Been here a couple of times but finally decided to start writing reviews since I rely on Yelp alot for reviews. Last night I came here with a group of 5 at 9pm on a Thursday. There was a wait surprisingly. I guess this place is pretty popular compared to the rest of the places in Chinatown. We immediately ordered the soup dumplings, one with pork and one with pork and crabmeat. It was a good sized dumpling with a good amount of soup in it. They were generous with the one with crabmeat too. I was very satisfied and filled my craving for soupy dumplings! The dishes I liked were the taiwanese fried rice cakes(chewy and tasty and came out very quick) and the spinach with garlic. We ordered the oyster pancake and I didn't like it too much. The texture was very gooey, tapioca like, was too gooey and soft for me. The fried pork chop with rice was okay, it came with the usual, a tea egg, napa cabbage and minced pork. Maybe not as flavorful as the other places. We also ordered an appetizer which they forgot--oxtail and tripe in chili sauce. So we cancelled it since it came so late. They even brought it out but we told the owner we didn't want it anymore. This has actually happened to me before on a few occasions. Just remember to let them know or else you'll get it later in your meal and then you don't want it anymore. Splitting the bill 5 way, it was cheap! A bargain price for dinner.
(3)
Tom R.
Huge soup bowls on the cheap. Recommend the Broccoli with Beef or Sesame Chicken. I have a boring palette.
(4)
Cherie L.
just what boston needs. i'm from manhattan and went home for the thanksgiving holidays and i must say that i was really impressed with this little gem. i decided to give this place a try since i've been hearing about the lines. well the lines are justified! the sheer size of the menu items is impressive. here you can get some authentic taiwanese food for great prices, such a bargain! i tried the xiao long bao, or mini steam buns and they were delish... juicy and thin skinned, just the way i like 'em. other notable dishes included the braised prime pig's feet, sauteed pork julienne with bamboo tips, beef julienne with sa-cha sauce, and the five spice cold cut roast beef. i can't wait to come back and try the other items on the massive menu. particularly the crab dishes, the sea cucumber, and the salt and pepper seafood... yum! you bostonians are lucky, we need a restaurant like this in new york! no wonder it's the celebrity hang out!
(5)
jenilee p.
i got a fever. and the only prescription. is soup dumplings! occasionally i try to dissipate my cravings for delectable pork and crab soup dumplings, the kind that i had seen andrew zimmern coo over time and time again on the travel channel. but once i found out about a restaurant serving these oddities existed in boston, through a dear colleague, i find myself succumbing to the cravings more often than naught. and man, the result is always oh so satisfying. at any rate, today i went out with some friends and had a wonderful lunch. if you have the chance to order these, look on the menu for mini pork and crab soup dumplings, and prepare to be wowed. they arrive in a metal steamer, and the process to enjoy is the following: pick up a dumpling onto your spoon, prick a little hole near the bottom of the dumpling so that the soup can drain out, pick up the dumpling and enjoy the soup that has collected in the spoon, and then take a bite of something that cannot possibly be good for you. like i said, i really enjoy these, and it's a very specific craving to have developed. when we come out to this little restaurant, we also tend to order a few lunch specials. my favorites include the beef and greens with sacha sauce, the eggplant and basil, and just recently, the twice cooked pork (wonderfully spicy). three lunch special orders, and two orders of mini dumplings usually will fill up about four people at lunch time. but feel free to gorge. i haven't had anything bad at this little joint in chinatown. they also have some more exotic offerings, like jellyfish appetizers and spicy duck webs. i hope to recruit some of my more adventurous friends to try these in the very near future. also, as one final recommendation, if you're coming here for lunch, come a bit early. the few tables that they have usually fill up very quickly. heard enough? soup dumpling heaven, take the plunge!
(4)
ying l.
I visited dumpling house for the second time last night, b/c i had a friend from out of town who had recently been introduced to xlb, and was craving some. It was already 10pm by then, otherwise i'd have taken her to Shanghai Gate. Anyway, the food was not bad. a step up from xlb at Chau Chow City [pretty much the only place to get xlb at dimsum in Chinatown]. We ordered two xlb, one crab and pork dumpling, and one order of the Sandong dumplings. The dough of the xlb and pork and crabs was slightly thinner than Chau Chow's, and the meat more tender. They were also very big, as some people have noted. What got me was the service. They had two servers, and the place is small, especially on a sunday night, we should have received prompter service. They spoke barely any english, and no cantonese. They did not have red vinegar, only the brown. One of the servers was told to take our orders, but instead he went away to get a stain off his shirt. I later saw him seat a group of 5 without even giving them menus. However, the food was a good deal at what we paid for it, the tea was good, and the food took a reasonable amount of time. I don't know if I'm going back any time soon, but i definitely grabbed a take out menu just in case.
(3)
Jennifer D.
I love the variety here. You can get good dumplings and also find some fish head dishes (the large head mind you). Everythings' pretty consistantly good--not fab, but very good. Their scallion pancake is great here.
(5)
Tiffany H.
the food wasn't horrible, but it definitely wasn't as good as we expected. the restaurant is really small and the service leaves much to be desired. our table was right behind the cashier desk, and the guy up front had to push our chair around to get in and out. the service was slow, which was surprising given out many people were waiting in line and crowding the front. our soup arrived cold and bland. my chicken cutlets were really oily (i took a bite and the oil squirted out), and the ground meat on the rice didn't have any taste. we had leftovers and also bought take-out for friends and asked for the food to be boxed. the take-out boxes and plastic bag that were handed back to us were wet with tea. since we weren't thrilled with the service, we didn't give them a glowing tip--and that's when the waitress came by to our table, picked up the tip, counted it in front of us and then said "excuse me, you're supposed to tip 15%. this is not 15%."
(1)
Clint L.
This place sucks dirty butt plugs! Where should I start? The first time I was there, my friend and I ordered a lot of food. We got too excited, I guess. We got full before the rest of our dishes came out. That is when we decided to go out for a smoke(we even told the boss). When we came back in, guess what, our table was cleared! We asked what happened to our food and dude just shrugged his shoulders and looked at his waiters. We asked about the orders that never came out, same response. Got so pissed, we just left. The food was not good. The dumpling with the soup inside covers your mouth with what feels like a pasty substance, maybe uncooked flour, yuck! Despite all that happened, I still decided to give it another try. What a disappointment! I so bad want it to be good. The second time around, they gave us a waitress who did not understand what we were saying. She started arguing with us on what we asked for(ginger), giving us dirty looks, like we were stupid. To top of the cake, bitch was continuously coughing at our table when we were ordering! What great service! The food was bad once again(not everything). This place is too packed with small tables, very uncomfortable. Most of the staff is rude and the Boss is a douche. He seems to have no idea what is going on in his place. That sealed it for me. Good luck on this place.
(1)
krystle j.
always busy, always good food!
(4)
Izzy D.
So friggin good. 10 minute wait for 2 people around 6 on a Wednesday night. Plenty of AC, which was needed on this super-muggy night. Got the mini juicy dumplings, homemade roasted eggplant, and the spicy pan fried beef noodles. Loved all three.
(5)
Holls L.
I was craving for dumplings and came across one of the yelp reviews of this place being the best Chinese food they had ever tasted, so I went. Being Chinese myself, I gave a 4 star for customer service and the food for 1 star. The place was packed; waited for 15-mins. I ordered the seafood fried noodle which was really salty and there weren't really seafood except two shrimps (a few fish cakes and 1 small scallop..). I typically like my food to be salty but this was beyond that point. Next dish was the pork dumplings---the soup was dark color and doesn't have any flavors on it. I was also disappointed that the dumplings wrap was too thick.
(3)
Francisca W.
** DOUBLE TIPPING SCAM ALERT ** not sure if i can call it "scam" per se, but the sneaky addition of tip is definitely not a welcome idea. all i can say is: CHECK YOUR BILL!!! (i should have taken pictures!) story goes likes this: a colleague likes their chili fish very much, so last couple weeks we went there twice bc the first time we didn't get it. the first time we also didn't look at the bill as carefully, just saw the total and paid between the 2 of us. the second time we went, bc there were 4 at the table and we needed to calculate the amount for each, i noticed there's an extra item on the bill, and it turned out to be the tip, automatically inserted. we waved over a waiter for question, and he stated that we did not have to go by the tip if we chose not to. since it was maybe a dollar off what we would have paid, we just went with it. except that when my credit card slip came, they had the regular "tip" line on it, and no one took the time to cross it out as they have ALREADY punched in the tip-included amount as their base charge!!! so if i was being distracted or careless, i would have put in the tip there again, and be tipping twice. whose idea is that to add automatic tip for party of 4??? and if you were to do automatic tip for any party size, shouldn't you be notifying your customers??? come to think of it, did i double tip last time without realizing it?? how much more tip do they rip off their patrons altogether on any given day, since they're always full at meal time??? few years ago we already had one incident suspecting them of over charging us, a year ago they were so confused with my order i waited nearly 45 min for takeout (see past reviews); last month i went with their outdated/inaccurate "online menu" and was told the items i wanted to order didn't have lunch special, and now this. they also short-changed us on the rice too. we ordered the 3-dish lunch special both times, first time they only gave us 2 rice bc there were 2 of us, second time they asked if we wanted another rice bc the special "only" comes with 3 rice. whatever happened to my third rice the first time then?? i cleaned my bowl and had leftovers to pack you know? i don't seeing anyone offering what i deserved that time, but oh when there's a chance to upsell you're all about service suddenly. pffttt 3+ strikes and if they still aren't out, i'd be a fool. their dumplings aren't even all that great anymore, and the seating!!? can't even slip by chopsticks between chairs. i'm officially through with this place. good luck, fellow diners!
(1)
Phil C.
I came here with a couple of friends for lunch on a raw day. Dumplings were definitely the way to go that day. We somehow obtained a table pretty much upon walking in, and this was on a Sunday. The beef tendon was okay, but not the best. It had a tasteless, unidentifiable component to it, which made it difficult to assess. Agreeing with my friend, I've had better elsewhere. The stir-fried rice cake with pork and mustard greens were spot on, as it was flavorful and fried well. There was a strong "dragon's breath" with the dish, telling you that wok was hot. All the components were fine and the dish was not greasy. The xiao long bao was venerable, especially in comparison elsewhere. They were sizable and had replete broth inside. The pork itself was flavorful. The pork and leek dumplings were also very good, as the dumplings held up throughout the meal. The dumpling skin was sturdy and perhaps too thick for some. The filling inside was juicy and had a noticeable leek taste. (thanks for lunch, Mai and Jason!)
(4)
Natalie P.
After trying three different places in Boston's china town looking for decent XLB, this place had the most edible. It's not saying much though because all the XLB in boston is about the same, poorly made, bland, almost too raw to be safely eaten, too thick XLB you'll find anywhere in this city. Their scallion pancake was way too thick and not that good. Not really sure how this place gets recommended for Xiao Long Bao anyway. Their other food might be decent but most likely standard Chinese fare. All the menus look pretty much the same. If you absolutely have to get XLB in Boston then go to this place for it but you'll be disappointed and keep in mind you should not try to get XLB in Boston at all.
(2)
Dave P.
I'm not a big Chinese food fan but this place is amazing. Their food is incredibly delicious. We ordered Mini juicy dumplings Pork and Leek dumplings (fried) Veggie buns Sesame chicken The mini juice dumplings and pork and leek dumplings were our favorite. We went on a Saturday night at 6:30 so we waited 40 min. It wasn't that bad. The tables are small and the overall restaurant space is pretty tight. And the service is what you'd expect for a Chinese restaurant -- loud, fast, aggressive, unapologetic. But you don't come here for any of this. You come here for their delicious dumplings. We will definitely come back.
(4)
Sam L.
Ice water in traditional tea pots? That should have been warning sign #1. We stopped by on a Tuesday night and there was a good 10 min wait. But for what? With a menu similar to Taiwan cafe, we were eager to see if there were any differences. Unfortunately there weren't that many differences. Our pig feet with rice was overcooked though they did a good job with the flavoring. The oyster omelette had great flavor, but overly greasy. The pork liver with scallion was flavored well, but overly greasy. All of these examples tell me the chefs lack the discipline to pay attention to details. After trying out Taiwan Cafe and Gourmet Dumpling House, we can't wait to go back to Maryland for some real authentic Taiwanese food, with elbow room and actual hot tea.
(3)
Lavi W.
My friend strongly recommended this place for their twin lobster with ginger and scallion sauce. I had to say I was a little bit disappointed- the lobster was kinda bland and I had to peel the shell and dip the meat in the sauce again to make it better. We also tried their fried stinky tofu. My friend from Taiwan seemed to like it a lot. There is always a line here and the place is tiny. Plan ahead if your schedule is tight.
(3)
Christina P.
Don't really get why this is THE place to be for Chinese in Boston's Chinatown. I'm a Flushing food brat and it's hard to match that quality up here. It's only OK even relative to Boston's standard for Chinese food--there are better XLB places down the street and better places for general Chinese food around the corner. Came here on a Wed night with a couple girls. There was a line but only a 5 min wait for a group of 4. We had an order of XLB w/ crabmeat, salted fish and chicken fried rice, seafood pan fried noodles, sauteed green beans, and a noodle soup with pork and mustard greens. The XLB had a thicker skin and was a lot doughier than normal and not in a good way. The fried rice was standard but warm lettuce is always a little weird to me. The seafood pan fried noodles were okay, nothing amazing and minimal seafood mix. Sauteed green beans were incredibly oily. Noodle soup wasn't what we expected but decent. Overall it was lackluster. Plenty of better options around but you should totally come here so I don't have to wait in line at the other places.
(3)
Kim S.
Not sure what the fuss is all about. We arrived on Sunday at 11 Am and the restaurant was already opened with a few customers. The server brought us water in a tea pot. That was strange, I thought it would be chilled Jasmine tea or something of the like. The menu is super extensive and we took some time browsing it. Service was quick and our food arrived in less than 15 minutes. Everything was greasy and lacked flavor. The noodle dish was pretty much cooked and smothered in an oil sauce, I couldn't even eat it and I LOVE noodles. The soup wontons could have used more flavor. Pricing is reasonable. I could do without ever visiting this restaurant again.
(3)
Rima K.
I could take a star off for the service, but the FOOD IS SO GOOD I just can't bring myself to do it! Get creative and try the salted fish with chicken fried rice its delicious. If your taste buds are alive you'll like it. Their twin lobster with ginger and scallion sauce is outstanding. I also enjoy their string beans with beef or shredded pepper with beef. The salt and pepper fish is also very tasty and comes with fresh green peppers and seasoning. The spicy fish soup dish used to be amazing but isn't as great anymore. Way too much oil!
(5)
Kimmy L.
Oh how I wish we had delicious authentic cheap chinese food like this in D.C's chinatown....I would eat here all the time if I could. There was still a wait at 10PM on a Friday night but the affordable yet delicious food was well worth the wait. - Hot tea - free and plentiful - Sweet and sour fried cod - the sauce and fish were so savory and paired perfectly with their fresh steamed jasmine rice, I am still dreaming about this dish - Chicken basil - simply yet great flavor, tender lightly fried pieces of chicken, big portion! - Pork & crab soup dumplings - the broth and outer dumpling were perfect, but some of our dumplings didn't have any broth inside which was a bummer. We are not sure if perhaps the broth got soaked up into the meat since we waited about 10 minutes or so before eating them... Will definitely come back the next time I am in Boston! *Tip* They accept credit cards! *Tip* Soup dumplings are not on the menu but just order them by name
One of my favorite places to eat in Boston. No idea why. It isn't fancy. It isn't Lobster, although they have it, and it isn't Italian. I guess the answer is pretty simple - its cheap, good and there are dumplings. Friend or steams they have them. The menu is pretty extensive with just about any Asian dish under the sun. We don't have dumplings in Detroit. We may somewhere but they aren't a go to item or easy to find here. To be fair, the other dumpling places around this place are always packed but it is only because they places have little seating. This place is bigger but still pretty full most of the time. Steamed beef and leak may be my favorite but the steamed pork soup dumpling are jiggly, sweet, and salty and are so good that I simply can't wait and often burn my mouth with this awesome stuff.
(5)
Sissy K.
EAT DUMPLINGS HERE! You can't go wrong. They were absolutely fantastically amazing. A really small place, but worth the short wait for a table. I've NEVER had anything like these soup filled wonders. I can see why Ming Tsai included these dumplings on the Food Channel's show Best Thing I Ever Ate. I agree that the dumplings at Gourmet Dumpling House are some of the best things I've ever eaten, too!
(5)
PM K.
This place used to be better. Much better. Also of concern to me was a sneaky bit of math on the check, which arrives as a scrawl of Chinese letters. At the bottom of the check for 2 people was a $12 charge. The credit card slip arrived with a space for a tip as usual. What I would not have known had I not asked was that the tip was added already, by them, in the form of the $12. A tip is usually optional unless stated on the menu for larger parties. No such mention there or anywhere I could see. Tip not optional, nor mentioned here. Be careful. Check your bill.
*Chinese broccoli with garlic (so good!!! I've eaten plenty of Chinese broccoli in my life to know how good quality and properly prepared "choi" is supposed to be like; super tender stalks and plenty of garlic) *pork and crab soup dumplings (these were ok, the skin of the dumplings were a little too thick and one of them broke which is not a good sign; the meat inside was pretty good but not the best I've had; the broth was alright but Shanghai Cafe in NY Chinatown has better soup dumplings; I was disappointed with this place's dumplings) This restaurant is super tiny and crowded; there was a huge lunch rush on a Thursday afternoon; we only ordered these two dishes so based off what we ate, I think the food is alright. NY definitely has better food. Service was decent. Overall, I would not be returning.
(3)
Jaime W.
I went here with the boyfriend after walking 3 miles and looking at the long line of this place, we thought we should check it out since the place was hoppin and we was hungry. We definitely had to try their dumplings so we ordered their steamed pork dumplings and they were delicious. Sharing just one platter wasn't good enough, I wish we ordered more. It comes in 8 in an order and they do have a variety of other foods such as Taiwanese and Szechuan cuisine. We didn't get to try but will def come back when we're in Boston.
(4)
Susan C.
The soup dumplings were very good, although the skins were slightly thicker. Scallion pancakes were delicious since they were not greasy and were crispy. We also ordered yang chow fried rice, Taiwanese fried rice, stay beef rice noodle, seafood fried crispy noodle, beef rolls with pancakes, and the fried dumplings. Overall, the meal was good. However, the waitstaff are not very friendly. I would have given this 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)
Tao X.
Average in terms of foods, we ordered a lobster, a vegetable soup, a pork appetizer, a fish and a vegetable. Nothing special or impressive, maybe it's just because we are Chinese - I saw many "foreigners" eating happily here :)
(3)
Fiona F.
This place is ok. The fried dumplings are a little soggy except for the bottom part. I don't recommend it. I guess they steamed the dumplings first and then fried them to save time for processing. That's not the right way to do it though. Xi long bao is very good! Big size, juicy and can't fit into your mouth at one bite. More of the northern style instead of the shanghai style! Entries are good and reasonably priced. I ordered spicy chicken - more chicken and less burned peppers which is good. Service is good just some servers don't seem experienced.
(3)
Matt L.
Visited GDH on a Friday a little past 7:00 We waited for a spot for about 20 minutes- it wasn't too bad. The dumplings are good here, but I can't really see how they're significantly different from dumplings from other places. I recommend you get them steamed instead of fried, cause they both have a very soft consistency to them anyway. Ordered the pork and leek, pork and cabbage, an scallion pancake, and beef and onions with two bowls of rice. Again, the dumplings were fine- it's pretty hard to fuck up dumpings. The scallion pancakes were great, and the beef and onions were good too, except there was practically no beef in it. Small issue with when we paid- the server asked us to pay more tip. Pretty bad form, doing this. Needless to say, I didn't give more. Overall, decent .
(3)
Lee D.
This is our go to place in Chinatown. Don't expect great service or a relaxing atmosphere but expect outstanding food. Mini pork soup dumplings are delish. The sliced fish Szechuan style entree has the perfect amount of spicy heat and the white fish melts in your mouth. Other popular dishes include pea pod tendril's, braised eggplant and pork and leek dumplings. Don't over order as tables are small and portions are large.
(5)
Joelle K.
I had dinner here with a friend last week. As many people have already mentioned, this place is usually crowded with lines. Make sure to go inside and put your name on the waiting list. The restaurant is extremely crowded and tables and very close together. We had to wait about 15-20 minutes for a table for two on a Wednesday at 6. The service here is lacking at best. Our server couldn't get away from us fast enough, had zero personality, and never came back to ask us if we wanted another drink or anything else in general. Luckily, the food made up for the terrible service. My friend and I decided to just split several plates. We had the crab rangoons, scallion pancakes, fried seafood dumplings and mango shrimp and scallops. They brought the plates out as they were ready. Everything was nice and hot. All of the food that we ordered was excellent, especially the scallion pancakes and mango shrimp/scallops. I wouldn't hesitate to return.
(4)
Shriman S.
Walked in with gf for my first Chinatown meal in Boston. Well.... This place is different.... To say the least. So here goes... 1. Food 4/5 flavorful, well cooked (ordered beef tendon soup and pork feet noodle soup). Qing Dao scallops were well cooked and tasted as I hoped they would. 2. Service 1/5 admittedly fast and rushed. Was told we can't get a bigger table because we didn't order enough. Paid the waitress about 10% tip (my grudge tip percentage) and was ASKED pay more tip (which I did cuz she truly looked like she needed it - the place seems understaffed and overcrowded, she looked fatigued) 3. Ambience 1/5 loud (very loud). Very crowded. And my fellow customer was eating about 10 inches away from me (the tables are literally 1 inch apart) 4. Price 3/5 our about 30 usd for a meal for 2 (appetizer and 2 entrees). I would say the place is good for a take out (if at all) else just skip it. Not worth the hoopla.
(2)
Jinyoung S.
We went to Chinatown and found this place and we saw a lot of people were dining and still couples of group were waiting outside to get table. So we were waiting to get table for 30mins and end up we had to share the table with the other group of ppl. We ordered some udon with pork and veggies, mini juicy dumpling, some beef celery dumpling, pork bun and some chicken with rice. My favorite was udon. The others......... Were ok. I really disappointed with pork bun. Dumplings were so doughy.. With all these food and 2 sapporo beers were around 45bucks. Not pricy at all. But what I want to say is... The name of the restaurant is 'Gourmet Dumpling house' , so.... They must have gourmet dumpling. Udon noodle can't be the favorite plate here.
(3)
Andrew J.
What is all the hype about for this restaurant? It might just be me going on a bad day but the overall experience made me want to get chef Gordon Ramsay to review this place. The service was unbelievably poor. They let another group behind us go in first and we had the same number of people in the group. The waiter spilled soy sauce on me and just ran away not saying anything, not even a simple sorry. We had to make a scene to get attention from the manager to give an apology to us. The waiters forgot to bring us the rice that came with the dish we ordered. We had to ask for it. The tables are closely packed causing napkins to fall when waiters walk by. The worse part is that the waiter did not pick up the napkin. The food overall was okay but I've had the same food better else where. This place is just not worth the frustration, can't even enjoy a meal. For example i ordered a string bean with beef dish and couldn't find many pieces of meat in it. Overall if u want to go into Chinatown for an enjoyable lunch i would highly recommend not going to this restaurant.
(1)
Doven M.
This place is unreal. I have only been to a small percentage of restaurants in China Town but I am super into Gourmet Dumpling House. I always get their dumplings but last time got the spicy salt and pepper shrimp and it was great! Highly recommend!
(5)
Yumi K.
The service is pretty quick, but the place is pretty small and was really crowded when we went. We had to wait around 20 minutes before we could be seated, and since they didn't have anywhere for us to wait inside, we waited in the cold. I Also overheard one of through servers speaking on the phone stating that they do not take any reservations. Either way, once we were seated, the service was very quick and efficient. I went to the Gourmet Dumpling House with my boyfriend a couple weeks ago. The food here is amazing! I ordered pork and leek dumplings (which were amazing), and my boyfriend ordered the soup dumpling (I believe the crab and pork one) since it had been mentioned all over Yelp reviews. Personally, we both didn't like the soup dumplings. In fact, the pork and leek were far more delicious in our opinion. We Also ordered an eggplant and chicken dish to share, which was amazing too. Unfortunately, the dish does not come with rice so we had to order bowls of rice separately (a little over $1 for each bowl). Despite that, we left the restaurant very full and very happy. Will definitely be going again when we visit Boston!
(4)
Bill W.
It was quite impressive to me how popular this restaurant is when I first stepped in so I was eager to try what they are best of. I ordered two bowls of noodle, some vinegar potato and some pork appetizer. I specially asked for extra spicy sause and a glass of ice water. Here is what I got: Noodles with the wrong type of meat I ordered. I accepted it just because I do not want make them busier remaking my food. A spicy sauce on the side when I asked again. A glass of water with no ice when I asked again. During the time I emptied my cup several times, though the waitress with a whole pitch of ice water passed me quite a few times I couldn't get a refill without asking. I left 1 buck for tips to express my dissatisfaction. The waitress stopped me at the door educating me to leave 15%. I refused. The tip comes with service and it's not even average. As for the food, it was good portion but not quite at the same level of its popularity.
(2)
Syeda T.
Food is good. But the waiters are disappointing. And even worse, they force for high tips, which is not expected from such places.
(2)
Vanessa N.
I went here specifically for the soup dumplings and I have to say I was disappointed. The wrapper was very thick and not good at all. The soup and meat inside was good but if they can thin up their wrapper I would bump it up a star. This place doesn't compare to Joe Shanghai or Din Tai Fung but if you craved it while in Boston, it would do. The green bean with dried shrimp was my favorite of the meal. It was garlicky with the right amount saltiness and shrimpiness from the dried shrimp. And it was stir fried just barely cooked, where it was still crunchy, just the way I like it. The sesame chicken was a safe dish. The flavor was good and the chicken was crispy except the sauce was a very gelatinous consistency. It seemed they used too much tapioca starch to thicken it. Would I come back next time I'm in Boston? Probably not.
(3)
Stephanie T.
Definitely my favorite place in Chinatown. Definitely order the scallion pancakes, they are the best I have had in Boston. My go-to is the Ma Po tofu, perfectly cooked and not too too spicy. Be prepared to wait for a table, and once you do get one, be prepared to be rushed through your meal, though its definitely worth it. Try and come not at peak dinner or lunch hours and you will have a much shorter wait. Not great for larger parties, as there are only 3 or 4 tables that can seat more than 4 people
(4)
Walter D.
We did not enjoy this place at all. We usually love all the most reviewed places on Yelp, but we found the food very oily and we weren't impressed with any of the five dishes (with a lot of variety) we ordered. The service was bad and the place was disgusting. We found a metal wire in one of the dishes. One member of our party started feeling sick almost immediately. It was the first bad meal we had on our trip, in fact it was the worst meal we have ever ever ever had in all our time and places using Yelp (and that's saying something considering we travel A LOT.) We would 100% NOT recommend. We even left all of our food and didn't take anything home it was that bad. Beware: -Tip is automatically included -Chicken was overcooked and almost inedible -Service is horrible (I told one waiter we were ready to order and he nodded at me and walked the opposite direction and did not return) -Almost everything is fried -Walls are sticky and floors are gross, what was broken was shoddily fixed (ex. Our tea kettle was broken and fixed with a paper clip) Summation: DON'T GO
(1)
Aton K.
I went there with my friend once. The dishes are just ok. ABSOLUTELY NOT authentic Chinese food. I can't understand why so many people waiting outside. The service is terrible! The servant has no manners. What's more disgusting, I was charged compulsory "service fee" as tips. I won't go there again.
(1)
Tyler M.
I am giving it three stars instead of four because the ambiance and service was terrible, but the food was wonderful. When I arrived, I had to request water and wasn't asked what I would have liked to drink, so that was kind of rued. I got a table for one, so I was given a table that seated four and the waitress put a couple right next to me at my table (they were very loud). It did not take long to get food though, and when I got it, it was worth the wait. I got the pork and shrimp dumpling. It is the classic Chinese style dumpling and was very good. I would go back for the food but would go on an off hour because the service and proximity is bad.
(3)
Audrey C.
Okay this place is absolutely delicious. Came here with a girlfriend on a Tuesday night at about 7:30pm and there was no line, we were seated right away. The restaurant is a little small so seating is a little cramped. Don't expect the best service, it IS a Chinese restaurant. Scallion Pancake: Crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. For $4 this is totallyyyyyyy worth it. TRY! Szechuan Sliced Fish: YUM. If you like spicy red food and fish, this is your dish. The sauce is soupy like and it has the perfect flavor of spice and garlic that goes with the pieces of sliced fish and cabbage very well. Get rice with this dish also! You can put the sauce on it. Xiao Long Bao: Standard soup dumplings, don't forget to put some vinegar on your spoon before you place the xiao long bao on there! Try not to break the skin either or you won't be able to enjoy the sauce inside. If the two of us girls could eat more we definitely would have tried more on the menu, but until next time!
(5)
Connie L.
I came here for lunch with a friend when visiting Boston. We ordered the soup dumplings (apparently one of the best in the area), eggplant with basil, and intestine with long horn chili peppers. Everything was up to expectation! So delicious and we finished everything! It's a fairly small place and service was a bit weird. We wanted to get the soup dumplings ahead of time while looking over the menu, but we were told that we needed to order all at the same time. They gave us an explanation for why that was the case, but honestly, I didn't understand what the waiter meant. I 've always ordered something like that first before and was never told I couldn't order something ahead of time and then add on, later. I was told that this place was always really busy, but we came at a weird hour (too early for lunch and too late for breakfast) so, definitely beat the clock. The food was excellent, super flavorful! It is also the first time going to a Chinese restaurant I've been to where they charge for extra rice (is that only in Boston?). **cash only, unless more than $20, I believe.
(4)
Steph A. K.
Eating at GDH can be chaotic, and you may have to wait a long time before you can even squeeze in through the door. But if you want the best dumplings in Boston, this is where you go. The soup dumplings (or "xiao long bao") are the ultimate winner, no matter what kind you get. The broth is just spectacular. Our favorite are the pork-crab xiao long bao. The Sichuan Sliced Fish is out of this world if you enjoy dishes with heat - deliciously tender and flaky fish in a hot and tongue-numbing "ma-la" sichuan pepper-infused broth which goes perfectly on top of some fluffy white rice. Their other food is also tasty, like the traditional Americanized Chinese sesame chicken, Scallion Pancakes, etc. but the dumplings are the reason you wait in line time and time again.
(5)
Ana K.
They already include tip without telling. Carefully review your bill because we paid double tip up until today... Food is good.
(4)
Jiawen H.
I have ordered many different dishes from gourmet dumpling house, both eat-in and take-out. My favorite is the pig intestine with pickled mustard green. The food is really authentic and tastes just right. I wish they have a better system for people waiting in line, because waiting outside on the sidewalk during the winter is the worst! Also, be prepared to sit really close to other parties because the place is really small and crammed. Also, the waiters and waitresses are not the most friendly people.
(3)
Sara L.
Very small Chinese place. Probably as close as you get to what you could find in your hometown. I ordered the Kung pao chicken and was expecting something with a little kick. It just wasn't that good. Not spicy at all. The spring roll was amazing though!
(3)
Amy G.
Line is always out the door, but the food is worth it! Of course, starting with some dumplings... I mean, it's in the name of the restaurant so you know they do them right. We had the Mini Juicy Dumplings with pork. There are 8 dumplings, but they aren't very mini! They are at least two bites each and full of filling. But be careful, they are hot and extremely juicy! We also shared the Sauteed Shrimp with Okra in sa-cha sauce. It was spicy and succulent and a HUGE portion! The wait staff is a little scattered, but that can be attributed to a very full restaurant that is a bit small. But the food does come fast and the short wait outside is well worth it.
(4)
coy r.
Authentic Chinese cuisine with the tight space and screaming service you would expect where you get the best food. It truly is excellent food. Including delicacies.
(5)
Ramsay S.
I'm the 1000th review for this place? Awesome, let's make it count. I used to come here frequently; that being said, I won't be coming back. The tall male Chinese waiter with glasses, medium length hair, and garbage breath was immensely rude to me during my last visit, practically humiliating me in front of other customers because I was asking about details regarding a certain dish I was ordering - which seemed like stupid questions to him. His lack of patience and class was bewildering, but I still tipped because I won't stoop to his level. You were mannerless, obnoxious, and a detriment to society. As a fellow asian, I am actually embarrassed for you, truly. I definitely won't be coming back, and I want you to know -from the bottom of my heart- it's classless, unrefined immigrants like you who give professional and honorable Asians a bad name in today's society.
(1)
Nancy C.
I very honestly don't understand the hype behind this place. The famed xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are probably the worst I've had in Boston. They're not terrible, but they're just not as good as JoJo Tapei's or the Dumpling Cafe's. The sauce is good, the skins are thin, but the meat inside is not fresh and overly ground. The other dishes, like the scallion pancake with roast beef, are subpar as well. Honestly, if you see a line at this place, don't bother. Even if you don't see a line, don't bother. Head over to the Dumpling Cafe for much better soup dumplings and fish, or to the Taiwan Cafe for similar and decent food.
(2)
Tracy R.
As authentic and delicious as it gets! In full disclosure, I'm a vegetarian so the options are limited but that's fine because I really just want the vegetarian steamed dumplings each time. They are incredible. I go with my husband (and his family when they visit) and they all get the pork dumplings, shrimp dumplings and about 100 other things. They lived in Singapore for over a decade and absolutely love this place because of how authentic it is!
(5)
Harrison L.
This is my spot. I love it here. I lived in Boston for two years and would come here on my days off, alone if I had too, for lunch and dinner. It is not fancy, do not expect to get the best service in the world, and I hope you are flexible with the definition of "personal space". But the food, oh the food. Soup dumplings are a must (duh), the pan fried noodles are excellent, but the real stars of the menu are the Szechuan dishes. The sliced fish Szechuan style is to die for. It is just a bowl of cabbage and sliced fish covered in a delicoious spicy broth and topped with dried chilies and roasted garlic. Also, trust me on this, get the Beef with Longhorn Peppers. Get it. Get it now. Best place in Boston's Chinatown? I would say so.
(5)
Julia B.
One of my favorite places for reliably good food in Boston. The soup dumplings are delicious and flavorful, and extremely comforting on a cold Boston day! I've tried many of the menu items and have yet to find any I dislike. The scallion pancakes are absolutely delicious, as is anything "salt and pepper" style. The only downside is there's usually a wait, but it does go quickly.
(4)
Kejian W.
As expected, Chinese restaurant in China town has bad service and environment but you come here for FOOD. With that in mind I give this place a 4 star because their food is delicious and very authentic. I ordered 3 dishes: soup dumpling, pork intestine with long horn pepper and lobster in ginger and scallion sauce. The soup dumpling is OK as it does have soup in it but the dough was too thick. It uses soy sauce and has a bit of sweetness. This is not shanghai style but more of Jiangsu province or northern china style because it is of quite large in size. The pork intestine was awesome, authentic northern style and the lobster was very fresh and very tasty. This place was very busy and there were a lot of people waiting outside. I will come back again next time when I visit Boston.
(4)
Jennifer T.
Alas, our most recent visit here left me sourly disappointed. We ordered 8 dishes, and across the board, they were all very sad. The calamari was tough, the xiao long baos were a disappointment (skin was very thick, though this time we did order the dumplings with crab meat, so my preference would be for their all pork ones). Their beef noodle soup was dense with soy sauce but very flat in terms of flavor, another traditional chinese dish (mei cai kou rou) was completely unrecognizeable it was so bad - the meat tasted as if it was actually going rancid and the vegetables were sour and overly salty. Their braised fish also lacked in typical braised flavor and the meat was tough. The items I did like included the fried tofu (which had a perfectly crispy but not heavy shell) and the braised pig feet (great flavor, but not for the faint of heart). Their watercress and sa cha sauce is another favorite of mine, however, a bit on the salty side. Add to the food being mostly a miss, the place is so cramped, so you're constantly elbowing each other, and I had servers reaching behind me the entire time as my seat was right in front of the refrigerator, and a draft blowing on top of your head. Sadly, I would say, its better to go to Quincy for Chinese food, versus trying to find parking and waiting in the lines near Chinatown.
(3)
Blood e.
This place was amazing, everything on the menu was great. Best restaurant in China town!
(4)
Daisy R.
Delicious and flavorful food, friendly staff and conveniently located five minutes from South Station. Huge portions. I had to take half of my lunch home. Shared my table with local guy who eats there every week. Prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Wen-fai F.
Came here a few years ago with my parents and we ordered several kinds of dumplings, per the name of the place. We were overall disappointed and unimpressed. So every time my parents have come to visit, we have avoided this place. Since then, I've seen lines almost every time I've passed by this place. I've always thought, "What's the big deal? Why do people like it so much? It's so over-hyped." But then curiosity got the best of me and I tried this place again for the second time ever. Instead of concentrating on dumplings, we ordered scallion pancakes, flat noodles with pork and vegetables, mapo tofu, and to give it a second chance, a side of steamed dumplings. My oh my. Everything was so good. Scallion pancakes had a ridiculous amount of layers, and were crisp and salted to perfection. The flat noodles had a hint of sweetness that worked so well with the dish. The mapo tofu was wonderfully spicy, and tofu were cut into large enough chunks so I could actually taste the silky tofu, and it wasn't just lost in some sauce. The dumplings, admittedly, were just okay. But everything else was exceptional. All in, tip included, it was $40. With leftovers. Major win! We came on a Sunday night at 9p and managed to get seated right away. We stayed in the restaurant for about 1.5 hours and at times there was a small wait at the door. It seems late on weeknights (save for Thursday/Friday) would be the time to come. I definitely won't write this place off again.
(4)
David C.
After four years of living in Boston, I've finally made it to the famous Gourmet Dumpling House. I have tried going before on at least a handful of occasions, but the line has always been too long, and my hunger too great to wait. Flash forward to 3:30 pm on Memorial Day 2014, and there is still a line out the door, but by some miracle my party of four is seated quickly (albeit with another party of two--yay, new friends!). I wish I could say it was worth the wait, but as you can probably guess by my rating, I was sadly disappointed. We put in an initial order of dumplings (veggie, pork and leek, and Sandong), pork buns, and scallion pancakes to start, asking our server to leave us with one menu to decide on entrees. The scallion pancakes were easily the best thing we ate--not too greasy with just the right amount of onion flavor--but that's not saying much. We never even received the pork and leek dumplings, while the two varieties we did receive fell apart at the seams revealing lumps of flavorless filling. The pork buns were only notable for being completely unmemorable. Set to order more food that would hopefully redeem our lackluster start, our server dropped the check. We took that as a sign that we should cut our losses and leave then. There are, after all, a million other restaurants in Chinatown, many of them better than Gourmet Dumpling House.
(2)
Rachel C.
Oh man this place is BUSY BUSY BUSY! We happened to luck out and walked in when there was no one in line but the minute we sat down we looked out the window and saw a long line wrapping around outside! The food was great but getting to the food was a challenge...the menu...I get nervous when I can't even imagine what the meal is going to taste like....But we didn't get the soup dumpling like everyone else...we were craving NOODLES.... I have NO idea what we ordered but both dishes we ate were delish! The location is easy you can spot it on the main road. The seating is crowded so get ready to get friendly with your neighbors :) The food is great! I couldn't cypher the menu but everything turned out okay~
(3)
Ranjit H.
Oh man. Go. Just go. We got the juicy mini pork dumplings, steamed seafood dumplings, sauteed udon noodles with shrimp and mixed vegetables, and sauteed chinese lettuce with garlic. Yes yes, it was a carbtastic meal. With the exception of the seafood dumplings (which were still good), everything was fantastic. Total bill was $41 before tip. There's usually a line to get in here, but we showed up at 630 for dinner on a Sunday, and got a table immediately. We usually grab a meal in Chinatown once a month, and this was by far the best I've had. Will absolutely be back.
(5)
Jenny C.
It's easiest to come if you're willing to a.) park somewhere close... good luck! or by taking the Orange Line to the Chinatown station and walking down the street. Came here with my brother and cousin and a cold blistery NYEE night. The place was PACKED to the brim. Lucky for us, we were the first group (of many) to check in so we were seated in under 20 minutes. Not bad! We ordered six different pork/seafood dumplings both steamed and pan-fried. They were all good (albeit quite bland) and very well cooked (VERY well cooked it made all the difference, IMO). Service was subpar, but that's really all you can expect from a hole in the wall in Chinatown. I'd come again just to take my H!
(3)
Joanna Y.
Their soup dumplings are not consistent. Sometimes it is so absolutely juicy. Sometimes it is just plain dry and unappetizing. If you are going to order the soup dumpling though, I suggest the pork. If you are looking to eat just soup dumplings, save yourself from the wait time and check out dumpling cafe just down the road. Or Taiwan cafe just a couple restaurants away. 4 stars for the szechuan fish soup. I have not found any other restsurant who makes it as deliciously as this place. I only come here to eat this dish when it is chilly and it is not peak dinner hours. Otherwise, there are just too many here for my comfort. But I refuse to rate this restaurant based on the size, cleanliness, and staff etiquette. You are in Chinatown, what do you expect.
(4)
Christine L.
Since most amazing places are shared by word of mouth, it seems only fitting that I came upon this spot thanks to my friend Nina after she heard about it from her extended network of friends! :) Due to the lack of any decent Chinese food in Portland, ME, my friends and I took advantage of our day off of school by... waking up at 8am and driving 2 hours to Boston for a nice meal!! Sounds like a great morning right? Yes! We drove straight into Chinatown in hopes of getting a table before this place filled up (opens at 11am, get here soon to avoid the wait!). We ordered the following: - XLB (xiao long bao) aka soup dumpling w/ pork - XLB w/ pork & crab - Scallion pancake - Ong choy (Okay I have no idea what this was called on the menu, but this the the name I know the veggie by) - Szechuan fish in spicy sauce For the most part, the food was amazing! I loved their scallion pancake. They often come too greasy and wet, but here they were nice and crisp! It also wasn't so overly dough-y that I'd get full off of one slice. The veggies reminded me of home, cooked in garlic and oil, yet still crisp and green. The Szechuan fish was probably the favorite of our table. It was a bowl of white fish filet and plenty of napa cabbage in a simmering hot spicy sauce (loaded with chili flakes)! Despite being quite spicy for me, it was absolutely delicious! Places like this remind me to hold on to the hope that there is still decent (if not AMAZING) chinese food out there. One minus star for the XLB. They were filled with soup, and the one with crab was plenty flavorful (however yellow). They were giant and my one complaint is that the skin was super thick. I love placing my little XLB on a spoon with the black vinegar and slurping up the soup after I take a bite, but it's nearly impossible with such a giant dumpling. I ended up stuffing it in my mouth and hoping it wasn't too hot.
(4)
Carina S.
The food was good. You get family sized portions at a great price. The dumplings were juicy but not the best I've had. I was a bit disappointed by that because they are called the dumpling house. I really like the pan seared udon noodles with pork and vegetables. The scallion cakes are to die for!! Yummm!!! Pork fried rice was a winner. This place doesn't take reservations and its small. So be prepared to wait. You may have to share a table with another group. They prefer tips in cash only and if you pay with credit card, you must purchase $20 or more in food and you can only use one credit card per check.
(4)
Heather S.
I would give five stars for the food but the service is so appalling that I just can't. In fact, I think giving two stars is quite generous. I live near-ish to GDH so I have been quite a few times, and each time the service has been worse than the last. You're lucky if the host/hostess even deigns to look at you when you walk in the door. Just last week, I stood patiently in line to pick up a to go order and not one of the host/hostesses bothered to ask if I was waiting for a table or if I had been helped. Instead as I stood there, the host/owner/server/I'm not sure what his role was that night, skipped right over me to ask several groups BEHIND me in line if they had been helped. If this had only happened once I would chalk it up to an accident, but it has happened every single time I have been there, but one. Curiously, the only time it did not happen I was with a friend who speaks Mandarin and is from Taiwan. Every other time I have been with Caucasian folks which leads me to feel like there is a vibe there that, unless you're a white celebrity (check out the walls for pictures with staff and Blake Lively Kate Hudson etc), you're kind of intruding on a local joint and not really welcome. Service at the table was awful no matter who I was with. Good luck waiting less than 20 minutes to even be asked if you would like to order a drink or food. However, you can guarantee that the minute you start perceptibly slowing down between bites of food you will feel dirty looks burning into your skull as the staff is itching to turn over the table. The food is delicious if you can tolerate supporting a business with abysmal service.
(2)
Ariel Z.
Squandered here on a cold winter night, this time with my bf, who isn't really familiar with Asian food (gasp! ima take care of that). Good to know that you have a better chance of being seated immediately if you are going for an early dinner (4:30-5pm). We ordered way too many dumplings, which we eventually took home. But the highlight of the night for me (too spicy for him) was the Szechuan beef (no noodles, same sauce as the sliced fish by the looks of it). Holy bejeezus that spice level is what makes life worth living. It's the type of tingly sensation you get when the sauce/broth uses Sichuan peppercorns instead of the usual chilies. It hurts so goooood. We actually saw another table order this and asked what it was. It's enough to feed a whole family, so if just the two of you, you can bank on taking the rest home. I will return again and again. And the waiters are actually courteous, quick, and friendly, which is a true rarity in most Chinatown establishments!
(4)
颖瑶
Always crowded! But arrived at 1:30pm so we got the seats. Food was tasty so experience was good~ will go again and try different food. Love Xiaolong bao best!
(4)
Yidu L.
I have lived in great Boston area for years, this place is my favorite Chinese restaurant. Small place at Chinatown, around 20 tables, long waiting list at dinner time, last time it took me around 25~30 min to get in, but the food here is totally worth the wait. This is real traditional Chinese food, everything is so tasty. If you are fan of Chinese food and you are in Boston, this is the place you should try. For this place I usually drive 45 min from West MA, spend $12 on parking, and wait another half hour. Can not find any better place to have Chinese food.
(5)
David T.
I have been meaning to dine at the Gourmet Dumpling House for a while. I ended up doing a large takeout order, the best way to try many things on your first visit. I can usually carry more than they can fit on my table. This seems to be a very popular place. They had a full house with people still waiting to get in at 11pm on a cold December night. GDH is a small restaurant that looks like it is run by a husband and wife team. The two of them are in selection of displayed pictures with celebrities in the restaurant. After staring at the wall for 20 minutes the only celeb I recognized in the pictures was Anne Hathaway. Of the 8 dishes I ordered 2 were awesome, 3 were good and 3 were average. The Awesome: Sliced fish Sichuan Style I loved this dish. They do this almost as well as my gold standard for this dish, Z & Y Restaurant in San Francisco. (its called fish with flaming chili oil at Z&Y) Xia Long Bao I just love their XLBs. Lots of tasty soup and a thin skin. I knew I was taking a chance ordering XLBs for take out, but was amazed they were still very good after a 30 minute drive home. Part of the reason I like their XLBs so much is the size. These are slightly larger than Din Ti Fung XLBs, but are an exact volumetric fit for my mouth. Getting a whole mouthful of soup in one delicious shot with no wasted air space just amplifies the experience. As far as XLBs go, size matters. I think they need to sell XLB's in S,M, L and XL dumpling sizes to ensure that everybody gets the perfect mouthful of soup experience. The Good: Beef with Okra - This was good even though the beef was a little dry Pork and leek dumplings - Very good, but not addictively good to the point that you cannot stop till you have finished the plate. Pei Pa Tofu I wasn't really sure what i was ordering here. What I got didn't look the same as it did in the Yelp picture that inspired me to try it. What I got was silken tofu battered and fried. It tasted great but I was expecting something more unusual and elaborate. The Average: String beans with dried little shrimps - This was OK but missing some punch. It needed some Asian salty black beans and and smiggen of pickled vegetables. Also they were not kidding about these shrimp being little, these are more like microscopic sea monkeys than shrimp. Not that I have anything against eating sea monkeys, that part was kinda novel, I just wanted a bit more flavor to go with my sea monkeys and beans. Simmered 3 Essence frog in hot pot - This one had great potential. I loved the taste. What did it in for me was I was assuming frogs legs, which I really like. What I got was frog body bits, which I have now come to learn are really bony and time consuming to eat. Fine if you are retired and have 3 hours to pick through frog bits, but not so good if you want a quick bite because you need to work on a proposal after dinner. Taiwanese Roll - Its hard for me to fairly evaluate this one as they forgot to pack the pancakes and sauce into my package. Even so the filling did not seem as interesting as a Mushi without pancakes.
(4)
Wayne T.
I rarely go anymore, the lines are just too long, gone are the days when can go and grab a seat, take out once in a while, food is good, but several other comparable choices; I don't like how cars double park outside and people blocking sidewalk waiting outside and don't move. Be a little more adventurous people, try other restaurants, there's Taiwan Cafe and Dumpling Cafe nearby
(3)
Karan R M.
This place like all other good places in Chinatown is a bit cramped. The first time I went there was with a Chinese friend as natives can best judge a food with what is served at home. I & her both agreed upon how this was the best Chinese food we've ever had. Since I am a vegetarian my options are really limited and I usually stick to the Lomein, Vegetable fried rice & dumplings. To my surprise all three of those were: 1. Properly cooked 2. Not overly salted 3. Not smelly 4. And not oily here The staff was nice and I usually go here 1-2 times a week. I'd highly recommend this place to any connoisseur of Chinese food. I am giving it a four star and not a five only because of the huge queue I've seen everytime I've been here.
(4)
Bo-Huei L.
Food is so so but the wait line is always long. They are super arrogant, I have been there twice and the old lady always gives attitude/... I will not go back unless all other restaurants in Chinatown are close down
(1)
Arunima C.
Gourmet Dumpling House, why dont you consider expanding so your patrons dont have to wait for 30-40 mins and then arm wrestle while sharing tables really meant for two, not four, people ???? Count us amongst those who've stopped going here because of the ridiculous wait and cramped space but sorely miss the food :( Now for the food, the XLB are filled with soupy goodness you wont find anywhere else in Boston. The pan fried pork buns are another favorite, soft but perfectly pan fried on the bottom with yummy pork filling. The ma po tofu, twice cooked pork, beef with long horn peppers are some of the dishes that are consistently tasty and well prepared. Definitely a place we wish we had the patience to go back to...
(3)
Rajani A.
The most amazing dumplings I have had in ages. I am a vegetarian and finding a place which makes vegetable dumplings is very slim .. So I wanted try this place.. I couldn't have made a better choice.. The best Chinese food I have ever had.. If you are in Boston for a conference or from Boston this is one place you have to try
(5)
New England D.
Always consistently good food. Dumplings are fabulous! Eggplant is wonderful!
(5)
Gauravi P.
We ordered the scallion pancakes, fried chicken and leek dumplings, and steamed seafood dumplings. The food was okay- nothing special. The scallion pancakes were nice and crunchy- definitely our favorite dish here. The fried chicken and leek dumpling filling didn't have much taste. The chef messed up our order and brought us fried seafood dumplings instead of steamed seafood dumplings. We had to wait 20 more minutes for our correct order. Staff was polite though!
(3)
Rajesh K.
Food is excellent...All food coming from kitchen grabs attention... Sliced Fish Szechuan Style and chicken dumplings are ones I hv tried and they always are very good... They add the tip to the check/bill (even for party of 2) and still give receipt to put tip and signature. BEWARE dont double tip...
(4)
Pam C.
Crampppppped and tiny restaurant in Chinatown - you can always identify it by the hordes of people waiting outside, even in below freezing weather. Service and quite brusque and sometimes rather rude - although I guess I wouldn't blame the poor waitstaff who are pretty much on a continuous circuit from the kitchen to tables all day long. The lunch and dinner rushes are pretty much unavoidable, so be ready to wait. Food comes out very quickly and at a good temperature, even during prime lunch rush hours. The quality of the food is... ok. They're not great. The dumplings definitely look like they were made by hand - the skins are a good thickness. The pork that they use in their pork dumplings seems pretty low quality - its rather tough and doesn't make for good eating. I was actually extremely disappointed in their soup pork dumplings - the individual dumplings were way too big, and the skin was also way to thick. Additionally, the juice that came out tasted a little off, and the pork was the same pork that was in the dumplings. The fried dumplings were barely brown, and definitely lacked the crispy exterior that you'd look for in friend dumplings. Also, almost broke my tooth on a piece of bone in my dumpling. But hey, mistakes happen, I guess. Their dishes are very affordable and overall, Gourmet Dumpling House is pretty good. It's definitely one of the better restaurants in Chinatown, but it's nowhere near what you're going to get in San Gabriel or LA.
(3)
Ling H.
Food was decent but going on Xmas Eve was a bit stressful IMO. The husband and I got the scallion pancakes, soup dumplings, crab rangoon, szechuan fish, and beef with peppers. Everything was solid but my husband wasn't impressed. The beef dish barely had any beef and the peppers looked like jalapenos chopped with green peppers. Did they run out of ingredients? We had to pick out little beef pieces to eat. They gave us one less dumpling but I didn't bother mentioning since we had plenty of food and the place was packed. Crab rangoon was A-OK. Fish was good, and scallion pancakes were crispy, soup dumplings were solid as well. I read that they add 20% tip on the bill but b/c the hand writing was scribbles we couldn't decipher the bill. In hindsight we should have been more careful and counted every item b/c hubby gave an extra 20% on top of the bill. We paid by CC and it had room for a tip line so we just figured we had to add the tip. If it weren't for those things, I would give this place a 3.5-4 star. Overall we prob won't go back.
(3)
Helena Q.
Xiao long bao (XLB) was 7.50$ for 7, pig's blood stir fry, 11$. Credit card limit was 20$, so be sure to have cash if you only plan on buying something small. XLB skins were way too thick and one still broke :x. And the meat/soup wasn't particularly tasty, so that was a bit of a miss. The pig's blood was a bit bland, but the vegetables were seasoned appropriately. Not bad. Lines were still pretty long at 3 PM, so this is definitely a place that you need to wait for, esp if you have a large group. Service was reasonably speedy, but they're definitely trying to rush you out.
(3)
Buddy T.
Not so good customer service! The waitress seems like they don't want to serve you and they even ask for extra tip. The food is great though but experiencing a service like this, I would not return again.
(2)
Bec H.
Dipped into this place after a show. We ordered several different apps, dumplings, and an amazing beef dish. Everything was delicious, service was fast, friendly, and efficient. Not the place to sit and chat for hours on a busy evening, but a great spot for a tasty bite (or feast haha).
(5)
Danae K.
Amazing food. Definitely get the green vegetables, the scallion pancakes, and the crab and pork dumplings. The way to eat dumplings here, is by placing it on your spoon, biting down on the top to drink the broth held in the dumpling and then finishing it up. Also ensures you don't burn yourself if they are very hot! Expect to wait at the door if it's around eating hours.
(5)
Noa C.
I would give it 5 stars, but there is always a line and I always feel rushed and cramped once I sit down. The food is amazing though. We got (1) Sauteed Julienne Beef* with long horn peppers - amazingly tender beef strips mixed with a TON of jalapeno peppers - absolutely delicious, but not for the faint of heart, (2) Beef And Celery Dumplings - steamed, very good, the dumpling dough is soft and airy, (3) Mini juicy pork dumplings - very flavorful, with a perfect broth on the inside, and (4) Szechuan Style Bubbling Whole Fish (Spicy) - we watched them take a fish out of the aquarium just for us. The fish comes (as the name says) in a bubbling spicy broth, it was amazing! We've been a few times and always end up ordering a TON of food. Luckily they are able to package doggie bags for us! We love coming here, I just wish I didn't feel so rushed.
(4)
Veronica C.
Ordered their famous soup dumplings, flat noodles, and salt & pepper fried fish. Their dumplings are good but not as good as you can find them in LA or NY. Restaurant is very small so there's a long wait. We were 2 on a saturday night and had to wait about 30 mins. We even had to share a table with a couple. Only takes 1 card per table. For those who like spicy food and don't mind the wait, this the place.
(4)
Brittany M.
Awesome Awesome food! There was about a twenty minute wait but it is worth it! They are very brisk and take your order and pile your food onto the table right away. This is a no frills environment, they expect you to order appetizers and entrees at the same time and then slap everything down at once. The food is amazing, recommend pork dumplings. You will not regret! Awesome experience recommend to everyone!
(5)
L F.
As T. Swift says, 'Cause the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate.... I want to set the record straight, although I know some negative reviews about Gourmet Dumpling House, this place is the bomb! Things to know about Gourmet Dumpling House: 1. You will end up waiting outside. There is most inevitably going to be a wait. It might be fifteen minutes it might be an hour. Dress warmly, Boston can be cold. 2. Get the soup dumplings. Yes, there are many delectable offerings on the menu, but it would be silly to skip their signature dish. The pork are better than the pork and shrimp. 3. They will only accept one credit card per table. $20 minimum. You can get a ton of food for $20. 4. The restaurant is always crowded. Yes, they will try to make you hurry along. Not a place for a leisurely meal. Other tips, if the wait is super long you can always grab pre-dinner drinks at one of the area bars. Just hope your name isn't called. Also, if you want food other than the dumplings, I highly recommend the scallion pancakes as well as the watercress.
(4)
Bryan B.
Yelpers, you freaking lied to me. The Szechuan fish soup ($10) thing was nasty bitter. It was almost inedible at times. We ended up taking it to-go in hopes someone else would eat it. The scallion pancakes ($5) were crispy and tasty however and the pork and crab dumplings were flavorful. If I ever return to Boston I'm getting those two only. Place was cramped and service was rude but it's a Chinese restaurant and I'd actually be more shocked if that wasn't the case. $20 minimum for credit cards and TIP IS INCLUDED IN THE BILL SO DO NOT DOUBLE TIP THEM. Shady.
(3)
Enze C.
Initially I am skeptical boz I saw at least 50% of customers are foreigners, I thought this is another Americanized Chinese restaurant like many, however I am pleasantly proven wrong, it is VERY authentic, the flavor is exactly the way I had when in China, every dish is what I like them to be, definitely I would recommend anyone who wants to try some great Chinese food, both to foreigners and Chinese. Only thing to bear in mind is the long line, so avoid peak lunch and dinner hour if you don't want to waste 30min in waiting.
(5)
Amanda P.
Place is very crowded and warm. The scallion pancakes and crab ragoons were delicious. We also got the sezchuan chicken which came with rice noodles which was great. The spicy fish soup was ok and this beef with green peppers which was good but SPICY. Fried beef dumplings were very greasy and just eh. Their fans were on which made the lighting do a weird strobe thing making my husband and friend feel nauseous. Not sure if I would come back again. Nothing made me say oh my god I have to come back for this.
(3)
Mn H.
Worst service ever!!!!!!!!!! in the world!!!!!!!!! The waitresses kept chatting and niggling loudly during my entire lunch. They literally handed the plates on my hands without even looking at me. When I asked for the check, no responses, at all! I can't imagine how could anyone dare to charge for a 18% tip for such a horrible and terrible service? I told her that I would love to give a tip by my choice instead of her choice. She rolled her eye and crossed the 18% and handed to me. After seeing me left with a 10%, she yelled at me saying it ain't right. I told her your service was too terrible to get any tip and she literally swore at me. How can anyone has such a terrible attitude be a waitress and expect everyone to give a tip at 18%?! That would be fair to those who worked hard and be nice to people and making a living. If I could give a zero/negative star, I would have. But the minimum choice is one.
(1)
Navin B.
The food was awesome. You have to try Chicken/Beef sauted with julienne long horn peppers. Hot, spicy and tasty. Pork dumplings were awesome. Missing one star because the bill had tip included in it which was 20% of the bill for a party of 2. And one of the captains was having a full blown quarrel with another woman inside the restaurant. Go here for just the food.
(4)
May C.
I went there for lunch last weekend with my friend and we ordered 3 entrees and noodle. He and I read the reviews before we went so that we can order the right thing. We kinda believe that it's important to order the right food when we visit some restaurant the first time. So we ordered 2 appetizers, 1 noodle and 3 entrees. It's very good but not really standing out as we expected. The portion was so small. One of our entree was chili fish. It came in a very large bowl and we thought, WOW, we couldn't handle all of that. Actually only a few slices of fish on top, the rest were all cabbages. He and I had no problem finishing all we had ordered. And just as the previous reviews mentioned, the bill came with a 20% tip already written for us even it's only a table of two. We never had that experience before. Besides, the waitress did not mention at all to us that tip was already added. We must have paid double tips if we had not read the other reviews.
(2)
Aman S.
Authentic Chinese food; large portions. We ordered a ton of stuff wanting to try a lot, and had way too much food. Even the lobster clay pot was enormous and only $21. Dinner for 2, that actually could have fed 4 was about $65. I highly recommend this place for the the favors and the value.
(5)
Christine J.
sechuan beef or fish. yuhsiang eggplant. XLB, steamed veggie dumplings (can be a lil dry). curry chicken. i like their food there, comforting and delicious. very crowded all the time, so we opt to go to Dumpling Cafe instead alot of the times, on Washington St. and very good as well.
(4)
Justin P.
Love the place. Not the best service in the world but to be honest it's kind of part of the experience. They serve great dumplings (hence the name) however my favorite thing is the whole fish in a hellish broth of red chili oil, dried crumbled chills on top and chili powder. Not totally sure what it's called but might be "spicy whole fish" or something descriptive like that. They tell you what kind of fish they have available, fish it out and it's put in a soup of cabbage and chili nightmarish heat. It hurt so bad the first time I had it (but was so delicious I HAD to get prepared to have a rematch) I went back in a month and was able to have the whole thing. Like many more authentic places there is a waiting list and very reasonable prices. It's totally worth the wait, I'll be back soon!!
(4)
Jennifer C.
Get the pork mini dumplings (soup dumplings) eat while they are hot cause don't taste very good when it's cooled. I also recommend getting the pork with bamboo shoots. Delicious! Since it's always busy customer service ain't so great. Always rushing you out the door and you are most likely to sit right next to or even share tables with strangers esp with a small party
(5)
Teresa C.
This was our first stop in Chinatown, Boston. We thought the food would be similar to NY and we were not far off. We had the Taiwanese salt and pepper chicken, beef noodle soup, oyster pancake and Sichuan style fish. Out of these, we only disliked the fish because it was too much flavor (white pepper?). It looked so good in the reviews but overpowered my taste buds. The chicken was crispy and flavorful as it should be and reminded me of sesame/orange/general tsos chicken without the sauce and with salt and pepper instead. It wasn't the chicken strips like I've had before but I don't mind. My bf said it's different from the real thing lol. The oyster pancake was new to me but not my bf who has lived in Taipei. He really enjoyed the oyster pancakes. The beef noodle soup was good but is definitely not one of the best I've ever had. According to my bf, the beef tastes like jerky lol. I thought it was more like the beef broccoli like of beef because it was of a thinner style than the beef noodles soups I've had. They do accept cards except for Amex which was a plus. I wish we coulda tried other places but was content eating here. We didn't have any soup dumplings but everyone else around us did.
(4)
Zeni s.
Food was not that great like it used to be. waiter literally tells u that tip wasn't enough. i would not even give 0 for that kinda service. they are always so rude
(1)
Julian H.
I've been here twice and both times the food was really good. This place is always busy but the wait is never too long.
(4)
Amanda B.
The food is good, and fairly priced. The service is quick, but very rude. They asked if we would mind sharing a larger table with another party of 2, and we said that that was fine. The food came out quickly, but that's where the good service ended. Instead of waiting for us to finish eating to clear the dishes, someone came by every time there was an empty or nearly empty plate to take it away. It was really annoying, because they would interrupt you, ask if you were done with a plate (but not wait for an answer) and then push between you to take the plate away. They gave us the check when we had just started eating, and kept coming by to ask "if we needed anything else," pointing to the check that they wanted us to pay right then. We hadn't even been there 15 minutes! I just wanted to ask them to go away and leave us alone, because they would interrupt us every couple of minutes to try to rush us out. They cleared away the tea pot (that we weren't finished with) while we were paying the check, and even started setting up the table for the next people while we were sitting there. We paid in cash and the woman didn't even ask if we wanted change (she just assumed that we left her a 40% tip). Then, as we were finishing the tea left in our cups, not even 5 minutes after we paid the check, someone else came over and asked us to leave if we were done. It was so rude! All of this rush, and we hadn't even been there for half an hour. I love dumplings and this place is very close to work, but I don't think I'll be back. After reading other Yelp reviews, I might go try the Taiwan Cafe!
(2)
Emily L.
Okra dish with barbeque sauce! Yum!
(4)
Haofu L.
I've been here for twice in the 3 years. I'm a Chinese. I have to say if you want to eat really good Chinese food Gourmet Dumpling House is definitely not the right place. The food quality here is really bad. Some dishes may taste ok but the ingredients are terrible! I don't know how they can brush-off their custom like this. Real Chinese food won't pick up such ingredients. For example, the fish here they choose are just the cheapest on they can have. Real Chinese food will use live fresh fish for cooking not the frozen one! Besides the servants are terrible too. They are just rushed and rude. And even ask your for higher tips with bad service!
(1)
Erica R.
As far as restaurants in Boston's Chinatown go, and I visit the neighborhood at least once during any trip I make to Boston itself, this is probably my favorite restaurant. It's a guarantee that any time we go, my friend that I'm in Boston to visit and I will at least end up with the salt & pepper calamari on the table, as well as an order of the mini juicy pork dumplings - as well as probably 2 or 3 other dishes. First of all, I'm a calamari fiend...so I can't help but order it. The only time the calamari has become remotely problematic is when my friend went to eat a piece off my plate last time and it had a bit of SUPER spicy pepper on the outside that he didn't notice. He can handle hot and spicy without much issue, but that pepper? That pepper was a lot for him to take. I'm mostly a pansy when it comes to spices...at least unexpected ones. I'm pretty happy that I didn't get that spicy little sucker. Another dish that we got last time also consisted of some yellow curry noodles with...I think... chicken? (Okay, nevermind...I Googled for "gourmet dumpling house yellow curry" and the dish is just called "Curry Chicken".) I think that dish might have turned into a new favorite also. I didn't expect it to be anything special, but it was SO delicious. I think I ate like 3/4 of the plate without realizing it. Whoops! But the real star of the show? Those mini juicy pork dumplings. They're handmade...they're delicious... and oh, so addicting. Granted, I didn't grow up using chopsticks, so I'm trying to get better and better about using them to eat these dumplings...but I guess the only way for me to become more graceful in my efforts is by continuing to come back here, right? Right. ;) P.S. Almost every time I've visited GDH, there's been about a 20 minute wait - but it's either been for dinners OR lunch time on a weekend, I think. The LAST time I visited? 11:20am on a Monday morning. My friend and I got right in, a great table, and the room was maybe half full. BEST TIMING EVER.
(4)
Mimi C.
we saw this place when we were having dinner across the street. the line here was long and never ending, so we made a mental note to stop by. we ordered: -xiao long baos (crab+ pork) - 2 orders of 8 each -scallion pancake -cucumbers total - $30. everything was pretty forgettable. xiao long baos were thick skinned, had too much juice, and kinda a mushy mess. the crab + pork mix was good, but no ding tai fung. scallion pancakes are fried HARD... must've double fried. we couldn't even finish it and gave it to neighbors. cucumbers were the only thing i enjoyed. ok.. but aside from all this ... i did not order their dumplings nor their famed szechuan fish soup *signature*. judging by the lines, i suppose this is what everyone else comes for.
(2)
Carolyn L.
Decent dumplings but I don't see how this place got rated best Chinese restaurant in America!? I've had better at other places. My waiter recommended that I not order the xiao long baos and said I could get better ones elsewhere, so I settled on the pork and leek dumplings. They were perfectly pan fried and juicy with great skin texture. I was impressed with the amount they gave me for the price too! Don't think it's worth waiting in line for, but I'd recommend it!
(4)
Kris I.
It can be a bit difficult getting here (or at least it is if you're driving in from the burbs). It can be a bit difficult getting in (wait time, cramped seating) But that's how you know it's a legit Chinese food!! First off, get the scallion pancake as soon as you order and thank me later. We ordered that, the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style soup (pretty spicy), and a few different types of dumplings. The dumplings were definitely good, but I can't get that scallion pancake out of my head.
(4)
Anna G.
Favorite go to in China town. The portions are generous and the ingredients seem very fresh. This place has a very relaxed, almost collaborative feel to dinning. We've shared a table with another couple when it's busy. Food is delicious and the place has a great mix of people late night. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Cindy H.
Another tourist trap, but a cheap one (if you don't factor in time). The line for this place always balloons quick. This place is tightly packed, so don't expect your conversations to go unheard. The xiaolong bao is good - they come at a nice size. I wasn't happy with their noodles though - they tasted pretty soggy. I also got some beers and they were really marked up. The bill included tip, which was not 15% of the total of our food. Beware of that!
(3)
Panalee C.
We had tried fried rice and dumpling. Fried rice is so good. Dumpling is so bad. It's too thick.
(3)
Sandy W.
Oh, baby it's cold outside! I went 2 weekends ago to have lunch with my family, and it was very crowded. It was 30F outside, the table was almost ready, and I asked my brother to bring my niece (who is 8 months old) to come in. I didn't want her to get sick, however, as soon as my brother brought my niece in... the wait staffs asked him rudely to take her back out to wait in the freezing cold. Personally, I have never experienced this situation in my entire life while dining out. The staffs are ruthless, nevertheless, does not care about their customers. How do you ask someone to bring a baby outside to wait in the cold, in 30F weather??? Really??? We decided to leave, as there are many other options in Chinatown (went to Peach Farm Restaurant and had VIP service as always). I had really wanted to give this place a try, but this was extremely a bad decision on my part. I spoke to the Hostess as I was leaving, and she stood behind her wait staffs decision. "Show me your money" is their motto. I am very disappointed with the wait staff, but more so with their management style. The only reason why I have to give them 1 star is because it is required by Yelp. If I can give an accurate review, it would have been 0 star or negative.
(1)
Patrick C.
Personally don't think it's the best place for soup dumplings (still very good), but the sliced fish szechuan style was an unexpected surprise! I ordered it after seeing numerous other tables having ordered it. Definitely worth coming back just for this one dish! Oily, delicious, fish soup heaven! Note: the fish is a little gelatinous, so just be aware if you're picky on texture.
(4)
C L.
Horrible. Had the dumplings (pork and leek) and the juicy shanghai style dumplings. The quality of the meat is sub-par and it had too much soy sauce already mixed into the meat which overwhelmed what the flavored should have been. The service is horrible. Waitresses all yelling at each other and customers from across the room - which is tiny, cramped and dirty. I get that it's Chinatown but damn, there are way more cleaner Chinese restaurants with much higher quality food. Skip this place.
(1)
John K.
My absolute favorite. Food is terrific and service is prompt. I can't find anything like it anywhere else. I've had all the dumplings and they are great. Worth a stop. The menu is enormous and I've only had the traditional stuff which is very good. Quick service.
(5)
Jess S.
