Zen Dumpling

Restaurant · Fountains at Waterford Lakes

Zen Dumpling

Restaurant · Fountains at Waterford Lakes

1

423 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828

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Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null
Zen Dumpling by null

Highlights

Handcrafted soup dumplings, braised pork belly noodles, crispy karaage  

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423 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828 Get directions

zendumplings.com
@zendumpling.usa

$20–30 · Menu

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423 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828 Get directions

+1 407 237 9037
zendumplings.com
@zendumpling.usa

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 9, 2025

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Orlando’s Best New Restaurants | Eater Miami

"Orlando may as well just start calling itself Dumpling City, given the spate of joints specializing in soup, steamed, and pan-fried meat pockets, and Zen, a Jacksonville-based outfit, is luring them in. The show kitchen, where the staff preps dumplings, gives Din Tai Fung vibes, as do the impeccably crafted soup dumplings, from their delicate wrappers right down to the burst of flavorful broth. “Tapas” items like beef pancake rolls and wok-fired noodle dishes are also offered." - Faiyaz Kara

https://miami.eater.com/maps/best-new-orlando-restaurants-heatmap
View Postcard for Zen Dumpling

Nikki Cervone

Google
We waited about 40 minutes to be seated. When we got seated we were greeted by our server Alex, who went above and beyond! He was very attentive and ensured our first time went well! Food was amazing and arrived in a timely manner. Highly recommended if you you’re on the fence on going! Our favorite was the green beans. I think I could eat 10 servings of it!!!!

Sophia Velasco

Google
Loved this restaurant! Food was tasty, fresh, and great variety. There's an open kitchen set-up and you can see them make dumplings live! :) My partner and I got lucky and did not have a long wait-time (got there early afternoon, 1600-1700). Restaurant was busy but our waiter was very attentive and friendly! We ordered the spicy cucumber salad (not pictured), chicken karaage (not pictured), shrimp & pork dumplings, Shanghai Dumplings, signature Xlb sampler, and braised pork belly noodle soup. Favorites: (1) Braised pork belly noodle soup: one of the best ramen noodles I've had. The pork was so tender and melted in my mouth. Broth was tasty and portion was decent. (2) Chicken Karaage: Light and crispy - perfect appetizer! (3) Signature Xlb Sampler: Must get! Great selection and dumplings were color-coded. They were also large and soupy :) Would come here again to try out new plates! We loved it.

Katie Lesinski

Google
When we joined the wait list it said it would be a 1 1/2 hour wait. We were seated in 30 minutes! Our server was friendly and very attentive while balancing many other tables. (Not a single empty table and it was almost 10 at night!) Everything we ordered was DELICIOUS, and our food got out to us very quickly. This shocked us considering how busy it was there. The milk teas were great too! I can’t wait to go back. This restaurant is a new staple for us.

Thamon A.

Google
We waited for an hour for the table but the food didn't disappoint us at all. The braised pork in the soup was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The Shanghai dumpling was the best in town. You couldn't find this kind of homemade dumplings anywhere else. Beans were also perfect for the combination. Servers and hostess were so attentive and helpful. We would come back to try more dumpling for sure.

Rolanda Charles

Google
Phenomenal customer service. We did have a 20-30 minute wait but it wasn’t bad because we just walked around the plaza so the time went by really fast. Everything came out fresh and hot. Amazing. Our waiter Jason Z was very attentive. We never had soup dumplings before so he gave us a trick which was really nice lol. He told us to put it on the big spoon, bite off the top so some of the steam could come out and then we can add soy, vinegar etc and then enjoy. We got a little bit of everything and tasted very good. I love the to go bags omg!!!!! That is so elegant. Area of improvement: I would love to see shrimp only dumpling options. They have shrimp and beef together but I really want shrimp only dumplings.

