The Dumpling Lady

Very good food with quick cafeteria style service, prices were a tad high for portions, $15 for a "lunch" deal, however the food did not disappoint. Dumplings were packed full and the noodles were flavorful and perfectly spiced. I wish the experience was a bit more personal. Walk up and order from a kiosk while the cooks prep your food.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Dumpling Lady truly exceeded all expectations! From the moment I took my first bite of the chicken and shrimp handmade dumplings with chili oil, I knew I was in for a treat. Each dumpling was bursting with flavor and filled with a delectable combination of chicken and shrimp that tasted incredibly fresh.What truly set these dumplings apart was the chili oil - it added the perfect amount of spice and depth to every bite. It was evident that the ingredients used were of the highest quality, making each mouthful a delightful experience.The attention to detail and the care put into crafting these dumplings was unmistakable. From the perfectly pleated wrappers to the flavorful filling, every aspect was expertly executed.Whether you're a dumpling enthusiast or simply looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, I cannot recommend The Dumpling Lady enough. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

I’ve been eating from the Dumpling Lady for several years now, back from when she had only one truck. This food opened my eyes to a whole new flavor profile/cuisine I had never experienced before. Consistent, friendly and packed full of flavor every time. Over the years sadly the quality has diminished a bit as the quantity and prices increased. Don’t get me wrong it is still amazing no matter what dish I get, so do yourself a favor and try something different on the menu each time you visit!

Not authentic and didn't even taste good. How can this be called Sichuan? Final edit: The reason for the quality of food is clear; the owner cannot take criticism in any way. I am glad to support small businesses, so long as they deliver what is advertised-- not the case here. Charlotte needs a real authentic Sichuanese place to show people what the cuisine can really do. Edit: got called a troll for expressing my genuine opinion 🫡 how about you add scallion, peppercorn, and actual fragrant pepper oil rather than using cheap dumpling wrappers and masking bad flavor with excess salt? My grandma made dumplings 10x better than this. Maybe if the owner spent more time checking the quality of their food rather than getting injured over feedback, they would do better.

Some of the Best Noodles & Food I've had ever! Just enough meat to noodles & heat ratio & the beef 🤤 it was so tender & seasoned to perfection (not just covered in juice). The variety of dumplings & noodle choices are out of this world. Can't say anything but greatness about this location. There's a reason it's one of the busiest locations here make sure to check them out & order a few of everything you can't go wrong 10/10 ☺️

Found this spot by coincidence and was excited to try their Dan Dan noodles… I’ve had them previously while in Philly and it’s been hard to find anyone that makes them in GA. so I was ready to order! Sadly, I was not happy…it was nothing like what I’ve tried before. The noodles were like spaghetti and overall it tasted nothing close to what I’ve tasted before. We also had their scallion pancakes and that did not disappoint! It was nice, crisp, and perfectly fried! The customer service was amazing especially being as busy as I they were. The young lady took orders and answered questions with a smile and no hesitation.

The dan dan noodles was delicious and had the right amount of spice level. However, it could be a little bit less sweet.

Dumplings were a little disappointing. I tried the pork&chive and the sweet pork belly dumplings. Both came slathered in chili oil toppings, leading to a very wet mess. Couldn't really differentiate the fillings with all the oil toppings. The noodles, however, were very good. The dan dan noodles were appropriately spicy/numbing, and the shiitake chicken noodles were silky and salty. I do wish they had at least one option without spice for my kids. The location is great, tons of other options to try at Optimist food hall. Free 90min parking.

The Dumpling Lady is a gem. A small, unassuming spot that delivers some of the best Chinese you'll find in Charlotte. I imagine if I worked nearby, this would be the spot I'd come to most often for lunch (and there are a lot of food options in Optimist Hall and the surrounding area). I've tried various dumplings here and all were tasty. But I really love the Dan Dan noodles. I can't find any better in the city. It's so good. The noodles, the sauce, the mixture. Everything. And it's hella filling at a reasonable price. I haven't tried their other locations but if they are any consistent, I strongly recommend trying them whenever you're near one.

