Empire Chinese Cuisine occupies the second level of Parkway Parade on Marine Parade Road, serving Cantonese and Teochew cooking to the Katong and Marine Parade neighbourhood. The kitchen is built around a simple idea: the most meaningful moments begin around the dining table. Its menu pairs time-honoured Cantonese flavours with a fresh perspective, prepared with quality ingredients, refined craftsmanship and a deep respect for the flavours that have brought generations together.
Dim sum is a particular highlight, all handcrafted and available as a leisurely lunch, including a Dim Sum Omakase for those who prefer to let the kitchen decide. The main menu runs from interactive favourites like Stir-fried Duck Meat in Bean Paste with Pancake Wraps to slow-cooked comfort such as Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Morel Mushroom, and a seafood line-up that includes Boston Lobster with Ee Fu Noodles, Steamed Soon Hock with Superior Light Soy Sauce and Chili Crab. Homemade Spinach Tofu with Wild Mushrooms rounds out a list that reaches from appetisers to desserts, with new dishes added each month.
For gatherings, curated set menus for 2 to 10 pax bundle the restaurant's crowd favourites and chef's recommendations into one sitting, whether for a family meal, a business lunch or a celebration, and elegant private rooms are available for more exclusive occasions. Reservations can be made through Chope, and delivery is offered via Oddle and Grab.
On the second level of Parkway Parade along Marine Parade Road, Empire Chinese Cuisine runs its kitchen on a simple belief: the most meaningful moments begin around the dining table. Rooted in the timeless traditions of Cantonese and Teochew cuisine, the restaurant prepares every dish with quality ingredients, refined craftsmanship and a deep respect for the flavours that have brought generations together.
That philosophy shows in the way the restaurant talks about its food. Some flavours stay with us for a lifetime, it says — they recall family gatherings, joyous celebrations and meals shared with the people who matter most. The menu brings the best of old and new: time-honoured Cantonese flavours thoughtfully refreshed for today's diners, from dim sum favourites to comforting family-style classics crafted for the moments that matter.
The signature list offers a clear map of the kitchen's strengths. Stir-fried Duck Meat in Bean Paste with Pancake Wraps is the sort of interactive dish that gets a whole table involved, while Empire Empress Chicken with Special Sauce is the house's namesake centrepiece. Homemade Spinach Tofu with Wild Mushrooms showcases the made-in-house side of the menu, and the Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Morel Mushroom delivers the deep, clear comfort of a properly slow soup. Sauteed Beef Cubes with Sliced Garlic covers the wok-hei end of the spectrum.
Seafood holds its own here too. Boston Lobster with Ee Fu Noodles, Steamed Soon Hock with Superior Light Soy Sauce and Chili Crab all appear among the signatures — a spread that suits both Teochew sensibilities and Singapore's love of a show-stopping crab.
Dim sum deserves special mention. It is handcrafted, served through the lunch hours, and for diners who would rather leave the choosing to the kitchen, a Dim Sum Omakase offers a curated run of the day's best pieces. The restaurant also refreshes its line-up with New Dishes of the Month, adding something new to every part of the menu from appetisers to desserts, giving regulars a reason to keep returning.
For group occasions, Empire takes the curation off your hands. Its set menus, suitable for 2 to 10 pax, are thoughtfully put together around crowd favourites and chef's recommendations, giving one table a taste of the restaurant's signature Cantonese flavours in a single experience. They are designed for family gatherings, business lunches and special celebrations alike, and can be enjoyed with more privacy in the restaurant's elegant private rooms. If you have something particular in mind, the team invites you to share your preferences so the meal can be made just the way you like it.
Keep an eye on current promotions too — the restaurant has been running complimentary rose buns with any set menu ordered, a sweet little extra on top of the spread.
Practicalities are straightforward. On weekdays the doors open at 11.30 AM for lunch, closing at 3.00 PM before dinner service runs from 5.30 PM to 9.30 PM. Weekends start earlier, at 10.00 AM, which makes a leisurely morning-to-afternoon dim sum session an easy plan. The afternoon break between services is worth noting when you time your visit.
Reservations can be made online through Chope, which is a sensible move for weekends, larger groups and anyone hoping to secure a private room. If you would rather eat at home, delivery is available through both Oddle and Grab. For anything specific — custom set menus, private dining enquiries or simply a question about the menu — the restaurant is reachable by phone at 6514 1923, on WhatsApp at 8058 7038, or by email at info@phoenixgardensg.com.
Being inside Parkway Parade adds its own convenience. Whether you are shopping along Marine Parade, meeting family in Katong or planning a multi-generational celebration, everything is under one roof, and the private rooms mean a noisy crowd of ten can celebrate without holding back.
In a neighbourhood rich with food heritage, Empire Chinese Cuisine positions itself exactly where it wants to be: the place where old flavours, careful craft and the simple act of sharing a table come together. Come hungry, bring company, and let the set menu do the deciding.