Fantastic return to Mana to try some other items! The lychee bloom is a new fan favorite. The presentation is so unique and cute, and the shrimp itself is delicious and the texture on the outside is delightful. It's fried without it feeling greasy, 5/5. I also enjoyed the shrimp youtiao, a bit greasier but that's literally in the name "you"= oil. Like many of the items on their menu, they make a unique use of the youtiao. We were also excited to finally try the lobster bisque dumplings since they were out the last time we stopped in. It does taste like a lobster bisque dumplings since, so think western flavor profile instead of Asian - but if you like lobster bisque like my husband you'll enjoy this ! The sauce was a bit saltier than my preference, but all around solid. We also tried the seafood soup dumplings which were great, nice ocean of flavor. The only one that wasn't very memorable were the green pictured dumplings in my photos, but I always appreciate a good veg option. 5 items between 2 persons left us satisfied fullness wise, and ran us about $77 including tax and tip. I really love the menu and creativity behind Mana. It's also delicious and unique compared to a lot of the cookie cutter dimsum spots that we have a plethora of in Philly. I truly hope this spot lasts! I definitely recommend checking Mana out. Go go go ! read more

See all

I have never been to a cleaner restaurant in my life! The space is stunning as well, super modern and not tacky! We were promptly seated and attended to. The way I'd describe the food is, you'll see a common takeout chinese item but expect less sugar, less sauce and simply elevated. The portions are big and the prices are fair as well. The plating is pure art as well. Lobster Bisque Dumpling (4/5) - the bisque is incredible creamy and flavorful, I ended up finishing the broth with white rice, my husband didn't believe it was real lobster meat because the price was so good, I told him to believe! Lychee Bloom (5/5) - so beautiful, minced shrimp meat in a ball that came on skewer sticks to mimic a real lychee, the accompanying plum sauce was so good Kung Pao Style (5/5 - with shrimp, loved how the veggies still had a bite and the shrimp was not overcooked Sha-rry Udon (5/5) - personally did not try but was told the beef was flavorful and not overcooked and the dish was not drowning in sauce The desserts looked very creative! Would try them next time, I've attached the dessert menu, take a peak! Also paid $70 only for 2 seafood appetizers and 2 full entrees, such a great price! read more

See all

Unique byob Chinese fusion in nolibs! Service was friendly. Place was packed at 630 pm on a Friday night, highly recommend getting a reservation. Can get loud and a bit of a wait. We ordered an app and two entrees and was so full that we had no room for dessert, def coming back to try their matcha tiramisu! Ordered: Mapo tofummus: 4/5 hummus but made out of tofu with mapo tofu on top. Def a kick so caution for the non spicy eaters out there. Super unique and worth to try! Kung pao chicken: 3/5 well made and not too saucy but it just tasted like a Kung pao chicken, nothing special about it Lychee infused duck: 4.5/5 our fav!! Duck was well made and good quality , crispy on outside, juicy inside, and the CURRY flavor was very delicious with a hint of lychee in the aftertaste. Worth trying !! Price ~65$ for 2, very reasonable. read more

See all

The dishes here are definitely creative, though one of things that I noticed was probably quality of the food. I'm generally a tougher critic, but I think these points are valid. If you come here, definitely make a reservation in advance, especially on the weekends - it does get busy! 1. Crab Rangoon Roll Up - I wasn't sure what I was expecting out of this. But it's like a thin egg roll. This was good! 2. Golden Sprinkle Wings - If you've never had salted egg yolk before I would be thrown off. But if you have had salted egg yolk and like it, you'll like this dish for sure! My only qualm with this dish is that most of the flats of the wing are cut in half so it makes it look like you have more wings that they actually gave you. 3. Sha-rry Beef Udon - This was good! Large chunks of beef that go well with the udon noodles. 4. Lychee-Infused Curry Duck - Reminds me much more of a Thai dish than Chinese, but it's still good! It's decently spicy and the duck is a good quality! I would recommend if you're into coconut curry. Overall it was a good experience and I'm glad to say I tried it. read more