I'd grab their food but avoid their incompetent service provided by the untrained cashiers. Call to pick up but double check the bag. This is the third time I've gotten my order picked up with things missing. Gone back to ask for them, only to have a smart tone back at me. Someone was hired there without any true hospitality whatsoever and I hate that my experience has been this way. It wasn't peak time. If your cashiers are patient enough to get their nails done(as per her beautiful claws), and finish their conversations with each other before helping anyone--they can be patient enough to look over a simple order and not talk back to a customer that's picking up something that was missing. 4/5 - the food is always delicious. I'd loose 4 stars for service and give a solid 1 if it wouldn't pull the entire rating down.

Super delicious chicken pan fried dumplings. I'm so used to getting dumplings that are on the sweeter side but these were definitely more savory. They came with a delicious chili oil sauce to dip them into. They can get busy but the employees are super nice.

I love coming to optimist hall when the weather is nice, inside there's so much seating and so many places to try! Came out to meet a few friends, and I wanted something good but not too heavy. When you walk up, they have a little area blocked out in the front for the line, they have everything on the menu and when placing the order they give you the little device that buzzes when your food is ready. I would suggest placing your order here then using the time you're waiting to stop by the bar or any other place you want to hit. Depending on the busyness, it can be about a 5-10 minute wait. Came and got the shrimp and chicken dumplings, they were so good I had to get them twice in one week!! Just a heads up, the chili sauce is SPICY!!! But I was loving every single bite! Next time I come I'll definitely get the lunch special so I can get the ramen too!

Extremely tasty dumplings! I was super impressed with the overall quality, size, taste and most importantly (for me personally)) the texture of the dumplings. Spectacular experience! Loved the spicy chill sauce for dipping and it's a small extra charge for an extra by the way but it was recommended that most don't need it. The spicy cucumbers were very spicy indeed,; make sure you get a cold drink! I love it hot, so I was very pleased. Prices were very reasonable and service was pretty prompt for a busy Saturday.. I loved how they give you a buzzer so you can walk around and order food from other places or just take a stroll and check everything out in Optimist Hall while you are waiting for your order to be filled. I would definitely come back and try something else next time. Thank you!

*sigh* I love the dumplings here. But.... Well, you see the picture. That piece of hair is literally wrapped around my dumpling. Also, I really think they need a sauce. Like a nice chili garlic soy honey hoisin gochujang kind of situation. Chili oil is not a sauce, it's just spicy oil.

I got hooked on Dan Dan Noodles on a trip to (of all places) Toronto and then soup dumplings in Taipei. I was craving both today but I can't eat two full portions so I settled for dumplings today. A variety of options on the menu today and I decided that it would be the pork & chives dumplings today. After ordering, I was given a beeper and it beeped at me about 8 minutes later. Enough time to wander into the nearby Pet Wants for treats to bring home. A bowl of hot and spicy dumplings awaits. Nicely presented, stuffed and flavorful and definitely spicy dumplings. A perfect meal and the craving is now satisfied. Next time, I'll aim to hit the South End location at weekday lunch time. The half and half noodles and dumplings option would be perfect! [Review 1806 of 2024 - 3723 in North Carolina - 22828 overall]

This food is good however, the Sriracha/chili flavoring was a bit over abundant. I ordered the pork belly dumpling and couldn't taste the meat at all. The service was good, she was knowledgeable about the product and the food came out pretty fast. There was a line to order, and some small seating near by. I am good on this place and will just keep it as a one time experience. Thanks

Dan Dan Noodles (4/5): I liked that it wasn't too soupy, but it was maybe just a tad dry. Pretty spicy with that szechuan pepper heat that numbs your tongue. The noodles were well cooked, and I liked the minced meat (but chunks would've been better). Chengdu Style Dumplings (3/5): Nothing special. It was hard to taste the filling with the amount of soy sauce and chili oil dumped in. The wrapper was pretty good but I would've preferred it to be a bit more firm. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)

I have never had a bad dumpling from here! Very delicious! The chili oil really makes it! It's inside Optimist Hall, which is nice because I can get this and my best friend always gets a Greek Bowl from another place! Works great! The workers have always been nice too!

