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Name: Buddakan
Address: Pier Shops at Caesars,1 Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, NJ, 08401
Telephone: (609) 674-0100
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.27

Buddakan

Pier Shops at Caesars,1 Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, NJ, 08401

(609) 674-0100
Store is closed

Buddakan Menu

Appetizers

Miso Soup

Edamame Ravioli

Chicken & Ginger Dumplings

King Crab Tempura

Kobe Beef Satay

Buddakan Style Sashimi

Cantonese Spring Rolls

Tuna Spring Roll

Boneless Char Sui Spare Ribs

Miso Soup

Edamame Ravioli

Chicken & Ginger Dumplings

King Crab Tempura

Kobe Beef Satay

Buddakan Style Sashimi

Cantonese Spring Rolls

Tuna Spring Roll

Boneless Char Sui Spare Ribs
Salads

Crispy Calamari Salad

Thai Chicken Salad

Asian Caesar Salad

Buddakan House Salad

Duck Salad

Crispy Calamari Salad

Thai Chicken Salad

Asian Caesar Salad

Buddakan House Salad

Duck Salad
Entrees

Hot & Sour Scallops

Char Grilled Aged Beef

Pan Roasted Duck Breast

Grilled Lamb Chops

Tuna Tataki

Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon

Pan Seared Sea Bass

Hot & Sour Scallops

Char Grilled Aged Beef

Pan Roasted Duck Breast

Grilled Lamb Chops

Tuna Tataki

Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon

Pan Seared Sea Bass
Noodles & Rice

Crab Fried Rice

Vegetable Fried Rice

Shrimp Fried Rice

Singapore Noodle

Wok Cashew Chicken

Chicken and Shrimp Pad Thai

Crab Fried Rice

Vegetable Fried Rice

Shrimp Fried Rice

Singapore Noodle

Wok Cashew Chicken

Chicken and Shrimp Pad Thai
Sides

Kim Chee Cauliflower

Chinese Eggplant, Garlic Sauce

Wok Stir-Fried Chinese Broccoli

Sweet Potato Mash

Steamed Edamame Pods

Kim Chee Cauliflower

Chinese Eggplant, Garlic Sauce

Wok Stir-Fried Chinese Broccoli

Sweet Potato Mash

Steamed Edamame Pods
Sodas

Thai Berry

Kaffir Limeade

Pineapple Mint

Cilantro Lemonade

Thai Berry

Kaffir Limeade

Pineapple Mint

Cilantro Lemonade

Healthy Meal suggestions for Buddakan

Appetizers

Miso Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Edamame Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken & Ginger Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

King Crab Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kobe Beef Satay [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buddakan Style Sashimi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cantonese Spring Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Spring Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Boneless Char Sui Spare Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Miso Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Edamame Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken & Ginger Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

King Crab Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kobe Beef Satay [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buddakan Style Sashimi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cantonese Spring Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Spring Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Boneless Char Sui Spare Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Crispy Calamari Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asian Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buddakan House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Duck Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Calamari Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asian Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buddakan House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Duck Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees

Hot & Sour Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Char Grilled Aged Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Roasted Duck Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Lamb Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Tataki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Seared Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot & Sour Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Char Grilled Aged Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Roasted Duck Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Lamb Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Tataki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Seared Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Noodles & Rice

Crab Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Singapore Noodle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wok Cashew Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken and Shrimp Pad Thai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Singapore Noodle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wok Cashew Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken and Shrimp Pad Thai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Kim Chee Cauliflower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chinese Eggplant, Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wok Stir-Fried Chinese Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Mash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Edamame Pods [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kim Chee Cauliflower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chinese Eggplant, Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wok Stir-Fried Chinese Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Mash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Edamame Pods [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sodas

Thai Berry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kaffir Limeade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pineapple Mint [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cilantro Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Berry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kaffir Limeade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pineapple Mint [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cilantro Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Atlantic City for healthy meals suggestion.

Applebee’s ( 129 N Michigan Ave )

Auntie Anne’s ( 1000 Boardwalk )

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels ( 105 N Michigan Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Atlantic City for healthy meals suggestion.

Applebee’s ( 129 N Michigan Ave )

Auntie Anne’s ( 1000 Boardwalk )

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels ( 105 N Michigan Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Cindy C.

This is my favorite restaurant in AC. The atmosphere and decor is really cool and the food is spectacular. We ordered the "small" crispy calamari salad and the king crab tempura for appetizers and they were both incredible. The salad was huge and the dressing on it was really good. The king crab was amazing. It was huge chunks of king crab lightly fried tempura style in a great sauce. We also ordered the hot and sour scallops and the barbecued pork, and they were both great. The service was excellent as well. It's pretty pricy but definitely worth it if you are looking for a great dinner. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Thomas J.

I absolutely love the concept of serving dishes for the entire table, and allowing people to share, so I was immediately hopeful upon coming into Buddakan. I wish more restaurants did this, because I love being able to try a variety of dishes and to share great food together. Fortunately, Buddakan did not disappoint. We started with the chicken and ginger dumplings, which were some of the best dumplings I've ever had, and came with a delicious sesame dipping sauce that paired perfectly with the dumplings. This is a great little dish to start a meal off with. We then ordered a lobster fried rice and ponzu chicken for the table. If you love lobster, I'd totally recommend the lobster fried rice. The lobster itself was high-quality, and the rice itself was very good. The egg (which I think is arguably the key component of a good fried rice dish) was great, and quite plentiful, while the saffron and thai basil came through very well. The star of the show for me was the ponzu chicken. The chicken and asparagus were both cooked perfectly, and the peanut-based sauce was so tasty, without overpowering the chicken or the asparagus at all. Some restaurants will glob sauce over a dish to cover up for frozen meat or low-quality cuts of meat... fortunately, this was the exact opposite. Everything worked together so well. The two golden buddha buns that came with the dish were both delicious and very unique, as well. Our waitress said that they're the best part of the dish, and I think she was completely right. The atmosphere inside worked really well. A restaurant with a gigantic golden buddha in the middle of it is either going to be really awesome, or the most obnoxiously kitschy thing ever. This fell will within the former category. It wasn't kitschy at all, despite being in a town renowned for that kind of thing. Just a really cool, classy atmosphere. Also, huge props for the amazing service. Our waitress was really kind and outgoing, and very attentive (without being suffocating). She didn't try to up-sell us on anything, and we didn't have to wait to order, to get our food, for our check, etc. Oh, and there's plenty of sake to choose from. I can vouch for the black & gold being super good, but I'm sure there's a litany of good options on this menu.
(5)
Alexandra E.

My all time favorite place to eat in AC! I make sure to come here anytime I am staying in AC. Make sure to request a booth when you are there. The ambience is so beautiful-makes the dinner experience so much better. For food, I usually get the edamame ravioli to start. It's amazing! For dinner, I always get the wasabi encrusted filet mignon. It's so upsetting the one in NYC does not have it on the menu because it's to die for! Love the food, the ambience and the experience. A must try when in AC, especially with a significant other.
(5)
Stephanie Y.

I just love Buddakan in #AtlanticCity. It may be one of the better restaurants in AC and definitely one of, if not the best casino restaurant. Located on the Pier at Caesars right next to Continental, this Asian fusion restaurant does everything well from decor, to service to food. The decor is dark and sexy with the main dining room a picturesque Asian village at night time. Our party of 10 barely squeezed a reservation last minute and although we only had the table for an hour and a half, by no means did this affect service. If you don't order the edamame ravioli I have to ask: What the hell is wrong with you? These little heavenly nuggets are filled with an edamame filling that is one of the tastiest things on the planet, hype and all. Light, but rich. Simple, but complex. This 3 per order dish is worth the $12 or however much price tag. I'd pay a miiiilllion.** Other side dishes/apps that were easily just as impressive included the wasabi mashed potatoes which was basically one of those dried wasabi peas in mashed potato form... GENIUS! My main tuna entree was perfect, but the worse meal out of all I tasted. "Stephanie, get with it, stop being such a boring orderer," I say to myself. Next time. You're a complete idiot if you like fish and don't get the Sea Bass. This fish was flawless, not too oily or heavy as sometimes this fish can be. The scallops were also just fabulous with 5 very large scallops per order. I seriously don't think you could go wrong with any dish. Actually, I take that back. I wasn't a fan of the crab fried rice, but everyone else seemed to be. I found it to be a bit too greasy/oily and not enough flavor, but there was definitely some fresh chunks of crab in this bad boy. By no means is this a restaurant for those on a budget. The prices are expensive, but between service and quality and quantity of food, Buddakan was a five star experience. ** Disclaimer: I would not pay a million dollars for 3 edamame ravioli, but they are real good.
(5)
Britney S.

Been here plenty of times one of my favorite places to go. It is a bit pricey but you pay for what you get. We came around dinner time pack especially on the weekend but the service was excellent. We need to grab food b4 we went to the Bachelorette party at savage men. Can't wait to see the show
(4)
Deijy S.

I m obsessed with this place. We went to AC last week and decided to check this place for dinner since we were staying right at the Caesars and we loved it. Great food, especially their vege fried rice which came with Codfish. Loved their famous edamame ravioli. Service was excellent, great interior and of course excellent food presentations.
(5)
Aryn C.

Went here with a large party while visiting AC and wow this place was awesome! We ended up ordering a la carte which luckily for our waiter we cut back on our plates. We ordered a ton of dishes, our favorites including the edamame raviloli, shrimp buns, and fried rice, and beef dish. And to top everything off we had so much food and everything per person with a drink was $55 which we all thought for the quality and quantity of the food was great. If you're headed to AC definitely make a stop here for dinner!
(5)
Michelle C.

We had a team dinner at Buddakan during Yelp's Winter Break II. Our reservation was made last-minute and, because another large party was coming in after us, we were on a little bit of a time constraint. This worked out fine for us since we had other events to prepare for that evening, anyway. Our server was fantastic and she stopped by several times to make sure everyone had what they needed. It wasn't long at all after ordering that our food started arriving. I will say that I don't really care for the whole "dishes will arrive as they are prepared" concept because it always means that there are some people eating while others are waiting. For a large group, you'd have to order more than one of each dish to truly eat family-style (Buddakan does offer three different family style menus but the price levels start off somewhere around $60/person). Since each person ordered a dish they were craving, the timing was definitely a bit off. Eventually, everyone had their dishes and there were nods of approval all around. I can't go to Buddakan without ordering the char grilled aged beef. It is absolutely delicious, especially with a scoop of wasabi mashed potatoes (ordered separately). The Szechuan fries and watercress salad served along with the beef are both really great, though the salad was definitely a bit heavy on the red onion. We weren't planning on ordering dessert, but a special (called tiramisushi, I think?) sounded too good to pass up for one end of the table. When the dessert arrived, it was quickly decided that we would need a second so everyone could try a bite. Wise decision. It was a visually creative dessert that also tasted awesome. Our server mentioned that they are thinking of adding it to the regular menu and I hope they do - I would definitely order that again.
(4)
Gregory H.

I was here on my birthday and let me say that it was a wonderful present. The decor was fantastic and the service was excellent. Our waiter was very attentive and entertaining. The drinks were good, but nothing special. The food, however, was incredible. We got the chefs tasting experience and I was not disappointed. The best appetizer was the ravioli, it was such a unique combination of flavors! Next came fried rice and an Asian Caesar salad. both good but nothing special. Our entrees came next and I was blown away. The presentation was beautiful and the smell was fantastic. We had the filet and he sea bass. The filet was tasty but that bass. I'm pretty sure I had to be dreaming. It does not melt Ike butter-butter melts like that sea bass. Seriously, it was the best fish I had ever had! I don't think I could order another entree ever again! Desert was also good, but not as good as dinner was. I would definitely recommend Buddakan and will eagerly await my next visit.
(5)
Caitlin M.

We went with a large group for a bachelorette party. It was such a fun, swanky atmosphere and the staff was all very nice. I split pad thai and an appetizer with a friend, and we all sampled each others food. It was the perfect amount of food so we weren't too full to dance afterwards. Every single thing I tried was incredibly delicious and the zen-sangria (ginger peach that night) was amazing. Thank you Buddakan!
(5)
Jennifer T.

*Zen-ful donuts (blah, the donut itself was more like a puff pastry and inside was sweetened condensed milk; the filling was weird and I didn't really enjoy it; this came with a dark chocolate and banana dipping sauce; the dark chocolate was very good and liked the texture; the banana sauce tasted like the Vietnamese banana cake; this was not really a good dessert and wouldn't order it again) *Serenity cocktail (a lychee martini with raspberry sake, lychee liquer, pomegranate juice; I really liked this drink!! super light and I cannot taste the liquor too much which is dangerous; the color was pretty too) *cappucino (so good!!! the coffee was strong and it was well made) Buddakan has a tiny bar/lounge area and super dim you can barely see in that damn room; the entrance is grand and I love the huge Buddha; didn't eat any of their food there because I don't believe in eating expensive Chinese food, the service was good, I would go back for their drinks if anything
(3)
Amanda Y.

Excellent food and service. The $80/person three course menu is delicious. If I could choose my final meal on earth, this is where I would go.
(5)
Zmrzlina N.

Ugh, man, just ugh. Had reservations for a Saturday night at 9p- expecting the place to somewhat be packed but it wasn't... Our server was really enthusiastic and helpful in offering vegetarian meals, or meals subbed of non veg broths, etc. my husband and his friend shared the tasting plates, which they said was reallllly good. However, I got the veg fried rice w curry and veg pad Thai. The veg pad Thai (my entree) was brought out with the salads my husband and friend got. Had to send that back and have them bring out with entrees. When I actually tasted the pad Thai it was like they left out all the seasoning... Yuccckkk! Maybe it's a bad night they all had. Cuz the philly location is awesome and I've never had a bad meal there. :(
(2)
Alexis J.

Pretty much as solid of an experience as I had a few yrs ago at the Philadelphia location. Went here for my birthday dinner a few days ago. This place does not disappoint. I ordered the lamb chops, lobster fried rice, edamame ravioli, & the sorbet trio (coconut rum, guava pineapple, & cherry blossom). I also tried the crab & shrimp spring rolls & the duck breast. Every friggin' thing was amazing, but the sorbet really threw me for a loop. It was outstanding and easily THE best sorbet I've ever eaten. I was stuffed, but I still ate all of it. You simply cannot go wrong here. Great ambiance, although the bathrooms may be a bit TOO dark (think too dark in terms of touching up make-up etc.), stellar and attentive service, and delicious food.
(4)
Chi H.

I've been here several times. Usually I go for happy hour with my girls and sometimes I go out to dinner with my husband. We always have very good experiences here. The staff is pleasant and helpful. The food is excellent and they have no problem with substituting regular menu items with veggie items. The chef was also very wonderful with me and my husband. He spoke to us personally and asked us what options we would be comfortable with. The atmosphere is awesome. I've never had anything but an amazing drink here. My personal favorite is the Enlightenment. It's a little pricey but it is worth every single penny I would definitely consider coming here regularly. Excellent service.
(5)
Max S.

You know that as soon as you walk into a restaurant and see a giant Buddha staring into the dusk of a star-lit ceiling, you will 1) have a unique experience. these mofos already beat out the surrounding restaurants on decor. Imagine how hard they will try to please your palette. The level I'm expecting is a stripper with daddy issues, looking for approval in the wrong places. Got sidetracked. Sorry... (not sorry). 2) be so lost in the decor and experience, you will be ordering at least 2 or 3 drinks. 3) your bill will slightly be more than the prime rib buffet, located at the intersection of Harrah's and 1996. The experience started with a drink and appetizers. The lychee pomegranate martini was a nice twist on the original, which disappeared rather quickly. My 2nd one was a regular lychee martini with Soju. I needed my fix, man!!! For appetizers, we got the tuna spring roll with the chicken & ginger dumplings. Both were top-notch in getting us ready for the entrees. The kobe beef kind of caught my eye, but we both know that ain't Kobe beef, playa, as that ish is illegal to export out of Japan. Check yoself. The entrees are "premium" sized. It doesn't mean they are bigger than, say, Red Lobster, or Applebees. That just entitles restaurants like this and steak houses to charge separately for sides, which they know you will end up getting. I ain't hatin tho. The whole fish special that night was the red snapper. Now, I've made red snapper before. Like legit red snapper, bought from an asian market, fresh out of an aquarium. This one was twice the size. I don't know where they get their fish from or whether they inject it with the human growth hormone, but damn... meaty, delicious, bones picked out for you, served together WITH THE HEAD. Because serving without it is a straight out dis. You want to disrespect a man of European descent? Give him a whole fish without the head. Superb preparation and presentation all around, with bean sprouts and their Cantonese sweet & spicy sauce. The second entree was the sea bass; also perfect portion, presentation, and taste. The mushrooms and truffle jus added to the amazing flavor. The side that we shared was the crab fried rice. Just chunks of it. All over the place. Loads of it. Between that, the entrees, and appetizers, we were so stuffed that didn't even look at the dessert menu. However, judging from the experience thus far, I'm sure it was nothing less of extravagant. Highly recommended. Coming back here again.
(5)
A Kate H.

Flavorful food, phenomenal service, romantic/social atmosphere. We dined at the large table in the middle that was occupied by a private party but the last 6 seats were empty so the hostess recommended we sit there to be facing each other as it was 4 of us dining together and the lighting was better there for us all to see what we were enjoying. We ordered off the tasting menu and were able to substitute an entree of similar price for the BBQ option (being from Memphis we weren't looking for ANY bbq but I'm sure their's is wonderful). I work at the Capital Grille and I can attest to the 5 star atmosphere and service at Budakkan: it is 100% worth every penny dining here. Our server Jess provided THEE best dining experience I've had all year and I am so happy my parents were there to experience it with my husband and I. Memorable dishes were: all of the entrees but the Pad Thai was amazing The potstickers were perfect and I personally loved the edamame stuffed ravioli. The dessert platter was 4/5 stars because they were not all as great as the doughnuts. If you have 4-5 people is definitely recommend the tasting menu. All they need to do is add a tasting menu for the cocktails! I tried 4 on the menu! Request Jess- brunette server, she was amazing. Seamless service by the entire staff and the back of the house delivered on quality of the food!
(5)
Monique J.

3 stars cause this place is very nice inside and the presentation is beautiful but the service can be a lil better. I celebrated my boyfriend's birthday here and they seemed like we were bothering them. Not too helpful. Just wanted us to eat and leave.
(3)
Mallory D.

I recently had dinner here with some friends, and the experience beginning to end was phenomenal. The ambiance was incredible, we were seated at the communal table underneath Buddha which was fun. The restaurant is fashioned like a village at nighttime with Chinese architecture and a ceiling that looks like the sky. It made me feel super cool, as did the fact that we got the last table in the restaurant! We ordered a pitcher of the seasonal sangria which was a delightful peach and ginger concoction. It was the perfect accompaniment to our meal and was light and refreshing. At the suggestion of our wonderful waiter, we tried the tasting menu. For anyone visiting Buddakan for the first time, this is definitely the way to go. For $60 we received a bento box for apps, a salad to share, entrees to share, and a dessert sampler. Definitely the best deal in town. The app bento box included the pork dumplings, edamame ravioli, and spring rolls. The stand out was definitely the ravioli. It had a buttery texture and was just perfect. The salad was a Chinese Caesar salad...which is basically a Caesar salad with cashews and crunchy noodles, also delicious. Let's talk about these entrees now. I tried the sea bass and the scallops. That sea bass was unlike anything I've ever tasted. It was definitely the best piece of fish I've ever had in my life. It was perfectly cooked and had an unbelievably tender texture. Just perfect. The scallops were delicious as well. For dessert we sampled little donut things (not their actual name-I forget what they are really called), creme brÃ»lÃ©e, and bananas foster. Everything was great, my favorite being the creme brÃ»lÃ©e. Dining here is truly an experience. I can't wait to go again.
(5)
Margaret G.

We were walking around the Pier Shops and decided to give this place a try. What a pleasant surprise! We liked the decor (giant Buddha) and low lighting, which was rather soothing. We had the shrimp/chicken rolls, which were excellent. Nice chunks of shrimp. Also tried the vegetable tempura. Good size portion and variety of veggies. Finally, we had the edamame ravioli....excellent! Tried drinks we had never had before and enjoyed all. The best part about this spur-of-the-moment visit (which we did not know beforehand) was that it was during happy hour and everything on the select menu was $5, including the drinks. Great atmosphere, good drinks and delicious food....It's a keeper, for sure. We'll be back....soon!
(5)
Manasi K.

Brilliant food and efficient service.. We ordered the edamame ravioli, pork dumlings and The duck breast. Heavenly is The word I would use to describe The dishes. For dessert we had The crying Chocolate and it was nothing less than lip smacking.The decor is beautiful. The noise level is a little high so might get a bit annoying but great experience overall. Highly recommended classy place!
(5)
Jennifer R.

My favorite Buddakan of them all. The best ambiance is here. It is like your in your own little but in Thailand looking up at the twinkling sky. The service is always quick, polite and friendly. The food is amazing. The Cantonese rolls, wasabi encrusted filet and the donuts are some of my favorite things on the menu. Love this place!
(5)
Niaje W.

Decided to eat here for my boyfriends birthday dinner while visiting Atlantic city. Upon arrival we were greeted quickly asked about our reservation and escorted to our table. They gave us the private table which was perfect for a romantic dinner We ordered the crab tempura, sea bass and lobster friend rice paired with a Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Everything was perfection! The tempura was a great portion for two the ponzu sauce was incredible!! The sea bass was light and cooked to perfection while the lobster fried rice was fresh and delicious. Our server was delightful. I recommend this restaurant 100% Enjoy!
(5)
Tiffany X.

We visited the Atlantic City Buddakan location with a group of friends on a college senior trip because of the discount provided by the casino. The ambience of the restaurant gives the feeling that one is in a Japanese-themed house, with the towering Buddha statue overlooking the main seating area. Our wait staff was knowledgable about the menu and given that it was our first time visiting, suggested several appetizers for us to share. We ordered the edamame ravioli, which was gorgeously plated and tasted of the earthy richness. My Chilean sea bass was delicious and spiced with flavorful Asian herbs. The entrees are sizable enough to split between parties and yielded satisfied sighs of contentment from our table. We also loved the creme brÃ»lÃ©e! The evening ended on a very sweet note and I'm encouraged to try the Philadelphia location soon.
(4)
Krystal G.

We stopped here during the happy hour special. At a mere $5 a plate we ordered a variety of appetizers and drinks at the bar. The chicken and ginger dumplings were great with a distinct flavor. The sauce in which the pork dumplings came in was so delicious, I ended using the sauce to occasionally dip my steamed edamame before suckling out the bean within. The tuna spring rolls weren't that memorable, but I'm bias against seafood and didn't factor it when considering the overall experience. We also tried a variety of drinks: the enlightenment (very unique taste, totally a signature cocktail with cucumber and lime bringing it all together), serenity (slightly sweeter than the average lychee martini), zen-gria (refreshing and fruity) and lastly the fortune (the tight level of sweetness with a hidden punch underneath it all) The decor is very culturally authentic with a large Buddha as the center piece for the main dining room area. A warm lighting low key environment, the perfect midday escape overall. I can't wait to come back here and try the edamame ravioli as well as the wasabi crusted filet mignon. Both were highly recommended by the bartender to us for our next trip.
(4)
Anjie M.

One of the best restaurant I've ever went too. Service, food environment all A+. Highly recommended. Very $$$$ but worth it
(5)
Beatriz R.

Excellent!!! First time coming here. Celebrating my bf birthday. Food is great. Can share with others. We decided not to get dessert but, they still gave him a brownie fresh out the oven hot!! Was so good we order 2 more to go.
(5)
William F.

I dream about this meal. I can't wait for the next time I'm in atlantic city just so I can come here. The house salad dressing made me drool. The drinks were incredible, we got sidecars and lychee martinis. The black pepper beef was one of the greatest things I've ever eaten. So amazingly seasoned, sweet, heat from the black pepper, and the depth of Asian flavors that you crave. Every little piece was cooked to a perfect medium rare. Not to mention, it was cooked with crunchy buttery croutons, that when cooked in that sauce + steak juices = parting of the gates of heaven. Also ordered the Szechuan monk fish which didn't disappoint either. Not as spicy as I imagined, but still fresh and savory. There was not one crumb left on any of the plates... The service throughout the restaurant was superb. The seating arrangements varied from boots, to intimate tables, to long group tables, and even group tables with nice curtains for privacy. If you don't read all of this, just go here. Now!
(5)
Jessie H.

On the pricier side but def a nice restaurant! Came here for a work event. We got the tuna spring rolls and crispy calamari salad. I really liked the tuna spring rolls because there was tuna tartare inside! The crispy calamari salad was pretty good but it was because of the dressing and the salad. The calamari part was average. For my entree I got the Five Spice Duck Breast- the sauce made the duck breast quite flavorful. There were around 10 or so slices of duck breast. It came with a side that resembled Quiche. I'm not sure what it was but it tasted delicious. Overall I really liked this place, the food quality was great and the dishes were well presented and flavorful. The restaurant is located on the top floor of the mall.
(5)
Thomas W.

If you want to bring someone on a date bring them here, It's got a super romantic atmosphere and you will look baller as hell! I brought my favorite person to take on a date; my wife! We didn't have reservations, but they were able to get us right in. I think we got so lucky being that January isn't peak season for Atlantic city, I'm sure if it was in the middle of July we wouldn't have been so lucky. As soon as you walk through the gateway of the restaurant you'll see a ginormous Buddha at he end of the restaurant with a very long table. when you walk into the dinning area there's a night lit sky mural. It kind of has that feel like your at ancient China at night. So, for and appetizer we got these amazing edamame raviolis, this was the higlight of the meal. They were so damn good words can't describe how tasty they are. Just get them! For dinner, I got the hot and sour scallops which of course were cooked perfectly and was super tasty! My wife got the lobster fried rice, which looked awesome. Next time you are in Atlantic City, add this to your places to visit, trust me.
(5)
Janet F.

Buddakan deserves the five star rating on Yelp. The food is top notch, the service is excellent and the atmosphere is hip, swanky and cool. I was told to take a picture in front if the giant Buddha in the middle of the restaurant (see the pictures to get an idea of how big it is). There is a main floor and a second floor of balcony seating overlooking the Buddha. We sat on the second floor and it felt intimate. I was with friends and we ordered the Bento Box 4 course sampler menu for $60 each. At first thought that may seem pricey but you get a LOT of food. The first course was a box of three different appetizers (each person got their own box). My favorite of the apps was the edamame filled ravioli. There were also dumplings in the box. The second course was a salad with an Asian flavored dressing. The third course was brought out on one plate and we all shared. We ordered one portion of the Chilean sea bass and two portions of the filet mignon and shared everything. The sea bass was tender and perfectly grilled. The beef was also perfect. The last course was a box of three different desserts. All three desserts were a pastry with different fillings (delicious). The atmosphere was subdued, yet you knew you were in a hip and popular place. If I come back I would like to sit one of the private booths on the first floor. The booths are divided by fabric draped walls. They remind me of the private booths in Daniel in Manhattan.
(5)
Sanchez A.

Buddakan is the perfect balance of relaxing ambiance, fantastic service and delicious food. As you walk into the dimly lit establishment you are instantly transported into a Japanese Zen Courtyard. The tables are made of "aged" wood, the ceiling is textured to look like a starry night sky and prominently in the center is a 30 person "marble" table with a 40 foot Buddha sitting at the head of the table. I would recommend starting your Buddakan experience with a few drinks and appetizers at the bar. The $5 Happy Hour is from 3PM - 7 PM. Buddakan is one of the best restaurants in AC. Tried: Asian Cesar Salad: The core Cesar salad ingredients with walnuts and a hint of ginger. - Tasty Edamame Pods: Traditional Edamame pods with a side of large grain Sea salt. - Average Edamame Ravioli: Three midsized raviolis stuffed with an Edamame/cheese paste. - Very Good Pork Dumplings: Traditional Asian pork dumplings in a spicy sweet sauce. - Excellent Pan seared Sea Bass: The sea bass was cooked to perfection, tender with wonderful flavor. - Unbelievable Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon: Tender, sliced filet mignon with a wasabi crust on a bed of mash potatoes. - Marvelous Zen Ful Doughnuts: Mini, cream filled sugar doughnut pooches with side dipping sauces. Vanilla CrÃ¨me Brulee: Delicious.
(5)
Mike Z.

Came here for a night out in AC for dinner. They happened to have restaurant week menu which 2 of us had and the others didnt. The restaurant week menu was awesome, it had two of their most popular entrees : the filet mignon and the Chilean Sea Bass with an appetizer and dessert included for $35. For the table we ordered the calamari salad which was ok, In addition we had the edamame ravioli which were good and the sashimi sampler which was nothing special. For my main course I had the Bronzino which tasted good but it was friend and oily and was not the quality that I expected in this place. My gf had the Filet mignon, I thought it was good but not amazing like we have at the Philadelphia location. Our waitress was really nice and the service was on point. The atmosphere is beautiful with 2 floors and a huge boodah over looking the restaurant. This food and menu is not as good as Philly, but when visiting AC, this is always a good option.
(4)
Mandy L.

U love the atmosphere there. The dishes are very creative, it's definitely a fusion of taste. The food is art inside out. A must try.
(5)
City G.

The atmosphere is great. It's very relaxing to go in here after the boardwalk and casino bustle. The interior is beautiful. I wish we had asked to change seats from our table for two to a side booth to be a bit cozier. They even seem to have private rooms. There will likely be a next time to try that! We were having lunch so we went with lighter classics. The spring rolls were delicious: crisp, not greasy, large bits of meat...yum! I had the lobster rice. A plainer choice but very good. She had the pad thai. We shared so it made for a bit of variety to the meal. If we go again I will definitely order an entree. I do not often drink alcohol. The drink prices made me nervous, I usually just take a pass but so glad I didn't as they were absolutely delicious
(4)
Alyssa M.

Love this place! Very romantic! The noodle salad is so good and very reasonably priced.
(5)
Erskine S.

To all my foodie lovers out there, Buddakan in Atlantic City will blow your mind and taste buds away. You will fall in love with everything (lighting, dÃ©cor, FOOD, and service) about this place. They are located on the Pire/Boardwalk in Casers right next to Continental. My experience started as I walked in and saw the GREAT big golden Buddha staring right at me. I wanted to run up to him and rub his belly for good luck but I had to hold back on that one. So instead, we went to the bar for a drink while our table was being prepared. While at the bar, the fellas order something to drink while the ladies found a spot to chill. The bar area was small with dim lighting for that sexy ambiance. The hostess let us know that our table was ready and proceeded to take us upstairs on the second floor to be seated. I preferred being upstairs because it was much quieter then downstairs. After we were seated, Ashley approached with menus. We proceeded to ask her questions and she was very attentive & knowledgeable about everything we asked, which really made our experience even more amazing. Since the portions are designed to be shared, we ordered the: Tuna spring roll (tuna tartare, crispy shallots, chili mayonnaise) Asian caser salad (spicy cashews) King Salmon (miso mustard, sesame spinach salad) Lobster fried rice (saffron, the basil) Boneless char Siu spare ribs (Chinese mustard) Veggie tempura Wok cashew chicken (plum wine sauce) For all of you who know how Pop Rocks feel in your mouth and enjoyed the feeling. This is how I felt when sampling all of these dishes and the tingling sensation I felt from all the spicy, sweet, and crunchy tastes and texture of the foods/sauces. All I can say is, "AHHHH MAZINIG"!!!!!!!! Ashley checked back in with us for desert and we declined but I am sure their deserts are equally impressive. All I have to say people is save up your $$$ because this place is by no means your typical dine in spot on a budget. You best believe.....the $$$$ that you spend here is well worth it. It's a MUST go to place!!!!!!!!
(5)
Nicole R.

The chefs sampler was to die for. Ambiance is amazing
(5)
Christina H.

This place is amazing. It's very dim so if you want to goggle at your attractive date all night, go elsewhere ;) Rarely am I impressed with the food at a restaurant, but Buddakan blew me away. The highlights of our meal were the edamame ravioli and the sea bass. I've never had such tender, flaky, flavorful sea bass. I honestly wasn't really a fan of sea bass at all until ordering it here. It was served on a bed of well cooked, marinated vegetables, and the strong flavor of the veggies complemented the sea bass perfectly. We also loved the sushi dessert (it's ice cream but comes out looking like sushi) and the chocolate molten cake. I don't remember the other things we ordered despite it being only a couple of weeks ago- but if you go, definitely get the sea bass and the edamame ravioli.
(5)
Nicole S.

Great dinner option in AC. We made reservations during restaurant week at 10pm. We stopped by earlier in the evening to see if we could get an earlier seating. They stayed they couldn't accommodate anything else but they would call or text when a table became available. We never heard from anyone but I did note numerous empty tables when we were seated so that surprised me. Restaurant week options were yummmy. I had the edamame ravioli and the steak and he had the spring rolls and sea bass. We shared the donuts to end the night. The atmosphere is very fun so great for groups or a date night. Staff was attentive and food came out quickly. We really enjoyed our dinner here minus the reservation issues.
(4)
Andrew S.

Buddakan is family-style-upscale-Asian dining with a fairly extensive menu. The way to go here seems to be their tasting menu for 2 ($120) which covers a wide range of dishes and falls firmly into the "fusion" category. Our meal started with a bento box assortment including edamame ravioli and dumplings. All very good, but nothing earth shattering. The main course is where the menu really shines. The mains were a wasabi crusted filet and a sea bass. I've eaten a lot of filet in my life, including one the next night at Nero's Steakhouse and this one surpasses most all of them. The meat was so tender you could have cut it with the blunt edge of a butter knife. The wasabi flavor was present but not overwhelming and the mash it came with was delicious. The Sea bass was a monster, and cooked to perfection. They were both served with a heaping bowling of coconut fried rice which complemented the flavors nicely and provide more than enough food for the two of us. To take this meal over the edge I would have loved to see a more consistent drink menu to accompany the food they offer. The cocktails all felt like they were trying a little too hard to be hip, and each seemed to feature some ingredient that was just a little too out there. The fact that the waiter had trouble endorsing any of them speaks volumes. That said, a minor blip on a nice meal. The chance that I head back to AC any time soon is unlikely, but for those heading there and needing a place to go, you'll be in good hands at Buddakan.
(4)
Priscilla R.

Whenever I take a weekend or day trip to AC, NJ., I always have reservations in place. Taking tge escalator up to the entry way is priceless. As you walk in you truly feel transformed. Their centerpiece of an Giant Budda., as you draw your eyes further down you notice a long dinning table that looks to me is capable of holding 30 people. Their decor and lighting is magical and romantic @ the same time. Muisc selection was truly fitting. Dinner was mouthwatering down toward the last shared bite. I also appreciate their shared options., allowing various foods to please the palate. Very quite dinner. We sat in a both atmosphere with drapes curtains. Dinner had sticky rice, jasmine rice. Cashew salad. Sake and their Mojoito.
(5)
Grace C.

