Nai brother LiC: Authentic Chinese Cuisine in Long Island City

Nai brother LiC Introduce

In the expansive and diverse culinary landscape of New York, Long Island City has emerged as a vibrant neighborhood with a growing reputation for exciting food. At the heart of this scene is Nai brother LiC, a Chinese restaurant that offers a truly authentic and unique dining experience. This is not your typical neighborhood takeout spot; it specializes in a specific and beloved style of Chinese cuisine, particularly pickled fish dishes like sauerkraut fish. The menu is a celebration of these flavors, offering a variety of soup bases and fish options that are both comforting and exhilarating. The restaurant prides itself on delivering high-quality dishes with a focus on fresh ingredients and traditional preparation methods. Beyond the food, the atmosphere is a blend of casual and modern, creating a welcoming space for a quick, delicious meal. For anyone in New York looking for an affordable, flavorful, and memorable casual dining experience, Nai brother LiC is a destination worth seeking out. It's a place where the rich culinary traditions of China are brought to life with a modern twist, from the innovative dishes to the surprising use of technology in the service.

Nai brother LiC is conveniently located at 27-17 42nd Rd, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA. This location makes it highly accessible to residents of Long Island City and those coming from other parts of Queens, Manhattan, and beyond. The restaurant is situated in a neighborhood with a high "Walk Score," meaning it's very easy to get to on foot. The area is well-served by public transportation, including several subway lines that connect Long Island City to Manhattan and Brooklyn. The Queensboro Plaza station is a major hub nearby, making it a simple trip from various parts of the city. While there are no explicit details on parking, its location in a densely populated urban area means that public transport is the most popular and convenient option. The restaurant's presence in a bustling and rapidly developing part of Long Island City makes it a great stop for a meal before or after exploring the many new businesses and attractions in the area.

Nai brother LiC offers a range of services designed to provide a convenient and enjoyable dining experience for all its customers.

Dine-In Service: The restaurant provides a casual and cozy setting for guests to enjoy their meals.
Takeout: Customers can place an order for pickup, making it easy to enjoy the food at home or work.
Delivery: Nai brother LiC partners with major delivery platforms like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats, ensuring their food is easily accessible for delivery to your location.
Diverse Menu: The menu features a variety of options beyond their signature pickled fish dishes, including appetizers, cold dishes, and a full menu of bubble tea and other beverages.
Lunch Specials: The restaurant offers a lunch special menu from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM, providing a great value for those seeking a mid-day meal.

The experience at Nai brother LiC is defined by a number of unique features and highlights that set it apart from other Chinese restaurants in the city.

Signature Sauerkraut Fish Dishes: The restaurant's specialty is its pickled fish, with options like the Signature Sauerkraut Fish and the Green Pepper Sauerkraut. Customers highly recommend adding the delicate and sweet snakehead fish.
Robot Servers: A standout and highly popular feature, the restaurant uses a small robot to bring food to the tables, adding a modern and fun element to the dining experience.
Generous Portions and Great Value: A large bowl of their signature fish dish is often enough for two people, and with complimentary white rice, it offers a cheap and satisfying meal.
Extensive Bubble Tea Menu: Beyond their main dishes, the restaurant has a dedicated menu for bubble tea, allowing customers to pair a refreshing drink with their meal.
Customizable Spice Levels: The dishes are available with different heat levels, from no spice to the highest level, though some customers note that even the highest level is not overwhelmingly spicy, making it enjoyable for a wide range of palates.

For more information or to place an order, Nai brother LiC can be reached at the following contact points.

Address: 27-17 42nd Rd, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA

Phone: (516) 744-6828

Choosing Nai brother LiC is a decision to experience a true culinary specialty that is both authentic and innovative. The primary reason to visit is, without a doubt, the food itself. The pickled fish dishes are not just a meal; they are an experience, praised by customers for their delicate flavors and fresh ingredients. The option to choose different types of fish, like the snakehead, adds a premium touch that is worth the extra cost. The portion sizes are another compelling factor. The generous servings ensure that you get great value for your money, making it a perfect spot for a satisfying and affordable casual meal. The inclusion of free white rice with the dishes is a small detail that adds to the overall value. Beyond the food, the atmosphere is a key reason to choose this restaurant. The use of robot servers adds a fun and memorable twist to the dining experience, making it a great story to tell friends. This blend of traditional flavors and modern convenience is a hallmark of the restaurant's approach. The extensive bubble tea menu is also a significant bonus, providing a perfect complement to the savory and sometimes spicy dishes. Overall, Nai brother LiC is a perfect representation of a new wave of Chinese restaurants in New York that focus on a specific, high-quality dish while providing a modern, friendly, and enjoyable dining environment. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking for something beyond the ordinary.

