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    Ocean Palace

    4.3 (106 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Ocean Palace Photos

    Business Info

    OCEAN PALACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Ocean Palace

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    Lunch special: 91. Eggplant With Garlic Sauce. Selected brown rice as the side. Also not pictured: vegetable egg roll.

    I work very close by and my coworkers all swear by this place. It is takeout only, you enter into an airlock meant for one person and pay + get your order through a window. Now, onto the food. I ordered the lunch special eggplant with garlic sauce and opted for brown rice and a vegetable egg roll. The portion was generous and for less than $12, you really can't beat it! The garlics sauce was very flavorful! Did it blow me away? Ehhh not really - but the menu is extensive and I very likely ordered the wrong thing. I am looking forward to trying multiple other things on the menu! Will update this review once I try more because I would love to give this small business 5 stars!

    Congee
    Jessica W.

    Satisfactory but not the highest quality. The owner is very friendly and provides pleasant service but I was disappointed by the quality of the food. I recommend the shiu mai and pork buns. The shiu mai have a lot of meat and flavor while the buns are large with yummy pork. They're a little more dough-y than I usually like but are satisfying. I was not impressed with the rice noodle shrimp roll or dumplings(har gow). I enjoy thicker rice noodles to be used for the shrimp roll and these were too thin and slippery for me. It was difficult to eat because it kept falling apart. The dinner combination meal (I got general Tso chicken) was mediocre. I liked how it included broccoli and an egg roll but the sauce from the chicken was a bit overpowering and monotonous. The sauce needs to have either more acid or umami and less orange flavor.

    General Tso's Chicken.  Extra spicy and fresh lean cuts of chicken.
    Frank T.

    What else can I say that all the other Yelp reviewers already haven't said. This place is fantastic Chinese. Only wish they delivered. I finally ordered some take out, and just sampled dishes the other Yelp reviewers mentioned. The Yeung Chow fried rice was excellent. The meat was fresh, including the pork; not like the little red kibbles of processed pork you find in the other establishments, but nice cut pieces of pork. Was fresh, and vegetables added were very nice. The turnip cakes were cooked perfect. Three large pieces, soft in the center and crispy outside. Didn't come with dipping sauce, but that was OK, since I also ordered the been curd skin roll dish with pork, and the sauce/gravy with that was perfect for dipping. First time trying that dish, and I will get it every time. Was very yummy. Also had the General's Chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork. I asked for spicy and the cook was more than happy to oblige. It came out hot, spicy, fresh, and both the chicken and pork were nice cutlets of lean meat. This was the best of those two dishes I've had in Albany. From the outside this place doesn't look like much, and you wouldn't think that it served outstanding fresh cuisine, but it does. The owners are also very nice and willing to accommodate any modifications in your orders. This is now my go to take out Chinese place. Only wish they delivered and had more seating. Then it would get 5 stars.

    Squid Dim Sum. Outstanding.
    Joel M.

    There is a master within these walls. When you walk in to Ocean Palace you will feel as if you have been transported to Chinatown in NYC and Boston. It is small. Only a few tables. It isn't particularly clean. We even observed a few flies. If you care about this stuff go eat at the 100 other Chinese takeout joints. Have it delivered in the white cardboard boxes. Maybe P.F. Changs is your speed. If you want authentic stir fry this is your guy. The dim sum is also fantastic. We tried the clams with black beans, shu mai, tripe and fried salted squid. The shu mai didn't blow me away but everything else did. Afraid of tripe? This chef will end that. We also ordered Shrimp/Scallop with XO sauce, Young Chow fried rice, Shrimp with Vegetables, Thai Short Ribs with Mango and Chinese Broccoli. The sauces where incredible, balanced and not too salty. Super fresh vegetables. There is a smokiness/char in every dish which is hard to describe. The chefs cooking technique is unmatched in my opinion. The Short Rib/Mango was amazing. I believe it could have benefited from a bit more spice/heat but it was an inspired dish. The chow rice and shrimp/scallop with XO sauce were mind blowing. I have never had better fried rice or stir fry. This restaurant would be best experienced in person. Skip the take out. Bring a group, hope the lazy susan table is available and prepare to be amazed!

    Dim Sum menu
    Kristin M.

