I drove 75+ minutes (one way) to eat at this restaurant, that tells you what I think of this place. If you like authenticate Taiwanese food, and you live near by, I consider you a very lucky person.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Living L.
Love the food. Place not as expected but it doesn't even matter. I was able to buy Taiwanese comfort food. Will be a repeat customer.
Andy M
If you don't speak Taiwanese, then you are likely going to be treated a bit unwelcomed. If you already know what you want, can just point at the menu, and not say a word, you might be ok.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Spicy Pork Intestine
Claire K.
Nowhere did it mention that this restaurant is a bowling alley and bar. The posted menu was VERY limited. How did it get all the good reviews???!!! There is no wonton soup and there was pork in my shrimp fried rice. Very disappointing.
Imani Lugo
Called to order for the first time and I started my order with one item I was unaware that they did not have but still had more to order but the woman that answered the phone said “we don’t have it” and automatically hung up without taking the rest of my order.
Service: 1
Ellen C.
The food was mediocre at best. The service left much to be desired. I will not eat here again...ever. wish I could have given it 1/4 star.
Timothy Law
Authentic taiwanese food. No dine in, only take out.
Per R.
Our go to for Taiwanese takeout. It's legit! They have the best beef noodle soup in Monmouth County. We got their San Bei Ji (3-cup chicken) - delicious! The thickened pork soup was very flavorful. The stir fried pork with tofu was great as well.
Sherry P.
Awesome Taiwanese food! Is delicious, perfect! Call for pick up and food is ready on time!
Sebastian B.
I've lived in Middletown of nearly 20 years and driven past Harmony Bowl thousands of times and never stopped. I knew there was a Chinese restaurant attached and now I regret passing so many times. Curiosity got the best of me and I popped into China Palace because I wanted a takeout menu and was ready to try their food. I checked out the Yelp page and saw real authentic dishes. You must know they are takeout only, you have to call in your order and for us non Asian food enthusiast many of the dishes may not be appealing. This is not your average takeout Chinese food. This place is for the adventurous eater. That said take your time on the menu and you will find some familiar Chinese dishes like beef with broccoli and general Tso's and Kung Pao chicken. I went bonkers and orders 4 items for lunch/dinner/late night/ and lunch the next day. I was thoroughly impressed. The food is fabulous. I tried the wontons in spicy sauce and it wasn't very spicy but it was wonderful, big meaty steamed wontons in a tasty soy based sauce. The crispy breaded Porkchop had a really different but pleasing coating which was very crunchy with tender boneless pork. Again the spice level of the sauce was very low. I think they toned it down because I'm Anglo. The beef and broccoli was great. Large slices of super tender beef and a generous portion of broccoli in a delicious sauce. I also ordered the Chinese sausage fried rice, again I was blown away by its authenticity. I'll be back because I need to try their noodle dishes. Things to know; Susan takes the orders and she is super nice and will Shepard you through the more unusual dishes. They are takeout/pick up only so use the menu from the Yelp page photos and call your order in. The prices are great and the portions are huge so have some friends to help you enjoy the feast. I can't wait to order again
The perfect example of you can't judge a book by it's cover. The whole bowling center and parking lot that this restaurant is attached to looks like it was abandoned probably 20 years ago. From the outside, you would not think that any business was still running here. The restaurant has black tinted windows that you can't see inside, so it look dark and closed. The entrance to the blowing alley looks like it was chained up and closed. Both are more than open, but are great. The bowling alley is modern inside and well lit. The restaurant says "China Palace" but it's actually authentic Taiwanese food. Everything from oyster omelets, to meat cup cake, thick soup with vermicelli, to braised pork over rice dishes. Because of the pandemic ongoing, they are only doing takeout at the moment, but it's worth the effort to get there. Wherever GPS guides you, take it, because it's not leading you to an abandoned alley, it's actually very much alive. The prices were on the slightly higher side, not overly expensive, but worth the extra price for the authentic taste. I am only not giving five stars because it's not eat in, and because the decor of the interior, unlike the bowling alley, is stuck in very much 1970's decor. When we have a chance to eat in, will update this, but for now, 5 stars on the food, brought down one star only because could not eat in.
Jenny T.
This place locates inside a bowling alley. Serving regular soft drinks and snakes for regular bowling goers. However, this review is for the Chinese food they serve. They have separate entry doorway if you just want to order Chinese takeout to go. (Due to the pandemic, they only have takeouts for the moment.) Food region style is Taiwanese. Be aware of dates of menus posted by other Yelpers, prices have been increased throughout the years. Despite the attitude of the lady who takes your order, she is just being short-answered on majority of questions you might have, but it's just the way she is, not that she's in bad mood or anything... If you are looking for Taiwanese food in central Jersey, this is the place as close as you go.
Jingyu Z.
Our go-to place for a nice satisfying meal! We have been to many Chinese/Asian restaurants in this area, and other places we visit, and China palace is our benchmark. We rarely like the other places better. Our kids live in NYC and when they visit us, one of the things we always do is to order food from China Palace which apparently brings back happy childhood memories. The menu is fairly simple, food is unpretentious and definitely inexpensive, however they taste great. Their clientele tends to be Taiwanese and Chinese and that says something about the authenticity of their food. Highly recommended.
Peter D
Take out only in a dine in facility, but the food was good and the prices are reasonable A big plus is they offer traditional Taiwanese dishes.
sumena t.
