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    Cafe Lily

    4.2 (87 reviews)
    ModerateRussian, Korean, Uzbek
    Closed • 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago
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    Business Info

    CAFE LILY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Lily

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    Begonia Korean Fern Salad, Steamed Bun with Meat and Cabbage, Cold noodles with meat
    Michelle C.

    A charming little mom-and-pop café with a warm, cozy atmosphere. When I first walked in, I was greeted by a large celebration gathering with an impressive spread of dishes across their table. My friends and I specifically came to try the fern salad, cold noodles, and plov. We were also hoping to sample the dumplings and Korean blood sausages, but unfortunately, they were either sold out or unavailable at the time. It was a bit disappointing, but given how busy the café was when we arrived, it was understandable. Out of everything we tried, the cold noodles were definitely the standout dish. The plov and fern salad were close contenders. While the flavors were on the milder side, they were especially enjoyable and refreshing considering how hot it was that day. The homemade fruit punch was also incredibly refreshing and complemented the meal perfectly.

    Bread basket with butter they give u - delish
    Sandra S.

    I regret not coming here earlier as I pass by this place so many times! I came here with a friend & we both finally got to try this rare Korean Uzbek place. We ordered to share: 1) Kuksi, 2) Fern w/ Meat, 3) Lyulya, 4) Pigodya. Kuksi - cold noodle soup w/ shredded carrots + egg pieces, beef pieces and vegetable. This was definitely a uzbek korean dish. It looked like a korean cold noodle but it wasn't. Taste & things on it was different. The broth was light, sour and refreshing. The beef pieces was my least favorite - it was a bit hard to chew. It was interesting, but not my most favorite. I still prefer the korean cold noodles more. Fern w/ meat - This item was our most favorite & it was very unique. We both have never had fern or a dish like this. The fern was so crunchy and chewy in a good way. The meat gave the flavoring to the fern, however, it was a bit too salty. The spice was ok. Lyulya - ground beef & lamb shish kebab. It was very meaty and delicious. I liked it eaten w/ the bread they give you & some fern in it. Pigodya - steamed beef bun - this reminded me of the chinese steamed meat buns. It was so fluffy & delicious. The special sauce they give you was very interesting - it tasted like satay, soy sauce & had a little spice in it. They give you a basket of breads w/ butter & they were delicious. Service was excellent. Tons of seating inside. We were the 1st ones in & within 45 minutes it was almost full on a Saturday evening. P.S - They accept cash or credit card. If you pay w/ credit card, they charge an extra fee (I think it was 4%). Highly recommend to use cash!

    JiHae L.

    My friends wanted to check out Café Lily after seeing it on IG, so I tagged along. Heads up the street parking is tough to find. You don't need reservations though, since there was plenty of seating on a Friday night. The service was honestly horrible. When we asked for bowls, they gave us ones that were still wet like they had just been rinsed and not dried. Prices weren't too bad, but the food was a mix of Korean and Uzbek cuisine and most of it was disappointing. We got the dumplings, and when we asked about the meat, the staff guessed it was just beef, but it was actually beef and lamb. My friend noticed right away since it tasted gamey. Employees should really know what's in the dishes they're serving (and maybe even taste them). The rest of the food was subpar, and to top it off, they told us five minutes before closing that they were done for the night and started clearing the table while my friends were still eating. Definitely not the best experience.

    Namesake
    Karen Y.

    Must have passed Cafe Lily more times than I can remember... and finally went for lunch, Solo and then w/ a friend. A Uzbek restaurant, mix of Russian and Korean fusion cooking... I used to live near another spot that served up really delicious Uzbek food on 19th Avenue & 86th St (I love their fern salad!!) Situated on a quiet street with a mish-mosh of shops, and tinted windows, can seem uninviting... and staff could be a bit slow with service, so if you're in a rush, come when you have time to enjoy the meal. My first meal was of course to try their version of "cold noodle"... similar to the Korean style cold noodle but not made with buckwheat noodles. Here, they serve it with white noodles and tops with veggies and beef. The soup was not icy cold but also vinegary. It was good but I prefer the Korean style naeng-myeon which offers more chew & texture. My 2nd meal, had to try my other fav - Yuk Kae Jang; but here they call it Yu-KajJan. Now this one is interesting, the soup comes out bland... and you mix in the aromatics to your taste and eat over a bowl of rice. I actually enjoyed this a lot and would recommend this! My friend got their crispy potatoes & mushroom, it was ok. Nothing special. Also tried their meat manty - didn't like this, the skin was dry and tough to eat, the meat was a little gamey - perhaps bc it's lamb. Not my kind of dumplings! Also got their fern salad and the sauce, OMO delish! Soak it up with the toasted bread and your belly will thank you! The price is ok, not too crazy but also not an everyday lunch outing. Overall would come back for the Yu-KajJan & Fern salad.

