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Joe's Shanghai
Category: Restaurants Chinese Chinese [Edit]
9 Pell St(between Bowery & Doyers St)
New York, NY 10013
Neighborhoods: Chinatown, Civic Center
(212) 233-8888
- Nearest Transit:
-
Canal St (J, N, Q, Z)
Canal St (4, 6, 6X)
Grand St (B, D)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
1647 reviews for Joe's Shanghai
Review Highlights
"Addictive soup dumplings, and great food all around."
(in 803 reviews)
"Joe's Shanghai has awesome xiao long bao."
(in 216 reviews)
"I also recommend the scallion pancakes."
(in 130 reviews)
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1646 reviews in English
-
Review from Brian C.
Philadelphia, PA
2/7/2012
I've been coming here for years, and one thing never fails... xiao long bao (XLB!), piping hot soup filled dumplings (they come in crab and pork). I think Joe's has gotten a lot of hype of the years, but the pork XLB are consistently good. I prefer those to the crab ones, but I know a lot of people who love the crab ones as well. I usually pop in here and order a few orders of the XLB and that's it. The XLB here are slightly different than the ones served in Los Angeles and the West Coast. The soup in the dumplings is darker, richer, and has more of a salty soy flavor. Most of the XLBs in California have a clear broth in the dumpling. Both are good, but I would have to say they're different from each other.
Anyway, I often get asked how to eat them. Here's how I eat them without managing to burn my entire oral cavity.
I pick up the XLB in a spoon in my left hand and with my right hand i slightly lift the dumpling off of the spoon by the top (pursed part). I make a small nick of a bite in the upper portion of the skin of the dumpling. I turn the dumpling over and pour the soup out onto my spoon to let it cool. Then I eat proceed to eat the dumpling and soup together in one spoonful/mouthful.
And there you go. My XLB eating technique. Try it out. -
Review from Denise T.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ehhhhhhh. I was really disappointed with Joe's Shanghai despite all the hype. Came here the first night me and the BF landed in NYC hoping to start off our trip with what we thought would be the BEST meal ever. WRONG!
First of all, the wait takes forever. The hostess gives out tickets and calls each party's number one by one... Boy did that take forever. When we finally got seated (an hour later), we had to share a table with complete strangers. Umm awkward.
The soup dumplings are mediocre (and that's being generous). They were so soggy and broke apart when I used my chopsticks to pick them up. Not to mention the dipping sauce was not that great.
The scallion pancake was OK.... Nothing special.
I was craving roast duck, and thought that's what I ordered, but it came out to be fried and way too salty. Not to mention the server forgot to bring my rice (probably because it was a Friday night and they were really busy) and it took forever to hunt him down to get it for me.
May be worth trying if you're a fan of soup dumplings... Other than that, definitely not worth the hype OR the 1+ hour wait! I don't think I'll be back here (at least by choice). Thank god we watched Lion King on Broadway later on, it definitely saved the night from complete disappointment. -
Review from Trang B.
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Most accurately described, Joe's Shanghai is like the perfect taste of a Sunday afternoon in my childhood. One bite into those xiao long bao, and I'm back in the nostalgia of being eight years old, sitting at a round table somewhere deep in China Town with my parents.
Chinese food on a cold day, after bristling your way through New York's windy freezing streets, this is the best treat a person could hope for-- there's also something oddly comforting about sitting around a table with perfect strangers. Small smiles and whispers are exchanged, "oohs" and "ahs," questions about what they got and what you got... It's the comfort of enjoying the same thing as they, one perfect moment of understanding.
What should you try? EVERYTHING!! ...Well, the first time, you must, of course, try the xiao long bao. A few notes:
*Pork xiao long bao: delicious. You might want to give it a minute to cool down a bit. but try to be as careful as you can with picking these little ones up. Once they burst, all the broth spills out, and you'll miss the BEST part. Scoop them up, placing them in the big spoon they give you, drizzle a few drops of vinegar, puncture a small hole into the dumpling, and SLLUUURP. So, so so good.
