Wa Jeal

4.7

353 Reviews

$30 and under

Chinese

Make a booking

2 people

17 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 3 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Charming
Good for groups

Wa Jeal Sichuan Chili House is a pioneering Asian restaurant on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, serving authentic Sichuan food. Wa Jeal is a new type of Chinese restaurant that you definitely don't want to miss.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Chinese
Hours of Operation
Dinner Daily 11:30 am–10:30 pm
Phone number
(212) 396-3339
Website
http://www.wajealrestaurant.com/
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
1588 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10028
Area
Upper East Side
Parking details
None

Hand Shredded ChickenUS$12.95
w/ Spicy Sesame Dressing
OX Tongue & TripeUS$13.95
w/Roasted Chili-Peanut Dressing
Sliced ConchUS$16.95
w/ Roasted Chili Dressing
Stuffed Pork BellyUS$13.95
w/Cucumber in Chili Garlic-Soy
Poached Tender BeefUS$13.95
w/Five Spiced
Sliced Beef TendonUS$12.95
w/ Roasted Chili Dressing
Poached White Meat ChickenUS$12.95
w/ Chili Sesame Soy
Herbed Spring Bamboo ShootsUS$11.95
Stuffed Tofu CrepeUS$12.95
w/ Shiitake & Bamboo Shoots
Cucumber SaladUS$9.95
w/Spicy Dipping Sauce
Chef 's Sichuan PickleUS$7.95
Spicy Mung bean Jell-O SaladUS$8.95
Spicy Sesame NoodlesUS$7.95
Veggie Trio SaladUS$11.95
Spring Bamboo, Mushroom & Celery
Diced Rabbit & PeanutUS$12.95
W/Chili Garlic Black Bean Sauce
Jelly FishUS$12.95
W/ Special Spices
Poached Sea ScallopsUS$16.95
W/Ginger Dressing
Baby ShrimpUS$14.95
W/Scallion Pesto

Hot Appetizers

Veggie Spring Roll (2)US$4.95
Dan Dan NoodlesUS$7.95
w/ Chili-Minced Pork
Steamed Shrimp Dumpling (6)US$9.95
Scallion Pan Cakes (8)US$7.95
Pan Seared Pork Dumpling (6)US$8.95
Steamed Veggie Dumpling (6)US$9.95
Shrimp Toast (4)US$10.95
Sichuan Pork Dumpling (4)US$9.95
w/ Chili-Garlic Soy
Honey Glazed Spare Ribs (4)US$10.95
Steamed Mini Pork Buns (6)US$10.95
Fried CalamariUS$13.95
w/Hua Jiao-Spiced Salt
Lettuce Wrap (4)US$12.95
w/ Minced Chicken, Pine Nuts & Veggies

Soups

Crab Meat Asparagus Bisque
- For TwoUS$13.95
Fish Maw ChowderUS$13.95
Fish Filets
w/ Pickled Mustard Green In Broth
- For TwoUS$13.95
Seafood Tofu Bisque
- For TwoUS$12.95
West Lake Beef Chowder
- For TwoUS$12.95
Shredded Chicken
w/Spinach
- For TwoUS$11.95
Sea Food Hot & Sour
- For TwoUS$15.95
Chengdu Wonton In Broth (8)US$7.95
Assorted Fresh Mushroom In Supreme Broth
- For TwoUS$13.95
Hot & Sour SoupUS$4.50
Mixed Vegetables & Tofu
- For TwoUS$11.95
Mixed Vegetables In BrothUS$5.50
Corn Egg Drop SoupUS$4.50

