Panda Palace in Columbia: Dim Sum, Noodles, and Szechuan Heat

What Panda Palace offers and where to find it

Panda Palace is a full-service Chinese restaurant in Columbia that specializes in dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, and Szechuan dishes with real heat. The restaurant sits on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a walkable stretch of shops and restaurants that draws both regulars and visitors. You can eat in the dining room, order takeout, or call ahead for larger groups.

The menu runs deep—more than 100 items across appetizers, soups, rice and noodle dishes, and entrees. Dim sum carts roll through the dining room during lunch hours on weekends, a traditional service style where servers push trolleys of small plates and you point to what you want. If you go during dim sum service, arrive early; the best selections move fast.

Key Takeaways

• Dim sum service runs on weekend lunches, with carts rolling through the dining room—arrive early for the widest selection.
• Hand-pulled noodles and Szechuan dishes carry real spice levels; ask your server to adjust heat if you prefer milder food.
• The restaurant accommodates larger groups and accepts reservations, useful for parties of six or more.
• Five Points location means street parking and nearby shops, making it easy to combine a meal with browsing the neighborhood.

Dim sum service and what to expect

Dim sum at Panda Palace follows the traditional Cantonese style: servers push carts loaded with bamboo steamers and small plates through the dining room, and you flag them down to add items to your table. Dishes arrive hot and in small portions meant for sharing. Typical offerings include har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), and cheung fun (rice noodle rolls). Prices are marked on each plate, and your bill is tallied at the end based on the plates stacked at your table.

Dim sum service is not continuous—it runs during specific lunch hours, typically Friday through Sunday. Call ahead to confirm the exact times, as they shift seasonally. The experience works best for groups of two or more, since the variety spreads across multiple carts and multiple visits. If you arrive during non-dim-sum hours, you can order dim sum items from the regular menu, though the full cart experience is part of what makes it worth the trip.

Hand-pulled noodles and Szechuan specialties

Panda Palace makes hand-pulled noodles fresh to order—you can watch them stretch and snap the dough into long strands that cook in minutes. These noodles appear in soups and stir-fries; popular orders include dan dan noodles (sesame and chili sauce), beef noodle soup, and chow mein variations. The texture is noticeably different from dried noodles: softer in the center, slightly chewy at the edges, and they hold sauce better.

Szechuan dishes here carry the numbing tingle of Szechuan peppercorns alongside real chili heat. Mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, and chongqing chicken are standard orders, but the menu includes less common items like fish with black bean sauce and eggplant in garlic sauce. Heat levels vary by dish and by how the kitchen prepares it that day. If you are new to Szechuan food or prefer milder flavors, tell your server when you order—they can steer you toward dishes that balance flavor with less intensity, or ask the kitchen to dial back the spice.

Menu navigation and dietary considerations

The printed menu is organized by category: appetizers, soups, rice dishes, noodle dishes, and entrees. Vegetable dishes cluster together, as do seafood and meat options. Prices range from around $6 for appetizers and noodle soups to $15–$18 for combination platters. Rice dishes and noodle soups are filling enough for a single person; entrees are larger and meant for sharing or for someone with a bigger appetite.

Vegetarian options exist throughout the menu—stir-fried vegetables, tofu dishes, and vegetable fried rice are clearly marked. The kitchen can accommodate requests to omit meat or adjust ingredients, though you should mention this when ordering. Seafood is fresh and rotates with availability; if you see something specific on the menu, order it that day rather than assuming it will be there next week.

Dining room atmosphere and service style

The dining room is casual and bright, with round tables suited to groups and booths along the walls. Red lanterns and traditional Chinese artwork line the space without feeling overdone. Tables turn over fairly quickly during lunch, especially on weekends, so expect a busier environment during peak hours. Service is attentive but not hovering—your server checks in regularly and brings water without asking.

The restaurant is family-friendly and welcomes children. If you are bringing a group, call ahead to reserve a table; they can push tables together for parties of six or more and alert the kitchen to expect a larger order. During dim sum service, seating can be tight, so arriving early gives you more breathing room and a better pick of carts.

Parking and neighborhood context

Panda Palace sits on Devine Street in Five Points, a neighborhood known for independent shops, galleries, and restaurants within walking distance of each other. Street parking is available along Devine and nearby side streets; it is usually easy to find a spot except during peak weekend hours. The area is pedestrian-friendly, so you can park once and browse shops before or after eating.

Five Points draws a mix of regulars and visitors, and the block has a neighborhood feel rather than a tourist-trap atmosphere. If you are exploring the area for the first time, allow extra time to walk around—there are bookstores, vintage shops, and other restaurants worth checking out. Panda Palace itself is a destination, but the location makes it easy to combine a meal with other activities in the neighborhood.

Hours, contact, and planning your visit

Panda Palace is open for lunch and dinner most days, with extended hours on weekends. Dim sum service runs during specific lunch windows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; call to confirm the exact times before you go. The restaurant accepts phone orders for takeout and takes reservations for dine-in parties. Their phone number and current hours are listed on their storefront and online directories.

If you are planning a first visit, go during dim sum hours on a weekend if you can—it is the most distinctive experience the restaurant offers. If you prefer a quieter meal, weekday lunches or early dinners are less crowded. Bring cash or a card; they accept both. If you have questions about spice levels, ingredients, or dietary needs, call ahead rather than asking on the spot—it gives the kitchen time to prepare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does dim sum service start and end?

Dim sum service runs during lunch hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but the exact times vary by season and day. Call the restaurant directly to confirm before you visit. Service typically starts mid-morning and runs through early afternoon, with the best selection available in the first hour or two.

Can I order dim sum items if I come during dinner?

Yes. If you arrive outside dim sum service hours, you can order dim sum items from the regular menu—har gow, siu mai, and other classics are available. The experience is different from the cart service, but the food is the same quality. Prices may be slightly higher when ordered individually rather than from the cart.

How spicy are the Szechuan dishes?

Szechuan dishes carry both numbing Szechuan peppercorns and chili heat, and the intensity varies by dish. Mapo tofu and chongqing chicken are notably spicy; milder options include kung pao chicken and dishes with black bean sauce. Tell your server your heat preference when you order, and they can recommend dishes or ask the kitchen to adjust.

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are not required for small groups but are recommended for parties of six or more, especially during dim sum service on weekends. Call ahead if you are bringing a large group so the restaurant can prepare seating and alert the kitchen.

Is there parking nearby?

Yes. Street parking is available along Devine Street and nearby side streets. It is usually easy to find a spot except during peak weekend hours. The Five Points neighborhood is walkable, so you can park once and explore shops and other restaurants in the area.