So Joe’s Ginger is actually the less famous sibling of soup dumpling powerhouse Joe’s Shanghai, but I much prepare the former. Is that weird? Oh well. What is a soup dumpling, you ask? Well, the real question should actually be: What isn’t a soup dumpling? Ok fine, there are many things that aren’t soup dumplings, but the very soupy-ness of these dumplings are what make them stand tall above the crowd.
Soup dumplings, or xiao long bao, are juicy scrumptious pockets usually containing pork (but occasionally seafood) and a spoonful or so of “soup” – a rich, fatty broth. When adorned with the traditional condiments of ginger, and vinegar, xiao long bao are staying, satisfying and invariably guarantee a burned tongue. The consumption of these tricky morsels requires finesse, or the UNTHINKABLE happens – the dumpling bursts, spilling that precious soup all over the bamboo steamer. Wasteful, wasteful.
I usually evaluate a restaurant’s xiao long bao on the following: skin (must be tender but not too thin), filling (quality AND quantity), and soup (generous or stingy?). Joe’s Ginger lived up to all three criteria, with delicate skin, generous filling, and flavorful soup and plenty of it.
We also sampled a few other dishes:
The scallion pancakes were superb – hot and greasy but not overly so. My eating buddy, dare I say, enjoyed these pancakes more than the dumplings. Whoa!
We also ordered the wonton. They were thick-skinned wonton, vs. the paper-thin type, but these were also scrumptious as well. The broth was rich and meaty and the dumpling filling…filling.
Joe’s Ginger is a great alternative to its busier, more touristy sibling just down the street. When you stop by, make sure to order the xiao long bao (duh) but also venture into some other appetizers on the menu. You won’t regret it!
Up there, as far as soup dumplings go.
Joe’s Ginger
25 Pell St. (off Mott)
212.285.0999
How many of you have had soup dumplings before?
20 Comments
kelsey@mintedlife
March 4, 2011 at 3:47 pmThat looks so delicious!! And, I dropped my phone in water recently but managed to scoop it out in time and so far it's been good. I hope yours fixes itself!
Jessica
March 4, 2011 at 3:51 pmFor your phone, I've been told to put it in a bowl of dry rice. OR, take the battery out and set it all out in the sun. 🙂
Also, I'm a SUCKER for dumplings and so wish I had some for lunch. Guess I'll settle for a gross hot dog. Blech.
Elaina
March 4, 2011 at 3:59 pmI second Jessica's suggestion about the bowl of rice! I've done it several times and it dries everything out!
lavenderpug
March 4, 2011 at 4:00 pmoh i love soup dumplings to heaven and back. thanks for this review!
Easter
March 9, 2017 at 4:07 amThanks for the comment and the support. This precisely what I’ve been trying to say. It seems most of the people commenting objections here are designer who code their own designs. The point of the post was not that designers sh&8odnl#u217;t code their own work or know how-to, but that when they do the design don’t worry about how it is going to be built. Anything you can dream can probably be built with HTML/CSS, and if you can’t you probably just need to learn more HTML/CSS.
lobster
March 4, 2011 at 4:03 pmmmmmmmmm. now i'm craving soup dumplings. and I always have the soup spill all over me.
Nuha
March 4, 2011 at 5:33 pmI've always wanted to make dumplings, but for some reason I am SO intimidated. Honestly, I don't think I've ever eaten a dumpling before either haha!
honey my heart
March 4, 2011 at 7:03 pmscallion pancakes look & sound so good!
Alice
March 4, 2011 at 8:04 pmI ALWAYS burn my mouth when eating xiao long bao – ugh! Yet, I still crave them all the time, like right now. Thanks!
Charlene @ Sweetchic
March 4, 2011 at 9:56 pmWhy must you make me salivate?! I wasn't sure what to have for dinner tonight, but I may need to hit up our soup dumpling spot in Chinatown (Chicago)
Try Anything Once Terri
March 5, 2011 at 12:55 amI'll have to check this place out. I did like Joe's Shanghai, but it was super duper packed.
Ivester
March 5, 2011 at 1:13 amIf you're ever in Flushing, there is a place where I think their soup dumplings beats all else in NYC.
Ivester
March 5, 2011 at 1:14 amsorry to hear about your phone too!! Excuse for a new one? hehe
Diana
March 5, 2011 at 4:17 amIm jealous that you eat the most interesting food…I really would love to explore more food options! Love wonton soup!
Diana
March 5, 2011 at 4:18 amPS Would love to have you guest blog at my wedding blog if you're interested…maybe about your honeymoon and all the great food you ate! 🙂
Chic 'n Cheap Living
March 6, 2011 at 4:17 amI just blogged about eating these this weekend – yum!
Chocolate Lover
March 9, 2011 at 8:52 amOh boy do I have a craving for these now! Yum!!
Lovebird
March 9, 2011 at 3:27 pmCome to my neck of the woods and I'll take you to the place in Flushing!
Honey
March 9, 2017 at 4:00 amevening gorgeous amanda.i hope you and the sexy jj are now feeling alot better.i missed you both not being on screen.i will try to call you tonight hopfully a sexy two for one with jjyour no1 fan who loves you loads.wolfie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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March 24, 2017 at 7:29 amThat’s not even 10 minutes well spent!