Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns

Chinese restaurant · Fenway

Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns

Chinese restaurant · Fenway

2

90 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215

Photos

Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null
Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns by null

Highlights

Crispy-bottomed pan-fried buns with hot, juicy filling.  

90 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215 Get directions

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

90 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215 Get directions

+1 857 449 8075

$10–20 · Menu

Features

comfort food
small plates
lunch
dinner
seating
popular for lunch
popular for dinner
popular for solo dining

Last updated

Oct 26, 2025

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@infatuation

The 18 Best Dumplings In LA - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Technically, this tiny Alhambra spot is more of a cafeteria-style restaurant than a food court, but those details are irrelevant when the sheng jian bao (listed on the menu as Shanghai Pan-Fried Bao) are this good. These dumplings are a heftier, thicker-skinned cousin of the xiao long bao with a pan-fried, crispy-brown bottom. Super-sized and approximately 50% larger than the average soup dumpling, they’re served with a rich sauce that’s slightly sweet and vinegary." - sylvio martins, garrett snyder, cathy park, andrew ryce

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/the-best-dumplings-in-la
View Postcard for Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns
@eater

Boston Restaurant and Bar Openings, May 2024 | Eater Boston

"A new spot on Peterborough Street in Fenway, Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns sells delicious, crispy-bottomed sheng jian bao." - Erika Adams

https://boston.eater.com/2024/5/30/24167847/boston-restaurant-openings-may-2024
View Postcard for Spring Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns

William Song

Google
My family and I came to try their famous pan-fried buns and it did not disappoint. First of all, we ordered 2 orders of the buns, each came with 4 buns, to take out and eat outside. Almost immediately after ordering, we received our buns. Although it seemed like the buns were pre-made, the quality said the opposite. We could tell that they were made fresh in house because the bottoms were still crispy and the soup was so hot, it burned my tongue a little. The flavors of the soup were aromatic and delicious and the bun and meat inside were really good. Even without dipping them in anything, they tasted amazing. My only thing was that the restaurant didn’t have much atmosphere. We did come at around 1pm on a weekday but there wasn’t many people and the interior was simple, modern even. But still, a great spot to eat and I definitely recommend stopping by before a Red Sox game!

SweetBrie Studio

Google
Classic Taste, less on the oil which is to my liking as SH food can be oily. It’s kiosk order and pick up yourself. Limited seating, and be careful of the wind blowing in on windy days from the door. The Cold Wontons could use more peanut; there’s a lot of noodles, so you should consider some toppings to finish it off, changing the bowl of soup too.

rayyang

Google
I love their buns. It might be the best buns in Boston, maybe even in New England. Cozy and clean atmosphere. Not plenty of dish options, but every dish feels like real authentic. Shanghai-style fried noodle is my another favorite lately, it's incredibly tasty.

Hank Chang

Google
On a windy day, it's harder to open the door and get all your food chilled as people walk in and out...they do have outdoor seating for better weather days. Shanghai fried buns are the specialty here, and from a Shanghai visitor, they're pretty authentic, thin-skinned, a lot of juice, and crispy bottoms. The scallion oil noodles are good on their own, and the pork chop left something to be desired and don't add much to the main dish as it didn't match the flavor well (the minced spicy pork came out cold - was better when they warmed it up on the wok). Self-bus the tables.

Silas C

Google
Pretty good food. The pan fried buns taste great, nice crunch, lots of juices and flavor. They are a little bit on the pricey side. Shanghai noodles are delicious, but the meat could’ve been better velveted. Wontons are eh. Soup is more like a seaweed soup than wonton soup. Overall, get the noodles and pan fried buns. Skip the wontons.

Elizabeth

Google
super yummy! the pan fried buns were full of soup and both juicy and fragrant. the dough was delicious and had just the right amount of chewiness. the pan fried buns were a bit on the pricier end, being ~$10 for 4, but it’s enough to feel full off of.

Nathan Watts

Google
Incredible Pan fried dumplings and noodles. Service was very quick even when there's a crowd and everything was super fresh and hot. Staff were super efficient and professional, and there are multiple places to order to keep lines moving when there are a lot of take out orders. Nice outdoor seating on a beautiful street with a number of other excellent options.

Tony Restuccia

Google
Every time I come into the city I always make time for the dumplings. They are simply the best you can get around here. They come fast and delicious. In my haste to drink the soup within and eat the delicious meat after I took an unflattering picture of such a masterpiece.
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Alice Z.

