The stunning decor and dim lighting was something that cast an immediate curiosity. It was a mystery, and from the many people dining there at 7:30 p.m., only two and a half hours from opening, I could already tell the food was going to amazing. Buddakan, a restaurant located in the Chelsea Market area of New York City, was a prime area to place a beautiful Asian restaurant.

The lounge was flooded with the feeling of relaxation and serenity, and I excitedly opened the menu.

My tastebuds tingled, itching to taste anything from the descriptions of each dish and drink. It was magical, each one captivating. I couldn’t help but want to order the entire menu.

In the end, my family and I had narrowed our choices down to four apps and two main courses.

We started with oxtail dumplings, scallion pancakes with short ribs, rock shrimp, and yellowtail with jalapeño. Dinner consisted of mongolian lamb chops and lobster fried rice with two veggie dishes, including broccoli and cauliflower.

If that doesn’t describe a food lover’s dream, I don’t know what does. Each dish was unique, not only in it’s presentation, but also in its taste.

Different flavors burst through my mouth each time I took a bite. My favorite appetizer was the scallion pancakes with short ribs. The scallion pancakes were something I had never eaten before, so the unique flavoring was particularly pleasing.

The drink I had was called Harmony, a iced peach infused green tea with lime. Each sip gave me tingles all the way down to my toes.

Out of everything I ate there, however, my top dish was the two desserts we ordered: a molten chocolate lava cake, and pistachio ice cream.

When the delicious dishes came out, it was as though everything around me disappeared, and I zeroed in on it. It didn’t matter that I was stuffed to the core, it was the one thing that I needed to complete my experience there.

The experience was completely and utterly heavenly. The prices were moderately to high priced, however completely worth it.
All I know for sure is that next time I’m in New York, I’d definitely be hitting up Buddakan again.