    Fried Salmon
    Jaida F.

    I went with a friend to try out this Korean-Uzbekistanian spot in Brooklyn based off of a TikTok that emphasized that the food itself is not a fusion but the food of a "dying culture." As someone who loves to eat, I know that culture is preserved in the food. So I just had to check it out with my friend before they left NYC for the next few months. Highlights below! ---- Wait staff was super attentive and friendly Service was fast and very considerate Very patient with us as new comers Friend's meal- Pigodya ---- Good portions Came with a spicy sauce: a little salty but very good! The meat is very tender The cabbage has a good flavor and very well seasoned The dumpling dough itself was very airy Vegetable/beef broth Super juicy but not too liquidy Needed some acidity like some soy sauce or something vinegary My meal ---- Fried salmon I do wish I had more greens The salmon was very good! I do wish it was a little more tender but I love the way it was fried, perfectly crispy ---- We also shared some of their homemade compote which was super fresh and refreshingly sweet! If you're in the neighborhood you definitely should give them a try

    Plov
    Sarah A.

    Came here as a party of 3. We ordered the plov, cold noodles, fern salad, and a pitcher of their homemade fruit punch. They also provided a basket of yummy bread for the table. It was very soft and I ended up dipping the bread in the fern salad sauce. The fruit punch was not overly sweet and it was refreshing although I am not sure what fruits they used. It was my first time trying fern salad and I actually really enjoyed it. But my favorite dish was definitely the cold noodles. I would definitely order it again next time and try other dishes as well. The plov was good too, but way too little meat compared to the amount of rice they give. And some pieces of the meat were less tender than others. They had plenty of seating when we came on a Friday afternoon around 2pm. And the staff was so friendly.

    Kuksi - cold noodle soup
    Anna S.

    This place is such a hidden gem! Uzbek + Korean fusion... I only discovered it after seeing an Instagram reel advertising this place. I think since then it blew up because when I visited the staffs were definitely overwhelmed by the traffic coming to the restaurant. They had to turn down many groups - so just be aware that they might be busy but if you don't mind waiting they will still accommodate you. We got the Korean salad sampler, Korean fern salad (amazing!), and kuksi. We had ordered manti and shurpa but they messed up and forgot our order - which actually turned out for the better because we were so fully already as they are very generous with their portion size. The meal also comes with complimentary bread and butter. The highlight was the Korean fern salad. It was served warm and seasoned so nicely with garlic sauce. I was dipping the bread in this sauce! Their menu is very extensive. The staffs are so friendly and I could tell they were overwhelm but still trying their best to accommodate everyone. I can't wait to come back again and try out all the other items on their menu.

    Annie N.

    Came here yesterday with my friend for lunch. We came around 2pm and it was empty besides 1 other table. The younger waitress was so sweet, she remembered my friend who came the week before and also gave good recommendations. It was me and two other girls and we shared the plov, fern salad and the cold noodles. I think my favorite was the plov and the cold noodle, I found the fern salad a little too salty imo and the carrot salad bland. We also go the campote to share which was nice, I liked that it was not overly sweet. The guy (owner) there was really friendly also, he was explaining to us that with credit card there would be extra fees and recommended cash instead for a slight discount

    Kuksi / -

    It was so lovely being at cafe lily! The food is cheap and delicious. You must try the self serve chill sauce! It's so unique and tangy. Although the service is somewhat slow and can be awkward if there's a language barrier between the sever, it is still very nice! The lady who severed me was very nice and sweet. Would definitely love to come here again sometime soon :)

    Kimchi, carrot salad, and cucumber salad
    Hannah Q.

    The plov. You must get the plov. The fried tofu was also devine. 10/10 service, our server made the best recommendations and everything was plated perfectly. My previous neighbors were immigrants from uzbekistan and used to cook for my family; this dinner took me right back to their home.

    Kim-chee /  Korean Carrot Salad /     Assorted Korean Salads /
    August Q.

    Just yes. Guys this place is so underrated. Pllleeaaaseee go give our girl Lily some loovvee. The Plov will change your LIFE. Hospitality was amazing too everyone is soo sweet and there was car video games on the tv which was honestly very fun. 100/10 experience, food, and service.

