488251 Sun Feb 10 13:01:46 -0800 2008 54 18 Manhattan 0 3383182 I've never had the opportunity to try Dumpling House and Prosperity Dumpling (both on Eldridge) on consecutive days. In the back of my mind, I've always suspected I like Prosperity better, even though Dumpling House is much more popular. Yesterday, got a 5-pack of Prosperity's dumplings to go on my way to Super Taste. They had just come off the pan and were appropriately crunchy, steamy, with the hot juices flowing. Filling was chock full of chives, which I love, and the meat was fatty and tasty. Today, I stopped by Dumpling House, which I hadn't been to since the renovation. Got 8 dumplings and a sesame pancake with duck (new to the menu). The dumplings paled in comparison to Prosperity's. They have such high turnover, yet the dumplings I got were browned on the bottom, but hardly crispy. I can accept that, because sometimes you just get the end of a batch. What I cannot accept is that the filling was terrible. No aroma, minimal chives and way to heavy on the white pepper. Even dunking in soy sauce and hot sauce (which I never have to do at Prosperity) barely made a dent. My wife had 1 and stopped, complaining about how bad these were. Now that I've compared back to back, I have to say that Dumpling House has fallen from favor. Oh yeah, hte sesame pancake was lukewarm also, filled with some fatty bits of duck. Yuck. No thank you. Sun Feb 10 13:01:46 -0800 2008 28973 FattyDumplin 1 3383196 You're burying your lead story? What goes on at Super Taste? Is that where you go for the full on meal after dumplings? Sun Feb 10 13:07:11 -0800 2008 3383182 14308 sing me a bar 2 3383509 haha. yeah, love super taste's beef noodle soup. i've tried the others, including sheng wang, but nothing else beats the taste of the soup and the texture of the noodles. i prefer the knife-sliced noodles, but for some reason the owner sometimes won't make them. Sun Feb 10 15:20:41 -0800 2008 3383196 28973 FattyDumplin 3 3714026 I will say, hands down, Super Taste has the best steamed pork dumplings (and dipping sauce) this side of Canal Street. Prosperity is pretty good, but doughy and not even on the same planet as Super Taste. You do not know the delectable scrumptiousness you are missing if you're not eating these perfect pillows of joy. And yes, the beef soup is truly fantastic. But trust me- the dumplings at Super Taste stand on their own merit. And at $3 for ten piping hot treats, I might consider it the best dumpling bargain in all of NYC. Fri May 23 03:23:52 -0700 2008 3383509 180202 FuDee 3 3814267 Is it too much to hope that Super Taste's beef noodle soup is Taiwanese-style? Would love the option to not trawl Flushing or take the hours of slow-cooking to make it myself... Wed Jun 25 20:05:02 -0700 2008 3383509 15456 NancyC 4 3858617 its sort of like the taiwanese beef noodle soup (although that can vary depending on who makes it). the basics are the same, but the beef is not nearly as tender as it is when u get it done correctly, the noodles are excellent and the broth is less flavorful than any good taiwanese place btw im not recommending 144 e broadway a place called lan zhou hand pulled noodles. I think its done a little better and they have amazing dumplings Thu Jul 10 22:58:48 -0700 2008 3814267 12298 Lau 5 3860115 Lau, did you mean to write "I'm now recommending" or "I'm NOT recommending"? Fri Jul 11 11:24:50 -0700 2008 3858617 48389 racer x 6 3861811 I was wondering that too! If you ARE recommending Lan Zhou, is it just good for Manhattan or a reasonably good rendition for either Queens or Manhattan? Fri Jul 11 22:37:42 -0700 2008 3860115 15456 NancyC 7 3862328 sorry that was a typo...i meant "i'm now recommending" Both dumplings and noodle soup are some of the better renditions in NY, I eat at either there or super taste usually weekly (at super taste they literally doesn't even ask us what we want, we just sit down and they bring us the usual). Dumplings are very good for anywhere (i.e. its an absolute good rendition) Noodle soup wise its the best in manhattan (i dont think flushing is a big step up when it comes to noodle soup, if someone's got a great rec for me id love to try it) and good generally