Chinese-Japanese fusion restaurant Lotus reopens in Farmingdale

Farmingdale fans of Chinese-Japanese fusion already know: Lotus Restaurant, which shuttered in early 2022 after a fire decimated the bar area and entryway, has reopened after an extensive renovation. 

The fate of the restaurant, which has been a fixture along Conklin St. for more than 30 years, has hung in the balance for two years as owner Michael Chang “took the opportunity to come back and do it right,” said Jim Sabellico, Lotus' marketing manager. The bar is larger and the sushi bar has been redone, but the feel of the dining room retains the styling of its former self: black, textured walls and modern, simple banquettes.

The menu, a fusion hit list of both Chinese and Japanese favorites, is “a nod to tradition,” according to Chang, with other Asian countries represented by the likes of pad thai noodles, Taiwanese popcorn chicken ($10), Vietnamese summer rolls, and Singapore mei fun noodles ($18) with curry sauce. The offerings hopscotch China to bring Shanghai-style spare ribs ($20), Peking-style pork ($18), Hunan-style crispy fish ($35), and shredded Szechuan beef ($24), alongside requisite protein and broccoli ($18) combinations, shrimp toast and pork egg rolls. The other side of the menu touts specialty Japanese sushi rolls, sashimi and sushi appetizers including salmon tataki ($14), jalapeño yellowtail ($16), and crispy rice with spicy tuna ($16). For those watching waistlines, there are nine riceless rolls, wrapped in cucumber, rice paper, and even daikon, the prettiest of which was the “Rose Roll” — fresh tuna sachets of spicy salmon and tempura flake topped with tobiko ($24).

Lotus Restaurant, 345 Conklin St., Farmingdale, 516-249-2940, lotusrestaurantny.com; Open from Monday to Thursday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

By Marie Elena Martinez

marieelena.martinez@newsday.com@mariesworlds

A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.