Cece B

Google
Zen Dumplings is great for a casual dinner. Though I will say the wait is long. I visited on a Thursday night and I waited about an hour before getting a table. Once we were seated we ordered the soup dumplings sampler (one of each) and the beef scallion pancake. The wait was quite long but worth it. The pancake with the sauce on top paired well. The appetizer did come out a little cold. The soup dumplings came out very hot. If it is your first time, I would recommend getting the sampler (they are all color-coded so it was easy to distinguish each of them). The chicken soup dumpling was plain. My friend and I's favorite was the truffle dumpling. Overall a great experience.

Kimberly Thammavongsa

Google
Service is amazing, just be aware of peak hours like lunch and dinner on weekends. Wait could take up to 15-20 minutes but the staff is always very efficient on rotating their tables. Decor & service is great and seeing the freshly rolled dumplings at the window is a nice touch. Besides that food is consistent and amazing! Best part is the attentive service we get and don't feel rushed at all while we sit down and eat. I’ve come three times already and last time with a big group, and it was still an amazing experience. Also my husband has a shellfish allergy and they were very accommodating and knowledgeable of their menu to advise against certain items for him. I’ll be back and recommend this place to everyone!

Pamela Mena

Google
Zen Dumpling is a must-visit in Orlando! We ordered the dumpling sampler and got to try every variety—and honestly, each one was better than the last. You can really taste the freshness and care put into every bite. Whether steamed or pan-fried, the flavors were on point and perfectly balanced. The atmosphere is cozy, the staff is welcoming, and the overall experience made us immediate fans. Highly recommend if you’re craving quality dumplings and a chill dining vibe!
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Ashley M.

Yelp
Food, ambiance, and service were all amazing. Our waiter Danny was so kind and made the experience even better. Everything was top notch. Will definitely be back
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Manuel G.

Yelp
Me and my girlfriend went to zen because we were craving dumplings it was our first time there and we are not from Orlando, our food was AMAZING the dumplings and the soup were perfect! Even better than the food was our service ! Dani was our server he was by far the nicest server I ever had he actually wanted us to know and enjoy the food , his recommendation were excellent and his service was perfect I will absolutely be back !

Michael K.

Yelp
Just returned from lunch. Menu was very good food was even better. I enjoyed the employees our server in particular was excellent. Tried Ribs, Karage, Shrimp Fried Rice, Soup Dumplings, Braised Pork Buns, Edamame, and Braised Pork Noodles all were very good.
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Angel W.

Yelp
Taste: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Ambiance: 5/5 If you like dumplings, you have to try this place. The soup dumplings were amazing, every bite packed with flavor. It's also cool to watch them make the dumplings fresh right in front of you. We tried some other dishes too, and they were really good, but the clear winner was definitely the soup dumplings. The ambiance is modern and comfortable, and our server was friendly and attentive. Just a heads up, this place can get pretty busy, so you might have to wait a bit, but it's definitely worth it.
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Robert D.

Yelp
For years, I've been a big fan of Din Tai Fung and always hoped they'd open a location in Orlando. Well, they haven't but this place did, and thank you for that! I happened to be in the area the other night and stumbled across this gem. Wow, was I grateful. There were 24 tables ahead of us when we arrived, so the wait seemed long, but it moved surprisingly fast we were seated within 40 minutes. So please, don't let the wait time scare you off. It's absolutely worth it. Once inside, everything was clean and the staff was friendly and attentive. The food was phenomenal. We ordered the fried rice, Mongolian beef, scallion pancake, and the truffle soup dumplings every single dish was amazing. Flavorful and perfectly cooked. I'll definitely be coming back. One small suggestion, if anyone from the restaurant is reading this: how about some dessert dumplings? Maybe something like chocolate-filled ones? Just a thought!
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Jalene R.

Yelp
This place was amazing! Everything we ordered was excellent and very flavorful. I think anything from this menu would be a hit and I can't say that about many places. The staff were super nice and accommodating. The hostess saw we had a baby and made sure we had a big booth for the car seat. Our waiter was very kind and always checked on us. There were plenty of seating but if it's busy I can see there being a long wait. The wait for this food would be worth it however, since everything was great! I will be coming back!
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Thomas B.