Yelp
These pan fried buns are so good I could eat 20 of them on my own. Crispy bottom, soupy interior, made quick to order, yummy filling with great ratio. You can peek through the window and watch them making the buns. They have picnic table seating outside too.
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Joyce L.

Yelp
Ordered delivery via Uber Eats, and Im so glad I tried this place. Their pan fried buns are LEGIT! I didn't have high hopes and that the fried dumplings probably wouldn't have any juice left once they arrive, but to my surprise, they actually had juice in them! The bottom was still crispy, and the meat filling had great flavor. I also tried the mini wonton soup, and it was just ok. The skin kinda got mushy, and the meat filling was not very flavorful. Overall, a solid place in Boston for pan fried buns. I'd definitely be coming back next time I'm in town.
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Kevin L.

Yelp
The pan fried dumplings slapped!!! The best I've ever had with its crispy pan fried bottom and thin skin. The filling was tasty and had some soup. Skip the rest of the items though...the preserved veggie and shredded pork noodles were bland and noodles did not impress. Chili wontons could've been more flavorful too and not much filling. Lines are out the door but service is quick and it moves fairly fast. Sit inside or outside, it's cramped either way. Will be back for the pan fried dumplings fosho!
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Alex L.

Yelp
This place is usually bustling with a fun window to see them wrap the dumplings fresh! I tried the pan fried buns which were really good (be warned of the splash zone) and I definitely recommend that, though a tad expensive for only 4. Friends said the other items on the menu were just alright.
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Food E.

Yelp
I don't understand the hype and all the high ratings. It's ~$10 for four small fries bottomed soup dumplings that are impossible to eat off the cheap plastic soup spoons. Self order off the kiosk and wait up to 20min for your order. Basic relatively clean small spot with a handful of tables. It was ok but I won't be rushing back.
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Hank C.

Yelp
On a windy day, it's harder to open the door and get all your food chilled as people walk in and out...they do have outdoor seating for better weather days. Shanghai fried buns are the specialty here, and from a Shanghai visitor, they're pretty authentic, thin-skinned, a lot of juice, and crispy bottoms. You can see the ladies making them in the window. The scallion oil noodles are good on their own, and the pork chop left something to be desired as it was fatty and soggy, no knife to cut with, and don't add much to the main dish as it didn't match the flavor well as it was oily soy-sauce like the noodle but not really flavor in the meat. The minced spicy pork came out cold which wasn't great - was better when they warmed it up on the wok and then put on the noodles. Self-bus the tables. Street parking, watch the signs as resident stickers required most places.
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Monica L.

Yelp
Service is quick and efficient, the seating space is casual and clean! It's a bit small inside so it seems that take out is a popular option. Got the panfried buns and wontons! The buns were super crispy and juicy and the skin was very thin and not super doughy. The wontons were also very flavorful! Wish the portions were a bit bigger but other than that a solid meal Also got some soy milk and wanglaoji! Very helpful bc water is not served and it balances the salty food
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Nolan F.

Yelp
We just tried the classic pan fried buns. Delicious! Chewiness of the dumpling skin and size and flavor of pork filling were good. Super juicy. No issues with service. Almost $10 for 4 dumplings is insane though.
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Donna Z.

Yelp
One of my friend's favorite so she brought me here. We had the Shanghai Classic Pan Fried Buns and they were pretty good. Since we were on a time crunch, we ordered for pickup so when we picked up the buns were unfortunately lukewarm. On one hand I would've loved it to be hotter, on another, I did squirt the juice over myself so I appreciated that I didn't get burned. We sat on the benches that they had outdoors and it was great because of the great weather.
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Gabby B.

