Next.js logo

JOE'S SHANGHAI RESTAURANT

Last Updated: 20 days ago

Phone: (718) 321-8981

Address: 46 BOWERY 10013

TLDR

Iconic Shanghainese spot, renowned for its legendary soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao).

Sentiment Overview(Based on 21 Reddit comments)

48% Positive48% Neutral5% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

Next.js logo
Next.js logo

Tags

chinese 18shanghainese 13soup dumplings 9dumplings 7xiao long bao 2View All

Neighborhoods

Chinatown

Instagram Posts References

Summary

Details

This establishment is celebrated for its authentic Shanghainese fare, establishing itself as a go-to spot for those seeking delicious soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao). Diners rave about the flavorful XLB, often recommending them as the quintessential dish to try. Beyond the famed dumplings, the menu also features other well-loved items like braised pork belly and cold sesame noodles, making it a solid choice for a taste of traditional Chinese cuisine.

Food Overview

The restaurant is highly regarded for its Shanghainese cuisine, with a strong emphasis on its soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao), which are frequently cited as exceptional and a reason to visit. Other recommended dishes include braised pork belly, cold sesame noodles, sautéed string beans, and crispy shredded beef. While generally praised, one user noted an experience with a fish dish with the head on, which led to an awkward interaction with staff.

Highlights / Recommended

"The restaurant is overwhelmingly recommended for its soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao), which are considered a signature dish. Other dishes that receive positive mentions include braised pork belly, cold sesame noodles, sautéed string beans, and crispy shredded beef."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • soup dumplings(3)

Customer Sentiment

Customers generally praise the restaurant for its authentic Shanghainese cuisine, particularly highlighting the soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) as a must-try. Some minor feedback mentions a language barrier with staff and that while still good, the quality may not be what it once was.

Reddit References

Highlighted Posts

Highly recommends the restaurant in Manhattan Chinatown, stating that everything there is amazing and specifically mentioning their soup dumplings as a highlight.
One user states that this restaurant used to be good but has declined, though another user believes it's always a good choice, noting that while the Manhattan location isn't as good as their old Flushing location, it's still very good. Both mention soup dumplings.
Recommends this restaurant as a better alternative for soup dumplings (XLB), describing it as tastier and cheaper than Din Tai Fung.
Traditionally good for Xiao Long Bao, indicating a strong reputation for this specific dish.
Recommended for its cold sesame noodles. Another user inquired about their crab rangoon and also mentioned liking their white meat sesame chicken. Additionally, another user suggested their sautéed string beans and crispy shredded beef.
Recommended as a place that remains fantastic despite potentially being 'touristy'. The comment also highlights that Chinatown offers very affordable dumpling and sliced pork options, around $3-5.
A suggestion for good braised pork belly in Chinatown.
Suggests this restaurant as a place where American-Chinese dishes can be found, known for its soup dumplings.

Recent Mentions

From post: Whats Your Favorite Place For Soup Dumplings

"This user believes Joe's Shanghai is always a good choice, noting that while the Manhattan location isn't as good as their old Flushing location, it's still very good."

Positive
Jul 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Whats Your Favorite Place For Soup Dumplings

"This user mentioned Joe's Shanghai, stating it used to be good but has declined."

Negative
Jul 21, 2025View Comment →

From post: If Youve Ordered The Same Thing From 10 Places

"Responding to a query about Joe's Shanghai, this user recommended the sautéed string beans and crispy shredded beef."

Neutral
Jul 14, 2025View Comment →

From post: If Youve Ordered The Same Thing From 10 Places

"This user inquired about Joe's Shanghai, asking if their crab rangoon is homemade or supplied, and also asked for other favorites, mentioning they like the white meat sesame chicken."

Neutral
Jul 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: If Youve Ordered The Same Thing From 10 Places

"Joe's Shanghai is recommended for its cold sesame noodles. The user also mentioned Shanghai on 2nd and 71st for crab rangoon."

Neutral
Jul 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: What Are The Most Touristy Restaurants Bakeries

"The commenter lists Joe's Shanghai as a place tourists might go."

Neutral
Jul 11, 2025View Comment →

From post: First Time Visiting Nyc

"Joe's Shanghai in Chinatown is recommended as a place that, despite being potentially 'touristy', remains fantastic. The comment also highlights that Chinatown offers very affordable dumpling and sliced pork options, around $3-5."

Positive
Jul 3, 2025View Comment →

From post: Non Pork Soup Dumplings Nyc

"This user mentions Joe's Shanghai as having crab soup dumplings."

Neutral
Jun 30, 2025View Comment →

From post: Chinatown Restaurant For In Laws

"Joe's Shanghai is suggested as a potential option, despite the general observation that many Chinatown restaurants are more "no-frills" than upscale."

Positive
Jun 11, 2025View Comment →

From post: Taking My Husband To New York For The First Time

"A Redditor recommended Joe’s Shanghai as a solid choice for a first-timer visiting New York."

Positive
May 31, 2025View Comment →

From post: Din Tai Fung On Saturday Nights

"The user recommends Joe's Shanghai as a better alternative for XLB, describing it as tastier and cheaper than Din Tai Fung."

Positive
May 29, 2025View Comment →

From post: I Smoked A Tuna Head That I Got From Aqua Best

"The user recounts an experience ordering a fish dish at Joe's Shanghai that came with the head still on; they ate the fish but not the head and found the interaction with the waiter regarding the head unhelpful due to a language barrier."

Neutral
May 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: I Smoked A Tuna Head That I Got From Aqua Best

"The user highly recommends Joe's Shanghai's soup dumplings, stating they are unique and that one would have never had anything like them before."

Positive
May 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Which Boroughs Chinatown For A Foodcrawl

"Highly recommends Joe's Shanghai in Manhattan Chinatown, stating that everything there is amazing. The commenter specifically mentions their soup dumplings."

Positive
May 5, 2025View Comment →

From post: 3 Day Solo Trip To Nyc

"Mentioned Joe's Shanghai as a place where they have had decent luck finding a pre-theater dinner in the Theater District area."

Positive
Apr 30, 2025View Comment →

From post: Favorite Pork Belly In China Town

"highway2hobo suggests that Joe Shanghai or 456 Shanghainese is also good for braised pork belly in Chinatown."

Neutral
Apr 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: Food That You Wont Find Anywhere Else In The World

"Suggests Joe’s Shanghai as a place where American-Chinese dishes can be found, known for soup dumplings."

Positive
Apr 18, 2025View Comment →

From post: Late Night Spots Radio City Area

"Joe's Shanghai is listed as a recommendation."

Neutral
Apr 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Getting Married At City Hall On Thursday

"you could do Joe’s Shanghai"

Neutral
Mar 19, 2025View Comment →

From post: Chinese Recommendation Help

"Traditionally good for Xiao Long Bao"

Neutral
Mar 3, 2025View Comment →