As good as a restaurant in New York City. Does not disappoint. Went in for lunch on a Sunday - had no wait. Enjoyed the Asian Caesar salad for appetizer - was definitely big enough for four people. Then had the pork loin with the coconut rice for dinner. Very very enjoyable meal. Highly recommended!! Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Alise K.

First let me start out saying, the food is great here. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars, was the very rushed service. Whatever you do, don't order your entire meal at once, otherwise you'll be out of there within 30 min. Needless to say, we felt very rushed. We ordered 4 appetizers and four entrees, all served family style. Best dishes of the night were the Kobe beef and the cashew chicken. The shrimp pad Thai was just ok and the crab fried rice was under seasoned.
(4)
Chrissy B.

Friendly staff seated my boyfriend and I right away, without a reservation. Great atmosphere. Edamame ravioli was great, but entrees were mediocre, not worth the price. Would not return
(3)
Pete W.

Food is average, maybe a bit overpriced. I say it's average because it's a bit under seasoned. Service is definitely lacking. The host was friendly and attentive. The waiter was inattentive and cold. Wasn't impressed with him at all.
(3)
Debby F.

Food: We did the chefs tasting menu and between the sea bass and the filet...I couldn't stop talking about the meal the entire weekend. Everything else was also delicious, but those two dishes were show stoppers. The two desserts I enjoyed the most were the creme brÃ»lÃ©e and some sort of cream cheese stuffed pastry. Drink: cold sake. We got a black bottle our waiter recommended and finished the remainder as a nightcap at the end of the night. Service: Our server was very attentive and efficient. He had a great attitude and ensured we had a nice experience. Atmosphere: It's a fun atmosphere - not too theme-e or loud, yet still intimate and lively. I'd recommend this as a great date spot or special occasion. You can go at any point though. I'd go here a million times and order the exact same everything.
(5)
Canny F.

Overall 3.5 Rating but the service was great so I decided to bunk up to a 4 and I was blown away from the pot stickers and sorbet. Mushroom Pot Sticker - the crispy thin skin and full of flavor in every bite pot stickers. Great balance of skin and filling with an even crunch throughout. Edamame Ravioli - mushy, sort of bland Spiced Tofu with cashews and dried pineapple - typical Asian sauce Wasabi Mash Potatoes - normal, dry, larger portion then expected, imagine the school cafeteria mash potatoes with a hint of wasabi. I like my mash potatoes chunky but this was all mush. Trio sorbet - Thai basil chocolate, coconut, passion fruit! The flavors tasted so natural and wow thai basil chocolate?! Good water service, great waitress - she had great memory and was very friendly.
(4)
Monica L.

PROS: Delicious food, chill ambiance CONS: ? The food at Buddakan is consistently outstanding and reasonably portioned. The edamame ravioli is out of this world. Compared to the Philadelphia location, the Buddha statue in the Atlantic City location is less impressive (large), but the atmosphere is still very nice. The lunch box deals are hard to beat.
(5)
May C.

Solid 4 star restaurant in AC. My boyfriend and I came here on date night and loved it! First off, the restaurant is beautiful from the outside. I love the wooden pillars in the front, very structural and cool. Inside, the lights are dim, ceiling looks like a night sky with stars and there's a huge Buddha in the middle of the room. Honestly surprised it wasn't that busy, but then again, we went on a Tuesday night. We ordered one drink to share between the both of us. It was called Serendipity. It's a lychee martini and it was phenomenal. I thought it was just the right amount of sweet, but my boyfriend thought it was too sweet for him. As for food, I've read such good reviews about the edamame ravioli that I had to order some. It's only offered as a dim sum plate (like an appetizer), which is really unfortunate. I would've liked this dish as a main course! Be warned though, the price is steep. You pay $14 for 3 pieces of ravioli. It's definitely worth the price though. It was delicious and very creative. Edamame and ravioli don't sound like they mix, but when the edamame is whipped, the flavor is really enhanced. For main courses, we ordered the crab fried rice and the asian barbequed pork. The bbq pork is fantastic, the pork was cooked just right and it went well with the crab fried rice. I didn't like the fried rice as much though mostly because it was full of scallions. It was probably 1/2 rice, 1/2 scallions and a sprinkle of crab. For dessert, we got the chocolate and banana spring rolls with vanilla macadamia nut ice cream. Overall, fantastic place and will be back again next time I'm in AC!
(4)
Clara R.

Wow, simply amazed!!! I had the Edamame ravioli for appetizer. It came with four dumplings that were super stuffed with deliciousness. I then had the duck breast for entree. It came with some sort of corn bread thing and a refreshing side of greens. The interior of the restaurant is fun and romantic. This is a must stop if in Atlantic city!
(5)
Seth R.

Absolutely some of the best Asian food we have had. The edamame ravioli are a MUST have and the pork dumplings as well. The chefs tasting menu is always a great choice to mix things up! Highly recommended!
(5)
Lauren T.

I came here with a bunch of girls for my friends bachelorette dinner. The food was very good. Nothing wrong with the quality of food. Drinks were very good. I had the Lychee Martini - $12.50 a glass but its Buddakan so I was not expecting anything less. The menu offers a "price fix" menu at 3 price tiers. ($60, $70 and $80/menu) We chose (at the waiter's suggestion) 4 of the $70 menus as he said it would be enough to feed 7 people. My thinking (along with the others) was that we would get 4 of the menus. Instead we got basically food from one $70 menu which was supposed to be shared. This was the only part that really left a sour taste. The waiter, to his credit, was beyond fair and ended up bringing us doubles of what we ordered so we ended up having more food than what we could finish. My only suggestion would be that they are more honest about how the fix menu works so people do not feel mislead. I would definitely go back but next time, would order a la carte so we all know what we are getting. The ambiance is gorgeous! The staff is very friendly and the food was delicious!
(4)
Allison G.

1st trip to AC for a night away with my husband. choose Buddakan based on reviews and location (we were staying at caesars). it doesn't feel fancy walking to it since it's on "the pier" but once inside the cozy romantic setting makes you forget where you are. we had reservations and were seated right away at a two top but had i known i would have reserved a booth, those were the best tables. we had a fantastic server who suggested the night's "zengria"--it was white peach with pinot grigio, sake and champagne and it was fantastic. we shared: buddakan salad which, while generous in size was nothing special; the night's shashimi which was fantastic, though i can't recall what fish it was; the amazing rock shrimp boa buns which were made percect with micro cilantro; the sea bass which, we both agreed was good but not amazing or bursting with flavor and could have used maybe 45-60 seconds more cooking time; a perfect single espresso; and then zenful donuts which we liked but i think could be better if the sauces were warm. 4 stars for ambience, service, cocktails, and rock shrimp, especially.
(4)
Tami L.

Delicious. I was hoping for more from this restaurant but I will go with delicious. The food was good but nothing really over excited my taste buds.
(3)
Gina F.

We went here for lunch today and it was a great experience. The hostess and waitress were extremely friendly and attentive. I ordered the pad Thai. The portion was big for lunch and I could have taken leftovers. It was steaming hot and fresh. Definitely a great pick. My boyfriend ordered the bento box with chicken dumplings, chicken and vegetables and a small salad. It was an appropriate lunch portion and he said it was delicious. The salad dressing was yummy as well. I was very happy with the time here because it was not crowded and the waitress allowed us to sit at the table as long as we liked. The atmosphere is romantic and relaxing. I would definitely return to this location, maybe to try dinner. It's not a cheap lunch spot so expect to pay $50+ for two.
(5)
Janelle J.

I was torn between the fortune, devotion and the zen-gria. Decided to go with the fortune for the mixtures of fruity and sweet I also enjoy the calamari salad. The small is certainly big enough for two. I also shared crab fried rice with the hubby who ordered the spiced duck. I'll try my best to remember to take a few pictures of the food before we dig in Also, getting here if you aren't a guest at a hotel on the boardwalk. We valet parked at Caesars and walked through the hotel lobby and casino following signs that read "To Pier shops". We then took the escalator up one level and Budhakan is just past the Continental. Parking is $20 unless you are a total rewards card holder, platinum or higher
(5)
Mi B.

This location is very different in atmosphere compared to NYC as it is more the food options are a little different. When: Dinner is most appropriate as it is a fancy restaurant with amazing service. It's excellent for dates or business, What: They offer a plethora of options but if you want the easy way out, I recommend the tasters menu. It's about 75$/ person w/o drinks and it offers LOTS of food for a 3 course meal. *They are absolutely great when it came to accommodations for vegetarians! our waiter personally asked the chef to create a tasting menu that was vegetarian!! EVERYTHING was delicious and I have no complaints. If you're in the mood for some drinks, the bartender makes fantastic mixed drinks. It's a pricey spot but a great one. You will get the same satisfaction as if you were in NYC.
(5)
Isra A.

I have visited this restaurant many times and actually look forward to visiting Atlantic City. As with most Steven Starr restaurants, the ambiance is and service are outstanding. Upon entering Buddakan you truly feel that you have entered a whole new space. Dim lighting with a gorgeous star lit ceiling. An enormous glowing Buddha at the front of the restaurant towers over the entire restaurant and emanates it's lighting whether you are on the first or second floor. The food is absolutely amazing and I like other Starr restaurants, the portions at Buddakan are huge! I have never regretted anything I've ordered. Specifically, the Ponzu Chicken is great as well as the Cashew Chicken. The only downside is how far back in the hotel it is located. Coming from other hotels, you have to take two escalators and travel to the far back corner of Caesers. It really is a trek.
(5)
Kimberly T.

If I could give more stars I would. This place is amazing! I love the chic and sexy dark ambiance of this place. I came here for my birthday dinner and it definitely did not disappoint. Started off with chilled sake, chicken and ginger dumplings and edamame ravioli. If there's anything on this menu - you have to get the edamame ravioli. They are amazing and melt in your mouth! You will not be disappointed. We also got the Sea bass and lobster ravioli. Also amazing :) If you're ever in the area, definitely stop at this buddakan! It's the best! Make sure to make a reservation too.
(5)
Annie C.

It's easy to get skeptical about a restaurant's food when you see how big the place is on ambiance. Fortunately, Buddakan provides both a glamourous, sophisticated atmosphere and great food that more than matches it. You're encouraged to share dishes here, and you'll be glad of that when you see how many delicious options they have on the menu. After much speculation, we had the ponzu chicken, the lobster fried rice, and the chicken and ginger dumplings (all accompanied, of course, by a nice glass of sake). Everything was absolutely delicious; the lobster in the lobster fried rice was plentiful, and if you get the ponzu chicken, be sure to save room for the Buddha buns it comes with, which are just amazing. As if that all wasn't enough, the service here is very friendly and attentive, which isn't always the case at these hotspot restaurants. Buddakan is truly an Atlantic City gem. I hope to go back someday and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone visiting AC.
(5)
Eddie C.

Very disappointing experience. After been to Buddakahn in NYC we decided to choose Buddakahn Atlantic City for our Anniversary Dinner. We had our pickings of places but decided to go for a sure thing. We made the wrong decision. We reserved our place through opentable and explicitly asked to make it a nice experience for us being that it is a special night for us. Despite the party next to ours getting a nice dessert place on the house for their birthday we received nothing at all. I would have gladly paid for it if they can just write a nice message or something but nothing. The ambiance was nice the place was half empty on a Tuesday night. We ordered the Edamame Raviolis and the Rock Shrimp bao both were excellent no complaints at all. Very flavorful and really delightful. The food arrived quickly too. Next up was the pepper beef and shrimp pad thai. The Pepper beef was very very salty we polished off two glass of water eating it. The pad thai was very forgetful and was salty as well. This was brought up to the attention to the waiter who responded yea the food is very salty. They add allot of sauces and the food has lots of flavor. Flavor and salt and two different things they the entrees were very aggressively seasoned barely edible and nothing special at all. For the money charged we could have gotten better at the local chinese / thai take out. The Lychee Mojit FYI was very good but pricey. The manager stopped by and asked if we were okay which was nice but I didnt bring it up I should have though I dont know I just didnt want to complain on our special night. Advice skip it go to Izakaya for a much more authentic experience.
(2)
Kris L.

Service: 5 stars Food: 4 stars --Loves: Edamame truffle ravioli, scallops, king crab tempura --Eh: Rock shrimp buns, wagyu beef --The drinks were excellent, esp the Nirvana specialty cocktail Overall tasty and delish with unique offerings but not as good as Buddakan in NYC!
(4)
Beth G.

Started with tuna tartar spring rolls and the calamari salad- yum! He had the lamb chops and I had sea bass. Delicious!! Our server was amazing and brought out a hot brownie with a birthday candle before our desserts. You have to try the almond bread pudding!!
(5)
Jee D.

Right when you walk in, a huge lit up Buddha welcomes you in. Why, hello, Buddha - didn't expect to see you in AC. The space itself is dark, cozy, and warm. We ordered a few cocktails, the lobster fried rice, and the sea bass. The lobster fried rice was not memorable, but I appreciated that it was not greasy. The sea bass - oh, the sea bass! - was one of the best things I have ever tasted. Ever. It had a buttery, almost crab-like texture and a truffle jus sent me over the moon. The accompanying veggies (haricots verts, butternut squash, and mushrooms) were a nice contrast in textures to the fish. The Luck cocktail reminded me of a similar gin cocktail that Ping Pong Dim Sum does with elderflower. This one wasn't as smooth and seamless in taste, but I do like my gin cocktails. I would definitely come back here if I'm looking for a good meal in AC - the server was the right amount of attentiveness, the food was good and the cocktails were strong. A fan!
(4)
Lisa W.

A 3 star due to the food being warm. Crab rice, Edamame ravioli, and Lamb chops was recommended from other reviewers I concur. The box dessert is recommended for purchase.
(3)
Rubenido P.

Went here for the first time and every food we ordered were so good. First the Thai Chicken Salad with Crispy Noodles. Wife and brother loved it. Then came the Edamame Ravioli, Lobster Fried Rice, Buddakan Lunch Bento Box, Grilled Lamb Chops, Pan Seared Sea Bass, and Crispy Calamari Salad. Whew we were so full and delighted we went here instead. It's a bit pricey but it's all worth it.
(5)
Heather L M.

From beginning to end, Buddakan was a fairly excellent experience. For starters, I called to change the number in our party a couple of times, and each time they were sweet as could be. And we were seated at one of the best seats in the house - a U shaped booth overlooking the entire downstairs. With the exception of one dish, the food and service was awesome, though the portions were quite small. We shared a series of dishes that included: edamame ravioli (the star of the show), tuna spring rolls, sweet and crispy shrimp, crab fried rice, and the kobe beef satay, which was much too salty. The Zen-ful donuts for dessert were to die for, and the Thai Chili Margarita added the perfect kick. I have not yet had a flat out bad dining experience in Atlantic City. Buddakan will be added to the already long list of places to revisit.
(4)
Stevie R.

Buddakan is amazing. The ambiance was wonderful, relaxing and elegant. The service was top-notch - our waiter was excellent. He was friendly, knowledgable, and gave us excellent input in regards to specialty cocktails and menu options. The manager was involved with all aspects of the restaurant which is rare. Clearly customer service is of the utmost importance - which is extremely unusual in Jersey. The food was just as excellent as all other aspects. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. I think the pricing is fair for how wonderful this place is. I would gladly pay much more given all the great qualities this restaurant has.
(5)
Jennifer D.

I've eaten at Buddakan in AC 3 times and have had mixed experiences. The first time, my friends and I went for lunch and did their lunch special which allows you to get a few small items. Everything was good, but a little overpriced for such teeny tiny food. The second time, my mom and I ate at Buddakan before a Lady Gaga concert over the summer. We sat upstairs and both ordered steaks. Our food was cold the first time it was brought to us, so we sent it back. They brought us our food again and it was cold AGAIN. They promised that they had heated the meals, but it sure didn't seem like it. We sent them back again and they then brought them out a third time and they were both still cold. The manager told us that they've had problems with tables seated upstairs because the food has to be carried up the stairs and in the process the food gets cold. The manager apologized, gave us our entrees for free, but we were still stuck eating cold food when we were expecting to have a nice meal before the show. My boyfriend and I ate at Buddakan last night and this experience righted the previous bad experience. Everything was delicious and, with the exception of a woman at a table behind us whose laugh sounded like the wicked witch of the west, it was a wonderful experience. We got the calamari salad, crab fried rice, wasabi filet mignon, and wok cashew chicken and recommend them all. Including drinks, the meal came out to $109 before tip. Moral of the story is, you can expect a nice meal at Buddakan in AC, but try to sit downstairs if you possibly can.
(3)
Berk O.

Unbelievably tasty food, superb food presentation, super service and great ambiance. The service was pretty great, it was a little tough to figure out which of the items on the menu would be fulfilling but our server knew his stuff and helped us out considerably.
(5)
Ghaith A.

Awesome. Dessert is a must, must try the donuts.
(5)
Christine C.

I went to the Atlantic City for the weekend. It was my first time there and I really didn't know what to expect. I kind of had a biased idea of what Atlantic City would be like...I figured I would encounter lots of gambling geriatrics lining up for all you can eat buffet (which I did btw). I was really surprised to see Buddakan. Despite having made reservations in advance, we still had to wait what seemed like a lengthy 15-20 minutes by the bar...where we sat uncomfortably drinking overpriced merlot, while being approached by a strange man asking to buy us drinks. But even though the wait was annoying, I have to say that Buddakan was pretty darn good. The decor is pretty fabulous with a giant golden Buddha and beautiful ceiling of a faux sky spotted with stars. Edamame ravioli was melt in your mouth delicious...it had truffle oil in it...which was so yummy. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I actually liked the cod and sea bass dishes...I thought the fish was fresh, not overcooked and tasty. The banana tower desert was fun and light. The blueberry mojitos hit the spot too...they had fresh blueberries and mint...which I slurped up at the end of the night. So...of course, the place is pricey but it's not a bad a place to check out if you want a fancy meal in Atlantic City.
(4)
Keye D.

For some reason I can not find my yelp review on the site. in a nutshell: the director of special events was horribly unprofessional and rude to my sister at her wedding rehearsal dinner. I wanted to give an update on my review but i'm not sure if it will show. However, Management was quick to respond to the occurrences of what happened that night. He went out of his way to hear me out and apologize for all inconvenience. I would like to give kudos to the rest of the staff because they were very nice and the food was delicious. I wrote my review in the heat of the moment but I still stand by everything I stated with regards to the woman who was originally handling the special event for my family.( I would recommend special events here as long as she is not handling them.) However, Buddakon will still always be my first choice restaurant to dine at whenever I am in AC bc it is that good in my opinion!
(4)
Rob W.

Food and atmosphere was great! Not that busy on a Thursday night; however, the service was a bit slow. I have been at the Philly location and had a favorable experience there as well. Love the Edamame Ravioli and the Chocolate Bento Box! Dinner for 2 with drinks and desserts about $200 (with tip).
(4)
Cindy T.

This place has a vibe of East meets West. There is definitely a lot of Asian fusion mixed in with an American Flair. It is pretty good, but so not worth the money...I mean I paid 18 bucks for shrimp fried rice and 2 other appetizers that was brought up to 75 bucks... another time before that dining experience, I ate the tuna tataki with mixed greens...the tuna was good but the mixed green salad was decent. The dessert portion was my favorite though.. the chocolate pagoda was yummy
(3)
Halima P.

My first impression wasn't that great. Compared to the Buddakan in NYC this place was much smaller, which I guess I should have expected. My husband and I were seated in near a dirty curtain near the kitchen. Needless the say that brought the ambiance down for us. The menu was very small. There were very little to choose from. We went here for our 2 year anniversary because I had a great experience at the Buddakan in NY. The menu, ambiance, etc of the Buddakan in Atlantic City doesn't come close to the one in NYC. On a positive note, I had the chicken and ginger dumplings, which were the highlight of the night. We had the lamb and Ponzo chicken, nothing special. The waiter did give us a complimentary glass of champagne for our anniversary.
(2)
Beth B.

Delicious everything. Cocktail, dumplings, bbq pork... and couldn't resist the desserts.
(4)
A S.

Good service and great tasting food. I think it's a bit pricey for what you get though. We were still hungry when we left but what we did eat was really good. The atmosphere was interesting though.
(3)
Chris W.

Went here on Christmas Eve -- place was nearly empty, lucky for us. LOVED this place, a lot more than already high expectations. We had the filet with wasabi; the mushroom chow fun (gf said: best in her life); the appetizer of ginger-pork dumplings and tuna egg rolls; and for dessert, the mini donuts that we dipped in chocolate. I can not recommend highly enough the mini donuts. Our server was good, guided us toward the donuts at dessert time. We definitely plan to go back next time we are making a casino run...
(5)
Ivy L.

I loved my meal here! I live in Philly but I have to say I like the AC location more. We had an awesome lunch here. I love the edamame ravioli and the crunchy fresh salad. It's a great place to get tons of small Apps and share. To the people who say it's too dark... it's called ambiance.
(5)
Jasmin G.

I really just...hate this place. I didn't like the one in philly that much, and the one in AC is just bad. First, the music is so damn loud you have to scream across the table to have a conversation - wtf. Second, the pad thai was awful, the sea bass had a sweet glaze on it (i like salty/soy sauce-esque sea bass) and was just not up to par with my sea bass expectation. The black cod was ok but i had only a bite. We ordered filet mignon 'very well done' and it was medium-rare. (they actually ended up not charging us for the filet mignon which was acceptable) The Edamame Ravioli was eh, the sashimi appetizer was pretty decent - but it was more like lightly cooked sashimi..i dunno what that was about. The only thing that was ok was the house salad. It was so bad that we didn't even get dessert. Now that's bad.
(1)
Amar S.

Overpriced food. Staff is friendly, but not comparable to the prices they charge. The portions are an absolute joke. We spent 60 bucks each and ended up getting pizza a few hours later. Food felt comparable to PF Changs quality with triple the prices. Best part was taking pictures with buddha.
(3)
Matthew S.

really?? this is a fancy chinese fusion experience? i've had better food in china town. the interior is kind of cool in an Epcot kind of way.
(2)
T G.

Excellent food, service, and great atmosphere. We had the pork tenderloin and lobster fried rice and everything was so good. We did not order much because we weren't that hungry and we didn't want any leftovers, so we chose to get just two dishes and it was the perfect amount of food for both of us. The Zen-gria was delicious. I have no complaints about our dinner at Buddakan. Our server was friendly and very nice.
(5)
Jenny L.

Okay place. Really good Pad Thai, but the rest of the food was just alright for the price. Props on the decor of the place though, pretty cool.
(3)
Renato S.

wow that was expensive. Fancy looking place, inside and out, but I've definetly had better food before.
(3)
Yeni H.

my dad absolutely only wants asian food for lunch so we walked around the pier since we knew there's several restaurants at the top floor. walking past buddakan and seeing a huge buddha statue, my buddhist parents immediately pray at the statue. it was hilarious, and they later pointed out about how disrespectful it was eating animals, especially beef in front of buddha. but anyways, back to the food, they were decent. we had tuna spring roll, buddakan sashimi which was so nice we had 2 of them, wild mushroom dumpling blahblahblah. the kimchee cauliflower was weird and i dont suggest you try it. bbq pork was ok, dry and sauce wasn't excellent. service was perfect however.
(4)
Mike B.

I agree with some of the earlier postings about the loudness and lighting in buddakan. It is a little "overly hip," but my girlfriend and I LOVED this place. Our waitress was awesome. Very nice and helpful, we did have to wait a few minutes for our reservation even though it wasnt crowded, but I dont see that as a flaw. It gave my girlfriend and I a chance to relax by the bar with some drinks for a few minutes, extending our time in the restaurant together. Some of our food items: Appetizers Crab dumplings - 4 stars, very yummy Pad Thai - 4 stars, also good Entrees Filet minon (med. rare) - 5 stars - super tender and very tasty (not to readers, you should never order filet mignon cooked past medium rare - you might as well order a strip steak or prime rib.) Pork tenderoloin - 5 stars - definitely the best item we ordered No dessert, we were too stuffed - portions are a little small for family style serving, but sharing an extra plate of noodles definitely solved that problem One flaw - the place is kind of expensive, but probably the only stephen starr restaurant that is worth it - for two people it was about 180-200, saki bombs included :)
(5)
Thuy N.

I was super excited when Buddakan was opening at Caesar's oh so fun shopping place: The Pier. However, my experience was just average, perhaps less than mediocre. Decor is rockin and very very chic. But that's where it ALL stopped. The hostess was undoubtedly polite and our servers were okay on the niceness scale. The food we had was overpriced and unimpressive. Three appetizers, two entrees, and NO dessert - all around $300. Other than that, I can say that there was a ton of people dying to get noticed or attempting to notice others? HAHA, be wary of sitting in the middle table in front of the Buddha. That table is lit from under the table and is NOT flattering for anyone over 25. In other words, if you are old and attempt to recapture your youth....that damn yellow light will make you look OLDER than the day your mama bore you!!
(3)
Frank S.

awesome. simply awesome. Our server had the chef make bleu cheese olives for my martini. Which by the way was exactly as my wife and i like it. We had the appetizers, no meal, and walked out full.
(4)
Danielle B.

Went here on a Friday night for a nice relaxing dinner. Had made a reseveration which was not needed, but then again it was also the weekend after New Years so the hotels weren't full. The service was great. Our waitress was very helpful in assisting us with the perfect sake for our taste. She also was able to have my dinner order specially made since it wasn't on the menu (beef lo mein I am not a fan of so I asked for chicken instead). Overall very good experience,
(4)
Tina N.

My family and I decided to check this restaurant out while spending the weekend in AC. At first, we were told the wait would be 45 minutes, and there was no one else even waiting. So..we decided to leave, but soon enough after heading towards the exit, we were told we would be seated right away, which we were. Question....if there are empty tables, and no one waiting, why would we have to wait 45 minutes? HELLO? LAZY!!?? The decor was nice, especially the ceiling, ahh..pretty stars. I like the buddha in the middle of the restaurant. The appetizers were delicious. Cantonese spring rolls were good, so were the chicken and ginger dumplings and wild mushroom dumplings. We also tried the crab fried rice and lobster fried rice. Both were okay, just okay, lack of any real flavor. For dessert, the maple carrot cake too sweet. The vanilla creme brulee was a better choice. For all of that, for 4 people, the bill was about $120, not including drinks.
(3)
Karol S.

I'm so surprised by Buddakan's poor reviews. The food was extremely solid and while yes, the place is dark and loud and hip, what are you expecting from a restaurant with a giant buddha which serves "Asian-fusion" food?? I can honestly say this might be my favorite restaurant in AC, and I've been to nearly all of them over the years.
(4)
Anna C.

This place was amazing. I was in awe at how great the food was. Some of the best food I have ever eaten. I tried sashimi there for the first time, and it was wonderful. Ravioli are also great, and the chiceken dish is great. The prices are high, but if you are into good and tasty food, it really doesn't get any better than this. The service was great, and the ambience was trendy, but still very romantic.
(5)
Beanie D.

Highly over-rated. Very dark dining - couldn't see my food. Few people in dining room at 4pm but it was noisy and we couldn't hear our waiter. Recipes are not striking... average at best. Quite a bill for no thrills.
(2)
Phil G.

Made a reservation for my wife and I here Memorial Day weekend based on all the positive feedback online, and reputation of the location here in NYC Long story short we got seated behind this table of really loud obnoxious middle aged people that were creating a fire hazard (the entire 2nd floor was complaining about them) we said we were leaving and walked out; the GM literally ran after us and begged to give them another chance; we agreed and she gave us a booth (that seats 6) in a different section; and gave us a free round of drinks; she really went above and beyond in terms of customer service. Once we got past that scenario, everything was great. We split the calamari salad which was excellent. We played it safe with the Aged Beef and Pad Thai respectively, but both were very good. Had the Crying Chocolate for dessert, also a winner.
(5)
Joanna B.

the atmosphere is excellent but the prices are way too high
(4)
Frank P.

Upscale Asian is all I can say. Atmosphere is awesome and trendy. Food is very good. I don't drool over asian but I could appreciate my meal.
(4)
Mike J.

Outstanding We had the "tasting" for two at $60/each prix fixe. First of all, "tasting" is a misnomer. There is more food than 2 healthy Americans can consume, but that's a side point. The ambiance is lovely; we had a side booth. The starter includes two dumplings, a small egg roll and a remarkable edamame ravioli. Next is a huge Caesar salad with wontons and cashews....amazing Main course included a perfect medium rare filet minion with creamy potatoes, a glazed sea bass over spinach that was moist and delicious and a bowl of vegetable fried rice stocked with mushroom and a coconut sauce. Desert included mini cream cheese filled beignets, a banana mini roll in a caramel sauce and a perfectly done vanilla creme brÃ»lÃ©e with pineapple chunks. Tasting? Tasty and filling Our server, Angela, was attentive and well-paced, enabling us to enjoy our fine dining. Best meal in AC by far, on par with NYC dining.
(5)
Robert B.

Some of the most incredible food I have ever eaten... the Hoisin Glazed Pork Belly w/spicy shallots, spicy slaw, steamed 'buns'... the Buddakan Style Sashimi w/citrus-soy, sizzling oil... and the Pan Seared Sea Bass w/haricots verts, butternut squash, maitake mushrooms, truffle jus... are all nothing short of sublime. Uniquely prepared and done perfectly... all three were huge home runs. Our server was excellent. So they get all the main strokes right... BUT there is a down side. The Shrimp Dumplings w/bamboo shoots, ginger, scallions were average at best. The portion size considering the prices are downright skimpy... I left a little hungry! No hot sake? That's arrogant. Normally when the food is excellent I don't even notice decor... but in this case the ultra modern room is a little antiseptic. Buddakan leaves me torn. In the end the food wins and I have to give the 4th star!
(4)
Tania C.

A friend of mine recommended we come here. He raved about how the food was excellent. He was right!!!! Made dinner reservations for 9pm. When we got there we waited about 30 mins :/ for our table. A lot of people were complaining that they had reservations but had to wait. FOOD- everything was out of this world, tasty, flavorful, and great presentation. Everything is made to share. We choose to order the tasting menu @ $60pp. This included an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. DRINKS- Try the Serenity & Fortune, sweet and fruity. *APPETIZER, our food came in a bento box. (1) edamame ravioli (OMG to die for wish I had 30 pieces) (2) Cantonese spring rolls that came with a nice wasabi sauce. (2) chicken & ginger dumplings w/ a sesame soy sauce. *SALAD- Asian Cesar Salad w/ cashews mmm good. ***ENTRÃ‰E- Wasabi crusted Filet Mignon w/ a sweet mash.. Not a fan of Wasabi but it was cooked perfectly. PAN SEARED SEA BASS- Sea bass served in the middle of plate surrounded by butternut squash, maitake mushrooms ( not a fan or mushrooms but was so good) and string beans. ***VEGGIE FRIED RICE-Served in a bowl and on the side of the bowl a coconut curry foam. It's exactly that, foam. Very interesting, I have never had this but it was so good and authentic. *DESSERT- Ok, at this point I'm so full. Dessert was also served in a bento box. (2) Banana Spring Roll w/ a creamy sauce. I liked the little plate. The actual spring roll was not my fav but that sauce, oh so GD. (2) Zen Ful Donuts- As so as I took a bite, a Sweat creamy filling oozes out & served w/ a rich chocolate sauce. This was my fav!!!! Vanilla Creme brÃ»lÃ©e- Fabulous!!! I am so full just writing this down. A must try and one of my fav restaurants in AC. For $60pp, you got so much, so worth it. So happy with the decor, food and service. Beautiful and romantic :)
(4)
Lisa L.

Amazing. Very pricey but worth it for a special occasion. The edamame truffle raviolis we're incredible and I could probably eat 100 of them- just wish they wouldn't charge so much for only 3! Had the sea bass for dinner per the recommendation of our waiter and the rasberry sake martini which was sweet but not overpowering. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Amanda Y.

Came here after a sweltering walk along the Boardwalk for Happy Hour. My best friend and I each ordered a drink (she had the Serenity aka a lychee martini with raspberry sake, lychee liqueur, pomegranate juice and I had the Fortune aka Absolut Mandarin, passion fruit, and pomegranate juice) and we shared two appetizers (edamame ravioli and mushroom potstickers). Everything was DELICIOUS.
(5)
mina g.

What a amazing restaurant!! With a amazingly beautiful giant Buddha a huge stone table down the center and the food was delicious and Jennifer was awesome couldn't ask for better service!! Can't wait to come back!!!
(5)
Cee H.

I am so happy to have found a place that can satisfy my Asian food cravings. I have been wary about going to Chinese or Thai restaurants because of the MSG that causes me extreme thirst and headaches which last for over a week. We ate in the bar area because we decided to go there at the last minute and couldn't get a reservation for a table. First, I want to say that Scott, the bartender was exceptional. He was friendly, efficient and made our evening a highly enjoyable one. Now, the food.... Everything we had was just amazing and with no after-effects of the dreaded MSG. We had the pork dumplings and mushroom potstickers as appetizers. They were both so delicious.The sauce for the pork dumplings was slightly tangy and spicy went very well with the dumplings and the potstickers. We then had the pepper steak and vegetable fried rice... Both were incredibly amazing. The beef cubes were cooked a perfect medium to medium rare and very tender in plum-like sauce and the fried rice had a coconut and lime flavor with some other different herbs and spices which I could not identify but all came together to create such a delectable flavor. For dessert we shared the donuts with banana and custard .... OMG!!!! They were unbelievable!! Warm custard oozing out of crispy little 'pizza pockets' tossed with fine sugar and came with chocolate and banana caramel dipping sauces on the side. I can't wait to go back and try every thing else they have on the menu!
(5)
Sam H.

We came here for lunch and ordered the calamari salad, monk fish, pork and edamame raviolis. The large calamari is both large in size and taste. Well dressed, the salad was topped with an abundant amount of crispy calamari. The edamame raviolis were topped with truffle oil and was well made and tasty. The monk fish and pork dishes we had were cooked properly and were seasoned wonderfully. Our service was excellent. Overall, we had a great lunch.
(4)
Brandon P.

The Philly location is definitely better.
(3)
Emily L.