*Crab bao: definitely not as good, so if you're debating between the two, get the original pork... Or you can be a fatty like me :) these dumplings were just a bit too fishy for my taste. Nonetheless, they were still good. Enjoy!
*Noodles: greasy heaven. Just do it.
*Hot tea: Chinese classic. You just gotta do it. Nothing out of the normal, but on a cold night, it warms you up quite well-
--If you can, try to order a few things from their menu. Everything is a beautiful Chinese food creation, leaving you stuffed, warm and happy.
ENJOY! -
Review from Michelle W.
New York, NY
2/3/2012
Eh. I don't get the hype. This is definitely one of those places that are famous for being famous...the Kardashian of the food world.
Nothing that stands out about this place. While it is a nicer Chinatown restaurant, the food isn't better than other Shanghai places and nothing really shines here. Everything is just eh. Save your money and head down the block to Shanghai Garden. You'll get more for your money and your tummy will thank you. -
Review from Lucy Z.
Manhattan, NY
2/9/2012
This Joe's is not as good as the one in Flushing. This one is bit greasier and definitely more cramped. Still good food but not as good as the original. Very greasy rice cakes and scallion pancakes
-
Review from Nancy S.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Overrated. Definitely NOT the best dumpling I've ever had.
Located in Chinatown and was not surprised at all walking into a busy restaurant, but the waiter walked us all the way to the back and had us sit next to a couple...at the same table! WTF? I mean, I guess I shouldn't be so surprised since this IS Chinatown.
Ordered the steamed pork dumplings right when we sat down, since we knew these were going to take awhile. Everything else on the menu seemed regular and nothing in particular stood out to us, so we just ordered veggies and a plate of Shanghai noodles.
Dumplings finally came out, and yes, they were big! I noticed the soup inside looked a little brown, so when I took my first bite, all the soup came out and I got to see that they had marinated the meat with some soy sauce or something that made the soup look much darker than usual. I must admit, these were the juiciest dumplings I've had so far because they had a LOT of soup. However, it wasn't the taste I was looking for. I usually like the simple soup, straight from the pork flavor. I wasn't impressed at all and only ate 2. Noodles came out really bland and wasn't much tastier than the ones I usually have back home. Disappointed.
I don't think this was what I expected to eat when I flew all the way here from SF. I wouldn't say I had a bad experience here, but definitely would not come back again if I was visiting. This is the kind of restaurant where I would come once in awhile IF I was living in NY. -
Review from Princess A.
Houston, TX
2/3/2012
We were tourists, just like anybody else in there, I'm sure. The best thing we got there was the "Pork Xiao Long Bao" otherwise known as dumplings in the basket. My boyfriend and I have been eating the dumplings wrong, because right when we saw other people eat theirs, they used a spoon and put the dumplings on to savour the soup and eat it with the dumplings.
This is how you're supposed to eat the Pork Xiao Long Bao for those who haven't ever tried it.
Step 1: Place the dumpling on your soup spoon.
2: Place it in your mouth or if you can't fit it entirely in your mouth, use your chopsticks and eat half of the dumpling and the juice will come spilling out on your spoon, but that is the good part, so you don't want to waste it!
3: Enjoy the deliciousness!
The only cons there is the service and seating arrangements.
Service: When you first walk in and are seated, they automatically give you hot tea. I asked for water 4 times from 4 different servers and finally the last server gave me water. Service is terrible and tip is already included into your bill.
Seating arrangements: Luckily for me, I read from other Yelp reviewers that I may be seated with strangers at a table of 10. If I hadn't read that, I'd be freaking out like "why am i seated with strangers? I don't know these people!" We ended up sitting next to 2 other parties on the same table. Kinda awkward since you can't have a private conversation with the person you're with without being heard from others. Luckily I speak a 2nd language that nobody on my table speak. haha. -
Review from Stephanie S.
Ithaca, NY
2/9/2012
How anyone can review JS with lower than 5 stars is beyond me.