Yelp
Soupy soupy buns oh my! Stopped by for dinner on a cold Friday night to check out their pan fried buns and soup options. The place is small with only a few tables. It was pretty busy Friday night but we managed to scoop up a table for two. You order on their touch screen monitor located to the right as soon as you walk in. I noticed there was a lot of to go orders and people kept coming in and out to pick them up. So it was popping! My bf and I wanted to try the buns so we each got an order which comes with four pan fried buns. We also shared one of their spicy pork noodle soups. The buns came out quick! And the soup was nice and hot. Perfect for the cold weather. We didn't really know how to start eating the buns and then I noticed on the wall there were instructions on how to enjoy the soupy buns! First, you take a bite and drink the broth then you dunk your bun into the black vinegar sauce (they have bottles on the table along with spoons, chopsticks) and then you enjoy! It was a lot of fun trying to not drop the soupy buns while we were trying to drink the broth using our chopsticks but we still dropped ours on our plates and spilled black vinegar everywhere! Haha The noodles soup was also very good and it was packed with tons of pork pieces. It was very flavorful and not spicy and we quickly inhailed it. We should of each gotten our own soup. I think next time I will get my own delicious soup and two orders of buns because one order was not enough! They were so good!
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Brian W.

Yelp
I want to start this review by saying that the food here is wonderful. The dumplings/buns are probably the best I've had in Boston, and the noodles had a really great and unique taste of charred scallion that was new and delicious. The reason this review is a 4/5 mainly boils down to the price and some logistical things that made dining at the restaurant during the winter a little bit of an issue. Areas for improvement: 4 buns/dumplings for $9.25 feels a little bad. They're good, but over $2 for a bite or two feels a little steep. On top of that, the restaurant is small and packed - and there are at least 3 tables right by the door which receive a blast of cold air each time the door is opened, making napkins go flying through the air each time - which is a lot given how busy they are with deliveries. Maybe having a small barrier or something would help this - I wore my coat, hood, and hat and was still quite cold. They have a lot of outdoor seating though, so I'd imagine that this isn't an issue at all during the warmer seasons. Even with that, the good things definitely shone through here: Scallion Oil Noodles ($8.95): Although the portion size could have been a bit larger, these tastes amazing. I have never had scallion oil noodles before, but the slightly charred green onion taste here was subtle yet delicious. There was a salty hint and with just a touch of chili oil added, these were amazing. They were great without the chili oil as well though, so I recommend having them both ways. Shanghai Classic Pan Fried Buns ($9.25): These were also quite good - they had a lot of soup in them and half of the skin was pleasantly crispy. With just a touch of vinegar, I could have 10+ of these, but the price is a bit prohibitive of having them en masse. Still, eating them nice and slow was a good experience, and I'll definitely come back if I have a craving for this dish. I'd love to come back and try the dry Shanghai noodles as well - which I didn't see on the printed menu but I did see on the ordering tablet inside.
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Dominique D.

Yelp
So good! My friend and I were looking for a quick bite to eat in the area and this was perfect. We ordered on the kiosk and food came out quick. We shared the wonton soup and pork pan fried buns. The food was so good and fresh. This was also the perfect amount of food to order if you need a quick bite but you don't want to be too full. I can't wait to come back!
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Wendy D.

Yelp
5 stars for the pan fried buns here! Beware, this place is very crowded. My friends and I came just after 11, and the doors were already open and people were seated even though the store officially opens at 11:15. There's indoor seating but it's not enough for how popular this place is. The service is great though, they tried to find us multiple seats when there wasn't enough. You can order quickly on a screen, and the food came out at a decent time. This review is mostly for the buns because we didn't tried the noodles, and the menu is rather limited. The buns were piping hot and fresh. It's actually a little different from the buns I'm used to, the dough is thinner and there's a little soup inside. It's like a cross between a xiao long bao and a shenjiang bao. It was cooked to perfection though, well seasoned, and fried to a golden crisp. The only problem is they're rather small, and 4 isn't enough to fill one person! I'd probably get 5-6 next time for myself. The wontons were also good, it's coated with a peanut/chili oil sauce, the peel was thin and smooth, and the filling was robust. Overall, would definitely order from here again! What a great little place.
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Jess C.

Yelp
Best Shanghai pan fried buns I've had in the East coast! Must try! Super juicy, with crisp bottom and flavorful fillings. They are a lot more efficient now, so can get the buns relatively quickly after placing order. Limited dine-in space (and there are always people waiting for pick up during busy times). A little pricey.
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Della S.

