Almost as excellent as its nyc counterpart. Smaller and aimed at takeout. Ordering from the kiosk was easy yet impersonal. Rice cakes were fantastic, the spicy peanut wontons weren't the same as they were in nyc. Although still delicious, the sauce was broken/separated and not as velvety. I'll still return if I'm in the area, but it's not a constant craving like the flushing experience. read more

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. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Braised beef noodle soup - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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! read more

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I had the worst boba drink ever in my life...! Boba literally tastes like plastic and the shape of boba was not even right - it was flat and squared, not even a round boba. Never seen this kind of boba before and will never order food from here again. I also ordered some dumplings and they were very dry with very thick skin - hard to swallow without soup or drink. read more

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. read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

Nan Xiang Express - Shanghai Stir-fried Noodles w/ Chicken, Nan Xiang Fried Rice, Pork Wonton Soup - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

wait... i like it!! don't have gourmet expectations, it's definitely no frills but maintains fast service, cleanliness, and relative affordability in a place like boston!! my wontons in peanut sauce were FIRE, filled me up, and $10 with t+t. portion size for veggie sides were generous too. this place makes it easy to get a nutritious and cultural meal for 2 under $30, and honestly what more can you ask for ?? read more

Nan Xiang Express - wontons in peanut sauce, broccoli, soup dumplings - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I love the concept of this place - high-quality Chinese food with authentic flavors served in a fast-food-style format. I've been at least half a dozen times over the past year and have tried several items on the menu. Everything has been consistently solid. Even my grandma, who is a notoriously tough critic, gave it her approval. The soup dumplings are their staple and, of course, delicious, but the other menu items might be better IMO. The beef scallion rolls, spicy wontons, and sticky rice cakes are a few standouts. I almost always get the hot and sour soup - while it's a bit more corn-starchy than I prefer, it's one of the few places that actually puts enough "hot" and "sour" in. I also appreciate the generous chunks of tofu and the traditional ingredients like lily buds. One downside is that it can feel a bit pricey. I walk in expecting fast-food pricing and dine in a space that feels fast-casual, but if I order three items, I end up paying closer to restaurant pricing. The quality is well above typical fast food, though, so ultimately I think it is worth it for what you're getting. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Came here late Sunday night. Stopped by for a quick bite. Was somewhat busy. Most settings were taken. Tight seating arrangements. Its chinatown restaurant so it is what it is. Easy quick ordering at the kiosk. 15 minutes wait for soup dumplings. I got a pork soup dumpling and hot soybean drink. It was good. Met expectations. Dumpling was juicy. Skin did not leak. Soybean drink comes very hot but good after it cools a bit. Not too sweet. I would come again but obviously so many other food places to try in Chinatown. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Pork soup dumpling with hot soy milk - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The must gets are the pork soup dumplings and the crispy bottom pork buns, but if you're into other things I'd also highly recommend the scallion pancakes and stir fry noodles with chicken!! I will be returning, everything was 10/10, and although it's not the most ideal dine-in situation my party of 3 was able to find a place to sit at one of the long tables as we waited for our food. read more

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I order the pork dumpling soup to go, and I loved how it was boxed. The soup is in a large bowl with the dumplings separated in a plastic tray on top. This kept them warm, was a great way to not have them get soggy, and you could dip them easier. 4 good sized dumplings come in the $5 soup. It was heavy on the seaweed flavor in the soup, I wasn't expecting that so keep that in mind & Don't forget before you leave to add the toppings like chili oil and soy sauce, no packets were included. I took mine to the park read more

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

It's a nice place for a quick casual meal. We came on a Friday evening when it was very busy and no seats available because the spot is small. While we waited for our food, we walked around Chinatown and when we came back we were able to get a table. The food is not the best ever, but it's pretty good and not expensive. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Pork soup dumplings, beef scallion pancake, crispy bottom buns - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Unfortunately, this restaurant was pretty disappointing. My bf and I ordered 3 items, shrimp fried rice, veggie noodle soup, and soup dumplings. We had to bus our own table, which is fine but for the price and the quality of food I don't think it was worth it. The food came out so quickly and didn't hear any cooking in the kitchen that we suspected the food was microwaved or reheated. Everything was in disposable containers and felt like cheap takeout. We paid almost $50 for food that tasted like instant noodle soup broth and microwaved rice. The soup dumplings were the best part. The veggie noodle soup was very mushroom heavy but was really oily and the noodles were really overcooked and mushy. I'm not sure if everything seemed designed for takeout because it's an "express" restaurant but you can definitely get better food somewhere else in Chinatown. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Shrimp fried rice - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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

Nan Xiang Express is one of the only restaurants in Boston that serves stir-fried rice cakes. Everything comes in a red paper container, and the brand marketing is quite cute. There is very limited seating. The food is tasty, but it probably won't blow you out of the water. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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It's a great office staple for those in downtown. They do delivery and takeout pretty quickly and the food is consistent. My favorite dishes are the scallion oil noodles, pan fried pork buns, and siu mai sticky rice. Place is clean and well maintained for a store in Chinatown. Bathrooms for customers are also clean. Definitely stop in for a quick lunch or take out! read more

This place has become one of my go to takeout places for dumplings and noodles. Good balance of price and quality. I have yet to try something from the menu that I haven't enjoyed. read more

Came around 4:30pm on a rainy Wednesday and it was pretty much empty. We ordered at the kiosk and our food and drinks were brought to our table no longer than five minutes later. They mentioned our soup dumplings would be coming out shortly. We waited 15 minutes before going up to check on our soup dumplings and lo and behold, they were ready and had been sitting forgotten in the back. Instead of nicely filled dumplings, we got these deflated disappointments with the tiniest bit of soup. The beef scallion pancakes were good, but there are much better places for soup dumplings in Chinatown. read more

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I'm sad to say this spot was pretty disappointing! I've been to the full-service dine-in Nan Xiang in Flushing, NY, which I loved, but I won't be returning to this spot in Boston. First off, the soup dumplings were very mid. The quality of the dumpling wrapper, meat, flavor, and lack of juice was similar to what I could get in the frozen section of a supermarket. The fried rice cakes also tasted like they were mixed in really salty soy sauce that I could've made at home. Spicy peanut wontons were just okay, don't have too much to say on this one. The braised beef noodle soup was probably the best item we ordered. What we ordered: - Nan Xiang Signature Pork Soup Dumplings - Braised Beef Noodle Soup - Wonton in Spicy Peanut Sauce - Fried Rice Cakes read more

Nan Xiang Express - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The place isn't too big. My friends say it's usually busy on the weekends, but we were able to grab a table for four around 11:30am on a Saturday (woohoo!) When you enter, you grab your own table, and you order (and pay) through a kiosk. Once your order is entered, the waiters will come out with your food in takeout containers (in case you can't finish everything, it'll already be boxed up). We ordered - - Crab Meat & Pork Soup Dumplings (6pcs): delicious! All came out intact, with a side of the vinegar/ginger sauce. The soup was not scalding hot, and very flavorful. - Nan Xiang Signature Pork Soup Dumplings (6pcs): same as above! - Crispy Bottom Buns with pork fillings (4pcs): this was great, and also had a little bit of soup inside. A tasty, filling snack! - Cucumber Salad w. Garlic Vinaigrette: very fresh and clean tasting. - Bok Choy: simple, but SO freaking good. Tender, and simply sauteed. - Scallion Pancake: super crispy - my favorite of all the scallion pancakes I've had so far in my life lol. - Passionfruit & Lime Green (Iced) Tea: This was really yummy, and paired well with our food. read more

