Prefect place for a date, perfect for a celebration, perfect for a time with friends......and yes you do need reservations. You'll be in awe to how massive this place really is and you'll be humbled to how professional and courteous the staff is. The meal portions are as bit small I must admit and it isn't the cheapest place in the city either but you will not be disappointed by the taste, which more than makes up sure ANY issues you have with the place. read more

Buddakan - Disappointed by the size but wowed by the taste. - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

Wow! This place is incredible. The drinks here are everything! I got the jade and my boyfriend had serenity, they were both differently perfect! They tasted amazing and their combo was unique. The food was very good as well. I definitely recommend the 5 spice duck breast. So full of flavor and cooked perfectly. My bf had the lobster friend rice. Ugh that was soo good too! Full of flavor and the texture of the rice was just right. The reason for the 4 stars is because the portions could def be a bit bigger given the price. But then again it's an upscale restaurant. We came in late around 10:00pm so our waiter was very attentive since it was so empty. The decor is absolutely gorgeous, I love the different experience you get at this restaurant. Definitely give this place a try! read more

This place is about to top 3k reviews. So what triggers in my mind? Let's check it out!!! Well...I didn't realize what I was about to get myself into when I stepped into this majestic restaurant. My mouth dropped at the interior designs and lighting as I set foot into the front entrance. I didn't make a reservations and that was not a problem, as they have a first come first served section by the bar area. Before preparing yourself to eat one of the best meals of your life and be served by the most professional servers I've ever been greeted, you need to understand how the dining works. There are three sets of categories in their menu: Appetizers which consists of Appetizers and Dim Sums; Entree which is Meat, Seafood, and Poultry; and Sides which is Fried Rice and Noodles. All meals are served at the center of the table, meaning all of the meals are served with the intention that YOU are SHARING your meal. What did I get? I shared Lobster and Shrimp Chow Mein (Entree under Seafood) and Vegetable Fried Rice (Sides). Both prepared really well without too much fancy presentation. Taste is outstanding (so was the bill). The food did take about 30min to 45min, but that just gives you more time to have a conversation with your fellow buddies or your date. I'd definitely recommend this place for dates as they play ambient music and candles are lit at each table, which really sets the mood. This means you should dress up nicely or come at least semi-formal. Just don't make the mistake like I did and come in with sweatpants (oops). read more

Perhaps we should start w/the story of how I ended up here in the first place. A good friend of mine who's much deeper in the pockets than I made reservations for a first date here. Must be nice, right? He hadn't heard from her all day so us being the boys that we are, he hit me up about an hour and a half before the reservation & put me in her spot as a substitute date. He really wanted to go anyway, so canceling the reservations wasn't an option. In exchange for my charity, he comped the dinner & told me to order anything I wanted. w00t! Our table wasn't immediately ready, so we ordered drinks at the lounge. I drank the Fate all evening. Very, very nice. It's elderflower, pineapple, & prosecco. Yum! :) He drank the tranquility which is citrus vodka w/lemongrass infused oolong tea. It must've been good b/c he stuck w/that too. As for the meal---everything tasted good. I don't even need to go into a thorough description of every dish; I'll just tell you now it's good, and you will like it. Me: Crispy Duck Spring Rolls Sweet & Sour Chicken Him: Hunan Beef Bao Buns Mao Poe Tofu Dessert Orange Scented Beignets Couldn't touch that Mao Poe Tofu (Ko don't do pork), but I did eat a Beef Bao Bun & damn those bunz b good. Outside of the dining experience, the staff was excellent, and the decor is top notch. The music was also very hip and I heard everything from obscure house mixes to Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Loved it, loved it, loved it. I'd go again...under like circumstances. Otherwise, I'll always have that day where I +1'd my way into a fine dining experience. read more

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My dinner at Buddakan, or the day I realized I really am a food snob. So I went here with work as part of a big SATC night (silly yes, fun obv!) The place is gorgeous and you just feel like a celeb walking in. We ate at Carrie and Big's rehearsal dinner table, the big long one in the center of the room down the stairs. The chandeliers were amazing-the room reminded me of Temple of doom meets Ikea or Gymboree. Weird I know, but between the elegant details of the walls, the fresco-like painting on the walls and the colorful abstract window sculptures, it's what came to me. The service was spectacular and the waiters were knowledgeable and friendly. But on to the food... here is where i realized my snobbery. From the room, the hype and knowing the cost of things - I was expecting to be amazed by the food. I wasn't. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't blown away. It reminded me very much of a Chain restaurant, much like a Ruby Foo's. We had the Edamame dumplings, which I see raves for on Yelp, but am wondering if these people enjoy baby food as well. The dumplings were filled with green pureed mush and the "Sauternes broth" did not taste of Sauternes at all and was, imho, a waste of a good dessert wine. The lobster egg rolls were decent- did not taste of mint though they were touted as such, and were no better than local delivery. The lobster meat was a little tough too; one bite and the filling was all hanging from my mouth while i still held the shell! The crispy calamari salad was delicious and would be something I would return for (and is the only food related reason for the 4th star) and the General Tso's Chicken dumplings were messy and kind of boring. I only had a few items from the sides we ordered as I was pretty full (and ok, getting a little tipsy - which sometimes kills the appetite) but the crab fried rice was gross - a little too fishy, and overloaded on coconut or something sweet-ish. The Sugar snap peas we tasty but not very impressive/innovative. I had the sweet and crispy jumbo shrimp for my entree, and while it had interesting flavor, it also tasted like it was doused in the mayo sauce they use to make spicy tuna rolls, minus the spice, so it tasted like shrimp covered in sweet mayo. Nice flavor, strange texture - and once I think of seafood with mayo I get a little nauseous. I did get to meet Chef Dale (of top chef fame) which was cool, and while the food was well prepared (go Dale) it was really the structure of the dishes/menu that left me thinking Buddakan ought to stick to the less picky/more easily impressed metro areas, i.e. philly. A co-worker was a big fan of the beef dishes, and as I avoid those, I will defer to her, seems beef is their wheel house... but I still claim that Buddakan is overrated... Maybe I really am just a jaded foodie. read more

