Chu Kee Dumpling

I have bought one steamed plain bun today. My mommy loves this place. They serve many different kinds of Chinese breakfast.

Their steam buns are not like the others, absolutely the biggest I ever seen in my life! Nice soy milk too.

This place is definition of value for money! For a few dollars, you can tuck into a bowl of dumplings, some buns, a bowl of noodles, some sweet or savoury tofu, or some sticky rice. Food is fresh and service is fast. Perfect for picking up breakfast or some snacks. It is tucked away so can be hard to find.

Don’t go here, I don’t want to have to wait in a line! Leek pancakes are the most savory thing I’ve ever eaten. Cash only fed 8 people for $40.

It is a small shop and does not look too fancy, and dine in is not allowed. But, it offers the best chinese rice ball in the Flushing, NY. It is $3 per rice ball order, and it is so large that I need to break it into half; and that is an all day meal. The soy bean milk is great. I think it is the best one comparing what the same soy bean milk out in the supermarket. This store offer fresh made soy bean milk daily. I ask for no sugar in my soy bean milk. I have another order has sugar added.

grew up eating the dumpling and rice ball, it’s a hole in a wall and they been around for more than 30 years but as for cleanness not so great, but they are fast lol

Never go, DONT GO. They tried to scam me. I placed an order 30 mins before I had to go to work on Fantuan. They wanted me to pay agian. After I contacted Fantuan, Fantuan contacted them. The employee said, "I will hold on to it." I ordered food because I'm hungry, so why should you hold the food when I paid and try to scam me. They made me late to work and make me starve for the next 8 hours. I also have to attend class after work, no time for me to eat

This place has been open for decades and is truly a place which has withstood the test of time. Although the store is humble looking but the food is absolutely bomb!!! Their dumplings are delicious. Stir fry noodles are extremely good. If you are in flushing and need a quick bite this is the place to go.

Wow, these dumplings were so flavorful! Delicious, fresh, and easy to eat on the go. Heads up, cash only. The woman who took our order was helpful and kind. Food came out fast. We ordered the pork and vegetable dumplings and wanted to try the seafood ones. They had already run out of the seafood dumplings, so we will have to come back to try those and more!

This cozy little spot has been my go-to breakfast place for years. It's a hole-in-the-wall that serves some of the most authentic Asian breakfast dishes you could hope to find--truly like stepping into a bustling food stall in China. While I hadn't been here in a while due to the increasingly difficult parking situation in the area, I decided to make the effort recently, and I'm so glad I did. The food is simply outstanding. The fried pan dumplings are a must-try--crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful on the inside. Pair them with their fresh, warm soy milk for a classic breakfast experience. And let's talk about the spring rolls--perfectly golden, crispy, and filled with deliciousness. The menu may be simple, but every item is executed with care and authenticity. What's even more remarkable is how affordable this place is. The portions are generous, and the pricing feels like a throwback to another era. In a time when everything seems to be getting more expensive, this spot is a rare find where value meets quality. Despite being perpetually busy, the service is impressively quick and efficient. The staff are pros at handling a crowd while keeping things running smoothly. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or sitting down to enjoy the food, you'll never have to wait long. Parking might be a challenge, but trust me--it's worth every minute of the search. If you're craving an authentic Asian breakfast experience that delivers on taste, value, and nostalgia, this spot should be at the top of your list.

Zhu Ji is the classic cheap eats spot to hit on your Flushing food crawl. The food is authentic, cheap, and comes out fast. All these factors is perhaps evident by the large crowd of Chinese aunties and uncles during the morning wave. My dad's favorite item (and mine too) on their menu is their savory and filling 菜肉包, which quite literally translates to "vegetable meat bao." "What is this mystery bao?" You might ask. Well, the bottom of the bao is slightly fried (believe me, it adds to the flavor!) and it is filled with a mixture of cabbage and pork -- plain but a surprisedly yummy combination! It's like the feeling of eating a banh mi for the first time, expecting it to taste like Subway sandwich. Their bao is nothing but pure perfection and a savory goodness from the first bite to the last. Highly recommend! Ashamed that I don't have any pictures having ate here so many times.

