NYC's BEST Rated Chinese Restaurant! Is Nan Xiang Worth The Hype? 南翔小笼包

While Joe's Shanghai has been regarded as the best soup dumplings in NYC for decades now, I personally feel it has fallen off in recent years. Joe's Shanghai is a tourist trap these days and either is no longer what it once was, or other restaurants have since surpassed it. The Chinese food in NYC scene has certainly grown since the 90s, so I can see the latter as being the case! However, a spot called Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao in Flushing has quietly been getting huge acclaim and patronage. It started as just one small location in Queens, and now it has expanded to a few locations in Manhattan and even locations in New Jersey!
Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao has been Michelin recommended for a while, getting Bib Gourmand status for years. It has a plethora of amazing Shanghai cuisine, and based on the rest of its menu alone it in my mind is one of the best Chinese restaurants in NYC! However, its soup dumplings are what has put it on the map. There are tons of great soup dumplings in New York but I have personally always felt that Nan Xiang was one of the best, if not the best. It has expanded a lot though so has its quality remained the same since growing? We will see if Nan Xiang is still one of the best Chinese spots in New York and still one of the best soup dumplings in NYC!
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Restaurant Deets:
Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao-Manhattan
24 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001

[@keithbecker2412]

Let's Go people, LIKE this video for UA!! He is doing all the work for us and I trust his opinion.

[@joenovak6393]

Fantastic review, a nice balance of talking and commentary. Also, I am glad your "Standard" music was not added (it reminds me of a circus).

[@michaelgiordano2093]

I absolutely love your KZbin videos. You're a real gentleman keep the videos coming 😁👍

[@Mrbrklyn212]

Way to go UA 100, 000 subs coming soon. 💯

[@uaeats]

Thank you! Hopefully we'll get there someday soon!

[@ryanlangley1219]

@@uaeatsno doubt at all!

[@JustJigit]

Dude, 100k before end of year! Keep them videos coming Ua!

[@g-the-becoming3443]

Now they are the Reviews people need to hear, not the little nit picking so GOOD JOB MY GUY !!!!

[@MyHeroMacademia]

New sub! Been binge watching. I love ur honesty and unbiased opinions!

[@Firestorm055x]

The food looks delicious!Thanks for sharing UA😃

[@jamhu]

Taiwan’s Din Tai Fung just opened its New York flagship location. Can you do a review there as well?

[@Funkee]

Overrated. Good luck on reserving a table online, no walk in. Their signature XLB is not hot at all, lukewarm at best. I guess they are afraid of McDonald hot coffee type of lawsuit if customers sue them for burned tongue by piping hot dumpling juice. Please read reviews on Yelp, you’ll find many agree DTF is overhyped.

[@shih-hanchow8945]

We tried their restaurant in Cherry Hill, NJ. Disappointed. Went there twice just to be fair. Never brought out any ginger or vinegar, had to ask for it. The filling had a mealy/pasty consistency that was not pleasant. We've never been to their original location in Flushing. Await your review of Din Tai Fung in NYC...

[@OrganicStuff1]

Unstable affliction was one of the best lock spells ever

[@acharis]

Amazing review UA. I wasn't going to, but now I need to order Chinese food sometime this week. Unfortunately, here in Delaware, soup dumplings aren't a thing. However, there's a few good places that bring my childhood memories of Brooklyn about. Wishing you and Tina a great rest of your Sunday.

[@uaeats]

That's a shame that there aren't many soup dumplings in Delaware! But hopefully you can still find your Chinese fix somewhere

[@michaeljohnson4344]

There used to be a popular spot for xiaolongbao in Newark, but it closed a few years ago. Travel up north to Philly's Chinatown. Heaven and endless choices.

[@dennisburby8585]

We'll give this a try. The 456 on Mott St. does very good soup dumplings

[@friendlyneighborhoodoncolo5580]

Flushing's China Town is impressive. I had pretty good Bao at Nan Xiang. Glad to see Queens get props!