Food was really disappointing. It was ok at best, super over priced and not great at all. Ordered the lobster egg rolls that were fishy, Asian noodles with prawns starchy, sticky rice with crab?? No crab. I would never eat here again. read more

Glad to report this restaurant lived up to its hype. All the food we had was delicious, portions were generous. If you want to sit in the main dining room (featured in sex and the city), you have to ask and hope to be accommodated, but the restaurant is huge and sitting anywhere is fine. Very professional wait staff, extremely knowledgeable of the menu. Overall I would definitely go back, great spot to bring a visiting friend or family member, date, etc. We started with the dim sum sampler for two, I had the miso glazed cod always a delicious choice. read more

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Such an awesome space but the food for me was comparable to PF Changs (ok maybe a little better...) This restaurant is huge! They have a beautiful communal dining table on the lower level with chandeliers hanging all over and the rest of the space includes intimate dark areas of candle lit tables. The upstairs bar area is almost pitch black, making it extremely hard to see someone in full detail. I guess this is good for the "situation wanted" dates that seem to be popular here. My friend ordered the tuna tartar first without acknowledging that it was a deviled tuna tartar, so it was tuna tartar on top of a chopped up hard boiled egg mixed in a mayo with avacado. This was incredibly gross and inedible for both us. This dish just doesn't work. Next we got the edamame dumplings, calamari salad, and lobster fried rice. The dumplings were delicious and came filled with a creamy edamame filling, similar to the texture of a perogi. The calamari salad was solid. The calamari was lightly fried and the greens were lightly dressed, which I like. I wasn't a big fan of the lobster fried rice, but my friend really liked it. I wasn't really impressed with the food but we didn't get any main courses so maybe those are the stars here? Irregardless, it's a gorgeous space. read more

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Back again 15th Jan 2015. Forgotten how good the food here is, and seems like the service has got way better. To start glazed pork belly ( buns ) and shorts ribs are a must. Fillet beef melts in your mouth. Peking duck pefect for a good group share and enjoy. For dessert we had the choc cake, the mousse and the bread pudding. ...all were great but the bread pudding was the winner of the night. Try the espresso martini its heaven in a glass. read more

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Simply put, Buddakan has the "Wow-Factor." From the moment I walked in, I was amazed by the decor and mere size of the restaurant. The atmosphere felt so sleek and fun, perfect for my recent visit to NYC. I had heard great things about the ambiance of Buddakan, but I was pleased that everything else was just as impressive. My waitress was friendly and informative, knowing the ins and outs of the menu perfectly. Most importantly, the food was delicious! The Edamame Dumplings were some of the most delicious things I have ever tasted (so happy my friend ordered them, I never would have thought to). The ginger crusted lamb chops were another standout. Everything was delicious, but I do feel the dishes lack much creativity. I ordered the Fever drink, honestly nothing too special. Reservations are really difficult to get here, but then again aren't all the best places like that? read more

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Arrive a bit early to wait the party to show up. ordered a few cocktails in the waiting area. then we were walked or our table in the basement made to a banquet hall. great semi dark lighting to create the mood. the wait is expected in such large establishment. as the other reviewers had mentioned really noisy ! the party is happy and awaiting our orders.. drinking and chatting.. the food and drinks started coming out of random and not know what belonged to whom as the server was too busy to bring our dishes! i can only speak about my dishes as i could hear others from the table murmuring about their dishes! i ordered stir fried noodles and EGGPLANT TOFU BOTH SUPER SPICY! i got a dish full of tofu (pictures attached) and not spicy at all. then i asked for spicy sauce on the side! first eye opener if you must add your own spice! then i got the noodles. i really want EGGPLANTS !so i asked a waiter ,can i have please a dish with eggplants! THEN HELL BROKE LOOSE AND THE READING STARTED . The waiter , a man, started telling me in a loud vice that they had change the menu since they have no tofu dish and keeps going on an on.. the whole energy changed. all the parties lost the mojo..hey what is going on. after the manager arrived laura, .......... i said in case the chef ,rob, wanted to have for much tofu ,he should call the dish tofu eggplant flavored ! reading of the ingredients is a fundamental. the first item is the most item! rob?! cluching my pearls for the rest of this hellish lack of education eatery. please all this drama GET a better chef? when someone is asking for spicy for such high riced place ,($100 or more per dinner ) for remember Chinese food ! YOU SEE THE PHOTO AND TELL WHAT FOOD IT IS.. LOL Have fun no matter what ! read more

