Buddakan

We were in town on a girls trip and Beau was our waiter. He delivered excellent service to us had an absolutely amazing personality and turned a normal dinner into a fantastic experience. We’re so glad to have met him and had the pleasure of his service. He is the kind of person who brings personality to a restaurant and excellent service all around. The food was absolutely amazing too big shout out to the chef! Delicious and hot and the manager who came over to us to check how everything was was also just so lovely kind to us. Finally the deserts were heavenly not sure if I can say much else! Thank you Buddakan for making our trip memorable!

I love everything about this place. The food, decor, service, atmosphere, staff was amazing. I went here for my 1st wedding anniversary and I could not have been happier.<br><br>Everything we ordered was tasy and delicious. Even my husband who is very particular about what he eats, enjoyed the food. Usually when you eat out, the food is heavy and sits in your stomach. The food here did not do that. We ate everything on our plate.<br><br>I will definitely be back again to try more of their menu.

I recently went to Buddakan and it honestly felt like more than just dinner, it’s a whole experience. The space is stunning, with dramatic lighting and a huge, almost cinematic dining room that instantly sets the mood. The menu leans pan-Asian with shareable dishes like edamame dumplings, oxtail dumplings, noodles, and Peking duck, which makes it perfect for a group night out!<br><br>Personally, I loved the variety and how everything is meant to be shared—it made the meal feel fun and social. The flavors were bold and satisfying, though some dishes stood out more than others. Overall, it’s the kind of place I’d go for the vibe just as much as the food—perfect for a special night or when you want something a little extra. Service was also top notch!

I was pleasantly surprised by how good the food was. I especially loved the duck—it really reminded me of my time in Beijing. The dim sum was decent, though the rice felt a bit greasy. The ube mochi donuts were a standout—easily the best I’ve ever had.<br><br>Service was great, even though I was admittedly a bit picky. The space itself is beautiful and would be perfect for an event.

Everything was amazing.. the place is beautiful..great service from hostess to our wonderful waitress kali.. drinks incredible.. and the food one of the best we had in new york. We will be back again soon.

I had an amazing experience at Buddakan. The ambiance is absolutely stunning—from the dramatic lighting to the grand dining hall, everything feels upscale yet inviting. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between lively and elegant, making it ideal for both special occasions and a memorable night out. The attention to detail in the decor really elevates the entire experience. Definitely a place you go not just for the food, but for the vibe.

Such a fun dining experience! The restaurant offers a creative take on Asian/Chinese fusion dishes, with generous portion sizes and some really interesting, innovative flavors. I also loved that there were great vegetarian options on the menu. Everything we tried was flavorful, and the mocktails were just as impressive. The atmosphere is perfect for a special gathering or celebration—and it’s also a great photo-op spot with such a cool setting. Highly recommend checking it out!

Buddakan in Chelsea is one of the most dramatic dining rooms in New York City. You descend a staircase into a massive space with soaring ceilings a communal table that seats thirty and lighting that makes everything feel like an event. The pan-Asian menu is creative and well-executed with dishes that hit every note. The crispy calamari salad is the perfect starter with a Thai-inspired dressing that is tangy and addictive. The wasabi-crusted filet mignon is the signature for a reason the heat from the wasabi crust against the tender beef is a combination that works beautifully. The edamame dumplings are delicate and flavorful. The cocktails are inventive and strong with sake-based options that pair perfectly with the menu. Stephen Starr designed this room to make an impression and after all these years it still does. Every time I walk down those stairs I get the same feeling this is going to be a good night. The service is attentive and the staff clearly enjoys working in a space this special. Buddakan is ideal for group dinners celebrations or any night when you want the experience to match the food. Some restaurants are about what is on the plate. Some are about how the room makes you feel. Buddakan is both and it has been both consistently for years which is why it remains one of my go-to recommendations for visitors.

