Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings - Cherry Hill — Restaurant in Cherry Hill Township

Came here on a Saturday for lunch with the family. The place was much bigger than expected and located in a strip mall. I read and heard good things about this restaurant and decided to give it a try. Overall, it was a good experience, the soup dumplings were definitely the star. Besides the soup dumplings, we ordered scallion pancakes, cucumber with garlics, pan fried dumplings, and fried rice. Perfect amount for family of 5.

The truffle and pork soup dumplings, along with their equally exquisite counterpart, the crab and pork soup dumplings, left an indelible impression that will keep me craving more.

The truffle and pork soup dumplings were a true work of art. The thin, translucent wrapper was expertly pleated, encasing a tantalizing combination of finely minced pork and fragrant truffles. The aroma alone was enough to make my mouth water in anticipation. As I delicately picked up a dumpling with my chopsticks and took a small bite, the wrapper yielded to reveal a burst of flavors. The succulent pork, infused with the earthiness of truffles, danced on my palate, while the rich and savory broth inside added an unexpected depth. Each bite was a harmonious symphony of tastes and textures that left me yearning for more.

Equally memorable were the crab and pork soup dumplings. These dumplings were a testament to the delicate art of dim sum craftsmanship. The carefully crafted wrapper held a filling made from a combination of succulent crab meat and tender pork, creating a perfect balance of flavors. The sweetness of the crab mingled beautifully with the savory notes of the pork, resulting in a delectable filling that was both light and indulgent. The soup within was a delicate and flavorful elixir, showcasing the natural sweetness of the crab. With each bite, I couldn't help but be transported to the seaside, with the flavors of the ocean mingling on my palate.

Please be mindful that the broth in the dumplings can be very hot.

The staff members were attentive and quick to assist, ensuring that my dining experience started on the right note. However, what truly captured my attention was the adorable robot server gliding effortlessly between tables, delivering orders with precision and a touch of novelty.

The robot server was an ingenious addition to the dining environment. Its sleek design and seamless navigation added an element of modernity to the overall ambiance. It efficiently transported trays of food and beverages, ensuring that orders arrived promptly and accurately. Watching the robot gracefully maneuver through the restaurant was an experience in itself, eliciting smiles and curiosity from both adults and children alike.

We...

I prefer writing glowing reviews, but cannot here.

Went on a dinner date with ma femme, expecting greatness. Not finding it.

Design wise, the vary large restaurant is modern, handsome, and comfortable enough.

We ordered two soups and should have asked for the rest of the dinner to come after, and that WAS offered, but we declined and suddenly had a table completely full. Not their fault, but presented as a warning.

The hot and sour soup was large, and fresh. It was much spicier than expected, so for those who cannot deal with hot, don't order it. We knew we wouldn't finish it, but we expected to take leftovers home.

The braised beef brisket soup has hearty, the broth a little darker and heavier than I'd have preferred but, surprisingly, the meat was heavy on the gristle. Some of the pieces inedibly so, as in spitting out whole pieces that my strong jaw and molars couldn't smash their way through.

As both soups were quite expensive, I was genuinely surprised. I wondered if this gristle style was something real Chinese folks prefer as a tradition, but I don't think so. I expect beef at a restaurant to be melt in your mouth tender, and it was the polar opposite.

The Chicken & Shrimp Siu Mai was lifeless, and I shouldn't have to drown them in hot pepper oil to breathe life into them, but I did.

The dumplings were good, but not swoony so, and there are several places over the bridge in Chinatown whose dumplings are far better, yet the soup dumplings are essential to their self promoted identity.

Lastly, the service. The service was adequate but not the least bit engaging. I don't need to be coddled in a restaurant, but there is a common level of upbeat interaction that is natural, and they don't seem to own that in their souls at Nan Xiang.

A final smack came in the form of asking for our soups, the half of each we did not finish, to be wrapped to go.

I am long a fellow who does not like the trend of servers bringing a container to the table for you to fill. Note that is a trend over the last decade, and did not exist before. Nan Xiang took a step into Bizzarro world, and brought two containers to the table and dumped our soups into them while were having our meal still, then wrapped it all in a plastic bag with a huge Walmart smiley face on it, tied the top and walked away.

No. The space is dressed as a real restaurant. Please act like it is.

Knowing of many other choices for Chinese cuisine, some we know and love, and some we want to explore, I do not see any situation where we would return...

I wanted to love it here, but a mildly sour experience with a server left a bad taste in my mouth.

My boyfriend had been craving soup dumplings, so we took the hour trip to Cherry Hill for authentic, delicious cuisine. The restaurant was clean and well lit. There was also ample free parking within a large mall. We were seated very quickly and given menus just as fast.

Our plan was to order a veritable smorgasbord of food; we do not have very good Chinese cuisine - and definitely no soup dumplings - available locally to us. We are foodies and wanted to order enough to have a sampling of this & that as well as leftovers for lunch at work tomorrow.

When our server took our order, she kept insisting that we ordered too much food. I explained why we ordered so much and she still said it was too much for two people. It was a little uncomfortable, but we laughed it off. Maybe the dishes we wanted taste bad? But when she returned the menu after placing the order, laughed, and said not to order any more food, I couldn't help but feel a bit put off by the commentary.

It's weird. I know that I am overweight and I know that we ordered six dishes - but to tell us to not order any more food, that it's too much? Did she want a smaller tip?

It was a head scratcher of an experience for sure.

That being said - the food was brought out promptly and it was reasonably delicious. The red bean buffs are especially crispy, flaky, and good. Anything listed as "spicy" on the menu seems only mildly spicy to both myself and my boyfriend, but that's no complaint - everything was well seasoned and good. I ordered the lucky six sampler of soup dumplings and even the more adventurous flavors, like luffa gourd, were mild and palatable.

The price was also right. We expected to spend in the area of $100 for six dishes and a tip, but the bill came in well below that. All this being said - I have no desire to return to a place of business that would scrutinize the amount of food ordered. Dining out is a piece of affordable luxury to me. It is a way to travel and experience new cultures without the price of a flight associated with it. Despite the flavorful food, inexpensive cost, and clean, bright atmosphere, the server's comments brought the experience down...