My waiter super high knowledge about the menu, super attentive to detail, the food super delicious and well presented, carrot dumplings, shrimp dumplings, spare ribs,tuna tartare, chilled noodles, Chilean sea bass highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lalit Peddakota
Great ambiance and good food and drinks. However this is a tourist / bridge-and-tunnel trap and the management will milk you for it. As an example, see the cost of 3 cocktails at the bar - apparently it was $6 just for a few drops of the bitters!
How they can justify charging $30 for a mediocre cocktail, more than Employees Only or even Bathtub Gin across for the street is beyond me. I will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Namgyal Choden
The service really need to be worked on,It was not great at all,Waited 25 mins on dot to get our order placed cuz the server never showed up and between that time the runner for our server too but nothing and when the server comes he asks us if we need more time lol,He never once came and asked us for anything or introduced him self and it was not even that busy during the time we came in Do better guys,other then that everything else was great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 1
Eleanor Alfano
The staff are horrible. We had an 8:15 reservation and checked in right on time. The staff told us to wait for someone to call our name. We were not seated until 8:50. We waited and asked several people who told us someone will be with us shortly. The staff are rude and impolite. They did not apologize at all for the wait. The system is horrible. I will never come back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ana Tep
The food was great! I celebrated my birthday here and had a wonderful experience. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. The restaurant can be a little tricky to find using Google Maps, but we asked someone nearby and were able to make it to our reservation on time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven Reid
Great food. Delightful service. Not cheap. Worth it. Only negative….it’s a bit dark! For the over 40’s….it’s a problem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Raina Hareb
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jimmy Chrabieh
I recently had dinner at Buddakan in NYC and it was honestly one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in a long time.
The atmosphere is incredible. Dramatic lighting, beautiful décor, and a buzzing dining room that feels both upscale and lively. It’s one of those places where the energy of the room makes the whole experience feel special.
But the real highlight is the food.
Every dish we ordered was outstanding. The dumplings were delicate and packed with flavor, perfectly balanced and beautifully presented. The crispy duck was absolutely phenomenal. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and served with sauces that complemented it perfectly. Even the sides were memorable, which says a lot.
What I really appreciated is that the menu is creative but still approachable. The flavors are bold, modern, and incredibly well executed. Nothing felt gimmicky, just really good food done right.
Service was also excellent. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and the pacing of the meal was spot on.
Buddakan is definitely one of those NYC restaurants that lives up to the hype. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want an amazing dinner in a beautiful setting, this place delivers.
Highly recommend. I’ll absolutely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Michelle Symington
Amazing food, great service, beautiful venue & great value
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
CHA CHA CHUUU
Food was great, but the Hispanic hostess was extremely rude. She was wearing a black blazer and suit with a black bob haircut the day we went (Thursday). From the moment my friend and I walked in, it felt like we were being judged. We wanted to take a few pictures inside the restaurant and she interrupted us to say we couldn’t. When I asked where the bathroom was, she also said they didn’t have one, which was confusing. What establishment does not have a bathroom AND does not allow pictures to be taken!! She glared at us for even asking and we apologized and thanked her anyways for which she just dubbed us afterwards. The food was good, but the service definitely took away from the experience. It was an $180 meal that didn't live up to its atmospheric expectations.
The food is simply wow, I cannot really describe it in words, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Muna Moushien
Came back last night after such an incredible first time. Not only did they accommodate us in the main hall but Kyle the manager made sure to come out to greet my mother and I and then SPENCER blew us away with his hospitality. Not only are the vibes in this place immaculate but the food is divine and then when your customer service is in check it makes this place a 100/10. I will forever come back to Buddakhan for a night out, dinner, drinks or if I just want to be treated wonderfully!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Joyce
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jesus sierra
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.
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.
The flavors are excellent, but the ambiance and upkeep need attention.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Karen Roeck
Our team arrived in NYC after days of cancelled flights and rescheduled travel plans due to the east coast blizzard of February 2026. We had booked dinner plans at Budakkan before the trip and nearly cancelled because we were so tired, but we were SO glad we made the trek from Times Square to Chelsea for what turned out to be the best meal of our whole trip. The service and ambiance is fantastic, and every member of our 12 person party thought the food and drinks were incredible. Generous portions, fantastic flavor combinations, and easy to share plates with a large group. Highly recommend making Budakkan part of your NYC adventures!
