Chinese restaurant

Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish 奈哥酸菜鱼 (Columbia University)

Morningside HeightsManhattan

4.9· 1,688 reviewsOpen until 1:30AM
Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish 奈哥酸菜鱼 (Columbia University) — chinese restaurant — in Morningside Heights — Manhattan — NYC
Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish 奈哥酸菜鱼 (Columbia University) interior — Morningside Heights

Morningside Heights

Manhattan

The brief

About Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish 奈哥酸菜鱼 (Columbia University)

Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish specializes in authentic Sichuan cuisine, with their signature sauerkraut fish dish perfectly balancing numbing spices and tangy pickled vegetables for a distinctive flavor profile. The restaurant caters to health-conscious diners by emphasizing fresh ingredients and lighter preparations compared to heavy, oil-laden Chinese cooking. The casual yet welcoming atmosphere near Columbia University creates an ideal setting for students and locals seeking genuine regional Chinese cuisine without pretension, drawing consistently high praise from the community for its quality and authenticity.

Community Rating

4.9

½

out of 5

1,688 community reviews

Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.

Community-sourced rating

Reviews

What diners say about Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish 奈哥酸菜鱼 (Columbia University)

15 verified Google reviews · 15 with owner responses

5.0

15 reviews

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Catherine Phan
2 weeks ago

Love this place! My favorite is the sliced beef with chili oil. You can add more meat and veggies à la carte to your liking.

Response from the owner

Thank you so much, Catherine! The sliced beef with chili oil is definitely a staff favorite, so we are thrilled to hear it's your top choice too. Thank you for being such a fan, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another custom bowl soon!

SJ The GhostLocal guide
3 months ago

I’ll be honest, I almost talked myself out of ordering here. The menu felt a little intimidating at first, but I’m so glad I pushed through. The sauerkraut fish soup completely won me over, rich, bold, and way more approachable than I expected once it’s actually in front of you.<br>And the lemonade? Genuinely one of the best I’ve had. Don’t sleep on it.<br>If you’re on the fence about trying this place for the first time, you got to try!

Response from the owner

Thank you so much! We’re so glad you pushed through and gave us a try! The sauerkraut fish soup and our lemonade are definitely a fan favorite, and we’re thrilled it won you over. Can’t wait to have you back for another round!

Valencia HartonoLocal guide
3 months ago

The food here was actually above my expectations. The shrimp balls were INCREDIBLE, perfect mix of crunchiness and chewiness. It doesn’t look that great on the outside but when you actually eat it it’s so good. The Thai Iced tea was perfection. I’m surprised that they made it good here even though it’s a Chinese restaurant. And the mushroom fish soup was really great. The portion size was a LOT bigger than I expected. There’s a lot of variety of vegetables, bean sprouts, lettuce, all kinds of ingredients in there. It’s really good to eat rice with the soup. Great place highly recommend.

Response from the owner

Thank you for the amazing review, Valencia! We’re so glad you enjoyed the food, drinks, and that the portions and variety exceeded your expectations. We appreciate your recommendation and can’t wait to see you back!

BiancaLocal guide
3 months ago

I absolutely love this place. 🙌🏽 We ordered the Sliced Fatty beef pot which was sooo flavorful, just needed some noodles. The sliced Beef in the hot and sour soup was so tender and the Chicken wings were perfectly crispy. I really appreciate that they sell Soju here as well as the fact that they close late.<br><br>Also! can’t forget to mention that the mango crepe cake is bomb!! 🔥<br><br>Service was 10/10. I highly recommend you try this place if you’re looking for some good Chinese comfort food.

Response from the owner

Thank you for the amazing review, Bianca! We’re thrilled you enjoyed our food. Happy you appreciated the late hours and Soju too! We can’t wait to welcome you back for more delicious Chinese comfort food.

Xintong HuangLocal guide
3 months ago

The sauerkraut fish is flavorful and comforting, with tender fish and a rich, slightly tangy broth. Portions are generous and perfect for sharing. Great spot near Columbia for a satisfying meal.

Response from the owner

Thank you so much, Joy! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the sauerkraut fish and found the portions perfect for sharing. Your kind words mean a lot, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another satisfying meal!

Yami TsaoLocal guide
4 months ago

After evening classes, all I really want is one thing: fast, bold, and something hot.<br>I found this affordable, super filling spot on Broadway — Naige Suancaiyu (Columbia location) — and it’s an instant favorite among students. Even my Columbia undergrads light up the moment I mention “Nai Bro.” I arrived around 7:30 PM on a Monday, and the place was packed.<br><br>I ordered a bit too much (no regrets though — took leftovers home for the next meal 😌):<br><br>🍲 Green Peppercorn Suancai Fish — tangy and refreshing, numbing but not overpowering, with very tender fish<br>🥩 Sour & Spicy Golden Broth Beef — seriously addictive broth, perfect with white rice<br>🍗 Yellow Braised Chicken — a classic that never disappoints; mushrooms, potatoes, and green peppers add great texture<br>🍗 Crispy Chicken Wings & Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken — crispy outside, juicy inside, super satisfying<br>🍰 Matcha Mille Crepe Cake — lightly bitter matcha, not too sweet, soft and fluffy<br><br>💡 Overall vibe: affordable, generous portions, tons of options — basically a “safe food spot” for international students.<br>⏰ Open until 1:30 AM, which is a lifesaver for night classes and long library sessions 😭

Response from the owner

Hi Yami, <br> <br>We really appreciate the kind words! So glad you enjoyed the food and late-night hours. Looking forward to welcoming you back soon!