Here's a tip: do NOT got here for anything but the Soup Dumplings. They are like pure heaven erupting into your mouth- pork or crab! I was introduced to this place 6 years ago when I got back from traveling abroad from SE Asia and I was super impressed. The ambiance is also super fun if you are looking for a truly family-style place that takes you out of the cold in NYC. You will sit at a full table of strangers, so if you are on a first date and do not want to be to intimate yet, this is the place for you. Seating goes quickly as does ordering and food delivery.
I love Joes! -
Review from Lily P.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
The food comes out pretty fast and you can make RSVP. we had a group of 12 or so and we were able to be late and get seated pretty fast. The pork and soup dumplings were good, eggplant dishes were good but maybe too much sauce, the babyshrimp dish came with huge portion, both the pork and chicke rice cakes were really good, we also got the giant meatballs which were good, etc. The food came out to be $13 a person and we ate sooo much even though we were starting with the 8 crates of soup dumplings.
-
Review from Rita L.
Manhattan, NY
2/2/2012
Everyone swears that this is the best place for Shanghai soup dumplings and I couldn't agree anymore. I wouldn't go to any other Shanghai restaurant, just because this place has the greatest soup dumplings EVER. I mean that. The dumplings are full of flavor, and lots of soup.
I usually order the crab meat soup dumplings which are $6.95, and the regular pork soup dumplings which is $4.95. For the soup noodles, I order the Shredded Pork with Pickled Cabbage. The best. The crab meat soup dumplings usually have a dried shrimp taste (in my opinion), that is which I love.
How I usually eat the soup dumplings, I bite a little hole and drink the soup inside to absorb all the flavor and then dip it into the soy sauce-vinegar sauce that they give you. Eat the soup dumplings while they are hot, they only taste good this way.
This place can get busy, and sometimes you have to share tables, but I don't mind. As long as I get my share of soup dumplings, I'm all for it. -
Review from Charles V.
Glen Head, NY
2/2/2012
This place is good if you don't mind sharing large round tables with complete strangers.
The food is very good and it helps if you have some knowledge of what to order. I personally always go for 1-2 orders pork soup dumplings, rice and orange beef or tso chicken when in this cramped setting. The meal goes a little smoother if the surrounding strangers are friendly.
The location in Flushing is 10x better! -
Review from Violet K.
My 2nd trip to New York as an adult and I swear I thought I haven't been here. When I walked in I realized I had.
That just means it wasn't memorable the first time around. I prefer DTF (not down to fuck, Din Tai Fung) over Joe's. It's cleaner and tastes better!
Yes I understand New York is cramped and it's just an overall dirtier city but the quality of food is just better at DTF.
But if you live in NY I guess you really don't have a choice.
The soup dumplings are what they are, probably can find similar ones at your local dim sum place.
The beef noodle soup wasn't as flavorful and the vegetable was just as it would be anywhere else. -
Review from tammy h.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I will fly here from San Francisco to eat Xiao Long Bao! But it's also because I can :)
The soup dumplings here are truly delicious; the skin is thin enough, and still retains the soup. A bad dumpling would have skin that is too thick but it's hard to have thin skin because the soup will likely leak from it.
Prices are great, very fair.
I've had their noodle and soup dishes, all good, and all authentic.
They even sell my favorite ginger ale (I actually discovered it here).
This place is popular so expect to share tables!
Unfortunately, I once had to share with these three 'adults' whom could not stop talking crap about people they knew. Their content got x-rated too. I was really surprised by their bitterness. They seemed neither disabled, nor poor; why be so hateful? Negative vibes like this damper any meal, but Joe's Shanghai was still pretty damn good despite the smell of ugly insides just a few seats away. -
Review from Katya A.
Alexandria, VA
1/31/2012
My first time having soup dumplings & I'm soooo excited it was here. Absolutely delicious. Can't wait to come back for more!
http://spicycandydc.com -
Review from Kathi C.
