Front of house needs better management- -waited 5 min to be greeted despite being slow. One hostess finally got to me then disappeared didn't come back. Another woman helped me and brought me to the back but there was confusion on where to seat me despite there being open tables. I ended up on a banquet seating against the wall where me and my fried had a small square table on a very weird angle to eat on (corner of table facing us). -twice the same waitress brought things to our table that were not ours. -Staff didn't have knowledge of menu. -I asked for one vodka the woman said ok. I asked another male waiter for the same and he said they did not actually have that brand. -Needs to on top of sweeping bathroom floors. Food -this is very barely Cambodian. -they were out of a main dish and they have a small menu, -shrimp fired rice just was mushy rice with a coconut flavor and some shrimp bits threw in. -dry rub chicken tenders were not bad the acidic sour sauce with it was the most "Cambodian" flavor I had there. Having been to Cambodia and all over SE Asia I have a problem with this being called Cambodian. At best it was a Thai take by people who don't understand balance of salt fat acid and heat. Best thing was the Marvin Gaye music playing. Go to Bong instead. read more

I'm embarrassed: a couple of weeks after Lula Mae first opened, we went there and really enjoyed the food, and then...didn't go back. It's been open several years now less than a 10 minute walk away, and for some reason we just never went back. Well thanks to the storm boxing in our travel distance, we looked closer to home and rediscovered Lula Mae last night - it was fantastic! The vibe is really pleasant, cool-Brooklyn vibe with some of their own takes on it. We hit the happy hour menu hard, getting almost every food item, and also got their Lort Cha (which I remembered liking from 3 years ago). Everything we got was delicious. The Tahini Cabbage Salad was so different than anything we've had! First bite we both kind of looked at each other confused, but by the last bite we were scraping the bottom. Chicken wings (& nuggies) were delicious, as was the Spinach/Artichoke toast. Cocktails (and mocktails) were also very good. Highly recommend! Kicking ourselves for not coming more often the last 3 years. Another note: The Tiger Den (a new Disco Bar they opened?) wasn't open in the back when we were there, but I am curious to check it out. read more

Lula Mae - Tahini Cabbage Salad - quite unique and delicious - Cambodian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The flavors, the service, the cocktails...I loved it all! I brought my family for dinner and decided to share a few plates. The had as a preciad bone marrow served with a side of bao bans so we obviously had to get and it was SO good! We also shared crab fried rice, fried chicken, red curry and the noodles with veggies and fried egg. Everything was delicious. We went a little earlier to get a drink during happy hour ($10 cocktail) and they usually have a jazz band on Tuesdays but unfortunately they don't have it in January (I guess I have to go back!). read more

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Never had Cambodian food so spontaneously visited. Cambodian Salad - it was kinda bland which wasnt expected for south east Asian flavor. Lula's Fried Chicken - i def like the soy tamarind more but glad to have 2 flavors in a dish! Lemongrass Beef Skewer - one of our fav! Mee Kathang Stir Fry Flat Noodle - tasty but quite small portion. Krueng Shrimp Fried Rice - pretty good Braised Duck - it was quite raw, unsure if it's normal, we had to send it back to get it cook more... hope they aren't offended. But I def finish all the sauces, great flavor. Not exact sure if I get a clear vision of what Cambodian food is but will def explore more~ read more

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My friends and I had a great dinner here. Be sure to get a reservation! It is hopping on a Friday night. The spot is on the slightly louder side and definitely has a trendy vibe. My friends and I shared a few different items. The Cambodian noodle salad was incredibly refreshing, and the fried chicken is worthwhile, especially with the dipping sauce. We loved the mushroom and eggplant. The crispy tofu was tasty though not actually that crispy. read more

Lula Mae is a hidden gem in Clinton Hill that has delicious drinks and amazing food. We came during happy hour from 5-7 where they have $10 cocktails and $5 beers! Great selection of cocktails to start your night pre-dinner. We came on Tuesday specifically cause of the Jazz night however it won't start until February so will be back. We had a reservation at 8 and shared multiple dishes such as the daily special bone marrow and baos, crab fried rice, fried chicken, red curry and the noodles with veggies and fried egg. Very filling and was enough for our party of 5. The service was great at the bar as well as at our table. Will be back when jazz night returns! read more

