Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish 奈哥酸菜鱼 (Columbia University) — Restaurant in New York

We arrived at 9:21 pm, as both Google and the restaurant's door signage indicated that closing time was at 10 pm. After walking 15 minutes in the rain, we were allowed in by the staff and the manager, who informed us that the last call was at 9:30 pm. They clarified that while we could still order and take out, we couldn't stay, which didn’t make sense—last call typically means the deadline for placing orders, not when customers must leave. They offered no explanation for why their stated closing time was 10 pm if customers weren’t allowed to stay until then. We hesitated because taking out would mean carrying a heavy bag and walking back for another 15 minutes in the rain. Then they offered the option that we can dine in as long as we finished within 10-15 minutes, and we agreed with this deal and placed our order. I eventually found out that they said so only to make you order the food, pay the money, and **ing leave. Once the food was ready, it was handed to us in a takeout bag, and the same staff member who had just given us permission to stay 10 minutes earlier completely denied making that offer, insisting that takeout was the only option.

To sum up, I understand that restaurants need time to clean up, and I have been to places that stop accepting customers half an hour or more before closing. However: It is misleading to offer dine-in as an option and then retract that offer after payment, especially when customers have made the effort to arrive on time and in unfavorable conditions. The reasoning given—that the last call at 9:30 pm somehow justifies denying us dine-in—is flawed. Last call pertains to ordering, not to how long customers can stay, and we had arrived and ordered well before the deadline. If we had arrived after 9:30 pm, it would be reasonable to deny service since the kitchen would be closed already, but that was not...

Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish near Columbia University delivers an authentic taste of Sichuan cuisine with its signature dishes. The Mala Xiang Guo (spicy dry pot) was beautifully presented with a generous mix of lotus root, tofu, mushrooms, cauliflower, and tender slices of beef, all richly coated in a fragrant, spicy sauce. The dish's complexity shone through with every bite, striking the right balance between bold spices and fresh herbs.

The highlight, however, was the Sauerkraut Fish Soup. Served in a vibrant green broth, the fish fillets were delicate and tender, complemented by the tanginess of pickled vegetables and a subtle heat from chili flakes. The soup was deeply flavorful, with just the right amount of numbing sensation characteristic of Sichuan peppercorns. Paired with white rice, it was a comforting and hearty experience.

The ambiance was clean and inviting, with friendly service that made the meal even more enjoyable. If you're craving authentic Sichuan flavors near Columbia, Nai Brother Sauerkraut Fish is a solid choice that brings a taste of China to the heart...

Wow, this place truly holds up to its 5.0 rating, the highest Id ever seen! I tried this place with my mom since its extremely close and ordered the sauekeaur fish and the kimchi with sliced beef. The fish had a light juicy taste and the soup and a nice spicy, sour, tangy flavour that went really well with the fish. When we asked for sides such as bean sprouts they add it into the soup. I had the kimchi soup which was excellent. The meat was light but very flavourful, the bean sprouts were nice, the soup was very delectable and not too spicy, and there were additions like this noodle like things that resemble tripe. Not to mention the food looks beautiful.

Service was attentive, and atmosphere was crowded with loud music but quite beautiful.

Overall very traditional chinese restauraunt that I reccommend for ANYONE. Flavours that you cannot find in regular restaraunts, making this place very special, especially for the price. So glad this opened up and we...