Dumplings. Where do I find the best

[denhams]

I live in west la but am looking for great dumplings

[Akitist]

Funny how some posts get pulled for being unresponsive to the original question while this topic has gone all over the lot, including a discussion of spaghetti and linguine. How about a little consistency from the Chowhound Team. I'm in favor of inclusiveness, BTW. More fun.

Heck, for me dumplings are those big puffy things on top of my grandmother's stewed chicken we used to eat on Sunday, not pasta wrapped around a savory mix.

Trattoria Malaproppo, eh?

[smiling ed]

The Greenland Market on Sherman Way and White Oak has a tiny food court and a
small Chinese stall for noodles soups and home made dumplings. Actually only
one choice for dumplings but I saw them being made by hand a few days before.
My order was 8 dumplings with a pork vegetable filling pan fried to a very crisp
crust like good pot stickers. The chinese behind the counter are not very talkative so
its hard to figure this place out . I notice each order of noodles is made by putting
the dough sheets though a machine and then boiling them and then stir frying ect. The
dumplings noodles are $5.99 to 6.99 for the most part.

[J.L.]

Hold up - Are we talkin' dumplings (餃子) or xiaolongbao (小籠包, AKA XLBs)???

I hate the term "dumplings" 'cuz it's ambiguous.

[kevin]

For fear of being in trouble, what is the difference between dumplings and xlb? Please excused my ignorance. Are both not like packets (similar to the italian tortellini or raviolis) filled with goodness?

[J.L.]

A fair question. Different preparations styles. (Credit to Wikipedia on these following links) :

餃子, AKA dumplings, look like this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jiaozi.jpg

While 小籠包, AKA XLB or soup dumplings (a term I dislike), look like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia...

[ipsedixit]

They are different.

You're description is a gross oversimplification. It would be like saying a hamburger and a hot dog are the same thing because both are meat products held together by contraptions made from bread.

[raytamsgv]

There are different cooking methods to XLB and dumplings. XLB (or baos in general) tend to be round. In the case of XLB, they are always steamed. Good ones will have some type of soup within them when you bit into them.

Dumplings are often not round. They are also cooked in different ways, such as frying, boiling, and even some steaming. They are often generically referred to as "jiao zi".

While they may be similar to someone unfamiliar with them, they are decidedly different, as ipsedixit has pointed out. The same thing happens when I try to explain to my Chinese friends about the differences between linguini, spaghetti, rotelli, rigatnoi, penne, and cannelloni. To many of them, they don't really see the big difference.

Just when you thought it was safe, the XLB thread rears it's head. :-)

[ipsedixit]

Professor raytamsgv

What about wontons or shumai? :-)

Happy New Year to you and yours!

[raytamsgv]

It's trivially obvious, so it is left as an exercise to the reader. :-)

Happy Year of the Tiger!

[JThur01]

It's my fault for bringing up XLB. I know the difference, I was simply putting it out there that one can get non-pork xiao long bao at Dean Sin World in addition to a good array of dumplings (jiao zi) - including veggie ones.

I did this because usually the next question is: "any without pork?"...so I thought I'd try to be ahead of the curve :-)

[aventinus]

Yes, but if someone asked where to get the best pasta in LA, people wouldn't go on diatribes about how spaghetti and linguini are two different things. There's some quirky XLB idolatry on this board.

[taiwanesesmalleats]

I would throw out the idea that although spaghetti and linguine are different, their methods of production, preparation and consumption are very similar. It's essentially the same product but in a different form. Dumplings and XLB have similarities but the difference between them is much greater than that of linguine and spaghetti.

[Mr Taster]

aventinus, your argument is based on a logical fallacy.

Both linguine and spaghetti are forms of pasta, so asking for "best pasta in LA" encompasses both of these, and there would be no basis for anyone to chime in with a clarification if someone recommended either spaghetti, linguine or any other kind of pasta dish.

Now consider if someone would asked "Where is the best spaghetti in LA?" and someone answered "The best linguine is at Trattoria Malaproppo"... then I wouldn't be surprised at all if someone chimed in to clarify the distinction.

Having said that, there is no widespread misconception among non-Italians that spaghetti is the same as linguine, so I personally wouldn't feel the need to clarify. I'd assume that enough people knew the difference between these two types of pasta that I could let it go. That is most definitely not the case with regard to non-Chinese discussing jiaozi and xiao long bao.

Mr Taster

[aventinus]

Your argument is based on a redefinition of "dumpling" to exclude XLB.