Buddakan - where is the eggplant? - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

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Couldn't get reservations at a decent dinner time...so took our chances and came on a walk-in basis. To our surprise, we got seated in less than 5 minutes. The space is gorgeous. Family style is the way to go to try more: Appetizer: Bo Bo Plate (sampling platter of 2 pieces each of: tuna spring rolls, sesame shrimp toast, boneless spareribs, carrot dumplings, Cantonese spring roll) = great presentation and nice for a first time visit for someone who wants to try everything. The tuna spring rolls were tasty, shrimp toast was super yummy, and the Cantonese spring roll was my favorite. The others were good but not as impressive. Dinner: Singapore Chili King Crab = loved it!! I think it consists of 1 king crab leg cut up within the shell with lots of flavor Broken Chili Chicken = breaded chicken cutlet in a pool of sweet and little spicy sauce (a little bland for my taste so probably wouldn't get again) Chinese Sausage Fried Rice = on the saltier side but very cool presentation w/ a fried egg on top. Tastes like a bit like local Hawaiian food. I would get again to eat w/ a meat dish. Dessert: Crying Chocolate = A MUST!! Great artistic presentation. Tastes best when you combine all the ingredients! The jasmine tea ice cream adds to the flavor of the ganache. Rock Sugar Donuts = light and fluffy sugared donuts with 3 dipping sauces (chocolate, raspberry and egg custard). This was pretty good and nicely balanced w/ the sauces but I just can't stop thinking about the Crying chocolate. =) If I come back, I will definitely have to make a reservation to sit in the main room with the high ceilings and gorgeous chandeliers. Waitress was very knowledgeable about the dishes and very attentive. If it is crowded, the bar also serves the same menu. read more

What takes so long for me to re-discover Buddakan?! Was I concerned it is over-hyped? Was it because of my stereotype about Asian fusion? Was it because my lukewarm experiences of the services before? Maybe all of them. However, my recent two visits to Buddakan refreshes my impressions about Buddakan, especially my bday dinner here on the snow storm day. Yes, that is how strong my will for good food - stronger than snow storm :) The group of six of us arriving around 7 pm for our reservation. We were seated promptly. And the services from beginning to finish were impeccable. Since we had six, we were offered the three options of tasting menu, priced from $65 to $110 per person. We opted for the option 1, $65/pp. Trust me, unless you are starving, there is more than enough food for everyone with option 1. There were about six apps, four entree and 4 desserts. Every single bite was tasty and beautifully presented. Per my memory, for apps, we had: - edamame dumplings. Creamy edamame puree inside a green wrap. Super creamy texture and healthy. This was a crowd pleaser. - chicken soup dumpling. Savory juicy little bun. Another fave of the table. - Cantonese spring rolls. Good but nothing really special - Fried calamari salad. again good, but nothing to write about - Chilled udon salad. This might be the least favorite of the night because it was too sour and icy cold. It was about 10 F outside; who need icy noodle?! For main, we had: -hot and sour scallops. Giant seared sea scallops with woodear mushrooms and celery. The scallops were cooked to perfect, juicy and soft. I still thought about it the second day! - Glazed black cod with chili eggplant, black bean chow fun. Again, beautiful execution and presentation. Light and flavorful. - Sizzling short rib. I usually don't eat red meat. But this little piece of heaven literally melt in your mouth. Scrumptious and juicy. I could taste a little bit five spice from it. Very well seasoned. - Lobster fried rice and chili chicken. I did not taste either. Simply, I was too full and busy talking with friends :/ And I don't like rice ... But they looked really good. Dessert: By this point, all six of us well stuffed our face. But hey, it was my bday so no skipping the cake! And Buddakan made a special bday dessert for me - molten chocolate cake with espresso ice cream and cocoa powder plus a bday cookie with my name on it :) The Dark chocolate fondant was also amazing, especially love the crunchy rice crumbs and pistachios. The citrus sobert and the almond bread puddings were also great, per my friends, thought I did not touch the latter at all. I had to order a dupio and one Americano to wash down the dessert :( I felt I just added two pounds in one night.... The wine list also well curated. We got a bottle lovely gruner from Austria for apps, and a well balanced merlot from Wala Walla, WA. Both were perfectly pairing with our dinner. All in all, amazing food and experiences. I would same probably one of the best in the past two years. And of course, I got to share with some of my best friends. Priceless. I shall definitely come back for drinks or special occasions. Or maybe just to please myself :) Yes, lady, this place is gorgeous and has a club feel. Dress accordingly. read more

