Joe's Shanghai Reviews

Visited with a group from work and in spite of the website saying it serves vegetarian dishes, really it is very limited in this area. Most of the dishes in the "Vegetable" section of the menu included pork or crab or shrimp so I ended up with a plate of mushrooms and pak choi for $21. I had some very average vegetable dumplings but there are no veggie soup dumplings on the menu. The food was okay. The meat-eaters seemed satisfied and impressed but it was nothing special for me. Chinese food is often not great for vegetarians but their website specifically says it serves vegetarian dishes so I expected more than this. They take cash only but there is are 2 cash machines just inside the front door so that isn't really a problem.

You can tell from the queue and waiting time that this is a popular restaurant, further evidenced by the number of Chinese diners. The lady managing the queue was excellent but the serving staff were very indifferent and pushy to get you out as quickly as possible. Sharing a table with five other people is not my idea of fun either. Decor very dated and shabby. Toilets fairly revolting. However we were there for the food which was excellent.

My friend had this place on the list to check out , so we came and had to see what the hype was about! There was a line , but it wasn't that bad. You just grab a number and chill in the area! We got inside , it was packed and we were bunch with different groups of people in one table. I didn't have any issues with that , cause I came to see what all the noise was about! Prior to this we had already ate a bit , but we wanted to see what's so good about the xialongbao. We ordered xiaolongbao and another plate of noods. Honestly both plates were really good , I can see why people are making noise about xialongbao, It was very very juicy. Prob the most juiciest I've ever seen from a xiaolongbao! I personally really wouldn't wait in a line again for this place , just cause I'm not a super huge fan of xialongbaos. Overall experience was pretty cool though! *Be aware if there is a line , you might be seated next to another group!

Let me just say that it’s worth the wait. Just walk in and ask for a number and wait outside. 25 min wait later and I had the best soup dumplings on earth. These little pillows of love broth are just the perfect combination of flavors, textures and smell are perfect. My all time favorite meal. Also had the scallion pancakes. A must in NYC

Excellent fish and meat dumplings, I think they were the best of my life, very generous portion with 8 big pieces that when you open contain a delicious broth. Very good also the spring roll much larger than the Italian one (like a hunter x to be clear), then we took a portion of fried meat with sweet and sour sauce ... good shame that I left over more than half xchè even this was very plentiful, they even offered to make me a doggy bag but being in the hotel I had to reluctantly refuse. At the end of the meal they bring slices of oranges. The waiters are very kind, they immediately bring 2 glasses of water and go to top them up all the time. You only pay cash but there are two ATMs at the entrance 😂 for a roll 2 ravioli (one meat and one fish ) and the meat I paid about 70 dollars (including tip)

We stayed in Bowery, and popped out for some food late afternoon. We had seen this place had great reviews so thought we would give it a try. We absolutely LOVED it. We shared fried pork dumplings as an appetiser - these were really good. You get 8. We then shared General Tso fried chicken and fried rice. Both excellent and big enough portions to share. Loved this place and would recommend. The only reason we give it 4 is you have to sit sooo close to other diners.

We were recommended to this restaurant on our trip so of course we were going to try it!! It was so delicious. Everything was good. Nothing disappointed. After walking all day we were super hungry. It’s a bit tight in there but they make it work! It’s a must go if your in the area!

Small, but nice restaurant. I have been here three times and enjoyed all three visits. Great dumplings. Good service. Can get crowded.

This place gets super busy but has a fast turn over so you get seated fairly fast. If you’re in smaller groups they will seat you on large round tables with other small groups which is great use of space and makes for a convivial atmosphere. Obviously everyone goes here for the soup dumplings and what can I say?! They’re GREAT. Nothing to look at but they are both fun to eat and very very tasty. I’d happily just eat those for the whole meal but the other dishes here are equally good. Portions are very large so sharing is advised! Nothing here is gourmet but it’s absolutely a level up from your every day neighbourhood Chinese place

I've been coming here 20 years and it NEVER disappoints. The soup dumplings ARE as good as they say. I'm happy they moved to a bigger location. My only issues were the service (the wait system is archaic) and the cash only policy (ATM machines in the front are pricey as hell), but other that the 1 hour wait was worth it and something I expected because it's a solid product that I'm always pleased with. Crispy beef, lo mein and dumplings are a must try.

In the heart of seedy Chinatown, this place is brusque in service, and although has a great reputation and celebrity fan club, did not deliver on the day. Dumplings were fantastic but soft crab and chicken in peanut was forgettable.

We were recommended Joe’s China town restaurant by our hosts and weren’t disappointed. The food and service are excellent together with the price (be aware cash only)! The two highlights for us were the dumplings (especially the soup dumplings) and the Szechuan Beef Casserole, yum! Will definitely go back next time we are in NYC.

Must try their dim sum, a sensorial experience because they are filled with meat and broth, served with an excellent vinaigrette sauce. The noodles with good meat, huge portions, at the end bring segments of orange to refresh the mouth. When you arrive they immediately serve fresh water with ice. Kind and professional. We entered at 7pm on Saturday with practically no queue, but at the exit it was full of people waiting

The first time here and the food was so delicious. The dumplings were exceptional. The service was great and fast. I will most definitely be back next time.

The main reason I'm writing this review is in the hope the restaurant will take some heed and clean their facilities. Food was ok for what they charged, have had much nicer elsewhere. The restaurant was dirty with food stains on the wall beside our table and the toilets filthy. Wouldn't be inclined to venture back again or recommend. It was however very busy with lots of people arriving while we were there. However, please give this place a deep clean, it looks like years since it's had one.

The crab and pork xiao long bao are sublime. Adding the vinegar is other worldly. We also got their wonton soup with shrimp and pork. The dumplings are huge and have whole shrimps in them. Very large portions and good prices made for an excellent meal. The sesame chicken was also top notch

My wife and I ate an early dinner here as it was next door to our hotel, we were so glad we did. This was the best Chinese food we have ever experienced, that includes what I have tried in China. It was also the cheapest meal we had in New York. The staff were very knowledgeable and extremely helpful in helping decide what we should order. You cannot book for here you simply turn up and get a ticket number, we only waited approximately 15 minutes. Don't be put off by the que outside as many are waiting for take away.

Really enjoyed my meal here. The food came out fast hot and packed with flavor. Portions are big enough to share, which makes it great for groups or anyone who likes trying a bit of everything. Prices were surprisingly reasonable too especially considering how generous the servings are. And the beers? Cheapest I’ve seen in New York, no question. Just a heads up though it’s cash only. They do have a few ATMs inside, so it’s easy enough to grab some if you forget, but it’s good to know before you go. Overall, great atmosphere, good food, and solid value. I’d definitely come back.

We ordered take aways from Joe's . It was extremely disappointing and they got the order wrong . The food was not fresh . I will never order from Joe's again.

Good place, but you have to go before 12am because it’s all time full. Fast service, the food was good but simple with a correct price, for 2 persons 30 dollars.

