A Chinese restaurant integrating hot pot and Sichuan cuisine

Royal Pot (East Lansing) – Solid Sichuan Eats Near MSU (Great Value, 1-Hr Drive from Ann Arbor) After two days of “white people food” in Northern Michigan, biting into real Chinese food here was pure satisfaction! 🤤 Located in Lansing (about an hour from Ann Arbor, near MSU), Royal Pot serves both hot pot and Sichuan dishes—we skipped the hot pot, but their Sichuan plates still hit the spot. The vibe is nice, and the quality even outshines some Ann Arbor spots. Here’s the breakdown 🌶️! 🍆 Dishes: No Misses, But No “Wow” Standouts All the food we ordered was tasty, though a few fell just short of being unforgettable: Spicy Eggplant with Cowpeas: The eggplant is tender and flavorful, but it can’t beat the “Fish-Fragrant Eggplant” at Tian Tian (that one still blows me away!). It’s good, just not (amazing) 😕. Twice-Cooked Pork: We packed this to go, and the flavor holds up—savory, with that classic Sichuan seasoning. The only tiny flaw? The pork was a little tough. Pro tip: I forgot rice, so I mixed it with Trader Joe’s noodles… total fusion, but it worked! 🍜 Spicy Dry Pot: Tied with Tian Tian’s dry pot, but with a fun twist—it tastes like spicy strips (la tiao)! 🤩 The dried tofu skin, in particular, soaks up the sauce and tastes like a “healthier version” of the snack. Super addictive. Spicy Beef Tendon (Cold Dish): Crisp and chewy, like konjac snacks (mo yu shuang)—not too spicy, and perfect for whetting your appetite. A great cold starter 🥢. Spicy Crispy Chicken: Not as good as the best version I’ve had (at YP Bor Yan), but still solid. This one is drier and extra crispy, while YP Bor Yan’s is juicier and more rice-friendly. Both are good—just different styles 🍗. 💰 Price: Amazing Value (Under $25 Per Person!) Total steal—we ate in, plus one person packed a dish to go, and the bill was only ~$20+ per person. For portion size and flavor, this is way more affordable than most Sichuan spots in Ann Arbor 💰. 📍 Location: 1-Hr Drive from Ann Arbor (Near MSU) 4750 Hagadorn Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823—it’s a bit of a drive, but worth it if you’re in the area (or craving better Chinese food than Ann Arbor’s usual) 🚗. 🌟 Final Verdict: Good, But Not Worth a Special Trip Royal Pot is a reliable pick for Sichuan food—no bad dishes, great value, and a nice atmosphere. But there’s no single dish that makes me want to drive an hour just for it. If you’re visiting MSU, or passing through Lansing, stop by—you won’t be disappointed. But if you’re in Ann Arbor, Tian Tian or YP Bor Yan are still closer picks ✨. #UniversityOfMichigan #MichiganFoodie #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #MichiganEats #SichuanCuisine #EastLansingFood #RoyalPotEastLansing