See all

I can't stop thinking about the dishes I had here last week. Every dish was delicious and so creative, just look at the photos I attached. I came in on a Thursday for dinner and the service was quick and the server was super helpful and suggested his favorite dishes. The ambiance in here is really pretty - very bright and welcoming. My favorite of the night was the forbidden ribs. They just fell off the bone and were so tender. I would love to try more dishes next time I come back. read more

See all

This place has been turned over many, many times, and for the first time, I will say I hope Mana is here to stay. Really good food with very kind and attentive service. The dumplings were incredible. We got the treasure set- one of each, and everyone at the table was raving about theirs. I also enjoyed the lobster bisque dumplings, though probably wouldn't order again, as other items were stand outs. They brought us our meals sporadically while we were still eating apps, which was a bit inconvenient, but fine. The lychee dish was INCREDIBLE! A MUST order for sure. It's flavorful and very fresh. I would probably get it with the duck next time, the tofu was a little mushy. Also, we were told each dish came with a side of white rice, but had to ask for it. So make sure you do, because it's a little spicy! Overall, big fan. Will be coming back and recommending! read more

See all

Hate to say it, cuz NoLibs deserves a gem we can get into, but this place is going the way of Kalaya and Mawn- a small affordable BYOB with massively tasty and creative food, discovered and then shot straight to the top! Get in here while you can, cuz delicious and Instagramable dishes like these won't be a secret for long. PS. everything with lychee is especially divine, and the service is kind too. Yum! read more

See all

Such a nice addition to the neighborhood. The menu isn't so big as to be overwhelming. Soup dumplings were pretty good. We loved the pan fried vegetable dumplings. Kung pao chicken was fine. (Smart move to keep some American Chinese classics on the menu for the inevitable takeout business.) I really enjoyed the Chinese Broccoli and mushrooms. Service was friendly and pretty fast. The space looks great. Very stylish. No doubt I'll be back. read more

See all

The food and presentation is good. You pay for the presentation as quantity is enough but less than other places. Server took my silverware but then I had to pack food on my own which wasn't a big deal, especially during a soft opening but try to be more conscious of that. Environment is classy. The braised salmon was on-point and the walnut shrimp was fine. I loved having the option of the blue latter cold drink. Butterfly pea tea with other stuff always seems to be a winner for me. I was wavering between 4-5 stars but this is a soft opening and I have to give them some slack. This place wouldn't be a top choice for me but it is certainly not a bad choice of a restaurant for me. read more

See all

For many years, one of my friends always complained about most Chinese restaurants not using high-quality ingredients. Mana Modern Chinese is a response to that. The food here is delicious, uses high-quality ingredients, has great decor, and is located away from Chinatown (some people seem to like this attribute). Half of the menu is dim sum, which was our original plan, but the Lychee Infused Curry Duck looked too good to pass up, so we got that, too. We had the Xiao Long Treasure, a sampler of six different soup dumplings, Har Gow, Forbidden Ribs, the aforementioned lychee duck, and the Custard Bloom. The soup dumplings were pretty good. They were unique. Perhaps not the best I've had, but there was a fantastic variety here, so there's something for everyone. The Mala Spicy Pork one was decent and the Black Truffle (pork) one was good. The Har Gow was amazing. Four shrimp dumplings with perhaps the most delicate skins I've ever had (and I know my har gow skins having made hundreds of har gow with my mother growing up) were sitting in a sea of chili oil. Not too spicy, but just spicy enough. They were delicious! The Forbidden Ribs were very savory and quite different from any bbq spare ribs I've ever had. It was basically an Asian Fusion style sauce baked into the ribs. The duck was sooooo good. We joked that we should've just ordered two more of this dish. The breast meat was big for duck standards and my friend loved the crackly end pieces. The dessert was fun and very good. I'm amazed at the artistry shown in the dessert with its leafy greens sticking right out of the top of each carrot. This is award-worthy. Mana is a perfect date place, especially if you don't want to experience the business of many Chinatown restaurants. It's close to many other awesome food places, bars, shops, and more. Right across the street is Joy Cafe for awesome soy-based smoothies. The 700 Club is also right across the street. There's neighborhood parking and spaces along the street in front of Mana. I will definitely return. It's certainly worth more visits to try their other dishes. read more