Really enjoyed our lunch here!! We had the best pork soup dumplings, the mu shu pork and General Tso's chicken. All were delicious. It's family dinning so if you don't have a big group you'll be sitting with other diners. The staff are really on top of things and food comes out in a timely manner. This is not a fancy place but the food is totally worthg it!! Definitely recommend!! We'll be back!!

Loved this place. We were seated quickly. Servers were very attentive. Service was fast. Food was delicious. We ordered the soup dumplings of course. They did not disappoint. We also ordered the crispy beef and a spicy prawn dish. Everything was really yummy. The restaurant is a tad pricey, but portion sizes were good. We weren’t able to finish everything. Will definitely be back on my next trip.

We read a few good reviews about the place. But, those can be very misleading. The food was ok. I’ve had much better for the prices they charge. The service was AWFUL, the waiter didn’t bring one of our orders and then was arguing he did. Finally the dumplings arrived and he still was saying the duck she already had. The place is small and packed with tables you can barely walk by and almost touching each other. I would never go back there and recommend not a good place to eat.

Came twice in March and food is great. Almost every table you would see Soup dumplings. They are the best. We tried watercress tofu soup, fried noodles, beef and vegetable and they were all great. This one in downtown serves bigger portion and less expensive than the one in midtown.

Soup dumplings galore, prefer the crab. Braised duck is good, as is spicy sliced beef. Came with party of eight - 4 years old to 87 years old - all enjoyed meal.

We came to Joe's Shanghai for lunch and ordered three dishes, which all came very quickly and were very tasty. The portions are a perfect size, and staff are helpful. I would recommend the dumplings, which were excellent!

We went for a late lunch on a Sunday in January. The restaurant had been recommended to us. We love Chinese food and decided to take the subway ride down from the theater district to try it. We were very happy we did. There was about a 10 minute wait, but they told us 15, so that was good. The service was fast and attentive. The fried dumplings were excellent! We had kung pao chicken and shrimp and chicken. Both were very good. I highly recommend! Be aware payment is by cash only and there was an 18% 'service charge' added to the bill.

Good overall was good, I wouldn’t classify it as great! The service was average! The braised duck was good. The dumpling soup was a slight disappointment!

Wonderful. Amazing. Deliciousnes. Across the street from our hotel in Midtown. What luck! Loved the soup dumplings. Couldn't get over them. Loved also the beef lo mein. We ate here twice in 4 days. Highly recommend and it's Asian fusion in a delish way.

Not a large facility though there is an upstairs dining area. Tables on first level are tight together. I really wasn’t impressed with the waitstaff, not just mine but also noticing the cold, impersonal attitude displayed towards other customers in the restaurant. The fried pork spring rolls are excellent and the lobster ones are surprisingly good to. Shu Mai was great. The shrimp dumplings tasty wonderful however my issue with them is that the rice wrapping was way to sticky, it didn’t want to leave my chopsticks. Be advised, they take cash here, sign at the door stating such. Would I come here again, nah, probably go to another dim sum place around the corner on Doyers Street.

I ordered delivery today for the first time in a long time, and was reminded of why Joe's Shanghai has been around for so long. Everything was so delicious! The pork soup dumplings arrived warm and fully intact and were amazing. I also had 2 dishes I hadn't had before: salted egg with sliced pork and mustard greens SOUP and braised tofu with minced pork over spinach, and wow! YUMMY! Prices are fair and everything was so tasty, I'll be ordering much more frequently going forward!

Nice meal but no liquor licence so we just had water hence a $25 meal for 2 of us including tip! Very clean and pleasant restaurant and we enjoyed our dumplings and noodles.

Went to Joe's Shanghai after hearing it was a bit of an institution in the area, and have seeing the huge queues outside two nights in a row. Be prepared to queue but service is fast and efficient so we didn't have to wait long. Beware: the soup dumplings are absolutely huge! Much bigger than we've ever seen in any other restaurant anywhere in the world. So as a result, we massively over ordered and had to take quite a lot to go.

If you like to spend a bit of time and enjoy delicious food then ask for a takeaway. Food great. No atmosphere. Food just pushed on to table. Aim is just to rush you. Starter arrived closely followed by main so we were still just eating the starter. Really impersonal. There's loads of competition so go there!

Was my favorite Chinese when I lived in NY and it’s still great! The soup dumplings are rich and savory. My favorite dish is shredded pork with dry bean curd and jalapeño. It’s got a great umami flavor and texture.

It's noisy and, unless you're either lucky or sufficient in number to fill a table, you will share a table with other guests. It's seriously noisy. However you're there to eat an,d the food is fabulous. Service is ultra-efficient and it's great value. Unless you really don't like Chinese food, you have to go whilst in New York.

The soup dumplings were so good I was halfway through them before I remembered to take a photo!! The wait is worth it for these dumplings. Seriously the real deal of soup dumplings. Just be warned there will be a wait and unless your the last sitting of the night they will try to move you along pretty quickly once you’ve finished your meal.

Very nice address for a good Chinese lunch. The dumplings with soup filling are outstanding. But also the other dishes were very good. Value for money (by New York standards) decent.

Highly recommended if you are in chinatown. All the dishes chosen were tasty. Payment can only be made in cash but there is a vending machine at the entrance.

Got the soup dumplings. No where near is good as Din Tai Fung (i really dislike how big the soup dumplings in america are), but it did the job. Also got the wonton soup. Lots of wontons but SO MUCH WRAPPER. What a doughy dinner. Really liked that it opened so late tho.

First time visiting Chinatown in a while so I scouted the web for some reliable options. Lots of reviews for Joe’s Shanghai so I stopped by. Food was decent but as I discovered over the next month, there are similar or better options in the neighborhood at lower price points. Joe’s is a good stop but there appears to be a tourist premium in the prices

I have been going to Joe's various locations for 30 years, usually having a great meal. Unfortunately, I have noted a steady decline in the food/service. I went here last night and the food was HORRIBLE. This is the last time I will dine here.

The fast service and great fresh tasting food will blow your mind. I will be back for more. The only thing i did not like was that due to the limited amount of space they sit you in the same table with complete strangers and one have to listen to a complete strangers conversation.

Lovely food. Amazing soup dumplings. And good noodle. Not alcoholic drinks. Cheap and tasty. If you can go around 4pm, before is crowd of people.

I consider myself a regular at this point. I used to have a go-to soup dumpling place in Chinatown that closed down, and when I found Joe’s, I was beyond happy. Great place, fast service.

I had googled for good Chinese food and this restaurant kept popping up. My friends and I decided to go try the xia long bao, touted to be one of the best in Chinatown and even NYC. The restaurant was easy to locate. We had heard of the popularity so we made sure we were there at 1030 am. The restaurant opened promptly at 11 am and by then, there were about 6 groups in the q to get in. The restaurant was clean and spacious and the service was good. We tried the peking duck which was good but we could have done with more paper roll (skim). We were given exactly 4 - 1 for each of us. The scallion pancake was delish and it was a large portion. We also had the scrumptious xia long bao and I must say this was one of the best I have ever had. Skin was thin - checked. Soup inside piping hot - checked. Enough meat inside the bao - checked. All good! Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for Chinese food in NYC.