Miami Beach, FL
1/30/2012
Thank you fellow Yelper's! I wanted to celebrate Chinese New Year's in Chinatown with some good soup dumplings, and I came to you for suggestions. It was between Joe's and another place, but the other sounded like I wouldn't have room to sit.
I was not disappointed- as soon as we receive menus, the efficient waiter asked how many soup dumpling orders we wanted. They were working on those gorgeous babies while we browsed the menu for more good food.
I wasn't crazy about the boiled pork dumplings though- they were heavy and not appetizing enough to have more than one.
We also ordered delicious sauteed water spinach and some baked turnip buns, and I obviously didn't eat fast enough, because my brother got most of the soup dumplings! I will be back again. -
Review from Christine G.
New York, NY
1/21/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I come here to satisfy my soup dumpling craving. They consistently make good, reliable soup dumplings but the pork ones only. The crab/pork ones tend to be far too fishy.
I can't really speak on most of the other food since I really only come here for the soup dumplings. The scallion pancakes and the salt and pepper calamari were just ok. There is always a line but with a handful of people like me just getting soup dumplings, it goes quick. We usually come here for dumplings then eat dinner or dessert elsewhere. -
Review from Jackie C.
Irvine, CA
1/29/2012
Mmmm my favorite place to get xiao long bao in the east coast :)
Back when I used to frequent New York often this was one of my favorite places to go! The xiao long bao here are not so xiao LOL they are like soup dumplings on crack! THEYRE HUGGEEE!!! However they're quite tasty, but I still think Din Tai Fung makes them better. So if any of you east coasters ever visit Arcadia, Ca or Seattle Washington then try a soup dumpling there because they're the delicate thin skinned sisters to Joe Shanghai's xlb.
I was also a fan of the rice cakes (Nian gao) nom nom nom.
Oh but I do find the tongs they give you to pick up the XLB a bit cumbersome. I would always pop a few...but maybe thats due to a lack of finesse? :) haha -
Review from Betty B.
Brooklyn, NY
2/5/2012
Typical yummy soup dumplings. Always crowded. Most of the time you need to wait. Food will be worth it though. However, there are so many other great Shanghainese restaurants around Chinatown that this place is pretty much a tourist trap.
-
Review from Chui L.
Forest Hills, NY
1/27/2012
What can I say about this place that hasn't been said already?
Not much. Might as well emphasize the important points.
Waiters here are quick and efficient... they're always busy but the only long wait is to get a table cuz there's always a million people ahead of you. Once you're seated, you get your food quick. Don't let those soup dumplings sit for long... they're terrible once they get cold.
Joe's Ginger is only a few steps away, less crowded... but I like this place better. Maybe for the same reason the original 53rd and 6th halal truck is crazy popular while the one across the street is only a fraction of the wait. I mean, it's only human nature to want what you can't have.
Note that it's cash only and tip is included. -
Review from Joey S.
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
My first experience with soup dumplings was a really positive one. The crab and pork dumplings both came out steaming hot and delicious. I thought the crab dumplings were going to be gross as I am only just starting to get into seafood but, I was pleasantly surprised and I actually preferred them to the pork dumplings. We also ordered a side of the snow pea leaves, which was also a first for me, and they were AWESOME. The dumplings, snow pea leaves and a gluttonous order of shanghai noodles made for a really tasty and satisfying meal between the three of us.
Reading a lot of the reviews it seems that many Yelpers complain about the service... get over it. The place is super cheap, and you really shouldn't expect 5 star service at a dumpling place like this. They get you in, out, and fed ASAP. Maybe they are a little rude in the process, but I'll let it slide if they can keep pumping out the tasty soup dumplings.
If I have one complaint on the night it would be that we got seated at the same table with really ugly and annoying chicks. So if you go to Joe's try not to get seated with really ugly and annoying chicks. Problem solved. -
Review from Lissa V.
1/6/2012
I know, I know you all LOVE this place... you all ohhh and ahhh when you think of it and your mouths water and your eyes get big as they bring the dumplings towards your table.
