Empire Chinese Restaurant is located in Kirkwall, one of the most attractive and well-preserved small towns in Scotland. The restaurant gets its name from Norse 'Kirkjuvagr', or 'Church Bay' and comes from the foundation of a church dedicated to St. Olaf.

Kirkwall has largely been influenced by the development of its harbour, a meeting point for traders all over the world to bring in their culture and custom for symbiotic exchange. While culture and customs take time to be imbibed, food breaks the barrier quickly and the results are enjoyed by people thousands of miles away.

To the Chinese, food is life but it is also health and a symbol of luck and prosperity. A Chinese proverb says, 'heaven loves the man who eats well' so this savoury and complex cuisine is full of exquisite flavours with fiery and subtle seasonings that have been perfected over thousands of years.

And at Empire Chinese Restaurant, the chef strongly feels that a well prepared Chinese dish appeals to more senses than just taste. Its colours are pleasing to the eye, the ingredients are of uniform size and the food has tantalising fragrance. If one dish is crisp, it is offset by another that is smooth, and a bland dish is paired with one that is spicy, thereby always trying to create a balance of yin and yang.

Just as tomatoes and oregano are typical of Italian cuisine and wine and tarragon of French cooking, a Chinese meal is incomplete without soy sauce and rice or noodles. Chicken is a popular ingredient and while it is cut, every single piece is used, though we won't go into the gory details. The emphasis in Chinese culture on wholeness is reflected with everything having a beginning and an end.

Whilst here, try the butterfly king prawns, chicken in orange sauce or the special chop suey. Pork lovers can relish the roast pork with mushrooms, while those fond of duck can enjoy curried or roast duck.

For a better understanding of Chinese cuisine and a treat to your sense of smell, touch and taste, do enjoy a balanced meal at the Empire Chinese Restaurant.