Always busy restaurant in Chinatown. We typically order soup dumplings, string beans and an entree like General Tso’s. The soup dumplings and string beans are a must. Joes will be moving to a new location in the near future. Just FYI.

The dumplings at Joe's are so great. All of the food is and you will love it. Joe's is in Chinatown, a must stop for any visitor while in New York City. The place can and will get packed as soon as it is up to full capacity again. We were there in February, so I am not sure they are fully reopened, but don't worry, if not you can get take a way. Grubhub delivers and so do others. The Pork meat soup dumplings are amazing and one bowl can fill you, so share, that you can try other items. Their rice is so good. The place is not beautiful. It is just a big, and very functional room. It is worth the trip to Chinatown.

If you've ever been to din tai fung, Joe's will disappoint. But I fear din tai fung is the industry standard and everyone else is fighting for second. I can't speak to any of the dishes here other than the xiao long bao which Joe's is known for and the only dish I ordered. Xiao long bao are soup dumplings, one of only a handful of items I can order in Chinese and one of my favorite foods in life that I openly seek when traveling. The line is long; as in 45 minutes to an hour in off hours like 330pm. The soup dumplings are good, but they skin is too thick and the meat filling is under seasoned and the broth while maintaining a tastiness that coats your lips, lacks depth and richness in flavor. Worth a trip for locals, soup dumpling first timers or frequent NYC travelers.

A bit crowded and loud but great food. Our favorite the pancakes and the soup dumplings. The original location is much better than the 57th Street You will not be hurried even when the line is out the door and down the sidewalk. Regular items we like are green beans, chicken with garlic sauce and Kung pao.

The place is very popular, the waiting time for us had been 45 minutes, very noisy place, with average services, they want you to order quickly, you feel pressure from service people. The price are ok, but consistent with Chinese restaurant.

Visited joes on the back of reviews so thought it fair that I return the favour. Very busy but only waited approx 15 mins for table for 4. Inside a buzzing atmosphere, however feels like sitting in a fridge - wear a jumper / hoodie. Food portions are large - we could easily have had 1 meal between the 2 of us. No knives only chopsticks - be prepared for that one. Cash only but fine as atm at door. Staff not friendly. Overall food was excellent but dining experience ok (ish)

A NY staple, Joe’s is the best place for soup dumplings in the city. Always crowded and there is usually a line, but it is worth the wait. The scallion pancakes and the crispy beef are wonderful choices too.

very delicious of the Baozi; and the squid is even better. worth the waiting time of more than an hour. definitely will come again.

Joe's Shanghai was always a reliable place for decent Shanghai food. Consistently good soup dumplings, adequate main dishes, satisfactory albeit rushed service. Well, if you've been searching for their midtown or Pell Street location without success, that's because they've moved! The cultish restaurant is now at 46 Bowery...Modern, bright, with an infusion of well-trained, friendly and helpful staff. Sure, there's still a wait to get in, but no longer a rush to have you leave!

We get the suggestion via Foursquare since we were in Chinatown and wanted something near us, so we look for it and IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! A little bit crowded but they managed to sit us with some other group. Totally worth it, best steamed dumplings ever.

Great food and quick service. You get seated where there is space and may have to share a table with another group, but whatever your views on that don't let it stop you sampling this food. The Kung Po chicken is very tasty as are the soup dumplings.

LOVE. First time here and I can't believe I haven't been here more often. We were worried that since there were no reservations there would be a wait but we went 5:30pm on a Wednesday and got in immediately. Others were waiting in line when we left though. MUST TRY: soup dumplings (we had the pork) and the scallion pancakes to start. Amazing. I could go there and just eat soup dumplings. Then we got a variety of noodles and fried rice. The portions were pretty big depending on the dish - some larger than others. We took leftovers to go. Delicious - go there. Lots of variety, quick service, so good. Cash only! And the waiters did kind of stand around close by our tables.

The new location is wonderful -- a shorter wait than the old cramped quarters, cleaner bathrooms, and the same wonderful fare, fast if humorless service, perfect soup dumplings. You need one tray of dumplings per person. The beef with broccoli is great too.

Just another Tourist as the Topic - You should go to the restaurant before 5 pm, the queue was too long for me and it did not worth for waiting. - The place was quite untidy, slowly organised the customers and tables. And if you want something private, please go to the other restaurants because you match in the same table with another customers. - "Xiaolongbao" was very very very bad, too much contents of flour. The taste was nothing just some salty from the pork and crab in it. - The other Chinese food were not Chinese food. They were modified too much and too sweet. The noodle please!!! do not order it, just sweet like a dessert . A lot of fusion food I ordered that day were very bad, too sweet!!!

We have tried to find better Xiao Long Bao in New York and California. We even tried other countries - even in Asia! But we keep coming back to this packed Chinatown restaurant for the thin, soft skin and abundant, decadent soup of their Xiao Long Bao. But be careful while consuming hot soup, even when enveloped in a thin dumpling shell - it can burn! It helps to put a dumpling on a spoon (Chinese spoon, mind you) and nibble it on the side first, slurp most of the hot soup next and finish the rest of the dumpling in one bite last. This process would allow you to enjoy the soup dumplings without making a scene (specially when you're sharing a table with people you don't know). We have tried other dishes, and they are mostly good. The fried rice cakes and other fried dishes come out with a good scent-of-the-wok, which is a sign of competent cooking. The place is not small, but they do put a lot of tables in that space! Be prepared for a wait, or arrive 10 minutes before they open, to avoid waiting more than 10 minutes for a seat. It is cash only. And pay attention to your bill, as most likely the tip is already included in it - feel free to leave a few extra bucks if you feel that the service lived up to the food.

We ended up at their place because the wait at Shanghai 21 was 1 hour. In short, I expected better than our Chinese restaurants in France! A little very disappointed! Waiter who speaks poor English

We got the pork/crab dumplings and they were very good. Worth a 30 minute wait? Probably not. For all the hype and notoriety I was left a little disappointed. The broth is very heavy chicken broth tasting and the dumplings are huge! We ordered a few servings and could barely finish one. Definitely not easy to eat and messy. Maybe instructions on how to eat would help the experience. We had soup dumplings at other places and know to open then then eat the whole thing, but impossible with that size. Would try something else next time for sure, most people seemed pleased and the prices are fair for how famous it is.

We shared a table with other travelers and had a great lunch visiting with them. Our food was excellent also.