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I took my wife here for her birthday on Monday. From what I had heard about Steven Starrs' first venture into NYC, I had to check it out. We weren't disappointed. Visually, the restaurant is stunning. We were seated at a table overlooking the BIG room. It reminds me of scenes from movies like "The King and I" with its ridiculously high ceiling, elaborately carved relief's and 3 massive chandeliers hanging over a 40 seat long table. My wife had one of the special cocktails, the "Charm" ($11.00), made with prosecco, passion fruit liqueur, apples and berries. To perfumy for me, but my wife loved it. For appetizers, we shared the chili rock shrimp ($13.00) and lobster egg rolls ($14.00). The shrimp were tempura fried to perfection, and the sauce was sweet and tart. The egg rolls were, I think, frozen and fried, but they were still delicious with a sauce that I can't recall now. The wine list is categorized by adjectives. Rich, Refreshing, Silky Smooth and Muscular are a few of the categories. We opted for Silky Smooth with the Rex Hill Pinot Noir ($65.00). It was, well, silky smooth with a nice black peppery finish. For main courses, we shared the Filet Steak ($29.00) with a wonton filled with crispy potatoes and Dijon mustard sauce, and the Lobster and Shrimp Chow Fun ($35.00) The steak was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and they got medium-rare perfectly. The portion was kinda small, I think it was about 8 oz. The mustard sauce was almost custard-like, and was great for dipping the steak with. The wonton was just a shell filled with potato chips. The lobster and shrimp chow fun came in an x.o. brandy sauce and the classic chow fun noodles (wide, slippery rice noodles) This dish was great, served in a deep bowl, and the lobster was cooked right...it wasn't too chewy as often is the case. Dessert was presented very nicely, the pastry chef wrote "Happy Birthday Susan" on the Crying Chocolate Cake with Coffee Ice Cream ($10.00) and we also enjoyed the Kaffir Lime Tarte ($10.00). What can say about chocolate and lime? Just that the desserts alone would be a reason for us to go back. We splurged a bit on two Inniskillin Icewines ($25.00 each), but it's a birthday, right? The server was awesome in that she brought out tastes of three different dessert wines for us to taste, and when we tasted the Inniskillin, the price didn't matter. Rich and intensely sweet from the concentrated sugar in the grapes, it was the perfect end to a great dining experience. The server (Yonella) was very friendly and informative, very important to me, being in the biz. The service was prompt when we first arrived when there were a lot of empty tables. It got a bit slower when the restaurant filled up. I took about twenty minutes to get the check, which sucked cause we have a new puppy that was missing us. I know the server just got maybe 4 new tables, but that's when a manager should check on all the tables to see if anyone needs anything. The total check was $261.00 before tip, so if you are going to splurge here, bring a fat wallet or purse. (Well, we did spent like $140.00 on booze) Overall, I have to say that it was a good value, based upon the total experience. We are thinking of having my next birthday party there, but this time with 20 people, at the BIG table in the BIG room...and I want to sit at the head of the table! read more

Buddakan - Rock Shrimp - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

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First off the staff is very nice sometimes in fancy restaurants the people treat u and look at you like peasants but the staff here was very nice The dim sum was so good General Tso dumpling, pork bun, and pot stickers where a 10 I would definitely come back just to eat that The frozen drink was very good aswell read more

This place blew our minds away. From the aesthetic, to the decor, the presentation and the taste, all of it- exquisite. This was a perfect dinner for Christmas Eve. If you're looking for a sweet white wine, get the August Kesseler Riesling!! WOW SO GOOD WE LOVED IT (and got drunk real quick) 1) We had the dim sum platter for 2 but made it to 3 (there were 5 people at the table) and they were a perfect appetizer to start with ($54) 2) The Mongolian lamb chops were delicious and crunchy in the right spots. They come with bok choy! 3) The Peking duck fried rice was delicious! Highly recommend as a side dish! 4) Black bean scallops were a little too strong for me but were still good 5) The Asian green stir fry was good as a side but not memorable 6) The tofu eggplant was a great vegetable meal, and my sister loved it! 7) I gotta say, I absolutely LOVED the sweet and crispy rock shrimp!!! So tasty in the right spots and the crunch was amazing! 8) AND THE DESSERT. I looooovveeedddd my chocolate pistachio ice cream cremoso dessert. We devoured that in seconds but the chocolate mousse, cacao nibs, cranberries, the Oreo, the ice cream and the combination of all sweets were not too sweet but juuuuuust right. That was a highlight for us. 9) the almond bread pudding was also warm, soft, and a wonderful combination with the cremoso!!! Their desserts were such a plus!! The waiter was also attentive, responsive, and very kind. It was a very lovely night and he went home with a nice tip! ;) read more

