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I have been wanting to try Zhi Wei Cafe for some time now & finally found myself in the area to grab dinner here. It was pretty busy the day we visited but did not have trouble getting a table ~7pm. Once seated, the server provides a tablet to order food! All the ordering is done through the tablet. They have A LOT on their menu, a bunch of the dishes piqued our interest & seemed right up our alley! We ordered the following: -crispy tofu -pork belly skewers -chicken hearts -braised lamb noodle soup -golden fish fillet noodle soup -popcorn chicken -soup dumplings I wished the noodle soups could've been spicier. I added 5 scoops of chili oil but I didn't find the chili oil to be spicy at all. It did help to make the soup more enjoyable though. The chili oil for the pork belly and chicken skewers were great. Has a slightly sweet note to it & in terms of spiciness, not spicy at all either. I think this is perfect for anyone who likes a little kick but not fully on board with spice. The skewers were great. We liked the seasoning they used; it was slightly spicy with a hint of sweetness. Note: we came here for lunch a week after this visit & we didn't enjoy the pork belly skewers as much. The pork belly was too fatty & was not grilled long enough to be rendered, so we found it hard to enjoy. The crispy tofu was our favorite appetizer! It's nice and crispy on the outside & soft on the inside, and came with a sauce to dip that complimented the tofu well. The popcorn chicken was okay. It was crispy and light but we believed that it could benefit from having more of the dry seasoning. There was a light dusting of the dry seasoning that only covered the top five chicken pieces, however, all of the other pieces remained bland. I think if they added more of the seasoning & tried tossing the chicken while it's still hot in the seasoning, it would be much better. Lastly, the soup dumplings were solid. They came with thicker skin than other spots around but we liked that the filling was pretty generous. Very soupy & had good flavor. Overall, Zhi Wei Cafe is not too shabby. It gets the job done if you're looking for Lanzhou noodles and fried appetizers. Service is very meh & food could be more flavorful.
For a quick work lunch I stopped by Zhi Wei. On a blustery spring Tuesday, the establishment was almost completely full. I did manage to get seated without a wait at 12:30. I ordered the lunch combo of lanzhou noodle & lamb skewers. Not much has changed flavor wise. The broth was clear but flavorful. The noodles had decent texture and springiness. The skewers were adequately seasoned. It still remains a staple in the area. The wait for food was a bit long (for the standards of Chinese restaurants, so 15-20 min) because I happened to arrive at the tail end of a wave of customers.
great meal! service was incredible as well. my friend and i ordered a decent amount of food for just the two of us, and a server had checked in to confirm we didn't accidentally over-order but we really appreciated them looking out for us haha the lanzhou beef noodle soup is super flavorful, particularly loved the texture of the noodles. meat was a bit chewier than i would've liked but still good overall the soup dumplings were also yummy, loveddd the broth. no notes! the stir fried house special noodle was only decent, it didn't really stand out despite its name. i found that it was lacking in flavor. not sure if it was just the bite i had or something specific, but it was salty.=
I have wanted to try this place after they were on the Michelin Guide. I don't like the smell when you enter. You can smell lamb, which I am not a fan of. Came during lunchtime, so it was busy, especially with a group of 10+ people. We ordered Lanzhou beef noodle soup, pan-fried buns, and soup dumplings. The Lanzhou beef noodle soup tasted way better than the one in the restaurant in Seaport. My favorite was the soup dumplings, and the skin was thin. It is a little pricey, 2 appetizers with 1 bowl of noodle soup, including tips, it costs over $45.
This spot is michelin recommended for a reason! Their traditional beef soup is out of this world, with springy hand pulled noodles, tender melt in your mouth beef, and a delicious complexly flavored soup base. I could crave it over and over again. Not to mention the other dishes their menu has to offer which are all just as amazing and perfectly crafted. My personal favorites were the soup dumplings which had lots of broth, a soft tender filling, and a satisfying delicate flavor--they were simple made perfect. As for the restaurant itself, it cozy but fills up fast. Despite being busy, it still never felt rushed or too chaotic. The energy was vibrant, fun, and welcoming. Plus, the service was super friendly and accommodating making the whole experience perfectly satisfying and making you want to come back for more. Overall, this spot is a great hidden gem and I'm glad their being put on the map!
