BuddakanSo Good!We went for dinner and drinks and everything was wonderful. Our server was extremely attentive, and the entire staff was so friendly. We really enjoyed ourselves!5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMSome of Philly's finest!We dined a Buddakan during our stay in Philadelphia for a work conference. I initially made a reservation for a large group of 8 but due to fluctuating schedules we ended up only three. The hostess was gracious when I called only 2 hours before our reservation to inform her of the change. Our table was spacious (set for 5) for three which enabled us to order two sides in addition to the two appetizers and three entrees we had already decided upon. Every dish was exquisite. We had two alcoholic beverages each and shared dessert. Eating family style is really how you must enjoy the many dishes at Buddakan. The bill was split and more affordable than dinner at Amada the night prior. Overall, Superb. A must if you are in Philly.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMComplete Experience!Behind the impressive doors lies a delightful dining experience;
atmosphere, attentive service, beautifully presented delicious food.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMI thought that our serverI thought that our server was extremely helpful and for having quite a few tables, very attentive to our needs. The food was delicious and I would definitely recommend Buddakan to anyone. I'm a big fan of Stephen Starr restaurants in general I love the feel of his locations and the food is always way above par.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful place for lunchBeautiful ambience, great service, and a nice value for lunch -- the "bento box" special offers three dishes (your choice from a list) for $15. The portions were very reasonable and the food was delicious. A highlight of my visit to Philadelphia.5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and service was perfect.The food and service was perfect. We came with two other couples and everyone had a wonderful time. The family style serving was fun for everyone to share. We started with Zen-Gria which gave the night a perfect start. The Calamari salad was delicious. Do not miss ordering it. The entrees were all perfect. We had scallops, and shrimp as fish dishes. We had short ribs which were the best, the filet was like butter and the pork tenderloin was perfect. Do not miss leaving room for dessert. The doughnuts cannot be skipped. We loved the chocolate bento box.
Service was perfect with just the correct attention to our needs. A perfect night was had by all. We will be ack soon.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI took a very special ladyI took a very special lady on a first date there and the place worked it's magic. On the way there I didn't think that I'd get another date with her but after we left.....I'll probably get 10. Thank you for an enjoyable evening........and making my job easier (smile)5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of our favorite restaurantsOne of our favorite restaurants to go to when we visit our daughter. Great ambiance! Great food!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing experience at BuddakanExtremely good food, reasonably priced, loved the atmosphere! Our server was really great too...will definitely be recommending and returning :)5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAn outstanding restaurant,An outstanding restaurant, which desreves its reputation. The food was very interesting. We ate variations of dishes that we had never tried before, and liked them all. The decor, too , was outstanding.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMDeliciousI wasn't entirely sure what to expect from Buddakan and originally thought there would be a greater selection of sushi but this is an entirely different dining experience. The portions are healthy and perfect for sharing so you and others can try multiple items. We had the sashimi, the spare ribs and the crab sticky rice and everything was amazing.
It was a little cramped in the table we were in but all in all a great dining experience in Philly.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food, Inconsistent ServiceThis was my first dining experience at Buddakan and my first impressions were very positive. In the beginning, the service was great and our server was very attentive. We ordered the steamed shrimp dumplings and the calamari salad for appetizers. Everyone loved both dishes but the calamari salad was a table favorite. Drinks were served on time and water glasses were continuously filled. For entrees, we ordered the sea bass, the dungeness crab sticky rice, the black garlic chicken, and a side of chinese eggplant. All the food was delicious but we received someone else's entree instead of the crab sticky rice and had to wait for it to arrive. Then we waited 20 minutes for dessert menus. Disappointing end to an otherwise great meal.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in PhillyThere is no better restaurant on Philadelphia. It has been A number of years between visits and it only gets better. You will not be sorry for either lunch or dinner.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat lunchI can't say enough how great the service was there. The watress we had for lunch on Tues was so very nice and friendly. Food was also very good. We really enjoyed it!5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a fave!Every time we go to Buddakan it seems to get better and better...between the food and the the service, and the atmosphere is a plus! Buddakan is one of our favorite spots to eat.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMFun place with good foodThe sea bass is fantastic. Try the buns they are good too. Nice cocktail menu as well.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Birthday EveningWhat a great meal and evening to share with a friend. Service was excellent, food was great, a good night all around5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMAmbience & Food!Love Buddhakan, I'm never disapointed when I go here to eat the food is always fresh and delicious I can never get enough of this great restaurant!5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, lotsa noiseAppetizers were amazing - shrimp dumplings and duck buns (wow!), eggplant terrific, pad thai OK.
