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BK Seafood Market
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
BK Seafood Market
8.5
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Late Night Legends
Luxury Dining Elite
Tank-to-table Cantonese seafood destination with live Dungeness crabs, king crabs, and lobsters bubbling in front tanks. The upscale dining room features large lazy Susan tables perfect for celebration feasts of deep-fried crispy chicken, XO scallops, and ginger-scallion crab.
Must-Try Dishes:
Typhoon Shelter Dungeness Crab, XO Steamed Scallops, Crispy Half Chicken
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Live tank seafood selection with sophisticated Cantonese preparation
Who should go: Seafood lovers celebrating or hosting large groups
When to visit: Dinner for freshest catches, open until 2am
What to order: Pick your live crab, XO scallops, crispy fried chicken
Insider tip: BYOB friendly—bring good wine to pair with the premium seafood
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 64th St - across from Fei Long Market which has a large lot if you need overflow. Area is notoriously difficult for parking during peak hours
Dress code: No dress code - casual is perfectly fine, though many dress up for celebrations. The upscale vibe rewards slightly dressy attire
Noise level: Lively and festive - large round tables with groups celebrating create a buzzing atmosphere, but high ceilings help absorb sound
Weekend wait: 30-45 min without reservation - call ahead for groups, especially for the private second-floor room
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait typically, walk-ins accommodated easily
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - this is a seafood-focused house, but vegetable dishes like stir-fried greens and tofu options available
Vegan options: Very limited - menu centers on live seafood and meats, vegan guests will struggle
Gluten-free options: Possible with modifications - steamed fish and plain seafood preparations work, but soy sauce is prevalent
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for dates celebrating a milestone than first meetings. The large tables and festive atmosphere are designed for groups - intimate tables exist but aren't the strength here. However, splitting a whole crab and XO scallops is undeniably romantic for the right couple.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunches, yes. Weekend dinners, call ahead - especially for groups of 6+. The restaurant has massive round tables (seating 15-20) with lazy susans, so they manage groups well, but peak hours fill up. Private second-floor room requires advance booking.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy seafood adventures - watching live crabs and lobsters in tanks is entertaining, and family-style sharing works well. High chairs available. The late-night crowd (open until 2am) skews adult, so dinner before 8pm is better for families.
Best For
Better for: Upscale Cantonese banquet experience with tank-to-table freshness, BYOB flexibility to bring premium wine, late-night availability until 2am, and massive lazy Susan tables that handle parties of 15-20 effortlessly
Skip if: You want an intimate date setting, are vegetarian/vegan, prefer dim sum over dinner service, or want a quick casual meal - this is designed for celebratory group feasting at $$$ price points
BK Seafood Market
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
BK Seafood Market is a Cantonese seafood restaurant lined with bubbling tanks where you choose your fish, crab, or lobster and have it cooked to order. The room is built for big round tables and lazy Susans, making it a go-to for family-style feasts and celebratory dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salt-and-pepper Dungeness crab, Steamed whole striped bass with soy, House special lobster over e-fu noodles
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Choose live seafood from tanks for banquet-style Cantonese feasts.
Who should go: Seafood-loving groups planning big shared dinners.
When to visit: Prime weekend dinner hours when the room is buzzing.
What to order: Live crab, steamed whole fish, lobster e-fu noodles.
Insider tip: Ask the server which live seafood is sweetest that day.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby avenues is possible but competitive after 6pm; expect to circle on weekends. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many groups dress a bit nicer for celebrations.
Noise level: Loud and lively — great for group energy, but intimate conversation requires leaning in.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable — vegetable stir-fries, tofu dishes, and noodles without seafood are available.
Vegan options: Very limited — a few vegetable-based dishes can be prepared without egg or oyster sauce by request.
Gluten-free options: Partially — steamed seafood and simple stir-fries can work, but soy sauce is widespread in the kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, energetic first date than a quiet romantic one — the tank action and shared plates create instant conversation, but it’s loud and bustling.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but timing matters — arrive before 6pm on weekends or be prepared for a long wait during peak dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families are common, kids enjoy seeing the live tanks, and there are plenty of simple noodle and rice dishes.
Best For
Better for: Live seafood selection, large-group Cantonese banquets, and celebratory feasts with dramatic presentations.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic seafood dinner or refined fine-dining service — this is about energy and abundance more than elegance.
BK Seafood Market
8.2
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
A modern Cantonese seafood restaurant built around live tanks, lunch specials, and more polished service than most neighborhood spots. It’s well-suited to business lunches that want a step up in presentation, from quick $8.95 lunch plates to shareable seafood and chef’s specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salted duck egg battered Dungeness crab, Crispy chicken with fried garlic, Braised E-Fu noodles with fresh mushrooms
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: From-tank-to-table Cantonese seafood with structured lunch specials.
Who should go: Small teams wanting elevated yet approachable Chinese seafood.
When to visit: Weekday lunch hours for focused service and value pricing.
What to order: Lunch special plates, crispy chicken, salted duck egg crab.
Insider tip: Use the lunch specials to sample multiple dishes for the table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along 64th Street and nearby avenues; generally manageable at lunch but tight after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual — business casual works well, no need for formal attire.
Noise level: Moderate — lively dining room but still easy to hold business conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable stir-fries, tofu dishes, and noodle options available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable-based dishes can be made vegan on request.
Gluten-free options: Partial — steamed seafood, rice-based noodle dishes, and simple stir-fries can be prepared gluten-free with staff guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially for a low-pressure daytime date — the polished room and live tanks feel impressive without being stuffy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? At lunch, almost always. Dinner is more unpredictable, especially on weekends, so calling ahead helps.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families dine here regularly, and familiar dishes like crispy chicken and noodles work well for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Business lunches that want live seafood, polished service, and strong lunch specials without heading into Manhattan or Flushing.
Skip if: You want ultra-traditional dim sum cart service or ultra-high-end banquet-style luxury seafood.