. read more

50 minutes after placing a takeout order, 20 minutes after paying for that order in the restaurant, and still waiting for the food. Big problem! Hire more people or don't take orders that you can't fill!!! read more

take out was good the delivery took an hour eggplant and chicken was very good the peanut sauce dumplings were very good and the wonton soup was very good I had stopped going there for a while because I didn't like the attitude or the food but I've revisited it and it was good read more

food was awful, ordered Peking duck, overcooked,stringy, Shrimp tempura had a very greasy taste. They were understaffed, so service left something to be desired. The place was pretty empty when we arrived. read more

My family has been coming to Empire Hunan for years! The wonton soup is my favorite in Bergen county. They use thin wonton wrappers and it makes the soup so much better! They also have such a good menu with something for everyone!! read more

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Nice place. My family used to go here a lot. The food is very good. Service is fine. It's a good place. Can get pricey but sushi is always that way. read more

Empire Hunan - Lots of sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Not a bad place for lunch and business. Egg foo young was delish despite my preference for brown gravy rather than a brown sauce. Egg drop soup and wonton crisps served as an app were average and on par with typical Chinese cuisine in this area. Fried rice was bland and boring, and egg rolls were pretty plain as well. Parking was easy and waiter was very friendly and attentive. Not Peking duck... read more

Empire Hunan - Lunch time! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Excellent! Very pleased with my meal. Will be going back! So glad to have a great Chinese Restaurant near me read more

Placed order for pick up. Told 20 minutes. Arrived 20 minutes later not ready. Waited 15 more minutes.(okay I understand its busy).Order came out young lady says "orange chicken"? I respond yes with white rice correct? She says yes. I take my food and leave. Drive all the way home and open bag. No rice in the bag. Now I have to drive back . Chicken will be cold by time I get to eat. Not the first time I've experienced service issues with this place. Shame place has pretty good food. But if you can't fix these issues I won't be back. read more

Came here with bf and his family for lunch on Memorial Day weekend. Thought it was delicious and the food came out fast!

We must come here at least twice a month. Food is very good. Best wonton soup I ever had. Staff are very nice. It's our go to Chinese restaurant. read more

This will be the last time I order from Empire Hunan. I have been going here for more than ten years and they have gone downhill since the old owners sold. This is not a COVID situation it's management situation. The sushi is good and my compliments to the chef. The people packaging and handing out the orders and answering the phone are horrendous. This is how three times in a row that they have left something out of my order. I watched them give an order to the wrong person and chase them down while there. They also told me 45 - 50 so I called after 50 mins to see if it was ready before leaving. 15 minute more they said. Ok. I waited 30 and drove over. 8 people in a 8 x 10 waiting area. One with their mask down. I had to wait another 5 mins for my food. Get home and wrong again I call up abs they asked can I add it next time. I impolitely told them there won't be a next time. Going to Maguro in Rochelle Park. A little less convenient and a tad more expensive but never made a mistake the 20+ times I've ordered there. read more

Empire Hunan - a tray of sushi rolls with a dipping sauce - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Always consistently good food. Staff is very accommodating and polite. The chicken and corn chowder soup is a nice change of pace from egg drop and wonton soups! read more

Been ordering here for years, used to love it!! Rumor was there has been a new owner for a year or so... My family and I have noticed a tremendous difference in the quality of food. Especially the sushi. It is very fishy. Makes me and my family not well after eating. Extreme stomach cramping and not so pleasant other issues.. We've tried it a couple times since we had a bad experience, because sometimes things just happen- however, Will not be ordering from here anymore. read more

Before I begin, I am giving it 5 for the area. This isn't the best Chinese food I have had, just the best around the area. In general: overall good food, some of it tastes a bit fatty however (I don't mean the good type, more like MSGish). Chinese food: Whole fish with Hunan sauce was good but wasn't spicy as they said. Good chicken with eggplant as well. Japanese food: not bad. Nicely presented eel don, not overly sweet eirther. Was a fan of the dumplings with peanut spicy sauce (pork,) but they were a little fatty. Miso soup had corn starch or something, looked odd and tasted slightly odd also. Quick service and good prices (especially for the area) bump it up a star. PS: Why order General Tso's in good Chinese place? Tso's is just so and so, keep it for takeout places. read more

Recently reopened for take-out after being closed during the COVID shutdown. We've ordered several times in the last three weeks, and the food has been consistently good, possibly better than before the shutdown. Portions are plentiful, flavorful, and well-prepared. For the first week or so, service was a little rocky, but things seem to have smoothed out. Recent standouts (for me, anyway): Singapore mei fun, egg foo young, Sichuan dry wok, and the best hot & sour soup around. read more

Junk food . Ordered 5 rolos only one was fresh . This place cannot be recommended! In addition to not fresh food very old dishes and not really clean . You can knot the dishes are dirty . read more

Have been going here for awhile. Ever since the place changeed owners the food quality out and taste has taken a nose dive to say the least. Pork fried rice use to be the best around, and now it is so bland with no taste. I always get chicken and broccoli whichh use to be second to none, now it's so bland and sits in aa pool of oil on the bottom of the takeout tray. Longtime customer, gave it 2 tries since the ownership change and won't be back. Shame read more

Empire Hunan - Chicken and Broccoli with pork fried rice. Pool of grease below the chicken - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fair Lawn, New Jersey

