Comments on: Airing of Grievances: John’s Shanghai & the Ambrosia Bi Bim Bap

By: dissapointed

dissapointed — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:27:37 +0000

I ordered the beef bi bim bap and what I got was fatty beef with salad (Kim chi, soup, rice, etc too)? and No egg whatsoever. I don’t know if they just got my order wrong or what, but defintely not what it used to be and for almost $12…No thank you!

By: HookedonSamosas

HookedonSamosas — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:26:42 +0000

oh yeah it came with soup too.

By: HookedonSamosas

HookedonSamosas — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:22:03 +0000

I was craving Korean and had to have some today so I slid by the closest one I could find, Ambrosia. Ok I ordered the pork Bi Bim Bap, or what I thought was that, it was translated as that and what I got looked nothing like what I know Bi Bim Bap to be, unless she got my order confused because she did pause for a min and looked at her reciept before she turned the bag over to me. What I got was pork, very tasty and well seasoned with SALAD!!!!!!!!!!!! This was in one container then kim chi, red sauce, seawead salad, rice and soup in other containers for like 10 bucks plus tax. It was good as far as quality but def not the Bi Bim Bap I was craving.

By: VB

VB — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:16:13 +0000

I just got the Kimchi Chigae from Ambrosia, depite the warnings of reduced banchan, and while the number of banchan items was indeed reduced (3 including the Kimchi), they came in nice portions. Two of the items came in 1/4 lb plastic containers (the kind you’d buy macaroni salad in) – obviously not filled to the top but still. BTW their chigae is pretty good for being a deli.

By: Freeloader

Freeloader — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:19:08 +0000

Anyone know of good chinese places around 57th & 10th? Thanks.

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:30:42 +0000

Funny, I’ve never had a problem with John’s Shanghai either. I usually just order dumplings to go, tho. The one time I ate at the restaurant I actually really enjoyed it! Of course I prefer C-town, but if I’m stuck in the theater district with unadventurous eaters, and it happens more often than I’d like, John’s is a good choice. That or Bond 45, but that’s a whole ‘nother post.

By: lesliepear

lesliepear — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:06:04 +0000

I’ve been fine with John’s Shanghai. Ever since Vega House closed a few years ago on 45th street, I’ve gotten the lunch special from there (I usually get pork lo mein) and been fine with it. Are there any other good Chinese places near 6th and 46th I should try?

By: casadelun

casadelun — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:31:58 +0000

Since we’re doing complaints, I ordered from Ambrosia a short while back (when it was still $7.95) . I had my bi bim bap to go, and when the guy in the kitchen reached over to add the banchan to my order, the woman at the cash register said something to him, and he ended up giving me the bi bim bap as is. No banchan. I was lucky to get soup I guess. Mine was premade with the omelette egg so I won’t be going back there for bi bim bap. I know times are hard, but this is horrible. No banchan. =(

By: Chip Beef

Chip Beef — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:07:15 +0000

I’ve given John’s Shanghai two chances, and they let me down both times (one time I even felt sick afterward).

For the huge difference in quality it’s worth just hopping on the F train one stop (or walking) to Joe’s Shanghai at 56th street. Their crab & pork soup dumplings are ridiculous good.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:48:08 +0000

I love John’s Shanghai. If someone meets me for a “nice sitdown lunch” this is always my go-to. No complaints.