[@fatdoi003]

5:05 there's a fine line between ultimate crispy and burnt

[@rmarkley79]

Now I'm craving Chinese food for lunch, where did I put that menu? Thanks for sharing one of your favorite spots UA!

[@thai33oz]

My girlfriend and I loved going to "Kung Fu Xiao Long Bao" on main St and Horace harding Blvd. Their xiao long bao were superior to this place on Prince st. But sadly they're closed down now. We miss their soup dumpling so much.

[@ieraj7428]

Great review UA, the food looked exquisite! What's your workout routine after such delicious and rich in calories food?

[@giffordnakajima616]

Great review as usual. Too bad about the thick skins on the XLB. They reminded me of Trader Joe's frozen soup dumplings, which are good but not something I'd expect at a restaurant. While we're on the topic of soup dumplings, how about a review of Din Tai Fung, which just opened in Manhattan?

[@peterrex8191]

Went to the original growing up in queens and very happy they opened in the city..now that I live nearby only the “old” Joe’s Shanghai had has as good..my humble opinion..my wife and sister love the dumplings in the peanut sauce also..my daughter always gets the chicken broth soup 🥣 in the winter…many good choices not only the dumplings which is key.

[@KujeeOnline]

Just came back from the East Village location on St. Marks and enjoyed ourselves. Had the pork soup dumplings, beef noodle soup, and wontons in peanut sauce. The last two were our favorites, especially the wontons. Soup dumplings were fine but as others said, if skin was a little thinner it'd be even better. We will definitely go back to try other dishes. Keep up the reviews UA! Try some Korean places if you can.

[@inmyhouse11]

Food looks incredible. I miss the UA piano soundtrack music for this vid

[@jjnightkayaker]

Have you tried 'Shanghai You Garden' in Flushing? Fantastic soup dumplings...

[@debradowling800]

That's my favorite

[@Robaldeenyo]

Incredible duck buns

[@JohnJuan2129]

My got o is the one in Flushing . Love their whole menu !! I'm gonna have to try this one, didn't even know they opened one in the city.

[@YASTravelsEatsWell]

What a great spot! Just another reason to take the 7 train up to Flushing❤😅

[@cat09tails22]

Love the name flushing, makes me automatically think of pooping lol

[@xneapolisx]

Hey, I grew up in Flushing, watch it there...lol!

[@peterrex8191]

When the Brit’s took over many Dutch names were converted to “English”..for instance we say sit on the “stoop” which is stairs..or the name Brooklyn or Coney Island were from Dutch words..

[@surfboard396]

Nice video UA. Everything looked great. Sorry it was not as good as the original. Unfortunately these days anything rarely is. Thanks. T C buddy.👋🏽

[@uaeats]

Yep it's a shame that their signature dish was not as good but everything else was fantastic. They've been expanding quite a bit the past few years so I guess maintaining quality is probably difficult

[@kevwwong]

There's a place here in North Toronto that makes some great fried dough sticks. They have a windowed area where you can see them fry those up in the biggest wok I've ever seen. Much respect for anyone still making dumplings and especially xiaolongbao by hand. Even if I don't end up liking the end product, I appreciate the effort that goes into making the food. UA, I sympathize with you about the crab. I went through about a 5 year period where I had bad reactions to crab. Thankfully that went away - hopefully the same will happen with you.

[@NancyChen53]

Great video! Makes me miss soup dumplings. I might go get some soon haha! Are you going to check out the new Ding Tai Fung?

[@vegasa2067]

They are reservation only and are booked up for months 😢

[@thai33oz]

There was a time i wasn't allergic to seafood, then i was allergic to seafood, but i kept eating it, and eventually i stop being allergic.

[@dannym5468]

yeah you build up a tolerance, but you're actually still allergic. If you eat too much, you'll probably still have a scratchy throat, hives, or whatever reaction you normally get.

[@aj28aj]

When you have a chance try “Pinch” in soho on prince street their soup dumplings is more authentic and much better.

[@th6252]

Try reviewing Old Shanghai in Palisades Park and see if it can hold a candle to any of the places in the city.

