Bodai NYC

“We really enjoyed the experience: food was tasty; every plate was beautifully presented. The service was fantastic. I really like its decor from furnitures to table menu packaging a wonderful dining experience. We will definitely return for the next seasonal menu.”

“Bodai Vegan serves imperial-style Chinese cuisine on Midtown's east side. The food is light and clean; the chef prepares ingredients minimally so you taste the natural, earthy flavors. Served as a progressive prix fixe menu, dishes arrive one after the other. We started with a delightful five-flavor plate--each bite focusing on a different taste profile--plus cucumber-sauced mushrooms and a grounding Bodhi Buddha soup. Rich matsutake mushrooms and sweet-and-sour riblets followed, paired with bowl-steamed rice and noodles, before finishing with a refreshing sweet potato dessert. Service is smooth. Our server, Hannah, paced the courses briskly and professionally, perfect since we had a show afterward. Still, block out at least an hour and a half to truly enjoy the thoughtfully curated meal. The space is fully wheelchair friendly with wide pathways. Because it is strictly reservation-only, plan ahead. It works beautifully for celebrations or a romantic evening.”

“This was probably the best Chinese food that I had ever had. Every course was meticulously made and had a unique taste, the chef put so much thought into each dish and used the vegan ingredients in such an artful way that even a non-vegetarian like me enjoyed the food so much. The waitresses were very courteous and professional. They didn’t only bring the food onto the table but also introduced the culture and chef’s thoughts behind each dish, making me feel I was not only eating food but also experiencing the culture. Their service was very timely, there was almost no wait between courses. I could feel they were paying attention to us all the time. The decor in the restaurant is very interesting too, with lanterns hanging on the ceiling and interesting plants, calligraphy artworks and pottery exhibits around. The restaurant has a very private setting; there is no large sign in front of the door, and you need to push the doorbell for someone to bring you in. But once you are inside, you feel like special guests. Comparing with other tasting restaurants, the $99/person price is well worth it, and I highly recommend.”

“Looking for a unique dinner in Midtown? Bodai is a hidden oasis transporting you straight to China. Their 9 course tasting menu offers a unique dining experience which reminded me of some restaurants I’ve been to in China (which were much bigger, however). If you love mushrooms, you’re in for a treat - most courses feature them, which I loved! The courses have unique names as well and my favorite was “Bodhi Buddha jumps over the wall”, a velvety soup with various mushrooms and an incredibly deep flavor. The restaurant is very small and intimate. Presentation was absolutely stunning, each dish served on a plate/bowl more beautiful than the previous one. You have to pay when you reserve on Tock and it’s 99$ per person, which is absolutely fair for this experience. There’s one aspect I did not like: the crazy high drink prices. A glass of wine or a beer is 24$, so we both stuck with water (especially given that the options weren’t that interesting to me). Teas were also very expensive (and I prefer not to drink caffeine at night). Overall, I’d definitely recommend you check it out - and maybe get a drink at the Waldorf before or after to make a night out of it (and yes, that might be cheaper, too)!”

“Check out my I G lawyer.traveler.dreamer for more footage of our experience. Bodai in Midtown Manhattan offers a rare and memorable dining experience. The restaurant blends Buddhist philosophy with royal vegetarian cuisine inspired by the Qing Palace. It was my first time trying a full vegetarian tasting menu, and I was impressed by how flavorful and creative every dish was. The mushroom dishes stood out the most, especially the Stichotas japonicus with cucumber sauce, the pan-seared boletus with green millet, and the Nepal mushroom quinoa with pepper sauce. Each course felt balanced and intentional—low oil, low sugar, and focused on natural taste. Even traditional dishes like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and zhajiang noodles were reimagined beautifully. The dessert, called “Nectar of the Core,” was light and refreshing. Dining at Bodai feels like a calm, thoughtful journey through color, texture, and flavor. If you’re looking for an elevated vegetarian meal in NYC, this is worth a visit.”