Our three visits to Buddakan span nine years, and all have been completely outstanding. This place is truly magical, beginning from the walk through the deconstructed trellis toward the huge, glowing statue in the center of the dining room. I still see the place the way I did the first time we wandered in, shortly after they had opened. We were cranky because we had driven all the way to Atlantic City from Baltimore, in the pouring rain, for a concert that had been canceled at the last minute. Curse you, Mick Jagger! Buddakan made all that better. I remember the crab fried rice, in particular, making an impression -- it was light and delicately flavored, nothing like the greasy, stale stuff they serve at takeout restaurants across America. We had a couple of cocktails and thought, wow, maybe Asian food can be classy after all. A couple of years later, we came with a group of friends and reserved one of the private booths we had been eyeing on our first visit. It was a cozy, unbelievably fun night, full of blueberry mojitos and laughter. One of our friends was so taken with the cocktails that we decided to make up a batch for his birthday: I called the restaurant and their bartender gave precise and exact instructions for how to make the drink, down to the garnish (fresh blueberries and a vanilla sugar rim.) Their service truly extends above and beyond the dining experience. The last visit was just this spring for my brother-in-law's birthday. I was nervous making the reservation, not sure if we could expect the same quality of experience seven years later, but everything from the initial walk to our private booth (they exclaimed over everything, and we were newly wowed as well) to the impeccably professional service (our waiter knew every ingredient and technique in every dish we ordered) was flawless. And the food, my goodness. Our longtime favorite crab fried rice made an appearance; the Thai chicken salad was light, flavorful and a pleasing contrast in texture; the edamame ravioli, with a hint of truffle, were so decadent we all lost consciousness for a moment. The black pepper beef was the big surprise: one, that I ordered it (I'm not a big fan of red meat, but somehow I knew) and two, that I was generous enough to share when I realized it was an experience everyone needed to have. The slender morsels of tender ribeye were absolutely coated with peppery goodness, as were the bits of onion alongside, and the crispy nest of noodles was almost too pretty to destroy. Almost. The five-spice duck breast was phenomenal, as was the perfectly-cooked sea bass with haricots verts. Our cocktails were fabulous, even if the names (Harmony, Serenity, Bonsai) were a little silly, and dessert was as starkly beautiful as it was delicious -- sculptural chunks of shaved chocolate, neatly-wrapped fried banana, quenelles of intensely flavored ice cream. Simply put, you cannot ask for a better dining experience. Here's to another nine years of Buddakan love!
(5)
Dana N.

We loved this place! The food was amazing. We ate the charred grilled aged beef, lobster fried rice, asparagus, and the sashimi appetizer. The drinks are a little on the pricey, but the food is really good filled with rich flavor! The service was great and fast, also the atmosphere makes for the perfect date night. We would love to eat here again.
(5)
Steph Y.

Whenever I come to AC and stay at Caesars/Bally's, I always make sure I dine at Buddakan at least once. Buddakan is hands down one of my favorite restaurants and definitely one of the top restaurants in AC. I love the Buddakan in NYC as well. I highly suggest making reservations in advance or else you probably won't get a timeslot that you want or get a table at all. The atmosphere here is amazing! It's very intimate and the decor is fancy - absolutely love the big Buddha that can be seen as soon as you walk in the entrance and the pretty twilight sky ceiling. The ambiance and service is outstanding. I never had a bad experience here. The staff is very friendly, attentive and accommodating. This AC location is a bit different than the NYC location - however, both are good in their own ways! For example, they switch up the menu a bit - in AC they have Edamame Raviolis and in NYC they have Edamame Dumplings. The one thing that AC does very differently is that they have a 4 course special - which ranges from $60-$80 (see my photos to get an idea for the $60, $70 and $80 tasting menu - NYC does not have this option, at least not the last time I went there. You have to order everything individually). I highly suggest this 4 course option so you can share it family style with your friends and try a lot of variety. I've also enjoyed every single cocktail that I have ordered here - so order what looks good to you because you can't go wrong with anything. Here are some of the items that I have ordered from their menu: Edamame Ravioli - oh my goodness, I don't think anyone should come to Buddakan and not order these. I can eat these non-stop. It's so freaking delicious and creamy. This is definitely my favorite appetizer. You must order this!! Boneless Char Siu Spare Ribs - This appetizer tastes amazing - the sauce is fanastic and the meat is very tender. Chicken & Ginger Dumplings - Exactly what you think it would be. I love how they serve it in a dim sum bamboo box. The dumpling wrap isn't made with too much flour, the skins are thin which is always a plus for me. Cantonese Spring Rolls - Same goes for this appetizer - exactly what it should be. Perfect amount of crisp and the spring roll shells aren't super thick which I like. Wasabi Mashed Potatoes - Who ever thought of this.. is a genius!! It never crossed my mind that the two of these ingredients mixed together can taste so spectacular. Chinese Eggplants in Garlic Sauce - I didn't think I would like this side dish. But I was very surprised - it actually tastes really good and I don't even like eggplant.. perhaps I'm just getting old. Char Grilled Aged Beef - This was cooked to perfection, we asked for medium rare and that's exactly what we got. It comes with a lot of Szechuan fries and watercress salad on the side. Five Spice Duck Breast - This was very flavorful entree which comes with a corn and scallion spoon bread. However, the corn and scallion spoon bread tasted more like a potato cake to me. Alaskan King Salmon - I really enjoyed this entree - the salmon is SO tender, it just melts in your mouth! The sesame spinach salad that comes with it is very tasty. Wok Cashew Chicken - This entree is made with plum wine sauce. To be honest, I wasn't too crazy about this dish. But then again, I'm not too crazy about chicken breast. Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon - This comes with potato mash. I wasn't too impressed with this dish either. I feel that a good steak should never have to need any more flavor besides salt and pepper. I thought the wasabi flavor overpowered the taste of the steak. My favorite part of dessert tasting menu was the Zen-Ful Donuts (think of a beignet with sweet cream inside and banana and chocolate dipping sauce on the side). I wasn't too crazy about the cheesecake (kind of bland), banana spring roll, or chocolate cake brownie (it bit stale and dry). However, I highly suggest the Crying Chocolate dessert (malted chocolate ganache, milk caramel and Vietnamese coffee ice cream). It isn't part of the tasting menu but I've had it before and its amazing! Definitely try that if you aren't going for the tasting menu option. Buddakan is by no means affordable. But you gotta treat yourself sometimes! You won't regret it because it will be so worth it. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
The Food D.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this place or not... we almost didn't have lunch there... I am so glad we decided to give it a try. The place is gorgeous. Waiter was prompt and knew the menu very well. We ordered: Boneless Char Slu Spare Ribs (Served with Chinese Mustard) "Buddakan Lunch Bento Box" - Crispy Calamari Salad, Edamame Ravioli, Wasabi Crusted Filet Migon Spicy Rock Shrimp Bao Buns Boneless Char Slu Spare Ribs (Served with Chinese Mustard): I am a huge fan of Chinese ribs. These ribs were delicious and paired PERFECTLY with the Chinese mustard. I never use Chinese mustard in traditional Chinese restaurants. I find it too harsh and lacks flavor. This Chinese mustard was the perfect dip for these tender ribs. MUST MUST MUST try. "Buddakan Lunch Bento Box" Crispy Calamari Salad - Very good. Crispy calamari was perfectly cooked. Dressing was a very nice and light yet sweet flavored - miso dressing... very good! Edamame Ravioli - OMG! Heaven on a plate. I wish there were more of these. The edamame puree in these ravioli was out of this world. Next time I return, I will order my own order of these. MUST MUST MUST try. Wasabi Crusted Filet Migon - ordered median rare, came out perfectly medium rare. I am not really a filet guy... I enjoy rib eye steaks, but this filet was perfect. The little piece of meat packed so much flavor and went perfectly with the mashed sweet potatoes. I wanted to lick the potatoes off of that plate... I can't believe how many layers of flavors were in the one component of the dish. MUST MUST MUST try. Spicy Rock Shrimp Bao Buns - ANOTHER WIN! I can't describe enough the care that went into planning the flavors for each dish. These were absolutely delicious. Slaw and sauce were perfect. I would describe the overall meal as EXTREMELY Modern Asian. Service was excellent. Portions could have been a tad bit bigger, but we left feeling full and not stuffed. Pricing very fair! HIGHLY recommend, I can't wait to return.
(5)
Bill M.

I was really upset with this place when I and my three companions stopped in during AC Restaurant Week because, despite being promised that they would honor the special menu, we learned that they changed their mind once we sat down. We were not happy, and I know it was an uncomfortable start. So, here goes my angriest 5-star review. Why after all that did I settle on five stars? Because the service, food, and atmosphere were unparalleled. I started with Tuna Spring Rolls. While there were only three of them, they were delicious--creamy and deeply flavored inside the super crunchy roll. I ordered a Bonsai Martini, a sweet drink that was included cilantro. While that sounds weird, the balance between sweet and savory was excellent. We also sampled the Edamame Ravioli and some pot stickers. My entree was Wasabi Crusted Filet, an amazingly tender piece of beef with a delicately spicy crust. Amalia Y. had the Pan Seared Sea Bass, Kyle L. had the Asian Barbecued Pork, and Jeff B. had the Sweet and Crispy Shrimp. Not a single dish was below perfect. I was so thoroughly disarmed by the experience that, despite my anger at the bait-and-switch by the manager who took the reservation, I cannot help but deliver a stellar review despite the initial disappointment. Believe me when I tell you that this is unprecedented, but it was that good.
(5)
Joshua V.

Style over substance would be the operative (and most apt) maxim I can use to describe this joint. During a weekend in AC with a collection of my best buddies (bros, brajs, dudes, "Bro Montanas"...), this particular writer was selected as the designated restaurant selector during our tenure at New Jersey's best effort/attempt to replicate the (allegedly) superior Sin City a.k.a. Las Vegas. As one might be able to imagine, attempting to obtain accommodations on a Saturday night at this joint for eight man-children for the dinner rush proved to be a fool's errand (especially considering we were in AC for the Yelp Winter Break, as well as it being restaurant week, though the latter fact was not in effect the Saturday I attended this joint). In the end I ended up dining here with one of my friends for a late lunch while the other six napped the previous night's drinks and exploits off in order to make themselves whole again for their potential adventures that impending evening. Located on the Pier Shoppes at Caesar's Palace, this place certainly sports a sleek and sexy interior. In this regard, the place does the namesake proud (as it belongs to a proud line of Buddakkans under the Starr Restaurant group). Dim lighting, splashes of red and gold, the big Buddha... there's no denying that the visual spectacle does make for a terrific feast for the eyes. However, I don't eat with my eyes... and a big Styrofoam (maybe) gold-colored Buddha doesn't qualify as food in my book. And that's just too damn bad when talking about this place, as the offerings provided at this place failed to live up to the pretty little package that they've been wrapped up in. To start, we ordered the chicken and mushroom spring rolls. Sounds like a pretty simple thing to not eff up... mushrooms = good... chicken = great... put them in a spring roll and it should be pretty tasty right?? Well, this dish just so happened to be the perfect instance of subtraction by addition. What does this writer mean by saying this?? Well, aside from the morsels of chicken and shrooms within the spring roll wrapper, the recipe apparently also included either water chestnuts or a tasteless radish of some kind. While not foul tasting, this added ingredient, ironically, added nothing to the complexity of the dish. It added no taste, and all it did was take up space and undermine the textural feeling that super crisp spring roll wrappers are designed to give off. Definitely a head scratcher. Unfortunately the respective main courses for myself and my friend weren't that much better. I opted for the lobster fried rice while bro-seph got himself the Pad Thai. To be fair, lobster fried rice passed, purely on the strength of the lobster... rather, it tasted like rice with tasty lobster in it; kinda hard to mess up there. But the Pad Thai was a wreck. Whether it was just bad food chemistry or just bad food... the dish did nothing to stave off the potency of the fish sauce that was added to it (and fish sauce, if not handled correctly, tastes like death). What's worse is that the sweetness (that was added to supposedly counter the fish sauce) was isolated to one side of the dish... just bad bites both ways, too sweet one side... and too salty on the other. En sum, if you wanna impress some broad who may not have a very picky palate, then this could be a viable place for you to lay down some ground work. Atmospheric lighting and pretty sights may be enough to stave attention away from the spotty food options available here.
(3)
Ahmed A.

We came to AC to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary and found Buddakan. This place is awesome! The decor, both inside and out, is very unique with a giant golden Buddha being the center piece of the restaurant. The inside is very dimly lit, which creates a very romantic atmosphere; however, I saw couple tables use the light from their cell phone to read the menu...lol! It's really not that bad. Buddakan AC menu is great. The price might be slightly on the expensive side for someone to enjoy a little bit of Asian Fusion, but it is an upscale restaurant and the food quality definitely matches the price tag! We had the Rock Shrimp Bao bun for appetizer. It was very delicate and the crispy slaw on top of the Bao bun added a great texture when you chew on them. For main entree, the wife had Chargrilled aged beef and I had the Whole Fried Fish (Branzino). The fried fish was out of this world. The chef definitely knocked it out of the park. We also had vegetable fried rice with coconut curry foam on the side. This was a very unique fried rice dish with the foam, but definitely tasty. And for dessert, we had the crying chocolate, where the milk caramel oozes out of the chocolate brownie. Definitely delicious. The service was very attentive. Our server was very knowledgeable and he explained every dish in great detail. The only critique to note is that my wife's entree came 5-10 minutes ahead of my dish. Typically it's good service to bring all the entrees at once for the table. But my whole fish dish definitely made up for the minor slip in the service! Atlantic City has definitely a lot of fine dining places to offer, but given the quality of food and if you're in the mood for some unique Asian Fusion food, then you can't miss out on Buddakan. We're impressed with the place.
(4)
Jeff B.

My companions & I were all set not to like Buddakan too much because of a mix-up on their part about the AC restaurant week menu. And frankly, the hostess we spoke to when we arrived did not help matters any. They really should have comped us a drink, given the misunderstanding was clearly theirs. But I digress... Having said that, the food, service, atmosphere, etc were all so superior here, that it was a five star experience for sure, as soon as we were seated and met our server. My starter salad had unique flavors that were perfectly melded into a combination that defied the standard definition of "salad". It was delicious and I finished every bite. The ginger shrimp were simply outstanding. Probably the best shrimp dish I have ever had. Period. Intense flavors that permeated the (jumbo) shrimp, not just coated them. And each one was cooked to perfection. The cocktails & wines were also exceptional. This is a dark, cozy, very hip restaurant with a background soundtrack that was perfect. Look up and you see "stars". Nope, it's not the cocktail you just had, or the AC night sky, but a very nicely done star-lit "sky" created by the designer. Nice. If you can't seduce a dinner date here, give it up pal. Buddakan is pricey to be sure, so you expect great food. But I'd call this truly outstanding in every regard (minus the snippy hostess and less-than-helpful manager). But hey, nothing's perfect -- not even Buddakan. In AC though , this place is about as perfect as perfect gets. Ranks right up there with my other favorites (The Old Homestead & Bobby Flays at Borgata).
(5)
Grace L.

I'd give Buddakan 3.5 stars if I could: I came here with a group of 18 people, so I'm already giving this place a higher rating for how accommodating they were (although apparently the girl who made our reservation encountered some resistance at first, but it ended up being okay). The venue is absolutely beautiful, with the iconic Buddha statue towering above our long table, and the ceiling full of stars as they tried to evoke a Japanese-inspired architecture feel. The second reason I'm giving this 4 stars is because of the cocktails. Priced as normal drinks (around $9-$11), a group of us each ordered a different one, with names ranging from "serenity" to "fortune" to "longevity". Each smelled delicious, had a great alcoholic content, and tasted so smooth. The dish I ordered was simply mediocre, as it wasn't a specialty dish or anything; but my friend ordered the sea bass which melted in my mouth and was probably one of the best fish I've ever tasted! I tried bits of my other friends' dishes, and none of them really stood out or anything, and all were priced pretty expensively.
(4)
Vivian L.

Found this place for dinner while walking on the boardwalk and decided to give it a try. Expected it to be an average asian fusion restaurant but was pleasantly surprised. The ambiance was really nice, most of the tables were filled by couples on quiet dates. We ordered the edamame ravioli,which includes 3 pieces. It was the best dish of the night and we were glad that we ordered an extra piece, as recommended by our waitress. I ordered the crab fried rice and it came with a generous portion of crab. It was simple and delicious. My date ordered the char grilled aged beef and the dish was good. The only complaint was that he asked for it to be medium rare but the meat was cooked medium well. The plate comes with a lot of Szechuan fries but they were too greasy for my taste. I got sick of them after i ate a few bites. Overall it was a good dining experience and I would definitely be back if I'm in the area.
(4)
Carla F.

Buddakan is a Philadelphia restaurant scene classic and the Atlantic city location certainly does not disappoint. There are few places that I can go where every single item I order off the menu is universally loved as much as this place. Highly highly recommend the Asian Caesar salad, calamari salad, edamame ravioli, crab fried rice and sea bass. Some of the best dishes I have ever had at a restaurant, all at the same place!
(5)
Randi E.

Happy hour at Buddakan was extremely tasty, though not necessarily cost effective because we were more than a little hungry. We sipped full-bodied cocktails, some hot with jalepeno and gin, others smooth with an array of sweet fruit flavors, and others still floral with lychee and sake. We gorged on dumplings bursting with spicy beef or gingered chicken or even pureed edamame. We had crunchy chicken and shrimp spring rolls and crispy tempura vegetables. And we finished with tiny doughnuts filled with a light cream paired with tangy sweet banana sauce.
(4)
Rosy V.

If you've been on my yelp page, I really do not lie when it comes to the restaurant and the service. I will tell you exactly why a restaurant deserves a good/bad rating. Buddakan has awesome service, our waiter was always there when we needed him and he was always smiling and presenting himself in a professional matter. I enjoyed how he had a sense of humor and was able to give us our privacy as well since it was Valentines Day. Also I took note that all the waiters and waitresses would acknowledge you even if you weren't their "customer" and when we left the manager made the point of greeting us while we left. Now let's get on with the review for food! OMG the Pan Seared Sea Bass was AMAZING! Very soft and practically melts in your mouth was not at all dry whatsoever! I have to say fish is really hard to get perfect since it gets dry so easily when you cook it, so hats off to the chef! My boyfriend got the Char Grilled Aged Beef and that was not a disappointment either! They got his preference right (Medium Rare). It was one of the pricier meat dishes on the menu, but the portion size was pretty decent, which I appreciate a lot because I've been to some other high upscale restaurants and sometimes size is much smaller. We also got as an appetizer the Boneless Char Siu Ribs and I have to admit the ribs themselves were normal BUT the mustard they paired with it was the kick it needed! Definitely try this if you like Char Siu, the mustard was an interesting twist they added to the dish. Also if you're trying out their sake menu, definitely try out the Pure Snow. It's definitely an interesting sake and I was glad that I picked it. It had a creamy sweet taste to it and it goes well with all the food we had. All in all the food was great, the atmosphere was intimate and the service was awesome. I would definitely come here again! Try it out if you want something Asian. It's not traditional Asian food, but it's worth the try!
(5)
Idania D.

Does amazing even begin to describe Budakkan? Well let me count the ways! The large Buddha at the entrance is a segue to the impressive meal to come. Our server was very knowledgeable and suggested we try the tastings menu. That was definitely the right choice for a first time visit. She also suggested a tropical cocktail made with vodka, pomegranates , passion fruit , etc-fantastic. Appetizers A Bento box with an edamame ravioli which was ethereal ( we wanted a dozen to go) Chicken & shrimp dumplings and spring roll, both very good. Asian Caesar Salad- great twist on an old classic Entrees Wasabi crusted filet mignon- meat was 1st rate and the Japanese sweet potato mash was unbelievable. Pan Seared Sea Bass Haricots verts, butternut squash, maitake mushrooms, truffle jus- this was amazing , every component made this dish perfect. Side.-Vegetable Fried Rice with coconut curry foam - loved it Dessert- we had a trio tasting Zen-Ful Donuts -Sweet cream, banana and chocolate sauces Tahitian Vanilla CrÃ¨me Brulee -Fresh fruit, kalamansi yogurt Crispy Banana Spring Rolls -Banana's and chocolate, white macadamia nut ice cream The donuts and creme brÃ»lÃ©e were my favorite and sublime. We were wowed. Budakkan should be experienced at least once. It takes Asian to a whole other level.
(5)
Honorae N.

Absolutely an an amazing place. It's on the third floor of the playground. So peaceful and romantic. Celebrated my husbands birthdays there last night. They gave us a free present with a delicious chocolate cake inside. The service was perfect! We had our table cleaned and new plates,silverware put down between every course. My husband loved the attention to detail they had by pulling out the table for us when we sat down. The food was orgasmic! We had the 60$ a person chefs tasting. It was so good! And there's plenty off food. We each got our own bento box. We had a salad to share. Chilean Seabass, fillet Mignon steak for the main course, and three deserts for us to share. Again everything was amazing! Highly recommended you go here for a romantic peaceful time where you are waited on hand and foot with mouth watering food!
(5)
Allison O.

Took my mother here for her bday celebration and so glad I did. Everything was phenomenal. Our waitress was attentive and service considerate. Food was amazing. We had the chefs tasting menu which was well worth the $60 a person price tag. The bento box of appetizers was very good; had spring rolls, edamame ravioli and dumplings. Loved the ravioli but loved the spring rolls more with that spicy mustard. Meal came with three full sized entrees; wasabi crusted filet mignon, Chilean sea bass and vegetable fried rice. I could cut the filet with a fork, it was that well cooked. The purÃ©e it was on was great too. Highlight of the three was the Chilean sea bass which practically melted in your mouth. Best piece of fish I've ever had. My mom was practically in tears over it. The desserts were fantastic too, the best being the creme brÃ»lÃ©e. The white sangria we had to accompany the meal was lovely. I cannot wait to come back; might make a trip back to AC just to experience it again.
(5)
Amanda R.

It was really crowded here for a Thursday night. Could barely hear myself talk! The food was amazing, however! Especially the 'King Crab Tempura.' I was very pleased. I cannot remember the name of our server, though he was beyond welcoming and knowledgeable of the menu and wine list. I enjoyed my time spent here for my birthday!
(5)
Kerry C.

Huge Buddha!! The signature decoration. Food is ok, not really a fan of Asian fusion here. Food quality and taste is not really consistent across the locations. Had the Edamame ravioli, Wagyu beef satay, Five spice duck, Wasabi crusted filet. Service is a bit lacking here.
(3)
L S.

First time here and will definitely be coming back! At first we were skeptical because the place was quiet and fairly empty but it is a Tuesday. The decor, lighting, and music were great and puts you in a relaxing mood. Upon being seated, we were greeted by our waiter who was very pleasant. When we asked questions about the menu, he was very precise and provided detailed explanations. The food came out very quick and was delicious! We ordered the tuna tartare spring rolls and had to order seconds! Everything here comes out randomly and is great for sharing. The food is great, the staff is so efficient and attentive. I would recommend this place for both the food and ambiance.
(5)
D R.

The service is horrendous. Our server was absolutely rude, they brought us the appetizers n the drinks, and food all within 5 minutes. The drink I got was not the one I ordered. Nobody came back again to ask us about repeat order of drinks or anything till the deserts. Took half n hour to get the deserts when the place was almost empty. It's sad because the food was great, but we would never be eating here again.
(1)
Lauren K.

Amazing!!! Was our first time eating here so tried the chef tasting menu. Appetizer was edamame ravioli, spring rolls and chicken dumplings. Second course was Caesar salad, third course was wasabi crusted filet mignon, Chilean sea bass and vegetable fried rice and fourth course was creme brÃ»lÃ©e, donuts and banana spring rolls. SO good and worth the 60 dollars per person price. Only negative was parking at the casino was $25 dollars, but the meal made up for that!
(5)
Olivia S.

This restaurant is beautiful! I love the NYC one so I thought I'd give it a try. It's delicious, the wasabi mash were sooo good we couldn't stop eating. The minus is that it is a bit pricey, it should not be this expensive for their appetizers and dimsum dished, entres are fair and large. Definitely worth a visit
(4)
Deanna S.

I came here for happy hour. They have a selection of specialty drinks for $5. The atmosphere is beautiful and romantic. Our bartender was lovely. She made me an out of this world drink: vodka, muddled mint, blueberry and simple syrup. It was like a vodka mojito/martini hybrid. I didn't try the food so I can't comment on that. I'd def go back for a drink!
(3)
Rick T.

The four of us experienced a fantastic meal, and wonderful ambience. The teamwork in serving the food and clearing the table was, of all things, memorable. The manager, Andrew, stopped by and charmed all of us. The waitresses are beautiful!
(5)
Rod G.

I don't like trendy places and I guess since Sex and the City this place is just that but...Fantastic food and fantastic service! Crab fried rice-simple yet delicious. Just crab and rice but wow! Mushroom potstickers-earthy and delicate with a good potsticker crunch. Tuna spring rolls-great taste and texture. Rock shrimp bao buns-other worldly. I want these every day. Crispy calamari salad-tender calamari and good dressing. Huge portion as well. I thought they gave us a large salad but it was the regular order. All of the food we got had a spice in the back end that was, as our server put it, addictive. I was really shocked at how good the food was. I never expect much in these captive audience restaurants.
(5)
Mo A.

On my brief but much needed getaway to Atlantic City, Buddakan was a place that I had my eye on. The reviews and pictures intrigued me. My only hangup was the cuisine. I have a very diverse palate BUT...Asian cuisine is probably my least favorite. I love Japanese and Thai food. I can handle some aspects of Vietnamese and Korean food. Beyond that, I tend to engage in avoidance. At Buddakan, they promote themselves as offering the very vague and often hit or miss concept of Asian fusion. Buddakan is located in the Pier Shops at Ceasars. The dÃ©cor is gorgeous. The outside kinda looks like a tiki hut. Once you get inside, it morphs into a very dark, sexy and colorful oasis of warmth that is very calming. The large Budda statue and the ceiling motif of stars and nighttime sky adds to the eclectic and zen-like atmosphere. One of the best restaurant decors I've seen, which really elevated the whole experience. The service is exceptional. Our waiter was funny and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. He was also exceptionally accommodating, especially since we were on a bit of a schedule. I went ahead and tried the special tasting menu, which offered three appetizers, a salad, a rice dish, two entrees and three desserts. All for $60 per person. Where do I start? With the appetizers and desserts, they created a bento box of sorts to serve them. The chicken and ginger dumplings had the perfect texture on the shell along with very flavorful filling. The Edamame Ravioli really are two separate components. I'm not much for edamame but they were actually tasty and had a nutty flavor that I enjoyed. The ravioli was filled with a ricotta cheese that turned out to be an interesting and successful pairing. The Cantonese Spring Rolls feature a mixture of chicken and shrimp, which is served with a spicy mustard sauce. I loved the fact that the filling was balanced and well seasoned. The mustard sauce starts off as subtle but hit you with a spice punch reminiscent of wasabi. Delicious! The Calamari Salad features bitter greens and fried calamari tossed in a sweet miso dressing. Generous portion size, which will always be a plus for me. The calamari was lightly battered and fried, which allowed it to shine. My only complaint was there wasn't quite enough sweet miso dressing, which would've balanced the flavor from the bitter greens. Good salad though. The Lobster Fried Rice also incorporates saffron and thai basil. Very aesthetically pleasing and aromatic dish. It also comes in a large portion size with a generous amount of lobster. I liked the dish, but honestly, it was on the average side. The issue was it tasted pretty bland. A little more saffron, basil and seasoning would go a long way. The Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon is served with a sweet potato mash. Talk about a wow factor. The potatoes were light with a certain degree of richness and creaminess. Also, despite being sweet potatoes, the flavor was on the subtle side, which works for me since I'm not a big fan of sweet starches. The filet mignon was everything you could want from a steak. Tender, juicy and bursting with flavor along with a mild kick. I also appreciated that you could really sense the quality in the meat, which not only impacts texture and flavor, but also justifies the price tag. The Pan Seared Sea Bass was without a doubt the star of the show. Served with haricots verts, butternut squash, maitake mushrooms and truffle jus; the presentation set the stage for a mouthwatering experience that didn't completely do the dish justice. Straight to the point - the fish melted like butter. Now, I know that's an overused clichÃ©. Here's the key, go melt some butter. After that, go to Buddakan, order this dish and cut into it. SEE?? MELTED LIKE BUTTER!!! Seriously, one touch of the fish with a knife or fork and it all just sliced apart. The tenderness and moistness of the fish was incredible. I will definitely dream about this dish for weeks. The Crispy Banana Spring Rolls were unique, but more on the average side. The combo of chocolate and banana in a fried wrapper works but....it wasn't elevated or earth shattering. The Tahitian Vanilla CrÃ¨me BrÃ»lÃ©e comes with fresh fruit and kalamansi yogurt. For someone who's not into crÃ¨me brulee, it was refreshingly yummy. The vanilla flavor comes out very clearly and everything else comes together for a balanced dessert. The Zen-Ful Donuts are filled with sweet cream and served with banana and chocolate sauces. Obviously, they're not traditional donuts. They're more like mini turnovers. The sweet cream is sweet without being overwhelming. The chocolate sauce pairs well to add different flavor and some richness. Not as amazing as some others have mentioned, but still decent. Buddakan is a must go while in AC. Looking for an amazing meal at relatively decent prices? Look no further than this place!
(4)
Jessica R.

We loved our experience for Valentine's Day. We ordered off the regular menu (not chef's tasting) and had a great experience. Standouts: seabass, lobster fried rice, eggplant. My husband said the seabass was the best fish he's ever eaten! Great: tuna spring rolls, wasabi crusted filet, sorbet trio (raspberry mandarin was my favorite) Would not order again: char siu spare ribs, mixed drinks (way too syrupy sweet) We also had a carafe of unfiltered sake. Could have been a bit colder but was still great. Would definitely return! Service was great as well.
(5)
Sarah M.

I have lived next to Atlantic city my whole life and have only been here twice. Both times I've visited were amazing. The service and the food are exceptional. We loved everything we tried both times but the scallops were our favorite! Perfectly cooked and melted in your mouth. I would eat here everyday if I could afford to!
(5)
David A.

Great food, very cool atmosphere! Good spot for a date night on the boardwalk. Asparagus never tasted so good, its a must! The Aged Steak dish was amazing, great flavors and went great with the lobster fried rice! Quality of the food was top notch, will leave you very satisfied!
(5)
Vidushi B.

Okay, maybe this is more of a 3.5, but I really think Buddakan is overrated. Luckily, when my friends and I went, we had a 20% off deal, so it ended up being very affordable. But otherwise I think the food is okay, and it's very overpriced. Obviously Stephen Starr is very smart putting a Buddakan right on the boardwalk of AC. The ambiance is a lot, but it's pretty cool I guess with the big Buddha, night sky, and other "Asian" decorations. Our group got an order of all the dumplings on the Dim Sum menu (albeit unintentionally) - the shrimp, pork, and chicken/ginger. The pork ones were the best as they were served in a tasty chili oil. I found the chicken and ginger ones to be on the bland side. We then decided to share a chicken entree (can't remember what it's called, but it's served with buns and asparagus). Unfortunately, it wasn't clear that the buns were served with mushrooms, and two of us didn't eat mushrooms. The servers nicely brought us a side of Chinese Broccoli instead. The chicken itself was kind of dry and bland, but I enjoyed the buns and the asparagus. I wasn't overly impressed with the Chinese Broccoli either. To finish, we ordered the Dim Sum Doughnuts, which we had enjoyed previously at the Philadelphia location. However, they had some sort of banana filling this time, and were underwhelming. They're also pretty hard to eat since the sticky filling gets all over your hands. The service was pretty good though, and it's a nicer lunch/dinner option if you're here.
(3)
Kimberly Y.

Buddakan is more fusion than Asian, but the food is still great and surprisingly really filling! all the way to the point where it was uncomfortable and I couldn't move, but that was my fault for wanting to try everything. All portions are large, but the salads are humongous -- even the small salad will be a lot if you're not hungry, and the large salad could probably be a dinner. Four of us shared the Thai chicken salad, Chilean sea bass, duck breast, Asian barbecued pork, and pad thai. They drizzle sweet sauces on everything, which works with a few of the dishes, but not so much for others. Of these, I couldn't get enough of the Thai chicken salad and Chilean sea bass, as both were very flavorful! I'd pass on the duck breast and barbecued pork -- they didn't really do it for me and were quite confusing for "Asian" fusion dishes. They ask you whether to cook the pork to medium or medium well, which is rarely heard of, pun intended; it kind of melted in your mouth, but I just didn't like the taste. The pad thai was fine, but it had more bean sprouts than noodles. We underestimated the portions and recommend ordering 3-4 plates for 4 people next time. The service could've been better. My friends had empty water glasses for quite a bit of the night; one even asked to drink my water since the waitress never came back. I asked her to take a picture of us, and she told us she'd be right back, but ended up coming back maybe 10-15 minutes later when all the food was gone. Oh well, busy night, I suppose. My favorite part was actually the atmosphere! Of course you have the huge buddha in the main dining area, but if you have a table of 6, they might put you off to the side in these cool semi-private tables separated by bead curtains and Asian lighting.
(4)
Vishal B.

I had high hopes and the place seemed to deliver. The restaurant itself is very nice, giant gold Buddha, lit up stone table, starry night sky with this courtyard theme.. very cool interior. Our waitress was very friendly and catered to our vegetarian needs. I recommend coming with a group, order one of each, pass it around and order more of what you liked. The egg fried rice and schezuan garlic noodles were great. The fried tofu app was also pretty delicious. Ask the chef to spice up everything if your taste calls for it. I enjoyed myself. Best part was they split it between three cards.
(4)
Nicole D.

The best Filet Mignon ever!!! To die for. I get it every time we come and it never disappoints. The boneless spare ribs for appetizer are also delicious. Love coming here. Gorgeous atmosphere.
(5)
Zeeshan S.

Worth every penny! What a wonderful experience! Came here for dinner for a buddy's bachelor party, and was definitely not disappointed. The atmosphere was classy mixed with upbeat casual. Prices on the menu fit just the same. The cocktails are appropriately priced and the apps are on point. Tried the king crab tempura and it was scrumptious. It melts in your mouth, fried to perfection in a delicious sauce. The five spice duck breast cooked medium was amazing. Not too fatty, but had amazing flavor. Came with a delightful light jalapeÃ±o spoon bread which was spectacular. Would recommend this dish 100x! We had the fried monkfish which was fried and had a great crunch. The fish was fresh and had a great aroma, not fishy smelling at all. And it was in a lovely spicy sauce. Super delightful. We also had the crab fried rice which for being just a side dish, was still amazing. Tons of crab and tons of flavor. This was one of my favorite dining experiences! Had a blast and our service was top notch.
(5)
Marcelle B.

Every time I order ANYTHING from here it hits a spot that is not often touched!! I love it! It's such a great little gem of a place with a cosy yet spacious atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food.
(5)
Lydia T.

Amazing atmosphere, exceptional food, and great service. Highly recommend for a night out in AC.
(5)
Stephanie L.

