The Joy Luck
1285 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY, 40204
The Joy Luck Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Louisville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Louisville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1285 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY, 40204 - Phone (502) 238-3070
- Website https://www.thejoyluck.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
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Paige H.
I always give a place at lease two tries. I think I have to say I am giving up on Joy Luck. While the service was superlative (Justin was outstanding in his attentiveness and friendliness) the food is just such a colossal disappointment. I think a major problem is there is no description on the menu of how the food is prepared. This prevents the diner from making a really educated choice. My mother had the Taiwanese Boneless Duck over Vegetables and the dish arrived, bounteous and visually stunning. Sadly, the duck was over breaded and very dry. I had the Kentuckyaki chicken and for me it was a complete miss. Three chicken tenders already cooked through put onto a hot metal plate with veg and sauce. Other than the sauce popping and spattering, I don't see the point of the hot plate. The sauce was cloyingly sweet. I kept dipping my chicken into the sauce under my mother's duck jerky. I do urge Joy Luck to update the menu they have on line as prices have changed pretty significantly as well as some of the menu items.
(2)Amy S.
It's Valentines Day. Quite possibly the worSt day of days, for those us who live our lives in Singleville. Today was different. Today I fell in love with Joy....Joy Luck. This new, locally owned, Taiwanese restaurant will blow your mind and your taste buds! From the Walnut Shrimp (which is an hour long process just to make the walnuts) is absolutely DEVINE! The Soup Dumplings will burst in your mouth with flavor and if you can save room for the Fried Cheesecake... Yeah, no if's. Just save room!!
(5)Christopher L.
I had been really interested in trying this restaurant for a long time, but there are mixed reviews on Yelp so I was interested to see what I would get when I visited. I have to say up front that I was very disappointed. I'll start with the food. We started with the pork buns. I had been wanting to try these for so long, but was very let down by them. No flavor at all. My entree was the braised pork over rice while my date had the pepper beef. Neither dish stood out as anything that I couldn't get at a thousand other Asian restaurants for cheaper. The food just looked old... and boring. I definitely wasn't thrilled, but it was edible... We had a few cocktails while we were there and the One Inch Punch and the Jade Geisha were both very flavorful, and the Jade Geisha in particular was very aesthetically pleasing, but if I am paying ten dollars and over for one cocktail, I expect to get drunk. Three cocktails in and a buzz was nowhere to be found. And that is something coming from me because I rarely drink. The restaurant seemed fairly busy for a Sunday night, but the staff seemed like they couldn't handle it. I have never seen wait staff literally running through a restaurant before tonight. The service was scatter-brained at best. One of the two bartenders seemed very disinterested in helping us, and the waiter (when we eventually got a table) was friendly, but over-whelmed. I've had better service but the experience was a little disheartening. All in all, I spent over 100 dollars, (60 for 6 cocktails for the table) and the food was mediocre at best. This restaurant has received a lot of hype and seems to be a trendy spot, but those that love this place must either have deeper pockets than me to justify an evening here. I won't be back.
(2)Tabitha H.
This has become one of my favorites. The service is always great. I love the vegetarian options, the moo shoo is top rate. Best jasmine tea around
(5)Mike T.
Making itself a name in the mix of Japanese inspired restaurants flooding Bardstown Rd, Joy Luck is a breath of fresh air bringing an upscale version of the Far- East/Chinese foods we have all tried and loved for years now. This isnt your average, take-out or "sample sample" mall food court Chinese. It is made with a lot of heart, soul and pride and I was able to taste it in every dish that we tried. We started our meal with the ginger salads and Soup Dumplings. The ginger salads were the average spring mix and dressing. What sets ginger salads apart is of course in the dressing. This gressing was right on, full of ginger flavor without being too overbearing and the right amount of creamyness. I do wish that they would add in slices of mozerella, with pairs so well with ginger dressing, but maybe next time I can request some cheese! The soup dumplings, which you can only get them at Joy Luck in Louisville (so I was told), were fatastic. The burst of soup as we bit into the dumplings were a fantastic surprise and pretty flavorful. As much as we loved them, they did lack a slight kick of something. The dumplings and broth itself can be a tad bland on their own, so I was just hoping for an extra umph to take it to the next level. Regardless, we enjoyed them quite a bit and after eating 2 each we were ready for some more, but opted to not go another round as we knew our entres were right around the corner. I got the General Tsos Chicken, as I love me some heat and my partner got the Orange Chicken. Both were BURSTING with flavor with the right amount of spices and kick. The Orange Chicken had a spicy quality to it but then you could taste the subtle sweetness of the orange flavoring. The chicken (not mystery meat that you tend to get at iffy Chinese establishments) were juicy and tender and fried to perfection....some of the best that we have ever had. Our next visit we will be sure to be a bit more adventerous, not only with our taste buds but our wallets as well, lol, as the food itself was a tiny tad bit pricey... however you can see and taste the quality of ingredients that they use, so I was OK with the bill at the end. all in all it was a great night out and can I just say that they also gave us the BEST service. We had Julie and she was full of energy, had great suggestions and advice on what to try for the first time and was just a "joy" to have waiting on us. With the help of the man, who we sadly forgot to get his name, the dining experience was as good as it could get....not to mention the owner OR head chef came out and greeted us and asked us how it was going...which I found to be a wonderful and inviting touch....I will most def be coming back!
(5)Katherine D.
We were in from out of town and decided to try this place out... we were not disappointed! :) Amazing food, great atmosphere and excellent customer service. Everything we tried was outstanding including the lomein, crab ragoons and Mongolian beef! The waiter was so nice and took great care of us! we look forward to coming back next year!
(5)Marvin D.
Really great food... Vegetables were so fresh. Apps and entrees were both great. Highly recommend it.
(5)Shirley L.
Tasty drinks. Beef noodle soup is very authentic. Modern decoration, cool atmosphere, and friendly service. Mainly Asian American Chinese dishes. However, you could special order with the owner if you really want some authentic Taiwanese food.
(4)Adam C.
I had my doubts when we decided to go here, looking at the menu it seems like just your ordinary Chinese/Asian restaurant. Some very similar menu items you would see at even fast food Chinese. Walking in I could tell they took some time with small details to make it nicer than just your average Bardstown road restaurant. Staff was friendly but there were only two or three of them. Seemed a little short staffed but they worked well together to take care of all the tables in a timely manner. I would highly recommend descriptions of the dishes. A few reviews say how knowledgeable the staff if, granted they are able to describe the dishes but it shouldn't be necessary. Most people will just not order a dish they don't know what it is and stick with known dishes. Had I not asked the difference in Cantonese and Beijing duck I would have skipped them altogether. After hearing so much about the pork buns, they were a must try. We did like the filling but the bun is too plain and dry definitely needs a dipping sauce to finish it off. We asked for a sauce and they brought three to try, it made a world of difference. Formosa chicken was great, even though it was fried it wasn't greasy at all. Very light and full of flavor, we probably could have ordered one for each of us. Beijing duck was served on similar bread as the pork buns so again not a big fan of the bread but other than that it was a great dish. Crisp skin pulls all the flavors together. Black bean sauce chicken was ok but nothing special. Overall it was a good dining experience with some unique flavors we didn't expect to find here. All kinds of potential here, quality of food is better than most and flavors are like none other we have found in town. We will back to explore more of the menu as it seems Joy Luck is here to stay.
(4)Sheng L.
The fried rice was not fried. What a joke. Also the place was way over price for the mediocre fare that it offers. They do have good service and a lovely patio.
(2)Scott D.
Best Chinese I have had in quite some time. Not as greasy as low end Chinese places and has fantastic atmosphere both inside and on the great outdoor seating. Was just here for lunch so I cannot speak to the cocktails but the food was excellent.
(4)Michael M.
Worst service I've ever had in louisville. And the food wasn't much better. Waited 15 minutes at the bar before anyone took our order and there wasn't anyone else waiting at the bar. Seated as the Drinks finally came. Waiter opened up telling us how tired he was and how he's having a bad day. I can relate; this week has been a bad massage, I needed a happy ending. With that said, I went out for dinner and drinks to move on not sympathize with server. I say we're cool as long he keeps the drinks flowing. He doesn't. We order apps. The pork soup dumplings were underwhelming. Also difficult to eat without utensils. Luckily were provided utensils and napkins before the food came. Thirty minutes later the waiter came back to take dinner order. Finally get a second drink. Ordered the Beijing duck. It was good, but not nearly as good as reviews suggest. Friend had pad Thai. She said it was flavorless. It's overpriced and mediocre at best. Save your money!
(1)Beth H.