although I've never had a great noodle soup in NY period (flushing included). The good noodle soup places (like lan zhou) in NY definitely get the noodles right (the hand pulled noodles are quite good). Its the beef and broth that aren't quite right. The beef when done right should be very tender (never done right in any place in manhattan or flushing) and the soup broth should be very flavorful although I think this is hardest to get right and also the most subjective (its one of those best sushi or steak type arguments), that said none of the places in NY have great broth, its decent, but when you have great broth you can't stop drinking it (this is def the most difficult as even some of the good places in LA can't get that right although some of them have great broth) Sat Jul 12 08:37:40 -0700 2008 3861811 12298 Lau 8 3863194 Thanks. The one and only time I tried to make beef noodle soup at home I think I did a really good rendition of what I had in Taiwan but it took SO LONG. Of course, those hours of cooking did yield incredibly tender beef and a very rich broth. But I'm always on the lookout for a place that can serve it faster and cheaper :). Sat Jul 12 16:27:30 -0700 2008 3862328 15456 NancyC 1 3386967 Oh, yeah, I always thought Prosperity was superior. I just didn't understand why everybody liked Dumpling House, which I thought was just greasy with no care. Mon Feb 11 14:17:34 -0800 2008 3383182 10763 Miss Needle 2 3386981 i do think the quality has slipped. when i first tried them about 3 years ago, i really enjoyed the dumplings. and the sesame pancake was great also. the last couple times, its been lackluster. for the last 6 months, my default has been prosperity because its so close to super taste. Mon Feb 11 14:19:24 -0800 2008 3386967 28973 FattyDumplin 3 3387000 I've eaten at Dumpling House years ago and thought it wasn't very good back then either. Same with the one on Mosco. Prosperity always serves their dumplings piping hot and fresh. The other ones just seemed so tired. Mon Feb 11 14:22:08 -0800 2008 3386981 10763 Miss Needle 4 3387055 There's no Dumpling House on Mosco. Perhaps you're thinking of Fried Dumpling? BTW, I've always gotten fresh dumplings at Dumpling House and their sister Tasty Dumpling. Mon Feb 11 14:35:12 -0800 2008 3387000 18466 a_and_w 5 3387090 Yes, I know there's no Dumping House on Mosco. I was just saying that even though Fried Dumpling on Mosco was so popular, I never liked them. I did like Tasty Dumpling, though. Mon Feb 11 14:43:45 -0800 2008 3387055 10763 Miss Needle 6 3387176 Gotcha -- then I agree on both counts. Mon Feb 11 15:02:04 -0800 2008 3387090 18466 a_and_w 6 3480563 The Fried Dumpling store on Mosco does a consistently bad job- way too greasy. The one on Allen is much better, although timing is important, as they are better out of the pan when turnover is high (which of course means, however, that there is nowhere to sit and eat). Tue Mar 11 01:10:54 -0700 2008 3387090 80872 addictedtolunch 7 3482020 The one on Allen is also cleaner, as I recall. I'm pretty desensitized to mess, but the Mosco branch really grossed me out. Tue Mar 11 10:46:39 -0700 2008 3480563 18466 a_and_w 1 3387074 Thirteen dumplings, a sesame pancake AND Super Taste ? Did you eat all of it ! I'm always hammering that Prosperity blows Dumpling House out of the water. I'm so amazed that the latter is as popular as it is. Mon Feb 11 14:39:38 -0800 2008 3383182 132036 cmballa 2 3387838 ha. no two separate trips. 8 dumplings and a pancake from dumpling house yesterday, after splitting a roast pork banh mi and shrimp rolls from saigon banh mi. 5 dumpings shared while eating at super taste. i'm a glutton, just not that big of a glutton. Mon Feb 11 18:17:13 -0800 2008 3387074 28973 FattyDumplin 3 3388065 Oh I know where you're coming from. Eating silly amounts of food in Chinatown from as many spots as possible is my (fair weather) pastime. Mon Feb 11 19:24:50 -0800 2008 3387838 132036 cmballa 4 3388120 try doing it while fighting through the mobs for chinese new year as i did this weekend. that is the true test of a warrior! Mon Feb 11 19:44:57 -0800 2008 3388065 28973 FattyDumplin 1 3387191 Not in Chinatown, but there's a great dumpling