Was visiting my cousin and she took us to Optimist Hall where I had the opportunity to order and enjoy the chicken and shrimp dumplings as well as the chicken pot stickers. I had the sauce on the side so I had some variety. Next time I'm going to have them just pour it all in. It still tasted just as good once I poured it in myself. I'm mad we don't have this in Florida where I live. They would get all my money! It was so damn good. The ladies were very patient with me and my indecisiveness of what I wanted to eat. The location is great. It's kind of like a mess hall with lots of other food spots and seating. Looking forward to visiting again so I can order some more and to bring some back home.

Cashier was friendly. Nice place inside of a food hall. Ordered the Ramen special -- soy braised pork belly with bok choy & quail egg. This was pretty good. Spice level was about a 4/10. The pork belly was tender and had good flavor! Vegetables were nicely cooked. I'd try again!

Always on point with the quality of food and service. And the new location, Nana's, offers smaller portions, which is perfect for a quick lunch.

The dan dan noodles was delicious and had the right amount of spice level. However, it could be a little bit less sweet.

Conveniently located inside the Optimist Hall, my daughter and I decided to try out a few places, and the dumpling lady was one of them. She did not disappoint; the young lady that took our order was patient with us as we did not know what we wanted yet and helped us decide on a few different things. Let me say everything came out very good. Delicious. We'll go back again for sure.

The dumplings were absolutely delicious and the highlight of the meal! The chicken & mushroom noodles were just okay--nothing to brag about. The dumplings are what I'd come back for and staple at Optimist Hall.

This was my first time trying The dumpling lady. I hadn't heard about it from anyone. I was just walking around inside the optimist food hall and noticed the food menu. I'm a sucker for All types of dumplings. I asked the lady what she recommended on The dumpling side and she mentioned the Chengdu was her favorite. It had a nice flavor and a little bit of spice without being overpowering which was nice I also tried the Dan Dan noodles and also had a good mix of textures and flavor. I've had other versions of Dan Dan that had a much stronger peanut flavor. I wouldn't say that I know enough about Dan. Dan, to say if one is right or wrong overall I wouldn't hesitate to order it again. I would definitely want to try the soup dumplings the next time but I didn't get a chance this time around.

Well cooked and loved that it was in a light chili sauce. We also go a small container to dip in which gave it even more flavor. Flavorful and not too spicy but just enough spice.

Never disappoints!!! Dropped by the food hall and of course the faithful aromas of the delicious foods were in the air. However, the smell of the delicious dumplings stood out. Yummy yum yum, just had to have some. There was a soft spoken young lady working the counter; she was very pleasant and took my order with a smile. The service was very fast because although I ordered to go, by the time I found a seat (which didn't take long) my notification device was going off. I grabbed my dumplings and was on my way. When I reached home they were still hot and fresh, and that's what I love about the food. Thanks again for the delicious shrimp and chicken dumplings. AMAZING!

This was my first time trying The Dumpling Lady, and I was thoroughly impressed! I ordered the Nei Jiang beef noodles, and the flavor was incredibly savory and delicious. The beef was so tender, it practically fell apart--just perfect! I also tried the shrimp and chicken dumplings. While I'm usually not a fan of the texture of dumplings, these were fantastic. The texture was just right and really satisfying. Lastly, I had a side of cucumbers, which rounded out the meal perfectly. I will definitely be back for more!

