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: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, keto, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at Blue Willow
Dairy-Free at Blue Willow
Blue Willow in New York has 11 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Scallion Chicken, Spicy Sautéed Intestines and Sliced Fatty Beef. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Blue Willow
Blue Willow in New York has 8 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Scallion Chicken, Spicy Sautéed Intestines and Sliced Fatty Beef. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Blue Willow
Blue Willow in New York has 11 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Century Egg Salad, Salt & Pepper Calamari and Lucky Golden Buns. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at Blue Willow
Blue Willow in New York has 1 keto-tagged dish on its current menu, including Cucumber Salad. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Blue Willow
Blue Willow in New York has 5 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Spicy Sautéed Intestines, Salt & Pepper Calamari and Salt & Pepper Prawns. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Blue Willow
Blue Willow in New York has 5 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Lucky Golden Buns, Tofu Salad and Chilled Sesame Noodles. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Blue Willow
Blue Willow in New York has 7 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Century Egg Salad, Lucky Golden Buns and Tofu Salad. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Blue Willow
Blue Willow in New York has 6 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Lucky Golden Buns, Scallion Pancake and Crystal Shrimp Dumplings. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Blue Willow
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu Dan Dan Noodles | 118 g | 70.3 g |
| Mao Xue Wang | 13.1 g | 51.2 g |
| Sliced Fatty Beef | 32.7 g | 51.2 g |
| Husband & Wife Special | 10.1 g | 34.8 g |
| Spicy Pork Spare Ribs | 36.1 g | 30.1 g |
| Tofu Salad | 37 g | 29.3 g |
| Chilled Sesame Noodles | 0 g | 28.4 g |
| Salt & Pepper Calamari | 15.2 g | 24.1 g |
| Real-Deal Cumin Lamb | 26.7 g | 16.1 g |
| Chengdu Spicy Wontons | 31.8 g | 10 g |
| Roasted Peking Duck (Whole) | 72 g | 10 g |
| Roasted Peking Duck (Half) | 56.8 g | 9.5 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
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
Bar Tapas
Small plates and snacks
- Spicy Pork Spare Ribs - $14: Seasoned baby back ribs, dried red chili, crushed peanuts Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Renal
- Spicy Beef or Chicken Skewers - $13: Choice of beef or chicken skewers seasoned with mixed spices, crushed peanuts | 3 pcs
- Godmother’s Chicken Wings - $14: Topped w/ Lao Gan Ma Chilli oil, crushed peanuts
- Salt & Pepper Calamari - $15: Crispy calamari, garlic, pepper, spicy mayo dip Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Halal, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach
- Salt & Pepper Prawns - $15: Crispy shrimp, garlic, pepper, onions Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, High-Fiber, Alkaline, Slow-Carb, Soy Free
- Sweet & Sticky Spare Ribs - $14: Sweet and sticky glazed ribs
Dim Sum
Traditional steamed and fried dumplings
- Chengdu Spicy Wontons - $10: Pork wontons, mala chilli oil, spring onions Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
- Pork Soup Dumplings - $14: 6 pcs Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal
- Chicken Truffle Mushroom Soup Dumpling - $18: 6 pcs
- Scallion Pancake - $8: Paired with house soy vinegar sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, GERD-Friendly, TLC
- Fried Dumplings - $10: Choice of pork or vegetable Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Renal
- Lucky Golden Buns - $10: 6 pcs Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic
- Steamed Dumplings - $10: Choice of pork or vegetable Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC
- Shanghai Shumai - $10: Steamed savory mushroom & pork sticky rice dumplings | 4 pcs
- Crystal Shrimp Dumplings - $9: 4 pcs Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC
- Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls - $5: Mixed vegetables and egg, paired with duck sauce | 2 pcs Dietary tags: Low-Fat, GERD-Friendly
Cold Plates
Refreshing chilled appetizers
- Cucumber Salad - $10: Chopped cucumbers in garlic, chilli vinaigrette Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Slow-Carb, Soy Free
- Scallion Chicken - $14: Chilled chicken with scallion oil Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Volumetrics, AIP, Renal, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Tofu Salad - $10: Sliced tofu, sesame oil, garlic, bird’s eye chilli, cilantro Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Alkaline
- Century Egg Salad - $12: Thousand-year preserved egg, house chilli sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Soy Free
- Garlic Sauced Pork Belly - $14: Thinly sliced pork belly and cucumber in a spicy garlic marinade
- Husband & Wife Special - $15: Ox tongue, tripe, peppercorn oil, cilantro, minced peanuts Dietary tags: South-Beach, High-Fiber, Slow-Carb
Specialty Dishes
Signature house specialties
- Angry Frog - $32: Wok-tossed frog, garlic, fragrant ginger, peppers Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Slow-Carb, Soy Free
- Spicy Sautéed Intestines - $26: Crispy pork intestines, lotus root, dried red pepper Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, South-Beach, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, Slow-Carb, Soy Free
- Mao Xue Wang - $34: Duck blood, tripe, beef aorta, spam, bean sprouts, peppercorn
- Real-Deal Cumin Lamb - $26: Juicy lamb, Sichuan pepper, ground cumin Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, TLC, Renal
Noodles
Traditional noodle dishes
- Chengdu Dan Dan Noodles - $13: Spicy chilli peanut and sesame sauce, minced pork, spinach Dietary tags: High-Fiber
- Chilled Sesame Noodles - $13: Sesame paste, vinegar, sesame seeds, sliced cucumber Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic
- Beef Brine Rice Noodles - $19: sliced beef, pickled peppers, peanuts
- Hunan Stir Fried Noodles - $18: Pork and vegetables
Beijing Duck
Traditional roasted duck
- Roasted Peking Duck (Half) - $42: Served w/ thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, sliced scallion and cucumber
- Roasted Peking Duck (Whole) - $88: Served w/ thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, sliced scallion and cucumber Dietary tags: GERD-Friendly
Mala Dry Pot
Stir-fried Sichuan pot using multiple ingredients with strong, complex mala flavors. (min. 5 selections)
- Sliced Fatty Beef - $8: Dry pot add-on Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, AIP, Renal, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Pork Belly - $7: Dry pot add-on Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Renal
- Shrimp - $8: Dry pot add-on Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
Lunch Special
Weekdays only 11:30am–3:00pm. Served w/ hot & soup OR spring Roll; white OR brown rice
- Lunch: General Tso’s Chicken - $16: Crispy chicken, broccoli, glazed with sweet & spicy sauce
- Lunch: Mapo Tofu - $16: Silken tofu w/ minced pork, Sichuan peppercorn
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.
- Is Blue Willow dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Blue Willow has 11 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Scallion Chicken, Spicy Sautéed Intestines and Sliced Fatty Beef.
- What can I eat at Blue Willow on a dairy-free diet?
- Scallion Chicken, Spicy Sautéed Intestines and Sliced Fatty Beef carry the dairy-free tag, out of 11 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Blue Willow have vegan options?
- Yes. 5 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Lucky Golden Buns and Tofu Salad.
- Is Blue Willow gluten-free?
- 8 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Blue Willow?
- Chengdu Dan Dan Noodles, at roughly 70.3g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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