Awesome spot in Chinatown. From the outside you can tell it's a cool spot and completely differs from the neon signs in the window of the other restaurants. Super cool vibe throughout the place from the decor to the menu selections. They are basically all tapas style. The calamari is okay, nothing I haven't had before but the rice is delish! Service is also a big reason why this place is getting a 5 star. The drink menu can be confusing and I ended up with an old fashion( I thought it was a whiskey base with added liquid flavor a based of the description but it wasn't) but I didn't want to complain however the server noticed and contacted the manager to get me another drink. Great initiative on her end and super thoughtful. Also one of the serves spilt water in my friend and got our party of 6 a round of shots, I've had serves spill water on my phone and didn't get an apology so his actions were above and beyond. They don't take reservations but cool place for birthday dinners, girls night, or all the above.
(5)
Ami P.
Really good tapas yes yes yes! Sauces were on point! Wut tang tiger style ribs :) Shrimp Bao DELISH And salt and pepper Calimari WITH DA SAUCE YASSS so good SOOO good!
(4)
Logan J.
I came here for dinner recently, and based on others' reviews, I was excited. Even though Shojo has a somewhat limited menu, everyone seemed to be raving about it. It won a few best of Boston awards, including their french fries, so I figured it would be pretty good. It definitely wasn't a bad choice of restaurant, but I would change a few things. Before I talk about the food or drink though, I will say that online, the site states they only take reservations for parties of 10 or more; however, if you use an app called 'Reserved,' you can book reservations for smaller parties AND you get $25 off your meal! Basically...do it now! The restaurant itself is hip. Boston's Chinatown isn't a place where I would tell trendy 20-somethings to go on a date night, but this place isn't like a lot of the rest of the neighborhood. It has a cool vibe with fun decor and interesting graffiti murals. I have to say though that I got a few wafts of some bad B.O. from what I'm guessing was the staff as they were running around our table. I get it...it is a warm night in Boston...but come on. To start, we ordered a round (or a few) of drinks. My favorite drink that I had was the Kamehameha drink. It has Thai chili-infused vodka and coconut milk (with a few other things). It reminded me of one of my favorite drinks at Mission Chinese, so I was pretty happy about that. The food is an odd assortment of larger plates and small appetizer/tapa portions. We ordered the fries, shrimp bao, calamari, and maiz ramen. Like I said, nothing was bad...I just wanted a little more from the food. It may have been our selection, but every. single. item. came with the SAME SAUCE!! Is that weird? Yes, that is weird! I love a sriacha aioli as much as the next guy, but let's get a little more creative, please. The shrimp bao were my favorite item--delicious shrimp and a good amount of sauce. The maiz ramen was unique--it was a large portion of noodles in a small amount of broth. It was definitely not your standard ramen, but a nice surprise. Overall, the experience was a fine--a solid three stars. I felt a little bit rushed through the meal, but on a Saturday night, I guess that is to be expected. I'd come back with friends for a couple drinks or snacks, but I think there are better places to grab dinner nearby.
(3)
Cristina R.
The samurai over at Shojo sure know how to fuse Asian fare. It's something that seems out-of-place in the more traditional - and grungy - Chinatown. And I welcome its presence. The cocktails are inventive - get the Kamehama even though chili vodka, lime, and coconut milk sound like a gross combo. You'll feel tingly, refreshed, and downright hip. Make sure to upgrade those award-winning duck fat fries to "shadowless" for a delightfully different type of poutine. Sausage, tofu, gravy, and kimchee velveeta (!!!) top a mound of fries that are just begging to be devoured. Skip the salt n peppa calamari. They are too breaded with no flavor, so essentially it's just chewy fried with a lackluster aioli. If you're looking for a bigger dish, go with the sweet corn ramen. It's not a soup but rather ramen noodles in a thick broth with veggies and an egg to perfectly drip its yolky goodness over everything it touches. We finished the meal by splitting a bottle of soju. It literally tastes like alcoholic water. But considering we were at Shojo, soju just seemed right. The graffiti mural, dim lighting, and windows overlooking Chinatown create a sense of a joint only for the most progressive Asian fusion aficionados. That may not be me - but I can pretend.
(4)
Mary T.
Too much fusion leads to confusion. I like fusion food because highlights the chef's creativity and understanding of what kinds of foods and flavors go together. But sometimes when one attempts to mix too many unrelated ingredients together, it leads to confusion on the palate. I came here on a couple of occasions for drinks and food since my last review. I think the drinks are great but the food from the kitchen has not been up to par. I tried the chicken and waffles. I thought the idea was brilliant, but the execution was poor. I love Hong Kong egg waffles and Taiwanese salt and pepper fried chicken and the two seem to go together if they were done correctly, but there were a lot of technical issues with the dish. First, the egg waffles were too cake-y and dough-y. Second, the chicken was too salty. Third, the syrup that they used was really weird. It tasted like a fireball shot. They should work on their menu. This place is good for drinks. Stick with ordering duck fat fries if you want some snacks.
(3)
Vincent H.
Need to come back here at night for dinner but this place is not bad if you want to grab a drink and share some appetizers with some friends. Grabbed a few beers and had some nice duck fat fries with Sriracha Dip. Bartenders and servers were pretty nice and this place isn't bad if you want to come with a small group of friends for drinks too! Although it'll add up a lot in my opinion.
(4)
Kelsey F.
Food is phenomenal. Amazing flavor profiles. We ordered the duck fat fries (small portion, but perfect crunchiness), suckling pig boa (delicious boa), tiger style ribs (meaty not meager), calamari, shojiko chicken tacos (a MUST HAVE), along with a corn/ramen dish that was very tasty but a bit rich. Our waitress was super sweet and cocktails were innovative. My only complaint is the restaurant's reservation system. They use an app called Reserve and it is the only way to get in touch with someone. They do not answer their phone. We had to slightly modify our reservation and it took forever!! Furthermore, the app charges a $5 concierge fee for reserving the table. Highly unnecessary.
(4)
Alexa R.
If you ever get the balls to take a dude on a date, this is the place to bring them. It's the only place in Boston with any ounce of character and flavor. Please don't bring your parents from out of town/drunk-white-top 20-girlfriends/non Busta Rhymes fans. I've always had an acute appreciation for hip hop culture as well as asian fusion cuisine and Shojo delivers both precisely. The actual restaurant is on the smaller side so do yourself a favor and call ahead for seating. Last time I had to wait over an hour (fair game for a Friday night) and wanted to punch myself in the face with brass knuckles for not making reservations. They have one restroom for men and women so you have to wait in line and the entire restaurant can see that you have to pee/poo/do blow which can be a little unsettling. I prefer to give myself affirmations in the mirror. The menu is solid and the best thing you will ever order AND eat are the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs. If a hundred people already hadn't, I would tell you they ain't nothin to fuck with. Second runner up Suckling Pig Bao. Some of the trannies I was with had the duck fat fries and udon noodles and they loved them . If you absolutely neeeeeeeeeeed a ridiculous, over-the-top drink they can certainly accommodate you. If you can take an über there without breaking the bank than I say you should as the streets in chinatown are not wide enuf for a horse let alone a Prius. If you leave here and have consumed the world's greatest tiger meat ribs made from actual tigers and did NOT love it, well then congratulations you are the worst person in the world.
(5)
Danae K.
Absolutely amazing. Simple as that. The Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs just melt in ones mouth. Slowly cooked and an explosion of flavors takes place from the first bite. Second best were the Sesame Charred Greens. Great to balance any meal. Japanese Eggplant Bao were also great! For drinks we had the Cold Tea for Two, (oolong tea infused vodka, peach de vigne, lemon) which was great! Best part about this place was the waiter. He had excellent, thorough knowledge of every dish, which is a great indicator of a restaurant. Location: in the heart of Chinatown. Close to south station (red line), Chinatown (orange line), Boylston (Green line). Definitely a highly recommended place!
(4)
Amanda P.
Wow when I say this place is extremely loud it's loud. I could barely hear what my friend was saying to me across the table, we had to scream at each other. The place is wicked small and the tables are sort of cramped together. The portions are extremely small too. The ribs just came right off the bone AMAZING The pork baos were pretty good I'm not sure it's worth the hype.
(3)
Asael D.
Ran into this place unexpectedly waltzing around Boston and only had $20 got jasmine rice and ribs and it was a party in my mouth for my friend and I definitely recommend this place to anyone who has good taste!!!
(5)
Chase S.
Killer place to hang out for drinks and a small bite in Chinatown. The atmosphere is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance meets Yakuza meets Hello Kitty. It certainly has flair and character. The staff are chill but know their stuff. Get anything on the drink menu and proceed to slurping. The Japanize old-fashioned and their take on the michelada are particularly noteworthy. Love the constant asian films in the background. It will remain a rad joint I frequent for years to come.
(4)
Hannah P.
I had always been curious about this place and like that their menu changes seasonally. Friday after work I stopped in here for an early dinner with one of my best friends who was visiting. The space is pretty cool. It's fairly dark inside with some graphics on the walls, industrial-sleek furnishings and a large bar. Food-we ordered the suckling pig bao which was fantastic. Spicy, savory and sweet all at the same time on a dreamy steamed bun. It was topped with an extra hot jalapeno that added a nice crunch and balanced well with bbq sauce. We also ordered the duck-fat fries and you betta believe we made them shadowless which were excellent (topped with grilled beef, cheese sauce, and tofu (I know, I judged before tasting too but it was good). The Wu-tang ribs were on-point and truly fell right off the bone, like legitimately picked one up and it happened. Gooey, spicy, and topped with fried shallots because why not? Lastly, we ordered the Thai empanadas which had a nice filling of beef and spices but the emps were deep fried and fairly greasy to the point that we will have to pass on that one next time. Drinks-We ordered the "cold tea for two" which is deceiving because it arrives in a hot looking tea kettle but have no fear, it's cold and basically pure vodka infused with fruity goodness. It isn't overly sweet but two small palm size teas cups and you will be in a happy place. Service--they rocked it out. Multiple people came over and asked how everything was and if we had everything we needed. We chatted with a couple waiters because well they were nice, checked in with everyone and service was quick! Eager to see what new items pop up on their menu!
(4)
B W.
Shojo is the best restaurant in Boston if you want interesting food but aren't willing to sacrifice taste. Even the drinks are some of the best in the city. I've been twice now and couldn't believe the 2nd time lived up to the first.
(5)
Christina P.
Great tapas and drinks! Had the duck fat Hand-cut fries, crispy shrimp boo, and the shojiko chicken tacos, All really delicious!! Make sure you get the fries shadowless, the meaty sauce is so good over the fries. The chairman's painkiller and Kimoto sour drinks are really good too! Also had the Mizu sunrise, it was good, but a little on the bitter side. If u like bitter drinks then it would be for u! I'm sure getting anything at this place would be fantastic!
(5)
Katrina L.
I booked a reservation for my boyfriend's birthday here using the Reserved App. If you go through the app you can book a reservation for parties less than 10 and it makes splitting the check a breeze! This place is my jam, throwback hip hop music in the background and graffiti art on the walls. The service is great and for a party of 7, our food came out pretty quick. My boyfriend and I shared: Kimchi fried rice (Pretty good!) Wu tang style ribs (Fall off the bone kind of meat! So good) Shojiko chicken tacos (my favorite) As a table we shared the duck fat fries, and yes the fries do deserve the best fries in Boston award! Get them shadowless! Drinks: Chairman painkiller: A little too sweet for me Gin Gin Mule: my favorite! Kamehamhea: Interesting mix of chili and coconut milk Nikka Please: My boyfriend got this and it was very strong! Overall, it was a great dining experience! I would definitely go back! Also, thanks to the guy who hooked us up with some free birthday shots :)
(5)
Kimberly T.
Came here for dinner with a friend, and immediately as we walked in we were attacked by the horribly loud music blasting in the restaurant. There were not many people when we arrived, but after ordering our food the place was filled with people who were all trying to speak over one another and the loud music. The food here is interesting - they serve asian fusion dishes, which is odd in a place like Chinatown. We ordered a bunch of appetizers, and the ones that stood out the most were the duck fat fries with sriracha aioli and the suckling pig baos. I also got a kimchi fried rice, but there was nothing special about it. The staff here are somewhat attentive. My server constantly checked up on us after we got our food but when we were seated we waited a while before we were approached. Overall, not really impressed by this place - really pricey small portioned food with no wow factor - though I can say that the fruit punch is really good but really not worth $5. You're better off going to Crave down the street to grab some food.
(3)
Amber M.
Asian fusion is a difficult line to straddle as the flavors are easily thrown off balance. In Shojo's case I found the food either too sweet, salty, or just lackluster. Let's break it down: 1. Hamachi sashimi - there are few Japanese inspired dishes I love more than hamachi. But Shojo's made me forget this momentarily. What was supposed to be fresh, delicate pieces of tender yet firm white fish were limp fishy petals that taste like they were forgotten in the back of the fridge for a day too long. The avocado smear was its tired, uncreative companion. The dish was salty. 2. Suckling pig bao. This was tasty, but they were the darnedest, tiniest things that made me sad thinking I could've gotten just as good bao for a third of the price at a "real Chinese" restaurant across the street. Order came with two for a shocking $9. 3. Duck fat fries. Wait - how is this Asian? Good tho. 4. Wu-tang ribs. Okay I have to hand it to them, these were cooked spectacularly. Tender, not too lean or fatty. The fault here was in the sauce, which was heavy-handed, almost sickly sweet, too salty Asian BBQ that circles back to my anxiety about fusion in the first place. Of course I still scarfed down the whole thing because I'm Asian and we don't waste food. I'm sorry Shojo, I won't be coming back.
(3)
Connie K.
cute trendy bar in Chinatown drinks are seriously overpriced, I don't think I pay this much in Miami! ranges from $10-25 on average per drink. one restroom for the whole bar seems silly. bartender was rude, said because we were sitting at a table, we couldn't order drinks at the bar. I never saw a single waiter come up to our table to serve us drinks. the place itself is cute, the decor and mural were very cool. place gets a little noisy.
(3)
Sarah C.
A quick update, about 2 years down the line. EVERYTHING IS SO FREAKING GOOD. Pork Bao - awesome. Eggplant - sooooooooo delicious, and a great portion to share. Wu-Tang Ribs - the name alone is fantastic, but these are some of the best ribs I've ever had. No joke. They need to serve wet naps though. Now i'm salivating and it's not even lunch time yet. Thanks guys. Chicken & Waffles - HOLY CRAP. I'm not even going to say anything else here cause if you don't get them, it's your own damn fault. And - as it was last time - the service was stellar. The end.
(5)
Mika S.
Is there a Chinese word for "tapas"? Most of the menu options are under $10, but I don't suggest ordering just one thing - similar to other tapas restaurants, the best way to enjoy Shojo's food is by sharing a few items with a friend. Some of the menu items are smaller, and only shareable between two people. I went to Shojo with 4 other people on a Friday night. We ordered the Shojonator, Kimchi Fried Rice, Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries, two orders of the Suckling Pig Bao, Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs, Shojiko Chicken Tacos, Salmon Tartare and the Thai Empanadas. My favourites were the Kimchi Fried Rice, Duck Fat Fries and the Wu Tang Ribs. The fried rice had a very unique flavour, and tasted fantastic with the fried egg on top. I loved the ribs, because the sauce was amazing, and the meat literally fell off the bone. I also thought that the fries were surprisingly delicious, especially for a restaurant that specializes in Chinese food. Overall, I enjoyed everything that we ordered, but it didn't have the same "wow factor" that the ribs, fried rice and fries had. Although we didn't go for drinks, we got the Cold Tea for Two. It had a very strong vodka taste, but was balanced out nicely by the tea.
(4)
Khunravin H.
Came here with some friends Friday night while we waited for our names to be called at Crave Chicken. I've always heard of this establishment, but never tried, but am sure glad that I did! Drinks: Not sure of the bartender/mixologist's name but he seemed so focused and crafty with how he prepared my drink and my friends' drinks. I had the a-go-go - OMG so good (find their drink menu and see the full name for the drink HAH). My friends enjoyed their drinks as well (The Jungle Fever and Komoto Sour). Atmosphere: Wow, it was quite crowded. We just stood at the bar because that was more convenient than waiting for a table. Hipster-ish, I dig it. They had some old Chinese movies playing in the background-pretty cool. Price: Well for what went into my drink, I think the $13 tag was worth it. There was no cover to get in so that was cool. Definitely coming back here again. Do try this place out.
(4)
Kunal C.
Dined here with the wife on a Saturday night, place was packed. The decor is cool and modern. They have a lot of small tables (2-4 ppl) and a few larger tables for bigger groups. There is also a bar area you can grab a drink at while you wait. We were seated within minutes of arriving, service was attentive and fast. We tried the kimchi fried rice, duck fat fries, wu-tang tiger style ribs, shojo chicken tacos and suckling big pao. We weren't big fans of the duck fat fries but everything else was delicious! We especially loved the ribs, a must try.
(5)
Emily A.
Went here a few nights ago to catch up with a friend. Loved the vibes of this place and the service was excellent! The location is also pretty prime in the heart of Chinatown. The drink menu is plentiful, but we just got some beers. Which by the way, they have some imported beers. We got the duck fat fries which were salty and delicious. For our meals, we got the Bang Bang Bolognese (highly recommend) which was not super heavy, but definitely filling. Just right. We also got the pig bao which was served warm and sweet.
(4)
Samantha L.
Tonight, I came here with a couple of female friends. Shojo is a small Asian fusion restaurant in Chinatown. It's encouraged to make a reservation ahead of time as space is limited. It's hard to describe the atmosphere. There was graffiti art on the charcoal colored brick walls. They had both regular and tall table seating. The lights were dimmed. We sat at a L-shaped booth in the corner. I'd say it was kind of an intimate setting. Since it's tapas style, it's typical for a person to order at least two dishes for dinner. For citrus based cocktails, my friends and I would recommend the Cold Tea for Two, Gin Gin Mule, and Kimoto Sour. The Cold Tea for Two was served in a metal teapot. It tasted like a sweet, peachy flavored oolong tea. It reminded me of Barefoot's Tropical Infusion Moscato. One could barely tell that there was alcohol in it. We were disappointed that they were sold out of their most popular menu item - the Suckling Pig Bao with smoked BBQ sauce, kimchi, and jalapeno. My two favorite dishes of the night were the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs and Spag-n-Ball Z. Guest #1 ordered the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs (which was garnished with Thai basil, shallots, and peanuts) and Kimchi Fried Rice (which was jasmine rice cooked with homemade kimchi and topped with a sunny egg). Despite my peanut allergy, I had to try one of the ribs. The ribs were juice / mouthwatering. They were heavily seasoned in white pepper and covered in a tangy, red, mildly spicy, sweet and sour sauce. Guest #2 ordered the Bang Bang Bolognese (which was hand slapped noodle with beef, in a redish orange szechuan peppercorn sauce). Guest #3 ordered the Spag-n-Ball Z (which was squid ink shrimp dumplings with chopped spinach, enoki mushrooms, and parsley in a coconut lime broth). This dish had a Thai flare to it as the soup had coconut, curry, and lemongrass in it. The Miso Littleneck Clams (which was more than a dozen medium sized littleneck clams served in a tip dish, over jasmine rice, in a red miso sauce, garnished with cilantro). The clams were fresh and clean. However, I felt that the flavor of the clams was on the bland side. The sauce on the bottom of the dish was sweet and buttery.
(4)
Rachel N.
When I saw Hong Kong waffles style chicken&waffles, I made sure this spot would be paid a visit! It's a very trendy place, tiny, yet enough seating. Our waiter told us it was a tapas style restaurant and recommended we order 5-6 items. Salt&Pepper Calamari - good calamari with a peppery twist! There were fried onions and peppers within the sea of calamari though, so it was an obstacle to figure out which I wanted to consume (wanted squid only). A struggling fight. Bang Bang Bolognese - one of the better dishes for me (I was the only 1/3 that liked it though). The meat sauce had an Asian flare, and the noodles tasted homemade. Salty though. Wu Tang Tiger Ribs - only 3 ribs, too salty for us, even for the other 2 people that move salty foods compared to me. Kimchi Fried Rice - the favorite of the other 2. The egg was a wonderful touch. I enjoyed this dish more than the other dishes, and I hate kimchi. Chicken&Waffles v2.0 - the dish I came for. Everything about the dish was different from the original, so I was hoping the syrup was too. It was just maple syrup. For me, it did not compliment the spices of the chicken whatsoever. The chicken was on the dry and salty side too. My least favorite of the 5 we ordered. Overall, I don't think it's the restaurant's fault. I blame my lack of enjoyment due to my basic palate, and I couldn't appreciate the Asian fusion creativity.
(3)
Jenn S.
I don't typically give 5 stars but this place was MORE than I expected so for now it gets my 5 star! I have had this place bookmarked for awhile so when a friend suggested it I was in. We did quite the walking to get there and then there it was on a side street tucked away! It has a very cool, young vibe and the artwork really knocks up the cool points. I heard they change up the menu frequently so that is exciting. Here is what we had: Big Mac Mantou - Amazing I heard from the table. Calamari - I'm not a huge fan in general but I thought this was good! Kimchi Fried Rice - Can't really go wrong with this and its a larger tapas size. Chicken & Waffles - Really good. I loved the waffle. Ribs - These had a lot of cartilage on them but overall were good. Charred Eggplant Ddukbokki - SO GOOD! Taro Tots - I was surprised at these because I expected something else but it was one of my favorites. Staff was also really nice and they had good drinks. I will be back!
(5)
Tom L.
First time there A plus! It's been a while that I received great service eating at a restaurant. I had a server named Jenny who is awesome and she explained the meals to my bros and I and the food was bomb. I would come here for drinks and food. If you are looking to be full from food, not the spot to dine at. This spot is for chilling out and have some drinks. Better service than any restaurant in Chinatown and that's a fact!
(5)
Joyce L.
Food: 3 stars Drinks: 4 stars Service: 5 stars Seriously, is Shojo allowed to be this cool? How are the other chinatown restaurants supposed to keep up?? This place is the definition of hip: the interior is chic, the atmosphere is intimate, but not to the point where you feel squished in like sardines and the food/drinks are on par. Again, I sound like a broken record, but I'm not a fan of fusion... but I am willing to make an exception for Shojo. I can come here 3 times a week... If not for the food, definitely for the drinks and the excellent service. To be honest, the food was nothing out of this world. The best thing I had was, without doubt, the chicken&waffles ver. 3.0. I didn't use the butter or the syrup because I loved the subtle sweetness of the "waffle", making it the perfect counterpart for the spiced chicken. The infamous pork bao was expensive for what it was and I've had better. The wu tang ribs were "fall off the bone" tender, but too salty/too much sauce for my liking. ONTO THE DRINKS: the kimoto sour is where it's at! I ordered the gin gin mule as my 2nd drink of the night because of all the yelp love and it is definitely for ginger lovers and no one else LOL. I had ginger breathe for a good hour or 2 after dinner... how lovely. SERVICE: the bar was backed up so there was a delay in getting drinks out (maybe 10-15 min?). For that, they didn't charge us for our drinks. Please tell me... where else, in chinatown, will you get this kind of service! NOWHERE
(4)
Leslie W.
Just had cocktails which were fantastic and innovative twists on classics. Did not have food since I was in the middle of a bender but everything coming out of the kitchen gave me serious food envy. Bartenders were friendly and knowledgable. Excellent exploratory trip and I will be back!!
(5)
Yadira R.
So, you know that place you walk into and you're like, "Whoa, hold up! What's this all about?" feeling happy you stumbled upon what could be your new go to hip spot - and Arrested Development (remember them) is playing in the background, and you realize you can order something called "Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs", there is graffiti on the walls, and people from all walks of life are chilling at the bar bobbing heads? Well... Shojo is that place. A new addition to Boston, this modern Asian fusion restaurant serving tapas style dishes sits in the heart of Chinatown. While the place is small, the combinations of tables are ready to accommodate a party of any size. The sultry lighting and D+ kung fu movies playing on a continuous loop at the bar is a place where you can have some good food, drinks and just chill. Some of the highlights were the ribs mentioned above, pig bao's, salt & pepper calamari, but the BEST was the Kimchi Fried Rice. That dish right there is a no brainer and will always be ordered. You'll have to try it to understand. The best word to describe Shojo is SOLID.... the food's solid, the drink's are solid and how much better can it get with Wu Tang and H.O.V.A playing in the background? Oh, and we also heard they just won an award for their Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries. I guess something else to add to the list. The picture quality isn't great, but here are a few to give you an idea what you are in for.
(4)
Shani T.
I have to say that Boston has incredibly interesting food options that definitely keep me on my toes. Came to Shojo for a Sunday dinner maybe a month ago, right when the restaurant opened. We were seated immediately and there were already a couple of other parties there as well right at opening. The staff were all extermely friendly and quick and the restaurant is very funky and cute. A bit modern, a bit hipster, dimly lit, with Asian dramas playing in the background. This place serves essentially Asian fusion tapas, which I found incredibly unique and creative. My boyfriend and I ordered the Duck Fat Hand-cut Fries, the Suckling Pig Bao, the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs, and a noodle dish that I can't recall (and has already been rotated off the menu!). Overall, the food is quite good. There are a lot of different flavors to each dish, but they all mesh well together and aren't overpowering in any way. The four dishes we ordered were perfect for two people and I would recommend trying as many dishes as possible on the menu. I would definitely come here and eat again, particularly knowing their menu items switch so often. The cocktails also looked really good and you bet I'll be trying one out next time as well!
(4)
Jeff M.
Sucks. Like everything in Boston, 10 years too late and a knockoff of NYC. Pork buns were terrible copies of Momofuku.
(1)
Justin K.
This place is alright. Food is pricey for the amount you get, and it's pretty good but nothing amazing. The decor is definitely modern and geared towards a younger crowd. The good thing about this place is that you can sake bomb as much as you want and be loud and obnoxious. But be careful - before you know it you'll be racking up some serious bills.
(3)
Phuong D.
It took about 10 minutes for a server to approach us and already it seemed like a bad start. My friend & I shared everything and was excited for the chicken & egg puff waffles but it was kind of a disappoint since the puffs tasted dry and mediocre. We were fantasizing that they would taste like the ones across the street. The chicken was good though. I loved the kimchee fried rice & the new crispy shrimp baos. Those were really yummy. I also had their jungle fever as a cocktail and that was pretty strong and good. For such a small place, there really isn't any excuse for someone to take 10 minutes to approach a table. The one that greeted us originally never really checked up on us either. Other staff members however, were keen on checking up with us, which was nice. Overall all, the experience wasn't great, but some of their food was good. They're always changing up their menu so I wouldn't mind trying again, but just not anytime soon.
(3)
Daniel M.
Service is amazing. Servers are ready to take ur order amd make sure i are well taken care. We had drunk ass noodles...wow this is a must have. Had the bao tacos with the pork and today they have a special twist on the bao and they swapped pork for shrimp...AWESOME. The fried chicken And waffle was very crispy and the waffle very tasty. I was hesitant to order the carbonata as i dont see that having an asian twiay..but boy was i wrong. This chef kicks Ass no matyer what he serves... On the drink menu i had the Kamehameha.. Let me juat say thia is a freaking awesome twist on a pina colada..with kick and side of swagger...so good. I had 3 of them. The new and improved chicken and waffles has more 5 spice power so it is definately better than the last time. This is fried chicken kicked up a notch...if u are in chinatown, this place is a must have no queations asked...do your self a favor order the sesame charred greens..with the sesame lemon bitter..OMG..
(5)
Jessica N.
I came for the chicken and waffles I saw on the page. Was it on the menu? No. Egg puffs are my kryptonite and was surely disappointed. We decided to stay anyways and try out the food. We had the duck fat fries which were bomb.com and the reason for the stars. The Sriracha aioli was heaven. We also had the baos but, no. No, no, no LOL. The outter bao tasted old, and the filling mediocre. We also ordered the ramen which was also, a no for me. We expected soup, yummy brothy goodness but got a plate with ramen and some kind of sweet sauce that I was not a fan of. So meh, food is meh. Atmosphere was pretty cool I guess.
(3)
Rajan G.
One of my favorites on Boston. I frequent this place as I live across the street. Can't really go wrong with any item (except for their one dessert item, a pound cake that isn't bad but isn't terribly good either). First timers should definitely get the kimchi fried rice. Their bao is also baomb! Service is always excellent.
(5)
Jay K.
Great customer service, nice staff here. The food was good, but I was a bit disappointed in the waffles and chicken. The waffles could have been better. It was good over all though. We also got some spicy rice which was good. I think another visit is in order so I can explore more of the menu.
(3)
Kaye L.
Amazing! I ate here a couple nights ago with a few friends and we all agreed that this place was bomb. It's more of a korean fusion place, as most of their dishes are korean-inspired, but we loved every bite! The food is oh-so-greasy, but oh-so yummy. We ordered the kimchi fried rice, duck fat fries, pig bao, chicken tacos, & their special of the day, which was a hot bibimbap-like dish. For those of you unfamiliar with bibimbap, it's a korean dish with noodles, bean sprouts, and an assortment of other veggies that can be served either hot or cold. My korean friend LOVED the kimchi fried rice. When you've got the korean's stamp of approval, you know it's good. Pork baos were very tender and juicy. DELISH The duck fat fries weren't anything special. They just tasted like regular fries to us. Chicken tacos were delicious, but also nothing special. Their special of the day was also so good that we were scraping up the bits and pieces in the end. Overall, everything tasted great. All of their dishes are very flavorful and at a great price point. I will definitely be returning here for more delicious-ness!
(5)
Simon L.
With all the amazing Sichuan, Cantonese, northern Chinese and other Asian food in such close proximity, Shoju is simply not that good. The dishes are reminiscent of what constitutes an "Asian" twist or flair on just about any gastro pub in greater Boston. Scallops ($13) with black bean paste, snow peas and grilled watermelon are prepared to temperature - soft warm middle. Three decent sized scallops. However, the dish lacks flavor. The bbq pork ribs ($8) provide 3 sizeable baby backs with crisp exterior and meat falling easily from the bone. Again, lacking any serious flavor component - no rub? No sauce? Saving grace was a vegetarian mushroom ravioli ($11) with pecorino cheese. A bowl with seven or eight good size ravioli a with firm pasta. I missed the Asian influence entirely and thought this was straight out of an italian spot In the north end. The best dish of all was a kimchi fried rice ($9) with egg. Spicy cabbage and light and fluffy rice with a runny egg to mix in. Sweet, spicy, overall a total win. Expensive for what it is. Drinks are pricy too. Friendly service. Just kind if an odd duck place.
(2)
Michael S.
I have been here twice. Food was good both times and the drinks were even better. Nice atmosphere for a younger crowd or to bring a date.
(4)
Shirley E.
Nothing but stellar service and food from this place!!! I'm not a fried calamari fan, but the Salt & Pepper Calamari is DEEE-Lish! It's golden tan color (nit that dark heavy orange-ish), VERY lightly battered, and tastes like the squid was brought in from the harbor just hours ago. Also, try the Cold Tea for Two (Oolong Tea Infused Vodka, Peach de Vigne, Lemon), it's perfect for a hot summer night. I come here every few months since discovering it earlier this year and have yet to be disappointed with anything I try from the menu. Definitely one of the best Asian/Fusion restaurant/bars. (sn: it's ALWAYS loud, which can be annoying, but don't let that dissuade you from trying the food & drinks)
(5)
Somaly K.
Love this place! Drinks are good, food is delicious and service is good. The menu is wicked small but I've found a few faves that I always order every single time I go. Only downside to this place is the restroom!! One bathroom to share for men and women!
(4)
John D.
This place is pretty good. I've heard a lot about this place and it's been bookmarked for 2 years LOL. This place is really small compared to what I expected. So small groups of like 2-3 are best. On the bright side they have a huge drink selection ranging from draft beer, more beer, cocktails, wine, and sake! Suckling Pig Baos $9 for 2. A little pricey at first, I was hesitant but got it anyways LOL. I love how these baos are really fluffy and soft, they weren't wrinkly either and presentation's 1/2 the meal! The pork was pretty good! A nice chunk of meat, but I wish the fat had melted in my mouth doe. There was a squeeze of some type of bbq sauce that reminded me of gojuchang. The Shojonator with fries for about $11. I thought this was good price for the amount of food I got. I was so impressed that the baos were the substitute for the bun. The bao took in all of the juices that the meat couldn't hold in. There was some spicy flakes powder thing was also pretty good, making the bao taste even better! Everything else on the inside was the same like a normal burger; it had cheese, bacon, pickles, and some sauce. Kimchi Fried rice doe... Oh my $12 was mad bomb. The best thing today. LOL. Very crispy, just the way I like it. I loved how they used Jasmine rice instead of just typical white rice that you would find a normal restaurant. The Jasmine rice made everything so much better... If you've never eaten it before (like me) it reminded me a bit like sticky rice without the sticky-ness. I don't know how to describe this but I enjoyed this a lot.
(4)
Tamara W.
This place is awesome! Came here last night at the recommendation of Boston Magazine and loved their cocktails. The ginger mule WAS GREAT the coconut milk one over crushed ice was to die for (but could be more spicey) and the avocado salad was great. We got a same day reservation at 9pm and arrived early and they seated us within 20 minutes. I loved the service, the vibe, and it reminded me of a NYC version of Myers and Chang in the South End. It was frigid by the window which is why it loses a start. In the dead of winter this place had literally no heating which was miserable for my friend. He was so cold we had to leave after a few hours. AND the food is wayyyyy toooo meaty and fatty so we only had the salad and the eggplant dish we could not even finish. Drinks: a must Food: go elsewhere.
(4)
John Q.
Been four times now. Awesome food, cool ambiance, surprisingly good service. Two minor negatives are the single bathroom (very clean, especially considering it is unisex. The complaint is there'll likely be a line). Secondly, on a recent visit our party of seven was "gratted" (charged gratuity), which is not abnormal for a bigger party. What was sketchy was that, the grat was not on the initial itemized receipt it was simply added to the card, the waitress did not notify us of the grat, and the initial receipt was not returned with the charge slips. Bottom line, our waitress was definitely trying to get tipped twice. (As an aside, prior to this, our service had been so over the top excellent that our tip would have been 25-30%). Those two minor complaints aside, Shojo still gets a full five stars because the food is just that freaking good. Get there!, just watch what you get charged for!
(5)
Jen D.
Came here with a large group for a friend's birthday. It's a really interesting Asian fusion menu. Normally I kind of side-eye fusion, but this was pretty good. Very hip interior. Could have done without the gory samurai movie though; not great for when you're eating. The cocktails were really good; everyone enjoyed theirs. I had the Gin Gin Mule, which had a good ginger bite--oftentimes I think the ginger gets lost. We ordered a variety of dishes. I don't think any blew us away, but they were fine. I got the hand-slapped noodles, but sadly, they arrived nearly 30 minutes after everyone else got the food. Also, it said it included Szechuan beef...and while the beef was generous in the dish, it wasn't spicy at all. So between no fire and really late arrival, I knocked off a star for that. Then it came to the bill: they only allow a max of 3 cards per table. My friends freaked, and asked to split our group into separate checks, which I know is bad form. I felt REALLY BAD for the servers because I know it's a huge pain. They were really gracious about it though, so I added a star. I'd come back.
(4)
Virginia W.
Shojo is an interesting place. It's in the middle of Chinatown but they don't necessarily serve Asian food. I went right when it opened for an early lunch and there was no one there. The lunch menu is disappointingly small with only about 8 items. I got the Duck Fat Fries and Chicken and Bacon Sando. The Duck Fat Fries is pretty awesome- they're pretty standard fries but the sauce it comes with is full of flavor. The Chicken and Bacon Sando is what it sounds like- fried chicken, guacamole and bacon. The chips it comes with are seasoned with salt, pepper, sour cream and some sort of red spice that was absolutely delicious. Looking through the reviews, it looks like this place is better suited for dinner given the limited lunch menu. The price was OK. The chicken sandwich was $12 and the fries were $8. If you're expecting Chinese food then I would go somewhere else. If you want a mix then this would be a good place to try something new.
(4)
Melinda N.
I came here for a late dinner. I ordered calamari which had this faint body odor like smell which turned out to be curry. I thought thecalamari could've been cooked a little bit longer so that it was crispier than it came out. I also had salmon tartare that was pretty interesting because it had beets on top. The drinks were tasty and on point. It was t crowded and we had a nice view of the somewhat small restaurant by the wall. It's loud for conversation. The service was attentive and polite.
(3)
Sarah A.
Definitely improved since my last visit! The shojiko tacos with mochiko chicken are BOMB! Bursting with chicken and full of flavor. Nomnom. The cocktails are still 90% ice such is disappointing at their $11 price point (and the glasses are hella small) thus the 4 stars vs 5 stars. They have this dish called shadowless fries which consist of their duck fat fries topped with beef mabo tofu covered in melted American cheese. It is suuuuuper fatty but delish- like Chinese chili cheese fries. Genius idea!
(4)
Rachel N.
So, like, you know that place you walk into and you're like, "I'm so effing hip for being here" - and Vanilla Ice is ironically playing on the speakers and you realize you can order something called "Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs", there is graffiti on the walls, patrons with undercuts and flat brim hats and you are happy? Shojo is that resto. Tucked off a random street in Chinatown, I forgot abt it until I was tasked with looking for a din spot for a presumably discerning palate and wanted it to be w/in walking distance of my house - I'm glad I finally made it - the menu is small - I think there are 8 things on it - ranging from duck fat fries and "taro tots" to suckling pig bao, miso little neck clams, and chicken & waffles w Szechuan peppercorn maple syrup - and while everything on there had an element that seemed a little off-putting, somehow dishes came together. There is no real order to the madness and things kind of come out as they are ready. The clams were totally my jam and if I could bathe in the miso butter in which they were drenched, I would - and the aforementioned ribs also got high marks. The dessert, brownies w a miso caramel, were not rich enough for my taste, but the addition of sesame + julienned basil was fine. Overall, not splurgy enough to even give me a sugar rush and feel reckless, so I was sad. Service is friendly, despite the fact that all of our waiters kind of looked like they had just stumbled in from a warehouse party in a loft down the street, it was totally professional and speedy. Music is rambunctious in a tongue-in-cheek pop way - I wouldn't return w my grandmother - lighting is a little sultry - and most importantly, they have a continual loop of some D+ kung-fu action movie playing over the bar. So. Basically. Super romantic. Prices range from $6-13, and portions vary accordingly. Plan on ordering two things per person and spending roughly $20 each, not including booze. Worth a trip, if for nothing else than a break from the monotony of my lovely, but standard, South End spots.
(4)
Parker N.
I was excited to try out this restaurant especially for their chicken and Waffle but I was quickly disappointed that they didn't have it in their menu anymore even though the waitress mentioned it was a very popular item. Not only did they take out the chicken and Waffle but also half their menu. My experience was even worst when the restaurant couldn't even make any bao. If your looking for chicken and Waffle, they no longer serve it.
(2)
E S.
Really underimpressed. Second time there for dinner and menu hasn't changed. Not sure how they keep the positive reviews. Also charged us $3 extra for requesting additional chips with our ceviche - poor form. Probably won't return.
(2)
Noa C.
This place is amazing!!!! We started the night off with "Cold Tea for Two" which is an Oolong Tea Infused Vodka, Peach de Vigne, Lemon served in a tea pot. I still have tasty dreams about this. If you get nothing else, get this!! For dinner, we opted for a bunch of small plates instead of 2 entrees. We got (1) Asian Mushroom Medley, which was lovely, perfectly sauteed mushrooms with a soy/vinegar glaze (i think); (2) duck fat fries - fine, just regular duck-fat fries; (3)charcuterie board - a very interesting take on a meat board with an asian flavor profile, I highly recommend it; (4) for dessert: sesame balls with chocolate - delicious, though a bit greasy. We have another reservation coming up, so I will update my review if needed. I highly recommend this place!!
(5)
Dorise G.
The place was very loud but the food was quite good - here's my rundown: Taro tots - a nice smokey bite. My friends were more into this than I was (there were 5 of us and 5 tots that looked kind of like small arancini). I'd eat it again, but probably wouldn't order it. Duck fat fries are what's uuuuup. Charred Eggplant Dhukbokki. Not sure what dhukbokki is without googling it (turns out it's a fish/rice cake with sweet red chili), but it was easily my favorite thing on the menu. The rice cakes were superb, and the melty cheesy mini cast-iron not only ate heartily and herbily on its own, but it was a nice perk for dipping those killer fries. We had 5 different waiters try to take the cast iron away from us, each time us practically slapping their hands away, saying "we're not done with that!" People, when there is saucy goodness in front of you, and you see us gobbing our fries up in it, why are you trying to take away our smack in the middle of our fix? Let my cast iron go. I'm pretty sure that's what moses said. Coconut milk mussels were tasty but maybe a bit too thoroughly cooked, and not very many for your buck. I liked the coconut rice a bunch tho. Kimchi fried rice - not too special, but tasty, homey, and filling. Chicken and waffles - polarizing for our crew. I wasn't overly impressed by either the chicken or the waffle, but my future-spouse loved the little waffle-pillows. I wanted to like them, I just didn't think they were particularly tasty, tho they were quite special to ogle - it looked kind of like a chinese checkers board. Or a stop sign made out of ravioli. Primary table of 5 consensus was waffle was fine, chicken was great, and I was the lone dissenter on both. As a non-pork eater I can't vouch either way for the ribs, but they got rave reviews from my dining cohort. Hand-slapped Bolognese - real tasty noodle. A shareable portion but not an easy-to-split pasta. We still made it work, and I'd definitely recommend. All in all, if I were to order just one of these dishes again, it would be the eggplant, hands down. Well, with a side of fries. Then I'd wait til it cooled down and bathe in it, floating on rice-cake rafts. Mmmmmmmmmm. Do yourself a favor and skip dessert. The mini-brownies had a weird dry texture and miso-sesame-caramel wasn't nearly as delicious as its menu listing suggested it might be. A bust after an otherwise solid meal. It ain't the cheapest thing in Chinatown but it's not unreasonable - after a table of drinks and a number of eats our bill came to about $30 a pop after tax and tip. I still prefer a less sleek venue for a lower pricetag and bigger portions when I'm hitting up chinatown, but I'd go back. My rice-cake eggplant raft awaits...
(4)
Tiffany C.
This place is AH-MAZING. It's the shit. Seriously. My favorite place to come for drinks!!! And their bar bites omg. I don't think there was a single dish I DIDNT like. I love how all their dishes are very gourmet and each has an interesting taste. I recommend the grilled hanger steak with kimchi sauce!! It was so yummy. And their shrimp ball if it's still available for bar bites. Their drinks are inventive as well and they make great customized concoctions!! (I can be picky with my alcohol). Try EVERYTHING. You won't regret it! Plus, interior decor is different. It was styled with graffiti/brick kind of design in mind.
(5)
Leanna L.
Two words. Food porn. This place has AMAZING food and a really awesome ambience. Went here on a Monday night, and we were greeted with friendly service. This was what we ordered- Cocktails: - Superhappyfunmakeagoodtimeagogo (agogo for short): amazing flavor and taste! - Morning Star: very citrus-y, definitely on the strong side! Food: - Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries (Shadowless): AMAZING. They were crisp and crunchy, and full of flavor with the shadowless option! They top it up with cheese, tofu and all other yummy goodness! - Hamachi Sashimi: This was absolutely delicious. The fish was fresh, and was topped with a salad that had the perfect kick of vinegar. Perfect to pair with the meatier dishes. - Shojiko Chicken Tacos: These were HUGE! Packed with loads of chicken and sauce, they were definitely very filling. - The Shojonator: Shojo's take of Wendy's Bacon Hamburger. This was so good - the bacon was still crisp and the beef patty was tender and juicy. The bun was so soft - I almost wanted to order a second! Overall, a very satisfied experience. Unfortunately, they were out of the Suckling Pig Bao, which was definitely something we wanted to try - but we will be back again! 5 STARS!
(5)
Lester L.
Creative tasty cocktails. Everything tastes amazing, so much better than any other "Asian fusion" place. Really focuses on ingredient combinations that go well together. Get the Wu-Tang tiger style ribs (fall off the bone, amazing Thai basil sauce), shrimp or suckling pork bao, sweet corn mazeman, and the sesame charred greens!
(5)
Catherine H.
Anything with the words "duck fat" is just going to be delicious. This is a known fact. The duck fat fries at Shojo are no exception. I came here for a post dinner snack and drinks with friends and this was the perfect location. The vibe is trendy and young. A stark contrast to the other buildings and restaurants in Boston's Chinatown. My favorite drink was the gin gin mule, it was so good I had two. It was a fun night out, but i wouldn't recommend coming here hungry. Chinatown has much cheaper and equally delicious meals at other restaurants. However, this place makes rocking drinks and again duck fat...
(4)
S C.
Awesome food awesome drinks and great service, this place is a really cool addition to Chinatown. It's changing things up by being a more hip urban style restaurant as opposed to all of the more traditional Placed you'll find in the area. Feels like you walk into NY when you go in.
(4)
Kevin M.
Food was great. Service was poor, we went for lunch and we were our server's only table and he wasn't attentive to when we need refills on our drinks.
(4)
Mariya V.
Shoju has been on my list of places to check out for a while, and I was more than happy to end up there one Friday night! I surprised that the wait wasn't bad at all, and we were seated quickly. The place itself is very cool and has a younger crowd than the surrounding establishments. I was eager to try everything. They have an eclectic menu, definitely fusion! We tried 2 different drinks, one coconuty and another whiskey one. It sounded like it would be one of those weird mixed drinks that would end up tasting really good. Sadly, it disappointed. Simply put, not good at all. Wasn't too sad though because I was so excited to try the food. We ordered the duckfat fries with a chipotle mayo type sauce. Fries were good, but nothing special and same goes for the sauce. Ordered their chicken wings, also not impressed and they were super citrusy. The two good things we ordered were the kimchi fire rice and the chicken and waffles. The fried rice was bomb, great texture and flavor! Chicken and waffles were really yummy too. Instead of regular waffles, they were egg puff pastry waffles (yum)! Loved making the perfect bite of chicken, waffle, syrup, and hot sauce. Overall, decent place and I'm glad I checked it out. Might go back for the kimchi fried rice, but can probably find that good elsewhere too. Come try it, but I don't know if you'll be craving it desperately after.
(3)
Patrick C.
Shojo - Just So-so I stopped into Shojo for a quick dinner after reading all the rave reviews and press about it and I found Shojo to be just so-so... I ordered the Charcuterie Board which supposedly had head cheese rillette, duck rillet, veal tongue, porchetta, asian pear, kimchi, fig mostarda, dried longan compote; the Pork Trotter Dumplings and the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg. The Charcuterie Board was the weakest dish - it was missing the Asian pear, kimchi, fig mostarda and porchetta so I had several large slabs of the head cheese rillette, the duck rillet and the dried longan compote with 3 pickled roots of some sort as garnish. The 'bread' was several very greasy, deep-fried bao which were not great. Overall a poor dish - and the most pricey. The Pork Trotter dumplings were good - again, they were deep fried, but it worked. Nice filling, vinegar for dipping - pretty good. The best dish by far was the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg - really yummy and I could have had three orders of that alone. The specialty cocktails didn't sound good to me so I skipped them and had a calpico water - one of my favorites so it was delish. The blue and white paper straw that got soggy hallway through my drink was not good though. Plastic straws are cheap - skip the paper straws, they are worthless. I might try Shojo again on another trip to Boston and see if there are other dishes that are comparable to the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg. PS - my waiter was affable enough, but basically brought out 3 dishes...my final bill was about $45 and when I gave him $60 he actually wanted to know if I was giving him the rest (34%?!) as a tip...uh, no. I gave him 20% and that was too generous for his service.
(2)
Cindy H.
Much hipster. Such delicious. Wow. The Kamehameha is like no cocktail I've ever had before. It's spicy and cool at the same time, so I guess it does embody Goku's essence quite well. Gin Gin Mule was good too. Very ginger-forward and fairly sweet. In terms of food, both the Taro Tots and Pork Buns really hit the spot for a late-night bite. The skin on the pork was perfectly crispy! Mind you, I was not very lady-like whilst devouring it, so maybe not the best first date food, but whatevs YOLO.
(5)
Miranda S.
Excellent food, excellent service! We came here on a Friday night and were told there was an hour wait (understandable). So we left and sat down at another place, but they didn't serve alcohol so we came back here. And man, we're glad we did. Loved the drink selection. I really liked this ginger drink (I forget the name) but it had ginger beer in it and it was really refreshing. We were standing around with drinks and actually ended up being seated like 20 minutes later....score! Our waitress was great. Actually everyone was great. The bartender actually came over to us at first and showed us to a table when one opened up. We were pleasantly surprised by the service here. I was soooo depressed that they were out of the pig bao :( But everything we got was great - the fried rice, chicken & waffle, "Big Mac" dumplings...everything was good. We were also really into the movie they were playing on the big screen (House of the Flying Daggers) and the waitress let us sit there and enjoy it for a while before coming with the check :) I'll definitely be back!
(5)
David W.
Hippest and most modern place in Boston Chinatown! It's been years since I've been back in Boston, and this new place really adds to the charm of the city. The vibe inside is really happening. Scene is really young and energetic. Stark contrast to the family style restaurants and shops across the block. Bartender is a celebrity, employees are nice, and owner walks and works the floor with everyone else. There are beautiful people who work and frequent there. Fun just to people watch. Their menu is fun and ordinary. Totally should have skipped dinner and eaten here. Tried the Kamehameha and it was one of the most unique drinks. It's an alcoholic drink with chili and really has a nice kick. First time have spicy alcohol. They also have an alcoholic oolong tea which comes in a regular teapot with 2 tea cups. Bang for your buck and that drink kept me busy throughout. Will definitely check out this place when I'm in town again!!! Fun place to be at!
(5)
Hana M.
Let me just say that the service was wonderful. The atmosphere of the whole restaurant is very modern and clean. The mural inside the restaurant is a cool touch. But... The ramen needs work. I ordered the seafood ramen or the shojo ramen off of the lunch menu. First glance, it looked very appetizing with everything nicely placed. As I started to stir up the ramen, I noticed the noodles felt kind of hard. I think they were trying to make the noodles al dente, but it just ended up tasting dry and under-cooked. It also had this floury after taste. I'm not sure if they actually used ramen noodles or egg noodles; it tasted like a funky hybrid of the two. The 6 minute egg tasted very salty, and the concentrated salty broth did not help. The char siu pork looked like chicken, but it wasn't that bad. Not the best and a bit on the fatty side, but I didn't really mind. There was also a lot of unnecessary sesame seeds floating around the soup, which gave a rough texture to the dish. The one thing I did enjoy was the ginger/scallion garish on top. $15 (including tax and tip) for it was not worth it. I'm usually not very picky, but I was not very happy with this recent lunch experience, due to the poor execution of the ramen dish. Overall, I do not recommend getting the ramen.
(2)
Eric C.
Only came for drinks. The only thing that disappointed me about this place was that their Sharknado cocktail (had to get it) was changed to a gin based drink instead of a cognac (I think?) one. So instead, I had a Morning star. It was pretty damn delicious and the price was right too. The second drink I had was one of the drinks for two, Scorpion Jar I think. That was pretty decent as well. The service was quick and attentive which was super appreciated. Our waiter was knowledgeable but wasn't pushy when one of us said they weren't drinking. We were seated immediately, which impressed me because every other place in Chinatown seemed to have a wait. Maybe it was a littler later or something. Boston is a strange city to me. Either way, I'd come back to try the food. It certainly looks pretty yummy. I'd definitely come back for drinks.
(4)
Chris T.
Hands down the best food and drinks that you will get in Chinatown, maybe even the Theatre District altogether. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The only lackluster item were the chicken tacos, but even they were pretty good. It's just that compared to everything else we had (Pork Bao, Eggplant Bao, Mushroom Ragout, Tuna Sashimi, Pork Ribs), it just wasn't on the same level, but still good. And the drinks. Oh my lord. The gin gin mule has a secret house made ginger beer that will make you salivate for days. We also had the Kamehameha, Old Fashioned, and a mezcal drink, all of which were the best drinks I've ever had in Boston. If I'm going to pay $11-13 per drink, it may as well be here because there is no better place to get a drink than here. No lie. It's a tapas place, but just saddle up, grab 4 or 5 items, a handful of drinks, and enjoy the 90's hip hop and cheezy Japanese movies. Will definitely return with others in tow.
(5)
Andrew G.
Great option in China Town. It isn't the typical China Town restaurant but rather a great fusion alternative. Lots of small and affordable options on the menu great for sampling a wide variety. Great cocktails as well and fun vibe!
(5)
Dee Dee Y.
The best ramen in Boston with the best grilled cha-shao( pork). Kimchee fried rice beats most Korean restaurants. Order the fries with their special sauce. You will be pleased.
(5)
Amy M.
Not sure what the hype is all about with this place. We saw it on Phantom Gourmet and it looked great. We always cross reference Phantom with Yelp and it got good reviews by others on Yelp - so we thought it would be a winner. We took all the Yelp suggestions. Wu Tang Tiger ribs - grizzly and fatty, half the order was on the plate due to this. Chicken and Waffle - I will say this was better - Maple butter was good but sweet (obviously). The chicken was cooked well - crispy. Pig Bao - OK meat, but sweet - wrap was very doughy Bang Bang Noodles - so disappointing - we actually went there for the Damn Damn Noodles - which they took off the menu, so we tried Bang Bang. They tasted like cafeteria chopped suey - something out of Chef Boyardee. No spice and very mushy. The drink - Kamehameha - was very good, best part of the meal. Bill came to about $100 - 4 drinks, 4 food items. We wish we spent the money elsewhere.
(2)
Carrie L.
Shojo offers a different scenery in Chinatown. A modern Asian-fusion restaurant with intriguing drinks, and ever-changing menus. My favorite part of the restaurant interior is the mural on the back side. Picture perfect spot for group pictures! Drinks: Morning Glory: Comes in a cute little short glass. Foamy top. Orange peel garnish. A bit on the sweeter side, very strong. Not a fan, unfortunately. Gin Gin Mule: With citrus gin, lemon, syrup, and ginger beer. Citrus taste with the ginger aftertaste hanging in your throat. GET IT! Cold Tea for Two: Had a sip of this and was surprisingly tastier than expected. Oolong infused vodka, with a hint of citrus and peach. It would be nice if it came in a nicer tea pot. Appetizers: Duck Fat Hand-cut Fries: Good start for the table. Fries has a very faint hint of duck/meat taste to it. Wish the fries were cut in bigger pieces though. Summer Salad: Mango, dragon fruit, greens - refreshing Kimchi Fried Rice: With a fried egg on top, not spicy enough Grilled Hanger Steak: With crispy onion and spicy mayo (?) on top, not bad Entrees: Pan Seared Salmon: With shreds of seaweeds on top. Fried eggplant (?) on the side. The salmon was soft with crispy skin. Braised Pork Belly: Very soft. Half Chicken: My favorite plate of the night! With enoki, shallots, and gnocchi.. Saucy chicken. Dessert: Chocolate sesame ball: Very similar concept to the dim sum dessert with red bean. But it has chocolate instead and my friends went loco over them. I'm told the menu changes a lot. Either by the way they cook or the ingredients they use. It's great if you're a usual and love to try new items over time. I don't mind the changing, but it might be disappointing to not have my favorite dish there when I come back the next time.
(4)
Jasmine X.
I really like this place. My friend and I were looking for some Asian fusion dinner and this place was quite well reviewed. Sometimes I get very hesitant about Asian fusion because I think it's a delicate line to cross, but Shojo does it very well. The place is quite small. My friend and I went on a Tuesday evening and had no problem getting seats which was nice. It's a very intimate and nice place. We ordered the suckling pig bao which came highly recommended by other Yelpers, kimchee fried rice, duck confit dumplings, and the pork belly. My favorite was definitely the suckling pig bao. Really felt like I could have gone for a few more of those. The other choices came from the recommendation of our waitress. Duck confit dumplings were not my favorite, but I can see how someone would like them. Kimchee fried rice was good but nothing extraordinary or surprising. The pork belly though, was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed them. Cooked to perfection, the fat attached was also amazing. All in all, the price came out to be very reasonable and I really enjoyed the options here. Sometimes it's nice to get Chinese food with a classy touch, and that's what I felt like Shojo did really well. You ordered things with an expectation of what you would get, and the dish would meet that expectation and then some more, which is how I think Asian Fusion can be most artfully mastered--by retaining the original flavors and adding a new twist. The waitress was also really nice and attentive to our needs without being overbearing. tldr; all in all, just a very solid experience and a place I would definitely come back to or recommend to a friend
(4)
M B.
Oh yeah. That's what I'm talking about! Probably one of my favorite Asian/Tapas places. All plates were equally satisfying, and the atmosphere and service very friendly and fun.
(5)
wolf t.
It's refreshing to see a hip, inventive place differentiating itself from Chinatown's other satisfying but utilitarian restaurants. The menu is a short but carefully-constructed list of small plates. Four of us ordered almost everything and shared family-style, with no disappointments and a few pleasant surprises. The cocktail menu is almost a dare; most of the creations sound disgusting but I enjoyed my two offbeat selections. Favorite dishes: suckling pig bao. ribs Minor minuses: a bit loud, but not overwhelming. Waiter forgot one of our orders. I hope the menu turns over with some new dishes so I can go back soon.
(4)
Laurel M.
AMAZING! Service superb, food excellent, drinks strong I don't know where this place went wrong! Chicken and waffles, fried calamari, and duck fat fried French fries were wonderful! baked then fried chicken on a Hong Kong style waffle, best I've ever had! One of the few places that knows how to do calamari! Would have pictures but it was gone to quickly! Only complaint was it was a bit loud, but the service defiantly made up for it.
(5)
Lauren M.
probably the coolest, most unique restaurant in Boston. Great food, music, drinks, art, and service. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Favorite F.
Very cute and trendy little place hidden in Chinatown. Food was delightful - Wu Tang Ribs (tasty), Taro Tots (different smokey but nonetheless yum) & Calamari (light batter and not overcooked with a great sauce). I also tried the Gin Gin Mule - very light and tasty. Music was great - hip hop. Service was fast, great and personable from everyone.
(5)
Ryan H.
my favorite restaurant in boston, come here with your friends and order everything on the menu to get the full experience.
(5)
Patty L.
5 freakin' stars! I was in town visiting Boston over the weekend and was excited to see what sort of eats this town had to offer. I was shocked to see there just wasn't anything my fellow Yelpers LOVED. Many places with 3.5 - 4 star reviews but I wanted something 4.5 stars. Shojo was one of them and I am so appreciative that Yelp and Yelpers have not steered me wrong. The simple menu offered a variety of small plates and entrees at wallet-friendly prices. I ordered 5 small plates and the entire bill came out to $38!!! Here is what I recommend: Pork Rib - fall of the bone tender Suckling Pig Bao - there are two in an order. The crispy skin is what sealed the deal for me. So good we ordered another! Corn with kimchee butter - really interesting flavors on sweet corn on the cob I found the duck fat fries to be mediocre. It is a nice option to have when you have a group of people that want to pick on something crunchy but everything else was just so good that it overshadowed this dish. The tempura pickles was the runt in the family. Unfortunately, the pickles weren't sour at all. However, the tempura was fried perfectly. Fiona - thank you for your awesome service!
(5)
Zach W.
I went here on a whim with my brother who is a local and it was amazing! Some of the best food in Boston with great service'!
(5)
Christine J.
3.5 stars. Interesting drinks, tapa style chinese appetizers. a little pricey for what you're getting. we had to go eat at a different place after having drinks and dishes here. I'm not sure this place fits the whole chinatown vibe. it's trying to be a fancy place amidst the hole in the wall places. almost trying to be a club/lounge.. not my kinda hang out spot but younger audience (20's) may find it more appealing?
(3)
Adam G.
Really great find. Food was great. Small portions. Easy place to pig out on a bunch little meals. The pork bun was awesome. The kung-fu movies playing in the background was funny. Portico on tap too!
(4)
Tiffany C.
I came here for Friday date night and enjoyed the atmosphere. It's a small space, has a bar in the corner and a cool mural in the back. The service was good but I was bit turned off when they started rushing us out. The concept of their menu was creative, however, the taste of the food did not match the menu prices. The portions are incredibly small and leaves you feeling thirsty. We ordered the chicken and waffle, ribs, fries, and lobster rangoon. Including 2 drinks, the bill came our to $70. If I come back again, it would only be for drinks and not dinner.
(3)
Lucy E.
Thank god this place isn't in the South End. If it were in the South End I truly believe that it would have wait times like Toro. But since it's not, it's surprisingly easy to get a table here on a Monday night. I just love what they're doing here at Shojo. They have an AMAZING cocktail list! I highly recommend the Kamehameha, it has thai chili infused vodka, fire puncher vodka, coconut milk, and lemon, and it is a drink for the gods! YUMM! For food they do small/appetizer plates and entrees, both of which are fabulous. I think the way to go is to order a bunch of things to share at the table. The ravioli entree is out of this world! On top of have delicious food and drinks the service is always friendly and decor is mind blowing. This is definitely somewhere you should check out next time you're close to Chinatown!
I came here with a girlfriend for dinner and we were both less than impressed with the food. The servers were exceedingly nice and attentive; it was clear they very much wanted us to enjoy our experience....but we didn't. I had the ma-po tofu and it was a DISASTER. It was absolutely nothing like any other ma-po tofu I've had in the past. The tofu didn't even seem to be cooked... just warm, raw, soft tofu cubes in some unidentifiable sauce that was topped with TRAIL MIX. No lie... it was sprinkled with an assortment of birdseed/nuts/dried fruit. And served with two chunks of giant crusty, hard-as-a-rock toasted bread. There was nothing about this dish that was good. Just making a dish "different" doesn't make it inventive. My vegetarian girlfriend ordered the mushroom medley, which was far more edible than my Ma Po Tofu, but it was still over-salted (and I am so NOT salt-sensitive) and was overall fairly blah. I was compelled to write a review because I don't understand how Shojo has such a high yelp rating when we had food that was quite simply not good.
(2)
Ambreen D.
Found this neighborhood gem 2 weeks ago and have already been there twice. Fun place. Love the bao, chicken n waffles, calamari. Not as much a fan of the tsukbokki.
YIKES. I wanted to love Shojo and agree with those 4 and 4+ star ratings, but I can only give Shojo a 3. Note: This review is based on a drink-free meal. Sure it is a "different" type of restaurant in Chinatown because it is Asian fusion, it has drinks and is more "upscale", but I would not say that the flavors and creativity of the dishes justified their prices. Service was a-ok and food was a-ok. Nothing special and not a place I'd come back to again just because there are other places to go to that offer similar types of food, but with more twists, better prices and greater selection (think: Blue Dragon, Empire, etc.) My friend and I ordered the Noodle salad to start because I saw a really delicious looking picture of it on Yelp. For $9, it was a 6-8 bite thai glass noodle salad that you could definitely get at a thai restaurant for double the amount of food at that price. Flavor-wise, it was decent, but nothing memorable. Really wish I'd saved my money on that. For my entree, I went for the salmon entree ($21). My salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked so it was seared on the outside but tender on the inside. Although my entree was beautiful and served on a GIANT dish (it barely fit the table), I was far from feeling full or satisfied after scarfing down the whole plate. :/ Call me a fatty, I don't care. The flavors of the dish were good, but nothing surprising or unique. There was nothing Asian about it apart from the edamame sprinkled around the edge of the plate. We were definitely rushed to pay the bill since it was a Friday night, and were asked (very kindly though) by the waitress to leave if we were done so they could turn over the table. (I did note that there was nobody waiting for a table at the time, but I DO understand they'd like to still turn the table over). Probably won't be back to Shojo. A decent establishment if you're looking for a more American experience in Chinatown.
(3)
Ella F.
This is a very trendy spot in Chinatown. The drinks were great, the service was good as well, but the food was average at best. I left very underwhelmed, especially given the prices. I'd only come here again for drinks.
(3)
Michelle F.
This place is absolutely amazing! The food was excellent and I loved the atmosphere. We also got to meet one of the owners on our way out and he was wonderful. It's small plates and you probably need 2-3 per person. I recommend the bao, ribs, and fries.
(5)
Lily S.
A-OK in my book. Came here for an early lunch with a coworker. We both had the duck fat fries and bao (pork belly for me, whatever the other option was for her). The fries were totally fine and the bao was good. What I didn't like was everything was ridiculously spicy and I must have gone through 2-3 glasses of water in the small meal. The other thing that left me a little meh was the price tag. With 20% tip, those two items ended up being $20. A lot of money and not a lot of food. I ended up filling myself up on fries, but would have really preferred another bun...but not for $4.50. With Genki Ya having $15 sushi specials for lunch, it's unlikely that I will come back here.
(3)
Stefan B.
I'm usually not into this kind of dining but I like this place! Very hip, young Asian vibe. The food is really really really small tapas... We didn't feel full at all. But we didn't order the 2-3 tapas per person like our waiter suggested so maybe that's our fault. Honestly, this is my favorite tapasy kinda place in Boston. I've been to Toro and Alden & Harlow and both of them I felt the food was oversalted. My boyfriend didn't think so but I did. The food was perfect here! Everything had flavor but wasn't too salty or too rich. I was expecting the food here to be too salty because of my past experiences with hip restaurants like this in Boston but I was pleasantly surprised. I'm really glad I went here. I didn't leave full but I feel like if my group ordered more it would have been fine. We just kind of gave up after ordering one by one but after like 3 more plates we would probably be fine. Kimchi fried rice is classic yumminess but still doesn't beat Korean mom recipes. The ravioli was the best pasta dish I've ever had and I hate pasta sooo much. Duck fat fries were good but not as mindblowing as I expected and the suckling pig bao was really good. The duck taco is kind of more like a taco bowl thing but it was one of the favorite things I ate. So refreshing. I'm usually not into this kind of dining with fancy tapas and small plates, but if I had to choose a place to go, I'd definitely go with Shojo. PROS food is really really good not oversalted like competitors in boston cool vibe if you're into that CONS the tapas are... really really really small. like, smaller than usual. :x
(4)
Raela R.
I went to Shojo for the first time the other night. What a fun time, the cocktail menu is really unique and different. I love the idea of sharing played, that way you get to try more! Between the two of us we had four dishes which the perfect amount of food and for the standout was the steamed pork bun. Spicy, sweet, crunch goodness. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was fear. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Katie K.
Heard about this place on Thrillist as one of Boston's trendiest restaurants. It sure it trendy, but the food is meh... I'm used to good asian food and good asian fusion food but this place was sub-par. They took great traditional dishes and tried to make them hip and trendy and the dishes ended up tasting like they tried too hard. Cute place, awesome wall paintings, and great atmosphere for hanging out with friends for a quick bite or drink, but not someplace I'd go if I'm looking for good asian food.
(2)
Gitta M.
Loved this place. Exciting vibe. Inventive and super flavorful food...umami in your face!! This place would definitely be great for drinks and apps before going out. The ribs were probably the best I've ever had..fall of the bone deliciousness. The drinks were great as well.
(5)
Paul G.
This place is the bomb.com . The drinks list is fantastic. I want to try them all. The cold tea is a must have. The food is fun. They deal in mostly small asian influenced plates. You can order a couple for yourself or for the table. Kimchee fried rice is the best. The pork bao is awesome. The ribs are tasty. I could go on and on. Go here with friends to have a great night out.
(5)
Alison C.
Shojo almost seems out of place from its Chinatown surroundings. From the dim lighting and trendy decor, to the old school hip-hop music playing from the speakers, Shojo is a breath of fresh air when compared to the run down and minimalist shops that it is surrounded by. My friend and I came here upon a recommendation by her friend. To start the meal, they both ordered drinks, the Reiko Greene and the Chairman's Painkiller. Both were happy with them, and both drinks were beautifully presented. The Greene had a huge cube of cucumber ice that looked refreshing and added color, while the Painkiller came in a Buddha shaped sippy cup. We ordered the Salt & Pepper Calamari, Suckling Pig Baos, and the Damn! Damn!! Noodles!!! to share, which was light and enough to satisfy us without being too full. The calamari was standard, nothing too special, but tasted fresh, was well battered, and had a great aioli that came with it. The baos were also good, with crisp suckling pig and crunchy jalapeños. The kimchi flavor was mixed into the barbecue sauce, the flavor of which was overwhelming, and the three of us agreed that a different or no sauce at all would have let the kimchi flavor stand out. The noodles were by far the best part of the meal. The noodles were well cooked, and the ground pork was deliciously flavored. Getting some noodles, pork, and a bit of the oozy fried egg on top in one bite was a perfect trifecta. I'm not sure how that meat was seasoned, but it was scrumptious! Service was fast and friendly, with our waiter describing dishes in detail and even telling us how they make the cucumber ice! Always appreciate a business that is willing to share tips and tricks. He also saw that we were a party of three and knew we were sharing plates, so he threw in an extra bao to our order since it normally comes with only two. While the place was empty when we got there at 2:30 PM, the restaurant is on the smaller side so make reservations if you can!
(4)
Ariel Z.
One of the absolute best bar/restaurant experiences you'll get in Boston. The creative and flavorful dishes fuse together perfectly, and their drinks are just as enticing. Ordered the duck fat fries (with sriracha aioli...yum!), ravioli (pulled pork, bacon, celery, and shaved pecorino cheese), and the famous Reiko Greene cocktail with cucumber ice to drink. UPDATE: also tried the Kamehameha (my #1) and Gin Gin Mule (super gingery spicy) Fairly crowded, but the staff really makes an effort to squeeze you in. Even the waiters were super friendly and attentive. The ambiance is fun, especially the fact that they play Hong Kong kung-fu films on the TV at the bar in the back. Saw a gnarly fight scene between two guys, one holding a block of tofu...go figure.
(5)
Denise H.
Solid food, good drinks, great vibe, good beats, cool staff - Shojo never disappoints. Definitely one of my favorite dinner spots in Boston and great for a small to medium sized group, especially for dinner and drinks before a night out. Obsessed w their garlic noodles but their entire menu is well done - all the entrees are solid. Ribs on late night menu fall off the bone. Only thing I I would pass on are the baos - they're on the dry side.
(4)
Whitney M.
Amazing Asian inspired tapas! My boyfriend and I went here for dinner , had the ravioli, chicken and waffle, fries, and split the pot of lemon-honey tea. Each dish was incredible, portions are perfect. Great place for a Chinatown newbie!
(4)
D M.
We went to Shojo on Feb 24, 2015 for dinner prior to attend a comedy show at the Wilbur Theater and Shojo did not disappoint. The drinks were phenominal. Very generous pours and excellent flavor. The food was a mix of american/asain that did not disappoint. I would highly recommend the chicken and waffles....I tasted like wonderful....it was so wonderful that, for a second, thought I was taking a bite into Frankie Vallie. The decor was great.....lighting fit the atmosphiere to create a nice ambiance. The service....in my opionion.....was excellent. Drinks were replenshed quickly and the waitress had a charmingly cheery disposition. There was one person in our group who would not agree with me on this...please see the next paragraph that details her sob story. I wish I could give this place 5 stars, but unfortunatley.....over threat of being slapped silly......I was instructed to give 4 stars instead. I don't want to name names, but lets call this person "Stephanie". "Stephanie" came to the restuarant about 30 minutes before us and put our name in for table. The waitress, unfortunatley, had to keep delaying our table because the prior guests were not leaving. For whatever reason...."Stephanie" believes that a resturaunt should kick people out in order to service the waiting line.....I do not share this opinion, but I will cut her some slack because she did grow up on the cape and those people aren't all there. Anyway, we did get a table and everything worked out A ok. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. Standing O to the staff and management at Shojo.
(4)
Jessie T.
Came back a few more times with friends and still an excellent and consistent experience. The Kamehameha is the most unique drink I had ever tried and in a good way. Spicy and cool the chili is balanced well with the coconut. Duckfat fries and spicy kimchi fried rice are always a favorite.
(4)
Zig W.
+nearly empty +simple menu +friendly receptionist -portions small -tapas pricing -food/$ incredibly low (for genre)
(3)
Dave C.
Cool vibe, amazing food. I think going in the middle of a snowstorm probably helped us get a spot here because I can't imagine this place would have had the space they had otherwise. The food is fantastic. Had the wings (not bad, B+), the Kimchi fried rice (very good A/A-) and the Spag N Ball Z (awesome A+). All the food was really good, but the spag n ball Z takes the cake -really amazing flavor and interesting texture. The service was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)
Amy N.
Well now that was one hell of a yummy lunch!! Kimchi fried rice, pig bao, bang bang bolognese, thai spaghetti and "meatballs", (I could have put a straw in the broth...it was AMAZING), and some delicious cocktails. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Dave G.
Solid food and drink. It's a small place with big time hospitality - the staff was really helpful with the menu and recommendations. I'll be going back... Alright so I'm back - couldn't stay away from the duck fat fries.
(4)
Sam S.
Shojo does everything well. Perfect for a date or hanging out with friends. The owners and staff are always friendly and helpful too!
(5)
Lunchbox ..
My first trip to Boston was great! The thing that put it over the top was the excellent meal I had at Shojo. If you are ever in Boston you must visit Shojo in Chinatown. My friend and I arrived at 5 pm wanting something to eat and drink. We were notified that the dinner menu didn't start until 5:30, so we took a seat at the bar and ordered drinks. We sat there at that bar ordering drink after drink and plate after plate. We just could not get enough. Here is the list of items we ordered: Suckling Pig Bao Pig Trotter Dumplings Pulled Pork Ravioli Kimchi Fried Rice Duck Tacos Pineapple Sponge Cake Drinks we had: Gin Gin Mule Morning Star Scorpion Jar Ozawa ' s Kiss Sapporo Hitachino Red Rice Ale And when we were looking for an aperitif and couldn't decide on one, the bar manager made us a delightful drink (with no name) made with thier house made tea - infused vodka! I will be returning!
(5)
Kat W.
Me and my husband ate here on a Saturday night. We made a reservation for 7 pm and arrived a little early. We sat at the bar in the mean time and tried the "Tea for Two" drink. It is an oolong tea infused with vodka and peach.... Very tasty! At 7pm we were seated promptly. The service was attentive and made sure our night was going smoothly. The dinner menu consisted of "tapa-sized" dishes. I recommend ordering 2-3 dishes per person. The kimchi fried rice and duck fat fries with siracha aioli were our favorite. We also tried the dumplings and the BBQ pork ribs however we didn't like them as much. They had a sponge cake dessert that had hints of ginger and cream. I don't know if it was just a special for that night or if it's a daily option.... But I highly recommend it. Overall Shojo is a great restaurant with a fun hip vibe.
(4)
Brad M.
For food that is pretty innovative, it's relatively inexpensive here. I really like the food, but I have to say that the seating is fairly uncomfortable. The high top tables leave something to be desired. I recommend the weird waffle thing with chicken, because the texture as well as the sauce are out of this world. Definitely one of Chinatown's best, and should be getting a lot more looks and attention.
(4)
Joel P.
My meal here was pure magic. A hidden gem in Chinatown, their unique cocktails are perfection in a glass (or ceramic Buddha), and on par with other prices in the area. The food was amazing - I had the pork belly bao - crispy skin, fresh veggies. I also had the kimchi fried rice which was great, including the over easy egg on top to mix in the yolk with the spicy and full of kimchi rice. My friend got the duck fat fries which were ridiculously yummy. This place is a must, and a place I will be taking many many friends to. Top notch of Boston's Chinatown.
(5)
K E.
Huge fan! Friend brought me here (I never would have found it on my own) for drinks and light food. Everything we ordered was great and the service was good too. This is a hip type of restaurant, don't come here for a business dinner if you need to talk. Music is loud and atmosphere is fun and informal.
(5)
Linda W.
I'll start off by saying that this is definitely a good place for drinks and a snack! The vibe is quite trendier than the typical Chinatown restaurant; dimly lit, loud music, and perfect for a casual candle lit dinner or pre-gaming spot before kicking off the weekend. My friend and I started with drinks which included the Gin Gin Mule (recommended), Melon Daiquiri (definitely give this one a try if you're into sweet drinks!), and the last one I can't quite name but it had a refreshing cucumber taste to it with a large ice cube. For the area, drinks were reasonably priced & a good break from the typical sake/beer restriction that most restaurants in Chinatown are bound to. Off the menu, we ordered mainly small plates. I've been dying to try the duck fat fries since I absolutely LOVE french fries and they paired well with the spicy aioli dipping sauce. The Suckling Pig Baos were okay even though I typically prefer my baos with fatty beef and the duck dumplings weren't a bad choice either. Yes the portions are a bit on the smaller side, especially if you're accustomed to the typical Chinatown portions, but the food quality is indeed held to a higher standard which is reflected from the prices. Drinks are definitely innovative & creative, as well as tasty too. Markus, the bartender is super friendly along with the rest of the servers who are pretty well informed of the menu. I say absolutely give this place a try if you're with a small group of friends in the Chinatown area & in the mood for something a little different and fun (:
(4)
Deena B.
Really fun and unique spot in Chinatown to come on a date or just for a place with good food and a cool vibe. My husband and I came here before a comedy show and the tapas style sharing plates were perfect! We will be back for sure. Totally unexpected in Chinatown and so glad it's an option.
(5)
K. Brooke Z.
I was pleasantly surprised! The way to get the best value is to skip the small plates. They are good, but you don't get much. Understand that you will be spending about $20 a head for a full meal, and you'll know what to expect. The tuna tar tar was good. It needed a little "zip" to the sauce though, as the edamame paste was pretty flat. The duck rolls were good, but we were hoping for more crispy skin inside. However, the chicken entree was UNBELIEVABLE. Everything was right about this dish. The noodles were fun, the veggies were great. Most wonderful was the sauce-it was delicious and perfectly proportioned. The dish wasn't swimming in sauce, but I never felt like it needed more. Do yourself a favor and Get the chicken entree. I will be back for it, and to try those duck fat fries everyone has been talking about!
(4)
Gene L.
The value here isn't great. I understand they're in a fairly good location in chinatown but the portion sizes are smaller than I'd expect. The food overall was good though some misses. The buns were great. The pork belly entree was really good also. The carrot puree was heavenly and everything went really well together. The amount of pork belly was extremely small, especially considering how inexpensive pork belly is. As for misses, the warm glass noodles didn't make sense to me. For a similar experience and food concept, I'd rather go to myers and chang in the south end.
(4)
Ambrose C.
Is it possible to find some slightly fine dining in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood? Well, if you are looking for a place where some Asian food can be taken at a sophisticated and a unique level, this is another good choice. This place used to be a simple and somewhat gritty place that served some Chinese barbecue and basic Cantonese noodle dishes. Now it has changed into something sophisticated. First off, it you are looking for an inexpensive and authentic East Asian dishes, this is NOT the place I would recommend. However, if you want good drinks, good Asian food with a very different flair, and some good service, then this is the place you could go to in Boston's Chinatown. I walked inside, and I got this slight feeling that I was not in Boston, but either in San Gabriel, California, Monterrey Park, California, Markham, Ontario or North York, Ontario. I encountered a bunch of interesting people, and I decided to get a drink. I eventually ordered some food after encountering some more interesting people. I got a Chairman's Painkiller, which is this cocktail that has pineapple, coconut, and some rum. It came in a tall ceramic cup that was shaped like a Moai statue on Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean. I thought it was a fairly juicy and refreshing drink, but I did not taste any alcohol. At $10 a glass, it is expensive, but it's a great drink to have when the temperature is 28 degrees Celsius outside, the sun is shining, with a nice breeze and you are sitting at a patio looking at the nice coast in either Southern California, Southern Spain, or even in Stanley, Hong Kong. The drink was a great complement with some appetizers. The Suckling Pig Bao was probably my favorite of all the appetizers I had. The meat had a nice juicy tenderness and I really enjoyed the flavor. The mussels and the Duck Fat Hand Cut Fries were okay, did not find anything memorable. The Sauteed Ponzu Spinach was good, I liked the flavor, and it would serve as a great complement for a slab of freshly cooked meat. As for main courses, I had this special dish which is the skate fish (a type of stingray) wing with Asian risotto, olives, capers, tomato salad with fried leeks. I really liked the fish, it had a nice crispiness and at the same time I enjoyed the softness on the inside. It was freshly cooked and it seems that the cooks put some decent precision in making it tasty. It is $18 for a dish, but I thought it was tasty and it is enough for a light and moderate meal. I also had some dessert. A guy I recently met ordered the Shojo Beignets, which is this fried dough with powdered sugar. They came with two sauces, either Black Sesame, or Vietnamese Coffee. The Beignets were not memorable, but the Black Sesame sauce or the Vietnamese Coffee sauce made them tastier. Service was actually decent. The people were nice, and the owner appeared to be very hospitable. Hopefully, they will be consistent with this. Interior is nice, they have this mural that looks like an interpretation of the Chinese story Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. Overall, if you have at least $20 and you are looking for some fine and somewhat sophisticated dining in Boston's Chinatown, this is actually a pretty good choice. If you are looking for some good drinks and you do not have to worry about money, this is also a fairly good choice in Boston's Chinatown. I would not mind coming back here again, as long as I have some good friends with me.
(4)
Nom N.
In my estimation, nothing on the menu will disappoint. This restaurant sends a consistent message throughout from the menu to the decor. Great place to impress a date. It's not cheap, but it's not expensive either. Perfect couple's joint. One wall is a floor to ceiling mural that changes with the season and always aims to impress. The TV behind the bar plays kung-fu flicks with the subtitles on. It's subtle and tasteful. On slower nights, you can bring a group and monopolize the place. The service staff are pretty cool, and you'll probably wish you were hanging out with them instead. It doesn't hurt that they play good music too. I see everyone mentioned entrees and drinks. Frankly, you won't have a problem finding a good choice for either, but I will mention something that others haven't: SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT AND GET THE CHOCOLATE SESAME BALLS. ALWAYS. (Look at how serious I am. I used caps.)
(4)
Melissa O.
The food was mind blowing! I could talk forever about all the food, but since their menu is ever changing, im just going to mention the chicken & waffles. The chicken just fell off, the bone. It was scrumptious! The waffles are these little tiny adorable connected bubbles. My last bite was the mini waffle sitting under the chicken, soaked in asian butter and it was awesome. It may be a small menu, but that's just because they dont half ass any of the dishes. I highly recommend this place. The space is really cool. The staff is super nice and the music is b -side 90s, which is just a lot of fun. Id go back here in a heart beat.
(5)
Scott Z.
Amazing modern asian spot amidst the usual old school restaurants in Chinatown. This was my 2nd visit to Shojo in less than a month, and both times it was great. I think the small plates are the way to go, and I'm blown away at how economical they are. Highly recommend the suckling pig bao, kimchi fried rice (with the fried egg on top, woo!), the pork ribs, and the duck fat fries w/ sriracha dipping sauce. Aside from the food, they have: -amazing drinks (try the geiko green or the cold tea for 2...ps, its not tea) -cool wall art (a mural that changes annually) -friendly bartenders and owners -a single tv behind the bar that plays old kung fu movies Wish these guys the best, and I think they'll be a mainstay in the neighborhood.
(5)
Jerry T.
It is unfathomably ridiculous how good the food is here. From the chicken and waffles to the fried rice, Shojo easily has some of the most unique and delicious flavors in the city. I love the hip-hop atmosphere mixed with a continuous loop of Kung-Fu movies playing behind the bar. If the Wu-Tang Clan opened a Asian- Fusion restaurant- it would be Shojo. And like Wu-Tang, Shojo ain't nothing to f--k with!
(5)
Thuy N.
Dinner at Shojo was an excellent and memorable experience! My sister and I ordered the crispy pork bao, (fall off the bone) ribs, bolognese and miso clams. Every single thing we had was mind blowing! Compliments to the recently new appointed chef! It was my first time visiting Boston and we were lucky to find this place after a 6-hour flight and boy am I glad we did. Cheers!
(5)
J D.
In the current blur of heritage-this and artisanal-that, it's nice to discover a little restaurant that is ambitious in its own way ... without pretense. Shojo is a comfortable, urbane spot in Chinatown doing interesting things with Asian flavors. You have to start with a cocktail. I chose the kamehameha, a combination of chili-infused and fire puncher vodka moderated with coconut milk and lemon. Do not gulp the drink, as I did at first, because it will quickly set your throat ablaze! Sip it instead -- it's not every day you can find a cocktail that is both spicy and refreshing. My friend and I ordered a bunch of plates to share. Highlights included the tofu with thousand-year-old-egg (yup), glass noodle salad (nice fresh vegetables in Thai spices), and suckling pig bao. Almond shrimp balls didn't work for me - too many lumpy, crunchy things with edges pressed together. But, in general, it seemed hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. Shojo gets a few other things right that add up to a great experience: portions are generous, pricing is reasonable and the staff is pleasant. I also appreciated the atmosphere, fairly dark and serene with exposed brick and understated decor. A good place to grab dinner with friends - will definitely be back.
(4)
Susanna L.
Great food and very attentive service. The best thing I had was the Braised short ribs. The ribs fell off the bone and were delicious, and the taro mash was creative and nicely paired. The kimchi fried rice was pretty standard, would have liked it more with meat instead of fried tofu which was quite bland. The dessert that they have is also not unique, the classic red sesame balls are better than their chocolate version. As everyone else has said, their pork baos are pretty good too.
Shojo completely blew me away. This was probably the best meal we had all year at a relatively new fusion spot in Chinatown. I think if you are visiting Boston and appreciate Chinese food this is a must visit restaurant. This restaurant provides unique dishes that are excellent. There's not many places I can say that about in Boston that I've tried. The waitress told us the chef specialized and preferred to cook seafood. So we listened. We went with the salt and pepper calamari, the catfish in fish sauce, and the tuna steak. Each dish was better than the other with the latter being one of the best fish dishes I have ever had. The tuna was cooked perfectly (rare) and was ridiculously high quality for the price. It was like tender sashimi with a crunch and a little flavor on the outside. I am getting hungry thinking about it. We also went with the suckling pig bao because I never pass up a good pork bun. The pork bun was great, but be warned it comes with a crunchy pig skin attached making it extra fatty and could turn some people off. While everything was very good, if I were to go back I don't think I could steer away from the pig bao and tuna. These are some of the best dishes in Boston! The fusion element pushed boundaries but everything worked really well. I am dying to get back here to see what else this chef can cook up.
(5)
Judy Leigh A.
I went here with my mom who was visiting and wanted to treat me to dinner. A recommendation by a friend led me to shojo. I must say you wouldn't expect a nice little restaurant like shojo in chinatown. The dimly lit restaurant offered an ambient dining area and small bar. I started offered with the gin gin mule, a ginger beer and gin cocktail. It was amazing! I last minute decided not to get it again, but instead got a drink called the sharknado. It wasn't as exciting as the gin gin mule, but I'd definitely go back for a few cocktails. We started the meal with the almond shrimp balls, suckling pig bao, and a side of the mushroom medley. I highly recommend all of these choices. The almond shrimp balls have a perfectly crunchy exterior with a soft shrimp interior that was delicious. The suckling pig bao were a bit tiny, but still really good. The mushroom medley were cooked in a delicious garlic sauce. We split the scallop entree main course which was so big that I took most of it home. It was still really tasty. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and the haricot verts and mushrooms went really well with the entire dish. We were able to find some room for dessert, but when we asked to see a menu the waiter said there wasn't one. A huge bummer... He did tell us their two options. We opted for the chocolate one which was a chocolate filled sesame ball. It was good, but not something I would get again. Overall, the service, atmosphere, and food were great, but I'd really love to see more options for dessert!
When we were asked how we spent a couple hundred bucks on sake bombs the next day, no one knew. All i can say is that we literally blew this place up with sake bombs. My friend wanted to have a little pregame/dinner here before we went out for the night/ We probably had like 5 tables connected together in the middle to accommodate everyone. it was pretty neat because they had a custom printed menu with her name at it at the top and a drink that she wanted to call " Yaaaaaaaaaaaaa bitch" . Can we get 5 Yaaaaaaaa bitches?? yeahhh bitch!! The bills were split between each table so it would be more convenient for everyone instead of having 30 individual bills. Somehow our table alone racked up a $204 bill mainly from sake bombs. We pretty much came into this bar and turned it inside out. It was a great time for everyone besides the person who had to clean the floor. oops... were sorry. I was surprised this bar was able to accommodate such a large group since the place isnt too big. I am not sure if the $5 sake bombs were a discounted party price but we will definitely be back. Most of us never made it to the next venue after Shojo but the whole night was still a success. Yeahh bitch!
(5)
Shad S.
I had seen this place on TV and heard about it from friends and had to check it out. Right when I got there I noticed it was next to one of my favorite places of all-time, shout out to China Pearl. Shojo obviously looks out of place in Chinatown as it's a trendy little spot surrounded by your typical hole in the wall Chinatown spots. Walking inside, it's a cool space with nice designs and some cool murals on the wall. The food itself was delicious. For appetizers I got the salt and pepper calamari, which was great but nothing I haven't had before, the duck fat fries, which were again good but nothing crazy, and the standout, the BBQ Pork Ribs, which were awesome and definitely my favorite of the apps. I got the Suckling Pig Bao and was definitely pleased with them, as they were soft, meaty and delicious. For dessert we got an order of the chocolate sesame balls, which were amazing. I'm used to red bean paste from dim sum spots, but the warm chocolate in the middle was incredible. A little pricey, but I definitely recommend this place. I'll be back.
(4)
Chenkai L.
This is one of the only restaurants in Chinatown with a romantic atmosphere, great decor, fantastic food and a bar, an ideal date place. There are real candles on every table and the bathroom was really cool! I got the painkiller and it came it a really cool tiki head mug, pretty standard for a painkiller in terms of taste. What really impressed me was the small plates we ordered. Instead of getting a entree per person, we got 5 small plates just to try all the different things this place has to offer loved every one of them. We ordered the Suckling Pig Bao, Grilled Peking Duck roll, which did not taste like the traditional peking duck bun and had more of a soy oyster sauce taste. Almond shrimp balls, which was very unique dish to try and gave the shrimp ball a crunchy texture. The Pot O Kimichi similar to your traditional korean kimichi side dish. The salt and pepper calamari was my favorite, one of the tenderest and most delicious calamari I ever made, a must try!
(5)
Ali S.
The atmosphere was pretty cool. Unfortunately, the food was pretty average. I was really excited about the pork buns, but they were out of them by the time we arrived (10:00 on a Friday). The calamari was ok. Wouldn't order it again. The chicken and waffle was actually pretty good. I was happy that it came with two drumsticks instead of a piece of white meat chicken (why do places do that?!). The waffle was also nice and light so I didn't feel like I had to be rolled out of the restaurant after I was done. The duck fat fries were awesome, but I think all duck fat fries are great, so I wouldn't say they are better than the typical ones. Still so good. The drinks were very very weak. I wouldn't order a cocktail here again after that experience.
(3)
Rachel H.
I came here for dinner, and I didn't realize how tiny this place is! Luckily I was able to get a table right away. I tried the homemade ginger beer, duck fat fries, fried calamari, suckling pig bao, avocado salad, kimchi fried rice, ribs, and the pound cake dessert. The ginger beer was extremely potent!! Way too much ginger in it for me, and I usually love ginger. The duck fat fries were nothing special. They tasted like regular fries. The calamari was my favorite dish. The suckling pig bao was ok. It was a little messy to eat. The avocado salad was pretty good. The kimchi fried rice was tasty. The ribs were not memorable. They were drenched in too much sauce, too. And finally, the dessert was bad. It was more like sponge cake slices. And the alcohol in it was not cooked down at all. The alcohol made the whole dish soggy, too. The waitress was nice, but not very informative.
(3)
Aly B.
Saw Shojo on Phantom Gourmet and had to stop in! Came in on a Wednesday night around 5 to a calm dining room with a few other tables filled. The wait staff was super attentive, took our order, and it was out so fast!! Decor is so cool, such an interesting modern vibe in otherwise traditionally themed restaurants in Chinatown. We shared the cold tea for two, calamari, kimchi fried rice, and pork bao. The tea was outstanding, super strong and definitely enough for two. High marks for the calamari and the pork bao but you MUST try the kimchi fried rice- outstanding! Salty, spicy, yum!! Solid experience, would have enjoyed a little more variety on the menu, but well executed and a nice quick dinner, would totally recommend if you're looking for something different to do in Chinatown
(4)
Cyndi C.
Ok...most of u foodies out there must've tried this place once n came back for more. If u haven't yet, ur definitely missing out on the creative innovation of Asian fusion...comfort food! Omg...this place has the vibe, the foods, delish drink, good value...O did i mention, nice'looking ppl also?! Every few weeks, the chef switch up the menu to match the place's creativeness. I cant wait to go back! The Chicken & Waffle v2.0 is to die for! The littleneck clams is a must! Great for get-togethers or date nites!
(5)
Jeremy S.
Shojo consistently serves some of the most interesting, tastiest dishes in the Boston metro area. Drinks are outstanding. The Gin Gin Fizz and Cold Tea for Two are particularly great. As for their variety of small plates, I've loved almost every one I've tried. The spare ribs, chicken and waffles, carbonara, duck fat fires, and pork bao are particularly great. The only dish I've ever had there that I recall being less than amazing was the Salt & Pepper Calamari, and even that only stood out because it was merely okay. Everything else is straight up great. Also, points for atmosphere. Nice decor and great -- old-school hip-hop -- music create a strong choice for after work apps and drinks.
Went to Shojo for dinner with a friend. Servers were nice and attentive, enjoyed the inside decor and the throw back tunes. The cocktails, have to say, were very good, tasty and creative. The cold tea was pretty awesome. The food on the other hand was rather disappointing and pretty mediocre at best. We started with the Pig Bao, which was good. Along with the salmon tartare, which was ok - I didn't understand the seemed to be overly fried strips of skin or maybe they were bones, along with all the other flavors I really didn't think it went well, also not enough toasts served for the portion size. Also had the Salt Pepper Calamari, which was rather bland. When an item has Szechuan Peppercorns, I would expect to taste them. We thought it would get better with round two, it didn't. We had the Wu Tang Sliders (who wouldn't want to order them with that name), they were extremely fatty and barely had any meat on them. Also tried the Chicken tacos. Tacos were overfilled so sloppy to eat, pretty bland and tortillas were hard as a rock. We also sampled the Duck Fat fries, which were good. Overall, fun and funky decor with really excellent cocktails, but wouldn't return for the food.
(2)
Christian K.
Went for an early saturday lunch. Server was friendly and helpful. There were no dogs in this line up. The baoswere so good we ordered more same goes for the fries with mapo dofu. The pressed sando and taco along with the hamachi salad made it a great meal.
(5)
Karina L.
Had a great experience getting drinks here with friends and wanted to come back for food. The Gin Gin Mule is fabulous. The decor straddles classy and cool and is refreshingly modern, given its location in the heart of Chinatown. But, the food didn't justify its price, and I left with a disappointingly neutral impression of Shojo's food. I brought a Lactaid pill because I had known ahead of time I wanted to try the Lobster Rangoon. But, there were only three tiny 'goons, and I found out that lobster and imitation crab pretty much taste the same when they're folded into a bed of cream cheese and mascarpone cheese. The shrimp in our Soba Shrimp salad didn't taste "sake poached", but I didn't have too many opportunities to deliberate since we only had a couple of pieces in our dish, which was otherwise filled with fistfuls of raw red onion strips and not too much soba. My favorite dish was the chicken and waffles. The fried chicken was tasty and had crispy skin, and the waffles were the street waffles you get (looks like an egg carton, and you can pull balls of waffles off). It was fun, and an endearing Asian interpretation of chicken and waffles. But, knowing what the egg waffles could *actually* taste like, I was really disappointed that the waffles were cold, almost as if they were frozen and thawed improperly. Overall, a disappointing meal -- perhaps I ordered the wrong dishes? I was so eager to love Shojo, but looks like I'll be coming in for drinks only!
(3)
A S.
No. First: All the patrons were white when I went there. This restaurant is in the middle of chinatown. do the math. the food is not really asian at all. go expecting this and perhaps you'll be happy. Second: Wait staff is not exactly rude but totally unpolished. Brought us wrong food and told us that it was what we ordered. Newsflash: customer is always right. Even if I had ordered the wrong thing mistakenly (No. Didn't happen), it doesn't matter. I'm right. Third: Food was actually VERY TASTY but superbly overpriced. Therefore, I give it a 3 stars, knocking it down from what it might've achieved... Fourth: One bathroom.
(3)
Crystal C.
ShoooooJooooo! Such an awesome drinking and dining experience, from the decor, to the food, to the drinks, and of course, the company, all of it was wicked awesome! I rarely travel, so when I was invited to a wedding in Boston, I was stoked to get over there and sink my teeth into the food scene. All my homies on the East Coast are Chinese, so it seemed fitting to hit up Chinatown. Our meal also followed a rehersal dinner, so it made sense to keep it classy at Shojo, which has an upscale / trendy / intimate feel. I kid you not, we had everything on the menu, and ate everything tapas-style, some of the dishes were ordered twice or three times, because they were smaller plates (and because they were so darn good!). I started off with the *Gin Gin Mule*, which I atcually wanted to order, but before I had a chance to say so, it was handed to me, as my friend knows the bartender who did one of those "ahh, you want something... light? Refreshing?" and mixed it up for us. I tried the *Mara Jungle Bird* too, but I'm not really a fan of Campari, just my personal preference, y'all, not to knock a good drink. I had a bunch more Gin Gins, plus way too much Soju and vodka, but hey, it was a celebration, b*tches! So, now onto le food. Where to begin... Well, when we arrived, our friends were there eating the *Salt and Pepper Calamari*, which was light and crisp, not oily, and very flavorful with a Szechuan Peppercorn Aioli. The *Duck Fat Fries*... Yea, let's just stop there and admire that combination. My mouth is watering just remembering those beauts. Rich, salty, hot, I could curl up on my couch with some baskets of those for a night or two. A couple other stand-out dishes for me personally and for the table as a whole, were the *Squid Ink Ramen* , the ramen is made fresh daily and had a sweet, salty, even buttery texture, thanks to the perfectly seared Scallops, the *Kimchi Fried Rice* topped with a sunny-side-up egg which was creamy and amazing, the *Suckling Pig Bao* which was crisp, salty, and oniony in the best way possible, and finally, the*Chicken and Waffles v2* which has huge pull for me as I love me some chicken and waffles. This dish was seriously heavenly. Chinese waffles, or eggettes, if you didn't know (like me, the one white girl at the table), look like a ton of little eggs, and are picked off easily from the whole. Drizzle a little syrup over it, and it's a done deal. The chicken was crispy, lightly smokey, and perfectly moist and hot throughout. The decor is lots of dark wood, tall tables, a sweet mural of Boston on the back wall, and dim, Edison-style lighting. I don't know the next time I'll be over to Boston, but when I am back, you know I'll be stopping in at Shojo to get my grub on. Nicely done!
(5)
Artem K.
Loud. Packed. Delicious No you wouldn't go here for a quiet meeting. Shojo is more like a packed bar with loud music, particularly when we went on a Friday night. But it is packed for a reason, in the ever more crowded battlefield of Asian-style tapas, Shojo reigns supreme. Our party of 4 ordered almost everything in the menu, which is possible because the menu has about 10 items. Literally everything was fantastic. Pair that with some Japanese whiskey cocktails? You can't go wrong.
(5)
Ryan R.
Went here with a friend to grab a bite to eat on a Tuesday night. The place was pretty crowded but we were seated right away at a table next to the window. We started with the sweet sake, which we really enjoyed the whole night. For the dishes we went with the bolognese, "big mac" dumpling, the kim chi fried rice, and the chicken and waffle. The big mac dumpling came as two dumplings and was an interesting fusion dish. It had a good flavor and interesting combination of ingredients. The bolognese had good flavor but I thought that it was pretty difficult to eat because the noodles were totally stuck together. I don't know if that is how it is supposed to be served or if it was just an error in the cooking, but it proved challenging to eat. The kim chi fried rice was my least favorite dish of the night and seemed pretty uninspired. I spent a lot of time in Koreatown in LA so maybe I am a bit spoiled, but this dish didn't even have a noticeable spice one might expect with kim chi. The chicken and waffle was by far the best dish of the night. The chicken was cooked perfectly but the waffle and the juice from the chicken together were probably the best thing I have eaten in Boston thus far. I didn't even use the syrup they served with it because there was so much flavor already. Overall, this place is a nice little spot in the heart of Chinatown. The pricing is actually pretty reasonable and if you are adventurous, you can find some good options on the menu. Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a fusion food experience.
(4)
Sunny C.
Come here for the creative and well executed food but not for a conversation. This place is SO LOUD due to the patrons' conversations and the music. Decor is pretty neat. Best dishes are the kimchee fried rice and the ribs (ABSOLUTE FAVE). Pig bao was overhyped. It was pretty bland, not very savory. Calamari was also forgettable. Same as you would get at any restaurant. The drinks are tasty and just gorgeous in presentation.
(4)
Samantha B.
A new addition to Boston, Shojo sits in the heart of Chinatown. A standout from the traditional restaurants in the area, Shojo dazzles with creativity. Blending tastes and styles of Asia, Europe, and America, the tapas style (often changes) menu is a unique treat. Come for a snack (slightly above cheap for more). The Wu Tang Tiger Style ribs (3 per order) are neatly presented with a pack of flavor. The ribs are a combination of traditional Chinese American spare ribs and Kansas City style, saucy with Thai basil, shallots, and peanuts. The Big Mac Mantou (3 Chinese steamed buns) is downright blissful. The homage to childhood fast food (complete with the "special sauce") and the genius pairing of the Chinese bun fuses this reviewer's favorite treats of yore and present. On a cold winter evening, chowder was the soup of the day, with a silky and creamy broth with sausage, corn, and potatoes. Charred eggplant Ttukbokki (Korean rice cakes) is enough for a small meal. The eggplant, albeit a slim portion, and rice cakes are served in a red chili sauce over baked mozzarella. The rice cakes act as penne pasta and the red chili sauce provides the "tomato" element, to combine this reviewer's first witness of Korean Italian fusion. Kudos! The Bang Bang (reference to an episode of Louie?) Bolognese is enough for a meal and is a great value. This dish has the more apparent Italian flare with strong overtones of Sichuan cuisine in the peppercorn sauce. Looking forward to coming back to sample the rest of the menu!
(5)
Dave D.
Shojo is great. Stopped in around 7:30 on a Tuesday night and it was about half full. Two friendly young ladies seated us immediately. The decor is a a bit extreme for my taste, but then I'm an old guy and probably not in the heart of their target demographic. It's definitely fun and loud and I can see it appealing to a lot of folks. There were lots of young folks having a nice time - lots of smiling faces. I loved that a Bruce Lee movie was on the big screen. We tried the pig bao, the duck fat fries, the shrimp bao, and the charred greens. My friend had a Kimoto Sour cocktail, and I had a beer. Everything was delicious, and the prices were reasonable. Service was informal, friendly, attentive and quick. Bottom line: great food and drinks in a fun, loud atmosphere.
(4)
Lindsay G.
I was really disappointed by the food at Shojo. I came for some fun, inventive asian fusion, but found the dishes to be overly heavy, salty, and sauced. They took some great base asian dishes and loaded them with them with copious amounts of unnecessary ingredients like cheese, mayo, cream, and a bbq-esque sauce, which overpowered the fresh flavors and spices that should have been highlighted. Maybe this type of heavy, Americanized cuisine appeals to some, but it really wasn't for me! On the plus side, the cocktails were better than most I've found in boston and the service was friendly and attentive.
(2)
Salinda N.
Nice modern place located in Chinatown. Ordered the Chicken & Waffle, Kimchi Fried Rice, and Duck Fat Fries. Chicken & Waffle came with two drumsticks and a chinese-style egg waffle. Very yummy! The chicken meat was very easy to eat and pull apart without using your hands. Kimchi Fried Rice also was very very good and came with a sunny-side up egg on top. Duck Fat Fries were fresh and crispy and came with a sriracha aioli for dipping. Good service, good food, good vibes.
(5)
Andrea L.
Great place for a girls' night or grabbing drinks with a group of friends, but the small tapas really aren't enough to feed a hungry crowd...We had to go somewhere else afterwards for dinner part 2. As for the food: - Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs: favorite dish of the night, and falling-off-the-bone tender. - Charred Eggplant Ddukbokki: a wild card but we ended up loving it. Cheese, eggplant, and rice cake don't seem like they'd go well together, but they do! - Suckling Pig Bao: Good but over-hyped. The sweet BBQ sauce was a bit overpowering. - For drinks: If you're adventurous, get the Kamehameha, a mix of coconut milk, lime, and spicy Thai chili. It's good!
(4)
BP Y.
Definitely a gem in Chinatown! The place is international style hip. The dishes are very tasty and creatively well thought out, same with the cocktails. The dishes we ordered were all well seasoned and the flavors were very punchy! Drinks were strong and the concepts behind the cocktails are really interesting. In general, I was not a big fan of fusion style cuisine but I must say I was very impressed by my experience at shojo. I felt that the fun and creativeness of the business was what made shojo different and stand out from the many generic Asian fusion restaurants.
(5)
Helen L.
What a fun and unique place! I love the art decor. Bartenders and servers were really friendly and accommodating. The drinks are inexpenskve, the duck fat fries with sriracha aioli sauce is absolute heaven, and the bathroom is clean! Check this place out :)
(4)
Ed M.
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. A must-try for the 21+ crowd. Inspired drinks (the gin-gin mule lives up the hype; the Kamehameha is a pretty good drink with an awesome name) and excellent, inventive asian fusion cuisine. We had the duck fat hand cut fries, the wu tang tiger style ribs, the big mac mantou among others; all dishes served were delicious! What's great about this menu is its highly rotational nature; I can't wait to go back. Atmosphere is intimate and there are many cool paintings on the walls. We went on a Thursday night at 6:30 pm and it was fairly empty but I can't speak for weekends.
(5)
Anastasia B.
all was really yammi . I got ramen soup with suckling pig and Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries .
(5)
Gail W.
Modern Asian food in Chinatown? Sounds like a contradiction until now. When you walk in your eyes are immediately drawn towards a great street mural and you know this is going to be a hip place. While the space is small, the combinations of tables are easily ready to accommodate parties of any size. They also have a function room which we didn't see, but could have potential for small parties. The menu is tapas style so get ready to try a bunch of things... Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs- Definitely get these... the meat was falling off the bone tender and the outside was crispy because they are fried before serving. Only 3pieces/plate so order wisely. Duck Fries (Shadowless style)- the waitress told us this was an award winning dish and it didn't disappoint. It is an asian version of poutine fries so whats not to like. Black pepper Carbonara- Enjoyed this. Noodles are made in house, on the thicker chewy side and the sauce was flavorful. Charred Eggplant Ttukbokki- Indifferent on this one.. the rice cake, reminiscent of a flat gnocchi, was a nice texture addition otherwise didn't know what to make of the dish. Flavors were good but not sure if it would be worth getting again. Suckling Pig Bao- personally didn't try this but my friends who did said "they were good, not as good as at momofuku in NYC, but good". Chicken and Waffle 2.0- The waffle is slightly sweet which made for a nice ending to the meal. If you like fried chicken and waffles, get it, but if you don't, I'd try some other things first.
(4)
Sarah C.
When you see ramen on the menu, you'll think of yellow egg noodles. I was surprised to see soba in my bowl of shojo ramen. Soba is a healthier choice but don't call it ramen or allow your customer to choose noodle selections. Interesting broth (love anything with sesame and black pepper) but it was very salty. The soba was also undercooked. Next came the shrimp ramen and it was stir fry soba. Soba again? No broth? I am so confused. Persimmon added a sweet taste to it which I like but again, way too salty. The fries were good at least.
(2)
Tiana A.
The food was very good, loved everything I had. The server was great, the food came out fast and still hot. The cold tea drink was great as well. The only thing I have to complain about would be this drunk group who was arm wrestling and screaming. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone
(5)
Xue L.
Awesome restaurant! The food is great--real Asian fusion, not Westernized Asian food. The highlights were the noodles--the Bang Bang Bolognese and Charred Eggplant Ttukbokki. Very tasty! The Kimchi Fried Rice, Chicken and Waffles were great too. The bar also serves unique, yummy Asian fusion drinks. Unfortunately, docking a star because: 1) It's tiny and VERY loud (I feel old writing this). Great place to come with a group of friends to pre-game. Not a good place for a date or to catch up. 2) The food is very oily, and most of the dishes are spicy.
(4)
Vicky N.
I was really excited to try the chicken and waffles at this place but to my disappointment they no longer had it in the menu so we got the pork bao and the hot pressed sando. The place is small which dark lighting. The service was pretty slow although the place wasn't busy. I wasn't impressed with the pork bao ($9) it came with some kind of tomato sauce which didn't go well with the pork. The hot pressed sando ($12)was pretty disappointing. It came with potato chips which were salty and tasted burnt and The fried chicken in it the panini was soggy. This place is overpriced and the food wasn't that special. I probably won't be coming back.
(3)
Suzanne G.
I loved it here! Not your typical Chinatown restaurant. Boston needs more creative restaurants like Shojo! The atmosphere is industrial and eclectic, with one of the best 80s/90s throwback playlists I've heard in a while. I'm pretty sure everything is good here...I must go back to test out my theory (aka order the handful of items I haven't tried). Here's what I've had: Black pepper carbonara - better than most Italian restaurants Kimchi fried rice - must have Duck fat fries - good, but not a must-have Wu Tang Ribs - must have Chicken and waffles - at an Asian restaurant!? So fun and addicting Drunk ass shrimp noodles - must have Bao - must have (ate it so fast I don't remember what kind it was) All of the cocktails I tried were strong and interesting! It's a smaller place, so try to make a reservation or sit at the bar.
(4)
Colleen H.
I looooove Shojo!! They serve mostly plates to share (think asian tapas) and everything is just delicious! It's truly a hidden gem in China town. It's a lot more modern and hip than the other restaurants in the neighborhood and they have this amazing artist paint the wall in the back that has a little peek hole to the kitchen. Drinks are great, both cocktail and mocktails. While the menu changes, if you see the pig bao on there - be sure to get it! Definitely one of my favorite places to recommend when people are visiting from out of town. It really stands alone and sets the setting for a pretty special evening. Great date spot for sure!
(5)
Tanya K.
We shared a lot of the small plates and all were excellent. My boss really enjoyed the Kimchi and we all enjoyed be specialty cocktails as well!
(5)
Sophie P.
The portions here are TINY. It's literally like Asian tapas except not the same effect at all because the food is not outstanding. The restaurant is really small and loud. My boyfriend and I were practically sitting right next to the other couples surrounding us, and we had to yell to hear each other speak. If I were at the bar, I wouldn't mind, but being at the table and being surrounded by people was uncomfortable. Also, the tables are so small that the plates we ordered wouldn't really fit. We had to keep eating really fast. What we got: Shaved Asian salad - simple, fresh, fine. Nothing special Suckling pig bao - More like sucking pig bao because it's NOT WORTH THE HYPE. Go to Myers + Chang for the real pork buns. The buns were dry and almost crunchy, and the pork had no flavor. I love my pork buns and I know when I see a good one. Not here. Duck fat french fries - Oilier thin french fries. The aioli sauce was good (obvi, who can mess up aioli) but honestly I only liked them because they were thin and crunchy. Nothing new here. Duck taco - TACO?! No. More like giant fried wonton chip with veggies and "duck" on top. I couldn't even taste the meat and you couldn't eat it without a fork and breaking off the "taco". Mussels in thai beer broth - Tasted a little citrusy; there were bits of orange in there. Refreshing. Cold tea for 2 - THE ULTIMATE DISAPPOINTMENT. Omg. Sounds like a good idea in theory to have your alcohol served in a teapot. The drink was waaaay too sweet and almost tasted like medicine. Both my boyfriend and I weren't feeling it. The service was fast and the bussers cleared our plates very quickly, but it's because the tables are so damn small. We paid over $80 that made us feel maybe half full.
(2)
Ojus P.
Got virtually the whole menu (10 dishes) shared among 6 people and recommend doing something similar to share a bunch of dishes. The suckling pig bao was a highlight along with the ginger cocktail. I got the tea for 2 and it is an awesome deal served in a whole teapot. Would be happy to go back. It was about $40 per person for 10 dishes and 6 cocktails so not too expensive
(4)
Julia K.
This is a nice spot for an upscale drink in Chinatown. The gin gin mule was delicious. The taste of the alcohol was entirely masked by the ginger flavors. The black bird (?) wasn't very special and tasted like a typical vodka based drink; however, the presentation was artistic. I'd pass on the food and go to some of the other more "authentic and traditional" chinese restaurants in the area for a real taste of what the city has to offer.
(3)
Jenn Z.
