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    Buddakan

    4.1 (1.9k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order Buddakan Takeout or Delivery

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    BUDDAKAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Trendy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Buddakan

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    Outside
    Jose B.

    We had the best time at Buddakan last night. The ambiance was great, lighting was dim, music was a bit loud but good vibe overall. Our server Larry was outstanding, he was very knowledgeable about the menu, very polite and friendly. To start I ordered the Zen-gria (which was very interesting because it was the first time I saw a green sangria) very tasty and refreshing. For appetizers we ordered the Dim Sum Sampler to share. I have to say every dumpling was delicious but my favorite one was the edemami one, oh my god it was absolutely incredible. For the main dish I ordered the Barbecue Pork Tenderloin. Very tender, juicy, soft and flavorful. My partner ordered the Pad Thai. We also ordered some Bao dumplings to share, 10/10. For dessert we got the Strawberry, shiso and whipped cream & the Dip Sum Doughnuts. Everything was perfect. Absolutely great place, service and of course food. We hope to be back soon.

    Sashimi
    Jim R.

    Haven't been to Buddakan in years but thoroughly enjoyed it on New Year's Eve. The place was packed and our table of 12 was impressed by both the selections available as well as the high quality of the food. I won't try to describe what others had but the 2 of us shared the absolutely delicious special Sashimi in citrus-soy with sizzling oil. This was one of the best Sashimi's we have had in a long time and it was a very generous portion. We also shared the perfectly prepared Whole Peking Duck with moo shu pancakes. Others at our table got to taste it too because again the portion was so large. For it being a special night, the wait for our food was never long and our server, whose name I regrettably don't remember, made the night very special. So if it's been a long time since you've been here, come back again - you'll be impressed.

    May J.

    Great service, tasty foods, good for gathering party, dining room quiet a little bit dark, but that's not bothering enjoying the dinner. Also valet park is in front of door entrance, very convenient, and self parking is very close by.

    Tarun B.

    This place was always on my must visit list when I go to Philly. I was familiar with the NYC location and had a great experience there. Buddakan is located in the Old Town section of Philly. It was very quiet and empty when I walked there. It seemed to be an odd place to put a high end restaurant when Rittenhouse was a couple blocks over. I was impressed as soon as I entered to see the waterfalls coming down and the large Buddha statue in the middle of the restaurant. It makes you feel as if you are transported to a different place enjoying the peaceful experience and fine dining. The one thing I wish I could have changed was the lighting. I need the lights to be turned on so I can look around and actually enjoy my food. I was not a fan of the darkness in the restaurant. I ordered the lobster fried rice and a glass of Nigori Sake. I took my advice from the waiter as he was more experienced with the menu than I was. The sake was okay but highly expensive for a tiny glass. I am not much of a sake expert so I would skip that the next time I am here. The lobster fried rice was okay. I was not amazed as I thought I would be. It seemed the same fried rice that I could get from any other Asian restaurant. For $26 it didn't seem to match the price point. If I do come back here I will plan on trying some of the other options to see what I prefer. I loved this restaurant but didn't enjoy the food on my first time here.

    Miche

    A delightful day to spend here. It's Mother's Day and we enjoyed the crab fried rice, which was again a big hit. So hot and so delicious and flavorful. The barbecue pork just fell off the bone and was so amazing and so delicious. The service is exceedingly wonderful. I'm also smitten with the covers over the chairs because it shows us the owner's friends who posed for photographs!! Absolutely charming, and wonderful ambience. I had a wonderful time again!!!

    Katrina W.

    This was a fun find to try during Restaurant Week. I went with a friend and was pleasantly surprised by the cool, chill, relaxing vibe of Buddakan - there's low lighting, but a chic Asian flare to the decor and atmosphere. The chairs have faces adorning them of the owners' friends. The servers were quick and efficient. My meal included the tuna pizza, black miso cod, and dessert of the dip sum donuts. Everything was beyond delicious and all came at a price of $45 for RW. I will be back!

    Cocktail
    Holly R.

    Food was incredible and the vibe is very cool. Our server made some good menu and drink suggestions and with one in our group with celiac we had great choices for our group. The edamame dumplings were so delicious (not gluten free). Our reservation needed to move by an hour and they were accommodating. Sat upstairs and really enjoyed the atmosphere.

    Dumplings and Bao Buns
    Sheryl W.

    Went to Buddhism with colleagues and I recommend going with multiple people so you can share. They serve family style which is great. Our server was attentive and explained the dishes perfectly. The restaurant is large and inviting. The food was yummy but for Asian food, Sampan in Philly is my go to, so good!

    Edamame Dumplings
    Laura K.