Really really disappointing. I suggested to a few friends that we try out Joy Luck because I had heard good buzz and read the Yelp reviews. Unfortunately, the night was a comedy of errors that wasn't that funny. First, the entryway smelled like poo. We thought it might be a family that had a baby but they left and the poo smell remained. Yikes! The waiter was nice but had trouble hearing everything we ordered. There was a bit of confusion about what we ordered. Also, he repeatedly touched all of us to the point where we all acknowledged it made us uncomfortable. I feel bad writing hath at because I could tell he was stressed, which probably speaks more to restaurant operations than his own abilities. The drinks were ok. My KY Sazerac was weak and watery. My 3 friends ordered sparkling sake, and they ran out and could only bring 2. However, we were charged for 4. Meroe on huge bill later. The service was very slow. It took about a half hour between the time we ordered and got our meals. The food was ok. If you've ever had dumplings at legit Chinese restaurants in Louisville like Jade Palace you won't be impressed. The dumpling skins were dry not freshly made. The dishes were fine. Mine came out cold. Honestly though, Double Dragon is way better. I don't know what you're paying for at Joy luck other than fancy plates. The food is the same as counter service Chinese. The bills were messed up in many ways. As mentioned, we were mischarged and overcharged for the sparkling sake. The dumplings could not be split around then table. They said they don't split dishes like that. I was charged a 2.45$ rocks fee for my Bulleit that actually came out neat, and then I was brought ice. So, not a "rocks" pour. See my review of Hillbilly Tea if you want more of my opinion about rocks pours that are not explicitly mentioned on the menu (spoiler alert: it enrages me.) The waiter fixed the bills and apologized, but threw the bartender under the bus for the rocks charge. One final note, the soap dispenser in the ladies room is too close to the sink and spurts foamy soap in your shoulder when you are washing your hands. I really wanted to like this place. It was disappointing in every way. I hope they improve and live up to their potential. It's a great location, a great idea and a good space. Good luck to joy luck but you won't be seeing me around any time soon.
(1)Mark W.
First, I fully intend to go back - part of this rating is due to high expectations for this place after seeing the menu and the initial reviews... I'm hopeful that this was an off night, like most slow Tuesdays. The venue is great, well done. Simple, modern, yet balanced with rustic finishes. I thought they've done a great job with the decor - I enjoyed a drink on their enclosed porch just outside the bar area. Overall it's small, but works. Anyway, here's my run down food-wise - as a side note all of this was takeout. Got a drink while waiting...: - Formosa Chicken Roll - OK, too dry, not sure if they were out too long or fried - Pork Dumplings (fried) - Good - Pork Buns - Too dry, way too dry, not sure if these were old ones... - Taiwanese Pork Tapas - Excellent, authentic greens and pork belly, yum. - Short Ribs with Black Bean Sauce - Ok, but tiny portion for $15. Overall, I thought the food was OK - but i definitely plan to return to give it another chance and will update this review accordingly....
(2)Julie M.
You know, I was pretty pleased overall with my dinner at the Joy Luck. My two friends and I had attentive service, the drinks were excellent and the food was made and presented exceptionally well. We each got an appetizer and an entree (rookie mistake) not knowing how big the portions would be. Well they were way bigger than expected! But I was glad to have been able to sample the Taiwanese Sausage Roll, the Vegetable Spring Rolls and the Crab Rangoon. For my entree I got the Cantonese Beef Noodles, which i was so pleased to see was a Lard Nar and not those glass noodles that you sometimes get. I was so stuffed I had to take more than half home but no worries, the leftovers were just as amazing the next day. I really want to go when the weather is nice to take advantage of the huge patio.
(5)Stephanie B.
The Joy Luck has a phenomenal outdoor seating area which is perfect for people watching. The food was a bit pricey for what I received, but the cocktail I ordered was well worth it's value. The Ming Dynasty is a great option for someone who likes to try new things as this alcoholic beverage contains egg whites. I will certainly return for the cocktail menu.
(3)Cyndi M.
I have eaten here 2x. The atmosphere is good. The food leaves a lot to be desired. We have had the Szechuan chicken the duck rolls tofu dish, and have not enjoyed any. We love Asian just not here
(2)Pamela J.
This restaurant is fabulous the food is magnificent, and the service is excellent. The owner Alvin is wonderful and adds his own touch to everything about his business. We willl definitely be back.
(5)Regina G.
I loved my order of the beijing roast duck. And the menu was long and diverse, offering more reasons to return. Food: 4 stars. It has a wide alcohol selection, which includes wines and bourbons, to accompany your meal. Drinks: 4 stars. The environment was very inviting, fun, and warm. Environment and design: 5 stars. Service was sluggish. But given it's a brand, spanking, new restaurant, I can't fault them too much. It will surely improve with time. Service: 3 stars. Overall, a wonderful addition to Bardstown Rd. I hope it stays around for a long, long time. Extra: The resturant staff is a good looking bunch. ;-)
(4)Paul N.
Live around the corner and finally decided to try it. Ate dinner on their patio which is nice with a great view for people watching. I only had a couple of apps, the kimchi quesadilla and kentuckyaki chicken satay. I like kimchi so the quesadilla was ok but looked pretty plain and boring on the plate. The satay app had a nice flavor and was cooked well. My wife had the tofu pad Thai. It was good but not unique. The menu was mostly general items you'd find at any Asian restaurant or even buffet. Cocktails were a bit pricey at $9-14, beer and bourbon selections were good. Decent service but once it was busy the servers seemed short handed. Overall good, not great, but good.
(3)The W.
Awesome owner. Great staff. Amazing food. When we were there we had a lot of awesome items like the soup filled dumplings, crab ragoons and walnut shrimp. We want to go back and hang out at the bar before dinner. Great place for a date or group of friends.
(5)Beck B.
A great new addition to the Bardstown Rd. scene. Dined here with a very large party and service was excellent. The place is loud -- but our group was making a lot of the noise. The menu is a bit overwhelming due to the variety of options. I didn't order the house salad with ginger dressing, but most of our group did, and I was sorry I didn't. For only $4, it was bigger, fresher and tastier than your typical refrigerated, saucer-sized Asian salad. The hot & sour soup was nothing special. Unfortunately we forgot to try the well-reviewed dumplings! Among the dishes we ordered: Singapore rice noodles w/ shrimp -- light, fresh and nicely spicy mu shu-pork -- didn't taste, but companion really liked it General Tso's chicken -- really tasty! great spice, crispy delicious white meat kim chi casserole -- warming spices, Asian comfort food five spice chicken -- good, but nothing special orange sauce w/ veggies -- delicious sauce, but maybe a bit too much sauce All the portions are pretty large, in fact two could probably share. If I lived in Louisville, I'd eat here regularly. PS -- if you like Bloody Marys, be sure to try Joy Luck's kim chi version. Everyone at the table loved it.
(4)Heather H.
I really like this place. The patio seating is great setting for lunch or dinner. Justin was a great waiter with tasty suggestions. Definitely try the black pepper beef. The best!!!
(5)Sandra P.
Love they have the menu coded for authentic or Americanized. Authentic is the choice for me. Any of the duck items should not be missed including the steam buns. I have not had a steam bun as good as this since NYC at Momofuko. Sooo good.
(5)Michael S.
Keep in mind Im not huge on Asian food. I do however love the sales, especially with the ginger dressing. I couldn't even finish mine here. The sauce had what I can only describe was a chemical taste. Maybe too much flavor in the dressing? I decided to try an app, it was the chicken with the chile like flavor. Those were really good and spicy as hell. Server was affable and helped guide me in the direction of something i might like. Other than the salad it was pretty good. The crowd is what you'd expect from that area. Total hipster scene, almost comically so. Still if you like this kind of food you should give it a shot.
(3)Mitch T.
We ordered chicken lo mein, crab rangoon, and moo shu pork with fried rice. The lo mein had an overwhelming taste of fish sauce. The crab rangoon had so little crab I couldn't say if there actually was any crab inside and had way too much cream cheese. The fried rice was not good, pretty much brown rice with egg in it. The moo shu pork was the only okay dish. But the sauce they provide for the dish is not appetizing. We barely ate any of this 30 dollar meal and will not return. It's truly unfortunate.
(2)Seema K.
Last night was our first time at Joy Luck and we really enjoyed it! The menu is divided into 2 categories: more traditional Taiwanese fare and Chinese-American fare. We mainly stuck with items in the Taiwanese category: - The drinks were good (although a little weak in my personal opinion). - The soup dumplings were a fun burst of soup with flavorful pork - The hot and sour soup, while lacking a bit in heat/spiciness, was otherwise well seasoned. - We shared the gai lan (chinese broccoli) and szechuan chicken. The gai lan was simply but deliciously prepared -- the stalks still had some bite, and the sauce tasted like soy, garlic, maybe some fish sauce and/or vinegar. The szechuan chicken was good but not quite as spicy as some I've had -- it was more like fried chicken pieces topped with a chili oil/black pepper sauce. Tasty, but more peppery than spicy. - For dessert we tried the lava cake which was fine -- nothing too special. All in all, a good experience and we'll be back to try more. Plus our waiter was great - attentive and explained menu items well.