Lula Mae - Cambodian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The best way to experience Lula Mae is with a group of friends so you can sample all the tasty treats on their menu. Don't forget to make your reservation in advance though as it's a relatively small space. We split: The Cambodian Noodle Salad, Lula's Fried Chicken, Long Green Beans, Mushroom and Eggplant Saute, Mee Kathang. All were good but the fried chicken, mee kathang, and green beans were the stand outs. read more

The setting was nice I did like the decor and the close knit ambiance of it all. The lamb chops were seasoned well although the portion sizes were left to be desired. read more

My family is from Myanmar, the other Southeast Asian country living in the shadow of its culinary giant of a neighbor, Thailand. So I commiserate with Cambodians, whose cuisine hasn't had its day in the sun here in NY. Lula Mae is a good start because as I understand it, their menu is not exactly a showcase of the dishes most commonly enjoyed in Cambodia, but a menu tailored for a 2024 Brooklyn audience. Here you'll find fried chicken with tamarind rub, lamb ribs, and crab curry, rather than fish amok or kuy teav. Authenticity is a meaningless descriptor-- I think the best litmus test is to ask if people from that region would enjoy this food. For me, I give it a soft yes. Not an emphatic one, but a yes. Of the dishes I ordered, the sambal crab fried rice had the most flavor, and a bit of kick. I'm surprised by the lack of spicy dishes on the menu, but if you're looking for a kick, you'll get it from the fried rice. The Lort Cha noodles are great, but if you're sharing with a group of 4 like I did, each of you will get a tiny portion. The menu seems designed for sharing but the portions are small. I guess this is one of the ways restaurants can turn a profit in this city, but it doesn't make for the best dining experience. The morning glory was fine, as were the cocktails. I see a lot of potential for the space, with a DJ booth in the back, which they mentioned can be turned into a dance floor. Not sure if they've thrown any dancey events yet, but for the food I don't find this place all that memorable. read more

Lula Mae - Cambodian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We came for Sunday brunch and when we arrived at noon, there was hardly anyone else in the restaurant. We ordered drinks and a couple shareable plates to start (oysters and heirloom tomatoes). The oysters were delicious and refreshing, but the heirloom tomatoes seemed inconsistently seasoned so some bites weren't as good. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich and ordered the dry rub, since the waiter indicated it was medium spice level. There really wasn't any spice on it at all, and I thought it could use some additional seasoning or even some kind of sauce because it felt a little dry. The chicken itself was cooked well, but the sandwich seemed lacking in a flavor component. Service was a little slow, but the staff were all nice. As we got towards the end of our meal, the restaurant got busier so it was harder to flag someone down for the check. Overall it was a good meal and I'd definitely come back and try more! read more

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Glad to see a modern Khmer restaurant out in New York. We're from San Diego so we are spoiled with the mom and pop shops, but this was a nice modern twist. The ambiance is perfect for date nights especially with the live jazz! Loved it! Cocktails were very fun, especially the holiday in Cambodia with their little figurine on the glass. For food, we loved their 50-50 chicken. It's a must. Half is a bone in with a soy tamarind sauce and the other half is boneless dry rub with lime pepper dressing. Had to get 3 orders of those. Their crab fried rice was nice as well. The portion size was small so it's good to choose a few dishes and share family style. It looks like they change their menu seasonally so I would def come back to see what other dishes they have to offer. read more

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Delicious food and exceptionally friendly, competent service. The flavors and presentation are great--we ordered a bunch and you can't go wrong. My favorite (as a carnivore!) might have been the fried tofu, even over the duck, which was fine but had the most standard flavors / ingredients. Next time I would order two of the tofu instead of one of the duck :-) The only quibble I have is that dishes come out as they are ready, which is wonderful if you like your food hot (as I do!) but leads to some wonky pacing. We got our dish of green beans all by itself; would have been nice if it was paired with anything, like our fried rice. Our server was so friendly and warm. Really added the icing to a good experience. read more