place in the East Village off 2nd avenue calle Plump Dumplings. Yummy! Mon Feb 11 15:04:49 -0800 2008 3383182 165202 winston669 1 3388276 Wait, wait, wait -- have you ever had Super Taste's dumplings? They are AMAZING. Way better than any of these other joints. Almost as good as my mom's. Mon Feb 11 20:57:54 -0800 2008 3383182 14150 fatisflavor 2 3484973 they are very good, but they're a different type of dumpling from prosperity...that said they are quite good, i eat at super taste once a week and if we're hungry we get an additional dumpling over our noodle soup and fish balls...the dumplings are cheap as hell too, you get so many they're steamed dumplings (shui jiao) with thinner skin than dumpling house or prosperity and dumpling house / prosperity serve fried dumplings (guo tie) Wed Mar 12 08:21:57 -0700 2008 3388276 12298 Lau 2 3753213 I STRONGLY concur with Fat- Super Taste is truly god's gift to dumpling lovers. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fudee Thu Jun 05 12:43:33 -0700 2008 3388276 180202 FuDee 3 3753916 you know i actually like the place on 144 e broadway slightly better for dumplings for the sole reason that they they will fry them up (super taste only has them steamed)...they taste exactly the same (if you put super taste and their steamed dumplings in a taste test you could not tell the difference), but the frying makes them so good and they only fry them lightly so they're not very heavy, but really good this place is extremely english challenged, ive never spoken a word of english to them, but they did translate maybe 5 or 6 things into english on the wall and the fried dumplings are one of them, so just point if u dont know any chinese Thu Jun 05 15:37:18 -0700 2008 3753213 12298 Lau 3 4005364 I third that emotion. I am not a pulled noodles-lover, but my husband is, and prefers Eastern Noodle. However, I dragged him to Super Taste to try the dumplings and I was shocked and awed. Those little pork and chive bundles of joy were juicy and brimming with flavor, and the skin was perfect. I shamelessly finished the plate. Wed Sep 03 06:59:18 -0700 2008 3753213 21555 chompchomp 1 3389330 The absolute best dumplings are the crab and pork soup dumplings at Joe's Shanghai. Yummmmmm Tue Feb 12 08:45:14 -0800 2008 3383182 165127 jauyeung 1 3476473 I did a back-to-back comparison of pork and chives dumplings from Prosperity and Dumpling House around 5pm today (Sunday). Prosperity's dumplings had a much better tasting filling, with hints of sesame oil and maybe even a little pepper. The filling in the Dumpling House dumplings just tasted of a little soy sauce. Aside from the actual taste of the food, I preferred the experience at Prosperity. A steady flow of customers passed through Prosperity while I waited for my order and then ate it, but the pace was slow enough that the cook/cashier was able to look each customer in the face as he took their orders, received payment, and gave them their food. He even smiled at me. By contrast, the crush of the crowd at Dumpling House left me feeling like I was in a cattle herd. The server who was giving out the food from behind the counter wasn't even looking at the customers' faces half the time, and I didn't see any smiles behind the counter there. Dumpling House has an advantage in terms of a nicer and much larger seating area, as well as a broader range of menu choices. But Prosperity won me over today with better-tasting dumplings and warmer service. Sun Mar 09 19:55:04 -0700 2008 3383182 48389 racer x 1 3480200 So I gave in and stopped by Dumpling House the other day for the first time after their remodel (I just started a new job nearby). I had no want for their dumplings, and the beef on store for sandwiches looked as dry as hell, BUT. Check out that crock-pot full of sticky, sweet, unctuous pork they now keep on the counter. It fills sandwiches! And they totally rule! Might be the only reason to go there (unless someone has some good info on the duck sandwich, or other new things). Mon Mar 10 20:34:24 -0700 2008 3383182 132036 cmballa 2 3481660 i tried the duck sandwich, it's just like the beef sandwich except it has duck and hoisin sauce in it, its pretty tasty. I also got the egg and