Empress by Boon

For decades, this iconic location housed one of Chinatown’s most storied banquet halls. After sitting idle for years, the stylish space has been renovated and revitalized—ready for a new chapter under Chef Ho Chee Boon. As the former international executive chef of Hakkasan restaurants, his talent for dishing out refined, modern Cantonese fare is apparent, along with an extra pinch of personality and a touch of California seasonality.
The prix fixe menu, well-suited to groups, features a flurry of tempting dishes. These might include skillfully made shrimp dumplings with truffle and summer squash; or crispy, juicy fried chicken in a Malaysian curry sauce (a nod to the chef’s birthplace) served alongside fragrant lotus rice with dried scallop and shrimp.