Eastern Palace — Restaurant in Manor Township

I do not know where to begin with this review. If you look at my other reviews, you'll realize this is a rarity. It is simply because this place has left me speechless! I have thought about it since last week (when I visited) and have decided that this is not only one of the best places I have ever eaten in my life, but also one of the best individual dishes, period! For a little background on why this statement matters: I am someone who loves to cook and eat what I have produced, equally. Before the pandemic, I spent a large portion of my life travelling to food spots just to try them. I practice dining out with the same gusto, fervency, and passion as a sports fan following their chosen team. THIS is my sport, my passion, my hobby.

When we walked in we were greeted and seated immediately. I don't know if it was the wall that obscured us from view or if the person that seated us forgot to pass on the information that there were new customers to our waiter. Either way, from the time we were seated to the time someone came over, was quite a long time. This was initially frustrating. When the waiter finally came over, he was very apologetic as if he knew we had been waiting a while. He kept apologizing and proceeded to take our order. I ordered the tom yum soup with chicken and the pad ga pow. One of the main ingredients in the dish (which I was not aware of at the time) is eggplant. I am not at all an eggplant fan so I kindly asked for it to be left out. It was obvious that he would have been very accommodating to my request but he started to explain that it isn't the normal eggplant I'm used to. It's Chinese eggplant. Then he talked about how it's smaller overall which is more conducive to stir frying and how the normal eggplant I know of would be too thick and wouldn't cook in time, etc., etc. Being a foodie, I loved the entire interaction. Upon hearing his passion I said, "Based on the reviews, and the technical knowledge you have on the dish, I'll take it the way you make it." He said, Are you sure? We can....". "Yes, I'm sure". He then continues, "How about we put half of the amount of eggplant we normally do and give you a few more of the other veggies you like in it to balance it out?". I said, "That would be wonderful!". Every time he came to the table for any reason, he would be thanking us in a slight bow while softly back-pedaling. Almost as if he was a bother. I perceived it as great humility. The dishes that this place is putting out are 2nd to none. I was raving about this place from the first spoonful of soup the entire way through the meal. I was still talking about it the next day. I just can't remember the last time I had such a great experience in a restaurant. They are putting up 5-star level flavor at this facility for a fantastic price. There's enough here to take home. They do not skimp. This level of flavor balance is reserved for top chefs. Ya know what the best thing about it is? Sometimes, great chefs are humble local restaurant owners- not celebrities yelling at their subordinates! I am so thankful this place is here! This is a serious diamond-in-the-rough. The type of place you recommend to someone on food network. The type of place you could come in, pick a menu item blind-folded, and trust the results will blow you away. It's the type of place that can actually change your perspective on food. It can make you think you've been eating absolute garbage for years -even if you haven't. It can make you a better cook. If you go here, as is indicated by the reviews, you WILL NOT be disappointed. On the off-chance that you might be, just try another dish and any issue you had will melt away into foodie bliss. Should you visit here? Lets just say if I travelled 3 hours to go to only this restaurant, it would easily be worth the trip. What are you waiting...

I could not have been more surprised by the quality of food, the excellent service, and the value.

So I'm just going to say I'm going to break this into three parts. The first part of safety and cleanliness. The second part of service. The third part will be the actual food.

I haven't really been out too many restaurants because you can't eat in and that's something I really miss but, like doing anything without a mask on in public, it's risky right now.

I was going to go to a different restaurant, but as a recent vegan, it's hard to find places you can actually eat out and not worry about the food.

Burmese food is mostly vegetarian although this place offers a triple threat of Burmese food, Thai food, and also sushi.

I walked in and not only was it immaculate everybody that works there had masks on, properly, like actually over their noses and mouths!

The server sat me down and when I was a little timid about being right next to the door where people enter and exit, he sat me on the other side of the restaurant, and he did this with genuine kindness! Nary a hint of any kind of attitude.

I was waited on by both the server and the owner, Wayne. Both were friendly and courteous and asked me if I had any questions about the Burmese cuisine.

I ordered Jasmine tea which is really lovely if it's not from a tea bag, to my absolute delight it came in this wonderful cast iron teapot and it was loose leaf and it was stunningly beautiful in the mouth.

Drinking flowers before they get bitter is a sublime art. It was great!

I tried the pumpkin curry with tofu and vegetables and from the moment I put it in my mouth I was transported into a different place. That's exactly the thing I was looking for, that is exactly the thing I look for when I'm eating a cuisine that I can't make at home.

It was beautiful and vibrant and fresh and alive and it made my mouth, body, and soul, extraordinarily happy.

They served me a small cup of a lentil soup that they make as well which was also fantastic.

I really can't say enough about how amazing this place is if you're looking for healthy food that is made with obvious love.

I cannot wait to go back with my...

Eastern Palace is one of those incredibly few restaurants, which upon the first bite, on your first visit, will make you realize that you have chanced upon a gem. A very warm, inviting, tingly feeling in your tummy kind of gem. This Burmese family owned restaurant serves unpretentious food true to their roots. Their menu includes Burmese, Thai, and some pan Asian fare and sushi almost required in most Asian restaurants to cater to the greater Lancastrian population. The chef/owner, Wen, whose genuine personality alone is almost another reason just to visit here, has had extensive experience in the kitchen industry and it shows in the quality of their food. The Burmese dishes here have a explosive wonder. Everything that I have had in this section of the menu is balanced, but emphasizes the distinct flavors of this region of Southeast Asia that make it stand out from other Asian specialties. Of note is Mont Hin Gar, the unofficial yet astounding representative of Myanmar to the world food stage, which has now become my favorite dish here. The curries are flavorful but delicate, and can be adjusted from very mild, to deliciously hellish. Your mouth, your choice. :) Their Thai menu is delicious and savory as well and will give other "authentic"Thai restaurants a run for their money. Notable dishes are their version of Pad Thai which has a beautiful hint of wok hei, and creamy, unctuous Tom Kha Gai (coconut chicken soup). I have yet to try the sushi here, but judging from all other efforts, Im sure it is just as good if not better than others around.

Come taste for yourself why this restaurant is absolutely worth all of Google's 4.9 star rating. One taste, and you will be...