Delicious Asian Cuisine in Chelsea

Asian Cuisine in Chelsea

Chelsea is one of NYC's trendiest and most interesting neighborhoods. There is so much to do and see including the fabulous Highline, which is something of an elevated park situated on what used to be train tracks and platforms.

During the warm weather months and even into the Fall, the Highline provides a serene, green escape from the concrete jungle below. Besides the Highline, though, there is so much more going on in Chelsea including a sterling collection of upscale boutiques for your shopping pleasure, art galleries galore, and inviting restaurants. You'll find just about every type of food imaginable here including some really intriguing Asian restaurants that are helmed by young chefs and restaurateurs who are reinventing traditional Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine.

Chop-Shop - Chelsea

Having opened its doors in 2012, Chop-Shop is a culinary collaboration between chefs Jason Li and Kevin Cheng together with partners Robert Wu and Danny Emerman, who is celebrated for his Italian cuisine at local Chelsea eatery Bottino. If you're looking for something a wee bit off the beaten path you've found it here. Chefs Jason and Kevin have successfully melded classic Chinese, Taiwanese, and Thai dishes into a signature "chop shop" of irresistible flavors.

This is most certainly NOT your father's Asian take-out fare. At the Chop-Shop contemporary sensibility and wizard-like culinary magic come together with classic comfort food. Get in the mood for a lovely evening by starting your meal with a warming bowl of tom yum soup. It's a taste sensation with a bevy of shrimp, manila clams and mushrooms along with lemongrass, tomatoes and evaporated milk, an ingredient that adds a touch of creaminess to the broth. The menu is divided up into different sections which makes ordering quite easy, depending on what you are craving. The large plates with rice portion of Chop-Shop's menu feature Murray's chicken panang curry, shrimp and eggplant green curry and the Szechuan orange beef. This dish gives you the earthiness of juicy beef along with a bright, refreshing zest of orange. Totally delish!

If noodles are your thing, order the spicy drunken noodles. Choose from shrimp, chicken, or tofu. Your noodles and protein are topped with eggs, bok choy, and Chinese broccoli. The cold and spicy sesame noodle dish is served with a peanut and sesame paste, a little hot oil and cucumbers.

Their drink list highlights wines imported from the world over including Italy, France and Japan, as well as domestic varieties.

But, make sure that you try one of the bar's excellent cocktails such as the lychee martini, made with Tito's vodka, organic lychee puree and fresh citrus juice. The mixologists here also do a neat Ludlow street Manhattan with Makers mark, Del Professore sweet vermouth and Luxardo cherry.

Location and Hours :
254 10th Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10001
(212) 820-0333
www.chopshop.com

Hours :
Monday to Saturday 12 pm to 9 pm
Sunday 4 pm to 8:30 pm

Buddakan - Chelsea

The perfect place to impress your date, Buddakan's vibe is decidedly upscale and the atmosphere is eclectic. There is a feast for the senses going on atop every table and throughout the dining room. The striking decor marries the serenity of Asia with the glittering and glamorous flamboyance of 16th-century Paris. Ornate chandeliers bring a subdued lighting scheme to the restaurant which blends in so very subtly with the dark wood paneled walls. The tableware is exquisite in both cleanliness and style. The Sun King himself would not feel out of place dining at Buddakan.

And, just like His Royal Highness, we all do like to be spoiled, from time to time. After all, that's what a night out on the town is all about. Not having to cook, clean dishes or look at the four walls of your tiny NYC apartment. The wait staff is highly trained in the fine art of pleasing the customer. You and your party will feel as though you are the ONLY guests in the restaurant that evening.....even if the house is full. Currently, Buddakan is featuring a sublime tasting menu that is available for parties of 4 or more. At $ 90 per person, this magnificent menu is, believe it or not, a genuine bargain. You will get to indulge in a generous selection of the chef's delectable appetizers, entrees and even desserts. Plus sides! So, you'd better come hungry. All items on the tasting menu are served at the center of the table and are designed for sharing. Buddakan's diverse a la carte menu offers many of the same dishes that appear on the chef's tasting table.

For your dining pleasure, Dim Sum selections include lobster egg rolls and Cantonese spring rolls along with General Tso's chicken dumplings which are served in a luscious hot and sour broth. You might also wish to try the crispy cauliflower lollipops, accompanied by truffles and sweet rice. As far as entrees go, a very light yet satisfying offering is the Cantonese steamed sole that is dressed in ginger, scallion oil and a little bit of soy sauce. On the heartier side is Chinese sausage fried rice that comes with an unctuous soft poached egg on top. Yummy! Yummy! Don't sleep on the wok-tossed noodles and prawns or the wild mushroom chow fun. You can't miss out on either one. For a romantic dinner, order the Peking duck for two. Now, Chinese cuisine is not really renowned for its desserts. You totally don't hear much about it. But, you should. The chefs at Buddakan hit the mark and then some with some very memorable sweet endings. For chocoholics, the must-get dessert is the crying chocolate. This absolutely sinful concoction blends a malted chocolate ganache with Vietnamese coffee ice cream. Need we say more?

