I love the food at LJ Shanghai, it's genuinely some of the best we've had and the reason we keep coming back. Everything we've tried has been delicious. However, we had a pretty uncomfortable moment the last time we visited when paying the bill. Since they only take cash, I glanced at the total with the suggested tip amounts written underneath and saw what I thought said "18% - $50," so I left a $50 bill on the table. When the server came back she asked if I wanted change and I said no, and she told me that was "only a $2 tip." and that it wasn't enough. Our bill was actually $48. The suggested tip section was handwritten and the "56" for the 18% tip looked like "50" at a quick glance. I immediately realized my mistake and fixed it by tipping her appropriately, but the way it was addressed in the moment was pretty embarrassing. I completely understand servers rely on tips and I had every intention of tipping well, it was just an honest mistake from misreading the handwritten suggestion. The food here is amazing and I'd still recommend it, but that interaction made the situation uncomfortable. read more

I love this place! Great noodle house! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting and the owner is funny, engaging, and makes everyone feel welcome. And of course, the food is delicious. Definitely one of my faves! read more

Not a negative just a heads up....cash only. We had limited cash on us so we stuck with the soup dumplings and fried noodles. The dumplings were amazing, so flavorful! The fried noodles were the best noodles both my husband and I have had. The service was quick and very friendly. Restaurant is clean and well taken care of. We will be back the next time we are in Cleveland. read more

Soup dumplings!!! Amazing and probably even better if you eat there and get them. Spicy chaoshou was so good and the flavors were perfect! The right amount of smoky sweet heat! Next time we will dine in! Only negative is the location! read more

LJ Shanghai - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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If I'm looking for a restaurant to bring my Shanghainese parents to, this is it. Bare bones dining rooms, vinegar on every table, and the best homemade XLB that Cleveland has to offer. The cherry on top is the boisterous owner, who greets diners loudly in English and Chinese while flying across the restaurant taking orders. LJ Shanghai is comfort food for when you need a good takeout bowl of soup noodles to eat alone in front of the TV or dumplings for the whole gang (although the whole gang must be present to be seated). On weekend evenings it can get quite busy, but if you come in a group of 2-4 you're usually able to get a seat on the fly. The menu is a small front and back laminated page and has evolved a bit over the years, with the core theme of Shanghainese cuisine with a little Chongqing spicy flair. Prices have risen over time as well, but are still quite affordable and you're almost certain to leave feeling full. First timers will not be disappointed by the soup dumplings, spicy beef noodle soup, or pork and shrimp wontons. If you're feeling even more Shanghai, go for the fried rice cake or fried bean curd. Honestly though, any variation of noodles here has restorative powers, particularly on a cold, gray Cleveland day. Service is pretty quick, and to pass the time you can peek in on the dumplings being made in house in the kitchen next to the cash register. Restrooms are located in the back up the ramp, and though one is marked for male and the other female, they're identical in their contents so I'll often use whichever opens first in a pinch. I'll see you here soon! read more

LJ Shanghai - Veggie Noodle Soup - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

We ordered a handful of dishes (soup dumplings, shrimp and pork wonton soup, pan fried beef noodles, and spicy beef noodle soup). The food was all good but not good enough to make up for our waitress yelling at us when we asked if we could order. I fully understand the restaurant was busy. After waiting over 20 minutes to sit down (also not an issue, we came at a busy time and was ok waiting for a table), we were seated. We saw other people who came after us ordering and with little kids in tow, we raised our hand to ask if we could order. Our waitress blew up on us. It was absolutely inappropriate. I don't care how good your food is, to be yelled at in front of a group of little kids was unacceptable. I understand you might be stressed but we weren't yelling or putting pressure. We literally just raised our hand and calmly asked if we could place an order. Still giving the restaurant 3 stars because the food was good and the rest of the staff was very sweet. Even the waitress who yelled at us changed her tune but it was too late. Glad we tried the restaurant but we won't be going back. read more

I brought a New Yorker here and the loved everything. We came in on a cold winter day and it was warm, cozy, and welcoming. You can tell the food is made with love and came out hot and quick! This is a cash only restaurant but it's worth going to the atm. read more

Amazing food was very good a little packed but nice also I loved the food everyone was very nice would highly recommend:) keep up the good work read more

The food here is what makes this place!! It's authentic and delicious. The vibe is definitely hole in the wall. It's not super cute so you're not coming here for the aesthetic, but for the food. Service is usually pretty quick and staff is friendly. read more