    First off, I just want to say that I absolutely love dim sum. There's not many places in Albany that you can get it, and we were aware before we came that it order-by-menu and not a la carte dim sum. The interior is small, but it doesn't look like it gets that crowded. We came on a weekday, and over the course of our visit, only two other patrons came to dine there. It didn't look like anyone ordered take-out, but we got there right when they opened, so they're probably busier later in the day (and especially at night!) Now for the food: we ordered har gow, a personal favorite, the shrimp rice roll, shumai, the Hong Kong egg roll, the Buddha's Delight Dumpling, chicken feet, the spare ribs with black bean, and a bowl of egg drop soup. The egg drop soup is one of the best dishes of egg drop soup that I've ever had, hands down. It makes me sad that this place is so far away from me otherwise I'd probably get it everyday. It's really rich and flavorful and not watered down at all. If you're a fan of egg drop soup, you should definitely try it here. I really liked the shumai, but I'm just a fan of shumai in general, as the spare ribs with black bean and chicken feet. They were good, came as expected. I never had a Buddha's Delight Dumpling before, but I liked it, and it's something I'd order again. The shrimp rice roll was also not what I expected - it's a few patties of shrimp wrapped in a long rice roll that reminded me of a thin sealed enchilada, no veggies or anything, just the shrimp. It's not bad, interesting to try, but I probably wouldn't get it again. The only thing that I might knock off half a star for is that our dumplings were falling apart. The first round of Buddha's delight dumplings and har gow were spilling out - the shrimp spilled out of the har gow before it even got to the table, making it really difficult to eat. My friend said that he was used to that in Hong Kong and he was always told that meant it was "very fresh" - I don't know about that, but when we ordered a second batch a short while later, they were all sealed and held together well. Overall, the worst part of this place is that it's so far away from me because I want to go back again! There's a few more dishes that I want to try in terms of dim sum but I also want to try a few of the main dishes, as well as some of the soups. I know this review is kind of long but I hope it shows that the food made an "impression" - in this case, a positive one! Would I recommend it? Most definitely. I'm already trying to make up an excuse to be in the area again so I can go back myself!

    Chicken Feet

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    Great food, excellent flavor, lots of fresh ingredients. This is our go-to for Chinese takeout.

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    Friendly service, relaxed atmosphere, great Chinese food. Try the Wanton Soup, Szechuan Chicken or Beef, and any of their dim sum dishes.

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    Cheap food, fast service, excellent service. For a displaced Californian from the Bay Area, this felt like home.

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    Ala Shanghai Chinese Cuisine - Dumpling sampler

    Ala Shanghai Chinese Cuisine

    3.9(646 reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    If you're in the Capital Region and appreciate authentic Asian cuisine done right, Ala Shanghai…read morecontinues to set the bar. The fried sea bass with sweet and sour sauce was absolutely superb--perfectly crisp on the outside while still tender and flaky inside, balanced beautifully with that classic tangy sweetness that doesn't overpower the fish. And of course, the soup dumplings are always on point. Each one is delicate yet packed with flavor, with that rich broth that bursts out the moment you take a bite. It's the kind of consistency that keeps you coming back because you already know the quality will be there every time. What also makes this establishment stand out is the ambience. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance--comfortable, lively, and welcoming without feeling rushed. You can tell the place runs on pride and discipline. The owner and waitstaff are always diligently moving, making sure every table is attended to and every guest is taken care of. That level of attentiveness is something you don't see everywhere anymore. For me, this has become my go-to Asian bistro in the Capital Region. Great food, strong hospitality, and a kitchen that clearly respects the craft. If you know, you know.

    The food is so tasty. I cannot wait to return to try one of the fish dishes. I really enjoyed the…read moreveggie dumplings. We had tangerine chicken (one of the specials of the week), sautéed pea shoots, veggie fried rice, the dumplings, spring rolls, and the scallion pancakes. If all I had were the pea shoots and the fried rice, I would have been satisfied. The service was great. The tea was smooth. The room was dark. I can't explain it fully, but it reminded me of a few restaurants I experienced in China. The place was packed! I was able to take a photo of the inside after a few people left.

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    Ala Shanghai Chinese Cuisine
    Ala Shanghai Chinese Cuisine - 1/2 Peking Duck

    1/2 Peking Duck

    Ala Shanghai Chinese Cuisine - One page of the large regular menu

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    Taiwan Noodle - Hot & sour dumplings

    Taiwan Noodle

    4.3(473 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    My partner and I drive from NYC to Vermont at least once a year, and every single time we make a…read moremidpoint stop here. Taiwan Noodle consistently serves absolutely delicious food. The spicy wontons are our all-time favorite the sauce is incredibly flavorful, and unlike many places where the wontons are mostly dough, these are generously filled with meat. We also ordered the beef chunk soup and the salt-and-pepper fish. Even though I've been here many times, the salt-and-pepper fish was new to me on this visit, and it was fantastic crispy, perfectly seasoned, with little bits of fried garlic and a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce that was so good. If you're in the area, definitely stop by!