(4)Jere S.
Fantastic! I really enjoy finding authentic asian food. My travels have landed me far beyond the continental borders of the u.s. and I'm impressed. The Crispy Duck rivals my Beijing experience...writing this review makes me hungry for it. If you are in the mood for a creative drink try a "Dream Sickle" and take care of desert with your drink...Great atmosphere, reasonable prices, creative and fun along with professional and attentive staff. Oh, yeah, great to find a family owned and run restaurant...Joy Luck could be my Lucky Duck! I feel lucky to have found it. Wish there was one in Lexington.
(5)Kenneth A.
This place needs some serious help in the service category. We sat for over an hour and a half to receive our meals with a moderate crowd at the restaurant. I don't believe it's the servers faults, the kitchen is simply too slow. Our servers were cordial and you could tell they were aware of how slow things moved. This part alone makes the experience terrible. Appetizer orders failed to be placed. A single drink from the bar took 20 minutes to be delivered. It was delicious, but it took way too long. The decor is great. Location is ideal. I loved what we had, even with relatively small portions. But the service is simply terrible. This shouldn't be acceptable in the restaurant business. I'll try this place again in a couple months and update this review if the service is significantly better and the chefs can actually prepare orders in a much more timely manner.
(2)Bryn T.
Me new favorite spot for wonton soup and AMAZING Asian dishes. Do yourself a favor and go. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Wendy J.
First off, service is excellent. Everyone is so friendly and warm. Most importantly, the food is OUTSTANDING. I don't usually write reviews on Yelp, but my goodness, the food blew me away. It is quality food. My favorite is the General Tso's chicken. No gristly fried Chinese mess here, only identifiably meat, which is hard to find in Chinese food). I have been several times now and cannot get enough. The Kung Pao chicken, the Pad Thai, the Roast Pork...I could go on. All SO delicious. This is a gem of a restaurant.
(5)Jamie B.
I normally do not write a review if I've only gone to a place once but I am with The Joy Luck. I saw the restaurant advertised in the paper and knew I wanted to try and last night I finally did! I got a pot of green tea and started to peruse the menu. My friend and I got a spring roll and crab rangoon as appetizers. They were good but nothing special. I wish they had more of a unique flavor but maybe they will get more creative down the road. I wanted to try the soup dumplings but I try not to eat pork. There were quite a few entrées I was interested in but I knew I was in the mood for seafood and wanted something with a little spice so I settled on the Thai Curry Seafood Casserole. I must be on a curry kick :) The description says its Thai-style curry with shrimp, scallops, mussels, and vegetables. The only thing casserole about the meal is the dish it's served in. For $20 I got a massive amount of lobster along with the seafood mentioned and a great selection of vegetables. I'm glad they gave me a big spoon because I used it to dip my rice into the broth! It was wonderful and very feeling so I regretted the appetizers. My friend got the Cashew Chicken and it tasted much better than what I get at my local Chinese restaurant. I wish I would have had room for the fried ice cream but I will just have to try it next time! The only bad thing about the atmosphere, which is very nice, was the heat! I was burning up by the time I was eating my meal. Overall I really enjoyed The Joy Luck and think you should give it a try!
(4)Meredith D.
I was really excited to try Joy Luck this weekend and I think we found a great date night place/good Chinese close to home. We started off with the crab rangoon and kimchi quesadilla. The crab rangoon was delicious!! I'm not big on spicy food, so I didn't try the quesadilla, but my husband inhaled it. For our main meal we split the Five Flavor dish. It had snow peas, chicken, beef, shrimp, mushrooms, zucchini, asparagus, carrots, and a very good light brown sauce. The portion was huge. The owner even made my husband a side of homemade hot sauce to spice it up. It made his eyeballs sweat. :) Everything else we saw come out of the kitchen looked and smelled wonderful. The bar will be open soon, we loved the decor, and the staff was great. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Rick D.
Went there last night for the first time. Cant say enough about the service or the food. Great place to take a date. Try the Seafood Casserole it was hot and fabulous. The weather was nice and the patio is a fun place to watch the characters of the Louisville Highlands.
(5)Paul W.
Best Asian restaurant in Louisville! I've searched through a lot of the city's Asian joints over the last couple years and this is the only consistently flavorful and greaseless cooking I've found. It's also one of the few places that, when you ask for something to be spicy, it's spicy. They have a terrific lunch special (try the 5 flavor!), and in addition to their excellent traditional chinese fare (there are some snotty comments about how unimaginative it is to have these dishes on a menu in the Highlands. But when do you ever find them this flavorful and not drowning in a pool of oil?) they have an extensive Taiwanese selection. Best Asian restaurant in Louisville!
(5)Jorge V.
Great service, great environment, and even better food!!!! I suggest asking the staff for suggestions-- the short ribs in black bean sauce were out of this world... Unique dish with amazing flavor! Can't go wrong with the Cantonese Duck either-- perfectly crispy and delicious. And don't miss out on the craft cocktails! They pair perfectly with the cuisine. I suggest the Ming Dynasty as a refreshing treat.
(5)thomas d.
After my last review I thought I would never step foot into the joy luck again. however, because of my review and because of the inquiry by the owner of the restaurant about my review, my girlfriend was really curious about the restaurant and how the food would be. I reluctantly went with her on Friday night. I first got a drink at the bar. The bar is great, it has a very comfortable feel to it the bartenders great and the drink was excellent. We sat outside and ordered. I noticed that they had reworked the menu itself as well many items on the menu. I ordered the Farmers beef with snow peas on the servers recommendation and my girlfriend got the seafood combo. Both dishes were excellent, my beef was cooked perfectly and seasoning was very good with just enough heat from the chili oil. The only thing I didn't care for was the rice. I prefer a traditional sticky rice and the rice we were served was a little dry and loose. But, because of the sauce in my dish I used the rice to absorb the flavors so it all worked out. I just had to use a fork instead of my chopsticks. It seems that the owner cares enough to read the comments about his restaurant and make changes accordingly. This is the first review I've written that I've gotten a response from an owner. Like I said before I really wanted to like this place and now I can. Well done. As I always said, I don't like to write bad reviews because that means I had a bad meal that I paid for. I think lots of restaurants can make their places better if they just took the time to read the comments.
(4)Jamie C.
Maybe we ordered the wrong things but we weren't impressed with our food. My hubby ordered the pepper steak stir fry. He said it tasted chewy...it was too breaded and it was really salty. I got the Veggie walnut stir fry and while it was average, I couldn't finish it because it was so salty. If i'm not ordering meat please at least give me more than a half a cup of finely diced veggies. We also got the side of fried rice with our meals; I hope the fried rice you order as a meal is different than the side because the side of fried rice was dry and tasted like nothing. Drinks were tasty. Unless someone has an event there and I have to go we will most likely not return. I was hoping this was Chinese food or Asian food taken up a notch but it wasn't that good :(.
(3)Kenny K.
Food is excellent but the service is suspect. Our waitress did an outstanding job but the kitchen certainly didn't help. Wasn't that busy.
(3)Ben M.
No rice in our take out even though we ordered it. Salad dressing did not taste right
(5)Bethany S.
Rather pricey for lunch unless you get something off of the limited lunch special menu. Otherwise it's reasonably priced for dinner. The portion sizes are good and the food is worth every penny! Atmosphere is modern, chic, but still casual and comfortable. Very cool zen kind of place to grab some good food!
(4)Erin C.
We went to this new place on Sunday and it is fantastic! My boyfriend suggesting trying it...I was reluctant to go because I had driven by several times and it still looks so much on the outside like it has for years - and I knew the inside was pretty disgusting when the previous restaurant was there. But we walked in and I was blown away by how shocked I was, in the best way possible. The owners have put a lot of love, care and funds into transforming this space. It is absolutely gorgeous, modern, clean and comfortable. I was hoping the food would live up to my new expectations and it certainly did, and then some! Everything was absolutely amazing and I can't wait to go back. We got to talk to the owner, who filled us in on the food preparation. Nothing is coming out of a bag here, with everything made by hand each day. This place is super special and I hope it's a huge success! Oh and they say patio furniture is on the way, can't wait to sit outside in nicer weather and enjoy their wonderful food!
(5)John S.
I would come back again and again and again for their Beijing Roast Duck. It's served on a soft steam bun. The duck is so flavorful and my favorite part is its crispy skin. The service was great!
(3)Anna C.
I was accidentally served another table's appetizer because a table had moved. I have been to this restaurant and had talked to the owner on one occasion so I thought I was being thanked for being a return customer as the server said, "this is for you," with as flourish. Then they realized their mistake and were affronted that I had touched the food. It was just a misunderstanding until the attitude of the server and the bartender turned it into an ordeal and kept rudely telling me and that "the owner said I had to pay for it." This was going to be my new favorite restaurant but after being berated and charged for things I didn't order, I will NEVER return.
