I'll start with the good first by saying their pan fried pork dumplings were amazing. However, everything else we ordered was sub par. The noodle soup was way to fishy and a bit pricey, and the shrimp was dry. Overall, I don't think I'll be coming back here again.
Sunshine NG
This is the worst restaurant I have ever seen, with poor hygiene and I won't go there again
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Mimi K.
We loved this place and came often, before the pandemic. After the pandemic, the management seems to have changed. They changed the interior. It's not as homey, more cafeteria-like. The service is not the same. We just don't enjoy the place or the food as before. After a few times, we stopped going.
Diana G.
I haven't been writing reviews as often anymore, but HAD to after coming here yesterday. It is definitely overrated and disappointing. Having tried many XLB spots, I do feel like I can tell when it's good or bad/not authentic. We ordered many things to try: the pork XLB, crab and pork XLB, shrimp hargow dumplings, pan fried pork dumpling, spicy cold beef appetizer and the yellow croaker noodle soup. The XLB are not authentic and disappointing. Yes there was soup but the skin had a slimy soft texture that isn't what you'll find in an authentic XLB spot (or in Shanghai). They were oddly large, and tasted like frozen XLB you can buy at the supermarket. The yellow croaker noodle soup was $15.50 and very fishy. Had to drench it in hot sauce to make it edible. The noodles had a good texture but the broth was bland and this felt overpriced for a fast food, self service spot. The shrimp hargow were awfully dry, the shrimp didn't have the snap that fresh seafood has and the skin, again felt like they were frozen and dry. The highlight of the meal was the pan fried pork dumplings which were juicy, soft, crispy on the bottom with sesame seeds. Overall, it was extremely disappointing and I will not be returning. I am shocked it has 4.1 rating and 1000 reviews!!!
Felix Chang
What happened to this place? Maybe they changed management during covid. It used to be a really good restaurant offering authentic food. Now everything is done the wrong way. From steamed dumplings to mousewatering Chicken, fried sticks, everything tastes awful comparing to before. It’s so sad to see a good restaurant went downhill.
Atmosphere: 2
Ashley R
Drove 30 minutes for dinner and was not disappointed! Everything tasted amazing. Was going to take pictures but once the food hit our table we devoured it!! Loved the kiosk aspect! We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Z.
If I could give this place zero stars, I would. The service was horrible as there was no service. You order on machines that are placed near the entrance, no tea or water is offered to you during the meal. The food is served on paper and plastic bowls and plates and you clear the table yourself after your meal. The food was not good at all. Overall just bad. There are so many other places in Edison to get better tasting soup dumplings
Nicole F.
Hands down the best soup dumplings I've had! You can tell being it was literally packed on a Friday night. You will order yourself on a kiosk or in advance online. The location itself is very casual and not very spacious. One downside is their open seating which makes snagging a seat difficult. I opted for the steamed pork juicy buns and my husband opted for the spicy pork juicy dumplings. Every single one held a delicious amount of soup. My husband raved about his as well. He enjoyed them so much, I didn't get a photo. I ordered the Shanghai pan fried udon. I felt it could've used more sauce. I also ordered the peach ice cream which was pretty good and also BOGO free. It didn't have a an artificial taste, it actually genuinely tasted like authentic peach ice cream. My husband had the spicy minced pork noodles and preferred the broth of the dish overall. While both noodle dishes were descent, the real standout was definitely the dumplings. We will be back. :)
ubooks8
We dined in the restaurant years ago and came back here for the first time after the Covid years. It’s changed to a self serve restaurant basically with a single server and place your order at the kiosk. Then they bring your food. Food quality, portion size and price has also changed in my opinion. After the meal plan on throwing out your own disposable containers like a fast food restaurant. No tip needed that was a plus. No water too.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Aya H.
All self serve. We ordered the pork soup dumplings, crab + pork soup dumplings, wonton soup, and cucumber side dish. We preferred the crab meat dumplings but they were all good!
Really liked their hot fish soup as well as the soupy dumplings. Would definitely try again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dumpling, Soup
Lu H
A comfort chinese restaurant with a variety of menu options.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Pancake
John S.
A bit small/cramped of a restaurant and can get very crowded by the food is always super great and prices are wonderful. More American style Chinese here compared to some of the other places in Edison. Not a judgment just what I've experienced.
