uluh (East Village)
Ok now, this is a restaurant that many of my friends have claimed to be one of the best Chinese restaurants in Manhattan. I’ve heard the hype for a while now and finally got the chance to try it with the same friends that love it so much. And long story short, it is oh so worth it.
Located in the East Village, uluh (they do not capitalize the “u”) is a restaurant that serves modern interpretations of Chinese food. The interior also reflects said modern inspiration, with brutalist walls being decorated with modern art and objects. While some claim that the restaurant’s main style is Hunanese (usually spicier dishes), the restaurant draws inspiration from all over China, and even other parts of Asia.
And before I go any further, you really cannot go wrong with pretty much any of the dishes here. They all consistently receive excellent praise from both my friends- who are longtime veterans of this restaurant- and other guests alike. For groups of two to four, it is recommended to get a meat-based dish, a carb dish, and an order of vegetables as a baseline. Dim sum is also offered and is excellent, but we did not get any during this visit.
Starting off, the crab tofu is an excellent starter dish to share with the table. The tofu is silky soft, and the fine bits of crab complement it so well. The overall taste is savory and creamy, with the consistency of a thickened stew. For those wanting a somewhat similar and spicier option, the mapo tofu is excellent and highly-rated by the staff as well.
Next up, the Sichuan chili fried chicken is a fiery dish that brings the dry heat flavors of the Sichuan region. Small bits of fried chicken are scattered throughout heaps of dried chilis, and this dish definitely packs the heat. The slight numbing sensation following the initial sharp mouth taste makes this an alluring dish that spice lovers will remember.
The brown sugar glazed peking duck is also a special dish. The skin of the duck is caramelized and crisped to perfection with brown sugar, creating both a beautiful patina on the outside as well as a satisfying crunch when bitten into. It is best eaten with the wraps (included with the order) alongside the sliced scallions and peking duck sauce. The juicy and fatty duck meat is cooked to perfection and it comes in half or full size options, making it great for groups of all sizes.
Another thing that uluh is known for is high quality teas. The osmanthus oolong tea that we ordered comes from Taiwan, and I am not joking when I say that I am still thinking about this tea while writing this. It has an incredibly complex floral flavor profile, changing its flavors ever so subtly while being sipped on. As a fan of floral teas and scents, this tea was an excellent pairing with the food. However, another popular and highly-recommended option from my friends is the Pu’er tea, and I will be ordering this next time.
The only thing that I am disappointed in was my stomach not being big enough to be able to try every single thing on the menu at once. All in all, uluh left such a positive impression on me that I will certainly be going back very soon. With amazing food served in a sexy and modern interior, uluh is a landmark of Chinese food in Manhattan, and one that you will not want to miss when you’re in the East Village.