Well, unfortunately when I ate here I got food poisoning!! I did not even want to look at, smell or hear about Chinese food for years! Now, luckily that has passed... but I still cannot go back to Joe's. Sorry! -
Review from David N.
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is bustling with people of locals and tourist alike and there is certainly a reason why. The interior is nothing to write home about and pretty non-descript, the service is quick friendly and helpful if you ask if you get a waiter who speaks English. You might have to share a table if your party smaller than 4.
But the food is the delight here. The crab soup dumplings are hot and full of hearty goodness(we had to explain to a neighbor how to eat it as to not burn their mouth). In addition to the dumpling was the Pork and Dried Bean Curd with Shrimp and Bean Paste, String Bean Szechuan Style (with Pork) and Seafood Fried Flat Noodle. Everything came out fairly quickly from the kitchen. (They must have an army of cooks.) The String bean had slices of jalapeño peppers but wasn't too spicy. The noodles where still firm and not soggy and the pork dish had a great texture. Everything was well seasoned, flavorful and not too greasy. This is why we keep coming back and willing to wait and only pay cash(they don't take cards) is the food. You come out with a fun experience, good food and fairly wallet friendly. -
Review from Debbie L.
Fort Lee, NJ
1/24/2012
Finally had the opportunity to try this place while visiting friends in Flushing. The food was delightful but I really cant give more than three stars..
The beef soup dumplings were delicious. Pretty big sized dumplings with lots of soup inside. As delicious as it was, I feel more partial to Petite Soo Chow's in Cliffside Park.
The service is terrible. Go with someone who can speak Chinese or you'll be ignored most of the night. -
Review from Yoyo T.
Brooklyn, NY
1/11/2012
This place hit the spot. It's a standard real Chinese place, just like my other favorite place for soup dumplings, Shanghai Cafe. Don't expect anything fancy. Just super solid food.
My friend and I got were seated with a communal table with another 8 people. You don't have to talk to them, but expect some pointing and wandering eyes over what you ordered. We had two orders of soup dumplings - one pork, one crab & pork, and an order of fried noodles with a gooey savory pork sauce on top. I don't know what that is in English, but the direct translation is Two Sided Yellow Noodles. Appetizing, huh?
I would love to say more about how delicious the food is, but seeing as I skipped breakfast and lunch that day, this meal could've been a pile of rocks and I would've been happy. -
Review from Andrew N.
1/2/2012 2 photos
The moment I first sat down in this place:
Waiter: "YOU WANT DUMPLINGS?"
Me: "... o_O yes?"
This is the one place my friend from the East Coast said I HAD to try so we stopped by on a cold winter morning. The four of us were seated on a big round table next to a couple who were almost done with their meal. I was lost so my East Coast friend came to the rescue and ordered everything we needed to eat.
I didn't know what I was doing and bit into my first soup dumpling too fast so that it exploded on me. My friend had to enlighten me on the art of eating xiao long bao:
1. Carefully put on onto your spoon
2. Tilt the spoon and take a small bite from the side
3. Sip the soup out
4. Eat the rest of the xiao long bao.
The dumplings were hot and delicious. The soup inside tasted a little too sour at first but I got used to it after eating a couple. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy morning in Chinatown.
We kept eating and the xiao long bao kept coming out:
"You want more dumpling?"
"YES."
I'm not sure how many trays we ordered but by the end of it I was stuffed and happy. -
Review from Yanel B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great dumplings and sesame chicken.
The location is great but the service sucks its like your getting rushed out...
Got seated didn't have a waiter come to my table until 30 minutes. They didn't even put water on my table what a shame. Beats having good food if your waiters have a stink attitude and barely speak English.
Not even a thank you! Really! Who does that? -
Review from Keith T.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you want to be transported to another time in New York City's history, Joe's Shanghai is as good a place as any to steal away.
