I am delightfully writing this while in a soup-coma, and can happily say this is maybe the best restaurant in Cleveland. Mixed Veggies Noodle Soup | VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY | The most incredible dish on a cold day. How is it possible to make the lightest, cleanest, clear broth soup down right buttery? All of the vegetables were perfectly cooked, and contribute their subtleties to the broth. The noodles were thin, light, but firm enough that they hold up to the ferocious desire you will have to consume this soup. Please get this. Please. To end this, the staff is so kind and FUNNY, and the restaurant itself is intimate and very clean. Please give this a try if you have the opportunity, and BRING CASH. read more

After finally remembering I needed cash, my GF and I did takeout. It was good, maybe really good, and we appreciated that the Shanghainese cuisine is different from the other Chinese places in Asia town. Portions were on the light side. Was it mind-blowing, as I would expect of a top 100 Chinese restaurant in the country? No, that rating doesn't make sense to me, especially having lived in New York and San Francisco. Don't get me wrong-by all means go, it's really good, I was just hoping it would be out of this world. read more

The reviews about this place were so strong I had to make a special trip out to try their dumplings. Boy, they did not disappoint! Everything was so flavorful and reasonably priced. Downside is it is cash only and parking can be challenging. Definitely worth a visit! read more

FYI- CASH ONLY RESTAURANT!!! The yummiest comfort food you'll find on Superior! I always get the soup dumplings because the soup soaks into the homemade wrapper and is bursting with flavor. I tried the salty shredded pork and veggie noddle soup and it was so good! Very homely and comforting, perfect for a rainy day or sickness. The service was fast and attentive. The vibes are very small and cozy, great spot for solo eating. read more

LJ Shanghai - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

LJ Shanghai in Asiatown, Cleveland has EARNED all those awards, including the incredible achievement of being in the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants of 2024 in the USA, according to Yelp! The food is divine and creative and the vibes feel totally authentic. After living in Cleveland for 6 years, my bff and I finally got the chance to eat at LJ Shanghai for lunch in January 2026. We were well aware of the cash-only policy (implemented a year ago) and ate like kings for about $20 cash each. We knew what we planned to order beforehand so no surprises there. I ordered their most popular dish, the Shanghai pan fried flat noodle for $13 - which was thiccc with 3 Cs and contained well prepared strips of pork. I also got a $1 cup of basic hot tea. It was the only beverage we saw on the menu. We must have not seen a beverage menu around, if they have one. Meanwhile, my bff's shanghai bean curd ($11) was doused in a complexity of flavors and a ton of mushrooms. This is a truly authentic dish that vegetarians must get here! She so ordered edamame as an appetizer, which was soaked in a buttery tasting wine and cost $8. Normally, $8 for edamame would be too expensive but these were no basic edamame pods from a microwaved package from Walmart - the portion was generous and the wine sauce made it interesting. I wonder if this is how edamame is done in Shanghai normally... Lastly, service was fast and no fuss. We were in and out in a jiffy. They were bustling so they probably needed to turn over our table asap haha. Decor is fine but you're not here for ambience - you're here for the food! We each put down a $20 bill and a few $1s for tip and left happy. read more

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The best Chinese I've had in Cleveland! We stopped in on a Friday night around 6:30 and only had to wait about 5 minutes before getting seated. They are cash only, so heads up! Though they have plenty of signs and tell you as well before you're seated. The menu isn't huge, but has plenty of great options. We ordered the soup dumplings, cucumbers, spicy chaoshou, pan fried noodles and spicy noodle soup and everything was so good. The flavors were amazing and everything was cooked so well. My favorites were the pan fried noodles and the spicy chaoshou. The noodles soup broth was incredible and had a ton of flavor. Portions are also a great size for the price. Service could have been slightly better, as no one really came to check on us and it took a while for our last dish to come out. But regardless I will definitely be back! read more