Chef's Menu

Wa Jeal's Special Hot Pot
- For twoUS$58.95
Peking DuckUS$38.95
Braised Whole FishUS$26.95
w Sichuan Chili Miso Sauce
Crispy Whole FishUS$26.95
w Pine nuts Sauce
Stir Fried PrawnsUS$23.95
w/Spiced Chili Cucumber
Wok Seared Filet MignonUS$24.95
w/ Mushroom & Spinach
Fried Prawns (On Shell)US$23.95
w/ Sichuan Pepper Spiced Salt
Camphur Tea Smoked Duck
- HalfUS$21.95
Shredded Camphur Tea Smoked DuckUS$21.95
w/ Spring Ginger
Braised Whole FishUS$26.95
w/ Chili & Thousand Garlic
Braised Whole FishUS$26.95
w/ Pickled Mustard Greens
Chef ' s Ma Paul Diced Fish & Crispy TofuUS$21.95
Braised Fish FiletsUS$24.95
w/ Napa Cabbage & Roasted Chili
Crispy Fish FiletsUS$24.95
w/ Home Style Chili
Double Cooked Streaky PorkUS$17.95
w/ Spicy Capsicum & Leeks
Stir Fried Streaky PorkUS$17.95
w/ Spicy Capsicum & Leeks
Braised Beef FiletsUS$21.95
w/ Napa Cabbage & Roasted Chili
Stir Fried Lamb RibsUS$27.95
w/ Chili & Cumin
Stir Fried Diced FishUS$21.95
w/ Roasted Chili Peanuts
Braised Crispy TofuUS$15.95
w/ Chili-Sliced Pork
Chef 's Ma Paul TofuUS$14.95
w/ Chili-Minced Beef
Braised Cellophane NoodlesUS$13.95
w/ Chili-Minced Beef
Steamed Chilean Sea BassUS$36.95
w/Home Style Sauce
Beef FiletsUS$20.95
w/ Roasted Chili-Cumin
Braised Roasted DuckUS$22.95
w/Yam Cakes
Wok Roasted Chili PrawnsUS$24.95
Stir Fried Assorted Fresh MushroomsUS$17.95
w/Hua Jiao Spice
Stir Fried Lamb FiletsUS$22.95
w/ Hua Jiao Spice
Smoked Wok Tossed FrogsUS$28.95
w/Roasted Chili-Asian Celery
Wok Roasted Chili, Chili Fish FiletsUS$26.95
Stir Fried Shredded BeefUS$21.95
w/Hua Jiao & Chili
Wok Roasted Diced ChickenUS$18.95
w/Thousand Chili
Shredded BeefUS$19.95
w/ Spicy Green Chili & Bamboo Shoot
Wok Roasted ChickenUS$17.95
w/ Spiced Miso & Roasted Chili
Stir Fried Shredded PorkUS$20.95
w/Dried Tofu Yellow Chives

Seafood

Sauté Baby ShrimpsUS$18.95
w/ Green Peas & Carat
Sauté Baby ShrimpsUS$18.95
w/ Sichuan Chili Sauce
Dry Sautéed Baby ShrimpUS$19.95
w/Sichuan Pepper
Fried Sea ScallopsUS$21.95
w/ Pepper Spiced Salt
Sauté Sea ScallopsUS$21.95
w/ Spicy Garlic Sauce
Sea ScallopsUS$21.95
w/ Black Peppercorn Sauce
Steamed Whole FishUS$26.95
w/ Ginger & Scallions
Sweet & Pungent Crispy Fish FiletsUS$25.95
Prawns & VegetableUS$24.95
w/ Toasted Rice In Sizzling Platter
Crispy Tangerine PrawnsUS$23.95
Sautéed PrawnsUS$23.95
w/ Light Sweet Citrus Sauce
Garand Marnier PrawnsUS$24.95
Sesame PrawnsUS$23.95
Sautéed PrawnsUS$23.95
w/ Spicy Garlic Sauce
Sautéed PrawnsUS$23.95
w/ Roasted Chili & Peanut (Kung Pao)

Poultry

General Tso' s ChickenUS$16.95
Tangerine ChickenUS$16.95
Crispy White meat ChickenUS$17.95
w/Citrus Lemon Sauce
Sweet & Pungent White Meat ChickenUS$17.95
Sautéed Shredded White Meat Chicken & Bell PeppersUS$16.95
Sautéed Sliced White Meat ChickenUS$17.95
w/Asparagus
Sautéed White Meat Chicken & Mix VeggieUS$16.95
w/Spicy Hunan Sauce
Shredded White Meat ChickenUS$16.95
w/Spicy Garlic Sauce
Sautéed White Meat ChickenUS$16.95
w/ Roasted Chili & Peanut (Kung Pao)
Sautéed White Meat ChickenUS$16.95
w/ Cashew Nuts & Bell Peppers
Crispy ChickenUS$16.95
w/Spicy Garlic Sauce

