Sunday, May 8, 2011

Imperial Garden Express

Imperial Garden Express looks like a basic Chinese takeout restaurant.  I hadn't considered trying it, figuring it was just basic, American-style Chinese food.  However, armed with a tip from a friend, I decided to give it a go.  Here's the tip:  they have a separate menu, handwritten in Chinese, with entirely different items than their American menu.  So, I marched up to the counter, told them that I knew about the "secret" menu, and asked to see it.  They showed me it.  Which, of course, was no help to me, since I don't read Chinese.  After a bit of discussion, I ordered a spicy beef noodle soup.  It was delicious.  The broth was deep colored and richly flavored with star anise and chile, lots of chile (read:  this soup is spicy!) 

In any case, this place is promising!  I told him that there were Americans who would like to read the "secret" menu.  I asked them to translate it.  Hopefully, they will.  Until then, your options are: 1) learning to read Chinese, 2) selecting from the Chinese menu at random, or 3) ask them to help guide you through the options.  For the third choice, you might help them by telling them what kind of meat you want (chicken, beef, pork) and if you want something spicy, and if you want noodles or rice.
View of the dining room. 
The spicy beef noodle soup.

Imperial Garden Express
421 Tuttle Creek Blvd Manhattan, KS 66502
Hours :
10:30 am to 9:00 pm Everyday
Phone : (785) 537-1888

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