Yingtao

Only Chinese restaurant in NYC with Michelin star (as of visit). Hell's Kitchen location opened end of 2023. First-time restaurateur Bulan Yao with head chef Jacob Baster (formerly Michelin-starred Danielle). Days after visit, announced Chef Emily Yuen as new executive chef. Name "Yangtao" from Bulan's late grandmother, means "cherry" in Mandarin. Awarded Michelin star end of 2024 (impressive first-year achievement, especially as Bulan's first restaurant). 8-course tasting menu $165. Sleek modern look, open kitchen view, casual laid-back fun feel despite fine dining status. Personalized name cards for every party. Washroom features stack of fake money. Bar offers a la carte ordering. Two wine pairings available (six-glass wine or six-glass non-alcoholic). Reviewer's 101st Michelin-starred restaurant (now "over 100"). First Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant reviewer visited was Cafe China (over decade ago, no longer has star)

The reviewer dined at Yingtao and was impressed by the restaurant’s meticulous service and thoughtful touches, such as personalized name cards. The experience stood out among New York’s Michelin-starred options, with Yingtao being the only Chinese restaurant currently holding that distinction. The meal was memorable and enjoyable, prompting the reviewer to recommend Yingtao as a must-visit for anyone seeking top-tier Chinese cuisine in the city.

The jiaozi tells you everything about Yangtao: "Once those flavors hit my palate, I could care less about the world surrounding me." That dumpling soup earned an easy 10/10 with its layered broth balancing corn sweetness and truffle richness, wrapped around perfectly textured dumplings with tender meat. Even the server called it her favorite, and she was right. The must-orders are clear: that jiaozi, the toast supplement (buttery perfection topped with mushroom jam and duck that justified every extra dollar), and the sweet potato-truffle-uni bao that was simply incredible. The trout delivered with its seared top and vibrant sauce, while the spring roll proved that even familiar dishes can surprise with texturally perfect execution. At $165 for eight courses, Yangtao occupies smart territory for a Michelin-starred tasting menu, though the final bill climbs to about $260 with wine, supplements, tax, and tip. That's the reality of fine dining, but the value is there—especially as NYC's only Chinese Michelin-starred restaurant right now. You're getting familiar Chinese flavors elevated in ways you don't often see, even if you know the cuisine well. The downsides? The booth seating ran tight (though they offered to move him), and he regretted skipping the second supplement at just $19. The wagyu short rib could've been more tender and the portion larger, but these are minor gripes in an otherwise exceptional meal where every dish delivered. The personalized name cards, casual-despite-fine-dining atmosphere, and open kitchen views add polish without pretension. This is Chinese cuisine getting the Michelin treatment it deserves, and it should be prioritized over NYC's crowded field of starred restaurants simply because it's doing something different. Worth returning to, just not every week—Restaurant Week exists for a reason.