    Been living in Philly for many years but hadn't been to Buddakan yet. I'm upset I hadn't gone sooner! Everything we tried was delicious. The tuna tartare spring rolls and the spicy rock shrimp bao buns were stand outs. Everything pictured was incredible, and we also enjoyed the shrimp lo mein, edamame, and korean beef fried rice. Dessert was SO good. I would recommend getting the donuts, but we also enjoyed the winding road chocolate cake. Our waiter was super helpful with answering our questions and giving great suggestions. We also loved the ambiance. Perfect lighting and nice seating. We will be back!

    Tom A.

    We came here while visiting Philadelphia. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, with a mezzanine level looming over the floor. They have about a 10 foot Buddha watching as well. We were seated fairly quickly and the waiter explained the ordering process. Most things were served family style. They started us with soup dumplings and then the calamari salad then the lemon sesame chicken. My wife also had the crab fried rice. All items were cooked fresh, seasoned well and tasty. Cocktails were very good. Service was a little spotty at times. For Asian the price was more than most. It was a good dinner.

    Steamed Edamame
    Micaelly A.

    Visited for a fancy girl night and had such a lovely time. Our waitress was particularly amazing! I personally loved the edamame dumplings and highly recommend them. I ordered the Korean Beef Fried Rice as my entree and was also very happy with it. The lighting in the restaurant was so nice. Really enjoyed the experience.

    Miso Black Cod
    Mia M.

    Good Asian fusion and big portions! We came for buddakan week, which had a 3 course menu at a set price of $45, and everyone in our party got that. We expected to get partial portions since each person got an app, entree, and dessert and the menu is meant to be sharing sized, but everything ended up being full sized portions! I had the hamachi carpaccio and miso black cod, both of which were delicious. I also had relatively low expectations because I'm usually not a fan of Japanese fusion, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good everything was. The staff were also very accommodating when we were running ~25 mins late (we called to let them know), which was absolutely not expected and kind of them. I would return, especially for buddakan week.

    Mary A.

    What a wonderful experience - from the hostess as we entered to the delicious food to the server - everything was great. We were warmly welcomed and recognized as first time guests. We were promptly seated and our server was great. He explained the menu and offered advice when requested. All of the food we tried was excellent. We ordered Dim Sum Doughnuts for dessert and it came out with a sparkler since it was our first visit. Such a fun surprise - we all loved it! The restaurant was clean and really pretty. I wish we lived closer!!

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    2 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Service was excellent for I assume a busy night which is every night, blessed by Buddha they are.

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    Page 1 of 48

    Buddakan Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Buddakan

    Is this resturant expensive or it depends what you get? my daughter wants to go here for her birthday which is next week😊

    It's a $$$ Restaurant food is very fresh and delicious , I didn't know a lot about the entrees so we all just ordered a lot of everything, and I have to say, that it was well worth the money

    How much is valet parking?

    Yes, there is valet parking

    Does the restaurant accept Discover?

    Yes they do

    Is there a dress code?

    Not really; most of the diners dress smart-casual

    Do I have to book reservations?

    I'd recommend making a reseveration as it can get quite busy especially on weekends.

    Is this restaurant wheelchair accessible?

    Yes it is. From street to entrance and seating is accessible.

    Is there valet parking available on a Saturday night?

    Yes, it's available. Other info: Valet parking is available at $18 per vehicle after 5:30pm.… 

    Is this the same restaurant as buddakan nyc? can't tell if its the same family or not, so i can have a certain expectation when i go in

    Yes it's the same!

    View All 9 Questions

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    I've been going to Nan Zhou for years now, and even as newer and flashier restaurants have opened…read morein Chinatown, Nan Zhou will always be a reliable stalwart. I got dinner here recently after not coming for a while and was reminded just how good it is. Really delicious, authentic, and affordable Northern Chinese food - my mom is from that region and always asks to come here whenever she visits. The noodle portions are huge and expertly hand-crafted and cooked for the perfect bouncy chewy texture. The dumplings are also lowkey the best in Chinatown, with a thicker chewy skin characteristic of Northern-style dumplings, a juicy filling bursting with flavor, and a perfect sweet soy sauce dip on the side. Service is quick and friendly, with the servers able to accommodate both Chinese and English speakers and happy to give recommendations. And you can tell from the clientele that this place is a hit with both Chinese and non-Chinese diners alike. It was packed on a Friday night! It's BYO too so you can even imbibe in some drinks with dinner without breaking the bank. FYI that they only accept cash and Venmo for payment.