We visited Buddakan to celebrate a birthday, and in terms of flavor, the food was absolutely delicious. The edamame dumplings were the highlight of the night — surprising and perfectly balanced. Overall, every dish had great flavor, and the drinks were well-balanced and complemented the meal beautifully.<br><br>Unfortunately, the presentation did not match the quality of the food. Some plates were chipped, the menu looked worn out, and the tables and chairs felt unstable and noticeably deteriorated. This took away from the experience, especially for a special occasion. Sadly, none of the photos we took were good enough to share due to the condition of the plates and overall presentation.<br><br>The flavors are excellent, but the ambiance and upkeep need attention.

This place is gorgeous, the atmosphere is chic, relaxed and intimate at the same time. There’s a beautiful main room with a huge table, it almost looks like a museum. The staff is super nice and the service is spot on. I had veggie dumplings with truffle and potato, very flavorful and original. The crispy tofu was amazing, super crispy and glazed perfectly. The curry was very good, with a well seasoned and cooked rice. The mochi donut balls for dessert were my favorite: crispy, chewy, not overly sweet - the perfect bite.

Super fun dining experience! It serves some nice Asian/Chinese fusion dishes. All food came in big serving sizes and you get some really interesting innovation. It also serves nice vegetarian options. Dishes are flavorful and mocktail tastes great as well! The atmosphere is really perfect for special event gathering. Highly recommend!

Buddakan was the perfect choice for celebrating my friend’s birthday with a group. From the moment we walked in, the space felt stunning very beautiful, dramatic, and aesthetically pleasing. The ambiance alone makes it feel like a special occasion spot.<br><br>We opted for the tasting menu ($110 per person), and it was absolutely worth it. The menu included a wide variety of appetizers, entrées, and a dessert flight, giving everyone the chance to try so many different dishes. Everything was flavorful, well-balanced, and beautifully presented. The food felt very Asian-authentic while still offering unique, creative twists that made each dish stand out.<br><br>The cocktails were also excellent well crafted and enjoyable throughout the night. On top of that, the service truly elevated the experience. The staff was warm and welcoming, and our waitress was especially friendly, joyful, and attentive, which made the celebration even better.<br><br>Overall, it was a great dining experience from start to finish. Delicious food, amazing atmosphere, and wonderful service. We will definitely be coming back and highly recommend it for group dinners or special occasions.

I want to start off by saying the food was amazing, no complaints. I'd recommend the Oxtail Dumplings, Milk Ice Cream, and the Dungeness Crab Sticky Rice. The interior is also stunning, though you get scammed if you're seated on the upper level, since all of the solid ambiance is downstairs.<br>I have nothing nice to say about the wait staff at this location. Though I did not catch my waiter's name, since they don't wear name-tags, I can recognize him by the tattoo of the letter E between his thumb and index finger. From the second my party sat down, we felt judged. The waiter did not seem genuine, and was not very attentive. His major offense, which drove me to write this review, was when he took our plates away without asking us, and our plates still were 50% and 75% FULL OF FOOD. Just because we asked for dessert doesn't mean we want our plates cleared! In fact, we wanted them to go, since we are college students and need to go to the library to study for finals. It's not like we could have asked him to just put the plates back, because he immediately stacked them. My friend and I just stared at each other gobsmacked. Now, we are left with no food, and still hungry. We paid upwards of $170, to be left HUNGRY. It's really unjustifiable, and most of all, sad, since the food was honestly amazing. If you have a male waiter with an "E" hand tattoo, RUN,

I celebrated my anniversary here, and the food was absolutely incredible. I was really surprised by how generous the portions were, every dish was perfect for sharing and truly delicious. The atmosphere makes you feel like you’re inside a castle, which made the experience even more special. I’ll definitely be back. 100% recommended!

beautiful restaurant - i was in awe from the moment i walked in! came for my birthday, ordered ducks in a row, sizzling short rib, sichuan wontons, tuna tartare spring rolls (A MUST GET - crowd favorite!), wok fried cheung fan, chinese sausage fried rice, tai shan cauliflower, char siu pork - was dry, tea smoked spare ribs - tender & juicy!<br><br>loved everything we got except for the char siu pork :(. but the service was amazing, they were able to accommodate a large party (12) and gave us incredible recs for food and offered to take pictures for us. really enjoyed celebrating my birthday here! ❤️