Small noodle-focused eatery a half story up from ground level on South Street, a bit away from the heart of Chinatown, so be careful not to miss it. A late 2025 Michelin recognition will get more careful eyes on it. Very clean, casual, and friendly without being dumpy. Refined enough without being stuffy. Ordering is via tablet, but servers assist. -- Pork Belly Skewers: I ordered them spicy (via tablet button, and server confirmed), but they weren't spicy at all. A little pale and chickeny-looking, with a chicken feel and a chicken-meets-bacon taste. Tender. Slightly seasoned, with a shallow pool of soy-based condiment and shavings on seasoning underneath. -- House Special Stir Fried Noodles: Firm, thin, wide, long, and slightly dry, with a very good portion of beef, lamb, and shrimp added. All of the proteins were tender and perfectly cooked, but no real additional flavor. A little chili oil spooned on from the table supply remedied the lack of both moistness and flavor, making for a pleasant entree. When the check came, I put down my cash but had to wait exactly 15 minutes (time was on the printout) before the server came back to take it and provide change. Not the end of the world, but a) that's significant for someone who might be paid by the hour and on a lunch break, and b) I expect better of a Michelin-blessed business. Definitely a good lunch, but closer to good than great.
Had such a pleasant experience at Zhi Wei Cafe! Came around 7PM on a Saturday and were seated immediately. They're on the Michelin Guide so of course we had to try some of their staple dishes. Our favorite dish was definitely their hand pulled lanzhou noodles. The broth had a deep heartiness to it, and the noodle texture was absolutely perfect. I think their appetizers (skewers & crispy fish filets) were good, but nothing standout. The service though. Wow, that was some amazing service. All of them were very sweet and quick to assist. Would definitely recommend giving them a try.
I stumbled on Zhi Wei cafe on a Sunday when I was in the area and really wanted some noodles. It did not disappoint! The scallion noodles were fire. So much flavor. I also got some soup dumplings. Based on how good the food was, I was surprised it was not more packed. My waitress was so great, and I loved the space inside. The prices were not bad, and for the quality, it's somewhere I plan to stop by again for lunch.
Food was excellent we got the noodle soups ( we had the traditional beef and fish kinds) which were specialties. We had the soup dumplings too. It took a long time for them to bring some of the food (that is the reason I don't give 5 stars) but otherwise service was fine. The place is conveniently located near train station so it is perfect
Zhi Wei Cafe is truly one of my favorite spots in Boston and I recommend it to everyone. The space itself is super spacious and I've never had to wait anytime I've been there. You order your food on a iPad but the staff is always open to answering any questions that you might have. If you go, the Lanzhou beef noodle soup is a MUST. The lamb skewers are also insane. Highly highly recommend!
This place is so good, my girlfriend started asking me "do you know Zhi Wei to my heart?" This place has my favorite crispy popcorn chicken, I recommend eating in for these, they are so good while hot and crispy. If you don't know what to get for lunch, do the Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup and Lamb Skewer combo. The noods are plenty, the broth has great aromatics, beef slices are tender and the lamb skewers are perfectly seasoned, even my friends who don't eat lamb because of its gaminess approved of it. If you are dining with friends who can eat lamb, try it and if you don't like it, you can give it to them, or you might catch yourself ordering extra. We also had their Mala Beef Slices as an appetizer, and it couldn't pair anymore perfectly with the Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup. If you wanna cool down after the hot soup, I'd recommend Osmanthus Iced Jelly. I gave this a try over the summer and it's surprisingly refreshing and was something I find myself ordering as a dessert everytime I dine-in. Great customer services, we were seated by the window and they would often check if we needed water. I came in with a dying OM-1 and she asked if I needed a wall outlet to charge it when she overheard us.