Yelp
I heard about the frightening long lines when this spot first opened so I waited for the hype to die down before trying them for the first time. I stopped by for an early dinner on a Saturday and was glad to see that the restaurant was half empty. We got an order of the Shanghai classic pork pan-fried buns ($9.25), the scallion oil noodles ($8.95), and the Shanghai cold wontons ($13.95). After trying the food, I think this spot truly deserves all of its hype. Sure, the pan-fried buns are a little pricey at almost $10 for only 4 small pieces, but the experience of biting through a crisp and chewy dough to get bombarded by a savory hot broth and tender pork is worth the price. The scallion oil noodles had a very fragrant aroma and were cooked to the perfect al dente texture. I was also impressed by the cold wontons which were actually on the warmer side from being freshly boiled. The nutty sauce was really tasty with the pork filling in the wontons and I also liked how the wonton skins were tender without being mushy. I'm not sure how vegetarian-friendly or no-pork-friendly this place is, but would highly recommend it for anybody who loves dumplings and noodles!
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Taylor S.

Yelp
Very casual small dumpling spot in Fenway that plays Chinese music (think C-Pop and C-drama). You order at a kiosk to order to go or eat in. There are about 4 tables indoors and 6 picnic tables outdoors with umbrellas. The menu consists mainly of dumplings and noodle soups. We tried their braised meatball which I think may be a Lions Head meatball in disguise. One of the best ones I've had in the US where the meat inside was tender and flavorful. There wasn't a thick and overly salty sauce, simple and tasty almost like how my grandma in China makes them. Then we got their Shanghai style fried buns which were very juicy and soupy in the inside and crispy bottom. One of the best we've had in the US, even comparable or possibly better than ones we've had in SF at a restaurant where they were known for their Shanghai buns. The preserved pork noodle soup was pretty good, but I personally would've chosen a different noodle to pair with like a vermicelli. Finally we tried the wontons in chili oil. They were a bit more chewy/tough, chili oil was good but flavor fell a bit flat (needed a bit of salt). Overall it's pretty authentic in taste and you can see the Asian chefs through the window preparing the food. It's efficient and they get the food out fast even with lots of orders coming through. Pricing is also not bad, comparable to other places in the neighborhood. Shanghai buns are just under $10 for 4 and soups are between $10-13. Good spot for a quick bite and near some other cool spots to try out like Phinsta coffee and more.
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Victoria T.

Yelp
These were so expensive, it was 4 pan fried buns for $9.25. They were def really good, especially the soup inside, but for that price I don't think I'd get them often. I would like to come back and try a noodle dish someday, I saw some other people eating them and they looked good. The restaurant was small, and kind of busy on a saturday evening, but our food came out pretty quick. I don't have any experience with pan fried buns to compare to this place, but I thought it was yummy. I think I like the soup dumplings more though.
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Haley C.

Yelp
Food was great! Would really recommend reading the menu before you go if you have any restrictions about meat or pork. The only dish meat-free was plain noodles. My fault for not checking the menu first. Super cute and clean inside, I appreciate that they had hots ready on the tables as part of the set ups.
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Shaun L.

Yelp
If you like soup dumplings but are looking to change it up with Shanghai pan-fried buns, this is a spot to try. Like other reviewers, they are pricey at 4 for $9 but still good. They are crispy but not greasy, but you need to eat them like a soup dumplings unless you want to spray your dinner partner with hot dumpling broth. The chili wontons were good, but the pork and shredded pickle greens were forgettable. There are so many noodle shops who make fresh noodles and these were plain Jane fried noodles. Stick with the panfried buns, and you'll be happy. The buns are a 4/5 stars, wontons are 3.5/5 and the noodles were a 2/5 stars
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Rebecca X.

Yelp
I've been waiting for this place! Finally had a chance to try it out recently. I feel like Shanghai style pan-fried dumplings have really started to become mainstream in Boston (or at least I've started ordering them more). This place sells the most legit ones I've tried so far. You can even see the aunties wrapping them by hand behind the storefront window. The dumplings are hot, fresh, and soupy with a thinner skin, like the ones I've had in China. Other Chinese restaurants in the area simply pan fry regular baozi which isn't quite what I'm looking for. The other half of the menu is comprised of noodle and wonton bowls. These are so "meh" -- save your money and just get more dumplings. I will say these dumps are pretty darn expensive...especially since I know you can get them for pennies in China. But that's how it is in Boston.
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Fiona W.

Yelp
I see myself craving these pan fried buns. Perfect crisp bottom, soft top, meat filling, and soup ratio. The pan fried buns are very nostalgic. They taste similar to the ones I've had in China. The food is also ready quick. A bit overpriced but I haven't been able to find buns as authentic as these so it balances out. I'll definitely be back here to eat more pan fried buns and try the noodles.
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Eugene W.