I've been coming to Joe's for years. The new location is nice and fancy but sadly the same cannot be said about the food and service. They're going downhill in these two aspects. What was great about this place and what got them on the map was their food, while it is still good the quality is not the same as before. Service has never been their strength but now it's just terrible. Staff at the door should have better handling of customers for starters. Just waiting to be seated can be chaotic so you will need to be patient. The atmosphere is very frenetic inside so keep in mind that this is not a place where servers take their time with a customer or give personalized service. They will push you to get to order and eat quickly so if what your looking for is a place to have a pleasant meal Joe's isn't for you. I will still go back for their dumplings every now and then but I just feel that eating at Joe's has become uncomfortable.

This place is TERRIBLE. They somehow managed some good reviews in the past and now it’s full of tourists. Haven’t seen a Chinese customer in my time there, and that could by itself be a sign. Everything was awful. Suffice to say that even the so called Jasmine tea tasted horrible. Mind you, in the last 40 years I went to many Chinese restaurants. The one thing you can be sure about is tea, as it’s a staple drink. Well, rest assured that tea, like food, is really not up to any standards. And service is awful too. After more than one hour since ordering, we had finished eating and rice had not arrived. Altogether a pretty unpleasant experience.

I don’t know how this is a top rated restaurant on other lists, but I wish I had read the reviews on TripAdvisor first. Don’t waste your money here! Bland food and I saw waiters being rude to European customers just because they didn’t understand what they ordered. It’s also cash only which we didn’t see until we had finished our food and had to send my husband out looking for an ATM. What century are we in that they can’t accept cash? I’m disappointed we wasted our only meal in Chinatown here. Don’t make the same mistake!

We have eaten Chinese food in China, Taiwan, and in dozens of excellent and authentic Chinese restaurants across North America and the world. This is really bottom-of-the-barrel stuff engineered to be non-threatening to the Euro/USA crowd that filled the place when we were there. The raved-about soup dumplings had thick skins and bland fillings. Shredded turnip cakes were unexciting at best. A platter of white cut chicken, a simple dish to make, was okay—but frankly mine is better. There are so many really good Chinese places to eat in NYC, most especially for dumplings and other dim sum. Don't waste either your time, money, or calories at this one.

I've been coming here for years and it has been going steadily downhill. The soup dumplings are good but that's about it. The entree prices are ridiculously high and not worth it. The service is abysmal. They act like you're doing them a favor by eating there. Don't waste your money here. There are hundreds of other options in Chinatown.

Kind welcome. Efficient service. Obviously, it's difficult to choose when the menu only talks about unknown dishes. So we asked for the same thing as the table next to us (it looked good!). And it was very good. And not expensive ! Well done !

Joe's was a wonderful experience. There were several options and the food was well-made. The seasoning was great and the food was served in a timely manner. I will definitely return!

We could tell when we arrived and there were no Asian people waiting to get in, that the place would not be anything special. It was crowded for sure, and the food was average. Service was ok, but the server didn't smile or do anything to make the experience memorable. It was close by to where we were at the time, raining and had gotten good TA reviews. You can probably find a more tasty, and authentic experience elsewhere. I agree with another reviewer that it is geared toward a USA/Euro crowd. That's fine, but don't expect to be wowed.

Is this place worth the long wait in line?! Are the soup dumplings that good?! Absolutely... this is the real deal and at such a deal. We ate it all. All was delicious and tasted homemade. Noodles, soup, dumplings and potstickers and the best scallion pancakes in town. Yum! Will return over and over again. Thank you Jon For being so gracious

We were told this had the best Chinese food around so we walked doe to Joe’s. There was a 30 min wait but the other restaurants across the street had no wait! We had a party of 4 so they seated us at a large round table with 2 other groups. It was no problem since they serve family style. The fried dumplings were great. Plus we had Generals chicken and shrimp w/ noodles. It was all good. They have a good selection of beer and the service was fast. If you are in China town stop by and see Joe. BTW- cash only.

The wait was about 40 min. But it paid off when the food turned out to be really good. Worth the wait, but seating was awkward as you will share tables with strangers intimately in a tight space. The Sesame Chicken was phenomenal!

Crab meat w pork meat soup dumplings are delicious! Portions are plentiful. There's not wifi. Payments are only by cash.

One of the BEST dumplings shop in New York!!! You can choose:Crab...choose Your favorite there, Only in JOE'S SHANGAI

You don't come for the service, you come for the food. The service is all about speed - get you in, feed you quick. Soup dumplings! Bizarre, but good. Portion sizes are big...I got the mu shu pork and that was EXCELLENT. You can't go wrong with food here . Just be prepared for it not to be a leisurely meal, and to eat with strangers.

A tourist trap! I liked the old restaurant better. It felt authentic. Now it is just a tourist trap. I paid over 100 dollars for over rated soup dumplings. 16 dumplings, a plate of fried calamari, strings beans, a bowl of rice and 3 beers. The waiters were not attentive at all. And beware they even charge you with 18% tip, already included at the bill.

We ate at Joe's because it was highly recommended by friends. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon. The waiting line was out the door. We were told the wait would be 30-45 minutes. The weather was warm and sunny, so we waited. And waited, and waited for well over75 minutes. By that point we were quite hungry and hangry. Well , the pork and crab dumplings were terrific . But were they worth the wait. I would say no. The main dishes we got were huge with each meal big enough for 2people, so we ordered too much food in our famished state. These dishes were also wonderful, but no meal is worth that amount of waiting. I would go again, but I would not wait that long for any food if I had known ahead of time.

After three years pandemic came back our favorite restaurant joe’s Shanghai when we first met our first meal 1999 may 1 , new location everything food and service still amazing , we know John since 1999 very very friendly and kind, he really makes our dinner experience very Pleasant. Highly recommend “ crab meats soup dumpling”” Lion head meatballs” yummy yummy yummy

Small restaurant and very busy. We are dumplings, beef and broccoli, chicken/shrimp in plum sauce, fried rice, and lo mein. Everything was tasty! Glad we stopped here. For planning purposes, the restaurant is cash only!

We fancied some dim sum so thought we would pay this restaurant a visit. It has moved from it’s previous location. At the time of our visit a liquor licence was pending. We ordered the soup dumplings (both pork and seafood), fried dumplings, scallion pancake and the egg plant with garlic and pork. We couldn’t finish it all. For me standout dish was the egg plant with garlic and pork – tasted exactly like what we used to get in China when we lived there. Nice to be served tea with your order. Staff were helpful. Gratuity is automatically added to the bill (15%). They only take cash. Worth a visit.

Reputedly the best location for authentic soup dumplings. How do they make them? Great value. Cold Tsing Tao’s. The wait is worth the flavour, atmosphere and fast service.

Loved it! Service is on point and the food is fresh, delicious and doesn’t leave you feeling gross afterward. Sesame chicken is where it’s at!!

Our lunch consisted of crab with pork soup dumplings which tasted fairly good but not exceptional then we had crispy pepper skin duck which was tasty, double cooked pork which was nice but it was more cabbage than pork and chicken fried rice and one small beer , it was $75.07 including 15% service. The place is a little bit grubby and the toilets are not very good but it was ok.

