TLDR: Potentially…read moreone of my favorite Chinese restaurants in all of Massachusetts! Beautiful interior, centrally located, and delicious, high-quality food. Will definitely find a reason to come back here soon. ------ FOOD: 1. [MUST TRY] STIR-FRIED CABBAGE W/ PORK BELLY (5/5) Presentation was phenomenal (in a clay pot with its own burner underneath to keep it hot). The portion was much larger than expected, and most importantly, it tasted incredible. Generous amounts of pork in this, and the sauce was authentic and addicting. 2. SCALLION CHICKEN (5/5) Another great choice. This was a huge portion with lots of tender chicken, and the scallion was present without being overpowering. 3. CRISPY BEEF WITH FRIED DOUGH STICKS (5/5) I was expecting Chinese you tiao but these were actually the small, ultra crispy manhua twists! Paired with the beef, this was a large and unique dish that I loved. The crispiness of the mahua made this a textural delight to eat. 4. MANGO SAGO DESSERT (5/5) Big portion, wonderful assortment of toppings including grapefruit, mango, sago, and popping balls over a creamy dessert soup base. 5. PEKING DUCK (4/5) I think I'm a tough critic since I just came back from Beijing and had so much Peking duck there. We ordered the half portion here and it had a generous amount of meat for not being the full portion. There were an assortment of accompaniments, including pineapple (new to me) and sugar (like the Beijing style) which were welcome additions. The wrappers were steamed well and didn't curl up on the edges. Overall this was a solid Peking duck, but the meat wasn't as standout as I was hoping. 6. STEAMED PORK SOUP DUMPLING (4/5) Solid soup dumplings. Not the best I've ever had, but definitely hit the spot. 7. SAUTEED PEA SPROUTS (4/5) Another solid classic. 8. PORK MEATBALL IN CRAB MEAT SAUCE (4/5) This was the most unique thing we ordered. I've never had a shi zi tou meatball with crab meat sauce before. The meatball itself was large (maybe size of a tennis ball), tender, and fatty, as it should be. It was then drowned in a generous lake of traditional crab meat sauce. If you're not a fan of crab meat then this might be a bit too fishy for you, but honestly it all combined surprisingly well and I grew to like this dish more and more with each bite. I wasn't the biggest fan to start, but by the end I wouldn't have minded getting another one! ------ AMBIANCE / ENVIRONMENT: * The interior has the classic Asian style of decor, but you can tell it was recently built / renovated because everything felt new and fresh. * The ambiance also felt more new-school luxurious vs. the typical Asian establishments that are more no-frills with as many tables packed in as possible * You're still somewhat close to the tables around you, but it's not overwhelming during lunch time and we still felt like we had enough space regardless * There's a bar area at the front of the restaurant and then a large, spacious dining room in the back * This is a great place for a date or a meaningful family gathering * Right outside is Boston Common, making this restaurant very well-located for lunch before or after a nice day in the park. While there's lots of parking around the park, a spot itself can be hard to come by, so your best bet might be to use the nearby parking garage instead ------ SERVICE: * Overall the service was great and quick. They did forget our tea, but when we asked for it later they apologized profusely and were quick to bring it out for us * This place fills up quickly so be sure to come early if you don't have a reservation or if you're a big enough group, make a reservation for your desired dining time

Xiao Long Bao (5/10): Not worth ordering. To their credit, at least there was soup inside. The…read morefilling was not very flavorful, though. I had this with my Shanghainese relatives and they thought it was so bad Fish Slices w/ Pickled Mustard Greens (6.5/10): This tasted fine. The fish itself was not memorable. The spice level was ok, but could've been spicier. Crab Roe over Rice (7/10): Pretty tasty, but more of a side dish. Peking Duck (7/10): Honestly, I never order Peking duck unless I'm with my relatives. It tasted good to me, but pretty comparable to other Peking ducks I've had in the US. I think this is their #1 specialty dish or something, so knowing that, it doesn't really live up to the hype. tl;dr Too expensive for the quality of food you get.

Nan Xiang Express in Boston's Chinatown brings a quick-service version of classic Shanghai-style…read morecuisine, with a focus on soup dumplings and other traditional Chinese comfort dishes. We walked into a casual, modern space with kiosk ordering and limited seating, the kind of place that is better suited for a quick meal rather than a long sit-down dining experience. The room had a practical, efficient energy with a steady flow of customers coming in for a fast bite, and the compact layout kept the focus on the food rather than the atmosphere. The main highlight is the soup dumplings, especially the pork variety. We ordered a basket and found them capturing the signature combination of delicate wrappers, savory filling, and flavorful broth inside, the wrapper thin enough to hold the soup without breaking and the filling well seasoned. The menu also offered other strong options, including pan-fried pork buns, scallion pancakes, beef soup dumplings, noodles, and appetizers like cucumber salad and spring rolls, each arriving hot and well assembled. The scallion pancakes and pan-fried items added a nice contrast with their crisp texture compared to the softer dumplings, and the variety across the menu made it easy to build a meal around the soup dumplings or try a few different items. The ordering process was straightforward, though the smaller dining space could feel crowded during busy meal periods. While the atmosphere was more casual and fast-paced than a traditional dumpling restaurant, the food quality made it a worthwhile stop for anyone craving Shanghai-style dishes in Boston. The staff moved through orders with efficiency, and the food came out without much delay. Overall, Nan Xiang Express delivers a convenient and satisfying dumpling-focused experience, especially for a quick lunch or casual meal in Chinatown.