[Mr Taster]

Xiao long bao have never been dumplings. They are, by definition (and nomenclature, fehcrissakes!) buns.

Mr Taster

[taiwanesesmalleats]

Yep, XLB have never been dumplings. It's only because people try to use dumpling as a catch-all term that everyone started calling and referring to XLB as "soup dumplings". The closest form that resembles a XLB is a bao.

[J.L.]

My exact beef with the term "dumplings"...

[Chandavkl]

Which brings up the question, who has beef dumplings? I've only seen them a couple of places and I can't recall where.

[ipsedixit]

Mon Land Hot Pot
10053
Kam Hong

And before you ask, Dumpling Master has both lamb and venison dumplings.

[J.L.]

Yes, Master.

[Mr Taster]

The simplest answer is to ignore the fact that one type of bao (baozi, for example) is made from bread, and the other kind of bao (xiao long bao) is made from pasta. The shape of the final product (and preparation) defines what it is. The pasta wrapper is simply a red herring.

In other words, if it's round like a bun and steamed like a bun, guess what it is?

Mr Taster

[bulavinaka]

As others have mentioned, Luscious Dumplings on Las Tunas is great. Go early though - they get crowded from the get-go and only have so many dumplings per meal cycle.

JTYH on Valley in Rosemead also deserves a hearty mention. They have a full menu including some nice noodle dishes and buns. Magna cum laude poster Ipsedixit caught my eye on this place when he specifically mentioned getting the knife-cut noodle dishes. If you like lamb, there's a few dishes on their menu that were quite nice as well.

We really like JTYH's frozen dumplings as well. Wonderful fillings, beautifully made, the skins are supple and have a nice bite. $15 - $20 per bag of 50, and if you buy two, you get one free - that's a lot of dumplings - so much so, we had to give away about half of what we brought home. I don't know if it's intentional or not, but it turns out to be a great marketing tool for JTYH. EVERYONE that was handed off some of our surplus dumplings truly enjoyed them and were calling us for JTYH's address. They would then make the drive out from the Westside to JTYH, have lunch or dinner, and buy more frozen dumplings. Our neighbor was really taken by the pan-fried moo shoo noodle dish.

I don't know if the buy two/get one free frozen dumpling is standard. The first time I bought some, the lady serving me tried to explain in broken English that this was the deal. Her Mandarin is exceptional - mine is almost nonexistent. The second time we purchased more frozen dumplings, another lady said that she was giving us a third bag because our daughter was so cute. Gag me. She needs to babysit our daughter for a day. :)

JTYH Restaurant
9425 Valley Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770
[phone]

[kevin]

Anywhere to get some fish dumplings to eat in (not frozen)? just fish and possibly scallions or whatever veggies go in there but no pork.

[bulavinaka]

I don't think JTYH has them - there "seafood" dumpling is the pork with shrimp filling. I know 101 Noodle Express has a "fish" dumpling, but I've never tried it.

[will47]

I'm pretty sure JTYH also has fish dumplings. I went with a Catholic co-worker who eats fish (but not other meat) on Fridays, and so we specifically asked about whether there was pork. IIRC, they were ground fish with chive or jiucai inside.

[sidwich]

My favorite fish dumplings are at Earthen Restaurant in Hacienda Heights. Their other dumplings and potstickers and all things carby (scallion pancakes, noodles, etc.) are also excellent.

[taiwanesesmalleats]

101 Noodle Express does have a sole fish dumpling. I believe Dumpling 10053 also has one.

[JAB]

I love 101's sole dumplings.

[Chandavkl]

Qingdao in Monterey Park; Noodle House in Rowland Heights; Dumpling House in Temple City; Kingburg in San Gabriel

[J.L.]

Yes, Dumpling House is quite good too.

[JThur01]

Dean Sin World, 306 N Garfield Ave # 2, Monterey Park. Mrs. Lu has fish XLB and a good variety of dumplings, including veggie.

[Chandavkl]

Hmm. I went there and she disclaimed having any fish items. I know they have really good fish dumplings in broth at the Mama's Lu location on Garvey.

[JThur01]

Strange. How long ago was that? When I stopped off in early December and asked for XLB, she went to the freezer, held up a bag and said "fish!". I told her I wanted pork and she reached in and got a bag.

[Chandavkl]

Today.

[JThur01]

Maybe she stopped making them. And I've been touting those as a alternative here on Chowhound...sorry about that. Thanks for letting me know. I'll have to check next time I'm in the area.

[Chandavkl]

I'll be waiting for the update. Hope it's just that they didn't have any on hand.