This place has rave reviews, but I thought some dishes were better than others. Overall I'm glad I tried, but not sure I would come back especially with so many good Asian restaurant options. If you live in the neighborhood though I'd recommend checking it out. Ambiance / Service: very casual. Restaurant is quite small and probably not good for larger groups. There was a back area that looked quite chic, not sure if that was part of the restaurant or not. Service was fine. Food: recommend family style. Portions aren't huge, but good to share between 2-4 people (you'll just need to order more with 4 people). Cha Kway: comes with 2 very long pieces. This was delicious. I would take this over regular bread and butter any day. 50-50 Fried Chicken: this is a must. Crispy, not greasy and very flavorful. Stir Fried Morning Glory: this was good, but nothing crazy. It's a good side to accompany some protein and rice. Sambal Crab Fried Rice: this wasn't as flavorful as I had hoped, but not bad. Lort Cha Noodles: I didn't like this dish, but I think it was more a personal preference. Didn't prefer the noodle shape / texture and there was a very overpowering flavor that I didn't like. read more

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Overall rating: 4.6 I've been wanting to go here for ages very excited to try Cambodian food, but never had the time. Whenever I looked the reservations were always booked, so when I went I got one of the earlier times. NOTE: do not let the lack of resos deter you and just walk-in. My friend and I shared appetizers & got the following: - Lady lime oysters: 3/5 ehhhh nothing special for the price - Stir fried morning glory: 4/5 good - chicken: 3/5 ok. This doesn't seem to be on the menu anymore. I can't say I really felt like I got a unique Cambodian experience. Def more fusion than I wanted & there were more drink options vs food. I was missing different dishes . I loved the drinks though! And they have some type of happy hour deal on Wednesday bc the recent graduates were everywhere. Don't think I'll be coming back but it's worth checking out! read more

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Stylish, exotic Cambodian spot with a swanky little speakeasy-style backroom, live jazz music on Tuesdays 6pm to 9pm, and some of the best oysters I've had. The oysters are unlike any I've tasted and are the ultimate must-get. Fried chicken also pretty good, shrimp fried rice, but the oysters were the star. Also loved the refreshing and zesty teetotaler drink. read more

When I have found myself in this area of town I am often lost on where to grab a decent meal. Lula Mae had been on my list for some time and on a cold winter night I made a last minute reservation while in the area. Overall I'd say it was good. I don't know if I'd go out of my way to come back, but I'm glad I tried it as there aren't many Cambodian spots that I frequent in NYC. Of all the dishes we tried my favorite was probably the sambal crab fried rice. I will note that though its a shared plates vibe, the portions arent too big so order an extra plate or two. read more

Came here for a private party with friends and I'm dying to go back. Pretty heavy on the garlic, cilantro, and lime - but honestly one of the best combos for food. Oysters were fresh and sweet, but my favorite was the duck. Seriously, it was one the best, perfectly cooked ducks I've ever had. I don't see it on the menu right now but hopefully they put it back on! read more