Delicious food (yes the suckling pig bao was excellent) and cool drinks (saw one came in a Buddha shaped cup). Good service in a trendy setting. Price beats other fusion restaurants in town.
(4)
Francine W.
Love this place. The kimchi fried rice is delicious. The baos and duckfat fries are solid. Fried calamari sucked actually but in general the dishes are creative and tasty. Good drinks too!
(4)
Anju P.
I write this review with mixed feelings. On the one hand, Shojo deserves praise as the best restaurant in Chinatown and one of the best in Boston. On the other hand, Shojo's limited popularity allowed us to dine on a Friday night without a reservation and with no wait. However, tonight's meal was so delicious that I would be doing humanity a disservice by not announcing it to the world. The bartenders are great. I'd recommend seating at the bar for the most attentive service and interesting ambience. We ordered four dishes for sharing. They arrived with sufficient time between to enjoy each small plate to its fullest. Don't be fooled by the low prices though, the portions are actually quite large and we ended up having to take some home. The standout dish of the night was the spag-n-ball z, a dish composed of a coconut lime broth and squid ink dumplings. Despite the corny name (yes I admit I watched dbz as a child), the dish was amazing. The broth was flavorful, the dumplings worked extremely well. Next time, we'll be ordering two plates worth. And next time can't come soon enough.
(5)
Mary G.
I was lured here by their Chicken n' Waffles 2.0 and while that dish didn't blow me away, I found the other takes on Pan Asian fusion surprisingly well done & reasonably priced. It is a slightly awkward 1.5 dishes per person, roughly. With most dishes coming in at less than 10 dollars, it is pretty reasonable. While I'm not in love with how hard they're trying, graffiti art everywhere with "former industrial space" styling I'll go back to what I said before; the food is actually pretty decent. My friends and I got the chicken and waffles, duck fat fries, eggplant ddukbokki, and the salt & pepper calamari. The chicken part of the CnW was pretty darn swell, though the waffle part drug it down. They were going for something sort of like taiyaki (I can't quite think of the word for it, but basically pressed street waffles one finds in Taiwan and Japan), but they were heavy and not well made. The eggplant dish was homey and comforting, the calamari well prepared, the sauces everything came with were very complimentary. I don't think I could go here too many times before it wore thin on me, but it is a refreshing take on fusion that is def't worth checking out a few times.
(4)
David C.
After Shojo catered one of our Elite Events, I was left with a major hankering for pork buns and knew I had to try this Chinatown hotspot (never thought I'd pair those two words together) for dinner. The meal as a whole was only ok, but the suckling pig bao did hit the spot. My entree, the crispy Thai-style duck, was a bit of a misnomer. The meat was tender and flavorful, but the skin was flaccid, and I'm not exactly sure what made it "Thai-style." My mom got the chicken roulade with drunken noodles--a huge portion, but pretty one note. Still, Shojo is popular for a reason. It offers an atmosphere and creative interpretations of Asian cuisine that you can't find anywhere else in Chinatown. If I were to return, it would probably just be for cocktails and appetizers. And by appetizers I mean pork buns, lots and lots of pork buns.
(3)
Being H.
Called in a reservation last night for a party of 2, today at noon. Left my phone number in addition to my name. Drove up an hour from out of town. Got to the restaurant today and there's a sign posted on the door saying, "Closed today 12/19 for lunch." A phone call would've been nice, needless to say common courtesy.
(1)
Francisca W.
disclaimer: the place is owned by two nephews of a co-worker; we went for a happy hour/dinner in hopes to find a suitable locale for a upcoming staff party, back in December. ended up loving the place ourselves. the reno/decor made you feel like you're at somebody's "warehouse style" studio: exposed pipes, brick wall, gigantic mural...simplistic yet modern - got lots of character in there. Yeah drinks and food were a bit pricey for "chinatown", but if you walk two blocks down to Genko Sushi or Abbey Lane, you'll be met with the same price point. Had the Gin Gin Mule and the one with the cucumber ice, both impressed my palate. Friend had one that was served in a tiki cup (Plantation Punch?), fruitier but also good. Got a bunch of small plates to sample: sucking pig bao, duck fat fries, duck meat dumpling, a cold noodle that's surprisingly spicy, kimchi fried rice...among other things. Yes portion is on the smaller size but it's tapas! Cut most in half and all four of us had a decent bite. The highlight was on the dessert sample plate (on the house, due to our connections, and also coz we were booking a private party!).... I can't remember other things but the choco sesame balls were da bomb!! Just the right size (a bite or two), and the semi-liquidy choco filling was dark and rich (not plain sweet), like a Valhrona kind, not the Hershey kind. A very pleasant meal in all. Small complaint on the young staff: service was a little spotty as they're all engrossed in their phone. Take a break in the back room if you need! Phones should NEVER be out in front of customers, unless that's what you use to take their order or close their tab! On another note: staff party was a huge success. All staff liked the location (walkable from work), the restaurant was just the right size to reserve the whole place to ourselves for a couple hours, food and drinks were approved by all. The owners also worked our budget into menu planning and were very accommodating to our needs (ex. food allergies) as well. p.s. Try the cold tea for two!!!
(5)
Jeffrey R.
I love Shojo. Probably go there too often. It's a unique spot in its neighborhood - a cool, modern space flanked by the more traditional restaurants & storefronts you'd find in Chinatown. It's typically bustling on the weekends and an occasional weeknight, so expect to wait. The menu is mostly asian fusion, served tapas style. The Kimchi fried rice is probably my favorite item on the menu, but the bao is pretty solid too. The menu seems to change it up quite a bit, which I give them credit for. The cocktails are really fun (and strong) too.
(5)
Veronica C.
Excellent food and service! Food came quick and all the servers were very attentive all the time! Ordered: duck fat fries and fried calamari for appetizers and duck breast and drunken chicken for entrees. The duck breast was the best!!
(5)
Karen Y.
My friend found this place and suggested we go during our trip to Boston. We went for dinner but didn't know what to expect. It's a little difficult to get full from their dishes, but I think we were able to satiate ourselves after three rounds of ordering. Interior design is wonderful, though tables could be a bit bigger. Great original drinks. Service was above average, but not great... but not terrible either. I really did like the vibe of the place. Friend adored the cup/glass that the Chairman's Painkiller (???) was served in. All in all a great time.
(4)
Lindsay H.
I went in for drinks this past Saturday around 9pm. It was packed- we were told a 20 minute wait for a table. The host helped us to find a spot at the bar and luckily two seats opened shortly after. They have a very interesting cocktail list. However, I did not know what half of the ingredients were. The first drink was pretty good, but a little too "floral" tasting for me. Then we split the cold tea for two. This was good and not overly seat; I just wished that it was warm tea. I think the next time I would be sure to ask more questions about what is in my drink. While I did not love my drinks, I am definitely excited to go back for dinner. The ambiance is great, and the staff is AMAZING! I have never been to a place where everyone was so friendly and accommodating. A definite bonus is that they also seem very willing to prep a vegan dish for me, even though it is not on the menu. Nice crowd and good vibe. Be sure to check this place out!
(4)
Sarah G.
So pumped to have a spot in Chinatown that is nice and fun inside! I mean, where else in Chinatown can you go and eat affordably in a semi trendy location where they make their own house ginger beer to use in their creative cocktails? And their cold tea for two with oolong infused Vodka was addicting! What a fun place! In addition to the decor being pretty awesome on the walls, the rumors in these reviews that they play old kung fu episodes in here are definitely true too! I thought it might not be, but to my surprise they really do play up the stereotype here! Love it! And then the food was pretty great too. Although I will say that the duck fat fries that everyone raves about were not that great, and I know how addicted Bostonians are to lobster, but their lobster fusion pasta dish was not my fav (although others who ordered it with me liked it!). But those suckling pig baos were PERFECT. I only wish they were bigger and more came to an order! Yum! Call me a sucker for anything pork, but these little bites of heaven make me want to go back to Shojo. I also got a seared tuna on a bed of wasabi rice that was cooked to perfection too--seared on the outside, almost raw in the middle, and that wasabi flavor with it was just so so good! And it made me feel a little healthy after having my pork bao :-) Everyone else was more than happy with their short rib dishes and I forgot to mention how great their calamari is too! It isn't fried like normal calamari. No no, at Shojo it is served with spicy peppers and it is fresh and amazing! We found ourselves almost fighting over the last pieces of that dish! So glad Shojo is around and can't wait to come back!
(4)
Sebastian Y.
Easy-to-recommend, flawlessly executed Asian fusion with influences from China, Japan, Korea and even Latin America. Full bar with delicious cocktails. We will be going back and so should you.
(5)
Andrew T.
Want to start by saying that the food at Shojo was great. Interesting, tasted great, and the kitchen was quick to get everything out in a timely manner. The atmosphere was fun, a little more upbeat and louder than some of its Chinatown neighbors. Service was mid-tier. The food came fast when we could get a hold of the waitstaff, but that proved difficult throughout our meal. We also received pushback when we wanted to split a meal between 6 credit cards. Granted its a lot of people, but big groups and multiple cards are a restaurant reality. New restaurants need to understand and embrace this. Pros: Food, atmosphere. Cons: Service
(3)
Wesley S.
This place was pretty awesome and a great find. We had just arrived via train and were hungry and looking for something quick and near south station. We were lured in by the pretty lights outside and once inside were surprised to find an amazing menu of unique dishes and an extremely friendly staff. Coming from NYC, this place was amazingly economical as well. I loved it. Thanks for reading and enjoy.
(5)
Susan S.
I unfortunately did not love the food here no matter how much I did want to enjoy it. I'll talk about the good and the bad. We came here on a Friday night at 7 ish with 2 other friends and it was empty but the crowds came in an hr or so later. I would say I like the atmosphere of the restaurant which was casual but intimate and charming in its own way. The wooden interior gives the place warmth yet is contrasted and balanced by the black colors. I liked how they were playing these old school movies on the screen. I think the strengths were more in the appetizers than the entrees. We ordered the Pig Suckling Bao buns which was decent. I don't remember it being really crispy, but it was a solid good with its salty and savory flavor. The fries with duck fat were tasty. You could taste the duck in there and the sauce was good not great, not that spicy. The shrimp balls with almonds on them were okay...reminded me of dim sum. The sauce with it I think was supposed to be pumpkin chili flavored but I didn't taste that at all. The duck confit dumplings which were good but not great. You can taste the savoriness but for me, it was mainly salty. The sauce was also not very memorable. The entrees we got were okay. The ravioli dish with pulled pork was tasty but I don't think the other elements in the dish came together very well. The portion was good though. The worst dish for me was the chicken roulade. I don't know if I ever hated a dish. As I first ate it, I thought it was fish or something. I couldn't really tell it was chicken because the meat itself tasted bland to me. And the noodles that came with it were lackluster in texture and flavor. The ginger beer was pretty good though and I think my friend liked her drink that also had ginger in it. Service was good. Her name was carmen I believe. Atmosphere is good. I just don't think the execution and components of flavor ever come together though. I guess there's just a lot of expectation for a fusion place. I just don't think it was worth my money, I was actually really angry that I had to pay for this food. I had to pay 40 dollars including tip. I like to enjoy things and I don't like to criticize food. I think the concept of the restaurant and what they are trying to bring to the neighborhood is noble, but I think they can improve on things. My other friend who had come to Shojo before had told me she just thought their food was just salty and I just can't disagree.
(2)
Hana P.
No good. Trendy place to get drinks maybe as the ambiance suggests but to go here for a meal is a mistake. One, timing was all off. Our food came out at different times. He was eating, then I was eating etc. We got the pork ribs which can be described as cooked ribs then dunked into honey. No flavor except honey. Then I got my scallops which was way overpriced. They were cut in half. So basically it was 13$ for 1.5 scallops (not even jumbo). They tasted like scallops and lacked flavoring so no way I would order that again. Then after that we got out greens which they introduced as *market price. Lol. This place really felt a bit pretentious. I am glad that these kind of places exist everywhere.
(1)
W. C.
-Pork belly entree - It was good, but this seems to taste very similar to all other Asian Fusion places. -Duck fat fries - I liked these. -Suckling pig bao - I liked the flavor, but it is kind of overrated in the yelp reviews. I'm guessing these people ha
(4)
Danny F.
Was a little unsure coming to eat here for the first time, but it was such a treat. I had a side of kimchi and XO corn as apps, and they were probably the most multidimensional versions I have had of either. The kimchi was really quite spectacularly balanced between spicy, sour, sweet, and it also had kale (?) in addition to the regular cabbage. Definitely a hit. The corn was also fabulous, with a housemade XO that added a lot of flavor to the fresh corn's natural sweetness. Entrees consisted of char sui pork ravioli and fried catfish. Ravioli was kind of amazing. I love any meat-stuffed ravioli, but this was perfectly cooked and portioned. The bacon in the sauce really added something too. Catfish was the least successful dish. The fish itself was pretty bland, but really crunchy, and needed the wonderful sauce swimming underneath. But once you soak it in the sauce, you loose the crunch. So this was an issue with composition rather than cooking technique. I like that Shojo is pretty aggressively creative, which being reasonably priced and mostly successful. I'll keep coming back. What I am baffled by is the location. I don't know who it's clientele is supposed to be. Most people go to Chinatown to try and get an authentic experience. And this is the total opposite. It really needs to be relocated to a much hipper location, or at least one where people will actively go to appreciate.
(4)
Gazelle T.
I'd give the drinks 4 stars and the food 2. We got the duck dumplings--too much duck filling, too dry, too salty, and only a microscopic smidge of parsnip puree on the plate to go with them. I ordered the ravioli, and it was incredibly boring and pedestrian. It was supposed to be 'Char Siu Pulled Pork, House Smoked Bacon, Chinese Celery, Shaved Perorino' which sounds really exciting, but it was just too salty, too heavy, too creamy. The pasta was doughy and the heavy cream sauce overwhelmed the other flavors and the pork was BORING. And I love pork. My boyfriend ordered the duck and it was all right, but I thought the stuff it came with (couscous and a simply dressed vegetable) were pretty boring. I'd give them another chance because the drinks were really good, but I'd be cautious about ordering food.
(3)
Kevin M.
Great spot in Chinatown with a cocktail and Japanese beer list to beat anything you can find elsewhere. Food is Japanese inspired and trendy (especially the cocktails and the vibe), no disappointments any where.
(5)
JIllian N.
Hip place for 20 something Friday night. Inventive drinks, cool scenery. Food best shared as tapas amongst a group. They were out of the specials.
(3)
B J.
Service was excellent. We were an hour late for a reservation due to insane traffic and we had to make a show. The folks here didn't even bat an eyelash. It was all smiles and accommodation. The food was as excellent as the other reviews indicate. We had the fries, the bao, noodle salad, Malaysian chicken, and cocktails. It was all so welcome after battling traffic.
(5)
A T.
I had lunch at Shojo recently, my first time at the restaurant. It may be the only restaurant in Boston's Chinatown that meets all of these criteria: it is super clean, has contemporary and stylish decor, and very good and innovative food and bar menus. I tried two appetizers and a main course along with two non-alcoholic drinks. The drinks were very excellent, tasty and unique. I highly recommend the superb Shojo Punch ($4.00), which was a blend of fruity juices, much better than I expected for a fruit punch. I also recommend the unique and interesting homemade lemongrass soda ($5.00). The appetizers and main course all were ready at the same time and brought to me together. I particularly liked the corn appetizer ($4.00). The distinctive flavorings used made this dish a great one. The almond-covered shrimp balls ($5.00) were good, but the almond texture and flavor were over-powering. Instead, I'd recommend that they lightly dust the shrimp with almond powder rather than cover the shrimp with almond slices. The main course of drunken chow foon noodles ($8.00) was also good. It included chicken, shrimp and vegetables. I had expected the appetizers to be smaller portions, so I ended up ordering too much. Next time, I'd probably get one or two dishes, not three. I will be back to Shojo. It is an excellent new addition to Chinatown.
(4)
Heather G.
As is often the case, I disagree wholeheartedly with the Yelp community in aggregate. 4 stars? not a chance. 2 stars, 3 on a good day. Here are the takeaways: 1. On a Friday night, the restaurant was nearly empty. 2. The food is only OK. not great, and way too much money for the quality and portion size. 3. The drinks are really expensive ($10-11), small, and hit-or-miss 4. The waitstaff is over-attentive - some of you know what I'm talking about here. They hover around your table, watching your plates, and the second a plate is empty, they swoop in with an "i'll take this out of your way". Makes me feel like i'm being watched, but this really could be due to #1 above more than anything. Luckily, great company and conversation made my experience awesome, but because i brought that with me myself, i can't give the restaurant any credit for it! What we had: Egg's nest ($15) - We ordered this because it was written up in a food column and looked interesting. Basically, it was a pile of pasta and shrimp mixed with bean sprouts and (heavy!) peanut sauce. On top was a "nest" (that looked like a cargo net) made of egg. The egg screen on the top was delicate, but the flavor did not mix well with the rest of the dish. Come to think of it, i don't think the flavors in the dish mixed too well with each other at all: pasta, heavy/thick peanut sauce, baby shrimp, egg. Separately, they were all OK, but together, they were fishy/eggy/sweet. I wouldn't order this again. Fried Oysters ($9) - these sound good in theory but are sub par in execution. A fried oyster is laid in its shell with some crispy egg noodles, a bit of kimchi sauce, and some paprika aioli. There are three small oysters on a plate for $9, and they taste more fishy than anything. The waiter, as we attempted to ingest these, had to come out and tell us how the chef likes them to be eaten, and how, oppositely, he recommends them to be eaten. Apparently there's some debate on these, because they're tough to eat (and are in a pool of sauce, so be careful tipping the shell to your mouth!), and the diners, waiters, and chef have all rung in. My opinion? Just don't eat them at all. They're OK, but not as good as the bao or the pork rib, so I'd save my money and apply it to that instead. There, problem solved! Duck fat fries ($6) - Small order for $6, but still you're going to need to ask for extra sriracha mayo. These are more thin-cut (thinner than Belgian-style but just a tad thicker than shoestring), crispy (perhaps a bit overdone), and taste like they were fried in leftover onion ring oil...not that there's anything wrong with that :) Though I found them a small order for the price, and not the best duck fat fries that have ever crossed these lips, they're a great munch-y snack when you're here having cocktails. fried pickles ($5) - what I liked about these pickles was that they were very thinly sliced (almost "shaved"), and very thinly battered. However, they were also entirely too greasy and salty for my taste, but to each his own. Suckling Pig Bao - sparsely stuffed, but the meat was tasty (fatty). The dough was nice and thin, but still fluffy and chewy. Well-executed, but at 2 to an order for $8, could really buy you a bit more stuffing! pork ribs ($8) - sweet, sticky, REALLY fatty, but fell off the bone. The introduction these was something like: "try these, Heather, they jump off the bone into your mouth"...which I thought was a ridiculous statement until i put one even NEAR my pie-hole. Barely a touch and the meat falls into your mouth and down your gullet (that sounds appetizing, i know, but you get the point). If you can get over the extreme fattiness of the ribs, the flavor and tenderness will blow your mind. Drinks: Reiko Greene - gin, green chartreuse, lime, cucumber ice ($11) - this was a small drink for $11 and the glass was mostly taken up by the cucumber ice cube. While the drink was tasty, one will not be enough for an evening - a dinner may require you to have 3 or 4, as they are on the small-side. The great part about this drink, though, is the muddled cucumber ice cube. After the beverage was emptied, the ice block remained, and you can pour your water over the cube and enjoy all evening. MMM tastes like a spa. Gin gin mule ($10) - thanks to the lovely Gram, I'm obsessed with these. They make them at Posto and they're completely addicting. I saw it on the menu here and jumped on it. Those who love the Posto GGM, beware - this isn't close to the same. This one is much sweeter (and less alcoholic?). I wasn't a huge fan, because it didn't taste at all like gin - it was more like sweet ginger with ice. SO, in summation, I'd say this is an OK place for a cocktail and maybe a nibble (pork ribs, bao, and maybe duckfat fries), but shouldn't be the main event of your evening. Stop off before heading to whatever else your Chinatown evening entails - Taiwanese food, soup dumplings, Peking duck, whatever.
(2)
Katia M.
Solid food. Hit this place for lunch and was NOT disappointed. Cool wall mural, nice staff, short but very sweet menu; options for vegetarians -- basically, everything I needed for a quick and happy lunch.
(4)
Tammy K.
I'm a little torn over this review. On one hand, I think Shojo is a really neat concept, and I like what they've done with the space, especially with the wall depicting the journey of the monkey (classic Chinese folk-tale). However, I don't know if a place like this will survive in a neighborhood rife with chinese food at a third of the price. We came on a Saturday night during prime dinner hour, and there was only one other table around. We shared the duck fat fries, pork buns, short ribs, steak, and salmon. The food was plated nicely and pretty good, but with all of the other delicious options nearby, I don't think I will be back anytime soon for dinner. It is a nice place for cocktails, though, if you are in the area.
(3)
Allison E.
This place was wonderful. Great service, and incredibly tasty food. We had an appetizer special which was corn with kimchi and cheese in the sauce. It was so good and looked interesting (with half of the corn in husks), we almost ordered a second order, but there were other dishes to try. The duck fat fries were good, with a spicy aioli. And the Bai pork bun was really good (tho you have to like fat). I wasn't eating gluten, and found the restaurant staff so helpful in guiding me to gluten-free choices. Yum! I wasn't drinking so can't rate the cocktails. Also, a fun moving was playing, which I have to rent: Shaolin Soccer.
(5)
Jay W.
This place man... It captures your eye when you're walking through Chinatown. I came here with a party of 15.. DON'T EVER DO THAT. It's not comfortable sitting and you can't even talk to everyone at the table, not even the people sitting across from you because the music is TOO LOUD. Service: Pretty good, they were friendly. But they forgot my rice... Food: Their drink menu is bigger than their food menu. The Duck fat fries ($5) were AWESOME. Whatever is in that dipping sauce is what made those fries good. Although, I wish the fries weren't cut up so small. There is a familiar taste to those fries but I couldn't put my finger on it. For my main entree, I had the Char Siu Chicken ($17) REALLY GOOD, the chicken had a lot of flavor. Venue/Decor: It's a very urban/hipster kind of setting. I enjoyed the wall mural. Nice candles on every table. The longest table in the center of the restaurant for the bigger parties is not comfortable.. One thing I wish this restaurant would change is how loud the music was. Because the music was so loud, everyone is yelling to hear each other so it really takes away from the conversations... Overall: - GREAT food - Good service - Beautiful decor - Bad setting for nice conversations But I'd come back..
(3)
Kimberly Y.
Been here a couple times with the hubby. We really like the pork belly buns. Those are our favorite item on their menu and have recommended that to all our friends. We usually just order several appetizers instead of ordering the entrees (and we aren't big drinkers either), hence the 4 star rating. So far we have really enjoyed all the appetizer items we've tried. I definitely recommend trying this place out.
(4)
T C.
Went to Shojo with a friend before going to a show at Royale, and we're both going to return. The food was excellent, but the service was even better. In fact, the waiter noticed that my phone was about to die and offered to charge it for me while we ate. He wasn't just milking it for a tip, either--he was genuinely helpful and attentive without being intrusive. We had some small plates, which is definitely the way to go. The pot of kimchi had a nice kick to it, the suckling pig bao was super tasty, and the duck confit dumplings (my favorite, though incredibly rich, as you might imagine) were amazing. When it came time for dessert, we had two options; chocolate sesame balls or pumpkin panna cotta. We went for the pumpkin panna cotta. Big disappointment. Because of this dessert failure (I have a wicked sweet tooth), I thought about giving Shojo four stars. However, considering the rest of the meal was so great, and Asian fusion places are not generally known for their desserts, I decided to be generous and give them all of the stars.
(5)
Jenny Y.
My girlfriends and I were blown away by our wonderful experience at Shojo. The vibe for dinner was fun and flirty. The specialty drinks were to die for and the staff was very knowledgable about the unique menu. We appreciated the attention to detail and could not stop raving about everything that came out. The food was delicious and savory; it's definitely a place for true foodies. After dinner hours, the restaurant turned into a cool rustic lounge. The lights are dimmed and the filament bulbs added to a Thomas Jefferson era feel. The staff was so attentive and friendly, I felt like I had been a regular there for years!
(5)
Brian D.
Shojo is crack cocaine. Two visits in one week. Instant addiction. But, I only use it when I party, so it's all good. (I kid. I kid.) Shojo is, for lack of better words, pretty gosh-darned awesome. For starters, If you are the sort of person who enjoys the occasional, or habitual, drinky-poo then you are in luck. These fine folks have got you covered. In booze. Think gin. Think citrus infused gin with coconut cream and basil. Think about that goodness in your face. Now think about a nice Hendricks and Chartreuse served over an enormous cucumber ice cube. Commence getting the shakes the morning after slinging back a couple dozen of these concoctions. And food. Dear, dear, dear, me and the things I could do with this food. Namely, I would eat it. You may do as you please. I've had the grilled calamari and it was nice and spicy over delicate greens and radishes. I've had the mussels. I've had the duck fat fries. I've had the entire dessert menu. I've watched grown men weep whilst they ate the amazing pork creations. Atmosphere. Pretty swank and in a non pretentious way. A new flavor for Chinatown. Fun murals. Beautiful wood tables and bar. Fun, diverse crowds. So Kids, go get some Shojo and let me know if you have any questions. I will gladly Google or pull an answer out of my pie-hole for you. Toodles.
(4)
Ryan T.
Off the charts. Just go! Order 4-5 tapas total for 2 and enjoy. Order one rice....it was enough for 2 and amazing. Ask about the vegetable of the day...we got heirloom tomatoes with pesto and spicey curried carrots and they were stupid good. Food 10, Service 10, Ambience 10, Music 10. Dont second guess this place.
(5)
S T.
Love the decor...the service was friendly, and the flavors were good! However, we were the only ones there to be served..and we ordered an appetizer and two mains..and it all came out at once. Also, they are losing two stars because our main dishes were served luke warm. Odd since, it was not busy?!? This is what we ordered Dish # 1: pork bao w/crispy skin (SOOOO Good!) Dish # 2 (main): pork confit (not bad) Dish #3 (main): beef braised short ribs, taro mash, (flavors were great, but again, served cold..so not so good). Would I come back? Yes, but not right away. Do they not have a heat lamp?? Receiving cold food is not good, especially since we were the only ones there. Anyway, the flavors were good..but probably could of been better if my food was hot.
(3)
Brett P.
Had dinner here the other night. OK place for a cocktail and maybe a small bite, but it shouldn't be the main event of your evening. I wouldn't go back for dinner.
(2)
Drew M.
I was a little nervous going to chinatown for a big party but we had a great time. The service was great, the food was awesome and between the drink list and sake bombs we really enjoyed ourselves. We had a large group of people and the service was great. We all had dinner and then a ton of sake bombs. Everyone loved their meal (ravioli's and duck fries where a huge hit) and going sake bombing was a great way to kick off the night. The tea for two was also a great way to kick your night off.
(4)
Winnie C.
I came here on a Saturday night with 2 friends. It was fairly empty, probably because the place is still new. I have been looking forward to trying this place for weeks. The decor is very creative, artsy, and well... Asian. I can't believe they were able to transform what used to be a butcher shop/cafe into something so young and "hip." There is a small bar in the corner and communal tables in the middle. We got sat in front of the tv. yay! For drinks, we got a Chairman's Painkiller, which was pineapple, coconut, and "rum"?? (maybe), citrus drink, and another coconut drink --- sorry really bad with names. My friend loved the Chairman's Painkiller, it also came in a tiki glass. I got the citrus drink, it was okay, you would love it if you like a light, fruity drink, but it wasn't something I was going for that night. The manager or owner came by and offered to swap out my drink for the coconut milk with cucumber vodka. It was delicious! Never tried anything like it before. Leaves a creamy coconut taste in your mouth when you least expect it. The food, Asian fusion, was definitely not what I thought it would be like, but not in a bad way either. I work in an Asian fusion restaurant, so I was expecting something similar. We ordered the chicken cutlet, the spareribs, and the special seafood bouillabaisse. I loved the seafood dish, they had a special shrimp tempura, which I thought was a cookie between my mussels and clams, but one bite of it and I was hooked! I didn't really try the other dishes but my friend loved their taro mashed potato that came with the spareribs. Needless to say, we finished EVERYTHING. What I would definitely come back for though, besides drinks, is their service. Our server, it said Ronald on our check but I heard Oz before??, was very informed about everything on the menu, we had a lot of questions. He definitely convinced me on that special that night. The manager or owner who checked up on our meal was very nice and changed my drink for me when he found out I didn't like it. We stayed there for a bit afterwards playing Uno, so I could finish my new delicious drink, and the server was very attentive, refilled our waters, and didn't try to hurry us. In terms of portion for price, for my seafood dish $18 I could've been more full, but we should've ordered appetizers as well. But I am thinking Chinatown prices, of course, we came here to try this place for something not something cheap, large, and rude, typical of most restaurants in Chinatown. This would be a fare price to pay for any upscale, finer dining restaurant. I liked the food, loved the drinks, and definitely appreciated the service I received here. This would definitely be the spot to visit if you want more class and service than what the typical Chinese restaurant will offer down the street.
(5)
Harold S.
We came here yesterday to try it out, since a tapas bar in Chinatown is something different. The decor is very creative, and the owner will tell you the story behind it if you ask. The chop chop daquiri was good. For appetizers, we got the fried oysters and spareribs. The fried oysters were not good, it was small and after breading and frying it, you can only taste the flour and nothing else. The spareribs were not bad, it fell of the bones and was very tender. For dinner, we shared 4 of their entrees (between 7 people). The dishes were good, but nothing out of this world. We got the salmon, chicken cutlet, steak, and pork ribs. The service was great, the drinks and dishes came out quickly. But overall, it was just an average experience.
(3)
Jannis B.
We went to Shojo twice: once during its "soft opening" and once during their opening party. Since they're just starting out, I opted for a longer review below. Tl;dr version at bottom. The scene: Small, chic, modern Asian Step inside and you're surrounded by sleek modern decor. One entire wall is colored in a fun, dreamlike graphic of a monkey king, and it definitely has a young, fun feel to it. The staff: Exceptional Shojo staff have really focused on bringing people in and making sure they have a great experience. The owner personally came around during the soft opening asking people's opinions on dishes, and during the party, I saw him go back into the kitchen and specially put together a plate of the appetizers for people who had come in late. Now *that's* service. The drinks: Dangerously good We had something that tasted amazing. House-made lemon gin and ginger made a bright, refreshing drink that packed a punch as it cooled you off. One waiter accidentally started to take away my drink before I was done sipping every last drop. When I tried to stop him he said, "Oh sorry, I already touched it. Let me just bring you out another one." Score points for practicing good hygiene. The water servers also make sure to refill your water without touching the glass -- so you don't end up indirectly locking lips with every other patron drinking water that night. Sadly even the fancy restaurants sometimes miss this basic thing, but Shojo has it covered. The food: Well-executed modern Asian fusion The summer rolls were nice and refreshing with a touch of mint. I'm not a fresh oyster fan, but I *loved* the fried oysters with a light sauce. They're served in their own shell -- just be careful not to lick your fingers and get a mouthful of salt from the shell bottom. I loved the duck bao with kimchee. Crispy skin and juicy duck wrapped in the fluffy bun with a little kick from the kimchee. The biggest hit of the night, though, was the duck fat fries. Yes, they're as good as they sound. Tl;dr: Would recommend. Great drinks, good food, great service.
(4)
K H.
Went here for lunch yesterday and was hoping to be in and out pretty quickly since we were on our lunch hour. Unfortunately, they were working on a catering order so the kitchen was backed up and the food took a while. It was worth the wait though, the food was great! I got the Damn Damn noodles and they were delicious albeit a bit salty. It came with a gooey fried egg on top...yum! I will definitely be back, maybe for dinner this time and hope to try the cocktails!
(4)
John H.
VERY trendy and sleek atmosphere. Crowded around lunchtime, but what isn't downtown? THe food was above average and extremely well displayed.
(4)
Svitlana S.
Nah- skip this place. There was nothing good about the food. We came here during the 1st night in town. Lets just say I've had better food.
(1)
Monica H.
The suckling pig bao was super crispy!
(4)
Charlie C.
Portions slightly on the small side, but extremely delicious and well worth going back
(4)
Winnie T.
A new hot spot just opened up in Chinatown, and it's calling out all young professionals and anybody with a palette that appreciates good, creative food and has a penchant for strong, delicious craft cocktails! The restaurant's atmosphere is hip and inviting, and the look is modern. When you step inside, you'll forget that you're in Chinatown. The vibe is really laidback and entices people to get loose over a few drinks with friends after a long day's work or you can bring a date here where you guys don't have to worry about twiddling your thumbs and sitting in awkward lapses of silence. I attended their soft opening last night and it lives up to its hype thus far. Though the restaurant is still working out its kinks, the food and drinks are its salvation. This place is a new-found gem in the heart of Chinatown, where food choices are all monotonous. Shojo boasts a change from the traditional family-style meal -- plates are each crafted to perfection and served as pieces of art. Some of the highlights of the night were: 1. Miso-glazed salmon with fried eggplant: the salmon was cooked to perfection and seasoned well, and the fried eggplant offered the right amount of crunch to the meal. Would definitely eat again and again. 2. Duck fat fries: crispy and retained this natural succulent duck fat flavor. The sriracha aioli was a plus, but not necessary. 3. Coconut vegetable curry bowl: the curry is served in a bread bowl (the one clam chowder would typically be served in) and it was absolutely delicious and flavorful. Though it is more tailored for vegetarians (hence the lack of meat), had there been some chicken, it would have made it even better. 4. Almond Tofu: This almond tofu pudding is my new favorite sweet thing to eat. It comes with some fresh fruit and an almond biscuit cookie, and it is the perfect way to end the meal. GET IT. 4. CRAFT COCKTAILS were awesome. The Aberdeen Swizzle (lemon, coconut cream, gin) is a standout. Strong, but you won't realize it until 15 minutes in. The Dinghow Cocktail was also delicious as well: champagne with other citrus fruit notes. Chopchop daquiri is strong and sweet, and after a couple of these you'll be feeling nice and toasty. I could go on and on about how excited I am about how this new restaurant offers a new style of cuisine to Chinatown, but it's probably just best if you go and check it out yourself. The official grand opening is on August 8th, and I foresee there will be a long waiting list at the door once this place is officially inducted into the neighborhood.
(5)
Mike Z.
Shojo, Being the only semi-fancy half-white half-Chinese (Asian-fusion they call it nowadays) kid on the block, not bad! You're expensive, but since you fancy and all, I guess you can charge the prices that you charge. The succulent, tender suckling pig bao is good, but it's not spectacular like how everyone raves. The pork short ribs were fall off the bone tender and tasty, though there were only three pieces! All in all, good quality, low quantity, premium price.
(4)
Robert G.
brought my wife here to try an asian fusion restaurant in chinatown. it was amazing,i would definitely recommend this place to all my friends. my wife and i order the "cold tea" drink crack us up laughing the whole night.
(5)
Melody W.
Interesting location for a swanky place like this in Chinatown (especially for an Asian fusion restaurant). I love the murals and interior decors! Service is prompt and filled with friendly staff so far. Anyways, I came here twice this month (coincidentally it was the $5 lunch dishes thing that's about to end soon): one time alone because I was curious about Shojo and second time with friends. Food overall? It was all right. Not too bad but not too spectacular to blow me away. I enjoyed the Drunken Noodles (I also requested to take the meat out and leave the shrimps in). We ordered the handmade tagliatelle dish and Damn Damn noodles. The texture of these dishes are very saucy and can be a bit heavy on the saltiness. The huge plates make the portions look kind of small...although my friends and I kept a menu just in case we feel what we got was not enough, we ended up being "close" to full with our meals. I think the overall sauciness may had contributed to our perception and intake of food :P The menu for lunch seems a bit small, so I would assume there's more variety for the dinner hour. Seems like Shojo is more suitable for the cocktail scene!
(3)
Le N.
Yes, the food is good. But this place is overly hyped in my opinion. The only memorable item from the night was the pork buns. Everything else was mediocre. I also thought the prices were kind of high.. I had the catfish and that's decent at best. The fiance had the steak - that was good.. not good enough for me to come back though. Oh well, had to come here to try it out for myself. Not too sure why it's always so packed though.
(3)
Jenney Z.
A small modern Chinatown restaurant. The menu is small and the food is basic. There is nothing on the menu that will surprise you, but there is also nothing on the menu that will let you down. The calamari was delicious but too small. Barbarcue pork rib was well cook, easily falling off the bone, but too dry. The pig bun was also a little dry, but ok. I feel Shojo is a good place to get a small bite to eat before going to a movie or show in the Theater District, but I wouldn't go there looking for a memorable meal just a satisfying meal.
(3)
Charles T.
Everything about Shojo is well thought out and perfected. From the drop lights and brownstone brick walls, to the ceiling high artistic murals, the place just gives off an upscale but relaxed vibe. The food is no pushover either. Probably one of the few places in Boston to serve authentic duck fat fries along with a feast of other delicacies. Service was much better than most spots in Boston. Very quick, no BS, and super friendly. 5 stars.
(5)
Will M.
Tasty interesting food, great cocktails. Pricey by chinatown standards, but cheap compared to the rest of Boston and in a nicely appointed, clean space. The steak entree was great, as was the egg drop soup. Pork bao tacos were good but too heavy on the bao and didn't have enough filling. The cocktails are pricey at $10, but they're tall and poured stiff, so you get your money's worth. Props to the bartender for mixing up something that was different and interesting, but still delicious.
(4)
Patrick C.
WOW. People love the food here, and its good, but I love the drinks. I never had a better old fashion. The best part? They give you one decent sized ice cube. Yes, I know, it's just ice, but not having to contend with pieces of ice floating around in your drink is great. The service is great.They are very knowledgable about pairing your food with drinks, as well as what's good and what isn't. The ambiance is interesting. The scene is very warm, welcoming, and chaotic. The graffiti and videos of Bruce Lee playing on the T.V. gives you the feel of being in the mind of a 20 year old. (We all loved graffiti and Bruce Lee when we were 20 right?) The low lights, and the seating options make you feel cozy and comfortable. The food is unbelievable. I love the fries cooked in duck fat. Mostly because I feel healthier that I am eating something with duck fat. That's the good fat right? I am also a fan of their kimchee butter. Sounds gross at first, but it makes sense. Just try it on their skirt steak.
(5)
Sophie S.
Phenomenal food!! Everything has unexpected, delicious flavors and the service is good. Can't wait to try drinks here!
(5)
Max H.
I had heard about this place from Thrillist and some other interwebs lists. I was expecting a dazzling, mouth-watering, unique, and unexpected Asian fusion restaurant... To be honest it seemed like they tried too hard to make "unexpected" dishes. For example the glass noodle salad was completed buried under all sorts of peppers and vegetables... Sometimes minimalism pays off--my tongue was kind of assaulted with flavors. That being said, the place had a great atmosphere and vibe and some of the food items were actually pretty good (namely the Kimchi fried rice and the calamari). A pro was definitely the fact that they had the Hitachino white ale on tap!!! Overall, this restaurant's a "meh" for me.
(3)
Nat P.
Finally a place in Chinatown my cool grandma would like! This is modern Chinese at its best! I totes recommend the Sucking Pig Bao, even though it doesn't sound good. This is one awesome bun of pork deliciousness. While I do prefer the traditional Chinese places, I do appreciate the sleek decor, highlighted by an amazing wall mural that looks like it was painted by the Gorilla's cover artist!
(5)
Jon T.
Great, great, great. Went in on a Saturday, arly evening. Sat at bar and was treated to a great show. Cocktails were splendid (making own ginger beer puts you in a winners circle to start with). Tried the bao, duck confit dumplings & glass noodle salad small plates. Didn't disappoint. The bao was terrific, with a nugget of crispy crackling tucked in. Bar tender treated us to small samples of house blended liquors which just added to the experience. Heading back real soon
(5)
W J.
This restaurant is really special. The manager Brendan went out of his way to make my mother's birthday really special. I purchased a gift certificate for my mom's birthday. She went with her friends and they all had a really nice time at Shojo. My mom liked and the duck and the tofu, and mentioned that the duck fat fries were very good. Thanks Shojo for becoming a part of our nice memories.
(5)
Mike D.
I went into Shojo on a Friday night with my expectations set extremely high based on all the hype I had heard. That's usually a bad idea because 9 times out of 10 you will be let down but here's the kicker; Shojo exceeded every expectation in every aspect of my dining experience. Here's the run down: Walked in the restaurant and BAM! The decor and graffiti suggests that you are in for a modern treat with a classic twist. The hostess was so pleasant as she escorted us to our seats and immediately we were swarmed (in a good way) by waitstaff to assist us with water, drink, and food decisions. We ordered the Suckling Pig Bao, BBQ Pork Rib, Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries, Tuna Tartare, duck dumplings, kimchi fried rice, and almond shrimp balls. I'm not going to go in specific detail of each because they were all stunning and perfectly prepared. I want to be able to critique something on these dishes but literately they all came out super hot, fresh, perfect balances of flavors and textures and were perfectly presented, not even a finger print on the plate. I know you are reading this and saying "come on, something must have been wrong" but honestly this is one of the closest to perfect dining experiences I have ever had in Boston. Maybe it was the greatly attentive waitstaff, the tantalizing preparation, the extremely cold Thai beer, or perhaps the fact I never had to worry about a empty glass of water or a dirty plate sitting on the table or maybe just the taboo of being in Chinatown,Or MAYBE, just MAYBE these guys have all the right component to complete a successful dining experience. Get your A$$ here and eat your face off!
(5)
Michelle B.
I enjoyed just about everything about this spot. The location is easy to get to (right next to China Pearl), and has a super cute, if out of place, exterior. The inside is small, but very well decorated. It feels light and open, and there's a good amount of seating without it feeling crowded. Our waiter was fantastic. He was great at explaining a few items on the menu, suggesting drinks, and making sure we knew about their spin on certain things (their dark 'n stormy, for example). He checked in on us periodically and joked around with us in a really easy going manner which I appreciate - sometimes it feels forced and it always ends up being awkward. Now, the food: I loved most of it and liked the rest of it. I tried a few different dishes. Out of everything I tried, the fried oysters were probably my least favorite, but again, were still good. They were well seasoned, but I found the pile of fried noodles on top of each oyster confusing as it seemed so out of place with everything else on the plate. The spinach salad was a delight - the dressing was warm, so the spinach was just barely wilting when it was served to me and it was really flavorful. Their ribs are fantastic - tender, extremely well seasoned, and plentiful for the price. My husband and friend both the got the bbq pork ravioli and enjoyed that quite a bit. Now, typically this sort of review would earn five stars, but I'm docking them one star for lack of follow up on a private event. I emailed them about a dinner part for the management group in my company and got a prompt response asking me some questions so they could get pricing to me. I asked for two types of proposals and ... never heard back. I emailed twice after that, with still no response. It's a shame, because they lost out on a private party of 16 people who love to eat and drink.
(4)
Victor P.
I went to this restaurant because of the reviews on Yelp, and I couldn't have been more disappointed. So I'm compelled to write a review now, to warn others of what to expect. I'll start with the bad things. The FOOD IS HORRIBLE. Certainly, I didn't try everything on their menu, nor will I ever go back to try anything else, but here's what I did order: VEAL TONGUE SPECIAL: 30% corn, some veal tongue, SOAKED in red wine reduction sauce and OIL. It was inedibly sour, and it had a pungent after-taste. It was so ridiculously distasteful. Imagine eating a spoon of corn and drinking Cabernet at the same time - that's how it tasted. $13 down the drain. DUCK FAT FRIES: just regular thin fries, deep fried in OIL. Nothing special, definitely overrated on Yelp. You get a decent portion for $6. They went well with my beer and the sriracha aioli. PORK DUMPLINGS: soaked in OIL. You get 3 small dumplings for $5. I don't think I ate more than 1. The soy sauce contained OIL too (olive oil probably). In fact, there was TOO MUCH OIL in every dish. And that comes from someone who would put mayo on everything (mayo is 67% oil). Now, the good things: the entourage was pleasant and the server was good. It seemed like a cozy place to get some drinks before going to a club. The music was also pretty good. Overall, I give them 2 stars. The food did really ruin the experience. My wife was disappointed, and I felt really bad for insisting on us going to Shojo based on the reviews on Yelp. Hopefully, you'll make a more informed decision.
(2)
Lauren F.
Awesome awesome place. Really great vibe and they won a best in boston award. We made reservations and actually had to end up waiting for 30 mins. When we did get seated they felt so bad that they brought out a few appetizers immediately, which was so awesome!!! Get small p,ages and share, that's the way to go. Suckling pig bao is a must!! Duck confit dumplings were delicious as well. I can't wait to go back as prices were so reasonable.
(5)
Rich S.
Great drinks, great food, friendly service, a lil bit high on the price tag, but hey, greatness doesn't always come cheap. Drinks... Gin Gin Mule, Cold Tea for Two, and everyone keeps telling me to get the Purple Haze or something like that. Beware, these drinks will put you on your a$$! must get the pickles, fries, and a pig Bao while you drink... you must. ask the staff about the awesome wall mural while you're there... storytime + drinkytime = funtime speaking of which... i'm thirsty!
(5)
adam s.
Such a great place. Everything is done with genuine care and enthusiasm... the service, the food, the drinks, the decor, everything. Markus gets a shout-out for the great drinks and for general awesome-ness.
(5)
Anna F.
My favorite new find in Boston. Been there three times now. Always sitting at the bar (better to see the Kung Fu movies). Food is fantastic (have sampled a wide range), the ambiance is laid back, casual and pleasant (dim lights, open space, playful full wall mural), and the drinks are showstopping. Particularly fond of unwinding with my favorite co worker friend over a pitcher (comes in a teapot) of the cheekily named Cold Tea (green tea drink concoction). I'm in love.
(5)
Nathan H.
Had an excellent dinner at Shojo! Never been there before, just saw it on Yelp and thought I would give it a try. It was a Tuesday night, so the place was mostly empty when my wife and I arrived. Was greeted by a friendly maitre d and was offered to sit anywhere. Many of the tables are the high-chair kind, but I was tired after work and wanted to lounge a little so I chose one of the few low-down tables. Decor was great, they have an awesome mural on the wall of a cartoon monkey on an epic journey of spiritual enlightment. Apparently it was painted by the owner's friend. We started with the Suckling Pig Bao, which was beautifully presented and delicious. They actually serve it with two large baos (indeed, the portions on everything we ordered were ample), so it's perfect for sharing. Meaty pork cooked in a barbecue sauce that was not overpowering. Also included some long baby green scallions that added a subtle earthy pungentness. Overall, wonderful. Next course was coconut soup for my wife and warm glass noodle salad for me. The coconut soup was sweet, sour, and tiny bit spicy, with whole shiitake mushrooms and chicken --- a great mashup between coconut curry and hot-and-sour soup! The glass noodle salad came in a tourrine and could have been a light entree in and of itself --- tasty noodles, peppers, chicken, and peanuts. Like the coconut soup, slightly spicy but not overpowering --- I'd say it's within the comfort zone of 90% of eaters (which is to say, you yelpers that like really spicy food might ask them to add some extra spice). Because the apps were so filling we decided to split an entree --- the steak frites. This was the most "European" of the dishes we had --- a nice thick cut of cow, medium rare, on top of a huge mound of their duck-fat fries. Garnished with more long green baby scallions and "kimchi butter" (butter apparently mixed with a bit of spicy kimchee, giving it a bit of that sour kimchi taste --- my wife didn't care for it, but I thought it was lovely. You can remove it if you don't want it.) To top it off, the waiter poured lemongrass demiglaze over the whole lot. Truth be told, the steak was already well-seasoned enough that it didn't need the demiglaze; but the demiglaze did enhance the fries, soaking into them to create a warm potato heaven. Wanted to try the dessert but was too full! Conclusion: an incredible experience for the price --- most expensive entree is only $18! Nicely varied menu with a blend of Asian and European-influenced dishes, so is a "safe" place to take your (non-Asian) parents in Chinatown. Make the trek out to Tyler Street, you won't be disappointed! Will definitely return!
(5)
talia s.
Food, drinks, service, atmosphere, all amazing. We went early on a Wednesday and were the only customers for awhile. We sat at the bar where a huge screen tv was playing an old kung fu movie on silent. Despite the lack of patrons, the mood was friendly and comfortable. We ate the pig bao, fried pickles, and pork ravioli. Each dish was magical. Shove it in your face and be happy about it. Don't try to figure out what they did to make it so delicious, you won't be able to. Each cocktail was perfectly crafted with an acute attention to detail. Reiko Green came with a huge house-made cucumber ice cube. It was awesome. The presentations were beautiful and freshly prepared.
(5)
Jake P.
Great find for tourists like us. Impressive drink/cocktail/bottle menu, with great prices. The food was excellent. Although busy, the staff was friendly and kind. After a day of walking, this place is the ultimate small-plate dinner+drinks nightcap. We shall return.
(4)
Dan C.
This isn't your usual Chinatown spot and the food certainly isn't your usual Chinatown fare. Think Myers + Chang...only in Chinatown...and more Chinatowny. Its sleek, and artsy, with a modern feel and looks like it belongs in the South End, but the flavors are distinctly Chinatown. Its located right below China Pearl where the China Pearl Cafe use to be. Went here for a date night. We came in around 6:30 and the place was more or less empty. That being said, I doubt it had anything to do with the food, service, or ambiance. The service was great and the ambiance was that kind of almost hipster cool. Sadly the food didn't quite stand-up to everything else. The menu is very small: five entrees, three sides, two pastas, a handful of appetizers, and one dessert (Panna Cotta of all things--why?). Entrees run $15-19 and appitizers $7-10. Not being particularly drawn to any of the entrees we decided to jump into the appetizers head first. We got the Suckling Pig Bao, Fried Oysters, BBQ Pork Rib, Duck Fat Pomme Frites, and a special of Fried Pickles. The bao was served taco style with the pork and veg stuffed inside--similar to Moksa or Myers + Chang--and was pretty much just as good. The oysters came out as three and are fried and then placed back in the shell, covered in some fried noodles and sauce, and you're supposed to slurp them out. This was a little tricky. In the end we just lifted them out, but I appreciate the fun idea. The pork rib was the clear winner. I can't say I've ever had such a tender pork rib, it just jumped off the plate and blew up in my mouth. The pomme frites were okay, but for the price I would have expected a larger portion (maybe twice the size). The pickles were decent as well, though the salt came through by the last few pieces. Having a little left in us we went for the egg nest pasta. I wasn't particularly crazy about this one, way too much peanut flavor for a pasta. My favorite thing about this place is the cocktails. The Reiko Greene is like a green fairy--only it wont make you go crazy and doesn't taste like licorice. The Reiko Greene is good and it is green. Its a mix of hendrick's, green chartreuse, lime, and a big cucumber ice cube. Apparently the ice cube is supposed to melt while you drink it and it will continue to change the flavor of the drink, but I finished them well before any melting took place. It did however give the water a nice flavor. The Gin Gin Mule is a gin mule--gin, lemon, ginger beer--not particularly interesting, except that they make their own ginger beer! This ginger beer is not for the faint of heart, it will kick you in the jaw then laugh at you while you're on the floor. All and all: good date spot, decent food, wouldn't mind going back, but not really compelled at this point. Maybe when the menu expands. On a side note, they do take reservations, so if you're nervous about not getting a seat you can call ahead.
(3)
Jen r.
My husband and another couple, and I went to Shojo at the choice of the other couple. I was expecting decent Asian food and was completely overwhelmed by the flavor combinations, decor and amazing staff. The food was absolutely fabulous and all 4 of us were blown away by it. Not to mention the owner came by and was friendly, funny and truly interested in what we thought of Shojo. Shojo was packed (Friday night at 8) and we didn't leave a bit on any of the plates we shared: catfish, ribs, pig bao, skirt steak, calamari. All interestingly prepared, yummy and reasonably priced. Its definitely not your typical Chinatown spot - its very chic and urban. I can't wait to go back
(5)
Will C.
I came here for dinner with my sister and aunt. We each had a drink, shared 2 appetizer, 3 entree, and 2 desserts. We were stuffed! For drinks, we had the Reiko Green, the Aberdeen Swizzle, and the Ginger Beer. All three were delicious! For appetizers, we had the pork bao and the steamed mussels. Yum yum and yum! The pork and the sauce were so good next to the steamed taco-shaped bun. The mussels were cooked perfectly - not undercooked (raw) and not overcooked (shriveled) - and the sauce was just Wow! For dinner, we had the strip steak with a peanut slaw, the pork confit with crispy kale, and the short ribs with the taro mash. My favorite was the strip steak - so flavorful with the kimchi butter. The slaw was marinated so well and I'm not a big slaw eater. The pork confit was a block of pork, tender inside and crispy outside. You can taste Asian spices in the short ribs and the mash was smooth and creamy thick. For dessert, we had 2 panna cottas with poached pear and an orange crisp. Holla! Everything was delicious and so flavorful. I love how there's a bit of Asian flair in each dish. A perfect melding of East and West cuisines. The staff was very attentive. The decor is very hip with lots of stylized wood, brick, and lighting. There's a trendy bar area also for you late night bar goers. Atmosphere is very chill. I think Brendan, the friendly manager there, told us that Shojo is the name of the monkey depicted in the mural. Ask him about it since I forgot some of the details and I don't want to ruin the story. If you are looking for typical Chinatown cuisine, this is not the place. This is Asian Fusion cuisine. Expect food that you would order in an American or French restaurant, but with an Asian twist, be it a traditional Asian food or spice(s). Prices are quite reasonable and comparable. Brendan told me that all the food at Shojo is prepared from scratch. They make everything in house - from the ginger beer, the cucumber ice cubes, the sour mix, the sauces on the food, the slaw, all the desserts, etc. The menu is selective, as one would find at a high end restaurant. There are also specials every day. And their menu changes every 3 months! They open at 5:30 for dinner service, close at 11pm, except for Fri and Sat when they close at 1am. Great for pre- or post-date. If you want like good food, you gotta try this place!
(5)
Smedley U.
Meh. Drinks were really good, but a bit pricey. Food was good not great. We ate tapas style. The ingredients seemed to be good quality, presentation was good, but the preparation ended up too heavy and salty. We ate at the bar, considering that, the service was fine. This would be a good drinks place paired with dinner elsewhere.
(3)
Shawn Z.
I was confused when I entered this place. Very trendy atmosphere with fantastic service and clean tables right when you enter....which is pretty much the exact opposite of every other establishment on Tyler street. Unfortunately, I can't say that the food blew me away. I came here for lunch and ordered the Suckling Pig Bao and the Damn Damn Noodles. The former had good flavors, but I thought the bao was a little too dense (not fluffy enough) for my taste. The Damn Damn Noodles was too salty which is an annoyingly common theme at many nontraditional asian establishments. Completely overwhelmed the dish and made me drink water like a fish. Overall, I thought the experience was mediocre. I'm not sure I would come to Chinatown for fusion asian though. This restaurant probably belongs in cambridge or the south end.
(3)
Jess D.
Hands down the BEST Asian fusion that I have ever eaten. The restaurant itself is dark and cozy. It seats maybe about 25 comfortably and does have a bar. There are some tables and some bar type seating. We were seated immediately as it was a Monday night and not too crowded. The waitstaff was great and really friendly. They recommended the Purple Heart cocktail and they don't skimp on the alcohol. My water glass was always full as well. For starters we had the duck fat fries and the suckling pig bao. There were actually 2 bao and it was really delicious with fresh scallions, crispy pork and spicy/sour kimchee. The duck fat fries were fried perfectly with a crispy exterior and soft insides. I couldn't really taste the duck fat but it was served with a siracha ketchup that was very tasty. The entrees were amazing! I had the cha siu ravioli. The ravioli was a perfect blend of sweet and salty. They came with a sauce that was a perfect complement to the ravioli and also had little bits of bacon in it. It was so good!!!! My friend had the pork tenderloin and it was a generous portion of really soft and juicy pork wrapped in bacon. We also ordered a side of rice which comes with some chive oil on the bottom. That was definitely a pleasant surprise and added a fresh green flavor to the rice. All in all, a wonderful dinner experience and I will definitely be back!
(5)
John K.
One of the best meals my girlfriend and I have ever had together. We had the Hot and Sour soup, and it was both comforting and excellent. They have their unique interpretation to this classic Chinese soup. I had the chef's take on the ravioli, a wonton-ravioli. Both of us were pretty blown away by it. Her braised spare ribs were also delicious. Drinks were top notch. Special mention to the "Cold Tea for Two," a refreshing and quite boozy lemonade-type cocktail, served in a little teacup with a teapot. The service was excellent, and the manager and bartender were friendly as well. Next time I'm in Boston, I'm going back.
(5)
Katie L.
My bf and I went there for dinner, and we were disappointed. We ordered the duck fat hand fries and the calamari. The fries were okay, but the calamari was pretty good. The portion for the calamari was smaller than I expected, but it was an appetizer so I didn't expect too much. But my bf's salmon was TINY. It was possible 4 bites of salmon and that $15. The food was good, but just the value (portion vs price) is bad, compare to all the different lower price restaurants in that area.
(2)
Vicky L.
Pork boa & drinks were good but it was a limited menu.
(3)
Alex L.
Very, very good. I went there for lunch twice already in the past 2 weeks and both are great experience. The suckling Pig bao is very nicely done. I had the Damn Damn Noodles and Duck noodles in 2 visits and both are very good. Very often, Asian fusion food is done by people who know nothing about Asian food, and it is obvious the chefs know enough about both Asian and Western flavor to have a true fusion effort. The place is clean, hip, spacious, service is fast. Love the "Journey to the West" graffiti. Price is not dirt cheap but very reasonable at least for lunch, with good portion to boot. I will come back often.
(5)
Melissa N.
So I am always nervous to write a review on a place where I worked/ have friends that work there. That's biased, right? Well...i'm going to come out and say it, I know the bartender...so as far as my service goes...IT SUCKED just kidding, Markus was amazing and you can think what you wanna think, but the service was good. Now for the part I am not biased about: Food and Drinks. Drinks: Everything was refreshing and delicious. I was overly excited....I mean, to see an actual bar and cocktail list in Chinatown?!? And also the fact that the drinks aren't ALL overly sweet and just grenadine and gummy bears? I loved it. If you are going in by Chinatown standards: Bar and drinks are amazing; if you are going in by Boston standards: bar and drinks are still above average. Food: (what I LOVE) I got the pork belly bao and they were delicious. the buns themselves were very soft and delectable. The marinate on the pork was also to die for and ooohh sooo good! I wish I got more than 2 pre order, but hey...they were well worth it. The duck fat fried fries. So these came to our seats and we could smell it. My mouth started to water and I was so entranced.... DELICIOUS. However, they were slightly over cooked. If they took them out of the frier maybe 30 seconds earlier, delicious. But this was during their soft opening, so this is where the kinks happen, and if this is what I have to "complain" about, then this place will be great. Mussels: OMG that lemongrass broth was amazing and the mussles were just a little over cooked But again, better over cooked than undercooked. But despite these minor flaws, it was still amazing. Also, this place was soo clean! Its gonna sound weird, but check out the bathroom. The sink/faucet were pretty!
(4)
Geoffrey M.
I was solo tonight staying in a local hotel. Ventured out to find a restaurant in Chinatown where I could eat at the bar and be comfortable. Most of the spots in Chinatown appear to be restaurants with little bars to have a drink while you wait for your table. I was pleasantly surprised to find Shojo. Had an awesome gin and homemade tonic water, kimchi and a delicious duck special. The menu is Asian oriented, but not typical at all. Great service too!
(4)
Amanda Y.
I thought Shojo was really normal. Nothing special. I had way better fusion food at other places.
(2)
Steph F.
Love this spot! Stylish interior, cool cocktails, delicious modern Asian dishes (I had sake and the Kimchi fried rice). I work in the neighborhood and think this new addition will be a great spot for happy hour.
(5)
Roy C.
What a great spot! I just wish more people would check it out. Went Thursday night and there were only 2 tables occupied? WHY Drinks-awesome;well thought out with ALL fresh ingredients Food-we had 2 apps and2 entree's and they were all delicious. All you people who work in the Financial district;this is a short walk ---GO! its better than 95% of your other choices in the area This is a gem;I hope it survives
(5)
Kate H.
I went here on a wednesday night. Since it is in the middle of the week so I don't really expect a lot of people to go there but there is a lot after we sat down. When we were there the waiter gave us the menu then after few mins later, he suggest today's special. i think it was pretty good that the waiter knows what is on the menu in details. He can answer most of my questions on the menu. We have a chicken with potato and a steak with some sour vegetables. It was pretty good. The food doesn't really look like asian. It looks more like french or Italian style. The chicken was pretty soft and delicious. The steak was little bit on the stronger taste but it was still good. We even have an oolong tea alcohol, at first the waiter bring us a teapot but we already have water in front of us so I was like water and tea?? but actually it was ours alcohol. It was pretty creative. the graffiti on the wall was pretty interesting to look at while waiting on our food. The service was good because the waiter knows whats on the menu in detail and they will fill up my water every time without me asking for it. They will fill it to the top every time you drink some. It was pretty good services. I think this place is good for people that wants to relax after work or school and eat dinner. I will definitely go again.
(5)
Christopher Y.
Pretty interesting for Chinatown. It's fusiony but well done. I will probably be back
(4)
B T.
I've been to Shojo for 4 times now and both my bf and I agreed that their food taste better and better each time we went. I love the Asian Fusion menu and it's unique for me as an Asian person. They have awesome drinks too. Wait staffs are very attentive too. Keep it up, Shojo!!! I can't wait to give you a 5 stars review.
(4)
Vivi L.
I'm impressed. We had an 8PM reservation on Saturday night at this place and we were seated immediately when we got there. The place is hip and pretty busy. Our waiter came to check on us immediately and we decided to try out their mixed beverages. I ordered the spicy drink with coconut milk, it was surprisingly good. The only thing that I would change is the coconut milk. I found it too heavy but it did compliment the spicy vodka. We ended up ordering a bunch of appetizers and a main dish to share between 4 of us. The food came out at a good pace and every single dish that we ordered was great. We were so happy with our food, we ended up ordering second round of food. Our favorites were the suckling pig Bao and the skirt steak. The suckling pig Bao was flavorful, moist, and delicious. The skirt steak was cooked to perfection and it was so tender. The service was spot on. We were all very impressed with the place and would definitely come back again for a third round. :) The only bad thing that I could say about the place is the restaurant only has one unisex bathroom. The line to the bathroom wasn't too bad when we were there so it wasn't a major issue. I wish they would have a separate bathroom for men and women. Other than that we highly recommend this place.
(5)
Robert V.
Surprising find in Chinatown. Hipster atmosphere, excellent drinks and really great food. Went late night (for Boston) had the Korean "bao", a little pouch kind of thing filled with crispy pork. Outstanding! Also had amazing roast chicken in a sauce with Chinese sausage. Not a fan of Asian fusion generally, but the food here was excellent. Don't forget to get fries cooked in duck fat!
(4)
Emily L.
This restaurant demonstrates how yelp can help a new restaurant with a unique idea grow and develop into a shining star! When Shojo started, Lynn J. wrote an excellent review and I was excited to try it out but then a few weeks later, people were giving so-so reviews saying that the food was over-priced and unoriginal. I'm not sure what has happened in the last few months but man, the reviews have perked up and my boyfriend was convinced that it was worth a visit. We stopped by on a Thursday night and started our evening with two amazing unique cocktails. Then we dove into the menu and ordered: a side of kimchi, duck fat fries, Pistachio Crusted Tuna Steak, Szechuan pork stuffed calamari, and their shrimp special. I loooooved the kimchi. I'm not sure what they did to give it such a tremendous flavor but I loved it so much that I ordered a side of it to take home with me. I had the great pleasure of having duck fat fries at a lot of different places and so I was glad that I was able to treat myself to a delicious treat but it didn't stand out to me. The Tuna steak was fabulous - the portion was huge and it was perfectly seared, wow!!!! I wasn't blown away by the Szechuan pork stuffed calamari but it was a very creative dish and the sauce gave the calamari a lot of flavor. Everyone at the restaurant was super friendly and I really appreciated how they were able to transform the space into a cozy and intimate area for you to come and relax either for a meal or a quick drink. Come here for a date or with a group and I am sure you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Food E.
Everything I had tasted good. I love that you can take a tour of Asia through the menu. Drinks are inventive and I love seeing Singha on a menu-expensive like the rest of Boston. So sick of spending $14 on a cocktail. But my coconut milk and punch vodka cocktail tasted like Thailand. Literally, it transported me back. The duck confit dumplings were amazing and so were the sesame balls. The pork bao was a little too fatty for us but the bread itself was spot on. I am a little disappointed with the price to portion ratio. I don't mind paying for food, but 8 bucks for a small pot of kimchi where you can see the bottom of the serving dish before it even hits the table is just cray cray. Literally there as like a half a cup of vegetables. And what is with the odd number of dumplings? People usually dine in even numbers and it is annoying to me when you have that rando item that needs splitting or no one takes because they don't want to be that person. They are dumplings-flour and water, with duck-that you can find so cheap all over Chinatown, why are you being so cheap with me Shojo! 4 bucks a dumpling is just crazy. This is one of those places where I'd be a regular at if the value was right. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere is worth the unreasonable prices at least once. Get the sesame balls.
(3)
Maria M.
Last evening we joined another couple for the 5-course tasting menu and found the food flawlessly executed and exquisitely inspired. The service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was delightful and unpretentious. It is a pleasure to recommend Shojo so highly.
(5)
Adam G.
Wow. What a fantastic new place in Boston! I was incredibly impressed. The drinks were delicious and inventive. Mine had an ice cube made out of muddled cucumber and water which was great. The food was creative and unique and very tasty. All 4 of us were impressed and we are foodies. We started with the special corn with kimche butter - fantastic, although a hair messy. The suckling pig bao was perfect in texture and taste, the asian eggplant parm was simple, but delicious and a nice portion. The edamame soup was also a hit for us! Our mains were also consistently good. I got the pork tenderloin was flavorful, well balances and something to savor. We also felt that way about the Char Siu pulled pork ravioli. The pasta was home made and just the right texture. The chicken and the kimchi fried rice were also enjoyed to their fullest. This chef clearly has training and talent. Our server could not have been better. I think her name was Fiona. Pleasant, knowledgeable and clearly wanted us to enjoy our experience. The music was a hair loud at first, but the place has a really cool vibe. I will DEFINITELY be back! A great place to go just for drinks and apps too!
(5)
Libby S.
Atmosphere is great. Drinks are creative. Food is delicious! A new gem in Chinatown. Young, fresh and worth a visit. I will definitely come again soon.
(5)
Rita N.
Love the service, food, and the vibe! I had their special that night. Their seared sesame crusted tuna is so good! Its good size, sits on top of a bed of some fried/charred noodle disc, that is dressed by some creamy wasabi aioli sauce. The texture and taste just go so well together! Drinks are awesome there too! We are so lucky because that night the house sake special is beyond its value!
(4)
Karisa S.
Atmosphere: - dim, candlelit, hip, trendy, romantic - can dress either casually or a little fancy - if you're with a date you may have to lean closer to hear him/her over the music ;) Service: - very attentive and intuitive wait staff - the waitress immediately noticed when my knife and fork rolled out of my napkin and onto the floor and promptly brought me a new set - the chef/manager? brought out one of the dishes personally which was very nice of him Food: - excellent, excellent, exquisite flavor and presentation, portions are perfectly sized so that you won't get indigestion and the flavors alone will satisfy your hunger - Steak Hanger appetizer - so tender, juicy, extra rare in the middle - Braised Short Ribs/Pork Belly? (with taro mash and spinach) entree - beautiful to see, taste, chew, swallow, very tender, I loved the taro mash and the three-layer pork belly - Tuna?? entree - I forget the name, but the dish had seared tuna that was still deliciously raw on the inside, in a sweet soy sauce, with scallion pancake, cauliflower mash and peeled, boiled tomatoes - I shall return! I'm looking forward to the new dishes they will come up with Price: - not cheap, but reasonable and worth it for the quality of the service and food
(5)
Luke T.
I'm really surprised by the good reviews. This place is terrible. I had the duck and it came out rare and was hard to chew. The duck had white stringy veins in it and it was the worst duck dish I can remember having. They have 3 beers on tap and 2 out of the 3 beers were flat. The service was also very poor.
(1)
Koonz O.
Thank God for Shojo, because I wouldn't know what else to do in Boston. Those moments where you want to just CHILL, have some GOOD FOOD, and sip on YUMMY DRINKS, Shojo is the place to be. No fuss. No crazy line. No hectic club scene. Definitely caters more to young professionals, in my opinion, which I love. The atmosphere is more NYC-esque, something that Boston lacks so much - but Shojo's brought the best vibe since their opening. It's a cute little modern place - the music's in the background but not overwhelmingly loud, so you can actually carry on a conversation with your friends. Oh, did I say their food is BOMB? Pork buns, duck-fried fries, ravioli, chocolate balls. OH SNAP. Also, the owners are always hanging around making sure their customers are fully satisfied, which I appreciate - it shows they really care about the success of their business through happy customers. YAY!
(5)
Gary L.
The food and cocktails are fantastic. Service was friendly and attentive as well. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Charlie D.
Went to Shojo with a friend during their soft open. The only way I can describe it is like a funky urban Asian speakeasy. It's a totally new concept for Chinatown, and one which I think is going to do quite well. The craft cocktails were very innovative and unlike any others I've had in the Boston area (Drink, Brick and Mortar, Backbar, etc). The food was not quite as good as the drinks, but very innovative and quite tasty. My friend describes it as New American with an Asian influence. When I was there the atmosphere was laid back and chill, even later into the night, which I definitely liked. The bartender (who was also one of the owners) told us that they planned to have themed music nights and have space for a DJ. That could be kind of cool, but I actually appreciate having a place that's not too loud where you can just chill out and have some awesome food and drink, especially on the weekends. Perhaps if some nights are more high energy and others are more chill, they could find the best of both worlds. I definitely plan to go back!
(4)
Sarah R.
WOW. This place was amazing. On one hand, I wish it were bigger inside so I could come here more often and not wait. But on the other hand, it being small makes it feel more intimate. The drinks were creative, strong and delicious. Cold tea for two was dangerous! Pig bao was fantastic, as were the pork ribs. Steak and fries were pretty good. But the damn pork ravioli. Oh. Em. Gee. I would seriously eat this twice a day, everyday. The sauce was unbelievable, I would have licked the plate if it werent inappropriate. I'm drooling..
(5)
Lisa G.
My friend and I had a great experience dining at this new Chinatown establishment. This place is truly unique for Chinatown. The inside is hip and attractive. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable. I had the special - a cornbread crusted catfish served atop a papaya salad. The portion was huge, and I left satisfied. My friend, a vegetarian, didn't have quite as many options from which to choose but was very happy with the mushroom and corn frittatas. The wine list wasn't particularly extensive, but the glasses we got were very tasty. I would definitely recommend this new place, particularly for residents tired of the usual scene!
(5)
Aaron R.
Excellent. This is a new place right in the middle of chinatown and the food is as good or better than any restaurant in Boston (and reasonably priced). They do the fusion thing, but they do it incredibly well. They do a variety of small plates (like duck confit, duck fat fries with sriracha aioli, pork stuffed calimari), entrees, and pastas that are cooked perfectly and somehow effectively balance the italian and asian flavors. Their cocktails are also really creative and very well-made. The interior and exterior are also classy, but not too fancy - makes for a great experience. All in all, if you're looking for a great restaurant in Boston, whether your specifically looking for asian cuisine or not, GO HERE.
(5)
Hadley Q.
this is my new happy place! i wandered in a few weeks ago while waiting for a dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant to be ready and was happy i did. the drinks are works of art and the waitstaff couldn't be nicer/cooler/more accommodating. i went back this saturday with a few friends for birthday drinks and had the same great experience, they even asked where we were headed all dressed up and gave me a birthday drink on the house and asked if we wanted the heat turned down. love love love this place, great for a quick drink, several drinks or dinner out.
(5)
Nate Y.
Is this really in Chinatown? I've gone to Boston's Chinatown since I was a small child, and I can say there has never been an establishment like this in this hood. I was attending Damien's CMYE and the choice was spot on. The location is right below China Pearl, known for typical dim sum on carts and Chinese banquet dining. China Pearl apparently is also behind this new Asian fusion restaurant. The bamboo out front seems a little bit out of place, basically surrounded by concrete, but it does stand out, so you can't miss the place. Inside it's clean and sleek with the accent lighting and dark furnishings, as well as being eclectic with the amazing painted murals on the wall. When ordering drinks at the bar I loved that they were playing an old Jacky Chan movie on the flat screen. Maybe a bit stereotypical, but I like kung fu/action flicks! I had the Chairman's Painkiller which was a spin on tiki cocktails, in a tiki glass with a slice of pineapple. It was tasty but could do with less ice. Another Yelper had sake infused with green tea in a mixed drink which he enjoyed. My favorite though, thus far, was the Reiko Greene, it was so refreshing that I kept it until I finished the ice cube! This apparently is what everyone does, it's that good! For food the appetizers were all excellent; the mussels were cooked perfectly, the pork bao was wonderful with a nice size piece of fatty pork, and the duck fat fries were tasty, but how could they not be? I didn't try the Chinese spinach, but was told it was good, unfortunately the serving size was very small. For my main meal I had the skirt steak, cooked just I ordered it, and with a mango sauce, it was a home run! Tried the pork short ribs with wasabi mashed potatoes, and although tasty the ribs were served cold. Taste of the pork was therefore a bit bland. We also tried the desserts, the beignets with two dipping sauces and the chilled almond tofu with berries. Both excellent ways to end the meal. I will definitely come back to try their homemade ginger beer, and other dishes. This is a worthy addition to Chinatown, but if my mom were alive today she wouldn't what to make of it!
(4)
Blair H.
Imagine if Sharknado swept through Central Square, picked up the Enormous Room (yes, back when it used to be awesome), blew through the Blue Ginger, swept through Craigie on Main (still awesome), dropped Ming Tsai off at P.F. Chang where he belongs, picked up a few dumplings from Hei La Moon, and threw up in the middle of Chinatown. That is how awesome an addition to Chinatown Shojo is.
(5)
Laura S.
Great food! We loved the taco's, dumplings and duck fat fries (obviously). The cocktail menu had really interesting drinks and the cold tea for two was so refreshing. I came here for a date night before a movie around the corner, and it was the perfect setting. I also had a large group of friends (20) that wanted to get dinner together, and the staff were incredibly accommodating and helpful.
(5)
Cindy L.
Growing up in Chinatown this place really doesn't make you feel like you're in ctown at all. The food was fabulous and very unique. Love the duck fat fries, pig Bao, duck dumplings and the warm glass noodles. The drinks are great! Definitely a must try for something different in Chinatown. Very hip and modern atmosphere. The annually changing mural has a great story behind it. By the way the cleanest bathroom in any Chinese restaurant by far. Extra star for that! :)
(5)
Rebecca H.
I have been here many times, and constantly recommend Shojo to my friends as my go-to place for a creative, delicious meal without breaking the bank. While I'd describe most Asian fusion restaurants as Americanized Asian cuisine, Shojo is more like "Asian-ized" American cuisine. Their suckling pig bao are probably my favorite item on the menu, and their duck fat fries (with Sriracha aioli) are a close second. Shojo also stands out as a well-decorated establishment with good service, in a sea of Chinatown restaurants with questionable sanitation practices and curt, slightly abrasive servers. (I'm definitely not knocking the latter; that's what I grew up on! But sometimes, a girl's gotta think outside the no-frills box.) The old-school kung fu movies playing to a background of hip-hop and top 40 music is an unexpected juxtaposition at first, but I grew to love it pretty quickly.
(5)
Martin C.
Neglected to review Shojo during my trip to Boston three weeks ago. Dropped in there because I didn't like to looks of any of the Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood and Shojo looked like an interesting alternative. I got the impression that it's mainly a drinking place that serves food. I was mainly interested in getting something to eat and, after ordering a beer, I decided on the salmon entree, which is described as "tea smoked" with a potato bilini, frisee salad and mojo dill creme fraiche. Whatever it was, it was great. The salmon was cooked rare (as I like it) but the center was warm (as it should be) which is very hard to do whether you're cooking a rare steak, ahi tuna or salmon. This was a very pleasant surprise. So, apparently it is NOT just all about the drinks at Shojo. I'd give it a higher rating if I had a chance to go back and try some other things but don't be put off by my 3 star review. If my salmon is any indication, they take their cooking seriously at Shojo and you should do well with anything you order.
(3)
Cee C.
-Kimchi rice is bland and tasteless with too much fish sauce -Siracha sauce they use is not the real siracha, It was possibly a really bad cheap one the restaurant bought in place of the real one. - $50 dollars for three SMALL appetizers (you get more in
(2)
Rinda K.
Shojo is so great! I'm so glad this restaurant is in Chinatown and not in the Back Bay or Copley area because it would otherwise be packed. It's a small spot but very trendy and the service is impeccable, as are their menu options. All of their small plates and larger plates are perfect, especially any of their meat dishes. I order their bbq pork rib every single time because the meat is so tender and slides right off of the bone. It's a very affordable restaurant for the quality and service that you'll receive, even if it's not like any of the other restaurants located in Chinatown. Love the vibe and I go back about once every month or so :) Definitely check Shojo out!
(5)
Brad W.
I only went here for the Duck fat fries with sriracha sauce and the Kamehameha (thai chili infused vodka), but both blew my mind. Nice appetizers to start the Chinatown experience before heading across the street to Winsor for dim sum.
(4)
Jenn H.
Consistently one of my favorite spots in downtown/Chinatown to get a drink and meet up with friends. The servers are awesome, and the food is always great. I love that they change up the wall mural. Keep doin' your thing, Shojo.
(5)
Karen O.
Shojo's suckling pig bao is a cacophony of flavors and textures in just one bite! I especially love the textural contrast in this dish. The crispy suckling pig skin offers the perfect contrast to the fluffy texture of the bun. Imagine your teeth first sinking into the delightfully soft bun, then into the perfectly crunchy pig skin, then finally into the velvety meat inside. Just recounting my experience at Shojo is already making me drool :) In terms of the flavor, the dish combines the sweet flavor of the hoisin sauce, the spicy flavor of the kimchi, and the bitterness of the cucumber and scallions. As I was savoring my pork bun, sweet-spicy-salty-bitter juices escaped from my mouth and ran down my chin. Yumm! Yumm! Yumm! The second dish we tried was drunken noodle, a modern interpretation of what you would typically get at most Thai restaurants. This dish offered the same flavor and texture contrast that I experienced with the suckling pig bao. The noodles were perfectly cooked. Each strand was silky but not gooey, indicating that the noodles were not over-cooked. Even the shrimps that were added as garnish were cooked to perfection. Each one of them was perfectly seasoned. Each shrimp was silky but still crunchy, not soggy and over-cooked like in most other places. The noodles used were the broader type of rice noodles, similar to those used in traditional "chow fun" dishes. The noodles soaked up all the sweet-spicy-sour flavors of the sauces in which they were cooked. Yumm! Yumm! Yumm! The last dish we tried was the Chinese eggplant parmigiana. This dish was good too, but I have to say that this was our least favorite among the three. I loved the crispy eggplant skin on top -- it provided a contrast to the soft texture of the eggplant. The taste, however, was familiar, nothing out of the ordinary. When we chatted with the restaurant owner Brian, he mentioned that this dish was newly introduced last week and that they were still experimenting and waiting to hear customers' feedback on it. In the end, I think what sets Shojo apart form all other restaurants is not just its food quality. It's Shojo's service level. Never have I experienced this high a level of service here in Boston, or anywhere else in the US for that matter. You know how waiters always ask you "How's everything?" I get so annoyed whenever I get asked that question! I know they just want me to blurt out "good" so they can walk away and move on to the next table. Shojo was different. The owner Brian was attentive and genuinely interested in our feedback. When he noticed that we devoured the pig bao and drunken noodles in just a few seconds but only ate half of our eggplant parmigiana dish, he sensed that we didn't enjoy the eggplant dish as much as the other two dishes and he just took the eggplant parmigiana off our bill. I was so pleasantly surprised! I very rarely write Yelp reviews, unless I am incredibly annoyed and want to get back at an annoying establishment or unless I've experienced something truly exceptional. Shojo was truly exceptional. We will definitely return here soon!
(5)
Cindy K.
I've been here a couple of times for some drinks. On 7/27 we came here with a group of friends. We got a ton of food and we were not disappointed. Service was great and drinks were even better. I deff would recommend coming here if you were in Chinatown and wanted some Asian food but not the traditional Asian cuisine.
(4)
Mel C.
Great new spot in Chinatown. Here's the breakdown of what we ordered: Sucking Pig Bao: Spot on and delicious. Loved the acidity that the pickles added and loved the crunch of the meat. I thought these were better than Myers + Chang's baos. Schezuan Pork Stuffed Calamari: Great concept, OK execution. The calamari was not too chewy, the sauce had the perfect amount of heat to it. Sadly the pork was dry or else this would have been a huge hit. Duck Fat Fries: I saw that these were on some top "duck fat fries" list in Boston, so we decided to get them. I think they tasted great and you could definitely tell that they were cooked in duck fat, but I'm not sure if I would really order them again. (personal preference) Shrimp Cappellini Egg Nest: This dish needed something else that I can't pinpoint. Maybe it was a little too sweet? The shrimp were sadly bland and felt removed from the dish. I still finished the entire bowl though.. Kimchi Pork Chop with Kale: Nice flavor from the kimchi but the pork chop was overcooked and tasted a little tough. Even with these slight missteps in execution, I would definitely come back.
Very friendly service and a great selection of small dishes to share. The cold tea for two is a must...even if you're dining alone.
(4)
Victoria P.
Came here with my boyfriend and a friend just for some drinks and a few appetizers to tie us over. My boyfriend really liked the chocolate sombrero beer, but I wasn't a fan. We also split the duck fat fries and the calamari - we weren't impressed with either. Both were bland and both were accompanied by the same dipping sauce - an okay sriracha mayo. It was a very unsatisfying snack...not sure if I'll give it another shot.
(2)
Y. B.
I can not recommend this place enough. This place is awesome! I am not from the area and was planning a bachelorette party for my best friend and after calling/emailing a few places I decided on this place. The customer service is superb here. Alex, the sales coordinator was extremely helpful and walked me through everything. They have an excellent preset event menu which is very affordable! They went above and beyond by creating a custom menu for the party. I was beyond impressed with the high quality of the menu. The theme for the bachelorette party was "Sexy in the City" The menu was printed on glossy paper in black and pink like the Sex in the City movie and they even switched out the New York Skyline for the Boston skyline! Now that is service!!! They got all the ingredients for the Bride's favorite cocktail and even let me create a cute name for it. The venue itself is very nice. A nice classy intimate dinner/lounge. It was exactly what I was hoping it would be. The food...OMG was amazing! So freaking good! A huge bonus is that it is very close to the Theater District-where all the clubs are. So after dinner/drinks it was only a 5 minute walk to the club we partied at! Thank you Alex for all your help in making sure that my friend had a memorable and classy Bachelorette party! Thank you Brandon for creating a beautiful custom menu and to Phil who was an awesome bartender! Next time I am in Boston I will be back. I have told all my friends from there that this is the perfect place for a birthday party and or classy bachelorette party! Stay Classy Shojo ;)
(5)
Jiyea C.
Perhaps the idea of a super trendy, modern, clean, western-friendly bar/lounge in Chinatown sounds like a great idea, but I don't think Shojo is living up to that vision. The fact that this place was more than half empty around 9:30pm on a Saturday night suggests that others are just as unimpressed as I was. I guess Shojo is a good example of the saying that different doesn't necessarily equal better. (I say this because I don't think there's any eatery like Shojo in Chinatown.) I had expected more from this place. The raved-about duck fat fries were overcooked and almost all the pieces were too crunchy or dry. They also didn't taste like The pork bao was yummy but such a tiny portion for the price. The glass noodle dish was also just all right, though I love the sticky consistency of these type of clear noodles (despite them being difficult to pick up). Because the venue seems more like a place that people would go to for drinks as opposed to a full meal, I would recommend that the menu reflect dishes that would go better with a long night of beers or cocktails. Perhaps a place like Shojo would do better in a neighborhood like the Financial District, where business folks go for a drink/light fare after work. PS. Reaching the final stretch of the Yelp 100 Challenge! Bostonians: are you IN??
(3)
Jackie S.
Came here on a Friday night and the atmosphere was absolutely amazing. Very small, but comfortable. Ordered the Ravioli as well as the bok choy, calamari, and duck dumplings. Every thing was great, except the dumplings were lacking in comparison to the other food. I would definitely come back. It's perfect for a date night, or gathering with friends. And very close to Downtown Crossing.
(4)
Cait A.
Part I: I don't know why I didn't review this place before. I made reservations for the dinner part of my best friend's bachelorette party here in May/June. There were six of us and we were immediately seated at a nice table in the center of the room. Love the decor and lighting, so pleasant and interesting. Our server was wonderful and amicable and told us the story behind the painting of the monkey on the wall. Its hard to recall what we got specifically now, but we ordered many different small plates and shared; all appetizers and meals were delicious and the portions were good; they were not super large, but large enough that people who got full meals could not finish them and they were polished off by yours truly. The set up/ plating was very aesthetically pleasing and we got the cold tea, after seeing so many recommendations for it. For dessert we ordered the sesame balls. The order comes with 5 sesame balls, but they were nice enough to surprise us with a sixth one as we had six people. They also gave us each a shot of sake on the house to celebrate! The bride and all the maids were very pleased. So happy with this. Part II: We did two checks; two girls on one and me, bride and two other girls on the second. Friends gave me $40 cash and I put the rest on my Visa to sort out later. That check never came back and I had to ask for it. When I got it, I tipped well and we left. Two days later, while adding up what the other two owed me, it came to light that $30 of the cash was seemingly misplaced and covered by my card. I called the restaurant and spoke to my server, who, it turns out, is one of the managers. I knew it was possible that he just wouldn't believe me; its a tough thing to prove that $30 cash just disappeared, but he was incredibly helpful and offered to send me a $30 gift certificate, which was really all I wanted: something in return for the extra $30 spent. The gift certificate never arrived and so I called back a few weeks later and spoke to the manager again, who said it must've gotten lost in the mail and he would "send it again". Okay, cool. Part III: It arrived in the mail and I took my boyfriend out for a lovely dinner at Shojo and enjoyed it very much. Once again, service was wonderful, food was delicious and attractive, and experience was top notch. This place is casual, but easy to dress up a bit and make it a very nice date night. I'm impressed by how delightful it is, how friendly the service is, and what good business practices the manager had when faced with a strange issue.
(5)
A Z.
Got the suckling pig bao, duck fat fries and the ravioli. Was all delicious, although I learned too late they also have an alcoholic chinese tea which I'll try next time we're in the area!
(5)
Khanh P.
Definitely a standout compared to other restaurants in the Chinatown area. They bring a very new and fun taste to the scene compared to the senior restaurants out there. Setting: It's very contemporary and chic, smaller groups (group of 4) fit nicely at the tables. They offer high top tables along with bar seating and your usual seats. Music stood out during my visit because it was 90's hip hop, rnb and techno. Service: the host/waiter was super nice and very informative about everything at the restaurant. He was also accommodating when it came to appetizers made for two, he made it for 3 for our group. FOOD!: We had settled on dinner here but after seeing menu and ordering a bunch of appetizers that seemed more appetizing then the entrees, we ate dinner elsewhere. So the appetizers that we ordered were: Suckling Pig Bao - my first time trying a bao and OMG it was amazing, it had this crunch from the bacon and the pork was tender and savory. Duck Fat Hand-cut fries- great seasoning and the sriracha aioli caught my eye but didn't meet my expecatations. BBQ Pork Ribs- dish had 3 spareribs with fall off the bones meat, average and not as memorable. Tuna Tartar - nicely placed on chips to add the extra crunch Taro Mash - OMG THIS!!! everyone has to try it. at first you're hesitant because if you know taro, it didnt sound like it was going to be that great but when it came out and the aroma slowly trickled into the air....it was heavennnn. All of us looked up after the first bite and said "ITS SO GOOD!!!" Cold tea for two - we decided on this alcoholic beverage and being that I'm not much of a drinker thought it was a bit strong for my taste. it comes out in the metal teapots like any restaurant and served in tea cups. It's recommended if you're tryring to catch some drinks and try out new food.
(4)
Anne W.
Three and a half stars. This place does not pretend to be a Canto spot.. instead, it's upfront on what it actually is.. a trendy Asian fusion spot. I wasn't that thrilled about the drinks.. tried a few Reiko Greene (I'm a sucker for cucumber drinks but it was just too sweet for my taste). Also tried a wine and maybe it wasn't the wisest choice at an Asian spot. Food was pretty good. I would say they are going with the trend with pork buns... executed very well. I was not as thrilled with the chicken kabobs or chicken quesadilla. My friend is friends with the owner. He was nice.. sent over some free sesame balls. A different option.. and replaces the gross bbq spot that used to occupy this shop downstairs to China Pearl.
(3)
Yow-Bang W.
Quite a trendy place to hang out. Foods are creative as well as delicious.
(5)
Christina T.
I came here on New Years Eve with my fellow foodie and loved the idea of an Asian tapas joint aka classy dim sum. Even though I am from Boston and am Asian, we still got lost walking there -.- The food was the perfect amount to feel satisfied without being overly stuffed and wasn't greasy which is what you often encounter when you sample Asian fare. I wish I remember what we ate, but I can't! Just try everything. Cocktails were yummy, strong and appropriately priced.
(4)
Jonny I.
6 months ago when I left Boston Chinatown, the place to hang out late into the night were places like New Golden Gate and Peach Farm....and that was only after spending a drunken night at Estate or Royale. Fast forwad 6 months later and there is this sweet new spot where you can just chill without standing in line, wearing dress shoes, and having to yell to your friends over loud techno music! Food/Drinks: The menu here is a fusion of american and asian/chinese tastes. Appetizers we ordered were Duck Fat hand cut fries with sirracha aioli and Suckling Pig Bao. The sirracha aioli made the fries but at the same time you could taste a hint of duck which gave it a nice touch. The Suckling pig bao comes in a pair and was pretty tasteful. The main entrees we ordered were the Roasted Japanese pumpkin agnolotti with lobster and Braised short ribs with taro mash. The first reminded me of lobster ravioli and while pretty damn good, its something that I had in a previous lifetime and with the other interesting things on their menu, I would try something else next time. However, the braised short ribs were awesome. The meat was soaking with juices and fell off the bone just by lifting it! Their drink menu has a decent amount of choices on the cocktail and wine side....not so much with the beers. The Gin Gin Mule is a sweet ginger tasting cocktail that my gf enjoyed. Their Asahi 33.1 oz is the only beer that lists the size, but I got the Berkshire Seasonal and that bottle was enough to fill up 2.25 glasses. I was only expecting 1 glass so if the price seems high, it might actually be a bigger bottle than you expect, just ask. Service: Came here for Vday and on a separate occasion with my boys. Both times the service was impeccable. Service at the bar and table were equally good. Checked on the right amount of times, water cups were always full, and never rushed for the check. The bartenders here check the cups for water marks before filling them, an often overlooked part of service but I was glad to see it being done here. They also take the time out to explain the tastes of their many drink options. My gf was also given a pair of roses by the wait staff, stole my thunder, but its all good. Atmosphere: Boston Chinatown needs a place like this....for those chill nights where hanging out in the apartment isn't enough but going to the club is too much. The music here is older hits from the 90s and 2000s, hip hop and R&B, untouched, unremixed, and in full length.....because I'm getting real tired of all the EDM crap out there. The crowd is generally 20-30 something year old asians with probably about a 60-40 male to female ratio the late night I was there. High top tables, booths, or bar seating are your options. There is a huge TV over the bar that was playing old school kung fu movies. They might have the Patriots and Celtics on though during the season.
(5)
Jennifer W.
Since my last review we have been back to Shojo countless times; it's become our favorite place in the neighborhood to get drinks and a bite. The bartenders are all super nice and make amazing drinks with great ingredients. This is the only place that I will try drinks that would usually be out of my comfort zone. And the food is still great, the Char Siu Raviolis are amazing for dinner. We also went for lunch recently and the curried chicken quesadilla is crazy flavorful! So glad that there's a spot like this close to me! It's what chinatown has always needed.
(5)
L P.
Awesome food and ambiance. Really enjoyed it. Will go back. It's a cool place to take visitors as well.
(5)
Ellie W.
I was invited to Shojo for a menu sampling, so I can't quite vouch for what the menu/place is really like on an average ho-hum night, but I can say that this is definitely one of the few good Asian fusion restaurants in the city. It's weird, but I sense that Asian Americans opened this place, like someone overheard my conversations with my Generation Y Asian American friends/family about how gross 40 year old carpets are in dim sum joints. This place looks more South End-quaint than Chinese-restaurant-next-to-highway-and-please-Âavoid-stepping-on-crack-addicts-in-alley-before-Âsaid-restaurant. They take the best of Asian ingredients and create dishes that wouldn't overwhelm the average Westerner who hasn't ventured into the world of juicy xiao long bao, tripe, and fish sauce. I'd say this place would make a good 101 Beginners course for friends who like the comfort bubble of pizza and pasta but want the excitement of new flavors, without the Fear Factor shock of a pile of pig's feet appearing on their plates in original form. Our tasting menu consisted of fried shrimp balls covered in almonds, pulled pork, edamame salsa, and a berry-glazed coconut jelly dessert. Most dishes were good, though my friend thought the pork and salsa were a little over-done with the onion flavors. He was the lone dissenter; the rest of us devoured ours. The coconut jelly dessert was also slightly underwhelming, and I wouldn't imagine anyone wanting to pay for this. It was pretty much a square of coconut jello in a pool of berry jam. On the plus side, I loved the shrimp balls, edamame salsa, pulled pork, and cocktails. Yes, cocktails. Never in my life would I have imagined drinking a decent cocktail in Chinatown, but oh, my tastebuds hadn't yet met the matcha-infused lime zesty cocktail that awaited me at Shojo. I'll definitely be returning to give the full menu a try. Plus, the manager explained to us how they take consumer feedback and continually adjust/tweak the menu and ingredients, so I appreciate a restaurant that recognizes that improvements can always be made in the kitchen and actually seeks constructive feedback.
(4)
Joanna H.
Great service and great drinks. Only had the opportunity to try their duck fat fries, but their other food options sound pretty alluring (kimchi butter anyone?) Talk to Brandon, Shojo's co-owner, if you get a chance! There's a story behind the wall murals and each drink that he'll be glad to tell you about! Love love LOVE the cold tea for two. It's so delicious that you might forget it's an ALCOHOLIC drink. So be careful with that. I'll definitely be revisiting soon!
(5)
Jennifer N.
Tapas style plates. But you get a pretty good amount for what you're paying for. Favorite was the chicken & waffle, although I would ask for the syrup on the side bc the egg puff waffle is already sweet and the syrup makes it soggy very fast. Also very good were: taro tots, glass noodle salad (really big plate, plenty of fresh veggies, and the salt & pepper chicken was perfect), the mushroom melody, and calamari. The corn/cauliflower was ok. Small place but it's got a nice atmosphere. Staff is very friendly. Only one batjroom so sometimes there's a wait. I wouldn't go with a group bigger than 6 people.
(4)
Stephane B.
It is a hidden gem of Chinatown. I went with my girlfriend and the ambiance was nice. They had some 90's music playing which we loved. The cold tea for two is a must have. We had the duck fries which were good and my girl doesn't eat French fries usually but she loved these. The kimchi fried rice was our favorite. The spices and flavor were out of this world. The ravioli was good and I'm not a ravioli guy but the sauce was great. The chicken and waffles was unexpected. My girlfriend ordered it and it was good. The presentation of the waffles was great and the flavor of the chicken was good. I highly recommend this place. It is a little small but I love places like that. The staff was very prompt and our server was great. I will be back shojo that I guarantee it.
(5)
Lavinia K.
In the heart of Chinatown but not your traditional "Chinatown" Establishment. The interior is fantastically edgy complete with a graffiti wall. The service is excellent and equally as ALT. But what really stands out here is the menu... Try the lobster rangoons or the squid ink ramen with scallops- both are unique and a delicious spin on Asian cuisine. Also, the cold tea for two is not to be missed!
(5)
Myha N.
One of my favorite places! I've been here a few times and each time, I've always walked away very happy, a little buzzed and full! The place is small. It seats about 40 people or so? There's a bar where you can sit at or you can sit at a high table or booth. They're not open for lunch but I heard they're opening that up 11/28 so I'm excited to have that option! And they're going to have a bar menu for late night snacking too! Love their duck fat fries! Anyways, the few times I've been, I've had the salmon with dashi glaze (cooked to perfection), the 1/2 chicken w/ pistachio pesto, smoked mashed potatoes, grilled raddichio and mozzarella balls (AMAZING!!!!!) and the skirt steak w/ kimchi butter (mmmmm delicious!). Of course duck fat fries on the side and their special gin gin mule which is my favorite! I love ginger and normally get the Moscow Mule for a drink when I'm at a restaurant. It's their take of this drink except they make their own ginger beer here. It's superb. I've dined at a table and at the bar but I prefer the bar since the bartenders are always so nice! They also do sake tastings if you want it. Their bar is loaded with tons of different sakes to try. If the bar manager is around (Markus), ask him to make you something special. He actually created the special drink menu at the restaurant which is unique. Parking is ok. It's on street parking unless you want to fork up some money and park in the lot. I highly recommend this place for a first date. The restaurant has a great vibe with the cool wall painting and lighting.
(5)
Emily C.
Great drinks and yummy food!! What more could you want from a bar? The bartenders here really know what they are doing. I told the bar tender to make me something fruity and delicious, and she totally came through. They have a pretty extensive menu of specialty cocktails. We tried quite a few of them, and no one had any complaints. The duck fat fries are fantastic! The place is small, so don't come in with like 10 friends and expect all of you to fit comfortably. This is more of a date spot or a GNO kind of place.
(5)
Vivian C.
My initial impression of Shojo was that it was meant to be a night time hot spot, with a mix of modern Asian fusion cuisine and drink options, so I really didn't expect to find myself there anytime soon. However, late in the month of January, I read somewhere that Shojo was celebrating their 5 month anniversary with a special $5 lunch menu, so I made my way out to Chinatown one January weekday just to check it out. Located downstairs from China Pearl, this space was once known as China Pearl Best Cafe. Looking at it now though, you would have a hard time imagining the previous simple surroundings with the prepared meats display counter in the corner by the window; the only thing they didn't change were the locations of the kitchen and the bathroom - which sure helped me to later locate it! There is a large mural consisting of a number of scenes from the tales of the Monkey King splashed upon the inner wall. The remaining walls are red brick. A bar with a single large flat screen tv and 10 wooden stools is set against the inmost corner of the room with metal hooks peeking out from underneath the counter. 5 tall tables for 2 are lined up along the window with another 3 tall tables set for parties of either 4 or 6 set down the center of the room. A total of an additional 3 short (aka more normal height) tables line either of the outer walls. After perusing the short lunch menu made up of a single sheet of options, I selected the Char Sui Banh Mi Club - Chinese BBQ Pork, Bacon, Banh Mi Fixings, which my server informed me was the more filling of the two choices I was considering, the other being the Tempura Fish and Chips. Six minutes later, my banh mi sliced on the bias arrived. The flavors were good as was the texture due to the added crisp due to the nubs of bacon found sprinkled about. A recommendation for improvement would be to toast the bread (more?), as I found the bottom bread layer to be rather cool in temperature. Also, the portion was rather light as I felt I still had room for something more once my plate was empty. Perhaps their portions are intended such that a party of two will be content with the addition of one or two of their appetizers such as the intriguing XO Native Corn, or the healthy sounding Edamame Salad with Quinoa and Baby Arugula. As for me, I decided to order a Ball & Chain - Handmade Tagliatelle, Pork Meatball, Soy-Ginger Tomato Sauce - to go. This was a direct result of my visit to the single person restroom where I came face to face with an interestingly designed sink, and a number of newspaper reviews on the wall. There I read from the article printed in The Phoenix on 10/16/2012: "The most welcome surprise here might be the pastas, which reflect a chef skilled with handmade noodles and both Italian and Asian flavors." "Tagliatelle ($16) tops obviously fresh ribbons of pasta with rich pork meatballs, an even richer ragù, and more of that good cheese." My pasta to go arrived in 8 minutes flat. The portion of this dish was also on the light side, but consisted of a rather thick, wide al dente ribbons of pasta, 5 slightly squashed meatballs about an inch in diameter, and some unannounced baby spinach leaves, all mingled in a tasty red sauce. It was yummy. But the meatballs were surprisingly excessively gingery... but not too bad when I ate them in little pieces accompanied by the rest of the dish. The service I experienced was fine. My water glass was refilled before I had to decide whether it was half full or half empty. Lunch doesn't seem to be a busy time for them yet, as there were but one rather large party and a single lady waiting at the bar for her take-out order when I arrived at 12:45pm, and 3 parties of two and a 4th party of one when I made my way out shortly after 1:30pm. For $5 per item, this was great! I wonder what their normal lunch prices are... *** 7/2013 *** Props for still accepting the icitycert I bought at a discount earlier in the year despite the fact that icitycert closed down out of the blue, and hadn't paid them yet. I was also given two helpful tips - they get busy around 9pm/9:30pm when the dinner and the late drinking crowd overlap, and reservations are wise for parties of 6 or more on Fridays and Saturdays.
(3)
Eric F.
A newcomer to Boston's Chinatown offering up fresh, modern Asian cuisine, Shojo's off to a strong start. I came by for dinner with a friend and the place was on the emptier side, probably just a result of being a weeknight and having business largely shunted towards spots like GDH. We went with the salmon with dashi glaze, pork short ribs and a side of duck fat hand cut fries. While my fall-off-the-bone ribs fell a bit short in the flavor department, I loved the perfectly cooked fish - on the rare side with soft sweetness from the glaze. The fries were solid as well. In terms of drinks, they're mainly on the lighter side and well-balanced. I was likewise impressed with the attentive and friendly service. Overall, I definitely wouldn't mind coming back to try the popular suckling pig bao and other entrees (moderately portioned with nothing over $20).
(4)
Sade R.
This is now my 4th time coming to this place and I am always lost for words. The atmosphere is something unheard of in the Chinatown area, it's what this neighborhood needed there is a growing energy of good here. People looking to explore outside there expectation. The menu changes seasonal and it's honestly a great thing you really get to see what the people in the kitchen can accomplish with Asian fusion tapas. The music is another great favorite of mine always fitting throwbacks of hip-hop. Last but absolutely not least is this amazing woman Tina, everyone who works there is great but she was beyond words. She guided my husband and I through our entire experience with food and beverage knowledge. We wanted to try a Japanese whiskey and she lead us toward the right direction, made sure we had our food. Made the Shojo experience complete. Thank you.
(5)
S D.
The pros: Fun place, very friendly waitstaff. Some things were interesting: the Asian glass noodle salad was pretty good, as were the vegetable dumplings, whose filling was flavorful and which was pan-fried to perfection. These were the first two things to arrive, so at this point our impression of the place was very favorable. Unfortunately, it all went downhill from there. The next few dishes were really disappointing. The cons: The remaining dishes were over-seasoned/oily/unimpressive. In particular, the five-spice tofu with 1000-year-egg was way too salty (the egg was great, though!). The Asian Mushroom medley appeared to have only one or two kinds of mushrooms, and fairly ordinary kinds at that, and was pretty unimpressive. The kimchi fried rice had interesting flavor, but was extremely greasy - to the point where we couldn't finish it. (Also couldn't finish the tofu). So, all told, a rather disappointing experience - interesting ideas, very inconsistent execution. I'm increasingly convinced that "Chinese fusion" is not my thing - I'd much rather go to Taiwan Cafe down the street and get wonderfully executed, more "traditional" Chinese food, than this kind of thing. The waitstaff were exceedingly pleasant and welcoming; I feel bad giving the place a bad review - but the kitchen needs to get its act together. With that said, I imagine this would be a great place to get a drink in Chinatown - before heading to Taiwan Cafe ;)
(2)
Seth M.
I flew solo to this Chinatown joint. Took a seat at the bar. Lots of brick and wood decor. High ceilings and a well stocked bar. I'm happy. Excited to try Japanese whiskey, the bar tender recommended some options and a cocktail that respected the "coffey grain whiskey" involved. A yakuza old fashioned. I love an old fashioned and this was no exception. Hand carved ice cube. Caramel butters and orange peel. Incredible. Did not take away from the whiskey in any way. The lunch menu looked delicious but I followed tru with my plan... Ramen. Delivered within 5 minutes. Wow. Flavor was incredible. The pork was tender and abundant. The noodles perfect. The broth tho. I'm told it is a three piece combo. Chicken pork and dashi. Chicken fat is the most bold. Pork is quite evident. And as u get thru the bowl. The dashi reveals itself. Just as explained. Rivals any ramen I have had before. And with he addition of fantastic drink and service. #1 ramen spot.
(5)
Sandra C.
I've been living in Los Angeles for the past two years, so you can imagine my surprise after learning that a new restaurant in Boston opened up in Chinatown called Shojo! First of all, I got lost trying to find it...I actually went into China Pearl and received some pretty strange looks when I asked where Shojo was. If you're ever wondering...Shojo is next door to China Pearl...you really can't miss its pretty lights. Walking in, I recognized a couple friends working as either hosts or servers...wasn't really sure, but with that being said...my service was AH-MAZING. We must have ordered some of the most popular items on the menu (from what I remember, that included pig bao and duck fat fries) and it was all really delicious. Seriously. I especially applaud the bartenders for the work they put into constructing our drinks...WOW. Those were some of the best alcoholic drinks I've ever tried...especially in Chinatown of all places...in awhile. I'll definitely be back here the next time I visit home. I think Chinatown really needed a place like Shojo. It's refreshing to have a higher-end bar/restaurant amongst the other top-dog, opened late-night, swanky Chinese restaurants here.
(4)
Lala I.
i was impressed with the drinks and how knowledgeable our waitress was. you dont find this in an average chinese restaurant. the food was tasty and innovative, however, the overall dining experience was terrible. there were two parties going on in shojo: one surprise birthday party and one bachelorette party. they were all super drunk and INCREDIBLY LOUD! i had to yell to my friends at the top of my lungs when we were talking and they could even barely hear me. the loud noise gave me a major headache and i didnt want to stay at shojo any second longer. i dont think i will return unless i am with my own drunk party.
(3)
Julie T.
The food here is so good that I don't even feel bad for pigging out. Probably the hippest place in Chinatown right now. Love the decor and the wall murals! I had to sit at the bar because they were booked up on a Wednesday night. My friends and I went balls out and ordered a bunch of things. Everything was delicious but here are my favorites and must-trys: - Suckling Pig Bao - Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries - Warm Glass Noodles Also, their drinks are clutch! They do not skimp on the alcohol, haha. Our waitress/bartender was awesome too. Shojo is definitely in my current top 5 favorite places in Boston right now. 5 thumbs up!
(5)
Joy Y.
If the worst thing I can say about this place is that their (duck fat!!!) fries were a little short and stubby, then I think things are looking good for Shojo. This restaurant was the perfect pre movie (or post movie I suppose-- they are open til 1am!) snack place. It was virtually empty when when got there on a Saturday night and made for easy seating, which was fabulous for me and my dining partner (less fabulous for Shojo though, so despite the fact that I would love no wait every time I go there, you should probably go ASAP as it would be a very sad thing for this place to have to close.) We started off the evening with some very tasty and creative drinks. My drink, the Aberdeen... something or another was fabulous-- housemade citrus gin, basil, coconut cream. I was initially worried about it being too sweet, but that wasn't the case at all-- it was a perfect balance of sweet and almost a little bit savory. The cucumber ice cube in the Reiko Greene was also very cool, it added flavor without being too overwhelming. According to my dc, the Reiko Greene was delicious, a review of which I myself can confirm. Because we were heading to a movie, we opted for some apps. The aforementioned duck fat fries with some delicious sriracha mayo on the side, the pork bao and the grilled calamari. The duck fat fries were just as you would want them to be, crispy and full of flavor. The owner, who was very chatty and informative told us that they make the duck fat in house, which only makes them that much sweeter. The pork bao came with two mini pork sandwich-like things. The balance of the crunchy and pickly kimchee went perfectly with the salty sweetness of the fatty pork. The grilled calamari was the only thing that left a little to be desired and was a bit on the more charred vs grilled side. Everything was reasonably priced and the warm but modern decor was nothing short of awesome. You should probably go check it out for yourself, just don't judge them too harshly on the size of their fries.
(5)
Rick B.
Love this place. There's nothing else like it in Boston. Really tasty, creative Asian food with classic hip hop wailing in the background. Makes you feel like you went to NYC for the evening. Make sure you get the pork boa, the killer rum punch (the "Zombie"), and the chocolate sesame balls.
(4)
Lynn J.
Want the go to the hottest, NEW CHINESE RESTAURANT in BOSTON? Destination...SHOJO! (right underneath the China Pearl in Chinatown) It's the bar to be at...It's the restaurant to rave about...It's Shoho. Why choose Shojo? I attended their opening party and found: They just opened, so everything is clean, fresh and inviting. The atmosphere is "Artsy," with wall murals by local artists. The staff is fast, friendly & making a great first impression. Our food was fresh and flavorful...Duck Buns, Duck Fat Fries, Fish Burgers. The owner is a hands on guy who greeted all guests personally. After dinner ends, they remove all tables & become an intimate club! Give Shojo a try NOW, before it becomes the new, HOT SPOT with a line! TIP: I LOVE to go to restaurants when they first open. You get the EXTRA EFFORT, NEWEST DISHES & BEST SERVICE. BONUS: For the party, they hired SHAWN KELLEY (Makeup Artist) and TRACI DASTOU (Personal Shopper), both from Neiman Marcus, to light up all the ladies lips with kisses of color and big smiles from their LA MER Goody Bags!
(5)
Will M.
Tasty interesting food, great cocktails. Pricey by chinatown standards, but cheap compared to the rest of Boston and in a nicely appointed, clean space. The steak entree was great, as was the egg drop soup. Pork bao tacos were good but too heavy on the bao and didn't have enough filling. The cocktails are pricey at $10, but they're tall and poured stiff, so you get your money's worth. Props to the bartender for mixing up something that was different and interesting, but still delicious.
(4)
Miranda S.
Excellent food, excellent service! We came here on a Friday night and were told there was an hour wait (understandable). So we left and sat down at another place, but they didn't serve alcohol so we came back here. And man, we're glad we did. Loved the drink selection. I really liked this ginger drink (I forget the name) but it had ginger beer in it and it was really refreshing. We were standing around with drinks and actually ended up being seated like 20 minutes later....score! Our waitress was great. Actually everyone was great. The bartender actually came over to us at first and showed us to a table when one opened up. We were pleasantly surprised by the service here. I was soooo depressed that they were out of the pig bao :( But everything we got was great - the fried rice, chicken & waffle, "Big Mac" dumplings...everything was good. We were also really into the movie they were playing on the big screen (House of the Flying Daggers) and the waitress let us sit there and enjoy it for a while before coming with the check :) I'll definitely be back!
(5)
David W.
Hippest and most modern place in Boston Chinatown! It's been years since I've been back in Boston, and this new place really adds to the charm of the city. The vibe inside is really happening. Scene is really young and energetic. Stark contrast to the family style restaurants and shops across the block. Bartender is a celebrity, employees are nice, and owner walks and works the floor with everyone else. There are beautiful people who work and frequent there. Fun just to people watch. Their menu is fun and ordinary. Totally should have skipped dinner and eaten here. Tried the Kamehameha and it was one of the most unique drinks. It's an alcoholic drink with chili and really has a nice kick. First time have spicy alcohol. They also have an alcoholic oolong tea which comes in a regular teapot with 2 tea cups. Bang for your buck and that drink kept me busy throughout. Will definitely check out this place when I'm in town again!!! Fun place to be at!
(5)
Hana M.
Let me just say that the service was wonderful. The atmosphere of the whole restaurant is very modern and clean. The mural inside the restaurant is a cool touch. But... The ramen needs work. I ordered the seafood ramen or the shojo ramen off of the lunch menu. First glance, it looked very appetizing with everything nicely placed. As I started to stir up the ramen, I noticed the noodles felt kind of hard. I think they were trying to make the noodles al dente, but it just ended up tasting dry and under-cooked. It also had this floury after taste. I'm not sure if they actually used ramen noodles or egg noodles; it tasted like a funky hybrid of the two. The 6 minute egg tasted very salty, and the concentrated salty broth did not help. The char siu pork looked like chicken, but it wasn't that bad. Not the best and a bit on the fatty side, but I didn't really mind. There was also a lot of unnecessary sesame seeds floating around the soup, which gave a rough texture to the dish. The one thing I did enjoy was the ginger/scallion garish on top. $15 (including tax and tip) for it was not worth it. I'm usually not very picky, but I was not very happy with this recent lunch experience, due to the poor execution of the ramen dish. Overall, I do not recommend getting the ramen.