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If I could pick my favorite restaurant in the entire world, it would be Lj Shanghai. I can't even begin to tell you how good the soup dumplings are, I used to say they were life-changing. Now they're just such a part of my DNA that I bring everyone that is visiting Cleveland to this restaurant and I have yet to have someone walk away without a wow. They also have some fantastic other menu items from soups to noodles. The care in detail that LJ and her team put together to make it a fun unique experience is to be commended. Remember, they are cash only and they are closed on Mondays. Please check their Facebook page casually they take a vacation. They are consistently listed in all the publications as being in a top five Asian restaurant across the country definitely worth stopping read more

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Finally went to this place after seeing it featured in the magazine. Total hole in the wall. I was afraid to eat because the restaurant didn't look very clean. I ordered the dumplings, and they were pretty bad -- watery inside, and the dough tasted off. Service was fine. Who nominated this place ?! read more

This place is sort of overwhelming. Loud whirring coming from the kitchen. Waiters were nice and very welcoming. Had the shanghai pan fried noodle and a chongqing spicy noodle soup. The flavors of both were pretty good, but the noodles were overcooked in the soup and undercooked in the pan fried noodles. Overall cheap place, they take cash only. 6/10 on Cleveland standards, 3/10 on California standards. read more

LJ Shanghai - noodle - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Absolutely delicious pork belly soup. Soft noodles and flavorful broth. The sweet h sour ribs with bones are also flavorful. CASH ONLY so beware! Only major downside here. read more

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This is why they are KNOWN FOR their soup dumplings! No BS! The food and staff here are as real deal as they come! Extremely helpful when selecting menu items, though it gets a little confusing at times. The feel of the restaurant is simple and pure, reminding you of the local diner in the best ways. The soup dumplings are their specialty, and it's clear why. Arriving in a piping hot bamboo steamer, the dumplings are perfectly arranged in a precise pattern that never strays! The tantalizing aroma is FELT as soon as the remove the lid from the steamer. The dough is slightly chewy, thick enough to withstand the filling, but thin enough that it doesn't overpower the dumpling. The soup inside is warm, deep and bursting with umami, defining its complexity from the first slurp! The filling is delicately complemented by the soup, but has its own distinct flavor, highlighting the protein, chive and ginger that make this dish an absolute classic. The Curry Beef noodle soup was DELIGHTFUL! Think Pho but with a curry broth to change things up a bit! The beef was tender and well marbled, contrasting the bright and slightly spicy broth. This level of food has no business being this affordable. I would give this more stars if I could. Coming back isn't a question, it's a necessity! read more

LJ Shanghai - Curry Beef noodle soup with vermicelli - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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First time checking out this place during a stop in Asiatown. I was happy to see they had a bean curd dish in the menu and wow was it amazing. The tofu was so soft and fluffy and really soaked up the absolutely delicious, complex flavored sauce. I wish I was eating someone right now. My friend got the pan fried noodles- even though they are cooked with pork which I don't eat as a pescatarian, I had to sneak a couple noodles because they looked so good. And I was correct. I wish they made a vegetarian version of these! Word of advice, they are cash only, so come prepared. I will definitely be back. read more

LJ Shanghai - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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I can definitely see why this place is one of the top Chinese restaurants in the entire United States. The food and atmosphere of this restaurant is warm and inviting. When you first walk in they will tell you they only accept cash and then will seat you promptly, if you're meeting someone they will make sure your entire party is there prior to seating you. The menu is expansive with so many different options to choose from. For our first visit we had to try the soup dumplings which lived up to their esteemed reputation. We also got the garlic cucumbers which had an amazing crunch along with the spicy beef noodle soup which was bursting with flavor and would be perfect on a cold winter day. The pan fried noodles and duck were also very delicious. I definitely would recommend this restaurant to anyone that wants truly authentic tasty Chinese food because I have never had anything like it before. If you do come though make sure you bring enough cash for the food and tip because the workers here are working hard to serve you and make your experience an unforgettable one. read more

