Chung Shin Yuan
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch
24 Reviews for Chung Shin Yuan
I will only come here on weekends for their taiwanese dimsum and i am not fond of their dinner menus for they are only mediocre.
Long lines during those weekend lunch hours so be prepared to wait for 30-45 mins before you can sit down and enjoy the famous 'you tiao' and soy milk, the taiwanese style ja-jang myun, steamed buns, fried turnip cakes.
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my friend has came to this hidden establishment a few times and she heard of it word of mouth. we decided to come here one weekend for their taiwanese dim sum because someone had a car and could drive out here. admittedly, i was curious as my friend was raving about it and as i am not as familiar with taiwanese cuisine, what i have been exposed to has been nothing spectacular.
after a drive, we pulled off what appeared to be a desolate place off the side of the road on the newton-watertown line. i would never have found this place in a million years. there is not even a sign! usually, there is a line out the door for a block, but today, it was quiet due to the memorial day holiday. the place is small but was bustling and i was delighted that our server spoke cantonese. i was told by the other people i was with this establishment is only open on the weekends during the day...?
as my friend is shanghai-nese and she did not like the xiao long bao they served there, we skipped it. we ordered sweet soy milk all around. splendid -- i haven't had this in a long time! we also ordered the 'yao tiew,' which are the fried dough sticks. they were fresh out of the fryer, which made them nice and crispy. i tend to avoid getting this, even in hong kong where it is regularly served with congee.
we had to keep in mind that the dim sum at this place is not like your typical dim sum that you may find in chinatown -- their food is northern chinese. this was demonstrated by the pork spare ribs we ordered. instead of steaming them with black bean sauce, the spare ribs were fried and then steamed with sweet potato yam. the combination of flavors was perfect and delicious.
another example of how taiwanese cuisine varies from cantonese cuisine is in the sweet tofu dessert i wanted to add on. cantonese style is usually made with ginger and sugar syrup. chung shin yuan served it with a simple syrup, but with also boiled peanuts. we were not as keen on this, as we were not expecting this.
we also ordered the spicy beef noodle soup. it was good, but the cuts of meat did not compete with wisteria house's and it was not as spicy. however, what really stayed with me was the pork ear salad. i love pork ear to begin with [served regularly in hong kong, and if you are squeamish, you have no idea what you are missing]. the pork ear was served finely shredded on a bed of lettuce, and with the perfect amount of spice. what was odd was when we requested for a second dish of it, the salad came out cold, and with less spices.
the house tea is terrible, but i would still come back here again for a change of scenery if someone had a car.
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I am a Taiwanese, I read a lot of review before I go in, as you see the most 5 stars rating that encourged me to go to this Taiwanese restaurant. I went to there on Saturday lunch buffet , that is everyone's favorate choice, I arrived at 2:35PM, I know I was late, so I just want to ask someone can we still have lunch? but everyone was busy and a waitress is looking at us with 15 feet away with a poker face, finally she want to listen us, after I asked the seat, she said "no, we are closed", ok, but the hostess said"wait a minute, let me check", the hostess was so nice, then the waitress was unhappy. finally, we sit down and order some traditional Taiwanese food, I order a salty-soy milk, I almost want to return it, it doesn't tast it at all, and the other food was so~so, and no waitress come to pick up the dirty dishes, they were just sitting beside us and chatting to each other and eating their food, now I realized, their stomach and tea-time are much important to guest, when I asked the owner( non-uniform, speak loudly style) for wrapped the food to go, she gave me some plastic-bowl and said" I have gave this ti you, help yourself", is this a joke? if the owner is also a Taiwanese, I felt so embarassing, and of course, I won't pay any penny for tips, the funny thing is, when I get out of the main-door, she jumped out the door and said" you didn't give us the tips", I said" NO SERVICE AT ALL, I REFUSE TO PAY TIPS", then she back up to her place and said" I don't care", my friend, this my truly experience want to share with you, maybe you are lucky, would not have this sh*t, but I would like to say, even I live in Newton, but I would not come back to this sucks place, their food is not similiar with Taiwanese style, their service... maybe will depand on you are lucky at that day, As a Taiwanese, it's a shame on this restaurant, What a joke!!!
Best chinese in Newton. Trust me I am food expert.