Ivan B.
Came here for dinner on a Friday night. It was not too busy. This was the first time I came here since they renovated. They don't really have a wait staff so you have to order from a touchscreen tablet. We ordered the pork juicy buns, the pan fried pork buns, pork and vegetable wontons in spicy sauce, and wu's favorite topping over crispy noodles. We also ordered the sweet fermented rice and tofu for dessert but they accidentally gave us the rice balls in wine sauce so we got an extra free dessert! Everything was good but if I'm being honest I thought the food was better before the renovations. The juicy pork buns were decent but the skin kept ripping. The pan fried pork buns were crisp and the meat inside was flavorful and tasty. The pork wontons in spicy sauce were always one of my favorite items. This time it was good but I feel like the portion size shrank and it was a little less flavorful than it used to be. Lastly the crispy noodles topped with their favorite topping was extremely disappointing. The crispy noodles did not taste fresh and the sauce didn't have much flavor. For the desserts...both were very solid. The sweet fermented rice with tofu had just the right amount of sweetness and the fermented rice added a nice sourness that made it different and addicting. The sweet rice balls in wine sauce Aldi had the right amount of sweetness. The rice balls were perfectly tender and also had bits of fermented rice in the sauce. Overall I enjoyed the food but was expecting it to be as good as it was before. I would've gave it 3 stars but the server working that night was very friendly and made up for giving us the wrong dessert.
Serena T.
If you've been here pre pandemic, this is not what it used to be. Food quality went down, service went down. Soup dumpling wrapper is not thin enough, they did not remove the porky ness out of the meat so you will be stuck with burping pork for the next few hours. Rice cakes with pork was nothing to note as it was not memorable. Scallion pancakes were overly greasy. Crispy noodles with sauce, veggies and pork was disappointing. The sauce lacked flavor. Crispy noodles, they used the wrong noodles. I don't even think this place has the same chefs as it was previously. Ambiance reminds me of a lunch room where you put your order in a kiosk and then wait for your number to get called while seating is first come first serve. You have better options if you are looking for Shanghaineese food. Say if you go towards HMart or any other Shanghaineese restaurant.
I'll start with the good first by saying their pan fried pork dumplings were amazing. However, everything else we ordered was sub par. The noodle soup was way to fishy and a bit pricey, and the shrimp was dry. Overall, I don't think I'll be coming back here again.
This is the worst restaurant I have ever seen, with poor hygiene and I won't go there again
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We loved this place and came often, before the pandemic. After the pandemic, the management seems to have changed. They changed the interior. It's not as homey, more cafeteria-like. The service is not the same. We just don't enjoy the place or the food as before. After a few times, we stopped going.
I haven't been writing reviews as often anymore, but HAD to after coming here yesterday. It is definitely overrated and disappointing. Having tried many XLB spots, I do feel like I can tell when it's good or bad/not authentic. We ordered many things to try: the pork XLB, crab and pork XLB, shrimp hargow dumplings, pan fried pork dumpling, spicy cold beef appetizer and the yellow croaker noodle soup. The XLB are not authentic and disappointing. Yes there was soup but the skin had a slimy soft texture that isn't what you'll find in an authentic XLB spot (or in Shanghai). They were oddly large, and tasted like frozen XLB you can buy at the supermarket. The yellow croaker noodle soup was $15.50 and very fishy. Had to drench it in hot sauce to make it edible. The noodles had a good texture but the broth was bland and this felt overpriced for a fast food, self service spot. The shrimp hargow were awfully dry, the shrimp didn't have the snap that fresh seafood has and the skin, again felt like they were frozen and dry. The highlight of the meal was the pan fried pork dumplings which were juicy, soft, crispy on the bottom with sesame seeds. Overall, it was extremely disappointing and I will not be returning. I am shocked it has 4.1 rating and 1000 reviews!!!
What happened to this place? Maybe they changed management during covid. It used to be a really good restaurant offering authentic food. Now everything is done the wrong way. From steamed dumplings to mousewatering Chicken, fried sticks, everything tastes awful comparing to before. It’s so sad to see a good restaurant went downhill.