I almost never mention customer service in my reviews because, frankly, as long as the food tastes good I don't really care. But it's hard to ignore at Zhi Wei Cafe. There was only 1 waitress serving the entire restaurant, and she did an amazing job. I'm not sure why it stuck with me, but when she brought out the food and said "慢慢吃" it made me feel at home. As for the food, it was pretty solid. I tried the Lanzhou beef noodle soup and the crunchy fried chicken steak. The Lanzhou noodle's flavor was on point, but the noodles didn't taste freshly made. The chicken pleasantly surprised me, as it was really crispy and juicy. The portion was also larger than I expected since it's listed as an appetizer. I'd definitely come back, and I see why it's Michelin recommended.
It's great to have a decent northern Chinese food restaurant in Boston! The broth of the beef soup was clear and flavorful. The lamp was a bit too fatty though. I love the crispy rice cake with brown sugar inside which was different from what you usually get. read more
3 years ago
We had a wonderful lunch there, family friendly place , my 3 kids love their food so much! Restaurant is super nice decor, spacious and very clean, no oily floor, restroom is very clean and fresh. Food is delicious !!! Noodles and dumplings are all handmade. And the amazing friendly service made it even more tasty. Parking is easy, we went at 12 noon on Saturday. Highly recommend this gems! Walking distance next to china town. read more
The signature *Lanzhou Clear Beef Noodle Soup* is well made. Very flavorful with decent amount of beef. If I have to nit pick, the soup is on the darker side, not clear enough to my standard. Still worth a try! The only comparable soup noodles of this style I could think of is Aries Noodle & Dumpling in Waltham. *Mala Beef* is also a must try. Not super spicy, very refreshing as a cold appetizer. Would order again. *Stir Fried Lamb Noodles* - not recommend. It's weird to stir fry this kind of hand pulled noodles...and the sauces and ingredients don't feel cohesive enough with the noodles, as if they were poured upon afterwards instead of fried together. Friendly staff, quick service, trendy vibe. Price is slightly more expensive (~$16 per noodle entree) than your average Chinatown eateries but on par with other FIDI lunch spots (oh inflation!). Inflated 5 stars for encouragement! Will come again! read more
1 year ago
8 months ago
1 year ago
7 months ago
I randomly found Zhi Wei while looking through places to eat in Chinatown on Yelp a couple of months ago and thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did! The restaurant is spacious and clean with a cozy lofted level. Overall, I like their Lanzhou beef noodle soup but haven't tried anything else I've liked. The Lanzhou beef noodle soup (a spicy version of the beef noodle soup) has a delicious, savory broth. The noodles were well-cooked and the beef seemed to be a thinly-shaved beef shank, which I've never seen before in this kind of soup (I'm used to thicker cuts). I really enjoyed this dish and all of its components. I would definitely get this again. I also tried the soup dumplings which I didn't think were that great. They are very big but the skins are pretty thick. On my second visit, I tried the fish fillet with green pepper noodle soup and I would not recommend this at all. The fish tasted weird and turned me off of the whole dish. The broth was pretty good at first but at some point the fish flavor permeated it strongly and I couldn't eat it anymore. It seems like the restaurant is pretty popular on takeout delivery apps so it took us a while to get our food the first time, but overall I think their Lanzhou beef noodle soup is worth the visit. Hopefully I can find some other gems on the menu next time. read more
3 years ago
Came here on a cold Sunday night for dinner with my wife and the in-laws when we were visiting Boston. Came across this place right when we were craving hand pulled noodle and it perfectly fit the bill. Tucked away on a relatively quiet street across from the main chinatown gate sits Zhi Wei Cafe. The interior is very new looking and has a big traditional Chinese art and story on the wall about the noodles history. I will say the service was a little bit slower than we were expecting, but chalked it up to then being relatively new. We got 2 orders of lamb skewers and 1 order of bok choy. The skewers were pretty decent but the bok choy was disappointing. They were cold and pricier than they should've been (why it's a 4 star instead of 5) The coup de Grace was definitely the star of the night. The broth was perfectly balanced and full of flavor and umami. The noodles chewiness works so well with the crunchiness if the radish. The beef gives you that extra flavor bite you're looking for and the spicy cuts through any fat. Will definitely recommend the noodle soup, especially on a cold winter day. read more