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Short review: If the words "Tom Yum Butter," tickle your fancy, go here. Bold flavors. Perfectly cooked proteins. Room in back needs more light. I went to this Cambodian restaurant with a group a while back (as per most of my other recent reviews.) We were sat in the back which is a bit dark so most of my photos required night mode. The service was casual and friendly and gave good recommendations regarding drinks and stuff. The menu is a bit expensive but it is very worth it. To drink I shared a bottle of the 2022 Azimut Pendes "Brisat Orange," a Parellada, Moscatelle, and Garnatxa bland from Catalonia. A glass is $13 and a bottle was $46 and this is a orange/skin contact wine. We got a mix of dishes. The Cha Kway ($8) with tom yum butter was one of our smaller dishes and could be a bread course if they ever added a tasting menu. Said Cha Kway is the Khmer word for youtiao also commonly referred to as a Chinese cruller/donut. The version here was large and crispy but the main star of the show was the tom yum butter. I'm surprised I've never seen any of the fancier Southeast Asian spots use this but this was delicious. It had a good spiciness and sourness and I would recommend it to share. I would recommend them convert this into little crisps and make this one of the best bar snacks in the city. The Crudo for $20 consisted of hamachi, lemongrass, salsa roja, frise, chives, and charred scallion oil. There was good sourness which paired nicely with the fresh fish. The portion size was a tad small but it was fresh hamachi/amberjack and the pieces were pretty thick and meaty so I think the price was fine. The 50/50 Fried Chicken for $17 with dry-rubbed chicken had as per the name two different marinades; a sweeter stickier tamarind soy and a drier lime pepper dressing. Of the two my preference was the tamarind which I'm not surprised at as I like the sweet and sour flavor and it reminded me pretty much of Korean style fried chicken outside of that one having more crispiness and more spiciness. The lime pepper was also good as well and both had tender meat. My least favorite of the smaller plates was the Steak Tartare ($22) consisting of tri-tip with Calabrian dressing, cilantro, mint, fried garlic chips, and an egg. As it had Calabrian chilies, there was a light spiciness which was nice and the chips were unique and tasty though I found it didn't have enough of a mix. Otherwise, I think some type of fruit could be added for extra flavor (perhaps mango or pineapple) though I might be bias as the only other good spicier steak tartare I had was at LumLum. Our only larger plate was the Duck Salat with crying tiger sauce and market greens which was $32. The duck was perfectly cooked and the sauce listed as crying tiger sauce apparently is tuk trey koh kong (thanks Eater,) which is similar to fish sauce. You eat this dish similar to Korean ssam using the various types of lettuce and otherwise and making small lettuce wraps (which reminded me even more so of it thanks to the perilla leaves.) Also delicious and not many complaints. Our group can easily see why they have such glowing reviews. I do wish the back area was better lit as it felt it too much like a nightclub but in terms of the food, there was only very little complaints I could make. The flavors are strong and balanced better than most Asian Michelin spots and otherwise I've been to. I definitely would go back. Mid upper 4. read more

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Amazing meal full of flavors! First time trying Cambodian food, really enjoyed all the dishes, favorites was the sambal crab rice , cucumber salad, Branzino, shrimp special and 50/50 chicken. The drinks were great too and in the back , they can do private parties with a speakeasy vibe. Definitely worth a trip to Clinton Hill! read more

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I have found my new fave fried chicken place. The chicken was fried to perfection. I honestly can't tell if I love the dried rub more or the glazed one. The crab rice was good but I can see where it'll need a touch more flavor. The lamb rib was too heavy and fatty for me. read more

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Unfortunately, pretty mid. Ended up spending $80/pp on 3 dishes (1 dish was an appetizer) and 2 drinks total.... Definitely ask about the cost of the specials as all the dishes here are around $16-$30 except their specials are apparently $56. This was our mistake when ordering the snapper special which was fried pieces of snapper that turned out to be a bit soggy and covered in super sweet (a bit too sweet sauce). 50-50 fried chicken and lort cha noodles were great! Fried chicken is a must! The noodles were solid but nothing extraordinary or vastly different from other restaurants. Lastly, the service was very OK. Our waiter was super nice when they came to our table after ~20 minutes. Staff was a bit busy chatting it up with themselves and we had to spend a bit of time trying to waive them down whenever we needed something. Overall, not bad, just review some of their best items before ordering and you'll be good. Their snapper special is definitely not worth and that unfortunately ruined my rating for Lula Mae. read more

I have been dreaming of this food since I first read about the BK Mag feature. It's rare to find Cambodian food in the city (by quick search I think the only other standout that comes to mind is Num Pang). Boy this did NOT disappoint. The vibes were definitely buzzy. Definitely procure reservations ahead of time (mayhaps a week in advance for a Thurs to weekend visit). I tried doing day of/24 hours in advance before without any luck, which is a testament to the restaurant's popularity. And it's warranted! We got recommendations from our waiter Reno + the Chef's most favored dishes (chef is btw Tyger/Nami Nori/Chinese Tuxedo alum): * Oysters -- these have a kick which is a great twist! * Crudo -- super fresh * Bok Choy -- the garlic sauce which I think gets flambéed and doused in hoisin sauce was incredible. When we finished the dish we refused for them to take away the plate as we wanted to lick the sauce off till the end. * Noodles -- I feel like it's sinful not to have noodles at a Cambodian joint. It's definitely elevated compared to most typical street food you'll find in Cambodia but it doesn't take away from the comfort feeling these noodles usually bring. * Fried Rice -- the crunch on top of it made it so fun to eat * Duck -- this is the masterpiece dish for sure. It's nothing like most typical Peking Duck dishes, which can lean on being bony and sometimes dry. It's moisture and consistency we're simply incredible especially paired with the chili oil. Definitely looking to come back as I'm still piqued by the papaya salad and chicken and tartare I didn't get to try. Also I've seen pictures of turmeric ice cream. Admittedly my friend & I were too full and we're waddling out of the joint that it didn't even occur to me to ask about dessert . read more