(1)Nik C.
Best Chinese I've had in Louisville. Owners are wonderful and everyone goes out of their way to provide wonderful service. I live that the food is healthy and really made based on your preferences. Everything that we've had is wonderful, but my favorites are the pork buns and the silken tofu dish (I forget the name). Most Chinese places are great for takeout because the inside is nothing special. This place is so well done - they've done a great job with the space! We've really enjoyed eating in. Also, the extensive bar selections are really great; the bartender is fantastic. Such a welcome addition to the Highlands!
(4)Amna A.
I've been to Joy luck on numerous occasions now with my husband and several friends. Overall I have really enjoyed my food, mainly the thai curry seafood casserole. I am a little obsessed with this dish as I randomly crave it. It is very soupy, cooked it a clay pot with fresh veggies scallops, mussels, and shrimp at $20. I am quite disappointed though that they use to add lobster which is why I would justify the cost, but the last two times we went there was no lobster. We were informed by our server that lobster was never listed on the menu and currently they were out of lobster. Hmm. Otherwise, hot and sour soup is good, as well as sesame chicken. My husband got the walnut shrimp and wasn't very impressed saying it was on the bland side. Cocktails are rather expensive here, but they do have a decent beer and wine list. Would I recommend this place? Absolutely. It does have a few unique and tasty dishes. Service is decent on a busy night. They get 3 stars because they really need to do something about the air conditioning in the restaurant, there are pedestal fans in several places and our server was literally dripping in sweat.
(3)more r.
The drinks were OK but the service was very slow and just a little bit snooty. Maybe the waiter was having a bad day. Along with the bartenders, I suppose.
(2)Whitney C.
We visited the Joy Luck this weekend, 2 weeks after its opening. We loved it!! We ordered the pork soup dumplings, walnut shrimp, and Beijing duck. Yum, yum, yum. All three were delicious. Everything was very hot, flavorful, and nicely portioned. The d'ecor is lovely and the restaurant is very clean. Bathrooms are comfortable, clean, and roomy. Especially for having only been open 2 weeks, the wait staff was excellent. Everyone we encountered was very happy, friendly, and prompt. We will definitely enjoy Joy Luck again soon!
(4)Kristin B.
This was our second time at joy luck. The food is good. The general tsos was tasty, as was the orange chicken. We got the Taiwanese sausage roll as an appetizer. Not bad, but a little strange. Like a fried hot dog with sweet sauce. The others are much better. The cocktails have been good. The hot sweet and sour is particularly good. All in all a good experience UNTIL we went to the bar after dinner. We ordered a bakers on the rocks. Bourbon over ice is a pretty normal way to order it, especially in the middle of the summer in a restaurant where the ac didn't seem to be pumping. The pour didn't look large. Yet we were overcharged a dollar above the menu price and they added a 2.40 rocks charge not mentioned anywhere on the menu or by the bartender. It made what appeared a reasonably priced premium bourbon overpriced and we essentially felt screwed. What would have been a great night was ruined by their stupid, hidden up charge.
(2)Joseph T.
Typically, when I give a review, a local business is going to get the benefit of the doubt from me. Unless things are just wrong/off, you're getting four stars. And I feel like the Joy Luck is just right. The service and friendly attitude I've found amongst the staff is seriously some of the best in the city. Cooper (dog) and I visit, and they make sure that Cooper is 100% comfortable and has water. I love to see a business take interest in my dog. The Joy Luck killed it in this area. The food is very tasty. As far as flavor/taste, I think the Joy Luck is probably the best in the city, for what they are. The service is undeniable. The food is fantastic. The portion sizes? A little skimpy. The prices? A bit more than I'd wish to pay for what I'm getting. Overall, the Joy Luck is a must visit, but it's not somewhere to visit all the time if you're on a budget.
(4)Brent P.
From bizjournals.com : Joy Luck Asian Cuisine, 1285 Bardstown Road (C, 74) Committed one or more of the following violations: unapproved source of food, incorrect records, packaged food not in good condition, adulterated or spoiled food; potentially hazardous food-safety temperature; unwashed or unclean hands, proper hygienic practices preventing contamination from hands not followed; insects/rodents present (no birds, turtles, other animals).
(1)Andrew S.
Best Asian food in louisville. Hospitality, cocktails and great food makes you feel like family. Worth a trip from near or far.
(5)Jon H.
The cocktails are sheer perfection in a glass. I tried the "Hunter S.", "paris hilton" and the "silver sour". Each craft cocktail was mixed just right with delicate flavors to compliment the primary liquor. The food was also great, we had sesame wings (yum) and the mongolian beef. Both were bursting with flavor and made with fresh ingredients. The menu has plenty of options and is very unique. The service was incredible as well. It may just be that everyone in Louisville is nicer than back home, but nonetheless, this family run restaurant made us feel right at home and ensured our dining experience was excellent. Can't say enough good things, if we lived here we'd be regular customers.
(5)McKenzie I.
I was so excited when this place first opened up, I was counting down the days until the doors to this beautifully decorated Asian bistro would open, but for some reason I didn't try this place until July of 2015. I came here on a Wednesday evening and the place was seemingly empty. Upon walking in it took a few minutes to be greeted, we were seated by the bar in a little corner adjacent to a fire place. The menu has some great options and I was excited to try their rendition of the classic Orange Chicken with fried rice. However, when it came to order, our waiter, who let us know that his parents were born and raised in an area of China where Szechuan chicken was loved like our Americanized orange chicken is loved, suggested that I give the Szechuan chicken a try instead of my first choice. I thought that was a great idea and ordered that as suggested. The wait wasn't long at all and we were checked on quite frequently by the bartenders and passing servers. When we received our dish we were presented with one large bowl of what tasted like long grain Jasmin rice with two spoons, grilled vegetables and the Szechuan chicken. The rice was made with a notable amount of soy sauce and had that aromatic floral taste you come to expect from a great Jasmin. the chicken was, unfortunately, charred to the point of being burnt. The vegetables were great and I enjoyed the dish overall. I did honestly regret not getting my ol' reliable, however I did love the fact that our waiter cared enough to suggest something a little out of my comfort zone. Overall: A good experience; the service was a little confused (to the point where we didn't know who we were tipping) but everyone was friendly, the food was a little overdone but the flavors were definitely there. The prices are a bit high ($13 being the cheapest of meals) and the portions are pretty small for those of us who are used to Louisville portions. With all that being said I can't wait to go back and try the Orange Chicken. If you're a fan of Asian cuisine with a sunny atmosphere and a great patio, definitely give this place a try.
(3)Cassidy P.
Delicious food, great service! This is a great place to come on a date night, or a night out with friends. As always, I recommend getting more than one dish and sharing them to taste more of the menu! I have had both the five flavor chicken (with basic spice level) and the cashew chicken (again, with basic spice level). Both were delicious. Their ginger salad (which is a must for me) is also great. Our waitress took time to describe the dishes and spice levels to my husband and I, and made us feel very confident in what we were ordering. It was a hot July evening, we sat outside, and she made sure we always had cold drinks in front of us. The entrées are a little pricey, but the atmosphere, flavors, and service are all there.
(4)Erin K.
My fiance's family took me here on Saturday to celebrate my birthday. This was my first time here and I was pretty impressed. I had the Honey Walnut Shrimp and it was one of the best shrimp dishes I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. It was sweet and crispy and perfectly cooked and I would like to eat it everyday! My fiance had the General Tsao's which he devoured and my future mother in law had the Orange Chicken which I tried and loved. We will be back, those Soup Dumplings are calling my name!
(4)Mia N.
Like other reviews, I had to dine-in a couple of times before I could give my thoughts on it. The first time I had their food, I honestly didn't think I would be coming back so often. It just seemed like something I could get somewhere else at a cheaper price. I soon found out that when you pick something completely out of your comfort zone, and it turns out 10x better than you expected, it quickly becomes your regular hangout spot. If you are stuck on what to order, please consider one of the following (or all if you wish! Plus, having these as leftovers is great!): 1. Cantonese Duck (It's crispy and seasoned very well.) 2. Chicken Wings (There are 4 sauces to choose from. I enjoyed the General Tso's and the Szechuan Chili.) 3. Taiwanese Fried Rice (Combination is the way to go.) 4. Any cocktails. (The presentation is on point.) Besides the food, the staff and management are friendly and polite. Very attentive! What sets this place to be great vs. others is the outdoor patio on top of all their delicious food and drinks. Hello gorgeous! The string lights does it all. Don't forget to look at my pictures! It really does help!
(5)Michele W.
