Photo by Luke Cunningham
By Luke Cunningham
Have you ever wondered what banging restaurants are just around the corner from your dorm at Peace? Don’t fret because I wondered that same thing.
I’m just gonna start by prefacing: I am a college student, so I’m typically looking for cheap meals.
I headed to the mysterious little city of Seaboard Station across the street and found a couple of affordable places to grab a quick bite.
Jade Express
First I went to Jade Express, a family-owned Asian chain that opened in Seaboard in December 2025.
Its sanitation score is 92. This sanitation score isn’t terrible, but since every restaurant starts at 100 and Jade Express has only been open for a little less than a year, it’s somewhat worrying. So, if you are reading or viewing this article years down the line, I’d definitely recheck the score.
I put in my order on their website and started my walk to Jade Express. The parking lot was full when I went, so if you can walk, it’s probably the best way to get in and out quickly.
I ordered General Tso’s, Orange Chicken, white rice and fried rice. In total, I spent $15.14. For the amount of food that I got, in my humble opinion, it was definitely worth it. The box could barely close.
I’m not gonna lie, but I couldn’t tell the difference between the General Tso’s and the Orange Chicken. The only difference is that one was spicier. Since they were mixed, I couldn’t tell which was which, but both are solid choices.
The sauces were savory and tasted like classic General Tso’s and Orange Chicken. Under the savory sauce, you could tell the chicken was well seasoned.
The only caveat was how crunchy some bites were. Trust me, I’ve never been scared of some crunch. In fact, much like many others, I love crunch, but some bites were just straight-up unnerving and too hard to swallow.
Moving on to the white rice, it was just decent. I know there are rice sticklers out there, and if you are one, maybe skip this place because the rice was pretty soggy.
I would recommend Jade Express if you need a quick bite, but it honestly wasn’t the greatest takeout in the world. I would rate the taste 4/5, but the texture 1.5/5.
Peace China
Walking up to Peace China, the environment felt nice. The building looked nice, with lots of plants and greenery surrounding it. Inside, it looked great. The walls had a lot of strange but oddly beautiful pictures, and there was even more greenery inside.
Some walls were made entirely of glass, which gave the dining room plenty of natural light.
Peace China has a sanitation score of 98 and serves a variety of Chinese dishes. I got the sesame chicken, served with white rice, broccoli, and an egg roll, for $15.20.
The sesame chicken was great! The sauce was sweet, as you’d expect, but it also had a nice kick. Thin slices of garlic added variety in texture and flavor to each bite. Most importantly, it was served hot!
The rice was cooked well and had a nice flavor that complemented the chicken. I have never been a big fan of broccoli, but it was seasoned well and tasted so good that I had no choice but to throw it down the hatch.
The egg roll was also pretty decent. The cabbage was a tad bit under-seasoned, although the breading was terrific. The breading tasted rich and stayed crunchy, which enhanced the cabbage.
On the way out, the cashier told me that they have all-you-can-eat fortune cookies, which is a nice touch. I got one for my girlfriend and me. She said that hers tasted great but felt stale. Mine was great, though.
Speaking of the cashier, he had great customer service. He explained the menu well, greeted me and did it all with a smile.
I would rate the overall taste of all the food at Peace China at a 4/5. I would definitely recommend this place!