Yelp
Holy. Moly. I was getting hyped up reading all the enthusiastic reviews, and this place still blew my expectations out of the water. These were the best SJB I've had outside of Shanghai. Honestly, they're probably just as good as the ones I used to get outside my grandma's house by Hongqiao. We actually got them to go, rode the bus all the way home, opened up the bag, and they were STILL crispy. AND THE SOUP. The freaking soup was heavenly. Meat so tender. Oh my gosh, so good. I'm just so happy right now. We've gotten SJB from other places in the area like Taipei Gourmet and Formosa Taipei, and no offense to those restaurants, but SJBs aren't really their strength. They were barely even fried on the bottom. Basically just bao zi. This place tho? LEGIT. We actually had to wait almost an hour during the lunch rush on Saturday. It was definitely worth it, but hopefully we can plan around it next time. You can watch the 阿姨s making the SJB through the front window. So legit. Only complaint is the price. Almost $10 for 4... But it's a price I'm willing to pay. Please be kind to the servers as it looks like they're still scaling up their operations and the lines are probably overwhelming.
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Qme L.

Yelp
Stopped here on a weekday for lunch and they were so busy. I ordered the SJBs. You can see them being handmade and prepared from the window. My order took a little over 45 minutes, I was so hungry I ate a gyro next door and came back and it still wasn't done. It seems like the other dishes might take a little quicker. If you order from the kiosk and put your number in, you will get a text when the order is ready. The buns were good, but nothing spectacular. Buns had a little crisp to it and were filled with soup. They include a side of vinegar sauce. Good flavor, not salty. Probably best to go during off peak hours to try the buns. Would try again in the future if the wait isn't very long but not worth a special trip.
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Danielle F.

Yelp
This has earned the Shanghai Resident's Seal of Approval™. My Shanghai partner verifies the authenticity of the cooking methods and ingredients. It's a fun vibe inside because there's not that much available seating so you might find yourself seated with strangers. You order at the counter and then they bring your dish out. It was my first time trying most of the dishes but we ordered: - pan fried pork buns: these were better than any shanghai bun I've tried! The crisp of the bun was unmatched and the soup in the bun was SO hot and flavorful. - wonton soup: Although I prefer a wonton with a generous filling, apparently the authentic way is to put in just a bit of filling and leave a lot of the wrapper unmarred by the meat. It does feel silkier going down this way, but I still prefer a curvier wonton. - pork chop noodle soup: the pork chop was super tender and savory. The breading isn't supposed to be crisp and that point I think. It serves as a vessel for the broth. The noodles were a bit over cooked so they lacked a nice spring. The prices are extremely reasonable and I'm already excited to come back just for the buns! There's also a number of other noodle dishes that looked really good so I want to come back and give them a try.
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Rachel S.

Yelp
The pan fried buns here were so good that my friend and I ordered multiple extra orders after just one set. Noodles were tasty and authentic as well, but if I were to come here again, I'd order only the pan fried buns. I really enjoyed the crispy bottom, juicy soup-filled interior, and properly thick bun exterior. The service was pretty quick too, with our food arriving in under 5 minutes. This place fills up pretty quickly, so I'd suggest going early if you want to find indoor seating!
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John Y.

Yelp
We finally made our way to try this place. Unfortunately, it was during the recent heat wave and the temps were about 95 degrees with high humidity. This place was packed on a Wednesday (Juneteenth) afternoon. We ordered on the kiosk and had to wait about 45 minutes to get our 2 orders of dumplings. In that time span, we went next door to get dine-in thai food and came back after only 25 minutes. This tells you how long it took them to make the dumplings. Food: - We only ordered the pan fried dumplings. The bottom was perfect and nicely crisped. The dough was not overly thick, which was good. The meat inside was tasty, but a tad on the salty side. Most of the dumplings had a little juice...could've been juicer IMHO. I understand they're not soup dumplings. - I find that about $2.50 per dumpling is not that great of a deal. The dumplings are not big. - I'd rather go to chinatown and get these much quicker at the old dumpling house location...or better yet, save my cravings for a trip to NY where these are much better and faster prepared. - I didn't order anything else but noticed a lot of people also bought their soup, for which I observed each bowl was filled half way. I was there for a LONG time so I observed a lot of samples. Positives: - The place is new so everything looked clean inside - The staff seemed pretty friendly, although interaction is limited to "did you call my order yet?". Her response was to the effect of "No, we're not even close to your number!" - There are a few tables - Kiosk ordering made it easy - Great to see this type of food in this area Opportunities: - SUPER hot and humid inside. They have 2 of those ductless AC units and they were either off or just not good enough to handle 95 degree weather. - Wait times are super crazy for just-ok pan fried dumplings. I would not do it again for this. - I feel its overpriced for what you get and for how long you'd have to suffer to wait for them to cook - They have 3 woks and the line is super long. Why not use at least 1 other wok (it was unused) to prepare more dumplings??? Its not like the one chef could not handle it, there was a lot of "downtime" while he waited for it to steam. I do like this place and the location is good. I hope they can improve on efficiency. I'd also like to see them offer frozen dumplings to go, so that we can make them at home. Please fix your air conditioning system or improve it!
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Eva Y.