This review is for their Happy hour only: Happy hour is at the bar only which drops it down -1 star. Walking in I could see lots of free tables however the bar area is small with limited seating and small tables. The food here was REALLY good. Steamed edamame - As you would expect with a touch of coarse salt to kick up the flavor. Pork dumplings - I think my favorite out of the four, so flavorful and decent sized. Mushroom pot stickers - Good size, and yummy. Spring rolls - Larger than I thought they would serve from the $5 menu, flaky crush and delicious. As for drinks I had the Zen-Gria which was AMAZING, sweet and refreshing. Also strong but you do not taste the alcohol in it. I only noticed it was strong after only getting halfway down the wine glass and feeling tipsy. Price, AMAZING. It's $5 dim sum choices. Next time I'm in AC I'd like to come back here.
(4)
alice h.

I'm really glad that my sister did research and wanted to try out this place. Really good food and atmosphere. The waiter even let us sample the Zen-gria, since we were debating on ordering a glass or pitcher. ( We end up ordering a pitcher, which came with an purple, edible orchid on our glass. )
(5)
Irene V.

My hubby took me to Buddakan for my birthday dinner and we opted for the chef's tasting menu. We really enjoyed it! Forgive me if these are out of order, but we got the following: Edamame Ravioli - My favorite of the apps! Very flavorful and delicious. Cantonese Spring Roll - Crispy and served very hot. It was pretty good. Chicken and Ginger Dumplings- I loved the sauce these were served with. Buddakan House Salad- Huge portion. It was okay. I wasn't a big fan of the dressing. Vegetable Fried Rice- Very good and also a large portion. Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon- Cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Pan Seared Sea Bass - Delicious! My favorite part of the meal. All of the items were cooked perfectly and the ingredients were fresh. I would love to go back and try different items off their menu. I should also mention that our server was friendly and attentive.
(4)
Stephanie S.

I hate to give this gorgeous place only three stars, but I ran into a few major no nos... My dirty martini was fine. We started with the Tuna Spring Rolls which were DELICIOUS, but they only gave you three dinky rolls and it was expensive! We ordered the Ponzu Chicken and Asian BBQ Pork. Both meats were kinda dry! I was pretty surprised by this. The Chinese broccoli with the pork was delicious. The sauce on the chicken was unique, but I didn't love it. Service was good. Overall I wasn't too impressed...
(3)
Tunc O.

Good food and excellent service. Nice decor. Our waitress was knowledgeable. We did not have to ask or wait for anything.
(5)
Irina A.

Yammy as expected. Had scallops, pork dumplings, brown rice. All crisp fresh n delish.
(5)
Robin K.

The Chilean Sea Bass is outta this world! We were pleasantly surprised with the calamari salad as well---it was light and refreshing with a variety of veggies including Napa cabbage and watercress. The creme brÃ»lÃ©e, coffee ice cream, and toasted pineapple sorbet are also must haves. Hope u enjoy your meal as much as we did!
(5)
EryKah B.

I absolutely love the ambiance and atmosphere of this restaurant. Very Beautiful. The waiter was very nice and accommodating. I had the shrimp Lo mein. It was my birthday dinner and he made sure I had a great time. I love this place and would definitely return. But it was one thing I was was not pleased with, the restroom. I had a late reservation, so that might have been the end of the day mess. But overall I will definitely dine here again.
(4)
Jenny K. L.

The service was a little spotty, but we also arrived 30 min before they closed. The food was amaaaaaazingly flavorful! Pricey yes, but worth it. The tempura crab legs were absolutely worth its pricey and the rock shrimp buns were delicious too. The lobster fried rice was yummy with pieces of lobster. The ponzu chicken was surprisingly large. Moist chicken and flavorful asparagus in some kind of xo sauce. The buns however were the winners on this fish. Filled with shredded chicken and mushroom in a hoisin sauce, they were a meal in itself.
(5)
Sally R.

Awesome! My boyfriend and I went down to AC for a few nights and wanted to try something different for dinner. So, thanks to many other 'Yelper's' we tried this place. We were not disappointed! We made a reservation through Opentable, got seated right away. The attire is casual. Staff - Everyone was very pleasant. Our waitress was excellent. Very personable, professional, and knowledgeable about the whole menu. She suggested cocktails based on our likes and we both were very pleased. Food - We tried the edamame ravioli for an appetizer. Wow! So light, creamy, and delicious! (my boyfriend even asked if the dish was available for dinner, which it was if requested) For dinner, we got the crab fried rice and the wasabi crusted filet mignon (medium rare). The steak was seasoned well and tender, yum. The crab fried rice was the best I've ever had. It was outstanding. Very fresh and flavorful. For dessert, my boyfriend ordered the donuts (a favorite according to our waitress). The order was five small munchkin size freshly made donuts with delectable chocolate and banana sauces. A delicious ending to a delicious meal. Overall, our dinner was fabulous. I would definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Rosanne M.

So disappointed. Steven Starr - you need to either stop by and check on the quality of food served in AC or get some mystery diners in this place. The food is not up to par with other Starr Restaurants and is a blemish to the organization's good name. While Buddakan in Philly is great, this one falls to the opposite end of the spectrum. Unfortunately, while the water in AC may be great for sub rolls [like Whitehouse :]), it isn't good for asian food. This restaurant is not worthy of being a Starr Restaurant. Decor is pretty and service was good, but the food was not well seasoned and the flavors were not balanced. Huge disappointment! My overall feeling is that I was ripped off. I will not go back and can not recommend this spot to anyone else. I have never had a bad meal at any other Starr restaurant and am a big fan of Starr restaurants (in fact, Makoto in Bal Harbour in among my favorites), just not this one.
(1)
Nancy D.

Destination restaurant. Beautiful room, great service and wonderful Asian fusion food. If you are only two, go for the tasting menu. That menu is anchored with Wasabi fillet and sea bass and you get to try a terrific assortment of appetizers and desserts. The main room has a lively festive vibe, but we love the intimate veiled booths for up to 6, or that private romantic dinner. Simply the nicest food experience in town.
(5)
Allen N.

This was by far the most amazing Asian food experience I've ever had. The atmosphere was phenomenal...though I am a practicing Buddhist, so I may be partial to the decor. Also the service was fantastic - our server Andrew was able to make perfect recommendations and was basically at our disposal during our entire visit. The food and drinks were exceptional. We had the steamed edamame pods and Szechuan Pork Dumplings for appetizers, and both were just perfect. We had Andrew bring us salt and sesame ginger for dipping the edamame in. For entrees we ordered Black Peppered Beef, Asian BBQ Pork, and Veggie Fried Rice which came in coconut curry. WOW is all I can say about each dish. Just cooked to perfection and full of flavor. I can not wait to return, and it may be worth the three hour drive simply for a dinner here.
(5)
Natalie C.

Hands down amazing restaurant! I was thoroughly surprised at how delicious the simplest dishes were. We can for a friend's birthday and the server we had was sweet and very helpful. We decided to order a bunch of dishes to share and they accommodated the small plates with the number of people we had there. My favorite dish was the Edamame Ravioli, I was so surprised at how it was. Definitely worth it! Another dish was the Crispy Whole Fish, I personally love fish so I recommend this dish.
(5)
Nando F.

My wife and I have always enjoyed Buddakan down here in A.C. While there is one in Philly , being a lot closer to us, for some odd reason I prefer it here. We have been here before with nothing but fantastic meals , this is my first time yelping about it. We were down in Atlantic City for a few days seeing it was our anniversary and decided for our first night lets go to the spot that has always brought a smile to our faces. The settings in here have always been perfect with it being somewhat dark, but not too dark. A romantic , relaxing feel to it, perfect for a date or anniversary we'll say. Our waitress was on top of everything, with our drinks , making sure we had everything. Asking us if we had any questions of how these dishes are prepared. I didn't want to tell her I was no rookie to this magnificent place, she was in her zone, who am I to take her out of it. Plus I think she was new, and why not we'll be your audience. She did a superb job in describing the specials , top sellers, and so forth. Good job in the training department, you guys have a great student. With that being said and out of the way lets dive into this perfect meal, with my perfect lady across from me. With our glasses of wine , a delicious, smooth, not to sweet or dry Pinot Grigio in hands we were ready. We started off with sharing an appetizer in the Edamame Ravioli in a broth I could not remember. These guys were perfect, had a good size to it with the flavors alone made my taste buds go into shock. Our main courses were for myself a Kobe Strip steak , my wife went with a Seared Sea bass, followed with Lobster fried rice shared between the both of us. Good lord, the Kobe strip steak, was phenomenal. I am a carnivore and will always be a carnivore , this pretty much seals the deal. I had asked for it to be crusted with wasabi, just for the added pleasure. Perfection , the flavors they added , that marinade they made this in, I am still speechless about it. Just get it you'll thank me. My wife's seared sea bass also looked like she enjoyed it, the aroma coming off from her plate and mine made for the ultimate surf and turf meal. As if our feast couldn't get any better , we ended up sharing a well prepared dish of lobster fried rice. I can't explain how delicious this was, a perfectly seasoned lobster, nice pieces mingled with this lightly fried rice. A great dining experience, in fact I have said it before, and will say it again. We have never had a bad meal here, never have had bad service. An amazing experience, to be had. Go in and enjoy.
(5)
Almonte J.

Came here for my anniversary with my boyfriend and wowwww were we blown away! He had their peppered steak and I have their whole fish- both phenomenal! Their lobster rice was just perfect; the lobster pieces were of a decent size and one side order was enough for my boyfriend and I to share. Definitely a place to visit when in AC!
(4)
Ashley F.

5 Stars all day! Like Others have said, it is worth every Penny! I had the Edamame Ravioli, Simply the most amazing thing EVER! Then I had the Wasabi Crusted filet mignon. That was great as well. Had a little bite of the Sea Bass. That was great! I plan on returning the next time I'm in Atlantic City!
(5)
Kelsey W.

This place is amazing! I highly recommend this restaurant. With attentive staff, great food, and ambience...you can't go wrong. We were looking for a restaurant in the area to celebrate my mom's birthday and the reviews helped us choose Buddakan. She loved it! It's worth every penny and second of your time. Our awesome waiter, David shared the Chef's Tasting Special option to us and it only made sense to try it since it provides you with a tasting of all the best dishes. Especially, if you're indecisive when it comes down to choosing from a menu with so many good choices.. Where do i start? We had the following... Bento Sampling Box for Appetizer pp: 2 Cantonese Spring Rolls (Delicious!) 1 Edamame Ravioli ( Probably the best ravioli I've ever had!- must have) 2 Chicken & Ginger Steamed Dumplings ( very yummy!) Asian Caesar Salad- This serves up to 4 ppl. It has a nice little kick to the dressing flavor. Entree:(to share) Pan Seared Sea Bass (good) Wok Cashew Chicken ( my mom's favorite!) Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon ( my favorite! so gooood!- must have) Side: Lobster Fried Rice ( If you have a choice between the sides, this is a definite! You get chucks of lobster in the rice and you don't have to go digging to find the lobster..there's plenty!) Bento Sampling Box for Dessert: (to share) 1 Tahitian Vanilla Creme Brulee ( Very Delicious!!) 3 Crispy Yuzu Spring Rolls ( If you like lemon custard, you'll like this...for me it was a little too strong in the flavor) 4 Zen-Fui Donuts (Fried square donuts with a sweet cream cheese filling) If you're in Atlantic City or areas near a Buddakan, I would recommend having your next meal here with your guests.
(5)
Freddy V.

As Elite Wifey, Olga T. has stated, it was a bit pricey. What do you expect, it's Atlantic City and all hip restaurants raise their prices. Buddakan's ambiance was top notch. I felt at times as if I was eating in a Outdoor space in China. The place itself is indoors with designs of stars and a huge Buddha over looking you as you eat. They accommodate large and small parties. Ambiance - 5***** Food - 5***** (Make sure to order to Fried Tuna Wraps) Service - 5***** Price - 3*** Enjoy the Asian Fusion Food!
(4)
Vern H.

Never disappointed, great food, great service. I recommend the chef's tasting menu and the Sea Bass
(5)
Sterling L.

All around, it was a great experience at Buddakan. The stary night ceiling, Chinese village architecture and Buddha statue make for a tremendous atmosphere. The staff is very attentive and our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about the menu. I had the Asian barbecue pork and it was amazing. Very flavorful, but the portions are fairly small so a side dish to split is ideal. My girlfriend and I split the vegetable fried rice, with the coconut cream sauce, and it was a perfect side dish. I highly recommend Buddkan in Atlantic City, NJ.
(5)
Greg M.

i came to Buddakan for lunch and my server's name was Audrey. She recommended the shrimp bao buns, they were delicious! When she leaned over to drop the bao buns off to the table i leaned in and smelled her hair you could tell it was herbal essence. Its nice to know the people handling/serving my food are clean. that is very important to me. My overall experience was fantastic i look forward to my next visit with Audrey and those buns!
(5)
Eric V.

My favorite place to eat in Philly by a mile. I order their chicken pad thai (and switch out the chicken for tofu) and then retreat to the bar for sake bombers. The food is great, the restaurant is elegant, the ambience is great, the staff is tops, and it's skipping distance to some of the best bars in Philly (Plough and the Stars being my favorite). I probably didn't need to add a review. Five stars kinda says it all, right?
(5)
Vanita S.

Everything was amazing! Pricey, but AMAZING! We started our dinner with a shared appetizer, the Chicken and Shrimp Dumplings, which were delicious. Following the appetizer, we ordered two entrees: the Five Spice Duck Breast and the Grilled Lamb Chops. Both were cooked to perfection. We shared our entrees, because we were so curious. ALL of the flavours complimented each other. Unfortunately, the entrees do not come with rice or a side dish; it was a separate order. So, we decided to order the Shrimp Pad Thai (whose cost was almost equivalent to an entree). That too was also very good. The ambiance goes well with their theme. It's a cute small place, on the 3rd floor in the building labeled It'Sugar. If you're in the mood for good food, then this is it. Very different! I would give this place FIVE (5) stars, but it is pricey. Nonetheless, definitely a MUST!
(4)
Lavada L.

I went here Saturday for my birthday. We had the tasting menu (the main course included sea bass and filet mignon. There isn't much to say but the food was delicious and the service was great.
(5)
Jasmine B.

I'm from NYC so i know that the Buddakan in Manhattan is really good. So i made reservations while i was in AC for this one for two of my friends, my husband and I. My husband and i were also celebrating our wedding anniversary and i made note of that in the reservation. When we got there, we were seated in a booth by my request. Our waiter was very enthusiastic and treated us well. We chose to do the $70pp tasting menu and it was outstanding. It was prepared well and it was more than enough food to feed alot more people than just the 4 of us (we had leftovers). At dessert, the waiter brought over complimentary glasses of champagne (not the cheap stuff) to toast our anniversary. All in all, the next time we are in AC, we will definitely be coming back here.
(5)
Alex P.

Simply put - this is the most amazing restaurant in the entire Atlantic City. Absolutely amazing food, service is beyond average, servers very attentive. Every single dish we order - is 5 out of 5. Every time we eat there, place is literally packed (And food being serve without any delay). We've been there 4 times and will come back for more. Please pay attention to deserts and tasting menu.
(5)
Janice L.

Good food, pricey but good. Great service. Interesting atmosphere and decor (ah stereotypes!). I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Scott W.

This had to have been the best experience my wife and I have had in years. The service was perfect and the food was to die for. My wife had 2 drinks the Harmony and the Serenity. She said both were very good, but the Harmony was the best. For starters we ordered the most talked about item on the menu the Edamame Ravioli and could not believe how good they were. Now you only get 3 so you might fight over the last one, but we defiantly recommend these to everyone. For dinner I had the Wasabi Crusted Filet served with a white sweet potato mash and my wife had the Hot and Sour Scallops. Both meals were fantastic in taste and in presentation. For desert we had the Zen-Fui Donuts (Fried square donuts with a sweet cream cheese filling) it comes with a Banana and chocolate sauce. The chocolate sauce was not even touched because of the amazing taste of the banana sauce and the Almond Bread Pudding this was good but would not order again. When the check came reality set back in, it was about $160 but every once in a while we like to treat ourselves to a nice dinner. Since I'm in the Army and my wife is a Teacher this is usually what we spend on lunch combined for the week, but we would do it again next time we are in Atlantic City.
(5)
Wendy G.

I love the chic and intimate dining room, and the service was undoubtedly FIVE stars. Our waitress and waitor were very helpful; the general manager even came over and checked on us - very thoughtful. Cocktails were all delicious. Food wise, the best dish was definitely the sea bass. It was so amazing that we ended up ordering 3 plates among 5 of us to share.... in addition to other dishes of course, but nothing compared with that. Appetizers plating were all good, but the most flavorful among all was the wonton in the spicy peanut sauce, authentic flavor and cooking style with a little bit of twist. This is the family style restaurant where you can try lots of different dishes, which I'd recommend you do so, yet it keeps the classiness and trendiness. Great experience!
(5)
Andrea R.

What a wonderful dining experience! My friends and I were visiting AC for a birthday and the birthday girl wanted to dine here. We were so happy that she chose this place! While the service and ambiance were fantastic, the food stole the show as it was spectacular! With 8 ladies- we were able to sample several different menu items. The vegetarian fried rice is a MUST! The calamari salad is also a standout along with the Cherry Blossom sorbet for dessert. Service was great. Out server was very attentive and knowledgable. When we asked for suggestions on where to go out after dinner, she was able to acquire passes to the nightclub at Caesar's and some discounted parking passes. The birthday girl really wanted to try the Cherry Blossom sorbet, so instead of the standard complimentary birthday cake that they offer- she was handed a scoop of the sorbet with a candle in it.
(5)
RB B.

Wow!!! Came here for my birthday dinner and couldn't have been happier. My husband and I were promptly seated in a big, round booth. The vibe is trendy and mellow. We started with the tuna tartare spring rolls and the edamame ravioli. Each were such amazing combinations of taste and texture and flavors. I could have gone for a second order of the ravioli! For our main course, we had roasted salmon with a miso glaze, tofu pad thai, and veggie fried rice. The salmon was amazing....it literally melted in your mouth. The pad thai was flavorful, and the fried rice with coconut curry foam was such a tasty twist on traditional fried rice. For dessert, we had the chocolate fondant and the donuts. Both were the perfect ending to a great meal. Service was good, but nothing spectacular. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jaleesa B.

Great place ! Service is excellent the food was great, everyone who works there was so nice and welcoming . I highly recommend this restaurant they deserve all 5 stars . Can't wait to return to atlantic city to go back :)
(5)
Morgan B.

Buddakan is the Mecca for Asian cuisine! I would go back in a heartbeat!!! The food is out-of-this-world phenomenal. Every single item on the menu is worth raving about. Everything I've ordered is gourmet, cooked to perfection, and has flavor bursting at every bite. Chances are, you'll want to order lots of stuff because it all looks delicious. Good news? It's served family style, so you CAN try it all! For entrees, definitely pick the Wasabi-Crusted Steak. It's the best steak you'll ever have. It also comes with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes- sounds strange, but whoever thought of it was genius. You can also get more as a side dish if that's not enough! The Chicken Dumplings are mind-blowing amazing. You're missing out if you don't order it. For sides, you can't go wrong with any kind of Fried Rice- it gives the term "Fried Rice" a whole new meaning. I love all kinds of Lo Mein- BUT I nearly cried when they got rid of the Beef Lo Mein. (Apparently it's still at other Buddakans, just not AC.) Very bad choice on their part...it was my favorite. But the other Lo Meins are also delicious! Awesome giant gold Buddha when you first walk in. Makes the dining experience more fun and unique! Sit in the Opium rooms if you get the chance (weird name for it, I know). Very comfortable couches and pillows, private and romantic. The curtains and mini chandeliers make you feel like royalty!! Now for the service- exceptionally amazing. I ordered the Boneless Ribs (highly recommend- they're melt in your mouth delicious!) and the waitress dropped the plate. Only 2 ribs fell on the floor, everything else was fine. Yet they gave us a whole new plate of ribs for free! Very impressed. It's pricey, but the your experience at Buddakan is nothing less than what you pay for. By far my favorite place to eat in AC!!
(5)
Emily Y.

This place was pretty good I wasnt a big fan of Asian food but I give it a shot After eating here now I am fan
(4)
Ryan P.

AMAZING. All I wanted was an incredible fine dining experience and I found it! Gerald was our server and and everything he suggested was phenomenal. I will absolutely visit again the next time I am in Atlantic City
(5)
Wenyu M.

Great dining experience, reservation is very necessary! Fancy presentation, price? Well, it's AC. Every restaurant is $$$$. Ordered lamb chop, a little bit over cooked. And scallop is awesome. It is kind Asian fusion, but definitely not traditional Asian. Overall, would recommend to try!
(4)
Daniel B.

Man this place gets a "damn good" on my rating scale... Ponzu chicken and buda buns stole my heart as did the Thai chicken salad. Wow for the mushroom potstickers and these guys know how to cook rice
(4)
Jojo G.

Food is fantastic! Yummi Yummi Yummi but definitely over-price. Service is great and atmosphere is very creative. Definitely stop by when visiting Atlantic City!
(4)
Kelly C.

Best meal I've had in Atlantic City. Sat at the bar for the $5 happy hour. I normally don't order fruity drinks, but the lychee martini was a perfect balance between booze and flavor. My favorite apps were the edamame ravioli and the rock shrimp buns. The spring rolls and dumplings were a close second (or third and fourth rather). The bartender was super friendly. The decor is chic yet the atmosphere still manages to remain comfortable. Will definitely go back on my next trip to AC.
(4)
Jason R.

The Asian Caesar Salad & the Wok Cashew Chicken were great. Nice ambience, of course. The fake stars on the ceiling are a nice touch.
(4)
Dutch S.

Transporting. Sexy. Exciting. Innovative. Delicious. Everyone who comes to Atlantic City should stop here, at least for appetizers and their Asian-spiced version of Margarita during their Happy Hour!
(5)
Matt K.

Perfection! I am not going to mention any specific food items because legit everything was amazing. So whatever food you are in the mood for just order it and you will enjoy it. Great Decor mixed with good service as well makes this a great dining experience. 5 Stars..
(5)
Bryan F.

I want to give 5 stars, but the Buddha Buns and desserts were just okay, despite the waiter completely talking them up. First off, you must try the edemame raviolis - they truly are every bit as good as all Yelp reviewers say. I skipped ordering an entree and instead tried some apps and small plates. The bonesless spare ribs were rediculous (tender like a braised short rib) and the veggie dumplings were awesome! Sake is always nice too. My wife had the ginger chicken which was very good, but not excellent. Last time I had the crispy duck, which I think was one of the best duck dishes out there. Service was warm, friendly, knowledgeable and easy-going. Enjoy!
(4)
Kristen H.

The atmosphere of Buddakan grabs you as soon as you walk in. It does look a bit theatrical, but the food is amazing! The staff was so helpful and friendly. As soon as we walked in, we were seated (we had made reservations in advance). They asked us where we preferred to sit. We opted for the upper area, so we could look down on the main dining room and table. Our server was equally as friendly and helpful. She asked questions of the chef, in order to accommodate some of my food restrictions and told me exactly what I should and shouldn't order on the menu. We started with the edamame ravioli and tuna spring rolls. The spring rolls were just ok, but the ravioli was unbelievable! This is the dish everyone talks about at this restaurant and I now know why! I ordered the sea bass for my entree and my husband ordered the aged beef. Both were delicious. The sea bass was perfectly cooked and melted in your mouth like butter. We didn't have any room for dessert, but wished we could have tried one of the many delights on the dessert menu. Downstairs, I discovered some private tables. I was told they are called the "opium dens" and must be reserved in advance. I will definitely be inquiring about those next time. Although, the view into the dining room and the starlit ceiling was very relaxing for our meal. It was refreshing to walk into a restaurant in Atlantic City that delivered on both food and service so well. We will be back!
(4)
Peter K.

Love love love the food and atmosphere. Every time we go to Atlantic City we make sure we have dinner at this restaurant. The place has amazing food (I like it more than the one in NYC) and it is always fresh and cooked to perfection. The staff is always in a great mood and willing to give suggestions and help with any questions you may have. They tried to accommodate all your needs. The only drawback for patrons is that it is always packed and I always end up having dinner at 10 pm there because of how busy it is. I wish there was a way to expand the restaurant to accommodate even more people!
(5)
J. K.

Fancy and albeit slightly overpriced Asian fusion restaurant located adjacent to the Caesars casino. Good for special occasions or if you or somebody in your party can expense it.
(3)
Chen L.

The place is nice, service is good too. However, the food is not exactly Japanese ------- kinda Chinese and kinda American. Overall good taste, but expensive, not worth for second time visit.
(3)
Valencia C.

Everything about this place is awesome. From the decor to the wait staff to the food. I am thoroughly pleased. My friend and I came down to AC for a weekend getaway. Buddakan just made it so much better. It is now my favorite restaurant. We had the 4 course meal which included the Chef's tasting menu (Filet mingon and Sea Bass). My taste buds were delightfully happy. I hope the Buddakan in NY is as good as the one here. I HIGHLY recommend that you visit this place. I know good food and this food is GREAT! Btw, it's a bit pricey, well very pricey but trust me it's worth it. Enjoy!!!
(5)
Bakchun K.

we were at AC for the Yelp event and was looking for a place to eat and wanted to try this asian fusion place Good place for... date atmosphere asian fusion food tasting menu Bad place for... vegetarians if you want the tasting menu if you are cheap if you lost all your money gambling if you think this is a vegetarian place because the name is "buddhakan" this restaurant is located inside Caesars 5 stars - service was awesome, the waiter was very attentive to our many questions especially when we had to ask him to come by several times to ask him a question, very accomodating for the veggie boy in getting all the answers we needed for those of you who want to try the tasting menu... 3 options - $60, $70, $80, all with appetizers, entrees and dessert, served family style MINIMUM of 4 people, so that is $60, $70, or $80 X 4 they are quite flexible with the choices such as doubling up on an item or replacing an item since i was the one who messed up everyone's chance at the tasting menu since i was the 4th person, we had: kobe beef - i didn't have it, but heard it was good sea bass - was okay, not that great, it was served with string beans on the side with some sort of teriyaki sauce lamb chops - voted good by others pork tenderloin - was voted dry edaname ravioli with cheese - i didn't like it, would of been better without cheese crab fried rice - was delicious plenty of crab meat bento box - this was assortment of dessert - six total setting is awesome with buddha in the middle against the wall with an "outdoor" type sky, with stars in the sky resembling space i wouldn't come back here, it is quite pricey for me
(3)
Amanda E.

I mean. This was one badass meal and perfect for a group of girls who can eat before my Bachelorette night out in AC. We ordered a bunch of dishes and shared with the table because none of us could pick just one meal. Here are a few things that we ate and loved (clean plates all around): Asian Caesar Salad - don't pass this over. The usual Caesar gets a face lift with wasabi in the dressing, fried wontons instead of croutons, and spiced cashews. We ordered the "small" size and everyone had a small plateful. Edamame Ravioli - melts in your mouth. This was a crowd favorite. Lobster and Shrimp Shu Mai - if you like shu mai, you'll love these. Shrimp Bao Buns - order two. At least.
(5)
Marshall M.

The food was great. We had the spare ribs, pad thai, fried rice and egg plant. Even though I wasn't too much of the egg plant fan everything was great. The service was one point and welcoming. I'd come back here the next time I'm up in AC.
(4)
K. G.

It's OK....would go back. This place is nicer for the atmosphere and not the food but don't get me wrong the food is not awful. I went for lunch one day for a snack, not a big meal, but did see that they had fried whole fish on the menu so wanted to go back for dinner another night to try the fried whole fish. I did do that last night and was not that impressed. And I have had my share of fried whole fish from West to East of the world. The first time there lunch was sashimi with tempura veggies. This was very good! Dinner there fried whole fish was served very artfully but was not crispy. In fact a bit on the soggy side. Not exactly what I am use to or prefer. It was pricey, $37.00 for a fried whole fish. The skin should be crispy with moist meat. I did enjoy the atmosphere and particularly the Hugh gold Buddha. I recommend you try Buddakan for yourself if you are in town. It was not that busy both times there so you can take the chance with no reservations but you can also make one. Would be good for the visitor and business traveller.
(3)
Cathy S.

On our top picks on each A/C trip, never disappointed...our favorites are the wasabi crusted filet, tuna spring rolls and Asian Caesar salad...and of course the zengria....also great atmosphere and service!
(5)
Jaclyn L.

Buddakan is just sexy. The decor, the menu, heck, even the hostess at the counter - all were sexy. The gigantic gold Buddha sits tall and proud, as he beckons passerby-ers in The Piers Shops in Caesars with his big, happy grin. Yes, there's a lot of restaurant selections in this one lone strip, but Buddakan is were all the sexy people are; trust me. Like Buddha himself, this Asian fusion place asks that you embrace sharing of food to widen the tastes of the tongue and be a hospitable to others around you; a wonderful concept. After you've sampled some of these eats, you won't mind sharing. Apps: Spicy Rock Shrimp Bao Buns - 4stars: One reason, we only got 3 where we saw that after ours were long gone, other tables got 4. They are DELICIOUSLY ADDICTINGGGGG! You'll need to order 2+ of these if you're a big party. Entrees: Shrimp & Chicken Pad Thai - 3 1/2 stars: It had me looking for the spice, and seemed pretty overall average if you're the jaded New Yorker. The portion is definitely appropriate for the price, and the pieces of shrimp were plentiful. Great safe choice. Shrimp Lo Mein - 4 stars: I enjoyed this more than my boyfriend did and I think it's because of the savory spices and herbs they threw in. Very lovely to eat and look at...even if the plate is half empty. Drinks: Lychee Martini - 5 stars: A+ friends! Excellent execution with the proportions of liquor to the sprite and the lychee hanging out at the bottom should linger to soak up the awesomeness. A sexy ladies choice, or a man's "I'm confident in my drink selection" option. $12 Samurai - 5 stars: Another amazing choice! $12 might seem a bit of a stretch, but unhilt your sword and get to fighting! Loved it and really gave you a good kick in the head! Lovely service and friendly staff; couldn't do enough for us. Would definitely hit this place up again and maybe be a bit braver in the ordering next time.
(4)
Jennifer F.

Very nice decor. Tall Buddha under sky with a lot stars.the steak and seabass cooked perfect . Just on the point. Vega fried rice so delicious. It is really worth the money you spend here. Will back soon.
(5)
Lauren S.

We had a WONDERFUL time here last week. I took boyfriend here for his birthday dinner, and we couldn't have had a better time. I have been to Buddakan in Philly many times, so I wasn't expecting the quality to be any different, but the atmosphere was a little more cramped than in Philly. Still, though, it was the perfect romantic and modern setting for a birthday dinner. We ordered the Asian Caesar salad and it was AMAZING. Spicy cashews, cheese and crisps, perfect amount of dressing, perfection. We were honestly full after that! But, we pressed on and order the star of the night: the rock shrimp bun tacos. OMG, if you don't get these you will be sorely disappointed. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Sam D.

AMAZING, went on Valentines day and had the best meal and fastest service ever. Loved the "zen-gria" (sangria), we ordered the black pepper beef and shrimp lo main for dinner both were large portions and cooked to perfection. If you have room for dessert order the "crying chocolate" it looks small but is perfect for 2 people to share and soooo good. Best part was we thought it would be super pricey since its such a nice place and a holiday, but we only spent $100 (including tip). Will absoluetly go back!
(5)
Dave A.

One of the best experiences I've had in awhile. The tasting menu was amazing !! The sea bass was like butter. I would highly recommend .. I will be back
(5)
Valerie V.

I want to preface this with that this should really be 2.5 stars but, we don't have an option for that so I've given two. The restaurant itself is fancy and is a fun environment to dine in. The service is stellar and the waiters are knowledgeable and attentive. They work for their suggested gratuity of 18% or more. As for the food it was just ok. I wasn't blown away or think it was so delicious that 5 dumplings cost $12. I was also surprised that the actual tables themselves were pretty crappy quality. Something you'd see in one of those store front Chinese restaurants or pizza places. I'd expect higher quality from Buddakan. Anyway, overall two stars. Fun to go to, a tad overpriced and nothing to brag about.
(2)
Jason T.

Very average food. The quality and taste is something that can be found somewhere a third of the price. Good service. Would not return.
(3)
Angie L.

The Man and I were on our annual trip to the AC Auto Auction and had scouted out a few places we wanted to try for dinner. We went to Buddakan on the Thursday night of our trip figuring it would be too busy to get into the rest of the weekend (we were right, the place was packed the next 2 nights). As I've stated before, The Man has a limited palate, so agreeing to try Asian Fusion was a pretty big leap for him. I hoped my fellow Yelpers wouldn't let me down! The restaurant was mostly empty, though the long table in the center of the restaurant was set up for a large group who would show up later. Even though we didn't make a reservation, we were promptly seated at a small table on the right side of the center table. The restaurant was dimly lit with most of the lighting focused on the enormous buddah in the back. We looked over the menu for a minute before our server, Alena, came to take our drink orders. Almost immediately, we had our drinks and were discussing what our server recommended based on what The Man was willing to try. With her help and extensive knowledge of the ingredients of items on the menu, we settled on tempura vegetables to share, Asian Barbecued Pork (for him), and Shrimp Lo Mein (for me). Our food arrived not too long after we put in our order, which was a good thing since we were starving. What happened next is all a blur. One minute, we had 3 plates of steaming deliciousness on the table, and the next, we had empty plates. For real. We practically inhaled every morsel of food presented to us. First off, the tempura vegetables were awesome. The Man has a very limited number of veggies he's willing to eat, but I figured I might have more luck if they were fried. Apparently, I need to tempura everything he normally wouldn't eat because the dish of asparagus, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, etc. were gone in a flash. I got to grab a few pieces before he practically growled at me. The batter was light and crispy, encasing perfectly cooked (NOT SOGGY) vegetables inside. My shrimp lo mein was awesome. The XO sauce had just a hint of spice to off-set the sweetness of the shrimp. The Man obligingly tried a bite just to say he tried it... then wolfed down 1/3 of my plate. This is one of the few seafood things he's ever voluntarily eaten more than a bite of. The shrimp were cooked perfectly with no chewiness. The texture played along nicely against the noodles and vegetables. The Man loved his pork. We didn't know what to expect from the dish based on it's meager description. What we got was sliced pork loin with plum sauce, sauteed Chinese broccoli, and some of the biggest onion rings I've ever seen in my life! The meat was super tender and juicy. The sauce was sweet but not cloying, marrying nicely with the inherent saltiness of the pork. The vegetables were looked until they were just slightly crunchy, creating a nice contrast to the meat. We barely came up for air, devouring the incredibly flavorful creations before us. Yes, Buddakan is a bit pricey, but remember that AC is a tourist town. The Man and I are pretty frugal, but we felt this meal was worth every penny we paid for it. The service at the restaurant was impeccible, the food was beyond delicious, and the atmosphere was surprisngly relaxing for such a trendy restaurant. If you like Asian food and want to place a winning bet in AC, you have to give Buddakan a try!
(5)
Laura R.