So disappointed! I've had better dumplings!! So my experience here was horrible! I love dumplings so I was excited to try this place. The wait is ridiculous. We sat down and immediately ordered. The waitress never took our drink order! The rice was all right. We ordered pork and shrimp dumplings and pork dumplings. We some how got someone a order of I don't know what but they looked like dumplings so we ate them thinking they were our dumplings. Not good. Our dumplings were just ok. At the end of our meal we were choking and no one seemed to care. I had ordered a ginger ale before our food came out. The lady never brought it until someone at the table asked for water for everyone. They were rude about it too. Water is free! What's the problem? We all hated this place. Never to return!
(1)
Cherry H.
Very reasonable price. Excellent taste. Intestine and some chicken lunch specials especially good. The space is too crammed, though. And there's always waiting line.
(5)
Amanda Z.
Went here with a friend after hearing so many recommendations. I expected the place to be a bit bigger. There wasn't too much of a line when we went in, so I'd definitely recommend going before or after the dinner rush. The seating was a bit cramped, and there was a very real fear the waitresses would bump into our food or tea and send it sprawling. We ended up splitting small table with a few other customers, but there's very little room for your bags after a day of shopping! We got steamed dumplings, soup dumplings, and a dish of fish with tofu. Tried the steam dumplings first and was severely disappointed. It was overcooked, the skin incredibly soft and mushy. We tried the soup dumplings and they were pretty good, though somehow cold (perhaps we waited too long, thinking they needed to cool down?) The fish and tofu dish was very good though and incredibly filling - ended up bringing taking it home since we didn't finish it! Still amazing even when reheated. Customer service could have been a bit better. They rush you out as soon as possible, and the atmosphere is a bit hectic so it's definitely an eat-and-go kind of place. Giving this three stars because I expected the dumplings to be better considering dumplings are supposed to be its specialty.
(3)
Harvard P.
Recently rated to be one of the best Chinese restaurants in the US by Travel and Leisure magazine, this restaurant is almost always full. Even if you are able to get in, it's going to be quite a squeeze. Go during non-peak hours if you want to enjoy a non-rushed meal. The food overall is very good. It's very easy to get overzealous and order a ton of stuff on the menu because everything on the menu sounds so delicious. If you're a fan of Taiwanese food, you'll be a fan of Gourmet Dumpling House. My favorite dish is the Braised Prime Pig's Leg. Other goodies include the Three Cup Chicken and the Lamb Stone Pot. Although other reviewers have noted that the xiao long bao is good, I personally prefer another place's down the street.
(4)
Jenny T.
This place is your nitty gritty typical neighborhood Chinese restaurant. Good xiao long baos and tasty dumplings. Not Din Tai Fung quality but solid! Check it out if you're nearby.
(4)
Joyce L.
i'm so glad i don't live close to chinatown... this place would make me gain so much weight.... mini juicy dumplings with pork: yummmmmmmm sauteed watercress: amazeballs. you need to get your greens in somewhere. schezuan spicy fish soup: great if you feel a cold creeping up on you on a winter day. otherwise, too oily for me mapotofu with beef: (an additional $1 for meat) how can mapotofu not be good spicy salt & pepper fried calamari: ahh so good when it's served hot. not as good when you get it for takeout because it's cold when you get home. #firstworldproblems scallion pancakes: meh, i could do without i can't really speak to how "authentic" these dishes are, but it's so freaking good and even though the soup dumplings look small, they're actually quite filling. GDH only takes cash if your bill comes out to be less than $20 (keep that in mind if you're splitting the bill). not surprising since it's chinatown where cash is a must. every visit, i've waited at least 20 minutes, even on week nights, and i had to wait outside because the space is so tiny! :( warning: never come here with a backpack on... you'll bump into everything & everyone. i speak from experience. other than that, feel free to indulge and wear some stretchy pants!
(4)
Samita S.
Seriously - one of THE BEST Chinese Food restaurants I have ever been too in my life. Period. And having a bunch of friends from SF who have taught me the ropes that is saying something. Granted I usually keep it safe and stick with my classics - but at this place - my usual classics were the BEST I've ever had anywhere Recommend in this order (ranked in awesomeness) 1A. Beef Fried Rice 1B. Singapore Noodles 2. Mini juicy pork dumplings (soup dumplings) - LOVE their soy sauce/vinegar thing they serve with this.. killer 3. Scallion Pancakes Tried but not as Impressive (worth a shot first time around) - Pan fried pork buns - Spring Rolls Expect: To wait. Write your name down. To not get good service, but the food makes it not even matter. To sit with random strangers in a cramped space - as they put you wherever they can. But that can be fun too if you're chill. To eat hella good chinese food.
(5)
Ashley N.
First time here and I would come back! We started out with mini dumplings with pork and mini dumplings with pork and crab meat. Both were delicious. I loved the one with crab meat but everyone else at the table liked the only pork. The soup was amazing in this. These did not need the soy sauce it came with because each dumplings is already rich in flavor. Twice Cooked Pork - beautifully done and well recommended. My favorite out of all the dishes. The peppers, cabbage, black beans, and whatever else was in there was very well mixed with the sauce and good. I would get this again when I go back. Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce - cannot go wrong with a vegetable side dish. Next time I'll try it with oyster sauce. Sauteed Julienne Beef* with long horn peppers - pretty good, not spicy, I ate all the peppers that came with it and the beef was tasty too. Sauteed Noodle with chicken and vegetables - got this with the flat noodles and it was pretty good. Liked the sauce and I enjoy flat noodles vs chow mein noodles. Very busy, they won't sit you until your whole party is there. I recommend 4 people max, but they can fit a large group. We had 6 people. There are only 3 large round tables there. Service was fine and typical. Prices were great! Among the six of us, we were all satisfied and well fed. I would definitely wake up just to come here to avoid the wait.
(5)
Jey Y.
Bad service...no intend to take care customer, they feel like they don't need to care, food is ok. I was there by myself, they put me right next to fish tan, which is fine. I move the table toward other side LITTLE bit, the tea pot was broken before and spill all over the table. I asked sever to wipe out the water, then he blamed me for moving the table. I asked if I can change table, the sever told me I can't, at the time, there were two empty tables available. Just because I was alone, they won't willing give me table. I really hope everyone knows how bad they are. Just because they r making money, doesn't meaning they are good.
(1)
Jen L.
You might have to wait for a table and it's certainly not comfy, but you should make the trip, if only for the mini juicy dumplings (pork/cabbage - fried) and the scallion pancake. I have tried the soup dumplings, but didn't love them. There's no liquor, just a few varieties of bottled beer and some sodas, and they don't take plastic for less than $20.
(4)
Alice S.
This place is always so packed with lines out the door, that I just had to go in and see what this was all about. The wait was around 10 minutes for me which wasn't bad - but mind you, there were only two other people in line that night. The one thing that you should know is that this place is pretty small, meaning that a majority of the time, you might have to share a table unless you specifically tell them that you don't want to. We ordered: - egg drop soup (5/5) - Mini Juicy Dumplings with pork (5/5) - Mango Shrimp And Scallops (2/5)
(4)
Alice Z.
I'll give 5 star for the variety they offer, but the food was just ok if you know authentic Chinese food. This is a place good for people who don't know Chinese food that well. :-) the shanghainess soup dumplings were actually not that good. The Taiwanese clam was just ok as well. I tried it once while I'm in Boston, but it's not something I would wait for 40 min for again. But they still deserve 4 stars for trying!
Best diner in Chinatown. No doubt. Nice boss, large plate and reasonable price. Most important, entrees taste good! But service needs to be improved anyway.
(4)
Jessica C.
Finally a place in Boston that doesn't try to do a chinese/japanese/thai fusion all at once. I'm from mainland china and this place does not leave me feeling unsatisfied like fusion places often do. i came here on a monday night with a group of 6 and we waited about 25min. We ordered 10 dishes in total and the bill came out to 17$/person including taxes and tips. It was extremely satisfying as that price would not even cover a plate of pasta from the cheesecake factory. Overall I can't complain, too bad we didn't get to try some of the truly authentic dishes since it was some people's first time having authentic chinese food. The service was definitely not polite but you come here for good food and that's all. Here is what we had : 4 trays of juicy soup dumplings (pork+crab) - these were super juicy with real pieces of crab meat, definitely well liked by everyone 1 tray of steamed vegetable dumplings (those were huge) - didn't try this, the vegetarian friend liked it chicken lo mein - as good as lo mein gets general tsao's chicken - i'm not a fan of american chinese food but this one was definitely tasty watercress stir fry - lived up to authentic chinese standards hot and sour soup - can't go wrong with this one veggie tofu soup - kinda bland, one of the less exciting dishes
(4)
Nancy F.
Seafood soup. Delicious had chinese seaweed. Very good. Seafood chow mein was yummy with abalone. One of the best chow meins I've tasted. Eggplant with basil tasted fresh. Pork crab dumplings were large and squirty. So Michael Douglas and Anne Hathaway ate here too. It's very small. But very quaint and our waiter was cute and awesome.
(4)
Maria B.
Love their dumplings and any of their seafood dishes , it can be a lit of wait but it is worth it
(5)
Jack W.
I grew up eating amazing Chinese food from home cooked to authentic restaurants. This place was awful we waited 45 min to get seated when told 25 and that would have not bothered had the food been good. I'll start this review by saying we sat with our table against the fish tanks..... cool right except the actively dying fish floating around sideways. We orders anyhow despite this. dumpling noodle soup The noodle texture was more like spaghetti and the dumplings thick and doughy skin not good. Scallion cakes Over fried and dripping with grease not good Beef pan fried noodles Good sauce and veggies but I counted and 5 total pieces of beef pretty skimpy. Sezchuan chicken Good spice and wok flavor but after we asked for white rice it never came and our waitress never came back or look our way. Over all I think it was the worst service I have ever received. I usually tip well but felt do neglected and rushed that I did not tip much and the waitress had the nerve to try to ask me about it. I do not understand how she did not comprehend that her service was flipping terrible. Awful experience from getting a table to paying the bill and to fish that we had to watch die ( we also told them about the fish they didn't care)
(1)
Jinyen Y.
Arrived at Boston on Christmas Eve ... that spells trouble and hunger :( Based on my experience, Chinatown is always open and I can count on a trip there to scavenge for something to fill up my hungry tummy. I walked around Chinatown and was instantly attracted to this place because there were so many people in the restaurant (not sure if it was because everyone else was desperate like me or was the place really good). This place also fits my budget more than the southeast asian restaurant next door. We were seated rather quickly in spite of the long line (there were only two of us). We had to share a table with a couple but I guess that's the norm for busy Chinese restaurants. We looked around and it seems that everyone else was ordering the dumplings and the zha jiang mian (loosely translated: minced meat and bean noodles), therefore we did the same. Dumplings: 8 dumplings generously wrapped in meat. We had the beef and cabbage dumplings ($6.25). It was good but I am not a huge fan of beef in dumplings. Definitely kept me full. This came out the latest and we wanted to cancel it. The waitress wouldn't let us do it (signals poor service to me) and said that she would have to pay for the dish if customers cancel...what?????????? Zha Jiang Noodles: Yum! Maybe I was just too hungry but the noodles tasted really good. It was super filling and we had a tough time finishing them. I would recommend it as a side dish. Taiwan Braised Meat (taiwan kou rou): So delicious! I was swiping through pictures from fellow Yelpers and was so attracted to it. Although I knew two carb-filled dishes would fill us up, I still ordered this. I just needed some meat for Christmas Eve. It costs $10.50 and was a huge plate of fatty meat with some spinach (?) on the bottom of the plate. The fatty part of the meat was so soft and instantly melted in my mouth. I was eating all the meat (fats and meat) until I looked across the table and saw my bf healthily remove the fatty part. I felt so guilty and only ate the meat ;( *regret* We had leftovers and our bill came out to $27 (tax + tips) . Such a great deal !
(4)
Vivian C.
Although Gourmet Dumpling House labels itself as "A Taste of Northern and Southern Chinese Cuisine" I've always considered it as one of 3 Taiwanese restaurants in our little Chinatown. I've never been to the Gourmet Dumpling House, as I've always headed to Taiwan Cafe and their glorious pork chop rice plate when I was in the center of Chinatown, and to Dumpling Cafe and their thin skinned soup dumplings when I came along Washington Street. The rest of my party had never made it in either as they found that the Gourmet Dumpling House always had a wait for one of its tables. One early evening, we decided to give it a shot. Despite the earliness of our attempt, there was still a wait, but since we were quoted 10 minutes, we stayed. Once the round table was vacated, the five of us were seated beneath the vent. The bad - it was chilly. The good - I did not smell the stinky tofu we ordered, though others at the table did. Taiwanese Style Fried Chicken with Basil $10.95 - large chunks of fried tender chicken. Crispy Stinky Tofu $6.95 - not my thing, but it was consumed by the rest of the table. Beef with Scallions Rolled Pancakes $8.95 - sliced into 4 portions, it was a nice fat crispy pancake rolled around a thin portion of sliced beef. Although the ratio could be improved upon, the taste and enjoyment of theirs could give that of Jo Jo Tai Pei's a run for the money. Enjoy it while it is still hot and crispy. Fried Pork Intestines $7.50 - good. Try it - I dare you. If you like fried things, and you eat meat, you'll like this. Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork (7) $7.50 - each dumpling was large, thin skinned and soupy. 1-2 per person would be fine; 3 was stretching it. Eat it while it is still hot but be careful to not get burned by the steam. Pork and Leeks Dumplings $7.50 (Fried + 25 cents) - surprisingly juicy inside. I personally prefer the fried version. But what's new with that? Sauteed U-Toy with Garlic (no idea) - we needed something green, so we asked what was fresh today. This was good too. They were packed, but the food was good. You can charge if it is $20 or more. 3.5 stars.
I must admit I was kind of disappointed but I think because the bar is set high coming from some of the best soup dumplings in NYC. I ordered the pork soup dumpling or as the menu stated, the pork mini juicy dumplings. Keep in mind I ordered them for take out as the dine in line was about a half hour for our group. The dumplings had a very nice thin skin, but the broth to me was bland and lacking flavor. I wound up using a lot of dumpling sauce to add flavor into my bite. The scallion pancake was delicious and a hit with the group. It was not too greasy and had wonderful flavor. I also order the spicy beef tripe. It was the bible tripe and not the honeycomb which the bible is much better to eat. It was very spicy but very tasteful. Only disappointed with the xlbs/soup dumplings.
(3)
Sophia S.
Please do not come here. The waitress was the RUDEST person I have ever met. She clearly did not want to wait on us and kept walking by our table before she finally decided to take our order. It's not my fault she hates her job. It took her 25 minutes to bring us water and when she did, she threw it on the table and it splashed everywhere. We repeatedly asked for our food and finally someone else brought it to us. When the food did come, the dumplings were sub par and mushy. The crab rangoons were all cream cheese and not crispy. There was no real crab meat in them. Then, to make things better, when we got home from this horrible and DIRTY establishment, my friend and I both had food poisoning all night. Save yourself and do not eat here.
(1)
Vivian D.
Great place for classic Chinese food! There is usually ALWAYS a wait for this place, but I only had to wait five minutes for a party of five because they moved seats for us- loving this place already. We got a variety of food- beef with string beans, (I don't recall what our ribs were called), chicken pad thai, and mini juicy dumplings with pork! Dumplings were great and definitely juicy, exploded in my mouth! I'm definitely come back for the pad thai as well!!!! Only non-favorite item would be the baby ribs we ordered. It was pretty tasty still since we were starved, but I wouldn't come back here just for the ribs. The service was nice and quick! I love the communication system here. Everyone is on task and works smoothly!
(4)
Lucas X.
Foods are really really really wonderful. !!!!!!!!! Even though you may wait for a while, but it worths it. You won't regret it!!!
(5)
Lin G.
Eating out for me is pretty straightforward. Food quality is paramount. Ambiance, service, and all that other crap doesn't really matter. Until you come to Dumpling House and realize that, well, maybe that's not always the case. This place crammed in the most possible amount of seats into it's square footage. There's not an extra inch of space at the tables or aisles. God forbid if you have larger than a 32 inch waist, because fucker, you won't fit in the seats or even be able to walk into the restaurant. Am okay with that... (unless it's winter time in Boston and you are actually wearing outerwear, because there's no space for that here). What really bothered me was the quality of the "service". The worst places in China has this place beat by a long shot. No smiles, rough demeanor, rushed us out with a check and no thank you. Just really mean all around and there was NO reason for it. The food, however, seemed to be authentic and good. If you don't mind horribly rude service and hardly any space to rest a tiny clutch on the table in return for decent Chinese food, then this place is for you.
(3)
Jenny X.
å—北家å›is suppose to be the best chinese food restaurant here in LA, or atleast one of the best. But upon just moving in to Boston and first time here, I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed. Not only the lines were extremely long, the tables were crowded, the service was also slow and unattentive. My tea cup had some red residue of food on it, which I was mildly disgusted with, but could not do much since it pretty much takes long time for them to get anything. We got the é…¸èœå¤§è‚ ，雪èœæ¯›è±†ï¼Œèš‚èšä¸Šæ ‘，and 蒜泥白肉. Besides the 蒜泥白肉everything else was par standard. é…¸èœå¤§è‚ was a bit soggy with big pieces of veggies, èš‚èšä¸Šæ ‘ wasn't even cooked with the right kind of noodles! Traditionally this dish would be cooked with 粉ä¸ï¼Œwhich lets the flavor of the scrambled meat be absorbed into the noodles, but they use 粉æ¡, which are long and flat glass noodles. It was just not the same, quite bland and the texture was weird. Mind, the english translation was "ANTS on the tree" ; how much more careless can you be? I guess that my taste buds are too spoiled from all that variety of Asian cuisine in LA...Ah, I really miss even the simple dishes like å°ç™½èœï¼Œå¤å¤§è‚ ，ç›é…¥é¸¡. MAYBE, after some time here, I'm going to be thinking this is actually gourmet food. Especially after being stranded in the room after Boston starts to get cold...But let me hope that I would never have to think coming here may actually be a treat.
(3)
Craig W.
I was visiting a friend in Boston and he said this was a must for our food tour. Of course I had to have the dumplings since it is the dumpling house and I have to say that they were incredible! We ordered an assortment of dumplings and all of them were delicious. They was only one sauce that I did not really like (too much vinegar) but service and the dumplings made up for it. I would definitely recommend Gourmet Dumpling House for some great dumplings!
(4)
Ven H.
This place serves northern Chinese food, so if you like spicy, dumplings food, GO!! Quite authentic, dishes are fairly priced. A lot of options!! Lunch specials are great deals!
(3)
Vy L.
My boyfriend and I went to "Gourmet Dumpling House" yesterday in hopes to satisfy our soup dumplings craving. Having had my first soup dumplings experience in New York, I knew it would be hard to find a place that would come close to it. We were excited to stumble across a restaurant dedicated to dumplings in Chinatown Boston. I have to say that the soup dumplings at Gourmet Dumpling House were pretty good! The broth inside was flavorful, meat juicy, and the dumpling itself was a good size. We also ordered the Taiwanese rice cakes with pork and vegetables which was very very bland. The hot oil on the side provided no spice, and all the glasses and silverware came out very wet. ( At least polish the glasses and silverware before you hand them out. ) The place inside is very tiny. I felt a bit claustrophobic while there and it is the norm for people to bump into you while eating. Service is what you would expect in Chinatown, quick and nothing special. Would I come back? Yeah, just for soup dumplings only though.
(3)
Changlong M.
The waiter is so rude. Can't get your water Like forever. The food is just soso. So bad experience ever.
(1)
Mahina W.
Went to Boston for a festival and decided to check out Chinatown. Found Gourmet Dumpling House on Yelp and decided to check it out. There were a ton of people waiting outside but the wait for a party of 7 was only about 10 minutes. We ordered: Appetizers: **chicken and cabbage dumplings **pan-fried pork and shrimp dumplings Entree: **okra in sa-cha sauce **szechuan style frog hot pot - the frog legs were very tender but what I really like about this dish are the spicy Napa cabbage and bean sprouts underneath! **vegetable fried rice **sauteed beef julienne with long horned peppers - my favorite!! I love spicy food and this dish so love it when restaurants have it. **braised tofu with scallions and vegetables Drinks: **qingdao beer **they also provide hot tea The service was incredibly fast and the food was delicious. Don't know what else I could hope for in Chinatown!
(5)
Alan G.
Pros: + Decent food + Wide selection of food Cons: - Overpriced - Long wait - Slow service - Cash only for orders under $20 Came here for dinner with my friend on Friday night, around 6:20pm. We were told it would be about a 25-minute wait. We ended up waiting til 7pm (35 minutes) to be seated. After being seated, we weren't even handed menus until 15 minutes in! We ordered soup dumplings, chinese watercress, szechuan fish, and twice cooked pork. The food was served in a timely fashion, and the quality of the food itself was decent, but nothing extraordinary. The serving sizes are deceptive. The meat dishes look large, but most of it is filler veggies - the actual meat portion is not very substantial, given the price. Our overall bill, pre-tip, was over $50. Overall, I don't think it was worth it to come here. The wait is long, the service was slow, the food was expensive and in small portions, and not good enough to justify it all.
(3)
Joe L.
Great Food! I was by myself so seating was quick and I was seated directly in front of the register and front door. This would not be my recommendation as this place is tight and everyone entering and leaving will be bumping into you while you're eating. I was lucky to get in an early start prior to the big crowd. A big line had formed before as I left. I suggest eating a little early like 5-6pm if you need to get in and out quickly. However the turnover is quick. I started of with a pork buns than I would NOT recommend and eventually sent back. Next I had the pork steamed dumplings that were superb, perfect! I Then I ordered the ginger and scallion lobster. Also Excellent. Apparently they steam the lobster then shake it in the a thick ginger-scallion sauce. However they do this, it's heavenly. Chinese clear like gravy with some spices and its served in broken shells for the digging. Messy but delicious. The tea served with all meals was good. If the Tsingtao beers could have been delivered cold this would have been a plus. Overall a very nice experience and a real value that I personally would highly recommend the Gourmet Dumpling House.
(4)
Sarah H.
I can't get Soup Dumplings in Maine, so trips to bigger cities often involves a search for dim sum. There was a wait at Gourmet Dumpling House - not unusual for a Sunday afternoon, according to other reviews. The place is small and very crowded, our two-top table was right up next to the folks next to us - not a problem for us, as both parties respected the others' privacy. The Scallion Pancakes were great - crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. We didn't love the Pan Fried Dumplings with pork and shrimp and cabbage. We got two orders of the Mini Juicy Pork Buns (aka soup dumplings) and ate all of them. They had a thicker skin than some I've had, but that makes them easier to pick up and eat. They were very flavorful, and served with a salty/sour (probably black vinegar and ginger?) sauce. Overall, very nice.
(4)
Yan C.
This will forever be my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. I take my friends here on the weekends, my family here when they visit, and my colleagues here during lunch. When anyone comes up to me asking where to get Chinese food in Boston, I always point them this way. I feel like a spokesperson for Gourmet Dumpling House lol. Honestly I've been here so many times and I enjoyed every dish - each is freshly prepared, well seasoned, reasonably priced and 100% authentic. They also come in generous portions, which are perfect for family style. Some of my favorites are: Szechuan style spicy fish, beef noodle soup, XLB (soup dumplings), and shredded pork with garlic sauce. The restaurant is almost always packed. They could really use an expansion. If you come during prime time, expect a long wait, but trust me it is SO worth it. They call your name when a table is ready, so don't go too far. Get your taste buds and wallet ready, and I guarantee you will go home with a happy belly.
(5)
Tae J.
Ok, I heard people rave about this gourmet dumpling house and that we must try it. Understand that we have had other dumpling house in the area such as Taiwan cafe and dumpling cafe and honestly this place was sub-par ( bad ). The staff are willing to be helpful but fail to be so. The food is mediocre at best. I wasted 45 mins waiting on a Sunday around 1:30 for a seat to be passed along for other Chinese speaking guests. If that wasn't enough to speak of this place, the food we ordered, which was standard Chinese/ Taiwanese food was sub-par. The soup dumplings were too thick and most were popped before arriving to us. If you want a no-nonsense restaurant this is not the place to come. I would have rather gone to dumpling cafe or Taiwan cafe than here. I know better now. Don't waste your time.
(1)
Maggie X.
I'll admit.. I've been called a Chinese food snob more than once in my life, but I guiltlessly blame it on Northern California's amazing Chinese cuisine and my mom's authentic cooking. For somewhere that I hear always has lines out the door, Gourmet Dumpling House did not impress me. The interior is minimalistic and standard of typical Chinese restaurants. Service was decent but spotty, and servers seemed fluent in both Chinese and English. Beef in spicy chili sauce (cold appetizer dish): ( yelp.com/biz_photos/gour… ) One of my biggest pet peeves is when meat is refrigerated and then taken out immediately before serving. It dries out the meat, gives it a kind of "refrigerator taste" (for lack of a better term), and is still cold upon eating. A chill is fine, but cold that makes my teeth hurt isn't. This platter had all the aforementioned concerns, and it was very unenjoyable. There was also a bed of filler iceberg lettuce on the bottom that wasn't very fresh and chopped garlic on top that didn't go too well with the spicy sauce. Pork and chive dumplings: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/gour… ) As a native of Beijing, I've had some of the best dumplings that Northern China has to offer, and unfortunately the fare here does not compare. The dumplings themselves were waterlogged and overboiled, and while the filling wasn't bad, it was pretty oily and a tad oversalted. Also, the dipping sauce was splashed everywhere on the plate, which was slightly frustrating because I don't usually eat most of my dumplings with sauce. Pan-fried pork buns: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/gour… ) These pan-fried pork buns were decently good and probably my favorite part of the meal. The filling had good flavor and wasn't overly salty, the wrapper was softly raised, and the pan-fried bottom was browned to a nice crisp. Beef sauteed with long horn chili peppers: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/gour… ) This dish had a decent amount of heat, and the smoky wok flavor was definitely there. There were long horn chili peppers as well as green bell peppers sliced into uniform chunks, which complemented the strips of beef well. It was a little salty, but this dish would have been pretty good with a bowl of rice. Overall, my first meal in Boston was perhaps my least favorite. I don't believe I'll be back.
(2)
Sir James L.
From the smiles and helpful food suggestions from the staff to the amazing new spices my palate was filled with, the gourmet dumpling house is a must try. Affordable, plentiful, and mouthwatering...and that wasn't just the hot peppers. The wait is often 20 to 45 minutes, so get there a little early. The restaurant isn't large, but it's always full. The dumplings are to die for, but don't go killing yourself for a dumpling. Life is never that bad. Time will heal or maybe a dumpling or five will do the trick. Family owned and run. Enjoy!
(5)
Alexandra M.
We got a double order of the crab rangoons, probably should have gotten more... They were fantastic and everyone at the table wanted more. The fried tofu by itself was quite bland, but the sauce was amazing. Just don't go on a date after (or during...) because it's basically a pound of garlic. The dumplings were a bit disappointing, as they were dry. Service was pretty fast, and the quote for how long we would wait was on point.
(4)
Roberto M.
Dumpling Gourmet? Not at all!!! We were today eating some of them in our visit to Boston and we had the impression they were frozen Dumplings heated up in the microwave. Some of them were actually cold. The service was horrible and they told us we must give more Tip then we did. We can't at all recommend this place. We really like Chinese Food and we tried a lot in different places (NYC, Philadelphia...) so we know what we are talking about. This place never ever.
(1)
Matt K.
Best restaunt in China Town. Dumplings were excellent, attentive service (once you have their attention), and one of the few places with great beer and the allowance of credit cards! It finest get better! This is the place to go in Chinatown!
(5)
Steven J.
Ever watch the YouTube videos of chefs reading YELP reviews? I'm not a chef, but if I've ever seen one restaurant on YELP that embodies all that is wrong with YELP, just dive into the reviews here! OMFG. I'm sorry, but I've never seen so much stupidity in one place. Seriously: CONS: long lines, poor service, it's too crowded, my wait time was 10 minutes longer than what I was quoted, they didn't give me rice, there wasn't enough ice in my water, they were pissed I left a $1 tip (by the way, what ass***e leaves a $1 tip, blah blah blah! And OMG, a packed busy dive restaurant employed by workers who speak a different language made a mistake in taking your order. It happens. You ate in Chinatown. It's going to be all of the above and if you want hipsters charging you $300 to drink specialty bourbon cocktails in your overpriced jeans and eat (admittedly) so damn good food, with impeccable service, that's awesome. I LOVE those places and frequent them as much as possible. But you're in F***ING Chinatown where you can fill your bellies with some amazing food (yes the soup dumplings can burn your mouth -- DUH) for one-tenth the cost, but come on! Don't be the douche who walks into a restaurant who asks for no butter, cream, or salt and send a dish back because it's bland! Chefs hate you! Oh. My food review. The food is amazing. I don't mind being wedged in. I've met some cool people as a result. People. Relax. Take a deep breath. Enjoy eating. Enjoy being with your friends. And have some fun eating some amazing food.
(5)
Jess S.
Tiny, crowded, and authentic. The staff are short (in speech) and the service is quick. You will probably have to get your name on a list if you show up during dinner hours, but you can walk around a bit outside and it goes by pretty quickly. The tables are crammed in the small space, so make sure not to bring in a bunch of shopping bags or something like that. Every inch counts here. My three friends and I got two orders of crab rangoon. YUM. I could have eaten more. The fried tofu was super hot when it came out but a bit bland in the end. The garlic dipping sauce, however, saved it. Just make sure you bring a breath mint for after. The vegetable dumplings largely disappointing and dry, especially considering it's named a dumpling house.
Fast, simple , and accurate review for people who don't want to read a novel finding out if a place is good. Ordered: ( 2/3 stars) Had the salt and pepper pork, salt and pepper lobster, hot and sour soup, fried rice, and shang hai dumplings. There is always a line for this place and I'm not sure why. I recommend Taiwan Cafe which is down the street from it. The price is well affordable for what you are getting. Service: (0/1 star) Bad service. Cleanliness and parking (0/1 star) dirty Go once to fulfill the hype.
(2)
Jennifer S.
Delicious dumplings...but what would you expect from the gourmet dumpling house? I stopped in for lunch while I was visiting Boston on business and had some amazing pork dumplings. Flavorful and filling and just what I was looking for before heading to meetings.
(4)
LikMeng L.
A lot of hype. Very much over rated. Dumpling was not good. Singapore fried mee hoon too much tumeric.
(2)
Starr V.
The food is delicious but don't go if your in a hurry or expecting doting service...they move pretty slow until they're ready for you to pay and clear the table. Portions are huge so plan on sharing.
(4)
Mel C.
I've only been here 2 or 3 times in the 6 years that I've lived in Boston. You know how you go to Italy and you're looking for a restaurant.. Well the type of restaurant you want is with all the local Italians eating there. The ones you want to avoid are the ones with menus in 5 languages and selfie stick tourists. Gourmet Dumpling House is the selfie stick equivalent of "good Chinese food" in Boston. Service at Chinese restaurants is normally rushed and rude, but Gourmet Dumpling House is on a completely different level. The hostess is on her phone right now editing a selfie on Meitu (Chinese photoshop), while I'm standing here waiting to pay for my takeout. It's funny because they have photos of all these celebrities on the wall, and I'm sure they treat Michael Douglas and Ming Tsai with a big smile. But hey, how do they know I'm not a relative of Ming Tsai? (I'm not). In terms of food, it is an MSG bomb. I even asked for no MSG once and they said that they can't do it. Expect oil, salt, Panda Express flavors. Make sure you have a gallon of water afterwards cause you're going to need it. It gets 2 stars because the one redeeming dish is the Szechuan fish in chili oil. (æ°´ç…®éšï¼‰ Go to Taiwan cafe instead. Trust me.
(2)
Karen L.
Yikes, whaaat. I was not impressed with these dumplings at all. Juicy, sure, but the flavor wasn't there. Their chicken wings were great though! I would suggest getting an order of those if you aren't satisfied with dumplings. Also, be aware of the crowd. This place is tiny, and you'll surely elbow/be elbowed by someone. Love how sassy the servers are when they talk to each other though. They scream at each other across the restaurant without care.
(3)
Cathy S.
This place always has a line, and while I think some of the food is worth a wait, the overall experience here is just okay. My latest visit was at 6PM on a Friday night, and there was already a line outside. We ended up getting seated at what was essentially one table, but they seated another couple next to us so we had to share the table. The actual service was prompt and while the people there weren't warm and friendly, they weren't necessarily rude either. The soup dumplings were pretty good, as were the other dishes, but I don't think the meal was amazing in any way. Prices are cheap and the menu is big, but if the line were long, I'd happily eat elsewhere too. PS Entrees don't come with rice so be sure to order some if you want it.
(3)
Whit T.
Two words: COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT We came here to try it out instead of going to our usual favorites in Chinatown for Sunday brunch, bearing though the wait-time (which was twice as long as what we were quoted) outside, only to have Chinese-speaking patrons (who came after us) seated before us. When we caught onto what was happening, we were told we would need to share a table-which we were fine with-but what we weren't told was that it was two sets of other patrons-6 people at a table made for 4-5 people. Service was by far the worst in any Chinese restaurant we've frequented-and that's saying ALOT. But still we thought we would bear through it if the food was worth it. IT WASN'T. It was (at best) Panda-Express-quality eggplant and basil, bland watercress and garlic, and the soup dumplings were too thick and tasteless. Don't come here; you're better off trying Taiwan Cafe or Dumpling Cafe down the street.
(1)
Mala S.
I decided to try out Gourmet Dumpling House this Sunday since it was such a rainy day and warm dumplings sounded perfect. I also had the illusion that the wait might be less since it was raining out - we quickly realized that wasn't the case. For a table of 2, we waited 40 minutes and since the restaurant is so small, we had to wait outside, with about 10 others also waiting for tables. Once we were finally in, we got warm tea which quickly warmed us up. We had: - Pork Soup Dumplings (7 pcs): quite good. I love soup dumplings and eat them everywhere I can. These ones have great juicy meat inside and are quite big. They were much larger than I expected and 7 between 2 of us was a lot. The skin was decent, I wish it was thinner. - Taiwanese Chicken and Basil: This was great! The dish came with a pretty big pile of chicken pieces ranging from small pieces that were crispy to larger chucks which were juicy. I would definitely recommend this. - Beef with american broccoli: This dish was good but not too out of the ordinary. My boyfriend loved it so we'd probably get it again. The broccoli was nice and fresh and this went well with the white rice. Cons: - The wait - The tables are small so it's hard to have 3 dishes at a 2 person table with the tea and plates.
(4)
A. C.
(6/13/2015) So excited to be in a Chinatown while visiting Boston. Was with 2 Taiwanese co-workers and decided to head to GDH for a late lunch. A table for 5 was open for us in the crammed and bustling dining room (it's probably a fire marshal's worst nightmare). We the Taiwanese food junkies were overly excited and nostalgic and we got waaaay too much food, but it was really delicious. Everything we had was savory and well-seasoned. Specifically came for the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), when hot the skins were chewy and tender, plenty of soup, a dark, rich pork broth, after cooled, a little too chewy and tough to get into. Also to note, these are not the dainty delicate sippers you might be used to, they're kind of gulpers. Pan-fried steamed buns, we got pork and leek, were dense, sweet, puffy, golden crust on the bottom. Best of both the steam bun vs. fried dumpling world (but a def over-filling gut bomb). For light savory dishes go for the stir-fried rice vermicelli (mi fen), with pork, scallions, mung bean sprouts. Scallion Pancakes are crispy and flaky, many layers, well-salted. Plain was delish, but the Scallion Pancake stuffed with Red-cooked Beef, is seriously no joke, intense. Oyster Crepe was extra crisp on the edges, like oil-fried eggs and had an interesting gooey cornstarch chew, oysters plump, red sauce like sweet and sour. Sauteed water spinach was a nice al dente veg to counteract our bunfest. The place is pretty "authentic" as far as cleanliness (it's sticky) and service (it's brusque but efficient) go. Dining room was full the whole time we were there and a line out the door when we left. Prices reasonable if you order like a normal human beings (and not like us).
(5)
Melissa C.
Great food. Terrible service. Study the menu before you go and know what you want to get. Waiters won't answer questions on menu items or make recommendations. The service feels rushed and the check was brought to us mid-meal. The tip is included in the price. Food highlight: pan fried chicken dumplings.
(4)
Michael J.
Came here with my little brother on a Friday for lunch, it was a 5-10 minute wait for a table of two. We ordered the mini juicy pork dumplings, beef and string beans, and sauteed beef with okra (don't order beef and string beans if you are hoping to eat beef). The Good: My brother thought the dumplings were okay, not bad, but not great either. I thought the sauteed beef was decent but my brother said "the flavor was too strong". The Bad: First, a table of two who put down their name after us got seated before us. Second, they forgot to serve us our rice which came with our meals, not a deal breaker, but serving rice at a Chinese restaurant is pretty basic, and all the other tables got their rice. The Ugly: The server spilled soy sauce all over my brothers pants when the server brought us our meal, he didn't say "sorry" or even a " 对ä¸èµ· (Mandarin for sorry)" and left with out even trying to help clean up his mistake (they took off $5 from a $25 bill for the spill). Final Thoughts: I can't remember the last time I experienced service as bad as this, it was just one mistake after the other. As a local Chinese American I know this place is over hyped, the only reason we came here was because my brother wanted to try the restaurant so he could write his own yelp review for it. My brother was not happy that he smelled like soy sauce for the rest of the day. If you know any better, you will avoid this place.
(1)
Dang P.
We tried several dishes here, but overall, the food wasn't that great and the dining area feels very cramped. The restaurant was very busy and there were many servers, but the service didn't exist. The lack of atmosphere and the lack of service would have been ok if the food was outstanding, but it wasn't. However, the prices are low, and they have lunch specials.
I came here with a good friend from college who celebrates Chinese new year, we wanted to have some season appropriate dumplings and enjoy a chat near chinatown. It was cold outside and started to snow as we approached the restaurant and sadly for us there wasn't much room to stand and wait indoors. We made it work and chatted for the half-an hour that it took the crowded place to give up a table. in the time that we were chatting and waiting we'd gotten quite hungry and decided on what to order the second we sat down. We ordered two types of dumplings, one that i know we ordered was fried pork and leek. Additionally we ordered a side of pepper chicken. The dumplings were on point and amazing - fired is the way to go if you aren't watching your weight for this type of meal. The pepper chicken was VERY spicy. The kind of spicy that snaps your throat closed and makes you cough to catch up with yourself. After you get used to that its pretty good. I'd order it again but with rice because I guess I could handle it better - even enjoy it at that rate. To the reviews that debunk this place for making you wait and not having enough room, please don't wait - I will though, the food is worth it.
(4)
Anthony M.
Adding to the GF and mine never-ending quest of visiting places on the Food Network, we came upon this place while coming to Boston for a few days. Was it the best Chinese food I've ever had? No. Was it good? Definitely. If I were from Boston, would I wait outside in the cold regularly for what seems to be a standard 30 minute line for average service and mediocre at best dining accommodations? Maybe. This place is better suited for coming as a larger group and not as a couple. Several groups who arrived after us were seated before us because of the limited 2-person tables--there was only 1 by my count and we were lucky to sit at it, although it's right next to the fish tank and they had to interrupt our meal to pull some people lobsters out. (But at least they were nice enough to give us free sodas for the inconvenience.) Expect to get seated with other people if you're coming as a couple. The portions are also very large which make it a better to come as a group and eat family style and you'll be able to try out more stuff. We ordered an appetizer, an order of dumplings and 2 entrees and it definitely was too much food for 2. The scallion pancakes were very good but don't make me crave them like a place back home. Loved the steamed pork dumplings and they came in a very generous portion of about 10-12. The beef with string beans was tasty but the ratio of beef to string bean might have been a little off. Had to try the Szechuan style sliced fish since it was on Best Thing I've ever ate and on most of the reviews here. I liked it and was happy to try it but it's not something I'll be craving and wanting to stand outside for. Not too spicy (although I'm a bad judge of that since my spice tolerance is pretty high), a good portion of fish, but a little oily. Didn't get automatically charged a tip like some had reviewed. One weird thing also happened. Towards the end of our meal when the GF finished eating but I obviously was still working on the food, the waitress put the check next to me and thanked us. Is that their way of saying GTFO? It's not like we were there an extraordinary amount of time.
(4)
Lucy L.
Great food !!!!! Spicy fish, pepper beef and flounder are really really really great. Here's the only restaurant that you gotta wait in Chinatown. But it means this is a fantastic restaurant.
(5)
Hua X.
i came here with my friends all the time . Their spicy fish,eggplant and Szuchuan toufu are really wonderful.. the best in Boston. GRRAT FOOD
(5)
Alan W.
Awesome meal at the Dumpling House! I really enjoy the XLB dumplings and regular dumplings here. Everything was good and it's definitely a place that I would go back to when in Boston.
(4)
Alex G.
Lot of mixed reviews, and now I know why: there are some good dishes and some very mediocre ones. The secret is to know the difference. Soup dumplings and steamed dumplings were both excellent, and I wished I had stopped there (in terms of dumplings). The vegetable buns were a disaster, and the pork buns were nothing like the ones we normally love. These were overly doughy, too thick, and not the "BBQ pork" filling we like. Skip those. The won ton soup was spicy (huh?), and had a strange seaweed flavor. Not for me, my friends. The tea pot held iced water, instead of hot tea. A disappointment. Overall, this a fair (not great) restaurant that left me saying "meh." Two stars.
(2)
Mark G.
My absolute favorite for dumplings and Chinese. Arrive early and expect to wait for a table if you have a party of more than two. The place is tiny but service moves quickly. Order the pork and crab soup dumplings, the scallion pancake, or some pan-fried pork buns to start. The shrimp and okra in Sa-Cha sauce is amazing and not something I've seen anywhere else in town. The seafood soups (massive, like you'd expect for pho) are great -- just remember the spicier dishes on the menu tend to be the best. Other great choices are the spicy fried pork, the shredded beef and okra, and the salt and pepper shrimp (just remember to order the "peeled" version if you're squeamish about shrimp with the heads still on. If you haven't been here before, you're in for a treat.
(5)
Nick K.
My favorite dinner of the past few months was here. Went with two colleagues, we just ordered a bunch of different stuff off the menu. YES. The soup dumplings were incredible. Miso soup was great. Scallion pancakes were super tasty too! Small place, you might have to wait, but in my opinion was worth it.
(5)
David R.
OK dim sum and Chinese food - wasn't amazing, but wasn't bad. We managed the get seated right away which was great, but I was a tad disappointed with the food.
(3)
Lucy W.
Awesome food! And I can't believe how much you get for your money. You can't go wrong with the dumplings, pork buns and flat noodles. My fav... the soup dumplings... DELICIOUS. I came with a group of about 15 people, and amazingly, they were able to accommodate us very easily. We all ordered a personal entree. And some people ordered an entree AND an app. Big mistake. The portion sizes are HUGE! We had so many leftovers (which got devoured at 2 AM after a night at the bars).
(5)
Diana L.
Yo whyyyy is this place so popular?! Is it because white people see a line and they think "must be good" ? Taiwan Cafe is so much better and they never really have giant lines. Plus this place rudely suggested that I leave a 20% tip on my check at a table of just me and my boyfriend -- they wrote the 20% tip amount at the top of my receipt! I was like uh no. I tipped 15% and was fully ready to defend my tip on the way out but they didn't bring it up to me. We got: - pan fried dumplings - soup dumplings - stinky tofu - mapo tofu - a Szechuan chicken stir fry dish I wasn't blown away by anything. The dumplings were really good but the soup dumplings at Taiwan Cafe are better - I've had them many times. The stinky tofu is also better and stinkier (to me better & stinkier is one and the same) at Taiwan cafe. Mapo tofu is also better there and the chicken stir fry was good but nothing to write home about. All in all: good but nothing to write home about and if you're in Chinatown just go to Taiwan cafe, it's incredible.
(3)
Bonnie C.
Gourmet Dumpling House is one of those places that you can go to knowing that it's going to be a great and satisfying meal. Whenever I come here, I order 1-2 trays of pork soup dumplings, beef chow fun, and spinach. Occasionally, I would order something different, like fried pork intestines or pan-fried dumplings. All of which are really good. It's usually really crowded, so when you get there, there will probably be two parties waiting. They tell you the wait is 20 minutes, but they usually seat you within 5-10 minutes. The service there is fast, but also really great. The tables are rather close to each other, so it does get annoying when you have to maneuver through them, but that's okay. It's not a huge problem. The only thing to really "complain" about is how small the restaurant is. For a super busy and successful restaurant like theirs, they should really consider expanding it. Though I'm pretty sure they've already considered it, haha. Not really a complaint, but it would be nice if they did.
(5)
Gigi L.
GDH seem to target the American demographics. Most of their patrons were not Chinese--this makes me raise an eyebrow.... Anyways, the food was decent, but I couldn't taste the authenticity in their recipes. Got the Szechwan Spicy Fish, Xaio long bao, and scallion pancake. The fish wasn't spicy at all and extremely oily. They put napa cabbage on the bottom but it does nothing to the dish. Its def not the best thing i have ever ate, as proclaimed by Food Network. The XLB had thee thickest skin. I think they do this to preserve the soup when steaming them. Real XLB are supposed to have a thin and delicate skin with a scrumptious flavorful center. It was not accomplished here. My friend really enjoyed the scallion pancake because it was crispy, but I thought it was just okay. Not sure if i'll be back a second time... Def going back to Cali to get my XLB fix
(2)
Simon L.
Go for lunch, before 11:30am and you may not have to wait in line. Go later or for dinner and suffer the consequences. A menu that is giant, keep to the stuffy haven't heard of and it will not disappoint. Sliced fish Szechuan style put this place on the map appearing in numerous television shows. It is a stew of luscious fish served in nearly boiling bean paste broth with piles of fiery peppers and dusted with a mountain of crushed chili. Take a bite un-expectantly and you will surely be consumed with fire while chocking simultaneously. It is a marvelous dish - sweet, tender, thick, spicy. A meal in and of itself. As for the namesake dumplings? An order of the mini broth filled pork ones ($7.50) will do. Wrapped in a dumpling casing that is thin enough to puncture with a small amount of pressure from your chop sticks, these babies are loaded with scalding broth and a hearty portion of ground pork. Twice cooked pork ($10.95) comes with cabbage, a pile of thin sliced pork in a black bean and pepper preparation. Scallion shoots, red pepper flakes, black beans. Tight quarters. Brusk service. Spectacular food.
(4)
Robert R.
Dumpling House is small and crowded, the service is chaotic but quick. I never know who my waiter/waitress (I think the entire waitstaff just swarms all the tables) is when I eat here, but the food always comes out quick. Eat the dumplings. Eat the soup dumplings. This is the only reason you would go here. They're amazing! It doesn't hurt that they're hard to find anywhere else. The rest of the menu is so-so; I reiterate: Eat Dumplings!
(3)
Chenkai L.
There is always seem to be a long line at time place, and I will say it does deserve the popularity. The space inside is small, tables are packed tight and there's definitely a feeling of claustrophobia inside this place. But what it lacks in atmosphere and space, it makes up for in cheap delicious food. There are a couple dishes here that they are famous for. One of the 水煮鱼, or spicy fish is cooked to perfect in delicious sichuan style sauce. As red as it looks, it actually not very spicy at all but tastes awesome. The other are the soup dumplings, which they make really well, I have to say they make the best soup dumplings in boston, and the price is unbeatable. A new location opened by Central Square that seems a lot more legit, larger space, better menu, better decor, which has now become one of my favorite restaurants. However, I think the Chinatown location still makes their soup dumplings better.
(5)
Kathleen B.
So delicious, try the Singapore noodles! The staff seated us fast and food came quick
(4)
Adam L.
This place serves some pretty authentic dishes. The negative of coming here is that it can get pretty crowded and you may have to wait a bit. I got taiwanese noodles, xiao long baos, scallion pancakes. I have been to this place multiple times so i can attest to the food here. The food here is made with great flavorful quality. This place always has me stuffed by the end of my meal. The prices are fair and the quantity is on the better side. The one thing i will say about the xiao long baos is that its okay. I've tried the xiao long baos here and they're not the best ones that i've had. The size of them are normal sizes. The thing i look for in xiao long baos is the tastiness of the broth and the quality of the wrap. These aren't just on par with the better ones that i've had. Not to say that its not worth getting, but its just not something that i would die for. I'd prob come here once a week.
(3)
Claire W.
I made a yelp account just to put out my review on this restaurant. That's how disappointed I am. Credentials: I lived in Shanghai for the past three years. So I've had authentic xiao long bao and dumplings. My favorite xiao long bao joint in Shanghai is probably Din Tai Fung haha. We went on Sunday night during memorial day weekend. For many years I've heard about this place and decided to try it. Here's what we ordered: Oyster Pancake with Gravy Seafood Dumplings Mini juicy dumplings with pork (Xiao long bao) Yu Hsian Sauteed Shredded Pork In Spicy Sauce The oyster pancake was pretty standard, but if I was in the mood for oyster pancake I would go to a Taiwanese restaurant. Yu Hsian pork was okay, a bit sweet and not that spicy. The regular entrees here are probably okay. But....the dumplings at Gourmet Dumpling House? Awful. The shape is weird and small, and too much dough. Probably to cut costs. The fillings aren't that good either. There wasn't enough filling, and the filling was bland. The xiao long bao here are horrendous. Rather, I felt like I was eating large dumplings filled with water. The dough was too thick and probably dumpling dough. The shape was flat and large. The actual shape of xiao long bao should be smaller and more neat. I'm not sure how to describe it since I don't make these. You can look up pictures of xiao long bao, and compare them to the ones here. They're different. I was so disappointed. I can't believe that people go here for dumplings. For my family (and probably most typical Chinese families), if we want dumplings we'll get the frozen dumplings from the Asian grocery store. If we have lots of time or it's a special occasion, we'll make our own. Getting your own frozen dumplings from Super88 or Cmart is cheaper and better than here. Go here for anything but dumplings.
(2)
Meghan D.
This place is always busy- but they turn around the tables pretty quickly. The food is incredible, best Chinese I have ever had. Definitely get the scallion pancakes for an appetizer and I get chicken fried rice & sweer and sour chicken. Service is not very good, neither is the atmosphere or inside of the restaurant, but really everyone seems to be there for the food. A+
(4)
Holly C.
Love the soup dumplings, pork and leek steamed dumplings, and spicy sliced fish! Small restaurant that always has a line out the door, but it moves fast and it is worth the wait! Just be careful and let the soup dumplings cool off a bit before popping one in your mouth!
(5)
Donna J.
Finally had their sliced fish szechuan style after seeing countless customers order it. It didn't give me the WOW I was waiting for, but it is good. Not too spicy, but it is pretty oily. The fish crumbles if you don't have a light hand with chopsticks. Can't really describe how it tastes, the fish kind of melts in your mouth. I've been here a handful of times and service is fine for a small busy restaurant. I wouldn't recommend coming with a large party as the times I've been seated more quickly have been when we were only two in a party. Also, be prepared to sometimes sit with strangers or on top of other customers because the tables are inches apart. My go-to is the Juicy Pork Dumplings also known as soup dumplings. I don't know if there is a specific way to eat these, but my friend stated that you take a spoon full of the dark vinegar sauce, plop the dumpling in the saucy spoon, and bite into the dumpling so that everything mixes together. I also take the non-traditional approach of grabbing the top of the dumpling with my bare hands because I usually end up breaking the dumpling when I use the chopsticks.
(3)
Thuy L.
Where do you go when you crave delicious, authentic, chinese food? GDH of course. Where the soup dumplings and the spicy fish broth leave your taste buds yearning for more until the very last drop. Where the long-horned beef and scallion pancakes make you wish you could literally move things around in your stomach to make room for that last bite. Where upon entering, you think there's no way I'm waiting in this line but then you do every time and it's so worth it. Where despite the line, you are in and out within 30 minutes. You come, you eat, you pay, and you roll home. Not only has GDH gained notoriety among the locals, but also celebrities. Ming Tsai has raved about the spicy fish broth on the food network's "The best thing I ever ate--Better than mine." The number of celebrity photos has doubled since I first started coming here. They don't split credit cards so either bring cash. Nom, Nom, Nom.
(5)
An L.
Delicious watercress if you're craving Asian vegetables. I even came here for lunch and dinner in one day because of the watercress. Vegetarian dumpling also tasty, bountiful, and fills you up very fast. The cabbage/chicken dumpling was not good. It's always crowded here, but they turnover fast and are very efficient, even predicting your needs (i.e. rice, check). Tea was also nice. Inexpensive. The yee mien noodles (yellow noodles) was average.
(4)
Michelle Z.
Delicious food served fast in family style. This place is packed for a reason! Great sauteed noodles with beef - flavorful and the meat was tender. Average to good pork w/chive dumplings. Spicy crispy salt & pepper pork chops didn't have a lot of kick, but went perfectly with our Tsing Tao beers. A satisfying meal for two for under $40, with enough left over to snack on for lunch the next day.
(4)
Fred L.
I've been about ten times now so I think I can say with a pretty high degree of confidence that GDH is a great spot to get some authentic, tasty Chinese/Taiwanese food. Plus I'm Taiwanese so I know how things should taste, unlike the meatloaf and casserole types that give GDH poor marks. No disrespect, but some of the reviews below just don't make any sense. Steamed veggie dumplings--I get them every time I go to GDH as they are my favorite in Boston. Lots of places around the world make it a bunch of different ways using a variety of vegetables, but these are downright delicious. I will update this with more dishes when I have more time... Meanwhile, do yourself a favor and hit this place up.
(5)
Nina N.
I came here with the sole purpose of trying the dumplings, but I was disappointed at the limited options on the menu. Gourmet Dumpling House was just another typical Chinese food restaurant which was plentiful in Chinatown. Of what little options we had, my boyfriend and I were able to find two dumpling dishes that sounded appetizing. For appetizer, we ordered from the entree menu the sauteed littleneck clams with basil. I know, this is not a dumpling. It's coming. For dumplings we found two to be most appealing and they were the Mini Juicy Dumplings with pork and crabmeat and the Sandong Style Pan Fried Dumplings. On a positive note, all three dishes were delectable. The clams were done perfectly. The aroma of the basil, the flavor and the consistency of the sauce was very balance, not too salty as other places where we've had this dish before. Now to what I considered the main course. The mini pork and crabmeat dumpling surprised me. They were not mini. I was expecting really small but instead I got something a little bigger than mini. Lol. How I'd like to describe them is piping hot juicy deliciousness. But after eating three you may want something to cleanse your palette. Which is why the dipping sauce makes such a great pairing, beware it is sour. The dumplings were paired with a ginger soy?/vinegar dipping sauce. I could be wrong about the soy sauce part. It may as well be all dark vinegar with ginger in it and no soy sauce. Now the Sandong Style Pan Fried Dumplings is one of the best dumplings I have had in the longest time....I have not eaten dumplings in a very long time. Still, they were yum yum yum. Not pouring juice all over your mouth delicious like the mini juicy dumplings but instead they were crispy-must-have-more type of dumpling. They tasted great without the dipping sauce that they came with, but they tasted even better with it. I was surprised by how fast these dumplings filled us up. I would definitely come back and I would totally recommend these two dumpling dishes. I personally like the pan fried one better though. My hope is that they will expand their dumpling menu to include more variety. See my pictures.
(4)
Ash C.
Beef tendon soup was very delicious. Dumpling casing was a little bit thicker than I expected. Overall, it was not bad at all.
(3)
Colby B.
I love Gourmet Dumpling House. I find myself waiting until the afternoon - long past lunch time but still before dinner time - to indulge in my love for this place. Its not fully packed around then (same goes for 10pm-close, not usually as packed) and there is no waiting outside in the freezing cold. Not that I haven't done that here. The soups are all great, as with the soup dumplings, or as they are listed on the menu the mini juicy buns. I haven't had the crab/pork ones, just straight up pork. Very tasty with a slight sweetness and the black vinegar sauce they serve it with compliments it nicely. The sliced fish szechuan style is great, but if you are on this yelp page you probably already know that about this place!! Its one of their most popular dishes (as well as the soup dumplings). Something about their sauteed spinach with garlic keeps me coming back for more. Its the strong yet sweet garlic flavor - its been perfectly roasted/fried/whatever magic they use to cook it. Its great, and a huge portion. I think its 9 or 10$ but definitely worth it. The menu can be overwhelming but just take your time with it and be careful how much you order at a time!! The tables can get very crowded very quickly. But it is worth it. More often than not we will be elbow to elbow with complete strangers but so long as I have my soup dumplings and szechuan fish nothing can bother me!
(4)
Anup S.
Great dim sum for lunch!
(4)
Rachel T.
My roommate come here at least every two weeks. All the Wellesley women love it and will trek all the way to China town to get some delicious dumplings. Also try the fried tofu with the sauce. It's delicious!
(5)
Robert N.
Never ever! My friends and I were craving dumplings and xiao long baos. We got here around 11ish right when it opened as it looked like they were still cleaning and washing plates from the night before. We ordered dumplings, xiao long baos, scallion pancakes, and oyster pancake. Everything was okay, the pancakes were extremely oily. So, two of my friends found bones in their piece of the oyster pancake! YES, I SAID IT! There were bones in the pancake! We assumed it's from the night before as they were just cleaning up. I was so grossed out by it I couldn't have another piece. They replaced our order, and I didn't get why my friends wanted more. Yup, never coming here again.
(1)
Ben C.
How does this restaurant only have 3 1/2 stars? Yes the service is lousy, you have to wait to get a table (in winter that can be nasty) and it is crowded as hell...but who cares when the food is so good! The dumplings are of course the real highlight here. They are easily the best in Boston and you would have to trek a long way into Queens, NY to find their equal. Having said that, pretty much everything in the menu is a winner. Also, it's so cheap; they could double their prices tomorrow and I would still go there. Personally I like the chaotic, loud, balls-to-the-wall atmosphere here. It's not romantic, but it is authentic and the food is very very good.
THANK YOU CHINATOWN FOR YOUR HIDDEN GEMS THAT ARE OPEN TIL THE WEE HOURS OF THE NIGHT. The mbta should take your advice and stay open a little later... After a night of shots to the dome which ended up with me missing the T, i had THE BIGGEST CRAVING for roast duck. In my state of mind, I didn't think I could make the few extra steps to vinh sun so i just went to the first restaurant with a giant blue and red OPEN sign.. and it was here.. at gourmet dumps.. Got sandong style dumplings ( yelp.com/biz_photos/v0lH… ), pork and leek dumpings ( yelp.com/biz_photos/v0lH… ), and scallion pancakes ( yelp.com/biz_photos/v0lH… ). The dumplings weren't too shabby, but what REALLY turned me on was the scallion pancakes. They were so perfectly greasy and so perfectly tasty ohh mann. I may have been slightly impaired, but even so I know my Chinese food, I lived in Garden grove, California, aka Asian central! The scallion pancakes were probably one of the best ones I've ever had, but as for the dumplings, I've had better elsewhereee. I give em 3.5 stars for the dumplings and the scallion pancakes. I plan on coming here during the day so i can try some of their other stuff, so look for an update!
(3)
Melly S.
My review based on my first (and most likely last) visit here. First off, there's always a huge line everytime I wanted to try this place. But since it was 4th of July, the line didn't look so long so we managed to get a table for 2 in 25mins (which they initially said would take 15mins). Second, we experienced terrible service. Everytime we needed something (or remind someone about our order of one bowl of rice that took 20 mins!), we needed to proactively remind 2-3 different waiters. One waitress was particularly unpleasant and very rudely shooed me away from the counter when we were waiting to be seated next. Third, the food. I'm the kind of person that would go extra lengths to have great food (including 2 hours waiting in line for brunch) and going to hole in the wall places or shacks that have crazy long queues, even if the service is bad, because at the end of the day the food made it worth the effort. How disappointed I was to find that the food was just meh. The szechuan style sliced fish (that for some reason was praised a lot in yelp- that's why we ordered it) was rather bland and not hot at all (even though it appeared really spicy. But this might be my Asian tastebuds). The soup dumplings weren't terribe, but it wasn't what I expected from a place called Gourmet Dumpling House. I thought they were supposed to be experts in this stuff? Or maybe the xiao long bao I'm familiar with in Din Tai Fung has set a high standard. Oh and the fried chives bun apparently isn't a bun, but rather looks like fried scallion pancake (again, disappointed since we were expecting something that looked well kinda like a BUN (mantau) - and we checked with a waitress just to make sure whether they got the order mixed up and they said it was a fried bun). It tasted okay, but nothing special (again). Oh and what's up with not serving chinese tea at a dumpling restaurant? So to conclude: given the meh taste of food that's probably comparable to just any random ordinary chinese restaurants w/o the popularity and line that they have here and the poor service, I really don't understand the hype that surrounds this place.
(2)
David A.
Wow is this place great. Total Chinatown experience with incredible food. Great value for the price. Portions are huge. The eggplant with basil is one of the best veggie dishes in recent memory. The portion will feed four easily. The steamed pork dumplings are also fantastic and the prtion, again, is huge. My daughter thought that the steamed pork buns were the highlight; I though they were a bit too bready. I loved the szuchuan shrimp. Served in a big hot pot, is spicy with a fantastic broth a lots of addictive cabbage. We ordered way too much for the two of us and the check was under $40.
(5)
Angela H.
In general, I was not impressed with Boston's Chinese/Taiwanese food. You can get food this quality or better in Chicago without having to wait 45 min. Food is authentic. Overall flavors were good. Beef noodle soup was a bit sweet, which threw me off guard. It was not what I grew up with. Dumplings were hot, soupy and the skin was thin, it was obvious that every component was made in house and by very skilled workers. But in general it was not worth the wait and I've had better.
(3)
Allie O.
Is it just me or is it impossible to eat soup dumplings in public? I don't get the method, and I hate plastic chopsticks. The food slips and slides all over the place, so does it really matter what it tastes like if I can't get it into my mouth? That's what she said. The good: The wait wasn't bad at all, and I guess I never mind standing next to a dumpster before lunch. I didn't know that before, but I know it now. Service was fast. Menu is extensive, prices are good. SCALLION PANCAKES are the best I've ever had. Wonderful. The bad: I don't think I like pork buns, but if I did, I didn't like these. The short rib/beef entree was awful. Bad flavor, questionable meat, and bone IN?!?! Again with the question of function. HOW am I supposed to eat that in public using only the utensils I was given? I just don't understand. Maybe my teeth aren't that sharp. The ugly: Ugly is giving 2 stars to a restaurant when it isn't deserved, and they are usually given out by ugly people with ugly, dirty keyboards. You know it's true. So, three it is, and the percentage isn't going to make a difference, but hopefully people will get to eat some bangin ass scallion pancakes.
(3)
Ming L.
Used to be a decent place for a bite, but service has been terrible lately. Not only have they started automatically charging a 18% tip on EVERY BILL, the food quality has also gone downhill as they started rushing orders. Also, no more lunch specials on weekends.
(3)
Jason M.
Let's get some things straight - - You're going to put your name on the wait list and inevitably you will feel as if someone was seated before you. - You are going to be sitting in close quarters with other people. - The food will come out at different times. - You may not ever have your water refilled. But, let's get some other things straight - - You're going to get the most delicate juicy dumplings in Boston. - You'll have the most flavorful fried dumplings in Boston. - They have the tastiest and freshest veggies in all of Chinatown. Just get this - 1 order of pork juicy dumplings, 1 order of pork & leek fried dumplings, 1 order of watercress with garlic sauce. It's a total meal for 2 people, hits the minimum $20 order for a credit card and will come out fresh and tasty. Thank me later. Pro-tip - Go between 2-4pm. You won't wait more than 10 minutes. And, if you're willing to sit at a big table with strangers, you might be seated even faster.
(5)
Alice W.
This place is so small and usually has about a 30 minute wait, but it is always worth it. My favorite dishes include the braised pigs feet, the sauteed pork and vegetables with rice cakes(usually comes with noodles, just sub for rice cakes), xiao long bao(juicy pork dumplings) and the scallion pancakes. Most items are about 10 dollars each and there are lunch specials that include free rice and soup. Don't forget to try their xiao long bao(juicy pork dumplings). They are best when they come right out of the kitchen. Be careful when you bite into them because juice will come out so eat with a spoon! They take card if it is over $20 and only one card per a table. P.S. while you wait stop by the bakeries around because they all have all kinds of yummy breads and cakes!
(4)
Tony J.
Food was very good but the dishes were dirty and had to be replaced. I would rate this place a 4 based on the food.
(3)
Kate A.
I went here for the first time today, and it was amazing! I knew from a friend that it gets packed so we went at 11:15 to avoid the rush and were seated right away. We split: Home Style Braised Eggplant with Basil, Spicy Beef with Long Horn Peppers, and the Crab & Pork Soup Dumplings. Everything was delicious -- I especially liked the sweet & spicy of the eggplant. Re: payment methods - they only accept one credit card per table and there is a $20 minimum.
(5)
Katherine S.
I am literally about to explode from eating so much at this place. I ordered the Sandong and mini pork dumplings, and some noodles. I was expecting to have enough food for dinner and likely lunch tomorrow. However, sometimes places like this give you tiny portions....NOT HERE! The place was packed with people, and the lady taking my take-out order was in a rush, so I just pointed randomly at things rather than carefully reading the menu. NOTE: Dumplings often come with 8 of them!!!! When I saw that an order was 6-7$, I assumed I'd get 3, possibly 4, and that they'd be small.....WRONG! I got 8, and they were HUGE! So now, after eating 16 dumplings, I feel like I'm going to explode. But in a good way. The dumplings were fresh and delicious. However, I'm saving the noodles for 1-2 more meals (they are also huge). They look tasty, but if I eat anything else, I'll likely die.
(5)
Cindy W.
Its Chinatown....by no means this place is "gourmet." Pretty decent food but I expect a place that has a name "dumpling house" would carry more than 4-5 choices of dumplings. Overall good but I wanted more. Always packed. Waiters and staff seems to be pushing you out of the door to fill tables. Just get the xiao long baos....crates and crates of them.
(3)
Ashley R.
The food is authentic and AMAZING, and the prices are excellent to boot. If you go during peak hours there will be a line, but trust me when I say it's worth it. Everything I've ever eaten here is great, but I would like to specifically recommend the soup dumplings and the Szechuan fish in spicy sauce. So freakin' good!
(5)
Vivian L.
Went there for the soup dumplings, left with a full and satisfied stomach! The pork stuffing and broth were juicy, sweet and delicious. The dumplings run on the larger side, making consumption a difficult art to master, but the thick wrappers really helped. Will definitely visit again.
(4)
Cecilia J.
Flavors good, execution sub-par. I know, I'm a bit of a Chinese food snob -- *I knowwww* -- forgive me? I just don't think the food here is worth the upwards of 1 hour long wait. There are people practically camped out on the stoop outside! There are also lots of non-Chinese people eating here, WHICH I THINK IS GREAT. Really truly. I would just encourage you to try other just-as-hole-in-the-wall-like restaurants in Chinatown (like New Golden Gate, right down the street, which is delicious). The soup dumplings, which this place is assumedly named after, are okay. The flavors are there, but there's not enough soup and the skin is too thick. The beef noodle soup is really not as good as it could be. The stir-fried pea tendrils were a bit tough. But I've only tried a tiny subset of their large menu - so I would be willing to come back and try other things. Plus sides: it's cheap, portions are large, and you get to make new friends with the random couple that is sitting knees-to-knees and shoulders-to-shoulders to you at the same table!
(3)
Michael S.
After a nice meal with the gf, we decided to hit up chinatown to see it and also see if we could pick up some cheap shirts. Luckily, we came upon this GDH and I remembered seeing some people on yelp talk recommending this place. Now, we were still kind of full, but that didn't stop us from ordering their soup dumplings. I don't have much experience with these, but I can say that they were very delicious and the price was very good. If Ming Tsai likes this place then it must be good! Too bad I didn't try the soup he recommended.
(4)
Marissa G.
Good. Not the best Chinese food I've ever had, but definitely a solid establishment with some standouts. I was pretty impressed by the XLB (soup dumplings) which were plump and full of broth. The skin was thicker than some better places I have been to, but the flavor was there. The scallion pancakes were also very good-- greasy and crispy. They hit the spot. The over-yelped spicy fish dish would have made it to the second paragraph of this review, but unfortunately, although the Szechuan sauce was right on the money, there just wasn't enough actual fish in the dish to make it worth the price. Boo. Overall, I'd come back, but I'm still missing my favorite places in NY and Chicago.
(3)
Denise T.
2 1/2 stars: 3 stars for food / 2 stars for service I've now had the soup dumplings at both GDH and Dumpling Cafe and the I prefer the later. The skin is too heavy and doughy at GDH and the filling not as delicate. Dumpling Cafe is also cleaner. We arrived at 11 when they opened and there was only 1 other table w/ customers. However the staff of 7 (!!) was too busy feeding themselves and sitting down to eat their lunch to be concerned with our table. They were also extremely loud and laughing obnoxiously as they ate their food. We also got the shrimp dumpling and watercress with sauteed garlic which was decent, but nothing special. If you want divine soup dumpling - go around the corner to Dumpling Cafe!
(2)
Chukie G.
OK. Twice in Boston I am a native So Cal any asian food been there done that including NY city. This hole in the wall is legit Taiwanese food as good as in Taipei. Dumpling is not too greasy half char at the bottom soft and moist inside don't forget to ask for chili oil condiment you can't live without it. Be daring to try other than dumpling there are about a hundred dishes. The only thing is I always prayed, let there be no Taiwanese there so there is no stinking tofu ordered. I don't go anywhere else when in chinatown of Boston I am happy in this place
(4)
Jeff M.
Gourmet Dumpling House is bomb. Spicy bubbling fish was more peppery than spicy and the fish in it was nice and flaky. Pork soup dumplings were also very nice. I can't wait to come back and try more from the menu. Probably the best place I've eaten in China Town. My only warning is that this place is incredibly small with no good area to wait for your table. Queues start well before 6pm.
(5)
Edith K.
Came here with one of my girlfriends and we got an order of juicy pork dumplings and scallion pancakes and we walked out full and each paying 7 bucks maybe? What a steal!
(5)
Samantha W.
Went here a couple weeks ago and I am an avid SLB lover! The wait in line for 4 people took about 30 minutes, but the waiters and staff were all very accommodating. Definitely good, but the meal was more of a 3.5 star ordeal rather than a full 4. The SLB dish itself was delicious, but the scallion pancake was slightly lacking. Portions are big...the restaurant I usually go to in NY has 8 SLB per tier, but here they at 10 SLB. We were unaware and ordered 2 tiers and we were completely full by the end of the meal.
(4)
Fan L.
I've been to this place many times, but no more! Waiters here like to DEMAND for more tip. I find that extremely rude and unacceptable especially given the bad service you get. When your waiter 1) doesn't refill your drinks, 2) doesn't ask if your food is fine, 3) interrups you with the bill when you are barely half-way done, etc you realize you get better service at a McDonalds! Despite the crappy service, I initially left ~12% tip. Upon returning from the restroom, I found her nagging my friends for more tip. I went straight to the owner to explain the situation, and he did not hesitate to tell me to ignore her. I should have changed the tip to $0! In short, generous gratuity come after GOOD service, do NOT take it for granted. Asking for more tip is the worse service you can provide.