See all

Food was delicious especially the forbidden ribs. Reminds me of Chinese Coca-Cola wings. Duck curry was good. Reminds me of a Thai curry dish. The duck was a bit dry, but the flavors were good: sweet, spicy and salty. The drinks were great had a really good jasmine green tea taste. Pork katsu fried rice was a bit salty but had good wok heat flavor. Service was great: quick, fast, and efficient. Love how they box your leftovers for you. read more

See all

MANA MODERN is one of a kind, like no other. Its uniqueness will take you by surprise. They serve delicious Chinese-style food with a modern twist, presented in a style reminiscent of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Food: When typical Americans think about Chinese food, dishes like orange chicken, kung pao chicken, sichuan beef, shrimp fried rice, and beef noodles come to mind. Here at MANA's, you can expect a diverse culinary experience featuring juicy duck served on curry, American-style ribs cooked in a sour and spicy sauce, Japanese katsu served with broccoli, unique flavored and tasty soup dumplings, sweets presented in realistic food shapes, and savory dishes that are to the soul. Service: The team works seamlessly together--friendly, down-to-earth, yet professional and highly knowledgeable. It's clear they take pride in making guests feel welcome and cared for. Atmosphere: The vibe is bold, modern, and unmistakably infused with a Chinese essence that sets it apart from typical restaurants. Value: For the quality of food and experience, the prices are excellent. Parking: There's plenty of street parking out front, but it can get crowded at times. Also, be mindful of the time limit. Overall: MANA MODERN offers a dining experience that is unique, flavorful, and unforgettable. Highly recommended by @WineDinenVacay. read more

See all

Service and the food are excellent The Red Ember Wonton is the standout but all of the food is good Actually the vibes are super nice too and clean and modern. read more

Believe it or not, I have eaten here 10+ times! It's just that good! The ambiance is perfect for a date night with a little light at the table to set the mood. Before coming to MANA, remember to stop by a store to grab a drink because they are BYOB!! The service is impeccable and all the servers are attentive and helpful when guiding us through the menu. (There are some pictures that I'm missing because we just wanted to dive straight in). Here are some dishes you MUST TRY! APPETIZERS - Mapo Tofummus - Crab Rangoon Roll Up - Chili Kissed Burrata - Forbidden Ribs ENTREES - Black Truffle Mushroom Beef - Lychee Infused Curry Duck DESSERT - Custard Bloom MANA is definitely a hidden gem in NoLibs and I can't wait to go back! read more

See all

My friends and I came on Friday night without reservations and we could see that it was busy. The service was ok since it looked like they only had 3 people running the whole restaurant in the front trying to be servers and the front of house but since no one was a permanent front of house there'd be times where customers were just standing there with no one coming to help since everyone else was busy. They tried their best and were nice. However now to get to the food review.... I don't even know what to say and not sure how there was a 4.9 rating unless it was massively boosted by influencers. We ordered the black truffle mushroom beef, sha-curry udon, and clay pot salmon for entrees. We had the crab Rangoon roll up , forbidden ribs, and the xiao long bao. As someone who is Chinese and has eaten the traditional dishes I don't know what Modern Chinese means - is it code for white?!? Like the flavors weren't right or like way off. For the clay pot salmon usually the salmon should be moist and coated with sauce but mine was just mostly dry flavorless salmon on a bed of vegetables. The sha-curry udon was just basically if you dumped shacha or Chinese bbq all over the vegetables and udon and served it... there was no complexity to the dish. Lastly the only tolerable entree was the black truffle mushroom but if I'm paying $26 for that dish I better taste truffle which I didn't. Also for some reason the vegetables were primarily red peppers red onions and garlic for the majority of the dishes - the clay pot did have some Chinese gai lan which was fresh and cooked properly but for $24 I shouldn't be just impressed by the gai lan which doesn't even cost that much to start with. The appetizers were ok but the price was ridiculous. The crab Rangoon roll up was just a shrimp roll with crab Rangoon inside and it was $10 for three tiny rolls and the forbidden ribs dish was probably the best but at $17 for 4 pieces they must be joking. The ribs was probably the only dish I would've called modern Chinese where it combined traditional flavors of black vinegar and brown sugar coated short ribs and then adding a twist with the pistachios at the top but not at more than $4 per ribs. Like for $17 I could get a half slab of bbq ribs with a side or two on a platter. The soup dumplings were fine and maybe passable on the price. Based on the meal I got, I don't know where the high reviews came from unless the concept was just to target white palates who don't know any better. If this is modern Chinese food, I'd rather get the real stuff in Chinatown not that far down with much more reasonable prices. I've also eaten Chinese fusion and high end Chinese plenty of times and this is not the concept - so I definitely won't be coming back. Also the acoustics were not great and it was just one giant flow of noise where it was super loud and hard to hear each other talking. read more

