Regrettable service. They were setting up our table and suddenly the owner appeared and rudely told us to wait 45 minutes. With free tables! Even his surprised companion turned around with the cutlery he was preparing. I guess he didn't feel like serving and he kicked us out of there. I can't comment on the food obviously. Without education you cannot serve the public. Good luck to whoever goes there
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ari Shem
I came first time year ago and I liked the place. But two years later while dipping into Chinese culture and language I start noticing details. First of all there are not that many Chinese restaurants where they gonna cook food like for their family. You are not their family so don’t expect food will be additives free. 2nd thing which you should notice that only tourists are visiting this restaurant and no locals. My body didn’t like food and I wont come back. Almost any other place with lots of Chinese people where they most likely not gonna understand you will be way better spot. Even so-called overpriced restaurants such as Juqi in Flushing charging the same for food but quality is 5 stars compared to 1 star here. I overheard other tourists sitting next to me “food is greasy”.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Vidal Benbasat
Service is slow, but the food is very good. They make very good dumplings, sesame chicken, and lo mein. My only conplaint about the food is that the large portion of sesame chicken did not come with rice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Anna Queralt
Some of the best xiao lang baos I have tried outside of China ? Also recommend the Shanghai style beef.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Sefrani
My go to takeout place. I dined here recently. The food was amazing as always. However, my large sesame chicken did not come with rice. The shrimp shanghainese noodles were good as well. I still recommend the food and it is worth dining at this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Camilo Marin
Food is great. Plates size is considerable but not too huge and definitively not too small. Service is fast and very polite. Many options to choose from but the Sweet and Sour chicken is one of the bests ones. 100% recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brandon Payne
I haven't had Chinese dumplings before this but I think I started out with a bang. I got the crab and pork soup dumplings. I learned that they are best eaten whole, although after cooling a bit. Biting into the soup dumpling causes you to lose the delicious broth that it contains. I was surprised that these were like soft edible bags of fluid with a solid center. I also had the pork lo mein recommended by the waiter which was good but wished I got something a little more unique. The reviews all talk about the dumplings so I didn't know what entree to get. The other recommended entree was General Tso chicken, so another common Chinese dish that I can get at any Chinese restaurant under the sun. They probably didn't think I could handle something more unique. Not disappointing at all!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab and Pork Soup Dumplings
Aubrey Planchon
AMAZING. The food is great! I recommend the tiny buns with pork! And the service is phenomenal, all the staff are kind, and the food is made quickly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dim Sum, Pork Dumplings
Metiron
delicious. It's similar to the real Shanghai.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Jina Li
came here bc we were looking for soup dumpling spots. we got all 3 soup dumplings, but the one that stood out was the crab one and the truffle xlb. super good. got the scallion pancake and tell me why this is the best scallion pancake ive ever had in my life!! its super crispy!!
it was always busy and we had to wait 45 minutes for a table, which is understandable for thanksgiving long weekend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallion Pancakes, Chili, Crab and Pork Soup Dumplings
Restaurant in China Town, New York. Even though we hadn't booked, the owner immediately managed to find us a table for two. Very good food, with very large portions (I recommend splitting one between two people). I particularly recommend the sweet and sour chicken
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ján Richter
Shanghai 21 is an absolute gem in New York City’s Chinatown! I had an incredible dining experience here, and it’s definitely one of the best Chinese restaurants I’ve visited. The restaurant has a cozy, inviting atmosphere, and the service is quick and friendly.
We started with their famous soup dumplings, and they were outstanding—perfectly steamed with a deliciously savory broth inside. For the main course, we ordered the General Tso’s chicken and the spicy beef noodle soup. Both dishes were packed with flavor and authentic spices that made each bite unforgettable. The portions were generous, and everything was reasonably priced, especially considering the quality of the food.
Overall, Shanghai 21 offers delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine with great service in the heart of NYC. I’ll definitely be coming back to try more dishes. Highly recommended for anyone who loves Chinese food or is looking to explore Chinatown’s culinary scene!
Enjoy your next visit to Shanghai 21!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Анна Тимошенко
The food is terrible as well as waiter’ attitude. Do not recommend
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Stf Buco
Impeccable, fast service, very friendly staff. Delicious and very typical cuisine. Reasonable price. An address not to be missed in Chinatown!