[@JohnDougherty-z4k]

I see that you have done some Flushing reviews. You have to try White Bear on Roosevelt Avenue & Prince Street. Their #6 wontons are fantastic.

[@lilkewtiepie]

I agree it’s not as good as before . Best was when it was just a small store on prince street in flushing. Now that it has blown up, food went down.

[@sibaihuang519]

Past location was so so,now it’s not good.

[@Joe-nh8eq]

Go try Din in Brooklyn of you haven’t. It’s my favorite spot for soup dumplings in NYC

[@Scarsofevil]

Yes! Finally someone said it. The skin used to be paper thin and you actually had to be careful when you pick it up. You wouldn't beable to pick it up as fast as you did in the video.

[@wookie4798]

Mikey reviewed this place years ago

[@nick_at_nite]

Good to see some asian food reviews.. Please review some good Vietnamese restaurants in your area, ones that specialize in Bánh Xèo, Bún Bò Huế, and let us know what u think.

[@jtzimm233]

Pretty sure my friend and I sat at the very same table. I’ve eaten all over Chinatown and this was my favorite in all of Manhattan. The pork buns never made it to our table, though. If you like udon, definitely check out Raku. It was so damn good, and don’t sleep on the cucumber salad and their gyoza. Both were so good.

[@SanMan2k5]

I like how your reactions to when you really like it is the opposite of what most people do. You scrunch up your face and shake your head no, that's how you know it's something UA really likes. haha

[@elmcloudtt]

hello uaeats, this restaurant on another street - the soup dumplings is $12 and can you note the price of the subgum noodles is $7.95 with chicken or pork still. and if the price did not go up. the 6 pcs is the same price is better. thanks again. el-

[@elmcloudtt]

the dumplings is an appetizer - the noodles price will be higher than the 6 pcs - will not be good for old eaters.

[@stephenmaher1029]

Looks pretty good but my go to is pepper steak, egg rolls and wonton soup! Have a good day😉

[@qitingwu7986]

din tai fung next!

[@druidicdwarf]

i went to the cherry hill location and found most of the food solid (especially the fried rice and the scallion pancake wrap), except for the xlb, which was only above average. i agree with the skin issue! maybe I caught them in a bad day or the expansion locations are not great. i agree also, the soup needs to be super rich and fatty and full of flavor. thanks for reviewing!

[@BunnyWatson-k1w]

UA - if you want great Chinese food there are many places in Brooklyn and the Bronx. I would also recommend Plano TX, San Diego, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

[@talon60]

I don't eat Chinese food and the fact that I watched the entire video shows how good you are at what you do!

[@bobbyc1849]

When I lived in NYC, I love to eat in their old restaurant. It is really something you can't find anywhere. Ir is the only thing I miss form the East Coast.

[@jerseypup]

I've tried the original Nan Xiang in Flushing a few times, both pre and post covid, since it's literally in the same development of the hotel I always stay at when I visit the city. The flavor is always good, but it's far from the best soup dumplings in the city. They are much too thin, which seems an odd problem to have with soup dumplings, but the skin is thin to the point they are constantly breaking, no matter how gingerly you handle them. My number one spot is Shanghai You. Never any issue with leaky dumplings, and they're free if you spend $10.

[@Gruskinator]

I agee, Shanghai You is the best. My dad's side of the family is from Shanghai and they agree, Nan Xiang is a tourist trap with mediocre dumplings. TBH I trust UA more for Western food than Chinese food 😂

[@vegasa2067]

I wish it wasn’t such a pain to get to Flushing from uptown lol

[@codenameviper850]

I used to go to Joe Shanghai when it was in flushing. Now this is my spot.

