You may remember that long ago, my favorite place for soup dumplings was New Yeah Shanghai. After years of patronage, something must have changed (most likely the chef) and the soup dumplings, as well as other dishes, were never the same again. We even went back two more times just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke, but by May of 2008, we had decided never to return.
Sadly, it’s taken years for me to find another GREAT soup dumpling and I use the word BEST very carefully. To ensure that there were no lucky nights, I waited till I visited several times. I am now comfortable dubbing Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao 38-12 Prince Street, Flushing, NY 11354, the best soup dumpling place of the moment.
The skin is so perfectly even and consistent through every piece I’ve ever had. They are filled with more delicious soup than the others, pillow soft and deceptively light, rich with pork meatiness balanced by the black vinegar and ginger. Oh so additive.
Actually, there’s 2 must-haves here, Nan Xiang also wins for BEST pan-fried pork buns, another Shanghainese favorite of mine. The dough on these define fluffy and the thin crisped bottom is such a lovely contrast in each bite. Again, these have a porky meaty filling while feeling a little more substantial and not at all oily.
You can have a satisfying meal with just those two dishes but there’s plenty more good stuff there. This bean curd and celery salad garnished with fresh cilantro is healthy and refreshing.
They have a great variety of soups and noodle soups. The style is very light in the broths, lighter on salt, and perfect for when you’re not feeling great. I love the pork and salted vegetable noodle soup and the wonton soup. My dad loves their chicken soup. Pictured right behind the wonton soup is my dad’s favorite dish here, Shanghai Shu Mai. Instead of the more familiar pork and shrimp filling, it’s a sticky rice and black mushroom filling.
The scallion pancake, scallion pancake with beef rolled inside, and leek pocket are both decent but not the draws. The pan-fried udon is pretty plain but done well. Just a few strips of pork and some meager veg, yet the noodles are perfectly bouncy and satisfying.
The turnip puffs are better than average, piping hot with lots of layers in the pastry. The turnip strips can be a little tough at times.
The prices here are typical of Flushing, cheap. There’s almost always a line and they don’t take reservations. Usually, it’s just the normal Chinese service, just acceptable, but on our last visit, it was really bad. Our first waiter never put our order in to the kitchen. After 30 minutes and seeing that 2 tables that sat after we ordered were already served, we inquired and found out from another waiter that there was no order for us. Pointless but my mom confronted the waiter about it and he didn’t care at all and just started fighting with my mom. At least apologize! There’s really no excuse for that. Still, I never expect much by way of service at Chinese restaurants so I will be back because the food is really good!
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My brother took me here before and I do agree, they are the best soup dumplings I’ve ever tasted!
There are lots of debates of where to get the best xiao long bao in NYC, but I think THE restaurant needs more than this one dish to win more customers in order to create a well-balanced eating experience. Also, cut the snarkiness as well. I don’t expect 5 star services, but at least smile a little please 🙂
Lucky you–so many options for good Chinese food!
Can we do a Flushing food tour one day?
Angie, I’ve been thinking through one. The hard part is that all the great places are uber crowded with long waits and no reservations. The tour might take a whole day to hit just a few spot. =/
I love soup dumplings, that searing pain when the burning hot soup explodes in your mouth and how it yields to such pleasure when the flavor of the soup and the little dollop of sweet crab flood your palate.
When we lived in Ridgewood, we loved to drive to Edgewater to Johnny’s Shanghai for their soup dumplings.
I miss it! When I’m next in NYC, I’d love to have you show me some of your favorite spots.
Vanessa