A Chinese hot-pot restaurant that opened in May is already garnering dozens of five-star reviews online.
Palace Tang—named for imperial China’s ruling dynasty of the seventh through ninth centuries—occupies a former Panera spot in the mini-mall on Plymouth Rd. that also includes Mochinut and Kimchi Box. Owner Eric Zhao, who credits the new orange interior decor to a Chinese designer, imported thirty hot-pot tables, where diners select between one and four different broths in which to cook an array of raw meats, seafood, vegetables, noodles, and dumplings. Intriguing menu options include “one meter fat cow,” “fish roe lucky bag,” and “rocket squid.” A self-serve condiments bar provides toppings and sauces.
“I just want to bring Chinese traditional food here,” says Zhao, who immigrated to New York City five years ago and settled in Ann Arbor when the Covid pandemic first ravaged that metropolis in 2020. He also owns the Möge Tee boba franchise just down the road at Traver Village.
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While language barriers made for a brief interview, he appreciates the culture and beauty of Ann Arbor and is eager to see more U-M students with the start of the new school year.
Palace Tang, 1771 Plymouth Rd., ste. 104. (734) 369–8886. Daily 11 a.m.–11 p.m. instagram.com/palacetang.hotpot