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    Nan Xiang Express

    3.9 (220 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Nan Xiang Express Photos

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    NAN XIANG EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

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    pork buns
    Katie D.

    The buns were decent, but the beef scallion pancakes were so good and so crispy and flavorful. would definitely come back for a quick bite. service was slow but the place is pretty nice

    Gary D.

    We've seen this place on Instagram wanted to give it a try and it's definitely well worth it. We had the pork fried dumplings and a green tea drink which was strawberry and lime, which was very very good. Definitely would recommend this way. The chili sauce goes a very long way a little spicy, but definitely taste very good and I'm not a spicy person. Definitely would come back here again. Can't wait. The service was quick.

    Braised beef noodle soup
    Letitia J.

    I am not sure why this place does not have higher ratings! I thought the food was really good. I got the braised beef noodle soup in the juicy pork dumplings. They were both really good and really tasty. The beef noodle soup was just spicy enough and not overdone, and the beef was really tender. The juicy pork dumplings were very juicy and came out piping hot, which is how I like it. For the noodle soup it was quite a large portion. This is a great place to eat at if you want a quick stop with a friend or by yourself. It's a nice and no nonsense place with a little bit of cute designs. The service is quite quick and I did not need to wait too long for my food. I guess my only complaint is that I felt like the food was just a little bit expensive.

    Nick S.

    Nan Xiang Express in Boston's Chinatown brings a quick-service version of classic Shanghai-style cuisine, with a focus on soup dumplings and other traditional Chinese comfort dishes. We walked into a casual, modern space with kiosk ordering and limited seating, the kind of place that is better suited for a quick meal rather than a long sit-down dining experience. The room had a practical, efficient energy with a steady flow of customers coming in for a fast bite, and the compact layout kept the focus on the food rather than the atmosphere. The main highlight is the soup dumplings, especially the pork variety. We ordered a basket and found them capturing the signature combination of delicate wrappers, savory filling, and flavorful broth inside, the wrapper thin enough to hold the soup without breaking and the filling well seasoned. The menu also offered other strong options, including pan-fried pork buns, scallion pancakes, beef soup dumplings, noodles, and appetizers like cucumber salad and spring rolls, each arriving hot and well assembled. The scallion pancakes and pan-fried items added a nice contrast with their crisp texture compared to the softer dumplings, and the variety across the menu made it easy to build a meal around the soup dumplings or try a few different items. The ordering process was straightforward, though the smaller dining space could feel crowded during busy meal periods. While the atmosphere was more casual and fast-paced than a traditional dumpling restaurant, the food quality made it a worthwhile stop for anyone craving Shanghai-style dishes in Boston. The staff moved through orders with efficiency, and the food came out without much delay. Overall, Nan Xiang Express delivers a convenient and satisfying dumpling-focused experience, especially for a quick lunch or casual meal in Chinatown.

    Chicken noodle dish.
    Jerry R.

    Got take out Saturday night: Shrimp rolls were basically fried oil crisps. Barely any shrimp. Horrible. Soup dumplings were good. Regular dumplings lacked any flavor. Noodle dishes were all like Lo mein. Greasy and the shrimp one had very little tiny shrimp. Just bad. Bok choy was excellent. Best dish of the night. Won't return.

    Shumai
    Sonya F.

    This restaurant is more of a fast-food experience than anything, but that's not to say the quality is lacking! They have a pretty extensive menu so there's something for everyone. At peak hours, dining inside the shop can be difficult, but people trickle in and out pretty often so you won't have to wait long. I love their beef filled scallion pancakes, which I almost always get! They are hefty and delicious, filled with a heaping portion of thinly sliced beef! I also like their soup dumplings, which I wouldn't say are the best, but are still enjoyable. They are always really busy, but staff are helpful if needed. I love this place, it just gets too busy sometimes and I think in Chinatown, there are other places that might be more worth your dollar!

    We got the braised beef noodle soup (spicy!), wontons in chili oil (came with a sauce that had sesame paste), and shen jian bao. The wontons were the best, the beef was perfectly soft.

    The music of food throughout Boston has become profound, as the Asian cuisine has began its solo, deafening all other cultures and cuisines. My partner and I had been listening. We put together an order and were rewarded with long winded, yet soothing notes, of what came in the shape of dumplings.

    Shanghai Stir-fried Noodles w/ Chicken, Nan Xiang Fried Rice, Pork Wonton Soup
    Stephen C.

