The Best Shanghainese in Newark

Old Town Shanghai

★★★★☆ 3.6 (277) • $$

"My family and I randomly decided to go out for dinner. We weren't 100% set on the original place we chose, so when we passed by Old Town Shanghai, we decided to eat here instead. There was a short wait before we were seated. The ladies were very nice and apologetic about us having to wait - which I thought was very rare these days. Note, there is an option to sit outside (there were 2 or 3 tables out there), but it was cold so we chose to wait. As for the food - we ordered the wine chicken, beef & beef tendon soup, mapo egg tofu, spicy minced pork dry noodles, and and pan fried buns. We originally wanted a rice dish, but I completely forgot to order, which was unfortunate because the tofu would've tasted amazingggg with rice. It was good with noodles too - I'd just gotta make sure I don't include broth. I really loved their pan fried buns. So juicy! My brother said he was just "meh" about it...but he ate 2 whole ones, LOL. He usually dig out the meat in the enter if he doesn't like the bun portion. The noodle dishes were good as well, but they don't stand out much. FYI - they do charge $ for hot tea. They'll still ask if you want water or tea so just a head's up if you're going with people who are used to getting tea at Chinese restaurants as a tradition. They did warn us that it'd be extra charge when my mom chose tea though. I'd say that counts as good customer service - it's rare to hear them inform you about the costs these days."

Shanghai Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.5 (240) • $$

"Authentic food. We tried XLB, wood ear mushrooms, cold tofu skin dish, and a small shrimp dish. My favorite was the wood ear mushrooms with garlic. So flavorful just made me want some rice with it. Mrs. Loved the cold tofu skin dish very satisfying squishy texture, little sweet and little sour, perfect side dish. And of course XLB hit, with amazingly attentive service and nice & clean decor we are coming back for sure. Next time for the pan fried XLBs, (some kind of redbean cold drink. Refreshing AND decliously sweet but not too sweet. Gotta get that everytime!)"

Fiery Shanghai

★★★★☆ 3.8 (689) • $$

"Been wanting to try this place for a long time. Wifey and I met up a friend who started working in Pleasanton for a Tuesday night dinner. Got distracted and forgot to take photos of the food haha. noOb mistake. We ended up ordering the boiled fish with bean sprouts in hot chili oil, Shanghai-style deep-fried noodles, and cumin beef.The boiled fish was really good but lacked the numbing spiciness I was expecting.The Shanghai-style deep-fried noodles were okay. Think deep-fried chow mein noodles but with the texture of funnel cake topped with corn starchy toppings that made the noodles soggy. Meh.Lastly was the cumin beef. I liked this dish the most. Strongly seasoned beef with onions and peppers.Despite being a slow Tuesday with only two other tables, service was another miss. I had to ask for rice several times.But what really upset me was that I had to ask for ice water at least 5 times. I mean, when you name a restaurant Fiery Shanghai, the customers would liked to have some water to cool down the "fire".Speaking of fires, maybe the workers were trained by the City of Los Angeles because they acted like there was no water. I literally had to walk to the register and ask for ice water. At the end of the day the food was okay. Fiery Shanghai. Not as "hot" as I thought.* What's with the strange ass interior decoration that makes each table look like a bed frame?When I was paying, I had this hilarious interaction.Worker: Where you from?Me: Livermore Worker: Where you born?Me: Glendale. Oh... I'm Korean lol. Bye."

Dumpling 85

★★★★☆ 4.1 (301) • $$

"Dishes we ordered, from my most to least favorite: 1. Xiao long bao - skin was thin and soup was flavorful. Loved that they had the xiao long bao spoons too!2. Sheng jian bao - not the best I've had, but it was done well! There was a lot of soup inside and it didn't seep into the buns. 3. Chive pockets - the menu said it had shrimp but couldn't taste or see any. Taste wise, pretty average and could have been a bit crispier.4. Beef rolls - not enough beef, too much lettuce and cilantro. They also put a lot of sauce, and it was too salty for my taste. Ordering was done through a QR code, very convenient for us as we didn't have to flag the server down. Food came out relatively fast. Overall, I wouldn't go out of my way to come back but I'd come again if I'm in the area."

XLB Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.9 (731) • $$

"Obsessed with the dan dan noodles. Admittedly, I haven't had many types of dan dan noodles, but have had enough sichuan flavored food to be obsessed with this place. Also tried the chili oil wontons which were equally delicious, but if I'm going to be honest, I'd choose the noodles over the wontons. Noodles had a great balance of creaminess, a slight numbing spice, and peanut-y taste. PARKING: There is a decent sized shared parking lot on this plaza. Came on a weekday so can't say how busy it is during the weekend, but seemed fine for lunch. There is a fairly large covered patio for comfortable seating. SERVICE: Staff was friendly and helpful. Nothing spectacular, but overall a good experience. Will be coming back!"