A party of 10, clearly tourists from uk, was t clear about size of dishes, waiter let us completely over order, no offer of help and advice, ended up with a large bill and more importantly wasting quite a bit of food. Very rude, no help and a place with no personality!!!

Friends recomendered for us and it was espectacular!! The food was exactly like we wanted to experience in Chinatown in NY

We had a late lunch/early dinner here before heading to the airport and the food was really good. We shared Scallion Pancakes, Chicken with Black Mushrooms and a Whole Fish (minus the head) in a brown sauce. All three were quite good and we would repeat all again.

Neat and Clean Chinese Food. Friendly staff with great customer service. Reasonable prices for NYC. You must try the Pork dumplings and Bean sauce mixed vegetables.

Visited with my wife. Food was good but experience was let down by rude, impatient and unhelpful staff and lack of atmosphere.

The evening we went it was packed with people outside. You get a number and there are chairs outside to sit on. The staff efficiently get people in and at a table, chances are you will be sitting with strangers. Strike-up a conversation, we did with a nice gent from Texas. Back to the food, we had Prawns in citrus and plum sauce shrimp and chicken. The Prawns were good but the sauce a bit bland. The plum sauce was better. The shrimp, prawns and chicken were all excellent - cooked just right.

They recommended this Restaurant to us after walking the BROOKLYN Bridge, you have to walk about 20 minutes, but it was worth it for the very delicious food.

Very ordinary- don’t know what the fuss is about - nicer atmosphere than their old location but the food doesn’t compete with any of the other Chinatown restaurants- soup dumplings used to be better - too doughy as we’re the sesame noodles which had no taste - only the Peking duck was good and not exceptional

In the year of the Chicken, I ordered the Sesame chicken. In my box of food was a surprise. The chef added fresh broccoli on the dish with a vinegar-soy sauce. It rounded the meal out very well!

A local friend took me here while on a business trip to NYC. I tried soup dumplings for the first time and they were amazing! Trying to learn the proper way to eat them was a bit of an experience in itself. My friend said the other food was also great, but after two orders of the dumplings we were full. They had a couple of options to choose from, but we went with the pork dumplings. Great choice! Seating in the restaurant was a little limited. We went on a rainy day at a late afternoon hour so didn’t have too much of a problem, but I was told it is normally much busier. Most of the tables seemed to be family-style so unless you have a full table with you, you may end up sharing with another party. I thought that made it more fun! The prices are very reasonable, but make sure to take cash as that is the only payment option.

It was excellent from the soup dumplings to the tea. Everything we order was delicious. Only inconvenience was that we had to share a table and that was not too bad. The service was fast and all questions where answer.

The service was horrible. The waiters just sanded there and joke around without even look at the customer. There was no manager to look after and manage the business. The soup dumpling was Ok but for other dishes, they definitely cut comers. We ordered the Shanghai fly noodle; there was very little meat and no shrimp at all. It was full of MSG. Be aware, they only take cash (possibly to avoid to pay income tax) , and force you to pay 18% tip which is already added in your bill (hopefully you do not look the bill, and pay them double of tip). Looks like they tried to out smart the customers.

We went to this location because of the 4 star review on trip advisor. This is a high volume, average quality restaurant. Let’s talk about the food that we had. Boiled pork dumplings - a little bland, my recommendation is get the fried. Spring role - oily & overpriced @ $4 USD for one spring roll. Wasn’t even filled well Kung Pao chicken - tasty but chicken very overcooked & too many peanuts Scallops & prawns in garlic sauce - more of a plum sauce than garlic. Seafood was fresh but so over-sauced you lose the flavour of the delicate seafood. Salt & pepper calamari - too much corn flour On top off all this, they impose 18% mandatory service charge and only accept cash. So many other places that are better. This place was full of tourists cause locals don’t see the value in it.

I was esceptic about the reviews I saw from some other sources different than trip advisor, they wrote they have the very best Dumplings in NYC, OMG… they were right, the experience was amazing and more, the fried rice and the nuddles were just outstanding 😳😳😳😱😱😱

Pekín duck was spectacular with vegetables and sweet mermalaide sauce, crispy skin The vegetables and pork Dumplings was served in perfect temperature

It's very popular, a couple weeks ago, I saw Woody Allen go in with Rosemary's baby. Always a line outside. the front desk ladies were very polite, very helpful,but, our waiter was surly, inattentive and forgot to bring (ala cart orderd)rice and hot tea of all things. the dumplings were just ok, service was rushed, rude and not executed well with dropped orders for the basic fare! really dissapointed!

Fantastic Chinese foof restaurant in Chinatown NYC. The place was packed with many people waiting outside. Foods were delicious, eapecially the peking duck and dumplings Xiao Long Bao. Too bad they did not have live lobsters. Otherwise everything was excellent.

We had high expectations of the soup dumplings and food after reading reviews and seeing the long lines outside the restaurant. However, we were underwhelmed with the quality of the food. We ordered the famous soup dumplings. The dumpling skin was rather thick and not evenly cooked. We also had the vegetable dumplings and the dumpling skins were also rather thick and chewy. It also had corn which is not the traditional authentic ingredient for such dumplings. The wine chicken had a good dose of alcohol but the meat was rather tough. The Sichuan beef and beancurd was also average. We won’t be spending our calories here again. There are many other better eats around chinatown to indulge in.

Friends recommended and I’m glad they did. We had soup dumplings, fried pork, duck, whole fish, soft shell crab and rice and noodles. It was all good except for the duck. Out of all of the food we ordered it came first (after the dumplings). I’m used to duck taking extra time, not being first. It was very dry. Everything else was very good!! The atmosphere is kind of crazy. It’s very packed with people sitting on top of you and bustling around. The service was excellent. I didn’t think it was expensive. Everyone in our group (9 of us) each paid $30 (that included tax and tip) and we were all stuffed to the gills. We had a great time and would love to return.

Recommended by many of the locals specifically for their dumpling soup but we just wanted a restaurant that set itself apart from a plethora of Chinese restaurant within the are. When we arrived, people were queuing to gain a reservation or to be seated so that gave us an inkling for how good the food was. Though extremely busy, the wait was short but clear that it could vary on a daily basis. You’re seated on large tables of 8 so you would not likely know the people sitting next to you. I have to admit the restaurant isn’t aesthetically pleasing-it’s very hall in the wall-and made me question our dining choices but once you see the dishes that are being sent to tables and and the aroma of smells, you are quickly reassured. Service was quick, dishes were huge. I definitely recommend the chilli prawns (you can pay a little extra to have the shells taken off-I didn’t) and fried rice, which can be easily shared. The food was AMAZING!! Where we were seated, it had a wall showcasing the celebrities that had eaten there, which again solidified their status for the top 50 restaurants in Chinatown. I will definitely recommend Joe’s Shanghai to any family and friend who is going to NYC.