This place is open early in the morning and close late at night. You know it's good when you see old Chinese grandpa's waiting to get some food in the morning. I've been here quite a few times when I'm in town and it never disappoints. It's cheap fast authentic and taste delicious. Most people just take it for a grab and go type of meal or snack but they do have a small little counter space where you can sit down and that's where I ate. I get the fried pork buns, but I always see the Chinese grandpas get the dumplings and some sort of a soy milk. That's probably what I get next time but everything here has a lot of flavor and satisfies my hunger quickly I would highly recommend anybody to come and visit.

In more recent years, I've been on the hunt for a new place that sells frozen dumplings by the bag.  I used to frequent a spot in Chinatown that unfortunately didn't survive COVID and needed a way to replenish my supply stat!  Since then, I've tried a few spots in Flushing that haven't quite measured up.  Either the skin was on the thicker side or the way the meat/filling tasted just wasn't to my liking. Enter Zhu Ji Dumpling Stall.  A small unassuming place that is very much a hole in the wall.  It's no frills, solid bang for your buck and best of all they sell frozen dumplings in bulk! You can order from an open area outside or walk inside to order. They move pretty quickly but it's best to know what you want once you step up.  So far I've tried a bag of the pork and chives frozen dumplings ($15/bag of 50 as of 8/2023) and they were great!  I usually boil them at home but you could fry them up and they'd be tasty too!  The skin was just the right thickness and the flavor of the filling was great (could easily have these with no sauce and it'd be good).  We were super pleased and want to go back and try out their other dumpling options. Since I wanted to try their fresh food too, I got a small cold sweet soy milk and an order of their fried small buns (sheng jian bao).  The soy milk tasted as expected and was refreshing for the summer.  The fried small buns were alright, skin was a bit thicker than I'd like but this felt more average to me.  I'm definitely interested in eating my way through more of their menu though and am thrilled to have found my new frozen dumpling spot, I'll be back!

This place is arguably the best bang for your buck in the entirety of New York City. Four dollars will get you eight fried dumplings. To be fair just like there is a dollar version of pizza in which we accept that it is going to be lower quality by default, you are going to have to lower your standards for dumplings in order to appreciate these. The menu is characteristically large and this particular spot has been around for more than a few decades serving the community. You can get other things such as steamed pork buns and this is a really great spot if you're looking for a quick cheap lunch in the area. However I wouldn't make this a destination area unless you're doing a food crawl and trying to save some money. All in all it's going to be authentic no matter what you get but I wouldn't say it's going to be the BEST of any one particular item.

this place served a lot of dishes but i came here particularly because i was craving fan tuan. the first few bites was just straight up rice, but once i got down to the filling, the rest of the roll was delish.

Favorite place to get pan fried pork buns. The dough is so fluffy, definitely on the thicker side but I don't mind that. The pork filling is flavorful and not greasy. The price is unbeatable. This place has been open for so many years and it's definitely a gem. Highly recommend for a quick bite.

Shocked by how much better this place is than the reviews indicated. Not only is the food delicious, but it's an incredible deal. We got four pork buns and 8 fried pork dumplings for less than $7. Highly recommend

A fantastic deal, $4 for 8 pan fried dumplings. The dumplings are so juicy, the savory soup squirts out, so delicious. The pan fried dumpling skin was nice, could have been more crispy if it was freshly pan fried upon serving rather than made in big batches.

I love dumplings. It's one of my all-time favorite dishes. While I was in NY, my wife knew exactly where to get them. It's a dumpling stand for people to order food to go. It does not look like much from the outside, but the food is delicious! We ordered our food through the window where the food was ready pretty quickly. Even though it took us a while to get home, the food still tasted delicious. The dumping came with some sauce, but I didn't even bother my dumplings with them because I thought they already got great flavors. It is another cheap yet satisfying food from Flushing. But like most places in the area, they only take cash. So make sure you run to your ATM before coming by.

