Blue Willow – Chinese
Blue Willow transports guests into a sophisticated realm where the delicate artistry of classic porcelain meets the bold, fiery spirit of authentic Chinese soul food. Amidst an atmosphere of understated elegance, the kitchen orchestrates a symphony of numbing Sichuan peppercorns, aromatic garlic, and silken textures that turn every shared plate into a vivid celebration of tradition and spice.
40 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019 +1-212-213-2299 https://www.bluewillownyc.com/Rating: 4.4/5 (1815 reviews)
Cuisine: Chinese
Price range: $$
Dietary options: high-protein, dairy-free, nut-free, low-carb, keto, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, halal, paleo, diabetic, sugar-free, low-fat, pescatarian, heart-healthy, plant-based, mediterranean, atkins, south-beach, anti-inflammatory, clean-eating, low-cholesterol, gerd, carnivore, volumetrics, tlc, detox, alkaline, raw-food, candida, lectin-free, mayo-clinic, macrobiotic, pegan
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Friday
- 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday - Sunday
- 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
What diners are saying
Diners rave about this spot's authentic Hunan and Szechuan cuisine, praising the generous portions and bold, spicy flavors. Guests are captivated by the elegant, 1920s/30s Shanghai-inspired atmosphere, describing the vibe as vibrant, classical, and suave. Standout dishes include the Mapo tofu, spicy sauteed intestines, eggplant and pepper, and unique desserts like sweet osmanthus jelly noodles. Reviewers consistently highlight the friendly, knowledgeable service and helpful staff who guide ordering. While it can get busy, the overall experience is celebrated as a "bomb" culinary outing.
Menu
- Spicy Pork Spare Ribs - $14: Seasoned baby back ribs, dried red chili, crushed peanuts Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Atkins
- Spicy Beef or Chicken Skewers - $13: Choice of beef or chicken skewers seasoned with mixed spices, crushed peanuts | 3 pcs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Paleo, Atkins, South-Beach
- Godmother’s Chicken Wings - $14: Topped w/ Lao Gan Ma Chilli oil, crushed peanuts Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free
- Salt & Pepper Calamari - $15: Crispy calamari, garlic, pepper, spicy mayo dip Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Salt & Pepper Prawns - $15: Crispy shrimp, garlic, pepper, onions Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Sweet & Sticky Spare Ribs - $14: Sweet and sticky glazed ribs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Chengdu Spicy Wontons - $10: Pork wontons, mala chilli oil, spring onions Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Pork Soup Dumplings - $14: 6 pcs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Chicken Truffle Mushroom Soup Dumpling - $18: 6 pcs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Scallion Pancake - $8: Paired with house soy vinegar sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Cholesterol
- Fried Dumplings - $10: Choice of pork or vegetable Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Lucky Golden Buns - $10: 6 pcs Dietary tags: Nut-Free
- Steamed Dumplings - $10: Choice of pork or vegetable Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Shanghai Shumai - $10: Steamed savory mushroom & pork sticky rice dumplings | 4 pcs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Low-Fat
- Crystal Shrimp Dumplings - $9: 4 pcs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Fat
- Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls - $5: Mixed vegetables and egg, paired with duck sauce | 2 pcs Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Cucumber Salad - $10: Chopped cucumbers in garlic, chilli vinaigrette Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Low-Cholesterol, Raw-Food, Volumetrics, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Pegan
- Scallion Chicken - $14: Chilled chicken with scallion oil Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Candida
- Tofu Salad - $10: Sliced tofu, sesame oil, garlic, bird’s eye chilli, cilantro Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic
- Century Egg Salad - $12: Thousand-year preserved egg, house chilli sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Atkins
- Garlic Sauced Pork Belly - $14: Thinly sliced pork belly and cucumber in a spicy garlic marinade Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Atkins
- Husband & Wife Special - $15: Ox tongue, tripe, peppercorn oil, cilantro, minced peanuts Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Diabetic, Atkins
- Angry Frog - $32: Wok-tossed frog, garlic, fragrant ginger, peppers Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Atkins
- Spicy Sautéed Intestines - $26: Crispy pork intestines, lotus root, dried red pepper Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Mao Xue Wang - $34: Duck blood, tripe, beef aorta, spam, bean sprouts, peppercorn Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Atkins
- Real-Deal Cumin Lamb - $26: Juicy lamb, Sichuan pepper, ground cumin Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Halal, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Atkins
- Chengdu Dan Dan Noodles - $13: Spicy chilli peanut and sesame sauce, minced pork, spinach Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free
- Chilled Sesame Noodles - $13: Sesame paste, vinegar, sesame seeds, sliced cucumber Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Cholesterol
- Beef Brine Rice Noodles - $19: sliced beef, pickled peppers, peanuts Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
- Hunan Stir Fried Noodles - $18: Pork and vegetables Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Roasted Peking Duck (Half) - $42: Served w/ thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, sliced scallion and cucumber Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Roasted Peking Duck (Whole) - $88: Served w/ thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, sliced scallion and cucumber Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Sliced Fatty Beef - $8: Dry pot add-on Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, Carnivore, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Pork Belly - $7: Dry pot add-on Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, Carnivore, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Shrimp - $8: Dry pot add-on Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, GERD-Friendly, Carnivore, TLC, Mayo-Clinic, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Lunch: General Tso’s Chicken - $16: Crispy chicken, broccoli, glazed with sweet & spicy sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Lunch: Mapo Tofu - $16: Silken tofu w/ minced pork, Sichuan peppercorn Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
Frequently Asked Questions about Blue Willow
- Is this a good spot for a date or special occasion?
- Blue Willow is ideal for dates, featuring an elegant 1920s Shanghai-inspired atmosphere and suave vibe with a 4.4/5 rating.
- What percentage of this menu works for vegan, keto, gluten-free, or low-carb diets?
- Keto and low-carb options include Mao Xue Wang, Cumin Lamb, and Garlic Sauced Pork Belly, while Century Egg Salad is also gluten-free.
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Popular dishes praised by diners include Mapo tofu, spicy sauteed intestines, eggplant and pepper, and sweet osmanthus jelly noodles.
- What should first-time visitors know about this restaurant?
- Visitors should expect bold, spicy Hunan and Szechuan cuisine, generous portions, and helpful service in an elegant 1920s Shanghai-inspired atmosphere.
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- Blue Willow features a 1920s/30s Shanghai-inspired atmosphere, authentic Hunan and Szechuan cuisine, and unique desserts like sweet osmanthus jelly noodles.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- The provided restaurant data does not contain information regarding the specific number of reviews for Blue Willow.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Authentic Chinese soul food specializing in bold Szechuan and Hunan cuisine featuring Mapo tofu and spicy pork spare ribs.
- Is this restaurant suitable for families?
- Blue Willow is suitable for families, offering generous portions of shared plates and helpful staff who guide the ordering process.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- Blue Willow offers good value at a moderate ($$) price level, with a 4.4/5 rating and reviews highlighting its generous portions.
- What are this restaurant's hours of operation?
- The provided restaurant data for Blue Willow does not include information regarding its specific hours of operation.