    Amazing "Express" location of one of my favorite Chinese restaurants! Portion sizes are solid and taste is very authentic. My favorite dish of the night was actually the basic veggie fried rice. No frills, just delicious healthy grub. The fried noodles were tasty and wonton soup was perfect to down, not overly salty at all like what you might find at some "authentic" restaurants. This was a takeout order but service was speedy enough. I'll definitely be back for more whenever I'm back in the area!

    pork and shrimp sticky rice
    Julya B.

    what a good find! the food was amazing, great flavor. i like that you can order on your own at the little kiosk & can take your time. they bring the food over to you and then can leave whenever you're ready! very clean as well.

    outside
    Mahek S.

    soup dumplings - 10/10 review soft, chewy, and hearty soup dumplings that i now crave every rainy day!! the filling was juicy and tasty and i enjoyed them with a little chili oil and soy sauce. absolutely no notes. i ordered on kiosk and so i have limited notes on service but it came out pretty fast. the restaurant was clean and the tables were well stocked with condiments.

    Amy L.

    everything was honestly so mid-- XLB and beef scallion pancake was prob the best out of everything we got, maybe a 6.5/10. Do not recommend the hot and sour soup at all 0/10 not even close to what it's actually supposed to taste like. The soy milk was also atrocious 3/10. You order at the kiosk and seat yourself, very casual, fast food vibe.

    Hannah C.

    Really enjoyed our stop at Nan Xiang Express. The soup dumplings were delicious and the food came out quickly. Great spot for a casual lunch in Chinatown. Only downside was the seating felt a little crowded, but overall a great experience!

    Pork soup dumpling with hot soy milk

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    2 months ago

    we enjoyed their food both in person and door dash. definitely coming back. we had the stir fried noodle and soup dumplings

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    3 months ago

    Best veggie dumplings I've ever had! They were flavorful and not oily or mushy. Clean and casual ambience. Highly recommend.

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    Nan Xiang Express Reviews in Other Languages

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    Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns

    4.4(98 reviews)
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    Recommended by my friend, this pan-fried bun生煎 place isn't far from MFA Boston. The little place is…read moreincredibly popular and well-known among Boston's Chinese student community. Shanghai Classic Pork Pan-Fried Buns上海生煎饅頭: I was instantly hooked! It's hard to imagine finding such good pan-fried buns in the US. Almost every table ordered them, so they were all freshly made, piping hot. The bun was made with unleavened dough, making it chewy and refreshing, with a light, crispy bottom--not oily or hard. The meat filling was substantial and tender, with plenty of broth (see picture). It was sweeter than salty, incredibly umami. The chili oil was also very fragrant, and dipping it in Zhenjiang vinegar enhanced the flavor and cut through the greasiness. Shredded Pork & Preserved Vegetable Noodle Soup雪菜肉絲麵: The noodles were thin and round, with a soft, mushy texture. While the noodles were clearly machine-made, this isn't a problem in the Yangtze River Delta region; the issue was likely overcooking. The shredded pork were well-stirred, with tender meat, but the noodles lacked flavor. They had to be eaten with the pickled mustard greens雪菜 to be slightly salty, and the umami flavor was severely diluted. The tableware is all disposable, and tipping is not mandatory. It's quite affordable.

    We're from Shanghai and love the food here. We used to just get the shenjian mantou, but recently…read moretried several other items: the scallion oil noodles (very fragrant and addictive), the shepherds purse wontons (my favorite, and hard to find), the pork and pickled vegetables noodle soup (reminds me of what my grandma used to serve), and they had seasonal flaky meat-filled mooncakes that my daughter and husband loved. It's small and no frills but very clean, and the staff were helpful and patient, and I appreciate the lack of harsh cleaner scents that dominate so many otherwise good restaurants. My mom typically requires more "ambience" when dining out but will always happily go here. I don't live in the area or would be going regularly, but stop at least once whenever I'm back in the area. We also have food allergies, which can be tricky for eating out, but they clearly knew their ingredients and cooking processes well so we felt safe eating the food.

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    Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns - See in kitchen

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    Myers & Chang - BBQ Pork and pineapple fried rice with crispy onions, scallion and a fried egg

    Myers & Chang

    3.9(2k reviews)
    0.6 mi•South End
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    Would definitely come back!!! Best to come with a bigger group and you get to share and try…read moreeverything. We were five people and we shared the following: - papaya salad - bokchoy - Brussel sprouts - pan roasted salmon - nasi goreng - pork bao buns - pork and chive dumplings I can't even pick which ones were my fave (maybe the nasi goreng) but they all complemented each other so well. Don't skip the dessert!! Cocktail was insane as well, had the bloodlust which had a nice spicy kick to it. Coming back soon for more. Service was quick and they gave us a birthday cake on the house for friend's bday!

