Jason Kwan, who also owns Jason's Cafe and the to-go Su Hong location in Menlo Park, is behind the new dim sum restaurant. An employee confirmed on Sunday that it was open.
When Kwan bought Su Hong's popular takeout location on Menlo Avenue in 2015, he also took over the larger El Camino Real restaurant space. Su Hong closed there in 2012 for renovations and never reopened.
Local restaurant owner Jason Kwan took over both the original Su Hong restaurant and the to-go location, above, in 2015, now named Chef Kwans. Photo by Michelle Le.
Yum Cha Palace has both a dim sum and a full menu with typical Chinese fare — dumplings, noodles, peking duck, walnut prawns and more. More expensive items include a grilled "giant" beef short rib ($29), braised abalone with sea cucumber ($30) and grilled lamb chop ($28). The restaurant also serves market price lobster and crab; diners can choose how they would like it cooked (wok fried with ginger and scallions; with black bean sauce; salt egg yolk; steamed; with salt and pepper; or with melted cheese).
Yum Cha Palace is open for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner from 5-10:30 p.m. The restaurant is taking reservations online.
The original sit-down Su Hong restaurant opened its doors in 1977. The to-go location opened in 1991 and became a community fixture in Menlo Park — to the point of much fear (and even tears) that when Kwan took over, it would mean the end of the beloved institution. Kwan did change the name of the to-go location, but kept the same menu and staff.