See all

Hot takeout, food is decent but nothing new. Also small portions for the price. Overall, would not go again. read more

Mana Modern Chinese - Duck & Noodle Affair, Chicken & Corn Shumai, Lotus Bites - Dim Sum Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A chef willing to experiment with traditional dim sum dishes by giving it a modern twist is worth a visit. Xiao Long Treasures - good way to try each of the dumplings. 9/10. Shrimp Youtiao - Chinese donuts stuffed with shrimp paste topped with honey wasabi. This was our favorite hands down. The exterior was light and crispy. Chicken & Corn Shumai - these were just okay, nothing special. Green Emerald Dumplings - these look like emerald jewels fit for royalty but the mushy spinach filling did not go well with the chewy translucent wrapper. Shiitake Baos - I loved these boas made to look like mushrooms. I enjoyed the shiitake and diced carrot filling very much. Buns were fluffy, soft and tasty. I came specifically for their carrot dessert. Never seen something presented this way and it is so cute. Unfortunately the execution in taste was a miss for me. The carrot is fried mochi (kinda oily) filled with custard (couldn't detect the custard because it must have melted). Didn't care for the crushed chocolate cookies (Oreo) on the bottom. We ate the carrots and cookies separately, felt like two separate components. But I respect the creativity. It's elevated style dim sum so the prices are a bit higher. Will pay another visit when my son returns from college. Service was a 10/10. read more

See all

A must visit if you love fusion and unique bites! My favorite items were the udon, the carrot dessert and the hummus. The shrimp that looks like lychee was also a very fun bite. They clearly care a lot and checked in frequently and asked for feedback. Everything was fairly priced and tasted amazing. Would recommend going with a group so you can try more of the menu! read more

See all

Philly finally has amazing Chinese food! Mana is so good that I am coming out of Yelp retirement to post this review. I'm an annoying snobby when it comes to Chinese food in the US because, let's be real, most places are pretty meh and are actually a disgrace to Chinese culture. But the food here is downright fantastic. Ambiance is great too. I love how innovative and creative the dishes are. Mapotufummus has been a dish that's around in some big Chinese cities like Shanghai but I'm glad someone has finally brought the concept to Philly. Loved the combination of the crispy chips with the soft texture of the hummus and tofu. We tried a few different things, and honestly everything was amazing. The shiitake bao was super cool (shaped like a mushroom) and tasted great. My favorite part was walking away and not feeling like I just got a blast of MSG. Anyway, I had a lovely dinner experience at Mana, and I plan to return for lunch this week too. The prices here are higher than your typical American Chinese joint because it's not your typical American Chinese food. If you don't bat an eye paying for quality Italian or French cuisine, then you shouldn't bat an eye for paying for quality Chinese food either. read more

