TLDR
Elegant Shanghainese cuisine with unique, fun dishes like beggar's chicken and renowned soup dumplings.
Details
Step into a world of elegant Shanghainese cuisine at this popular St. Marks Place eatery, where an imperial-inspired design with red and cream lanterns creates a visually stunning atmosphere. This gem is a frequent destination, often with a line to prove its popularity. While the menu is extensive, don't hesitate to ask your server for regional highlights. Must-try Shanghainese specialties include the tender chicken soaked in Shaoxing wine, comforting stir-fried rice cakes with pork and leeks, and the delicate peach resin stew with crabmeat. For those seeking a bit of heat, the house special fish stew with Sichuan peppercorns is an unexpected but highly recommended Sichuan offering. Beyond the savory, the desserts are also a delightful surprise. With a sister restaurant in Flushing, this establishment offers a refined take on Chinese flavors.
Food Overview
This restaurant specializes in Shanghainese cuisine, with a menu that offers both familiar and regional highlights. Diners particularly enjoy the soup dumplings (XLB), with one user calling them their current favorite in NYC. Other highly recommended dishes include the beggar's chicken, chicken soaked in Shaoxing wine, stir-fried rice cakes with pork and leeks, and peach resin stew with crabmeat. Surprisingly, the house special fish stew with Sichuan peppercorns is also a standout dish. The restaurant is also noted for having excellent desserts and a memorable braised pork belly.
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended dishes include their soup dumplings (XLB), beggar's chicken, chicken soaked in Shaoxing wine, stir-fried rice cakes with pork and leeks, peach resin stew with crabmeat, and their special fish stew with Sichuan peppercorns."
Customer Sentiment
Customers generally have a very positive sentiment towards this restaurant, frequently recommending it for its Shanghainese cuisine. Specific dishes like soup dumplings and beggar's chicken are highlighted as must-tries, with many appreciating the well-executed flavors and unique presentation. The ambiance is also frequently praised, described as visually appealing and elegant. Some users suggest that while it's a great option for regional Chinese food, it might not be as spicy as other Sichuan-focused restaurants. There's also a note about a Flushing location potentially being better than the St. Mark's Place one.
Caveats
One user mentioned hearing that the Flushing location might be better than the St. Mark's Place one. It's also noted that while some dishes are praised for heat (like the Sichuan fish stew), the overall Shanghainese focus might mean less spice compared to dedicated Sichuan restaurants.
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About ZHELI SHANGHAI
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Upscale Chinese Food Thats Actually Good
"CheLi is mentioned as being a nicer option than Pinch or Hwa Yuan Szechuan, but still a step below Hutong in terms of fine dining."
NeutralFrom post: Yeschef Food Fest Was Awful
"The commenter heard that the Che Li location in Flushing is better than the one on St. Mark's, indicating a preference for the Flushing branch."
PositiveFrom post: What Fell Off The Ny Times List
"This user believes CheLi should still be included on the NY Times list."
PositiveFrom post: What Fell Off The Ny Times List
"CheLi was included in a comprehensive list of restaurants that did not make it onto the 2025 NY Times list."
NeutralFrom post: Best Nonsichuan Mainland Chinese Restaurants In
"CheLi on St Marks is considered pretty good by the user, who has had positive experiences there. They also note that its Shanghainese style is not particularly spicy, aligning with the post's request for non-spicy mainland Chinese food."
PositiveFrom post: Elevated Spicy Asian Shareables With Drinks
"CheLi is recommended as a suitable alternative for those seeking less spicy options compared to Mountain House."
PositiveFrom post: Elevated Spicy Asian Shareables With Drinks
"CheLi is noted as a sister restaurant to Mountain House, implying a similar culinary style or experience."
NeutralFrom post: Whats Your Goto Restaurant When You Dont Want To
"User manicakes1 suggests CheLi for higher-end Chinese food, noting it almost always has tables available."
PositiveFrom post: Favorite Pork Belly In China Town
"carefullywasnt considers the braised pork belly at Cheli to be the best they've had. This comment was in response to a request about pork belly in Chinatown, but carefullywasnt mentions this restaurant is not in Chinatown."
PositiveFrom post: Bar Snacks Crawl Lower Manhattan
"A commenter recommended CheLi for soup dumplings and mentioned it is also great for desserts."
PositiveFrom post: Food That You Wont Find Anywhere Else In The World
"Recommends Che Li as another excellent Chinese option in Manhattan, noted for having less of a Szechuan focus compared to Uluh."
PositiveFrom post: Meals Like Naks Kamayan Feast
"Recommended for regional Chinese food in a visually appealing setting, offering some "wowing" dishes."
PositiveFrom post: East Village
"Recommends CheLi for Chinese food (Shanghainese)."
PositiveFrom post: Chinese Dinner Restaurant Recommendation For Solo
"Recommends Che Li."
PositiveFrom post: Where To Take Parents 2nd Time In Nyc
"Chinese food in NYC is way better than London - Cafe China and Cheli are both a bit more upscale."
PositiveFrom post: Restaurant Recommendations That A 17 Yo Would
"fantastic Shanghainese, very 'fun' dishes (beggar's chicken)"
PositiveFrom post: Restaurant Recommendations That A 17 Yo Would
"CheLi has some great sweet options"
PositiveFrom post: Chinese Recommendation Help
"Has XLB and takes reservations. Current favorite XLB in NYC."
Positive