1. What is “Gaima”?
Good question! Gai Ma is a flavorful topping featuring a variety of savory meats or fresh vegetables, served over your choice of rice noodles or steamed rice. Customize your dish with four spice levels, from mild to extra spicy, for a delicious and satisfying meal that reflects the bold flavors of Hunan cuisine.
2. What is your speciality?
Silky Kitchen is proud to be the first restaurant in NYC offering authentic Hunan rice noodles. All of our Gai Ma dishes are made to order using family recipes that are exclusive to Silky Kitchen. We stir-fry most of our Gai Ma in a wok for rich, bold flavors, yet we still serve your meal within 10 minutes of ordering, ensuring both freshness and speed!
3. What are the top sellers?
If you look at our menu, S1, S3, S6, S8, S11 are the most popular dishes, don’t forget to try our handmade pan fried dumplings!
4. What are the vegan/vegetarian options?
Our S9, S10, D3, A1, A2, A5, A6 are vegetarian, and we do offer a special dish mapo tofu which is vegan!
5. What are the gluten free options?
At Silky Kitchen, we offer gluten-free options, including S13 and S16. While our rice noodles are naturally gluten-free as they are made from rice, many of our other dishes contain wheat flour or soy sauce. Please let us know your dietary needs, and we’ll be happy to guide you to the best options!
6. What is rice noodle made from?
Rice noodles are made from just two simple ingredients: rice flour and water, making them naturally gluten-free.
7. What are your non spicy menu dishes?
At Silky Kitchen, most of our dishes are naturally spicy because spiciness is an essential part of traditional Hunan cuisine. The bold, fiery flavors are a hallmark of the region, and we embrace this authentic taste in our cooking. While some dishes can be adjusted for less spice, we encourage you to experience the true essence of Hunan’s rich, flavorful heat! However, dishes S1, S2, S8, S14, S15, and S16 can be made completely non-spicy for those who prefer it.
8. Are you serious about the spice level?
Oh, we’re not messing around! When we say spicy, we mean spicy. Our authentic Hunan dishes bring the heat with plenty of chili peppers and bold flavors that will make you sit up and take notice. This isn’t just a sprinkle of spice—it’s the real deal.
If you’re new to the spice game, we suggest dipping your toes into the mild level first. But if you’re feeling brave, work your way up to extra spicy. Fair warning: we’re not joking around with this one—you might break a sweat, but hey, consider it part of the Silky Kitchen graduation challenge. Think you can handle it? Let’s find out!
9. Can I add/substitute ingredients in dishes?
We don't allow adding or substituting ingredients in our dishes, as we want to preserve the authentic flavors of our recipes. However, you can request to have certain ingredients removed, such as celery, cilantro, or ask for less salt.
10. Do you use MSG?
Yes, we do use MSG (monosodium glutamate) to enhance the flavor of our dishes. MSG is a naturally occurring compound found in foods like tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms. It was first extracted from seaweed in Japan in the early 20th century and is now widely used in many cuisines around the world to add a savory, umami taste.
Despite some misconceptions, scientific studies have shown that MSG is safe to consume in normal amounts. It has been approved for use by health authorities, including the FDA, and is commonly used in restaurants and packaged foods. So, while it may have a bad reputation, there's no evidence to suggest MSG is harmful to your health. At Silky Kitchen, we use it to bring out the best flavors in our authentic Hunan dishes!
11. Do you deliver?
Yes, we do! We’ve partnered with third-party delivery services like Ubereats, DoorDash, Grubhub, HungryPanda, and Fantuan. You can also place pickup orders directly on our website to avoid third-party platform fees—just make sure you choose the correct location!
12. Do you guys take reservations?
No, since we are a fast casual spot, just come on in or place an online order for pickup!
13. Do you take catering orders?
We do offer large takeout orders, and for catering inquiries, please reach out to the individual stores for more information.
