Seoul (New York, NY)

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​You can't be wondering around in Korea Town and not get dumplings. So when the crew opted for churros at Sweet Churro, I opted for dumplings at Seoul, because who would listed to my reviews if I went with a churro over a 'ling. 

These dumplings came out piping hot, straight out of the fryer. The inside was a pork, veggie mixture, and tasted like a egg roll. It also lacked in flav, but it was a clean, light filling. The dough on these pups, though, is everything. I mean look at that golden brown tan on these, ow ow. The crisp was perfect, adding even more to the overall egg roll taste. The sauce played a minor roll in the flavor of these dumplings, crisp is the star. Don't want to name names...hmmm...but if you don't like egg rolls, you probably won't enjoy these 'lings, if you live for the chinese lunch special with the egg roll and fried rice on the side and are wondering Korea town, pop in and get them. 

A decent dumpling,

3.5 out of 5

Eric 

Garden State Restaurant (Jersey City, NJ)

Expanding out of the sixth boro and into Jersey City, brought me to Garden State Restaurant. Obviously, I seamlessed because who wants to venture out and get something when it can be brought to me. I know it does soften up the crisp but a solid 'ling will hold up to the quick jaunt over here to Hoboken. 

Now at first glance this dumplings looked very promising. The golden brown surface is what I dream about on a regular basis, and if it were a paint color I'd paint my room the same.But that was one of the few good things about these. The filling was tasty, but it was lost in the dough. Way to much space up in there. I need to bite into meat, not an air pocket. The sauce was the biggest let down. It wasn't straight soy, which I'm sure most of you are thinking. This sauce had a little bit of chili thrown in there, but just wasn't a good complement. Don't go off the rails. Dumpling sauce is the GOAT because it doesn't need to be tweaked. Maybe they don't know the recipe, but they better find it out, and find it out fast. 

2.7 out of 5

Eric 

Still have UNC taking it all. 

The Dumpling Spot (New York, NY)

The Dumpling Spot had a soft opening last week. I had high hopes for this off shoot of one of my favorite dumpling spots, Xi'an Famous Foods. The thoughts of their lamb dumplings were floating through my head, so the hype was definitely in my head.

Walking in I was pretty excited. It's the same interior as Xi'an not surprisingly, and the wall is plastered with large photos of dumplings and pot stickers. Keeping with tradition I went with the Pork and Cabbage dumpling. I know, I know. Eric why didn't you go with the pot stickers they are fried? Well this isn't pot sticker adventurers. Back to the dumplings. The shear amount blows every other spot out of the water. Maybe 150% of a normal chinese spot in the city. 

The dough to filling ratio was spot on. Big enough for that dumpling satisfaction, but small enough to one bite them. Very nice. However, the inside was lacking for me. I know cabbage and pork not the epitome of flavor city, but these just didn't hit me with that left hook like the spicy and sour lamb dumplings at their other restaurant. The sauce, I went with spicy, and that helped a little, but the overall dumpling is/ was still stuck in the shadow of a much better dumpling. 

3.4 out of 5

Eric 

It'll be interesting to see how the Dumpling Spot works out, and don't worry I'll of course try the rest of the 'lings and pot stickers. Couldn't jump out of the gate with all of em everyone should know my style by now.

Nom Wah Nolita (New York, NY)

 If dumplings are the best things in the world, than that would make the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick, the absolute WORST things in the world. The only thing that could have even tried to make the Super Bowl watchable is a dumpling. And that's where the above 'lings enter in to the picture. 

When the best dumpling plug and all around mogul, Izzy, told me she was bringing Nom Wah dumplings over to watch the big game, I was speechless. Luckily, she told me over the phone too, so I avoided all possibility of fainting in front of her. Not only was she bringing dumplings, and herself on over to watch the game, or at least the half time show in her case, but these dumplings were a special edition 'ling. These 'lings were chopped cheese flavor 'lings. For all of you out there unfamilar with what a chopped cheese sandwich is, it is basically a cheese burger chopped up with lettuce, and tomato thrown on top.

