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Tiny, bustling storefront bringing in crowds for Taiwanese dim sum in a modest setting.
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Shangri-La in Belmont closes after 21 years in business
Due to an increase in the rent and unable to reach an agreement during negotiations with the landlord, Shangri-La in Belmont closed May 23.
Any dim sum place similar to Shangri-La in Belmont? – Boston – Reddit
There used to be this Taiwanese dim sum place in Belmont called Shangri-La. I loved it, but it’s been closed for a while now.
Shangri-La in Belmont Is Closing | Boston Restaurant Talk
The address for Shangri-La is 149 Belmont Street, Belmont, MA, 02478. Its website can be found at https://shangrilachinese.com/. by Marc …
Reviews
Wonton Soup
Over all the this place is better than Chung Shin Yuan in Watertown. The service is very nice and quick. Price is fair. The beef noodle soup is better than any other place I had. Would definitely go back.
… moreDee Chiluiza
Nice place, the House Special Soup I ordered was ok, same taste as other restaurants in downtown Boston. I would not go there for a date but yes for a quick meal after work or a very informal dinner with friends. Clean and good customer service!
… moreJerry Chiang
Shangri-La (四川小館) unfortunately is closing, but this review is a tribute this gem of a restaurant, my favorite Chinese / Taiwanese restaurant in all of Boston.
I first started coming in 2003, when I stayed over in the suburb of Boston with relatives one summer. My aunt said there was a restaurant in Belmont, rumors were that it was opened by the former dim sum chef from the Ambassador Taipei Hotel. We went and I fell in love with the food – both the standard dinner menu and the wonderful Taiwanese brunch that is available on the weekends.
Everything I ever got on the menu was absolutely delicious – I could literally order anything and feel that they would do a good job – the food would arrive in a timely manner, piping hot, mouthwateringly flavorful.
My absolute favorite dish here is the Cellophane Noodles with Minced Pork (螞蟻上樹), also known as “Ants Crawling up a Tree”, which is a Sichuan dish of noodles that has bits of ground meat mixed in (the dish evokes its poetic name). The noodles are so-called “QQ” (very chewy with a unique texture), and it comes with general amounts of amazingly spicy sauce / broth. When I traveled through Sichuan, China, I tried to look for this very same dish, but every other version so far has failed to live up to the one at Shangri-la.
The other must-order dishes on the weekdays include Ginger & Basil Chicken Casserole w/ Bone (三杯雞) aka “3 Cups Chicken”, and Fish chunks with Chef’s Sweet and Sour Sauce (糖醋魚條). Typically I also get a vegetable dish such as Sautéed Spinach (清炒菠菜). If there is a bigger crowd, I also try to get the following:
– Crispy Orange Flavored Beef (橙皮牛)
– Oxtail with Brown Sauce (紅燒牛尾)
– Chef’s Tea Smoked Boneless Duck (樟茶片鴨)
– Jumbo Meatball Soup in Hot Pot aka “Lion’s Head” (砂鍋獅子頭)
– Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)
While in grad school, I brought classmates and friends here from all backgrounds, and they’ve all consistently enjoyed this place.
Much has already been said about it’s wonderful Taiwanese brunch on the weekends, with people lining up well before the restaurant opens. While certainly there are better Taiwanese brunch places in the world (i.e., back in Taiwan), Shangri-la is one of the best places I’ve gone to in the US for this type of cuisine, and it always evokes nostalgic feelings within me. Again, I’ve brought large groups here to share the dishes together, and while everything is great, we have especially enjoyed some combination of these succulent dishes:
– Pig Ear Salad (紅油耳絲)
– Pig Tripe Salad (紅油肚丁)
– Shredded Beef Tripe in Hot Sauce (麻辣牛筋)
– Hot Spicy Cattle Tendon (麻辣牛肚絲)
– Steamed Spiced Spare Ribs (粉蒸排骨)
– Steamed Small Pork Bun (小籠包)
– Sweet Soy Bean Milk (甜豆漿)
– Chinese Fried Dough (油條)
– Pan Fried Scallion Pancake (蔥油餅)
– Pan Fried Turnip Cake (蘿蔔糕)
– Five Spiced Sesame Beef in Crispy Sesame Pancake (牛肉夾餅)
– Salty Glutinous Rice Sausage (糯米大腸)
– Boiled Dumpling in Hot Sauce (紅油抄手)
– Steamed Taiwanese Bun with Pork and Pickle (刮包)
– Stir Fried Sliced Rice Cake (炒年糕)
Shangri-la, we love you! Please reopen again and let us know where you’re at!
