Chinatown's Biggest TOURIST TRAP? Joe's Shanghai Review in NYC!

Joe's Shanghai is one of the most iconic restaurants in Manhattan's Chinatown. Ever since it opened roughly 20-30 years ago, Joe's Shanghai has won multiple awards and became famous for its soup dumplings. Other items there are not so great, but the soup dumplings were famous and iconic. I used to really like the crab meat soup dumplings, before my allergy to shellfish became more extreme.
The Chinese food scene in NYC, and even Manhattan alone, has greatly changed now. There are loads of authentic Chinese restaurants in NYC and now many question if Joe's Shanghai is still one of the best Chinese restaurants in NYC anymore. Other chains, such as Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, have burst onto the scene as well, and they even specialize in soup dumplings so Joe's Shanghai may not even be among the best soup dumplings anymore.
Out of all the best restaurants in NYC Chinatown, Joe's Shanghai may be the most well-known. But just because a place is well-known and iconic does not mean it's good. It could be a tourist trap. We'll find out!
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Restaurant Deets:
Joe's Shanghai
46 Bowery, New York, NY 10013

[@scottgollahon3681]

If you and Tina really listen to each other as intently as you do in this video then both of you are EXTREMELY lucky you found each other. I hope for both of you that never changes

[@debscatena]

ditto!!

[@ChamP10nk1ng]

Haha, glad to hear Tina participating 👍 she sounds adorable.

[@benjimon8]

i like Tina being there with you. she provides a second opinion on the food. :)

[@scottgollahon3681]

Im glad youve been varying up your content lately. I find it much more interesting, thanks and congrats on breaking the 50k mark.

[@Tonymanero1960]

UA ordering speaking Chinese,...then immediately switching back to English asking Tina ''whaddu want'' ,......classic UA.

[@georgiasmith7615]

Normal behavior for American Born Chinese aka ABC

[@dj68488]

🧀

[@PrimeInChina]

Yeah, as someone that lived in China.. I can tell his Chinese is very limited.

[@HigesoriHanzo]

Classic UA? Yeah he must be the only person in the world who does that

[@Alan-sl7qz]

That video was "souper", UA, thanks for sharing

[@uaeats]

It's a-Bao-t time I reviewed Chinese food

[@CMKMarch63]

It’s fun to see both you and Tina review the food , I like getting both of your perspectives .

[@patshozo9158]

Appreciate your honest review! Always looking for the best XLB....

[@777RL]

The less US squints, the less he likes it.

[@alexrekzu4079]

next review UA will stare wide eyed at the camera just to throw you off

[@user-zy3nv1jy1m]

When he looks constipated you know he likes it

[@tonylotito3845]

Dude another great video, miss NYC and East Coast. Loved this place about 10 years ago. Keep your work coming.

[@ShadowJ20]

Thanks for your honest review.

[@daviddennison09]

Love your stuff UA, I wish you nothing but success and happiness, Dave from Ireland

[@WaterJake]

Great review! I enjoyed the banter, it's a nice change of pace. I agree on Joe's Shanghai, it was a trailblazer for NY and it's not bad, but there are so many better options these days. I'd love to see Din Tai Fung in the future!

[@ryangies4798]

I nearly spit my water at the price! $13 for Soup Dumplings? Still a few places in Flushing where you can get them for around $8 for 8. My favorite can be found in New World Mall. The broth is super rich and porky, hints of ginger and scallions. Nice and plump too. Joe’s Shanghai has always disappointed. Zero quality control.

[@uaeats]

I think it used to be better, but yeah other places have since surpassed it.

[@XiJinPingeatCrap]

Was googling which stall ... is it Yozi? My kids use to love Joe Shanghai in flushing but now they haven't find one that they love

[@garwingcheung9617]

Great show

[@PSS521]

Joe Shanghai still steams them super hot tho and the skin isn't paper thin like all these new joints. It's worth it

[@yaowsers77]

I would not pay $13 for soup dumplings. I had it for cheaper at shanghai21 off of mott street and it was pretty good. I ate at Joe's before the pandemic and I was not impressed. If you're a tourist who's never had this type of chinese food, then this is a good gateway restaurant. For chinese people and others who are used to authentic, I'd pass

[@alisachamoy225]

Thanks for another highly detailed and explanatory review! (loved seeing the "balloon" method up close!) For soup dumplings, I would say Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao is the best (also Redfarm but I think it has been closed for a while).

[@ramenair]

I wanna try this restaurant soon! Thank you for sharing.