[@michaelperry9580]

Shanghai style Chinese is my favorite. There’s a place in San Diego called dumpling inn and the bar is called Shanghai saloon. I’d love to check this place out and see how it stacks up next time in ny. I’d say the rating system for soup dumplings is they are not too salty, agree on the thin wrapping and very soft pork inside. UA If you come to San Diego for a taco tour I’d say try to fit it in

[@kevwwong]

OK, separate thoughts on the video itself: The fried bao look pretty nice. Probably could have crisped things along the sides a little more (I love the contrast between the crispy and soft) but the meat-to-bao ratio looks quite respectable. Scallion pancake with beef looked good as well. I am curious what they used to fry the pancake though - the outside looks quite blistered (and I don't mean that in a bad way) and I haven't seen that very often on a scallion pancake. Sweet and sour fish... not my thing, so I have no comment. Agree with you about the skin on a xiaolongbao. It has to be difficult to get that perfect balance between thick and thin, especially when doing this by hand. It could be a tiny matter of the number rolls when flattening the dough out, or a slightly shorter roll each time. You could come back at another time and everything might be perfect.

[@jjjj5625]

go to Shanghai You Garden on 40th road, best in flushing. old Nan Xiang was best before they sold it

[@Mriceman604]

That’s so expensive holy shit , I’m Canadian that XLB would cost me fucken $15 for six? That’s insane

[@eggheadegghead]

That’s nyc price nowadays……..

[@ItzBwo]

Well I’m definitely getting Dim Sum tonight after watching this! UA next time you’re in Philly check out Jane G’s Dim Sum House, if you liked the spot in your video you’ll love her food

[@patrickwong4824]

Just for the record, UA has never done a proper Dim Sum in all his videos. Minus some Chinese BBQ, he avoids Cantonese-style Chinese cooking.

[@Geegeebaba]

Nothing beats Din Tai Fung soup dumplings

[@tigerpinky]

I am not a fan of dumplings but that cucumber dish sounded good.

[@g-the-becoming3443]

Now I agree a cucumber salad is just a cucumber salad, oil and vinegar lol .....

[@bourbakis]

The soft part of the beef slices is from melted tendons after long braising, not from fat.

[@KD-lx1cr]

My fav place in ny too for Xiao long bao

[@cindiqq2292]

Tried from the East Village location 1- crab and pork soup dumpling, skin was thick dumpling tasted too much msg to me. Joe Shanghai is way better. 2- pan fried pork bao, the bun was not fluffy, the pork was juicy but too much msg for me. 3- drunken chicken is way to salty and has no taste of the rice wine, Shanghai 21 on Mott St has much better drunken chicken and fried pork bun. 4- scallion pancake with beef is good. This is the only thing I liked. This restaurant uses too much msg. Never been to Flushing location. Trying this East Village location is one of my least favorite.

[@ponch38]

Joe’s Shanghai has better soup dumplings even if it is a tourist trap.

[@johndefalque5061]

Chinese ham ba gao-I miss Chinese food after leaving vancouver in 2010 There is no Chinatown in Quebec City. Guess I gotta go to NYC.

[@andreuubondmusic]

when do your fans get to meet Tina?

[@buzzfunk]

The harder the squint the better the food ;)

[@DJ-nn6vg]

I think it’s funny that you like Panda Express but don’t like the dumplings at this place! Why do you think an authentic place like this would serve sub-standard dumplings?

[@Ria-xl7kz]

Xlb is like wontons with the soup inside. Duh. It helps to understand if you cook. My contention with these places is.. they don't exactly use quality ground pork. It's not bad-bad, but you don't wanna know. And i'm chinese. When i found out what was in the dim sum from "pork"-- 🤢🤮. I will be learning to make it from scratch. Bleub.

[@LunaMiel186]

UA, you puncture the soup dumpling with a fork or chopstick; all the juice goes in your spoon, then you sip the broth so you don’t burn your mouth, then eat the dumpling. 👍

[@Jebarrda00]

I went to the st marks location recently. was also disapointed w dumplings :/

[@sfguy_2k22]

onion pancakes look good

[@MikeM.1971.GenX.]

I eat vicariously through UA. I only eat meat.

[@paulmiller4881]

I can't tell if you like it or not at first!!!!! You close your eyes tightly like most people do when it's bad!!!!

[@josephwalukonis9934]

UA - General Tsao's chicken is a real chinese dish. I believe it was first prepared by a chinese chef for a nationalist leader of Taiwan. The version made in the US is sweeter and less spicey than the original.