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Had the spicy beef noodles with the Sichuan cold beef slices as an appetizer and an order of Dim Sum afterwards. It was great to chat with the waitress and she was really friendly. Food had the flavorful kick I was looking for even after my tongue was numbed by the spice. read more

As soon as I walked into this place, I knew I liked it. You are immediately greeted by friendly and helpful staff to let you know you must wait for your entire party to be seated. Makes sense to keep things efficient. Efficiency is exactly what I saw at this fabulous restaurant. They keep it easy and fast and flowing. The food was of course - delicious. I had the dumplings and like all the reviews, amazing! Everything looked spectacular and I can't wait to go back! I loved the photos framed outside of the bathroom hallway. Such is life! read more

LJ Shanghai - Just a cool, casual vibe. - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Went for lunch on a Monday. Good size crowd, and more kept coming, so that was a good sign. We were seated near the front but a large party of 10 came later and went to the back. We ordered soup dumplings, cucumber in garlic sauce, their famous pan fried knife cut noodles with beef, and a sticky rice. All were delicious and came out as they were cooked. Lady who seemed to be in charge was very helpful. Remember to take cash! read more

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Oh my god. This place is incredible! LJ is a cash only place and has incredible food. The soup dumplings were a stand out for us, but literally everything we ordered off the menu was incredible. Service was very quick and staff were very friendly. We will 100% be going again in the future! read more

LJ Shanghai - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Home cooked Asian noodle Small local restaurant Quick and efficient service. Easy menu and fair priced. Excellent noodle dishes with chili oil and deep flavorful cooking. Lots of tasty bites. Authentic flavor and cuisine - best in a cold day to be ate with chopsticks. read more

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This was my first time at LJ Shanghai and I have heard such amazing things so i could not wait to try. We stopped in on the same day of the Asian Festival in Cleveland and decided to try the famous soup dumplings. This is a small restaurant with a great vibe and very friendly and efficient staff. The staff was fabulous getting people in and out and serving orders. We ordered 3 of the soup dumpling orders and they were amazing! Great flavor and boiling hot on the insides so beware. They also had soy sauce, vinegar and a chili oil on the table that paired well with the dumplings. These are also a great deal and a great shareable option for the table. I would come here again for the dumplings alone, but cannot wait to be back to try the rest of the menu! read more

LJ Shanghai - Soup Dumplings - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Stopped by here for lunch. First off it's cash only. The ambiance is nice and the service is prompt. Limited options if you don't eat pork. I cucumber, and bead curd to start with-both were good. My main was the spicy soup, I felt this dish was lacking in depth of flavor and was not spicy. The food is standard and in my opinion certainly not the best in town. read more

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The food was amazing as always. the flavors really be flavoring! The service is top tier. I cant express to you how much i really like it. intimate setting and the best words to describe this place are classy, genuine, beautiful. I highly recommend. read more

LJ Shanghai - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Hey guys, this is no ordinary Chinese restaurant. This is so authentic that you would think you're in China. No they don't serve eggrolls here. No they don't serve sweet-and-sour chicken.. they do not serve anything commercialized. This place really is a must try. It's so so good. I can't even describe how good the food is. The owners are awesome. Just please keep in mind that this is a cash. Only restaurant credit card is not accepted.. The restaurant is a bit on the older side since it sits in the heart of Cleveland down in superior Avenue and the building is very outdated but overall the food is fantastic.. read more

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Finally made it here! Based on other reviews that mentioned vegetarian, I ordered the spicy soup. That broth was out of this world, I could have it for every meal. I was stuffed after that so I got some fried rice cakes to go. I'll definitely be back to try more things! 1 star deducted for cash only just because I never have cash. read more

