New Shanghai – Chatswood, Sydney
There is always a buzz of excitement when a new restaurant opens but it’s even better when it a branch of a place that I have read so much. A branch of New Shanghai (originally in Ashfield) has opened up in Chatswood, Lemon Grove, right next to de Pho. Time to get my dumpling on 
The first thing you notice is the big glass display of the dumpling ladies doing their thang!
They had pretty nice alcove pictures but the rest of the restaurant was a typical Asian setting. Loud chatter filled the air as many happy fellow dumplingers ordered and ate merrily. The service was very meh but for these kind of places we come fro the food and not the service.
Here Comes the Food
Bean curd and ’shrooms
A cold plate to start off the meal. It was colder than we expected but it was refreshing combination and put us in the mood for more.
Sour and spicy soup
The one here was not bad and had a good consistency and flavour but it was greatly improved with a healthy dash of vinegar.
Mysterious fried fish
I am unsure as to what this was apart from some kind of fish fried to a crispy but slightly greasy state. My mother mentions that is totally different to what it is supposed to be like but as I have never tried it before I quite oblivious to this fact.
Shanghai flat noodle
This is more like my kind of dish with plump slices of noodle which an very good ‘QQ’ texture. The water spinach was also nice and crispy and went well with the noodles.
Vegetable dumplings
Not bad, packed full of tasty veges and steamed to a soft and fluffy sort of state for good eating.
Shanghai Xiao Long Bao
The star of the show has arrived! We have the crab meat Xiao Long Bao and the normal pork Xiao Long Bao. These were pretty decent with very good quality fillings and juice but the skin was a bit thicker than the ones at Din Tai Fung. I preferred the pork ones over the crab as they had a better flavour and slightly more sweeter in my opinion. Overall they were quite good value and so I was pleased.
Shallot Pancake
Beautifully crispy outside, these shallot pancakes are a must get. The only quibble I have with them is that they might be slightly too oily.
Sen Jien Bao
These pan fried pork dumplings are my favourite because I prefer the thick doughy taste over the thin skin of Xiao Long Baos. They still contain a juicy and tender pork filling which makes these very tasty. They could have done with a bit more char on the bottom for more crunch and crisp action though.
Mmm tasty
Pan Fried Pork Dumpling
These are basically gyozas with pork filling and pan fried so the bottom should be a golden brown crisp. They were however same as the Sen Jien Bao in that they were were not pan fried for long enough but otherwise they were reasonably tasty.
Fellow dumplingers and customers
Overall it is very handy that they had opened up a shop in Chatswood so that we do not need to travel to Ashfield to get a dumpling fix. Cheap and reasonably tasty food is always welcome ^^!
New Shanghai
Shop ?? Lemon Grove Shopping Centre
427-441 Victoria Ave, Chatswood
FFichiban
May 31st, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Finally we don’t need to leave the north shore for dumplings. Discovered this place about a month ago and have been back so many times I’m embarresed. Not as good as din tai fung but location and price make it a winner..
May 31st, 2009 at 6:18 pm
How fantastic, Chatswood can always do with more decent restaurants! I will definitely go check this out, it looks quite nice-looking for a Lemon Grove shop!
May 31st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Crispy spinach sounds like a good foil for chewy noodles. I like the sound of the crispy shallot pancake too, makes me feel like something eggy.
May 31st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
looks like nice dumplings to be had.
s
May 31st, 2009 at 10:14 pm
HAHA omg *time to get my dumpling on*
I like that single sen jien bao photo! it looks like something out of donna hay magazine, except shanghainese rofl makes me hungry
anyway it seeems that the chatswood version of new shanghai looks MUCH posher than the one in ashfield heheh how does the food compare?
May 31st, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I’d heard this was coming-great to know that it’s finally here! YAY for close by Xiao Long Baos
May 31st, 2009 at 11:32 pm
I passed this place last week before all the signage was up and was wondering what was going on there. Thanks for clarifying all the important info, what was on the menu! Gearing up my stomach for an exploration!
June 1st, 2009 at 5:04 am
Hmmmmm dumplings!
Since I live pretty close to Ashfield i’d stick with what we have in Ashfield. But the new place looks way better LOL
June 1st, 2009 at 11:28 am
looking at those pics makes me hungry…
June 1st, 2009 at 6:35 pm
You are a bit of a dumpling aficionado , so I’ll take this as another reason to visit Chatswood!
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:16 am
Dan – Yeah definitely, close, cheap and reasonable is good enough for me!
?
but you live so close to Ashfield anyway hee hee
Steph – Hee hee it’s a typical asian place so don’t expect too much of the setting
Arwen – Mmm now you made me want something eggy too hee hee!
Simon Food Fav – dumpling awayyy
Grace – Hee hee thx ^^! I’ve never been Ashfield one so you have to visit and tell me
Lorraine – Now all they need is a Shanghai Nights to open next door
Moya – Hee hee no problem
Yas – Haha you can come here if you likkkee
Reemski – Hee hee yayy my job is done ^^!
Belle – Haha not thhhattt much
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:21 am
there’s din tai fung there too?
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 am
I love the look of all those dumplings, and it’s great to see them making them on the spot too!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 am
You never fail to bring us the latest and newest places to eat. I haven’t been to Lemon Grove for a while…. time to check it out this weekend. I am so happy I no longer need to cross the bridge to get dumplings! Have you been to the spanking new Korean Restaurant right next to Kam Fook in Westfield Chatswood?
June 4th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
good to know there is one on the north side.. definitely will go to this one and give it a try.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
LadyIronChef – Yeah they opened one a short while ago but it’s average compared to the one in Asia.
jkjkjk
but thhxx. Ooh haven’t checked out that place but might give it a try soon 
Anita – Yeah so we know they don’t spit in them
Ellie – Haha I am actually pretty slow
Billy – Haha yeah it is only slightly closer to you than the city one
June 7th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Thank you so much for the headsup. I had no idea this place had opened up in Chatswood. Now I don’t have to travel too far when I have a dumpling craving! Must visit soon.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I just went there 2 days ago, very pleased with the food and quality of service. I love the Wonton (dumpling in the soup). The filling is tasty and the soup also very nice
definitely will go next time.
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:55 am
food was tasty, just had to wait for a while though. not very good service as well, not the warmest waiters/waitresses. my son left his train on the table, and when i called, they didn’t keep it. doesn’t count for me to go back, there are other good chinese restaurants in the area with good food and better service.