Royal Kitchen

Royal Kitchen, categorized under Chinese Restaurants, offers a specific type of Chinese culinary experience centered around dim sum. Located at 13200 NE 20th St Ste 400, Bellevue, WA 98005, USA, this establishment can be contacted at (425) 559-7987 or +1 425-559-7987. The reviews suggest a history and a recent transition that local users might find relevant when considering this dining option.

As a Chinese Restaurant focusing on dim sum, Royal Kitchen likely provides an environment conducive to enjoying these small, savory dishes. Historically, as mentioned by a long-time customer, the restaurant operated under the name Kings Restaurant. The transition to Royal Kitchen appears to be a rebranding, with some familiar staff remaining. The ambiance of a dim sum restaurant can vary, but often includes a bustling and lively atmosphere, especially during peak hours. While specific details about the current décor and ambiance of Royal Kitchen are not provided, the mention of a change from a traditional cart service to ordering from a menu might have influenced the dining experience.

In terms of services, Royal Kitchen has adapted its approach to serving dim sum. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a "go-to place" that featured a cart service, a traditional method where various dim sum dishes are presented on rolling carts, allowing diners to choose what they like as the carts pass by. However, the current service model involves ordering, which ensures that the dishes are served hot. This change might be seen as both a positive (hotter food) and a negative (loss of the visual selection and spontaneity of the cart) depending on individual preferences. The general service quality is described by one reviewer as having "no issue," indicating a satisfactory level of attentiveness from the staff.

The primary feature of Royal Kitchen, as highlighted by the reviews, is its dim sum offerings. Dim sum encompasses a wide variety of small, bite-sized dishes, typically steamed, fried, or baked, and often served with tea. While one recent experience was highly negative, a prior customer who frequented the establishment when it was Kings Restaurant had positive memories of the food quality. This suggests a potential inconsistency or decline in food standards since the rebranding and the change in service style.

One positive review from a returning customer mentioned being "Happy with our lunch" and noted that the "food is good." This suggests that positive experiences are still possible. However, the detailed negative review from another long-time patron paints a concerning picture of the current state of their dim sum. This customer reported that during a recent birthday visit, every dish tasted reheated, possibly from frozen, with issues ranging from being inadequately heated and cold to being overheated and dry. Alarmingly, both the 咸水角 (salty water dumpling) and 芋角 (taro dumpling) were described as having a pronounced taste of pork taint, leading to a severely unpleasant experience. This reviewer strongly implied a significant drop in food quality compared to their past experiences at Kings Restaurant.

The stark contrast between the two reviews highlights a potential issue with consistency or quality control at Royal Kitchen. While some customers might still find the food to be "good," others have experienced significant disappointments, particularly with the freshness and preparation of the dim sum. This discrepancy could be a crucial factor for local users to consider.

Currently, there is no specific promotional information provided for Royal Kitchen. Dim sum restaurants may occasionally offer specials on certain dishes or during off-peak hours, but no such details are mentioned in the reviews. Local users interested in any potential promotions might need to contact the restaurant directly or check if they have any online presence where such information might be advertised.

In conclusion, Royal Kitchen in Bellevue, formerly known as Kings Restaurant, offers a Chinese dining experience focused on dim sum. While a returning customer reported satisfaction with their lunch and noted consistent service and food quality compared to the past (albeit with ordered dim sum instead of a cart), a more recent experience from another long-time patron was overwhelmingly negative, citing reheated, poorly prepared dim sum with potential food safety concerns. This significant difference in recent experiences suggests that local users considering Royal Kitchen should be aware of the potential for inconsistent food quality. While the service might generally be acceptable, the current state of the dim sum, based on the critical review, warrants caution. Without any specific promotional information, potential customers will need to rely on their own judgment based on these contrasting recent experiences.