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The XLB were great; the pan fried buns were yummy too, although smaller than others I've had. My partner and I ordered different noodle soups (veggie noodle soup and the beef noodle soup). It's a pretty large portion of soup but most of it is noodles. I barely finished half the portion of noodles and finished the rest of the veggies off. The soup was scalding hot, which isn't a bad thing. But the noodles cook extra sitting in the broth so after a bit they're overcooked. The noodle soup was filling but also oily/salty that I felt thirsty the rest of the evening (you know that feeling?) The food came out super fast though which is nice if you're looking for a quick takeout place. They're true to the name, "Express"! read more

pan fried pork buns 3.2/5 Pork Soup dumplings 3/5 pork and veggie wonton in spicy peanut sauce 3/5 shanghai fried udon 3/5 Small place, usually always crowded when I walk by. I've gotten take out. If I go again, I wouldn't get the soup dumplings for takeout, gotta eat them fresh. I was hoping this place would be similar to the Nan Xiang in Flushing, but unfortunately, I don't think it's as good. Not a bad place to grab a quick bite to eat, but definitely not the same quality of food as the place in Flushing. There's enough seating for maybe ~15 people and it's pretty cramped inside. Service is quick. You can order at the register or order through the electronic kiosk. There's street parking in the area, but it's in Chinatown, so you might have to park far away if you aren't taking public transit and don't want to park in the nearby garages. read more

Nan Xiang Express - pan fried pork buns, soup dumplings, pan fried wontons in spicy peanut sauce, and shanghai fried udon - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The fast casual model is so convenient and no frills! It sort of feels like you're eating at a cafeteria but with better food. You order at a kiosk and your meal will be ready on a tray with all disposable utensils and containers at the front when your number is called. There is self service hot tea (tastes like Lipton) and water and you bus your own trash and tray at the end. Our food didn't take too long to come out and it was nice and hot. I realize that most of the menu is just a combo of the same few ingredients but can't complain if it tastes good. I was sort of disappointed that there were a few options on their overhead menu that didn't show up on the kiosk - I would have ordered it had I seen it on the kiosk. I wast most impressed by the beef scallion pancake which was more hearty than I expected it to be. The noodle and rice meals do not seem as special. Steady flow of customers even on a weekday night. The place isn't too big but tables move quickly. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This is nothing like the Nan Xiang in Flushing, NY. As the name implies, seating area is smaller and menu is limited compared to the flushing location. The quality was nowhere close. Food took 20 mins to come out which definitely isn't express. The flushing location was much faster when I went. The soup dumplings left much to be desired. Skin was not chewy. They were overcooked. Soup dumplings looked sad compared to other places and especially compared to the Nan Xiang in Flushing. Overall taste was mediocre. It was not terrible, but it was not good by any means. Prices were decent (around $11 for six of the crab and pork soup dumplings). Wouldn't come back here again, if you want to try Nan Xiang, go to Flushing! read more

Nan Xiang Express - Beef soup dumplings - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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True to their description. Giving the Nan Xiang restaurant experience in a fast food setting. The quality of the food is great and very fresh. I was expecting something else with the scallion noodles, but it was just lomein to me. The spicy beef soup dumplings were amazing. The thickness of the wrapper was a bit thicker than some of the other restaurants I've had soup dumplings from, but a pro to that is that the soup is less likely to leak out when you pick it up with your chopsticks. The flavor was phenomenal. The more I ate, the more the flavor was starting to click. Then I realized that it tasted like the Jamaican patties from Costco! I would definitely come back for these. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Spicy beef soup dumplings Scallion oil noodles - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

There's no good reason why I had to wait 20 minutes for a single appetizer as I watched a few people that ordered AFTER ME get their orders. The restaurant wasnt even that crowded, so that's ridiculous. I'll never order from here again! read more

