Yao Yao

Went for the Bib Gourmand award and was not disappointed. Everything was flavorful and came out QUICK. We had the garlic eggplant (11/10), chicken wings with dough twists (9/10), and th eShancheng spicy chicken (9/10, but became a 10/10 with some of the eggplant sauce). The wood's ear mushroom was also delicious. I would definitely go back and try some other items, especially the signature pickled fish. So many people in the restaurant had ordered it!

There are tons of excellent options in Chinatown for every budget point, but if you’re willing to spend a bit more, Yao Yao is the place to go (it’s also Chinatown’s first Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant). For my group of 9, it ended up being 31 per person after tax/tip, which felt fair for the quality ingredients, vibrant Szechuan flavors, efficient service, and fresh ambience. The pickled fish and spicy chicken were my favorite dishes from what I ordered, but everything was tasty and flavorful. Food I tried: - Pickled Fish XL (4.7/5): Pricey but massive, filled with spice and tender fish— the sour taste was robust and the pickled veggies were delicious. You get 3 free sides with the XL; we got enoki, dry bean curd skin, and qianye tofu. - Spicy Chicken (4.7/5): This was my favorite appetizer; the chicken was incredibly tender and flavorful. - Golden Fried Crispy Pork (4.4/5): True to the name, it was super crispy. - Spiced Beef & Maw Szechuan Style (4.5/5): This classic Szechuan appetizer doesn’t disappoint— packed with spice and flavor. - Eggplant in Garlic Sauce (4.6/5): Biased because this is my favorite Chinese veggie dish, but it was delicious— the eggplant is soft, creamy, and flavorful. - Spicy Gluttonous Bullfrog (4.3/5): I liked this one less than other dishes, but it was still good. The bullfrog meat was kind of sparse.

I ordered the pickled fish stew and frog soup, which are great. The waiter is very nice, their desert are great, the stir fired dish of pork and pepper is superb.

Authentic Chinese food, fresh fish, very tasty. Love it!

Yao Yao is my new favorite Chinese spot in the city! The beef and broccoli is top-tier, tender and full of flavor, and don’t even get me started on the dumplings—crispy and juicy, just perfect. The vibe inside is casual but nice enough for a chill dinner. I dropped about 20 for a meal that totally hit the spot and left me full. The service was quick and friendly, and I love how they keep things simple but high quality. If you're in the area, definitely give it a try—you won't regret it!

Delicious, Fresh Fish! We got the two flavored dish for about 60. Yes, this is expensive! BUT, we were pleasantly surprised by two HUGE containers of fish. I'm not kidding, our meal for "two" can probably feed SIX. My to-go bag was 15lbs and I only ordered the fish and a dessert! In addition to the outrageous portion sizes, I thoroughly enjoyed how the fish was cooked AND the flavors. The fish was SUPER tender, as soft as silken tofu. I enjoyed that the fish wasn't super processed. Each piece also has fish skin (yum) and some small bones. If you're unsure about bones in fish, you'll be surprised to know that almost every fish in the sea has bones. Our two flavors were tomato and pickles veggies. Each one had a unique flavor profile. The sweet and savory tomato flavor matched the sour and spicy pickled vegies perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and will continue to gorge on said meal over the next few days!

We ordered two XL pickled fish stews: one spicy and one not spicy, along with so many side dishes. Our server was so helpful in telling us what dishes to order and the quantities. Standouts among the side dishes were the spicy chicken and the cucumber with jellyfish. The restaurant was very clean and service was attentive.

This is one of my go-to's. I love it here. Their signature soups, especially the sour vegetable fatty beef soup, desserts, appetizers, and fried rice, are all delicious!!! Unique stuff and great space.