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We had reservations, came in and they told us to wait at the bar. We asked how they will let us know when our table was ready, they said, we will remember who you are and let you know. Sure enough, someone came up to me saying my table was ready. Overall we had a very good experience. The smoke drink was really good. We ordered some dim sum, Beef and sole, all amazing. The vibe is good, loud but good enough tot be able to have a conversation. read more

Love Buddakan! The restaurant is beautiful. The decor is very unique, and grandiose at the same time. I really enjoyed dining here. We came here on our anniversary on a Friday, without making any reservations (yes very foolish of me), and the place was super crowded. They told us that we can wait and eat at the lounge, but that won't guarantee us a table. After being seated at the nice lounge, I decided to ask the manager nicely for a table, and expained to him that it was our anniversary and I forgot to make reservations. He was extremely nice and told us we'll be seated shortly, and was so kind that he gave us complimentary glasses of champaigne and desert. That's right..free! Now that's what I call great service, and I really didn't expect it from this restaurant. We were seated at the giant communal table (where you sit with other people). It's a bit loud, but the atosphere at the table was great. I ordered the Black Pepper Beef and it was very good. Definitely recommend it. The Chili Rock Shrimp was also very good, and I'll make sure to order that for myself next time I'm there. Overall, it was a very nice experience, and I can't wait to go back. read more

This review is for delivery given COVID-19. Overall: 4.5/5 Food: 4.5/5 Value: 4/5 Packaging: 5/5 Have ordered from Buddakan several times - delicious food and pretty generous portions but the price point is on the pricier side. Have tried dishes like the duck salad ($18), sausage fried rice ($18), Peking Duck for two ($67), and edamame dumplings ($17). I love the duck salad - frissé is a personal favorite of mine and you don't often see it in salads necessarily - the tart acidity mixes well with the duck and other flavors. Edamame dumplings are quite unusual - comes with 5 puréed edamame dumplings with delicate broth and it's interesting to try but the price point is a bit on the higher side. Sausage fried rice is delicious and filling - good sized portion here. The Peking Duck for two is a good portion of Duck - sometimes there isn't quite enough wraps and fillings (cucumbers, scallions) to finish all the duck which seems like a simple fix. Price wise it's on the expensive side but it's a pretty upscale spot so worth it for the great flavors and quality. Packaging keeps the food presentable during transport which is great. Overall would recommend! read more

Buddakan is a place that I will come back to time and time again. Everything from the service to the ambiance to the food was excellently delivered. Do make sure to make a reservation ahead of time as they are quite busy. The Edamame Dumplings are a MUST order. These dumplings are incredibly unique and live up to the hype of other reviews. A creamy filling of edamame in a clear, rice-based dumpling wrap in a thin layer of broth. The Sizzling Short Rib is another MUST order. Meat is wonderfully tender and well paired with chow fun noodles and pear chunks. The Crying Chocolate dessert is also highly recommended. It is a beautifully presented dessert that includes a great ganache with a melted chocolate filling and coffee ice cream on the side. Some items I look to try on my next visit based on recommendations: - Tuna tartare spring rolls - Monk fish- very cool presentation - Salt and pepper black bass - Alaskan black cod - Chinese sausage fried rice Looking forward to coming back soon! read more

Buddakan - Edamame dumplings- MUST try - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

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Buddakan irritated me from the start. After arriving slightly early for our reservation we were pushed off to the lounge to wait. I'm there to eat and not really throw down pricey cocktails, can we get to it? We sat there with other parties for about ten minutes before staff passed through collecting the parties for that hour's seatings. We were lead through the cavernous layout of empty tables and finally seated. The menu looked good, but I could barely focus with the combination of the cacophony of pounding house music from the speakers that blared above each table and the boisterous party of twenty a few tables down. Ugh. Can you just jab these chopsticks in my eyeballs? Our server dropped in and gave us the runthrough. We got several things and maybe ordered too much. Szechaun pork dumplings and Lobster egg rolls for starters. We mentioned that we liked things spicy and our guy showed up with a Siracha like hot sauce that jacked things up nicely. The dumplings and egg rolls packed with lobster were both delectable. Our white wine went well with our choices. For our mains we shared the Shacha chicken, which was kind of like a five spiced bird and the Shrimp and Lobster chow fun in X.O. sauce. Add a side of the long beans with diced shrimp and brown rice and we were set. We enjoyed everything. I preferred the chicken, which was really moist and had a ton of flavor. The noodle dish was full of shrimp and lobster meat, but the noodles were a bit tough to handle. With this spread we passed on dessert. Food was very good, but the ambiance was certainly not my thing. On the heels of the amazing date night we had at Gramercy Tavern, this seemed a scene more fitting of a SATC girls night out. That's not my thing, but if you're on the corporate account or drinking and dining with a pack-this is your place. read more