I am not sure why this place does not have higher ratings! I thought the food was really good…read more I got the braised beef noodle soup in the juicy pork dumplings. They were both really good and really tasty. The beef noodle soup was just spicy enough and not overdone, and the beef was really tender. The juicy pork dumplings were very juicy and came out piping hot, which is how I like it. For the noodle soup it was quite a large portion. This is a great place to eat at if you want a quick stop with a friend or by yourself. It's a nice and no nonsense place with a little bit of cute designs. The service is quite quick and I did not need to wait too long for my food. I guess my only complaint is that I felt like the food was just a little bit expensive.

I had a really enjoyable meal at Dumpling House in Cambridge…read more The dumplings were fresh, juicy, and full of flavor. I especially liked how everything tasted homemade and comforting, with a nice balance of texture and seasoning. The menu offers a wide variety of options, so it's easy to try different dishes beyond just dumplings. Everything came out quickly, and the portions were quite satisfying. The atmosphere is casual and lively, which makes it a great spot for a quick meal or a relaxed dinner with friends. Overall, a solid choice in Cambridge if you're craving authentic Chinese dumplings. I would definitely come back again.

A dinner with my Korean friends revealed my current favorite Chinese restaurant in Boston!…read more Soup Steamed Dumplings Pork 小籠包: The dumplings were large, incredibly juicy, and the meat filling was tender and smooth. The seasoning was only slightly sweet, perfectly complementing the freshness of the meat. These were the best Xiaolongbao I've had in the US, although the skin was a bit soggy and unappetizing. Pork & Leeks Dumpling: My friend ordered these, opting for pan-fried dumplings. They were piping hot, incredibly fragrant, and the meat filling was tender. The chive flavor was mild, which is perfect since I don't like chives lol. A touch of vinegar was definitely needed to cut through the richness! Sliced Fish Szechuan Style: Calling them "sliced fish" is a bit of a stretch; "fish fillets" would be more accurate. They were probably made with basa fish, and the fish was incredibly tender, almost melting in your mouth. The broth was fragrant, and the numbing and spicy flavor was authentic, earning high praise from my friend from Sichuan. Lamb with Ginger & Scallions Onion: A perfectly good Beijing dish, but it was prepared with the feel of a Cantonese stir-fry, which suited my Cantonese palate perfectly. The lamb was incredibly tender, with no gamey taste, and stir-fried until the oil was visible but the sauce wasn't thickened. The sweetness of the onions and carrots added to the complex flavor. Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin: Just average, like a typical Shanghai style home-cooked meal. Nothing special to say. General Gao's Tofu 左宗豆腐: My first time trying the famous "General Tso" (I don't know why they call it General Gao) series of American Chinese cuisine. It felt similar to the technique used in Shanghainese "Kung Pao宮保." A slightly sweet and sour flavor with the aroma and mild spiciness of dried chili peppers, the ingredients were deep-fried and coated in a thick sauce. The tofu was overcooked, the edges were hard, and the sauce became a bit watery towards the end. This dish was just okay.

I got delivery from here this weekend (believe that's why the prices are so odd) and was pretty…read morehappy with the food that came. I do think I'd order differently the next time around, but this was a solid meal. Shanghai fried pork noodle ($17.64) - these noodles are amazing. Perfectly bouncy and chewy with really tender pork and a great savory flavor, I'd 100% get these every time I come back here in the future. They were a little oily, but not so much that it was a negative. Everything just melded together really well and I basically inhaled this entire serving in minutes. I think the noodles are fresh noodles too - the texture and bounciness was just really really pleasant. 10/10 for these every time. Pan fried pork bun ($10.56) - I was a little less impressed with these. I really like dumplings with the thicker dough skin, but this was a fluffy bun type of wrapper instead. The meat inside was a little mushy, and the juices has seeped into the skin which I normally like with a chewy skin, but with this fluffy skin it just left a lot of the buns very soggy. And because the juice had seeped out of the meat, the meat was also a bit mushy inside. The taste was good but not a huge fan of these, though I'm sure they are better in person. Still, I've been here twice already and will keep coming back, especially for those delicious noodles!

We wanted a meal in Chinatown and Fuchun Ju did not disappoint! It was a short walk from the…read moreChinatown T stop and the food and service were wonderful. You use a QRC code to access the menu and place your order. Your tab stays open until you let the system know you are done with your meal. We ordered the spring rolls, the rainbow soup dumplings and the half Peking duck. Everything was very good. The dumplings were presented in a wood bird cage which was a fun presentation and played into the garden feel of the restaurant. We'd definitely recommend Fuchun Ju.

