- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Taipan Cafe
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
12 reviews for Taipan Cafe
12 reviews in English
-
Review from Violet P.
11/15/2011
I came here for a business lunch and was happy to find that it wasn't busy and we were seated right away. The three of us decided to share a lunch for 2 which came with 2 bowls of soup, 2 bowls of rice, and 2 entrees for $23. We supplemented that with the baked escargots in mushroom.
The soup came out first and quickly. They were larger bowls than your regular rice bowls. Next came out the rice and shrimp and egg dish. The shrimp were large and succulent and combined with the egg, it was a perfect dish. The chicken came in a sauce with vegetables. There was lots of chicken and a large dish for even 3 people to share. The escargots were a tasty treat as well. The food came out quickly and the waitress was friendly. I would definitely go back. -
Review from Matthew L.
Edmonton, AB
2/27/2012
While Sarah and I had intended to lunch at Boualouang, we couldn't do so, as we didn't have any cash on us. This sent us on a journey to find a place very close by which served a wide selection of Vegetarian options and accept debit cards.
As such, we stumbled upon the Taipan Cafe, a clean, enormous and recently renovated restaurant located one block north of Boualouang. And they accept debit and credit cards for orders over $20. The Decor isn't fancy, but the booths are comfortable. The menu appears to have at least 100 items on it.
As we were both very hungry, we ordered spring rolls, vegetable chow mein, red chili tofu (Vegetarian), and an order of steam rice. Despite ordering by number and pointing to the item on the menu, our chili tofu had chicken in it.
We then notified one of the other servers at the restaurant, who then returned our chili tofu/chicken. And while the servers were peeved at us for returning the dish, our server gave us a chicken-less red chili tofu with a smile, apologizing for the mix-up.
And the food itself was tasty. The vegetables in the chow mein were crispy and fresh. The noodles were a little greasy, but that's to be expected.
Spring rolls were crispy and not too greasy.
And the chili tofu may be the most flavourful Vegetarian Chinese dish I've had in Edmonton thus far. I just wish that they used firm tofu instead of soft tofu.
Portions are very large and service is quick. Our order of two dishes plus spring rolls could serve four people. I look forward to trying more items on the menu. -
Review from Sarah W.
6/28/2011
I visited Taipan with some of my Chinese friends and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I was told that "a long time ago," Tapian was not very good, but it had gotten a lot better in the past while or so.
The menu was huge and they also offer a breakfast menu, which one day, I would like to try. Because we had a relatively large party (seven of us) we ordered a group meal consisting of six entrees, crab maw soup, steamed rice, tea and a provided dessert. The cost was very cheap - with some of us having drinks, it was $80 all together.
The food was wonderful and fresh - very large entrees for sharing and lots of flavorful sauces. I can't remember the names of the dishes, but we stuck to some of the more 'authentic' choices and were not disappointed. The soup was delicious and comforting and we all ate a huge bowl, and there was still some left over. The dessert was a red bean filled crepe and it was hot out of the pan, very yummy!
The restaurant appears to be newly renovated and the washroom was very clean and modern looking - something I can appreciate. The service was excellent and quick, and very hospitable.
I enjoyed my first experience at Tapian and am looking forward to going back. -
Review from Jason L.
Edmonton, AB
5/25/2010
The Taipan is a bit of the cypher. It's Chinese food menu has very little Chinese food on it; it's is full of food that Chinese cook for Westerners. The Orange Chicken, Green Onion Cake, Ginger Beef and Shanghai Noodles mentioned in other reviews. I usually don't have much time for that.
However, they have a great and authentic Hong Kong noodle house menu: Beef Tendon Soup, BBQ Duck Soup, Jellyfish and cold Chicken, Steamed Chicken, Fish Ball Soup, Tripe, Shredded Pork and Thousand Year Egg Congee and lots of tossed Lo Mein.
Prices are great. Portions are generous. Service is quck. Food is hot, and they never seem to close. If you're into good Hong Kong noodle house and need it late night, this is one good choice. -
Review from Paula K.
10/9/2008 1 photo
I first became acquainted with Taipan Café when a friend of mine exclaimed that it had the best Chinese food in the city. She brought the topic up again when a group of us were wondering what to do for lunch one afternoon, and we ended up coming from the west end of the city to Chinatown to dine at Taipan. It was worth the trip. The food was fresh, plentiful, and had a richness in flavour and texture, even in standard dishes like ginger beef and green onion cakes, that put it a notch above other Chinese establishments.
I went back more recently with a friend who was craving Chinese food. I recommended Taipan based on my previous experience. We were not disappointed. For twenty-seven dollars and change we ordered the Dinner for Two, which included chicken fried rice, wonton soup, and three entrees of our choice. We went with the szechuan beef, orange chicken, and chicken with mushrooms.
Our friendly server brought our food quickly. First came the wonton soup of which I did not partake because I do not eat pork, but my friend said was excellent. Next up was the chicken fried rice, which was an ample portion for two people to share. Our main dishes followed, and our tastebuds were tantalized with the crispy texture and tangy sauces of the szechuan beef and orange chicken. The chicken with mushroom was also delicious - the slices of chicken tasted fresh, and there were plenty of plump mushrooms.