(1)
Isabella C.
I come here very often for their soup dumplings but I have to say that they're about the only things on the menu that're really delicious. I've been to several places for soup dumplings (in NY) and this is definitely one of the best! In terms of other menu items, they're scallion pancakes are quite good. Oyster pancakes are a little weird.... They put some gooey substance that makes the texture weird. If you're looking at noodle soups, I've tried beef tendon noodle soup, chicken julienne wanton noodle soup, and chow fun soup all of which are fine in the winter but they're not very tasty. Their beef chow fun is good but I really think Peach Farm does a much better job. Overall, it's a GREAT place for soup dumplings but I wouldn't really order anything else. Service is also poor but it's about all you could expect in Chinatown. And it's always crowded w very little space between tables so I always do takeout which is a great option.
(4)
Annette A.
Forget the MBTA, you're going to need a wheel barrel to roll yourself out of this place after you eat. Gourmet Dumpling House, or "GDH" as it's lovingly nicknamed, is a crowded hot spot in Chinatown. And the patient foodies know that if a place is crowded - IT MEANS WAIT, STUPID. GDH is very popular and you can expect to be sitting elbow-to-elbow with your neighbor. But once you started seeing huge portions of delicious, steaming food land on the tables around you, you'll be completely at peace. It's hard for me to recommend once good thing here. Clearly, the dumplings are something to try. I've had a rocking spicy fish stew as well as a few soups and everything's been phenomenal. My best tip is to look around, see what everyone else is eating and to ask the server to bring you the same thing.
(4)
Lovan C.
You go here for the food not for the service or the ambiance. It is in a class of it's own together with Sichuan Gourmet in Billerica. The Scallion pancakes are by far the best I have had in Boston. The soup dumplings are incredible along with the salt and pepper shrimp. The menu is definitely not westernized and is one of the few places where you can try things like stinky tofu. Stay away from the more western items on the list like General Gau's chicken and you should have an excellent meal.
(4)
Ivy G.
First meal after I arrived Boston last year. I would always come to this restaurant if I miss Chinese food. It is always loud and full of people. Sometimes at rush hour, prepare yourself with 20mins waiting. I would recommend some spicy cuisine here, since it really tastes spicy if u never satisfy with the American Spicy food.
(4)
Emma C.
OMGAH OMGAH OMGAH I shall elaborate. I FRICKIN LOVE THIS PLACE. Granted, it's tiny, so obviously I worry that a obese person will sit right behind me and push me into my table so hard that I'm gasping for air just to squeeze out of his/her chair to use the bathroom......but the food is phenomenal. I've been to this place probably 4-5 times, and I've never been disappointed. Granted, I usually always get the same thing each time, so there's really not much room for error. If you go here, you have to get their eggplant. I really don't remember what it's called, but the first time I got here with a group of friends, we asked the waitress what were the more popular dishes at this place and she pointed out the eggplant dish and a spicy beef dish with peppers. Both dishes are amazingly spicy. Personally, I love stomach pain-inducing spicy food, so those 2 dishes are heaven for me. The eggplant dish: Seriously, asian people know how to handle eggplant. The dish is obviously mixed with some oil and some heavy duty spices, which makes the eggplant so tender and SO YUMMY WITH WHITE RICE. The spicy beef dish with peppers: I love it when meat is cut into tiny pieces. Maybe it's because when I was younger, my mom always cut my meat into teensy weensy pieces for me. Whatever. Psychology bullshit aside, I think smaller slices of meat = better tasting meat. And the beef in this dish are finely chopped and sauteed in oil and spicy spicy pepper. Once again, the perfect side dish to white rice. Oh, and how could I forget. The soup dumplings? The reason why Gourmet Dumpling House is called Gourmet Dumpling House? Yeah. Order some soup dumplings. And please don't be a noob and open the dumpling skin and spill all that delicious soup onto your plate. Use your spoon. Atta boy (or girl....)
(4)
Marwan A.
#NAME?
(1)
Rob K.
No, I did not order any dumplings, but I sure wish I did! Those plump beauties looked divine. The gentleman that I shared a table with was a dumpling eating pro. He picked one up with his chopsticks, slurped the juices out, then took a bite. These dumplings respect two bites. I was alone and my meal choice was quite boring. Sesame chicken was what I craved and it was executed to perfection, along with rice, tea, and soup for under $8. Word of advice, don't come alone. Come here for a family feast! Credit card minimum is a whopping $20! Tacky hand written signs are posted on every wall.
(4)
Joe B.
I go here for one thing Sliced Fish Szechuan Style - its amazing. If you you like spicy food, like really super super spicy food, you have to have it. Its so hot it will numb your mouth in that super good way only spicy food can. Scallion Pancakes and the Dumplings are the bomb. A must have if you go. Service isn't great but the food makes up for it. Try not to get the table next to the fish tank, or you'll be smelling fishy water instead of dumpling!
(3)
Jenna V.
I miss living in New England partly because of the dearth of good Chinese food. (Seriously -who would have thought Boston would have better Chinese food than Portland, Oregon?) This place is tops on my list of food I dream about. I was back in Boston on business and went out with my girlfriend who's local to Boston, and two colleagues. We drank Tsing Taos, we devoured two orders of scallion pancakes (which may in fact be laced with some sort of addictive drug), and we had soups and sides and giant plates of entrees that could have fed an army (and indeed, a small army of people wait outside for your seat, menacingly, so don't plan on lingering). We had four immensely satisfied, happy diners - and a dirt cheap tab that was written off as a business expense, bonus! A trip to Boston is not complete without stopping here. Period. Plan on waiting a bit, but it's so very, very worth it!
(5)
Lina L.
A must-visit spot every time i am in Boston. One of the best places for xiao long bao aka steamed dumplings. You just have to get past the crowded tables and the occasional sharing of tables with strangers. Service is pretty fast, although often done impolitely almost rude manner. But hey, just come for the meal and leave. You really don't want to stay here too long.
(4)
Alex K.
This place is always packed by local folks. I found the preparation to be authentic and well prepared. Prices are acceptable. The place is small and you do have to be ok with the aromas and tight space. Service is efficient but not the place you come to ask questions. You should figure out what you want upfront. I had the juicy mini pork dumplings, the sliced fish soup and the seaweed salad. Everything was well prepared and flavorful, but I found too much fat and oil in the dumpling and soup.
(3)
Lisa S.
I made it to Gourmet Dumpling House on Friday... and realized I had been there before, and just hadn't remembered the name :-). I went with two other people at 7pm on a Friday, and we just barely got the last open 4-person table. After that, a line formed pretty quickly, and when we left around 8, people were even waiting outside. The waiter came by right away to drop off some hot tea. I asked for water, and they brought out 3 glasses, and refilled them pretty quickly throughout the meal. Since we all loved scallion pancakes, we ordered 3 of them (our waitress seemed pretty amazed/grossed out/confused/impressed by this). We also ordered pork and leek dumplings and pan fried pork buns. Everything was amazing. The buns, which were my first ones ever, were amazing. The scallion pancakes were crispy and the right thickness... and the entire meal was only $30 with tip. I would definitely order all the same if I went back again. Last time I was here, I ate sesame chicken, which was solid, but not especially memorable. They have a pretty huge menu with lots of choices, including a lot of traditional/authentic Asian food, so you can pretty much find whatever you are craving. But I'd definitely recommend the pancakes, dumplings, and buns.
(4)
Armin F.
Hands down, the Best Chinese in Boston or anywhere I have eaten Chinese food. Service is typical Chinese, interior is horrific but this makes the place only more likable. Awesome dishes are: - pan fried dumplings - pork buns - chow chow noodles - green bell pepper beef (spicy) There most likely will be a line when you go, but wait, it's totally worth it.
(5)
Grace W.
This restaurant makes me feel like I'm back in Taiwan - and the loud cramped space kinda contributes to the homey atmosphere. Sure, the space is not ideal (e.g. huge sign on the door that they cannot accommodate baby stroller's... and it's true), but wow, the food is worth it! Mmm, they have the best chinese water spinach, and the soup dumpling tastes homemade. The salt and pepper calamari was also yummy. The food arrived pretty quickly and everything is flavored so perfectly, down to the panfried garlic slices. Note on timing: We've gone there a couple times for early dinner (4ish pm) and had to wait 15 minutes for a table. I think it gets to be a 1hr wait during a normal dinnertime on weeknights.
(4)
Jessica K.
We came to eat here the same way many do, we were walking around, looking for a place for dinner, and were swayed by the word "dumpling" coupled with the people gathered outside. We probably waited half an hour for a table on a weeknight around 6 pm. The menu is amusing because they have lots and lots of interesting items and I'm sure authentic combinations that just don't sound appealing- but one of the benefits of vegetarianism is being able to stick with the less adventurous options. We had the braised tofu with scallions, which Johnny said tasted the closest to beef of any tofu he's tried, the vegetable fried rice, which was garlicy and delightful, and then both the vegetable buns and dumplings.... yum. There's a pot of green tea on the table and canned soft drinks or beer. I saw wine in the server station but didn't see a menu anywhere. Lots of veggie options overall, and quick, no-frills service. Enough food for four people for under $30 with tip.
(4)
Nancy T.
This place is so overrated! Everyone raves about this place so I decided to try it one day. My boyfriend and I went on a weekday and there was still an hour wait! WHY. I don't understand. First of all, the place is so cramped and hot. Second of all, we got seated right next to the fish tanks... No, not those fish tanks restaurants have for decorations.. The fish tanks where you can order them. I WAS planning on ordering the spicy fish everyone raves about but NOPE. How can I order that when I have them big ol eyes inches away STARING ME DOWN.. All I can imagine is them saying "DON'T ORDER ME PLEASE, DON'T EAT ME." One of the workers actually had me get up in the middle of my dinner so they can catch a fish for someone else's dinner. At least we know the fish is served fresh there! But no matter what, I don't want to be sitting next to my soon-to-be dinner. I felt so bad that I couldn't eat fish for a whole week..until I went out for sushi, but that's a different story. Hehe. The dumplings were ok. The Xiao long bao actually tastes like how they taste in china. I'm not a super big fan of dumplings though. My boyfriend loves them so that's the only reason why I gave this place a shot. He wasn't in love with the dumplings so.. I'm pretty sure we won't be back. We ordered some kinda noodle, that watercress vegetable, fried dumplings and Xiao long baos. The food was mediocre. Not worth the wait. The service was ehh. The only times I saw the waiter was when she took our order and when she gave us the bill. I recommend getting those mini dumplings for take out and call it a night. I wouldn't recommend going if the wait is any longer than 10 minutes. You're in Chinatown.. Walk a few blocks to a decent Chinese restaurant where you don't have to wait two hours and where they will probably have one of those decorative fish tanks.
(2)
Jenn H.
Can i tell you how much I miss this place? I discovered this place soon after they opened in October of 2007, and introduced it to all my college friends, including the Taiwanese association of my school. I went so often that the owner would greet me, and would always chat with me. Years after I'd left Boston, he still remembers me--the last time I went back, he still remembered my name, and asked if I were still in grad school at Hopkins, and how my siblings/parents were doing (he'd only met them once!) Anyways, right. Food. Authentic Taiwanese food, though a tad oily (ask them to go easy). I ALWAYS get their jiu cai dumplings, and almost everything there is delicious...one of my favorites is jiu huang xiang gan rou si. So, so good. also like the tomato and egg with beef, their rou zhao fan is a STEAL...man, everything there is just awesome. Dumpling House, I'm coming back to Boston in May--look forward to seeing you again then :)
(5)
Lorrie M.
What in the madness is this? Delicious, cheap, awesome, star-studded CHINESE food in the heart of Boston? Is this possible? Goodness, I am totally blown away. Their Xiao Long Bao (as everyone has mentioned here, juicy pork dumplings) are just absolutely amazing as is the rest of their dumpling line. Of course this place has a menu that will stretch on for miles, but their dumplings are truly spectacular. I never expected to find such an authentic place in Boston and having come from China and lived there most of my life, I know exactly what some of these Chinese dishes should taste like. I was shocked by how authentic this place was and then even more so by the pictures on the wall. Apparently Michael Douglas and Blake Lively (sp?) and Kate Hudson visit!! They have actually been there on more than one occasion and the staff loves it (hence the five million pictures on the wall). Great place, highly recommended!
(5)
Hana T.
A favorite of my boyfriend and I! Gourmet Dumpling House offers a huge menu of dishes, few are standard Chinese joint menu items, others are extremely authentic and are wild cards to those unfamiliar with real Chinese food. Regardless, we always order a few varieties of dumplings (mini juicy pork dumplings being my favorite), but the selection of dumplings is admittedly small, considering the fact that the place is named after dumplings. However, all the dumplings I have ever sampled have been delicious - piping hot, filled with mysterious goodies, and served with a tangy sauce. You must get the scallion pancakes. Best I have ever eaten. Another dish to try is the Szechuan style fish stew. The portion is definitely enough to share between two...or even three. Spicy fish in a somewhat-oily broth with some bok choy and other veggies thrown in. Really savory, and it seems like it's a popular choice in the restaurant. Like most good places in Chinatown, the restaurant is nearly always packed with customers, with a line going out the door during the lunch rush. Be prepared to share your table if you're a party of one or two - it can be a little awkward, but I personally think it adds a little something to the experience.
(4)
Raymond N.
This is definitely my favorite spot to eat whenever I'm in Boston Chinatown. It is much smaller than the Chinatown in NYC, but don't let it fool you. There are many hidden gems at this location. Gourmet Dumpling House is one of them. This place gets crowded early and quick, so please be there 5 minutes before the door opens for business. Service is lighting fast. After your waiter takes the order, the food usually hit the table within 10 minutes. Surprisingly, I wasn't impressed by their soup dumplings. The dough is too thick and barely any soup inside the dumplings. Failed. But the fried dumplings are decent. Come to NYC (Nan Xiang on Prince Street) for the soup version. In any event, the scallion pancakes or oyster pancakes are not completely saturated with grease *thumbs up* I tend to visit during lunch special. $20 for 3 dishes plus rice and soup? What a deal! Try their signature beef w/ spicy peppers. Might need a glass (or few glasses) of water on standby. Very fresh seafood dishes. Try the steam fish filets. If this is your first time eating chinese food, no worries. Menu is pretty non-Asian friendly for the most part. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
James C.
You come to this place for the dumplings and a few other specialty dishes. It is not supposed to be a special night out, have ambiance, or wow you with service. Do not go here and order americanized Chinese food like seemingly half the people were. Now that that is out of the way... We went for the first time at 3pm on a Sunday and it was standing room only. Yes the place is a hole in the wall, but these types of places often have the best ethnic food. It was half chinese people ordering mostly the things this place is known for, and half tourists ordering fried rice and crab rangoon, go figure. We had the pork soup dumplings and pan fried dumplings. They were quite good. We also had a Szechuan spicy fish dish with all types of peppers and a dark red sauce eaten with white rice. It was not too spicy that it could not be enjoyed, just right. The scallion pancakes also gets a nod. Tasty stuff! Yes, you may wait a long time, you may be cramped and you may be hot. Go for the food, not the atmosphere.
(4)
Joe R.
No, you can't have a glass of water. No, you can't have a fork. Yes, the service is mediocre at best, and yes, the food is kind of greasy. And I'm not really sure, but I'm willing to bet there are health code violations. So if any of those things bother you, don't bother coming inside. If you want to eat some great tasting food at a cheap price, this is your place. If you want a fork, clean silverware and a wait staff that actually cares, go to PF Changs and stay out of this place.
(5)
Guillermo M.
Scallion pancakes are the best. Vegetables were really good too (mushrooms with greens). We had the pork and crab soup dumplings and although they were really good I will try the traditional pork ones next time.
(4)
Arcadian B.
BEST shanghai dumplings ever!!!!!! Cheap and amazing food Although the place is really and I mean really small If your the hefty be aware of the seating
(4)
Carol G.
For the past fews years that I have been to this restaurant, the service has always been bad. Yes they are busy, but still that's not a good excuse for ignoring your customer. But I still put up with them since the food was good, and price was reasonable for lunch special. Last week I went there again, and was informed that there was no more lunch special on weekends, and cash only (I was told that their credit card machine was broken which I really doubt). I said fine then ordered from the regular menu. The price is relatively high comparing to other restaurants in Chinatown, and portion was really small. And this time, the service was even worse. Not even one waiter came greet us and took the order until I asked front desk a few times. Finally my order was taken after 15 minutes later, then there was no cold water. I asked a few waiters, none of them seemed to remember to bring us a glass of water. Eventually I sent my kids over to the front desk to ask for the water and got it. Then there was the bill in the end....Without being told or ask, there was the 18% tip added to our bill. This is a lunch for a party of 3. I might understand it if we were a bigger party and it was dinner. But usually you should be notified before hand if they will charge you tips automatically. Not at the Gourmet Dumpling House!! With the poor, marginal service they provided us (no water or refill, keep ignoring our ordering request....), they shamelessly charged us a 18% tip that I usually happily to pay only when the service was good. And again, they didn't even warn us before hand. Now I understand why the waiter was dare to ignore customer like that! Because they don't really have to satisfy your needs to get paid a good tips. Anyway, I paid the full bill without arguing with them. When I walked out of door, one thing I was pretty sure about. That is there is no way I will be returning to this place in the future!! There are many good places in Chinatown with much better service and same good food, why should I put up with Gourmet Dumpling house, spend my time and money and not getting a satisfied service?!
(1)
Scott P.
the menu was huge many choices had several of the dumplings & mango chicken. everything was good. a must return to further explore more of the delicious offerings
(5)
Josephine L.
An authentic Taiwanese/Northern Chinese spot for tasty specialties from those regions. The staff speak Taiwanese Mandarin for the most part, though some are Cantonese as well. I had to try the crispy stinky tofu and it was as good as what I'd expect in T-land. But only order this if everyone with you will like it--or if you hate your dining companions. My boyfriend (whom I obviously love) tried it for the first time at GDH and he spat it out, proclaiming it was the most disgusting thing he'd ever eaten. He could not drink enough water to get the taste out and even asked to switch bowls with me so he wouldn't accidentally drop his soup dumpling onto the spat-out tofu. *Sigh* It's an acquired taste at best and not for the faint of heart. Think really, really stinky cheese that's been fermented in feet (sorry stinky tofu, I love you but I have to be honest). The pork and crabmeat soup dumplings are quite delicious, though not as mindblowingly flavorful as others I've had. The spicy beef noodle soup--my favorite Taiwanese dish of all time--is all right, but not done the way I like it. The beef should be in chunks, not thin slices, it should be served with bok choy, not spinach and the noodles should be hand-drawn and chewy, not thin and processed. But the broth was decent. I was a little sketched out after seeing what looked like a small cockroach crawling up the fish tank we were seated next to, but I have felt fine since eating at GDH and have not vomited up cockroaches or anything of the like. Yay. So....I'll chalk it up to a one-time deal and assume the bug was discovered soon after we left and promptly exterminated.
(3)
Shawheen R.
Good food but tight space
(4)
Julie T.
Chinese food is my go-to hangover remedy. I've only been here a couple times but each time I left super satisfied! The food is cheap and it tastes amazing. I had soup dumplings for the first time here. I didn't know how to approach it at first but the waitress was kind enough to give me some tips on how to go about eating it without letting all the soup spill all over my plate. Now I'm a soup dumpling pro! Huzzah!
(4)
Jeff K.
One of the best, if not the best meal in Chinatown for me. The pan fried were better than the low fat, I mean steamed ones but the scallion pancakes were better. White rice was nice and sticky, mango chicken and the beef with broccoli were a nice addition to the table. The wait was nothing, pretty packed but likes other have said the turnover is quick and the 5 of us got in with about a 10 minute wait on a Saturday night after the movies. For the amount of food it was inexpensive for the what we ate. 3 apps, 2 entrees and white rice plus two soda's for $50 bucks for the 5 of us.
(4)
sean g.
Yeah, this place is amazing. Its also too small, too hot, and too crowded. The food is sublime. The wait outside is not.
(5)
Jon S.
It was great. Everytime it was delicious but it is a bit expensive. Worth it but expensive. The scallion pancakes are good (not as good as New Jumbo) and the chicken dishes are great. The seating is really tight and its really hard to get a seat friday and saturday night and the customer service isn't stellar.
(4)
Charli J.
So I wont bog this review down with too much fluff. Here is what you need to know: EVERYTHING IS AMAZING! We had: The eggplant The Okra Scallion Pancake Soup Dumplings Longhorn Beef Clams Ginger Fish Epically amazing!
(5)
Paul H.
Ok...I feel like one of those people that started seeing the Grateful Dead after Touch of Grey came out....I am late to the party and YES I did see Ming on the FNetwork talking about the spicy fish soup. So we ventured up on a Friday no less...to brave the line and try some of this hellbroth that sounded so wonderful. This dish seems to be a specialty of the house and it was worth the trip and the wait. The dumplings were excellent as well. We got steamed not fried. Tried the sichuan chicken... very tasty.. and a flavorful yet very less spicy sesame chicken and pork fried rice...all very good...little greasy but fresh and made to order. I will be going back for the soup for sure and from what I read here to try the scallion pancakes and the sliced sichuan fish.
(5)
Joanna H.
I've been here four times within the past month and each time I've come out extremely satisfied with my stomach filled to the brim. The three things I know people come here for: the Pork and Leek Dumplings, the Soup Dumplings and the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style. They make their own dumpling skin here so it's thicker than usual. I prefer thinner skin and more filling but I still enjoy these dumplings. You can't really go wrong with pork and leek dumplings. The soup dumplings are very yummy. I went with 3 friends who weren't familiar with the strategy of eating soup dumplings, and 2/3 experienced a soup explosion all over their body. You have to be careful. Place your soup dumpling in a spoon. Take a small bite of it, let the juices flow out in the spoon. Then consume it all together. It's a simple strategy that guarantees you won't miss out on any of the precious soup. I really enjoy the Sliced Fish Szechuan style which is white fish boiled in this hot oil with peppercorn, dried chili peppers, garlic and cabbage. Paired with rice, it's a must-try dish. It's not too spicy and extremely flavorful. If you order any of these three things, you'll have a fine time at the Gourmet Dumpling House. One more thing, don't get discouraged by the long lines outside. Be sure to go in and ask how long the wait is because the most I've had to wait is 20 minutes. With good company (your cellphone counts), the time passes by fast.
(4)
Jennifer W.
If people would stop raving about this place having "authentic" Shanghainese soup dumplings and this place stopped putting in on the menu as such, I'd give it 4 1/2 stars. This really is more of a Northern style dumpling place; and they make very good ones of those with various fillings. I also really enjoy their spicy fish dish (which is called "fish in water"). I think it's a great place for a quick meal or take out. But seriously, the soup dumplings are a disgrace, it's just NOT the real thing and anyone from Shanghai (which includes me), can tell you that.
(3)
Glenn C.
Was here with someone else. Solid place. Fully crowded even at 11 in the morning. Decided to go here as I saw it fully crowded the previous night. Ambience: All Chinese outside of me and the table next to us. Cantonese style dining as we sat next to other people eating., Small tables/a little bit too crowded for all of the food. Loud. Price: For the size/taste of the portions, really good (what I would expect for this type of restaurant. Service: Place was fully crowded, took a while but they were nice about it. Water was refilled when needed. Drink: Tea, Water Food: Appetizer: Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork (8) 7.50 (me) Steamed Vegetable Buns (2): 2.95 (him) Juicy pork buns were delicious. Soup inside was hot but not too hot. Pork inside was cooked well. Dumpling itself wasn't too hard or too soft. Had to take 5 or so out due to having too much to eat. Still tasted great cool. In some ways, I preferred it cool as I could taste the soup without it burning my tongue. Buns had a better texture, dumplings had a better inside. Steamed Pork buns would have been the best (?) Main food: Yu Hsian Eggplant: 10.95 (me): Eggplant in a dark red spicy sauce, contained pork (?) and a little bit of other veggies outside the eggplant. Nice and spicy. Eggplants were nice and Chestnut Chicken: 11.95 (him): Chicken, Chestnuts, great sauce. Main issue was that it was bony so it was slightly difficult to eat. We got a little bit too much food......yep...just a LITTLE bit. Overall: Solid food, great chestnut/eggplant. Dumplings were great but I found my main dish better.
(5)
Steve R.
Sliced Fish Szechuan Style!!!!!! Yup, that good. Comes out steaming hot and also spicy hot. And oh so delicious!! I was sweating but could not stop eating it. They pull the fish right out of the tank so if that bothers you, stay away (or don't look). And to think I almost didn't want to finish the walk...what a mistake that would have been. I've had the soup dumplings and the scallion pancakes and both are very good. But looking at everybody else's plate, I knew I had to try something new...and the SLICED FISH SZECHUAN STYLE was it!!!! Enjoy!
(5)
Mike P.
I haven't tried the pork+leek dumpling or the juicy buns here yet so this review does not apply to those items. I did try the seafood dumpling (San xian, or 3 fresh fillings), they were mediocre at best. Those dumpling had thick non-smooth shell, typically it means they're prepped for frying. Each dumpling had one shrimp, and I cannot tell what the rest of the minced filling is, very sketchy. Taste was so so. I also had fuqi fei pian (ox tripe and meat in red oil), this is a very traditional Chinese dish. However, they clearly did not prep it very carefully as my order had pieces of pepper throughout and the sauce was not evenly distributed across the dish. Typically the pepper should be completely grounded. On the plus side, an order of juicy pork bun comes with 8 instead of 6(most other places). For appetizers they also allow you to combine 2 items for 1 order. Overall not impressed, but again I'm chinese so I'm definitely picky when it comes to chinese food.
(2)
Sonia M.
I highly recommend this place. The food and service is awesome. If you are going during the weekend be prepared for a wait tho' it goes very quick.
(4)
Ariana Z.
Best dumplings ever. So many varieties. I stopped by one day, it was somewhat raining outside but I heard about how legendary this place was. It would be a 15 minute wait, but we decided to go ahead despite the rain outside. 15 minutes later, we are summoned in and we place the orders. With the cold and rainy weather, I decided with the soup with dumplings. It was very cheap but I still got a massive bowl, certainly more than I could eat. The soup was more than well worth the 15 minute wait in the rain. It quickly warmed me up and the combination of dumplings in soup was amazing. We came back a second time with a large group and had a variety of dumplings. Again, it was amazing. I notice that during the heavy eating hours, there will be some waiting time before they can accommodate you, but it is so worth it.
2012 Review #104: Hmmmmmm...... I'm a little puzzled. We came here during PAX, and we had about 2 hours to eat in mid/late afternoon. We got here, put our name down, and were told 20 minutes. Remember the "Chinese Restaurant" episode of Seinfeld? This was it. I'm not kidding. We were told 20 minutes. 45 minutes later, we decided that we wouldn't have time to wait and eat, so we asked to order to go. We placed an order for xiao long bao (puzzlingly called "juicy dumplings" here), pork and leek dumplings, and chicken and broccoli. We were told "15-20 minutes" for our food. Keep in mind we have been waiting to sit down for almost an hour. Every five seconds, someone new comes to put their name on the list. The staff scribbles their name, or something like it, on a pink piece of paper in no discernible order. They seemed to be seating people simply by bitchiness level. Someone would walk in and quietly ask how long, they'd be told "5, 10 minutes" and walk away. Someone would come in and pointedly ask how long, they'd be told "5, 10 minutes" and then be sat immediately. It was frustrating and suspicious. After being told our food would take 15-20 minutes, we waited another 45 minutes. If you're wondering why we bothered to stay. Well, we had to eat, and the other option, Taiwanese Cafe, seems to be closed for repairs. And once you've invested over an hour and gotten nothing out of it, you feel like a loser to leave. After an hour and a half, we finally left with our food. We were given: 1 napkin. 1 very tiny soup spoon, with which to eat soup dumplings, and 1 set of chopsticks. We are clearly 2 people. The xiao long bao were.....huge. They didn't fit in the spoon (insert "Rejected" spoon reference here), so when you bit in the side of the dumpling to suck the soup out, it just leaked all over. So, then you had to try and eat them in one bite, which was also impossible. The filling and soup were tasty, but the skins were thick and again, were too large and created a flat, very messy dumpling. Lao Wang in Denver is much, much better. The pork and leek dumplings were disappointing as well. We got ours steamed, and although the filling was pretty good, without any sauce it was like eating a sponge. They were also on the large side, and the skins were so thick that per dumpling, you ate about 1/4 cup of dough, and 1/2 tbsp of filling. Very bad proportion. The chicken and broccoli smelled and tasted quite old. Although the broccoli looked relatively fresh, the taste and smell were pretty off-putting- I can still smell them. They included a soup, which was like a very weak miso/ginger soup, and some bland rice. I don't know what we missed. It wasn't because we let the food sit around- we ate it on the bus immediately after leaving. Maybe if this restaurant got a little organized it'd be better. For now, I'll eat the better offerings in Denver and not return.
(2)
Corona W.
Food is okay (nothing different from other restaurants in Chinatown) but the staff is so rude! I would never expect spectacular service in Chinatown but the service here was beyond unacceptable. First, we waited for tea and someone to come to our table. This took about twenty minutes. Those seated after us had their orders taken before us. We waited patiently and finally got someone's attention. He messed up our order of stinky tofu and brought us fried chicken wings and then scallion pancake instead. When I told the staff that we had never ordered scallion pancake, the staff insisted that I had and acted like I was being unreasonable for saying something. Seriously, do they expect me to pay for something I don't want to eat??? Finally, they never brought my bf his beer and the waitress had the audacity to yell at me for bringing the check up to her to confirm that it was ours. She kept making a point to say that they had exchanged the scallion pancake for the stinky tofu. Hello. It's not an exchange if it was YOUR mistake. The whole meal was a headache. This was the first time we did not leave a tip. Never coming back again.
(1)
lisa v.
This is the real thing, the place you wish you had known about when you were stumbling around Boston's Chinatown not knowing what was touristy and what was real, and if you had Chinese friends you would have known about this place, the place you would go if you yourself were fortunate enough to be Chinese and knew your dumpling from a hole in the ants on a log or whatever the hell that dish is. It's a hole in the wall, and what a hole, not to use the word hole three times in two sentences, but there you go, holy moly. I have, through inquisitive co-diner snoopery, determined two favorite dishes: an eggplant dish with eggplant, yes also but with basil too, and julienned beef with long horn peppers. Wow. Just wow. They're so good, I'm frightened to try anything else, although my BF opines that the whole talapia is very much not to be missed, you must love it to the extent of marrying it. (I only mention marrying it because I had to translate something into Klingon today, and when I re-translated back intoEnglish, "I miss you alot" got translated into "I miss you must marry you," but that's another story). The dumplings are very good indeed, although I think all this high-carbohydrate stuff is pure poison. But who wants to avoid carbohydrates when they're searching for good Chinese food? Ignore that sentence about high carbohydrates and just enjoy this lovely restaurant for as long as your pancreas isn't coughing up blood in a corner.
(5)
Alyssa J.
I am in heaven. Scallion pancake heaven. I stopped in the Dumpling House tonight after work, and I am so pleased with myself for doing so. The scallion pancakes are hands down the BEST I have ever had. Fried to perfection, crispy and delicious. The dipping sauce is a little sweeter and more savory than most scallion pancake dipping sauces, so the whole experience was amazing. I also got the pork and leek dumplings. Holy dumpling paradise Batman. The dumpling dough is super thin and chock full of pretty tasty pork. I got the steamed dumplings, next time when I'm feeling naughty I'll probably try the fried ones. Service is quick and efficient. This place is tiny, so I assume you would want to make a reservation if you were coming here Thursday thru Saturday.
(4)
Michael P.
Gourmet Dumpling House, you saved my life. When I didn't have dinner and was wandering the streets of Boston at midnight, your brightly lit storefront filled me with glee. Beef tendon noodle soup, please! Not the best or worse I've had, but nevertheless delicious. Plenty of tendon, might I add. I also appreciate how you separated the noodle from the soup in my take-out order.
(4)
Michael L.
Everyone kept telling me how this place was super good and everytime i walked past it i would always see a line so i decided to try this place out. My friend and I came here and stuffed our faces Scallion Pancake - first impression:burnt. -taste: suprisingly good. You dont really taste anything burnt. The sauce they give you with it is like soysauce but sweeter - verdict: i like... lol Szechuan Style Bubbling whole Fish (Spicy) -The waitress recommended this one and it also has its own newspaper article written on the wall. This dish comes in a fairly large bowl and is very oily. Its spicy just the way i like it. The fish is very good but on the bottom its all cabbage. I wish it was filled with noodles or something. The spicy flavor does soak into the cabbage if you like that kind of stuff. Mini Juicy Dumplings wiht Pork (8) - the skin of the dumplings was pretty thick. There was indeed soup inside these dumplings. These were decent but definitely not worth raving about House Pork chops over Rice - This dish was surprisingly good. The pork chops (which is fried) wasnt soggy. It was still crispy and had a sweet taste to it. Good stuff. Pan Fried Pork Buns (4) - The pan fried pork buns was probably my least favorite. Too much bread. not enough meat. I probably would not order this again. The whole restaurant was super crowded. Not cool. The tables were extremely small. Our dishes had to be stacked on top of each other and we had to swallow earlier dishes down our mouths to make room for the other ones. Dont order too much :P Service was lacking.. It takes less than 10 seconds (literally) to walk from the back to the front but yet we had to wait a long time for water (had to ask twice). 3.75-4 for food. 3 for service 2.5 for environment. Overall I would be willing to come back but i would definitely try to come on a off day. I dont think this place is worth waiting more than 15 minutes for.
(3)
Kiki W.
Today was not the first time that my boyfriend and I went to Gourmet Dumpling. We still remember how good the food was when we went there previously. We were pretty disappointed today. First, the man at the door got my boyfriend's name wrong, from Brandon to Reagan. It was not even close. We were lucky that we were the only people in line at the restaurant when they called our name. We ordered Yu Hsian Sauteed Shredded Pork in Spicy Sauce, mini juicy dumplings, and steamed live Sea Bass. The Yu Hsian Sauteed Shredded Pork in Spicy Sauce was mediocre, however, the steamed live Sea Bass was too salty and the mini juicy dumplings were both salty and undercooked. In general, we love juicy dumplings but this time we could not even finish the dish. We felt bad for the people who were waiting in line in the chilly weather outside the restaurant. The restaurant is not as good as many Boston guidebooks state anymore. Do not be lured. If you still want to go to this place after reading my review, make sure they do not seat you in front of the fish tank. From what we saw today, it was unpleasant when a waiter came to grab a live fish while people were having their dinner.
(2)
Jess M.
Was pleasantly pleased with my first experience at the Gourmet Dumpling House! Ordered a delicious cold Tsingtao and the pork leek dumplings to start. (Tea in the kettle is complimentary and on the table when you arrive) The dumplings were soft, juicy, and accompanied by a tasty sauce. The portion was generous and definitely enough for 2 or more to share. Second on the menu was the Schezuan sliced fish dish and the fried chicken. The fish dish was served in a heaping bowl with other vegetables and various peppers. The dish was excellent, especially for a heat fanatic such as myself. The portion was huge and definitely large enough for 2. The fried chicken was also quite good, crispy and covered in spices. I would have enjoyed the chicken dish more if the bones had been removed (The chicken pieces were hard to eat). Overall, the food and drinks were excellent and came fast. Will definitely be back for more of the dishes! Try out the Dumpling House!
(4)
Nicky N.
Try the scrambled egg w/ tomato and beef over rice plate. $5.75ish for a hearty plate that looks like cat vomit but tastes comforting and delicious. My bf and I usually order one for eating there and one to go. Soup dumplings or xiao long bao are nothing special. Yes they may be amongst the best available in Boston, but that's not saying much at all. After having some at din tai fung in CA I can't go back. The skins of the dumplings here are made with little care and rip easily. Oftentimes when the dumplings come out of the steamer, half of the precious soup has already leaked out onto the liner...*wipes away tear* + 1 star - ladies if you have a nice handbag, ask for a purse hook for your table. I was pleasantly surprised that a dingy place in Chinatown offered these.
(4)
Johnny N.
Solid. Most important - open until 1am on all nights. But these are some tasty digs. I ordered myself some pork/cabbage pan-fried dumplings, fried chicken wings, and chicken corn chowder, and all were awesome. I wish the hot chili oil was hotter. Service was quite friendly and helpful. Wasn't crowded when I went at 10pm on a Monday, but it's small, I can see how it can get busy. I would definitely come back here again to try their other items.
(4)
Heather C.
I really liked this place, though I admit I have only been once so far. My dining companion spoke fluent Chinese, which I think gave us some extra good service. Our waitress was impressed. The pork dumplings are amazing. I forget the name, but I LOVED the pork with fish sauce dish. The Sichuan tofu was nice and spicy. I also really enjoy their tea. Sometimes the tea at Chinese places has a strong flavor that I don't love. This one was very mild. The place is busy and cramped, but totally worth it. The menu is large and the prices are reasonable. I will be back.
(4)
Tu H.
I read about this place and wanted to like it so much but the service was non existent and the food was not what I expected. I'm disappointed.
(2)
Clara L.
So I never went here because the line is so freakishly long at all times. And now that it's cold, my likeliness to wait outside while I watch people eating steaming hot buns and dumplings and noodles is slim. But I was determined, so I waited outside for 25 minutes for my spot in the sardine tin. When we sat down, there was a hot pot of tea waiting, which was promptly poured down our throats to defrost us from the inside out. We ordered a wonton soup, an order of xiao long bao, and curry noodles with chicken and shrimp. That filled us up with even a little bit left to go. The service was a little slow, especially since we were hidden right behind the front counter, and the barrage of people who kept the door open because they wanted some warmth and exposing the restaurant to frigid air was quite annoying. However, they were all very pleasant and the prices were very reasonable. We left for under $30 after tip. I will be back, perhaps for lunch or brunch, when I don't have to wait in the cold!
(4)
Kelsey C.
I am the granddaughter of the world's greatest chef and no one and no thing comes close to my grandma's cooking. But aside from my mother, GDH is probably the closest anyone's ever come. I've probably had half the menu but here are my faves: Scallion Pancake - perfectly fried with an amazing batter, probably the only batter that gives my grandma a run for her money Crispy Fried Tofu - great neutral crispity crunchity goodness to order for the table Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork and Crabmeat - easily the best thing here. The pork ones are good too, but believe me you don't want just pork when you can have crab too Vegetarian Dumplings - steamed or pan-fried - a good alternative for those who don't eat meat or just don't eat pork Sauteed Pork Julienne with Bamboo Tips - seems over-simplified, but the pork is tender and so are the baby bamboo shoots. Ideal for appreciators of simplicity...and carnivorous pandas. Sliced Fish Szechuan Style - a pot of slow death but believe me, it's the best way to go! Sesame Chicken - far better than anything you'll get a grease-on-the-walls fast food place; a good option for the completely unadventurous The thing I love most about GDH is that they're accommodating. I know the service sucks, but it's not an authentic Chinese place if you don't spend half your meal chasing after a glass of ice water, and it's not Chinese service if you don't wave down various waiters at least 5 times per meal. Then again, the staff is still friendly, and if you want a dish made with a different meat or a different sauce, they'll do it and they'll do it well. So the water may be scarce and the line will always be long, but believe me, I'd wait for days.
(4)
kathy y.
As a Chinese person I can say this place is overrated, by themselves! Not sure why they post a paper on the wall to say that they are the best Chinese restaurant, because while they are decent, there are definitely better places out there. We waited for 40 minutes to go in because we wanted to try it, but the food turned out to be just ok. Ordered a spicy appetizer but it turned out more sweet than spicy... Nothing memorable - just like food you could make at home every day or get at any Chinatown restaurants. Price was ok!
(3)
Christine k.
You MUST order the schezuan style sliced fish filet (if you like spicy), the stir-fried chinese watercress (with garlic, I think), and the fried peeled shrimp. They are the tastiest 3 dishes I've ever had in any Chinese restaurant, hands down, EVER, in the ENTIRE WORLD (this is loosely based on being born in China, raised in L.A., and having had Chinese food in every major country in Western Europe and every major cosmopolitan city in California and the East coast). It's a little pricey for Chinese food (our bill was $25 per person), but oh well, such is the price for the only Chinese food in Boston worth eating.
(5)
Little B.
Not a palace exactly, but delicious dumplings made beautifully. Not too much dough, juicy and meaty. I also recommend the seaweed, which reminded me a little of Korean kimchi. Very fast service. Be careful not to order too much. They give a decent portions too.
(4)
Christina K.
Soo good!!!! This place is always packed, so I usually just order stuff to go or call in for a pick up. I haven't had a bad dish at all. The dishes are flavorful and not too oily. The food comes out quickly as well. I'm a huge fan of any of their stir fried noodle dishes. It's a bit cramped, but what do you expect? It's Boston, many cafe places are small. I would recommend coming with just 4 people max. They do not have any large tables, so don't expect having large groups here. Service can be spotty, but you can't be afraid to flag them down. They're usually only two, (maybe 3 on the weekends), so you need to raise your hand if you need anything. In summary, I recommend just doing take out and eating in the comfort of your own place than have mobs of people staring at you from the outside who are waiting for a table. The food is well worth the wait if you chose to wait instead. :)
(5)
Matthew A.
GDH Review # 287. WE could not help to go here from all the yummy dishy reviews. We love dumplings so we just had to get in on the action. The space is SMALL and crowded. Be prepared to squeeze in and even share a table with others. Most tables struggle to be big enough even to hold the bowls and plates. We enjoyed free tea (H20 not normally given). We got an order of scallion pancake (recommended); pork & leek dumplings; and an order of spicy noodle beef soup with greens. . All this for $18!! The two of us had more than enough and left stuffed and happy. A few mentionables: -We also ordered a side of rice which never came. It was on the bill so we had to ask for it to be removed. -Service is less than stellar. Be prepared to wait for any thing not delivered. -Too crowded and HOT. Open a window or turn on the AC please. I can not wait to return to try out more dumplings. Next time I want the kind with the pork and soup broth INSIDE the dumpling!!
(4)
Anne W.
This place's quality has gone down. I can't believe when I see the lines for this place because it's not as good as it used to be. You can always tell if a place is authentic by the number of Asians versus non-Asians. I went here last time for a wonton soup and green bean dish. The green beans were really unfresh... ick. I felt sick for the next day or so. I am going to try the new dumpling place down the street. Report back soon.
(2)
Good M.
Most, if not, all of their signature dumplings are purchased pre-made and frozen from distribution centers south of Boston. Luckily for them, their tables are always filled to capacity by blind tourists. As a result, good service and attitudes from the waitstaff is a thing of the past. Like many others have said already, this place can definitely afford to treat you like shit and serve you mediocre, non-authentic food from a wok or steamer.
(1)
Melody L.
I came here with a friend for a late lunch and we ordered the xiao long bao, pickled cucumbers, peanuts, scallion pancake, and the eggplant with basil. The scallion pancakes were pretty good - they make them slightly thicker, but still very chewy and flaky with appropriate amounts of salt. The xiao long bao was decent and...the peanuts were good. However, the cucumbers were awful and the eggplant with basil was simply too oily and greasy. They charged for rice, which was annoying, and some of the dishes are very, very overpriced (pickled cucumbers should not cost $7).
(2)
Judy L.
Sadly, Boston's shiaolongbaos don't stand a chance against the ones I got from California. (I'd recommend Shanghai Dumplings in Saratoga, CA, and Ding Tai Fung in LA, CA). And we were also disappointed by the pork buns here (shuei jien bao). A consistent theme. They were GINORMOUS. They were at least double what their usual sizes should be. And so their "skins" were too thick for them to be delicate. :( Sad times. However, their lunch special entrees are good. I'd recommend bamboo shoots with shredded pork.
(3)
H T.
Food is great here. Close to authentic as you can get here. The dumplings, spicy fish, beef with long-horn pepper, eggplant, are pork blood w/ leek are so good. Just disregard their waitstaff services. It's typical of many Chinese restaurant. Come for the food and that's how I'm giving this place 4 stars... Just for their food! Btw, it is on the pricier side of Chinatown.
(4)
Doug J.
(score 1-100) 94. Well, let me give two reasons why you should eat here...number one... This place gets lots of National acclaim. Travel and Leisure Top 25 Chinese Restaurant. They are in many Newspapers, Yahoo Top 10 Chinese Restaurants in the US consistently. The reason being is their Dumplings. These juice filled pieces of dumpling heaven are great for dinner or even better after a late night saturday fix. They really are top notch and are signature for late night dining affair in Chinatown. ...number two... I am asian as well and I have over 100+ friends of Chinese decent who go there over most options in Chinatown.
(5)
Tony S.
Nipples.... .... just a totally random thought that has nothing to do with this review. But Kudos to Marc C. and Nate Y. for their reviews of this place. The family was in the mood for something completely different from the boring pizza, burger, and Thai food selections in our neighborhood. With no idea of what to do, I peeped at everyone's reviews, and noticed these 2 aforementioned members of my VIP Posse, and decided to go for it. Rarely do I venture out with the family on first-time restaurant visits, but we were starving and desparate. We went for the 2 different soup dumplings, the regular pork ones(YUMiLicious!!!) and the pork+crab ones (um... sorta yummy, sorta different... guess I'm not that much into crab). The Mapo tofu was delish.... so good that mom scarfed it all by herself. The sauteed squid was sorta meh, but u know what? I don't care. The dumplings were AWSUM. Value? good good good. 2 dumplings, squid, mapo tofu, and 2 bowls of rice = $39.80. Definately gonna come here again. Found my dumpling booty call.
(4)
constantconsumer c.
The xiao long bao's are decent but not the best in Chinatown. On my points scale (1-5, 5 being the best), I found the thinness of the skin is a hesitant 4 (it was a bit inconsistent between orders), the texture of the meat was a (5), not dense at all, the juicyness was a 5, but the flavor was a 2.5, a bit bland and the sauce didnt improve it. The pan fried dumplings were the thick doughy-y kind but very good and flavorful. The okra in satay sauce was unique and yummy and the beef stew over noodles was decent.
(3)
Mike D.
This place is definitely worth the hype of what everyone is talking about in Boston. All the food is fresh and tasty. The prices are actually very reasonable. The space is tight and usually the place is packed. I would try the scallion pancakes, dumplings, and veggie soup. One of my favorite Chinatown spots.
(4)
Linda Y.
Why does this place get consistently stellar reviews? Yes, it's a staple of Chinatown, but come on now, these dumplings are sub-par. Their juicy pork dumplings are a let down and their pan fried dumplings are unremarkable. It is seriously not worth the wait behind the never ending queue of college students. And I hate to say this because the waiters are clearly really overworked, but the service is very spotty, and the dishes never fail to come out in the most non-sensical sequence. Talk about overrated. Maybe I should try their Szechuan dishes instead. Those look more promising.
(2)
Alan L.
This place is AWESOME. We ordered Sauteed Julienne Beef w/Long Horn Peppers & Ma Po Tofu off of the lunch menu and ordered an order of Sandong Style Pan Fried Dumplings and Mini Juicy Dumplings wiht Pork for side. My wife and I enjoyed it very much! The Beef with Long Horm Peppers was hot but manageable. The rest of the food just heaven. The dumplings were light but filling. We love this place and we would definitely come back again. BTW, it was a take out order and heated it up for dinner, not lunch.
(4)
Liza B.
This place is pretty overhyped. Every weekend there's a line out the door of people from Newton etc coming here and it's ridiculous! You can get dumplings that are just as good at Windsor or Taiwan cafe and the rest of the food is fine but it's nothing special and it's overpriced. If you want real authentic Chinatown go to somewhere else!
(3)
Hieu P.
Even though many people like this place, I don't! 9 o'clock Wednesday night. The restaurant was packed. I got a table after about 10' wait. I ordered steamed dumplings, lamb soup, and stewed beef with okra. The food was ok. However, the value/price ratio was certainly less than 1. The customer service was horrible. A waiter gave me the check and collect the dishes right after I barely finished my meal. This gave me a message that I am being kicked out of the restaurant!!! My bill was $29.60, and I tipped $3 (10%). The waiter told me that I had to tip 15% for this bill. I wondered if there was a rule here that I had to do so. But I was too tired to argue, so I paid the bill and go. BOTTOM LINE: if this place is crowded, you probably wouldn't want to wait, unless you wanna get kicked out for other "more important" customers to get seated. REMEMBER this place is pretty famous in Chinatown, so they can afford to have one less customer!!!!! Good bye Gourmet. I hope I never have to see you again.
(1)
Kat B.
My husband and I went here last night despite the recent bad reviews because we wanted to try their shengjiangbao (fried dumplings). The dumplings that arrived were in no way authentic shengjiangbao. They were simply large baozi that had been steamed and then tossed in a wok for a few seconds to "burn" the bottom. The meat/vegetable filling of the baozi was bland/tasteless and the meat-to-dough ratio was off (too much dough). Plus they were not cooked the way true shengjianbao are prepared. In all honesty you could have enjoyed a better baozi dish if you went to one of the nearby Chinatown supermarkets and purchased frozen ones and cooked them at home yourself. None of their appetizers were fresh and I was actually worried they might make me sick afterward. The texture of their jellyfish appetizer was indicative that it had been sitting out too long somewhere. It also had an unpleasant and off-putting aftertaste that lingered in my mouth during the T ride home. Their spicy beef tripe was overly seasoned and oily and their ox tongue and tripe with chili sauce was just ok. Every appetizer we ordered there I've had much better versions of at restaurants outside of Chinatown. Our service was actually better than I expected but I still had to spend a while trying to flag a waitress down to take our order. Also it's disconcerting to hear so much shouting coming from the kitchen and from the dining room to the kitchen. Unless Gourmet Dumpling House completely transforms its dishes, they should consider editing the name of their restaurant. Gourmet is the last word in the dictionary I would use to describe this restaurant. A more fitting epithet would be "Mediocre". If you're looking for delicious, authentic dumplings, avoid GDH at all costs.
(1)
Ashley D.
very good but i just don't think it's worth all the hype. best soup dumplings in boston? eh probably. some of the best i've ever had? nope. da house a lot smaller than most chinese restaurants which is why it's usually packed. i went on a random tuesday night around 6 or 7 and didn't have to wait to get seated. it was still full of people but from what we saw, it seems weekdays are the best days to go to avoid the huge lines. the service was pretty good. it definitely always helps to have someone that knows mandarin eating with you. the soup dumplings were good. not the best i've had, but pretty good. they're a bit bigger and thus a lot harder to eat, so me and my semi-amateur dumpling technique made a bit of a mess of it. the spicy szechuan style sliced fish was really good at first but then got to be a little too much. i love spicy food but this was straight up intense. it's a peppery spicy which is really hard to eat a lot of, and there is A LOT of this fish and napa in this dish. pretty good as leftovers though, just increase your rice to spice ratio for this one. i would like to try some of the other stuff here, so we'll see how that goes.
(3)
Alan T.
The seafood dumplings weren't bad and the size of the seafood in clay pot took us by surprise. We've had better dumplings, though. Fair warning- expect a wait and you'll be elbow to elbow in this place. It's very cramped. Also, is it too much to expect to have *clean* teacups and utensils at your table? Had to flag the staff twice to get her teacup and soup spoon replaced. Maybe we'll come back for another try. Maybe...
(2)
Nate Y.
It's the day after my "procedure" and I haven't been this clean since the last time I had a stomach virus whilst traveling. So what better way to fill up but on dumplings. And not just any dumplings, but soup dumplings! I didn't realize that these suckers originated from Shanghai, since most the food I have had there was not so memorable or very tasty. I didn't know of any place that offered these since I typically have gone to Cantonese/HK eateries. Thanks be to Yelp I find Gourmet Dumpling House. With three willing companions we arrived here around 6PM on a Thursday evening the place was bustling. Even so it really didn't take long to seat us. We order the pork and the pork/crab meat dumplings, ma po tofu, watercrest with garlic, and the mango chicken. The pork dumplings, filled with broth, was delicious and fun when trying to eat them in the proper way of drinking the broth and filling it with the soy/vinegar and ginger sauce. The crab meat and pork dumplings were okay, but I personally didn't like the strong taste of the crab meat (maybe canned?). The ma po tofu was good with the right amount of spiciness for me, as well as the mango chicken with a nice blend of sweet and spicy, although the sauce was a bit too gelatinous. The watercrest with garlic was tasty with a good amount of garlic and not oily. With all this food the total came to only $60 which included the tip. We had leftovers to spare as well. I will definitely be coming back for the dumplings and to try their Taiwanese dishes.
(4)
Brown J.
Extremely overrated! Bad service, way to many people The food is not that good as they said. Salty, oily and not authentic at all. You know what, such kind of Chinese restaurant will definitely go bankrupt in China. The bottom line: I WILL NEVER STEP IN AGAIN IN THE REST OF MY LIFE!
(1)
Cammy C.
Kate Hudson and Blake Lively eat here!! Enough said! Haha, no but seriously, this place is always packed for good reason...the dumplings here are reason enough to keep coming back! With that being said, everything else was just kind of okay. The service was lacking, first they served us our dumplings without any sauce. Our dishes were supposed to come with soup, but they forgot so we had to ask them for it. We ordered some lien go, eggplant, and tofu...which we specifically asked our waiter to tell the cook to go easy on the oil but our food still came out really greasy! I mean, yeah it was still tasty, but after we ate everything off our plates, there were puddles of oil lying at the bottom. YUCK! And our server forgot to put in our order for the tofu, so we had to sit around an extra 10 mins waiting for our dish after we already finished eating! I felt like they were trying to rush us out because we were holding up a table...even though it wasn't our fault! I guess I know never to come before or during lunch rush hour again.
(4)
Jennifer N.
I am sorry to be the only critic among all of the Dumpling House fans- but my experience was reminiscent more of a Dump House. Place was really crowded at lunch, probably because it is popular. Started with spring rolls- they were flavorless and tasted much like frozen ones I could get at Trader Joes. Wonton Soup was FULL of bones. I could not even eat it- why would you put bones in a wonton? I was embarrassed trying to eat it in front of my friend, because I had to spit bones out into my hands. Ick. Beef and broccoli- thought it was a safe choice but the beef had SO much oil it was not at all enjoyable. It actually had a sticky sort of coating, that makes my stomach hurt thinking about it. Worst part- we both had huge headaches and tummy aches after. Total MSG. Sorry Dump House- but I will not be back.
(2)
Jess D.
If you have ever eaten real Taiwanese food, then you would know that this place does not even compare. And when I say real Taiwanese food, I mean, actually on the island of Taiwan. The xiao long bao are not good. The skin is too thick and chewy (not in a good way either) and the soup inside is oily and lacking flavor. I also ordered a plate of fried pork and leek dumplings but they were just too oily. The flavor of the filling is not that great. You don't really get too much flavor of the leeks (or maybe they were supposed to be chives?). Finally, I ordered the chicken cutlet over rice. It was deep fried but again, much too oily. The cabbage on top tasted like nothing at all. The restaurant itself is very cramped. We were placed at a table right next to the register and waiters were bumping our chair left and right. The only reason why this place gets two stars is because our waiter was fabulous and they served us the food quick so that we could hightail it out of there.
(2)
John R.
So tried this place for the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style as recomended on TV by Ming Tsai, it was really good and really spicy. All the food was superb, liked the dumplings. Small place and very busy but service was good.
(5)
James A.
The food isn't that bad. The dumplings and general gaos were great. We also had egg drop soup which tasted like dishwater. The service was poor. The waitress was rude and not attentive at all. One plus is that the prices are very low. Overall, good main dishes but I'd stay away from the soups.
(3)
Pete K.
This place was great! Got there around 6p on a Sunday and only waited a few minutes. Took a while for someone to finally take our order, but food came quickly. Very tasty and wicked cheap! Definitely recommend.
(4)
Tim D.
I heard Michael Douglas loves this place, and my chin isn't nearly cleft enough to contradict the man directly. But neither can I hide the truth: These guys made me a truly sad seafood hot-pot, and there's no excuse to be making bad seafood hot-pots nowadays, life being what it is. It was 40% celery, friends, and 20% carrots. What shrimp it had were good, true. There was but a whisp of them, though-- or were they even there? Were they, maybe, just little pink Hopes? Who can be sure? I really felt there was contempt for me in that hot-pot. Celery in such quantities in a seafood dish-- it's pure disdain, in the language of chinese cookery. I lay a burden on you, Dumpling House. The burden is to live up to your hype. May the Merciful grant it to you some day.
(2)
Derrick P.
Not a huge fan. Compared to Chinese restaurants in New York or San Francisco, I don't see anything particularly special about this place. The noodle soup did not have fresh or high quality ingredients (much less enjoyable than the Vietnamese pho place down the street) and the dumplings made me feel a little nauseated after getting through them. Yes, this place does have an authentic feel about it, but also doesn't feel entirely clean or well kept. Wasn't particularly happy with the service and felt a little sick the next day. The $20 cash minimum is no fun either. Probably wouldn't bother coming back here again.
(3)
Rob Y.
Food (9.5/10) = If you're tired of the Cantonese cuisine which dominates Chinatown, definitely try out Gourmet Dumpling House (GDH). Of all the Chinese restaurants in the Boston area, this is the BEST. When it first opened, I came here almost everyday. I've tried most of the dishes, so I'll state a few of them in my review. Appetizers: 1) Chilled Spicy Pork Ears = I ALWAYS order this when I eat at GDH. 2) Scallion Pancakes = Very nicely done. Large fluffy pieces. 3) Mini Steamed Buns with Pork and Crabmeat = Another appetizer I ALWAYS order when I come to GDH. If you like this dish (aka. Mini Pork Soup Buns), this is the best place to get it in the Boston area. 4) Pork & Leek/Pork & Cabbage/Beef & Celery Dumplings = Very nicely done. These dumplings are homemade and they remind me of the dumplings I had while wondering around in the streets of China. 5) Stinky Tofu (Not on menu; written in Chinese on the wall) = Not as stinky as the ones you will find in China or Taiwan, but still full of flavor. If you are adventurous, certainly give this a try! Lunch Box, Rice & Noodles 1) House Pork Chops over Rice = A nice Taiwanese "street food" dish. It comes with 2 fried porkchops, vegetables, minced ground pork, and a tea=boiled egg. For $5, you really get a lot of food! 2) Pork Ribs with Bitter Melon over Rice = If you like pork ribs and bitter melon, this dish is for you! 3) Hearty Noodles with Pork and Vegetables = This is my favorite of all the noodle dishes. Like the name says, this dish is hearty. This is a noodle dish with eggs scrambled in, julienned pork, bamboo shoots, and "wood ears." The soup itself is thick and full of flavor. 4) Beef Stew Noodles with Vegetables = this is a spicy noodle dish. The soup is very spicy and oily, and is not meant to be consumed. Soups 1) Chinese Herbal Squid-Ox Tail Soup = if you have never had Chinese herbal soup, give this a try. Entrees 1) Sauteed Eel with Yellow Chives = the eel is sliced into very thin strips to match the look of the yellow chives. A very nice dish with a little heat to it! 2) Sliced Fish Szechuan Style = My #1 dish of GDH. Every person that I have invited to GDH loves this dish. No other restaurant in the Boston area serves this popular dish of the Szechuan region in China. Braised or Sweet and Sour 1) Kung Pao Chicken = Disappointing. Considering how well this restaurant cooks Szechuan style dishes, I expected this to be good. 2) House Style Asparagus Chicken = A nice combination with a great flavor. 3) Sauteed Pork Julienne with Bamboo Tips = This is one of GDH's more popular dishes. Definitely give this dish a try. 4) Sauteed Pork with Mustard Greens and Bean Bowties = A very clean and light flavor. The textures of each ingredient really go well together. 5) Simmered Three Essence Chicken = Nicely done. The three essences are sesame oil, wine, and soy sauce. 6) "Yu Xiang Ro Si" (not on menu; written in Chinese on wall) = An awesome dish! It's sweet! It's sour! It's spicy! Vegetables: 1) Sauteed Chinese Watercress with Garlic = a very nice and clean flavor. 2) Bitter Melon with Salty Eggs = I really like the flavor of bitter melon so this dish is a treat for me. 3) Braised Tofu with Scallion and Vegetables = nothing special. 4) Ma Po Tofu = not the ma po tofu I was expecting, but still delicious. Chef's Specials: 1) Braised Prime Pig's Feet with Seafood = This is my #2 dish of GDH! It's actually pork shoulder and the meat is delicate and juicy! Service (8.5/10) = Service is fantastic relative to what you would expect from a Chinese restaurant. Edward (the owner) makes an effort to meet his guests and gives recommendations to those who are eating at GDH for the first time. If you are a regular customer like me, sometimes they'll give you appetizers and/or drinks on the house. I recently graduated and when I had my celebration dinner there, they gave us Champaign on the house! The people of GDH truly value their customers. Ambiance (7/10) = Nothing special here. It is what you would and should expect from most Chinese restaurants. The place is a bit crowded, but I feel it gives the place a nice homey feel to it. Overall Opinion = One fellow yelper had an issue with GDH concerning meat in her food. Although unfortunate, be aware that this restaurant is very traditional with its cuisine. So although you may order a vegetable dish, the sauce that comes with it might be created with a meat stock. Vegetarianism is not as prominent in China as it is in other parts of the world. The Chinese eat anything and everything. Whenever I have guests coming into Boston, or friends who want to try something new in Chinatown, this is the place I bring them, and all have enjoyed the food as much as I have. If you have already been here and had a so-so experience, give GDH another try and order some of the other dishes I mentioned.
(5)
Susan K.
Decided to bring some out of town visitors here during the huge blizzard that hit Boston. It was about 10pm and most places were closed...except this place. I heard that this place was good from another person...so I was like why not. The place was small. Nothing spectacular. Just a regular small restaurant that wasn't too fancy. We were seated right away...the six of us. Like most Asian restaurant, the staff spoke little English but we were able to order fine. I wished I bought a Chinese friend along to order the GOOD stuff but after reading the menu inside out, I was able to order good dishes. Food came out fast and we all devoured it. I thought it was good. A little greasy but not as greasy as the Chinese/American take-out. Loved the string beans with beef...although there were barely any beef. The price was cheap too and including tax and tip, it only came out to approximately $10 a person for lots of food. Pretty good deal to me. I have to be fair and say that I haven't tried the dumplings here. I will have to come back and try that...cause there's a reason why they should call themselves "Gourmet Dumpling House".
(3)
Chris M.
Some great Chinese food here. But I probably wouldn't get the Shanghai noodles again. Not impressed with the Shanghai noodles.
(4)
Diane Y.
This is my first review ever posted. Totally disappointed at this place... we ordered takeout, beef noodle soup (the beef is thin, not good quality and the noodle has gone bad with a strong sour smell), the string beans with beef, can't find the beef and the string bean is too well done and oily, pork with bamboo tips, it's just soso but at least edible. I thought to give this place a try since it's always busy and typically has a wait. I paid $31, had to throw out 2 out of 3 dishes..... will never go there again!
(1)
Scott J.
It was approaching 11 PM, I was starving, and I was walking to the Orange Line in Chinatown. I couldn't resist the urge to grab a late dinner at Gourmet Dumpling House. Since it was a Tuesday night, the place was pretty deserted. I stumbled in alone and was treated very well; I requested that my flat noodles with beef be prepared spicy and threw in some mini-pork buns for good measure. My entree was out in just a few minutes, steaming hot, fresh, and bursting with heat and flavor. The buns and dumplings always take 15 minutes, so they followed shortly thereafter. Needless to say, I had leftovers and happily took them home. I heard the woman at the register tell prospective patrons that they were closing at 11:45 PM. I'm not sure if that's just Tuesday, or any weeknight. This is a must-visit restaurant in Chinatown for quality, authentic food with good service, clean bathrooms, and attentive staff.
(4)
Chen L.
Really good chong you bing! The dumplings were also decently good. We ordered the xiao long bao and the sze chuan fish pieces and some pan fried pork buns that were good too, but I thought the chong you bings were one of the better ones I've ever had. Esp comparing with all the other Chinese places I go to in the SD bay area
(3)
Grains P.
I've braved the crowds many times to dine here for the tasty xiaolongbao, but after my most recent visit, I've simply had enough of this place. First of all, the place is packed, so you're dining in fairly cramped table arrangements. Staff treat you curtly and practically toss food on your table when it comes. Maybe I came on a bad day because the xiaolongbao wasn't all that great. The skin on the top of the dumplings was dry, which makes me wonder if it was sitting out for a while. Also, we ordered stir-fried noodle with eel and found a piece of plastic that had been mixed into it. Before we barely had any time to digest the meal, a check was tossed onto our table. They practically rushed us out of the restaurant to make room for new diners, not that I really wanted to stay in such an uncomfortable and noisy atmosphere. I used to like this place because the food was good, but perhaps the pressures of popularity has made the overall dining experience go downhill.
(2)
Rich S.
Long time fan of GDH. Love the spicy long horn peppers with beef, eggplant in basil sauce, and any vegetable sauteed with tons of garlic. Oh and if it needed to be said again, 2 orders of juicy buns must be ordered as soon as you sit down!!! (they're made fresh and take 15 minutes to order) Other things worth checking out, the scallion pancakes, they're much bettter here than anywhere else. And, try the MaPo tofu with pork. Anyone looking for westernized service should be warned though, this is chinatown and you're at a chinese restaurant. it's not rude, it's a cultural experience, lighten up.
(5)
Dian L.
I'm mad at my mom and I'm mad at myself for coming to Boston Chinatown half prepared. I went to Gourmet Dumpling House, but didn't note what to order and watched arrays of appetizing dishes floating past me. Noodles with spinach, huge seafood soups, ginger chicken stews, jellyfish, various dumplings, but I was feeding myself a fish for my rough day of interviewing and only have one stomach so, ill advised, I went for the easily recognizable. I had also asked my non internet savvy mom to look up some of the reviews and see what's good there, she named scallion pancakes and mapo tofu. I prefer to "gird my loins" before stepping into unfamiliarly large menu territory. Again, I only have one stomach and a smaller wallet. A girl next to me was eating a plate of what looked like "soup dumplings," so I asked her if she would recommend them/if they were the specialty. She said the small "juicy pork dumplings" were filling and delicious, so yes. Though there was Mandarin Chinese being spoken by the personnel and guests, I'm not sure these "juicy dumplings" were the same as the soup dumplings I'm used to and, if they are, they didn't have the tender, palpable skin when steaming, soft meat, and more than a spoonful of soup I'm used to. If they are soup dumplings, they were missing most of the useful soup traits. The skin was tougher and resilient, more like gyoza, even when hot, the meat was more chewy again like a normal dumpling and the inside had only a bit of "juice." Overall, it is good as a soup dumpling/other dumpling hybrid, but if it is authentic as a soup dumpling, it is puzzling at the least. I also ordered a scallion pancake, which was deep fried to crunchiness in layers of flaky dough and had a very strong cooked onion taste. My favorite (seafood) scallion pancake I've had was from Kang Suh, which was not over crispy but well cooked with pieces of I think squid stuffed inside the scallion if that's even possible. The scallion pancakes I've had in dim sum and banchan at Korean places after that were over fried and less fresh. In places famed for dumplings like Joe's Shanghai or for their more authentic, uncompromisingly Chinese cuisine like Grand Szechuan, I'm cautious about ordering seemingly Americanized, starch slathered dinner items, but at Gourmet Dumpling House, the huge dinner portions I saw floating by looked delicious and creative. I want to come to Gourmet Dumpling House again, probably with other people so I don't surround myself with various dishes and pick at them like a rich, fat, empress.. Or more like a poor, not too fat woman taking advantage of the $20 credit card minimum.
(3)
Liz G.
Meander your way over to Chinatown after a night of hard drinking. Or skip on over after a day full of TPS reports. Whatever state you're in, the Gourmet Dumpling House is a must-try. The DUMPLINGS are great...
(4)
David P.
2.5 stars After my trip to Singapore, I realize chinese food in Boston pretty much sucks. This place is okay. Before my trip, it was good. The soup dumplings here have way too much dough with little filling. The other dishes are fairly routine without any outstanding quality. (I always get whatever the waitress recommends.) Can't wait for some talented, authentic Chinese chefs to come this way. I won't hold my breath though.
(2)
Keli R.
This was our first trip to any Chinatown and we were warned....don't stay after dark and only follow the busy part of Chinatown. Oh boy, what was I getting myself into. After my first bubbletea experience and a long leisurely walk around Boston Commons, we headed back to Chinatown to get some dumplings! Well we were sidetracked by a few sightings of the Yankees, Josh Beckett from the Red Sox and Cameron Diaz...my boyfriend faltered, wanting to stick around the Ritz some more to gawk at celebrities. AH!!! it's almost dark! we need to move!! I had read the reviews on here and wanted to try it. Again, I am weary of large crowds and pictures of celebs on the wall...but the owner sat our order and I appreciated that. It is small...cramped...and fast paced. The fish they cook is swimming in a tank along the wall. There is a variety of Chinese beer in the cooler. I love it. Everyone was eating the fish stew and I vow to try this next time I go back! We ordered kim chee, pork buns, "juicy pork dumplings" which are soup dumplings, Yen something pork..i forget the name and head on/shell on salt and pepper shrimp. The kim chee was cold and spicy...like a really great cole slaw. The pork buns were a little lackluster. Too much "bun" for me. The soup dumplings were VERY VERY good...although I do have one complaint. The dough was so so thin and delicate which is a great thing, but I think you need to be very skilled to pick them up without puncturing the skin to "suck out" the yummy soup. We requested spoons and this was quickly rectified. Our pork dish was soooo good. Is there MSG in this dish? is this why we're eating so much???? WHO CARES!! was my boyfriend's response. The pork was shiny and delish. Cilantro scattered throughout the dish and chinese mushrooms.. YES! I LOVE MUSHROOMS! so good. Didn't look as good as the fish stew but I WILL be back dumpling house! Our shrimp took a while to come out....when I ordered it, my waitress said, "are you sure? it's head on and shell on"... YES PLEASE! It came out and there was like 15 shrimp...big shrimp on our plate..for 11.00! It may skeeve some people out..but I'm taking the bizarre food approach on this one. I eat the whole thing. I pull off the head, suck out the brains and shove it down the gullet. I eat the shell...the tail..all of it...I don't care. I don't care if you think I'm gross and if you don't do it, you're missing out. The frying makes the shells so delicate and sweet. The brain is the best part! The shrimp were juicy..you could see the juice flowing under the shell. YUM YUM YUM! for those alone you should go. Anotehr small complaint would be that the bill is written in Chinese..and who really knows what they're charging you for? All in all ..with 3 beers..it came to 50.00. WE WILL BE BACK! I LOVE CHINA TOWN!!
(4)
Veronica P.
Totally missing dumplings after living in London and not being able to find a good place for it. This place hit the spot. Pretty good dumplings. Cheap, $6 for 12 big fat pork and cabbage dumplings. The meat and skin ratio is good, although.. the skin could be a tad thinner. Very quick service. 5 minutesalthough it was super busy. Glad I followed the crowd - always pick a busy place !
(4)
Kyle S.
PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS!!! okay now that that is out of my system I can write a proper review. The first thing you should know is: there will be a line! Expect to wait at least 20 minutes to get a seat and make sure you stay close because I'm pretty sure all white people look the same to them :-p (of course that only applies to boring, sun deprived people like me). the menu is extremely overwhelming... so don't think, just pick with your stomach. Everything is delicious, I promise. If you're clever you'll just look at what other people are eating and say "I want that!". Speak clearly to the waiters if you want your order right; there is nothing shameful about pointing to the item you want. I ordered the 3 cup chicken, beef with string beans, and the... PAN FRIED PORK BUNS. mmmmm.... Try them. now. go! what are you waiting for you fool??? also... this is one of the few restaurants in Chinatown that accepts credit cards, so go big and share with your friends!
(5)
Aristophelius M.
The food is delicious and surprisingly cheap. Some dishes come out super fast. They have lots of good specifically Taiwanese food.
(4)
Karl R.
One of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Boston. Also, did you know this is Ming Tsai's favorite Chinese restaurant too?? There is definitely a reason this place is so well-liked. I'm not Chinese, but I'm engaged to someone who is, and we always make a big deal about eating authentic Chinese cuisine. You will definitely find plenty of authentic dishes at Gourmet Dumping House. Some are okay, while others are the best in town. Still not convinced this place is Chinese-approved? Then take a peek inside the window. So here are a couple dishes that Gourmet Dumpling House is known for: - (xiaolongbao): soup-filled dumplings. Ordering these is a MUST! If you haven't eaten these before, bring a Chinese friend to show you how or be CAREFUL about the HOT soup inside the dumpling. You can't just willy-nilly pick these things up out of the steamer... they might break and the precious soup will spill out. Eat these delicately! - (shuizhuyu): sichuan style fish in spicy broth. I realize Gourment Dumpling House is not a Sichuan restaurant, but they prepare this dish better than all the other Sichuan places my fiancee has taken me to. This dish is my fiancee's favorite dish... and we both agree Gourmet Dumpling House does the best job in town. Their other dishes are good, but not to the level of the ones I described above. Wow. Ironically I'm not that crazy about their regular dumplings... but maybe that's because the xiaolongbao are just so dang good. Prices are great for the quality and quantity of food you get. The place is extremely small, so be prepared to wait a while. The waiters may also have issue bringing out certain items if you don't speak to them in Chinese (e.g. like water or white rice).
(5)
Aaron A.
3 stars. Dumplings were very greasy. Yuck. ginger crab i could've did without. The spicy flounder was great. The pancake scallions were good.
(3)
Ben P.
The space was cramped and small, having to wait was rather uncomfortable as there was little room to stand, nowhere to sit, and it was freezing outside. The menu was huge! Got the mini juicy pork dumplings and bbq braised ribs, both of which were delicious. The food also came out really fast. Wasn't so crazy about the soup but it was okay. Overall the meal was enjoyable, although I felt like they were rushing us with the way they put the check on the table without asking if we were ready... but I guess with a place as crowded as they are it doesn't surprise me. I'd definitely go back again.
(4)
Justin Y.
This review does not include the szechuan spicy-fish pot which I heard about in Best Thing I Ever Ate on Food Network (recommended by Ming Tsai). As someone who has lived in Asia, I have to say that some of the stuff we ordered was mediocre. The juicy dumplings with pork were juicy (which is good!) but their was simply too much meat for the dumpling. At the places with 5-star juicy dumplings, each step in making the dumpling is measured on a scale to ensure that the exact amount of dough and meat are put into the recipe. I don't expect perfection, but the ratio of meat to dough was not good. The pan-fried pork buns on the other hand, had too much dough. This really ruined the texture of the bun, and the bottom wasn't even crispy because of this overdose of dough. The oyster pancake had too much of that "gelatin" which is used to bond the pancake together. The sauteed watercress with garlic was good. The fried squid was pretty good too. Nicely breaded and had the right amount of seasoning. For Chinese food in the US this is good. My review is biased because of I've eaten Chinese food my whole life (and I haven't tasted their fish yet). I will give it another shot sometime and give a more up-to-date review.
(3)
Deb B.
Fantastic dumplings and amazing scallion pancakes!!
(5)
Lulu A.
I've been here twice (sober... yes, I came here during daylight hours!) 1st time my friend and I were being fatties and had: Scallion Pancake - Highlight of the meal... flaky, puffy, delicious, and just a little greasy... nomnomonm Spring Rolls - nothing to write home about, solid performance, but we had to ask for the duck sauce General Gau's Chicken - ehh, not amazing, and definitely some dark meat... also the rice never came (a blessing in disguise) 2nd Experience: with a coworker Vegetable Dumplings (steamed) - delicious, light, a little chewiness, stuffed w bok choy, seaweed salad, garlic, a little oil, and possibly something else green - recommended and there were like 12! Hot & Sour Soup (cup) - DELICIOUS, one of the best I've had - served super warm, little slices of pork and tofu and egg... ohhh yes :)
(4)
Julie S.
Gourmet Dumpling House is a hole in the wall in Chinatown that serves absolutely delicious dumplings. The dumplings are large, as are the orders. For 2 people we ordered 1 order of steamed juicy buns, 1 order of vegetable dumplings, and scallion pancakes. We're both big eaters (I'm pregnant so I'm an especially big eater) and we still had leftovers to take home. The dumplings here are fresh and tasty. I do wish the orders were smaller and less expensive so you could have more variety in a meal, but that's a small gripe. The scallion pancakes were just eh, so stick to the dumplings and you'll leave happy and full.
(4)
Shweta V.
We wanted to get a quick lunch in Chinatown and this place showed up amongst the highest rated spots on Yelp. True to claim, it was a quick meal with wait time less than 10 minutes around peak lunch time. We ordered the scallion pancakes and vegetable dumplings based on Yelp recommendations, as well as the sauteed noodles with shrimp & vegetables. All 3 items were good..just not as awesome as I expected based on the reviews. Great part about the noodles was that they were not doused in soy sauce or salt or grease, unlike many Chinese restaurants...though I wish they had more real 'vegetables' such as broccoli or carrots than bean sprouts and green onions. Scallion pancakes were deep fried - wish they were pan seared / less greasy. Friendly and fast service. Large portion sizes. Plenty of locals (families, officegoers, students etc) and tourists. Overall, good experience...though a bit overhyped IMO. I'll try another place next time I'm in the area.
(3)
Tamika W.
Tea was delicious... Crab rangoons were runny and had very little crab in them. Gross. The pork dumplings were not to my taste as they engaged my gag reflex. Very cramped little place, not worth the hype.
(1)
Jimmy H.
It seems that this place serves dishes of two extreme of hit & miss. And thankfully, the dishes my friends and I order were "hit". My friends ordered mediocre beef and broccolis, pan fried noodles that were two thumbs up in their books. And I order beef stew noodle soup which I would give 4 stars. Beijing ravioli was the best in town in my book. Next to shabu village, I think. I personally preferred fried ravioli. Its decor is nothing impressive or nothing disgusting. I did feel that they clammed up too many tables in small space. It felt a little uncomfortable. Service was adequate. Not too friendly or not too rude. And someone needs to tell that waiter with mullet that his hair is waaaay out of the time.
(4)
Pedro C.
My last visit here was a little disappointing. But all the previous ones before that were pretty good. As it's name suggests, this place has dumplings. I love dumplings. And they seem to always please with dumplings (steamed or fried) that taste so good you can taste the different fresh ingredients inside. They do awesome side dishes as well. However, my last visit was not as expected. The dumpling was bland and the side of friend intestine was soggy. I'm hoping this was an anomaly and will not be the norm. Service is quick as they want to turn around and get the next group seated.
(3)
Jenn T.
i've been to this place numerous times and have always enjoyed their food. their service has been okay but i never expected much of that from chinatown. today...however... the terrible service just pushed us over the edge. first we were given one menu for a table of six people. fine. we order. food started coming out, entrees first, appetizers last. fine. where was the big bowl of rice i ordered? had to ask for it. fine. rice comes out, no bowls. had to ask for that. fine. steamed buns come out and because we weren't fast enough to clear some space for the waitress, she decided it was okay to put it on top of a only half eaten dish. what? seriously? fine. steam buns sit there for 10 minutes without the sauce. we had to ask for that. fine. we sat there, finished our meal while smelling cigarette smoke that came from the kitchen, and i decided that with this seriously crappy service, they're lucky that i leave them 5% tip, so that's what i did. we walk out, loitered outside for a minute as we normally do before we part ways and the waitress runs out and says...um, tip? so i explained to her why she was lucky to have gotten any at all. tips are not required, nor is it expected. you have to earn it. after we've left for almost 20 minutes, we realized we left a bag a video games there, so we knew there'll probably be some trouble, but we went back for it. we were right. they first refused to give it back to the person who went in to get it...but because the friend refused to leave until he got it back, they gave him back an empty bag...it wasn't until they realized we were EXTREMELY persistent that they took the games out from underneath the registrar desk. i guess finders keepers but if you ever leave anything there, prepare for possibly not getting it back.
(1)
Erin C.
Best Chinese food in Boston's Chinatown! We always get: - pork soup dumplings - hot and sour soup (this place makes it really peppery, which I like) - scallion pancakes - szechuan boiled beef (this is the most delicious thing if you like spicy food...it's basically thin slices of tender marinated beef in a super hot and flavorful broth) - sauteed pea pod stems (they don't always have this; gotta ask for it) I got the beef soup noodle dish once and do NOT recommend it. I also do not recommend coming here with a big group because the line is always so long and the place is pretty cramped; I think 4 people max is good unless you don't mind waiting and getting squished in the corner.
(4)
Milee S.
Came here the other night after a movie. The place is not that great in terms of decor, and was pretty busy for 10 pm. My friends who have come here before ordered and I was glad they did. We started with pork and leek fried raviolis with a dipping sauce. Nice amount of dumplings and the raviolis were very tasty. Next was the scallion pancake which I love. I really enjoyed this dish. We finally ended with a basket of steamed pork dumplings. I had never eaten this kind, so I was told to put it on the spoon, drizzle the ginger sauce on top and eat with the chopsticks helping you. However, the broth inside is super hot, so really take your time eating it. It was pretty good and stuffed with pork, whcih was a little too much for me. Tea was ok. I'd come back again as i really liked it. And it's so super cheap!
(4)
C F.
Fantastic - have not seen a dish come out of the kitchen which didn't look as appetizing as the previous one. Not only does the food rock - but so does the staff in keeping a newcomer hip to what is on everyone's tables...start with the pork and crab dumplings and then move into the bamboo with pork and the excellent beef dish with the peppers which was on everyones table!
(5)
Alexandra S.
I went to Gourmet Dumpling House for the first time two days ago. I've been back twice since. I'd been reading about XLB's on food blogs but had never indulged. I wasn't sure where to find them on the menu as "xiao long bao" was not indicated in english script. after a few failed attempts that were all very delicious (vegetable dumplings, pork buns, pork and leek, etc etc) we found the fabled food. A34! A35! mini juicy pork dumplings! the "juicy" implied that the dumpling was filled with soup! hoorah! also: don't order the stinky tofu unless you're sure you like "stinky" tofu. it seems to be an acquired taste. To the those unaccustomed to the dish, stinky tofu smells like a dead baby rotting in a fermented diaper... and it is really hard to separate the stench from the taste so your whole mouth tastes like manure. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St… GDH wasn't overly crowded when we ordered stinky tofu and the waitstaff miiiiiiight have intentionally refrained from seating groups around our table. our leftover stinky tofu is sitting isolated from all our other food in an industrial ziplock freezer bag which I am terrified to open.
(5)
Olivia F.
I went here with my brother in May and was a huge fan of the steamed juicy pork dumplings. They are huge (the size of pork buns), and when you bite into them, the broth/juice inside basically explodes in your mouth. 8 to an order, very reasonable price-wise. Not terribly impressed by the scallion pancake (I've had better), or the somewhat rude service at this place. It's very crowded but really, the dumplings are worth it. We also got a huge, dinner-size plate piled with Chinese broccoli in garlic sauce which was excellent. I would come here again...and again...
(4)
douglas h.
Lunch My go-to place in Chinatown
(4)
Celina C.
Great food! We ordered ma po tofu, scallion pancakes, fried dumplings with leek and egg, pork soup dumplings, and more fried dumplings! The food came out really fast and everything was delicious. The dipping sauces also went really well with everything that was served. The only downside is that the restaurant is very small, leaving very little room for waiters to maneuver in, and a very loud environment.
(4)
Christine L.
I lurrrrve Gourmet Dump! I work about 15 min walking from this place. Nothing beats $6 lunch. The food is no culinary masterpiece, but they've got any Chinese food you could be craving at prices so low, you can fulfill multiple cravings at once. My friends make fun of me because I predictably order Bitter Melon every time. If you, like me, love bitter melon, than I highly suggest it at Gourmet Dump, because they do not drown the melon in a black sauce. Instead, they lightly sautee the melon in some oil and garlic and toss in some pork, the way it's suppose to be. It's not bitter melon, if you can't taste some of the bitterness. : D They also have fab Pei Pa Tofu, which is for all non-canto speakers, "Rough Skin Tofu". This tofu is nicely crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The accompanying sauce is quite complimentary. The noodles are always cost-effective ways to eat. Delicious and filling! My boyfriend looooooves dumplings. (Really, he said on his death-bed he wants a fluff sandwich and dumplings) He is a gwai-lo, but don't tell him I said that. haha. This place is perfect for both of us because I can get the more traditional flavors of China, while he gets the really Americanized flavors found in the Taiwanese pan-fried dumpling. FYI though, it gets PACKED, don't bother going during any peak hours unless you want to wait at least 15 min.
(5)
Buffy B.
Super delicious. The spicy dishes are actually have a kick to them. I don't normally enjoy eggplant but my friends ordered it and I gave it a shot. DELISH. The dumplings are super juicy so watch your clothes when you eat them.
(4)
Daniel F.
Seafood dumplings I ordered were still frozen inside, this place should receive 0 stars for serving uncooked seafood. Soup dumpling was passable but the quality of the meat could have been pink slime. I had to spit out a lot of cartilage/bone pieces. Serving staff were loud and unprofessional talking (in mandarin) about one of the waitress which happened to be waiting on us was having massive diarrhea. Honestly I am surprised that the local food inspectors have not shut this place down.
(1)
Jeffrey B.
The four of us ordered 20 Vegetarian Steamed Dumplings, 2 Steamed Vegetable Buns, an order of Fried Buns with Chives and Egg, Mushrooms with Bok Choy, and a Scallion Pancake. When we remembered that we had a fridge in our hotel room, I ordered 8 Sandong Style Pan Fried Dumplings (about 5 minutes later). We got through pretty much the whole meal and were starting the slow down to save room for the as yet unarrived Sandong style dumplings. Finally, 30 minutes or more after ordering them we gave up on them ever arriving. We were about ready to ask for the check and out they came! Everything was really good. I was about ready to drink that delicious dipping sauce. Even though it felt like a limitless feast being paraded in front of us, it only ended up being about $12 with tax and tip per person.
(4)
Alexandra G.
Great price- quality relationship. Fast service, great authenticity, also confirmed by my Chinese friends. I would really recommend the soft shell crab, and the soup dumplings with crab.
(5)
Hieu N.
Fresh fresh fresh. The xiao long bao are soup dripping down your arm good. the noodles and stuff are ... different i guess but i need to try more of their vast menu to know. as far as i DO know, the dumplings, when fried steamed or what not, are the burst of flavor that save me when the shit hits the fan day in and day out. the prices are certainly affordable. more affordable then some of the ritzy crappy chinese that people burn their money for. the place is clean, friendly, and cramped, but boy who gives a damn when its its you eating YOUR dumpings in your down little dumping world in your dumpling world bubble. yeahhhhhhhh
(4)
Esther Y.
Such a great experience! I'm glad we were able to slide in with just a 10 min wait. The service was fast, efficient, and pleasant. The Hubs and I had the salted fish and chicken fried rice (awesome!), the sandong dumplings and the juicy pork dumplings. I kind of ordered wrong, I was in the mood for bun, but that has to be on the next mission. The juicy pork dumplings are SUPER good. They are really juicy, so I recc cutting them in have, unless you kind of hate the person you are eating with and want to splash them on "accident" with dumpling juice. Ha! The sandong dumplings were OK, they were a little too cabbagey, and they started getting that cooked cabbage kind of rotten feet smell.....but they were still good. Didn't my description make you want to go and try them? LOL. I would def go again, and can't wait to try more things off the menu!
(4)
Stephanie B.
i am definitely a fan of gourmet dumpling house, and dumplings in general. that said, i think i will carry-out from now on. it is just uncomfortable to eat there. last visit a man got spilled on since the space is so tight (he was very, very upset; his jacket had dragons on it). you can't talk about the other patrons because they are basically at your table. not to say that dumpling cafe has more room necessarily, but the waitstaff is at least a little more cautious when meandering around your space. my take-out menu will include: vegetable noodle soup, pork and leek dumplings, scallion pancakes. this deliciousness will definitely last for two meals (or one reeeally emotional night). i'm not the biggest xiao long bao fan, but friends i've come here with swear by them. the the veggie dumplings are good too, but the pork and leek really hit the spot. additionally, when i ordered veggie noodle soup, they brought out veggie lo mein, and, with an awkward smile, said "they accidentally made lo mein instead of soup." and then offered it to me. "uhh, no, thanks, that's not what i ordered." oh, sorry, i know you ordered something but we made something else and won't you eat this instead because we made it? um, no. although you don't come to chinatown for the service, let's be honest.
(3)
molly b.
Another great meal at the Gourmet Dumpling House! This time I brought some friends in from out of town and they thought it was the best dumplings they ever had. We had the pan-friend dumplings, the mini juicy pork dumplings (my favorite), the scallion pancakes, then shared an order of Eggplant with basil. OMG so good! A ton of food for not a lot of money. We had to wait maybe 10 minutes for a table, but once we were seated, we were not rushed.
(4)
Jason L.
This has been on my bookmark list for awhile, and it has justified its spot. I rarely give 5 - stars, but this place is just spot-on on so many levels. Food rundown: Sauteed rice cakes w/ mustard greens/pork - it was CNY, so in tradition, you have to eat rice cakes. Flavors were done just right, not too oily. My friends have never had this dish before and loved it. Crab/pork dumplings - Ive had dumplings of all kinds in many many countries, so I had to see what the hype was about. 8 large xiao long baos were steamed to order, and the pork/crab ratio is like 60/40. Great dark/meaty flavors, with the pork/crab infused juice spilling out, just like it should. Pork/cabbage dumplings - First, the wrapper has a great homemade texture, it tastes like my mom's. Filling is good too, could use a tad more ginger. Shen jian bao - pan fried, shanghai style. True to form, as in it was more wrapper than filling, crispy outside. Half my family is Taiwanese, so I can attest that all the dishes we had were extremely authentic, both in ingredients, taste, preparation. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. Service was very fast, but it's a long wait. We waited 35, but SO worth it. Damage was $10 a person, another plus. Amazing. Food - 9/10 Service - 5/5 Atmosphere - 3/5 Value - 5/5 Tip - order the steamed dumplings as soon as you sit down, then peruse the rest of the menu, as they take 15 minutes. Tip 2 - don't go there and order fried chicken / Gao's like the table next to us... What a waste =( You really shouldn't come to a place like this to order americanized chinese....there's Panda for that
(5)
v y.
My biggest problem with this place is that it's really tiny and always very crowded. I always go as a table of two, and always end up sitting right next to another pair of people, like we're really a table of four. Some of the food is really solid, some of it is decent, and some of it's just bad. The xie ren xiao long tang bao (soupy dumplings with crab) is one of my favorites here, and every time it's a solid dish (I've been like 3 times). While it's not the best xiao long tang bao I've ever had, it is definitely the best one I've had in Boston. The soup is flavorful and there's plenty of crab taste. Another great item to get is the scallion pancakes. I usually don't rave about scallion pancakes, but these definitely taste homemade as they are both crispy and filled with layers and they come with a great dipping sauce. Descent items on the menu that I've tried include the stir-fried (?) nian gao (year cake?) and also their spicy eggplant dish. Things I'd never order again would be the chicken dumplings (especially not steamed) and I would also never order their Szechuan fish listed under the chef's specials. Not only did the fish run me $28 (more than the rest of my meal combined) it had no flavor and the sauce/soup it came in was just oily. Maybe they expect that since the Szechuan peppers will numb your tongue...that they don't need to season the fish since you won't be able to taste it anyways.... So where the good stuff here is good, the bad stuff is pretty bad.
(4)
Nikki B.
I came here last week with my coworker to have a relatively quick lunch. We started out splitting an appetizer order of the steamed leek and pork dumplings. From there, I got the julienne beef saute with longhorn peppers, and my friend got the Jing-Du style pork. Everything was absolutely delicious- the dumplings were tender and not too doughy and the filling was flavorful but mild. My beef was very yummy, though I felt there were a little too many peppers... the spiciness was a nice kick on an otherwise cold day. I stole a few pieces of my friend's pork and it was delicious, whenever I head back I'll likely end up with that! As you'd expect, hot tea and steamed white rice comes complimentary with your meal. The space is a little cramped but that's to be expected, and due to it being the lunch rush our server wasn't as attentive as she could have been. All in all though it was a delicious, cheap, and enjoyable lunch experience in Chinatown!
(4)
David A.
This place was awesome. At first a little hesitant because of the seating arrangements, quickly overcame as the food piled out. Dumplings were perfect; filled with a seaweed-type veggie with two sauces ( one bitter, one sweet ) and an order of scallion pancake. As we waited for entree we scarfed down these ample apps. Tea and water kept us hydrated as we waited (took a little while, chalk up to a busy night), and when our orders of chicken (gua for me, sesame for the princess) arrived we could barely make a dent in the massive serving. Princess and I ate, filled to gills for less than 30.00. Damn good night I may suggest...
(4)
buckminster f.
FYI: Based on the taste of their food alone, I would give them five stars, but they lose two because of the MSG they pour into the food. If you are also prone to MSG induced nausea and bloating as I am, I suggest you skip out on the place and don't bother reading the rest of the review. But if you don't care what kind of chemicals are being poured into what you eat as long as it tastes good, this is the place for you. Here's what we ordered: -juicy pork and crab dumplings: Not as good as what we've had in Shanghai but fantastic by Boston standards. They are not skimpy with the crab meat, so yes pay that extra $.75 for the crab meat/pork combo. -steamed veggie dumplings: The stuffing is a combination of spinach and bean curd. The flavors are subtle but delicious. I love the cilantro dipping they serve them with. -fried pork buns: These are also great, although the stuffing isn't as good as the previous to. Perfect complement to a bunch of dumplings,, esp given the yummy crispy bottom. -sauteed eggplant with basil: I love love love this dish. The eggplants are tender and come apart easily. The sauce is sweet and savory. The basil is super fragrant. Zenith of chinese cooking. -beef noodles: The bf and his friend gobbled this down and then asked for more soup half way to go with the rest of their noodles. They were quite generous with the meat and noodle portions (and the soup).
(3)
Thomas E.
Agree with the other reviews, and also give this five stars for delicious food at great value. Matches the quality of the best Yelp rated places I have been to in San Francisco. Particularly enjoyed the Szechuan fish (bubbling fish) which is very fresh white fish cooked in a very spicy broth / chili oil. Enough for two, it tasted every bit as good as what I order at Z&Y in SF. My son opted for flat rice noodles with beef, which he loved. He's particular, so that says a lot. It is cramped, and the popularity does mean a wait. Both a small price to pay, especially at these prices.
(5)
Susan D.
Get ready for sitting in your neighbors' laps while you dine on authentic noodles swimming in oil and more greasy pan fried carbs and pork. Come only if you are a poor college student and enjoy sitting with other college kids who haven't showered in a week and gracefully stab their dumplings and proceed to nibble like it's a lollipop. For what you pay, you don't get as many dumplings as you used to. Plus, the dumplings were not as good as before... had less broth.
(1)
J C.
Went on a sunday night and the place was packed with a wait and it was like that at least until 8pm. It's a small spot. Ordered pan fried noodle, crab dumplings, stinky tofu, and a veggie. Noodles were ok. Dumplings were really good, impressed but they ar not as flavorful as Joe Shanghai in NYC. Still, very good. Stinky tofu is really good but the cabbage that came with it is not so good, it's not very flavorful. Service is not that great but hosts were pretty nice. Food came quickly. Probably wont be back because its so small and theres not much room to stand and wait, especially with an infant and his car seat.
(3)
Bouf F.
The food is nothing short of astounding. I HIGHLY suggest the pork with bean curd & mustard greens and the mushi eggplant. The wait staff will NEVER cut you off for ordering beer in excess. Should you wish to eat in make sure you stay inside while you wait for your table. Affording others the courtesy of standing inside while they attempt to pick up food and wait for tables is NOT suggested. Even after telling the host & hostess we would be outside, thinking people would afford me the courtesy of passing the message down the line and out the door that out table was ready, was a poor idea as no message was passed on and our table was given away so they lose 1/2 a star for that. The other reason for taking away a 1/2 star is as follows: The only 2 person table left (after ours was given away) was next to the fish tanks, which was fine. My ADD was tempered with the fish swimming around and staring at me. During the course of our meal, one of the large fish died. I know all the fish were alive when I sat down but during the course of dinner, one turned belly up and floated there for the duration of dinner. I made sure to inform the table of good times people next to us as I had reason to believe the staff would have taken it out of the tank and served it to someone. I do not intend to order fish from there (nor did I have the intent when I sat down). Other than the untimely death of its seafood, I highly suggest you dine and drink here.
(4)
Ally W.
PLEASE CHANGE YOUR STAFF BECAUSE THEIR ATTITUDES SUCK! Your staff shouldn't be asking for extra tips because tips should be earned. Don't tell me aloud that your boss doesn't pay you enough and that you make your living off tips! That's just an embarrassment to you! Short dumpy waitress, I would give you more tips if I felt like you deserved more. But in reality, your service was beyond terrible and your attitude was very unappealing. Don't give me a nasty face when I ask for simply things such a a spoon! Sorry, I'm never coming back here unless they change their staff or give them some sort of customer service training 101.
(1)
Philip S.
Chinese restaurants like this are tricky because the menu is enormouse and if you're a first timer, you have no idea which dish is their best and which dishes to avoid. Luckily I came here with someone who is familiar with what to (not) order. She ordered the flat noodles with beef, ma pu tofu, and dumplings (can't remember which). The noodles and tofu were definitely the standouts as I'm not terribly excited by dumplings anymore. The 3 plates were sufficiently large enough for all 3 of us, so be warned if you like to order a lot; you will probably need a box to go.
(4)
Steve V.
Staying in the Chinatown / Tufts medical center area, this place was highly recommended by the hotel front desk. There was a disclaimer, however, that I only visit if I was ok with authentic Chinese food. This was only partly true. There were plenty of things on the menu that many would cringe at the thought of eating (pig ears, intestine, frog legs) although I am one for trying everything. And, there were more common, Americanized dishes too. As recommended by many Yelpers, I ordered the xiao long bao (8 steamed pork dumplings with soup inside). They were excellent! Perfectly cooked. I definitely would get them again. Since I didn't want to eat ONLY dumplings for dinner, I also asked for a soup recommendation. I ordered a small bowl of the Taiwanese hot and sour soup. And it was hot both with regard to temperature and spice. My lips were burning a little as I polished off the bowl. And if you were wondering, yes, I ate all 8 dumplings. The place was very busy with patrons of all ethnicities. In fact, there was a line out the door at one point. I don't think Chinese restaurant staff are generally considered super friendly. Same here, but staff was attentive. Prices were very reasonable. Ambiance was just a room packed with as many tables as possible. Very simple. Go for the food, not the decor. I would definitely return here on a future visit to Boston!
(5)
Cindy H.
This restaurant was rated as one of the top 5 Chinese restaurants on Yahoo.com , so I had to try it when I was out in Boston. I was really excited to bring my co-worker for her first meal in Chinatown, but I'm not sure if she enjoyed it...I hope so. Our favorite was the scallion pancakes. They were crispy and flaky, but slightly greasy. The sweet & sour flounder was okay - the sauce was good but too bad the fish wasn't crispy anymore. The xiao long bao didn't taste very good compared to other Shanghai-nese restaurants - the meat was coarse and rough and the skin wasn't thin enough. I was pretty disappointed with the pork chow mein because it was very greasy and salty (there was soy sauce added on the bottom of the dish).
(3)
Joshua S.
Small hole in the wall....Elbow room only....small tables! But that's what makes it AWESOME! The food....WOW! Great portions (large) and it's authentic. Of course the dumplings are to die for (we had pork and leek). the seafood noodles we great and surprisingly the large plate of garlic spinach was something you could eat all night long. The only problem with this place is that when you see people ordering other stuff, you want to reach over and pick at their plate!
(5)
Marie W.
Yes, this place is small with potential of a long wait. Luckily, we only waited 20 minutes on a weeknight, though they sat two of us side by side in a cramped space by the cashier. The food is good, but not necessarily worth waiting over an hour--if we had to wait that long, I would probably remove a star. We had the xiao long bao, veggie dumplings and scallion pancakes for $20. The scallion pancakes were very good, thick but flaky, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The veggie dumplings were pretty decent for veggie food. The menu probably has over 100 items, but people come for a select few specialty items. For those who are used to Taiwanese food from Flushing or California, this place is decent. For Boston, it's hard to beat--especially the price.
(4)
Anthony L.
got what was recommended, it was good, reasonably priced, and good portion for lunch - pork and leek fried dumplings (make sure it's fried), scallion pancakes, xiao long bao
(5)
Jade Y.
The food was delish! Coming from Southern California and having options to a plethora of Chinese cuisine, I must say that I have finally found a place that steps up to the plate. The restaurant is small, kind of a hole in the wall, but then again that's where all the hidden gems are. We came right before the rush hour around 6pm on a Saturday and there was a line out the door the whole time we were there. My friend and I ate here because we had gotten a recommendation through the ropes on good Chinese food and man, were they right! The dishes we ordered hit the spot completely and the prices are very fair. The only snag that's keeping this place from 5 stars is that they didn't bring out everything that we ordered. We were just finishing up our: Chicken chow mein and spicy beef/pepper... when they set the check down and we had to ask what happened to our dumplings only for them to find that they had never ordered it through their kitchen. They had even charged us for it! And the sort of dumplings we ordered require 15-20 min to prepare :/ So they readjusted the bill after we had told them we were still charged for it. The staff is polite and work very well with each other. I will be definitely be going back to this place and let's hope they bring out all the food!
(4)
Cherie C.
This menu is HUGE. There's more than just dumpling here. We got steamed pork buns and Taiwan fried dumplings to start. Both were brought out steaming hot and were pretty tasty. The pork buns had a lot of liquid in them, even before we added the sauce (with lots of slivers of fresh ginger). This made them messy, as neither of us are experts at eating dumplings or buns; we ended up squirting food all over us. But since we weren't dressed up, it was kinda fun. The beef stew noodle soup was really good. The broth was thick and flavorful with a bit of spice, and there were thick slices of grilled, marinated meat. The pork noodle soup with mustard greens was warm and good, with bits of pork and greens; unfortunately it was served last. It was the most mild flavor, so it paled after the strong beef soup and the buns. Service was fine. The tea was basic black tea. The restaurant got really crowded while we were there, so you may have to wait for a table in the small dining room. Prices were quite reasonable.
(4)
Wenqing L.
The spicy fish is really nice. Though it's more like fish rolls than fish slices. Other dishes are of good taste too, but not so impressive.
(4)
kay y.
This place is a just NOT original!!! their CHEFfS/ OWENR... worked in tai wan cafe for a long time... 5 yr+ learn their manu, their receipt and open their new restaurant with 98% of their manu item copy from tai wan cafe.. I think they become so popular and overrated really thattttt good? really no other place like this? If you want "REAL" + "ORIGINAL" -Taiwanes Food, WHY DONT JUST WALK 1/2 BLOCK AND TASTED THE REAL TAIWANESE FOOD MADE BY A TAIWANESE CHEF! MANU IS THE SAME ANYWAY! THATS WHERE I WOULD GO!!
(1)
Marlee S.
#NAME?
(3)
Becca P.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! It's well priced and the food is SO GOOD. I highly recommend getting the Juliennne Long Horn Peppers with Beef if you are a spicy food fan! It is just so delicious but expect to down a few cups of water if you can't take the heat. The buns with the soup inside are AMAZING. Just talking about these 2 menu items makes me incredibly hungry. Everything else that is on the usual Chinese menu is very good here too. I would recommend doing family style here so you can get a taste of everything.
(5)
Elaine S.
this place regularly tempts me to abandon vegetarianism pork dumpling noodle soup was so good in the winter of 2010. xiao long bao. scallion pancakes. it's been very crowded every time i've been here. it's fun to watch the waitstaff scramble around in a panic. sometimes their credit card scanner doesn't work. there is a photo of the restaurant owners with blake lively on the wall.
(5)
Daniel L.
This place is awesome. If you don't mind waiting in the cold and then getting crammed in a corner, its definitely worth it. The food is good, and the price is great. The dumplings were good. The scallion pancake was...a fried scallion pancake. Hard not to be good. I didn't know what half the things on the menu were, but most tables had something sitting on them that looked delicious. If you aren't a veteran of Chinese food, just try to stay away from some of the more typical americanized Chinese dishes you recognize on the menu. Otherwise you'll be poking at your General Gau's chicken, wishing you could get your chop stick in the Szechuan Style Bubbling Whole Fish taunting you from next table.
(4)
Jo-Anna L.
Went here on a Saturday at lunch time and boy was it a madhouse. There were only 2 groups in front of us, but we were basically ignored for 10 minutes until some tables opened up. They didn't want to seat us because one member of our party wasn't there yet, even though we knew what we were going to order, but in the end they begrudgingly seated us. Once we were seated, the service was fine though. Food was great, as good as what people have raved about. I loved the soup filled dumplings (I can never remember what they're called), much better than taiwan cafe's ones, but still not as good as what I ate in China. We got a seafood noodle dish, and it was also very good with lots of yummy veggies too. I would be willing to go back at a less busy time for the great food. Lunch on a Saturday was a little nuts and the waitstaff looked a bit stressed out. Not only were they dealing with guests, but also take out orders at the same time.
(4)
Joanna L.
REALLY, boston?? You think this place is that great?? It doesn't matter that you have to wait in line forever, or that the staff here is astoundingly rude and bad at understanding how customer service is supposed to work. It's that the food...just isn't that good. Anyone who's ever been to Arcadia, New York, Shanghai, or Taiwan knows the xiao long bao are supposed to be much, much better. While GDH's dumplings do have an ample amount of soup in them, the dough is thick, rubbery, and nothing like the true delicate form of a well handmade dumpling. The soup inside is salty and murky-looking; a good dumpling should have a tasty but clear and clean-looking broth. They should be light, and savory - not heavy, cumbersome, and cloying in saltiness. I will say the Sliced szechuan fish dish is very good, and in fact much more of note than the dumplings here. The fish dish is worth waiting in line for 45 minutes - the dumplings are NOT. My advice to anyone seeking good quality xiaolongbao is to find the nearest Din Tai Fung, and travel there - because Boston may just not have it - and Gourmet Dumpling House for SURE doesn't.
(2)
Christine C.
Wonderful on the weekends, subpar midweek... lunch specials aren't such a deal. Eggplant, string beans, julienned beef, udon vegetable soup, and of course the freshly made dumplings are delicious and a must have when in the neighborhood... or even after a movie! Very tight space, make sure not to come with a big crowd, really long lines on the weekend, even sunday evenings!
(3)
Chris M.
I went here with a couple of friends after we had dinner already and just ordered the dumplings (xiao loong bao). They were great! They're really big, probably three times the size of the usual ones and with so much tasty soup inside. We went late, I think after 1am. So it was nice that they were still open. Even at that time, the little place was still packed. Every table was taken. I would imagine that at dinner time, they'd have a line out the door, but that'd just show you how good the food is that people are willing to wait. So this review is only on the dumplings. And yes, I'd agree that they are gourmet!
(5)
Katie W.
All I can do is reiterate what everyone else said. Amazing scallion pancakes, pork buns, and salt & pepper soft shell crab. The moistest soft shell crab ever... and I HATE the 'm' word. Huge portions, teeny prices. Tea is served immediately, you have to ask for water. Get there before 5 most days and you won't have to wait very long. The only place in Boston I've found to be comparable to Vanessa's in NY.
(5)
Madison C.
We got into Boston really late and wanted some good noodle soup. Saw Gourmet Dumpling House; Yelped for reviews; and went in. It was 11pm and the restaurant was jammed pack. I ordered the Udon noodle with dumplings in clear broth. The flavoring was good, it wasn't salty, and did not taste MSG in my food. I think they are known for their "small soup dumplings." We did not order those dumplings that night. Its a good place for a late night dinner or snack. The food are decently priced and the service was fast. Will go back again when visiting Boston. Bathroom is clean.
(3)
Samuel H.
The food here, especially the dumplings, is amazing. The atmosphere is chaotic and I had to dine with strangers because there are not a lot of seats and it gets crowded. At first I was taken aback by this, but all added to dining experience like no other in Boston. The dumplings are moist fresh and delicious. The staff is friendly and attentive. If you're bothered by informality this probably isn't the place for you, but if you want an authentic, crazy Chinese dining experience this place is for you.
(5)
Terry C.
The Dumpling House is really good. I've been here so many times and have always been happy with the food and service each time. The restaurant is small so there can be a wait a lot of times. Good: Taiwanese Style Pan Fried Dumplings Pork And Cabbage Dumplings Salted Fish And Chicken Fried Rice (not for everyone...salted fish has a very distinct smell to it that might be a turn off to some) Taiwanese Style Sauteed Rice Cake Spicy Salt And Pepper Soft Shell Crab Beef with scallions The dishes are very flavorful - might be MSG...? but i don't want to think about it.
(4)
Ayon J. R.
Perhaps the best Chinese food I ever had! Beware though! You;re not likely to find Gen. Tso's Chicken or other so-called Chinese. What you will get is purely authentic Chinese food. I'm not giving it a 5-star because the place is a bit cramped.
(4)
Runner B.
Great place to get food after watching a movie at AMC in the commons! TRY the Pork and Bamboo dish! It's my favorite!
(5)
Lanhy N.
I was first introduced to soup dumplings in NYC at Jo Shanghai. When I stumbled upon Dumpling house in Boston, I was ecstatic! This place is almost as good as Jo Shanghai. The soup and filling to the dumplin
(4)
Shaye S.
this place is a BOMB!!! after 20 minutes of waiting in line for a table of 2 outside in a typical Friday evening which is not that bad, we finally got into restaurant. The price is reasonable and the food in here totally rocks. The xiaoongbao is definitely worth a try. i didn't give a 5 star is because the staff here is always in a rush to deliver food and take order etc. not a lot of time to really take care of our table but i guess that is because there are so many customers but limited waiters/ waitresses at the same time, otherwise it is a perfect place for dining our with friends, preferably less than 4 people or you will wait for like an hour to be seated.
(4)
Crystal E.
Love the dumplings! Good deal.
(5)
Graceypoo M.
After checking out the "Ladies Make Some Noise" R-Kelly concert at the Wang Theatre, my classmates and I were craving for some cheap eats. Chinatown was nearby, but we walked around for a good minute since we were not that familiar with the area. After walking into a place that was actually closed, they recommended that we check out Beach St for places that were still open at 11:45pm. Gourmet Dumpling House was crackalackin' compared to the place next door, so we ordered foods to go. This place is usually open until 12:30-1am everyday. I had the spicy dried anchovies and pad thai which I didn't eat until today. I loved the dried anchovies (they are naturally salty so it's best to eat these with steamed rice). The pad thai is a new item.... while it wasn't bad, i've had better, but heyy can't complain. A couple of my classmates weren't too happy with their crab rangoon. I would've asked to eat them, but I remembered I'm allergic to crab. I wish I did get the dumplings. I asked the lady with the awesome big hair if they had XLBs. She declared, "YES"... I need to come back here and actually have the gourmet dumplings. ( | )
(3)
C W.
This is the best place for soup dumplings, shrimp, eggplant, ma po, Szechuan fish HANDS DOWN! We go here every time we are seeing a show downtown, always leave full, happy and having spent less money than seems possible. Best Chinese in Boston by a long shot. Though the decor, service and crowds are not ideal.
(5)
Sandy H.
I came here with my mom and fiance on a Monday night around 7:30pm and we had to wait 20 minutes before we were seated. We ordered the xiao long bao and the eggplant along with the lobster dinner for 2-3 people located on the back of their menus. The dinner came with an order of ox tail soup, steamed dumplings, a clay pot of chicken, chinese watercress, and lobster. This was more than enough food for a family of 6, but we were greedy. For a place called Gourmet Dumpling House, I had high hopes for their dumplings, but they were really disappointing. The dumpling skins were thick and the filling was bland. They used too much starch with the lobster so the sauce was really gooey. The xiao long baos were just okay - I've had much better in NYC and LA. Now, the eggplant dish with pork was amazing...greasy, but sooooo good. I would definitely come back for that.
(3)
Abigail B.
One day, during my sister's and my trip to Boston, we were in the mood for Chinese and decided to head over to Chinatown with our friend, Amanda, who lives in Jamaica Plains. The three of us were walking through the streets, trying to decide on a restaurant when we saw the Gourmet Dumpling House. While we were standing outside trying to decide on the place, a lady was leaving the place and highly recommended it to us. We decided to take this random lady's recommendation and put our names on the waiting list--20 minutes is what they told us. The place is tiny and was a bit crowded on a Sunday afternoon so we had to wait outside in the sun but it was ok because it wasn't too hot. About 30 minutes later, they seated the 3 of us at a table for 6. My sister and our friend are pescetarians (they eat seafood) so they ordered sweet and sour flounder, shrimp pad Thai, and vegetarian dumplings. Even though the name of the restaurant says they're a dumpling house, they also had a TON of other items on the menu. I ordered the pork and cabbage dumplings and seafood seaweed soup. The pork and cabbage dumplings were pretty good and it was a big plate (8-10 dumplings). The soup was a little bland but our friend seemed to really like it in fact she ate it 'til it was all gone. We all LOVED the flounder. Mmmmm, it was like eating sweet and sour chicken but much more tender! They didn't care too much for the vegetarian dumplings and the shrimp pad thai was nothing great but not bad either. About a fourth of the way into our meal, a group of 6 people came in to the restaurant and the owner asked us if he could get us to move to a smaller table for free beer. We moved and two of us had a bottle of beer each (Heineken and Sam Adams). Not only was the food pretty good, but the bill was sweet too! Only $35 for the three of us! We were very happy with this place and will come here again on our next trip to Boston! The only downside I can think of for this place was our wait to be seated and the tiny size of the place. Other than that, we highly recommend it!
(5)
Eric S.
The food here is very good and very authentic. Kinda pricey, but I guess you have to pay for quality.
(4)
Meghana A.
We came here for the soup dumplings and were not disappointed! You have to try these soup-filled dumplings! I think they are called Juicy pork buns on the menu. Here are fool-proof directions for eating these infamous dumplings: Place dumpling on your soup spoon, carefully make a hole in the top of the dumpling with your chopstick, drink (slurp) the soup through the hole, then sprinkle the dumpling with the tangy ginger vinegar sauce and eat. This is a perfect warming meal for a rainy cool day. I like to order chinese pea shoot greens when I come here for a wonderfully vibrant crunchy sauteed vegetable dish on the side. This restaurant also features a wide array of unique chinese dishes including different kinds of spicy curries and hot pots. You get complimentary unlimited green tea with every meal. This is one of my favorite restaurants in chinatown!
(5)
Bill A.
Hmmm...well, apparently if you walk into the restaurant at 11:55pm on a Saturday, they say the kitchen is closed. Their hours state they close at 1:00am on Saturday nights. Apparently they don't believe they need to respect their listed hours. Skip.
(1)
Jeff L.
Service was TERRIBLE. Just terrible. They made me wait 30 minutes for the simplest, smallest order. The hostess kept asking the kitchen if my order was ready. They didn't know I could understand what they were saying. They were just slacking off. But the food was awesome. And that's what it's all about.
(4)
Nicole M.
Gourmet Dumpling House has excellent food and speedy service to compensate for its tiny space. Their signature dumplings are truly mighty dumplings for all seasons--in the summer, have 'em with the cold noodles. As a side dish for sharing, I recommend watercress. The limited surface area on the tables forces you to be creative in rearranging all the plates: a bonus mental exercise! Worth the wait in line.
(4)
Chris B.
Reliably good. Soup dumplings are tasty and always on our order (one time we screwed up and got pan fried dumplings -- not a big fan since the dough is too thick for that form factor, IMHO). We also like the probably Americanized braised tofu & veggies dish. Wonton soup comes with a ton of seaweed inside, so I'd try to avoid that / request no seaweed. Food goes great with beer, and the restaurant is open seemingly always. Fantastic.
(4)
Paula N.
Had a dinner with a group of friends. The food came quickly but then a little roach was running around the dish. I showed it to the waitress who just killed it in front of us and simply walked away and pretended that nothing happened. Dishes and cups are very greasing. No matter how good their food are, I'll never come here again. Gross!
(1)
LuluandDaquan B.
We came here twice in the last week, mostly because we were in the area, but also because it's good enough to not venture into other Chinatown spots! If you have a weird eating schedule you'll be seated right away (came here Thursday night and Monday afternoon). DQ loves dumplings, and proclaimed they are the best things he's ever eaten. I wouldn't go that far but they are pretty good! We tried the Sandong Pan Fried both times we came and they were crunchy outside, well seasoned inside. It tastes fresh but the frying probably helps. Steamed vegetable dumplings were also very good. They are light, not oily at all, and still very tasty. We have also had noodles and rice here but haven't given the entrees a try. The portions are big and prices are very good. Now I really want to try the xiao long bao!
(4)
Cecilia L.
Super cramped, but all the better to see your neighbor's food. You'll want to order whatever they're having. I can't imagine coming back without ordering the sliced sichuan fish. It's not nearly as spicy as its fire hydrant hue suggests, but has a lovely tingling hotness, tender fish and green onions in an oily but not greasy broth. The cool flavors of the beef with scallions was the perfect complement, and the lobster with ginger and scallion had me loudly slurping the meat out of its shells. But on to the namesake. The "mini juicy buns" with pork and crabmeat , or xiao long bao, will scald your tongue with delicious broth. Pan-fried pork and leek dumplings are also wonderful, though I prefer the skins thinner. Wash it all down with a Tsingtao and leave happy and fat.
(4)
Lindsey J.
This place is always packed. It is busy when I meander through Chinatown on a Sunday night, after dropping someone off at South Station. It is busy during the week. It is busy even on the earliest side of Saturday night, the kind where you think you are erring on the side of caution by getting here way before both dinner and your movie time. Oh but dumplings make people flock. In numbers But do not despair. First, get inside the vestibule to avoid the cold (or the heat, but I haven't actually been here in the summer yet, so maybe they don't have AC) Second, get your name on that scrawled list. Third, wait. You will get in fast, I promise. The turn around here is fast. The dinning room is literally the size of my living room, maybe smaller. But people come and go from those little tables, most of them side by side with other diners, every few minutes. If you have a larger group, which I often see people coming with, it will take longer. Two or three people looking for dumplings and everything else? I'd say 15 minutes. The food is good too. The dumplings are delicious, cheap, and can easily make a meal. There is about one of everything on the menu. I don't even begin to pretend to know everything about Taiwainese food and how to judge it's quality. But I like coming here, picking blindly, and seeing what happens. But always with an order of dumplings. Always.
(5)
Hilary D.
I went to Gourmet Dumpling House yesterday for a late lunch after I tried to go to Taiwan Cafe and saw that it doesn't exist anymore. Thankfully, I spend a nerdly amount of time on Yelp studying restaurant reviews and menus, so I knew that if I wanted Hot & Sour Soup and Chilled Spicy Pork Ears, I could get them about 10 feet away from TC at Gourmet Dumpling House. I can't really comment on service because I simply popped in for takeaway and promptly hiked back to my office, and they were fairly quick with my order despite the fact that there seemed to be only three people on the floor and all the tables were packed. When I got back to my office on Summer Street, my soup was still piping hot. By the way, I was expecting a pint of soup - I got a quart. Yay, more Hot & Sour Soup for me!!! I must, must, must shower this soup with praise because Gourmet Dumpling House's Hot & Sour Soup is actually spicy. Often, when I order hot & sour soup, I can't help but wonder if the chefs believe the "hot" in "hot & sour" refers to the temperature rather than the spice level. I can tolerate a good amount of heat (ghost pepper vinaigrette, anyone?), and this was not overwhelmingly spicy - on a scale of 1 (bell pepper) to 10 (habanero), it was probably a three or four, but it had a nice bite to it, much of which seemed to come from a generous amount of white pepper, which I thought was a nice touch. The soup contains a good amount of mushrooms (enoki and tree ear), shreds of carrots and bamboo shoots, egg, silken tofu, and bits of pork. It was thickened to just the right consistency - thicker than broth, but not so thick that I thought, "Ummmm, I don't remember ordering f***ing aspic..." The Chilled Spicy Pork Ears were far too greasy for my taste, but I might not have been so put off by the gastrointestinal lube job if I'd ordered a side of steamed rice so I could have combined them and cut the grease a bit. The pork ears were legit bathing in bright red chili oil - there must have been at least a half cup of oil, if not more, at the bottom of the takeaway container. I blotted them with about 2/3 of a roll of paper towels, and I ate them extremely cautiously, because bright red chili oil and work clothes = a potential trip to the dry cleaner, and the last thing I need in my life is another errand. Despite the grease factor, the pork ears were deliciously tasty, and I would certainly order them again - with rice. There are several other dishes on the menu that I can't wait to try - specifically, Beef with Long Horn Peppers, Ma Po Tofu, and Pork Ribs & Bitter Melon Over Rice. I will gladly return to Gourmet Dumpling House!
(4)
Jack M.
Pretty typical Boston Chinatown experience. Cramped, kinda dirty, but OK food if you know what to order. Get the dumplings. They're good. They're why it's called the DUMPLING house. If they had good duck, it would be the DUCK house. But it's not. Get the dumplings. DO IT. The dumplings with the shredded spinach and noodles inside are spot-on. They come with a nice soy sauce for dipping. This is the BEST thing they make here and they are very good. You will love them. I've had a number of other dishes here. The crispy fried tofu is nice. The do a beef noodle dish which is solid. Scallion pancakes are typically onion-y and doused in grease. It's a typical Chinatown place. You sit so close to other people, you feel like you are taking them out to eat. It's cheap. The menu can be hard to decipher - you may end up with bones in that chicken dish you ordered or maybe some shrimp in there you weren't expecting. Most places in Chinatown skeeve me out with their lack of cleanliness and this place is no exception. If you can hack it, give this place a shot.
(3)
Janet K.
Ok, this place is so good that I signed up for a Yelp account just to tell you all how good it was. That's how good it is. I'm not an experienced xiao long bao taster. I've had them frozen and in two other restaurants. This by far is the very best. The dumpling skin felt firm and freshly made, not mushy like the other ones I've had. The meat inside was fresh and tasted like it was MSG free. Really awesome. The thing that blew me away was their tomato and chicken rice dish. It was a knockout. It had all these complex flavors. Usually the restaurants make it really bland or have it taste like ketchup. I ate that whole plate, and I usually never finish my plate. I'm usually a small portion kind of girl. Yeah that got thrown out of the window after I had this. I LOVE this place. I want to dig a hole in a wall and live there. Call me out when it's dinner time.
(5)
Due H.
I came here with a friend. Eh, its alright. From the other reviews it seems like this place is awesome. Maybe my standards are too high. Scallion pancakes were definitely better in taiwan. Dumplings were definitely better in china and taiwan. The ma po tofu was definitely better in sichuan. I guess, everything in boston is anticlimatic when I'm comparing with asia.
(3)
Ramon M.
Simple review: great food, rushed service, but long lines!
(4)
Ahmed A.
We went here for the first time with my wife on a Sunday night without any reservations, and here's the lowdown: 1. Its small and crowded...probably because it was weekend but boy I don't remember the last time I had to wait 20 min for a table for two. 2. Its loud, and rushed. There are servers running all over the place with plates of food in their hands. Not the place you want to go to if you want to relax on a weekend. 3. The food was good. I'd give it an average of 6/10. I've had better dumplings. 4. Beware ordering the soups. They come in a one size bowl as big as your HEAD! No joke! We had to take the food out with us since we couldnt finish it. 5. The waiters don't speak English very well and you'll have trouble understanding them. 6. Their food tasted good and the place seemed clean enough but if you dislike seeing waters throw your food into a carton box infront of your eyes don't go here.
(3)
Jia Z.
I want to give this place a 3.5, but their "steamed" dumplings ARE 4 STAR QUALITY. I am only talking about the jiao zi.. soup dumplings and bao zi did not taste very good. Soup dumplings were way too big and thick and the meat just tasted funny... not their specialty. Stick with their plain steamed or fried dumplings.. very very good!! Their scallion pancake was ok.. I've had a lot better though
(3)
Kittery R.
Good good, reasonable price. F**K up line to wait at dinner time, and the owner is not even fair, he's like a pimp, giving you a crocky look and acts like a king. Like he's your ruler, and if you dont smile up to his ASS you cant get a table or have to wait 2 hours. So because of that service, I avoid this place. But the service onces you're seat is not bad.
(2)
Winnie T.
Dumplings = heaven. I figured since this place is known for their dumplings, I didn't care to try anything else. The dumplings with the soup in them (in Chinese, they're called xiu long bao) are DELICIOUS. Also, the size of those things are pretty damn big! Typically, those type of dumplings are smaller but these ones are the biggest I've ever seen, and for the price, it was WAAAAY worth it! The pan fried dumplings are also to die for, and they aren't stingy with the filling as there's a healthy chunk of meat in the dumplings. I would recommend certain dumplings, but ALL the dumplings I've eaten here so far are good, so you really can't go wrong with whatever you choose to order. The only downside to this place is how small it is and how parking is such a hassle. The place also tends to be crowded so I wouldn't suggest coming here with large parties. The tables are also placed super close to one another so don't expect to carry any private conversations in this place!
(4)
Laurinda U.
I went here for the first time today after I heard that the Taiwan Cafe chef had jumped ship for this place. It's a really small space like others have mentioned and tends to have a line out the door if you get there after 12. Though usually this is a sign of how wonderful the food is, I think it's pretty good but perhaps not worth $2.00 more than Taiwan's lunch specials. Although this could be because 1. it was my first time there 2. I had to share a table and 3. the servers aren't that good, shouting across the room, getting food on clothes, and forgetting the soup and rice until reminded. [all of which happened to me or a table companion] Otherwise, I got the schezchuan (sp?) fried chicken and it was very good. My co-worker's beef and bamboo tips were comparable to Taiwan Cafe and my other co-worker's fish was just okay. Although I did have order envy when one of the strangers whose table I was sharing had ordered mussels and sweet and sour fish. I'll probably come back to try those (despite the higher prices). You probably wonder why I keep comparing to Taiwan Cafe . . . in my mind, they are dueling for the privilege of my dollar and appetite.
(3)
Tani S.
Tiny place! We were shocked since expected something bigger with so many yelp reviews but we fortunately arrived a little before 5 pm on a Sunday night and the wait was only ten minutes. The service was fast and the dumplings were piping hot and yummy! We tried the chicken and cabbage, soup dumplings with pork, and vegetable buns....of all of them our favorite was the soup dumplings. The dumplings were great and much better than most we've had but still don't come close to the soup ones my husband experienced in Taiwan or my beloved dumplings I've had at Sha Lin in Vancouver, BC. We also had the sweet and sour flounder which was really good... trying something a bit sweeter in hopes that our two year old would finish it and she ended up having half of it by herself :). We're looking forward to coming back!
(4)
Robert C.
Tonight's new adventure was the Gourmet Dumpling House on the recommendation of my new favorite person, Alyssa. Between the scallion pancakes, the dumplings, and the pan-fried pork buns, my taste buds didn't really stand a chance -- they were in a complete state of ecstasy for longer than I was prepared for. For how busy the place was, the service was surprisingly quick, but it didn't feel like they were rushing us out the door to accommodate the line forming outside. For anyone reading this review: you should definitely go, but you'd better not be the reason I have to wait in line.
(4)
Ellie N.
This place is awesome! My FAV is the Szechuan Fish Soup! It's crazily awesome! The food was really good and inexpensive.
(4)
Heather G.
I have always wanted to try this place, but every single time I walk in, it's packed to the point where people are spilling out the door, waiting for a table. This place is always busy. Today, I couldn't wait any longer to try the food, so I sprung for takeout. I opted for the Taiwanese rolls ($6.95), the rice cake with beef and mustard greens ($9.95), and a really spicy dish full of beef (substitute for pork) and bamboo ($9.95). Walking the short distance back to my office, I almost broke into a sprint because the food smelled so delicious. The rice cake dish was starchy and sticky and chewy (as rice cake tends to be), but the mustard greens, sauteed in garlic and ginger, were soft with a bit of crunch left, and very flavorful. The beef, while adding substance to the dish, didn't add a great deal of flavor or texture, and the stars were the rice cake and the greens. The bamboo dish was entirely too peppery/spicy for me, but I have a low tolerance for peppery/chili heat. However, I will say: MY GOODNESS, you haven't lived until you've had fresh bamboo. I have always had it from the can, but never fresh...what a difference. Normally, when a dish is only 20% meat, i feel ripped off. However, with this particular dish, the absence of meat was eagerly welcomed, as the bamboo took center stage. It was chewy and crunchy all at the same time, and despite the heat in the dish, I enjoyed every last sliver of the delightful root (bamboo is a root, yes?), but the next time I order this dish, I will request the chef to go easy on the chilis. The Taiwanese rolls were my favorite. The dish comes with 6 very thin wraps and a side of hoisin. The actual filling is a bit bland, but it was a welcome-blandness after the heat in the last dish. Thin strips of tofu, veggies, and meat were mixed together and seasoned very lightly, and I could not discern any specific individual components from others, but they were tasty in a way that didn't deliver a strong punch to my taste buds. The hoisin served to deliver a great, sweet depth to the mixture, and wrapped up in the wraps, these rolls were heavenly. My favorite dish of the evening, I'd come back just for these. Downsides? Everything was dripping in grease. All the dishes were insanely oily, so they left a chinese-takeout-like heaviness in my stomach post-consumption. I would be more excited to return if everything wasn't glistening with oil. Otherwise, the portion-size and food-quality were both reasonable for the price, and the menu is really extensive. I will return for sure, and perhaps even stick through the 30+ minute wait the place always has to enjoy the experience in-house.
(3)
Mary M.
This was the first time I've been to this place, and the last. We kept it simple and ordered the plain pork soup dumplings and the crab + pork soup dumplings. I've had much better. The skin on the dumpling was too thick and doughy for my taste. Although I knew the dumplings would be big from the previous reviews, I realized later that it only made it more difficult to eat. I am used to bite size soup dumplings that you can put entirely in your mouth, which I think is the better way to eat it. Having to bite it only makes you lose most of the soup inside. Plus, although the skin was thick, it wasn't very strong and was leaking soup out as you picked it up with your chopsticks. I did have high expectations for this place and was hoping to find good dumplings in Boston so I was disappointed. We also ordered some rice porridge. That was a total miss as well. The taste of it was ok, but the rice was hard and you see whole grains of it swimming in the soup. It was as if someone just mixed soup with rice, rather than having it being cooked together until the rice broke up. I can't really cook, but I can definitely make better rice porridge myself.
(2)
Alena K.
Food is pretty good, service is awful. Not a place I would ever go back to.
I went there for lunch today and I must say...what a dissapointment. I realy expected more based on my fellow yelpers. We arrived at lunch..packed house. Wait was not long to be seated. We ordered mini stock filled dumplings, lunch specials beef with green beans and flat noodles with seafood. Their promise of lunch special being made in 15 minutes failed. I waited over 45 minutes for my lunch to arrive. Dumplings... stock leaked..what was left was mooshy unappetizing pork filled over cooked dumplings. Beef and string beans....came out extremely greasy and the meat was barely there. Chow foon or flat noodles with seafood...where are the seafood? Late and unappetizing...I am extremely unhappy. My lunch was served after all "the regulars" were served. I waited patiently and I must say that their lunches are decent sized, but I would never go there for lunch again. Way too hectic, way too unorganized, and took way too long to get any tyoe of service.
(3)
Linda H.
Came here for dinner around 9:50pm on a Friday night. The other restaurant that I tried to go to was closing up shop for the night, so we decided to try this place because it was near and it was packed. There were only two tables of two available, but not for long. We sat down and then two other people sat down shortly afterwards. We ordered a dish of the xlb, pan fried pork and vegetable with shanghai noodles, and a dish called ants on a tree (a noodle dish with pork and bean thread noodles and some other goodies). The two noodle dishes were delicious! Actually, the ants on a tree dish looked so good that the ladies sitting next to us asked us what it was so that they could get it as well. As for the xlb, I've had better. I used to live in Seattle, so I drove up to Vancouver/Richmond BC all the time just to eat Chinese food. That's a reflection of how much I like food and how good the food is up there. The xlb at Gourmet Dumpling House were good, but I thought it was too doughy. I'd probably order them again though the next time I come here because it's more feasible than traveling from Boston to the NW for some Chinese food.
(4)
Sam M.
The scene played out in my apartment last weekend: Me: I brought home some leftover sauteed noodles from Gourmet Dumpling House, honey. Hubby: Ugh, I don't like sauteed noodles, I never eat sauteed noodles. (5 minutes later) Me: Where are the sauteed noodles? Hubby: ** urp ** In short -- great food! The restaurant is really small for all the people who want to get into it, but it's worth the 5-10 minute wait out in the cold. I tried the mini juicy dumplings and my friend had the spicy eggplant, both of which were so good we didn't have room to finish the sauteed noodles with chicken & veggies. Service was fast & efficient so empty dishes get taken off the small table right away. If I had one pet peeve it was seeing a table of folks from the suburbs eating takeout staples -- General Gao, kung pao chicken, fried rice, etc. Why come to Chinatown to eat the same stuff you can get at home? Look around at the other tables and if something looks good but you don't know what it is, point it out to the waiter! Stop wasting table space if you're not gonna be adventurous. Maybe Gourmet Dumpling House should just take that stuff off the menu, see if it affects their profits at all. The menu already has enough interesting stuff on it to keep me returning several times to try everything.
(4)
S P.
Came here after reading a recommendation from an internet travel article, which published a list of recommended Chinese restaurants in the US. We didn't think much of the dumplings here. Xiao Long Bao and Sheng Jian Bao were ok, but not that good despite the recommendation. Grade B dumplings. XLB wasn't juicy and the skin was a bit thick. SJB was not crunchy on the bottom. Meats could be more flavorful too. There are a number of better dumpling places in Los Angeles like Wang Xing Ji, Ding Tai Fung, or even the Kang Kang Food Court. Mango chicken dish was Ok. Not spectacular either. The service here was adequate. Quite good whenever they were not busy. It was quite a busy restaurant. There was a line by 6 pm.
(2)
Lauren L.
I really wanted to love Gourmet Dumpling (more Taiwanese food = more better) but after giving them multiple chances, I just can't bring myself to come back here. Every time I've eaten here the food has been over-seasoned. It's too salty, too greasy, too sweet, too SOMETHING. Regardless of whether I order vegetarian dishes, meat dishes, 'authentic dishes' or Americanized Chinese food dishes, it's all the same. Nothing I've eaten here has tasted very good, period. The food isn't expensive, but I'd rather go elsewhere for food in Chinatown (like Taiwan Cafe, Rainbow Cafe, or even $3 Vietnamese sandwiches).
(2)
Aaron R.
I went on a Wednesday and there was still a 1/2 hour wait! In my eyes, this shows just how good this place is. From the front step, you could throw a rock and hit 5 places that serve dumplings but this was the only place with a line. I ordered my pork and leek dumplings and chinese broccoli to go and waited 30 minutes before asking where my food was. It turned out that it was finished, it was just sitting at the register. Woops! Regardless, the dumplings were awesome. They had a lovely chewiness that you just don't get unless you make your dough by hand. The filling and dipping sauce we great as well. I recommend dining in. ;)
(4)
Hiroyuki T.
Loved this place! Though it's not a sichuan restaurant (I think it's more Taiwanese), this restaurant has an excellent selection of spicy and other dishes. After making the clumsy mistake of going to Beach Street in Fields Corner on the Red Line, we grabbed the T back to Chinatown and made it just in time (4pm on the dot) to order some of their dishes at lunch prices. The owner remembered me calling in advance and was very friendly with us. We ended up totally killing our dishes in about 20 minutes! Yes, we are vicious, vicious eaters! - The twice cooked pork with leeks is delicious. About 7.95 at the lunch special price. - The chili fish hot pot is out of this world AMAZING. What I love most about this dish at this restaurant is that it's less oily and more soupy, and the soup has some deep taste. The texture of the fish is also very soft yet tender. Excellent excellent excellent. All of this for $13.95 - The spicy chilled pig ears were absolutely gorgeous. They are filled with collagen (great for making your skin clear and shiny) and they served a heap of it. Delicious, and it's only about 6 bucks. - Sesame chicken - very tasty and not too sweet, which I like. This definitely rounded out our spiced up tongues from the spicy fish hot pot. I think it was about 9 bucks. - Pork and crab xiao ron bao. Amazing. Gushing with juice when you bite it. Pour that ginger, black vinegar sauce on top and eat in one go. You'll be slurping down all that crabby and porky goodness. About 6 bucks - but each one was pretty big (the fillings were very big). This and about 4 cups of rice and we were stuffed! I had a mad stomach ache after for eating so much, but it was sooooo worth it. And after a nice walk around Harvard Square afterwards, I felt ready for some Canolli's at Mike's Pastries and beer at baby back ribs at Boston Beer Works =) The service was very quick and everyone was very attentive. We entered around 4 and by the time we left the restaurant, people were waiting at the door to be seated. The price was totally reasonable too. The two of us each paid 25 bucks including tax and tip for all that food. Crazy goodness. Totally awesome. Will be back next time I'm in town. Love this place!
(5)
Kai P.
Hands down - this is the best restaurant in China Town. Time and time again I am simply blown away at how fresh everything tastes. The three-item lunch combo is perfect for sharing and with the exception of some of the more adventurous stuff on the menu (fried pork feet anyone?) I haven't come across anything that I wouldn't absolutely recommend. Service is fast. Food is great. Now stay away from this at lunch so I don't have to wait in line.
(5)
Alex C.
On several occasions, I have tried the "juicy" (soup) dumplings and find them worthy of all the praise others have given them. For first timers on this dish, it is best to pick them up with your chopsticks, then with your other hand support the dumpling with a soup spoon, nibble a corner, and then slurp away.
(4)
Epicurean G.
Oh xiao long bau how I love you! These dumplings with delicious soup inside are a restaurant specialty. They take around 20 minutes but the wait is *so* worth it! Put a spoon underneath, pierce with a chopstick and let some liquid come out. Sip the hot liquid, then eat the dumpling. For those who disparage these dumplings compared with the very best in New York, since I have not tried Joe Shanghai I cannot contradict you. But I will say these xiao long bau are better or equal to all the ones I have tried in New York and nearly as good as the very best in San Francisco, which I would argue handily beats New York. If you live in Boston, and you want a xiao long bau, this is the place to go! Tied for my favorite item on the menu is the pork with leek dumplings. They cook faster, require no lesson before eating--and they are equally delicious. I've also ordered extensively off the full menu and everything else is fresh, delicious and as authentically Chinese as can be had in the U.S. More than most Chinese restaurants, it pays to go with a few friends so you can sample a variety of the wonders available. One downside is that it's crowded and the service is harried , impersonal and efficient. Go with a mellow attitude or skip it. If you want your ass kissed, try the Ritz Carlton.
(5)
Lorelle C.
Read some reviews before heading to GDH last Monday and had a general idea of what I was ordering. Arrived early, 6PMish, and all tables were full so we had to wait about 5 minutes. This was the first sign that this place was going to be a winner! My brother and I started with the vegetable dumplings and they were better than I imagined! The dumplings are about as big as my fist and are filled with tender minced vegetables... dough is very soft... you can tell these are the real things- definitely not some frozen Gyoza like other places... Looking around the restaurant I noticed that almost every table had dumplings. (Oh, and everyone was Asian, another good sign!) We decided to go with a family style dinner so I got the braised eggplant with basil while my brother got scallion pancakes and crab rangoon. I don't care too much for fried food anyway, but the crab rangoon seemed sub-par (aren't they are a more Chinese/American dish?)... the scallion pancakes were good. My braised eggplant was delicious, but I did not expect the slimy, soggy texture. The sauce was very good- pretty spicy which was another surprise. I would like to go again and try something new- a lot of folks had lobster so perhaps I would try that. The noodle/soup bowls were huge and also looked good.
(4)
Alicia J.
Gourmet Dumpling House is part of my quest for finding the perfect restaurant in Chinatown. Apart from one restaurant in Philly, notably not in its Chinatown, I have yet to find it, as this place is reasonable but not overly good. Let's start with the fact that I love xiao long bao to pieces. In my opinion, there also is almost nothing you can do to make them in a bad way, and that certainly applies to the buns here. They were indeed juicy and had well-tasting fillings but somehow, they were larger than I expect and harder to eat as well. Having gotten the most important aspect out of the way (xiao long bao that is), indeed this seems to be the only place in Chinatown which regularly has a long line. It took them almost 30 minutes to seat our party of 3, and while I didn't mind waiting it is a little unpleasant to be waiting at the door, having to constantly let people through or into the restaurant (along with the freezing cold). It's alright, and service was ultimately good when we go to our table. When we got there, I was actually planning to get a handful of dumpling dishes but it seemed like nobody here actually got dumplings, but several people had plain green vegetable dishes. I find that utterly strange because I would have no reason to eat such a dish at a restaurant - all I need to do is to buy vegetables and I'd cook them better (as in: more to my own tastes) than any restaurant would in less than 5 minutes. In the end, we ended up with asparagus and beef, mapo tofu and twice-cooked pork. The asparagus dish was awesome and the beef was cooked very well, the tofu had a good sauce but the taste of the sauce did not properly get into the tofu. Finally, the twice-cooked pork had good vegetables but the pork itself was not great. All in all, the food was well-made and we liked it, but it is not necessarily something we'd go out of our way to come back for. I will remember that it *is* fishy when a restaurant claims to make "Northern and Southern" style Chinese food.
(3)
Doug P.
I am so glad I found this place soon after it opened. The food is excellent here. It's a small restaruant and always full. I hope that it continues to do well so they can expand to a lager space. If you like more traditional chinese food you have to try this place
(5)
Laura M.
The dishes tasted good, but I had to give them one star because I found a pill bug in my soup. Gross!!!
(1)
Chris C.
Took a friend here on Saturday who was very skeptical that dumplings could be as good as I was claiming. After her first bite there was no more doubt. All of the dumplings are amazing so you can't really go wrong. I also enjoy the Chinese watercress with garlic. Now I just need to get better with chopsticks so I can look less awkward while eating here. The only downside is the place is tiny & wicked crowded at all hours. So be prepared to wait in line and get bumped into a million times while eating if your in one of the tables in the middle of the room. It is totally worth it though.
