Yunnan BBQ
(Now Closed)Chinese Restaurant$$$$
Lower East Side, New York
Has a stamp of approval from Travel + Leisure and Serious Eats
96 Tips and reviews
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Ina LiDecember 12, 2015Best modern Chinese food in New York. Dishes are cooked in traditional ways but all with an American twist. Must try: chicken wings, pork ribs, duck breast and their cocktails (Azelea and Yunnan gold)
Celena ChanAugust 16, 2015Ordered 3 small plates and 1 main for 2. More than enough food, the shrimp app and mushrooms were great. I loved how the goat mapo tofu had chunks of meat-- a nice surprise and hearty dish!
Rory ParnessMarch 26, 2014The addictive Sichuan wings are lip numbingly spicy with a nice touch of chili sweetness. Make sure you save some mushroom rice cakes to cool your mouth down (and about a gallon of water)
Joanna FlammJuly 10, 2012Everything we ate here was totally delicious. Potato balls are like fried heaven, and the spicy pork was great and not crazy spicy. Wine by the glass is on tap, which is eco-friendly and always fresh.
ErinJuly 10, 2012Mushroom rice cakes were not what we expected...in the best way possible. Try the tofu ribbon salad - super light. Wash down all of the spice with some draft wine (we had the syrah rose).
Village VoiceFebruary 10, 2014Village Voice is proud to welcome Yunnan Kitchen to the 2014 Choice Eats food fest!
A GFebruary 14, 2014really nice atmosphere and great cocktail selection. tapas style. definitely recommend the prawns, lamb meatballs, and mushroom dish. the charred eggplant was too cold and wet.
Travel + LeisureJune 4, 2013Start with stir-fried mushrooms at this brick-walled Chinese restaurant that imbues local produce with Yunnanese flavors. Other highlights: sausage fried rice, shredded chicken with taro.
I've tried just about everything on the menu at this point. Favorites include: tofu ribbon salad and the mushroom rice cakes. Don't forget to pay with Cover.
DailyCandyDecember 30, 2013"A room full of owner Erika Chou’s overseas market finds set the stage for shared plates of celery and gingko; crisped shrimp with fried lime leaves; and charred eggplant with peanuts and chilies."
Shana CarpAugust 16, 2012The tofu skin noodles are crazy yummy and unlike any other Asian fish I've had. On the other hand, the crispy skin chicken, while delicious, was so spicy that I lost feeling in my mouth.
Umi Hashitsume FrancisSeptember 7, 2012Cold noodles and delicious and large - great for sharing! Rice cakes are generous, as well. Spicy pork skewers and delicious, along with the head on shrimp! Loved everything.
Berk KapiciogluJuly 11, 2015If you think you know Chinese cuisine, think again. Get the lamb shao kao, the fried rice, and the Pomelo salad. Get bunch of plates and share among friends.
This place is amazing. Everything is good. It's about two plates per person and I recommend sharing. The cold noodles were a standout dish for me.
Cameron AckroydJune 19, 2012The lamb meatballs--everyone says to get them. Everyone is correct. They're unreal good and the best value in the city. Also, the potato balls. Get those too. So tasty.
DinaApril 24, 2014Delicious, subtle and often surprising food of North Weat China, great ingredients and simple, spot-on cooking. Several healthy, vegetarian choices.
BlackBook MagazineDecember 14, 2012As China’s southernmost province, Yunnan cuisine draws influence from nearby Thailand & Vietnam. Chef Travis Post (late of Franny's) turns out the bright flavors of traditional Yunnan cuisine. Read more
Michelle CheungNovember 3, 2012Some of the best and unique Chinese food I've tasted in NYC (and good Chinese food is rare). I recommend most things but I'd stay away from the grilled skewers.
My go-to designer Chinese place in the neighborhood. Can't go wrong with the goat mapo tofu and the duck fried rice.
Matt HealyMay 11, 2014It's mostly small plates, so make sure to come with a bunch of people so you can try everything. Because everything is amazing.
