Lexington’s favorite Chinese restaurant sold. What new owner is (and isn’t) changing
A Lexington restaurant beloved by fans of Chinese food has a new owner and a new offering.
But longtime customers don’t need to worry: The Dim Sum isn’t going anywhere. The food, known for almost two decades as among the most authentic in the area, is merely getting an upgrade, according to new owner Bo Shi.
Shi, who formerly owned and operated Zen Sushi & Sake in Beaumont for a decade, bought Panda Cuisine in October.
Shi said that the previous owner, Ke Bao, wanted to spend more time on his music and with his son. Shi has been analyzing what customers want and how best to deliver and now she’s rolling out something that she thinks will be popular with longtime customers, as well as new ones.
To say Panda Cuisine is beloved is not an overstatement. In August 2023, when the health department had to briefly close the restaurant over violations including rodents in the kitchen, customers protested online.
One commenter said: “I don’t care if they have a level 12 bio lab operating in the back. I’d still eat there. It’s that good.”
“As soon as they re-open, I’ll be there with bells on,” said another.
When it reopened five days later, customers flocked back.
What new owner is and isn’t changing
Shi’s adding a lunch buffet on weekdays and dinner buffet every night to the weekend brunch buffet that Panda Cuisine serves on Saturday and Sunday.
The lunch buffet will be $9.99, served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner will be 5-9 p.m., for $16.99, including Dim Sum. The brunch buffet, which includes also Dim Sum, also is $16.99. Regular ordering from the menu remains available at all times.
Shi said that she knows many Panda Cuisine customers go back a long time.
“The restaurant has collected a lot of loyal fans,” she said.
The authentic Chinese Sichuan cuisines is very popular.
“People love that, not just the Asian population. We have a lot of people who aren’t Asian who come here all the time,” she said.
So, she was sensitive about making changes.
“We are trying to improve it and bring a very contemporary, modern Sichuan, still with authentic flavor,” Shi said. “We’re improving the quality and the taste of the dishes, to make it more appropriate for a broader scope of fans.”
She said that they went through the most popular dishes, adjusted prices to make them more affordable and bring new energy to the restaurant, which has been at the Nicholasville Road location since 2008.
Until now, she said, she’s kept it under wraps that the place sold.
“We didn’t tell anybody,” Shi said. But customers have noticed the subtle changes.
“Our regular customers started to feel a different vibe,” she said. “We do think people go to the restaurant not just for the food. They want a welcoming and happy experience. Customers asked, ‘Did you change something?’ They felt a different energy.”
This week Shi launched the new buffets with an extensive buffet of Panda Cuisine’s most popular Chinese dishes every day.
And look for special items, such as lobster, to make an appearance for the holidays, Shi said.
“Lexington folks have been used to most restaurants being closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year,” she said. “Those are our busiest times, and we’ll have special treats.”
Panda Cuisine
Where: 2358 Nicholasville Road, Suite 114
Hours: Monday through Friday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Online: pandacuisinelex.com
This story was originally published November 19, 2024 at 7:00 AM.
