Serious Dumpling
Chinese restaurant · San Pedro Square ·

Serious Dumpling

Chinese restaurant · San Pedro Square ·

Casual modern Chinese spot with dumplings, noodles, cocktails

garlic noodles
xiao long bao
sheng jian bao
dumplings
pork xl b
giant soup xl b
cucumber salad
friendly service
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null
Serious Dumpling by null

Information

49 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110 Get directions

$20–30

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Accepts reservations
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Trendy

Information

Static Map

49 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110 Get directions

+1 408 320 2023
seriousdumpling.com
@serious_dumpling
𝕏
@seriousdumpling

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Trendy
•Family friendly
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining

Last updated

Jan 14, 2026

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2026 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@postcardnews
22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

A lively downtown room focused on Shanghainese shengjian bao, soup dumplings, and noodles. Designed by a local studio and launched with veteran restaurateur input, it’s become a San Pedro Square fixture for handmade dumplings and late-night energy.

https://hospitalitysnapshots.com/projects/27086/serious-dumpling-restaurant/
Chinese Food in San Jose (2025)
View this post on Instagram
Serious Dumpling

Toktam T.

Google
Cute locate. Love the ambiance inside! The service was fast and on point. (Fyi, Wasnt busy when we went) The owner was so accommodating and helpful! Great personality! I can't tell you how delicious every dish was ! Will definitely go back and recommend it to everyone in the San Jose area or passing through!

BARAK W.

Google
Serious Dumpling in San Jose is seriously good! I had the wontons in chili oil and garlic noodles with beef, both were bursting with flavor and perfectly cooked. The chili oil added just the right kick, and the noodles were rich and satisfying. Service was fast and friendly. A must visit spot for dumpling lovers!

Christophe G.

Google
Pretty chill dumpling spot. It’s got nice food and a pretty tight atmosphere. The service was mostly quick as they sat us down quite quickly. Once we ordered the dumplings came soon after. I enjoyed the shrimp soup dumpling the most. The xiaou long Bao with the shrimp sticking by out tasted really good. The shrimp on top really made it stand out. The spicy wonton dumpling also was a classic taste. But the curry naan break was good too. It tasted Ike quality Japanese curry on scallion pancake. Overall pretty tasty food; with a lot of interesting and different items on the menu.

Chase K.

Google
They burnt my dumplings to a crisp on the bottom such that they were inedible to chew through. I had to use a spoon to scrape the filling and upper wrapper off the petrified burnt bottom. I wish I had said something to the server but I was in a large group and didn't want to wait extra to get my food. Taking the opportunity now to call it out as this was unacceptable. Feel like I should note that the garlic noodles were tasty, but I don't recommend paying extra for veg as its just a handful of cabbage and some mushrooms.

Aimee C.

Google
A Pleasant Surprise at Serious Dumpling While exploring San Pedro Street in San Jose, I came across Serious Dumpling. As a dumpling lover, I had to see how "serious" they really were. They did not disappoint. The Garlic Noodles were packed with flavor, and the Garlic String Beans had just the right crunch. The Xiao Long Bao hit the spot, but the highlight for me was the Giant Soup XLB--truly a dumpling worth writing about. The wait staff was friendly and there is a definite vibe to the atmosphere. I'll definitely be back to try more!

Maria Uriarte C.

Google
Recently moved into San Jose for school, I’ve been trying many different cuisines & restaurants but THIS ONE caught my taste buds & attention today!! I went in today (A Thursday) around 6:00 PM, a good amount of people were dinning. I say plan ahead if you want to get a table, I was in luck because it was just myself sooo being seated was quick! It took atleast 8-9 minutes to be attended because they were busy, which I think is okay and not bad!!! The attendee was super sweet and allowed me to pick my table!! Now for the part you came for… CUCUMBER SALAD amazing. I also ordered pork & shrimp wontons in chili oil which were sooo savory & yummy, they are a bit smaller though!! AND OH MY WOW the spicy pork sheng jian bao (pan-fried dumplings) were phenomenal!!!! Please check this place out whenever you have time.

Vlad

Google
Serious Dumpling: They Mean Business If you’re looking for dumplings that redefine expectations, Serious Dumpling is the place. Without exaggeration, these are the best dumplings I’ve had—hands down. Their flavors, textures, and attention to detail make for an unforgettable dining experience. Sweet Ube dumpling– A Showstopper It’s hard to surprise me, but the ube zlb completely blew me away. This dish is easily the best and most amazing thing I’ve eaten this year. The delicate dumpling skin encases a rich, slightly sweet yet perfectly balanced ube filling that melts in your mouth. It’s not just a dumpling—it’s an experience. If you visit, do not leave without trying this. Savory Beef Pancake – Crispy and Satisfying.The beef pancake is everything you want in a savory pastry—flaky, crispy layers wrapped around tender, flavorful beef and fresh cucumber. The balance between the crunch of the pancake and the juicy beef makes it an absolute must-order. Shrimp & Pork dumplings – Classic with a Twist The shrimp & pork dumpling is another highlight. The combination of juicy pork with a perfectly cooked shrimp peeking out of the dumpling makes for a fantastic bite. The broth inside is rich and flavorful, exactly what you expect from great soup dumplings. Cucumber Salad – Refreshing and Unique The cucumber salad was a surprising and refreshing contrast to the dumplings. It had a light, tangy, and slightly garlicky dressing that balanced out the richness of the other dishes. Definitely a great side to cleanse the palate. Service – Attentive and Friendly The staff was incredibly attentive and made sure everything was just right. Their knowledge of the menu and willingness to provide recommendations made the experience even better. Final Thoughts Serious Dumpling truly lives up to its name. They take dumplings to another level with bold flavors and perfect execution. If you're even remotely into dumplings, this place is a must-visit. And again, do yourself a favor—get the ube ZLB. You won’t regret it!