Had some great small plate options/dim sum for $15 and under if you're with a group that has similar tastes that want to try lots of things (fairly small portions). Lots of other great items to order on the menu though. The waiter recommended the Chilean sea bass and his recommendation was spot on - it was superb. You could also order entrees and share them, it was definitely encouraged. They handled our large group very well and even gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate the occasion. On the pricier side, but very nice for a really good meal with a very cool atmosphere.
(4)
Deryck G.

The food was delicious the service was grate dimly lit was a nice romantic setting but I was their on a week day I'm sure on weekends it would be packed everything was enjoyable I will defiantly be back I would recommend it anyone looking for some R&R good food :)
(5)
Tracey O.

Went to Buddakan for the first time for my birthday this past weekend & without a doubt I found my FAVORITE restaurant, and if you knew me- that is saying a lot! First, walking into the entrance I was in awe of the decor, lighting, etc...hip & gorgeous. We were greeted instantly at the entrance with a smile and they took our coats right away and wished me a happy birthday (my friend who made the res must have mentioned it) then brought us to our table without a minute wait. We were greeted right away by our server, Jennifer- what a doll!!! She was so friendly, I told her I cant drink alcohol but wanted a "celebratory mocktail" & she creatively had the bartender make a delicious drink which I really appreciated. Jennifer educated us on the menu suggesting one of the tasting menu options....so glad we did! What an incredible experience and discovery of different types of dishes! We were a group of 4 (2 couples) and every single one of us loved every single dish- funny the duck dish was my absolute fav & I don't like duck- from there I now do! What an incredible amount and quality of food! I couldn't believe when the dishes kept coming and coming and coming some more- even the final dessert course had like 5 items each, Plus they brought me a dense rich chocolate piece of cake in addition & sing happy birthday to me- I felt pretty special (-: Jennifer was such an attentive, approachable, & knowledgeable with a killer personality which really made the great experience even more amazing! We all highly recommended eating here & if you can, request Jennifer! -Tracey
(5)
Stephanie W.

We had a 6:00 reservation because we were going to a concert, so when we arrived the main dining room was completely empty. The hostess tried to seat us in the first booth next to the wait station...this should be the LAST table seated not the first. She allowed us to move down one when we asked. Otherwise the service and food was great. Our waiter was very helpful and accommodating. The edemame ravioli are a MUST.
(4)
K D.

Bring a sweater! It's cold in there! This is my third time eating at this restaurant. The food is outstanding. This time we started with the Chinese eggplant appetizer which was super tasty. My husband and I both ordered the sea bass because it's my favorite dish on the menu, and after tasting mine the past two times, he opted for the same! It's served with butternut squash, haricot verts, and mushrooms and it is truly delicious. We usually order separate cocktails but there is a new Zen-gria on the menu that we had to order a pitcher of. It was quite tasty and slightly carbonated with a hint of peach and ginger. This place is great - just being in the main dining room is awesome because of the huge Buddha and the star-painted ceiling. Service is always very attentive but also down to earth.
(5)
Holly C.

Comparable to the one in NYC. The drinks were made well, the service was good, and it's a nice looking restaurant. I shared the chicken and shrimp pad thai which was good and enough for the two of us (we weren't starving). It's a good place to eat in AC if you want a nice atmosphere, decent food for a decent price. Their food is Americanized, but if you keep that in mind, you'll be okay with the food.
(4)
Khoa N.

Wow oh wow. I walked into this expensive upscale Asian fusion restaurant very much a skeptic. And I came out very impressed. I was thoroughly blown away at every bite of every dish here. Granted, we were starving after a 6 hr drive to AC and didn't get our first bite of lunch until 3:30 p.m. But the food was still delicious, even if I wasn't that far into my hunger state, I knew I'd still lick every plate clean. We tried the crab fried rice, lobster fried rice, peppered steak, pork and veggies, duck, and crispy red snapper. They were all flavorful and savory to every bite. Though every portion was tiny, leaving you wanting more, a lot more. My favorites were the crab fried rice and the pork. I can eat 1-2 of the fried rice myself. The pork will be no problem since there were only about 8 thin slices. Maybe that was why it was so tender and delicious. That less is more philosophy. Yes, at Buddakan you would still waste a lot of money as with many fancy Asian restaurants and have little rewards in terms of expanding the tummy. But well worth it if you have some extra earnings from the casinos on the boardwalk. My friends and I planned to come right back if we won big - that never happened.
(4)
Dave N.

Beautiful place, but thought the food was hit or miss. We all split a couple of sides / apps to start: edamame ravioli was extremely good. I'm a sucker for truffle and this dish used it well. Crab fried rice was also really good. Got the duck for my meal which was just okay. You don't get a lot of food for the price and found that not all slices were cooked properly. The sauce it came in was decent, but there wasn't enough of it. Our waitress was friendly, but we barely saw her (for some reason she was giving the other 3 tables she was waiting on all the attention and barely acknowledged us).
(3)
Michael R.

For what this place charges the food and service should be top notch. Unfortunately this is not the case. Party of 14 on a Saturday night, reservations made in advance. With the amount of people we had it made sense to go with the tasting menu. The wasabi steak tasted like it was seasoned with zero salt. The caesar salad with spicy cashews was adequate. I enjoyed the spring rolls, and the bbq pork, though not sure why the onion rings were treated with radiation prior to serving. Seriously, they were gigantic and unappetizing. Didn't try any of the desserts. Not once did our waiters ask anyone if they wanted a refill on beverages. Unacceptable. We were ushered in and out of this place in record time. I refuse to give this restaurant my business in the future.
(1)
Tiphani H.

What can I say? Amazinggg! I went here for my 28th birthday this past weekend with my family and had a glorious time. The decor, ambiance, hospitality and cuisine was divine. Our server was Tiffany and was very attentive to our special request for gluten free, allergens and was child friendly. Will definitely return. Thanks for the experience. `
(5)
Aimee M.

Authentic Asian fusion cuisine. Its familh style--ordering several dishes and share--I recommend ordering a variety of dishes, here is my list: Starter dumplings A Chicken dish: Kobe beef A Noodle dish: pad Thai Rice dish: crab fried rice Vegetable: edamame Enjoy!
(4)
Sarah S.

Less than impressed. Perhaps my expectations were just too high, or the dinner service at 10PM on a Sunday night wasn't guaranteed to be top notch. Whatever the reason, the overall Buddakan experience was a sheer letdown. Such a shame... First off, the place was nearly deserted (albeit, yes, it was a Sunday night, but we are in AC, right?). Second, the service was slow as could be, even though there weren't more than three occupied tables in the entire restaurant. Third, the cocktails straight-up sucked - overly sugary with a complete dearth of alcohol. And finally, and most importantly, the food was, at best, average. While the lobster fried rice was decent, it definitely needed some love by way of soy and a dash of hot sauce. The shrimp pad thai tasted far too fishy and the edamame were simply bland (again, soy and hot sauces were requested). The only, and I mean ONLY saving grace was the rock shrimp bao bun appetizer with pickled jalapeÃ±os, cilantro, and chipotle sauce; I should have ordered several plates of this for dinner and said 'screw the rest'.
(2)
Chivonne H.

Buddakan has awesome food. Their drink menu is pretty good. I love the Enlightenment which is basically a spicy margarita. Other good drinks to get is the Happiness and Serenity. The edamame ravioli is amazing! Try it, you wont be disappointed. All of their menu items are pretty good. I would definitely recommend. They also have happy hour Monday-Friday from 3:30-6:30. You should get there early because seating is limited. You can get a lot of their drink and menu items for just $5. So you can try them all without spending a ton of money!
(5)
Amanda D.

So happy I finally got to eat at Buddakan because I absolutely loved it! This is by far the best Asian Fusion restaurant I've been to so far! Where do I even begin? Everything and I mean everything was absolutely great! DÃ©cor is very dark and trendy - great for a nice romantic dinner or even dinner with a huge group of friends. There's a long hallway with a giant Buddha facing the main door. The ceiling is painted dark blue and lit to look like the night sky. There's also an second floor, overlooking the main dining area downstairs. Although the restaurant was bustling, the noise level was not too loud. Service was impeccable! We had made a reservation on OpenTable for a group of 5. Once we got to Buddakan, we gave the hostess our name but was advised that the reservation never went through (which made sense since we never received the confirmation email). The hostess was able to find us a table within 10 minutes, on a Saturday night, at 8 pm! There's no way any other place would be able to do that. Bonus points just for that! We were seated at a semi-circle booth that faced the restaurant. Once we were seated, we were promptly greeted by our server. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable. He constantly checked up on us throughout the night to see how we were doing. I decided to start the night with the Dream (strawberry mojito - bacardi limon rum, strawberries, and mint). The drink was refreshing and light. Perfect way to start the night! For appetizers, we decided to order the Thai Chicken Salad ( with Napa cabbage, watercress, chili vinaigrette and crispy noodles), the Steamed Edamame Pods, and the Edamame Ravioli (in shallot broth). The appetizers were to die for! The Thai chicken salad had the perfect ingredients and serving size was huge (It was the size of an actual entrÃ©e). The edamame was steamed and seasoned perfectly with sea salt. If you must try one appetizer, I would recommend the edamame ravioli! I've never tried anything like it! The raviolis were big in size and rich in flavor! The edamame inside is soft and mushy, but worth every bite! For the entrÃ©e, I ordered the lobster fried rice (with saffron and Thai basil). The lobster was perfectly cooked and the saffron and basil gave the rice a good amount of flavor. The portion size of the rice was big - enough for me to eat and share with the other people at the table. I got to try the Asian Barbequed Pork (grilled tenderloin with Chinese broccoli and giant panko onion rings) which my friend ordered. The pork was very tender and juicy. The sauce on the tenderloin was sweet and tangy (but nothing overpowering). But for me the highlight of the night was my boyfriend's Pan Seared Sea Bass (with haricots verts, butternut squash, maitake mushrooms, and truffle jus). I'm not a fish person at all, but this had to be the best fish I ever had in my life! It did not taste like fish at all. I actually was a little jealous that he had ordered it. Don't get me wrong, the lobster fried rice was amazing but his fish just blew everything right out of the ballpark! The bass was really tender and the glaze it was cooked in was amazing! For desert, my boyfriend and I shared the CrÃ¨me Brulee Tasting (4 different types of crÃ¨me brulee: Tahitian vanilla, green tea, chocolate cinnamon, and coffee). The ones that I tried were very rich and delicious. Although I was not able to taste the Tahitian vanilla because my boyfriend purposely ate it all, my favorite was the coffee one. My brother also received a small brownie, with a candle on the side, since it was his birthday. I tried the brownie and was soft, fudgy and delicious! At the end of the night, the manager came by our table to check on us and see if everything was fine. Overall, I could not find anything wrong with the experience we had at Buddakan and my friends would agree as well. Definitely one of the best restaurants I've ever been to and I would not hesitate to go back again!
(5)
Kelly C.

I'll give it a 3.5 stars. I had high expectations coming here b/c of all the fame from its counterparts in Philly and Nyc. However, after I lived the Buddakan experience, I can't say I'm all that impressed. Though, I do understand that the AC branch isn't the same as the city but I expect it to carry the same standards. Appetizer: Calamari salad Fair. Pricy but you do get a good share of calamari. I wouldn't even look at it as paying 14, 15 for a salad, a plate of calamari is around that range. The fried batter is nothing special, however, the way how the taste with texture came together... I wonder if they purposefully made the fried batter plainer and more typical and let the sweet and sour dressing bring out the magic... It was interesting. Wasn't too powering, just the right starter to get your stomach running for what's next. PS the portion is huuuge! the small can feed up to at least 3 people. Entree: Grilled lamb chops + lobster fried rice Lamb chops first --- fabulous! a big fan, it was grilled to perfection, seasoned well to my Chinese taste buds. I highly recommend it. The chef recommends medium rare and that's what we got. It's just the way I like it, pink but cooked all over. Very tender. It comes with a pesto sauce? i don't think it does anything so I ignored it, but I guess for those who can't stand the taste of lamb, it helps to mask the "stink". but hey, you should know what you're getting into by ordering it lol Lobster fried rice ---- for $20 dollars?!? no thank you. It wasn't what I expected... on the menu it says "with thai basil". So i thought it would be more flavorful with like a hint of South East Asia... but nah, it was just.. overpriced comfort food with expensive ingredients. Though, I will say the taste of lobster does carry throughout every bite. I guess they want to place the main focus on that but they forgot that the actual taste of lobster is quite bland so all it did was it made the fried rice SMELL really tasty but lack the actual vigor when u take a big bite out of it.. service - ok, i enjoy a place more where the staffs are smiling to their customers, which they did. my boyfriend had a slight complain though... Our lamb chops were delicious. But oddly, one piece was not cooked to the same degree as the others... It was so raw, we couldn't eat it.. we told the waitress, but they didn't do anything about it.. didn't offer anything to compensate for it either which was disappointing considering people come here to get a fine dining experience... but yeah So overall, it was alright, I probably wouldn't visit this branch again, but will look forward to trying the Philly one and the NYC one some day :)
(3)
Richard R.

I have been to the original Buddakan in Philadelphia about four times. This was my first trip to the one in Atlantic City. As with Buddakan in Philadelphia, the food and service are excellent. The space in Atlantic City had a slightly more Asian feel. We had the Salmon, Lamb Chops and Crab Fried Rice. As always at Buddakan it was excellent and memorable. My only complaint is they did not have the Dip Sum Donuts on the menu. Budakan is pricey but certainly not outrageous for food of this caliber.
(4)
Emmie N.

Decorations/Ambiance/Service: 4 stars Food: 2 stars As mentioned above, the restaurant is very nice and the service was excellent, but the food sucked. We had the lobster fried rice and Kung Pao monkfish. I had one bite of each and let my husband finished the rest. Maybe they can fool other people who never had good asian food but they aint fooling me... The sticky coconut rice pudding was delicious though! If it wasn't for this, I would've given this restaurant 2 stars...
(3)
Wendy Y.

Always a fan of trying new restaurants, we decided to try Buddakan in Caesars for lunch. Known for their asian-fusion cuisine and lovely decor, it seemed to be the perfect place to try for lunch. They were pretty empty during this time, so it was easy to get seated. We started with some drinks, the Spot and the Sparkling Zengria, both very good. For starters, we ordered the Butternut Squash Dumplings with micro greens and truffle vinegarette; and the Buddakan Style Sashimi with citrus soy and sizzling oil. The dumplings were pan seared so the outside had a great crunch to them. The sashimi was very fresh. We wished we ordered two instead of just one plate! As an entree, we shared the Char Grilled Aged Beef with Szechuan Fries and Watercress Salad. This entree was not my favorite part of the meal. The beef was dry and overdone and the fries were oil drenched and way too fried. We finished the meat but decided not to finish the fries or salad. Overall, the experience was decent but overpriced. The sultry ambiance was definitely a plus. If we ever decide to come back, we'll most stick with the drinks and appetizers.
(3)
John M.

I went here this weekend. I had a really fantastic dinner. The place has a great vibe, very cool decor, and attentive wait staff. I started off with the edamame ravioli, which absolutely blew my mind. It's MUST order, if you find yourself at Buddakan. For entree, I got the scallops, which were fantastic. For sides I got wasabi mashed potatoes and crab fried rice. Both of those are MUST gets. I tried a bunch of entrees from others in my group - branzino, sea bass, tuna - all were delectible. For dessert, we tried the tiramisushi. It was a super cool idea by the chef. The only reason that I didn't give this place 5 stars is because it's expensive. However, the food is fantastic.
(4)
Liz A.

The service was great for a large party!
(4)
Olga T.

Although it's pricey, all the food we ordered was delicious. The ambiance is really nice too! Will def be back!!!
(4)
Rodney C.

Nice ambiance, but the funeral director guy who served us was a bad sign - he had zero personality. The food was ok, not great. Bao was over sauced, whole fried fish was too sweet and just lackluster. Also, fish skin should be crispy - it wasn't. The lobster in the fried rice was just over cooked and dry. Wouldn't come back.
(2)
John L.

Mary makes the best chocolate martini on the planet! The Godiva formula is to to dye for!!! Ask for her....you will not be disappointed !!!!
(5)
Les V.

This place is like 3.5 stars. I got the lamb, not the best I've had but tasty. Cooked medium just like I like it. The coconuts curry vegetable fried rice was my favorite. I could have had the rice as my meal and been happy. My husband had a bowl of rice just to himself. That's how good it was!!
(4)
Eevee M.

I'm from Philly, and keep up with Starr's many locations there. I knew he had restaurants scattered throughout the States, but I didn't know he had a few so close by! So when my bf & I spent the day in AC yesterday and came across Buddakan, we were pleasantly surprised. Food: We opted for the tasting menu and everything was delicious. My favorites were the edamame dumplings and the sea bass. The spring rolls that came with the wasabi sauce were very good too. We wanted to splurge and thought that was the best way to go. Although we left stuffed and satisfied, if we were to ever go back (most likely the Philly location), we'd probably go a la carte instead. Service: Our server, Brian, started off being very welcoming and enthusiastic. Not sure if we did/said something to offend/turn him off, but we barely saw him throughout our meal. I saw him checking in with his other tables more times than not, and completely ignored us afterwards. My water glass was empty for about 75% of my time there and by the time he did come around long enough for me to ask for a refill, I didn't bother. And he did not bother to wipe down our table before giving us fresh plates for dessert. It's not cute if the fork you just set down touched some grains of rice. Maybe it's because I work in the restaurant industry myself and am hyper aware of these little things and am spoiled, but these are pretty basic things that really do go a long way for the guests. Whatever. The food was good and the atmosphere was lovely. Mary Ellen, one of the managers (not entirely sure if she was the only one), was super friendly and welcoming.
(3)
Megan E.

My husband and I came here for our wedding anniversary. From start to finish everything was awesome. We were running a little late and they called us to make sure we found the place okay and to save our table. The zangaria is amazing if you like sweet with a little fizz. Nice flavors! The meal was awesome really nice flavors bursting in your mouth. I was shocked because it was late and the restaurant was about to close and you know how that can be...but everything was on point. Just be ready to spend some money but if your like me who doesn't mind if you get good service and excellent food then it's worth it. We spent $102 including tax and tip for two ppl. Oh they get 5 starts because when we told the waitress we were there for our anniversary she brought us two glasses of champagne. Hey you can't go wrong with champagne. It was a nice touch. We ordered:sweet and spicy shrimp, chicken dish with dumplings(can't remember the name) and crab fried rice
(5)
Albert S.

Food is fantastic. Beautiful dinning area and excellent service.
(4)
Cara O.

I went to Buddakan for the first time last weekend for my cousin's birthday dinner. Not only was the food amazing, but the service was top notch. The restaurant was packed and I now could see why everyone loves coming here. The best thing on the menu is the edamame ravioli. It's one of the most amazing and unusual dishes I've had in a while. The miso salmon is also fantastic. I decided to pair it with the side of the miso mashed potatoes, which was a great idea. I also had an amazing drink called the zengria. It doesn't taste like a typical sangria, more like a watermelon jolly rancher. I would highly recommend Buddakan for anyone who's in the mood for Asian fusion.
(5)
Roy B.

On a very nice Sunday, after a nice walk in the park, our car found its way to Atlantic City. Craving a little lunch and having enjoyed the other locations in New York and Philadelphia, we knew would love the food and spirits here.What we didn't know was that they had a happy hour special from noon till six pm. Five dollar special appetizer menu as well as a five dollar and twelve dollar drink special menu. As usual, the service was top-notch and friendly. We sat at the bar and I enjoyed the zen-gria while my date had one each of "happiness" and "enlightened". For appetizers we had the spring rolls and rock Shrimp and edamame ravioli. And for dessert we had the donuts with dipping sauces. Normally, we look forward to eating a romantic dinner and know we will love the food and service for the price. But for lunch we weren't expecting to have four drinks and three appetizers and dessert and have the lunch bill be less than $45.00. We love the food at all three locations and would recommend this restaurant to anyone and would come as a couple or a group.
(5)
Kristen M.

I really, really loved this place both times I went. We ordered off the sharing menu both times. You get a bento box appetizer, share a tasty salad, share 3 entrees (filet mignon, Chilean sea bass and fried rice, then a bento box of desserts. Everything is excellent! The dishes are all unique and well thought out with great flavor. I highly recommend trying this place next time you are in AC.
(5)
Swati G.

Loved the ambience and the hospitality!! They have got a bunch of tea samples to smell which helped me to choose one. Can't wait to try out next time when I visit Atlantic City!
(5)
Cat L.

The ambiance is just about the only thing I would go back to Buddakan for. The menu is extremely limited especially if you're a vegetarian. My boyfriend got the chicken and shrimp thai and it tasted terrible, one of the worst thai dishes I've had. I ordered the crab fried rice and it was okay. Okay tasting food, expensive prices, limited menu.
(3)
Ashley W.

3rd times a charm.... even though I've only been to Buddakan twice.... I've already decided.. it's totally worth all 5 stars.... - one of my favorite Asian fusion spots - very classy.. intimate.. romantic.. dining experience.. the atmosphere and ambiance here are impeccable.... so so so perfect for date night or that special birthday... - huge table in the center for large parties... I loved the hidden dining areas... there are so many areas secluded by curtain barriers -- deceiving to the eye... that make the restaurant larger than it appears on first glance... they take reservations late.. up to at least 11 pm...? which is great for those who might have driven a few hours after work to get to AC.... Chicken and Ginger dumplings.. are a must try... Lobster fried rice -- large portions of lobster is totally worth it... fun.. trendy cocktail list... I do remember the season Zen-gria.. was light, crisp.. refreshing... Great service..... Buddakan.. I heart you!
(5)
Buo Z.

From the crab fried rice to the whole fish to the delicious drinks (peach sangria!!), this place is a great dining spot for people coming to the AC boardwalk.
(5)
Jeff C.

Buddakan, Atlantic City...three words when combined together makes you lose all your money on the the table, gambling and dining. It's such an incredible spot, awesome beach and boardwalk view, incredible shopping (for my wife), and great eats on par with Buddakan NYC.Starr Restaurants really does whatever they do right. Buddakan AC while smaller than it's NYC counterpart gives off the same sexy vibe and delicious dining. Crispy calamari salad and crispy rock shrimp buns were all excellent. Great coctails as well. Is it a crime to say that their grilled lamb chops are better than NYC's glazed chops? Their chocolate mouse for dessert was a great closer. Left the place stuffed and happy. Very friendly wait staff and host. A highly recommended place. I might need to change my name to Buddakan Jeff.
(4)
Danni S.

Food was fantastic! Ambiance was great and the service was truly awesome. Very much enjoyed this restaurant and look forward to returning in the future!!!
(5)
Brittany F.

Amazing service! Ridiculously amazing food! NO complaints! Everything I tried was perfect.
(5)
Jay L.

We went here in a large party, so we got to taste a lot of the food, some was amazing, some average and some edged on bad (details below). The service was very good, though my friend asked the waiter twice to take a picture, he said he would when he finished what he was doing and both times did not, eventually we asked another customer. So the food was cooked perfectly, every item except the lobster fried rice (lobster cooked to the point of being rubber) melted like butter in your mouth. However, the flavors were varried from item to item. First course: The salad we ordered was drenched in dressing, the spare ribs were kinda just larger versions of a cheap Chinese restaurants boneless ribs (tasted exactly the same), the snow crab spring rolls were edible, but not worth $6 let alone $16, the pork dumplings were very good mainly because the sauce they were served with was amazing, I did not try it, but the others said the beef satay was very good as well. Main course: The poached tuna was very average, cooked perfectly, with little seasoning though it was a bit boring and the mushrooms and sweet potato it was served with added little. The salmon was a bit better, though the spinach "salad" was just boiled spinach with a touch of sesame and super underwhelming, the filet mignon was excellent, cooked perfectly and seasoned just right, the pad Thai was average, not the best or worst I've had (though doubly more expensive than any pad Thai I've ever had at $22), the lobster fried rice was recommended to us by the waiter, and was hands down terrible, on the other side the Asian BBQ pork was phenomenal and the Chinese broccoli it came with was amazing too (not really sure why it came with deep fried onion rings-kinda cheapened the dish), but the pork is definitely the dish I would order if I ever went again-which I'm not really looking to do, really if this was an averaged priced place I would give it 5 stars, but for the price I expect a lot more out of the food.
(3)
Eddie S.

Like this place needs another good review... Well I'll just say, it Delivers on the hype! Those edamame raviolis everyone's talking about? I could have bathed in them and slept naked with them they were so good. The truffle flavor matched with the edamame filling like a creamy wet dream. The lamb chops were amazing , medium rare and melted in my mouth cooked with a perfect blackened char on the outside. The rock shrimp buns are a great starter. The vegetarian fried rice made love to my tongue once I discovered pineapple and coconut flavors meshing with a little shiitake mushroom and lemongrass. The duck was good, although someone has to take the backseat. It's not the usual presentation of duck on the bone with crispy skin and lots of fat. This duck entree was sliced into thin strips and leaner than usual. Still delicious but left me wondering about how the sea bass or scallops might have been... This menu leads you to believe you could Dine here 6 different times and have 6 distinctly different experiences all amazing. And that's what earns you 5 stars. Signature drinks were strong which is nice for a change. The winner was Harmony, a Bombay sapherrie, st Germaine, and sparkling wine concoction served up in a martini glass. If you've got $200 to blow and love culinary exploratory excursions laced with lovely drinks, eat here. Then go win your money back downstairs! :)
(5)
Nancy P.

The atmosphere was dark and mysterious, overshadowed by the gigantic buddha along the wall and the subdued lighting (a little tough to read the menu if you're over 40). The tasting menu which we were recommended to have, since it was our first time, was a great choice. Our waiter was attentive, and the flavors were intense and varied. We would have gone back with our daughter but didn't have time. Next trip!
(5)
Lia B.

this place is frustrating b/c they have tofu on the menu w/ meat items but not as a stand alone. besides the plain veggie sides and edamamme - there is no standout vegan entree. the atmosphere is great i love the starry night. but i always leave cranky. i would love a vegan tasting option - i think a lot of other people would too.
(2)
Nancy J.

We recommend the chef tasting and ordering a bottle of sake. One of best meals of my life! Service was fantastic. We sat at the upstairs bar and had a wonderful, intimate dinner. Definitely make reservations!
(5)
Loni A.

Husband and I went for lunch. It was around 3:00pm and wasn't crowded at all. We were seated in a nice quiet corner by a very pleasant hostess. Our waitress was also fantastic but the main attraction was the food! OMG! It was outstanding!! Here is the breakdown: For an appetizer we had the calamar salad with miso sauce. It is a HUGE portion but we ate every last bite! It was SO amazingly good. For our meal I had the Kobe beef with Szechuan fries and my husband had the pork tenderloin over spinach (I think) and with mashed potatoes. YUM! Both perfectly cooked and delicious. For dessert we HAD to get the little sugary pastry thingies with the creamy goodness inside and dipped them in the chocolate or banana sauce! Wonderful!! For a drink I had something called 'Happiness' and yes it did make me happy. It was very similar to a lemon drop. Overall, EXCELLENT food...a bit pricey but worth it.
(5)
Gloria F.

Went here for dinner on a Saturday with friends. Wow! This place is seriously fun. The restaurant has a great vibe and is the epitome of cool and trendy. The restaurant is one of the many Asian fusion joints which have become synonymous with hip, stylish and not authentic but great to go with friends. The tuna spring rolls were delicious and we ended up having two orders of the sea bass because it was so yummy. Definitely order up here because portions aren't huge and you are supposed to try a lot of stuff. If you don't like to share buddakan is not for you. So come and bring lots of friends and hit up this spot.
(4)
Priti K.

Satisfying each of us in a group of 10 viciously hungry ladies part of a Bachelorette celebration is no easy feat! BUT Buddakan in Atlantic City did it with flying colors. My girl friend called ahead of time with our entire order the afternoon before our 6:15pm reservation. We were 20 minutes late, but the service was still very gracious. Firstly, the ambiance is dark and sexy - very trendy. You'd think they'd skimp on food quality because of the pretty distraction, but that wasn't the case. Let me try to think of everything we ordered: For appetizer: Steamed Edamame Pods (cooked and seasoned with the right amount of sea salt), Chicken & Ginger Dumplings; the dumpling itself was a little bit bland in flavor, but the Sesame Dipping Sauce definitely helped, Cantonese Spring Rolls, crispy and yum! For entree: Chicken and Shrimp Pad Thai, not as many layers of flavor as I like my pad thai to have, but it was good. I think my complaint would be to make the chicken pieces a little smaller. The size made it less tasty throughout. The San Bei Basil Chicken was delicious! I especially loved the sweetness of its sauce, but again, wish the chicken pieces had been smaller. Be careful with the red chili, I thoroughly chewed one by accident and died and came back to life all within 10 minutes. We also ordered the Kung Pao Monkfish cooked in a chili szechuan sauce, as described in the menu, and this was my favorite dish of the night (besides the desserts). This fish, which I'd never had before, is so meaty that you almost mistake it for something else. It was very fresh and I loved the sauce. We asked for Wasabi Mashed Potatoes and brown rice as our sides. Now, the former will definitely be an addition to my Thanksgiving table this year - delicious. And lastly, the desserts! My goodness. Listen ladies, and gentlemen with a sweet tooth as crazy as mine, the Bento Box is the way to go. A little bit of chocolate, a little bit of fruit, a little bit of creme, a little bit of heaven. The PERFECT dessert sampler. Service was impeccable (a lad from Birmingham, UK - I caught his accent) and the pink sangria - strong, fruity, and fragrant! Overall, I think our beautiful Bachelorette loved it and so did I!
(4)
Emily T.

It is a very typical asian fusion restaurant, meaning it is never ever well done with trying to fuse asian food with another cuisine. Just think of it more like a mini step up from P.F Chang's. The food was alright, I think it created more CONfusion than fusion for me. In the end, it is not worth the money to come and dine at this place. I have heard the one in NYC is pretty good but here, like the city it resides in, it was lame and cheesy.
(2)
Tara W.

Imagine if a Cheesecake Factory opened up in the China section of Epcot. That pretty much sums up the type of food and atmosphere at Buddakan. In spite of this we actually had a really good time and enjoyed the food. I guess its supposed to look like you're in the courtyard of a Buddhist temple that's also blasting "sexy muzak." Their spiel about scattered courses seemed like a disclaimer for fussy tourists and all our food ended up coming out together anyway, for a party of 14, which was impressive. Service was personable but what else do you expect from Disney? ;) For me the highlights were the edamame ravioli (ravioli stuffed with truffle scented edamame purÃ©e), Korean fried rice, and the cinnamon ice cream that came with the carrot cake dessert. Chicken dumplings and salmon were tasty but nothing special.
(3)
Vick J.

Awesome ambiance...super expensive food and not so great service...food was delicious but way expensive
(3)
Yari J.

Amazing bday dinner! The restaurant is just beautiful! Appetizers, dinner and dessert, everything was incredible. I myself had the cashew chicken and it was delicious. Service was great as well, and the bday dessert was a very tasty surprise!
(5)
Joey B.

Was staying in Atlantic City for a few days and happened upon Buddakan while browsing the pier shops at Caesars. While it's pretty pricy (along with everything else in Atlantic City), it was absolutely worth the money (unlike most things in Atlantic City). My friend & I started out with tuna spring rolls, followed by the Asian Caesar salad, then we had wasabi filet mignon & crab friend rice (something that was even better than I expected...& it looked pretty good to start with!) & then we had vanilla creme brule for dessert. Along with a couple of drinks and coffee with dessert, it was probably the best experience of our whole trip to Atlantic City. Also, our server (I can't remember her name) was very friendly, knowledgeable about the menu & took very good care of us. We'll definitely be back when we return.
(5)
Cecelia B.

The restaurant is a tad pretentious. However, the food is phenomenal. Every dish we shared at my table was to die for. The sea bass was the best fish I've ever tasted. Ever. And I love fish. The tea blends they make are also incredibly fine.
(5)
Ned M.

If you love Asian noodle dishes (specifically, Japanese), then this is the place for you. Despite the small menu, I found that the menu had a variety of items from an appetizer of spare ribs to ramen. Despite it being in a casino of a high priced Atlantic City resort, the place is great for informal lunches and even a first date - the staff is friendly, the green tea is served hot and with honey on the side, and the noodle bowls are affordable and delicious. Now to be honest, this was the first time eating there but I was very delightfully surprised by how delicious the seafood udon bowl was, that I shared with my wife, who is finicky with food but found lunch just as delightful.
(4)
Adea V.

Buddakan impressed me! I chose this restaurant for a birthday dinner celebration, made reservations for a group of 6 and requested one of the private booths. They can't guarantee specific seating but I did get the booth I wanted and it was lovely. The place has a very posh vibe, the dÃ©cor is a little whimsical with a large gold Buddha in the main room sitting under twinkling stars above, surrounded with bamboo and warm red and gold colors. The private booths are the perfect setting for a group, very intimate and cozy. They have bench seating with soft cushions and throw pillows. The booth itself is surrounded with gold beads and chiffon. We ordered Zengria for the table which is their twist on sangria and boy it was delicious! Lots and lots of food was ordered. We all raved about everything we ate. Items I tried are: calamari salad, cantonese spring rolls, wasabi crusted filet mignon, wok cashew chicken, char grilled aged beef and vegetable fried rice. Everything was divine, I must give a special shout out to the calamari salad because that was the best calamari I have ever tasted and the portion was impressive, all 6 of us ate from one order. We had a splendid evening, the service was excellent. The waiter brought the table glasses with champagne in honor of the birthday celebration. Major props to that because honestly a little more booze is always welcomed! Overall service, food, ambiance all excellent!! A very memroable evening. Looking forward to trying Buddakan in the city.
(5)
maggie a.

For someone who doesn't have a drop of asian heritage in her, I sure do eat a lot of asian food. With that I decided to book reservations at Buddakan for V-Day. I was very pleased with my choice. The decor is gorgeous. A starry night sky with a big golden buddah watching over you. Although I spotted some Ikea light fixtures (hey no one can avoid Ikea) - it felt lush and helped the experience. My guest and I were even lucky enough to get a booth off to the side so as to completely take in the whole room. We had to wait a bit for our reservation but that was no problem - with a bar in the waiting area. The cocktails were expensive - but extremely flavorful. So down to brass tacks. Since it was Valentine's Day the restaurant was fairly crowded, but it didn't feel like the service was lacking. We ordered the Thai Chicken Salad, The Chicken Shrimp Pad Thai and Tempura Vegetables. All three dishes were right on key. The stand out was the salad - I almost wish we had ordered a large. I dine often at a 'family style' Chinese restaurant in my area and the only down side was that the portions at Buddakan were a bit on the small size to be considered "family style". But all in all the bill was affordable for two people who were very satisfied with their meals and cocktails. I'd like to return and try more of their entrees, as we were on a bit of a budget. I'd recommend this for any special event, due to the "family style" serving and the spectacular design of the space itself.
(5)
Niran A.