    I am never disappointed whenever I'm here to satisfy my Chinese comfort food cravings. This is a…read moresimple and small eatery serving up tasty dishes that you'll come back for time and again. The overall ambiance is basic and clean. However, they are serving up big and bold flavors. Service here is always friendly and fast. I especially like that they offer complimentary hot tea, and it's really appreciated on chilly days! Actually, tea is my go to whenever I'm having Asian food. I am a creature of habit and mostly order my usual. On this visit I had spicy wontons, General Tso's chicken, stewed beef chuck noodle soup and eggplant with garlic sauce. All delish and certainly enough leftovers for another meal. You've got to try it! Side note, they have an attached private parking lot next to them and that's a plus!

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    Taiwan Noodle - Interior

    Interior

    Taiwan Noodle - Spicy wontons

    Spicy wontons

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    Fried tofu, mushrooms, and tofu sheets

    Northeast Chinese Restaurant II - Pan Fried Dumplings 8PC

    Northeast Chinese Restaurant II

    3.9(144 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Northeast Chinese Restaurant II is one of my favorite local Chinese restaurants. All of my favs are…read morenorthern Chinese. That means they can serve up some deliciously spicy dishes. But if you're looking for something milder, they're great at that, too. I think the large menu has been updated since my last visit. The first few pages include dishes that I would describe as "soul food." There's frog, beef tripe and pork intestine-- you get the picture. I never really got into that. On this visit, my friend and I picked Stir Fried Spicy Squid, Crispy Chicken with Crunchy Red Pepper and Bok Choy with Garlic. We were hungry. The veggies came out of the kitchen almost immediately. Crazy fast. We were grateful. The other two dishes took a bit more time. When you see all of the ingredients in those dishes and how finely sliced they are, it's no wonder. I loved the chicken dish. The chicken was a little crunchy but the red peppers were super crunchy. It was a bit spicy but deliciously so. I liked the peanuts and what looked like slivers of jalapeño peppers, too. The squid was also great. Here, I think they used more jalapeño peppers and spices. There was more heat to this dish but it was deceptive. The more I ate, the more I could gradually feel the burn. By the time we were full, I could feel my face starting to sweat a little. That was fun. The restaurant is clean and attractive with a remarkable amount of seating. The back portion is reserved for hot pots which I have yet to try there. The staff is friendly, helpful and bilingual. They will make suggestions if you'd like. This restaurant generally gets a bit noisy because it's where large Chinese families gather when they want to go on the town. That's a good thing. There's also a large screen tv that plays cooking shows. With so much going on, the customers seemed pretty happy.

    Been here a bunch of times now and they never disappoint…read more The review is really that simple. It's going to be really good every time. Order something spicy and get excited. Also get the ribs!!!

    Photos
    Northeast Chinese Restaurant II - Seating. Chinese styled furniture.

    Seating. Chinese styled furniture.

    Northeast Chinese Restaurant II - 2022.10.17. Northeast Chinese restaurant

    2022.10.17. Northeast Chinese restaurant

    Northeast Chinese Restaurant II - Fried rice, frog legs, egg with Chives

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    The Plum Blossom - Wonton Soup, Sesame Seed Chicken

    The Plum Blossom

    3.6(275 reviews)
    8.3 mi
    $$

    The Plum Blossom has been a Troy fixture for decades. Same owner and family since it opened…read more Had lunch here on an early Monday afternoon with my mom. We were given hot tea, water, crunchy noodles and dipping sauces to start. The lunch menu had a variety of choices, including vegan. I ordered a starter of Char Sui. For main entree platters, my mom ordered the pan fried tofu dish while I ordered the cod filet with Thai eggplant. I paid for a different side, thin rice noodles, since I didn't want the rice that came with the platter. Finished our meal with a pistachio layer cake and hand dripped coffee. Everything was enjoyable; well balanced and deliciously seasoned. A wonderful variety of Asian flavors in more traditional dishes. It is ornate, and brought me emotionally back in time. The service is more like the 70s and 80s, before food service became a rush for quick turnover. If you are looking for a spot where you can relax and not feel rushed, enjoy unique interior decor, and flavorful distinctive cuisine come here for lunch!

    Been driving by Plum Blossom for many years on drive from NH to NJ and then NH to Schenectady…read more Certainly eye catching exterior and I was not disappointed when I saw interior. Stopped for lunch and ordered sesame chicken. Tea, water and some snacking noodle with 2 sauces. The wonton soup was excellent with large pillowy wontons. The sesame chicken was right portion and fried chicken pieces were hot and crisp and sauce dark sweet and tangy. Pieces of chicken were not uniform which I liked. Great service, great food and the vibe was what I had always imagined it would be from driving by.