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I was in NY for a work trip, and my friend who lives in Brooklyn told me about this new place with Cambodian-influence dishes that I had to try. I made it a point to go before I had to leave NY, and glad I did because I was blown away. First, the service is very welcoming and friendly, you are greeted with smiles who will take your time to talk about the menu. I'll rate each dish that I got: Crudo - This is a hamachi dish with the flavor of "kreung" which is a lemongrass-based dish heavily featured in a lot of Cambodian dishes. I've never had it with raw hamachi before, but it was delicious and paired well. In fact, this was the best hamachi I've ever had, and I usually order hamachi if I see it on the menu. Definitely, a must-order. The Cambodian flavors of the kreung is well balanced with the hamachi crudo. Sweet Petite Oysters - These raw oysters have a bit of Koh Kong sauce and fried shallots. Koh Kong sauce is a pungent Cambodian version of fish sauce, here it is milder to give more flavor to the oysters. I'm not the biggest fan of raw oysters, I'm more of a chargrilled oyster's cajun style, so I'm not sure if I would get this again, but if you are an oyster fan then you may like it. Koh Kong sauce is also one of my favorite Cambodian sauces. Yu Chair Kway with Tom Yum Butter - This is the Chinese crueller, here it's fried fresh which is a lot better than the packaged kind I get at the grocery to eat with Asian noodle soups. It is served with Tum Yum butter, and I actually liked it a lot. The Tom Yum butter was what made it interesting, If you like bread served to you, I'd recommend getting this. Lastly, the main dish I got was Duck Salat with Market Greens. It is served with three different types of lettuce, two types I have never seen before (one was pink as shown in the picture), with minty leaves and perfectly cooked (medium) duck. You wrap the lettuce, with mint, and duck into the crying tiger sauce, and it's a nice flavor bomb that isn't overpowering. Cambodians like to use fresh vegetables and mints in their dishes, so this is a typical Cambodian dish with a spin using duck dipped into crying tiger sauce. I've been looking for creative dishes and this hit the spot, I see this as a modern take on Cambodian/Asian food, and I'd recommend this restaurant to anyone. I will be back the next time I'm in NY for sure, something I don't usually do since there are so many options in NY. read more

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Visited the newly opened Lula Mae for Vday and had a great experience. Its a nice combination of bar seating (8 or so seats) and restaurant seating (30 ish seats). The ambiance is a little retro with lots of black and white photos adorning the walls and warm lighting. Maybe it was because it was Vday, but they had a pretty amazing R&B playlist that a very much appreciated. If their music selection carries generally through the rest of the days they are open I would be very happy. The food was good all around. There were some items are really enjoyed and others that were perhaps forgettable. -Oyster were delicious but I think a little bit small for the for the very flavor forward Koh Kong topping -Steak tartare isnt my favorite but theirs was a very good rendition and on top of the delicious milk bread it was one of the better bites I had. - the tuna crudo wasnt my favorite. The flavors just didnt come together for me - salad was intentionally bitter but ate very one note - the sweet and spicy chicken with bok choy and rice was nice. It no frills imo but very delicious. The portion was white rice was pretty large probably could have shared one bowl between the two of us -the green tea matcha ice cream was delicious loved the lychee and crumble. Service was good. Its a new place but you can tell the staff have experience. PS. There is a soon to be opened back room thats really nice. Right now its very much a restaurant but depending on what they do with the back room it could be a nice nightlife destination. read more

