Reviews

• 

  Where are the Dumpling Lovers at Lunch?

  Gastronomicdude | Oct 27 2010

  I never quite understood why there are two Dumpling Yuans on the same block along Wellington Street, especially when both of their owners can't tell the reasons behind the extra location just metres apart -- they are not even crowded on most days' lunch hours. This day we settled in one of the communal tables at the older shop. Flipping through a comprehensive menu where pictures of dishes are presented and the English names are mostly correct, we ordered one small order of Sour and Hot Soup ($12), One Shandong Roasted Chicken ($26), in appetizer portion, and a bowl of 10 dumplings ($33), boiled to order. It turned out, that an order of dumplings can contain two different varieties which cost the same, and that'd be an extra $1 for ours -- Pork and 'Vegetable' and Pork and Celery.
  
  The Sour and Hot Soup, beaming with a textbook thick-consistency, is too light to be called that. It's only mildly sour and the heat was undetectable. the pig's blood jelly slightly jiggled in spoonful of thickened broth, alongside shreds of bamboo shoots, ginger, tofu and woodear mushrooms. It tasted too light but the consistency was just about as good as it can get. The Shandong Roasted Chicken is equal part chicken and cucumber bits -- cool and crunchy bathing in a dark, sweet soy-sauce based sauce with a light tang from vinegar. The roasted chicken, in large chunks, could benefit with a little tearing apart into bite-sized morsels but is instead piled up in big generous pieces of moist chicken even at the breast.
  
  The dumplings, served steaming in a bowl, did not have any indication of one variety from another. By chance we took a bite into the Pork and Vegetable one, it's Watercress, as I wondered why the English title got lost in translation when the Cantonese one clearly demonstrated the exact vegetable. But that didn't matter the slightest, as minced pork matched with dots of dark green watercress with a tiny hint of pepperiness in it. The dumpling wrappers were thicker than anticipated, more like Shanghainese Wontons, but it didn't feel starchy at all. The Pork with Celery ones were surprisingly good, even for someone who doesn't favour Chinese celery all that much. The grassiness of the Chinese celery remains, but the crunchy texture won me over. 5 dumpling of each variety should make quite a meal for many, and if you feel particularly hungry, an appetizer should fill one up nicely enough.
  
  Dumpling Yuan is a place I'd frequent, and knowing that there are two outlets now, I'm more than happy settling to the older shop, than the newer one with a cranked-up air-conditioning and too crowded of seating arrangements.

  • How much did you spend?
    $72
  • Overall Rating
    Good

  

  

  

  

  
  • Food 7
  • Service 5
  • Ambiance 4
  • Price 4

• 

  Love this place

  Pongie | Oct 23 2010

  i love dumplings, and quick,efficient service with no fuss.therefore,i love this place.it doesn't cost you a leg either!

  • How much did you spend?
    90
  • Overall Rating
    Good
  • Food 8
  • Service 7
  • Ambiance 6
  • Price 2

• 

  dumplings and noodles as authentic as cheap in central can get

  Half_Full | Mar 10 2010

  i love the variety of northern and southern cuisine available - northern dumplings and noodles, shanghai wontons and 马兰 beancurd. Food is good and cheap. Service is quick and very polite. Decor is actually clean and new.

  • How much did you spend?
    $60 for 2 dishes
  • Overall Rating
    Good
  • Food 8
  • Service 9
  • Ambiance 8
  • Price 4

• 

  Great

  brody | May 15 2009

  My favourite place to go when I'm craving plates of vegetarian dumplings dipped in sharp vinegar. The restaurant is cheap and unfussy, the food served quickly even during the evening rush. A great place to stop for a snack or light meal in Central.
  • Food 8
  • Service 8
  • Ambiance 7
  • Price 5