The Rice Palace
Posted on 20 July 2010
On our last day in MN my uncle took us to The Rice Palace, a Hmong buffet in St. Paul Minnesota on White Bear Ave. I’ve been to a Hmong restaurant before here in Georgia (although it’s sad to say that they sold the restaurant and now its a Thai restaurant), I was very excited to try this restaurant when I first heard it had open. Minnesota’s Senator Mee Moua took the honor to be a part of the grand opening earlier this year. From what I’ve read she was very impress with this restaurant so I was excited to see if it was good. I had heard mix opinion so I had to try it for myself.
I have to say when I entered into this buffet it felt like walking into any buffet, but when you walk in you are greeted by the cashier, paid for you meal and then are seated by waitresses dress in a Hmong design vest which I though was very clever. Everyone who worked there was very friendly and kind, I was impressed with the happy faces. It wasn’t a busy afternoon at all considering it was a Tuesday afternoon, there was two waitresses that I had notice and one waiter who works at the pho and bbq station. The service was great with the smiling faces but I was disappointed to say that I had to ask for refills on my water, honestly I hate having to ask for water when I am at a restaurant, I know I am very annal, sorry guys, but besides having to ask for refills of my water, they were great with their services.
The food was great, very yummy! I do not know if they serve the same things all the times, but when we went I remember they serve some great food, I had my pick on the spring rolls, the sushi, the sweet meat (my favorite) and a few more yummy dishes that they offer there. Oh and I was very very happy to see some pepper, as a huge pepper eater I was expecting pepper and they were great with it, the pepper was very good too. I really enjoyed their spring roll, it was one of my favorite aside from the sweet meat. The fried rice was good, honestly all the food I picked out was good. Their pho was very good as well. What buffet offers pho? Wait never mind, Sydney Buffet here in Georgia offers Pho too, but back to what I was saying, their pho was pretty good. Having a handsome guys work at the Pho stand, that was a plus!! Pity I didn’t get to try their KongPong (Curry noodle) but I will the next time I go back to MN. They had a good selections of dessert as well. I especially like their tricolor, it was very good.
Again I enjoyed this restaurant, the only problem I had was not refilling my water, but besides that I had a good experience and thought the food was great!! Everyone who stops by St. Paul or Minneapolis should give this Hmong restaurant a try!
4 responses to The Rice Palace
What’s on the Buffet sounds like a Chinese/Thai food, or are these the Hmong dishes also?
I’m sure they don’t mind you asking for refill, but I see a bad review on it already.
Eagh, I’m definately not going back. 13 bucks for a buffet, i would rather go somewhere else better. I had the opposite from yours. I was not impress with the food. Their service was great, but their food sucked. The rice was hard, their meet seemed like it was ages since it’s been cooked, it was just bad.
Definately not a place i’ll be visiting again.
I didn’t even try this! When I was in MN, all I really ate was Indian food since my blogger friends took me out. I miss them already!
I honestly think that that most Asian places are not very cautious, well, especially buffets with filling up your drink with water. I hate that too since I drink a lot of water.
The only buffet I could think of that does refill and I do not need to ask is the Indian buffet I took you took. I love them. I have never have to beg for them to refill, the would refill, even if it’s only 2/3 full. I love them, I want some Indian food right now
hey… my old boss owns that rest. it is pretty good I heard. I use to work at te rice palace in Milwaukee.. and they also have a rice palace bakery in mn too..