    Tofu with Vegetables in a Spicy Sauce
    Maggie B.

    I came here with a group of 5. One member of our party arrived early. They showed her to the patio and gave her bottled water while she waited, which was very kind. We sat in the back patio on a raised platform table with seating on the floor. The table had cushions all around it, as well as carpeting, so it was comfortable to sit. The patio was lovely with faux greenery and flowers adorning the walls and a wooden ceiling. It felt like an oasis. To eat, we shared the korean salad platter. It included carrots, cabbage, and eggplant in a kim chi style. All the vegetables were pickled, but they were well seasoned and tasty. For my main, I had the tofu with spicy sauce. I enjoyed this dish. The tofu was a perfect, firm texture. It was accompanied by peppers and onions. The sauce was flavorful and slightly sweet with a subtle spicy kick. They also provided warm bread and butter for the table. My friends got several of the meat dishes and loved everything. We also got the compote punch. It was fruity, but quite sweet. Similar to a classic fruit punch, but I wouldn't order it again. Our waitress was gracious and welcoming. A lovely restaurant to visit for a very authentic meal.

    Waheda I.

    This place was under renovations when I went. Grateful they fed me regardless as I hadn't eaten all day and it was super late. Food was delicious and prompt. I paid through Venmo. Service was prompt. I liked the spot and hope to return again when renovations are completed.

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    7 years ago

    Love this place! The food is delicious, and the owner, Lily, is very sweet and warm. I highly recommend this place!

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    The interior needed renovation! But the Korean food was very delicious and owners are very friendly. Thanks for keeping family traditions.

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    6 years ago

    Yummy food. The owner was very nice and friendly. My family and I always get pigodis from there it's so yummy

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    9 years ago

    Amazing food. I like this place. I ordered beef dumplings , assorted salad and kebab. Everything was great. Thank you!

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    11 years ago

    An interesting cuisine and charming staff. You will never again taste Korean-Uzbek-Russian food like this if you do not go to Uzbekistan.

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Cafe Lily

    Is the meat served halal?

    Based on this article in the New York Times there maybe some food items that are halal. I think the place is worth a try. Worst case scenario seafood items. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/dining/cafe-lily-review-bensonhurst-korean-uzbek.html

    Is the meat served halal, kosher or regular?

    Based on this article in the New York Times there maybe some food items that are halal. I think the place is worth a try. Worst case scenario seafood items. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/dining/cafe-lily-review-bensonhurst-korean-uzbek.html

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    People searched for Russian 1,211 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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    Tandir Rokhat - Eggplant Salad

    Tandir Rokhat

    4.4(36 reviews)
    1.8 mi•Brighton Beach, Gravesend

    Decent take out place with delicious tandoori samsa…read more In March 2025 I stopped by Tandir Rokhat to buy some food for home and to taste a few items for review. The place is small, with a primitive interior, cheap utensils, and paper plates. It has a food smell that soaks into clothes if you choose to dine in. IMO, Tandir Rokhat should be considered as a takeout only. The food left mixed impressions with some dishes being excellent but others - far from so. Overall, I may recommend Tandir Rokhat as a takeout place for excellent tandir samsa, manti, baklava, and perhaps lulya kebab. Food ordered Samsa Tandoori - delicious! Tasted great and fresh, plenty of meat and flavor. Belyash - it was pretty good. I wish it was made right on order rather than reheated but it was still good. Manti - excellent! Juicy, thin dough, flavor tasty filling. These are huge! Pumpkin Samsa - pass on this. Under salted and lacking flavor. Lulya Kebab with Potatoes - very good, flavorful, but somewhat over salted. Side of roasted potatoes with caramelized onions was excellent. Chicken Kebab - tasteless :( Pass on this. Kimchi Salad - ok Carrot Salad (morkovcha) - too much vinegar and too little flavor. Eggplant Salad - ok. This just a mix of roasted eggplants with the "carrot salad" + few roasted peppers. Baklava - perfect! Fresh, soft, how it should be! Fatir with Butter - good!

    Good good Nice…read morestuff Good careful packing of food. Fair prices All payment forms accepted Fresh baked

    Photos
    Tandir Rokhat - Inside

    Inside

    Tandir Rokhat - Kimchi Salad

    Kimchi Salad

    Tandir Rokhat - Outside

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    Outside

    Taste of Samarkand - Our unique decor takes customers into the rich Uzbek culture and enriches the dining experience

    Taste of Samarkand

    4.3(232 reviews)
    10.0 mi•Middle Village
    •$$

    Best lamb kebabs in NYC. authentic taste. The lamb is sooo…read moretender and juicy. And the samsa is crispy but super juicy inside. also hand pulled noodle soup & the grilled vegetables are must try. Everytime I come here the food quality is great and well maintained.

