Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings - Pittsburgh — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

The food was great; highlights were the xiao long bao (we had the mixed flavour Lucky 6 basket) which were very plump and huge but the bao skin was not too thick or thin, the crispy noodles were delicious and soaked up the gravy while keeping a nice bite, and the sheng jian bao also had a good dough that crisped up nicely at the base without getting soggy from the tender and juicy filling. All the items were priced very reasonably (relative to other similar restaurants) and we were pleasantly surprised at the final bill for the amount of food we got.

The food also came to the table extremely quickly, and the only minor feedback we had was that the crab and signature flavor xiao long bao in the Lucky 6 basket did not seem to have anything to differentiate them, so they looked identical. It was not a problem for our table, but since there was only one of each flavor it was not easy to tell them apart if anyone was keen to try one of these particular flavors over the other.

Our server Jenny was very polite and attentive to our table throughout the meal. She got our orders in promptly even though we needed extra time to go through the menu the first time she came to take our orders; we did not have to call her over at all from when we were seated till we got the bill as she would periodically check by on us, despite the massive weekend dinner crowd. Thank you Jenny!

Speaking of the dinner rush, the restaurant was particularly busy on the Saturday evening we went. It was quite confusing trying to get in the queue, as people thronged the entrance of the restaurant (it was chilly out), and at first we did not realise there was a QR code we had to scan to queue and it was a bit inside through the crowd.

Additionally, seating felt rather chaotic. Given the huge turnout though, it was quite understandable and it did not seem like any fault of the staff. The queue app was actually pretty accurate at displaying the number of parties ahead of us, albeit a bit misleading as it was not clear that the restaurant seemed to prioritise party size over order of entry. We sat at "0 parties" ahead of us (we were a party of 3) for quite a while, even though they continued to seat parties of 2 and 4+ that were behind us in queue number, so be ready for about a 1 to 2 hour wait if it is busy. The two hostesses handling reception appeared to be doing their best to get people seated as soon as possible though, which was commendable given the sheer number of people!

Overall, we would definitely go again, but perhaps during a less busy time or better anticipate the...

We came down to visit REI and realized one of our "wish list" lunches was nearby. We are on a dumpling hunt, since Everyday Noodle got hit with a consumer alert. So, we popped in. Let me preface by saying that service staff were very attentive. Greeter, busser, expo, server were all very on point. No complaints there or with the basic ambiance of the place. We opted to begin with water as we do not prefer Pepsi Zero. I would have gone for tea as a zero-cal beverage, but the water was so off-putting in flavor (to me, it tasted of softener salts or possibly rinse agent and being served without ice didn't help), I was hesitant to chance an unsweetened tea. The menu seemed expansive but we decided for very standard tour of the menu to see what some basics would bring -- soup dumplings, scallion pancakes, pan fried noodles, and pork chop soup. Servings were large, easily sharable as family meal. The scallion pancake came out first and was tender and had a chewy bite with a clean oil flavor, but no scallions. We were next served our mains and while they looked great, they were sadly bland. My husband had what I can only call the La Croix version of pork chop soup. The consume was so weak it was practically hot water with a couple of floating bok choi. The pork, served separately, was generous with a hard fry but also very very bland. I was delighted to see the abundance of mushrooms and chicken in my pan-fried crispy noodles but the flavor was so low key as to be non-existent. We both took full advantage of all offered condiments, dosing our dishes with the table vinegar, dumpling ginger, and chili crisp. Our soup dumplings were delivered mid-meal and, sadly, were about on par with Trader Joe's frozen quality. They seemed under-heated and were difficult to eat with only plastic soup spoons, which grabbed the wet dough. The whole meal was a miss and we felt increasingly unwell throughout...

Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings recently opened on Sidney Street, bringing a tradition of excellence that has earned Michelin Guide recommendations. The restaurant’s ambiance is thoughtfully decorated, and they even provide "how to eat dumplings" cards on the table for first timers—such a helpful touch! I went with a group (which I highly recommend) so we could try a variety of dishes. Here’s what we ordered: Pan-Fried Pork & Crab Meat Buns – A Shanghai comfort food staple, these had a crispy exterior with juicy pork and rich crab meat filling. Absolutely amazing! Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings – The same crispy delight as the pork & crab version but without the crab meat. Also delicious! Chicken & Shrimp Siu Mai – Steamed siu mai dumplings with a flavorful chicken and shrimp filling—so good. Pork & Vegetable Wontons in Spicy Peanut Sauce – The sauce had a rich, peanut-buttery flavor that worked perfectly with the wontons. Incredible! Shanghai Stir-Fried Udon – Thick stir-fried noodles with bok choy and pork—absolutely delicious. Of course, we couldn’t leave without trying their signature soup dumplings (xiao long bao): Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings – Classic pork-filled dumplings with a rich, savory broth in a delicate, hand-rolled wrapper. Iconic! Chicken Soup Dumplings – A lighter, comforting take with flavorful chicken filling and broth. Truffle & Pork Soup Dumplings – Luxurious and aromatic, the truffle adds an extra depth of flavor to the succulent pork. Nan Xiang isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience. If you love dumplings or want to explore traditional dishes, this spot is a must-visit. Bring friends, try a little of everything, and enjoy the flavors of Shanghai right here in...