Dinner for two cost us $27 and change. I also enjoyed an iced Hong Kong coffee, which is espresso mixed with condensed milk over ice - similar to Vietnamese coffee, but without having to wait for the drip and mixing it yourself. We had enough food left over for my friend to take home for another meal later on that evening. Taipan Café has excellent food, value, and service. -
Review from J C.
Edmonton, AB
3/22/2011
We ordered five dishes and the best would be the curry beef hot pot. The wontons are all shrimp with no filler which was excellent too. Parking at lunch can be tricky as the parking lot fills up at lunch.
-
Review from Jessica D.
Edmonton, AB
2/4/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Usually always a hit with me ! I've been a returning customer here a few years and I generally have no complaints. With its new renovated exterior I think they're going to draw alot of out of town traffic that is coming in on 97st. So lets start with the menu, they have a great 2 dish meal that comes with soup/a drink and a side of rice for $22.99. Pretty worth it. Last time I went my grandparents got the Ma Po Tofu and a Crispy Chicken. Outta control good ! The portions are amazing here and for the price. 5 of us ate here and left with quite a bit of leftovers for $54! Food is (almost) always quick and always delicious. Everytime I come here it's so hard not to get the beef brisket chow mein, it's my favorite but I figure I need to expand my horizons and not eat a fatty cut of beef ALL the time.
Listed in: I'm a regular at.......
-
Review from Andrew H.
5/21/2011
I was quite surprised seeing Taipan revitalizing their décor both inside and outside.
Upon being seated, we requested our bowls to be replaced which was prompt and without issues.
Menus are in both English and Chinese so fear not non-Chinese people, you do not need a translator to come with you.
I ordered Hong Kong style noodles with a glass of Hong Kong style milky tea. It came out pretty quick which was surprising. The milky tea was as authentic as it can get here in Edmonton. I thoroughly enjoyed the large serving of it. I would say it is comparable with Garden Bakery's serving of milky tea.
I didn't know what to expect when my noodle dish came. It honestly tasted like some of my mom's own egg noodle soup dishes. The only difference was the heaping servings of extra fat which I oddly didn't question since I'm not an expert on this dish. I referenced my friend and he said that was too be expected. This dish had a home style taste rather than a restaurant rushed dish which I was happy to see. I tried some of my friend's dish which was shrimp fried rice and and a pork cutlet on rice.
The shrimp fried rice was literally crackling. I wouldn't say it was like a sizzling hot plate but it had an energy which was very exciting. It tasted sharp with the topiko, eggs, and shrimp all fused with the rice. The pork cutlet wasn't as flavorful but the tomato based sauce mixed with the fried pork and rice gave it a humble experience.
All in all, my dish rang in at about $7.95 with about $2.00 for a drink. I am excited to return to try something they would be famous for.
Be warned that paying anything under $20.00 is cash only. You are, however, able to use your credit card or debit if it's over $20.00 -
Review from Melanie L.
Edmonton, AB
3/26/2011
Cheap, tasty, quick, satisfying, clean, efficient service. I like it! Reminds me a lot of the quick family meals my family had during my childhood in Chinatown Calgary. Ginger beef and sweet and sour pork have their place and time (e.g. 3am after a night out) but that's the Chinese equivalent to a Big Mac. Taipan Cafe is for when you're not in the mood to cook but want better than fast-food. There are dishes for the uninitiated (green onion cakes, chow mein, wonton noodle soup) and for those who grew up eating congee and BBQ duck at Popo's (Grandma's).
-
Review from Tam G.
Edmonton, AB
5/10/2011
Yummy food, fair price, quick delivery. Plus the guy who took my order was by far the friendliest I've ever encountered when calling for Chinese.
-
Review from Lauren N.
10/24/2008 2 photos
I used to come here all the time with my mom, and we'd order our favorite, the Shanghai noodles. Though a bit greasy (this dish usually is anywhere), these Shanghai noodles are cooked just right; they're thick and chewy, and there's not too much sauce so it's not salty. Taipan Cafe is bigger than most Chinese restaurants, and I always liked how its designed inside. There are tables but also booth seats for more privacy. Service is quick and efficient, and you don't have to shell out big bucks for a full meal.
-
Review from Jennifer P.
Edmonton, AB
11/17/2008 1 photo
I ate here once a long time ago and had conge with soy sauce and Green Onion Cakes. It used to be pretty dumpy looking, but a long-time Edmontonian said it was one of his favourite places. I liked what I ate, but when I came back years later, the whole place had been gutted and renovated, and the experience was aweful. It looks like an '80s-style living room, with pastels, metal-backed chairs with brass accents, with cushioned walls against the far wall to serve as a booth. The food was so bad we cringed as we ate what we could, then bee-lined outta there. All three dishes we ordered were a tad slimey and the meat was scary and indistinguishable. It's hard to mess up spring rolls, but these ones had mushy pork that my stomach rolled over at. Maybe I should have stuck with green onion cakes and congy, or maybe they have new owners, but I'll never go back, that's for sure!
