Julianne Johnson

This was my husband’s and my second time at Buddakan, our first time trying the full menu. Our first time was for restaurant week. We came out tonight for our Christmas meal. We couldn’t wait to come back and tonight’s visit definitely lived up to our expectations. Larry was an outstanding server assisted by Drew. We had the yellowtail sashimi, pork belly bao buns, chicken and ginger dumplings, black pepper beef, miso cod, doughnuts and another dessert I’m blanking on the name of. We also had sampled some of the sake, cocktails, beer and wine. We were so satisfied by the portions, the service and the atmosphere. We will be eager to come back soon!

Scott Biggs

Spectacular! exceptional food, elegant ambiance, and highly attentive, professional staff, a truly luxurious experience where servers anticipate every need and the food presentation is artistic and precise. If not already, it is Michelin star lever ⭐⭐⭐

+1

Kwelis Williams

Very nice setup and welcoming decor. Staff was very friendly and accommodating even though no reservations. Scenery was very authentic and menu was solid. Drinks where tasty and the food was outstanding. Came out fairly quick and was well done. Will be going back again.

+3

Alex Issokson (Boston Foodie)

My family and I just an exceptional dinner and I would easily come back the next time I’m in Philly. There were 6 of us, so we were able to get plenty of food to share and got to try a ton of different dishes. Some favorites included the shrimp bao buns and pork belly bao buns, the calamari salad, and the ribs, which fell right off the bone. Another one of my favorite bites were the edamame dumplings, which contained truffle! Next time, I would probably skip the caesar salad and the crab fried rice since the salad was a bit overdressed and the flavors in the crab fried rice were subtle and I thought it could have used more acid. For dessert, we got the winding road, which was this delectable chocolate dessert with banana and peanut components. It made for an excellent finish to the meal!

+9

Hayley Becklund

Budakkan Philadelphia is one of those restaurants that completely nails the balance between style, atmosphere, and incredible food. The ambience is modern and dramatic in the best way — the space itself hints at the bold, elevated Asian-inspired flavors you’re about to experience. The service was excellent from start to finish, but the food and drinks were truly the stars. The Spirit cocktail was a standout hit, and every dish we ordered was unforgettable. The dumpling sampler, sashimi, shrimp bao buns, and miso black cod were all absolutely mouth-watering. I celebrated my birthday here, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Budakkan made the night feel special, memorable, and delicious — everything you want for a celebration dinner. Highly recommend.

Tim Halbherr

Great dining experience at Buddakan, ordered a lot of food to share between two people. Pork belly bao buns, Buddakan Sashimi, General Tsos dumplings, lobster eggrolls.

Gabrielle Tomasko

We came here for my birthday dinner and had a wonderful time! Our server Patchus was very kind and helpful. We especially loved the chargrilled dry aged beef and wasabi mashed potatoes. The enlightenment drink was also very tasty. Overall a relaxing environment and delicious food. We will definitely visit again!

Wen Tung

We had a nice dining experience here and would recommend it. I would like to return to try more things on the menu. Everything we ordered was really good. We got the Peking Duck, chargrilled aged beef, and dim sum sampler (added a third of each one for our party of 3). My only complaint was the Chinese mustard sauce drizzled all over the Szechuan fries with the steak. It didn’t taste good and it made the fries soggy. If the menu had mentioned it, I would have asked for the mustard to be on the side. The Peking Duck was really good! They deboned the entire duck which is unusual. The dim sum sampler was tasty. The edamame dumpling was a pleasant surprise. The shrimp dumpling was ok (the filling was too chunky and it fell apart after one bite). The pork wonton and chicken Ginger dumplings were very good. We got the strawberry dessert and the chocolate cake with banana buttercream and caramel peanuts. The strawberry one was described to us as a “deconstructed strawberry shortcake” but there wasn’t really any cake. The presentation was nice but we didn’t care for it. The chocolate/banana/peanut butter one was better. Our service was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu.