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    The Plum Blossom - Interior

    Interior

    The Plum Blossom - Food

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    The Plum Blossom - Dining room

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    Dining room

    Emperor Garden - Stir-Fried Cabbage 手撕包菜(套餐    Mapu Tofu     Lc8 Pork Mince And Eggplant Lc8 肉沫茄子.     Ac1 General Tso Chicken Ac1 左宗鸡.

    Emperor Garden

    3.9(31 reviews)
    4.9 mi

    OUTSTANDING! My daughter told me there was an authentic Chinese restaurant in a mall…read more Impossible I said. I was wrong. The menu which comes on a tablet is formatted in a way that is a bit foreign but if you are able to stick with it you will find the Chinese specialties Americans are used to under American Style and Staples. My daughter and grandkids ordered from those 2 sections I ordered from Sichuan and Liaoning and made converts of the rest of the table. Dishes we ordered and devoured: Steamed as well as as fried Pork and cabbage dumplings: Plump, not doughy, delectable. The youngest got some pineapple chicken ting that she devoured. Daughter ordered Beef & Broccoli and a rice noodle dish with chicken. The broccoli was tasting, the noodles were not over cooked, the plate was cleaned by 3 at the table. Grandson ordered General Tsaos chicken. Looked good, he ate 90% of it. Thy other Grandmom and myself ordered the Eggplant with minced pork, stir fried cabbage and Mapo Tofu. INCREDIBLE. Daughter and Grandson reluctantly tried the 3 dishes and tucked into them like they'd never see food again. Lastly, I ordered the tea. A small pot with a loose mixture of high quality leaves that you can keep refilling from the carafe of hot water. We pried the mix they use out of one of the waiters because we need to have this again and again!

    I just love this place and the staff. My family was delayed with meeting up with me for an hour!…read moreThe staff took the best care of me, and then of my family. The food is delicious. The ambiance tonight was like a house party because there was a work party going on - so it was unusually loud. It is normally pretty quiet there. The pics tell a better story about the food than I can right now, but I will describe one: The poached fillet is a treasure chest of good stuff. It has sea bass, enoki mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, lotus root, bok choy, etc. I did not realize this until I dipped the spoon under the fish. It is worth every penny. The flavor deepens with every bite.

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    Emperor Garden - Jasmine tea

    Jasmine tea

    Emperor Garden - Wonton soup

    Wonton soup

    Emperor Garden - Sf6 Vegetable Pan-Fried Dumplings 6Pcs Sf6 6

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    Sf6 Vegetable Pan-Fried Dumplings 6Pcs Sf6 6

    Shining Rainbow Restaurant - C31 Fried Spicy Chicken Wings (3)

    Shining Rainbow Restaurant

    3.4(173 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    On a cold, windy day there is nothing like a bowl of piping hot soup. Absolutely nothing. On this…read moreparticular day, the wind gusted nearly 20mph and the temps hovered above 30 degrees. It felt brutal as the wind pierced through my coat. Winter still had us in its icy grip even if the calendar said that Spring was only days away. I was alone and I was happy to take refuge in the warm restaurant with its welcoming decor. There are pretty Chinese lamps at each booth as you enter. In the back, the large round tables were filled with families who appeared to be throwing a party. The server told me I could sit wherever I'd like. I chose the first booth. I was only too happy to come in from the cold and sit. Oh, the bowl of soup that I ordered turned out to be a dream come true! It wasn't just any soup. It was the Wonton Noodle soup lunch special at Shining Rainbow on Central Ave. in Albany. The menu is in both English and Chinese. After looking at the description, I thought I had an option to add some meat to the soup. So I asked for some roast pork. After I placed the order, a young man from the kitchen staff actually came out to ask me what kind of noodles I wanted in my soup: skinny, medium or wide. He spoke to me in Chinese. I must have really confused the staff because a second staffer also followed him out and he asked me exactly the same question in English. I was really surprised. I said to them in (Mandarin) Chinese, " Don't you usually use the thin noodles for this soup? I'll take what's easiest for you to prepare." So I realized later--after they'd gone--that I didn't actually answer their questions. I must have added to their confusion but they were so very nice and polite. About 10 minutes later, a server returns with a huge steaming bowl of soup. I'm still so cold and when I see the steam rising in the distance from the soup bowl, I'm smiling. He places the soup in front of me. It's a thing of beauty. It also had vegetables that I didn't ask for, but that's not a bad thing. I took one look into the bowl and expressed my shock, "Wow. It's huge." The server looked satisfied and walked away. Underneath the roast pork and bright green veggies, there were thin noodles swimming in soup. It smelled divine. But there were no wontons. Should I say something? No. Because this meal looked perfect. Despite the confusion that I might have contributed to-- I wound up with what I really needed--a delicious and healthy hot meal. I almost finished it, too. The servers packed the rest up for me. When the bill came, I wondered what it would be. The lunch specials which are offered Monday- Saturday are just over $10. Almost $11. Sure enough, that's what they charged me. I gave them a large tip. I think $5 or $6. They were just so nice. Perhaps I looked so cold and pitiful. Whatever the reason, it was an awesome meal that didn't break the bank and I hope I can order it again sometime with or without wontons.