(2)
Eric C.
Only came for drinks. The only thing that disappointed me about this place was that their Sharknado cocktail (had to get it) was changed to a gin based drink instead of a cognac (I think?) one. So instead, I had a Morning star. It was pretty damn delicious and the price was right too. The second drink I had was one of the drinks for two, Scorpion Jar I think. That was pretty decent as well. The service was quick and attentive which was super appreciated. Our waiter was knowledgeable but wasn't pushy when one of us said they weren't drinking. We were seated immediately, which impressed me because every other place in Chinatown seemed to have a wait. Maybe it was a littler later or something. Boston is a strange city to me. Either way, I'd come back to try the food. It certainly looks pretty yummy. I'd definitely come back for drinks.
(4)
Chris T.
Hands down the best food and drinks that you will get in Chinatown, maybe even the Theatre District altogether. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The only lackluster item were the chicken tacos, but even they were pretty good. It's just that compared to everything else we had (Pork Bao, Eggplant Bao, Mushroom Ragout, Tuna Sashimi, Pork Ribs), it just wasn't on the same level, but still good. And the drinks. Oh my lord. The gin gin mule has a secret house made ginger beer that will make you salivate for days. We also had the Kamehameha, Old Fashioned, and a mezcal drink, all of which were the best drinks I've ever had in Boston. If I'm going to pay $11-13 per drink, it may as well be here because there is no better place to get a drink than here. No lie. It's a tapas place, but just saddle up, grab 4 or 5 items, a handful of drinks, and enjoy the 90's hip hop and cheezy Japanese movies. Will definitely return with others in tow.
(5)
Andrew G.
Great option in China Town. It isn't the typical China Town restaurant but rather a great fusion alternative. Lots of small and affordable options on the menu great for sampling a wide variety. Great cocktails as well and fun vibe!
(5)
Dee Dee Y.
The best ramen in Boston with the best grilled cha-shao( pork). Kimchee fried rice beats most Korean restaurants. Order the fries with their special sauce. You will be pleased.
(5)
Amy M.
Not sure what the hype is all about with this place. We saw it on Phantom Gourmet and it looked great. We always cross reference Phantom with Yelp and it got good reviews by others on Yelp - so we thought it would be a winner. We took all the Yelp suggestions. Wu Tang Tiger ribs - grizzly and fatty, half the order was on the plate due to this. Chicken and Waffle - I will say this was better - Maple butter was good but sweet (obviously). The chicken was cooked well - crispy. Pig Bao - OK meat, but sweet - wrap was very doughy Bang Bang Noodles - so disappointing - we actually went there for the Damn Damn Noodles - which they took off the menu, so we tried Bang Bang. They tasted like cafeteria chopped suey - something out of Chef Boyardee. No spice and very mushy. The drink - Kamehameha - was very good, best part of the meal. Bill came to about $100 - 4 drinks, 4 food items. We wish we spent the money elsewhere.
(2)
Carrie L.
Shojo offers a different scenery in Chinatown. A modern Asian-fusion restaurant with intriguing drinks, and ever-changing menus. My favorite part of the restaurant interior is the mural on the back side. Picture perfect spot for group pictures! Drinks: Morning Glory: Comes in a cute little short glass. Foamy top. Orange peel garnish. A bit on the sweeter side, very strong. Not a fan, unfortunately. Gin Gin Mule: With citrus gin, lemon, syrup, and ginger beer. Citrus taste with the ginger aftertaste hanging in your throat. GET IT! Cold Tea for Two: Had a sip of this and was surprisingly tastier than expected. Oolong infused vodka, with a hint of citrus and peach. It would be nice if it came in a nicer tea pot. Appetizers: Duck Fat Hand-cut Fries: Good start for the table. Fries has a very faint hint of duck/meat taste to it. Wish the fries were cut in bigger pieces though. Summer Salad: Mango, dragon fruit, greens - refreshing Kimchi Fried Rice: With a fried egg on top, not spicy enough Grilled Hanger Steak: With crispy onion and spicy mayo (?) on top, not bad Entrees: Pan Seared Salmon: With shreds of seaweeds on top. Fried eggplant (?) on the side. The salmon was soft with crispy skin. Braised Pork Belly: Very soft. Half Chicken: My favorite plate of the night! With enoki, shallots, and gnocchi.. Saucy chicken. Dessert: Chocolate sesame ball: Very similar concept to the dim sum dessert with red bean. But it has chocolate instead and my friends went loco over them. I'm told the menu changes a lot. Either by the way they cook or the ingredients they use. It's great if you're a usual and love to try new items over time. I don't mind the changing, but it might be disappointing to not have my favorite dish there when I come back the next time.
(4)
Jasmine X.
I really like this place. My friend and I were looking for some Asian fusion dinner and this place was quite well reviewed. Sometimes I get very hesitant about Asian fusion because I think it's a delicate line to cross, but Shojo does it very well. The place is quite small. My friend and I went on a Tuesday evening and had no problem getting seats which was nice. It's a very intimate and nice place. We ordered the suckling pig bao which came highly recommended by other Yelpers, kimchee fried rice, duck confit dumplings, and the pork belly. My favorite was definitely the suckling pig bao. Really felt like I could have gone for a few more of those. The other choices came from the recommendation of our waitress. Duck confit dumplings were not my favorite, but I can see how someone would like them. Kimchee fried rice was good but nothing extraordinary or surprising. The pork belly though, was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed them. Cooked to perfection, the fat attached was also amazing. All in all, the price came out to be very reasonable and I really enjoyed the options here. Sometimes it's nice to get Chinese food with a classy touch, and that's what I felt like Shojo did really well. You ordered things with an expectation of what you would get, and the dish would meet that expectation and then some more, which is how I think Asian Fusion can be most artfully mastered--by retaining the original flavors and adding a new twist. The waitress was also really nice and attentive to our needs without being overbearing. tldr; all in all, just a very solid experience and a place I would definitely come back to or recommend to a friend
(4)
M B.
Oh yeah. That's what I'm talking about! Probably one of my favorite Asian/Tapas places. All plates were equally satisfying, and the atmosphere and service very friendly and fun.
(5)
wolf t.
It's refreshing to see a hip, inventive place differentiating itself from Chinatown's other satisfying but utilitarian restaurants. The menu is a short but carefully-constructed list of small plates. Four of us ordered almost everything and shared family-style, with no disappointments and a few pleasant surprises. The cocktail menu is almost a dare; most of the creations sound disgusting but I enjoyed my two offbeat selections. Favorite dishes: suckling pig bao. ribs Minor minuses: a bit loud, but not overwhelming. Waiter forgot one of our orders. I hope the menu turns over with some new dishes so I can go back soon.
(4)
Laurel M.
AMAZING! Service superb, food excellent, drinks strong I don't know where this place went wrong! Chicken and waffles, fried calamari, and duck fat fried French fries were wonderful! baked then fried chicken on a Hong Kong style waffle, best I've ever had! One of the few places that knows how to do calamari! Would have pictures but it was gone to quickly! Only complaint was it was a bit loud, but the service defiantly made up for it.
(5)
Lauren M.
probably the coolest, most unique restaurant in Boston. Great food, music, drinks, art, and service. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Favorite F.
Very cute and trendy little place hidden in Chinatown. Food was delightful - Wu Tang Ribs (tasty), Taro Tots (different smokey but nonetheless yum) & Calamari (light batter and not overcooked with a great sauce). I also tried the Gin Gin Mule - very light and tasty. Music was great - hip hop. Service was fast, great and personable from everyone.
(5)
Ryan H.
my favorite restaurant in boston, come here with your friends and order everything on the menu to get the full experience.
(5)
Patty L.
5 freakin' stars! I was in town visiting Boston over the weekend and was excited to see what sort of eats this town had to offer. I was shocked to see there just wasn't anything my fellow Yelpers LOVED. Many places with 3.5 - 4 star reviews but I wanted something 4.5 stars. Shojo was one of them and I am so appreciative that Yelp and Yelpers have not steered me wrong. The simple menu offered a variety of small plates and entrees at wallet-friendly prices. I ordered 5 small plates and the entire bill came out to $38!!! Here is what I recommend: Pork Rib - fall of the bone tender Suckling Pig Bao - there are two in an order. The crispy skin is what sealed the deal for me. So good we ordered another! Corn with kimchee butter - really interesting flavors on sweet corn on the cob I found the duck fat fries to be mediocre. It is a nice option to have when you have a group of people that want to pick on something crunchy but everything else was just so good that it overshadowed this dish. The tempura pickles was the runt in the family. Unfortunately, the pickles weren't sour at all. However, the tempura was fried perfectly. Fiona - thank you for your awesome service!
(5)
Zach W.
I went here on a whim with my brother who is a local and it was amazing! Some of the best food in Boston with great service'!
(5)
Christine J.
3.5 stars. Interesting drinks, tapa style chinese appetizers. a little pricey for what you're getting. we had to go eat at a different place after having drinks and dishes here. I'm not sure this place fits the whole chinatown vibe. it's trying to be a fancy place amidst the hole in the wall places. almost trying to be a club/lounge.. not my kinda hang out spot but younger audience (20's) may find it more appealing?
(3)
Adam G.
Really great find. Food was great. Small portions. Easy place to pig out on a bunch little meals. The pork bun was awesome. The kung-fu movies playing in the background was funny. Portico on tap too!
(4)
Tiffany C.
I came here for Friday date night and enjoyed the atmosphere. It's a small space, has a bar in the corner and a cool mural in the back. The service was good but I was bit turned off when they started rushing us out. The concept of their menu was creative, however, the taste of the food did not match the menu prices. The portions are incredibly small and leaves you feeling thirsty. We ordered the chicken and waffle, ribs, fries, and lobster rangoon. Including 2 drinks, the bill came our to $70. If I come back again, it would only be for drinks and not dinner.
(3)
Lucy E.
Thank god this place isn't in the South End. If it were in the South End I truly believe that it would have wait times like Toro. But since it's not, it's surprisingly easy to get a table here on a Monday night. I just love what they're doing here at Shojo. They have an AMAZING cocktail list! I highly recommend the Kamehameha, it has thai chili infused vodka, fire puncher vodka, coconut milk, and lemon, and it is a drink for the gods! YUMM! For food they do small/appetizer plates and entrees, both of which are fabulous. I think the way to go is to order a bunch of things to share at the table. The ravioli entree is out of this world! On top of have delicious food and drinks the service is always friendly and decor is mind blowing. This is definitely somewhere you should check out next time you're close to Chinatown!
I came here with a girlfriend for dinner and we were both less than impressed with the food. The servers were exceedingly nice and attentive; it was clear they very much wanted us to enjoy our experience....but we didn't. I had the ma-po tofu and it was a DISASTER. It was absolutely nothing like any other ma-po tofu I've had in the past. The tofu didn't even seem to be cooked... just warm, raw, soft tofu cubes in some unidentifiable sauce that was topped with TRAIL MIX. No lie... it was sprinkled with an assortment of birdseed/nuts/dried fruit. And served with two chunks of giant crusty, hard-as-a-rock toasted bread. There was nothing about this dish that was good. Just making a dish "different" doesn't make it inventive. My vegetarian girlfriend ordered the mushroom medley, which was far more edible than my Ma Po Tofu, but it was still over-salted (and I am so NOT salt-sensitive) and was overall fairly blah. I was compelled to write a review because I don't understand how Shojo has such a high yelp rating when we had food that was quite simply not good.
(2)
Ambreen D.
Found this neighborhood gem 2 weeks ago and have already been there twice. Fun place. Love the bao, chicken n waffles, calamari. Not as much a fan of the tsukbokki.
YIKES. I wanted to love Shojo and agree with those 4 and 4+ star ratings, but I can only give Shojo a 3. Note: This review is based on a drink-free meal. Sure it is a "different" type of restaurant in Chinatown because it is Asian fusion, it has drinks and is more "upscale", but I would not say that the flavors and creativity of the dishes justified their prices. Service was a-ok and food was a-ok. Nothing special and not a place I'd come back to again just because there are other places to go to that offer similar types of food, but with more twists, better prices and greater selection (think: Blue Dragon, Empire, etc.) My friend and I ordered the Noodle salad to start because I saw a really delicious looking picture of it on Yelp. For $9, it was a 6-8 bite thai glass noodle salad that you could definitely get at a thai restaurant for double the amount of food at that price. Flavor-wise, it was decent, but nothing memorable. Really wish I'd saved my money on that. For my entree, I went for the salmon entree ($21). My salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked so it was seared on the outside but tender on the inside. Although my entree was beautiful and served on a GIANT dish (it barely fit the table), I was far from feeling full or satisfied after scarfing down the whole plate. :/ Call me a fatty, I don't care. The flavors of the dish were good, but nothing surprising or unique. There was nothing Asian about it apart from the edamame sprinkled around the edge of the plate. We were definitely rushed to pay the bill since it was a Friday night, and were asked (very kindly though) by the waitress to leave if we were done so they could turn over the table. (I did note that there was nobody waiting for a table at the time, but I DO understand they'd like to still turn the table over). Probably won't be back to Shojo. A decent establishment if you're looking for a more American experience in Chinatown.
(3)
Ella F.
This is a very trendy spot in Chinatown. The drinks were great, the service was good as well, but the food was average at best. I left very underwhelmed, especially given the prices. I'd only come here again for drinks.
(3)
Michelle F.
This place is absolutely amazing! The food was excellent and I loved the atmosphere. We also got to meet one of the owners on our way out and he was wonderful. It's small plates and you probably need 2-3 per person. I recommend the bao, ribs, and fries.
(5)
Lily S.
A-OK in my book. Came here for an early lunch with a coworker. We both had the duck fat fries and bao (pork belly for me, whatever the other option was for her). The fries were totally fine and the bao was good. What I didn't like was everything was ridiculously spicy and I must have gone through 2-3 glasses of water in the small meal. The other thing that left me a little meh was the price tag. With 20% tip, those two items ended up being $20. A lot of money and not a lot of food. I ended up filling myself up on fries, but would have really preferred another bun...but not for $4.50. With Genki Ya having $15 sushi specials for lunch, it's unlikely that I will come back here.
(3)
Stefan B.
I'm usually not into this kind of dining but I like this place! Very hip, young Asian vibe. The food is really really really small tapas... We didn't feel full at all. But we didn't order the 2-3 tapas per person like our waiter suggested so maybe that's our fault. Honestly, this is my favorite tapasy kinda place in Boston. I've been to Toro and Alden & Harlow and both of them I felt the food was oversalted. My boyfriend didn't think so but I did. The food was perfect here! Everything had flavor but wasn't too salty or too rich. I was expecting the food here to be too salty because of my past experiences with hip restaurants like this in Boston but I was pleasantly surprised. I'm really glad I went here. I didn't leave full but I feel like if my group ordered more it would have been fine. We just kind of gave up after ordering one by one but after like 3 more plates we would probably be fine. Kimchi fried rice is classic yumminess but still doesn't beat Korean mom recipes. The ravioli was the best pasta dish I've ever had and I hate pasta sooo much. Duck fat fries were good but not as mindblowing as I expected and the suckling pig bao was really good. The duck taco is kind of more like a taco bowl thing but it was one of the favorite things I ate. So refreshing. I'm usually not into this kind of dining with fancy tapas and small plates, but if I had to choose a place to go, I'd definitely go with Shojo. PROS food is really really good not oversalted like competitors in boston cool vibe if you're into that CONS the tapas are... really really really small. like, smaller than usual. :x
(4)
Raela R.
I went to Shojo for the first time the other night. What a fun time, the cocktail menu is really unique and different. I love the idea of sharing played, that way you get to try more! Between the two of us we had four dishes which the perfect amount of food and for the standout was the steamed pork bun. Spicy, sweet, crunch goodness. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was fear. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Katie K.
Heard about this place on Thrillist as one of Boston's trendiest restaurants. It sure it trendy, but the food is meh... I'm used to good asian food and good asian fusion food but this place was sub-par. They took great traditional dishes and tried to make them hip and trendy and the dishes ended up tasting like they tried too hard. Cute place, awesome wall paintings, and great atmosphere for hanging out with friends for a quick bite or drink, but not someplace I'd go if I'm looking for good asian food.
(2)
Gitta M.
Loved this place. Exciting vibe. Inventive and super flavorful food...umami in your face!! This place would definitely be great for drinks and apps before going out. The ribs were probably the best I've ever had..fall of the bone deliciousness. The drinks were great as well.
(5)
Paul G.
This place is the bomb.com . The drinks list is fantastic. I want to try them all. The cold tea is a must have. The food is fun. They deal in mostly small asian influenced plates. You can order a couple for yourself or for the table. Kimchee fried rice is the best. The pork bao is awesome. The ribs are tasty. I could go on and on. Go here with friends to have a great night out.
(5)
Alison C.
Shojo almost seems out of place from its Chinatown surroundings. From the dim lighting and trendy decor, to the old school hip-hop music playing from the speakers, Shojo is a breath of fresh air when compared to the run down and minimalist shops that it is surrounded by. My friend and I came here upon a recommendation by her friend. To start the meal, they both ordered drinks, the Reiko Greene and the Chairman's Painkiller. Both were happy with them, and both drinks were beautifully presented. The Greene had a huge cube of cucumber ice that looked refreshing and added color, while the Painkiller came in a Buddha shaped sippy cup. We ordered the Salt & Pepper Calamari, Suckling Pig Baos, and the Damn! Damn!! Noodles!!! to share, which was light and enough to satisfy us without being too full. The calamari was standard, nothing too special, but tasted fresh, was well battered, and had a great aioli that came with it. The baos were also good, with crisp suckling pig and crunchy jalapeños. The kimchi flavor was mixed into the barbecue sauce, the flavor of which was overwhelming, and the three of us agreed that a different or no sauce at all would have let the kimchi flavor stand out. The noodles were by far the best part of the meal. The noodles were well cooked, and the ground pork was deliciously flavored. Getting some noodles, pork, and a bit of the oozy fried egg on top in one bite was a perfect trifecta. I'm not sure how that meat was seasoned, but it was scrumptious! Service was fast and friendly, with our waiter describing dishes in detail and even telling us how they make the cucumber ice! Always appreciate a business that is willing to share tips and tricks. He also saw that we were a party of three and knew we were sharing plates, so he threw in an extra bao to our order since it normally comes with only two. While the place was empty when we got there at 2:30 PM, the restaurant is on the smaller side so make reservations if you can!
(4)
Ariel Z.
One of the absolute best bar/restaurant experiences you'll get in Boston. The creative and flavorful dishes fuse together perfectly, and their drinks are just as enticing. Ordered the duck fat fries (with sriracha aioli...yum!), ravioli (pulled pork, bacon, celery, and shaved pecorino cheese), and the famous Reiko Greene cocktail with cucumber ice to drink. UPDATE: also tried the Kamehameha (my #1) and Gin Gin Mule (super gingery spicy) Fairly crowded, but the staff really makes an effort to squeeze you in. Even the waiters were super friendly and attentive. The ambiance is fun, especially the fact that they play Hong Kong kung-fu films on the TV at the bar in the back. Saw a gnarly fight scene between two guys, one holding a block of tofu...go figure.
(5)
K E.
Huge fan! Friend brought me here (I never would have found it on my own) for drinks and light food. Everything we ordered was great and the service was good too. This is a hip type of restaurant, don't come here for a business dinner if you need to talk. Music is loud and atmosphere is fun and informal.
(5)
Thuy N.
Dinner at Shojo was an excellent and memorable experience! My sister and I ordered the crispy pork bao, (fall off the bone) ribs, bolognese and miso clams. Every single thing we had was mind blowing! Compliments to the recently new appointed chef! It was my first time visiting Boston and we were lucky to find this place after a 6-hour flight and boy am I glad we did. Cheers!
(5)
D M.
We went to Shojo on Feb 24, 2015 for dinner prior to attend a comedy show at the Wilbur Theater and Shojo did not disappoint. The drinks were phenominal. Very generous pours and excellent flavor. The food was a mix of american/asain that did not disappoint. I would highly recommend the chicken and waffles....I tasted like wonderful....it was so wonderful that, for a second, thought I was taking a bite into Frankie Vallie. The decor was great.....lighting fit the atmosphiere to create a nice ambiance. The service....in my opionion.....was excellent. Drinks were replenshed quickly and the waitress had a charmingly cheery disposition. There was one person in our group who would not agree with me on this...please see the next paragraph that details her sob story. I wish I could give this place 5 stars, but unfortunatley.....over threat of being slapped silly......I was instructed to give 4 stars instead. I don't want to name names, but lets call this person "Stephanie". "Stephanie" came to the restuarant about 30 minutes before us and put our name in for table. The waitress, unfortunatley, had to keep delaying our table because the prior guests were not leaving. For whatever reason...."Stephanie" believes that a resturaunt should kick people out in order to service the waiting line.....I do not share this opinion, but I will cut her some slack because she did grow up on the cape and those people aren't all there. Anyway, we did get a table and everything worked out A ok. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. Standing O to the staff and management at Shojo.
(4)
Jessie T.
Came back a few more times with friends and still an excellent and consistent experience. The Kamehameha is the most unique drink I had ever tried and in a good way. Spicy and cool the chili is balanced well with the coconut. Duckfat fries and spicy kimchi fried rice are always a favorite.
(4)
Zig W.
+nearly empty +simple menu +friendly receptionist -portions small -tapas pricing -food/$ incredibly low (for genre)
(3)
Dave C.
Cool vibe, amazing food. I think going in the middle of a snowstorm probably helped us get a spot here because I can't imagine this place would have had the space they had otherwise. The food is fantastic. Had the wings (not bad, B+), the Kimchi fried rice (very good A/A-) and the Spag N Ball Z (awesome A+). All the food was really good, but the spag n ball Z takes the cake -really amazing flavor and interesting texture. The service was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)
Amy N.
Well now that was one hell of a yummy lunch!! Kimchi fried rice, pig bao, bang bang bolognese, thai spaghetti and "meatballs", (I could have put a straw in the broth...it was AMAZING), and some delicious cocktails. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Dave G.
Solid food and drink. It's a small place with big time hospitality - the staff was really helpful with the menu and recommendations. I'll be going back... Alright so I'm back - couldn't stay away from the duck fat fries.
(4)
Sam S.
Shojo does everything well. Perfect for a date or hanging out with friends. The owners and staff are always friendly and helpful too!
(5)
Lunchbox ..
My first trip to Boston was great! The thing that put it over the top was the excellent meal I had at Shojo. If you are ever in Boston you must visit Shojo in Chinatown. My friend and I arrived at 5 pm wanting something to eat and drink. We were notified that the dinner menu didn't start until 5:30, so we took a seat at the bar and ordered drinks. We sat there at that bar ordering drink after drink and plate after plate. We just could not get enough. Here is the list of items we ordered: Suckling Pig Bao Pig Trotter Dumplings Pulled Pork Ravioli Kimchi Fried Rice Duck Tacos Pineapple Sponge Cake Drinks we had: Gin Gin Mule Morning Star Scorpion Jar Ozawa ' s Kiss Sapporo Hitachino Red Rice Ale And when we were looking for an aperitif and couldn't decide on one, the bar manager made us a delightful drink (with no name) made with thier house made tea - infused vodka! I will be returning!
(5)
Kat W.
Me and my husband ate here on a Saturday night. We made a reservation for 7 pm and arrived a little early. We sat at the bar in the mean time and tried the "Tea for Two" drink. It is an oolong tea infused with vodka and peach.... Very tasty! At 7pm we were seated promptly. The service was attentive and made sure our night was going smoothly. The dinner menu consisted of "tapa-sized" dishes. I recommend ordering 2-3 dishes per person. The kimchi fried rice and duck fat fries with siracha aioli were our favorite. We also tried the dumplings and the BBQ pork ribs however we didn't like them as much. They had a sponge cake dessert that had hints of ginger and cream. I don't know if it was just a special for that night or if it's a daily option.... But I highly recommend it. Overall Shojo is a great restaurant with a fun hip vibe.
(4)
Brad M.
For food that is pretty innovative, it's relatively inexpensive here. I really like the food, but I have to say that the seating is fairly uncomfortable. The high top tables leave something to be desired. I recommend the weird waffle thing with chicken, because the texture as well as the sauce are out of this world. Definitely one of Chinatown's best, and should be getting a lot more looks and attention.
(4)
Joel P.
My meal here was pure magic. A hidden gem in Chinatown, their unique cocktails are perfection in a glass (or ceramic Buddha), and on par with other prices in the area. The food was amazing - I had the pork belly bao - crispy skin, fresh veggies. I also had the kimchi fried rice which was great, including the over easy egg on top to mix in the yolk with the spicy and full of kimchi rice. My friend got the duck fat fries which were ridiculously yummy. This place is a must, and a place I will be taking many many friends to. Top notch of Boston's Chinatown.
(5)
Christina T.
I came here on New Years Eve with my fellow foodie and loved the idea of an Asian tapas joint aka classy dim sum. Even though I am from Boston and am Asian, we still got lost walking there -.- The food was the perfect amount to feel satisfied without being overly stuffed and wasn't greasy which is what you often encounter when you sample Asian fare. I wish I remember what we ate, but I can't! Just try everything. Cocktails were yummy, strong and appropriately priced.
(4)
Linda W.
I'll start off by saying that this is definitely a good place for drinks and a snack! The vibe is quite trendier than the typical Chinatown restaurant; dimly lit, loud music, and perfect for a casual candle lit dinner or pre-gaming spot before kicking off the weekend. My friend and I started with drinks which included the Gin Gin Mule (recommended), Melon Daiquiri (definitely give this one a try if you're into sweet drinks!), and the last one I can't quite name but it had a refreshing cucumber taste to it with a large ice cube. For the area, drinks were reasonably priced & a good break from the typical sake/beer restriction that most restaurants in Chinatown are bound to. Off the menu, we ordered mainly small plates. I've been dying to try the duck fat fries since I absolutely LOVE french fries and they paired well with the spicy aioli dipping sauce. The Suckling Pig Baos were okay even though I typically prefer my baos with fatty beef and the duck dumplings weren't a bad choice either. Yes the portions are a bit on the smaller side, especially if you're accustomed to the typical Chinatown portions, but the food quality is indeed held to a higher standard which is reflected from the prices. Drinks are definitely innovative & creative, as well as tasty too. Markus, the bartender is super friendly along with the rest of the servers who are pretty well informed of the menu. I say absolutely give this place a try if you're with a small group of friends in the Chinatown area & in the mood for something a little different and fun (:
(4)
Deena B.
Really fun and unique spot in Chinatown to come on a date or just for a place with good food and a cool vibe. My husband and I came here before a comedy show and the tapas style sharing plates were perfect! We will be back for sure. Totally unexpected in Chinatown and so glad it's an option.
(5)
K. Brooke Z.
I was pleasantly surprised! The way to get the best value is to skip the small plates. They are good, but you don't get much. Understand that you will be spending about $20 a head for a full meal, and you'll know what to expect. The tuna tar tar was good. It needed a little "zip" to the sauce though, as the edamame paste was pretty flat. The duck rolls were good, but we were hoping for more crispy skin inside. However, the chicken entree was UNBELIEVABLE. Everything was right about this dish. The noodles were fun, the veggies were great. Most wonderful was the sauce-it was delicious and perfectly proportioned. The dish wasn't swimming in sauce, but I never felt like it needed more. Do yourself a favor and Get the chicken entree. I will be back for it, and to try those duck fat fries everyone has been talking about!
(4)
Gene L.
The value here isn't great. I understand they're in a fairly good location in chinatown but the portion sizes are smaller than I'd expect. The food overall was good though some misses. The buns were great. The pork belly entree was really good also. The carrot puree was heavenly and everything went really well together. The amount of pork belly was extremely small, especially considering how inexpensive pork belly is. As for misses, the warm glass noodles didn't make sense to me. For a similar experience and food concept, I'd rather go to myers and chang in the south end.
(4)
Ambrose C.
Is it possible to find some slightly fine dining in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood? Well, if you are looking for a place where some Asian food can be taken at a sophisticated and a unique level, this is another good choice. This place used to be a simple and somewhat gritty place that served some Chinese barbecue and basic Cantonese noodle dishes. Now it has changed into something sophisticated. First off, it you are looking for an inexpensive and authentic East Asian dishes, this is NOT the place I would recommend. However, if you want good drinks, good Asian food with a very different flair, and some good service, then this is the place you could go to in Boston's Chinatown. I walked inside, and I got this slight feeling that I was not in Boston, but either in San Gabriel, California, Monterrey Park, California, Markham, Ontario or North York, Ontario. I encountered a bunch of interesting people, and I decided to get a drink. I eventually ordered some food after encountering some more interesting people. I got a Chairman's Painkiller, which is this cocktail that has pineapple, coconut, and some rum. It came in a tall ceramic cup that was shaped like a Moai statue on Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean. I thought it was a fairly juicy and refreshing drink, but I did not taste any alcohol. At $10 a glass, it is expensive, but it's a great drink to have when the temperature is 28 degrees Celsius outside, the sun is shining, with a nice breeze and you are sitting at a patio looking at the nice coast in either Southern California, Southern Spain, or even in Stanley, Hong Kong. The drink was a great complement with some appetizers. The Suckling Pig Bao was probably my favorite of all the appetizers I had. The meat had a nice juicy tenderness and I really enjoyed the flavor. The mussels and the Duck Fat Hand Cut Fries were okay, did not find anything memorable. The Sauteed Ponzu Spinach was good, I liked the flavor, and it would serve as a great complement for a slab of freshly cooked meat. As for main courses, I had this special dish which is the skate fish (a type of stingray) wing with Asian risotto, olives, capers, tomato salad with fried leeks. I really liked the fish, it had a nice crispiness and at the same time I enjoyed the softness on the inside. It was freshly cooked and it seems that the cooks put some decent precision in making it tasty. It is $18 for a dish, but I thought it was tasty and it is enough for a light and moderate meal. I also had some dessert. A guy I recently met ordered the Shojo Beignets, which is this fried dough with powdered sugar. They came with two sauces, either Black Sesame, or Vietnamese Coffee. The Beignets were not memorable, but the Black Sesame sauce or the Vietnamese Coffee sauce made them tastier. Service was actually decent. The people were nice, and the owner appeared to be very hospitable. Hopefully, they will be consistent with this. Interior is nice, they have this mural that looks like an interpretation of the Chinese story Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. Overall, if you have at least $20 and you are looking for some fine and somewhat sophisticated dining in Boston's Chinatown, this is actually a pretty good choice. If you are looking for some good drinks and you do not have to worry about money, this is also a fairly good choice in Boston's Chinatown. I would not mind coming back here again, as long as I have some good friends with me.
(4)
Nom N.
In my estimation, nothing on the menu will disappoint. This restaurant sends a consistent message throughout from the menu to the decor. Great place to impress a date. It's not cheap, but it's not expensive either. Perfect couple's joint. One wall is a floor to ceiling mural that changes with the season and always aims to impress. The TV behind the bar plays kung-fu flicks with the subtitles on. It's subtle and tasteful. On slower nights, you can bring a group and monopolize the place. The service staff are pretty cool, and you'll probably wish you were hanging out with them instead. It doesn't hurt that they play good music too. I see everyone mentioned entrees and drinks. Frankly, you won't have a problem finding a good choice for either, but I will mention something that others haven't: SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT AND GET THE CHOCOLATE SESAME BALLS. ALWAYS. (Look at how serious I am. I used caps.)
(4)
Melissa O.
The food was mind blowing! I could talk forever about all the food, but since their menu is ever changing, im just going to mention the chicken & waffles. The chicken just fell off, the bone. It was scrumptious! The waffles are these little tiny adorable connected bubbles. My last bite was the mini waffle sitting under the chicken, soaked in asian butter and it was awesome. It may be a small menu, but that's just because they dont half ass any of the dishes. I highly recommend this place. The space is really cool. The staff is super nice and the music is b -side 90s, which is just a lot of fun. Id go back here in a heart beat.
(5)
Scott Z.
Amazing modern asian spot amidst the usual old school restaurants in Chinatown. This was my 2nd visit to Shojo in less than a month, and both times it was great. I think the small plates are the way to go, and I'm blown away at how economical they are. Highly recommend the suckling pig bao, kimchi fried rice (with the fried egg on top, woo!), the pork ribs, and the duck fat fries w/ sriracha dipping sauce. Aside from the food, they have: -amazing drinks (try the geiko green or the cold tea for 2...ps, its not tea) -cool wall art (a mural that changes annually) -friendly bartenders and owners -a single tv behind the bar that plays old kung fu movies Wish these guys the best, and I think they'll be a mainstay in the neighborhood.
(5)
Jerry T.
It is unfathomably ridiculous how good the food is here. From the chicken and waffles to the fried rice, Shojo easily has some of the most unique and delicious flavors in the city. I love the hip-hop atmosphere mixed with a continuous loop of Kung-Fu movies playing behind the bar. If the Wu-Tang Clan opened a Asian- Fusion restaurant- it would be Shojo. And like Wu-Tang, Shojo ain't nothing to f--k with!
(5)
Brad W.
I only went here for the Duck fat fries with sriracha sauce and the Kamehameha (thai chili infused vodka), but both blew my mind. Nice appetizers to start the Chinatown experience before heading across the street to Winsor for dim sum.
(4)
Jenn H.
Consistently one of my favorite spots in downtown/Chinatown to get a drink and meet up with friends. The servers are awesome, and the food is always great. I love that they change up the wall mural. Keep doin' your thing, Shojo.
(5)
J D.
In the current blur of heritage-this and artisanal-that, it's nice to discover a little restaurant that is ambitious in its own way ... without pretense. Shojo is a comfortable, urbane spot in Chinatown doing interesting things with Asian flavors. You have to start with a cocktail. I chose the kamehameha, a combination of chili-infused and fire puncher vodka moderated with coconut milk and lemon. Do not gulp the drink, as I did at first, because it will quickly set your throat ablaze! Sip it instead -- it's not every day you can find a cocktail that is both spicy and refreshing. My friend and I ordered a bunch of plates to share. Highlights included the tofu with thousand-year-old-egg (yup), glass noodle salad (nice fresh vegetables in Thai spices), and suckling pig bao. Almond shrimp balls didn't work for me - too many lumpy, crunchy things with edges pressed together. But, in general, it seemed hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. Shojo gets a few other things right that add up to a great experience: portions are generous, pricing is reasonable and the staff is pleasant. I also appreciated the atmosphere, fairly dark and serene with exposed brick and understated decor. A good place to grab dinner with friends - will definitely be back.
(4)
Susanna L.
Great food and very attentive service. The best thing I had was the Braised short ribs. The ribs fell off the bone and were delicious, and the taro mash was creative and nicely paired. The kimchi fried rice was pretty standard, would have liked it more with meat instead of fried tofu which was quite bland. The dessert that they have is also not unique, the classic red sesame balls are better than their chocolate version. As everyone else has said, their pork baos are pretty good too.
Shojo completely blew me away. This was probably the best meal we had all year at a relatively new fusion spot in Chinatown. I think if you are visiting Boston and appreciate Chinese food this is a must visit restaurant. This restaurant provides unique dishes that are excellent. There's not many places I can say that about in Boston that I've tried. The waitress told us the chef specialized and preferred to cook seafood. So we listened. We went with the salt and pepper calamari, the catfish in fish sauce, and the tuna steak. Each dish was better than the other with the latter being one of the best fish dishes I have ever had. The tuna was cooked perfectly (rare) and was ridiculously high quality for the price. It was like tender sashimi with a crunch and a little flavor on the outside. I am getting hungry thinking about it. We also went with the suckling pig bao because I never pass up a good pork bun. The pork bun was great, but be warned it comes with a crunchy pig skin attached making it extra fatty and could turn some people off. While everything was very good, if I were to go back I don't think I could steer away from the pig bao and tuna. These are some of the best dishes in Boston! The fusion element pushed boundaries but everything worked really well. I am dying to get back here to see what else this chef can cook up.
(5)
Judy Leigh A.
I went here with my mom who was visiting and wanted to treat me to dinner. A recommendation by a friend led me to shojo. I must say you wouldn't expect a nice little restaurant like shojo in chinatown. The dimly lit restaurant offered an ambient dining area and small bar. I started offered with the gin gin mule, a ginger beer and gin cocktail. It was amazing! I last minute decided not to get it again, but instead got a drink called the sharknado. It wasn't as exciting as the gin gin mule, but I'd definitely go back for a few cocktails. We started the meal with the almond shrimp balls, suckling pig bao, and a side of the mushroom medley. I highly recommend all of these choices. The almond shrimp balls have a perfectly crunchy exterior with a soft shrimp interior that was delicious. The suckling pig bao were a bit tiny, but still really good. The mushroom medley were cooked in a delicious garlic sauce. We split the scallop entree main course which was so big that I took most of it home. It was still really tasty. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and the haricot verts and mushrooms went really well with the entire dish. We were able to find some room for dessert, but when we asked to see a menu the waiter said there wasn't one. A huge bummer... He did tell us their two options. We opted for the chocolate one which was a chocolate filled sesame ball. It was good, but not something I would get again. Overall, the service, atmosphere, and food were great, but I'd really love to see more options for dessert!
When we were asked how we spent a couple hundred bucks on sake bombs the next day, no one knew. All i can say is that we literally blew this place up with sake bombs. My friend wanted to have a little pregame/dinner here before we went out for the night/ We probably had like 5 tables connected together in the middle to accommodate everyone. it was pretty neat because they had a custom printed menu with her name at it at the top and a drink that she wanted to call " Yaaaaaaaaaaaaa bitch" . Can we get 5 Yaaaaaaaa bitches?? yeahhh bitch!! The bills were split between each table so it would be more convenient for everyone instead of having 30 individual bills. Somehow our table alone racked up a $204 bill mainly from sake bombs. We pretty much came into this bar and turned it inside out. It was a great time for everyone besides the person who had to clean the floor. oops... were sorry. I was surprised this bar was able to accommodate such a large group since the place isnt too big. I am not sure if the $5 sake bombs were a discounted party price but we will definitely be back. Most of us never made it to the next venue after Shojo but the whole night was still a success. Yeahh bitch!
(5)
Shad S.
I had seen this place on TV and heard about it from friends and had to check it out. Right when I got there I noticed it was next to one of my favorite places of all-time, shout out to China Pearl. Shojo obviously looks out of place in Chinatown as it's a trendy little spot surrounded by your typical hole in the wall Chinatown spots. Walking inside, it's a cool space with nice designs and some cool murals on the wall. The food itself was delicious. For appetizers I got the salt and pepper calamari, which was great but nothing I haven't had before, the duck fat fries, which were again good but nothing crazy, and the standout, the BBQ Pork Ribs, which were awesome and definitely my favorite of the apps. I got the Suckling Pig Bao and was definitely pleased with them, as they were soft, meaty and delicious. For dessert we got an order of the chocolate sesame balls, which were amazing. I'm used to red bean paste from dim sum spots, but the warm chocolate in the middle was incredible. A little pricey, but I definitely recommend this place. I'll be back.
(4)
Chenkai L.
This is one of the only restaurants in Chinatown with a romantic atmosphere, great decor, fantastic food and a bar, an ideal date place. There are real candles on every table and the bathroom was really cool! I got the painkiller and it came it a really cool tiki head mug, pretty standard for a painkiller in terms of taste. What really impressed me was the small plates we ordered. Instead of getting a entree per person, we got 5 small plates just to try all the different things this place has to offer loved every one of them. We ordered the Suckling Pig Bao, Grilled Peking Duck roll, which did not taste like the traditional peking duck bun and had more of a soy oyster sauce taste. Almond shrimp balls, which was very unique dish to try and gave the shrimp ball a crunchy texture. The Pot O Kimichi similar to your traditional korean kimichi side dish. The salt and pepper calamari was my favorite, one of the tenderest and most delicious calamari I ever made, a must try!
(5)
A Z.
Got the suckling pig bao, duck fat fries and the ravioli. Was all delicious, although I learned too late they also have an alcoholic chinese tea which I'll try next time we're in the area!
(5)
Khanh P.
Definitely a standout compared to other restaurants in the Chinatown area. They bring a very new and fun taste to the scene compared to the senior restaurants out there. Setting: It's very contemporary and chic, smaller groups (group of 4) fit nicely at the tables. They offer high top tables along with bar seating and your usual seats. Music stood out during my visit because it was 90's hip hop, rnb and techno. Service: the host/waiter was super nice and very informative about everything at the restaurant. He was also accommodating when it came to appetizers made for two, he made it for 3 for our group. FOOD!: We had settled on dinner here but after seeing menu and ordering a bunch of appetizers that seemed more appetizing then the entrees, we ate dinner elsewhere. So the appetizers that we ordered were: Suckling Pig Bao - my first time trying a bao and OMG it was amazing, it had this crunch from the bacon and the pork was tender and savory. Duck Fat Hand-cut fries- great seasoning and the sriracha aioli caught my eye but didn't meet my expecatations. BBQ Pork Ribs- dish had 3 spareribs with fall off the bones meat, average and not as memorable. Tuna Tartar - nicely placed on chips to add the extra crunch Taro Mash - OMG THIS!!! everyone has to try it. at first you're hesitant because if you know taro, it didnt sound like it was going to be that great but when it came out and the aroma slowly trickled into the air....it was heavennnn. All of us looked up after the first bite and said "ITS SO GOOD!!!" Cold tea for two - we decided on this alcoholic beverage and being that I'm not much of a drinker thought it was a bit strong for my taste. it comes out in the metal teapots like any restaurant and served in tea cups. It's recommended if you're tryring to catch some drinks and try out new food.
(4)
Anne W.
Three and a half stars. This place does not pretend to be a Canto spot.. instead, it's upfront on what it actually is.. a trendy Asian fusion spot. I wasn't that thrilled about the drinks.. tried a few Reiko Greene (I'm a sucker for cucumber drinks but it was just too sweet for my taste). Also tried a wine and maybe it wasn't the wisest choice at an Asian spot. Food was pretty good. I would say they are going with the trend with pork buns... executed very well. I was not as thrilled with the chicken kabobs or chicken quesadilla. My friend is friends with the owner. He was nice.. sent over some free sesame balls. A different option.. and replaces the gross bbq spot that used to occupy this shop downstairs to China Pearl.
(3)
Yow-Bang W.
Quite a trendy place to hang out. Foods are creative as well as delicious.
(5)
Emily C.
Great drinks and yummy food!! What more could you want from a bar? The bartenders here really know what they are doing. I told the bar tender to make me something fruity and delicious, and she totally came through. They have a pretty extensive menu of specialty cocktails. We tried quite a few of them, and no one had any complaints. The duck fat fries are fantastic! The place is small, so don't come in with like 10 friends and expect all of you to fit comfortably. This is more of a date spot or a GNO kind of place.
(5)
Vivian C.
My initial impression of Shojo was that it was meant to be a night time hot spot, with a mix of modern Asian fusion cuisine and drink options, so I really didn't expect to find myself there anytime soon. However, late in the month of January, I read somewhere that Shojo was celebrating their 5 month anniversary with a special $5 lunch menu, so I made my way out to Chinatown one January weekday just to check it out. Located downstairs from China Pearl, this space was once known as China Pearl Best Cafe. Looking at it now though, you would have a hard time imagining the previous simple surroundings with the prepared meats display counter in the corner by the window; the only thing they didn't change were the locations of the kitchen and the bathroom - which sure helped me to later locate it! There is a large mural consisting of a number of scenes from the tales of the Monkey King splashed upon the inner wall. The remaining walls are red brick. A bar with a single large flat screen tv and 10 wooden stools is set against the inmost corner of the room with metal hooks peeking out from underneath the counter. 5 tall tables for 2 are lined up along the window with another 3 tall tables set for parties of either 4 or 6 set down the center of the room. A total of an additional 3 short (aka more normal height) tables line either of the outer walls. After perusing the short lunch menu made up of a single sheet of options, I selected the Char Sui Banh Mi Club - Chinese BBQ Pork, Bacon, Banh Mi Fixings, which my server informed me was the more filling of the two choices I was considering, the other being the Tempura Fish and Chips. Six minutes later, my banh mi sliced on the bias arrived. The flavors were good as was the texture due to the added crisp due to the nubs of bacon found sprinkled about. A recommendation for improvement would be to toast the bread (more?), as I found the bottom bread layer to be rather cool in temperature. Also, the portion was rather light as I felt I still had room for something more once my plate was empty. Perhaps their portions are intended such that a party of two will be content with the addition of one or two of their appetizers such as the intriguing XO Native Corn, or the healthy sounding Edamame Salad with Quinoa and Baby Arugula. As for me, I decided to order a Ball & Chain - Handmade Tagliatelle, Pork Meatball, Soy-Ginger Tomato Sauce - to go. This was a direct result of my visit to the single person restroom where I came face to face with an interestingly designed sink, and a number of newspaper reviews on the wall. There I read from the article printed in The Phoenix on 10/16/2012: "The most welcome surprise here might be the pastas, which reflect a chef skilled with handmade noodles and both Italian and Asian flavors." "Tagliatelle ($16) tops obviously fresh ribbons of pasta with rich pork meatballs, an even richer ragù, and more of that good cheese." My pasta to go arrived in 8 minutes flat. The portion of this dish was also on the light side, but consisted of a rather thick, wide al dente ribbons of pasta, 5 slightly squashed meatballs about an inch in diameter, and some unannounced baby spinach leaves, all mingled in a tasty red sauce. It was yummy. But the meatballs were surprisingly excessively gingery... but not too bad when I ate them in little pieces accompanied by the rest of the dish. The service I experienced was fine. My water glass was refilled before I had to decide whether it was half full or half empty. Lunch doesn't seem to be a busy time for them yet, as there were but one rather large party and a single lady waiting at the bar for her take-out order when I arrived at 12:45pm, and 3 parties of two and a 4th party of one when I made my way out shortly after 1:30pm. For $5 per item, this was great! I wonder what their normal lunch prices are... *** 7/2013 *** Props for still accepting the icitycert I bought at a discount earlier in the year despite the fact that icitycert closed down out of the blue, and hadn't paid them yet. I was also given two helpful tips - they get busy around 9pm/9:30pm when the dinner and the late drinking crowd overlap, and reservations are wise for parties of 6 or more on Fridays and Saturdays.
(3)
Jonny I.
6 months ago when I left Boston Chinatown, the place to hang out late into the night were places like New Golden Gate and Peach Farm....and that was only after spending a drunken night at Estate or Royale. Fast forwad 6 months later and there is this sweet new spot where you can just chill without standing in line, wearing dress shoes, and having to yell to your friends over loud techno music! Food/Drinks: The menu here is a fusion of american and asian/chinese tastes. Appetizers we ordered were Duck Fat hand cut fries with sirracha aioli and Suckling Pig Bao. The sirracha aioli made the fries but at the same time you could taste a hint of duck which gave it a nice touch. The Suckling pig bao comes in a pair and was pretty tasteful. The main entrees we ordered were the Roasted Japanese pumpkin agnolotti with lobster and Braised short ribs with taro mash. The first reminded me of lobster ravioli and while pretty damn good, its something that I had in a previous lifetime and with the other interesting things on their menu, I would try something else next time. However, the braised short ribs were awesome. The meat was soaking with juices and fell off the bone just by lifting it! Their drink menu has a decent amount of choices on the cocktail and wine side....not so much with the beers. The Gin Gin Mule is a sweet ginger tasting cocktail that my gf enjoyed. Their Asahi 33.1 oz is the only beer that lists the size, but I got the Berkshire Seasonal and that bottle was enough to fill up 2.25 glasses. I was only expecting 1 glass so if the price seems high, it might actually be a bigger bottle than you expect, just ask. Service: Came here for Vday and on a separate occasion with my boys. Both times the service was impeccable. Service at the bar and table were equally good. Checked on the right amount of times, water cups were always full, and never rushed for the check. The bartenders here check the cups for water marks before filling them, an often overlooked part of service but I was glad to see it being done here. They also take the time out to explain the tastes of their many drink options. My gf was also given a pair of roses by the wait staff, stole my thunder, but its all good. Atmosphere: Boston Chinatown needs a place like this....for those chill nights where hanging out in the apartment isn't enough but going to the club is too much. The music here is older hits from the 90s and 2000s, hip hop and R&B, untouched, unremixed, and in full length.....because I'm getting real tired of all the EDM crap out there. The crowd is generally 20-30 something year old asians with probably about a 60-40 male to female ratio the late night I was there. High top tables, booths, or bar seating are your options. There is a huge TV over the bar that was playing old school kung fu movies. They might have the Patriots and Celtics on though during the season.
(5)
Denise H.
Solid food, good drinks, great vibe, good beats, cool staff - Shojo never disappoints. Definitely one of my favorite dinner spots in Boston and great for a small to medium sized group, especially for dinner and drinks before a night out. Obsessed w their garlic noodles but their entire menu is well done - all the entrees are solid. Ribs on late night menu fall off the bone. Only thing I I would pass on are the baos - they're on the dry side.
(4)
Whitney M.
Amazing Asian inspired tapas! My boyfriend and I went here for dinner , had the ravioli, chicken and waffle, fries, and split the pot of lemon-honey tea. Each dish was incredible, portions are perfect. Great place for a Chinatown newbie!
(4)
Ellie W.
I was invited to Shojo for a menu sampling, so I can't quite vouch for what the menu/place is really like on an average ho-hum night, but I can say that this is definitely one of the few good Asian fusion restaurants in the city. It's weird, but I sense that Asian Americans opened this place, like someone overheard my conversations with my Generation Y Asian American friends/family about how gross 40 year old carpets are in dim sum joints. This place looks more South End-quaint than Chinese-restaurant-next-to-highway-and-please-Âavoid-stepping-on-crack-addicts-in-alley-before-Âsaid-restaurant. They take the best of Asian ingredients and create dishes that wouldn't overwhelm the average Westerner who hasn't ventured into the world of juicy xiao long bao, tripe, and fish sauce. I'd say this place would make a good 101 Beginners course for friends who like the comfort bubble of pizza and pasta but want the excitement of new flavors, without the Fear Factor shock of a pile of pig's feet appearing on their plates in original form. Our tasting menu consisted of fried shrimp balls covered in almonds, pulled pork, edamame salsa, and a berry-glazed coconut jelly dessert. Most dishes were good, though my friend thought the pork and salsa were a little over-done with the onion flavors. He was the lone dissenter; the rest of us devoured ours. The coconut jelly dessert was also slightly underwhelming, and I wouldn't imagine anyone wanting to pay for this. It was pretty much a square of coconut jello in a pool of berry jam. On the plus side, I loved the shrimp balls, edamame salsa, pulled pork, and cocktails. Yes, cocktails. Never in my life would I have imagined drinking a decent cocktail in Chinatown, but oh, my tastebuds hadn't yet met the matcha-infused lime zesty cocktail that awaited me at Shojo. I'll definitely be returning to give the full menu a try. Plus, the manager explained to us how they take consumer feedback and continually adjust/tweak the menu and ingredients, so I appreciate a restaurant that recognizes that improvements can always be made in the kitchen and actually seeks constructive feedback.
(4)
Joanna H.
Great service and great drinks. Only had the opportunity to try their duck fat fries, but their other food options sound pretty alluring (kimchi butter anyone?) Talk to Brandon, Shojo's co-owner, if you get a chance! There's a story behind the wall murals and each drink that he'll be glad to tell you about! Love love LOVE the cold tea for two. It's so delicious that you might forget it's an ALCOHOLIC drink. So be careful with that. I'll definitely be revisiting soon!
(5)
Jennifer N.
Tapas style plates. But you get a pretty good amount for what you're paying for. Favorite was the chicken & waffle, although I would ask for the syrup on the side bc the egg puff waffle is already sweet and the syrup makes it soggy very fast. Also very good were: taro tots, glass noodle salad (really big plate, plenty of fresh veggies, and the salt & pepper chicken was perfect), the mushroom melody, and calamari. The corn/cauliflower was ok. Small place but it's got a nice atmosphere. Staff is very friendly. Only one batjroom so sometimes there's a wait. I wouldn't go with a group bigger than 6 people.
(4)
Stephane B.
It is a hidden gem of Chinatown. I went with my girlfriend and the ambiance was nice. They had some 90's music playing which we loved. The cold tea for two is a must have. We had the duck fries which were good and my girl doesn't eat French fries usually but she loved these. The kimchi fried rice was our favorite. The spices and flavor were out of this world. The ravioli was good and I'm not a ravioli guy but the sauce was great. The chicken and waffles was unexpected. My girlfriend ordered it and it was good. The presentation of the waffles was great and the flavor of the chicken was good. I highly recommend this place. It is a little small but I love places like that. The staff was very prompt and our server was great. I will be back shojo that I guarantee it.
(5)
Lavinia K.
In the heart of Chinatown but not your traditional "Chinatown" Establishment. The interior is fantastically edgy complete with a graffiti wall. The service is excellent and equally as ALT. But what really stands out here is the menu... Try the lobster rangoons or the squid ink ramen with scallops- both are unique and a delicious spin on Asian cuisine. Also, the cold tea for two is not to be missed!
(5)
Myha N.
One of my favorite places! I've been here a few times and each time, I've always walked away very happy, a little buzzed and full! The place is small. It seats about 40 people or so? There's a bar where you can sit at or you can sit at a high table or booth. They're not open for lunch but I heard they're opening that up 11/28 so I'm excited to have that option! And they're going to have a bar menu for late night snacking too! Love their duck fat fries! Anyways, the few times I've been, I've had the salmon with dashi glaze (cooked to perfection), the 1/2 chicken w/ pistachio pesto, smoked mashed potatoes, grilled raddichio and mozzarella balls (AMAZING!!!!!) and the skirt steak w/ kimchi butter (mmmmm delicious!). Of course duck fat fries on the side and their special gin gin mule which is my favorite! I love ginger and normally get the Moscow Mule for a drink when I'm at a restaurant. It's their take of this drink except they make their own ginger beer here. It's superb. I've dined at a table and at the bar but I prefer the bar since the bartenders are always so nice! They also do sake tastings if you want it. Their bar is loaded with tons of different sakes to try. If the bar manager is around (Markus), ask him to make you something special. He actually created the special drink menu at the restaurant which is unique. Parking is ok. It's on street parking unless you want to fork up some money and park in the lot. I highly recommend this place for a first date. The restaurant has a great vibe with the cool wall painting and lighting.
(5)
Rich S.
Great drinks, great food, friendly service, a lil bit high on the price tag, but hey, greatness doesn't always come cheap. Drinks... Gin Gin Mule, Cold Tea for Two, and everyone keeps telling me to get the Purple Haze or something like that. Beware, these drinks will put you on your a$$! must get the pickles, fries, and a pig Bao while you drink... you must. ask the staff about the awesome wall mural while you're there... storytime + drinkytime = funtime speaking of which... i'm thirsty!
(5)
adam s.
Such a great place. Everything is done with genuine care and enthusiasm... the service, the food, the drinks, the decor, everything. Markus gets a shout-out for the great drinks and for general awesome-ness.
(5)
Eric F.
A newcomer to Boston's Chinatown offering up fresh, modern Asian cuisine, Shojo's off to a strong start. I came by for dinner with a friend and the place was on the emptier side, probably just a result of being a weeknight and having business largely shunted towards spots like GDH. We went with the salmon with dashi glaze, pork short ribs and a side of duck fat hand cut fries. While my fall-off-the-bone ribs fell a bit short in the flavor department, I loved the perfectly cooked fish - on the rare side with soft sweetness from the glaze. The fries were solid as well. In terms of drinks, they're mainly on the lighter side and well-balanced. I was likewise impressed with the attentive and friendly service. Overall, I definitely wouldn't mind coming back to try the popular suckling pig bao and other entrees (moderately portioned with nothing over $20).
(4)
Sade R.
This is now my 4th time coming to this place and I am always lost for words. The atmosphere is something unheard of in the Chinatown area, it's what this neighborhood needed there is a growing energy of good here. People looking to explore outside there expectation. The menu changes seasonal and it's honestly a great thing you really get to see what the people in the kitchen can accomplish with Asian fusion tapas. The music is another great favorite of mine always fitting throwbacks of hip-hop. Last but absolutely not least is this amazing woman Tina, everyone who works there is great but she was beyond words. She guided my husband and I through our entire experience with food and beverage knowledge. We wanted to try a Japanese whiskey and she lead us toward the right direction, made sure we had our food. Made the Shojo experience complete. Thank you.
(5)
S D.
The pros: Fun place, very friendly waitstaff. Some things were interesting: the Asian glass noodle salad was pretty good, as were the vegetable dumplings, whose filling was flavorful and which was pan-fried to perfection. These were the first two things to arrive, so at this point our impression of the place was very favorable. Unfortunately, it all went downhill from there. The next few dishes were really disappointing. The cons: The remaining dishes were over-seasoned/oily/unimpressive. In particular, the five-spice tofu with 1000-year-egg was way too salty (the egg was great, though!). The Asian Mushroom medley appeared to have only one or two kinds of mushrooms, and fairly ordinary kinds at that, and was pretty unimpressive. The kimchi fried rice had interesting flavor, but was extremely greasy - to the point where we couldn't finish it. (Also couldn't finish the tofu). So, all told, a rather disappointing experience - interesting ideas, very inconsistent execution. I'm increasingly convinced that "Chinese fusion" is not my thing - I'd much rather go to Taiwan Cafe down the street and get wonderfully executed, more "traditional" Chinese food, than this kind of thing. The waitstaff were exceedingly pleasant and welcoming; I feel bad giving the place a bad review - but the kitchen needs to get its act together. With that said, I imagine this would be a great place to get a drink in Chinatown - before heading to Taiwan Cafe ;)
(2)
Seth M.
I flew solo to this Chinatown joint. Took a seat at the bar. Lots of brick and wood decor. High ceilings and a well stocked bar. I'm happy. Excited to try Japanese whiskey, the bar tender recommended some options and a cocktail that respected the "coffey grain whiskey" involved. A yakuza old fashioned. I love an old fashioned and this was no exception. Hand carved ice cube. Caramel butters and orange peel. Incredible. Did not take away from the whiskey in any way. The lunch menu looked delicious but I followed tru with my plan... Ramen. Delivered within 5 minutes. Wow. Flavor was incredible. The pork was tender and abundant. The noodles perfect. The broth tho. I'm told it is a three piece combo. Chicken pork and dashi. Chicken fat is the most bold. Pork is quite evident. And as u get thru the bowl. The dashi reveals itself. Just as explained. Rivals any ramen I have had before. And with he addition of fantastic drink and service. #1 ramen spot.
(5)
Sandra C.
I've been living in Los Angeles for the past two years, so you can imagine my surprise after learning that a new restaurant in Boston opened up in Chinatown called Shojo! First of all, I got lost trying to find it...I actually went into China Pearl and received some pretty strange looks when I asked where Shojo was. If you're ever wondering...Shojo is next door to China Pearl...you really can't miss its pretty lights. Walking in, I recognized a couple friends working as either hosts or servers...wasn't really sure, but with that being said...my service was AH-MAZING. We must have ordered some of the most popular items on the menu (from what I remember, that included pig bao and duck fat fries) and it was all really delicious. Seriously. I especially applaud the bartenders for the work they put into constructing our drinks...WOW. Those were some of the best alcoholic drinks I've ever tried...especially in Chinatown of all places...in awhile. I'll definitely be back here the next time I visit home. I think Chinatown really needed a place like Shojo. It's refreshing to have a higher-end bar/restaurant amongst the other top-dog, opened late-night, swanky Chinese restaurants here.
(4)
K H.
Went here for lunch yesterday and was hoping to be in and out pretty quickly since we were on our lunch hour. Unfortunately, they were working on a catering order so the kitchen was backed up and the food took a while. It was worth the wait though, the food was great! I got the Damn Damn noodles and they were delicious albeit a bit salty. It came with a gooey fried egg on top...yum! I will definitely be back, maybe for dinner this time and hope to try the cocktails!
(4)
John H.
VERY trendy and sleek atmosphere. Crowded around lunchtime, but what isn't downtown? THe food was above average and extremely well displayed.
(4)
Svitlana S.
Nah- skip this place. There was nothing good about the food. We came here during the 1st night in town. Lets just say I've had better food.
(1)
Monica H.
The suckling pig bao was super crispy!
(4)
Charlie C.
Portions slightly on the small side, but extremely delicious and well worth going back
(4)
Joy Y.
If the worst thing I can say about this place is that their (duck fat!!!) fries were a little short and stubby, then I think things are looking good for Shojo. This restaurant was the perfect pre movie (or post movie I suppose-- they are open til 1am!) snack place. It was virtually empty when when got there on a Saturday night and made for easy seating, which was fabulous for me and my dining partner (less fabulous for Shojo though, so despite the fact that I would love no wait every time I go there, you should probably go ASAP as it would be a very sad thing for this place to have to close.) We started off the evening with some very tasty and creative drinks. My drink, the Aberdeen... something or another was fabulous-- housemade citrus gin, basil, coconut cream. I was initially worried about it being too sweet, but that wasn't the case at all-- it was a perfect balance of sweet and almost a little bit savory. The cucumber ice cube in the Reiko Greene was also very cool, it added flavor without being too overwhelming. According to my dc, the Reiko Greene was delicious, a review of which I myself can confirm. Because we were heading to a movie, we opted for some apps. The aforementioned duck fat fries with some delicious sriracha mayo on the side, the pork bao and the grilled calamari. The duck fat fries were just as you would want them to be, crispy and full of flavor. The owner, who was very chatty and informative told us that they make the duck fat in house, which only makes them that much sweeter. The pork bao came with two mini pork sandwich-like things. The balance of the crunchy and pickly kimchee went perfectly with the salty sweetness of the fatty pork. The grilled calamari was the only thing that left a little to be desired and was a bit on the more charred vs grilled side. Everything was reasonably priced and the warm but modern decor was nothing short of awesome. You should probably go check it out for yourself, just don't judge them too harshly on the size of their fries.
(5)
Anna F.
My favorite new find in Boston. Been there three times now. Always sitting at the bar (better to see the Kung Fu movies). Food is fantastic (have sampled a wide range), the ambiance is laid back, casual and pleasant (dim lights, open space, playful full wall mural), and the drinks are showstopping. Particularly fond of unwinding with my favorite co worker friend over a pitcher (comes in a teapot) of the cheekily named Cold Tea (green tea drink concoction). I'm in love.
(5)
Brett P.
Had dinner here the other night. OK place for a cocktail and maybe a small bite, but it shouldn't be the main event of your evening. I wouldn't go back for dinner.
(2)
Drew M.
I was a little nervous going to chinatown for a big party but we had a great time. The service was great, the food was awesome and between the drink list and sake bombs we really enjoyed ourselves. We had a large group of people and the service was great. We all had dinner and then a ton of sake bombs. Everyone loved their meal (ravioli's and duck fries where a huge hit) and going sake bombing was a great way to kick off the night. The tea for two was also a great way to kick your night off.
(4)
Nate Y.
Is this really in Chinatown? I've gone to Boston's Chinatown since I was a small child, and I can say there has never been an establishment like this in this hood. I was attending Damien's CMYE and the choice was spot on. The location is right below China Pearl, known for typical dim sum on carts and Chinese banquet dining. China Pearl apparently is also behind this new Asian fusion restaurant. The bamboo out front seems a little bit out of place, basically surrounded by concrete, but it does stand out, so you can't miss the place. Inside it's clean and sleek with the accent lighting and dark furnishings, as well as being eclectic with the amazing painted murals on the wall. When ordering drinks at the bar I loved that they were playing an old Jacky Chan movie on the flat screen. Maybe a bit stereotypical, but I like kung fu/action flicks! I had the Chairman's Painkiller which was a spin on tiki cocktails, in a tiki glass with a slice of pineapple. It was tasty but could do with less ice. Another Yelper had sake infused with green tea in a mixed drink which he enjoyed. My favorite though, thus far, was the Reiko Greene, it was so refreshing that I kept it until I finished the ice cube! This apparently is what everyone does, it's that good! For food the appetizers were all excellent; the mussels were cooked perfectly, the pork bao was wonderful with a nice size piece of fatty pork, and the duck fat fries were tasty, but how could they not be? I didn't try the Chinese spinach, but was told it was good, unfortunately the serving size was very small. For my main meal I had the skirt steak, cooked just I ordered it, and with a mango sauce, it was a home run! Tried the pork short ribs with wasabi mashed potatoes, and although tasty the ribs were served cold. Taste of the pork was therefore a bit bland. We also tried the desserts, the beignets with two dipping sauces and the chilled almond tofu with berries. Both excellent ways to end the meal. I will definitely come back to try their homemade ginger beer, and other dishes. This is a worthy addition to Chinatown, but if my mom were alive today she wouldn't what to make of it!
(4)
Blair H.
Imagine if Sharknado swept through Central Square, picked up the Enormous Room (yes, back when it used to be awesome), blew through the Blue Ginger, swept through Craigie on Main (still awesome), dropped Ming Tsai off at P.F. Chang where he belongs, picked up a few dumplings from Hei La Moon, and threw up in the middle of Chinatown. That is how awesome an addition to Chinatown Shojo is.
(5)
Laura S.
Great food! We loved the taco's, dumplings and duck fat fries (obviously). The cocktail menu had really interesting drinks and the cold tea for two was so refreshing. I came here for a date night before a movie around the corner, and it was the perfect setting. I also had a large group of friends (20) that wanted to get dinner together, and the staff were incredibly accommodating and helpful.
(5)
Cindy L.
Growing up in Chinatown this place really doesn't make you feel like you're in ctown at all. The food was fabulous and very unique. Love the duck fat fries, pig Bao, duck dumplings and the warm glass noodles. The drinks are great! Definitely a must try for something different in Chinatown. Very hip and modern atmosphere. The annually changing mural has a great story behind it. By the way the cleanest bathroom in any Chinese restaurant by far. Extra star for that! :)
(5)
Rebecca H.
I have been here many times, and constantly recommend Shojo to my friends as my go-to place for a creative, delicious meal without breaking the bank. While I'd describe most Asian fusion restaurants as Americanized Asian cuisine, Shojo is more like "Asian-ized" American cuisine. Their suckling pig bao are probably my favorite item on the menu, and their duck fat fries (with Sriracha aioli) are a close second. Shojo also stands out as a well-decorated establishment with good service, in a sea of Chinatown restaurants with questionable sanitation practices and curt, slightly abrasive servers. (I'm definitely not knocking the latter; that's what I grew up on! But sometimes, a girl's gotta think outside the no-frills box.) The old-school kung fu movies playing to a background of hip-hop and top 40 music is an unexpected juxtaposition at first, but I grew to love it pretty quickly.
(5)
Jay W.
This place man... It captures your eye when you're walking through Chinatown. I came here with a party of 15.. DON'T EVER DO THAT. It's not comfortable sitting and you can't even talk to everyone at the table, not even the people sitting across from you because the music is TOO LOUD. Service: Pretty good, they were friendly. But they forgot my rice... Food: Their drink menu is bigger than their food menu. The Duck fat fries ($5) were AWESOME. Whatever is in that dipping sauce is what made those fries good. Although, I wish the fries weren't cut up so small. There is a familiar taste to those fries but I couldn't put my finger on it. For my main entree, I had the Char Siu Chicken ($17) REALLY GOOD, the chicken had a lot of flavor. Venue/Decor: It's a very urban/hipster kind of setting. I enjoyed the wall mural. Nice candles on every table. The longest table in the center of the restaurant for the bigger parties is not comfortable.. One thing I wish this restaurant would change is how loud the music was. Because the music was so loud, everyone is yelling to hear each other so it really takes away from the conversations... Overall: - GREAT food - Good service - Beautiful decor - Bad setting for nice conversations But I'd come back..
(3)
Kimberly Y.
Been here a couple times with the hubby. We really like the pork belly buns. Those are our favorite item on their menu and have recommended that to all our friends. We usually just order several appetizers instead of ordering the entrees (and we aren't big drinkers either), hence the 4 star rating. So far we have really enjoyed all the appetizer items we've tried. I definitely recommend trying this place out.
(4)
Jenny Y.
My girlfriends and I were blown away by our wonderful experience at Shojo. The vibe for dinner was fun and flirty. The specialty drinks were to die for and the staff was very knowledgable about the unique menu. We appreciated the attention to detail and could not stop raving about everything that came out. The food was delicious and savory; it's definitely a place for true foodies. After dinner hours, the restaurant turned into a cool rustic lounge. The lights are dimmed and the filament bulbs added to a Thomas Jefferson era feel. The staff was so attentive and friendly, I felt like I had been a regular there for years!
(5)
T C.
Went to Shojo with a friend before going to a show at Royale, and we're both going to return. The food was excellent, but the service was even better. In fact, the waiter noticed that my phone was about to die and offered to charge it for me while we ate. He wasn't just milking it for a tip, either--he was genuinely helpful and attentive without being intrusive. We had some small plates, which is definitely the way to go. The pot of kimchi had a nice kick to it, the suckling pig bao was super tasty, and the duck confit dumplings (my favorite, though incredibly rich, as you might imagine) were amazing. When it came time for dessert, we had two options; chocolate sesame balls or pumpkin panna cotta. We went for the pumpkin panna cotta. Big disappointment. Because of this dessert failure (I have a wicked sweet tooth), I thought about giving Shojo four stars. However, considering the rest of the meal was so great, and Asian fusion places are not generally known for their desserts, I decided to be generous and give them all of the stars.
(5)
Brian D.
Shojo is crack cocaine. Two visits in one week. Instant addiction. But, I only use it when I party, so it's all good. (I kid. I kid.) Shojo is, for lack of better words, pretty gosh-darned awesome. For starters, If you are the sort of person who enjoys the occasional, or habitual, drinky-poo then you are in luck. These fine folks have got you covered. In booze. Think gin. Think citrus infused gin with coconut cream and basil. Think about that goodness in your face. Now think about a nice Hendricks and Chartreuse served over an enormous cucumber ice cube. Commence getting the shakes the morning after slinging back a couple dozen of these concoctions. And food. Dear, dear, dear, me and the things I could do with this food. Namely, I would eat it. You may do as you please. I've had the grilled calamari and it was nice and spicy over delicate greens and radishes. I've had the mussels. I've had the duck fat fries. I've had the entire dessert menu. I've watched grown men weep whilst they ate the amazing pork creations. Atmosphere. Pretty swank and in a non pretentious way. A new flavor for Chinatown. Fun murals. Beautiful wood tables and bar. Fun, diverse crowds. So Kids, go get some Shojo and let me know if you have any questions. I will gladly Google or pull an answer out of my pie-hole for you. Toodles.
(4)
Ryan T.
Off the charts. Just go! Order 4-5 tapas total for 2 and enjoy. Order one rice....it was enough for 2 and amazing. Ask about the vegetable of the day...we got heirloom tomatoes with pesto and spicey curried carrots and they were stupid good. Food 10, Service 10, Ambience 10, Music 10. Dont second guess this place.
(5)
S T.
Love the decor...the service was friendly, and the flavors were good! However, we were the only ones there to be served..and we ordered an appetizer and two mains..and it all came out at once. Also, they are losing two stars because our main dishes were served luke warm. Odd since, it was not busy?!? This is what we ordered Dish # 1: pork bao w/crispy skin (SOOOO Good!) Dish # 2 (main): pork confit (not bad) Dish #3 (main): beef braised short ribs, taro mash, (flavors were great, but again, served cold..so not so good). Would I come back? Yes, but not right away. Do they not have a heat lamp?? Receiving cold food is not good, especially since we were the only ones there. Anyway, the flavors were good..but probably could of been better if my food was hot.
(3)
Winnie C.
I came here on a Saturday night with 2 friends. It was fairly empty, probably because the place is still new. I have been looking forward to trying this place for weeks. The decor is very creative, artsy, and well... Asian. I can't believe they were able to transform what used to be a butcher shop/cafe into something so young and "hip." There is a small bar in the corner and communal tables in the middle. We got sat in front of the tv. yay! For drinks, we got a Chairman's Painkiller, which was pineapple, coconut, and "rum"?? (maybe), citrus drink, and another coconut drink --- sorry really bad with names. My friend loved the Chairman's Painkiller, it also came in a tiki glass. I got the citrus drink, it was okay, you would love it if you like a light, fruity drink, but it wasn't something I was going for that night. The manager or owner came by and offered to swap out my drink for the coconut milk with cucumber vodka. It was delicious! Never tried anything like it before. Leaves a creamy coconut taste in your mouth when you least expect it. The food, Asian fusion, was definitely not what I thought it would be like, but not in a bad way either. I work in an Asian fusion restaurant, so I was expecting something similar. We ordered the chicken cutlet, the spareribs, and the special seafood bouillabaisse. I loved the seafood dish, they had a special shrimp tempura, which I thought was a cookie between my mussels and clams, but one bite of it and I was hooked! I didn't really try the other dishes but my friend loved their taro mashed potato that came with the spareribs. Needless to say, we finished EVERYTHING. What I would definitely come back for though, besides drinks, is their service. Our server, it said Ronald on our check but I heard Oz before??, was very informed about everything on the menu, we had a lot of questions. He definitely convinced me on that special that night. The manager or owner who checked up on our meal was very nice and changed my drink for me when he found out I didn't like it. We stayed there for a bit afterwards playing Uno, so I could finish my new delicious drink, and the server was very attentive, refilled our waters, and didn't try to hurry us. In terms of portion for price, for my seafood dish $18 I could've been more full, but we should've ordered appetizers as well. But I am thinking Chinatown prices, of course, we came here to try this place for something not something cheap, large, and rude, typical of most restaurants in Chinatown. This would be a fare price to pay for any upscale, finer dining restaurant. I liked the food, loved the drinks, and definitely appreciated the service I received here. This would definitely be the spot to visit if you want more class and service than what the typical Chinese restaurant will offer down the street.
(5)
Harold S.
We came here yesterday to try it out, since a tapas bar in Chinatown is something different. The decor is very creative, and the owner will tell you the story behind it if you ask. The chop chop daquiri was good. For appetizers, we got the fried oysters and spareribs. The fried oysters were not good, it was small and after breading and frying it, you can only taste the flour and nothing else. The spareribs were not bad, it fell of the bones and was very tender. For dinner, we shared 4 of their entrees (between 7 people). The dishes were good, but nothing out of this world. We got the salmon, chicken cutlet, steak, and pork ribs. The service was great, the drinks and dishes came out quickly. But overall, it was just an average experience.
(3)
Jannis B.
We went to Shojo twice: once during its "soft opening" and once during their opening party. Since they're just starting out, I opted for a longer review below. Tl;dr version at bottom. The scene: Small, chic, modern Asian Step inside and you're surrounded by sleek modern decor. One entire wall is colored in a fun, dreamlike graphic of a monkey king, and it definitely has a young, fun feel to it. The staff: Exceptional Shojo staff have really focused on bringing people in and making sure they have a great experience. The owner personally came around during the soft opening asking people's opinions on dishes, and during the party, I saw him go back into the kitchen and specially put together a plate of the appetizers for people who had come in late. Now *that's* service. The drinks: Dangerously good We had something that tasted amazing. House-made lemon gin and ginger made a bright, refreshing drink that packed a punch as it cooled you off. One waiter accidentally started to take away my drink before I was done sipping every last drop. When I tried to stop him he said, "Oh sorry, I already touched it. Let me just bring you out another one." Score points for practicing good hygiene. The water servers also make sure to refill your water without touching the glass -- so you don't end up indirectly locking lips with every other patron drinking water that night. Sadly even the fancy restaurants sometimes miss this basic thing, but Shojo has it covered. The food: Well-executed modern Asian fusion The summer rolls were nice and refreshing with a touch of mint. I'm not a fresh oyster fan, but I *loved* the fried oysters with a light sauce. They're served in their own shell -- just be careful not to lick your fingers and get a mouthful of salt from the shell bottom. I loved the duck bao with kimchee. Crispy skin and juicy duck wrapped in the fluffy bun with a little kick from the kimchee. The biggest hit of the night, though, was the duck fat fries. Yes, they're as good as they sound. Tl;dr: Would recommend. Great drinks, good food, great service.
(4)
Jon T.
Great, great, great. Went in on a Saturday, arly evening. Sat at bar and was treated to a great show. Cocktails were splendid (making own ginger beer puts you in a winners circle to start with). Tried the bao, duck confit dumplings & glass noodle salad small plates. Didn't disappoint. The bao was terrific, with a nugget of crispy crackling tucked in. Bar tender treated us to small samples of house blended liquors which just added to the experience. Heading back real soon
(5)
W J.
This restaurant is really special. The manager Brendan went out of his way to make my mother's birthday really special. I purchased a gift certificate for my mom's birthday. She went with her friends and they all had a really nice time at Shojo. My mom liked and the duck and the tofu, and mentioned that the duck fat fries were very good. Thanks Shojo for becoming a part of our nice memories.
(5)
Lauren F.
Awesome awesome place. Really great vibe and they won a best in boston award. We made reservations and actually had to end up waiting for 30 mins. When we did get seated they felt so bad that they brought out a few appetizers immediately, which was so awesome!!! Get small p,ages and share, that's the way to go. Suckling pig bao is a must!! Duck confit dumplings were delicious as well. I can't wait to go back as prices were so reasonable.
(5)
Winnie T.
A new hot spot just opened up in Chinatown, and it's calling out all young professionals and anybody with a palette that appreciates good, creative food and has a penchant for strong, delicious craft cocktails! The restaurant's atmosphere is hip and inviting, and the look is modern. When you step inside, you'll forget that you're in Chinatown. The vibe is really laidback and entices people to get loose over a few drinks with friends after a long day's work or you can bring a date here where you guys don't have to worry about twiddling your thumbs and sitting in awkward lapses of silence. I attended their soft opening last night and it lives up to its hype thus far. Though the restaurant is still working out its kinks, the food and drinks are its salvation. This place is a new-found gem in the heart of Chinatown, where food choices are all monotonous. Shojo boasts a change from the traditional family-style meal -- plates are each crafted to perfection and served as pieces of art. Some of the highlights of the night were: 1. Miso-glazed salmon with fried eggplant: the salmon was cooked to perfection and seasoned well, and the fried eggplant offered the right amount of crunch to the meal. Would definitely eat again and again. 2. Duck fat fries: crispy and retained this natural succulent duck fat flavor. The sriracha aioli was a plus, but not necessary. 3. Coconut vegetable curry bowl: the curry is served in a bread bowl (the one clam chowder would typically be served in) and it was absolutely delicious and flavorful. Though it is more tailored for vegetarians (hence the lack of meat), had there been some chicken, it would have made it even better. 4. Almond Tofu: This almond tofu pudding is my new favorite sweet thing to eat. It comes with some fresh fruit and an almond biscuit cookie, and it is the perfect way to end the meal. GET IT. 4. CRAFT COCKTAILS were awesome. The Aberdeen Swizzle (lemon, coconut cream, gin) is a standout. Strong, but you won't realize it until 15 minutes in. The Dinghow Cocktail was also delicious as well: champagne with other citrus fruit notes. Chopchop daquiri is strong and sweet, and after a couple of these you'll be feeling nice and toasty. I could go on and on about how excited I am about how this new restaurant offers a new style of cuisine to Chinatown, but it's probably just best if you go and check it out yourself. The official grand opening is on August 8th, and I foresee there will be a long waiting list at the door once this place is officially inducted into the neighborhood.
(5)
Mike Z.
Shojo, Being the only semi-fancy half-white half-Chinese (Asian-fusion they call it nowadays) kid on the block, not bad! You're expensive, but since you fancy and all, I guess you can charge the prices that you charge. The succulent, tender suckling pig bao is good, but it's not spectacular like how everyone raves. The pork short ribs were fall off the bone tender and tasty, though there were only three pieces! All in all, good quality, low quantity, premium price.
(4)
Robert G.
brought my wife here to try an asian fusion restaurant in chinatown. it was amazing,i would definitely recommend this place to all my friends. my wife and i order the "cold tea" drink crack us up laughing the whole night.
(5)
Melody W.
Interesting location for a swanky place like this in Chinatown (especially for an Asian fusion restaurant). I love the murals and interior decors! Service is prompt and filled with friendly staff so far. Anyways, I came here twice this month (coincidentally it was the $5 lunch dishes thing that's about to end soon): one time alone because I was curious about Shojo and second time with friends. Food overall? It was all right. Not too bad but not too spectacular to blow me away. I enjoyed the Drunken Noodles (I also requested to take the meat out and leave the shrimps in). We ordered the handmade tagliatelle dish and Damn Damn noodles. The texture of these dishes are very saucy and can be a bit heavy on the saltiness. The huge plates make the portions look kind of small...although my friends and I kept a menu just in case we feel what we got was not enough, we ended up being "close" to full with our meals. I think the overall sauciness may had contributed to our perception and intake of food :P The menu for lunch seems a bit small, so I would assume there's more variety for the dinner hour. Seems like Shojo is more suitable for the cocktail scene!
(3)
Le N.
Yes, the food is good. But this place is overly hyped in my opinion. The only memorable item from the night was the pork buns. Everything else was mediocre. I also thought the prices were kind of high.. I had the catfish and that's decent at best. The fiance had the steak - that was good.. not good enough for me to come back though. Oh well, had to come here to try it out for myself. Not too sure why it's always so packed though.
(3)
Jenney Z.
A small modern Chinatown restaurant. The menu is small and the food is basic. There is nothing on the menu that will surprise you, but there is also nothing on the menu that will let you down. The calamari was delicious but too small. Barbarcue pork rib was well cook, easily falling off the bone, but too dry. The pig bun was also a little dry, but ok. I feel Shojo is a good place to get a small bite to eat before going to a movie or show in the Theater District, but I wouldn't go there looking for a memorable meal just a satisfying meal.
(3)
Charles T.
Everything about Shojo is well thought out and perfected. From the drop lights and brownstone brick walls, to the ceiling high artistic murals, the place just gives off an upscale but relaxed vibe. The food is no pushover either. Probably one of the few places in Boston to serve authentic duck fat fries along with a feast of other delicacies. Service was much better than most spots in Boston. Very quick, no BS, and super friendly. 5 stars.
(5)
Patrick C.
WOW. People love the food here, and its good, but I love the drinks. I never had a better old fashion. The best part? They give you one decent sized ice cube. Yes, I know, it's just ice, but not having to contend with pieces of ice floating around in your drink is great. The service is great.They are very knowledgable about pairing your food with drinks, as well as what's good and what isn't. The ambiance is interesting. The scene is very warm, welcoming, and chaotic. The graffiti and videos of Bruce Lee playing on the T.V. gives you the feel of being in the mind of a 20 year old. (We all loved graffiti and Bruce Lee when we were 20 right?) The low lights, and the seating options make you feel cozy and comfortable. The food is unbelievable. I love the fries cooked in duck fat. Mostly because I feel healthier that I am eating something with duck fat. That's the good fat right? I am also a fan of their kimchee butter. Sounds gross at first, but it makes sense. Just try it on their skirt steak.
(5)
Sophie S.
Phenomenal food!! Everything has unexpected, delicious flavors and the service is good. Can't wait to try drinks here!
(5)
Max H.
I had heard about this place from Thrillist and some other interwebs lists. I was expecting a dazzling, mouth-watering, unique, and unexpected Asian fusion restaurant... To be honest it seemed like they tried too hard to make "unexpected" dishes. For example the glass noodle salad was completed buried under all sorts of peppers and vegetables... Sometimes minimalism pays off--my tongue was kind of assaulted with flavors. That being said, the place had a great atmosphere and vibe and some of the food items were actually pretty good (namely the Kimchi fried rice and the calamari). A pro was definitely the fact that they had the Hitachino white ale on tap!!! Overall, this restaurant's a "meh" for me.
(3)
Nat P.
Finally a place in Chinatown my cool grandma would like! This is modern Chinese at its best! I totes recommend the Sucking Pig Bao, even though it doesn't sound good. This is one awesome bun of pork deliciousness. While I do prefer the traditional Chinese places, I do appreciate the sleek decor, highlighted by an amazing wall mural that looks like it was painted by the Gorilla's cover artist!
(5)
Mike D.
I went into Shojo on a Friday night with my expectations set extremely high based on all the hype I had heard. That's usually a bad idea because 9 times out of 10 you will be let down but here's the kicker; Shojo exceeded every expectation in every aspect of my dining experience. Here's the run down: Walked in the restaurant and BAM! The decor and graffiti suggests that you are in for a modern treat with a classic twist. The hostess was so pleasant as she escorted us to our seats and immediately we were swarmed (in a good way) by waitstaff to assist us with water, drink, and food decisions. We ordered the Suckling Pig Bao, BBQ Pork Rib, Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries, Tuna Tartare, duck dumplings, kimchi fried rice, and almond shrimp balls. I'm not going to go in specific detail of each because they were all stunning and perfectly prepared. I want to be able to critique something on these dishes but literately they all came out super hot, fresh, perfect balances of flavors and textures and were perfectly presented, not even a finger print on the plate. I know you are reading this and saying "come on, something must have been wrong" but honestly this is one of the closest to perfect dining experiences I have ever had in Boston. Maybe it was the greatly attentive waitstaff, the tantalizing preparation, the extremely cold Thai beer, or perhaps the fact I never had to worry about a empty glass of water or a dirty plate sitting on the table or maybe just the taboo of being in Chinatown,Or MAYBE, just MAYBE these guys have all the right component to complete a successful dining experience. Get your A$$ here and eat your face off!
(5)
Michelle B.
I enjoyed just about everything about this spot. The location is easy to get to (right next to China Pearl), and has a super cute, if out of place, exterior. The inside is small, but very well decorated. It feels light and open, and there's a good amount of seating without it feeling crowded. Our waiter was fantastic. He was great at explaining a few items on the menu, suggesting drinks, and making sure we knew about their spin on certain things (their dark 'n stormy, for example). He checked in on us periodically and joked around with us in a really easy going manner which I appreciate - sometimes it feels forced and it always ends up being awkward. Now, the food: I loved most of it and liked the rest of it. I tried a few different dishes. Out of everything I tried, the fried oysters were probably my least favorite, but again, were still good. They were well seasoned, but I found the pile of fried noodles on top of each oyster confusing as it seemed so out of place with everything else on the plate. The spinach salad was a delight - the dressing was warm, so the spinach was just barely wilting when it was served to me and it was really flavorful. Their ribs are fantastic - tender, extremely well seasoned, and plentiful for the price. My husband and friend both the got the bbq pork ravioli and enjoyed that quite a bit. Now, typically this sort of review would earn five stars, but I'm docking them one star for lack of follow up on a private event. I emailed them about a dinner part for the management group in my company and got a prompt response asking me some questions so they could get pricing to me. I asked for two types of proposals and ... never heard back. I emailed twice after that, with still no response. It's a shame, because they lost out on a private party of 16 people who love to eat and drink.
(4)
Victor P.
I went to this restaurant because of the reviews on Yelp, and I couldn't have been more disappointed. So I'm compelled to write a review now, to warn others of what to expect. I'll start with the bad things. The FOOD IS HORRIBLE. Certainly, I didn't try everything on their menu, nor will I ever go back to try anything else, but here's what I did order: VEAL TONGUE SPECIAL: 30% corn, some veal tongue, SOAKED in red wine reduction sauce and OIL. It was inedibly sour, and it had a pungent after-taste. It was so ridiculously distasteful. Imagine eating a spoon of corn and drinking Cabernet at the same time - that's how it tasted. $13 down the drain. DUCK FAT FRIES: just regular thin fries, deep fried in OIL. Nothing special, definitely overrated on Yelp. You get a decent portion for $6. They went well with my beer and the sriracha aioli. PORK DUMPLINGS: soaked in OIL. You get 3 small dumplings for $5. I don't think I ate more than 1. The soy sauce contained OIL too (olive oil probably). In fact, there was TOO MUCH OIL in every dish. And that comes from someone who would put mayo on everything (mayo is 67% oil). Now, the good things: the entourage was pleasant and the server was good. It seemed like a cozy place to get some drinks before going to a club. The music was also pretty good. Overall, I give them 2 stars. The food did really ruin the experience. My wife was disappointed, and I felt really bad for insisting on us going to Shojo based on the reviews on Yelp. Hopefully, you'll make a more informed decision.
Very friendly service and a great selection of small dishes to share. The cold tea for two is a must...even if you're dining alone.
(4)
Nathan H.
Had an excellent dinner at Shojo! Never been there before, just saw it on Yelp and thought I would give it a try. It was a Tuesday night, so the place was mostly empty when my wife and I arrived. Was greeted by a friendly maitre d and was offered to sit anywhere. Many of the tables are the high-chair kind, but I was tired after work and wanted to lounge a little so I chose one of the few low-down tables. Decor was great, they have an awesome mural on the wall of a cartoon monkey on an epic journey of spiritual enlightment. Apparently it was painted by the owner's friend. We started with the Suckling Pig Bao, which was beautifully presented and delicious. They actually serve it with two large baos (indeed, the portions on everything we ordered were ample), so it's perfect for sharing. Meaty pork cooked in a barbecue sauce that was not overpowering. Also included some long baby green scallions that added a subtle earthy pungentness. Overall, wonderful. Next course was coconut soup for my wife and warm glass noodle salad for me. The coconut soup was sweet, sour, and tiny bit spicy, with whole shiitake mushrooms and chicken --- a great mashup between coconut curry and hot-and-sour soup! The glass noodle salad came in a tourrine and could have been a light entree in and of itself --- tasty noodles, peppers, chicken, and peanuts. Like the coconut soup, slightly spicy but not overpowering --- I'd say it's within the comfort zone of 90% of eaters (which is to say, you yelpers that like really spicy food might ask them to add some extra spice). Because the apps were so filling we decided to split an entree --- the steak frites. This was the most "European" of the dishes we had --- a nice thick cut of cow, medium rare, on top of a huge mound of their duck-fat fries. Garnished with more long green baby scallions and "kimchi butter" (butter apparently mixed with a bit of spicy kimchee, giving it a bit of that sour kimchi taste --- my wife didn't care for it, but I thought it was lovely. You can remove it if you don't want it.) To top it off, the waiter poured lemongrass demiglaze over the whole lot. Truth be told, the steak was already well-seasoned enough that it didn't need the demiglaze; but the demiglaze did enhance the fries, soaking into them to create a warm potato heaven. Wanted to try the dessert but was too full! Conclusion: an incredible experience for the price --- most expensive entree is only $18! Nicely varied menu with a blend of Asian and European-influenced dishes, so is a "safe" place to take your (non-Asian) parents in Chinatown. Make the trek out to Tyler Street, you won't be disappointed! Will definitely return!
(5)
talia s.
Food, drinks, service, atmosphere, all amazing. We went early on a Wednesday and were the only customers for awhile. We sat at the bar where a huge screen tv was playing an old kung fu movie on silent. Despite the lack of patrons, the mood was friendly and comfortable. We ate the pig bao, fried pickles, and pork ravioli. Each dish was magical. Shove it in your face and be happy about it. Don't try to figure out what they did to make it so delicious, you won't be able to. Each cocktail was perfectly crafted with an acute attention to detail. Reiko Green came with a huge house-made cucumber ice cube. It was awesome. The presentations were beautiful and freshly prepared.
(5)
Jake P.
Great find for tourists like us. Impressive drink/cocktail/bottle menu, with great prices. The food was excellent. Although busy, the staff was friendly and kind. After a day of walking, this place is the ultimate small-plate dinner+drinks nightcap. We shall return.
(4)
Dan C.
This isn't your usual Chinatown spot and the food certainly isn't your usual Chinatown fare. Think Myers + Chang...only in Chinatown...and more Chinatowny. Its sleek, and artsy, with a modern feel and looks like it belongs in the South End, but the flavors are distinctly Chinatown. Its located right below China Pearl where the China Pearl Cafe use to be. Went here for a date night. We came in around 6:30 and the place was more or less empty. That being said, I doubt it had anything to do with the food, service, or ambiance. The service was great and the ambiance was that kind of almost hipster cool. Sadly the food didn't quite stand-up to everything else. The menu is very small: five entrees, three sides, two pastas, a handful of appetizers, and one dessert (Panna Cotta of all things--why?). Entrees run $15-19 and appitizers $7-10. Not being particularly drawn to any of the entrees we decided to jump into the appetizers head first. We got the Suckling Pig Bao, Fried Oysters, BBQ Pork Rib, Duck Fat Pomme Frites, and a special of Fried Pickles. The bao was served taco style with the pork and veg stuffed inside--similar to Moksa or Myers + Chang--and was pretty much just as good. The oysters came out as three and are fried and then placed back in the shell, covered in some fried noodles and sauce, and you're supposed to slurp them out. This was a little tricky. In the end we just lifted them out, but I appreciate the fun idea. The pork rib was the clear winner. I can't say I've ever had such a tender pork rib, it just jumped off the plate and blew up in my mouth. The pomme frites were okay, but for the price I would have expected a larger portion (maybe twice the size). The pickles were decent as well, though the salt came through by the last few pieces. Having a little left in us we went for the egg nest pasta. I wasn't particularly crazy about this one, way too much peanut flavor for a pasta. My favorite thing about this place is the cocktails. The Reiko Greene is like a green fairy--only it wont make you go crazy and doesn't taste like licorice. The Reiko Greene is good and it is green. Its a mix of hendrick's, green chartreuse, lime, and a big cucumber ice cube. Apparently the ice cube is supposed to melt while you drink it and it will continue to change the flavor of the drink, but I finished them well before any melting took place. It did however give the water a nice flavor. The Gin Gin Mule is a gin mule--gin, lemon, ginger beer--not particularly interesting, except that they make their own ginger beer! This ginger beer is not for the faint of heart, it will kick you in the jaw then laugh at you while you're on the floor. All and all: good date spot, decent food, wouldn't mind going back, but not really compelled at this point. Maybe when the menu expands. On a side note, they do take reservations, so if you're nervous about not getting a seat you can call ahead.
(3)
Jen r.
My husband and another couple, and I went to Shojo at the choice of the other couple. I was expecting decent Asian food and was completely overwhelmed by the flavor combinations, decor and amazing staff. The food was absolutely fabulous and all 4 of us were blown away by it. Not to mention the owner came by and was friendly, funny and truly interested in what we thought of Shojo. Shojo was packed (Friday night at 8) and we didn't leave a bit on any of the plates we shared: catfish, ribs, pig bao, skirt steak, calamari. All interestingly prepared, yummy and reasonably priced. Its definitely not your typical Chinatown spot - its very chic and urban. I can't wait to go back
(5)
Will C.
I came here for dinner with my sister and aunt. We each had a drink, shared 2 appetizer, 3 entree, and 2 desserts. We were stuffed! For drinks, we had the Reiko Green, the Aberdeen Swizzle, and the Ginger Beer. All three were delicious! For appetizers, we had the pork bao and the steamed mussels. Yum yum and yum! The pork and the sauce were so good next to the steamed taco-shaped bun. The mussels were cooked perfectly - not undercooked (raw) and not overcooked (shriveled) - and the sauce was just Wow! For dinner, we had the strip steak with a peanut slaw, the pork confit with crispy kale, and the short ribs with the taro mash. My favorite was the strip steak - so flavorful with the kimchi butter. The slaw was marinated so well and I'm not a big slaw eater. The pork confit was a block of pork, tender inside and crispy outside. You can taste Asian spices in the short ribs and the mash was smooth and creamy thick. For dessert, we had 2 panna cottas with poached pear and an orange crisp. Holla! Everything was delicious and so flavorful. I love how there's a bit of Asian flair in each dish. A perfect melding of East and West cuisines. The staff was very attentive. The decor is very hip with lots of stylized wood, brick, and lighting. There's a trendy bar area also for you late night bar goers. Atmosphere is very chill. I think Brendan, the friendly manager there, told us that Shojo is the name of the monkey depicted in the mural. Ask him about it since I forgot some of the details and I don't want to ruin the story. If you are looking for typical Chinatown cuisine, this is not the place. This is Asian Fusion cuisine. Expect food that you would order in an American or French restaurant, but with an Asian twist, be it a traditional Asian food or spice(s). Prices are quite reasonable and comparable. Brendan told me that all the food at Shojo is prepared from scratch. They make everything in house - from the ginger beer, the cucumber ice cubes, the sour mix, the sauces on the food, the slaw, all the desserts, etc. The menu is selective, as one would find at a high end restaurant. There are also specials every day. And their menu changes every 3 months! They open at 5:30 for dinner service, close at 11pm, except for Fri and Sat when they close at 1am. Great for pre- or post-date. If you want like good food, you gotta try this place!
(5)
Smedley U.
Meh. Drinks were really good, but a bit pricey. Food was good not great. We ate tapas style. The ingredients seemed to be good quality, presentation was good, but the preparation ended up too heavy and salty. We ate at the bar, considering that, the service was fine. This would be a good drinks place paired with dinner elsewhere.
(3)
Shawn Z.
I was confused when I entered this place. Very trendy atmosphere with fantastic service and clean tables right when you enter....which is pretty much the exact opposite of every other establishment on Tyler street. Unfortunately, I can't say that the food blew me away. I came here for lunch and ordered the Suckling Pig Bao and the Damn Damn Noodles. The former had good flavors, but I thought the bao was a little too dense (not fluffy enough) for my taste. The Damn Damn Noodles was too salty which is an annoyingly common theme at many nontraditional asian establishments. Completely overwhelmed the dish and made me drink water like a fish. Overall, I thought the experience was mediocre. I'm not sure I would come to Chinatown for fusion asian though. This restaurant probably belongs in cambridge or the south end.
(3)
Jess D.
Hands down the BEST Asian fusion that I have ever eaten. The restaurant itself is dark and cozy. It seats maybe about 25 comfortably and does have a bar. There are some tables and some bar type seating. We were seated immediately as it was a Monday night and not too crowded. The waitstaff was great and really friendly. They recommended the Purple Heart cocktail and they don't skimp on the alcohol. My water glass was always full as well. For starters we had the duck fat fries and the suckling pig bao. There were actually 2 bao and it was really delicious with fresh scallions, crispy pork and spicy/sour kimchee. The duck fat fries were fried perfectly with a crispy exterior and soft insides. I couldn't really taste the duck fat but it was served with a siracha ketchup that was very tasty. The entrees were amazing! I had the cha siu ravioli. The ravioli was a perfect blend of sweet and salty. They came with a sauce that was a perfect complement to the ravioli and also had little bits of bacon in it. It was so good!!!! My friend had the pork tenderloin and it was a generous portion of really soft and juicy pork wrapped in bacon. We also ordered a side of rice which comes with some chive oil on the bottom. That was definitely a pleasant surprise and added a fresh green flavor to the rice. All in all, a wonderful dinner experience and I will definitely be back!
(5)
John K.
One of the best meals my girlfriend and I have ever had together. We had the Hot and Sour soup, and it was both comforting and excellent. They have their unique interpretation to this classic Chinese soup. I had the chef's take on the ravioli, a wonton-ravioli. Both of us were pretty blown away by it. Her braised spare ribs were also delicious. Drinks were top notch. Special mention to the "Cold Tea for Two," a refreshing and quite boozy lemonade-type cocktail, served in a little teacup with a teapot. The service was excellent, and the manager and bartender were friendly as well. Next time I'm in Boston, I'm going back.
(5)
Katie L.
My bf and I went there for dinner, and we were disappointed. We ordered the duck fat hand fries and the calamari. The fries were okay, but the calamari was pretty good. The portion for the calamari was smaller than I expected, but it was an appetizer so I didn't expect too much. But my bf's salmon was TINY. It was possible 4 bites of salmon and that $15. The food was good, but just the value (portion vs price) is bad, compare to all the different lower price restaurants in that area.
(2)
Vicky L.
Pork boa & drinks were good but it was a limited menu.
(3)
Alex L.
Very, very good. I went there for lunch twice already in the past 2 weeks and both are great experience. The suckling Pig bao is very nicely done. I had the Damn Damn Noodles and Duck noodles in 2 visits and both are very good. Very often, Asian fusion food is done by people who know nothing about Asian food, and it is obvious the chefs know enough about both Asian and Western flavor to have a true fusion effort. The place is clean, hip, spacious, service is fast. Love the "Journey to the West" graffiti. Price is not dirt cheap but very reasonable at least for lunch, with good portion to boot. I will come back often.
(5)
Melissa N.
So I am always nervous to write a review on a place where I worked/ have friends that work there. That's biased, right? Well...i'm going to come out and say it, I know the bartender...so as far as my service goes...IT SUCKED just kidding, Markus was amazing and you can think what you wanna think, but the service was good. Now for the part I am not biased about: Food and Drinks. Drinks: Everything was refreshing and delicious. I was overly excited....I mean, to see an actual bar and cocktail list in Chinatown?!? And also the fact that the drinks aren't ALL overly sweet and just grenadine and gummy bears? I loved it. If you are going in by Chinatown standards: Bar and drinks are amazing; if you are going in by Boston standards: bar and drinks are still above average. Food: (what I LOVE) I got the pork belly bao and they were delicious. the buns themselves were very soft and delectable. The marinate on the pork was also to die for and ooohh sooo good! I wish I got more than 2 pre order, but hey...they were well worth it. The duck fat fried fries. So these came to our seats and we could smell it. My mouth started to water and I was so entranced.... DELICIOUS. However, they were slightly over cooked. If they took them out of the frier maybe 30 seconds earlier, delicious. But this was during their soft opening, so this is where the kinks happen, and if this is what I have to "complain" about, then this place will be great. Mussels: OMG that lemongrass broth was amazing and the mussles were just a little over cooked But again, better over cooked than undercooked. But despite these minor flaws, it was still amazing. Also, this place was soo clean! Its gonna sound weird, but check out the bathroom. The sink/faucet were pretty!
(4)
Geoffrey M.
I was solo tonight staying in a local hotel. Ventured out to find a restaurant in Chinatown where I could eat at the bar and be comfortable. Most of the spots in Chinatown appear to be restaurants with little bars to have a drink while you wait for your table. I was pleasantly surprised to find Shojo. Had an awesome gin and homemade tonic water, kimchi and a delicious duck special. The menu is Asian oriented, but not typical at all. Great service too!
(4)
Amanda Y.
I thought Shojo was really normal. Nothing special. I had way better fusion food at other places.
(2)
Steph F.
Love this spot! Stylish interior, cool cocktails, delicious modern Asian dishes (I had sake and the Kimchi fried rice). I work in the neighborhood and think this new addition will be a great spot for happy hour.
(5)
Roy C.
What a great spot! I just wish more people would check it out. Went Thursday night and there were only 2 tables occupied? WHY Drinks-awesome;well thought out with ALL fresh ingredients Food-we had 2 apps and2 entree's and they were all delicious. All you people who work in the Financial district;this is a short walk ---GO! its better than 95% of your other choices in the area This is a gem;I hope it survives
(5)
Kate H.
I went here on a wednesday night. Since it is in the middle of the week so I don't really expect a lot of people to go there but there is a lot after we sat down. When we were there the waiter gave us the menu then after few mins later, he suggest today's special. i think it was pretty good that the waiter knows what is on the menu in details. He can answer most of my questions on the menu. We have a chicken with potato and a steak with some sour vegetables. It was pretty good. The food doesn't really look like asian. It looks more like french or Italian style. The chicken was pretty soft and delicious. The steak was little bit on the stronger taste but it was still good. We even have an oolong tea alcohol, at first the waiter bring us a teapot but we already have water in front of us so I was like water and tea?? but actually it was ours alcohol. It was pretty creative. the graffiti on the wall was pretty interesting to look at while waiting on our food. The service was good because the waiter knows whats on the menu in detail and they will fill up my water every time without me asking for it. They will fill it to the top every time you drink some. It was pretty good services. I think this place is good for people that wants to relax after work or school and eat dinner. I will definitely go again.
(5)
Christopher Y.
Pretty interesting for Chinatown. It's fusiony but well done. I will probably be back
(4)
B T.
I've been to Shojo for 4 times now and both my bf and I agreed that their food taste better and better each time we went. I love the Asian Fusion menu and it's unique for me as an Asian person. They have awesome drinks too. Wait staffs are very attentive too. Keep it up, Shojo!!! I can't wait to give you a 5 stars review.
(4)
Vivi L.
I'm impressed. We had an 8PM reservation on Saturday night at this place and we were seated immediately when we got there. The place is hip and pretty busy. Our waiter came to check on us immediately and we decided to try out their mixed beverages. I ordered the spicy drink with coconut milk, it was surprisingly good. The only thing that I would change is the coconut milk. I found it too heavy but it did compliment the spicy vodka. We ended up ordering a bunch of appetizers and a main dish to share between 4 of us. The food came out at a good pace and every single dish that we ordered was great. We were so happy with our food, we ended up ordering second round of food. Our favorites were the suckling pig Bao and the skirt steak. The suckling pig Bao was flavorful, moist, and delicious. The skirt steak was cooked to perfection and it was so tender. The service was spot on. We were all very impressed with the place and would definitely come back again for a third round. :) The only bad thing that I could say about the place is the restaurant only has one unisex bathroom. The line to the bathroom wasn't too bad when we were there so it wasn't a major issue. I wish they would have a separate bathroom for men and women. Other than that we highly recommend this place.
(5)
Robert V.
Surprising find in Chinatown. Hipster atmosphere, excellent drinks and really great food. Went late night (for Boston) had the Korean "bao", a little pouch kind of thing filled with crispy pork. Outstanding! Also had amazing roast chicken in a sauce with Chinese sausage. Not a fan of Asian fusion generally, but the food here was excellent. Don't forget to get fries cooked in duck fat!
(4)
Emily L.
This restaurant demonstrates how yelp can help a new restaurant with a unique idea grow and develop into a shining star! When Shojo started, Lynn J. wrote an excellent review and I was excited to try it out but then a few weeks later, people were giving so-so reviews saying that the food was over-priced and unoriginal. I'm not sure what has happened in the last few months but man, the reviews have perked up and my boyfriend was convinced that it was worth a visit. We stopped by on a Thursday night and started our evening with two amazing unique cocktails. Then we dove into the menu and ordered: a side of kimchi, duck fat fries, Pistachio Crusted Tuna Steak, Szechuan pork stuffed calamari, and their shrimp special. I loooooved the kimchi. I'm not sure what they did to give it such a tremendous flavor but I loved it so much that I ordered a side of it to take home with me. I had the great pleasure of having duck fat fries at a lot of different places and so I was glad that I was able to treat myself to a delicious treat but it didn't stand out to me. The Tuna steak was fabulous - the portion was huge and it was perfectly seared, wow!!!! I wasn't blown away by the Szechuan pork stuffed calamari but it was a very creative dish and the sauce gave the calamari a lot of flavor. Everyone at the restaurant was super friendly and I really appreciated how they were able to transform the space into a cozy and intimate area for you to come and relax either for a meal or a quick drink. Come here for a date or with a group and I am sure you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Food E.
Everything I had tasted good. I love that you can take a tour of Asia through the menu. Drinks are inventive and I love seeing Singha on a menu-expensive like the rest of Boston. So sick of spending $14 on a cocktail. But my coconut milk and punch vodka cocktail tasted like Thailand. Literally, it transported me back. The duck confit dumplings were amazing and so were the sesame balls. The pork bao was a little too fatty for us but the bread itself was spot on. I am a little disappointed with the price to portion ratio. I don't mind paying for food, but 8 bucks for a small pot of kimchi where you can see the bottom of the serving dish before it even hits the table is just cray cray. Literally there as like a half a cup of vegetables. And what is with the odd number of dumplings? People usually dine in even numbers and it is annoying to me when you have that rando item that needs splitting or no one takes because they don't want to be that person. They are dumplings-flour and water, with duck-that you can find so cheap all over Chinatown, why are you being so cheap with me Shojo! 4 bucks a dumpling is just crazy. This is one of those places where I'd be a regular at if the value was right. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere is worth the unreasonable prices at least once. Get the sesame balls.
(3)
Rick B.
Love this place. There's nothing else like it in Boston. Really tasty, creative Asian food with classic hip hop wailing in the background. Makes you feel like you went to NYC for the evening. Make sure you get the pork boa, the killer rum punch (the "Zombie"), and the chocolate sesame balls.
(4)
Victoria P.
Came here with my boyfriend and a friend just for some drinks and a few appetizers to tie us over. My boyfriend really liked the chocolate sombrero beer, but I wasn't a fan. We also split the duck fat fries and the calamari - we weren't impressed with either. Both were bland and both were accompanied by the same dipping sauce - an okay sriracha mayo. It was a very unsatisfying snack...not sure if I'll give it another shot.
(2)
Rinda K.
Shojo is so great! I'm so glad this restaurant is in Chinatown and not in the Back Bay or Copley area because it would otherwise be packed. It's a small spot but very trendy and the service is impeccable, as are their menu options. All of their small plates and larger plates are perfect, especially any of their meat dishes. I order their bbq pork rib every single time because the meat is so tender and slides right off of the bone. It's a very affordable restaurant for the quality and service that you'll receive, even if it's not like any of the other restaurants located in Chinatown. Love the vibe and I go back about once every month or so :) Definitely check Shojo out!
(5)
Julie T.
The food here is so good that I don't even feel bad for pigging out. Probably the hippest place in Chinatown right now. Love the decor and the wall murals! I had to sit at the bar because they were booked up on a Wednesday night. My friends and I went balls out and ordered a bunch of things. Everything was delicious but here are my favorites and must-trys: - Suckling Pig Bao - Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries - Warm Glass Noodles Also, their drinks are clutch! They do not skimp on the alcohol, haha. Our waitress/bartender was awesome too. Shojo is definitely in my current top 5 favorite places in Boston right now. 5 thumbs up!
(5)
Cee C.
-Kimchi rice is bland and tasteless with too much fish sauce -Siracha sauce they use is not the real siracha, It was possibly a really bad cheap one the restaurant bought in place of the real one. - $50 dollars for three SMALL appetizers (you get more in
(2)
Maria M.
Last evening we joined another couple for the 5-course tasting menu and found the food flawlessly executed and exquisitely inspired. The service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was delightful and unpretentious. It is a pleasure to recommend Shojo so highly.
(5)
Adam G.
Wow. What a fantastic new place in Boston! I was incredibly impressed. The drinks were delicious and inventive. Mine had an ice cube made out of muddled cucumber and water which was great. The food was creative and unique and very tasty. All 4 of us were impressed and we are foodies. We started with the special corn with kimche butter - fantastic, although a hair messy. The suckling pig bao was perfect in texture and taste, the asian eggplant parm was simple, but delicious and a nice portion. The edamame soup was also a hit for us! Our mains were also consistently good. I got the pork tenderloin was flavorful, well balances and something to savor. We also felt that way about the Char Siu pulled pork ravioli. The pasta was home made and just the right texture. The chicken and the kimchi fried rice were also enjoyed to their fullest. This chef clearly has training and talent. Our server could not have been better. I think her name was Fiona. Pleasant, knowledgeable and clearly wanted us to enjoy our experience. The music was a hair loud at first, but the place has a really cool vibe. I will DEFINITELY be back! A great place to go just for drinks and apps too!
(5)
Libby S.
Atmosphere is great. Drinks are creative. Food is delicious! A new gem in Chinatown. Young, fresh and worth a visit. I will definitely come again soon.
(5)
Rita N.
Love the service, food, and the vibe! I had their special that night. Their seared sesame crusted tuna is so good! Its good size, sits on top of a bed of some fried/charred noodle disc, that is dressed by some creamy wasabi aioli sauce. The texture and taste just go so well together! Drinks are awesome there too! We are so lucky because that night the house sake special is beyond its value!
(4)
Karisa S.
Atmosphere: - dim, candlelit, hip, trendy, romantic - can dress either casually or a little fancy - if you're with a date you may have to lean closer to hear him/her over the music ;) Service: - very attentive and intuitive wait staff - the waitress immediately noticed when my knife and fork rolled out of my napkin and onto the floor and promptly brought me a new set - the chef/manager? brought out one of the dishes personally which was very nice of him Food: - excellent, excellent, exquisite flavor and presentation, portions are perfectly sized so that you won't get indigestion and the flavors alone will satisfy your hunger - Steak Hanger appetizer - so tender, juicy, extra rare in the middle - Braised Short Ribs/Pork Belly? (with taro mash and spinach) entree - beautiful to see, taste, chew, swallow, very tender, I loved the taro mash and the three-layer pork belly - Tuna?? entree - I forget the name, but the dish had seared tuna that was still deliciously raw on the inside, in a sweet soy sauce, with scallion pancake, cauliflower mash and peeled, boiled tomatoes - I shall return! I'm looking forward to the new dishes they will come up with Price: - not cheap, but reasonable and worth it for the quality of the service and food
(5)
Luke T.