(5)
Sean F.
Great lunch special: 3 entrees for $20. We split the chicken + asparagus, squid + mustard greens, and sauteed spinach and garlic. The ingredients were very fresh and not at all greasy or heavy. The place was crowded in a good way, and while we didn't have to wait to be seated for lunch, we did share a table. The service was fast and accurate. The decor is a mish mash of "Chinatown chic" --including the obligatory small fish tank (presumably) with tomorrow's lunch swimming around, but it's definitely worth coming for the food.
(4)
Tiffany L.
it deserves four stars because it is one of the very few chinese restaurants in chinatown that has good food! SCALLION PANCAKES PLEASE! :)
(4)
Patrick H.
***4.5*** I love this place. BIG KUDOS to my friend Ina for directing me here for my recent visit to Boston. She hit the nail right on-the-head! First off... can you say "BARGAIN"? $25 for two people including hot tea, soup and, I'm ashamed to admit it... almost more food than I could eat. (note: I said "almost") We started with the Hot and Sour Soup. A GINORMOUS bowl of the best Hot and Sour soup I've ever tasted. It was enough to feed 6 people. $4.50. That's crazy. We also ordered the scallion pancakes. Another huge portion, crisp, hot and very tasty. Mini Steamed Pork Buns were equally huge and delicious. I'm not sure why there were called "mini". They had a real homemade feel to them which was very comforting. At the suggestion of our waiter we tried the pork and scallion dumplings and, as I always say, it is wise to listen to your waiter. By far the best thing we sampled though, were the Soup Dumplings. What a kick! Each large dumpling is filled with a small meatball which when cooked exudes it's own broth creating it's own meatball soup in a dough. They are a challenge to eat, essentially you have to bite the top off and suck out the soup, then gobble up the rest of the delectable meatball and glorious dumpling wrapper. I used a bowl for back up. This goes on my list as a "MUST DO" in Boston. The place is small and quaint. Service is fast and efficient and you can tell that everything here is made in house, by hand. That's not something you can always say about Dim Sum.
(4)
Jim K.
The Xiao Long Bao was excellent as advertised.Taiwanese rice noodle and seafood was cooked well. Service was excellent. The only drawback was the sauce on the Kung Pao chicken was too sweet.
(4)
Lisa C.
I don't give out very many 5-star reviews, but this place totally deserves it. First of all, we got there early, so we were seated right away, but I'd been warned that if you don't get there early there can be line out the door while people wait for a table. Part of that is because of the draw of the place but I think it's also to do with the fact that there are only like 8 tables in the whole place. Since I'm allergic to fish (what a shame since so much of the menu had fish on it), we were limited as to what we could order, but the juicy pork buns were TO DIE FOR, the pork and cabbage mini buns were delicious and the spring rolls were light and crisy - just the way I like them - not greasy at all! Total bill, including two beers? $21.70. For two people. You can't beat that!
(5)
Billie M.
Gourmet Dumpling House: A Play in Three Acts Act 1 The lights rise to show a table of 3 guests perusing menus and a patient waiter. Billie: Soup Dumplings! Friend 1: Not a good idea. You're a slob and you're wearing a white shirt Billie: Soup Dumplings! Friend 2: Not a good idea. You're a slob and I'M wearing a white shirt. Billie: Soup Dumplings! Friend 1 to waiter: We'll have the pork and leek dumplings please. Billie: Pork and Leek Dumplings! Friend 2: Shut up and drink your beer ****Scene**** Act 2 The dumplings have arrived and the guests are preparing to order their next course. Billie (pointing to the table next to them): What's that red bowl thing? Waiter: It's beef and cabbage in a spicy Szechuan broth. Very Good. Very popular. Billie: We'll take one! (pointing to table behind them) What's that green leafy thing? Waiter: Chinese watercress sauteed in garlic. Very fresh. Billie: We'll take one! (pointing to table in front of them) What's that sizzling thing over there? Waiter: Three essence chicken. It's one of my favorites. Billie: We'll.... Friend 1 interrupts: I'm sorry, excuse her, she doesn't get out much. We'll have the Szechuan style beef, the garlic watercress, the chicken and asparagus, and the crispy chicken. Billie, pouting: Well excuse me for getting excited about food. Friend 2: Shut up and drink your beer ****Scene**** Act 3 The food has been eaten and the owner delivers the check. Billie: Holy crap, we got ALL that food, plus beers and it's this cheap? I love Gourmet Dumpling House! Owner: I'm glad you guys had a good time, be sure to come back soon and I'll help you pick new dishes. Billie: This is the only place I'm going to eat at for the rest of my life! I want to live inside a dumpling! Owner: Shut up and finish your beer. Billie, Owner, Friend 1, Friend 2: HAHAHAHAHAHA ****Scene****
(4)
Drew V.
My go-to place in Chinatown. My favorite eggplant basil and twice cooked pork in Boston. Great soup dumplings. It is cramped and a little chaotic, but that's part of the charm and why there's usually not much of a wait.
(4)
Brian N.
The name is misleading. That's something I hate. Hate hate hate b/c it makes me pass by the restaurant once and then ruminate about how awesome these dumplings will be when I take my friends to it the next time I'm in town and then find out that they are less than spectacular. This place claims to be a dumpling house yet only offers about 5 kinds of dumplings. WTF? Instead the menu is riddled with 100 other dishes which are all good too but still...you have a good thing going if you just stick to dumplings and do them well. It's a niche market in Boston. Chinese restaurants in general need to learn this. Quantity is not equal to quality. So the Soup Dumpling: came out with the skins dry. I understand that the magic is the moisture on the inside but if the skin is dry from the dumpling sitting out after steaming then I am not happy. The dumpling filling was good, but could also have more flavor. I was expecting for a savory explosion, and what I got was kind of bland. What redeems this place? Best scallion pancake I've ever had since dining in Boston, San Francisco, and LA. Multi-layered, thin layers, and crispy. Very crispy. Also came with a vinegar-y dipping sauce that was a nice touch. Claypot Chicken w/ Basil was also very fragrant and tasty. Wish they gave pieces with fewer bones and gristle. This place is too hyped all in all and needs a 3-star to level the playing field.
(3)
Paul B.
We waited about 30 minutes to get a table at this tiny place on a mid-week evening. Very glad we did. Our party of three had the hot soup that Ming Tsai had, the pork belly with marinated vegetables, fried squid, bitter melon with (duck) egg and those amazing tender and juicy dumplings filled with meat and soup. Incredibly fast service given the fact that the place was packed. Incredients seemed super fresh and artistically presented. The fact that the kitchen can turn out a good looking plate in this rush is great testimony to the talent back there. Five items, three beers= $49. Amazing! Go here, you will not be disapointed.
(5)
Lily F.
Focus on the more "authentic" Chinese dishes and you are in for a real treat! Yes, the mango chicken and scallion pancakes are delicious, but the soup dumplings I had are BY FAR the most rave worthy item. They take a little longer to cook (about 15 mins) but they are delectable and you must order them! When they arrive bite off the top of the dumpling and suck the broth out...then devour the yummy meat and voila! They're probably not the best "1st date food" but are surely one of the reasons the line was out the door by noon.
(4)
Eva H.
Food is for sure delicious and very reasonable. The service on the other hand is horrible. The waitres was not very nice, even rude. She hacked a nougy and spat it in the dinning area into a sink, everyone could see and hear. I thought I was going to start dry-heaving. The place is dirty,cramped and loud. Makes me wonder if they do things like that in the dinning area what do they do out back where no one can see....
(3)
Jenny J.
Delicious!!! Recommend the scallion pancakes, the xiao long bao (very meaty and juicy), the crab xiao long bao (a little rich, very crabby), and the pea shoots. It was super crowded but we were lucky to get a table after only 10 min and the service was very fast. Totally going back next time we're getting lunch in Chinatown. This was Bay Area quality Chinese food. :-)
(5)
David P.
Solid Taiwanese and Chinese fare, though due to its small size and apparent reputation the wait can be a bit long for a table. Portions are good sized and prepared very well. The name of the establishment though can be a bit misleading, as the dumplings and baozi offerings in its menu are miniscule compared to the rest of the non-breaded or doughy foods. I thought my Sichuanese fish fillets in chili oil was pretty good, as were my son's Americanized General Gau chicken rice platter.
(4)
Foodie F.
I'm not gonna go into details because there are to many reviews of this place. Just great that's all there is to it. Only downside is that it's very small so you must be willing to sit close quarters and wait for a table. Soup dumplings aren't as good as Joe's Shanghai, but they are still pretty damn good.
(5)
Daigo F.
Wow. I had recommendation from three different people, and so I wanted to try it, and I finally did. I believe the hype. It is the best shou ron pou (Xiaolongbao) that I had in Boston, yet. In the memu that is A34, Mini Juicy Dumpling with Pork (8) $6.50. Lunch specials are $7.25 and lots of choices, Awesome. I will go back there again. They do accept credit card, but they have minimum of $20.
(5)
Heila N.
Was not pleased with my dumplings or soup. The mini juicy pork dumplings were too doughy and the pork filling didn't seem fresh. They were not very flavorful- maybe I should have tried them fried? I asked the waitress which was the best spicy soup she suggested Beef noodle soup... not only was it NOT spicy it was very oily. After reading some of the other posts I made sure to order the scallion pancakes.. now those were good. I give this place two stars because I was not pleased with my meal- however I would come back here after doing more research and ordering dishes other yelppers suggested.
(2)
Mimi H.
Well my friend really wanted Soup Dumplings. I thought she meant soup AND dumplings. Her sister thought she meant Soup with Dumplings in it. But no, she meant Dumplings with soup inside. We went about 3 on Saturday afternoon and it wasn't crowded at all. We ordered Fried Tofu, Pork Fried Rice, Scallion Pancakes, 2 orders of Soup Dumplings and... I think that's it, everything was so delicious!! And cheap too! everything came to 35 bucks for 4 people, and a tall can of Karin is 2 dollars!! Omg. I would def come to this place again.
(4)
Crystal L.
The place is small and pack!!! Their dumplings are good. We had their xiao long bao which was good and they're huge compare to the size they're suppose to be. I do have to say that I'm not a big fan because the wrapping was too thick. It's best if it's thinner. With that, the wrapping is the same for their vegetarian dumpling. But I do have to say their vegetarian dumpling tasted better. We also had their rice cake which was very oily. It's good. Just too oily. Place is good.
(3)
Ka T.
Wow, i want to go back by just thinking about it. Im ordered 4 different meals myself cause i was hungry and couldn't decide what i wanted. I ended up making friends with my neighbors and shared my food. Definitely a place to try if your in china town. The soup dumplings were amazing.....reminded me of eating them in Taiwan.
(5)
Michelle K.
The Dumpling House is the only restaurant that my friends and I go to in Chinatown. We first went off of a recommendation and now make a point of going back once a month. It is often crowded, but it is worth the wait. Recently we had the scallion pancakes, pork and leek dumplings, steamed buns, and chicken and vegetable noodles. Love the scallion pancakes and will always have room for an order of pork and leek dumplings. Although they state on the menu that it will take fifteen minutes for the dumplings and buns, they always manage to have food on our table quickly. Inexpensive and delicious, I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)
Anita L.
Friend told me that this is a Taiwanese restaurant, but I realized this is a combination of both north and south after looking at their menu. We ordered the steam pork dumplings and the leek & pork dumplings. Was definitely disappointed at their steam pork dumplings. I tried various steam pork dumplings before (both in Shanghai & Taiwan) and never seen dumplings so big and their skin so thick. Restaurant was super crowded and I had to wait 30 minutes for a table. The dumplings were definitely not worth my wait.
(2)
Walter G.
this place is probably my favorite chinese restaurant in boston so far. the dumplings are awesome (as they better be given the restaurant's name), and they have some KICK ASS really authentic dishes. also a plus, the veggies in everything were really fresh and crispy and delish. if you're up for a challenge try the citroen soup. i'm not sure what it's called on the menu but it's a red broth with mostly beef, cabbage, and peppers. the waitress said it was very famous so they'll probably know what you mean. good, but SO FUCKING HOT. we saw some other guy eating it and sweating his face off so my friend decided to try it. even taking a big whiff of it makes your eyes water. good experience though. the minced pork with bread bean sauce over noodles is also pretty awesome. the fried tofu was too mushy and soft in my opinion but i don't really like tofu so take that with a grain of salt. when ordering, keep in mind that everything is huge. one entree (or bowl of soup) will easily feed three people if you add an order of rice and dumplings. me and my two friends got dumplings, spring rolls, fried rice, the soup, noodles, tofu and a round of tsingtaos and spent $22 apiece with a lot of leftovers.
(4)
Julie S.
Amazing dumplings! Best in town! Get the pan-fried pork buns (no seriously get those!) and get the mini juicy dumplings. Steamed are the best and its open late! Just go!!!!
(5)
Michael G.
Overall, it wasn't too bad, though the name is something of a misnomer in my opinion. There really aren't all that many dumplings on the menu, and they are by no means gourmet. However, the prices are reasonable, the service is fast, and the hours are pretty good. We were eating there at like 10PM after all. I highly do not recommend getting the vegetable dumplings. They have a weird taste to them and, oddly enough, were better reheated the next day. However, the steamed pork buns (I'm not really sure what the name is in English, but the direct translation is small dragon dumplings) are pretty decent. I also enjoyed the scallion pancake which is fried to a crisp perfection, but for whatever reason, my girlfriend found it bland. BTW, after reading Cherie's review, I'd like to add that the steamed pork buns are supposed to be really soupy on the inside. They're actually made with a small block of frozen boullion. Pick them up with one of those huge ladle-like spoons, take a little bite to let out some steam, and then eat it up. The soup ends up in the spoon, so you hopefully don't squirt it all over the place.
(3)
Byron M.
If you want shanghai styled cooking in Chinatown, the options are very limited, however Goumet Dumpling House may fill this gap. I reccomend the Xiao Long Bao which are dumplings with a soupy meaty stuffing. Be careful as they are really hot when they come out and you may scald your mouth if you just bite into them. This place is clean unlike some establishments in Chinatown.
(4)
Justin Gwailo H.
Pretty much in par with Taiwan Cafe, except their specialties are, of course, the dumplings.
(4)
Dara C.
Pretty solid Chinatown excursion. I've been a few times but a recent visit with the fella requires me to relate, at exhaustive and largely uninteresting length, my experience. As is, soup dumplings are pretty bomb. I like biting into anything that has the potential to squirt its insides all over my fa ... so anyway, I like soup dumplings. Gourmet Dumpling's dumplings are fairly representative of the awesome, sticky-slippery-outside, awesome-savory-meaty-inside quality of the soup dumpling. I wish they would be a little bit moister, because there is some heavy gnawing required. I'm also not crazy about the pork-crabmeat combination. I found two bits of shell in two separate dumplings. Although that's surely a testament to the freshness of the critter within, I wasn't thrilled to risk the structural integrity of my incisors, nor was the crabmeat taste especially notable. Soup dumplings shouldn't have muddy flavors. The chicken-and-cabbage version is pretty much fantastic; plain pork, as I recall, is similarly worthwhile. Kind of wish there were more combinations; for a "dumpling house," five or six options just aren't enough to satiate my lust. Entrees run the gamut from the more Americanized and blander offerings--sesame chicken, General Gau's--to fish heads, pork intestines, and other satisfying bits of offal. Recent selections: ma po tofu, with its fiery dose of chili oil, was extremely pleasant. If only the tofu were a tad firmer; my weakly Caucasian chopstick skills are laughable with the soft version. Fried oysters were also tasty, a mountain of hot bivalves in a light, crunchy coating. They came with some sort of Szechuan chili-and-salt condiment of indeterminate origin, odd in its dryness but very spicy, tangy and delicious. (Consider, if you will, dipping your oysters in the ma po tofu sauce. Consider elation. Choose life.) The space is extremely cramped, not exactly beautiful, and its ambiance consists of a tank of fish who stare at you while you eat, lots of old tiling, and wobbly tables. Servers are brusque; food comes out all at once or in rapid-fire burst, entrees often before appetizers. The menu says dumplings take 15 minutes; this can be much more than 20. Green tea is complimentary; getting water is an unimaginable feat. So if you don't mind rushed service--you shouldn't in Chinatown--and some occasionally hellish waits, Gourmet Dumpling House is worth your time and attention. Also, you kind have to be okay with a tank of fish staring at you and going "glub-glub-glub" while you gnaw happily one of their brothers.
(4)
Danny F.
Why people rave about this place and wait for hours outside is beyond me. The signature xiao long boa (juicy dumplings) were supremely average. As were the sauteed Chinese watercress and littleneck clam soup. Nothing was bad, but I would not call the food good either. Back to the dumplings, I can get better ones in the frozen aisles of any Chinese supermarket. Fail.
(3)
Alan C.
there's something to be said about piping hot and juicy xiao long baos (soup dumplings): AMAZING. ever since i've experienced joe shanghai's in nyc, my cravings for those legendary xiao long baos have become so addicting. they're so friggin good there, it honestly makes me wanna slap my momma. so we roll up in my hoop dee. bam, their big blue dumpling sign sticks out; it makes me think of xiao long baos and the wonderful juice explosions when you take that first bite. i love dumplings. i could eat a million of them and still eat more. they're like giant gummy bears. the restaurant is your typical c-town diner with your typical c-town service. just as long as the food is yummy, i really don't give a rat's ass about the service. the place is small but comfortable. so skipping onto the food, we ordered: seafood pan fried noodles: the waitress said it was really good here so we tried. the truth is it's real salty, and there wasn't much seafood to go around with. i kid you not but there were only 2 pieces of shrimp. 1 for me and 1 for my bro. taiwanese style fried noodles with minced pork: on the menu, there was one of those spicy symbols right next to it. when we ordered, the waitress brags... "ohhh, really spicy noodles!!" ...she said it in a way like she wanted to challenge me... "oh yeah? we love spicy...actually, make that EXTRA spicy"... and then i'll be the judge. they weren't spicy at all, which was disappointing...but it's nothing a bottle of sriracha can't fix. btw, the noodles were soggy. pan fried pork and chive dumplings: these were actually pretty good. the skin was a little on the thicker side but okay. the pork filling inside tasted delicious with red vinegar. xiao long baos: their version of the XLBs were acceptable, barely. they weren't exciting when you ate them. the reason is simple: just not much soup in them suckers...they were pretty bland to me. every time i leave a restaurant, i always find myself asking the same darn question: "did that hit the spot?" a complete airball if you ask me. i am however willing to give it a 2nd chance.
(3)
Lilee N.
great authentic chinese food that won't leave you feeling gross. the food is made to order and brought out quickly. we ordered the lunch special on the back of the menu which lets you pick three dishes. comes with rice (or noodles) and soup all for $20. the xiao long bao for an appetizer (additional cost) was worth it! YUM! not too crowded for lunch on a friday afternoon when we went. place is small and quaint. highly recommend!
(5)
David L.
Good scallion cake. Xiaolongbao was ok, not as good as Shanghai Cafe in NY Chinatown. SZechuan fish (water-boiled fish) was interesting but Tasty & Spicy in Flushing NY was much better.
(4)
Ian S.
I had this crazy craving for dumplings last night and, since we were visiting friends who had just moved into a swanky loft down the street, were recommended to the aptly named Gourmet Dumpling House. I don't know about "Gourmet." If "gourmet" implies that the restaurant is going to get your order right, then Dumpling House is surely not. We ordered cai xin; they brought us bai cai. We ordered the clam soup; they brought us clams in black-bean sauce. The good thing is that what they did bring us was excellent. The bai cai was crisp and garlicky, and the clams in black-bean sauce achieved new heights in the finger-foods category with its gingery and garlicky flavors. I was less impressed with the dumplings, especially the xiao long bao. On the upside, the dumplings contained ample hot liquid that scalded the roof of my mouth. They were crimped perfectly with a little hole at the top through which I could pour the ginger vinegar sauce. On the down side, the wrappers were too thick, and there wasn't enough savory pork filling. I didn't even make it over to the fried leek and pork ravioli (why can't we just call them potstickers?). For a late-night dumpling binge, the bill came to $40 for people with tip, which seems just a bit over the top to me. But that's the price one must pay for being bonkers for bao.
(3)
Mai N.
great food but tight space for big groups rec: spicy tofu, dumplings, fried fish...
(4)
Sherry H.
As a born and bred Taiwanese, if there is anything I know about Chinese or Taiwanese food, it'd be dumplings. I was absolutely mortified by the quality of their dumplings. The skin was no where near presentable. I was very disappointed. Whomever cooked the dumplings clearly did not know what he was doing. For a restaurant to call itself "Gourmet Dumpling House", the dumplings were, to say the least, abysmal. Though, I must admit, the sour and spicy soup was authentic enough.
(1)
A R.
The dumplings are mediocre. The soup dumplings are grainy and flavorless, and the regular dumplings are (at least when steamed) mushy and overcooked.
(2)
Nicole D.
The best thing about this place is that they're open (I think most nights) til 1am. We ordered the dumplings and weren't disappointed. I loved that they were filled with the soup and are authentic. They are larger than some other places, and were about $7 for 8. The restaurant was clean and service was pretty good. They speak Mandarin mostly, and I saw a fair diversity of people eating there/ordering to go.
(3)
Kneekey T.
I must admit I was disappointed, especially after reading the reviews. Manfriend and I ordered Chinese watercress with garlic, spicy salt and pepper calamari, and spicy Taiwanese noodles with eel. Yes, we ordered too much for two, my fault entirely. The watercress came up first and was really yummy, spiced perfectly with nice chunks of garlic. I made me super excited about the other dishes. Manfriend liked it too, however, he is ethically opposed to paying $10.00 for a plate of veggies. Understandable. Next came the calamari. I was lured into ordering this by a group of cool looking young lads eating it by the window while we were waiting in the long line for a table. At first it was tasty and crunchy but then...a weird after-taste...I think the batter may have been stale. By the time the noodles and eel came I was almost full but unsatisfied and wistfully eyeing my neighbor's fried rice. The noodles were super spicy, and let me tell you, we like spicy. It appeared that they left the seeds in the jalapenos. The eel tasted like beef jerky and the sauce reminded me of BBQ, blah. Here's the disturbing part about the service. We were seated next to two women on our left and a father/daughter pair on our right. Keep in mind that this place is super small. The owner greeted both of our neighbors after their meal. He asked them if they enjoyed it and even shook hands with the father. When it came time for our bill, nothing, not a word. What are we chilled pork ears?
(2)
Victoria A.
Overall: Gourmet Dumpling house is a great choice. I get takeout from here everytime I have to go through Chinatown to grab a train at south station.They've got a wide range of tasty options so you can satisfy both more adventurous and more conservative diners. If you don't believe me, believe the crowd of people waiting outside around dinner time. Specifics: This place is pretty popular, and kind of small. You'll probably have to wait for a little bit if you come in between 6:30 and 8:30. Unless you're planning on talking in graphic detail about your sex life, or medical problems or criminal tendencies, don't hesitate to accept if the host offers you seats at a large table with strangers to cut down on your wait time. This is a great place to eat family style if that's your thing. The dishes are large and easily shared, and you'll definitely want to try a bit of everything. Like I said before, there's a wide range of options. The chicken with asparagus and the pork chops are good options for people who like mild flavors, as are many of the fried noodle dishes. The ma po tofu and fish in spicy sichuan sauce are both good spicy dishes (the latter was suggested by a waitress as a specialty and you'll notice at least one table has ordered it every time you go to the restaurant). One of my personal favorites is the beef with vegetable noodles with sa cha sauce, with rice cakes substituted for noodles. OF COURSE you should get dumplings if you go here because if you go to a place called gourmet dumpling house and don't get dumplings that's like going to burger king and not eating a burger, or going to McDonalds and not eating a Scottish person. The dumplings will make you happy. They will make you happy and fat and round, like a little dumpling yourself. The restaurant is pretty cramped and the decor is typical Chinatown. the bathroom is functional. The appetizers won't always come out before the entrees, and the main dishes might not always come out at the same time. Whatever. If you can't handle that, you probably can't handle walking through Chinatown to get to the restaurant in the first place, so it's a non-issue. The waiters are good at suggesting dishes, too, though they often seem so frantic that you'll feel guilty delaying them.
(4)
K S.
Great food, great service! I've been here about 4 times since it opened. Delicious food each time. For those who have complained about the 20 min wait time for those dumplings, it clearly says on the menu that it takes that long. If you can't wait for them, don't order them! However, you'd be missing out. They are really good, esp with the soy vinegar sauce. Last night I got watercress with garlic, the three seasoned chicken legs in a hot pot (my favorite dish there), and the beef szechuan style (spicy and SO good). I love food and have been to many of the restaurants in Chinatown. This is my new favorite! :)
(5)
Nathan V.
Haven't ready any of the other reviews but maybe I ordered the wrong thing. I was good to fair but not a four star rating in my book. I got the General Gau's and I got the "white" version...granted I may have some appearance like that, but I was hoping for more spice (yea I can handle a little of it). What I got was a very sweet grocery store version....maybe not that bad but at least more in that direction. Also got the pea vines with garlic which was quite good, friends I was with also enjoyed their food. I would say that give the name of the restaurant to be fair I should actually try their dumplings, they looked quite delicious, and were suggested by one of the friends. Next time!
(3)
Oriana S.
If you love dumplings, this is the place to go! I love the soup filled dumplings. You get authentic Chinese dishes here, as well as dishes that appeal to American taste buds. Overall, the food is delicious! I've eaten here a few times and have always left full and satisfied. Can't wait to go back there!
(5)
Caroline M.
Went for late lunch. Pork/leek and beef/celery dumplings were really good. Asparagus beef and sauteed flounder were quite good. The shrimp and tofu was so-so. Only a few small shrimps, soft tofu and bland sauce. Portions were small-ish, except for the dumplings. The place wasn't particularly clean and one of the staff was hawking behind the counter. kind of a turn-off. The waiter never brought the water that we asked for. We liked the busy atmosphere.
(3)
Just H.
general tso chicken was great! crab/pork dumpling had a yellow tint on it like, it was egg inside instead of crab. it jux tasted like an egg dumpling! taiwanese noodle soup tasted bland. the service was terrible! was ignored, the guy just put plates on the table without saying anything and walk away really fast, and if i ask for something the guy look like he didnt wanna do it, had that snobby look on his face. maybe he was the owner? i dont know...the other manager was rude, not a friendly atmosphere. but will try again and hopefully it'll change.
(2)
Chris W.
A brand new place in Chinatown! We were trying to decide between Peach Farm and HK Eatery, but we decided to give this new place a try. Their tag line is "Northern and Southern Chinese" which makes up all of China? Their menu supported that assertion with random dishes from all kinds of different cuisines, a lot of them were actually Taiwanese dishes. The fact that it was also a Mandarin speaking establishment, led us to believe that the owners were Taiwanese actually. The pei pa tofu was tasteless. Literally, tasteless. Everything else was average. We didn't actually try any dumplings, so maybe we missed out on what may be their speciality dish? Our general consensus was that while the place is nice and new, we can't really justify choosing it over our other well-established (in our mind) favorites in Chinatown when we are in the area. It is just another restaurant in Chinatown that doesn't really stand out among all of them and can't beat out our favorites.
(2)
Richard C.
The best Chinese restaurant in Chinatown if you are looking for Szechuan cuisine. (Otherwise, I would vote for my new love, the Asian Garden). But Gourmet Dumpling's Hot fish soup in a bowl is so hot and spicy and tasty you will cry when you eat it! (or was it the spiciness that causes it?) The scallion pancake is almost unrivalled in Boston also. So go there, hurry up. The only problem is that it has gotten a reputation already from its food quality making it difficult to find a seat without a wait these days. Their prices are also a bit higher, given than their portions are typically smaller than most Chinese restaurants.
(5)
Brian D.
My face was melted off of my head last night at Gourmet Dumpling House. I am writing this review and drinking an iced coffee, at my desk, sans face. You should see how people look at you when you order a coffee acting all business as usual, without a face. Good times. Ok. So. I went to Gourmet Dumpling House. Yeah. It was pretty awesome. I think the best way to describe my experience will be to draft a nice orderly sequence of events: 1. Meet friends at Jacob Wirth's for drinks 2. Show up too early and go to the Tam to drink alone because Jacob's is actually pretty lame 3. Go back to Jacob's, meet friends, consume beer and eat some pretzels 4. Proceed to Gourmet Dumpling House with friends minus the one who is now doing something sketchy in an alley with the hot server from Jacob's 5. Show up at GDH with party of 6 and are immediately seated and handed the encyclopedia/menu 6. Pick out everything I want to try and order for the table via writing down item numbers on dirty napkin and handing to waitress so I can continue my conversation about this time when I went to Chinatown with my dad and his friend one time......or maybe it was about Seinfeld....anyway we had: -fish chins and spicy tofu -shredded beef with spicy chili pepper -pork and crab dumpling -scallion pancake -beef heart -beer 7.We eat wildly, like fat kids in a candy store. 8. Our faces melt off. 9. I wake up with the taste of spicy chili's still in my mouth. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
(4)
Michele F.
Vegetarian dumplings, while full of flavorful greens, were extremely doughy and the sauce that came with it was super bland and not as vinegar based as good sauces tend to be. Vegetarian pan fried noodles was basically broccoli and carrots in a corn starch filled bland sauce over crispy egg noodles. Other people seemed happy with their food- perhaps the meat dishes are better? I don't understand the hype around this place at all.
(2)
Anya T.
Yes, I have spent time in China (4 months in Beijing with no kitchen, so I ate out every day) and know how fantastic real Chinese restaurant food is. But this is America so Chinese food this good in Boston deserves 5 stars. It's not super americanized and the dishes have that complexity of flavor that they should. I love the mapo tofu, yuxiang eggplant and beef in sa-cha sauce. Yes, it is called Gourmet Dumpling House, but that doesn't necessarily mean that have to only sell dumplings (which are also tasty). But does it really need to be called Tasty Golden Dragon Jade Island Peking Garden Hong Kong Royal China Palace? The fact that every time I go in, it's packed with a line and people waiting outside only speaks to its popularity. The place is small, but the food is served quickly and the speed with which they clear the table lets you know that sitting around after the meal when 10 other people are waiting to sit is not greatly appreciated, so you won't be waiting long and the food is great once you get inside. Don't be afraid to speak up, you may need to in order to get some service after you've ordered.
(5)
Kelly S.
It's Chinatown, so expect a small, busy room. We visited on a Saturday evening, and waited a few minutes for a table-but their turn around was swift. Great service overall, even though the place stayed packed. I'm still day dreaming about the Taiwanese Style Hot and Sour Soup, YUM! A perfect mixture of flavors. Everything comes in large portions at decent prices and you'll find a mix of tourists and locals.
(5)
Al A.
Good dumplings. Well priced. Fast service. Will try to turn your table as quickly as possible.
(4)
Norman Y.
We had the XIaoLongBao. These were pretty authentic and well cooked. Pretty standard XiaoLongBao, which is a compliment, since most places seem to mess them up. ShuiZhuYu (Fish Fillets in a spicy broth) was a very authentic dish which was well done. The only thing was that it was a bit bland. The broth was a tad watery and thin. Could have had more pieces of fish too. Otherwise, very authentic and well done. Spicy pork and general Gau's kitchen were 5 stars and the best I ever had. Seating was a bit cramped, but the waiters were extremely nice.
(4)
Katy P.
Really 4.5 stars. Every now and then I get a mean craving for some authentic Chinese dumplings. Instead of hitting up dim sum all alone, I head to Gourmet Dumpling House. The soup dumplings are delicious (but they are boiling HOT) and come with a great ginger sauce. I've also had the handmade pork & leek raviolis which are the perfect size and the right combination of dough and meat filling. As far as their regular dishes, we really enjoy the beef and scallion. Before your plate arrives you can smell the wonderful sauce being simmered in the kitchen. The salt & pepper calamari was good, but a bit overbattered for my tastes. Beware, this is a tiny restaurant so you can expect to have to squeeze past a few tables to be seated and have people squeezing past you while you eat.
(4)
Chloe C.
While walking around in Boston's Chinatown, I noticed this place. It looked decent, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm not one to pass up on any restaurant with "dumpling" in the name. It was only about 5, but the place was already crowded. The inside was fairly small and everyone was packed in quite snuggly. I tried the pork and leek dumplings, the juicy dumpling, and the scallion pancakes. All of these dishes were very good - not the best I've ever had, but tasty and satisfying. Service was a bit on the slow side for a Chinese place. Overall, I left feeling content and willing to return.
(4)
Jarrod C.
Without a doubt some of the best northern Chinese cuisine I've ever had. The place is tiny, and they really pack you in. Lunch specials are reasonably priced and come with soup, rice, in addition to your meal. We ordered pork and leek streamed dumplings which were absolutely delicious. My yellow curry chicken was delicious, as was the twice cooked pork. Highly recommend if you're in the area and you don't mind a small restaurant. Place was packed yet the wait was a reasonable 10 minutes.
(4)
Sara S.
Everything I have ever ordered here has been delicious. It is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. However, this only in regards to the food. The service is generally sub par (waiters spend half the time talking amongst themselves and the other half rushing past your table without acknowledging you). The area is incredibly cramped and if you are ever offered the table next to the fish tank... you may want to wait for another one because waiters will be shoving past you and/or asking you to move as they scoop out fish and lobsters who, inevitably, splash gross tank water all over your table. All that being said, the quality and flavor of the food MORE than make up for these inconveniences. Some recommendations: Spicy Sichuan Beef (very spicy and delicious - make sure to order rice with this!) Pork and Leek Dumplings (perfection) Soft Shelled Crab (fried up and very flavorful) Vietnamese Noodles (if you like rice cakes this dish is very satisfying)
(4)
Sara Y.
soup dumplings - 5 stahs pork/shrimp mini dumpling- 5 stahs eggplant w/ chile- 5 stahs pork w/ bamboo shoots- 5 stahs almost everything i've had here- 5 stahs. SOOOO f'ing good. this place is PACKED for lunch... on the wknds there is line snaking outside. my parents love this place, cuz they have some really traditional dishes. went with two friends yesterday, and one was pregnant. the waitress was super sweet and asked if she could get our friend decaf tea or hot water... she also gave us some herbal soup. LOVELY : )
(5)
Amy C.
The dumplings are no joke, yo. Get the pork and leek fried dumplings like everyone here says. You'll be psyched. The beef and scallion dish was really good too. There's always a line but it moves pretty fast. Big portions for little $$. Hurry up. Go now!
(4)
Crystal J.
Unlike others below, I do think the food is amazing. A lot of peolpe are thrown off by the traditional northern style service and food. Northerners are loud and the atmosphere is always loud and jovial. The food is PHENOMINAL. And to the person below who tried to claim their dumplings are "frozen"....Good M....clearly you don't know anything about xiao long bao. You can tell by the shell that they are made on site. I date a chinese ex chef....I'm pretty sure he could tell the difference. My only complaint is that, although their prices are cheap, you DO have to watch the bill. Sometimes they make mistakes and over charge. In addition, NEVER sit by the fish tank. They need to remove that table all together.
(4)
Marc C.
Picture it. Christmas night. 2008. A lonely, depressed, and hungry guy doesn't want to move out of bed because he has the holiday blahs from dealing with such things as the recent end of a long term relationship and the fact that the only present he got this year was a framed picture of his dead brother (true story). The phone rings. It is his ex-boyfriend. He is hungry and alone. "Wanna go get something to eat?" the ex asks. "I guess we could," he replies. "Where do you wanna go?" the interrogation continues. "I guess Chinatown is gonna be the only thing open," he says knowing that it only a few blocks from home. "OK, be at your place in a bit," the ex zippily replies. This was the start of life on Christmas day for me. 6:45 PM finally hopping in the shower, dressing (in a rather dashingly handsome manner, I might add), and scurrying off to Chinatown with my ex-boyfriend turned good friend for nourishment. I live close to Chinatown, so I am familiar with the restaurants there and tried to narrow down where to eat. After Yelping on my iPhone, I decided to give Gourmet Dumpling House a try since it is one of the few places I haven't made it to in the area. OMG! What took me so long?! I am an idiot! We ordered entirely too much food for two people (but yay for leftovers since it is Chinese food and we would be hungry again in a couple of hours). Hot and sour soup? Check. Egg rolls? Check. General Gau's chicken? Check. Beef with broccoli? Check. Pork and cabbage dumplings? Check. Scallion pancakes? Check. Pork fried rice? Check. Kinda creepy older guy you don't know at the same table as you eyeing your food and making it so you have no choice but to let him try yours as well as his own? Check. (Cue mental screeching sounds of of a speeding car slamming on its brakes) Yeah, so we went in and requested a table for two and were seated a few minutes later to enjoy our holiday dinner. They then sat a perfect stranger across the table from us without even asking, but we just went with the flow. We ordered and then started the task of eating the pile of food we ordered. "Is that General Gau's chicken?" the stranger asked. "Yeah," I replied. "Is it good?" he followed. "Yeah, really good." my friend replies. "Looks really good," the older guy says, "I should have ordered it so I could try it." My friend and I kinda look at each other blankly and offer him some since we were raised right. "No, no, no, I couldn't..." the stranger acts poorly as if to resist while at the same time reaching over with his chopsticks (that he has already been eating with) and plunks a chunk of chicken off of the plate (he has not apparently understood the concept of the serving spoon). "That is great," he proclaims after chewing the piece with his mouth open. "It is nice to see people that enjoy food," he says to us. I can not take points off for that comment. So all things considered, this place is great and a must visit. The food was phenomenal. The scallion pancakes were flavorful and flaky. The General Gau's chicken was sweet and spicy. The beef with broccoli had just the right amount of sauce so you didn't lose the individual flavors. The pork fried rice was cooked to perfection (although I would have preferred to have more vegetables and roasted pork instead of the shredded pork). My dining companion raved about the hot and sour soup (I couldn't try due to an allergy to one of the ingredients). The egg rolls and the pork and cabbage dumplings missed the mark for me a bit. They were both cooked well, but there was nothing in the egg roll but cabbage and a sliver of carrot, and the dumplings had a very bland, unflavored filling. I won't fault them too much for the two items, I will just make other selections the next visit. I like this place. Would I return? Definitely sooner rather than later. Hopefully the next time, the only people eating the food we ordered will be the people I went to the restaurant with in the first place.
(4)
Jamie G.
Went here for dinner Saturday before going to the movies. I would in the future be more weary of coming here if you have time constraints because it is WICKED crowded! Our 10 minute wait turned unto almost a half an hour. However, I swear our food came out seconds after we ordered! Now I dont usually like Chinese food because it is too greasy and americanized, but this place served more traditional, authentic Chinese. The entrees are big enough to feed at least two people if not three. We ordered the Beef with String Beans and the Kung Pao Chicken, with rice, and also an order of beef with celery dumplings, two beers and tea. Everything was amazing, though the Kung Pao was not my fave. And we took tons of leftovers home with us! And the price was unbelievably cheap for so much food! Will definitely come back again, though probably not on the weekend for dinner unless I'm there by 5pm.
(4)
Steve N.
went with The Kid on 4/11/09. we got there during the rush around 1230pm and were able to snag a four top for just the two of us. it was busy, but in a good way with a decent mix of folks of all ages. started with the pork and crab XLB which we found flavorful but lacking in the soup department. the skins were a little tough but i chocked that up to the dumplings probably being steamed in advance. we also tried the eel with yellow chive and really liked that a lot. we found the pork with bamboo tip to be similar to Taiwan Cafe's but with larger pieces of bamboo tip, pretty good. we thought the beef with watercress to be just OK as the watercress was a little off in color and cut up a little too small. we will definitely be back, but at a slower time and mostly to sample some of the other buns and dumplings we saw going by our table.
(3)
Adam S.
LOVED this place. The dumplings were about as good as you get away from California. Cheap too, of course.
(5)
Cahaya S.
nyam nyam! i crave this place :) the first time I came over here was on a cold night an after party-party - when we decided we were still hungry from the original party -- and so stopped into this little joint that was packed full of people at 11pm. Very good sign. We stuffed into a little corner of the place - all 4 of us -- at a table that had just been vacated by its occupants. And on that table were a heap of untouched leftover dumplings -- which the piggies among us gleefully helped ourselves too....I know!! I know!! but which is worse? wasting perfectly good, delectable, food? or letting perfectly good delicious, warm juicy dumplings go to waste? See! :) Anyway - we shamelessly nibbled at the leftovers and were blown away!! Instant fans we became. The place serves Taiwanese style cuisine, as well as some northern chinese fare. The owners/managers are very friendly with a good sense of humour. and you can get a glimpse of the cook, when she comes out from the kitchen mostly toward the end of the night. Well ....my all time favourites there are their hot and sour soup -- so full of delicate, delicacies - wood ear mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu, ground meat - if u want to go non-vegetarian. Just perfect. Their egg drop soup is really good too. Not your usual fare that you get at other Chinese places. Tried a Northern Chinese style lamb soup as well - which was quite unexpected. Very peppery and soothing. Their dumplings are yummy too -- the Taiwanese style dumplings are their classic fare. Specify Soupy dumplings if you want the version with the soup inside of the wrap. Their vegetarian dumplings are actually my favourite. Really yummy firm tofu and spinach ( i think) all finely ground up and stuffed into the skin -- makes for a really perfectly tasty bite. Their okra's pretty decent and the ma po tofu is a crowd favourite. the noodles are really tasty, but a tad bit too greasy to let me order it too often. Wish I had discovered this place sooner than I did, after being in Boston for all those years. It's definitely my top two places in Boston Chinatown to eat at.
(4)
Sara S.
Hit up GDH after the Yelp Via Matta Event- YAY for creepy drunk people entertainment, beer and wine, chicken lo-mein, and steamed vegetable buns, along with the aforementioned scallion pancakes and veggie dumplings!
(5)
Dan O.
This was one off my most memorable experiences at a Chinese restaurant. My new friend shocked me when she started speaking Chinese to the hostess, and the waitress. It was great, she offered to order I wasn't about to argue. So we had a some beers, tried some different types of dumplings and some scallion pancakes. Everything was great, ill definately be back
(4)
Arestia R.
I am a Chinatown lover and a believer in Gourmet Dumpling House. The pork buns are delicious and the dumplings are handmade and to die for. The decor is everything a Chinatown spot should be - pretty a-typical. The servers are attentive and I love places where they plop a pot of tea on your table without you even asking. Definitely heading back!
(5)
Maryann-David M.
I walk by here and the place is packed well it seems like its always pack and I know why they value of their food is teh best ever wow we got 6 courses for $40 the food is not bad its ok not the greatest but edible so I definitely will come here again as long as the lines aren't too long, but it seems to be always packed.
(3)
Jing M.
the food is delicious and cheap! it's one of the best places to go in chinatown! You can get the lunch boxes during dinner time. it's $6 and it'll fill you up! Try the B5 or the B6!!! sooo good!
(4)
Pokey R.
Best xiao long bao (mini juicy pork dumplings) in the city. There aren't that many tables and the overall room is cramped, so the wait can be a long time, but it's a great place to stop by for take-out.
(4)
Oiyan P.
4 stars for the non-dumpling food. the soup dumplings themselves were kind of dry. where was the soup? i think all the soup dumplings i had already had the soup leaked out. it was sad. other than the pork and crab soup dumplings, we also ordered pea sprouts with garlic, which was delish. also had sa-cha noodles that were quite good... very good, delicate spices. very good, cheap place for a quick, tasty lunch. apparently a lot of other people thought so too, since it was extremely crowded.
(3)
Brittany M.
A group of my friends went here because we thought it was busy, new, and sounded pretty tasty! However, the food was mediocre, not super fresh, and then immediately after finishing our meal and paying (within 5 minutes) they actually had the audacity to ask us to leave because they needed the table! I can understand if we were loud or been there for more than half an hour -- but 5 minutes? Just rude, I've never had that happen at a restaurant EVER. I thought it was possible we just had some rude server, and went there again two days ago with a friend. First, they asked us if it would be OK to seat as at a table with a complete stranger although there were 5 vacant tables. I had to actually ask if we could have our own table. We were placed next to the fish tank which was filled with sick-looking fish and a large, dead crab. Then, it took them over 15 minutes to stop and take our order. After that, they said there was a $20 minimum and refused to take our credit card for a $19 order. Not only is that inconvenient, it's illegal and against the terms of the credit card companies. I will not be going back. Taiwan Cafe has friendlier servers, the SAME food available, and is tastier and cheaper.
(1)
Ryan D.
This place is a great spot for dumplings! They are authentic and true to the roots of Chinese street food. This place is small so when i got here they had no seats. ......its cool its cool i ate it outside which made my experience even better. I felt like i time traveled while biting into my bao zhe(giant ass dumplings) The filling had extra pork fat which melted in my mouth and the scallions,garlic and ginger added a authentic flavor. It brought me back to my childhood days visiting my family in sichuan. Waking up going to the local noodle shop, waiting in line for that first bit of heaven.
(4)
j e.
I was so so hopeful that finally a decent xlb outside of Asia but was so disappointed. The soup flavor was fine but the xlb were big and bulky with thick skins and globs of congealed fat in every bite even when steaming hot. The crab xlb were incredibly fishy and I only ate one of the 8. Absolutely terrible. I don't know what kind of magical gastronomy is going on at din Tai fung but there isn't anyone that I've found that can come close. Very sad.
(1)
Kevin W.
Can someone please tell me what makes this place 'gourmet' or different from any other place in Chinatown? I'm just saying.
(2)
Chloe F.
Gourmet Dumpling House is probably the best thing to ever happen to me. My roommates and I make special trips to eat the Veggie Dumplings. They are beyond heavenly. Celestial, maybe. We have contemplated ordering T shirts to rep this place. It gets really busy, which is only a testament to how good the food is and it is CHEAP! The amount of patrons does slow the service down, but not enough to mar the eating experience. You can get an enormous amount of food for cheap. I love them.
(5)
Huan z.
I am not sure about other food they have but the food I ordered are very yummy. I ordered Pork/Veggie Dumpling and 3 cup Chicken/Basil Chicken. The waiter is friendly and helpful. I will try some other food next time while I am in China Town. So Far, so good!
(4)
Jen D.
This is my go to place if I'm in the mood for great, unpretentious, satisfying food on a budget. I have tried various things on their menu and although it's sometimes a miss, I continue to be impressed by the quality and consistency of their food. We always, always get the soup dumplings which are simply amazing. I totally recommend these - they will satisfy anyone. Often, we will also get the stinky tofu, adds a delicious start to our meal. As far as ambiance goes, be ready for it to be packed and loud. It's a small restaurant which now has a large following so they try to get people in and out as fast as possible. We often come between the lunch and dinner rushes, but there is usually a line of people waiting to be seated whenever we have come. There really is no decor and so the focus simply is the food. The servers are prompt and extremely efficient. Since I come for the great food, I have learned to live with the atmosphere. I never leave disappointed.
(5)
JB C.
If you need a soup dumpling fix, this place will do the job. The skins (on these and all the dumplings we've tried) are a bit too think for my liking but they're flavorful. The scallion pancakes are some of the best I've had in the states. We love the Yu Hsian eggplant which is a mix of sweet and spicy. The Ma po tofu is also good. Only downside is there is pretty much always a wait (even on Tuesday night at 8PM in the rain). The good is it's usually only about 10-15 minutes. Of course we tend to go on off hours to try have less wait.
(4)
Michael G.
Delicious - very good food and descent service! I'll be back!
(5)
Liz W.
Stumbled upon this place on New Year's Eve. Felt like having some good Chinese. The place was pretty packed when we almost walked past it. We figured that for a place this packed it's gotta be good or at least a safe bet. Sat down and ordered this basil veggie dish. Have to say it was delish. Saw the table next to us with some sort of dumplings, asked the waitress and she said we should give it a try. Glad we did. It was really good!! And there's a way to eat this too. Take note: You're suppose to suck out all of this soupy sauce in the dumpling before biting into it... Or else it'll burst and make a mess. So be careful. All in all, fellow Yelpers. Give this place a try and you won't be disappointed. Get the dumplings for sure. Hence the name "Dumpling House".
(5)
Alan N.
Went here after a day of drinking on sunday. another recommendation by sarah and neil. nestled in chinatown and with a 15 min wait, i figured this was the right spot. and it probably is. i think we ordered the wrong dishes. first thing to note, the portions here are really big, which is always a plus for me. neil and mike got small hot and sour soups for $3 each. we split a cabbage and pork dumpling order (12 for $6), and they were just ok, they were boiled instead of pan fried. Sarah and Mike got General Gau's chicken which is like General Tso's with a thicker sauce. neil got chicken and asparagus which looked and tasted very good. I got seafood pan fried noodles which was subpar (brown sauce, two shrimp, not enough sauce). the table behind us ordered the right stuff - soup dumplings (i shoudl have ordered these to compare to ny), pan fried dumplings, the vegetable known as pok boong in thai or ong choy in chinese, and some rib dish. that was the right order, and for whatever reason (too hungover/tired) we failed at executing as good a selection as they did. sidenote, we were going to go to peach road or whatever its called but there was an hour wait. final conclusion, you need to go here with a chinese person
(3)
Lily L.
Ambiance: Located in the heart of Chinatown, GDH is a rather small restaurant. If you come here during lunch/dinner time, there will be a guaranteed line out the door. When it is busy, the 2 people tables will only be separated by 2 inches. Sometimes, multiple small parties may be asked to sit in the same round table (unless you want more wait time for your own table). Food: There are a few items that I will always get. Ma La Er Si: For the faint hearted, these are pig's ears, so you may not try it. For those who actually enjoy this dish, GDH's Ma La Er Si is the best I've had. Xiao Lun Tang Bao: Best eaten with a spoon so you get to savor the soup inside (it's really one of the reasons to eat it), I haven't seen this dish being offered in many other restaurants. It's definitely a traditional Chinese dish. Plan on a 15 min wait time for this dish as that's how long it'll take for the chef to make them. Hong Shao Ti Bang: Braised pork shoulders is a giant hunk of meat sitting on some shanghai bok choy. This dish may take upwards for 30-45 minutes to prepare even in a pressure cooker. The meat is flavorful and there's a layer of fat surrounding the lean meat. Usually, eating anything fatty makes me gag, but I can actually eat some of this fat. Shui Zhu Yu: A spicy Sichuan fish dish with lots of napa cabbage inside. Scoop out the fish from the spice-laden water to minimize the spiciness. The longer everything stays in the soup, the spicier it becomes. Candy: They have a giant golden apple on their cash register counter that contains some asian flavored candy (e.g. cantaloupe). Get it since it's free anyways. And the candies are actually quite tasty. For weekend: Soymilk; I think they make their own soymilk. It's quite delicious actually. I think it usually runs out by 4:30PM. You Tiao: Also known as twist crueller, this is a Chinese breakfast staple. This also tend to run out by 4:30PM. It tastes very similar to fried dough, without the powdered sugar, of course. Service: Definitely the best service in town. The owners try to greet their guests. The waitstaff is friendly. There's actually a pretty good looking male waiter there. Having eye candy is always good.
(4)
Alex L.
Definitely one of the better/best Chinese restaurants in Boston (unfortunately doesn't say too much). Very reminiscent of a restaurant I ate at all the time in Dallas. They have great small juicy dumplings (xiao long bao or however you say it), decent stir fry, and are fairly authentic. I just discovered it 3 weeks ago and have been 3 times in that time period, probably going to go at least twice in the next week. Not that I'm obsessed, but honestly, what other Chinese restaurants are there in Boston?
(4)
Bo F.
Best "shui zhu" dishes anywhere. I think it's translated to beef/fish with chili sauce or something. It's the 2nd to last selection under Entrees. Better than Sichuan Garden. Not pasty (not too much starch), just the right amount of peppercorns, delicious. We finished the meat in the soup but packed it up anyway so I can save it. I met the chef and she was very friendly and gave me advice on how to use the soup, i.e. making noodles or adding additional meat in it. The steamed buns were very authentic with soup inside very durable buns. Delicious. Lots of other exotic dishes geared towards authentic Chinese food lovers: duck tongue, pig blood, tripe, lung, organs and stuff mmm... I found the staff to be extremely friendly, the dumplings came out in 10 minutes. Downside: crowded and small, would've gotten 5 stars if it weren't for this. Had conversations with manager, hostess, and waitress. Very very friendly staff. Funny story: We were waiting for a table for 5 minutes because a non-Chinese patron was having a good time speaking Chinese to the waitress for 10 minutes after he finished his meal.
(4)
Steph M.
Really good food! I had the sesame chicken and vegetable dumplings and both were good. In the future I would probably try the one of the other fried dumplings over the steamed veggie ones (the veggie ones were mostly spinach and tofu) but overall it was a great meal!
(4)
DAVID F.
Great Chinese food. Had the lobster with ginger and green onions, steam dumplings, pot stickers, and szechuan fish slices. All great and specialties! Beware that the fish can be very spicy. Needed a bigger table for all the dishes.
(4)
N. H.
This review is based only on their xiao long bao. We came here at 10:30 pm and the place was still packed, which is always a good sign. The wait was less than 5 minutes due to the high turnover and we were seated as soon as the tables were cleaned. Once seated we immediately ordered the steamed juicy buns as they usually take greater than 10 minutes to be prepared. The buns came out piping hot and super juicy. My only criticism is that the skin on the buns are a bit too thick and hard to bite through. Other than that, these are darn good xiaolong baos that are well priced and more filing than you'd expect.
(4)
talia s.
WOW. I didn't know Chinese food could be better, but it can, at Gourmet Dumpling House. They have taken scallion pancakes to the next level. It will blow your mind. The pork and crab juicy dumplings were so fresh and delicious. We got there right when they opened so it was a little chilly because the heat hadn't kicked in. But the food is so worth it. Everything we ordered came out staggered so you were not overwhelmed and all the food was at its freshest. Order the the pea pods and garlic. They use the pea pod shoots, not the pods. AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS. And did I mention, great value. Group of 6 ate our fill at $10/person.
(5)
Jessica G.
The food is delicious, the service is a bit haphazard, but that is understandable as the dining room is packed. Really tasty food at reasonable prices. If you need ambiance this is not the place for you, but you could always try getting something to go and sit in a fancy hotel lobby to eat it :)
(4)
Jenny L.
I finally made my way to Gourmet Dumpling House because I couldn't ignore my Chinese food craving any longer. The name itself can be deceiving but if you keep in mind that this place is in the middle of Chinatown, you'll realize "gourmet" just means the place is clean and the food is authentic. But like any other authentic Chinese restaurant, this place is bright, loud, and cramped. Made me feel right at home. Here's what we ate: Mini Steamed Buns with Pork (xiao long bao) - I must say that I've had these things the best Chinese restaurants in LA and at its birthplace in Shanghai and thought that these were quite good. The pork and "soup" filling were just as tasty as the best I've had. The only difference was that the outside was a little thicker than I'm used to but I actually enjoyed it more this way. Scallion Pancake - crunchy on the outside and doughy and soft on the inside. Could have used a little more scallion but other than that they were the very good. Beef Stew Noodle Soup with Spinach - the noodles had just enough bounce and the spinach was a nice touch but the beef was thinly sliced and not as tender and flavorful as I would have liked. The soup base itself was probably the least authentic of everything I had here. I prefer the beef noodle soup at Wisteria. Taiwanese Style Sauteed Rice Noodles with Pork and Vegetables - tasted just like my mom's but was a little dry. Good flavor overall. I was very satisfied with my meal given that I couldn't go to my favorite place back home. And the authentic Chinese food price of $24 for all 4 dishes was pretty fantastic too. A good option to have if you're in the mood for Chinese food in Boston.
(4)
Yoojin A.
Absolutely DELICIOUS!!~ After having a dumpling craving for a week, I decided to check yelp.com for restaurant suggestions, & "Gourmet Dumpling House" came up immediately. Like most people have mentioned, this place was pretty packed since the restaurant is on the smaller side, so you may have to either share a large round table or sit right next to another couple. This may explain why the wait-staff was a little confused as to who to deliver dishes to (we accidentally received an adjacent table's order twice!). I had the mini pork & cabbage soup (or juicy) dumplings, taiwanese pan-fried dumplings, chicken szechuan-style, and scallion pancakes...everything was sO scrumptuous & the portions were huge! The soup dumplings (8 in an order) are always a favorite of mine since having them from "Joe's Shanghai" in NYC Chinatown, and I can say that the quality is very similar; the scallion pancakes are more doughy than crunchy, which I also like better. The szechuan chicken was just the right level of spicy & complemented the pan-fried dumplings (again, 8 to an order) quite nicely~~ Best of all, the prices are very reasonable, & the restaurant is conveniently located very close to both the Chinatown T (orange line) & Boylston T (green line).
Oh my Gawd! I forced my friend to go to China Town and by some miracle she had a referal from a friend about this place. She wanted to go to PF Changs...YUCK! GDH was fantastic, packed, we got a large bowl of red looking soup, with fish and cabbage, wondeful, spicy but savory, full of garlic, picture on the wall, can't remember what it was. We had the leek and pork buns, great, saw the vegitarian buns 10 on a huge steam bowl, a must have but we missed it. I am going back, I hear it's packed every night but Monday and Tuesday, this was a Thursday and we got sat in 10 min. GO!
(5)
Ayuka H.
they have the best chinese food in boston. have been there so many times and it never let me down. it's so popular and famous in the area that the average waiting time is probably 20min+ and might go as long as 45mins during the rush hour.
(5)
Linda T.
I had thought that I finally found a place in Boston that had the best xiao long boas when I went there the first time on a weekday for lunch. Everything was great and the wait wasn't too long until........ I came here on a Saturday night. The lady at the front took down my bf's name and told us to wait outside. We didn't mind since she said it would only be 15 minutes. Two other groups came by and gave her their names and came outside and waited with us. As people left, one of the groups went inside and sat down!! We were pissed but we decided to let it go. Then the other group saw that happen so they went inside and we followed a couple of minutes after only to find that the lady sat them down before us again! The 2 groups before us was also a group of two so it had nothing to do with the number of people in the party. Basically, the lady sat down whoever was in her face. Hey, we'd be in her face too if she hadn't told us to wait outside. Excuse me while I say WHAT A BITCH. It was cold out too! My bf got so mad he dropped the menus and just left. I tried to catch him so I couldn't give her a piece of my mind. I wish I did though. Overall, good food but horrible horrible service. I will not give my money to them anymore. If you wanna eat here, just make sure you don't get cut like we did.
(1)
Damien Y.
Went here this weekend with my cousin and his girlfriend. After watching the Bizarre Foods episode where Zimmern goes to the dumpling house I had a craving for dumplings. We got three lunch specials which came with rice and soup and three sets of dumplings. The pork bellies with preserved veggies was excellent, the twice cooked pork with cabbage had a great interplay of textures, and the bbq spare ribs were also fantastic. The dumplings we got were the chicken and cabbage (steamed), the min steamed pork buns, and the fried pork and leek dumplings. The table was overflowing with food so the stacked the dumpling containers on top of another! The food was excellent, pricing was great, will definitely be going back again, and again.
(5)
Jonathan F.
Great and very authentic Chinese food. They have a lot of very weird items on the menu, included pigs ears and heart, eel, etc. You can get just about every part of any animal here if you're brave/bored enough to try. I've stuck with the traditional items and they've been great. Try the steamed pork buns if you go!
(4)
Julie C.
Cheap & delicious went with a large group and it seemed as though everything tasted good...at the end the bill was only $13/person def need to come back and try it again!
(5)
Sam K.
Some of the best Bay Area throwback dumplings I've had since arriving in Boston! The Crab and Pork juicy mini-dumplings are delicious and the Sesame Chicken is succulent and crispy without being doughy and too filling. Cramped little restaurant but quick service and helpful staff. Will go again!!
(4)
Mabel C.
Decent Chinese food because it feels authentic, is cheap, and it gives me a chance to practice my conversation skills with random strangers sitting at the same table as me due to overcrowding. I haven't had a dish I didn't like, but then again, I like authentic Chinese food.
(4)
J R.
Went on a late Sunday afternoon. Had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. Busy, crowded, loud. WORTH IT! Delicious. Drooling just thinking about it.
(5)
Ann C.
another taiwanese food on the block. it gets SUPER busy. when it first opened, i was shocked at how crowded it was and even after a month of opening; it's still crazy packed and busy. since parking is difficult around c-town, i recommend going in and putting your name down first or let the owners know and then find parking to offset the waiting time. i thought the food was good, esp the scallion pancakes, the pork dumplings and they also have Shanghai noodles that's not on the menu- which is also very yummy. yes, the name of the restaurant has the word "gourmet," but you should all know by now that there is no such thing as gourmet in chinatown. just accept the falsity and move on.
(4)
melinda j.
For a "gourmet dumpling house", I was expecting a vast array of dumplings and dumpling fillings! But there wasn't much more offered than your standard veg or pork 'n leek combo -- yeah, it was disappointing. So we ordered one order of Beijing ravioli and some boiled dumplings. The skins of the dumplings were excessively thick and the pork mixture appeared pureed to a paste and needed more flavor, in the form of more sesame seed oil or leeks perhaps. We also ordered green beans with dried shrimp, which were okay but not anything to call home about.
(3)
Colin K.
Would be 5 stars but lately there are too many white people eating here. Just kidding! The police need to investigate because the scallion pancakes here are clearly made with heroin. Shockingly, disturbingly good. The various dumplings including the boiled and pan-fried variety are all very good and fill in Chinatown's gap in northeastern Chinese food. Also had consistently good experiences with kung pao and orange chicken (which are "real Chinese food," FYI) and ma po tofu. They have Harbin beer for the properly regional accompaniment to your meal, and it is really really clean by mid-priced Chinatown standards, so you can bring your nervous nelly dining companions here and not have to listen to them carping about the last time the floor was mopped.
(4)
Wesley C.
huge menu! best dumplings and baos in boston. it's also very affortable.
(4)
Sarah B.
Best Dumplings EVER!!!
(5)
L L.
This being Gourmet Dumpling House, I naturally had to try the dumplings. I wasn't incredibly impressed, though. The xiao long bao came with lots of hot soup, but the pork was a little tough--not what I'd expected, and definitely wouldn't have again (if you want something more authentic, go to Taiwan Cafe). The pork dumplings (with cabbage?) were okay, as was the anchovy appetizer. We weren't that hungry that night, so that was all we had room for. Maybe we would have done better trying some of the main dishes. It was also SUPER crowded and we were in between another table 2 inches away and the front desk-thingy and could hear almost everything the waiters were saying. In sum: mediocre, crowded. Meh. I'm a fan of Chinatown food, but GDH doesn't rank high on my list. Maybe some other time, when I'm feeling adventurous again...
(2)
Dolores H.
Good, sometimes great, food. Unfortunately,we gotten dirty plates here twice, which is really off-putting.
The name is a little misguiding. I went here thinking I'd get a menu full of dumplings....I did get a menu, and I did get dumplings, but it wasn't even close to full! The food was decent. The dumplings with the soup inside were really really good. The salt and pepper calamari was just ok; a little over fried. The beef ribs, were marinated really well and were good, but I felt like I didn't get enough for what I paid for because the plate was so little, and the majority of the dish was bones. I'd come here again, but I'd stick with the dumplings and get a couple of other dishes to try.
(3)
Juggy W.
The Taiwan cafe contender is here. This place serves similar items as Taiwan cafe at a higher premium... I had the traditional pork chop over rice plate and oyster pancake. Both were somewhat authentic but I somehow cannot really justify the higher price here.
(4)
Carie Y.
You know you should get the pork soup dumplings, but I'm about to give away the secret of the best item on the menu: julienned beef with longhorn peppers. Spicy, salty, satisfying. You're welcome.
(4)
Mara M.
One of my favorite places in Boston. The soup dumplings are wonderful, and the bean curd with long horn peppers is a crowd pleaser, even for those who aren't vegetarian. Top it off with a scallion pancake and you're done! The wait can be long at peak times, and you will probably be seated elbow to elbow with another group, but it is all part of the experience.
(4)
vanessa s.
I saw this on the food network website and dragged my husband out to take me! so glad we did! delicious.Basil eggplant so tender sweet and spicy. I tried the famous fish soup very good as well but a little too spicy for me..the dumplings were good but not amazing.But the food in general is delicious. Might be our go to Chinese place from now on. It's a hassle to find parking middle of Chinatown but you can order over the phone and pick up..I wouldn't mind putting the extra effort into delicious Chinese food :)
(4)
Skull C.
Wow. this place really has dropped in quality. I used to go here pretty often 1 year ago. I went there tonight and my advice to anyone else is to avoid the long lines and shoddy service because the food quality has gone way down. The owner has cut corners with the staff and chefs and the portions and quality of the ingredients has also decreased. try something else in chinatown
(1)
Ash G.
WONDERFUL juicy dumplings. Worth a drive on a cold afternoon just for these fabulous bundles of total joy.
(5)
Ben W.
The Chinese name of this restaurant is Flavors from the South and North, which has nothing to do with its English name. Its best dish, for those who love Sichuan spicy food is Spicy Water Boiled Fish. My wife and I order this fish every time we go there.
(4)
Mishka A.
If you're looking for good dumplings, this is the place to be. My friend and I shared Soupy Dumplings (8), Taiwanese Style Fried Dumplings (6 or 8) and Scallion pancakes (large round pie, chopped to 6 or 8 pieces) and we were stuffed. The Soupy Dumpling actually had soup in them, unlike most other places, and the Fried Dumpling were humongous. Total came out to $18 - not bad for a meal for two! I've been here once before to try other dishes and they were fine, but nothing to write home about. Downside to this place is that seating is limited, hard to accommodate a large group, but they get people in and out of there very quickly so you don't have to wait long. Takeaway: Great dumplings for cheap!
(4)
Jim C.
It has been a very long time since my family and I last venture into Boston Chinatown again. We were in the mood for some groceries shopping and a treat on Taiwanese cuisine. With some great hope for this place, thinking they might redeem themselves after all this time had past. Last time we drop into this place, I was not all that impress and this time I have just completely lost all my faith. I am not kidding. Today's dinning experience was like going on another blind date with the same person on the second time. When I walk out of this place, I can only scream to myself "WHAT IN F#$%&*'n THE WORLD WAS I THINKING?". The only thing that got going for this place is all because of its location. People are get attracted due to this place has a active line of patrons is awaiting to enter. If I can only tell time "DON'T BE FOOL, IT'S NOT WORTH THE $MONEY!" We ordered the Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork, Beef Stew Noodle Soup with Spinach, and Pork Bellies with Preserved Vegetable in Brown Sauce. The Dumplings had a lot of Juicy (alright), if you would consider water steam are pork juice. I can barely taste if there were any pork in them. The Beef Stew Noodle Soup has no original authentic taste what so ever. In Taiwan, the making of Beef Stew Noodle Soup is almost a art form, they are various special herb mixed into the soup to bring out the spice and beef flavor. This place simply try to put out soak shredded beef in soy sauce and chili pepper oil. Not to mention the type of noodle they used in this dish, the yellow egg noodle (which is just about a grade up from the instant noodle that you buy in the supermarket. The Pork Bellies with Preserved Vegetable in Brown Sauce, all I can say is that with a can of turkey gravy and water broiled pork bellies you can fool a lot of people. If someday for some god unknowing reason I decide to go this place again, I hope taste buds will shout down my body, or just raise my hand and slap me across my face.
(1)
Nancy G.
I'm bummed, man. I really wanted to love this place. But it wasn't cheap, and their soup dumplings were outright uninteresting, from the too thick pasta to the kinda bland broth and dumpling. Also, their black vinegar sauce is the harshest brand I've tasted (and yes, that makes a big difference when you like the stuff as much as I usually do). While the much-lauded Taiwanese-style pan-fried dumplings are huge, the crust isn't fully developed and the filling was, once again, disappointinly bland. For better equivalents in NYC's Chinatown, try the rightly famous Joe's Shanghai on Pell Street for soup dumplings (and Allston's JoJo Tapei is even better than Joe's IMHO) and the fried pork dumplings right around the corner from Joe's at Fried Dumplings on Mosco Street. There $1 will get you 5 juicy, crusty little treats to eat at a stand-up counter where strangers chew in silence while passing the vinegar and hot sauce bottles. Heaven.
(3)
M L.
We came here wanting to be blown away...I mean, seriously, the place is called 'gourmet dumpling house.' So bring on your gourmet dumplings, right? Not quite. As other reviewers have mentioned, there really aren't that many dumplings to choose from, and the ones you do get have gigantic thick skins so that there's almost more dough than filling. The noodle soup we had was good but I think that Taiwan Cafe might be better. Xiao long bao is pretty exciting but nothing to go crazy over... many of the dim sum places around seem to do them as well if not better. It was cheap and quite filling, but the food didn't live up to the title in my opinion. This dumpling fan was disappointed.
(2)
Tommy M.
I love it. Went there for the first time this week. Got the scallion pancakes, a frequent pick for me, and I can honestly say they are THE BEST I've ever had. Also got some steamed dumplings which were amazing. One disappointment was that I ordered some crab meat buns and they never appeared, but I didn't get charged for them and I was full anyway, so it didn't bother me too much. I will definitely go back soon.
(5)
Simone P.
This place is AWESOME! The noodles are absolutely delicious, fresh and wonderful while the dumplings are pretty damn close to stuff I had in Mainland China. Obviously, it's a tiny hole in the wall type place in Chinatown but - the food there is amazing! I've never had a bad meal and I must say I've been there about 8 times. The first time I ventured into here - I wasn't sure what I was in store from. The clientele is mainly Chinese - but you never know. I had some amazing food. The vegetables are sauteed lightly in sauce and often served al dente - while the noodles are freshly stir fried with an abundance of spices. The entree dishes (protein based) are also great - I've had chicken dishes, pork dishes as well as the spare ribs. The food is really absolutely amazing and definitely worth the buck - since it's priced well. I'd suggest ordering the stir fried noodles with chicken as well as trying the shanghainese dumplings (which are served with soup inside - they're great!). Their pork and leek dumplings are also amazing - both steamed and pan fried. Have a GREAT meal!
(5)
Allie M.
Best scallion pancakes I've ever had. Also, make sure to try the vegetable steamed buns.
(5)
Randy M.
i had wanted to go here for a few months, but heard the line was long. It is, especially if you are a white person. Talk about reverse discrimination. Asians walk in, miraculously get seated when a second earlier there were no seats...but that is Chinatown....HOWEVER....I admit my turn had come after half an hour.....BUT when i walked and smelled old fish, rancid pork and rotted vegetables, I ran for my life. I would think Saturday had fresh food, but I guess they shopped late at Haymarket that day...Good luck here.
(1)
g s.
Stopped by here with some friends this weekend after catching a movie. Great food in this tiny spot. We started with sping rolls & steamed dumplings. I got the Kung Pao chicken, which they said was spicy but really wasn't. Sampled some other dishes including sesame chicken, curry chicken and pork lo mein. All were yummy. Prices were very cheap. Can't wait to go back again!
(4)
Ashley J.