These lings were stuffed with ground beef and cheese, and expertly garnished with lettuce tomato, and what I assume is thousand island dressing, by none other than the GOAT herself, Iz. The crisp held up even though they were crammed in a serving tray and covered, while being transported across state lines. The insides were packed full of cheesy, hamburgerish flavors. FYI, I've never had a chopped cheese sandwich so I couldn't tell you how close they got to nailing the flavor, but these 'lings were primo. Throw in some crisp lettuce and a little tomato action on top with some sauce, and I don't think I could even eat a real chopped cheese sandwich anymore. Once you have something in dumpling form, you can throw out the original.

These dumplings were the ultimate big game snack. Huge crowd pleaser.

4.89 out of 5

Eric

Anotha shoutout to the plug Izzy, who not only supplied the dumplings, but also introduced me to Nom Wah. XO. 

Illuzion (Hoboken, NJ)

I order sushi, strictly for the gyoza. I'm getting close to hitting all of the Hoboken sushi/chinese. Just throw Illuzion on the list today. Gyoza here obviously ordered. I went classic pork. Always. go. classic. pork. at least at first.They had a couple other flavors on their menu, but I'll leave them for anther person to try.

The gyoza here, are pretty good. The crisp stayed crisp even though I ordered them delivery. If you order pick up you're a chump, or just not a dumpling mogul. These gyoza were flavorful on the inside, I liked the fact that the dough wasn't too much. Can't have a thick dumpling like dough, on a sleek tender gyoza. I like my gyoza to be almost translucent. These were a decent gyoza.

Sushi is a totally different game, and I'm sure someone out there has a review on illuzion, but it's not me. I would get these again sure, but there are better dumplings and better gyoza out there.

3.8 out of 5

Eric MacPherson

Flushing, I'm coming for you.  

Ling-ling (Bridgewater, NJ)

Long days seem a little less long when you throw some 'lings down at lunch. These dumplings are brought to us by Ling-ling, the restaurant so nice they named it twice. Never been before so I can't vouch for how accurate that previous statement is, but on to the stars of the show.

Fried. Pork. Dumplings. Now these dumplings had a good crisp and good texture. The dough had a good bite. Aside from that, these dumplings didn't shine too bright. They were lackluster in taste. The filling was ok, and the sauce was ehh. The service though, grade A. Waiter was all time, props to that guy, If you're looking for a solid, quick, lunch dumpling in the Bridgewater area, I think Ling-ling is a decent little spot.Great lunch deals too.

3.1 out of 5

Eric

How come whenever a soup comes with the meal and I tell the waiter, I don't want any soups, they look at me like I have 7 heads? Like seriously it's alright don't waste your soup on me. I came for one thing and one thing only...dumplings. Keep the soup in the kitchen, I promise it's cool. 

Mimi Cheng's January Special (New York, NY)

Another month, another Mimi Cheng's special 'ling. This month is none other than the brunchling, and I for one couldn't have been more excited at this announcement. Combining my love of both breakfast foods, and dumplings can only lead to a delicious experience. 

These 'lings are stuffed with scrambled eggs, onions, sausage, and cheddar, and fried and topped with everything seasoning. Bam. These dumplings have climbed to number one on my Mimi Cheng's special list, which has some heavy hitters on it already. How can you not love a breakfast bite tucked into a beautifully crispy dumpling skin. The crunch, phenomenal as always. The insides, although simple, are spot on. It's hard to mess up eggs and sausage, but that doesn't mean its not an A+ lineup. Somethings, just work, like those guys. Throw in some ketchup on the side to dip into, if you're into that sort of thing, and you are left with my favorite special dumpling of the month to this point. 

It's no secret I am a breakfast food fanatic, surpassed only by my love of dumplings. Combine those two and I am in absolute heaven.

BOOM

Eric 

4.9 out of 5

These brunchlings scoring this high, is completely different than the classic pork fired dumpling scale I use. Apples and oranges up in here. 