Yelp
Tried out several different things on the menu but the only thing worth coming back here for are the fried shanghai buns. I was a huge fan of the bun bottoms as they were fried very well, had an awesome crisp, and did not feel greasy at all (unlike a lot of other places). The pork filling however needed more work. Went to Kung Fu Kitchen in Brookline on the same night and their shanghai bun fillings were much tastier.
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Emi H.

Yelp
I've had many Shanghai pan fried buns and these are probably the best I've ever had in the states! The buns were super crispy on the bottom and the pork filling was so juicy that it was literally bursting with soup! I came on a Saturday around 1 and it was packed. You order at the kiosk and then you wait for your number to be called out in Mandarin and/or English. There are indoor and outdoor seating and they're first come first serve. I got the Shanghai Classic Pan Fried Buns which came with 4 buns for $9.25. They made them one batch at a time and they were busy so I waited around 25 minutes before I got mine. They were definitely worth the wait though! Happy to see more authentic Chinese eats open up in Boston!
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John M.

Yelp
A great addition to the Fenway food scene. Sandwiched among other delicious food options, Shanghai pan fried buns offers freshly made to order pan fried buns (clever name). Dining is casual with several tables inside and outside dining. Easiest ordering is via tablet when you walk in. Plan accordingly as they do run out towards the end of the night. Commenting on the food. It was well worth trying. Not to discredit the review as everyone is suspicious of Asian restaurants rated highly by white people, I will summarize those I went with who grew up with Shanghainese food the quality. While not as good as from China, this is the best they've had in the US.
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Victoria C.

Yelp
A great dumpling spot right in Fenway area. I came here on a Saturday during lunch time and secured a box of the infamous pan fried dumplings. The few tables inside were full, so we had to take it to go. The service was quick since the dumplings were already made and they packed them up for us to eat outside. The dumplings were steamy, hot, and juicy. I hope to come back soon to try their wonton soup and braised pork!
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Tiff L.

Yelp
A tiny shop on a busy food street, Shanghai Pan Fried Buns offers a limited menu with delicious foods. LOCATION: A small shop with a few tables inside and a few outdoor picnic tables. Parking can be very hard - street parking only. MENU: Only pan fried buns, noodles, and wontons only! Prices are fairly reasonable for the items. WAIT: The wait time varies depending on when you order. They steam and pan fry in batches so it's all luck. If you get lucky, you can get your buns order within 10 mins, however, if you just missed the batch like me, the wait can be up to 20-30. It wasn't too bad but it was very chaotic! There's limited space inside so we waited outside but it was hard to know when your food was ready. The person working inside would scream out the numbers inside and only in mandarin at first so if you're not inside or if you don't understand mandarin, it would probably be confusing. BUNS: It comes out piping hot so be careful before taking your first bite! They were actually pretty delicious and worth all the praise but maybe not the wait. SERVICE: Chaotic and busy, the person I interacted with was probably stressed because they were a bit mean and rude but I guess that's what makes it authentic ?
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Isaiah V.

Yelp
Clear that this is one of the best pan fried dumplings in Boston. This location is in Fenway yet boasts an impressive selection of food that rivals Chinatown. For $10 you can get delicious juicy pan fried dumplings that are to die for. Convieniet location too!
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Elizabeth K.

Yelp
Amazing taste - crispy layers, juicy and tangy shrimp and pork fillings Long wait (1.5hrs) was worth although it can definitely be draining. But the dumplings were amazing. It's so crispy outside but juicy and savory inside.
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Lucy C.