Meats

Tangerine BeefUS$19.95
Beef Filets & Toasted Rice In Sizzling Platter (Wah Bar)US$20.95
Sautéed Beef FiletsUS$18.95
w/ Spring Onion
Sautéed Beef FiletsUS$18.95
w/ Shiitake & Bamboo Shoot
Pepper SteakUS$18.95
Sautéed Beef FiletsUS$18.95
w/ String Beans
Shredded BeefUS$18.95
w/ Spiced Dried Tofu & Asian Chili
Sautéed Beef FiletUS$18.95
w/ Mixed Vegetables
Shredded PorkUS$18.95
w/ Beijing Plum Sauce
Shredded PorkUS$15.95
w/ Spiced Dried Tofu & Chili
Shredded PorkUS$15.95
w/ Spicy Garlic Sauce
Moo Shu PorkUS$15.95
w/Crepes & Plum Sauce
Crispy Shredded BeefUS$19.95
w/Sesame Sweet & Sour Sauce

Vegetables

Stir Fried Snow Pea ShootsUS$19.95
Braised ShiitakeUS$15.95
w/ Baby Bok Choy
Stir Fried Julienne PotatoUS$14.95
w/Asian Chili
Sauté Sponge CucumberUS$14.95
General Tso' s TofuUS$14.95
Baby EggplantUS$14.95
w/ Spicy Garlic Sauce
Sauté SpinachUS$14.95
w/ Garlic
Fried Lotus RootsUS$15.95
w/ Pepper Spiced Salt
Sauté String Beans & Bamboo ShootsUS$15.95
w/ Minced Beef
Sauté Baby Bok ChoyUS$14.95
Sauté String BeansUS$14.95
w/Minced Beef

Rice and Noodles

House Special Fried RiceUS$14.95
Diced Cured Pork, Onion, Scallion & Egg
Young Chow Fried RiceUS$14.95
Shrimp, Chicken, Pork, Eggs & Vegetable
Singapore Rice NoodlesUS$14.95
w/Curry Sauce Shrimp, Chicken, Pork, Eggs & Vegetable
Pan Seared NoodleUS$14.95
w/ Choice of Chicken, Pork or Vegetable
Rice FettuccineUS$13.95
w/ Choice of Chicken, Pork or Vegetable
Rice Angel HairUS$13.95
w/ Choice of Chicken, Pork or Vegetable
Soft NoodlesUS$13.95
w/ Choice of Chicken, Pork or Vegetable
Fried RiceUS$13.95
w/ Choice of Pork, Chicken, or Vegetable
Brisket Of BeefUS$13.95
w/ Noodles In Soup

Light Cuisine

The Following Dishes are Steamed in a Bamboo Steamer. Served with Natural Brown Rice, Your Choice of Spicy Garlic Sauce, Brown Sauce or House Special Sauce on The side.

Prawns & Mixed Seasonal VegetablesUS$23.95
Sliced White Meat Chicken & Mixed VegetablesUS$17.95
Spinach & Soft TofuUS$14.95
Mixed Seasonal VegetablesUS$14.95
Broccoli SpearsUS$14.95
Sea Scallops & VegetablesUS$22.95
Sliced Chicken Breast & SpinachUS$16.95

What 353 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.4Service
4.4Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

New York City
Chinese
Manhattan
Chinese

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Wa Jeal offers "some of the finest Chinese food" on the Upper East Side, with standout spicy pork dumplings and Szechuan dishes. The cozy, charming atmosphere and expansive menu are complemented by "wonderful service." While busy, it maintains high food quality and offers excellent value with reasonable prices.

353 Reviews

D
Donna
Fort Lauderdale
101 reviews
5.0
101 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Highly rated restaurant caught my eye, very close to subway and The Guggenheim. Walked over for lunch and loved every minute of this meal. Dee took great care of us. We enjoyed delicious soups, pork dumplings, and two lunch entree portions with brown rice. We had General Tsos chicken and Beef with Scallions. It was so affordable and delicious in a quaint, friendly setting. Trying to figure out how to get back there during this trip. It was delicious.
Is this helpful?
B
Bridgette
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 8 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love coming here when people are out of town! The food is always the best, especially the crispy shredded beef
Is this helpful?
A
Andrew
Rhode Island
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 25 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Very impressed with the quality of the food and an excellent value for the upper east side especially. Spicy pork dumplings in peanut sauce excellent. Fresh ingredients in the moo shu.
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
VIP
New York City
114 reviews
5.0
114 reviews
Dined on 18 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
We would give this six stars if we could. This is some of the finest chinese food we've ever had in NYC. A nice cozy room, a very expansive menu. Service was terrific. It was like eating in someone's home where they really wanted you to be happy with everything.
Is this helpful?
J
Jodi
New York City
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 12 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Always busy for good reason. Wonderful service and very good food
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D
Dr. Lawrence
VIP
New York City
121 reviews
4.0
121 reviews
Dined on 12 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Food and beverage very good. Waited quite a while for someone to take our drink order but once they arrived they were excellent.
Is this helpful?
m
marc
New York City
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on 4 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
The food remains high quality and delicious. The service was a little “non-anticipatory” of common needs but the waiter eventually brought everything needed once specifically asked.
Is this helpful?
W
William
New York City
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on 2 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
A small, charming place with very pleasant service and great Szechuan food. When we went it was also very quiet, which we appreciated.
Is this helpful?
P
Paula
New York City
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 1 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Food is very tasty. Have been a few times and have not been disappointed. Can get noisy. Good to go off hours. Very pleasant people.
Is this helpful?
J
Joy
New York City
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on 29 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
This is our favorite Chinese place on the Upper East Side. Never disappoints.
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FAQs