Drunken Dumpling (New York, NY)

All the hype around the Drunken Dumpling stems from their giant Xiao Long Bao, but honestly I'm not about that life. It's way more soup than actual dough, I'm sure the broth is tasty, but I'm a fried guy through and through. 

Drunken dumpling does offer a good array of dumplings though, so it'll definitely call for multiple trips. This time we went with the shrimp and wood ear mushroom, the pork and bell pepper (obv both fried), and the classic pork xiao long bao. 

Starting with the shrimp. These guys were perfectly crispy. The dough to filing ratio was spot on. A solid dumpling exterior. However, the middle was a little bit lackluster (for some people). The subtle wood mushroom flavor was there; I just wish the shrimp wasn't ground. I think a whole shrimp would've elevated this 'ling. Subtle flavor but great crisp and exterior to go along with a nice chili sauce made for a pretty decent dumpling.

Now, moving on to the soup dumplings. The dough on these guys was very light, exactly how I like my xlb. The broth was a lot more smokey than many of the xlb's I've had around the city, which was a nice change of pace. They were't overly hot either, where I have to worry about potentially tasting nothing for the rest of the week because boiling lava hot broth came gushing out. A very solid xlb, just one criticism is that the spoons are way to small, way to small. Beef those puppies up a little bit. I felt like I was balancing an egg on a pencil. I don't want to waste any broth and if the dumpling is twice the size of the spoon, that's a real possibility.

Now moving on to the best dumpling of the night. The pork with bell peppers. Like the shrimp, the exterior was perfectly crispy. Again, not to soggy, not pointier than a Dorrito; somewhere right in the middle, where all fried dumplings should exist. The filling wasn't bland, it definitely tasted more like a classic Chinese take-out 'ling which is what I wanted/expected. A very solid staple dumpling. No frills, all business. Give me that day in and day out. A dumpling that you know gets the job done, no questions asked. 

Shrimp and mushroom 3.9 out of 5

Xiao long bao 4.0 out of 5

prok with bell pepper 4.3 out of 5 

Eric 

Don't worry I'll be back to finish off the rest of the menu over there, including the XL XLB. So relax.

Komegashi Too (Jersey City, NJ)

 Hopped on over to Komegashi Too, last week for a little dumpling/ office party Thursday. I mean how could I not, open bar, unlimited sushi, and the cherry on top all you can eat dumplings. Now granted whenever dumplings are made in huge quantities and kept hot by a sterno, they are setting themselves up for failure, so I wasn't going in to strong. I also had to go in fast though, before the effects of the open bar start to appear. 

That being said, these were some solid 'lings. They were a tiny bit soggy but that comes with the territory of having to hang out in the buffet dish, but I can look that off if the taste is there. Komegashi Too, they had the taste pretty on point. The inside had some flavor, you can taste the chives, it had some substance. Overall good filling; the ratio of dough to filling was spot on, and like I said the only flaw was the dough being a smidge soggy, but its the Christmas season. I will also say get deeper dishes for the dumpling sauce. I need to dunk my dumpling in sauce. It has to be submerged into that heavenly liquid. I can't be spooning it on to a plate, to then have to mop up like some poor. Get it together this goes for all buffet spots with the small round plates that can barely hold any liquid. I don't want to have to start bringing my own little clear solo sauce container to pour into. Their sauce was good though, even though I was mopping it instead of dunking.

3.9 out of 5

Eric 

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals

That's if I don't post another entry before then, but I probably will. Who really knows though.

Rice Shop (Hoboken, NJ)

 It's Thursday, so here is your weekly dumpling review for all the NY metropolitan, Hudson county living Hobokeners. I'm bringing you Rice Shop this week over on Washington. I ordered both the gyoza and the dumplings, because uhhh they are pretty much the same thing. Beautiful pieces of heaven wrapped in a delectable cloud with a side of pure happiness. Gyoza,dumplings, ravioli, hot pockets, I'll review anything with those three pieces of the puzzle. 

