Joe's Shanghai Restaurant and Dumplings

www.plateoftheday.com/350/

Joe's Shanghai Restaurant is certainly one of New York City's "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants, but not necessarily the kind with a magical interior hiding behind an unassuming exterior.

Instead, Joe's fits the description because they serve absolutely the best dumplings I've ever had, hiding behind an exterior that's so basic I'm struggling to even describe it and one of the least-authentic sounding names in Chinatown.

I point this out not in any way to deter people from going, but because it amuses me to think how anyone decided to choose Joe's Shanghai Restaurant over any number of restaurants in Chinatown and discover this hidden gem. The answer is beyond me but so I'm glad that the trail of recommendations eventually reached me.

This past Saturday in New York City, a group of us followed our friend Becca who had been there before, weaving through the crowds two blocks south of Canal Street into Chinatown and around the corner to Joe's Shanghai Restaurant at 9 Pell Street.

I could tell which restaurant was our destination as soon as we turned onto Pell Street. Farther down the street, a doorway was already surrounded by clusters of groups all staring expectantly at the lady in a blinding neon yellow sweatshirt, holding a clipboard and the fate of the next group to be called.

We were assigned number 76 and spent the next half hour wandering around Chinatown until we also  returned to the masses waiting in the street, sidewalks, and stoop for their turn to be called. Our friend Becca who had shepherded us there assured our growling stomachs that once inside, the service was fast and I assumed that her insistence on waiting out the opportunity must indicate a worthy, delicious payoff.

And it did. We took our seat at a little table for four against the wall and ordered our steamed dumplings immediately. Our initial hesitations regarding the fact that we realized the dumplings were pork were silenced as soon as we took our first bite. Becca demonstrated the process of picking up the dumpling, poking it to let the juices collect in the large spoon we were each provided, and adding a spoonful of the fantastic ginger vinegar sauce to the mixture before enjoying. We're still not sure who decided this was the correct method to eat dumplings, or if it is at all, but the resulting flavors don't need justifying.

We also ordered the Sesame Cold Noodles (literally taste like a spoonful of Jif, not necessarily recommended), Spring Rolls (realized I was imagining a Thai rice wrap rather than deep-fried Chinese style) and a stir-fry entree of tofu and vegetables that was fantastic. More complicated entree-like dishes at the other tables around us looked wonderful and I'd recommend those if you're hungry enough.

Regardless, I'd be happy dining on just the dumplings every time I return.

Here's the menu from their location at 24. W. 56th Street which I haven't visited but has essentially the same menu as their location at 9 Pell Street.