Tucked into a Jacob Riis-style side street in the grittiest corner of Manhattan's Chinatown, Joe's is so stereotypical that it has set the bar of authenticity upon which all other Chinese resuarant stereotypes are built.
Communal tables, mammoth fish drifting through tepid tank water, harsh white lighting, brutally 80's decor and a scalding pot of tea all set the stage for a meal worth waiting for.
All of the food that we ordered was delicious, but the soup dumplings were the stars of the evening. Arriving in a steaming bamboo basket, they were little sacks of joy.
Pick up a dumpling with your chopsticks. Place it on your spoon. Pierce the skin with a chopstick and let the soup drain out. Sip the soup slowly until it's all gone. Eat the dumpling. Know what real Chinese food should taste like.
I'll happily return to Joe's. And soon. -
Review from Eric W.
New York, NY
1/11/2012
This review starts what I believe will be 5-10 days of reviews of lunch spots near the courts on Centre St. Yes, that means I am a juror (#5), so with my 1.5 hrs I figured I would do some good.
I usually go to the Joe's Shanghai in Flushing, and rarely go to this one and the one on 56th Street. I have had soup dumplings all over NYC and Shanghai, and these are officially the best. They trump the other Shanghainese places in Flushing (others have skin too thick or broth too lean). My lunch here at the Pell St location consisted of a simple tray of 8 pork and crab soup dumplings. And while the taste was spot on, a few were stuck together and some others were stuck to the bottom. Both issues resulted in a loss of the precious juice; a major problem. Hence, the knocking of a star. I also like the beef with rice cakes, which I did not get this time but would recommend. For the best ambiance and cheapest prices, I would suggest this location and the Flushing location.
UPDATE: I was dismissed from jury duty because the case was settled. No more fun Chinatown lunch adventures. -
Review from Andy P.
San Diego, CA
Such a small store for such popularity! Holler from Sunny San Diego!
Pros:
- Amazing Xiao Long Bao. The crab one and the other ones were amazing. GET THESE if you dont know what you're doing! You wont be disappointed!
-Prices are okay. Not too expensive but not cheap either.
Cons:
- If you are in a small party and there's another small party at a big table. They will put you with them. Kind of randomly awkward (it worked out for us because they were nice and offered us some of their food).
- Their Beef Noodle Soup was okay. Nothing special.
I will come back if I'm ever back in NYC :) -
Review from Lilli C.
1/9/2012
Yes, I realize this is a big touristy spot for white people but whatever, the soup dumplings are still delicious. They're basically pork dumplings filled with a delicious broth when you bite into them. The Shanghai noodles were also delicious fat home-made noodles sauteed with beef and spinach. The roasted duck was also fantastic and tender and the meat just fell off the bone.
They seated us at a round table with a party of 7 people. At first I thought it would be a bit awkward, but they were hilarious and entertaining table of trannies and gays. The service was extremely fast and despite the long line out the restaurant, we only had to wait about 30 minutes for a table. -
Review from Darren T.
1/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Tourist trap. Don't go here.
It's a tiny place that seems to always be packed. We had approx 45 minute wait (new years day) for a party of 4.
First thing I noticed -- most of the people are white. Shit. My expectations immediately dropped. I'm sorry if your'e white and reading this, but it's generally true -- an asian place with mostly white people does not tend to be very good.
But anyway, we are put into a tiny table and order the soup dumplings. $5 for 8 pork and $7 for 8 crab/shrimp.
The pork dumplings were boring. It definitely is a dish that depended on the fat from the pork for flavor -- not much else going on as far as flavors go.
The seafood dumplings were better. You could really taste the crab in the dumplings. It also has some weird metallic aftertaste. I', not sure if it was coming from the dip or the dumplings themselves.
Anotehr issue I have with the place is the way the dumplings are served. I'm ordering soup dumplings. That means I want the taste of the soup. So waht that means for the cook is to make sure the dumplings are not touching the steaming basket or stuck to each other. Because the dumplings will rip and the juices will leak out. Fail. Some of the dupmlings seemed to be missing the soup altogether. I'm a very good chopsticks user and I got blueballed a few times as I bit into the dumpling for the juices -- and it was already dry inside.