Yelp
Food was delicious and we were able to order and sit immediately at dinner time on a weekday. You order at the counter, they bring the food in takeout containers to you, then you clean up after yourself. I ordered the pan fried buns which came out immediately and were steaming and filled with soup. There were 4 and it was a great appetizer to share or eat on your own. For entree, my husband and I shared the mini pork wonton soup and braised pork chop noodle soup. The clear broth in the wonton soup was perfectly light and the pork in the noodle soup was really good and unlike anything I've really had before. The pork looked like it would have been crispy if it wasn't in soup. I also tasted my friend's spicy minced pork noodle soup which was delicious - I will order that in the future when craving spice.
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Gia H.

Yelp
Very good! Perfect for a quick bite. The noodles were a good texture and easy to eat. They were skinny noodles and chewy, which made it easy to take huge bites at a time. The soup broth was perfect for a cold day like today. The Pan-fried buns were similar to soup dumplings! But pan fried instead of steamed. I like that the texture of the dough was crispy - it was a nice contrast to the soft noodles. The restaurant itself was quite small, but cozy and the Chinese ballads playing in the background added intimacy. The service was also very good - the waitress helped us to accommodate 4 people at a 2 person table.
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Eddie H.

Yelp
Run, don't walk. These are most authentic shen jian baos 生煎包s (aka Shanghai pan fried buns) outside of Shanghai, China!!! Having traveled to Shanghai every summer, I would constantly crave shen jian bao whenever I returned to Boston. It was literally a pipe dream to be able to order authentic shen jian bao as I please in Boston. Who knew after years of wishing and waiting for something authentic from Shanghai to open in Boston, my dreams finally came true. The textures and flavors are 100% on point with the ones in Shanghai. Thin bao skin with a crispy bottom, perfect meat portion/ratio & umami soup on the inside of the bun, finished off with sesame seeds and scallion. Everything is made from scratch with a window outside the restaurant showcasing the process of fabricating the shen jian bao. Wait times may range, but on my most recent visit-- I walked in on a Wednesday night around 6:15pm, and it only took 5 mins to get my order. Even if the wait time were to be longer, these shen jian baos are totally worth the wait. These aren't your typical buns, and no other restaurant in MA has been able to replicate it thus far. ***If you haven't been here yet and tried what authentic shen jian baos taste like, I can guarantee that your taste buds are missing out.*** I will always be back whenever I miss Shanghainese food and crave 生煎包!
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Joyce H.

Yelp
Food here is good and fast. Not too much space inside to lounge around. Order, eat, and go. Parking was a bit tough because of street cleaning on the day of my visit.
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Jeff S.

Yelp
Was taken here by a colleague who knew her way around Chinese food. She had heard great things about Spring and it didn't disappoint. The buns were delicious The meat and juice inside were amazing. Also had a bowl of spicy noodle soup which was pretty good but the highlight was the buns. This is a no frills walk up and order place with plenty of tables inside and out. Definitely a treat.
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Zaraid J.

Yelp
Flavors - 4.4/5 Textures - 4.5/5 Presentation - 4.5/5 Value for Money - 3.5/5 Would return? Yes These dumplings are nothing like you've tried in Boston. Similar to soup dumplings, except they are not steemed but pan fried, and the result is a texture explosion - insanely crispy bottom, soft but firm top with a nice chew, juicy and flavorful filling. Loved the flavors and sesame seeds on top. I wanted a bit more pork for the amount of dough, but they tasted super fresh (and you can actually see them making them from scratch from a window). Some crispy chili would go a long way.
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Jeff C.

Yelp
Yum! Tried this place last Fridays and reminds me of yangs dumplings a chain in Shanghai, but even bigger pan-fried dumplings, delicious!!! Noodle soup is excellent!!! Hidden gem!!!
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Mary F.

Yelp
This place has such a small menu and honestly a great way to start your food hopping night which is what we did. Their prices are great and their Shanghai pan fried dumplings were great. Again, this place is more casual just like the rest of the restaurants on this street. You gotta try their dumplings though, very crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside just the way I like it. Careful now, the juice might squirt out as you bite into the dumpling! :) We were less impressed with the noodles but hey, they're really known for their Shanghai pan fried dumplings so get the specialty!
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Selena H.

