The renowned dim sum restaurant Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao has long called Flushing, Queens home since 2006, and for almost two decades, visitors from all over would flock for authentic Shanghainese cuisine and to try some of the delicious soup dumplings. Now, people have even more opportunities to grab a quick bite with the opening of Nan Xiang Express in the Upper West Side.
The Nan Xiang Express opened just two weeks ago at 2783 Broadway, between 107th and 108th St, and it is already becoming a neighborhood classic, and The Knockturnal was there to celebrate it.
From crispy scallion pancakes to pepper and beef noodles – and of course, soup dumplings galore – every bite was as tasty as the last, and we already can’t wait to go back.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll be greeted by a neon sign reading “Warmth from Within,” just before a kiosk that you can place an order from if you’re really in a rush.
Otherwise, go to the register where you’ll be greeted by a warmer cashier, peruse their menu options and grab one of the 24 seats in the restaurant.
Crispy scallion pancakes
When they say “Express,” they really mean express. I wish I could say lines were out the door but that’s not the case – the restaurant truly takes the name “express” seriously, and in the time we dined there, several dozen people were able to grab their food and go.
When The Knockturnal went to order, we had barely picked a table to sit down and grabbed a drink from the fridge when our apps had already come out, as fresh as ever.
Let’s start with the basics: a refreshing cucumber salad, an order of steamed vegetable dumplings and fried spring rolls, and the scallion pancakes with a scrumptious soy dipping sauce all came out within minutes of us picking our seats, and wow was that appreciated because we were hungry. We may have eaten the dumplings and spring rolls a bit too quickly but that was quickly fixed with several bites from the sweet and spicy and always energizing cucumber salad.
You know what’s coming next: it’s the creme de la creme, the classic soup dumplings. We spoke with the cashier who told us that she’s worked at other Nan Xiang locations and every one makes their soup dumplings the same, tried and true way. That means no matter which one you go to, you’re going to enjoy the same appetizing soup dumplings that will transport you to a dim sum place in southern China.
Shanghai Fried Udon
We got two orders of the classic pork soup dumplings, ones we’ve tried countless times at the Flushing location and in Shanghai itself, and of course we’re going to say these are just like being an ocean away. The dumplings are classic: perfectly round and delicate enough that they hold the soup in gracefully, but also sturdy enough that you can slurp that soup out, add in your dumpling sauce and chew it for that warm, tasty treat. We’re big fans of soup dumplings, and the ones you’ll find at Nan Xiang Express are the comforting snack you need.
Up next came our mains: wonton in spicy peanut sauce, shredded pepper with beef noodle soup, and Shanghai fried udon. Gentle wontons that carry a kick of spice? Check. Noodle soup begging you to lick the bowl it came in clean? Check. And fried udon so thick, it’s spelled with three C’s. Seriously, have you experienced a faster experience that delivered such high results?
Need some more Chinese comfort food? Look no further than all the stir-fried noodles you can ask for, from chicken and beef to veggie and shrimp. There’s noodle soup galore – highly suggest the scallion oil for a change of pace. And everything else your heart desires, you’ll be able to find at the express location just as if you went to the original in Queens: pot stickers, siu mai, wonton soup, and more.
For nine years straight, the restaurant has been in the Michelin Guide, and for good reason. Now that the restaurant has expanded to multiple locations across New York City from Brooklyn to Manhattan, and even to New Jersey, Maryland and Connecticut, you can now grab some heartwarming soup dumplings – and everything else – near you.
