King's Co Imperial (Brooklyn, NY)

When Tyuck comes to town there's only one thing a couple of dumpling connoisseurs need to do; get dumplings. So with the help of his brother we hopped on down to Kings Co. Imperial looking for some soup dumplings...and they didnt have any. Instead we had to opt for an offering of all the dumplings they have on the menu. 

Nothing more satisfying than just saying give me one of every dumpling you offer. We ended up getting some chicken dumplings, some veggie potstickers, some pork long dumplings, and some pork/shrimp shumai, so this blog post has something for everyone, vegetarians to pure carnivores. 

I'll start with the veggie potstickers.

As you all know we prefer our dumplings fried, these were filled with a variety of vegetables with the biggie being bok choy. They were decent not to great, overall medium dumpling the sauce we used was the one for the chicken dumplings so much better than the standard soy on the table. I also tried it in this bomb spicy peanutty sauce which was amazing. 

On to the next the pork/shrimp shumai

Like I said before, steamed are alright, but it's always going to play second fiddle to the big dogs. These again were alright nothing special, but the sauce was amazing. It had a pleasant heat and tinge, that definitely upped the wow factory of the dumplings, but still a lack luster dumpling.

Now on to the power players starting with the pork long dumplings,

Now we are getting into the real gems. These pork dumplings had an awesome flavor, a little greasy, but overall very pleasant. Dipping them into the chicken sauce only elevated them that much more. Fired, check. Filling, check. Sauce, check. These made for  a dumpling that definitely could definitely get our stamp of approval. 

Finally we ordered some chicken dumplings,

Chicken dumplings always scare me because so much can go wrong and you're sitting there eating something so dry it makes 6 saltine crackers look appetizing. But these, these dumplings knocked it out of the park. Our clear number one out of the four samples. The sauce was the pinnacle sauce of the day. The dumpling was perfectly moist, the fry was simple and added the perfect amount of crisp. 

Popping into swanky chinese places, as a dumpling reviewer is never as fun as the little hole in the wall dive chinese spots. However, Kings Co. Imperial, definitely had a cool vibe, and dumplings fit the bill.

2.7 out of 5 Vegetable Potstickers

2.9 out of 5 Pork/Shrimp Shumai

4.2 out of 5 Pork Long Dumplings

4.5 out of 5 Chicken Dumplings

Eric 

Final verdict, if you can stomach the hipstery vibe that is brooklyn, and have pants tight enough to blend in and not look like you're a professional dumpling critic, head on over to Brooklyn. There's a lot of cool spots, and places to chow down. But seriously, hit the thrift shop first, or the looks of disgust will be many. 

Formosa (Iowa City, IA)

When in Iowa, you obviously have to get sushi. I mean it does boarder the Mississippi, so you know it's going to be good. Whenever, you go get sushi, dumplings have to accompany it. It is a classic combination like peanut butter and jelly. 

Now Iowa, has already far and away surpassed everything I have thought. These dumplings did the same thing. I know again with the steamed, but beggars can't be choosers. The sauce was good, again your classic midwestern soy sauce combo (TM). The dumplings were spot on no complaints, the filling was nice, the size was perfect. Throw in the tropical Iowa weather and eating outside, and these dumplings knocked it out of the park. 

Iowa was a perfect 2 for 2 in the dumpling category, which is surprising granted that all four Iowans I know haven't even heard of them before. 

4.2 out of 5

Eric 

Final verdict if you are from the East Coast and have a spare 15 hours lying around and you want to experience a cool town known not just for their dumplings, it pains me to say this but Iowa City is pretty dope.

Dumpling Darling (Iowa City, IA)

I was feeling the urge to get back to dumpling basics, and with Tyuck already eating dumplings in Asia, there was only one place left for me to look. Someplace warm, a place where the beer flows like wine; where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I'm talking about a little place called Iowa City. 

So that's what I did. I treked out 15 hours to the land where some say dumplings were invented. I arrived in Iowa City pleasantly surprised with the surroundings. It was a cool, laid back kind of college town, a lot more going for it than just corn.

So I hopped into Dumpling Darling. This is nice low key little joint. I went traditional steamed. I know, I know fried dumplings are our bread and butter, but I had to get a pork filling so these guys were it.

The sauce was a classic midwest style soy sauce. I have no idea if that is a real thing so I am just going to roll with it. Dumplings were pretty good, I'll admit my expectations were not super high on anything Iowa, but I was mistaken. They were a solid dumpling that I would throw against anything from Chinatown in the city (New York City for anyone from the midwest reading who is wondering what I am talking about). 

Well done, Iowa. 

4.0 out of 5

Eric 

P.S. They might have been higher if I didn't leave Iowa without getting a "Not everything is flat in Iowa" shirt. Major mess up on my part. I should have been better. I'm sorry.

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!