Regrettable service. They were setting up our table and suddenly the owner appeared and rudely told us to wait 45 minutes. With free tables! Even his surprised companion turned around with the cutlery he was preparing. I guess he didn't feel like serving and he kicked us out of there.
I can't comment on the food obviously.
Without education you cannot serve the public. Good luck to whoever goes there
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I came first time year ago and I liked the place. But two years later while dipping into Chinese culture and language I start noticing details. First of all there are not that many Chinese restaurants where they gonna cook food like for their family. You are not their family so don’t expect food will be additives free. 2nd thing which you should notice that only tourists are visiting this restaurant and no locals. My body didn’t like food and I wont come back. Almost any other place with lots of Chinese people where they most likely not gonna understand you will be way better spot. Even so-called overpriced restaurants such as Juqi in Flushing charging the same for food but quality is 5 stars compared to 1 star here. I overheard other tourists sitting next to me “food is greasy”.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Service is slow, but the food is very good. They make very good dumplings, sesame chicken, and lo mein. My only conplaint about the food is that the large portion of sesame chicken did not come with rice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Some of the best xiao lang baos I have tried outside of China ?
Also recommend the Shanghai style beef.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My go to takeout place. I dined here recently. The food was amazing as always. However, my large sesame chicken did not come with rice. The shrimp shanghainese noodles were good as well. I still recommend the food and it is worth dining at this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Food is great. Plates size is considerable but not too huge and definitively not too small. Service is fast and very polite. Many options to choose from but the Sweet and Sour chicken is one of the bests ones. 100% recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I haven't had Chinese dumplings before this but I think I started out with a bang. I got the crab and pork soup dumplings. I learned that they are best eaten whole, although after cooling a bit. Biting into the soup dumpling causes you to lose the delicious broth that it contains. I was surprised that these were like soft edible bags of fluid with a solid center. I also had the pork lo mein recommended by the waiter which was good but wished I got something a little more unique. The reviews all talk about the dumplings so I didn't know what entree to get. The other recommended entree was General Tso chicken, so another common Chinese dish that I can get at any Chinese restaurant under the sun. They probably didn't think I could handle something more unique. Not disappointing at all!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab and Pork Soup Dumplings
AMAZING. The food is great! I recommend the tiny buns with pork! And the service is phenomenal, all the staff are kind, and the food is made quickly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dim Sum, Pork Dumplings
delicious.
It's similar to the real Shanghai.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
came here bc we were looking for soup dumpling spots. we got all 3 soup dumplings, but the one that stood out was the crab one and the truffle xlb. super good. got the scallion pancake and tell me why this is the best scallion pancake ive ever had in my life!! its super crispy!!
it was always busy and we had to wait 45 minutes for a table, which is understandable for thanksgiving long weekend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallion Pancakes, Chili, Crab and Pork Soup Dumplings
Restaurantji Recommends
Restaurant in China Town, New York.
Even though we hadn't booked, the owner immediately managed to find us a table for two.
Very good food, with very large portions (I recommend splitting one between two people). I particularly recommend the sweet and sour chicken
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shanghai 21 is an absolute gem in New York City’s Chinatown! I had an incredible dining experience here, and it’s definitely one of the best Chinese restaurants I’ve visited. The restaurant has a cozy, inviting atmosphere, and the service is quick and friendly.
We started with their famous soup dumplings, and they were outstanding—perfectly steamed with a deliciously savory broth inside. For the main course, we ordered the General Tso’s chicken and the spicy beef noodle soup. Both dishes were packed with flavor and authentic spices that made each bite unforgettable. The portions were generous, and everything was reasonably priced, especially considering the quality of the food.
Overall, Shanghai 21 offers delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine with great service in the heart of NYC. I’ll definitely be coming back to try more dishes. Highly recommended for anyone who loves Chinese food or is looking to explore Chinatown’s culinary scene!
Enjoy your next visit to Shanghai 21!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The food is terrible as well as waiter’ attitude. Do not recommend
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Impeccable, fast service, very friendly staff. Delicious and very typical cuisine. Reasonable price. An address not to be missed in Chinatown!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent cuisine and excellent prices
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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