Now right off the back, Rice Shop did not impress. I'm still in love with No.1 Fine. The gyoza were better than the dumplings, but only because they messed up and gave me steamed dumplings like I am some sort of granola eating health nut. If I wanted to be health conscious and order steamed 'lings than I am in the wrong business. 

The gyoza had a decent fry to them the wrapper was nice and thin, the filling though did not bring it. Flavor city, up and moved because there was nothing going on here. Sauce too sub par. Gotta bring the heat, if you want my unyielding support. The dough was crisp just enough to put them over the regular dumplings. 

The dumplings, were steamed. That is pretty much all I should need to tell you. They could have had potential. The filling was super dense and the ratio of dough to filling was pretty good too. Sadly, they followed in the same footsteps as the gyoza. Basically just a dense pocket of tasteless meat. The sauce was wildly underwhelming as well. A one, two K.O. in the dumpling world. I wanted to like Rice Shop, I really did.

Gyoza 3 out of 5

Dumplings 2.8 out of 5

Eric 

Can't blame this low score on my tonsils either, you done did this to yourself Rice Shop 

Jade Wok (Jersey City, NJ)

 A little update for everyone, I had some problems with my tonsils, but you better believe that didn't stop me from trying to swallow a dumpling to get a review out to everyone. It is true what they say, "dumplings >the ability to swallow,"it's an old saying. I was able to muster these down, and don't think that because it was painful that my standards wavered.

These dumplings are a classic case were a good dumpling sauce shined but the 'lings themselves struggled. For one thing, the dough to filling ratio was off; there was much more dough. This could be overlooked if the filling was outstanding, but in these dumplings the filling fell flat. The crisp was alright, the filling was a tad bland, and the sauce was actually the highlight. All of these factors lead to a dumpling experience that I would quickly forget. No.1 Fine Chinese still retains the crown. 

3.2 out of 5

Eric 

A lackluster score for a lackluster dumpling. Not to mention I still have no idea if this restaurant is called Jade Wok, or Jade Garden sooo, there's that. 

Mimi Cheng's Round 3 (New York, NY)

Another month, another Mimi Cheng's dumpling of the month. The October dumpling is a vegetable dumpling with squash, mushrooms, noodles, celery, and a beat puree sauce. Fans of the blog know I'm not into vegetable dumplings. They always pale in comparison to the traditional pork dumplings. The October dumplings, though, these ling's where amazing. They tasted pretty hearty, and the beat puree only upped the overall flavor profile. I can't believe, I'm saying this but the October special is better than the regular reinvented classics (pork).

They were topped with some spring onion and black sesame seeds. The toppings, along with the beat puree, made for a beautiful presentation too. All in all, I would recommended them to anyone vegetarian or not, but since you are reading this...they are already on to the the November special. Don't worry I'll give you the scoop on them too. Don't forget always order the dumplings fried. Fried dumplings > boiled dumplings 10 times out of 10. Every time. You may find some exceptions in other blog post, but just forget about them right now. 

4.75 out of 5

Eric

No. 1 Fine Chinese (Hoboken, NJ)

 People, I think we did it. I think I found my new go to take out spot in Hoboken, and that place is No.1 Fine Chinese. Now it's no secret I like my Chinese take out spots bare bones, with a sassy boss, and boxes of soy sauce packets and plastic forks strewn about. No. 1 Chinese delivered on all fronts. As soon as I called up, I knew I was in for a treat. From barely being able to hear what the lady was talking about, to arriving there and seeing the menu with all its sepia filtered pictures of various menu items hanging above, I knew this was meant to be.

