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EMei, Philadelphia, PA

EMei

4.5
4.5
304 Reviews
$30 and under
Sichuan

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 45 times today
  • Lively
  • Good for groups
  • Vegetarian-friendly
Since 2011, EMei has emerged as one of Philadelphia's premier dining destinations, celebrated for its authentic Chinese cuisine curated by Master Chef Zhao and a team of 6 wok chefs that born and trained in the Sichuan region of China.
Boasting over 50 years of expertise in mastering Sichuan cuisine, Chef Zhao skillfully infuses dishes with bold chili oils, aromatic peppercorns, and expertly seasoned cuts of fish, meat, and produce.
Situated conveniently in Chinatown, EMei diligently procures fresh ingredients daily. With a menu featuring 120 items, including house-made egg rolls and dumplings, we take pride in crafting everything in-house. This commitment not only ensures quality but also enables us to offer a wide selection of gluten-free and vegetarian options.

EMei’s Recent Highlights：
- 50 Best Restaurants by Philadelphia Magazine in 2023 & 24;
- Philly's Best Szechuan Restaurant by Craig Laban & The Inquirer;
- Featured in "Where to Eat in Philadelphia" by Food & Wine Magazine;

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Sichuan, Cocktail Bar, Vegetarian
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (215) 627-2500
  • Website
    https://www.emeiphilly.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    YongCheng Zhao
  • Catering
    Elevate your events with EMei's exquisite catering menu. From corporate gatherings to celebrations, our offerings are crafted to infuse every occasion with the distinctive flavors of Asia. Contact us at hello@emei.restaurant for more details.
  • Private party facilities
    Discover the charm of our two private rooms at EMei. These versatile spaces feature a removable wall, allowing us to combine them into one venue for your special occasions. For more details, reach out to us at hello@emei.restaurant.
  • Location
    915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2404
  • Neighborhood
    Chinatown
  • Cross street
    at the right side of Arch street, between 9th and 10th St
  • Parking details
    There are many street parking at Chinatown, and there are two public parking lot right cross the street. There is also a garage parking lot at 45 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, which is very close and cost friendly.
  • Public transit
    Jefferson station is the stop for SEPTA trains.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 304 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.1Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Philadelphia

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
EMei offers an authentic Sichuan experience with "phenomenal flavors" and "authentic dishes." The restaurant is a bustling hotspot in Philly's Chinatown, known for its "huge portions" and varied menu, perfect for sharing. Service can be inconsistent, with some experiences describing "great service" but occasional delays. The lively atmosphere adds energy, though it can be noisy at times. Don't miss standout dishes like dumplings and walnut shrimp.

304 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    New York City

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    We had a reservation for 6:15pm booked 4 days in advance. We get there and they did not seat us until 7pm. The table that was supposed to ours was not leaving. What’s the point of a reservation if we need to wait 45 minutes to be seated?

    Is this helpful?

  2. Johnny

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    As someone who grew up in China and visited Sichuan multiple times, I feel like they have pretty authentic Sichuan cuisine, everything is by the books. The spice level is definitely toned down but the flavor is great.
    EMeiResponded 7 days ago
    Thank you for your thoughtful review! It means a lot coming from someone familiar with authentic Sichuan cuisine. We’re glad you appreciated the flavors and authenticity of our dishes. We hope to welcome you back soon for another enjoyable meal!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Daniel

    Montreal

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Party of five, so got to try many dishes, and all were excellent. While the cuisine is spicy, the food is not overly spicy, everything was flavorful and well prepared. The whole fish, chicken/cabbage dumplings, and noodle dishes stood out.
    EMeiResponded 7 days ago
    Thank you for the kind words! We’re so happy to hear that your group enjoyed a variety of our dishes and found them flavorful and well-prepared. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for more delicious experiences!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Scott

    Philadelphia

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great fresh authentic , staff was very attentive,
    EMeiResponded on November 12, 2024
    Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed the authentic food and our attentive service. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing gluten free Chinese food! We LOVED it! Fire alarm went off and took awhile to get turned off. That was annoying. But everything else was fabulous!
    EMeiResponded on November 4, 2024
    Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted that you loved our gluten-free options, and we appreciate your patience. Looking forward to having you back for another wonderful experience!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Frank

    Philadelphia

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Best Lo Mein I've ever had! Prices are a little high for Chinatown but the portions are large, so it evens out.
    EMeiResponded on November 4, 2024
    Thank you for your feedback! We're so glad you loved the Lo Mein, and we appreciate your thoughts on the portions and value. Hope to see you back again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Brian

    New York City

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on October 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    This is our third time back. My wife has a gluten allergy and the staff make it easy. There are a great many menu choices and the food was all fantastic. My only complaint is the mixed drinks are a bit expensive.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jeff

    Jacksonville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    It's been a while since we've eaten in Chinatown and this was well worth the visit. This is true Szechuan cooking, with some clearly labeled dishes coming quite spicy - not burn your face off - but a wonderful tingly sensation from the right blend of spices and oils. We had the whole sea bass with spicy sauce and it was terrific. Watch the bones of course. Dan dan noodles were flavorful and sting beans terrific. Highly recommend it.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Angela

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    The service was really slow the last time I was there. We waited for 2 drinks for 30-40 minutes and we had to remind the servers a couple times. They forgot to put our orders in and we had to wait a while. Also they didn’t take out food orders until we flagged the servers down a few times. The food was delicious though.
    EMeiResponded 7 days ago
    Thank you for your honest feedback. We’re sorry to hear about the delays in service during your visit. This is not the standard we strive for, and we appreciate you bringing it to our attention. We're glad you enjoyed the food, and your comments have been shared with our manager. We will emphasize this with our staff and enhance training efforts. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a smoother experience in the future.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Bruce

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Very authentic sichuan (northern Chinese style) food. The space is quite noisy, but the food is great.
    EMeiResponded on October 29, 2024
    Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear you enjoyed our authentic Sichuan food. We appreciate your understanding and hope to see you again soon for another great meal!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

EMei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 627-2500.

EMei is rated 4.5 stars by 304 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 45 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for EMei

915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2404

Additional information

  • Cross street
    at the right side of Arch street, between 9th and 10th St
  • Neighborhood
    Chinatown
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Sichuan, Cocktail Bar, Vegetarian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    There are many street parking at Chinatown, and there are two public parking lot right cross the street. There is also a garage parking lot at 45 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, which is very close and cost friendly.
  • Public transit
    Jefferson station is the stop for SEPTA trains.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    YongCheng Zhao
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    https://www.emeiphilly.com/
  • Phone number
    (215) 627-2500
  • Catering
    Elevate your events with EMei's exquisite catering menu. From corporate gatherings to celebrations, our offerings are crafted to infuse every occasion with the distinctive flavors of Asia. Contact us at hello@emei.restaurant for more details.
  • Private party facilities
    Discover the charm of our two private rooms at EMei. These versatile spaces feature a removable wall, allowing us to combine them into one venue for your special occasions. For more details, reach out to us at hello@emei.restaurant.

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