Cherylynn N.
Yelp
The first legit Chinese resto in Noe.
*Raise hands emoji*
Noe NEEDED this so it's great that the owner of Bacco partnered with Dumpling Kitchen to open a new location in the former Bacco space. This is the third Dumpling Kitchen location in the city (there's also offshoots in Castro Valley and Foster City).
They're currently open for takeout, indoor dining, and outdoor dining. Back patio is dog-friendly and covered from the elements.
We visited on a cold rainy weeknight night at opening time and were promptly seated. By the time we left, they got busy so def recommend coming early.
M E N U
Shanghainese cuisine - Soup, apps, dumplings, veggies, entrees (including Chinese-American dishes), etc. The menu is currently different than their other locations and they don't have the more traditional items like lion's meatballs, pork belly w/ preserved veggies, stir-fried rice cakes, etc.
Beer, wine, and low abv cocktails (sake) available.
F O O D
* 酸辣湯 Hot & Sour Soup ($13.80) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/bdcxcks7
On a cold rainy night, this hit. The hot & sour soup had a good balance of sour and spice with a nice viscosity. Filled with soft tofu, chewy wood ear mushrooms, tender shiitake mushrooms, and ribbons of eggs. We received the vegetarian version so no pork.
* 上海小籠包 XLB: Shanghai Pork Soup Dumplings (6 pc - $11.80) // 3.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/2u7ad6pu
Savory, juicy pork filling but little soup and the wrappers were quite thick esp the pleats on top. I'm sure with time, they'll perfect the recipe.
* 生煎包 SJB: Pan-fried Pork Buns (4 pc - $10.80) // 3.5 stars https://tinyurl.com/bsvu7hd2
Nice contrast between the crispy golden bottoms and steamed doughy tops with a juicy pork filling. Not soupy tho so no squirts across the table.
* 铁板黑椒牛肉 Sizzling Black Pepper Beef ($22.80) // 3.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/yx6n9udw
Arrived sizzling and fragrant with a generous amount of sliced beef. To be nitpicky, the beef was overtenderized and the peppers+onions were overcooked, lacking a crisp. Also, I wish more black pepper was incorporated into the sauce as most of the black pepper flavor came from the sprinkling on top.
S E R V I C E
Friendly and prompt during an early weeknight dinner. We did have to ask for things several times but the staff was apologetic and offered dessert on the house (we politely declined).
A M B I A N C E
Same vibe as Bacco, cozy with an upscale yet casual atmosphere with a fireplace. The back patio is quaint and comfortable even in cold, rainy weather. Great for a casual date night or fam dinner.
P A R K I N G
Street and residential parking.
Overall, Dumpling Kitchen is a welcome addition to Noe serving decent dumplings if you don't want to trek out of the area (for reference, my favs in the city are Dumpling Home, Dumpling Story, and Dumpling Zone). Plus for the dog-friendly back patio!