LaoWu Authentic ShangHai Dumpling

Gave this place a try for the first time last Sunday, since I have been few times I was around the plaza where this restaurant at before and saw long line outside and heard great things about the food from the people that works in the salon. But I only ordered for take out. So this review only for my take out experience only. I went inside to order my food and yes this place is really small for the amount of people that wanted to come and eat. I don’t know if this place first come first serve and no reservations that’s why most of the times I’m around this place saw people standing long line outside their restaurant. Wish if this place can move to other bigger space or take reservations only. Also another idea they can do whoever come first have to check in with someone inside (hostess or manager) and he or she give the customer a pager when there available table they page in so customer can wait in their car, but for me to standing outside on hot or cold weather that’s insane!! After I placed my order and paid they said I have to wait outside 😅 oh well. I don’t know if I’ll come back for the waiting to eat in the restaurant if they keep doing what they doing. Definitely can’t have a big reunion or celebration at this place with the space they have. So anyway I got scallion pancakes and spicy minced pork noodle soup. Both were really good.

3.5 out of 5 This Chinese soup dumpling spot has its pros and cons, depending on what you’re looking for. I went on a Sunday night with a group of four and waited 20 minutes for a table, which speaks to the popularity of the place. Overall, I’d describe it as okay for the area, though I wouldn’t rank it among the best soup dumpling restaurants I’ve tried. We ordered a variety of dishes: - Cold beef with special sauce: Thinly sliced spiced beef with a sauce reminiscent of hoisin—good flavor overall. - Beef pancake scallion wrap* Similar to the beef appetizer but wrapped in a deep-fried scallion pancake—rich, but greasy. - Crab soup dumplings: These looked juicy, though I didn’t try them so I can’t comment on the taste. - Shanghai spicy minced pork noodle soup: A bland soup that I wouldn’t recommend. - Shanghai sticky rice shumai: Sticky rice with vegetables, mushrooms, and meat—overly greasy and unremarkable. - Shanghai pan-fried pork dumplings: Well-seasoned filling with medium-thickness skin, but again, overly greasy. - Pan-fried udon pork mix: A savory, umami-rich combination of vegetables and pork—probably the highlight of the meal. While the food leaned towards the greasy side, the price was reasonable at about $90 for four people after tip. It’s not a bad deal, but considering the overall quality, I believe there might be better soup dumpling options in the Edison area given the large Asian community there.

I really love the crab and pork soup dumplings here. It’s extra soupy!! And the skin is perfect. They are also bigger than other places. The beef tendon had a crystal noodle texture.

They have the crispy noodles that I’ve been looking for, which is very good and flavorful. I love the chicken here too, it’s very fresh and the sauce with it is very nice. They have one of the best Lava Buns I’ve ever trier. This place is very small and can be packed quickly. Definitely recommend and will come back.

This is a no-frills spot where the food is solid. The service is friendly, attentive, and efficient. While the seating can feel a bit tight in certain areas, it's generally easy to find a spot if you're coming in with one or two people. For larger parties, however, you may need to wait for a table. The staff is very good about clearing away dishes once you're finished. There are many delicious options, but since it was our first time here, we stuck with the basics. Here’s what we ordered: ~ Crab Meat & Pork Steamed Juicy Buns (XLB): These dumplings were a great size. While the skin isn't paper-thin, it's still delicate enough to be careful with when picking it up with chopsticks. Be sure to have your spoon ready, as the soup inside might spill when you take your first bite. The soup had an amazing, aromatic fragrance, and the flavor was heavenly. These XLBs were done brilliantly. 5/5 stars. ~ Spicy Beef Tendon: Very flavorful with just the right amount of heat. 4/5 stars. ~ Rice Cake with Preserved Pickles & Shredded Pork: The pork was beautifully sliced and evenly cut. The balance between the preserved turnip and shredded pork was perfect—neither one overpowered the other. The rice cakes were soft with a nice chewy texture. 5/5 stars. This place is a must-visit for a hearty and delicious meal. Surprisingly, they also offer sweet dim sum items, which I consider desserts. Some examples include Shanghai Eight Treasure Rice Pudding, Shanghai Rice Balls in Sweet Rice Wine, and Floral Eight Treasure Taro Pudding.