See all

My fiancé and I went to this restaurant last night for dinner and we were wowed. Outside of Chinatown, this is a great Chinese restaurant in Philly and what better location to have it than Fishtown? We ordered the pork xiao long bao and the mapo tofummus for apps and they were delicious. To put mapo tofu and hummus together is a wild combination but tastes great together! The xiao long baos were perfect - my fiance was saying we should go back and just order those and we might! For our entrees she got the duck lo mein dish and I got the sweet general. The duck was super tender and the sweet general was a different take on general tsos chicken - the chicken was kind of like a Japanese karaage style with general tsos sauce on top. Different but tasty for sure, highly recommend! For dessert we got matcha tiramisu and it was so soft and creamy - would definitely get again. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive. The restaurant was very modern-looking/good atmosphere and we definitely recommend it to anyone who's visiting fishtown or lives in the area! 5/5 read more

Mana Modern Chinese - Mapo Tofummus - Dim Sum Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Loved the vibe here and decor, modern but relaxed atmosphere. Staff were attentive and friendly. Food was great! It was 4 of us and we shared 2 samplers of the soup dumplings and all were delicious. The Lychee bloom was very good too. I had the forbidden ribs which were good as well just definitely sweeter than I expected, not bad just know that. My husband and sis had the lychee curry duck and they liked it too. We had all the desserts, the ube tiramisu, the choco mousse and the custard bloom and all were awesome but I gotta say my fave was the custard bloom! The only complain was that the noodle and duck affair for my brother didn't have much duck in it. Other than that I would love to go back! read more

Mana Modern Chinese - Lychee Bloom - Dim Sum Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Came here on a Sunday night with my girlfriend for our anniversary dinner after seeing some great reviews for this place, and let me just say, I was not disappointed! The Mapotofummus was delicious! The tofu and sauce on top was authentic and tasted just like the ones I've had growing up. I've always been a sucker for egg yolk flavored things and I would highly recommend the golden sprinkle wings. It's crispy, it's savory and the meat was incredibly tender. As a Shanghainese, I believe I am fairly qualified to judge xiao long baos, and the ones I had here hit just the spot. A little bite into the skin and you will find these dumplings are full of savory and delicious broth. My girlfriend is a big fan of Duck, so we went with duck for both entrees, but at this point we were a bit too full, but both tasted great. We finished our meal with the custard bloom....oh my, please try this! The "carrots" are made with glutinous rice, and have a consistency of mochi, but they fried the outside so it's nice and crispy which makes an amazing contrast. Get this with ice cream, the warm mochi mixed with the cold vanilla ice cream is a pairing I didn't know I needed. I promise you won't regret it. I would highly recommend Mana, and the staff were incredibly nice. Please give this place a try! read more

Phenomenal food. Great additions and tweaks to timeless favorites. Definitely go with a group so that you can try a little of a lot. Very pretty inside and pretty quiet, though I was there at an odd time. The mushroom buns were wonderfully different and everything we had was scrumptious. This is not to be missed. Don't forget to leave room for dessert! read more

Mana Modern Chinese - Dim Sum Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Really creative cooking. My entire table of 6 loved every bite. Especially the "bunny" dumplings (see photo). Very reasonable pricing too. A real gem in Northern Liberties. read more

Mana Modern Chinese - Dim Sum Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The food was delicious and unique. Highlight for us was the Mapo Tofummus, but everything was quite good. The oyster sauce in the Gai Lan and the honey garlic glaze on the Sweet General had amazing flavor. The Xiao Long Treasure was a great way to sample the dumplings, our favorite was the Mala Spicy. The service was great! Kind servers who genuinely seemed interested in making our experience enjoyable. A nice and relaxing ambiance, great for conversation and dining. We will definitely be returning soon to try more of the menu! read more

See all

The lychee infused curry duck was definitely the star of the show, along with the custard dessert. I would definitely go back just to get this dessert alone lol. read more

See all

A new take on Chinese cuisine! The Mapo Tofummus is a MUST order! The mapo tofu itself was probably one of the best in Philly, and when combined with hummus, the mix blended so well. The Shrimp Youtiao was another interesting take, growing up eating Youtiao (fried dough) for breakfast, who would though to stuff shrimp inside of it, it's crunchy, flavorful and definitely an eye opener. The duck was tender and some of the flavors in the Xiao Long Baos are definitely new and exciting to taste. Make sure to try the refreshing drinks, my favorites are the passion fruit green tea and the mango nojitos. Of course you have to order the carrot looking dessert, it is warm and sweet and chewy, perfect way to end the dinner. The location is easy to find and lots of street parking. The restaurant is very cute inside and love the pairings!!! The space is definitely good for date night and also going with a big group to share all the food! The staff are very attentive and provide really good recommendations for first time goers like my party. Definitely recommend!!! read more

