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Joe's Home of Soup Dumplings
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Joe's Home of Soup Dumplings
8.5
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Midtown East Shanghainese dining room built around xiao long bao that stay consistently hot, juicy, and wrapper-forward—meant to be eaten immediately. It works best as a tight order: soup dumplings plus one pan-fried dumpling and a simple noodle or veg plate to round out the meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork soup dumplings (xiao long bao), Crab & pork soup dumplings, Pan-fried pork dumplings
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Soup dumplings that deliver broth, balance, and repeatable texture at scale.
Who should go: Soup-dumpling seekers and Midtown lunch crews
When to visit: Off-peak lunch or early dinner
What to order: Pork soup dumplings, crab & pork soup dumplings, pan-fried dumplings
Insider tip: Order soup dumplings first and eat them immediately—texture fades fast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Limited metered street parking; garages nearby are the practical option, especially during lunch hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual. Office wear, jeans, and comfortable shoes all fit the room.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak hours; conversation is easy at lunch, louder during dinner rush.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak times
Weekday lunch: Short wait or no wait off-peak; 10–20 minutes during the noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – vegetable dumplings, greens, and a few noodle or side options.
Vegan options: Limited – a small number of vegetable-based dishes; confirm ingredients when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Very limited – dumpling wrappers and most noodles are wheat-based; rice dishes and simple sides are the safest bets.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual dates than formal ones. The food is interactive and fun, but eating soup dumplings can be a little messy if you’re aiming for polished vibes.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially at lunch or early dinner. Peak dinner hours may require a short wait, but turnover is steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for school-age kids who enjoy dumplings and noodles. The menu is approachable, though strollers can feel tight during busy periods.
Best For
Better for: Consistent, high-volume soup dumplings that arrive hot and properly sealed, making it a reliable Midtown choice for groups and business meals.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate dining experience or a menu with broad vegan or gluten-free flexibility.
Joe's Home of Soup Dumplings
8.7
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Joe’s Home of Soup Dumplings in Tower 49 focuses on Shanghai-style soup dumplings and small plates, drawing steady crowds from nearby offices and visitors around Rockefeller Center. The kitchen turns out consistently juicy xiao long bao, fried dumplings, and classic Shanghai dishes at a quality level that justifies Midtown pricing and frequent waits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Soup Dumplings (Steamed Soup Buns), Crab & Pork Soup Dumplings, Shanghai-Style Spare Ribs
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Shanghai-focused soup dumpling house offering consistently excellent xiao long bao in Midtown.
Who should go: Dumpling lovers seeking serious soup buns near Rockefeller Center.
When to visit: Weekday lunches before noon or early dinners to avoid long waits.
What to order: Pork soup dumplings, crab & pork soup dumplings, Shanghai spare ribs.
Insider tip: Ask for vinegar and fresh ginger on the side and order soup dumplings in multiple rounds so they stay piping hot.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Tower 49 is surrounded by paid garages on 48th and 49th Streets; street parking is scarce and rarely available during business hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; office attire is common but not required.
Noise level: Moderate—busy dining room with steady conversation but still workable for business lunches.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes during peak early-evening hours.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes around noon; often no wait before 11:45am.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options—vegetable dumplings, sautéed greens, and a few small plates.
Vegan options: Very limited—most dumpling wrappers and fillings include egg or meat.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal—wheat-based dumpling wrappers dominate the menu and no dedicated prep space exists.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a lively, casual Midtown spot with shareable dishes, though it’s more comfort-driven than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes—Joe’s handles walk-ins regularly, but expect a queue during peak lunch and early dinner. Arriving slightly off-peak speeds things up.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families are common, and the menu suits kids who enjoy dumplings; high chairs are typically available.
Best For
Better for: Consistently juicy and well-executed soup dumplings in a polished Midtown setting with fast kitchen pacing.
Skip if: You need extensive dietary accommodations or prefer quieter, more intimate dim sum rooms.
Joe's Home of Soup Dumplings
8.5
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
This Midtown spin-off of the Joe’s Shanghai legacy focuses on soup dumplings and Shanghai-style plates in a busy, multi-level space just off Fifth Avenue. Prices are moderate, but a basket or two of xiao long bao plus a couple of shared dishes still feels like strong value for the quality and location.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork soup dumplings (xiao long bao), Crab and pork soup dumplings, Scallion pancake
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Shanghai-style soup dumplings from the Joe’s family served in a central Midtown setting.
Who should go: Dumpling fans and small groups who don’t mind a wait.
When to visit: Late lunch or early dinner before peak pre-theater crowds hit.
What to order: Pork soup dumplings, crab and pork dumplings, scallion pancake.
Insider tip: Ask for vinegar and extra ginger on the side and let dumplings cool briefly before biting.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce on 48th Street; rely on nearby paid garages along Madison and Fifth where rates run high during peak hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; anything from jeans to business-casual fits the Midtown mix.
Noise level: Moderate–lively; tables are close together but normal conversation is still manageable.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes during prime hours, especially for groups.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes depending on tourist traffic; often quicker after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate selection — vegetable dumplings, sautéed greens, tofu dishes and rice/noodle options.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable sides and tofu dishes qualify, but dumplings are largely non-vegan.
Gluten-free options: Limited — most dumplings contain wheat; safer choices are sautéed vegetables, rice dishes and some protein plates without sauces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, food-focused dates — soup dumplings are interactive and fun, but the space leans busy rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes — they operate primarily walk-in. Expect a wait at peak dinner hours; smaller parties are seated faster.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the menu is approachable and service is quick. Best for kids 6+ who can handle hot dumplings; high chairs are typically available.
Best For
Better for: High-quality soup dumplings and Shanghai-style comfort dishes in a more spacious setting than many Midtown competitors.
Skip if: You need extensive vegan/gluten-free choices or want a quiet, intimate meal — the room trends toward bustling.