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EMei, Philadelphia, PA

EMei

4.7 (387)
$30 and under
Sichuan
915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2404

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 37 times today

About this restaurant

  • Gluten-free-friendly
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Vegetarian-friendly
Since 2011, EMei has emerged as one of Philadelphia's premier dining destinations, celebrated for its authentic Chinese cuisine curated by Master Chef Zhao and a team of 6 wok chefs that born and trained in the Sichuan region of China.
Boasting over 50 years of expertise in mastering Sichuan cuisine, Chef Zhao skillfully infuses dishes with bold chili oils, aromatic peppercorns, and expertly seasoned cuts of fish, meat, and produce.
Situated conveniently in Chinatown, EMei diligently procures fresh ingredients daily. With a menu featuring 120 items, including house-made egg rolls and dumplings, we take pride in crafting everything in-house. This commitment not only ensures quality but also enables us to offer a wide selection of gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Highlights:
* 76 Most Vital Restaurants – The Inquirer, 2024
* 50 Best Restaurants – Philadelphia Magazine, 2023/24
* Philly’s Best Sichuan Restaurant – Craig LaBan & The Inquirer
* #1 Chinese by UPenn Students – The DP, 2025

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Sichuan, Cocktail Bar, Vegetarian
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (215) 627-2500
  • Website
    https://www.emeiphilly.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    YongCheng Zhao
  • Catering
    Elevate your events with EMei's exquisite catering menu. From corporate gatherings to celebrations, our offerings are crafted to infuse every occasion with the distinctive flavors of Asia. Contact us at hello@emei.restaurant for more details.
  • Private party facilities
    Discover the charm of our two private rooms at EMei. These versatile spaces feature a removable wall, allowing us to combine them into one venue for your special occasions. For more details, reach out to us at hello@emei.restaurant.
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2404
  • Neighborhood
    Chinatown
  • Cross street
    at the right side of Arch street, between 9th and 10th St
  • Parking details
    There are many street parking at Chinatown, and there are two public parking lot right cross the street. There is also a garage parking lot at 45 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, which is very close and cost friendly.
  • Public transit
    Jefferson station is the stop for SEPTA trains.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Menu

EMei's menu was last updated on 2/14/2023.

View menu on restaurant's website

What 387 people are saying

EMei reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
EMei captivates with "top notch Sichuan food" in a bustling Chinatown setting. Guests rave about "excellent food," "attentive service," and "delicious gluten-free options." The "vast menu" caters to all palates. Despite noise, the "flavoring is superb," and "portions are generous." A must-visit for authentic and flavorful Chinese cuisine.
387 Reviews

  1. Joseph VIP

    Philadelphia County19 reviews

    1.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Overpriced, lunch sized dinners for Chinese food that can be found at many, many other locations nearby. Completely not worth the $18 chicken and broccoli plus $1 extra for a tiny cup of white rice

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  2. LizB

    Philadelphia County3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    So great to be able to eat Chinese food that’s clearly marked as gluten free!
    EMeiResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you! We're glad the clear gluten-free labeling made your experience more enjoyable. Hope to have you back again soon! Warm regards, EMei

    Is this helpful?

  3. Subhojit

    Atlanta4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was terrific as always and Nina our server was a great help. Always smiling despite the crowd and pressures.
    EMeiResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted you enjoyed the food, and we’ll share your compliments with our team to encourage them to keep up the great work and continue improving. Hope to see you again soon! Warm regards, EMei

    Is this helpful?

  4. Marirosa

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely great for groups - Highly suggest ordering family style.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Qian

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Top notch Sichuan food in the heart of Chinatown. Our waiter helped us gauge the right amount of food and made modifications based on our taste.
    EMeiResponded on June 24, 2025
    Thank you for your great review! We’re glad our waiter could help you find the perfect dishes and that you enjoyed our food. Your support means a lot to us. We look forward to serving you again soon! Warm regards, EMei

    Is this helpful?

  6. Isa

    New York City6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We had a reunion with our dear friends from London. We usually have Chinese food in UK and US. We had a fabulous time on Saturday and shared delicious food!
    EMeiResponded on June 24, 2025
    Thank you for sharing your reunion with us! We’re glad you and your friends enjoyed the delicious food and had a wonderful time. We look forward to welcoming you all again soon! Warm regards, EMei

    Is this helpful?

  7. Alice VIP

    New York City89 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    Great food; friendly, helpful and efficient service; but really noisy.
    EMeiResponded on June 24, 2025
    Thank you for your feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the food and service. Your comments have been shared with the team — this is indeed a challenge, and we will review and explore ways to improve. If you have any further suggestions, please feel free to contact us by email. We look forward to serving you again! Warm regards, EMei

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  8. Brent VIP

    Philadelphia County6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Nina was the best server ! Our fresh fish dishes and veggies were delicious! Our new favorite restaurant!
    EMeiResponded on June 24, 2025
    Thank you so much for your kind words! We're very happy to hear Nina took great care of you and that you enjoyed our fresh fish and veggies. We’re honored to be your new favorite restaurant and can’t wait to welcome you back! Warm regards, EMei

    Is this helpful?

  9. Jason VIP

    Utah1 review

    3.0

    Dined on June 6, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    I had the Chongqing Spicy Chicken because I had a similar dish at Z&Y in San Francisco China Town. I was very disappointed with the EMei version. The flavor and spice level was on point, but the vast majority of the chicken pieces were so small they were or tasted like breading chunks. I tore open several and couldn’t find any meat. I was really disappointed because I brought 3 co- workers with me and touted this dish as something they should try and the other 2 who had this dish were as disappointed as I was. On the other hand, the one who ordered the tea smoked duck was the winner as I tried it and it was excellent.
    EMeiResponded on June 10, 2025
    Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We’re glad the flavor and spice were on point, but sorry the chicken pieces didn’t meet expectations. While our Chongqing Spicy Chicken has received many positive reviews, rest assured your feedback has been shared with our team to review areas for improvement. We’re happy to hear the tea-smoked duck was a hit—thank you for pointing that out. If you have any additional suggestions, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you try more of our dishes! Warm regards, EMei

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  10. Jennifer

    Philadelphia County5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is my favorite Chinese restaurant. It's delicious and has bountiful gluten free options. It always feels energetic and busy. Love coming here.
    EMeiResponded on May 28, 2025
    Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're honored to be your favorite Chinese restaurant and glad you've enjoyed our gluten-free options and lively atmosphere. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you again soon! Warm regards, EMei

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

EMei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 627-2500.

EMei is rated 4.7 stars by 387 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Philadelphia County
  4. Philadelphia
  5. Chinatown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 37 times today
Google Map for EMei

915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2404

Additional information

  • Cross street
    at the right side of Arch street, between 9th and 10th St
  • Neighborhood
    Chinatown
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Sichuan, Cocktail Bar, Vegetarian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    There are many street parking at Chinatown, and there are two public parking lot right cross the street. There is also a garage parking lot at 45 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, which is very close and cost friendly.
  • Public transit
    Jefferson station is the stop for SEPTA trains.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    YongCheng Zhao
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Website
    https://www.emeiphilly.com/
  • Phone number
    (215) 627-2500
  • Catering
    Elevate your events with EMei's exquisite catering menu. From corporate gatherings to celebrations, our offerings are crafted to infuse every occasion with the distinctive flavors of Asia. Contact us at hello@emei.restaurant for more details.
  • Private party facilities
    Discover the charm of our two private rooms at EMei. These versatile spaces feature a removable wall, allowing us to combine them into one venue for your special occasions. For more details, reach out to us at hello@emei.restaurant.

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