Amanda Kaye S.

Google
I came with a friend and was greeted by quick service and delicious dumplings. The xiao long baos were very soft and juicy, the minced pork noodles were tender, and the chocolate xiao long baos melted in your mouth.
google avatar

Jen D.

Yelp
We had our group of 18 here for a casual Christmas get together before half of us left the country for a nice Christmas vacay. They were very nice to accommodate us setting up our tables ahead of time. Service was exceptional! Food was super delicious! Sorry no pics because everyone was hungry.
google avatar

Harmanjeet K.

Yelp
Surprisingly small restaurant but some seriously good dumplings steaming here! It wasn't crowded for weekday lunch and we were able to grab a nice corner. The hostess was very kind in taking our order when we were ready and helped us by joining two tables together since we order a LOT of dumplings. We ordered the following: Chicken potstickers: Juicy, steaming hot, thick coating but crisp from the bottom, delicious umami and my most favorite out of everything we ordered. 5/5 Pork and shrimp sui mai: They were tough but tasted good. I've had better but these were good as well. 3.5/5 Garlic noodles with added egg: These were disappointingly sweet with a fried egg on top. Canned garlic did not help the dish at all. 1/5 Giant xiong long bao: Massive dumpling with little pork filling but a lot of hot soup that can be sipped with two tiny straws. I'm a hot soup and broth lover so this was massively amazing for me. However, the dumpling completely stuck to the steamer basket from the sides tearing the dumpling apart. I would have loved to take the whole thing home and eat it later but it was a mess so left the whole thing after drinking the soup with the help of the straw. Still 4/5 since the soup was AMAZING! Chicken xiong long bao and pork xiong long bao: Very similar to chicken steamed dumplings we've had at other places. Little soup in the chicken ones but tasty . 4/5 for both Chicken wonton in chilli oil and pork and shrimp wonton in chilli oil- Tiny portions but great flavor once you add their soy sauce, vinegar and amazing chilli oil. 5/5 Pork and shrimp sui mai: Delicate and delicious. 5/5 Shrimp har gao: I've had better. 3/5 Chocolate xiong long bao: Chewy, warm and delicious. Loved them!! 5/5 We will retun for the chicken potstickers and other offerings! They have a nice menu and a very hard working kitchen staff! Lived watching them steam dumplings for us!
google avatar

Roxy M.

Yelp
Pretty good place to get dumplings! I will say there are a lot of good places to eat in the area which can make it hard to choose but I don't think you'll be disappointed. We got some scallion noodles as well but I personally wouldn't get them again as I wasn't the biggest fan but they were liked by everyone else at the table. Service was pretty fast and the employees were attentive. Overall, I would go again for the dumplings. If you're in the area I think it's a pretty decent option!
google avatar

Msloverly H.

Yelp
Good food and quick service! This was our first time trying serious dumpling and we had the cucumber salad (a staple), garlic cabbage which I thought was delicious, garlic noodles, soup xlb, and the fried xlb (which was the only thing we didn't love). I'd definitely come back!
google avatar

Neil Arden D.

Yelp
(San Pedro Square) Food: original giant soup xlb (8.5/10)- enjoyed the flavor and texture of this dish. It is steamed so the container has holes which causes the soup to pour on the plate. You will have to use the straw on the plate to drink the soup. Garlic noodles (9/10) very flavorful and is probably the dish I enjoyed the most. Noodles were cooked well. Shrimp added more texture and flavor Garlic string bean (7.5/10) string beans were cooked well but lacked flavor. Chicken wontons (6.7/10) won't really buy this again. Small and lacked flavor. Had to add chili Curry beef sjb (8/10)- little hard on the bottom but the beef and soup tasted well Ube chocolate buns (7.8/10) I expected more for this. You can't really taste the Ube and it didn't have much chocolate inside. If they added more chocolate I would have graded this a lot higher Setting: plenty of seats, clean, and offers table sizes for small to larger groups. Tv available if you want to watch sports etc Service: server was great. Checked on us if we needed water, recommended some dish, and was updating us on when our order will arrive. Price: price is fair. Not too expensive or cheap Parking: San Pedro square garage or side streets
google avatar

Maisie W.