ZongZi House

★★★★★ 4.7 (31)

"4.5 STARSFriend: "Hey, I'll take 4 duung".Me: "WTF is duung?!"Friend: "That rice thingy you talked about."Me: "You mean, joong?!"Friend: "It's duung; I'm country like that!"Me: "Ok, coming from someone who stabs their XLB with a fork..."Whatever you call it: 粽子, joong, zongzi, or duung...These Chinese sticky rice tamales are one of my fav Chinese comfort food full of savory, carby deliciousness. While typically eaten during Dragon Boat Festival (June 3, 2022), I'll gladly eat these babies year round...if I can find a good one. IMO, the ones sold at AZN grocery stores or Chinese delis aren't the same quality and who knows how long they have been sitting there. Last week, a yelper gave me a heads up that Eng's Zongzi is back in business (Thanks, GC!). Eng's was a small mom and pop operation that began in the owners' home. Demand skyrocketed so they found a storefront in a tiny strip plaza in Mountain View to sell their zongzi/joong (opened right before the pandemic hit). Due to reconstruction of the plaza, they had to close shop in 2021. The owners have since found a new location in SJ and reopened as Zongzi House last month. L O C A T I O N1505 Kitchen Space (shared commercial kitchen).M E N U* Zongzi/Joong: Chinese sticky rice tamales; vegetarian, Shanghai, or Cantonese-style. They're made fresh the morning of your pick-up day. Sold in pairs only - two pieces are $10-$12.* Frozen dumplings & egg rolls: $12-$23.No MSG. O R D E R I N G P R O C E S S***PRE-ORDERS ONLY***Although it states, to call or text in your order, I highly recommend calling in your order, not texting.There was some confusion and miscommunication so my order via text wasn't received so I had to make two trips to SJ to pick up my full order. Also, pre-orders for pick-up require a 2-3 day notice. This wasn't specified anywhere. Suggestions to the owner: For your yelp main business photo, kindly consider posting a pic detailing the pre-ordering process. P I C K U PCall when you're outside the commercial kitchen or ring the doorbell. P A Y M E N TCash, Venmo, or Cc (3% surcharge).I couldn't get a connection (verizon) outside to pay via Venmo so bring cash just in case. S T O R I N GIf you can't eat the joong the same day, you can store them in the fridge for several days or in the freezer for up to two months. R E H E A T I N G Boil thawed joong for 10-15 minutes. You can also microwave it for 2-3 minutes with a wet paper towel but I find some of the rice hardens so this is not my preferred method. F O O D* Shanghai Pork Belly Zongzi (2 pc - $10): https://bit.ly/3ap0JZnThese were my fav ones at their old MV location. Maybe I'm tripping but they seem smaller now with less filling so it was more of a snack versus a full meal. Taste was still good though - the pork fat melts into the soy seasoned sticky rice adding a delicious, porky richness. * Cantonese Pork Joong (2 pc - $12): https://bit.ly/3wUUwMpA newer addition to the menu, I didn't get to try their Cantonese-style joong before their MV location closed shop. My NEW fav one! Not only are these joong larger than the Shanghai-style but they're packed with more protein and goodies so they're more filling. It's not stated on the menu but these joong are filled with pork belly, two pieces of Chinese sausage, half a salted duck egg yolk, one shiitake mushroom, one whole chestnut, and plenty of mildly sweet, nutty mung beans. The sticky rice is less seasoned than the Shanghai-style but still flavorful especially with the saltiness from the salted egg yolk. Also, purchased some Shanghai Pork Belly Zongzi w/ salted duck egg yolk (2 pc - $11) for a friend who said, it was good. S E R V I C EVery kind couple; true mom and pop operation. P A R K I N GShared parking lot in mini strip plaza. Overall, I'm happy to see Eng's Zongzi reopen as Zongzi House. Zongzi/Joong are the perfect Chinese comfort meal to reheat and enjoy all year round, on WFH or lazy days. Support this mom and pop business and stock up your freezer with 'em!"

Shanghai Flavor

★★★★☆ 3.9 (241) • $$

"Love love love this restaurant and I'm so happy I found a local Chinese food spot that satisfies my cravings and cooks the dishes on point! The flavor and oil amount is just right -- enough that you are getting a solid kick from each bite, and not too much where you feel gross after. I certainly recommend:-Garlic braised eggplant -Shanghai Chow Mein -Kung Pao Chicken-Sweet and Sour Pork RibsThe staff was extremely welcoming and kind, and very accommodating. I am very happy to support this restaurant and will be a returning customer for sure :) till next time!"

