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Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings - Flushing
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings - Flushing
8.9
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Nan Xiang’s original Flushing location is a Shanghainese specialist where delicate xiao long bao and other dim sum dishes anchor busy dining rooms from morning through late night. Lines move quickly, and locals treat it as the reliable choice for soup dumplings that still feel destination-worthy despite its popularity.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork soup dumplings, Crab and pork soup dumplings, Scallion pancake with sliced beef
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: A long-running Shanghainese dumpling house where soup dumplings set the standard for Flushing.
Who should go: Dumpling obsessives and visitors chasing classic Flushing benchmarks
When to visit: Late morning or mid-afternoon to dodge peak wait times
What to order: Pork soup dumplings, crab and pork XLB, scallion beef pancake
Insider tip: Order at least two baskets of soup dumplings up front; they disappear fast at busy tables.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on Prince Street and Roosevelt Avenue; expect tight competition during meal peaks. The closest reliable option is the paid municipal lot on Prince St., typically available except during weekend rushes.
Dress code: Casual. Most guests arrive in everyday wear—jeans, hoodies, and jackets are all normal for the Flushing crowd.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours; conversations are possible but may require raised voices when the dining room is full.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes depending on party size; lines move quickly but rarely disappear.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes, and often no wait before noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several options like vegetable dumplings and scallion pancakes, though core specialties center on pork.
Vegan options: Limited—most dumplings contain meat, but a few vegetable sides and noodles may work.
Gluten-free options: Minimal—most dumplings use wheat-based wrappers; gluten-sensitive diners should stick to soups or vegetable sides.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re going for casual and energetic. The food impresses, but the bustle and tight tables make it better for laid-back dates than intimate ones.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—most diners walk in. Expect a line during lunch and dinner peaks, but turnover is fast and the queue generally moves well.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families come often, and the menu works well for kids who enjoy dumplings and noodles. Strollers can be tricky during rush times due to narrow aisles.
Best For
Better for: Benchmark-level soup dumplings and consistent Shanghainese comfort dishes delivered with speed and high turnover.
Skip if: You want a quiet, lingering meal or extensive non-dumpling options; nearby sit-down Shanghainese restaurants offer calmer atmospheres and broader menus.
Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings - Flushing
8.8
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Nan Xiang’s flagship Flushing shop turns soup dumplings into a power lunch staple, pairing fast service with benchmark Shanghainese comfort food. It works well for casual business lunches where the priority is stellar dumplings and quick table turns.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature pork soup dumplings, Crab meat and pork soup dumplings, Scallion pancake with sliced beef
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: High-volume, Michelin-recognized soup dumplings served fast enough for a tight lunch hour.
Who should go: Colleagues who prioritize dumplings and speed over formality.
When to visit: Early weekday lunch before the main dumpling rush hits.
What to order: Signature pork xiao long bao, crab and pork dumplings, scallion pancake beef roll.
Insider tip: Order a couple of baskets at once so you’re not waiting between rounds during short lunches.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce during lunch hours; nearby garages on 37th Ave and Prince St offer paid hourly parking.
Dress code: Casual and work-appropriate; business-casual attire fits the area but not required.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch; conversation is possible but expect a lively dining room.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes depending on rush, as foot traffic spikes for dumplings.
Weekday lunch: Often a short 5–10 minute wait; earlier arrivals typically walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A handful of options like vegetable dumplings and sautéed greens are available.
Vegan options: Very limited; some vegetable dishes qualify but most dumplings contain animal products.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal for gluten-free diners; dumpling wrappers and many sauces contain wheat.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date—the room is busy, tables turn quickly, and the focus is more on efficiency than ambience. Better suited for casual hangs or weekday lunches.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's primarily walk-in. Arrive before noon on weekdays to avoid a line; during peak hours, expect a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for most ages. The menu is approachable and service is fast, though strollers may be tough to maneuver during peak times.
Best For
Better for: Benchmark-quality soup dumplings with faster service and more reliable table turnover than many nearby Shanghainese spots.
