Shangri-La (四川小館) unfortunately is closing, but this review is a tribute to this gem of a restaurant, my favorite Chinese / Taiwanese restaurant in all of Boston. I first started coming in 2003, when I stayed over in the suburb of Boston with relatives one summer. My aunt said there was a restaurant in Belmont, rumors were that it was opened by the former dim sum chef from the Ambassador Taipei Hotel. We went and I fell in love with the food - both the standard dinner menu and the wonderful Taiwanese brunch that is available on the weekends. Everything I ever got on the menu was absolutely delicious - I could literally order anything and feel that they would do a good job - the food would arrive in a timely manner, piping hot, mouthwateringly flavorful. My absolute favorite dish here is the Cellophane Noodles with Minced Pork (螞蟻上樹), also known as "Ants Crawling up a Tree", which is a Sichuan dish of noodles that has bits of ground meat mixed in (the dish evokes its poetic name). The noodles are so-called "QQ" (very chewy with a unique texture), and it comes with general amounts of amazingly spicy sauce / broth. When I traveled through Sichuan, China, I tried to look for this very same dish, but every other version so far has failed to live up to the one at Shangri-la. The other must-order dishes on the weekdays include Ginger & Basil Chicken Casserole w/ Bone (三杯雞) aka "3 Cups Chicken", and Fish chunks with Chef's Sweet and Sour Sauce (糖醋魚條). Typically I also get a vegetable dish such as Sautéed Spinach (清炒菠菜). If there is a bigger crowd, I also try to get the following: - Crispy Orange Flavored Beef (橙皮牛) - Oxtail with Brown Sauce (紅燒牛尾) - Chef's Tea Smoked Boneless Duck (樟茶片鴨) - Jumbo Meatball Soup in Hot Pot aka "Lion's Head" (砂鍋獅子頭) - Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵) While in grad school, I brought classmates and friends here from all backgrounds, and they've all consistently enjoyed this place. Much has already been said about it's wonderful Taiwanese brunch on the weekends, with people lining up well before the restaurant opens. While certainly there are better Taiwanese brunch places in the world (i.e., back in Taiwan), Shangri-la is one of the best places I've gone to in the US for this type of cuisine, and it always evokes nostalgic feelings within me. Again, I've brought large groups here to share the dishes together, and while everything is great, we have especially enjoyed some combination of these succulent dishes: - Pig Ear Salad (紅油耳絲) - Pig Tripe Salad (紅油肚丁) - Shredded Beef Tripe in Hot Sauce (麻辣牛筋) - Hot Spicy Cattle Tendon (麻辣牛肚絲) - Steamed Spiced Spare Ribs (粉蒸排骨) - Steamed Small Pork Bun (小籠包) - Sweet Soy Bean Milk (甜豆漿) - Chinese Fried Dough (油條) - Pan Fried Scallion Pancake (蔥油餅) - Pan Fried Turnip Cake (蘿蔔糕) - Five Spiced Sesame Beef in Crispy Sesame Pancake (牛肉夾餅) - Salty Glutinous Rice Sausage (糯米大腸) - Boiled Dumpling in Hot Sauce (紅油抄手) - Steamed Taiwanese Bun with Pork and Pickle (刮包) - Stir Fried Sliced Rice Cake (炒年糕) Shangri-la, we love you! Please reopen again and let us know where you're at!
Edward Wiest
Great Taiwan dim sum. Sorry to hear their current location is closing May 31; hope they find a new home today.
Shayla May Today
So so so so yummy !! I can’t wait to try the dim sum on the weekend and for when they open for Sunday brunch again !
Brigitte Moeller
CONSISTENTLY AMAZING!IT IS THE BEST CHINESE FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD. I HAVE BEEN COMING HERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND THE FOOD IS CONSISTENTLY FRESH AND DELICIOUS. THEY HAVE STAYED OPEN THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND I HAVE SUPPORTED THEM BECAUSE A) THE FOOD IS SO GOOD AND B) I DON'T WANT THEM TO FALL VICTIM TO THE CURRENT ECONOMY.THE TEA INFUSED DUCK IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. LOVE THE TURNIP CAKES WITH THE SPICY SAUCE. THEY ARE NICE AND FIRM, THE SAUCE HAS THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF FIRE. THE COLD SESAME NOODLES ARE ALSO AMAZING. EVERYTHING IS SO GOOD. TRY THE BONE-IN CHICKEN WITH BASIL, SIMPLE DISH AND AMAZINGLY YUMMY.
