baolala — Restaurant in New York

Came here for lunch today. Mostly empty. Ordered Dan Dan Noodles, Chicken Broccoli Bowl, 2 small bites - they only have Popcorn Chicken and Garlic Broccoli, and 2 Hot Milk Teas. The Dan-Dan Noodles were pretty good but a little over salted but the egg was cooked well - the spice used made my tongue numb, but not very spicy at all. Chicken Broccoli Rice Bowl is very good and so is the Garlic Broccoli. The Popcorn Chicken while cooked well, but TOO SALTY. I suspect the chili flakes they use on the popcorn chicken also has salt - fortunately the garlic broccoli dish had a layer of water at the bottom. We washed the popcorn chicken with the garlic broccoli water and it was more edible. The hot milk tea I ordered came with boba and oats/wheat barley at the bottom which I thought was strange. I thought the milk tea was going to be plain because I didn't ask for boba or the oats/wheat barley and the drink was not hot. It's like the boba was ice cold and they just poured hot liquid over it. They need to step up the quality of food in order to compete with Japan Village next door. And the menu on the wall is incorrect - I tried to order the scallion pancake with slice beef, but they did not have them. There is a separate menu at the the register. The table next to us had small children and when their mom asked for a fork for the kids, the waitress said sorry, they did not...

Baolala is a true gem for lovers of authentic Asian cuisine. From the moment you walk in, the warm ambiance and attentive staff make you feel welcome. The highlight of my visit was without a doubt the chef’s special skewers – perfectly grilled, bursting with flavor, and beautifully presented. Each bite was a delight, showcasing high-quality ingredients and careful preparation.

I also enjoyed their hot sake, which paired perfectly with the savory skewers and added a cozy touch to the meal. It’s clear that Baolala takes pride in both its food and drink offerings.

A quick note for sushi lovers: Baolala is not your typical sushi restaurant. While they do offer raw fish and rice options like sashimi, there are no traditional sushi rolls on the menu. This actually makes the experience more unique, as the focus is on a different side of Asian cuisine that’s often overlooked.

Overall, Baolala delivers an outstanding dining experience with flavorful dishes, excellent service, and a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to try something new or simply enjoy a delicious, thoughtfully prepared meal, Baolala is well worth a visit. I’ll definitely be back for more...

Great new addition to industry city!

At first it looked like just a bubble tea place, but the food is definitely worth a try.

We got the Dan Dan noodles, mapo tofu, and soft shell crab. I loved the mapo, great flavor, nice numbing Sichuan pepper, and tender noodles. The soft shell crab was nicely seasoned and flavorful. The Dan Dan could use some more flavor, or suan Cai, but the two egg halves! With egg prices these days, amazing!

Overall for the price, this place is great. It would be my go-to delivery chinese if I lived nearby. I will definitely be bringing it home when I visit industry city...