Yelp
Tried out this dumpling spot recently and really enjoyed it. Very flavorful, definitely not your average dumplings. You can tell they put some real thought into the fillings and sauces. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the soup dumplings. The atmosphere was really nice too, relaxed but still felt kind of special, like the kind of place you'd bring friends or a date. It's a little on the pricey side for dumplings, but not outrageous. You're paying for quality and creativity, and honestly, I'd go back.
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Irma C.

Yelp
Zen Dumpling is located in a large shopping plaza. There is plenty of parking all around. The restaurant is nice and clean with a modern decor. I thought it's pretty neat you can see the cooks preparing through a large glass window. We were seated right away. Our server, Ernest, was very attentive and polite. We started with a Taro Milk Tea with Boba and a Matcha Latte. Both were good. We ordered several items to share. There is one order sheet for the whole table. You are also able to use the QR code to see pictures of the menu. We tried the Cucumber Salad, Zen Chili Dumplings, Signature XLB Sampler, Shanghai Dumplings, Signature Bao Steam, Shrimp Fried Rice, General Tso's Chicken. I would like to go back and try other items.
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Victoria S.

Yelp
I have been seeing this place all over TikTok! My friend and I had to check it out so we went for dinner. There's a long wait time, we waited about an hour and thirty minutes. Thankfully it's in a plaza with lots of stores so you can walk around while you wait. The restaurant is a bit small but it is cute and you can see the workers cooking. The staff here were very friendly and the food came out quickly. We got the Spicy Cucumber Salad to start and it was so yummy! The sauce was great. We got the Edamame and it was just standard. The Stir Fried Green Beans were amazing! They still had a bit of a crunch to them and the seasoning was addicting. The Chicken Soup Dumplings were good but I was expecting more flavor wise. The General Tsos chicken was pretty good but I would say it wasn't as crispy as I would like. I would come here again to try some other items on their menu. This is the perfect place to come if you want to try a little bit of everything.
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Hope M.

Yelp
I was pleasantly surprised with my visit here! I actually haven't had many soup dumplings so it's difficult to compare, but the ones we tried were delicious-- classic pork and truffle. We also tried the beef and broccoli which could've been less sweet but I still liked it. Only thing I don't recommend is the shrimp dumplings. Overall everything came out quickly and it's fun to order with a group to try different things! For 3 people we spent around $30 each.
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Jeff Y.

Yelp
I loved it! It was as good as Din Tai Fung one of the biggest soup dumpling places known world wide. I had just came back from south east Asia when I came and I'd say I was impressed that we may have finally got a decent soup, dumpling restaurant in Central Florida!!!.
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Rebecca L.

Yelp
I had a lovely experience at Zen Dumpling! I'd totally agree with other reviews and would say this is this the closest thing to Din Tai Fung we'll get in Orlando. Our wait time was about 30-40 minutes for a group of 5. My favorite items on the menu were the mini bao bites, wontons, truffle pork xlb, green beans, and the beef scallion pancake. If you're going in a smaller group, the sample xlb is a perfect dish to try all or their signature dumplings. But if you want to try more dishes, I'd recommend going with a big group.
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Ri M.

Yelp
The xiao long bao sampler tasted the sane except for the truffle. I found it tricky how to take a bite and eat the soup without it spilling which was not the case in other restaurants. Maybe the soup spoon needed to be bigger or dumplings smaller. Service was good and ambiance had a modern minimalist/clean asian look. My friend's beef noodle soup looked good though so I may give this restaurant another try. Located near/on side of the theater.
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Juliana G.

Yelp
If you're looking for legit handmade dumplings, Zen Dumpling is where it's at. From the moment you walk in, the staff is friendly and the vibe is warm and inviting. We ordered the pork soup dumplings -- and WOW. So flavorful and juicy with that perfect dough-to-filling ratio. The spicy wontons had just the right amount of heat, and the pan-fried dumplings were golden, crispy, and satisfying. Even the cucumber salad was fresh and balanced. Zen Dumpling is the kind of place you keep coming back to. Great service, amazing food, and consistent quality. Highly recommend to any dumpling lover or anyone who appreciates thoughtfully made food.
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Kay Y.