Hannah Amanda
Rude service. Unfortunately I've been to this place a couple of times already, I've encountered the same rude staff. I decided to order one of their menu items Chicken Fried Rice because I was in area, Since I've ordered in the past I know how cheap they're with the protein being in it. So I asked for extra. Staff charged me extra $3 for it. But was never added on. I received the same thing. No extra protein, I paid for it, didn't receive it. I have absolutely no intention of going back anytime soon. Not worth it.
I live close by and have got food here more than a few times.I can honestly say that the food isn't that good.My last order the beef noodle soup and it wasn't good.The pork fried rice was dry.And for the price,the portions are on the smaller side.The pork dumplings are very good though,but again you get to few for the price.
Gang Zhao
Best place for traditional Chinese food, authenitc, hand made and family owned business. It is like travel with a time machine
Voyager536808
BC, (before Covid) I have had good experiences with the food there. The recent takeout was not very good to say the least. I think they may have had to let the cook go but I'm not sure. Proceed with caution if you must go there.
Paul B.
Have been an occasional visitor to this place for over 10 years. I've found that while the Americanized appetizers and the Dim Sum really can hit the spot, other dishes can be bland. For example "Jumbo shrimp with vegetables in garlic sauce" had no garlic or spice flavor whatsoever. Going forward I will only order spicy entrees and ask for them to be extra spicy. Good quality ingredients here, and the service has always been prompt and friendly.
I had a desire for some Chinese food so I decided to give Shangri-La a try. The menu was definitely different than your ordinary Chinese restaurant. I went for the Pad-Thai after some deliberation. I almost had decided on one of the hot pot but figured I'd give it a try next time. I had it for take-out but there looked like there was plenty of seating. I definitely would go back again.
Boone Cross
I prefer this venue a lot. It has a very nice mood. The meals are exeptionaly good. the service is dynamic and the stuff is professional. The price is honest. very much recommend.
Bentlee Valdez
I eat in this spot a lot since I work right next to it. I got to say their service is always excellent and they keep the place neat constantly. Pricing is fair and they serve generous portions.
Logan R.
This is one of my favorite Chinese restaurants for takeout. It is always consistently good and their Moo shu portions are incredibly generous. I also appreciate that the time estimate for pick up is always spot on
Sophie C.
Love every dish here, especially the crispy fried dough combined with soymilk and crispy beef pancakes. I come here almost every weekend, or the craving would bother me for the rest of week.
Shangri-La (四川小館) unfortunately is closing, but this review is a tribute to this gem of a restaurant, my favorite Chinese / Taiwanese restaurant in all of Boston. I first started coming in 2003, when I stayed over in the suburb of Boston with relatives one summer. My aunt said there was a restaurant in Belmont, rumors were that it was opened by the former dim sum chef from the Ambassador Taipei Hotel. We went and I fell in love with the food - both the standard dinner menu and the wonderful Taiwanese brunch that is available on the weekends. Everything I ever got on the menu was absolutely delicious - I could literally order anything and feel that they would do a good job - the food would arrive in a timely manner, piping hot, mouthwateringly flavorful. My absolute favorite dish here is the Cellophane Noodles with Minced Pork (螞蟻上樹), also known as "Ants Crawling up a Tree", which is a Sichuan dish of noodles that has bits of ground meat mixed in (the dish evokes its poetic name). The noodles are so-called "QQ" (very chewy with a unique texture), and it comes with general amounts of amazingly spicy sauce / broth. When I traveled through Sichuan, China, I tried to look for this very same dish, but every other version so far has failed to live up to the one at Shangri-la. The other must-order dishes on the weekdays include Ginger & Basil Chicken Casserole w/ Bone (三杯雞) aka "3 Cups Chicken", and Fish chunks with Chef's Sweet and Sour Sauce (糖醋魚條). Typically I also get a vegetable dish such as Sautéed Spinach (清炒菠菜). If there is a bigger crowd, I also try to get the following: - Crispy Orange Flavored Beef (橙皮牛) - Oxtail with Brown Sauce (紅燒牛尾) - Chef's Tea Smoked Boneless Duck (樟茶片鴨) - Jumbo Meatball Soup in Hot Pot aka "Lion's Head" (砂鍋獅子頭) - Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵) While in grad school, I brought classmates and friends here from all backgrounds, and they've all consistently enjoyed this place. Much has already been said about it's wonderful Taiwanese brunch on the weekends, with people lining up well before the restaurant opens. While certainly there are better Taiwanese brunch places in the world (i.e., back in Taiwan), Shangri-la is one of the best places I've gone to in the US for this type of cuisine, and it always evokes nostalgic feelings within me. Again, I've brought large groups here to share the dishes together, and while everything is great, we have especially enjoyed some combination of these succulent dishes: - Pig Ear Salad (紅油耳絲) - Pig Tripe Salad (紅油肚丁) - Shredded Beef Tripe in Hot Sauce (麻辣牛筋) - Hot Spicy Cattle Tendon (麻辣牛肚絲) - Steamed Spiced Spare Ribs (粉蒸排骨) - Steamed Small Pork Bun (小籠包) - Sweet Soy Bean Milk (甜豆漿) - Chinese Fried Dough (油條) - Pan Fried Scallion Pancake (蔥油餅) - Pan Fried Turnip Cake (蘿蔔糕) - Five Spiced Sesame Beef in Crispy Sesame Pancake (牛肉夾餅) - Salty Glutinous Rice Sausage (糯米大腸) - Boiled Dumpling in Hot Sauce (紅油抄手) - Steamed Taiwanese Bun with Pork and Pickle (刮包) - Stir Fried Sliced Rice Cake (炒年糕) Shangri-la, we love you! Please reopen again and let us know where you're at!
