China Express

China Express Catering

In a city as dynamic as New York, the expectations for catered events go far beyond styrofoam containers and predictable takeout trays. The term "China Express Catering" often conjures images of quick-service buffets, generic menus, and a one-size-fits-all approach. But today’s clients are asking for more. They want experience, cultural storytelling, and culinary craftsmanship—all in one seamless execution.

That’s where Gotham Catering and Events steps in. Our mission is to reinterpret what "Chinese catering" means, offering not fast-food versions of tradition, but curated experiences rooted in authenticity and elevated by creativity. Whether you're planning a rooftop soirée or an intimate corporate dinner, we bring intentionality, design, and flavor to every event. Our approach to Asian cuisine draws inspiration from tradition while meeting the standards of a luxury NYC affair. See how our modern take on Asian fusion defies expectations.

Traditional express-style catering is often limited by mass preparation and logistical shortcuts. It’s built for speed, not elegance. Large aluminum trays, MSG-laden recipes, and reheated entrees leave little room for detail or personal touch. But New York clients—whether hosting a gallery opening or a board meeting—demand more than convenience.

At Gotham, we redefine expectations by offering themed culinary experiences that connect cultural heritage with visual sophistication. We don’t just serve food—we design moments. Our themed catering concepts allow our team to transform classic Chinese elements into full-sensory events, marrying cuisine, décor, and ambiance into one immersive package.

China Express Catering Menu

CHINA-A

$35.95 PER GUEST

• Jumbo bang bang shrimp with asparagus
• Chicken and broccoli chinese style
• Hoisin beef, shiitake mushrooms, snow peas
• Vegetable lo mein
• Spicy marinated cucumber salad with sweet soy-chili vinaigrette
• Lettuce with hearts of palm, mango and cashew
• Almond and fortune cookies

CHINA-B

$36.25 PER GUEST

• Five-spice chicken with cashews and bok choy
• Szechuan salmon with soy ginger glaze
• Orange ginger beef and asparagus stir-fry
• Chow mein noodles
• Rice with black mushrooms
• Broccoli salad with carrot ginger vinaigrette
• Dessert with fortune cookies

What Elevated Chinese-Inspired Catering Looks Like

Think beyond lo mein and spring rolls. Our reinterpretation includes modern dim sum served in bamboo towers, Peking duck carved tableside, or Szechuan peppercorn short ribs plated like art. Events may feature roaming carts, lantern-lit settings, or even noodle-pulling demonstrations that surprise and delight guests.

For clients familiar with our globally inspired menus like Southwest BBQ, this is a different kind of journey—rooted in Asian traditions but presented through a luxury lens. It's the same commitment to bold flavor and creative design, translated through Eastern cuisine. Chinese cuisine doesn’t exist in a vacuum. That’s why our take on China Express Catering draws from pan-Asian influences—integrating Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, and Japanese elements to tell a richer story. By layering flavor profiles, we give your guests something they’ve never tasted before.

Our Brazilian BBQ buffet clients already know how we blend traditional ingredients with modern execution. The same ethos applies to our Asian experiences. Whether it’s a kimchi dumpling or a lychee-glazed bao, each bite is a curated part of a larger vision.

Live, Theatrical, and Immersive Culinary Stations

Instead of chafing dishes and lukewarm noodles, imagine a sizzling live wok station or a steaming bamboo dumpling cart. Gotham’s chefs are performers as much as they are culinary experts—offering guests a glimpse into the technique and tradition behind each dish.

In line with our immersive food activations like the BBQ station, we deliver Chinese-inspired setups that combine entertainment with cuisine. These are not just meals—they’re cultural showcases. Gotham’s culinary team prioritizes inclusivity. We build menus that accommodate dietary needs without compromising on authenticity or presentation. Our chefs excel at creating vegan dumplings, gluten-free noodle options, and kosher-style Chinese entrées that align with client preferences and religious observances.

As we've done for LGBTQ+ focused celebrations through our LGBTQ theme catering in NYC, we bring that same thoughtful customization to every Chinese-inspired event. Whether it’s a family celebration or a cross-cultural wedding, no guest is left out of the experience. China Express Catering doesn’t need to be confined to banquet halls or boardrooms. Gotham has produced Asian-style picnics in Central Park, and rooftop noodle tastings with a view of the Hudson. If you want an alfresco version of modern Chinese catering, we’re ready.

With our picnic-themed catering, we’ve shown how global flavors can be enjoyed in NYC’s most scenic outdoor spaces. Picture Peking duck sliders at a summer garden party or miso ramen in custom ceramic bowls under string lights.

Unexpected Enhancements That Guests Remember

Sometimes it’s the little touches that make an event unforgettable. Gotham can complement its Eastern-inspired menus with fun, interactive elements—like a chopstick challenge, sake sampling bar, or edible fortune cookie art station.

And for a whimsical contrast, we even incorporate playful add-ons like our pretzel machine to offer guests a surprise twist. These touches make our events multi-dimensional—where luxury meets levity. Cultural catering doesn’t need to be overly serious to be refined. Gotham understands how to balance elegance with fun. At many of our private events, you’ll see sophisticated tableware alongside interactive, crowd-pleasing additions.