Dumpling Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (246) • $$

"Fast service. They have barcodes on the table so you can order your food which is interesting. Ordered soup dumplings, fried rice, and potstickers. Everything was very good! Bathroom wasn't very clean, but everything else was good"

Dumpling Hours

★★★★☆ 4.2 (114) • $$

"Food (5/5)XLB were terrific. Highly recommend the hot & spicy if you can handle it, the spice level is medium. The soup inside had a lot of flavor and I loved the ratio of dumpling, pork, and soup.String beans were also amazing! The pan fried pork buns were delicious, similar flavor to the XLB but with an interesting crispy texture on top. The ginger & scallion noodles were fine, would skip them next time.Service (5/5)Waited around 15 minutes for a table. Service was fast and attentive, you order via a QR code on your phone then pay with a standard check at the end. Not my favorite experience but it was quick and worked.Ambiance (4/5)The restaurant is medium sized and has a good amount of seating. It was on the louder side but the music was pleasant and vibes are good. You can see some of the cooks making the XLB depending on where you're seated.Will be coming back to have more dumplings, string beans, and try some other dishes."

Jin Jin Gourmet

★★★★☆ 3.7 (157) • $$

"This is my 2nd time eating here. We had the twice cooked pork that came with tofu, cabbage and onions. I do not like tofu so I picked it off. It had a delicious savory flavor. I would def order again. We also had beef and broccoli and the garlic cucumbers that were also delicious. The service was good and friendly. They have a big dining room that can hold larger parties. They also have precooked food behind the counter that you can grab & go. It's a little pricey for chinese food but you get quality food."

Dumpling Capital

★★★★☆ 4.1 (476) • $$

"Dumpling Capital was pretty solid when we wanted dim sum for dinner! It was pretty easy to order the food online and then pick up. There's many options for dim sum and Chinese dishes. I think overall it only took 20 minutes for our order to be ready. The soup dumplings and fried dumplings were delicious. The pea shoots were really lovely and flavorful. We really enjoyed all the dishes we ordered."

Shanghai Flavor Shop

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (765) • $$

"Solid restaurant that is consistently busy on weekends. Their specialty is the fried pork buns and green onion noodles."

Shanghai Delight

★★★★☆ 3.7 (131) • $$

"Second time here in less than a month. Ate the fish with wine sauce and braised cloud's ear and sautéed eggplant.Easy ordering system by QR code on the table or placing the order in Chinese with a waitress.Food comes piping hot to the table.Appreciate their good service and great food.Look forward to our next meal here!"

Dumpling City

★★★★☆ 4.2 (225) • $

"It shouldn't be categorized as a restaurant as it's a take-away place and also sells frozen dumplings to cook at home. The dumplings are homemade as you see them making them but they are not selling cooked-versions. Nowhere to sit and enjoy the food. So, don't come hungry craving fresh dumplings you'll be super sad."

I-Shanghai Delight

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (584) • $$

"This is strictly for their food but oh my gosh if you want a good basket of XLB's come here! I'm tempted to gate keep this spot because it's already so crowded on the weekends but I cannot stop raving about how good the XLB's here are to anyone who will listen. I actually think that these are the top ones I've had in the bay, the filling of each one is succulent and oh sooo juicy. You could pour out a whole spoonful of soup from each XLB. They have a spicy pork XLB and it's phenomenal, I would highly recommend trying that if youre okay with some spice. It's just so fragrant with the chili oil. Their other dishes are also pretty good, I would recommend their Shanghainese style pot rice, and also the mini wonton soup! We came here for Father's Day lunch and left feeling very happy and full."

Shanghai Noodle House

★★★★☆ 3.6 (371) • $

"A classic fixture of the Irvington area. I don't exactly know when this place opened, but it's been around forever. And for great reason! Even after inflation, Shanghai Noodle House remains one of the cheapest, tastiest ways for two people to get stupidly full in the Southeast Bay.It's in that cluster of shopping malls and stores around where the Cloverleaf used to be, so parking is easy and convenient.Given that the restaurant is called Noodle House, I have always ordered the noodles. I understand that they also serve Shanghai-style buns, but I haven't actually tried them in all my years of eating here because quite frankly, the noodles are massive. Absolutely massive. Enough to feed two people.It comes out very very quickly, because the noodles you get in every noodle dish is more or less the same. The base of the broth is also fairly similar - but the sauces/flavors you mix into the broth differ based on what you order.So in practice, you'll get a huge bowl of broth and noodles, far more than any one person can eat. In addition, you also get a huge amount of meat/vegetables/sauce to pour into the bowl - and there's so much, just that amount of meat/vegetables/sauce could be considered a full dish on its own.I am not sure if this is how you're actually supposed to eat it and I have no confidence in my parents ability to authentically eat Shanghainese food, but we've always just slid all of the sauces/meat/etc. into the bowl of noodles and then eat it like a noodle soup. I hope that's how you do it, or else I've been doing it wrong.Cash only - presumably one of many ways they keep this place super cheap!Cheap, plentiful, ultra-fast, and actually relatively healthy (there's oil, but a lot less than you often see in Chinese food). Highly recommended for anyone who wants a meal like that!"