Yelp
Yum!! I'm so glad this place opened up in Waterford! The soup dumplings were great! The skin was thin and it had plenty of soup inside. I also like the mini fried buns too! You can see them making it in their big window. We had tentative person taking care of us. The inside is pretty cozy and not huge. I think you should expect a wait if you come during busy dinner time but it wasn't too bad for early birds. I
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Lana E.

Yelp
There may be a wait when you visit, but don't fret- it's worth it! Upon arrival, you add yourself to the waitlist and they will text you once the table is ready. The dumplings we ordered came out hot and fresh. We didn't meet a dumpling we didn't Like. It's pretty cool to see the chefs in the back actively making all the dumplings fresh. Highly recommend visiting.
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Erlinda J.

Yelp
Came in on a Tuesday around 3:20pm. I was greeted and seated promptly. They give you a paper and pen menu to order. If you would like to see what the item looks like there is a QR code on the table with the menu. Also, I was seated in a booth with great lighting! Girl, you must KNOW me spiritually! I came in for a quick bite, I only wanted the Soup Dumpling w/ Crabmeat & Pork. I added a Thai Tea because I CAN'T NOT if it's on the menu. The soup was very flavorful in the dumpling. I like that the dumpling was strong and not super sticky. It only broke when I bit into it. The design and restaurant itself is neat and clean. It's not noisy as far as music. It's pretty calm unless there are patrons talking loud. One guy was in there spilling his guts to whoever he was with. He even threw in a curse word or two. Didn't ruin my experience though. I see myself coming here for my dumpling fix.
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John C.

Yelp
This place ins insanely good and that is the problem. It is so good that it is impossible to get a table without having to wait 40+ minutes. But when you do, you will be treated to some of the best dumplings in Central FL. You could see them being freshly made and they were steaming hot when brought to the table. The steamed Bao were excellent too. The service was great and they do not rush you which is really nice. The inside is nicely decoorated and the noise level was not too loud, even with every table filled. We loved this plae and will be back.
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Tasnia I.

Yelp
This place was so yummy and everything was so addicting. I'll go back and order the chicken soup dumplings, green beans, and the pan fried beef dumplings again. There was a mushroom one that I was not a fan of or the shrimp ones but they're still good. Service was great and it's a little loud but nothing crazy. Loved it, can't wait to go back.
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Kristen J.

Yelp
Solid experience. I went during soft opening and came back recently. Delicious dumplings and they have a good variety! I do feel like the side dishes vary on if the pricing is worth it. For example, the cucumber is yummy but small portion. The soup dumplings are where it's at!
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David R.

Yelp
3.5-4.0 range lunch review! No reservations and a consistent long wait? Why not connect with Resy or Open table and set it up? Well , after reading many other Yelp reviews and noticing the wait, I played the over and under game with my date and we were both right, it was estimated at an hour! It didn't look overly busy but seeing the limited space, I understood and we decided to head to Cooper's Hawk to try a wine tasting and pit a reservation from them against Zen as they were both an hour wait ! After a delicious wine tasting, we Zen reached out and we headed back there where lots of tables were available and we were seated at one. The server was prompt and very helpful. We had scanned the menu beforehand so dove right into spring rolls and ribs appetizers. The crunchy spring rolls were well done and above scale and the rib pieces had good flavor but it's chunks of ribs pieces which can be traditional but not for me. To drink, I went with both hot and iced green tea. They offered to add any fruit flavoring into the iced green tea but I went with just green. The hot green kettle had whole tea leave pieces which produced a much better flavor than the iced. Mains we ordered the shrimp fried rice and black truffle dumplings. These two dishes were average. The dumplings are made with truffle oil and while good, we're just not overly impressive. The shrimp fried rice had corn in it with minimal egg and shrimp. If you find yourself on the island known as Waterford Lakes Town Center and are craving Asian cuisine, then Zen is a decent restaurant to quench that feeling otherwise finish the shopping and head to one of the many others on Colonial Ave that have been doing this cuisine type much longer (and often, not always, with better variety). Otherwise just head to Cooper's Hawk nearby and do the wine tasting!
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Christina S.