Wa Jeal does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates.

Wa Jeal is rated 4.7 stars by 353 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

17 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

1588 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10028

Additional information

Area
Upper East Side
Hours of Operation
Dinner Daily 11:30 am–10:30 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Chinese
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None

Website
http://www.wajealrestaurant.com/
Phone number
(212) 396-3339

Wa Jeal

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Cold Appetizers

Hand Shredded ChickenUS$12.95

OX Tongue & TripeUS$13.95

Sliced ConchUS$16.95

Stuffed Pork BellyUS$13.95

Poached Tender BeefUS$13.95

Sliced Beef TendonUS$12.95

Poached White Meat ChickenUS$12.95

Herbed Spring Bamboo ShootsUS$11.95

Stuffed Tofu CrepeUS$12.95

Cucumber SaladUS$9.95

Chef 's Sichuan PickleUS$7.95

Spicy Mung bean Jell-O SaladUS$8.95

Spicy Sesame NoodlesUS$7.95

Veggie Trio SaladUS$11.95

Diced Rabbit & PeanutUS$12.95

Jelly FishUS$12.95

Poached Sea ScallopsUS$16.95

Baby ShrimpUS$14.95

Hot Appetizers

Veggie Spring Roll (2)US$4.95

Dan Dan NoodlesUS$7.95

Steamed Shrimp Dumpling (6)US$9.95

Scallion Pan Cakes (8)US$7.95

Pan Seared Pork Dumpling (6)US$8.95

Steamed Veggie Dumpling (6)US$9.95

Shrimp Toast (4)US$10.95

Sichuan Pork Dumpling (4)US$9.95

Honey Glazed Spare Ribs (4)US$10.95

Steamed Mini Pork Buns (6)US$10.95

Fried CalamariUS$13.95

Lettuce Wrap (4)US$12.95

Soups

Crab Meat Asparagus Bisque

Fish Maw ChowderUS$13.95

Fish Filets

Seafood Tofu Bisque

West Lake Beef Chowder

Shredded Chicken

Sea Food Hot & Sour

Chengdu Wonton In Broth (8)US$7.95

Assorted Fresh Mushroom In Supreme Broth

Hot & Sour SoupUS$4.50

Mixed Vegetables & Tofu

Mixed Vegetables In BrothUS$5.50

Corn Egg Drop SoupUS$4.50

Chef's Menu

Wa Jeal's Special Hot Pot

Peking DuckUS$38.95

Braised Whole FishUS$26.95

Crispy Whole FishUS$26.95

Stir Fried PrawnsUS$23.95

Wok Seared Filet MignonUS$24.95

Fried Prawns (On Shell)US$23.95

Camphur Tea Smoked Duck

Shredded Camphur Tea Smoked DuckUS$21.95

Braised Whole FishUS$26.95

Braised Whole FishUS$26.95

Chef ' s Ma Paul Diced Fish & Crispy TofuUS$21.95

Braised Fish FiletsUS$24.95

Crispy Fish FiletsUS$24.95

Double Cooked Streaky PorkUS$17.95

Stir Fried Streaky PorkUS$17.95

Braised Beef FiletsUS$21.95

Stir Fried Lamb RibsUS$27.95

Stir Fried Diced FishUS$21.95

Braised Crispy TofuUS$15.95

Chef 's Ma Paul TofuUS$14.95

Braised Cellophane NoodlesUS$13.95

Steamed Chilean Sea BassUS$36.95

Beef FiletsUS$20.95

Braised Roasted DuckUS$22.95

Wok Roasted Chili PrawnsUS$24.95

Stir Fried Assorted Fresh MushroomsUS$17.95

Stir Fried Lamb FiletsUS$22.95

Smoked Wok Tossed FrogsUS$28.95