Seemor
HUPO琥珀 | Best Szechuan Food in LICBWorth Trying
10-07 50th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
· Chinese restaurant, Cocktail bar, Dim sum restaurant
· 4.4/5 Google (540 reviews)
Reservations · Delivery · Takeout
Lively Sichuan spot with standout stewed fish, tea-smoked duck, and solid cocktails; value can feel mixed due to portions and add-on rice, with some service and food-safety complaints to note.
Why it gets a B for overall quality
HUPO琥珀 delivers solid Sichuan dining anchored by strong food quality—the stewed fish and dan dan noodles are genuinely excellent—and attentive service that keeps the room humming. However, isolated but serious food safety complaints and quality variation between dine-in and takeout prevent a higher grade, while recent portion and value concerns suggest momentum may be shifting. Worth visiting for the signature dishes, but approach with awareness of these limitations.
Restaurant Summary
The room feels warm and bustling with a steady hum of groups sharing steaming bowls and clinking cocktail glasses. A guest raved, "The golden stewed fish was huge and deeply comforting," while others noted attentive service even on busy nights. The culinary approach leans elevated traditional Sichuan rather than fusion: classics like stewed fish in chili broth, mapo tofu, and double-cooked pork anchor the menu, with a few twists like tea-smoked duck and a Sichuan-forward cocktail lineup. Spice levels can be adjusted, and dine-in quality is consistently praised, though value gripes pop up when portions feel lean or rice is charged separately. Families can do well here thanks to kid-friendly staples like fried rice, beef and broccoli, soup dumplings, and mild noodles; you can request less spice. Reality check: some dumplings get mixed feedback on texture, and rice is often an add-on. If your eater avoids heat, stick to milder dishes and confirm spice levels up front.
At a Glance
- Rich, shareable stewed fish and solid dan dan noodles
- Adjustable spice and helpful with gluten-free needs
- Portions and extra charges (rice) can hurt value
- Mixed dumpling quality and occasional service brusqueness
- A few food-safety complaints (fish/veg) amid otherwise positive reports
What Sets It Apart
- Bib Gourmand-level Sichuan in LIC
- Shareable stewed fish specialties
- Sichuan-accented cocktail list
What People Love
- Warming stewed fish bowls perfect for sharing
- Dependable dan dan noodles and double-cooked pork
- Smoky duck flavors in fried rice
- Lively but comfortable vibe with creative cocktails
Points of Concern
- Delivery quality lags behind dine-in; noodles can clump and arrive cold (medium frequency)
- Value feels mixed when meats are sparse and rice is extra (common in critiques)
- A few reports of unclean produce or parasite-like items in fish (isolated but serious)
- Review patterns show signs of potential manipulation (polarization, marketing tone) which may not reflect typical diner experience
Service & Dining Experience
Service StyleTable Service
Average Cost$42-60 per person
ReservationsRecommended
What to Order
- Build a shareable set: stewed fish ($20-21), double-cooked pork ($20), one veg ($12-16), plus rice ($2-4). Order soup dumplings dine-in for best texture.
Perfect For
- Spice lovers craving classic Sichuan
- Casual group dinners with sharing
- Locals wanting Bib-quality Chinese in LIC
- Cocktail-and-noodles date night
Location Insights
Area: Up-and-coming waterfront district drawing young professionals; mix of new condos, parks, and creative offices.
Safety: Generally safe, well-lit, steady evening foot traffic near Vernon Blvd and waterfront parks.
Nearby: Near Gantry Plaza State Park, MoMA PS1, Vernon Blvd bar/restaurant strip, and 7/G subway corridors.
Court SquareCourt Square is a dynamic part of Long Island City with a mix of modern high-rise apartments, office buildings, and cultural institutions. The dining scene is diverse, featuring trendy cafes, casual eateries, and upscale restaurants catering to both local residents and commuters. The area is accessible, safe, and popular for after-work dining and weekend socializing.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Monday12:00–21:30
Tuesday12:00–21:30
Wednesday12:00–21:30
Thursday12:00–21:30
Friday12:00–21:30
Saturday12:00–21:30
Sunday12:00–21:30
Available: Reservations, Delivery, Takeout
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