Food review at New Shanghai (Lemon Grove Plaza), Chatswood

There are two New Shanghai Restaurant in Chatswood. One is located at Shop B-03, Chatswood Chase while the other is located at Shop 20, Lemon Grove Plaza. We noticed that the one in Chatswood Chase is always very busy while the one in Lemon Grove Plaza is a better bet to get a table without hassle. New Shanghai Restaurant is famous for its “Xiao Long Bao” (steamed mini pork bun). We visited the one at Lemon Grove Plaza and ordered “New Shanghai crab meat Xiao Long Bao”, “New Shanghai pan fried crab meat  and pork bun” and the deep fried pastry.

New Shanghai crab meat "Xiao Long Bao"

 When it comes to “xiao long bao” at New Shanghai, there are 2 options - with crab meat or without. We decided to order the one with crab meat. The waiter who is a rather friendly guy advised us that it will take 15 to 20 minutes to steam the “xiao long bao”. We told him that we wouldn’t mind waiting. We noticed that he did the same thing to every table that ordered “xiao long bao”. We just want to say here that the reason for the 15 to 20 minutes  advice was because it was 11.15am and perhaps a bit too early for lunch, thus they needed time to prepare and steam the “xiao long bao”. In actual fact, we got our order in less than 15 minutes. The “New Shanghai xiao long bao” comes in an order of 8 pieces where they are hot, steamy and soft. The best way to eat “xiao long bao” is to dip it into a bowl of vinegar and then slowly bite into it. As you bite it, you can feel the juice in your mouth as well as the slightly rough texture of crab meat mixed together with the pork. Unlike in Malaysia and Singapore, here they do not serve “xiao long bao” with finely chopped ginger. In spite of that, we find this dish rather tasty and give it a rating of 8/10.

New Shanghai pan fried crab meat & pork bun

As for the “New Shanghai pan fried crab meat and pork bun”, it is similar to “xiao long bao” except it is bigger in size, sprinkled with some black sesame and well, it is pan fried. Be very careful when you take a bite of this pan fried bun as the contents are really hot and the bun is full of juice. If unknowingly, you take a big bite, your mouth may get burnt and the juice from the bun will splatter everywhere. Just be careful but a tasty dish nevertheless. Another tasty dish which deserved a rating of 8/10 from us.

Shanghainese deep fried pastry

 The third and final dish we ordered was the deep fried pastry filled with white radish, ham and coated with sesame. In order to enjoy this dish, one must have acquired the taste for it. The deep fried pastry is rather bland and does not have much flavour to it. Perhaps, one may need to dip the deep fried pastry into some gravy to add some flavour to it. The texture of the pastry is flaky and crumbly yet strong enough to support the filling. For this dish, we would rate it as 6/10.

In conclusion and based on our dining experience, we would rate the service 8/10 for been efficient and courteous. As for ambient,  we would rate it 7/10 for spacious and clean family environment. This is one of the restaurants that we would like to visit again.