Yelp
3/5: If I'm only rating the food, its 2.5/5. Its terrible. Starting off with the fried pork and shrimp dumplings, as soon as I took a bite, all I could really taste was the oil and the meat inside was just mediocre. I didnt eat any of the dough. Now, the shumai, I dont know what meats they use but this is definitely not an authentic human. The beef noodle souple was the only dish that was actually ok. I gave it a 3, only because the waiters are great. Will not be back. If you are familiar with asian food, specially if you are from around SGV Area in Southern CA, this place unfortunately will not satisfy your cravings.
google avatar

Jonathan B.

Yelp
I've been for several business lunches and had a chance to try much of the menu but haven't been able to take photos... Shrimp & Pork Wontons: excellent and the dish to get when you don't know what to get. I like a little extra chili oil. Pork Xiao Long Bao: nvm, THIS is the signature dish. I like the pork and shrimp version even better. Garlic noodles: Ask for egg to be added. Not too garlicky but with a defn kick. Garlic string beans: underrated. Get these and you even feel like you're being healthy. Beef pancake: sort of a Shanghai version of a burrito. Decent but a little dry -- not my fav. Steamed Curry Beef Dumplings: very juicy inside. A touch of curry. Quite good but I like the XLB better. Small room with lots of light. Staff helpful. Will keep coming to lunch.
google avatar

Lasya R.

Yelp
Came in with no expectations, but WOW! This place gives Din Tai Fung a run for its money, with pretty similar menu items and that same delicious taste! All the dumplings and noodles were super flavorful and served fast. The only thing is that the items tend to lean on the sweeter side, so just be aware of that. I wish we got a few more "spicy" items to offset it. Service was quick and the servers were really helpful in deciding what to order. Inside is pretty nice, and when we went for dinner on a Monday evening it was pretty empty and quiet inside. Definitely will be back!
google avatar

Jason L.

Yelp
I should've trusted the other negative reviews. I genuinely don't understand how this place has over 1,000 reviews. I ordered the beef noodle soup and honestly... what is this? Ramen noodles in a "beef noodle" dish is already wild, but the rest of it was worse. The beef looked like pre-cut packaged slices just tossed in, the vegetables were basically cabbage and chili flakes, and the broth tasted thin and artificial -- more like beef powder than something actually simmered. Look at the photo. Nothing about this says real beef noodle soup. No depth, no richness, no care. Just a bowl of shortcuts. The only decent thing I had were the chili wontons. Other than that, this was a huge disappointment. I have no idea how this place is rated so highly. Please avoid!
google avatar

Jess B.

Yelp
My family and I decided to eat at Serious Dumpling for a birthday dinner and really enjoyed it! The location is great. It's surrounded by bars, restaurants, and dessert spots, which makes it a perfect place to start (or end) a date night or hang out with friends. My family and I ordered quite a few things off the menu, and honestly, everything was good. Our favorites were the garlic noodles, ube XLB, and curry SJB. The food came out quickly, and the servers were friendly and efficient. The interior is modern with seating inside and outside. The inside though isn't the best setup for larger groups. Our group of 5 sat pretty close to another table with just a small divider between us, so it felt a bit tight. Prices are on the higher side, and for the portion sizes, it's a bit hard to justify. Although, that's somewhat expected given that it's in downtown. That's really the only reason this isn't a full five stars.
google avatar

Carissa R.

Yelp
Cocktails were really good slightly sweet but very refreshing with the meal. Garlic noodles were definitely the star. The dumplings were very juicy and delicious I'd recommend this place it's definitely on my list to come back an try more menu items
google avatar

Cloud L.

Yelp
Food is so yummy! I love the variety of street food options. Good for sharing. Friendly staffs. Modern vibe. What a nice place.
google avatar

Brian T.

Yelp
The xiao long baos and potstickers weren't great. The texture of the dough was pretty thick and chewy and the taste was pretty lackluster. Almost to the point where I didn't really wanna finish it cause of the taste. Super expensive too for the portion and flavor. However the garlic noodles were surprisingly pretty good, just kinda unfortunate for a dumpling spot
google avatar

Abbigale T.

Yelp
Came here on a Sunday night with friends and had such an amazing dinner! We ordered the spicy shrimp and chicken wontons, chicken dumplings, pork dumplings, and of course the famous garlic noodles (with spam!!) I had read about online and WOW. Everything came out piping hot and packed with flavor. The service was quick, the food was incredible, and every dish impressed us. To top it off, we grabbed some ube chocolate buns with sweet cream to take home, and they were absolute heaven. 10/10 meal - delicious food, great service, and prices that felt really fair for the quality. Can't wait to come back!
google avatar

Michelle H.

Yelp
The location is awesome. The restaurant is clean and the service was nice. The food was okay. The beef noodle soup was decent but wasn't super amazing. The noodles tasted similar to top ramen. The xiao long bao was just okay the skin was thick and there wasn't much soup. The sauce for the roti was too curry tasting and thick. The chicken and corn dumpling was probably the best dish in my opinion.
google avatar

Emma M.