Buddakan is an Asian-Fusion restaurant, with its original location in NYC, and a welcome second location in Caesars Palace (Atlantic City, NJ). The restaurant itself is located in what seems like a recently added upscale extension to Caesar palace. The dimly lit interior is a modern mix of Asian influence with a trendy NYC vibe. As you walk in you immediately notice the enormous long table in the center of the dining room, with a giant gold Buddha statue over top the end of the table. There are several private dining areas located around the main dining area as well as an upstairs. We started off with a couple of the restaurants specialty cocktails ($11.5 each). The Fortune, featured Stoli orange vodka mixed with house-prepared passion fruit and pomegranate juices - a bit "girly" but still good none the less. I ordered the Bonsai, which is Buddakan's rendition of a mojito. In place of mint, the cocktail was muddled with cilantro, which was surprisingly tasty and refreshing. By the time our cocktails were ready, so was our table. Our server, who was very knowledgeable of the entire menu, advised us to order the infamous edamame ravioli. The stuffing was comprised of a velvety mixture of edamame and what I thought was mascarpone cheese, with handmade pasta dough. The plump ravioli was served in a delicate broth with steamed edamame and micro chives. The starter was truly something special; I haven't seen edamame used in such a creative and appetizing way before. Our waiter advised us that Buddakan's restaurant concept encourages sharing the dishes "family style", yet she mentioned that the portions were not family style - a bit of a gimmick. As a table we ordered the cashew chicken, kung pao monkfish, char-grilled aged beef, San Bei basil chicken hotpot, and an order of crab fried rice. The entrees came out in a staggered fashion, with the beef being the first to arrive. The beef was aged NY strip and was already pre-sliced (not ideal), but still nicely prepared and very delicious. The dish came with a mountain high serving of fried potato sticks, which we definitely could have done without. The Kung Pao monkfish was also one of the more memorable items of the night. The dish came with three nicely fried pieces of monkfish, which was then lightly dressed with bean sprouts, celery leaves, scallions, peanuts and a sweet/spicy glaze. The monkfish had a texture similar to lobster and was nicely accentuated by the other aromatics on the plate. Both of the other chicken dishes were very tasty; however, they were a bit more run of the mill in terms of creativity. As a table we decided to order crab fried rice, which was a perfect accompaniment with everyone's meal. The rice was seasoned primarily with herbs and spices, as opposed to sauces, leaving the fried rice with a more natural color. The star of the rice was the colossal pieces of jumbo lump crab. We were each pleasantly surprised to see how much and the size of the crab that was in the rice. We finished our meal with zen-ful donuts and the Vietnamese chocolate cake. The zen-ful donuts were lightly fried pillows of dough with banana cream inside, not one of my favorites. The Vietnamese chocolate cake was absolutely delicious though and definitely compensated for the lacking donuts. I'm not exactly sure why the cake was considered Vietnamese; nonetheless it featured several layers and textures of chocolates with an iced coffee ice cream. Both the cake and ice cream were to-die-for. Our meal at Buddakan was very memorable, both for the food and the good company. From start to finish, the food and service was very impressive. As I write this review I am still thinking about some the dishes consumed that night. One thing is for sure, I look forward to eating at Buddakan again soon.
(4)
Diana N.

I has to try this place since it was featured on "best things I ever ate". Their duck was showcased...so that's a must. I came in the afternoon where their duck dish is just a few slices of roasted duck, and egg quiche like dish and a side salad. For 19.95, it was way overpriced but quite tasty! I also got a few items from their bar for 5$, but you have to eat them at the bar. Their donuts were pretty good but not noteworthy. The seafood dish was way better. I wish we would've come during lunch or dinner, but it was 3pm and I just wasn't hungry. Next time I'm in town, this is one place to stop and eat at for sure! Don't make the same mistake I did. Try this place for dinner and get their crispy roasted duck!
(4)
Christie O.

Second time to this location and it was as good as I remembered. My group did a $80 tasting menu (6 people did a 4 person share with added spare ribs and we couldn't finish the meal). Huge portions and amazing food. SO MUCH FOOD, but highlights included: Edamame Ravioli (***), Kobe Beef Satay, Spare ribs(***), Crispy Calamari Salad, Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon, Hot & Sour Scallops, Pan Seared Sea Bass(***) A group of 7 was there for a bachelorette party and were given a round of champagne to celebrate. We were given a table that felt private and we could all hear each other (opposed to last time, where a group of 10 or 11 was in the center of the restaurant and it was quite noisy). Service was great, though we were sat too close to the bathroom (not always pleasant). *** = wouldn't come back and NOT order this item.
(4)
Ariel P.

We walked in here for lunch, and it was real dead which is tood, because this place gets slammed late night. The decor was beautiful with the giant buddah in the center and the star lights shinning on the ceiling. We ordered some drinks, my girlfriend a strawberry daquiri and I ordered a Martini with wasabi, gin and cucumber which was refreshing. We went with the lunch especials which arrived in bento boxes. 3 tapa style meals in each box for 21 dollars? What a steal. Each box had a salad an app and an entree. The salads were great and so was everything else, but this place left me impressed with two of the best things I ever ate. The first an endomame ravioli with some kindof wine and truffle vinnegrette... Wow... So soft, rich and delicious. The second was the beef temderloin cooked to perfectly Medium Rare and it was laying on a bed of sweet potato puree and crusted with wasabi...Oh my god.. i never wanted it to finish. Overall Surprising lunch experience. 5 star quality in my opinion.
(5)
Pengilicious E.

One of the best dinners I had. I was a little bit skeptical at first but I'm so glad my husband changed my mind into coming here. We started with the edamame ravioli which melted right away from our mouths in a minute! For the main course.. I had the best sea bass ever! I paired it with a glass of riesling and oh my God I've gone to heaven! My husband's dry aged beef was okay but the string fries that comes with it..oh my golly surprisingly good! We ended our dinner with an equally good creme brulee and espressos.
(4)
Katie W.

Was in AC for a reunion with 7 biddies from college and the only reservation we could get was Buddakan at 6:15pm -- what are we 80?! But this place came through and probably deserves 5 stars for holding our reservation 30+ mins. Not only is physically impossible for 7 girls getting ready in one hotel room to show up to a place by 6:15 but note a cab can not drop you off at the door of this place, you have to go through Caesars, cross a boardwalk, then up to the third floor!! Ok, on to the food: - Rock Shrimp Bao Buns - soggy, not that good - Crispy Calamari Salad - huge portion for sharing, delicious - Edamame ravioli - YUM get this - Crab fried rice - great! - Lamb chops - too rare, but good - Hot & Sour Scallops - really good, were the first thing to go! Attentive and friendly service throughout the whole meal and never felt rushed - PLUS the general manager was a penn stater too and he hooked it up with a round of prosecco and cafe patron shots! Also it was our friend's birthday and they brought out a bento box of 5 delicious desserts - SCORE!
(4)
Sandy K.

Atmosphere is super chic and modern. Intimate and beautiful Food was super good. Chicken and shrimp spring rolls and King Salmon were both good. It is pretty pricey, but I would def come back.
(4)
Matthew C.

One of my favorite restaurants to go to when I'm staying in Atlantic City. The atmosphere is great, especially for a romantic dinner. When you walk through the front door you are greeted by a giant Buddha statue and you are immersed in a wonderful combination of light and darkness. The booths on the sides of the main seating area are a wonderful place to sit for a romantic evening or a private evening with friends. I highly recommend sharing. The food is just way to good for everyone not to share. If you find yourself going with a group of friends, make sure everyone picks a different item and then let everyone share. I went with a group of six people and we had a fantastic time trying all the different appetizers, entrees and desserts. If there are any Carrot Cake fans out there, please try the Soith Asian Carrot Cake. It is such an interesting take on the old fashion Carrot Cake. Absolutely delicious.
(5)
Carlson D.

Lose-Lose. 1st off Great location, awesome interior (definitely feels like your traveling abroad), great staff. Let's cut to the chase, the reason why I gave it a low rating was because of the non-impressive menu. The price didn't equal the quality and variety of food. Buddakan is one of the few Asian cuisine restaurants in AC and the selection was no where close to what you are paying for. I'll definitely pass on this place next time. Highly over rated. Wasted a beautiful Saturday date night with a disappointing meal.
(1)
Timothy H.

I've been to the location in Philadelphia prior to Atlantic City. I remember my first visit being better than this more recent one. Overall, still a good dinner.
(4)
Brandon S.

Wowsers
(5)
Christian L.

So we went to celebrate our friend's birthday with a party of 12 people. I feel a little bad giving this place 3 stars, but the service was way off. I feel like the birthday lady had her food served last during appetizers/main course while the rest of us patiently waited for everyone to get their food. Anyways...For starters, I picked up the Butternut Squash Dumplings- definitely an easy win. The sour ginger balsamic dressing juxtaposed the sweetness of the dumplings. Friggin savored every bite. The wasabi crusted filet was quickly devoured. I managed to mooch some of Krista P's cashew chicken and Michael G's edamame ravioli- both of which tasted pretty fresh. I even had some pad thai- decent tasting but nothing exceptional. Since we all felt like fatties, none of us got dessert except for the birthday girl and her boo. Let me tell you..best chocolate mud pie EVER. They had these dried, sweet cellophane noodles on top, with some Vietnamese coffee ice cream.
(3)
Tillie K.

I came here for a birthday dinner. It was a Friday or Saturday night. The crowd was young and trendy. The decoration of Buddakan was nice and modern. The atmosphere was pleasant. The restaurant seems fairly big with two floors. The food is decent. Average Asian fusion dishes. Nothing really special to comment on. The service was good and the waiter was kind to help us take a few photos without giving us a look. We had a good time here and I enjoyed my "fancy" dinner without it being too "pricey"
(4)
Fo S.

A return trip was superb!! The service was great, seafood and steak were both awesome. Atmosphere is low light and inviting. Great visuals in 360 degree view. Upscale customers but good vibe. Been back twice since updating this review!
(5)
Lameya S.

For appetizers I got the spicy rock shrimp- 3.5 Pan seared sea bass- 3 Black pepper beef- 2.8 (the huge portion of the "crispy birds nest" this comes with tastes horrible) Chocolate hazelnut mousse- 2.9 (I love desserts, so it aches me to give this one such a low rating) Overall, it was a decent experience but I'm not rushing to return because I thought the food was just mediocre. The ambiance was nice and the service was great. I would prefer other restaurants I know with comparable ambiance, service and food selection but has tastier food.
(3)
Ronald Y.

Great food, awesome ambiance! Friendly service! I Definitely recommend it. We went with a group of friends and we had a blast. Delicious entrÃ©es.
(5)
Kyle F.

My wife and I went out to Atlantic City for a quick getaway without the kidlets and came here for our one date night dinner. It was a close call between Buddakan and The Continental next door and I was assured that both would offer delicious fare but was lured here by the tasteful striking, modern decor vs the blegh decor next door. We enjoyed the delicious sea bass with the edamame ravioli for appetizers. Both were fantastic and together, composed one of the best meals I have ever had. I dont hand out lots of 5 ratings but I am often inclined to review when the experience is outstanding, like it was here. This was one of the best meals we have had in a long time! Atmosphere was very nice, relaxing, modern, clean...just nice all around. Made for a great dinner on a quiet Monday. Service was quick and attentive as well.
(5)
Matt P.

As a (pretty much) lifelong resident of New Jersey, I have been to Atlantic City maybe four times. So therefore it goes without saying that when I came down here the other night to see a show, our dinner reservation at Buddakan was the first time I had ever set foot into a trendy AC restaurant. I had heard nothing but good things about both the NY restaurant and the AC one, and I was thrilled to try it. The restaurant is located on the third floor of the Caesars Pier Shops mall. The space is big, with a large open floor area with a bunch of tables and a giant golden buddha standing in the back overseeing everyone eating. We arrived for our 9pm reservation and were actually seated on the balcony tier, which is a little less exciting but still pretty cool. There are no giant buddhas up there. The ceiling clearance won't allow for it. But there is a second bar, and a good amount of table space, so it's cool. The website says the dress code is "business casual" but there were a bunch of bachelorette parties that night featuring overly-intoxicated 20-something girls who looked like they were on their way to please Satan himself.....so I think if you show up in a T-shirt and jeans, no one is going to be upset. So we sat down and were ready to indulge in what looked like an insanely good menu. Problem was, we had a show at 10:30 over at the Trump Taj Mahal. The restaurant was PACKED and we were worried we were never going to get our food in time. We explained the situation to our waitress who was like "No problem, order whatever you like" and we took her word for it. Out came our polite demands for an order of the famed edamame ravioli, lobster fried rice, the monkfish (sweet and sour sauce, forget exactly how it was phrased) and the lamb chops. TEN MINUTES LATER, EVERYTHING CAME. I swear. Ten minutes. This lady was my hero and she received a huge tip in thanks. And the food? Phenomenal. The edamame ravioli was extremely unique and although it only comes with three, the $14 price tag is almost worth just to try it once. Lobster fried rice was cooked perfectly and without any overpowering salt/msg/crap. Lamb was delicious, tender and yet medium rare, and spiced wonderfully. The real star of the night though? That damn monkfish. Holy shit. It was like someone had doused the freshest filet of white fish available in a homemade sweet and sour sauce and then infused it with a plethora of wildly hot peppers. It was easily one of the best asian fusion dishes I have EVER eaten. Now the price tag for this incredible experience came out to be over $50 per person. Although I came out of there eager to try the NY restaurant, it's one of those once-in-a-blue-moon places to indulge in. But if you've the opportunity to indulge, choose Buddakan.
(5)
Katrina N.

Amazing food, awesome service and great atmosphere. You definitely get what you pay for here. I plan on going back. Yum!
(5)
Stella T.

Once again Buddakan delivered a great meal in a great setting. You really can't go wrong here. Friendly, prompt service, nice decor, clean large restrooms...A+ Edamame Ravioli are just as good as the ones prepared in the NYC location. Do check it out.
(5)
Rae F.

As much as I love my new-ish job, it really has taken a toll on my reviews. This place I would have loved to review immediately, possibly on my bus ride back to the city after eating 50 courses here. OK, not exactly 50, but definitely an insane amount of food was given. And with large quantities, you would expect there would be some duds right? Well there wasnt, every appetizer & entree dish was presented well, tasted good and cooked to perfection. The duck entree was well cooked and thinly sliced to show the red & tender middle. The tuna tartare app looked amazing and tasted fresh. Even the fried rice was made with a special buddakan flare. To think, me and 3 other girls ordered the pre-fixe menu that included 5 apps, and 5 entrees and desserts. The dishes are family style as well and we just couldnt do it after appetizer #3! We loved the food & service so much, we even doggie bagged the remaining food and shlepped it back on the bus! Can't wait to come back. PS - their cocktails are also a treat so drink up!! chin chin!
(4)
Jenny C.

Buddakan was sooo good. I came with a bunch of friends and we each ordered something and shared with each other. Every single dish I tried was delicious. The pad thai and edamame dumplings especially. The overall atmosphere inside the restaurant was great as well. We got seating right in front of the Buddha so that was a plus. However, it was a bit too loud inside when we were there. I literally could not hear a word our server said unless he was right next to my face. Another downside is that they don't split checks for you. You have to calculate the total yourself including the tax if you want to pay separately and it MUST add up perfectly in order for them to process it.
(4)
Keith K.

I cannot rave more about this place!! The atmoshere is so above any place i have every been to and the service is flawless. This was the place we wanted to eat at for our anniversary so we really were happy to select a great place. The waitress was kind to tell us if we were over ordering since we were unsure on the amount of food that came with each dish and reallty recommended some delish plates. The bar is a small one so if you arrive early or do not have an appointment do not expect a seat at the bar. The drinks however are perfect! I had a japanese beer and my wife had the house sangria. When we sat we each had the melon margarita in which we could not stop raving about!! Without going over each dish all i can say is they have the same types of dishes as your everyday chinese/japanese reataurants but kicked up a million notches. First class meal for a very reasonable price. Without a question i will be returning on my next trip to AC!
(5)
Sal P.

Entering Buddakan is an experience in itself - giant well lit Buddah sitting at the head of a long communal table surrounded by a Japanscape with lovely nightscape on the ceiling. A bit on the trendy side, but super fun and humming with good energy. LOVED: Edamame ravioli. As good as the reviews say. But beware - ours came with only three ravioli. LIKED: The monkfish was a good flavor, but didn't knock my socks off. Preparation on the whole bronzini was lackluster, but with beautiful presentation. Great service. Tasty Zen-gria!
(4)
Doreen L.

Came here with a group of eleven. Decorum- 3.5 We walk in and are seated near the door. The ceiling is dark blue sky with glowing white lights as stars. There is a large golden buddha in lotus position, in the middle of the room. Kinda neat and cheesy at the same time. Food- 0 Horrible. This was the worst Asian fusion I've ever had. The food was supposedly 'family style'. Family style indicates it should be large enough quantity to be shared. Quantity was not sufficient for a large group. The food was not unique enough to justify the price. Most of the food could not be distributed in fair proportions: the shrimp, octopus and scallops. People who ordered the seafood or meat, were paying a higher price for something that they could only enjoy a few pieces. The salad, noodles and rice were more easily shared. The food was poorly prepared: grilled octopus was charred, and tasted of charcoal. The shrimp, dumplings, asian bbq pork, salad, and noodles were either bland, over salted, or under seasoned. The asian bbq pork was a non marinated chunk of pork tenderloin with dinner plate sized onion rings. Cantonese spring rolls, beef or pork dumplings were forgettable experiences. Beef lo mein was edible. It was slightly better than Chinese American takeout. But it cost three times as much. I would choose takeout any day. Our group paid 700 for 11 including drinks. I'm glad to have ordered a beef lo mein because I would have left hungry otherwise. Service- 3 One man served all of us. He was frazzled, refilling water, pouring beers into glasses and obtaining our orders. He got a lot of our orders mixed up, which was fine since were sharing anyway. I think he did a decent job considering the size of our group and he was the only waiter for our table and five other tables. So based on these numbers - the average should be 2.2 stars but since food is essential to life and my spiritual happiness, it is more heavily weighted. Thus the one star. Would I go back? No Would I visit the Buddakan in New York? Only if its completely different than this one.
(1)
Steph G.

Service is fantastic. The edamame ravioli is amazing. And the almond bread pudding is probably one of the best desserts I have EVER had. Love it. Highly recommend. Great for a couple or large group.
(5)
Jack M.

Great food. Great service. What else could you want. We had the Pad Thai Shrimp and Wasabi Encrusted Filet, both dishes were delicious.
(5)
Jonathan O.

Yeah so, I've been here twice. You begin to feel really depressed when you've eaten 25% of your meal, because that means after you eat the next 75%, it will be gone, and you will be left with nothing. Nothing left to live for, maybe except for the memories. I used the Yelp app to make a reservation for party of five on the same day and it worked seamlessly. I recommend using it, last time I was here (about a year ago) I think we had a bit of a wait. The edamame ravioli is to die/murder for so it's a requirement, and everything else in general is impeccable. We began to fantasize about eating here every night of our lives, and we came to the conclusion that eventually you'd have to kill yourself because everything in life would become so underwhelming and horrible compared to this place, but it was a good fantasy, if that makes sense.
(5)
L H.

Cute place....dry pad Thai - huge chucks of chicken. Chicken straight out of freezer. Lobster fried rice - not authentic. No flavor. Not worth the $$$.
(2)
Jennifer H.

The first thing you notice upon walking in is how gorgeous this restaurant is. There's a long hallway lined on either side with metal bamboo (I think) and as you approach the hostess desk you can see the giant buddha (and i mean GIANT!) facing you. The interior is warm and dark, and the ceiling is painted a dark blue and lit to look like the night sky. They also have cute, wood-shuttered rooms upstairs that overlook the main dining area downstairs. The hostess was very friendly and immediately took our coats. We waited in the bar area until our table was ready. The bar is nice, but very small. And the bartender was friendly, but slow for the few people that were actually in the bar. Perhaps he was making drink orders for the entire restaurant? Not sure. We were seated after a 10 minute wait at a very nice semi-circle booth that faced the restaurant. Our waiter was very friendly - and unfortunately I did not get his name - and throughout the night he came over as often as was necessary. He was very knowledgeable about the specials and the menu and was able to answer all of our questions. He was also very good about making sure our drinks stayed refilled! Our table was bussed very quickly throughout the night and the bus men were very friendly and not too intrusive. On to the food! Yes...the crown jewel of the appetizers is the edamame ravioli. Do get the extra 4th piece if you are sharing with another person. It's extra money, but worth it so you can each have two pieces. But don't worry, the pieces are pretty large! The texture of the ravioli will throw you off a bit, as it's a bit mushy, but stay with it because the flavor is amazing! The mushroom pot stickers were very good as well - flavorful, but not too spicy. I sampled our friends' order of crab fried rice. The crab fried rice is amazing and is big enough to share with four people, or as a very large meal for yourself. I ordered the pan seared sea bass. The bass was very tender and the blend of teriyaki sauce it was cooked in was divine! My husband ordered the sesame poached tuna, which was a tuna tartare. It was tender and with the delicious seasonings it melted straight-away in my mouth. What I also liked about our two entrees is that it was just the right amount of food - not too large and not too small of a serving. I also sampled the Kung Pao Monkfish. It was a much larger serving than the two entrees my husband and I ordered. It was delicious, but very spicy. We did not have dessert, but judging by the rest of the food I'm sure dessert would have been amazing. I also liked that even when the restaurant was completely full and bustling, it was not too loud. One other thing I was very impressed by was that the manager came by our table twice to ensure everything was to our satisfaction. If you're visiting Caesar's in Atlantic City, I highly recommend this restaurant. P.S. - It's on the 3rd floor and DO make reservations!
(4)
Tim T.

it was good. way over priced.
(3)
Kealy L.

Appetizers, decent but don't let that throw you from the real treasure. The main courses are great. Sea bass is a must have. The wasabi encrusted filet mignon is not a bad choice either. The fresh whole fish would be my favorite. Just go down the list of cocktails. I was with a date and we went back forth trying each drink down the list of cocktails, enjoy. Didn't even try dessert. We just chilled under Buddha and finished our drinks and conversation.
(4)
Pinky And The B.

I guess many of the diners in AC do not really demand good food and do not know Asian fusion from fugazzi. Pro's 1. very nice decor and relaxing ambiance 2. very comfortable seating. 3. good location inside a safe casino and shopping mall. 4. the best part of the meal (believe it or not) was the Spoon bread and I actually did not even want too try it. I have been to Spoon Bread in Manhattan along time ago spoonbreadinc.com/miss_mâ€¦ and the only Spoon bread I know about is Southern so I didn't think it would be good but actually it was the best thing on the menu. It tasted like a bread custard without being soggy. Cons 1. we had a server with a serious attitude and I think I was pretty nice considering how poor the food was I told her I knew it wasn't her fault but I wanted to speak to the chef or manager. The manager came out and apologized for their mistake (which I think would be inappropriate to put into the review). The manager was nice but the server had a major attitude. 2. small portions and over priced. 3. My husband is Cantonese and was raised in a restaurant cooking Chinese food. I had him try my dish to make sure it wasn't just me, because I thought the dish was off he said no the restaurant made a mistake but the manager apologized. But I am quite sure a non Asian chef is in the kitchen and the chef that is there I guess is just following the recipes but the best way to describe the food is your white room mate in college tries to cook Chinese food. Conclusion it is a pretty room and nice way to de-stress but for the money if in AC I would rather de-stress at a spa for that money.
(2)
Sarah L.

Def. ordered EVERYTHING on this menu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What can i say? i'm SPOILED ROTTEN...it was a beautiful restaurant, and much smaller than the NYC one but it had such awesome service. We ordered so much, we had leftovers to bring back to the room. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the duck...came w/ some weird stuff to eat it with. The calamari salad was excellent. I love Buddakan and i want more now!!!!!
(5)
Priya G.

Loved their food . The service was excellent . The manager and the waitress checked in frequently . One of us had nut allergy , the waitress knew the dishes well and she assured the food will be w/o nuts . The edamme ravioli was excellent . The scallops , duck was very well done . Veg fried rice with coconut foam had multiple taste from pineapple , coconut and lemon grass .
(5)
Pamela G.

This is my third visit here. Every time I've been here, it has been a wonderful experience. The food is delicious and well prepared. The ambience is exotic and beautiful. The waiters/waitresses are excellent. The cocktails were refreshing and had unique flavors. My friend had a drink called Courage which was a wasabi martini . . . She loved it. I had "Serenity" the lychee martini which was lovely. For appetizers we had shrimp buns and spare ribs. For entrees we had the whole fish and the pepper beef. They were all great. Though the aged beef that I had during a previous visit is still my favorite dish here. Now you must save room for dessert because they are all excellent!
(5)
Kim R.

Beautiful place! Made a reservation on Open Table for an earlier dinner around 7 and we got a nice big booth. Ordered a carafe of Sake ..one of the recommended fruitier ones and it was pretty good...and expensive lol. I ordered the Wasabi encrusted Filet and my guy ordered one of the chicken dishes. Awesome awesome awesome filet. And the mashed potatoes were unbelievable. His chicken dish was pretty good. It came with their signature ROLLS? Had I think pork mushrooms and onions...which are all great but these rolls were seriously gross and doughy plus way too sweet of a filling. I couldn't believe they served that and had the balls to charge what they do. Pretty pricey meal however, a very memorable and nice one overall.
(5)
Marivic L.

We got to AC late and needed a little bite to eat. Without a reservation, we were asked if we wanted to sit at the bar. I'm not into eating at the bar, but they had nice little sitting areas with tables, so I was in. I expected less than stellar service because we weren't in the main dining area, but the service was super friendly and accommodating. Thank you Yelpers who raved about the edamame ravioli. Honestly, without your suggestions, I would have missed out on a super-tasty, different from the ordinary, app. This app made us wish we were hungrier. We got just 2 more apps, a drink, and called it a night. The next best app we had was the shrimp spring roll. This isn't a previously frozen spring roll. It's fresh, tasty, and had nice chunks of shrimp in it. The least fave of our apps were the pork potstickers. They were presented well, but they were just good. I wouldn't order them again. So, if the apps are any indication of the rest of the food here, this place will be one of my faves. I'll come back for the food, atmosphere, and excellent service.
(4)
Superfly T.

Liked the appetizers including the mushroom potstickers, pork dumplings, the Kobe sate and especially good was the Tuna Spring roll. Drink menu was also good with the Bonsai - cilantro really does taste great in a drink! Service is very good. Prices are high but reasonable.
(4)
bonnie j.

Top notch place. Excellent culinary food. I couldn't see the menu because it's very dark but the waitress got me a flashlight, nice. The music was a bit strange and loud. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Jon B.

The prices are worth it! Nice to share several plates in this getaway from the AC hustle and bustle. You will forget the ocean and boardwalk are right outside!
(5)
Sharon R.

Great food and great atmosphere but I like to be able to see what I am eating. It is just too dark. I asked for a flashlight to see the menu, Last time I was there. I ended up using my iPhone but you can't use that while cutting meat. I will go back because I love the edamame dumplings, it's a great place for a special occasion but be prepared to spend money.
(4)
Brandon N.

As a rule, I don't generally write a review until after three visits. I'm going to break that rule on an account of a big misstep on Buddakan's part. (Since I don't see myself going back.) But, before we get there, let's highlight what Buddkan brings to the proverbial table. Off the bat, It's a Stephan Starr restaurant, so the decor is absolutely inspired. Even in the smaller, more hidden Atlantic City location, the dining room is absolutely stunning. The matched staff and the beautiful, nigh-over-the-top mid-street theme is completely brilliant. The food itself does not waver far behind. This restaurant is the reason I order salads when I go out. Their Crispy Calamari Salad is a work of art. I've never in my life had calamari so perfectly cooked. It was almost as soft as Sea Bass, I swore they were trying to trick me. While the pork dish I had wasn't anything to write home about, the roasted duck that my date ordered was cooked with absolute precision. The problem lies in the dessert. We ordered their bento-esque desert sampler, which was a tasting of five of their most popular desserts. (Including the Pot De Creme, which was my top contender.) Hidden amongst the delectable creations was a pouched chocolate cake, served with cherries. I have a severe aversion to alcohol, (Let's just say I'm recovering, for the sake of it.) so when I had consumed about 3 of those cherries, I quickly figured out that they had been previously soaked in alcohol. (Brandy, if I had to guess.) I went to the bathroom to wash my face, but my stomach had the last word, and was not very happy. Upon explaining to the waiter what happened, and insisting that I didn't see it on the menu (I was right, it wasn't listed.) they offered a slight apology, and assumed I had moved on. The rather expensive meal I had just consumed was readily vacated in their bathroom, and they didn't offer so much as a nod. No visit from the manager, nothing. Until the check came. Their idea was to give me the small sampling of the chocolate cake, sans the cherries, as reconciliation for their misstep. I took that as a slap in the face. While the food was great, and our waiter was wonderful, the couple next to us had far more of the wait staff's attention. I suppose that's because they looked older. (I'm 26, but I could easily pull off 19 or 20 with a shave. Which is funny, since they served me alcohol anyway.) Either way, it was a shameful way to end a wonderful evening.
(4)
Rhonda H.

Beautiful restaurant Excellent lychee martini Food was great especially edamame ravioli and Kung pao monkfish Great service
(5)
Greg B.

Review for Happy Hour only, from 2pm to 6pm. Some drinks and appetizers are $5 each, including all listed below. The bartender was friendly and took the time to explain what was in each drink, even those that I didn't have or were no longer on the menu. They all sounded amazing, especially the seasonal sangrias (Zen-gria). The drinks were wonderful. The Samurai had a kalamansi flavor (similar to tangerine) that mixed well with the gin and slight ginger flavor. The Enlightenment had a nice cucumber and tequila flavor that was enhanced by a touch of thai chilli. The food was no less stunning. The Szechuan pork dumplings were so tasty, swimming in a spicy soy sauce. The edamame ravioli filled with an edamame paste was floating in a sauternes shallot broth. There was so much more on the menu I wanted to taste, but I had my fill and contentedly stumbled out to the boardwalk to chase seagulls.
(5)
Dawn G.

Sexy vibe going on in this place. Came with hubby for dinner Saturday night. Really digging the dark and trendy ambiance. We sat in a booth and while there were other patrons there, it sort of felt like we were alone. It's just that kind of place. You can actually relax while looking over the menu and waiting for your food. All the staff are warm and friendly and put you right at ease. What I really liked about this place is the menu allows you to share a few plates or order an entree. Whatever you're feeling. We decided to share 3 dishes. We ordered the edamame ravioli which was super creative, full of flavor and mind-blowing. Next came the poached tuna. A really delicious entree. Then we had the Singapore noodles which were a fine, reliable kind of dish but nothing amazing. Finally, we ordered the creme brulee tasting which was 4 small creme brulees: tahitian vanilla which was quite yummy, coffee which was my favorite, cinnamon which was very nice and green tea which I was not a fan of. I will definitely be returning soon.
(4)
Niyant S.

I found my experience at Buddakan to be wonderful! First off, this place will forever be special, because this is where I proposed to my (now) fiance! The reason I choose Buddakan for this special occasion was not obvious to me until about 5 minutes after sitting down. My original plan was to wait until after dinner and propose to her on the AC Boardwalk, but Buddakan put that idea to shame! The ambiance in the restaurant is excellent, it has the perfect romantic setting for occasions like this. The decor here is all really wonderful; they painted the ceiling to look like the night sky, we got our own booth which was very private, and there is even an enormous Buddha statue in the center of the room! Aside from all this, the food here is really great. For appetizer, we got the mushroom dumplings, which were really tasty and came with a peanut sauce. For dinner, I ordered the Wasabi crusted Filet Mignon. The Filet was excellent, perfectly cooked (medium is what I asked for) and practically melted in my mouth. The dish also came with a sweet potato mash, which was also just as good. The only complaint I have for this dish is that some parts of the Filet had a little too much Wasabi on it, making some parts difficult to eat; however the solution is to scrape some off and spread it over the meat. For dessert, we ordered the creme brulle, which was also quite excellent. Overall, this is a wonderful restaurant, and I highly recommend it, especially for special occasions!
(5)
Matt B.

This restaurant is outstanding. The Asian fusion menu has been changed recently and it is even better than before. The dÃ©cor is like midnight in a ninja movie. Watch out, there might be a shadowy figure on the roof with caltrops and a grappling hook! Food wise it's all good. A lot of vegan options. The mushroom potstickers were ridiculously good. Edemame ravioli was smooth and cheese free. The pepper beef was well cooked and delicious. The cashew chicken had people practically licking the plate. deserts also were amazing, the donuts are caramel-tastic. I tried the crÃ¨me brule as well as the coconut cake (with lemon and basil) both were taste sensations. There's a little dark bar that you can hang out in prior to seating, very cool. The food is served as it is ready so the pro move is to order a wave of apps and then a second order of entree's. Otherwise it all comes out at once. But a great place and fully recommended. Oh yeah don't forget the garlic chinese eggplant side, it's my personal favorite.
(5)
Shakera G.

The drinks were great. But I think the restaurant is mostly hype. Great dÃ©cor. Food was average. Portions weren't that great either.
(2)
Eugene M.

Go to Buddakan if you want a unique experience. Starting from the interior decor. Fusion all over! Fantastic service. We where late for the reservation and they kept the kitchen open just for us! I have no words to say about the food. It was awesome, and unique at the same time. Everything was cool looking and tasty. Best lamb chops ever!
(5)
Chetana G.

