Dumpling House
Eater uncovered the fact that Dumpling House re-opened earlier this week. I had stopped by just two weeks ago and the place was still closed for renovations, but they got everything up to speed as the new store looks much neater and cleaner. I have been coming to this joint for months, and it is nice to see them up again, serving up delicious dumplings. Usually here is where a random story or anecdote is clumsily weaved into the opening paragraph, but I am feeling much too squirrelly to write a proper entry.
Inside the store, it was a jumbled mess. They have two people taking orders in the middle of running around back and forth to fetch what is necessary for your order. After ordering, you get a receipt with a ticket number, but actually they do not follow numerical order. Imagine waiting in line at a DMV, and that pretty much sums it up. The best strategy is to make your way to the middle counter area, and when someone finishes with an order, make eye contact, then show her your ticket number. And then you hope for the best. It does not take that long actually because those ladies behind the counter can hustle.
Just like Eater.com mentioned, the dumplings are four for a dollar, instead of five. Honestly, still stupid cheap if you think about it. They fry the dumplings in a huge flat cast iron pan and for the most part, the underside of the dumpling gets nice and crispy. Caramelization is not uniform for every single dumpling, but you overlook that when the tastiness of the pork and leek greets your taste buds. Think of it as buying four pockets of porky happiness. Another thing to try is sesame pancake with beef, $1.75. The sesame pancake is pan fried as well, and very fresh during lunch rush. You can see them make it in front of you. Pillowy innards matched with a crispy exterior, the pancake is lined with three thin slices of beef. You have to eat it warm to get the full effect, and it is decently filling.
In summary, Dumpling House rocks, and it will cost you about $3 dollars to give it a try if you are ever in Chinatown. Go forth and eat, dear readers.
Dumpling House
118 Eldridge St.
New York, NY 10002
212-625-8008
I wish I worked near Chinatown.
Ang
January 10, 2008 3:58 pm
those pictures look freakin delicious.
if i was allergic to beef, pork, leek, sesame, carmelization AND carrots i would still run down there and wave ticket numbers for some of that food... MMMM.
good job danny!
barb
January 10, 2008 4:03 pm
Nice detail on the dumplings, and the sesame pancakes with beef. I'm having dinner on East Broadway this evening -- I'll try to grab an appetizer or two on the way!
Dave
January 11, 2008 1:46 am
It seems that New York has real authentic Chinese food. This shop has its characters.
chicago
January 11, 2008 2:17 pm
Ang,
It is nice to be close to chinatown.
Barb,
Thanks! Yea it smells so good in there. Mmm... dumplings.
Dave,
Thanks for dropping by! I saw your blog, you have quite the stamina for eating out!
Chicago,
It does have some authentic Chinese food, but there are still stuff that I cannot find.
Danny
January 11, 2008 11:24 pm
Mmmm... Yumm...
We'll have to visit NY more.
Atlanta
January 13, 2008 10:15 am
They have awesome food =D
Kumi
January 21, 2008 7:56 pm