LIC's Most Romantic Chinese Spot｜Ye Yan 🏮✨

Last night I tried Ye Yan, a Hunan restaurant right downstairs — and the ambiance is truly special. With its moody lighting, vintage‑Shanghai decor, and a sleek little bar at the entrance, it feels straight out of a scene from Blossoms Shanghai. Perfect for a stylish date night in LIC. As someone from Hunan, I found the flavors pretty authentic! We started with Mouth‑Watering Chicken 🐔 (spicy and tangy) and Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs — the latter tasted just like my mom’s home cooking. The star was Pounded Chili, Eggplant & Century Egg 🍆 — exactly like what I had in Changsha. The peppers weren’t too spicy, and the soft eggplant with savory century egg created an amazing texture. Stir‑Fried Beef with Yellow Peppers was another winner — tender, well‑seasoned, and totally rice‑worthy. We also tried their signature Steamed Fish with Chopped Chili 🐟 — fresh and tender, a Hunan classic. Their cocktails 🍹 are elegant and not too strong — great for sharing over conversation. Dessert was Tofu Pudding Ice Cream 🍦 — lightly sweet, milky, and just right for those who prefer less sugar. 📍 Address: 119 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 💰 Price: Around $70 per person Whether you're craving bold Hunan heat or looking for an intimate, vibe‑driven dinner, Ye Yan delivers on both atmosphere and taste. #NYCFood #HunanCuisine #YeYanNYC #LICEats #DateNightNYC #ChineseRestaurant #NYCRestaurants #RomanticDining #AsianFlavors #CocktailBar #NYCEats #NYCLife #EatLikeLocal #HiddenGemNYC