Soup Dumpling Hit Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao Will Return to Flushing in a Much Bigger Space

Revered Flushing soup dumpling shop Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao — which was deemed closed in May — will resurrect in a new space this fall.

The longstanding beloved restaurant is receiving “a major upgrade” and reopening within One Fulton Square at the corner of Prince Street and 39th Avenue in downtown Flushing, according to a spokesperson. General manager Eddie Zheng tells Eater the restaurant is doubling its size with a new 5,100-square-foot space.

He says the restaurant’s new digs will be more “contemporary.” A big open kitchen is planned, as well as two private dining rooms. Unlike the original, this new outpost will also serve alcohol.

The new expanded space will help the restaurant “meet the needs of our rapidly-growing customer base,” Zheng says, adding that the old space was somewhat difficult to operate from.

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao closed its doors at 38-12 Prince St. in May after more than a decade in the neighborhood, leaving its loyal customers shocked and upset. Though the restaurant served a variety of Shanghai dishes, its signature thin-skinned soup dumplings are what attracted crowds for years. Among New York’s culinary aficionados, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao was arguably the more popular option for soup dumplings, even more so than well known competitor Joe’s Shanghai.

The closure came as a shock to diners, but not for the Flushing business community: Local business owners have seen several longstanding restaurants close due to rising rents and competition from big, international chains in recent years.

Now, the restaurant will reopen in an upgraded space less than a block away. Stay tuned.

This post has been updated with new information from the owners of the restaurant.