This is my new favorite restaurant. Our waitress was great. I wish I could remember your name, because you were great. She explained everything and was great with questions; didn't act irritated at all, with us or other customers. She was a very pleasant girl. Because of her we got the Five Flavor dish and it was absolutely incredible. You have to get that. The kimchi quesadillas were wonderful and the fried rice was some of the best, in Louisville, where, sad to say, you do not get good fried rice, in many places. The drinks are also nice. The Oriental Old Fashioned may be my favorite Old Fashioned, now. I want to go back and sit outside and go back again and again, to try everything. But, how can I get anything, but the Five Flavors? Maybe I can move around the corner.
(5)Shawn N.
The food here was amazing! However, the service wasn't. Our server reeked of smoke and would stand so close to us, it was disgusting. Service was also slow and we were the only ones in our part of the dining area. Had we had just decent service I'd give it 5 stars, who knows...maybe your experience will be better! As for food. The Taiwanese pork belly sliders....just shut up and take my money!!!! The slider bun is the heavenly pillow of a roll and the ingredients on top are perfect together.
(3)Jason M.
After several visits here, I finally have enough ammunition to craft a well-thought review. I have had zero bad drinks or food here. Once, I did have to suffer through a much hotter than acceptable dining area, but it appears they have corrected that, otherwise my return trips would not have occurred. If you do not try the Pork Soup Dumplings, you need to have your brain checked...because they are awesome! Just remember...bite the corner off and let the soup drain into the spoon. DO NOT try to just chow them down, or you will get hot soup all over you, and maybe your neighbor. Pork buns = heaven. Pork dumplings = heaven. Lettuce wraps = still heaven. Both duck entrees are fantabulous. And that Thai Curry Seafood Casserole...holy sh*tsticks, I could eat that every day for a week. Their Singapore Noddles and Pad Thai are also excellent choices, as is the five-flavor fish. Just...go...eat...drink and be merry at the Joy Luck.
(5)Brittney H.
I had a fabulous time at Joy Luck! It was a beautiful evening, so my two friends and I sat on the patio. They had arrived before I did. Caleb was our server and he was hilarious! He got us all a round of waters and my friends had ordered the pork buns as an appetizer. It was around $8 and came with three buns, which was perfect as there were three of us! Hah. I would like to mention that they were also fabulous. They were both sweet and savory. Very satisfying! Caleb also asked if I wanted a drink, but after skimming over the cocktail menu, I decided against it. I am sure that they are wonderful cocktails as Joy Luck advertises cocktails on their sign. However, the prices were enough to keep me away. They cost around the same price as a meal ($10-15) and I wasn't looking to spend $40+ that night. The entree that I ordered was the honey walnut shrimp with steamed rice. I also got a ginger dressing salad. The food came out in a timely manner. The salads came out first (my friend ordered one as well), and they were super good! The ginger dressing was pretty acidic and a little strong, but I like it that way! Shortly afterward, the entrees came out. I have to commend Joy Luck on their beautiful presentation. They really wowed me! My shrimp was served on a bed of crispy rice noodles with a garnish of oranges and a flower. The steamed rice was served in a community bowl, which I did not anticipate- but I didn't mind it at all. It was more than enough for two people (my friend also ordered rice). My two friends ordered the pork belly and the Szechuan chicken. Needless to say, all of us cleaned our plates. I have to give Joy Luck an A+ for ambiance (I loved the patio lights), food quality, and service (Caleb was a great server with a sense of humor). Yes, the prices here are a bit steep ($19 for honey walnut shrimp and rice, $8 for three steamed buns), but I think you are partly paying for the beautiful presentation. So, if you don't mind paying a little extra, come to Joy Luck!
(5)Suzanne B.
In a nutshell: -- Great outdoor seating -- Fabulous menu -- Friendly owner and waitstaff The Joy Luck has become one of my new favorite places. Nestled between Ramsi's and Kashmir on Bardstown Rd, it's the perfect venue to discover a new favorite Asian fusion dish. Inside, it's cozy for when the weather is cold, with a comfortable bar area that looks over the outdoor seating area. Speaking of outdoor seating, when the weather is warm, it has a very nice patio in the front with plenty of seating for enjoying the tasty Asian fusion cuisine and the people watching. I visited recently with a friend, where we quickly bumped into more friends. After briefly waiting at the bar for a table, we all ended up sitting outside on the mild spring evening. Once seated, we were quickly greeted by the owner, who made some excellent recommendations for our meal. Given that we are both light eaters but who enjoy trying new things, we decided to split a number of items on our meal that evening. We started with the Formosa chicken roll, which was savory with just enough crispness to the outer tofu shell to give its texture some variety. This was followed by a salad with the standard (delicious!) Asian ginger dressing. Next came the Kim Chi Quesadilla; I love heat and spice, my companion does not. However, we were both happy, as there was just enough spice to keep me happy with the pickled Kim Chi, but enough tempering from the queso to allow them to enjoy the quesadilla as well. We topped off the night with the fried cheesecake, which reminded both of us of an Italian cannoli -- light on the outside but with a sweet, creamy filling. Under the twinkling strung lights of the patio, it was truly a wonderful evening!
(5)Vy N.
I'd been here several times and left with the thought of "expensive price for so so food", but then I had a change of heart after our last visit there this past week. We were there again to support a good cause, because the restaurant's donating 20% to the Nepal Relief. My husband really like the Cantonese duck there. The duck's skin is crispy and the meat is moist and well seasoned. Even our daughter enjoyed the duck's skin and fat. She left me with the meat which was perfect for me since I don't need any of the fat. I ordered the Kung Pao tofu and loved it. The tofu is crispy and plentiful with mixed peppers and peanuts. The dish has just enough amount of sauce for flavor. I peeked over the next table with a large group, seeing most of them ordered "the farmer's beef". I'm definitely coming back again to try that one out!
(4)Chuck M.
Excellent dinner find! I finally got to try this place out after sampling some of their food at last year's Chocolate Fest, and I must say that they serve up some mean Asian cuisine! I started with a Kimchi Bloody Mary, which was spicy and a little sweet but very tasty. For my entrée, I had the Taiwanese Duck and Vegetables. I've never had duck better! It was moist on the inside with a delicious crispy skin served with mixed veggies in a brown sauce over rice. The portion was great as it could feed one foodie or two people on a diet ;-). I also had a side of kimchi, which was the best I've had at a non-Korean restaurant, and left me very impressed. Overall, I would highly recommend everyone to check them out. I know I'll be back!
(5)Ron B.
Really enjoyed everything about it. Intimate little spot that was not too noisy, but vibrant when I was there. Food was served quickly, service was outstanding and just a lot to love about this spot. For a gluten-free person, always having to be careful about certain asian food joints since it's not always evident whether different sauces have gluten, etc., but the staff here were clear on what was and wasn't. Ordered the chicken and broccoli and it was great, too. Would certainly come back again, as it's a nice spot that I can bring friends knowing they'll find something they like on the food and drink menus to boot. It'll be everyone's favorite place before too long, so go enjoy it while you can!
(4)Lauren D.
Well within the level of happiness. Vegetarian and vegan options with a well spiced option that adds flavor without trying to kill your mouth. Atmosphere is chiller than many Bardstown road places. Music is from "Ultra Chilled" vol.1. Beer selection is perfectly paired to the food with servers' knowledge of pairings impeccable. Food was exceptionally fresh and the service was akin to being with family. I felt so at ease eating and socializing. Perfect experience place! Star deduction because I've had more amazing food. Edit: Taiwanese! Eek! So sorry for the misstep!
(4)Olga I.
$10 lunch deals. Not the cheapest around but better pricing then their menu items.
(3)Zack E.
Relaxing atmosphere, excellent craft drinks, friendly staff! Highly recommend this place to eat at if your lookin for some great taiwanese food!
(5)Kelly Y.
Atmosphere: 5 stars!!! Unbeatable vibe and such a breath of fresh air! Service: friendly and efficient Food: this is a hard one to rate since The Joy Luck does not exactly bill itself as a traditional anything. It is "Taiwanese with a twist". Taiwanese food is "Chinese with a twist". I will just list some of the true Taiwanese items I have tried: Roast Beef Noodle Soup: It is only on the Sunday brunch menu, but it should be on the regular menu!!! It is the best thing I have had here. Tender chunks of marbled beef long braised in a star anise broth along with daikon radish and carrots...all of this goes on top of a bowl of chewy wheat or rice noodle and some bok choy. It is the perfect thing for brunch or any other time of the day. Braised Pork Over Rice: soft, savory, tiny cubes of five spiced pork belly in this dark sweet soy sauce gravy. It is so very good! I only wish there were more of it for $12. Taiwanese Pork Sliders: the same pork cubes as above get stuffed in these pillowy white buns, plus pickled mustard greens and peanuts. Even hubby liked these! Formosa Chicken Roll: These were a revelation when I tried them for the first time. I needed them so badly I returned to The Joy Luck just for these. But for some reason they have suffered from inconsistencies; sometimes they can be dry and shriveled like they were fried for too long or sat under the lamp for too long. Soup Dumplings: um...not soupy enough. Taiwanese Sausage Roll: I thought this was just a bit too sweet for my taste. But I have heard that they are supposed to be sweet like this...kinda like the Cantonese sausage is also too sweet for people not used to them. Cantonese Beef Rice Noodles: this one baffles me. It is too soft and mushy for true Cantonese hall fun. The flavor was good, but it was just too wet and the noodles were all broken in little bits. I will definitely be back for the Beef Noodle Soup. There are items I really like and there are items I do not like. But that is true for any restaurant in my opinion. Joy Luck fills the niche not many Chinese restaurants can occupy: great atmosphere and sophisticated drinks.