[JThur01]

Well, it took a month, but last Thursday I went in to Dean Sin World and picked up a big bag of fish XLB to take home. Unfortunately, I've been too busy to steam any of them up yet.

[raytamsgv]

How much were they?

[ipsedixit]

$14 for a bag of 50 frozen XLB.

[raytamsgv]

Would you happen to know if they can customize an order? For example, no MSG?

[ipsedixit]

Call and ask. They make them daily, so why not.

[raytamsgv]

Thanks. I'll give them a call.

[JThur01]

It's worth double checking, but I've always understood Dean Sin World to go for "healthier" - no MSG, less and healthier oils, chicken aspic instead of pork aspic, etc.

And yes, $14 for 50. One of the best deals around. Regular dumplings are 50 for $11. It's hard to find anything on the menu for more than $3-4.

-----
Dean Sin World
306 N Garfield Ave # 2, Monterey Park, CA

[westsidegal]

haven't been there in years, but irrc DUMPLING 10053 has exactly what you are seeking.

[Chandavkl]

Dumpling 10053 was probably the first place to have fish dumplings. They also had this out of this world scallop dumpling--the only time I had ever seen that dish. Then the restaurant changed hands. The scallop dumplings were taken off the menu, and the fish dumplings weren't the same (or anything close to it). I think they still have salmon dumplings, but those were never very good.

[kevin]

Oh shit when did dumpling 10553 change hands??? Thanks for the update

[Chandavkl]

I'm thinking a year ago.

[westsidegal]

Noooooooo!
say it ain't so!
what a loss!

[Chandavkl]

Actually, with all of the newer places mentioned in this thread, it really isn't a loss. Except for the scallop dumplings.

[Bradbury]

Funny, I was there about a week ago and can confirm they do indeed have scallop dumplings. Quite tasty, in a subtle way (some might say slightly bland? But then it's hard to add much to scallops without losing the scallop taste) Shrimp/leek dumplings were also pretty good, but pumpkin dumplings were a gummy mess.

[Chandavkl]

Thanks for the tip on the off menu scallop dumplings. Not as good as the original ones, but a lot better than nothing.

[Peripatetic]

I went last April (2009) and was underwhelmed. Hounds can probably take it off their rotation, if they haven't already.

[A5 KOBE]

I too went a couple months ago felt the food has suffered.

[mattatouille]

The sole dumplings at Kingburg Kitchen are very good.

[parked]

if ipsedixit is a 'magna cum laude' poster, then who, pray tell, is a 'summa'?

and where can i enroll?

[raytamsgv]

Be careful of what you ask for, grasshopper. The road you seek is not easily traveled.

It is said that a Chowhound like ipsedixit can walk through crowded restaurants and still find a seat.
Looked for, he cannot be seen behind the menu he is reading.
Listened for, he cannot be understood because he is speaking the local language of the cook.
Touched, he cannot be felt because he is fending off your attempts to take his food.
Menus are fragile like the wings of the butterfly. When you can order off any menu without hesitation or questions, you will have learned.

:-)

[parked]

alas, if i could have only spent my tuition money on a chowhound degree instead of a worthless degree in East Asian studies.

imagine all the good food i could have had ...

[bulavinaka]

Yeah, what the other magna cum laude poster, raytamsgv said... :)

[parked]

i thought he was one of the professors, as ipsedixit notes below.

i guess he could be both.

plz let me know if there are any open seminars in the near future ...

[raytamsgv]

I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'm definitely not a professor. I just like eating good food. I learned a lot about foods simply by going to all sorts of places (many never mentioned on chowhound) and ordering different items.

I also happen to know a lot of Chinese people and enough Chinese to be able to order in most restaurants. I find out by asking and verify by eating. I think there are people who know more than I do in different areas, so I try to glean as much as I can from them.

[J.L.]

Sorry, you'll have to drive...

Luscious Dumplings
704 W. Las Tunas Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776

[jotfoodie]

I concur, the rest pales in comparison.

[kickureface]

i have never heard of that but live nearby. any suggestions on what to get and cost?

[Servorg]

The place links below for Luscious Dumplings, J&J http://www.chow.com/restaurants/6305/... Din Tai Fung and Mei Long Village all have write up (threads in the parlance of Chowhound) which discuss what is good according to the various posters and at times will discuss cost. But the cost of eating dumplings is probably not going to be overly costly in any case.

-----
Luscious Dumplings
704 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Mei Long Village
301 W Valley Blvd Ste 112, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House
1088 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007