We have dined at Jian Nan several times over the past year. It’s one of the more high-end Chinese restaurants in the Boston area. While the prices are steep — easily around $200 for two people after tip — the environment is elegant, and it’s hard to find a comparable alternative nearby. We have always enjoyed their Sichuan-style hot spicy fish and their Beijing duck. The flavor of the Beijing duck was good, but the slices were generally too thick. This time, after we had almost finished, we realized that the bottom layer was just a large chunk of duck meat, not sliced at all. We shared our concern with the waiter, who mentioned that this issue has come up multiple times. Unfortunately, he said the restaurant management is aware but has chosen not to hire a skilled Chinese chef in order to maximize profits. That is unacceptable for brand name like Jiang Nan. He apologized but said there was nothing more he could do. Given this experience, this might be our last visit to Jian Nan. For the returning visitors, I hope you will not repeat my experience again. If I were to rate our earlier experiences, I would have given Jian Nan a solid 4 out of 5. However, after this recent disappointing visit and the management’s unwillingness to address customer concerns, I would now rate it a 2.

This is a Chinese restaurant with good professional services and has a nicely decorated main hall. The menu has many of the traditional dates from China. The Beijing duck offering is well plated with the option of half or full duck. The lamb skewers have a nice flaming surprise which brings out the awesome flavors of the meat. Overall, a good experience.

JiangNan Boston is a true gem. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere strikes a beautiful balance between elegance and warmth. The modern interior is enriched with thoughtful nods to Chinese tradition, and the walls are adorned with striking black-and-white photographs of old Shanghai—infusing the space with a nostalgic charm that deepens the dining experience. The menu is both inventive and deeply rooted in authentic flavors, offering a blend of classic favorites and bold, refined interpretations. We ordered the tea-smoked duck, chicken soup, steamed egg, and cumin lamb—each dish arrived beautifully plated, rich in flavor, and executed with remarkable finesse. The presentation was as impressive as the taste. Service was outstanding: attentive, kind, and never overbearing. Our server offered insightful recommendations and helpful explanations for some of the more unique dishes. We were especially touched by how accommodating the staff were when we brought our baby. They let us know when hot dishes were approaching so we could ensure a safe setup, which made the entire experience feel even more thoughtful and welcoming.

Five star on all aspects! In fact, it’s the only Chinese restaurant in Boston I have been that has good vibes, has delicious food, and is affordable! Very good value for money. Peking duck is a must try, though I’d recommend half duck if you have four people or fewer so that you can try more dishes. Always be ready to wait in a long line to get a seated, though you can reserve a table if you have more than four people in the party. Enjoy!

The restaurant was very busy on Saturday, so we came back the next day. It was still quite busy, but we didn’t have to wait. We ordered the Peking duck and mapo tofu—both were solid. The whole Peking duck was on the pricier side ($90), while the mapo tofu was reasonably priced ($20). The atmosphere wasn’t fancy, but it also didn’t feel cheap. We enjoyed the food and will visit to try other dishes again.