Shanghai in New York City

By Jun Wang

Old Shanghai Deluxe
Location: 50 Mott St. New York, NY 10013-4931
Phone: 212-566-4884
Offers: Dine-in, Party room
Cuisine: Shanghai Cuisine
Signature Dishes: Sesame Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken, Sea Cucumbers with Shrimp Seed, Crab w. Salty Egg Yolk
Year of Establishment: 2004

Shanghai cuisine has gradually developed a foothold in the American market as more Chinese move to America, especially those hailing from Shanghai, Jiangsu or Zhejiang province. Situated in the heart of New York’s Chinatown alongside restaurants serving Hunan, Szechuan, Mandarin, and Shanghai cuisine, Old Shanghai Deluxe is one Shanghai restaurant that stands out from the pack.  

Nine years ago, Wei Chen partnered with Mr. Zhu, a native Shanghainese to open Yeah Shanghai Restaurant which was later moved to the 50 Mott Street one day before Chinese New Years in 2010, and renamed “Old Shanghai Deluxe”. The remodeled restaurant added a new dimension to New York’s already vibrant restaurant scene.

Featuring a bright red tone, the restaurant gives off a welcoming vibe that is accentuated by the soothing music playing in the dining room. At 2000 square feet, the restaurant isn’t the biggest in town but can still comfortably seat around 120 diners. It is steeped in casual yet classic decor with red linen-covered tables, elegant lanterns, and even decorative flowers artfully placed around the restaurant.

Old Shanghai Deluxe doesn’t have the kind of classic Shanghai ambience present in movies like In the Mood For Love (Hua Yang Nian Hua) but it is the place to go for authentic Shanghai cuisine. When stepping inside, you are offered two menus: one in Chinese and the other in English. Each is a full list of the offerings, ranging from appetizers to entrees featuring chicken, pork, and seafood. The selections include the well-known Stewed Pork Ball in Brown Sauce, Eggplant with Minced Pork Casserole, Prawn with Lobster Sauce, Sea Cucumbers with Shrimp Seed and also the Americanized version of General Tso’s Chicken, Chicken with Broccoli, and Crispy Duck.

Shanghai cuisine has a 400 year history and is epitomized by its liberal use of rice wine with chicken and pork. Chicken and pork are often “drunken” with mellowing rice wine, a complex process showing the difficulty in preparing real Shanghai cuisine. One of the more challenging dishes to prepare is the Sea Cucumbers with Shrimp Seed ($28.95), which is a big hit with many Chinese customers. As the symbolic dish of Benbang cuisine (one branch of Shanghai cuisine), this dish is considered to be a must-try dish at Old Shanghai Deluxe. The sea cucumbers are well chosen, and kept fresh. Along with fragrant sauces, the dish is layered with golden glittering colors and vibrant textures. Biting into the dish, you’ll be dazzled by how the shrimp roe filling gently caresses your tongue. It not only tastes great, it is also quite healthy—sea cucumber is thought to strengthen the immune system and help prevent cancer.

Xiao Long Bao (literally steamed buns) is a popular snack in Shanghai and also at Old Shanghai Deluxe as well. Apart from the traditional pork filling, there are some variations, including crab meat, seafood and vegetarian stuffing. Old Shanghai’s vegetarian xiao long baos are stuffed with pea sprouts and have become a favorite of vegetarians and health conscious customers.

There are also options for those who have strong cravings for Americanized Chinese dishes. Among the abundance of menu selections are the ubiquitous General Tso’s Chicken, Chicken with Broccoli, and Sweet and Sour Chicken. These dishes are not just filler fare as Old Shanghai Deluxe’s chefs have improved on these dishes by adding their own personal touch.

Some travelers come to Old Shanghai Deluxe for the fantastic Crispy Duck. The salty and fragrant duck is so mouthwatering that it gives them the impression that they are eating the duck in China, not in Chinatown. The crispy golden duck skin has an interesting texture; and the dressing on the side complements the dish.

The sweltering summer heat is stifling so many diners are looking for ways to cool down. They won’t be disappointed with Old Shanghai Deluxe’s various fruit salads. The Shrimp Salad is a perfect summer treat, a delectable blend of strawberry, kiwi fruit, pear, and shrimp, topped with salad dressing. In addition, Chinese yam and lili have been added for their medicinal value. Those who want to try the Shrimp Salad or any of the other fruit salads should make sure to order the dishes in advance as they are not always available.

How are the chefs always able to amaze customers? They seem to have an endless spring of inspiration to draw on, allowing them to always give customers a pleasant surprise. Many satisfied customers comment that Old Shanghai Deluxe is the best Shanghai restaurant they ever visited. Its fans spare no efforts in promoting this restaurant, resulting in excellent word of mouth. Taking notice of this, New York Time Out Magazine has reviewed the restaurant, helping to further boost business.

One need only glance around the restaurant to see how well it is managed. You’ll see the staff racing about the restaurant, taking orders, cooking, and refilling water. They seem to be busy all the time, occasionally chatting with customers, asking how their meal is, and suggesting dishes when needed. Good management keeps the restaurant running on all cylinders and you can be sure that you’ll be greeted by smiling wait staff, next time you decide to go on a fantastic culinary journey at Old Shanghai Deluxe.

Message from the Owner:
We are always striving to satisfy customers by providing delicious food and a pleasant atmosphere.