Hmmm. I just don't know. This place is raved about and the two times I've been I've been left disappointed. In the most recent visit I ordered the shiitake chicken noodles.and soup dumplings. I went here specifically for the soup dumplings. The noodles... ehh okay. Nothing to write home about. The dumplings..... the dumplings. My boyfriend isn't huge on Asian cuisine so I was explaining how when you bite it you should get an explosion of broth or soup in your mouth. Nothing. There was not a single oz of liquid within the dumpling. Checked another one just to see if it was a fluke and no. I ended up taking them back and explaining what happened and the girl helping was like oh wow there should definitely be some liquid in there! Side note: she was very sweet and understanding! She offered to make me new ones and said they were actually making a brand new batch so it should be about 10 minutes. A few minutes later my buzzer went off, I went and got them, got back to my table excited to try because these are freshly made and the exact same thing happened. At this point I was fed up and felt like they served me the same exact dumplings because this order has one less dumpling than my first order and they were cold but were supposed to be freshly made. So I just ended up taking them back and getting a refund for the dumplings. Probably won't be back but as said before the lady working the front was very sweet and I appreciated her customer service!

I don't know what has happened but everything is extra spicy! I used to get the chicken and shrimp dumplings and now it's so spicy I can barely eat it ! Service was quick the good quality has changed drastically

The scallion pancakes were delicious. I would eat them everyday! Served fresh. I can't wait to go back and have dumplings on another trip. Everyone was very friendly.

The chicken Fried Dumplings are amazing!! My daughter and I decided to drop in Optimist Hall last Sunday & have lunch and I was impressed& I will be back!

Brought a friend to have a quick bite and stopped for some dumplings at optimist hall. It was Sunday, and very busy. There was 2 girls at front and we didn't have a line behind us, so i asked the girls what was most popular, or must try items since it was my friends first time. One was helpful, the other girls seemed annoyed at my question so we played it safe and ordered the pork and chive dumplings. They were delicious. We asked for no spicy but they were definitely spicy, and already home when we noticed will definitely be back.

Order: The Lunch Special (Spicy Beef Noodles and Chengdu Dumplings (Pork and Scallion)) Summary: Incredibly noodles and dumplings but they aren't joking when they say things are spicy. Review: I adore good dumplings but honestly they can be pretty hard to find. My friends and I stopped here to check them out and I'm glad we did. It's been a long time since I had noodles and dumplings this good. The noodles were firm enough to still have chewiness without being hard and the flavor of both the beef noodles and pork dumplings were to die for. I will issue a warning that when they say spicy, they mean it. My friend, who doesn't like spicy food, just got the Shrimp and Chicken dumplings and couldn't eat them. I love spicy food so I really enjoyed it but the spicy beef noodles were hot enough it burned (in a good way, if you like spicy food you know what I mean). I'd highly recommend The Dumpling Lady if you like noodles or dumplings. This will absolutely stay on my list of favorite restaurants when I'm in Charlotte.

Yall, talk about some delicious dumplings! I had the shrimp and chicken dumpling and really enjoyed it. It was busy but the cashier kept the line moving and was very nice! Counter and outside area was clean and fully stocked. Every option sounded so good, heat level wasn't bad at all! I look forward to returning!

Not much to say about the food much spicer than expected I got the Shittake chicken noodles which only had one spice level but it was so spicy that I didn't even end up finishing it.

My favorite spot in optimist hall. The food is delicious and it's always so fast. The soup dumplings are my favorite.

Good seating next to the restaurant. Food was okay. For ~$11 you get 10 dumplings, so a good price/portion. We ordered the pork dumplings and they were mediocre. Lacking in the flavor department on their own, the chili oil helped some, but not much. Needed salt & some umami, so it gets a 5/10. I asked the cashier if they had any regular dumpling dipping sauce, they do not, that was a huge let down. IF there was regular dumpling sauce I'd give it an easy 7/10.

So much flavor, perfect amount of filling and spice! You can taste the love in them. A great comfort meal without feeling bleh afterwords.

I was in town on business and was told I needed to try the Dumpling Lady and that it doesn't disappoint. Well, they weren't wrong. We tried most of the menu and I the spicy pork belly dumplings were out of sight. The flavors were unique and bold. I loved it and the serving size of ten per bowl except for the soup dumplings is wonderful for sharing. Definitely worth another trip.