LJ Shanghai - Spicy soup - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

We tried visiting tonight around 6:20 pm. The restaurant was uncrowded and they had already sold out of soup dumplings - their staple. Regardless, we were seated but it took 5 minutes to get water and a menu. No one bothered to follow up and we left after over 15 minutes, despite others being seated and served. Disappointing but there are other amazing Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood that will take your business. read more

We came to LJ Shanghai today to celebrate a birthday, and overall, we had a great first experience! The soup dumplings were the highlight--absolutely delicious and worth every raving review. Perfectly delicate wrappers, rich and flavorful broth, and juicy filling--just perfection! We also tried the scallion noodles, which weren't quite to our taste. There was a distinct flavor (almost like licorice?) that we couldn't quite place, but that's just personal preference. The beef noodles with snap peas, on the other hand, were our absolute favorite--deep, savory flavor, though a bit on the oily side. The pork wonton soup rounded out our meal, tasting wonderfully homemade and comforting. Service was prompt, and dishes arrived progressively, which worked well since we ate family style--starting with the dumplings and ending with the wonton soup. A few notes for future diners: * Cash only--but the prices are very reasonable! * Some items sell out, so come with a flexible palate. Despite missing out on a couple of dishes we wanted to try, we really enjoyed our visit and will certainly be back! read more

LJ Shanghai - What's left of the scallion noodles - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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The food is incredible!! It's just absolutely amazing!! The staff (two ladies) are constantly hustling around and trying to make sure everyone's needs are met as fast as possible. The inside is simple and not very large but the food is what people come for. Also don't forget your cash, they don't take card at all!! read more

LJ Shanghai - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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You are probably here because you've heard that LJ Shanghai is one of the best restaurants in Cleveland, and I would have to agree. The vibe is very casual, cash only, and involves limited server interaction. Just a heads-up -- your entire party needs to be present before they seat you. The food is absolutely the reason to come to LJ Shanghai. We ordered the cucumbers, which were refreshing and light with just the right amount of flavor. The soup dumplings were fantastic (we wished we had ordered two orders instead of one). We also tried the spicy chaoshou and the pan-fried beef daoxiao noodles, which may have been my favorite dish of the night. Everything was fresh, full of flavor, and authentically prepared. We will definitely be back! read more

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We did takeout due to the location being further from our hotel than we thought, but this is a true hidden gem. It was packed when we went in, it's cash only, but the food is AMAZING! The Yelp reviews hit true by recommending the soup dumplings and spicy chaoshou as if is FIRE!!!! This might have been the highlight of my vacation read more

LJ Shanghai - Soup dumpling - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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We were greeted by the owner LJ, who has an amazing sense of humor! After making us feel at home, she converse with us about a few of the more proper dishes on the menu and we made our selection. I had not eaten there in a few years, but I remember being great comfort food. This visit was the same! For a cold and rainy day all of our dishes, hit the spot. Spicy Chaoshou (spicy dumplings), Beef Curry Soup w Vermicelli and Shanghai Pan-Fried Noodles (with Bok-Choi/Napa Cabbage) were hot, flavorful and filling! Very family and friends oriented; as we saw many people dining together. read more

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The food was fantastic! My wife and I got the soup dumplings (must have!), cucumber with garlic, sweet & sour ribs, spicy chaoshou (wife's favorite!), and pan fried beef daoxiao noodles (not pictured). LJ Shanghai has a wonderful family-owned restaurant vibe. The owners are extremely kind and welcoming and the entire restaurant is very clean. You can really tell that a lot of love and care goes into everything they do. First time visiting, but most definitely not the last! read more

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Unfortunately I Cannot recommend this place. They do not accept credit cards. It's CASH ONLY!! Once I saw the sign on the door my group of three turned around. read more

