Yum Cha Chinese Kitchen & Bar 姑苏里 — Restaurant in New York

So happy to see the modern Chinese food scene growing in NYC. Yum Cha is a tapas style modern Chinese restaurant right next to Washington Square Park and NYU.

The service here was super friendly, and I loved how classy yet intimate the dining space felt.

＊Deep Fried Cheese Shrimp 荔汁蝦球 $21.99 * Literally a showstopper. This gorgeous lychee shrimp tree here reimagines familiar flavors with so much creativity. The lychee paste mixed with cheese gave a savory note. Super fun and oddly satisfying) to pluck the lychees off the tree.

＊Porcini Mushroom Beef Rice 石鍋牛肝菌拌飯 $27.99** It came in a sizzling hot stone pot that kept it warm the entire meal. It was saucy, with a meaty flavor from the porcini mushrooms and a kick from the green pepper. The portion was huge and easily enough to feed four.

＊Sweet and Sour Ribs 糖醋排骨 $24.99** We were asked to try their sweet and sour ribs, and it ended up being my favorite dish. I usually don’t enjoy eating around bones, but these were braised so tender they fell off easily. Very saucy and savory, perfect with white rice or their porcini mushroom rice.

＊Golden Black Phoenix Bun 黑金流沙包 $9.99 Fluffy bun with the satisfying moment when the salted egg yolk lava oozed out. I just wish there was a bit more filling at this price point.

＊Crab Roe Mixed Noodle 蟹黃拌麵 $18.99 The noodles were drenched in a vibrant orange pool of crab roe and shrimp. Visually promising yet flavor-wise, the crab roe was faint. We were reminded to mix everything quickly, or the noodles would stick together.

＊Crispy Fried Milk 炸鮮奶 $10.99 Creamy milk custard in a light fried batter, served alongside condensed milk. A not-too-sweet sweet treat to wrap up the feast.

＊Strawberry Probiotic Bliss $9.50 ＊Peach Oolong Elixir $9.50 Their non-alcoholic drinks were surprisingly good, comparable to the quality you could get at...

Stumbled upon Yum Cha, a Shanghainese restaurant near NYU, and I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. The decor is clean, bright, and cozy, making it a great spot for a casual yet refined dim sum experience.

With so many options on the menu, I was a bit overwhelmed, but the waitress suggested the Crab Roe Noodles, and I’m glad she did! If you’re a crab fan, this dish is a must-try—rich, flavorful, and absolutely delightful.

For steak lovers, I highly recommend the Truffle Ribeye Cube. It has a good chew, just as a proper steak should, with an earthy truffle aroma that elevates the dish.

The Porcini Mushroom Claypot Rice was another highlight, especially with that crispy, golden crust at the bottom—so satisfying to mix into each bite.

Of course, we couldn’t skip dim sum! The Crab Meat Soup Dumplings had a slightly thicker skin but were filled with flavorful broth—you’ll want to eat them while they’re hot for the best experience. The Shrimp Dumplings were generously stuffed, and the shrimp inside was enormous and fresh.

Since my father is Cantonese, we had to order the Beef Chow Ho Fun. While the portion wasn’t as large as what you’d find in Chinatown, it’s the West Village, so the pricing reflects that. That said, the flavors were solid and well-balanced.

My personal favorite was the Shredded Eggplant with Hot Garlic Sauce. The eggplant had a great chew—not too soft, not too firm—just perfect.

The biggest surprise of the meal? What I initially thought was dessert—a gorgeous lychee-shaped treat, delicately arranged on a decorative bonsai plant. Turns out, it was actually fried shrimp balls! The presentation was stunning, and the creativity behind it made this a...

Today, I had the pleasure of dining at a restaurant in Manhattan that serves authentic Suzhou cuisine. It was a delightful and unforgettable experience!👍

From the moment I sat down, I could sense the meticulous care and refinement in every dish. The meal began with a plate of stir-fried noodles coated in a rich, savory sauce. The texture of the noodles was perfectly balanced—neither too soft nor too firm—and every bite carried the deep aroma of the sauce, transporting me to the charming alleys of Suzhou and evoking the comforting flavors of traditional home-cooked meals.

Next came a refreshing and flavorful stir-fried rice with cured meat and fresh greens. The rice was perfectly cooked with each grain distinct, infused with the smoky richness of the cured meat and the subtle sweetness of the vegetables. It was a harmonious blend of flavors, both light and satisfying—a true classic.❤️

The meal concluded with a deeply memorable slow-cooked soup. The broth was clear yet rich, brimming with the natural flavors of fresh, high-quality ingredients and prepared with an authentic Jiangnan cooking style. One sip was all it took to feel transported to the misty water towns of southern China, where the simplicity and purity of life are celebrated. It was both nourishing and heartwarming.😋

This restaurant has truly captured the essence of Suzhou cuisine, showcasing the chef’s craftsmanship and passion in every dish. If you’re a fan of Jiangnan-style dishes, this place is an absolute must-try! I am so grateful for this sumptuous feast and the warmth and joy it...