+5

Christopher Barnes

We celebrated our one year anniversary here. I’ve always wanted to eat here and finally did. Have to say, I can’t think of a better dining experience I’ve ever had in my life. Each dish was an experience all by itself. We had the spare ribs, shrimp, and tuna (with noodles). Every bite was out of this world. Atmosphere was awesome. And the manager who came to check on us and discovered it was our anniversary sent us home with some complimentary dessert treats. Even the drinks were elevated here. If you’re looking to go somewhere to celebrate a special occasion, this is it.

Abby A

The food was interesting, succulent, and just overall delicious. The lamb chop was cooked to perfection and the salad with it had a nice kick. We even sprang for dessert because everything had tasted so lovely. This place is easily in our top three restaurants in the city, if not number one right now!

+1

Stopped by for the first time - the tuna pizza and dumplings were delicious to start. Finished with some lobster fried rice, miso cod, and filet. Also delicious. Special thanks to our waiter Ryan, yo…

Stopped by for the first time - the tuna pizza and dumplings were delicious to start. Finished with some lobster fried rice, miso cod, and filet. Also delicious. Special thanks to our waite…

Stopped by for the first time - the tuna pizza and dumplings were delicious to start. Finished with some lobster fried rice, miso cod, and filet. Also delicious. Special thanks to our waiter Ryan, …

Stopped by for the first time - the tuna pizza and dumplings were delicious to start. Finished with some lobster fried rice, miso cod, and filet. Also delicious. Special thanks to our waiter Ryan, …

Stopped by for the first time - the tuna pizza and dumplings were delicious to start. Finished with some lobster fried rice, miso cod, and filet. Also delicious. Special thanks to our waiter Ryan, …

Been living in Philly for many years but hadn't been to Buddakan yet. I'm upset I hadn't gone sooner!\n\nEverything we tried was delicious. The tuna tartare spring rolls and the spicy rock shrimp bao…

The food was great! The environment was busy for the time of night but to be expected during restaurant week. The food was reasonably priced for the size and portions. I really enjoyed sitting ne…

The food was great! The environment was busy for the time of night but to be expected during restaurant week. The food was reasonably priced for the size and portions. I really enjoyed sitting near…

The food was great! The environment was busy for the time of night but to be expected during restaurant week. The food was reasonably priced for the size and portions. I really enjoyed sitting near…

Our waiter Xavier R was amazing! Really made the night. The food is always good. Music is always a nice touch here!

Our waiter Xavier R was amazing! Really made the night. The food is always good. music is always a nice touch here!

Our waiter Xavier R was amazing! Really made the night. The food is always good. Music is always a nice touch here!

Oh- I love coming here! Absolutely love the ambiance and decor! I always feel transported to another land--Thailand--which adds to the experience. \n\nFood is always exceptional with robust flavors…

Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Parking situation could be better, but nothing to do with the restaurant.

best lo mein we ever had, huge shrimp. the donuts were incredible. very nice staff, definitely recommend

This was my first time at Buddakan and wow! It was absolutely delicious. We ordered the chicken and ginger dumplings as an appetizer and they were perfect. I ordered the wok cashew chicken as my ma…

Good Asian fusion and big portions! We came for buddakan week, which had a 3 course menu at a set price of $45, and everyone in our party got that. We expected to get partial portions since each pe…

Amazing dinner. The crisp calamari salad was out of this world! Lobster fried rice was perfect. Service and ambience for a group party was spot on. \nStrongly recommend.

Amazing dinner. The crisp calamari salad was out of this world! Lobster fried rice was perfect. Service and ambience for a group party was spot on. \nStrongly recommend.

Had a nice dinner with my roommates. We were looking for more upscale vibes than your typical restaurant in Philly without being too overpriced and this hit the spot. We ordered everything as it wa…

We had a lovely dinner at Buddakan. We were able to make reservations easily online for same night dining. The staff, atmosphere and food were all fantastic.

We had a lovely dinner at Buddakan. We were able to make reservations easily online for same night dining. The staff, atmosphere and food were all fantastic.

We had a lovely dinner at Buddakan. We were able to make reservations easily online for same night dining. The staff, atmosphere and food were all fantastic.

We had a lovely dinner at Buddakan. We were able to make reservations easily online for same night dining. The staff, atmosphere and food were all fantastic.

We had a lovely dinner at Buddakan. We were able to make reservations easily online for same night dining. The staff, atmosphere and food were all fantastic.

