As autumn arrives, both the leaves and the restaurant scenery in Memphis are changing. Asian Palace, a beloved Chinese restaurant, closed in September and was replaced by Dim Sum King on Oct. 1. Known for its specialties in dim sum, authentic Chinese food and seafood, Asian Palace was a space to create lasting memories. After lasting for years and moving locations from Park Road to Summer Avenue, families across the city now find themselves unable to visit again. The loss of Asian Palace has disappointed many of White Station students, some of whom grew up eating there. 

“I’ve been there since I was a little kid,” Amara Sok (12) said. “I would go there every Sunday after church. I would always be eating dim sum, noodles and fried rice every Sunday.”

Although there is a plethora of Chinese restaurants throughout Memphis, Asian Palace was an option that stood out. The restaurant’s food has been made popular because of its authenticity.

“Asian Palace really had authentic Chinese food, it’s not like Panda Express … but you actually had these plates that were obviously tradition that you don’t find really anywhere in other Chinese restaurants,” Angel Salazar (11) said.

Asian Palace had a large menu with a variety of foods from chicken with pan fried noodles to mu shu beef. With such an extensive list of foods, meals could be shared in order to try as many new things as possible. For some, however, Asian Palace held special memories beyond the meals as the restaurant was also a wedding venue. 

“Asian Palace was the place where a lot of Vietnamese weddings were held, so I went there a lot for the weddings and I feel like it is a really core childhood memory because my cousin got married there and I was a part of the wedding too,” Hoanglam Vo (10) said.

Dim Sum King has removed the walls to a dining room to create more space for special events such as weddings. There are some concerns for the new restaurant as it replaces a very well-known business, though. After opening very recently, the ratings are already below Asian Palace. 

“People might be upset it [Asian Palace] changed, or it might not be as welcoming as it was before,” Catherine Cheng (10) said.

Despite any changes made, Asian Palace is not a name that is soon to be forgotten. Whether because of the authenticity, memories or convenient location in the center of Memphis, the Chinese restaurant has created a legacy for itself after years of buildup.

“[There might be] better spots for Asian food or dim sum, but the people at Asian Palace are really close with their customers,” Cheng said. “You don’t go there just for the food, it’s more of an experience.”