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12/29/07: Probably the best Taiwanese brunch in town. Served only on weekend mornings, come here early to secure a table during their first seating. Our group of eight, arrived 30 minutes before their opening (11:30am) and within minutes there were several groups behind us. Fortunately, everyone in line made it to their first seating (probably 55-65 people) - a line soon for the second seating!
We ordered the following dishes: chinese fried dough (giant french fry), scallion pancake, small steamed buns, shao-bing with five spice beef sandwich, stir-fried scalloped rice stick, spicy stewed beef noodle, steamed spiced spareribs, seaweed salad, tofu jelly in light syrup (dessert item), pan-fried white turnip cake (skip this dish, its deep fried and not pan fried) and jelly fish salad. More than enough food, we were very happy with all the dishes! Food quality has not changed over the years, if anything, it is even more popular now-
If you're not up for waiting for a table, take-out is also an option. I believe you have to call them around 11am to place your order and pickup around noontime.
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I heard the raves about this 'hidden jewel' in Newton, so I went to try it out with high expectations. The food, which didn't taste bad at all, had several special ingredients in them! I bit into a wire mesh from an SOS pad, and when I told the waiter, he took it to let the manager examine it. Okay, they took it off the bill, but the absolute outrage was when my wife fished a hair out of her food; and it wasn't from someone's head! That was the final straw for me. Tastes good, but beware of finding 'hidden treasures' in the food! Bleeeaaahhh!!!
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Taiwanese food in Boston? Actually, check that. Taiwanese food in Newton, MA? Who would've thunk it. But my gf and I were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the "Taiwanese brunch" at Chung Shin Yuan. Their "yiu tiao's" were fried just right and their soy bean milk was very tasty and definitely authentic, judging by the layer of soybean "skin" on top. We were also impressed with the "shiao long baos" and "tsung yiu bings" -- both very delicious. The only thing that we didn't like that much was the "luo buo gaos". The texture was different than what we're used to eating at dim sum and the taste was a little on the bland side.
Service at Chung Shin Yuan was ok. Efficient though not necessarily warm and friendly. If I had to choose, I'd rather get my food quick than have to wait for my food while I exchange pleasantries with my server. Prices are a little high for what you're getting but that would be assuming that you could get this stuff somewhere else in the greater Boston area. For anyone craving some pretty authentic Taiwanese breakfast food, I would definitely recommend giving Chung Shin Yuan a try.
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So I just recently found that this place is closed on Mondays!!!! WTF!!!!
They lost a star just for that!
But in all fair honesty, I finally went to this place this weekend because I was totally craving Xiao Long Bao (Steamed Pork Buns), but they just didn't meet my expectations. I was hoping for some big soupy pork buns where I need a Chinese soup spoon to hold it and sip out of, but was completely let down, when my metal steamer had 7 buns and they were the kinds you'd find in your Asian Supermarket's frozen food sections. I actually have the one they use in my freezer!
On top of that they expect you to make your own concoction of ginger soy sauce with the Kikkoman/Vinegar on the table.
While I was pleasantly full after having the 5 spiced beef, shao bing (which I've never had before - not so great), scallion pancakes, soybean milk, and the pork buns, it was certainly not worth the 30 minute wait. We had actually gotten there before it opened (which by the way is 11:30 on a Sunday - not 11, which I was under the impression of) and there was already a line of Asians waiting. I figured hey this place MUST be good if they're all waiting BEFORE they open. But to my dismay it was truly a disappointment.
I was however craving for some spicy beef noodle soup all day today and no one seemed to be picking up their phone, so I figured I'd take the ride down during my dinner hour from work and get some yummy soup, but they were closed. So to Shangri-La I was going to go, but they too wasn't picking up their phone, so I eventually ended up at Asiana Fusion (see review for them).
Maybe tomorrow evening I will have better luck.
P.S. This place is only open during certain hours in a day. They seem to close mid-day! No one seems to have pointed that out and so I will save you some aggravation if you plan on eating mid-afternoonish - THEY ARE CLOSED FROM 2:30 - 5 PM! They also don't say this on their answer machine either. Hrrmmmpphhhh!
