Chef Huang

635 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States
+1 646-918-6065
$$$ Chinese restaurant , Asian restaurant , Chinese takeaway , Delivery service , Meal delivery , Restaurant
(324 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Chef Huang is a no-frills Chinese restaurant tucked into the bustling stretch of 2nd Avenue in Midtown East, known particularly for its focus on authentic, carefully prepared dishes that cater to those craving traditional flavors delivered with a home-cooked feel. This is not the place for rushed meals; expect a bit of wait, especially for their standout Peking duck, which diners point out as one of the more genuinely executed versions in New York — roasted to order with attention to technique and freshness rather than a prepped-and-reheated approach.

The intimate, modest space brings a sense of earnestness rather than polish, matching the straightforward nature of the food. The air often carries warm, inviting aromas from specialties like their braised spicy lamb hot pot and grilled big mouth bass, often enjoyed by groups who appreciate sharing rich, bold Asian flavors that lean into regional Chinese traditions with a modern touch. The quality shines through in the absence of shortcuts — lamb skewers, for example, are aromatic and reminiscent of traditional methods, grilled over wood for that unmistakable smoky note.

Visitors looking for a slightly elevated, authentic Chinese meal with a thoughtful service team will find Chef Huang welcoming. The staff’s attentiveness creates a relaxed vibe in a neighborhood filled with quick lunches and tourist spots, making it easier to slow down and savor dishes. The restaurant is best suited for dinner or later lunch when you have time to enjoy dishes like the entire Peking duck with its accompanying special duck soup that truly rewards patience.

Beyond the star dishes, there are plenty of smaller plates like sauteed pea shoots with garlic and shrimp balls in a sweet and sour sauce that round out the meal for those who appreciate a balance between meat-centric specialties and lighter vegetables. It’s a setting where locals and Asian food aficionados might linger—not so much for fast dining but for a carefully curated taste of home-style and regional Chinese cooking in the city.

Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Parking
Paid street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Friday

12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

324 Reviews
Dongmee Huang

21 Dec 2025

1. The Peking Duck is amazing—possibly the best in New York. Everything is made-to-order and fresh (not pre-made), so it takes some time to serve, but it’s worth the wait. 2. The lamb skewers are very authentic; you can really taste that unique aroma from the wooden skewers. 3. The chocolate animal ice cream is impressive in both taste and presentation. 4. The service is excellent, making for a very pleasant dining experience. It is sad to see that many of my favorite NYC restaurants have closed since the pandemic. I truly hope Chef Huang keeps up its high standards and continue to thrive!

Hua Fei

07 Dec 2025

Blow up the seafood quality of this restaurant! The serving size for four people is tightly controlled, the scallops and steamed eggs are tender enough to slide down the throat, and the sea bass is fully cooked. Whether it's crispy or boiled, they are so fresh that your tongue trembles! Not only is the food good, but the staff in the store also have a great service attitude and treat every customer like a family. I will come back to this store again next time!

jannaq

05 Dec 2025

A very cozy and earnest place with authentic Chinese food in the form of small bites and classic dishes. The duck was super succulent and came with cucumber, scallion and traditional Chinese wraps. We also had the lamb and beef skewers which were so tender and flavorful! Definitely one of my favorites. Saw lots of people who also dug into the hot pot and the grilled bass stewed in the big trays which also looked amazing. Will definitely be trying those next time around. All in all a hidden gem with unassuming vibes but very cute decor (and funny! If you're in the private room in the back ). The plating and dishes are creative while still staying true to their roots.

Haozhe Zhao (Henry)

19 Oct 2025

As someone who grew up in Beijing and has eaten enough roast duck to tell which type of wood was used for the fire, I’ve long stopped expecting to find real Beijing roast duck in New York. Too many places copy the form but lose the soul: the fire isn’t right, the technique isn’t there, the duck isn’t roasted through properly — and what ends up on the plate is all style, no substance. But the roast duck I had today made me speak up: this is, in the truest sense, Beijing roast duck that actually tastes like Beijing. Not only is it faithfully executed, but the consistency and professionalism are impressive — and in many details, it’s even more than some of the places I’ve been to back in Beijing.

Isabel Mathew

14 Oct 2025

Small restaurant with delicious food. We came for the half pecking duck that did not disappoint! The beef rib with the flaky and crispy crust blew us away though. The garlic steamed bok choy was also very tasty. It was probably the most delicious meals I’ve ever had!

Hannah Tong

10 Oct 2025

The Peking duck here is absolutely amazing! The whole presentation is very impressive! The duck skin is perfectly roasted,golden and crispy.While the meat is tender and juice! The side dishes are also well done, from grilled items to steamed dishes, all tasting authentic and thoughtfully prepared. The table feels complete and satisfying from start to finish. The environment is clean and comfortable! It's a great spot for gatherings with friends or family. Highly recommended if you're craving authentic Chinese Local specialty!

Jack Tuggle

13 Sep 2025

I was walking home from work with my partner and we weren’t even that hungry, but we haven’t had good packing duck in the city and once we saw this place busy cute with an amazing name we knew we had to go in The service was great. They couldn’t see right away, but it was a short 10 minute wait the staff is very attentive very on top of it. We weren’t hungry, so we just ordered only the Peking Duk however everything looked so good. I want to order so much more but trying to eat later these days. We also ordered a side of duck soup, which was only two dollars Everything hit all the right spots the soup and the pecking duck were absolutely perfect. I loved everything so much that will go back and I wanna go back and try other things and maybe even order more duck. I can’t express how happy I am but it’s on my overall happiness listso five stars all the way go try this place out.

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