Empire Chinese Kitchen Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to Empire Chinese Kitchen, a vibrant Cantonese dining spot located at 575 Congress St, Portland, ME. This trendy establishment focuses on dim sum and specializes in crafting authentic flavors from the heart of China. The menu features a delightful array of dishes perfect for sharing, showcasing delicious options such as garlic green beans, honey walnut shrimp, and an impressive selection of bao buns, including the sought-after Peking Duck variety.
Vegetarians and vegans will appreciate the diverse choices tailored to their needs, such as the edamame bao and Chinese eggplant. The lively atmosphere, complemented by a full bar and accommodating staff, invites families and groups for a memorable dining experience. With options for takeout, delivery, and catering, Empire embraces culinary convenience alongside its fresh, flavorful offerings. Make sure to savor the hot and sour soup—a standout dish loved by many!
Soups
Hot & Sour Soup
Gluten-free, vegetarian. Bamboo, tofu, enoki mushroom, egg.
Wonton Soup
Pork and shrimp wontons, duck broth.
Edamame Bao
Vegan. 2 steam buns with kale, ginger, tofuand garlic, pan-fried.
Spicy Pork Belly Buns
(2) steam buns, 5-spice braised belly, chili plum sauce, pickles.
Peking Duck Buns
(2) steam buns, seared duck, hoisin, spring onion.
Char Siu Bao
(2) Barbeque'd pork stuffed steam buns.
Bao and Buns
Small Plates
Empire Egg Roll
Local beef pastrami, asparagus, cabbage.
Sa Cha Chicken Skewers
Szechuan Cold Cucumbers
Gluten-free, vegan. Garlic and chili vinaigrette, sesame oil.
Flounder Tempura
Lightly battered flounder, roasted garlic and wok-fried onions.
Lobster Rangoons
(4) wasabi tobiko and scallion.
Honey Walnut Shrimp
Crispy shrimp, candied walnut, citrus Japanese mayo. -small plates below are served with rice-.
Spring Rolls
Vegan. (2) red cabbage and brussel sprout crispy spring rolls vegan.
Chinese Eggplant
Vegan. Wok-fried in sweet and tangy garlic sauce.
Garlic Green Beans
Vegan, gluten-free. Roasted garlic, grilled onion.
Orange Beef
Gluten-free. Orange peel and garlic glazed crispy grass-fed Angus steak.
Sauteed Baby Bok Choy
Vegan, gluten-free. White pepper sauce.
Chinatown Roast Pork
Boneless Barbeque'd pork.
Bacon Fried Rice
Gluten-free. Local bacon, sweet corn, spring onion.
Ginger Vegetable Fried Rice
Vegan, gluten-free. Green bean, bok choy, broccoli, minced ginger.
Kale & Noodles
Vegan, gluten-free. Kale, beansprouts, tamari, housemade broad rice noodles.
Duck Lo Mein
Chopped roast duck, ginger, beansprouts, green bean.
Chicken & Salt Cod Rice
Minced local salt cod- lettuce-egg-Chinese sausage.
Kung Pao Chicken
Lightly spicy cage-free chicken-roasted peanuts-thin noodles -or with 5-spice tofu and fresh mushrooms (vegan) 15.
Beef & Broad Noodles
Marinated grass-fed Angus-beansprouts-onion- housemade broad rice noodles.
Rice and Noodles
Dumplings
Chive Shiitake Dumplings
Vegan gluten-free. (3) garlic, celery, pan fried.
Har Gow
Gluten-free. (4) steamed shrimp dumplings.
Pork Potstickers
(4) pan-fried pork dumplings.
Shu Mai
(4) pork and shrimp stuffing.
Lobster Dumplings
Gluten-free. 3 bamboo shoots and coriander.
Spinach Dumplings
Vegan, gluten-free. (4) carrot, ginger, sweet corn, in hand-rolled dough (vegan and gluten-free).
Shanghai Soup Dumplings
(4) juicy pork dumplings with savory soup inside.
Steamed Pork Dumplings
Gluten-free. (4) with scallion and nappa.
Teriyaki Chicken
Marinated and wok-fried natural cage-free chicken-steamed bok choy-rice.
Singapore Rice Noodles
Thin vermicelli-jumbo shrimp-chopped pork-Chinese sausage-egg-fragrant curry powder.
Mongolian Beef
Sliced flank steak-mint-dried szechuan pepper-onion-broccoli-rice.
Lobster Longevity Noodle
Whole lobster wok fried shell-on-housemade broad rice noodles-tamari and Shaoxing.
Jalapeno Shrimp
Spicy wok-seared jumbo shrimp-steamed bok choy-rice.
Large Plates
Ramen Bowls
Szechuan Ramen Bowl
Wontons, roast pork, bok choy, tofu and soba noodles in duck broth.
Braised Beef Ramen Ramen Bowl
Slow-cooked beef, carrot, bok choy, broccoli and soba in beef broth.
Vegetable and Mushroom Ramen Bowl
Vegan. Bok choy, enoki, broccoli, tofu, soba noodlesand pepper mushroom broth.