A true hole-in-the-wall. No frills, just great authentic food. After multiple attempts, I finally conjured the patience to wait in line for a table. It does get quite busy, so better to come during off hours. Don’t expect anything fancy when you come here - the food is the star of the show. Gotta get the pork soup dumplings (that’s a must) - everything else is supplementary (but also very good). I also got the beef scallion pancake and the sesame noodles with spicy pork. Food was delicious and quick. Overall, 4.5/5

LaoWu is the real deal! The crab and pork soup dumplings and salty egg yolk shu mai are my favorites. Other great options include the beef scallion pancake, pan fried pork buns, spicy udon stir fry, and spicy pork noodle soup. Space is limited so expect a wait during peak lunch or dinner times. Nonetheless, Highly recommend!

This place is a hidden gem. I 100% recommend it! The food is incredibly yummy and authentic. We got the crab meat pork soup dumplings, pork soup dumplings, pan-fried pork buns, and cucumber salad. Everything was absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to come back!

This tiny little spot is a big deal. There is a chance you will wait to get a table, but it is worth it. The food is spectacular and they run an efficient operation so you won't wait too long. I have been here 2 times. Both times, the dumplings were great. I tried the Shanghai Spicy Minced Pork Noodle Soup this time and it is something I would get again!

Small seating area with limited tables, so definitely show up early and expect to wait for a table during the dinner rush. We ordered a bunch of different dishes, but my favorites were the crab and pork 小笼包, cold jellyfish, chicken in wine sauce, and noodles in scallion sauce. Definitely recommend if you're in the mood for some authentic dishes.

Has a very small no frills dining area with few tables. Came a few minutes before opening on a Sunday to find a line already formed. We opted for takeaway instead. Got the salted duck, Shanghai chicken in wine sauce, pork soup dumplings and rice cake with preserved cabbage and pork. Both the salted duck and the chicken in wine sauce were served room temp and tender (both had bones). Not too salty, but good flavor. The stir fried rice cakes were not clumpy mess, nor were they too greasy or hard. Dish was perfectly cooked with the rice cakes at the perfect chewy consistency. The star was the soup dumplings (not pictured). Skins were thin but firm and held the soup and meat well. Meat was juicy, soup was plentiful. The vinegar and ginger dipping sauce accompanied the dumplings well. Worth a visit!

This is my FAVORITE restaurant in all of New Jersey. I usually don't eat that much but I always get surprised on how much I can eat whenever I come here. My favorite is the beef scallion pancakes! It's the most juiciest and crispiest beef scallion pancake you'll ever have! I have to come here at least once a year to get my LaoWu's fix. Literally every dish is so good and my mouth is salivating for the next time I come back here.

This no frills restaurant is reminiscent of old Chinatown restaurant decor. Friendly staff speak English. My party waited about 10 minutes for a table but I think we were lucky because my friend told me they always see a long line of people during dinner time. Very small place with maybe 5 tables that seat 4 and 2 tables that seat 2. Be patient. The wait is worth it. Everything was delicious! All of the food came out hot. LOTS of broth in the soup dumplings. 2 out of 5 of us got squirted by the dumpling we ate. Sticky rice shumai is very big and filling. Soup noodles had great flavor and the noodles were cooked just right. Wontons with sauce had a great nutty flavor from the sauce. Lion head meatball was fluffy and had water chestnuts that added depth. Pan fried buns are big, tasty and fried perfectly with a light fluffy dough. I think the star of the meal was the Shanghai Chicken in Wine. YUMMM! Overall, the spicy dishes were not too spicy. Looking forward to my next visit to try the Shanghai pan fried noodle since that seemed to be a very popular dish. Tip: Don't eat too much because then you can walk a couple of storefronts down to Sweet Dynasty for house made ice cream with flavors such as black sesame, matcha, lychee, coffee, strawberry.

The pork soup dumplings taste great at first bite but I find after a few the salt in them becomes overwhelming. The dumplings themselves have a perfect thin dough and rich broth within. I didn't like how the scallion pancakes were deep fried and also I felt they were lacking in taste. The tables are very small and you are seated very close with other patrons. I felt a bit claustrophobic especially as the restaurant was full when I was there. Also afterwards I didn't feel great- the meal was too heavy for me overall.

Authentic, affordable, no frills Shanghainese joint specializing soup dumplings and noodles. The pork soup dumplings are a must-order - they come out hot and fresh, and they're huge and super juicy. The spicy wontons are also a big favorite, which comes with an addicting peanut sauce mixed with chili oil. Some dishes are a little oily, but otherwise really solid and tasty Shanghainese food overall.

It was well worth the wait past lunch time. Small venue but service was efficient. We had the crab and pork juicy dumpling , chive spring roll, spicy pan fried iron with minced meat, and the beef scallion wrap. All delicious. Would definitely be back. Perhaps 2pm is a good time to avoid a line on a weekday.

