幸烩 Yao’s Kitchen — Restaurant in New York

Just heard about this place and saw some Sichuan dishes so on the menu so had to try them out. Freezing cold outside but very warm, friendly atmosphere when I arrived for my pick up. Would absolutely dine in another time.

Anyways, this is now my new go-to Chinese food restaurant on the island. No generic dishes like the other places I've been to. My favorite dishes were:

Sweet and Sour Chicken - perfect balance of sweet and tangy, generous size portions of Chicken, nice ratio of breading to meat.

Spicy Chicken Cubes - I'm a huge fan of Chongqing Spicy Chicken so was super excited to see this on the menu. Same flavors that I love ( slightly different with the cubed chicken not deep fried) but still delicious. Definitely packs a punch and you can control how extra spicy you want to go with how many chili peppers you load onto your fork!

Vermicelli Pork Noodles - really lovely flavor, generous amount of pork and egg which I appreciated. Usually I add chilli /vinegar to my Chinese noodle dishes but didnt want/need to with this dish.

House Dumplings - very similar flavor to shu mai, (in my opinion) but better as definitely home made dumplings with lovely thin wrappings. Again, tasty on their own and didnt need sauce to elevate them.

Not a huge fan of the Sauteed Snow Peas. A little too overcooked (I prefer my veges crunchy) The Fu zhou Soup Dumplings were not what I expected having only had Shanghainese Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao). They weren't bad but they are definitely more like a mini steamed bun with a tasty pork filling. I was warned at pick up that they were different but I think it might be better not to advertise them as Soup Dumplings going forward?

Hope this was helpful - I absolutely recommemd this restaurant (especially if you are tired of the generic crap you get everywhere else!) and will...

The food is absolutely delicious. My family and I come here quite often since they opened because it’s in our neighborhood. Recently, maybe in the last few months, it seems they’ve changed the person at the register. I really hope the owner/management reads this because they need to retrain this lady. She’s a young woman, so I get it that being on her phone is probably second nature to her. But should you really be busy on your phone while there are customers in the restaurant, even if it’s only 1-2 tables? That was my first experience with her. We had to wait a long time before she noticed us asking for more tea. Then again when we needed the check, and asked for a container to pack leftovers. And her overall attitude in all of our interaction was basically as if she was annoyed just talking to us.

Recently, I went to get take out there and she had the same attitude when I asked how long the wait would be. Then when I came back in to pick up my order, I was ignored even though she was staring straight at me and she just carried on with what she was doing. Yes, there were other customers there, behind me btw, but it really wouldn’t hurt to just quickly say something so your customers know what to expect, a quick “hey, it’s gonna still be awhile” or “5 more minutes”, literally anything like that would’ve been nice. Her interactions with the other customers were very...

Dining here was an unforgettable experience that showcased the very best of traditional Chinese cuisine. From the moment the first dish arrived at the table, it was clear that the chefs take immense pride in their craft, pouring effort and passion into every aspect of the meal.

Each dish was a masterpiece, meticulously prepared and presented with an artistry that reflects years of expertise and respect for authentic Chinese flavors. The flavors were perfectly balanced, with ingredients that were fresh and thoughtfully combined to create a harmonious dining experience.

What stood out most was the attention to detail in every plate. The textures were carefully curated, from the crispness of perfectly stir-fried vegetables to the tender, melt-in-your-mouth meats. Even the sauces were a testament to the chef’s dedication, each one crafted to complement the dishes without overpowering them.

Beyond taste, the presentation was stunning. Every dish was arranged like a piece of art, enhancing the overall sensory experience. It’s clear the chefs here don’t just cook—they create.

If you’re looking for a restaurant that not only serves incredible food but also offers a window into the heart and soul of traditional Chinese culinary artistry, Yao's Kitchen is the place to go. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an exceptional...