… moreI first started coming in 2003, when I stayed over in the suburb of Boston with relatives one summer. My aunt said there was a restaurant in Belmont, rumors were that it was opened by the former dim sum chef from the Ambassador Taipei Hotel. We went and I fell in love with the food – both the standard dinner menu and the wonderful Taiwanese brunch that is available on the weekends.
Everything I ever got on the menu was absolutely delicious – I could literally order anything and feel that they would do a good job – the food would arrive in a timely manner, piping hot, mouthwateringly flavorful.
My absolute favorite dish here is the Cellophane Noodles with Minced Pork (螞蟻上樹), also known as “Ants Crawling up a Tree”, which is a Sichuan dish of noodles that has bits of ground meat mixed in (the dish evokes its poetic name). The noodles are so-called “QQ” (very chewy with a unique texture), and it comes with general amounts of amazingly spicy sauce / broth. When I traveled through Sichuan, China, I tried to look for this very same dish, but every other version so far has failed to live up to the one at Shangri-la.
The other must-order dishes on the weekdays include Ginger & Basil Chicken Casserole w/ Bone (三杯雞) aka “3 Cups Chicken”, and Fish chunks with Chef’s Sweet and Sour Sauce (糖醋魚條). Typically I also get a vegetable dish such as Sautéed Spinach (清炒菠菜). If there is a bigger crowd, I also try to get the following:
– Crispy Orange Flavored Beef (橙皮牛)
– Oxtail with Brown Sauce (紅燒牛尾)
– Chef’s Tea Smoked Boneless Duck (樟茶片鴨)
– Jumbo Meatball Soup in Hot Pot aka “Lion’s Head” (砂鍋獅子頭)
– Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)
While in grad school, I brought classmates and friends here from all backgrounds, and they’ve all consistently enjoyed this place.
Much has already been said about it’s wonderful Taiwanese brunch on the weekends, with people lining up well before the restaurant opens. While certainly there are better Taiwanese brunch places in the world (i.e., back in Taiwan), Shangri-la is one of the best places I’ve gone to in the US for this type of cuisine, and it always evokes nostalgic feelings within me. Again, I’ve brought large groups here to share the dishes together, and while everything is great, we have especially enjoyed some combination of these succulent dishes:
– Pig Ear Salad (紅油耳絲)
– Pig Tripe Salad (紅油肚丁)
– Shredded Beef Tripe in Hot Sauce (麻辣牛筋)
– Hot Spicy Cattle Tendon (麻辣牛肚絲)
– Steamed Spiced Spare Ribs (粉蒸排骨)
– Steamed Small Pork Bun (小籠包)
– Sweet Soy Bean Milk (甜豆漿)
– Chinese Fried Dough (油條)
– Pan Fried Scallion Pancake (蔥油餅)
– Pan Fried Turnip Cake (蘿蔔糕)
– Five Spiced Sesame Beef in Crispy Sesame Pancake (牛肉夾餅)
– Salty Glutinous Rice Sausage (糯米大腸)
– Boiled Dumpling in Hot Sauce (紅油抄手)
– Steamed Taiwanese Bun with Pork and Pickle (刮包)
– Stir Fried Sliced Rice Cake (炒年糕)
Shangri-la, we love you! Please reopen again and let us know where you’re at!