What a let-down! beautiful place but alas, the service and food was average at best. we had a late lunch on a Saturday, and were prepared to order off the menu. upon arrival, we were told that weekend meals are off the dinner menu all day. no biggie, not a prob! my bf and i were seated at a cozy booth, and admired the decor. dim lights, soft music, and a MASSIVE statue of Buddha--perhaps assuring us of attaining nirvana through this experience... well, not this time! we started with a Calamari salad.. AMAZING! BEST calamari i've ever had.. fried to perfection and sooo juicy.. the salad was delicious and the dressing paired with it was perfect.. loved this! the small portion ($12) was enough for the two of us. next, based on previous Yelpers' reviews.. we ordered the Edamame Ravioli ($15-ish). this was just okay. we look for complex flavors and favor food on the spicier side, so we didn't care too much for it.. *but* it was simplicity at its best. wasn't enough to convince me. For our entrees, we decided to split the Crab Fried Rice ($18) and the the Basil Chicken ($31). we were told that entree portions are usually enough for one person and dismissed that, and lo & behold, the server was wrong. the chicken came out in a pot- the presentation was great! the crab fried rice arrived several minutes later. we didn't care too much for the stagger but had been warned of that beforehand. the chicken, sad to say, was RAW. the smell hit me first and after a few chews.. i realized i shouldn't have to chew chicken like cud if it's cooked!! my poor bf, since he was starving beyond belief, wasn't convinced until his eighth piece.. LOL. well, we flagged the waiter and informed that the chicken was undercooked. he asked if we would like anything else but we were too turned off and said we'd stick to the fried rice. he seemed irritated about us sending the food back but i'm sorry- i'm not going to start off my spring break with a food illness! anywho, the crab fried rice was pretty filling, and VERY yum.. huge chunks of crabmeat, and scrambled egg.. a huge portion but we finished it up (make sure you order their chinese style hot sauce.. ohhh my!). speaking of the waiter, he was soo hard to get a hold of! he came around just once to fill up our glasses. about three more tables were seated after us and he busied himself with them & *ignored* us the rest of the time. i was livid to see them getting served meals several minutes before us, too.. i'm not sure if it had to do with whoever was cooking our meals or what we had ordered but, there was just too much discontinuity in his attitude. maybe the staff there didn't care because their turnover is so high - why bother about one table, right? i completely regret leaving a 20% tip. overall, i was not happy with the service and that alone is enough to not bring me back.
(2)
Chris L.

edamame ravioli is the best thing i ever had. steak for two is great small portions, high prices
(3)
Emily C.

Beautiful restaurant w/potential as a must see destination, but our experience was less than perfect. I waited an awkward 2 min for the 2 hostesses to finally acknowledge me & let me check in. I was the 1st of my party to arrive, but they didn't offer to seat me, instead saying I could wait in the totally full bar - um, no. Eventually my party arrived & after another awkward encounter w/ the hostess (who just didn't have personality/social skills) we were seated...next to the kitchen. It was super loud so we asked to be moved to a quieter part of the restaurant (rejected). Food was excellent but we had to ask our condescending waiter, Gerard, for every napkin, drink,& courtesy. He could have made a imperfect situation bearable, but didn't.
(3)
Alexis G.

edamame ravioli =D AMAZING! Definitely would recommend!
(4)
Darlene H.

This was an amazing place. Edamame ravoli and the sea bass where my fav. The eggplant as well was awesome. Recommend to anyone who wants awesome asian fusion.
(5)
Yvette K.

Just as good as I remembered. Edamame ravioli -OMG!!!!!
(5)
Christine V.

Very pleased with the food..from the appetizers to the entrees, everything was delicious. I'm generally pretty critical of food, so I was surprised this restaurant didn't get that high of ratings...maybe I was lucky and ordered the right things, which I'll now share with you Appetizers: Buddakhan sashimi (5 stars): Thin slices of yellotail?? marinated in a citrus-ponzu sauce. I don't remember the exact sashimi cut since it was a month ago, but I remember it being very flavorful and one of my faves for the night. Grilled octopus (3.5 stars): This appetizer was only ok. It came with 2 sauces on the side..one was a chipotle-like sauce, which I didn't feel went well with the dish. Other than that, the octopus was plain...simply grilled, not marinated or anything special. Main courses: Seabass w/ eggplant (4 stars): The fish was amazing..very light, fluffy texture. Buttery in flavor. Codfish w/ stringbeans (5 stars): All i have to say is WOW. This is the best codfish I've had in a long time. Even more buttery tasting than the seabass, but it has a light miso glaze on it, which gives it more of an "asian" flavor. (which may also be biased toward my personal liking). Sides: Crab fried-rice (4 stars): Generous portion. There was also LARGE chunks of crab meat scattered throughout, so you know that you're getting your moneys worth.
(4)
Caroline H.

After having a so-so meal at Buddakan in Philly I was reluctant to give the restaurant another go but while on a recent stay in AC my boyfriend mentioned he had wanted to try it out so we decided on having dinner there. Surprisingly it wasn't crowded so it was OK we didn't have reservations and we were seated immediately in a nice comfy round booth. We decided on a half bottle of wine, crab fried rice, Asian Caesar salad, and the wok cashew chicken. We were not disappointed in any of our selections! I really really really liked the Asian Caesar salad which was a nice twist on the classic with candied cashews and crunchy wontons. Not to mention with all this food we were more then full and we actually didn't even break $100 for the bill. Nice right? I'm actually looking forward to going back to the Philly location to give it a second shot.
(4)
Justin C.

I love Buddakan. Every time I'm in AC I make Buddakan a priority. I love the atmosphere inside. It's very dark which gives it a nice mystique. The food is always delicious. I got the chicken and ginger dumplings and the edamame pods as an appetizer and the chicken pad thai as my entree. I'm a big fan of Asian fusion and Buddakan gets it right everytime.
(4)
Shelley W.

There were four of us for dinner on a Saturday, and thankfully it was January, so we were able to get a reservation the same night we called. After perusing the incredible menus, we opted for the tasting for four people at $60 per. SO GLAD THAT WE DID! Delicious courses, soooooo much food, and all of it was incredible. Great service and a lovely restaurant. I would definitely go back!
(5)
Stella A.

The restaurant was pretty and the food was really yummy!! Waiter recommendations were awesome!! The only annoying part was that it was inside a mall, kind of hidden...we got all dressed up pretty to walk through the mall..lol!
(4)
Chris L.

Went for happy hour. Good drinks and limited menu for price. Small I mean small bar area for happy hour.
(3)
Von B.

It's not cheap...but it shouldn't be. Amazing, sexy decor tailor made for an amazing date. Go. Now.
(5)
Nan K.

Gorgeous interior, but too dark! I checked my phone and it probably looked like I had a flashlight in my face. I had their tuna, pork spare rib, and calamari salad. The tuna and pork were absolutely DELICIOUS (the salad was decent).
(5)
Stepford WIfe I.

After reading so many wonderful reviews I really anticipated a wonderful meal, and a wonderful meal is what I received! Following the recommendations of other Yelpers I started with the Edamame Ravioli and it was amazing! At $15 this small app was well worth it! The ravioli were more like dumplings in a clear broth, but it was beyond delicious! I will also recommend the salmon dish -- the perfect portion, and again, delicious! A must try for Asian fusion lovers!
(5)
Dun T.

We couldn't make a reservation for Dock's so we ended up here. The decor is interesting, with the sky full of star on the ceiling. The huge budda is kind of strange, make you feel like you are eating in a buddish temple. Oh and it is very noisy and dark. Now come the most important part, the food. We order calamari salad, the portion is huge, it was OK. The calamari rings are a bit small and have too much breadding. The fillet mignon was a big dissapointment, what a waste to cook fillet mignon their way. The pan seared sea bass is good, I like the mushroom and grean been that comes with it. We also order crab fried rice, good but with a 19 buck price tag, expensive. The service: our waite comes quite often to add water, change plates .. But we have to wait for 10 minutes after finishing the appertizer for the main dishes to come. Over all, it was a bad experiance. The quality is maybe similar to PF Chang , the price is more than double. I would never go back there.
(2)
Hank C.

Located in Caesar's Pier shops on the third floor, this is a good place to grab an asian fusion bite. If you have a big group, call ahead to reserve! There's bar space, too, but the main room with the big Buddha is usually packed, especially on the weekends. Service is very good - I'll have to do more than enjoy a drink and appetizer here next time.
(3)
Michelle M.

I celebrated my 30th bday here with 9 friends on Saturday and the service was amazing! My party showed up a few minutes late and the restaurant didnt make a big deal about it. We were seated right away and had a designated waiter for our group. The food was out of control good! I highly recommend the pork dumplings, Zengria and lo mein! I dont eat seafood and they were flexible enough to switch the shrimp lo mein to chicken lo mein for me. I also ordered a cake from the restaurant and it came out awesome. I got the carrot cake with roasted pineapples and it was a huge cake that tasted great and they wrote my name on it. They gave me the left over cake to take home which came in handy the next day. The restaurant is pricey but everyone in my group agreed that it was the best restaurant they had ever been to. For a group of 10 people, the bill came out to about $400. I have zero complaints and highly recommend this place to anyone planning a special occassion!
(5)
Grace U.

Loved the pad thai and the tempura vegetables!! Cannot wait to go back for more!
(4)
Angie F.

excellent service and delicious food. I have a peanut allergy and they were really accommodating. Try to save room for dessert though. We had the donuts and I am still dreaming about them!
(5)
Crystal X.

I was initially tentative due to the fact that this place is located in a casino (Ceasar's Palace) and I didn't think it would be authentic - I made the assumption that it would be an Asian fusion version of Applebees or Cheesecake Factory when in fact this is an Asian fusion version of Legal Seafoods. I'm not a fan of chain restaurants but as far as Atlantic City goes, this was a great choice. The decor is deep wine color walls and sashes with a large golden Budda centered on a long shared table flanked by wine colored leatherish semi-circle booths. It gives one the feeling of walking into an airy Buddist cave. It feels romantic, mysterious, and the music complements the decor. We shared the fillet mingon, the Asian ceasar salad, the fusion ravioli, the salmon, and the zen doughnuts. Everything was delicious and prepared perfectly. The fact that we left not leaving one drop of food or sauce on our plates and feeling really romantic gives this place 4 stars. Comparatively, we also ate at Il Mulino (the fine dining option) in Atlantic City ( yelp.com/biz/il-mulino-nâ€¦ ), and we both felt that it would get 3 stars.
(4)
Victor C.

My first Yelp review!! Here goes. Buddakan - AC is one of my favorite restaurants in the Atlantic City area. I've eaten here quite a few times. Every time I've been here, I've made reservations and was seated promptly. I even asked for a booth seat on opentable for a party of 2 one time and got HUGE seats in the secluded area in the back (very romantic btw). The servers were great! They stop by the table once in a while to check on the guests, not frequently where it becomes annoying. I've had many dishes here and 90% of them are excellent! My favorite starters are Edamame Ravioli (great texture and flavor) and the Crispy Calamari Salad (calamari is crispy and dressing is DELICIOUS). If I had to pick my top 2 entrees, it would be the Pan Seared Sea Bass and the Grilled Lamb Chops. The sea bass is so tender you could eat it with a spoon (droooool)! The chops are very tender and not "gamey" (if that's a term). Don't forget to get a side of Wasabi Mash! If you're looking for a cocktail, I suggest the Lychee Martini (they even give you the shaker with the extra alcohol!). I'm not too into the Zen-Ful Donuts, but the Chocolate Pagoda is yummm. Great, now I'm hungry. Can't wait to go back! How'd I do on my first review, yelpers??
(4)
Caroline C.

If you want to sit in the center table, you have to make reservations. The other tables are fine too, but for some reason everyone loves to sit at that center table. I absolutely love love love the edamame ravioli and the pan seared sea bass. The sea bass is so soft, it just melts in your mouth. You will find that they have similar foods as The Continental next door does. I find the crispy calamari salad better at the Continental, but that is where I first had it, so that may be the reason why I like it better.
(4)
Katrina W.

Booked dinner here for a large group of girls celebrating a bachelorette party. Couldn't have picked a better location! Upscale dining, great atmosphere. Server was knowledgeable and friendly. We ordered lots of small plates and pitchers of the best sangria I've ever had. Can't wait to go to their NYC location!
(5)
John A.

Great service and food. All was phenomenal. Not to mention the temple like feel. Definitely my favorite place in ATC.
(5)
Rosemarie R.

My boyfriend and I dined here while on a weekend getaway and I could not have imagined how good it would be! First, the atmosphere and ambiance was amazing. Dimly lit, intimate and beautiful decor! Second, service was great! Servers were attentive but not annoying and the food came out in perfect sequence and time. And now to the main dish, the food! We actually cancelled our reservation to mussel bar the following night ad went back here! So in total we had, edamame ravioli, black pepper rib eye, aged beef with Szechuan fries, king crab tempura, every single dessert and the asparagus. Everything was perfect and so flavorful. I've been in the food industry for a while now and this place is impressive. MUST TRY: edamame raviolis and the warm chocolate cherry cakes oh and the banana spring rolls! I will most definitely be a regular here!
(5)
Danielle L.

I came here with my newly named Fiance and another couple. I had been wanting to go to the Buddakan in NYC but since it was here in AC I thought we should try it. This was our first weekend as an engaged couple and we decided to celebrate here. We got there and it was empty but we were seated way in a corner on the second floor. So we asked to be moved. We were then seated downstairs which was much better. We felt more in the thick of things. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was trendy. Edamame ravioli to die for. When I go back to AC I will have to come back just for that.
(4)
Pbprep M.

excellent service, warm ambiance, superb food. coming from me, miss picky, that means a lot. Super accommodating with my ginger allergy and often having a hard time with Asian cuisine... Not here! The edamame ravioli was delicious and the sea bsss (no sauce) was heaven in my mouth.
(4)
Gregory B.

Chicken & Cashews, Five Spice Duck, Lobster Fried Rice, Zen-Ful Donuts, and Banana Spring Rolls = Excellent! Buddakan AC is located on the 3rd floor of the pier shops at Caesars next to Phillips Seafood, The prices are reasonable, the plates come out looking like art.
(5)
Jay J.

Just went here last night, and it was an amazing experience.. --Great ambience --Tasty food/ Great presentation -- Prompt Service --Clean Restrooms As a negative, its somewhat pricey.. For dinner, my friends and I had the following: Kobe beef satay as appetizer Lobster fried rice, Pan seared Sea Bass and Asian Barberqued pork chops... The whole dinner was really amazing, but the pork chops and sea bass meals were both standouts.. I may have found a new secret spot in Atlantic City....Oh yes!!!! and the booth seats on side are the best.....
(4)
David A.

Went with my family and friends for my birthday. Food was well prepared and flavors were great. Edamame ravioli was highlight along with spicy tuna spring rolls. Some dishes served way too staggered which lost them a star but did enjoy the food.
(4)
Jim J.

Overhyped and overpriced. I decided to go because it was restaurant week in AC. They don't offer the restaurant week menu on Saturdays. That was strike one. We ordered 3 apps for the table. The mushroom potstickers were good. The spring rolls were nothing special. The Alaskan king crab tempura was measly. Why bother putting an empty crab shell on the plate? Why not add more crab? At $27 I expected more substance. Strike two. The biggest disappointment was my meal. Peppered rib eye with the birds nest was the description. When the plate arrived it looked like a nice sized portion but what looked like rib eye medallions turned out to be a barely edible, rock hard item of food that I had to ask the waiter what it was. He said it was a churro without the sugar. The dish had around 3 pieces of ribeye but was loaded with churros. Strike three. Do yourself a favor. Go to an Asian Fusion restaurant and enjoy a delicious, appropriately priced meal and with the extra $200 you save you can then head to AC for a good show.
(2)
Nick L.

Overpriced and small, misrepresented portions. Also the service was inconsistent and the waitresses and waiters were very pretentious
(2)
Es K.

I've been to the one in Philly and now the one in A.C. Enjoyed the calamari salad in which the calamari was cooked to perfection and complemented with a perfect quantity of dressing. Would definitely recommend this salad! Also shared the chinese pork style dish with chinese vegetables and onion rings, which was actually a friend's dish. The pork was cooked just right, not overdone at all, which made the meat so tender and heavenly! the onion rings, despite being large, were not heavy or greasy tasting whatsoever! I ordered the chicken and shrimp pad thai which was also stellar and on point. The only dish I didn't fully enjoy was the scallop dish. The sauce was way too salty and heavy. The scallops themselves were delicious, although a little salty. However, the rest of that dish was just too overwhelming for such delicate seafood. On the bright side, the scallops were very large and a good portion. For sides, I enjoyed the vegetable tempura and wasabi mashed potatoes. Again, the tempura was well-cooked and not greasy tasting. Service was great and on a Friday night, it wasn't so crazy busy. I liked that because I could actually hear my friends and carry on a conversation. Definitely would head back here in a heartbeat. The manager even came to check in with my friends and I. We were quick to point out the friendly waitstaff service and how tasty everything was.
(5)
Patti L.

My husband and I had a night out for our anniversary, and we were so excited to try Buddakan before our show. We opted for the package they offer for two. Everything they brought out was absolutely amazing. There was not a single item that was not delicious. My favorite was the wasabi crusted filet.....OMG....it was incredible. When we reserved the reservation they knew it was our anniversary so we were sat in an intimate, and cozy area that had a canopy that was covered. At the end of our meal they even brought out complimentary champagne for us. Not a place we would go to on a regular basis. More for special occasions because of the price, but we would surely return. I've already told my husband for our anniversary next year Buddakan is a must.
(5)
Richard S.

Food was fantastic. Wasabi mashed potatoes, great scallops, and my favorite was the garlic chicken. The only downside is that they don't have any beers on tap. However, service is excellent so overall it's a great place.
(5)
Justin K.

We reserved a table here for lunch last weekend while at AC. Based on other's recommendation, we ordered lobster fried rice, calamari salad, and seabass. Calamari salad was okay, minus the heavy saturation of dressing which we could def use less of. Fried rice was decent as well, but nothing out of the ordinary. Seabass dish was the best out of the three, and like what some previous reviewer said - it was very good, almost to the point that you didn't know that it was actually a fish you were eating. Overall it was better than what we anticipated. I don't know if the quality of the food justifies their price point, but you can do a lot worse in AC.
(4)
John Z.

this place is a must go to spot evrytime you are at caesars . me my wife my bro n sis in law ate here awesome the waiter was a cool dude esp i told him i like to excite my palate he surprised me for my main course which was char grilled aged beef with hot mustard fries strings and a crazy salad with red onion and it exploded every bite was intense and the apps were just the same dumplings were off the hook crab and lobster fried rice was real crab and real lobster and not a skimpy portion . i stumbled across this cocktail called a solid . dangerous i stumbled out after maybe 4 or 5 of them . you must go test this place out .
(5)
L-Boogie O.

Visited several times for both lunch/dinner. Consistent with excellent service and attention to detail. The food is portioned right and the drinks are amazingly balanced. Must haves include the edamame ravioli, rock shrimp bao buns, veggie fried rice with coconut foam and the dessert sampler. Aways a good time!
(5)
Melanie Y.

It's been a looong time since I visited AC and never really enjoyed it as a kid - only bc parents leave us to play outside in the casino lobby area while they gamble away inside. So I was surprised at how developed the area is to include more shops and more hotels etc. We arrived there close to 10 and started looking for a place to eat - pretty much starved by then. My dad told us that there are restaurants and noodle places near the pier so we headed over from the Resort. Didn't realize it was a bit of a walk so by the time we got there, we went inside the Pier shops and headed straight upstairs to the restaurant level. We were about to try out the sushi place there but did not want to wait the 25 min for food so kept walking and bumped into Buddakan. I must admit the decor is fab albeit a bit austentacious but hey I suppose AC is sort of like that too with the over-the-top decor. Anywho, the restaurant seems to be more asian fusion so we weren't really expecting much from this except really expensive chinese/thai food. However I was pleasantly surprised by how tasteful the Cha Siu pork came through and the shrimp fried rice - both delicious! I ordered the Pad Thai and I thought the sauce flavor of it was too much and overpowering the dish. We still were able to finish the dish but it would have been better if the taste was toned down a bit. Overall I would totally come back here again and try some more of their other dishes. =)
(4)
Jessi D.

Service was excellent, Plum wine fantastic, appetizers were amazing, the main courses were great. Only issue was My girlfriends Duck first order over cooked second try stringy and chewy. The manager took care of the issue.
(4)
R G.

Dinner Friday night, service was excellent. She made suggestions, checked for drinks, water, etc. (I think Jennifer). Food came out perfectly, we shared the asian cashew salad which was so good, husband had the crispy shrimp which he said was very good and I had the barbeque pork, yummy. Love the atmosphere, try the lemondrop martini.
(5)
Sendy L.

Perfection! The best way to describe Buddakan! For starters just walking in facing the giant statue was an experience then the courtyard under a starry night made it even better. The waiter was well informed and made us want to try everything on the menu just by his description we ended up having the whole fish and Asian pork tenderloin with the zengria which was I believe peach and ginger sangria the food was delicious the drink delicious and the creme brulee for dessert was out of this world. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Julie V.

This place is tasty, but I'd say their strength is their appetizers/dim sum, not so much the entrees (though those are fine). We've eaten here a few times, most recently last week. We ordered to share, the sashimi, edamame ravioli, the chicken with ginger dumplings, the shrimp dish (forget what it was called) and the wasabi mashed potatoes. The edamame ravioli, by the way, is the best thing I've eaten here, it's just awesome. The wasabi mashed potatoes are great as well. As I mentioned before about the entrees--while they certainly are pretty tasty (save a dry duck I ordered once a long time ago, which might have just been a fluke)--they could be more imaginative for a restaurant like this. None of the entrees particularly grabbed our attention or stole our hearts the way that the appetizers did. One minor point of criticism is for their seating. We came there on a not-too-busy Thursday night (having made a reservation) and were seated at these tables for two located in the center of the restaurant, on these very uncomfortable chairs. We did ask to be moved to a booth, and the waiter graciously obliged and helped us get re-seated, but it did make me think that maybe to avoid this, they could just seat people with reservations in the more desirable places, like booths, instead of automatically going for the middle section tables. I know booths can hold more people, but as I mentioned, it wasn't really that busy that night. Maybe I'm just too particular on this point, but those uncomfortable tables for two really bother me and it would be nice to avoid the experience of having to ask to be moved.
(5)
Joelle H.

I have been to Buddakan for many special occasions and I keep coming back because the food and the ambiance is some of the best you can get in Atlantic City. Dim lighting, starry night sky above you (fake but awesome) and comfortable seating. There is a long family style table that runs through the center of the restaurant that glows a beautiful golden color and ends with a gigantic golden buddha. Then there is the food. While it is classified as Asian fusion, it has some very unique options that are done to perfection. You can't order anything bad -- but my two favorites are the edamame raviolis and the spicy rock shrimp bao buns. I recently went here and they accommodated me with the large family style table for a bachelorette party. I was truly grateful and have never had bad service here. My only complaint is that the portions seem to be getting smaller over the years and the prices higher -- if this is your complaint too - give the happy hour a try. It's all the same food at much cheaper prices.
(4)
Lydia H.

I have to say, I was incredibly impressed with the experience that we had at Buddakan on Saturday night. We had a reservation, and in my OCD planning ways, we showed up 20 minutes early because we had to make an 8 pm show down at Resorts. They seated us right away, and with a smile. Our server was phenomenal. I wish I had gotten his name, but we made a point to let the Manager know on the way out because he was THAT good. He took the time to go over everything from the hot sellers on the drink menu, to the additions to the menu, to his favorite desserts. The timing of everything was perfect. We ordered the Edemame Ravioli (I can't get enough of these!) They are just as delicious as they were in the Philadelphia location. Our server told us that they use truffle oil in the creamy mixture inside, and they are just amazing. We got an order of the crab fried rice, and I got the Sweet and Sour Chicken, and my honey got the Sea Bass. Everything was cooked to perfection, and came out steaming hot. For dessert, we got the Crying Chocolate and the Banana Tower, both were delicious, but we were too full to finish at that point. Near the end of the meal, our server had an 8-top of chatty ladies seated in his section, and he didn't miss a beat. He plugged through their drink orders and came right over to check on everything and take care of the check. The ambiance of Buddakan is very cool as well. The inside has a "sky" with twinkling stars and of course the huge gold Buddha. Since it was still light out, when we left and walked from the restaurant back into the Pier, it was a similar experience to leaving a movie theater in the middle of the day. I didn't realize how dark it really was inside the restaurant until we left, but it's all a part of the experience. If you have trouble seeing, I would recommend bringing a miniature flashlight so you can read the menu.
(5)
Stacey W.

Each dish did not disappoint. We enjoyed the asparagus, the calamari salad, the tuns spring rolls, and the lobster fried rice. I would definitely come back again.
(5)
Ken G.

We went the other night. Chicken and ginger dumplings and crispy calamari salad for apps. Asian BBQ pork with green veg and onion rings. Onion rings are almost greaseless and fantastic. I prefer the Bok Choi they used to serve as the veg. Wasabi crusted filet was great but sauce was different. Finished with the donuts with chocolate and banana dipping sauces. Cream in donuts is great but shoots out when you cut them. They always make an interesting specialty cocktail Service, atmosphere, and food still make Buddakan a 5 out of 5
(5)
DonRicardo H.

Went here last year for our anniversary, it was listed as one of Atlantic City's most romantic restuarants. It was all that for sure. We had a very cool dark booth, very private as well. The booth was lighted by candle light only. The service was tremendous, our waitress was amazing. She suggested perfect meals & starters for us. Even took several pictures of us, during the evening.
(5)
Yi H.

I went here on the weekend of my Birthday a couple of years ago and I loved it. If I'm not mistaken we had the watercress salad of some sort and it was good. We also had the shrimp pad Thai. I really like it and still remember how it tasted like. The flavor was not mild it was sweet, salty and a bit spicy which I love. The portion was really generous but I've heard that they downsized their dishes now.
(4)
Joanna N.

Just came back from a weekend at AC with Hammy (Aug 8-9). Heard great things about Buddakan so of course we had to make an ADR :) We got there 20 minutes earlier than our 8:30PM reservation since we had already exhausted the boardwalk/beach. They seated us right away, which was awesome. Ambiance - romantic(dim, candle-lit tables, soft music); even more so if you are seated in their rather elegantly decorated and secluded private booths; they also have VIP rooms for special/reserved events. The gold Buddha (he's HUGE) sits full-lotus position enclosed in a wooden butsudan (traditional) in the middle of the restaurant. There's a long dining table that stretches from the butsudan to the entrance; tables are scattered all about Buddha. There's also a second floor, which is where we were seated. Our waitress was phenomenal and attentive; she described all of the specials of the day and eventually convinced us to order it, ha. We ordered the KOBE BEEF SATAY and CRISPY CALAMARI SALAD for starters. First time trying kobe beef; WOW! Massaging those cows with alcohol and milk really does wonders -- it was some of the most flavorful and tender meat I've ever had; no wonder it's so expensive!! The satay came with vegetable tempura which was fried ever so lightly; just enough to make the veggies crispy, delicious! CRISPY CALAMARI SALAD - excellent! We ordered the large so we'd be able to share -- it was HUGE; enough to feed 4 people. Calamari to salad ratio - 10:1, mmmmmmmm. The calamari was superb, too; it was fried lightly just like the tempura but maintained the consistency and crisp; didn't even feel like I was eating squid fried in gallons of heart-killing oil de trans fat, as all fried foods are, hahha..ah....... For entrees, we split the special of the day (wild tasmanian salmon w/ sweet corn dumplings) and the CHICKEN AND SHRIMP PAD THAI. Both were excellent! The pad thai was on par if not better than the paid thai I would order at other decent Thai places that I frequent (SEA, Cafetasia, Klong's). The salmon was great; tender + it had a glaze of some sweet sauce (can't remember what it was!) that was delicious. The sweet corn dumplings went really well with it, too. After all this, we were too full for dessert, UNFORTUNATELY :( The dessert menu looked phenomenal but alas, food coma was setting in. The bill came out to $102 after tips. Well worth it -- might consider going to the Buddakan in Manhattan :)
(5)
Bobbi B.

We were there early Saturday evening before an 8pm show. Our waiter -- super-friendly and informative. Cilantro-based cocktail -- heavenly. Appetizers (particularly the edamame ravioli and ginger/chicken potstickers) -- excellent. Over-the-top-gigundo gold buddha -- cool. That accounts for the 3 stars. Main entrees (peking chicken and hot and sour scallops), not so much. Quite disappointing, in fact. The scallops weren't ideally cooked and had an unpleasant chew to them. The chicken was dry as a bone and the dry spice-rubbed skin just slipped right off when we tried to cut pieces. But most of all, we didn't appreciate being stuck at the far back two-seater with the wobbly table near the service area when most of the restaurant was empty (and remained that way while we were there). I actually had to take the paper wrapper off my chopsticks, fold it up and wedge it under one of the table legs so we wouldn't spill our cocktails. I wonder sometimes if restaurants are aware of the message they send when they give patrons the crappiest seats in the house. I could understand if we'd shown up in flip flops and sloppy t-shirts, or if we were drunk or rowdy or something. But it was 5:30 pm, we were all sorts of dressed up and looking good, and ready to enjoy and spend some money. All in all, glad I got to try it, glad to have seen the massive sparkly Buddha and experience the ambience, wish I'd just done it at the bar and limited myself to appetizers.
(3)
Steven K.

Looking for a place to eat near hotel Friday night and this was close. At first glance I thought it was take out chineese food served in a nice setting. Totally wrong. Ended up having a great experience and glad we happened across the place. Great atmosphere. Very upscale, contemporary maybe. There is an enormous budda. (Like 15 feet tall) which kind of freaked me out....but I survived. Food was great. Entrees are cut for sharing. So we each ordered an entree and each had some. Great flavor s well cooked, well presented, definitely fresh quality ingredients, and decent portion. Great specialty drinks...not the run of the mill cocktails. Don't remember the name of mine but it was a vodka drink with fresh cilantro and lime. Service was well timed, not rushed. But what really made the night was the waitress. I wish I could remember her name but she was the most knowledgeable server I've ever encounter anywhere. She know exactly how each dish was prepared, even knew the type of mushrooms in my rice and explained the difference between that and some other mushrooms. She sold the food, the drink, better than any server I've ever had. On top of that she was pleasent and attentive. She made it a 5 star review, and not just 4. Turns out there is another loc in nyc which is closer to where I live. Others have said its expensive.....it's not cheap. However this was on the boardwalk in ac and for good fresh food with good service, I can't complain
(5)
Frances G.

They changed the menu so to me its not as good as before. All my favorite dishes are gone and the new ones I have tried I just dont like them as much,
(4)
Terrence L.

Very good food! Awsome customer service! Good for single people to eat at the bar!
(5)
Jenny W.

The wasabi crusted steak was ok - will probably not order it again. The Lamb was amazing. Also get the edamame ravioli for apps.
(3)
Jenna L.

Coolest restaurant experience of my life. Felt like I was in an asian temple/ outside on a street looking at the stars. Waiter was very nice and knowledgable. Able to answer any questions we had, even the complicated ones from my friend who used to work in the culinary field. After looking over the menu we couldn't decide because everything sounded so wonderful, so we went with the chefs tasting menu that gave us some of their most popular dishes. It was the best decision I have ever made about food. The sea bass was probably my favorite dish. It pretty much melted in your mouth. Amazing!!! If you have the extra money to splurge on some great food, you should go here!
(5)
David A.

Awesome experience! First time here and loved the atmosphere. Food was amazing... Black pepper beef, sea bass and crab rice. Wait staff was excellent. If you need a great waiter here then ask for Derrick! Awesome dude, gave excellent suggestions for the meal. Will def be back!
(5)
Dak F.

As the Enlightened One, Siddhartha Gautama, once said, "You can take the restaurant out of the boardwalk, but you can never take the boardwalk out of the restaurant." I should have taken the 130 bucks I spent at this shit box and either thrown it into a slot machine or, better yet, into the Atlantic fucking Ocean as an offering to the ancestors I have obviously upset. The edamame ravioli were disgusting. The filling tasted like baby food. I see one reviewer writes that they are "to die for." Yes, you are exactly right, but perhaps not in the way you intend. The entrees were microscopic for the price and the sauces seemed like something intended to be reconstituted for consumption whilst in outer space. Oh and speaking of baby food, my wife and I had our baby boy with us at the restaurant. We don't usually take him to restaurants like Buddakan, but it was half past two in the afternoon. Not exactly lunch rush. Regardless, a plate of lamb chops was intentionally placed right in front of our drooling wunderkind, whereupon he vigorously slammed both his palms into the pile of eggplant. Did this dummy pants server think we had ordered lamb chops for a 9 month old? There was plenty of room on the table to have had placed it elsewhere, (for example... in front of the 39 year old man who ordered it. Call me old fashioned.) After what can only be described as an overpriced "P.F. Chang's" meal, we both felt fairly nauseous. I had hoped to escape the hotel casino kitchen slop, but this was not the case. Buddakan should be ashamed to have their name associated with this half-assed satellite operation. I strongly suggest they rename it "SamsÃ¥ra."
(1)
Niluka U.

The food was good but its the atmosphere that really makes the place. The ceiling makes it look like your under the stars and most of the booths are private and sectioned off from the main dining area. Even the booths that are in the main dining hall have a more intimate feel than other restaurants, really good for a date. The only problem I had was that some of the portions are kind of small. If you get dumplings, its like 3 of them. I had this duck salad, it was amazing!
(4)
jill w.

Was hoping for better.... I was here with a group and we ordered lots of apps. Would not recommend a single item we ordered (and we ordered around 6 or 7 dishes). Salad was too salty, dumplings were bland, and shrimp just tasted bad. Skip this place!
(1)
Charlee D.

Came here last night with 4 other people; second time at Buddakan and it was just as good as the first! It's my personal preference to sit in one of the private booths when I come here; the communal tables just don't do it for me. So, we had to wait about 20 minutes for one of those. Boyfriend and I decided to try a few different appetizers and split an entree. Let me just say, we spent a good 20 minutes looking at this menu trying to decide what to order, since we literally wanted to try everything. It was very tough to narrow it down to a few things. We will be back to work on that ;) 4 of us shared a large order of the Crispy Calamari Salad. GET THIS IF YOU COME TO BUDDAKAN. No explanation necessary, just get it!! The large size was enough for all 4 of us. Next we tried the chicken and ginger dumplings. They were very good, and the sesame dipping sauce made them even better. They were definitely fresh and had not come out of a freezer bag. I only wished the chicken had been a little bit smoother and not so...ground. Didn't take away from the deliciousness though. Cantonese Spring Roll- this was my favorite thing we had. The wrapper was light and crispy, and just when I thought I had tasted every flavor in it, BAM (thanks Emeril!), I'd taste something else. I didn't think I'd enjoy the chicken inside, but it made the whole roll. They served some kind of creamy sauce with it that I wasn't crazy about. It didn't really add anything to the flavor in my opinion; the roll was quite enough on its own. As an entree we shared the Hot and Sour Scallops. Wow. I don't usually like sour flavors in a meal, but these were phenomenal. The scallops were very fresh and tender and a very good size. I enjoyed the addition of the tofu and Chinese sausage as well. I kept cutting a piece of scallop and then dragging it around the dish to try and sop up more of the hot and sour sauce. Sooo good. After we finished our meals, one of the servers came by and said he would be bringing us a complimentary dessert. They brought out an order of the zen-ful donuts. I didn't try, sadly; I was waaay too full. But everybody else agreed they were delicious. Filled with sweet cream and served with banana and chocolate dipping sauce. They looked fluffy and yum. I was happy they brought out this particular dessert, since my wonderful boyfriend is allergic to chocolate. (?!) The service here is very good, despite the fact that we waited about 15 minutes after being seated for the server to come take our drink orders. After that she was very attentive. I really like the atmosphere here and it makes all the difference to wait for a private booth. Also I really enjoyed their bar, which is to the right of entrance. It's tiny and separate from the rest of the restaurant. Very nice to go sit and have a drink before dinner. This place is so darn romantic, it makes me woozy.
(5)
Michelle R.