My first night in NYC and I wanted to go to Buddakan for wine and dumplings. Of course. The decor is dark, delicious, and swanky. The bar area is cool and has benchy things to sit on while you wait for your table. Downstairs is cavernous - dark and dim, and fabulous. We ordered some nibbly things to share (I don't really eat meals, just a bunch of appetizers), including the dumplings, pot stickers and pork buns. So good. I got really lit on far too many glasses of Shiraz and ate some tasty tasty dumplings, and I saw Bill Clinton sititing with Chelsea and husband at a corner table. While I was wandering about, a handsome secret service dude realized I wasn't an assassin - just a girl with a bladder full of six or seven or eight glasses of wine - and showed me where the bathroom was. Hey, thanks Secret Service dude. read more

As you enter the restaurant it's quite dark, concierge is located on the left as you enter. I was with a group of five and we were seated near the bar until our table was available. Our waiter (Ryan) arrived and carried our drinks downstairs. Ryan was such a rockstar. He spent his time going over the menu and giving recommendations. I informed him I had a serious shellfish allergy. He was so accommodating and informed me he would speak with the chefs before he put the order in. He took down a list of what all of us would like to try. He came back promptly and informed me what the chef said I can and can't have. Our food was fresh, hot and beautifully presented. What to try: Pork Potsticks, Edamame Dumplings, Scallion Pancakes, Mongolian Lamb Chops, Mao Poe Tofu, Crying Chocolate, Spiced Carrot Cake, Dark Chocolate Mousse The portion sizes were great which leaves just enough room for dessert. This is now one of my favorite restaurants. I definitely will be back. If your in the Chelsea area Buddakhan is a must stop at if you're craving some yummy in your tummy, maybe you'll get lucky and have Ryan as your waiter too read more

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Massive WOW appeal here, starting with the sheer enormity of the place for it being a restaurant in New York. It feels like Vegas in here, and if it's possible for a place to be so, it is very sexy. Lots of low lighting and coziness and is a definite scene. Specialty Drinks: Thumbs up for the Royal! Apps: Our group tried a variety of the apps and all were amazing. I didn't catch what all of them were but the Tuna Tartare Spring roll was fantastic (I am a bit partial to Tuna Tartare) along with the tea smoked spare ribs. Entees: Again, we ordered a variety and shared, but the hands down favorite was the Glazed Alaskan Black Cod which was soft and smooth like butter. Put it on your list! read more

Buddakan never disappoints!!! We came here around 10pm on a Saturday without reservations. I knew we wouldn't get a table, but the hostess told us to go to the bar and we would be able to get a seat there. She was right. We waited about 5 minutes and got a table. We had the Chinese sausage fried rice, Singapore noodles, and double cooked pork. The fried rice was DELICIOUS! It was so tasty and not overly salty. The sunny side up egg on top was a nice addition. Singapore noodles came with crispy pork belly. OMG was this dish awesome. The noodles had the right amount of spice and the pork was crispy and tender all at the same time. The double cooked pork was a nice piece of pork shoulder. Again cooked to perfection with a great slaw salad ontop. For dessert we had the dark chocolate mousse. It arrived with a perfect scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream on the side. The waiter set the dish down and poured this incredible chocolate over the top of the mousse. The mousse was light and creamy. I wish I could have taken a half gallon of that ice cream home with me. Our waitress was awesome. She always checked on us, made sure our glasses were full and offered suggestions. The decor is dimly lit and romantic. The background music is perfect and not intrusive. read more

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This was my first time at Buddakan. The food was amazing. The service was great. We got great recommendations for the drinks. It was a disappointment that it was my friend's birthday and we were not allowed to take the balloons inside. The interior is great. You can get some really nice clicks around the gorgeous decor. read more

Just got back from Buddakan and I must say I'm thoroughly impressed by...everything. The food was outstanding, the service was impeccable (it's like we had our own wait staff at all times, super attentive), and excellent vibes. I'll definitely be back to get tie tasting menu again and the Chi! Love it and hope this place never loses its flare. read more

I'm very keen on customer service. I work in retail and I understand the importance of customer service. With that being said.. I reserved a table for 14 at Buddakan for my boyfriends 30th birthday. However, only 8 of my guests showed up and mostly everyone was late. The front table staff (especially Michael?) was extremely helpful!! And made sure we were seated quickly despite our disorganized party.. Here's where it goes downhill. One of the staff came up to me and told me that we won't be seated unless our party left my 9:30.. Weird right? Especially after seeing numerous empty tables and parties that were there still seated before and after we left. I never really gave him an answer because I was shocked that he said that to me. Our waiter.. Dear... Atrocious. She never once introduced herself. We explained to her that we've never been to the restaurant before and asked for her help. It was either she knew nothing off the menu or she didn't care cause her responses were very vague. Chic quickly hurried away and told us to let her know when we figured it out.. When we asked another question she told us "that she needs us to make a decision because we have to leave by 9:30" at that point we were very much over our experience. It was extremely obvious that our waiter was uncomfortable with us being seated in her area and it showed all over her face. On the bright side.. We hardly saw much of her after we place our order. LOL. She never came back until it was time to drop the check. The reason I gave the restaurant 3 stars instead of 2, was because of the food which was extremely filling and tasty. And due to the staff who placed the food on our tables and due to a supervisor. The kitchen staff was very knowledgeable of the food and walked us through it step by step. (The waiter didn't one bit). She actually told me to order the bobo plate after I pointed out that I have a seafood allergy.. (It has fried shrimp). My boyfriends birthday cake was also cut and served so nicely thanks to the pastry kitchen and Richard (the supervisor). Richard reached out to us after we told the waiter that her service wasn't the best.. He quickly apologized for her and gave us his card for the next time we came to buddakan. I'm not going to say that I would never visit buddakan again. But I wouldn't say that I would recommend it to anyone I would know as a a first choice. read more