Jeremy Ren
The only place so far I know that can have nice hot soymilk and traditional Chinese breakfast. Just a little bit crowded at opening. Must stay in line before it gets open otherwise you are gonna stand in cold Boston winter!
… moreConnor Malbeuf
Horrible experience. The chicken looked and tasted raw and then the employees claimed we didn’t know anything and were not helpful. I told her the center was cold and wet, to which she said “that’s cooked.” Rude customer service and food quality. Don’t go here.
… morePeggy Sah
I’m very upset that I’ve been in Boston for as long as I have been and I didn’t know about Shangri-la. FINALLY I’ve found good Taiwanese food here! But I could have been eating here for years!
We got there at 11:20 on Sunday and the line wasn’t too bad. We were still in the first wave of people to be seated when they opened.
… moreWe got there at 11:20 on Sunday and the line wasn’t too bad. We were still in the first wave of people to be seated when they opened.
남궁한
Just go and order anything, there will be no failures. Definitely would like to go back.
… moreQuynh Dang
This is a mixed review for their food and service.
5 stars: The Taiwanese brunch is fantastic. Really really good pork belly buns, turnip cakes, soup dumplings, beef noodle soup, soy milk, crullers, you name it. The lines that form outside in any kind of weather attest to how good the brunch is.
3-4 stars: For dinner and lunch, they are average. There are a few really good dishes, a few below average, hence an average rating here.
2 stars: For take out, something happens to their food on the way out the door. The vegetables get soggy, the sauces congeal, the oil separates. I’m not sure why, but the take out is exceptionally bad, even if the dish is good if eaten in-house.
The wait staff are super sweet, and yes, as some reviewers have said, no-nonsense when they are busiest at brunch time. Go when they are less busy and you’ll see how nice these women are. The owners handle the register and take out orders and are perfunctory.
… more5 stars: The Taiwanese brunch is fantastic. Really really good pork belly buns, turnip cakes, soup dumplings, beef noodle soup, soy milk, crullers, you name it. The lines that form outside in any kind of weather attest to how good the brunch is.
3-4 stars: For dinner and lunch, they are average. There are a few really good dishes, a few below average, hence an average rating here.
2 stars: For take out, something happens to their food on the way out the door. The vegetables get soggy, the sauces congeal, the oil separates. I’m not sure why, but the take out is exceptionally bad, even if the dish is good if eaten in-house.
The wait staff are super sweet, and yes, as some reviewers have said, no-nonsense when they are busiest at brunch time. Go when they are less busy and you’ll see how nice these women are. The owners handle the register and take out orders and are perfunctory.
Eric Houston
Folks three stars is GOOD!!! The place is not fancy, but homey…
Prices are fair. Portions are good.
Really liked the “Ravioli with Spicy Sauce”
Ma Po Tofu was good but not our favorite. Will order it again as the location is convenient.
Ordered the “Pork with preserved Mustard” by mistake and LOVED IT! (Pork belly)
Not crazy about the “Cold Noodles with Peanut Sauce” – should start sweet and end hot – and not so salty. Will definitely ask them to make it the way I like it (BTW, this dish is popular in NYC, but just about nobody in Boston makes it or gets it right).
Planning to make this our local go-to for Chinese food.
… morePrices are fair. Portions are good.
Really liked the “Ravioli with Spicy Sauce”
Ma Po Tofu was good but not our favorite. Will order it again as the location is convenient.
Ordered the “Pork with preserved Mustard” by mistake and LOVED IT! (Pork belly)
Not crazy about the “Cold Noodles with Peanut Sauce” – should start sweet and end hot – and not so salty. Will definitely ask them to make it the way I like it (BTW, this dish is popular in NYC, but just about nobody in Boston makes it or gets it right).
Planning to make this our local go-to for Chinese food.
Wallace Fu
On Sunday morning it was a busy place. My phone order was ready as promised. The dim sum dishes were good. The Chinese fried dough was greasy but the other 6 dishes were flavorful. The three delights with flat noodles was the best.
… more