This is a good place to go for special occasions or a night out. It has somewhat of an older night club vibe with sleek, chic decor and a huge eye-catching golden Buddha. It is dimly lit and loud ins…

Fantastic pairing. Unique and excellent Asian / Continental Fusion. Mushrooms potstickers, sake flight and "Dip Sum" donuts Rock out beautifully.

Wow. Pleasantly surprised. We came here, my happy stand and absolutely loved it. We enjoyed the calamari salad, lobster, eggroll, Seabass, wasabi mashed potatoes and shrimp lo mein. EVERYTHING wa…

Our group of 11 had a wonderful dinner at Buddakan in Philadelphia. Extensive pan- Asian selection of appetizers and entrees. seafood, pork, vegetable starters were all delicious. Nice Deserts as …

We celebrated our son’s birthday here last weekend. The food was good and the service was impeccable. Loved the calamari salad. We asked for a candle to put on top of my son’s desert. They gave us…

The food here was probably the best I have ever had and that is not overstating it. price is not too bad and everything from the ceasar salad to entree were just so good. Friendly service as well!

We love the NYC location and decided to give this one a try, and it definitely lives up to the reputation. It was super busy when we got here, so even though we had a reservation, we still had a 1…

Accommodated 8 adults plus a 1 year old. Able to make reservation on Open Table. Food was great. Dim sum sampler recommended. One Peking Duck portion would have been enough for all of us. We ordere…

I love this restaurant. I am not a huge vegetable fan, but could eat their curried cauliflower by the bucket. The food and drinks are amazing. I heard the deserts were first rate...but I have al…

Buddakan in Philadelphia is a notable modern Asian restaurant, and during Restaurant Week it offered a good opportunity to experience this well-known Philly dining destination. While the chicken and ginger dumplings were somewhat dry and less memorable, the miso black cod stood out as a highlight—rich, flavorful, and expertly prepared. The dessert, dipping donuts, were especially enjoyable and evoked the taste and texture of New Orleans–style beignets. The atmosphere was lively and stylish, contributing to the overall appeal of the experience, though the noise level was on the higher side, making it feel energetic rather than intimate. Nevertheless, an enjoyable venue to celebrate a birthday or special occasion!

Grace Gong

yummy but not worth the high cost. I feel like I could get several of these dishes anywhere for a lower price. Ambiance is nice.

+1

Tom Allen

We came here while visiting Philadelphia. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, with a mezzanine level looming over the floor. They have about a 10 foot Buddha watching as well. We were seated fairly quickly and the waiter explained the ordering process. Most things were served family style. They started us with soup dumplings and then the calamari salad then the lemon sesame chicken. My wife also had the crab fried rice. All items were cooked fresh, seasoned well and tasty. Cocktails were very good. Service was a little spotty at times. For Asian the price was more than most. It was a good dinner.

ambiance was not what i was expecting. i thought they'll be playing some buddha remix songs but it's more like chill bar songs. Food was great but the seabass was debatable, the sauce and the fish as…

Went to Buddhism with colleagues and I recommend going with multiple people so you can share. They serve family style which is great. Our server was attentive and explained the dishes perfectly. Th…

Visited for a fancy girl night and had such a lovely time. Our waitress was particularly amazing! I personally loved the edamame dumplings and highly recommend them. I ordered the Korean Beef Fried…

Salt Overload and Frustrating Service! \n\nBuddakan promised a wow factor, but the Pad Thai, Korean beef fried rice, and Peking duck fried rice were all way too salty--our taste buds didn't s…

Buddakan is a legit date-night spot—ambiance is a full 10/10. The vibe is stylish and energetic, and the space is impressive (two floors, big dining room, great atmosphere). service was also top-ti…

Buddakan is a legit date-night spot—ambiance is a full 10/10. The vibe is stylish and energetic, and the space is impressive (two floors, big dining room, great atmosphere). Service was also to…

The food was good but not 5 stars (especially for the price). The service was good. The wait staff was very attentive but seemed inexperienced. The drinks were expensive and watered down. The atm…