Yelp
This is a convenient fun location in down town San Jose, yet I'm sadly unimpressed with their food. With the abundance of Asian cuisine in the area there's lots of competition, and this one doesn't meet the expectations. Food is good for a quick bite, but wouldn't want to have a full dinner here. Prices are high for the lack of flavor in the dumplings. Service is fast, the dining area is cute, but the food doesn't match their other high qualities!
google avatar

Amy Y.

Yelp
As an avid XLB enjoyer, someone who tries various dumpling places around the bay, and also a beef noodle soup enjoyer, I was pretty sad about my time at Serious Dumpling. I don't think they were serious about their dumplings, or anything for that matter. The place is actually surprisingly small, with a lot of tables for two and communal style seating. I think it's very unfriendly for big groups, as there's not too much space to eat. The vibe inside is kind of neon hip, modernized for teens. They have some outdoor seating as well. - Garlic Noodles This is their most reviewed item, and their tastiest from our selection. It's a little telling when a Chinese dumpling place's best item is their garlic noodles... Anyways, it was thick, chewy, garlicky, savory, and had a lot of good soy-garlic flavor. It was quite moist as well, and I just wish protein wasn't an extra charge. - Slow-cooked Beef Noodle Soup It was basically beef noodle soup with ramen noodles which is weird. The soup had a french onion soup kind of vibe - a bit too sweet and almost a beef bouillon cube vibe. I don't like the random pieces of cabbage, and the beef slices were very thin. This was not our typical Chinese beef noodle soup, and I would advise against ordering. - Pork XLB They were wrapped in a way where the tip was a tiny hard nub, heh. It was alright, with a smooth meat filling and adequate soup, but quite expensive. We also did not receive ginger to accompany the XLB. I initially wanted to order more, but didn't want to overindulge before testing out their popular items to compare with my standards. I think I made the right choice, because the taste was so Americanized and unsatisfying, that the high prices would have furthered my disappointment. If you want good dumplings, just go to DTF or pretty much most places a few cities north of here. Dumpling Time in SF also does a very similar menu but better, and no I would highly not recommend the giant XLB unless you really need the gram or amusement. I think the only way you can review this place well is if you don't know what Chinese food is supposed to taste like.
google avatar

Janice J.

Yelp
Came here on a weekend before 5pm with a party of 3. We got the following: - Original SJB (Sheng Jian Bao): 5 pan fried soup dumpling with premium pork, pork savory broth and ginger for $14.50. I really liked this one! The soup was plentiful, hot, flavorful, crispy and the dough was just right! - garlic noodles for $13.60. I like my garlic noodles with a lot of garlic so these were just ok. Tasty but with a bit more garlic these would have been good in my opinion. We still finished this though. - Shrimp and Pork Wontons with Chili Oil: 6 premium pork, shrimp, soy sauce, green onions with the chili oil on the side for $8.50. Smaller than the picture and the chili oil wasn't spicy to me but I like my spice with a major heat to it! - Garlic String Beans for $13.50. Whatever sauce they used was chefs kiss! Gobbled up all this and if we had rice it would been such a tasty duo! - Pork XLB: 6 for $12 - Ube XLB: 6 ube with coconut milk for $12.50. The ube was nice but the dough was too thick. There was only 1 server and everybody else was in the kitchen. The food was good and if I was in the area, I would come back again.
google avatar

Melissa W.

Yelp
This dumpling spot is in downtown SJ right next to a parking garage. If you park in the garage, go out the back way. We went out the front and ended up walking around the long way to find the restaurant. Inside decor is cute. We went at an odd time (4pm ish on a Sunday), and there were surprisingly a decent amount of people there with only one server, but she was great considering how busy it was! They have a lot of table space that can accommodate big groups. There were only 3 of us, we got seated in a corner booth/table. We ordered garlic noodles, original SLB (?), regular xlb, green beans, wonton in chili oil (but with oil on the side), and ube xlb for dessert. The garlic noodles were tasty but not crazy garlicky. More on the sweet side. The wonton was good, but the chili oil was a little lacking in flavor for me. The xlb was ok but not very memorable. The original slb (I think is what they call it, basically the pan fried soup dumpling) was SO good. It was so crispy on bottom and the soup inside was so tasty plus the filling. It stayed hot for a long time so def poke holes and slurp slowly! The green beans were supposed to be garlic green beans I think but they weren't crazy garlicky either. But they had a brown sauce on top that was so good, I could've licked the plate after! The ube filling was ok but not that great and the wrapper was too thick for me. Would skip that next time. Even though only two dishes were standouts for me and one was one I wouldn't order again, everything still tasted good so I'd come back if I was in town. Unfortunately, I live in sf where I can get similar dishes so I wouldn't go out of my way to come back.
google avatar

Eddie K.