chive pancake, which is actually more like a jamaican beef pattie except that its stuffed with egg, chives and glass noodles...this was very good and definitely worth trying also i saw somethiing on their menu that got me excited although i haven't tried it yet. there is this thing in LA called the "beef roll" (niu rou bao bing in chinese), that a couple of northern chinese places serve that is way awesome. i think they might have it here although i have to try it here's a pic of it: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/nsdANtlNEj_Dk2EnvQzFhA?select=n0gMQPqZLuced8hkoLOyJw Tue Mar 11 09:40:10 -0700 2008 3480200 12298 Lau 3 3482104 I've had what was described as the sesame beef pancake at Prosperity Dumplings and while it is excellent it's not the same as the beef rolls from 101 Express. The Prosperity pancake is round and looks like a small pizza. Actually not a bad substitute if you can't get the real thing. Tue Mar 11 11:06:07 -0700 2008 3481660 10131 Chandavkl 4 3482338 I tried Prosperity for the first time yesterday -- so much better than the place on Mosco. I thought the sesame pancake with beef was good, especially for $1.50, but now I've got to get to Dumpling House for pork and duck sandwiches! Tue Mar 11 11:54:10 -0700 2008 3482104 12880 LloydG 4 3482742 no its different b/c both prosperity and dumpling house have the sesame beef pancake, but dumpling house has a new different item that translates exactly the same in chinese as the beef roll at 101 noodle (this item only showed up after they renovated)...we'll see if its the same i've only had the beef roll once in new york at king 5 in flushing (good, but doesnt compare to 101 noodle express) Tue Mar 11 13:32:34 -0700 2008 3482104 12298 Lau 3 3484121 Niu rou bao bing sounds amazing; thanks Lau Tue Mar 11 21:23:59 -0700 2008 3481660 132036 cmballa 4 3484985 yeah its really awesome when done right...like REALLY awesome, that said i have no idea whether this is the exact same thing despite it translating the same and whether its good or not...i will find out though Wed Mar 12 08:24:08 -0700 2008 3484121 12298 Lau 5 3485305 Not to torment you, but several other places besides 101 Noodle Express have begun serving the dish--some versions not particularly good, but some others are just as good. Wed Mar 12 09:40:04 -0700 2008 3484985 10131 Chandavkl 6 3485913 yeah i've had it at some other places in LA...but 101 is the best i've had Wed Mar 12 12:06:08 -0700 2008 3485305 12298 Lau 1 3713964 Prosperity has the best dumplings in that class of food. He is still 5 for $1 while others are at 4 for a $1. He really does them well and his bread is excellent right out of the pan. The only downside is the place is a little cramped and can get busy after work hours. Fri May 23 00:18:10 -0700 2008 3383182 20765 designerboy01 1 3750316 Late to this advanced conversation, but allow me to bump this up by inserting a radical question to take this in a different, but related, direction: what about VEGGIE dumplings. Much, much harder to come by, of course. I envy you carnivores all your options! There's a veggie dim sum place that's just okay, and I've tried a couple others here or there (can't remember names) that are serviceable, but anyone know anything really great?!? Wed Jun 04 16:07:58 -0700 2008 3383182 19686 fmogul 2 3750378 I would say the veggie dumplings from Dim Sum Go Go are pretty good. And I haven't been, but have heard great things about the edamame dumplings at Buddakan. Wed Jun 04 16:32:19 -0700 2008 3750316 10763 Miss Needle 3 3750472 It's been a while, but I'd say Dim Sum Go Go veggie dumplings are just okay -- more or less what you'd get anyplace, but less than you'd expect on the sacred byways of Chinatown. Actually, there are truly exceptional non-Chinatown pan-fried veggie dumplings at Province China Canteen on Church Street; that's an exceptional place, IMO, but it's not the same thing as getting a uniquely down-home Chinatown experience. Wed Jun 04 17:12:20 -0700 2008 3750378 19686 fmogul 4 3993278 second on the province dumplings; I finally tried them and of course they are way pricier than the 5/$1 places but the pork and shrimp dumpling is really amazing; pan-fried, thin-skin, made