I'm still reeling from our incredible experience at Nan Xiang! The dumplings were truly out of this world, and I can't wait to go back for more Here's what we tried: * Pork Soup Dumplings: Absolutely delicious! These rival Din Tai Fung's famous soup dumplings. A must-try! * Pork Pot Stickers: I might have loved these even more than the soup dumplings! The 5-spice flavor added a nice warmth. * Beef Stuffed Scallion Pancakes: Decadent and amazing. A bit indulgent, but totally worth it! Other Perks: * Complimentary hot tea and soy, vinegar, and chili oil at the table * Fast and easy ordering through the app or in-store iPad * Dine in or take out - your choice! * Tip: Download the app for a first-time discount Initially, we were concerned about the casual, fast-food vibe and disposable containers. But, honestly, it added to the charm! We ended up loving the no-frills experience. Nan Xiang, we'll be back for more! read more

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Love love love the crispy bottom pork buns Also got an order of the beef noodles and crab meat and pork soup dumplings but i thought these were both underwhelming. The pork crispy bottom buns are enough to keep me coming read more

We wanted to get something in Chinatown, and I read good reviews on this place, so we stopped in. We ordered at a kiosk, but I realized there was also a counter to order at afterwards. We wanted to try a few things and ordered the cucumber salad with garlic (which was a bit watery, but fresh) scallion pancakes (which were good, but a bit bland), Pork pot stickers (they were good) and vegetable pan fried crispy noodles (they were good, filled with lots of nice mushrooms. There was tofu in it, too - not a fan of that). All in all, it was just ok, I don't get the hype. It wasn't even that fast for fast food. I wish I had chosen a tradition type of Chinese Restaurant. I did like that they had free tea and water that were self serve. There was also sauces at the table including chili oil, which wasn't even very spicy. Maybe I ordered the wrong stuff, should've ordered soup dumplings I guess. read more

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Food in this restaurant is amazing! The area was pretty small I would say. The service is reasonable in my opinion since they make the food fresh. The soup dumpling was very flavorful, I believe we ordered the chicken soup dumpling, shrimp and pork, I also got some cucumber salad which was really good as well, it tasted like the bean sprout sides from Korean restaurants. The bathroom was also nice and clean. Cant wait to try more selections next time I go. read more

Nan Xiang Express - Variety of soup dumplings - Shanghainese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This is a really small busy restaurant with only around 7 small tables for dine in (not the best spot to linger and chill here with your friends). When you step inside, you can place your order using their kiosk or in person at the counter. Highlights: XLBs: We tried out few of the different XLBs here including their signature pork, crab with pork, and their spicy beef dumplings. The pork and crab/pork XLBs had a decent amount of soup in which the flavor of the filling is on the lighter clean side. If you prefer your XLBs to have more of a flavor kick, this is not the place for you. I also didn't like the dumpling skin as it had a somewhat mushy and sticky outer top layer. I did appreciate that they do a spicy braised beef XLB here as this is not something you would typically see on the menu at other restaurants. The spicy beef dumplings were much more flavorful than the other ones. Signature Fried Rice: This was really bland. Made me wonder if they had forgotten to add salt and MSG. Taiwanese Spicy Braised Beef Noodle Soup: This was excellent! The broth was rich and flavorful, and the beef was tender. My only advice would be to make sure you eat this right away as the noodles will get soggy pretty quickly. While this location is not as good as the other two locations that i've been to in NYC (especially when it comes to the XLBs), the food here is still solid. read more

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Nan Xiang Express is a small sit down place located near the China Town gate in downtown Boston. This is a great find if you're looking to eat a quick and flavorful meal with another person. The average price of food is a bit expensive, but the quantities are great. The restaurant also provides complimentary hot tea in the back near the utensils. You can order at a kiosk or with a waiter in the front. The wait times aren't long and there's a small amount of dine-in seating in the restaurant. It is crowded though so be mindful when eating in. I ordered a chicken noodle bowl and the scallion pancake and my friend got the hot and sour soup with chicken soup dumplings. The scallion pancake was a decent size but it was very oily. The noodles were flavorful but lacked texture. The hot and sour soup was flavored well and had tender pieces of tofu, but it's not something that I would order again. My friend would recommend the soup dumplings if you're looking for flavor, but she described the outside as dry. read more

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