Edison, NJ - wow, is this place good! Casual authentic absolutely LEGIT Shanghaiese dim sum, appetizers, small plates, and noodle dishes. The food is delicious and inexpensive. We ordered some of our usual favorite items to try: Definitely get the XLB/SOUP DUMPLINGS and PAN FRIED BUNS which are outstanding. Super soupy and top notch. The thinly sliced and perfectly seasoned SPICY BEEF TENDON is possibly the best I've ever had. Addictive. Loved the PORK WONTONS IN SPICY SAUCE, dressed in a slightly nutty sauce and dunked in chili oil. The PAN FRIED NOODLES are done correctly, with a sautéed cabbage-mushroom-pork topping ladled over crispy fried noodles. LION'S HEAD NOODLE SOUP: although the broth is rather bland (fine as I got it for my toddler and prefer it this way), the noodles are long and al dente, and the meatball is huge, fluffy, with flavor that's on point. THE BEEF SCALLION PANCAKE WRAP is likewise enormous, but I like my scallion pancake to be thinner, daintier and more crisp. The TURNIP CAKE also suffers from a case of too-thick pastry, even as it's well-stuffed with shredded turnip. The inside is tiny, with only 12 two-seater tables that they combine for larger parties, and there is inevitably a line at dinnertime, but it moves pretty quickly as the turnover is brisk. Super fast but warm service and the dishes came out rapidly one after another too...but that's ok as we inhaled our food!

This is a no-frills spot where the food is solid. The service is friendly, attentive, and efficient. While the seating can feel a bit tight in certain areas, it's generally easy to find a spot if you're coming in with one or two people. However, you may need to wait for a table for larger parties. The staff is very good about clearing away dishes once you're finished. There are many delicious options, but since it was our first time here, we stuck with the basics. Here's what we ordered: ~ Crab Meat & Pork Steamed Juicy Buns (XLB): These dumplings were a great size. While the skin isn't paper-thin, it's still delicate enough to be careful with when picking it up with chopsticks. Be sure to have your spoon ready, as the soup inside might spill when you take your first bite. The soup had an amazing, aromatic fragrance, and the flavor was heavenly. These XLBs were done brilliantly. 5/5 stars. ~ Spicy Beef Tendon: Very flavorful with just the right amount of heat. 4/5 stars. ~ Rice Cake with Preserved Pickles & Shredded Pork: The pork was beautifully sliced and evenly cut. The balance between the preserved turnip and shredded pork was perfect--neither one overpowered the other. The rice cakes were soft with a nice chewy texture. 5/5 stars. This place is a must-visit for a hearty and delicious meal. Surprisingly, they also offer sweet dim sum items, which I consider desserts. Some examples include Shanghai Eight Treasure Rice Pudding, Shanghai Rice Balls in Sweet Rice Wine, and Floral Eight Treasure Taro Pudding. It is easy to find parking as the eatery is in a plaza mall. A solid 4.5/5 stars

All I can say is wow, Lao Wu's is truly a hidden gem. Very small is 11 tables but is you like soup dumplings and noodles this is the place to go. Had to wait for a table but that allowed me to survey the food coming out. Service was prompt and good and foods games out hot and fresh. Order the crab meat and pork juicy buns, seafood shumai and finally pan fried u-don noodles with spicy meat. Only comment was I thought the noodles were a bit salty but assume that was because of the spicy bean paste used. Will for sure be back!!

An awesome find! The service was quick and friendly. The food was delicious! The soup dumplings were cooked to perfection, and each one did, in fact, contain soup. The udon noodles were also another great dish. My husband gave the ramen top marks as well. The pricing is very fair and portions are generous. We were happy to go home with leftovers. The only downside is the restaurant is on the smaller side, so it can get a little tight with seating. I would definitely recommend and would return.

We waited to get into this small but very busy place. As tables departed the excitement built. At last we were seated. We got the beef scallion wrap which was delicious and had that beefy goodness but not too fatty. The crab meat and pork steamed juicy buns were fantastic. Every bite a delight. Golden lava buns were good but I'd skip next time. We ordered too Much food but we managed to polish off the egg yolk shumai which were terrific. So in short worth the journey and worth the wait. Love this place can't wait to go back.