Beautiful dining experience. Dined alone at the bar without interruption. Extremely attentive bartender. Appetite was not so hot, but my choice of splendid morsels of Starr's beloved restaurant was sufficient. Loved it.
(4)
Ari B.

This is the place to go if you have a craving for some good Asian Fusion. Some of my favorites are the chicken wrapped in lettuce leaves, the pan roasted duck breast, and the char grilled aged beef, not to mention the shrimp fried rice. The ambience is nice as well. It's a nice experience and right outside you can see the Boardwalk and a good overall view of Atlantic City.
(4)
Matthew G.

I had a good time here with a group of colleagues form work. We ordered lots of food, and it was all good...nothing fabulous. Drinks were poured stiffly, and they do have a few cool house cocktails.
(3)
Marisa S.

We brought our daughter to celebrate her 16th birthday. I reserved a table almost a month in advance and to our disappointment we were seated in the back, in a very dimly lit corner, near the kitchen entrance, tucked away like second class guests. We were unable to see much of the room at all (not even a glimpse of the prominent Buddha statue from our table). I could barely see the menu in the bad lighting and to top it off we had to endure hearing "corner" called every 20 seconds by the staff. I never had such a bad table in my life. Our waiter asked us if we had been there before, we replied we had not but he then offered no help or suggestions, though he was polite. We were dressed fine, my daughter in a semi-formal gown. Shortly after he did ask the table next to us if they were celebrating any special occasion. Okay then. I didn't make any arrangements for her birthday other then indicating it during reservations. I wasn't expecting any special treatment but I certainly didn't expect to be placed where we were. We first ordered beverages which were 2 ginger ales and 2 colas. We rarely drink soda so maybe it was us, however the ginger ale was horrible. My husband thought it tasted like bad grapefruit juice. I thought it tasted like vomit. Regardless it sat on the table the entire meal, untouched beyond the first few repulsed sips. I expected the food portions to be much larger then they were, MUCH larger, considering the dishes were "meant to be shared". We had 3 appetizers, 1 vegetable, 2 main dishes, plus desserts. First, Buddakan Style Sashimi. It was not only small in length but extremely thin sliced fish, with a citrus sauce. My son refused to eat it (as I knew he would once I saw it) leaving 2 slices for each of us, plus 1 leftover. It tasted good but I certainly expected a bit more. Next, Tuna Tartare Spring Rolls. There were only 3 and they were each about the size of my (average size) ring finger. I could feel the look of surprise on my face and had to hold in my laughter seeing it mirrored on the expressions of my son, daughter, and husband. The rolls were good but some indication of the amount would have been nice to know in advance, again, especially when these items were declared to be "sharing portions". It was interesting trying to cut one of those little things in half so I could share with my husband and the kids could each have one. Final appetizer, Shrimp Dumplings. There were only 3 again. These however were large in size. My son didn't like it (too spicy) and I ended up having his, leaving 1 each for my daughter and husband. First entree, Sweet & Crispy Shrimp. There were 5 jumbo shrimp, giving us yet again another sharing conflict. They were very good but I started to feel like I was at a very skimpy buffet. I do not feel like the prices matched the portions at all. Our vegetable, Wasabi Mashed Potatoes. A (not so, at this point) surprisingly small bowl for a sharing portion. They were a hit with the kids and everyone got to have at least 2 large spoonfuls. Second/final entree, Crispy Whole Fish. It was a medium sized fish but compared to everything else brought out it seemed huge in comparison. It was as fine as any crispy fish is, nothing remarkable. While we ate, much to our confusion, we witnessed large heaping dishes of food being brought to other tables. We assumed we were just really bad at ordering at that point and other people knew what to pick, or they were ordering double or triple portions. Near the end of our meal the manager came to our table, introduced himself and wished our daughter a happy birthday. Immediately after, we ordered dessert. I told everyone to order what they want and expect it to be a size inappropriate for sharing. I did ask the waiter what he suggested and he said the Zen-ful donuts were best. My daughter chose Crying Chocolate and found it "okay". My 10 year old son was delighted with his Zen-ful Donuts, which he tried sharing with everyone, and was surprised at the filling in the middle which shot out all over his shirt when he took his first bite. My husband had Almond Bread Pudding, which they placed a lit candle on the plate and presented to my daughter saying "Happy Birthday". We chuckled at the small mix-up. (As we each ordered our own desserts). I had the Tahitian Vanilla Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e and thought it was very good (though not a traditional/proper brÃ»lÃ©e) but we all agreed the Almond Bread Pudding was the best, and quite delicious. Our bill came to $185, not including tip. The staff was nice but between the back table by the kitchen entrance "corner" and the very small yet expensive "sharing" portions, I can't say I am eager to return. The dessert saved the meal for us, otherwise I'd have given it 1 star. It really was just "okay" with a very bad table. It was supposed to be a special celebration and we didn't feel like we were treated as well as the other guests.
(2)
Toya L.

Love this place I've been to the one in Philadelphia and also in Atlantic City in every location I've been to friendly staff good service good food
(5)
Jennifer R.

I've been to the Buddakan in Philly and had a great experience but I have to say, this one was better! The food and service were spot on, and it was a perfect way to start our night. Our group of 4 had no issues getting a reservation on a Saturday night through Open Table. We were seated comfortably right away, and our server was out to greet and help us immediately. Sharing is encouraged, and the plates are free flowing. We started with the edamame and calamari salad (big size). The salad was gigantic, more than enough for 4 of us, and even the basket of edamame was a generous size. For the entrees, we went with the ponzu chicken, char aged beef, and rock shrimp. All were excellent! The ponzu chicken was good, but the golden Budda buns were even better. The beef had a fantastic flavor, and the string fries (I think that's what they were - very thin and crispy) were fun. The rock shrimp (you get 5 in an order) were also delicious, and make sure to try the candied walnuts that come with it! For dessert, we got the donuts (different from what I remember in Philly but still excellent) and the tira-misu, which was probably our least dish of the night favorite but still not bad. To make a good night even better, between all that food and the desserts, plus about 6 drinks, the total for each girl was $62, which included tax and tip. Definitely a fair price for all of the good quality food that we enjoyed! With that being said, I would definitely recommend Buddakan for a group dinner that won't break the bank.
(5)
Nancy Z.

The ambience, the food, the service was perfect. We ordered the pad Thai and the fried rice- vegetarian and they were both delicious! The portions were also good for each person (we shared). The fried rice could have used some egg but other than that I highly recommend it! Enjoy!
(5)
Lynn L.

Awesome restaurant & experience. We had 2 servers, Jennifer & Michael & they were great. Knowledgable and great service and spot on with all recommendations. Tuna spring rolls were so good we ordered more, dumplings were great, Kung Pao monkfish was awesome!
(5)
Kc R.

Shrimp and chicken pad thai, chicken dumplings and cashew chicken was all really good! Service was great and the ambiance of the restaurant was what made it!
(5)
Kevin C.

Headed here for dinner one night in AC. It's located on the top level of the Ceasar Pier Shops facility. Very swanky and modern decor as this would be the place for a date, a birthday party or event. A large budha in the center and a starry ceiling. It's quite the eye candy. I'd definitely recommend making reservations for a table. We took a look at the menu and 3 of us wanted to try out the tasting menu as it hit up all the yelp recommended dishes (wasabi ravioli, wagyu beef, and crab fried rice). Keep in mind that this is all family style and is meant to be shared with the table when ordering the tasting menu. No tasting menu sharing is allowed so everyone at the table will have to pay for a tasting menu price which is pretty restrictive. Since we had one person who was a vegetarian it wasn't viable to order it as we'll miss out on the meats and 2 wanted to share. We ended up ordering ala carte then. keep this in mind. Service was good as the waiter was quite accomodating of our tasting menu questions and vegetarian questions. Highlights of the meal were the wasabi ravioli's, buttery and soft inside with a great broth, it could of come out hotter though, lamb chops had a nice flavor. Crab fried rice had plenty of large pieces of crab but it was a bit spicey for me. Also the pork tenderloin was way overcooked and dry. We also had the dessert bento box sampler which had a nice variety of sweets that didn't disappoint. For me for the price and food i'd only come here once but its definitely not a destination eatery or a repeat eatery in my view.
(3)
Jessica S.

Horrible service, told the wait was 15 mins and I would be receiving a text when my table was ready. Walked around the mall a little and came back, table still not ready. Walked out after waiting another 30 mins, but still never received my text that my table was ready. I think it was because a had 2 little ones with me. Stay away from this place if u have kids with u.
(1)
Jin Y.

Heard great thing about the Buddakan in NYC and found out that they had one in Atlantic City, so I decided to have dinner here with high expectations. The food turned out to be just ok. We had: Appetizer 1. Kobe beef - It was flavorful and tender. 2. Edamame ravioli - A little bit too cheesy that overpower the edamame flavor. EntrÃ©e 3. Crab fried rice - It was really good with a ton of crabmeat. 4. Seabass - Well cooked and lightly flavored 5. Lamb chops - Might be one of the best lamb chops I've ever had. 6. BBQ pork - It was dry. Dessert 7. Buddha's bento - It was a tasting of 6 desserts, all were delicious.
(3)
John S.

Went to Buddakan for a nice dinner with my boyfriend on our recent trip to Atlantic City. We didn't have a reservation so I was a bit worried about being able to get a table but after a short wait we were seated. First off I must say the atmosphere here is worth 5 stars. I really felt like I was eating outside some place in China. Decor here is great. The service was also pretty good. The menu features many different twists on Asian dishes. We started with a rib app and it was very good. Probably the best part of the dinner. My beef dish I had for dinner was also very good. Portion sizes were not bad but could be a bit bigger. I thought they made up for this by having high quality food. The fried rice dishes are quite pricy though for what you get so I would stay away from those if you come. Otherwise this was a interesting place to try on our trip.
(4)
Andrew G.

This place is just different -- and with that, it sets itself apart from others in the genre. Walking in with my wife for dinner, we were both just ASTOUNDED at this place's atmosphere. We didn't know prior to making a res. it was in the "mall" area of A.C., but it doesn't even matter once you step foot inside THE BOODY. It's like a giant planetarium -- the ceiling is illuminated like the night sky by stars. The giant Buddha greets you at the front of the restaurant: huge, golden, and praying. The tables are all set in front of him, with upper-level dining as well. The ambiance is PERFECT for a romantic dinner: dark, lit by candles, and very intimate. The servers were really knowledgeable about the food and drink pairings too - we ended up getting the Seikyo sake, which was light and fruity, and paired perfectly with our meals of shrimp-based noodles. Everything was great, cooked well, and brought out in a timely manner. Have nothing bad to say about Buddakan at ALL.
(4)
Marie Annick M.

May I say, I have traveled the world, and have yet to find a beauty like this. Atlantic City by itself sucks, but this place makes up for all the wrongs. The waiter was excellent, the food- pricey but heavenly delicious, OMG! I am an addict. We ordered a pitcher of Zengria, a wine mixture with fruit mixes, it was heavenly. The salmon and the shrimps were perfectly seasoned and prepared. 5 stars! very upscale. The ambiance is also very lovely.
(5)
Jessica W.

Can't beat the happy hour deals ($5 deals from 3-6pm). Bartender was friendly and prompt with service. Everything tasted delicious.
(5)
Debra R.

So we stopped in here after driving to AC only to find our favorite restaurant had closed. I had been to the sister restaurant in NYC many years ago. This place doesn't disappoint. Our waiter was wonderful and very patient. We started with the edamame, the shrimp dumplings and the crispy calamari salad and they were all delicious. I also ordered the sashimi which was more like a carpaccio but also delicious and seasoned to perfection.
(4)
Shauna D.

Ate here last night with a group of 10 and was so impressed by the ambiance, food and service! We ordered a bunch of items from the menu and shared family style. Every dish they brought was better than the last. Would definitely be back!
(5)
Kimmy L.

Came here for my birthday dinner with a group of 15 people and we were able to reserve the main long table right in front of the Buddha. Gorgeous table and prime spot for people watching! Our service was excellent from start to finish and our drinks and food came quickly! We opted for the tasting menu which came with 5-6 courses - so much delicious food!!! It was heartbreaking that we couldn't finish it and had to leave it all behind....if we were back home, the amount of leftovers could have fed Jolly and I for the week. The dishes were perfectly sized for sharing and were full of flavor - I can honestly say that there was not a single item that I did not like. They even brought out a birthday dessert at the end of our meal.
(5)
Abbie H.

Buddakan is without question our favorite dinning experience in Atlantic City. Our food was delicious as usual, the service was great and the ambiance is colorful. We went during the middle of the week so it was a little quieter than usual. I always get the edamame ravioli and they do not disappoint!
(5)
Lee M.

I ate here on a Saturday night around 9:30 and the restaurant was packed. My wife I wound up eating at the bar - I had no reservation and the hostess told me that it would be at least an hour (despite being able to get a 10pm reservation on Open Table as I was standing there). That was annoying but it was much quieter in the bar area and the bartender made for some good conversation. We both ordered the tequila cocktail - which had thai chiles infused in it. I'm not really into sweet drinks, but this one was solid. It had just enough heat to kiss the back of your mouth but the sweetness of the simple syrup and the acidity of the fresh lime juice balanced it perfectly. We were hungry and ordered as if - crispy calamari salad, asian glazed boneless ribs, mustard miso salmon and a side of chinese eggplant. The calamari salad was just how I remembered it the first time I ate it in Philly. The calamari was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and tossed in bitter greens and mixed with just a hint of a miso dressing. It's probably my favorite salad of all time. The ribs were 4 boneless ribs - the size of spare ribs - these were hit and miss - some moise and some dry but overall, good chinese flavor. The salmon was cooked perfectly - just about medium to medium rare and the chinese eggplant was a better version of the type you'd get in a local chinese take-out, since it was far less oily. This meal cost about $120 including gratuity for the 2 of us. There is really not much I can say about Buddakan that was negative - the hostess thing was a bit of a turnoff but certainly did not ruin the meal.
(4)
D L.

Been here a few times, i always made rsvp before showing up. So, no issue with waiting to get in. The food/service is solid. A good spot for dates and chilling with friends.
(4)
Brittany P.

Delicious! Came here as part of a bachlorette party of 14 girls. We had a reservation and by the looks of it you need one. We were seated upstairs which was somewhat cramped nothing to complain about. I would of preferred sitting downstairs due to the awesome decor but I guess that's something you'd have to request. Drinks were delicious, I ordered one off the specialty menu and was well worth it. The food here is meant to be shared. I had tried the tuna spring rolls, edamame ravioli, wasabi mashed potatoes, and asian caesar salad. ALL OF IT WAS AMAZING. I did not have one complaint. The staff was knowledgeable about all of the food and the service was quick and efficient. They even gave us complimentary glasses of champagne at the end of the meal. (Assuming not a definite with each party but maybe because we were a bachlorette party celebrating.) Definitely worth it if you want to do a nice dinner out in AC.
(5)
Mark G.

I am not a big fan of Asian food. Still I loved this place. Dumplings, fried rice and wok chicken are all excellent. Been here twice and can't wait for the third time.
(5)
Kim R.

Unreal. Best meal in a loooong time. We ordered the truffle ravioles and the tuna spring rolls twice! The sea bass was out of control. If you are in Atlantic city you MUST GO!!! Worth it
(5)
Chuck O.

Shared two of the set menus and not one bad dish on the menu! Would definitely go back! Highly Recommended!
(4)
D. W.

I am a big fan of Buddakan. I've been to the one in NYC and Philadelphia. There's some difference between this one and the others. First, the dishes are larger here, so you don't have to order as much. Second, there is also a larger seafood selection here. I would recommend sticking to the seafood if you enjoy seafood. We had the crispy fish, which was great. We also had the lamb, one of the pork, and one of the chicken dishes. All the dishes were great, but I felt that the dishes were missing the "surprise" factor usually found at Buddakan. From my experience in the past, I've come to expect Buddakan to be a place where you order Asian food that stays true to its Asia roots, but then adds an interesting and surprising twist to it. I wouldn't call it "fusion" because you won't find "East meets West" concepts. Regardless, it's still a great place. The service was also excellent.
(4)
Jessica M.

I had heard a lot of good things about Buddakan, so I was excited to have the chance to dine there last night. Disappointments were few-- The restaurant is dark, but cool. The ceiling is a twinkling night sky, the long table that runs the length of the main dining room is lit from beneath, and a giant gold Buddha sits in a red alcove watching over commotion. I had just enough time to order (but not drink) a specialty cocktail from the bar while we waited for our table. I chose the blueberry mojito, and while a little pricey for the size ($12 in a highball glass with lots of ice), it was delicious. I'll be recreating that drink at a summer bbq, for sure. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. We asked him for a couple suggestions, and he gave us honest opinions about the food. For appetizers, we chose the tuna spring rolls, the pork pot stickers, and the king crab tempura. The spring rolls were to die for, and despite my initial surprise that the inside was cold, they remained my favorite part of the meal. (The server did tell me it was served tar tar with a chili mayo, yet I had somehow imagined the whole thing to be warm, anyway.) The pot stickers were the best I've ever had. The king crab was slightly overwhelmed by the tempura batter, but let's face it: anything deep fried tastes like heaven. Our main course was less exciting, but I think we just ordered the wrong thing. My boyfriend chose the wok cashew chicken, which we expected to have some kind of fusiony spin on it. It didn't. We also didn't know it came with rice, so we ordered sides. The kim chee cauliflower was tasty but very dry, and the wasabi mashed potatoes were good, but too salty, and they tasted more of horseradish than wasabi. Still, everything was good enough that we were too full for dessert. We decided we would definitely go back. We'll just order differently next time.
(4)
Colleen L.

Went here for lunch during a weekend in AC. The Buddakan House Salad is SOOOO delicious - I can't stop thinking about it! Also, the Kobe Beef Satay is yummy - a little on the small side, but good portion for lunch. Lobster Fried Rice was good, but I wasn't super impressed....It's got nothin' on the Lobster Mashed Taters at Continental. The Pork Dumplings were oh so good, as well. We asked the waiter for his help with dessert and he recommened the Banana Macadameia Spring Roll - OMG, so freakin' good. I don't even really like those flavors, but it was really, really, really good !! It's a must.
(5)
Shagun M.

Always great food, drinks and service. 2 words: wasabi ravioli!!
(5)
Doc H.

4.6* This was a great experience. Reservations are probably helpful, it would probably be tough to navigate a a walk-in, though there are a couple of bars right outside the restaurant. Nice ambiance, kind-of dark, big glowing Buddha. The service was stand out though. A small wave from my drink ended up on the table- no big deal, a quick swipe with my napkin and the table was clear and dry; the impressive part was that my waiter was there to replace my napkin before I finished drying the little spill. Asian-fusion; fused with what? I'm not sure, adventure? Youthful spirit? Buddakan style sashimi was a stand out dish, though everything was good. I used our waiters recommendations as guidance and was plenty surprised and impressed. Even the proprietary drinks were refreshing. Great overall experience.
(5)
J P.

yes, this place is great! went here for happy hour. the bar area is nice and the service was excellent!
(4)
Alan L.

Still not sure how our group of 7 escaped with each paying $60 for food and drinks here. Not that $60 is cheap, but I expected to do more damage at a place like this. The menu was interesting enough that we all got different entrees, and ordered each kind of dumpling as appetizers. Everyone was happy with the food, and just about cleaned their plate. My one gripe? When you order a Sapporo they serve it to you in the tall 22oz can. While Sapporo does have cool looking cans, I would go to the bodega if I wanted to drink out of a tall-boy. Service was good beyond a few beers which were ordered and never brought - So maybe the takeaway from this review is to just skip the beer at Buddakan.
(3)
Paul H.

We had a great meal last night. The menu is fantastic and diverse. The selection appetizers is great and sharing permits great diversity of tastes. The entrees are very large and reasonably priced considering the quality. The service is top notch providing a great dining experience
(4)
Aruna A.

It's official - I've been to all the Buddhakan's. All three that I know exist. If more exist, perhaps I should go to those too. New York was OKAY. Philly is also OKAY. Atlantic City was probably the best one. Which isn't saying much about Buddakan. Now I must preface by saying that I am a vegetarian - so I imagine that if I were to go there and eat something of the fish or meat variety, my review might change and increase the number of stars. For us vegi's - while there are options, they are not very good! The wasabi mashed potatoes were AMAZING but beyond that, nothing all that great. The service was cool, the ambiance okay, and the drinks very watery (not much alcohol - if any).
(3)
Lola G.

Yummm... great food and drinks. Can't go wrong. Great service. try the edamame dumplings ( maybe this one in ac calls them edamame ravioli? i forget bc i went to both and the menus vary slightly). if at the pier a must try at least twice and the second time it will be just as good as the first.
(5)
Anik R.

Had a great time with few co-workers! Great food, decently priced. We had like 8 orders of their lichi martini! Definitely going back.
(5)
Amanda L.

I'm sure everyone on here is ranting and raving over the food, this was bad this was good. well I'm going to rave over the DESSERTS. OH MAH LAWDY, SO TASTY. do a favor for yourself, order 100 crying chocolates and fill a tub with them then live in that tub. its a small plate but VERY tasty, a hot little lava cake, coffee ice cream and chocolate coffee bean chunks. The carrot cake we ordered was moist and delicious, and the creme brulee was tasty and well flavored. If not going for the food, pop in for some sweets :)
(4)
Jinny J.

BEST. RESTAURANT. IN. AC! Buddakan is always my favorite and this AC location is even better and bigger in portion than Philadelphia or NYC locations. Food was so good! Servers were great! Definitely going back there again!
(5)
Amy W.

Great ambiance inside. We opted for chef's tasting...everything tasted great, but I felt price wise all the al la carte entrees should've been $10 less and the chef tasting being $60 a person I thought would have been fairly priced at $45. $19 for fried rice alone is ridiculous, even if it tasted good. Service was impeccable, someone always came over to ask if we needed anything. Drinks were also tasty, I had the serenity. There are not many decent restaurants in AC, so I would recommend this as 1 of my top 3 aside from Docks and Dos Caminos.
(4)
KJ S.

Great ambiance, perfect for a date or special occasion. I felt the food was just okay for the price. I had the tuna spring rolls, which were tasty but salty. Then we shared the veggie pad Thai and veggie fried rice. I wasn't blown away by either. Basically this is the type of place you go to impress someone, but the food didn't impress me. I can get better food for much cheaper.
(3)
Sherry E.

AWESOME! Everything we ate was delicious and the service was great!
(4)
Monae P.

My girlfriends and I are in AC, most of us first time, an decided to try out Buddakan. Our first appetizer was edamme ravioli, went over well with half the table, flavor is amazing, but it's kinda mushy inside. Secondly, we had the calamari salad-great pic!! Our fav appt by far was the tempura king crab, TO DIE FOR!! Afterwards as a table, we ordered crab fried rice, sea bass, lamb chops, scallops, and sweet & spicy shrimp. Everything we had for dinner was great! The hit at the table was, of course, the sea bass as most "yelpers" referenced. Following our meal, we had a bite of dessert and we each had a taste of Asian Carrot Cake. It was to die for; hands down the best carrot I have ever had. It's served with asian pears and cinnamon ice cream. Honestly, one of the best desserts I have ever had! All in all, I'd you're visiting AC or NYC, check it out!
(5)
Alissa W.

First of all you MUST over the edamame ravoli they are melt in your mouth to die for. It is served as an appetizer 3 ravoli, but the waitress asked it we wanted to add one more. The ravoli ih homemade,fluffy, and light and drizzled with none other them truufle oil. That is the key ingredient that makes this dish beyond anything I have ever tasted. I ordered the tuna for my entree, it was good not great probably would have went with cod, or seabass. The tuna was poached, and served rare. Still a bit to cooked for my liking. I have to say this place is worth trying. Service, atmosphere, and food are all 5 stars.
(5)
Kristina B.

Today I went for lunch with my husband.I only picked this place because of yelp reviews.Wow! The food was fantastic.For appetizers we had the Thai chicken salad and the shrimp and chicken spring rolls.For dinner my husband had the pork and I had the sea bass.Everything was SOO GOOD!!! And desert was great also coconut rice pudding with sorbet in the middle it had whipped cream and little cookies Yum!!I don,t always agree with the reviews but this time yelp had it right.5 stars for me!
(5)
Allie M.

My one piece of advice: bring a flashlight! This place is dark. Our party of six sat in a booth. (Watch your step getting into the booth!) Our server was extremely knowledgeable. He even advised against our order of vegetable fried rice as it wouldn't complement the flavors of the beef dishes we ordered. We went veggie anyway. We started with some unique appetizers, like the edamame ravioli. I love edamame, and had never tasted a texture like that before. It was so soft, and almost sponge-like. The sweet and crispy shrimp were huge, and were flavored with a citrus salad and radish. This restaurant is family-style, so everyone got a bite of almost everything. We ordered the Asian Caesar salad, with spicy cashews--the best part. As a pescetarian, I suggested the butter-soaked lobster, but I was not super impressed. The best part about the dish was the vegetables that came with it, including asparagus and carrots. It was quite a big meal, but it was an eye-opening experience.
(3)
C C.

Probably the best fusion I have ever had. Huge portions and well worth the cost. The wait staff is perfection on top of it all! I would go back to AC just for this restaurant.
(5)
Harriet K.

OK so this is my third time here and I guess this warrants a review now. We had a reservation but had to wait at the bar for our table to be ready. Thumbs down but the bartender was very informed and helpful and I ordered the Zen-gria which was really nice. A lot of emphasis on the "blueberry" part which it wasn't that "blueberry"-ish. But still good. Things to get: PORK TENDERLOIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! omG. So delicious. I remember when I first ate this and I was thinking this is amazing. I didn't think I'd get that same reaction this time and I did. AMAZING! We also got Whole Crispy Fish which was so good and the Ponzu Chicken which was the least favorite of all these but those buddha buns were yummy! The server was great and the ambiance is great. Sitting next to a huge Buddha. Man this place was packed but I'd definitely go again! Make your reservations in advance! This place is PACKED
(4)
Adam S.

Love the ambiance this place sets...classy yet still has swagger. This was the 2nd stop during my groups happy hour bar crawl. The happy hour is at the bar only, but offers a decent variety of options, including drinks. We ordered every single food item off the HH menu and we weren't disappointed. I would suggest the Edamame ravioli, Szechuan pork dumplings and/or the Cantonese spring rolls. I forget what drinks we ordered, but did take note that some were borderline "craft cocktails" The bartender, Eric, kicked @ss and made the experience that much better, so props to him. If I ever make it back to Atlantic City, I'd hit this spot up again.
(4)
Cody F.

Hands down the best meal I have ever had! While visiting my girlfriend at the shore we stopped in Buddakan with her parents for a nice meal. Our waiter was a very nice guy, who actually talked to us not just took our order and his service was great. No one could really decide what they wanted so he suggested the Chefs tasting menu for four. We did that and it may have been the best decision of our lives. Every dish was excellent, I am usually a very picky eater and was skeptical when I heard some of the ingredients and combinations of things I couldn't pronounce. The drinks were great as well, not too sweet but not too strong but still very tasty. The atmosphere was great, we had a booth that makes you feel like a king with curtains and the suspended table. I would recommend this place to all of my fellow yelpers. I wish there was one in california!
(5)
Megan D.

The Man and I went in around 8:30ish Thanksgiving for some light food and drinks. We sat (alone) at the bar and Stacey took very good care of us. She was very good company and somewhat extended family being that it was Thanksgiving. We shared the edamame ravioli which I thought to be a tad salty but great flavor; moved on to wasabi-crusted filet mignon cooked medium...very tasty; we also had the chow-fun which was good and not greasy as you may expect. Stacy introduced us to their winter drink which was not something I ever would have ordered but was sure glad I did. It was Cotes du rhone wine, Captain Morgan Rum, apple cider, cinnamon, allspice and chopped fruit over ice...delicious.
(4)
Nate G.

Very nice and romantic atmosphere. Got the dinner for 2 chefs choice. The food was a perfect amount to not be too hungry or too stuffed afterwards. Very creative food that I had not had before.
(5)
Abe H.

I took my wife here on our anniversary after hearing lots of good recommendations from friends of ours. Upon arrival I found the interior set up to have a real pleasant ambiance. There was a huge table in the middle that looks like it accommodated large groups or many individuals who just want to meet new people for an interesting experience. The staff were pleasant and attentive. The food was amazing! I personally tried the wasabi crusted Filet Mignon for my main course and drank a alcoholic beverage called Truth, which consisted of some type of Tequilla, cucumbers, Thai chili, and possibly something else. Be prepared to drop some real cash for this kind of dining. You won't worry about parting with it after one night at Buddakan.
(5)
Jack G.

First time at Buddakan, wasn't sure what to expect. There was a gaggle of girls outside and I figured they all looked too young for the casino. Figured out it was a sweet 16 party. I wonder who their parents are? Anyway, the party was over and we got seated without any waiting even though we were 20 minutes early for our reservation. It was nicely dark and not too loud. Service was prompt and competent. I loved the "courage" martini, basically a Hendricks martini with sake and a dash of Wasabi. We had some spring rolls and pork dumplings which were excellent. There was a sashimi plate, but I would have liked to see a little more sushi on the menu at a place that calls itself Asian fusion. I like my food spicy and nowhere on the menu did it say which dishes packed some heat. We ordered the fish of the day, which was an expertly prepared Bronzino and the pepper steak. Portions were generous, but remember that it's all a la carte, so if you like rice, you'll have to order it. While this might not be the place for a culinary adventure, we were quite satisfied with the quality and price.
(4)
Nicolette B.

I was also at buddakan along with kailee below. The other staff were all great and the food was awesome but the director of hospitality's lack of professionalism amazed me. Who would believe that at a wedding rehearsal dinner the director of hospitality would act annoyed because her restaurant is not handicap accessible and be rude enough to the bride to make ber cry? That was extremely disappointing. I think it's in the best favor of the restaurant to enroll this director in hospitality 101.
(1)
jackie p.

Yum! Dessert was my favorite.
(4)
Mike W.

My fiancee and I had an amazing dinner and experience at Buddakan Atlantic City. The atmosphere was wonderful, the service was fantastic and the food was simply fabulous! This was our first experience so we chose the preset menu with appetizers, salad, Sea Bass and a Filet Mignon crusted with wasabi, followed by desert. The appetizers and salad were delicious, but not exceptional. However, when we moved on to the entrees -- wow, I can't say enough. Both the sea bass and filet were outstanding! I would easily rate this one of the best dinners ever including several top notch places in Las Vegas. We will definitely go back, and I recommend this to anyone looking for a great dinner in AC! Now if only there was one closer to home..
(5)
Ron-Shanita M.

The edamame ravioli was like an orgasm of the mouth. Absolutely delicious!
(5)
Elvira Z.

Amazing service! Great food, everything is super delicious! With large portions to share. Great ambience! Love this place!!!
(5)
Len D.

It wasn't bad and it wasn't great either. I would actually have to say 3.5 stars. I'm not actualy negating any stars for this because our waiter was a nice guy and I'm sure it doesn't represent their whole waiting staff. But our waiter must be new to the field. He was just so quite and seemed very awkward serving us. He mumbled a lot too. It was like he had a social anxiety problem. He was helpful otherwise. He did help me get a candle and ice cream scoop for my girlfriend without her knowing. Anyways, the food. The best part was the appetizers. The vegtable spring rolls were perfect and it is pretty hard to mess up edamame. My parents shared the Sea Bass which is pretty good, but I've tasted better. We also orderd the spare ribs and the cashew chicken. Nothing really special I can say about those either. We all had the vegetable fried rice. I would have to say is the 2nd best thing about the meal. I actually liked the coconut curry foam at the side of the rice which was more like a coconut cream sauce (no foam). I have to note that the serving size of the main dishes and rice dishes are pretty big. I would recommend sharing with 2 or maybe even 3 people. I personally wouldn't reccomend or come here again. Only because there is better Asian fusion type food out there in the area.
(3)
Donnie B.

What an awesome place! I was taken for my birthday this year by my BFF! Everything was wonderful! Really wonderful! Our waitress was awesome! Everything she suggested we got from appetizers, salad, entree, drinks to dessert! Oh man! The Edamames, Thai chicken salad the sorbet, and the zenful donuts! All the sauces are soooooo delicious!!! Great place!
(5)
lisa l.

We enjoyed dinner on Sunday night (first night of our vacation). The server , she was pleasant and informative.. She recommended the bass and hubby chose the duck .. Both of us we very happy with our.choices.. The dessert I picked was carrot cake and that's where I lost my happy face from the rest of the great food.. The carrot cake has a "pear" type of small salad on the plate and I expected this to taste like pears.. It was pickled pear and ruined my night.. The pickled pear taste stayed with me for a long time and made me sorry I ordered that .. My husband picked the banana dessert and was happy.. I would return here again, but be more careful of what I order..
(4)
Laurie C.

Been to Buddakan a few times now...both Atlantic City and Philadelphia. Every experience has been incredible! The last trip to Atlantic City was better than ever! We went on a week night and were seated in the booths in the back that are private and have beads in between them. I think it may be called the Opium Den. It was very cozy and romantic. We chose to do the chef's tasting menu. It was a bit pricey at $61 each, but it was worth every penny! The appetizers were served in a bento box, of which we each got one. There were 3 different appetizers, all delicious! The next course was Asian caesar salad, which was amazing! The main course was 3 different entrees and we each got our own bento box for dessert...the desserts were off the charts! Each one was melt in your mouth "how do they come up with these things?" delicious! I also had the most amazing "Zen-gria!" It was the best sangria I ever tasted! Can't wait to go back again!
(5)

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Address : Pier Shops at Caesars,1 Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic City, NJ, 08401
Phone (609) 674-0100
Website https://www.buddakanac.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :12:00 pm - 3:00pm
Mon : 12:00 pm - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Validated
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Buddakan

Pier Shops at Caesars,1 Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, NJ, 08401

Buddakan Menu

Appetizers

Salads

Entrees

Noodles & Rice

Sides

Sodas

Healthy Meal suggestions for Buddakan

Appetizers

Salads

Entrees

Noodles & Rice

Sides

Sodas

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