The Happy Crane

B Benjamin Harms 81 reviews · Local Guide 11 July 2026

Easy 5 stars. Early shoutout to the hostess who got us a table when I’d accidentally booked a bar seat for 4. Almost every dish was memorable. Silken tofu was so tasty (would get 10/10 times), firecracker shrimp a true highlight and amazing combo of flavors, scallop dumplings delicious, the maitake cheung fun might’ve been my favorite bite of the night, the pork jowl might’ve also been my favorite bite. The lobster noodles was surprisingly probably my least favorite thing (thought the sauce just overpowered), but it was still tasty.

S Stephanie Kua 77 reviews · Local Guide July 2026

If you go to The Happy Crane for one thing, make it the Peking duck — it's the star of the meal, hands down. The lacquered skin arrives shattering-crisp and mahogany-dark, sliced into neat squares that crackle the second you bite in, with just enough rendered fat clinging underneath to keep it rich without being greasy. The meat itself is tender and well-seasoned on its own, so even the slices without much skin still hold their own. What really elevates it is the spread that comes with it: paper-thin house-made wrappers, a rich hoisin-style sauce, and a beautiful spread of julienned scallion and cucumber alongside jewel-toned pickled plum wedges for a tart, palate-cleansing contrast. Building your own wraps at the table turns it into an interactive, genuinely fun course rather than just a plate of meat. I'd actually met Chef James previously at a collaboration dinner at Nisei with Chef David Yoshimura, so I was curious to see his cooking in his own space — and this meal did not disappoint. His hand is precise and confident across the board. We rounded out the meal with several other dishes, all well executed: Beef shin & celery root — deeply savory, glazed and fragrant with herbs, comfort food elevated Firecracker shrimp — whole prawns with a crackly, herb-flecked shell, a fun and messy start to the meal Maine sea scallop dumpling — delicate steamed wrappers crowned with glistening ikura, elegant and briny Crispy maitake cheung fun — silky rice noodle rolls with crisp mushroom and chili crunch, a great textural contrast Chasiu iberico pork jowl — awesome. Tender, fatty, char-kissed pork under crisp apple and fennel, one of the standout bites of the night Every dish showed real technique and thoughtful plating, and the staff matched that quality — warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly throughout the meal, which made the whole evening feel even more special. But it's the duck that will bring me back — it's easily some of the best I've had in the city, and worth the trip on its own. Perfect for a special dinner or anytime you want to treat yourself to a proper duck course done right. Highly recommend requesting the duck in advance if they offer it, as it's clearly the kitchen's showcase dish.

J Joseph Singh 109 reviews · Local Guide 20 May 2026

Overall underwhelmed. The food is Cantonese fusion with weak execution. The beef appetizer was delicious with good textures and a subtle smoky flavor. The flavor mashups didn't work such as the bitter oysters and Mexican hot chocolate tasting sesame ball filling. The roast pork was nice but the toppings made no sense and were overwhelmingly floral. Basic execution of Cantonese dishes was lacking with a dry steamed fish. Service was below average for the price

J Justin Wong 557 reviews · Local Guide 3 May 2026

I went for my birthday and got the tasting menu. It was all delicious and I feel like it was a lot of food. Great service. The atmosphere feels hip. It does get loud if you're trying to have a conversation. Really enjoyed the meal. Pro-tip there's a bar if you don't have a reservation.

L Lindsay Peugh 20 reviews · Local Guide 27 April 2026

We opted for à la carte and went for 3 small, 2 medium, one large dish, and dessert(s). All dishes are meant to be shared and for us, we felt they were appropriately sized and absolutely delightful. Came hungry, left full. I loved their expression of each dish and timing by staff was well executed, not oppressive, and despite the packed house I never felt the stress of a full Saturday night through staff. They are popular right now, take that as you will. My friend and I were immersed in spending time together, we enjoyed not being checked in on excessively. The stand out for us were the golden coin, quail (loved the salt and sensation), lobster noodles, and our desserts. Would return.