Authentic place were you sit with strangers on a big round table. Tea comes for free, food was really good. It‘s not a calm place, it‘s pretty hectical in there. But it‘s delicious and authentic!

Traveled from cleveland , waited an hour assuming people were waiting because it was good. Wrong terrible food , and staff was even more rude rushed us and then determined their tip should be 18% . Terrible way better food in Cleveland. Overrated.

Walking around China town in NEw York city my son and wife wanted to try one the restaurants in the area. Boom looked on TripAdvisor for ideas, found a few spots but also asked a few of the locals in the area that were on Canal street. Everyone We asked said to go here, so that’s what we did. Walking up to the street and saw another restaurant that had a ton of people waiting, we were interested in what they were serving so we walked over and looked at there menu. U turn and went straight for Joe’s, the wait was 45 minutes Maybe a hour, you walk in and give your name to the person in the front and wait until they call your name. It was hot as you know what and to be honest I am not a fan of Asian food but my vote was the minority and this is where we ended up. Once our name was called we walked in, now I didn’t know what to expect walking in but I was kinda shocked as I saw the seating was family style, circle tables. Taking my place at the table I looked at what people were ordering “dumplings” I can’t say I have had a dumpling before but I will be trying them this time. I swear everyone was eating and ordering them, I did get a side of fried rice with our dumplings along with some pot stickers and it was awesome. My son and the wife told me they were the best dumplings they have ever had. The service was quick and the bill came fast, CASH only But if your short they have a ATM at the door. I have to say if you have time please check this restaurant out, I learned how to eat dumplings and what an excellent dumpling tastes like.

So, you can say I'm one of those fools who wait an hour in line to eat great food, and Joe's is one of those few places where I will give up my precious hour to satisfy my soup dumpling craving. My wife and I have been coming here for 25+ years, and we have been trekking up from the WDC area a few times a year to drip our way to eat the famous soup dumplings. The dumplings have always been spot on and consistent, which is a primary key to a successful restaurant. It has been over 3 years since our last visit due to the COVID pandemic, and we have final broke out of the shell to make it back to Joe's to devour the soup dumplings, and I must say, I am so heartbroken to find that the soup dumplings are NOT what it used to be. The dumpling skins have become thicker, the soup taste profile is a bit off, bit into more crab shells than usual, the side dish sliced ginger is not thin, and the most noticeable is the size of the dumplings is larger. Furthermore, the bamboo baskets are not lined with Napa cabbage, which makes the dumplings stick to the parchment paper. Why am I complaining about the larger sized dumplings? I did notice that there are considerable amounts of NEW restaurants that are serving the same style dumplings in the nearby blocks, and I can only assume that Joe's is feeling the competition. With competition, one will always try to do bigger and better..... I have been in the restaurant business for over 40 years, and I can see that this is an initial sign of nervousness when they are met with fierce competition. I've always preached that quantity will never prevail over quality in the restaurant business. Quality will always create and increase repeat customers. I am so so sad to see the negative changes at Joe's. Unfortunately, last night at Joe's might have been the last. It was great while it lasted.

We tried this place on the recommendation of some friends. Jumbo Prawns were awesome! Chicken & Shrimp in plum sauce was also good. Be aware that they only accept cash, which can be a problem if you do not know it. Our bill was $75.00 for 2, and lucky we had that much with us as we usually like to use Visa on that big of a bill. When you walk near the place, there is a person asking you how many and then give you a number on a piece of paper and everybody is standing outside as they call numbers for you to go inside to eat. This was a Sunday night, and for 6 people, it was about 30 minute wait, longer for only 2 people in party.

Long lines, endless waits, grouchy staff, bright lights, way too loud - but some of the best Chinese food in New York! Try the delicious soup dumplings, Shanghai noodles, crispy beef and Peking Duck. I put up with all the negatives for all the delicious food. Prices are good.

Long wait. Crowded. My double cooked pork was served to my neighbour, and I got his stir fried tofu and cabbage. My fried pork dumplings were only mediocre. But when I was shorted $10 when I got my change back, I finally had to say something! They apologized and provided the correct change.

We arrived at 8:20pm and told there would be a 25 minute wait. We were happy to wait given the restaurant had come highly recommended by friends. We wanted a table for 2 and were given a numbered ticket. It was a bit chaotic although the girl outside seemed to have it all under control. However a man and his partner turned up, got a ticket 8 numbers after ours, spoke to members of staff, winked and handed over money. Suddenly he and his girlfriend were offered a table before us!!!! Blatant bribery! Eventually we were taken to a table and we enjoyed the pork dumplings, vegetable lo mein and the kung pao chicken. The food was nice and service was acceptable. Not amazing but not bad. We paid and left. The bribery we witnessed left a bad taste in my mouth that spoilt the rest of our experience. Worth visiting but not as amazing as we had hoped

Joe’s food did not disappoint, it was very tasty, we arrived around 5pm on a Saturday it was busy but we got seated quickly. Waiters were attentive and food was really tasty it lived up to the reviews. You can only pay cash ( there are ATMs at the entrance), I would recommend counting your cash out in front of your waiter to avoid any discussions later for not having given the right amount of cash. We had to pay an extra $20.

One can easily walk past it and not notice it… but this Chinese restaurant offers splendid cuisine and most efficient service. Loved the won ton soup, the boiled dumplings , the beef in black bean sauce and the spicy beef with jalapeños .

Get the soup dumplings!!! Pork ones are where its at. We also tried the sesame chicken and that was great too. You really can't go wrong here.

The best xiao long bao you can find in NY, period. This is a hidden gem that has made the xiao long bao as their signature plate. Be careful when you eat it, you can easily burn yourself with the soup inside

Came here on recommendation and was not disappointed. Good value. Note…it’s cash only. We ordered the soup dumplings which we larger than other places in Australia. Super tasty. The scallion pancakes were good. We had the crispy beef and crispy chicken for mains with pork fried rice. More than enough for three people. Recommend if you are looking for a solid and succulent Chinese meal.

Family style ordering for an amazing CT experience. Two styles of beef, the beef with jalapeños is light and and flavorful. The crispy shredded beef had a nice sweet range flavor at the end of each bite. Try the red bean cakes reminded me of a cross between a croissant with sweet red bean filling and a sesame crust bottom, loved it. Each dish was flavorful and impressive but the Singapore chow mai F was a little bland. Over all definitely come here.

In the Chinatown district, there is this authentic restaurant, very simple and basic, but where you can eat well. Better to anticipate the times a little if you want to avoid queues at the entrance. The portions are generous and therefore better to share them. They don't accept credit cards, only cash.

I really wanted to take my grandson here as he is a foodie and very efficient with chop sticks. We started with soup dumplings and fried dumplings. Both were wonderful. The soup dumplings were definitely a favorite and full of flavor. Our entrees were Jumbo prawns, which were ordered spicy and definitely didn't disappoint. We also got Mei Fun and Chicken with plum sauce. Both had lots of flavor. Tea was good, but take advantage of the ginger soda. So yummy!