I also lol'd when i saw white people poking the dumplings with their chopsticks, letting the juices all leak out. Don't do that guys.
The scallion pancakes -- crap.
Oh yeah, 15% gratuity added no matter what, even though the service sucks.
I'm going to make sure my friends avoid wasting a night out in NYC here. -
Review from Raymond T.
Brooklyn, NY
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't see how this place is any better than all the other chinese spots around Canal, but from what I was told the pork soup dumpling is their specialty and in my opinion it was ok.
The Shanghai noodles and scallion pancakes were nothing special.
Maybe I need to order some other specialty dishes, but the 3 I ordered were ok. -
Review from Joe G.
CANAL STREET, NY
1/19/2012
Let me start off by saying... Every one has to try this place out at least ONCE. The dumplings are Simply Amazing!
I love this place because of the food and atmosphere. The food is some of the best Chinese I've had. Every dish is good and the servings are very generous. The restaurant is very different. There are about 10-15 large round tables. The place is always packed so you have to share the table with people you dont know. It is a fun enviroment. Even if you take a date it can be an ice breaker.
The only negative thing I have to say about this place is that it got a "B" from the NYC department of health. A lot of people don't look to much into the rating, but I do. If it got an A, this place would easily deserve 5 stars. -
Review from Mary L.
Manhattan, NY
1/17/2012
Chicken and shrimp in plum sauce! Gosh, I want to eat that again right now. I came here last weekend on Saturday at an odd 4:30 time. It was surprisingly packed, but only had to wait 10 minutes for seating.
The service was extremely quick and the food is just so good. Soup dumplings are of course a must have here. You are seated at your table and the first thing the waiter asks you is if you want soup dumplings. Just say yes. The shanghai noodles were delicious too. -
Review from Markus M.
Cupertino, CA
1/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cash only! Hope y'all don't mind sharing tables!
Joe's Shanghai was recommended to me by pretty much everyone when it came to visting Chinatown in NYC. Upon arrival, there was a short 15 minute wait, typical of lunch time in many Chinese restaurants, especially on the weekends.
Apparently Joe's is known for their dumplings, as evidenced by dumpling cages (those bamboo baskets used to steam dumplings) on everyone's table. So following suit, we ordered the same. 8 good sized dumplings, the size of those noodle soup spoons for roughly $6 was a pretty good deal. In addition we ordered beef noodle soup and crispy pork chops with salt and pepper.
For two we spent just about $30 for lunch. The restaurant's turnover was quick, so don't be afraid of the line. The food was good, but I was a little disappointed because nothing really popped out at me. I've had a lot of chinese food and unfortunately, Joe's Shanghai was just another chinese restaurant. The great thing however, was that we shared tables with other customers which gave us an opportunity to mingle with New Yorkers and other visitors.
Overall Joe's Shanghai was a great deal for lunch (for 2) and provided the right ambiance and experience when visiting Chinatown in NYC. -
Review from Joe L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/17/2012
This place has the best soup dumplings I've had in the city so far. I was brought here by a Chinese ex-pat years ago, and he took control when we were ordering. Couple orders of soup dumplings, scallion pancakes, cold sesame noodles, fried rice cakes, and some other stuff which I can no longer remember. We ate a TON of food and I was stuffed, but it was one of those situations where it all tasted so good, neither of us could stop.
As I said, the soup dumplings are sort of the main attraction here, but the rogue winner in my book is the fried rice cake dish they offer. They make these medallions of rice dough, which have the consistency of udon noodles or dumplings in a way, and stir fry them with whatever you choose. They're pretty unique and as I've come to realize, a bit of a challenge to find. At least at the Chinese places I frequent, it is not common to see on menus. If you like chow fun or similar types of noodle or rice dishes, you'll most likely enjoy this, too.
