Joe's Shanghai

All 196 rated mentions, most helpful first

  • 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.

    H3

  • 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.

    H3

  • 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.

    H3

  • 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.

    H3

  • 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.

    H2

  • 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

    H2

  • replying to u/hotspencer: Joe’s Shanghai doesn’t deserve the hate. It’s absolutely delicious with soup dumplings twice the cubic volume of most others.

    It’s still basically the best and consistent soup dumpling you can get.

    H2

  • 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)

    Sometimes you wanted the flavor to punch you in the mouth, so you went to Joe’s.

    H2

  • replying to u/Big_Split_9484: Question: Was Joe’s Shanghai really worth the hype?

    Not really I think. Its becoming more Asian American tasting. It's tasty for that style, but if you want more authentic taste, probably other places.

    H2

  • replying to u/smokeandsneakers: Based on the feedback, I'm considering cancelling Balthazar and making reservation at Minetta Tavern. We will also aggregate and do a full day in Chinatown, possible including Joe's Shanghai Also, note that it was Levain Bakery, not leaving Bakery. Sorry about the formatting, it all looked different on my phone while typing

    Def not worth going to Joe's Shanghai. Not authentic (and Chinese friends agree).

    H2

  • replying to u/4theloveofgelabis: I feel like last time I went there I didn’t enjoy them as I had in the past. Has the quality returned?

    Agreed when earlier this year and service and quality was extremely bad.

    H2

  • replying to u/snark-as-a-service: 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. There are so many better options a stone’s throw away that will actually provide decent authentic Shanghainese food.

    They're good for tourists and people who don't know anything and want an entry level XLB spot with local history.

    H2

  • replying to u/One-Tumbleweed5980: This was my take too. The first Din Tai Fung I've been to was in Taiwan. It was good but I barely remember what the meal was like. My west coast friend just messaged me about the opening, saying I should try Din Tai Fung and that it's better than Joe's Shanghai. lol.

    Every Chinese restaurant in NYC is better than joes Shanghai

    H2

  • Joe’s Shanghai actually had pretty good GTC from my prior experience.

    H2

  • replying to u/ButterscotchMoist447: Pork soup dumplings at joes Shanghai with the house special chili oil.

    I've had soup dumplings all over the city and these are my favorite by far.

    H2

  • Lunch / walk over to Chinatown, Joe Shanghai or Shanghai 21. Soup dumplings.

    H2

  • replying to u/hotspencer: Joe’s Shanghai doesn’t deserve the hate. It’s absolutely delicious with soup dumplings twice the cubic volume of most others.

    Joe’s soup dumplings are dog shit.

    H2