Cheap Best HiddenDecember 14, 2015If you're the kind of person that likes soy in their cocktails, Yunnan has dope street-inspired food, and a holiday cocktail called the Smooth Operator. Read more
The New Yorker ManagerSeptember 6, 2012"...it's hard not to fall for the playful innovation of the menu, derived loosely from a food tour the owner and chef took through China" -Hannah Goldfield from the 9/10/12 issue:
Bryan WolffSeptember 11, 2012Worlds removed from what we've gotten to acquaint with "Chinese for dinner", Yunnan Kitchen serves up a delicious menu of tasty, healthy and herby food from Asia. Budget: $20 max.
Ham rice cakes are not your mama's rice cake. Savory, saucy goodness. Tofu ribbon salad is a ribbon winner in my book. Crisp, fresh, yet spicy.
Janelle J.March 15, 2013Food is pretty salty, but yummy. The chrysanthemum salad is great. Lamb meatballs are amazing. I'd skip the fried pork belly though, it's good, but nothing surprising and unusual.
Kate FurmanMay 27, 2015Similar to Mission Chinese but not as crowded. Try the goat mapo tofu with rice.
Honghui YuMay 9, 2015The braised pork fried rice is the best fried rice I've had in the city, only wish it came in larger portions!
The ham rice cakes are great. Check out the wings (with Sichuan peppercorns) and a Tsingtao. Don't forget to pay with Cover!
AmateurConciergeJanuary 9, 2016The meats here are tender and aggressively seasoned (in a good way). Good veggie apps. I didn't like the chicken wings: smoky and too much meat per skin.
Serious EatsMarch 18, 2013Yunnan Chinese cooking with modern sensibilities. Mostly shareable small plates with light, bright flavors.
MonishaOctober 7, 2013Lamb meatballs are to die for! Packed with flavor and juicy. I'd also recommend the Papaya salad.
Carlos SanchezSeptember 27, 2014Great ambience, awesome food (meatballs were so juicy), hipster. Strongly recommend.
Brandon YnayanMarch 8, 2014Most innovative Chinese food I've had for a while. Must try: Lamb meatballs and the Chinese sausage fried rice.
Zayed KhanNovember 9, 2013Hit or miss. The lamb meatballs are amazing and packed with flavour. Chicken wings are great and spicy as hell. But both orders of our fried rice were too hard. And the pork belly was too salty.
Amber MarlowJanuary 29, 2013We were two people and got two orders of rice cakes. This proved robe excessive. The mushroom rice cakes are the best.
Kaitlin YapchaianMay 26, 2012With six or more, for ordering efficiency, work backwards by choosing the few things as a group that you *don't* want. Potato balls are my favorite.
Laura ChinJuly 15, 2012If you like lamb, you'll love the lamb meatballs. If you don't like lamb, you'll still love the lamb meatballs.
Jen BJuly 7, 2013Absolutely delicious, even for a vegetarian. Great flavors, atmosphere, service, and prices.
Jee Hae LeeDecember 20, 2015the smooth operator cocktail was different but most importantly delicious
DishEnvyOctober 2, 2012The shredded chicken with taro is unlike anything we've had before and is a definite must try.
Dom GoodrumNovember 21, 2012Green Papaya salad and spicy chicken rice. Tonight is my second meal here, third coming soon. Delicious.
StylesightSeptember 4, 2012Delicious small plates of Asian food off the beaten path in the hip Lower East Side.
EmilyAugust 30, 2012Come here hungry and ready to share. The lamb meatballs, shredded chicken and woodear mushrooms are TDF.
Emily TaingJanuary 20, 2013Best papaya salad I've ever had... excluding my mom's. lamb meatballs and potato balls FTW.
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A new take on classic Chinese BBQ using local and market driven ingredients.
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Tue–Sat
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Sun
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
(212) 253-2527
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
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Dinner
Drinks
Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
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