Jo Jo Taipei Darned Good

[StriperGuy]

Had the soup dumplings.

Fusion Curry Noodles (Singapore Noodles)

And spicy lamb.

Best soup dumplings I have had inlcuding a place in NY that is known for them. Delicate wrapper, light tasty soup, nice meat lump inside.

Singapore noodles were also the best I've had.

Spicy lamb was excellent. I will be back.

[smtucker]

So I did go to Jo Jo Taipai this afternoon for a solo lunch. As I watched the tables around me sharing plate after plate, it was clear that this isn't really a spot for a solo diner. I ordered the soup dumplings with pork and the spicy lamb.

I have never eaten so many dumplings in one sitting and the last two were hard work. They were really very delicious. The soup dumplings were served with a black dipping sauce [black vinegar perhaps?], but I found that I didn't want much of the sauce since it overpowered the flavor of the soup.

The spicy lamb wasn't as good. The meat was tougher than I expected, and the dish wasn't spicy at all. I only had a few bites [note the dumplings above] so I will reheat this tonight for dinner and add some chili peppers to perk it up a bit.

The room is very pretty, and I found the service efficient and pleasant.

[galangatron]

dipping sauce is chinkiang black rice vinegar with slivered ginger

[StriperGuy]

I agree the vinegar was a tad strong. I found myself using only a smidge. When I have had these elsewhere they used a lighter red vinegar which was no so overpowering.

[ScubaSteve]

i've never dipped into that sauce. i usually cradle the dumpling on a spoon, bite an opening in the top, slurp out some of the (yummy) soup then pour in about 1/2 tsp into the dumpling then pop the whole thing into my gaping maw.

[Wursthof]

I went today with the hopes of having "sublime" Singapore style noodles. I have to say that I must have had a different dish than you had because my noodles weren't that good. The best part of the dish was shiitake and bamboo shoots sprinkled throughout. The scrambled eggs were tough and overcooked and charred. The curry was pleasantly subtle but overall nothing I would go back to Brighton for.

I also thought I read somewhere on CH that someone had a sour cabbage dish here that they thought was the best dish of the year(I may be confusing it with something else that I can't seem to find). I ordered that and had two bites before giving up on it. Pretty flavorless even with all the chilis in it.

Service was pleasant and timely.

[StriperGuy]

I think others have had some hit or miss here too. Maybe depends on who is in the kitchen.

The Singapore Noodles I had had shrimp, perfectly done delicate shreds of egg, mushroom, bamboo shoots, etc. The balance was spot on. Would suck if they are not consistent that can be so disappointing.

[smtucker]

I have a new client in Allston tomorrow, with a parking space! Only a block away. I see an opportunity to have a nice lunch. But, I am looking at the menu and can't find the soup dumplings. What are they called on the menu?

I wish I knew when my morning meeting was over so I could ask people to join me. One person can only try so many things in one go.

[lergnom]

Just ask for them.

[galangatron]

usually called "steamed mini pork buns" on the menu

[StriperGuy]

I don't even remember what the soup dumplings are called. I actually saw some unusual dumplings on the menu and pointed at one and said "soup inside" the very sweet waitress replied "no, no, these are soup inside" pointing at something else on the menu.

Actually just killed off the leftovers. The Singapore noodles were sublime. I had not soup dumplings leftover, made a point of killing those off yesterday as they don't do the leftover thing well.

[Bob Dobalina]

Striper, have you had the Singapore noodles at Qing Dao or Wang's? Just looking for a point of comparison. Thanks for the post.

[StriperGuy]

I've only had them in the Super88 food court where they are very good.

[cliobaci]

@Striperguy -- could you email me? I have an idea I'd like to run by you.

[eguyinnyc]

it pronounced Xiao Lun Bao, literally meaning a small steamer basket of buns.