I am such a whore for Asian food that I think I went on more dates than I should of with a guy in the past just because he spoke Chinese and could get me the good stuff..... Anyway I digress. Surprisingly I had never ventured here before so my fiance and I headed here last night to do some early bird special eating and beat the crowds that are rumored to form here. It is pretty much what most people have already said. The dumplings were disappointing. Dumplings are seriously one of my reasons for eating and the pork and crab dumplings are average. The skin is too thick and the texture and flavor is off. Almost like Peking ravioli. I somehow managed to get some of the ravioli juice in my hair and the smell made me gag all the way home. The 2 other dishes were FANTASTIC and totally made up for the average dumplings. The waiter, who was super nice, suggested we had to try the Sichuan sliced fish. I have to say it was the best sichuan I have had to date in Boston. Spicy and flavorful with the power of the spice building as you eat. We devoured the bowl. The spicy sliced pigs ear was not significantly spicy when compared with the fish but it had great flavor and a unique texture that was new to both of us. We really enjoyed the experience. The restaurant is tiny and while we were eating they made a guy next to us move so they could give half his table away. That so wouldn't have flown with me but he was cool with it so to each their own. The service was above par for Chinatown and they serve beer so we were really happy. Definitely a go back place.
(4)
Jim K.
My wife and I came to Boston this past weekend and definitely had to come to Gourmet Dumpling after the last time we were in Boston and had their spicy fish pot! The fish is spicy and delicious and comes with a bunch of other vegetables inside. I know this place is called Gourmet Dumpling House and their dumplings are pretty good, but the spicy fish is the best thing here that brings me back! Only problem with this restaurant is that they're pretty popular so their tables get filled up quickly, which is why we made sure to come here right before noon to avoid the rush
(5)
gwendolyn g.
why are some reviews so pseudo-snobby? please! if you want good chinese food, go to china. seriously, i've seen weird reviews like that, time and again. well, we are in boston and this place is one of the very best in our chinatown. maybe you've had better dumplings in sf or wherever, but this place has some of the top ranking food in boston's chinatown (in my humble opinion). service stinks, tables are squished together, there's no entrance or place to wait for your table or your take-out order. those are my cons. pros: i have not tried one single thing from this place that was not simply delicious. and my husband is chinese and he agrees, so there, snobs!
(4)
Jo B.
The food at this place is pretty good, I would definitely go back and try some other things when it is less crowded, but I wasn't too thrilled with the cramped quarters when I went (430 on a Sunday evening). There is literally one inch of space in between tables. Bring some lube because you will need it in order to squeeze into your seat. It also gets loud when it's crowded so it's tough to have a conversation. All that aside, I enjoyed what I ordered....the mini pork dumplings and the chicken with broccoli rice bowl. You get 8 dumplings in an order and they aren't "mini" at all, so I was only able to consume 3. The dipping sauce it came with had sliced ginger and was really good. The chicken with broccoli was the most flavorful chicken and broccoli I think I've ever had. The rice it came with was perfectly cooked, thick and and a little sticky, just perfect.
(3)
Tony P.
Been here a couple of times. Delicious, hearty portions for great prices. Service by the waiters is good. However, trying to get seated can be a nightmare -- the owner has only been nice about seating/waiting when we arrive in a larger group.
(4)
MS J.
I really liked this place! In fact, I went there twice in the same day! Hahaha... well I had brunch there and was impressed by how authentic the food tasted. I guess for some reason I didn't expect Boston to have good Chinese food. The dumplings were not very good nor authentic though. And the name being "Gourmet Dumpling House" is pretty misleading. They only had like 3 different kinds of dumplings. And they are gigantic, the skin was so thick and the filling was pretty gross... lol. But everything else I had at this restaurant was pretty good. So I went back there for a late night snack since they open late! Had the same waiter. Poor guy, must've been working a 16 hour shift or something.
(4)
jamie l.
i want to tell you that this place sucks - so you won't go there...b/c it's such a small place and i hate waiting for a table...but i can't tell a lie. this is one of our favorite restaurants in the city and definitely the best chinese in town. guaranteed - you can't go wrong at the dumpling house.
(5)
Michael S.
This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. 4 stars just because sometimes the service isn't the greatest (food comes out quick but it can take a while to pay, which can be aggravating in a place this small). The pan-fried pork buns are incredible. Mini juicy dumplings with pork are fantastic too, though I don't recommend them with crabmeat. Order lots of stuff and split. Also love the General Gau's chicken, beef lo mein, and scallion pancakes.
(4)
Fortuna F.
yum--small inside and if you go at night you might be seated next to another couple but cozy. great dishes: hui guo ruo--twice cooked pork do miao in garlic it's all good didn't get the steamed fish but it looked good
(5)
lulu l.
Another Chinatown eatery that offers a fantastic value! The space is small and the tables are so close that you could eat off the next table! You'll also have to overlook the rushed service. Like most Chinatown places, they depend on volume to make their $. For my boyfriend and I, our typical meal is an order of the steamed mini buns (both pork and pork & crabmeat are great) or the steamed dumplings, braized eggplant with basil, and one bowl of rice. That is usually enough for a meal - if you're not famished and you'll leave room in your stomach for a pastry dessert at one of the nearby bakeries. Each time I've been there, there are always interesting and yummy looking dishes that pass by. Don't be shy and ask what they are; you'll definitely be intrigued. Again, I can't over emphasized that the service is ultra rushed so your buns/dumplings may be served AFTER your main dishes arrive. We've resorted to ordering one course at a time so we can get the dumplings first - to the annoyance of the wait staff.
(4)
james k.
Was at a Mediterranean restaurant in Somerville, late in the evening, whose food was oversauced, nondescript, pricey and undistinguished. Expresso martini was good though. While munching non-excitedly had this hankering for no nonsense authentic dumplings. Who knows what triggers this type of sudden craving. Drove down to Chinatown and while my gf was dozing in the car, parked beside a fire hydrant with the flashers going, got the juicy, mini pork and chive dumplings to go. What the heck, also some flat noodles with beef and general gauo chicken since I was there already and all came to $25. Quickly had some of the food in the car, my gf still in lala land. The first bite of the dumpling with juice popping out hot, now thats what I'm talking about! A little taste of the noodle, slightly burnt, charcoal taste mixed with sweet oil and soy, crunch veg. Moist, hot chicken, not sufficiently spicey for my taste but some would say well balanced. I was kinda full from the dinner before but everything tasted great still, a true test of good food. I've had dumplings everywhere in the world and not-so-humbly consider myself a bit of dumpling snob. I place GDH's right up there at the top. I have not tried a lot of things on the giant menu and I'm sure some are just glops but at a place like this, on certain nights on the verge of winter, craving for true simple sensation on taste buds calls from the subconscious and you just gotta satisfy it. Driving home gf stirs and asks what the smell is in the car. I say heaven. She say uhuh and back to slumber while I dream of another bite of the luscious dumpling.
(5)
Sam F.
Awww yeahhhh first night in Boston and I found a legit Chinese place for dinner. Arrived around 7 PM on a Tuesday night with two friends and we had to put our name on the list because there were already a bunch of people inside. Thankfully we didn't have to wait out in the cold too long, after five minutes or so we were in! We ordered the xiao long bao, eggplant with basil, spicy fish stew, and rice cakes with pork and vegetables. Xiao long bao: not bad but I've had better. The dumpling skin was too thick and the dumpling itself was larger than normal but the filling was good and the sauce on the side was great! Eggplant with basil: YESSSSS!!!! I love this dish! The eggplant was prepared perfectly so that it was nice and soft, and the sauce was luscious and meaty. I couldn't stop eating this dish, and I wasn't ashamed because it's a great way to eat your vegetables! Spicy fish stew: not bad, most of the bowl was filled with cabbage and they placed the fish on top. Flavor was pretty good but it looks far spicier than it actually tastes so don't be scared! Rice cakes with pork and veg: solid dish and it actually went really well with the sauce from the eggplant! Rice cakes were nice and chewy, pork and veg were plentiful. Oh and the tea is great here too and they keep refilling your pot when the water gets low! Beware this restaurant is tiny and it gets packed but the food is great!
(4)
Melinda N.
Only come here for the soup dumplings. THey are awesome. The food bill was so cheap. we got fried rice, 2 orders of soup dumplings, scallion pancakes and rice cakes and it was $8 per person! There were 7 of us. the waiter forgot to add on our beers to the bill and chased us down. i felt like it should've been on them. When the food was brought out by other serves, they would hit my guests with the plate as they tried to place it on the table...uhm okay.... we would ask for additional items like spoons and napkins and they would plopped down by this unhappy server as well. o well. good thing their soup dumplings are so delicious. be careful it can be HOT!
(3)
Shreya S.
The food is too good. Scallion pancakes were awesome. Dumplings were good. Chicken was good. It's a must try Chinese place. The only thing that was disappointing was the service. The staff were busy in themselves rather than taking care of people. And I did not like the ambience but the food compensated it all.
(4)
Eddie S.
The dumplings here are good! They were very affordable and the service was quick. I found the veggie and egg dumplings to be better than the beef and celery and the pork and leek dumplings, would def. recommend them!
(4)
Ning A.
We came here by accident as I misheard my friend's recommendation for dumpling cafe. We came to gourmet instead. We had a large party and we did come late around 11pm. They restaurant is listed as open til 1am. We ordered both the standard soup dumplings and crab soup dumplings. Both of these were mediocre at best as the fillings had color of soy sauce and hardly any difference between the two types of dumplings. How anyone would think they taste good is beyond me. For appetizers the marinated cucumbers were just flat out not fresh. Pig ears were better. The marinated pork belly the only dish that tasted good. My friends also ordered a decent wonton soup and a general gao's chicken. Typical Americanized stuff that actually was surprisingly good. I guess my initial mistake cost us this experience. This should be called the American ungourmet dumpling house. Plus after only about an hour when we were in the midst of talking about what has happened in the ten years since we last met they booted us out of the restaurant. One hour short of their closing time. Would have given two stars for food. One star off for attitude.
(1)
Sylvia C.
This place is always super busy to the point they try to maximize their table real estate instead of first come first serve (ie. saving 4 top for 3-4ppl). Bummer for us - we always tend to order 4+ dishes and know that the standard 2 top table will not fit all our food. This evening we ended ordering 7 dishes - they later moved us to a bigger table. Service is a mix - they always forget our drinks or to bring the rice. After 2-3 reminders - we'll eventually get them. Lucky they got a master chef in the back whipping up the flavorful cuisines at lightning speed. Recommend - the 3 essence chicken, pork/crabmeat soup dumplings and watercress in sa-cha sauce.
(4)
Summer Rain U.
Wonderful dumplings but the place was so tiny and crowded. We got the pleasure of getting up from our seat when they fished the lobsters out of the take next to our table. Great place but take out probably best. Steamed dumplings are a must!
(4)
Chris W.
Definitely one of the better dumplings houses I have visited. The food is fresh and tasty and the service is speedy. Can't wait to go back. On the downside, it isn't ridiculously cheap like most dumpling houses and you expect a 10-20 minute wait outside to be seated. Despite all that, the dumplings are so delicious that I give it 5 stars. Recommend the beef and celery dumplings.
(5)
Jake S.
Okay everything I said before is true but the food OMG mini juicy dumplings with pork and the spicy fish soup, I think about it in my sleep. Definitely worth suffering through all of the chaos to get that delicious fish soup.
(5)
DJ N.
I've eaten here twice and both times were great. Sometimes you can find the best food in hole in the wall restaurants. This is one of them. If you like spicy, then there are a lot of great options. The standard is the Szechuan Sliced Fish. People wait in line for this one and it is well worth it. Other items that I really enjoyed: seafood dumplings, scallion pancakes, sauteed snap peas, and salt & pepper prawns (with the shell). The prices are very reasonable and the environment is extra casual. The space is tiny so if you show up with more than 4 people expect a long wait. Otherwise, expect a 15-30 minute wait. Give this place a try. You won't be disappointed. I would love to give them 4.5 stars...
(4)
Mia C.
Went there the first time today and was disappointed at their Szechuan dishes. The broth in the spicy boiled fish was somewhat sweet, which is a big no-no for any Szechuan dishes. We also ordered a signature Szechuan dish Fried Chicken with Dry Chilies. I was shockingly disappointed at it soon as it was served. It didn't look like or taste like the real thing. So I asked the waitress if she took the wrong order and tried to explain to her that this was not what I was expecting. The waitress looked at me annoyed and said to the manager :"I don't know what she is talking about."The manager was nicer. Hearing my complaint she explained that there was another dish that was similar to what I wanted. Though I'm pretty sure she had no idea what the real deal is. I mean...if you don't know how to make it right then don't put the name on your menu. Or give this dish another name. The dumplings were okay. I guess I expected too much from this place seeing the wait line. If you don't usually get authentic Szechuan, you will probably find this place ok. Or just avoid ordering Szechuan here.
(3)
Prakruthi G.
The best place for Chinese food in Boston! The scallion pancakes and the Sichuan fish are highly recommended. Very reasonably priced and service is great as well. One should also remember to try their beans with dry shrimp. Waiting to go there again!
(4)
Sarah M.
Easily the best Chinese food I have ever had. I work in Chinatown and have tried most of the other highly rated spots, and this place beats them all. I think it's popularity has caused some backlash that is undeserved. I am a vegetarian, but I have tried the soup dumplings and they were totally worth it. The veggie dumplings are also spectacular, which is rare. If you eat at one Chinese restaurant in Boston, or at one restaurant in Boston, make it here.
(5)
Shawn T.
We came for Shanghai dumplings and were not disappointed. On a Monday night, it was packed and we waited about 15 minutes for a table. This is a small restaurant with tables set very close together. Besides the dumplings, we also had tofu and onion pancakes, everything was good. The dumplings were, by no means, the best we've had, but they satisfied our craving.
(4)
Sze H.
Wow. What a place. Tiny little hole in the wall - you will get to know the folks at the next table, because they're so close you can't help it. We had the scallion pancakes, pan fried flat noodles with beef, pork and leek dumplings, and soup dumplings. It was a LOT of food, and only 30 bucks for all of it. Previous reviewer must have gone at an un-fortuitous time to see majority non-Chinese in there - when we went, my wife and the table next to us were the only non-Chinese in the place. This is a must-visit for me on any subsequent visit to Boston.
(5)
Zakkai K.
This is my favorite restaurant in the world. I have eaten ma po tofu at more Chinese restaurant than I can count, and this one is the best. I'm vegetarian, and I can always go to this place and get something new to eat that's unlike anything I've had before, and also delicious..
(5)
Leanne C.
Authentic, quick and cheap. Since my office moved to Chinatown, I've been picking a dumpling house at random and this has been my favourite so far. Vegetarian/vegan options, super huge and tasty soups for $5-$8, and (mostly) attentive service. My vegetable soup had bok choy, tomato (I love Asian soups that add tomato), carrots, broccoli, and the other usual Asian-stirfry/veggie dish culprits. Once I dumped a bunch of sweat inducing sriracha into the mix, I was in heaven. If you're nearby (or even in the financial district, take the hike) you should definitely check this place out.
(5)
Sam F.
I lived in the Boston area for 20 years, and in China for about 3, so I know both the city of Boston and Chinese food pretty well. This is hands down my favorite Chinese restaurant in the Boston area, known affectionately in our family as G-Dump. A bit crowded (which to me is just endearing because it reminds me of China), and can require a wait to get in (sign of good food), but the food is more authentic than anything I've had anywhere else in the US. Even typically un-glamorous fare like beef stir fried rice is remarkable. None of that soy-sauce-brown-stained-hard-rice-with-pink-dyed-Âpork-bits stuff that you get in typical Chinese restaurants in the US. It is fried just right and laced with wonderful cooked Chinese cabbage, and just enough meat to flavor the rice. Sometimes I just get that alone to go. Also try one of the fish soups (several good ones). If you are observant, you will notice someone pull a fish out of the tank at the back shortly after you order it. The soup dumplings are also deservedly popular.
(5)
Francisco M.
Really cramped but really good! Soup dumplings are the best. It'd be 5 star but its constantly packed and has long wait times.
(4)
Alex A.
For a place touting itself as a gourmet dumpling joint, this place is very decidedly subpar, especially considering the abundance of nearby dumpling places that are superior in quality. I may be alone in my assessment, but I found the dumpling wrapper to be too thick, the soup-filling-wrapper ratio to be out of whack, and the flavor of the whole package to be severely lacking. Honestly, it's not the worst place in Boston to get dumplings and Chinese food, but I feel like much of this place's reputation comes from glowing word-of-mouth reviews provided courtesy of uninformed dipsticks. In a nutshell: not the worst place to go to if you're hungry, but given time and patience, you can do way better.
(2)
Peter C.
We've had several really good meals here. Soup dumplings: tasty, fun to try, but not quite my thing Pork & Leek dumplings (pan-fried): really good Scallion pancake: best I've ever had Udon noodles pan-fried with pork and vegetables: really good Sauteed green beans: ok
(4)
Kate T.
The restaurant as a whole gets 4 stars...the scallion pancakes get 5. Or 10, if I could give 10. HOLY DELICIOUS. They are PERFECT. Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside with just perfect flavor. We had 4 people at dinner and got 2 orders of those alone...we destroyed them. I'm now in a horribly depressed state because I have yet to find scallion pancakes remotely on par with these in Phoenix. We ordered a variety of things - pork, shrimp, chicken - for our main entree and they were all very good, it's just that nothing stuck with me like those damn pancakes. I'm obsessed. As you can tell. I was sadly not impressed with the vegetable dumplings despite some really good reviews I had seen for them. Maybe my taste buds were just hopped up on scallion pancakes and couldn't appreciate the dumplings. All right, I'll shut up about the pancakes. Be warned, you will wait to eat here. I think we waited about 45 minutes, maybe more, to get a table - and this was after 9 PM, so don't think going later will remove the crowd factor. And you wait outside - the place is pretty small with veryyy limited waiting space inside. If the aforementioned pancakes are worth waiting outside in winter for over half an hour to you, I am in the same boat...just don't forget your gloves.
(4)
Kenny C.
People RAVE about this place. I came in with expectations set way too high. Background: I grew up in Taiwan and I'm gonna compare this to what I'm used to eating in Taiwan. Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings): One important measure of good xiaolongbao is to have the right proportion of skin:meat:soup in each bite. This proportion was not there. The soup is flavorful and there were a lot of it. The filling was not bad. However, the skin is too thick and the size of the bao were too large (xiao = small, these should be small, like bite sized). Ideally, you should be able to pop one in your mouth and not choke on the soup (I almost choked on the soup trying to stuff one in my mouth). If you've never had soup dumplings before, you might enjoy this. Just know that there are much better soup dumplings out there. Shenjianbao (pan fried baos?): I'm pretty sure the dough is made in-house, which I appreciate. However, it's just not that good. There's also no crisp (jian = pan fried = crispy) to the bao. The flavor of the filling was not bad. The skin is what threw me off. Pot stickers: I think this is my favorite out of the 3. But again, I've had better. Pot stickers should be crispy on the outside, and this is... not. However, the filling was very good, packed with flavor and juice. The dipping sauce goes very well with the pot sticker's flavor. I'd recommend this.
(3)
kiva p.
This is place has really wonderful food! I have been to China, and this food reminds me of it the most! When I go any Chinese restaurant I take a look at the patrons to get a sense if the food is authentic. This was confirmed the moment I walked in TO GDH, and the faces were all Asian. They do not deliver, don't accept credit cards over the phone, but they will take large orders. I ordered in celebration of the Chinese new year. The food was a bit late and I had to send a courier to pick it up and drop it off....I order extra rice last minute and there was a mix up about payment so the food wasn't released on schedule ... This place gets very hectic, so contacting them can be quite difficult. I say it's best to do your transactions in person versus over the phone. The dumplings took me right back to Xian China, there crispy noodles are awesome, all their green vegetable dishes are so tasty especially the watercress. I will without a doubt order from this place again. The food was well prepared and delish!
(4)
Sherman N.
Maybe I'm overly critical due to the fact that I'm exposed to extremely high quality Chinese food in NYC and Hong Kong , but this place really fell flat from the hype. I was recommended here by a friend from Boston who swore that the Chinese food was better than anywhere else. I was pretty excited because the line was long, in that I had to wait about an hour to be seated. If there were that many people, I'm sure the food would be delicious right? We decided to order both the crab/pork soup dumplings and the pork soup dumplings and a few other dishes that were so unmemorable that I forgot we even ordered them. Upon consumption I realized that the soup dumplings were not only extremely thick compared to the soup dumplings I had in both NYC and China , but there was only a few droplets of soup. The texture was undesirable in my opinion because it felt like I was just eating meat covered in a thick layer of dough. I'm not sure if there are other soup dumpling locations in the Boston Chinatown area, but in my opinion this location did not live up to its hype.
(3)
Wei W.
This hole-in-the-wall "dumpling" restaurant is anything but gourmet. With a menu boasting over 50 traditional dishes, you would think one of them would be better than mediocre. Nope. Not even the soup dumplings, which is the reason why we came here in the first place - they are now lackluster in flavor and grease pits to boot. I heard they were amazing in the day, but definitely not today. We also ordered crispy noodles with beef and mango seafood dishes for entrees. The noodles came out just right, but the flavors were off (like three-day old ingredients off). The mango seafood dish was far too greasy, to the point where the sauce was oozing off the plate without us needing to push it around. One of my friends was daring enough to try the stinky tofu. Verdict? Nothing like true Taiwanese tofu; it was overly chewy and the cabbage topping was overcooked. Rookie lesson #5: Don't come in with more than four people at a time. Throughout dinner, we were elbowed and shoved around by the waitresses running to and from the kitchen (we had the fortune of sitting in front of the kitchen door). A few times a waitress nearly spilled an entire order on me. Needless to say, I'm not coming back.
(1)
Andrew N.
This place has decent Taiwanese food, which gets the job done when you're coming back from a late night of drinking (or studying too). The XLB pork soup dumplings aren't as good as the ones at Taiwan Cafe down the street. They were juicy and full of soup but the wrap outside were super dry and tough, making it hard to bite into. On the other hand, the scallion pancakes are actually really good here. They come out hot, crispy, and the right amount of grease! Honestly though, you should probably come here just for the Xiao Long Bao and the pancakes. I've tried their regular food (both at late at night and during lunch time) and it was mediocre at best. The portions are pretty small, especially for the price (You'd think China town would be cheap, right?). Most of the food is too greesy or too bland. Of all of the dishes I've tried, I think the General Tso's chicken was probably the best -I wouldn't mind getting it again! It's a typical small Asian joint that tries to get you in and out as fast as possible so don't expect the best service (nor the best food really). The signs on the door say its one of the Best Chinese Restuarants in America, but that's a huge lie. 3 stars!
(3)
Cindy C.
The food here is really good and even sometimes the wait is a little long, it's definitely worth the wait. I've had their clams, lobster, fried tofu, and some other dishes. So far the best Chinese food I have had in Boston. Their other branch in Cambridge is not worth going to.
(5)
Traci K.
Gourmet Dumpling House is pretty tasty. The menu is pretty extensive and the dumpling/bun options are pretty good. The space is tiny and they pack as many tables in as humanly possible. (Our two top was bumped right up against the fish tank. I had tilapia judging me as I inhaled several plates of dumplings). Eat this: Juicy dumplings. We had the pork and crab. By far the best ones we tried. Oozing with deliciousness. The filling was perfectly seasoned and most excellent. We also had the pan-fried pork buns - which were OK, but there was more bun than filling. And the pork and cabbage dumplings which were a very close second favorite to the juicy dumplings. The scallion pancake is super crispy and thick. A little greasy, but not a bad try. We should have stopped there, but we wanted to try a noodle dish - so we split the beef and veggie. It was not good. No flavor, funky smell and the noodles were dressed in some weird gritty sauce. Definitely not interested in trying that again. Otherwise, the service was pretty good and the bustling atmosphere (while a little overwhelming) was pretty fun. After the fact we heard from a friend that the twin lobster hot pot was the thing to try. I guess we'll have to go back.
(3)
Gaetan D.
Insanely good! A must go! the dumpling soup(ask how to eat it), basil eggplant and pork bamboo, so gooooood!
(5)
Eric M.
Thought this was very good, especially for the cost. Szechuan fish was phenomenal as was the crab Rangoon. Soup dumplings were good, but I've had better in NYC Chinatown
(5)
Leslie H.
Get the super spicy fish soup! I am most definitely not a fan of spicy food, but this soup is a must order at Gourmet Dumpling House. It comes chock full of perfectly cooked pieces of white-flesh fish. The soup itself is full of chili oil and way too hot for me, but I was able to use rice to sop up all the spicy oil and scrape off the chili seeds. I also greatly enjoyed the soup dumpling. They were much larger than what I'm used to, but still full of savory soup. My biggest complaint is that the wrapper was too thin and non-pliable; they broke upon the barest touch of the chopsticks. We also got the peashoots with garlic, which were perfectly cooked, if a bit too wet. Avoid the chicken chow mein as it is swimming in sauce, and not in a good way. Service is hurried, but fairly attentive for a Chinese restaurant. The tables are placed WAY too closely together, but if you're smart, you'll come as an odd number so you'll have an extra chair to stash your coats and bags.
(4)
Harmony H.
Hands down best dumplings ever. They also have the best scallion pancakes, eggplant, spicy fish soup, etc. The restaurant itself is a little grimey and they definitely use MSG. But who cares! The food is absolutely out of this world..
(5)
Kuong L.
This seems to be the place to go if you're in Chinatown. There is always a wait. We got there around 7:30 pm and put our names on the list for a table for 4. Was told by the hostess that it shouldn't be more than 25 minutes when in reality it took us close to an hour to be seated. When we asked why it took so long, the hostess said she did not see us even though we were standing right outside the door. The soup dumplings were indeed good. Worth trying if you're there but definitely not worth the wait. We ordered the Singapore Noodles, which was delicious. (Would recommend this dish if you like the flavor of curry). We ordered the salt and pepper shrimp peeled -- that was perhaps our favorite dish. Right amount of spice to keep you wanting more. We got the watercrest with garlic which was a big disappointment; lacked a lot of flavor. We also got the braised eggplant with basil. This was a great dish with an unexpected light sweet taste to it. The service was fast and efficient, as is the case with most restaurants in Chinatown. The food is generally very good but to be honest, I'm not sure the wait is that worth it compared to other restaurants in the area. Taiwan Cafe and Asian Garden are two great authentic restaurants that are close by and does not have a long wait. I do think it's worth trying the soup dumplings once but not sure the long wait makes me want to make this my go to place in Chinatown. Should also be noted that most of the patrons are white and the few times I've been there, there doesn't seem to be any local Chinese folks eating there --- take that as you will. It definitely is good food that caters to more Americanized pallet; and I'm not saying this as a bad thing, but something worth noting for those out there who are interested in having an authentic experience without being scared away by pigs feet (which by the way, they also serve and is definitely worth trying!).
(3)
Katy M.
Really, really good pork buns. Also, if you're not a tea drinker, make sure you let your waiter know so you do not get charged for the tea.
(4)
Mark C.
This place was my second choice I should say at the start. The dim sum place a block away had a 20 minute wait so I ended up here. As the only Caucasian guy in the place I was hopeful that is found an authentic spot. If so then I prefer the non-authentic dumpling place. The fried pork buns were really tasteless without adding soy and hot oil. Next the steamed and pan fried "dumplings" we're what most refer to as pot stickers. Decent but not memorable. As a single I kind of got the indifferent treatment and felt pressured to leave after my last bite as there were a few waiting for tables. I was only at a two-top so I wasn't camped out and I did actually leave a minute after finishing. Not so gourmet I'd say.
(2)
Clare F.
Gourmet Dumpling House really never disappoints. Every meal I've had there, take-out or eat-in, has been delicious. We headed there today, opting for take-out. Only had to wait a few minutes to give our order and it was ready in a half hour, giving us time to grab treats at the bakery and poke around a few cool shops. I got the steamed vegetable dumplings. Good, but I remember them being better, and coming with more dipping sauce (nobody likes a dry dumpling!) I tried out the vegetable fried rice, which was surprisingly light. The veggies included lettuce, which sounds really weird but it worked in the dish. The highlight was the oyster pancake app. They do NOT skimp on the oysters. The pancake is large and certainly shareable, and it comes with this red sticky kind of sweet sauce. Pretty awesome. This place always has a wait, even in the middle of the afternoon. It is small and kind of cramped, but that just adds to the charm.
(4)
Shelley W.
I'm giving this place four stars for the food and zero stars for the restaurant ambiance. Waiting for seating at Gourmet Dumpling is an experience in itself. If you frequent Chinatown fairly often, you'll notice a throng of people hanging around outside the restaurant. In order to make reservations, you must squeeze in through the one-person wide narrow entrance, find a waiter/waitress, and give your name and the number of people for them to jot/scribble down in a mini steno books. From my experience, if you speak Chinese, the waiters at Gourmet Dumpling House definitely give you priority in better seating. For two, we ordered three dishes: the leek/pork dumplings, pork/cabbage dumplings, and the scallion pancakes. The scallion pancakes were crispy and delicious--this is coming from someone who personally doesn't like eating them (we ended up ordering it because of the other Yelp reviews). The two dishes of dumplings are hand-made, with the leek being my personal favorite. The food was served fairly quickly and while there may be many customers, the waiters seemed to be fairly receptive to the needs of the customers. As most of the previous reviewers already mentioned, the restaurant ambiance is on the frantic and crowded side of the spectrum. For this visit, we ended up sitting right next to the cashier station facing the wall, with a dusty mini tower fan in the corner that didn't seem to work. Nevertheless, the restaurant air circulation is fine and there is AC if anyone was worried about that haha. For a first-timer who may not be as comfortable being squeezed in a table with strangers slurping down soup dumplings within elbow's reach--there are plenty of other restaurants in the area that will be more accommodating of one's personal bubble. But at the same time, the crowded room and liveliness of the restaurant does make the experience very interesting and memorable. All in all, I would definitely come here again if I'm ever craving some dumplings!
(4)
Dean L.
The food here is awesome, but be prepared to be treated like crap when you come. Some of the workers are easily frustrated and have zero patience (the younger workers are much better, so try to look for them!). On my first visit, I asked the older woman behind the counter for a recommendation and she wouldn't give me one! Instead she kept saying "everything is good, it depends on what you like." When I kept pressing by asking what is most popular she just got frustrated and blew me off! Even still, I have been back here many times because the food is pretty darn good. I have sworn off this restaurant a few times, but each time I come crawling back. Besides, they could care less if you come or not since the place is always super busy.
(3)
See X.
Awesome food. Scallion pancake is a must get. Fried udon noodles were so good. The star anise in the Szechuan was a bit overpowering, but overall the food was fantastic. Service was a bit crazy though. There's a lot of yelling across the room that goes on. This place is always packed and it's in the tiniest room.
(4)
Andrew R.
I'm not reading to get on the GDH train, but the dumplings are really really good. This is the best dim sum place I've found in Boston -- better than Windsor or Dumpling Cafe.
(4)
Nora L.
I've endured the long waits and have been here twice (once with my boyfriend and another time with a group). I came out full and satisfied both times. The szechuan yu pian is the best that I've had at similar restaurants in Boston, definitely a must try at Gourmet Dumpling House. The xiao long bao is also delicious. We ordered other dishes but these were the stars for sure. Note that this restaurant is small and seemingly always crowded. Not a great place for a date but perfect for a small group looking to enjoy a delicious meal.
(4)
Ken H.
This place is alright. I am underwhelmed by the quality of Chinese food in Boston. People recommended this place said it has one of the best Chinese food in town. I was disappointed. The steamed dumpling was juicy but flavorless. The look wasn't so pleasant. It feels like they just fold it any way that they wanted. I also tried steamed bun, again it looks like previously frozen bun but again the ones you got from the supermarket have better look than this and cheaper. Blend taste. Broiled dumplings were good , but nothing to write home about. They should go check out Chinese restaurants in LA, SF, NYC to see how they run the dumpling house business (esp Nan Xiang Dumpling in Flushing, thats one of the best looking dumpling I have seem in States)
(3)
Matthew B.
While you may feel like you're in a Darwinian experiment when attempting to get a seat, I assure you that it's worth every shove & elbowing for position. Huge love for these - in order: * Scallion Pancakes - so much flavorful (and fantastically oily) action in these little guys. My girlfriend claimed to hear angels sing when trying it. * Soup dumplings - not since WD-50 and the deconstrunctional food movement has soup been so well incorporated into a solid. There's magic in that dumpling container. * General Gau's Chicken - if you have friends that somehow aren't able to sustain themselves purely on dumplings and pancakes, you can always tag in the General. It's incredibly flavorful and enough to share with the entire army. Heads up - AMEX isn't accepted and you should plan to be patient with language - i.e. don't be that guy that gets frustrated when you have to repeat yourself. As those 5 stars show, it's all well worth it.
(5)
Aristotle L.
Lunch here was probably the highlight of my visit to Boston. We arrived mid weekday afternoon for lunch and they were very busy. Once seated, we ordered the mini juicy dumplings, pan fried sea food noodles, San dong style pan fried dumplings and Chinese broccoli (to act healthy). Bottom line, the food was good; a legitimate example of any good major metropolitan Chinatown establishment. Also very affordable for the portions provided. I would come here again for my next Boston visit.
(4)
Juanita W.
I would have rated this restaurant higher based on the quality of the food; HOWEVER, I could not because of the discrimination I felt from the staff. We sat for a good 10 minutes without any of the servers acknowledging our presence. Then three of the servers stood beside our table with their backs to us and obviously discussed who had to serve our table. The man must have drawn the short straw. He then asked what we wanted. I did not read any of the reviews until after I left the restaurant. It appears from other reviews that this may be a common practice. Sad, very sad!
(3)
Irvin H.
Food is good-Crab rangoons, soup dumplings and regular dishes. Service sucks and space is tight but atmosphere is cool.
(4)
Angela S.
The sliced fish szechuan dish was the star of the night. The broth was spicy, but not too spicy. The sliced fish were tender and flavorful. We also ordered the eggplant with basil. Unlike many of the other chinese restaurants that I've been to in NY, the eggplants weren't mushy. However, I will say that the dish was very oily, but delicious. In addition, we also ordered the beef with black pepper which consisted of pieces of sauteed beef with slices of green pepper and onions. The dish was good, but ordinary.
(5)
Di L.
Oh no no no! I remember the dumplings here being much better in the past. I'm not sure if this is because I have become more picky, or if better restaurants have since opened, or if they have actually gone downhill, but I don't like this place at all anymore. The dumplings are still ok, but very greasy. They were not as spectacular as I would have expected based on the reviews. I don't think that they are far superior to most other dumpling restaurants in town, or even Chinese restaurants that don't specifically have the word "dumpling" in their names. The soup dumplings had little soup in the filling, and were small and thick-skinned. They're not terrible, but I actually prefer the frozen packages you can get at C Mart over these. Of particular note, the pork belly with pickled vegetables was absolutely atrocious--mostly vegetable with strips of bland, soggy meat on top, all doused in a soy-based sauce with too much cornstarch. I'm not sure whether to be appalled or impressed, I mean, it has to take a certain skill to make fried fat taste anything but f***ing amazing, and they wholly achieved that. Also, the scallion pancakes were very greasy and looked deep-fried, which is not how scallion pancakes are done in my book. Actually, most everything I have ordered here recently has been too greasy for my taste, which is generally the first indication of a less-than-stellar Chinese restaurant. Maybe they do other dishes much better, but I won't be back to find out anytime in the near future.
(2)
Ryan D.
Decently good food. The xiao long bao had a good consistency to the pork inside, it wasn't too packed in which I liked, along with the large size (compared to XLB you find in CA). Ordered chinese broccoli with oyster sauce and was given it with garlic instead. Service was tough, we were seated and not given menus, and then water was hard to get. Other than that, I was happy to get some decent Chinese food in Boston.
(3)
Jie W.
I dont know why free water need 6 dollar？
(1)
Tiffany J.
Hands down, the best restaurant in Boston Chinatown. It's also really obvious because EVERYTIME I've walked past the entrance, there is a long line outside. Average wait time seems to be anywhere from 25-45 minutes. But trust me, IT IS SO WORTH THE WAIT, even if seating is very cramped inside (eating next to the fish tank is quite the experience). I always order the Szechuan spicy fish, which seems to be their most popular dish. It is an extremely spicy and oily white fish dish and it comes with a lot of tasty cabbage (feeds 2-4). I also typically get the steamed spinach dumplings, which is a really great vegetarian option.
(5)
Peter R.
Go here now. Get the Szechuan Sliced Fish. Sweat it out in pure delicious bliss. Ahhh. Silky slices of white fish in a vibrant and spicy broth. Napa cabbage also soaks up the ultimate broth and delivers a textural sponge for your delight. Order white rice to tame your tastebuds when they are.overcome and dive in for more. The dumplings are great too, no doubt. But the fish is the dish.
(5)
Joe R.
Foods fantastic. That needs to be said up front. Wait staffs terrible. There's always a wait, and I've been actively ignored while the front desk checked their facebook account on their phone. Is it worth the hassle? totally. Cash only. Be prepared for a bit of a wait, so show up 15 minutes or so before you want to eat.
(4)
Bee G.
At last! Every time I walk by this place, there's a line out the door (the restaurant itself is quite small). But lo and behold, it just happened that a friend and I were meeting for a very early dinner. We were in Chinatown, trying to pick a place to eat. "All I know is I want dumplings," my friend says when I ask her where she wants to go. As we walk and point at different restaurants, recounting our good (or bad, or lukewarm) experiences eating there, I point at Gourmet Dumpling House. It's supposed to be good, I say, and look, there's no line for a change! We ordered a dumpling noodle soup each, some pork dumplings, and two veggie buns. The noodle soup was bland, and I wouldn't order it again. But the dumplings, oh the dumplings were delicious (as were the buns). Next time, and I hope there is a next time, I'll order dumplings/buns and something other than noodle soup.
(4)
Rach M.
The soup dumplings are so *bleepin* good. Seriously, best dumplings in Boston. Don't even bother trying anywhere else. I went here with a group of my girlfriends for brunch (my first time, their second or third time), and I was so impressed. I had the best dumplings I have ever tasted, amazing fried rice, scallion pancakes that I wish I could eat for every meal and bottomless tea. What more could I ask for? I wish I lived closer to this little gem in Chinatown. This place will not disappoint.
(5)
Casey C.
Not as good as i expected, the waitresses are rude and they almost sweep my cell phone.
(2)
Rick P.
We walked by at 11:45am today and were happy to see there wasn't a line out the door like there usually is. Perhaps the time change today was the reason. I do like this place, unfortunately, there are two other Taiwanese restaurants in Boston Chinatown that are a little bit better. Soup dumplings are good, not great. Oyster pancake was very good. Okra with sa-cha sauce was superb, but I imagine you have to like okra in order to like this dish.
(4)
Dorise G.
Chicken and veg dumplings? Outstanding. Esp the veg dumplings. The bun was virtually perfect. Why only 3 stars? It was a 95 degree day, I'd walked 5+ miles to get there, and after downing my first glass of water, I asked literally 5 waiters/waitresses (this is not an exaggeration) if i could get some more water. There was a woman walking around with a pitcher of water and not looking at anybody's glass to see if they needed more. I get the place is awesome and is busy, but I'll forwarn you now - bring your own beverage, or you will be parched.
(3)
Robert H.
I find the food here really mediocre despite the fact that there are often long lines standing outside. Tired it 5 times as my wife likes one dish I often want to tell the people in line, what the heck are you wasting your time standing in line here I can name five places in china town that are better, namely Peach Farm, or a Sushi place inside the building a few doors down Every one of the 100 plus items is thrown together very fast like the red spicy hot fish, cooked in minutes but without deep flavor spiced up to appeal to homesick Chinese who want something red hot The owners, a tall 50ish slim guy with a belly is ok, but his plump wife, rather porky, who spends her time counting money and doesnt have a very friendly attitude. They did once try to change a dish to my liking
(2)
E. S.
The first time we came here we were amazed. The beef fried rice is not greasy like it is as many Chinese places, but still has that same great flavor. They are generous with the beef and it is well cooked, not dry. The dumplings were very juicy and the pork fried buns, while a bit doughy for our taste, were also excellent. Since that first time, we have had mostly good experiences, although sometimes the quality can be not as great. Nonetheless, I highly recommend their food.
(5)
Robin C.
SO GOOD. Best scallion pancakes in Boston, I would argue. Huge menu of very affordable authentic dishes. I've never had a dish I didn't like, and neither has anyone I've come here with. Dumplings are great! I love the vegetarian dumplings, and my meat-eating friends love the mini pork dumplings and the soup dumplings. The Taiwan style pan fried tofu is my favorite dish--silky, soft tofu, with perfectly fried (not leathery) skins, in a delicious, tangy soy sauce with green onion. Very simple, but I haven't seen it anywhere else. Keep in mind, the service is not friendly (not bad, but don't expect smiles and eye contact), and your table by the fish tank *might* be moved half way through your meal so that your entertainment can become someone else's dinner...So yes. Expect amazing food (nothing else) and prepare to enjoy it.
(5)
johnny p.
Excellent dumplings and stickers. Szechuan chicken, beef black bean excellent. DO NOT get the curry chicken.
(4)
Hannah R.
The reason that everyone loves this place and talks it up is that it's THE BEST CHINESE FUDZ ERRRVERRRRRR. Or at least in Boston's Chinatown region. Just go and order the things that sound good. Because they will be good! The seafood is excellent. Duh the dumplings. The Shitake mushrooms in sauce are perhaps one of my favorite delicacies on the planet. These are things I like. You order what you like. Then we will share, and toast with Sapporo, and laugh and laugh and laugh. Get there early because, like everyone is saying, the line can be a real pain. You never know! And there's not a whole lot to do around Chinatown after dark besides eat so...
(4)
Marck N.
Wanting to try the local Chinese food during out trip we ventured here. I have read the reviews of the long lines, but coming on a Monday, we were able to be seated quickly. We ordered off the appetizer and dumpling options. For three people, we ordered enough for 6. We shared the steamed pork, five spice cold cut roast beef, oyster pancake with gravy, mini juicy dumpling with pork and crabmeat, steamed vegetable buns, pork and leeks dumpling, beef and celery dumplings, and the Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce. The first dishes that came out was the oyster pancake with gravy and the vegetable bun. I didn't like both dishes, as the pancake was too oily and the gravy sauce odd tasting. The vegetable bun was to doughy. Dishes that were good were the dumpling with pork and crabmeat, pork and leeks dumpling, steamed pork, and the Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce. The pork and crabmeat dumpling soup was really good and the steam pork spicy garlic flavor also made this fatty dish good. The pork and leeks taste was better than the beef and celery one. Though I did find the wrap to be heavy too. Service was slow, but the restaurant did start to fill up afterwards. Filled to my stomach I noticed the pictures of celebrities that ate there as we left. The 3 pictures of Ming Tsai grabbed my attention. I assumed then that this place must be good, but just not good to me. Later did I realize that he made this restaurant popular with this endorsement on the Food Network.
(2)
Kenson K.
Meh, I've had better. Everything here is so greasy and heavy. I could feel this sitting in my stomach all day long. Some of the good things we ordered Seafood dumpling Gailan (Chinese broccoli) - lots of garlic on this one. Mini juicy dumplings with pork and crab - like Shanghai dumplings Steamed pork - this was my favorite of the bunch. It had an oily spicy sauce on it. We ordered a lot and everything else was meh..... Be careful, they automatically add in a 15% tip to the bill. Read past all the Chinese on the bill and you'll see it tacked on. The cashier is quite rude too. We were waiting and waiting and waiting to pay our bill and she was just farting around. And when my friend told her that he was waiting for his change she curtly said, "I know". Well beeotch, if you know then hurry your little butt along. I guess she wasn't well trained at the communist gulag when she decided to sneak across the border to freedom. Yes, I'm Asian, I can say it.
(2)
Lucy E.
Any time I think of the Gourmet Dumpling House I start craving their delicious soup dumplings and amazing pork buns. If I lived closer and there was less of a line every single time I went, I would go on a weekly place. But alas it is a bit of a trek and has very few seats in the dining room. The food I enjoy, steam buns, soup dumplings, and scallion pancakes doing translate well for take-out. But Oh -Em -Gee! I do love the scallion pancakes, best I've ever had! And every single time I go I scorch my tongue to pieces and I don't even care. Why wait for soup dumpling to cool to an edible temperature? I'd rather have them in my stomach the moment I see them! And of course don't forget the steamed pork buns, soft amazing bao with sweet pork on the inside! Ok, I guess I know where I'm going to dinner!
(4)
Eileen X.
My boy friend and I went there today thinking it was a good place to eat according to yelp. Half way finished, I found a baby roaches floating on top of in my soup. I got so grossed out, I could not finish the meal. Now I still worrying I might have diarrhea later. :(
(1)
Lisa W.
I've been wanting to come here since we moved here 3 years ago, but the line was always too d**n long! Ain't nobody got time for that! We finally got a seat after a 15 minute wait on a Sunday at 2pm, and I was expecting.. I don't know.. little bursts of happiness in my mouth? What we got was good dumplings.. but nothing that's worth a 1-2 hour wait. The juicy pork dumplings were good, and so were the chive dumplings. We got some dishes off their 3 for $20 menu and that was pretty good, too. But nothing jumped out at me that was better than the regular Chinatown fare. I would come back if there was no wait, but if I see a line outside I'm going elsewhere.
(3)
Jacinda Z.
We go here on a regular basis and it's our go-to Chinese restaurant in Chinatown - definitely get the soup dumplings (we always get the one with pork), that's their specialty! Basically all the food is very very good, and "authentic". We also like to get the fish in chili sauce, which is delicious. Just make sure you don't get any dishes that are a "seasonal price", because that aka means expensive. We made the mistake of order 3 trays of soup dumplings for 2 people...lol. Waayyy too much! So I'd suggest if you want a meal of soup dumplings, only 1 tray per person, max! It's 8 soup dumplings per tray. We also got Shanghai greens the last time we went, which was delicious. Nothing super special, but just some bok choy that was (relatively) healthy. Also, don't expect good/friendly service here. But that's kinda the usual for any chinese restaurant. Like others have said, there is a wait during peak hours (30-45minutes), such as a Saturday for dinner. We always go on the weekends around 3-4pm, and there's never a wait.
(4)
Audrey C.
Discovered it one day by chance after moving to Boston, hands down the best, most authentic Taiwanese eating experience I have had so far away from home. I always order the steamed pork and leek dumplings and the scallion pancakes because it's what my grandma makes for me at home. It's always so perfect, so flavorful, and the dumplings are always so juicy and succulent. I grew up preferring steamed dumplings to pot stickers, but depending on what you like, they're all delicious. I want to try some of their other stuff too, but I will happily hop on the T to get to Chinatown just to get my dumpling fix at this place.
(5)
Kevin L.
The best Chinese in Boston, possibly America. The only Chinese that I'eve ever had that was better was from Tsa Yang in NYC. Both are authentic and perfect. An easy five star. We caught a cab in.. the easy part. At lunch on a Saturday was roughly a 20 minute wait (completely worth it). We each had a Sapporo, shared an order of dumplings (best ever) and the slice fish szechwan style. It was just as good as we had heard from FoodTV. Reasonably high spice level and very filling. Only difficult part was finding a cab out of Chinatown. Roads are very narrow and gets a little crazy when packed. If you have time to sample this. Do so. Photos loaded!
(5)
Aisha D.
The food is delicious, abundant, and cheap. I'm not a dumpling connoisseur, but my friends that are tell me the dumpling skin is a bit on the thick side. To me, they are perfectly delicious. This is not an ambiance place, though. The tables are crammed and you often have to share table with strangers. The wait staff doesn't speak much English and are often abrupt. The owner will ask you to leave if you're lingering after finishing your meal. This has happened three times to me already! I continue to patron them because they have the tastiest food in the neighbourhood!
(4)
Azmyra K.
Travel and Leisure Magazine recently named Gourmet Dumpling House as one of the top 25 best Chinese restaurants in the US. I have dined at many of the restaurants in Boston's Chinatown but have always skipped GDH because of the long lines. However, this past weekend, I decided that enough was enough and decided to find out what the hype was all about. I decided to meet a couple friends at GDH around 2:30 pm on a Sunday afternoon and we were pleased to discover that our choice of an odd hour had been a fortuitous one. Our wait was only 15 minutes or so. It was funny to wait outside because nearly every person that passed the restaurant made some comment along the lines of "I heard this place is great!" before glancing at the line and moving on. After being seated (the place is tiny), we quickly placed our order with an obviously impatient waitress. I've long ago come to understand that in authentic asian restaurants, service quality is inversely correlated to the quality of food. Basically, expect to be treated poorly (particularly if you don't speak Chinese) but expect to be rewarded for that discourtesy with an amazing meal. Our group of 3 ordered the pork and crab soup dumplings, the scallion pancakes, and the szechuan whole fish stew (tilapia). All three items were sensational. The soup dumplings were flavorful with just the right consistency and the szechuan fish stew was like a delicious bowl of napalm (be sure to order some rice with it!). The scallion pancakes were the standout for our meal. The pancakes were thicker than most other places but they were incredibly crispy and flakey. So is it one of the best Chinese restaurants in the US? Probably not. We've had better in NYC, San Francisco, and China (of course). However, is it some of the best Chinese food that I've had here in Boston? Absolutely.
(5)
Anthony N.
There are 2 reasons why I think this place is crowed: #1: It is extremely CHEAP! #2: This place probably has the best XLB Boston has to offer. Don't get me wrong, the XLB are good. They are just not the "best" I have ever had. Nothing compared to Joe Shanghai in NYC or Din Tai Fung in Arcadia, CA (which I think has the best one). This place is extremely small and cramped. They will seat you with other parties just cuz the line is so long. There is barely any walking room in the restaurant and you will for sure have people bumping into your elbow as you are eating. On top of all this, this restaurant is not the cleanest, but it is standard in Chinatowns everywhere (except for the Chinatown in D.C. cuz that place is not even Chinatown, it's more like what white people want Chinatown to look like). Is this place worth the wait and the conditions? If you are from Boston or in the middle of nowhere with not a lot of authentic Chinese restaurants, then yes. But if you are from SF, Southern Cal, or NYC, then no. P.S. The food here is EXTREMELY GREASY. Not for those who are watching what they eat.
(3)
Marcus D.
Everytime I have walked by here it's constantly packed - mostly with Asians, so you know it's good. We came here last Friday night. We were craving hot pot, but wanted to try the dumplings. We also ordered the spicy fish soup - absolutely delicious and was recommended by a diner seated at a nearby table. The seafood and pork dumplings were delicious. Our waiter was a bit like a dumpling Nazi, but I chalk that up to the "charm" of the neighborhood.
(5)
Rosy T.
First impressions can determine whether or not if I would like to come back to this place. & I must say the food was delicious so I will definitely be back for more !! Gourmet Dumpling House you haven't seen the last of me !!
(4)
Heidi L.
The first time I came here, I thought the food was unmemorable especially the soup dumplings because this place was suppose to be the best; however, the boyfriend wanted to eat here again after having a delicious experience with his siblings. We put our name on the list and was quoted a 30 minute wait. When his last name was called for a party of 2, we rushed to the door, but another Lee party of 2 beat us there. The host sat them down. I knew they had come after us so I sent the boyfriend to go in and investigate. The host confirmed with the boyfriend that it was our reservation...so if the host knew, then why would he seat them instead of us. Annoying. For dinner, we got the scallion pancake, the fried dumplings, and the soup dumplings because the boyfriend loved those last time. The dishes came out pretty quickly, however, again all the dishes were bland, especially the soup dumplings. Verdict: This place is cheap, but I will not be back.
(2)
Adam H.
One of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Boston and i don't usually order the dumpling. I really love the sweet & sour flounder, Singapore noodles. The scallion pancakes are always a great starter. Expect to wait in line for a bit especially if you are going at peak meal times. This place is crowded, cramped and not very accommodating but it kind of adds to the charm of the place you always know what you will get.
(4)
Vy V.
Who on earth told people this place was good? Who? Why? I've been here once when it first opened and I will never ever go again. The dumplings are mediocre. The soup kind. The fried kind. The every kind. And the rest of their menu isn't anything to smile about either. Every time I see long lines of people waiting for a table as I walk through Chinatown I just want to scream at them and tell them they need to go somewhere else. Sigh! Hyped up from an article by some horrible food critic years ago and it has people swarming. I guess the restaurant makes good money...too bad their food isn't worth another one of my pennies. I'd recommend going to Taiwan Cafe if you must. But nothing beats the soup dumplings in NYC though unless you want to travel to Asia.
(1)
Bert V.
Good food but very poor service. They also charge gratuity for 2 people! Unacceptable!
(1)
Alec B.
Actually a shockingly nice bathroom - not much decoration, but solid materials and modern fixtures, all well maintained and clean. A lot of smaller restaurants like this tend to ignore the bathroom both in terms of care and design. Pleased to report that this is not the case at Dumpling House, which is fantastic in every other way as well.
(4)
Ian B.
Sliced Fish Szechuan Style is my favorite dish in the city. Seriously, I'd rather eat that than anything I've had anywhere else in Boston. It alone is worth the wait, and there usually is a wait, and is worth sitting at the awful little table in the back by the fish tank, if, say, you came alone just to eat this dish... While we're on it, these guys make the best scallion pancakes in town and the best peapod stems I've ever had--and I order peapod stems any time I can. Big thumbs up to the beef with long horn peppers, the ma po tofu, pork and leek dumplings (best steamed, I think), and three cups chicken. And who needs more than that? The soup dumplings are only okay. People are justly disappointed: it's called the Gourmet Dumpling House, so you think the dumplings are going to be their big specialty, but they really aren't. If it were called the Gourmet Sliced Fish Szechuan Style House, nobody would ever be disappointed. Five stars for the GSFSSH!
(5)
Riff R.
Fun and cozy atmosphere. Service was attentive. I liked their dumplings.
(5)
Shang S.
The name is a bit misleading, this place is known for their mainland Chinese food in general, but they serve soup dumplings as well. No reservations, lines can get crazy, but their sliced fish, szechuan style, is to die for. All around extremely authentic Chinese food. If it gets too crowded, Dumpling Cafe is very similar alternative though more Taiwanese in cuisine
(4)
Ivy T.
I love this place. Oddly enough, it's not for their dumplings. I love their eggs with bittermelon, and Sichuan sliced fish. The fish dish contained so much fish. It was more than enough for five people (of course other dishes were ordered). I even recooked the leftover fish to include other ingredients. Their sauce was so flavorful that it instantly flavored the tofu and vegetables that I had tossed in. I've had to share a table with strangers before during really busy periods. It's not as odd as one would imagine. It gave me another opportunity to food watch.
(5)
Nancy H.
Food is hot, fresh, and tasty, but overall not impressive. My friends and I managed to snag a table for 5 on Saturday around 5:30pm. We ordered scallion pancakes, vegetarian dumplings, chicken and cabbage dumplings, and xiao long bao. Let's just say I enjoyed the soy sauce the most. The scallion pancakes where overly fried (8 pieces) The vegetarian dumplings were good. 10 came in a steamer. It also came last because they "mixed up" our order. The chicken and cabbage dumpling where pretty good. (15 pieces) The xiao long bao was nothing amazing at all. (8 pieces) It's worth a try, but I think I'll come here again to retry their scallion pancakes just in case it was just poorly done due to business, and try their pan fried buns. The waiter/waitress were nice though. The place is tiny. It was really funny to see not a lot of Asians. (you know what they say, if there are no asian people eating at an asian restaurant somethings up. but no this place is legit. hehe.) Anyways, our bill came out to be 25.70 and I went home full.
(3)
Carrie S.
I highly recommend this place! I really enjoyed my lunch here. I have spent a lot of time in china and am half-Chinese, and thought the food was very authentic and delicious! (Although I will say the the xiao long bao - soup filled dumplings - would've been better if they had thinner, more delicate skins.) my favorite was the hot and sour soup - delicious and well-balanced! Those who aren't accustomed to Chinese-style dining should be aware of two things: 1) it's much more rewarding to eat here with a decently sized group. This allows you to order a good variety of dishes to try. (And of course, eat family-style and share!) 2) speaking some mandarin can be helpful in getting seated and served more quickly (but is by no means necessary). The waitstaff is very friendly, but you need to be proactive in getting their attention, probably because its such a crowded and popular spot!
(4)
Sushmita M.
I dream of dumplings. I dream of GDH dumplings. It is always worth a wait or walk in the cold or snow or rain. I even navigated my parents here once when caught in a downpour while exploring the Boston Common. They are picky when it comes to eating out. Nothing usually satisfies them. GDH passed the test. Of course, you must get the soup dumplings and the steamed dumplings (pork and leek, pork and cabbage, seafood, might as well order them all). Then one must maneuver through the rest of the menu, which is always difficult, because everything is perfect. All of the greens are a go (I especially love the braised eggplant with basil), and if you're adventurous, they even have stinky tofu. I'm not personally a fan, but I respect.
(5)
Harris R.
I was really disappointed with the the dumplings, too big, soggy, and greasy. The tongue appetizer was great though.
(2)
Alexander S.
Place was a little cramped, and we had to stand around for 30 minutes just to get a table. But the dumplings and scallion pancakes are legendary, probably the best in all of Boston. The scallion pancakes in particular are about as addicting as any narcotic.
(3)
Kelsey M.
We were just strolling and noticed there wasn't the usual long waiting line to get in so we gave it a shot. During lunch hours, the prices and portions are a good value. Food is very good here! Wait staff was okay, nothing extraordinary and spoke poor English. The dining area is VERY cramped, I was bumped into by staff and guests. Biggest downer other than space is the ungodly heat! It felt so good when we got outside!
(4)
Andrea M.
Don't get takeout I generally love GDH but when you give people takeout that's so wrapped up you can't review your order, that's bad. When they get home and there's fish instead of beef, that's bad. When you cants get through on the phone to talk to them about the error that ruined dinner, that just sucks.
(2)
Betty H.
This is probably the only time for me where the restaurant's food is very good, but the terribleness of everything else is distasteful enough for me to avoid the location. I've been here more than five times, so I feel comfortable is making an overall assessment. Yes, the (xiaolongbao) is great, like everyone else mentioned. Be sure to eat it with a spoon underneath, since it contains a good deal of soup/sauce. I usually get the beef noodle soup, which is delicious. The szechuan sliced fish is definitely the best dish here. I occasionally have dreams about it. NEGATIVES: The restaurant is extremely tight and crowded at all hours. Service is beyond awful. The first time, a waitress came out of the restaurant, chased us down the street, and demanded we give her a bigger tip (beyond rude). We gave her around 14-15% since it was lunch and she was pretty short with us. The second time, the waiter had an attitude and was rude throughout the whole meal (possibly because our meal was inexpensive -under $20- so he didn't expect a large tip). Unfortunately, the staff can get away with their terrible service because the food keeps customers coming in.
(2)
Gen M.
REally delicious - a friend of mine and I went there around 430pm, odd time, so we got seated quickly and fed quickly. By the time we were half way done with our food, the people ROLLED in. SO CROWDED!!! But the food - kind of junky delicious dumplings - worth it.
(5)
K F.
The food here is good, no doubt about that. The atmosphere and customer service, however are awful. It is not worth the food to sit in this tiny place and get rushed. It doesn't feel clean and you have to call over the waitstaff if you want anything. Hosts are not afraid to roll their eyes at you, either. I'm not afraid of hole in the wall places but I like feeling like I'm welcome. Do not come here with a group larger than 4 people! By the way, they don't split checks so you better have cash. Big sign says - 1 card per table. I'll be looking elsewhere for dumplings.
(2)
Soo C.
All dishes tasted AWESOMMEE. Definitely not your regular cheap chinese meal. It's got an extra kick to each dish. I'm not a chinese cuisine expert by any means, but I've been around enough to get a good survey of how sesame chicken tastes generally. I went at 12:30 on sunday. Timing was fantastic; We were lucky to have come right before a long line build-up out the door. Ordered: mini pork and crab buns, fried vegetable buns, and sesame chicken. My favorite was the sesame chicken. Tender inside, crispy sticky sauce on the outside. This is definitely a standard so-called americanized chinese dish, and they proved their gourmet status by impressing me with it. Kudos! Mini pork and crab buns were also very tasty - juicy! The prices tend to be higher than other Chinatown places, but worth. Portions can be smaller than other places in general, but I'd say just right for a normal-sized stomach. At least I didn't find the portion significantly smaller than other places in Chinatown. It's a very small place packed to fill most number of customers at a time - just like most other places in Boston Chinatown, or some of the busier restaurants in North End. By the entrance, they have pictures of the owners with bunch of celebrities that have visited the place in the past. That sent me the subliminal message that this place is the coolest, and reaffirmed my taste buds' pleasure.
(4)
Paul A.
The food is AWESOME!! But the service is awful. Never go there with just 2 people. They don't seat you until a 2 top table opens up. They don't just seat you when a table opens up. If you ask them for something, it takes forever to get it to you. They forgot our app as well.
(2)
Cathy H.
Wow. Amazing! Only place in Chinatown that was packed. Place is small and the servers are quick but the food is amazingly delish. Gotta get the pork dumplings. The tofu with broccoli and rice was off the charts. Definitely going to come back!!!!
(4)
Kelly F.
Good food great prices small place. No atmosphere but definitely worth going. We had dumplings scallion pancake some egg dish that was really good. They forgot dipping sauce which really adds flavor so make sure you ask for it. Hot tea comes complementary
(3)
Jill G.
This restaurant boasts a great variety of dumplings and buns, as well as other Sichuan dishes. Best scallion pancakes I have ever had! Also, the pork and crab dumplings are delicious and juicy. Skip the salt and pepper chicken wings and get ready for some heat with the sichuan sliced fish and ask for extra extra rice! Be prepared to wait in line though - this place is popular and the line is often out the door!
(5)
Serena H.
The food is decent here but I definitely think this restaurant is overrated. Their juicy dumplings are good but I have had better, and I do have to say they have a good Szechuan selection. BUT service and staff are soooo rude. You know why it's crowded here all the time? Because the damn place is so small! You can barely fit people in this restaurant that they don't even allow strollers in here as well. The managers here know that people will spend money at their place so they are rude and definitely have no manners. The waiters and waitresses are very nice but I feel so sorry for them because of their disrespectful managers. If you go there towards their closing time you will experience it. They say they close at 12am on weekdays? By 11:30pm the managers yell at all the customers to get their cards/cash out because they are closing. Listen, I understand you want to leave but don't sit me then if you're going to holler at me to take out my cash 30 minutes before the restaurant closes.
(2)
Conor S.
Apparently a seriously underrated restaurant. The line out the door is pretty quick, so don't be turned off by it. Small place with some seriously savory food. As the name implies, check out the dumplings. I got the mini pork dumplings, and, in writing about them now, I'm considering making my way back there this weekend.
(5)
Nashrah R.
After hearing a lot about this place--and not to mention the great (but in retrospect, inconsistent) Yelp reviews--I finally made my way to Gourmet Dumpling House last night. I was very disappointed. We tried the steamed chicken with cabbage, and the seafood dumplings as well as the seafood soup with seaweed. --Dumplings: The wrappers were too thick and flavorless, making it hard to taste the actual filling. I preferred the chicken over the seafood because it seemed marginally better seasoned. It would be much better if the wrappers were thinner and the dumplings were better stuffed with fillings. The soy dipping sauce also lacked in flavor and was pretty small in size for dipping the many dumplings. Pros: dumplings were juicy; generous proportions. --Seafood soup: Pretty good but I still found it kind of bland. Lots of seafood so I wasn't disappointed in terms of variety. --Rest of the menu: The items looked pretty generic and kind of pricey for Chinatown ($12 and above for what I consider to be the good stuff). --Service: Not great. We were sat at the back near the kitchen at a shared table, and because half the table was empty, the waiters thought it was okay to use it as a resting place for filling up to go boxes. Plus, we had to return a soup bowl because it was not cleanly washed (bits of food were stuck to the side).
(1)
Joyce H.
This place is SUPER popular. We got there right as the crowds were starting to pile in... and it was only 5:20pm. I met up with some friends from Boston here. It was goooood stuff. One friend who had lived in the LA area later said that Gourmet Dumpling House rivals Din Tai Fung in xiao long bao. Those are weighty words! The 5 of us shared a few dishes: - Seafood hot pot: SUPER fresh. I loooove seafood hot pot, so it was a great treat to be able to eat fresh squid and tender tofu. - Spicy fish stew: This seemed to be a popular choice. I think it's as good as other spicy fish stew, but it was very very crave-worthy. - Pork and bamboo: I abstained from the pork but the bamboo was cut very thinly and it had really good flavor. Mmm, I love eating bamboo with rice! - Xiao long bao (pork soup dumplings): The moment of truth. They were pretty good! I had two... and it was gooood. Just enough soup, lots of flavor. I can't say that they're better than Ding Tai Fung (fake Din Tai Fung in Toronto), but then again, at DTF, I was REALLY hungry. I also heard the crab pork xiao long bao is really good (chunks of crab??) so I'd be down for trying this again. - Oyster pancake: Fresh and tasty... I could probably eat this for a while. Service-wise, all our waiters were rushing around because of the business. I think some of the presentation was done with less care (i.e. red sauce on oyster pancake was unevenly distributed). I'm not complaining too much though--the food was good! Yay, I'm a fan.
(4)
Ambrose C.
I went to this restaurant for the first time recently with seven people including me, and I was looking forward to eating there, because I wanted to eat some non-Cantonese cuisine dishes in Chinatown. Here are some notable dishes that we had ordered. A plate filled with small pork dumplings. A plate filled with eight pieces of pork Xiao Long Bao - The menu calls it "Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork", but they are really a cooked Bao Zi (bun), not Jiao Zi (dumpling). Xiao Long Bao literally means Little Basket Bun in Mandarin Chinese. It is a popular street food in Eastern China, especially in Shanghai. Yu Xiang Qie Zi - The dish in English says Yu Hsiang Eggplant. Qie Zi means eggplant. Yu literally means "fish" while Xiang literally means "fragrant" or "spice". Yu Xiang style supposedly involves the usage of a garlicky, spiced up sauce. Hong Shao Ce Yu - The English name of it is Braised Tilapia. Hong Shao literally means "braised". A friend of mine originally from Hunan, China really likes this dish. Some bowls of white rice. The dumplings were pretty good, but I liked the Xiao Long Bao even better. Each piece was wide enough for two or three bites, and was filled with tasty meat. One loaded plate of Xiao Long Bao should be decent enough for two people. As for the other two dishes, I really liked the Yu Xiang Qie Zi, I kept eating that quite often with my bowl of rice. The braised tilapia was pretty huge. It was a whole cooked fish put on a large plate covered in a reddish sauce. Although it was a little bony, the tilapia was really good as well and went well with the bowl of rice. Overall, I would definitely come back here again for the Xiao Long Bao. That was probably one of the best dishes and I would also definitely come back for the Yu Xiang Qie Zi with rice.
(4)
Michael R.
Grrrrrr. This is a really tough review to write. Honestly, the food was really, really good. Top notch General Gao's, fried rice, and steamed dumplings. I'm talking really, really good. But the service was hands-down the worst I've ever had at a restaurant. Our semi-large party was completely ignored once we got a table (large party = large tip, easy math). Hand-waving and "excuse-me's" were of no use. We had to get up and find the guy in charge to just get started with waters, which was a half-hour after we sat down. After several sighs and annoyed grumbles, he grabbed a waitress and set us up. Our orders took another hour+ to hit the table, and don't even try to get drink refills -- we couldn't get them until the check was at the table and we were done our meals. Throw in some mixed up orders, add a little general inattentiveness of the staff, season with a rude manager, and you've got a stew goin'! Okay, Arrested Development references aside, I admit, I'd go back again for the great food, but just be forewarned, you might get the cold shoulder.
(2)
Angie T.
We were drawn to this place because of the massive amount of people waiting outside of this restaurant at 8pm. And they do certainly live up to their reputation for having delicious dumplings. We tried their mini steam buns with pork and don't be fooled by the name, mini they are not! Each bun is filled with a wonderful sauce that honestly you don't even need to dip this bun into their soy sauce mixture. It's good just as is! But being that I've been to many restaurants especially in NYC I wouldn't rate it top notch. The dumplings were a little dough-y. But it was still a great experience. Another must try is their Chicken Corn Soup. If you love soup as much as I do, it comes in a huge bowl and it's filled with yumminess. I would stay clear of the noodle soup, it came out too fast, the noodles were not fully cooked and there was not enough soup and way too much noodles. Expect to wait for awhile for a table. The restaurant is small and they may tell you it's only 15 minutes but you can expect to wait 45 min to 1 hour, but all the locals were willing to wait, so we were too! And for a Chinese Restaurant in a Chinatown, the staff were very friendly. Thumbs Up Dumpling House!
(3)
J L.
For 2 people we ordered a Beef tendon noodle soup and Beef stew noodle soup with order of xiao long bao with crab meat. The noodle bowls were huge and filled us up completely and they're only $7! The beef stew noodle was alright, the beef was pretty tough as if they just deep fried slices of beef and threw them in. The crab meat xiao long baos were amazing, I would definitely recommend them. We even came back later for an order of regular xiao long baos and another one with crab meat to go. The original xiao long baos are alright, but the ones with crab meat are definitely the way to go!
Honestly, I was slightly disappointed after all the rave reviews I'd heard. The soup dumplings were decent, but I found the flavor off. I've had much better in New York (and China of course). The chive dumplings were also only OK. Don't get the crispy fried pork chops. It's greasy, bland, and not made of real pork chops, only pieces of pork. The star was the spicy szechuan fish. The fish was tender and the broth was extremely flavorful. Overall, the quality of the ingredients (specifically the pork) seems questionable (not food poisoning questionable of course, but not high quality ingredients).
(3)
Augusto T.
A great China town lunch destination. This restaurant is one of the few places in Boston that you can get xiaolongbao soup dumplings. I really liked both the crab meet and pork versions. Their not-dumpling-dishes are also quite good. The bamboo beef and the squid with chinese celery were both very fresh and tasty. The prices are affordable and you get free soup and rice included with your order. Definitely stop by for a satisfying lunch.
(4)
Julia L.
This place is only good by default because there's no better competitors. If you come with less than 4 people, expect to sit with another group. Came here for the xiao long bao after craving it for so long, which was okay but definitely have had better. I bit into it and no soup flowed into my mouth - slightly disappointed. Double cooked pork was better, but not spicy like it's supposed to be made. The pork was given in generous proportions though so that was a plus. Shui jian bao was mushy, not crispy at the bottom. Maybe it was too packed the day I went, but from reading reviews, it's packed everyday so I'm not sure why everything was so average. And if food is the only thing going for them (which is about all I expect from Chinatown), then this place isn't really worth your time. If you want better Chinese/ Taiwanese food, Taiwan Cafe is only two blocks down with a similar menu. Both restaurants want you to be hustled in and out, pay in cash, but at least Taiwan Cafe can offer excellent food at a cheap price which can't be said for Gourmet Dumpling House.
(3)
Stephanie G.
Very cost effective, the service is fast. Big round tables make for easy sitting in groups of six. It definitely gets crowded around lunchtime, so I would arrive before noon if you can. The food is good - I wasn't so crazy about my dumplings. Everything seemed overly greasy to me, which I'm not a huge fan of, but the food was well seasoned and yummy all the same.