Yelp
Garlic noodles were very tasty! Worth the hype. The two gentlemen were amazing as servers and food came out very quickly. It was a full house but wait time was less than 10 minutes. Portions are on the smaller side but each dumpling was good. Caution though, they are sizzling hot so be wary to not burn your tongue!
google avatar

Jeany L.

Yelp
Dumplings are my staple so we give it a try here. * garlic noodle which originally comes wt only noodle you gotta pay extra for proteins or veggies. Kidding me?! they just only added extra boiled veggie on the dish, not mixing wt the noodle and sauce! I wondered if we ordered extra protein they will execute the same way?!?! It was the sweetest garlic noodle i have ever had in life...idk they cater to the local taste or not but this is not the typical taste you would get from Chinese noodle. This dish was served as the first dish and totally ruined our first impression to this resto. * Dumplings and wontons were ok and XLB tasted ok too but the meat inside was pretty fatty compared with other places. * fast service, and it's nice inside since outside was pretty smelly from the street.
google avatar

Generous Y.

Yelp
Solid location being in San Pedro Square where parking is free and easy to navigate but overall an underwhelming experience. Food had great flavors, but the XLB and dumplings just didn't have much soup. What little soup was available was delicious but they were on the drier side if anything. Service was lackluster as they just never came to check in, refill water, or even bring the check.
google avatar

Kyrie S.

Yelp
Another dumpling spot ruined by its food and inauthenticity. Just because you can make a dumpling spot doesn't mean you need to elevate it and make it pricey for no reason. I'm all for elevating food and trying out different takes on Asian food but this place does it the worst! The food is the worst. The XLB had no flavor whatsoever, and I've had better ones at COSTCO. The Garlic noodles are a scam... who is eating that and enjoying it. They were cold and tasteless when arrived and it was enough for one bite. The only fun thing was the XL XLB but like I said... the only thing. The Shumai was bleh- Also the seating was horrible. Our server put 3 of us in a small table behind a pillar. Boy what the hell. Out of all the tables we were sat, it was a small table for 2 people adding a 3rd chair.
google avatar

Jocy C.

Yelp
This review is seriously overdue. My friend and I were in the San Jose area for Zumba back in November 2024. He had a craving for Chinese food.... so a quick search on Yelp app, and I found Serious Dumpling. According to their website, Serious Dumpling is known for their fresh house-made dumplings, noodles, classic Shanghainese dishes including their "Signature Sheng Jian Bao" and "Xiao Long Bao" in a lively atmosphere with bright neon lights and a fun vibe. I wholeheartedly agree with this description! Between my friend and I, we ordered a bunch of stuff to share: - Original Sheng Jian Bao - Pork & Shrimp Xiao Long Bao - Chicken Potstickers - Beef Pancake (with Egg) - Minced Pork Noodle Soup - Dessert - Ube Chocolate Bun - Cocktail - Lychee Sake - Cocktail - Sake Sangria Everything was delicious! Sheng Jian Bao and Xiao Long Bao are definitely MUST GET items. Dessert & Cocktails too obviously. Service was friendly, quick, & efficient. Ambiance was cute & trendy. ENJOY!!
google avatar

Jackie W.

Yelp
Tried for the first time with my toddler and his friend and Mom. We ordered the following: - Cucumber salad: Refreshing but too sweet. My toddler usually likes cucumber but didn't like this one. -XLB: Not the best but not bad. Toddler approved - Minced Pork Noodles: Taste was good but I did expect different noodles. The noodles resembled instant ramen noodles. A bit on the sweet side for me but my toddler did like it. - Scallion Noodles: My toddler's friend loved it - Glass Noodles: Overcooked and disappointing - Chicken and corn dumpling: Good but I would get it without the sauce drizzled in top of it next time - Side of rice: Wouldn't order again. On the dry side. Ube Bao: I don't typically care for baos but this wasn't bad. Buns seem to be filled with taro and not ube though. Toddlers liked. Service: Not bad not good.
google avatar

Monica V.

Yelp
I've been here once before with my husband. I was craving dumplings and were already going to be downtown so this was an obvious choice. I already had an idea of what I wanted. Cucumbers were nice and crunchy. I loved the shu mai and XLB. I liked the green dumplings but I may not order it again unless someone else wanted to try it. Little to crispy on the bottom for me. It did take a while to arrive so I may have been getting full too. Other than that, everything was delicious.
google avatar

Jim E.

Yelp
Stopped in here with some friends while in town for a convention, the food was mediocre at best and our server (Anthony) was rude and condescending. We were a party of 6 and we were NOT notified that a 20% gratuity would be automatically added to the bill, and while 20% is fine you do expect a certain level of service with for that 20%, when 2 of your orders are not delivered and we basically had to hound the staff multiple times for our missing order (one of which we had removed from the bill because it never arrived) You don't deserve a 20% tip! One member of our party ordered garlic noodles and wanted to add some shrimp, she go 5 tiny cocktail shrimp added on top of her noodles, not mixed in, not seasoned, just dropped on top of her noodles. Argumentative Wait Staff - 1 Terrible Service - 1 Missing Food -2 Wish I could give ZERO but yelp does not allow that. Be warned, there are better places in the area that appreciate your business and will work to earn it. Serious Dumpling is only Serious about making your visit memorable for the wrong reasons!
google avatar

Mypang T.