Atmosphere: 2
Drove 30 minutes for dinner and was not disappointed! Everything tasted amazing. Was going to take pictures but once the food hit our table we devoured it!! Loved the kiosk aspect! We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could give this place zero stars, I would. The service was horrible as there was no service. You order on machines that are placed near the entrance, no tea or water is offered to you during the meal. The food is served on paper and plastic bowls and plates and you clear the table yourself after your meal. The food was not good at all. Overall just bad. There are so many other places in Edison to get better tasting soup dumplings
Hands down the best soup dumplings I've had! You can tell being it was literally packed on a Friday night. You will order yourself on a kiosk or in advance online. The location itself is very casual and not very spacious. One downside is their open seating which makes snagging a seat difficult. I opted for the steamed pork juicy buns and my husband opted for the spicy pork juicy dumplings. Every single one held a delicious amount of soup. My husband raved about his as well. He enjoyed them so much, I didn't get a photo. I ordered the Shanghai pan fried udon. I felt it could've used more sauce. I also ordered the peach ice cream which was pretty good and also BOGO free. It didn't have a an artificial taste, it actually genuinely tasted like authentic peach ice cream. My husband had the spicy minced pork noodles and preferred the broth of the dish overall. While both noodle dishes were descent, the real standout was definitely the dumplings. We will be back. :)
We dined in the restaurant years ago and came back here for the first time after the Covid years. It’s changed to a self serve restaurant basically with a single server and place your order at the kiosk. Then they bring your food. Food quality, portion size and price has also changed in my opinion. After the meal plan on throwing out your own disposable containers like a fast food restaurant. No tip needed that was a plus. No water too.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
All self serve. We ordered the pork soup dumplings, crab + pork soup dumplings, wonton soup, and cucumber side dish. We preferred the crab meat dumplings but they were all good!
Restaurantji Recommends
Really liked their hot fish soup as well as the soupy dumplings. Would definitely try again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dumpling, Soup
A comfort chinese restaurant with a variety of menu options.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Pancake
A bit small/cramped of a restaurant and can get very crowded by the food is always super great and prices are wonderful. More American style Chinese here compared to some of the other places in Edison. Not a judgment just what I've experienced.
Came here for dinner on a Friday night. It was not too busy. This was the first time I came here since they renovated. They don't really have a wait staff so you have to order from a touchscreen tablet. We ordered the pork juicy buns, the pan fried pork buns, pork and vegetable wontons in spicy sauce, and wu's favorite topping over crispy noodles. We also ordered the sweet fermented rice and tofu for dessert but they accidentally gave us the rice balls in wine sauce so we got an extra free dessert! Everything was good but if I'm being honest I thought the food was better before the renovations. The juicy pork buns were decent but the skin kept ripping. The pan fried pork buns were crisp and the meat inside was flavorful and tasty. The pork wontons in spicy sauce were always one of my favorite items. This time it was good but I feel like the portion size shrank and it was a little less flavorful than it used to be. Lastly the crispy noodles topped with their favorite topping was extremely disappointing. The crispy noodles did not taste fresh and the sauce didn't have much flavor. For the desserts...both were very solid. The sweet fermented rice with tofu had just the right amount of sweetness and the fermented rice added a nice sourness that made it different and addicting. The sweet rice balls in wine sauce Aldi had the right amount of sweetness. The rice balls were perfectly tender and also had bits of fermented rice in the sauce. Overall I enjoyed the food but was expecting it to be as good as it was before. I would've gave it 3 stars but the server working that night was very friendly and made up for giving us the wrong dessert.
If you've been here pre pandemic, this is not what it used to be. Food quality went down, service went down. Soup dumpling wrapper is not thin enough, they did not remove the porky ness out of the meat so you will be stuck with burping pork for the next few hours. Rice cakes with pork was nothing to note as it was not memorable. Scallion pancakes were overly greasy. Crispy noodles with sauce, veggies and pork was disappointing. The sauce lacked flavor. Crispy noodles, they used the wrong noodles. I don't even think this place has the same chefs as it was previously. Ambiance reminds me of a lunch room where you put your order in a kiosk and then wait for your number to get called while seating is first come first serve. You have better options if you are looking for Shanghaineese food. Say if you go towards HMart or any other Shanghaineese restaurant.