(3)
Chaos M.
Why a lot of Americans always waiting outside! Yes, it is not American Chinese food. But it is far from a good authentic one. Just ok.
(3)
Amanda S.
HOLY DUMPLINGS, BATMAN! to this day, i have routine pains for missing china and authentic chinese food. imagine my surprise when i finally had a taste in - of all places - boston. this place is so popular that it's always packed, and you'll likely have to share a table, like my dining companion and i did. those three had no idea i'd order enough food for all five of us, but intended on sharing it with only one other. - the scallion pancakes are a MUST. piping hot and addictive. - pork and leek dumplings. steamed. trust. - fried buns with chives and eggs. gobble gobble gobble. - shredded beef with longhorn peppers in a szechuan soup. super spicy and super slurptastic! i hadn't had food this authentically spicy since i visited chengdu. - pan-fried noodles with vegetables..just to say we got our veggies in ;) don't forget the rice. we happily ate as our three tablemates gaped in horror. don't mind them; your buddha belly will be happy for the rest of the day. also..if you can speak mandarin or cantonese..USE IT! you'll be accommodated much, much faster. especially when you want that glass of water to settle the heat in your mouth!
(4)
Rohit K.
1. People running the restaurant are very rude. Also, the place is small and crowded. 2. However, the food is good (hot and spicy, great for late night thanksgiving/christmas dinners). Try the schechuan hot pot fish. 3. They are open late (although the open late bit is unreliable).
(4)
Victoria J.
Oh man, those pan friend pork buns haunt me to this day. It's only been two days really, but I can still taste them they were so delicious. The scallion pancakes were good, a bit thicker & chewier than I've had before, but did not take away from the cripsy, fried goodness. The sauce for the scallion pancakes must have had a little bit of fish oil in it because I definitely had that fishy after taste. All in all, a definitely yummy Dumpling house and I will be coming back on the regular.
(4)
Dibarah M.
A lot of great reviews right? Over-hyped. Or maybe at one point in the past it used to be good. I ordered their noodle soup and all there was in the bowl was beef fat (it was beef tendon noodle soup), low-quality noodle and probably three bottles of SOYSAUCE. The stench of soysauce (and I usually love soysauce) was so strong, that I started feeling nauseous. 15 minutes into eating our entrees, we had to call a waiter to remind them of our appetizers. In came piping hot dumpling-- WRONG ORDER. Then finally our dumplings came. Seafood dumplings- sounds appetizing right? I ordered steamed dumplings, and came fried, sweetish dumplings that tasted and smelled NOTHING like no seafood I ever came about. Best of all, never ever got water served. When we went to talk to the manager, she didn't even look at us while we were voicing ourselves. Such low class service. Wonder how it got such good reviews-- NEVER GOING BACK
(1)
Janet G.
Awful. One star is generous. No choice for soup. I don't eat pork so I just didn't get any soup, even though it's included with my lunch (forget asking for a discount, of course - what, are you nuts?). Rude, inefficient service, everyone is eating on top of everyone else. Their sole saving grace is their cheap pricing, but there are plenty of places in Chinatown where the food costs about the same, is better, more plentiful and you are not made to feel that you are horribly imposing on the waitstaff to do their jobs. Oh, and this was the winter. It was FREEZING in there.
(1)
Ross G.
scallion pancake was great and reasonably priced unlike other places in the area. General Gau's chicken was delicious, looking forward to trying more things next time I go. I also tried the veggie dumplings, and they were good. May go with the pot stickers next time! Definitely check this place out if you are in Boston!
(4)
Chris C.
Great XLB, Spicy Pig Ear and Spicy Fish here. Expect a long wait since the dining room only has 8-10 tables. The service is questionable but is as expected with the amount of people who flood this place. This is a great spot in the heart of Chinatown and definitely worth checkin out.
(4)
Amy M.
The best dumplings in town. Maybe I am not a proper connoisseur of all things smushed inside a wonton wrapper, but they always hit the spot for me. The best spicy tripe and tendon in town. Also one of the few places a whitey like me can order spicy tripe and tendon and not be gawked at like I've grown a unicorn horn. They have many amazing specialty dishes that go above and beyond just dumplings but honestly, why bother? ALL the dumplings are heavenly. The all of them. I particularly like the "juicy" dumplings or soup dumplings. Whenever I go, I plan on ordering so much food that the server looks at me, raises an eyebrow, and icily enquires if Madame would like a trough. Or they would if the servers did more than bark WHAT YOU WANT at you and hastily throw a teapot down on the table. Hands down, my favorite spot in Chinatown. Lose a star for being epically curmudgeonly but that's probably part of the charm, too. Great for a late bite, cheap cheap cheap, but be ready to wait at peak times. I don't know why this place gets so much haterade. Never had a bad experience.
(4)
H L.
We noticed this place being crowded, with a long line outside their shopfront, which is rare to see in Boston Chinatown. So, we decided to try this place someday. That was last Sunday night. We visited at 9:30pm. The place was packed, unlike other competitors. From their English name, we expected dumplings for main(dinner time), but they have only 8-10 kinds of dumplings to pick, and the rest are appetizers, main, or specialties. There are way too many to choose from. In fact, when I look at the Chinese Characters on their front, their store name means, North South Popular flavors. I guess that explains extensive numbers on the menu. 57 appetizers on one page is quite overwhelming. We ordered two dumplings, one fried(shrimp, pork), the other steamed(pork, Crab), huge portions(8-10 buns-half the size of the palm each), and a spicy fish soup(Flounder), and a chestnut chicken(braised). Every Chinese Restaurant offers a good to great food experience to the visitors, but the foods we ate was very different. Yes, buns are slightly thick as some reviewers mentioned, but the ingredients they put were not a cheat, but, very hearty, or, wholesome, in every sense. The foods were freshly cooked, and the taste of the fish soup, something different that other restaurants had never offered before. When I asked our waiter, the owner's nephew, he said the family is from Tsingtao/Qingdao, China. Maybe that explains the difference of the taste. I would give 4.5 star for the experience for now. It was our first time visit, and we will see if their food will surprise us in our next visits.
(5)
Stacy H.
this place was absolutely packed to the brim with people when i came. this can only mean good news to a chinese angeleno like me -- lots of people and lots of non-asian people must mean that this place is good. sadly, i was wrong. yes, this place is authentic, but not because of its food. sure, you get to choose which still-swimming fish you want to eat, but the waitresses will attempt to scoop it while you're sitting right next to the tank. and like their counterparts in china, the waitresses were always yelling in my ear because they were so busy. even with the excellent communication, we were often served the wrong dishes. the best word i can use to describe their food is bipolar. the veggie fried rice that we ordered was swimming in oil (the rice was already saturated), and was extremely extremely salty. the vegetarian dumplings had no flavor whatsoever, and was forgettable. really, i want to give this place three stars. but this is what gave them only two: i saw a piece of pig ear fall onto the waitress's (gloveless) hands as she was serving the dish. instead of throwing that piece away, she just put it back onto the plate and gave it to us. gross.
(2)
Pratik P.
I'm going to keep this short on purpose. Get the pork and leek dumplings. It's going to explode in your mouth, seriously.
(4)
Monique S.
I was very excited to come here after the great reviews. After being overwhelmed by the huge menu, I decided to play it safe and get the general gau's chicken. Boy was that a mistake. The chicken came out drowning in some gum-like substance. Instead of judging the chicken by its looks, I decided to give it a taste. Not good. It was doughy and the sauce was thick and hard, not a liquid sauce. Disgusting. On a good note, all of the reviews of the scallion pancakes are delicious, reminiscent of a garlic knot. I'd go again and try a noodle or rice dish.
(3)
Vina A.
We went hungry. We are Chinese. This is an honest review and I implore you - DO NOT GO HERE. After seeing lines of people outside a few weeks in a row, we decided to give it a try.... and that is the last time we'll ever go there. Were the 4-5 star reviewers all inebriated? People dream of this place? Was it a nightmare?! Have they laced the MSG with another drug? --- Seriously, the food was MEDIOCRE, at best. --- The boiled dumplings were an acceptable consistency for being hand made but there was nothing outstanding about them. They were bland and off-smelling and just sat there... and sat there... .. and now they're regretfully just sitting at the bottom of my stomach. The cucumbers were disgusting. First problem was the fact that they used regular cucumbers instead of persian cucumbers which are crunchier and actually have a bright flavor, rather than these pumped up, bland ones. Second problem was that it seemed like they just tossed a giant scoop of MSG over it and a few pepper flakes. DISGUSTING. Inedible. It made me sad. The scallion pancake was nicely thick, chewy and crunchy, but again, there was nothing special about them. No real flavor of scallions... and the oil they fried it in was obviously old. And lastly, this place is not clean for even Chinese standards. There was a dead bug on one of my dumplings. I actually don't really have a big problem with that, since I've happily eaten at C rated Chinese restaurants in Chinatown NYC and abroad but just as long as the food is good and the front clean. Here, the plates were questionable and the tables sticky. If this place can't even keep up front clean, who knows what's going on back there. 30 dollars for a tasteless, uneventful chinese lunch ... I wish we went to McDonalds. I'm just starting to explore Boston.. is this really the best it has to offer? I am going to cry.
(1)
Michelle R.
This restaurant is always crowded.. expect 45min+ wait on weekend nights. The pork and chive dumplings are juicy and delicious. If you're a fan of spice, you must get the water boiled fish (shui zhu yu), a Sichuan style dish! It's tender pieces of fish packed with delicious spicy flavor and a good kick of numbness that will leave your mouth tingling. Probably the best spicy fish I've had in Boston. The other dishes on the menu that I've tried (e.g. beef noodle soup, stir fried beef w/ peppers) are nothing special but still tasty.
(4)
Eric F.
Everyone seems to love GDH as evidenced by the line out the door on most nights of the week and it's unfortunate that they don't know that there's better fare just a stone's throw away. The Xiao Long Bao is decent at best and the boiled dumplings honestly taste exactly like the frozen variety one would find at any Asian market. Other dishes like Ma Po Tofu, General Gao's Chicken, etc. are all solid and pretty standard...just not at all worth the wait or the cramped, grungy atmosphere.
(2)
Ella M.
I would give this restaurant a negative five if I were able to based on their disrespectful behavior. Let me explain. My wife and I spent our 2nd anniversary in Boston visiting some of the areas in Boston we hadn't had the chance to visit yet. We began our day at Happy Feet Massage and will give them a review next (AWESOME)! After receiving the best massages of our lives we walked around Chinatown. During this time we came across a restaurant where people were waiting outside for their turn to dine. We both remarked that the food must be good. We did a bit of shopping before finding ourselves back in front of Gourmet Dumpling House. There was still a line of people but we decided to go ahead and give it a try. My wife put our names on the list and we waited for about twenty minutes out in the chilly air before we were able to get inside to wait. Once inside we were quickly ignored and overlooked as two girls (Asian) walked in passed the line up and were waved in to have a seat. My wife made it known that we should be the next to be seated. We finally get seated in the very back near a closet, nasty fish tank and area where staff stand eating (unprofessional). As I'm about to sit down I notice two workers looking at me and laughing. I disregard this interaction at first until I notice another worker come over, whisper to the other two (as they're all looking in my direction laughing). This happens several times with other workers. Now I' m feeling uneasy and concerned. Are African Americans not welcome here? Ok, I'm being paranoid I tell myself; but still mention it to my wife who also feels a bit anxious. We order some dishes and the waiter stands right on top of me until his leg is actually bumping my thigh. I move my legs over. More weirdness! I pour some tea and begin sipping when I notice something stuck to the inside of my cup...Get another cup. Food comes out...overly fried Crab Rangoon and delicious looking baby beef ribs....ummmm, no way. A long black hair is sitting on top of the rib I just drooled over. This dish goes back and I decide to cancel my entree; my wife tried to enjoy her food but was unable to once she notices that I've become so upset that I'm crying. FRUSTRATED! Sooo, we Get the check, leave and promise to never return. We plan to share our experience with as many people as possible. Now on to Trip Advisor! By the way another couple (Of Color) were also overlooked for seating right after it happened to us...coincidence? Doubt it.
(1)
Eleanor F.
Best veggie dumplings ever! Scallion pancakes are great too. Also, for the veggies, try the eggplant with garlic! It's soooo good. Only 4 stars because there is ALWAYS a wait, and the seating is cramped. Sometimes they sit two different couples at a 4 person table. But there's a wait because it's so good, and worth it. This is the only place I eat in Chinatown anymore.
Gourmet Dumpling House has some pretty stellar food. The dumplings, xiao ling bao, beef and string beans, and the scallion pancakes are my absolute favorites. But the service here is a bit subpar. The first time I came, the food was literally thrown on the table when it arrived. Another time, I had literally just sat down at the table when the waiter asked if we were ready to order. We obviously weren't and asked for him to come back in a minute....15 minutes later he still never came back although we kept trying to grab his attention. Once we finally did place our order, the rice was the LAST THING TO COME OUT about 20 minutes after everything else. How can you give us just the food with no rice? We were too hungry to care at first but definitely annoyed. The place is small and cramped so be prepared for a line. It also sucks to sit in the aisle. I was even elbowed by a waitress once when I was sitting down...nice. Thankfully the dumplings and scallion pancakes more than make up for it.
(3)
Shaina P.
Key advice here people: bring friends! A few items (that is 3 items) from the menu could easily feed four. But ... considering that there are HUNDREDS of mouth-watering options on the menu ... the temptation to order more than "a few" items is strong. In which case, bring ten! Just be aware the the establishment is tight-spaced. I could barely get through the mini juicy pork & crab dumplings (certainly not a size that I would describe as mini), these dumplings have a nice outer layer (hand wrapped and not thick and bready) and are filled with a subtly spiced ball of meat and served with some sort of fermented soy sauce and big fresh slices of ginger. But next time I might opt for straight-up pork dumplings. Mmmm... The shredded chicken and noodles with wonton soup was very large. The thin yellow wheat noodles were slippery and slurpy, but a nice texture and weight, enough to grab a big bite-full with one snatch of your chop sticks. The thin rice noodles sauteed with pork and vegetables had a light sacue and mild flavor. Nothing to get excited over, but good for someone who might be unsure of what to order. The table next to us ordered sauteed mustard greens that were piled high and the brightest green I've ever seen (gorgeous!). It's been a while since my mouth has watered over a vegetable! Surely I shall return.
(4)
Jules K.
loved the scallion pancakes, and the soup dumplings!!! So glad we finally got in to check this place out. Friendly staff, and convenient location between a T stop and the express bus stop. Tried vegetable, pork+leek, and pork soup dumplings, but the soup dumplings were our favorite! Looking forward to trying out more new items on the menu.
(4)
Lynn C.
Went on a Friday night...a very random decision since we were in Chinatown just wanted some Asian food. We know that this restaurant is always full and have people waiting outside so we figured we'd give it a try. Best decision ever. Even though it was crazy busy, the wait was less than 10 minutes. I was ecstatic when I sat down. I looked at the menu and they were authentic dishes one would find in a given restaurant in Taiwan. I'm Taiwanese and I rarely EVER eat authentic Taiwanese styled food in North America. We ordered Chinese Watercress stir fried in garlic, chive and pork dumplings, clams stirfried with basil, and pork dipped in garlic soy sauce which is served cold as appetizer. The clams and water cress were AMAZING. the dumplings didnt have chive tastes tho still very good, and the pork wasn't as good as expected. However, the overall taste and authenticity is something i've been dying to find in north america and now i'm always craving to go back and try different things!
(5)
Michelle T.
Love the cute, friendly Taiwanese couple who owns this place, but hate the long lines, long wait, and too-thick-a-skin of those xiao long bao's. Nothin' like the paper thin skin, juicy piping dumplings of Shanghai! However, maybe they used the same dough for their dumplings, because the potstickers we got were great. Northern style dumplings are just these - thick in the skin, chewy, doughy, and hearty! Yes, it was little on the greasy side, and I'd love for more filling, but nevertheless, delicious! Taiwanese Beef Soup Noodles - The bf liked the beef and the broth a lot, but wish the noodles were thicker and chewier. Seaweed egg drop soup - A little too much msg and salt, but if you look beyond that, it really is a soothing both of tasty soup. :P Pork 'n cabbage potstickers - Tasty by itself but WAY better with the chili soy dipping sauce. Good prices, good hearty size. Would come back again, but nothing to write home about. The restaurant itself is small and tables packed really tightly together, hence it can get loud 'n noisy. It's not a pretentious restaurant, just a good place to get homey grub with your friends. OR take out...since the lines are long. :P
(3)
Philip H.
Do not encourage this place to continue making its nasty, thick-skinned, soup-less, cockroach-infested, stinky-meat dumplings. It's a sick joke that they dare use the word "Gourmet" in their name. Shame on them as they bring shame to what dumplings should taste like. Send me a note, and I will make you good dumpling or tell you where to go. I despise seeing the throngs of tourists and non-Asians shiver and wait for 30 min-1 hour to get a taste of my culture's food and then get treated terribly by the staff here. The last time I was here, the owner got in a LOUD argument with one of the waiters and there was yelling and screaming over the customers for 5 minutes. The owner fired the waiter on the spot and had him pack up and leave. People stunned, especially those trying dumplings for the first time. Embarrassment and shame swept over me as I could see the non-Asians wonder how my people act in public. Pathetic. Health inspectors, please come and shut this place down!
(1)
Kelly O.
I have to sing my own praises about GDH, it's probably my favorite Chinese place in the city. I lost my soup dumpling virginity here thanks to an in-the-know friend a few years ago, and have never looked back since... they. are. so. insanely. goooood. And so fricken cheap/filling, I could just get myself an order of these and be full and happy. I've tried some other things from here (scallion pancake, a chicken dish, an asparagus dish) and it's all mighty fine, but really, would you expect it to not be all about the dumplings? Soup + pork + crab + ginger + wrapper = food gold. It's cramped and hurried, but the waiter has always been charming enough to us. Tip: ask for peanuts with your Tsingtao, they go together like peanut butter and jelly. Love the lovely GDH. UPDATE: I'd like to add the tofu balls with shrimp and the eggplant with basil to my must-haves here. I don't even like eggplant, that should tell you something...
(5)
Lilia C.
Great food!! Their sauteed dry beef noodle keeps a lot of flavor whereas a lot of other restaurants in Chinatown does not. I have a guilty pleasure of scallion pancakes and their's is nice and crispy and that sauce is great. Their Xiao Long Baos are a little doughy on the outside but it's not bad. The reason why I'm giving them two stars is because I realized after paying and leaving that they upcharged both my appetizers (I took a menu with me). I was charged 6.95 for the garlic cucumber appetizer and then my scallion pancakes were upcharged an extra dollar too. Their checks are written in Chinese so they might be banking on people not being able to read it. The sketchy thing is the woman who looks to be the manager gave us our check and did a double take and then took it back to correct. SKETCHY. I still recommend going there but keep an eye out on your bill!!!
(2)
J F.
The steamed dumplings are to die for. It has the perfect ratio of fat to meat content. These little pockets of fun are worth the trip and wait at this establishment. I'd say Dumpling House is one of the more competitive restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)
Min T.
This turned out to be our last meal in Boston. In that respect, it's only memorable for that. After touring the Sam Adams Brewery, we wanted to get a bite before our flight back home. I figured we'll follow the crowd and find a place. The first place we stopped in was empty. The next, Gourmet Dumpling House, looked warm and inviting with the house half full. The menu stated something along the lines as its specialties being Northern and Southern Chinese. Oh really? But this place is known for their dumplings, right? I surely hope so and ordered the pork and crab dumplings thinking they'd be similar to my beloved XLB. Okay, they take 15 minutes to come out and our barely speaking English waitress couldn't explain that to us. But no worries, the staff was mostly speaking Cantonese and I understood their Chinglish. I also ordered chicken with asparagus, spinach with garlic and seafood yee mein. Anyone who knows me, these are some of my comfort Chinese foods and I figure they wouldn't scare the gay boyfriend too much. Well, the yee mein was way, way too soft. The noodles had been cut too and I like my yee mein long and al dente. Sigh. Seafood was really imitation crab, a few pieces of squid and a couple of shrimp. Sigh. The chicken with asparagus comes with China's most famous sauce- corn starch with soy sauce. They didn't thin the sauce enough, probably didn't use enough hot water and the sauce was rather clumpy. Sigh. The spinach was good though. Unsigh. Then finally the dumplings came. The eight "mini" dumplings were enormous. The waitress brought them over without sauce and a passing waiter yelled her to give us some when he noticed I concocted an ad hoc sauce from the grimy bottles on the table. Sigh. Well, they were okay. The dumplings had too thick wrappers but the flavor was there. And the soup wasn't bad in 'em. But they were surely not XLBs. Portions are enormous. Prices are a bit on the expensive side for Chinese food but I come from the land of cheap yet ostensibly fantastic Asian food. Unmemorable, yet memorable.
(3)
Capt k.
OMG the place is so busy, I was stressed when I finished my meal. The food is good and major plus is their extensive lunch menu selection, pork belly, flounder......... The XLB is good but not as good as Ding Tai Fung. One word of advice, don't come with party of two, you are either end up in a tiny table or share a table with complete strangers. Don't take the table right next to the fish tank. They will ask you to stand up to get live fish out of tank during your meal. Four stars for the food, minus one star for the atmosphere.
(3)
Abigail H.
Whenever friends or family come in town, we go here. Ever since I saw a description for the place in a Boston magazine, I've been going back. It's usually pretty packed but when you get in that small, noisy room of a restaurant it's totally worth it. The owners are this cute couple who are always at the front of the store hosting. They can be super busy but they are really nice people. It's delicious and pretty cheap. Definitely a favorite. Caution: they only take credit cards on purchases of over $20 (it's either $20 or $25 but I'm forgetting). Just keep that in mind if you're a student like me who only buys one little meal and doesn't carry cash.
(4)
Richard G.
Stopped in yesterday afternoon for a late lunch. GDH was mostly empty. Was feeling unimaginative -- ordered General Gau Chicken to go. Ugggghh!! Back at my desk (a quick 5 minutes away), I opened a lukewarm container filled with NASTY chicken and a sickeningly thick amber sauce that was nowhere near spicy enough. Live & learn.
(1)
Katrina H.
Worth the cold wait outside....there is no space inside to wait so be prepared to stand outside. The atmosphere? Don't expect to have a romantic evening here. It is loud and crowded(okay, maybe overcrowded is the right term) BUT they serve the best mini juicy dumplings around! Price is perfect! Cheap large quality servings,,,great for me! We love to make trips from NH to Boston to have their food....mini juicy dumplings, fried cabbage and pork dumplings, pork fried rice, Szechuan chicken with vegetables and sesame chicken. We order extras to take home!
(4)
Chad K.
Best Chinese meal thus far.
(5)
Laura C.
Love the dumplings! Love the green beans with mini shrimp!! One star off for ambiance, long wait, service... it's a Chinatown restaurant, the food is great, but really what can you expect from the other stuff?
(4)
Joy X.
Soup dumplings are better than average, but the skin was thicker than it should be Ma po tofu is pretty standard - not standout
(4)
Rebecca N.
Best place for food in Chinatown. Eggplant with basil is perfect! Vegetarian dumplings are delicious. General Tsao's is very well executed. If you're in Chinatown, the choices can seem overwhelming. Once I discovered this place I have never had to scramble on my iPhone to figure where to eat. It's bustling and busy and you may have to wait, but you won't be disappointed. Service is fast and very friendly, too. Really appreciate how hard the staff works here. Just don't tell anyone about this place - we really need to keep it under wraps.
(4)
Hannah K.
The steamed pork dumplings were super good!!!! Then I got the shanghai style fried dumplings but they were way too greasy and I wasn't a fan of their "surf and turf" filling. My girlfriend (the account owner) got fried tofu appetizer and steamed veggie dumplings and they were good but not amazing. Overall, good joint for da dumps cravings but was not truly amazed!
(4)
Shaun A.
Went to Chinatown for dinner and didn't know where to go. Walked by Gourmet Dumpling House and there was a line out the door. Line out the door means great food, right? Waited 20/25 minutes and was seated promptly. Menu was a little long, so we went to yelp for a few suggestions. Ordered the spicy seafood noodle soup, bamboo shoot and pork, pork and leek dumplings and curry. Everything was amazing! Such rich and authentic flavor. We actually went back the next day for lunch. Gourmet Dumpling House is a must see!
(4)
Adam S.
Located in the middle of Boston's (relatively small) Chinatown, this place has some great and exotic food. We had the pork and leek dumplings. They were split 50/50 between steamed and fried... I prefered fried, but both were good. We also had the beef spare ribs, which were amazing and some of the best I've had. I had the pork belly and pickled veggie dish. It was pretty good, but maybe a little too adventurous for my tastes. My friends had beef and broccoli and twice cooked pork and both were good. The menu here is pretty exotic, but you can also get the staples. The service was friendly. The only thing that was unusual was that they brought the food out in no particular order (ie apps and entrees coming in no order). It's busy too.
(4)
Tony Z.
Gourmet dumpling house, if you and I were in prison and you dropped the soap. I would protect you. That's how much I love you.
(5)
Christina K.
My friends and I had gone to Chinatown to attend a Gen44 event and found it hella lame. So we decided to go get food and since I'd read about this place on yelp, we went here at about 7:30-8. We were seated right away and took a while to peruse the very extensive menu. We ordered the cucumber appetizer, fried tofu appetizer, clams with black bean sauce, vegetarian dumplings for me, and fish and vegetables over rice. Everything was REALLY good. I don't know if I was way excited about having good Chinese food in Boston, but I was really really blown away. All my other experiences with Chinese food in Boston have been less than stellar - Hong Kong in H-square, some random place in Brookline, and some smaller join in Chinatown. I also admit to having high standards given the great cooks in my own Chinese household and having savored the glories of the San Gabriel Valley, but we agreed that this place came out pretty damn close to that. Everyone there had ordered a TON of different things, so to say that this place was a dumpling house is a misnomer. I would suggest coming here with plenty of friends and share a few dishes since I wanted to order more, but it would have been way too much (quantity and $$). Lots of people had ordered hot pots and different noodle dishes. My vegetarian dumplings were really good and I was impressed by the fact that they had a good mix of finely chopped veggies and noodles inside a handmade dumpling wrapper. The sauce was not that great and they did not have chili sauce on the table which disappointed. The fish and clams were also good. We all LOVED the fried tofu appetizer - crispy and piping hot - but we all thought the cucumbers were a total bust. Overall though, I was impressed by the food and the fact that it wasn't very greasy at all which can be a HUGE turnoff when eating out. Like seriously. I looked at the noodles at the other tables and the vegetable dishes and it looked like stuff I would cook at home - no greasy sheen of oil pooling on the plate. Suh-weet. Now I know where to go for some great Chinese food in Boston.
(5)
Tootoo T.
Be very careful of your bill. On more than one occasion we have had up to $20 extra charged on our bill. The bill is in chinese so make sure you ask what you are paying for. I want to say this was a mistake on their part but it has happened so many times - Im pretty sure its not! Food is good.
(2)
Dave L.
Packed the family Truckster up for a ride to Somerville to visit a SIL and her husband. We took the T in for lunch at the GDH, which was our first visit. Like Aahnold said - "Ahl be bach". We arrived just exactly at noon and it was already full. We were told the wait would be 15 minutes, so we went across the street to browse in the Chinese market. 15 minutes later, we were seated at a big round table right at the front window. The menu is loaded with delicious sounding items, and we ordered a decent sampling of different things. We got some steamed vegetable dumplings that were fantastic! Everyone except my 14 yo son loved them. There was an order of Singapore noodles - delicious. Fine delicate little noodles in a curry type sauce with shrimp, chicken, and egg. Outstanding. Some sort of beef noodle dish which was OK, but not the hit of the day. Mini Saucy Pork Dumplings - I loved these. I think these are the soup dumplings people talk about. The filling is tender pork swimming in tasty broth. The dumpling itself was excellent as well. We also had the scallion pancakes, which were amazing. They were crispy, flavorful and one of the favorites at the table. We also got an order of some sort of bun, but I don't remember exactly the name. I wasn't crazy about it. The dough was a bit too thick and tough for my liking. It was more bready than the other types we got. All in all, it was a delicious experience, and very inexpensive. I can't wait to go back and try some different things.
(4)
Tashia N.
the line outside of the restaurant is definitely worth it. if there is one restaurant in Chinatown to choose from, it's this one. highlights were the Chinese broccoli dish and scallion pancakes.
(5)
Elvira C.
The food is ok. I don't want to know how it was made and what was put in it. This is what a restaurant looks like in the 1970s in China. If you ever want to time travel, then probably not a bad place to go to. The ingredients used definitely do not match those in a good, real Chinese restaurant in China. The toilet was flooded and the ambiance was loud. Some waiting staff were friendly, but the one at our table was extremely rude and unpleasant. The tables are greasy and the floor is dirty. Definitely a place to observe FOB culture. Restaurants in Beijing are simply so much nicer, quieter, and more upscale. The restaurant is extremely crowded. It is so peculiar that a cafe or a pasta joint can be as small as this place, yet it can make you feel cozy. But one of my friends and I felt extremely uncomfortable here. I am pretty sure the owner is making some pretty good money to make the restaurant nicer and to provide better ingredients. The price was actually not that great. There were 5 of us and we spent $15 each including tips. But I've spent $12 including tips before for a bowl of delicious freshly-made pasta at SOHO, NYC. Unless you're seriously craving for greasy Chinese food, there are many more places that you can spend a nice dinner at.
(2)
John N.
I was staying close to Chinatown so I look up yelp and this place had great reviews plus I talked w/a local and they say if you have to try only 1 place in Chinatown then this is it. I came in during the afternoon and i got my seat right away. I order 1 pork dumplings soup and 1 fried pork dumplings. I saw all of the pictures on the wall and all of the article they have regarding this place so i was pretty excited that I got a chance to try it. They even have famous chef come in so I was expecting A LOT. My soup dumplings came first and it was hugh for the size. 1 bite and I knew it was ok, nothing special and there were barely any soup in it. I was very very disappointed. Next my fried dumplings came out and it was barely have any sear on it. It was like eating a stream dumplings lol....I knew I didn't want to finish my lunch so I just pay the bill and left. The waiter asked me if I wanted to go bag which I always do no matter how much food is left but in this case, I had to PASS!!!
(2)
Eric L.
On the pursuit of xlb in Boston, my journey led me to Gourmet Dumpling House. Gourmet Dumpling House opened only a couple years ago back in 2007 and has apparently become one of the more popular places to eat in Chinatown, fueled by their xlb. My friends and I headed in on a Saturday morning; arriving at 11:40 AM meant we had a 20 minute wait as the restaurant was already filled up. They graciously took down the number to our cellular so we could cross the street and hit up Hing Shing Pastry across the street. For the three of us, we ended up ordering two baskets of xlb, one yu-xiang eggplant, one house fried rice and an oyster pancake. Since the xlb take 15 min to prep and steam, all the other dishes came first. The oyster pancake was pretty good; it was a good throwback to the street food of Taiwan. The yu-xiang eggplant did not impress me at all; I found the sauce much thicker and sweeter than I would have liked and not nearly as spicy. The house fried rice had chopped lettuce, egg, shrimp and pork and wasn't particularly interesting; it is after fried rice. I would have liked the lettuce to be chopped into smaller pieces closer to the size of the shrimp or pork, as each bite was awkwardly overwhelmed with mainly lettuce. When the xlb arrived, we all stopped eating everything else and focused our efforts on optimal placement of the basket so everyone could tackle it at once. Our eyes stared at the 8 succulent little dumplings with oh so thin skin, just waiting to be dipped into black vinegar and topped with ginger, just waiting for us to make the small bite to let the soup out. The xlb have a pleasant amount of soup with good flavor; not excessively oily and just enough salty. The filling was mediocre; although well flavored, I found the meat a bit too crumbly and I wasn't too impressed with the texture. All in all, I'd say Gourmet Dumpling House is a decent Taiwanese restaurant, and definitely an excellent choice if you're in the area and looking to get a quick xlb fix, but personally I think there are better options for Taiwanese food in Boston. Prices are reasonable with an order of 8 xlb costing you $6.50 and many lunchbox specials at around $6. (On other occasions I have tried Gourmet Dumpling House's lunchbox specials before; I personally prefer Taiwan Cafe's lunchbox specials to those of Gourmet Dumpling House, but to each his own). Fun fact: they're open until 1 AM every day.
I usually don't like Chinese food but I really like this place. I've probably eaten here greater than 30 times and I pretty much only order the soup dumplings and the Szechuan fish (along with the scallion pancake and shanghai greens). The broth in the soup dumplings is awesome. I'm not bothered by the relative thickness of the skin. Sometimes they overcook the dumplings and they fall apart (but that's the only demerit). It took me a few trips to notice that all the Asian people (note I am Asian) ordered the Szechuan fish. The dish makes me sweat profusely when I eat it but I don't care. It tastes too good and it is one of my favorite dishes in all of Boston. Too bad for the regulars that this place was on the Food network over a year ago as this place has gotten noticeably busier. Nonetheless, whether it is lunch, dinner, or late night, this restaurant is my go to place in Chinatown.
(4)
Ahmet K.
You have to wait to get a table at least 30 min... Food is fresh and order to cook!!! I loved the pepper steak and beef dumpling... Service is outstanding.Food and service is worth to wait
(5)
Amanda H.
I've enjoyed everything I've ever ordered here, but the sweet and sour flounder is probably my go-to dish. The pork and leek dumplings are also amazing. As other reviewers have mentioned, the wait can be a hassle, but in the summer you can get take-out and eat it in the park around the corner.
(4)
Vina Y.
I think this place is way over-hyped. I walked in and saw pictures of celebs like Blake Lively, Kate Hudson and Michael Douglas on the wall and was worried. I feel like food taste/quality at Chinese places usually decreases with the more attention it gets from celebrities because they don't have to try as hard! The place was packed and I was feeling claustrophobic with people bumping into me as they were coming in and out of the narrow passage to the door. Got the -xiao long bao (soup douplings) - the skin was thick and half of the dumplings didn't have soup in them! The meat texture was too..pulverized if that makes sense. -dou miao (pea pod sprouts) sauteed with garlic - delicious but that's a hard dish to mess up. The dou miao was fresh though, points for that! -some kind of breaded spare rib (i didn't order it) - way too much breading and it was bland. It was like the kind of breading on sweet/sour pork. Pass. -veggie dumplings - not bad, had chives, mushrooms and egg mixture in it. -Taiwanese style thin rice noodle -slightly curry-ish flavor with bean sprouts and onions. Pretty good. So the food was not entirely bad, but it wasn't amazing either. Tasted like standard Chinatown fare - definitely not worth the hype, wait, or uncomfortable seating.
(3)
Zach W.
Hi everyone! My name is Zach and I'm addicted to Hot & Sour soup at GDH. How do you say WOWSA in Chinese???? Recent awesome order: Hot & Sour soup (simply amazing deliciousness that I may have to go to rehab for because it's addicting), Pork Fried Rice (a lil greasy but solid), Pan Fried Pork Bun (here it is.....WOWSA!!!). Funny thing happened though (not sure if it's a commentary on the pride they have of their Bun's or on the questionable service)......We ordered Pan Fried Pork Buns....they arrived at table (come in set of 4)....began to masticate and destroy buns.....they came and took bun's away from us, including the ones we were eating, telling us they over cooked them.....brought out new buns.....they definitely tasted better.....did I just get poisoned???? So far I'm still alive and feel fine. Definitely going to go back and eat more Hot & Sour....one of the best hot & sours I've ever had.
(4)
Helen L.
This is one of the best Taiwanese places I've ever been to! It's really Taiwanese, and not Chinese, by the way. Ha. My two friends and I ordered the pork and leek dumplings and some sort of port soup dumplings. THE SOUP DUMPLINGS WERE AMAZING. AMMMAAAZING. The regular non soup dumplings were fried and also delicious. However, I think my favorite part was the scallion pancakes! I've never had SUCH GOOD SCALLION PANCAKES to a point I never knew they could even be that good. The dumplings are about $6.50 per plate and you get 6-8 of them. You actually full up really quickly! I wanted to order other items that look equally good (from peering at other people's tables) but I was too full. That just means I have to go back! We got there at 6pm and there was already a 20 minute wait. Well worth it!
(5)
Nicolas C.
We knew we were in for something special when we had to wait 25 minutes for a table of two. We almost left but we had received a hot tip from a guy that looked like he had just took some ecstasy when he spoke of this spot. When we sat down we were in awe of the elderly couple next to us. One of them looked like a machine with one goal: KILL DUMPLINGS. After me and my friend were done with the meal we looked at each other and could only say one thing "BALLER!" Our fist pound explosion was in homage to our sincere amazement at how much leftovers we had. You should anticipate this problem of deciding who gets to take home them home- a fight to the death? I just decided to pay a little extra. We didn't have the namesake but what we did have was on a Michael Jordan level of amazing- so good that I'm tearing up just thinking about all the useless Chinese restaurants I've had in my lifetime. The pepper chicken wings were in the lower echelon of great. I happily say this was the weakest dish but only because everything else seemed so special. The beef with okra was well seasoned and left my palate wanting more although I was really grateful there was okra to balance the super flavorful beef. The sauteed mushrooms over vegetables were special. The mushrooms were flavorful and the bok choy that accompanied it paired nicely with all the intense dishes we ordered. It provided a needed respite. And the windmill slam of the day was the chilly fish soup with cabbage. Think No Name chowder with Asian magic. This is a must order for anyone that likes a spicy dish. There is a fifth dish we had, it may have been the best dish but we had such a small sample that it's hard to know. This is courtesy of the sweet mother and her son that sat next to us. We had considered getting the eggplant but decided against it. Out of sheer synchronicity they had ordered it and it looked amazing. I wanted to make sure it was the eggplant so I asked and her response was to grab the plate and start shoveling eggplant on our plate. I demurely said "no you don't have t...." and stopped because it was too late, it was already there. The consistency was soft and the eggplant was sweet and melted in my mouth. I'd like to give a shout out to the mom who made that possible, you rock! The environment was family friendly and inviting. Me and my boy talked to a couple of the patrons exchanging our experiences with a "oh my gawd you gadda try this (x)..." Final thought: go here before you die!
(5)
Tim Y.
My absolute all time favorite dumpling in the world. I try to eat here at least twice a month. I always take a group from work or order and bring it in. My favorite is the mini juicy pork dumplings. They are a MUST HAVE!!!!
(5)
Jennifer N.
Get the dumplings. This might be obvious given the name of the place, but it bears repeating: get the dumplings. It's all about the dumplings. And the appetizers. The scallion pancakes are just the right consistency of fried excellence, served with a garlicky, cilantro-fied soy sauce. We found the main courses considerably less exciting. We had the "house special" chicken and asparagus- the asparagus was well under-cooked, and the sauce it was served in was unbelieveably salty. The noodles with seafood was similarly unremarkable -- nothing bad, but nothing that distinguished the Dumpling House from any other Chinatown place. Logistics: This place is packed. The service is brusque, and the staff frowns upon post-dinner lingering.
(3)
Nikolette C.
WoW. My friend said that the scallion pancakes were good, BUT they were GREAT. OMG! The scallion pancakes get SIX STARS! Very greasy (and I hate greasy), but sooo gooood! Crab rangoons were also good, but those are always good. I thought the General Gau's was quite delicious, despite the gooey sauce (yes, as Monique S. pointed out, very gum-like indeed). The pork buns are also very good. I have had a few other things off the menu, and it all seems to be pretty good. But the scallion pancakes and the consistently good food and service will keep me coming back!
I decided to try soup dumplings in Boston since New York has some awesome ones. Honestly, I wasn't that impressed, but they were still good. These have more soup in them, although a bit too salty, which is a plus. My friend and I also had the scallion pancake. Get it! The soy sauce that comes with it is really good, too. I think I enjoyed that more than the pancake itself. We also got the spicy fish. Everyone apparently loves it, but you hardly get much out of it. It's just a huge bowl of oil. It's spicy (if you're not Asian :P), so be careful. Overall, pretty content with the food. I think it also helped that we didn't have to wait at all and we were expecting to wait for a really long time (go in pairs, not in groups!).
(3)
Angela A.
I have become addicted to GDH. I don't care if I have to wait 20-30 minutes outside on the sidewalk every single time I come, regardless of group size or time/day. I'll stand in the snow if I have to. I'll stand in lava. I love this place. I love the bustling, roaring trade they do (good on GDH!); it's been a lively, frenetic, wonderful atmosphere every time I've gone. And the FOOD. My God. The spicy fish (Schezuan style) thing is my go-to - the centerpiece to every feast. Then there's the amazing dumplings - pork and leek; especially incredible. The constant stream of piping hot jasmine tea. The green beans with shrimpy bits. Those big soupy dumplings that drop their soupy bits all over your rice. Mmmm. I am dying just typing about it. Everything is delicious, aromatic, amazing; totally unlike the Chinese-American food I usually find (General Tso's chicken, etc.) and totally better. Sure, sometimes we have to repeat our rice order. But who cares? GDH is my delicious Chinatown heaven, busting my wallet (even though it's relatively cheap - I just go so often!) - and always worth it.
(5)
Norina N.
This place was always packed whenever I passed by. So my bf & I went in out of curiousity. First thing that came to my mind was oh no, too crowded with little room to move around, I was about to step out, but let's see what they have that made many people stopped by. We had Ox Tail soup, chilled pork ears, eel with yellow chive, taiwanese rice cakes. They were alright, nothing stood out much. All that time we stayed there, I just didnt feel comfortable. The waiters walked back and forth, leaning on our table and all that. As when it comes to pick out a restaurant, the food quality is important, as well as the atmosphere and tables arrangement. so I dont know if I would come back to this spot. I'd rather choose Taiwan Cafe over this place.
(2)
Wendy L.
This place is definitely different from the rest of what you can find in Boston's Chinatown. Lots of delicious spicy choices. Non-Spicy favorites: Scallion pancake - start out with this savory and crispy appetizer, you won't regret it. The dipping sauce amazing! String Beans with Dried Shrimp - a great veggie dish...flavorful but not too greasy. If you are chinese and you always order a vegetable dish go with this one. I know "dried shrimp" sounds weird but direct translations don't always work. Mini Juicy Dumplings (8 pieces) - although I've had better elsewhere this is definitely the best ones you can find in Boston. Make sure you put the dumpling on a soup because the best part about it is the soup inside and it pops out when you bite into it. Spicy favorites: Beef with Julienne Peppers - great dish to pair with a bowl of white rice but pretty spicy. You can see the pepper seeds in this dish! Sliced Fish Szechuan Style - this is an EXTREMELY spicy dish. I like the tender slices of boneless fish but there is something crazy about the condiments they sprinkle on top. One of them has a really numbing flavor and we always try and scrap it off. The service is not that great here but what do you expect when the food is cheap and delicious? Live with it. It's also not somewhere to have a long meal with someone and stay for a cup of tea after because there is always a long line outside. There is a great deal for lunch Monday through Sunday 11-4pm...you get 3 dishes with 3 bowls of rice for $20.
(4)
Charles T.
The wait at this restaurant was excruciatingly long. But the food was decent. Can't say the dumplings were amazing; definitely can't compare to NY or Shanghai but it holds its own in Boston. The Julienne long horn beef is pretty good and overall the food is fine for the price.
(3)
Jamie D.
Soup dumplings and scallion pancakes. So.freaking.good. The ONLY thing I think they can improve on is their customer service. They treated us like we were more in their way than anything. No matter, if I lived in Boston, I would order out from this place every chance I got.
(4)
Skye A.
This place is amazing!! We ordered beef and celery dumplings as appetizers, my boyfriend ordered general gao chicken and I got taiwanese noodles with seafood and veggies. It was absolutely delicious and our total bill was under $22!! Usually you can't find a restaurant in Boston with calimari and fish in a dish that doesn't cost $10, but it was great! The lunch boxes are huge portions and lots of the food is under $10. We ate there for the first time yesterday and already want to go there again tonight! We sat next to an enormous fish tank, which meant that sometimes the chef had to reach inside and pull out a fish or two practically right over us. But it was cool! And it means the seafood is fresh : ) If you are looking for a hoity-toity restaurant where you can hear the clink of your wine glasses, this isn't the place, but it was the perfect date for my boyfriend and I. A ton of delicious food, fast service, and a fun ambiance. Just go!
(5)
Mike C.
I'm a knucklehead. I order the vegetable fried rice for take out every time I go here. I don't mind waiting outside in the cold. Takes 15 minutes. If I was good enough with my chopsticks I'd eat every last grain.
(5)
Logan J.
this is the best chinese food--specifically the best dumplings--that ive had in boston. i used to go here almost weekly for the veg dumplings. they are amazing. the service is usually pretty fast, although the place can get pretty crowded during lunch/dinner. the scallion pancakes and ma po tofu are also delicious here. a great place to go with out of town guests who want a chinatown experience or a great place to go if youre really craving some excellent chinese food here in boston!
(5)
Nicholas C.
hands down best Chinese (Taiwanese) food in boston. this is my go to place whether it be for a quick lunch, snack, dinner or take out. A long line everyday really tells you how popular this place has become. I dont think i have EVER been there when there was not a line. luckily the line goes quick and you usually are seated within 20 minutes. every time i leave, i always think its worth it. Favorite dishes: 1) Xiao long bao. mini juicy dumplings that honestly just taste like heaven. 2) stinky tofu. I think i might be the only one who orders the stinky tofu here. it is so damn good. 3) Zha jiang mian. juicy noodles with special sauce and tofu. 4) ma po tofu. overall, 5/5. you want good ass chinese food...this is where you go!
(5)
Catie C.
Packed for lunch. It's not even called service on what they provide. They just put stuff on the table. Wave them down for anything. They forget. One of the better places for Northern food in the area; but that doesn't say much. Dumplings were OK. Beef Soup was OK. All in all, nothing to rave. Nothing special. Very cramped atmosphere where anyone that walks by can knock the chopstix from you hand and you can help yourself to your neighboring table's dishes.
(2)
Asavari G.
"Gourmet Dumps" is an obsession among my friends and co-workers. I've loved every dish I've had, but here are the hottest favorites: DUMPLINGS/APPS: Soup Dumplings - gotta have these soon after their made to savor their juicy goodness Pork and leek dumplings - tasty, well-made dumplings Vegetarian steamed dumplings - I find it hard to get a really strong veggie dumpling, but GDH does it! Scallion pancakes - crispy, a bit greasy but eh, they're so good. MAINS (family-style of course) Home Style Braised Eggplant with Basil- melts-in-your-mouth eggplant Sauteed Snow Pea Pod with Garlic - Fresh, crunchy, green (and garlic! yum) Sauteed Noodles with Beef and Vegetables in Sa-Cha sauce - sa-cha is kind of like a BBQ sauce, but not really. It is a bit fishy-tasting, so steer clear if that's not your jam. Everything else I've had - the Kung Pao, Broccoli chicken etc. has also been good. Still need to try the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style. There's always next time!
(5)
Kenneth F.
Very reliable food and quick to come out! The only problem is that everyone wants in on the action so you sometimes encounter a wait which is hard to justify with so many different restaurants in the area. Aim to miss the lunch and dinner crowds and use the weekdays if possible! I can never remember which of the dishes I ordered the last time so I always go for something random that sounds interesting and even if it's not what I expected always turns out to be something good!
(5)
Maura C.
So with all the restaurants in Chinatown, I knew I picked the right one because there was a line outside early on a Thursday night. Lucky for us, it moved super quick and we were seated within minutes. We ordered dumplings (Of course!) - crab and pork soup dumplings, vegetarian dumplings, and pork and leek dumplings. I would pass on the vegetarian next time.. not much flavor there except the dipping sauce. We also ordered the pan fried pork buns and beef with wide noodles. The name of this dish made it sound very ordinary, however there was nothing ordinary about it! The sauce was delicious and it came to the table seriously less than 3 minutes after ordering it!! Talk about service. The portions are a good size and great for sharing... we still had plenty of left overs for everyone to take home.
(4)
Desi N.
Dumpling House is the best Chinese Restaurant in Boston area hands down. I go there with colleagues all the time and have NEVER been less than satisfied. Their Scallion Pancakes, steamed dumplings, Eggplant basil, Kung Pao chicken, MaaPo tofu and some of my favorite dishes. I have tried all of these else where in other Boston and Metro Boston area Chinese restaurants and am yet to find a match .. the search continues ... TIP: Usually crowded at lunch so plan accordingly.
(5)
Matt H.
Best post-St. Patrick's Day food in my LIFE. Dumplings, dumplings, and more dumplings. Just read the other reviews...they're more eloquent than me and also, eat here. You won't regret it.
(5)
Sandra C.
Came here last night because my friends peer pressured me into going. Turned out pretty decent...even though we came in during a busy time. Two different servers went to our table with yummy looking plates...only to have it not be ours...Oh well..WE HAD XIAO LONG BAO!!! I didn't even know you could find those in Boston. I always went to New York for them. I think New York's dumplings are better, but this is still pretty good. The owner thought my friends and I were pretty, so he hooked us up with some free drinks. AWESOME! Anyways, everyone's really nice there...I'm definitely coming back. Just not during the dinner rush though.
(4)
Kim C.
Gourmet Dumpling House - just go. Yes it is very small. Yes you will be right on top of the table next to you. Yes it is noisy. Yes you will need to wait outside and it feels like there is no rhyme or reason to the "wait list", but the reward is the best dumpling in Boston. Order the juicy dumplings with pork. Trust me. They are DIVINE! Pork and leek dumplings are spectacular as well. As are the chicken and cabbage. Pork buns, I LOVE pork buns and GDH's are very good. They are a little heavy on the breadiness and could use a little more filling, but plenty flavorful. I always like a side order of veggies - bok choy or watercress - delicious. A couple of orders of dumplings and a side of veggies is a perfect meal for 2 people and you spend a little over $20(including tip). For that price and you get an authentic Chinatown experience and did I mention how good the juicy dumplings are!?!
I've been here a few times and the quality is consistent. It's my favorite dim sum in the city, and while they don't have my favorite (Char Siu Bao), they have amazing dumplings that are juicy and plump. Their soup dumplings might be the best I've ever had. Blake Lively agrees (hint: look at the wall behind the register).
(4)
Justin H.
This place has everything I want in an Asian restaurant: 1) Small space that is always crowded and you have to fight to get in the door 2) Decor that focuses on the food first, ambiance second 3) Friendly staff that nonetheless want you to eat and move on as quick as possible during rush time 4) A sign out front describing somewhat care salesman-ish how unique and special their food is (but ultimately proves true) 5) A knock your socks off Schezuan spicy fish soup dish that is filled with mouth numbing and burning spices and enough generous fish chunks to fill you up and make you feel like you haven't made a dent- this dish alone is worth the trip 6) Vegetarian dumplings that are just about the best I've had anywhere- satisfying, bone sticking filling, chewy bouncy wrapper and it all comes in a metal tin that elicits immediate Pavlovian drool response Too many other dishes to mention- among them stinky tofu, and if that turns you off then you turn me off, where's your sense of adventure? Go here, order a cold Tsingtao and get the spicy fish soup and anything else that meets your fancy, I guarantee you will not regret it.
(5)
Marti S.
I liked the Gourmet Dumpling House well enough, but I'm not sure it was worth the 40 minute wait on a cold street. The dumplings were good, but a little watery. The non-dumpling food was pretty generic. And I didn't try the buns because there were mushrooms in there, and I was not expecting that and mushrooms are gah-ross. Honestly, I'd try it again on a night other than Friday just to see if I'm missing something that makes this place so standout.
(3)
Yang J.
Bad!!!Don't come and wait.
(1)
Tracy G.
I've been to Gourmet Dumpling House several times over the years and am never disappointed. Today, I tried the Taiwanese rice noodles with pork and vegetables - absolutely delicious! The sauce was just right with fresh scallions and bean sprouts. We had two kinds of dumplings, light and tasty - we always order the pork and leek (not sure what the others were). Also had the scallion pancake - nicely fried and delicious. Very true that it's extremely crowded and cramped, but I have never had any major trouble here. Service is fast and we can always find someone to assist us. Definitely worth a visit!
(4)
Sham Y.
My coworkers and I get food here every few months. I'm a huge dumpling fan and have not been disappointed yet. I tried some vegetarian ones once which I was less into but I think that's just the meatless thing. Their long hot peppers with beef is usually super spicy and awesome. I think the level of spice depends on the season. I have also tried their scallion pancake but it has nothing on my mom's.
(5)
Mike Z.
I've been here at GDH several times before, but this last time has got to be the most disappointing. Here's how my story unraveled: The lady and I arrive here at 10:15PM and there is a queue as expected. Reason being, the restaurant is very small and crammed and the food is good is my guess. Tip for those of you that have not eaten here yet: if you cannot stand queues, you may want to avoid the peak lunch (12-3pm) and dinner (7-10pm) hours, it's a guarantee that you will wait. Anyway, we went to the lady at the front desk to place our name on the queue and was notified "20 minutes" instantly. So we walk outside, waiting, all the whilst familiarizing ourselves with those that were in line before us and those that came after. We acknowledged that there were 3 groups that were before us and two groups that came after. The next 20 minutes go by and we're moving up the queue, anxiously waiting for our names to be called when we noticed one of the groups that came in after us, got seated before us. It's partially our fault for not pointing it out I guess, but we thought it may have been a mistake and decided to let it go. Another 10 minutes lapses and the owner comes out of the restaurant and calls my surname. Coincidentally, there was another group of 4 that was registered under the same name on the queue, that came in AFTER us. The owner goes back in to the restaurant to try to figure out who came in first and of course allows them to sit first and tells us "it will be another two minutes". At this point, I wanted to leave because now we've had two groups that placed their name on the queue after us being seated before us, but since we waited for so long already and we were starving, we decided to stay especially since it's going to be another two minutes. My speculation is that the owner saw that the group of 4 will be more profitable than a group of 2, therefore they were called first. Logical? Probably. Fair? Hell no. We didn't want to complain at this point since we got seated shortly after the other group was seated, we didn't want it to affect the food/service that was to be provided. We get seated and placed an order for: 1) Sliced Fish Szechuan Style 2) Spicy Salt and Pepper Pork Chops 3) Mini juicy dumplings with pork and crabmeat The sliced fish dish is one of the more popular Northern Chinese dishes and I could see why. It's presented in a big bowl filled with napa cabbage, slices of lightly fried fish filet, red chili peppers, all drowned in an immensely oily, red, and spicy broth. The fish was very tender, tasty, and spicy. The cabbage, after soaking in the spice-induced broth and after absorbing all of it's deliciousness, tasted mighty good as well. The spicy salt and pepper pork chops were garbage. I ate three pieces and abandoned the rest. The pieces were hard, tasteless, and nothing like what it's supposed to be - the meat tender, juicy, and the taste distinct with salt and pepper. They weren't even pork chops as there were no bone anywhere to be found, it was all deep-fried pork strips. It's partially my fault for ordering this Cantonese dish in a Taiwanese/Northern Chinese restaurant. If you've ever ordered steak at an Italian restaurant, that's what I just did here, to put it into perspective. The xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) were delicious as always. It's the main dish that keeps me coming back here. The soup is tasty, the coating is soft and chewy, the meat is juicy and full of flavor. One of the best in Boston. The atmosphere was loud and chaotic. Loud was a group effort by everybody in the restaurant, but chaotic was a group of drunk college kids in the back trying to talk, laugh, and embarrassingly present themselves louder than everyone else, which prompted frequent "WTF" stares from the annoyed patrons, us included. The servers were not very attentive at all, a standard that must be met if you work in restaurant in Chinatown. It took a while to place our order, a drink order was forgotten, and it took a while to get our check after we were finished. We had to put in ample effort to flag them down (there's 3 servers in this small place, logically it shouldn't have been that hard, right? Wrong) for each of our requests. They also charge $2.00 for a can of soda. One star for the chefs that consistently makes the delicious xiaolongbaos and sliced fish szechuan style dishes, none for the managers/servers/obnoxious frat boys & gals.
(1)
L T.
This restaurant is a MUST VISIT if you come to Boston! Their famous xiao long bao (juicy pork dumplings) are the best...even better than NYC! The longhorn peppers with beef are amazing as well (if you love spicy foods). Just a heads up for parents -- you won't be able to bring any strollers due to it being a small restaurant with limited space.
(5)
Josh K.
"Chinatown in Beantown" by Josh K. It was only 4:45 PM, not quite dinner time yet but coming from Albany we were starving and couldn't wait. Our friend, and fellow yelper elite Alyssa, told us about this little authentic Taiwanese spot in the heart of Chinatown. No stranger to Asian food, this sounded perfect. When we got to Gourmet Dumpling House, I was suprised to find the place was already full. When going to Chinese restaurants this is a good sign as it keeps the woks frying and the food fresh and bacteria free. At 5 pm on a Saturday afternoon, we still have to wait about 15 minutes outside in the cold Boston winter till we could be seated. While we waited, I rudely gawked through the window to see what fellow patrons (locals, Asians, and tourists alike) were ordering. Like the menu, what people ordered ran the gamut of Chinese cuisine: Stir fried noodles, peppered beef, dumplings galore, large bowls of steaming soups, and whole fried fish in oyster and soy sauces with an assortment of Chinese vegetables. When we were finally seated, the smoke alarm went off. If there was a fire, this small little restaurant would have been up in flames in no time. Nobody in the restaurant seemed to mind. Either the loud sound must be such a regular occurrence here that people don't even hear it anymore, or they are too busy slurping up savory noodles to worry about being burnt to a crisp. One of the workers quickly got the alarm turned off and handed us the extensive menu and served us some warm Chinese Herbal (black?) tea. Although everything looked good, we wanted to leave room for binge drinking later so it was strictly light Dim Sum for us (I was very tempted to order the flounder-and probably should have). Alyssa recommended the fried scallion pancakes. So we got two orders of them. In Asia, pancakes are a popular street food, and I am used to such dishes as flatter and eggier (often with fried oysters in them). The pancakes here were thicker, more doughy and crispy. Even though some of the scallion flavor was masked by the fried dough, they were tasty, especially accompanied with the plum and soy with ginger dipping sauces We also ordered the Taiwanese Noodle soup with pork dumplings. I was reminded of my beloved "Mandu-Guk" (Korean dumpling soup) that I used to order on a weekly basis whilst living in Pohang, South Korea. Here at the Gourmet Dumpling House, the soup was served in a gigantic bowl good enough to feed 4 people. The broth was light and delicate; perfect for sipping away on this blustery late afternoon. Although we had dumplings in our soup, we decided to go with the pork and leek dumplings-all were exquisite, perhaps the best I have had outside of Asia. The food was all eaten voraciously, and by the end of the meal, we were all extremely dim summed out. I felt like I could never eat another dumpling again (this didn't last long because as I type this I want some warm dumplings right now!) If we had to do the meal all over again (I would do it anytime!), I would have substituted the extra order of dumplings for one of the main entrees. When the bill came out, the three of us ate for well under 30 dollars! I was astonished that such quality could be had in the reputed expensive dining scene of Boston. Although I was burping up leek, garlic, and scallion for the rest of the night and into the morning, I don't think that will hinder me coming back next time I am visiting the New England capital. Acid reflux aside, the Gourmet Dumpling House is a great culinary exploration of staple Chinese/Taiwanese cuisine in Boston's vastly underrated (as compared to New York City and San Francisco) Chinatown.
(4)
Art L.
In my search for the perfect soup dumpling, my travels have brought me to Gourmet Dumpling House smack in the middle of Boston's Chinatown. I admit that I found this place via Yelp, and I suspect many others have because the Asian to Non-Asian ratio at this restaurant was an even 1 to 1. I was very hopeful about this restaurant because a picture I found online of Gourmet Dumpling House's dumplings looked just like my favorite ones at Joe's Ginger in New York City. The dumplings were served in about 15 minutes and my verdict is this: If you really need to have soup dumplings in Boston, you should come here (because you have no other choice), but do not come here with high expectations and I mean the three golden rules of a good soup dumpling, that is, a chewy skin with a thin cloth-like texture, a rich broth, and well flavored meat. The dumplings here didn't exhibit any of these qualities unfortunately. The one bit of credit I do give them is that from the exterior, they look like the real thing! As for the other food, such as a cold tongue dish, garlic spinach and spice salt fish, these dishes were excellent. I looked around the dining room and noticed many Chinese were ordering Sichuan dishes swimming in chili oil and they seemed to be enjoying it. The couple next to us order a bowl of noodles, and I must say, it is about twice the size of what you would get in a place in New York. I can't say anything about the quality though. Overall, this place is a good value for it's portion sizes and quality. However, please remember, this place is not a soup dumpling mecca. That will always be Joe's Ginger and Joe's Shanghai in New York (until they change their chef!).
(3)
Jigisha P.
I went to this place for the first time a couple of days ago with my friends who swore by it. I was not disappointed. The place was packed on a Wednesday night but we got a table pretty quickly. We ordered the Fried whole green peppers which were HOT! The dumplings (both fried and steamed) were great and we couldn't gobble them up fast enough. The Mango chicken- A-OK. I definitely want to try the other chef's specials. Downside: Very, very busy staff. 3 hungry grad students do not like staring at their food while waiting for their forks and knives.
(4)
Nighthawk H.
I went here numerous times during my first trip to Boston, and not a week has passed where I don't think about the dumplings here. I enjoyed the other dishes I got, but the dumpling are the best, hence the name of the establishment. I never experienced bad service, and the place was always jam packed. Tea refills were on point, and the tea was good on top of that. Without a doubt this will be one of the first things I do if I ever go back to Boston.
(5)
Angie C.
TINY! Super delicious authentic dishes Experience: The staff doesn't speak much English, but they get the job done. The place is TINY, not good for groups and there will be a long wait. Food: Amazing food! This place has dishes I've only had at home. I'm talking pork blood, pig's feet, beef tongue...none of the Americanized bullsh*t. I recommend the following: 1. xiao long bao (mini juicy dumpling w/pork)-shanghai dumpling, my FAVORITE 2. scrambled eggs, tomato, and beef 3. sauteed beef julienne with long horn peppers- super spicy, but oh so good. 4. braised roast pig's feet and the list goes on... Overall: I highly recommend this place if you're Chinese or if you're open to try new things. Don't hate, just don't come.
(4)
Sal W.
I was mostly disappointed here. Had a spicy beef soup, kung pao chicken and mixed meat dumplings. The soup was bland, the kung pao completely sucked (weak taste, loaded with celery and carrots), and the dumplings were reasonable. The place was completely crowded, and it was hard to move around because the tables are so packed in. There was no service as my water cup sat empty for most of the meal, without even one refill. Waitress was bothered by my friend's request for a recommendation between two dishes. Overall, sucks. Food Quality/Taste = 2 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 3 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = 0! Experience with Staff = 1 Stars Decor = 1 Stars
(2)
Katherine R.
SO DELICIOUS. The Boy and I went around 7:30 on a Friday, and waited about a half hour. It was nice out and we anticipated it, so no biggie. We get in and this place is NOT where you should come for atmosphere- CRAMPED doesn't even begin to describe, but when you're food comes you're too busy stuffing your face to notice whats around you. I ordered the Hot and Sour soup, which was great, but not the best I ever had (which is from a hole in the wall on the south shore). It is really peppery- which was different and cool. Not really sour, which is why it wasn't my favorite. We split the chicken and cabbage dumplings- very good, not extraordinary. The juicy pork dumplings- AMAZING. whatever broth that is, SO GOOD. We also ordered the Julianned Beef and Peppers. Totally delicious. The boy could not stop eating it. Just spicy enough, though I could taste the MSG. I really wanted to try the fish soup they're so famous for- but the boy was a little hesitant. Next time I'm totally getting it though, because it looked AMAZING.
(4)
Sidi L.
we always came here in the first half year we came to boston. you always need to wait for a long timeï¼food here is good，but the dumplings let me down:(
(4)
Melanie T.
Food and price was 4 stars. It's chinatown, so the ambiance and service was 1.5 stars, so know what you're in for. It's crowded and bustling, but the food is great. Standouts were the beef with amazing peppers and the dumplings. Only loser, for me, was the hot and sour soup. I always say Boston has crappy Chinese food. I absolutely retract that statement after going here.
(4)
H. G.
This might be my #1 spot in Chinatown. And it's a favorite of Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette of Toro and Coppa. The dumplings are, of course, a great option here, especially the soup dumplings. The scallion pancakes are excellent, as well. I also really loved the ma po tofu (though a few more veggies other than just green onions would have been nice), because the tofu was silky and covered in a fantastic sauce. But my single favorite dish (if you can even call it a dish) is the Sichuan soup. It is too big to be a dish and technically it comes out in a bowl. A massive bowl of bright red soup filled with delectable fish and covered with a layer of red chili flakes. My only complaints are that everything was a bit too oily for my liking and they don't offer brown rice (yes, I know, it's authentic Sichuan, but still...).
(4)
Allen Z.
It charges you 25% tip if the party size is above 5. Food quality much better than the service.
(3)
Lana C.
My favorite place in chinatown. Not a huge crazy dim sum hall. Solid, tasty food. Big portions mean lotsa bang for your buck. Soup dumplings are great. The service is usually spot on, but the last time I was there the waitstaff was distracted by a big bag of lotion and our server kind of forgot about us.
(4)
Jesse N.
I've been to this place twice, and remain unimpressed, largely due to all the hype. I guess it has something to do with the expectation setting when I'm lingering around outside for 1-2 hours waiting to hear my name called. Maybe it's the fact that space seems to tight...But I digress. This is Chinatown, and it's about the food. Soup dumplings were unimpressive, and I found them to be really sour. They were a disappointment, especially since I had recently had some in New York's Chinatown. Both times I was there my friends ordered the chili eggplant - also unimpressed with that one. I found the dish to just be really oily. With all of the other great options in Chinatown, I could never justify waiting in line for this place. I won't go back unless one of my friends forces me to = (.
(2)
Mark D.
They were okay. I think i just ordered the wrong items. Would definitely come back to try again. I got the porked buns, but I don't like buns (bao zi), so I should have went for the dumplings instead. I also got mapo tofu, which was pretty tasty.
(2)
john e.
This place has declined and has gone from being to one of the busiest restaurants to being often empty.........
(2)
Joanna C.
Okay... I finally found them. Soup dumplings. Done the way they do it in NYC. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!! Seriously, now I have no reasons to leave Boston. I was like, eh, I may stay or I may go... and now, I can staaaaaaay!! Thank you my dear food buddy for taking me to this small hole in the wall restaurant with florescent lighting and formica tables... my piece of heaven in Boston. And seriously... it does take 15 minutes for the dumplings to show. But they're so totally worth it. Mmmmm... We got ma po tofu done with pork (pork and soft tofu with a spicy red sauce that you can just throw on top of rice and just... consume). Comfort food. That is my comfort food. It makes me feel warm and just... cuddly inside. I love it. Don't go, because I want this place ALL to myself. :)
(5)
Tommy T.
I had to slap myself in the face to make sure I wasn't dreaming of how good the food was here. Other than the upside-down "sleeping" fish in the fish tank, 5 stars man...5 friggin' stars!
(5)
David L.
Went in with great expectations only to be disappointing. Salt and pepper shrimp was more deep fried than the standard, and the taiwanese noodle soup with wontons was a bland broth beyond salvage. The highlight was seeing Andrew Zimmern (Food Network's Bizarre Foods host) filming a segment across the street. Not surprised he hightailed it right past this overrated joint.
(2)
Radhika A.
Everything we ordered was delicious. We went there on New Years eve and the place was packed. But the service was quick and efficient. This restaurant is located in the Chinatown district of Boston and I am sure there is a lot of competition around but this place seems to be doing well despite that. That says a lot.
(4)
Erica H.
I read that Ming Tsai recommends the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style and stopped by. It's a full house, small and tight, but no one seemed to mind. The sliced fish order was HUGE. It came out as a bowl of perfectly cooked white fish, on a bed of napa cabbage in a spicy broth, topped with a lot of spicy peppers. Warning: Hot, oily and spicy It was delicious! I ordered the stir-fried bitter melon to cool my body down after the fish. It was cooked with garlic and ginger, perfect combination to cut the bitterness of the melon. I saw a lot of dumpling orders and stir-fried greens come out of the kitchen, so I look forward to trying those when I'm with a group because the portions are big. They require a $20 minimum for credit cards and expect to wait at least 20 minutes for a table.
(4)
Alex M.
I'm just another fool who loves this place for their soup dumplings. I also heartily recommend the miso soup with fish, though - a surprise favorite for my friends and I. BUT, and I am serious here, stay clear of the oyster pancake.
The food is delicious, and cheap, but what you're not charged in cash, you pay for with patience -- the wait to be seated is long, and uncomfortably cramped (expect to be bumped into and stepped on); the seating order is sometimes wildly unfair (no reservations either); and the waitstaff are forgetful (want water? you'll have to ask for it at least twice). However, when you get the craving for your favorite Gourmet Dumpling House dish, you WILL be back, even if it means showering directly afterwards to get that grimy greasy smell out of your hair. Favorite dishes here include scallion pancakes and pan-fried noodles.
(3)
Erika G.
I could make meals out of dumplings. And when i am in that kind of mood- what place could be better than one with dumpling in the name? But this is not just any dumpling.. this is pan fried pork buns!... xiao long bao! ... dumpling soup! Most of the other food I could probably pass on. But why would I want to waste my appetite on anything but dumplings?
(5)
Anna L.
We went there once to order lunch and some soup dumplings. First off, the lunch we got was pretty awful. most of the dishes have more veggies than they do meat. The soup dumplings are HUGE and way too much meat (sounds like it's a good deal but it's not.) Soup dumplings should have not the whole thing of meat but just half the dumpling with meat and then the rest with soup and fat and crab bits, etc... but this place made them more like peking ravioli with thick skin and barely any soup in the dumplings. I won't go back because the taste is horrible and it doesn't seem like they used any effort making their food. Plus, it's quite expensive for the amount of food they give.
(2)
Alex S.
I don't understand why this place is so crowded. The place is cramped and the prices are high for china town. I have tried all their dumplings and frankly they are all so so. It isn't amazing and their prices are outrageous for what you get. I think this place labels itself as "gourmet" and that attracts a lot of tourists with inexperienced palates. it simply isn't worth the value you get out of your dollar and you could get better dumplings else where for less.
(2)
Slider S.