We took our parents to dinner today. The front desk gave us a number and told us to wait. When our number was called, we were taken into the restaurant to share a table with other people. It turned out that we only had a seat for 2 people, and they drove us out and asked us to line up again. , I went to the front desk and asked her what was going on, she replied that I meant 2 people, do you think it’s a bit of a business and doesn’t care about the number of guests, you can drive away guests at will, and drive away guests before they have eaten, what kind of service is this, dishes nothing will happen,

Service not friendly and rude. They throw the plates on the table: no education. The customer is not respected. The kitchen really nothing exceptional , frankly disappointed. Fried chicken or finally we only found bones. I am surprised by the comments that evoke the quality of their dumpling: I went to China and sincerely poor quality. Very disappointed by this experience which is strictly not worth the detour to be treated badly. We do not throw plates on the table of customers!!!! Simple advice: if you want to eat badly , queue and be treated very badly this is your place!!!

Love the experience. The best dumplings in NY and the scallions pancakes were awesome. The service was really good and fast. I must place to visit in China Town, NY, you won't be disappointed. I want to go back.

The soup masses are super delicious. Full but not overwhelming atmosphere. Everything well done and correct service.

We go there for the best soup dumplings around. Fortunately we got there just as they opened and didn’t have a wait for a table. Service was quick and attentive. No problems there. We also ordered a dish of vegetable lo mein that was fine but didn’t quite measure up to the soup dumplings. The good news is that their new location on Bowery is a shorter walk than their old location on Pell Street. In fact it seems bigger and nicer. Please note that they automatically add an 18 percent service charge to your bill. So check your bill before adding tip. Oh, by the time we left there was a line outside waiting to get in. A very popular place indeed.

Anything and Everything is DELICIOUS. but the Dumplings take the title. the best, I've tried several places and nothing compares to the textures the taste. Absolutely mouth watering. I dream dumplings dancing in my belly.

Worth getting lost in Chinatown to eat here! After reading reviews and seeing the lineup outside, it must be one of the best restaurants ever! The pork dumpling broth was so flavourful..I wish they opened up in Montreal!

Been here few times. They have great reviews, but it’s going to be my last time. Food still tastes good but menu prices are going up so much. Services meh ok. So difficult to asked for rice, when you already ordered $100 worth of food. My server was NOT happy when we asked for more rice (only gave us 5 people to only shared one little bowl). Oh and also, if you don’t pay attention. There’s a small prints stating they will add automatic 15% service fee to your bill, regardless group sized! Don’t want to come back no more. Goodbye Joe’s Shanghai!!

I was so disappointed with my visit to Joes. Not only the restaurant accepts only cash but now they automatically add 18% tips to the bill. I came by for lunch and was able to get a table right away. The service was ok and the waiters were halfway attentive. I did order crab and port soup dumplings which were very disappointing. The top of the dumplings were hard like they were made early in the day and steamed to the point of drying. The broth inside the dumplings wasn’t flavorful and the broth was cloudy. This is no longer a good place for dumplings. It’s time for me to try another place next time I visit Chinatown

ONLY negative here is that you have to expect to wait for a table...sometimes as long as an hour...so plan accordingly. Also unless you come with 6 or more people expect to share a table. This place is know for soup dumplings...if you have never had them google it...Theirs are simply the best. Have had other good ones but never any better. Also the fried rice cakes, which is nothing like it sounds...its basically small dumplings made from rice flour sauteed in a tasty brown sauce. Vegetable, beef, chicken or pork...all are good. Another stand out are the salt and pepper pork chops. Tasty with a crispy coating...served with salt and pepper mix, as well as a, sweet and sour sauce on the side for dipping. VERY reasonably priced..the above three items had the two of us stuffed at $40 with tip included.

If it weren’t for the extremely rude way we were treated at the door, I would have given 5 stars. When we arrived, we were told 40 minute wait. It was very cold outside and after more than an hour of standing on the sidewalk waiting, we went into the vestibule to warm up. The hostess very rudely tried to shoo us out (like we were street urchins!) there we noticed she had already crossed our number off the list. We brought it to her attention and she (this ACTUALLY HAPPENED) turned her back to us and put her hand up. Thankfully another worker was there who seated us right away. Once we were seated, the food and the service were both great. I’m thinking the girl who was working the door should find a different job.

Great food in one of the best Chinese in NY. Spring rolls (I think the best I have ever tasted) + fantastic dumplings (their specialty) + chicken with bamboo and mushrooms + Peking duck (a wonder). Everything great and very good price, and the place butt and luckily the queue was only 10 min.

This restaurant was two doors down from the hotel where we were staying at. Really basic, feel good Chinese food. Definitely try the Szechuan Beef if you are a fan of spicy food. Only negative was that the service felt all over the place, keep in mind that this restaurant only accepts cash payments.

The wait to get a table on the weekends can be a bit long, we waited about 50 mins, but its worth it. The pork soup dumplings are a must. The service was fast and friendly.you wont be disappointed

I love the crab soup dumplings here, so much so that every time I try to make a trip here when I go to NYC. Other favorites include the Shanghai noodles (but sometimes they can taste a little burnt) and the rice cakes. Staff is what you would expect at a Chinese restaurant--not the friendliest, but I wouldn't say rude either.

This is a very popular choice in Chinatown, on arrival you collect a numbered ticket and wait on the pavement Well worth the wait as the food is excellent and authentic We tried the soup dumplings, ( you need a good technique to eat these ) the Peking Duck and the Scallion pancake, all were delicious Finally the Kung Po chicken and special fried rice was plenty of food , and plenty to then takeaway for the following day Love to return

Good is ok. But the service was not pleasant. The waiters were either tired or did not care much. I would not come back. No much pleasure in eating out here.

There is a huge wait to get into this place. I will start by saying that the "soup dumplings" were fantastic. Probably the best I've had on the east coast. However, the rest of the food was just "OK". I also didn't understand the theme of the restaurant in terms of what type of Chinese food they consider to be their specialty. That said, it was a decent meal and service was good. I'm just not sure it was worth waiting for 2 hours.

I can’t visit NYC without a trip to Chinatown to have the soup dumplings 🥟 Pork or pork and crab these are a must and will haunt me till I return again.

Good pork soup dumplings. Very good prices. UsuLly a waitlisted that is ticketed. Good crispy beef. Skip the scallion pancake and spring roll, not very flavorful.

PROS Position, price is awesome and quantity of food is great. Awesome starters, it has to be underlined. CONS Service might improve - at entrance especially (40+ mins to get in), food so-so and “cash only” place (ATM inside with 4$ commission OR get there with money, uncommon in 2022 @NYC) We had great expectations and they have been missed

The food is bland: salt pepper crispy duckling; spring roll; black mushrooms with bamboo, and jelly fish with sesame oil; the commonality seems to be a dull saline brine with some low rent seasoning. It’s very uneventful and pricey culinary, maybe try one of the smaller venues on the side streets, or north on Bowery.