(4)Nicholas D.
Soup dumplings were disappointing: thick, tough dough and little soup inside. The buns were soggy. The rest of the food was meh.
(2)Jennifer C.
To be called soup dumplings, they should have soup inside. I have ordered them on two separate occasions, and unfortunately, they are a major failure.
(2)Leigh W.
Great spot for a quick, delicious, affordable lunch. There are several options on the lunch special menu - all for $10 - and they come with soup, a spring roll and your choice of rice. On my first lunch visit, I chose the mixed veggies in garlic sauce, fried rice and the egg drop soup. I was stuffed, but intrigued enough by the fried cheesecake to order a portion to share among my party. Everything was good, but the cheesecake is a reason to make a second visit.
(3)Nancy S.
I was not impressed. The food was good, but not amazing. I thought it was a little pricey. The service was spotty. I ordered a margarita which took them forever to make. My second one came much faster, but then on the bill they charged me two different prices and tried to tell me that was because someone else rang it in. Well, then fix it. They were the same miniature drink they should be the same price. (They were served in a old fashioned champagne glass). My friend ordered a bourbon on the rocks. She was charged $1.80 for the rocks.
(2)Ben W.
The chicken, gimme more please! Eating Taiwanese in Kentucky was the last thing on my mind and as cheesy as the name is, Joy Luck was such a fun dinner. Disclaimer, my coworker is friends with the owner, but the food was so tasty I can't imagine a different experience otherwise. The all-star: the spicy fried chicken cutlet (the name escapes but this is what it was). The chicken so crispy and the flavors on point, I actually felt like I was eating something straight out of a Taiwanese night market. If you want to take a dip into Taiwanese flavor without straying too far from traditional southern cuisine, this is a perfect first step. It was also the first to go on the table. The braised pork over rice was also so yummy. The meat tender and the soy-anise flavors strong, it was the perfect pairing with rice. Another note, the cucumber-radish salad that came with each course was a nice twist on an old favorite. The radishes added lots of colors and further contributed to that vegetable crunch I love. The Peking Duck was so delicious. Presentation was beautiful, and I don't think I've had buns stuffed with that much duck ever. The meatiness and the crunchiness of the skin was amazing in my mouth. The steamed buns and soup dumplings weren't quite superstar status but I enjoyed the variety. The soup dumpling skins were a little thicker than I'm used to and unfortunately absorbed a lot of the soup, forcing them to more closely resemble their drier dumpling cousins. The steamed bun carb to meat ratio was a little high, but I was able to use some of the leftover braised pork on the extra bun. Another unique aspect to Joy Luck is the cocktail bar. I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant that served such authentic Taiwanese flavors AND came with a mixologist. The cocktail names were quite creative and I kept true to the bourbon spirit and opted for the Pilates Studio. A little sweet for my tastes, I did enjoy the Asian twist on the Kentucky bourbon and it went well with the meal. Coming from New York we're a little spoiled, but I genuinely enjoyed the dinner at Joy Luck. I would come back just to eat more of the fried chicken cutlet! Anyone have any suggestions in Chinatown NYC or Flushing??
(5)Samantha F.
Other than the swarm of flies outside, this meal was awesome! The crab rangoons were the best I've gotten anywhere.. And huge. I had to try the pork soup dumplings after reading all the reviews and I'm so glad I did! I had never had dumplings so I can't compare but these were warm, delicious and not the mess I was expecting. Next one I may just get these for myself instead of sharing... I also split the general tso's and the chicken was very well cooked. The chicken fried rice however was pretty dry. They also have Shlafly's pumpkin beer so I approve!
(5)Allison L.
Excellent food, excellent service. We had the Crispy Duck and Seafood curry cassorole. Superb! Our waiter was incredible and we had fried cheesecake, on the house.
(5)Pablo R.
This place is growing to be one of my favorite places to eat in this town that has so many options ! It's a nice place to enjoy, what many have told me, some very authentic Taiwanese and America versions of Asian cuisine. Along with the food the hand crafted cocktail are worth the trip alone because one can't simply enjoy a meal without a fine drink to go along with it. I've stuck to the spring rolls and beef pad Thai extra spicy of course and haven't really explored further once I found it. Although I have had many of the entrees, I found that this was my favorite. Enjoy the outdoor sitting while you can in the warm spring and summer months and look upon the street traffic that bards town road is known for. Great place to meet some friends or have a nice dinner with a loved one.
(5)Andy M.
If I had to sum up our experience at Joy Luck, it would be great good, great people and some fabulous signature drinks. My Wife and I ordered dinner after sampling Joy Luck's appetizers at a Yelp Elite event. I must say that everything we ate was delicious. But the star of the show was my entree. The Szechuan Chicken was out of this world. There was just enough heat to compliment the dish. It was one of the best Asian meals I've ever had and the craft cocktails were potent and delicious. Here's the bottom line. If your looking for a different take on Asian food, give Joy Luck a try. Its not your typical, dumbed down Asian food that I've seen way too often. Be willing to have a sense of adventure and try something new. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Megan A.
I have to preface this review that I've been spoiled with excellent Chinese food by living in New York for about 7 years, but the Joy Luck falls a bit short even for Louisville. I placed a take-out order and ordered the Crab Rangoon, Sesame Chicken, and Shrimp Pad Thai, figuring chinese leftovers for the week would be totally awesome with me. The Crab Rangoon was a five star, the Sesame Chicken was a 2 at best (it had a soapy taste to it so I'm not sure what that was about) and the Shrimp Pad Thai is a four star. The shrimp pad thai had plenty of shrimp, which was definitely a plus! The service was fine as I was only ordering it to go. It was ready at the time they had quoted me. I've heard great things about their cocktails so I'd probably give it another chance, but would come in and eat. Prices are quite reasonable as well and I will have leftovers for lunch all week :)
(3)Parker W.
This was my 3rd time eating at The Joy Luck in just over a month now. This has become one of my absolute favorite, if not definite favorite, restaurants in Louisville. The service and staff were top of the line, and the chef was so nice. She even gave us a custom tapioca desert on my birthday! I've had the opportunity to try quite a few dishes on the menu now and have yet to have one I would not recommend. All of the duck options are top of the line, though the Beijing duck is their signature. 'Farmer's Beef' has the most unbelievable flavor, but is not for the faint of heart, as it is packed with jalapeños and peppers. Last night I had the. Chinese Gai Lan for the first time and LOVED the sauce/bok Choy combo. Overall this is a MUST for anyone who enjoys Asian cuisine. Far and away the best authentic Taiwanese/Chinese food in Louisville.
(5)Caitlin B.
Great service, flavorful food, awesome patio. Can't go wrong with the Pad thai (get spicy) or Singapore rice noodles (mmmm curry)!
(5)Zac S.
The Joy Luck is everything Asiatique wishes is was and more. They've managed to artfully pair food from the Far East with inspired cocktails that feature tastes of Kentucky, with an Asian twist. Take, for example, the Far East Old Fashioned which takes a classic bourbon cocktail, invented in Louisville, and adds ginger syrup as a tip of the hat to the Joy Lucks Taiwanese/Chinese menu. When I was for lunch, I ordered a "Dexter Morgan" which was a Manhattan style cocktail with blood orange added, I assume as a reference to the Dexter intro credits featuring the titular serial killer cutting a blood orange. Imagine a Manhattan with faint orange notes, which is crisper and not overpoweringly sweet like some Manhattan can become with too much vermouth. It was complex and balanced. On the food side, I had the beef sliders which were an upscale twist on Taiwanese street food. The beef was spicy, with peppers mixed in and topped with chili oil. The beef is served on Taiwanese sweet buns, which helped moderate the heat. Alone the beef would have been to spicy, but on the sweet buns it was just the right amount of heat. They were great and full of flavor. The only reason i didn't give 5 stars was that the beef was a little dry for my taste.
(4)Shelby J.
Love it! My meal was a great portion, it's really clean, service was good and it's a cool atmosphere. This was my first time and I highly recommend it! I'll be back!
(5)Megan M.
We go often for cocktails and the cold beef shank! Always a fun atmosphere and delicious food! The servers are pretty great too!
(5)Joanne H.