I'm really surprised by the good reviews. This place is terrible. I had the duck and it came out rare and was hard to chew. The duck had white stringy veins in it and it was the worst duck dish I can remember having. They have 3 beers on tap and 2 out of the 3 beers were flat. The service was also very poor.
(1)
Koonz O.
Thank God for Shojo, because I wouldn't know what else to do in Boston. Those moments where you want to just CHILL, have some GOOD FOOD, and sip on YUMMY DRINKS, Shojo is the place to be. No fuss. No crazy line. No hectic club scene. Definitely caters more to young professionals, in my opinion, which I love. The atmosphere is more NYC-esque, something that Boston lacks so much - but Shojo's brought the best vibe since their opening. It's a cute little modern place - the music's in the background but not overwhelmingly loud, so you can actually carry on a conversation with your friends. Oh, did I say their food is BOMB? Pork buns, duck-fried fries, ravioli, chocolate balls. OH SNAP. Also, the owners are always hanging around making sure their customers are fully satisfied, which I appreciate - it shows they really care about the success of their business through happy customers. YAY!
(5)
Gary L.
The food and cocktails are fantastic. Service was friendly and attentive as well. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Charlie D.
Went to Shojo with a friend during their soft open. The only way I can describe it is like a funky urban Asian speakeasy. It's a totally new concept for Chinatown, and one which I think is going to do quite well. The craft cocktails were very innovative and unlike any others I've had in the Boston area (Drink, Brick and Mortar, Backbar, etc). The food was not quite as good as the drinks, but very innovative and quite tasty. My friend describes it as New American with an Asian influence. When I was there the atmosphere was laid back and chill, even later into the night, which I definitely liked. The bartender (who was also one of the owners) told us that they planned to have themed music nights and have space for a DJ. That could be kind of cool, but I actually appreciate having a place that's not too loud where you can just chill out and have some awesome food and drink, especially on the weekends. Perhaps if some nights are more high energy and others are more chill, they could find the best of both worlds. I definitely plan to go back!
(4)
Sarah R.
WOW. This place was amazing. On one hand, I wish it were bigger inside so I could come here more often and not wait. But on the other hand, it being small makes it feel more intimate. The drinks were creative, strong and delicious. Cold tea for two was dangerous! Pig bao was fantastic, as were the pork ribs. Steak and fries were pretty good. But the damn pork ravioli. Oh. Em. Gee. I would seriously eat this twice a day, everyday. The sauce was unbelievable, I would have licked the plate if it werent inappropriate. I'm drooling..
(5)
Lisa G.
My friend and I had a great experience dining at this new Chinatown establishment. This place is truly unique for Chinatown. The inside is hip and attractive. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable. I had the special - a cornbread crusted catfish served atop a papaya salad. The portion was huge, and I left satisfied. My friend, a vegetarian, didn't have quite as many options from which to choose but was very happy with the mushroom and corn frittatas. The wine list wasn't particularly extensive, but the glasses we got were very tasty. I would definitely recommend this new place, particularly for residents tired of the usual scene!
(5)
Aaron R.
Excellent. This is a new place right in the middle of chinatown and the food is as good or better than any restaurant in Boston (and reasonably priced). They do the fusion thing, but they do it incredibly well. They do a variety of small plates (like duck confit, duck fat fries with sriracha aioli, pork stuffed calimari), entrees, and pastas that are cooked perfectly and somehow effectively balance the italian and asian flavors. Their cocktails are also really creative and very well-made. The interior and exterior are also classy, but not too fancy - makes for a great experience. All in all, if you're looking for a great restaurant in Boston, whether your specifically looking for asian cuisine or not, GO HERE.
(5)
Hadley Q.
this is my new happy place! i wandered in a few weeks ago while waiting for a dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant to be ready and was happy i did. the drinks are works of art and the waitstaff couldn't be nicer/cooler/more accommodating. i went back this saturday with a few friends for birthday drinks and had the same great experience, they even asked where we were headed all dressed up and gave me a birthday drink on the house and asked if we wanted the heat turned down. love love love this place, great for a quick drink, several drinks or dinner out.
(5)
Martin C.
Neglected to review Shojo during my trip to Boston three weeks ago. Dropped in there because I didn't like to looks of any of the Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood and Shojo looked like an interesting alternative. I got the impression that it's mainly a drinking place that serves food. I was mainly interested in getting something to eat and, after ordering a beer, I decided on the salmon entree, which is described as "tea smoked" with a potato bilini, frisee salad and mojo dill creme fraiche. Whatever it was, it was great. The salmon was cooked rare (as I like it) but the center was warm (as it should be) which is very hard to do whether you're cooking a rare steak, ahi tuna or salmon. This was a very pleasant surprise. So, apparently it is NOT just all about the drinks at Shojo. I'd give it a higher rating if I had a chance to go back and try some other things but don't be put off by my 3 star review. If my salmon is any indication, they take their cooking seriously at Shojo and you should do well with anything you order.
(3)
Lala I.
i was impressed with the drinks and how knowledgeable our waitress was. you dont find this in an average chinese restaurant. the food was tasty and innovative, however, the overall dining experience was terrible. there were two parties going on in shojo: one surprise birthday party and one bachelorette party. they were all super drunk and INCREDIBLY LOUD! i had to yell to my friends at the top of my lungs when we were talking and they could even barely hear me. the loud noise gave me a major headache and i didnt want to stay at shojo any second longer. i dont think i will return unless i am with my own drunk party.
(3)
Karen O.
Shojo's suckling pig bao is a cacophony of flavors and textures in just one bite! I especially love the textural contrast in this dish. The crispy suckling pig skin offers the perfect contrast to the fluffy texture of the bun. Imagine your teeth first sinking into the delightfully soft bun, then into the perfectly crunchy pig skin, then finally into the velvety meat inside. Just recounting my experience at Shojo is already making me drool :) In terms of the flavor, the dish combines the sweet flavor of the hoisin sauce, the spicy flavor of the kimchi, and the bitterness of the cucumber and scallions. As I was savoring my pork bun, sweet-spicy-salty-bitter juices escaped from my mouth and ran down my chin. Yumm! Yumm! Yumm! The second dish we tried was drunken noodle, a modern interpretation of what you would typically get at most Thai restaurants. This dish offered the same flavor and texture contrast that I experienced with the suckling pig bao. The noodles were perfectly cooked. Each strand was silky but not gooey, indicating that the noodles were not over-cooked. Even the shrimps that were added as garnish were cooked to perfection. Each one of them was perfectly seasoned. Each shrimp was silky but still crunchy, not soggy and over-cooked like in most other places. The noodles used were the broader type of rice noodles, similar to those used in traditional "chow fun" dishes. The noodles soaked up all the sweet-spicy-sour flavors of the sauces in which they were cooked. Yumm! Yumm! Yumm! The last dish we tried was the Chinese eggplant parmigiana. This dish was good too, but I have to say that this was our least favorite among the three. I loved the crispy eggplant skin on top -- it provided a contrast to the soft texture of the eggplant. The taste, however, was familiar, nothing out of the ordinary. When we chatted with the restaurant owner Brian, he mentioned that this dish was newly introduced last week and that they were still experimenting and waiting to hear customers' feedback on it. In the end, I think what sets Shojo apart form all other restaurants is not just its food quality. It's Shojo's service level. Never have I experienced this high a level of service here in Boston, or anywhere else in the US for that matter. You know how waiters always ask you "How's everything?" I get so annoyed whenever I get asked that question! I know they just want me to blurt out "good" so they can walk away and move on to the next table. Shojo was different. The owner Brian was attentive and genuinely interested in our feedback. When he noticed that we devoured the pig bao and drunken noodles in just a few seconds but only ate half of our eggplant parmigiana dish, he sensed that we didn't enjoy the eggplant dish as much as the other two dishes and he just took the eggplant parmigiana off our bill. I was so pleasantly surprised! I very rarely write Yelp reviews, unless I am incredibly annoyed and want to get back at an annoying establishment or unless I've experienced something truly exceptional. Shojo was truly exceptional. We will definitely return here soon!
(5)
Cindy K.
I've been here a couple of times for some drinks. On 7/27 we came here with a group of friends. We got a ton of food and we were not disappointed. Service was great and drinks were even better. I deff would recommend coming here if you were in Chinatown and wanted some Asian food but not the traditional Asian cuisine.
(4)
Lynn J.
Want the go to the hottest, NEW CHINESE RESTAURANT in BOSTON? Destination...SHOJO! (right underneath the China Pearl in Chinatown) It's the bar to be at...It's the restaurant to rave about...It's Shoho. Why choose Shojo? I attended their opening party and found: They just opened, so everything is clean, fresh and inviting. The atmosphere is "Artsy," with wall murals by local artists. The staff is fast, friendly & making a great first impression. Our food was fresh and flavorful...Duck Buns, Duck Fat Fries, Fish Burgers. The owner is a hands on guy who greeted all guests personally. After dinner ends, they remove all tables & become an intimate club! Give Shojo a try NOW, before it becomes the new, HOT SPOT with a line! TIP: I LOVE to go to restaurants when they first open. You get the EXTRA EFFORT, NEWEST DISHES & BEST SERVICE. BONUS: For the party, they hired SHAWN KELLEY (Makeup Artist) and TRACI DASTOU (Personal Shopper), both from Neiman Marcus, to light up all the ladies lips with kisses of color and big smiles from their LA MER Goody Bags!
(5)
Mel C.
Great new spot in Chinatown. Here's the breakdown of what we ordered: Sucking Pig Bao: Spot on and delicious. Loved the acidity that the pickles added and loved the crunch of the meat. I thought these were better than Myers + Chang's baos. Schezuan Pork Stuffed Calamari: Great concept, OK execution. The calamari was not too chewy, the sauce had the perfect amount of heat to it. Sadly the pork was dry or else this would have been a huge hit. Duck Fat Fries: I saw that these were on some top "duck fat fries" list in Boston, so we decided to get them. I think they tasted great and you could definitely tell that they were cooked in duck fat, but I'm not sure if I would really order them again. (personal preference) Shrimp Cappellini Egg Nest: This dish needed something else that I can't pinpoint. Maybe it was a little too sweet? The shrimp were sadly bland and felt removed from the dish. I still finished the entire bowl though.. Kimchi Pork Chop with Kale: Nice flavor from the kimchi but the pork chop was overcooked and tasted a little tough. Even with these slight missteps in execution, I would definitely come back.
(4)
Y. B.
I can not recommend this place enough. This place is awesome! I am not from the area and was planning a bachelorette party for my best friend and after calling/emailing a few places I decided on this place. The customer service is superb here. Alex, the sales coordinator was extremely helpful and walked me through everything. They have an excellent preset event menu which is very affordable! They went above and beyond by creating a custom menu for the party. I was beyond impressed with the high quality of the menu. The theme for the bachelorette party was "Sexy in the City" The menu was printed on glossy paper in black and pink like the Sex in the City movie and they even switched out the New York Skyline for the Boston skyline! Now that is service!!! They got all the ingredients for the Bride's favorite cocktail and even let me create a cute name for it. The venue itself is very nice. A nice classy intimate dinner/lounge. It was exactly what I was hoping it would be. The food...OMG was amazing! So freaking good! A huge bonus is that it is very close to the Theater District-where all the clubs are. So after dinner/drinks it was only a 5 minute walk to the club we partied at! Thank you Alex for all your help in making sure that my friend had a memorable and classy Bachelorette party! Thank you Brandon for creating a beautiful custom menu and to Phil who was an awesome bartender! Next time I am in Boston I will be back. I have told all my friends from there that this is the perfect place for a birthday party and or classy bachelorette party! Stay Classy Shojo ;)
(5)
Jiyea C.
Perhaps the idea of a super trendy, modern, clean, western-friendly bar/lounge in Chinatown sounds like a great idea, but I don't think Shojo is living up to that vision. The fact that this place was more than half empty around 9:30pm on a Saturday night suggests that others are just as unimpressed as I was. I guess Shojo is a good example of the saying that different doesn't necessarily equal better. (I say this because I don't think there's any eatery like Shojo in Chinatown.) I had expected more from this place. The raved-about duck fat fries were overcooked and almost all the pieces were too crunchy or dry. They also didn't taste like The pork bao was yummy but such a tiny portion for the price. The glass noodle dish was also just all right, though I love the sticky consistency of these type of clear noodles (despite them being difficult to pick up). Because the venue seems more like a place that people would go to for drinks as opposed to a full meal, I would recommend that the menu reflect dishes that would go better with a long night of beers or cocktails. Perhaps a place like Shojo would do better in a neighborhood like the Financial District, where business folks go for a drink/light fare after work. PS. Reaching the final stretch of the Yelp 100 Challenge! Bostonians: are you IN??
(3)
Jackie S.
Came here on a Friday night and the atmosphere was absolutely amazing. Very small, but comfortable. Ordered the Ravioli as well as the bok choy, calamari, and duck dumplings. Every thing was great, except the dumplings were lacking in comparison to the other food. I would definitely come back. It's perfect for a date night, or gathering with friends. And very close to Downtown Crossing.
(4)
Cait A.
Part I: I don't know why I didn't review this place before. I made reservations for the dinner part of my best friend's bachelorette party here in May/June. There were six of us and we were immediately seated at a nice table in the center of the room. Love the decor and lighting, so pleasant and interesting. Our server was wonderful and amicable and told us the story behind the painting of the monkey on the wall. Its hard to recall what we got specifically now, but we ordered many different small plates and shared; all appetizers and meals were delicious and the portions were good; they were not super large, but large enough that people who got full meals could not finish them and they were polished off by yours truly. The set up/ plating was very aesthetically pleasing and we got the cold tea, after seeing so many recommendations for it. For dessert we ordered the sesame balls. The order comes with 5 sesame balls, but they were nice enough to surprise us with a sixth one as we had six people. They also gave us each a shot of sake on the house to celebrate! The bride and all the maids were very pleased. So happy with this. Part II: We did two checks; two girls on one and me, bride and two other girls on the second. Friends gave me $40 cash and I put the rest on my Visa to sort out later. That check never came back and I had to ask for it. When I got it, I tipped well and we left. Two days later, while adding up what the other two owed me, it came to light that $30 of the cash was seemingly misplaced and covered by my card. I called the restaurant and spoke to my server, who, it turns out, is one of the managers. I knew it was possible that he just wouldn't believe me; its a tough thing to prove that $30 cash just disappeared, but he was incredibly helpful and offered to send me a $30 gift certificate, which was really all I wanted: something in return for the extra $30 spent. The gift certificate never arrived and so I called back a few weeks later and spoke to the manager again, who said it must've gotten lost in the mail and he would "send it again". Okay, cool. Part III: It arrived in the mail and I took my boyfriend out for a lovely dinner at Shojo and enjoyed it very much. Once again, service was wonderful, food was delicious and attractive, and experience was top notch. This place is casual, but easy to dress up a bit and make it a very nice date night. I'm impressed by how delightful it is, how friendly the service is, and what good business practices the manager had when faced with a strange issue.
(5)
Lindsay H.
I went in for drinks this past Saturday around 9pm. It was packed- we were told a 20 minute wait for a table. The host helped us to find a spot at the bar and luckily two seats opened shortly after. They have a very interesting cocktail list. However, I did not know what half of the ingredients were. The first drink was pretty good, but a little too "floral" tasting for me. Then we split the cold tea for two. This was good and not overly seat; I just wished that it was warm tea. I think the next time I would be sure to ask more questions about what is in my drink. While I did not love my drinks, I am definitely excited to go back for dinner. The ambiance is great, and the staff is AMAZING! I have never been to a place where everyone was so friendly and accommodating. A definite bonus is that they also seem very willing to prep a vegan dish for me, even though it is not on the menu. Nice crowd and good vibe. Be sure to check this place out!
(4)
Sarah G.
So pumped to have a spot in Chinatown that is nice and fun inside! I mean, where else in Chinatown can you go and eat affordably in a semi trendy location where they make their own house ginger beer to use in their creative cocktails? And their cold tea for two with oolong infused Vodka was addicting! What a fun place! In addition to the decor being pretty awesome on the walls, the rumors in these reviews that they play old kung fu episodes in here are definitely true too! I thought it might not be, but to my surprise they really do play up the stereotype here! Love it! And then the food was pretty great too. Although I will say that the duck fat fries that everyone raves about were not that great, and I know how addicted Bostonians are to lobster, but their lobster fusion pasta dish was not my fav (although others who ordered it with me liked it!). But those suckling pig baos were PERFECT. I only wish they were bigger and more came to an order! Yum! Call me a sucker for anything pork, but these little bites of heaven make me want to go back to Shojo. I also got a seared tuna on a bed of wasabi rice that was cooked to perfection too--seared on the outside, almost raw in the middle, and that wasabi flavor with it was just so so good! And it made me feel a little healthy after having my pork bao :-) Everyone else was more than happy with their short rib dishes and I forgot to mention how great their calamari is too! It isn't fried like normal calamari. No no, at Shojo it is served with spicy peppers and it is fresh and amazing! We found ourselves almost fighting over the last pieces of that dish! So glad Shojo is around and can't wait to come back!
(4)
Sebastian Y.
Easy-to-recommend, flawlessly executed Asian fusion with influences from China, Japan, Korea and even Latin America. Full bar with delicious cocktails. We will be going back and so should you.
(5)
Andrew T.
Want to start by saying that the food at Shojo was great. Interesting, tasted great, and the kitchen was quick to get everything out in a timely manner. The atmosphere was fun, a little more upbeat and louder than some of its Chinatown neighbors. Service was mid-tier. The food came fast when we could get a hold of the waitstaff, but that proved difficult throughout our meal. We also received pushback when we wanted to split a meal between 6 credit cards. Granted its a lot of people, but big groups and multiple cards are a restaurant reality. New restaurants need to understand and embrace this. Pros: Food, atmosphere. Cons: Service
(3)
Wesley S.
This place was pretty awesome and a great find. We had just arrived via train and were hungry and looking for something quick and near south station. We were lured in by the pretty lights outside and once inside were surprised to find an amazing menu of unique dishes and an extremely friendly staff. Coming from NYC, this place was amazingly economical as well. I loved it. Thanks for reading and enjoy.
(5)
Jennifer W.
Since my last review we have been back to Shojo countless times; it's become our favorite place in the neighborhood to get drinks and a bite. The bartenders are all super nice and make amazing drinks with great ingredients. This is the only place that I will try drinks that would usually be out of my comfort zone. And the food is still great, the Char Siu Raviolis are amazing for dinner. We also went for lunch recently and the curried chicken quesadilla is crazy flavorful! So glad that there's a spot like this close to me! It's what chinatown has always needed.
(5)
L P.
Awesome food and ambiance. Really enjoyed it. Will go back. It's a cool place to take visitors as well.
(5)
Susan S.
I unfortunately did not love the food here no matter how much I did want to enjoy it. I'll talk about the good and the bad. We came here on a Friday night at 7 ish with 2 other friends and it was empty but the crowds came in an hr or so later. I would say I like the atmosphere of the restaurant which was casual but intimate and charming in its own way. The wooden interior gives the place warmth yet is contrasted and balanced by the black colors. I liked how they were playing these old school movies on the screen. I think the strengths were more in the appetizers than the entrees. We ordered the Pig Suckling Bao buns which was decent. I don't remember it being really crispy, but it was a solid good with its salty and savory flavor. The fries with duck fat were tasty. You could taste the duck in there and the sauce was good not great, not that spicy. The shrimp balls with almonds on them were okay...reminded me of dim sum. The sauce with it I think was supposed to be pumpkin chili flavored but I didn't taste that at all. The duck confit dumplings which were good but not great. You can taste the savoriness but for me, it was mainly salty. The sauce was also not very memorable. The entrees we got were okay. The ravioli dish with pulled pork was tasty but I don't think the other elements in the dish came together very well. The portion was good though. The worst dish for me was the chicken roulade. I don't know if I ever hated a dish. As I first ate it, I thought it was fish or something. I couldn't really tell it was chicken because the meat itself tasted bland to me. And the noodles that came with it were lackluster in texture and flavor. The ginger beer was pretty good though and I think my friend liked her drink that also had ginger in it. Service was good. Her name was carmen I believe. Atmosphere is good. I just don't think the execution and components of flavor ever come together though. I guess there's just a lot of expectation for a fusion place. I just don't think it was worth my money, I was actually really angry that I had to pay for this food. I had to pay 40 dollars including tip. I like to enjoy things and I don't like to criticize food. I think the concept of the restaurant and what they are trying to bring to the neighborhood is noble, but I think they can improve on things. My other friend who had come to Shojo before had told me she just thought their food was just salty and I just can't disagree.
(2)
Hana P.
No good. Trendy place to get drinks maybe as the ambiance suggests but to go here for a meal is a mistake. One, timing was all off. Our food came out at different times. He was eating, then I was eating etc. We got the pork ribs which can be described as cooked ribs then dunked into honey. No flavor except honey. Then I got my scallops which was way overpriced. They were cut in half. So basically it was 13$ for 1.5 scallops (not even jumbo). They tasted like scallops and lacked flavoring so no way I would order that again. Then after that we got out greens which they introduced as *market price. Lol. This place really felt a bit pretentious. I am glad that these kind of places exist everywhere.
(1)
W. C.
-Pork belly entree - It was good, but this seems to taste very similar to all other Asian Fusion places. -Duck fat fries - I liked these. -Suckling pig bao - I liked the flavor, but it is kind of overrated in the yelp reviews. I'm guessing these people ha
(4)
Danny F.
Was a little unsure coming to eat here for the first time, but it was such a treat. I had a side of kimchi and XO corn as apps, and they were probably the most multidimensional versions I have had of either. The kimchi was really quite spectacularly balanced between spicy, sour, sweet, and it also had kale (?) in addition to the regular cabbage. Definitely a hit. The corn was also fabulous, with a housemade XO that added a lot of flavor to the fresh corn's natural sweetness. Entrees consisted of char sui pork ravioli and fried catfish. Ravioli was kind of amazing. I love any meat-stuffed ravioli, but this was perfectly cooked and portioned. The bacon in the sauce really added something too. Catfish was the least successful dish. The fish itself was pretty bland, but really crunchy, and needed the wonderful sauce swimming underneath. But once you soak it in the sauce, you loose the crunch. So this was an issue with composition rather than cooking technique. I like that Shojo is pretty aggressively creative, which being reasonably priced and mostly successful. I'll keep coming back. What I am baffled by is the location. I don't know who it's clientele is supposed to be. Most people go to Chinatown to try and get an authentic experience. And this is the total opposite. It really needs to be relocated to a much hipper location, or at least one where people will actively go to appreciate.
(4)
Gazelle T.
I'd give the drinks 4 stars and the food 2. We got the duck dumplings--too much duck filling, too dry, too salty, and only a microscopic smidge of parsnip puree on the plate to go with them. I ordered the ravioli, and it was incredibly boring and pedestrian. It was supposed to be 'Char Siu Pulled Pork, House Smoked Bacon, Chinese Celery, Shaved Perorino' which sounds really exciting, but it was just too salty, too heavy, too creamy. The pasta was doughy and the heavy cream sauce overwhelmed the other flavors and the pork was BORING. And I love pork. My boyfriend ordered the duck and it was all right, but I thought the stuff it came with (couscous and a simply dressed vegetable) were pretty boring. I'd give them another chance because the drinks were really good, but I'd be cautious about ordering food.
(3)
Kevin M.
Great spot in Chinatown with a cocktail and Japanese beer list to beat anything you can find elsewhere. Food is Japanese inspired and trendy (especially the cocktails and the vibe), no disappointments any where.
(5)
A T.
I had lunch at Shojo recently, my first time at the restaurant. It may be the only restaurant in Boston's Chinatown that meets all of these criteria: it is super clean, has contemporary and stylish decor, and very good and innovative food and bar menus. I tried two appetizers and a main course along with two non-alcoholic drinks. The drinks were very excellent, tasty and unique. I highly recommend the superb Shojo Punch ($4.00), which was a blend of fruity juices, much better than I expected for a fruit punch. I also recommend the unique and interesting homemade lemongrass soda ($5.00). The appetizers and main course all were ready at the same time and brought to me together. I particularly liked the corn appetizer ($4.00). The distinctive flavorings used made this dish a great one. The almond-covered shrimp balls ($5.00) were good, but the almond texture and flavor were over-powering. Instead, I'd recommend that they lightly dust the shrimp with almond powder rather than cover the shrimp with almond slices. The main course of drunken chow foon noodles ($8.00) was also good. It included chicken, shrimp and vegetables. I had expected the appetizers to be smaller portions, so I ended up ordering too much. Next time, I'd probably get one or two dishes, not three. I will be back to Shojo. It is an excellent new addition to Chinatown.
(4)
Heather G.
As is often the case, I disagree wholeheartedly with the Yelp community in aggregate. 4 stars? not a chance. 2 stars, 3 on a good day. Here are the takeaways: 1. On a Friday night, the restaurant was nearly empty. 2. The food is only OK. not great, and way too much money for the quality and portion size. 3. The drinks are really expensive ($10-11), small, and hit-or-miss 4. The waitstaff is over-attentive - some of you know what I'm talking about here. They hover around your table, watching your plates, and the second a plate is empty, they swoop in with an "i'll take this out of your way". Makes me feel like i'm being watched, but this really could be due to #1 above more than anything. Luckily, great company and conversation made my experience awesome, but because i brought that with me myself, i can't give the restaurant any credit for it! What we had: Egg's nest ($15) - We ordered this because it was written up in a food column and looked interesting. Basically, it was a pile of pasta and shrimp mixed with bean sprouts and (heavy!) peanut sauce. On top was a "nest" (that looked like a cargo net) made of egg. The egg screen on the top was delicate, but the flavor did not mix well with the rest of the dish. Come to think of it, i don't think the flavors in the dish mixed too well with each other at all: pasta, heavy/thick peanut sauce, baby shrimp, egg. Separately, they were all OK, but together, they were fishy/eggy/sweet. I wouldn't order this again. Fried Oysters ($9) - these sound good in theory but are sub par in execution. A fried oyster is laid in its shell with some crispy egg noodles, a bit of kimchi sauce, and some paprika aioli. There are three small oysters on a plate for $9, and they taste more fishy than anything. The waiter, as we attempted to ingest these, had to come out and tell us how the chef likes them to be eaten, and how, oppositely, he recommends them to be eaten. Apparently there's some debate on these, because they're tough to eat (and are in a pool of sauce, so be careful tipping the shell to your mouth!), and the diners, waiters, and chef have all rung in. My opinion? Just don't eat them at all. They're OK, but not as good as the bao or the pork rib, so I'd save my money and apply it to that instead. There, problem solved! Duck fat fries ($6) - Small order for $6, but still you're going to need to ask for extra sriracha mayo. These are more thin-cut (thinner than Belgian-style but just a tad thicker than shoestring), crispy (perhaps a bit overdone), and taste like they were fried in leftover onion ring oil...not that there's anything wrong with that :) Though I found them a small order for the price, and not the best duck fat fries that have ever crossed these lips, they're a great munch-y snack when you're here having cocktails. fried pickles ($5) - what I liked about these pickles was that they were very thinly sliced (almost "shaved"), and very thinly battered. However, they were also entirely too greasy and salty for my taste, but to each his own. Suckling Pig Bao - sparsely stuffed, but the meat was tasty (fatty). The dough was nice and thin, but still fluffy and chewy. Well-executed, but at 2 to an order for $8, could really buy you a bit more stuffing! pork ribs ($8) - sweet, sticky, REALLY fatty, but fell off the bone. The introduction these was something like: "try these, Heather, they jump off the bone into your mouth"...which I thought was a ridiculous statement until i put one even NEAR my pie-hole. Barely a touch and the meat falls into your mouth and down your gullet (that sounds appetizing, i know, but you get the point). If you can get over the extreme fattiness of the ribs, the flavor and tenderness will blow your mind. Drinks: Reiko Greene - gin, green chartreuse, lime, cucumber ice ($11) - this was a small drink for $11 and the glass was mostly taken up by the cucumber ice cube. While the drink was tasty, one will not be enough for an evening - a dinner may require you to have 3 or 4, as they are on the small-side. The great part about this drink, though, is the muddled cucumber ice cube. After the beverage was emptied, the ice block remained, and you can pour your water over the cube and enjoy all evening. MMM tastes like a spa. Gin gin mule ($10) - thanks to the lovely Gram, I'm obsessed with these. They make them at Posto and they're completely addicting. I saw it on the menu here and jumped on it. Those who love the Posto GGM, beware - this isn't close to the same. This one is much sweeter (and less alcoholic?). I wasn't a huge fan, because it didn't taste at all like gin - it was more like sweet ginger with ice. SO, in summation, I'd say this is an OK place for a cocktail and maybe a nibble (pork ribs, bao, and maybe duckfat fries), but shouldn't be the main event of your evening. Stop off before heading to whatever else your Chinatown evening entails - Taiwanese food, soup dumplings, Peking duck, whatever.
(2)
Katia M.
Solid food. Hit this place for lunch and was NOT disappointed. Cool wall mural, nice staff, short but very sweet menu; options for vegetarians -- basically, everything I needed for a quick and happy lunch.
(4)
Tammy K.
I'm a little torn over this review. On one hand, I think Shojo is a really neat concept, and I like what they've done with the space, especially with the wall depicting the journey of the monkey (classic Chinese folk-tale). However, I don't know if a place like this will survive in a neighborhood rife with chinese food at a third of the price. We came on a Saturday night during prime dinner hour, and there was only one other table around. We shared the duck fat fries, pork buns, short ribs, steak, and salmon. The food was plated nicely and pretty good, but with all of the other delicious options nearby, I don't think I will be back anytime soon for dinner. It is a nice place for cocktails, though, if you are in the area.
(3)
Allison E.
This place was wonderful. Great service, and incredibly tasty food. We had an appetizer special which was corn with kimchi and cheese in the sauce. It was so good and looked interesting (with half of the corn in husks), we almost ordered a second order, but there were other dishes to try. The duck fat fries were good, with a spicy aioli. And the Bai pork bun was really good (tho you have to like fat). I wasn't eating gluten, and found the restaurant staff so helpful in guiding me to gluten-free choices. Yum! I wasn't drinking so can't rate the cocktails. Also, a fun moving was playing, which I have to rent: Shaolin Soccer.
(5)
JIllian N.
Hip place for 20 something Friday night. Inventive drinks, cool scenery. Food best shared as tapas amongst a group. They were out of the specials.
(3)
B J.
Service was excellent. We were an hour late for a reservation due to insane traffic and we had to make a show. The folks here didn't even bat an eyelash. It was all smiles and accommodation. The food was as excellent as the other reviews indicate. We had the fries, the bao, noodle salad, Malaysian chicken, and cocktails. It was all so welcome after battling traffic.
(5)
Krisha C.
Awesome spot in Chinatown. From the outside you can tell it's a cool spot and completely differs from the neon signs in the window of the other restaurants. Super cool vibe throughout the place from the decor to the menu selections. They are basically all tapas style. The calamari is okay, nothing I haven't had before but the rice is delish! Service is also a big reason why this place is getting a 5 star. The drink menu can be confusing and I ended up with an old fashion( I thought it was a whiskey base with added liquid flavor a based of the description but it wasn't) but I didn't want to complain however the server noticed and contacted the manager to get me another drink. Great initiative on her end and super thoughtful. Also one of the serves spilt water in my friend and got our party of 6 a round of shots, I've had serves spill water on my phone and didn't get an apology so his actions were above and beyond. They don't take reservations but cool place for birthday dinners, girls night, or all the above.
(5)
Ami P.
Really good tapas yes yes yes! Sauces were on point! Wut tang tiger style ribs :) Shrimp Bao DELISH And salt and pepper Calimari WITH DA SAUCE YASSS so good SOOO good!
(4)
Logan J.
I came here for dinner recently, and based on others' reviews, I was excited. Even though Shojo has a somewhat limited menu, everyone seemed to be raving about it. It won a few best of Boston awards, including their french fries, so I figured it would be pretty good. It definitely wasn't a bad choice of restaurant, but I would change a few things. Before I talk about the food or drink though, I will say that online, the site states they only take reservations for parties of 10 or more; however, if you use an app called 'Reserved,' you can book reservations for smaller parties AND you get $25 off your meal! Basically...do it now! The restaurant itself is hip. Boston's Chinatown isn't a place where I would tell trendy 20-somethings to go on a date night, but this place isn't like a lot of the rest of the neighborhood. It has a cool vibe with fun decor and interesting graffiti murals. I have to say though that I got a few wafts of some bad B.O. from what I'm guessing was the staff as they were running around our table. I get it...it is a warm night in Boston...but come on. To start, we ordered a round (or a few) of drinks. My favorite drink that I had was the Kamehameha drink. It has Thai chili-infused vodka and coconut milk (with a few other things). It reminded me of one of my favorite drinks at Mission Chinese, so I was pretty happy about that. The food is an odd assortment of larger plates and small appetizer/tapa portions. We ordered the fries, shrimp bao, calamari, and maiz ramen. Like I said, nothing was bad...I just wanted a little more from the food. It may have been our selection, but every. single. item. came with the SAME SAUCE!! Is that weird? Yes, that is weird! I love a sriacha aioli as much as the next guy, but let's get a little more creative, please. The shrimp bao were my favorite item--delicious shrimp and a good amount of sauce. The maiz ramen was unique--it was a large portion of noodles in a small amount of broth. It was definitely not your standard ramen, but a nice surprise. Overall, the experience was a fine--a solid three stars. I felt a little bit rushed through the meal, but on a Saturday night, I guess that is to be expected. I'd come back with friends for a couple drinks or snacks, but I think there are better places to grab dinner nearby.
(3)
Sarah C.
A quick update, about 2 years down the line. EVERYTHING IS SO FREAKING GOOD. Pork Bao - awesome. Eggplant - sooooooooo delicious, and a great portion to share. Wu-Tang Ribs - the name alone is fantastic, but these are some of the best ribs I've ever had. No joke. They need to serve wet naps though. Now i'm salivating and it's not even lunch time yet. Thanks guys. Chicken & Waffles - HOLY CRAP. I'm not even going to say anything else here cause if you don't get them, it's your own damn fault. And - as it was last time - the service was stellar. The end.
(5)
Amanda P.
Wow when I say this place is extremely loud it's loud. I could barely hear what my friend was saying to me across the table, we had to scream at each other. The place is wicked small and the tables are sort of cramped together. The portions are extremely small too. The ribs just came right off the bone AMAZING The pork baos were pretty good I'm not sure it's worth the hype.
(3)
Cristina R.
The samurai over at Shojo sure know how to fuse Asian fare. It's something that seems out-of-place in the more traditional - and grungy - Chinatown. And I welcome its presence. The cocktails are inventive - get the Kamehama even though chili vodka, lime, and coconut milk sound like a gross combo. You'll feel tingly, refreshed, and downright hip. Make sure to upgrade those award-winning duck fat fries to "shadowless" for a delightfully different type of poutine. Sausage, tofu, gravy, and kimchee velveeta (!!!) top a mound of fries that are just begging to be devoured. Skip the salt n peppa calamari. They are too breaded with no flavor, so essentially it's just chewy fried with a lackluster aioli. If you're looking for a bigger dish, go with the sweet corn ramen. It's not a soup but rather ramen noodles in a thick broth with veggies and an egg to perfectly drip its yolky goodness over everything it touches. We finished the meal by splitting a bottle of soju. It literally tastes like alcoholic water. But considering we were at Shojo, soju just seemed right. The graffiti mural, dim lighting, and windows overlooking Chinatown create a sense of a joint only for the most progressive Asian fusion aficionados. That may not be me - but I can pretend.
(4)
Mary T.
Too much fusion leads to confusion. I like fusion food because highlights the chef's creativity and understanding of what kinds of foods and flavors go together. But sometimes when one attempts to mix too many unrelated ingredients together, it leads to confusion on the palate. I came here on a couple of occasions for drinks and food since my last review. I think the drinks are great but the food from the kitchen has not been up to par. I tried the chicken and waffles. I thought the idea was brilliant, but the execution was poor. I love Hong Kong egg waffles and Taiwanese salt and pepper fried chicken and the two seem to go together if they were done correctly, but there were a lot of technical issues with the dish. First, the egg waffles were too cake-y and dough-y. Second, the chicken was too salty. Third, the syrup that they used was really weird. It tasted like a fireball shot. They should work on their menu. This place is good for drinks. Stick with ordering duck fat fries if you want some snacks.
(3)
Vincent H.
Need to come back here at night for dinner but this place is not bad if you want to grab a drink and share some appetizers with some friends. Grabbed a few beers and had some nice duck fat fries with Sriracha Dip. Bartenders and servers were pretty nice and this place isn't bad if you want to come with a small group of friends for drinks too! Although it'll add up a lot in my opinion.
(4)
Kelsey F.
Food is phenomenal. Amazing flavor profiles. We ordered the duck fat fries (small portion, but perfect crunchiness), suckling pig boa (delicious boa), tiger style ribs (meaty not meager), calamari, shojiko chicken tacos (a MUST HAVE), along with a corn/ramen dish that was very tasty but a bit rich. Our waitress was super sweet and cocktails were innovative. My only complaint is the restaurant's reservation system. They use an app called Reserve and it is the only way to get in touch with someone. They do not answer their phone. We had to slightly modify our reservation and it took forever!! Furthermore, the app charges a $5 concierge fee for reserving the table. Highly unnecessary.
(4)
Alexa R.
If you ever get the balls to take a dude on a date, this is the place to bring them. It's the only place in Boston with any ounce of character and flavor. Please don't bring your parents from out of town/drunk-white-top 20-girlfriends/non Busta Rhymes fans. I've always had an acute appreciation for hip hop culture as well as asian fusion cuisine and Shojo delivers both precisely. The actual restaurant is on the smaller side so do yourself a favor and call ahead for seating. Last time I had to wait over an hour (fair game for a Friday night) and wanted to punch myself in the face with brass knuckles for not making reservations. They have one restroom for men and women so you have to wait in line and the entire restaurant can see that you have to pee/poo/do blow which can be a little unsettling. I prefer to give myself affirmations in the mirror. The menu is solid and the best thing you will ever order AND eat are the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs. If a hundred people already hadn't, I would tell you they ain't nothin to fuck with. Second runner up Suckling Pig Bao. Some of the trannies I was with had the duck fat fries and udon noodles and they loved them . If you absolutely neeeeeeeeeeed a ridiculous, over-the-top drink they can certainly accommodate you. If you can take an über there without breaking the bank than I say you should as the streets in chinatown are not wide enuf for a horse let alone a Prius. If you leave here and have consumed the world's greatest tiger meat ribs made from actual tigers and did NOT love it, well then congratulations you are the worst person in the world.
(5)
Danae K.
Absolutely amazing. Simple as that. The Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs just melt in ones mouth. Slowly cooked and an explosion of flavors takes place from the first bite. Second best were the Sesame Charred Greens. Great to balance any meal. Japanese Eggplant Bao were also great! For drinks we had the Cold Tea for Two, (oolong tea infused vodka, peach de vigne, lemon) which was great! Best part about this place was the waiter. He had excellent, thorough knowledge of every dish, which is a great indicator of a restaurant. Location: in the heart of Chinatown. Close to south station (red line), Chinatown (orange line), Boylston (Green line). Definitely a highly recommended place!
(4)
Rajan G.
One of my favorites on Boston. I frequent this place as I live across the street. Can't really go wrong with any item (except for their one dessert item, a pound cake that isn't bad but isn't terribly good either). First timers should definitely get the kimchi fried rice. Their bao is also baomb! Service is always excellent.
(5)
Jay K.
Great customer service, nice staff here. The food was good, but I was a bit disappointed in the waffles and chicken. The waffles could have been better. It was good over all though. We also got some spicy rice which was good. I think another visit is in order so I can explore more of the menu.
(3)
Hannah P.
I had always been curious about this place and like that their menu changes seasonally. Friday after work I stopped in here for an early dinner with one of my best friends who was visiting. The space is pretty cool. It's fairly dark inside with some graphics on the walls, industrial-sleek furnishings and a large bar. Food-we ordered the suckling pig bao which was fantastic. Spicy, savory and sweet all at the same time on a dreamy steamed bun. It was topped with an extra hot jalapeno that added a nice crunch and balanced well with bbq sauce. We also ordered the duck-fat fries and you betta believe we made them shadowless which were excellent (topped with grilled beef, cheese sauce, and tofu (I know, I judged before tasting too but it was good). The Wu-tang ribs were on-point and truly fell right off the bone, like legitimately picked one up and it happened. Gooey, spicy, and topped with fried shallots because why not? Lastly, we ordered the Thai empanadas which had a nice filling of beef and spices but the emps were deep fried and fairly greasy to the point that we will have to pass on that one next time. Drinks-We ordered the "cold tea for two" which is deceiving because it arrives in a hot looking tea kettle but have no fear, it's cold and basically pure vodka infused with fruity goodness. It isn't overly sweet but two small palm size teas cups and you will be in a happy place. Service--they rocked it out. Multiple people came over and asked how everything was and if we had everything we needed. We chatted with a couple waiters because well they were nice, checked in with everyone and service was quick! Eager to see what new items pop up on their menu!
(4)
B W.
Shojo is the best restaurant in Boston if you want interesting food but aren't willing to sacrifice taste. Even the drinks are some of the best in the city. I've been twice now and couldn't believe the 2nd time lived up to the first.
(5)
Christina P.
Great tapas and drinks! Had the duck fat Hand-cut fries, crispy shrimp boo, and the shojiko chicken tacos, All really delicious!! Make sure you get the fries shadowless, the meaty sauce is so good over the fries. The chairman's painkiller and Kimoto sour drinks are really good too! Also had the Mizu sunrise, it was good, but a little on the bitter side. If u like bitter drinks then it would be for u! I'm sure getting anything at this place would be fantastic!
(5)
Katrina L.
I booked a reservation for my boyfriend's birthday here using the Reserved App. If you go through the app you can book a reservation for parties less than 10 and it makes splitting the check a breeze! This place is my jam, throwback hip hop music in the background and graffiti art on the walls. The service is great and for a party of 7, our food came out pretty quick. My boyfriend and I shared: Kimchi fried rice (Pretty good!) Wu tang style ribs (Fall off the bone kind of meat! So good) Shojiko chicken tacos (my favorite) As a table we shared the duck fat fries, and yes the fries do deserve the best fries in Boston award! Get them shadowless! Drinks: Chairman painkiller: A little too sweet for me Gin Gin Mule: my favorite! Kamehamhea: Interesting mix of chili and coconut milk Nikka Please: My boyfriend got this and it was very strong! Overall, it was a great dining experience! I would definitely go back! Also, thanks to the guy who hooked us up with some free birthday shots :)
(5)
Kimberly T.
Came here for dinner with a friend, and immediately as we walked in we were attacked by the horribly loud music blasting in the restaurant. There were not many people when we arrived, but after ordering our food the place was filled with people who were all trying to speak over one another and the loud music. The food here is interesting - they serve asian fusion dishes, which is odd in a place like Chinatown. We ordered a bunch of appetizers, and the ones that stood out the most were the duck fat fries with sriracha aioli and the suckling pig baos. I also got a kimchi fried rice, but there was nothing special about it. The staff here are somewhat attentive. My server constantly checked up on us after we got our food but when we were seated we waited a while before we were approached. Overall, not really impressed by this place - really pricey small portioned food with no wow factor - though I can say that the fruit punch is really good but really not worth $5. You're better off going to Crave down the street to grab some food.
(3)
Amber M.
Asian fusion is a difficult line to straddle as the flavors are easily thrown off balance. In Shojo's case I found the food either too sweet, salty, or just lackluster. Let's break it down: 1. Hamachi sashimi - there are few Japanese inspired dishes I love more than hamachi. But Shojo's made me forget this momentarily. What was supposed to be fresh, delicate pieces of tender yet firm white fish were limp fishy petals that taste like they were forgotten in the back of the fridge for a day too long. The avocado smear was its tired, uncreative companion. The dish was salty. 2. Suckling pig bao. This was tasty, but they were the darnedest, tiniest things that made me sad thinking I could've gotten just as good bao for a third of the price at a "real Chinese" restaurant across the street. Order came with two for a shocking $9. 3. Duck fat fries. Wait - how is this Asian? Good tho. 4. Wu-tang ribs. Okay I have to hand it to them, these were cooked spectacularly. Tender, not too lean or fatty. The fault here was in the sauce, which was heavy-handed, almost sickly sweet, too salty Asian BBQ that circles back to my anxiety about fusion in the first place. Of course I still scarfed down the whole thing because I'm Asian and we don't waste food. I'm sorry Shojo, I won't be coming back.
(3)
Connie K.
cute trendy bar in Chinatown drinks are seriously overpriced, I don't think I pay this much in Miami! ranges from $10-25 on average per drink. one restroom for the whole bar seems silly. bartender was rude, said because we were sitting at a table, we couldn't order drinks at the bar. I never saw a single waiter come up to our table to serve us drinks. the place itself is cute, the decor and mural were very cool. place gets a little noisy.
(3)
Asael D.
Ran into this place unexpectedly waltzing around Boston and only had $20 got jasmine rice and ribs and it was a party in my mouth for my friend and I definitely recommend this place to anyone who has good taste!!!
(5)
Mika S.
Is there a Chinese word for "tapas"? Most of the menu options are under $10, but I don't suggest ordering just one thing - similar to other tapas restaurants, the best way to enjoy Shojo's food is by sharing a few items with a friend. Some of the menu items are smaller, and only shareable between two people. I went to Shojo with 4 other people on a Friday night. We ordered the Shojonator, Kimchi Fried Rice, Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries, two orders of the Suckling Pig Bao, Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs, Shojiko Chicken Tacos, Salmon Tartare and the Thai Empanadas. My favourites were the Kimchi Fried Rice, Duck Fat Fries and the Wu Tang Ribs. The fried rice had a very unique flavour, and tasted fantastic with the fried egg on top. I loved the ribs, because the sauce was amazing, and the meat literally fell off the bone. I also thought that the fries were surprisingly delicious, especially for a restaurant that specializes in Chinese food. Overall, I enjoyed everything that we ordered, but it didn't have the same "wow factor" that the ribs, fried rice and fries had. Although we didn't go for drinks, we got the Cold Tea for Two. It had a very strong vodka taste, but was balanced out nicely by the tea.
(4)
Khunravin H.
Came here with some friends Friday night while we waited for our names to be called at Crave Chicken. I've always heard of this establishment, but never tried, but am sure glad that I did! Drinks: Not sure of the bartender/mixologist's name but he seemed so focused and crafty with how he prepared my drink and my friends' drinks. I had the a-go-go - OMG so good (find their drink menu and see the full name for the drink HAH). My friends enjoyed their drinks as well (The Jungle Fever and Komoto Sour). Atmosphere: Wow, it was quite crowded. We just stood at the bar because that was more convenient than waiting for a table. Hipster-ish, I dig it. They had some old Chinese movies playing in the background-pretty cool. Price: Well for what went into my drink, I think the $13 tag was worth it. There was no cover to get in so that was cool. Definitely coming back here again. Do try this place out.
(4)
Kunal C.
Dined here with the wife on a Saturday night, place was packed. The decor is cool and modern. They have a lot of small tables (2-4 ppl) and a few larger tables for bigger groups. There is also a bar area you can grab a drink at while you wait. We were seated within minutes of arriving, service was attentive and fast. We tried the kimchi fried rice, duck fat fries, wu-tang tiger style ribs, shojo chicken tacos and suckling big pao. We weren't big fans of the duck fat fries but everything else was delicious! We especially loved the ribs, a must try.
(5)
Emily A.
Went here a few nights ago to catch up with a friend. Loved the vibes of this place and the service was excellent! The location is also pretty prime in the heart of Chinatown. The drink menu is plentiful, but we just got some beers. Which by the way, they have some imported beers. We got the duck fat fries which were salty and delicious. For our meals, we got the Bang Bang Bolognese (highly recommend) which was not super heavy, but definitely filling. Just right. We also got the pig bao which was served warm and sweet.
(4)
Samantha L.
Tonight, I came here with a couple of female friends. Shojo is a small Asian fusion restaurant in Chinatown. It's encouraged to make a reservation ahead of time as space is limited. It's hard to describe the atmosphere. There was graffiti art on the charcoal colored brick walls. They had both regular and tall table seating. The lights were dimmed. We sat at a L-shaped booth in the corner. I'd say it was kind of an intimate setting. Since it's tapas style, it's typical for a person to order at least two dishes for dinner. For citrus based cocktails, my friends and I would recommend the Cold Tea for Two, Gin Gin Mule, and Kimoto Sour. The Cold Tea for Two was served in a metal teapot. It tasted like a sweet, peachy flavored oolong tea. It reminded me of Barefoot's Tropical Infusion Moscato. One could barely tell that there was alcohol in it. We were disappointed that they were sold out of their most popular menu item - the Suckling Pig Bao with smoked BBQ sauce, kimchi, and jalapeno. My two favorite dishes of the night were the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs and Spag-n-Ball Z. Guest #1 ordered the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs (which was garnished with Thai basil, shallots, and peanuts) and Kimchi Fried Rice (which was jasmine rice cooked with homemade kimchi and topped with a sunny egg). Despite my peanut allergy, I had to try one of the ribs. The ribs were juice / mouthwatering. They were heavily seasoned in white pepper and covered in a tangy, red, mildly spicy, sweet and sour sauce. Guest #2 ordered the Bang Bang Bolognese (which was hand slapped noodle with beef, in a redish orange szechuan peppercorn sauce). Guest #3 ordered the Spag-n-Ball Z (which was squid ink shrimp dumplings with chopped spinach, enoki mushrooms, and parsley in a coconut lime broth). This dish had a Thai flare to it as the soup had coconut, curry, and lemongrass in it. The Miso Littleneck Clams (which was more than a dozen medium sized littleneck clams served in a tip dish, over jasmine rice, in a red miso sauce, garnished with cilantro). The clams were fresh and clean. However, I felt that the flavor of the clams was on the bland side. The sauce on the bottom of the dish was sweet and buttery.
(4)
Rachel N.
When I saw Hong Kong waffles style chicken&waffles, I made sure this spot would be paid a visit! It's a very trendy place, tiny, yet enough seating. Our waiter told us it was a tapas style restaurant and recommended we order 5-6 items. Salt&Pepper Calamari - good calamari with a peppery twist! There were fried onions and peppers within the sea of calamari though, so it was an obstacle to figure out which I wanted to consume (wanted squid only). A struggling fight. Bang Bang Bolognese - one of the better dishes for me (I was the only 1/3 that liked it though). The meat sauce had an Asian flare, and the noodles tasted homemade. Salty though. Wu Tang Tiger Ribs - only 3 ribs, too salty for us, even for the other 2 people that move salty foods compared to me. Kimchi Fried Rice - the favorite of the other 2. The egg was a wonderful touch. I enjoyed this dish more than the other dishes, and I hate kimchi. Chicken&Waffles v2.0 - the dish I came for. Everything about the dish was different from the original, so I was hoping the syrup was too. It was just maple syrup. For me, it did not compliment the spices of the chicken whatsoever. The chicken was on the dry and salty side too. My least favorite of the 5 we ordered. Overall, I don't think it's the restaurant's fault. I blame my lack of enjoyment due to my basic palate, and I couldn't appreciate the Asian fusion creativity.
(3)
Jenn S.
I don't typically give 5 stars but this place was MORE than I expected so for now it gets my 5 star! I have had this place bookmarked for awhile so when a friend suggested it I was in. We did quite the walking to get there and then there it was on a side street tucked away! It has a very cool, young vibe and the artwork really knocks up the cool points. I heard they change up the menu frequently so that is exciting. Here is what we had: Big Mac Mantou - Amazing I heard from the table. Calamari - I'm not a huge fan in general but I thought this was good! Kimchi Fried Rice - Can't really go wrong with this and its a larger tapas size. Chicken & Waffles - Really good. I loved the waffle. Ribs - These had a lot of cartilage on them but overall were good. Charred Eggplant Ddukbokki - SO GOOD! Taro Tots - I was surprised at these because I expected something else but it was one of my favorites. Staff was also really nice and they had good drinks. I will be back!
(5)
Tom L.
First time there A plus! It's been a while that I received great service eating at a restaurant. I had a server named Jenny who is awesome and she explained the meals to my bros and I and the food was bomb. I would come here for drinks and food. If you are looking to be full from food, not the spot to dine at. This spot is for chilling out and have some drinks. Better service than any restaurant in Chinatown and that's a fact!
(5)
Joyce L.
Food: 3 stars Drinks: 4 stars Service: 5 stars Seriously, is Shojo allowed to be this cool? How are the other chinatown restaurants supposed to keep up?? This place is the definition of hip: the interior is chic, the atmosphere is intimate, but not to the point where you feel squished in like sardines and the food/drinks are on par. Again, I sound like a broken record, but I'm not a fan of fusion... but I am willing to make an exception for Shojo. I can come here 3 times a week... If not for the food, definitely for the drinks and the excellent service. To be honest, the food was nothing out of this world. The best thing I had was, without doubt, the chicken&waffles ver. 3.0. I didn't use the butter or the syrup because I loved the subtle sweetness of the "waffle", making it the perfect counterpart for the spiced chicken. The infamous pork bao was expensive for what it was and I've had better. The wu tang ribs were "fall off the bone" tender, but too salty/too much sauce for my liking. ONTO THE DRINKS: the kimoto sour is where it's at! I ordered the gin gin mule as my 2nd drink of the night because of all the yelp love and it is definitely for ginger lovers and no one else LOL. I had ginger breathe for a good hour or 2 after dinner... how lovely. SERVICE: the bar was backed up so there was a delay in getting drinks out (maybe 10-15 min?). For that, they didn't charge us for our drinks. Please tell me... where else, in chinatown, will you get this kind of service! NOWHERE
(4)
Leslie W.
Just had cocktails which were fantastic and innovative twists on classics. Did not have food since I was in the middle of a bender but everything coming out of the kitchen gave me serious food envy. Bartenders were friendly and knowledgable. Excellent exploratory trip and I will be back!!
(5)
Yadira R.
So, you know that place you walk into and you're like, "Whoa, hold up! What's this all about?" feeling happy you stumbled upon what could be your new go to hip spot - and Arrested Development (remember them) is playing in the background, and you realize you can order something called "Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs", there is graffiti on the walls, and people from all walks of life are chilling at the bar bobbing heads? Well... Shojo is that place. A new addition to Boston, this modern Asian fusion restaurant serving tapas style dishes sits in the heart of Chinatown. While the place is small, the combinations of tables are ready to accommodate a party of any size. The sultry lighting and D+ kung fu movies playing on a continuous loop at the bar is a place where you can have some good food, drinks and just chill. Some of the highlights were the ribs mentioned above, pig bao's, salt & pepper calamari, but the BEST was the Kimchi Fried Rice. That dish right there is a no brainer and will always be ordered. You'll have to try it to understand. The best word to describe Shojo is SOLID.... the food's solid, the drink's are solid and how much better can it get with Wu Tang and H.O.V.A playing in the background? Oh, and we also heard they just won an award for their Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries. I guess something else to add to the list. The picture quality isn't great, but here are a few to give you an idea what you are in for.
(4)
Shani T.
I have to say that Boston has incredibly interesting food options that definitely keep me on my toes. Came to Shojo for a Sunday dinner maybe a month ago, right when the restaurant opened. We were seated immediately and there were already a couple of other parties there as well right at opening. The staff were all extermely friendly and quick and the restaurant is very funky and cute. A bit modern, a bit hipster, dimly lit, with Asian dramas playing in the background. This place serves essentially Asian fusion tapas, which I found incredibly unique and creative. My boyfriend and I ordered the Duck Fat Hand-cut Fries, the Suckling Pig Bao, the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs, and a noodle dish that I can't recall (and has already been rotated off the menu!). Overall, the food is quite good. There are a lot of different flavors to each dish, but they all mesh well together and aren't overpowering in any way. The four dishes we ordered were perfect for two people and I would recommend trying as many dishes as possible on the menu. I would definitely come here and eat again, particularly knowing their menu items switch so often. The cocktails also looked really good and you bet I'll be trying one out next time as well!
(4)
Jeff M.
Sucks. Like everything in Boston, 10 years too late and a knockoff of NYC. Pork buns were terrible copies of Momofuku.
(1)
Justin K.
This place is alright. Food is pricey for the amount you get, and it's pretty good but nothing amazing. The decor is definitely modern and geared towards a younger crowd. The good thing about this place is that you can sake bomb as much as you want and be loud and obnoxious. But be careful - before you know it you'll be racking up some serious bills.
(3)
Phuong D.
It took about 10 minutes for a server to approach us and already it seemed like a bad start. My friend & I shared everything and was excited for the chicken & egg puff waffles but it was kind of a disappoint since the puffs tasted dry and mediocre. We were fantasizing that they would taste like the ones across the street. The chicken was good though. I loved the kimchee fried rice & the new crispy shrimp baos. Those were really yummy. I also had their jungle fever as a cocktail and that was pretty strong and good. For such a small place, there really isn't any excuse for someone to take 10 minutes to approach a table. The one that greeted us originally never really checked up on us either. Other staff members however, were keen on checking up with us, which was nice. Overall all, the experience wasn't great, but some of their food was good. They're always changing up their menu so I wouldn't mind trying again, but just not anytime soon.
(3)
Daniel M.
Service is amazing. Servers are ready to take ur order amd make sure i are well taken care. We had drunk ass noodles...wow this is a must have. Had the bao tacos with the pork and today they have a special twist on the bao and they swapped pork for shrimp...AWESOME. The fried chicken And waffle was very crispy and the waffle very tasty. I was hesitant to order the carbonata as i dont see that having an asian twiay..but boy was i wrong. This chef kicks Ass no matyer what he serves... On the drink menu i had the Kamehameha.. Let me juat say thia is a freaking awesome twist on a pina colada..with kick and side of swagger...so good. I had 3 of them. The new and improved chicken and waffles has more 5 spice power so it is definately better than the last time. This is fried chicken kicked up a notch...if u are in chinatown, this place is a must have no queations asked...do your self a favor order the sesame charred greens..with the sesame lemon bitter..OMG..
(5)
Jessica N.
I came for the chicken and waffles I saw on the page. Was it on the menu? No. Egg puffs are my kryptonite and was surely disappointed. We decided to stay anyways and try out the food. We had the duck fat fries which were bomb.com and the reason for the stars. The Sriracha aioli was heaven. We also had the baos but, no. No, no, no LOL. The outter bao tasted old, and the filling mediocre. We also ordered the ramen which was also, a no for me. We expected soup, yummy brothy goodness but got a plate with ramen and some kind of sweet sauce that I was not a fan of. So meh, food is meh. Atmosphere was pretty cool I guess.
(3)
Chase S.
Killer place to hang out for drinks and a small bite in Chinatown. The atmosphere is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance meets Yakuza meets Hello Kitty. It certainly has flair and character. The staff are chill but know their stuff. Get anything on the drink menu and proceed to slurping. The Japanize old-fashioned and their take on the michelada are particularly noteworthy. Love the constant asian films in the background. It will remain a rad joint I frequent for years to come.
(4)
Kaye L.
Amazing! I ate here a couple nights ago with a few friends and we all agreed that this place was bomb. It's more of a korean fusion place, as most of their dishes are korean-inspired, but we loved every bite! The food is oh-so-greasy, but oh-so yummy. We ordered the kimchi fried rice, duck fat fries, pig bao, chicken tacos, & their special of the day, which was a hot bibimbap-like dish. For those of you unfamiliar with bibimbap, it's a korean dish with noodles, bean sprouts, and an assortment of other veggies that can be served either hot or cold. My korean friend LOVED the kimchi fried rice. When you've got the korean's stamp of approval, you know it's good. Pork baos were very tender and juicy. DELISH The duck fat fries weren't anything special. They just tasted like regular fries to us. Chicken tacos were delicious, but also nothing special. Their special of the day was also so good that we were scraping up the bits and pieces in the end. Overall, everything tasted great. All of their dishes are very flavorful and at a great price point. I will definitely be returning here for more delicious-ness!
(5)
Simon L.
With all the amazing Sichuan, Cantonese, northern Chinese and other Asian food in such close proximity, Shoju is simply not that good. The dishes are reminiscent of what constitutes an "Asian" twist or flair on just about any gastro pub in greater Boston. Scallops ($13) with black bean paste, snow peas and grilled watermelon are prepared to temperature - soft warm middle. Three decent sized scallops. However, the dish lacks flavor. The bbq pork ribs ($8) provide 3 sizeable baby backs with crisp exterior and meat falling easily from the bone. Again, lacking any serious flavor component - no rub? No sauce? Saving grace was a vegetarian mushroom ravioli ($11) with pecorino cheese. A bowl with seven or eight good size ravioli a with firm pasta. I missed the Asian influence entirely and thought this was straight out of an italian spot In the north end. The best dish of all was a kimchi fried rice ($9) with egg. Spicy cabbage and light and fluffy rice with a runny egg to mix in. Sweet, spicy, overall a total win. Expensive for what it is. Drinks are pricy too. Friendly service. Just kind if an odd duck place.
(2)
Michael S.
I have been here twice. Food was good both times and the drinks were even better. Nice atmosphere for a younger crowd or to bring a date.
(4)
Shirley E.
Nothing but stellar service and food from this place!!! I'm not a fried calamari fan, but the Salt & Pepper Calamari is DEEE-Lish! It's golden tan color (nit that dark heavy orange-ish), VERY lightly battered, and tastes like the squid was brought in from the harbor just hours ago. Also, try the Cold Tea for Two (Oolong Tea Infused Vodka, Peach de Vigne, Lemon), it's perfect for a hot summer night. I come here every few months since discovering it earlier this year and have yet to be disappointed with anything I try from the menu. Definitely one of the best Asian/Fusion restaurant/bars. (sn: it's ALWAYS loud, which can be annoying, but don't let that dissuade you from trying the food & drinks)
(5)
Somaly K.
Love this place! Drinks are good, food is delicious and service is good. The menu is wicked small but I've found a few faves that I always order every single time I go. Only downside to this place is the restroom!! One bathroom to share for men and women!
(4)
John D.
This place is pretty good. I've heard a lot about this place and it's been bookmarked for 2 years LOL. This place is really small compared to what I expected. So small groups of like 2-3 are best. On the bright side they have a huge drink selection ranging from draft beer, more beer, cocktails, wine, and sake! Suckling Pig Baos $9 for 2. A little pricey at first, I was hesitant but got it anyways LOL. I love how these baos are really fluffy and soft, they weren't wrinkly either and presentation's 1/2 the meal! The pork was pretty good! A nice chunk of meat, but I wish the fat had melted in my mouth doe. There was a squeeze of some type of bbq sauce that reminded me of gojuchang. The Shojonator with fries for about $11. I thought this was good price for the amount of food I got. I was so impressed that the baos were the substitute for the bun. The bao took in all of the juices that the meat couldn't hold in. There was some spicy flakes powder thing was also pretty good, making the bao taste even better! Everything else on the inside was the same like a normal burger; it had cheese, bacon, pickles, and some sauce. Kimchi Fried rice doe... Oh my $12 was mad bomb. The best thing today. LOL. Very crispy, just the way I like it. I loved how they used Jasmine rice instead of just typical white rice that you would find a normal restaurant. The Jasmine rice made everything so much better... If you've never eaten it before (like me) it reminded me a bit like sticky rice without the sticky-ness. I don't know how to describe this but I enjoyed this a lot.
(4)
Tamara W.
This place is awesome! Came here last night at the recommendation of Boston Magazine and loved their cocktails. The ginger mule WAS GREAT the coconut milk one over crushed ice was to die for (but could be more spicey) and the avocado salad was great. We got a same day reservation at 9pm and arrived early and they seated us within 20 minutes. I loved the service, the vibe, and it reminded me of a NYC version of Myers and Chang in the South End. It was frigid by the window which is why it loses a start. In the dead of winter this place had literally no heating which was miserable for my friend. He was so cold we had to leave after a few hours. AND the food is wayyyyy toooo meaty and fatty so we only had the salad and the eggplant dish we could not even finish. Drinks: a must Food: go elsewhere.
(4)
John Q.
Been four times now. Awesome food, cool ambiance, surprisingly good service. Two minor negatives are the single bathroom (very clean, especially considering it is unisex. The complaint is there'll likely be a line). Secondly, on a recent visit our party of seven was "gratted" (charged gratuity), which is not abnormal for a bigger party. What was sketchy was that, the grat was not on the initial itemized receipt it was simply added to the card, the waitress did not notify us of the grat, and the initial receipt was not returned with the charge slips. Bottom line, our waitress was definitely trying to get tipped twice. (As an aside, prior to this, our service had been so over the top excellent that our tip would have been 25-30%). Those two minor complaints aside, Shojo still gets a full five stars because the food is just that freaking good. Get there!, just watch what you get charged for!
(5)
Jen D.
Came here with a large group for a friend's birthday. It's a really interesting Asian fusion menu. Normally I kind of side-eye fusion, but this was pretty good. Very hip interior. Could have done without the gory samurai movie though; not great for when you're eating. The cocktails were really good; everyone enjoyed theirs. I had the Gin Gin Mule, which had a good ginger bite--oftentimes I think the ginger gets lost. We ordered a variety of dishes. I don't think any blew us away, but they were fine. I got the hand-slapped noodles, but sadly, they arrived nearly 30 minutes after everyone else got the food. Also, it said it included Szechuan beef...and while the beef was generous in the dish, it wasn't spicy at all. So between no fire and really late arrival, I knocked off a star for that. Then it came to the bill: they only allow a max of 3 cards per table. My friends freaked, and asked to split our group into separate checks, which I know is bad form. I felt REALLY BAD for the servers because I know it's a huge pain. They were really gracious about it though, so I added a star. I'd come back.
(4)
Virginia W.
Shojo is an interesting place. It's in the middle of Chinatown but they don't necessarily serve Asian food. I went right when it opened for an early lunch and there was no one there. The lunch menu is disappointingly small with only about 8 items. I got the Duck Fat Fries and Chicken and Bacon Sando. The Duck Fat Fries is pretty awesome- they're pretty standard fries but the sauce it comes with is full of flavor. The Chicken and Bacon Sando is what it sounds like- fried chicken, guacamole and bacon. The chips it comes with are seasoned with salt, pepper, sour cream and some sort of red spice that was absolutely delicious. Looking through the reviews, it looks like this place is better suited for dinner given the limited lunch menu. The price was OK. The chicken sandwich was $12 and the fries were $8. If you're expecting Chinese food then I would go somewhere else. If you want a mix then this would be a good place to try something new.
(4)
Melinda N.
I came here for a late dinner. I ordered calamari which had this faint body odor like smell which turned out to be curry. I thought thecalamari could've been cooked a little bit longer so that it was crispier than it came out. I also had salmon tartare that was pretty interesting because it had beets on top. The drinks were tasty and on point. It was t crowded and we had a nice view of the somewhat small restaurant by the wall. It's loud for conversation. The service was attentive and polite.
(3)
Sarah A.
Definitely improved since my last visit! The shojiko tacos with mochiko chicken are BOMB! Bursting with chicken and full of flavor. Nomnom. The cocktails are still 90% ice such is disappointing at their $11 price point (and the glasses are hella small) thus the 4 stars vs 5 stars. They have this dish called shadowless fries which consist of their duck fat fries topped with beef mabo tofu covered in melted American cheese. It is suuuuuper fatty but delish- like Chinese chili cheese fries. Genius idea!
(4)
Rachel N.
So, like, you know that place you walk into and you're like, "I'm so effing hip for being here" - and Vanilla Ice is ironically playing on the speakers and you realize you can order something called "Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs", there is graffiti on the walls, patrons with undercuts and flat brim hats and you are happy? Shojo is that resto. Tucked off a random street in Chinatown, I forgot abt it until I was tasked with looking for a din spot for a presumably discerning palate and wanted it to be w/in walking distance of my house - I'm glad I finally made it - the menu is small - I think there are 8 things on it - ranging from duck fat fries and "taro tots" to suckling pig bao, miso little neck clams, and chicken & waffles w Szechuan peppercorn maple syrup - and while everything on there had an element that seemed a little off-putting, somehow dishes came together. There is no real order to the madness and things kind of come out as they are ready. The clams were totally my jam and if I could bathe in the miso butter in which they were drenched, I would - and the aforementioned ribs also got high marks. The dessert, brownies w a miso caramel, were not rich enough for my taste, but the addition of sesame + julienned basil was fine. Overall, not splurgy enough to even give me a sugar rush and feel reckless, so I was sad. Service is friendly, despite the fact that all of our waiters kind of looked like they had just stumbled in from a warehouse party in a loft down the street, it was totally professional and speedy. Music is rambunctious in a tongue-in-cheek pop way - I wouldn't return w my grandmother - lighting is a little sultry - and most importantly, they have a continual loop of some D+ kung-fu action movie playing over the bar. So. Basically. Super romantic. Prices range from $6-13, and portions vary accordingly. Plan on ordering two things per person and spending roughly $20 each, not including booze. Worth a trip, if for nothing else than a break from the monotony of my lovely, but standard, South End spots.
(4)
Parker N.
I was excited to try out this restaurant especially for their chicken and Waffle but I was quickly disappointed that they didn't have it in their menu anymore even though the waitress mentioned it was a very popular item. Not only did they take out the chicken and Waffle but also half their menu. My experience was even worst when the restaurant couldn't even make any bao. If your looking for chicken and Waffle, they no longer serve it.
(2)
E S.
Really underimpressed. Second time there for dinner and menu hasn't changed. Not sure how they keep the positive reviews. Also charged us $3 extra for requesting additional chips with our ceviche - poor form. Probably won't return.
(2)
Noa C.
This place is amazing!!!! We started the night off with "Cold Tea for Two" which is an Oolong Tea Infused Vodka, Peach de Vigne, Lemon served in a tea pot. I still have tasty dreams about this. If you get nothing else, get this!! For dinner, we opted for a bunch of small plates instead of 2 entrees. We got (1) Asian Mushroom Medley, which was lovely, perfectly sauteed mushrooms with a soy/vinegar glaze (i think); (2) duck fat fries - fine, just regular duck-fat fries; (3)charcuterie board - a very interesting take on a meat board with an asian flavor profile, I highly recommend it; (4) for dessert: sesame balls with chocolate - delicious, though a bit greasy. We have another reservation coming up, so I will update my review if needed. I highly recommend this place!!
(5)
Dorise G.
The place was very loud but the food was quite good - here's my rundown: Taro tots - a nice smokey bite. My friends were more into this than I was (there were 5 of us and 5 tots that looked kind of like small arancini). I'd eat it again, but probably wouldn't order it. Duck fat fries are what's uuuuup. Charred Eggplant Dhukbokki. Not sure what dhukbokki is without googling it (turns out it's a fish/rice cake with sweet red chili), but it was easily my favorite thing on the menu. The rice cakes were superb, and the melty cheesy mini cast-iron not only ate heartily and herbily on its own, but it was a nice perk for dipping those killer fries. We had 5 different waiters try to take the cast iron away from us, each time us practically slapping their hands away, saying "we're not done with that!" People, when there is saucy goodness in front of you, and you see us gobbing our fries up in it, why are you trying to take away our smack in the middle of our fix? Let my cast iron go. I'm pretty sure that's what moses said. Coconut milk mussels were tasty but maybe a bit too thoroughly cooked, and not very many for your buck. I liked the coconut rice a bunch tho. Kimchi fried rice - not too special, but tasty, homey, and filling. Chicken and waffles - polarizing for our crew. I wasn't overly impressed by either the chicken or the waffle, but my future-spouse loved the little waffle-pillows. I wanted to like them, I just didn't think they were particularly tasty, tho they were quite special to ogle - it looked kind of like a chinese checkers board. Or a stop sign made out of ravioli. Primary table of 5 consensus was waffle was fine, chicken was great, and I was the lone dissenter on both. As a non-pork eater I can't vouch either way for the ribs, but they got rave reviews from my dining cohort. Hand-slapped Bolognese - real tasty noodle. A shareable portion but not an easy-to-split pasta. We still made it work, and I'd definitely recommend. All in all, if I were to order just one of these dishes again, it would be the eggplant, hands down. Well, with a side of fries. Then I'd wait til it cooled down and bathe in it, floating on rice-cake rafts. Mmmmmmmmmm. Do yourself a favor and skip dessert. The mini-brownies had a weird dry texture and miso-sesame-caramel wasn't nearly as delicious as its menu listing suggested it might be. A bust after an otherwise solid meal. It ain't the cheapest thing in Chinatown but it's not unreasonable - after a table of drinks and a number of eats our bill came to about $30 a pop after tax and tip. I still prefer a less sleek venue for a lower pricetag and bigger portions when I'm hitting up chinatown, but I'd go back. My rice-cake eggplant raft awaits...
(4)
Tiffany C.
This place is AH-MAZING. It's the shit. Seriously. My favorite place to come for drinks!!! And their bar bites omg. I don't think there was a single dish I DIDNT like. I love how all their dishes are very gourmet and each has an interesting taste. I recommend the grilled hanger steak with kimchi sauce!! It was so yummy. And their shrimp ball if it's still available for bar bites. Their drinks are inventive as well and they make great customized concoctions!! (I can be picky with my alcohol). Try EVERYTHING. You won't regret it! Plus, interior decor is different. It was styled with graffiti/brick kind of design in mind.
(5)
Leanna L.
Two words. Food porn. This place has AMAZING food and a really awesome ambience. Went here on a Monday night, and we were greeted with friendly service. This was what we ordered- Cocktails: - Superhappyfunmakeagoodtimeagogo (agogo for short): amazing flavor and taste! - Morning Star: very citrus-y, definitely on the strong side! Food: - Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries (Shadowless): AMAZING. They were crisp and crunchy, and full of flavor with the shadowless option! They top it up with cheese, tofu and all other yummy goodness! - Hamachi Sashimi: This was absolutely delicious. The fish was fresh, and was topped with a salad that had the perfect kick of vinegar. Perfect to pair with the meatier dishes. - Shojiko Chicken Tacos: These were HUGE! Packed with loads of chicken and sauce, they were definitely very filling. - The Shojonator: Shojo's take of Wendy's Bacon Hamburger. This was so good - the bacon was still crisp and the beef patty was tender and juicy. The bun was so soft - I almost wanted to order a second! Overall, a very satisfied experience. Unfortunately, they were out of the Suckling Pig Bao, which was definitely something we wanted to try - but we will be back again! 5 STARS!
(5)
Lester L.
Creative tasty cocktails. Everything tastes amazing, so much better than any other "Asian fusion" place. Really focuses on ingredient combinations that go well together. Get the Wu-Tang tiger style ribs (fall off the bone, amazing Thai basil sauce), shrimp or suckling pork bao, sweet corn mazeman, and the sesame charred greens!
(5)
Catherine H.
Anything with the words "duck fat" is just going to be delicious. This is a known fact. The duck fat fries at Shojo are no exception. I came here for a post dinner snack and drinks with friends and this was the perfect location. The vibe is trendy and young. A stark contrast to the other buildings and restaurants in Boston's Chinatown. My favorite drink was the gin gin mule, it was so good I had two. It was a fun night out, but i wouldn't recommend coming here hungry. Chinatown has much cheaper and equally delicious meals at other restaurants. However, this place makes rocking drinks and again duck fat...
(4)
S C.
Awesome food awesome drinks and great service, this place is a really cool addition to Chinatown. It's changing things up by being a more hip urban style restaurant as opposed to all of the more traditional Placed you'll find in the area. Feels like you walk into NY when you go in.
(4)
Kevin M.
Food was great. Service was poor, we went for lunch and we were our server's only table and he wasn't attentive to when we need refills on our drinks.
(4)
Ali S.
The atmosphere was pretty cool. Unfortunately, the food was pretty average. I was really excited about the pork buns, but they were out of them by the time we arrived (10:00 on a Friday). The calamari was ok. Wouldn't order it again. The chicken and waffle was actually pretty good. I was happy that it came with two drumsticks instead of a piece of white meat chicken (why do places do that?!). The waffle was also nice and light so I didn't feel like I had to be rolled out of the restaurant after I was done. The duck fat fries were awesome, but I think all duck fat fries are great, so I wouldn't say they are better than the typical ones. Still so good. The drinks were very very weak. I wouldn't order a cocktail here again after that experience.
(3)
Rachel H.
I came here for dinner, and I didn't realize how tiny this place is! Luckily I was able to get a table right away. I tried the homemade ginger beer, duck fat fries, fried calamari, suckling pig bao, avocado salad, kimchi fried rice, ribs, and the pound cake dessert. The ginger beer was extremely potent!! Way too much ginger in it for me, and I usually love ginger. The duck fat fries were nothing special. They tasted like regular fries. The calamari was my favorite dish. The suckling pig bao was ok. It was a little messy to eat. The avocado salad was pretty good. The kimchi fried rice was tasty. The ribs were not memorable. They were drenched in too much sauce, too. And finally, the dessert was bad. It was more like sponge cake slices. And the alcohol in it was not cooked down at all. The alcohol made the whole dish soggy, too. The waitress was nice, but not very informative.
(3)
Aly B.
Saw Shojo on Phantom Gourmet and had to stop in! Came in on a Wednesday night around 5 to a calm dining room with a few other tables filled. The wait staff was super attentive, took our order, and it was out so fast!! Decor is so cool, such an interesting modern vibe in otherwise traditionally themed restaurants in Chinatown. We shared the cold tea for two, calamari, kimchi fried rice, and pork bao. The tea was outstanding, super strong and definitely enough for two. High marks for the calamari and the pork bao but you MUST try the kimchi fried rice- outstanding! Salty, spicy, yum!! Solid experience, would have enjoyed a little more variety on the menu, but well executed and a nice quick dinner, would totally recommend if you're looking for something different to do in Chinatown
(4)
Cyndi C.
Ok...most of u foodies out there must've tried this place once n came back for more. If u haven't yet, ur definitely missing out on the creative innovation of Asian fusion...comfort food! Omg...this place has the vibe, the foods, delish drink, good value...O did i mention, nice'looking ppl also?! Every few weeks, the chef switch up the menu to match the place's creativeness. I cant wait to go back! The Chicken & Waffle v2.0 is to die for! The littleneck clams is a must! Great for get-togethers or date nites!
(5)
Jeremy S.
Shojo consistently serves some of the most interesting, tastiest dishes in the Boston metro area. Drinks are outstanding. The Gin Gin Fizz and Cold Tea for Two are particularly great. As for their variety of small plates, I've loved almost every one I've tried. The spare ribs, chicken and waffles, carbonara, duck fat fires, and pork bao are particularly great. The only dish I've ever had there that I recall being less than amazing was the Salt & Pepper Calamari, and even that only stood out because it was merely okay. Everything else is straight up great. Also, points for atmosphere. Nice decor and great -- old-school hip-hop -- music create a strong choice for after work apps and drinks.
Went to Shojo for dinner with a friend. Servers were nice and attentive, enjoyed the inside decor and the throw back tunes. The cocktails, have to say, were very good, tasty and creative. The cold tea was pretty awesome. The food on the other hand was rather disappointing and pretty mediocre at best. We started with the Pig Bao, which was good. Along with the salmon tartare, which was ok - I didn't understand the seemed to be overly fried strips of skin or maybe they were bones, along with all the other flavors I really didn't think it went well, also not enough toasts served for the portion size. Also had the Salt Pepper Calamari, which was rather bland. When an item has Szechuan Peppercorns, I would expect to taste them. We thought it would get better with round two, it didn't. We had the Wu Tang Sliders (who wouldn't want to order them with that name), they were extremely fatty and barely had any meat on them. Also tried the Chicken tacos. Tacos were overfilled so sloppy to eat, pretty bland and tortillas were hard as a rock. We also sampled the Duck Fat fries, which were good. Overall, fun and funky decor with really excellent cocktails, but wouldn't return for the food.
(2)
Christian K.
Went for an early saturday lunch. Server was friendly and helpful. There were no dogs in this line up. The baoswere so good we ordered more same goes for the fries with mapo dofu. The pressed sando and taco along with the hamachi salad made it a great meal.
(5)
Karina L.
Had a great experience getting drinks here with friends and wanted to come back for food. The Gin Gin Mule is fabulous. The decor straddles classy and cool and is refreshingly modern, given its location in the heart of Chinatown. But, the food didn't justify its price, and I left with a disappointingly neutral impression of Shojo's food. I brought a Lactaid pill because I had known ahead of time I wanted to try the Lobster Rangoon. But, there were only three tiny 'goons, and I found out that lobster and imitation crab pretty much taste the same when they're folded into a bed of cream cheese and mascarpone cheese. The shrimp in our Soba Shrimp salad didn't taste "sake poached", but I didn't have too many opportunities to deliberate since we only had a couple of pieces in our dish, which was otherwise filled with fistfuls of raw red onion strips and not too much soba. My favorite dish was the chicken and waffles. The fried chicken was tasty and had crispy skin, and the waffles were the street waffles you get (looks like an egg carton, and you can pull balls of waffles off). It was fun, and an endearing Asian interpretation of chicken and waffles. But, knowing what the egg waffles could *actually* taste like, I was really disappointed that the waffles were cold, almost as if they were frozen and thawed improperly. Overall, a disappointing meal -- perhaps I ordered the wrong dishes? I was so eager to love Shojo, but looks like I'll be coming in for drinks only!
(3)
A S.
No. First: All the patrons were white when I went there. This restaurant is in the middle of chinatown. do the math. the food is not really asian at all. go expecting this and perhaps you'll be happy. Second: Wait staff is not exactly rude but totally unpolished. Brought us wrong food and told us that it was what we ordered. Newsflash: customer is always right. Even if I had ordered the wrong thing mistakenly (No. Didn't happen), it doesn't matter. I'm right. Third: Food was actually VERY TASTY but superbly overpriced. Therefore, I give it a 3 stars, knocking it down from what it might've achieved... Fourth: One bathroom.
(3)
Crystal C.
ShoooooJooooo! Such an awesome drinking and dining experience, from the decor, to the food, to the drinks, and of course, the company, all of it was wicked awesome! I rarely travel, so when I was invited to a wedding in Boston, I was stoked to get over there and sink my teeth into the food scene. All my homies on the East Coast are Chinese, so it seemed fitting to hit up Chinatown. Our meal also followed a rehersal dinner, so it made sense to keep it classy at Shojo, which has an upscale / trendy / intimate feel. I kid you not, we had everything on the menu, and ate everything tapas-style, some of the dishes were ordered twice or three times, because they were smaller plates (and because they were so darn good!). I started off with the *Gin Gin Mule*, which I atcually wanted to order, but before I had a chance to say so, it was handed to me, as my friend knows the bartender who did one of those "ahh, you want something... light? Refreshing?" and mixed it up for us. I tried the *Mara Jungle Bird* too, but I'm not really a fan of Campari, just my personal preference, y'all, not to knock a good drink. I had a bunch more Gin Gins, plus way too much Soju and vodka, but hey, it was a celebration, b*tches! So, now onto le food. Where to begin... Well, when we arrived, our friends were there eating the *Salt and Pepper Calamari*, which was light and crisp, not oily, and very flavorful with a Szechuan Peppercorn Aioli. The *Duck Fat Fries*... Yea, let's just stop there and admire that combination. My mouth is watering just remembering those beauts. Rich, salty, hot, I could curl up on my couch with some baskets of those for a night or two. A couple other stand-out dishes for me personally and for the table as a whole, were the *Squid Ink Ramen* , the ramen is made fresh daily and had a sweet, salty, even buttery texture, thanks to the perfectly seared Scallops, the *Kimchi Fried Rice* topped with a sunny-side-up egg which was creamy and amazing, the *Suckling Pig Bao* which was crisp, salty, and oniony in the best way possible, and finally, the*Chicken and Waffles v2* which has huge pull for me as I love me some chicken and waffles. This dish was seriously heavenly. Chinese waffles, or eggettes, if you didn't know (like me, the one white girl at the table), look like a ton of little eggs, and are picked off easily from the whole. Drizzle a little syrup over it, and it's a done deal. The chicken was crispy, lightly smokey, and perfectly moist and hot throughout. The decor is lots of dark wood, tall tables, a sweet mural of Boston on the back wall, and dim, Edison-style lighting. I don't know the next time I'll be over to Boston, but when I am back, you know I'll be stopping in at Shojo to get my grub on. Nicely done!
(5)
Artem K.
Loud. Packed. Delicious No you wouldn't go here for a quiet meeting. Shojo is more like a packed bar with loud music, particularly when we went on a Friday night. But it is packed for a reason, in the ever more crowded battlefield of Asian-style tapas, Shojo reigns supreme. Our party of 4 ordered almost everything in the menu, which is possible because the menu has about 10 items. Literally everything was fantastic. Pair that with some Japanese whiskey cocktails? You can't go wrong.
(5)
Ryan R.
Went here with a friend to grab a bite to eat on a Tuesday night. The place was pretty crowded but we were seated right away at a table next to the window. We started with the sweet sake, which we really enjoyed the whole night. For the dishes we went with the bolognese, "big mac" dumpling, the kim chi fried rice, and the chicken and waffle. The big mac dumpling came as two dumplings and was an interesting fusion dish. It had a good flavor and interesting combination of ingredients. The bolognese had good flavor but I thought that it was pretty difficult to eat because the noodles were totally stuck together. I don't know if that is how it is supposed to be served or if it was just an error in the cooking, but it proved challenging to eat. The kim chi fried rice was my least favorite dish of the night and seemed pretty uninspired. I spent a lot of time in Koreatown in LA so maybe I am a bit spoiled, but this dish didn't even have a noticeable spice one might expect with kim chi. The chicken and waffle was by far the best dish of the night. The chicken was cooked perfectly but the waffle and the juice from the chicken together were probably the best thing I have eaten in Boston thus far. I didn't even use the syrup they served with it because there was so much flavor already. Overall, this place is a nice little spot in the heart of Chinatown. The pricing is actually pretty reasonable and if you are adventurous, you can find some good options on the menu. Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a fusion food experience.
(4)
Sunny C.
Come here for the creative and well executed food but not for a conversation. This place is SO LOUD due to the patrons' conversations and the music. Decor is pretty neat. Best dishes are the kimchee fried rice and the ribs (ABSOLUTE FAVE). Pig bao was overhyped. It was pretty bland, not very savory. Calamari was also forgettable. Same as you would get at any restaurant. The drinks are tasty and just gorgeous in presentation.
(4)
Samantha B.
A new addition to Boston, Shojo sits in the heart of Chinatown. A standout from the traditional restaurants in the area, Shojo dazzles with creativity. Blending tastes and styles of Asia, Europe, and America, the tapas style (often changes) menu is a unique treat. Come for a snack (slightly above cheap for more). The Wu Tang Tiger Style ribs (3 per order) are neatly presented with a pack of flavor. The ribs are a combination of traditional Chinese American spare ribs and Kansas City style, saucy with Thai basil, shallots, and peanuts. The Big Mac Mantou (3 Chinese steamed buns) is downright blissful. The homage to childhood fast food (complete with the "special sauce") and the genius pairing of the Chinese bun fuses this reviewer's favorite treats of yore and present. On a cold winter evening, chowder was the soup of the day, with a silky and creamy broth with sausage, corn, and potatoes. Charred eggplant Ttukbokki (Korean rice cakes) is enough for a small meal. The eggplant, albeit a slim portion, and rice cakes are served in a red chili sauce over baked mozzarella. The rice cakes act as penne pasta and the red chili sauce provides the "tomato" element, to combine this reviewer's first witness of Korean Italian fusion. Kudos! The Bang Bang (reference to an episode of Louie?) Bolognese is enough for a meal and is a great value. This dish has the more apparent Italian flare with strong overtones of Sichuan cuisine in the peppercorn sauce. Looking forward to coming back to sample the rest of the menu!
(5)
Dave D.
Shojo is great. Stopped in around 7:30 on a Tuesday night and it was about half full. Two friendly young ladies seated us immediately. The decor is a a bit extreme for my taste, but then I'm an old guy and probably not in the heart of their target demographic. It's definitely fun and loud and I can see it appealing to a lot of folks. There were lots of young folks having a nice time - lots of smiling faces. I loved that a Bruce Lee movie was on the big screen. We tried the pig bao, the duck fat fries, the shrimp bao, and the charred greens. My friend had a Kimoto Sour cocktail, and I had a beer. Everything was delicious, and the prices were reasonable. Service was informal, friendly, attentive and quick. Bottom line: great food and drinks in a fun, loud atmosphere.
(4)
Lindsay G.
I was really disappointed by the food at Shojo. I came for some fun, inventive asian fusion, but found the dishes to be overly heavy, salty, and sauced. They took some great base asian dishes and loaded them with them with copious amounts of unnecessary ingredients like cheese, mayo, cream, and a bbq-esque sauce, which overpowered the fresh flavors and spices that should have been highlighted. Maybe this type of heavy, Americanized cuisine appeals to some, but it really wasn't for me! On the plus side, the cocktails were better than most I've found in boston and the service was friendly and attentive.
(2)
Salinda N.
Nice modern place located in Chinatown. Ordered the Chicken & Waffle, Kimchi Fried Rice, and Duck Fat Fries. Chicken & Waffle came with two drumsticks and a chinese-style egg waffle. Very yummy! The chicken meat was very easy to eat and pull apart without using your hands. Kimchi Fried Rice also was very very good and came with a sunny-side up egg on top. Duck Fat Fries were fresh and crispy and came with a sriracha aioli for dipping. Good service, good food, good vibes.
(5)
Andrea L.
Great place for a girls' night or grabbing drinks with a group of friends, but the small tapas really aren't enough to feed a hungry crowd...We had to go somewhere else afterwards for dinner part 2. As for the food: - Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs: favorite dish of the night, and falling-off-the-bone tender. - Charred Eggplant Ddukbokki: a wild card but we ended up loving it. Cheese, eggplant, and rice cake don't seem like they'd go well together, but they do! - Suckling Pig Bao: Good but over-hyped. The sweet BBQ sauce was a bit overpowering. - For drinks: If you're adventurous, get the Kamehameha, a mix of coconut milk, lime, and spicy Thai chili. It's good!
(4)
BP Y.
Definitely a gem in Chinatown! The place is international style hip. The dishes are very tasty and creatively well thought out, same with the cocktails. The dishes we ordered were all well seasoned and the flavors were very punchy! Drinks were strong and the concepts behind the cocktails are really interesting. In general, I was not a big fan of fusion style cuisine but I must say I was very impressed by my experience at shojo. I felt that the fun and creativeness of the business was what made shojo different and stand out from the many generic Asian fusion restaurants.
(5)
Helen L.
What a fun and unique place! I love the art decor. Bartenders and servers were really friendly and accommodating. The drinks are inexpenskve, the duck fat fries with sriracha aioli sauce is absolute heaven, and the bathroom is clean! Check this place out :)
(4)
Ed M.
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. A must-try for the 21+ crowd. Inspired drinks (the gin-gin mule lives up the hype; the Kamehameha is a pretty good drink with an awesome name) and excellent, inventive asian fusion cuisine. We had the duck fat hand cut fries, the wu tang tiger style ribs, the big mac mantou among others; all dishes served were delicious! What's great about this menu is its highly rotational nature; I can't wait to go back. Atmosphere is intimate and there are many cool paintings on the walls. We went on a Thursday night at 6:30 pm and it was fairly empty but I can't speak for weekends.
(5)
Anastasia B.
all was really yammi . I got ramen soup with suckling pig and Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries .
(5)
Gail W.
Modern Asian food in Chinatown? Sounds like a contradiction until now. When you walk in your eyes are immediately drawn towards a great street mural and you know this is going to be a hip place. While the space is small, the combinations of tables are easily ready to accommodate parties of any size. They also have a function room which we didn't see, but could have potential for small parties. The menu is tapas style so get ready to try a bunch of things... Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs- Definitely get these... the meat was falling off the bone tender and the outside was crispy because they are fried before serving. Only 3pieces/plate so order wisely. Duck Fries (Shadowless style)- the waitress told us this was an award winning dish and it didn't disappoint. It is an asian version of poutine fries so whats not to like. Black pepper Carbonara- Enjoyed this. Noodles are made in house, on the thicker chewy side and the sauce was flavorful. Charred Eggplant Ttukbokki- Indifferent on this one.. the rice cake, reminiscent of a flat gnocchi, was a nice texture addition otherwise didn't know what to make of the dish. Flavors were good but not sure if it would be worth getting again. Suckling Pig Bao- personally didn't try this but my friends who did said "they were good, not as good as at momofuku in NYC, but good". Chicken and Waffle 2.0- The waffle is slightly sweet which made for a nice ending to the meal. If you like fried chicken and waffles, get it, but if you don't, I'd try some other things first.
(4)
Sarah C.
When you see ramen on the menu, you'll think of yellow egg noodles. I was surprised to see soba in my bowl of shojo ramen. Soba is a healthier choice but don't call it ramen or allow your customer to choose noodle selections. Interesting broth (love anything with sesame and black pepper) but it was very salty. The soba was also undercooked. Next came the shrimp ramen and it was stir fry soba. Soba again? No broth? I am so confused. Persimmon added a sweet taste to it which I like but again, way too salty. The fries were good at least.
(2)
Tiana A.
The food was very good, loved everything I had. The server was great, the food came out fast and still hot. The cold tea drink was great as well. The only thing I have to complain about would be this drunk group who was arm wrestling and screaming. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone
(5)
Xue L.
Awesome restaurant! The food is great--real Asian fusion, not Westernized Asian food. The highlights were the noodles--the Bang Bang Bolognese and Charred Eggplant Ttukbokki. Very tasty! The Kimchi Fried Rice, Chicken and Waffles were great too. The bar also serves unique, yummy Asian fusion drinks. Unfortunately, docking a star because: 1) It's tiny and VERY loud (I feel old writing this). Great place to come with a group of friends to pre-game. Not a good place for a date or to catch up. 2) The food is very oily, and most of the dishes are spicy.
(4)
Vicky N.
I was really excited to try the chicken and waffles at this place but to my disappointment they no longer had it in the menu so we got the pork bao and the hot pressed sando. The place is small which dark lighting. The service was pretty slow although the place wasn't busy. I wasn't impressed with the pork bao ($9) it came with some kind of tomato sauce which didn't go well with the pork. The hot pressed sando ($12)was pretty disappointing. It came with potato chips which were salty and tasted burnt and The fried chicken in it the panini was soggy. This place is overpriced and the food wasn't that special. I probably won't be coming back.
(3)
Suzanne G.
I loved it here! Not your typical Chinatown restaurant. Boston needs more creative restaurants like Shojo! The atmosphere is industrial and eclectic, with one of the best 80s/90s throwback playlists I've heard in a while. I'm pretty sure everything is good here...I must go back to test out my theory (aka order the handful of items I haven't tried). Here's what I've had: Black pepper carbonara - better than most Italian restaurants Kimchi fried rice - must have Duck fat fries - good, but not a must-have Wu Tang Ribs - must have Chicken and waffles - at an Asian restaurant!? So fun and addicting Drunk ass shrimp noodles - must have Bao - must have (ate it so fast I don't remember what kind it was) All of the cocktails I tried were strong and interesting! It's a smaller place, so try to make a reservation or sit at the bar.
(4)
Colleen H.
I looooove Shojo!! They serve mostly plates to share (think asian tapas) and everything is just delicious! It's truly a hidden gem in China town. It's a lot more modern and hip than the other restaurants in the neighborhood and they have this amazing artist paint the wall in the back that has a little peek hole to the kitchen. Drinks are great, both cocktail and mocktails. While the menu changes, if you see the pig bao on there - be sure to get it! Definitely one of my favorite places to recommend when people are visiting from out of town. It really stands alone and sets the setting for a pretty special evening. Great date spot for sure!
(5)
Tanya K.
We shared a lot of the small plates and all were excellent. My boss really enjoyed the Kimchi and we all enjoyed be specialty cocktails as well!
(5)
Sophie P.
The portions here are TINY. It's literally like Asian tapas except not the same effect at all because the food is not outstanding. The restaurant is really small and loud. My boyfriend and I were practically sitting right next to the other couples surrounding us, and we had to yell to hear each other speak. If I were at the bar, I wouldn't mind, but being at the table and being surrounded by people was uncomfortable. Also, the tables are so small that the plates we ordered wouldn't really fit. We had to keep eating really fast. What we got: Shaved Asian salad - simple, fresh, fine. Nothing special Suckling pig bao - More like sucking pig bao because it's NOT WORTH THE HYPE. Go to Myers + Chang for the real pork buns. The buns were dry and almost crunchy, and the pork had no flavor. I love my pork buns and I know when I see a good one. Not here. Duck fat french fries - Oilier thin french fries. The aioli sauce was good (obvi, who can mess up aioli) but honestly I only liked them because they were thin and crunchy. Nothing new here. Duck taco - TACO?! No. More like giant fried wonton chip with veggies and "duck" on top. I couldn't even taste the meat and you couldn't eat it without a fork and breaking off the "taco". Mussels in thai beer broth - Tasted a little citrusy; there were bits of orange in there. Refreshing. Cold tea for 2 - THE ULTIMATE DISAPPOINTMENT. Omg. Sounds like a good idea in theory to have your alcohol served in a teapot. The drink was waaaay too sweet and almost tasted like medicine. Both my boyfriend and I weren't feeling it. The service was fast and the bussers cleared our plates very quickly, but it's because the tables are so damn small. We paid over $80 that made us feel maybe half full.
(2)
Ojus P.
Got virtually the whole menu (10 dishes) shared among 6 people and recommend doing something similar to share a bunch of dishes. The suckling pig bao was a highlight along with the ginger cocktail. I got the tea for 2 and it is an awesome deal served in a whole teapot. Would be happy to go back. It was about $40 per person for 10 dishes and 6 cocktails so not too expensive
(4)
Julia K.
This is a nice spot for an upscale drink in Chinatown. The gin gin mule was delicious. The taste of the alcohol was entirely masked by the ginger flavors. The black bird (?) wasn't very special and tasted like a typical vodka based drink; however, the presentation was artistic. I'd pass on the food and go to some of the other more "authentic and traditional" chinese restaurants in the area for a real taste of what the city has to offer.
(3)
Jenn Z.
Delicious food (yes the suckling pig bao was excellent) and cool drinks (saw one came in a Buddha shaped cup). Good service in a trendy setting. Price beats other fusion restaurants in town.
(4)
Francine W.
Love this place. The kimchi fried rice is delicious. The baos and duckfat fries are solid. Fried calamari sucked actually but in general the dishes are creative and tasty. Good drinks too!
(4)
Anju P.
I write this review with mixed feelings. On the one hand, Shojo deserves praise as the best restaurant in Chinatown and one of the best in Boston. On the other hand, Shojo's limited popularity allowed us to dine on a Friday night without a reservation and with no wait. However, tonight's meal was so delicious that I would be doing humanity a disservice by not announcing it to the world. The bartenders are great. I'd recommend seating at the bar for the most attentive service and interesting ambience. We ordered four dishes for sharing. They arrived with sufficient time between to enjoy each small plate to its fullest. Don't be fooled by the low prices though, the portions are actually quite large and we ended up having to take some home. The standout dish of the night was the spag-n-ball z, a dish composed of a coconut lime broth and squid ink dumplings. Despite the corny name (yes I admit I watched dbz as a child), the dish was amazing. The broth was flavorful, the dumplings worked extremely well. Next time, we'll be ordering two plates worth. And next time can't come soon enough.
(5)
Mary G.
I was lured here by their Chicken n' Waffles 2.0 and while that dish didn't blow me away, I found the other takes on Pan Asian fusion surprisingly well done & reasonably priced. It is a slightly awkward 1.5 dishes per person, roughly. With most dishes coming in at less than 10 dollars, it is pretty reasonable. While I'm not in love with how hard they're trying, graffiti art everywhere with "former industrial space" styling I'll go back to what I said before; the food is actually pretty decent. My friends and I got the chicken and waffles, duck fat fries, eggplant ddukbokki, and the salt & pepper calamari. The chicken part of the CnW was pretty darn swell, though the waffle part drug it down. They were going for something sort of like taiyaki (I can't quite think of the word for it, but basically pressed street waffles one finds in Taiwan and Japan), but they were heavy and not well made. The eggplant dish was homey and comforting, the calamari well prepared, the sauces everything came with were very complimentary. I don't think I could go here too many times before it wore thin on me, but it is a refreshing take on fusion that is def't worth checking out a few times.
(4)
David C.
After Shojo catered one of our Elite Events, I was left with a major hankering for pork buns and knew I had to try this Chinatown hotspot (never thought I'd pair those two words together) for dinner. The meal as a whole was only ok, but the suckling pig bao did hit the spot. My entree, the crispy Thai-style duck, was a bit of a misnomer. The meat was tender and flavorful, but the skin was flaccid, and I'm not exactly sure what made it "Thai-style." My mom got the chicken roulade with drunken noodles--a huge portion, but pretty one note. Still, Shojo is popular for a reason. It offers an atmosphere and creative interpretations of Asian cuisine that you can't find anywhere else in Chinatown. If I were to return, it would probably just be for cocktails and appetizers. And by appetizers I mean pork buns, lots and lots of pork buns.
(3)
Being H.
Called in a reservation last night for a party of 2, today at noon. Left my phone number in addition to my name. Drove up an hour from out of town. Got to the restaurant today and there's a sign posted on the door saying, "Closed today 12/19 for lunch." A phone call would've been nice, needless to say common courtesy.
(1)
Francisca W.
disclaimer: the place is owned by two nephews of a co-worker; we went for a happy hour/dinner in hopes to find a suitable locale for a upcoming staff party, back in December. ended up loving the place ourselves. the reno/decor made you feel like you're at somebody's "warehouse style" studio: exposed pipes, brick wall, gigantic mural...simplistic yet modern - got lots of character in there. Yeah drinks and food were a bit pricey for "chinatown", but if you walk two blocks down to Genko Sushi or Abbey Lane, you'll be met with the same price point. Had the Gin Gin Mule and the one with the cucumber ice, both impressed my palate. Friend had one that was served in a tiki cup (Plantation Punch?), fruitier but also good. Got a bunch of small plates to sample: sucking pig bao, duck fat fries, duck meat dumpling, a cold noodle that's surprisingly spicy, kimchi fried rice...among other things. Yes portion is on the smaller size but it's tapas! Cut most in half and all four of us had a decent bite. The highlight was on the dessert sample plate (on the house, due to our connections, and also coz we were booking a private party!).... I can't remember other things but the choco sesame balls were da bomb!! Just the right size (a bite or two), and the semi-liquidy choco filling was dark and rich (not plain sweet), like a Valhrona kind, not the Hershey kind. A very pleasant meal in all. Small complaint on the young staff: service was a little spotty as they're all engrossed in their phone. Take a break in the back room if you need! Phones should NEVER be out in front of customers, unless that's what you use to take their order or close their tab! On another note: staff party was a huge success. All staff liked the location (walkable from work), the restaurant was just the right size to reserve the whole place to ourselves for a couple hours, food and drinks were approved by all. The owners also worked our budget into menu planning and were very accommodating to our needs (ex. food allergies) as well. p.s. Try the cold tea for two!!!
(5)
Jeffrey R.
I love Shojo. Probably go there too often. It's a unique spot in its neighborhood - a cool, modern space flanked by the more traditional restaurants & storefronts you'd find in Chinatown. It's typically bustling on the weekends and an occasional weeknight, so expect to wait. The menu is mostly asian fusion, served tapas style. The Kimchi fried rice is probably my favorite item on the menu, but the bao is pretty solid too. The menu seems to change it up quite a bit, which I give them credit for. The cocktails are really fun (and strong) too.
(5)
Veronica C.
Excellent food and service! Food came quick and all the servers were very attentive all the time! Ordered: duck fat fries and fried calamari for appetizers and duck breast and drunken chicken for entrees. The duck breast was the best!!
(5)
Karen Y.
My friend found this place and suggested we go during our trip to Boston. We went for dinner but didn't know what to expect. It's a little difficult to get full from their dishes, but I think we were able to satiate ourselves after three rounds of ordering. Interior design is wonderful, though tables could be a bit bigger. Great original drinks. Service was above average, but not great... but not terrible either. I really did like the vibe of the place. Friend adored the cup/glass that the Chairman's Painkiller (???) was served in. All in all a great time.
(4)
Mariya V.
Shoju has been on my list of places to check out for a while, and I was more than happy to end up there one Friday night! I surprised that the wait wasn't bad at all, and we were seated quickly. The place itself is very cool and has a younger crowd than the surrounding establishments. I was eager to try everything. They have an eclectic menu, definitely fusion! We tried 2 different drinks, one coconuty and another whiskey one. It sounded like it would be one of those weird mixed drinks that would end up tasting really good. Sadly, it disappointed. Simply put, not good at all. Wasn't too sad though because I was so excited to try the food. We ordered the duckfat fries with a chipotle mayo type sauce. Fries were good, but nothing special and same goes for the sauce. Ordered their chicken wings, also not impressed and they were super citrusy. The two good things we ordered were the kimchi fire rice and the chicken and waffles. The fried rice was bomb, great texture and flavor! Chicken and waffles were really yummy too. Instead of regular waffles, they were egg puff pastry waffles (yum)! Loved making the perfect bite of chicken, waffle, syrup, and hot sauce. Overall, decent place and I'm glad I checked it out. Might go back for the kimchi fried rice, but can probably find that good elsewhere too. Come try it, but I don't know if you'll be craving it desperately after.
(3)
Patrick C.
Shojo - Just So-so I stopped into Shojo for a quick dinner after reading all the rave reviews and press about it and I found Shojo to be just so-so... I ordered the Charcuterie Board which supposedly had head cheese rillette, duck rillet, veal tongue, porchetta, asian pear, kimchi, fig mostarda, dried longan compote; the Pork Trotter Dumplings and the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg. The Charcuterie Board was the weakest dish - it was missing the Asian pear, kimchi, fig mostarda and porchetta so I had several large slabs of the head cheese rillette, the duck rillet and the dried longan compote with 3 pickled roots of some sort as garnish. The 'bread' was several very greasy, deep-fried bao which were not great. Overall a poor dish - and the most pricey. The Pork Trotter dumplings were good - again, they were deep fried, but it worked. Nice filling, vinegar for dipping - pretty good. The best dish by far was the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg - really yummy and I could have had three orders of that alone. The specialty cocktails didn't sound good to me so I skipped them and had a calpico water - one of my favorites so it was delish. The blue and white paper straw that got soggy hallway through my drink was not good though. Plastic straws are cheap - skip the paper straws, they are worthless. I might try Shojo again on another trip to Boston and see if there are other dishes that are comparable to the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg. PS - my waiter was affable enough, but basically brought out 3 dishes...my final bill was about $45 and when I gave him $60 he actually wanted to know if I was giving him the rest (34%?!) as a tip...uh, no. I gave him 20% and that was too generous for his service.
(2)
Cindy H.
Much hipster. Such delicious. Wow. The Kamehameha is like no cocktail I've ever had before. It's spicy and cool at the same time, so I guess it does embody Goku's essence quite well. Gin Gin Mule was good too. Very ginger-forward and fairly sweet. In terms of food, both the Taro Tots and Pork Buns really hit the spot for a late-night bite. The skin on the pork was perfectly crispy! Mind you, I was not very lady-like whilst devouring it, so maybe not the best first date food, but whatevs YOLO.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Krisha C.
Awesome spot in Chinatown. From the outside you can tell it's a cool spot and completely differs from the neon signs in the window of the other restaurants. Super cool vibe throughout the place from the decor to the menu selections. They are basically all tapas style. The calamari is okay, nothing I haven't had before but the rice is delish! Service is also a big reason why this place is getting a 5 star. The drink menu can be confusing and I ended up with an old fashion( I thought it was a whiskey base with added liquid flavor a based of the description but it wasn't) but I didn't want to complain however the server noticed and contacted the manager to get me another drink. Great initiative on her end and super thoughtful. Also one of the serves spilt water in my friend and got our party of 6 a round of shots, I've had serves spill water on my phone and didn't get an apology so his actions were above and beyond. They don't take reservations but cool place for birthday dinners, girls night, or all the above.
(5)Ami P.
Really good tapas yes yes yes! Sauces were on point! Wut tang tiger style ribs :) Shrimp Bao DELISH And salt and pepper Calimari WITH DA SAUCE YASSS so good SOOO good!
(4)Logan J.
I came here for dinner recently, and based on others' reviews, I was excited. Even though Shojo has a somewhat limited menu, everyone seemed to be raving about it. It won a few best of Boston awards, including their french fries, so I figured it would be pretty good. It definitely wasn't a bad choice of restaurant, but I would change a few things. Before I talk about the food or drink though, I will say that online, the site states they only take reservations for parties of 10 or more; however, if you use an app called 'Reserved,' you can book reservations for smaller parties AND you get $25 off your meal! Basically...do it now! The restaurant itself is hip. Boston's Chinatown isn't a place where I would tell trendy 20-somethings to go on a date night, but this place isn't like a lot of the rest of the neighborhood. It has a cool vibe with fun decor and interesting graffiti murals. I have to say though that I got a few wafts of some bad B.O. from what I'm guessing was the staff as they were running around our table. I get it...it is a warm night in Boston...but come on. To start, we ordered a round (or a few) of drinks. My favorite drink that I had was the Kamehameha drink. It has Thai chili-infused vodka and coconut milk (with a few other things). It reminded me of one of my favorite drinks at Mission Chinese, so I was pretty happy about that. The food is an odd assortment of larger plates and small appetizer/tapa portions. We ordered the fries, shrimp bao, calamari, and maiz ramen. Like I said, nothing was bad...I just wanted a little more from the food. It may have been our selection, but every. single. item. came with the SAME SAUCE!! Is that weird? Yes, that is weird! I love a sriacha aioli as much as the next guy, but let's get a little more creative, please. The shrimp bao were my favorite item--delicious shrimp and a good amount of sauce. The maiz ramen was unique--it was a large portion of noodles in a small amount of broth. It was definitely not your standard ramen, but a nice surprise. Overall, the experience was a fine--a solid three stars. I felt a little bit rushed through the meal, but on a Saturday night, I guess that is to be expected. I'd come back with friends for a couple drinks or snacks, but I think there are better places to grab dinner nearby.
(3)Cristina R.
The samurai over at Shojo sure know how to fuse Asian fare. It's something that seems out-of-place in the more traditional - and grungy - Chinatown. And I welcome its presence. The cocktails are inventive - get the Kamehama even though chili vodka, lime, and coconut milk sound like a gross combo. You'll feel tingly, refreshed, and downright hip. Make sure to upgrade those award-winning duck fat fries to "shadowless" for a delightfully different type of poutine. Sausage, tofu, gravy, and kimchee velveeta (!!!) top a mound of fries that are just begging to be devoured. Skip the salt n peppa calamari. They are too breaded with no flavor, so essentially it's just chewy fried with a lackluster aioli. If you're looking for a bigger dish, go with the sweet corn ramen. It's not a soup but rather ramen noodles in a thick broth with veggies and an egg to perfectly drip its yolky goodness over everything it touches. We finished the meal by splitting a bottle of soju. It literally tastes like alcoholic water. But considering we were at Shojo, soju just seemed right. The graffiti mural, dim lighting, and windows overlooking Chinatown create a sense of a joint only for the most progressive Asian fusion aficionados. That may not be me - but I can pretend.
(4)Mary T.
Too much fusion leads to confusion. I like fusion food because highlights the chef's creativity and understanding of what kinds of foods and flavors go together. But sometimes when one attempts to mix too many unrelated ingredients together, it leads to confusion on the palate. I came here on a couple of occasions for drinks and food since my last review. I think the drinks are great but the food from the kitchen has not been up to par. I tried the chicken and waffles. I thought the idea was brilliant, but the execution was poor. I love Hong Kong egg waffles and Taiwanese salt and pepper fried chicken and the two seem to go together if they were done correctly, but there were a lot of technical issues with the dish. First, the egg waffles were too cake-y and dough-y. Second, the chicken was too salty. Third, the syrup that they used was really weird. It tasted like a fireball shot. They should work on their menu. This place is good for drinks. Stick with ordering duck fat fries if you want some snacks.
(3)Vincent H.
Need to come back here at night for dinner but this place is not bad if you want to grab a drink and share some appetizers with some friends. Grabbed a few beers and had some nice duck fat fries with Sriracha Dip. Bartenders and servers were pretty nice and this place isn't bad if you want to come with a small group of friends for drinks too! Although it'll add up a lot in my opinion.
(4)Kelsey F.
