Joe's ShanghaiCHAIN

4.8/10Chinese

AI-generated summary

People argue about Joe's Shanghai. Fans get the , which is bigger than most places make, with the house chili oil. Others say the skins are thick and doughy, call it a tourist trap, and point you to Flushing or Nan Xiang instead. The gets praise from both camps. There is usually a line.

46 Bowery, New YorkChinatown / Tribeca, ManhattanGoogle Maps

What Reddit says196

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  • in:What places are overhyped but actually deserve it?18 pts
    replying to u/stimilon: Levain cookies, magnolia banana pudding, Katz’s pastrami, Joe’s Shanghai (and sister Joe’s Ginger), most of the “good” pizza places (John’s, Grimaldi’s, Juliana’s, Lombardi’s), Blue Hill, Arthur Ave classics like Mario’s. Corner Bistro. Jacques Torres. McSorley’s, Crif Dogs. Momofuku Noodle bar. Is Wo Hop still open? Mid places: PJ Clarke’s can be hit or miss for the money. Sylvia’s can be meh depending on what you get. Grand Central Oyster Bar is fine, but better can be had. Places I don’t love: Rao’s, Peter Luger.

    “Joe’s Shanghai is absolute trash and I will die on this hill. Their xiaolongbao skins are horribly thick and doughy, poorly constructed, clearly not freshly steamed.”

  • in:What's the worst food you've had in NYC?5 pts
    replying to u/TwinFishPi: Whhaaat? In Chinatown? At the old location this used to be THE place. With lines before social media was a thing. (We would go to the flushing one tho)

    “Joe's has always been either a tourist trap or someone's entry level soup dumpling.”

  • in:WHEN TF IS DIN TAI FUNG OPENING1 pts
    replying to u/flythearc: XLB are Shanghainese, but DTF is from Taiwan. Arguably less authentic. However, because of that, the wrapper is thinner than what you’d find in Shanghai. For that, I love how delicate but perfect the XLB is at DTF. Also all of their vegetables are top tier.

    “native Shanghainese consider thicker skin as a sign of shit chef skill, and this is why many natives also hate places like Joe's Shanghai.”

  • in:Best eats in NYC on a 75-100 USD Budget?1 pts
    replying to u/Titan_Astraeus: Your best bet would be to search those cuisines in the sub, to see Burgers: minetta tavern, red hook tavern, au cheval Pizza: l'industrie, Lucia, Prince street, Rubirosa (good for sit down food too), Mama's too, johns Bleecker st For around $80 id prob go to Ippudo and get ramen, duck bun, a cocktail and shaved ice dessert. Also joes home of soup dumplings (joes Shanghai) for Xiao long bao, crispy beef, cucumber salad

    “All the Joe's Shanghai across the city do a very very poor job, I would rank them near the bottom along with Nanxiang on 33rd as they all have tops that are too thick and don't properly flavor/season their meat. Just tourist traps.”

  • in:Food Itinerary Review24 pts

    “Joe Shanghai is a major skip. There's always a huge line outside but it's mostly non Chinese/tourists who don't know any better.”

  • in:Must try eats in NYC/Unique American foods12 pts
    replying to u/Garconavecunreve: Skip the hot dog, cheesecake factory and halal guys (if you want a halal plate go to midos). Bakeries - a lot of better options (radio bakery, ALF, supermoon, la Cabra, even Mah ze dar) Soul/sourhern - make the trip to Harlem and go to Sylvia’s, Amy Ruth’s or (less old school) red rooster Burger - depends on what kind of burger you’re looking for Bagels - good selection, I recommend Tompkins square though Also: hit up a kosher deli/store (greengras, B&H, edit: just saw russ on your list) BBQ - no real outstanding options You’re missing Chinatown, Korean, and tons of other “ethnic food” imo - search the sub (just put in “best…”)

    “Go to joes Shanghai and order the soup dumplings”

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