See all

Delicious fusion Chinese cuisine! The space is beautifully decorated, spacious, and complemented by outstanding service. The dishes are creative in ways you might not expect, yet every concept and ingredient comes together perfectly. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Better than Chinatown. I would love to see beef chow fun and bottle of still water. They only have sparkling for now Been there 3 times. Each employee have been very professional read more

First off the environment was amazing with soft music to add to your meal and the seating was very comfortable. The staff was courteous and prompt. And for it to be the soft opening it was superb! As for the food, every dish was cooked with care, Flavorful and tasteful. The forbidden ribs were cooked so good I started to eat the bone! read more

See all

Yummy! We walked in with no expectations and were warmly greeted and seated in a modern, casual dining room marked by lovely oversized figural prints dotting the walls. The table was set minimally with lovely place war. The menu was extensive, unusual and varied enough to suit all dietary needs . Everything we ate, a huge amount, was generous in size and delicious! The service was very attentive without being intrusive. We ended the meal with a delightful treat that pleased not only the palate but the eye. The carrot shaped mochi dessert put smiles on our faces. Our meal was topped by a bill that was by all standards very reasonable and extended our smiles! Can't wait to go back! read more

My boyfriend and I went there last night and everything we ordered was delicious! We got the Xiao Long Treasure Dumplings, Duck and Noodle Affair, Pork Chop Fried Rice, and the egg custard carrot for dessert! I also had the mango nojito to drink I highly recommend everything we ordered and I can't wait to go back and try more dishes. Our waitress was also very friendly and helpful and did a wonderful job. Please come support this new business in NoLibs! I heard they will be receiving their liquor license soon. read more

Mana Modern Chinese - Egg Carrot Custard Dessert - Dim Sum Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mana feels like a hidden gem in Center City, Philly. We've been twice now, and the food has been stellar both times. The vibes in there are super cute and the staff is so friendly. We mentioned that it was our anniversary while chatting with the waitress and she brought us a complimentary dessert with a candle, which was so yummy! They just opened in July, and I really hope they stay open. 11/10!!! read more

See all

I am a big fan! The soup dumplings are wonderful. We enjoyed the chicken and broccoli, the truffle mushroom and beef as well as the fabulous everyday fried rice. The curry is great too but (oddly) only offered with duck or tofu. chicken and shrimp should be options too! read more

Been here a couple of times and enjoyed everything, The food was outstanding, service excellent, atmosphere lovely. Had the Duck with noodles twice, it was so good. My wife had the shrimp, and we had the ribs too. The people who run this restaurant are very nice and helpful. Make sure you have one of their teas, too. read more

Had two great meals here. They have a lighter touch with sauces than some of the older places I've been. It's a great addition to the neighborhood read more

The food was delicious. The soup of the day was Hot and Sour Soup and it was vegetarian!! All 4 of us enjoyed it. The lobster bisque dumplings were very rich and tasty. Entree portions were a nice size; we probably could have finished if we hadn't had the 2 appetizers. Service was excellent; our server was patient, answered our questions and quickly found out the answers to questions he couldn't answer. Definitely planning a return visit read more

Great food and service! We tried this new restaurant on a whim and were pleasantly surprised. The Jade Harmony fried rice was so good!

Fabulous .. very inventive, some items meant for sharing , that s fine ! Owner is always in premises ( which is a real plus) , always new items to try , and the basic suggestions are really good ! I will try to get to this spot at least twice a month, maybe more !!! Mark -- a long time Northern Libs guys read more

Very good and flavorful fried rice and pork. Sauce was good too. Really enjoyed the meal. Will be back! read more

Mana Modern Chinese - Pork chop fried rice (to go) - Dim Sum Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania