This place is a vibe. Been here twice and loved it both times. The atmosphere is super cool, and the food is amazingly flavor-packed and perfectly presented. Drinks are on point too. Definitely a solid spot for a fun night out!
Buddakan NYC is a hidden gem! The atmosphere is stunning, with a chic and modern design that sets the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal. The staff was welcoming and attentive, making us feel right at home.The food was absolutely incredible! We tried a variety of dishes, and each one was bursting with flavor. The Black Pepper Beef was the highlight. I also loved the creative cocktails—they really complemented the meal.Whether youre looking for a special night out or a casual dinner, Buddakan delivers on all fronts. I can’t wait to return and explore more of the menu. Highly recommend!
Visited Buddakan last time I was in NYC for work!Wow what a dining experience the food was phenomenal and the restaurant and all its staff is top notch!At this point I would usually recommend a few dishes but we had a bit of everything and honestly there was not a bad dish that was served.If you are in the area and looking for some great food pay a visit you will not be disappointed.
I’ve always wanted to dine at Buddakan since I heard Martha Stewart talk about it on her show years ago and I finally got my wish when I went to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The food was excellent and deserves a Michelin star. The Royal cocktail was delicious. Our server was fabulous. I haven’t had excellent service like that in a long time. Our server was so helpful and pleasant and treated.
A stunning space with amazing cuisine! Didn’t know if I was back in Japan or if I was at Carrie and Big’s engagement dinner lollll. The carrot dumplings and corn ribs were out of this world. Wish I could give this establishment more than 5 stars!
It is definitely an experience to be shared!! The food was surprisingly very good. The ambience was excellent, a great instagram venue. Our favorites were. Edamame dumplings, Cantonese spring rolls, glazed Alaskan black cod, ginger scallion chicken. Highly recommend for getting together with friends. Lychee martinis were excellent
Our server was very welcoming and also organized a free dessert for our anniversary. Very intimate setting, a little on the dark side and we werent placed in the main room, but still great.Food was FANTASTIC. And many options for me, who doesnt eat meat.
Really great Asian restaurant with an amazing selection of plates. We started off strong with some signature cocktails and incredible dumplings. Strongly recommend the general Tso, Sichuan, and for something unique the edamame dumplings. For proteins we really enjoyed the beef and the crispy tofu. We got the ginger and scallion chicken but it was a bit drier and the flavour wasn’t as powerful. We also got the Asian greens and some noodles on the side which was great. We were 4 people and probably could’ve done with one less protein as we were quite full by the end. We ended it with some mochi donuts - the ube on the side was the highlight, the donuts were lacking flavour. Overall recommend this spot and it’s worth the high price point for the food and atmosphere.
Hands down one of the classiest dinner experiences weve had! The ambience in this place is something else... simply gorgeous! The food was excellent! We loved the dim sum tasting for 3 - the shrimp and carrot dumplings were the best! Loved the fried rice, the broken chili chicken, and the sweet and crispy jumbo shrimp! Everything was delicious, and the service was good too!
I heard great things from friends about the restaurant, visited it with my partner and we both were disappointed with the food.The staff and the atmosphere were terrific but the food did not live up to the expectations. The dishes were too salty.I’ve had better Asian fusion food for cheaper.
I’ve always been captivated by the stunning architecture of Buddakan, so it felt like the perfect choice for my birthday dinner to soak in the ambiance. The space is truly mesmerizing, with its grand design and warm lighting creating an unforgettable atmosphere.Since the portions are meant for sharing, we decided to order a variety of dishes to experience as much as possible. We went with the Broken Chili Chicken, Lobster Fried Rice, and Black Cod. While the presentation of the dishes was stunning, we found the flavors to be a bit underwhelming.That said, our server was incredibly patient and attentive, answering all of our questions and making sure we had everything we needed. It was still a lovely evening, with the atmosphere and service making it a memorable experience.
Has to be one of the best dinner experiences for us! The ambience is simply breathtaking! The service was great, and the food was amazing! We did the dim sum tasting for 3 - the carrot and shrimp ones were our favorite! Loved the broken chili chicken and the sweet and crispy jumbo shrimp, but the veggie fried rice was hands down our favorite - brought back memories of home cooked fried rice that mom would make! Comfort food tastes with Michelin star elegance! Cant wait to go back!
The space is beautiful but I think the food is a wee bit hyped up for what you actually get. Some of the favs were lacking in flavor or substantial food. The pieces of pork belly were so small and the ratio to the bun was not great. The rock shrimp were good but the flavor wasnt as popping as Id hoped.Service was great. Highly recommend making an early reservation. Seems like it would be a great place to have a big group to wow a crowd.Will have to go back and try out some more dishes.
Great dining experience. Waiter we had was straightforward and direct with giving us the best vegetarian options. Dumplings were so good! Very beautiful restaurant, tasty food and terrific service. I would go back.
Came here on a whim after visiting the little island tourist attraction and it was amazing.The food and ambiance was great but there is one thing they need to work on. The cleanliness of the seating areas. The area we were sitting in needed to be wiped down badly. The leather seating smelled of old food and spilled alcoholic beverages. A simple wipe down of the area would solve that problem. I know its a high volume restaurant but a couple hours a week to wipe down leather seating would make a huge difference.Other than the lingering spilled drink and old food smells it was a good experience. Highly recommend the Oxtail Dumplings, Short ribs and Wok tossed shrimp noodles.
Fancy place with fancy prices but unfortunately not that fancy food. They put thoughts into being creative with the food but unfortunately the flavors are just not great - we got the tuna tartare spring rolls, ducks in a row, wok tossed noodles with prawns. The spring rolls had funny temperature because the tartare was cold (which is fine) but the spring roll itself was not hot not cold..the duck dish was cute, nothing special with the taste tho, and the noodles were way too salty. The dessert (ube mochi donuts) was nice, the non alcoholic drink Reflection was too sweet.It was quiet when we arrived around 6.30, but when we were done around 8.30 it definitely became a lot more happening and loud. Overall the restaurant is super dark, has unique deco with Buddha wall art and lavish chandelier. Depends on what you are looking for, if to impress someone at a fancy place probably fine, but definitely not for authentic Chinese food.
One of my favorite places in NYC this is an EXPERIENCE. Ive been there with just one other and with a group. They shockingly dont have a long wait time but you can get cocktails while waiting. It is also packed with seating so its comfortable. You get a different experience with different themed sections. I used to love the Library. Its a great place to take your friends, colleagues or someone to impress. Party friendly and excellent service. High class all the way.
I went to buddakan last night to celebrate my fiancé’s birthday. The first thing I will say is the service is amazing and they made it feel very special and high scale. The ambiance was exuding nightclub with the loud music but also romantic with a candlelight dinner. It’s very dark in there, which is part of the ambiance. The food was presented very well and tasted great but the portions felt quite small. The service was great from the moment you step in till the moment you leave and the servers and the hosts were very respectful. Definitely would recommend and come back for a second time.
Overall a great experience with a great atmosphere. The food is delicious and the staff is great. We really enjoyed our time there.The black pepper beef is excellent!One important thing to note though, we were definitely disappointed with the desserts. Desserts were quite « basic » and didn’t seem to be really thought through, I don’t recommend them whatsoever. They don’t live up to the rest of the restaurant.
All the way from Melbourne, Australia for my 50th and was so happy we did! Amazing food and staff and service was top shelf! Cant wait to go back!
Overall very positive experience. We did a tasting menu (which I would highly recommend to get a bit of everything). Some things on the tasting menu were very good, but others were so-so. I really enjoyed the edamame dumplings, sizzling short rib, and Alaskan black cod but thought the lobster spring rolls, general tso’s dumplings, and vegetable rice were just okay. Still overall happy with my dining experience (and oh so full… the portions were more than enough), but not all dishes wow’ed me. One other thing to note is the service - SO good. We loved our server!!! She was so nice and so accommodating to our table’s dietary restrictions. She chatted with us and just made us feel so comfortable. Huge props. Also of course the darker vibes in the restaurant with the not-too-loud music was awesome too. Overall would still recommend you try this place!!!
Amazing food here. Atmosphere felt fun - a great place for late night dates or drinking.Edomame dumplings (8/10): the interior is sort of a fragrant pea mash. This is sort of new-generation dumpling. My older relatives werent a fan of this dish.Pork buns (9/10): tasted like kong ba bao. Very tasty but quite expensive for the portion (its like $7 per piece before tips/tax?)Alaskan black cod (10/10): might be biased but im a big fan of cod and this was a thoroughly enjoyable dish. I love the mix in textures and tastes - with the crunch from the cucumbers and a little sweet and spicy from the chilli eggplants.Sausage fried rice (9/10): Very tasty! Love the fragrance coming through and that its not very oily.Crying chocolate (10/10): my senses were crying with joy! Im just in love with the whole plate - so rare to have chocolate malt in a fondant; crunch with the coffee ice cream works so well.Dining here was a treat and would love to be back! Only complaint is that this place is pretty noisy.
This place was a little pricey but I do think we are paying for the atmosphere and the hype. It is clearly a hot spot and people are clamoring to get in. I had a nice time and the staff were lovely! May be a bit too much for my liking but definitely a flashy spot to impress someone with. 😌
This place is MASSIVE!! The food is delicious and we wanted to get it all!! Good drinks too and every dish was a stand out. Considering how many tables there were, our waiter was very attentive to us and filling up our water etc so had a great time
The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and I really enjoyed the drinks. The food was also really good, but I would recommend focusing on the Chinese options, by far superior compared to the more steakhouse-like items. The steaks were a bit underwhelming, they weren’t rare like we asked and slightly underseasoned. Sauces and vegetables on the other side were really delicious, and I loved the family style dumpling selection (the edamame ones were the absolute winners, so insanely delicious).Now, this restaurant has two major issues.#1, the service. Some of the servers would literally toss glasses and dishes on the table, which resulted in constant spilling of water and food. Plus, we felt like some of the employees were giving us a little bit of attitude, not really sure why.#2, the restaurant is way too dark, including the bathrooms. I understand wanting to create a certain atmosphere but that doesn’t mean making people almost blind.Ultimately, greatly instagrammable location, but there’s def room for improvement.
I am so happy that this place lived up to the hype!! i’ve had a number of friends recommend this restaurant to me and it definitely did not disappoint. we started with the dim sum for 2, all things were good but some definitely stood out more than others. our favorites from the dim sum were the edamame dumplings and shrimp toast. we were both thought flavor on everything else was good but easily passable in the future. the potstickers were the most basic item but they were very full of pork which you do not normally get in other places. the general tso soup dumplings pretty much just tasted like soy sauce but there was a lot of meat. the carrot dumplings were very cute and pretty good but just not as good as the other items. i was not a fan of the cantonese spring rolls but i do not like shrimp very much so that could be why. we also ordered the ducks in a row, cauliflower lollipops, tuna tartare spring rolls and short rib. the ducks in a row had nice flavor but did not taste like bbq duck. personally i didn’t care because they were very good but that’s just something to keep in mind. the lollipops did not have any cauliflower flavor either but were very good. they have a nice truffle flavor which i appreciated as i love truffle. the edamame dumplings, cauliflower lollipops and tuna tartare spring rolls were my favorite savory dishes. the spring rolls are exactly what the sound like. they were on the lighter side and had great tuna flavor. the short rib came with mushroom chow fun which was good i just wish there were a few more mushrooms. the short rib fell apart and had great flavor. finally for dessert we ordered the ube mochi donuts and the pumpkin cheesecake. both were very good but my favorite were the donuts. i love mochi and i felt the portion was good along with the flavor. it had great mochi texture and the sauces on the side were extremely good. neither dessert was too sweet but good enough to fulfill a sweet craving. now for atmosphere this restaurant is huge and stunning. this may sound silly but often times i feel tables for two get crowded however these tables were bigger which was nice. it truly is a beautiful restaurant. our server was very sweet and gave us great recommendations. i would highly suggest to come here with a bigger group so that you can order a lot because things are designed to share.
What a phenomenal place Buddakan is! The kindness by restaurant manager Tony and the superb service by Justin made our family evening very special.The ambiance is unique, the service by all kind and professional and the food exquisite.Truely highly recommended 🙏
Buddakan is a fun place! A unique and delicious dining experience. The menu offers a diverse range of Asian-inspired dishes, catering to a variety of dietary preferences. The food is rich! each dish is a flavor explosion. The creative cocktails are equally impressive, adding to the overall experience. Whether youre celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a fun chic place, Buddakan is a perfect choice.
The atmosphere is intimate and dark. The staff was super friendly and accommodating despite all the decorations that we have brought in for our celebration. The food was a good portion to share with everyone at the table (we were 6) and it was delicious, finger licking good. The prices are absolutely reasonable and if your ever in NY should ABSOLUTELY stop by. Such a unique experience.
We visited this restaurant a few days ago with a 9:00 PM reservation. We arrived at 8:30 PM and were informed by the host that our table would be ready by our reserved time. However, we weren’t seated until 9:45 PM, despite multiple assurances. Once seated, the service continued to disappoint. The server didn’t introduce themselves, and we waited an additional 20 minutes just to figure out who our server was and place our order.While the ambiance was undeniably beautiful, the food was average at best, and the excessive wait times overshadowed the entire experience. Even when we were ready to pay, it took another 15 minutes just to receive the check. Overall, the delays and lackluster service made it a frustrating visit.
Very spacious restaurant. We had to wait to be sat at the table even though we had a reservation. The service and atmosphere are excellent. However the food is mediocre. Appetizers were fine, but the main course with short ribs and Macao rice noodles wasn’t as good as you’d expect.
We came here for a friend’s birthday party and was expecting decent, but we got GREAT. They have a few tasting menus for groups of 4 or more, and so we went with menu 2.We were pleasantly surprised by the food. Most Chinese fusion places tend to lose the Chinese but these were some of the best dishes we’ve had. Admittedly I’ve never enjoyed spring rolls, but I enjoyed these. All the other dishes had that homage to Chinese flavours but was still distinctly fusion in technique or ingredients. All in all every dish hit the right spot and we enjoyed it all.We’ll definitely be back, and they seem especially good for large groups with the abundant seating.
Atmosphere was amazing and had an interesting medieval vibe. Apparently the restaurant was designed by a French architect so the restaurant has a Parisian look to it. Service was very good. Food came relatively fast. The food was alright. Noodles were well cooked but a bit lacking in flavor (we added the in-house sauces on our own to add flavor). The fried rice was excellent. Mapo tofu was good. The edamame dumplings were alright.
Amazing food , service and atmosphere . The Peking Duck was one of our favorite dish !!! Dumplings so good !
Buddakan never disappoints, and after my recent visit, it’s still one of my favorite dining experiences in NYC. I’ve been before and had one of the best meals of my life, but this time, the oxtail dumplings always steal the show—incredible. The service was spot-on as always—friendly, attentive, and quick to bring out dish after dish, served family-style so everyone can dig in. The short ribs were to die for; honestly, everything we tried was so good we didn’t even make it to dessert. The only minor downside is it gets a bit loud, but when the food’s this good, it’s easy to overlook.
One of my favorite restaurants in NYC. The ambiance in this place combined with the quality of food is almost unmatched. Start with the oxtail dumplings and rock shrimp and while I normally skip dessert I feel like it is a must here. Be sure to make a reservation. 5/5
🥟 Our family came here for dinner after seeing so many wonderful reviews so we had to check our Buddakan on our visit from Texas.🥟 The vibe was definitely 💯 We really loved the low lighting and the decors especially downstairs. We requested to be seated downstairs in our reservation but somehow it was disregarded but it looks amazing from above.🥟 We ordered pretty much everything and our favorite was definitely the fish. It was fresh, delivered, and cooked to perfection. We had high hope for the Peking Duck but it was a little too dry for us, there are room for improvement.🥟 The service was a bad experience for us. Maybe it was an off night, who knows. First, our reservation to be seated downstairs were ignored. Second, it took a really long time for our first dish to come out even though the tables around us, who got there way after us, got theirs before ours. They ordered some of the same dishes that we had ordered. I had to get up to ask our server and even he didn’t know where our food were. Maybe the cook gave our orders to another table. Wouldn’t have been a problem except we had a 10 months old who don’t have the most patience in the world. We ended up being there for like 2.5 hrs which was way too long than we expected.
I’ve been to this Buddakan location multiple times and have always enjoyed the experience. This past Thursday I made a reservation for my colleagues to enjoy a holiday dinner. After waiting for over 1 hour past our reservation time with no sight into when we’d be seated the best advice that we got from reception was to cancel our reservation. This is horrible customer service and I have no plans on coming back to this location.
I went to Buddakan and I was really impressed with the service. I find it hard to find good service in the US where they actually pay attention and serve you on a high level. Keep that up!The Food was good too, sometimes the combination were special but yummy. One thing I did notice was that the plates the food was served on, were basically cold. I personally like my food and plates hot. It makes a big difference!All in All I would come back and had a very nice time!
If you are looking for a fine dining restaurant in New York City near the Chelsea market, this has to be in your list.The food was amazing!I want to mention about the Shrimp toast specifically! It was great! The broken Chilli Chicken tasted good too!The beautiful chandeliers add to the ambience! For a moment it would feel like sitting in the Great hall of the Hogwarts!
The food and ambiance at this restaurant took my breath away. We started with the dim sum tasting. The carrot dumplings were surprisingly amazing. The pork buns & spicy yellowtail was excellent. I will be dreaming about the Mongolian lamb chops and the glazed Alaskan cod. The cod melted right in your mouth. Kevin was also incredible at introducing us to the menu and gave us very good recommendations.
Scallion pancakes and the oxtail dumplings were amazing. The mochi dessert was delicious!
A really nice place! The interior is really well designed which gives the place a sharp look. very good vibes and ambiance. High ceilings, lighting and everything is on spot and detail oriented. The food was also really good - the jumbo shrimp was my favorite dish. We had a great customer experience. Highly recommended! A high end experience.
Omg, a must visit place. The food, the atmosphere and service were outstanding.Loved the decor from the time you entered the restaurant. The portion sizes were large enough to share as the concept is family style sharing.
Talk about classy. Absolutely amazing food and service. Located right in the heart of Chelsea across from Tao. The chef deserves 5 stars.
We had a reservation with a group of 8. Service was great though the drinks took a long time. Food was amazing! Everything was delicious and cooked well, came out hot and promptly. Our server was great about pointing out things that coincided with the groups allergies. Great location by Chelsea Market. Pricey but what isnt in NY?....biggest downfall is that it is SO DARK in the restaurant.
The food and drinks were amazing! Altho definitely pricey. The atmosphere here was so gorgeous, I loved the decor! The waiter was very friendly and did explain everything well.At the location they did have outdoor dining, but the experience inside was still amazing. They had many seating areas, and also a bar area. The suggestions the waiter made about the food was a bit much, because if I just had the wok noddles with prawns that would have been enough for me. I would come back and try the other menu items and the drinks, they were my favorite!
It was my first time at this almost 20 year-old Asian fusion cuisine restaurant. Why did I wait so long to enjoy one of the best meals Ive had in a long time. Despite its age the restaurant looks and feels brand new. There is a slight scent that reminds you of being at a fancy spa. The decor is sleek and very attractive. The service is attentive and helpful without being overbearing. The food arrives and you understand why this restaurant has not only survived but prospered in the difficult New York City restaurant scene. We started with the chili rock shrimp and the short rib and scallion pancake. Both dishes were just marvelous. We then moved on to another beef dish and ginger scallion chicken which did not disappoint. We also had the lobster fried rice which was pleasantly sweet and enjoyable. To cleanse my palate I had the coconut tapioca pudding. It was light and tasty just what I required to finish a wonderful experience. Just one final note, they keep it rather dark so youll need to use your phone light/flashlight to read the menus.
Very odd experience. The food is brought out when its ready. In reality, this meant that I had eaten my starter before my husbands arrived. Our side rice and vegetables then arrived significantly before the main dishes of tofu and shrimp. As Im a vegetarian and my husband eats fish and meat, this resulted in us unable to share dishes, so we watched each other eat. Not the romantic evening I was expecting.However, cant fault the service or the atmosphere.If you are able to share meals, then this is a great place. If not, its a very expensive mistake.
Im not sure I can convey how amazing our experience was but Ill try. From my FROZEN drink at the bar (thanks for hooking me up kitchen) our bartender knew exactly what I needed. To the server who seemed to know all the tips and tricks to making our 4 person tasting menu the highlight of our NYC trip. Thank you. The gorgeous model (manager) knows what she is doing. Ill remember this meal the rest of my life. (Perhaps you can email me the salad dressing recipe?) Cheers!
We love visiting Buddakan - the Asian fusion dining experience is fantastic. The dimly lit entrance opens into a mezzanine staircase that overlooks an expansive dining room with ornate chandeliers. It truly is a breathtaking sight, and every time we take someone who hasnt gone to Buddakan before, we love their reaction.We ordered the Edamame dumplings, which had a soft exterior and a smooth, creamy texture on the inside. The General Tsos dumplings were flavorful and soupy, and we loved it. The Carrot Dumplings were average in taste and disintegrated quickly, but their presentation was fantastic. The broken Chili Chicken was soft and juicy, which i personally liked a lot, but may feel undercooked for some palates. We also ordered the Spicy Peanut Noodles (excellent cold noodles that were immensely flavorful), Will Mushroom Chow Fun (one of our favorites), and Crispy Tofu.To top it all off, our server Chris did an excellent job taking care of us and made us feel special. It truly was the best meal weve had in recent memory. Highly recommend!
Went for dinner with kids. Reserving is a good idea. Gets pretty busy here. Located right next to Chelsea Market. The interiors are so majestic. The ambiance is nice but very loungy and on the darker side. Restrooms specially are really dark.My family is vegetarian and we could find some very good options for us. There are couple veggie appetizers. We ordered edamame dumplings which were just so out of this world yummy.Quantity was good. Service was quick.
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Buddakan, and I was absolutely blown away. The restaurant is known for its Asian fusion cuisine and lavish décor, and it did not disappoint.I ordered the Menu III tasting menu, and it was absolutely incredible. The dishes were beautifully presented, and the flavors were complex and delicious.The environment at Buddakan is very intimate and luxurious. The restaurant is dimly lit and the décor is elegant and sophisticated. The service is also top-notch, with the staff being very welcoming and attentive.My favorite dishes were the edamame dumplings (light and refreshing, with a subtle edamame flavor), the glazed Alaskan black cod (delicate and flavorful), the sweet and crispy jumbo shrimp, the black pepper beef, and the rice. All of the desserts at Buddakan are incredible.I would highly recommend Buddakan to anyone looking for a special dining experience. The food, service, and atmosphere are all top-notch.
Love love love this place. Ate here on a recent holiday to nyc. The food, the wine, the atmosphere was magic. Our waiter was really nice. The dim sum to share was out of this world.
Buddakan is probably one of the highest rated restaurants in NYC. At the entrance, you will find a check-in counter similar to those in airports. If not all members are present, you will be directed to a lounge area to wait.Once everyone has arrived, the hostess will direct you to your table after you have informed them. Seeing the dining room while walking down the stairs is incredibly beautiful. However, there are still more tables tucked away in the surrounding corners.In addition to the regular dinner menu, there is a tasting menu. It ranges from 90 to 130 dollars per person. The appetizer begins at $$ and the main course at $$$.Food is decent, the presentation is appealing, and its a good place to hold a business meeting or a romantic dinner. Additionally, the service is excellent and attentive. Highly recommended
It’s a little dark but man, is this amazing food and service. Great value for the portions, quality and price all presented beautifully.
Worth the hype. We went for a birthday party, and couldn’t believe how luxurious the restaurant felt. Dimly lit, high ceilings, intimate venue. The staff is also incredibly courteous and helpful.Our waitress was very accommodating to our dietary restrictions and gave us recommendations for Vegan Options. We had the Vegetable Fried Rice and the Crispy Tofu. Both were mouth watering. Excellent flavors that I couldn’t believe. The meal was perfection from beginning to end.
Went here after almost 3 years for a team dinner. I was the only vegetarian in a group of 10 and they made sure to take care of me. We got tasting menu #1 (always a great option for groups).Veg dishes - I particularly LOVED the peashoot salad, edamame dumplings without the broth and mushroom chow fun for entree. Dessert was 100% across the board.
The restaurant offered delicious food in a pleasant atmosphere, complemented by friendly service :) However, its worth noting that the restrooms could use better maintenance, and the presence of numerous people taking photos for Instagram might be a bit distracting for some guests.
This is one of the nicest restaurants I’ve ever been.The ambiance leaves you speechless.The main dining area is so classy.And the food was delicious.I booked a table for 4 people.I requested a nice booth in the main dining area and the hostess offered it to us.After we received our drinks, we were ready to place our order.Edamame dumplings, tuna tartare spring rolls, chili rock shrimp, lobster fried rice, pecking duck, chilled udon noodles. All plates were delicious and clean flavored.Of course we ordered 2-3 rounds of our drinks while we were enjoying our food.We finished our dinner with the crying chocolate cake.Service was exceptional.This place is a must try!
I loved the food! The place is so mystic and sexy and the food is mouthwatering. The drinks are amazing and it’s honestly such a vibe. Will definitely be returning!
What a spot! Celebrated our sons birthday! The edamame dumplings, oxtail dumplings, and chili rock shrimp make a great trio!
Buddakan offers Asian fusion cuisine in a one of a kind atmosphere. All the dishes are meant to be shared. We ordered 5 appetizers and a main course and a side dish and it was too much food for 2 people. I would recommend 3 appetizers, main course and a side dish to share for 2. The popcorn shrimp, cauliflower lollipops and glazed miso cod are a must try. The jade dumplings were refreshing as well. See pics foe all the dishes mentioned.The service is excellent and the decor super grandiose and unique. Great place for a date night!
Absolutely delicious food, never once had a bad experience here. Highly recommend all their dumplings, the rock shrimp, the eggplant and the spicy tofu. Their drinks are also very good. The only issue with this place is that they often double book so you end up waiting anywhere between 30-60 mins for a table, even if you made a reservation. Barring that, it’s a great spot, delicious food and good service, so would highly recommend especially for group dinners!
Our food was full of flavor, the ambience and lighting set a very romantic tone so we really enjoyed our date night. Loved the 2 floor set up and decor. Will def be back!
Located in the heart of Manhattan, Buddakan is a culinary experience that beautifully blends upscale Asian cuisine with a European, Italian-inspired ambience. From the moment you step inside, youre greeted by a grand and elegant setting. The chandeliers, reminiscent of old-world European palaces, cast a warm, intimate glow over the dining area, while artistic paintings adorning the walls add a layer of sophistication and culture.The open space has a communal, yet private feel, with high ceilings enhancing the grandeur. The meticulous attention to detail in the décor complements the menu, offering a balance between modern elegance and historical charm.When it comes to the food, Buddakan does not disappoint. The menu is a masterful fusion of flavors from across Asia, with dishes that feel refined yet approachable. The appetizers are a perfect introduction to what’s to come—especially the edamame dumplings, which are bursting with flavor. For the mains, the Chili Rock Shrimp is a must-try, combining heat with a light crispiness, while the Peking Duck ( as they say Duck in a Row) is a show-stopper, tender and flavorful, served with all the traditional accompaniments.Service is impeccable, with a knowledgeable staff ready to guide you through the extensive menu and wine list. While it is on the pricier side, every dollar feels well spent, thanks to the combination of stunning presentation, excellent flavors, and the ambiance that transports you far from the busy Manhattan streets.A true Manhattan gem!
Buddakan provided an unforgettable 30th birthday celebration. The food was delicious, blending Asian flavors with modern flair, and the ambiance was undeniably bougie. The attentive service elevated the experience, making it a night to remember for years to come. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a sophisticated dining experience.
The staff was very friendly and nice, our waiter was very patient, had us laughing nonstop and recommended great options on the menu. The aesthetic of buddakan overall is beautiful however, the food, while very pretty, most dishes lacked flavor. We ordered mainly seafood. One of our items we had to send back because there was too much peppercorn to be able to really taste or enjoy it. The staff made that exchange very easy. Again wonderful atmosphere, pretty quick service and wonderful staff.
Eating at Buddakan is one of my favorite Chelsea dining experiences. The main part of the restaurant is downstairs, and the ceilings are incredibly high. The candles and chandeliers are gorgeous. And the wait staff is amazingly nice!My family and I had a family style meal where we all got to taste everything. It was more than worth the price. The standout was the edamame dumplings!10/10! I can’t wait to go again in the future.
Awesome!! Loved the ambiance. The food was amazing and our waiter was the bomb!
I took a lot of friends who were visiting New York here, but they were always successful. The atmosphere is so good and the taste of the food is pretty good, so its suitable for a friendship gathering. If you want to enjoy a quiet conversation, avoid the main hall and ask for an inside seat where the bar is located. The food is a bit salty and has an over price, but there are a lot of people who come to enjoy the atmosphere.
Excellent experience and food. Everything we had was 10/10. Mouth watering good. Service was amazing. This is a must visit if you are in town. In the best top 5 meals I’ve ever had.
The food here was mediocre, under-seasoned and unfortunately overpriced. I hadn’t read any reviews before coming as I was invited here for my friends birthday, but after glancing at them now I agree when people say it takes like your standard Chinese takeout. The cocktails were really good though, and the drink mixes themselves were very high quality. The chili shrimp simply didn’t have enough flavor or pineapple despite that being advertised. The salmon dumplings were decent but the salmon doesn’t pair well with the corn they decided to put in them, or the almost mayonnaise like dipping sauce they came with. The venue and artwork was magnificent though, I guess that might be what you are paying for when you eat here.
Spectacular! Joshua was the best server! Our drinks and food were are sooooo delicious! And the dim, amber lighting made it all so sexy. Highly recommend the bao buns! The miso glazed cod was delicious as well.
Omg this place is so beautiful and the food was so delicious and yummyAnd the service was amazingThank you and see you next time
This has always been my favorite restaurant of all time. I can go anywhere but this will always be my spot! I recommend this for family, birthdays or any events.
Amazing place in NYC for celebrating birthdays, date nights or special occasions. This place has great ambience and with low lights and high ceilings , it quickly sets the mood for the night. Usually once you check in you will wait in the lobby until someone comes to show to you down to the table.Food - Great food and Amazing presentation. We ordered edamame dimsums, chicken dim sum and cauliflower lollipop. Lollipop was little sweet.Mains - ordered veggie lo mein and lobster fried rice. Mains were OKish as compared to apps.Dessert - dessert was delicious. We ordered Choclate one which had Vietnamese coffee icecream.Cocktails - They are average.Service - Service was great and sever paid special attention to make sure we are doing good.Good place to celebrate any occasion.
Sheer perfection in every way. Veronique was a lovely server who recommended the perfect dishes for us. Dim sum for two, pea shoots salad, short rib. Just too good for words!
The ambiance was stunning, and the cuisine was absolutely delightful. I celebrated my birthday there, and it was a memorable experience.
The most beautiful restaurant I have ever been to 🙈.The food was amazing , the only thing I would say is the drinks at dinning area was a bit underwhelming.I didn’t get a chance to take more photos of the actual entrees sadly. But highly recommend this spot.
This is a very beautiful atmosphere for those who like to be seen! The meals are exquisite works of art. For me, it was more of an experience and less of a place that I could see myself going regularly.
The ambiance is what really drew me in..dark interior was definitely my speed. Drinks to start in the bar and whisked off to a corner table overlooking the really, really long table in the center of the lower dining room.The food was delicious; too many items to list, but will be back to try more menu items.Peking Duck for Two was superb and the Lobster Fried Rice was delicious.
Great Asian fusion food and also good cocktails here!The crab fried rice is really good!The rice here is rather chewy, more of the rice that would be used for Shumai or rice dumplings (Zhongzi).The lobster egg roll is OK but not as good as the crab fried rice!The bartender at the bar is also really professional.The penicillin and whisky sour we ordered were super good, even if they are not on the menu.Definitely a recommended place for food and bar near Chelsea market!
We came here as a party of 4 for a birthday on a Friday evening in November. We did have a reservation but ended up waiting about a half an hour for a table anyway. I’m giving this 5 stars because despite the wait for the table, the food was outstanding and so was the service. We did the tasting for 4 and it really was plenty of food - we had some leftovers to take home. The lighting was dim so my pics don’t fully capture the presentation of the food. The place was very crowded and it was loud in there but again, the food, drinks and service were top notch. I heard they have another location in Philly. I would try that out and I’d come back here again.
We had a great evening at Buddakan. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the service stood out—the waiters were incredibly pleasant and attentive.The food was a delightful. Not only was it delicious, but the presentation was extraordinary, making each dish a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and a wonderful way to spend the evening. We’d happily return!
I had high expectations for Buddakan. Mainly because of the reviews and partly because I’ve missed Hakkasan in NYC and was hoping they’d fill the void. To start, we walked in and literally could not see a thing- I understand a dimmed setting but it was nearly pitch black?! We were seated in the lounge area while they found us a table (it was pretty empty tho lol). Then we were taken to the far back of the restaurant where no one was so I requested we be moved to the main dining area which I appreciated that they were able to accommodate.The drinks were decent, I had the “answer” and the lychee martini was fine. For apps, we ordered the bao buns and the dim sum tasting for 2. Edamame dumplings were very unsettling in texture and the buns were extremely soggy. I did actually enjoy the shrimp toast, chicken soup dumpling and shrimp dumpling.I also went to the bathroom and for such an expensive restaurant, with an ambiance that everyone raves about- it was gross and dirty.
The food was surprisingly very pleasant with unexpected flavor profile. As simple as the dishes look, blast of flavors are not shy yet subtle. The only disappointment was the wine...
Wonderful restaurant. Ambiance, food, service! Everything was excellent. Food is very flavorful. We had smoked salmon dumplings (my favorite), oxtail dumplings, & general tso dumplings. Entrees: duck & prime rib. Side: crab fried rice. I highly recommend this restaurant!
Had Christmas Eve dinner here. We ordered the duck feast which, as the name suggests, consists of several duck dishes, in order of appearance: duck soup, duck spring rolls, duck salad, duck rice and lastly the roast duck.Every dish was delicious. The duck salad in particular had some crispy duck skin which added to the flavor and crunch. The roast duck was enough for two people on its own. Its served with some sweet duck sauce, veggies and dumpling wrappers.The pre fixe meal is good for two people or more. This place is on the high end and while the cost of the meal is a bit pricey, it was worth splurging on for a special occasion.The ambience here is a bit on the dark side, which gives it a more intimate mood.
Intimate, dark setting with delicious asian fusion offerings. got the shrimp toast (10/10), chinese sausage fried rice (7/10), crispy tofu (8/10), and pork buns (10/10). employees are very attentive and nice. located at a very busy location; recommend reserving.
Came here with friends for my 27th birthday. The interior is just as beautiful as all the photos online - amazing ambience. Our server, Richard, was extremely knowledgeable and gave helpful information on how much to order for 3 people. It is highly recommended to order family style and try a bit of everything! Both my friends were vegetarian and although it looks like there aren’t as many veg options, Buddhakan is VERY accommodating at modifying dishes to suit vegetarians. We ordered the wok tossed noodles(veg), veg fried rice, tai Shan cauliflower, broken chili chicken (just ok), and crispy tofu. Drinks were the frozen and the royal. For the chicken it would have been nice if the flavor was marinated into the chicken cutlet instead of just as a sauce on the side. Cauliflower lollipop appetizer was AMAZING.
The ambiance of the restaurant was amazing. Looked super bougie.It was a whole experience. We really enjoyed our drinks and food here.Do try out the cauliflower cheese balls. It was very unique.Definitely recommend it for the experience.
Buddakan dreams of grandeur but achieves mediocrity (except on price. They are far more expensive than comparable restaurants).The decor inside might have been trendy in 2004. Now, it feels dated and needing a refresh. Outside the construction feels sloppy and needing improvements.We ordered the tasting menu. Of the approximately 9 different dishes, maybe two caused folks in the group to express delight. The rest continued the trend of mediocrity. The chef had heavy sauces but lacked innovative tastes.And then, we get to the sake debacle. We love unfiltered sake and drink it pretty frequently. They only had one (over priced) bottle available. We ordered it. And, the waiter forgot to shake it so the first glasses differed from the bottom of the bottle. See the photo.The manager came over and rather than apologizing berated us. He explained that we should have shaken the bottle ourselves. And, because we had not told him fast enough, he would not do anything for us.Note to manager working 10/6 in the outdoor section: actively insulting the intelligence of patrons leaves folks with a bad taste in their mouths even if the sake hadn’t.
Sixes for service and atmosphere.Great for large groups. Eat the pork buns.
Wow. This restaurant is sure to take your breath away. Buddakan is one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan. The food and atmosphere are out of this world, and they have an excellent selection of specialty cocktails! During my most recent visit to Buddakan, I ordered the Peking duck, which was especially fun to share with my brother. The Spicy Yellowtail Yu Sheng (yellowtail sashimi) was incredible; my sister-in-law enjoyed it just as much as I did. I recommend ordering at least one type of dumpling because they make them exceptionally well here! The environment is exciting but very chill. From phenomenal art tapestries covering almost every wall to elaborate chandeliers, the setting is dramatic in the most incredible yet relaxed way possible. I cant wait to go back!Fun fact: Buddakan was used to film Carrie and Bigs rehearsal dinner in Sex and the City!
My husband and I went for our anniversary dinner. We had an amazing time under the care of Robyn and Spencer. They were so attentive and caring, and they made our anniversary night so special. Such a beautiful restaurant. Clean, romantic, and exceeded all our expectations. We look forward to returning!
Stunning interior with dim lighting, incredibly high ceilings and beautiful chandeliers. Zen ambiance. Attentive waitress. The food was lacking though; most dishes were under-seasoned and just bland which was very disappointing. My son looked forward to lobster dishes and got two of them but both were tasteless.
OMG!! Buddakan’s Cod was hands down the best cod Ive ever had in my life. Im a seafood lover, but I never truly enjoyed cod until I tried it at Budakkan. Absolutely delicious!! Rating it 1000/10! They also had the most amazing fried rice Ive ever tasted. And let me tell you, their customer service was exceptional—I felt right at home.
Upscale Asian restaurant. They have the excellent ambiance, vibe, food and drinks! I love it
Consistently good on all three things - food, service and vibes. celebrated a birthday this time wasn’t disappointedEdamame Dumplings - Very Very goodCauliflower lollipop - okaytuna tartare rolls - incredibly good but small portion size bewareblack pepper beef - very goodcharred fillet of beef - superbspicy peanut noodles - beautiful cold dishchinese sausage fried rice - so goodpistachio cremoso - okcrying chocolate - incredible ❤️cocktails and wine selections - pretty ordinary
I had a great time there. We sat outside even it was a little chilly. We got our private booth. The Edamame dumplings were exceptional! It was surprisingly good, smooth, and just a hint of truffle to lift it up. The other ox tail dumplings were good too. The main dishes were average, not better than the cheaper Chinese restaurants. Chowfan was too oily for me. And weird thing that rice does not come with the black pepper beef. Overall, my experience was good.
One of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan. Great atmosphere and delicious food. The drinks are delicious. I recommend to make reservations before attending. Is very fancy and trendy. Is a very popular restaurant in the city. Everything in the menu is delicious. The customer service is excellent. The presentation of the plates was fantastic. I always enjoy my night at this fabulous restaurant.A most go to if you are visiting or browsing in N.Y.C.
Not your standard Asian restaurant. The food was all Asian based like dumplings or noodles, but had a bit of a fusion twist. We had the course and I enjoyed every dish that was served. They also have a bar onsite where they can make pretty much whatever you want.The restaurant also was surprisingly large and easily accommodated our group of around 40.
This place is amazing. I had my birthday dinner here and it was great. The decor, lighting, hallways, atmosphere are a whole vibe. We ordered the pork buns as an appetizer and they were delicious. The fried rice, steaks, and short rib were pretty good. They give you nice size portions too.
Planned to celebrate my wifes birthday and have an amazing night. We had to wait over an hour for a table, even with a reservation, which was a disappointment. The food was average, nothing special honestly.Would not recommend, especially for special occasions.
This is a great restaurant for groups. We celebrated my friends bachelorette opening dinner here. It was a group of 15 girls, and they accommodated us very well; both with drinks and food service. The food is high quality and absolutely amazing!
You enter into a dark and elegant setting with tapestries, taxidermy, and candles everywhere! This is the beginning of your experience at Buddakan. I went with family and it was truly an experience.We ordered a bunch of dishes to share, although you can also order a set menu. For dimsum we had the edamame and the Peking duck. Both were excellent but the edamame is a safe choice for all. The tartar spring roll was magnificent! Something truly unique that didnt take away from the fresh fish taste.My family ordered many meat dishes which I did not eat but said nothing but excellent things. The kimchi fried rice was also spectacular. I had the tofu which was good but I wouldnt get it again if I revisited.The dessert was on par with all else, I loved the sorbet!Overall a great experience, would recommend for a fancy celebration.
Underwhelming. The atmosphere is absolutely perfect but the dishes are lacking creativity & originality. It almost felt like if P.F. Chang’s had a fancy sister restaurant. I did love the Buddha Style Gai Lan, got it twice. Every other dish wasn’t anything special, especially the prawn noodles. Don’t get those, I’ve had 10x better street food.Not pictured: Five Spice Apple Pie; miso caramel, toasted rice ice cream. LOL at them charging $15 for this.Cocktails are $18 and hardly have any alcohol.3 stars because our waitress was attentive, food came out fairly quickly & ambiance is worth a visit.
Great experience with the family or date night
I do have to admit the moody lighting is not ideal for menu reading where half the guests are taking out their phone torches because they cant see the menu 😂 This was in the upper dining area,it looks like its more well lit downstairs.The food was good ,when it arrived , one of our partys dish didnt arrive until everyone else had finished which was a bit disappointing. But they did comp that due to the delay. (Lobster Fried rice )
Fantastic food and the general ambience/vibe was great.Our server which I did not get the name of, did a fantastic job making sure we were good all the time despite being quite busy. He recommended everything we had from our preferences and we were very happy! Very professional and helpful.
We were a party of 10 people for a bday dinner. Nice vibe. Food wasn’t that impressive. Should include more vegetarian options. Service was ok. Overall, 3/5.
A very fancy place to visit with fine dining and great vibe and nice ambiance. Very limited vegetarian options but the few dishes we ordered were just beyond expectations. The carrot shaped momos were so scrumptious and filling that we wanted it to keep coming.
5 stars for the ambience & service. 1 star for the subpar food. I couldnt agree more with a review saying you can easily get better Chinese food in the Chinatown for a fraction of the price. We ordered edamame dumplings, crispy cauliflower lollipops, lobster fried rice (we truly believe the fried rice and lobster were cooked separarely), glazed Alaskan black cod (this was the only dish that all of us approved of) and Asian green stir fry. The food were very well presented but not the taste. Overrated I would say.
Magical ambulance and hip vibe 5/5. Wonderfully delicious food 5/5. Try the edamame dumplings and chicken dumplings in broth. Wow. For desert top it off with matcha flan.Service friendly but slow and inattentive for this caliber of restaurant 2/5. So disappointed. Management should pay more attention to customer service details. Maybe have additional staff to make sure drinks come sooner rather than when you have to ask where they are. Staff should check in and make sure what you need before you have to wait lots of time in between.
The decor of the restaurant is definitely one of a kind. Chandeliers are custom dragon design, many species of rare birds can be found as decor, there is a room of Buddha statue faces. It’s one of a kind restaurant. We will be back once everything is up and running and indoor dinning resumes. The food was good and I feel like once eating inside, it will be five stars.
The interior is roomy but dark. The wait staff is attentive. The appetizers came out warm-not very hot-I prefer hot. The entrees were delicious except for the eggplant tofu side- I barely touched it. The desserts were amazing! Would we return? Maybe.
The service was extremely attentive and personal, the food was phenomenal, everything we ordered was perfectly executed, and the atmosphere was calm.If you’re looking for a guaranteed to be good and reliable date spot or dinner for Asian-Inspire’s cuisine that you don’t mind spending a heavy amount on, Buddakan would be the place to go.Especially if you have a corporate dinner, their long table downstairs would be suitable.
Pleaseeeee be careful with this restaurant. When paying your bill, the waiters take your credit card information and use it to make purchases on Amazon. I will never come here again. I had to cancel my card. Its sad becuase their food is amazing, please try to monitor your employees better.
This place is great. Amazing food and atmosphere but what really makes it worth going to is the staff. Shout out to Shanna and her team. She took everyone’s dietary needs into consideration on every course. As someone who has served big groups before I was astounded at how amazing she was. Not a place or cup was empty that she didn’t notice. She was so welcoming and attentive. I don’t know what she’s being paid but she deserves double!
It was an amazing experience to dine here. Being a vegetarian, I am always concerned if the restaurant will have good options but Buddakan had good amount of veggie options. Everything we ate there was superb quality and very tasteful. We tried Edamame dumplings, some cold noodles which were very flavorful. Desserts were mouth watering and their presentation was just very artistic! Of course its on pricy side but worth every penny!
The food was incredible and honestly the prices are not bad at all. The interior is beautiful. Make sure to ask for a seat in the main room or you miss the whole experience. I do wish it wasn’t so touristy and that there was a dress code. Something is taken away from the experience when people are in sweats and running sneakers.
Excellent service, portions are made to share, got monkfish which was a decent spice level & lobster fried rice.Only down side is you need at least 4+ ppl for tasting menu. With covid it be awesome if they removed this because cutting down on groups
The food just isnt there.Overall most dishes lacks both finesse and taste, and try as I might, I cannot give any of the 12 different dishes I tasted a higher rating than 2/5. Apart from the shashimi, it had a good flavor profile, balance and texture.
Buddakan in Manhattan is a beautiful spot with a chic and elegant ambiance. The place is impressively spacious, making it perfect for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings. The staff were very nice and attentive, providing good service throughout my visit. If youre looking for a stylish dining experience with excellent service, Buddakan is definitely worth checking out!
A hot spot in NYC you cannot miss. The interior design is gorgeoussss, the lighting is romantic and the vibe is hype. We liked most of our dishes, but chicken and fried rice in particular. Buddakan, you got great staff too😊 my only recommendation is to improve the reception desk. We had to wait a while to be let in cause girls were busy on phone 🤨
Food was amazing. Rock shrimp was the best. Cool dark atmosphere, and creative cocktails. Slowest waitress ever. Put a funk on our night for a while because she kept telling us shed be right back.
This is well known Asian fusion restaurant that is could be definitely be a set for some mystery Hollywood blockbuster. The entire ambiance is very intriguing, what makes this place ideal for a date. The food is very unique as well and tasty. They are very creative with their dishes and constantly rotate the menu. My favorite was tuna tartar crispy rolls.
Very vibrant tasteful restaurant! Lovely dishes and very good drinks! Loved this hidden and dark appearance of it, yet so filled with chattering people.
I like the ambiance of the buddakan. I shared some pics of the food and me. Hope you would like it. Must give it a shot and have some experience of it, and then you will share your exposure. The appetizer was so good and the dessert too. Richard was our server, so he was amazing.
Beautiful restaurant!!!! Service wasn’t so bad for a crowded restaurant on a Friday night! Ambience was a 10. I had the short ribs and they were so tender. Delicious. Drinks was great.
Big, boisterous, extravagant, larger than life, bit of Vegas in Manhattan! Buddakan impressed me not only with the ambience but also with the food. Crispy duck, fried rice, chicken, dumplings, everything was delicious with some fantastic service. Highly recommend.
Amazing upscale restaurant. Large area with several sections. Wonderful ambiance. Excellent dishes. It is an experience. Highly recommended!
It’s very dark so you may need your phone to see the menu. All the food was amazing & they took extra care to make sure nothing I ordered had dairy for an allergy in our group
Amazing yes, BUT.The drinks and food were great, delicious. Ambiance is clearly just gorgeous. However we had some issues with the service.We came an hour early for our reservation and decided to have drinks at the bar, so we did. After the first round the waitress dropped off the check, without any questions, then we had to let her know we dont wish to close out yet, wed like a second round. Not a big deal still wouldve given 5 stars.The second incident happened when I left to the bathroom and my company did as well, when we came back the plate full of food was gone from our table!! I dont have to mention we were not longer than 2-3 minutes, the plate was still full of beef as of we only took 3-4 bites and we were not asked if were done.. we werent.. our belongings stayed at the table so assumption of leaving wasnt an option either.. but still.. ASK us first! When we went to ask about what happened with our food we were told theyre sorry but we were still charged for it and have not received any discounts..Overall wouldve been a nice experience but when something is high value you dont appreciate mistakes like this.. clearing the plate when it was still full and no compensation..so just make sure someone stays at the table when you visit:)
Been here twice with groups of 12-24 people. They manage that really well without going to a set menu. In the large dining room we sat at a table that has been flown in from the middle ages, under massive chandeliers that are suspended from a 30+ feet high ceiling. The light also signals dark ages but the architecture is more Oriental with touches of Medici art. The cuisine is a similar fusion.
Buddakan ruined my 30th birthday dinner!My husband brought me to NYC for my birthday this past weekend, and since we had already checked off my other two restaurants, the wonderful Le Bernardin and always delicious Bond St., we landed at Buddakan for my special day.I have wanted to see the gorgeous interior of Buddakan for years! We originally had reservations for 9/23/24 at The Modern but my husband thought it would be special if we tried Buddakan instead because he knows this SATC fangirl well.Upon entering, the two hosts were so very sweet and accommodating, but the vibes our server gave were off-putting…from his initial introduction, to the moment we had to steal him from our neighboring table for the check.My husband and I are from Dallas, where almost every weekend, we are at a new restaurant. Being on the younger side of the fine-dining crowd, we are sometimes treated differently, as servers never know what to expect from younger tables. With that said, we have never had an experience as weird as Buddakan.To say we felt like second-class citizens would be an understatement. Our server, I’m not even sure ever told us his name, was very short with us. He never offered us a tasting menu, *never asked if we had a special occasion*, and visited our table by choice TWICE. He never once came by to ask if we even liked our food which was honestly on-par with PF Changs. The only offer we got for a second drink was from the person who brought out our first glass of champagne. After my husband finished his second, he decided to just get a nearly $200 bottle. We never saw our server again unfortunately… so that was a no-go! I actually only got one glass of champagne and our server never offered me another.The table next to us was slightly older than us and very well-manicured. Our server was at their table every chance he got. Same with his party of ladies back behind us. They probably left with a completely different experience and that is so unfair. It was my birthday and I’m a well-paying customer.We really l wanted the matcha cheesecake for dessert, but after NEVER being visited by our server, we actually grabbed him from our neighboring table the very moment he finished his sentence with them. We asked for the bill and he shoved a dessert menu in my husband’s face. Why would we buy dessert from you at this point? He knew we were upset in our tone, and he didn’t care. He brought the bill and lazily told us “have a good night.”My husband is a chef in Dallas and I work in plastic surgery now, but spent many years serving in fine-dining throughout college. The night before our reservation, we spent around $400 on dinner and then tipped well over 20% on top. Our Buddakan server fulfilled his own prophecy for getting a bad tip. I have never once in my life tipped under 20%, and usually land somewhere around 30% for tips- especially on vacation. He didn’t even deserve a tip, and he still got 15% because my husband is an actual angel.He has been upset ever since dinner last night, and feels like he ruined my birthday since it was his idea to change our reservation to Buddakan. We are not the type to complain, as we *thoroughly* understand the industry, but this was genuinely upsetting and disappointing.Our server took such great care of his other tables and it’s so obvious to us both what was happening. He assumed we were poor and wouldn’t tip him, so he prioritized his cash cow tables instead. He may have even just forgotten us completely.This restaurant packs you in like sardines, serves mediocre food, and profiles their customers. I am in disbelief and I am very upset about this. I will never come back to Buddakan, and I will be sure to tell my close Dallas restauranteurs/owners and colleagues to skip Buddakan on their next visit and try the local Panda Express instead! I genuinely regret this dinner and I do not believe or expect Buddakan to care…if they even read this! I just needed to share my experience.
A bit pricey for good Asian food, but they certainly get 5 stars for their social distancing dining. They have tables separated by patricians and have small huts for dining (with heaters!). The dumpling tasting was also excellent (again, a bit pricey but worth it for the warm, upscale experience).
Love love the ambience!!!! The carrot dumplings did not disappoint. And the crispy tofu was the BEST!!! 😍 I especially liked the mochi donut and cheesecake.
Food was delish! Only reason they dont get 5 stars is because the service was ehh. Not sure if I just went on a bad day but overall pretty solid spot.
Hand a wonderful experience, from the beautiful decor and the amazing space. From the outside you cant really tell what it is but when you walk in its a whole new world. Staff was friendly and food came out quickly and was very flavorful. Would highly recommend!
Absolutely one of the best meals we had in New York.The food quality is outstanding, everything is delicious, and the dessert is possibly the best Ive ever had.The decor is grand and beautiful.The staff couldnt be more helpful, and have a very intimate knowledge of the menu.Obviously, such a place will have a heavy cheque at the end of the night, but its worth it.Enjoy!
I made a reservation at Buddakan for 8:15 PM, expecting a pleasant evening. However, I was told to wait for my table and ended up waiting until 9:50 PM—frustrated, hungry, and extremely disappointed. After waiting for over an hour and a half, I decided to leave and head home. Then, at 10:14 PM, I received a message saying, “Hello, your table is ready, can you please check in at the host stand?” This is absolutely unacceptable. A reservation should mean something. The lack of consideration for customers’ time is unbelievable. I won’t be returning.I’m attaching proof of this below:1. Reservation Confirmation: A screenshot of my reservation for 8:15 PM.2. Late Message: A screenshot of the message I received at 10:14 PM telling me my table was ready.
Came here on a Saturday evening. The entrance is a bit hard to find since its unmarked. But basically its to the left of the main Chelsea market entrance. The inside is just stunning! If youre looking for a moody vibe, this is it! The food was also delicious. The music wasnt too loud so it was easy to hear each other. Great place for a girls night out or any celebration!
First of all, we ordered 2 cocktails, and when we payed they give us the wrong change. Continuing, the atmosphere was so bad, the music was very laugth, and we could even speak, we were very uncomfortable, also the service was not very good, the waitres was unkind and we have waited the food for a long time, so in conclusion i would not recommend the place
Wonderful place food service and atmosphere was great. prices for this time and age was decent about $200 per 2ppl city prices lol but this is what it is I feel it was worth it when you want to splerge a bit
Pricey but soo worth it!! Food is definitely amazing and you should also try the dessert menu! Your taste buds will thank you!
Stunning atmosphere and great Asian food.As a group of two we came for Dinner on a Thursday at 8 o’clock; the place was packed. Shared a bottle of wine and three dishes as main, plus one dessert and some tea at the end. The Crispy Tofu, Black Pepper Beef and Pistachio Dessert were phenomenal! The Peanut Noodles were ok, nothing special.One of the coolest places i‘ve been regarding the atmosphere for sure. Walking down to the restaurant has a unique vibe.Service was quick and friendly - but something you expected in such a place.What could be enhanced:The check-in was seemed a bit unorganized. Hosts search you in the lounge like for a blind date and then bring you to your table.Would come here again.
Bougie atmosphere but really just came here for the food. The location in Philly is also just as amazing, thank you Stephen Starr for this NYC gem. Regarding food- Edamame dumplings are the most mouth watering food you will ever eat!! Highly recommend here. They taste like garlic butter edamame mash potatoes but amazing.Edamame dumplings: like I said above, AMAZING. Order comes with 4 dumplings and youll want to order 3 dishes.Pinot Grigio: alcohol is pricey here and not worth it spend your money on the dim sunTuna tartare egg roll: order comes with 4 rolls. Not my favorite dish but the tuna was delicious.Lobster egg roll: order served with 6 cut pieces. I do not recommend it was flavorless and only one piece of lobster.Crispy cauliflower lollipops: unreal. Order comes with 5 and they taste like Mac n cheese balls. They are buttery and crispy with just the right amount of truffle inside.Pork bun: order comes with 3. If you are a fan of pork buns then you will love as much as I did. Meat is cooked perfectly but has a little bit of kick to it with the spice added.
I went with 10 friends for Galentines dinner and the service was flawless. The food was very good, ith a decent selection of vegetarian/vegan options.
What amazing place.Food was incredible really liked up to its reputation and offered something for everyone.Quite a swanky feel to it so get dressed to the hill.Would love the opportunity to return again
Second time here and service was smooth as usual. The oxtail dumplings were decadent. Peking duck was not out of this world but good. Pork lo mien was also delicious. Obviously, it’s the ambience that caries this place which is impeccable.
I have been to hundreds of different restaurants in New York but Buddakan has been my favorite for the past 8 years in a row ❤️. Food is fantastic, the duck is my absolute favorite, the ribs melt in your mouth and desserts are beyond words. Drinks are always on point. Service is always exceptional and there is no other ambiance like Buddakan’s. Sexual, elegant, misterios. I just love this place.
Loved Buddakan. It was excellent in every respect. Particularly enjoyed the Peking duck. Amazing service. Pancakes could have been bigger but didn’t detract from the experience.
Really good experience. Went to celebrate my birthday and the host was the most sweetest. Ambience of this place is spectacular.Definably recommend.
Hot spot in Chelsea market. Massive Asian-fusion clubstaurant has two levels with a big dining room that looks like an upscale version of the dining hall at Hogwarts. The food and service is great. We ordered TSO dumplings, MA LA Chicken. We finally ended with chocolate and banana cheesecake both had good flavor and not overly sweet. If you have big bucks to spend, you must plan budakkan.
Great all the way around. Expensive for none New Yorker like me. But very good food and experience.
The food was exceptionally well and the atmosphere was absolutely amazing. Great venue for special events and to take pictures. The larger the reservation then they will seat you downstairs. But the upper level has great seating as well!
We had great time at Buddakan, went for a late dinner, we had the Edamame dumplings which was nice but a bit heavy creamed for my taste, the Tuna tarte spring roll was a samller portion but worth it! Tried the lobster egg roll as well wa so good! Filled with lobster and vegies (And much bigger portion than the dumplings and the tuna tarte spring roll). And for the main we got the black cod - what a masterpiece! The fish was perfectly cooked and a bit buttered from the inside with a bit of crispness on the outside.FYI - if you want to try the tasting menu wich goes by person, you got to be 4 ppl at least. Also, if you want to dine in the big hall you got to book in advance (thats a seperate booking than the regular tables).
Loved every minute of it. We did the tasting menu + pecking duck. Exquisite vibe, great service as well. Everything that came out was amazing
7/5 for food. Burst of flavours and so incredibly tasty!-2 for service. Not courteous by any means. We were interrupted by the waiters three times.-2 for ease/convenience. The signage outside the restaurant is not prominent enough for first time visitors to identify. Google maps also navigates one through Chelsea Market, making it very difficult to spot the restaurant. Additionally, most dishes that seem ‘vegetarian’ aren’t vegetarian friendly (for example: cauliflower fritters had pork lard) - having a simple signage on the menu indicating veg/non veg dishes would save people time.Can execute better to make the food shine because our experience outside of the food was not great.
2 stars for this place since it will ruin your mood at the very beginning by making you wait for atleast 45mins for a table of 2 even though you book a table 1 week in advance. 1 star for ambience and 1 for certain select good food dishes. Our server was great but she had toooo many tables to manage at the same time so cannot blame her for anything. You will see they have atleast 50staff members but still everything has too much wait time.. from getting the table to ordering something additional for ur table and even the restrooms. Just go with a touristy mindset to click pictures and you will enjoy this place. Don’t expect anything else.
The drinks were horrible … the food was not much better. General Tso’s dumplings didn’t have any chicken in it. It was just dough and soy sauce. Chili Rock Shrimp tasted like made out of frozen shrimp. The charred Filet didn’t have any seasoning at all and the sauce tasted like a big splash of mayo on the plate. The only good dish was Codfish. Service was not good either. The waiter forgot our appetizer and when it came it was cold. In the middle of dinner, we got another General Tso’s dumplings meant for a different table. So the whole dinner experience was extremely bizarre.
Theyve done a pretty good job with outside dining. Food is still amazing, always has been. The vibe is obviously different, but thats not their fault. Hopefully when indoor dining comes back in full, so will the vibe. Will still go back.
The food here was all great but the real stand out dish here was the vegetable fried rice with the coconut curry and pineapple. The flavors were just so well rounded and went so well together
Great place. Ambiance is fantastic.We liked:Pepper beef, amazingCod 💪Lobster fried riceWe ll come back!
Expensive but totally worth it. A beautiful, dramatic room with perfect date night lighting! They have a huge communal table but plenty of smaller ones too. The food is very good: All your favourite Chinese restaurant dishes but done in a very modern, high end way. Every dish we had was delicious and beautifully presented. Try the steak in birds nest and the crab toast (trust me, it’s incredible). Service was solid, if slightly stretched. Perhaps they were unexpectedly busy that night. All round, an excellent restaurant.
Food was great, atmosphere is ideal for a dinner conversation amongst the table. Service was a slight concern, food was not timed properly as multiple dishes came out at the same time feeling cold. Tasted great though.
Wonderful atmosphere, delicious food. Ive been a few times and tried different dishes every time and nothing has disappointed. The lychee martinis are to die for. Suitable for an after-work dinner, a date, or a group celebration.
The food was fine, not amazing. We ordered around 8 dishes and only the cod was something I’d order again. The interior is beautiful though.
So much good food. All the rumblings were amazing. A little dark but it was a good vibe.
First time here , we took a combo like $80 per person , does include so many different dishes, dessert.. everything taste very good
When I entered the restaurant I felt I am in a museum or a palace. My experience was amazing. The food very delicious and fresh. I have ordered non-alcoholic juice which is Reflection(10$). Also, a very delicious well done spicy 🌶 fish 🐠 ( Kung Pao monkfish) 32$, and lobster fried rice. For dessert 🍮 I have ordered chocolate cremoso (15$). I highly recommend this restaurant for couples for a romantic night. Also, I advise you to come hungry because food is delicious. It is one of the restaurant that makes you feel you are in one of a big cities in the world.
The food and vibe is amazing. The atmosphere and music is great and I like that it’s kinda dark. Our food was excellent. We enjoyed everything (especially the edamame dumplings and cauliflower lollipops) and shared most of it. Definitely a great place!
Absolutely amazing food!! I highly recommend their chef special menu specifically the bigger one($130 p.p). Its a bit expensive but definitely worth it! The dessert I felt could of been better, but thats just my opinion as I am not a huge chocolate guy. But definitely amazing! Perfect for a celebration or date night!
Great place, try to get a table in some of the areas outside of the big room. The big room looks great but it’s very loud.Ok food, great service
The FOOD was NOT worth it. The food was very basic and Americanized. Too much soy sauce, bland and no spices. For the prices I am very dissatisfied and disappointed. The crab fried rice was dry and had no crab. The noodles were so bad. So disappointed the tables were cheap plastic and all chipped. The table had wax on it. For the price and wait it’s not worth it, I just can’t believe it. The servers and manager were very nice and the ambiance was alright. Just seems like a tourist trap
The food is amazing, service is always great, and the atmosphere is amazing. Great music and great drinks as well.
Excellent dinning experience, lovely atmosphere with great service… look forward to next visit.
Upscale bar and restaurant right next to Chelsea market building. $15-20 per cocktail. Thursday and Friday night are filled up with young people. Worth your time if you are looking for new friendship.
One of the best restaurants I’ve been to by a long shot, everything dish is amazing and different. Can’t recommend enough.
Best dinner ever! Satisfying and filling!I came here to celebrate a birthday and the 6 of us ordered the tasting menu (#2 to be particular), I was going to chose 3 but the waiter told us it was an extraordinary amount of food.The entire meal (16 courses) was amazing from start to finish. I cant say anything bad at all. Everything tastes delicious from the umami loaded edamame dumplings to the crunchy spring rolls to the creamy shrimp to the moist beef to the perfectly paired desserts. I do not want to get into detail about each dish because you must try it for yourself. I can honestly speak for all 6 of us that we enjoyed the meal and cant wait to come back for more, perhaps try the tasting menu #3!
You are able to book a reservation a month in advance and if you plan to come here, I would highly recommend making a reservation because if you wait til last minute, you might not get one.We had a short wait when we arrived so we grabbed a drink at the bar. Its pretty cool that they always know where you are - the eyes on sky know where you are.The ambiance here gives it a great evening dinner vibe - great for all occasions. Its kinda dark and dim, but I loved it.We couldnt decide on what appetizer to get so we had the Dim Sum Tasting, which I highly recommend. It came with 6 different things to try. I would say my favorite was the edamame dumpling. For dinner we had the Charred Filet and Mongolian Lamb Chops with a side of the Chinese Sausage Rice. All was delicious. One complaint - wish the portions of meat was a little tiny bigger.We finished with dessert - The Chocolate Cremoso. My bf has visited in the past and he said they are supposed to mix it up for you, but he knew what to do. If he wasnt there, I wouldnt have known.Overall, delicious food and great vibe.
The service was ok got the order wrong the first time it took about 4 other people to make ot right. The food was great very good. For me it was very loud.
Was an amazing experience being here. The wait staff was nice and attentive. The drinks were amazing and the food was even better.
Possibly the finest Asian food I have ever eaten and probably should be at $870 between 4 ..but worth every mouthfull
This place is an unique experience. Unique food you might not order but its all good so I recommend trying anything on the menu. Staff is fun and courteous and can help you make a good decision on food or drink. The atmosphere is dark with mostly candlelight dinner. I felt like I entered a Blade movie and I dont mean that as a bad thing. Oh and make sure to get a dessert!
Food was good. The buns where super delicious. The venue is beautiful and service was outstanding. I wish the food was at the level of the service and the decor.
One of the most beautiful restaurants ive ever had the privilege of dining in
This restaurant is truly one of my fav’s when it comes to Asian fusion. The atmosphere is as sleek and trendy as the food is well-crafted. I came again, this time for my birthday. Try the lobster egg rolls, crispy smoked salmon dumplings, or steak filet. You won’t regret it!
More than just pretty instagram pictures. This is legit.I’ve balled out at some high-end lavish (1,2, and 3 Michelin star restaurants) places all over the world that always puts presentation over sustenance.Buddakan puts them to shame.If you are a foodie and loves food in group settings - this is the place for you.For a table of 8, we ordered Menu III from the tasting menu and it was just perfectly portioned. For a “tasting menu”, the dishes were the size of full entrees. For a table of “heavy hitters” this was plentiful. You won’t leave hungry.
We went for a dinner on a Friday. Make sure to do the reservations in advance. I like the ambience. The food however was very mediocre. Very limited options and the ones that were there were just like a 2 star place. Kinda disappointed. The server also gave us a pork dumpling dish by mistake instead of the vegetarian dumpling. I definitely expected it to be much better.
I got here because the brother of my friend is chef here. I had an amazing dinner at food heavan with Asian fusion cuisine. Delicious combination of flavour and texture as well as art on a plate. I had dinner by myself and the staff took wonderfully care of me
Me and my cousins came to eat here and ordered appetisers, mains and dessert. Everything from the cocktails to dessert was amazing! Favourite main was the Glazed Alaskan Black Cod with the vegetable rice and the dessert that I loved was the Pistachio Cremoso!!
Great Ambience and one of the best fine dine experience you can get in the city. Some good options for vegan/vegetarians. Loved the Tai Shan Cauliflower.
Spectacular! A couple of family members visited last month and could not stop raving about Buddakan. The hype is real, yall! Food, service, atmosphere, drinks, everything was incredible. The menu was reasonably priced; I would not have been upset, if Id paid more. Worth every dollar spent.
Buddakan was a great spot for a birthday dinner or celebration! Definitely on the fancier side - there were business people and bachelorette celebrations. We had to wait for the whole party to arrive and then some (seated 30 min after reservation ). The food was delicious but beware if you have allergies and ask the waiter early! Unexpected ingredients are in the dishes! (Broccoli had butter!) I would recommend the food but just go in prepared!
Great swanky New York experience! Food was full flavoured (I normally find Asian quite same same) but there was not one dish that didn’t leave me wanting more! Service was the friendliest we’ve had in NY! Thanks Buddakan
Very interesting take on Chinese food. I believe I had some ribs here... omg so tasty. They melted off the bone. Then I think I had fish in a ginger sauce. I took my bf here for his birthday. Dont really remember what he had, but the drinks were good and service was pretty standard. Nothing amazing. The decor and ambiance of the restaurant is alluring and out of a movie.