Clean, modern space that is very welcoming. The appetizers were better than the entrees. The bbq beef skewers had the right balance of sweet and salty seasonings, and the right fat ratio. We greatly enjoyed steamed pork & leek dumplings cooked Al Dante. The soup dumplings were moist but did not contain soup. The spicy beef noodle soup and 3 stir fried noodle dishes were bland. The fresh noodles didn't seem to hold seasoning and vegetable noodle dish only had onion and carrot. The beef used in the soup is high quality, the broth was not spicy nor overly flavorful. Super clean bathroom and attentive service. read more
2 years ago
Very quaint Chinese's spot in Chinatown with good and quick service. The dumplings were juicy and warm, and the beef soup had a great base broth but I wish the meat was cooked a little bit less to reduce that chewiness! Overall still a great experience read more
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Jin T.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re so glad you…
Came here for lunch with a friend on a Wednesday afternoon. It's a small restaurant tucked away in a calm street of Chinatown. The staff is friendly. Might be busy during lunch hours but place seems large enough to hard quite a bit of people. We both really enjoyed the pan fried dumplings which were fairly stuff with meat and flavorful. The soup dumplings were alright but didn't have enough broth in them. The broth for the noodle dishes were flavorful, spicy, and comforting. Beef were tender and yummy. The noodles that we had didn't taste the freshest as we had expected it to because we thought these were homemade noodles. Noodles could use improvement, but the broth was the star of the show and made up for that. read more
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Jin T.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re…
Very good affordable Chinese noodle rice shop on the outer edge of Chinatown. More spacious seating then the average Chinatown shop. The waitstaff was very attentive. The water glasses should be bigger but they did refill us many times. Regarding the menu, on 1 side is the list of Lanzhou noodles stir fry and soup versions and rice with a varieties of protein options (beef, chicken, shrimp, lamb, vegetable, etc.) and on the other side is a large list of 31 appetizers. We ordered A14 Barbecue Chicken Gizzard Skewers 2 pcs, A15 Barbecue Chicken Heart Skewer 2 pcs, A16 Homemade Soup Dumplings 4 pcs, A17 Handmade Pan Fried Bun 4 pcs, A18 Pork & Chives Dumplings 6 pcs, A22 Shanghai Bok Choy with Oyster Sauce, A23 Edamame, A28 Crispy Tofu, A30 Chinese Fried Dough Sticks, L2 Beef Noodle Soup, L8 Stir Fried Beef Noodle, R1 Mala Beef with Rice. If it sounds like we ordered a lot, we did and we managed to eat almost all of it! We would definitely order again: soup dumplings pork & chive dumplings, edamame, boy choy, fried dough sticks, the beef noodle soup and the stir fry beef noodle. The soup dumplings were classic and required soup spoons to help eat them so the delicate soup isn't lost. Edamame and boy choy are always our favorites especially the latter with extra oyster sauce. We ended up ordering a 2nd order of the fried dough sticks but it's more of a dessert than appetizer. The beef noodle soup and beef stir fry were filling. The Mala Beef with Rice was a mixed bag - one in our group did not like it but another did. The skewers were good but we'd probably skip them next time. The pan fried buns were too big and just ok. The tofu was plentiful but the orange mayo sauce might have made the dish look nicer but it made it a lot less tasty to us and we didn't finish it. The food here is not earth shattering high cuisine but affordable and good with a really wonderful staff. This is a great Chinese comfort food place and we will happily return. read more
Business owner information
Jin T.
Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review! We are so…
3 years ago
We came here about a month ago and got the Lanzhou beef noodle soup and the shrimp noodles. The Lanzhou beef noodle soup in particular was delicious! Loved the flavor and the texture of the noodles. We really enjoyed the service and unassuming ambiance as well so rounded up from 4.5 to 5. Welcome to the neighborhood Zhi Wei Cafe! Edited to add a picture! read more
3 years ago
Verdict: Recommended, especially for those craving Lanzhou Ramen. Price: $120 (with tip) for 5 dishes. Sufficient for 3 men. Food (7/10): Lamb Chops: Highlight of the meal. Authentic, though on the pricier side. Beef Noodle Soup: Genuine flavor with a savory broth. Soup Dumplings: Standard American taste. Service (3/10): Minimal; limited mostly to serving dishes. Ambiance (4/10): Unremarkable setting. Expect parking challenges. read more
2 years ago
really great lanzhou beef noodle soup!! The noodles were bouncy and not mushy, and the portion sizes were big. I liked the broth a lot, it was super flavorful and tasty. We also got lanzhou clear beef noodle soup, popcorn chicken, cold noodles, and the osthmanthus ice jelly for dessert. Everything was great! It's hard to find good cold noodles in Boston, but I really liked this one. The inside of the cafe is nicely decorated as well, and service was great. read more
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Jin T.