Yelp
We came for the high ratings and were seated fast for a weekend night. The veggie steamed dumplings did not wow me. The garlic noodles were flavorful and delicious! It was our favorite entree of the night. We also ordered the cucumber appetizer and wontons. Ive been lucky to have my share of good dumplings... and this was not the spot. I probably wouldn't return.
google avatar

Aimee C.

Yelp
A Pleasant Surprise at Serious Dumpling While exploring San Pedro Street in San Jose, I came across Serious Dumpling. As a dumpling lover, I had to see how "serious" they really were. They did not disappoint. The Garlic Noodles were packed with flavor, and the Garlic String Beans had just the right crunch. The Xiao Long Bao hit the spot, but the highlight for me was the Giant Soup XLB--truly a dumpling worth writing about. The wait staff was friendly and there is a definite vibe to the atmosphere. I'll definitely be back to try more!
google avatar

Tiffany P.

Yelp
We visited Serious Dumpling on a Saturday around 7 PM, and it was pretty packed. Since we had a party of two, we were seated right away, but larger groups ahead of us still had to wait. We ordered the original SJB, giant XLB, garlic noodles, chive dumplings, shumai, and a lychee sake cocktail. My favorites were the original SJB (pan fried dumpling) and the lychee cocktail. The other dishes didn't really stand out. We got the giant dumplings mainly for pictures, so we didn't have high expectations, and the meat inside the XLB was tooooo soft and falling apart. However, both the SJB and XLB had a lot of broth, which I loved since most places don't have much soup in their dumplings. The cocktail tasted like lychee soda, which I loved. Overall, I'd come back only for the pan-fried dumplings or to try something new. The service was great, but the food wasn't anything special. The restaurant itself was really pretty, with neon signs adding to the ambiance.
google avatar

Michelle H.

Yelp
Food was okay. A lot of items were really salty or really spicy or really soy sauce heavy. I wouldn't say this place is authentic but I can see the flavors having been adjusted for their general customer base. I liked the shrimp har gow, cucumber salad, and the green beans. I wouldn't recommend the minced pork noodles, original SJB, the beef pancake, or the spicy wontons. Service was kind of slow and inattentive. The food itself came out really fast (a little tooo fast? The SJB did not feel made to order since it came out within 2-3 minutes of ordering). We felt mostly ignored for the most part after food was served and I didn't like how the server stared us down when we were prompted to select a tip option. The store itself is nicely decorated. It did feel spacious and clean.
google avatar

Alisha H.

Yelp
The service was friendly and the ambience was nice, though the space felt a bit smaller than I expected. We tried a variety of dumplings, but all were just okay -- not bad, but nothing that stood out. Given the high ratings, I was hoping for something a bit more flavorful or memorable. Overall, an average experience.
google avatar

Shilah A.

Yelp
Fun dumpling place, but nothing I would go back to with family. The good: - Garlic String Beans - Cucumber Appetizer Garlic string beans had a nice marinade on it. The cucumber salad also tasted refreshing and sweet, although it the way they cut it was a little odd. Seemed more like mashed cucumbers rather than just sliced. Pork chili wontons were sooo spicy. No other flavor could come out since it was literally just spice. Original SJB was purely oily, and the beef pancake was sooooo salty too. Kinda disappointing that the dishes we had seemed to gravitate to only one flavor. XLB was okay. Service was ok. Besides the interaction of letting us order, they only came by to drop food off.
google avatar

Raymond S.

Yelp
This place was pretty good. It wasnt spectacular but it was worth it. It wasnt busy when we arrived so the service was pretty quick. However once 6 or 6:30 hit it got really busy. The ambience of the place is pretty chill, the staff were all young and friendly. The food was pretty good cant really mess up XLB and vegetables. I must say the chocolate XLB was really good, it was unexpectedly delicious but I cant eat more than two because it was pretty sweet. I would come here again if im in the neighborhood but the area has a lot of restaurants that i didnt know was there. So ill be around for sure.
google avatar

Shivani T.

Yelp
I was looking for a restaurant for dinner last night and kids wanted Chinese. This place showed up with 1k reviews and 4 stars on yelp and we settled on this. The place was kind of empty and the server was quick to get out order. We ordered an appetizer, two types of dumplings and garlic noodles with vegetables and shrimp. The dumplings had a raw pork taste, and the folds of the dumplings were not done perfectly. The dough felt extra and the perfect balance of filling and dough was not maintained well. I have had dumplings at Din Tai Fung and they are my benchmark. We also had garlic noodles, which were good the first time and then we did a re-order they were super salty and not at all tasty
google avatar

Amy F.