Recommended by my friend, this pan-fried bun生煎 place isn't far from MFA Boston. The little place is…read moreincredibly popular and well-known among Boston's Chinese student community. Shanghai Classic Pork Pan-Fried Buns上海生煎饅頭: I was instantly hooked! It's hard to imagine finding such good pan-fried buns in the US. Almost every table ordered them, so they were all freshly made, piping hot. The bun was made with unleavened dough, making it chewy and refreshing, with a light, crispy bottom--not oily or hard. The meat filling was substantial and tender, with plenty of broth (see picture). It was sweeter than salty, incredibly umami. The chili oil was also very fragrant, and dipping it in Zhenjiang vinegar enhanced the flavor and cut through the greasiness. Shredded Pork & Preserved Vegetable Noodle Soup雪菜肉絲麵: The noodles were thin and round, with a soft, mushy texture. While the noodles were clearly machine-made, this isn't a problem in the Yangtze River Delta region; the issue was likely overcooking. The shredded pork were well-stirred, with tender meat, but the noodles lacked flavor. They had to be eaten with the pickled mustard greens雪菜 to be slightly salty, and the umami flavor was severely diluted. The tableware is all disposable, and tipping is not mandatory. It's quite affordable.

This place is really legit for Shanghai pan-fried buns/shengjianbao. My parents are from Shanghai…read moreand my dad said they are on par with the good places in Shanghai. They come out piping hot and fresh, and can kind of be hazardous if you bite into them too quickly and cause the soup to spurt out. I don't think I've had better ones in the states! In fact, even in Shanghai, it's kind of hard to find good ones sometimes (at least ones that serve them all day and not just for breakfast). It's more of a takeout place as it's rather small, but the interior is clean and bright.

I love the scallion pancakes here. The employees are so helpful, and the menu is delicious. This is…read moreone of the yummiest food places around, I will be loyal to here for takeout for as long as I live. This place is the best! And I love that they've started selling their sauces and the freezer meals at market basket.

disappointing and bland…read more we tried all the different dumplings. Not much flavor in any of em. The chewy Sichuan had a nice texture and were the favourite, but the sauce is VERY sweet, rather than spicy or garlic

I was in area for appointment. Opted to try for a first time as reviews are positive…read more Nice clean restaurant, sunny, nice lunch vibes. Service was strange... hot tea came to table right away and was watered down and minimal tea flavor. I ordered a sesame chicken lunch special which came with soup egg drop soup, spring roll , white rice. I ordered a side of beef teriyaki . Waitress asked 1 or 2 teriyaki ? I assumed how many teriyaki sticks or small or large options? I said 2. Egg drop soup and spring roll shows up with duck sauce... egg drop soup was very good. Spring roll was excellent and filling was fresh. Then Next 2 orders of beef teriyaki with 4 sticks each show up??? She takes away my duck sauce from my spring roll... and leaves me with no duck sauce for my beef teriyaki? I now ask for duck sauce for teriyaki? She brings out a hot spicy sauce instead of duck sauce ? The sesame chicken was very good but more sweet and sour sauce flavor than sesame ? The beef teriyaki was extremely tough meat and I had to ask for a knife to cut up? No glass of water as I saw other tables getting water? I had to ask for water as tea wasn't doing it for me ? Then another duck sauce shows up I didn't ask for but glad it did arrive and was needed? Teriyaki had great flavor but tough like beef jerky and one order would have been enough to tolerate without the confusion of getting 2 orders and then also charged for two ? I found the service confusing and not a smooth outing? Then both the waitresses disappeared while waiting for the check . I asked for a glass of water at this point. No fortune cookie, pineapple or exit offering with the check? All in all I was confused.. but I would eat again here and assume staff trying ... next time I'll be very clear what 1 vs 2 means. The menu does look many good options and convenience with parking, location and nice dining room. I would have rate 4-5 stars but the teriyaki wasn't tender and too tough to enjoy.

For a late 2pm Saturday lunch I stopped by Taipei Gourmet. The establishment was one-third full, so…read moreI received a seat immediately. I ordered the beef noodle soup ($15.95) and vegetarian leek pie ($9.95). Both came out within 10 minutes. The beef noodle soup had the thin flat wheat noodle ubiquitous in Taiwanese noodle soups. The soup was well-flavored with stock. Too many of these sorts of places over-rely on soy sauce, making a salty yet thin and underflavored bowl. Not here. I will nitpick and say that I would like larger chunks of beef, not the sort of cubed stew beef you see at the supermarket. The vegetarian leek pie (as it's called in the menu) is a pastry stuffed with chive (not leek), egg, and vermicelli. It was decently salted and hot. The portion sizes were quite satisfying as well. Closing thought - this place has, so far, the closest to what I would consider a decent bowl of Taiwanese beef noodle soup I've had in the Boston metro area so far. I'm always on the lookout for it