This scallion fried sea cucumber rice has no rival in New York!

I originally went for the roast duck, but the moment I saw "braised sea cucumber with scallions" on the menu, my coastal-person DNA kicked in! Since moving to the US, I rarely see whole sea cucumbers cooked like this—before it arrived, I even worried it might be those fake "sea eggplants" 🍆. But one bite, and wow, it was so good! The sea cucumber was packed with gelatin, cooked to that perfect tender-but-not-mushy texture, and fully absorbed the sauce. Drizzling that sauce over rice? Absolute genius—I polished off a whole bowl in no time 🍚. Plus, the portion was generous—fellow sea cucumber lovers, go for it! Though I do think a stronger scallion flavor would’ve made it even better. 🦆 The roast duck, which has been blowing up on Xiaohongshu, needs no introduction—it’s top-tier in Midtown. Crispy skin, tender meat, and here’s the key: the pancakes aren’t those ultra-thin, dumpling-skin-like ones. They’re soft but chewy, with just the right texture—so good! And I noticed while moving dishes that the plate holding the duck was pre-warmed from the oven—such a thoughtful detail, 10/10 💯. 🥩 Other dishes: The lamb skewers came on a little grill, and when they sprinkled chili powder, it even smoked—fun touch, but eat them hot! The crab roe xiaolongbao tasted freshly made—piping hot and juicy when you bit into them. The water spinach was solid too. All in all, it’s the kind of place that leaves your stomach feeling warm and comfortable. I’m super sensitive to MSG, but I didn’t get thirsty at all that afternoon or evening—so it’s officially on my "will return" list, and I had to share! Bonus: I found out the next day you can order it on 🍙—no need to trek all the way to the east side! Oh, and when I went to the restroom, I noticed they have round tables and private rooms! I’ve always struggled to find private rooms in Midtown for friend gatherings—so that’s a useful tip for everyone. ⭐ Chef Huang 📍 635 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016 That’s it for today’s share! Follow me for more NYC life and food finds Hope everyone eats well every day! #ShoutOutLocalFood #NewYorkFood #NewYorkLife #ManhattanFood #MidtownNYCPrivateRooms #GrandCentral #NewYorkRoastDuck #MidtownNYCFood #HiddenGemRestaurant #NewYorkChineseFood