Yelp
On a cold night dumplings sounded good. However there were some good things and bad things about this restaurant. Their storage/organization is a little haphazard with a random freezer in the corner, propane tanks right when you walk in, and bussing station within view of diners. Also their plastic chairs are pretty dirty. They're a light pink color and you can pretty much see how many people have sat in them. Our waitress was very sweet and helpful with suggesting dishes. The food was average I've definitely had better dumplings. Absolutely skip the chicken wings, they were fatty, slimy, and average taste. The dumplings and wontons were a little overcooked and poorly wrapped. However, the flavors/fillings of the dumplings and wontons were very good. Overall I'd probably explore elsewhere for my next dumpling craving.
google avatar

Jeff J.

Yelp
Dinner for 4. - Ambiance (3*) Clean(ish) interior. Not a ton of group seating. Clubby vibe. I can imagine younger me bringing a girl in a 10" skirt to this spot after a few drinks. - Service (2*) While nice, waiters didn't seem overly concerned about their jobs. Saw several standing around doing nothing. Empty dishes weren't picked up. Pacing was really strange as well. Beef noodle soup came out before the roti prata. Dishes were slow coming out of the kitchen. - Roti Prata, $8.50 (1*) A curious inclusion for a Chinese restaurant. If you're going to call it Roti Prata, it better be roti, not sad, soggy scallion pancake with curry dipping sauce. And when I say it was sad, it was super limp. Definitely not roti, and definitely no good. - Original SJB, $14.50 (2*) The bun itself was decent, but the bottom was burnt until it was hard. The bottom is supposed to be delightfully golden brown. Hard pass. - Cucumber Salad, $8.50 (3*) Cool and refreshing as these cucumbers should be. The sauce was a tad too sweet. They had also smashed the cucumbers as expected but not separated all the pieces, making some challenging to eat. - Garlic String Beans, $13.50 (2*) Honestly, hard to mess up string beans, but they were stringy and chewy. Maybe a bad batch of string beans but also not cooked terribly well. - Pork XLB, 6 pcs, $12 (3*) Good soup, decent bite. The folds were not particularly meticulous nor consistent from XLB to XLB. The ginger didn't come initially. When it did come, there was no vinegar. And the ginger, rather than being sliced thinly and beautifully was hacked into inconsistent sized pieces. - Slow Cooked Beef Noodle Soup $16.50 (3*) Broth tasted ok. Beef was so thin, you couldn't really appreciate it even if it were super tender from being slow cooked. It mostly disintegrated. I've never had noodles like these in a Chinese beef noodle soup- they were more akin to ramen noodles. Quite strange. - Ube XLB, 6 pcs, $12.50 (4*) These were probably the best of the meal. Loved the creamy filling. Good flavor, though a tad too sweet. - Value (1*) $2pp for XLB better be some amazing XLB. Considering the per piece price at DTF is lower, c'mon now... $13.50 for an appetizer portion of garlic string beans?! $8.50 for a few slices of sad scallion pancake insufficient to make up 1 frozen pancake? And don't get me started on the beef noodle soup! 2 of the thinnest sliced pieces of beef and some noodles for $16.50?! What a mockery. - Final Word I don't really know how everyone else gives this place a good rating. The food was SERIOUSLY not good. I can only surmise some reviewers' dining experiences were augmented by alcohol and/or hot dates? We shall not be returning...
google avatar

Isabelle S.

Yelp
I was excited to try this place but it wasn't great unfortunately. I came here with a friend on a Sunday around 7pm. Service was not good at all. We waited like 20 minutes for someone to take our order, we actually had to flag the worker down for him to come over. The employees weren't rude or anything but they weren't particularly pleasant either. The food was average. The dumplings didn't have much flavor. The cucumber salad had super thick skin and wasn't even smashed, i only ate 2 pieces before giving up on it. The best thing we ordered was the minced pork noodles. We really enjoyed those. The garlic noodles were ok too. I wouldn't come back for the food or the service. I expected better dumplings. Prices weren't bad though so theres that
google avatar

Priya A.

Yelp
I loved Serious Dumplings! The garlic noodles were absolutely bomb--we devoured every last bite. Perfectly chewy noodles coated in a rich, garlicky sauce made for a seriously satisfying dish. 5 stars all the way and i will probably dream about this noodles! Add their spicy chilly oil to take it to the next level! The pork XLB was also solid--flavorful, juicy, and well-balanced. But the real highlight for our kiddo was the chocolate XLB--a fun and delicious twist that was perfect treat for her. The restaurant itself is super cute, with a cozy ambiance and friendly service that made our visit even better. Definitely a spot we'd return to for another dumpling fix!
google avatar

Kaukeb Y.

Yelp
Love, love, LOVED this place!! I was recommended to them by my niece who lives all the way in FL. We decided to stop in and see what all the great reviews were about. We were definitely pleased with our meals. And of course, we had to try the dumplings! They were SERIOUSLY very savory and flavorful! The service was on point and the ambiance was neutral. This could be a date night spot or just a stop in for a quick lunch bite.
google avatar

Anna L.