10/10 recommend! We got the sweet pork belly dumplings which truly melt in your mouth. The balance between the sweet pork belly, the pillow-soft dumpling wrapper, and the perfect heat chili oil is a flawless union of textures and flavors. My boyfriend couldn't help but close his eyes after the first bite, savoring the warmth and richness that takes comfort food to a whole new level. Also, got the spicy chicken noodles!! Super delicious if you can take the heat!

Came to optimist hall with some girlfriends for the vibes and variety. Had no idea I would be getting Dumpling Lady, and it was the most pleasant surprise! I ordered the burning noodles because I LOVE the numbing spice flavor. Even though it was cold outside, and the noodles were cold, it hit the spot! I used to have the most delicious locally made numbing spice in Atlanta and these noodles brought me back. The folks working were also super sweet enough to hold my order because I asked to remove the peanuts just to make sure I didn't have an allergy. They're always really poppin, so make sure you get there or order online. It's super convenient! Looking forward to trying some other dishes my next visit.

I have wanted to try the dumpling lady since they opened their food truck but kept missing them. But now that they have a stationary location at Optimist Hall, I could finally partake. Today's visit will make the 3rd one in a week, which tells you how delicious they are. I have ordered the Chengdu Style Dumplings, Pork and Chive Dumplings and the Scallion Pancake. The orders of dumplings come with ten dumplings drizzled in chili oil, and the scallion pancake is one pancake quartered and served with chili oil for dipping. These are 10/10 delicious. The flavors are out of the world and way better than any frozen dumplings you may have had from your favorite Chinese takeout. You'll never want another subpar dumpling, and you, too, will find yourself here three times in one week. I have a decent appetite and think the portion size is perfect. The ambiance at Optimist Hall is excellent. There is plenty of casual seating inside and out makinf it a easy to create your own ambiance as it is to create your own meal.

Quality of food was flavorful, not enough choices on menu for vegetarians and those that don't like spicy hot. Service was good people are friendly. No ambiance, place is small well lit, very cold..

The decorations of this booth was so cute it already made me crave dumplings. I wanted to explore the food hall before deciding on this place, but even as I was walking around and looked at so many variety of food, I couldn't get my mind off of Dumpling Lady! So I ended up just coming back to order. The person who took my order was super friendly and sweet. She knew the menu well and gave me recommendations. Here is what I ended up getting: Chengdu Style Dumplings: Part of me got this because I've been to Chengdu before whilst the other part of me got it because it was marked as a favorite so I figured it must be good. Pretty tasty dumpling! Flavorful and I love the texture of the dumpling itself. Dan Dan Noodles: Possibly one of the few noodles I can handle because everything else was marked with so many pepper symbols so in order to save my coward tastebuds, the cashier recommended this. It was tasty and filling! Scallion Pancake: these can be a hit or miss but I do like the ones here. As good as my favorite ones I've had in California although these are teeny lol Overall a good place to get your dumpling/noodles fix!

Ordered the burning noodles which are a cold noodle with a lot of spicy sichuan spice. It was a perfectly cooked texture and the chili oil sauce it comes with is incredibly flavorful and coats the noodles so well. These are probably my favorite Dan dan noodles in charlotte. I also ordered the pork and chive dumplings that are my favorite wontons/dumplings in charlotte because of how flavorful and moist they are. Also they give a very generous portion size for both the noodles and dumplings. I can get two meals out of this order and everything freezes and reheats very well for eating at a later time.

These ladies know how to make a yummy dumpling. Very quick service and the dumping is nice and hot when it comes out. They fill them with a nice soup and it explodes when you bite into them. Your whole mouth will be filled with the umami! Make sure to order more than you think because will be gone pretty fast.

While visiting family for the holidays, I stopped in at the food court in Optimist Hall. My son has raved about the Dumpling Lady many times so I decided to give them a try. I ordered the Veggie Dumplings and Scallion pancakes. You get 10 small dumplings that come with their house made chili oil which gives it a good kick of spice. Not to overbearing, but just right. The dumplings are just right, not doughy or too thick. Filled just enough to satisfy your hunger. The pancakes were good as well. It really complimented the dumplings.

