"Jiangnan" store visit

🍽️ JiangNan Boston: Polished Chinese Fare—Elegant, Satisfying, and Worth a Visit I stuck to my rules: no lining up, no being a “guinea pig” for new openings. So, a month after JiangNan launched, my girlfriends and I booked a table. The space is sleek and upscale, clearly aiming for “refined Chinese dining.” Most tables are small (2-4 seats), so our group of 8 squeezed around a long shared table—not ideal, but the food made up for it. 🌟 The Must-Orders (5/5) Spicy Boneless Pig Trotters: 🐷 The table favorite. It’s intensely spicy—even my Sichuan friends found it fiery—but irresistibly good. The trotters are tender, melt-in-your-mouth, and coated in a numbing, aromatic chili sauce. No greasiness, just pure flavor. Don’t skip this. Sizzling Eel Shreds: 🦈 A rich, soy-sauce-infused dish that’s perfect over rice. The eel is tender, the sauce bold and savory—addictive enough to keep picking at even when full. 😊 Very Good (4/5) Hand-Shredded Crab Roe: 🦀️ Creamy and indulgent, with a depth that pairs well with rice. It lacks a hint of “fresh crab sweetness,” and a few friends thought the vinegar overpowered the crab, but I enjoyed its richness. One portion easily splits into 4 small bowls. Yan Du Xian (Pork & Bamboo Soup): 🥣 A comforting broth with fresh and salted pork, plus bamboo shoots. It’s flavorful (with a strong bean note) but not as good as Dallas’ Zhu Yuan version. Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings): 🥟 We tried classic and black truffle. The truffle dumplings were a pleasant surprise: juicy broth, savory filling, and a subtle truffle aroma. Only flaw? The dough is slightly thick—thinner skin would make them perfect. 😐 Solid but Unremarkable (3/5) Peking Duck + Duck Bone Soup: 🦆 Lean and decent, but forgettable. Pay $15 extra for a simple duck bone soup (with tofu and cabbage)—hearty, if unexciting. Note: Lunch service serves pre-sliced duck (no tableside carving). Squirrel Fish: 🐟 Some friends loved this sweet-savory fried fish, but I’m neutral. If you’re a fan, it’s well-executed. Osmanthus Candied Lotus Root: 🌼 Tasty, but sliced too thin—loses the chewy, glutinous texture that makes this dish great. Scallion-Oil Lettuce: 🥬 A basic cold appetizer—crunchy, lightly sauced, but nothing special. ✨ Final Thoughts Vibe/Service: Excellent—elegant, attentive, and accommodating for large groups. Value: $50+ per person for 8 people? Reasonable for Boston’s prices, especially given the quality and ambiance. JiangNan delivers polished, upscale Chinese food with standout dishes that make it worth a visit. For groups or a nicer meal, it’s a solid choice. 📍 JiangNan Boston 177 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111 #BostonChinese #UpscaleDining #GroupDinnerSpots