Problem is noise, it was almost impossible to hold a conversation. And this was on a Monday night!5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMawesome moms day dinnerI would like to say it was my first time at this restaurant on mothers day and I gotta say its the best I ever been at. The food was great, the waiting staff was amazingly nice, I love the restaurant decor even the bar was great. One of the best things bout this restaurantis how the manager or owner goes around tables making sure your evening and needs are good and ment. I say this is by far one of the best restaurant and I would highly recommend it . I will be going back5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA bit pricey but good AsianA bit pricey but good Asian fusion, beautiful location, and excellent service. The assorted desserts are to die for. There's nothing I can complain about.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMstill toos un PhillyChef continues to shine. Can't go wrong with this gem5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways goodGlad to see they brought the wasabi crusted filet back! It was my favorite place for a while but the last time I was there this was missing and the waiter told me "to get over it" . I went back this weekend and the service was impeccable and food was as great as ever!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMJust as Amazing as the First TimeWhen my boyfriend mentioned that he wanted to share a romantic dinner at Buddakan I was excited. It had been a number of years since I had first dined at Buddakan and I never forgot the amazing food, service and ambience. In Philadelphia there are many wonderful restaurants and Buddakan is still at the top of my list!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AM2nd time here, not disappointedOverall, great mixed drinks, great appetizers, great entree, and nice desserts. The volume of the music could've been put down 2 notches....a bit too loud. That didn't detract from the food though. Overall, great value for the money.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMNight outBuddakan was a great experience. Its really loud in the so if you are looking for a quiet night out look else where. We were a little turned off at first but once you start eating you forget about the noise. The food is amazing and the service is on point. The food is expensive but well worth it. Def will be back5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMLove this place!Great food, great decor, great experience! I especially love their edamame ravioli and their sorbet trio (the flavors change regularly). The portions are generous enough to share and are served family style. A tad bit pricey, but worth it for a nice night out.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMgreatIt was a great dining experience. Service was excellent!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMBEST RESTAURANT ON EAST COAST!!!!!I Love Buddakan & NEVER had a bad meal. Our waiter was enthusiastic & friendly & as usual the food was incredible. I often make up special occasions to go to Buddakan. Unless you eat dinner early, must make a reservation months out for that prime time dining.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMDisappointing food, good serviceMy wife and I sat down for our anniversary dinner. We heard good things about Buddakan. The environment is awesome. Dark inside but very intriguing decoration.
We had the spare ribs for our first course, and they were fall off the bone good. I ordered the wasabi crusted filet at medium rare. I enjoy my filet at a medium rare with a few moments to rest at the table so it can get to a nice medium. The way the chef had the plate presented to me was a beautiful slice of filet on the front end at a good medium while the remainder of the pieces were medium well to well done (steak is chopped into 5-6 pieces for you). How disappointing. A $38 dollar disappointment. Dessert was incredible though.
Can't get past the entrée. Will not return5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellence you pay for!Buddakan exemplifies the old adage " you get what you pay for".
I've never had a finer meal. If you'd told my mother I'd have eaten Miso Cod and Sea Bass on ,my 62nd birthday and loved it, she would have been shocked. Tuna Pizza and Edamame Ravioli for appetizers? Marvelous! Who'd a thunk it! Hats off to Steven Starr.
That said, you pay for such excellence. This is where you go on your family special occasions or you want to impress someone on a business visit. It's not overpriced, but it's too expensive to be routine.
But maybe that's the idea.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWe go to Buddakan a coupleWe go to Buddakan a couple times a year and really enjoy it. However, the experience is highly dependent on the people at surrounding tables. The table next to us had older people (we are only a few years away ourselves) who were loud and it detracted from the experience. We were quite surprised by the number of elderly diners. While this tended to detract from the overall dining experience, it is more related to the restaurant's success than anything else.