Yelp
Gracie made my experience five stars! We came to the restaurant about 3 o'clock thinking that there was not going to be a wait and there sure was! The lady at the front which I am, assuming was the manager or potentially the owner, she was not friendly at all, but she told me it would be a little over an hour because we had a lot of people. I said no problem, I entered my name in the kiosk and left. I was expecting an hour and a half and went shopping in the area. I got a text message for 37 minutes later that the table was ready! I had to put everything in Y hand on hold, because the check out was long! We went back to the restaurant and they seated us. The restaurant is super small so it's definitely not good for strollers, let alone a double which is what I had. I would leave the stroller in the car if you can. Anyhow, we sat in a corner booth/table, and Grace quickly greeted us. She gave wonderful suggestions and we got two orders of the chicken soup dumplings, which were phenomenal! We got general tso chicken, shrimp, fried rice, vegetable lo mein, Thai tea, and brown sugar tea. Everything was fresh and excellent! My sister even ordered some food to go for her son and husband! It was a wonderful experience because of Grace and the food was so flavorful! Those soup dumplings were exquisite and hot i temperature!!! Yikes! I love that you can watch them as they make it and you can see how meticulous they are with each one. They even wear face shields, so that they are protected. The restrooms were not in the best shape, but hoping it was just because they got busy. Anyhow, I will definitely be back! Note to self: Give yourself some time, in case there is a wait. They do not take reservations. They will do very well in this area!
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Michelle L.

Yelp
We came around 5:30ish on Friday and we put ourselves on the wait-list via the kiosk. We were seated 20 minutes later. The dishes were very overpriced with small portions for the price. The dan-dan noodles were small and did not include protein and not much noodles. The soup dumplings were decent. The baos and dumplings were yummy, but nothing special. Beef rolls did not have much beef and were mid temp when they arrived at the table. The service was great and the server checked up on us several times. He was helpful when we had questions about the menu. The place was well decorated. We would probably return for the soup dumplings and the bao bites, but not sure about the other offerings.
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Danielle N.

Yelp
This place is super busy they are new and on the smaller side but we were able to get us in after 30 min wait. We had so many things on the menu but I would say by far the soup dumplings were my favorite they packed amazing flavor and were super delicious. Service was great and the ambience was intimate and nice!
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Christine S.

Yelp
New to the Waterford Lakes shopping center! We finally have a proper Xaio Long Bao spot! They have a pretty good size menu, with a small selection of vegetarian options. I wish they had a Shrimp option without the pork for the bao though, that would be perfect! The server was very polite and patient with helping my guest and I order and find suitable vegetarian options. The modern bamboo look of the shop was very nice! Very comfortable and modern! We got the Edamame (always a crowd favorite), Dan Dan noodles and the vegetable dumplings. The noodles still had a kick with chili flakes, despite asking for non spicy. Still had a really good flavor though! The vegetable dumplings were decent, but we're very broccoli. Heavy, which I did not enjoy. My guest love them, however.
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Hanh N.

Yelp
I went here for graduation lunch ‍. The food was good and service was very attentive. We ordered so much food and almost every one has food coma The best one was the beef pancake. The fried rice was too delicious. The were tons of shrimps inside the rice plate. Dumplings were pretty similar in taste. I personally prefer the fried buns better. We were a big group and the restaurant was fast to accommodate us! Super recommend
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John M.

Yelp
Zen Dumpling is relatively new and is located in the Waterford Lakes Town Center. It has a pleasant, inviting ambiance and vibe and the service here is friendly and professional. I was excited to see a place to get soup dumplings on the east side of Orlando and came to check it out. I placed a takeout order and it was done pretty much when it was promised. I got truffle pork soup dumplings, bao, and dan dan noodles (extra spicy). Out of the three, I would say that the dan dan noodles were my favorite. All were good, though. I'm opting to give it four stars because I felt the prices were a bit higher than where they should be. I get that Waterford Lakes Town Center is ridiculously high in rent, but it is what it is. Zen Dumpling is still a good option. It is deserving of four stars.
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Alex T.

