Jea Kim
Google
An unexpected Chinese food haven beyond Chinatown.
In search of an authentic Chinese dining experience that sidesteps the usual hustle and bustle of Boston's Chinatown, my friends and I recently took a visit to Zoe's on a Friday evening. The place was buzzing—a generally promising sign — and we were able to find a table without a wait. Despite the lively atmosphere, the service was impressively swift and attentive. The prices, slightly more affordable than those in Chinatown, were an added bonus.
We shared an array of entrees, starting with the Dry Diced Chicken. Encased in a crispy exterior, the fatty bits of chicken thigh brought a level of richness that made the dish enjoyable. House Special Fried Rice was a multi-protein extravaganza that featured shrimp, chicken, and pork. It was more buttery than typical fried rice dishes but oddly satisfying. As our meal progressed, we found the Shanghai Baby Bok Choy Toy to be a bit on the salty side. However, its lightness offered a much-needed palate cleanser, setting the stage for the heartier dishes that followed.
Mao’s Home Style Pork lived up to its name by providing a comforting, homely flavor that perfectly rounded out the previous courses. However, the pinnacle of our meal had to be the Tea-Smoked Duck. Though it was seemingly dry, the meat inside was incredibly tender and juicy. Each bite confirmed that this was quite possibly one of the best duck dishes I've had in Boston, or anywhere else for that matter.
Overall, our dinner at Zoe’s exceeded our expectations, and we will definitely come back to try the duck again and explore other popular dishes.