We have been eating with this restaurant group for a few years, and this location is my favorite by far! The crab and pork soup dumplings were incredibly juicy with an impossibly thin wrapper. The Shanghai pan-fried buns were also juicy and flavorful. The beef scallion pancake wrap was also very flavorful, but I had hoped there would be more beef. It was also a little on the oilier side, but the sauce did a decent job of cutting the fat. The Shanghai pan fried noodle was not what we expected because the noodles were crunchy from being deep fried, so we didn't really enjoy it. However, the soup dumplings were phenomenal (truly some of the best I've ever had), so I would stick to just them and the pan-fried buns next time.

I'm upset that it took me this long to try this place out! I had a fantastic experience and I can't wait to go back. Lao Wu Authentic Shanghai Dumpling is conveniently located in a plaza with a parking lot. Although the lot is a decent size, the restaurant is fairly small. I would recommend dining with 2-4 people max. I ordered the scallion pancake, juicy pork dumplings, and the pork wontons in a spicy sauce. I thought the peanut sauce in the spicy wontons was a little overpowering, but everything was fantastic. I'm already planning my next visit to the restaurant! Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

I'm obsessed with this place! We order here quite frequently, especially when we don't know what to eat. Our family loves the juicy pork dumplings, cold sesame peanut noodles, fried pork buns, pumpkin pie, dumplings, beef noodle soup ...... I swear I am drooling just thinking about it haha. I always take it to go but the spot has a fair amount of seating and is conveniently located on route 1 and next to boba and ice cream if you want dessert after!

delicious and so affordable. just small so you may have to wait for a table. and i think the workers only speak chinese and a tiny bit of english

It was my birthday and my friend treat me to dinner here at Lao Wu Authentic Shanghai Dumpling in Edison, New Jersey. It's my first time in this restaurant and I'm so excited to try their Authentic Shanghai Dumplings. That night there was a long wait because the restaurant is too small. Once we're seated, we ordered Pork Steamed Juicy Buns, Beef Steamed Dumplings, Spicy Beef Tendon, Pickled Egg Drop Soup and the Lions Head which is a pork meatball in brown sauce. I'm Asian and I'm very much critical with Asian cuisine and to be honest, this restaurant didn't meet my expectations. Their Beef Tendons and Lions head tastes weird. The pickled egg drop soup tastes awful. The only dish that I like was just the beef dumplings which tastes quite good. The service was good though and the lady server was very nice. I may not recommend this place to friends for now but I want to go back again to try others in their menus and maybe I may be convinced to give them the remaining two (2) stars.

Cozy gem in Edison. The food was good, the service was excellent. You may wait a bit to get a table but it is worth, especially on this cold days. I enjoyed and I will definitely go back to try more staffs.

Food: This has got to have one of the best xlb/pork soup dumplings in NJ. Better than Tasty Moment and some of the Fort Lee / Pal Park restaurant's soup dumplings!!! We ordered: pork soup dumplings/pork juicy steam buns, vegetable dumplings/ steam buns, golden lava bun, and noodles with scallion oil. All delicious. Service was fine...not amazing but not bad. When we entered the store, there were no greetings or acknowledgment. However, it was pretty busy and all the table were filled so it was probably because of that. Once a table was free, the servers/workers signaled us to come sit down. They were nice and quick...didn't talk much but again, it was busy and hectic. Ambiance: the place is small. It had a mix of a Chinese takeout with a small restaurant look/vibe. It felt authentic. Place was filled with customers coming in and out. If you come here, be prepared to wait by the door for a bit as it's always filled...a table was not empty for more than a minute once people finished eating.

Lao Wu Authentic Shanghai is legit. Having been to several Shanghai restaurants, I was dismayed by many impersonations and tomfoolery by just adding sichuan peppercorns and hot chili peppers to a stir fired dish. Lao's has authentic cuisine, flavored and cooked to perfection. We ordered: * Spicy beef tendon. Snappy, spicy and lots of spicy oil. * Crab Meat & Pork Steam Juicy Buns. Buns were nicely sized, filled with pork, crab and lots of soup, contained in a wrapper that was sturdy but yet delicate enough to tear if handled roughly. * Rice Cake w. Preserved Pickles & Shredded Pork. Nicely flavored by the shredded pork and preserved turnip. Rice cakes with soft with some chew. Service was friendly, attentive and efficient. Smallish table was cleared of serving dish once finished. Ordering was easy by pointing to items on menu. Dining area is limited. I would guess 6 or 7 tables. It is a bit cramped. Not good for large groups. Definitely on my list of good eats and will return for other items on their menu.