Yelp
Even thought we had to waited for a while to receive pan-fried buns, it tasted great! Pan fried buns come out as a batch so people were waiting after placing an order. Noodles come out fast. Pan fried buns have rich soups inside and has very crispy bottom. It was awesome !!! Finally new type of dumpling recipe to enjoy in Boston :)
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Taeyoon K.

Yelp
The pan-fried dumplings here are definitely worth a try. This is my second time having them, and they're juicy and flavorful--definitely one of those dishes you occasionally crave. Just a word of caution: the filling can be super hot! I recommend breaking the dumpling open and letting the juices pour into a spoon before taking a bite. On a different note, I tried one of their noodle dishes on a previous visit, and to be honest, it was pretty underwhelming. It tasted almost like something straight out of the freezer aisle, which was a huge letdown. Still, the dumplings are tasty enough that I'd give this place 4 stars. But seriously, skip the noodles--you can thank me later.
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William W.

Yelp
Pan fried buns were amazing! Hot and filled with broth so be cautious biting in. The noodles with spicy ground pork was good, a hearty big bowl. Service is at the counter and they bring it out to you, took 10 minutes, about 12 sears inside and more on the patio out front. Great spot for Chinese buns and noodles!
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Jay M.

Yelp
Stopped in before 4 pm my and sign said closed til 4 pm? Told I could order and cone back at 4:20... So, I waited Stopped in to try the pan fried buns. Buns ok, filling was excellent and fresh... needed a knife to cut but only provided a fork and spoon, chopsticks. I also had a fried a pork chop add on option ... Pork chop was ice cold? Front window of kitchen, can see 3 women stuffing the fresh steamed buns . Ramen looked good. Someone saw me eating the buns and commented that people consider these the best in Boston and even people from Shanghai China said these are as good or better than those in China? I 've had pan fried raviolis at other restaurants that were similar or better ? The browned one side was difficult to eat without a knife. I didn't see anything to write honestly to my mother in China about these buns. I've had better buns
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Emily X.

Yelp
Hot fresh and juicy! So happy this new place opened up. Limited menu and seats, but amazing pan fried soup buns! Did have to wait over half an hour for the four buns, but very worth it.
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Carmen H.

Yelp
The best pan fried buns I have ever had in Boston! Amazed by the amount of meat fillings and soup inside the buns. Service/Wait Time: I came around 4pm on a Sunday so the wait was not long at all. I got the buns as soon as I finished ordering from the self-service kiosk. Price: $9.25 for 4 pieces. It's expensive in my opinion but would come back again until I find another place with better value. Parking: Street parking or find parking via a parking spot app
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Alston Y.

Yelp
Ordered unreasonably expensive pan fried buns and had to wait for 15 mins. Restaurant wasn't even busy at all. Asked the cashier girl who was in pajama pants how much longer my wait time was, she used her all 8 fingers as her answer to me. Very unprofessional.
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Gloria H.

Yelp
I've been greatly looking forward to trying out this place. I don't think I've ever had a proper sheng jian bao, but I've heard the legends, and based on the videos we saw online, these looked legit. We arrived soon after 4pm on a Sunday, but the tables inside were already full and there were 10-15 orders ahead of us. Ordering is done through a single kiosk, and the menu is simple -- sheng jian bao (4 pieces for $9.25), wonton soup, and noodle soups. Soon after we ordered, we got to see the master at work, placing around 60 fresh buns seam side down on a large circular griddle. The first batch of buns were done around 4:15pm, and we were lucky to get the last pack of 4 buns. We carefully followed the illustrated instructions for how to eat the buns, knowing full well we had thin-skinned buns filled with piping hot soup in front of us. The skin at the top (the half that wasn't pan-fried) is very thin, and the inside has so much delicious juice inside -- definitely more than your average soup dumpling. The bottom is more hardy, and quite crispy from the fry. The pork filling is plentiful and tasty. All of these textural contrasts make for quite a delightful eating experience. While we were still making our way through the first 4 dumplings, we ordered 4 more in an attempt to get a share of the next batch, which was finished around 4:40pm (they took a break in between the batches). Having eaten 4 dumplings, I can say that is about the right amount of sheng jian bao for the average person. I can imagine that it would go quite well with a noodle or wonton soup. I'm really glad that I finally got to try this place, and I'll definitely be back!