Yelp
Food: the cook on our soup dumplings was a bit more on the raw side and as a result I spent a bit of time in the bathroom at 6am in the morning the next day. Caution for those that don't have strong digestive systems when visiting. Service: great service. the restaurant is really busy as it is also relatively new and the staff here are decently trained. Cleanliness: happy with the state of cleanliness for both the bathroom and the seating. Value: Not any different from what you'd expect from a regular dimsum or soup dumpling place. My recommendation though is that if you want to try this stuff, just go to BJs or Costco and get the frozen versions and steam them yourself. You'll get a decent bang for your buck that way.
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Joe S.

Yelp
Who doesn't love a soft opening? ;) and finally, good dumplings in East Orlando (Waterford) and I'm excited. It's new so there's usually a wait but once they settle in, I plan on making this a regular stop. It's in the little strip by the movie theater and Pop Stroke (I think were Moe's used to be). They should say "Welcome to Zen" when you walk in! I love they have a soup dumpling sampler with one of each type of soup dumpling. Each looks different (they need a visual guide or something) so I forgot what some were, but all were good in their own way. The green beans, soup dumplings and spicy chili wontons were all good, although I'd order the latter without the peanut sauce stuff on top. Service was great and the waitress recommended some dishes for next time. I forgot but I'm sure I'll figure out food for myself. I have a knack for that... obviously! I'm looking forward to returning and trying more things on the menu. Lots of noods and other items to choose from. The TV's on the wall cycle through some of their items and make your mouth water.
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Shawn G.

Yelp
Definitely get there early. Arrived around 6 on a Friday afternoon and we waited an hour for a table. The restaurant is not that big but it's cute and you can watch the kitchens as they make dumplings. Our server was excellent. Quick and efficient. We tried the spicy cucumber salad, chicken soup dumplings and shrimp fried rice. Everything was very good. I think it's the best fried rice I ever had. Our server made sure we knew how to eat the dumplings so we did not burn ourselves. My only disappointment was all of the dumplings with shrimp in it are mixed with pork. I love shrimp but do not eat pork. Overall a great experience. We will be back. Sorry about my pics we were so excited to eat, I snapped pics too late.
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Judith D.

Yelp
The hubs had a craving for dumplings and this was the right place to go. The decor is minimalist which I love and you can see the chefs preparing the dumplings which is their specialty through an enclosed glass window. Danny was our server and was great at recommending some items from the menu. We listened and ordered the Bao Bites which were nice and crunchy on the bottom and soft inside. We ordered the sampler so we could taste all the soup dumpling flavors. Their dumplings are well made well seasoned and delicious. We also had Jasmine tea which had a hint of mint which is nice for digestion. Overall the prices are good, the service spectacular, the ambience very clean and relaxing and the food deserves a 5 star. Will return
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Mike L.

Yelp
Best dumplings in Orlando by far. Compared to DinTai Fung on the West Coast, the South now has a place worthy of dumplings Love the service and love the atmosphere where you can watch them making dumplings
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Bradley B.

Yelp
I've had dumplings around the world. My favorite in the US is Din Tia Fung. Always wished they would build on in Orlando. I don't need it now. Zen Dumpling is the real deal! The service was spectacular, ambiance was wonderful for catching up with friends, and the food was EXCEPTIONAL!! I cannot wait to come back. If you like dumplings go! If you've never had soup dumplings, you need to try them! 50/50 mix of soy sauce & vinegar, ask for extra sliced ginger and put it in the mix of soy & vinegar. Ginger goes on the dumpling, pierce it to let the broth out, pour some of the soy & vinegar and enjoy!!!
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Brenna P.