If you're looking for authentic Shanghai-style cuisine, this is the place to go. The food was extraordinary. Every bite was so fresh and flavorful. The juicy buns were filled with so much soup, and the sauces accompanied all the dishes beautifully. The only negative thing I have to say is that I wish I could have tried everything on the menu! I will definitely be returning to try more including the stir fried udon and rice cakes. For a bonus they offer complimentary hot tea which is a must for this meal. The space is small but cozy. It feels like a special place where families regularly return for what they know is a fantastic meal for a super affordable price. Not to mention, the service was wonderful. We had a few questions for our server since it was our first time here. He was very helpful and made some great recommendations for us! Thank you Lao Wu!

Overall, had an ok experience at Shanghai Dumpling. It was empty when we arrived on a Wednesday afternoon. What's nice is that you can order straight from the kiosk. Prices are very reasonable. Our party got the Steamed Vegetable Buns, Bok Choy, Pork Dumplings , Chicken and Spicy Sauce and Green Tea. Our orders took about 10-15 minutes max. The portions were plenty. I throughly enjoyed the Bok Choy , Vegetable Buns and Pork Buns but probably could've done without the chicken. It was very difficult to eat since there were tons of tiny bones inside. It also would've been nice to have a bigger spoon for the soup dumplings so we didn't lose the broth when we picked it up. I'd be willing to give it a second chance and try some of their other dumplings, along with their tofu dishes!

Of all things I tried, surprisingly the simple Scallion pancake was very good. Nicely fried and flavorful. Tried both fried and steam buns and they nailed them well. Prices are affordable. Can't get reservation and it is first come first serve on a small restaurants so prepared to wait.

Wanted to write this review because we were super disappointed... We had duck tongue in wine sauce, Shanghai soup dumplings, fried pork bun, pork wonton in spicy sauce and Shanghai short turnip cake.. Duck tongue 2/5, it's overly salty, and it's just salty and a hint of sesame oil Shanghai soup dumplings 3/5 Good enough but definitely not the best. a little on a bland side, but the vinegar helped. Fried Pork Bun 2/5, the dough is very thick, the meat filling is super salty, and the only flavor you can taste is saltiness, nothing else. The only good part about these bun is the crispy fried bottoms. Pork Wonton in spicy sauce 1/5, this dish is so bland....... It serves with chili oil and peanut sesame butter. It has a hint of sweetness but nothing else... we asked for hot oil on the side trying to save the dish but it didn't help. Shanghai short turnip cake 4/5 this was crispy and crunchy, and did not feel greasy. But again, the filling is on the bland side. Overall, their dishes are either super salty or super bland.. and there is no other flavor besides saltiness.

My husband lived in China and is always looking for authentic dumplings like those he loved while there, and he thought this place was great. Very friendly staff, and -- as evidenced by the line out the door at dinner time -- very popular!

Lao Wu Authentic Shanghai Dumpling is an epitome of a hidden gem! I almost don't want to write the review because I want to selfishly keep this discovery for myself (it's THAT good!) Haha, but of course, they deserve all the recognition and more! I came here on a Monday night and reading some of the other reviews, I think I got lucky! The inside is extremely small so I had to wait only about 10 mins before I got seated. Since it's dimsum, we got a lot of small plates to share. If I must admit, we let our eyes (instead of our tummies) do the ordering but each dish was so impeccable, I don't regret it! Pork Steam Juicy Buns: 100/5, incredibly soupy and perfectly made. Don't skip on this one!! Preserved Pickles with Pork Noodle Soup: 5/5, I don't know how to describe this other than it tasted like home. It was simple and made with so much love! Also, it's a very hearty serving and this alone could have been my entire meal! Rice Cake with Spicy Minced Pork: 5/5, has the perfect kick and chew! Great amount of pork and edamame. Shangai Sticky Rice Shumai: 5/5, I don't find this on a lot of menus and it was a unique dish! Loved how the flavors came together! I was too busy eating to my heart's content to grab pictures of everything, but trust me, this will be some of the best Shanghai Chinese food you'll ever eat! I guarentee it!