Buddakan - Buddakan birthday celebration. - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

I Love Buddakan. Every time I come here, it gets better and better. The presentation of food is quite impressive, the dishes are sensational, service is good, and desserts are magical. But the best part is the interior. Simply ahhh-mazing! read more

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I took my Hubby here for his birthday. The ambiance is great, very intimate black tie restaurant. I was able to make a reservation that morning and showed up to the restaurant a little early. Inside there is a small waiting area with a bar where you can either have a drink and chit chat with your party or browse the menu. We didn't have much time to do either because we were shortly taken to our table to be seated, which was great. This restaurant has water options, so if you aren't a fan of tap, you can pay for a glass bottle of water for the table. Yes, you have to pay for the filtered water, or you can have it sparkling if you believe that would make your money's worth. Our waiter was amazing, he gave us great recommendations on what to order. For starters we had the lobster egg rolls and the General Tso's dumplings. Our dishes came in a timely manner and they were both delicious. Once the food on the plates were finished (which wasn't too long after they arrived) the empty dishes were cleared from the table almost instantly. For our main course we had the Broken chili Chicken, Shrimp and Lobster chow fun, and Lobster Fried Rice. The chili chicken was my favorite. Tender fried pieces of boneless chicken in a sweet chili sauce, not drowning the chicken but nicely coating the pieces. The shrimp and lobster chow fun was okay. This dish comes in a large bowl filled with veggies, huge shrimp and lobster pieces, and noodles in a thick almost soup like sauce. The rice was also great. The portions are big enough to share, however it's recommended that each person get their own dish just so you can try different things with enough to be satisfied. Dessert was nothing less than amazing. Since it was my hubby's birthday they were nice enough to bring out the dessert with a candle and a little Happy Birthday message. And no way did they sing, this is not Applebees. It was extremely elegant. We ordered the almond bread pudding, and my mouth is salivating as I think about all the wonderful flavors that goes into this dessert. A nice big piece of banana bread with a side of whiskey flavored ice cream and almond dust at the bottom...yum. I definitely recommend this place to anyone who is in the mood for Asian inspired food, or anyone who just wants a delicious meal. read more

Buddakan - Broken chili chicken. Lobster fried rice. Shrimp and Lobster chow fun in the bowl. Hubby on his phone - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

Buddakan is pricey, but delicious. The ambiance is dim, regal decorated with oversized bird candles on your table. You can eat upstairs, downstairs, they have private seating areas, a bar. I can't say it's over priced Asian food bc it's far better. No immigration crab meat here. Food is fresh not too salty. The seaters however did not make good of the space. Ppl do not need to seat on top of each other when the place is empty. I do not want to sit next to ppl i don't know just bc we are both black. Would i go back yes. The stairs are a great photo opportunity (that's the regal part). read more

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Yes, yes, oh God, YES!!! I think that pretty much sums up my review, but for those of you who require something more thorough, here it is: Buddakan is a GORGEOUS restaurant! If you want to impress out-of-towners and give them the glamorous "big city experience", I suggest you take them here for dinner. As another reviewer said, it's sophisticated and upscale. Primetime reservations get taken very quickly, so make them at least 2-3 weeks in advance. FYI: There is a 15-minute grace period from the time of your reservation, in case you are running late. Also, I appreciated the fact that there's a little lobby between the outside door and inner door before you hit the lounge, so you can wait for your friends to arrive kind of in private (as opposed to waiting on the street like a hooker). Edamame Dumplings: We ordered this after reading all the rave reviews here. It wasn't something I would have initially ordered based on the name alone, but we tried it out - SO good! Thanks Yelp! They tasted like creamy mashed potatoes with a rich, savory flavor - I think I tasted chicken broth? (Sorry I can't do better than that - you're just going to have to try them for yourself. You'll thank me later.) Szechuan Pork Dumplings: Also tasty, but I'd order something different next time. They're not out of this world and you can find it elsewhere. Mushroom Chow Fun Noodles: YUM! As someone who rarely eats Chinese food, these reminded me of what I've been missing out on. Crying Chocolate: Had I not been sitting in a room full of people, I would have taken that plate and licked every single drop off of it. The chocolate lava cake was a nice warm juxtaposition to the chocolate ice cream, which sat atop coffee/chocolate cookie crumbs - all tied together by a caramel sauce. Chocolate perfection. Overall, the presentation of food on each plate was beautiful. Our server was so kind, attentive, and unobtrusive (and also a dead ringer for Matthew Morrison from Glee. Why, hello there!!! ;) ) The servers and busboys moved like ninjas - they were there exactly when you needed them and not a second more. Does this place do takeout??? Because I really want more edamame dumplings & dessert right now... P.S. Seating is all downstairs on the basement level, so you probably won't have any cell phone service. read more