I have bought one steamed plain bun today. My mommy loves this place. They serve many different kinds of Chinese breakfast. The place is small and the servicemen were busy in the morning.

This place is not it. The food is extremely oily and doesn't taste good. I ordered the scallion pancake and it was not crispy and extremely oily. Not enough salt, taste is bland. The dumplings was bad too. The skin was very thick and oily. Highly disappointed at this place. Yes the price is considerably low but the quality is extremely poor. Service is quick. Line is long. Ambiance- loud, no place to sit.

Idk mann the reviews were soo good that i had to try but its located ina very busy part of flushing i believe so parking was a challenge and then there was a Very Serious language barrier issue! Had a few things but wasn't overly impressed

My friend brought me here on part of our ten-course flushing food tour. This dumpling stall is another hole in the wall shop with amazing food. You order through the window and your food is typically ready in a matter of minutes. This place is cash only!! We brought our food back to our apartment and poured the chili oil all over the dumplings. They were so delicious and chewy and slightly crispy. I will say though that I wish they had a little more filling! The chili oil gives the dumplings the perfect kick. An amazingly cheap and satisfying meal. Flushing Chinatown has my heart.

Amazing, possibly best steam bun in Flushing. Warning, it is hot and also can explode when you eat it.

Wait this place is a gem, it's authentic, affordable, and everything I had on the menu was fire. I don't remember the name of what I ate but I remember it was so good the juices got in my clothes. This place used to be one lady running a cart but because she was so popular she was able to open a storefront.

Saw the recommendation from Xiaohongshu(小紅書）and people say it's the best sticky rice roll in NY. That day I happened to be in flushing so I went bought the sticky rice roll and the soybean milk. The sticky rice is nicely cooked, not too firm and not to soft. There is much pork floss inside but I was hoping they add more pickles in. The flavor is good and maybe better than the rice roll from Shanghai you garden. The soybean milk is good too. Worthy a try. Price is reasonable.

Known by a few names, so not my first review. I'm a long time customer and this is my go to early morning/end of night spot. Prices have increased as a result of rising rents and business costs. My picks every time Hot and sour soup Pan fried pork dumplings Spring rolls( maybe not anymore because they have become almost empty) Scallion pancakes There is a large variety of frozen take home dumplings They have home made soy beverage My main gripe is I can't see anything because the showcase is always fogged up. The early morning lady is also my personal angel(long story)

I already had my dinner but the prices were too cheap to pass up so I had to order something here! I ordered fried dumplings that were $3.50 for 8! You cannot find anything with this price in the bay area where I'm from! This stall is in the heart of Flushing Chinatown and you order from a window. I overheard the workers speaking mandarin to the customers ahead. I don't speak fluent mandarin so I spoke to them in English instead and they understood what I wanted! The dumplings were good! It is not the best dumplings you'll have but they still satisfied my cravings and the price is unbeatable. They are delicious with siracha so add more!!

This place right hereeeeee!!! So glad they are still around. Been around since I was a kid. When in Flushing, we like to frequent this little hole in the wall serving delicious cheap eats! It isn't any different from a deep fried empanadas, or cuchifritos from 116th. Hope they are still around! Dont let the ambiance fool you because the food is fatty, oily and delicious! From the mini pork buns, to fried dumplings, sweet soy milk with youtiao, aka Chinese donut stick, this place just brings me back to a nostalgic simpler times! We use to grab a couple of these before headed to the dollar van. The lady that always tends the window is pretty fast and sharp(!), so you got to get your order in and not lag. Otherwise, someone is always there to jump in and shout out their order. It can be annoying at times but I understand she doesn't have time to hold your hand either.