    This review is a bit overdue, as I planned to write it a while ago but forgot. Opps, but here…read moregoes... Did I stumble here by chance? Absolutely not. I was brought here by my friend (and her family) as she recommended the place, and she came pretty often. I would say that my friend sometimes has interesting taste, but so far her recommendations have been really solid. Since my friend brought me here, I just took whatever she recommended, as she took command of all ordering. This was great for me, since I opened the menu and was like... wow, I don't even know what is good. So I just sat back and *attempted* to listen to what was going on. We ended up getting hot tea with lemon, beef skirt kebab, lamb kebab, samsa, cheburek with meat, and a few other things I'm not quite sure about. She just ordered, and honestly, I just ate everything she threw at me. The samsas were delicious! They were super flaky, and the meat was well seasoned and super juicy. The samsa were also quite hefty, they fill you up if you eat too many. It reminded me of the homemade ones my friend used to give me. Next up, the cheburek with meat. This was a first for me, and my friend said it was a must get. She was completely right... we ended up getting a 2nd order of this. It was super light, compared to everything else we ordered, as it is only filled with a bit of meat. The dough is fried to perfection, it was a bit crispy, soft, and didn't feel oily. It came with what I assume is a tomato sauce, which pairs well with it. We also got a few of the beef and lamb kebabs, and they were also delicious. The beef tasted better than the lamb, but my friend says that is just depends on the day. So I guess it depends on who is cooking that day? But the beef was super juicy, and it was well seasoned. The lamb was also good, but it just wasn't as yummy as the beef skirt. Overall, I really like everything here and I look forward to my next trip back to NY.

    Photos
    Taste of Samarkand
    Taste of Samarkand
    Taste of Samarkand

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    Gulchatay Restaurant - The best Shish kebab

    Gulchatay Restaurant

    4.1(48 reviews)
    1.8 mi•Sheepshead Bay, Midwood

    Came here for her birthday, left here with a happy stomach. We started off with some cold…read moreappetizers first we got the raw fish and it was really good really fresh. Then we got some salads. One of them was a chicken salad and the chicken was really good and the dressing was also really nice prepared really well together and we also got a Greek salad which was just a classic standard salad. They also have avocado bruschetta which was also really good. The avocado was nice and ripe. We also got samsa and it was really good. The dough was nice and flaky and crispy and on the inside the meat was really nice and juicy. It was my favorite, but it was definitely still good. For the main, we got a huge mixed grill platter that came with a bunch of different meats like chicken, shish kebab and lamb kebab and it was so good. The meat was really nice and juicy and flavorful and it was cooked really well and all of this also came with a side of chips which were a great pairing and a little bit of a different twist compared to regular french fries. The kompot was great it was nice and sweet and flavorful. The service was nice the waiters were really attentive. The ambiance was just a classic Russian/uzbek restaurant. For birthdays they play a nice funny happy birthday song. Overall, it's a nice, heartwarming experience.

    I've never seen such disorder from a restaurant. Shish kabob was raw inside but burnt outside. Too…read moremuch salt. Everything took forever to arrive, and it wasn't worth the wait. Waiter was rude and never apologized for the delay and the raw burnt over priced food. Then there was a loud argument because the delivery guy was waiting about 30 minutes after being told that it'll be ready in 5 minutes. No respect for someone's time and job. I hate when people are trying to do their jobs and someone sabotages them. Apparently it's not the 1st time. And hungry people at home are also getting bad service and long wait. Overall, it put stress on everyone. Ruined many people's evening. I regret not leaving earlier and gone somewhere else. I feel like they were giving good service and respect to their countrymen in the restaurant, but not to people of other nationalities and races. Do they deliberately sabotage food and timing because they don't want us to return?! Are they deliberately delaying the delivery orders to get delivery guy to lose his job? It' seems to be happening a lot from the Uzbek halal restaurants. Too much of a coincidence. Will not recommend them to anyone. I wonder if the owner cares about losses in revenues or he's a bigot. Very disappointing.

    Photos
    Gulchatay Restaurant - Fresh baked bread

    Fresh baked bread

    Gulchatay Restaurant - Shish kebab

    Shish kebab

    Gulchatay Restaurant - Meat lovers

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    Meat lovers

    Cafe Lily - russian - Updated October 2026

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