So happy my party and I came across this restaurant on Yelp when we were looking for a dinner spot in the area. It was great comfort food for a snowy/rainy day. We started off with a variety of appetizers and they were all good! The Spicy Beef Tendon was so flavorful and thinly sliced and had a great texture overall. The Crabmeat and Pork Soup Dumplings came in a batch of 6, and the soup was super light and fresh. The Pork Buns looked crispier than it seems, but the meat inside was very flavorful. And the Scallion Pancake was like a combo of a deep fried dough and scallion pancake. We would've liked it more if there was more scallion taste to it and if it wasn't as hollow and deep fried, but we enjoyed the crispiness. For the main entrees, we shared the Shanghai style Udon and pan fried noodles. We ordered the same flavor but different noodles, however the Udon dish was saltier and the noodle wasn't as chewy as we had hoped for. On the other hand, we preferred the flavor for the pan fried noodles and loved the crispy noodles. Even after eating all the other food before eating this dish, the sauce did not make the noodles overly soggy and was still tasty. The waiters and waitresses were all very kind and mannerly. They were attentive to clear our plates and refill tea/water. They can communicate in Mandarin and English. And the food came out pretty quick even when the other tables were seated too. We enjoyed our meal here and can't wait to bring our family and friends for the next visit!

One of our favorite place to go at Edison! Yummy authentic Shang hai spicy noodles soup. Staffs and owner are very friendly. Pricing is very affordable! Little gem family-owned restaurant at Edison! Owner always makes sure the quality is on point. Homemade is the key to maintain his successful business! I've been eating his food since 8 years ago at his previous location! It's hard to find a good restaurant in this area. Lao Wu is one of them.

Small space but tasty food! We came for lunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon and it was packed. We waited for about 20 min for a table for 3. They have most of the classic Shanghai staples. We got: Pan fried pork buns (7/10): I think it could use a tad more meat and a little less bread but this was tasty and juicy! The bottom could also be a bit more crispy. Shanghai soup dumplings (9/10): great texture on the skin and the filling was just right. Shanghai stir fried udon (10/10): this is the best Shanghai udon I've had. Good flavor without being salty, pork is tender, noodles are chewy and they didn't skimp on veggies Fish noodle soup (9/10): tender pieces of fish, good soup base without the msg taste and generous portion of noodles. We live pretty far from Edison NJ but would definitely come back if we are in the neighborhood!

This spot is a tiny hole in the wall with 10 tables at most. With that in mind there was a decent wait. For a table for 2 at off peak midday I waited 15 minutes. I understand why after trying the food. Every dish was so flavourful and very authentic. Spicy peanut dumplings were a highlight along with the noodles. Everything else I got was so good. Highly recommended if you are ever in the area.

My one word of advice is to come here at least 15 minutes before they open to secure a table. There are only about 10 tables in this very small restaurant. We arrived 5 minutes before opening and the line was already wrapping around the building! Crab meat and pork soup dumplings had so much soup. The skin was the right thickness and they were a good size. Scallion pancakes came out hot and crispy. I loved the sauce as it was sweet and spicy, the scallion pancakes were the perfect amount of flakiness. Pork pan fried dumplings were a surprise! They were such a good size and even though they were crispy on the outside, they were super juicy on the inside. Panfried udon noodles with mixed vegetables was tasty and chewy. The noodles were very long and had the perfect amount of sauce and seasoning. I am definitely coming back! Portion sizes are big for the price. All of this with tax and tip was $45 for 3 people. All of us were stuffed at the end.

Xiao long bao were probably the best I've had in NJ. Very soupy and very good taste. They had the ginger in the soy sauce/vinegar mixture which was also perfect. Had the pan fried dumplings which were also very good. Juicy and the sauce really made it. The rice cake shanghai style was ok. A little on the salty side. The place is a little on the small side but if you come at the right time, then all good. Service was quick as with the small size, they want you in and out. They didn't at all rush us although there was a line that was behind us that had a good wait.

Of all the dumpling restaurants in the area, this one is my favorite. Not only is the food delicious, but the prices are low. For about $26 I can get enough food for 2 people and have a little left over. Apparently lots of people agree with me about how fantastic this restaurant is because this place is usually packed, sometimes with a line out the door. It's small inside and the tables are close together. Staff is friendly and hardworking, hustling to get the food out quickly. Everyone working here speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. So far we have tried the Golden Lava Dumplings (sweet and delicious), the Crabmeat Dumplings (so good that we get it every time), the Jellyfish and Turnip (nice garlic flavor), scallion pancakes, Shrimp dumplings, and cucumbers (that was addictive!) The restaurant is at the end of a small strip mall with plenty of free parking. It's right on a main road and easy to find and access. I am positive that anyone who likes dumplings will enjoy their meal here. Five stars all the way.