Things I love here: - walnut shrimp with fried rice - fried green tea ice cream - crab Rangoon - ginger salad - beef & broccoli - orange chicken - chicken lettuce wrap - friendly staff - 11-3pm lunch specials - delivery for lazy & freezing 5 degree temps I know I listed almost everything on their menu, but so far, out of the 6 times I've been here...I've never had a bad or distasteful experience. It's a pretty solid choice for me when I want Taiwanese food In Louisville. Only thing I wish they had/added would be BOBA/milk tea :):) and THEN I would be fully content!
(4)Chelsea H.
Reluctantly, I was drug here on New Year's Eve, but boy am I glad I was. The adorable shot-gun-house-turned-restaurant was enough to keep me pleased. They're specialty drinks? They've gotten those down to a science. & the food was heaven in my mouth. When I drunkenly left my Singapore noodles in my friends fridge that morning, I mourned it's loss all the way home. I've gone back several times since. The owner is the sweetest women ever, & service is always spot on. Highly recommend!
(5)Kendra G.
Disclaimer - I ordered for delivery. I ordered 4 dishes and was just not impressed. Everything was just ok. And actually, I would say I have had better Chinese at the airport or mall! The salad was not cut to be edible and the ginger dressing was runny. The noodle dish and chicken dish were tasty but there wasn't anything special about the dishes. The only real disappoint was the wontons - which were very chewy - but I can attribute this to my order being delivered 30 minutes late. I would not order for delivery again - but the restaurant experience may be totally different.
(3)Sarah C.
I may be going against the grain on this review, but I have to be honest about it. I am not a fan of The Joy Luck. I have eaten at many trendy asian places in Louisville and elsewhere and feel like the flavors here do not add up. The menu is sizable, with many different types of dishes to please everyone. The problem with this varied menu is that lots of their sauces/flavors taste the same. I most recently ordered the string beans and was very hopeful that they would come to me full of szechuan goodness, but in fact they were swimming in a boring brown gravy that reminded me of what would be atop a mediocre pile of mashed potatoes. Even the steamed white rice was a bit soggy and not up to par with almost any other asian restaurant. They do know how to serve the food. The shapes and white starkness of the plates is trendy and goes well with the rest of the their decor. The rice comes out in a petite, shiny, silver-looking, covered dish that looks very asian and functional. I actually thought of how I would like to own a handful of them for entertaining my own guests at home. The drink menu is average, with a usual amount of wine and an above average number of beers. They also have a pretty large list of liquor and some signature cocktails listed as well. I feel like the prices on most of the items are a bit overpriced. My boyfriend ordered chicken fried rice which was below average but was $10. Not a huge portion and definitely not as savory as some other places in town. If you are looking for an average (at best) asian joint and happen to be in the highlands, feel free to give this spot a chance. My advice is to stick to the basics and ask for extra heat or spice if you want some flavors in your dinner. The best thing about this place is their excellent front patio! This is great when the weather is nice and provides a nice spot for people watching in the heart of the highlands.
(2)Nick H.
Went here with my family and my fiancé for her birthday. After hearing great reviews, we decided to try it out. It was not disappointing. The place is somewhat small, but the do have a good sized patio area (it was a little too warm for us to do that). The food is American, Chinese, and Taiwanese and has quite a few classic offerings. I got the general Tsao chicken. I wouldn't say it was the best I've ever had, but it was pretty tasty. The stall was also very coutious and answered any questions we had about the food.
(4)Jess F.
I came for the soup dumplings that I saw on some kind of top ten list for Louisville restaurants. I'm from Lexington and happened to be in town, and I'm sure glad I didn't travel just for these dumplings! They're nothing special and were actually pretty bland. The server gave me special instructions on how to eat them whole since there is soup inside. I expected an explosion of soup in my mouth, but there wasn't much liquid. The dumplings were a disappointment, but my veggies in garlic sauce were good. My friends really enjoyed their veggies in kung pow sauce and string beans. All in all it was ok, but certainly doesn't belong on and top ten lists.
(3)Emily H.
Bardstown Road is definitely a foodies' haven, but Chinese food with a twist was a bit lacking on the northern end of this thoroughfare through the Highlands. Happily, the Joy Luck is changing that, with its new takes on some Chinese staples. I got to finally enjoy a full meal here on the Saturday of Thunder. (Hint: If you don't want to go and see the fireworks, festival food and Thunderpots, take the opportunity to eat out. Open tables are plentiful!) My group and I got a table out on the patio, which is prime on a beautiful day. But even before getting to the food, let me digress a bit into the decor. The Joy Luck completely transformed the little house that had previously been occupied by Kashmir, which moved a few doors down after the small fire that was there. Having eaten at Kashmir several times before the fire, I was stunned to see the change. The interior looks so much larger. The main wall when you walk in has been painted with orange chalkboard paint, and much more than just the random scribblings of "Julie was here," "Larry and Sally 4-ever" and "St. X forever," it has been expertly filled in with drawings of a fortune cookie, chop sticks and a quote or two. Farther back in the restaurant is an intimate dining area with a large, old wooden sliding door, and on the other side of the door is more seating, chalkboard paint and quotes (such as one from the Dalai Lama). The restaurant also has a bar area and the coziest looking indoor porch seating at the very front of the restaurant. I can see myself sitting in this area, sipping on a drink and eating some of Joy Luck's pork buns. OK, now the food. Like I said -- the pork buns. I had been wanting to find a place nearby that sold pork buns for so long. Seriously, these were definitely near the top of the list of foodie wants for this area of Louisville (alongside sushi burritos, dim sum and more Mediterranean). And while some of my friends said these were unlike the pork buns they've had elsewhere -- and I admit they were different than some others I've tried -- these definitely hit the spot. I wish I could have made a meal out of them. Also a fave at the Joy Luck are the soup dumplings. These would be especially delicious on a cold winter day, though they were delightful being eaten outside in the sunlight as well. The soup dumplings came out steaming hot and perfectly filled with soup -- just enough without spilling all over the place. My group shared a bunch of the starters and then got a few entrees for the table. Of particular note were the black-pepper beef and the Kentuckyaki chicken, which is made with Bourbon Barrel Foods' Kentuckyaki sauce. Both were so flavorful. And I liked how the restaurant gets a bit creative with their dishes, such as the Kentuckyaki chicken. Some other items on the menu that I'm hoping to try are the kimchi quesadilla, black bean sauce chicken and formosa chicken rolls. Some in my group remarked that the overall tab for a dinner out is a bit steep here. Two entrees and two apps for a couple -- not counting dessert or drinks -- would likely put you over $40. But the food is worth it. As the waiter remarked, this stretch of houses-turned-restaurants will soon be known an Asian Row, considering Kashmir, Joy Luck and soon a rumored Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant (yay!) will occupy it -- or at least it will be known for its worldly cuisine. I'm so happy that Joy Luck is a part of this.
(5)James B.
The food is delicious here especially the duck. They marinate all of there ducks for 5 days. Highly recommend!
(5)Whitney R.
This place is simply Amazing! Great customer service, delicious food in a prime location and the atmosphere is very welcoming. A must eat is the vegetable spring rolls, lo-mein and the cheesecake for dessert. I get 2 of the 3 every time I go!
(5)Rachel R.
While location and service are hands-down 4 out of 5 stars, the food is between 2-3 stars. Location/Ambiance: Joy Luck is situated on a beautiful stretch of Bardstown rd. The location itself proves great for their patio seating. In addition to this, when customers are eating, smoking is not permitted in the patio area. This is a fabulous quality of Joy Luck that allows for patrons to enjoy the fresh air even more. The decor is simple yet classy with a hint of citrus. This allows for fresh-casual to somewhat dressy attire wiggle room for customers to decide what to wear. Food: The food itself was average. We ordered the mushu pork and the pork tapas. Both meals needed the help of sauce and a few taps of salt to satisfy the palate. Also, wouldn't recommend the house cab (a bit weak in terms of flavor). Service: Our server was fabulous from the moment we stepped in to the moment we said our goodbyes. Justin took care of us well. He even requested that a nearby patron put out their cigarette because we were "still enjoying [our] dinner," without any provocation on our part. Smiley, fun & considerate. Price: For two entrees, tip, and a glass of wine our bill was $40+. Of course, the price is not beyond what one would expect for dinner at a nice restaurant on bardstown. Rather, it was the quality and the amount of food that was regrettable. I'm not one for "American" sized portions, but the mushu pork plate did look a bit barren. And considering so-so to average flavors that one might order elsewhere, the price seemed inflated. We hope that our experience with the food is an outlier and that future patrons have the pleasure of enjoying this gem and the food.
(3)Dave M.
Joy luck has great specialty food. I ordered the Beijing duck serves on a steamed bun. Plenty of duck meat with crunchy duck skin. Hot and sour soup was tasty and my appetizer Formosa chicken roll was great. I will return to Joy Luck when I am back in louisville , KY
(4)Xingjian B.