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    I stopped by this authentic cozy gem of Sansom Street and ordered my favorite: the Dry Chili Pepper…read moreTofu. This time, I had the pleasure placing my to go order with Evie (E-V-I-E). This was my first time meeting her, but it felt like I have known her for some time. She recommended something for me to try next time -- the "Fresh EarthV Trio (V)" a popular classic Northeastern dish. I'm definitely adding that to my list. What keeps me coming back? It's the consistency -- the service, cost, portion, and most importantly, the flavor. After my shift at work, I genuinely look forward to that first bite of my Dry Chili Pepper Tofu. Moments like this remind me... it's not just about food, it's about connection, consistency, dietary friendly and having a place that hits every time. Thanks Evie!

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    Very large, loud/energetized, bright white modern with handmade noodles and dumplings the feature…read morebut good number of traditional Chinese dishes available. (Note: if you only want smaller serving of their great, thick noodles, order $4 add-on as a side in place of rice with regular dish.) I always have leftovers to enjoy at home. Dumpling orders are large and shareable. (Always 6 or 8 pieces.) My fave when dining in is amazingly delicious and huge Fish Fillet in Hot and Sour Cabbage Broth. (That's best with rice side to help absorb broth.) So good and healthful to balance the dough density of whatever dumplings you might also order -- they're all great. When getting order to go (or delivered) I like Kung Pao Chicken; it travels well. Order added green veggie dish for sharing -- I lean toward Chinese Broccoli; you'll really want the balance with the delicious dumpling and noodle dishes. Large cocktail menu -- Lychee Martini is so refreshing. Important: cash only for dining in. There's an ATM by their front door. Takeout and delivery accepts credit cards. Most reasonably priced parking nearby (if you don't score a limited street spot) is ParkAmerica at 1040 Race St a few doors down. In fact, it was one of the valet guys in that garage who recommended Dim Sum Garden when I was seeking great Chinese option. (Thank you, Ceasar!)

    It pains me to write this as I have loved DSG for over 10 years but the taste and quality are just…read morenot there anymore. I just get a feeling that the focus is on pushing alcoholic drinks rather than on the food. The pork buns felt like they were previously frozen and were very sweet. Shrimp dumplings tasted off. Service was never the star but it wasn't so dismissive either. Just a very bad experience and while I won't go back, I also don't want to rate them 1 star as that would be unfair. Their food now is no better than the next guy and that's disappointing. Cash only btw. I write this because they do not post signs and a couple tables had to go grab cash from their ATM machine.

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    This place was sooooo good. Super spicy and delicious Chinese food! Service was friendly and…read moreattentive.

    Han Dynasty is part of a regional restaurant group with multiple locations, but walking in, the…read moreatmosphere immediately felt more like a sports bar than an authentic dining room. The non-Asian bartender took our orders and seemed very helpful at first, but then completely disappeared, leaving us to fetch our own silverware and water at our own volition. He also informed us that, yes, indeed, they have the Sichuan peppercorns like so many other restaurants, yet like so many other places, they failed to give them to us. There was, however, an aromatic presence given off by what appeared to be black cumin flakes in our cumin lamb. Had they put actual Chinese peppercorns in the dish, it might have balanced out the heavy cumin, which I tasted in my mouth hours after the meal. Ginger and a ton of garlic, both of which I associate with this cuisine, also would have been nice. I imagine the owner, once hyper declarative as to the authenticity of his restaurant, has a brand these days: a decent Sichuan sports bar catering the food for an American palette.....even their 3 Cups chicken is 'bone off'. I can not say I saw many Asian people dining here; perhaps they know better and just head on over to EMei in Chinatown. We also had the string beans with ground pork; they had the proper blistered look from being dry-fried, though the dish ended up a bit greasy and lacked the distinctive punch of preserved mustard greens and robust aromatics. All in all, we enjoyed the food, but the bartender abandoning us while helping himself to a twenty percent tip, combined with the lack of authenticity, is not enough to impress.

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    Still determined to try new places, when I want a "sure thing" I head to Lau Kee. I really like…read morethis five-table restaurant. I'm writing this update, really as a reminder to me: **-- vegetable wonton soup is consistently delicious. But when I saw folks at another table order hot & sour I said, 'next time let's try it.' It was chock full of ingredients and with most of their clientele Asian, I suspect it's very good. **-- two years ago we ordered a dish with chicken, beef, shrimp and vegetables. It's what sold me on Lau Kee. Until today, I didn't know the name. "Triple Delight," our server said. **-- Mapo Tofu. (I neglected to take a photo.) Certainly good, but no different than other restaurants. I realized we had it here before. Next time, something else. But if YOU get it, and don't want it super hot, do tell the server. Staff speaks English, and despite being excessively busy, they've got everything under control. If you want steamed rice, ask for it. No charge, but not automatic. Good-sized portions, fair prices -- and YAY! Leftovers for me tomorrow.

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