Hunan Wok 2.0 (Sparta, NJ)

While Tyuck is galavanting around in Asia, I'm here in the Garden of Eden fro dumplings; yes you guessed it New Jersey. Asia might seem like the most logical place to get dumplings, but any real connoisseur knows the the great New York Metropolitan area is the primer dumpling hotspot.

Sparta seems to have a Chinese place every 10 feet. These morsels of heaven come from Hunan Wok. Now Hunan Wok is across, so its about time I try them out hot. Other then not having rated these dumplings properly before (see previous Hunan Wok post), I am also coming down with a cold so I obviously needed some dumplings to help boost my immune system. Vitamin C wishes it was on the same level as a fried dumpling.

I went in with my expectations not too high, I was just looking for a quick dumpling and one I haven't properly rated. These blew my socks off for not expecting much. The dumpling center was tasty, the dough ratio was great, but those alone would have only made these good dumplings. What took this dumplings from good to potentially my new replacement for Lucky House (Never Forget), was the sauce. It was so much more than just your standard soy sauce with chives thrown in it. It elevated the dumplings to another level. Its like when you open a brand new pair of socks on wear a pair right out of the bag. That feeling of fresh socks makes you feel like you could climb everest, if you weren't currently scrolling through the TV looking for something to catch your attention for the next 20 minutes. This sauce was a pair of new socks. Sure maybe after a while of eating it its allure wears off, sure it could possibly be I haven't had a dumpling in a bit, or I'm coming down with a bit of a cold, but deep down I know this sauce was a fresh pair of white crew socks fresh out of the package and with that I give these dumplings-

4.1 out of 5

Eric

Now where did I put my socks.

Hunan Wok (Sparta, NJ)

Is there a better sight to come home to for a dumpling connoisseur than some dumplings? With Lucky House a distant memory, finding a new go to dumpling place nearby has been a process. These bad boys are from Hunan Wok. I would have to say an overall solid dumpling. The sauce is a bit sweeter than the good old fashioned dumpling sauces at the many other Chinese places I have ventured. I didn't have these dumplings at their peak, and they were a bit cold by the time I wolfed 'em down. (A respected dumpling critic doesn't have time to reheat; if there is a dumpling in my line of sight its in my belly within the minute). 

With Fu's already receiving a solid score, and being a located in town as well, we might have a competition on our hands. Another solid showing from a Sparta Chinese place. It's like I live in some sort of dumpling pocket. 

Sparta does it again,

4 out of 5 

Rivals Fu's, who knows maybe if they were hot out the pan, they would've received a higher score. 

Next logical step is a blind dumpling taste test between the two frontrunners for Eric's go to dumpling place. Eventually that'll happen 

(Notice the Christmas plate, gotta keep it festive on the blog)

Eric