Don't take pork soup dumpling, very thick dough and few soup inside. I tried Taiwanese duck, which was seasoned a lot like Panda Express. Duck meat was over fried, too dry.
(2)Alden K.
Every time I go here the food, atmosphere, and service is suburb. This place is great for a casual dinner, date night, or even a group dinner. Food is comforting yet refined and it is easy to be adventurous because everything is so good. The food is made with love and great care. I would recommend the pork soup dumplings and of course the sausage roll. Love this place! I will keep coming back!
(5)Ronni N.
The place was pretty dead during lunch hour. I thought that was a little odd as I expected it to be busier. The kimchi quesadilla was Amazing! I would go back just for that. The pork dish I got came on this pillowy bread and didn't have any flavor. I didn't eat it and didn't take it home as a leftover which is not the norm for me. My friend had the General Tsos which he said was great. So some things were great and others meh.
(3)Jessi R.
Greatest service and such an amazing service!!! They are very helpful with the menu!!! Food is so amazing authentic !! Thank you for coming here to highlands
(5)Christina F.
Excellent experience. The waiter and the owner were both super friendly. The silver sour is one of the best cocktails I've ever had. Unfortunately, I had already eaten dinner before meeting up here with others, but they raved about the food, too.
(5)B A.
Really enjoyed my dinner. We ordered three meals and shared so we could try them all. I ordered the Farmer's Beef which was supposed to be spicy but I didn't think it was spicy but it was good. My friends that can't handle spicy food could eat it and they didn't think it was spicy either but the favors were good. We also had the Duck sliders and Chicken Five ways (I think that was what it was called) the chicken was really good and the sauces was delicious. The Duck was good and the steam buns were my favorite. Joy Luck's version of an Old Fashion was really good.
(4)Andy C.
Four stars for the duck! The food was amazing and they have a very impressive drink list. We got the duck and I can recommend that without any reservation. It was delicious! I wasn't expecting to pay as much as I did, but in the end it was worth it! I think the prices could've been a little more reasonable, but overall the food is great and it is in a good spot on Bardstown Rd in the Highlands.
(4)Amanda M.
Well, this is a shame. Maybe, I'm just used to Southern Hospitality or good service... What do I know? I'm not a local. I will say, that during our brief stay in Louisville, this was probably the 5th establishment we'd visited and never experienced a problem before. We actually left really liking Louisville and its people! So... Joy Luck? Our experience was moreso Joy Suck. Flashback to entering: a hostess seated us right away and even brought water (hence the one star)! Then the trouble began... We waited and waited and waited. No "hello," no "I'll be right with you," nothing. After my husband and I decided on our cocktails, appetizer and full meal, we put our menus down and waited some more. I watched 4 servers walk right past us -- one of whom dropped off checks at the table directly to our left AND right. Meanwhile, we're still sipping on waters wondering if we'd been slipped an invisibility potion. After 20 minutes with no acknowledgement, we got up to leave. The hostess who'd seated us yelled "thank you!" Guess we weren't invisible after all.
(1)Ashley E.
My husband and I previously went to Joy Luck and really enjoyed ourselves. With that experience in mind, we decided to order take out from there. When my husband returned home we began eating and were horrified to find some type of meat packaging gauze in our cold beef shank appetizer. We were completely disgusted so I called the restaurant to complain. The best they offered us was one free entree. This was absolutely disgusting and the compensation for such an experience was completely misguided. It is quite a shame that this happened because both my husband and I really enjoyed our initial experience.
(1)Kristie T.
For my first visit, I ordered the cashew chicken lunch special which includes your choice of soup (I chose Hot and Sour) and your choice of rice (you can try white, brown or fried). The guys in the bar area were super cool and I automatically felt happy when I walked in. First, the food lasted me three meals. Yesterday's lunch, today's breakfast and today's lunch again. Yes, I'm weird like that. Initially, I thought hmmm...this smells strange and it has a weird after taste. Well, it was very fresh and light and I guess the weirdness is the fast that it isn't typical cheap Americanized chinese food like I'm used to. I do want to go back to try the roast duck and crab rangood and pork soup dumplings.
(4)Lamar F.
Folks, this place is seriously overrated. It is just slightly overpriced. But service is good and they are eager to please, which means I'm not going to totally pan it. We were eager for a light dinner heavy on the vegetables. I understood that Taiwanese food is good for noodles. Several reviews complemented the decor. We didn't know the town, so its location was not a clue that we were in the middle of the university feeding trough. What it turned out to be was heavy on the bar, light on the menu selections and had so much fried food that I was limited to 2-3 menu choices. The brown rice was loose grained, like American rice to the extent that I could barely eat with chopsticks. The Kim Chi seafood casserole was light on the Kim Chi and the sea food and heavy on the broth -- more like a soup. And the decor was mediocre, though I have not seen it's competition, so maybe it's modern for the area. The stir fried green beans were up to par, though. So maybe if you are really into fried foods this is your five star place. If you are not, the two stars I gave it was generous. But the servers are very nice and, like I said, they do try hard to accommodate the needs of the customers who present themselves.
(2)Emily W.
I've been wanting to try The Joy Luck since it first opened, so I was particularly excited when my husband suggested we try it out one Sunday evening. The service was great...attentive and prompt. However, the food was your typical Chinese fare. Nothing really stood out as special to me. Between the two of us, we had crab rangoon, General Tso's chicken, and chicken lo mein noodles. Each were very good, but no different than going to any other Chinese restaurant in town. I'm wondering if it's the cocktails (which we didn't try) that set it apart. The layout of the restaurant was also a little weird. I felt like I was making awkward eye contact with the other customers the entire time. I've been to restaurants this size before, but the tables and chairs were against the wall instead of scattered throughout the room. I think that would work better for this establishment. I'd be willing to go again, but I'm not racing to get there.
(3)Teresa N.
Ordered take out and had very mediocre food. Would not order from here again. The food was on par with Chinese food you get from the mall fast food court. Very over priced- $50 for food that taste like Panda Express (I like the food at panda Express).
(1)Michael B.
I consider myself somewhat of a duck coniseuer. I order it whenever I can, prepare it at home and occasionally hunt it and eat fresh. The Taiwanese Boneless Roast Duck over Vegetables was OUTSTANDING. Perhaps marinated then slow cooked? It was sooo tender and the crust was just perfect - not too crispy, but enough to seal in the moisture. And there's some magic in that seasoning. The duck was sitting on a bed of steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, snow peas, onions, etc.) that were soaking in the duck sauce, yet still retained their texture. Savory... Waiter asked how we were doing and I actually proclaimed, "I've reached Nirvana." Will be back...
(5)Patrick W.
Went to Joy Luck out of curiosity cause I pass it everyday on my commute and it carries the tag of Taiwanese good fair. Ordered the Taiwanese sausage roll, Formosa chicken roll, pork soup dumplings, short ribs with black bean sauce, and walnut shrimp. The Taiwanese sausage roll was good, be aware it is a sweeter tasting sausage compared to western counterparts. It hit the flavor profile you would expect from Taiwan cuisine. The Formosa chicken roll itself also was nicely spiced and crisp. The star of the starter dishes was the pork soup dumplings. They were indeed soupy and the broth was great (just be careful with lifting them out), pork filling was well seasoned and contrasts nicely with the ginger/vinegar sauce that you should be using with it. The walnut shrimp had a light coat of the mayo that typically comes with the dish which is a plus for me cause some places will just smother the dish with mayo which kills the point of having fried crispy shrimp as a component. The walnuts were well candied also. I would order it again. The beef short ribs in black bean sauce was nice and tender. The dish was suppose to be spicy, but it was not that much (I enjoy habanero dishes occasionally so my tolerance is kinda high and operating on a different scale). I would recommend this restaurant for sure. Though I would recommend ordering the non-Chinese American food offerings on the menu. I will be back to try their mapo tofu, sautéed string beans, braised pork over rice, and Taiwanese roast duck w/mixed veggies. It certainly has helped fill a culinary hole that I've been trying to address since my transplantation to Louisville from San Francisco Bay Area.
(4)Megan E.
2.5 Meh. The patio was lovely and our waitress was friendly and helpful, but the food was way overpriced for the quantity and quality. I took a chance on the Thai curry seafood casserole and while it was chock full of shrimp, mussels, and scallops with vegetables, the sauce seemed very one note. I also think that paying $2 for a single egg roll/spring roll and $4 for a ginger side salad (even with homemade dressing) is insane.
(2)Nolan L.
Omg best chinese food ever. Not just American style chinese but the best of both authentic and american!!! Owner, Alvin Lin is the nicest, most professional and enthusiastic owner/operator you will ever meet!!! A must eat and must see in Louisville's Highlands area on Bardstown!!!
(5)