We’ve seen clients mix bao buns with popcorn bars for a curated casual vibe. Our popcorn machine pairs surprisingly well with spicy snacks like wasabi-dusted edamame or sesame brittle. Our approach is never rigid—we adapt to the tone of the event, whether it's high-concept or high-energy.

From Corporate to Intimate: Scalable Sophistication

One of the biggest misconceptions about elevated catering is that it only suits black-tie affairs. But at Gotham, we bring refinement to events of any size. Whether you’re feeding 20 partners at a downtown pitch meeting or planning a 200-person holiday celebration, our approach to “China Express Catering” scales without losing its soul.

Our team has catered intimate gallery openings with bite-sized dumplings served on slate trays, and larger-scale activations with roaming servers offering steamed buns in bamboo cones. We’ve translated high-end Asian flavors into countless formats—and yes, we’ve even created pan-Asian stations within our renowned Italian feast for clients seeking variety without compromise. Some of our most captivating events come to life when clients embrace themed direction. Take for instance our reinterpretation of mafia-chic dining with a pan-Asian twist. It’s the kind of culinary juxtaposition that sparks conversation—and appetite.

Just like we infused moody elegance into The Godfather theme through Italian-American classics, we can bring cinematic flair to Chinese traditions. Imagine a night market-inspired gala with red velvet draping, dragon motifs, and a curated dumpling bar that rivals any scene in a Wong Kar-wai film.

Signature NYC Sophistication Meets Asian Flavor

No one captures the pulse of New York like Gotham Catering. It’s not just about serving food—it’s about understanding the city’s fast-moving, multicultural heartbeat. Our ability to reinterpret cultural cuisine through the lens of local refinement is why clients trust us with their most important moments.

We’ve done this seamlessly in our New York–themed catering, which integrates Chinese-American heritage with Gotham’s signature urban aesthetic. The result? Events that feel local, yet worldly—familiar, yet completely unexpected. One of our recent client favorites was a culinary experience combining Shanghai street food with Parisian plating. It’s just one example of how we use thoughtful fusion—not gimmickry—to build culinary stories that resonate.

We’ve explored these ideas before in our French Connection concept, and we apply the same approach to China-inspired menus. Whether it’s jasmine-tea crème brûlée or truffle-dusted bao, the fusion is grounded in craft and balance.

A Mediterranean Cross-Culture Experience

Our culinary imagination doesn’t stop at borders. One might not immediately associate Greek flavors with Chinese cuisine—but that’s exactly the kind of challenge Gotham loves. Picture lamb dumplings with tzatziki foam or ouzo-infused scallion pancakes.

We’ve brought similar originality to our Greek theme catering in NYC, proving that cultural fusion isn’t about confusion—it’s about curated chemistry. Every flavor must tell a story, and every story should taste like something you’ve never had before. It’s no surprise that some of the most expressive catering experiences are born from island traditions. Our take on tropical events infuses the carefree atmosphere of a luau with the precision and depth of Chinese culinary heritage.

In the same way we celebrate grilled pineapple and smoky pulled pork in our Hawaiian luau catering, we now add five-spice pork belly skewers and lychee mojitos to the mix. The vibe is relaxed, but the flavors remain elevated.

Alfresco Asian Dining With a Beach Twist

Outdoor Chinese catering doesn’t need to mean folding tables and plastic trays. Gotham designs beachside and backyard experiences that bring elegance into open-air spaces. Our events under the Day at the Beach BBQ theme have incorporated Asian-style grills, bao sliders with mango chutney, and custom lantern lighting. It’s about embracing location while maintaining culinary sophistication.

Cultural street food has always inspired us—but we reimagine it with refinement. Gotham can transform a traditional night market into a luxurious activation. Think bao buns under string lights, oyster pancakes with microgreen garnishes, and sake pairings selected by sommeliers. Just as we create magic under the lights with our carnival theme catering, we can take the bustle of a Chinese street corner and translate it into something elegant, unforgettable, and on-brand.

Carts don’t have to mean casual. At Gotham, our mobile food stations combine convenience with style. A wok cart or dim sum station can roam your event, offering fresh flavors served moments after creation.

The same thinking powers our hot dog catering carts—but elevated. With Asian catering, this might look like gyoza carts with sake shooters or tea carts with custom fortune cookies. Guests experience something new with every step. The phrase “China Express Catering” shouldn’t have to mean fast, generic, or uninspired. At Gotham Catering and Events, we offer an alternative—a luxurious reimagining of Asian culinary traditions shaped by NYC’s highest standards. We bring flavor, detail, storytelling, and atmosphere into one cohesive experience. Whether you’re seeking something intimate or extravagant, traditional or modern, Gotham ensures that every element—menu, design, service—is aligned to create events that are not just catered, but curated. It’s not about replacing tradition—it’s about refining it.

If you’re planning an event and want to explore how Chinese-inspired cuisine can be part of a thoughtful, luxurious celebration, Gotham is ready to lead the way. Clients who come to us for Brazilian catering in NYC or Moroccan pop-ups often ask: can you bring that same vision to a Chinese-inspired affair? The answer is yes, and then some.

Because we’re based in the cultural capital of the world, our team knows how to honor global traditions while infusing them with NYC sophistication. From Chinatown to SoHo, we translate local identity into luxurious storytelling, one course at a time.