Great Taiwan dim sum. Sorry to hear their current location is closing May 31; hope they find a new home today.
So so so so yummy !! I can’t wait to try the dim sum on the weekend and for when they open for Sunday brunch again !
CONSISTENTLY AMAZING!IT IS THE BEST CHINESE FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD. I HAVE BEEN COMING HERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND THE FOOD IS CONSISTENTLY FRESH AND DELICIOUS. THEY HAVE STAYED OPEN THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND I HAVE SUPPORTED THEM BECAUSE A) THE FOOD IS SO GOOD AND B) I DON'T WANT THEM TO FALL VICTIM TO THE CURRENT ECONOMY.THE TEA INFUSED DUCK IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. LOVE THE TURNIP CAKES WITH THE SPICY SAUCE. THEY ARE NICE AND FIRM, THE SAUCE HAS THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF FIRE. THE COLD SESAME NOODLES ARE ALSO AMAZING. EVERYTHING IS SO GOOD. TRY THE BONE-IN CHICKEN WITH BASIL, SIMPLE DISH AND AMAZINGLY YUMMY.
Rude service. Unfortunately I've been to this place a couple of times already, I've encountered the same rude staff. I decided to order one of their menu items Chicken Fried Rice because I was in area, Since I've ordered in the past I know how cheap they're with the protein being in it. So I asked for extra. Staff charged me extra $3 for it. But was never added on. I received the same thing. No extra protein, I paid for it, didn't receive it. I have absolutely no intention of going back anytime soon. Not worth it.
Beef soup. Excellent!. Peking Ravioli. Really good!!
I live close by and have got food here more than a few times.I can honestly say that the food isn't that good.My last order the beef noodle soup and it wasn't good.The pork fried rice was dry.And for the price,the portions are on the smaller side.The pork dumplings are very good though,but again you get to few for the price.
Best place for traditional Chinese food, authenitc, hand made and family owned business. It is like travel with a time machine
BC, (before Covid) I have had good experiences with the food there. The recent takeout was not very good to say the least. I think they may have had to let the cook go but I'm not sure. Proceed with caution if you must go there.
Have been an occasional visitor to this place for over 10 years. I've found that while the Americanized appetizers and the Dim Sum really can hit the spot, other dishes can be bland. For example "Jumbo shrimp with vegetables in garlic sauce" had no garlic or spice flavor whatsoever. Going forward I will only order spicy entrees and ask for them to be extra spicy. Good quality ingredients here, and the service has always been prompt and friendly.
Restaurantji Recommends
I had a desire for some Chinese food so I decided to give Shangri-La a try. The menu was definitely different than your ordinary Chinese restaurant. I went for the Pad-Thai after some deliberation. I almost had decided on one of the hot pot but figured I'd give it a try next time. I had it for take-out but there looked like there was plenty of seating. I definitely would go back again.
I prefer this venue a lot. It has a very nice mood. The meals are exeptionaly good. the service is dynamic and the stuff is professional. The price is honest. very much recommend.
I eat in this spot a lot since I work right next to it. I got to say their service is always excellent and they keep the place neat constantly. Pricing is fair and they serve generous portions.
This is one of my favorite Chinese restaurants for takeout. It is always consistently good and their Moo shu portions are incredibly generous. I also appreciate that the time estimate for pick up is always spot on
Love every dish here, especially the crispy fried dough combined with soymilk and crispy beef pancakes. I come here almost every weekend, or the craving would bother me for the rest of week.