Lei – Chinese
Lei invites guests into a sanctuary of refined elegance, where the soft glow of silk lanterns illuminates a space filled with the fragrant steam of jasmine tea and the rhythmic, soulful sizzle of the wok. The kitchen masterfully balances the bold, numbing heat of traditional spices with the delicate sweetness of fresh ingredients, creating a vibrant tapestry of regional flavors that transforms every shared plate into an evocative celebration of Chinese culinary artistry.
15, Doyers Street, New York, NY, 10013 https://leiwine.nycRating: 4.8/5 (84 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, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, raw-food, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at Lei
Dairy-Free at Lei
Lei in New York has 8 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sesame shao bing, Lady Edison Jin Hua ham with seasonal fruit and Wintermelon and manilla clam in bonito broth. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Lei
Lei in New York has 6 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sesame shao bing, Lady Edison Jin Hua ham with seasonal fruit and Wintermelon and manilla clam in bonito broth. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Lei
Lei in New York has 9 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eight treasure rice pudding with sticky toffee 八寶飯, Sesame shao bing and Chinese omelette with aged white jade radish and scallion oil. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at Lei
Lei in New York has 1 keto-tagged dish on its current menu, including Sesame shao bing. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Lei
Lei in New York has 3 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sesame shao bing, Pickled cucumbers, radish, and celery and Crudo of Montauk scallop with lily buds, ginger, and lime. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Lei
Lei in New York has 5 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sesame shao bing, Pickled cucumbers, radish, and celery and Steamed rice with sweet potato. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Lei
Lei in New York has 8 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Eight treasure rice pudding with sticky toffee 八寶飯, Sesame shao bing and Chinese omelette with aged white jade radish and scallion oil. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Lei
Lei in New York has 2 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Crudo of Montauk scallop with lily buds, ginger, and lime and Steamed rice with sweet potato. 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 Lei
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Fritto of delicata, kobucha, and honeynut pumpkin with salted duck egg yolk, sage and mint | 38.4 g | 14.1 g |
| Sweet and sour beef short rib 糖醋排骨 | 36.6 g | 6.1 g |
| Crudo of Montauk scallop with lily buds, ginger, and lime | 15.2 g | 4.6 g |
| Pickled cucumbers, radish, and celery | 9.9 g | 4.3 g |
| Sesame shao bing | 5.7 g | 2.3 g |
| Steamed rice with sweet potato | 13.3 g | 0.8 g |
| Chilled celtuce with kombu jelly, shallots and red vinegar | 21.1 g | 0 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently open
Hours
- Tuesday - Sunday
- 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
What diners are saying
Diners consistently praise Lei for its exceptional hospitality and cozy, intimate atmosphere, making it a favorite for dates and impromptu celebrations. The service is highlighted as warm and accommodating, with knowledgeable staff like Matt guiding guests through a thoughtful and extensive wine list featuring unique finds like Japanese red wine. Standout dishes include the "creatively delicious" cockles with rich broth, the sticky toffee pudding with its tableside sauce pour, and the carpaccio special. While the space is tight, guests appreciate the steady pacing and perfectly balanced share
Menu
COLD
- Pickled cucumbers, radish, and celery - $14: Pickled cucumbers, radish, and celery Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Low-Cholesterol, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Chilled celtuce with kombu jelly, shallots and red vinegar - $15: Chilled celtuce with kombu jelly, shallots and red vinegar Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly
- Salad of crown daisy and burdock with chrysanthemum vinaigrette - $17: Salad of crown daisy and burdock with chrysanthemum vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Zone, Volumetrics
- Crudo of Montauk scallop with lily buds, ginger, and lime - $20: Crudo of Montauk scallop with lily buds, ginger, and lime Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Raw-Food, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Chinese omelette with aged white jade radish and scallion oil - $13: Chinese omelette with aged white jade radish and scallion oil Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory
- Lady Edison Jin Hua ham with seasonal fruit - $22: Lady Edison Jin Hua ham with seasonal fruit Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
WARM
- Sesame shao bing - $9: Sesame shao bing Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Low-Cholesterol, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- “Dali” goat’s cheese with toasted five spice - $16: “Dali” goat’s cheese with toasted five spice
- Wintermelon and manilla clam in bonito broth - $28: Wintermelon and manilla clam in bonito broth Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Fritto of delicata, kobucha, and honeynut pumpkin with salted duck egg yolk, sage and mint - $22: Fritto of delicata, kobucha, and honeynut pumpkin with salted duck egg yolk, sage and mint Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
LARGE
- Hand-rolled cat’s ear noodle with lamb braised in cumin and tomato - $27: Hand-rolled cat’s ear noodle with lamb braised in cumin and tomato
- Sweet and sour beef short rib 糖醋排骨 - $35: Sweet and sour beef short rib 糖醋排骨 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, GERD-Friendly, TLC, Renal
SIDES
- Steamed rice with sweet potato - $4: Steamed rice with sweet potato Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC
DESSERT
- Apple shaved ice - $17: Apple shaved ice Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Eight treasure rice pudding with sticky toffee 八寶飯 - $16: Eight treasure rice pudding with sticky toffee 八寶飯 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions about Lei
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- Keto and gluten-free options include "Dali" goat’s cheese, Montauk scallop crudo, Chinese omelette, and wintermelon and manilla clam in bonito broth.
- What do customers love most about this restaurant according to reviews?
- Customers praise the exceptional hospitality, intimate atmosphere, extensive wine list, and standout dishes like cockles, carpaccio, and sticky toffee pudding.
- Is this restaurant good for casual dining or more upscale?
- Lei provides a more upscale, intimate atmosphere with refined elegance and exceptional hospitality, making it a favorite for dates.
- Is this restaurant suitable for families?
- Lei is characterized by a cozy, intimate atmosphere and is a favorite for dates and celebrations rather than family dining.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- Lei offers an extensive selection of Chinese dishes and a wine list, catering to 40 dietary categories including keto, vegan, and gluten-free.
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- Lei features an intimate atmosphere, unique Japanese red wine, and creative dishes like tableside sticky toffee pudding, maintaining a 4.8/5 rating.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- Lei is categorized as having a moderate price range, which is represented by the price level of $$.
- What is this restaurant's overall rating?
- Lei has an overall rating of 4.8/5, with diners consistently praising its exceptional hospitality and cozy, intimate atmosphere.
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include the cockles with rich broth, sticky toffee pudding, carpaccio, hand-rolled cat’s ear noodles, and sweet and sour beef short rib.
- What are this restaurant's hours of operation?
- The provided restaurant data for Lei does not include specific information regarding the establishment's hours of operation.
- Is Lei dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Lei has 8 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sesame shao bing, Lady Edison Jin Hua ham with seasonal fruit and Wintermelon and manilla clam in bonito broth.
- What can I eat at Lei on a dairy-free diet?
- Sesame shao bing, Lady Edison Jin Hua ham with seasonal fruit and Wintermelon and manilla clam in bonito broth carry the dairy-free tag, out of 8 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Lei have vegan options?
- Yes. 5 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Sesame shao bing and Pickled cucumbers, radish, and celery.
- Is Lei gluten-free?
- 6 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 Lei?
- Fritto of delicata, kobucha, and honeynut pumpkin with salted duck egg yolk, sage and mint, at roughly 14.1g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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