[@jjpark1989]

Went there twice. First time was mediocre. Second time was mediocre. Overrated in my opinion. And way too expensive at that.

[@robertkensler2156]

i WENT THERE EVERYDAY FOR A MONTH!! OMG -- IT WAS FANTASTIC!! THE FOOD WAS SUPERB!! eXTROADINARY EXPERIENCE!

[@sw4692]

I have not stepped into Joe's since 1996, besides the soup dumpling, the rest of their menu SUCK. Too sweet and too greasy. And stir fry noodles that was so hard.

[@scw806a]

During Covid the restaurant owner sold the business to Fuzhouese folks and some of the workers left. The quality is the same anymore.

[@Pinworms666]

I do the balloon method too...also make your hole more on the top (prevents possible soup leakage, can pour the vinegar directly into it, and also steam rises so it cools faster).

[@Bobbydigtail17]

Thanks for your honest review UA! Tina was a great addition too

[@RL-hv4dr]

Love how honest you are

[@alanledzep1967]

Sautéed string beans with pork. “One of my favourite vegetable dishes”.

[@YASTravelsEatsWell]

Thanks UA. On my next trip to NYC I will definitely not stop at Joe's Shanghai😅 There are too, too many decent soup dumpling stpos in Flushing, Manhatten & Sunnyside!😅 Chinatowns to

[@robertkatz5256]

UA a happy Passover to you . RK love your Chanel keep up the great work 🎉

[@michaelgutman4910]

Great to hear you order in Chinese I would love to hear you order your next pastrami sandwich in Yiddish 😂

[@marshallfield3792]

Another excellent review . Gave you tried Red Farm ? Their Pac-Man dumplings are the very best I've ever tasted. Also, ar the upper west side of side location, they serve a wonderful Peking Duck .I hope you review this place in the near future . I'd love to hear your thoughts . Be well.

[@holycowtube]

Could you do a review of Georgian food? They have a “bao” equivalent tough much much bigger. I would like to see which you prefer.

[@patrickwong4824]

Gary Eats just did that video at a Georgian Restaurant in London. It popped up on KZbin just 4 hours earlier.

[@totalfc6456]

@@patrickwong4824 just watched it great video

[@golfrabble]

He’s so kind to his fiancé. He really listens to her and gives her validation on the things she says. Good man!!

[@coremeasures]

Always polite to let the lady order first.

[@e815usa]

Din Tai Fung is supposed to open in NYC soon. 1633 Broadway between 50th and 51st Streets. Would love for you to check that out once it opens! I’ve eaten at the one in Bellevue WA many times and always love it!

[@surfboard396]

Hi UA. Yeah I agree with some other comments. You can get them cheaper and better in a few spots in Queens. Thanks for sharing bud. 👋🏽

[@brianhammond9332]

UA the Kong Sihk Tong next to the ice cream shop in the beginning is really good, you should try it and review

[@arg888]

Would have loved to see you at the old Joe's on Pell Street sharing a table! It was quite the experience.

[@karenboggs5036]

Awesome video

[@johnmamo653]

Please show you paying the bill and how much you tip. I got robbed outside of restaurant two days ago😢😮

[@mattingly234ever]

in the first 20 seconds you clearly have no idea what you are talking about

[@philipbell3654]

I remember eating at Joes over two decades ago when it opened- I looked over at the table next to me and it was Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawk with their family.

[@aragoo_park]

Worst tourist trap and long waiting line always block the public sidewalk, it's dangerous and NYC should punish it.

[@derekhernandez563]

Show Tina!

[@user-er3ri6sc3j]

Are you sponsor by the three stripes? Try Bo Ky on Bayard street across from Columbus Park.

[@garwingcheung9617]

Great show

[@sinbatsiraseranant1241]

New York Chinese efficient is when they literally tossed dinner plates onto the table in front of us before taking orders. Then ran after us and yelled where's my tip? We said, "No service, no tip." Happened in the 80s NYC Chinatown. Us Chinese Thais would never act that way toward customers. Try going to Bangkok Chinatown and you'll see.

[@SireneKalypso]

"ATM Machines" 😂😂😂❤

[@Nomis852]

You should definitely go to Montreal and try the Sammi & Soup Dumplings in Chinatown

[@CCM911]

Very impressive how you speak perfect English(American) with nary an accent, and then rip into speaking Chinese. Great video as always.

