Self-Protection S.
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Bottom Line Up Front:
Yum Dumpling is a pleasant surprise, delivering great Chinese food with good service in a clean setting.
The Background:
I rarely go out to have Chinese food in Orange County because I find most places to be average at best. Normally if I have a craving, I drive up to the Rowland Heights area for authentic Chinese food. So going to Yum Dumpling I had some apprehensions. Thankfully, I had nothing to fear.
The Food:
My wife and I ordered popcorn chicken to start and the beef tendon noodle soup and sweet-and-sour tenderloin as entrees. The popcorn chicken pieces were quite large and juicy while the breading on the outside was crispy and perfectly seasoned. The noodle soup was flavorful with just the perfect amount of szechuan -- a little kick but not so spicy that it numbs your mouth. And the sweet-and-sour tenderloin was solid. The batter was a little softer than I would like; I prefer it a little crispier to balance out the syrupy goodness so that each piece wouldn't get soggy. But still, the flavors were there and the meat was moist and tender.
The Setting:
Brightly lit with orange walls and light colored wooden tables, the place is clean and has a warm, inviting atmosphere. However, for a sit-down restaurant, it's a little on the smaller side. There's a small counter for 2 people, about 4 tables for 4 people, and 4 tables for 6 people. And with limited space, it would be difficult to combine tables for parties of 8 or more. Oh, and I found it odd for a sit-down restaurant with beautiful bowls, plates, and utensils to serve drinking water in cheap, disposable plastic cups.
The Location:
It's on busy Chapman Avenue in a small strip mall with a small parking lot with limited spots. Plus, each parking spot is a little narrow, so if you drive an SUV or truck, it'll be a tight squeeze getting in and out if your door.
The Prices:
Maybe I'm slow or living in the past, but the cost of food is creeping up everywhere, and Yum Dumpling is no exception. Prices range from $7 to $10 for appetizers, $10 to $20 for side dishes, and $14 to $20 for entrees. Our dinner for two came out to be about $52 with tip -- a little higher than expected for a place that serves water in a plastic cup.
The Service:
Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, he was basically the only one working the entire floor. There was a female server too, but we rarely saw her. This meant a little slower service than expected given the relative size of the place.
The Conclusion:
While not flawless, Yum Dumpling serves up tasty and authentic Chinese food (a rarity in Orange County) in a clean environment with friendly service. We look forward to returning and trying the other dishes.