Service was attentive and not intrusive. We had the sashimi starter, great flavor, but sparse. My wife had black cod, delicate, perfectly cooked and flavorable. I had the Kung Pow Monkfish, spicy and the best I've ever had. The eggplant side dish, worth getting.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMLove this place!We always make time for a visiit here when we are in the area. The food is always consistent and the service is great. You won"t be disappointed . We always have the calamari salad and usually the sea bass. We have never been disappointed.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat food and drinksCame here on a business trip and loved everything. Worth the money.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful Anniversary!Buddakan is a great place for a special occassion. We celebrated our anniversary on this outing and it was a wonderful evening. The speciality cocktail list rotates and while they didn't have what I enjoyed on my last trip, my choice was great. Appetizers were served quickly and had complex, but well matched flavors. We had one entree, one noodle dish and one vegetable side, all delicious. One note- be aware & ask questions if you have allergies or are following a strict diet. I was surprised to find cashews in the curried cauliflower!
We chose the sorbet trio for dessert- the flavors were amazing, especially the passion fruit!
Looking forward to my return to Buddakan and other Steven Starr establishments. I have yet to be disappointed.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat service and great food.Great service and great food. It seemed like we ordered a lot but the quality of the food is so good that all got eaten but no one felt over fill. A warning that the ginger soft drinks are VERY ginger
They have expensive valet parking but you can park at the ritz cinema parking just round the corner for haft the price
Totally recommend to anyone4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, the food is amazingAs always, the food is amazing and so is the service. I hope to be never disappointed because it's my favorite place to eat.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMDining Out For Life experienceWe didn't have a babysitter for Dining Out for Life, so we had to find a restaurant that we could go to at an early dinner hour, which would have food kids would eat, and was loud enough and busy enough were we would not feel worried the whole dinner if they were too loud themselves. My kids are old enough to stay in their seats, however (8 & 10). They loved the food, we loved the food, and we had a good Dining out for life experience. Our waitress was the nicest person!!!4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMNot too many places whereNot too many places where the ambience, delicious food and excellent service come together!4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAs usual, the food and serviceAs usual, the food and service were excellent. The staff also, quite unobtrusively, walked around the dining room making sure water glasses were filled, etc. Great place.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMFood always good but afterFood always good but after all these years they could update the menu.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAMAZING!AMAZING! Everythng from start to finish was perfect! The kobe beef satay w tempura veg. was so delicious. The sweet and crunchy shrimp were perfectly cooked. We had the dim sum donuts for desert. They came with a choc. sauce and ginger creme cheese and berry perserves omg amazing. Our wait person was outstanding and never rushed us. It was my 50th birthday and what a great way to celebrate!4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply put, Buddakan is aSimply put, Buddakan is a very good restaurant. The menu is interesting and the food is always well prepared. I have never had a disappointing meal. The only "problem" with Buddakan is that it is too pricey to eat there all the time!4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMA Class act - but change the tableThis restaurant should be the model of how to maintain consistency and quality over many years. Its food is exceptional, the atmosphere vibrant and the serving staff very competent. The only negative is that the tables are so tightly spaced that our party of four was constantly getting bumped by servers rushing back and forth - also the tables themselves are way too small for the large serving plates they use. This somewhat marred our experince. Overall though an excellent restaurant.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMI think everything was fantastic!I think everything was fantastic! The service was flawless and fast, and the waiters were very polite and respectful. The food was also delicious and the ambiance was very nice. The place was very well-decorated and designed; I loved the Buddha statue! Thank you!4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMDining expierence of my life!The expierence was absolutely amazing! My girlfriend and I had a great time, and already started planning our second trip back. Outstanding work, great food. Already miss the vibe I got while being there.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe felt that the waitress,We felt that the waitress, while very attentive and nice, recommended we order way too much food to split between two people. This stemmed from the fact that the "side dish" was the size of the other entrees. We didn't mind--leftovers for the next day.
It was also a bit too noisy-- at points it was hard to hear one another. Other than that the atmosphere was great!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe edamame ravioli is exceptionalThe edamame ravioli is exceptional
Every dish was prepared perfectly, with seasonings enhancing the flavors of the fish, beef, pork dishes, rather than drowning them. The texture of the food was also perfect, which is an impressive feat.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful experience. TheWonderful experience. The food and service are fantastic.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMnothing short of outstandingwe absolutely love the bento-box lunch options. and our most recent lunch was nothing short of perfection. can't say enough good things about this place. we are never sorry we chose it, always leave wanting to come back, which is the mark of a great dining experience.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AM