Food is phenomenal. Amazing flavor profiles. We ordered the duck fat fries (small portion, but perfect crunchiness), suckling pig boa (delicious boa), tiger style ribs (meaty not meager), calamari, shojiko chicken tacos (a MUST HAVE), along with a corn/ramen dish that was very tasty but a bit rich. Our waitress was super sweet and cocktails were innovative. My only complaint is the restaurant's reservation system. They use an app called Reserve and it is the only way to get in touch with someone. They do not answer their phone. We had to slightly modify our reservation and it took forever!! Furthermore, the app charges a $5 concierge fee for reserving the table. Highly unnecessary.
(4)Alexa R.
If you ever get the balls to take a dude on a date, this is the place to bring them. It's the only place in Boston with any ounce of character and flavor. Please don't bring your parents from out of town/drunk-white-top 20-girlfriends/non Busta Rhymes fans. I've always had an acute appreciation for hip hop culture as well as asian fusion cuisine and Shojo delivers both precisely. The actual restaurant is on the smaller side so do yourself a favor and call ahead for seating. Last time I had to wait over an hour (fair game for a Friday night) and wanted to punch myself in the face with brass knuckles for not making reservations. They have one restroom for men and women so you have to wait in line and the entire restaurant can see that you have to pee/poo/do blow which can be a little unsettling. I prefer to give myself affirmations in the mirror. The menu is solid and the best thing you will ever order AND eat are the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs. If a hundred people already hadn't, I would tell you they ain't nothin to fuck with. Second runner up Suckling Pig Bao. Some of the trannies I was with had the duck fat fries and udon noodles and they loved them . If you absolutely neeeeeeeeeeed a ridiculous, over-the-top drink they can certainly accommodate you. If you can take an über there without breaking the bank than I say you should as the streets in chinatown are not wide enuf for a horse let alone a Prius. If you leave here and have consumed the world's greatest tiger meat ribs made from actual tigers and did NOT love it, well then congratulations you are the worst person in the world.
(5)Danae K.
Absolutely amazing. Simple as that. The Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs just melt in ones mouth. Slowly cooked and an explosion of flavors takes place from the first bite. Second best were the Sesame Charred Greens. Great to balance any meal. Japanese Eggplant Bao were also great! For drinks we had the Cold Tea for Two, (oolong tea infused vodka, peach de vigne, lemon) which was great! Best part about this place was the waiter. He had excellent, thorough knowledge of every dish, which is a great indicator of a restaurant. Location: in the heart of Chinatown. Close to south station (red line), Chinatown (orange line), Boylston (Green line). Definitely a highly recommended place!
(4)Amanda P.
Wow when I say this place is extremely loud it's loud. I could barely hear what my friend was saying to me across the table, we had to scream at each other. The place is wicked small and the tables are sort of cramped together. The portions are extremely small too. The ribs just came right off the bone AMAZING The pork baos were pretty good I'm not sure it's worth the hype.
(3)Asael D.
Ran into this place unexpectedly waltzing around Boston and only had $20 got jasmine rice and ribs and it was a party in my mouth for my friend and I definitely recommend this place to anyone who has good taste!!!
(5)Chase S.
Killer place to hang out for drinks and a small bite in Chinatown. The atmosphere is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance meets Yakuza meets Hello Kitty. It certainly has flair and character. The staff are chill but know their stuff. Get anything on the drink menu and proceed to slurping. The Japanize old-fashioned and their take on the michelada are particularly noteworthy. Love the constant asian films in the background. It will remain a rad joint I frequent for years to come.
(4)Hannah P.
I had always been curious about this place and like that their menu changes seasonally. Friday after work I stopped in here for an early dinner with one of my best friends who was visiting. The space is pretty cool. It's fairly dark inside with some graphics on the walls, industrial-sleek furnishings and a large bar. Food-we ordered the suckling pig bao which was fantastic. Spicy, savory and sweet all at the same time on a dreamy steamed bun. It was topped with an extra hot jalapeno that added a nice crunch and balanced well with bbq sauce. We also ordered the duck-fat fries and you betta believe we made them shadowless which were excellent (topped with grilled beef, cheese sauce, and tofu (I know, I judged before tasting too but it was good). The Wu-tang ribs were on-point and truly fell right off the bone, like legitimately picked one up and it happened. Gooey, spicy, and topped with fried shallots because why not? Lastly, we ordered the Thai empanadas which had a nice filling of beef and spices but the emps were deep fried and fairly greasy to the point that we will have to pass on that one next time. Drinks-We ordered the "cold tea for two" which is deceiving because it arrives in a hot looking tea kettle but have no fear, it's cold and basically pure vodka infused with fruity goodness. It isn't overly sweet but two small palm size teas cups and you will be in a happy place. Service--they rocked it out. Multiple people came over and asked how everything was and if we had everything we needed. We chatted with a couple waiters because well they were nice, checked in with everyone and service was quick! Eager to see what new items pop up on their menu!
(4)B W.
Shojo is the best restaurant in Boston if you want interesting food but aren't willing to sacrifice taste. Even the drinks are some of the best in the city. I've been twice now and couldn't believe the 2nd time lived up to the first.
(5)Christina P.
Great tapas and drinks! Had the duck fat Hand-cut fries, crispy shrimp boo, and the shojiko chicken tacos, All really delicious!! Make sure you get the fries shadowless, the meaty sauce is so good over the fries. The chairman's painkiller and Kimoto sour drinks are really good too! Also had the Mizu sunrise, it was good, but a little on the bitter side. If u like bitter drinks then it would be for u! I'm sure getting anything at this place would be fantastic!
(5)Katrina L.
I booked a reservation for my boyfriend's birthday here using the Reserved App. If you go through the app you can book a reservation for parties less than 10 and it makes splitting the check a breeze! This place is my jam, throwback hip hop music in the background and graffiti art on the walls. The service is great and for a party of 7, our food came out pretty quick. My boyfriend and I shared: Kimchi fried rice (Pretty good!) Wu tang style ribs (Fall off the bone kind of meat! So good) Shojiko chicken tacos (my favorite) As a table we shared the duck fat fries, and yes the fries do deserve the best fries in Boston award! Get them shadowless! Drinks: Chairman painkiller: A little too sweet for me Gin Gin Mule: my favorite! Kamehamhea: Interesting mix of chili and coconut milk Nikka Please: My boyfriend got this and it was very strong! Overall, it was a great dining experience! I would definitely go back! Also, thanks to the guy who hooked us up with some free birthday shots :)
(5)Kimberly T.
Came here for dinner with a friend, and immediately as we walked in we were attacked by the horribly loud music blasting in the restaurant. There were not many people when we arrived, but after ordering our food the place was filled with people who were all trying to speak over one another and the loud music. The food here is interesting - they serve asian fusion dishes, which is odd in a place like Chinatown. We ordered a bunch of appetizers, and the ones that stood out the most were the duck fat fries with sriracha aioli and the suckling pig baos. I also got a kimchi fried rice, but there was nothing special about it. The staff here are somewhat attentive. My server constantly checked up on us after we got our food but when we were seated we waited a while before we were approached. Overall, not really impressed by this place - really pricey small portioned food with no wow factor - though I can say that the fruit punch is really good but really not worth $5. You're better off going to Crave down the street to grab some food.
(3)Amber M.
Asian fusion is a difficult line to straddle as the flavors are easily thrown off balance. In Shojo's case I found the food either too sweet, salty, or just lackluster. Let's break it down: 1. Hamachi sashimi - there are few Japanese inspired dishes I love more than hamachi. But Shojo's made me forget this momentarily. What was supposed to be fresh, delicate pieces of tender yet firm white fish were limp fishy petals that taste like they were forgotten in the back of the fridge for a day too long. The avocado smear was its tired, uncreative companion. The dish was salty. 2. Suckling pig bao. This was tasty, but they were the darnedest, tiniest things that made me sad thinking I could've gotten just as good bao for a third of the price at a "real Chinese" restaurant across the street. Order came with two for a shocking $9. 3. Duck fat fries. Wait - how is this Asian? Good tho. 4. Wu-tang ribs. Okay I have to hand it to them, these were cooked spectacularly. Tender, not too lean or fatty. The fault here was in the sauce, which was heavy-handed, almost sickly sweet, too salty Asian BBQ that circles back to my anxiety about fusion in the first place. Of course I still scarfed down the whole thing because I'm Asian and we don't waste food. I'm sorry Shojo, I won't be coming back.
(3)Connie K.
cute trendy bar in Chinatown drinks are seriously overpriced, I don't think I pay this much in Miami! ranges from $10-25 on average per drink. one restroom for the whole bar seems silly. bartender was rude, said because we were sitting at a table, we couldn't order drinks at the bar. I never saw a single waiter come up to our table to serve us drinks. the place itself is cute, the decor and mural were very cool. place gets a little noisy.
(3)Sarah C.
A quick update, about 2 years down the line. EVERYTHING IS SO FREAKING GOOD. Pork Bao - awesome. Eggplant - sooooooooo delicious, and a great portion to share. Wu-Tang Ribs - the name alone is fantastic, but these are some of the best ribs I've ever had. No joke. They need to serve wet naps though. Now i'm salivating and it's not even lunch time yet. Thanks guys. Chicken & Waffles - HOLY CRAP. I'm not even going to say anything else here cause if you don't get them, it's your own damn fault. And - as it was last time - the service was stellar. The end.
(5)Mika S.
Is there a Chinese word for "tapas"? Most of the menu options are under $10, but I don't suggest ordering just one thing - similar to other tapas restaurants, the best way to enjoy Shojo's food is by sharing a few items with a friend. Some of the menu items are smaller, and only shareable between two people. I went to Shojo with 4 other people on a Friday night. We ordered the Shojonator, Kimchi Fried Rice, Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries, two orders of the Suckling Pig Bao, Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs, Shojiko Chicken Tacos, Salmon Tartare and the Thai Empanadas. My favourites were the Kimchi Fried Rice, Duck Fat Fries and the Wu Tang Ribs. The fried rice had a very unique flavour, and tasted fantastic with the fried egg on top. I loved the ribs, because the sauce was amazing, and the meat literally fell off the bone. I also thought that the fries were surprisingly delicious, especially for a restaurant that specializes in Chinese food. Overall, I enjoyed everything that we ordered, but it didn't have the same "wow factor" that the ribs, fried rice and fries had. Although we didn't go for drinks, we got the Cold Tea for Two. It had a very strong vodka taste, but was balanced out nicely by the tea.
(4)Khunravin H.
Came here with some friends Friday night while we waited for our names to be called at Crave Chicken. I've always heard of this establishment, but never tried, but am sure glad that I did! Drinks: Not sure of the bartender/mixologist's name but he seemed so focused and crafty with how he prepared my drink and my friends' drinks. I had the a-go-go - OMG so good (find their drink menu and see the full name for the drink HAH). My friends enjoyed their drinks as well (The Jungle Fever and Komoto Sour). Atmosphere: Wow, it was quite crowded. We just stood at the bar because that was more convenient than waiting for a table. Hipster-ish, I dig it. They had some old Chinese movies playing in the background-pretty cool. Price: Well for what went into my drink, I think the $13 tag was worth it. There was no cover to get in so that was cool. Definitely coming back here again. Do try this place out.
(4)Kunal C.
Dined here with the wife on a Saturday night, place was packed. The decor is cool and modern. They have a lot of small tables (2-4 ppl) and a few larger tables for bigger groups. There is also a bar area you can grab a drink at while you wait. We were seated within minutes of arriving, service was attentive and fast. We tried the kimchi fried rice, duck fat fries, wu-tang tiger style ribs, shojo chicken tacos and suckling big pao. We weren't big fans of the duck fat fries but everything else was delicious! We especially loved the ribs, a must try.
(5)Emily A.
Went here a few nights ago to catch up with a friend. Loved the vibes of this place and the service was excellent! The location is also pretty prime in the heart of Chinatown. The drink menu is plentiful, but we just got some beers. Which by the way, they have some imported beers. We got the duck fat fries which were salty and delicious. For our meals, we got the Bang Bang Bolognese (highly recommend) which was not super heavy, but definitely filling. Just right. We also got the pig bao which was served warm and sweet.
(4)Samantha L.
Tonight, I came here with a couple of female friends. Shojo is a small Asian fusion restaurant in Chinatown. It's encouraged to make a reservation ahead of time as space is limited. It's hard to describe the atmosphere. There was graffiti art on the charcoal colored brick walls. They had both regular and tall table seating. The lights were dimmed. We sat at a L-shaped booth in the corner. I'd say it was kind of an intimate setting. Since it's tapas style, it's typical for a person to order at least two dishes for dinner. For citrus based cocktails, my friends and I would recommend the Cold Tea for Two, Gin Gin Mule, and Kimoto Sour. The Cold Tea for Two was served in a metal teapot. It tasted like a sweet, peachy flavored oolong tea. It reminded me of Barefoot's Tropical Infusion Moscato. One could barely tell that there was alcohol in it. We were disappointed that they were sold out of their most popular menu item - the Suckling Pig Bao with smoked BBQ sauce, kimchi, and jalapeno. My two favorite dishes of the night were the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs and Spag-n-Ball Z. Guest #1 ordered the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs (which was garnished with Thai basil, shallots, and peanuts) and Kimchi Fried Rice (which was jasmine rice cooked with homemade kimchi and topped with a sunny egg). Despite my peanut allergy, I had to try one of the ribs. The ribs were juice / mouthwatering. They were heavily seasoned in white pepper and covered in a tangy, red, mildly spicy, sweet and sour sauce. Guest #2 ordered the Bang Bang Bolognese (which was hand slapped noodle with beef, in a redish orange szechuan peppercorn sauce). Guest #3 ordered the Spag-n-Ball Z (which was squid ink shrimp dumplings with chopped spinach, enoki mushrooms, and parsley in a coconut lime broth). This dish had a Thai flare to it as the soup had coconut, curry, and lemongrass in it. The Miso Littleneck Clams (which was more than a dozen medium sized littleneck clams served in a tip dish, over jasmine rice, in a red miso sauce, garnished with cilantro). The clams were fresh and clean. However, I felt that the flavor of the clams was on the bland side. The sauce on the bottom of the dish was sweet and buttery.
(4)Rachel N.
When I saw Hong Kong waffles style chicken&waffles, I made sure this spot would be paid a visit! It's a very trendy place, tiny, yet enough seating. Our waiter told us it was a tapas style restaurant and recommended we order 5-6 items. Salt&Pepper Calamari - good calamari with a peppery twist! There were fried onions and peppers within the sea of calamari though, so it was an obstacle to figure out which I wanted to consume (wanted squid only). A struggling fight. Bang Bang Bolognese - one of the better dishes for me (I was the only 1/3 that liked it though). The meat sauce had an Asian flare, and the noodles tasted homemade. Salty though. Wu Tang Tiger Ribs - only 3 ribs, too salty for us, even for the other 2 people that move salty foods compared to me. Kimchi Fried Rice - the favorite of the other 2. The egg was a wonderful touch. I enjoyed this dish more than the other dishes, and I hate kimchi. Chicken&Waffles v2.0 - the dish I came for. Everything about the dish was different from the original, so I was hoping the syrup was too. It was just maple syrup. For me, it did not compliment the spices of the chicken whatsoever. The chicken was on the dry and salty side too. My least favorite of the 5 we ordered. Overall, I don't think it's the restaurant's fault. I blame my lack of enjoyment due to my basic palate, and I couldn't appreciate the Asian fusion creativity.
(3)Jenn S.
I don't typically give 5 stars but this place was MORE than I expected so for now it gets my 5 star! I have had this place bookmarked for awhile so when a friend suggested it I was in. We did quite the walking to get there and then there it was on a side street tucked away! It has a very cool, young vibe and the artwork really knocks up the cool points. I heard they change up the menu frequently so that is exciting. Here is what we had: Big Mac Mantou - Amazing I heard from the table. Calamari - I'm not a huge fan in general but I thought this was good! Kimchi Fried Rice - Can't really go wrong with this and its a larger tapas size. Chicken & Waffles - Really good. I loved the waffle. Ribs - These had a lot of cartilage on them but overall were good. Charred Eggplant Ddukbokki - SO GOOD! Taro Tots - I was surprised at these because I expected something else but it was one of my favorites. Staff was also really nice and they had good drinks. I will be back!
(5)Tom L.
First time there A plus! It's been a while that I received great service eating at a restaurant. I had a server named Jenny who is awesome and she explained the meals to my bros and I and the food was bomb. I would come here for drinks and food. If you are looking to be full from food, not the spot to dine at. This spot is for chilling out and have some drinks. Better service than any restaurant in Chinatown and that's a fact!
(5)Joyce L.
Food: 3 stars Drinks: 4 stars Service: 5 stars Seriously, is Shojo allowed to be this cool? How are the other chinatown restaurants supposed to keep up?? This place is the definition of hip: the interior is chic, the atmosphere is intimate, but not to the point where you feel squished in like sardines and the food/drinks are on par. Again, I sound like a broken record, but I'm not a fan of fusion... but I am willing to make an exception for Shojo. I can come here 3 times a week... If not for the food, definitely for the drinks and the excellent service. To be honest, the food was nothing out of this world. The best thing I had was, without doubt, the chicken&waffles ver. 3.0. I didn't use the butter or the syrup because I loved the subtle sweetness of the "waffle", making it the perfect counterpart for the spiced chicken. The infamous pork bao was expensive for what it was and I've had better. The wu tang ribs were "fall off the bone" tender, but too salty/too much sauce for my liking. ONTO THE DRINKS: the kimoto sour is where it's at! I ordered the gin gin mule as my 2nd drink of the night because of all the yelp love and it is definitely for ginger lovers and no one else LOL. I had ginger breathe for a good hour or 2 after dinner... how lovely. SERVICE: the bar was backed up so there was a delay in getting drinks out (maybe 10-15 min?). For that, they didn't charge us for our drinks. Please tell me... where else, in chinatown, will you get this kind of service! NOWHERE
(4)Leslie W.
Just had cocktails which were fantastic and innovative twists on classics. Did not have food since I was in the middle of a bender but everything coming out of the kitchen gave me serious food envy. Bartenders were friendly and knowledgable. Excellent exploratory trip and I will be back!!
(5)Yadira R.
So, you know that place you walk into and you're like, "Whoa, hold up! What's this all about?" feeling happy you stumbled upon what could be your new go to hip spot - and Arrested Development (remember them) is playing in the background, and you realize you can order something called "Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs", there is graffiti on the walls, and people from all walks of life are chilling at the bar bobbing heads? Well... Shojo is that place. A new addition to Boston, this modern Asian fusion restaurant serving tapas style dishes sits in the heart of Chinatown. While the place is small, the combinations of tables are ready to accommodate a party of any size. The sultry lighting and D+ kung fu movies playing on a continuous loop at the bar is a place where you can have some good food, drinks and just chill. Some of the highlights were the ribs mentioned above, pig bao's, salt & pepper calamari, but the BEST was the Kimchi Fried Rice. That dish right there is a no brainer and will always be ordered. You'll have to try it to understand. The best word to describe Shojo is SOLID.... the food's solid, the drink's are solid and how much better can it get with Wu Tang and H.O.V.A playing in the background? Oh, and we also heard they just won an award for their Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries. I guess something else to add to the list. The picture quality isn't great, but here are a few to give you an idea what you are in for.
(4)Shani T.
I have to say that Boston has incredibly interesting food options that definitely keep me on my toes. Came to Shojo for a Sunday dinner maybe a month ago, right when the restaurant opened. We were seated immediately and there were already a couple of other parties there as well right at opening. The staff were all extermely friendly and quick and the restaurant is very funky and cute. A bit modern, a bit hipster, dimly lit, with Asian dramas playing in the background. This place serves essentially Asian fusion tapas, which I found incredibly unique and creative. My boyfriend and I ordered the Duck Fat Hand-cut Fries, the Suckling Pig Bao, the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs, and a noodle dish that I can't recall (and has already been rotated off the menu!). Overall, the food is quite good. There are a lot of different flavors to each dish, but they all mesh well together and aren't overpowering in any way. The four dishes we ordered were perfect for two people and I would recommend trying as many dishes as possible on the menu. I would definitely come here and eat again, particularly knowing their menu items switch so often. The cocktails also looked really good and you bet I'll be trying one out next time as well!
(4)Jeff M.
Sucks. Like everything in Boston, 10 years too late and a knockoff of NYC. Pork buns were terrible copies of Momofuku.
(1)Justin K.
This place is alright. Food is pricey for the amount you get, and it's pretty good but nothing amazing. The decor is definitely modern and geared towards a younger crowd. The good thing about this place is that you can sake bomb as much as you want and be loud and obnoxious. But be careful - before you know it you'll be racking up some serious bills.
(3)Phuong D.
It took about 10 minutes for a server to approach us and already it seemed like a bad start. My friend & I shared everything and was excited for the chicken & egg puff waffles but it was kind of a disappoint since the puffs tasted dry and mediocre. We were fantasizing that they would taste like the ones across the street. The chicken was good though. I loved the kimchee fried rice & the new crispy shrimp baos. Those were really yummy. I also had their jungle fever as a cocktail and that was pretty strong and good. For such a small place, there really isn't any excuse for someone to take 10 minutes to approach a table. The one that greeted us originally never really checked up on us either. Other staff members however, were keen on checking up with us, which was nice. Overall all, the experience wasn't great, but some of their food was good. They're always changing up their menu so I wouldn't mind trying again, but just not anytime soon.
(3)Daniel M.
Service is amazing. Servers are ready to take ur order amd make sure i are well taken care. We had drunk ass noodles...wow this is a must have. Had the bao tacos with the pork and today they have a special twist on the bao and they swapped pork for shrimp...AWESOME. The fried chicken And waffle was very crispy and the waffle very tasty. I was hesitant to order the carbonata as i dont see that having an asian twiay..but boy was i wrong. This chef kicks Ass no matyer what he serves... On the drink menu i had the Kamehameha.. Let me juat say thia is a freaking awesome twist on a pina colada..with kick and side of swagger...so good. I had 3 of them. The new and improved chicken and waffles has more 5 spice power so it is definately better than the last time. This is fried chicken kicked up a notch...if u are in chinatown, this place is a must have no queations asked...do your self a favor order the sesame charred greens..with the sesame lemon bitter..OMG..
(5)Jessica N.
I came for the chicken and waffles I saw on the page. Was it on the menu? No. Egg puffs are my kryptonite and was surely disappointed. We decided to stay anyways and try out the food. We had the duck fat fries which were bomb.com and the reason for the stars. The Sriracha aioli was heaven. We also had the baos but, no. No, no, no LOL. The outter bao tasted old, and the filling mediocre. We also ordered the ramen which was also, a no for me. We expected soup, yummy brothy goodness but got a plate with ramen and some kind of sweet sauce that I was not a fan of. So meh, food is meh. Atmosphere was pretty cool I guess.
(3)Rajan G.
One of my favorites on Boston. I frequent this place as I live across the street. Can't really go wrong with any item (except for their one dessert item, a pound cake that isn't bad but isn't terribly good either). First timers should definitely get the kimchi fried rice. Their bao is also baomb! Service is always excellent.
(5)Jay K.
Great customer service, nice staff here. The food was good, but I was a bit disappointed in the waffles and chicken. The waffles could have been better. It was good over all though. We also got some spicy rice which was good. I think another visit is in order so I can explore more of the menu.
(3)Kaye L.
Amazing! I ate here a couple nights ago with a few friends and we all agreed that this place was bomb. It's more of a korean fusion place, as most of their dishes are korean-inspired, but we loved every bite! The food is oh-so-greasy, but oh-so yummy. We ordered the kimchi fried rice, duck fat fries, pig bao, chicken tacos, & their special of the day, which was a hot bibimbap-like dish. For those of you unfamiliar with bibimbap, it's a korean dish with noodles, bean sprouts, and an assortment of other veggies that can be served either hot or cold. My korean friend LOVED the kimchi fried rice. When you've got the korean's stamp of approval, you know it's good. Pork baos were very tender and juicy. DELISH The duck fat fries weren't anything special. They just tasted like regular fries to us. Chicken tacos were delicious, but also nothing special. Their special of the day was also so good that we were scraping up the bits and pieces in the end. Overall, everything tasted great. All of their dishes are very flavorful and at a great price point. I will definitely be returning here for more delicious-ness!
(5)Simon L.
With all the amazing Sichuan, Cantonese, northern Chinese and other Asian food in such close proximity, Shoju is simply not that good. The dishes are reminiscent of what constitutes an "Asian" twist or flair on just about any gastro pub in greater Boston. Scallops ($13) with black bean paste, snow peas and grilled watermelon are prepared to temperature - soft warm middle. Three decent sized scallops. However, the dish lacks flavor. The bbq pork ribs ($8) provide 3 sizeable baby backs with crisp exterior and meat falling easily from the bone. Again, lacking any serious flavor component - no rub? No sauce? Saving grace was a vegetarian mushroom ravioli ($11) with pecorino cheese. A bowl with seven or eight good size ravioli a with firm pasta. I missed the Asian influence entirely and thought this was straight out of an italian spot In the north end. The best dish of all was a kimchi fried rice ($9) with egg. Spicy cabbage and light and fluffy rice with a runny egg to mix in. Sweet, spicy, overall a total win. Expensive for what it is. Drinks are pricy too. Friendly service. Just kind if an odd duck place.
(2)Michael S.
I have been here twice. Food was good both times and the drinks were even better. Nice atmosphere for a younger crowd or to bring a date.
(4)Shirley E.
Nothing but stellar service and food from this place!!! I'm not a fried calamari fan, but the Salt & Pepper Calamari is DEEE-Lish! It's golden tan color (nit that dark heavy orange-ish), VERY lightly battered, and tastes like the squid was brought in from the harbor just hours ago. Also, try the Cold Tea for Two (Oolong Tea Infused Vodka, Peach de Vigne, Lemon), it's perfect for a hot summer night. I come here every few months since discovering it earlier this year and have yet to be disappointed with anything I try from the menu. Definitely one of the best Asian/Fusion restaurant/bars. (sn: it's ALWAYS loud, which can be annoying, but don't let that dissuade you from trying the food & drinks)
(5)Somaly K.
Love this place! Drinks are good, food is delicious and service is good. The menu is wicked small but I've found a few faves that I always order every single time I go. Only downside to this place is the restroom!! One bathroom to share for men and women!
(4)John D.
This place is pretty good. I've heard a lot about this place and it's been bookmarked for 2 years LOL. This place is really small compared to what I expected. So small groups of like 2-3 are best. On the bright side they have a huge drink selection ranging from draft beer, more beer, cocktails, wine, and sake! Suckling Pig Baos $9 for 2. A little pricey at first, I was hesitant but got it anyways LOL. I love how these baos are really fluffy and soft, they weren't wrinkly either and presentation's 1/2 the meal! The pork was pretty good! A nice chunk of meat, but I wish the fat had melted in my mouth doe. There was a squeeze of some type of bbq sauce that reminded me of gojuchang. The Shojonator with fries for about $11. I thought this was good price for the amount of food I got. I was so impressed that the baos were the substitute for the bun. The bao took in all of the juices that the meat couldn't hold in. There was some spicy flakes powder thing was also pretty good, making the bao taste even better! Everything else on the inside was the same like a normal burger; it had cheese, bacon, pickles, and some sauce. Kimchi Fried rice doe... Oh my $12 was mad bomb. The best thing today. LOL. Very crispy, just the way I like it. I loved how they used Jasmine rice instead of just typical white rice that you would find a normal restaurant. The Jasmine rice made everything so much better... If you've never eaten it before (like me) it reminded me a bit like sticky rice without the sticky-ness. I don't know how to describe this but I enjoyed this a lot.
(4)Tamara W.
This place is awesome! Came here last night at the recommendation of Boston Magazine and loved their cocktails. The ginger mule WAS GREAT the coconut milk one over crushed ice was to die for (but could be more spicey) and the avocado salad was great. We got a same day reservation at 9pm and arrived early and they seated us within 20 minutes. I loved the service, the vibe, and it reminded me of a NYC version of Myers and Chang in the South End. It was frigid by the window which is why it loses a start. In the dead of winter this place had literally no heating which was miserable for my friend. He was so cold we had to leave after a few hours. AND the food is wayyyyy toooo meaty and fatty so we only had the salad and the eggplant dish we could not even finish. Drinks: a must Food: go elsewhere.
(4)John Q.
Been four times now. Awesome food, cool ambiance, surprisingly good service. Two minor negatives are the single bathroom (very clean, especially considering it is unisex. The complaint is there'll likely be a line). Secondly, on a recent visit our party of seven was "gratted" (charged gratuity), which is not abnormal for a bigger party. What was sketchy was that, the grat was not on the initial itemized receipt it was simply added to the card, the waitress did not notify us of the grat, and the initial receipt was not returned with the charge slips. Bottom line, our waitress was definitely trying to get tipped twice. (As an aside, prior to this, our service had been so over the top excellent that our tip would have been 25-30%). Those two minor complaints aside, Shojo still gets a full five stars because the food is just that freaking good. Get there!, just watch what you get charged for!
(5)Jen D.
Came here with a large group for a friend's birthday. It's a really interesting Asian fusion menu. Normally I kind of side-eye fusion, but this was pretty good. Very hip interior. Could have done without the gory samurai movie though; not great for when you're eating. The cocktails were really good; everyone enjoyed theirs. I had the Gin Gin Mule, which had a good ginger bite--oftentimes I think the ginger gets lost. We ordered a variety of dishes. I don't think any blew us away, but they were fine. I got the hand-slapped noodles, but sadly, they arrived nearly 30 minutes after everyone else got the food. Also, it said it included Szechuan beef...and while the beef was generous in the dish, it wasn't spicy at all. So between no fire and really late arrival, I knocked off a star for that. Then it came to the bill: they only allow a max of 3 cards per table. My friends freaked, and asked to split our group into separate checks, which I know is bad form. I felt REALLY BAD for the servers because I know it's a huge pain. They were really gracious about it though, so I added a star. I'd come back.
(4)Virginia W.
Shojo is an interesting place. It's in the middle of Chinatown but they don't necessarily serve Asian food. I went right when it opened for an early lunch and there was no one there. The lunch menu is disappointingly small with only about 8 items. I got the Duck Fat Fries and Chicken and Bacon Sando. The Duck Fat Fries is pretty awesome- they're pretty standard fries but the sauce it comes with is full of flavor. The Chicken and Bacon Sando is what it sounds like- fried chicken, guacamole and bacon. The chips it comes with are seasoned with salt, pepper, sour cream and some sort of red spice that was absolutely delicious. Looking through the reviews, it looks like this place is better suited for dinner given the limited lunch menu. The price was OK. The chicken sandwich was $12 and the fries were $8. If you're expecting Chinese food then I would go somewhere else. If you want a mix then this would be a good place to try something new.
(4)Melinda N.
I came here for a late dinner. I ordered calamari which had this faint body odor like smell which turned out to be curry. I thought thecalamari could've been cooked a little bit longer so that it was crispier than it came out. I also had salmon tartare that was pretty interesting because it had beets on top. The drinks were tasty and on point. It was t crowded and we had a nice view of the somewhat small restaurant by the wall. It's loud for conversation. The service was attentive and polite.
(3)Sarah A.
Definitely improved since my last visit! The shojiko tacos with mochiko chicken are BOMB! Bursting with chicken and full of flavor. Nomnom. The cocktails are still 90% ice such is disappointing at their $11 price point (and the glasses are hella small) thus the 4 stars vs 5 stars. They have this dish called shadowless fries which consist of their duck fat fries topped with beef mabo tofu covered in melted American cheese. It is suuuuuper fatty but delish- like Chinese chili cheese fries. Genius idea!
(4)Rachel N.
So, like, you know that place you walk into and you're like, "I'm so effing hip for being here" - and Vanilla Ice is ironically playing on the speakers and you realize you can order something called "Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs", there is graffiti on the walls, patrons with undercuts and flat brim hats and you are happy? Shojo is that resto. Tucked off a random street in Chinatown, I forgot abt it until I was tasked with looking for a din spot for a presumably discerning palate and wanted it to be w/in walking distance of my house - I'm glad I finally made it - the menu is small - I think there are 8 things on it - ranging from duck fat fries and "taro tots" to suckling pig bao, miso little neck clams, and chicken & waffles w Szechuan peppercorn maple syrup - and while everything on there had an element that seemed a little off-putting, somehow dishes came together. There is no real order to the madness and things kind of come out as they are ready. The clams were totally my jam and if I could bathe in the miso butter in which they were drenched, I would - and the aforementioned ribs also got high marks. The dessert, brownies w a miso caramel, were not rich enough for my taste, but the addition of sesame + julienned basil was fine. Overall, not splurgy enough to even give me a sugar rush and feel reckless, so I was sad. Service is friendly, despite the fact that all of our waiters kind of looked like they had just stumbled in from a warehouse party in a loft down the street, it was totally professional and speedy. Music is rambunctious in a tongue-in-cheek pop way - I wouldn't return w my grandmother - lighting is a little sultry - and most importantly, they have a continual loop of some D+ kung-fu action movie playing over the bar. So. Basically. Super romantic. Prices range from $6-13, and portions vary accordingly. Plan on ordering two things per person and spending roughly $20 each, not including booze. Worth a trip, if for nothing else than a break from the monotony of my lovely, but standard, South End spots.
(4)Parker N.
I was excited to try out this restaurant especially for their chicken and Waffle but I was quickly disappointed that they didn't have it in their menu anymore even though the waitress mentioned it was a very popular item. Not only did they take out the chicken and Waffle but also half their menu. My experience was even worst when the restaurant couldn't even make any bao. If your looking for chicken and Waffle, they no longer serve it.
(2)E S.
Really underimpressed. Second time there for dinner and menu hasn't changed. Not sure how they keep the positive reviews. Also charged us $3 extra for requesting additional chips with our ceviche - poor form. Probably won't return.
(2)Noa C.
This place is amazing!!!! We started the night off with "Cold Tea for Two" which is an Oolong Tea Infused Vodka, Peach de Vigne, Lemon served in a tea pot. I still have tasty dreams about this. If you get nothing else, get this!! For dinner, we opted for a bunch of small plates instead of 2 entrees. We got (1) Asian Mushroom Medley, which was lovely, perfectly sauteed mushrooms with a soy/vinegar glaze (i think); (2) duck fat fries - fine, just regular duck-fat fries; (3)charcuterie board - a very interesting take on a meat board with an asian flavor profile, I highly recommend it; (4) for dessert: sesame balls with chocolate - delicious, though a bit greasy. We have another reservation coming up, so I will update my review if needed. I highly recommend this place!!
(5)Dorise G.
The place was very loud but the food was quite good - here's my rundown: Taro tots - a nice smokey bite. My friends were more into this than I was (there were 5 of us and 5 tots that looked kind of like small arancini). I'd eat it again, but probably wouldn't order it. Duck fat fries are what's uuuuup. Charred Eggplant Dhukbokki. Not sure what dhukbokki is without googling it (turns out it's a fish/rice cake with sweet red chili), but it was easily my favorite thing on the menu. The rice cakes were superb, and the melty cheesy mini cast-iron not only ate heartily and herbily on its own, but it was a nice perk for dipping those killer fries. We had 5 different waiters try to take the cast iron away from us, each time us practically slapping their hands away, saying "we're not done with that!" People, when there is saucy goodness in front of you, and you see us gobbing our fries up in it, why are you trying to take away our smack in the middle of our fix? Let my cast iron go. I'm pretty sure that's what moses said. Coconut milk mussels were tasty but maybe a bit too thoroughly cooked, and not very many for your buck. I liked the coconut rice a bunch tho. Kimchi fried rice - not too special, but tasty, homey, and filling. Chicken and waffles - polarizing for our crew. I wasn't overly impressed by either the chicken or the waffle, but my future-spouse loved the little waffle-pillows. I wanted to like them, I just didn't think they were particularly tasty, tho they were quite special to ogle - it looked kind of like a chinese checkers board. Or a stop sign made out of ravioli. Primary table of 5 consensus was waffle was fine, chicken was great, and I was the lone dissenter on both. As a non-pork eater I can't vouch either way for the ribs, but they got rave reviews from my dining cohort. Hand-slapped Bolognese - real tasty noodle. A shareable portion but not an easy-to-split pasta. We still made it work, and I'd definitely recommend. All in all, if I were to order just one of these dishes again, it would be the eggplant, hands down. Well, with a side of fries. Then I'd wait til it cooled down and bathe in it, floating on rice-cake rafts. Mmmmmmmmmm. Do yourself a favor and skip dessert. The mini-brownies had a weird dry texture and miso-sesame-caramel wasn't nearly as delicious as its menu listing suggested it might be. A bust after an otherwise solid meal. It ain't the cheapest thing in Chinatown but it's not unreasonable - after a table of drinks and a number of eats our bill came to about $30 a pop after tax and tip. I still prefer a less sleek venue for a lower pricetag and bigger portions when I'm hitting up chinatown, but I'd go back. My rice-cake eggplant raft awaits...
(4)Tiffany C.
This place is AH-MAZING. It's the shit. Seriously. My favorite place to come for drinks!!! And their bar bites omg. I don't think there was a single dish I DIDNT like. I love how all their dishes are very gourmet and each has an interesting taste. I recommend the grilled hanger steak with kimchi sauce!! It was so yummy. And their shrimp ball if it's still available for bar bites. Their drinks are inventive as well and they make great customized concoctions!! (I can be picky with my alcohol). Try EVERYTHING. You won't regret it! Plus, interior decor is different. It was styled with graffiti/brick kind of design in mind.
(5)Leanna L.
Two words. Food porn. This place has AMAZING food and a really awesome ambience. Went here on a Monday night, and we were greeted with friendly service. This was what we ordered- Cocktails: - Superhappyfunmakeagoodtimeagogo (agogo for short): amazing flavor and taste! - Morning Star: very citrus-y, definitely on the strong side! Food: - Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries (Shadowless): AMAZING. They were crisp and crunchy, and full of flavor with the shadowless option! They top it up with cheese, tofu and all other yummy goodness! - Hamachi Sashimi: This was absolutely delicious. The fish was fresh, and was topped with a salad that had the perfect kick of vinegar. Perfect to pair with the meatier dishes. - Shojiko Chicken Tacos: These were HUGE! Packed with loads of chicken and sauce, they were definitely very filling. - The Shojonator: Shojo's take of Wendy's Bacon Hamburger. This was so good - the bacon was still crisp and the beef patty was tender and juicy. The bun was so soft - I almost wanted to order a second! Overall, a very satisfied experience. Unfortunately, they were out of the Suckling Pig Bao, which was definitely something we wanted to try - but we will be back again! 5 STARS!
(5)Lester L.
Creative tasty cocktails. Everything tastes amazing, so much better than any other "Asian fusion" place. Really focuses on ingredient combinations that go well together. Get the Wu-Tang tiger style ribs (fall off the bone, amazing Thai basil sauce), shrimp or suckling pork bao, sweet corn mazeman, and the sesame charred greens!
(5)Catherine H.
Anything with the words "duck fat" is just going to be delicious. This is a known fact. The duck fat fries at Shojo are no exception. I came here for a post dinner snack and drinks with friends and this was the perfect location. The vibe is trendy and young. A stark contrast to the other buildings and restaurants in Boston's Chinatown. My favorite drink was the gin gin mule, it was so good I had two. It was a fun night out, but i wouldn't recommend coming here hungry. Chinatown has much cheaper and equally delicious meals at other restaurants. However, this place makes rocking drinks and again duck fat...
(4)S C.
Awesome food awesome drinks and great service, this place is a really cool addition to Chinatown. It's changing things up by being a more hip urban style restaurant as opposed to all of the more traditional Placed you'll find in the area. Feels like you walk into NY when you go in.
(4)Kevin M.
Food was great. Service was poor, we went for lunch and we were our server's only table and he wasn't attentive to when we need refills on our drinks.
(4)Mariya V.
Shoju has been on my list of places to check out for a while, and I was more than happy to end up there one Friday night! I surprised that the wait wasn't bad at all, and we were seated quickly. The place itself is very cool and has a younger crowd than the surrounding establishments. I was eager to try everything. They have an eclectic menu, definitely fusion! We tried 2 different drinks, one coconuty and another whiskey one. It sounded like it would be one of those weird mixed drinks that would end up tasting really good. Sadly, it disappointed. Simply put, not good at all. Wasn't too sad though because I was so excited to try the food. We ordered the duckfat fries with a chipotle mayo type sauce. Fries were good, but nothing special and same goes for the sauce. Ordered their chicken wings, also not impressed and they were super citrusy. The two good things we ordered were the kimchi fire rice and the chicken and waffles. The fried rice was bomb, great texture and flavor! Chicken and waffles were really yummy too. Instead of regular waffles, they were egg puff pastry waffles (yum)! Loved making the perfect bite of chicken, waffle, syrup, and hot sauce. Overall, decent place and I'm glad I checked it out. Might go back for the kimchi fried rice, but can probably find that good elsewhere too. Come try it, but I don't know if you'll be craving it desperately after.
(3)Patrick C.
Shojo - Just So-so I stopped into Shojo for a quick dinner after reading all the rave reviews and press about it and I found Shojo to be just so-so... I ordered the Charcuterie Board which supposedly had head cheese rillette, duck rillet, veal tongue, porchetta, asian pear, kimchi, fig mostarda, dried longan compote; the Pork Trotter Dumplings and the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg. The Charcuterie Board was the weakest dish - it was missing the Asian pear, kimchi, fig mostarda and porchetta so I had several large slabs of the head cheese rillette, the duck rillet and the dried longan compote with 3 pickled roots of some sort as garnish. The 'bread' was several very greasy, deep-fried bao which were not great. Overall a poor dish - and the most pricey. The Pork Trotter dumplings were good - again, they were deep fried, but it worked. Nice filling, vinegar for dipping - pretty good. The best dish by far was the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg - really yummy and I could have had three orders of that alone. The specialty cocktails didn't sound good to me so I skipped them and had a calpico water - one of my favorites so it was delish. The blue and white paper straw that got soggy hallway through my drink was not good though. Plastic straws are cheap - skip the paper straws, they are worthless. I might try Shojo again on another trip to Boston and see if there are other dishes that are comparable to the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg. PS - my waiter was affable enough, but basically brought out 3 dishes...my final bill was about $45 and when I gave him $60 he actually wanted to know if I was giving him the rest (34%?!) as a tip...uh, no. I gave him 20% and that was too generous for his service.
(2)Cindy H.
Much hipster. Such delicious. Wow. The Kamehameha is like no cocktail I've ever had before. It's spicy and cool at the same time, so I guess it does embody Goku's essence quite well. Gin Gin Mule was good too. Very ginger-forward and fairly sweet. In terms of food, both the Taro Tots and Pork Buns really hit the spot for a late-night bite. The skin on the pork was perfectly crispy! Mind you, I was not very lady-like whilst devouring it, so maybe not the best first date food, but whatevs YOLO.
(5)Miranda S.
Excellent food, excellent service! We came here on a Friday night and were told there was an hour wait (understandable). So we left and sat down at another place, but they didn't serve alcohol so we came back here. And man, we're glad we did. Loved the drink selection. I really liked this ginger drink (I forget the name) but it had ginger beer in it and it was really refreshing. We were standing around with drinks and actually ended up being seated like 20 minutes later....score! Our waitress was great. Actually everyone was great. The bartender actually came over to us at first and showed us to a table when one opened up. We were pleasantly surprised by the service here. I was soooo depressed that they were out of the pig bao :( But everything we got was great - the fried rice, chicken & waffle, "Big Mac" dumplings...everything was good. We were also really into the movie they were playing on the big screen (House of the Flying Daggers) and the waitress let us sit there and enjoy it for a while before coming with the check :) I'll definitely be back!
(5)David W.
Hippest and most modern place in Boston Chinatown! It's been years since I've been back in Boston, and this new place really adds to the charm of the city. The vibe inside is really happening. Scene is really young and energetic. Stark contrast to the family style restaurants and shops across the block. Bartender is a celebrity, employees are nice, and owner walks and works the floor with everyone else. There are beautiful people who work and frequent there. Fun just to people watch. Their menu is fun and ordinary. Totally should have skipped dinner and eaten here. Tried the Kamehameha and it was one of the most unique drinks. It's an alcoholic drink with chili and really has a nice kick. First time have spicy alcohol. They also have an alcoholic oolong tea which comes in a regular teapot with 2 tea cups. Bang for your buck and that drink kept me busy throughout. Will definitely check out this place when I'm in town again!!! Fun place to be at!
(5)Hana M.
Let me just say that the service was wonderful. The atmosphere of the whole restaurant is very modern and clean. The mural inside the restaurant is a cool touch. But... The ramen needs work. I ordered the seafood ramen or the shojo ramen off of the lunch menu. First glance, it looked very appetizing with everything nicely placed. As I started to stir up the ramen, I noticed the noodles felt kind of hard. I think they were trying to make the noodles al dente, but it just ended up tasting dry and under-cooked. It also had this floury after taste. I'm not sure if they actually used ramen noodles or egg noodles; it tasted like a funky hybrid of the two. The 6 minute egg tasted very salty, and the concentrated salty broth did not help. The char siu pork looked like chicken, but it wasn't that bad. Not the best and a bit on the fatty side, but I didn't really mind. There was also a lot of unnecessary sesame seeds floating around the soup, which gave a rough texture to the dish. The one thing I did enjoy was the ginger/scallion garish on top. $15 (including tax and tip) for it was not worth it. I'm usually not very picky, but I was not very happy with this recent lunch experience, due to the poor execution of the ramen dish. Overall, I do not recommend getting the ramen.
(2)Eric C.
Only came for drinks. The only thing that disappointed me about this place was that their Sharknado cocktail (had to get it) was changed to a gin based drink instead of a cognac (I think?) one. So instead, I had a Morning star. It was pretty damn delicious and the price was right too. The second drink I had was one of the drinks for two, Scorpion Jar I think. That was pretty decent as well. The service was quick and attentive which was super appreciated. Our waiter was knowledgeable but wasn't pushy when one of us said they weren't drinking. We were seated immediately, which impressed me because every other place in Chinatown seemed to have a wait. Maybe it was a littler later or something. Boston is a strange city to me. Either way, I'd come back to try the food. It certainly looks pretty yummy. I'd definitely come back for drinks.
(4)Chris T.
Hands down the best food and drinks that you will get in Chinatown, maybe even the Theatre District altogether. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The only lackluster item were the chicken tacos, but even they were pretty good. It's just that compared to everything else we had (Pork Bao, Eggplant Bao, Mushroom Ragout, Tuna Sashimi, Pork Ribs), it just wasn't on the same level, but still good. And the drinks. Oh my lord. The gin gin mule has a secret house made ginger beer that will make you salivate for days. We also had the Kamehameha, Old Fashioned, and a mezcal drink, all of which were the best drinks I've ever had in Boston. If I'm going to pay $11-13 per drink, it may as well be here because there is no better place to get a drink than here. No lie. It's a tapas place, but just saddle up, grab 4 or 5 items, a handful of drinks, and enjoy the 90's hip hop and cheezy Japanese movies. Will definitely return with others in tow.
(5)Andrew G.
Great option in China Town. It isn't the typical China Town restaurant but rather a great fusion alternative. Lots of small and affordable options on the menu great for sampling a wide variety. Great cocktails as well and fun vibe!
(5)Dee Dee Y.
The best ramen in Boston with the best grilled cha-shao( pork). Kimchee fried rice beats most Korean restaurants. Order the fries with their special sauce. You will be pleased.
(5)Amy M.
Not sure what the hype is all about with this place. We saw it on Phantom Gourmet and it looked great. We always cross reference Phantom with Yelp and it got good reviews by others on Yelp - so we thought it would be a winner. We took all the Yelp suggestions. Wu Tang Tiger ribs - grizzly and fatty, half the order was on the plate due to this. Chicken and Waffle - I will say this was better - Maple butter was good but sweet (obviously). The chicken was cooked well - crispy. Pig Bao - OK meat, but sweet - wrap was very doughy Bang Bang Noodles - so disappointing - we actually went there for the Damn Damn Noodles - which they took off the menu, so we tried Bang Bang. They tasted like cafeteria chopped suey - something out of Chef Boyardee. No spice and very mushy. The drink - Kamehameha - was very good, best part of the meal. Bill came to about $100 - 4 drinks, 4 food items. We wish we spent the money elsewhere.
(2)Carrie L.
Shojo offers a different scenery in Chinatown. A modern Asian-fusion restaurant with intriguing drinks, and ever-changing menus. My favorite part of the restaurant interior is the mural on the back side. Picture perfect spot for group pictures! Drinks: Morning Glory: Comes in a cute little short glass. Foamy top. Orange peel garnish. A bit on the sweeter side, very strong. Not a fan, unfortunately. Gin Gin Mule: With citrus gin, lemon, syrup, and ginger beer. Citrus taste with the ginger aftertaste hanging in your throat. GET IT! Cold Tea for Two: Had a sip of this and was surprisingly tastier than expected. Oolong infused vodka, with a hint of citrus and peach. It would be nice if it came in a nicer tea pot. Appetizers: Duck Fat Hand-cut Fries: Good start for the table. Fries has a very faint hint of duck/meat taste to it. Wish the fries were cut in bigger pieces though. Summer Salad: Mango, dragon fruit, greens - refreshing Kimchi Fried Rice: With a fried egg on top, not spicy enough Grilled Hanger Steak: With crispy onion and spicy mayo (?) on top, not bad Entrees: Pan Seared Salmon: With shreds of seaweeds on top. Fried eggplant (?) on the side. The salmon was soft with crispy skin. Braised Pork Belly: Very soft. Half Chicken: My favorite plate of the night! With enoki, shallots, and gnocchi.. Saucy chicken. Dessert: Chocolate sesame ball: Very similar concept to the dim sum dessert with red bean. But it has chocolate instead and my friends went loco over them. I'm told the menu changes a lot. Either by the way they cook or the ingredients they use. It's great if you're a usual and love to try new items over time. I don't mind the changing, but it might be disappointing to not have my favorite dish there when I come back the next time.
(4)Jasmine X.
I really like this place. My friend and I were looking for some Asian fusion dinner and this place was quite well reviewed. Sometimes I get very hesitant about Asian fusion because I think it's a delicate line to cross, but Shojo does it very well. The place is quite small. My friend and I went on a Tuesday evening and had no problem getting seats which was nice. It's a very intimate and nice place. We ordered the suckling pig bao which came highly recommended by other Yelpers, kimchee fried rice, duck confit dumplings, and the pork belly. My favorite was definitely the suckling pig bao. Really felt like I could have gone for a few more of those. The other choices came from the recommendation of our waitress. Duck confit dumplings were not my favorite, but I can see how someone would like them. Kimchee fried rice was good but nothing extraordinary or surprising. The pork belly though, was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed them. Cooked to perfection, the fat attached was also amazing. All in all, the price came out to be very reasonable and I really enjoyed the options here. Sometimes it's nice to get Chinese food with a classy touch, and that's what I felt like Shojo did really well. You ordered things with an expectation of what you would get, and the dish would meet that expectation and then some more, which is how I think Asian Fusion can be most artfully mastered--by retaining the original flavors and adding a new twist. The waitress was also really nice and attentive to our needs without being overbearing. tldr; all in all, just a very solid experience and a place I would definitely come back to or recommend to a friend
(4)M B.
Oh yeah. That's what I'm talking about! Probably one of my favorite Asian/Tapas places. All plates were equally satisfying, and the atmosphere and service very friendly and fun.
(5)wolf t.
It's refreshing to see a hip, inventive place differentiating itself from Chinatown's other satisfying but utilitarian restaurants. The menu is a short but carefully-constructed list of small plates. Four of us ordered almost everything and shared family-style, with no disappointments and a few pleasant surprises. The cocktail menu is almost a dare; most of the creations sound disgusting but I enjoyed my two offbeat selections. Favorite dishes: suckling pig bao. ribs Minor minuses: a bit loud, but not overwhelming. Waiter forgot one of our orders. I hope the menu turns over with some new dishes so I can go back soon.
(4)Laurel M.
AMAZING! Service superb, food excellent, drinks strong I don't know where this place went wrong! Chicken and waffles, fried calamari, and duck fat fried French fries were wonderful! baked then fried chicken on a Hong Kong style waffle, best I've ever had! One of the few places that knows how to do calamari! Would have pictures but it was gone to quickly! Only complaint was it was a bit loud, but the service defiantly made up for it.
(5)Lauren M.
probably the coolest, most unique restaurant in Boston. Great food, music, drinks, art, and service. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Favorite F.
Very cute and trendy little place hidden in Chinatown. Food was delightful - Wu Tang Ribs (tasty), Taro Tots (different smokey but nonetheless yum) & Calamari (light batter and not overcooked with a great sauce). I also tried the Gin Gin Mule - very light and tasty. Music was great - hip hop. Service was fast, great and personable from everyone.
(5)Ryan H.
my favorite restaurant in boston, come here with your friends and order everything on the menu to get the full experience.
(5)Patty L.
5 freakin' stars! I was in town visiting Boston over the weekend and was excited to see what sort of eats this town had to offer. I was shocked to see there just wasn't anything my fellow Yelpers LOVED. Many places with 3.5 - 4 star reviews but I wanted something 4.5 stars. Shojo was one of them and I am so appreciative that Yelp and Yelpers have not steered me wrong. The simple menu offered a variety of small plates and entrees at wallet-friendly prices. I ordered 5 small plates and the entire bill came out to $38!!! Here is what I recommend: Pork Rib - fall of the bone tender Suckling Pig Bao - there are two in an order. The crispy skin is what sealed the deal for me. So good we ordered another! Corn with kimchee butter - really interesting flavors on sweet corn on the cob I found the duck fat fries to be mediocre. It is a nice option to have when you have a group of people that want to pick on something crunchy but everything else was just so good that it overshadowed this dish. The tempura pickles was the runt in the family. Unfortunately, the pickles weren't sour at all. However, the tempura was fried perfectly. Fiona - thank you for your awesome service!
(5)Zach W.
I went here on a whim with my brother who is a local and it was amazing! Some of the best food in Boston with great service'!
(5)Christine J.
3.5 stars. Interesting drinks, tapa style chinese appetizers. a little pricey for what you're getting. we had to go eat at a different place after having drinks and dishes here. I'm not sure this place fits the whole chinatown vibe. it's trying to be a fancy place amidst the hole in the wall places. almost trying to be a club/lounge.. not my kinda hang out spot but younger audience (20's) may find it more appealing?
(3)Adam G.
Really great find. Food was great. Small portions. Easy place to pig out on a bunch little meals. The pork bun was awesome. The kung-fu movies playing in the background was funny. Portico on tap too!
(4)Tiffany C.
I came here for Friday date night and enjoyed the atmosphere. It's a small space, has a bar in the corner and a cool mural in the back. The service was good but I was bit turned off when they started rushing us out. The concept of their menu was creative, however, the taste of the food did not match the menu prices. The portions are incredibly small and leaves you feeling thirsty. We ordered the chicken and waffle, ribs, fries, and lobster rangoon. Including 2 drinks, the bill came our to $70. If I come back again, it would only be for drinks and not dinner.
(3)Lucy E.
Thank god this place isn't in the South End. If it were in the South End I truly believe that it would have wait times like Toro. But since it's not, it's surprisingly easy to get a table here on a Monday night. I just love what they're doing here at Shojo. They have an AMAZING cocktail list! I highly recommend the Kamehameha, it has thai chili infused vodka, fire puncher vodka, coconut milk, and lemon, and it is a drink for the gods! YUMM! For food they do small/appetizer plates and entrees, both of which are fabulous. I think the way to go is to order a bunch of things to share at the table. The ravioli entree is out of this world! On top of have delicious food and drinks the service is always friendly and decor is mind blowing. This is definitely somewhere you should check out next time you're close to Chinatown!
(5)Idy T.
I never thought I would find a place like this in Chinatown! Shojo serves Asian-fusion cuisine. I like the concept of this restaurant. The mural on the wall is also really interesting. It is their take on the story of the Journey of the West. Make sure you ask one of the people at the restaurant to tell you about the story of the mural. I came with a group of friends and ordered some appetizers. My favorite was the suckling pork bao. It was so delicious! For my entrée, I ordered steak frites with kimchi butter-- medium rare. The steak was cooked perfectly and the fries soaked up the juices from the steak and kimchi butter. Everything was so perfect! The server was also really attentive and welcoming. I came back to Shojo later that night because my friends and I wanted to grab some drinks. We all ordered some beer and sake and made our own sake bomb! They accommodated with us and brought us chopsticks and sake shot glasses. My friends and I had a really great time! They change their menu from time to time so I can't wait to try their new things in the menu!
(5)Jamie B.
I came here with a girlfriend for dinner and we were both less than impressed with the food. The servers were exceedingly nice and attentive; it was clear they very much wanted us to enjoy our experience....but we didn't. I had the ma-po tofu and it was a DISASTER. It was absolutely nothing like any other ma-po tofu I've had in the past. The tofu didn't even seem to be cooked... just warm, raw, soft tofu cubes in some unidentifiable sauce that was topped with TRAIL MIX. No lie... it was sprinkled with an assortment of birdseed/nuts/dried fruit. And served with two chunks of giant crusty, hard-as-a-rock toasted bread. There was nothing about this dish that was good. Just making a dish "different" doesn't make it inventive. My vegetarian girlfriend ordered the mushroom medley, which was far more edible than my Ma Po Tofu, but it was still over-salted (and I am so NOT salt-sensitive) and was overall fairly blah. I was compelled to write a review because I don't understand how Shojo has such a high yelp rating when we had food that was quite simply not good.
(2)Ambreen D.
Found this neighborhood gem 2 weeks ago and have already been there twice. Fun place. Love the bao, chicken n waffles, calamari. Not as much a fan of the tsukbokki.
(4)Tanya Y.
As soon as you walk into Shojo, you completely forget that you're in Chinatown. It immediately felt cozy and upscale with its dim lighting. The owner was at the forefront, greeted us right away and gave us a warm welcome. Tucked away on Tyler Street, most known for it's neighbor, China Pearl, Shojo features Asian-Fusion cuisine. The menu is eclectic to say the least, and veers away from the usual family-style dining; it focuses on individual portions that come out looking like works of art. My friend and I ended up ordering our own individual entrees: BBQ Pork Chop and Short Ribs. The BBQ Pork Chop sat on top Persimmon Purée, Braised Kale, and was decorated w/Pomegranate Seeds ($15). This was the highlight of the two dishes. This dish sung and hit every proper note on my tongue; sweet, savory, and just the right amount of heat. The pork chop cooked to perfection was juicy with every bite. The braised kale had a great citrus bite and although pomegranite seeds are great on its own, it completed the dish. The short rib ($17) sat ontop a taro mash, chinese sauteed spinach, and were all surrounded by a star anise gravy. The short ribs alone were braised to a point where they fell completely off the bone. The pieces of meat melted like butter with every bite and the taro mash could easily be mistaken for a regular mashed potato. The portions were perfect and the plates were practically spotless by the end of the meal. The food was super flavorful. We came when it wasn't particularly busy, right before dinner time, and was able to even talk to the owner about the story behind Shojo and the little monkeys on the wall. Although we didn't order an alcoholic drink, the menu looked impressive. Definitely something on the to-try list on my next visit. With enough word of mouth and time, it's easy to see that Shojo will shine and be a popular destination in the heart of Boston's Chinatown. I will be back!
(5)Michelle T.
YIKES. I wanted to love Shojo and agree with those 4 and 4+ star ratings, but I can only give Shojo a 3. Note: This review is based on a drink-free meal. Sure it is a "different" type of restaurant in Chinatown because it is Asian fusion, it has drinks and is more "upscale", but I would not say that the flavors and creativity of the dishes justified their prices. Service was a-ok and food was a-ok. Nothing special and not a place I'd come back to again just because there are other places to go to that offer similar types of food, but with more twists, better prices and greater selection (think: Blue Dragon, Empire, etc.) My friend and I ordered the Noodle salad to start because I saw a really delicious looking picture of it on Yelp. For $9, it was a 6-8 bite thai glass noodle salad that you could definitely get at a thai restaurant for double the amount of food at that price. Flavor-wise, it was decent, but nothing memorable. Really wish I'd saved my money on that. For my entree, I went for the salmon entree ($21). My salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked so it was seared on the outside but tender on the inside. Although my entree was beautiful and served on a GIANT dish (it barely fit the table), I was far from feeling full or satisfied after scarfing down the whole plate. :/ Call me a fatty, I don't care. The flavors of the dish were good, but nothing surprising or unique. There was nothing Asian about it apart from the edamame sprinkled around the edge of the plate. We were definitely rushed to pay the bill since it was a Friday night, and were asked (very kindly though) by the waitress to leave if we were done so they could turn over the table. (I did note that there was nobody waiting for a table at the time, but I DO understand they'd like to still turn the table over). Probably won't be back to Shojo. A decent establishment if you're looking for a more American experience in Chinatown.
(3)Ella F.
This is a very trendy spot in Chinatown. The drinks were great, the service was good as well, but the food was average at best. I left very underwhelmed, especially given the prices. I'd only come here again for drinks.
(3)Michelle F.
This place is absolutely amazing! The food was excellent and I loved the atmosphere. We also got to meet one of the owners on our way out and he was wonderful. It's small plates and you probably need 2-3 per person. I recommend the bao, ribs, and fries.
(5)Lily S.
A-OK in my book. Came here for an early lunch with a coworker. We both had the duck fat fries and bao (pork belly for me, whatever the other option was for her). The fries were totally fine and the bao was good. What I didn't like was everything was ridiculously spicy and I must have gone through 2-3 glasses of water in the small meal. The other thing that left me a little meh was the price tag. With 20% tip, those two items ended up being $20. A lot of money and not a lot of food. I ended up filling myself up on fries, but would have really preferred another bun...but not for $4.50. With Genki Ya having $15 sushi specials for lunch, it's unlikely that I will come back here.
(3)Stefan B.
I'm usually not into this kind of dining but I like this place! Very hip, young Asian vibe. The food is really really really small tapas... We didn't feel full at all. But we didn't order the 2-3 tapas per person like our waiter suggested so maybe that's our fault. Honestly, this is my favorite tapasy kinda place in Boston. I've been to Toro and Alden & Harlow and both of them I felt the food was oversalted. My boyfriend didn't think so but I did. The food was perfect here! Everything had flavor but wasn't too salty or too rich. I was expecting the food here to be too salty because of my past experiences with hip restaurants like this in Boston but I was pleasantly surprised. I'm really glad I went here. I didn't leave full but I feel like if my group ordered more it would have been fine. We just kind of gave up after ordering one by one but after like 3 more plates we would probably be fine. Kimchi fried rice is classic yumminess but still doesn't beat Korean mom recipes. The ravioli was the best pasta dish I've ever had and I hate pasta sooo much. Duck fat fries were good but not as mindblowing as I expected and the suckling pig bao was really good. The duck taco is kind of more like a taco bowl thing but it was one of the favorite things I ate. So refreshing. I'm usually not into this kind of dining with fancy tapas and small plates, but if I had to choose a place to go, I'd definitely go with Shojo. PROS food is really really good not oversalted like competitors in boston cool vibe if you're into that CONS the tapas are... really really really small. like, smaller than usual. :x
(4)Raela R.
I went to Shojo for the first time the other night. What a fun time, the cocktail menu is really unique and different. I love the idea of sharing played, that way you get to try more! Between the two of us we had four dishes which the perfect amount of food and for the standout was the steamed pork bun. Spicy, sweet, crunch goodness. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was fear. I will definitely be back!
(4)Katie K.
Heard about this place on Thrillist as one of Boston's trendiest restaurants. It sure it trendy, but the food is meh... I'm used to good asian food and good asian fusion food but this place was sub-par. They took great traditional dishes and tried to make them hip and trendy and the dishes ended up tasting like they tried too hard. Cute place, awesome wall paintings, and great atmosphere for hanging out with friends for a quick bite or drink, but not someplace I'd go if I'm looking for good asian food.
(2)Gitta M.
Loved this place. Exciting vibe. Inventive and super flavorful food...umami in your face!! This place would definitely be great for drinks and apps before going out. The ribs were probably the best I've ever had..fall of the bone deliciousness. The drinks were great as well.
(5)Paul G.
This place is the bomb.com . The drinks list is fantastic. I want to try them all. The cold tea is a must have. The food is fun. They deal in mostly small asian influenced plates. You can order a couple for yourself or for the table. Kimchee fried rice is the best. The pork bao is awesome. The ribs are tasty. I could go on and on. Go here with friends to have a great night out.
(5)Alison C.
Shojo almost seems out of place from its Chinatown surroundings. From the dim lighting and trendy decor, to the old school hip-hop music playing from the speakers, Shojo is a breath of fresh air when compared to the run down and minimalist shops that it is surrounded by. My friend and I came here upon a recommendation by her friend. To start the meal, they both ordered drinks, the Reiko Greene and the Chairman's Painkiller. Both were happy with them, and both drinks were beautifully presented. The Greene had a huge cube of cucumber ice that looked refreshing and added color, while the Painkiller came in a Buddha shaped sippy cup. We ordered the Salt & Pepper Calamari, Suckling Pig Baos, and the Damn! Damn!! Noodles!!! to share, which was light and enough to satisfy us without being too full. The calamari was standard, nothing too special, but tasted fresh, was well battered, and had a great aioli that came with it. The baos were also good, with crisp suckling pig and crunchy jalapeños. The kimchi flavor was mixed into the barbecue sauce, the flavor of which was overwhelming, and the three of us agreed that a different or no sauce at all would have let the kimchi flavor stand out. The noodles were by far the best part of the meal. The noodles were well cooked, and the ground pork was deliciously flavored. Getting some noodles, pork, and a bit of the oozy fried egg on top in one bite was a perfect trifecta. I'm not sure how that meat was seasoned, but it was scrumptious! Service was fast and friendly, with our waiter describing dishes in detail and even telling us how they make the cucumber ice! Always appreciate a business that is willing to share tips and tricks. He also saw that we were a party of three and knew we were sharing plates, so he threw in an extra bao to our order since it normally comes with only two. While the place was empty when we got there at 2:30 PM, the restaurant is on the smaller side so make reservations if you can!
(4)Ariel Z.
One of the absolute best bar/restaurant experiences you'll get in Boston. The creative and flavorful dishes fuse together perfectly, and their drinks are just as enticing. Ordered the duck fat fries (with sriracha aioli...yum!), ravioli (pulled pork, bacon, celery, and shaved pecorino cheese), and the famous Reiko Greene cocktail with cucumber ice to drink. UPDATE: also tried the Kamehameha (my #1) and Gin Gin Mule (super gingery spicy) Fairly crowded, but the staff really makes an effort to squeeze you in. Even the waiters were super friendly and attentive. The ambiance is fun, especially the fact that they play Hong Kong kung-fu films on the TV at the bar in the back. Saw a gnarly fight scene between two guys, one holding a block of tofu...go figure.
(5)Denise H.
Solid food, good drinks, great vibe, good beats, cool staff - Shojo never disappoints. Definitely one of my favorite dinner spots in Boston and great for a small to medium sized group, especially for dinner and drinks before a night out. Obsessed w their garlic noodles but their entire menu is well done - all the entrees are solid. Ribs on late night menu fall off the bone. Only thing I I would pass on are the baos - they're on the dry side.
(4)Whitney M.
Amazing Asian inspired tapas! My boyfriend and I went here for dinner , had the ravioli, chicken and waffle, fries, and split the pot of lemon-honey tea. Each dish was incredible, portions are perfect. Great place for a Chinatown newbie!
(4)D M.
We went to Shojo on Feb 24, 2015 for dinner prior to attend a comedy show at the Wilbur Theater and Shojo did not disappoint. The drinks were phenominal. Very generous pours and excellent flavor. The food was a mix of american/asain that did not disappoint. I would highly recommend the chicken and waffles....I tasted like wonderful....it was so wonderful that, for a second, thought I was taking a bite into Frankie Vallie. The decor was great.....lighting fit the atmosphiere to create a nice ambiance. The service....in my opionion.....was excellent. Drinks were replenshed quickly and the waitress had a charmingly cheery disposition. There was one person in our group who would not agree with me on this...please see the next paragraph that details her sob story. I wish I could give this place 5 stars, but unfortunatley.....over threat of being slapped silly......I was instructed to give 4 stars instead. I don't want to name names, but lets call this person "Stephanie". "Stephanie" came to the restuarant about 30 minutes before us and put our name in for table. The waitress, unfortunatley, had to keep delaying our table because the prior guests were not leaving. For whatever reason...."Stephanie" believes that a resturaunt should kick people out in order to service the waiting line.....I do not share this opinion, but I will cut her some slack because she did grow up on the cape and those people aren't all there. Anyway, we did get a table and everything worked out A ok. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. Standing O to the staff and management at Shojo.
(4)Jessie T.
Came back a few more times with friends and still an excellent and consistent experience. The Kamehameha is the most unique drink I had ever tried and in a good way. Spicy and cool the chili is balanced well with the coconut. Duckfat fries and spicy kimchi fried rice are always a favorite.
(4)Zig W.
+nearly empty +simple menu +friendly receptionist -portions small -tapas pricing -food/$ incredibly low (for genre)
(3)Dave C.
Cool vibe, amazing food. I think going in the middle of a snowstorm probably helped us get a spot here because I can't imagine this place would have had the space they had otherwise. The food is fantastic. Had the wings (not bad, B+), the Kimchi fried rice (very good A/A-) and the Spag N Ball Z (awesome A+). All the food was really good, but the spag n ball Z takes the cake -really amazing flavor and interesting texture. The service was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)Amy N.
Well now that was one hell of a yummy lunch!! Kimchi fried rice, pig bao, bang bang bolognese, thai spaghetti and "meatballs", (I could have put a straw in the broth...it was AMAZING), and some delicious cocktails. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Dave G.
Solid food and drink. It's a small place with big time hospitality - the staff was really helpful with the menu and recommendations. I'll be going back... Alright so I'm back - couldn't stay away from the duck fat fries.
(4)Sam S.
Shojo does everything well. Perfect for a date or hanging out with friends. The owners and staff are always friendly and helpful too!
(5)Lunchbox ..
My first trip to Boston was great! The thing that put it over the top was the excellent meal I had at Shojo. If you are ever in Boston you must visit Shojo in Chinatown. My friend and I arrived at 5 pm wanting something to eat and drink. We were notified that the dinner menu didn't start until 5:30, so we took a seat at the bar and ordered drinks. We sat there at that bar ordering drink after drink and plate after plate. We just could not get enough. Here is the list of items we ordered: Suckling Pig Bao Pig Trotter Dumplings Pulled Pork Ravioli Kimchi Fried Rice Duck Tacos Pineapple Sponge Cake Drinks we had: Gin Gin Mule Morning Star Scorpion Jar Ozawa ' s Kiss Sapporo Hitachino Red Rice Ale And when we were looking for an aperitif and couldn't decide on one, the bar manager made us a delightful drink (with no name) made with thier house made tea - infused vodka! I will be returning!
(5)Kat W.
Me and my husband ate here on a Saturday night. We made a reservation for 7 pm and arrived a little early. We sat at the bar in the mean time and tried the "Tea for Two" drink. It is an oolong tea infused with vodka and peach.... Very tasty! At 7pm we were seated promptly. The service was attentive and made sure our night was going smoothly. The dinner menu consisted of "tapa-sized" dishes. I recommend ordering 2-3 dishes per person. The kimchi fried rice and duck fat fries with siracha aioli were our favorite. We also tried the dumplings and the BBQ pork ribs however we didn't like them as much. They had a sponge cake dessert that had hints of ginger and cream. I don't know if it was just a special for that night or if it's a daily option.... But I highly recommend it. Overall Shojo is a great restaurant with a fun hip vibe.
(4)Brad M.
For food that is pretty innovative, it's relatively inexpensive here. I really like the food, but I have to say that the seating is fairly uncomfortable. The high top tables leave something to be desired. I recommend the weird waffle thing with chicken, because the texture as well as the sauce are out of this world. Definitely one of Chinatown's best, and should be getting a lot more looks and attention.
(4)Joel P.
My meal here was pure magic. A hidden gem in Chinatown, their unique cocktails are perfection in a glass (or ceramic Buddha), and on par with other prices in the area. The food was amazing - I had the pork belly bao - crispy skin, fresh veggies. I also had the kimchi fried rice which was great, including the over easy egg on top to mix in the yolk with the spicy and full of kimchi rice. My friend got the duck fat fries which were ridiculously yummy. This place is a must, and a place I will be taking many many friends to. Top notch of Boston's Chinatown.
(5)K E.
Huge fan! Friend brought me here (I never would have found it on my own) for drinks and light food. Everything we ordered was great and the service was good too. This is a hip type of restaurant, don't come here for a business dinner if you need to talk. Music is loud and atmosphere is fun and informal.
(5)Linda W.
I'll start off by saying that this is definitely a good place for drinks and a snack! The vibe is quite trendier than the typical Chinatown restaurant; dimly lit, loud music, and perfect for a casual candle lit dinner or pre-gaming spot before kicking off the weekend. My friend and I started with drinks which included the Gin Gin Mule (recommended), Melon Daiquiri (definitely give this one a try if you're into sweet drinks!), and the last one I can't quite name but it had a refreshing cucumber taste to it with a large ice cube. For the area, drinks were reasonably priced & a good break from the typical sake/beer restriction that most restaurants in Chinatown are bound to. Off the menu, we ordered mainly small plates. I've been dying to try the duck fat fries since I absolutely LOVE french fries and they paired well with the spicy aioli dipping sauce. The Suckling Pig Baos were okay even though I typically prefer my baos with fatty beef and the duck dumplings weren't a bad choice either. Yes the portions are a bit on the smaller side, especially if you're accustomed to the typical Chinatown portions, but the food quality is indeed held to a higher standard which is reflected from the prices. Drinks are definitely innovative & creative, as well as tasty too. Markus, the bartender is super friendly along with the rest of the servers who are pretty well informed of the menu. I say absolutely give this place a try if you're with a small group of friends in the Chinatown area & in the mood for something a little different and fun (:
(4)Deena B.
Really fun and unique spot in Chinatown to come on a date or just for a place with good food and a cool vibe. My husband and I came here before a comedy show and the tapas style sharing plates were perfect! We will be back for sure. Totally unexpected in Chinatown and so glad it's an option.
(5)K. Brooke Z.
I was pleasantly surprised! The way to get the best value is to skip the small plates. They are good, but you don't get much. Understand that you will be spending about $20 a head for a full meal, and you'll know what to expect. The tuna tar tar was good. It needed a little "zip" to the sauce though, as the edamame paste was pretty flat. The duck rolls were good, but we were hoping for more crispy skin inside. However, the chicken entree was UNBELIEVABLE. Everything was right about this dish. The noodles were fun, the veggies were great. Most wonderful was the sauce-it was delicious and perfectly proportioned. The dish wasn't swimming in sauce, but I never felt like it needed more. Do yourself a favor and Get the chicken entree. I will be back for it, and to try those duck fat fries everyone has been talking about!
(4)Gene L.
The value here isn't great. I understand they're in a fairly good location in chinatown but the portion sizes are smaller than I'd expect. The food overall was good though some misses. The buns were great. The pork belly entree was really good also. The carrot puree was heavenly and everything went really well together. The amount of pork belly was extremely small, especially considering how inexpensive pork belly is. As for misses, the warm glass noodles didn't make sense to me. For a similar experience and food concept, I'd rather go to myers and chang in the south end.
(4)Ambrose C.
Is it possible to find some slightly fine dining in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood? Well, if you are looking for a place where some Asian food can be taken at a sophisticated and a unique level, this is another good choice. This place used to be a simple and somewhat gritty place that served some Chinese barbecue and basic Cantonese noodle dishes. Now it has changed into something sophisticated. First off, it you are looking for an inexpensive and authentic East Asian dishes, this is NOT the place I would recommend. However, if you want good drinks, good Asian food with a very different flair, and some good service, then this is the place you could go to in Boston's Chinatown. I walked inside, and I got this slight feeling that I was not in Boston, but either in San Gabriel, California, Monterrey Park, California, Markham, Ontario or North York, Ontario. I encountered a bunch of interesting people, and I decided to get a drink. I eventually ordered some food after encountering some more interesting people. I got a Chairman's Painkiller, which is this cocktail that has pineapple, coconut, and some rum. It came in a tall ceramic cup that was shaped like a Moai statue on Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean. I thought it was a fairly juicy and refreshing drink, but I did not taste any alcohol. At $10 a glass, it is expensive, but it's a great drink to have when the temperature is 28 degrees Celsius outside, the sun is shining, with a nice breeze and you are sitting at a patio looking at the nice coast in either Southern California, Southern Spain, or even in Stanley, Hong Kong. The drink was a great complement with some appetizers. The Suckling Pig Bao was probably my favorite of all the appetizers I had. The meat had a nice juicy tenderness and I really enjoyed the flavor. The mussels and the Duck Fat Hand Cut Fries were okay, did not find anything memorable. The Sauteed Ponzu Spinach was good, I liked the flavor, and it would serve as a great complement for a slab of freshly cooked meat. As for main courses, I had this special dish which is the skate fish (a type of stingray) wing with Asian risotto, olives, capers, tomato salad with fried leeks. I really liked the fish, it had a nice crispiness and at the same time I enjoyed the softness on the inside. It was freshly cooked and it seems that the cooks put some decent precision in making it tasty. It is $18 for a dish, but I thought it was tasty and it is enough for a light and moderate meal. I also had some dessert. A guy I recently met ordered the Shojo Beignets, which is this fried dough with powdered sugar. They came with two sauces, either Black Sesame, or Vietnamese Coffee. The Beignets were not memorable, but the Black Sesame sauce or the Vietnamese Coffee sauce made them tastier. Service was actually decent. The people were nice, and the owner appeared to be very hospitable. Hopefully, they will be consistent with this. Interior is nice, they have this mural that looks like an interpretation of the Chinese story Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. Overall, if you have at least $20 and you are looking for some fine and somewhat sophisticated dining in Boston's Chinatown, this is actually a pretty good choice. If you are looking for some good drinks and you do not have to worry about money, this is also a fairly good choice in Boston's Chinatown. I would not mind coming back here again, as long as I have some good friends with me.
(4)Nom N.
In my estimation, nothing on the menu will disappoint. This restaurant sends a consistent message throughout from the menu to the decor. Great place to impress a date. It's not cheap, but it's not expensive either. Perfect couple's joint. One wall is a floor to ceiling mural that changes with the season and always aims to impress. The TV behind the bar plays kung-fu flicks with the subtitles on. It's subtle and tasteful. On slower nights, you can bring a group and monopolize the place. The service staff are pretty cool, and you'll probably wish you were hanging out with them instead. It doesn't hurt that they play good music too. I see everyone mentioned entrees and drinks. Frankly, you won't have a problem finding a good choice for either, but I will mention something that others haven't: SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT AND GET THE CHOCOLATE SESAME BALLS. ALWAYS. (Look at how serious I am. I used caps.)
(4)Melissa O.
The food was mind blowing! I could talk forever about all the food, but since their menu is ever changing, im just going to mention the chicken & waffles. The chicken just fell off, the bone. It was scrumptious! The waffles are these little tiny adorable connected bubbles. My last bite was the mini waffle sitting under the chicken, soaked in asian butter and it was awesome. It may be a small menu, but that's just because they dont half ass any of the dishes. I highly recommend this place. The space is really cool. The staff is super nice and the music is b -side 90s, which is just a lot of fun. Id go back here in a heart beat.
(5)Scott Z.
Amazing modern asian spot amidst the usual old school restaurants in Chinatown. This was my 2nd visit to Shojo in less than a month, and both times it was great. I think the small plates are the way to go, and I'm blown away at how economical they are. Highly recommend the suckling pig bao, kimchi fried rice (with the fried egg on top, woo!), the pork ribs, and the duck fat fries w/ sriracha dipping sauce. Aside from the food, they have: -amazing drinks (try the geiko green or the cold tea for 2...ps, its not tea) -cool wall art (a mural that changes annually) -friendly bartenders and owners -a single tv behind the bar that plays old kung fu movies Wish these guys the best, and I think they'll be a mainstay in the neighborhood.
(5)Jerry T.
It is unfathomably ridiculous how good the food is here. From the chicken and waffles to the fried rice, Shojo easily has some of the most unique and delicious flavors in the city. I love the hip-hop atmosphere mixed with a continuous loop of Kung-Fu movies playing behind the bar. If the Wu-Tang Clan opened a Asian- Fusion restaurant- it would be Shojo. And like Wu-Tang, Shojo ain't nothing to f--k with!
(5)Thuy N.
Dinner at Shojo was an excellent and memorable experience! My sister and I ordered the crispy pork bao, (fall off the bone) ribs, bolognese and miso clams. Every single thing we had was mind blowing! Compliments to the recently new appointed chef! It was my first time visiting Boston and we were lucky to find this place after a 6-hour flight and boy am I glad we did. Cheers!
(5)J D.
In the current blur of heritage-this and artisanal-that, it's nice to discover a little restaurant that is ambitious in its own way ... without pretense. Shojo is a comfortable, urbane spot in Chinatown doing interesting things with Asian flavors. You have to start with a cocktail. I chose the kamehameha, a combination of chili-infused and fire puncher vodka moderated with coconut milk and lemon. Do not gulp the drink, as I did at first, because it will quickly set your throat ablaze! Sip it instead -- it's not every day you can find a cocktail that is both spicy and refreshing. My friend and I ordered a bunch of plates to share. Highlights included the tofu with thousand-year-old-egg (yup), glass noodle salad (nice fresh vegetables in Thai spices), and suckling pig bao. Almond shrimp balls didn't work for me - too many lumpy, crunchy things with edges pressed together. But, in general, it seemed hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. Shojo gets a few other things right that add up to a great experience: portions are generous, pricing is reasonable and the staff is pleasant. I also appreciated the atmosphere, fairly dark and serene with exposed brick and understated decor. A good place to grab dinner with friends - will definitely be back.
(4)Susanna L.
Great food and very attentive service. The best thing I had was the Braised short ribs. The ribs fell off the bone and were delicious, and the taro mash was creative and nicely paired. The kimchi fried rice was pretty standard, would have liked it more with meat instead of fried tofu which was quite bland. The dessert that they have is also not unique, the classic red sesame balls are better than their chocolate version. As everyone else has said, their pork baos are pretty good too.
(4)Andrew C.
Awesome fresh place to get a cocktail and some eats in Chinatown. I only had a few drinks here and did not sample the food menu. Cocktails made by the bartenders were great! They were really helpful and friendly. Pretty cool décor and place to chill. Looking forward to visiting again.
(4)Aaron K.
Shojo completely blew me away. This was probably the best meal we had all year at a relatively new fusion spot in Chinatown. I think if you are visiting Boston and appreciate Chinese food this is a must visit restaurant. This restaurant provides unique dishes that are excellent. There's not many places I can say that about in Boston that I've tried. The waitress told us the chef specialized and preferred to cook seafood. So we listened. We went with the salt and pepper calamari, the catfish in fish sauce, and the tuna steak. Each dish was better than the other with the latter being one of the best fish dishes I have ever had. The tuna was cooked perfectly (rare) and was ridiculously high quality for the price. It was like tender sashimi with a crunch and a little flavor on the outside. I am getting hungry thinking about it. We also went with the suckling pig bao because I never pass up a good pork bun. The pork bun was great, but be warned it comes with a crunchy pig skin attached making it extra fatty and could turn some people off. While everything was very good, if I were to go back I don't think I could steer away from the pig bao and tuna. These are some of the best dishes in Boston! The fusion element pushed boundaries but everything worked really well. I am dying to get back here to see what else this chef can cook up.
(5)Judy Leigh A.
I went here with my mom who was visiting and wanted to treat me to dinner. A recommendation by a friend led me to shojo. I must say you wouldn't expect a nice little restaurant like shojo in chinatown. The dimly lit restaurant offered an ambient dining area and small bar. I started offered with the gin gin mule, a ginger beer and gin cocktail. It was amazing! I last minute decided not to get it again, but instead got a drink called the sharknado. It wasn't as exciting as the gin gin mule, but I'd definitely go back for a few cocktails. We started the meal with the almond shrimp balls, suckling pig bao, and a side of the mushroom medley. I highly recommend all of these choices. The almond shrimp balls have a perfectly crunchy exterior with a soft shrimp interior that was delicious. The suckling pig bao were a bit tiny, but still really good. The mushroom medley were cooked in a delicious garlic sauce. We split the scallop entree main course which was so big that I took most of it home. It was still really tasty. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and the haricot verts and mushrooms went really well with the entire dish. We were able to find some room for dessert, but when we asked to see a menu the waiter said there wasn't one. A huge bummer... He did tell us their two options. We opted for the chocolate one which was a chocolate filled sesame ball. It was good, but not something I would get again. Overall, the service, atmosphere, and food were great, but I'd really love to see more options for dessert!
(4)Robert H.
This Asian Fusion, next generation swank bar and restaurant is probably what Chinatown will be like 50 years from now. Gone will be the tired old Cantonese restaurants, with semi rude staff, each serving the exact same menu, cooked the exact same way The way the host, with Chinese baseball cap and entire multi-cultural staff engages you when you walk into this place on a Friday night is absolutely stellar. So social, so positive, and so genuinely caring The snazzy but casually dressed staff, the décor with modern bar tables that seat six of more, the dramatic bar and spectacular mural of Boston, with the jutting Customs House in the front were all energizing and eye catching. The way the host came over and explained the Asian eclectic menu was terrific. . . . If you ask for a suggestion they give you one . . . NONE of that," it depends what you like sir": or the inane, "Are you in the mood for beef, chicken, pork sir?" Ask me when I am in the super market. The waitress, a Darling, Petite, Pre Med Asian student from Weston, radiated positive energy and a genuine heartfelt, affection for each and every her customer, even though she covered 7 tables. So why do I rate this place a 2? (I could have said higher) The reason is the lengthy description by the host of the food on the menu was much better than the food itself (Food is important to me). I want you guys to get better . . . you aren't anywhere near where you need to be yet. The best dish I had was the roast pork rib, falling off the bone and truly an unusual medley of sweet, spicy and tangy flavors. The Suckling Pig Bau in a Chinese bun was supposed to be a thriller, but was all too forgettable. I didn't know what I was eating except crispy pork fat in some kind of sweet sauce with some other indistinct flavors. I found the chicken legs with waffle so dull to the taste buds, so greasy from deep frying, that if you ate it on a regular basis it would be the perfect recipe of a heart attack. The waffle was good, but deep fried Overall it was a very entertaining experience to go there on a fri night
(2)Michael L.
When we were asked how we spent a couple hundred bucks on sake bombs the next day, no one knew. All i can say is that we literally blew this place up with sake bombs. My friend wanted to have a little pregame/dinner here before we went out for the night/ We probably had like 5 tables connected together in the middle to accommodate everyone. it was pretty neat because they had a custom printed menu with her name at it at the top and a drink that she wanted to call " Yaaaaaaaaaaaaa bitch" . Can we get 5 Yaaaaaaaa bitches?? yeahhh bitch!! The bills were split between each table so it would be more convenient for everyone instead of having 30 individual bills. Somehow our table alone racked up a $204 bill mainly from sake bombs. We pretty much came into this bar and turned it inside out. It was a great time for everyone besides the person who had to clean the floor. oops... were sorry. I was surprised this bar was able to accommodate such a large group since the place isnt too big. I am not sure if the $5 sake bombs were a discounted party price but we will definitely be back. Most of us never made it to the next venue after Shojo but the whole night was still a success. Yeahh bitch!
(5)Shad S.
I had seen this place on TV and heard about it from friends and had to check it out. Right when I got there I noticed it was next to one of my favorite places of all-time, shout out to China Pearl. Shojo obviously looks out of place in Chinatown as it's a trendy little spot surrounded by your typical hole in the wall Chinatown spots. Walking inside, it's a cool space with nice designs and some cool murals on the wall. The food itself was delicious. For appetizers I got the salt and pepper calamari, which was great but nothing I haven't had before, the duck fat fries, which were again good but nothing crazy, and the standout, the BBQ Pork Ribs, which were awesome and definitely my favorite of the apps. I got the Suckling Pig Bao and was definitely pleased with them, as they were soft, meaty and delicious. For dessert we got an order of the chocolate sesame balls, which were amazing. I'm used to red bean paste from dim sum spots, but the warm chocolate in the middle was incredible. A little pricey, but I definitely recommend this place. I'll be back.
(4)Chenkai L.
This is one of the only restaurants in Chinatown with a romantic atmosphere, great decor, fantastic food and a bar, an ideal date place. There are real candles on every table and the bathroom was really cool! I got the painkiller and it came it a really cool tiki head mug, pretty standard for a painkiller in terms of taste. What really impressed me was the small plates we ordered. Instead of getting a entree per person, we got 5 small plates just to try all the different things this place has to offer loved every one of them. We ordered the Suckling Pig Bao, Grilled Peking Duck roll, which did not taste like the traditional peking duck bun and had more of a soy oyster sauce taste. Almond shrimp balls, which was very unique dish to try and gave the shrimp ball a crunchy texture. The Pot O Kimichi similar to your traditional korean kimichi side dish. The salt and pepper calamari was my favorite, one of the tenderest and most delicious calamari I ever made, a must try!
(5)Ali S.
The atmosphere was pretty cool. Unfortunately, the food was pretty average. I was really excited about the pork buns, but they were out of them by the time we arrived (10:00 on a Friday). The calamari was ok. Wouldn't order it again. The chicken and waffle was actually pretty good. I was happy that it came with two drumsticks instead of a piece of white meat chicken (why do places do that?!). The waffle was also nice and light so I didn't feel like I had to be rolled out of the restaurant after I was done. The duck fat fries were awesome, but I think all duck fat fries are great, so I wouldn't say they are better than the typical ones. Still so good. The drinks were very very weak. I wouldn't order a cocktail here again after that experience.
(3)Rachel H.
I came here for dinner, and I didn't realize how tiny this place is! Luckily I was able to get a table right away. I tried the homemade ginger beer, duck fat fries, fried calamari, suckling pig bao, avocado salad, kimchi fried rice, ribs, and the pound cake dessert. The ginger beer was extremely potent!! Way too much ginger in it for me, and I usually love ginger. The duck fat fries were nothing special. They tasted like regular fries. The calamari was my favorite dish. The suckling pig bao was ok. It was a little messy to eat. The avocado salad was pretty good. The kimchi fried rice was tasty. The ribs were not memorable. They were drenched in too much sauce, too. And finally, the dessert was bad. It was more like sponge cake slices. And the alcohol in it was not cooked down at all. The alcohol made the whole dish soggy, too. The waitress was nice, but not very informative.
(3)Aly B.
Saw Shojo on Phantom Gourmet and had to stop in! Came in on a Wednesday night around 5 to a calm dining room with a few other tables filled. The wait staff was super attentive, took our order, and it was out so fast!! Decor is so cool, such an interesting modern vibe in otherwise traditionally themed restaurants in Chinatown. We shared the cold tea for two, calamari, kimchi fried rice, and pork bao. The tea was outstanding, super strong and definitely enough for two. High marks for the calamari and the pork bao but you MUST try the kimchi fried rice- outstanding! Salty, spicy, yum!! Solid experience, would have enjoyed a little more variety on the menu, but well executed and a nice quick dinner, would totally recommend if you're looking for something different to do in Chinatown
(4)Cyndi C.
Ok...most of u foodies out there must've tried this place once n came back for more. If u haven't yet, ur definitely missing out on the creative innovation of Asian fusion...comfort food! Omg...this place has the vibe, the foods, delish drink, good value...O did i mention, nice'looking ppl also?! Every few weeks, the chef switch up the menu to match the place's creativeness. I cant wait to go back! The Chicken & Waffle v2.0 is to die for! The littleneck clams is a must! Great for get-togethers or date nites!
(5)Jeremy S.
Shojo consistently serves some of the most interesting, tastiest dishes in the Boston metro area. Drinks are outstanding. The Gin Gin Fizz and Cold Tea for Two are particularly great. As for their variety of small plates, I've loved almost every one I've tried. The spare ribs, chicken and waffles, carbonara, duck fat fires, and pork bao are particularly great. The only dish I've ever had there that I recall being less than amazing was the Salt & Pepper Calamari, and even that only stood out because it was merely okay. Everything else is straight up great. Also, points for atmosphere. Nice decor and great -- old-school hip-hop -- music create a strong choice for after work apps and drinks.
(5)Créme F.
Went to Shojo for dinner with a friend. Servers were nice and attentive, enjoyed the inside decor and the throw back tunes. The cocktails, have to say, were very good, tasty and creative. The cold tea was pretty awesome. The food on the other hand was rather disappointing and pretty mediocre at best. We started with the Pig Bao, which was good. Along with the salmon tartare, which was ok - I didn't understand the seemed to be overly fried strips of skin or maybe they were bones, along with all the other flavors I really didn't think it went well, also not enough toasts served for the portion size. Also had the Salt Pepper Calamari, which was rather bland. When an item has Szechuan Peppercorns, I would expect to taste them. We thought it would get better with round two, it didn't. We had the Wu Tang Sliders (who wouldn't want to order them with that name), they were extremely fatty and barely had any meat on them. Also tried the Chicken tacos. Tacos were overfilled so sloppy to eat, pretty bland and tortillas were hard as a rock. We also sampled the Duck Fat fries, which were good. Overall, fun and funky decor with really excellent cocktails, but wouldn't return for the food.
(2)Christian K.
Went for an early saturday lunch. Server was friendly and helpful. There were no dogs in this line up. The baoswere so good we ordered more same goes for the fries with mapo dofu. The pressed sando and taco along with the hamachi salad made it a great meal.
(5)Karina L.
Had a great experience getting drinks here with friends and wanted to come back for food. The Gin Gin Mule is fabulous. The decor straddles classy and cool and is refreshingly modern, given its location in the heart of Chinatown. But, the food didn't justify its price, and I left with a disappointingly neutral impression of Shojo's food. I brought a Lactaid pill because I had known ahead of time I wanted to try the Lobster Rangoon. But, there were only three tiny 'goons, and I found out that lobster and imitation crab pretty much taste the same when they're folded into a bed of cream cheese and mascarpone cheese. The shrimp in our Soba Shrimp salad didn't taste "sake poached", but I didn't have too many opportunities to deliberate since we only had a couple of pieces in our dish, which was otherwise filled with fistfuls of raw red onion strips and not too much soba. My favorite dish was the chicken and waffles. The fried chicken was tasty and had crispy skin, and the waffles were the street waffles you get (looks like an egg carton, and you can pull balls of waffles off). It was fun, and an endearing Asian interpretation of chicken and waffles. But, knowing what the egg waffles could *actually* taste like, I was really disappointed that the waffles were cold, almost as if they were frozen and thawed improperly. Overall, a disappointing meal -- perhaps I ordered the wrong dishes? I was so eager to love Shojo, but looks like I'll be coming in for drinks only!
(3)A S.
No. First: All the patrons were white when I went there. This restaurant is in the middle of chinatown. do the math. the food is not really asian at all. go expecting this and perhaps you'll be happy. Second: Wait staff is not exactly rude but totally unpolished. Brought us wrong food and told us that it was what we ordered. Newsflash: customer is always right. Even if I had ordered the wrong thing mistakenly (No. Didn't happen), it doesn't matter. I'm right. Third: Food was actually VERY TASTY but superbly overpriced. Therefore, I give it a 3 stars, knocking it down from what it might've achieved... Fourth: One bathroom.
(3)Crystal C.
ShoooooJooooo! Such an awesome drinking and dining experience, from the decor, to the food, to the drinks, and of course, the company, all of it was wicked awesome! I rarely travel, so when I was invited to a wedding in Boston, I was stoked to get over there and sink my teeth into the food scene. All my homies on the East Coast are Chinese, so it seemed fitting to hit up Chinatown. Our meal also followed a rehersal dinner, so it made sense to keep it classy at Shojo, which has an upscale / trendy / intimate feel. I kid you not, we had everything on the menu, and ate everything tapas-style, some of the dishes were ordered twice or three times, because they were smaller plates (and because they were so darn good!). I started off with the *Gin Gin Mule*, which I atcually wanted to order, but before I had a chance to say so, it was handed to me, as my friend knows the bartender who did one of those "ahh, you want something... light? Refreshing?" and mixed it up for us. I tried the *Mara Jungle Bird* too, but I'm not really a fan of Campari, just my personal preference, y'all, not to knock a good drink. I had a bunch more Gin Gins, plus way too much Soju and vodka, but hey, it was a celebration, b*tches! So, now onto le food. Where to begin... Well, when we arrived, our friends were there eating the *Salt and Pepper Calamari*, which was light and crisp, not oily, and very flavorful with a Szechuan Peppercorn Aioli. The *Duck Fat Fries*... Yea, let's just stop there and admire that combination. My mouth is watering just remembering those beauts. Rich, salty, hot, I could curl up on my couch with some baskets of those for a night or two. A couple other stand-out dishes for me personally and for the table as a whole, were the *Squid Ink Ramen* , the ramen is made fresh daily and had a sweet, salty, even buttery texture, thanks to the perfectly seared Scallops, the *Kimchi Fried Rice* topped with a sunny-side-up egg which was creamy and amazing, the *Suckling Pig Bao* which was crisp, salty, and oniony in the best way possible, and finally, the*Chicken and Waffles v2* which has huge pull for me as I love me some chicken and waffles. This dish was seriously heavenly. Chinese waffles, or eggettes, if you didn't know (like me, the one white girl at the table), look like a ton of little eggs, and are picked off easily from the whole. Drizzle a little syrup over it, and it's a done deal. The chicken was crispy, lightly smokey, and perfectly moist and hot throughout. The decor is lots of dark wood, tall tables, a sweet mural of Boston on the back wall, and dim, Edison-style lighting. I don't know the next time I'll be over to Boston, but when I am back, you know I'll be stopping in at Shojo to get my grub on. Nicely done!
(5)Artem K.
Loud. Packed. Delicious No you wouldn't go here for a quiet meeting. Shojo is more like a packed bar with loud music, particularly when we went on a Friday night. But it is packed for a reason, in the ever more crowded battlefield of Asian-style tapas, Shojo reigns supreme. Our party of 4 ordered almost everything in the menu, which is possible because the menu has about 10 items. Literally everything was fantastic. Pair that with some Japanese whiskey cocktails? You can't go wrong.
(5)Ryan R.
Went here with a friend to grab a bite to eat on a Tuesday night. The place was pretty crowded but we were seated right away at a table next to the window. We started with the sweet sake, which we really enjoyed the whole night. For the dishes we went with the bolognese, "big mac" dumpling, the kim chi fried rice, and the chicken and waffle. The big mac dumpling came as two dumplings and was an interesting fusion dish. It had a good flavor and interesting combination of ingredients. The bolognese had good flavor but I thought that it was pretty difficult to eat because the noodles were totally stuck together. I don't know if that is how it is supposed to be served or if it was just an error in the cooking, but it proved challenging to eat. The kim chi fried rice was my least favorite dish of the night and seemed pretty uninspired. I spent a lot of time in Koreatown in LA so maybe I am a bit spoiled, but this dish didn't even have a noticeable spice one might expect with kim chi. The chicken and waffle was by far the best dish of the night. The chicken was cooked perfectly but the waffle and the juice from the chicken together were probably the best thing I have eaten in Boston thus far. I didn't even use the syrup they served with it because there was so much flavor already. Overall, this place is a nice little spot in the heart of Chinatown. The pricing is actually pretty reasonable and if you are adventurous, you can find some good options on the menu. Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a fusion food experience.
(4)Sunny C.
Come here for the creative and well executed food but not for a conversation. This place is SO LOUD due to the patrons' conversations and the music. Decor is pretty neat. Best dishes are the kimchee fried rice and the ribs (ABSOLUTE FAVE). Pig bao was overhyped. It was pretty bland, not very savory. Calamari was also forgettable. Same as you would get at any restaurant. The drinks are tasty and just gorgeous in presentation.
(4)Samantha B.
A new addition to Boston, Shojo sits in the heart of Chinatown. A standout from the traditional restaurants in the area, Shojo dazzles with creativity. Blending tastes and styles of Asia, Europe, and America, the tapas style (often changes) menu is a unique treat. Come for a snack (slightly above cheap for more). The Wu Tang Tiger Style ribs (3 per order) are neatly presented with a pack of flavor. The ribs are a combination of traditional Chinese American spare ribs and Kansas City style, saucy with Thai basil, shallots, and peanuts. The Big Mac Mantou (3 Chinese steamed buns) is downright blissful. The homage to childhood fast food (complete with the "special sauce") and the genius pairing of the Chinese bun fuses this reviewer's favorite treats of yore and present. On a cold winter evening, chowder was the soup of the day, with a silky and creamy broth with sausage, corn, and potatoes. Charred eggplant Ttukbokki (Korean rice cakes) is enough for a small meal. The eggplant, albeit a slim portion, and rice cakes are served in a red chili sauce over baked mozzarella. The rice cakes act as penne pasta and the red chili sauce provides the "tomato" element, to combine this reviewer's first witness of Korean Italian fusion. Kudos! The Bang Bang (reference to an episode of Louie?) Bolognese is enough for a meal and is a great value. This dish has the more apparent Italian flare with strong overtones of Sichuan cuisine in the peppercorn sauce. Looking forward to coming back to sample the rest of the menu!
(5)Dave D.
Shojo is great. Stopped in around 7:30 on a Tuesday night and it was about half full. Two friendly young ladies seated us immediately. The decor is a a bit extreme for my taste, but then I'm an old guy and probably not in the heart of their target demographic. It's definitely fun and loud and I can see it appealing to a lot of folks. There were lots of young folks having a nice time - lots of smiling faces. I loved that a Bruce Lee movie was on the big screen. We tried the pig bao, the duck fat fries, the shrimp bao, and the charred greens. My friend had a Kimoto Sour cocktail, and I had a beer. Everything was delicious, and the prices were reasonable. Service was informal, friendly, attentive and quick. Bottom line: great food and drinks in a fun, loud atmosphere.
(4)Lindsay G.
I was really disappointed by the food at Shojo. I came for some fun, inventive asian fusion, but found the dishes to be overly heavy, salty, and sauced. They took some great base asian dishes and loaded them with them with copious amounts of unnecessary ingredients like cheese, mayo, cream, and a bbq-esque sauce, which overpowered the fresh flavors and spices that should have been highlighted. Maybe this type of heavy, Americanized cuisine appeals to some, but it really wasn't for me! On the plus side, the cocktails were better than most I've found in boston and the service was friendly and attentive.
(2)Salinda N.
Nice modern place located in Chinatown. Ordered the Chicken & Waffle, Kimchi Fried Rice, and Duck Fat Fries. Chicken & Waffle came with two drumsticks and a chinese-style egg waffle. Very yummy! The chicken meat was very easy to eat and pull apart without using your hands. Kimchi Fried Rice also was very very good and came with a sunny-side up egg on top. Duck Fat Fries were fresh and crispy and came with a sriracha aioli for dipping. Good service, good food, good vibes.
(5)Andrea L.
Great place for a girls' night or grabbing drinks with a group of friends, but the small tapas really aren't enough to feed a hungry crowd...We had to go somewhere else afterwards for dinner part 2. As for the food: - Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs: favorite dish of the night, and falling-off-the-bone tender. - Charred Eggplant Ddukbokki: a wild card but we ended up loving it. Cheese, eggplant, and rice cake don't seem like they'd go well together, but they do! - Suckling Pig Bao: Good but over-hyped. The sweet BBQ sauce was a bit overpowering. - For drinks: If you're adventurous, get the Kamehameha, a mix of coconut milk, lime, and spicy Thai chili. It's good!
(4)BP Y.
Definitely a gem in Chinatown! The place is international style hip. The dishes are very tasty and creatively well thought out, same with the cocktails. The dishes we ordered were all well seasoned and the flavors were very punchy! Drinks were strong and the concepts behind the cocktails are really interesting. In general, I was not a big fan of fusion style cuisine but I must say I was very impressed by my experience at shojo. I felt that the fun and creativeness of the business was what made shojo different and stand out from the many generic Asian fusion restaurants.
(5)Helen L.
What a fun and unique place! I love the art decor. Bartenders and servers were really friendly and accommodating. The drinks are inexpenskve, the duck fat fries with sriracha aioli sauce is absolute heaven, and the bathroom is clean! Check this place out :)
(4)Ed M.
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. A must-try for the 21+ crowd. Inspired drinks (the gin-gin mule lives up the hype; the Kamehameha is a pretty good drink with an awesome name) and excellent, inventive asian fusion cuisine. We had the duck fat hand cut fries, the wu tang tiger style ribs, the big mac mantou among others; all dishes served were delicious! What's great about this menu is its highly rotational nature; I can't wait to go back. Atmosphere is intimate and there are many cool paintings on the walls. We went on a Thursday night at 6:30 pm and it was fairly empty but I can't speak for weekends.
(5)Anastasia B.
all was really yammi . I got ramen soup with suckling pig and Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries .
(5)Gail W.
Modern Asian food in Chinatown? Sounds like a contradiction until now. When you walk in your eyes are immediately drawn towards a great street mural and you know this is going to be a hip place. While the space is small, the combinations of tables are easily ready to accommodate parties of any size. They also have a function room which we didn't see, but could have potential for small parties. The menu is tapas style so get ready to try a bunch of things... Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs- Definitely get these... the meat was falling off the bone tender and the outside was crispy because they are fried before serving. Only 3pieces/plate so order wisely. Duck Fries (Shadowless style)- the waitress told us this was an award winning dish and it didn't disappoint. It is an asian version of poutine fries so whats not to like. Black pepper Carbonara- Enjoyed this. Noodles are made in house, on the thicker chewy side and the sauce was flavorful. Charred Eggplant Ttukbokki- Indifferent on this one.. the rice cake, reminiscent of a flat gnocchi, was a nice texture addition otherwise didn't know what to make of the dish. Flavors were good but not sure if it would be worth getting again. Suckling Pig Bao- personally didn't try this but my friends who did said "they were good, not as good as at momofuku in NYC, but good". Chicken and Waffle 2.0- The waffle is slightly sweet which made for a nice ending to the meal. If you like fried chicken and waffles, get it, but if you don't, I'd try some other things first.
(4)Sarah C.
When you see ramen on the menu, you'll think of yellow egg noodles. I was surprised to see soba in my bowl of shojo ramen. Soba is a healthier choice but don't call it ramen or allow your customer to choose noodle selections. Interesting broth (love anything with sesame and black pepper) but it was very salty. The soba was also undercooked. Next came the shrimp ramen and it was stir fry soba. Soba again? No broth? I am so confused. Persimmon added a sweet taste to it which I like but again, way too salty. The fries were good at least.
(2)Tiana A.
The food was very good, loved everything I had. The server was great, the food came out fast and still hot. The cold tea drink was great as well. The only thing I have to complain about would be this drunk group who was arm wrestling and screaming. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone
(5)Xue L.
Awesome restaurant! The food is great--real Asian fusion, not Westernized Asian food. The highlights were the noodles--the Bang Bang Bolognese and Charred Eggplant Ttukbokki. Very tasty! The Kimchi Fried Rice, Chicken and Waffles were great too. The bar also serves unique, yummy Asian fusion drinks. Unfortunately, docking a star because: 1) It's tiny and VERY loud (I feel old writing this). Great place to come with a group of friends to pre-game. Not a good place for a date or to catch up. 2) The food is very oily, and most of the dishes are spicy.
(4)Vicky N.
I was really excited to try the chicken and waffles at this place but to my disappointment they no longer had it in the menu so we got the pork bao and the hot pressed sando. The place is small which dark lighting. The service was pretty slow although the place wasn't busy. I wasn't impressed with the pork bao ($9) it came with some kind of tomato sauce which didn't go well with the pork. The hot pressed sando ($12)was pretty disappointing. It came with potato chips which were salty and tasted burnt and The fried chicken in it the panini was soggy. This place is overpriced and the food wasn't that special. I probably won't be coming back.
(3)Suzanne G.
I loved it here! Not your typical Chinatown restaurant. Boston needs more creative restaurants like Shojo! The atmosphere is industrial and eclectic, with one of the best 80s/90s throwback playlists I've heard in a while. I'm pretty sure everything is good here...I must go back to test out my theory (aka order the handful of items I haven't tried). Here's what I've had: Black pepper carbonara - better than most Italian restaurants Kimchi fried rice - must have Duck fat fries - good, but not a must-have Wu Tang Ribs - must have Chicken and waffles - at an Asian restaurant!? So fun and addicting Drunk ass shrimp noodles - must have Bao - must have (ate it so fast I don't remember what kind it was) All of the cocktails I tried were strong and interesting! It's a smaller place, so try to make a reservation or sit at the bar.
(4)Colleen H.
I looooove Shojo!! They serve mostly plates to share (think asian tapas) and everything is just delicious! It's truly a hidden gem in China town. It's a lot more modern and hip than the other restaurants in the neighborhood and they have this amazing artist paint the wall in the back that has a little peek hole to the kitchen. Drinks are great, both cocktail and mocktails. While the menu changes, if you see the pig bao on there - be sure to get it! Definitely one of my favorite places to recommend when people are visiting from out of town. It really stands alone and sets the setting for a pretty special evening. Great date spot for sure!
(5)Tanya K.
We shared a lot of the small plates and all were excellent. My boss really enjoyed the Kimchi and we all enjoyed be specialty cocktails as well!
(5)Sophie P.
The portions here are TINY. It's literally like Asian tapas except not the same effect at all because the food is not outstanding. The restaurant is really small and loud. My boyfriend and I were practically sitting right next to the other couples surrounding us, and we had to yell to hear each other speak. If I were at the bar, I wouldn't mind, but being at the table and being surrounded by people was uncomfortable. Also, the tables are so small that the plates we ordered wouldn't really fit. We had to keep eating really fast. What we got: Shaved Asian salad - simple, fresh, fine. Nothing special Suckling pig bao - More like sucking pig bao because it's NOT WORTH THE HYPE. Go to Myers + Chang for the real pork buns. The buns were dry and almost crunchy, and the pork had no flavor. I love my pork buns and I know when I see a good one. Not here. Duck fat french fries - Oilier thin french fries. The aioli sauce was good (obvi, who can mess up aioli) but honestly I only liked them because they were thin and crunchy. Nothing new here. Duck taco - TACO?! No. More like giant fried wonton chip with veggies and "duck" on top. I couldn't even taste the meat and you couldn't eat it without a fork and breaking off the "taco". Mussels in thai beer broth - Tasted a little citrusy; there were bits of orange in there. Refreshing. Cold tea for 2 - THE ULTIMATE DISAPPOINTMENT. Omg. Sounds like a good idea in theory to have your alcohol served in a teapot. The drink was waaaay too sweet and almost tasted like medicine. Both my boyfriend and I weren't feeling it. The service was fast and the bussers cleared our plates very quickly, but it's because the tables are so damn small. We paid over $80 that made us feel maybe half full.
(2)Ojus P.
Got virtually the whole menu (10 dishes) shared among 6 people and recommend doing something similar to share a bunch of dishes. The suckling pig bao was a highlight along with the ginger cocktail. I got the tea for 2 and it is an awesome deal served in a whole teapot. Would be happy to go back. It was about $40 per person for 10 dishes and 6 cocktails so not too expensive
(4)Julia K.
This is a nice spot for an upscale drink in Chinatown. The gin gin mule was delicious. The taste of the alcohol was entirely masked by the ginger flavors. The black bird (?) wasn't very special and tasted like a typical vodka based drink; however, the presentation was artistic. I'd pass on the food and go to some of the other more "authentic and traditional" chinese restaurants in the area for a real taste of what the city has to offer.
(3)Jenn Z.
Delicious food (yes the suckling pig bao was excellent) and cool drinks (saw one came in a Buddha shaped cup). Good service in a trendy setting. Price beats other fusion restaurants in town.
(4)Francine W.
Love this place. The kimchi fried rice is delicious. The baos and duckfat fries are solid. Fried calamari sucked actually but in general the dishes are creative and tasty. Good drinks too!
(4)Anju P.
I write this review with mixed feelings. On the one hand, Shojo deserves praise as the best restaurant in Chinatown and one of the best in Boston. On the other hand, Shojo's limited popularity allowed us to dine on a Friday night without a reservation and with no wait. However, tonight's meal was so delicious that I would be doing humanity a disservice by not announcing it to the world. The bartenders are great. I'd recommend seating at the bar for the most attentive service and interesting ambience. We ordered four dishes for sharing. They arrived with sufficient time between to enjoy each small plate to its fullest. Don't be fooled by the low prices though, the portions are actually quite large and we ended up having to take some home. The standout dish of the night was the spag-n-ball z, a dish composed of a coconut lime broth and squid ink dumplings. Despite the corny name (yes I admit I watched dbz as a child), the dish was amazing. The broth was flavorful, the dumplings worked extremely well. Next time, we'll be ordering two plates worth. And next time can't come soon enough.