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This is only a review for the weekend mid day taiwanese brunch that they serve as I would never come here for americanized chinese food. The food is spot on here. They do a dang good job of their taiwanese northern style dishes. The pig ears rock and their dumplings and noodle dishes are excellent. My only gripe is the service can be slow and the lines are stupid long on weekends for their midday brunch. My advice is to get there 30 minutes before they open or get there towards the end of brunch because they fill up fast.
Likely the best taiwanese style breakfast in the Boston area, the food is still a bit of a far cry from what I've had in Flushing, Queens NY. The salty soy bean milk is executed decently, and the sao bing beef sandwich is equally edible. The fried triangular turnip cakes are my favorite at this joint. Their shen jian bao are far different from Manhattan Chinatown's Moonhouse though... (not a fried tiny bun, but a very large bun) In any case, if you crave some sao bing + you tiao, Chung Shin Yuan is probably worth checking out.
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Very long wait on weekends for dim sum. Uses much higher quality ingredients than any place in chinatown and feels SO much cleaner. It's definitely not the same style of food but if you really must compare, chinatown has a larger selection of foods. I love this place because although their selection is limited, it's more of the stuff that i like, and comparatively, much tastier.
Sigh, for two years I lived in walking distance from CSY. It was a nice walk too, from Watertown over a footbridge. Many a Sunday morning I made this journey. Moved to Brookline, still made the trip regularly. Moved to Westborough, still make the pilgrimage every month or so. Every time I go here it is for brunch. I am not familiar at all with the lunch or dinner menu.
Stuff we get:
* Pork Tripe (best in Boston area)
* Pig Ear salad (best in Boston area)
* Vermicelli, like in the pic.
* Tofu Salad w/preserved duck egg
* Spare ribs w/ yams
* Soy milk with cruellers
* Pickled cabbage
* Meat Sauce Noodles
* Fried chitlens
* Shao Bing & 5 spice beef (make samiches, yum)
* Fried Turnip Cake
* Soup Dumplings (better than Taiwan Cafe imho)
Yeah, that's alot but we do the same thing when we go to Super 88 food court, when you are 30 miles out of the city in the great Chinese food desert you learn to "provision".
Tip: Not so fun waiting to be seated. How to put this delicately? The art of "queing" seems NOT to be a Taiwanese strong suit. Go early or at least "plant" a beachhead person in line. Otherwise just call in take-out.
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Thank you Yelpers for pointing me to the best brunch I've had in a very long time.
We ordered the pan fried dumplings, small steamed dumplings, steamed red bean buns, beef with noodles, five spice beef sandwich, fried turnip cakes, fried dough, potstickers, and a few other things I don't remember.
I highly recommend the turnip cakes, the fried dough, and the pan fried dumplings. Although everything was really fantastic! I recommend eating here with a group of five or six. Much larger than that and there might not be room. Smaller than that and you don't get to try everything.
The price is right: I went here with a party of five, and we ordered a ton of food. The bill, with tip, came out to $48. That's less than $10/person, folks. You can't even get brunch that cheap at some diners.
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**I'm extremely disappointed due to the fact of the bad service!! The food was satisfying, but it seems like you're always in a rush. They made a mistake on the bill by over charging us. We asked them for a credit of the overcharged amount. They refused and wanted to give us a STORE CREDIT only. While showing frustration and giving us a bad attitude, after the argument. They gave us another bill, which was the correct amount, and refused to give us the voided receipt. They were very rude and did not apologize for their mistake. *** This is to inform you to check your bill before you leave the restaurant.***
Wow, I have to thank my friend from Taiwan, Yen, for turning me onto this place. I went for the weekend Taiwanese Brunch and man, oh man...it was worth the 15 minute wait in line. The seaweed salad was perfectly executed with just a hint of spice as not to dominate the delicate dish. The scallion pancake was so delicious- not overly greasy, the Taiwan Style Noodles were simple and comforting, and the Sweet Soy Milk with fried dough was a perfect cap to this delicious lunch.
As stated by other reviewers- be prepared to wait during the weekend; however, the turnover seems to be pretty quick.
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This place made me so happy - true Taiwanese food on the weekends for brunch/breakfast.
We had their sweet soymilk (I had the salty but it's more of an acquired taste) and three orders of shau bing and you tiao, fried turnip cake, green onion pancakes, and xiao long bau - all of that resulted in leftovers (even though there were four very hungry people eating) and the price was amazing - it was only $26 for brunch for four! What a steal and what great food!!