Skip if: You want a quiet, atmospheric meal or extensive gluten-free customization—this is a high-volume dumpling shop built for speed, not formality.
Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings - Flushing
8.7
Nan Xiang’s flagship stays open to midnight, turning soup dumplings and late bowls of noodles into a dependable nightcap in the heart of downtown. The kitchen moves quickly enough for post-show or post-shift crowds while still delivering the thin-skinned xiao long bao that built its reputation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature pork xiao long bao, Crab and pork soup dumplings, Scallion pancake beef roll
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized soup dumplings served at hours that still work after midnight.
Who should go: Dumpling-obsessed night owls and post-shift crews.
When to visit: Late evenings before midnight to dodge peak waits.
What to order: Pork and crab soup dumplings, scallion pancake beef roll, sesame noodles.
Insider tip: Order multiple baskets of soup dumplings at once—late-night waits can spike quickly.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is extremely limited in downtown Flushing at night; nearby municipal garages on 37th Ave and Prince St are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Totally casual—come as you are after work, a show, or a late shift.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak late-night hours, but still manageable for conversation at a small table.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes between 9pm–11pm, shorter right before closing.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait—often seated immediately.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A few solid options like scallion pancakes, sesame noodles, and vegetable dumplings.
Vegan options: Very limited—most items use broth or doughs made with animal products.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal—dumplings and noodles contain wheat, and there is no dedicated gluten-free prep.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It can work for a casual, low-pressure first date, especially late-night when the room softens. But the focus is more on fast comfort food than atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Nan Xiang operates on a walk-in model. Expect waits around peak dinner or late-night rush, but turnover is fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy noodles and dumplings; limited space and late-night crowds make it less ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Late-night soup dumplings with reliable speed and quality when most Flushing kitchens are winding down.
Skip if: You want a quieter, more polished sit-down experience or need gluten-free dining—you’ll be better off at spots with broader menus and dietary accommodations.
Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings - Flushing
8.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Nan Xiang is the benchmark Flushing dumpling house where steaming baskets of xiao long bao and Shanghainese snacks draw all-day lines. Portions stay reasonable for the quality, making it one of the best-value sit-down meals in the neighborhood for soup dumpling obsessives.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork soup dumplings (xiao long bao), Crab and pork soup dumplings, Scallion pancake with sliced beef
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-volume soup dumpling specialist with Michelin-level recognition at everyday prices.
Who should go: Dumpling fans willing to wait for the benchmark baskets.
When to visit: Weekdays before peak lunch or mid-afternoon to avoid lines.
What to order: Pork soup dumplings, crab and pork soup dumplings, scallion pancake beef roll.
Insider tip: Order one basket at a time so the dumplings stay hot and intact instead of cooling all at once.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Prince and 38th is limited and competitive during meal peaks; nearby garages along 37th Ave and Prince Street typically run $10–$18 for short stays.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; anything from everyday wear to neat casual works fine.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak hours; you can hold a conversation but expect bustle and occasional crowd noise.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes depending on peak; lines form quickly after 6pm.
Weekday lunch: Often 10–20 minutes, with near walk-in availability before noon or after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options including veggie dumplings, sautéed greens, and cold appetizers.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable sides and cold dishes qualify, but dumpling and bun options are minimal for strict vegans.
Gluten-free options: Very limited; dumplings and noodles all contain wheat. Only a few vegetable dishes are reliably gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if the vibe you're aiming for is casual, energetic, and food-focused. Not ideal for intimate conversation, but great if you want a shared, hands-on meal around soup dumplings.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—most guests walk in. Expect a queue during prime weekend hours; arriving early or slightly off-peak shortens the wait considerably.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for ages 5+ who can handle hot soup dumplings and a busy dining room. High chairs are limited, and the fast-paced environment may feel overwhelming for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Best for consistently executed xiao long bao at wallet-friendly prices, with fast turnover and dependable quality that outperforms many nearby dumpling specialists.
Skip if: Skip if you want a quiet dining room, broad Shanghainese entrées beyond dumplings, or gluten-free-friendly options—other spots in Flushing cater better to those needs.