Flushing's Hidden "Little Jiangnan" — CHELI 🏮

Last week, a friend and I visited CHELI in Flushing, and the standout dish was the Beggar’s Chicken. Served in a dramatic “mud shell” (actually squid ink batter), the server lights it on fire 🔥, then lightly cracks it open with a mallet. Inside, the whole chicken is wrapped tightly in fresh lotus leaves — when cut open, the steam and aroma are incredible. The meat is tender, flavorful, and even better dipped in the pan juices. We also tried: 🐟 Osmanthus Smoked Fish – Crispy, sweet-salty with a hint of floral fragrance. 🖌 Brush Pastry – Cute brush-shaped pastry filled with pork floss, served with blueberry sauce. 🍚 Salted Pork Fried Rice – Decent, best eaten hot. The vibe is dark, classic Chinese decor — not too cramped but quite popular on weekends (reservations recommended). On the pricier side, but the Beggar’s Chicken makes it worth the trip. Dining here feels less like a meal and more like a Jiangnan immersive experience✨. 📍 CHELI Flushing 133-42 39th Ave STE 102, Queens, NY 11354 #CHELI #FlushingEats #JiangnanCuisine #BeggarChicken #NYCChinese #FlushingFood #NYCEats #DinnerWithAVibe #FoodExperience #NYCFoodie #MustTry #HiddenGem