[@No85Limits]

I gotta explore chinatown more - lived in brooklyn for 38 years and haven't really explored chinatown in depth ... ive gotten bao buns from Nom Wah Tea Parlor & Mei Lai Wah.. both legit ... but if more spots are popping up - ill have to go check it out

[@hori166]

Let's talk prices! Crab Meat and Pork Dumplings are $14.95 and $12.95 on the menu that UA reads from, but $13.95 and $11.95 on the web menu. From this, I calculate that UA's lunch cost $54.80 + $4.86 tax (8.875%) + $12 tip (20% though one traditionally tips just 10% in Chinese restaurants, not sure what NYC practice is) = $71.66. There are Joe's Shanghai branches in Japan, but the menus are totally different and tend towards the "gourmet exotic high end" probably to distinguish it from the ru "greasy chopsticks" joints that pepper the city. The only items I found on the Tokyo menu are the Crab Meat, Pork Dumplings, and Spicy "Mabo Tofu" which appears on ALL Chinese restaurant menus in Japan, along with Chili Shrimp, which I never saw until I moved here. However, you only get 4 dumplings for ¥1200 and ¥900, so for a fair comparison, 8 dumplings would be $15.50 and $11.61. The Mabo on the NYC menu is $24.80 and ¥1695 ($10.94). Portion sizes are smaller in Japan which is why you never see obese people here, except a sumo tournaments. BUT unlike the US with its myriad of rates, sales tax (called consumption tax here, 10%) is normally included in the price posted. AND there is no tipping. That said, the Tokyo branch adds a 10% service charge because it is Michelin 3-star gorgeous upscale. The final tally, Tokyo: Crab $18.60 Pork $13.93. NYC: Crab $19.53 Pork $16.92. In the end, since we're talking soup dumplings, they are ubiquitous here and much cheaper. You can get a plate of 6 for $10.50 at the famous Din Tai Fung. Whew! Makes me wanna go slurp...

[@seane1984]

A sad day for me when their Flushing location closed. Used to be my pre Mets game stop with my buddy

[@shindukess]

I used to go to New Kim Tuong to the right of Wah Fung when I worked for my uncle. The beef chow fun used to be really good and big portions. This was many years ago now so I don't know if it's still good.

[@smoothstevessptv]

Your videos rock. yeah those prices for dumplings is steep when like you said, dumplings are literally a dime a dozen. I mean Chinatown has the most affordable food in NYC, period. Never been to Joe's but the presentation looks similar to other restaurants in the area, quick service (although 15 mins is a bit long for you to wait), fairly casual, etc. The turnip pie looked really interesting. The shredded turnip is maybe similar to chinese shredded potato i have had. i am vegan, you should try either one of the Buddha Bhoddai restaurants in Chinatown

[@joelewis8770]

Spring Deer is a very popular restaurant in Hong Kong. Was always pretty full (of locals!) pre covid and served excellent Peking Duck. I hope it's doing ok. Din Tai Fung is a famous chain out of Taiwan and known for its xiao long bao.

[@ianm2170]

Tina's turnip pies are pretty special: Hardly any Chinese person knows what they are, and most Americans hate turnip, whether they've tasted it or not!

[@songsenkei]

UA is Japanese that is why he does not know what they are. Chinese people know this dish.

[@auroragb]

It's pretty standard in Shanghai restaurants and dimsum places. English name tends to be inconsistent

[@user-qb1xc1kl8o]

Please review Dim Sum Palace in midtown!

[@patrickwong4824]

That be interesting since UA has a shellfish allergy and Tina doesn’t eat pork. There is not much left on the menu for both of them.

[@thai33oz]

I started out not being allergic to seafood. And around 9-20 years old, i developed an allergy to seafood. But i kept eating it. And eventually i stop being allergic. I'm 34 years old now and can eat any seafood.

[@annielam9507]

Hi, most of my friends and I, we bite off the top part of the soup dumpling. This way the soup will not spill, you can also add the black vinegar into the dumpling as well as blow into it to cool down. Give it a try next time. Guess I won’t be going to Joe Shanghai. Remembered it many moons ago when they had two locations, Chinatown and Flushing. It was delicious back then with the fried noodle two ways.

[@lujzagarou7619]

If you think $12.95 is pricy, check out the prices here in Australia*

[@sfguy_2k22]

instead of the balloon blow up method....call it the mouth to mouth cpr method

[@nbalagu]

Try Liu Shanhai in Brooklyn NY, 1869 Bath Avenue

[@pauld2913]

Tina added a nice addition to your video.

[@rossdiddy29]

Man, I miss dim sum and soup dumplings. Living in Hawaii and going to Chinatown every weekend, spoiled me.