Nai brother LiC Photos

Nai brother LiC Location

Nai brother LiC

New York Queens County Long Island City 42nd Road

27-17 42nd Rd, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA

Nai brother LiC Reviews

Highly recommend the picked fish dish is you had this before. Worth adding the extra for the snakehead fish as it is so delicate and sweet. Oh and dishes comes with white rice.
September 09 · Michael Cen
For around $26, we got a large bowl of sauerkraut fish and two bowls of rice, which were brought to us by a little robot. The bowl was large enough for two people, so the price was very good for the portion. They also have a whole menu for bubble tea, so you can enjoy some with your meal. I got one in case the food was too spicy, but it wasn’t really spicy even at the highest level, especially compared to other similar restaurants in the city. Overall we had a cheap and enjoyable meal that I would be down to return to for casual eats.
June 09 · L.
Despite often passing by and noticing a consistent crowd of noticeably Asian customers, I never felt compelled to dine in. However, a friend's strong recommendation finally led me there, and I am so glad it did; it has since become my go to spot for both dining in and takeout.Upon walking in, you first encounter a somewhat odd bubble tea and grab and go station. However, once you enter the seating area, you discover a spacious, light filled dining space. Its high ceiling and large windows create a very expansive feel. Despite my personal aversion to direct sun, I found its bright atmosphere quite charming.Regarding the food, I have tried several soups: the Signature Sauerkraut, which I liked; the Green Pepper Sauerkraut, which was less memorable; the Sunshine Tomato, which I found too tomato-ey; and the Chili Boil, which offers a great mala kick. While some soups were not standouts, they were all perfectly fine, a matter of personal preference rather than complaint. All of them worked well with fish, though for the Chili Boil, I sometimes add beef along with a side of bean noodles. I have not yet tried the Cold Dishes, which are next on my list. Given the spiciness of many dishes, their bubble station made perfect sense as a cooling dessert.The servers and waiters have consistently been great. Like many authentic Asian restaurants, they avoid the "fake smile" approach, being direct yet efficient in their work. I appreciated their work ethic and professional, no nonsense attitude. The serving robot going around was also a cool touch (see video).A large size, in my experience, could comfortably feed two men or three women, though naturally, portion needs vary. I am always surprised at how affordable the total comes out to.I have not been to the bathroom as I am scared to see it, especially with the spicy foods and bubble tea that are offered here.I will absolutely come back, highly recommend this place, and wish it maintains its success.
July 03 · Won Ko
Chili boil snakehead fish + added bok choy, enoki mushroom.The server could not understand English very well. Thankfully I visited with a Chinese friend who asked questions and ordered for me.The food was okay (the taste was actually good, but there wasn’t a lot of fish inside), but I had some stomach issues while eating half of the food.I usually enjoy and tolerate spicy food pretty well, so it’s probably not because it was too spicy.After reading some of the other reviews, I’m thinking there could be some other issues with the food.
June 01 · NY Lee
Food 10/10Probably one of the few restaurants that I frequent often and have ordered from multiple times, so definitely a rare and hidden gem. Every time, we order the classic sauerkraut fish, and can I just say that both small and large sizes are massive and will fill you right up. I always add in the glass noodles for that extra chew, and some beef slices to round out the fish. The bowl literally has every ingredient you need for a balanced meal, and even though it can be spicy, I fully view this as a healthy and balanced meal that is reminiscent of home.Atmosphere 9/10Plenty of seating inside, and the coolest part is they have these robots that will bring the bowls out to you. There’s a lot of natural sunlight, and the tables aren’t situated too close to each other.Service 9/10Good service, efficient, and I like the way their menu is set up.
December 23 · Victoria G