With plenty of parking, you won't have trouble finding a spot. But you may have trouble finding a table. There are only about ten in the restaurant, and with food this good those seats fill up fast! Besides being on the smaller side, the restaurant is plainly decorated. Nothing stood out in the ambiance department, but it was clean and the servers were welcoming. Here was our order: - The cucumber with scallion. It's a cold refreshing dish with lots of flavor and a good crunch. It's served as a good appetizer and nice palate cleanser in between. - The cold noodles with sesame sauce were beautifully plated. The noodles were cooked to perfection. I think they slightly overdid it with the sauce, however. The peanut was a bit overpowering. - The pan fried pork buns were outstanding! They were packed with pork and the buns boasted good texture. - The pork soup dumplings were delicious. They were filled to the brim with soup and the dumplings were sturdy. There is lots more to explore on the menu, but these headliner dishes hit the spot. Stop in!

Lao Wu lives up to its name and is a solid choice for some authentic Shanghainese dishes. *AMBIANCE* The restaurant is located in the same shopping complex as the Kam Man supermarket. The restaurant is super small (probably doesn't seat more than 20 people) and mostly seats groups of 2-4. They also don't have a reservation system where they take your name down... it seemed like it was first come, first serve, single file line and we had to wait around 45 min on a Friday for lunch. So come early! *FOOD* Everything here is tasty and reasonably priced. We ended up ordering the following: -Pork Steam Juicy Buns ($8.5) - Highly recommend this! Comes with 6 pcs. -Crab Meat & Pork Steam Juicy Buns ($8.5) - Really delicious. Comes with 6 pcs. -Pan Fried Udon with Spicy Minced Pork ($13.50) - Good but this was SUPER spicy so not recommended if you are spice sensitive -Pan Fried Pork Buns ($7.95) - These were fantastic! I loved how flavorful the pork filling was. - Shanghai Pan Fried Noodles ($12.95) - Delicious and flavorful, though the sauce can get a bit salty. *SERVICE* Service was ok. It didn't seem like they had enough staff...there were only 2 people handling both take out orders and restaurant diners. Overall, I recommend trying out the food here!

Very small but very fast restaurant located next to Kam Man Asian Market right in Edison, NJ. We came here on a Friday night and there was about a 20 minute wait. We heard the food here was some of the best Shanghai cuisine in the area and Lao Wu did not dissapoint! We ordered a variety of things to try and everything was delicious and fast. Food probably came within 10 minutes of being ordered! The beef scallion pancake wrap was amazing but pretty heavy. Its definitely big enough for 3-4 people to share. The cold sesame noodles were my personal favorite as it was very light. The crab/pork soup dumplings were honestly the best I've had in a while. Every dumpling had an abundant amount of soup in it and you really taste the crab flavor! I'm even craving this as we speak! The great part about this location is its away from the H-Mart area meaning you don't have to struggle for parking and crazy crowds. Theres also a Gong Cha and Ice Cream spot in the same mall for dessert afterwards!

Loved it and really looking forward to going back but it certainly helps to go with someone who speaks their language as did my friends just in case you have any questions or special requests. The menu provides good descriptions and contains a lot of photos. The food was delicious. The dumplings in the spicy sauce were outstanding. The soupy dumplings may have been the best I have had in NJ. The meat ball itself for about $5 could easily feed 2 people eating nothing else. We also had an interesting dish, I guess some kind of bun fried outside with meat inside. Just be careful because the meat is super hot.

Most things about Lao Wu was delicious. Cucumbers are a must. Soup dumplings were amazing. Scallion pancakes crispy but flavor was lacking. Biggest complaint were the pan fried noodles. They laid on the corn starch too thick. Felt like I was eating jello. Kinda gross.

This meal was SO SATISFYING. Everything we ordered was delicious. I have no critiques for the food. Here are some general thoughts agreed upon by the group I are with: - Soup dumplings were steamy hot with a chewy dough and flavorful filling. Though the dough was on the thicker side, we still found ratio to be perfect. - Lion's head was HUGE and super tender - Pan fried buns were doughy, crispy, and full of umami flavor - Shanghai chicken with wine sauce is so tender and flavorful. Super authentic. - Seaweed was refreshing and cut through all of the meat we were eating. - Beef wrapped scallion pancakes were so crispy and filled with a good ratio of beef and hoisin. The only thing important to note when you're planning to dine here is that the restaurant itself is small so there is usually a wait, especially for larger parties. However, I'd say the wait is worth it! The value is unmatched.

Excellent food. Fast. Tasty. Small place so expect a 20min+ wait. Wish they would fix their air conditioning. Can get hot as B*llz in there.

This is one of my favorite place to dine at in Edison, NJ. It's a small shop with 7 tables and the line does get long on the weekend. Hidden in a shopping center with plenty of parking. The soup dumplings are made to order and delicious and juicy. The beef scallion pancake rolls are my favorite. I would skip the wonton in spicy sauce. Overall, would come back again and again.

