上海21

I sat in the booth in Shanghai 21 across from my big bro, and took in an ambiance that ticked many boxes for a legendary Chinese spot: Cash only signs littering the oddly colored green walls, traditional looking tablecloths, beat up tile floors and furniture, servers that don't really engage with you and whose 2nd language is english, and a huge overwhelming menu that could swallow you if you get too deep into it. I was ready for battle, as I read the reviews for this place that said it's almost impossible to avoid a wait, but at 5:42pm on a Thursday we walked right in and were seated in a mostly empty restaurant. We can both EAT, so we went with the following: Soup Dumpling with pork ($9.75), Fried Tiny Pork Buns ($8.75), Szechuan style wonton ($9.25), Spring rolls ($6.00), Scallion Pancakes ($6.00), Low Mein w pork and shrimp ($13.25), and Szechuan style beef ($24.50). Pretty cost efficient. Some major bang for your buck here. Inflation buster adjacent. The only thing that didn't blow me away was the Szechuan style beef, as it was just a little too heavy for the two of us... I was FORCING it down by the end. Everything else was phenomenal. Other than that beef, I truly feel like we ordered perfectly. If I could only order 2 things, it would be the end of the road for me as I couldn't decide, but If I could only order 3 things they'd be the soup dumplings, Szechuan style wontons, and the low mein. Truly the big 3. IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo

We got the pork soup dumplings, scallion pancakes, Shanghai lo mein with chicken, and a cup of egg drop soup. A great comfort meal, especially when it’s as cold as it is outside. LOVE that they serve tea when you first get in. Would probably skip the scallion pancakes next time, not bad just nothing crazy. 100% worth checking out if you’re in the city. Just remember that it’s cash only!

hype is real folks. this place is amazing. worth waiting 15-20 min. go inside, list your name and wait. ask for recommendations or go directly to the shanghai special dishes. careful with portions or you will ended up taking food to your place. staff is to friendly and they are always looking to make your life much easier (generous tip please!). my recommendation: ask chatgpt to read the menu while you wait... ask for three options with certain budget. try something beyond the classical stuff!!

Shanghainese cuisine in Manhattan, Shanghai 21 is a top-tier choice. Here is my take on the experience: ​The food is the undisputed star of the show. The Soup Dumplings (XLB) are legendary—perfectly thin skins with a rich, flavorful broth inside. We also tried the scallion pancakes and the crispy beef, both of which were seasoned to perfection. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and authentic. ​​The service is efficient and the energy is high, which adds to that classic Chinatown feel. However, it’s worth noting that the venue is a bit stuffy. It’s a small, narrow space that gets crowded very quickly, especially during peak hours. While the experience would be much better if it were a bigger venue—simply to allow for a more relaxed dining environment—the quality of the food makes the tight quarters worth it. If you don't mind a cozy (and sometimes loud) setting, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best dumplings in the city.

Shanghai 21 absolutely earns its Chinatown legend status. The General Tso’s chicken was crispy, saucy, and dangerously easy to finish, and the soup dumplings were elite. Full of flavor, perfectly slurpable, no notes. Now the plot twist. The pork bun was dry. Like, why am I chewing this much dry. I would skip it and emotionally move on. Also, bring cash. They are cash only, like most places in Chinatown, and yes, you will feel silly if you forget. Order smart and this place does not miss.