Otaiku (Bayonne, NJ)

 Dumplings are always amazing, no two ways about it. However, dumplings with a free bear courtesy of grande jefe, on my last day of work are that much better. Usually, for lunch we are going out to Wendy's and grabbing a 4 for 4, or scooting over to Burger King and loading up on zesty sauce packets, but on a last day you just have to go out with a bang. It was not a secret that I am a legend in the dumpling game, so it was sushi and Sapporos for lunch. 

On the chopping block the gyoza for Otaiku. Now patrón was hyping up his dumpling knowledge, so a live review in front of him had to happen. These guys were a good gyoza dough. the crisp was there, I could see the filling through the paper skin, which is a hall mark of a quality wrap job. The filling had a good flavor and picked up where the sauce was lacking. The sauce wasn't straight soy, but it lacked a little something something. 

All in all can't complain about eating dumplings and sipping on beers for lunch, instead of grinding out work. With that said I'm gonna miss it over there, who's gonna keep everyone on their toes over there without me is something I'm waiting to see.

4.3 out of 5

Shout out to Patrón and the lunch squad, way better than eating in the clubhouse. 

Eric

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 

Pinch Chinese (New York, NY)

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As a dumpling mogul, I am always getting recommendations for new restaurants. Pinch comes highly touted by a dumpling plug of mine. It recently opened up in Soho and had to make a stop. 

We had to order three different flavs of course, ending up going with the classic xiao, the vegetable, and the spicy wontons. In order of deliciousness, I'll start with the vegetable. These lings where an all around clean and refreshing 'ling. they are the perfect cleanser dumpling. They are the ginger to sushi, the sorbet to a five course meal. They are light and vibrant and get rid of all the meaty, spicy flavors of the other 'lings. 

Next up on the chopping block, the Soup dumplings. These are some of the smokier tasting soup dumplings I have had to date. The broth was tasty, and topping them off with some ginger, vinegar, and soy sauce just added to the flavor explosion. These soup dumplings rank high on the list in NYC, right up there with the soup dumplings my plug makes, just don't let him know. I don't want to create a dumpling feud in my backyard. 

Finally, the best of the night, the spicy beef wontons. These pups were smothered in the house spicy sauce, and they were fuego. They weren't fuego hotwise, the spice was nice and pleasent, but they were fuego in the taste department. The filling to dough ratio was spot on. the sauce like I said added the perfect spice element. I'd get these again in a heartbeat. 

Vegetable 3.5 out of 5 

Soup 4.5 out of 5

Wontons 4.9 out of 5

Eric 

BONUS 

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Contrary to popular belief, I eat more than just dumplings, and at Pinch,we had to order an order of the ribs. These bad boys where bomb. They fell right off the bone. They are coated in the same sauce that the wontons where smothered in, and cumin. The cumin stood out. The flavor was a mix of chinese and mexican and all around deliciousness. I'm a huge advocate for always pushing the dumplings because nothing can beat them on a menu...nothing except maybe these ribs. Money...get them you won't be sorry. 

Ribs 5 out of 5

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. 

Asia Sushi (Hoboken, NJ)

 In college March Madness beginning was a glorious day, college basketball on all day, a case of beer, and of course chinese food. Now that I'm in the real world and a dumpling magnet, it's only fitting I continue the tradition. Obviously, being older swapped out the Chinese with Sushi, but kept the main staple, the dumplings.

By now most people should know that I have eaten my way up Washington St, in Hoboken. Next on the block Asia Sushi. Now these are traditional chinese dumplings, which is a lane departure from Japanese gyoza at most sushi spots, but I mean that's great for me. These 'lings weren't anything special. They are like the UVM catamounts in the tournament. Sure these dumplings would make it to a Hoboken dumpling bracket, but they are definitely being a low seed and not making it out of the first round. Fried, good. Sauce, bland. Filling, leaves something to be desired. I know getting dumplings at a sushi restaurant is like ordering the chicken at a steakhouse, but if I see dumplings on the menu and not order them, would anyone value my authority on dumplings. I know I wouldn't. 

Decent weekend of basketball, horrible weekend for gambling, and an average showing from these dumplings. 

2.9 out of 5

Eric

UNC wins it all 87-83. Put it in the books. 

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.