(5)Mary G.
I was lured here by their Chicken n' Waffles 2.0 and while that dish didn't blow me away, I found the other takes on Pan Asian fusion surprisingly well done & reasonably priced. It is a slightly awkward 1.5 dishes per person, roughly. With most dishes coming in at less than 10 dollars, it is pretty reasonable. While I'm not in love with how hard they're trying, graffiti art everywhere with "former industrial space" styling I'll go back to what I said before; the food is actually pretty decent. My friends and I got the chicken and waffles, duck fat fries, eggplant ddukbokki, and the salt & pepper calamari. The chicken part of the CnW was pretty darn swell, though the waffle part drug it down. They were going for something sort of like taiyaki (I can't quite think of the word for it, but basically pressed street waffles one finds in Taiwan and Japan), but they were heavy and not well made. The eggplant dish was homey and comforting, the calamari well prepared, the sauces everything came with were very complimentary. I don't think I could go here too many times before it wore thin on me, but it is a refreshing take on fusion that is def't worth checking out a few times.
(4)David C.
After Shojo catered one of our Elite Events, I was left with a major hankering for pork buns and knew I had to try this Chinatown hotspot (never thought I'd pair those two words together) for dinner. The meal as a whole was only ok, but the suckling pig bao did hit the spot. My entree, the crispy Thai-style duck, was a bit of a misnomer. The meat was tender and flavorful, but the skin was flaccid, and I'm not exactly sure what made it "Thai-style." My mom got the chicken roulade with drunken noodles--a huge portion, but pretty one note. Still, Shojo is popular for a reason. It offers an atmosphere and creative interpretations of Asian cuisine that you can't find anywhere else in Chinatown. If I were to return, it would probably just be for cocktails and appetizers. And by appetizers I mean pork buns, lots and lots of pork buns.
(3)Being H.
Called in a reservation last night for a party of 2, today at noon. Left my phone number in addition to my name. Drove up an hour from out of town. Got to the restaurant today and there's a sign posted on the door saying, "Closed today 12/19 for lunch." A phone call would've been nice, needless to say common courtesy.
(1)Francisca W.
disclaimer: the place is owned by two nephews of a co-worker; we went for a happy hour/dinner in hopes to find a suitable locale for a upcoming staff party, back in December. ended up loving the place ourselves. the reno/decor made you feel like you're at somebody's "warehouse style" studio: exposed pipes, brick wall, gigantic mural...simplistic yet modern - got lots of character in there. Yeah drinks and food were a bit pricey for "chinatown", but if you walk two blocks down to Genko Sushi or Abbey Lane, you'll be met with the same price point. Had the Gin Gin Mule and the one with the cucumber ice, both impressed my palate. Friend had one that was served in a tiki cup (Plantation Punch?), fruitier but also good. Got a bunch of small plates to sample: sucking pig bao, duck fat fries, duck meat dumpling, a cold noodle that's surprisingly spicy, kimchi fried rice...among other things. Yes portion is on the smaller size but it's tapas! Cut most in half and all four of us had a decent bite. The highlight was on the dessert sample plate (on the house, due to our connections, and also coz we were booking a private party!).... I can't remember other things but the choco sesame balls were da bomb!! Just the right size (a bite or two), and the semi-liquidy choco filling was dark and rich (not plain sweet), like a Valhrona kind, not the Hershey kind. A very pleasant meal in all. Small complaint on the young staff: service was a little spotty as they're all engrossed in their phone. Take a break in the back room if you need! Phones should NEVER be out in front of customers, unless that's what you use to take their order or close their tab! On another note: staff party was a huge success. All staff liked the location (walkable from work), the restaurant was just the right size to reserve the whole place to ourselves for a couple hours, food and drinks were approved by all. The owners also worked our budget into menu planning and were very accommodating to our needs (ex. food allergies) as well. p.s. Try the cold tea for two!!!
(5)Jeffrey R.
I love Shojo. Probably go there too often. It's a unique spot in its neighborhood - a cool, modern space flanked by the more traditional restaurants & storefronts you'd find in Chinatown. It's typically bustling on the weekends and an occasional weeknight, so expect to wait. The menu is mostly asian fusion, served tapas style. The Kimchi fried rice is probably my favorite item on the menu, but the bao is pretty solid too. The menu seems to change it up quite a bit, which I give them credit for. The cocktails are really fun (and strong) too.
(5)Veronica C.
Excellent food and service! Food came quick and all the servers were very attentive all the time! Ordered: duck fat fries and fried calamari for appetizers and duck breast and drunken chicken for entrees. The duck breast was the best!!
(5)Karen Y.
My friend found this place and suggested we go during our trip to Boston. We went for dinner but didn't know what to expect. It's a little difficult to get full from their dishes, but I think we were able to satiate ourselves after three rounds of ordering. Interior design is wonderful, though tables could be a bit bigger. Great original drinks. Service was above average, but not great... but not terrible either. I really did like the vibe of the place. Friend adored the cup/glass that the Chairman's Painkiller (???) was served in. All in all a great time.
(4)Lindsay H.
I went in for drinks this past Saturday around 9pm. It was packed- we were told a 20 minute wait for a table. The host helped us to find a spot at the bar and luckily two seats opened shortly after. They have a very interesting cocktail list. However, I did not know what half of the ingredients were. The first drink was pretty good, but a little too "floral" tasting for me. Then we split the cold tea for two. This was good and not overly seat; I just wished that it was warm tea. I think the next time I would be sure to ask more questions about what is in my drink. While I did not love my drinks, I am definitely excited to go back for dinner. The ambiance is great, and the staff is AMAZING! I have never been to a place where everyone was so friendly and accommodating. A definite bonus is that they also seem very willing to prep a vegan dish for me, even though it is not on the menu. Nice crowd and good vibe. Be sure to check this place out!
(4)Sarah G.
So pumped to have a spot in Chinatown that is nice and fun inside! I mean, where else in Chinatown can you go and eat affordably in a semi trendy location where they make their own house ginger beer to use in their creative cocktails? And their cold tea for two with oolong infused Vodka was addicting! What a fun place! In addition to the decor being pretty awesome on the walls, the rumors in these reviews that they play old kung fu episodes in here are definitely true too! I thought it might not be, but to my surprise they really do play up the stereotype here! Love it! And then the food was pretty great too. Although I will say that the duck fat fries that everyone raves about were not that great, and I know how addicted Bostonians are to lobster, but their lobster fusion pasta dish was not my fav (although others who ordered it with me liked it!). But those suckling pig baos were PERFECT. I only wish they were bigger and more came to an order! Yum! Call me a sucker for anything pork, but these little bites of heaven make me want to go back to Shojo. I also got a seared tuna on a bed of wasabi rice that was cooked to perfection too--seared on the outside, almost raw in the middle, and that wasabi flavor with it was just so so good! And it made me feel a little healthy after having my pork bao :-) Everyone else was more than happy with their short rib dishes and I forgot to mention how great their calamari is too! It isn't fried like normal calamari. No no, at Shojo it is served with spicy peppers and it is fresh and amazing! We found ourselves almost fighting over the last pieces of that dish! So glad Shojo is around and can't wait to come back!
(4)Sebastian Y.
Easy-to-recommend, flawlessly executed Asian fusion with influences from China, Japan, Korea and even Latin America. Full bar with delicious cocktails. We will be going back and so should you.
(5)Andrew T.
Want to start by saying that the food at Shojo was great. Interesting, tasted great, and the kitchen was quick to get everything out in a timely manner. The atmosphere was fun, a little more upbeat and louder than some of its Chinatown neighbors. Service was mid-tier. The food came fast when we could get a hold of the waitstaff, but that proved difficult throughout our meal. We also received pushback when we wanted to split a meal between 6 credit cards. Granted its a lot of people, but big groups and multiple cards are a restaurant reality. New restaurants need to understand and embrace this. Pros: Food, atmosphere. Cons: Service
(3)Wesley S.
This place was pretty awesome and a great find. We had just arrived via train and were hungry and looking for something quick and near south station. We were lured in by the pretty lights outside and once inside were surprised to find an amazing menu of unique dishes and an extremely friendly staff. Coming from NYC, this place was amazingly economical as well. I loved it. Thanks for reading and enjoy.
(5)Susan S.
I unfortunately did not love the food here no matter how much I did want to enjoy it. I'll talk about the good and the bad. We came here on a Friday night at 7 ish with 2 other friends and it was empty but the crowds came in an hr or so later. I would say I like the atmosphere of the restaurant which was casual but intimate and charming in its own way. The wooden interior gives the place warmth yet is contrasted and balanced by the black colors. I liked how they were playing these old school movies on the screen. I think the strengths were more in the appetizers than the entrees. We ordered the Pig Suckling Bao buns which was decent. I don't remember it being really crispy, but it was a solid good with its salty and savory flavor. The fries with duck fat were tasty. You could taste the duck in there and the sauce was good not great, not that spicy. The shrimp balls with almonds on them were okay...reminded me of dim sum. The sauce with it I think was supposed to be pumpkin chili flavored but I didn't taste that at all. The duck confit dumplings which were good but not great. You can taste the savoriness but for me, it was mainly salty. The sauce was also not very memorable. The entrees we got were okay. The ravioli dish with pulled pork was tasty but I don't think the other elements in the dish came together very well. The portion was good though. The worst dish for me was the chicken roulade. I don't know if I ever hated a dish. As I first ate it, I thought it was fish or something. I couldn't really tell it was chicken because the meat itself tasted bland to me. And the noodles that came with it were lackluster in texture and flavor. The ginger beer was pretty good though and I think my friend liked her drink that also had ginger in it. Service was good. Her name was carmen I believe. Atmosphere is good. I just don't think the execution and components of flavor ever come together though. I guess there's just a lot of expectation for a fusion place. I just don't think it was worth my money, I was actually really angry that I had to pay for this food. I had to pay 40 dollars including tip. I like to enjoy things and I don't like to criticize food. I think the concept of the restaurant and what they are trying to bring to the neighborhood is noble, but I think they can improve on things. My other friend who had come to Shojo before had told me she just thought their food was just salty and I just can't disagree.
(2)Hana P.
No good. Trendy place to get drinks maybe as the ambiance suggests but to go here for a meal is a mistake. One, timing was all off. Our food came out at different times. He was eating, then I was eating etc. We got the pork ribs which can be described as cooked ribs then dunked into honey. No flavor except honey. Then I got my scallops which was way overpriced. They were cut in half. So basically it was 13$ for 1.5 scallops (not even jumbo). They tasted like scallops and lacked flavoring so no way I would order that again. Then after that we got out greens which they introduced as *market price. Lol. This place really felt a bit pretentious. I am glad that these kind of places exist everywhere.
(1)W. C.
-Pork belly entree - It was good, but this seems to taste very similar to all other Asian Fusion places. -Duck fat fries - I liked these. -Suckling pig bao - I liked the flavor, but it is kind of overrated in the yelp reviews. I'm guessing these people ha
(4)Danny F.
Was a little unsure coming to eat here for the first time, but it was such a treat. I had a side of kimchi and XO corn as apps, and they were probably the most multidimensional versions I have had of either. The kimchi was really quite spectacularly balanced between spicy, sour, sweet, and it also had kale (?) in addition to the regular cabbage. Definitely a hit. The corn was also fabulous, with a housemade XO that added a lot of flavor to the fresh corn's natural sweetness. Entrees consisted of char sui pork ravioli and fried catfish. Ravioli was kind of amazing. I love any meat-stuffed ravioli, but this was perfectly cooked and portioned. The bacon in the sauce really added something too. Catfish was the least successful dish. The fish itself was pretty bland, but really crunchy, and needed the wonderful sauce swimming underneath. But once you soak it in the sauce, you loose the crunch. So this was an issue with composition rather than cooking technique. I like that Shojo is pretty aggressively creative, which being reasonably priced and mostly successful. I'll keep coming back. What I am baffled by is the location. I don't know who it's clientele is supposed to be. Most people go to Chinatown to try and get an authentic experience. And this is the total opposite. It really needs to be relocated to a much hipper location, or at least one where people will actively go to appreciate.
(4)Gazelle T.
I'd give the drinks 4 stars and the food 2. We got the duck dumplings--too much duck filling, too dry, too salty, and only a microscopic smidge of parsnip puree on the plate to go with them. I ordered the ravioli, and it was incredibly boring and pedestrian. It was supposed to be 'Char Siu Pulled Pork, House Smoked Bacon, Chinese Celery, Shaved Perorino' which sounds really exciting, but it was just too salty, too heavy, too creamy. The pasta was doughy and the heavy cream sauce overwhelmed the other flavors and the pork was BORING. And I love pork. My boyfriend ordered the duck and it was all right, but I thought the stuff it came with (couscous and a simply dressed vegetable) were pretty boring. I'd give them another chance because the drinks were really good, but I'd be cautious about ordering food.
(3)Kevin M.
Great spot in Chinatown with a cocktail and Japanese beer list to beat anything you can find elsewhere. Food is Japanese inspired and trendy (especially the cocktails and the vibe), no disappointments any where.
(5)JIllian N.
Hip place for 20 something Friday night. Inventive drinks, cool scenery. Food best shared as tapas amongst a group. They were out of the specials.
(3)B J.
Service was excellent. We were an hour late for a reservation due to insane traffic and we had to make a show. The folks here didn't even bat an eyelash. It was all smiles and accommodation. The food was as excellent as the other reviews indicate. We had the fries, the bao, noodle salad, Malaysian chicken, and cocktails. It was all so welcome after battling traffic.
(5)A T.
I had lunch at Shojo recently, my first time at the restaurant. It may be the only restaurant in Boston's Chinatown that meets all of these criteria: it is super clean, has contemporary and stylish decor, and very good and innovative food and bar menus. I tried two appetizers and a main course along with two non-alcoholic drinks. The drinks were very excellent, tasty and unique. I highly recommend the superb Shojo Punch ($4.00), which was a blend of fruity juices, much better than I expected for a fruit punch. I also recommend the unique and interesting homemade lemongrass soda ($5.00). The appetizers and main course all were ready at the same time and brought to me together. I particularly liked the corn appetizer ($4.00). The distinctive flavorings used made this dish a great one. The almond-covered shrimp balls ($5.00) were good, but the almond texture and flavor were over-powering. Instead, I'd recommend that they lightly dust the shrimp with almond powder rather than cover the shrimp with almond slices. The main course of drunken chow foon noodles ($8.00) was also good. It included chicken, shrimp and vegetables. I had expected the appetizers to be smaller portions, so I ended up ordering too much. Next time, I'd probably get one or two dishes, not three. I will be back to Shojo. It is an excellent new addition to Chinatown.
(4)Heather G.
As is often the case, I disagree wholeheartedly with the Yelp community in aggregate. 4 stars? not a chance. 2 stars, 3 on a good day. Here are the takeaways: 1. On a Friday night, the restaurant was nearly empty. 2. The food is only OK. not great, and way too much money for the quality and portion size. 3. The drinks are really expensive ($10-11), small, and hit-or-miss 4. The waitstaff is over-attentive - some of you know what I'm talking about here. They hover around your table, watching your plates, and the second a plate is empty, they swoop in with an "i'll take this out of your way". Makes me feel like i'm being watched, but this really could be due to #1 above more than anything. Luckily, great company and conversation made my experience awesome, but because i brought that with me myself, i can't give the restaurant any credit for it! What we had: Egg's nest ($15) - We ordered this because it was written up in a food column and looked interesting. Basically, it was a pile of pasta and shrimp mixed with bean sprouts and (heavy!) peanut sauce. On top was a "nest" (that looked like a cargo net) made of egg. The egg screen on the top was delicate, but the flavor did not mix well with the rest of the dish. Come to think of it, i don't think the flavors in the dish mixed too well with each other at all: pasta, heavy/thick peanut sauce, baby shrimp, egg. Separately, they were all OK, but together, they were fishy/eggy/sweet. I wouldn't order this again. Fried Oysters ($9) - these sound good in theory but are sub par in execution. A fried oyster is laid in its shell with some crispy egg noodles, a bit of kimchi sauce, and some paprika aioli. There are three small oysters on a plate for $9, and they taste more fishy than anything. The waiter, as we attempted to ingest these, had to come out and tell us how the chef likes them to be eaten, and how, oppositely, he recommends them to be eaten. Apparently there's some debate on these, because they're tough to eat (and are in a pool of sauce, so be careful tipping the shell to your mouth!), and the diners, waiters, and chef have all rung in. My opinion? Just don't eat them at all. They're OK, but not as good as the bao or the pork rib, so I'd save my money and apply it to that instead. There, problem solved! Duck fat fries ($6) - Small order for $6, but still you're going to need to ask for extra sriracha mayo. These are more thin-cut (thinner than Belgian-style but just a tad thicker than shoestring), crispy (perhaps a bit overdone), and taste like they were fried in leftover onion ring oil...not that there's anything wrong with that :) Though I found them a small order for the price, and not the best duck fat fries that have ever crossed these lips, they're a great munch-y snack when you're here having cocktails. fried pickles ($5) - what I liked about these pickles was that they were very thinly sliced (almost "shaved"), and very thinly battered. However, they were also entirely too greasy and salty for my taste, but to each his own. Suckling Pig Bao - sparsely stuffed, but the meat was tasty (fatty). The dough was nice and thin, but still fluffy and chewy. Well-executed, but at 2 to an order for $8, could really buy you a bit more stuffing! pork ribs ($8) - sweet, sticky, REALLY fatty, but fell off the bone. The introduction these was something like: "try these, Heather, they jump off the bone into your mouth"...which I thought was a ridiculous statement until i put one even NEAR my pie-hole. Barely a touch and the meat falls into your mouth and down your gullet (that sounds appetizing, i know, but you get the point). If you can get over the extreme fattiness of the ribs, the flavor and tenderness will blow your mind. Drinks: Reiko Greene - gin, green chartreuse, lime, cucumber ice ($11) - this was a small drink for $11 and the glass was mostly taken up by the cucumber ice cube. While the drink was tasty, one will not be enough for an evening - a dinner may require you to have 3 or 4, as they are on the small-side. The great part about this drink, though, is the muddled cucumber ice cube. After the beverage was emptied, the ice block remained, and you can pour your water over the cube and enjoy all evening. MMM tastes like a spa. Gin gin mule ($10) - thanks to the lovely Gram, I'm obsessed with these. They make them at Posto and they're completely addicting. I saw it on the menu here and jumped on it. Those who love the Posto GGM, beware - this isn't close to the same. This one is much sweeter (and less alcoholic?). I wasn't a huge fan, because it didn't taste at all like gin - it was more like sweet ginger with ice. SO, in summation, I'd say this is an OK place for a cocktail and maybe a nibble (pork ribs, bao, and maybe duckfat fries), but shouldn't be the main event of your evening. Stop off before heading to whatever else your Chinatown evening entails - Taiwanese food, soup dumplings, Peking duck, whatever.
(2)Katia M.
Solid food. Hit this place for lunch and was NOT disappointed. Cool wall mural, nice staff, short but very sweet menu; options for vegetarians -- basically, everything I needed for a quick and happy lunch.
(4)Tammy K.
I'm a little torn over this review. On one hand, I think Shojo is a really neat concept, and I like what they've done with the space, especially with the wall depicting the journey of the monkey (classic Chinese folk-tale). However, I don't know if a place like this will survive in a neighborhood rife with chinese food at a third of the price. We came on a Saturday night during prime dinner hour, and there was only one other table around. We shared the duck fat fries, pork buns, short ribs, steak, and salmon. The food was plated nicely and pretty good, but with all of the other delicious options nearby, I don't think I will be back anytime soon for dinner. It is a nice place for cocktails, though, if you are in the area.
(3)Allison E.
This place was wonderful. Great service, and incredibly tasty food. We had an appetizer special which was corn with kimchi and cheese in the sauce. It was so good and looked interesting (with half of the corn in husks), we almost ordered a second order, but there were other dishes to try. The duck fat fries were good, with a spicy aioli. And the Bai pork bun was really good (tho you have to like fat). I wasn't eating gluten, and found the restaurant staff so helpful in guiding me to gluten-free choices. Yum! I wasn't drinking so can't rate the cocktails. Also, a fun moving was playing, which I have to rent: Shaolin Soccer.
(5)Jay W.
This place man... It captures your eye when you're walking through Chinatown. I came here with a party of 15.. DON'T EVER DO THAT. It's not comfortable sitting and you can't even talk to everyone at the table, not even the people sitting across from you because the music is TOO LOUD. Service: Pretty good, they were friendly. But they forgot my rice... Food: Their drink menu is bigger than their food menu. The Duck fat fries ($5) were AWESOME. Whatever is in that dipping sauce is what made those fries good. Although, I wish the fries weren't cut up so small. There is a familiar taste to those fries but I couldn't put my finger on it. For my main entree, I had the Char Siu Chicken ($17) REALLY GOOD, the chicken had a lot of flavor. Venue/Decor: It's a very urban/hipster kind of setting. I enjoyed the wall mural. Nice candles on every table. The longest table in the center of the restaurant for the bigger parties is not comfortable.. One thing I wish this restaurant would change is how loud the music was. Because the music was so loud, everyone is yelling to hear each other so it really takes away from the conversations... Overall: - GREAT food - Good service - Beautiful decor - Bad setting for nice conversations But I'd come back..
(3)Kimberly Y.
Been here a couple times with the hubby. We really like the pork belly buns. Those are our favorite item on their menu and have recommended that to all our friends. We usually just order several appetizers instead of ordering the entrees (and we aren't big drinkers either), hence the 4 star rating. So far we have really enjoyed all the appetizer items we've tried. I definitely recommend trying this place out.
(4)T C.
Went to Shojo with a friend before going to a show at Royale, and we're both going to return. The food was excellent, but the service was even better. In fact, the waiter noticed that my phone was about to die and offered to charge it for me while we ate. He wasn't just milking it for a tip, either--he was genuinely helpful and attentive without being intrusive. We had some small plates, which is definitely the way to go. The pot of kimchi had a nice kick to it, the suckling pig bao was super tasty, and the duck confit dumplings (my favorite, though incredibly rich, as you might imagine) were amazing. When it came time for dessert, we had two options; chocolate sesame balls or pumpkin panna cotta. We went for the pumpkin panna cotta. Big disappointment. Because of this dessert failure (I have a wicked sweet tooth), I thought about giving Shojo four stars. However, considering the rest of the meal was so great, and Asian fusion places are not generally known for their desserts, I decided to be generous and give them all of the stars.
(5)Jenny Y.
My girlfriends and I were blown away by our wonderful experience at Shojo. The vibe for dinner was fun and flirty. The specialty drinks were to die for and the staff was very knowledgable about the unique menu. We appreciated the attention to detail and could not stop raving about everything that came out. The food was delicious and savory; it's definitely a place for true foodies. After dinner hours, the restaurant turned into a cool rustic lounge. The lights are dimmed and the filament bulbs added to a Thomas Jefferson era feel. The staff was so attentive and friendly, I felt like I had been a regular there for years!
(5)Brian D.
Shojo is crack cocaine. Two visits in one week. Instant addiction. But, I only use it when I party, so it's all good. (I kid. I kid.) Shojo is, for lack of better words, pretty gosh-darned awesome. For starters, If you are the sort of person who enjoys the occasional, or habitual, drinky-poo then you are in luck. These fine folks have got you covered. In booze. Think gin. Think citrus infused gin with coconut cream and basil. Think about that goodness in your face. Now think about a nice Hendricks and Chartreuse served over an enormous cucumber ice cube. Commence getting the shakes the morning after slinging back a couple dozen of these concoctions. And food. Dear, dear, dear, me and the things I could do with this food. Namely, I would eat it. You may do as you please. I've had the grilled calamari and it was nice and spicy over delicate greens and radishes. I've had the mussels. I've had the duck fat fries. I've had the entire dessert menu. I've watched grown men weep whilst they ate the amazing pork creations. Atmosphere. Pretty swank and in a non pretentious way. A new flavor for Chinatown. Fun murals. Beautiful wood tables and bar. Fun, diverse crowds. So Kids, go get some Shojo and let me know if you have any questions. I will gladly Google or pull an answer out of my pie-hole for you. Toodles.
(4)Ryan T.
Off the charts. Just go! Order 4-5 tapas total for 2 and enjoy. Order one rice....it was enough for 2 and amazing. Ask about the vegetable of the day...we got heirloom tomatoes with pesto and spicey curried carrots and they were stupid good. Food 10, Service 10, Ambience 10, Music 10. Dont second guess this place.
(5)S T.
Love the decor...the service was friendly, and the flavors were good! However, we were the only ones there to be served..and we ordered an appetizer and two mains..and it all came out at once. Also, they are losing two stars because our main dishes were served luke warm. Odd since, it was not busy?!? This is what we ordered Dish # 1: pork bao w/crispy skin (SOOOO Good!) Dish # 2 (main): pork confit (not bad) Dish #3 (main): beef braised short ribs, taro mash, (flavors were great, but again, served cold..so not so good). Would I come back? Yes, but not right away. Do they not have a heat lamp?? Receiving cold food is not good, especially since we were the only ones there. Anyway, the flavors were good..but probably could of been better if my food was hot.
(3)Brett P.
Had dinner here the other night. OK place for a cocktail and maybe a small bite, but it shouldn't be the main event of your evening. I wouldn't go back for dinner.
(2)Drew M.
I was a little nervous going to chinatown for a big party but we had a great time. The service was great, the food was awesome and between the drink list and sake bombs we really enjoyed ourselves. We had a large group of people and the service was great. We all had dinner and then a ton of sake bombs. Everyone loved their meal (ravioli's and duck fries where a huge hit) and going sake bombing was a great way to kick off the night. The tea for two was also a great way to kick your night off.
(4)Winnie C.
I came here on a Saturday night with 2 friends. It was fairly empty, probably because the place is still new. I have been looking forward to trying this place for weeks. The decor is very creative, artsy, and well... Asian. I can't believe they were able to transform what used to be a butcher shop/cafe into something so young and "hip." There is a small bar in the corner and communal tables in the middle. We got sat in front of the tv. yay! For drinks, we got a Chairman's Painkiller, which was pineapple, coconut, and "rum"?? (maybe), citrus drink, and another coconut drink --- sorry really bad with names. My friend loved the Chairman's Painkiller, it also came in a tiki glass. I got the citrus drink, it was okay, you would love it if you like a light, fruity drink, but it wasn't something I was going for that night. The manager or owner came by and offered to swap out my drink for the coconut milk with cucumber vodka. It was delicious! Never tried anything like it before. Leaves a creamy coconut taste in your mouth when you least expect it. The food, Asian fusion, was definitely not what I thought it would be like, but not in a bad way either. I work in an Asian fusion restaurant, so I was expecting something similar. We ordered the chicken cutlet, the spareribs, and the special seafood bouillabaisse. I loved the seafood dish, they had a special shrimp tempura, which I thought was a cookie between my mussels and clams, but one bite of it and I was hooked! I didn't really try the other dishes but my friend loved their taro mashed potato that came with the spareribs. Needless to say, we finished EVERYTHING. What I would definitely come back for though, besides drinks, is their service. Our server, it said Ronald on our check but I heard Oz before??, was very informed about everything on the menu, we had a lot of questions. He definitely convinced me on that special that night. The manager or owner who checked up on our meal was very nice and changed my drink for me when he found out I didn't like it. We stayed there for a bit afterwards playing Uno, so I could finish my new delicious drink, and the server was very attentive, refilled our waters, and didn't try to hurry us. In terms of portion for price, for my seafood dish $18 I could've been more full, but we should've ordered appetizers as well. But I am thinking Chinatown prices, of course, we came here to try this place for something not something cheap, large, and rude, typical of most restaurants in Chinatown. This would be a fare price to pay for any upscale, finer dining restaurant. I liked the food, loved the drinks, and definitely appreciated the service I received here. This would definitely be the spot to visit if you want more class and service than what the typical Chinese restaurant will offer down the street.
(5)Harold S.
We came here yesterday to try it out, since a tapas bar in Chinatown is something different. The decor is very creative, and the owner will tell you the story behind it if you ask. The chop chop daquiri was good. For appetizers, we got the fried oysters and spareribs. The fried oysters were not good, it was small and after breading and frying it, you can only taste the flour and nothing else. The spareribs were not bad, it fell of the bones and was very tender. For dinner, we shared 4 of their entrees (between 7 people). The dishes were good, but nothing out of this world. We got the salmon, chicken cutlet, steak, and pork ribs. The service was great, the drinks and dishes came out quickly. But overall, it was just an average experience.
(3)Jannis B.
We went to Shojo twice: once during its "soft opening" and once during their opening party. Since they're just starting out, I opted for a longer review below. Tl;dr version at bottom. The scene: Small, chic, modern Asian Step inside and you're surrounded by sleek modern decor. One entire wall is colored in a fun, dreamlike graphic of a monkey king, and it definitely has a young, fun feel to it. The staff: Exceptional Shojo staff have really focused on bringing people in and making sure they have a great experience. The owner personally came around during the soft opening asking people's opinions on dishes, and during the party, I saw him go back into the kitchen and specially put together a plate of the appetizers for people who had come in late. Now *that's* service. The drinks: Dangerously good We had something that tasted amazing. House-made lemon gin and ginger made a bright, refreshing drink that packed a punch as it cooled you off. One waiter accidentally started to take away my drink before I was done sipping every last drop. When I tried to stop him he said, "Oh sorry, I already touched it. Let me just bring you out another one." Score points for practicing good hygiene. The water servers also make sure to refill your water without touching the glass -- so you don't end up indirectly locking lips with every other patron drinking water that night. Sadly even the fancy restaurants sometimes miss this basic thing, but Shojo has it covered. The food: Well-executed modern Asian fusion The summer rolls were nice and refreshing with a touch of mint. I'm not a fresh oyster fan, but I *loved* the fried oysters with a light sauce. They're served in their own shell -- just be careful not to lick your fingers and get a mouthful of salt from the shell bottom. I loved the duck bao with kimchee. Crispy skin and juicy duck wrapped in the fluffy bun with a little kick from the kimchee. The biggest hit of the night, though, was the duck fat fries. Yes, they're as good as they sound. Tl;dr: Would recommend. Great drinks, good food, great service.
(4)K H.
Went here for lunch yesterday and was hoping to be in and out pretty quickly since we were on our lunch hour. Unfortunately, they were working on a catering order so the kitchen was backed up and the food took a while. It was worth the wait though, the food was great! I got the Damn Damn noodles and they were delicious albeit a bit salty. It came with a gooey fried egg on top...yum! I will definitely be back, maybe for dinner this time and hope to try the cocktails!
(4)John H.
VERY trendy and sleek atmosphere. Crowded around lunchtime, but what isn't downtown? THe food was above average and extremely well displayed.
(4)Svitlana S.
Nah- skip this place. There was nothing good about the food. We came here during the 1st night in town. Lets just say I've had better food.
(1)Monica H.
The suckling pig bao was super crispy!
(4)Charlie C.
Portions slightly on the small side, but extremely delicious and well worth going back
(4)Winnie T.
A new hot spot just opened up in Chinatown, and it's calling out all young professionals and anybody with a palette that appreciates good, creative food and has a penchant for strong, delicious craft cocktails! The restaurant's atmosphere is hip and inviting, and the look is modern. When you step inside, you'll forget that you're in Chinatown. The vibe is really laidback and entices people to get loose over a few drinks with friends after a long day's work or you can bring a date here where you guys don't have to worry about twiddling your thumbs and sitting in awkward lapses of silence. I attended their soft opening last night and it lives up to its hype thus far. Though the restaurant is still working out its kinks, the food and drinks are its salvation. This place is a new-found gem in the heart of Chinatown, where food choices are all monotonous. Shojo boasts a change from the traditional family-style meal -- plates are each crafted to perfection and served as pieces of art. Some of the highlights of the night were: 1. Miso-glazed salmon with fried eggplant: the salmon was cooked to perfection and seasoned well, and the fried eggplant offered the right amount of crunch to the meal. Would definitely eat again and again. 2. Duck fat fries: crispy and retained this natural succulent duck fat flavor. The sriracha aioli was a plus, but not necessary. 3. Coconut vegetable curry bowl: the curry is served in a bread bowl (the one clam chowder would typically be served in) and it was absolutely delicious and flavorful. Though it is more tailored for vegetarians (hence the lack of meat), had there been some chicken, it would have made it even better. 4. Almond Tofu: This almond tofu pudding is my new favorite sweet thing to eat. It comes with some fresh fruit and an almond biscuit cookie, and it is the perfect way to end the meal. GET IT. 4. CRAFT COCKTAILS were awesome. The Aberdeen Swizzle (lemon, coconut cream, gin) is a standout. Strong, but you won't realize it until 15 minutes in. The Dinghow Cocktail was also delicious as well: champagne with other citrus fruit notes. Chopchop daquiri is strong and sweet, and after a couple of these you'll be feeling nice and toasty. I could go on and on about how excited I am about how this new restaurant offers a new style of cuisine to Chinatown, but it's probably just best if you go and check it out yourself. The official grand opening is on August 8th, and I foresee there will be a long waiting list at the door once this place is officially inducted into the neighborhood.
(5)Mike Z.
Shojo, Being the only semi-fancy half-white half-Chinese (Asian-fusion they call it nowadays) kid on the block, not bad! You're expensive, but since you fancy and all, I guess you can charge the prices that you charge. The succulent, tender suckling pig bao is good, but it's not spectacular like how everyone raves. The pork short ribs were fall off the bone tender and tasty, though there were only three pieces! All in all, good quality, low quantity, premium price.
(4)Robert G.
brought my wife here to try an asian fusion restaurant in chinatown. it was amazing,i would definitely recommend this place to all my friends. my wife and i order the "cold tea" drink crack us up laughing the whole night.
(5)Melody W.
Interesting location for a swanky place like this in Chinatown (especially for an Asian fusion restaurant). I love the murals and interior decors! Service is prompt and filled with friendly staff so far. Anyways, I came here twice this month (coincidentally it was the $5 lunch dishes thing that's about to end soon): one time alone because I was curious about Shojo and second time with friends. Food overall? It was all right. Not too bad but not too spectacular to blow me away. I enjoyed the Drunken Noodles (I also requested to take the meat out and leave the shrimps in). We ordered the handmade tagliatelle dish and Damn Damn noodles. The texture of these dishes are very saucy and can be a bit heavy on the saltiness. The huge plates make the portions look kind of small...although my friends and I kept a menu just in case we feel what we got was not enough, we ended up being "close" to full with our meals. I think the overall sauciness may had contributed to our perception and intake of food :P The menu for lunch seems a bit small, so I would assume there's more variety for the dinner hour. Seems like Shojo is more suitable for the cocktail scene!
(3)Le N.
Yes, the food is good. But this place is overly hyped in my opinion. The only memorable item from the night was the pork buns. Everything else was mediocre. I also thought the prices were kind of high.. I had the catfish and that's decent at best. The fiance had the steak - that was good.. not good enough for me to come back though. Oh well, had to come here to try it out for myself. Not too sure why it's always so packed though.
(3)Jenney Z.
A small modern Chinatown restaurant. The menu is small and the food is basic. There is nothing on the menu that will surprise you, but there is also nothing on the menu that will let you down. The calamari was delicious but too small. Barbarcue pork rib was well cook, easily falling off the bone, but too dry. The pig bun was also a little dry, but ok. I feel Shojo is a good place to get a small bite to eat before going to a movie or show in the Theater District, but I wouldn't go there looking for a memorable meal just a satisfying meal.
(3)Charles T.
Everything about Shojo is well thought out and perfected. From the drop lights and brownstone brick walls, to the ceiling high artistic murals, the place just gives off an upscale but relaxed vibe. The food is no pushover either. Probably one of the few places in Boston to serve authentic duck fat fries along with a feast of other delicacies. Service was much better than most spots in Boston. Very quick, no BS, and super friendly. 5 stars.
(5)Will M.
Tasty interesting food, great cocktails. Pricey by chinatown standards, but cheap compared to the rest of Boston and in a nicely appointed, clean space. The steak entree was great, as was the egg drop soup. Pork bao tacos were good but too heavy on the bao and didn't have enough filling. The cocktails are pricey at $10, but they're tall and poured stiff, so you get your money's worth. Props to the bartender for mixing up something that was different and interesting, but still delicious.
(4)Patrick C.
WOW. People love the food here, and its good, but I love the drinks. I never had a better old fashion. The best part? They give you one decent sized ice cube. Yes, I know, it's just ice, but not having to contend with pieces of ice floating around in your drink is great. The service is great.They are very knowledgable about pairing your food with drinks, as well as what's good and what isn't. The ambiance is interesting. The scene is very warm, welcoming, and chaotic. The graffiti and videos of Bruce Lee playing on the T.V. gives you the feel of being in the mind of a 20 year old. (We all loved graffiti and Bruce Lee when we were 20 right?) The low lights, and the seating options make you feel cozy and comfortable. The food is unbelievable. I love the fries cooked in duck fat. Mostly because I feel healthier that I am eating something with duck fat. That's the good fat right? I am also a fan of their kimchee butter. Sounds gross at first, but it makes sense. Just try it on their skirt steak.
(5)Sophie S.
Phenomenal food!! Everything has unexpected, delicious flavors and the service is good. Can't wait to try drinks here!
(5)Max H.
I had heard about this place from Thrillist and some other interwebs lists. I was expecting a dazzling, mouth-watering, unique, and unexpected Asian fusion restaurant... To be honest it seemed like they tried too hard to make "unexpected" dishes. For example the glass noodle salad was completed buried under all sorts of peppers and vegetables... Sometimes minimalism pays off--my tongue was kind of assaulted with flavors. That being said, the place had a great atmosphere and vibe and some of the food items were actually pretty good (namely the Kimchi fried rice and the calamari). A pro was definitely the fact that they had the Hitachino white ale on tap!!! Overall, this restaurant's a "meh" for me.
(3)Nat P.
Finally a place in Chinatown my cool grandma would like! This is modern Chinese at its best! I totes recommend the Sucking Pig Bao, even though it doesn't sound good. This is one awesome bun of pork deliciousness. While I do prefer the traditional Chinese places, I do appreciate the sleek decor, highlighted by an amazing wall mural that looks like it was painted by the Gorilla's cover artist!
(5)Jon T.
Great, great, great. Went in on a Saturday, arly evening. Sat at bar and was treated to a great show. Cocktails were splendid (making own ginger beer puts you in a winners circle to start with). Tried the bao, duck confit dumplings & glass noodle salad small plates. Didn't disappoint. The bao was terrific, with a nugget of crispy crackling tucked in. Bar tender treated us to small samples of house blended liquors which just added to the experience. Heading back real soon
(5)W J.
This restaurant is really special. The manager Brendan went out of his way to make my mother's birthday really special. I purchased a gift certificate for my mom's birthday. She went with her friends and they all had a really nice time at Shojo. My mom liked and the duck and the tofu, and mentioned that the duck fat fries were very good. Thanks Shojo for becoming a part of our nice memories.
(5)Mike D.
I went into Shojo on a Friday night with my expectations set extremely high based on all the hype I had heard. That's usually a bad idea because 9 times out of 10 you will be let down but here's the kicker; Shojo exceeded every expectation in every aspect of my dining experience. Here's the run down: Walked in the restaurant and BAM! The decor and graffiti suggests that you are in for a modern treat with a classic twist. The hostess was so pleasant as she escorted us to our seats and immediately we were swarmed (in a good way) by waitstaff to assist us with water, drink, and food decisions. We ordered the Suckling Pig Bao, BBQ Pork Rib, Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries, Tuna Tartare, duck dumplings, kimchi fried rice, and almond shrimp balls. I'm not going to go in specific detail of each because they were all stunning and perfectly prepared. I want to be able to critique something on these dishes but literately they all came out super hot, fresh, perfect balances of flavors and textures and were perfectly presented, not even a finger print on the plate. I know you are reading this and saying "come on, something must have been wrong" but honestly this is one of the closest to perfect dining experiences I have ever had in Boston. Maybe it was the greatly attentive waitstaff, the tantalizing preparation, the extremely cold Thai beer, or perhaps the fact I never had to worry about a empty glass of water or a dirty plate sitting on the table or maybe just the taboo of being in Chinatown,Or MAYBE, just MAYBE these guys have all the right component to complete a successful dining experience. Get your A$$ here and eat your face off!
(5)Michelle B.
I enjoyed just about everything about this spot. The location is easy to get to (right next to China Pearl), and has a super cute, if out of place, exterior. The inside is small, but very well decorated. It feels light and open, and there's a good amount of seating without it feeling crowded. Our waiter was fantastic. He was great at explaining a few items on the menu, suggesting drinks, and making sure we knew about their spin on certain things (their dark 'n stormy, for example). He checked in on us periodically and joked around with us in a really easy going manner which I appreciate - sometimes it feels forced and it always ends up being awkward. Now, the food: I loved most of it and liked the rest of it. I tried a few different dishes. Out of everything I tried, the fried oysters were probably my least favorite, but again, were still good. They were well seasoned, but I found the pile of fried noodles on top of each oyster confusing as it seemed so out of place with everything else on the plate. The spinach salad was a delight - the dressing was warm, so the spinach was just barely wilting when it was served to me and it was really flavorful. Their ribs are fantastic - tender, extremely well seasoned, and plentiful for the price. My husband and friend both the got the bbq pork ravioli and enjoyed that quite a bit. Now, typically this sort of review would earn five stars, but I'm docking them one star for lack of follow up on a private event. I emailed them about a dinner part for the management group in my company and got a prompt response asking me some questions so they could get pricing to me. I asked for two types of proposals and ... never heard back. I emailed twice after that, with still no response. It's a shame, because they lost out on a private party of 16 people who love to eat and drink.
(4)Victor P.
I went to this restaurant because of the reviews on Yelp, and I couldn't have been more disappointed. So I'm compelled to write a review now, to warn others of what to expect. I'll start with the bad things. The FOOD IS HORRIBLE. Certainly, I didn't try everything on their menu, nor will I ever go back to try anything else, but here's what I did order: VEAL TONGUE SPECIAL: 30% corn, some veal tongue, SOAKED in red wine reduction sauce and OIL. It was inedibly sour, and it had a pungent after-taste. It was so ridiculously distasteful. Imagine eating a spoon of corn and drinking Cabernet at the same time - that's how it tasted. $13 down the drain. DUCK FAT FRIES: just regular thin fries, deep fried in OIL. Nothing special, definitely overrated on Yelp. You get a decent portion for $6. They went well with my beer and the sriracha aioli. PORK DUMPLINGS: soaked in OIL. You get 3 small dumplings for $5. I don't think I ate more than 1. The soy sauce contained OIL too (olive oil probably). In fact, there was TOO MUCH OIL in every dish. And that comes from someone who would put mayo on everything (mayo is 67% oil). Now, the good things: the entourage was pleasant and the server was good. It seemed like a cozy place to get some drinks before going to a club. The music was also pretty good. Overall, I give them 2 stars. The food did really ruin the experience. My wife was disappointed, and I felt really bad for insisting on us going to Shojo based on the reviews on Yelp. Hopefully, you'll make a more informed decision.
(2)Lauren F.
Awesome awesome place. Really great vibe and they won a best in boston award. We made reservations and actually had to end up waiting for 30 mins. When we did get seated they felt so bad that they brought out a few appetizers immediately, which was so awesome!!! Get small p,ages and share, that's the way to go. Suckling pig bao is a must!! Duck confit dumplings were delicious as well. I can't wait to go back as prices were so reasonable.
(5)Rich S.
Great drinks, great food, friendly service, a lil bit high on the price tag, but hey, greatness doesn't always come cheap. Drinks... Gin Gin Mule, Cold Tea for Two, and everyone keeps telling me to get the Purple Haze or something like that. Beware, these drinks will put you on your a$$! must get the pickles, fries, and a pig Bao while you drink... you must. ask the staff about the awesome wall mural while you're there... storytime + drinkytime = funtime speaking of which... i'm thirsty!
(5)adam s.
Such a great place. Everything is done with genuine care and enthusiasm... the service, the food, the drinks, the decor, everything. Markus gets a shout-out for the great drinks and for general awesome-ness.
(5)Anna F.
My favorite new find in Boston. Been there three times now. Always sitting at the bar (better to see the Kung Fu movies). Food is fantastic (have sampled a wide range), the ambiance is laid back, casual and pleasant (dim lights, open space, playful full wall mural), and the drinks are showstopping. Particularly fond of unwinding with my favorite co worker friend over a pitcher (comes in a teapot) of the cheekily named Cold Tea (green tea drink concoction). I'm in love.
(5)Nathan H.
Had an excellent dinner at Shojo! Never been there before, just saw it on Yelp and thought I would give it a try. It was a Tuesday night, so the place was mostly empty when my wife and I arrived. Was greeted by a friendly maitre d and was offered to sit anywhere. Many of the tables are the high-chair kind, but I was tired after work and wanted to lounge a little so I chose one of the few low-down tables. Decor was great, they have an awesome mural on the wall of a cartoon monkey on an epic journey of spiritual enlightment. Apparently it was painted by the owner's friend. We started with the Suckling Pig Bao, which was beautifully presented and delicious. They actually serve it with two large baos (indeed, the portions on everything we ordered were ample), so it's perfect for sharing. Meaty pork cooked in a barbecue sauce that was not overpowering. Also included some long baby green scallions that added a subtle earthy pungentness. Overall, wonderful. Next course was coconut soup for my wife and warm glass noodle salad for me. The coconut soup was sweet, sour, and tiny bit spicy, with whole shiitake mushrooms and chicken --- a great mashup between coconut curry and hot-and-sour soup! The glass noodle salad came in a tourrine and could have been a light entree in and of itself --- tasty noodles, peppers, chicken, and peanuts. Like the coconut soup, slightly spicy but not overpowering --- I'd say it's within the comfort zone of 90% of eaters (which is to say, you yelpers that like really spicy food might ask them to add some extra spice). Because the apps were so filling we decided to split an entree --- the steak frites. This was the most "European" of the dishes we had --- a nice thick cut of cow, medium rare, on top of a huge mound of their duck-fat fries. Garnished with more long green baby scallions and "kimchi butter" (butter apparently mixed with a bit of spicy kimchee, giving it a bit of that sour kimchi taste --- my wife didn't care for it, but I thought it was lovely. You can remove it if you don't want it.) To top it off, the waiter poured lemongrass demiglaze over the whole lot. Truth be told, the steak was already well-seasoned enough that it didn't need the demiglaze; but the demiglaze did enhance the fries, soaking into them to create a warm potato heaven. Wanted to try the dessert but was too full! Conclusion: an incredible experience for the price --- most expensive entree is only $18! Nicely varied menu with a blend of Asian and European-influenced dishes, so is a "safe" place to take your (non-Asian) parents in Chinatown. Make the trek out to Tyler Street, you won't be disappointed! Will definitely return!
(5)talia s.
Food, drinks, service, atmosphere, all amazing. We went early on a Wednesday and were the only customers for awhile. We sat at the bar where a huge screen tv was playing an old kung fu movie on silent. Despite the lack of patrons, the mood was friendly and comfortable. We ate the pig bao, fried pickles, and pork ravioli. Each dish was magical. Shove it in your face and be happy about it. Don't try to figure out what they did to make it so delicious, you won't be able to. Each cocktail was perfectly crafted with an acute attention to detail. Reiko Green came with a huge house-made cucumber ice cube. It was awesome. The presentations were beautiful and freshly prepared.
(5)Jake P.
Great find for tourists like us. Impressive drink/cocktail/bottle menu, with great prices. The food was excellent. Although busy, the staff was friendly and kind. After a day of walking, this place is the ultimate small-plate dinner+drinks nightcap. We shall return.
(4)Dan C.
This isn't your usual Chinatown spot and the food certainly isn't your usual Chinatown fare. Think Myers + Chang...only in Chinatown...and more Chinatowny. Its sleek, and artsy, with a modern feel and looks like it belongs in the South End, but the flavors are distinctly Chinatown. Its located right below China Pearl where the China Pearl Cafe use to be. Went here for a date night. We came in around 6:30 and the place was more or less empty. That being said, I doubt it had anything to do with the food, service, or ambiance. The service was great and the ambiance was that kind of almost hipster cool. Sadly the food didn't quite stand-up to everything else. The menu is very small: five entrees, three sides, two pastas, a handful of appetizers, and one dessert (Panna Cotta of all things--why?). Entrees run $15-19 and appitizers $7-10. Not being particularly drawn to any of the entrees we decided to jump into the appetizers head first. We got the Suckling Pig Bao, Fried Oysters, BBQ Pork Rib, Duck Fat Pomme Frites, and a special of Fried Pickles. The bao was served taco style with the pork and veg stuffed inside--similar to Moksa or Myers + Chang--and was pretty much just as good. The oysters came out as three and are fried and then placed back in the shell, covered in some fried noodles and sauce, and you're supposed to slurp them out. This was a little tricky. In the end we just lifted them out, but I appreciate the fun idea. The pork rib was the clear winner. I can't say I've ever had such a tender pork rib, it just jumped off the plate and blew up in my mouth. The pomme frites were okay, but for the price I would have expected a larger portion (maybe twice the size). The pickles were decent as well, though the salt came through by the last few pieces. Having a little left in us we went for the egg nest pasta. I wasn't particularly crazy about this one, way too much peanut flavor for a pasta. My favorite thing about this place is the cocktails. The Reiko Greene is like a green fairy--only it wont make you go crazy and doesn't taste like licorice. The Reiko Greene is good and it is green. Its a mix of hendrick's, green chartreuse, lime, and a big cucumber ice cube. Apparently the ice cube is supposed to melt while you drink it and it will continue to change the flavor of the drink, but I finished them well before any melting took place. It did however give the water a nice flavor. The Gin Gin Mule is a gin mule--gin, lemon, ginger beer--not particularly interesting, except that they make their own ginger beer! This ginger beer is not for the faint of heart, it will kick you in the jaw then laugh at you while you're on the floor. All and all: good date spot, decent food, wouldn't mind going back, but not really compelled at this point. Maybe when the menu expands. On a side note, they do take reservations, so if you're nervous about not getting a seat you can call ahead.
(3)Jen r.
My husband and another couple, and I went to Shojo at the choice of the other couple. I was expecting decent Asian food and was completely overwhelmed by the flavor combinations, decor and amazing staff. The food was absolutely fabulous and all 4 of us were blown away by it. Not to mention the owner came by and was friendly, funny and truly interested in what we thought of Shojo. Shojo was packed (Friday night at 8) and we didn't leave a bit on any of the plates we shared: catfish, ribs, pig bao, skirt steak, calamari. All interestingly prepared, yummy and reasonably priced. Its definitely not your typical Chinatown spot - its very chic and urban. I can't wait to go back
(5)Will C.
I came here for dinner with my sister and aunt. We each had a drink, shared 2 appetizer, 3 entree, and 2 desserts. We were stuffed! For drinks, we had the Reiko Green, the Aberdeen Swizzle, and the Ginger Beer. All three were delicious! For appetizers, we had the pork bao and the steamed mussels. Yum yum and yum! The pork and the sauce were so good next to the steamed taco-shaped bun. The mussels were cooked perfectly - not undercooked (raw) and not overcooked (shriveled) - and the sauce was just Wow! For dinner, we had the strip steak with a peanut slaw, the pork confit with crispy kale, and the short ribs with the taro mash. My favorite was the strip steak - so flavorful with the kimchi butter. The slaw was marinated so well and I'm not a big slaw eater. The pork confit was a block of pork, tender inside and crispy outside. You can taste Asian spices in the short ribs and the mash was smooth and creamy thick. For dessert, we had 2 panna cottas with poached pear and an orange crisp. Holla! Everything was delicious and so flavorful. I love how there's a bit of Asian flair in each dish. A perfect melding of East and West cuisines. The staff was very attentive. The decor is very hip with lots of stylized wood, brick, and lighting. There's a trendy bar area also for you late night bar goers. Atmosphere is very chill. I think Brendan, the friendly manager there, told us that Shojo is the name of the monkey depicted in the mural. Ask him about it since I forgot some of the details and I don't want to ruin the story. If you are looking for typical Chinatown cuisine, this is not the place. This is Asian Fusion cuisine. Expect food that you would order in an American or French restaurant, but with an Asian twist, be it a traditional Asian food or spice(s). Prices are quite reasonable and comparable. Brendan told me that all the food at Shojo is prepared from scratch. They make everything in house - from the ginger beer, the cucumber ice cubes, the sour mix, the sauces on the food, the slaw, all the desserts, etc. The menu is selective, as one would find at a high end restaurant. There are also specials every day. And their menu changes every 3 months! They open at 5:30 for dinner service, close at 11pm, except for Fri and Sat when they close at 1am. Great for pre- or post-date. If you want like good food, you gotta try this place!
(5)Smedley U.
Meh. Drinks were really good, but a bit pricey. Food was good not great. We ate tapas style. The ingredients seemed to be good quality, presentation was good, but the preparation ended up too heavy and salty. We ate at the bar, considering that, the service was fine. This would be a good drinks place paired with dinner elsewhere.
(3)Shawn Z.
I was confused when I entered this place. Very trendy atmosphere with fantastic service and clean tables right when you enter....which is pretty much the exact opposite of every other establishment on Tyler street. Unfortunately, I can't say that the food blew me away. I came here for lunch and ordered the Suckling Pig Bao and the Damn Damn Noodles. The former had good flavors, but I thought the bao was a little too dense (not fluffy enough) for my taste. The Damn Damn Noodles was too salty which is an annoyingly common theme at many nontraditional asian establishments. Completely overwhelmed the dish and made me drink water like a fish. Overall, I thought the experience was mediocre. I'm not sure I would come to Chinatown for fusion asian though. This restaurant probably belongs in cambridge or the south end.
(3)Jess D.
Hands down the BEST Asian fusion that I have ever eaten. The restaurant itself is dark and cozy. It seats maybe about 25 comfortably and does have a bar. There are some tables and some bar type seating. We were seated immediately as it was a Monday night and not too crowded. The waitstaff was great and really friendly. They recommended the Purple Heart cocktail and they don't skimp on the alcohol. My water glass was always full as well. For starters we had the duck fat fries and the suckling pig bao. There were actually 2 bao and it was really delicious with fresh scallions, crispy pork and spicy/sour kimchee. The duck fat fries were fried perfectly with a crispy exterior and soft insides. I couldn't really taste the duck fat but it was served with a siracha ketchup that was very tasty. The entrees were amazing! I had the cha siu ravioli. The ravioli was a perfect blend of sweet and salty. They came with a sauce that was a perfect complement to the ravioli and also had little bits of bacon in it. It was so good!!!! My friend had the pork tenderloin and it was a generous portion of really soft and juicy pork wrapped in bacon. We also ordered a side of rice which comes with some chive oil on the bottom. That was definitely a pleasant surprise and added a fresh green flavor to the rice. All in all, a wonderful dinner experience and I will definitely be back!
(5)John K.
One of the best meals my girlfriend and I have ever had together. We had the Hot and Sour soup, and it was both comforting and excellent. They have their unique interpretation to this classic Chinese soup. I had the chef's take on the ravioli, a wonton-ravioli. Both of us were pretty blown away by it. Her braised spare ribs were also delicious. Drinks were top notch. Special mention to the "Cold Tea for Two," a refreshing and quite boozy lemonade-type cocktail, served in a little teacup with a teapot. The service was excellent, and the manager and bartender were friendly as well. Next time I'm in Boston, I'm going back.
(5)Katie L.
My bf and I went there for dinner, and we were disappointed. We ordered the duck fat hand fries and the calamari. The fries were okay, but the calamari was pretty good. The portion for the calamari was smaller than I expected, but it was an appetizer so I didn't expect too much. But my bf's salmon was TINY. It was possible 4 bites of salmon and that $15. The food was good, but just the value (portion vs price) is bad, compare to all the different lower price restaurants in that area.
(2)Vicky L.
Pork boa & drinks were good but it was a limited menu.
(3)Alex L.
Very, very good. I went there for lunch twice already in the past 2 weeks and both are great experience. The suckling Pig bao is very nicely done. I had the Damn Damn Noodles and Duck noodles in 2 visits and both are very good. Very often, Asian fusion food is done by people who know nothing about Asian food, and it is obvious the chefs know enough about both Asian and Western flavor to have a true fusion effort. The place is clean, hip, spacious, service is fast. Love the "Journey to the West" graffiti. Price is not dirt cheap but very reasonable at least for lunch, with good portion to boot. I will come back often.
(5)Melissa N.
So I am always nervous to write a review on a place where I worked/ have friends that work there. That's biased, right? Well...i'm going to come out and say it, I know the bartender...so as far as my service goes...IT SUCKED just kidding, Markus was amazing and you can think what you wanna think, but the service was good. Now for the part I am not biased about: Food and Drinks. Drinks: Everything was refreshing and delicious. I was overly excited....I mean, to see an actual bar and cocktail list in Chinatown?!? And also the fact that the drinks aren't ALL overly sweet and just grenadine and gummy bears? I loved it. If you are going in by Chinatown standards: Bar and drinks are amazing; if you are going in by Boston standards: bar and drinks are still above average. Food: (what I LOVE) I got the pork belly bao and they were delicious. the buns themselves were very soft and delectable. The marinate on the pork was also to die for and ooohh sooo good! I wish I got more than 2 pre order, but hey...they were well worth it. The duck fat fried fries. So these came to our seats and we could smell it. My mouth started to water and I was so entranced.... DELICIOUS. However, they were slightly over cooked. If they took them out of the frier maybe 30 seconds earlier, delicious. But this was during their soft opening, so this is where the kinks happen, and if this is what I have to "complain" about, then this place will be great. Mussels: OMG that lemongrass broth was amazing and the mussles were just a little over cooked But again, better over cooked than undercooked. But despite these minor flaws, it was still amazing. Also, this place was soo clean! Its gonna sound weird, but check out the bathroom. The sink/faucet were pretty!
(4)Geoffrey M.
I was solo tonight staying in a local hotel. Ventured out to find a restaurant in Chinatown where I could eat at the bar and be comfortable. Most of the spots in Chinatown appear to be restaurants with little bars to have a drink while you wait for your table. I was pleasantly surprised to find Shojo. Had an awesome gin and homemade tonic water, kimchi and a delicious duck special. The menu is Asian oriented, but not typical at all. Great service too!
(4)Amanda Y.
I thought Shojo was really normal. Nothing special. I had way better fusion food at other places.
(2)Steph F.
Love this spot! Stylish interior, cool cocktails, delicious modern Asian dishes (I had sake and the Kimchi fried rice). I work in the neighborhood and think this new addition will be a great spot for happy hour.
(5)Roy C.
What a great spot! I just wish more people would check it out. Went Thursday night and there were only 2 tables occupied? WHY Drinks-awesome;well thought out with ALL fresh ingredients Food-we had 2 apps and2 entree's and they were all delicious. All you people who work in the Financial district;this is a short walk ---GO! its better than 95% of your other choices in the area This is a gem;I hope it survives
(5)Kate H.
I went here on a wednesday night. Since it is in the middle of the week so I don't really expect a lot of people to go there but there is a lot after we sat down. When we were there the waiter gave us the menu then after few mins later, he suggest today's special. i think it was pretty good that the waiter knows what is on the menu in details. He can answer most of my questions on the menu. We have a chicken with potato and a steak with some sour vegetables. It was pretty good. The food doesn't really look like asian. It looks more like french or Italian style. The chicken was pretty soft and delicious. The steak was little bit on the stronger taste but it was still good. We even have an oolong tea alcohol, at first the waiter bring us a teapot but we already have water in front of us so I was like water and tea?? but actually it was ours alcohol. It was pretty creative. the graffiti on the wall was pretty interesting to look at while waiting on our food. The service was good because the waiter knows whats on the menu in detail and they will fill up my water every time without me asking for it. They will fill it to the top every time you drink some. It was pretty good services. I think this place is good for people that wants to relax after work or school and eat dinner. I will definitely go again.
(5)Christopher Y.
Pretty interesting for Chinatown. It's fusiony but well done. I will probably be back
(4)B T.
I've been to Shojo for 4 times now and both my bf and I agreed that their food taste better and better each time we went. I love the Asian Fusion menu and it's unique for me as an Asian person. They have awesome drinks too. Wait staffs are very attentive too. Keep it up, Shojo!!! I can't wait to give you a 5 stars review.
(4)Vivi L.
I'm impressed. We had an 8PM reservation on Saturday night at this place and we were seated immediately when we got there. The place is hip and pretty busy. Our waiter came to check on us immediately and we decided to try out their mixed beverages. I ordered the spicy drink with coconut milk, it was surprisingly good. The only thing that I would change is the coconut milk. I found it too heavy but it did compliment the spicy vodka. We ended up ordering a bunch of appetizers and a main dish to share between 4 of us. The food came out at a good pace and every single dish that we ordered was great. We were so happy with our food, we ended up ordering second round of food. Our favorites were the suckling pig Bao and the skirt steak. The suckling pig Bao was flavorful, moist, and delicious. The skirt steak was cooked to perfection and it was so tender. The service was spot on. We were all very impressed with the place and would definitely come back again for a third round. :) The only bad thing that I could say about the place is the restaurant only has one unisex bathroom. The line to the bathroom wasn't too bad when we were there so it wasn't a major issue. I wish they would have a separate bathroom for men and women. Other than that we highly recommend this place.
(5)Robert V.
Surprising find in Chinatown. Hipster atmosphere, excellent drinks and really great food. Went late night (for Boston) had the Korean "bao", a little pouch kind of thing filled with crispy pork. Outstanding! Also had amazing roast chicken in a sauce with Chinese sausage. Not a fan of Asian fusion generally, but the food here was excellent. Don't forget to get fries cooked in duck fat!
(4)Emily L.
This restaurant demonstrates how yelp can help a new restaurant with a unique idea grow and develop into a shining star! When Shojo started, Lynn J. wrote an excellent review and I was excited to try it out but then a few weeks later, people were giving so-so reviews saying that the food was over-priced and unoriginal. I'm not sure what has happened in the last few months but man, the reviews have perked up and my boyfriend was convinced that it was worth a visit. We stopped by on a Thursday night and started our evening with two amazing unique cocktails. Then we dove into the menu and ordered: a side of kimchi, duck fat fries, Pistachio Crusted Tuna Steak, Szechuan pork stuffed calamari, and their shrimp special. I loooooved the kimchi. I'm not sure what they did to give it such a tremendous flavor but I loved it so much that I ordered a side of it to take home with me. I had the great pleasure of having duck fat fries at a lot of different places and so I was glad that I was able to treat myself to a delicious treat but it didn't stand out to me. The Tuna steak was fabulous - the portion was huge and it was perfectly seared, wow!!!! I wasn't blown away by the Szechuan pork stuffed calamari but it was a very creative dish and the sauce gave the calamari a lot of flavor. Everyone at the restaurant was super friendly and I really appreciated how they were able to transform the space into a cozy and intimate area for you to come and relax either for a meal or a quick drink. Come here for a date or with a group and I am sure you will not be disappointed!
(5)Food E.
Everything I had tasted good. I love that you can take a tour of Asia through the menu. Drinks are inventive and I love seeing Singha on a menu-expensive like the rest of Boston. So sick of spending $14 on a cocktail. But my coconut milk and punch vodka cocktail tasted like Thailand. Literally, it transported me back. The duck confit dumplings were amazing and so were the sesame balls. The pork bao was a little too fatty for us but the bread itself was spot on. I am a little disappointed with the price to portion ratio. I don't mind paying for food, but 8 bucks for a small pot of kimchi where you can see the bottom of the serving dish before it even hits the table is just cray cray. Literally there as like a half a cup of vegetables. And what is with the odd number of dumplings? People usually dine in even numbers and it is annoying to me when you have that rando item that needs splitting or no one takes because they don't want to be that person. They are dumplings-flour and water, with duck-that you can find so cheap all over Chinatown, why are you being so cheap with me Shojo! 4 bucks a dumpling is just crazy. This is one of those places where I'd be a regular at if the value was right. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere is worth the unreasonable prices at least once. Get the sesame balls.
(3)Maria M.
Last evening we joined another couple for the 5-course tasting menu and found the food flawlessly executed and exquisitely inspired. The service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was delightful and unpretentious. It is a pleasure to recommend Shojo so highly.
(5)Adam G.
Wow. What a fantastic new place in Boston! I was incredibly impressed. The drinks were delicious and inventive. Mine had an ice cube made out of muddled cucumber and water which was great. The food was creative and unique and very tasty. All 4 of us were impressed and we are foodies. We started with the special corn with kimche butter - fantastic, although a hair messy. The suckling pig bao was perfect in texture and taste, the asian eggplant parm was simple, but delicious and a nice portion. The edamame soup was also a hit for us! Our mains were also consistently good. I got the pork tenderloin was flavorful, well balances and something to savor. We also felt that way about the Char Siu pulled pork ravioli. The pasta was home made and just the right texture. The chicken and the kimchi fried rice were also enjoyed to their fullest. This chef clearly has training and talent. Our server could not have been better. I think her name was Fiona. Pleasant, knowledgeable and clearly wanted us to enjoy our experience. The music was a hair loud at first, but the place has a really cool vibe. I will DEFINITELY be back! A great place to go just for drinks and apps too!
(5)Libby S.
Atmosphere is great. Drinks are creative. Food is delicious! A new gem in Chinatown. Young, fresh and worth a visit. I will definitely come again soon.
(5)Rita N.
Love the service, food, and the vibe! I had their special that night. Their seared sesame crusted tuna is so good! Its good size, sits on top of a bed of some fried/charred noodle disc, that is dressed by some creamy wasabi aioli sauce. The texture and taste just go so well together! Drinks are awesome there too! We are so lucky because that night the house sake special is beyond its value!
(4)Karisa S.
Atmosphere: - dim, candlelit, hip, trendy, romantic - can dress either casually or a little fancy - if you're with a date you may have to lean closer to hear him/her over the music ;) Service: - very attentive and intuitive wait staff - the waitress immediately noticed when my knife and fork rolled out of my napkin and onto the floor and promptly brought me a new set - the chef/manager? brought out one of the dishes personally which was very nice of him Food: - excellent, excellent, exquisite flavor and presentation, portions are perfectly sized so that you won't get indigestion and the flavors alone will satisfy your hunger - Steak Hanger appetizer - so tender, juicy, extra rare in the middle - Braised Short Ribs/Pork Belly? (with taro mash and spinach) entree - beautiful to see, taste, chew, swallow, very tender, I loved the taro mash and the three-layer pork belly - Tuna?? entree - I forget the name, but the dish had seared tuna that was still deliciously raw on the inside, in a sweet soy sauce, with scallion pancake, cauliflower mash and peeled, boiled tomatoes - I shall return! I'm looking forward to the new dishes they will come up with Price: - not cheap, but reasonable and worth it for the quality of the service and food
(5)Luke T.
I'm really surprised by the good reviews. This place is terrible. I had the duck and it came out rare and was hard to chew. The duck had white stringy veins in it and it was the worst duck dish I can remember having. They have 3 beers on tap and 2 out of the 3 beers were flat. The service was also very poor.
(1)Koonz O.
Thank God for Shojo, because I wouldn't know what else to do in Boston. Those moments where you want to just CHILL, have some GOOD FOOD, and sip on YUMMY DRINKS, Shojo is the place to be. No fuss. No crazy line. No hectic club scene. Definitely caters more to young professionals, in my opinion, which I love. The atmosphere is more NYC-esque, something that Boston lacks so much - but Shojo's brought the best vibe since their opening. It's a cute little modern place - the music's in the background but not overwhelmingly loud, so you can actually carry on a conversation with your friends. Oh, did I say their food is BOMB? Pork buns, duck-fried fries, ravioli, chocolate balls. OH SNAP. Also, the owners are always hanging around making sure their customers are fully satisfied, which I appreciate - it shows they really care about the success of their business through happy customers. YAY!
(5)Gary L.
The food and cocktails are fantastic. Service was friendly and attentive as well. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Charlie D.
Went to Shojo with a friend during their soft open. The only way I can describe it is like a funky urban Asian speakeasy. It's a totally new concept for Chinatown, and one which I think is going to do quite well. The craft cocktails were very innovative and unlike any others I've had in the Boston area (Drink, Brick and Mortar, Backbar, etc). The food was not quite as good as the drinks, but very innovative and quite tasty. My friend describes it as New American with an Asian influence. When I was there the atmosphere was laid back and chill, even later into the night, which I definitely liked. The bartender (who was also one of the owners) told us that they planned to have themed music nights and have space for a DJ. That could be kind of cool, but I actually appreciate having a place that's not too loud where you can just chill out and have some awesome food and drink, especially on the weekends. Perhaps if some nights are more high energy and others are more chill, they could find the best of both worlds. I definitely plan to go back!
(4)Sarah R.
WOW. This place was amazing. On one hand, I wish it were bigger inside so I could come here more often and not wait. But on the other hand, it being small makes it feel more intimate. The drinks were creative, strong and delicious. Cold tea for two was dangerous! Pig bao was fantastic, as were the pork ribs. Steak and fries were pretty good. But the damn pork ravioli. Oh. Em. Gee. I would seriously eat this twice a day, everyday. The sauce was unbelievable, I would have licked the plate if it werent inappropriate. I'm drooling..
(5)Lisa G.
My friend and I had a great experience dining at this new Chinatown establishment. This place is truly unique for Chinatown. The inside is hip and attractive. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable. I had the special - a cornbread crusted catfish served atop a papaya salad. The portion was huge, and I left satisfied. My friend, a vegetarian, didn't have quite as many options from which to choose but was very happy with the mushroom and corn frittatas. The wine list wasn't particularly extensive, but the glasses we got were very tasty. I would definitely recommend this new place, particularly for residents tired of the usual scene!
(5)Aaron R.
Excellent. This is a new place right in the middle of chinatown and the food is as good or better than any restaurant in Boston (and reasonably priced). They do the fusion thing, but they do it incredibly well. They do a variety of small plates (like duck confit, duck fat fries with sriracha aioli, pork stuffed calimari), entrees, and pastas that are cooked perfectly and somehow effectively balance the italian and asian flavors. Their cocktails are also really creative and very well-made. The interior and exterior are also classy, but not too fancy - makes for a great experience. All in all, if you're looking for a great restaurant in Boston, whether your specifically looking for asian cuisine or not, GO HERE.
(5)Hadley Q.
this is my new happy place! i wandered in a few weeks ago while waiting for a dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant to be ready and was happy i did. the drinks are works of art and the waitstaff couldn't be nicer/cooler/more accommodating. i went back this saturday with a few friends for birthday drinks and had the same great experience, they even asked where we were headed all dressed up and gave me a birthday drink on the house and asked if we wanted the heat turned down. love love love this place, great for a quick drink, several drinks or dinner out.
(5)Nate Y.
Is this really in Chinatown? I've gone to Boston's Chinatown since I was a small child, and I can say there has never been an establishment like this in this hood. I was attending Damien's CMYE and the choice was spot on. The location is right below China Pearl, known for typical dim sum on carts and Chinese banquet dining. China Pearl apparently is also behind this new Asian fusion restaurant. The bamboo out front seems a little bit out of place, basically surrounded by concrete, but it does stand out, so you can't miss the place. Inside it's clean and sleek with the accent lighting and dark furnishings, as well as being eclectic with the amazing painted murals on the wall. When ordering drinks at the bar I loved that they were playing an old Jacky Chan movie on the flat screen. Maybe a bit stereotypical, but I like kung fu/action flicks! I had the Chairman's Painkiller which was a spin on tiki cocktails, in a tiki glass with a slice of pineapple. It was tasty but could do with less ice. Another Yelper had sake infused with green tea in a mixed drink which he enjoyed. My favorite though, thus far, was the Reiko Greene, it was so refreshing that I kept it until I finished the ice cube! This apparently is what everyone does, it's that good! For food the appetizers were all excellent; the mussels were cooked perfectly, the pork bao was wonderful with a nice size piece of fatty pork, and the duck fat fries were tasty, but how could they not be? I didn't try the Chinese spinach, but was told it was good, unfortunately the serving size was very small. For my main meal I had the skirt steak, cooked just I ordered it, and with a mango sauce, it was a home run! Tried the pork short ribs with wasabi mashed potatoes, and although tasty the ribs were served cold. Taste of the pork was therefore a bit bland. We also tried the desserts, the beignets with two dipping sauces and the chilled almond tofu with berries. Both excellent ways to end the meal. I will definitely come back to try their homemade ginger beer, and other dishes. This is a worthy addition to Chinatown, but if my mom were alive today she wouldn't what to make of it!
(4)Blair H.
Imagine if Sharknado swept through Central Square, picked up the Enormous Room (yes, back when it used to be awesome), blew through the Blue Ginger, swept through Craigie on Main (still awesome), dropped Ming Tsai off at P.F. Chang where he belongs, picked up a few dumplings from Hei La Moon, and threw up in the middle of Chinatown. That is how awesome an addition to Chinatown Shojo is.
(5)Laura S.
Great food! We loved the taco's, dumplings and duck fat fries (obviously). The cocktail menu had really interesting drinks and the cold tea for two was so refreshing. I came here for a date night before a movie around the corner, and it was the perfect setting. I also had a large group of friends (20) that wanted to get dinner together, and the staff were incredibly accommodating and helpful.
(5)Cindy L.
Growing up in Chinatown this place really doesn't make you feel like you're in ctown at all. The food was fabulous and very unique. Love the duck fat fries, pig Bao, duck dumplings and the warm glass noodles. The drinks are great! Definitely a must try for something different in Chinatown. Very hip and modern atmosphere. The annually changing mural has a great story behind it. By the way the cleanest bathroom in any Chinese restaurant by far. Extra star for that! :)
(5)Rebecca H.
I have been here many times, and constantly recommend Shojo to my friends as my go-to place for a creative, delicious meal without breaking the bank. While I'd describe most Asian fusion restaurants as Americanized Asian cuisine, Shojo is more like "Asian-ized" American cuisine. Their suckling pig bao are probably my favorite item on the menu, and their duck fat fries (with Sriracha aioli) are a close second. Shojo also stands out as a well-decorated establishment with good service, in a sea of Chinatown restaurants with questionable sanitation practices and curt, slightly abrasive servers. (I'm definitely not knocking the latter; that's what I grew up on! But sometimes, a girl's gotta think outside the no-frills box.) The old-school kung fu movies playing to a background of hip-hop and top 40 music is an unexpected juxtaposition at first, but I grew to love it pretty quickly.
(5)Martin C.
Neglected to review Shojo during my trip to Boston three weeks ago. Dropped in there because I didn't like to looks of any of the Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood and Shojo looked like an interesting alternative. I got the impression that it's mainly a drinking place that serves food. I was mainly interested in getting something to eat and, after ordering a beer, I decided on the salmon entree, which is described as "tea smoked" with a potato bilini, frisee salad and mojo dill creme fraiche. Whatever it was, it was great. The salmon was cooked rare (as I like it) but the center was warm (as it should be) which is very hard to do whether you're cooking a rare steak, ahi tuna or salmon. This was a very pleasant surprise. So, apparently it is NOT just all about the drinks at Shojo. I'd give it a higher rating if I had a chance to go back and try some other things but don't be put off by my 3 star review. If my salmon is any indication, they take their cooking seriously at Shojo and you should do well with anything you order.
(3)Cee C.
-Kimchi rice is bland and tasteless with too much fish sauce -Siracha sauce they use is not the real siracha, It was possibly a really bad cheap one the restaurant bought in place of the real one. - $50 dollars for three SMALL appetizers (you get more in
(2)Rinda K.
Shojo is so great! I'm so glad this restaurant is in Chinatown and not in the Back Bay or Copley area because it would otherwise be packed. It's a small spot but very trendy and the service is impeccable, as are their menu options. All of their small plates and larger plates are perfect, especially any of their meat dishes. I order their bbq pork rib every single time because the meat is so tender and slides right off of the bone. It's a very affordable restaurant for the quality and service that you'll receive, even if it's not like any of the other restaurants located in Chinatown. Love the vibe and I go back about once every month or so :) Definitely check Shojo out!
(5)Brad W.
I only went here for the Duck fat fries with sriracha sauce and the Kamehameha (thai chili infused vodka), but both blew my mind. Nice appetizers to start the Chinatown experience before heading across the street to Winsor for dim sum.
(4)Jenn H.
Consistently one of my favorite spots in downtown/Chinatown to get a drink and meet up with friends. The servers are awesome, and the food is always great. I love that they change up the wall mural. Keep doin' your thing, Shojo.
(5)Karen O.
Shojo's suckling pig bao is a cacophony of flavors and textures in just one bite! I especially love the textural contrast in this dish. The crispy suckling pig skin offers the perfect contrast to the fluffy texture of the bun. Imagine your teeth first sinking into the delightfully soft bun, then into the perfectly crunchy pig skin, then finally into the velvety meat inside. Just recounting my experience at Shojo is already making me drool :) In terms of the flavor, the dish combines the sweet flavor of the hoisin sauce, the spicy flavor of the kimchi, and the bitterness of the cucumber and scallions. As I was savoring my pork bun, sweet-spicy-salty-bitter juices escaped from my mouth and ran down my chin. Yumm! Yumm! Yumm! The second dish we tried was drunken noodle, a modern interpretation of what you would typically get at most Thai restaurants. This dish offered the same flavor and texture contrast that I experienced with the suckling pig bao. The noodles were perfectly cooked. Each strand was silky but not gooey, indicating that the noodles were not over-cooked. Even the shrimps that were added as garnish were cooked to perfection. Each one of them was perfectly seasoned. Each shrimp was silky but still crunchy, not soggy and over-cooked like in most other places. The noodles used were the broader type of rice noodles, similar to those used in traditional "chow fun" dishes. The noodles soaked up all the sweet-spicy-sour flavors of the sauces in which they were cooked. Yumm! Yumm! Yumm! The last dish we tried was the Chinese eggplant parmigiana. This dish was good too, but I have to say that this was our least favorite among the three. I loved the crispy eggplant skin on top -- it provided a contrast to the soft texture of the eggplant. The taste, however, was familiar, nothing out of the ordinary. When we chatted with the restaurant owner Brian, he mentioned that this dish was newly introduced last week and that they were still experimenting and waiting to hear customers' feedback on it. In the end, I think what sets Shojo apart form all other restaurants is not just its food quality. It's Shojo's service level. Never have I experienced this high a level of service here in Boston, or anywhere else in the US for that matter. You know how waiters always ask you "How's everything?" I get so annoyed whenever I get asked that question! I know they just want me to blurt out "good" so they can walk away and move on to the next table. Shojo was different. The owner Brian was attentive and genuinely interested in our feedback. When he noticed that we devoured the pig bao and drunken noodles in just a few seconds but only ate half of our eggplant parmigiana dish, he sensed that we didn't enjoy the eggplant dish as much as the other two dishes and he just took the eggplant parmigiana off our bill. I was so pleasantly surprised! I very rarely write Yelp reviews, unless I am incredibly annoyed and want to get back at an annoying establishment or unless I've experienced something truly exceptional. Shojo was truly exceptional. We will definitely return here soon!
(5)Cindy K.
I've been here a couple of times for some drinks. On 7/27 we came here with a group of friends. We got a ton of food and we were not disappointed. Service was great and drinks were even better. I deff would recommend coming here if you were in Chinatown and wanted some Asian food but not the traditional Asian cuisine.
(4)Mel C.
Great new spot in Chinatown. Here's the breakdown of what we ordered: Sucking Pig Bao: Spot on and delicious. Loved the acidity that the pickles added and loved the crunch of the meat. I thought these were better than Myers + Chang's baos. Schezuan Pork Stuffed Calamari: Great concept, OK execution. The calamari was not too chewy, the sauce had the perfect amount of heat to it. Sadly the pork was dry or else this would have been a huge hit. Duck Fat Fries: I saw that these were on some top "duck fat fries" list in Boston, so we decided to get them. I think they tasted great and you could definitely tell that they were cooked in duck fat, but I'm not sure if I would really order them again. (personal preference) Shrimp Cappellini Egg Nest: This dish needed something else that I can't pinpoint. Maybe it was a little too sweet? The shrimp were sadly bland and felt removed from the dish. I still finished the entire bowl though.. Kimchi Pork Chop with Kale: Nice flavor from the kimchi but the pork chop was overcooked and tasted a little tough. Even with these slight missteps in execution, I would definitely come back.
(4)Lily S.
Came here after reading the reviews and for the first time in a long time yelp did me wrong. Don't slap makeup on a pig and call it a princess. Yes I love the witty decor, yes the waitstaff was great, but when the heart of the restaurant fails...it's a domino effect. Items ordered. Pork Bao - this was OK not great I didn't even mind the small portions but come on if you're going to have a "small bites" item you better make every bite count. Ribs - tender but it was so salty! I had one bite and have the rest to my husband. Pork belly entree - again I don't care if you charge me 17 or 27 dollars an entree but make it worthit! It was not memorable and again super salty and the purée that came with the entree was almost non existent and super sweet pork was overly salty. I took one bite and gave it to my husband. Salmon entree - this is where the chef failed miserably. My salmon came out basically raw in the center. I didn't even have a bite before sending it back. I've been to my fair share of fine dining restaurants and when I tell you it was raw (not a little pink) I mean if I ate the center it would basically be sashimi. The waitress was very nice and apologizes profusely about it. When the entree came back the chef didn't bother making my plate look like the original (looked like the chef just tossed everything on the plate carelessly). Charred the heck out if the salmon and the salad that was in the center was reduced down to barely there. I was so upset I didn't even bother with it. So I gave that entree to my husband as well. I wanted the salmon cooked correctly not burnt to death. All in all both me and my husband agreed that staff was nice and service was great but the food there with some additional love and care can be better especially when you're trying to start a new trend in that area with those kind of prices. Idea great, food not so much.
(2)Jeff G.
Very friendly service and a great selection of small dishes to share. The cold tea for two is a must...even if you're dining alone.
(4)Victoria P.
Came here with my boyfriend and a friend just for some drinks and a few appetizers to tie us over. My boyfriend really liked the chocolate sombrero beer, but I wasn't a fan. We also split the duck fat fries and the calamari - we weren't impressed with either. Both were bland and both were accompanied by the same dipping sauce - an okay sriracha mayo. It was a very unsatisfying snack...not sure if I'll give it another shot.
(2)Y. B.
I can not recommend this place enough. This place is awesome! I am not from the area and was planning a bachelorette party for my best friend and after calling/emailing a few places I decided on this place. The customer service is superb here. Alex, the sales coordinator was extremely helpful and walked me through everything. They have an excellent preset event menu which is very affordable! They went above and beyond by creating a custom menu for the party. I was beyond impressed with the high quality of the menu. The theme for the bachelorette party was "Sexy in the City" The menu was printed on glossy paper in black and pink like the Sex in the City movie and they even switched out the New York Skyline for the Boston skyline! Now that is service!!! They got all the ingredients for the Bride's favorite cocktail and even let me create a cute name for it. The venue itself is very nice. A nice classy intimate dinner/lounge. It was exactly what I was hoping it would be. The food...OMG was amazing! So freaking good! A huge bonus is that it is very close to the Theater District-where all the clubs are. So after dinner/drinks it was only a 5 minute walk to the club we partied at! Thank you Alex for all your help in making sure that my friend had a memorable and classy Bachelorette party! Thank you Brandon for creating a beautiful custom menu and to Phil who was an awesome bartender! Next time I am in Boston I will be back. I have told all my friends from there that this is the perfect place for a birthday party and or classy bachelorette party! Stay Classy Shojo ;)
(5)Jiyea C.
Perhaps the idea of a super trendy, modern, clean, western-friendly bar/lounge in Chinatown sounds like a great idea, but I don't think Shojo is living up to that vision. The fact that this place was more than half empty around 9:30pm on a Saturday night suggests that others are just as unimpressed as I was. I guess Shojo is a good example of the saying that different doesn't necessarily equal better. (I say this because I don't think there's any eatery like Shojo in Chinatown.) I had expected more from this place. The raved-about duck fat fries were overcooked and almost all the pieces were too crunchy or dry. They also didn't taste like The pork bao was yummy but such a tiny portion for the price. The glass noodle dish was also just all right, though I love the sticky consistency of these type of clear noodles (despite them being difficult to pick up). Because the venue seems more like a place that people would go to for drinks as opposed to a full meal, I would recommend that the menu reflect dishes that would go better with a long night of beers or cocktails. Perhaps a place like Shojo would do better in a neighborhood like the Financial District, where business folks go for a drink/light fare after work. PS. Reaching the final stretch of the Yelp 100 Challenge! Bostonians: are you IN??
(3)Jackie S.
Came here on a Friday night and the atmosphere was absolutely amazing. Very small, but comfortable. Ordered the Ravioli as well as the bok choy, calamari, and duck dumplings. Every thing was great, except the dumplings were lacking in comparison to the other food. I would definitely come back. It's perfect for a date night, or gathering with friends. And very close to Downtown Crossing.
(4)Cait A.
Part I: I don't know why I didn't review this place before. I made reservations for the dinner part of my best friend's bachelorette party here in May/June. There were six of us and we were immediately seated at a nice table in the center of the room. Love the decor and lighting, so pleasant and interesting. Our server was wonderful and amicable and told us the story behind the painting of the monkey on the wall. Its hard to recall what we got specifically now, but we ordered many different small plates and shared; all appetizers and meals were delicious and the portions were good; they were not super large, but large enough that people who got full meals could not finish them and they were polished off by yours truly. The set up/ plating was very aesthetically pleasing and we got the cold tea, after seeing so many recommendations for it. For dessert we ordered the sesame balls. The order comes with 5 sesame balls, but they were nice enough to surprise us with a sixth one as we had six people. They also gave us each a shot of sake on the house to celebrate! The bride and all the maids were very pleased. So happy with this. Part II: We did two checks; two girls on one and me, bride and two other girls on the second. Friends gave me $40 cash and I put the rest on my Visa to sort out later. That check never came back and I had to ask for it. When I got it, I tipped well and we left. Two days later, while adding up what the other two owed me, it came to light that $30 of the cash was seemingly misplaced and covered by my card. I called the restaurant and spoke to my server, who, it turns out, is one of the managers. I knew it was possible that he just wouldn't believe me; its a tough thing to prove that $30 cash just disappeared, but he was incredibly helpful and offered to send me a $30 gift certificate, which was really all I wanted: something in return for the extra $30 spent. The gift certificate never arrived and so I called back a few weeks later and spoke to the manager again, who said it must've gotten lost in the mail and he would "send it again". Okay, cool. Part III: It arrived in the mail and I took my boyfriend out for a lovely dinner at Shojo and enjoyed it very much. Once again, service was wonderful, food was delicious and attractive, and experience was top notch. This place is casual, but easy to dress up a bit and make it a very nice date night. I'm impressed by how delightful it is, how friendly the service is, and what good business practices the manager had when faced with a strange issue.
(5)A Z.
Got the suckling pig bao, duck fat fries and the ravioli. Was all delicious, although I learned too late they also have an alcoholic chinese tea which I'll try next time we're in the area!
(5)Khanh P.
Definitely a standout compared to other restaurants in the Chinatown area. They bring a very new and fun taste to the scene compared to the senior restaurants out there. Setting: It's very contemporary and chic, smaller groups (group of 4) fit nicely at the tables. They offer high top tables along with bar seating and your usual seats. Music stood out during my visit because it was 90's hip hop, rnb and techno. Service: the host/waiter was super nice and very informative about everything at the restaurant. He was also accommodating when it came to appetizers made for two, he made it for 3 for our group. FOOD!: We had settled on dinner here but after seeing menu and ordering a bunch of appetizers that seemed more appetizing then the entrees, we ate dinner elsewhere. So the appetizers that we ordered were: Suckling Pig Bao - my first time trying a bao and OMG it was amazing, it had this crunch from the bacon and the pork was tender and savory. Duck Fat Hand-cut fries- great seasoning and the sriracha aioli caught my eye but didn't meet my expecatations. BBQ Pork Ribs- dish had 3 spareribs with fall off the bones meat, average and not as memorable. Tuna Tartar - nicely placed on chips to add the extra crunch Taro Mash - OMG THIS!!! everyone has to try it. at first you're hesitant because if you know taro, it didnt sound like it was going to be that great but when it came out and the aroma slowly trickled into the air....it was heavennnn. All of us looked up after the first bite and said "ITS SO GOOD!!!" Cold tea for two - we decided on this alcoholic beverage and being that I'm not much of a drinker thought it was a bit strong for my taste. it comes out in the metal teapots like any restaurant and served in tea cups. It's recommended if you're tryring to catch some drinks and try out new food.
(4)Anne W.
Three and a half stars. This place does not pretend to be a Canto spot.. instead, it's upfront on what it actually is.. a trendy Asian fusion spot. I wasn't that thrilled about the drinks.. tried a few Reiko Greene (I'm a sucker for cucumber drinks but it was just too sweet for my taste). Also tried a wine and maybe it wasn't the wisest choice at an Asian spot. Food was pretty good. I would say they are going with the trend with pork buns... executed very well. I was not as thrilled with the chicken kabobs or chicken quesadilla. My friend is friends with the owner. He was nice.. sent over some free sesame balls. A different option.. and replaces the gross bbq spot that used to occupy this shop downstairs to China Pearl.
(3)Yow-Bang W.
Quite a trendy place to hang out. Foods are creative as well as delicious.
(5)Christina T.
I came here on New Years Eve with my fellow foodie and loved the idea of an Asian tapas joint aka classy dim sum. Even though I am from Boston and am Asian, we still got lost walking there -.- The food was the perfect amount to feel satisfied without being overly stuffed and wasn't greasy which is what you often encounter when you sample Asian fare. I wish I remember what we ate, but I can't! Just try everything. Cocktails were yummy, strong and appropriately priced.
(4)Jonny I.
6 months ago when I left Boston Chinatown, the place to hang out late into the night were places like New Golden Gate and Peach Farm....and that was only after spending a drunken night at Estate or Royale. Fast forwad 6 months later and there is this sweet new spot where you can just chill without standing in line, wearing dress shoes, and having to yell to your friends over loud techno music! Food/Drinks: The menu here is a fusion of american and asian/chinese tastes. Appetizers we ordered were Duck Fat hand cut fries with sirracha aioli and Suckling Pig Bao. The sirracha aioli made the fries but at the same time you could taste a hint of duck which gave it a nice touch. The Suckling pig bao comes in a pair and was pretty tasteful. The main entrees we ordered were the Roasted Japanese pumpkin agnolotti with lobster and Braised short ribs with taro mash. The first reminded me of lobster ravioli and while pretty damn good, its something that I had in a previous lifetime and with the other interesting things on their menu, I would try something else next time. However, the braised short ribs were awesome. The meat was soaking with juices and fell off the bone just by lifting it! Their drink menu has a decent amount of choices on the cocktail and wine side....not so much with the beers. The Gin Gin Mule is a sweet ginger tasting cocktail that my gf enjoyed. Their Asahi 33.1 oz is the only beer that lists the size, but I got the Berkshire Seasonal and that bottle was enough to fill up 2.25 glasses. I was only expecting 1 glass so if the price seems high, it might actually be a bigger bottle than you expect, just ask. Service: Came here for Vday and on a separate occasion with my boys. Both times the service was impeccable. Service at the bar and table were equally good. Checked on the right amount of times, water cups were always full, and never rushed for the check. The bartenders here check the cups for water marks before filling them, an often overlooked part of service but I was glad to see it being done here. They also take the time out to explain the tastes of their many drink options. My gf was also given a pair of roses by the wait staff, stole my thunder, but its all good. Atmosphere: Boston Chinatown needs a place like this....for those chill nights where hanging out in the apartment isn't enough but going to the club is too much. The music here is older hits from the 90s and 2000s, hip hop and R&B, untouched, unremixed, and in full length.....because I'm getting real tired of all the EDM crap out there. The crowd is generally 20-30 something year old asians with probably about a 60-40 male to female ratio the late night I was there. High top tables, booths, or bar seating are your options. There is a huge TV over the bar that was playing old school kung fu movies. They might have the Patriots and Celtics on though during the season.
(5)Jennifer W.
Since my last review we have been back to Shojo countless times; it's become our favorite place in the neighborhood to get drinks and a bite. The bartenders are all super nice and make amazing drinks with great ingredients. This is the only place that I will try drinks that would usually be out of my comfort zone. And the food is still great, the Char Siu Raviolis are amazing for dinner. We also went for lunch recently and the curried chicken quesadilla is crazy flavorful! So glad that there's a spot like this close to me! It's what chinatown has always needed.
(5)L P.
Awesome food and ambiance. Really enjoyed it. Will go back. It's a cool place to take visitors as well.
(5)Ellie W.
I was invited to Shojo for a menu sampling, so I can't quite vouch for what the menu/place is really like on an average ho-hum night, but I can say that this is definitely one of the few good Asian fusion restaurants in the city. It's weird, but I sense that Asian Americans opened this place, like someone overheard my conversations with my Generation Y Asian American friends/family about how gross 40 year old carpets are in dim sum joints. This place looks more South End-quaint than Chinese-restaurant-next-to-highway-and-please-Âavoid-stepping-on-crack-addicts-in-alley-before-Âsaid-restaurant. They take the best of Asian ingredients and create dishes that wouldn't overwhelm the average Westerner who hasn't ventured into the world of juicy xiao long bao, tripe, and fish sauce. I'd say this place would make a good 101 Beginners course for friends who like the comfort bubble of pizza and pasta but want the excitement of new flavors, without the Fear Factor shock of a pile of pig's feet appearing on their plates in original form. Our tasting menu consisted of fried shrimp balls covered in almonds, pulled pork, edamame salsa, and a berry-glazed coconut jelly dessert. Most dishes were good, though my friend thought the pork and salsa were a little over-done with the onion flavors. He was the lone dissenter; the rest of us devoured ours. The coconut jelly dessert was also slightly underwhelming, and I wouldn't imagine anyone wanting to pay for this. It was pretty much a square of coconut jello in a pool of berry jam. On the plus side, I loved the shrimp balls, edamame salsa, pulled pork, and cocktails. Yes, cocktails. Never in my life would I have imagined drinking a decent cocktail in Chinatown, but oh, my tastebuds hadn't yet met the matcha-infused lime zesty cocktail that awaited me at Shojo. I'll definitely be returning to give the full menu a try. Plus, the manager explained to us how they take consumer feedback and continually adjust/tweak the menu and ingredients, so I appreciate a restaurant that recognizes that improvements can always be made in the kitchen and actually seeks constructive feedback.
(4)Joanna H.
Great service and great drinks. Only had the opportunity to try their duck fat fries, but their other food options sound pretty alluring (kimchi butter anyone?) Talk to Brandon, Shojo's co-owner, if you get a chance! There's a story behind the wall murals and each drink that he'll be glad to tell you about! Love love LOVE the cold tea for two. It's so delicious that you might forget it's an ALCOHOLIC drink. So be careful with that. I'll definitely be revisiting soon!
(5)Jennifer N.
Tapas style plates. But you get a pretty good amount for what you're paying for. Favorite was the chicken & waffle, although I would ask for the syrup on the side bc the egg puff waffle is already sweet and the syrup makes it soggy very fast. Also very good were: taro tots, glass noodle salad (really big plate, plenty of fresh veggies, and the salt & pepper chicken was perfect), the mushroom melody, and calamari. The corn/cauliflower was ok. Small place but it's got a nice atmosphere. Staff is very friendly. Only one batjroom so sometimes there's a wait. I wouldn't go with a group bigger than 6 people.
(4)Stephane B.
It is a hidden gem of Chinatown. I went with my girlfriend and the ambiance was nice. They had some 90's music playing which we loved. The cold tea for two is a must have. We had the duck fries which were good and my girl doesn't eat French fries usually but she loved these. The kimchi fried rice was our favorite. The spices and flavor were out of this world. The ravioli was good and I'm not a ravioli guy but the sauce was great. The chicken and waffles was unexpected. My girlfriend ordered it and it was good. The presentation of the waffles was great and the flavor of the chicken was good. I highly recommend this place. It is a little small but I love places like that. The staff was very prompt and our server was great. I will be back shojo that I guarantee it.
(5)Lavinia K.
In the heart of Chinatown but not your traditional "Chinatown" Establishment. The interior is fantastically edgy complete with a graffiti wall. The service is excellent and equally as ALT. But what really stands out here is the menu... Try the lobster rangoons or the squid ink ramen with scallops- both are unique and a delicious spin on Asian cuisine. Also, the cold tea for two is not to be missed!
(5)Myha N.
One of my favorite places! I've been here a few times and each time, I've always walked away very happy, a little buzzed and full! The place is small. It seats about 40 people or so? There's a bar where you can sit at or you can sit at a high table or booth. They're not open for lunch but I heard they're opening that up 11/28 so I'm excited to have that option! And they're going to have a bar menu for late night snacking too! Love their duck fat fries! Anyways, the few times I've been, I've had the salmon with dashi glaze (cooked to perfection), the 1/2 chicken w/ pistachio pesto, smoked mashed potatoes, grilled raddichio and mozzarella balls (AMAZING!!!!!) and the skirt steak w/ kimchi butter (mmmmm delicious!). Of course duck fat fries on the side and their special gin gin mule which is my favorite! I love ginger and normally get the Moscow Mule for a drink when I'm at a restaurant. It's their take of this drink except they make their own ginger beer here. It's superb. I've dined at a table and at the bar but I prefer the bar since the bartenders are always so nice! They also do sake tastings if you want it. Their bar is loaded with tons of different sakes to try. If the bar manager is around (Markus), ask him to make you something special. He actually created the special drink menu at the restaurant which is unique. Parking is ok. It's on street parking unless you want to fork up some money and park in the lot. I highly recommend this place for a first date. The restaurant has a great vibe with the cool wall painting and lighting.
(5)Emily C.
Great drinks and yummy food!! What more could you want from a bar? The bartenders here really know what they are doing. I told the bar tender to make me something fruity and delicious, and she totally came through. They have a pretty extensive menu of specialty cocktails. We tried quite a few of them, and no one had any complaints. The duck fat fries are fantastic! The place is small, so don't come in with like 10 friends and expect all of you to fit comfortably. This is more of a date spot or a GNO kind of place.
(5)Vivian C.
My initial impression of Shojo was that it was meant to be a night time hot spot, with a mix of modern Asian fusion cuisine and drink options, so I really didn't expect to find myself there anytime soon. However, late in the month of January, I read somewhere that Shojo was celebrating their 5 month anniversary with a special $5 lunch menu, so I made my way out to Chinatown one January weekday just to check it out. Located downstairs from China Pearl, this space was once known as China Pearl Best Cafe. Looking at it now though, you would have a hard time imagining the previous simple surroundings with the prepared meats display counter in the corner by the window; the only thing they didn't change were the locations of the kitchen and the bathroom - which sure helped me to later locate it! There is a large mural consisting of a number of scenes from the tales of the Monkey King splashed upon the inner wall. The remaining walls are red brick. A bar with a single large flat screen tv and 10 wooden stools is set against the inmost corner of the room with metal hooks peeking out from underneath the counter. 5 tall tables for 2 are lined up along the window with another 3 tall tables set for parties of either 4 or 6 set down the center of the room. A total of an additional 3 short (aka more normal height) tables line either of the outer walls. After perusing the short lunch menu made up of a single sheet of options, I selected the Char Sui Banh Mi Club - Chinese BBQ Pork, Bacon, Banh Mi Fixings, which my server informed me was the more filling of the two choices I was considering, the other being the Tempura Fish and Chips. Six minutes later, my banh mi sliced on the bias arrived. The flavors were good as was the texture due to the added crisp due to the nubs of bacon found sprinkled about. A recommendation for improvement would be to toast the bread (more?), as I found the bottom bread layer to be rather cool in temperature. Also, the portion was rather light as I felt I still had room for something more once my plate was empty. Perhaps their portions are intended such that a party of two will be content with the addition of one or two of their appetizers such as the intriguing XO Native Corn, or the healthy sounding Edamame Salad with Quinoa and Baby Arugula. As for me, I decided to order a Ball & Chain - Handmade Tagliatelle, Pork Meatball, Soy-Ginger Tomato Sauce - to go. This was a direct result of my visit to the single person restroom where I came face to face with an interestingly designed sink, and a number of newspaper reviews on the wall. There I read from the article printed in The Phoenix on 10/16/2012: "The most welcome surprise here might be the pastas, which reflect a chef skilled with handmade noodles and both Italian and Asian flavors." "Tagliatelle ($16) tops obviously fresh ribbons of pasta with rich pork meatballs, an even richer ragù, and more of that good cheese." My pasta to go arrived in 8 minutes flat. The portion of this dish was also on the light side, but consisted of a rather thick, wide al dente ribbons of pasta, 5 slightly squashed meatballs about an inch in diameter, and some unannounced baby spinach leaves, all mingled in a tasty red sauce. It was yummy. But the meatballs were surprisingly excessively gingery... but not too bad when I ate them in little pieces accompanied by the rest of the dish. The service I experienced was fine. My water glass was refilled before I had to decide whether it was half full or half empty. Lunch doesn't seem to be a busy time for them yet, as there were but one rather large party and a single lady waiting at the bar for her take-out order when I arrived at 12:45pm, and 3 parties of two and a 4th party of one when I made my way out shortly after 1:30pm. For $5 per item, this was great! I wonder what their normal lunch prices are... *** 7/2013 *** Props for still accepting the icitycert I bought at a discount earlier in the year despite the fact that icitycert closed down out of the blue, and hadn't paid them yet. I was also given two helpful tips - they get busy around 9pm/9:30pm when the dinner and the late drinking crowd overlap, and reservations are wise for parties of 6 or more on Fridays and Saturdays.
(3)Eric F.
A newcomer to Boston's Chinatown offering up fresh, modern Asian cuisine, Shojo's off to a strong start. I came by for dinner with a friend and the place was on the emptier side, probably just a result of being a weeknight and having business largely shunted towards spots like GDH. We went with the salmon with dashi glaze, pork short ribs and a side of duck fat hand cut fries. While my fall-off-the-bone ribs fell a bit short in the flavor department, I loved the perfectly cooked fish - on the rare side with soft sweetness from the glaze. The fries were solid as well. In terms of drinks, they're mainly on the lighter side and well-balanced. I was likewise impressed with the attentive and friendly service. Overall, I definitely wouldn't mind coming back to try the popular suckling pig bao and other entrees (moderately portioned with nothing over $20).
(4)Sade R.
This is now my 4th time coming to this place and I am always lost for words. The atmosphere is something unheard of in the Chinatown area, it's what this neighborhood needed there is a growing energy of good here. People looking to explore outside there expectation. The menu changes seasonal and it's honestly a great thing you really get to see what the people in the kitchen can accomplish with Asian fusion tapas. The music is another great favorite of mine always fitting throwbacks of hip-hop. Last but absolutely not least is this amazing woman Tina, everyone who works there is great but she was beyond words. She guided my husband and I through our entire experience with food and beverage knowledge. We wanted to try a Japanese whiskey and she lead us toward the right direction, made sure we had our food. Made the Shojo experience complete. Thank you.
(5)S D.
The pros: Fun place, very friendly waitstaff. Some things were interesting: the Asian glass noodle salad was pretty good, as were the vegetable dumplings, whose filling was flavorful and which was pan-fried to perfection. These were the first two things to arrive, so at this point our impression of the place was very favorable. Unfortunately, it all went downhill from there. The next few dishes were really disappointing. The cons: The remaining dishes were over-seasoned/oily/unimpressive. In particular, the five-spice tofu with 1000-year-egg was way too salty (the egg was great, though!). The Asian Mushroom medley appeared to have only one or two kinds of mushrooms, and fairly ordinary kinds at that, and was pretty unimpressive. The kimchi fried rice had interesting flavor, but was extremely greasy - to the point where we couldn't finish it. (Also couldn't finish the tofu). So, all told, a rather disappointing experience - interesting ideas, very inconsistent execution. I'm increasingly convinced that "Chinese fusion" is not my thing - I'd much rather go to Taiwan Cafe down the street and get wonderfully executed, more "traditional" Chinese food, than this kind of thing. The waitstaff were exceedingly pleasant and welcoming; I feel bad giving the place a bad review - but the kitchen needs to get its act together. With that said, I imagine this would be a great place to get a drink in Chinatown - before heading to Taiwan Cafe ;)
(2)Seth M.
I flew solo to this Chinatown joint. Took a seat at the bar. Lots of brick and wood decor. High ceilings and a well stocked bar. I'm happy. Excited to try Japanese whiskey, the bar tender recommended some options and a cocktail that respected the "coffey grain whiskey" involved. A yakuza old fashioned. I love an old fashioned and this was no exception. Hand carved ice cube. Caramel butters and orange peel. Incredible. Did not take away from the whiskey in any way. The lunch menu looked delicious but I followed tru with my plan... Ramen. Delivered within 5 minutes. Wow. Flavor was incredible. The pork was tender and abundant. The noodles perfect. The broth tho. I'm told it is a three piece combo. Chicken pork and dashi. Chicken fat is the most bold. Pork is quite evident. And as u get thru the bowl. The dashi reveals itself. Just as explained. Rivals any ramen I have had before. And with he addition of fantastic drink and service. #1 ramen spot.
(5)Sandra C.
I've been living in Los Angeles for the past two years, so you can imagine my surprise after learning that a new restaurant in Boston opened up in Chinatown called Shojo! First of all, I got lost trying to find it...I actually went into China Pearl and received some pretty strange looks when I asked where Shojo was. If you're ever wondering...Shojo is next door to China Pearl...you really can't miss its pretty lights. Walking in, I recognized a couple friends working as either hosts or servers...wasn't really sure, but with that being said...my service was AH-MAZING. We must have ordered some of the most popular items on the menu (from what I remember, that included pig bao and duck fat fries) and it was all really delicious. Seriously. I especially applaud the bartenders for the work they put into constructing our drinks...WOW. Those were some of the best alcoholic drinks I've ever tried...especially in Chinatown of all places...in awhile. I'll definitely be back here the next time I visit home. I think Chinatown really needed a place like Shojo. It's refreshing to have a higher-end bar/restaurant amongst the other top-dog, opened late-night, swanky Chinese restaurants here.
(4)Lala I.
i was impressed with the drinks and how knowledgeable our waitress was. you dont find this in an average chinese restaurant. the food was tasty and innovative, however, the overall dining experience was terrible. there were two parties going on in shojo: one surprise birthday party and one bachelorette party. they were all super drunk and INCREDIBLY LOUD! i had to yell to my friends at the top of my lungs when we were talking and they could even barely hear me. the loud noise gave me a major headache and i didnt want to stay at shojo any second longer. i dont think i will return unless i am with my own drunk party.
(3)Julie T.
The food here is so good that I don't even feel bad for pigging out. Probably the hippest place in Chinatown right now. Love the decor and the wall murals! I had to sit at the bar because they were booked up on a Wednesday night. My friends and I went balls out and ordered a bunch of things. Everything was delicious but here are my favorites and must-trys: - Suckling Pig Bao - Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries - Warm Glass Noodles Also, their drinks are clutch! They do not skimp on the alcohol, haha. Our waitress/bartender was awesome too. Shojo is definitely in my current top 5 favorite places in Boston right now. 5 thumbs up!
(5)Joy Y.
If the worst thing I can say about this place is that their (duck fat!!!) fries were a little short and stubby, then I think things are looking good for Shojo. This restaurant was the perfect pre movie (or post movie I suppose-- they are open til 1am!) snack place. It was virtually empty when when got there on a Saturday night and made for easy seating, which was fabulous for me and my dining partner (less fabulous for Shojo though, so despite the fact that I would love no wait every time I go there, you should probably go ASAP as it would be a very sad thing for this place to have to close.) We started off the evening with some very tasty and creative drinks. My drink, the Aberdeen... something or another was fabulous-- housemade citrus gin, basil, coconut cream. I was initially worried about it being too sweet, but that wasn't the case at all-- it was a perfect balance of sweet and almost a little bit savory. The cucumber ice cube in the Reiko Greene was also very cool, it added flavor without being too overwhelming. According to my dc, the Reiko Greene was delicious, a review of which I myself can confirm. Because we were heading to a movie, we opted for some apps. The aforementioned duck fat fries with some delicious sriracha mayo on the side, the pork bao and the grilled calamari. The duck fat fries were just as you would want them to be, crispy and full of flavor. The owner, who was very chatty and informative told us that they make the duck fat in house, which only makes them that much sweeter. The pork bao came with two mini pork sandwich-like things. The balance of the crunchy and pickly kimchee went perfectly with the salty sweetness of the fatty pork. The grilled calamari was the only thing that left a little to be desired and was a bit on the more charred vs grilled side. Everything was reasonably priced and the warm but modern decor was nothing short of awesome. You should probably go check it out for yourself, just don't judge them too harshly on the size of their fries.
(5)Rick B.
Love this place. There's nothing else like it in Boston. Really tasty, creative Asian food with classic hip hop wailing in the background. Makes you feel like you went to NYC for the evening. Make sure you get the pork boa, the killer rum punch (the "Zombie"), and the chocolate sesame balls.
(4)Lynn J.
Want the go to the hottest, NEW CHINESE RESTAURANT in BOSTON? Destination...SHOJO! (right underneath the China Pearl in Chinatown) It's the bar to be at...It's the restaurant to rave about...It's Shoho. Why choose Shojo? I attended their opening party and found: They just opened, so everything is clean, fresh and inviting. The atmosphere is "Artsy," with wall murals by local artists. The staff is fast, friendly & making a great first impression. Our food was fresh and flavorful...Duck Buns, Duck Fat Fries, Fish Burgers. The owner is a hands on guy who greeted all guests personally. After dinner ends, they remove all tables & become an intimate club! Give Shojo a try NOW, before it becomes the new, HOT SPOT with a line! TIP: I LOVE to go to restaurants when they first open. You get the EXTRA EFFORT, NEWEST DISHES & BEST SERVICE. BONUS: For the party, they hired SHAWN KELLEY (Makeup Artist) and TRACI DASTOU (Personal Shopper), both from Neiman Marcus, to light up all the ladies lips with kisses of color and big smiles from their LA MER Goody Bags!
(5)Will M.
Tasty interesting food, great cocktails. Pricey by chinatown standards, but cheap compared to the rest of Boston and in a nicely appointed, clean space. The steak entree was great, as was the egg drop soup. Pork bao tacos were good but too heavy on the bao and didn't have enough filling. The cocktails are pricey at $10, but they're tall and poured stiff, so you get your money's worth. Props to the bartender for mixing up something that was different and interesting, but still delicious.
(4)Miranda S.
Excellent food, excellent service! We came here on a Friday night and were told there was an hour wait (understandable). So we left and sat down at another place, but they didn't serve alcohol so we came back here. And man, we're glad we did. Loved the drink selection. I really liked this ginger drink (I forget the name) but it had ginger beer in it and it was really refreshing. We were standing around with drinks and actually ended up being seated like 20 minutes later....score! Our waitress was great. Actually everyone was great. The bartender actually came over to us at first and showed us to a table when one opened up. We were pleasantly surprised by the service here. I was soooo depressed that they were out of the pig bao :( But everything we got was great - the fried rice, chicken & waffle, "Big Mac" dumplings...everything was good. We were also really into the movie they were playing on the big screen (House of the Flying Daggers) and the waitress let us sit there and enjoy it for a while before coming with the check :) I'll definitely be back!
(5)David W.
Hippest and most modern place in Boston Chinatown! It's been years since I've been back in Boston, and this new place really adds to the charm of the city. The vibe inside is really happening. Scene is really young and energetic. Stark contrast to the family style restaurants and shops across the block. Bartender is a celebrity, employees are nice, and owner walks and works the floor with everyone else. There are beautiful people who work and frequent there. Fun just to people watch. Their menu is fun and ordinary. Totally should have skipped dinner and eaten here. Tried the Kamehameha and it was one of the most unique drinks. It's an alcoholic drink with chili and really has a nice kick. First time have spicy alcohol. They also have an alcoholic oolong tea which comes in a regular teapot with 2 tea cups. Bang for your buck and that drink kept me busy throughout. Will definitely check out this place when I'm in town again!!! Fun place to be at!
(5)Hana M.
Let me just say that the service was wonderful. The atmosphere of the whole restaurant is very modern and clean. The mural inside the restaurant is a cool touch. But... The ramen needs work. I ordered the seafood ramen or the shojo ramen off of the lunch menu. First glance, it looked very appetizing with everything nicely placed. As I started to stir up the ramen, I noticed the noodles felt kind of hard. I think they were trying to make the noodles al dente, but it just ended up tasting dry and under-cooked. It also had this floury after taste. I'm not sure if they actually used ramen noodles or egg noodles; it tasted like a funky hybrid of the two. The 6 minute egg tasted very salty, and the concentrated salty broth did not help. The char siu pork looked like chicken, but it wasn't that bad. Not the best and a bit on the fatty side, but I didn't really mind. There was also a lot of unnecessary sesame seeds floating around the soup, which gave a rough texture to the dish. The one thing I did enjoy was the ginger/scallion garish on top. $15 (including tax and tip) for it was not worth it. I'm usually not very picky, but I was not very happy with this recent lunch experience, due to the poor execution of the ramen dish. Overall, I do not recommend getting the ramen.