[@mattsean6164]

I respect your opinion, however you should try and pick up the dumpling with the chopsticks after biting the hole and pour the soup onto the spoon. That way, you can see the volume of broth.

[@cyclopsvision6370]

You see a dumpling that might be leaking, and then proceed to pick up a non leaking dumpling? LOL

[@jtzimm233]

UA, check out that string bean dish at Birds of a Feather in Williamsburg. I don’t normally mess with string beans but it was one of the best dishes I’ve eaten this year.

[@mcgdoc9546]

The face diaper is disgustingly revealing! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@argonwheatbelly637]

Well, there was a guy in line in the first edit who was coughing up a lung and looked like he was about to spew blood on people. The guy was asked to leave. It's not uncommon in some parts of the city, and having a mask in your pocket for such occasions doesn't hurt.

[@ZagnutBar]

The turnip cake is also called crab shell pastry. If you want to see what a good one looks like, look at Dean Sin World in Monterey park, CA. They are golden, crispy and delicious.

[@Nyu0005]

I curious how Din Tai Fung gonna affect this place when they open midtown. When I had them in LA, they were more flavor and thinner wrap. But they charged like +$20 an order depending pork only or with crab.

[@blackswordsmanguts]

Din Tai Fung is overrated and overpriced too.

[@bobby350z]

​​​@@blackswordsmangutsI like them as I can get a beer or a sparkling wine with my dumplings. Can't do any other Chinese dumpling places. There are better places out there, don't deny that but DTF has cleaner, nicer looking places and quality is pretty consistent.

[@Clayton1968]

Those dumplings look great!!!

[@TranJacinto]

Thank you for the video, UA! I really appreciate your food reviews and your hard work on KZbin. I am suggesting you to review Chart House, a restaurant located in Weehawken, NJ. The reason for the suggestion is that two years ago in March 2022, my family invited a few family/friends to eat dinner at Chart House in Weehawken, NJ for my sister's sweet 16 (at the time of visit) and it was an excellent experience, despite us eating there on a Sunday, the night before a school day, which did bother me a bit. To get there, you would need to take the PATH train to Hoboken, NJ, and then take a short walk to the the HBLR (Light Rail) to Lincoln Harbor Station, so you don't have to sit in the traffic on the Lincoln Tunnel, as traffic can be bad, unless you prefer to drive there. I suggest you order the following at Chart House: Appetizer: Mediterranean Hummus Tasting Soup: New England Clam Chowder Main Course (Entrée): Savory Shrimp Pasta King Salmon Dessert: Hot Chocolate Lava Cake Before you can eat at Chart House, you would need to make a reservation by reserving a table at least two weeks in advance and make sure to dress fancy, as this is a high-end restaurant. I'd suggest that you reserve a table by the water, as it provides views of Midtown Manhattan, including The Edge. The food was amazing, so I'd suggest you to reserve a table at Chart House for May 17, 2024 (if you are able to eat at Chart House on that exact day). I hope to see a food review of Chart House on your channel in the near future! Best Regards, Tran Jacinto UA Eats Viewer (Fan)

[@xida1337]

Biggest tourist trap in NYC, can’t wait for DTF NYC to open and put all these low quality XLB restaurants out of business

[@XiJinPingeatCrap]

To me DTF is overrated especially the one in Toronto

[@onlywei]

DTF is just as overrated, if not more.

[@cjyeh1]

@@XiJinPingeatCrap What is your reasoning for claiming DTF being overrated?

[@cjyeh1]

@@onlywei What is your reasoning for claiming DTF being overrated?

[@rakeem176]

They rob people good

[@howardchan4363]

My favorite soup dumpling place is in Edison NJ, it's called Tasty Moment, I only recommend the soup dumpling, the others try at your risk. The second one is Shanghai dimsum, right next to Hop Kee in Manhattan. Good eating 😂😂😂

[@mariojohnson4695]

I hate cash only places when everything is over $15.00 bucks, I don’t carry that much cash and I usually don’t come back to cash only places. It’s ok if it’s just me, but it’s not good if I bring my family of 5.

[@dibledop]

Please review Din Tai Fung when it opens in Midtown. I personally like their dumplings much better than Joe's Shanghai.

[@uaeats]

Great idea! Can't wait!

[@Alan-sl7qz]

@@uaeats Been to Din Tai Fung here on the west coast, great quality food, but very expensive, $15.50 for 10 pork soup dumplings

[@bobby350z]

​@@Alan-sl7qzwell the newer stores are in higher end malls with liquor license and there is always 2-3 hrs wait so they can charge more

[@herczeus9341]

I’ve seen soup dumplings in China where they poke it with a straw and drink the soup out of the straw.