The scene, the atmosphere, everything was setting up for an amazing experience. Now first glance, I popped open the lid, but wasn't immediately floored. They just didn't look like they would be a great ling. As a veteran that's on me, I should have known don't judge a ling by its appearance (totally). I dunked one into the sauce and into my mouth, and it was magical. Its been a while with new spots where I am instantly impressed after bite one. These did it. The dough to filling ratio was impeccable. These beauts, where perfectly filled. the dough wasn't to thick, but did have that pull any true dumpling connoisseur will tell you about. The filling was tasty, but also simple, spare me all those weird vegetables, I ordered pork I want pork, and that's what I got. The fry wasn't overly crispy, either. The sauce. Let me tell you. The sauce is what captivated me with these lings. Finally a place where the dumpling sauce is right. Not just soy with some chopped scallions thrown in. It was a light tangy sauce that perfectly complimented the little morsels of heaven. A complete a total package from the lady yelling at me on the phone to a dumpling that kept me wanting more. 

It is safe to say that No. 1 Fine Chinese, has leaped frog into the number one take out spot in Hoboken...for now. 

4.9 out of 5

Eric 

Also, walking to get Chinese great time to call all the peeps in the phone book. New tradition, I just created so watch out. If you get a late night phone call from me wondering, why is this guy calling me now, it's because I'm walking to get Chinese.

Stout FiDI (New York, NY)

 Whenever I think of a quintessential Irish Pub, I think of three things, beer, sports, and dumplings. Yeah you heard it, dumplings. If you're an Irish bar with dumplings you rank high on the list of Irish bar, arguably better than Irish bars in Ireland, unless they have dumplings too. Now I will be straight up, the first time I saw these on the menu, I did not order them. But Eric, how could you see dumplings and not order them, relax people, I got around to it.

Off the bat, hearing the words roll of my tongue while I was ordering dumplings here was a bit weird. When these bad boys came out to the table, I was pretty surprised. The presentation was not to shabby, although bold move putting fried dumplings in a steamer basket. Don't think a veteran of the game didn't see that move. 

Now the dumplings themselves, were very crispy, but also maintained a little bit of the chew from the dough. The filling was alright, and the sauce was better than just serving with soy, but weaker than the traditional dumpling sauces. I will say these dumplings were not bad, especially going in with low expectations.  Loads of green onions though, but I have a feeling this chef was all about the presentation, must've known I was the guy getting them

4 out of 5

Eric 

Irish pub dumplings, being better than half of the dumplings I get from actual Asian restaurants is a little disappointing. Be better people.

Tasty Dumpling (New York, NY)

When the Mets lose, the Houston Cougars lose, the Jets lose, and you get runover by a car on your bike, there's only one thing that could turn the week around...yep, dumplings. For this review I called up my friend Tony, born and raised in China, now living in Chinatown. I asked him where we should get dumplings, since I finally had someone that could read all the signs. 

We ended up in Tasty Dumpling. A tiny little spot next to my favorite park, where everyone is playing Chinese chess, and there is definitely gambling being placed on the matches. So we went in and Tony did his thing speaking Chinese to the woman in the back. As he did that I looked around and noticed, this place was packed all of them tourists too. I don't know who the PR manager is, but they deserve all of the money. I don't know what backroom deal went on to put them on a must eat list for all of these tourists, but good on them.

 We ended up getting some chive and pork, and cabbage and pork. They were alright, definitely not living up to the hype of all these tourists. The chive and pork were better, than the cabbage and pork. The chive had some layers of flavor, the cabbage though nothing special. They were a tad bit greasy too, and not as crispy as they could have been. Soy sauce as a dumpling sauce too should tell you everything you need to know. Lackluster and I can give you 5 better dumpling spots within a 10 block radius. 

Chive and pork 3 out of 5

Cabbage and pork 2.8 out of 5

Eric 

PS. again props to the marketing person here, because they are definitely not spending the money on interior, and how else do they get all these tourists jammed in there. There's a list of top dumplings out there and the only logically explanation for why Tasty Dumpling is on it, is the writer is receiving a lifetime supply of dumplings, and if that is the case I don't blame him/or her one bit. 

Confucius (Jersey City, NJ)

Another Thursday which means another dumpling review. These come from Confucius in Jersey City. Obviously, pan fried, pork, everyone knows the drill, I'm still looking for my go to dumpling. These dumplings, are decent. They will not be more go to but they are okay. The dough was thinner than what I want in a go to dumplings. the filling was packed inside, but the dough along the edge was too much. The filling flavor was good, not bland, but nothing to write home about. The sauce was clearly just soy, so that wasn't bringing anything into the table. Confucius won't be the go to spot, decent dumpling though.