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Lula Mae is a great date night spot. The food is tasty, thoughtful and well prepared. Service was friendly and helpful without being overbearing (which I mention because we ate on the early side and were the only table for a stretch). The ambiance is great--the decor is warm and tasteful and the music is cool and set at a nice background level. As for food, the Cha Kway is a must have with the delicious Tom Yum butter. The Plea Sach Ko is phenomenal starring tender strips of beef, a veritable forest of herbs, and the perfect tamarind dressing to top it off. The Lort Cha I could go either way on; good but not great for me so maybe a pass unless you're a complete noodle fiend. Amok Trei is a sleeper pick if curried fish is your jam. It was tender and had great balance between curry, coconut and herb all without overwhelming the chopstick tender fish. Two of us came hungry and left stuffed after all that although credit to the wait staff again because we were warned we could probably get away with three dishes. It didn't stop us from asking for dessert and being a bit disappointed that it's not a frequent offering. Consider yourself warned if you have a sweet tooth! This review wouldn't be complete without a big shout-out to the bar staff who are slinging really interesting cocktails featuring amaros and inventive flavors that pair really nicely with the food. Get your hands on a Oaxaca n Stormy to beat the summer heat and get your taste buds primed for a good meal. read more

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This restaurant is a true gem! I couldn't believe how good it was! Their serving sizes feel just right. The employees delivered steady, high-quality attention. You'll enjoy your experience! read more

We've visited this spot several times over the years and it is consistently amazing. The chicken is always good as are the rotating cocktails and rice/noodle options. Beth was amazing and her staff were on point and really care to create a dope experience. Chef Ranna and Alexson were also dope. We will be back. read more

I recommend trying the unique shaped noodle pieces dish. I can't remember the name but it was sort of like shredded udon only more chewy. Delicious. read more

This place is exceptional in every way! The staff adds friendliness to their overall approach. You'll find the pricing here is location-appropriate. I'm methodically working through every category. This spot maintains remarkable standards. read more

Food was good, friendly staff, reminded me of watching " The Bear". Everyone working together to make it happen read more

Lula Mae - Dry rub chicken - Cambodian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Hidden gem in Clinton height! Not that many southeast restaurant city (not Thai), but it is worth to visit this restaurant if you are around. They do have some Cambodian imported rum and cocktail. read more

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I'd rate Lula Mae four and a half stars. Came here on a weeknight with a group of six. Reservation needed for a group of any size unless you're able to get here at 5 pm sharp when they open. Coming with a group allowed us to try most of the items on the menu. My favorite item was the fried chicken. Not sure if this was a Cambodian / Indonesian specialty. Nevertheless, it was a thin yet super crispy and flavorful breading. Came with two sauces. Reminded me of Korean style wings. They were super juicy. After that, my next favorite dish was the duck. It was duck breast cut into around a dozen pieces cooked to an absolutely perfect medium rare. Served with some greens and a fish oil based hot sauce. In retrospect, I would have skipped the greens and sauces and just went for the duck. Probably one of the best preparations of duck that I've had. Some other dishes that I tried were the rice cake noodles with a well done fried egg, papaya salad, tuna crudo with caviar (and I believe a miso sauce), crab fried rice, bone marrow with fried baos, and these savory churro like puff pastries with chilis and a house seasoned butter. They had a couple beers on draft, but it seems their specialty was craft cocktails. Almost everyone at my table was happy with their cocktails. Service was attentive. Food was brought at a well timed pace. There was one small gender neutral restroom. read more

My dining experience had numerous memorable elements. The standout dishes vary but quality remains. Their workers showed care that guarantees a return visit. The restaurant's setting is perfect. This place earns my full backing. read more

