Dumpling Story Valencia - Review - Mission - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"Xiao long bao enthusiasts across SF are familiar with Dumpling Home and their sister spot with an identical menu, Dumpling Story. And while the actual food at this Mission location of Dumpling Story is just as fantastic as its predecessors, the space is what sets this outpost apart. You’ll bite into shengjianbao from plush green booths or a seat at the marble bar, or gnaw on crackly chicken wings under a monkey-shaped chandelier. Basically, this is the vibiest spot for dumplings in the city, and you should come for long group dinners or a second date before heading to a nearby bar in the Mission. photo credit: Erin Ng photo credit: Erin Ng Food Rundown Pan-Fried Pork Buns There’s so much soup in these crunchy-bottomed buns that whoever’s sitting across from you will be in the splash zone. Order these, but warn your tablemates to take cover. photo credit: Erin Ng Crab And Pork Xiao Long Bao Topped off with a halo of crab and best doused in vinegar, these precisely folded soup dumplings are our top pick here—and if you want to shake things up from your usual pork XLB routine, these are the way to go. photo credit: Erin Ng Dry-Fried Chicken Wings Roll up your sleeves to get hands-deep in this bowl of sweet, slightly spicy dry-fried wings. They glisten like little chicken jewels under the light of the monkey chandeliers. photo credit: Erin Ng Tomato Egg Noodles We typically focus on anything steamed, boiled, or pan-fried at Dumpling Story, but this tomato egg noodle dish is the exception. It’s a simple take on the comfort dish, with a mildly sweet flavor that’s refreshing compared to the rest of the menu. photo credit: Erin Ng Green Onion Pancakes These crispy pancakes leave that satisfying bit of grease on your fingers but aren’t overly heavy. You can’t go wrong ordering these for the table." - Julia Chen