(2)Eric C.
Only came for drinks. The only thing that disappointed me about this place was that their Sharknado cocktail (had to get it) was changed to a gin based drink instead of a cognac (I think?) one. So instead, I had a Morning star. It was pretty damn delicious and the price was right too. The second drink I had was one of the drinks for two, Scorpion Jar I think. That was pretty decent as well. The service was quick and attentive which was super appreciated. Our waiter was knowledgeable but wasn't pushy when one of us said they weren't drinking. We were seated immediately, which impressed me because every other place in Chinatown seemed to have a wait. Maybe it was a littler later or something. Boston is a strange city to me. Either way, I'd come back to try the food. It certainly looks pretty yummy. I'd definitely come back for drinks.
(4)Chris T.
Hands down the best food and drinks that you will get in Chinatown, maybe even the Theatre District altogether. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The only lackluster item were the chicken tacos, but even they were pretty good. It's just that compared to everything else we had (Pork Bao, Eggplant Bao, Mushroom Ragout, Tuna Sashimi, Pork Ribs), it just wasn't on the same level, but still good. And the drinks. Oh my lord. The gin gin mule has a secret house made ginger beer that will make you salivate for days. We also had the Kamehameha, Old Fashioned, and a mezcal drink, all of which were the best drinks I've ever had in Boston. If I'm going to pay $11-13 per drink, it may as well be here because there is no better place to get a drink than here. No lie. It's a tapas place, but just saddle up, grab 4 or 5 items, a handful of drinks, and enjoy the 90's hip hop and cheezy Japanese movies. Will definitely return with others in tow.
(5)Andrew G.
Great option in China Town. It isn't the typical China Town restaurant but rather a great fusion alternative. Lots of small and affordable options on the menu great for sampling a wide variety. Great cocktails as well and fun vibe!
(5)Dee Dee Y.
The best ramen in Boston with the best grilled cha-shao( pork). Kimchee fried rice beats most Korean restaurants. Order the fries with their special sauce. You will be pleased.
(5)Amy M.
Not sure what the hype is all about with this place. We saw it on Phantom Gourmet and it looked great. We always cross reference Phantom with Yelp and it got good reviews by others on Yelp - so we thought it would be a winner. We took all the Yelp suggestions. Wu Tang Tiger ribs - grizzly and fatty, half the order was on the plate due to this. Chicken and Waffle - I will say this was better - Maple butter was good but sweet (obviously). The chicken was cooked well - crispy. Pig Bao - OK meat, but sweet - wrap was very doughy Bang Bang Noodles - so disappointing - we actually went there for the Damn Damn Noodles - which they took off the menu, so we tried Bang Bang. They tasted like cafeteria chopped suey - something out of Chef Boyardee. No spice and very mushy. The drink - Kamehameha - was very good, best part of the meal. Bill came to about $100 - 4 drinks, 4 food items. We wish we spent the money elsewhere.
(2)Carrie L.
Shojo offers a different scenery in Chinatown. A modern Asian-fusion restaurant with intriguing drinks, and ever-changing menus. My favorite part of the restaurant interior is the mural on the back side. Picture perfect spot for group pictures! Drinks: Morning Glory: Comes in a cute little short glass. Foamy top. Orange peel garnish. A bit on the sweeter side, very strong. Not a fan, unfortunately. Gin Gin Mule: With citrus gin, lemon, syrup, and ginger beer. Citrus taste with the ginger aftertaste hanging in your throat. GET IT! Cold Tea for Two: Had a sip of this and was surprisingly tastier than expected. Oolong infused vodka, with a hint of citrus and peach. It would be nice if it came in a nicer tea pot. Appetizers: Duck Fat Hand-cut Fries: Good start for the table. Fries has a very faint hint of duck/meat taste to it. Wish the fries were cut in bigger pieces though. Summer Salad: Mango, dragon fruit, greens - refreshing Kimchi Fried Rice: With a fried egg on top, not spicy enough Grilled Hanger Steak: With crispy onion and spicy mayo (?) on top, not bad Entrees: Pan Seared Salmon: With shreds of seaweeds on top. Fried eggplant (?) on the side. The salmon was soft with crispy skin. Braised Pork Belly: Very soft. Half Chicken: My favorite plate of the night! With enoki, shallots, and gnocchi.. Saucy chicken. Dessert: Chocolate sesame ball: Very similar concept to the dim sum dessert with red bean. But it has chocolate instead and my friends went loco over them. I'm told the menu changes a lot. Either by the way they cook or the ingredients they use. It's great if you're a usual and love to try new items over time. I don't mind the changing, but it might be disappointing to not have my favorite dish there when I come back the next time.
(4)Jasmine X.
I really like this place. My friend and I were looking for some Asian fusion dinner and this place was quite well reviewed. Sometimes I get very hesitant about Asian fusion because I think it's a delicate line to cross, but Shojo does it very well. The place is quite small. My friend and I went on a Tuesday evening and had no problem getting seats which was nice. It's a very intimate and nice place. We ordered the suckling pig bao which came highly recommended by other Yelpers, kimchee fried rice, duck confit dumplings, and the pork belly. My favorite was definitely the suckling pig bao. Really felt like I could have gone for a few more of those. The other choices came from the recommendation of our waitress. Duck confit dumplings were not my favorite, but I can see how someone would like them. Kimchee fried rice was good but nothing extraordinary or surprising. The pork belly though, was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed them. Cooked to perfection, the fat attached was also amazing. All in all, the price came out to be very reasonable and I really enjoyed the options here. Sometimes it's nice to get Chinese food with a classy touch, and that's what I felt like Shojo did really well. You ordered things with an expectation of what you would get, and the dish would meet that expectation and then some more, which is how I think Asian Fusion can be most artfully mastered--by retaining the original flavors and adding a new twist. The waitress was also really nice and attentive to our needs without being overbearing. tldr; all in all, just a very solid experience and a place I would definitely come back to or recommend to a friend
(4)M B.
Oh yeah. That's what I'm talking about! Probably one of my favorite Asian/Tapas places. All plates were equally satisfying, and the atmosphere and service very friendly and fun.
(5)wolf t.
It's refreshing to see a hip, inventive place differentiating itself from Chinatown's other satisfying but utilitarian restaurants. The menu is a short but carefully-constructed list of small plates. Four of us ordered almost everything and shared family-style, with no disappointments and a few pleasant surprises. The cocktail menu is almost a dare; most of the creations sound disgusting but I enjoyed my two offbeat selections. Favorite dishes: suckling pig bao. ribs Minor minuses: a bit loud, but not overwhelming. Waiter forgot one of our orders. I hope the menu turns over with some new dishes so I can go back soon.
(4)Laurel M.
AMAZING! Service superb, food excellent, drinks strong I don't know where this place went wrong! Chicken and waffles, fried calamari, and duck fat fried French fries were wonderful! baked then fried chicken on a Hong Kong style waffle, best I've ever had! One of the few places that knows how to do calamari! Would have pictures but it was gone to quickly! Only complaint was it was a bit loud, but the service defiantly made up for it.
(5)Lauren M.
probably the coolest, most unique restaurant in Boston. Great food, music, drinks, art, and service. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Favorite F.
Very cute and trendy little place hidden in Chinatown. Food was delightful - Wu Tang Ribs (tasty), Taro Tots (different smokey but nonetheless yum) & Calamari (light batter and not overcooked with a great sauce). I also tried the Gin Gin Mule - very light and tasty. Music was great - hip hop. Service was fast, great and personable from everyone.
(5)Ryan H.
my favorite restaurant in boston, come here with your friends and order everything on the menu to get the full experience.
(5)Patty L.
5 freakin' stars! I was in town visiting Boston over the weekend and was excited to see what sort of eats this town had to offer. I was shocked to see there just wasn't anything my fellow Yelpers LOVED. Many places with 3.5 - 4 star reviews but I wanted something 4.5 stars. Shojo was one of them and I am so appreciative that Yelp and Yelpers have not steered me wrong. The simple menu offered a variety of small plates and entrees at wallet-friendly prices. I ordered 5 small plates and the entire bill came out to $38!!! Here is what I recommend: Pork Rib - fall of the bone tender Suckling Pig Bao - there are two in an order. The crispy skin is what sealed the deal for me. So good we ordered another! Corn with kimchee butter - really interesting flavors on sweet corn on the cob I found the duck fat fries to be mediocre. It is a nice option to have when you have a group of people that want to pick on something crunchy but everything else was just so good that it overshadowed this dish. The tempura pickles was the runt in the family. Unfortunately, the pickles weren't sour at all. However, the tempura was fried perfectly. Fiona - thank you for your awesome service!
(5)Zach W.
I went here on a whim with my brother who is a local and it was amazing! Some of the best food in Boston with great service'!
(5)Christine J.
3.5 stars. Interesting drinks, tapa style chinese appetizers. a little pricey for what you're getting. we had to go eat at a different place after having drinks and dishes here. I'm not sure this place fits the whole chinatown vibe. it's trying to be a fancy place amidst the hole in the wall places. almost trying to be a club/lounge.. not my kinda hang out spot but younger audience (20's) may find it more appealing?
(3)Adam G.
Really great find. Food was great. Small portions. Easy place to pig out on a bunch little meals. The pork bun was awesome. The kung-fu movies playing in the background was funny. Portico on tap too!
(4)Tiffany C.
I came here for Friday date night and enjoyed the atmosphere. It's a small space, has a bar in the corner and a cool mural in the back. The service was good but I was bit turned off when they started rushing us out. The concept of their menu was creative, however, the taste of the food did not match the menu prices. The portions are incredibly small and leaves you feeling thirsty. We ordered the chicken and waffle, ribs, fries, and lobster rangoon. Including 2 drinks, the bill came our to $70. If I come back again, it would only be for drinks and not dinner.
(3)Lucy E.
Thank god this place isn't in the South End. If it were in the South End I truly believe that it would have wait times like Toro. But since it's not, it's surprisingly easy to get a table here on a Monday night. I just love what they're doing here at Shojo. They have an AMAZING cocktail list! I highly recommend the Kamehameha, it has thai chili infused vodka, fire puncher vodka, coconut milk, and lemon, and it is a drink for the gods! YUMM! For food they do small/appetizer plates and entrees, both of which are fabulous. I think the way to go is to order a bunch of things to share at the table. The ravioli entree is out of this world! On top of have delicious food and drinks the service is always friendly and decor is mind blowing. This is definitely somewhere you should check out next time you're close to Chinatown!
(5)Idy T.
I never thought I would find a place like this in Chinatown! Shojo serves Asian-fusion cuisine. I like the concept of this restaurant. The mural on the wall is also really interesting. It is their take on the story of the Journey of the West. Make sure you ask one of the people at the restaurant to tell you about the story of the mural. I came with a group of friends and ordered some appetizers. My favorite was the suckling pork bao. It was so delicious! For my entrée, I ordered steak frites with kimchi butter-- medium rare. The steak was cooked perfectly and the fries soaked up the juices from the steak and kimchi butter. Everything was so perfect! The server was also really attentive and welcoming. I came back to Shojo later that night because my friends and I wanted to grab some drinks. We all ordered some beer and sake and made our own sake bomb! They accommodated with us and brought us chopsticks and sake shot glasses. My friends and I had a really great time! They change their menu from time to time so I can't wait to try their new things in the menu!
(5)Jamie B.
I came here with a girlfriend for dinner and we were both less than impressed with the food. The servers were exceedingly nice and attentive; it was clear they very much wanted us to enjoy our experience....but we didn't. I had the ma-po tofu and it was a DISASTER. It was absolutely nothing like any other ma-po tofu I've had in the past. The tofu didn't even seem to be cooked... just warm, raw, soft tofu cubes in some unidentifiable sauce that was topped with TRAIL MIX. No lie... it was sprinkled with an assortment of birdseed/nuts/dried fruit. And served with two chunks of giant crusty, hard-as-a-rock toasted bread. There was nothing about this dish that was good. Just making a dish "different" doesn't make it inventive. My vegetarian girlfriend ordered the mushroom medley, which was far more edible than my Ma Po Tofu, but it was still over-salted (and I am so NOT salt-sensitive) and was overall fairly blah. I was compelled to write a review because I don't understand how Shojo has such a high yelp rating when we had food that was quite simply not good.
(2)Ambreen D.
Found this neighborhood gem 2 weeks ago and have already been there twice. Fun place. Love the bao, chicken n waffles, calamari. Not as much a fan of the tsukbokki.
(4)Tanya Y.
As soon as you walk into Shojo, you completely forget that you're in Chinatown. It immediately felt cozy and upscale with its dim lighting. The owner was at the forefront, greeted us right away and gave us a warm welcome. Tucked away on Tyler Street, most known for it's neighbor, China Pearl, Shojo features Asian-Fusion cuisine. The menu is eclectic to say the least, and veers away from the usual family-style dining; it focuses on individual portions that come out looking like works of art. My friend and I ended up ordering our own individual entrees: BBQ Pork Chop and Short Ribs. The BBQ Pork Chop sat on top Persimmon Purée, Braised Kale, and was decorated w/Pomegranate Seeds ($15). This was the highlight of the two dishes. This dish sung and hit every proper note on my tongue; sweet, savory, and just the right amount of heat. The pork chop cooked to perfection was juicy with every bite. The braised kale had a great citrus bite and although pomegranite seeds are great on its own, it completed the dish. The short rib ($17) sat ontop a taro mash, chinese sauteed spinach, and were all surrounded by a star anise gravy. The short ribs alone were braised to a point where they fell completely off the bone. The pieces of meat melted like butter with every bite and the taro mash could easily be mistaken for a regular mashed potato. The portions were perfect and the plates were practically spotless by the end of the meal. The food was super flavorful. We came when it wasn't particularly busy, right before dinner time, and was able to even talk to the owner about the story behind Shojo and the little monkeys on the wall. Although we didn't order an alcoholic drink, the menu looked impressive. Definitely something on the to-try list on my next visit. With enough word of mouth and time, it's easy to see that Shojo will shine and be a popular destination in the heart of Boston's Chinatown. I will be back!
(5)Michelle T.
YIKES. I wanted to love Shojo and agree with those 4 and 4+ star ratings, but I can only give Shojo a 3. Note: This review is based on a drink-free meal. Sure it is a "different" type of restaurant in Chinatown because it is Asian fusion, it has drinks and is more "upscale", but I would not say that the flavors and creativity of the dishes justified their prices. Service was a-ok and food was a-ok. Nothing special and not a place I'd come back to again just because there are other places to go to that offer similar types of food, but with more twists, better prices and greater selection (think: Blue Dragon, Empire, etc.) My friend and I ordered the Noodle salad to start because I saw a really delicious looking picture of it on Yelp. For $9, it was a 6-8 bite thai glass noodle salad that you could definitely get at a thai restaurant for double the amount of food at that price. Flavor-wise, it was decent, but nothing memorable. Really wish I'd saved my money on that. For my entree, I went for the salmon entree ($21). My salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked so it was seared on the outside but tender on the inside. Although my entree was beautiful and served on a GIANT dish (it barely fit the table), I was far from feeling full or satisfied after scarfing down the whole plate. :/ Call me a fatty, I don't care. The flavors of the dish were good, but nothing surprising or unique. There was nothing Asian about it apart from the edamame sprinkled around the edge of the plate. We were definitely rushed to pay the bill since it was a Friday night, and were asked (very kindly though) by the waitress to leave if we were done so they could turn over the table. (I did note that there was nobody waiting for a table at the time, but I DO understand they'd like to still turn the table over). Probably won't be back to Shojo. A decent establishment if you're looking for a more American experience in Chinatown.
(3)Ella F.
This is a very trendy spot in Chinatown. The drinks were great, the service was good as well, but the food was average at best. I left very underwhelmed, especially given the prices. I'd only come here again for drinks.
(3)Michelle F.
This place is absolutely amazing! The food was excellent and I loved the atmosphere. We also got to meet one of the owners on our way out and he was wonderful. It's small plates and you probably need 2-3 per person. I recommend the bao, ribs, and fries.
(5)Lily S.
A-OK in my book. Came here for an early lunch with a coworker. We both had the duck fat fries and bao (pork belly for me, whatever the other option was for her). The fries were totally fine and the bao was good. What I didn't like was everything was ridiculously spicy and I must have gone through 2-3 glasses of water in the small meal. The other thing that left me a little meh was the price tag. With 20% tip, those two items ended up being $20. A lot of money and not a lot of food. I ended up filling myself up on fries, but would have really preferred another bun...but not for $4.50. With Genki Ya having $15 sushi specials for lunch, it's unlikely that I will come back here.
(3)Stefan B.
I'm usually not into this kind of dining but I like this place! Very hip, young Asian vibe. The food is really really really small tapas... We didn't feel full at all. But we didn't order the 2-3 tapas per person like our waiter suggested so maybe that's our fault. Honestly, this is my favorite tapasy kinda place in Boston. I've been to Toro and Alden & Harlow and both of them I felt the food was oversalted. My boyfriend didn't think so but I did. The food was perfect here! Everything had flavor but wasn't too salty or too rich. I was expecting the food here to be too salty because of my past experiences with hip restaurants like this in Boston but I was pleasantly surprised. I'm really glad I went here. I didn't leave full but I feel like if my group ordered more it would have been fine. We just kind of gave up after ordering one by one but after like 3 more plates we would probably be fine. Kimchi fried rice is classic yumminess but still doesn't beat Korean mom recipes. The ravioli was the best pasta dish I've ever had and I hate pasta sooo much. Duck fat fries were good but not as mindblowing as I expected and the suckling pig bao was really good. The duck taco is kind of more like a taco bowl thing but it was one of the favorite things I ate. So refreshing. I'm usually not into this kind of dining with fancy tapas and small plates, but if I had to choose a place to go, I'd definitely go with Shojo. PROS food is really really good not oversalted like competitors in boston cool vibe if you're into that CONS the tapas are... really really really small. like, smaller than usual. :x
(4)Raela R.
I went to Shojo for the first time the other night. What a fun time, the cocktail menu is really unique and different. I love the idea of sharing played, that way you get to try more! Between the two of us we had four dishes which the perfect amount of food and for the standout was the steamed pork bun. Spicy, sweet, crunch goodness. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was fear. I will definitely be back!
(4)Katie K.
Heard about this place on Thrillist as one of Boston's trendiest restaurants. It sure it trendy, but the food is meh... I'm used to good asian food and good asian fusion food but this place was sub-par. They took great traditional dishes and tried to make them hip and trendy and the dishes ended up tasting like they tried too hard. Cute place, awesome wall paintings, and great atmosphere for hanging out with friends for a quick bite or drink, but not someplace I'd go if I'm looking for good asian food.
(2)Gitta M.
Loved this place. Exciting vibe. Inventive and super flavorful food...umami in your face!! This place would definitely be great for drinks and apps before going out. The ribs were probably the best I've ever had..fall of the bone deliciousness. The drinks were great as well.
(5)Paul G.
This place is the bomb.com . The drinks list is fantastic. I want to try them all. The cold tea is a must have. The food is fun. They deal in mostly small asian influenced plates. You can order a couple for yourself or for the table. Kimchee fried rice is the best. The pork bao is awesome. The ribs are tasty. I could go on and on. Go here with friends to have a great night out.
(5)Alison C.
Shojo almost seems out of place from its Chinatown surroundings. From the dim lighting and trendy decor, to the old school hip-hop music playing from the speakers, Shojo is a breath of fresh air when compared to the run down and minimalist shops that it is surrounded by. My friend and I came here upon a recommendation by her friend. To start the meal, they both ordered drinks, the Reiko Greene and the Chairman's Painkiller. Both were happy with them, and both drinks were beautifully presented. The Greene had a huge cube of cucumber ice that looked refreshing and added color, while the Painkiller came in a Buddha shaped sippy cup. We ordered the Salt & Pepper Calamari, Suckling Pig Baos, and the Damn! Damn!! Noodles!!! to share, which was light and enough to satisfy us without being too full. The calamari was standard, nothing too special, but tasted fresh, was well battered, and had a great aioli that came with it. The baos were also good, with crisp suckling pig and crunchy jalapeños. The kimchi flavor was mixed into the barbecue sauce, the flavor of which was overwhelming, and the three of us agreed that a different or no sauce at all would have let the kimchi flavor stand out. The noodles were by far the best part of the meal. The noodles were well cooked, and the ground pork was deliciously flavored. Getting some noodles, pork, and a bit of the oozy fried egg on top in one bite was a perfect trifecta. I'm not sure how that meat was seasoned, but it was scrumptious! Service was fast and friendly, with our waiter describing dishes in detail and even telling us how they make the cucumber ice! Always appreciate a business that is willing to share tips and tricks. He also saw that we were a party of three and knew we were sharing plates, so he threw in an extra bao to our order since it normally comes with only two. While the place was empty when we got there at 2:30 PM, the restaurant is on the smaller side so make reservations if you can!
(4)Ariel Z.
One of the absolute best bar/restaurant experiences you'll get in Boston. The creative and flavorful dishes fuse together perfectly, and their drinks are just as enticing. Ordered the duck fat fries (with sriracha aioli...yum!), ravioli (pulled pork, bacon, celery, and shaved pecorino cheese), and the famous Reiko Greene cocktail with cucumber ice to drink. UPDATE: also tried the Kamehameha (my #1) and Gin Gin Mule (super gingery spicy) Fairly crowded, but the staff really makes an effort to squeeze you in. Even the waiters were super friendly and attentive. The ambiance is fun, especially the fact that they play Hong Kong kung-fu films on the TV at the bar in the back. Saw a gnarly fight scene between two guys, one holding a block of tofu...go figure.
(5)K E.
Huge fan! Friend brought me here (I never would have found it on my own) for drinks and light food. Everything we ordered was great and the service was good too. This is a hip type of restaurant, don't come here for a business dinner if you need to talk. Music is loud and atmosphere is fun and informal.
(5)Thuy N.
Dinner at Shojo was an excellent and memorable experience! My sister and I ordered the crispy pork bao, (fall off the bone) ribs, bolognese and miso clams. Every single thing we had was mind blowing! Compliments to the recently new appointed chef! It was my first time visiting Boston and we were lucky to find this place after a 6-hour flight and boy am I glad we did. Cheers!
(5)D M.
We went to Shojo on Feb 24, 2015 for dinner prior to attend a comedy show at the Wilbur Theater and Shojo did not disappoint. The drinks were phenominal. Very generous pours and excellent flavor. The food was a mix of american/asain that did not disappoint. I would highly recommend the chicken and waffles....I tasted like wonderful....it was so wonderful that, for a second, thought I was taking a bite into Frankie Vallie. The decor was great.....lighting fit the atmosphiere to create a nice ambiance. The service....in my opionion.....was excellent. Drinks were replenshed quickly and the waitress had a charmingly cheery disposition. There was one person in our group who would not agree with me on this...please see the next paragraph that details her sob story. I wish I could give this place 5 stars, but unfortunatley.....over threat of being slapped silly......I was instructed to give 4 stars instead. I don't want to name names, but lets call this person "Stephanie". "Stephanie" came to the restuarant about 30 minutes before us and put our name in for table. The waitress, unfortunatley, had to keep delaying our table because the prior guests were not leaving. For whatever reason...."Stephanie" believes that a resturaunt should kick people out in order to service the waiting line.....I do not share this opinion, but I will cut her some slack because she did grow up on the cape and those people aren't all there. Anyway, we did get a table and everything worked out A ok. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. Standing O to the staff and management at Shojo.
(4)Jessie T.
Came back a few more times with friends and still an excellent and consistent experience. The Kamehameha is the most unique drink I had ever tried and in a good way. Spicy and cool the chili is balanced well with the coconut. Duckfat fries and spicy kimchi fried rice are always a favorite.
(4)Zig W.
+nearly empty +simple menu +friendly receptionist -portions small -tapas pricing -food/$ incredibly low (for genre)
(3)Dave C.
Cool vibe, amazing food. I think going in the middle of a snowstorm probably helped us get a spot here because I can't imagine this place would have had the space they had otherwise. The food is fantastic. Had the wings (not bad, B+), the Kimchi fried rice (very good A/A-) and the Spag N Ball Z (awesome A+). All the food was really good, but the spag n ball Z takes the cake -really amazing flavor and interesting texture. The service was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)Amy N.
Well now that was one hell of a yummy lunch!! Kimchi fried rice, pig bao, bang bang bolognese, thai spaghetti and "meatballs", (I could have put a straw in the broth...it was AMAZING), and some delicious cocktails. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Dave G.
Solid food and drink. It's a small place with big time hospitality - the staff was really helpful with the menu and recommendations. I'll be going back... Alright so I'm back - couldn't stay away from the duck fat fries.
(4)Sam S.
Shojo does everything well. Perfect for a date or hanging out with friends. The owners and staff are always friendly and helpful too!
(5)Lunchbox ..
My first trip to Boston was great! The thing that put it over the top was the excellent meal I had at Shojo. If you are ever in Boston you must visit Shojo in Chinatown. My friend and I arrived at 5 pm wanting something to eat and drink. We were notified that the dinner menu didn't start until 5:30, so we took a seat at the bar and ordered drinks. We sat there at that bar ordering drink after drink and plate after plate. We just could not get enough. Here is the list of items we ordered: Suckling Pig Bao Pig Trotter Dumplings Pulled Pork Ravioli Kimchi Fried Rice Duck Tacos Pineapple Sponge Cake Drinks we had: Gin Gin Mule Morning Star Scorpion Jar Ozawa ' s Kiss Sapporo Hitachino Red Rice Ale And when we were looking for an aperitif and couldn't decide on one, the bar manager made us a delightful drink (with no name) made with thier house made tea - infused vodka! I will be returning!
(5)Kat W.
Me and my husband ate here on a Saturday night. We made a reservation for 7 pm and arrived a little early. We sat at the bar in the mean time and tried the "Tea for Two" drink. It is an oolong tea infused with vodka and peach.... Very tasty! At 7pm we were seated promptly. The service was attentive and made sure our night was going smoothly. The dinner menu consisted of "tapa-sized" dishes. I recommend ordering 2-3 dishes per person. The kimchi fried rice and duck fat fries with siracha aioli were our favorite. We also tried the dumplings and the BBQ pork ribs however we didn't like them as much. They had a sponge cake dessert that had hints of ginger and cream. I don't know if it was just a special for that night or if it's a daily option.... But I highly recommend it. Overall Shojo is a great restaurant with a fun hip vibe.
(4)Brad M.
For food that is pretty innovative, it's relatively inexpensive here. I really like the food, but I have to say that the seating is fairly uncomfortable. The high top tables leave something to be desired. I recommend the weird waffle thing with chicken, because the texture as well as the sauce are out of this world. Definitely one of Chinatown's best, and should be getting a lot more looks and attention.
(4)Joel P.
My meal here was pure magic. A hidden gem in Chinatown, their unique cocktails are perfection in a glass (or ceramic Buddha), and on par with other prices in the area. The food was amazing - I had the pork belly bao - crispy skin, fresh veggies. I also had the kimchi fried rice which was great, including the over easy egg on top to mix in the yolk with the spicy and full of kimchi rice. My friend got the duck fat fries which were ridiculously yummy. This place is a must, and a place I will be taking many many friends to. Top notch of Boston's Chinatown.
(5)Christina T.
I came here on New Years Eve with my fellow foodie and loved the idea of an Asian tapas joint aka classy dim sum. Even though I am from Boston and am Asian, we still got lost walking there -.- The food was the perfect amount to feel satisfied without being overly stuffed and wasn't greasy which is what you often encounter when you sample Asian fare. I wish I remember what we ate, but I can't! Just try everything. Cocktails were yummy, strong and appropriately priced.
(4)Linda W.
I'll start off by saying that this is definitely a good place for drinks and a snack! The vibe is quite trendier than the typical Chinatown restaurant; dimly lit, loud music, and perfect for a casual candle lit dinner or pre-gaming spot before kicking off the weekend. My friend and I started with drinks which included the Gin Gin Mule (recommended), Melon Daiquiri (definitely give this one a try if you're into sweet drinks!), and the last one I can't quite name but it had a refreshing cucumber taste to it with a large ice cube. For the area, drinks were reasonably priced & a good break from the typical sake/beer restriction that most restaurants in Chinatown are bound to. Off the menu, we ordered mainly small plates. I've been dying to try the duck fat fries since I absolutely LOVE french fries and they paired well with the spicy aioli dipping sauce. The Suckling Pig Baos were okay even though I typically prefer my baos with fatty beef and the duck dumplings weren't a bad choice either. Yes the portions are a bit on the smaller side, especially if you're accustomed to the typical Chinatown portions, but the food quality is indeed held to a higher standard which is reflected from the prices. Drinks are definitely innovative & creative, as well as tasty too. Markus, the bartender is super friendly along with the rest of the servers who are pretty well informed of the menu. I say absolutely give this place a try if you're with a small group of friends in the Chinatown area & in the mood for something a little different and fun (:
(4)Deena B.
Really fun and unique spot in Chinatown to come on a date or just for a place with good food and a cool vibe. My husband and I came here before a comedy show and the tapas style sharing plates were perfect! We will be back for sure. Totally unexpected in Chinatown and so glad it's an option.
(5)K. Brooke Z.
I was pleasantly surprised! The way to get the best value is to skip the small plates. They are good, but you don't get much. Understand that you will be spending about $20 a head for a full meal, and you'll know what to expect. The tuna tar tar was good. It needed a little "zip" to the sauce though, as the edamame paste was pretty flat. The duck rolls were good, but we were hoping for more crispy skin inside. However, the chicken entree was UNBELIEVABLE. Everything was right about this dish. The noodles were fun, the veggies were great. Most wonderful was the sauce-it was delicious and perfectly proportioned. The dish wasn't swimming in sauce, but I never felt like it needed more. Do yourself a favor and Get the chicken entree. I will be back for it, and to try those duck fat fries everyone has been talking about!
(4)Gene L.
The value here isn't great. I understand they're in a fairly good location in chinatown but the portion sizes are smaller than I'd expect. The food overall was good though some misses. The buns were great. The pork belly entree was really good also. The carrot puree was heavenly and everything went really well together. The amount of pork belly was extremely small, especially considering how inexpensive pork belly is. As for misses, the warm glass noodles didn't make sense to me. For a similar experience and food concept, I'd rather go to myers and chang in the south end.
(4)Ambrose C.
Is it possible to find some slightly fine dining in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood? Well, if you are looking for a place where some Asian food can be taken at a sophisticated and a unique level, this is another good choice. This place used to be a simple and somewhat gritty place that served some Chinese barbecue and basic Cantonese noodle dishes. Now it has changed into something sophisticated. First off, it you are looking for an inexpensive and authentic East Asian dishes, this is NOT the place I would recommend. However, if you want good drinks, good Asian food with a very different flair, and some good service, then this is the place you could go to in Boston's Chinatown. I walked inside, and I got this slight feeling that I was not in Boston, but either in San Gabriel, California, Monterrey Park, California, Markham, Ontario or North York, Ontario. I encountered a bunch of interesting people, and I decided to get a drink. I eventually ordered some food after encountering some more interesting people. I got a Chairman's Painkiller, which is this cocktail that has pineapple, coconut, and some rum. It came in a tall ceramic cup that was shaped like a Moai statue on Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean. I thought it was a fairly juicy and refreshing drink, but I did not taste any alcohol. At $10 a glass, it is expensive, but it's a great drink to have when the temperature is 28 degrees Celsius outside, the sun is shining, with a nice breeze and you are sitting at a patio looking at the nice coast in either Southern California, Southern Spain, or even in Stanley, Hong Kong. The drink was a great complement with some appetizers. The Suckling Pig Bao was probably my favorite of all the appetizers I had. The meat had a nice juicy tenderness and I really enjoyed the flavor. The mussels and the Duck Fat Hand Cut Fries were okay, did not find anything memorable. The Sauteed Ponzu Spinach was good, I liked the flavor, and it would serve as a great complement for a slab of freshly cooked meat. As for main courses, I had this special dish which is the skate fish (a type of stingray) wing with Asian risotto, olives, capers, tomato salad with fried leeks. I really liked the fish, it had a nice crispiness and at the same time I enjoyed the softness on the inside. It was freshly cooked and it seems that the cooks put some decent precision in making it tasty. It is $18 for a dish, but I thought it was tasty and it is enough for a light and moderate meal. I also had some dessert. A guy I recently met ordered the Shojo Beignets, which is this fried dough with powdered sugar. They came with two sauces, either Black Sesame, or Vietnamese Coffee. The Beignets were not memorable, but the Black Sesame sauce or the Vietnamese Coffee sauce made them tastier. Service was actually decent. The people were nice, and the owner appeared to be very hospitable. Hopefully, they will be consistent with this. Interior is nice, they have this mural that looks like an interpretation of the Chinese story Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. Overall, if you have at least $20 and you are looking for some fine and somewhat sophisticated dining in Boston's Chinatown, this is actually a pretty good choice. If you are looking for some good drinks and you do not have to worry about money, this is also a fairly good choice in Boston's Chinatown. I would not mind coming back here again, as long as I have some good friends with me.
(4)Nom N.
In my estimation, nothing on the menu will disappoint. This restaurant sends a consistent message throughout from the menu to the decor. Great place to impress a date. It's not cheap, but it's not expensive either. Perfect couple's joint. One wall is a floor to ceiling mural that changes with the season and always aims to impress. The TV behind the bar plays kung-fu flicks with the subtitles on. It's subtle and tasteful. On slower nights, you can bring a group and monopolize the place. The service staff are pretty cool, and you'll probably wish you were hanging out with them instead. It doesn't hurt that they play good music too. I see everyone mentioned entrees and drinks. Frankly, you won't have a problem finding a good choice for either, but I will mention something that others haven't: SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT AND GET THE CHOCOLATE SESAME BALLS. ALWAYS. (Look at how serious I am. I used caps.)
(4)Melissa O.
The food was mind blowing! I could talk forever about all the food, but since their menu is ever changing, im just going to mention the chicken & waffles. The chicken just fell off, the bone. It was scrumptious! The waffles are these little tiny adorable connected bubbles. My last bite was the mini waffle sitting under the chicken, soaked in asian butter and it was awesome. It may be a small menu, but that's just because they dont half ass any of the dishes. I highly recommend this place. The space is really cool. The staff is super nice and the music is b -side 90s, which is just a lot of fun. Id go back here in a heart beat.
(5)Scott Z.
Amazing modern asian spot amidst the usual old school restaurants in Chinatown. This was my 2nd visit to Shojo in less than a month, and both times it was great. I think the small plates are the way to go, and I'm blown away at how economical they are. Highly recommend the suckling pig bao, kimchi fried rice (with the fried egg on top, woo!), the pork ribs, and the duck fat fries w/ sriracha dipping sauce. Aside from the food, they have: -amazing drinks (try the geiko green or the cold tea for 2...ps, its not tea) -cool wall art (a mural that changes annually) -friendly bartenders and owners -a single tv behind the bar that plays old kung fu movies Wish these guys the best, and I think they'll be a mainstay in the neighborhood.
(5)Jerry T.
It is unfathomably ridiculous how good the food is here. From the chicken and waffles to the fried rice, Shojo easily has some of the most unique and delicious flavors in the city. I love the hip-hop atmosphere mixed with a continuous loop of Kung-Fu movies playing behind the bar. If the Wu-Tang Clan opened a Asian- Fusion restaurant- it would be Shojo. And like Wu-Tang, Shojo ain't nothing to f--k with!
(5)Brad W.
I only went here for the Duck fat fries with sriracha sauce and the Kamehameha (thai chili infused vodka), but both blew my mind. Nice appetizers to start the Chinatown experience before heading across the street to Winsor for dim sum.
(4)Jenn H.
Consistently one of my favorite spots in downtown/Chinatown to get a drink and meet up with friends. The servers are awesome, and the food is always great. I love that they change up the wall mural. Keep doin' your thing, Shojo.
(5)J D.
In the current blur of heritage-this and artisanal-that, it's nice to discover a little restaurant that is ambitious in its own way ... without pretense. Shojo is a comfortable, urbane spot in Chinatown doing interesting things with Asian flavors. You have to start with a cocktail. I chose the kamehameha, a combination of chili-infused and fire puncher vodka moderated with coconut milk and lemon. Do not gulp the drink, as I did at first, because it will quickly set your throat ablaze! Sip it instead -- it's not every day you can find a cocktail that is both spicy and refreshing. My friend and I ordered a bunch of plates to share. Highlights included the tofu with thousand-year-old-egg (yup), glass noodle salad (nice fresh vegetables in Thai spices), and suckling pig bao. Almond shrimp balls didn't work for me - too many lumpy, crunchy things with edges pressed together. But, in general, it seemed hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. Shojo gets a few other things right that add up to a great experience: portions are generous, pricing is reasonable and the staff is pleasant. I also appreciated the atmosphere, fairly dark and serene with exposed brick and understated decor. A good place to grab dinner with friends - will definitely be back.
(4)Susanna L.
Great food and very attentive service. The best thing I had was the Braised short ribs. The ribs fell off the bone and were delicious, and the taro mash was creative and nicely paired. The kimchi fried rice was pretty standard, would have liked it more with meat instead of fried tofu which was quite bland. The dessert that they have is also not unique, the classic red sesame balls are better than their chocolate version. As everyone else has said, their pork baos are pretty good too.
(4)Andrew C.
Awesome fresh place to get a cocktail and some eats in Chinatown. I only had a few drinks here and did not sample the food menu. Cocktails made by the bartenders were great! They were really helpful and friendly. Pretty cool décor and place to chill. Looking forward to visiting again.
(4)Aaron K.
Shojo completely blew me away. This was probably the best meal we had all year at a relatively new fusion spot in Chinatown. I think if you are visiting Boston and appreciate Chinese food this is a must visit restaurant. This restaurant provides unique dishes that are excellent. There's not many places I can say that about in Boston that I've tried. The waitress told us the chef specialized and preferred to cook seafood. So we listened. We went with the salt and pepper calamari, the catfish in fish sauce, and the tuna steak. Each dish was better than the other with the latter being one of the best fish dishes I have ever had. The tuna was cooked perfectly (rare) and was ridiculously high quality for the price. It was like tender sashimi with a crunch and a little flavor on the outside. I am getting hungry thinking about it. We also went with the suckling pig bao because I never pass up a good pork bun. The pork bun was great, but be warned it comes with a crunchy pig skin attached making it extra fatty and could turn some people off. While everything was very good, if I were to go back I don't think I could steer away from the pig bao and tuna. These are some of the best dishes in Boston! The fusion element pushed boundaries but everything worked really well. I am dying to get back here to see what else this chef can cook up.
(5)Judy Leigh A.
I went here with my mom who was visiting and wanted to treat me to dinner. A recommendation by a friend led me to shojo. I must say you wouldn't expect a nice little restaurant like shojo in chinatown. The dimly lit restaurant offered an ambient dining area and small bar. I started offered with the gin gin mule, a ginger beer and gin cocktail. It was amazing! I last minute decided not to get it again, but instead got a drink called the sharknado. It wasn't as exciting as the gin gin mule, but I'd definitely go back for a few cocktails. We started the meal with the almond shrimp balls, suckling pig bao, and a side of the mushroom medley. I highly recommend all of these choices. The almond shrimp balls have a perfectly crunchy exterior with a soft shrimp interior that was delicious. The suckling pig bao were a bit tiny, but still really good. The mushroom medley were cooked in a delicious garlic sauce. We split the scallop entree main course which was so big that I took most of it home. It was still really tasty. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and the haricot verts and mushrooms went really well with the entire dish. We were able to find some room for dessert, but when we asked to see a menu the waiter said there wasn't one. A huge bummer... He did tell us their two options. We opted for the chocolate one which was a chocolate filled sesame ball. It was good, but not something I would get again. Overall, the service, atmosphere, and food were great, but I'd really love to see more options for dessert!
(4)Robert H.
This Asian Fusion, next generation swank bar and restaurant is probably what Chinatown will be like 50 years from now. Gone will be the tired old Cantonese restaurants, with semi rude staff, each serving the exact same menu, cooked the exact same way The way the host, with Chinese baseball cap and entire multi-cultural staff engages you when you walk into this place on a Friday night is absolutely stellar. So social, so positive, and so genuinely caring The snazzy but casually dressed staff, the décor with modern bar tables that seat six of more, the dramatic bar and spectacular mural of Boston, with the jutting Customs House in the front were all energizing and eye catching. The way the host came over and explained the Asian eclectic menu was terrific. . . . If you ask for a suggestion they give you one . . . NONE of that," it depends what you like sir": or the inane, "Are you in the mood for beef, chicken, pork sir?" Ask me when I am in the super market. The waitress, a Darling, Petite, Pre Med Asian student from Weston, radiated positive energy and a genuine heartfelt, affection for each and every her customer, even though she covered 7 tables. So why do I rate this place a 2? (I could have said higher) The reason is the lengthy description by the host of the food on the menu was much better than the food itself (Food is important to me). I want you guys to get better . . . you aren't anywhere near where you need to be yet. The best dish I had was the roast pork rib, falling off the bone and truly an unusual medley of sweet, spicy and tangy flavors. The Suckling Pig Bau in a Chinese bun was supposed to be a thriller, but was all too forgettable. I didn't know what I was eating except crispy pork fat in some kind of sweet sauce with some other indistinct flavors. I found the chicken legs with waffle so dull to the taste buds, so greasy from deep frying, that if you ate it on a regular basis it would be the perfect recipe of a heart attack. The waffle was good, but deep fried Overall it was a very entertaining experience to go there on a fri night
(2)Michael L.
When we were asked how we spent a couple hundred bucks on sake bombs the next day, no one knew. All i can say is that we literally blew this place up with sake bombs. My friend wanted to have a little pregame/dinner here before we went out for the night/ We probably had like 5 tables connected together in the middle to accommodate everyone. it was pretty neat because they had a custom printed menu with her name at it at the top and a drink that she wanted to call " Yaaaaaaaaaaaaa bitch" . Can we get 5 Yaaaaaaaa bitches?? yeahhh bitch!! The bills were split between each table so it would be more convenient for everyone instead of having 30 individual bills. Somehow our table alone racked up a $204 bill mainly from sake bombs. We pretty much came into this bar and turned it inside out. It was a great time for everyone besides the person who had to clean the floor. oops... were sorry. I was surprised this bar was able to accommodate such a large group since the place isnt too big. I am not sure if the $5 sake bombs were a discounted party price but we will definitely be back. Most of us never made it to the next venue after Shojo but the whole night was still a success. Yeahh bitch!
(5)Shad S.
I had seen this place on TV and heard about it from friends and had to check it out. Right when I got there I noticed it was next to one of my favorite places of all-time, shout out to China Pearl. Shojo obviously looks out of place in Chinatown as it's a trendy little spot surrounded by your typical hole in the wall Chinatown spots. Walking inside, it's a cool space with nice designs and some cool murals on the wall. The food itself was delicious. For appetizers I got the salt and pepper calamari, which was great but nothing I haven't had before, the duck fat fries, which were again good but nothing crazy, and the standout, the BBQ Pork Ribs, which were awesome and definitely my favorite of the apps. I got the Suckling Pig Bao and was definitely pleased with them, as they were soft, meaty and delicious. For dessert we got an order of the chocolate sesame balls, which were amazing. I'm used to red bean paste from dim sum spots, but the warm chocolate in the middle was incredible. A little pricey, but I definitely recommend this place. I'll be back.
(4)Chenkai L.
This is one of the only restaurants in Chinatown with a romantic atmosphere, great decor, fantastic food and a bar, an ideal date place. There are real candles on every table and the bathroom was really cool! I got the painkiller and it came it a really cool tiki head mug, pretty standard for a painkiller in terms of taste. What really impressed me was the small plates we ordered. Instead of getting a entree per person, we got 5 small plates just to try all the different things this place has to offer loved every one of them. We ordered the Suckling Pig Bao, Grilled Peking Duck roll, which did not taste like the traditional peking duck bun and had more of a soy oyster sauce taste. Almond shrimp balls, which was very unique dish to try and gave the shrimp ball a crunchy texture. The Pot O Kimichi similar to your traditional korean kimichi side dish. The salt and pepper calamari was my favorite, one of the tenderest and most delicious calamari I ever made, a must try!
(5)A Z.
Got the suckling pig bao, duck fat fries and the ravioli. Was all delicious, although I learned too late they also have an alcoholic chinese tea which I'll try next time we're in the area!
(5)Khanh P.
Definitely a standout compared to other restaurants in the Chinatown area. They bring a very new and fun taste to the scene compared to the senior restaurants out there. Setting: It's very contemporary and chic, smaller groups (group of 4) fit nicely at the tables. They offer high top tables along with bar seating and your usual seats. Music stood out during my visit because it was 90's hip hop, rnb and techno. Service: the host/waiter was super nice and very informative about everything at the restaurant. He was also accommodating when it came to appetizers made for two, he made it for 3 for our group. FOOD!: We had settled on dinner here but after seeing menu and ordering a bunch of appetizers that seemed more appetizing then the entrees, we ate dinner elsewhere. So the appetizers that we ordered were: Suckling Pig Bao - my first time trying a bao and OMG it was amazing, it had this crunch from the bacon and the pork was tender and savory. Duck Fat Hand-cut fries- great seasoning and the sriracha aioli caught my eye but didn't meet my expecatations. BBQ Pork Ribs- dish had 3 spareribs with fall off the bones meat, average and not as memorable. Tuna Tartar - nicely placed on chips to add the extra crunch Taro Mash - OMG THIS!!! everyone has to try it. at first you're hesitant because if you know taro, it didnt sound like it was going to be that great but when it came out and the aroma slowly trickled into the air....it was heavennnn. All of us looked up after the first bite and said "ITS SO GOOD!!!" Cold tea for two - we decided on this alcoholic beverage and being that I'm not much of a drinker thought it was a bit strong for my taste. it comes out in the metal teapots like any restaurant and served in tea cups. It's recommended if you're tryring to catch some drinks and try out new food.
(4)Anne W.
Three and a half stars. This place does not pretend to be a Canto spot.. instead, it's upfront on what it actually is.. a trendy Asian fusion spot. I wasn't that thrilled about the drinks.. tried a few Reiko Greene (I'm a sucker for cucumber drinks but it was just too sweet for my taste). Also tried a wine and maybe it wasn't the wisest choice at an Asian spot. Food was pretty good. I would say they are going with the trend with pork buns... executed very well. I was not as thrilled with the chicken kabobs or chicken quesadilla. My friend is friends with the owner. He was nice.. sent over some free sesame balls. A different option.. and replaces the gross bbq spot that used to occupy this shop downstairs to China Pearl.
(3)Yow-Bang W.
Quite a trendy place to hang out. Foods are creative as well as delicious.
(5)Emily C.
Great drinks and yummy food!! What more could you want from a bar? The bartenders here really know what they are doing. I told the bar tender to make me something fruity and delicious, and she totally came through. They have a pretty extensive menu of specialty cocktails. We tried quite a few of them, and no one had any complaints. The duck fat fries are fantastic! The place is small, so don't come in with like 10 friends and expect all of you to fit comfortably. This is more of a date spot or a GNO kind of place.
(5)Vivian C.
My initial impression of Shojo was that it was meant to be a night time hot spot, with a mix of modern Asian fusion cuisine and drink options, so I really didn't expect to find myself there anytime soon. However, late in the month of January, I read somewhere that Shojo was celebrating their 5 month anniversary with a special $5 lunch menu, so I made my way out to Chinatown one January weekday just to check it out. Located downstairs from China Pearl, this space was once known as China Pearl Best Cafe. Looking at it now though, you would have a hard time imagining the previous simple surroundings with the prepared meats display counter in the corner by the window; the only thing they didn't change were the locations of the kitchen and the bathroom - which sure helped me to later locate it! There is a large mural consisting of a number of scenes from the tales of the Monkey King splashed upon the inner wall. The remaining walls are red brick. A bar with a single large flat screen tv and 10 wooden stools is set against the inmost corner of the room with metal hooks peeking out from underneath the counter. 5 tall tables for 2 are lined up along the window with another 3 tall tables set for parties of either 4 or 6 set down the center of the room. A total of an additional 3 short (aka more normal height) tables line either of the outer walls. After perusing the short lunch menu made up of a single sheet of options, I selected the Char Sui Banh Mi Club - Chinese BBQ Pork, Bacon, Banh Mi Fixings, which my server informed me was the more filling of the two choices I was considering, the other being the Tempura Fish and Chips. Six minutes later, my banh mi sliced on the bias arrived. The flavors were good as was the texture due to the added crisp due to the nubs of bacon found sprinkled about. A recommendation for improvement would be to toast the bread (more?), as I found the bottom bread layer to be rather cool in temperature. Also, the portion was rather light as I felt I still had room for something more once my plate was empty. Perhaps their portions are intended such that a party of two will be content with the addition of one or two of their appetizers such as the intriguing XO Native Corn, or the healthy sounding Edamame Salad with Quinoa and Baby Arugula. As for me, I decided to order a Ball & Chain - Handmade Tagliatelle, Pork Meatball, Soy-Ginger Tomato Sauce - to go. This was a direct result of my visit to the single person restroom where I came face to face with an interestingly designed sink, and a number of newspaper reviews on the wall. There I read from the article printed in The Phoenix on 10/16/2012: "The most welcome surprise here might be the pastas, which reflect a chef skilled with handmade noodles and both Italian and Asian flavors." "Tagliatelle ($16) tops obviously fresh ribbons of pasta with rich pork meatballs, an even richer ragù, and more of that good cheese." My pasta to go arrived in 8 minutes flat. The portion of this dish was also on the light side, but consisted of a rather thick, wide al dente ribbons of pasta, 5 slightly squashed meatballs about an inch in diameter, and some unannounced baby spinach leaves, all mingled in a tasty red sauce. It was yummy. But the meatballs were surprisingly excessively gingery... but not too bad when I ate them in little pieces accompanied by the rest of the dish. The service I experienced was fine. My water glass was refilled before I had to decide whether it was half full or half empty. Lunch doesn't seem to be a busy time for them yet, as there were but one rather large party and a single lady waiting at the bar for her take-out order when I arrived at 12:45pm, and 3 parties of two and a 4th party of one when I made my way out shortly after 1:30pm. For $5 per item, this was great! I wonder what their normal lunch prices are... *** 7/2013 *** Props for still accepting the icitycert I bought at a discount earlier in the year despite the fact that icitycert closed down out of the blue, and hadn't paid them yet. I was also given two helpful tips - they get busy around 9pm/9:30pm when the dinner and the late drinking crowd overlap, and reservations are wise for parties of 6 or more on Fridays and Saturdays.
(3)Jonny I.
6 months ago when I left Boston Chinatown, the place to hang out late into the night were places like New Golden Gate and Peach Farm....and that was only after spending a drunken night at Estate or Royale. Fast forwad 6 months later and there is this sweet new spot where you can just chill without standing in line, wearing dress shoes, and having to yell to your friends over loud techno music! Food/Drinks: The menu here is a fusion of american and asian/chinese tastes. Appetizers we ordered were Duck Fat hand cut fries with sirracha aioli and Suckling Pig Bao. The sirracha aioli made the fries but at the same time you could taste a hint of duck which gave it a nice touch. The Suckling pig bao comes in a pair and was pretty tasteful. The main entrees we ordered were the Roasted Japanese pumpkin agnolotti with lobster and Braised short ribs with taro mash. The first reminded me of lobster ravioli and while pretty damn good, its something that I had in a previous lifetime and with the other interesting things on their menu, I would try something else next time. However, the braised short ribs were awesome. The meat was soaking with juices and fell off the bone just by lifting it! Their drink menu has a decent amount of choices on the cocktail and wine side....not so much with the beers. The Gin Gin Mule is a sweet ginger tasting cocktail that my gf enjoyed. Their Asahi 33.1 oz is the only beer that lists the size, but I got the Berkshire Seasonal and that bottle was enough to fill up 2.25 glasses. I was only expecting 1 glass so if the price seems high, it might actually be a bigger bottle than you expect, just ask. Service: Came here for Vday and on a separate occasion with my boys. Both times the service was impeccable. Service at the bar and table were equally good. Checked on the right amount of times, water cups were always full, and never rushed for the check. The bartenders here check the cups for water marks before filling them, an often overlooked part of service but I was glad to see it being done here. They also take the time out to explain the tastes of their many drink options. My gf was also given a pair of roses by the wait staff, stole my thunder, but its all good. Atmosphere: Boston Chinatown needs a place like this....for those chill nights where hanging out in the apartment isn't enough but going to the club is too much. The music here is older hits from the 90s and 2000s, hip hop and R&B, untouched, unremixed, and in full length.....because I'm getting real tired of all the EDM crap out there. The crowd is generally 20-30 something year old asians with probably about a 60-40 male to female ratio the late night I was there. High top tables, booths, or bar seating are your options. There is a huge TV over the bar that was playing old school kung fu movies. They might have the Patriots and Celtics on though during the season.
(5)Denise H.
Solid food, good drinks, great vibe, good beats, cool staff - Shojo never disappoints. Definitely one of my favorite dinner spots in Boston and great for a small to medium sized group, especially for dinner and drinks before a night out. Obsessed w their garlic noodles but their entire menu is well done - all the entrees are solid. Ribs on late night menu fall off the bone. Only thing I I would pass on are the baos - they're on the dry side.
(4)Whitney M.
Amazing Asian inspired tapas! My boyfriend and I went here for dinner , had the ravioli, chicken and waffle, fries, and split the pot of lemon-honey tea. Each dish was incredible, portions are perfect. Great place for a Chinatown newbie!
(4)Ellie W.
I was invited to Shojo for a menu sampling, so I can't quite vouch for what the menu/place is really like on an average ho-hum night, but I can say that this is definitely one of the few good Asian fusion restaurants in the city. It's weird, but I sense that Asian Americans opened this place, like someone overheard my conversations with my Generation Y Asian American friends/family about how gross 40 year old carpets are in dim sum joints. This place looks more South End-quaint than Chinese-restaurant-next-to-highway-and-please-Âavoid-stepping-on-crack-addicts-in-alley-before-Âsaid-restaurant. They take the best of Asian ingredients and create dishes that wouldn't overwhelm the average Westerner who hasn't ventured into the world of juicy xiao long bao, tripe, and fish sauce. I'd say this place would make a good 101 Beginners course for friends who like the comfort bubble of pizza and pasta but want the excitement of new flavors, without the Fear Factor shock of a pile of pig's feet appearing on their plates in original form. Our tasting menu consisted of fried shrimp balls covered in almonds, pulled pork, edamame salsa, and a berry-glazed coconut jelly dessert. Most dishes were good, though my friend thought the pork and salsa were a little over-done with the onion flavors. He was the lone dissenter; the rest of us devoured ours. The coconut jelly dessert was also slightly underwhelming, and I wouldn't imagine anyone wanting to pay for this. It was pretty much a square of coconut jello in a pool of berry jam. On the plus side, I loved the shrimp balls, edamame salsa, pulled pork, and cocktails. Yes, cocktails. Never in my life would I have imagined drinking a decent cocktail in Chinatown, but oh, my tastebuds hadn't yet met the matcha-infused lime zesty cocktail that awaited me at Shojo. I'll definitely be returning to give the full menu a try. Plus, the manager explained to us how they take consumer feedback and continually adjust/tweak the menu and ingredients, so I appreciate a restaurant that recognizes that improvements can always be made in the kitchen and actually seeks constructive feedback.
(4)Joanna H.
Great service and great drinks. Only had the opportunity to try their duck fat fries, but their other food options sound pretty alluring (kimchi butter anyone?) Talk to Brandon, Shojo's co-owner, if you get a chance! There's a story behind the wall murals and each drink that he'll be glad to tell you about! Love love LOVE the cold tea for two. It's so delicious that you might forget it's an ALCOHOLIC drink. So be careful with that. I'll definitely be revisiting soon!
(5)Jennifer N.
Tapas style plates. But you get a pretty good amount for what you're paying for. Favorite was the chicken & waffle, although I would ask for the syrup on the side bc the egg puff waffle is already sweet and the syrup makes it soggy very fast. Also very good were: taro tots, glass noodle salad (really big plate, plenty of fresh veggies, and the salt & pepper chicken was perfect), the mushroom melody, and calamari. The corn/cauliflower was ok. Small place but it's got a nice atmosphere. Staff is very friendly. Only one batjroom so sometimes there's a wait. I wouldn't go with a group bigger than 6 people.
(4)Stephane B.
It is a hidden gem of Chinatown. I went with my girlfriend and the ambiance was nice. They had some 90's music playing which we loved. The cold tea for two is a must have. We had the duck fries which were good and my girl doesn't eat French fries usually but she loved these. The kimchi fried rice was our favorite. The spices and flavor were out of this world. The ravioli was good and I'm not a ravioli guy but the sauce was great. The chicken and waffles was unexpected. My girlfriend ordered it and it was good. The presentation of the waffles was great and the flavor of the chicken was good. I highly recommend this place. It is a little small but I love places like that. The staff was very prompt and our server was great. I will be back shojo that I guarantee it.
(5)Lavinia K.
In the heart of Chinatown but not your traditional "Chinatown" Establishment. The interior is fantastically edgy complete with a graffiti wall. The service is excellent and equally as ALT. But what really stands out here is the menu... Try the lobster rangoons or the squid ink ramen with scallops- both are unique and a delicious spin on Asian cuisine. Also, the cold tea for two is not to be missed!
(5)Myha N.
One of my favorite places! I've been here a few times and each time, I've always walked away very happy, a little buzzed and full! The place is small. It seats about 40 people or so? There's a bar where you can sit at or you can sit at a high table or booth. They're not open for lunch but I heard they're opening that up 11/28 so I'm excited to have that option! And they're going to have a bar menu for late night snacking too! Love their duck fat fries! Anyways, the few times I've been, I've had the salmon with dashi glaze (cooked to perfection), the 1/2 chicken w/ pistachio pesto, smoked mashed potatoes, grilled raddichio and mozzarella balls (AMAZING!!!!!) and the skirt steak w/ kimchi butter (mmmmm delicious!). Of course duck fat fries on the side and their special gin gin mule which is my favorite! I love ginger and normally get the Moscow Mule for a drink when I'm at a restaurant. It's their take of this drink except they make their own ginger beer here. It's superb. I've dined at a table and at the bar but I prefer the bar since the bartenders are always so nice! They also do sake tastings if you want it. Their bar is loaded with tons of different sakes to try. If the bar manager is around (Markus), ask him to make you something special. He actually created the special drink menu at the restaurant which is unique. Parking is ok. It's on street parking unless you want to fork up some money and park in the lot. I highly recommend this place for a first date. The restaurant has a great vibe with the cool wall painting and lighting.
(5)Rich S.
Great drinks, great food, friendly service, a lil bit high on the price tag, but hey, greatness doesn't always come cheap. Drinks... Gin Gin Mule, Cold Tea for Two, and everyone keeps telling me to get the Purple Haze or something like that. Beware, these drinks will put you on your a$$! must get the pickles, fries, and a pig Bao while you drink... you must. ask the staff about the awesome wall mural while you're there... storytime + drinkytime = funtime speaking of which... i'm thirsty!
(5)adam s.
Such a great place. Everything is done with genuine care and enthusiasm... the service, the food, the drinks, the decor, everything. Markus gets a shout-out for the great drinks and for general awesome-ness.
(5)Eric F.
A newcomer to Boston's Chinatown offering up fresh, modern Asian cuisine, Shojo's off to a strong start. I came by for dinner with a friend and the place was on the emptier side, probably just a result of being a weeknight and having business largely shunted towards spots like GDH. We went with the salmon with dashi glaze, pork short ribs and a side of duck fat hand cut fries. While my fall-off-the-bone ribs fell a bit short in the flavor department, I loved the perfectly cooked fish - on the rare side with soft sweetness from the glaze. The fries were solid as well. In terms of drinks, they're mainly on the lighter side and well-balanced. I was likewise impressed with the attentive and friendly service. Overall, I definitely wouldn't mind coming back to try the popular suckling pig bao and other entrees (moderately portioned with nothing over $20).
(4)Sade R.
This is now my 4th time coming to this place and I am always lost for words. The atmosphere is something unheard of in the Chinatown area, it's what this neighborhood needed there is a growing energy of good here. People looking to explore outside there expectation. The menu changes seasonal and it's honestly a great thing you really get to see what the people in the kitchen can accomplish with Asian fusion tapas. The music is another great favorite of mine always fitting throwbacks of hip-hop. Last but absolutely not least is this amazing woman Tina, everyone who works there is great but she was beyond words. She guided my husband and I through our entire experience with food and beverage knowledge. We wanted to try a Japanese whiskey and she lead us toward the right direction, made sure we had our food. Made the Shojo experience complete. Thank you.
(5)S D.
The pros: Fun place, very friendly waitstaff. Some things were interesting: the Asian glass noodle salad was pretty good, as were the vegetable dumplings, whose filling was flavorful and which was pan-fried to perfection. These were the first two things to arrive, so at this point our impression of the place was very favorable. Unfortunately, it all went downhill from there. The next few dishes were really disappointing. The cons: The remaining dishes were over-seasoned/oily/unimpressive. In particular, the five-spice tofu with 1000-year-egg was way too salty (the egg was great, though!). The Asian Mushroom medley appeared to have only one or two kinds of mushrooms, and fairly ordinary kinds at that, and was pretty unimpressive. The kimchi fried rice had interesting flavor, but was extremely greasy - to the point where we couldn't finish it. (Also couldn't finish the tofu). So, all told, a rather disappointing experience - interesting ideas, very inconsistent execution. I'm increasingly convinced that "Chinese fusion" is not my thing - I'd much rather go to Taiwan Cafe down the street and get wonderfully executed, more "traditional" Chinese food, than this kind of thing. The waitstaff were exceedingly pleasant and welcoming; I feel bad giving the place a bad review - but the kitchen needs to get its act together. With that said, I imagine this would be a great place to get a drink in Chinatown - before heading to Taiwan Cafe ;)
(2)Seth M.
I flew solo to this Chinatown joint. Took a seat at the bar. Lots of brick and wood decor. High ceilings and a well stocked bar. I'm happy. Excited to try Japanese whiskey, the bar tender recommended some options and a cocktail that respected the "coffey grain whiskey" involved. A yakuza old fashioned. I love an old fashioned and this was no exception. Hand carved ice cube. Caramel butters and orange peel. Incredible. Did not take away from the whiskey in any way. The lunch menu looked delicious but I followed tru with my plan... Ramen. Delivered within 5 minutes. Wow. Flavor was incredible. The pork was tender and abundant. The noodles perfect. The broth tho. I'm told it is a three piece combo. Chicken pork and dashi. Chicken fat is the most bold. Pork is quite evident. And as u get thru the bowl. The dashi reveals itself. Just as explained. Rivals any ramen I have had before. And with he addition of fantastic drink and service. #1 ramen spot.
(5)Sandra C.
I've been living in Los Angeles for the past two years, so you can imagine my surprise after learning that a new restaurant in Boston opened up in Chinatown called Shojo! First of all, I got lost trying to find it...I actually went into China Pearl and received some pretty strange looks when I asked where Shojo was. If you're ever wondering...Shojo is next door to China Pearl...you really can't miss its pretty lights. Walking in, I recognized a couple friends working as either hosts or servers...wasn't really sure, but with that being said...my service was AH-MAZING. We must have ordered some of the most popular items on the menu (from what I remember, that included pig bao and duck fat fries) and it was all really delicious. Seriously. I especially applaud the bartenders for the work they put into constructing our drinks...WOW. Those were some of the best alcoholic drinks I've ever tried...especially in Chinatown of all places...in awhile. I'll definitely be back here the next time I visit home. I think Chinatown really needed a place like Shojo. It's refreshing to have a higher-end bar/restaurant amongst the other top-dog, opened late-night, swanky Chinese restaurants here.
(4)K H.
Went here for lunch yesterday and was hoping to be in and out pretty quickly since we were on our lunch hour. Unfortunately, they were working on a catering order so the kitchen was backed up and the food took a while. It was worth the wait though, the food was great! I got the Damn Damn noodles and they were delicious albeit a bit salty. It came with a gooey fried egg on top...yum! I will definitely be back, maybe for dinner this time and hope to try the cocktails!
(4)John H.
VERY trendy and sleek atmosphere. Crowded around lunchtime, but what isn't downtown? THe food was above average and extremely well displayed.
(4)Svitlana S.
Nah- skip this place. There was nothing good about the food. We came here during the 1st night in town. Lets just say I've had better food.
(1)Monica H.
The suckling pig bao was super crispy!
(4)Charlie C.
Portions slightly on the small side, but extremely delicious and well worth going back
(4)Joy Y.
If the worst thing I can say about this place is that their (duck fat!!!) fries were a little short and stubby, then I think things are looking good for Shojo. This restaurant was the perfect pre movie (or post movie I suppose-- they are open til 1am!) snack place. It was virtually empty when when got there on a Saturday night and made for easy seating, which was fabulous for me and my dining partner (less fabulous for Shojo though, so despite the fact that I would love no wait every time I go there, you should probably go ASAP as it would be a very sad thing for this place to have to close.) We started off the evening with some very tasty and creative drinks. My drink, the Aberdeen... something or another was fabulous-- housemade citrus gin, basil, coconut cream. I was initially worried about it being too sweet, but that wasn't the case at all-- it was a perfect balance of sweet and almost a little bit savory. The cucumber ice cube in the Reiko Greene was also very cool, it added flavor without being too overwhelming. According to my dc, the Reiko Greene was delicious, a review of which I myself can confirm. Because we were heading to a movie, we opted for some apps. The aforementioned duck fat fries with some delicious sriracha mayo on the side, the pork bao and the grilled calamari. The duck fat fries were just as you would want them to be, crispy and full of flavor. The owner, who was very chatty and informative told us that they make the duck fat in house, which only makes them that much sweeter. The pork bao came with two mini pork sandwich-like things. The balance of the crunchy and pickly kimchee went perfectly with the salty sweetness of the fatty pork. The grilled calamari was the only thing that left a little to be desired and was a bit on the more charred vs grilled side. Everything was reasonably priced and the warm but modern decor was nothing short of awesome. You should probably go check it out for yourself, just don't judge them too harshly on the size of their fries.
(5)Anna F.
My favorite new find in Boston. Been there three times now. Always sitting at the bar (better to see the Kung Fu movies). Food is fantastic (have sampled a wide range), the ambiance is laid back, casual and pleasant (dim lights, open space, playful full wall mural), and the drinks are showstopping. Particularly fond of unwinding with my favorite co worker friend over a pitcher (comes in a teapot) of the cheekily named Cold Tea (green tea drink concoction). I'm in love.
(5)Brett P.
Had dinner here the other night. OK place for a cocktail and maybe a small bite, but it shouldn't be the main event of your evening. I wouldn't go back for dinner.
(2)Drew M.
I was a little nervous going to chinatown for a big party but we had a great time. The service was great, the food was awesome and between the drink list and sake bombs we really enjoyed ourselves. We had a large group of people and the service was great. We all had dinner and then a ton of sake bombs. Everyone loved their meal (ravioli's and duck fries where a huge hit) and going sake bombing was a great way to kick off the night. The tea for two was also a great way to kick your night off.
(4)Nate Y.
Is this really in Chinatown? I've gone to Boston's Chinatown since I was a small child, and I can say there has never been an establishment like this in this hood. I was attending Damien's CMYE and the choice was spot on. The location is right below China Pearl, known for typical dim sum on carts and Chinese banquet dining. China Pearl apparently is also behind this new Asian fusion restaurant. The bamboo out front seems a little bit out of place, basically surrounded by concrete, but it does stand out, so you can't miss the place. Inside it's clean and sleek with the accent lighting and dark furnishings, as well as being eclectic with the amazing painted murals on the wall. When ordering drinks at the bar I loved that they were playing an old Jacky Chan movie on the flat screen. Maybe a bit stereotypical, but I like kung fu/action flicks! I had the Chairman's Painkiller which was a spin on tiki cocktails, in a tiki glass with a slice of pineapple. It was tasty but could do with less ice. Another Yelper had sake infused with green tea in a mixed drink which he enjoyed. My favorite though, thus far, was the Reiko Greene, it was so refreshing that I kept it until I finished the ice cube! This apparently is what everyone does, it's that good! For food the appetizers were all excellent; the mussels were cooked perfectly, the pork bao was wonderful with a nice size piece of fatty pork, and the duck fat fries were tasty, but how could they not be? I didn't try the Chinese spinach, but was told it was good, unfortunately the serving size was very small. For my main meal I had the skirt steak, cooked just I ordered it, and with a mango sauce, it was a home run! Tried the pork short ribs with wasabi mashed potatoes, and although tasty the ribs were served cold. Taste of the pork was therefore a bit bland. We also tried the desserts, the beignets with two dipping sauces and the chilled almond tofu with berries. Both excellent ways to end the meal. I will definitely come back to try their homemade ginger beer, and other dishes. This is a worthy addition to Chinatown, but if my mom were alive today she wouldn't what to make of it!
(4)Blair H.
Imagine if Sharknado swept through Central Square, picked up the Enormous Room (yes, back when it used to be awesome), blew through the Blue Ginger, swept through Craigie on Main (still awesome), dropped Ming Tsai off at P.F. Chang where he belongs, picked up a few dumplings from Hei La Moon, and threw up in the middle of Chinatown. That is how awesome an addition to Chinatown Shojo is.
(5)Laura S.
Great food! We loved the taco's, dumplings and duck fat fries (obviously). The cocktail menu had really interesting drinks and the cold tea for two was so refreshing. I came here for a date night before a movie around the corner, and it was the perfect setting. I also had a large group of friends (20) that wanted to get dinner together, and the staff were incredibly accommodating and helpful.
(5)Cindy L.
Growing up in Chinatown this place really doesn't make you feel like you're in ctown at all. The food was fabulous and very unique. Love the duck fat fries, pig Bao, duck dumplings and the warm glass noodles. The drinks are great! Definitely a must try for something different in Chinatown. Very hip and modern atmosphere. The annually changing mural has a great story behind it. By the way the cleanest bathroom in any Chinese restaurant by far. Extra star for that! :)
(5)Rebecca H.
I have been here many times, and constantly recommend Shojo to my friends as my go-to place for a creative, delicious meal without breaking the bank. While I'd describe most Asian fusion restaurants as Americanized Asian cuisine, Shojo is more like "Asian-ized" American cuisine. Their suckling pig bao are probably my favorite item on the menu, and their duck fat fries (with Sriracha aioli) are a close second. Shojo also stands out as a well-decorated establishment with good service, in a sea of Chinatown restaurants with questionable sanitation practices and curt, slightly abrasive servers. (I'm definitely not knocking the latter; that's what I grew up on! But sometimes, a girl's gotta think outside the no-frills box.) The old-school kung fu movies playing to a background of hip-hop and top 40 music is an unexpected juxtaposition at first, but I grew to love it pretty quickly.
(5)Jay W.
This place man... It captures your eye when you're walking through Chinatown. I came here with a party of 15.. DON'T EVER DO THAT. It's not comfortable sitting and you can't even talk to everyone at the table, not even the people sitting across from you because the music is TOO LOUD. Service: Pretty good, they were friendly. But they forgot my rice... Food: Their drink menu is bigger than their food menu. The Duck fat fries ($5) were AWESOME. Whatever is in that dipping sauce is what made those fries good. Although, I wish the fries weren't cut up so small. There is a familiar taste to those fries but I couldn't put my finger on it. For my main entree, I had the Char Siu Chicken ($17) REALLY GOOD, the chicken had a lot of flavor. Venue/Decor: It's a very urban/hipster kind of setting. I enjoyed the wall mural. Nice candles on every table. The longest table in the center of the restaurant for the bigger parties is not comfortable.. One thing I wish this restaurant would change is how loud the music was. Because the music was so loud, everyone is yelling to hear each other so it really takes away from the conversations... Overall: - GREAT food - Good service - Beautiful decor - Bad setting for nice conversations But I'd come back..
(3)Kimberly Y.
Been here a couple times with the hubby. We really like the pork belly buns. Those are our favorite item on their menu and have recommended that to all our friends. We usually just order several appetizers instead of ordering the entrees (and we aren't big drinkers either), hence the 4 star rating. So far we have really enjoyed all the appetizer items we've tried. I definitely recommend trying this place out.
(4)Jenny Y.
My girlfriends and I were blown away by our wonderful experience at Shojo. The vibe for dinner was fun and flirty. The specialty drinks were to die for and the staff was very knowledgable about the unique menu. We appreciated the attention to detail and could not stop raving about everything that came out. The food was delicious and savory; it's definitely a place for true foodies. After dinner hours, the restaurant turned into a cool rustic lounge. The lights are dimmed and the filament bulbs added to a Thomas Jefferson era feel. The staff was so attentive and friendly, I felt like I had been a regular there for years!
(5)T C.
Went to Shojo with a friend before going to a show at Royale, and we're both going to return. The food was excellent, but the service was even better. In fact, the waiter noticed that my phone was about to die and offered to charge it for me while we ate. He wasn't just milking it for a tip, either--he was genuinely helpful and attentive without being intrusive. We had some small plates, which is definitely the way to go. The pot of kimchi had a nice kick to it, the suckling pig bao was super tasty, and the duck confit dumplings (my favorite, though incredibly rich, as you might imagine) were amazing. When it came time for dessert, we had two options; chocolate sesame balls or pumpkin panna cotta. We went for the pumpkin panna cotta. Big disappointment. Because of this dessert failure (I have a wicked sweet tooth), I thought about giving Shojo four stars. However, considering the rest of the meal was so great, and Asian fusion places are not generally known for their desserts, I decided to be generous and give them all of the stars.
(5)Brian D.
Shojo is crack cocaine. Two visits in one week. Instant addiction. But, I only use it when I party, so it's all good. (I kid. I kid.) Shojo is, for lack of better words, pretty gosh-darned awesome. For starters, If you are the sort of person who enjoys the occasional, or habitual, drinky-poo then you are in luck. These fine folks have got you covered. In booze. Think gin. Think citrus infused gin with coconut cream and basil. Think about that goodness in your face. Now think about a nice Hendricks and Chartreuse served over an enormous cucumber ice cube. Commence getting the shakes the morning after slinging back a couple dozen of these concoctions. And food. Dear, dear, dear, me and the things I could do with this food. Namely, I would eat it. You may do as you please. I've had the grilled calamari and it was nice and spicy over delicate greens and radishes. I've had the mussels. I've had the duck fat fries. I've had the entire dessert menu. I've watched grown men weep whilst they ate the amazing pork creations. Atmosphere. Pretty swank and in a non pretentious way. A new flavor for Chinatown. Fun murals. Beautiful wood tables and bar. Fun, diverse crowds. So Kids, go get some Shojo and let me know if you have any questions. I will gladly Google or pull an answer out of my pie-hole for you. Toodles.
(4)Ryan T.
Off the charts. Just go! Order 4-5 tapas total for 2 and enjoy. Order one rice....it was enough for 2 and amazing. Ask about the vegetable of the day...we got heirloom tomatoes with pesto and spicey curried carrots and they were stupid good. Food 10, Service 10, Ambience 10, Music 10. Dont second guess this place.
(5)S T.
Love the decor...the service was friendly, and the flavors were good! However, we were the only ones there to be served..and we ordered an appetizer and two mains..and it all came out at once. Also, they are losing two stars because our main dishes were served luke warm. Odd since, it was not busy?!? This is what we ordered Dish # 1: pork bao w/crispy skin (SOOOO Good!) Dish # 2 (main): pork confit (not bad) Dish #3 (main): beef braised short ribs, taro mash, (flavors were great, but again, served cold..so not so good). Would I come back? Yes, but not right away. Do they not have a heat lamp?? Receiving cold food is not good, especially since we were the only ones there. Anyway, the flavors were good..but probably could of been better if my food was hot.
(3)Winnie C.
I came here on a Saturday night with 2 friends. It was fairly empty, probably because the place is still new. I have been looking forward to trying this place for weeks. The decor is very creative, artsy, and well... Asian. I can't believe they were able to transform what used to be a butcher shop/cafe into something so young and "hip." There is a small bar in the corner and communal tables in the middle. We got sat in front of the tv. yay! For drinks, we got a Chairman's Painkiller, which was pineapple, coconut, and "rum"?? (maybe), citrus drink, and another coconut drink --- sorry really bad with names. My friend loved the Chairman's Painkiller, it also came in a tiki glass. I got the citrus drink, it was okay, you would love it if you like a light, fruity drink, but it wasn't something I was going for that night. The manager or owner came by and offered to swap out my drink for the coconut milk with cucumber vodka. It was delicious! Never tried anything like it before. Leaves a creamy coconut taste in your mouth when you least expect it. The food, Asian fusion, was definitely not what I thought it would be like, but not in a bad way either. I work in an Asian fusion restaurant, so I was expecting something similar. We ordered the chicken cutlet, the spareribs, and the special seafood bouillabaisse. I loved the seafood dish, they had a special shrimp tempura, which I thought was a cookie between my mussels and clams, but one bite of it and I was hooked! I didn't really try the other dishes but my friend loved their taro mashed potato that came with the spareribs. Needless to say, we finished EVERYTHING. What I would definitely come back for though, besides drinks, is their service. Our server, it said Ronald on our check but I heard Oz before??, was very informed about everything on the menu, we had a lot of questions. He definitely convinced me on that special that night. The manager or owner who checked up on our meal was very nice and changed my drink for me when he found out I didn't like it. We stayed there for a bit afterwards playing Uno, so I could finish my new delicious drink, and the server was very attentive, refilled our waters, and didn't try to hurry us. In terms of portion for price, for my seafood dish $18 I could've been more full, but we should've ordered appetizers as well. But I am thinking Chinatown prices, of course, we came here to try this place for something not something cheap, large, and rude, typical of most restaurants in Chinatown. This would be a fare price to pay for any upscale, finer dining restaurant. I liked the food, loved the drinks, and definitely appreciated the service I received here. This would definitely be the spot to visit if you want more class and service than what the typical Chinese restaurant will offer down the street.
(5)Harold S.
We came here yesterday to try it out, since a tapas bar in Chinatown is something different. The decor is very creative, and the owner will tell you the story behind it if you ask. The chop chop daquiri was good. For appetizers, we got the fried oysters and spareribs. The fried oysters were not good, it was small and after breading and frying it, you can only taste the flour and nothing else. The spareribs were not bad, it fell of the bones and was very tender. For dinner, we shared 4 of their entrees (between 7 people). The dishes were good, but nothing out of this world. We got the salmon, chicken cutlet, steak, and pork ribs. The service was great, the drinks and dishes came out quickly. But overall, it was just an average experience.
(3)Jannis B.
We went to Shojo twice: once during its "soft opening" and once during their opening party. Since they're just starting out, I opted for a longer review below. Tl;dr version at bottom. The scene: Small, chic, modern Asian Step inside and you're surrounded by sleek modern decor. One entire wall is colored in a fun, dreamlike graphic of a monkey king, and it definitely has a young, fun feel to it. The staff: Exceptional Shojo staff have really focused on bringing people in and making sure they have a great experience. The owner personally came around during the soft opening asking people's opinions on dishes, and during the party, I saw him go back into the kitchen and specially put together a plate of the appetizers for people who had come in late. Now *that's* service. The drinks: Dangerously good We had something that tasted amazing. House-made lemon gin and ginger made a bright, refreshing drink that packed a punch as it cooled you off. One waiter accidentally started to take away my drink before I was done sipping every last drop. When I tried to stop him he said, "Oh sorry, I already touched it. Let me just bring you out another one." Score points for practicing good hygiene. The water servers also make sure to refill your water without touching the glass -- so you don't end up indirectly locking lips with every other patron drinking water that night. Sadly even the fancy restaurants sometimes miss this basic thing, but Shojo has it covered. The food: Well-executed modern Asian fusion The summer rolls were nice and refreshing with a touch of mint. I'm not a fresh oyster fan, but I *loved* the fried oysters with a light sauce. They're served in their own shell -- just be careful not to lick your fingers and get a mouthful of salt from the shell bottom. I loved the duck bao with kimchee. Crispy skin and juicy duck wrapped in the fluffy bun with a little kick from the kimchee. The biggest hit of the night, though, was the duck fat fries. Yes, they're as good as they sound. Tl;dr: Would recommend. Great drinks, good food, great service.
(4)Jon T.
Great, great, great. Went in on a Saturday, arly evening. Sat at bar and was treated to a great show. Cocktails were splendid (making own ginger beer puts you in a winners circle to start with). Tried the bao, duck confit dumplings & glass noodle salad small plates. Didn't disappoint. The bao was terrific, with a nugget of crispy crackling tucked in. Bar tender treated us to small samples of house blended liquors which just added to the experience. Heading back real soon
(5)W J.
This restaurant is really special. The manager Brendan went out of his way to make my mother's birthday really special. I purchased a gift certificate for my mom's birthday. She went with her friends and they all had a really nice time at Shojo. My mom liked and the duck and the tofu, and mentioned that the duck fat fries were very good. Thanks Shojo for becoming a part of our nice memories.
(5)Lauren F.
Awesome awesome place. Really great vibe and they won a best in boston award. We made reservations and actually had to end up waiting for 30 mins. When we did get seated they felt so bad that they brought out a few appetizers immediately, which was so awesome!!! Get small p,ages and share, that's the way to go. Suckling pig bao is a must!! Duck confit dumplings were delicious as well. I can't wait to go back as prices were so reasonable.
(5)Winnie T.
A new hot spot just opened up in Chinatown, and it's calling out all young professionals and anybody with a palette that appreciates good, creative food and has a penchant for strong, delicious craft cocktails! The restaurant's atmosphere is hip and inviting, and the look is modern. When you step inside, you'll forget that you're in Chinatown. The vibe is really laidback and entices people to get loose over a few drinks with friends after a long day's work or you can bring a date here where you guys don't have to worry about twiddling your thumbs and sitting in awkward lapses of silence. I attended their soft opening last night and it lives up to its hype thus far. Though the restaurant is still working out its kinks, the food and drinks are its salvation. This place is a new-found gem in the heart of Chinatown, where food choices are all monotonous. Shojo boasts a change from the traditional family-style meal -- plates are each crafted to perfection and served as pieces of art. Some of the highlights of the night were: 1. Miso-glazed salmon with fried eggplant: the salmon was cooked to perfection and seasoned well, and the fried eggplant offered the right amount of crunch to the meal. Would definitely eat again and again. 2. Duck fat fries: crispy and retained this natural succulent duck fat flavor. The sriracha aioli was a plus, but not necessary. 3. Coconut vegetable curry bowl: the curry is served in a bread bowl (the one clam chowder would typically be served in) and it was absolutely delicious and flavorful. Though it is more tailored for vegetarians (hence the lack of meat), had there been some chicken, it would have made it even better. 4. Almond Tofu: This almond tofu pudding is my new favorite sweet thing to eat. It comes with some fresh fruit and an almond biscuit cookie, and it is the perfect way to end the meal. GET IT. 4. CRAFT COCKTAILS were awesome. The Aberdeen Swizzle (lemon, coconut cream, gin) is a standout. Strong, but you won't realize it until 15 minutes in. The Dinghow Cocktail was also delicious as well: champagne with other citrus fruit notes. Chopchop daquiri is strong and sweet, and after a couple of these you'll be feeling nice and toasty. I could go on and on about how excited I am about how this new restaurant offers a new style of cuisine to Chinatown, but it's probably just best if you go and check it out yourself. The official grand opening is on August 8th, and I foresee there will be a long waiting list at the door once this place is officially inducted into the neighborhood.
(5)Mike Z.
Shojo, Being the only semi-fancy half-white half-Chinese (Asian-fusion they call it nowadays) kid on the block, not bad! You're expensive, but since you fancy and all, I guess you can charge the prices that you charge. The succulent, tender suckling pig bao is good, but it's not spectacular like how everyone raves. The pork short ribs were fall off the bone tender and tasty, though there were only three pieces! All in all, good quality, low quantity, premium price.
(4)Robert G.
brought my wife here to try an asian fusion restaurant in chinatown. it was amazing,i would definitely recommend this place to all my friends. my wife and i order the "cold tea" drink crack us up laughing the whole night.
(5)Melody W.
Interesting location for a swanky place like this in Chinatown (especially for an Asian fusion restaurant). I love the murals and interior decors! Service is prompt and filled with friendly staff so far. Anyways, I came here twice this month (coincidentally it was the $5 lunch dishes thing that's about to end soon): one time alone because I was curious about Shojo and second time with friends. Food overall? It was all right. Not too bad but not too spectacular to blow me away. I enjoyed the Drunken Noodles (I also requested to take the meat out and leave the shrimps in). We ordered the handmade tagliatelle dish and Damn Damn noodles. The texture of these dishes are very saucy and can be a bit heavy on the saltiness. The huge plates make the portions look kind of small...although my friends and I kept a menu just in case we feel what we got was not enough, we ended up being "close" to full with our meals. I think the overall sauciness may had contributed to our perception and intake of food :P The menu for lunch seems a bit small, so I would assume there's more variety for the dinner hour. Seems like Shojo is more suitable for the cocktail scene!
(3)Le N.
Yes, the food is good. But this place is overly hyped in my opinion. The only memorable item from the night was the pork buns. Everything else was mediocre. I also thought the prices were kind of high.. I had the catfish and that's decent at best. The fiance had the steak - that was good.. not good enough for me to come back though. Oh well, had to come here to try it out for myself. Not too sure why it's always so packed though.
(3)Jenney Z.
A small modern Chinatown restaurant. The menu is small and the food is basic. There is nothing on the menu that will surprise you, but there is also nothing on the menu that will let you down. The calamari was delicious but too small. Barbarcue pork rib was well cook, easily falling off the bone, but too dry. The pig bun was also a little dry, but ok. I feel Shojo is a good place to get a small bite to eat before going to a movie or show in the Theater District, but I wouldn't go there looking for a memorable meal just a satisfying meal.
(3)Charles T.
Everything about Shojo is well thought out and perfected. From the drop lights and brownstone brick walls, to the ceiling high artistic murals, the place just gives off an upscale but relaxed vibe. The food is no pushover either. Probably one of the few places in Boston to serve authentic duck fat fries along with a feast of other delicacies. Service was much better than most spots in Boston. Very quick, no BS, and super friendly. 5 stars.
(5)Patrick C.
WOW. People love the food here, and its good, but I love the drinks. I never had a better old fashion. The best part? They give you one decent sized ice cube. Yes, I know, it's just ice, but not having to contend with pieces of ice floating around in your drink is great. The service is great.They are very knowledgable about pairing your food with drinks, as well as what's good and what isn't. The ambiance is interesting. The scene is very warm, welcoming, and chaotic. The graffiti and videos of Bruce Lee playing on the T.V. gives you the feel of being in the mind of a 20 year old. (We all loved graffiti and Bruce Lee when we were 20 right?) The low lights, and the seating options make you feel cozy and comfortable. The food is unbelievable. I love the fries cooked in duck fat. Mostly because I feel healthier that I am eating something with duck fat. That's the good fat right? I am also a fan of their kimchee butter. Sounds gross at first, but it makes sense. Just try it on their skirt steak.
(5)Sophie S.
Phenomenal food!! Everything has unexpected, delicious flavors and the service is good. Can't wait to try drinks here!
(5)Max H.
I had heard about this place from Thrillist and some other interwebs lists. I was expecting a dazzling, mouth-watering, unique, and unexpected Asian fusion restaurant... To be honest it seemed like they tried too hard to make "unexpected" dishes. For example the glass noodle salad was completed buried under all sorts of peppers and vegetables... Sometimes minimalism pays off--my tongue was kind of assaulted with flavors. That being said, the place had a great atmosphere and vibe and some of the food items were actually pretty good (namely the Kimchi fried rice and the calamari). A pro was definitely the fact that they had the Hitachino white ale on tap!!! Overall, this restaurant's a "meh" for me.
(3)Nat P.
Finally a place in Chinatown my cool grandma would like! This is modern Chinese at its best! I totes recommend the Sucking Pig Bao, even though it doesn't sound good. This is one awesome bun of pork deliciousness. While I do prefer the traditional Chinese places, I do appreciate the sleek decor, highlighted by an amazing wall mural that looks like it was painted by the Gorilla's cover artist!
(5)Mike D.
I went into Shojo on a Friday night with my expectations set extremely high based on all the hype I had heard. That's usually a bad idea because 9 times out of 10 you will be let down but here's the kicker; Shojo exceeded every expectation in every aspect of my dining experience. Here's the run down: Walked in the restaurant and BAM! The decor and graffiti suggests that you are in for a modern treat with a classic twist. The hostess was so pleasant as she escorted us to our seats and immediately we were swarmed (in a good way) by waitstaff to assist us with water, drink, and food decisions. We ordered the Suckling Pig Bao, BBQ Pork Rib, Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries, Tuna Tartare, duck dumplings, kimchi fried rice, and almond shrimp balls. I'm not going to go in specific detail of each because they were all stunning and perfectly prepared. I want to be able to critique something on these dishes but literately they all came out super hot, fresh, perfect balances of flavors and textures and were perfectly presented, not even a finger print on the plate. I know you are reading this and saying "come on, something must have been wrong" but honestly this is one of the closest to perfect dining experiences I have ever had in Boston. Maybe it was the greatly attentive waitstaff, the tantalizing preparation, the extremely cold Thai beer, or perhaps the fact I never had to worry about a empty glass of water or a dirty plate sitting on the table or maybe just the taboo of being in Chinatown,Or MAYBE, just MAYBE these guys have all the right component to complete a successful dining experience. Get your A$$ here and eat your face off!
(5)Michelle B.
I enjoyed just about everything about this spot. The location is easy to get to (right next to China Pearl), and has a super cute, if out of place, exterior. The inside is small, but very well decorated. It feels light and open, and there's a good amount of seating without it feeling crowded. Our waiter was fantastic. He was great at explaining a few items on the menu, suggesting drinks, and making sure we knew about their spin on certain things (their dark 'n stormy, for example). He checked in on us periodically and joked around with us in a really easy going manner which I appreciate - sometimes it feels forced and it always ends up being awkward. Now, the food: I loved most of it and liked the rest of it. I tried a few different dishes. Out of everything I tried, the fried oysters were probably my least favorite, but again, were still good. They were well seasoned, but I found the pile of fried noodles on top of each oyster confusing as it seemed so out of place with everything else on the plate. The spinach salad was a delight - the dressing was warm, so the spinach was just barely wilting when it was served to me and it was really flavorful. Their ribs are fantastic - tender, extremely well seasoned, and plentiful for the price. My husband and friend both the got the bbq pork ravioli and enjoyed that quite a bit. Now, typically this sort of review would earn five stars, but I'm docking them one star for lack of follow up on a private event. I emailed them about a dinner part for the management group in my company and got a prompt response asking me some questions so they could get pricing to me. I asked for two types of proposals and ... never heard back. I emailed twice after that, with still no response. It's a shame, because they lost out on a private party of 16 people who love to eat and drink.
(4)Victor P.
I went to this restaurant because of the reviews on Yelp, and I couldn't have been more disappointed. So I'm compelled to write a review now, to warn others of what to expect. I'll start with the bad things. The FOOD IS HORRIBLE. Certainly, I didn't try everything on their menu, nor will I ever go back to try anything else, but here's what I did order: VEAL TONGUE SPECIAL: 30% corn, some veal tongue, SOAKED in red wine reduction sauce and OIL. It was inedibly sour, and it had a pungent after-taste. It was so ridiculously distasteful. Imagine eating a spoon of corn and drinking Cabernet at the same time - that's how it tasted. $13 down the drain. DUCK FAT FRIES: just regular thin fries, deep fried in OIL. Nothing special, definitely overrated on Yelp. You get a decent portion for $6. They went well with my beer and the sriracha aioli. PORK DUMPLINGS: soaked in OIL. You get 3 small dumplings for $5. I don't think I ate more than 1. The soy sauce contained OIL too (olive oil probably). In fact, there was TOO MUCH OIL in every dish. And that comes from someone who would put mayo on everything (mayo is 67% oil). Now, the good things: the entourage was pleasant and the server was good. It seemed like a cozy place to get some drinks before going to a club. The music was also pretty good. Overall, I give them 2 stars. The food did really ruin the experience. My wife was disappointed, and I felt really bad for insisting on us going to Shojo based on the reviews on Yelp. Hopefully, you'll make a more informed decision.
(2)Lily S.
Came here after reading the reviews and for the first time in a long time yelp did me wrong. Don't slap makeup on a pig and call it a princess. Yes I love the witty decor, yes the waitstaff was great, but when the heart of the restaurant fails...it's a domino effect. Items ordered. Pork Bao - this was OK not great I didn't even mind the small portions but come on if you're going to have a "small bites" item you better make every bite count. Ribs - tender but it was so salty! I had one bite and have the rest to my husband. Pork belly entree - again I don't care if you charge me 17 or 27 dollars an entree but make it worthit! It was not memorable and again super salty and the purée that came with the entree was almost non existent and super sweet pork was overly salty. I took one bite and gave it to my husband. Salmon entree - this is where the chef failed miserably. My salmon came out basically raw in the center. I didn't even have a bite before sending it back. I've been to my fair share of fine dining restaurants and when I tell you it was raw (not a little pink) I mean if I ate the center it would basically be sashimi. The waitress was very nice and apologizes profusely about it. When the entree came back the chef didn't bother making my plate look like the original (looked like the chef just tossed everything on the plate carelessly). Charred the heck out if the salmon and the salad that was in the center was reduced down to barely there. I was so upset I didn't even bother with it. So I gave that entree to my husband as well. I wanted the salmon cooked correctly not burnt to death. All in all both me and my husband agreed that staff was nice and service was great but the food there with some additional love and care can be better especially when you're trying to start a new trend in that area with those kind of prices. Idea great, food not so much.
(2)Jeff G.
Very friendly service and a great selection of small dishes to share. The cold tea for two is a must...even if you're dining alone.
(4)Nathan H.
Had an excellent dinner at Shojo! Never been there before, just saw it on Yelp and thought I would give it a try. It was a Tuesday night, so the place was mostly empty when my wife and I arrived. Was greeted by a friendly maitre d and was offered to sit anywhere. Many of the tables are the high-chair kind, but I was tired after work and wanted to lounge a little so I chose one of the few low-down tables. Decor was great, they have an awesome mural on the wall of a cartoon monkey on an epic journey of spiritual enlightment. Apparently it was painted by the owner's friend. We started with the Suckling Pig Bao, which was beautifully presented and delicious. They actually serve it with two large baos (indeed, the portions on everything we ordered were ample), so it's perfect for sharing. Meaty pork cooked in a barbecue sauce that was not overpowering. Also included some long baby green scallions that added a subtle earthy pungentness. Overall, wonderful. Next course was coconut soup for my wife and warm glass noodle salad for me. The coconut soup was sweet, sour, and tiny bit spicy, with whole shiitake mushrooms and chicken --- a great mashup between coconut curry and hot-and-sour soup! The glass noodle salad came in a tourrine and could have been a light entree in and of itself --- tasty noodles, peppers, chicken, and peanuts. Like the coconut soup, slightly spicy but not overpowering --- I'd say it's within the comfort zone of 90% of eaters (which is to say, you yelpers that like really spicy food might ask them to add some extra spice). Because the apps were so filling we decided to split an entree --- the steak frites. This was the most "European" of the dishes we had --- a nice thick cut of cow, medium rare, on top of a huge mound of their duck-fat fries. Garnished with more long green baby scallions and "kimchi butter" (butter apparently mixed with a bit of spicy kimchee, giving it a bit of that sour kimchi taste --- my wife didn't care for it, but I thought it was lovely. You can remove it if you don't want it.) To top it off, the waiter poured lemongrass demiglaze over the whole lot. Truth be told, the steak was already well-seasoned enough that it didn't need the demiglaze; but the demiglaze did enhance the fries, soaking into them to create a warm potato heaven. Wanted to try the dessert but was too full! Conclusion: an incredible experience for the price --- most expensive entree is only $18! Nicely varied menu with a blend of Asian and European-influenced dishes, so is a "safe" place to take your (non-Asian) parents in Chinatown. Make the trek out to Tyler Street, you won't be disappointed! Will definitely return!
(5)talia s.
Food, drinks, service, atmosphere, all amazing. We went early on a Wednesday and were the only customers for awhile. We sat at the bar where a huge screen tv was playing an old kung fu movie on silent. Despite the lack of patrons, the mood was friendly and comfortable. We ate the pig bao, fried pickles, and pork ravioli. Each dish was magical. Shove it in your face and be happy about it. Don't try to figure out what they did to make it so delicious, you won't be able to. Each cocktail was perfectly crafted with an acute attention to detail. Reiko Green came with a huge house-made cucumber ice cube. It was awesome. The presentations were beautiful and freshly prepared.
(5)Jake P.
Great find for tourists like us. Impressive drink/cocktail/bottle menu, with great prices. The food was excellent. Although busy, the staff was friendly and kind. After a day of walking, this place is the ultimate small-plate dinner+drinks nightcap. We shall return.
(4)Dan C.
This isn't your usual Chinatown spot and the food certainly isn't your usual Chinatown fare. Think Myers + Chang...only in Chinatown...and more Chinatowny. Its sleek, and artsy, with a modern feel and looks like it belongs in the South End, but the flavors are distinctly Chinatown. Its located right below China Pearl where the China Pearl Cafe use to be. Went here for a date night. We came in around 6:30 and the place was more or less empty. That being said, I doubt it had anything to do with the food, service, or ambiance. The service was great and the ambiance was that kind of almost hipster cool. Sadly the food didn't quite stand-up to everything else. The menu is very small: five entrees, three sides, two pastas, a handful of appetizers, and one dessert (Panna Cotta of all things--why?). Entrees run $15-19 and appitizers $7-10. Not being particularly drawn to any of the entrees we decided to jump into the appetizers head first. We got the Suckling Pig Bao, Fried Oysters, BBQ Pork Rib, Duck Fat Pomme Frites, and a special of Fried Pickles. The bao was served taco style with the pork and veg stuffed inside--similar to Moksa or Myers + Chang--and was pretty much just as good. The oysters came out as three and are fried and then placed back in the shell, covered in some fried noodles and sauce, and you're supposed to slurp them out. This was a little tricky. In the end we just lifted them out, but I appreciate the fun idea. The pork rib was the clear winner. I can't say I've ever had such a tender pork rib, it just jumped off the plate and blew up in my mouth. The pomme frites were okay, but for the price I would have expected a larger portion (maybe twice the size). The pickles were decent as well, though the salt came through by the last few pieces. Having a little left in us we went for the egg nest pasta. I wasn't particularly crazy about this one, way too much peanut flavor for a pasta. My favorite thing about this place is the cocktails. The Reiko Greene is like a green fairy--only it wont make you go crazy and doesn't taste like licorice. The Reiko Greene is good and it is green. Its a mix of hendrick's, green chartreuse, lime, and a big cucumber ice cube. Apparently the ice cube is supposed to melt while you drink it and it will continue to change the flavor of the drink, but I finished them well before any melting took place. It did however give the water a nice flavor. The Gin Gin Mule is a gin mule--gin, lemon, ginger beer--not particularly interesting, except that they make their own ginger beer! This ginger beer is not for the faint of heart, it will kick you in the jaw then laugh at you while you're on the floor. All and all: good date spot, decent food, wouldn't mind going back, but not really compelled at this point. Maybe when the menu expands. On a side note, they do take reservations, so if you're nervous about not getting a seat you can call ahead.
(3)Jen r.
My husband and another couple, and I went to Shojo at the choice of the other couple. I was expecting decent Asian food and was completely overwhelmed by the flavor combinations, decor and amazing staff. The food was absolutely fabulous and all 4 of us were blown away by it. Not to mention the owner came by and was friendly, funny and truly interested in what we thought of Shojo. Shojo was packed (Friday night at 8) and we didn't leave a bit on any of the plates we shared: catfish, ribs, pig bao, skirt steak, calamari. All interestingly prepared, yummy and reasonably priced. Its definitely not your typical Chinatown spot - its very chic and urban. I can't wait to go back
(5)Will C.
I came here for dinner with my sister and aunt. We each had a drink, shared 2 appetizer, 3 entree, and 2 desserts. We were stuffed! For drinks, we had the Reiko Green, the Aberdeen Swizzle, and the Ginger Beer. All three were delicious! For appetizers, we had the pork bao and the steamed mussels. Yum yum and yum! The pork and the sauce were so good next to the steamed taco-shaped bun. The mussels were cooked perfectly - not undercooked (raw) and not overcooked (shriveled) - and the sauce was just Wow! For dinner, we had the strip steak with a peanut slaw, the pork confit with crispy kale, and the short ribs with the taro mash. My favorite was the strip steak - so flavorful with the kimchi butter. The slaw was marinated so well and I'm not a big slaw eater. The pork confit was a block of pork, tender inside and crispy outside. You can taste Asian spices in the short ribs and the mash was smooth and creamy thick. For dessert, we had 2 panna cottas with poached pear and an orange crisp. Holla! Everything was delicious and so flavorful. I love how there's a bit of Asian flair in each dish. A perfect melding of East and West cuisines. The staff was very attentive. The decor is very hip with lots of stylized wood, brick, and lighting. There's a trendy bar area also for you late night bar goers. Atmosphere is very chill. I think Brendan, the friendly manager there, told us that Shojo is the name of the monkey depicted in the mural. Ask him about it since I forgot some of the details and I don't want to ruin the story. If you are looking for typical Chinatown cuisine, this is not the place. This is Asian Fusion cuisine. Expect food that you would order in an American or French restaurant, but with an Asian twist, be it a traditional Asian food or spice(s). Prices are quite reasonable and comparable. Brendan told me that all the food at Shojo is prepared from scratch. They make everything in house - from the ginger beer, the cucumber ice cubes, the sour mix, the sauces on the food, the slaw, all the desserts, etc. The menu is selective, as one would find at a high end restaurant. There are also specials every day. And their menu changes every 3 months! They open at 5:30 for dinner service, close at 11pm, except for Fri and Sat when they close at 1am. Great for pre- or post-date. If you want like good food, you gotta try this place!
(5)Smedley U.
Meh. Drinks were really good, but a bit pricey. Food was good not great. We ate tapas style. The ingredients seemed to be good quality, presentation was good, but the preparation ended up too heavy and salty. We ate at the bar, considering that, the service was fine. This would be a good drinks place paired with dinner elsewhere.
(3)Shawn Z.
I was confused when I entered this place. Very trendy atmosphere with fantastic service and clean tables right when you enter....which is pretty much the exact opposite of every other establishment on Tyler street. Unfortunately, I can't say that the food blew me away. I came here for lunch and ordered the Suckling Pig Bao and the Damn Damn Noodles. The former had good flavors, but I thought the bao was a little too dense (not fluffy enough) for my taste. The Damn Damn Noodles was too salty which is an annoyingly common theme at many nontraditional asian establishments. Completely overwhelmed the dish and made me drink water like a fish. Overall, I thought the experience was mediocre. I'm not sure I would come to Chinatown for fusion asian though. This restaurant probably belongs in cambridge or the south end.
(3)Jess D.
Hands down the BEST Asian fusion that I have ever eaten. The restaurant itself is dark and cozy. It seats maybe about 25 comfortably and does have a bar. There are some tables and some bar type seating. We were seated immediately as it was a Monday night and not too crowded. The waitstaff was great and really friendly. They recommended the Purple Heart cocktail and they don't skimp on the alcohol. My water glass was always full as well. For starters we had the duck fat fries and the suckling pig bao. There were actually 2 bao and it was really delicious with fresh scallions, crispy pork and spicy/sour kimchee. The duck fat fries were fried perfectly with a crispy exterior and soft insides. I couldn't really taste the duck fat but it was served with a siracha ketchup that was very tasty. The entrees were amazing! I had the cha siu ravioli. The ravioli was a perfect blend of sweet and salty. They came with a sauce that was a perfect complement to the ravioli and also had little bits of bacon in it. It was so good!!!! My friend had the pork tenderloin and it was a generous portion of really soft and juicy pork wrapped in bacon. We also ordered a side of rice which comes with some chive oil on the bottom. That was definitely a pleasant surprise and added a fresh green flavor to the rice. All in all, a wonderful dinner experience and I will definitely be back!
(5)John K.
One of the best meals my girlfriend and I have ever had together. We had the Hot and Sour soup, and it was both comforting and excellent. They have their unique interpretation to this classic Chinese soup. I had the chef's take on the ravioli, a wonton-ravioli. Both of us were pretty blown away by it. Her braised spare ribs were also delicious. Drinks were top notch. Special mention to the "Cold Tea for Two," a refreshing and quite boozy lemonade-type cocktail, served in a little teacup with a teapot. The service was excellent, and the manager and bartender were friendly as well. Next time I'm in Boston, I'm going back.
(5)Katie L.
My bf and I went there for dinner, and we were disappointed. We ordered the duck fat hand fries and the calamari. The fries were okay, but the calamari was pretty good. The portion for the calamari was smaller than I expected, but it was an appetizer so I didn't expect too much. But my bf's salmon was TINY. It was possible 4 bites of salmon and that $15. The food was good, but just the value (portion vs price) is bad, compare to all the different lower price restaurants in that area.
(2)Vicky L.
Pork boa & drinks were good but it was a limited menu.
(3)Alex L.
Very, very good. I went there for lunch twice already in the past 2 weeks and both are great experience. The suckling Pig bao is very nicely done. I had the Damn Damn Noodles and Duck noodles in 2 visits and both are very good. Very often, Asian fusion food is done by people who know nothing about Asian food, and it is obvious the chefs know enough about both Asian and Western flavor to have a true fusion effort. The place is clean, hip, spacious, service is fast. Love the "Journey to the West" graffiti. Price is not dirt cheap but very reasonable at least for lunch, with good portion to boot. I will come back often.
(5)Melissa N.
So I am always nervous to write a review on a place where I worked/ have friends that work there. That's biased, right? Well...i'm going to come out and say it, I know the bartender...so as far as my service goes...IT SUCKED just kidding, Markus was amazing and you can think what you wanna think, but the service was good. Now for the part I am not biased about: Food and Drinks. Drinks: Everything was refreshing and delicious. I was overly excited....I mean, to see an actual bar and cocktail list in Chinatown?!? And also the fact that the drinks aren't ALL overly sweet and just grenadine and gummy bears? I loved it. If you are going in by Chinatown standards: Bar and drinks are amazing; if you are going in by Boston standards: bar and drinks are still above average. Food: (what I LOVE) I got the pork belly bao and they were delicious. the buns themselves were very soft and delectable. The marinate on the pork was also to die for and ooohh sooo good! I wish I got more than 2 pre order, but hey...they were well worth it. The duck fat fried fries. So these came to our seats and we could smell it. My mouth started to water and I was so entranced.... DELICIOUS. However, they were slightly over cooked. If they took them out of the frier maybe 30 seconds earlier, delicious. But this was during their soft opening, so this is where the kinks happen, and if this is what I have to "complain" about, then this place will be great. Mussels: OMG that lemongrass broth was amazing and the mussles were just a little over cooked But again, better over cooked than undercooked. But despite these minor flaws, it was still amazing. Also, this place was soo clean! Its gonna sound weird, but check out the bathroom. The sink/faucet were pretty!
(4)Geoffrey M.
I was solo tonight staying in a local hotel. Ventured out to find a restaurant in Chinatown where I could eat at the bar and be comfortable. Most of the spots in Chinatown appear to be restaurants with little bars to have a drink while you wait for your table. I was pleasantly surprised to find Shojo. Had an awesome gin and homemade tonic water, kimchi and a delicious duck special. The menu is Asian oriented, but not typical at all. Great service too!
(4)Amanda Y.
I thought Shojo was really normal. Nothing special. I had way better fusion food at other places.
(2)Steph F.
Love this spot! Stylish interior, cool cocktails, delicious modern Asian dishes (I had sake and the Kimchi fried rice). I work in the neighborhood and think this new addition will be a great spot for happy hour.
(5)Roy C.
What a great spot! I just wish more people would check it out. Went Thursday night and there were only 2 tables occupied? WHY Drinks-awesome;well thought out with ALL fresh ingredients Food-we had 2 apps and2 entree's and they were all delicious. All you people who work in the Financial district;this is a short walk ---GO! its better than 95% of your other choices in the area This is a gem;I hope it survives
(5)Kate H.
I went here on a wednesday night. Since it is in the middle of the week so I don't really expect a lot of people to go there but there is a lot after we sat down. When we were there the waiter gave us the menu then after few mins later, he suggest today's special. i think it was pretty good that the waiter knows what is on the menu in details. He can answer most of my questions on the menu. We have a chicken with potato and a steak with some sour vegetables. It was pretty good. The food doesn't really look like asian. It looks more like french or Italian style. The chicken was pretty soft and delicious. The steak was little bit on the stronger taste but it was still good. We even have an oolong tea alcohol, at first the waiter bring us a teapot but we already have water in front of us so I was like water and tea?? but actually it was ours alcohol. It was pretty creative. the graffiti on the wall was pretty interesting to look at while waiting on our food. The service was good because the waiter knows whats on the menu in detail and they will fill up my water every time without me asking for it. They will fill it to the top every time you drink some. It was pretty good services. I think this place is good for people that wants to relax after work or school and eat dinner. I will definitely go again.
(5)Christopher Y.
Pretty interesting for Chinatown. It's fusiony but well done. I will probably be back
(4)B T.
I've been to Shojo for 4 times now and both my bf and I agreed that their food taste better and better each time we went. I love the Asian Fusion menu and it's unique for me as an Asian person. They have awesome drinks too. Wait staffs are very attentive too. Keep it up, Shojo!!! I can't wait to give you a 5 stars review.
(4)Vivi L.
I'm impressed. We had an 8PM reservation on Saturday night at this place and we were seated immediately when we got there. The place is hip and pretty busy. Our waiter came to check on us immediately and we decided to try out their mixed beverages. I ordered the spicy drink with coconut milk, it was surprisingly good. The only thing that I would change is the coconut milk. I found it too heavy but it did compliment the spicy vodka. We ended up ordering a bunch of appetizers and a main dish to share between 4 of us. The food came out at a good pace and every single dish that we ordered was great. We were so happy with our food, we ended up ordering second round of food. Our favorites were the suckling pig Bao and the skirt steak. The suckling pig Bao was flavorful, moist, and delicious. The skirt steak was cooked to perfection and it was so tender. The service was spot on. We were all very impressed with the place and would definitely come back again for a third round. :) The only bad thing that I could say about the place is the restaurant only has one unisex bathroom. The line to the bathroom wasn't too bad when we were there so it wasn't a major issue. I wish they would have a separate bathroom for men and women. Other than that we highly recommend this place.
(5)Robert V.
Surprising find in Chinatown. Hipster atmosphere, excellent drinks and really great food. Went late night (for Boston) had the Korean "bao", a little pouch kind of thing filled with crispy pork. Outstanding! Also had amazing roast chicken in a sauce with Chinese sausage. Not a fan of Asian fusion generally, but the food here was excellent. Don't forget to get fries cooked in duck fat!
(4)Emily L.
This restaurant demonstrates how yelp can help a new restaurant with a unique idea grow and develop into a shining star! When Shojo started, Lynn J. wrote an excellent review and I was excited to try it out but then a few weeks later, people were giving so-so reviews saying that the food was over-priced and unoriginal. I'm not sure what has happened in the last few months but man, the reviews have perked up and my boyfriend was convinced that it was worth a visit. We stopped by on a Thursday night and started our evening with two amazing unique cocktails. Then we dove into the menu and ordered: a side of kimchi, duck fat fries, Pistachio Crusted Tuna Steak, Szechuan pork stuffed calamari, and their shrimp special. I loooooved the kimchi. I'm not sure what they did to give it such a tremendous flavor but I loved it so much that I ordered a side of it to take home with me. I had the great pleasure of having duck fat fries at a lot of different places and so I was glad that I was able to treat myself to a delicious treat but it didn't stand out to me. The Tuna steak was fabulous - the portion was huge and it was perfectly seared, wow!!!! I wasn't blown away by the Szechuan pork stuffed calamari but it was a very creative dish and the sauce gave the calamari a lot of flavor. Everyone at the restaurant was super friendly and I really appreciated how they were able to transform the space into a cozy and intimate area for you to come and relax either for a meal or a quick drink. Come here for a date or with a group and I am sure you will not be disappointed!
(5)Food E.