[@chrisslater9081]

i saw that too,,,,and they dont even eat the dumpling,,its all about the soup inside ,,i could be wrong ,,but i thought i saw that

[@ZagnutBar]

Had my first XLB in early 2000s at Din Tai Feng in Los Angeles. Read about Joe's Shanghai on the old Chowhound boards, and visited. They were greasy and the dough was so thick in comparison to DTF. Never had the desire to go back.

[@Moosclues]

How do you figure Flushing’s Chinatown is the “real” Chinatown??

[@lujzagarou7619]

You should of tried the Chinese black mushrooms with Chinese 🥬 greens, that looked quite nice*

[@rookie-lh8uw]

When I ate at their Flushing location about 14 years ago, they forced you to share a table with other customers if you had less than 6 people. I'm not sure if they still do that especially post pandemic. The prices seem about right nowadays due to inflation. Just look at the prices at Din Tai Fung... Although Din Tai Fung is more "upscale".

[@katpyss]

Dude, try Shanghai Bun in Princeton Junction, NJ and try their soup dumplings

[@amym3169]

Try Nan Xiang Express in NYC.

[@onlywei]

As someone who also developed a crab allergy later in life, I commiserate with you. I loved crab back when I could have it. What I would give to stop being allergic to it….

[@authentiking]

Don’t Shanghai style XLB generally have a thicker skin compared to say Taiwanese style ones (e.g. Din Tai Fung)?

[@HerrBrutal-bl2fk]

NYC, spontaneously, seems like a pretty varied restaurant scene. I've not not seen much of America (I'm Swedish). Is it a good place to dine from a general (American) perspective? Is New York doing a good job representing the beautiful United States of America? Greetings from Europe!

[@darrenaquilina1403]

You can also eat a Rabbit… just for your information :-) a delicacy in my country Malta.

[@tartuffethespry]

I went to one of the famous soup dumpling places years ago. Wish I could remember the name. That trip was all about food.

[@matthewetheridge4535]

You eating pie that is a turnip for the books!

[@edreid7872]

I wanna see Tina..🤭

[@keso681214]

Face mask? Is the smog bad in Nyc this time a year?

[@nycbklynrmp]

east haror seafood palace is good at 8th ave, also baodega near union square and dimsum palace by times square, lui shanghai on bath ave

[@konradmaerzluft985]

Like your videos but wasn’t Covid like 10 years ago?

[@dan4500]

Ive always found Din Tai Fung fairly good, even trying the original in Taiwan, the flavor/tastes are the same in SoCal, Hong Kong, and Bangkok.

[@carbonchain]

I feel like these guys are "surviving off the brand", they know there is a stream of customers regardless and they only need to be above mediocre. Can't wait for Din Tai Fung to open in a few months and dominate the Manhattan soup dumpling scene.

[@BoogerJay]

You need to poke an exit hole on top for exhaust when blowing dumpling from the side.

[@luvtravel2927]

Ua how can you tell there’s a ton of tourists? Just curious

[@arg888]

I've been there in February after 5 on a weekday and the crowd was an after work crowd, locals, students and a few tourists. Maybe UA hit Joe's on a weekend.

[@joelashadali]

Thr taste difference is probably a couple things 1) Drop in quality 2) Being nostalgic and thinking they were better than they actually were

[@superiorgundam]

Judging you not taking the napkin off the plate first lol.

[@azamarabear]

Nice😮

[@hammersampson]

This was one of my favorite restaurants the last time I was in NYC. Definitely better than the much hyped cronut place.😂

[@777RL]

Can’t believe Ding Tai Fun isn’t already operating in NY.

[@TheJadedSkeptic]

It’s finally opening one this year

[@edtjfc1]

For the string bean dish, the string beans are not supposed to be crispy. Granted, they were oil-poached but since they were not battered, they would not become crispy like french fries, then they were stir-fried with pepper sauce (Doubanjiang), salt, and other seasonings, so it is perfectly normal for them to become a bit wilty. But judging from the video, the dish wasn't well made as the sauce and the minced pork are supposed to adhere to the string beans more evenly than that, my humble opinion.

[@jamitwitu]

UA whenever somebody talks in his videos......... "ahhh ok"

[@unknown183]

23:02 Was it that COLD in there that day? Well known indicators at its finest.

[@matthewfreeman33]

I love when when this guy eats

[@Bert_Wayfarer]

What a fun collab-ish between you and Tina! Good to see both of y'all have good knowledge of food!