Joe's Shanghai is a popular Chinatown eatery in Manhattan, famously known for its soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao). The restaurant offers a spare and casual setting, and it's important to note that they primarily accept cash payments, with ATMs available on-site.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise Joe's Shanghai for having some of the best soup dumplings in Manhattan Chinatown, describing them as incredibly delicious and full of flavor. Other dishes like Szechuan fish, crispy chicken, beef scallion, and chicken sesame also receive positive feedback. Service is often described as quick and friendly, though some customers feel rushed during busy periods. A significant point of concern for some patrons is the payment process, with reports of an 18% service charge being subtly added to bills and issues with change and receipts, leading to a perception of lacking integrity in billing practices. Despite this, many find the food quality worth the visit and the potential wait.
Additional Details
The restaurant is located at 46 Bowery, New York, NY 10013. It is a traditional spot for Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown.
Visiting on a Monday night or during off-peak hours might allow for quicker seating. Expect a wait during busy times, but many customers find it worth it.
First time coming here. We ordered scallion pancakes, pork soup dumplings, Shanghai fried rice and sesame chicken. The food was delicious. Definitely liked the scallion pancakes and the soup dumplings here better than other places in the area. The Shanghai fried rice and sesame chicken were good but not better than others in this area. The waiter was attentive and friendly. The decor is nice, and the atmosphere was very busy. Overall, I recommend it and would come again.
★★★★★
Joe’s Shanghai absolutely lived up to the hype. If you’re in Chinatown, this place is a must.
Of course we had to order the famous soup dumplings, and they were every bit as good as everyone says. The wrappers were perfectly thin, packed with rich, flavorful broth, and the pork filling was delicious. Just be careful they come out piping hot!
We also shared the chicken fried rice and General Tso’s chicken. Both portions were generous, fresh, and full of flavor. The General Tso’s had the perfect balance of crispy chicken and a sweet, savory sauce, and I loved that it came with fresh broccoli on the side.
The restaurant has a lively, bustling atmosphere that feels like a true New York Chinatown experience. Service was quick despite how busy they were, and our food arrived hot and fresh.
If you’re visiting NYC and want authentic Shanghainese cuisine, Joe’s Shanghai deserves a spot on your list. Great food, generous portions, and those soup dumplings alone are worth the visit. I’d definitely come back.
5
Walking in, I already had a feeling this was going to be one of those places where you forget about checking your phone because the food keeps showing up and grabbing your attention. The dining room had a busy energy but never felt overwhelming. Once everything landed on the table, we ended up reaching for the soup dumplings first, then somehow kept rotating between the scallion pancakes, crispy shredded beef, and shrimp fried rice without really deciding what to eat next.
The soup dumplings absolutely lived up to what I hoped for. They were packed with hot broth and the wrapper held together just enough if you took your time. The crispy shredded beef had that sweet and crunchy coating that made it easy to keep picking at even after I felt full. Between bites, the scallion pancakes added something simple but satisfying, especially dipped into the sauce left from the dumplings.
By the end of the meal the table looked like we had ordered too much, but somehow very little was left. It felt like the kind of restaurant that's easy to recommend because the food is comforting without trying too hard. I'd happily come back the next time I'm in Chinatown just to order the same combination again.
5
The chive and pork soup dumplings had a better flavor than the ones with shrimp. These are the reason to go. They are messy and very hot so let them cool first because I recommend popping them in your mouth whole or else the soup splatters everywhere and you miss out. The General Tso’s chicken was amazing. And the Shanghai rice paired well. You have to order rice or noodles separately. The entrees do not come with rice. CASH ONLY
5
Absolutely amazing food. The whole store smelled wonderful. The soup dumplings are packed full of flavor and thick broth. Could have just eaten that and been happy. The Szechuan beef is delicious and believe your waiter when he tells you it is spicy! We love heat and it was on our upper tolerance. The hand cut noodles were great. The food service is a little slow and staggered, but delicious.
