JOE'S SHANGHAI RESTAURANT

At Joe’s Shanghai Restaurant, an unassuming spot in the heart of Chinatown, the dumplings are freshly made to order. Xiao long bao, or “little dumplings in the basket,” originated in Nan Xiang, a suburb of Shanghai. Each plump dumpling contains either a pork or crab filling, surrounded by a delightfully flavorful soup. Although the rest of the Shanghai-influenced menu is enticing, you’ll insist that your waiter bring a few more rounds of dumplings for the table.