This is the best restaurant in Fair Lawn! They are very good to you and serve very good, fresh, and amazing food! The people that work there are also the most welcoming helpful and useful people that I have ever met! Their delivery is ALWAYS FAST with Great Food! And I recommend them to everyone! read more

Went on a Friday night. Unfortunately, they only had one server working, but she worked hard getting everyone's food out. As usual, miso soup was great, sushi was fresh, and my orange chicken was hot out of the kitchen. Also, their chicken is always white meat and tastes great. Towards the end of our meal, she finally had help, and a big party was walking in. The food here is always on point. Will be back again soon! read more

Absolutely terrible. This place has gone down hill rapidly !! I ordered a egg roll it was burnt on the outside, not appetizing to look at and it taste just as bad as it looked. the food on the poo poo platter was over fried, the shrimp was rubbery. Actually my wife had to tell me that the chicken was chicken, it didn't look like it or taste like chicken and the old saying about everything taste like chicken, well not here . Service wasn't great but in defense it looks like they don't have enough employees working so I chalk that up to pandemic and no one wants to work. Overall will not be going back there again I only gave it one star cause I would not be able to post if I didn't. read more

It seems like this place is not the same as it used to be. The last 2 times i ordered take out, they got it wrong and weren't apologetic that they made the mistake. Then they didn't want to come back and make it right. I suggest you check your order and don't pay until you check that everything is there. read more

Long time family of customers that will not order from here again. Restaurant only filled one third of the order. Spent almost 30 minutes trying to explain to restaurant we were missing two dishes and three soups. Got nowhere. They tried to blame driver, ticket machine, everything. Finally blamed us for ordering through seamless. We just wanted our food. Never order from here. read more

Meals coming out various times We were there this evening and several of us we having dinner. The others got a black bean dish and General Tso meal. I ordered a steak hibachi meal without vegetables. They brought another dish 5 minutes before they brought my steak and about 10 minutes after the other meals. read more

Empire Hunan had been in Fair Lawn for many years. They had originally moved from the street restaurant next to Shop Rite Rochelle Park. I used to like the food until they changed management a couple years ago. However, a 3rd management changed hands not too long ago and I started going back to Empire Hunan. My first take out order did not go smoothly as they had excluded rice in one of the dinner entrees and we ended eating the entree without rice. My 2nd take out order was a TOTAL NIGHTMARE. I had called an hour prior to place my order and had specifically told them that I will pick up my order at 6:15pm. When we arrived, our order was not ready and we had to wait for the sushi. We did not want to wait and told the cashier to take off the sushi but she insisted that sushi is ready. Hello, an order is not considered READY if the food is not already in the bag to cash out. The restaurant at that time was not busy and I do not understand why the chef could not have the order ready when we had told them the pick up time of 6:15pm which is an hour after our phone order. A hungry person makes an angry person. Definitely not going back to Empire Hunan. read more

Old-style Chinese place where you can sit and eat. Food was good, perhaps not spectacular, but definitely old style. Reminded me of my childhood from long ago, haha. It took awhile to be seated. The woman at the podium was arguing with a customer on the phone about a take-out order, and the guy didn't seem to be in any rush to seat us. Once we were seated we were given menus and noodles. We asked for tea. They seemed a bit miffed that we didn't order alcohol. We had the dumplings (a bit doughy), my husband had crispy duck and I had General Tso's chicken. We really went traditional American Chinese with this, but it was a cold night and we wanted comfort food. Decent, old-school place to go if you're looking for that. I'd have a meetup there. Just don't expect spectacular service. read more

I ordered the lunch bento box and shrimp tempura for delivery and they were excellent! The bento box was a very generous portion and the food was absolutely delicious. The shrimp tempura roll was also amazing. I loved all the food and definitely will order again! read more

Empire Hunan - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fair Lawn, New Jersey

EMPIRE HUNAN HAS THE BEST AND FRESHEST SUSHI EVER. IF I MISS ANYTHING DURING THIS QUARANTINE IS THEM. I MISS THEM SO MUCH! I can easily have them 3x a week (yes, this is my life and living the best of it lol). THEIR FOOD IS SOOOOOOO GOOD TOO. Their pad Thai is great and their beef lo me is my favorite. Spareribs are delicious. Hibachi fried rice (side) is sooo good too!! Definitely get a side of their house made noodles and house duck sauce-- it's a great little treat! Chicken teriyaki is also very good and lunch combinations give a lot of food! Right now they are my favorite sushi place !!! read more

Ordered general Tos beef and received sesame beef instead. When I asked the waitress she just nodded and said yes Sesame beef. Sushi is good. I hate giving a good review to a place that doesn't show you that they appreciate your business. The attitude at this place sucks. read more

Empire Hunan - Spicy salmon roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fair Lawn, New Jersey

WOW! I was not expecting the food and service to be this fantastic! I went for lunch with my coworker on a Monday - first they bring out those crunchy chips and duck sauce which are always fantastic. They also bring complimentary kim chi and bean sprouts. So delicious We ordered the seaweed salad to share - it was amazing and such a generous portion. We also shared the 2 roll special for lunch - all with brown rice sweet potato tempura roll - perfect crunchy and sweet /salty Tuna avacado roll - so frest ! Spicey tuna and spicy salmon - a favorite The bill was $27. Total. Um, yes! We will be back, Hunan! read more

Empire Hunan - Miso soup and kim chi! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Fair Lawn, New Jersey