Highly recommend stopping by Optimist Hall on the weekend! They have a special weekend menu and it is fire! If you know authentic dumplings you will love The Dumpling Lady!

I've been a huge fan of The Dumpling Lady and while I enjoyed the food truck, I so am happy they have a stall in Optimist Hall. It's usually packed here, especially on weekends. You may have to circle the building to find a spot to sit. The line may be long but orders come out quickly! My go to order here is dumplings - any of them!Today I tried the Shredded Chicken Chili Noodles and added their sauce (spicy!) My favorite time is to go during weekday lunch where you can order half noodles, half dumplings.

Ordered the chengdu style dumplings from here since it was listed as a crowd favorite on the menu. The dumplings were very, very tasty. Flavor was a little like a chili powder based flavor. We all sampled them and everyone enjoyed them. Would love to come back and try other dumpling options the next time as well.

this time at optimist hall the cutest of chicks had an early appointment near city center so we were overnighting in town to avoid the early morning drive and still get a night's rest. needed sustenance but were unsure about what so off we went to the buffet that is optimist hall. we saw this noodle (dumpling?) joint as we were walking in and I was pretty sure we would eventually end up back here ;-\ yep, and while I was next door getting something else my lovely bride was trying to figure out which dish was the least spiciest (pro tip: it's all spicy) settling on a stage-one bowl as I returned just in time to pay for it. got handed a page-o-matic that went off just after we found and cleaned a table and seats so I hurried back to fetch our meals. the chicken and shitake was actually a nice size bowl of dinner. large bits of mushroomery and bird chunks and greens atop a mound of noodles in a light brown sauce. it started out well enough but she was soon overwhelmed by the wonder of it all as the spiciness continued to build with each bite until she couldn't take any more and had to apply a small gelato to sooth her delicate palate (but that's a whole other story ;-)

This is a decent dumpling place inside the food hall. There was a long line during pick dinner hour, but the line moved fairly quick and I got my food after 15 to 20 minutes of ordering. It was they were flavorful, but on the salty side, and I personally think it was too salty for my liking

I love dumpling lady!! my favorite are the sweet pork belly dumplings, they melt in your mouth and the spice level is perfect! if you like it spicier they can give you extra chili oil! I also love their scallion pancakes!! there is always a line at optimist hall but it still surprises me and comes out super quick!

I LOVE this place. The dumplings & chive pancake are always fresh and tasty. The only thing I'd change is putting the sauce in the side instead of in the bowl. It's SUPER spicy! There's always a long line, but worth the wait! I bought dumplings to cook at home - I think I'll just stick to ordering pre-cooked ones from them. They don't taste the same at all! Fail on my part.

We had the spicy beef noodles and it was very salty and greasy. The grease was so much that we could not finish the dish. We also had the scallion pancakes and that was greasy too. The hot oil was flavorful though.

You can find The Dumpling Lady at 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206 in Optimist Hall - this is a huge food hall in NoDa with many, many food options. Parking is along the building edges in fairly large lots - I was a bit surprised by this place - difficult to have so many food vendors in one large building - there must be big demand in this area. I had high hopes for The Dumpling Lady - I'm a big fan of Asian-style dumplings and was attracted to the Chengdu-style (Zong Shui Jiao) as a huge fan of Atanta-favorite Gu's Dumplings. We also sampled an order of pork dumplings. In general the dumplings were on the small side and very stiff - I'm not sure if the skins weren't thinned enough or if the dumplings are pre-made instead of made-to-order but okay, I've had much worse and these were at least eatable. The Chengdu came off as too anise for all of use (there were 5 people splitting the various items we ordered at Optimist) - we actually didn't finish them which is unusual for our group. Quite surprised at the outcome as high hopes became nigh hopes. I hope the restaurant can make some adjustments and will try them again on my next visit to Charlotte.