in the restaurant and each dumplings contains a whole shrimp. seriously! great flavor and perhaps an unexpected find at this place, considering I've only gone there for the sandwiches (love 'em) and sometimes the sesame noodles (also pretty unique). I've yet to try the beet salad tho. Thu Aug 28 01:03:03 -0700 2008 3750472 12656 bigjeff 2 3751740 i used to love the ones at new green bo, although it's been quite a while since i've had them. they're big with a generous filling of chopped greens, vermicelli, tofu, and mushroom. Thu Jun 05 06:36:10 -0700 2008 3750316 11199 wleatherette 2 3752441 I've had the veggie dumplings from Dumpling house (they're normally steamed, but they will pan-fry if the order is big enough). They're good. But for vegetarians I would suggest their vegetarian sesame pancake options -- one is standard accoutrements x 2 (carrot, cilantro, cucumber, etc.), and the other (my recommendation) has those things and a pretty well-prepared kimchee. (I also HIGHLY recommend ordering a roast pork sandwich and asking for kimchee on it, they sometimes do it for free.) Thu Jun 05 09:44:32 -0700 2008 3750316 132036 cmballa 1 3862141 www.chowhound.com/topics/351670 Sat Jul 12 06:46:04 -0700 2008 3383182 10173 guttergourmet 2 3862350 Isn't that thread older than this one - are there places on the older thread that you'd still recommend over preferences here? Thinking about taking my husband down to Chinatown tomorrow .... Thanks. Sat Jul 12 08:47:50 -0700 2008 3862141 10985 MMRuth 3 3862534 M - The older thread still mentions Prosperity Dumplings (46 Eldridge) among others. I've always liked Prosperity's pan fried dumplings. Why not consider a taste test with DH tomorrow? Try Prosperity first and then waltz on over to the new place Lau recommends at 144 East Broadway? Sat Jul 12 10:26:04 -0700 2008 3862350 148845 scoopG 4 3862600 if u go to 144 e bway, make sure to get the fried version its better than the steamed version. Fyi, for anyone who doesn't speak chinese the place can be a little confusing, but there is an english menu on the wall that has a few of the important items translated (most notably the beef noodle soup and fried dumplings)...fyi these dumplings are not greasy at all like the other $1 dumpling places here was my report on the place with subsequent posts on later visits where i discovered the fried dumplings and the tang yuan (a dessert) http://www.chowhound.com/topics/504362 Sat Jul 12 11:11:41 -0700 2008 3862534 12298 Lau 5 3862755 Have anyone tried the open takeout window on Grand St, right next to Sun Dou(sp?) dumplings? (or is it part of it?) I walked past it sometimes when I went to DiPalo's but have never tried. Sat Jul 12 12:49:48 -0700 2008 3862600 54254 kobetobiko 6 3862978 I think the takeout is part of Sun Dou and if i'm not mistaken, Sun Dou was renamed to something else. Either way, wasn't a huge fan when I tried it a couple years ago. And with all the fine dumpling houses on eldridge, I haven't felt compelled to try it again. Sat Jul 12 14:43:23 -0700 2008 3862755 28973 FattyDumplin 7 3863037 it is part of sun dou, i walked past it today...i agree, its fine, but nothing special...other well known places are better Sat Jul 12 15:02:25 -0700 2008 3862978 12298 Lau 8 3863207 Sun Dou is now called the Good Dumpling House. New owners slightly re-modeled the place a few months ago. Also their pan fried dumplings are four for $1.00. Below par XLB to boot. Sat Jul 12 16:33:46 -0700 2008 3863037 148845 scoopG 1 3879011 I tried both on the same night the other night, I had never previously had either. Prosperity was the winner by far. I got the boiled pork and chive dumplings, and they were delicious, and made quickly. They weren't the biggest dumplings but given that you can get 20 for $4 I can't really complain. I'll definitely be coming back. Now, Dumpling House on the other hand... it took me over 25 minutes to get my order. It was obvious that they didn;t even start making it until people who had ordered over 20 spots ahead of me had gotten their food, and they looked at what was "left" (i.e. me). Plus, the dumplings had WAY too much dough on them. Prosperity all the way. Thu Jul 17 18:15:54 -0700 2008 3383182 115296 joeyz