    I am not a huge fan of the location as I find it congested. Also, I am out of my element as this is…read morenot an area where I normally go. But, for good food I will travel. Luckily there's a Municipal lot next door and it made a difference. Street parking can be a pain at times... I walk in and immediately got a warm welcome. I liked the overall look and ambiance of the restaurant. Once seated, hot tea and menus were given to me straightaway. I especially liked that the menus had lots of visuals of many of their dishes. Especially if you are not familiar with many of their authentic Chinese dishes offered. I ordered their spring rolls and steamed dumplings to start and it was really good! I then had their Peking Duck, General Tso's squid, stir fried sea scallops and shrimp as well as their beef and vegetable pan fried noodles. The taste was excellent and their family sized portions did not disappoint. Lastly, I found the staff to be very attentive and engaging. They went above and beyond to ensure that I had a fantastic meal here. Their menu selection is large, so expect to have trouble deciding on what to order. You'll want to return as every bite is a party in your mouth. I cannot emphasize enough what a great meal I had here, and I will be back!

    Photos
    Shining Rainbow Restaurant - Restaurant interior

    Restaurant interior

    Shining Rainbow Restaurant - C43. Beef with Chinese Broccoli

    C43. Beef with Chinese Broccoli

    Shining Rainbow Restaurant - Restaurant interior

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    Restaurant interior

    Shu Chinese Restaurant - Top right: Spicy Wings
 Bottom left: A portion of an order of Home Style Tofu (deep fried) and brown rice.

    Shu Chinese Restaurant

    4.2(64 reviews)
    6.8 mi
    $$

    The meal I ordered seemed so simple: pork and pickled vegetables with rice noodles. I ordered it as…read moretakeout. As I sat down to eat it I was already anticipating what it might taste like. Wow. It was great. I rarely have such an immediate reaction. It was every bit as wonderful as I hoped it would be. Almost too spicy. Makes your lips burn sort of spicy. At least, my face didn't break out in a sweat. For my taste, this was authentic Szechuan with just enough heat. It was a large portion. I had enough leftover for a meal the next day. I tried to plate the meal to do it justice even though it was takeout. This was my first visit to Shu. The interior looks nice. The woman at the counter was friendly. I'd heard a great deal about the restaurant. Trying to decide what to order on my next visit.

    Updating my review of this place based upon two dishes: Bok choy with garlic and Home style tofu…read more(deep fried). Both were available with either white rice or brown rice. I opted for the brown rice. Funny how our palates change over time. When I was younger, I hated Brussel sprouts. Now, I love them. Same situation here. When I was younger, I would have said the bok choy with garlic was plain and boring. Now, I taste it as a more subtle dish. It is served in a broth, not the cloying sticky sauce that's usually made thicker by the addition of a corn starch/flour slurry. The broth allows for the flavor of the bok choy to shine. I'm guessing the dish was made with MSG as well. Nothing wrong with MSG, it is one of the ingredients which provides a savoriness or meatiness to a dish - umami. The bok choy was trying hard to be meaty. Also, the addition of sesame oil was evident at the end of a bite, the slight taste and whiff of sesame becoming more pronounced. Home style tofu - this was comforting and satisfying with a slight kick of spicy heat. It's like grandma hugged you and squeezed your cheek, for good measure. There was a corn starch slurry used in this dish but it sort of calls for it; it's a more substantial protein rich dish. I honestly didn't miss meat at all when eating this meal. The dishes provided today proved to me that the cooks at Shu Chinese can do subtle...and they can do spice (mala). I'll definitely be back for more.

    Photos
    Shu Chinese Restaurant - Inside

    Inside

    Shu Chinese Restaurant - A portion of an order of bok choy with garlic over brown rice.

    A portion of an order of bok choy with garlic over brown rice.

    Shu Chinese Restaurant - Mapo tofu (Soft tofu with minced pork and spicy sauce)

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    Mapo tofu (Soft tofu with minced pork and spicy sauce)

    Ocean Palace - dimsum - Updated May 2026

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