Worth the trip and any wait ... soup dumplings are amazing and the mei fun and fish was excellent! This was our second time here and it was so worth the trip!

We were staying next door and the hotel advised us of Joe’s Shanghai. The line of people waiting outside said it all really. We went twice during our visit and it was fantastic. No matter where you’re staying in the city it’s worth a visit.

Had lunch after a long walk. We made the right choice. Came in around 2:30pm and Joe’s Shanghai is still full with dining guest. Service was fast and food was delicious. Not to be missed is their famous crab meat with pork meat soup dumpling. Another good dish is the Peking Duck 2 ways. Authentic Chinese cuisine at its best in New York

Take from somebody that lived in Shenzhen China. This please is excellent as far as their Shanghai cuisine is concerned. Service was also excellent even though it was busy and I was solo. Can't recommend Joe's enough!!! Make sure to order Tsingtao while your at it..

Joe's Shanghai is a lively and great spot to indulge in beautiful soup dumplings. The entree that we had was ok but if you go, don't pass on the soup dumplings! Service is friendly, fast and the place is large, bright and clean. Cash only.

We are not big Chinese food eaters but wanted to give it a try. I explained this to our waiter, who decided we would have the dumplings and pancake. Both were very good, and a new experience for us. My teens ordered the glazed chicken, which they loved. We ordered two dishes but only one arrived and it was too difficult to get the attention of the waiter to correct it, so they shared and it was plenty. We would go back, after watching a tutorial on the proper way to eat soup dumplings 🤣.

My significant other and I have traveled around the country trying out different XLB and this is the place in the U.S. to get serious dumplings!! Soup broth is absolutely amazing and we love the vinegar with pickled ginger. SO DARN GOOD! Their new location is beautiful as well. Love this place and can't wait to go back!

Place is very touristy, and as a result quite expensive - but the food is just good, not great. You won't necessarily be disappointed outright, but it may not live up to exactly the fame it seems to have garnered.

When you think of nyc China town, soup dumplings, this is it. Say no more. Everyone will tell you— joes is the best! Expect to wait in line unless you’re smart like me and come here at 11 am as they open. :) if you’re not as smart, the wait is always worth it. In this crazy covid 19 stricken world, it’s important to support local. And this is, my friends, the best of the best local food in New York. I can’t wait to be back. If you’re traveling from afar- look no further! This has to be on your list.

This is a super busy, small, sit with people you don't know type of place. All of those things would typically steer me away, but it was delicious!! The dumplings, the spicy beef, all of it, simply outstanding. I will definitely go back on my next visit to New York, even if you do have to sit with strangers.

We first found this restaurant back in December 2022 when staying at the hotel next door. We did a little research and saw it came highly recommended but as always everyone has different tastes and expectations so we gave it a go to see for ourselves. We thoroughly enjoyed it and used it a couple of times during that visit. When planning our visit to the city this year and although we weren’t staying as close we made sure to work in another meal. This time we had a sit down meal rather than having a takeaway. Again, we couldn’t fault the food or the service. It can be very busy and from speaking to people waiting they come from all over to go here which says a lot. You can’t please everyone but I’d certainly recommend it!

Most Tables are for 10 people we were placed in a table with 8 people, very tight and the plates were on top of each other. The restaurant and bathrooms were not clean. I had a sea food plate in Brown sauce..It was over sauce the shrimp had no taste. My wife had the Tofu in brown sauce. Over sauced we have had better in most restaurants..

Really enjoyed their famed soup dumplings and some other items, but be sure to stop at an ATM on the way or walk with your cash because why are they cash only???

This is a must place when you visit China Town, if you really like dumplings. This restaurant is delicious. Very good service and ambience. The scallions pancakes are really good.

The restaurant (located in Bowery) was recommended to us by a Chinese friend, and oh boy, did it not disappoint! We arrived late, 8:30pm on a Friday, and waited 30 min. It was pretty full. Make sure you get a ticket with the hostess, and hang around, they announce your number with a megaphone. The food selection is large and has mostly options for the “western” taste. We ordered the soup dumplings with crab and pork (hard to eat but yummy), the scallion pancakes and shared a lo mein main course. Enough for 2 people to eat. It was a really tasty meal! The orange slices they give you when you pay are a nice touch. I would definitely go back. They serve sake! 4 stars because it is cash only.

Even though the atmosphere is meh and chaotic, the Shanghai noodles and the soup dumplings are worth the wait.

About forty years ago Joe worked in a restaurant in Rego Park, New York. He made great soup dumplings and very few people knew about it (also soup dumpling wasn't well known either). His wife told all her friends and the word got around and made him famous. Now that after forty years of fame and wealth, he is definitely slipping with his food. Maybe because of the mass production, the skin is way too thick. There are much better Xiao Long Bao out there with thinner skins. Another phenomenon of this restaurant is that all dining room staff are very young and certainly lack of hospitalization training. I honestly don't know if Joe is still around to manage this business. Hope he's listening.

I want the service charge from my dinner last night refunded. And I deserve interest and hazard pay. You did not earn a tip and shouldn’t be able to charge a service charge when service sucked. Service was terrible, staff were rude and poorly trained. No communication, literally snatching things off the table under our spoons. My God! You take my plate while I’m still chewing my last bite!?! What jerks! Chairs were dirty. Literally there was a pea in the debris that I had to wipe off my seat. The food was fine, nothing special, but the dining experience was horrendous. We were seated in a terrible location, in the service area, at the top of the stairs to the restroom. I am not exaggerating that there was never a 10 second break without someone inches from our bumping into our table or actually leaning over us and our table. God I miss COVID social distancing after that claustrophobic experience. I want my money back. You did not earn a service charge. Shame on you for treating your guests like this.

Chinese restaurant of considerable fame that now has a less typical but more hospitable location. Always very good kitchen where the dumplings stand out, really delicious. Very good also the rest. The place is simple but not cold. Average service, but now they speak good English. Please note, you only pay in cash, but they have two ATMs inside. What do you do for the "cash"...

Joe's has recently moved just around the corner from its venerable old den on Pell Street. Their new space on the Bowery is hip, spacious (for NY) and very attractive. There were glitches, though. The kitchen was a bit slower than it used to be. One waiter kept trying to serve us dishes that belonged to the neighboring table. The soup dumplings are still wonderful, and the wonton soup is well above average. However, the Shanghai stir-fry noodles were a complete dud. Although the dish looked very fresh and pretty, it completely lacked any flavor, in spite of being generously sauced. I would be ashamed to serve something this flavorless to anyone. So it's not all wonderful, but this is still a very good place and I'm sure will improve still more as they work out the kinks in their new location.

It isn't all hype... these are amazing dumplings! Our entire meal was fantastic and would highly recommend.