Yelp
Very much worth the wait. These may be the best soup dumplings I've ever had. We put our names in and were told it would be an hour. We could track our progress online, but they were right on the money. Totally fine (we had beers and played darts a few doors down). The green beans were incredible, but seriously the SOUP DUMPLINGS. The truffle dumplings (the black ones) were so unique and flavorful. The hostesses and our server were very nice as well. We'll be back for sure.
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Tony P.

Yelp
According to Wikipedia, to properly enjoy a soup dumpling, gently pick it up with chopsticks, place it on a spoon, and make a small hole in the dumpling's top to let the broth escape. Sip the broth before enjoying the dumpling itself, and avoid biting into it whole to prevent scalding yourself. That was how I enjoyed my Troufle Pork Soup Dumpling when I visited Zen Dumpling this week. They also have many other choices to offer such as Adamame, Stirfried Dandan Noodles, and of course, many other dumplings. My coworkers also tried their yummy fruit teas.
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Kailey F.

Yelp
I ordered to go, so can't say anything on the service other than it looked really busy when ai went in to get my order. When I opened my box of food I was nervous because they looked a bit sad compared to other soup dumplings I had before. But they were actually pretty delicious. I enjoyed the broth inside quite a bit. They seemed a bit pricey for what they are, but I know Waterford rent is expensive and I don't actually know what type of effort is required for making soup dumplings.
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Ornella G.

Yelp
We were very excited to try this new spot in Waterford. Thankfully we had some errands to run in the area, so it was the perfect opportunity to try it. We came in late afternoon on a Thursday, so thankfully there was no wait and we were seated immediately. The place is spacious and has a nice vibe. I like how we just check off what we want on a paper, including the drinks and hand it off to our server. All the food and drinks were great, our top choice was the Bao pan fried. My husband and I both agreed that the peanut flavor was overwhelming in both the zen chili wontons and the Dan Dan noodles, but maybe others enjoy it. Some soy sauce helped! It's a great addition to the plaza and fun place to try out.
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Cheryl V.

Yelp
Waterford Lakes-Walking in, I was treated promptly, and although it was the peak of lunchtime, was seated right away. I was surprised that the place was so empty because I have read a lot of hype. Unfortunately, I was by myself so I cannot review a lot of items on the menu. I decided I would go ahead and get the Signature Sample of the soup dumplings. That way I could try all of the soup dumpling flavors! The dumplings were relatively tasty, although very small. Maybe that's their normal size??? My favorite would have to be the truffle. The "pink" dumpling tasted fishier than I would have liked. I'm not exactly sure what was in that one. I believe it was shrimp. I definitely will have to go back and bring more people with me next time! There are a lot of items on the menu that I would like to try.
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Tony D.

Yelp
Amazing Ive grown accustomed to only getting soup dumplings at the Dim Sum places on Colonial, or buying in one of the markets and making at home which doesnt end well. I was in the neighborhood and decided to check it out. LOVED IT! So it was lunchtime and i focuse on the sampler and the chicken dumplings. They were cooked perfectly. Hot and sour soup was hot, not so sour. But still good. Service was great For 3pm, the place was packed but nice
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Arianne C.

Yelp
Tried zen dumpling for the first time and oh my YUM. The food was so good and fresh. I loved getting to watch the chefs in the back hand making their dumplings. My favourite things on the menu were the bao and the fried rice. I've been on a fried rice kick recently and their shrimp fried rice has me drooling just remembering it. The only downside was the wait time. We did have to wait for 45 mins for a table for 2, but luckily there's so much stuff to do around the area so it wasn't an issue really.
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Vickee J.

Yelp
I've been excited to try Zen Dumpling, and it did not disappoint! So happy to have a soup dumpling spot around the corner from me. The Signature XLB Sampler was an amazing way to try all their soup dumpling flavors (you have to try their truffle one). But my favorite dish of the night was the Signature Pan-Fried Bao--crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. Beyond dumplings, they have a great selection of noodles, wok dishes, and boba, and my Brown Sugar Milk Tea was the perfect sweet finish. Service was top-notch--friendly, welcoming, and attentive. Since it was day one of their soft opening, they were understandably out of something, but they surprised me with an alternative on the house, which was a thoughtful touch! Being in a smaller location for the towncenter, I also thought they did a great job utilizing the space. Can't wait to return and bring friends!
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Jessica V.