    Myers+Chang is a modern Asian-inspired restaurant that blends flavors from across East and…read moreSoutheast Asia into a menu built around small, shareable plates. We walked into a space with an energetic atmosphere, an open kitchen, a lively dining room, and a contemporary design that makes the restaurant feel both casual and polished. The layout encourages ordering several dishes for the table, and the variety across the menu makes it easy to build a meal that feels different with each visit. The small plates are the biggest draw because they let you try a wide range of flavors without committing to a single entrée. The pork belly buns are one of the signature dishes, featuring tender pork inside soft steamed buns with a balance of sweet and savory flavors. The dan dan noodles are another standout with their rich, spicy sauce, while the Brussels sprouts have developed a strong following thanks to their crispy texture and bold seasoning. We also appreciated that many dishes are available as half portions, making it easier to sample more of the menu without ordering too much food. The menu offers a good balance between familiar favorites and more creative dishes, with each plate feeling thoughtfully prepared and packed with flavor. There are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, making it easy for groups with different dietary preferences to find something they enjoy. The service matched the pace of the restaurant during our visit. The staff were attentive, dishes came out steadily as they were ready, and the servers were helpful with recommendations for building a meal around multiple small plates. The restaurant stays busy throughout the evening, so making a reservation is a good idea, especially for dinner or larger groups. Myers+Chang is one of the better places in Boston for creative Asian-inspired small plates. The combination of bold flavors, shareable portions, lively atmosphere, and consistently strong service makes it a restaurant that is easy to return to, especially if you enjoy trying a variety of dishes instead of ordering a traditional entrée.

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    Dumpling House - Soup Dumplings with Pork (Xiao Long Bao)

    Dumpling House

    3.8(883 reviews)
    2.8 mi•Riverside, Central Square
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    A dinner with my Korean friends revealed my current favorite Chinese restaurant in Boston!…read more Soup Steamed Dumplings Pork 小籠包: The dumplings were large, incredibly juicy, and the meat filling was tender and smooth. The seasoning was only slightly sweet, perfectly complementing the freshness of the meat. These were the best Xiaolongbao I've had in the US, although the skin was a bit soggy and unappetizing. Pork & Leeks Dumpling: My friend ordered these, opting for pan-fried dumplings. They were piping hot, incredibly fragrant, and the meat filling was tender. The chive flavor was mild, which is perfect since I don't like chives lol. A touch of vinegar was definitely needed to cut through the richness! Sliced Fish Szechuan Style: Calling them "sliced fish" is a bit of a stretch; "fish fillets" would be more accurate. They were probably made with basa fish, and the fish was incredibly tender, almost melting in your mouth. The broth was fragrant, and the numbing and spicy flavor was authentic, earning high praise from my friend from Sichuan. Lamb with Ginger & Scallions Onion: A perfectly good Beijing dish, but it was prepared with the feel of a Cantonese stir-fry, which suited my Cantonese palate perfectly. The lamb was incredibly tender, with no gamey taste, and stir-fried until the oil was visible but the sauce wasn't thickened. The sweetness of the onions and carrots added to the complex flavor. Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin: Just average, like a typical Shanghai style home-cooked meal. Nothing special to say. General Gao's Tofu 左宗豆腐: My first time trying the famous "General Tso" (I don't know why they call it General Gao) series of American Chinese cuisine. It felt similar to the technique used in Shanghainese "Kung Pao宮保." A slightly sweet and sour flavor with the aroma and mild spiciness of dried chili peppers, the ingredients were deep-fried and coated in a thick sauce. The tofu was overcooked, the edges were hard, and the sauce became a bit watery towards the end. This dish was just okay.

    I ordered the lunch special chicken and broccoli through DoorDash. It came with this dark brown…read moresoup with mushrooms- wasn't sure what it was so I didn't try it (also 93 degrees so not in a soup mood lol). Even though it was a lunch special, I was actually really happy with the portion size. A normal container of rice and separate container of the entree. The biggest issue was the taste. It was just muted and kind of bland. The sauce also had a really oily, almost slimy consistency. It kept separating, so there was a layer of oil on top and the sauce underneath. A lot of the time, it honestly felt like I was just eating oil instead of sauce. The rice was great tho- really fluffy and soft. Cooked perfectly

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