Sui Yep Cafe — Restaurant in Saint Paul

Hidden Gem on the East Side: Sui Yep Cafe is a Must-Try

We finally tried Sui Yep Cafe on Payne Avenue after a friend recommended it and I’m so glad we did. This mom-and-pop Chinese restaurant is the definition of a hidden gem. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. It’s run by an older couple who clearly put their heart into every part of the experience.

We ordered:

Cream cheese wontons

Mongolian beef

Beef lo mein

Teriyaki chicken with vegetables and rice

The restaurant itself is small, clean, and charming. Yes, it has that old-school East Side vibe, but it’s spotless! From the dining area to the peek we got of the kitchen. Every utensil, surface, and station looked organized and well cared for. Despite it being just the two of them working, the food was ready in under 15 minutes.

Now the food: Wow. We’ve eaten at plenty of other Chinese spots around town; usually at higher price points, but this was hands down some of the best Chinese food we've ever had. Every dish was made to order, fresh, and full of flavor. The Mongolian beef was a highlight tender, flavorful, and clearly made with quality meat, not the prepackaged stuff. The lo mein was perfect springy noodles, fresh-cut veggies, and the kind of wok-seared flavor that shows care and experience. Even the teriyaki chicken came packed with flavor and sat on a bed of perfectly cooked rice.

And the price? All of that for under $50. In 2025, that’s practically unheard of.

We left impressed, full, and already planning our next visit. If you're looking for delicious, affordable, home-style Chinese food served by kind folks who take pride in their work! Sui Yep Cafe deserves your business. Highly...

I ordered Kung Pao pork but what I actually got was a bowl of gross, soggy celery with a few pieces of pork. It was the ONLY vegetable in my dish.

Stop. Stop it. Stop using nasty, cheap celery as a main ingredient. STOP.

SERIOUSLY.

NO ONE ENJOYS CELERY THAT MUCH.

LITERALLY NO ONE.

How difficult is it to cook real vegetables? Onions, carrots, broccoli... These are not expensive ingredients. Why go SO cheap that you're only using celery? Would it pain you to include a description on your menu so I know what does and doesn't use celery as the main ingredient?

Is there some sort of Big Celery conspiracy that requires bad Chinese food include an entire head of celery? Is there someone forcing you to make this, or are you actively chosing to make celery your star ingredient?

Would your own staff even eat this? I'll buy another order, and I want to watch the head cook eat it. Every last bite of an entire head of celery. Let me know a...

I'd give Sui Yep Cafe 5 stars if not for the inconsistency of food quality, time of delivery, and unapproved substitutions or missing items. Some of the food is very good, but some nights it is not so good. You have to gamble that the night you order it is going to be that savory food you wanted. I'd recommend just going in to pick it up because I've had to call them on several occasions after an hour has passed for them to tell me they now just left and it will take an additional 10-15 minutes when we only live 10 minutes from the restaurant. There have been a few times I did not receive a call and they have delivered a cheaper substitution for something I ordered, so then I pretty much just have to take it. Sometimes items are missing with no compensation for...