Yelp
Cute restaurant in San Pedro's Square with nice modern vibes. The service was fine, but unfortunately the dumplings were just okay. Here's the breakdown. 1. SJB (4/5) - The best item we ordered. Had a lot of soup inside but the bread felt too thick in some parts. 2. XLB (2/5) - No soup inside at all :( also presentation was sad 3. Chili wontons (2.5/5) - Chili oil didn't have good flavor and was bland. Also the super tiny bowl made it difficult to mix.
google avatar

Mitchell S.

Yelp
I would like to consider myself a professional dumpling consumer. First off, I'll start off with the bright spot of the fried dumplings. The taste of the pork was really good and the soup was well prepared. Stuff was pipppin'. Would rec this. The XLB hurt my feelings. None of the dumplings preserved soup within the dumpling and the dough was extra mushy. The spicy dumplings was nothing note worthy. The service and ambiance were both solidddd. This review is primarily based on food. Dumpling Boy Out
google avatar

Anndora L.

Yelp
We dropped in after the SJSU Winter graduation. Got seated quickly but had no reservations, there were 9 of us. Place is on the smaller side. Ordered all sorts of dumplings, plus noods & cukes. We varied in ages from 21 to 89. Everyone enjoyed it. I can't believe I didn't get food pics! We were starving though! ‍
google avatar

Brian K.

Yelp
Nice ambiance, hip, good music, industrial feel (in a good way). Service was good. Tried pork/shrimp Xiao Long bao and an original sjb (aka: juicy pork bun). Xiao long bao was solid. Thin skin, hot soup, flavorful filling. I wish they would have combined the pork and shrimp together versus hanging a shrimp off the top of the dumpling. The SJB was ok. Have had better at dumpling hour in Palo Alto. But still, a decent dish. Good amount of filling and the fried bottom of the dumpling provided a nice crunchiness.
google avatar

YJ L.

Yelp
This place isn't awful, but it's also not a place I'd really recommend to anyone. 2.5/5 rounded up to 3 for the servers. Bars had chili oil smeared all over the countertops, and the bar stools are much too uncomfortable for anyone to really sit on. Moved from one bar to another bar, then to a table. Table was alright; the ambiance is very industrial and there are some tvs playing sports games. -- Food Garlic noodles (no protein additions): this is just soy-sauce stir fried udon. Barely any garlic flavor, pretty sweet compared to most garlic noodles I've had. SJB pork and shrimp: I think it's a little too fried and a little too sweet as well... it's not bad, but it also wasn't what I expected. I've had better, but I've had worse. Pork and Napa dumpling: the skin isn't as thick as other places, so the pork flavor comes out faster and for longer. Solid, but it's the first time I've seen these dumplings be pre-sauced. -- Servers were extremely kind, but not very attentive (I.e. the bar tops being drenched in chili oil, waters not being refilled) Overall, an underwhelming experience and I'm glad I didn't order more. It seems that the flavor profile is catered to a wider, more Western audience.
google avatar

Sage A.

Yelp
After trying Serious Dumpling, I do feel like some of these 2 star reviews are a bit critical and unfair. My experience could not be anymore different. I came for dinner on a Thursday night around 6:30pm and I had a great experience. Ambience and Service (5) Very clean and comfortable. The music was right, the vibe was chill, and the service was great. I found the server very attentive, pleasant, and friendly. The food was paced well and came out pretty quickly. There were about 3 other groups inside, tons of groups outside, and several to-go orders, and one server who did excellent. Shrimp Har Gaw (5) So yummy!! I could have eaten 10 more of these. Pork XLB (4) I wish they had more soup! but they were very very good! I do wish they came with some ginger too! Overall, Serious Dumpling was solid. I enjoyed it very much. Ignore the over critical dude who said it gave club vibes.
google avatar

Tony F.

Yelp
So I use Yelp when I travel, i wanted some Dim Sum, fired up Yelp and after reading the reviews of many places I choose Serious Dumpling. I was worried about parking downtown, but that wasn't an issue. When I walked in, was greeted and sat down. So many items to choose from. Shrimp and Pork SJB (Pan shaped dumpling) Pork XLB (pork dumplings Beef Pancakes with Egg Everything was amazing so much flavor My only issue was once the food was delivered the staff ignored me. They would walk by but not once did they look at me, I was looking at them to get their attention as I wanted more water. I was just about to walk up when the waiter asked if I was finished. I had all the plates stacked, what do you think!!!
google avatar

Joseph S.

Yelp
Looking for something "lite" after a long day of travel from the East Coast, Original Doup Dumplings fit the bill perfectly. Delicious ginger flavored pork instead soft and crispy shell yum!
google avatar

Justin A.

Yelp
I must say the dumplings here is serious! We got a soup dumpling called "Beef Curry Soup Dumpling." The servings are medium size dumplings that take a few bites to finish. Soft but crispy at the bottom, these pink dumplings are packed with curry and go well with chili oil! Needless to say I am a huge fan.