Imperial Treasure

About Imperial Treasure

Imperial Treasure is a Chinese restaurant at 151 California Avenue, Suite E101, near the train station end of the California Avenue business district. It takes reservations through OpenTable, where it describes its menu as a map of China. The restaurant names three dishes to show that range: Beijing roast duck from the north, soup dumplings from Shanghai in the east and chicken from Sichuan in the southwest.

The restaurant came to Palo Alto after a permit application that What Now San Francisco reported in October 2023. That report named the owner as Kun Yang and said the plans called for dine-in service with beer and wine. In its own description, the restaurant says that everyone has different treasures in their heart, such as a good memory or a dish from childhood. It promises to put passion behind every dish.

It should not be confused with Imperial Treasure, the restaurant group based in Singapore. That company's website lists restaurants in Asia and Europe but nothing in California. Nothing on the Palo Alto listing ties the two together.

The Peking duck dinner

The clearest signature at Imperial Treasure is its Traditional Roast Peking Duck, which is sold as a bookable experience on OpenTable. Each reservation for the experience comes with one duck. The restaurant explains that Peking duck has been made in Beijing since the imperial era and is known for thin, crispy skin. Authentic versions focus on the skin more than the meat and are sliced by the cook in front of diners.

The duck is served with the classic accompaniments: thin pancakes, spring onion, cucumber, sweet bean sauce and hawthorn jelly. What is left after carving, the duck frame, is cooked a second way. You can choose a traditional broth with Chinese cabbage and tofu or have it chopped and stir-fried in salt and pepper style. That makes the duck a full course for a table rather than a single plate.

Because the duck is booked as an experience, plan ahead. Pick a date on OpenTable when you make your reservation rather than expecting to order it on arrival.

The rest of the menu

Beyond the duck, the restaurant's description points to dishes from across China, with Shanghai soup dumplings and Sichuan chicken named as examples. OpenTable tags the restaurant as Chinese with an informal atmosphere. The full menu is not posted on the listing, so ask staff for recommendations from the region you want to explore, or call ahead if you are looking for a specific dish. Dishes like these are usually ordered for the table and shared.

Who it suits

Imperial Treasure is best for a group meal where dishes are shared, especially a table of four or more that can make a full course of the duck. The restaurant's own description says guests from north and south of the river are all welcome, a nod to how its menu covers the whole country rather than one region. For a quick solo lunch, a counter-service spot on the street may suit you better.

How to book

Reservations are taken on OpenTable, which showed open tables in late October 2026. For a same-day table, the restaurant asks you to call 650-656-9597 rather than book online. The restaurant does not list its hours on OpenTable, so call to confirm lunch and dinner times before you go.

Tips for visiting

Imperial Treasure's OpenTable listing says it has no parking of its own. Use the city lots and street spaces around California Avenue and check the posted time limits. The California Avenue Caltrain station is close by, which makes the train an easy option from elsewhere on the Peninsula.

A shared Chinese meal works best with a group, so bring friends if you want to try the duck along with several other dishes. Our Chinese food guide covers other options in town. The California Avenue guide describes the rest of the street. The Asian food guide has the wider picture.

Location and getting there

Imperial Treasure is at 151 California Avenue, Suite E101, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.

The California Avenue Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

What is nearby

• Palo Alto Vision, practice, under 0.1 mi
• Jonathan David Salon, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
• Vitality Bowls, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• FedEx Office Print and Ship Center, California Avenue, service business, under 0.1 mi
• Palo Alto Mind Body, practice, under 0.1 mi
• Bowden Park, 0.1 mi
• Peers Park, 0.3 mi
• College Terrace Library, 0.5 mi

Other restaurants nearby: The Farm (under 0.1 mi); Rara (under 0.1 mi); Protégé (under 0.1 mi); Cafe Pro Bono (0.1 mi). Browse the full restaurants list.

Before you go

• Popular dinner spots in Palo Alto fill up on Friday and Saturday nights, so book ahead where the restaurant takes reservations.
• Many kitchens close earlier than in big cities. Plan to order by about 9 p.m. on weeknights unless the posted hours say otherwise.
• If you have allergies or dietary needs, call ahead or check the current menu on the restaurant's website.

About this listing

Checked October 30, 2026 against Imperial Treasure on OpenTable (reservations); What Now San Francisco, October 2023. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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