It is not closed. Open for take out only. Excellent Taiwanese food hidden in a bowling alley. We love this place! Great pork chop over rice, fish, chow fun, and other classics.
I drove 75+ minutes (one way) to eat at this restaurant, that tells you what I think of this place. If you like authenticate Taiwanese food, and you live near by, I consider you a very lucky person.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the food. Place not as expected but it doesn't even matter. I was able to buy Taiwanese comfort food. Will be a repeat customer.
If you don't speak Taiwanese, then you are likely going to be treated a bit unwelcomed. If you already know what you want, can just point at the menu, and not say a word, you might be ok.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Spicy Pork Intestine
Nowhere did it mention that this restaurant is a bowling alley and bar. The posted menu was VERY limited. How did it get all the good reviews???!!! There is no wonton soup and there was pork in my shrimp fried rice. Very disappointing.
Called to order for the first time and I started my order with one item I was unaware that they did not have but still had more to order but the woman that answered the phone said “we don’t have it” and automatically hung up without taking the rest of my order.
Service: 1
The food was mediocre at best. The service left much to be desired. I will not eat here again...ever. wish I could have given it 1/4 star.
Authentic taiwanese food. No dine in, only take out.
Our go to for Taiwanese takeout. It's legit! They have the best beef noodle soup in Monmouth County. We got their San Bei Ji (3-cup chicken) - delicious! The thickened pork soup was very flavorful. The stir fried pork with tofu was great as well.
Awesome Taiwanese food! Is delicious, perfect! Call for pick up and food is ready on time!
I've lived in Middletown of nearly 20 years and driven past Harmony Bowl thousands of times and never stopped. I knew there was a Chinese restaurant attached and now I regret passing so many times. Curiosity got the best of me and I popped into China Palace because I wanted a takeout menu and was ready to try their food. I checked out the Yelp page and saw real authentic dishes. You must know they are takeout only, you have to call in your order and for us non Asian food enthusiast many of the dishes may not be appealing. This is not your average takeout Chinese food. This place is for the adventurous eater. That said take your time on the menu and you will find some familiar Chinese dishes like beef with broccoli and general Tso's and Kung Pao chicken. I went bonkers and orders 4 items for lunch/dinner/late night/ and lunch the next day. I was thoroughly impressed. The food is fabulous. I tried the wontons in spicy sauce and it wasn't very spicy but it was wonderful, big meaty steamed wontons in a tasty soy based sauce. The crispy breaded Porkchop had a really different but pleasing coating which was very crunchy with tender boneless pork. Again the spice level of the sauce was very low. I think they toned it down because I'm Anglo. The beef and broccoli was great. Large slices of super tender beef and a generous portion of broccoli in a delicious sauce. I also ordered the Chinese sausage fried rice, again I was blown away by its authenticity. I'll be back because I need to try their noodle dishes. Things to know; Susan takes the orders and she is super nice and will Shepard you through the more unusual dishes. They are takeout/pick up only so use the menu from the Yelp page photos and call your order in. The prices are great and the portions are huge so have some friends to help you enjoy the feast. I can't wait to order again
Restaurantji Recommends
The perfect example of you can't judge a book by it's cover. The whole bowling center and parking lot that this restaurant is attached to looks like it was abandoned probably 20 years ago. From the outside, you would not think that any business was still running here. The restaurant has black tinted windows that you can't see inside, so it look dark and closed. The entrance to the blowing alley looks like it was chained up and closed. Both are more than open, but are great. The bowling alley is modern inside and well lit. The restaurant says "China Palace" but it's actually authentic Taiwanese food. Everything from oyster omelets, to meat cup cake, thick soup with vermicelli, to braised pork over rice dishes. Because of the pandemic ongoing, they are only doing takeout at the moment, but it's worth the effort to get there. Wherever GPS guides you, take it, because it's not leading you to an abandoned alley, it's actually very much alive. The prices were on the slightly higher side, not overly expensive, but worth the extra price for the authentic taste. I am only not giving five stars because it's not eat in, and because the decor of the interior, unlike the bowling alley, is stuck in very much 1970's decor. When we have a chance to eat in, will update this, but for now, 5 stars on the food, brought down one star only because could not eat in.
This place locates inside a bowling alley. Serving regular soft drinks and snakes for regular bowling goers. However, this review is for the Chinese food they serve. They have separate entry doorway if you just want to order Chinese takeout to go. (Due to the pandemic, they only have takeouts for the moment.) Food region style is Taiwanese. Be aware of dates of menus posted by other Yelpers, prices have been increased throughout the years. Despite the attitude of the lady who takes your order, she is just being short-answered on majority of questions you might have, but it's just the way she is, not that she's in bad mood or anything... If you are looking for Taiwanese food in central Jersey, this is the place as close as you go.
Our go-to place for a nice satisfying meal! We have been to many Chinese/Asian restaurants in this area, and other places we visit, and China palace is our benchmark. We rarely like the other places better. Our kids live in NYC and when they visit us, one of the things we always do is to order food from China Palace which apparently brings back happy childhood memories. The menu is fairly simple, food is unpretentious and definitely inexpensive, however they taste great. Their clientele tends to be Taiwanese and Chinese and that says something about the authenticity of their food. Highly recommended.
Take out only in a dine in facility, but the food was good and the prices are reasonable A big plus is they offer traditional Taiwanese dishes.
It is not closed. Open for take out only. Excellent Taiwanese food hidden in a bowling alley. We love this place! Great pork chop over rice, fish, chow fun, and other classics.