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Just like every review says--don't skip LJ Shanghai. The food is incredible, service is spot on, and it's one of those places I'll be thinking about for a long time. Cash only! read more

LJ Shanghai - Soup dumplings - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Really great and authentic Chinese food! Definitely a pricey but given that this is Cleveland it is understandable. We got the cucumbers, Lion's head meatball, soup dumplings and spicy beef noodle soup. Everything was delicious, and we will definitely be back. So glad I found an authentic Chinese spot. read more

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Authentic Shanghai cuisine. Soup dumplings are outstanding. Service could be considered poor, or even rude to some. But to me it just seems like they don't tolerate any nonsense. They take your order, you get your order, eat, pay, leave. No fluff, just good food. read more

As a Chinese and an experienced cook i would say this restaurant is disappointing. Their 10 dollar each lionhead meatball is too salty and thus not worth the money and their sweet and sour pork ribs are only sweet but not at all sour--buy vinegar please. They are cash only but would write gratuity directly on your check but if you do that please also write a thank you to show your manner as the owner of the restaurant. I went there because I knew their reputation but I was extremely disappointed. I will never go back as a serious lover of Chinese food. By the way, the boss lady definitely has an attitude towards customers. She fights back after reading my Google review with a very sarcastic tone. Sure, I gave her 25 cents more than what she asked for then she THANK me. Oh my I thank your whole family. 感谢你全家。 read more

LJ Shanghai - Very salty Shanghai meatball not at worth 10 bucks. - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Casual cash only Chinese food prepared fresh. Cucumbers in garlic were light and refreshing. Beef pan fried noodles were delicious though I should have asked for more beef. Soup dumplings were tasty and great. read more

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When a friend asked me to join him for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, I thought....great....always a good time for some orange beef and rice. But this place is something quite different. Not the usual Chinese fare I am used to. I have no idea what authentic Chinese food is supposed to be but this food seems as close as I can get in Cleveland. It is a no frills kinda place, fairly spartan and does have much in the way of ambiance....but the food was spectacular. Delicious, hot, just the right amount of spice and priced very fairly. Service was fine, owner was waiting tables, seemed like family working the back kitchen. Fairly active at lunch time, Seemed like a lot of regulars. If you're looking for really good Chinese that is not the usual fare, this place could be for you. Throughly enjoyed it. read more

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Anybody who doesn't rate this place high is a fool. Like get your head examined fool. Best XLB dumplings in Ohio, great spicy dumpling dish, excellent noodles, great soups, great ownership/staff. Everything homemade. One reviewer gave it 1 star because it was "too authentic". Imagine wasting your time on earth typing something so pointless. We stop here every single time we are in Cleveland. Wouldn't miss it. Getting ready for my second visit this week. read more

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I'm very disappointed with the service. I don't usually leave negative reviews unless they're truly warranted. While I had no issue with this business being cash-only, what was unacceptable was being chased outside of the restaurant because I was told I "didn't leave enough money." Tips are optional. If this establishment expects a mandatory gratuity, it should be clearly included in the total price. Under no circumstances should a customer be confronted or followed outside over a tip that did not meet expectations. That behavior is extremely unprofessional. To make matters worse, the owner followed up by stating, "I cook and clean up after you." While that may be true, those responsibilities come with owning and operating a business and do not justify confronting customers over gratuity. Overall, this was an uncomfortable and inappropriate experience. read more

Came back to visit . This recommend this place. There staff very friendly it's like going to family dinner. read more

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Amazing traditional cuisine! Very friendly staff! The soup dumplings are a must, same with a spicy soup!

I've heard amazing things. I hope to one day be able to try their epic soup dumplings. However, we were unable to get a spot as it was packed and had a long waitlist. We also did not realize the business is CASH ONLY. This is fine I just wish I knew ahead of time. Just make sure you have your cash ready and get there super early! We decided to go somewhere nearby but we will return and I will add a new review. read more

LJ is the best. It's just really good food. Dumplings, noodles, special edition beef -- pull up.