EDIT: Pictures uploaded
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I've only been once, but I'm going back! I was so excited to hear that there was an authentic Taiwanese brunch in Boston... I ordered some of the small steamed dumplings, salty and sweet soy milk, and a couple of the sesame/fried crullers.
I drooled over other tables' orders of the sticky rice, pan fried turnip cakes, steamed veggie buns, and a multitude of other authentic brunch dishes. I can't wait to try their spicy beef noodle soup too.
The other reviews are spot on... when you go for the first time, (go early!) do look for the strange line next door to the McDonalds.
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Tasty taiwanese style brunch. Try the five spice beef in pancake, the fried crueller, sweet soy milk, and taiwanese noodles. If you're feeling adventurous, try the tofu with preserved egg. I'm not so impressed with their dumplings, but the other items on the menu are all very good.
Be prepared to wait on the weekends as it can get quite crowded.
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I'm pleasantly surprised to see others have given Chung Shin Yuan such high ratings. This is my comfort food. When I crave Chinese, this is where I go (for take out, I've never actually eaten in). My family has been customers for almost 30 years. True story. The day my family first moved to Newton in 1978 my parents asked their new landlord for a restaurant recommendation, and they were sent to Chung Shin Yuan. I'm craving Chinese. I'm going tonight.
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This is the real deal on the weekends. Long lines next to a McDonald's may seem peculiar on the weekends, but people flock here for the northern Chinese/Taiwanese style brunch (don't call it dim sum - the management will correct you.)
Service is very curt, but the food is worth it.
Don't expect lots of shrimp and pork repackaged in different ways like Cantonese dim sum. And no carts.
For the uninitiated try the following:
Spicy Beef Noodle Soup - spicy and savory
Sweet Soybean Milk with Fried Dough (just get one for 2-3 people)
Steamed Pork Spareribs on a bed of Sweet Potatoes
Small Steamed Pork Dumplings - eat this with a dip of soy sauce, vinegar, and julienned ginger. Succulent, spicy, salty, sweet, and sharp all in one bite!
The interior is well designed and more upscale and modern than the industrial brick facade might tell you.
Come here at 11AM for the 11:30 opening time - or you'll be waiting at least an hour for the first round of tables to clear.
Parking on the street - just don't park in the McDonald's parking lot. (It's currently being renovated.)
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Yup, I'm a convert too.
Previously a fan of the Chinatown Cantonese-style dim sum - really the only thing I knew. Easier parking and better quality food will make this my first choice when craving dim sum.
Pleasantly surprised by the variety, quality and freshness of everything. No carts, you order off the menu. Favorites on the first visit were the chive pie, ravioli, hot and sour cabbage, and jellyfish salad. Looking forward to the small steamed pork dumplings next time.
Hesitant to leave this post as we don't really need a bigger crowd there when they open.
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You have to go on the weekends. Their brunch (a.k.a. taiwanese dim sum) is fabulous. No where else in MA (and probably very few choices in the east coast in general) can you find such great taiwanese-style turnip cakes. the noodles and buns are superb as well. be prepared for a wait. the doors open at 11am but often there's a line waiting by 10:30am. even takeout can take 45 minutes...painful, but worth the wait.
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Upscale authentic Chinese cuisine (only one other than the amazing "Shanghai Cafe" and the Americanized "PF Changs" in chinatown). Definitely the best in MA if you are looking for Szechuan/Peking cuisine and a hidden gem! Get the Chinese menu (its in English). Love the Noodles w/ Peking Meat Sauce!! Very unique dishes for brunch (DimSum) such as the Chive Pancake with a pastry dough etc. Hot Fresh Soybean Milk!!! I guarantee you will love almost everything on this menu!! Reminds me of some great restaurants in SF in taste and decor. Small place and always crowded during weekends.
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saw the reviews and tried this place out a couple of times. nothing special at all here, just an average chinese restaurant with food that tastes like every other chinese restaurant you have been to. too bad! but why is the average yelp review 4.5 stars?? prices are a bit too high and there is not much parking. and why is it that the rugs in almost every chinese restaurant are, like, four years overdue for a cleaning?
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