YongChuan — Restaurant in New York

Finally had a chance to write this review. It was a special occasion—Valentine’s Day. I called the restaurant ahead of time to arrange a dinner for a group of 12, hoping to share a taste of authentic Ningbo cuisine with my friends. A big thank you to the owner for the warm welcome and for thoughtfully preparing a few special hometown dishes. It turned out to be a heartwarming and delicious evening we won’t forget.

Had a truly heartwarming dinner featuring Ningbo cuisine from the chef’s special menu — even my appetite seemed to speak with a hometown accent.

The biggest surprise was the complimentary air-dried eel from Zhoushan — a must-have New Year’s delicacy in Ningbo, found on almost every family’s holiday table. The flavor was perfectly balanced — not too salty, with a deep, ocean-cured aroma that brought back so many memories with the very first bite.

I forgot to snap a photo of the taro stew, but the texture was incredibly soft and smooth. It was lighter than the version I remember from childhood, but still carried that same familiar essence — like a dish lovingly prepared by someone who knows you well.

The marinated clams and pickled Ningbo vegetables stirred something deep in me. The taste was so familiar — like the comforting scent from my grandmother’s kitchen, or the little appetizer dishes my mom used to bring out on hot summer days. It instantly awakened childhood memories I didn’t know I still held onto.

Then there was bu gua (a Ningbo dialect name — I honestly don’t know the Mandarin spelling, but locals will understand!). It’s the taste of home. My grandma used to cook it in soups or stir-fry it with eggs. That gentle, savory flavor always felt like her warm embrace — calming and safe.

Steamed egg with pork patty — a childhood favorite we always mixed into our rice. So soft, rich, and comforting, every bite felt like a small reward just for you.

The “Eighteen Cuts” dish with stir-fried eel shreds and the home-style wild yellow croaker made up for all the traditional flavors I missed during last year’s trip back to China.

By the end of the meal, I realized how much emotion is tied to taste. It wasn’t about indulgence — it was about memory, family, and the feeling of being cared for.

Also worth mentioning — the restaurant had a cozy, elegant atmosphere. The owner was kind and welcoming, and the service was attentive and thoughtful. The whole experience felt just like a quiet night in Ningbo — a soft light, a warm table, and the comforting taste of home.

Would definitely come back — this place is a hidden gem for anyone craving authentic Ningbo flavors far from home. Highly recommended if you’re looking for food that warms both your stomach...

Yong Chuan is a small, easy-to-miss restaurant on Clinton Street in the Lower East Side. From the outside, it’s pretty unremarkable, but stepping inside feels like a pleasant surprise. The atmosphere is upscale and elegant— as if you’re stepping foot into a fine dining restaurant.

What drew me in was their $29 all-you-can-eat brunch promotion (this is a weekend deal). Once seated, the experience felt more refined than I expected. Instead of the usual carts and Aunties calling out the dim sum, you’re handed a menu and asked if you’d like Oolong or Chrysanthemum tea (both included in the price).

The menu features all the dim sum classics you’d expect: siu mai, shrimp dumplings, chicken feet, turnip cake, pork congee, pineapple buns, roast pork bao, steamed spare ribs, black pepper short ribs. The wait wasn’t too long as our dishes were brought out promptly to ensure the dishes were served hot. There were a few unique favorites: the spicy crawfish dumplings, packed a real punch with their heat. The soup dumplings arrived hot and full of broth, though the serving size is just three pieces per order, so it’s more of a tasting portion. We finished our brunch with the salted egg yolk bun- the custard filling was oozed out when I broke into the bun.

After such a satisfying brunch experience, we decided to come back for their Peking duck, which they’re known for. I’m glad we did. The duck was expertly cooked and presented with care, featuring perfectly crisp skin and tender, juicy meat. The dish arrived beautifully arranged, with the condiments—julienned cucumbers, scallions, sugar, hoisin sauce, and thin strips of Chinese hawthorn, artfully laid out on the side. The thin wraps were neatly stacked, making it easy to assemble each bite. The elegant presentation added to the overall experience, and the flavors did not disappoint.

Overall, Yong Chuan exceeded my expectations. This is not your typical dim sum experience. At $29 per person for their all-you-can-eat brunch promotion (not sure if this is a limited promo, you should call ahead), it doesn’t break the bank, and there’s plenty of variety, even for picky eaters. If you’re the type who loves AYCE, you’ll appreciate the value here. Whether you’re here for brunch or dinner (GET THE PEKING DUCK), it’s definitely...

Wow, simply extraordinary. Take everything you know about Chinese food and be prepared to mind blown. There’s incredible time and effort put into the preparation of each dish, it is all so thoughtful.

The braised pork is a very unique interpretation of the classic, it’s got a very intense rice wine flavor and the sauce is reduced to a french-like consistency. The mala prawns for me were a star of the show, each prawn so tender yet crunchy but seasoned perfectly with spicy salt that becomes very addictive. The fried rice we ordered was so good on its own, but I added some house-made XO sauce and chili crisp oil to it and it sent me straight to heaven. The pea shoot vegetables were incredibly well cooked in superior broth, highly recommend that as well. And the sesame rice balls for dessert were outstanding, their secret is adding a little rendered pork fat in to make it very rich and luxurious.

The wine list is also extensive, we treated ourselves to some champagne from Louis Roederer to start but ask the manager for some recommendations on Orange wines. We had one from California that was just expressing ripe notes of peach, lychee and jasmine flowers.

Now as for the design of the place, it was done flawlessly. Check out the speakeasy bar at the back for a cool installation of a ceiling light center piece that is dynamic to each customer. Each customer is assigned a “blob” of color and it tracks and follows you as you move in your seat and as you get close to someone else, the colors will merge on the ceiling.

All in all, a very good experience that offers great service, outstanding food and cool atmosphere. What...