My waiter super high knowledge about the menu, super attentive to detail, the food super delicious and well presented, carrot dumplings, shrimp dumplings, spare ribs,tuna tartare, chilled noodles, Chilean sea bass highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great ambiance and good food and drinks. However this is a tourist / bridge-and-tunnel trap and the management will milk you for it. As an example, see the cost of 3 cocktails at the bar - apparently it was $6 just for a few drops of the bitters!
How they can justify charging $30 for a mediocre cocktail, more than Employees Only or even Bathtub Gin across for the street is beyond me. I will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
The service really need to be worked on,It was not great at all,Waited 25 mins on dot to get our order placed cuz the server never showed up and between that time the runner for our server too but nothing and when the server comes he asks us if we need more time lol,He never once came and asked us for anything or introduced him self and it was not even that busy during the time we came in
Do better guys,other then that everything else was great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 1
The staff are horrible. We had an 8:15 reservation and checked in right on time. The staff told us to wait for someone to call our name. We were not seated until 8:50. We waited and asked several people who told us someone will be with us shortly. The staff are rude and impolite. They did not apologize at all for the wait. The system is horrible. I will never come back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The food was great! I celebrated my birthday here and had a wonderful experience. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. The restaurant can be a little tricky to find using Google Maps, but we asked someone nearby and were able to make it to our reservation on time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food. Delightful service. Not cheap. Worth it. Only negative….it’s a bit dark! For the over 40’s….it’s a problem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I recently had dinner at Buddakan in NYC and it was honestly one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in a long time.
The atmosphere is incredible. Dramatic lighting, beautiful décor, and a buzzing dining room that feels both upscale and lively. It’s one of those places where the energy of the room makes the whole experience feel special.
But the real highlight is the food.
Every dish we ordered was outstanding. The dumplings were delicate and packed with flavor, perfectly balanced and beautifully presented. The crispy duck was absolutely phenomenal. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and served with sauces that complemented it perfectly. Even the sides were memorable, which says a lot.
What I really appreciated is that the menu is creative but still approachable. The flavors are bold, modern, and incredibly well executed. Nothing felt gimmicky, just really good food done right.
Service was also excellent. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and the pacing of the meal was spot on.
Buddakan is definitely one of those NYC restaurants that lives up to the hype. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want an amazing dinner in a beautiful setting, this place delivers.
Highly recommend. I’ll absolutely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Amazing food, great service, beautiful venue & great value
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was great, but the Hispanic hostess was extremely rude. She was wearing a black blazer and suit with a black bob haircut the day we went (Thursday). From the moment my friend and I walked in, it felt like we were being judged. We wanted to take a few pictures inside the restaurant and she interrupted us to say we couldn’t. When I asked where the bathroom was, she also said they didn’t have one, which was confusing. What establishment does not have a bathroom AND does not allow pictures to be taken!! She glared at us for even asking and we apologized and thanked her anyways for which she just dubbed us afterwards. The food was good, but the service definitely took away from the experience. It was an $180 meal that didn't live up to its atmospheric expectations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
The food is simply wow, I cannot really describe it in words, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came back last night after such an incredible first time. Not only did they accommodate us in the main hall but Kyle the manager made sure to come out to greet my mother and I and then SPENCER blew us away with his hospitality. Not only are the vibes in this place immaculate but the food is divine and then when your customer service is in check it makes this place a 100/10. I will forever come back to Buddakhan for a night out, dinner, drinks or if I just want to be treated wonderfully!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
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.
The flavors are excellent, but the ambiance and upkeep need attention.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Our team arrived in NYC after days of cancelled flights and rescheduled travel plans due to the east coast blizzard of February 2026. We had booked dinner plans at Budakkan before the trip and nearly cancelled because we were so tired, but we were SO glad we made the trek from Times Square to Chelsea for what turned out to be the best meal of our whole trip. The service and ambiance is fantastic, and every member of our 12 person party thought the food and drinks were incredible. Generous portions, fantastic flavor combinations, and easy to share plates with a large group. Highly recommend making Budakkan part of your NYC adventures!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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