The food was good but not 5 stars (especially for the price). The service was good. The wait staff was very attentive but seemed inexperienced. The drinks were expensive and watered down. The atmos…

Anastasia Lebotesis

Very cool, unique vibe — dim, open space and a lively atmosphere. Great first impression when you walk in. Came for a birthday dinner on a Tuesday with a larger group and felt unnecessarily rushed to order, even though it wasn’t busy at first. We all felt pressured to choose quickly and didn’t really have enough time to read through the menu, especially since it was a larger group just arriving, catching up, and settling in. We ended up being one of the last tables there, so the urgency felt unwarranted. Food came out very quickly, which was impressive, but some shared plates like the edamame dumplings and tuna spring rolls were quite small. Crab fried rice was a better portion and enjoyable. Unfortunately, an order mistake delayed my friends meal and caused my food to get cold while waiting for the correct order. Service was the biggest letdown — our server was nowhere to be found for 20-25 mins after the food came out, he didn’t refill waters, and the overall pacing hurt the experience. Staff was polite, but the service didn’t match the price. Might try again with a smaller group, but unsure if it’s worth it.

I’d give it a 3.5 if that were an option. The food is generally good and our server was excellent. But the atmosphere is so wannabe. Faux sophisticate with a giant Buddha statue and nightclub v…

I’d give it a 3.5 if that were an option. The food is generally good and our server was excellent. But the atmosphere is so wannabe. Faux sophisticate with a giant Buddha statue and nightclub v…

I’d give it a 3.5 if that were an option. The food is generally good and our server was excellent. But the atmosphere is so wannabe. Faux sophisticate with a giant Buddha statue and nightclub v…

Desiree Pannah

There was quite a bit of back-and-forth when trying to book my birthday dinner. I was told that for parties of 12 or more, I had to go through an event planner and that such groups were required to select a family-style menu priced at $80+ per person. I didn’t understand why that was mandatory instead of allowing guests to order individually from the regular menu. I adjusted my guest count to 11, but they still tried to direct me back to the event planner. When I refused to call again, the person on the phone abruptly told me to call back because a big group had just walked in—completely unrelated to my call. Our reservation was at 8:45 p.m. We were told we couldn’t be seated until the entire party arrived, which was fine. However, even after everyone was present by 9pm, we weren’t seated because the group before us hadn’t left yet. What’s the purpose of a reservation if tables aren’t ready at the reserved time? If a previous group is lingering after finishing their meal, staff should at least notify the table of the next reservation. We weren’t seated until 9:30 p.m. To make matters worse, our waiter was passive and seemed irritated throughout the whole dinner.

Mitchell S

We felt this restaurant is overhyped. First, OpenTable asks if you have a special occasion and any other comments. I indicated it was our anniversary. Additionally, I always indicate that we don’t want to be near any doors or busy aisle ways as it detracts from the experience. They first seated my wife and I right next to the front door where people waiting to be seated were right next to us. I asked to be moved to a table a few feet away behind a waterfall wall. We were told that table was requested by another patron who hasn’t shown yet. They sat us at another table which was 1 foot away from a four top table where the back of one of the chairs was almost hitting our table. The aisle was next to our table so the foot traffic of staff kept squeezing by us. Hard to enjoy a meal. We each had a glass of wine. The best part of the meal were the appetizers. We had the edamame dumplings and the special, hashimi sushi. For entrees we had their sweet crispy shrimp and the crispy whole fish which was stripped bass. The 5 shrimp were decent size but definitely farm raised. Minimal taste other than the sauce which was mediocre. The fish was fairly small in size, essentially for $42. The taste was decent, but certainly nothing special. We also had eggplant. We didn’t consider dessert based on our meal. To top it off, there was never any acknowledgement of our anniversary. Frankly, they couldn’t care less. Why even ask when a reservation is made if you have any special occasion if you have no intention of even saying something, anything! I mentioned this upon leaving the restaurant to the host at the front, who made it seem surprising. This place clearly rides on its past history and the Starr name. They don’t care if I never come back because somebody else will fill my seat. Stephen Starr should be appalled. If you have lower standards and just want to go to a restaurant with a name, you may like it there. Thanks to the restaurant for making a special evening very unspecial!