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EMei, Philadelphia, PA

EMei

4.5
4.5
313 Reviews
$30 and under
Sichuan

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 58 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Lively
  • 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 11:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 11:00–22:00
  • Phone number
    (215) 627-2500
  • 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.
  • Area
    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, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 313 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
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
E Mei offers a vibrant dining experience with "authentic Sichuan cuisine" and diverse menu options, including gluten-free dishes. Guests rave about the "phenomenal flavors" and "excellent service," though some mention noise levels and wait times. Perfect for spice enthusiasts, this restaurant promises generous portions and deliciously bold flavors.

313 Reviews
  1. BruceR

    VIP

    Atlantic City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and service We had a wonderful experience We will be back

    Is this helpful?

  2. James

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Great food, but service was some of the worst I’ve had in recent experience.
    EMeiResponded 1 day ago
    Dear James, Thank you for sharing your experience. While we're glad you enjoyed the food, we sincerely apologize for the service falling short. We’re addressing this with staff training and improved protocols. We’d love the chance to provide the exceptional service you deserve. Please let us know when you’d like to return so we can ensure a better experience. Thank you for helping us improve, and we hope to welcome you back soon! Best regards Anna Lee, Manager @ EMei

    Is this helpful?

  3. Al

    VIP

    Philadelphia

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    New place for us and we loved it. Noise level was kinda high though.
    EMeiResponded 4 days ago
    Thank you for trying us out! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed your visit. Your feedback has been shared with our manager, and we’ll explore ways to enhance the experience. Looking forward to welcoming you back soon! Warm regards, EMei

    Is this helpful?

  4. Jessica

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 14 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    EMei is one of the best dining experiences you will have.
    EMeiResponded 4 days ago
    Thank you for your glowing review! It’s an honor to be considered one of the best dining experiences. We’re so grateful for your support and look forward to welcoming you back soon for another memorable meal! Warm regards, EMei

    Is this helpful?

  5. Danton

    Philadelphia

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on 9 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Magnificent. Delicious. They expertly balance flavor and heat. And the restaurant has a great vibe.
    EMeiResponded on 10 December 2024
    Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the expertly balanced flavors and heat in our dishes. We're also glad you appreciated the vibe of the restaurant. We look forward to welcoming you back for another magnificent dining experience! Warm regards, EMei Restaurant

    Is this helpful?

  6. A

    VIP

    Philadelphia

    28 reviews

    3.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Great server. Very attentive. Very crowded. Great parking nearby. Good food. Spicy. Fun environment. Not romantic spot because it is very loud. Has liquor incense and bar but bar is small and by front door so when door opens it is cold.
    EMeiResponded on 9 December 2024
    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We truly appreciate your kind words about our attentive service, fun environment, convenient parking, and food quality. We apologize if the noise level impacted your overall experience. We understand how these details can influence the atmosphere, especially when seeking a more romantic or intimate setting. Your comments are incredibly valuable, and we will carefully review them as we continue to enhance our space and offerings. We hope you’ll give us another opportunity to exceed your expectations in the future. If you have additional feedback or there’s anything we can do to make your next visit exceptional, please feel free to reach out to me at hello@emei.restaurant. Warm regards, EMei Restaurant

    Is this helpful?

  7. John

    Philadelphia

    55 reviews

    5.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on 30 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Service was excellent with a huge selection of food to pick from. Portions were large and delicious. As with most restaurants in Chinatown do not expect any ambiance.
    EMeiResponded on 5 December 2024
    Thank you for your great review! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed the food. We hope to serve you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jessica

    Greater Boston

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 29 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Holy crap that was good. Best Chinese food I’ve had in the city.
    EMeiResponded on 5 December 2024
    Thank you for the incredible feedback! We're so glad you enjoyed your meal, and your approval is the greatest encouragement to us. Looking forward to serving you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Christine

    Philadelphia

    72 reviews

    4.0

    72 reviews

    Dined on 27 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    When we arrived for early dinner at 5:30 there were only a few tables dining. Within 30 minutes the restaurant was full. The service was a bit slow. Our food took a while to come out. The food was great as usual! Unfortunately our table was directly under a vent blowing cold air. So our dishes got cold quickly. And we were also cold. Overall not conducive to a great dining experience.
    EMeiResponded on 29 November 2024
    Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the food, but we’re sorry that the temperature of your dining experience didn’t meet expectations. We appreciate your patience during the busy hours, and I’ve shared your comments with our management team to find better solutions. For future visits, please don’t hesitate to let our staff know if you have any concerns—we’ll be happy to address them right away. Your feedback is invaluable, and we look forward to providing you with a more comfortable experience next time. We hope to welcome you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner

    New York City

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 22 November 2024

    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?
    EMeiResponded on 29 November 2024
    Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We apologize for the inconvenience. This is not the experience we aim to provide. Occasionally, during busy periods, unforeseen circumstances, such as extended stays by other diners, can cause delays, and your feedback has been shared with our management team. Avoiding such situations can be challenging, but we are continually seeking better solutions. We appreciate your patience and understanding and hope to have the opportunity to provide a better dining experience in the future. If you'd like to share more details, please feel free to reach out to us at hello@emei.restaurant. Thank you for your feedback!

    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 313 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 58 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
  • Area
    Chinatown
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 11:00–22:00
  • 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, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • 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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