CheLi - Manhattan

“I usually don't write reviews unless I've been exceptionally wow-ed. Our server, Tingting, was absolutely amazing. She's super kind and elevated our experience to one that we would remember for years. I would happily recommend everyone to try this gorgeous restaurant. If you're looking for an authentic zhejiang experience, look no further: it's CheLi. It's not just the environment, or the food, but the service that that took us back to China.”

“Had a great meal at Cheli, really solid spot overall. Crispy Smoked Fish: 5/5, perfectly fried with a nice crunch and a great sweet and sour sauce. Just watch out for small bones. Sweet and Sour Eel: 3.5/5, tender and flavorful but a bit too oily. Longjin Shrimp: 5/5, best dish of the night. Super tender, melt in your mouth with a great vinegar pairing. Lotus Pond Stir Fry: 4/5, light, fresh, and flavorful. Would recommend. West Lake Minced Beef Soup: 3.5/5, slightly darker and richer than expected but still decent. Hot Stone Vegetable and Pork Rice: 4.5/5, crispy rice with plenty of toppings. Great balance to the meal. Jasmine Tea Pudding: 4/5, strong floral flavor at first but grew on me. Overall, really enjoyed it and would come back.”

“The interior is unique and adds a lot of character to the restaurant, creating a fun and memorable atmosphere. The servers were friendly, and most of them speak Mandarin, which made communication easy. The food was good overall, though not particularly outstanding. One highlight was the fried pumpkin with salted egg yolk—perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, and definitely a must-try. The crab minced tofu, however, lacked a strong crab flavor, which was a bit disappointing. The house fish stew with mustard greens leaned a little too sour for my taste. They also have some fun and creative presentations, including dishes with fire elements, which adds to the experience. The chicken wrapped in leaves was a bit overhyped and smaller than expected, although the meat itself was tender and well-cooked. Overall, a solid dining experience with a great ambiance, but the flavors didn’t quite reach the same level as the presentation.”

“We made a reservation for our group of 5, and we had such an amazing experience! The ambiance was stunning. Hezen was a great server and ensured proper service. Our food came out quickly and everything was delicious, especially the braised pork belly and golden egg fried rice.”

“Unique and delicious meal in a special atmosphere. Friendly, helpful staff. With reservations, we were seated immediately on a Friday night. People without reservations were waiting as CheLi was bustling. Reasonable prices, generous portions. Loved the dumplings, Beggar's Chicken and sautéd green beans. "Crispy Lava", black sweet buns filled with warm, liquid duck egg custard made a wonderful dessert. Would love to go again and try more.”