The black sesame yuzu mousse cake is so very smooth. The honey-ginger glaze will make your mouth come alive with happiness as well as that scoop of Mandarin orange sorbet that rests atop your slice of cake. A nice shot of Suntory whiskey, creme anglaise and passion fruit are the ingredients that will brighten up your evening when you end your meal with the matcha floating island.

Location and Hours :
75 Ninth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10011
(212) 989-6699
www.buddakannyc.com

Hours :
Monday to Thursday 5 pm to 11 pm
Friday 5 pm to 12 am
Saturday 4 pm to 12 am
Sunday 4 pm to 11 pm

Som Bo - Chelsea

Situated on a busy corner of Chelsea, Som Bo translates, in Cantonese, to "three treasures". The restaurant's core values are health, community and culture. Co-owners Russell Yam and Kitty Tsang's mission is to make diners look at Asian food in a new light and break the stigma that it is greasy, full of MSG and not really healthy for you. Judging from the way that Som Bo has established itself as THE place to go for superior Chinese/ Asian fusion food, they are off to a fantastic start. Their philosophy can be summed up in one sentence. "At Som Bo, we believe that you shouldn't have to choose healthy over satisfying or flavor." The restaurant itself has a sleek, contemporary "cafe" feel. The large picture windows are great for people watching while enjoying a leisurely meal.

Entree-style protein options include grilled lemongrass chicken. You get a juicy, antibiotic-free chicken thigh that's dressed in ginger, lemon juice and a scallion-infused EVOO blend. Doesn't that sound both healthy and delicious? Another intriguing choice is the Alaskan wild salmon which is served in a light soy broth together with a touch of ginger and star anise.
A real treat for your taste buds is the five-spice pork dish which consists of a nice portion of shredded pork shoulder with fish sauce, ripe tomatoes, apple cider vinegar and sambal chili. Every protein is served with a base. Options include sweet potato noodles with carrots, organic brown rice dressed with lime juice and parsley and Som Bo's divine vegan, gluten-free black multi-grain rice which contains antioxidants. It is no exaggeration to say that you could make a meal out of their delectable sides. And, the good news is that, for just $10.50, you can! Skip the protein and indulge in your inner green goddess with Som Bo's three sides plates. There are so many options you'll have a hard time deciding which trio of sides to enjoy. One of the stars of Som Bo's very special sides menu is the Yuzu beet salad which is made with roasted beets, yuzu, miso, rice vinegar, sesame oil and furikake. Regulars here just love the Asian edamame slaw. An intoxicating sesame lime vinaigrette envelops a mound of cabbage slaw, edamame, cilantro and shredded carrots. You can also go with the charred brussels sprouts, roasted corn and edamame or the very inventive scrambled eggs that are stir-fried with blistered tomatoes and tomato sauce.

Location and Hours :
143 8th Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10011
(917) 261-7947
www.sombofood.com

Hours :
Monday to Friday 10:45 am to 10:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 10 pm

Juban - Chelsea

The culinary team and front-of-the-house staff at Juban are committed to bringing you an elevated and creative Japanese dining experience amidst a relaxed yet trendy ambiance. At Juban every meal is designed for discovery and to bring joy to you. It's so very appropriate that Juban is located in the heart of Chelsea's gallery district because you will find captivating works of art just about everywhere you look on the premises. The restaurant's walls display oversized murals depicting traditional Japanese art as well abstract paintings whose blends of color are so vivid they seem to jump right out at you. Attention Instagram fans and influencers; have your phones ready. The beauty of the chef's dishes matches the gorgeous surroundings.

Settle in for a fantastic evening with a glass of premium sake or a delicious cocktail. A full line of imported sake is available in the 4 oz. glass, in a carafe, or by the bottle. It's up to you. Imported and domestic beers and wine can also be had upon request. The Kyuri Momi is a refreshing cocktail that blends cucumber-infused Wodka vodka and Izumi Judan Ginjo sake with fresh muddled cucumbers. Suntory Toki whiskey and Yuzu sake are the main ingredients of the bar's wonderful Tokyo Sour. As far as the Ginger martini goes, the stars of the show are fresh muddled ginger, Wodka vodka and house-made lemonade. The dinner menu will certainly open your eyes to just how diverse Japanese cuisine can be. To kick things off, the fried shishito peppers (hot and mild) make for a great appetizer as does the seaweed salad and the cauliflower tempura with mentaiko mayo. One of the kitchen's specialties is skewers, which are very artfully presented. You get two skewers per order and choices range from momo chicken thighs and tsukune chicken meatballs to grilled sausages and king oyster mushrooms. There's even an oh-so-colorful veggie skewer on the menu.

Popular entrees include Kobe beef with crispy garlic rice, octopus kara-age and the fork-tender saikoro steak. If you are so inclined, order some sushi or sashimi. You won't be disappointed. When dining here, keep in mind Juban's "Rules of the House". It's good advice and could also apply to life in general.

1 Good vibes only
2 Ask questions
3 Order enough food
4 Please be patient
5 Have a good time!

Location and Hours :
207 Tenth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10011
(646) 398-9770
www.jubannyc.com

Hours :
Monday Closed
Tuesday to Thursday 4:30 pm to 10 pm
Friday and Saturday 4:30 pm to 11 pm
Sunday 4:30 pm to 10 pm