[@MillerEphrem]

You ever ate wohop 69 it's there in New York the best Chinese food

[@jogolaz4490]

Where in Flushing

[@shindukess]

Oh no you caught the umami buzz word bug.

[@catlike1]

I find the Nanxiang's food a bit too sweet--even the dumplings and baos. Agree that the skin in the XLBs you had looked a bit too thick.

[@buzzfunk]

Is there a good chinese restaurant in LA? Anyone know?

[@olenamcconnell9090]

What do you think of Wo Hop? Too American?

[@eeship]

For people from Shanghai such as myself, Nan Xiang has okay food, but NOWHERE near authentic Shanghainese food. To me, the soup dumpling tastes fine (but the skin is way too thick, and the size is too big), but the fried dumpling is simply way off.

[@Topsecret888...]

I think this is worst than Joe's . What you guys evaluate?

[@bdubya2443]

"Now that I'm allergic" ?

[@Skammerd]

The best dish there is the stir fried udon with pork and bok choy

[@maazabbasi9117]

Were the vegetables not zucchini?

[@hankzhong]

Sadly, outside of the original location, all the new locations of Nan Xiang are terrible, especially the Nan Xiang Express location, where I think it's because they use frozen soup dumplings made at another location. The result was soup dumplings that had soggy skin, which was disgusting. For the price you pay, Nan Xiang OG location is still pretty good, but if you are willing to pay a little bit more, both Cheli and Grandma's Home have far superior soup dumplings. Growing up in Hangzhou, I'm pretty anal about soup dumplings, but Grandma's Home was the closest in taste to soup dumplings I'd had in China.

[@JinxPalm2023]

Whenever you spends loads on personnel, decoration, rent and space, the quality will suffer as the corporate model of cutting costs rears it's ugly head somewhere. Furthermore, for the price of typical Chinese dishes like these, since not comparable to what American and other cuisine counterparts charge, they can't justify any great bump in price to the extent the quality doesn't suffer...seems illogical and counterintuitive but sadly true 😢

[@paulcasino7871]

How to get higher from nitrous shots

[@edna3236]

I don't think that you should compare Chinese food in USA to your motherland because food outside of any motherland can't be compared and will never taste the same. When I go to my country the food makes you don't wanna leave.

[@skylershank9309]

I think you can do much better in the city.

[@sallyl5073]

Dumplings skins are too thick and didn't look that great. Cucumbers is definitely not worth the price. They should give the chili and oil with soy sauce instead of hoisin sauce for the scallions pancakes.

[@ferdinandroaquin2070]

You obviously don't cook. The juice does not act as a binder.

[@tom41149]

This guy has a face for radio

[@dave4342]

That’s not nice

[@adamstevens1204]

Looks like zucchini

[@stephenbutler463]

you left them dumplings to long

[@TheKriptikGamer]

No he didn't. Don't complain when he actually listened to criticism and had everything in correct order and on time.

[@evan8402]

⁠@@TheKriptikGameryes he did stop defending him

[@patrickwong4824]

So what's new?

[@bigmodaco]

Is that the wife?

[@caz5021]

Do you speak cantonese or mandarin?

[@Gruskinator]

I think he speaks Mandarin (barely) but not Cantonese. He's been to Cantonese cuisine places and called the dishes the Mandarin names.

[@caz5021]

@@Gruskinator ahhh ok. Thanks for the reply!

[@richardrh333]

It is standard. It's not bad but it's not excellent. It's like the better alternative to Joe Shanghai's but they are becoming a tourist trap too. Respectfully you kinda don't want to see too many foreigners in an authentic Chinese spot. Chinese spot should always have bad service and good food. When the service is good and there are too many color pictures then it's not so great.

[@louischau7982]

seems like your parlor is getting more americanized which is suck

[@prizim]

you lika the juice eh?

[@ernestedwards4073]

34th 👍 Hi UA

[@uaeats]

Hello!

[@SCA447]

U so weird eating closing eyes. Lolz

[@yuliu2307]

小笼包还是无锡的牛 US = burgers steak.Wuxi = xiaolongbao 馄饨