Yelp
This is probably the best dumpling spot in Orlando! The flavors were incredible, the green beans have this smoky flavor that is so unique and decisions. The cucumbers were not too crazy spicy either and honestly we absolutely loved everything. If you're looking for dumplings in central Florida, this is your place.
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Wing I.

Yelp
Was in the area so figured to try this out. In a very busy plaza. Plenty go options but awesome to have this. Nice decors and very warm home feeling. My server is amazing! She is friendly and easy to talk to. We ordered signature six smaller for me, my friend got the chicken soup dumplings, we also got the scallion pancakes, Shanghai pan fried dumplings. Food got here fairly quickly. The soup dumplings are very good, I love the six signature dumplings! Scallion was just ok to me, not enough favor or taste. Shanghai dumplings are very good and tasty. Have to come back to try something else!
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Caroline C.

Yelp
The food was overall delicious! Best XLB I've had in East Orlando. I loved the variety it reminded me of NY options Service was great and efficient and fast Vibes were clean and modern
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Daniela C.

Yelp
Food: The food was delicious, I highly recommend visiting this place. Every dish I ordered was amazing, fresh, and the combination of flavors was delightful. You can tell everything is fresh, natural, and handmade. Service: Excellent, the waiter was always attentive to our needs, guided us on what to order, and explained how to eat each dish according to their recommendations. Every dish he recommended met my expectations. Ambience: The place is very charming, I loved the decoration. I also really enjoyed the space where the chefs were delicately and professionally making the dumplings--I loved it.
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Beth E.

Yelp
The place is super cute inside. The service is fast. I love that they give you a sheet to order your food and drinks. Everything we ate was soooo good. We would reorder everything. I loved that we got to make our own dipping sauces. I recommend wearing a dark shirt lol since I got sauce all over mine. The matcha latte was really good and strong the way I like it. So cool watching the chefs make the dumplings. I would definitely go back!
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Melissa N.

Yelp
First, I'm sad that I didn't get to take pictures of ALL the food we ordered. By the time I remembered to take pics, we were done with the dishes. Definitely will be back. We didn't realize this place would get so packed. Walked in after a day of shopping to grab some dinner. Put our name on the waitlist and was told it'll be between 15-20 mins wait. Not a problem. We grabbed a menu (highly recommend doing that) to start thinking about what we'd like to order. Glad we did. As soon as we sat down, got our drink ordered, we handed the waiter our menu. It started to get busy and the food was coming out slowly but surely for all the tables around us and we started to get our food too. We were so hungry by the time all our food came that every dish that we ordered we devoured. The dumplings are so yum. But I really enjoyed the fried rice and the Mongolian beef with the white crispy noodles. So authentic, so traditional. Reminds me of the hole in the wall places in Cali that you know were legit so good! Service was good. He checked on us often and even explained to how to eat the soup dumplings too and sauce suggestions. Nice touch. We have yet to go back, because they're always so busy. But we definitely will be back, for sure!
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DeeAnn G.

Yelp
Outstanding! Fabulous flavors on all these dumplings! Great service too! We had the soup dumpling sampler, the pan fried dumplings, the scallion pancake, and the spicy cucumber salad. We ended with the mango mochi and the green tea mochi. Both were delicious! So impressed, will put this place on our rotation!
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Paola S.

Yelp
Absolutely DELICIOUS !!! I'm not one to wait more than 20min to eat but this place is WORTH the wait! Waited about 35min. First time here and it's so helpful that the website has pictures of the food items so you know what to order. Food came out fast, fresh and absolutely delicious. Menu is a bit pricey but worth every penny. No kids menu though. My daughter just wanted steamed rice.