Palace Tang has been open for only three months, but word is getting around, and on both occasions when we were there, it was jam-packed with people really enjoying themselves and their food.
Palace Tang is a Sichuan hot-pot restaurant that also gets amazing 5-star reviews online. Sichuan is best known for its use of chili peppers, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger and other distinct flavors.
It is located at 1771 Plymouth Road, suite 104, in the plaza with Kimchi Box and Mochinut, where the former Panera was. There was no front sign for “Palace Tang” facing Plymouth Road, so make sure you don’t miss the turn.
Overall, the eating experience is an event in itself; it is more than just getting to enjoy a meal because it is interactive the entire time.
It is fun to go with others and collaborate on the choices that will be shared with all. All the ordering is done with a digital device at the table, complete with descriptions and photos.
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You can choose from 1 to 4 pots to be placed in the center of the table, and on both occasions, we chose “Four Flavor Pot” to experiment with more favors. The flavors and colors of the pot create a kind of yin-yang balance in taste and aesthetics. The pots are flavored broths in which you cook your food choices. There also offer delectable soup dumplings available in a variety of flavors.
We chose a spicy broth, mushroom broth, golden broth, and “Three Delicacies Broth.” Each time we ordered lots of food to dip in the broths: various meats, “Qingjang Bokchoy”, “Taiwanese Spinach”, Shitaki mushrooms, lotus root and other items. There are various kinds of noodles to dip as well, such as knife-cut noodles, which are especially fun to cook in the various pots and then fish out.
The presentation of all the foods is highly tantalizing. One also has to wait for the various broths to bubble before dipping, so the temperature is hot enough to cook.
Then, the fun begins with tossing the various food items in the pots and fishing them all. It is a delicate balance between ensuring everyone gets to try all the food items they want and sharing equitably.
There is also a wonderful spice and dipping sauce station to get some accompanying flavors to add to your food as you like. This is appealing because it is individualized to your own unique tastes. Some favorites are chopped cilantro, garlic, soy, sesame oil and seed and hot chilis.
The service is friendly and attentive, with multiple people checking on your table to make sure everything tastes good and that everything is working.
The ambiance is elegant and clean, with many bright vibrant hues. It is charming, casual and comfortable overall.
Palace Tang refers to the “Tang Dynasty,” which some remember as the “golden age” of China with economic and political stability, flourishing literary and artistic culture, and increased interaction with cultures outside of the mainland.
Palace Tang is additionally family-friendly and healthy, depending on what you order.
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Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