Honestly, if someone's got something to say about the service, the food is going to be GOOD, and that is a fact especially for Asian-owned businesses. I'm from California where my hometown is the Mecca of Chinese food, and for the months I've been in Cleveland, homey, authentic Chinese food is all I crave. I grew up on Shanghainese food and when I found out about LJ Shanghai from social media, I raced there. We got the Spicy Chaoshao (wontons), Chongqing Spicy Noodle Soup, Sweet & Sour Ribs, and Pig Ear in Chili Sauce. Everything was excellent, plus I heard they make most items in-house, including their chili oil. Really good comfort food that's flavorfully authentic. You already know about the noodles and dumplings- but if you're eyeing the pig ear on the menu and you're skeptical, try it out! The texture is a bit gelatinous and crunchy from the cartilage. It's one of my fiancé's favorite cold dishes. It's dunked in the same sauce as the Spicy Wontons. So it gets coated and flavorful. I hope to come back and order a couple baskets of Soup Dumplings! read more

LJ Shanghai - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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I can't say enough about how incredible this place is. First of all, these are hands down the best soup dumplings and Shanghainese dishes in Cleveland! Second, the two ladies that work up front work extremely hard every single day that the restaurant is open. They provide some of the best service I've ever received and they know their customers extremely well. Every time I walk in, I'm welcomed with warm enthusiasm and hilarious banter. They truly go above and beyond. I couldn't ask for more from a restaurant! read more

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As a Chinese and an experienced cook i would say this restaurant is disappointing. Their 10 dollar each lionhead meatball is too salty and thus not worth the money and their sweet and sour pork ribs are only sweet but not at all sour--buy vinegar please. They are cash only but would write gratuity directly on your check but if you do that please also write a thank you to show your manner as the owner of the restaurant. I went there because I knew their reputation but I was extremely disappointed. I will never go back as a serious lover of Chinese food. By the way, the boss lady definitely has an attitude towards customers. She fights back after reading my Google review with a very sarcastic tone. Sure, I gave her 25 cents more than what she asked for then she THANK me. Oh my I thank your whole family. 感谢你全家。 read more

LJ Shanghai - Very salty Shanghai meatball not at worth 10 bucks. - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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I love the food at LJ Shanghai, it's genuinely some of the best we've had and the reason we keep coming back. Everything we've tried has been delicious. However, we had a pretty uncomfortable moment the last time we visited when paying the bill. Since they only take cash, I glanced at the total with the suggested tip amounts written underneath and saw what I thought said "18% - $50," so I left a $50 bill on the table. When the server came back she asked if I wanted change and I said no, and she told me that was "only a $2 tip." and that it wasn't enough. Our bill was actually $48. The suggested tip section was handwritten and the "56" for the 18% tip looked like "50" at a quick glance. I immediately realized my mistake and fixed it by tipping her appropriately, but the way it was addressed in the moment was pretty embarrassing. I completely understand servers rely on tips and I had every intention of tipping well, it was just an honest mistake from misreading the handwritten suggestion. The food here is amazing and I'd still recommend it, but that interaction made the situation uncomfortable. read more

Not a negative just a heads up....cash only. We had limited cash on us so we stuck with the soup dumplings and fried noodles. The dumplings were amazing, so flavorful! The fried noodles were the best noodles both my husband and I have had. The service was quick and very friendly. Restaurant is clean and well taken care of. We will be back the next time we are in Cleveland. read more

I love this place! Great noodle house! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting and the owner is funny, engaging, and makes everyone feel welcome. And of course, the food is delicious. Definitely one of my faves! read more

Amazing food was very good a little packed but nice also I loved the food everyone was very nice would highly recommend:) keep up the good work read more

I brought a New Yorker here and the loved everything. We came in on a cold winter day and it was warm, cozy, and welcoming. You can tell the food is made with love and came out hot and quick! This is a cash only restaurant but it's worth going to the atm. read more

Great place for some Chinese food. We had the boiled chicken, sheimp, plain noodles, and soup dumplings. The menu was small but the food was good. Would recommend if you are in the area. read more

LJ Shanghai - Boiled Chicken, Shrimp, Soup Dumplings, Plain Noodles - Shanghainese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio