Master Kong（SE Hawthorne Blvd)

The dumplings here are consistently excellent and perfect for sharing with friends or family. Ordering is simple and efficient, you place your order at the display screen at the counter, then head straight to your table. The whole process feels smooth, organized, and well thought out. Food arrives quickly and never disappoints. I’ve eaten here several times and have yet to have a bad experience; everything has been fresh, flavorful, and satisfying each visit. The restaurant also has an additional seating area, making it a good option for larger groups or busier times without feeling cramped. Location-wise, it’s in a great spot right off Hawthorne with plenty of foot traffic. On a few visits, I’ve spent a couple of hours catching up with a friend and watching a steady stream of customers coming and going, proof that this place stays popular, especially during peak hours. If you’re a fan of dumplings and haven’t tried this spot yet, it’s absolutely worth a visit.

The veggie dumplings were very flavorful and freshly steamed. The included sauces complimented them very well. The red bean dessert was also nice: flaky and sweet without being overly sweet. Service was quick and courteous. The order process is done on a screen which was straightforward, though I was still greeted at the door and provided with water and a table. Prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality. The portions weren't large but I was still full by the end of desert so perfect for lunch.

Cute little restaurant right off the street. We had 7 people and were able to sit right away (luckily we got there early enough before a rush hit). You use a kiosk to actually order your food instead of a traditional wait staff. This made it fun for the kids. Since we had so many people, we just opted to have everyone buy a variety of dim sum type apps so we could try everything. The steamed vegetables (while we all debated on what they actually were - broccolini? Cabbage ? ) were really good! The kids loved the egg rolls and were their favorite part. A little on the oily side, but very flavorful. We tried two different dumplings and by far everyone enjoyed the Chinese style better. I wasn’t impressed with the bao buns but we will definitely be back to try what we missed.

We had high hopes for Master Kong, but the experience was underwhelming. The food was just okay, not particularly flavorful or memorable. The beef in the noodles and the rice were both leaned too sweet for our taste, lacking the depth we expected. The green onion pancakes were unfortunately overdone and quite hard, making them difficult to enjoy. Service was fine, but overall, the meal didn’t live up to the reputation or our expectations

You walk into Master Kong, tucked away on a quiet, residential street. It’s cozy and inviting, and you can order on a kiosk, where you can deeply customize your meal. You’re confused why entrees cost $10 and wonder if the portions are tiny so you order a soup, some dumplings, some veggies, and a drink. You sit down on an extremely comfortable squishy chair and wait for your food which comes out within a matter of minutes, piping hot. The portions are absolutely massive and you know you’re about to have leftovers for a few days. The dumplings are so obviously handmade and the dough is tender and addictive. The meat is plentiful, rich and comforting. The vegetables must be genetically modified because they are gargantuan and a shade of green you’ve never seen in your life. GO TO MASTER KONG.

As a whole, Master Kong is a 4.5 for me. Food: 4-5/5 Service: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Ambiance: Casual, mixed self serve. It missed the 5 stars because there wasn’t that wow factor, however if you’re looking for consistent quality and taste for Taiwanese style food, this is it. We ordered the pork congee (5/5), jian bing (4/5) and popcorn chicken (4.75/5). The popcorn chicken has that authentic salt and pepper taste. Jian bing has good ingredients but lacks flavor. Good thing they have prepackaged sauces. We added beef for $3.50 and it was very minimal in beef, so that was disappointing. It would be good with sliced beef inside. The congee hit the spot with authenticity. Service was very attentive even though ordering is self service. Would come here again when craving Taiwanese style flavors.

This place rescued our Christmas Eve! After another restaurant cancelled our pre-order at the last minute we made a new order with Master Kong. The food was delivered hot and on time, and was delicious. Thank you!

I have been a long time fan of Master Kong's, but hadn't tried the newer location yet. Was not disappointed! I really liked the atmosphere in the Hawthorne location, the spotlight with the logo was really cute. The food was just as delicious as you can expect from Master Kong. The scallion pancake, Chinese style potstickers, handmade pork dumplings and braised pork belly on rice are my all time favorites, but everything they do is delicious!