mokbar (New York, NY)

After a night of drinking, there are only two things that could help me face the hangover I was having. Obviously, the first was to continue on and have a few beers at the biergarten at the Standard. The next thing on my agenda was to get some food. With all my friends, going to order tacos, I had to get some real hangover cure food and sought out some dumplings, because everyone knows dumplings > everything else, especially when hungover.

So I headed on down to mokbar inside Chelsea Markets. It's a tiny little korean place, and decided to go with the halmoni dumplings. Food from the gods. These gems were perfectly fried, the filling was a lot more complex than many of the dumplings featured on this blog. the seasoning was spot on, the sizing was great.

The sauce that came with these beauts, was a kimchi based one that only added to the overall taste of the dumplings. These dumplings were exactly what I needed to keep on going for the day.

All around a very solid dumpling/sauce combo from the people at mokbar. I'd obviously advocate for eating dumplings daily, but for someone who is looking for a more moderate dumpling diet, I'd suggest going down to mokbar if you're in the area.

4.3 out of 5

Eric

"A dumpling a day...is a necessity"- my own quote (that i just came up with)

We have shirts

WE HAVE A SHIRT.

Dedicated to the dumpling life, then you definitely need this shirt. How else could you ever eat a dumpling again, without wearing one on your chest.*

Black tee coming soon.

https://teespring.com/new-dumpling-life

*very limited edition, only for the die hards

China Star (Vernon, NJ)

I just recently returned from a trip to Montreal, followed by a swing down to Florida, and I know what everyone is thinking "Uh why is this review not international or the very least a Florida Chinese place?" Well, I was way to busy enjoying the snow and then the sun, to even think about any reviews. However, when I was down in Florida, I met some awesome Hawkeyes, who had no clue what a dumpling was, let alone a blog devoted to ranking them existed. After some talk describing these little bites of heaven, once I returned back to NJ, I had to get some.

I have never been to China Star, and it's located pretty close to where I work, so I had to give them ago. The sauce was finally back to my standards after a few lackluster Chinese places. This sauce is one of the better sauces in the area, and believe me I've had almost all of them. But, thats where the positives end. Unfortunately, these dumplings just lacked all flavor which was a major disappointment. I was really looking forward to a nice bite, they looked great, sauce was good, but the dumpling didn't shine. There are much better places in northern NJ. 

Middle of the road dumpling

3 out of 5

Eric 

I'd like to shoutout our new Iowa friends from Fort Myers, this blog is dedicated to you. 

Hopefully, Iowa has some good dumplings. I'm coming for them. 

If there's two things, I know about the midwest is that 1) they have a shit ton of corn and 2) if no one has even heard of a dumpling it could potentially be a dumpling Nirvana out there. Stay tuned to find out.

Wok & Roll (New Bedford, MA)

People only go to New Beige for a few things. Work, The New Bedford Whaling Museum, or transient use of the highway as a means to leave New Beige. Through an utter miracle of circumstance, I found myself at the Wok and Roll by Sid Wainer and Son, a growing distribution company in the area, and I thought I had found myself a little dumpling gem.

For those of you who know us, E and I value only the most delicious dumplings. Those made with love, heart, passion. We value the dumpling maker that looks at each and every dumpling and says, "You, my sweet dumpling, are a piece of art." And what ensues is a delicious roller coaster of taste bud orgasms, explosions of the senses due to dumpling ecstasy.

Let's focus, now, on the microcosm that is Wok and Roll. There is not much to say for the interior décor. Plastic tables, chairs, etc. Sitting in the Wok and Roll is not an experience. And, dare I say it, neither are the dumplings. I was impressed with their delivery - if you are looking for a quick fried dumpling, this is the place to go. Stop in and pick up somw noodles and some sweet pork. However, due to its haste, the dumplings were not as crispy brown as I appreciate. The dough to pork ratio was appropriate, and the soy sauce was delicious and savory, with many accoutrements to add taste. I will say, in addition, that the Wok and Roll is one of the more appealing destinations in New Beige.

If you're ever in the area, stop on by and pick up some quick dumplings here with a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. Don't get the crab rangoon. You will regret it.

Until next time.

Tyuck!

Good Taste (Hamburg, NJ)

In the dumpling game it gets pretty hard to remember where you have gotten dumplings before, unless they blow your socks off. So, I was driving home when I decided to act on the ever present dumpling craving. I thought I'd try Good Taste, thinking I haven't them before. Nope I have had them before; they were just so underwhelming I wiped ever having them from my memory.

Looking back on my previous entry of these dumplings, everything I said before still stands. They cant even get the portions right. Last time I had six, this time seven, c'mon man. These dumplings were big, but that doesn't always translate to a quality dumpling. The filling could've been a contender at one point, these though not even close. Dough to meat ratio was a little shoddy, and the sauce being straight soy, which I should've remembered, was horrible.

Try for me one time Good Taste and maybe I'll have good things to say. Do I really have to go out of my way to bring my own dumpling sauce from another joint to give you a fair rating ? In baseball you get three strikes, but in the dumpling world you're unbelievably lucky to even get a second chance.

1.7 out of 5

I'm disappointed in myself guys thats two redo reviews.

Be Better (That's a reminder to myself and Good Taste)

Eric

Fu Da (Burlington, VT)

It's amazing that I've lived in Burlington for 4 years while in college and never once been to FuDa, or even remember ordering dumplings. When visiting buds then, it's only fitting that Tyuck and I team up and both give you the first tandem dumpling review. From the instant we walked in I knew I was in a prime dumpling location. The tables, all located to one side of the room, the unused buffet station, the random plants, and the cardboard boxes full of sauce packets, I knew I was in for something good. I ordered some dumplings and the out came those beauts. I was immediately taken aback at how many we got, and was not expecting the 8 even though thats a pretty standard number.

Now to the dumplings themselves. Crisp was on point. These are how all dumplings should be, straight out of the wok on to a styrofoam plate, and in front of my face in no time.  Dough to Meat ratio was good, sauce nailed that too. My only gripe was that I haven't been there 6 years earlier. These were some serious dumplings. The vibe was exactly what got me into the dumpling game in the first place.

4.2 out of 5

Eric

Pandan Room (Hackettstown, NJ)

Pandan Room is my go to Thai restaurant, and I always go curry FYI. But today in addition to my curry, I had to get some dumplings. Obviously, these are pork. I wish they were fried, but these we re bonus dumplings so cant complain. The sauce was much more thai inspired than the usual Chinese restaurant sauce and had a bit more sweetness.

Aside from the outside not having that amazing crisp from a hot smoking wok, the dough was pretty spot on. Not to much. The filling was tasty as well, again a little more spice, because thats how Thai does it. I think I have never been to Thailand, but I have eaten my fair share of dumplings.

Being bonus dumplings and not expecting to even have them when I went to go get Thai, they were pretty good.

3.5 out of 5

Middle of the road dumpling. Throw on a few more on that boat plate for me and we'll chat again Pandan Room.

Eric