Din Ding Dumpling House

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"Got few dishes for to go. Pork and shrimp potstickers: best of all the dishes we tried. Flavorful with or without the soy sauce. Shrimp dumplings: were okay. Long mein veggie: Good. The noodles were very flavorful. Next time, we will get with meat. Chicken fried rice: typical Chinese fried rice with the right flavors. Definitely on the bland side, add Sriracha or a hot oil: it becomes really yummy. All dishes are on the bland side. But either with just soy or hot sauce, they tasted really good."

Chef Zhao Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.7 (482) • $$

"We had takeout from this place. Food was just ok, nothing special, probably won't be back.Since we didn't dine in, can't comment about ambience or service much.- Cabbage & Pork: didn't have much flavor, way too oily and watery, too much liquid.- Beef & Scallion: this was the best dish - It came with onions though not scallions.- Prawn Chow Mein: It was ok, too oily and not very flavorful."

Dough Zone - Cupertino

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"Dough zone is a great place to go to if you're craving a nice dumpling spot and you are in the area! The service is fast and the menu system works through you scanning a QR code at your table which adds it to your tab. The food comes out hot and is delicious! The price is also good for the area, and the inside is nice and clean."

Shanghai Bun Dynasty

★★★★☆ 3.8 (532) • $$

"Shanghai Dun Dynasty is a culinary gem that brings authentic flavors straight from Shanghai to Cupertino! Every dish was a delightful experience, showcasing top-notch quality and care.The Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao was the star, with rich, savory broth bursting from the delicate dumpling skin. The Pan Fried Buns had the perfect crispy bottom, while the Shrimp & Pork Wontons (both spicy and non-spicy) offered comforting, bold flavors.We also loved the variety: the Chinese Little Greens were fresh and vibrant, and the Shanghai Ham and Vegetables Fried Rice was hearty and flavorful. The Shanghai Style Braised Duck and Poached Chicken were beautifully tender, and the Shanghai Stir Fried Noodles were everything you'd hope for--perfectly chewy and delicious.Thank you, Grace Chen, owner of Shanghai Bun Dynasty, for inviting me to an unforgettable dining experience. This is a must-visit spot for anyone craving authentic Shanghai cuisine. Please come here with your friends and family!"

Dough Zone - San Mateo

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"The food and atmosphere here is amazing. I recommend the "Beef Stew Noodle Soup" as it tastes extremely flavorful and the noodles are nice and chewy.The service here is also great. The servers are often quick with bringing out food making for a nice meal and overall enjoyable experience."

Din Ding Dumpling

★★★★☆ 4.3 (202) • $$

"It's been waaay too long since Din Ding reopened in Fremont, there was a fire at their old location and the laundromat, hair salon, and Din Ding closed in 2021. The kids afterschool care is close and we've been closely watching their new location being built up from nothing last year. They are finally open and we've already been here 3 times.My wife felt like XLB today and it's super convenient for us to pick the kids up around 5 and come after before it gets crowded. Food quality is still high and as delicious as the original and Union city location.XLB + Fish Dumplings: XLBs were first on the table and came in 2 minutes. They are super popular so they are have their prep and cook time perfected. First time trying the fish dumpling and it's a repeat. The filling is made with cornstarch, wheat flour, and fish so it's more like a solid mass inside and not loose pieces of fish. Fried Rice: We love their "clean" fried rice that isn't brown from soy sauce, very similar to DTF and my wife loves all the leftovers.Chicken Soup with Corn: I would consider this an egg drop soup, barely any corn and chicken but lots of egg and a nice thick texture from cornstarch. The portion size is HUGE and meant for sharing.Cucumber salad + sauteed green beans sprouts: Cucumbers are pickled and the portion size is pretty large, the sauteed greens were good but they were $22!Potstickers: served upside down with an oversized crispy skirt, this one is best enjoyed fresh and not takeout.Our total bill was $130 before tip and it's expensive but we had leftovers of almost everything and it's at least one more meal for us tomorrow."

Dumpling Garden

★★★★☆ 3.6 (339) • $$

"Came at 1:30pm on a Friday and it was not busy at all. A lot people coming in and out for takeout orders. We got the Shanghai pan fried soup dumplings, beef pancake roll and Dan Dan noodles. The beef pancake roll was super crispy and packed with cucumbers and beef. It was probably one of the better ones I've had in a while. The Shanghai pan fried dumplings were sooo good. The amount of soup in there, it bursted everywhere with the bite I took. The bottom was perfectly pan fried. Would definitely come back for these two. The Dan Dan noodles were a bit different from what I'm used to. With a bit of the hot sauce, it added more flavor! Would def come back here again. Service was good and there is plenty of seating."