Reviewer: Foodnut.com I-Shanghai 2416 San Ramon Valley Blvd 140 San Ramon, CA 94583 (925) 718-5233 |
Why did we dine here? – We love dumplings and this one WOW’d us! I-Shanghai Delight is a Shanghainese Chinese restaurant in San Ramon. They also have locations in Fremont and Sacramento. We were dining here with friends who highly recommended this Chinese restaurant. Note: Only 3.5 stars on Yelp probably due to bad service.
They are known for XLB aka soup dumplings and also pan fried pork buns.
Insider Tip – 3 locations
Cuisine – Shanghai Chinese
Location – San Ramon, CA
Opened – 2019
Service – Service was Pandemic forgettable, nothing to write home about. This restaurant was shorthanded like most.
Verdict – I-Shanghai wowed us with unexpectedly good Shanghai food. Give it a try if you are near one of their 3 locations. The SF Bay Area has diversified away from just having Din Tai Fung Santa Clara with great soup dumplings!
Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes. 30 minute? Yes. 1 Hour? Maybe
I-Shanghai Signature Dishes – Steamed Soup Dumplings, Pan Fried Pork Buns
I-Shanghai’s Menu is not extensive and is clearly focused on Shanghainese Chinese food. No broccoli beef here!
I-Shanghai Food Picks:
Pork dumplings ($10.95 for 8) are the signature dish, and surprisingly are very good. Wrapper wasn’t super thin, but fairly so. Lots of flavorful soup. Good pork flavor. We would rate these just a tick below Din Tai Fung, and perhaps above Dumpling home in San Francisco. 9/10
It is surprising that soup dumpling quality has improved markedly over the last several years in the SF Bay Area
Crab dumplings ($16.25 for 8) Are a nice variation, if you like crab. 8/10
Spicy pork dumplings ($12.95 for 8) We’re not very spicy, another nice change of pace. 8/10
Pan fried pork buns ($10.95 for 6) are also excellent. One of the best in this area, better than Dumpling Home. Hot, Lots of soup, very crunchy bottom. 9/10
A green onion pancakes ($7.95) are very thick, unusually for most restaurants. Unique and also very good. 8/10
Deep fried rice cakes ($6.95 for 4) Shanghai style is a unique dish you don’t see very often. It’s deep fried and really good. You’re supposed to sprinkle sugar on them. 9/10
Mushrooms with Bok Choy ($10.95) Need our veggies, slightly over sauced, but cooked just right. 7.5/10
Chopped cucumbers ($6.95) in garlic sauce or a tad salty, Passable. 7.5/10
8 treasure rice ($9.95) is a huge portion and very dark colored, not photogenic. Well done, not too sweet. 9/10
OK: (Order if you like this dish)
None
Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None
Do you agree with our review? Have you found other similar restaurants that are better?
Restaurant Map:
No Comments