We definitely enjoyed the food, especially the sea bass roll and the pork belly and pancakes. The chili rock shrimp were good but it's something that I've had in other sushi places but called shrimp dynamite. The FATE drink was a very good addition to what we ordered. I thought the food was better than TAO and the noise level was much more pleasant. The service was spot on and we never had to wait for the next item. They were all delivered to the table just as expected. Here's my suggestion of what should be your staple order: Steamed sea bass roll Crab sticky rice Chili rock shrimp Hoi sin glazed pork belly Sweet & Crispy jumbo shrimp I'll give a 4 rating because the simple yet tasty meal was a bit pricy- $165 for two people. read more

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I heard about this place so much that I decided to try several dishes there. The only thing that stands out is their lobster, well seasoned and a little crispy. I would recommend to share dishes/family style. read more

Buddakan - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

I have heard so many great things about this place and honestly I was so disappointed with everything! First it was incredibly hard to find reservations and finally after months, they were able to accommodate us. The menu is very slim and pricy. We asked our server for some recommendations and she did. We ordered the adamame dumplings which was highly recommended but they were so overrated save your self money and don't get them. The spicy shrimps were 2/10 at best. The best was the generals dumplings with we're amazing and must try. We got the pulled chicken and spicy fish and Mongolian lamb chop. The meat was tender and was about 7/10. I mean the service was great and no questions about the ambience but that's all you're paying for. The food is below average at best. Save yourself money and check out Tao or spice market both of which are amazing, cheaper and food is ten times better than buddhakan. read more

Buddakan - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

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Fabulous fabulous food! Be sure to try the lobster fried rice, the alaskan black cod and the broken chili chicken. This is a fancy trendy place so dress up a little! Be sure to make a reservation. Perfect for a date or an intimate get together with besties. One of the tasting menus is a fab idea for a besties evening. Great fun! read more

Beautiful interior. Exceptional food. Had the duck, pork buns, edamame dumplings, Broken Chili Chicken, short ribs, lobster fried rice, Asian green stir fry, tuna tartare spring rolls, and Kung pao monkfish. Was plenty for six. Downside was drinks had very little alcohol and filled to the top with ice. It's loud inside and dark, so take note. read more

To. Die. For. Hands down, this is now my go-to restaurant. I just can't believe its taken me this long to go there! Last night, I decided step out of my box and enter the world of the meatpacking. Its very rare to find me west of Broadway, but this just might have to change. I enter, and find myself being greeted by 5 hosts behind a black counter. No reservations? No problem, we can find you a table. Coat was checked right away (I think this should now be the rule for ALL restaurants/bars/clubs whatever.) We go up the stairs and are escorted around the HUGE restaurant to our table downstairs. Breathtaking views, honestly cannot even be conveyed by mere words. Our hostess was telling us that the space is over 10,000 square feet. I commented about how wild the layout is and that I've never seen anything like it. She promptly informed us that at the turn of the century, it was actually a Nabisco cookie factory. Our amazingly attentive waiter took our orders and explained that its family style eating, meant to be tried by all. My friend and I ordered 4 appetizers and a glass of wine which came out to about $70. Not bad considering we could not even finish the food, as divine as it was. Now....on to the food. Edamame dumplings. Must try. MUST try. Heavenly. I've never been so happy. Calamari salad, chili rock shrimp, and Cantonese spring rolls were also amazing but I've never been struck by food quite as much as I had been by those dumplings. The table right next to me ordered something that looked like Thai drunken man noodles. That is obviously next on my list to order. I will not be satisfied til I have tried it all. Put simply. If you haven't been there yet, you need to go! read more

Buddakan - Edamame dumplings and calamari salad - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

Ambiance = 4 Sexiness = 5 Food = 3 Service = 5 I came to the restaurant for my anniversary. I love the hostess stand at the entrance, the trendy vibe as you enter, and the attentive staff. The 'library', which is where we were seated, is off the main dining area, and is quiet and intimate. I was impressed by the waitress (Erin) and her extensive knowledge of the menu. Unfortunately, the food is good, but not amazing. As a vegetarian, there were only about 5 options, all of which seemed so lackluster. All in all, a cute date spot. read more

Buddakan - Chinese Near Me - New York, New York

THE MOST amazing shrimp app that I have ever had in my entire life has been in this restaurant! It was beyond amazing. The shrimp is so delicate that it melts in your mouth and yet somehow it still has a crunchy texture. I legitimately dreamt about that shrimp that night. The shrimp gets 10 stars. Everything else was over priced, overrated, and the waitress was rude. read more