Went last night for dinner because we love Cambodian food. Great service. Nice atmosphere inside. I liked our table in the front on the little platform it was cute. We ordered six dishes and I had two cocktails (both great). My husband has the phony Negroni. Cucumber dish - bright, fresh, crunchy. Super flavorful. Carpaccio - maybe my favorite. Herby, acidic, and fresh. Loved this dish. Crudo - salty, sweet, good texture, really fun dish. Fried chicken - obviously delicious and super crunchy. Loved the sauces. Fried bread - good loved the pickled onions and peppers but wish there was a bit more of everything (not the bread) Bok choy - great sauce and super tasty Crab fried rice - good with the crunch on top. Super flavorful. I always like the smaller dishes better and next time would try something else. Overall great experience and would return. read more

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This restaurant will make you feel welcome from the start. Workers here performed with the precision this restaurant demands. This place balances elegance, contemporary style and good food. People who enjoy culinary experiences should visit. My final judgment: Lula Mae is outstanding. read more

I don't leave reviews often but I feel compelled. This was one of the best meals I've had in NYC! I took my BF for his birthday and it was a stunning meal. Also affordable for the quality of food! Service, vibe, and food 11/10:) read more

I'm sure there is an expectation that I should cover all the dishes we tried, but honestly can I just say TOM YUM BUTTER served with warm chinese donut type breadsticks (you tiao esque but it's cha kway on the menu)?? Excellent shareable bites and a fun atmosphere. I love eating at the bar when available, so the bar experience was not cramped and service wasn't rushed here at all. My friend and I ordered the smashed cucumbers with fried shallots, the 50/50 fried chicken, and lort cha noodles. We also ordered the SAMBAL CRAB FRIED RICE which I thought looked so simple but the pillowy delicate rice was infused with so much crab umami and the crispy tempura mixed into it made the mouth feel so satisfying. I wish they had a larger serving size for this one! Specialty drinks: The Expat, Lula Dirty read more

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Lula Mae has a cozy, vintage atmosphere with intimate tables and seating. Perfect for a date night. As for the food... nothing short of amazing. Each dish I got had authentic Cambodian flavors along with subtle, but impactful, twists that elevated them beyond their inspirations. The Som Lar Machu with Braised Ribs hits you with the sweet and sour broth, complemented by fresh, crisp slices of chili and lemongrass. These flavors balance out the meaty, fatty braised rib and pairs well with a bowl of rice. Easily my favorite dish. You also can't go wrong with the 50/50 Fried Chicken, which had a good soy, sweet flavor with notes of tamarind to keep it interesting. The lime, pepper sauce is an ode to classic Khmer food stalls as well. The oysters were a hit as well. Sweet paired with a strong, bright fish sauce. I had a chance to speak with the bartender and even the head chef, and from my conversation with them, I can tell they have a passion and a drive to get the authenticity of Cambodian dishes and flavors down to a T. Will be coming here as often as I can whenever I visit NYC. read more

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guys. i'm telling you right now, if you want to have the perfect birthday party with the best food, vibes, and intimacy - book your private party here. i had about 40 people (max capacity) in the private room and it was perfect and beautiful. this was genuinely the best experience i've had throwing a birthday party. mark, beth, and the chefs, and our amazing bartenders made sure the vibes and atmosphere and efficiency of the party flow was on point. the guests raved about the food: (wings, beef sticks, fried rice, mee kathang noodles). they also enjoyed the drinks and the atmosphere of the back room. i cannot recommend lula mae enough. whether it's for an intimate date in the front or a fun birthday party in the back room, this is where you need to come. as a cambodian girlie i highly recommend. lula mae u guys are the best!!! read more

There's a dearth of Cambodian food in New York City. That said, Lula Mae does a great job of introducing Cambodian flavors to the neighborhood. My partner and I made a reservation via OpenTable for Saturday evening. The ambience was delightful-- from the lighting, to the wallpaint, and table setting, it was clear the owners really thought out every single detail. There's a beautiful back cocktail lounge area that i'm excited to check out in the future. As for the food, it was a 10/10. My partner and I ordered the crudo, 50-50 fried chicken, stir fried morning glory, lort cha noodles, and duck salat with market greens. Every item was delicious but I was especially impressed with the duck--- it was perfectly tender and the market vegetables were super fresh. I especially liked pairing the duck with the perilla leaves! A nice added surprise was the staff-- they were so friendly and attentive. I'm excited to see this new restaurant succeed! read more

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