Hands down OG authentic Shanghai eats. Cold appetizers were flavorful, fresh and bright, perfectly seasoned and salted. We ordered jellyfish and daikon, seaweed, garlic cucumbers, and spicy beef tendon. Shanghai Soup Dumplings - right ratio of dough shell, pork filling and a very generous servin of juicy broth. OG / Shen Zhien Bao and Lion's Head Meatball. Pan fried

Absolutely LOVE this soup dumpling place! With taiwanese parents, having a restaurant they actively suggets going to speaks volumes as to the authenticity, flavor, and price point of this restaurant. As I am sure you are all aware, the MUST-HAVE is the soup dumpling. This place has the best ratio of flavorful broth, tender meat, and chewy yet thin dumpling skin. You cannot get a better price for this high quality soup dumpling! However, don't neglect their other dishes as well. Their glass noodle soup with fried tofu is my personal favorite, as it is a single serving of a clean fresh taste, most likely a meat broth of some sort. With some fresh cilantro on top, it truly is a chef's kiss. If you are not adverse ro meat with bone in, the drunken chicken is also delicious. It is a cold dish with a rice wine marinade that is a great pair along with some rice. Other must haves also include the flaky beef scallion pancake roll and pan-fried dumpling! Never had I had a cartoon-like juicy bun like these delicious pan fried buns. The star deduction is purely because of the new found insta-fame of this wonderful hole in the wall! Wait times seem to be half an hour to an hour, no matter when you come to eat, and if you try to get there early, there is bound to be a few people in line before the doors open. Inside they can only accommodate small groups of 2-4, so it looks like they are quickly outgrowing their place.

Informed the waiters of my peanut allergy multiple times and the chef came out and insisted that they could bring out the peanut sauce but on the side. We had to tell them no multiple times and decided they would just give us the chili oil on the wontons. We asked them to make sure there was no cross contamination, yet I still got an allergy reaction. After we told them, the waiter explained it would not have been possible for me to have an allergy reaction and the chef never came over after the food was delivered and avoided us and stared at us from the corner. AVOID THIS PLACE.

One of my friends said she never had a proper soup dumpling so my other friend and I made sure we took care of this. I had the spot marked off to try and given the reviews I knew we were good. We arrived around noon on a Sunday and the line was already out the door because this place is tiny, only about 6 to 8 tables. The service was very kind and attentive and walk this through some items. We ordered a bunch of stuff and were pleased with everything although the star, soup dumplings, were magnificent! The pan fried Singapore noodles and scallion roll were a huge hit and the pan fried buns were also good but not as great as I had hoped we were all disappointed with the sticky rice shoe mine although with some vinegar and chili oil they were better. There was some miscommunication as a couple of us asked for wonton noodle soup to take home but when we got it it was only wontons and they said they don't have that type of soup. I had it the next day for lunch and it was very good and there are about 10 wontons in the order. Definitely will be returning.

We bought some dumplings and noodles here while traveling to New York City from Virginia. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of what I found in the food but we did find a small bug in our pan fried noodles. It looked like a small roach and was close to the size of a sesame seed. I couldn't believe it so I put it on a napkin and squished it...it had wings and legs. It was most definitely a bug! I lost my appetite after seeing it so I can't give an honest review of the taste of the dumplings but they looked really good. I think it would have been a 4-5 star review if we didn't find the bug. That's why I'm leaving a 2 star. Just a heads up, make sure you thoroughly check your food when dining out. Anyway, parking was fine and the place is small for dine-in customers. It was packed in there.

Delicious no frills pork dumplings! Efficient service, low price, and delicious food!

How have I driven past this place and missed it? This has got to be one of the more affordable and best dumplings, bao, and rice cake. Their service was quick and attentive. The constant turn around on tables made this place worth the short 10min wait. The ambiance was slightly lacking, but for a hole in the wall place this was perfect. Majority of their orders seem to be To-Go, but for the 7 to 10 tables inside patrons get in order and eat all quite quickly. The wait on the food seems to be faster then McDonald's on a really busy day. However, all is cooked to order, fresh, and hot. This place can give Nan Xiang a run for its money. Vegetarians and Vegans...they have plenty you can choose from ans the Baos and dumplings all have different fillings. This is a blessing because food will not all taste the same which is a cop out for restaurants. These guys do it really well!!! I am definitely coming back...only criticism which is something they can not fix. Only 1 restroom, so that can be challenging.