I was told this place has been here for 30 years. As an adventurous experiment I bought 2 orders of pan fried pork buns and scallion pancake. My Lord, they were both the biggest losers. Pork buns were saggy and the dough was as thick as hippos' skin. The scallion pancake was totally tasteless. No actually bitter. Not to mention how ill-mannered those ladies behind counter were. Anyway, all food bought here went to trash. I wondered if these were chef s prank for being in this filthy greasy chaotic place cooking for 30 years?!

Started as a food cart in flushings, now they have their own store. We have been buying from them for many years. Back in the days was $1 for 5 dumplings, then $1 for 4 and now is $3 for 8. Cash only. This place May look like a hole in the wall, but price is reasonable and food is tasty. We usually order the pan fried dumplings $3 for 9, spring roll $1.5 for 2 and scallion pancake and sometimes sticky rice roll. Definitely recommend this place!

GOAT pork chive fried dumplings. Been going here since 1994. Not sure if it's same owners but they would could like 50 at a time in a giant wok. Also loved their Chinese pizza aka green onion pancakes.

I've been going to this dumpling spot since my parents would take us as kids! I haven't found any other spot that could make dumplings as tasty as these. Every time I go into flushing I have to have some. It's not a dine in shop, more of a stall if you will. The dumplings are flavorful. The filling moist and juicy while the skin is thin but has a nice bite. They are so comforting to me and definitely bring a sense of nostalgia :). Another guilty pleasure of mine is getting the spring rolls (I ate them right away and forgot a photo). The caveat is they it is on the greasier side. The spring rolls especially. Some recommendations for this spots are definitely the pork and veggie dumplings, steamed buns, and spring rolls! They sell some other stuff like noodles but I haven't tried.

Came here because i was craving dumplings and was excited because this place has 4 stars and very affordable. My advice if your coming here is please go somewhere else, ive had way better dumplings than these. First they didn't understand anything i was asking them. There was a huge language barrier. I just pointed to the dumplings and she said $4. I gave her a $20 she counted the change in front of me and handed me back $14 thinking i wouldnt count my change. I told her she only gave me back $14 , she understood that and gave me back the $2. Like who does that? Not only that they didn't offer any soy sauce or hot chili oil. I had to ask for soy and that took like 3 minutes for her to understand, and they gave me a chili oil that was just sitting on the counter that looked used. I just threw it out. Never again. Dumplings are very mediocre. Plenty of other yummy dumplings stalls in flushing to check out.

Updating my review as I've been here a few times since I last reviewed this place. I'm comfortable keeping this at 5 stars as it's still the best dirt cheap fried dumpling / food stall in Flushing I've been to, though I haven't ventured to many others (still have to get dumplings at Corner 28 and pretty sure there are many others). Prices are still $1.25 for 4 dumplings, so that is good. FYI, the price for dumplings listed on the outside of the stall was different than what was listed inside when I came today. It says $1.25 on the outside and $1.50 on the inside. Last time the guy tried to rip me off by charging me $1.50, but today the lady was honest and nice when I offered $3 and said it was $2.50. Yay. The dumplings here are my favorite in Flushing even though this place is so inconsistent with the crispiness levels. If you get them hot and crispy, it's the BEST. Just feels so good when you bite into them. Since there is nowhere to eat them unless you sit inside at a very uncomfortable counter, it's probably best to buy them and go to somewhere like the New World Mall food court to eat them. FYI the soy sauce and Sriracha at this place is unforgivably watered down, which SUCKS. But I guess that's the norm at these cheapass places. Hoping this place stays consistent in the future because it's my go-to at present.

I take my dumplings and bao's (buns) seriously, and Chu Kee is an excellent place to get some piping-hot, tasty dumplings at a crazy good price. I got 8 pan fried dumplings, which I scarfed down despite burning my tongue. The food crawl group I went with also loved their dumplings and pan-fried buns. This hole-in-the-wall spot is somewhere I'd recommend as a Flushing "street food" staple.

I was looking to get some frozen dumplings (on the cheap) while I was in Flushing. Thanks to Grace N., I found it! This little shop sells a variety of Shanghainese street food, along w/ an assortment of frozen dumpling. I could hear Mandarin being spoken by other customers, but the lady that helped me understood Cantonese, & English. I purchased a bag of 50 frozen pork dumplings for $13, & an order of their fried small buns ($2). Great spot for grab & go. Good food, & awesome value. It's on the side street where Xing Fu Tang bubble tea is.

7.1/10 Fried dumplings: it is a good dumpling, but the taste is far too heavy; WAY too oily, makes you feel like you've just chugged oil to some degree if you eat a lot; dough is quite heavy too; meat is very fatty; good amount of crisp and sear; doesn't seem like they are made with much care, but I would definitely consider than good dumplings, they will just make you feel terrible after.. Very good place for a quick bite and will fill you up, but isn't quite the best quality you can get

was in the mood for some fried dumplings and the ones here were TOO good. 4 for 8 is also really good compared to other places around flushing. definitely recommend

The fried pork dumplings here are super fab. I immediately got hooked when a friend introduced me to this place. OMG! It tastes soooo good when it is hot and fresh. Throw some soy sauce and hot sauce on the side, and its beyond the best type of comfort food available. The boiled eggs in brown sauce are also very delicious. Sure i get gas after eating it. But hey, i don't have to smell the farts like other people do since I'm doing all the releasing. Tee hee (J/K). I like the dumplings cooked a bit longer so the fried part is a more golden brown and crunchy. The pork is filled with lots of veggies (chives), and it adds a very powerful engaging scent that screams "EAT ME". They've remodeled since the pandemic so no one is allowed inside. It is a very small shop. They sell frozen packages of the dumplings to cook at home and i always grab a few bags. 50 pieces for under $13 bucks. Their prices are so reasonable. Please support them. EPIC FOOD! Best deal ever.

Literally a hole in the wall. Just a dude making really good (and CHEAP) potstickers. We also got the cabbage/pork pan fried buns. Really can't go wrong, just be ready to order when he calls you up. Cash only.

No frills dumpling stall. I've been getting their Sheng Jian Baos or if I had to describe it in English, their pan-fried pork buns or "fried small buns" on the menu for over 10 years. I just run up to the window and order two orders at a time. It used to be cheaper a a dozen years ago but in 2020 it's still a deal at 4 for 1.75!!!! They are not small as the menu names them they are actually pretty big for a Sheng Jian Bao. It is pan fried so expect some grease for these fried "small" buns. They are open late for a dumpling stall. About 9 but don't expect them to have everything available if you go at 9! No where to eat. Strictly a takeout joint. I like to reheat Sheng Jiang Baos on the stove top on a.pan and get them crispy on as many sides as possible. Watch carefully or they'll burn!

I came here because I was chilling in Starbucks waiting for friends and there was a line here. I went over and saw a big variety of food, and it looked great. I got a pork and vegetable bun, and when my friends got here, we shared the potstickers and deep fried pork buns. The buns weren't very flavorful and the bread part was slightly soggy. The potstickers' bottoms were slightly crunchy but somewhat small. 4 potstickers for $1.25, 4 mini deep fried pork buns for $1.75, and my pork and vegetable bun was $1. Cash only.

If you visit Flushing alone and look for traditional Chinese snack, this is the perfect place to go. They serve the Chinese fast food with mixed flavors. Takeout only, cause they don't have dine-in area. The food quality is decent, and the pricing is super good. For one dozen of fried dumplings (chive & pork) they charged less than $4. I bet you cannot find another similar deal at Flushing downtown. The only thing I might complain is the dumplings are a little too oily to me.