Everything I had tasted good. I love that you can take a tour of Asia through the menu. Drinks are inventive and I love seeing Singha on a menu-expensive like the rest of Boston. So sick of spending $14 on a cocktail. But my coconut milk and punch vodka cocktail tasted like Thailand. Literally, it transported me back. The duck confit dumplings were amazing and so were the sesame balls. The pork bao was a little too fatty for us but the bread itself was spot on. I am a little disappointed with the price to portion ratio. I don't mind paying for food, but 8 bucks for a small pot of kimchi where you can see the bottom of the serving dish before it even hits the table is just cray cray. Literally there as like a half a cup of vegetables. And what is with the odd number of dumplings? People usually dine in even numbers and it is annoying to me when you have that rando item that needs splitting or no one takes because they don't want to be that person. They are dumplings-flour and water, with duck-that you can find so cheap all over Chinatown, why are you being so cheap with me Shojo! 4 bucks a dumpling is just crazy. This is one of those places where I'd be a regular at if the value was right. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere is worth the unreasonable prices at least once. Get the sesame balls.
(3)Rick B.
Love this place. There's nothing else like it in Boston. Really tasty, creative Asian food with classic hip hop wailing in the background. Makes you feel like you went to NYC for the evening. Make sure you get the pork boa, the killer rum punch (the "Zombie"), and the chocolate sesame balls.
(4)Victoria P.
Came here with my boyfriend and a friend just for some drinks and a few appetizers to tie us over. My boyfriend really liked the chocolate sombrero beer, but I wasn't a fan. We also split the duck fat fries and the calamari - we weren't impressed with either. Both were bland and both were accompanied by the same dipping sauce - an okay sriracha mayo. It was a very unsatisfying snack...not sure if I'll give it another shot.
(2)Rinda K.
Shojo is so great! I'm so glad this restaurant is in Chinatown and not in the Back Bay or Copley area because it would otherwise be packed. It's a small spot but very trendy and the service is impeccable, as are their menu options. All of their small plates and larger plates are perfect, especially any of their meat dishes. I order their bbq pork rib every single time because the meat is so tender and slides right off of the bone. It's a very affordable restaurant for the quality and service that you'll receive, even if it's not like any of the other restaurants located in Chinatown. Love the vibe and I go back about once every month or so :) Definitely check Shojo out!
(5)Julie T.
The food here is so good that I don't even feel bad for pigging out. Probably the hippest place in Chinatown right now. Love the decor and the wall murals! I had to sit at the bar because they were booked up on a Wednesday night. My friends and I went balls out and ordered a bunch of things. Everything was delicious but here are my favorites and must-trys: - Suckling Pig Bao - Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries - Warm Glass Noodles Also, their drinks are clutch! They do not skimp on the alcohol, haha. Our waitress/bartender was awesome too. Shojo is definitely in my current top 5 favorite places in Boston right now. 5 thumbs up!
(5)Cee C.
-Kimchi rice is bland and tasteless with too much fish sauce -Siracha sauce they use is not the real siracha, It was possibly a really bad cheap one the restaurant bought in place of the real one. - $50 dollars for three SMALL appetizers (you get more in
(2)Maria M.
Last evening we joined another couple for the 5-course tasting menu and found the food flawlessly executed and exquisitely inspired. The service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was delightful and unpretentious. It is a pleasure to recommend Shojo so highly.
(5)Adam G.
Wow. What a fantastic new place in Boston! I was incredibly impressed. The drinks were delicious and inventive. Mine had an ice cube made out of muddled cucumber and water which was great. The food was creative and unique and very tasty. All 4 of us were impressed and we are foodies. We started with the special corn with kimche butter - fantastic, although a hair messy. The suckling pig bao was perfect in texture and taste, the asian eggplant parm was simple, but delicious and a nice portion. The edamame soup was also a hit for us! Our mains were also consistently good. I got the pork tenderloin was flavorful, well balances and something to savor. We also felt that way about the Char Siu pulled pork ravioli. The pasta was home made and just the right texture. The chicken and the kimchi fried rice were also enjoyed to their fullest. This chef clearly has training and talent. Our server could not have been better. I think her name was Fiona. Pleasant, knowledgeable and clearly wanted us to enjoy our experience. The music was a hair loud at first, but the place has a really cool vibe. I will DEFINITELY be back! A great place to go just for drinks and apps too!
(5)Libby S.
Atmosphere is great. Drinks are creative. Food is delicious! A new gem in Chinatown. Young, fresh and worth a visit. I will definitely come again soon.
(5)Rita N.
Love the service, food, and the vibe! I had their special that night. Their seared sesame crusted tuna is so good! Its good size, sits on top of a bed of some fried/charred noodle disc, that is dressed by some creamy wasabi aioli sauce. The texture and taste just go so well together! Drinks are awesome there too! We are so lucky because that night the house sake special is beyond its value!
(4)Karisa S.
Atmosphere: - dim, candlelit, hip, trendy, romantic - can dress either casually or a little fancy - if you're with a date you may have to lean closer to hear him/her over the music ;) Service: - very attentive and intuitive wait staff - the waitress immediately noticed when my knife and fork rolled out of my napkin and onto the floor and promptly brought me a new set - the chef/manager? brought out one of the dishes personally which was very nice of him Food: - excellent, excellent, exquisite flavor and presentation, portions are perfectly sized so that you won't get indigestion and the flavors alone will satisfy your hunger - Steak Hanger appetizer - so tender, juicy, extra rare in the middle - Braised Short Ribs/Pork Belly? (with taro mash and spinach) entree - beautiful to see, taste, chew, swallow, very tender, I loved the taro mash and the three-layer pork belly - Tuna?? entree - I forget the name, but the dish had seared tuna that was still deliciously raw on the inside, in a sweet soy sauce, with scallion pancake, cauliflower mash and peeled, boiled tomatoes - I shall return! I'm looking forward to the new dishes they will come up with Price: - not cheap, but reasonable and worth it for the quality of the service and food
(5)Luke T.
I'm really surprised by the good reviews. This place is terrible. I had the duck and it came out rare and was hard to chew. The duck had white stringy veins in it and it was the worst duck dish I can remember having. They have 3 beers on tap and 2 out of the 3 beers were flat. The service was also very poor.
(1)Koonz O.
Thank God for Shojo, because I wouldn't know what else to do in Boston. Those moments where you want to just CHILL, have some GOOD FOOD, and sip on YUMMY DRINKS, Shojo is the place to be. No fuss. No crazy line. No hectic club scene. Definitely caters more to young professionals, in my opinion, which I love. The atmosphere is more NYC-esque, something that Boston lacks so much - but Shojo's brought the best vibe since their opening. It's a cute little modern place - the music's in the background but not overwhelmingly loud, so you can actually carry on a conversation with your friends. Oh, did I say their food is BOMB? Pork buns, duck-fried fries, ravioli, chocolate balls. OH SNAP. Also, the owners are always hanging around making sure their customers are fully satisfied, which I appreciate - it shows they really care about the success of their business through happy customers. YAY!
(5)Gary L.
The food and cocktails are fantastic. Service was friendly and attentive as well. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Charlie D.
Went to Shojo with a friend during their soft open. The only way I can describe it is like a funky urban Asian speakeasy. It's a totally new concept for Chinatown, and one which I think is going to do quite well. The craft cocktails were very innovative and unlike any others I've had in the Boston area (Drink, Brick and Mortar, Backbar, etc). The food was not quite as good as the drinks, but very innovative and quite tasty. My friend describes it as New American with an Asian influence. When I was there the atmosphere was laid back and chill, even later into the night, which I definitely liked. The bartender (who was also one of the owners) told us that they planned to have themed music nights and have space for a DJ. That could be kind of cool, but I actually appreciate having a place that's not too loud where you can just chill out and have some awesome food and drink, especially on the weekends. Perhaps if some nights are more high energy and others are more chill, they could find the best of both worlds. I definitely plan to go back!
(4)Sarah R.
WOW. This place was amazing. On one hand, I wish it were bigger inside so I could come here more often and not wait. But on the other hand, it being small makes it feel more intimate. The drinks were creative, strong and delicious. Cold tea for two was dangerous! Pig bao was fantastic, as were the pork ribs. Steak and fries were pretty good. But the damn pork ravioli. Oh. Em. Gee. I would seriously eat this twice a day, everyday. The sauce was unbelievable, I would have licked the plate if it werent inappropriate. I'm drooling..
(5)Lisa G.
My friend and I had a great experience dining at this new Chinatown establishment. This place is truly unique for Chinatown. The inside is hip and attractive. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable. I had the special - a cornbread crusted catfish served atop a papaya salad. The portion was huge, and I left satisfied. My friend, a vegetarian, didn't have quite as many options from which to choose but was very happy with the mushroom and corn frittatas. The wine list wasn't particularly extensive, but the glasses we got were very tasty. I would definitely recommend this new place, particularly for residents tired of the usual scene!
(5)Aaron R.
Excellent. This is a new place right in the middle of chinatown and the food is as good or better than any restaurant in Boston (and reasonably priced). They do the fusion thing, but they do it incredibly well. They do a variety of small plates (like duck confit, duck fat fries with sriracha aioli, pork stuffed calimari), entrees, and pastas that are cooked perfectly and somehow effectively balance the italian and asian flavors. Their cocktails are also really creative and very well-made. The interior and exterior are also classy, but not too fancy - makes for a great experience. All in all, if you're looking for a great restaurant in Boston, whether your specifically looking for asian cuisine or not, GO HERE.
(5)Hadley Q.
this is my new happy place! i wandered in a few weeks ago while waiting for a dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant to be ready and was happy i did. the drinks are works of art and the waitstaff couldn't be nicer/cooler/more accommodating. i went back this saturday with a few friends for birthday drinks and had the same great experience, they even asked where we were headed all dressed up and gave me a birthday drink on the house and asked if we wanted the heat turned down. love love love this place, great for a quick drink, several drinks or dinner out.
(5)Martin C.
Neglected to review Shojo during my trip to Boston three weeks ago. Dropped in there because I didn't like to looks of any of the Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood and Shojo looked like an interesting alternative. I got the impression that it's mainly a drinking place that serves food. I was mainly interested in getting something to eat and, after ordering a beer, I decided on the salmon entree, which is described as "tea smoked" with a potato bilini, frisee salad and mojo dill creme fraiche. Whatever it was, it was great. The salmon was cooked rare (as I like it) but the center was warm (as it should be) which is very hard to do whether you're cooking a rare steak, ahi tuna or salmon. This was a very pleasant surprise. So, apparently it is NOT just all about the drinks at Shojo. I'd give it a higher rating if I had a chance to go back and try some other things but don't be put off by my 3 star review. If my salmon is any indication, they take their cooking seriously at Shojo and you should do well with anything you order.
(3)Lala I.
i was impressed with the drinks and how knowledgeable our waitress was. you dont find this in an average chinese restaurant. the food was tasty and innovative, however, the overall dining experience was terrible. there were two parties going on in shojo: one surprise birthday party and one bachelorette party. they were all super drunk and INCREDIBLY LOUD! i had to yell to my friends at the top of my lungs when we were talking and they could even barely hear me. the loud noise gave me a major headache and i didnt want to stay at shojo any second longer. i dont think i will return unless i am with my own drunk party.
(3)Karen O.
Shojo's suckling pig bao is a cacophony of flavors and textures in just one bite! I especially love the textural contrast in this dish. The crispy suckling pig skin offers the perfect contrast to the fluffy texture of the bun. Imagine your teeth first sinking into the delightfully soft bun, then into the perfectly crunchy pig skin, then finally into the velvety meat inside. Just recounting my experience at Shojo is already making me drool :) In terms of the flavor, the dish combines the sweet flavor of the hoisin sauce, the spicy flavor of the kimchi, and the bitterness of the cucumber and scallions. As I was savoring my pork bun, sweet-spicy-salty-bitter juices escaped from my mouth and ran down my chin. Yumm! Yumm! Yumm! The second dish we tried was drunken noodle, a modern interpretation of what you would typically get at most Thai restaurants. This dish offered the same flavor and texture contrast that I experienced with the suckling pig bao. The noodles were perfectly cooked. Each strand was silky but not gooey, indicating that the noodles were not over-cooked. Even the shrimps that were added as garnish were cooked to perfection. Each one of them was perfectly seasoned. Each shrimp was silky but still crunchy, not soggy and over-cooked like in most other places. The noodles used were the broader type of rice noodles, similar to those used in traditional "chow fun" dishes. The noodles soaked up all the sweet-spicy-sour flavors of the sauces in which they were cooked. Yumm! Yumm! Yumm! The last dish we tried was the Chinese eggplant parmigiana. This dish was good too, but I have to say that this was our least favorite among the three. I loved the crispy eggplant skin on top -- it provided a contrast to the soft texture of the eggplant. The taste, however, was familiar, nothing out of the ordinary. When we chatted with the restaurant owner Brian, he mentioned that this dish was newly introduced last week and that they were still experimenting and waiting to hear customers' feedback on it. In the end, I think what sets Shojo apart form all other restaurants is not just its food quality. It's Shojo's service level. Never have I experienced this high a level of service here in Boston, or anywhere else in the US for that matter. You know how waiters always ask you "How's everything?" I get so annoyed whenever I get asked that question! I know they just want me to blurt out "good" so they can walk away and move on to the next table. Shojo was different. The owner Brian was attentive and genuinely interested in our feedback. When he noticed that we devoured the pig bao and drunken noodles in just a few seconds but only ate half of our eggplant parmigiana dish, he sensed that we didn't enjoy the eggplant dish as much as the other two dishes and he just took the eggplant parmigiana off our bill. I was so pleasantly surprised! I very rarely write Yelp reviews, unless I am incredibly annoyed and want to get back at an annoying establishment or unless I've experienced something truly exceptional. Shojo was truly exceptional. We will definitely return here soon!
(5)Cindy K.
I've been here a couple of times for some drinks. On 7/27 we came here with a group of friends. We got a ton of food and we were not disappointed. Service was great and drinks were even better. I deff would recommend coming here if you were in Chinatown and wanted some Asian food but not the traditional Asian cuisine.
(4)Lynn J.
Want the go to the hottest, NEW CHINESE RESTAURANT in BOSTON? Destination...SHOJO! (right underneath the China Pearl in Chinatown) It's the bar to be at...It's the restaurant to rave about...It's Shoho. Why choose Shojo? I attended their opening party and found: They just opened, so everything is clean, fresh and inviting. The atmosphere is "Artsy," with wall murals by local artists. The staff is fast, friendly & making a great first impression. Our food was fresh and flavorful...Duck Buns, Duck Fat Fries, Fish Burgers. The owner is a hands on guy who greeted all guests personally. After dinner ends, they remove all tables & become an intimate club! Give Shojo a try NOW, before it becomes the new, HOT SPOT with a line! TIP: I LOVE to go to restaurants when they first open. You get the EXTRA EFFORT, NEWEST DISHES & BEST SERVICE. BONUS: For the party, they hired SHAWN KELLEY (Makeup Artist) and TRACI DASTOU (Personal Shopper), both from Neiman Marcus, to light up all the ladies lips with kisses of color and big smiles from their LA MER Goody Bags!
(5)Mel C.
Great new spot in Chinatown. Here's the breakdown of what we ordered: Sucking Pig Bao: Spot on and delicious. Loved the acidity that the pickles added and loved the crunch of the meat. I thought these were better than Myers + Chang's baos. Schezuan Pork Stuffed Calamari: Great concept, OK execution. The calamari was not too chewy, the sauce had the perfect amount of heat to it. Sadly the pork was dry or else this would have been a huge hit. Duck Fat Fries: I saw that these were on some top "duck fat fries" list in Boston, so we decided to get them. I think they tasted great and you could definitely tell that they were cooked in duck fat, but I'm not sure if I would really order them again. (personal preference) Shrimp Cappellini Egg Nest: This dish needed something else that I can't pinpoint. Maybe it was a little too sweet? The shrimp were sadly bland and felt removed from the dish. I still finished the entire bowl though.. Kimchi Pork Chop with Kale: Nice flavor from the kimchi but the pork chop was overcooked and tasted a little tough. Even with these slight missteps in execution, I would definitely come back.
(4)Y. B.
I can not recommend this place enough. This place is awesome! I am not from the area and was planning a bachelorette party for my best friend and after calling/emailing a few places I decided on this place. The customer service is superb here. Alex, the sales coordinator was extremely helpful and walked me through everything. They have an excellent preset event menu which is very affordable! They went above and beyond by creating a custom menu for the party. I was beyond impressed with the high quality of the menu. The theme for the bachelorette party was "Sexy in the City" The menu was printed on glossy paper in black and pink like the Sex in the City movie and they even switched out the New York Skyline for the Boston skyline! Now that is service!!! They got all the ingredients for the Bride's favorite cocktail and even let me create a cute name for it. The venue itself is very nice. A nice classy intimate dinner/lounge. It was exactly what I was hoping it would be. The food...OMG was amazing! So freaking good! A huge bonus is that it is very close to the Theater District-where all the clubs are. So after dinner/drinks it was only a 5 minute walk to the club we partied at! Thank you Alex for all your help in making sure that my friend had a memorable and classy Bachelorette party! Thank you Brandon for creating a beautiful custom menu and to Phil who was an awesome bartender! Next time I am in Boston I will be back. I have told all my friends from there that this is the perfect place for a birthday party and or classy bachelorette party! Stay Classy Shojo ;)
(5)Jiyea C.
Perhaps the idea of a super trendy, modern, clean, western-friendly bar/lounge in Chinatown sounds like a great idea, but I don't think Shojo is living up to that vision. The fact that this place was more than half empty around 9:30pm on a Saturday night suggests that others are just as unimpressed as I was. I guess Shojo is a good example of the saying that different doesn't necessarily equal better. (I say this because I don't think there's any eatery like Shojo in Chinatown.) I had expected more from this place. The raved-about duck fat fries were overcooked and almost all the pieces were too crunchy or dry. They also didn't taste like The pork bao was yummy but such a tiny portion for the price. The glass noodle dish was also just all right, though I love the sticky consistency of these type of clear noodles (despite them being difficult to pick up). Because the venue seems more like a place that people would go to for drinks as opposed to a full meal, I would recommend that the menu reflect dishes that would go better with a long night of beers or cocktails. Perhaps a place like Shojo would do better in a neighborhood like the Financial District, where business folks go for a drink/light fare after work. PS. Reaching the final stretch of the Yelp 100 Challenge! Bostonians: are you IN??
(3)Jackie S.
Came here on a Friday night and the atmosphere was absolutely amazing. Very small, but comfortable. Ordered the Ravioli as well as the bok choy, calamari, and duck dumplings. Every thing was great, except the dumplings were lacking in comparison to the other food. I would definitely come back. It's perfect for a date night, or gathering with friends. And very close to Downtown Crossing.
(4)Cait A.
Part I: I don't know why I didn't review this place before. I made reservations for the dinner part of my best friend's bachelorette party here in May/June. There were six of us and we were immediately seated at a nice table in the center of the room. Love the decor and lighting, so pleasant and interesting. Our server was wonderful and amicable and told us the story behind the painting of the monkey on the wall. Its hard to recall what we got specifically now, but we ordered many different small plates and shared; all appetizers and meals were delicious and the portions were good; they were not super large, but large enough that people who got full meals could not finish them and they were polished off by yours truly. The set up/ plating was very aesthetically pleasing and we got the cold tea, after seeing so many recommendations for it. For dessert we ordered the sesame balls. The order comes with 5 sesame balls, but they were nice enough to surprise us with a sixth one as we had six people. They also gave us each a shot of sake on the house to celebrate! The bride and all the maids were very pleased. So happy with this. Part II: We did two checks; two girls on one and me, bride and two other girls on the second. Friends gave me $40 cash and I put the rest on my Visa to sort out later. That check never came back and I had to ask for it. When I got it, I tipped well and we left. Two days later, while adding up what the other two owed me, it came to light that $30 of the cash was seemingly misplaced and covered by my card. I called the restaurant and spoke to my server, who, it turns out, is one of the managers. I knew it was possible that he just wouldn't believe me; its a tough thing to prove that $30 cash just disappeared, but he was incredibly helpful and offered to send me a $30 gift certificate, which was really all I wanted: something in return for the extra $30 spent. The gift certificate never arrived and so I called back a few weeks later and spoke to the manager again, who said it must've gotten lost in the mail and he would "send it again". Okay, cool. Part III: It arrived in the mail and I took my boyfriend out for a lovely dinner at Shojo and enjoyed it very much. Once again, service was wonderful, food was delicious and attractive, and experience was top notch. This place is casual, but easy to dress up a bit and make it a very nice date night. I'm impressed by how delightful it is, how friendly the service is, and what good business practices the manager had when faced with a strange issue.
(5)Lindsay H.
I went in for drinks this past Saturday around 9pm. It was packed- we were told a 20 minute wait for a table. The host helped us to find a spot at the bar and luckily two seats opened shortly after. They have a very interesting cocktail list. However, I did not know what half of the ingredients were. The first drink was pretty good, but a little too "floral" tasting for me. Then we split the cold tea for two. This was good and not overly seat; I just wished that it was warm tea. I think the next time I would be sure to ask more questions about what is in my drink. While I did not love my drinks, I am definitely excited to go back for dinner. The ambiance is great, and the staff is AMAZING! I have never been to a place where everyone was so friendly and accommodating. A definite bonus is that they also seem very willing to prep a vegan dish for me, even though it is not on the menu. Nice crowd and good vibe. Be sure to check this place out!
(4)Sarah G.
So pumped to have a spot in Chinatown that is nice and fun inside! I mean, where else in Chinatown can you go and eat affordably in a semi trendy location where they make their own house ginger beer to use in their creative cocktails? And their cold tea for two with oolong infused Vodka was addicting! What a fun place! In addition to the decor being pretty awesome on the walls, the rumors in these reviews that they play old kung fu episodes in here are definitely true too! I thought it might not be, but to my surprise they really do play up the stereotype here! Love it! And then the food was pretty great too. Although I will say that the duck fat fries that everyone raves about were not that great, and I know how addicted Bostonians are to lobster, but their lobster fusion pasta dish was not my fav (although others who ordered it with me liked it!). But those suckling pig baos were PERFECT. I only wish they were bigger and more came to an order! Yum! Call me a sucker for anything pork, but these little bites of heaven make me want to go back to Shojo. I also got a seared tuna on a bed of wasabi rice that was cooked to perfection too--seared on the outside, almost raw in the middle, and that wasabi flavor with it was just so so good! And it made me feel a little healthy after having my pork bao :-) Everyone else was more than happy with their short rib dishes and I forgot to mention how great their calamari is too! It isn't fried like normal calamari. No no, at Shojo it is served with spicy peppers and it is fresh and amazing! We found ourselves almost fighting over the last pieces of that dish! So glad Shojo is around and can't wait to come back!
(4)Sebastian Y.
Easy-to-recommend, flawlessly executed Asian fusion with influences from China, Japan, Korea and even Latin America. Full bar with delicious cocktails. We will be going back and so should you.
(5)Andrew T.
Want to start by saying that the food at Shojo was great. Interesting, tasted great, and the kitchen was quick to get everything out in a timely manner. The atmosphere was fun, a little more upbeat and louder than some of its Chinatown neighbors. Service was mid-tier. The food came fast when we could get a hold of the waitstaff, but that proved difficult throughout our meal. We also received pushback when we wanted to split a meal between 6 credit cards. Granted its a lot of people, but big groups and multiple cards are a restaurant reality. New restaurants need to understand and embrace this. Pros: Food, atmosphere. Cons: Service
(3)Wesley S.
This place was pretty awesome and a great find. We had just arrived via train and were hungry and looking for something quick and near south station. We were lured in by the pretty lights outside and once inside were surprised to find an amazing menu of unique dishes and an extremely friendly staff. Coming from NYC, this place was amazingly economical as well. I loved it. Thanks for reading and enjoy.
(5)Jennifer W.
Since my last review we have been back to Shojo countless times; it's become our favorite place in the neighborhood to get drinks and a bite. The bartenders are all super nice and make amazing drinks with great ingredients. This is the only place that I will try drinks that would usually be out of my comfort zone. And the food is still great, the Char Siu Raviolis are amazing for dinner. We also went for lunch recently and the curried chicken quesadilla is crazy flavorful! So glad that there's a spot like this close to me! It's what chinatown has always needed.
(5)L P.
Awesome food and ambiance. Really enjoyed it. Will go back. It's a cool place to take visitors as well.
(5)Susan S.
I unfortunately did not love the food here no matter how much I did want to enjoy it. I'll talk about the good and the bad. We came here on a Friday night at 7 ish with 2 other friends and it was empty but the crowds came in an hr or so later. I would say I like the atmosphere of the restaurant which was casual but intimate and charming in its own way. The wooden interior gives the place warmth yet is contrasted and balanced by the black colors. I liked how they were playing these old school movies on the screen. I think the strengths were more in the appetizers than the entrees. We ordered the Pig Suckling Bao buns which was decent. I don't remember it being really crispy, but it was a solid good with its salty and savory flavor. The fries with duck fat were tasty. You could taste the duck in there and the sauce was good not great, not that spicy. The shrimp balls with almonds on them were okay...reminded me of dim sum. The sauce with it I think was supposed to be pumpkin chili flavored but I didn't taste that at all. The duck confit dumplings which were good but not great. You can taste the savoriness but for me, it was mainly salty. The sauce was also not very memorable. The entrees we got were okay. The ravioli dish with pulled pork was tasty but I don't think the other elements in the dish came together very well. The portion was good though. The worst dish for me was the chicken roulade. I don't know if I ever hated a dish. As I first ate it, I thought it was fish or something. I couldn't really tell it was chicken because the meat itself tasted bland to me. And the noodles that came with it were lackluster in texture and flavor. The ginger beer was pretty good though and I think my friend liked her drink that also had ginger in it. Service was good. Her name was carmen I believe. Atmosphere is good. I just don't think the execution and components of flavor ever come together though. I guess there's just a lot of expectation for a fusion place. I just don't think it was worth my money, I was actually really angry that I had to pay for this food. I had to pay 40 dollars including tip. I like to enjoy things and I don't like to criticize food. I think the concept of the restaurant and what they are trying to bring to the neighborhood is noble, but I think they can improve on things. My other friend who had come to Shojo before had told me she just thought their food was just salty and I just can't disagree.
(2)Hana P.
No good. Trendy place to get drinks maybe as the ambiance suggests but to go here for a meal is a mistake. One, timing was all off. Our food came out at different times. He was eating, then I was eating etc. We got the pork ribs which can be described as cooked ribs then dunked into honey. No flavor except honey. Then I got my scallops which was way overpriced. They were cut in half. So basically it was 13$ for 1.5 scallops (not even jumbo). They tasted like scallops and lacked flavoring so no way I would order that again. Then after that we got out greens which they introduced as *market price. Lol. This place really felt a bit pretentious. I am glad that these kind of places exist everywhere.
(1)W. C.
-Pork belly entree - It was good, but this seems to taste very similar to all other Asian Fusion places. -Duck fat fries - I liked these. -Suckling pig bao - I liked the flavor, but it is kind of overrated in the yelp reviews. I'm guessing these people ha
(4)Danny F.
Was a little unsure coming to eat here for the first time, but it was such a treat. I had a side of kimchi and XO corn as apps, and they were probably the most multidimensional versions I have had of either. The kimchi was really quite spectacularly balanced between spicy, sour, sweet, and it also had kale (?) in addition to the regular cabbage. Definitely a hit. The corn was also fabulous, with a housemade XO that added a lot of flavor to the fresh corn's natural sweetness. Entrees consisted of char sui pork ravioli and fried catfish. Ravioli was kind of amazing. I love any meat-stuffed ravioli, but this was perfectly cooked and portioned. The bacon in the sauce really added something too. Catfish was the least successful dish. The fish itself was pretty bland, but really crunchy, and needed the wonderful sauce swimming underneath. But once you soak it in the sauce, you loose the crunch. So this was an issue with composition rather than cooking technique. I like that Shojo is pretty aggressively creative, which being reasonably priced and mostly successful. I'll keep coming back. What I am baffled by is the location. I don't know who it's clientele is supposed to be. Most people go to Chinatown to try and get an authentic experience. And this is the total opposite. It really needs to be relocated to a much hipper location, or at least one where people will actively go to appreciate.
(4)Gazelle T.
I'd give the drinks 4 stars and the food 2. We got the duck dumplings--too much duck filling, too dry, too salty, and only a microscopic smidge of parsnip puree on the plate to go with them. I ordered the ravioli, and it was incredibly boring and pedestrian. It was supposed to be 'Char Siu Pulled Pork, House Smoked Bacon, Chinese Celery, Shaved Perorino' which sounds really exciting, but it was just too salty, too heavy, too creamy. The pasta was doughy and the heavy cream sauce overwhelmed the other flavors and the pork was BORING. And I love pork. My boyfriend ordered the duck and it was all right, but I thought the stuff it came with (couscous and a simply dressed vegetable) were pretty boring. I'd give them another chance because the drinks were really good, but I'd be cautious about ordering food.
(3)Kevin M.
Great spot in Chinatown with a cocktail and Japanese beer list to beat anything you can find elsewhere. Food is Japanese inspired and trendy (especially the cocktails and the vibe), no disappointments any where.
(5)A T.
I had lunch at Shojo recently, my first time at the restaurant. It may be the only restaurant in Boston's Chinatown that meets all of these criteria: it is super clean, has contemporary and stylish decor, and very good and innovative food and bar menus. I tried two appetizers and a main course along with two non-alcoholic drinks. The drinks were very excellent, tasty and unique. I highly recommend the superb Shojo Punch ($4.00), which was a blend of fruity juices, much better than I expected for a fruit punch. I also recommend the unique and interesting homemade lemongrass soda ($5.00). The appetizers and main course all were ready at the same time and brought to me together. I particularly liked the corn appetizer ($4.00). The distinctive flavorings used made this dish a great one. The almond-covered shrimp balls ($5.00) were good, but the almond texture and flavor were over-powering. Instead, I'd recommend that they lightly dust the shrimp with almond powder rather than cover the shrimp with almond slices. The main course of drunken chow foon noodles ($8.00) was also good. It included chicken, shrimp and vegetables. I had expected the appetizers to be smaller portions, so I ended up ordering too much. Next time, I'd probably get one or two dishes, not three. I will be back to Shojo. It is an excellent new addition to Chinatown.
(4)Heather G.
As is often the case, I disagree wholeheartedly with the Yelp community in aggregate. 4 stars? not a chance. 2 stars, 3 on a good day. Here are the takeaways: 1. On a Friday night, the restaurant was nearly empty. 2. The food is only OK. not great, and way too much money for the quality and portion size. 3. The drinks are really expensive ($10-11), small, and hit-or-miss 4. The waitstaff is over-attentive - some of you know what I'm talking about here. They hover around your table, watching your plates, and the second a plate is empty, they swoop in with an "i'll take this out of your way". Makes me feel like i'm being watched, but this really could be due to #1 above more than anything. Luckily, great company and conversation made my experience awesome, but because i brought that with me myself, i can't give the restaurant any credit for it! What we had: Egg's nest ($15) - We ordered this because it was written up in a food column and looked interesting. Basically, it was a pile of pasta and shrimp mixed with bean sprouts and (heavy!) peanut sauce. On top was a "nest" (that looked like a cargo net) made of egg. The egg screen on the top was delicate, but the flavor did not mix well with the rest of the dish. Come to think of it, i don't think the flavors in the dish mixed too well with each other at all: pasta, heavy/thick peanut sauce, baby shrimp, egg. Separately, they were all OK, but together, they were fishy/eggy/sweet. I wouldn't order this again. Fried Oysters ($9) - these sound good in theory but are sub par in execution. A fried oyster is laid in its shell with some crispy egg noodles, a bit of kimchi sauce, and some paprika aioli. There are three small oysters on a plate for $9, and they taste more fishy than anything. The waiter, as we attempted to ingest these, had to come out and tell us how the chef likes them to be eaten, and how, oppositely, he recommends them to be eaten. Apparently there's some debate on these, because they're tough to eat (and are in a pool of sauce, so be careful tipping the shell to your mouth!), and the diners, waiters, and chef have all rung in. My opinion? Just don't eat them at all. They're OK, but not as good as the bao or the pork rib, so I'd save my money and apply it to that instead. There, problem solved! Duck fat fries ($6) - Small order for $6, but still you're going to need to ask for extra sriracha mayo. These are more thin-cut (thinner than Belgian-style but just a tad thicker than shoestring), crispy (perhaps a bit overdone), and taste like they were fried in leftover onion ring oil...not that there's anything wrong with that :) Though I found them a small order for the price, and not the best duck fat fries that have ever crossed these lips, they're a great munch-y snack when you're here having cocktails. fried pickles ($5) - what I liked about these pickles was that they were very thinly sliced (almost "shaved"), and very thinly battered. However, they were also entirely too greasy and salty for my taste, but to each his own. Suckling Pig Bao - sparsely stuffed, but the meat was tasty (fatty). The dough was nice and thin, but still fluffy and chewy. Well-executed, but at 2 to an order for $8, could really buy you a bit more stuffing! pork ribs ($8) - sweet, sticky, REALLY fatty, but fell off the bone. The introduction these was something like: "try these, Heather, they jump off the bone into your mouth"...which I thought was a ridiculous statement until i put one even NEAR my pie-hole. Barely a touch and the meat falls into your mouth and down your gullet (that sounds appetizing, i know, but you get the point). If you can get over the extreme fattiness of the ribs, the flavor and tenderness will blow your mind. Drinks: Reiko Greene - gin, green chartreuse, lime, cucumber ice ($11) - this was a small drink for $11 and the glass was mostly taken up by the cucumber ice cube. While the drink was tasty, one will not be enough for an evening - a dinner may require you to have 3 or 4, as they are on the small-side. The great part about this drink, though, is the muddled cucumber ice cube. After the beverage was emptied, the ice block remained, and you can pour your water over the cube and enjoy all evening. MMM tastes like a spa. Gin gin mule ($10) - thanks to the lovely Gram, I'm obsessed with these. They make them at Posto and they're completely addicting. I saw it on the menu here and jumped on it. Those who love the Posto GGM, beware - this isn't close to the same. This one is much sweeter (and less alcoholic?). I wasn't a huge fan, because it didn't taste at all like gin - it was more like sweet ginger with ice. SO, in summation, I'd say this is an OK place for a cocktail and maybe a nibble (pork ribs, bao, and maybe duckfat fries), but shouldn't be the main event of your evening. Stop off before heading to whatever else your Chinatown evening entails - Taiwanese food, soup dumplings, Peking duck, whatever.
(2)Katia M.
Solid food. Hit this place for lunch and was NOT disappointed. Cool wall mural, nice staff, short but very sweet menu; options for vegetarians -- basically, everything I needed for a quick and happy lunch.
(4)Tammy K.
I'm a little torn over this review. On one hand, I think Shojo is a really neat concept, and I like what they've done with the space, especially with the wall depicting the journey of the monkey (classic Chinese folk-tale). However, I don't know if a place like this will survive in a neighborhood rife with chinese food at a third of the price. We came on a Saturday night during prime dinner hour, and there was only one other table around. We shared the duck fat fries, pork buns, short ribs, steak, and salmon. The food was plated nicely and pretty good, but with all of the other delicious options nearby, I don't think I will be back anytime soon for dinner. It is a nice place for cocktails, though, if you are in the area.
(3)Allison E.
This place was wonderful. Great service, and incredibly tasty food. We had an appetizer special which was corn with kimchi and cheese in the sauce. It was so good and looked interesting (with half of the corn in husks), we almost ordered a second order, but there were other dishes to try. The duck fat fries were good, with a spicy aioli. And the Bai pork bun was really good (tho you have to like fat). I wasn't eating gluten, and found the restaurant staff so helpful in guiding me to gluten-free choices. Yum! I wasn't drinking so can't rate the cocktails. Also, a fun moving was playing, which I have to rent: Shaolin Soccer.
(5)JIllian N.
Hip place for 20 something Friday night. Inventive drinks, cool scenery. Food best shared as tapas amongst a group. They were out of the specials.
(3)B J.
Service was excellent. We were an hour late for a reservation due to insane traffic and we had to make a show. The folks here didn't even bat an eyelash. It was all smiles and accommodation. The food was as excellent as the other reviews indicate. We had the fries, the bao, noodle salad, Malaysian chicken, and cocktails. It was all so welcome after battling traffic.
(5)Krisha C.
Awesome spot in Chinatown. From the outside you can tell it's a cool spot and completely differs from the neon signs in the window of the other restaurants. Super cool vibe throughout the place from the decor to the menu selections. They are basically all tapas style. The calamari is okay, nothing I haven't had before but the rice is delish! Service is also a big reason why this place is getting a 5 star. The drink menu can be confusing and I ended up with an old fashion( I thought it was a whiskey base with added liquid flavor a based of the description but it wasn't) but I didn't want to complain however the server noticed and contacted the manager to get me another drink. Great initiative on her end and super thoughtful. Also one of the serves spilt water in my friend and got our party of 6 a round of shots, I've had serves spill water on my phone and didn't get an apology so his actions were above and beyond. They don't take reservations but cool place for birthday dinners, girls night, or all the above.
(5)Ami P.
Really good tapas yes yes yes! Sauces were on point! Wut tang tiger style ribs :) Shrimp Bao DELISH And salt and pepper Calimari WITH DA SAUCE YASSS so good SOOO good!
(4)Logan J.
I came here for dinner recently, and based on others' reviews, I was excited. Even though Shojo has a somewhat limited menu, everyone seemed to be raving about it. It won a few best of Boston awards, including their french fries, so I figured it would be pretty good. It definitely wasn't a bad choice of restaurant, but I would change a few things. Before I talk about the food or drink though, I will say that online, the site states they only take reservations for parties of 10 or more; however, if you use an app called 'Reserved,' you can book reservations for smaller parties AND you get $25 off your meal! Basically...do it now! The restaurant itself is hip. Boston's Chinatown isn't a place where I would tell trendy 20-somethings to go on a date night, but this place isn't like a lot of the rest of the neighborhood. It has a cool vibe with fun decor and interesting graffiti murals. I have to say though that I got a few wafts of some bad B.O. from what I'm guessing was the staff as they were running around our table. I get it...it is a warm night in Boston...but come on. To start, we ordered a round (or a few) of drinks. My favorite drink that I had was the Kamehameha drink. It has Thai chili-infused vodka and coconut milk (with a few other things). It reminded me of one of my favorite drinks at Mission Chinese, so I was pretty happy about that. The food is an odd assortment of larger plates and small appetizer/tapa portions. We ordered the fries, shrimp bao, calamari, and maiz ramen. Like I said, nothing was bad...I just wanted a little more from the food. It may have been our selection, but every. single. item. came with the SAME SAUCE!! Is that weird? Yes, that is weird! I love a sriacha aioli as much as the next guy, but let's get a little more creative, please. The shrimp bao were my favorite item--delicious shrimp and a good amount of sauce. The maiz ramen was unique--it was a large portion of noodles in a small amount of broth. It was definitely not your standard ramen, but a nice surprise. Overall, the experience was a fine--a solid three stars. I felt a little bit rushed through the meal, but on a Saturday night, I guess that is to be expected. I'd come back with friends for a couple drinks or snacks, but I think there are better places to grab dinner nearby.
(3)Sarah C.
A quick update, about 2 years down the line. EVERYTHING IS SO FREAKING GOOD. Pork Bao - awesome. Eggplant - sooooooooo delicious, and a great portion to share. Wu-Tang Ribs - the name alone is fantastic, but these are some of the best ribs I've ever had. No joke. They need to serve wet naps though. Now i'm salivating and it's not even lunch time yet. Thanks guys. Chicken & Waffles - HOLY CRAP. I'm not even going to say anything else here cause if you don't get them, it's your own damn fault. And - as it was last time - the service was stellar. The end.
(5)Amanda P.
Wow when I say this place is extremely loud it's loud. I could barely hear what my friend was saying to me across the table, we had to scream at each other. The place is wicked small and the tables are sort of cramped together. The portions are extremely small too. The ribs just came right off the bone AMAZING The pork baos were pretty good I'm not sure it's worth the hype.
(3)Cristina R.
The samurai over at Shojo sure know how to fuse Asian fare. It's something that seems out-of-place in the more traditional - and grungy - Chinatown. And I welcome its presence. The cocktails are inventive - get the Kamehama even though chili vodka, lime, and coconut milk sound like a gross combo. You'll feel tingly, refreshed, and downright hip. Make sure to upgrade those award-winning duck fat fries to "shadowless" for a delightfully different type of poutine. Sausage, tofu, gravy, and kimchee velveeta (!!!) top a mound of fries that are just begging to be devoured. Skip the salt n peppa calamari. They are too breaded with no flavor, so essentially it's just chewy fried with a lackluster aioli. If you're looking for a bigger dish, go with the sweet corn ramen. It's not a soup but rather ramen noodles in a thick broth with veggies and an egg to perfectly drip its yolky goodness over everything it touches. We finished the meal by splitting a bottle of soju. It literally tastes like alcoholic water. But considering we were at Shojo, soju just seemed right. The graffiti mural, dim lighting, and windows overlooking Chinatown create a sense of a joint only for the most progressive Asian fusion aficionados. That may not be me - but I can pretend.
(4)Mary T.
Too much fusion leads to confusion. I like fusion food because highlights the chef's creativity and understanding of what kinds of foods and flavors go together. But sometimes when one attempts to mix too many unrelated ingredients together, it leads to confusion on the palate. I came here on a couple of occasions for drinks and food since my last review. I think the drinks are great but the food from the kitchen has not been up to par. I tried the chicken and waffles. I thought the idea was brilliant, but the execution was poor. I love Hong Kong egg waffles and Taiwanese salt and pepper fried chicken and the two seem to go together if they were done correctly, but there were a lot of technical issues with the dish. First, the egg waffles were too cake-y and dough-y. Second, the chicken was too salty. Third, the syrup that they used was really weird. It tasted like a fireball shot. They should work on their menu. This place is good for drinks. Stick with ordering duck fat fries if you want some snacks.
(3)Vincent H.
Need to come back here at night for dinner but this place is not bad if you want to grab a drink and share some appetizers with some friends. Grabbed a few beers and had some nice duck fat fries with Sriracha Dip. Bartenders and servers were pretty nice and this place isn't bad if you want to come with a small group of friends for drinks too! Although it'll add up a lot in my opinion.
(4)Kelsey F.
Food is phenomenal. Amazing flavor profiles. We ordered the duck fat fries (small portion, but perfect crunchiness), suckling pig boa (delicious boa), tiger style ribs (meaty not meager), calamari, shojiko chicken tacos (a MUST HAVE), along with a corn/ramen dish that was very tasty but a bit rich. Our waitress was super sweet and cocktails were innovative. My only complaint is the restaurant's reservation system. They use an app called Reserve and it is the only way to get in touch with someone. They do not answer their phone. We had to slightly modify our reservation and it took forever!! Furthermore, the app charges a $5 concierge fee for reserving the table. Highly unnecessary.
(4)Alexa R.
If you ever get the balls to take a dude on a date, this is the place to bring them. It's the only place in Boston with any ounce of character and flavor. Please don't bring your parents from out of town/drunk-white-top 20-girlfriends/non Busta Rhymes fans. I've always had an acute appreciation for hip hop culture as well as asian fusion cuisine and Shojo delivers both precisely. The actual restaurant is on the smaller side so do yourself a favor and call ahead for seating. Last time I had to wait over an hour (fair game for a Friday night) and wanted to punch myself in the face with brass knuckles for not making reservations. They have one restroom for men and women so you have to wait in line and the entire restaurant can see that you have to pee/poo/do blow which can be a little unsettling. I prefer to give myself affirmations in the mirror. The menu is solid and the best thing you will ever order AND eat are the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs. If a hundred people already hadn't, I would tell you they ain't nothin to fuck with. Second runner up Suckling Pig Bao. Some of the trannies I was with had the duck fat fries and udon noodles and they loved them . If you absolutely neeeeeeeeeeed a ridiculous, over-the-top drink they can certainly accommodate you. If you can take an über there without breaking the bank than I say you should as the streets in chinatown are not wide enuf for a horse let alone a Prius. If you leave here and have consumed the world's greatest tiger meat ribs made from actual tigers and did NOT love it, well then congratulations you are the worst person in the world.
(5)Danae K.
Absolutely amazing. Simple as that. The Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs just melt in ones mouth. Slowly cooked and an explosion of flavors takes place from the first bite. Second best were the Sesame Charred Greens. Great to balance any meal. Japanese Eggplant Bao were also great! For drinks we had the Cold Tea for Two, (oolong tea infused vodka, peach de vigne, lemon) which was great! Best part about this place was the waiter. He had excellent, thorough knowledge of every dish, which is a great indicator of a restaurant. Location: in the heart of Chinatown. Close to south station (red line), Chinatown (orange line), Boylston (Green line). Definitely a highly recommended place!
(4)Rajan G.
One of my favorites on Boston. I frequent this place as I live across the street. Can't really go wrong with any item (except for their one dessert item, a pound cake that isn't bad but isn't terribly good either). First timers should definitely get the kimchi fried rice. Their bao is also baomb! Service is always excellent.
(5)Jay K.
Great customer service, nice staff here. The food was good, but I was a bit disappointed in the waffles and chicken. The waffles could have been better. It was good over all though. We also got some spicy rice which was good. I think another visit is in order so I can explore more of the menu.
(3)Hannah P.
I had always been curious about this place and like that their menu changes seasonally. Friday after work I stopped in here for an early dinner with one of my best friends who was visiting. The space is pretty cool. It's fairly dark inside with some graphics on the walls, industrial-sleek furnishings and a large bar. Food-we ordered the suckling pig bao which was fantastic. Spicy, savory and sweet all at the same time on a dreamy steamed bun. It was topped with an extra hot jalapeno that added a nice crunch and balanced well with bbq sauce. We also ordered the duck-fat fries and you betta believe we made them shadowless which were excellent (topped with grilled beef, cheese sauce, and tofu (I know, I judged before tasting too but it was good). The Wu-tang ribs were on-point and truly fell right off the bone, like legitimately picked one up and it happened. Gooey, spicy, and topped with fried shallots because why not? Lastly, we ordered the Thai empanadas which had a nice filling of beef and spices but the emps were deep fried and fairly greasy to the point that we will have to pass on that one next time. Drinks-We ordered the "cold tea for two" which is deceiving because it arrives in a hot looking tea kettle but have no fear, it's cold and basically pure vodka infused with fruity goodness. It isn't overly sweet but two small palm size teas cups and you will be in a happy place. Service--they rocked it out. Multiple people came over and asked how everything was and if we had everything we needed. We chatted with a couple waiters because well they were nice, checked in with everyone and service was quick! Eager to see what new items pop up on their menu!
(4)B W.
Shojo is the best restaurant in Boston if you want interesting food but aren't willing to sacrifice taste. Even the drinks are some of the best in the city. I've been twice now and couldn't believe the 2nd time lived up to the first.
(5)Christina P.
Great tapas and drinks! Had the duck fat Hand-cut fries, crispy shrimp boo, and the shojiko chicken tacos, All really delicious!! Make sure you get the fries shadowless, the meaty sauce is so good over the fries. The chairman's painkiller and Kimoto sour drinks are really good too! Also had the Mizu sunrise, it was good, but a little on the bitter side. If u like bitter drinks then it would be for u! I'm sure getting anything at this place would be fantastic!
(5)Katrina L.
I booked a reservation for my boyfriend's birthday here using the Reserved App. If you go through the app you can book a reservation for parties less than 10 and it makes splitting the check a breeze! This place is my jam, throwback hip hop music in the background and graffiti art on the walls. The service is great and for a party of 7, our food came out pretty quick. My boyfriend and I shared: Kimchi fried rice (Pretty good!) Wu tang style ribs (Fall off the bone kind of meat! So good) Shojiko chicken tacos (my favorite) As a table we shared the duck fat fries, and yes the fries do deserve the best fries in Boston award! Get them shadowless! Drinks: Chairman painkiller: A little too sweet for me Gin Gin Mule: my favorite! Kamehamhea: Interesting mix of chili and coconut milk Nikka Please: My boyfriend got this and it was very strong! Overall, it was a great dining experience! I would definitely go back! Also, thanks to the guy who hooked us up with some free birthday shots :)
(5)Kimberly T.
Came here for dinner with a friend, and immediately as we walked in we were attacked by the horribly loud music blasting in the restaurant. There were not many people when we arrived, but after ordering our food the place was filled with people who were all trying to speak over one another and the loud music. The food here is interesting - they serve asian fusion dishes, which is odd in a place like Chinatown. We ordered a bunch of appetizers, and the ones that stood out the most were the duck fat fries with sriracha aioli and the suckling pig baos. I also got a kimchi fried rice, but there was nothing special about it. The staff here are somewhat attentive. My server constantly checked up on us after we got our food but when we were seated we waited a while before we were approached. Overall, not really impressed by this place - really pricey small portioned food with no wow factor - though I can say that the fruit punch is really good but really not worth $5. You're better off going to Crave down the street to grab some food.
(3)Amber M.
Asian fusion is a difficult line to straddle as the flavors are easily thrown off balance. In Shojo's case I found the food either too sweet, salty, or just lackluster. Let's break it down: 1. Hamachi sashimi - there are few Japanese inspired dishes I love more than hamachi. But Shojo's made me forget this momentarily. What was supposed to be fresh, delicate pieces of tender yet firm white fish were limp fishy petals that taste like they were forgotten in the back of the fridge for a day too long. The avocado smear was its tired, uncreative companion. The dish was salty. 2. Suckling pig bao. This was tasty, but they were the darnedest, tiniest things that made me sad thinking I could've gotten just as good bao for a third of the price at a "real Chinese" restaurant across the street. Order came with two for a shocking $9. 3. Duck fat fries. Wait - how is this Asian? Good tho. 4. Wu-tang ribs. Okay I have to hand it to them, these were cooked spectacularly. Tender, not too lean or fatty. The fault here was in the sauce, which was heavy-handed, almost sickly sweet, too salty Asian BBQ that circles back to my anxiety about fusion in the first place. Of course I still scarfed down the whole thing because I'm Asian and we don't waste food. I'm sorry Shojo, I won't be coming back.
(3)Connie K.
cute trendy bar in Chinatown drinks are seriously overpriced, I don't think I pay this much in Miami! ranges from $10-25 on average per drink. one restroom for the whole bar seems silly. bartender was rude, said because we were sitting at a table, we couldn't order drinks at the bar. I never saw a single waiter come up to our table to serve us drinks. the place itself is cute, the decor and mural were very cool. place gets a little noisy.
(3)Asael D.
Ran into this place unexpectedly waltzing around Boston and only had $20 got jasmine rice and ribs and it was a party in my mouth for my friend and I definitely recommend this place to anyone who has good taste!!!
(5)Mika S.
Is there a Chinese word for "tapas"? Most of the menu options are under $10, but I don't suggest ordering just one thing - similar to other tapas restaurants, the best way to enjoy Shojo's food is by sharing a few items with a friend. Some of the menu items are smaller, and only shareable between two people. I went to Shojo with 4 other people on a Friday night. We ordered the Shojonator, Kimchi Fried Rice, Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries, two orders of the Suckling Pig Bao, Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs, Shojiko Chicken Tacos, Salmon Tartare and the Thai Empanadas. My favourites were the Kimchi Fried Rice, Duck Fat Fries and the Wu Tang Ribs. The fried rice had a very unique flavour, and tasted fantastic with the fried egg on top. I loved the ribs, because the sauce was amazing, and the meat literally fell off the bone. I also thought that the fries were surprisingly delicious, especially for a restaurant that specializes in Chinese food. Overall, I enjoyed everything that we ordered, but it didn't have the same "wow factor" that the ribs, fried rice and fries had. Although we didn't go for drinks, we got the Cold Tea for Two. It had a very strong vodka taste, but was balanced out nicely by the tea.
(4)Khunravin H.
Came here with some friends Friday night while we waited for our names to be called at Crave Chicken. I've always heard of this establishment, but never tried, but am sure glad that I did! Drinks: Not sure of the bartender/mixologist's name but he seemed so focused and crafty with how he prepared my drink and my friends' drinks. I had the a-go-go - OMG so good (find their drink menu and see the full name for the drink HAH). My friends enjoyed their drinks as well (The Jungle Fever and Komoto Sour). Atmosphere: Wow, it was quite crowded. We just stood at the bar because that was more convenient than waiting for a table. Hipster-ish, I dig it. They had some old Chinese movies playing in the background-pretty cool. Price: Well for what went into my drink, I think the $13 tag was worth it. There was no cover to get in so that was cool. Definitely coming back here again. Do try this place out.
(4)Kunal C.
Dined here with the wife on a Saturday night, place was packed. The decor is cool and modern. They have a lot of small tables (2-4 ppl) and a few larger tables for bigger groups. There is also a bar area you can grab a drink at while you wait. We were seated within minutes of arriving, service was attentive and fast. We tried the kimchi fried rice, duck fat fries, wu-tang tiger style ribs, shojo chicken tacos and suckling big pao. We weren't big fans of the duck fat fries but everything else was delicious! We especially loved the ribs, a must try.
(5)Emily A.
Went here a few nights ago to catch up with a friend. Loved the vibes of this place and the service was excellent! The location is also pretty prime in the heart of Chinatown. The drink menu is plentiful, but we just got some beers. Which by the way, they have some imported beers. We got the duck fat fries which were salty and delicious. For our meals, we got the Bang Bang Bolognese (highly recommend) which was not super heavy, but definitely filling. Just right. We also got the pig bao which was served warm and sweet.
(4)Samantha L.
Tonight, I came here with a couple of female friends. Shojo is a small Asian fusion restaurant in Chinatown. It's encouraged to make a reservation ahead of time as space is limited. It's hard to describe the atmosphere. There was graffiti art on the charcoal colored brick walls. They had both regular and tall table seating. The lights were dimmed. We sat at a L-shaped booth in the corner. I'd say it was kind of an intimate setting. Since it's tapas style, it's typical for a person to order at least two dishes for dinner. For citrus based cocktails, my friends and I would recommend the Cold Tea for Two, Gin Gin Mule, and Kimoto Sour. The Cold Tea for Two was served in a metal teapot. It tasted like a sweet, peachy flavored oolong tea. It reminded me of Barefoot's Tropical Infusion Moscato. One could barely tell that there was alcohol in it. We were disappointed that they were sold out of their most popular menu item - the Suckling Pig Bao with smoked BBQ sauce, kimchi, and jalapeno. My two favorite dishes of the night were the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs and Spag-n-Ball Z. Guest #1 ordered the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs (which was garnished with Thai basil, shallots, and peanuts) and Kimchi Fried Rice (which was jasmine rice cooked with homemade kimchi and topped with a sunny egg). Despite my peanut allergy, I had to try one of the ribs. The ribs were juice / mouthwatering. They were heavily seasoned in white pepper and covered in a tangy, red, mildly spicy, sweet and sour sauce. Guest #2 ordered the Bang Bang Bolognese (which was hand slapped noodle with beef, in a redish orange szechuan peppercorn sauce). Guest #3 ordered the Spag-n-Ball Z (which was squid ink shrimp dumplings with chopped spinach, enoki mushrooms, and parsley in a coconut lime broth). This dish had a Thai flare to it as the soup had coconut, curry, and lemongrass in it. The Miso Littleneck Clams (which was more than a dozen medium sized littleneck clams served in a tip dish, over jasmine rice, in a red miso sauce, garnished with cilantro). The clams were fresh and clean. However, I felt that the flavor of the clams was on the bland side. The sauce on the bottom of the dish was sweet and buttery.
(4)Rachel N.
When I saw Hong Kong waffles style chicken&waffles, I made sure this spot would be paid a visit! It's a very trendy place, tiny, yet enough seating. Our waiter told us it was a tapas style restaurant and recommended we order 5-6 items. Salt&Pepper Calamari - good calamari with a peppery twist! There were fried onions and peppers within the sea of calamari though, so it was an obstacle to figure out which I wanted to consume (wanted squid only). A struggling fight. Bang Bang Bolognese - one of the better dishes for me (I was the only 1/3 that liked it though). The meat sauce had an Asian flare, and the noodles tasted homemade. Salty though. Wu Tang Tiger Ribs - only 3 ribs, too salty for us, even for the other 2 people that move salty foods compared to me. Kimchi Fried Rice - the favorite of the other 2. The egg was a wonderful touch. I enjoyed this dish more than the other dishes, and I hate kimchi. Chicken&Waffles v2.0 - the dish I came for. Everything about the dish was different from the original, so I was hoping the syrup was too. It was just maple syrup. For me, it did not compliment the spices of the chicken whatsoever. The chicken was on the dry and salty side too. My least favorite of the 5 we ordered. Overall, I don't think it's the restaurant's fault. I blame my lack of enjoyment due to my basic palate, and I couldn't appreciate the Asian fusion creativity.
(3)Jenn S.
I don't typically give 5 stars but this place was MORE than I expected so for now it gets my 5 star! I have had this place bookmarked for awhile so when a friend suggested it I was in. We did quite the walking to get there and then there it was on a side street tucked away! It has a very cool, young vibe and the artwork really knocks up the cool points. I heard they change up the menu frequently so that is exciting. Here is what we had: Big Mac Mantou - Amazing I heard from the table. Calamari - I'm not a huge fan in general but I thought this was good! Kimchi Fried Rice - Can't really go wrong with this and its a larger tapas size. Chicken & Waffles - Really good. I loved the waffle. Ribs - These had a lot of cartilage on them but overall were good. Charred Eggplant Ddukbokki - SO GOOD! Taro Tots - I was surprised at these because I expected something else but it was one of my favorites. Staff was also really nice and they had good drinks. I will be back!
(5)Tom L.
First time there A plus! It's been a while that I received great service eating at a restaurant. I had a server named Jenny who is awesome and she explained the meals to my bros and I and the food was bomb. I would come here for drinks and food. If you are looking to be full from food, not the spot to dine at. This spot is for chilling out and have some drinks. Better service than any restaurant in Chinatown and that's a fact!
(5)Joyce L.
Food: 3 stars Drinks: 4 stars Service: 5 stars Seriously, is Shojo allowed to be this cool? How are the other chinatown restaurants supposed to keep up?? This place is the definition of hip: the interior is chic, the atmosphere is intimate, but not to the point where you feel squished in like sardines and the food/drinks are on par. Again, I sound like a broken record, but I'm not a fan of fusion... but I am willing to make an exception for Shojo. I can come here 3 times a week... If not for the food, definitely for the drinks and the excellent service. To be honest, the food was nothing out of this world. The best thing I had was, without doubt, the chicken&waffles ver. 3.0. I didn't use the butter or the syrup because I loved the subtle sweetness of the "waffle", making it the perfect counterpart for the spiced chicken. The infamous pork bao was expensive for what it was and I've had better. The wu tang ribs were "fall off the bone" tender, but too salty/too much sauce for my liking. ONTO THE DRINKS: the kimoto sour is where it's at! I ordered the gin gin mule as my 2nd drink of the night because of all the yelp love and it is definitely for ginger lovers and no one else LOL. I had ginger breathe for a good hour or 2 after dinner... how lovely. SERVICE: the bar was backed up so there was a delay in getting drinks out (maybe 10-15 min?). For that, they didn't charge us for our drinks. Please tell me... where else, in chinatown, will you get this kind of service! NOWHERE
(4)Leslie W.
Just had cocktails which were fantastic and innovative twists on classics. Did not have food since I was in the middle of a bender but everything coming out of the kitchen gave me serious food envy. Bartenders were friendly and knowledgable. Excellent exploratory trip and I will be back!!
(5)Yadira R.
So, you know that place you walk into and you're like, "Whoa, hold up! What's this all about?" feeling happy you stumbled upon what could be your new go to hip spot - and Arrested Development (remember them) is playing in the background, and you realize you can order something called "Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs", there is graffiti on the walls, and people from all walks of life are chilling at the bar bobbing heads? Well... Shojo is that place. A new addition to Boston, this modern Asian fusion restaurant serving tapas style dishes sits in the heart of Chinatown. While the place is small, the combinations of tables are ready to accommodate a party of any size. The sultry lighting and D+ kung fu movies playing on a continuous loop at the bar is a place where you can have some good food, drinks and just chill. Some of the highlights were the ribs mentioned above, pig bao's, salt & pepper calamari, but the BEST was the Kimchi Fried Rice. That dish right there is a no brainer and will always be ordered. You'll have to try it to understand. The best word to describe Shojo is SOLID.... the food's solid, the drink's are solid and how much better can it get with Wu Tang and H.O.V.A playing in the background? Oh, and we also heard they just won an award for their Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries. I guess something else to add to the list. The picture quality isn't great, but here are a few to give you an idea what you are in for.
(4)Shani T.
I have to say that Boston has incredibly interesting food options that definitely keep me on my toes. Came to Shojo for a Sunday dinner maybe a month ago, right when the restaurant opened. We were seated immediately and there were already a couple of other parties there as well right at opening. The staff were all extermely friendly and quick and the restaurant is very funky and cute. A bit modern, a bit hipster, dimly lit, with Asian dramas playing in the background. This place serves essentially Asian fusion tapas, which I found incredibly unique and creative. My boyfriend and I ordered the Duck Fat Hand-cut Fries, the Suckling Pig Bao, the Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs, and a noodle dish that I can't recall (and has already been rotated off the menu!). Overall, the food is quite good. There are a lot of different flavors to each dish, but they all mesh well together and aren't overpowering in any way. The four dishes we ordered were perfect for two people and I would recommend trying as many dishes as possible on the menu. I would definitely come here and eat again, particularly knowing their menu items switch so often. The cocktails also looked really good and you bet I'll be trying one out next time as well!
(4)Jeff M.
Sucks. Like everything in Boston, 10 years too late and a knockoff of NYC. Pork buns were terrible copies of Momofuku.
(1)Justin K.
This place is alright. Food is pricey for the amount you get, and it's pretty good but nothing amazing. The decor is definitely modern and geared towards a younger crowd. The good thing about this place is that you can sake bomb as much as you want and be loud and obnoxious. But be careful - before you know it you'll be racking up some serious bills.
(3)Phuong D.
It took about 10 minutes for a server to approach us and already it seemed like a bad start. My friend & I shared everything and was excited for the chicken & egg puff waffles but it was kind of a disappoint since the puffs tasted dry and mediocre. We were fantasizing that they would taste like the ones across the street. The chicken was good though. I loved the kimchee fried rice & the new crispy shrimp baos. Those were really yummy. I also had their jungle fever as a cocktail and that was pretty strong and good. For such a small place, there really isn't any excuse for someone to take 10 minutes to approach a table. The one that greeted us originally never really checked up on us either. Other staff members however, were keen on checking up with us, which was nice. Overall all, the experience wasn't great, but some of their food was good. They're always changing up their menu so I wouldn't mind trying again, but just not anytime soon.
(3)Daniel M.
Service is amazing. Servers are ready to take ur order amd make sure i are well taken care. We had drunk ass noodles...wow this is a must have. Had the bao tacos with the pork and today they have a special twist on the bao and they swapped pork for shrimp...AWESOME. The fried chicken And waffle was very crispy and the waffle very tasty. I was hesitant to order the carbonata as i dont see that having an asian twiay..but boy was i wrong. This chef kicks Ass no matyer what he serves... On the drink menu i had the Kamehameha.. Let me juat say thia is a freaking awesome twist on a pina colada..with kick and side of swagger...so good. I had 3 of them. The new and improved chicken and waffles has more 5 spice power so it is definately better than the last time. This is fried chicken kicked up a notch...if u are in chinatown, this place is a must have no queations asked...do your self a favor order the sesame charred greens..with the sesame lemon bitter..OMG..
(5)Jessica N.
I came for the chicken and waffles I saw on the page. Was it on the menu? No. Egg puffs are my kryptonite and was surely disappointed. We decided to stay anyways and try out the food. We had the duck fat fries which were bomb.com and the reason for the stars. The Sriracha aioli was heaven. We also had the baos but, no. No, no, no LOL. The outter bao tasted old, and the filling mediocre. We also ordered the ramen which was also, a no for me. We expected soup, yummy brothy goodness but got a plate with ramen and some kind of sweet sauce that I was not a fan of. So meh, food is meh. Atmosphere was pretty cool I guess.
(3)Chase S.
Killer place to hang out for drinks and a small bite in Chinatown. The atmosphere is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance meets Yakuza meets Hello Kitty. It certainly has flair and character. The staff are chill but know their stuff. Get anything on the drink menu and proceed to slurping. The Japanize old-fashioned and their take on the michelada are particularly noteworthy. Love the constant asian films in the background. It will remain a rad joint I frequent for years to come.
(4)Kaye L.
Amazing! I ate here a couple nights ago with a few friends and we all agreed that this place was bomb. It's more of a korean fusion place, as most of their dishes are korean-inspired, but we loved every bite! The food is oh-so-greasy, but oh-so yummy. We ordered the kimchi fried rice, duck fat fries, pig bao, chicken tacos, & their special of the day, which was a hot bibimbap-like dish. For those of you unfamiliar with bibimbap, it's a korean dish with noodles, bean sprouts, and an assortment of other veggies that can be served either hot or cold. My korean friend LOVED the kimchi fried rice. When you've got the korean's stamp of approval, you know it's good. Pork baos were very tender and juicy. DELISH The duck fat fries weren't anything special. They just tasted like regular fries to us. Chicken tacos were delicious, but also nothing special. Their special of the day was also so good that we were scraping up the bits and pieces in the end. Overall, everything tasted great. All of their dishes are very flavorful and at a great price point. I will definitely be returning here for more delicious-ness!
(5)Simon L.
With all the amazing Sichuan, Cantonese, northern Chinese and other Asian food in such close proximity, Shoju is simply not that good. The dishes are reminiscent of what constitutes an "Asian" twist or flair on just about any gastro pub in greater Boston. Scallops ($13) with black bean paste, snow peas and grilled watermelon are prepared to temperature - soft warm middle. Three decent sized scallops. However, the dish lacks flavor. The bbq pork ribs ($8) provide 3 sizeable baby backs with crisp exterior and meat falling easily from the bone. Again, lacking any serious flavor component - no rub? No sauce? Saving grace was a vegetarian mushroom ravioli ($11) with pecorino cheese. A bowl with seven or eight good size ravioli a with firm pasta. I missed the Asian influence entirely and thought this was straight out of an italian spot In the north end. The best dish of all was a kimchi fried rice ($9) with egg. Spicy cabbage and light and fluffy rice with a runny egg to mix in. Sweet, spicy, overall a total win. Expensive for what it is. Drinks are pricy too. Friendly service. Just kind if an odd duck place.
(2)Michael S.
I have been here twice. Food was good both times and the drinks were even better. Nice atmosphere for a younger crowd or to bring a date.
(4)Shirley E.
Nothing but stellar service and food from this place!!! I'm not a fried calamari fan, but the Salt & Pepper Calamari is DEEE-Lish! It's golden tan color (nit that dark heavy orange-ish), VERY lightly battered, and tastes like the squid was brought in from the harbor just hours ago. Also, try the Cold Tea for Two (Oolong Tea Infused Vodka, Peach de Vigne, Lemon), it's perfect for a hot summer night. I come here every few months since discovering it earlier this year and have yet to be disappointed with anything I try from the menu. Definitely one of the best Asian/Fusion restaurant/bars. (sn: it's ALWAYS loud, which can be annoying, but don't let that dissuade you from trying the food & drinks)
(5)Somaly K.
Love this place! Drinks are good, food is delicious and service is good. The menu is wicked small but I've found a few faves that I always order every single time I go. Only downside to this place is the restroom!! One bathroom to share for men and women!
(4)John D.
This place is pretty good. I've heard a lot about this place and it's been bookmarked for 2 years LOL. This place is really small compared to what I expected. So small groups of like 2-3 are best. On the bright side they have a huge drink selection ranging from draft beer, more beer, cocktails, wine, and sake! Suckling Pig Baos $9 for 2. A little pricey at first, I was hesitant but got it anyways LOL. I love how these baos are really fluffy and soft, they weren't wrinkly either and presentation's 1/2 the meal! The pork was pretty good! A nice chunk of meat, but I wish the fat had melted in my mouth doe. There was a squeeze of some type of bbq sauce that reminded me of gojuchang. The Shojonator with fries for about $11. I thought this was good price for the amount of food I got. I was so impressed that the baos were the substitute for the bun. The bao took in all of the juices that the meat couldn't hold in. There was some spicy flakes powder thing was also pretty good, making the bao taste even better! Everything else on the inside was the same like a normal burger; it had cheese, bacon, pickles, and some sauce. Kimchi Fried rice doe... Oh my $12 was mad bomb. The best thing today. LOL. Very crispy, just the way I like it. I loved how they used Jasmine rice instead of just typical white rice that you would find a normal restaurant. The Jasmine rice made everything so much better... If you've never eaten it before (like me) it reminded me a bit like sticky rice without the sticky-ness. I don't know how to describe this but I enjoyed this a lot.
(4)Tamara W.
This place is awesome! Came here last night at the recommendation of Boston Magazine and loved their cocktails. The ginger mule WAS GREAT the coconut milk one over crushed ice was to die for (but could be more spicey) and the avocado salad was great. We got a same day reservation at 9pm and arrived early and they seated us within 20 minutes. I loved the service, the vibe, and it reminded me of a NYC version of Myers and Chang in the South End. It was frigid by the window which is why it loses a start. In the dead of winter this place had literally no heating which was miserable for my friend. He was so cold we had to leave after a few hours. AND the food is wayyyyy toooo meaty and fatty so we only had the salad and the eggplant dish we could not even finish. Drinks: a must Food: go elsewhere.
(4)John Q.
Been four times now. Awesome food, cool ambiance, surprisingly good service. Two minor negatives are the single bathroom (very clean, especially considering it is unisex. The complaint is there'll likely be a line). Secondly, on a recent visit our party of seven was "gratted" (charged gratuity), which is not abnormal for a bigger party. What was sketchy was that, the grat was not on the initial itemized receipt it was simply added to the card, the waitress did not notify us of the grat, and the initial receipt was not returned with the charge slips. Bottom line, our waitress was definitely trying to get tipped twice. (As an aside, prior to this, our service had been so over the top excellent that our tip would have been 25-30%). Those two minor complaints aside, Shojo still gets a full five stars because the food is just that freaking good. Get there!, just watch what you get charged for!
(5)Jen D.
Came here with a large group for a friend's birthday. It's a really interesting Asian fusion menu. Normally I kind of side-eye fusion, but this was pretty good. Very hip interior. Could have done without the gory samurai movie though; not great for when you're eating. The cocktails were really good; everyone enjoyed theirs. I had the Gin Gin Mule, which had a good ginger bite--oftentimes I think the ginger gets lost. We ordered a variety of dishes. I don't think any blew us away, but they were fine. I got the hand-slapped noodles, but sadly, they arrived nearly 30 minutes after everyone else got the food. Also, it said it included Szechuan beef...and while the beef was generous in the dish, it wasn't spicy at all. So between no fire and really late arrival, I knocked off a star for that. Then it came to the bill: they only allow a max of 3 cards per table. My friends freaked, and asked to split our group into separate checks, which I know is bad form. I felt REALLY BAD for the servers because I know it's a huge pain. They were really gracious about it though, so I added a star. I'd come back.
(4)Virginia W.
Shojo is an interesting place. It's in the middle of Chinatown but they don't necessarily serve Asian food. I went right when it opened for an early lunch and there was no one there. The lunch menu is disappointingly small with only about 8 items. I got the Duck Fat Fries and Chicken and Bacon Sando. The Duck Fat Fries is pretty awesome- they're pretty standard fries but the sauce it comes with is full of flavor. The Chicken and Bacon Sando is what it sounds like- fried chicken, guacamole and bacon. The chips it comes with are seasoned with salt, pepper, sour cream and some sort of red spice that was absolutely delicious. Looking through the reviews, it looks like this place is better suited for dinner given the limited lunch menu. The price was OK. The chicken sandwich was $12 and the fries were $8. If you're expecting Chinese food then I would go somewhere else. If you want a mix then this would be a good place to try something new.
(4)Melinda N.
I came here for a late dinner. I ordered calamari which had this faint body odor like smell which turned out to be curry. I thought thecalamari could've been cooked a little bit longer so that it was crispier than it came out. I also had salmon tartare that was pretty interesting because it had beets on top. The drinks were tasty and on point. It was t crowded and we had a nice view of the somewhat small restaurant by the wall. It's loud for conversation. The service was attentive and polite.
(3)Sarah A.
Definitely improved since my last visit! The shojiko tacos with mochiko chicken are BOMB! Bursting with chicken and full of flavor. Nomnom. The cocktails are still 90% ice such is disappointing at their $11 price point (and the glasses are hella small) thus the 4 stars vs 5 stars. They have this dish called shadowless fries which consist of their duck fat fries topped with beef mabo tofu covered in melted American cheese. It is suuuuuper fatty but delish- like Chinese chili cheese fries. Genius idea!
(4)Rachel N.
So, like, you know that place you walk into and you're like, "I'm so effing hip for being here" - and Vanilla Ice is ironically playing on the speakers and you realize you can order something called "Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs", there is graffiti on the walls, patrons with undercuts and flat brim hats and you are happy? Shojo is that resto. Tucked off a random street in Chinatown, I forgot abt it until I was tasked with looking for a din spot for a presumably discerning palate and wanted it to be w/in walking distance of my house - I'm glad I finally made it - the menu is small - I think there are 8 things on it - ranging from duck fat fries and "taro tots" to suckling pig bao, miso little neck clams, and chicken & waffles w Szechuan peppercorn maple syrup - and while everything on there had an element that seemed a little off-putting, somehow dishes came together. There is no real order to the madness and things kind of come out as they are ready. The clams were totally my jam and if I could bathe in the miso butter in which they were drenched, I would - and the aforementioned ribs also got high marks. The dessert, brownies w a miso caramel, were not rich enough for my taste, but the addition of sesame + julienned basil was fine. Overall, not splurgy enough to even give me a sugar rush and feel reckless, so I was sad. Service is friendly, despite the fact that all of our waiters kind of looked like they had just stumbled in from a warehouse party in a loft down the street, it was totally professional and speedy. Music is rambunctious in a tongue-in-cheek pop way - I wouldn't return w my grandmother - lighting is a little sultry - and most importantly, they have a continual loop of some D+ kung-fu action movie playing over the bar. So. Basically. Super romantic. Prices range from $6-13, and portions vary accordingly. Plan on ordering two things per person and spending roughly $20 each, not including booze. Worth a trip, if for nothing else than a break from the monotony of my lovely, but standard, South End spots.
(4)Parker N.
I was excited to try out this restaurant especially for their chicken and Waffle but I was quickly disappointed that they didn't have it in their menu anymore even though the waitress mentioned it was a very popular item. Not only did they take out the chicken and Waffle but also half their menu. My experience was even worst when the restaurant couldn't even make any bao. If your looking for chicken and Waffle, they no longer serve it.
(2)E S.
Really underimpressed. Second time there for dinner and menu hasn't changed. Not sure how they keep the positive reviews. Also charged us $3 extra for requesting additional chips with our ceviche - poor form. Probably won't return.
(2)Noa C.
This place is amazing!!!! We started the night off with "Cold Tea for Two" which is an Oolong Tea Infused Vodka, Peach de Vigne, Lemon served in a tea pot. I still have tasty dreams about this. If you get nothing else, get this!! For dinner, we opted for a bunch of small plates instead of 2 entrees. We got (1) Asian Mushroom Medley, which was lovely, perfectly sauteed mushrooms with a soy/vinegar glaze (i think); (2) duck fat fries - fine, just regular duck-fat fries; (3)charcuterie board - a very interesting take on a meat board with an asian flavor profile, I highly recommend it; (4) for dessert: sesame balls with chocolate - delicious, though a bit greasy. We have another reservation coming up, so I will update my review if needed. I highly recommend this place!!
(5)Dorise G.
The place was very loud but the food was quite good - here's my rundown: Taro tots - a nice smokey bite. My friends were more into this than I was (there were 5 of us and 5 tots that looked kind of like small arancini). I'd eat it again, but probably wouldn't order it. Duck fat fries are what's uuuuup. Charred Eggplant Dhukbokki. Not sure what dhukbokki is without googling it (turns out it's a fish/rice cake with sweet red chili), but it was easily my favorite thing on the menu. The rice cakes were superb, and the melty cheesy mini cast-iron not only ate heartily and herbily on its own, but it was a nice perk for dipping those killer fries. We had 5 different waiters try to take the cast iron away from us, each time us practically slapping their hands away, saying "we're not done with that!" People, when there is saucy goodness in front of you, and you see us gobbing our fries up in it, why are you trying to take away our smack in the middle of our fix? Let my cast iron go. I'm pretty sure that's what moses said. Coconut milk mussels were tasty but maybe a bit too thoroughly cooked, and not very many for your buck. I liked the coconut rice a bunch tho. Kimchi fried rice - not too special, but tasty, homey, and filling. Chicken and waffles - polarizing for our crew. I wasn't overly impressed by either the chicken or the waffle, but my future-spouse loved the little waffle-pillows. I wanted to like them, I just didn't think they were particularly tasty, tho they were quite special to ogle - it looked kind of like a chinese checkers board. Or a stop sign made out of ravioli. Primary table of 5 consensus was waffle was fine, chicken was great, and I was the lone dissenter on both. As a non-pork eater I can't vouch either way for the ribs, but they got rave reviews from my dining cohort. Hand-slapped Bolognese - real tasty noodle. A shareable portion but not an easy-to-split pasta. We still made it work, and I'd definitely recommend. All in all, if I were to order just one of these dishes again, it would be the eggplant, hands down. Well, with a side of fries. Then I'd wait til it cooled down and bathe in it, floating on rice-cake rafts. Mmmmmmmmmm. Do yourself a favor and skip dessert. The mini-brownies had a weird dry texture and miso-sesame-caramel wasn't nearly as delicious as its menu listing suggested it might be. A bust after an otherwise solid meal. It ain't the cheapest thing in Chinatown but it's not unreasonable - after a table of drinks and a number of eats our bill came to about $30 a pop after tax and tip. I still prefer a less sleek venue for a lower pricetag and bigger portions when I'm hitting up chinatown, but I'd go back. My rice-cake eggplant raft awaits...
(4)Tiffany C.
This place is AH-MAZING. It's the shit. Seriously. My favorite place to come for drinks!!! And their bar bites omg. I don't think there was a single dish I DIDNT like. I love how all their dishes are very gourmet and each has an interesting taste. I recommend the grilled hanger steak with kimchi sauce!! It was so yummy. And their shrimp ball if it's still available for bar bites. Their drinks are inventive as well and they make great customized concoctions!! (I can be picky with my alcohol). Try EVERYTHING. You won't regret it! Plus, interior decor is different. It was styled with graffiti/brick kind of design in mind.
(5)Leanna L.
Two words. Food porn. This place has AMAZING food and a really awesome ambience. Went here on a Monday night, and we were greeted with friendly service. This was what we ordered- Cocktails: - Superhappyfunmakeagoodtimeagogo (agogo for short): amazing flavor and taste! - Morning Star: very citrus-y, definitely on the strong side! Food: - Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries (Shadowless): AMAZING. They were crisp and crunchy, and full of flavor with the shadowless option! They top it up with cheese, tofu and all other yummy goodness! - Hamachi Sashimi: This was absolutely delicious. The fish was fresh, and was topped with a salad that had the perfect kick of vinegar. Perfect to pair with the meatier dishes. - Shojiko Chicken Tacos: These were HUGE! Packed with loads of chicken and sauce, they were definitely very filling. - The Shojonator: Shojo's take of Wendy's Bacon Hamburger. This was so good - the bacon was still crisp and the beef patty was tender and juicy. The bun was so soft - I almost wanted to order a second! Overall, a very satisfied experience. Unfortunately, they were out of the Suckling Pig Bao, which was definitely something we wanted to try - but we will be back again! 5 STARS!
(5)Lester L.
Creative tasty cocktails. Everything tastes amazing, so much better than any other "Asian fusion" place. Really focuses on ingredient combinations that go well together. Get the Wu-Tang tiger style ribs (fall off the bone, amazing Thai basil sauce), shrimp or suckling pork bao, sweet corn mazeman, and the sesame charred greens!
(5)Catherine H.
Anything with the words "duck fat" is just going to be delicious. This is a known fact. The duck fat fries at Shojo are no exception. I came here for a post dinner snack and drinks with friends and this was the perfect location. The vibe is trendy and young. A stark contrast to the other buildings and restaurants in Boston's Chinatown. My favorite drink was the gin gin mule, it was so good I had two. It was a fun night out, but i wouldn't recommend coming here hungry. Chinatown has much cheaper and equally delicious meals at other restaurants. However, this place makes rocking drinks and again duck fat...
(4)S C.
Awesome food awesome drinks and great service, this place is a really cool addition to Chinatown. It's changing things up by being a more hip urban style restaurant as opposed to all of the more traditional Placed you'll find in the area. Feels like you walk into NY when you go in.
(4)Kevin M.
Food was great. Service was poor, we went for lunch and we were our server's only table and he wasn't attentive to when we need refills on our drinks.
(4)Ali S.
The atmosphere was pretty cool. Unfortunately, the food was pretty average. I was really excited about the pork buns, but they were out of them by the time we arrived (10:00 on a Friday). The calamari was ok. Wouldn't order it again. The chicken and waffle was actually pretty good. I was happy that it came with two drumsticks instead of a piece of white meat chicken (why do places do that?!). The waffle was also nice and light so I didn't feel like I had to be rolled out of the restaurant after I was done. The duck fat fries were awesome, but I think all duck fat fries are great, so I wouldn't say they are better than the typical ones. Still so good. The drinks were very very weak. I wouldn't order a cocktail here again after that experience.
(3)Rachel H.
I came here for dinner, and I didn't realize how tiny this place is! Luckily I was able to get a table right away. I tried the homemade ginger beer, duck fat fries, fried calamari, suckling pig bao, avocado salad, kimchi fried rice, ribs, and the pound cake dessert. The ginger beer was extremely potent!! Way too much ginger in it for me, and I usually love ginger. The duck fat fries were nothing special. They tasted like regular fries. The calamari was my favorite dish. The suckling pig bao was ok. It was a little messy to eat. The avocado salad was pretty good. The kimchi fried rice was tasty. The ribs were not memorable. They were drenched in too much sauce, too. And finally, the dessert was bad. It was more like sponge cake slices. And the alcohol in it was not cooked down at all. The alcohol made the whole dish soggy, too. The waitress was nice, but not very informative.
(3)Aly B.
Saw Shojo on Phantom Gourmet and had to stop in! Came in on a Wednesday night around 5 to a calm dining room with a few other tables filled. The wait staff was super attentive, took our order, and it was out so fast!! Decor is so cool, such an interesting modern vibe in otherwise traditionally themed restaurants in Chinatown. We shared the cold tea for two, calamari, kimchi fried rice, and pork bao. The tea was outstanding, super strong and definitely enough for two. High marks for the calamari and the pork bao but you MUST try the kimchi fried rice- outstanding! Salty, spicy, yum!! Solid experience, would have enjoyed a little more variety on the menu, but well executed and a nice quick dinner, would totally recommend if you're looking for something different to do in Chinatown
(4)Cyndi C.
Ok...most of u foodies out there must've tried this place once n came back for more. If u haven't yet, ur definitely missing out on the creative innovation of Asian fusion...comfort food! Omg...this place has the vibe, the foods, delish drink, good value...O did i mention, nice'looking ppl also?! Every few weeks, the chef switch up the menu to match the place's creativeness. I cant wait to go back! The Chicken & Waffle v2.0 is to die for! The littleneck clams is a must! Great for get-togethers or date nites!
(5)Jeremy S.
Shojo consistently serves some of the most interesting, tastiest dishes in the Boston metro area. Drinks are outstanding. The Gin Gin Fizz and Cold Tea for Two are particularly great. As for their variety of small plates, I've loved almost every one I've tried. The spare ribs, chicken and waffles, carbonara, duck fat fires, and pork bao are particularly great. The only dish I've ever had there that I recall being less than amazing was the Salt & Pepper Calamari, and even that only stood out because it was merely okay. Everything else is straight up great. Also, points for atmosphere. Nice decor and great -- old-school hip-hop -- music create a strong choice for after work apps and drinks.
(5)Créme F.
Went to Shojo for dinner with a friend. Servers were nice and attentive, enjoyed the inside decor and the throw back tunes. The cocktails, have to say, were very good, tasty and creative. The cold tea was pretty awesome. The food on the other hand was rather disappointing and pretty mediocre at best. We started with the Pig Bao, which was good. Along with the salmon tartare, which was ok - I didn't understand the seemed to be overly fried strips of skin or maybe they were bones, along with all the other flavors I really didn't think it went well, also not enough toasts served for the portion size. Also had the Salt Pepper Calamari, which was rather bland. When an item has Szechuan Peppercorns, I would expect to taste them. We thought it would get better with round two, it didn't. We had the Wu Tang Sliders (who wouldn't want to order them with that name), they were extremely fatty and barely had any meat on them. Also tried the Chicken tacos. Tacos were overfilled so sloppy to eat, pretty bland and tortillas were hard as a rock. We also sampled the Duck Fat fries, which were good. Overall, fun and funky decor with really excellent cocktails, but wouldn't return for the food.
(2)Christian K.
Went for an early saturday lunch. Server was friendly and helpful. There were no dogs in this line up. The baoswere so good we ordered more same goes for the fries with mapo dofu. The pressed sando and taco along with the hamachi salad made it a great meal.
(5)Karina L.
Had a great experience getting drinks here with friends and wanted to come back for food. The Gin Gin Mule is fabulous. The decor straddles classy and cool and is refreshingly modern, given its location in the heart of Chinatown. But, the food didn't justify its price, and I left with a disappointingly neutral impression of Shojo's food. I brought a Lactaid pill because I had known ahead of time I wanted to try the Lobster Rangoon. But, there were only three tiny 'goons, and I found out that lobster and imitation crab pretty much taste the same when they're folded into a bed of cream cheese and mascarpone cheese. The shrimp in our Soba Shrimp salad didn't taste "sake poached", but I didn't have too many opportunities to deliberate since we only had a couple of pieces in our dish, which was otherwise filled with fistfuls of raw red onion strips and not too much soba. My favorite dish was the chicken and waffles. The fried chicken was tasty and had crispy skin, and the waffles were the street waffles you get (looks like an egg carton, and you can pull balls of waffles off). It was fun, and an endearing Asian interpretation of chicken and waffles. But, knowing what the egg waffles could *actually* taste like, I was really disappointed that the waffles were cold, almost as if they were frozen and thawed improperly. Overall, a disappointing meal -- perhaps I ordered the wrong dishes? I was so eager to love Shojo, but looks like I'll be coming in for drinks only!
(3)A S.
No. First: All the patrons were white when I went there. This restaurant is in the middle of chinatown. do the math. the food is not really asian at all. go expecting this and perhaps you'll be happy. Second: Wait staff is not exactly rude but totally unpolished. Brought us wrong food and told us that it was what we ordered. Newsflash: customer is always right. Even if I had ordered the wrong thing mistakenly (No. Didn't happen), it doesn't matter. I'm right. Third: Food was actually VERY TASTY but superbly overpriced. Therefore, I give it a 3 stars, knocking it down from what it might've achieved... Fourth: One bathroom.
(3)Crystal C.
ShoooooJooooo! Such an awesome drinking and dining experience, from the decor, to the food, to the drinks, and of course, the company, all of it was wicked awesome! I rarely travel, so when I was invited to a wedding in Boston, I was stoked to get over there and sink my teeth into the food scene. All my homies on the East Coast are Chinese, so it seemed fitting to hit up Chinatown. Our meal also followed a rehersal dinner, so it made sense to keep it classy at Shojo, which has an upscale / trendy / intimate feel. I kid you not, we had everything on the menu, and ate everything tapas-style, some of the dishes were ordered twice or three times, because they were smaller plates (and because they were so darn good!). I started off with the *Gin Gin Mule*, which I atcually wanted to order, but before I had a chance to say so, it was handed to me, as my friend knows the bartender who did one of those "ahh, you want something... light? Refreshing?" and mixed it up for us. I tried the *Mara Jungle Bird* too, but I'm not really a fan of Campari, just my personal preference, y'all, not to knock a good drink. I had a bunch more Gin Gins, plus way too much Soju and vodka, but hey, it was a celebration, b*tches! So, now onto le food. Where to begin... Well, when we arrived, our friends were there eating the *Salt and Pepper Calamari*, which was light and crisp, not oily, and very flavorful with a Szechuan Peppercorn Aioli. The *Duck Fat Fries*... Yea, let's just stop there and admire that combination. My mouth is watering just remembering those beauts. Rich, salty, hot, I could curl up on my couch with some baskets of those for a night or two. A couple other stand-out dishes for me personally and for the table as a whole, were the *Squid Ink Ramen* , the ramen is made fresh daily and had a sweet, salty, even buttery texture, thanks to the perfectly seared Scallops, the *Kimchi Fried Rice* topped with a sunny-side-up egg which was creamy and amazing, the *Suckling Pig Bao* which was crisp, salty, and oniony in the best way possible, and finally, the*Chicken and Waffles v2* which has huge pull for me as I love me some chicken and waffles. This dish was seriously heavenly. Chinese waffles, or eggettes, if you didn't know (like me, the one white girl at the table), look like a ton of little eggs, and are picked off easily from the whole. Drizzle a little syrup over it, and it's a done deal. The chicken was crispy, lightly smokey, and perfectly moist and hot throughout. The decor is lots of dark wood, tall tables, a sweet mural of Boston on the back wall, and dim, Edison-style lighting. I don't know the next time I'll be over to Boston, but when I am back, you know I'll be stopping in at Shojo to get my grub on. Nicely done!
(5)Artem K.
Loud. Packed. Delicious No you wouldn't go here for a quiet meeting. Shojo is more like a packed bar with loud music, particularly when we went on a Friday night. But it is packed for a reason, in the ever more crowded battlefield of Asian-style tapas, Shojo reigns supreme. Our party of 4 ordered almost everything in the menu, which is possible because the menu has about 10 items. Literally everything was fantastic. Pair that with some Japanese whiskey cocktails? You can't go wrong.
(5)Ryan R.
Went here with a friend to grab a bite to eat on a Tuesday night. The place was pretty crowded but we were seated right away at a table next to the window. We started with the sweet sake, which we really enjoyed the whole night. For the dishes we went with the bolognese, "big mac" dumpling, the kim chi fried rice, and the chicken and waffle. The big mac dumpling came as two dumplings and was an interesting fusion dish. It had a good flavor and interesting combination of ingredients. The bolognese had good flavor but I thought that it was pretty difficult to eat because the noodles were totally stuck together. I don't know if that is how it is supposed to be served or if it was just an error in the cooking, but it proved challenging to eat. The kim chi fried rice was my least favorite dish of the night and seemed pretty uninspired. I spent a lot of time in Koreatown in LA so maybe I am a bit spoiled, but this dish didn't even have a noticeable spice one might expect with kim chi. The chicken and waffle was by far the best dish of the night. The chicken was cooked perfectly but the waffle and the juice from the chicken together were probably the best thing I have eaten in Boston thus far. I didn't even use the syrup they served with it because there was so much flavor already. Overall, this place is a nice little spot in the heart of Chinatown. The pricing is actually pretty reasonable and if you are adventurous, you can find some good options on the menu. Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a fusion food experience.
(4)Sunny C.
Come here for the creative and well executed food but not for a conversation. This place is SO LOUD due to the patrons' conversations and the music. Decor is pretty neat. Best dishes are the kimchee fried rice and the ribs (ABSOLUTE FAVE). Pig bao was overhyped. It was pretty bland, not very savory. Calamari was also forgettable. Same as you would get at any restaurant. The drinks are tasty and just gorgeous in presentation.
(4)Samantha B.
A new addition to Boston, Shojo sits in the heart of Chinatown. A standout from the traditional restaurants in the area, Shojo dazzles with creativity. Blending tastes and styles of Asia, Europe, and America, the tapas style (often changes) menu is a unique treat. Come for a snack (slightly above cheap for more). The Wu Tang Tiger Style ribs (3 per order) are neatly presented with a pack of flavor. The ribs are a combination of traditional Chinese American spare ribs and Kansas City style, saucy with Thai basil, shallots, and peanuts. The Big Mac Mantou (3 Chinese steamed buns) is downright blissful. The homage to childhood fast food (complete with the "special sauce") and the genius pairing of the Chinese bun fuses this reviewer's favorite treats of yore and present. On a cold winter evening, chowder was the soup of the day, with a silky and creamy broth with sausage, corn, and potatoes. Charred eggplant Ttukbokki (Korean rice cakes) is enough for a small meal. The eggplant, albeit a slim portion, and rice cakes are served in a red chili sauce over baked mozzarella. The rice cakes act as penne pasta and the red chili sauce provides the "tomato" element, to combine this reviewer's first witness of Korean Italian fusion. Kudos! The Bang Bang (reference to an episode of Louie?) Bolognese is enough for a meal and is a great value. This dish has the more apparent Italian flare with strong overtones of Sichuan cuisine in the peppercorn sauce. Looking forward to coming back to sample the rest of the menu!
(5)Dave D.
Shojo is great. Stopped in around 7:30 on a Tuesday night and it was about half full. Two friendly young ladies seated us immediately. The decor is a a bit extreme for my taste, but then I'm an old guy and probably not in the heart of their target demographic. It's definitely fun and loud and I can see it appealing to a lot of folks. There were lots of young folks having a nice time - lots of smiling faces. I loved that a Bruce Lee movie was on the big screen. We tried the pig bao, the duck fat fries, the shrimp bao, and the charred greens. My friend had a Kimoto Sour cocktail, and I had a beer. Everything was delicious, and the prices were reasonable. Service was informal, friendly, attentive and quick. Bottom line: great food and drinks in a fun, loud atmosphere.
(4)Lindsay G.
I was really disappointed by the food at Shojo. I came for some fun, inventive asian fusion, but found the dishes to be overly heavy, salty, and sauced. They took some great base asian dishes and loaded them with them with copious amounts of unnecessary ingredients like cheese, mayo, cream, and a bbq-esque sauce, which overpowered the fresh flavors and spices that should have been highlighted. Maybe this type of heavy, Americanized cuisine appeals to some, but it really wasn't for me! On the plus side, the cocktails were better than most I've found in boston and the service was friendly and attentive.
(2)Salinda N.
Nice modern place located in Chinatown. Ordered the Chicken & Waffle, Kimchi Fried Rice, and Duck Fat Fries. Chicken & Waffle came with two drumsticks and a chinese-style egg waffle. Very yummy! The chicken meat was very easy to eat and pull apart without using your hands. Kimchi Fried Rice also was very very good and came with a sunny-side up egg on top. Duck Fat Fries were fresh and crispy and came with a sriracha aioli for dipping. Good service, good food, good vibes.
(5)Andrea L.
Great place for a girls' night or grabbing drinks with a group of friends, but the small tapas really aren't enough to feed a hungry crowd...We had to go somewhere else afterwards for dinner part 2. As for the food: - Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs: favorite dish of the night, and falling-off-the-bone tender. - Charred Eggplant Ddukbokki: a wild card but we ended up loving it. Cheese, eggplant, and rice cake don't seem like they'd go well together, but they do! - Suckling Pig Bao: Good but over-hyped. The sweet BBQ sauce was a bit overpowering. - For drinks: If you're adventurous, get the Kamehameha, a mix of coconut milk, lime, and spicy Thai chili. It's good!
(4)BP Y.
Definitely a gem in Chinatown! The place is international style hip. The dishes are very tasty and creatively well thought out, same with the cocktails. The dishes we ordered were all well seasoned and the flavors were very punchy! Drinks were strong and the concepts behind the cocktails are really interesting. In general, I was not a big fan of fusion style cuisine but I must say I was very impressed by my experience at shojo. I felt that the fun and creativeness of the business was what made shojo different and stand out from the many generic Asian fusion restaurants.
(5)Helen L.
What a fun and unique place! I love the art decor. Bartenders and servers were really friendly and accommodating. The drinks are inexpenskve, the duck fat fries with sriracha aioli sauce is absolute heaven, and the bathroom is clean! Check this place out :)
(4)Ed M.
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. A must-try for the 21+ crowd. Inspired drinks (the gin-gin mule lives up the hype; the Kamehameha is a pretty good drink with an awesome name) and excellent, inventive asian fusion cuisine. We had the duck fat hand cut fries, the wu tang tiger style ribs, the big mac mantou among others; all dishes served were delicious! What's great about this menu is its highly rotational nature; I can't wait to go back. Atmosphere is intimate and there are many cool paintings on the walls. We went on a Thursday night at 6:30 pm and it was fairly empty but I can't speak for weekends.
(5)Anastasia B.
all was really yammi . I got ramen soup with suckling pig and Duck Fat Hand-Cut Fries .
(5)Gail W.
Modern Asian food in Chinatown? Sounds like a contradiction until now. When you walk in your eyes are immediately drawn towards a great street mural and you know this is going to be a hip place. While the space is small, the combinations of tables are easily ready to accommodate parties of any size. They also have a function room which we didn't see, but could have potential for small parties. The menu is tapas style so get ready to try a bunch of things... Wu Tang Tiger Style Ribs- Definitely get these... the meat was falling off the bone tender and the outside was crispy because they are fried before serving. Only 3pieces/plate so order wisely. Duck Fries (Shadowless style)- the waitress told us this was an award winning dish and it didn't disappoint. It is an asian version of poutine fries so whats not to like. Black pepper Carbonara- Enjoyed this. Noodles are made in house, on the thicker chewy side and the sauce was flavorful. Charred Eggplant Ttukbokki- Indifferent on this one.. the rice cake, reminiscent of a flat gnocchi, was a nice texture addition otherwise didn't know what to make of the dish. Flavors were good but not sure if it would be worth getting again. Suckling Pig Bao- personally didn't try this but my friends who did said "they were good, not as good as at momofuku in NYC, but good". Chicken and Waffle 2.0- The waffle is slightly sweet which made for a nice ending to the meal. If you like fried chicken and waffles, get it, but if you don't, I'd try some other things first.
(4)Sarah C.
When you see ramen on the menu, you'll think of yellow egg noodles. I was surprised to see soba in my bowl of shojo ramen. Soba is a healthier choice but don't call it ramen or allow your customer to choose noodle selections. Interesting broth (love anything with sesame and black pepper) but it was very salty. The soba was also undercooked. Next came the shrimp ramen and it was stir fry soba. Soba again? No broth? I am so confused. Persimmon added a sweet taste to it which I like but again, way too salty. The fries were good at least.
(2)Tiana A.
The food was very good, loved everything I had. The server was great, the food came out fast and still hot. The cold tea drink was great as well. The only thing I have to complain about would be this drunk group who was arm wrestling and screaming. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone
(5)Xue L.
Awesome restaurant! The food is great--real Asian fusion, not Westernized Asian food. The highlights were the noodles--the Bang Bang Bolognese and Charred Eggplant Ttukbokki. Very tasty! The Kimchi Fried Rice, Chicken and Waffles were great too. The bar also serves unique, yummy Asian fusion drinks. Unfortunately, docking a star because: 1) It's tiny and VERY loud (I feel old writing this). Great place to come with a group of friends to pre-game. Not a good place for a date or to catch up. 2) The food is very oily, and most of the dishes are spicy.
(4)Vicky N.
I was really excited to try the chicken and waffles at this place but to my disappointment they no longer had it in the menu so we got the pork bao and the hot pressed sando. The place is small which dark lighting. The service was pretty slow although the place wasn't busy. I wasn't impressed with the pork bao ($9) it came with some kind of tomato sauce which didn't go well with the pork. The hot pressed sando ($12)was pretty disappointing. It came with potato chips which were salty and tasted burnt and The fried chicken in it the panini was soggy. This place is overpriced and the food wasn't that special. I probably won't be coming back.
(3)Suzanne G.
I loved it here! Not your typical Chinatown restaurant. Boston needs more creative restaurants like Shojo! The atmosphere is industrial and eclectic, with one of the best 80s/90s throwback playlists I've heard in a while. I'm pretty sure everything is good here...I must go back to test out my theory (aka order the handful of items I haven't tried). Here's what I've had: Black pepper carbonara - better than most Italian restaurants Kimchi fried rice - must have Duck fat fries - good, but not a must-have Wu Tang Ribs - must have Chicken and waffles - at an Asian restaurant!? So fun and addicting Drunk ass shrimp noodles - must have Bao - must have (ate it so fast I don't remember what kind it was) All of the cocktails I tried were strong and interesting! It's a smaller place, so try to make a reservation or sit at the bar.
(4)Colleen H.
I looooove Shojo!! They serve mostly plates to share (think asian tapas) and everything is just delicious! It's truly a hidden gem in China town. It's a lot more modern and hip than the other restaurants in the neighborhood and they have this amazing artist paint the wall in the back that has a little peek hole to the kitchen. Drinks are great, both cocktail and mocktails. While the menu changes, if you see the pig bao on there - be sure to get it! Definitely one of my favorite places to recommend when people are visiting from out of town. It really stands alone and sets the setting for a pretty special evening. Great date spot for sure!
(5)Tanya K.
We shared a lot of the small plates and all were excellent. My boss really enjoyed the Kimchi and we all enjoyed be specialty cocktails as well!
(5)Sophie P.
The portions here are TINY. It's literally like Asian tapas except not the same effect at all because the food is not outstanding. The restaurant is really small and loud. My boyfriend and I were practically sitting right next to the other couples surrounding us, and we had to yell to hear each other speak. If I were at the bar, I wouldn't mind, but being at the table and being surrounded by people was uncomfortable. Also, the tables are so small that the plates we ordered wouldn't really fit. We had to keep eating really fast. What we got: Shaved Asian salad - simple, fresh, fine. Nothing special Suckling pig bao - More like sucking pig bao because it's NOT WORTH THE HYPE. Go to Myers + Chang for the real pork buns. The buns were dry and almost crunchy, and the pork had no flavor. I love my pork buns and I know when I see a good one. Not here. Duck fat french fries - Oilier thin french fries. The aioli sauce was good (obvi, who can mess up aioli) but honestly I only liked them because they were thin and crunchy. Nothing new here. Duck taco - TACO?! No. More like giant fried wonton chip with veggies and "duck" on top. I couldn't even taste the meat and you couldn't eat it without a fork and breaking off the "taco". Mussels in thai beer broth - Tasted a little citrusy; there were bits of orange in there. Refreshing. Cold tea for 2 - THE ULTIMATE DISAPPOINTMENT. Omg. Sounds like a good idea in theory to have your alcohol served in a teapot. The drink was waaaay too sweet and almost tasted like medicine. Both my boyfriend and I weren't feeling it. The service was fast and the bussers cleared our plates very quickly, but it's because the tables are so damn small. We paid over $80 that made us feel maybe half full.
(2)Ojus P.
Got virtually the whole menu (10 dishes) shared among 6 people and recommend doing something similar to share a bunch of dishes. The suckling pig bao was a highlight along with the ginger cocktail. I got the tea for 2 and it is an awesome deal served in a whole teapot. Would be happy to go back. It was about $40 per person for 10 dishes and 6 cocktails so not too expensive
(4)Julia K.
This is a nice spot for an upscale drink in Chinatown. The gin gin mule was delicious. The taste of the alcohol was entirely masked by the ginger flavors. The black bird (?) wasn't very special and tasted like a typical vodka based drink; however, the presentation was artistic. I'd pass on the food and go to some of the other more "authentic and traditional" chinese restaurants in the area for a real taste of what the city has to offer.
(3)Jenn Z.
Delicious food (yes the suckling pig bao was excellent) and cool drinks (saw one came in a Buddha shaped cup). Good service in a trendy setting. Price beats other fusion restaurants in town.
(4)Francine W.
Love this place. The kimchi fried rice is delicious. The baos and duckfat fries are solid. Fried calamari sucked actually but in general the dishes are creative and tasty. Good drinks too!
(4)Anju P.
I write this review with mixed feelings. On the one hand, Shojo deserves praise as the best restaurant in Chinatown and one of the best in Boston. On the other hand, Shojo's limited popularity allowed us to dine on a Friday night without a reservation and with no wait. However, tonight's meal was so delicious that I would be doing humanity a disservice by not announcing it to the world. The bartenders are great. I'd recommend seating at the bar for the most attentive service and interesting ambience. We ordered four dishes for sharing. They arrived with sufficient time between to enjoy each small plate to its fullest. Don't be fooled by the low prices though, the portions are actually quite large and we ended up having to take some home. The standout dish of the night was the spag-n-ball z, a dish composed of a coconut lime broth and squid ink dumplings. Despite the corny name (yes I admit I watched dbz as a child), the dish was amazing. The broth was flavorful, the dumplings worked extremely well. Next time, we'll be ordering two plates worth. And next time can't come soon enough.
(5)Mary G.
I was lured here by their Chicken n' Waffles 2.0 and while that dish didn't blow me away, I found the other takes on Pan Asian fusion surprisingly well done & reasonably priced. It is a slightly awkward 1.5 dishes per person, roughly. With most dishes coming in at less than 10 dollars, it is pretty reasonable. While I'm not in love with how hard they're trying, graffiti art everywhere with "former industrial space" styling I'll go back to what I said before; the food is actually pretty decent. My friends and I got the chicken and waffles, duck fat fries, eggplant ddukbokki, and the salt & pepper calamari. The chicken part of the CnW was pretty darn swell, though the waffle part drug it down. They were going for something sort of like taiyaki (I can't quite think of the word for it, but basically pressed street waffles one finds in Taiwan and Japan), but they were heavy and not well made. The eggplant dish was homey and comforting, the calamari well prepared, the sauces everything came with were very complimentary. I don't think I could go here too many times before it wore thin on me, but it is a refreshing take on fusion that is def't worth checking out a few times.
(4)David C.
After Shojo catered one of our Elite Events, I was left with a major hankering for pork buns and knew I had to try this Chinatown hotspot (never thought I'd pair those two words together) for dinner. The meal as a whole was only ok, but the suckling pig bao did hit the spot. My entree, the crispy Thai-style duck, was a bit of a misnomer. The meat was tender and flavorful, but the skin was flaccid, and I'm not exactly sure what made it "Thai-style." My mom got the chicken roulade with drunken noodles--a huge portion, but pretty one note. Still, Shojo is popular for a reason. It offers an atmosphere and creative interpretations of Asian cuisine that you can't find anywhere else in Chinatown. If I were to return, it would probably just be for cocktails and appetizers. And by appetizers I mean pork buns, lots and lots of pork buns.
(3)Being H.
Called in a reservation last night for a party of 2, today at noon. Left my phone number in addition to my name. Drove up an hour from out of town. Got to the restaurant today and there's a sign posted on the door saying, "Closed today 12/19 for lunch." A phone call would've been nice, needless to say common courtesy.
(1)Francisca W.
disclaimer: the place is owned by two nephews of a co-worker; we went for a happy hour/dinner in hopes to find a suitable locale for a upcoming staff party, back in December. ended up loving the place ourselves. the reno/decor made you feel like you're at somebody's "warehouse style" studio: exposed pipes, brick wall, gigantic mural...simplistic yet modern - got lots of character in there. Yeah drinks and food were a bit pricey for "chinatown", but if you walk two blocks down to Genko Sushi or Abbey Lane, you'll be met with the same price point. Had the Gin Gin Mule and the one with the cucumber ice, both impressed my palate. Friend had one that was served in a tiki cup (Plantation Punch?), fruitier but also good. Got a bunch of small plates to sample: sucking pig bao, duck fat fries, duck meat dumpling, a cold noodle that's surprisingly spicy, kimchi fried rice...among other things. Yes portion is on the smaller size but it's tapas! Cut most in half and all four of us had a decent bite. The highlight was on the dessert sample plate (on the house, due to our connections, and also coz we were booking a private party!).... I can't remember other things but the choco sesame balls were da bomb!! Just the right size (a bite or two), and the semi-liquidy choco filling was dark and rich (not plain sweet), like a Valhrona kind, not the Hershey kind. A very pleasant meal in all. Small complaint on the young staff: service was a little spotty as they're all engrossed in their phone. Take a break in the back room if you need! Phones should NEVER be out in front of customers, unless that's what you use to take their order or close their tab! On another note: staff party was a huge success. All staff liked the location (walkable from work), the restaurant was just the right size to reserve the whole place to ourselves for a couple hours, food and drinks were approved by all. The owners also worked our budget into menu planning and were very accommodating to our needs (ex. food allergies) as well. p.s. Try the cold tea for two!!!
(5)Jeffrey R.
I love Shojo. Probably go there too often. It's a unique spot in its neighborhood - a cool, modern space flanked by the more traditional restaurants & storefronts you'd find in Chinatown. It's typically bustling on the weekends and an occasional weeknight, so expect to wait. The menu is mostly asian fusion, served tapas style. The Kimchi fried rice is probably my favorite item on the menu, but the bao is pretty solid too. The menu seems to change it up quite a bit, which I give them credit for. The cocktails are really fun (and strong) too.
(5)Veronica C.
Excellent food and service! Food came quick and all the servers were very attentive all the time! Ordered: duck fat fries and fried calamari for appetizers and duck breast and drunken chicken for entrees. The duck breast was the best!!
(5)Karen Y.
My friend found this place and suggested we go during our trip to Boston. We went for dinner but didn't know what to expect. It's a little difficult to get full from their dishes, but I think we were able to satiate ourselves after three rounds of ordering. Interior design is wonderful, though tables could be a bit bigger. Great original drinks. Service was above average, but not great... but not terrible either. I really did like the vibe of the place. Friend adored the cup/glass that the Chairman's Painkiller (???) was served in. All in all a great time.
(4)Mariya V.
Shoju has been on my list of places to check out for a while, and I was more than happy to end up there one Friday night! I surprised that the wait wasn't bad at all, and we were seated quickly. The place itself is very cool and has a younger crowd than the surrounding establishments. I was eager to try everything. They have an eclectic menu, definitely fusion! We tried 2 different drinks, one coconuty and another whiskey one. It sounded like it would be one of those weird mixed drinks that would end up tasting really good. Sadly, it disappointed. Simply put, not good at all. Wasn't too sad though because I was so excited to try the food. We ordered the duckfat fries with a chipotle mayo type sauce. Fries were good, but nothing special and same goes for the sauce. Ordered their chicken wings, also not impressed and they were super citrusy. The two good things we ordered were the kimchi fire rice and the chicken and waffles. The fried rice was bomb, great texture and flavor! Chicken and waffles were really yummy too. Instead of regular waffles, they were egg puff pastry waffles (yum)! Loved making the perfect bite of chicken, waffle, syrup, and hot sauce. Overall, decent place and I'm glad I checked it out. Might go back for the kimchi fried rice, but can probably find that good elsewhere too. Come try it, but I don't know if you'll be craving it desperately after.
(3)Patrick C.
Shojo - Just So-so I stopped into Shojo for a quick dinner after reading all the rave reviews and press about it and I found Shojo to be just so-so... I ordered the Charcuterie Board which supposedly had head cheese rillette, duck rillet, veal tongue, porchetta, asian pear, kimchi, fig mostarda, dried longan compote; the Pork Trotter Dumplings and the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg. The Charcuterie Board was the weakest dish - it was missing the Asian pear, kimchi, fig mostarda and porchetta so I had several large slabs of the head cheese rillette, the duck rillet and the dried longan compote with 3 pickled roots of some sort as garnish. The 'bread' was several very greasy, deep-fried bao which were not great. Overall a poor dish - and the most pricey. The Pork Trotter dumplings were good - again, they were deep fried, but it worked. Nice filling, vinegar for dipping - pretty good. The best dish by far was the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg - really yummy and I could have had three orders of that alone. The specialty cocktails didn't sound good to me so I skipped them and had a calpico water - one of my favorites so it was delish. The blue and white paper straw that got soggy hallway through my drink was not good though. Plastic straws are cheap - skip the paper straws, they are worthless. I might try Shojo again on another trip to Boston and see if there are other dishes that are comparable to the Kimchi Fried Rice with Fried Egg. PS - my waiter was affable enough, but basically brought out 3 dishes...my final bill was about $45 and when I gave him $60 he actually wanted to know if I was giving him the rest (34%?!) as a tip...uh, no. I gave him 20% and that was too generous for his service.
(2)Cindy H.
Much hipster. Such delicious. Wow. The Kamehameha is like no cocktail I've ever had before. It's spicy and cool at the same time, so I guess it does embody Goku's essence quite well. Gin Gin Mule was good too. Very ginger-forward and fairly sweet. In terms of food, both the Taro Tots and Pork Buns really hit the spot for a late-night bite. The skin on the pork was perfectly crispy! Mind you, I was not very lady-like whilst devouring it, so maybe not the best first date food, but whatevs YOLO.
(5)