Came in from Colorado to celebrate my daughter's recent engagement with our party of 8 people, we did let them know ahead of time we would be there so no surprise for them. We were greeted inside and felt right from the beginning we were not wanted there. Right off the bat My future son in law was rudely told I WILL NOT BE WRITING SEPARATE CHECKS! , ok he said no problem and we proceeded to sit. From there the service and the way we were talked to & treated by the staff was absolutely horrible! We ordered our food and drinks and continued to feel like we were being bothersome by asking for more water or things of that nature. Our food came out staggered and the very last dish came out after everyone else was done with their food. I understand we were a big party who ordered a lot of food but this is the place we choose to have a celebratory dinner as the food here is always delicious. We did notice other patrons who came in were greeted with a smile and cheerful conversation but not us. I wanted to share our experience because although the food was delicious unfortunately the service overall and the treatment we received significantly took away from what could have been a great dining experience! We felt very unwelcome from the moment we were seated. The check did come out and we were trying to get our cash together and noticed the tip was originally written out for 20% but then scratched out and changed to 25%! Why?? We definitely didn't mind the 20% but didn't feel after the way we're treated that 25% was deserved. We paid the bill and left and I nor my husband will ever come back to this establishment. Good food is important but customer service and hospitality matter just as much! Do better to people of all walks of life no matter what color they are! read more

CASH ONLY!!! You will be reminded of this numerous times! Food was delicious. Wait staff was not attentive. Only one chef the night we ate there, and my son's dinner came out 20 minutes before mine. There is no ambience, but the food makes up for it! read more

Came here for a team lunch for 8 people. Service was good and we got our foods relatively quickly. Soup dumplings were pretty good. The soup dumplings skin was thicker than how I usually like it but the taste was pretty good. Got the pork belly noodle soup. I really liked the noodles, they were soft. Credit card minimum is $15. Additional charge of $2 if you pay with Amex. F*ck around, find out with all their Smith & Wesson signage. read more

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Lovely experience here! From the moment we walked in they made it clear we knew it was cash only. The ladies were super nice. The food was delicious the noodle and beef dish was my favorite. The place definitely got busy as the evening went on, but there was a good amount of seating and a homey diner vibe. read more

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Who would open up a Chinese restaurant in this part of town, let alone a Shanghainese style one in Cleveland? And yet, here it is and locals of all types are flocking here for the spicy dishes you will not find at your local Americanized Chinese takeout. Contrary to popular belief, General Tso's Chicken is an American invention with the General being pure fiction and you won't find his chicken at LJ Shanghai. But you will find many authentic Northern China regional dishes. Of course we had to sample the Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings). The skins are thin and delicate and filled with steamy hot liquid as they should be. Next was the Chongqing Beef Tripe & Tendon, which was good & spicy. They even tossed in some Tongue and Shin. The more cow parts, the better. My wife's favorite was Fried Rice Cakes which were perfectly chewy with the right amount of sauce & seasoning. The Shredded Pork and Pickled Vegetable Noodle was just like the way my mom made it and it brought back memories of my childhood. read more

Service was terrible. We told our waitress at the start we had a nut allergy, then when the food came out there were peanuts on it. This could kill my girlfriend. We asked to confirm and the other lady that brought it out asked if we told our waitress about the allergy and we said yes. No apologies or anything. Waitress never came back after that or checked on our drinks, food, etc. Will not go back. Also, cash only SUCKS. read more

Wanting to grab dinner between work downtown and a concert at Severance Hall I decided that I would give LJ Shanghai a second try. Still a great little restaurant, modern sleek and a great place to grab a meal. The menu is still two sides of pictures; the selection has changed with more vegetarian items and a couple of seafood items. I decided to get the scallion noodles and the fried shrimp. The scallion noodles are still a very good sized bowl of buckwheat noodles in a warm broth. A very nice dish and even better as compliment to the rest of the meal. The Fried Shrimp were outstanding, whole shrimp still in the shell with the heads, split open and then fried and served with an excellent sweet pungent sauce. The flavor works really well if you eat them in the shells, it adds crunch and flavor. I ended up combining the shrimp over the noodles and it was as good a meal I have had in a while. LJ Shanghai is an great place to grab some Asian food that is both a bit familiar and also a bit different; if you want to be adventurous and have a great meal this is the place for you. read more

Food was very good, unfortunately, the service is subpar unless you happened to be a local.

