Shang Noodle Chicago Streeterville — Restaurant in Chicago

I recently tried a seafood hot pot and Shanghai string beans at a local restaurant. While the experience had its highlights, there were also areas where it could have been improved.

Seafood Hot Pot The seafood hot pot was filled with a variety of seafood items, all simmering in a pot of hot water. The seafood was fresh, and the natural flavors did come through in the broth. However, I felt that the overall dish lacked depth in flavor. It seemed like the seafood had just been boiled in water without much seasoning, which didn't provide the robust taste I was expecting from a hot pot. I've had hot pots in the past that were much more flavorful, often infused with chilies and spices that added complexity to the dish. This particular hot pot could benefit from a similar approach to enhance the flavor profile.

Shanghai String Beans The Shanghai string beans were good, but I didn't find them to be as extraordinary as some people had described. While some had raved about them being "to die for," my experience was that they were well-cooked and enjoyable but not particularly standout. They were well-seasoned, but perhaps my expectations were set a bit high based on the recommendations I received.

Chili Oil One of the highlights of the meal was the red chili oil that accompanied the dishes. It had a great balance of heat and flavor, adding a much-needed kick to both the hot pot and the string beans. The chili oil was definitely a memorable part of the meal and something I would recommend trying if you enjoy a bit of spice.

Service and Atmosphere The service was good—quick and efficient, with staff who were helpful throughout the meal. The atmosphere of the restaurant, however, left something to be desired. The layout of the tables was a bit awkward, especially in the booth seating where we couldn't move our chairs in or adjust the tables. The color scheme of the decor also seemed somewhat off and didn't contribute to a cohesive dining experience.

Overall Impressions Overall, I would give this restaurant a 4 out of 5. The seafood hot pot and string beans were decent, but they could be improved in terms of flavor. While the atmosphere and table layout weren't ideal, the service was efficient and helpful. I wouldn't rush back here if you have access to more authentic and flavorful options, like those you might find in Chinatown. However, if you're in the area and looking for a decent meal, it might still be worth a visit.

Music was off and the door kept...

!!WARNING!! I ordered the taiwanese beef noodle and my partner ordered the Mongolian beef and both dishes were good. Mongolian beef was better, but the Taiwanese beef noodle broth was very good but the noodles okay. We really didn’t get the best attention which is understandable to a certain extent, but we showed up at 9:15 and they closed at 10 o’clock and they were acting like it was 9:45 by not giving us any type of attention. I wish the server would’ve checked on us a little bit more, because we ordered a drink and it took them almost 20 minutes to give us the drink because they were more focused on closing. Then when I told Manager that I didn’t like the drink at all, after I only took a sip legitimately a sip, She was still trying to force me to pay for the drink. We got into a very heated discussion and she compared her establishment to McDonald’s so I don’t know if you wanna eat there. The manager was very standoffish and was more worried about closing and leaving than customer satisfaction. I told her that if I did not like my food at McDonald’s I would’ve took my food back and asked for a refund there as well. We went back-and-forth for a good five minutes before she reluctantly took the drink back, so just a warning.

We ordered two dishes, no apps, no drinks it was $45.59 including a 7$ tip. Which...

I had the pleasure of dining at Shang Noodle & Chinese, and it was an experience worth sharing! From the moment we walked in, we knew we were in for something special. The place was bustling with activity, which is always a good sign.

We started off with some appetizers: pot stickers and steamed soup dumplings. While the pot stickers were satisfying, the soup dumplings left a bit to be desired. However, once our server stepped in to recommend some dishes, our taste buds were in for a treat.

The twice-cooked pork belly was an absolute delight! It was bursting with flavor and had just the right amount of spice. Although, I must admit, a certain peppery kick left my tongue tingling for a while. Nevertheless, it was a small price to pay for such a culinary adventure.

The Yu Shang eggplant was another winner with its perfect balance of sweetness and spice. And let's not forget about the dry sizzling pot chicken - it was simply amazing!

The only dish that didn't quite hit the mark for us was the shrimp garlic fried rice. While it was decent, it lacked the bold flavors we had come to expect from the rest of the menu.

Overall, the ambiance of the restaurant was charming, and the food was undeniably delicious. I would definitely recommend Shang Noodle & Chinese to anyone looking for a memorable dining...