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| - Summary: meh dumplings but amazing appetizers, clean environment, good prices make this a solid option for northern Chinese food
Top Must-Get: beef pancakes (literally "beef big cookie")
Top Regret: Chinese cabbage and mushroom dumplings
What I'd Get: braised pork on rice, beef pancakes, green onion pancakes. Yes, the only dumpling spot I'd go to and not get dumplings (FUTURE SAM, if you read this, you've repeatedly tried the lamb dumplings here - steamed, pan fried, and boiled - and you don't like it!)
Statutory holidays are sometimes the best days to find new places to explore and eat, since so many of your regular places are closed or packed. And so we found ourselves here on a Monday evening, looking to satisfy some hunger.
It was about half-full when we got there. It's clean and the tables look polished (nice wood finishings), and they've got some Chinese decorations hanging from the ceiling, which is a nice touch - despite that, there is a plain look to the place. We got seated right away, but weren't given the regular menu - they just gave us the order sheet, which has the prices and options on it anyway (see picture). We asked for a menu later, and realized the menu has prices whited out - they just haven't updated it yet!
They have three options for each type of dumpling: pan fried, boiled, and steamed. They're all $6.99 but the fried one comes with 12, the others 15. Some places charge extra for steam, so I do recommend that.
Their selection is different; no seafood options, but they surprised with having pan fried lamb, which isn't super common.
The pan fried lamb wasn't great though. Not particularly crunchy, and while I like the gamey taste, it might be a bit strong for others.
The steamed lamb has really nice skin but they put too much soy sauce (I prefer putting my own). They are wrapped a bit inconsistently, and there was notable size differences of dumplings. This one is a "soup" dumpling, with the dumpling containing juices that flavour your tongue when you bite through... but there isn't a ton of soup. They definitely come out hot though, and that's a plus.
The Chinese cabbage mushroom dumplings were okay. No juices in this one, so it was not as flavourful. If you like Chinese cabbage, this might be good... Me, I like mushroom - a sadly, there was a lack of mushroom kick.
SO WHY FOUR STARS?!
The pancakes are heavenly.
Their green onion pancake is STUFFED with green onion. It's fried to a nice crisp and then they PACK it with fresh tasting green onions chopped up and smushed in the middle. Do you like fresh tasting green onions? Because this place got fresh tasting green onions. This dish is offered in a circular style that reminds me of fried dough. YUM.
The beef pancake is tremendous as well - easily the best in the area. Generous amounts of beef on the side with green onion and a sauce, with the pancake itself a triple layered offering that is toasty and crunchy.
I challenge you to order it for takeout, put it in the car, keep the windows up to trap the smell, and NOT eagerly sniff around salivating at the aroma.
This is the real deal. The pancakes boost it from a 3 to a 4 star with ease.
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