LJ Shanghai is a Chinese food staple in Cleveland. I've been here countless times with both friends and family, and my Chinese immigrant parents were very impressed to find such authentic food in Cleveland. Their spicy beef noodle soup is very popular for a reason, though it is definitely very spicy. You can also get a beef noodle soup without spice in it FYI. I most recently tried the pork noodle soup, which was very delicious, and good for people who are not feeling spicy food. Their Xiao long bao are also excellent, and I've also enjoyed a variety of their side dishes. The service at this restaurant is very fast, though they can get very busy. They don't seat you unless your whole party is here, but are quick to bring out food once you're seated. Definitely check it out! read more

LJ Shanghai - Pork noodle soup - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Amazing food. Don't forget they only accept cash. Their soup dumplings & duck were to die for. The most reasonably priced excellent meal I've eaten in Cleveland read more

LJ Shanghai - Seawe - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Hands down one of the best restaurants in Cleveland. We've eaten in NYC, Boston...but absolutely nothing compares to LJ shanghai. In fact, this was the first meal my husband brought me postpartum in the hospital. It's that good. Thank you for always being fantastic- the staff, service and food are all phenomenal. It all keeps us coming back read more

Run, don't walk to get the Shanghai fried noodles and if you don't order at least 2 rounds of the soup dumplings while you're here, you probably hate yourself and life. This meal was a standout and was the perfect lunch stop while bopping around Asiatown. The vibes and service are everything you want: Quick, Direct, Cash Only. Server was attentive with refilling water and the food comes out super quick. There's a reason this place is on so many peoples lists for some of the best Shanghai food in town. Go get some asap! read more

LJ Shanghai - Soup dumplings - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Love this place! Great authentic food & the server is always super sweet & helpful! Definitely my go to place for dumplings read more

LJ Shanghai - Soup dumplings Spicy dumplings - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

We came here with some friends after seeing a TikTok boasting about it's amazing soup dumplings. I can confirm that the soup dumplings do not disappoint. The broth inside them was to DIE for. Absolutely delicious. My only sadness is that we didn't order more. I really wanted to try their pan fried noodles but they were all out. Instead I got the scallion noodles and they were tasty. We also got an order of edamame, which was not what I was expecting. They arrived cold and only slightly cooked so we just ate the insides! Still tasty, just different than i anticipated. They were slammed but we still got in and out pretty quickly and the servers were pleasant enough. Its owned by a family from what I can tell. The interior was fine. A good amount of seating and everything felt clean! read more

LJ Shanghai - Soup dumplings - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Food was amazing! The lady who works here is too funny . The only issue is way too much food. read more

LJ Shanghai - Spicy beef noodle soup - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Great experience! Food was the best ever! Always look forward to our visits. Great service as always. See you next time!. read more

LJ Shanghai - LJ Shanghai - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Aww, man, this place is one of the only places to get good Asian soup dumplings. The dim sum spot also has soup dumplings, but this place takes the prize. This is also your neighborhood spot. LJ, the owner, is so friendly. The proper way to eat a soup dumpling is to have a 10/90 ration of hot oil and vinegar. Put the dumpling on a spoon, bite a bit off the time to suck a letting of the soup out. Pour as little as much of the sauce in. And all in one shot. You'll love this. But I digress. I love this place. Prices are higher, IMO, but you get some quality food. It's anywhere from about $10 to $20 for each plate. You can't just get one per person; it's a sharing event, and you must get some appetizers, too. It looks like they are short-staffed most of the time. So be patient, the food will come when it's done, and you will enjoy it. The vibe is awesome. It's like the Cheers of Cleveland. read more

LJ Shanghai - This is a must have. - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Been wanting to visit for two years and Finally made it...so glad I did. The house specialty -- soup dumplings -- were perfection. This place makes their dough and noodles right onsite, and I will be hard-pressed to ever go back to store-bought. The texture is unmatched, the filling tasty. Add the chili oil & soy sauce and it's up there with the greatest tastes I've ever had. We shared a beef noodle dish and it, too, was terrific thanks to those handmade wide noodles. Service was super efficient and the joint was jumpin. Only minor quibble was the portion size could have been better for the price, and the menu is limited. But wow, hands down some of the most flavorful food in town read more

If LJ is like MJ, then Koko is Scottie. The farther you get away from San Fran, Binondo, Chicago (Southside Chinatown) and SoCal, the harder it is to find legit dim sum and bonafide Xao Long Bao (XLB). So LJ Shanghai (the owner does have mainland roots) is the real deal, in my XLB fixated opinion. Our first meal here was sit-down and it was during the height of COVID, the owner came by to say hello and that was super nice of her. We really enjoyed our soup dumplings, the crispy katsu and I'd prolly skip the soup but I'll let you be the judge of that. This second time around was a drive by situation due to time constraints, don't want to get busted speeding on the Ohio turnpike, so we took our XLB to go. It was piping .....and I mean piping hot and juicy. If you're ever in Cleveland, and y'all get a hankering for some great XLB, dim sum and then some...you know where to go. read more

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