By Amber D. Walker
East Lansing, Michigan is known as a college town, home to Michigan State University (MSU). The majority of the population of the city is made up of people 18 to 24 years old, and one of the advantages of this is an abundance of affordable restaurants serving financially- and time-strapped college students. Many of these are Chinese restaurants featuring quick, affordable meals in clean, pleasant atmospheres.
Rice Kitchen
Rice Kitchen is popular with students from MSU. Customer reviews give the restaurant raves for its low prices, quick service, reliability, and late hours. The food gets favorable reviews from the clientele as well; not only is it delicious, but it's filling and healthy. Rice Kitchen serves dishes such as beef and broccoli, chicken and broccoli, orange chicken, tomato beef, moo goo gai pan, and crab rangoon. Rice Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner, take-out and delivery services are available, and the restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
Rice Kitchen
551 E. Grand River Avenue
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 336-5810
Peking Express
Peking Express serves authentic Chinese dishes, such as Peking duck, egg drop soup, gung pao chicken, shrimp with tofu, fried rice, shark fin soup, and steamed fish, and the chef earned his culinary degree in mainland China. The seafood dishes, such as fish, crab and lobster, are customer favorites.
Peking Express
611 East Grand River Avenue
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 351-0533
Gourmet Village
Gourmet Village is located across from the MSU campus and offers a more upscale dining experience. The restaurant can seat 150 but still offers take-out and delivery. Gourmet Village can also serve both beer and wine, and a full bar is available. The menu features appetizers, soups and chicken, vegetarian, seafood, rice, pork and beef entrees. There are tried and true favorites such as almond chicken, Buddha's Delight and Hunan beef along with more exotic entrees such as chicken with spicy tea sauce. Luncheon special prices range from around five to six dollars. There is also a separate Healthy Foods menu.
Gourmet Village
4790 S. Hagadorn Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 333-6666
gourmetvillage.net
About the Author:
Amber D. Walker has been writing professionally since 1989. She has had essays published in "Fort Worth Weekly," "Starsong," "Paper Bag," "Living Buddhism" and more. Walker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Texas and worked as an English teacher abroad for six years.