There was a time when Zhu Ji ruled the Main Street dumpling scene. This of course, is saying a lot due to all of the amazing dumpling savy joints Flushing has to offer. It had all of the makings of a superstar dive: take out only, lots of customers, cheaper prices, better service and it's not even really on Main Street. But it appears the time has gone and Zhu Ji has experienced a sudden drop in their quality for which I still can't find an appropriate reason. The staff has only gotten busier, now that the secret is out about the Chinatown shuttles, commuters flock to Zhu Ji as it's the first and last stop for many Chinatown shuttle bound passengers. They rush folks now more than ever and seem to care about getting rid of their product than sell it. Speaking of sales, inflation is understandable but $1.25 for 4 pan fried dumplings? At 31 cents each, that's some really weird math. Even the $1 for 5 dumplings days are nearing their end, but many places still do it. If they're aiming for a higher price, why not just go for $1.50 for 5? or even $2.00 if they're that good? Well that's one issue, they're simply just not. And that's not the only thing, their dou jiang (soybean soup) is now a bit too bland, their scallion pancakes and the you tiao (Chinese crueller?) are almost always too dry, and the pot stickers just don't seem to hold well together anymore. The pork nugget always seems to escape itself from the dumpling shell, which falls apart far too easily. But 3 stars is merited for their sheng jian bao (pan fried buns), which have been their most consistently decent item. I can count on that far more than the other aforementioned items, which have been their most popular. I too used to be a frequent patron for their frozen dumplings, which sadly have also suffered somewhat. Now that Zhu Ji has an online presence, the gringo effect is in place. This means in addition to slightly higher prices, the English service has improved dramatically. This spells good news for most non-Chinese folk, but do kindly let me know when the dumplings, soups, buns, and breads are back to normal deliciousness.

If you're visiting Flushing, and trying to eat like a native, this is the spot. I have been coming here my whole life. The dumplings and buns are the best in the area. Super affordable, made fresh daily, and very quick. (Try the soy milk too) Please take the time and stop here if you're looking for breakfast food, or food to go. Best place in Flushing! (Also please consider supporting small businesses struggling through COVID)

The one and only. Haters gonna hate but this is the original, a business that's held it down for 30 yrs in the gastronomical epicenter known as Flushing, it has something something.

i call and place a order for 50 chicken dumplings. the person on the phone said it $18 and im like ok sound good but when i went to go pick it up she siad 50 chicken dumpling is $50. so i check with her again and she said it $50. The dumpling are good that why i call this place but $1 per dumpling dont make sence because the one with pork is 8 dumpling for $3.50

This store front stall right off of Main St. serves good mini-fried buns (4 for $1.25) and fried dumplings. They turn their food over very quickly so most of the time the food is fresh and hot. It is a great place for a quick snack when I'm in a hurry. *Parking & double parking is not easy these days on this street so be warned.

Sad to see what has become of a staple in Flushing since my childhood. Gone are the good old days where this hole in the wall was selling four dumplings for only $1. Today, the same four dumplings, which seems smaller than before, are selling for $1.50 in the same styrofoam containers. Inflation was bound to happen, that's not my problem. I remember when it increased to $1.25 but I still stopped by once in a while because it was convenient and the lady was always friendly to me. Not anymore, the service is now terrible, angrily rushing each patron to move it along. Going forward, I might stop by once in a blue moon to buy some steam buns or tea eggs out of nostalgia, but it certainly won't be the first take out spot that pops into my head.

I swear I thought this spot served better food not that long ago. Conveniently located near the Flushing-Chinatown shuttles and the LIRR, it's hard to resist dropping by this stand purely out of convenience. My most recent experience was a miss. The sheng jian bao (pan fried pork buns) had a gumdrop size of meat, no juice and way too much dough. The skin of the potstickers was too hard and about a third of mine were already cracked open- with no juice whatsoever. The salty bean curd milk was the only thing that seemed worth getting- topped with savory pickled radish that cut through the milky soy. While the food here isn't top notch street food, the prices reflect this fact ($1.25 for 4 potstickers, $2 for 4 pan fried buns, $1.25 for soy milk). The solution IMO is to charge a bit more and use the $ to put a bit more meat in their buns!

This place is so cheap and it has amazing pan fried dumpling! Better then other dumpling store. 8 dumpling for $4. I recommend getting dumpling and hot & sour soup

Back when I was a little kid, against all my protests, my dad would always send us to Chinese school during summer break. I hated that it always ruined the summer break I was looking so forward to. However, there was some light at the end of that dark tunnel, and that was this little dumpling house located across the street. In fact they use to operate out of a tiny cart on wheels with only two burners before they landed this tiny shop. I was always mesmerized by the way they organized the dumplings in a spiral on a giant wok. You could smell the aroma emanating from the tiny store from two blocks away and it smelled fantastic. Back then it was only a buck for eight freshly made pan friend dumplings. What a deal! I looked forward to the end of class, knowing there would be a delicious hot meal always waiting for me. I have moved far far away since then and two decades later, on a trip to Flushing, I was delighted to see that they are still open! Happy to know they survived the pandemic and the fierce competition in the area.

If you don't like dirty, and rude people, my advice to you is to steer away from this place. They don't like pansies. I grew up eating literally everything on their menu almost every day. These are by far the best dumplings, mei fun, pork buns, and fried vegetable pork buns I've ever had in my life time. The dumplings and buns are juicy, flavorful, and the taste is always consistent. The staff may be rude and the spot is a total mess, but honestly that's how old school Chinese people operate things (ex: white bear).

Yuck! This place is disgusting!!!! They were serving uncooked pork and chive dumplings. The meat was still red inside. I wouldnt mind if this was beef but this is pork. Have fun eating here if you like worms (Trichinosis) swimming around your stomach! I definitely feel like throwing up now! STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!

If you read my reviews you know I love bao zi. In fact, I may be a bit of a snob when it comes to bao zi. This place seemed to have all going for it: a hole in the wall, absolutely no decor or ambiance, food freshly cooked right in front of you, tons of Chinese customers. That usually translate into a very good and very cheap food experience. Unfortunately the first time I came here, they sold me some bao zi that were pretty terrible: they tasted funky, like they went bad. Last time, I let my gf, who is Chinese, get the food. Turns out the bao zi were pretty good: the mantou was nice, soft, and fragrant, just slightly sweet, and the filling of pork and vegetables very tasty. Perhaps I prefer the meat to be more finely chopped and cooked with a hint of sauce[1], but nevertheless I liked these babies (and they're generous in size). What I really liked were the jian bao: its a mini bao zi that is pan fried on one side, so the bottom is brown and crunchy. The dumplings, which were pan fried, were nice and crunchy, with a very tasty filling. They are best eaten right off the pan (they tend to become soggy if you eat them later). The zong zi were just ok: bland and unremarkable, with barely any tasty filling. Don't bother. Bottom line: food was very bad the first time, and very good the second one. So, what is it, Zhu Ji? I can't help but think that I've been racially profiled the first time, and I don't like that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1] I prefer the bao zi from Jin Jin in BKLN Chinatown: http://www.yelp.com/biz/jin-jin-restaurant-brooklyn#hrid:QEJNaOYBYNsmfanvV-BJfg/src:self

(Stop #3 on Vivian H's Flushing Snack Food Crawl) The recommend northern China specialties here were the Chinese breadsticks and the pan-fried dumplings. Unfortunately they had already ran out of the breadsticks by the time we arrived. As for the dumplings, they were running out of those too. Our first choice of seafood dumplings were no longer available, so we settled for the leek dumplings. These arrived quite oily. Perhaps too oily, and the oil had no nuance. However, the filling was tasty and decently seasoned. Care needs to be taken when eating them though. The filling doesn't adhere to the bun, so it can easily fall out if you are not careful about the orientation once you bite into it. These could have been a little bit better if they were set out on paper towels to collect the grease before serving. Overall though, not bad.