Unfortunately, this place has really jumped the shark in terms of tourist draw and over the top hype. It's often a mob scene now with very long lines to get in. Yes, it's good, but as others have stated, there are a plethora of other options in the immediate vicinity that accomplish virtually the same. With that said, if you can stand the wait, or if you can go at non-peak hours, it is definitely worth a visit. I have taken groups here on several occasions and it's always a big hit, particularly with out-of-towners. I love the communal, family style seating they offer. Almost always guarantees an interesting experience! -
Review from Sean T.
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really have nothing to add to the 1628 existing reviews other than to say that the soup dumplings here are effing amazing! Arrive early (preferably on a weekday) and order the pork soup dumplings.
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Review from Jando S.
Updated - 12/19/2011
Now it's really going downhill. Joe's in Chinatown is full on part of the tourist circle of life. It is on par with the out of towner ranks of the Carnegie Deli or even Serendipity in Midtown, where the waits are long and the food is overpriced. The kind of establishments where Zagat rates them as a "must visit."
Folks who have never experienced the wonder of a soup dumpling are sure to marvel at Joe's. The explosion of pork and crab juices in one's mouth is already an amazing feat, but soup dumpling cherry popping experience is frequent here. And despite it's rather mediocre results over the last few years, most folks simply come here because they know no other alternative. Being famous helps, in addition to the fact most of the staff speaks fairly solid English here.
The prices are "generally" considered inexpensive overall, but are definitely pricier than some of their competing neighbors. It's nothing absurd like the Midtown Joe's Shanghai (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) and the food isn't nearly as tasty as it's Flushing location (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
One would think that with more foreign customers the restaurant would somehow attempt to differentiate itself by offering better service. Nope. It's still just as shoddy and as rough around the edges as ever. How's being rushed out after waiting an hour plus for subpar dumplings feel now?Listed in: The Waiting Game (NYC), Dumplings A Plenty (NYC), XLB Soup Dumplings (NYC)
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/18/2008
The soup dumplings that are made now are probably not the same ones that enabled Joe's to become as… Read more »
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Review from Heidi W.
Bethesda, MD
1/20/2012
The first time I came to Joe's Shanghai, I was still a kid visiting NY for the first time with my parents and their friends. I remembered the busy atmosphere, the fish tank at the door, and the set up of the tables. Most of all, I remember how happy I was eating the endless number of yummy dumplings. The only thing I didn't remember was the name of the restaurant. Years later, I came here again because of a friend's recommendation, and the second I set foot in the restaurant, I knew I was in the same restaurant I visited as a kid. It was a very special moment....
So back to the review:
The soup dumplings seriously make me weep with joy...I love those little things! You can't come here and not order these! After ordering these, just pick whatever else you want off the menu...I haven't had a bad dish here yet. The dumplings are the most memorable thing about the restaurant though.
The service is kind of rushed because the place is always packed during mealtimes, and they like to group different parties at one large table to seat everyone more efficiently. I don't really mind because the food comes out at lightning speed.
I took off one star because the wait for seating can be torture. I remember waiting for an hour just to get in once. Watching everyone else enjoying their awesome dumplings makes me really grumpy. But when you finally sit down and have that first soup dumpling, you realize that it was all worth it!
I make trips to NYC a lot (mostly for the food), and I never leave without at least getting some dumplings from Joe's. I am so thankful to have found this restaurant again! -
Review from Miranda P.
Miami Beach, FL
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
You're guaranteed to wait because this place is always packed. My sister insists it's the best place to eat in Chinatown.
This place is known for their dumplings, but sadly none of them were vegetarian so I had to just sit and watch wistfully and my sister and her boyfriend devoured two orders of them.
I was able to enjoy a tofu and mixed vegetable plate that was delicious and the shallot pancakes came with a sweet dipping sauce and were definitely my favorite part of the meal. The bean curd and spinach dish that I ordered was greasy and weird and I wouldn't recommend it.
Service is pretty good and they work to get people and food in and out as fast as possible.
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