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so happy to hear you…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Jin T.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for visiting our new spot…
My friend and I came to Zhi Wei on a Saturday evening, and the restaurant was basically empty. We were greeted immediately and proceeded to take a seat at any table we liked. We ordered the Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup, Soy Milk & Dough Sticks, and Golden Shrimp Balls. I really enjoyed the beef slices present in the dish. The noodles were not bad. They are firm and do not get soggy over time. The broth was okay, but I wish it was a bit more flavorful as it did not leave much of an impression. The dish was also not spicy at all. The dough sticks were not that good. They were overly dry and crispy, although they were alright when soaked by the soy milk. I really enjoyed the options provided to enjoy the soy milk. You can have it hot or cold and sweet or unsweetened. I had it hot and sweetened, but honestly, I did not taste the sweetness much. I also wish it was a bit hotter, but it is fine. The golden shrimp balls were a surprise. They had egg yolk filling inside, which explodes in your mouth when you bite into the balls. The shrimp flavoring felt a bit lacking, but I did enjoy its crispy exterior. The service was really nice. They do not hurry you to leave and let you take your time to eat in peace while chitchatting. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I would not purposely make the trip to come here. It is a nice addition to the area, though. read more
2 years ago
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Jin T.
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about…
1 year ago
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Jin T.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. I’m truly sorry to hear…
2 years ago
Very good food. The beef pancakes were delicious. The Chicken Stir fry was very flavorful as well read more
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Jin T.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Jin T.
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We're glad you enjoyed…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Jin T.
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad to hear…
1 year ago
2 years ago
Business owner information
Jin T.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We’re happy to hear you…
3 years ago
Flavorful Beef Noodle soup! Broth was so tasty with no msg after taste. Came back for dinner and ordered almost every appetizer on the menu! Didn't disappoint. Pan fried buns was my favorite. Restaurant is clean and modern with a traditional twist. Will be back! read more
3 years ago
Pan fried buns were sooo good. Also loved the spice of the Lanzhou Beef Noodle soup. Will absolutely come back. read more
1 year ago
We popped in here around 8pm last Friday, and were greeted and sat immediately. It's a clean bright space-- it's the former location of The Kitchen Café which I loved dearly when I worked on South Street-- but they did the space justice! We split the Signature Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup, the Soup Dumplings (not pictured), and the Taiyaki Fish Cone Ice Cream. The noodle soup came out first, and was delicious, spicy, and homey-- it's a soup I'll think of when it's cold or when I'm sick. The broth, the noodles, the chili oil-- everything was on point. The soup dumplings came out next, with a traditional ginger vinegar dumpling sauce. I was worried we had ordered "too much soup", but the broth in the dumplings was different enough to keep things interesting-- almost a little sweet?-- and the dumplings themselves held together perfectly. We finished the meal with the Taiyaki ice cream, which, to be honest, I couldn't tell you the flavor if I tried? I thought it had red bean paste, my husband said coffee... who knows? But it was great! All in all, excited to come back and try more things. I hope they do well! read more
2 years ago
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Jin T.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re…
3 years ago
The worst soup dumplings I've ever had The soup dumplings were overcooked, all the wrappers were broken. I am surprised that they severed the soup dumplings with broken wrappers and fillings out. The worst XLB ever. read more
2 years ago
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Jin T.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that…
2 years ago
Business owner information
Jin T.
Thank you for the great review! We’re glad you enjoyed the lamb…
1 year ago
2 years ago
Business owner information
Jin T.
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear…
More info about Zhi Wei Cafe
104 South St
Boston, MA 02111
Leather District, Waterfront, South Boston
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(857) 277-0937
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https://www.zhiweicafeboston.com
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