AA NYCLocal guide
4 months ago

Delicious pickled fish! The fish was tender, the soup flavorful and just the right amount of spice. Friendly staff and fast service. Definitely coming back!

Response from the owner

Thank you so much! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the pickled fish and soup, and that our staff made your visit great. We can’t wait to welcome you back!

Stevannie GunawanLocal guide
5 months ago

Had dinner with friends here and got to try their spicy pot menus, overall the portion was generous and taste good

Response from the owner

Hi Stevannie, Thank you for the wonderful feedback! Glad you and your friends had a great time! We love keeping the portions generous and the spicy pots flavorful. Hope to see your group back for another round soon!

Y PochkunLocal guide
7 months ago

I absolutely adore this place! The first time I tried it I was in disbelief. I keep coming back and the fact that I can get it even at midnight is a true blessing. It’s very affordable and you get a lot of fish in your dish (unlike many other places). It’s very affordable and is my absolute go to place in the neighborhood. 100/10. Couldn’t stress any more how incredible it is!

Response from the owner

Wow, thank you for the 100/10 review! We're delighted to be your go-to spot in the neighborhood. It makes our day to know you're enjoying the affordable dishes and generous amount of fish, and we're blessed to be a convenient late-night option. Thanks for all the love! We can't wait to see you again!

Shayan Chowdhury
8 months ago

Great food, great service, great music! Super good dry hotpot spot (one of my favs) + duck blood which is super rare in NYC!

Response from the owner

Hi Shayan, We're so happy to hear that you had a great experience with our food, service, and music! We look forward to your next visit!

June FangLocal guide
8 months ago

Fast service and really good flavor! We ordered the Spicy Beef Pot, Sauerkraut Fish, and Yang Zhou Fried Rice everything was delicious and came out quickly. Definitely recommend!

Response from the owner

Thanks for the wonderful feedback! We're so glad you love our food. We can't wait to have you back again soon. 🥰 😍

Ayano Ishimura
9 months ago

The food is SO GOOD! My friend suggested this place because it’s her favorite chain restaurant in china and I live right nearby. The original sauerkraut fish dish is definitely worth trying and pairs so well with the tsingtao beer. I will definitely be back!!!!

Response from the owner

Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you enjoyed the sauerkraut fish and pairing it with Tsingtao. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!

Syaif muhami shidiq (Kukirakira)Local guide
a year ago

Tried Nai Brother Sauerkraut recently and was pleasantly surprised! The service was great—friendly and efficient. The sauerkraut itself was tasty and felt light, not overly sour or heavy like some others. Really enjoyed the balance of flavor. Plus, the price was totally reasonable for the quality. Definitely worth a try if you're into fermented foods or just want a healthy side dish!

Response from the owner

We truly appreciate your support and are happy you had a great experience. Hope to welcome you back soon!

Marine XuLocal guide
a year ago

The Nai Brother Chinese fish here is absolutely amazing! Super affordable and such great value for the quality and portion size. The restaurant has long opening hours, making it perfect for a late-night dinner. The dish is flavorful but not too oily, which is a huge plus. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a delicious and satisfying meal at a reasonable price!<br><br>The bubble tea nearby Nai Brother Fish Heytea is fantastic! The drinks are not only delicious but also beautifully presented. They have a great variety of flavors, and everything tastes super fresh. Perfect for pairing with a meal or just grabbing a refreshing treat. Highly recommend

Response from the owner

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your meal. We always aim to provide delicious, high-quality dishes at great value. Good call on the bubble tea from Heytea nearby — it’s the perfect pairing with our meals. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another satisfying meal and refreshing drink!

chen mengLocal guide
a year ago

Just discovered a most AUTHENTIC Sour Fish Strew in the heart of Manhattan, near Columbia University area.<br><br>Can’t wait to share my new spot with you guys. If you are a fan of heat or spicy 🌶️ then Nai Brother will be your new favorite spot 🆕<br><br>What? No Spicy at all? Let’s try sliced fish with tomato sauce 🥫flavorful with rich texture.

Response from the owner

Hi Chen!<br><br>Wow! Thank you so much for the amazing shoutout We’re so happy you found us and loved the Sour Fish Stew — it’s one of our pride dishes, packed with authentic flavor just like back home! <br><br>And yes! Whether you’re team spicy or more into that rich, savory tomato base, we’ve got something for everyone.<br><br>Can’t wait to have you back soon.

Reviews sourced from Google. Displayed for informational purposes. Ratings reflect reviewer opinions at the time of posting.

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