3.7 out of 5 

Eric

Thai Sliders & Co (New York, NY)

There's only one type of medicine I take and that is dumplings. So when I heard there we're dumpling vitamins out there I had to try them. Now full disclosure, I wasn't the one that order these tiny drops of heaven, but you better believe I tried them.

These dumplings are from Thai Sliders & Co in the FiDi. Now right of the bat, I love the fact that they give you a ton of these gems. Sure they probably don't add up to eight full size dumplings, but it doesn't even matter with these.

The dumplings themselves, were very tasty. They were still juicy even though they are so small. The filling was spot on, the fry was good, and they still had the doughy goodness I crave. Being Thai, the sauce that came was not the traditional soy based sauce. Instead, it was a red spicy pepper dipping sauce, which was bomb. They nailed the flavor, just a perfect amount of spice. I hate Thai places that spit out flaming lava as a dipping sauce. Get out of here. I'm trying to taste my food, not have my tongue fall apart. This sauce, though, was a perfect accompaniment.

4.6 out of 5

Eric

Dumpling Vitamin prescriptions for everyone.

Precious (Hoboken, NJ)

Another week and another Chinese place checked of the list. This time its precious another joint on Washington St. Obviously I ordered them because I walk enough as it is. The dumplings at first glance looked like they were going to be good. They were very crispy with a thin dough, almost gyoza like, which is a good thing, but I was in the mood for more of a traditional Chinese place dumpling.

The crispy outside was actually still very crispy even after traveling 30 minutes while being steamed in those Chinese takeout containers, so good on them. The filling was flavorful. A simple standard pork filling, and the sauce was definitely not just your classic soy sauce. The combo was very good for a take out dumpling. I'm not committed to Precious as my go to Chinese spot, but it did surprise. 

4.1 out of 5 

Eric 

Off the Wall (Hoboken, NJ)

I'm still searching for a go to dumpling spot in the Hobizzle, for a hot minute. Tonight's audition tape is 'Off the Wall," on Washington St. Walking into this place, I already had high hopes, the dishes on the menu pictured on the wall behind the counter, the lone fat goldfish swimming in a bowl, the door making a horrendous squeaking noise, it was heaven. Obviously, had to scoop up some fried pork 'lings, for the trial test. 

The order only coming with 6 is a slight knock on these guys, These 'lings look pretty close to the classic ones I've been searching for, golden fried dough, not too thick not too thin. The dough to filling ratio was on par with some of the better dumplings. The filling was not to shabby either. The fact I had to walk home from the train station 15 blocks only added to the overall taste. 

As of now, Off the Wall has the number one spot in the Hoboken dumpling power rankings

4.7 out of 5 

Eric 

This is an action packed week fur the blog so look out for more posts, including an international post from when Tuck thought it would be a good idea to put all his trust in a giant rubber band and jump into a quarry. 

Niu Noodle House (New York, NY)

Sometimes you just have to kick back and and have a low key day, and how else does any low key day end other than with dumplings. After a classic NYC day, we came back and ordered up some soup dumplings from Niu Noodle House. Obviously eating dumplings in bed is the pinnacle of a dumpling bloggers career, as I continue my conquest over everything dumpling in Manhattan. 

These dumplings were pretty good. I was pretty exhausted when I was eating these so with that little bit of knowledge, I'll give you the scoop. These dumplings came perfectly intact which is sometimes a major issue in the soup dumpling delivery game. the broth was flavored well, but I felt like it needed a little bit more pork thrown in there or something for some added bit. The dough was not too thick, which can be a total downfall of a soup dumpling. 

These dumplings were a perfect little end to a very solid NY day, plus anytime you don't have to put on pants to eat dumplings is basically heaven. 

4 out of 5

Eric