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Bodai: NYC's First Chinese Vegetarian Tasting Menu Debuts at Chef Guo
October 16, 2024, 7:38.27 pm ET

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Photos: Bodai

Bodai, the first Chinese vegetarian tasting menu concept in New York City, debuts at Chef Guo, located inside The Randolph House. Created by Master Chef Guo Wenjun, this unique dining experience offers a nine-course vegetarian menu inspired by the royal ‘Qing Palace Cuisine,’ a tradition rooted in Chinese history. Accessible only by ringing a doorbell, guests are greeted by servers in traditional robes and led through an entrance adorned with Chinese carvings, setting the stage for an intimate dining experience.

The Zen-inspired dining room features a courtyard with blue brick pathways, a waterfall, and a faux pomegranate tree, offering a serene backdrop to Chef Guo’s meticulously crafted menu. Each course, based on ancestral recipes, took years to perfect under the guidance of Chinese Master Chef Ding Guangzhou. The tasting menu highlights rare ingredients sourced from around the world, bringing centuries-old recipes to life in a modern setting.

Each seating, limited to just 10 guests, is designed to offer a personalized, immersive experience. The tasting begins with "The Life of Enlightenment," introducing the five basic flavors of Chinese cuisine—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty—each representing different emotions of life. Signature dishes include Stickopus Japonicus (cauliflower mushroom) with a creamy cucumber sauce, Bodai Buddha Jumps Over the Wall with a rich broth of 21 vegetables and mushrooms, and Sweet and Sour Vegetarian Riblets made with tofu skin and Korean pear.

Guests can choose from four varieties of tea or opt for a five-course wine pairing curated to complement the vegetarian menu. Desserts include Nectar of the Gods, served in a real eggshell, resembling a delicate egg yolk in both appearance and texture, yet sweet and refreshing. The tasting menu is priced at $99, with two seatings per night, ensuring an intimate and unforgettable experience at Bodai.


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