Happened into Chinatown Boston since my better half was working on assignment I thought it would be nice to do lunch nearby. We popped into this tightly packed restaurant for the "gourmet" dumplings as advertised in the name. Just a couple of months ago I had the privilege to have spent 2 weeks in Hong Kong and I sampled & consumed some of the most amazing foods from the century old fermented eggs to rice porridge known as congee. My hosts were amazed that I would try anything which was more than some Chinese would do! Back to the location & task at hand... I figured this restaurant was popular for a reason so we waited to be seated in this tight little diner. We ordered the pork dumplings, house fried rice and mustard greens, edamame (soy beans in Japanese ) with tofu. The rice was average, the veggie dish w/ soy was ok & would have been much better without all the MSG in it but the real stickler were the dumplings. I gently grasped a dumpling & picked it up with my chopsticks and lo & behold it maintained its shape! The dumplings I had in HK were delicate & thin but strong enough to hold the contents, these dumplings were a thick & heavy duty version which I guess is easier for the average American consumer but somewhat negates the experience. I gently bit into the side expecting the delicate juices (souplike) to touch the taste buds with the wonderful flavors of its contents pork, crab & spices but instead got a rude blast of what tasted of old or newly decaying meat...ugh! Putting it back I plucked another and it was the same thing so I asked my sweetie what she thought and it didn't take but a second to get her response...not good! I brought the issue up with our hosts...2 of them...and the response I got was "oh you must not be used to the type of filling as they are traditional Chinese cuisine" oh yeah and the last time I ate at the big McD's back in 1974 I thought now this is the pinnacle of good eats...yeah right!!!! Too salty, too crowded, too old (not aged) meat made for too much for me to tolerate. I usually am very tolerant of people and provide lots of room to accommodate their expressions but I'm sorry this outfit lacks in many ways & if I had the time I would stand outside and inform potential diners the error of their ways. This is what I will do however I expect people to make good choices & follow their hearts to do the right thing & support the chefs & businesses that are creative, focused on their craft and go out of their way to give patrons the very best they can. This outfit has a desire to put profit in front of a quality experience for Boston and those unfortunate to step in. Boston is a big city and there are plenty of places to experience good food and this is not one of them!
(1)
Alexandra Z.
Trying to pick a restaurant in Chinatown? I would come here every time if the line isn't so long all the time! If you have the time to wait for a table, this is definitely the place to go to for authentic Chinese food. Dumplings, spicy food... All good stuff!
(5)
Rebecca V.
I just keep coming back for more! These dumplings are my favorites. Be ready to wait for them though. I came here and took them to go to save us from being crunched in a corner. And despite the ambiance every bun and dumpling is worth the wait!
(5)
Jon H.
One week since the discovery of this place, and I've been back twice, stuffed myself to the point where I feel like passing out. Yeah, its that good. Being from California, I'm spoiled on Chinese food, specfically noodle soups, scallion pancakes, and xiao long bao's. As far as the xiao long bao and dumplings go, they're just slightly above average. I think Shanghai Gate has better flavors, but gourmet house owns in terms of size and amount. But lets focus on the scallion pancakes and the noodle soups. The spicy beef/tendon noodle soup is the best you can get in Boston. Until I find something better, I'll be coming back here once a week to satisfy my need for bee noodle soup. Really brings back memories of my dad stewing this stuff in the kitchen for a whole day (his is obviously better). The scallion pancakes, while a bit on the oily side, are crispy, flavorful, and plentiful. This place DOES NOT skimp on portion size. Nor does it skimp on bang for your buck. Everytime I've come here, I've left stuffed to the brim for less than $10 a person. AWESOME.
(5)
Kenny J.
A fairly new and good Chinese restaurant. I wish this place was around when I was in college. I went here with a friend for lunch before heading to Logan. It's pretty close to South Station and we had a late lunch here and didn't need to wait for a table. Pan-fried pork and leek dumplings were really good. Tender and juicy, but order right away as they can take 15-20mins to come out as indicated on their menu. We also shared a bowl of beef noodle soup and scallion pancakes. Both were solid. A lot of food for two people for lunch, and was only $20 including a generous tip. Service was good and they have a fairly extensive menu.
(4)
Christopher W.
Phenomenal authentic Asian cuisine. I could go here and just eat dumplings, but there are so many other great dishes on the menu. Even the simplest items like green beans and the hot and sour soup have great flavor. Highly recommend the fatty pork and the spicy fish soup, along with ANY of the dumplings (you can't really go wrong). One caveat, that held back a higher rating is the fact that this place is tiny, and the service is relatively crappy. If you bring more than a couple people you will wait for at least a half hour, and they'll seat everyone with a smaller group before you rather than push a table together or add a chair. And if you ask how long the wait is and they say 5 and 5 in broken english...it means 55 minutes, not 5 minutes plus another 5 minutes...
(4)
Dan L.
Oh Chinatown how I have missed you!! I moved to Phoenix several years back and I have not had real Chinese food since. Phoenix serves the Americanized Chinese food, unless you go out for Dim Sum. The Gourmet Dumpling House satiated the void that has been missing in my life. I tend to think of myself as an adventurous eater and every time I go to Chinatown I eat real Chinese food. I ordered crispy chicken skins, a frog dish, seared pig's blood, and a noodle dish. I always over order in Chinatown and after wards I realize the huge portions that they give you, lol. I have never tried frog before and if someone is going to make me a dish for the first time it's going to be the Chinese, they are the best cooks on the planet. Without disappointment they delivered. Each dish was divine and totally worth the 5 and a half hour flight to eat it. My only complaint is that I live 3,000 miles away now so I don't have the luxury of eating here on a regular basis!!
(5)
Hannah M.
Amazing for the 2nd time! 1st time was a novel experience for me and I ordered nothing - just ate what was placed in front of me by the friends I was eating with. Eggplant, jellyfish, dumplings, tofu. It was all really good, but I don't remember specifics. 2nd time we ordered: Pan fried pork buns Mini juicy pork dumplings Scallion pancakes Spring rolls Yes, we just got appetizers, but they were so good we didn't need entrees! The dumplings explode a little when you bite into them, it's delicious! And the scallion pancakes are perfectly fried, not too greasy. Dipping/pouring sauces are tasty too. Waitstaff is prompt, attentive, and accurate. Price is right. This place is a must try in Chinatown!
(4)
Ryan G.
For Boston standards, this is pretty much as good as it gets! TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT! Not gonna lie, its still pretty darn good; but compared to places in California and especially China, its just pretty good. What's really good here are the dumplings, hence the name dumpling house. Der da Der. You have to get the fried dumplings and the shanghai buns, the ones with the soup in the middle. SO GOOD! I tend to further my dumpling experience here, but so far its woohooo as good as it gets...boston wise! This place to me is like the number one spot in China town. There is usually a wait and when I occasionally pass by, sometimes there are people waiting outside just to get a seat. Totally a great place to go if you are ever in Chinatown. Just Do It.
(5)
William Y.
It's really like a 3.5 star, but since I always have to wait to eat here maybe because I come at busy hours, I will round down to 3. Honestly, I don't under why people have a hype about this place, so I have to write my piece of review about it. Food: - Not typical Taiwanese, Cantonese, nor Szechuang style, it's more like a combination of them although you can find each cuisine's classic dishes here. The flavor tends to be on the stronger side maybe to accommodate non-Chinese diners. Thus, although the dishes here taste similar to authentic Chinese dishes, their flavor is much saltier. However, in general the dishes are fairly authentic, and some of my favorites including: steamed pork with garlic sauce, and Szechuan style fish. Service: -You should expect to wait for about 30min during busy hours to get sitted -Service tends to be fast, but sometimes they can be sloppy since they are so crowded -Since they are busy, they tend to try to get you out as fast as possible. If you want chat a bit after your meal, they will try to annoy you and make you leave. Oh well, it's that nice of a place to talk anyways... Environment: - Very small restaurant, and they want to put as many tables in there as possible. This is my biggest issue since I tend to bump into people or someone else tends to bump into me. -Smell, the odors from the kitchen leaks into the dining room, and your clothes will smell like the restaurant after you eat here... Overall, I think the food here is decent, and I visited many times in the past five or six years since it opened. Unlike some other places in Chinatown, the food quality can vary a lot, the food quality is very consistent and I was seldom disappointed by the food. However, at times, I am not fully satisfied with their service and environment.
(3)
Eliad C.
I first came across this place by accident, on a very rainy day in 2010 while walking about Boston for one of my first times. I happened to have the soup that day and I was forever hooked. This place brings 3 things that I like to the table - Fresh cooking, reasonable price and disregard of the local pallet's preferences. If you are going as 2-3 people for the first time, make sure to order from the lunch menu, it will feed the entire party easily with all the top dishes (choose 3) they have to offer for only $20 (total, before tax). My personal favorites are: 1. Taiwanese hot and sour soup 2. Beef with okra 3. Julienne pork with bamboo tips 4. Snow pea pods 5. Longhorn pepper with beef (very peppery!) Try it, I wouldn't waste my time on anything else in the area.
(5)
Sara S.
Awesome soup dumplings! Super flavorful, super tasty, i could have eaten 6 orders. However, I decided to spoil myself and perform a comparison yesterday between Gourmet Dumpling and Dumpling Cafe. Since I hear everyone is torn as to which is the best... The winner hands down is Gourmet Dumpling. Their servers were very attentive, checked in with me, took my order promptly and it was a pleasure to eat there. I was seated right away, and everything around me looked great and smelt even better. The only thing people were eating at Dumpling Cafe were the dumplings, which is strange to see since their menu is very large... maybe the rest of the menu doesn't prove to be as delectable. This was not the case at Gourmet Dumpling! i wish i had gotten the seafood noodle soup when I was there and skipped my whole trip to Dumpling Cafe. If you want to see what my terrible experience at Dumpling Cafe was like you can punch that one into yelp!
(4)
Kelly W.
Usually there's a wait, but WELL WORTH IT. The "juicy pork dumplings" are yummy yummy. And the scallion pancakes are delicious! I've been there twice in the past week, and I just can't get enough. Both times, I've eaten too much, just because the food is so good, I can't stop! It's small though, so I would recommend groups of 4 max.
(5)
Sarah C.
We went to to Gourmet Dumpling House for the first time last Friday at around 8pm. The place was packed (it's not all that big to begin with) but we didn't wait more than 5-10 minutes for a table, and after our first encounter with our waitress we understood why: the servers there get right down to business, wanting to take your order before you've even had a chance to decide which kind of beer you want. But hey, can you blame them? The faster they move people through the place, the more money they can make in a night. That's smart business (as long as the food compensates for the service, which it certainly does). We shared two appetizers, the soup dumplings and the steamed buns, and quickly came to the realization that our eyes were way bigger than our stomachs- the portions were huge! But I've never had better buns or dumplings in my life. They were piping hot and full of flavor. I would've eaten more of each but knew I had to save some room for our entrees... ...and we shared two- braised tofu and vegetables and General Gau's chicken. These two dishes were delicious as well and the portions did not disappoint. The chicken was tender and perfectly breaded, although I could've done with less sauce, and the tofu and veggies were perfectly cooked and super yummy. Bottom line for Gourmet Dumpling House: a hole-in-the-wall place slightly lacking in ambience but perfect for anyone looking for quick, delectable authentic Asian food in the heart of Chinatown.
(4)
J R.
Carbz Attack!!! Hot Stuff - The Scallion Pancakes are d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. Its Cool - Gourmet Dumpling House serves beer and wine and is open late. Just a Note - This review is weak. I'll get back at ya. In the intervening time, just eat it.
(4)
Cynthia T.
This place is always... and I mean ALWAYS crowded with people. I've tried the chicken dumpling fried. delicious. steamed ones just weren't that good. At least in my opinion. From looking at the menu, food is affordable and if anything it was cheap. The first time eating there I had this tofu beef plate that was sorta bland. The second time I went, I tried some noodles (forgot the name) and unlike the first plate, this one was very tasty. Overall, the service was fast and the people there were friendly. Definitely will come back!
(5)
KoreanSoup S.
Love this place. Great Xiao Long Bao and Shui Jiao. It's open late too and I love it. Although I can't give it 5 starts because it's not a "nice place". It is a hole in the wall gem and I mean that in a good good way. Hell, that's how I roll and this is my kind of place. 5 stars!
(5)
Simona S.
Actually, the dumplings were my least favorite part. Maybe because I was so stuffed from the rest of my food. Or because the waiters simply refused to give my lunch date and I some water. Whatever the case the food was awesome and abundant and CHEAP and few things make me happier than reasonably priced huge portions. Aside from the water incident, service was mostly prompt and friendly. I always feel a little uncomfortable when I am the minority anywhere but in Chinatown that's a great sign. Also, thinking about their scallion pancake makes my mouth water. And few things make me feel that way.
(4)
Betty K.
I love soup dumplings and try them at any Chinese restaurant I go to, but I must say these ones were a little disappointing, especially since I heard lots of good things about this place. The buns lacked flavor and the skin was thick and a little dry, so they ripped easily. Can't compare to the other Boston Chinatown restaurants, but Flushing definitely has better soup dumplings. The scallion pancakes are quite delicious - crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, thanks to an extra dose of pan frying. The other dishes were ok, but not spectacular. A small place and pretty busy, but the food came out fast.
(3)
Yvonne W.
I came here for the second time this past Friday, and I finally tried the xiao long bao/soup dumplings and the eggplant. We also got the scallion pancakes (how could we resist Gourmet Dumpling House's cong you bing and all of its flakey layers of yumminess?!) and the hui guo ruo (twice cooked pork). Those xiao long bao..... you need to come here if you like them. If you love them, COME NOW (assuming you are in the Boston area, of course :). Thin skins, good flavor in the broth, and lots of broth inside those thin skins. Mmmmmm, Yum-o! Twice cooked pork was solid. The pork was nice and flavorful and a decent portion for an order. The basil eggplant had a good flavor, but I prefer Taiwan Cafe's. The eggplant here had wayyyy too much cornstarch in the sauce -- too thick and gooey for my taste. Love this place, love this place.... Would love it more if the seating weren't so tight, though.
(4)
Doris W.
I came here once and I have no recollection of what I ate. It's kind of sad really. But I finally went back last week after a 1-2 year hiatus for a late post-show dinner. We ordered the pork xiu long baos since I don't remember trying them the first time I went. They were pretty good. Large and not as doughy which was nice. It may have been slightly over-steamed but not a problem. My favorite dishes of the night were the garlic sauteed pea pod stems (love that stuff) and beef, tomato, and scrambled eggs rice plate. We also ordered some type of spicy fish soup which was super greasy not as as spicy as it looked. The fish was good but I got a little queasy from the grease. The noodle soup with chilis and beef (dandan noodles?) were death. I don't know if it was because I let the noodles sit in the broth for too long but it soaked up all the heat from the chilis. I had two bites of noodles and my mouth went numb. Granted I'm weak sauce when it comes to hot foods but really, how can that be enjoyable for people?! Overall, I thought the food was good. Service was pretty basic and the food came out quick. I'll be back, especially for the egg, beef, and tomato rice dish. So good.
(3)
Doug R.
it has recently come to my attention that i have an unhealthy obsession with Chinese Chicken...whether it is orange, sesame or the infamous general i find them all delicious in their own special way. But the dumpling house had some of the best General Gau chicken that i have ever had. i am not a big fan of spicy chicken mainly because i can only handle mildly spicy items, because i am a giant wuss. But i digress as usual...the dumpling house was fantastic...great atmosphere, the owner was very friendly and found me and my group to be very amusing in our ordering tactics and they have one of those really cool paintings on the wall that plugs in and is a moving waterfall. The price was perfect. There truly was a smorgasbord of dumpling house delicacies on the table and the check was very reasonable...would i go back you ask...the answer to that my friends in the rating!
(4)
Ryan R.
Soooo.... I had the pleasure of trying this place out a few weeks ago for a friends birthday. Soooo F*cking Goooood. I have had your run of the mill dumplings at your local Chinese restaurants before but this food was on an entirely different level. Their menu is huge so basically we just pointed at stuff and tried it. EVERYTHING was awesome, specifically the Sandong and crab dumplings. They are made to order so you are better off ordering something before hand because they take a good 15 minutes to come out because they are all individual hand made. I suggest the watercress salad with garlic and, you MUST get these, scallion pancakes... We had a party of 9 that day and had to wait an hour but it was well worth the wait. The owner was so grateful that we waited he gave us all a free round a beer...... and mind you 9 of us ate a lot and we ended up with a bill of 100 bucks... that's pretty damn good. If you have the urge for dumpling or good authentic Chinese food...GO HERE... If you are looking at the main entrance to Chinatown (the decorative arch), walk straight under it and go about 200 yards... on the right is GDH... Enjoy.
(5)
Rita T.
There are so many great places to eat at in Chinatown, it is tough to decide where to go. Gourmet Dumplings only caught my attention when I was searching for braised pork bellies. I was not disappointed! It was my first time there, at 5:30 on a Sunday. The place was packed, which was a good sign. I heard the pork dumplings was good but I was out to get my pork bellies (not really for the health conscious) but it definitely satisfied my craving. We also had the mini steamed buns; a little different from the soft steamed bread that you would get from other dimsum. This has a wonton-like wrapper which wasn't to my liking, but the filling and the sauce were yummy. There were a lot more on the menu that seemed worth a try so we will definitely be back.
(4)
Walter D.
This is my favorite place in Chinatown. Too bad it's been "discovered," since it's no longer as easy to get a table as it used to be, but I'm happy they're doing the brisk business they well deserve. Don't be fooled by their terrible imitator (on Washington St., I think, and missing one character in the name; as I recall, the character for "taste," appropriately enough). That place is vile. To order: any of the dumplings, of course; scallion pancakes; and, if you're a fellow bitter melon addict, bitter melon with salty egg--they do a great job with this dish.
(5)
Jesse L.
Very poor service. They give clear incentive to those who speak Chinese. As my group and i were waiting for a table for three, we noticed they were giving clear incentive to those who were talking to them in Chinese. the food came out very slowly and don't even think about having your water refilled. The food itself was oily but i suppose that's what you expect from Chinese cuisine. Stay away, you have been warned!
(1)
Jenni R.
Phe-NOM NOM NOM-enal. The portions here are huge! The wait can be a little ridiculous, as the restaurant is undersized for the demand caused by it's popularity, BUT if you can brave the wait, your tastebuds better pony up because they're in for a wild ride. We ordered dumplings, sesame chicken, and some kind of beef. All absolutely wonderful, all left us with extra for taking home for not one, but TWO additional meals each. The portions really lead you to believe that they're meant to be shared family style. As is with the mafia, once you're in, you're golden. We stayed at the DoubleTree nearby and all four employees at the desk, along with the bartender who chimed in recommended this place. You won't be disappointed. I might make it a point to get here every time I come back up to Boston.
(5)
Big E.
I have to knock them down one star strictly for horrible, awful, no-good service. OK, I get that it's a very popular restaurant that always has a wait so they can slack on the service and probably get away with it, but after going a few times, it's gotten worse each time. They're not really rude or anything, it's just that they ignore you completely. I had to get up and find someone to get more tea and then again to ask for the check because they never came back even once after they brought the food. The food is still the best though! Maybe I'll just have to get take out here more instead.
(4)
alwyn v.
One of the busiest little restaurants in Chinatown. Great food, reasonable prices and if you are willing to wait a yummy meal.
(4)
Nicholas A.
Can't understand why anyone on earth would rate this food edible. Anyone from Taiwan would be horrified by the taste and quality of this food. Their dumplings are no better than frozen dumplings you can buy from H-Mart; and even worse: they were UNDERCOOKED! They try to do too many types of food and can't do any of them properly. Having made serious pilgrimages to food meccas around the world, even one star is being generous.
(1)
Jon S.
Five stars for the food and the price. Favorites are the soup dumplings, and the beef with long horn peppers. Lots of veggie and seafood choices. It's often a wait to get a table - the place is tiny - so go when the weather is good and you're not quite hungry yet. The garage a block up has validated parking for $6.
(5)
Ben C.
I only had the dumplings here so can't speak for the full menu. The dumplings were OK but fell short of authentic homemade Chinese dumplings. The filling was short on ingredients and fell apart when I bit into the dumpling. Too loose = not mixed enough. The flavors were good, and there was a pretty extensive list of side dishes to go with it. Service was friendly and fast. All in all not a bad option but the dumplings were disappointing.
(3)
Garett N.
Came here with my parents. There was some good parts and some bad parts about this experience. The good part is that the dumplings were pretty good. We also had some pork strips that were alright as well. The mediocre part were the noodle dishes and the scallion pancake. They were okay, but not the best we've ever had. The bad part was the stinky tofu. I've definitely had better ones out there, though not in Boston. So overall, this is a mixed bag. May come back to try their lunch specials.
(3)
David V.
My wife and I came here on a Friday night and the place was PACKED, so we ended up sharing a table with a woman her young son. It's a small place, and it seems like many of the Asian clientele are familiar with the staff, which is a good sign to us. For only $24 we stuffed ourselves on delicious dumplings and buns. The service was quick and friendly and the food was fresh. I agree with another reviewer that there is not large selection of dumplings, however, I'll take quality over quantity!
(5)
Doris K.
Traditional Taiwanese fare and apparently Michael Douglas is a huge fan of this place too! There are so many pictures of him by the front door. It's a pretty cramped place like much of Chinatown but the staff manages to get around with no problems. We started with the oyster pancakes. I still prefer the HK style over what we had. The Taiwanese like to drizzle a plum sauce over the pancake, and I hate missing sweet with salty. We also order some intestines - yum! Crispy, fried, and well seasoned, the only thing that got to me was that there was ginger. Also tried out their xiao long bao (mini steamed pork dumplings) which were fantastic. Reminds me of the stuff back from the motherland! Although my main entree, beef noodle soup, wasn't anything fantastic; I've had better at Shangrila. My friend's main entree, seafood and stir fried noodles was great! Very tasty and lots of flavor. The next time I go I really want to order some dumplings - they looked good! Keep in mind that this place has a huge wait during lunchtime so try to go during the in-between hours if you have a chance.
(4)
Jason P.
Great dumplings and other food. Service was o.k., but I could see it being problematic-even when it's slow they don't rush to your table. I would definitely go back here, but I would avoid it around typical busy times-it's on the small side-expect to be squeezed in at most tables, possibly even sharing a table w/strangers. All that said, great food and reasonable prices. Would def. recommend.
(4)
Bryan P.
For a Friday night, the second day of chinese new year, I was surprised we only had to wait five to ten minutes for a table. This place always gets packed at night, but whenever we eat here we usually only wait a couple of minutes. The food is overall pretty good here, nothing really bad about our dinner. We started with pork and crabmeat dumplings which reminded me of a soup dumpling. The order came with 8 pieces, so it was a great starter for three of us. The texture of the filling was good but the ginger was a bit overpowering and couldn't really taste the crab. The dumpling wrap was dry on the outside and came with a vinegar dipping sauce. The shrimp fried rice was really good. Uncomplicated and loaded with shrimp in every spoonful. They definitely aren't stingy like other chinese restaurants I've been to. The beef with watercress was crunchy and chewy, which you can't go wrong ordering. The watercress was cooked perfectly crisp and the strips of beef were too salty. Finally, not much to say about the chicken with broccoli. Was just as good as any other chinese restaurant where I have ordered the dish. Overall, the food here is good, nothing outstanding or bad either about the dinner. If you are in chinatown trying to decide on a place to eat, this place is a good choice. Plus, anywhere that Kate Hudson and Blake Lively have been to you have to try at least once.
(3)
C S.
Our lucky night. First, a legitimate parking spot in Chinatown at 6 pm on a Friday night. We walked to the restaurant to see a line of about 10 people standing outside. My luck again, they were 1 group and we just walked right in and got a table for 2. The place was packed. After about 5 minutes reading the huge menu, a guy looking like the owner came over and offer any assistance. We asked about the dumplings and then ordered. I don't know how to rate this food but we loved everything we had. The place was packed with Asian people so I will suspect it is pretty authentic. We stayed conservative. Scallion pancake was so large and flaky compared to any we've had in the past. Chicken and asparagus was fresh, hot and not smothered in some sauce hiding the food. Just real good. Not on the menu but I asked for lo mein or something like that. Not a problem. And what would a trip to the GDH be without the famous soup filled buns? That was an experience. I have to agree on other reviews that the buns were a slight bit doughy but who cares. These babies are hand made fresh. The buns take about 15 minutes to prepare and you get your food as it is ready, not all at once. Dumplings came last. Later on, that guy(owner?) came back over to see how we were enjoying the food. It was great not to be rushed out like in so many Chinese places. Seemed like a constant line of people waiting to get in. The people were great, the food was great and the prices were great. I'm going back without a doubt.
(4)
Nicholas A.
I just can't understand why so many people are at this place. Ok... I don't expect things to be as good as in Taipei or Qingdao (the restaurant has items that suggest a background with both), but... undercooked dumplings with mediocre quality filling, horrendous hong shao niu rou mian (spicy beef soup noodle), clams that were full of sand, a bei fang yang rou tang (northern style lamb soup) with tough as rubber overcooked lamb flavored with not much more than white pepper, salt, msg and scallions. This is not the worst Chinatown has to offer, but pretty close to it. If this was 20 years ago, perhaps, I would have given two stars, but... after all this time, availability of food products from Asia, and a supposedly better understanding of food, I just can't believe this place could be so poor. Maybe I went when their main chef was on vacation, but staying at home and following any decent Chinese cookbook (e.g. Pei Mei) results in far, far superior food. Waste your money if you must... Never again, unless I go with someone who truly knows what is excellent and what to avoid. Update: and... three hours later: my stomach is in knots. Undercooked ground pork in dumplings is very dangerous... I would be really curious about the positive reviews from people of Chinese descent: are you ABC's? or did your parents go through the Culture Revolution? I would doubt ANYONE from Taiwan would give even a half star... The worst of Flushing, NY or Monterey Park, CA is at least 3.5 stars compared to this...
(1)
Sasha B.
Don't be discouraged by the fact that half the patrons are white...this is definitely an authentic and delicious chinese restaurant! I ordered the xiao lum bao, won ton soup, and chinese broccoli. The bao were yummy, but not the best I've ever had. The skin was thick, although the soup was flavorful. The wonton soup was fabulous though! Super meaty wonton, and the broth is fabulous! The broccoli was also good, always exciting when the restaurant has it at all as a stand alone side dish, and this one is well cooked and seasoned.
(4)
Katy O.
Pretty much a standard when I go into Chinatown! The food is reliably good. Sometimes the wait is longer than others (during the work week around 12-1, especially), but it's well worth it. Some favorite dishes: Soup dumplings -- they take more time than the rest of the menu (about 15 mins at peak time), but they're the perfect mix of meat, bun, and liquid. Basil Eggplant -- was totally not a fan of eggplant until I tried this dish. The eggplant is well-cooked and absorbs the sweet and spicy sauce excellently. Fried Tofu -- best ordered when you're eating there. Comes out fresh and hot with a nice sauce (not that you need it). Beef with Chinese Watercress in Sa- Cha Sauce -- Pretty spicy beef, good amount of vegetables, flavorful sauce.
(5)
Ina C.
Xiao long bao, I don't know how I could allow Others to chow Elsewhere, but now I'll plow My way through Chinatow(...n) To eat your xiao long bao
(4)
Qinglan W.
Friend took us to this restaurant after he stumbled on it drunk one late night with a group of Chinese friends. Definitely good soup dumplings for Boston. Taste similar to the mainstream ones you find in Shanghai, Taiwan, and HK (just pork, nothing special). Waiters are fairly young so all of them are eager to speak English and there were definitely a lot more non-Chinese clients than Chinese. They speak actually speak clear Mandarin vs. Cantonese/Taiwanese answers to Mandarin questions. I recommend getting a vegetable dish along with the fried/meat heavy food. The watercress is quite nice. Wait staff despite English speakers are kind of slow and forgetful due to the rush they get. It's a small space.
(4)
S Z.
I had the vegetarian dumplings and the pork plus leak dumplings for lunch (all steamed). I wanted to like the dumplings after reading the multitude of favorable reviews, but long story short, I've had better dumplings out of a frozen bag. 1) The dumpling skin - The cooked texture should be soft but resilient and provide a kind of springiness when chewed. Unfortunately, the dumpling skins today were soggy, doughy and as elastic as silly putty. 2) The dumpling filling - the filling should hold together nicely so that the dumpling doesn't fall apart when bitten into and to prevent the dumpling from sponging up too much water and turning into a water logged sak. The vegetarian dumplings today were water logged and mushy and gritty at the same time. Bleh. The meat dumpling had slightly better consistency but the leek pieces were much too large to hold together which again made for a very soft and soggy interior. I also had the home made kim chee and scallion pancakes. The kimchee was made with American cabbage rather than Chinese cabbage which I prefer but aside from that, the kim chee was crunchy, spicy, sweet and quite refreshing. The scallion pancakes appeared to be deep friend (instead of panfriend) but were very good nonetheless - I would probably get a pancake to-go next time for a street snack.
(2)
Lusi F.
For a place called gourmet dumpling house, they should really have some good dumpling options, instead of just a few made with super thick skin
(1)
Dan L.
D27...Need I say more?! I am a huge fan of spicy cuisine of any culture. Do not order this if you are afraid of the heat. The fish is incredibly fresh and tender (it may be because the fish tank was 14 inches from my head!). Did I mention that it was spicy? But, since this was all I ate (and an order of veggie dumplings), I would hesitate giving it 5 stars. At first, I thought the frantic and curt waitstaff were a deal breaker (especially when I hadn't even say down when they asked if I was ready to order). But as the meal went on and they offered me more napkins to mop up the sweat on my brow (did I mention spicy?), I knew that these people knew what they were doing. Excellent visit and would absolutely go again.
(4)
Omar F.
This place is amazing. I went there with a friend first to try it out and I was surprised by the flavors. My friend is Chinese and she thinks this is one of the least Americanized restaurants in the area, which I thought was nice. I can say that between my friend, my family and I we've tried almost all there is to try and you can confidently order anything and expect something edible and usually really good. I'm not sure if that will be the case if you vegetarian though. To note: their soup dumplings ARE delicious. That's about it. Just go check it out, it's pretty cheap and you won't regret trying it out.
(4)
Connie L.
The stand-outs at this place are the xiao long bao (by Boston standards, pretty good....by NYC standards, just OK), the spicy fish, and the sauteed greens with garlic. The beef noodles are completely mediocre - soggy noodles, bland broth, complete with a slick of grease across the top. Inexpensive, decent portions, and open late for Boston. Credit card minimum of $20 (boo!).
(3)
Howe L.
The quintessential chinese restaurant! Once I get into this packed (there's always a line) place, I feel like I'm in any restaurant in Hong Kong or Canton. The loud conversations, eating with random strangers, expedient service, great value, and most importantly, delicious food! Authentic (as it gets in Boston) and once in a while, the service is better than expected (though only if I speak Cantonese..).
(5)
Louie S.
This place is off the charts!! Tried the szechuan fish soup and it was DELICIOUS...spicy, flavorful and amazing textures. Also tried the crab/pork steamed dumplings. There are no words for how delicious they are. (Next time, I'll try the fried dumplings). Mushrooms and baby bok choy was a pleasant surprise. The crab rangoos are homemade and are the best that I've ever had. I'm no expert, but I have dined in all the major Chinatown's in America and no place compares to this place. You will not be disappointed, I promise! Cheers.
(5)
Kevin O.
Tonight we went to the Gourmet Dumpling House for the first time. Some friends brought us as they had enjoyed an earlier visit. I must say I was impressed. We shared a number of dishes and all of them were delicious. As appetizers we got scallion pancakes (super), fried tofu (decent), and multiple dumplings. My friends enjoyed a juicy pork and crab meat dumpling and I ordered the vegetarian dumplings. They were honestly the best I've ever had. They were steamed with a tofu, egg, clear noodle, and veggie mixture inside. Ten dumplings were only $6. For entrees, we had an eggplant dish with a spicy basil sauce, a spinach dish in a garlic sauce, and a noodle soup. The eggplant was my favorite, spicy but not overly spicy. The spinach dish was good, though somewhat medium in taste. Between the four appetizers and three main dishes, it was more than enough food for four people and inexpensive ($40+). I know there are other places to try in Chinatown, but Gourmet Dumpling House is a place to check try at least once. I'm not sure that I will ever have the courage to try the fried stinky tofu, but admire those who can.....
(4)
Alice Z.
Food was ok but definitely not good enough to warrant some of the hyperboles dished out in some of the reviews. Some of the dishes we ordered met expectations but some of the other dishes were plainly sub-par. There was no space at all to eat at the restaurant and the staff's attitude ranged from inattentive to just downright rude. I would not come here if you want a pleasant dining experience.
(1)
Mike R.
Long wait, lots of white people, but very very good. If I'm willing to kill some time in chinatown, I'll go to dinner here. I recommend the eggplant and pork dish, and of course the soup dumplings.
(4)
Arjun S.
Great food and awesome dumplings! Restaurant is very small though, so be prepared to wait.
(4)
I Y.
I came here with my family last night to celebrate my aunt's birthday. It was actually my second time to the restaurant. The first time, the restaurant didn't make an impression on me, probably because I just didn't know what was good on the menu. The second time, my mom did the ordering. The food was good, albeit some dishes were a little salty. We did a family style dinner: - Shanghai dumplings (aka xiao long bao) was not bad. The dumplings were big and there was a good amount of soup in each one. - Ma po tofu was ok. Nothing spectacular. - Stir-fried pea pod stems was ok. I've had better. - Pan fried pork buns was very filling. This was ok. It's like having a peking ravioli but with a bun texture around the meat. - Szechuan Style sliced fish was pretty good. There was a nice spicy kick to it. The fish had good texture and tasted good. - Sauteed Beef Julienne with Long Horn Peppers was probably our favorite. It was nice and spicy with good flavors. - Szechuan style fried chicken was ok. It was served as chunks of deep fried bone-in chicken. Not quite what I was expecting - I was more use to boneless diced chicken. - Szechuan style chicken was alright. This was a little salty for my party. I thought it was alright if you eat it with a lot of rice. I would come back again and try their xiao long bao. But next time I will order the one with the crabmeat so I can compare it properly to my experience in Shanghai Cafe in NYC.
(3)
Jason L.
It was very crowded the night we came here. The best dish we had is szhechuan spicy fish. Didn't like the fried dumplings as the skin is too thick and also had the fried intestines but the dough on the outside didn't taste that great. Service was great if you spoke chinese and didn't linger around after you finished :-)
(3)
Nicholas B.
CALL COPS!!! I used to love this place, until I realized to only come with a Chinese person. That's right, Gourmet Dumpling House has twice now altered my check, assuming my round eyes don't read Chinese, to steal money. I warned my friend, but he said to show him, and lo and behold, the $4.50 scallion pancakes were $6.00, the $7.95 Taiwanese noodles were $18.95!!! (say WHAAA?), and the $9.95 dish was $10.95. Add in the veggie buns and rice, $41 & change, ladies and gentlemen. The place needs to be stung by some young cops to prove it to people still touting (sp.) how awesome the place is, which pisses me off bc the food was usually good! Out of principle, my friends and I will NEVER RETURN!!! Word to the wise, if you aren't with an Asian, ask for the menu after and ask what the bill says before they take it away to say it's the wrong bill. Qingwen, zhe shi shenme? Oh, that six is a four? OK, so read the total for me? $41, you say? Why that 4 no look like a 6 then? Wei shenme?! (Seems Yelp doesn't support Chinese :) They look the same to me?!!! I haven't a clue why we then paid the original $28 bill. My friend says, "It must've been some decency hard-wired in our brains, idk." Also, without these occurrences, the service ALWAYS SUCKED! Bill comes half-way through your meal, they ignore you and look around when you try to order, get upset when you ask for things, etc.
(1)
Jaquelina L.
After moving from SF to Boston, I finally found a place that is comparable to the bay area standard. I tried the following items since I discovered this place a week ago. -Noodle soup with Pork and Special Mustard Green -Lobster with Mixed Vegetables in Clay Plot -Stinky Tofu -Simmered 3 Essence chopped chicken legs in Hot Pot -Taiwanese Style sauteed rice cake with pork and mustard green Highly recommended!
(5)
Kristine R.
I just got off the bus in Boston and I'm starving. My friend and I stumble upon this place and it's pretty good. We ordered a beef soup withnoodles and peppers and a spicy salt and pepper squid. Both were very tasty, especially since we were both STARVING. The soup hit the spot too since it was a bit chilly. The service is kind of meh, but whatever. The place is teeny and it was crowded when we went. The prices are okay. I'd come back here but I'm sure there's other places that might be better.
(3)
Kim V.
alright here is my spill for this place...this was my second time coming to this place and i have to say that this place does it job...the dumpling soup are de-lish, but hands down goes to joe shanghai place...since this is the only restaurant in the boston area serves bomb-ass dumpling soup, the down side of it is that they only had pork or pork and crab meat dumpling soup...i just wish they had more options the dumpling pork and pork and crab meat, were super juicy and big..it comes in 6-8 dumplings and its 2 order of them are enough for 5 people...just describing the dumplings itself is making me hungry for more :)...the service isn't too bad...and if you go during sunday it gets pack pretty quickly
(5)
Richard D.
Hole in the wall joint, but sooooo delicious. I see why it is so famous now! Shanghai's specialty the shao long bao are huge, juicy an delicious!
(4)
Dan Y.
Good for the area but not the best I've had. The soup/crab dumplings had a surprising amount of crab in them. Its too bad you cant taste the crab, for some inexplicable reason it is just missing. Such a horrible tease, You can see all the crab meat but cant taste it! As pork buns though, they were pretty good for the area. The consistency of the buns though needed work, some were very good and thin skinned while others where overly thick. Scallion pancake very good with an addictive dipping sauce. word of caution though the sauce is very heavily laced with garlic oil and you will be tasting and smelling that for hours. Stir fried broad noodle was some of the best i have had. Not greasy at all and very tasty. Their cold dishes in general could have used more flavor. The size and quality was good but could have used more depth to the heat and more cilantro.
(3)
Geoffrey R.
First off the Menu, appetizer section to be specific, WTF! confusing. So everything above the Combos are Buns on the appetizers... I think. We ordered the Scallion Pancake, Crispy fried Tofu, mini steamed Buns with Pork & Crab, and the fried Pork & cabbage dumplings. TOOO MUCH FOOD FOR 2 people! We asked when we hit 3, and the guy gave us the motion that we should order 4. Now that I look back on it... I think he just had a facial twitch. So the food started coming. The Scallion pancake was good, but it was very very fried. I am more used to the Korean style which is not as thoroughly cooked. The fried Tofu was very enjoyable. BUT WATCH OUT THAT CRAP IS HOT! I almost died after I popped on in my mouth. The waiter watched this with much amusement and didn't get me water for a few minutes... it seemed like hours. I tried to take some Tea, which was also hot and... yeah, right out of Looney toons including smoke out of my ears. The Dumplings were fantastic, and the Mini Bun's were good. I would like to try the mini Bun's without the crab, it was ok, but I think the pork alone would be better. I would like to try some of the crazier Bun's... but i am mildly terrified. Jellyfish, Duck Web, Steamed Squid... and those are the ones that I would consider more normal of the options.
(4)
Adam L.
Best soup dumplings I've ever had! Hungry just thinking about them. Go get 'em!
(4)
Ian S.
This place was crowded and stinky. First of all rice doesn't come with any of the dishes and also if you want some water...YOUR OUT OF LUCK BUDDY. My food was spicy and I had to wait 20 minutes for a glass of water. The glass of water was also the size of a monopoly thimble game piece. IS THERE A DROUGHT IN MASSACHUSETTS THAT I AM UNAWARE OF? YOU'RE NOT IN CHINA ANYMORE GUYS. WATER FLOWS THROUGH THE FAUCETS. GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE WATER. I PROMISE I WON'T TELL THE EMPEROR. Also, they have only like 5 different choice of dumplings on the menu. FALSE ADVERTISING. Just go to panda express instead (is that place still around?).
(2)
Kavitha M.
Hate to go against the tide, but this place disappointed. The szechuan spicy-fish pot, which I was so excited to try because I love Ming Tsai, sadly lacked flavor. It was basically hot water with some chili flakes and minimal salt. Not even the 2 hairs floating in the broth could give it more flavor. The staff, however, was very nice and brought us another soup. Although the hub was adventurous enough to try the second offering, I was too timid. The dumplings were good- however they did not compare the the soup dumplings and pan fried dumplings in Shanghai. If I ever went back, I would stick to the dumplings. Going back is unlikely, though because of the long wait to get seated.
(2)
Hana C.
Ethnic, yummylicious chinese food. Had schezun style spicy fish, shredded spicy beef and pork buns. All very yummy. The place is small but the food is very delicious. One of the best Chinese restaurants in Chinatown I would have to say.
(5)
Jameson L.
This place is, what it is. Its small, tight, and kinda grimmy feeling (as if the rest of chinatown is any better). I think the food is great. Everything in chinatown is basically cantonese food and this place makes a create combination of other regional dishes. There are traditional dishes from shanghai to taiwan and everything inbetween. Obviously, this isnt the best examples of these dishes but hey, im miles away from my home is this the best I can get to home cooking. recommend oyster pancakes soup dumplings taiwan dumplings -i normally just get appetizers and do a dim sum/tapas kinda thing
(4)
Tommy N.
For some reason, Japanese people are crazy about the xiaolongbao, myself included. There's a place in Queens, NY that I like (yea, that's right, I compared a Boston establishment to a New York one) but so far I haven't found my spot for dumplings in Boston yet. But now, I think the search is over. I really enjoyed the dumplings with pork and crabmeat and the panseared one that we got. The noodle dish was pretty standard, but really, it's all about the dumplings here. Priced around 6 to 8 dollars for 8 dumplings, it's reasonable but not cheap.
(4)
Erdan L.
As a Chinese, I had to see this restaurant does not deserve 4 star. The food does taste like Chinese food, but the worst kind.
(1)
Jennifer L.
First of all, I love Chinatown! Tiny restaurants, delicious smells, great people watching. This place is really good. We got the best seat in the house, space-wise, though the bulging eyes on the apparently frantic fish in the tank immediately (I'm talking 2 inches) to my right did slightly disturb my inner vegetarian. I ordered veggie buns as an appetizer and braised tofu for dinner. My companion got the pork dumplings and an intact, gigantic crab, which he had no idea how to eat but enjoyed immensely. He struggled to devour the dumplings; with his crab, this was an enormous amount of food, but they were so good he couldn't resist. The veggie buns were good, fresh out of the oven. The braised tofu was awesome! It came with lots of fresh veggies and was cooked in a delicious, rich sauce. Hot tea was on the table when we arrived. Add a couple of Qing Daos to the menu and we couldn't have been happier. The service was fast and very friendly! All this for around $40 including tip ... not bad.
(4)
Joe S.
So good! Worth the waiting in line. Got to give it a try if you like authentic chinese
(5)
Kaitlin M.
Before arriving at this fabulous restaurant you need to prepare yourself for the communal seating. As someone who adores Mr. Bartley's Burgers in Harvard Sq. I was okay with this notion. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. My friend and I ordered Pan Friend Noodles with veggies and our waitress was kind enough to let us know that they would be crunchy so we quickly changed our order to sauteed noodles with veggies and were happy when a gorgeous plate of lo mein showed up. Other menu recommendations: pork and leek dumplings and the beef with scallions! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Engelbert H.
My new favorite spot in Chinatown! Try the house specialty fish (it says striped bass but ask for whatever's fresh and they'll go catch it for you in the tank) with spicy bean curd. The fish was excellent and very well prepared! The chilled pig ears were good but I have to say I couldn't quite get used to the texture of the cartilage. Pig tongue was very nice and seafood soup was delicious. I can't wait to go back and try other things!
(5)
Colleen B.
Leave it to my formerly non-adventurous eating husband to steer me to this place. Turns out he's got an addiction to the mini steamed buns with pork and for good reason they are rich and delish. It is an eclectic menu, but don't judge it till you try it. For instance where can you find pickled mustard with intestine and blood pudding, alongside more traditional Chinese fare like scallion pancake? We went the more traditional route and in the process completely over ordered (how can you not when the prices are so cheap!) Here's the run down of delicious treats: Sauteed shrimp with Tofu and Edamame=protein packed and perfectly cooked, but in a somewhat gooey clear sauce. Vegetarian steamed ravioli=chopped green veggies and garlic. Very fresh and tasty Curry Chicken=do not miss! The chicken is so tender and potatoes are so amazing. Mini steamed pork buns=juicy pork in a tender dumpling....ahhh dumpling bliss. Grand total about $25 and waaaay more food than we could possibly eat. Go get your dumpling on!
(4)
R G.
One of the better places I've been to in Chinatown. Yes, it's small and there's usually a wait. But the food is great, the prices are low, and the portions are very generous. The staff is hit or miss-- the woman helping us most was very friendly and warm, but some others seemed a little cranky. But that won't keep me away. I hope to go back with a larger group so we can get a more diverse sampling of the menu.
(4)
M. P.
This place has so many awesome reviews but I thought I'd give one, too, just so there is a recent one. The food is cheap and delish. But remember that when you go to a dumpling house...you should order dumplings. I made the mistake one time to order the wonton soup and it is nothing near what HK Eatery's wonton soup - it sucked. Anyways, scallion pancakes was very addictive and the reviews about it is very correct! I always get the XLB from now on and I'm never disappointed. UPDATE: I have to remove two stars for the really awful service that we received there recently. A waitress came over and basically rushed us out but grabbing our bamboo steamer that was still full of dumplings without asking us if it was empty or if we wanted to have it packed to-go. Nothing!
(2)
Snuffles B.
Its seems damn near impossible to find authentic Chinese these days, so I was pleasantly surprised when a non-Chinese friend brought me here. It's small, cramped, and a complete eyesore, but thats what it usually takes to get some real Chinese food. We got there at 7 on a Friday and already a pretty large group of people were milling around outside waiting. Fortunately we were seated quickly as there were only two of us and the owners were really nice. We ordered the pork XLB, stir fried green beans, and twice cooked pork. The food came pretty quickly, though it took mutiple reminders for them to remember the rice. The XLB was OK. My gold standard for XLB were the ones from Shanghai's NanXiang shop - the original XLB and more recently, DinTaiFung, which I think are even better. The ones at this place were pretty big - the skin was thin enough and had a decent chew and there was a good amount of soup. The meat was a tad dry and the XLB were not hot enough. If I don't burn my tongue on the soup, I wonder if it was fresh or not. The green beans were very good, crisp without being too greasy, I'd say as good as home made. The twice cooked pork came with a surprisingly large amount of peppers and cabbage, which actually tasted pretty good. It was just a little spicy so spice lightweights can handle it and the meat was flavorful, not too salty (as twice cooked pork often tends to be) and not too tough. The one upside to being elbow to elbow with complete strangers is that you can check out everyone else's food. Everything looked very authentic and fresh, and people were ordering very different things, which is a good sign that indicates its not a one-note restaurant. And the final bill of only $30 for all that food makes it a pretty darned good deal.
(4)
Blair H.
Ok. So this is a review for Chinese food by a Japanese guy. I approach these kind of places like i approach most other great experiences. I close my eyes and let someone else take over. I recognize some dishes on the menu, but from my experience, the ones that I recognize aren't worth ordering. So I let the nice waitress do her bidding. I lay out some ground rules. No fried stuff, as they usually taste like oil that hasn't been changed in years, and no soups, as they are usually based from MSG ...that about does it. Everything else is fair game. She ends up picking her favorites, which I make sure aren't just the most expensive things on the menu. We end up getting eggplants in some sort of hoisin based sauce with basil (awesome), three different types of dumplings (equally as awesome on the scale of awesominity), and some bean sprouts (simple, yet awesome). I can't comment on authenticity, but it was just down right good food. And after a meal fit for an small Olympic pomelhorse team, I was down $40. My advice, go, and let them bring out whatever they want. If you can pronounce it (and you're not Chinese), then it's probably not worth eating. Ie, anything that starts with General or ends with Pow. And don't bring one of those whiny picky eaters that like soysauce on their rice.
(4)
Sean H.
I'm surprised the reviews of this place vary so wildly. I think its the best budget Chinese in Boston by far, and have never experienced bugs or long waits. I go here at least once a week for lunch, and its always fresh, authentic, cheap and friendly. The lunch specials, soup and dumplings are all great.
(5)
KW L.
The food at this place is five stars for sure. We had the scallion pancake, the braised ribs in bbq sacue, Ma po tofu, and of course the juicy pork dumplings, and the sandong fried dumplings. All of the food was excellent. The sauces that come with the dumplings are also spot on in complementing the dumplings. The prices are also very reasonable and would probably pay more for the food if i had to. A couple of the cons about the place are the wait times that you encounter there because the place is tiny and also the service is sometimes spotty. Easy five stars if the service was a little better.
(4)
Eric B.
Great menu and staff!
(5)
lil s.
The best soup dumplings you'll find in Boston...until our friends in NY finally open a Joe Shanghai's here. I'm not trying to start rumors, just planting thoughts in the heads of the franchise owners. Anyhoo, Gourmet Dumpling House lacks ambience but dumplings are great, service is as good as it gets in C-town and wait is never bad. Thumbs up from me!
(4)
Laura O.
Fantastic! Order dumplings! Juicy and pork were great. Plus the scallion pancakes were so yummy. You may need to wait but it is worth it.
(5)
Chris J.
Solid, cramped, classic feel. A million options that come out fast. Dumplings are killer.
(4)
Theodore Y.
Finally tried this place for lunch.. It's usually very difficuly to land a table here during lunch but we got lucky yesterday. We ordered the Mini Steamed Buns with Pork (Xiao Loong Bao), the Sauteed Julienne Beef w/ Long Horn Peppers, and the Minced Pork with Bread Bean Sauce over Noodles. I have to say everything was VERY VERY good. The Sauteed Beef was bursting with flavor and though it was VERY spicy, you just couldn't help but keep poppin more in your mouth. I've had the Minced Pork Noodles in a variety of different places (including Hong Kong), and I would have to say this is one of the best places that i've ever had it. At first I thought they kinda cheaped out on the minced pork, but after mixign everything together (the pork, bean curd, gravy, beans), I realized to my delight that it was the perfect amount of everything. The Mini Steamed Buns with Pork (Xiao Loong Bao) came last, as they had to steam and prepare everythign on the spot. I thought it was delicious and so did my other 2 friends, but I personally thought it still tasted a bit "dough-ey". You could still taste a bit of the dough in the pork soup. My only complaint is that the Mini-Steamed Pork Buns came last. It is listed as an appetizer and having a restraunt called "Dumpling House", you would expect it to come FIRST, and not AFTER everyones entree has been picked apart already. All in all, everything had a copious amount of flavor. DEF will hit this place up again.
(4)
Alice G.
Great food! The dumplings are great. The pork and cabbage or chicken and cabbage pan fried dumplings are so yummy. The soup dumplings are also soo delious. I also like the Ma Po Tofu and the Taiwanses style sauteed rice noodles with pork and vegetable. The Eggplant Basil is another favorite of mine. This place is also inexpensive and you get a lot of food for the price. I think it's the best Chinese restaurant in town!
(5)
Diane H.
Scallion pancakes are good! so is the shui long bao which i dont know what you call it in english. Party of 8 at 7pm on a Saturday..i would assume there be no room cause every time I try to go eat there, there is a line...but there was room! Pretty good food...I loved the tea, it has flavor. Sat near back where they have the plates and stuff, waiter spilled warm water all over my coat and the guy next to me, guy got really angry, then I wiped the liquid away then I joking said " you guys should give me a free drink LOL" and they did. ahaha. Very good at taking care of situation and not trying to fight with customer..and just was nice :) Will return!
(4)
Jack Y.
bawstoners must have never had a real dumpling before because the dumplings here are disgusting. there is more dough than meat. the dough is thick and chewy and the meat is bland. there is nothing gourmet about this place. should have seen the red flags when i walked in..the ratio of asians to non asians was about 1:8. save your money and buy frozen dumplings. also had the oyster pancake in gravy...which was chewy and bland at best. was really hoping to like that one..
(2)
David J.
Xiaolongbao, how I missed you. There are other places in Chinatown that serve soup dumplings, but the ones I'd sampled were mealy, arid simulacra of what I fell in love with in New York's Chinatown. Gourmet Dumpling House does 'em right. If you're not familiar with xiaolongbao, they are dumplings filled with a delectable lump of ground meat and a generous dollop of broth. They're bundled up to hold the soup and meat inside, then steamed in a bamboo basket. That's right--the soup is IN the dumpling. GDH makes them in straight-up pork and pork-and-crabmeat versions. I opted for the latter. The skins are not too thick but are supple enough that they don't burst open until you're ready to extract the piping hot broth inside. (Seriously. That broth is hot. Don't be a hero and try to pop one of these dumplings into your mouth whole hog.) The ratio of crab to pork is pretty generous here, and combined with the flavoring (which relies more on the savory, slightly unctuous pork broth than on heaps of salt or msg for depth) makes for a relatively light soup dumpling. Eight to an order make for a hearty solo meal or a good bit to split with a companion along with some greens. Just make sure that you bring someone you trust. Because the dumplings are that good, and because it really is impossible to look suave while eating them. Ok, I'll admit. The xiaolongbao at GDH won't make me forget Joe's Shanghai -- or even New Green Bo -- anytime soon. But they're damn good, and you don't have to ride the Fung Wah bus to get 'em.
(4)
Iska B.
The only place I had experienced in Chinatown up until this point was dim sum at the China Pearl. It was time to expand out and try one of the multitude of little restaurants scattered about. This one caught my eye mainly because it had the word "dumpling" in the name and boy do I just LOVE dumplings. It's not a huge place but we were seated right away and the staff was really nice. They may not have the best English ever but hey you can always just point to the menu if they don't get what you are saying! It was clean in there also which is obviously appreciated. I had the chicken wonton soup and I also ordered the beef and celery dumplings (steamed). The soup was HUGE. Wow. For only $6.95 you get a huge bowl brimming with wontons and chicken. The broth was heavenly. So mild and clear...wow. I could barely finish it, I think they are made to share between two people. They don't skimp on the wontons either. The dumplings were also delicious and came with a great dipping sauce. I almost wish the portions weren't so large because the menu is huge and I wished I could have tried more stuff! Great experience here.They even take Discover! Awesome! I will certainly be going back to try out more of the menu!
(4)
Calli C.
Stopped in here with some friends for a celebratory dinner. Feeling expansive, we ordered the soup dumplings with pork and the ones with pork and crabmeat, ma po tofu, Chinese watercress, and mango chicken. The pork soup dumplings were a lot more flavorful than the ones with crabmeat, which were less juicy and had a chewier consistency. I loooooveeee soup dumplings (also known as xiao long bao, Shanghai dumplings, or at the House, they're listed as juicy dumplings) mostly because they are fun and messy to eat. The sauce (soy, rice vinegar, and ginger) came pre-mixed and I was used to being able to make it myself to suit my personal taste but that wasn't that big of a deal. The tofu was just spicy enough, and I wished I had had more room in my stomach to eat more of it. The watercress was cooked just enough to keep some of its crispness. I was only underwhelmed by the mango chicken, which came in a pretty thick overly sweet sauce and didn't seem to have much chicken. The place is tiny, so if you have a big group - as in, more than 4 - come prepared to wait. Other than that, a super-affordable and delectable meal.
(4)
Mark Z.
We came from San Francisco and decided to give it a try. There was a long line so we thought it would be really good. We had the pancakes, spicy fish, the famous dumplings and the black bean clams. My girlfriend liked the pancakes but I thought everything was just OK. For me the line was not worth the wait but it's not bad for regular Chinese food.
(2)
Stephen Y.
Maybe it was unfair to compare it to Wing's... But I miss Wing's sooooo much ! :( Crowded on a weeknight ! That's always a good sign... Got seated relatively quickly. Think there was a bit of language barrier- maybe shouldn't pretend I can speak mandarin... The famous soup XLB wasn't really that good- kinda luke warm... not soupy enough... skin too thick... very mass- produced XLBs.... 2X cooked pork was actually decent... steamed tilapia was the best dish of the night... the bad thing was there wasn't enough fish to go around and I was forced to eat the head One pet peeve was the entrees arrived before the appetizers that we ordered.... not cool especially when trying to eat XLB when you have a full bowl of rice Nevertheless.. dinner was very reasonable... money-wise Just like track #2 in "The Joshua Tree".... still looking for pork shoulder and lion's head....
(3)
Jim K.
This is my Chinatown joint of choice when I'm in the area. Of course the dumplings are top notch, try the soup dumpings which take a bit of practice eating but the reward is tasty (or super hot soup scalding your chin). Seating is typical cramped Chinatown style but that works. Service is quick and efficient and one can't help but be happy eating here, a good dumpling vibe. They have American Chinese stuff like Kung Pao chicken that also deliver the goods. I back this place.
(4)
Jing Z.
went there a couple of times, was good, but the last time we went there, saw cockroaches climbing on the shelf. so disgusting! will never go back.
(1)
Ryan W.
Despite the fact that Chinese food is not the most vegetarian-friendly Asian cuisine, we were able to put together a pretty sumptuous veggie feast at Gourmet Dumpling House. We tried the steamed veggie ravioli, the spicy eggplant with basil, and the ma po tofu. The portions were enormous - there were 2 of us, but the plates they brought (around $8 each) would easily feed 4 people. (I took plenty of leftovers.) The vegetable ravioli were tasty and filling, the ma po tofu was extremely spicy (and only got more so in its 2nd-day-leftovers incarnation) but good, and the eggplant with basil was absolutely delicious. I'd certainly order both the dumplings and the eggplant again. My only beef with this restaurant is that they were very, very slow to fill the water glasses - not fun when you've just committed to a table full of sinus-clearing spicy food - but we did come during a busy lunch hour. My only disappointment was not being able to try the XLB (soup dumplings), because they are definitely known as the house specialty, but of course they are traditionally made with pork. If anyone comes across this and knows of a spot in Boston to try vegetarian soup dumplings, let me know!
(3)
Michael D.
Oh man I dig this place. I had tried going here several times but the wait was always too long (40+ min) so I was pleased to see no line after a movie one Sunday night around 10pm. The dumplings with broth, as many have attested, are delicious. It requires all the dexterity and cunning I can summon to fit one dumpling into my mouth in a single bite, but it requires neither clean-up nor soup spoon if pulled off correctly.
(4)
Michelle L.
I like the concept of dumplings but can't deal with their insides for more than a few bites. The good news is that Gourmet Dumpling House has a huge menu full of non-dumpling options. I like the schezuan beef that comes in a big bowl of vegetables and broth, scallion pancake, and pan fried noodle with chicken and veges. Just to get the full dumpling gourmet experience you should try the juicy dumplings; dumplings filled with a hot soup broth and meat ball. I'm just sayin' that I'm down with mystery meat, which is what a meat ball is.
(3)
Q S.
I was expecting killer dumplings. But instead, I was disappointed. We ordered Xiao Long Bao. It was super greasy and was not salted well. My friend ordered the veggie dumplings, and that was only ok also. We ordered a seafood porridge, but it didn't come with that much seafood and was flavorless.
(3)
Kristina D.
My friends and I ended up here post-Tam at 11:05 yesterday after first trying to find Wendy's (closed) and Pho Pasteur (denied us entry because it closes at 10:45). Usually, late-night food ends up tasting divine if one has imbibed enough beverages. Gourmet Dumpling House's offerings did not make it higher than mediocre last night. We had: -noodle soup with chicken wontons and yellow noodles (three of us) The noodles looked like longer versions of the kind in Lipton instant chicken noodle soup packets, and the wontons were semi-decent. One of the other two who got the soup absolutely detested them though. -mini steamed pork buns These were extemely watery and the meat tasted exactly like that in my wontons...suspect. -pork fried rice Decent. It tasted better with some of the pork buns' soy ginger sauce on top. -egg rolls Piping out right out of the deep fryer, but could have used duck sauce and a little less grease. -tea Standard. Service was quick, and the food was cheap. The menu also included quite a variety of foods (pig's blood, pig heart, liver, etc) in addition to the soups, appetizers, and dumplings. I am somewhat intrigued by the reviews of the dumplings...I may have to try those the next time I am around the Tam.
(2)
Kana O.
I'm not actually sure why they're called gourmet dumpling house, because the best stuff on their menu are everything other than dumplings! (Warning: I compare all my xiao long baos served in America to the ones at Joe Shanghai in NYC - I could compare it to the ones at Din Tai Fung in Taiwan, but that's just not fair at all) My husband heard of this place from his friend who was introduced to xiao long baos by his roommate's Chinese girlfriend. Since I had been complaining to him that there are no good xiao long baos in Boston, he was certain he had finally found a great place to take me. After talking about it for months, we finally went there and we got 2 orders of xiao long baos like we usually do at Joe Shanghai. This was a HUGE mistake... their skin was way too thick and I could only finish 4 where I usually eat 8! The pork filling was okay but I honestly didn't care because I couldn't get over the thick doughy skin! Then I looked around to see what everyone else was eating and realized that no one had ordered their dumplings and everyone looked extremely happy with their non-dumpling dishes! I told myself that we will come back here again for other items on their menu next time. Couple months later, we did just that. This time we got steamed watercress with garlic sauce, house fried rice, and ma-po tofu. I must say that their ma-po tofu was the best I have ever had and both their watercress dish and fried rice were very very good. Needless to say, I will be returning to Gourmet Dumpling House for their yummy food!! but I am still searching for good xiao long baos in Boston.. any suggestions??
(4)
Sarah L.
Came here to warm up during one of those inexplicably cold nights last week...Shabu Zen had a 20 minute wait so we came here instead, and were pleasantly surprised. The dumplings were clearly handmade and very fresh, and a perfect combination of meat and spices. Plus a tasty, simple broth and enough noodles to fill me up, and they thew in a few handfuls of greens per our request. The owner kept checking on us and was really nice despite the late hour. Of note: the backlit photograph "art" on the wall chirps like a bird (I thought there was a parakeet in the ceiling vent the whole meal). And note the lobsters in the tank -- at one point, the owner stuck in a net to pull one out for someone's dish, and the poor lob's comrades didn't move for the rest of the evening, and avoided the spot formerly occupied by their friend. :(
(4)
Lora B.
Oh Gourmet Dumpling House, you are definitely my favorite Chinese restaurant in Boston. I must confess, the first time I visited Dumpling House I was not very impressed. I consider myself to be brave when it comes to trying new food, but browsing through pages and pages of items, that included many organs I never knew could be used as proteins for consumption, I sadly ended up playing it safe. It was not until I came here on a first date with my boyfriend that my eyes were opened to the wonder that is Gourmet Dumpling House. Since that fateful day I have been back numerous times and though we always add something new to the meal equation, the following are staples that we order each visit: Pork Soup Dumpling: Delicious and fun to eat. Biting into the first piping hot doughy dumpling and sucking out the flavorful soup is something I will always find exciting. Scallion Pancakes: Dumpling house has the best I have ever eaten. Thick and not overly greasy; they also come with a delicious dipping sauce. Sichuan Soup: Not even on the menu, if you ask for the spicy fish soup they will know what you mean. Now I LOVE spicy food, the hotter the better, and this soup will melt your face off. White fish, cabbage and a plethora of chilies floating in ridiculously spicy broth. I have found heat-lovers heaven. Make sure to order it with rice, dump half the rice onto your plate and ladle the soup into your rice bowl. It's fantastic. The only item I have tried and not liked was pig heart, but come on... pig heart? I don't know what I was thinking. While the space is small and always full of boisterous diners and hectic but friendly staff, I will never mind waiting for a table at Gourmet Dumpling House.
(5)
Guy A.
Scallion pancakes, pork and leeks dumplings (or any of the dumplings really), and the sesame chicken are all absolutely amazing. This place is super cheap relative to the quality and quantity of food. As a college student, this is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the city.
(5)
Laura G.
Finally made it to this place after staring (drooling) at the sign while walking in Chinatown. A friend told me it is not all about the dumplings, and when looking at the menu I would agree---great variety! We did get two types of dumpling: pork and cabbage "ravioli", and the fan fried dumplings. The ravioli were a perfect mouth full with an excellent dipping sauce, and even though there were 12 of them, they were gone in minutes. The fried dumplings were also great but very filling as there are 8 of them and they are very large. A big surprise was our main dish--pork julienne with bamboo tips which was called something different on the actual menu---pork in spicy sauce? It was perfect, very tender with the exact correct amount of spice. Cant wait to go back and try out other Yelpers suggestions! Regarding previous postings about service, I agree that it is crowded (always a good sign!) and the wait staff is not the most attentive---but the food came out quickly and was terrific so I did not really notice :) **Offer validation for one of the parking garages next door for only $6**
(4)
Sand R.
I am very picky about Asian food, and this place is very legit! Everything we ordered was good; spicy tofu is the best. Since I had the most famous dumplings (Din Tai Fun in Taipei) before, I cannot give 5 stars to their dumplings here. But I would say they are very good dumplings in the US.
(4)
Lindsay H.
This was my first dumpling experience and man was it good. I honestly had no idea what to order because the menu was so large but because my friend had been here before I let her do the ordering. Large plates of food arrived and we sampled a little bit of everything, pork dumplings, dumpling soup and sesame chicken. Mmm mm. The restaurant was bustling with people. The tables are right on top of one another so this restaurant is not for someone who may be claustrophobic. Tips are already calculated into the bill at the end. Parking is tricky, for 6:30pm on a Monday night we lucked out and found a spot on a side street, but I recommend taking the T here if possible.
(4)
Tom F.
The seating is a little tight but the food is great. We had the sliced szechuan fish, scallion pan cakes, pan fried noodles and some dumplings all were great. The price wasn't bad at $35 but it was way too much food for two people. The portions are generous and it was an overall good experience.
(4)
Manorah R.
I did not like the Veggie Dumplings... it was more like broccoli dumplings. The beef and broccoli was just A-OK. Stick to the mini pork dumplings instead. I loved how juicy they were.. If I were to have just that this would have been a 4 star review.
(3)
Teresa T.
Worst Chinese restaurant in Chinatown area!! So disappointed. The service is ok, but food is terrible especially considering the long line. If you like American style Chinese food, you might like it. But nothing authentic at all. I've been to almost every single Chinese restaurant In this area, but this is the only one really disappointing me :( will never come back again.
(1)
Judy H.
I am obsessed with this place. It is my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. I think it may be the best Restaurant in Chinatown. With 222 reviews I can't add that much to the dialog except to say I love the Vegetarian dumplings, Little Soup dumplings, and the pork and leek dumplings. Yo' Boo it's ALL about the dumplings. The Scallion Pancake is a work of art. I had never ever ordered it before in my 35 years of eating in Chinatown. A nasty greasy dubious thing in other places, but here light crispy and delicious. Another stand out is Okra with Beef ( without the sauce) Amazing and the watercress with garlic, wonderful stuff. ! And the Crispy fried tofu is great ! Vegan McNuggets ! Who knew ? Can get rowded but a great vibe with students, families and foodies of all different races and colors. Whenever I come here or think of this restaurant , I sing my happy dumpling song in my head, "Dumpling, Dumpling, Dumpling ..."
(5)
isa g.
I would have given these place 4 stars if the host had been honest about the true wait time. We were told 15-20 min and it turned into an hour. Had we known it was going to be that long for party of 5 we would have split up or ordered a takeout. I usually avoid eating in Chinatown as I can find better quality Chinese food outside of this neighborhood with better service and ambiance but my cousins visiting me from NY wanted to try their spicy fish soup that was written up in some magazine so came we came here on Sat afternoon. This place usually has people standing outside as the place is tiny so we were willing to wait 15 min but not an hour. There are only 3 tables that seats more than 4 people so if you have more than that in your party then you need to wait for one of the round tables to open up. This place will not put together one of the square tables for your party. By the time we sat we knew what we wanted to eat having studies the extensive menu while waiting. All the foods we ordered from the juicy dumplings, spicy fish soup, hot pepper stir-fry, mapo tofu, lo mein were all good and much spicier and different than what we usually get from other Chinese restaurants so it was a nice change. The service was better than expected as well however all those point is not worth more than 15-20 min wait.
(3)
Kit Y.
MEAT IN MY MOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!! I went here last night after a long crappy work day and when you have been at work for almost 12 hours you want food fast and tasty. Us: can we please get some vegetarian dumplings, rice cakes with cabbage, and eggplant basil? Server: yes, but dumplings will takes 20 minutes, ok? Us: ok but really we were like fuck why are we ordering dumplings then, but we figured we can eat the other food first because we didn't care what order things came out in. So then our rice cakes came first COVERED in pork!!!!!! I was pissed as the menu did not list that, perhaps we should have known better that that is what happens traditionally, but why did they not put that on the ingredient list? So we sent it back. Next the dumplings came out and they looked really good and we were really hungry so we dove right in. Luckily my coworker swallowed first because the next word out of her mouth were not, "this is so good" or anything like that, they were, "THIS IS PORK!" Luckily she is not veg. So anyways, we sent that back too and really we should have left but we were so hungry and the next batch of food was coming out. So the rice cakes came back sans pork and we both agreed that they were pretty good but we are eating our first batch of food at this point 45 minutes later! When we finished the dish, the dumplings finally arrived and they were pretty good too. But after we finished all the dumplings, our eggplant still had not arrived. After a little bit of a break, our last dish finally came. This was probably the worst of the three but still not bad. It tasted good but seemed like it had been left out because some of the sauce had become gelatinous. So the food is ok, but the service was the worst I have ever encountered. I mean the people were nice but they also screwed up our entire dinner and the food took FOREVER to come dish by dish. It was so painful.
(1)
Paran Y.
when compared with other chinese places in boston, this is 5 stars. when comaprd elsewhere....a little lower. by far the best chinese food you can get in boston china town. string beans, dumplings...if you are an asian yearning for that msg goodness, look no further.
(4)
Cary C.
Well a lot has been said about this place, and I basically agree with all of it. This place is hit or miss as in the dishes they have can range from almost the best I've ever had to well below average. I went here to lunch yesterday with a girl (round eye), so I didn't get the real crazy stuff. (feet, tongue, tendon). I got the: Cong you bing (Scallion Pancakes) - These were amazing, the best I've had at a restaurant, and trust me I've had many a scallion pancake. I'm half Taiwanese and have had some homemade may have edged out these, but these are are the best any restaurants put out. They were a little more fried than usual, but that certainly didn't take away from anything. Also most places don't give you a dipping sauce, but not at GDH. Their sauce (soy, vinegar, ginger, something else?) was amazing as well. xiao long bao (soup dumplings) - Well even after reading most of the reviews I figure I had to try out dumplings if I was at gourmet dumpling house. These were all right, I've had better in other Chinatowns (NYC, Philly). Not sure about if there are better in Boston, but I don't eat soup dumplings too much. If you want Dumplings, go next door to Taiwan Cafe. Their Pan fried dumplings are the best I've had in Boston, but that's another story. Eggplant with Basil - Another killer dish. Very nice sauce, well cooked, plus I'm a big egg plant fan. Noodles with beef and Vegetables - 3 Letters for ya: M-E-H. Hot and Sour Soup - Above average and had enoki mushrooms. Could have been a little more hot and/or sour as the name of the dish would suggest. So to sum up, this place has some great dishes, just be sure to do you research before coming so you know which ones to get here.
(4)
Rose W.
came here on a friday for an early dinner - and at 5:30pm, the place was packed! we ordered soup with tofu and pork dumplings - not soup dumplings - and both were good. portions are relatively large, and the place is reasonably priced. id come back!
(4)
Archana V.
The sichuan stye fish is to die for! Can't think of a better way to put my spice cravings to rest!
(5)
Rudy W.
went there twice, once for the taiwanese food (Stinky tofo and dumplings) both of them, terrible. but I have to give a try for something else :) I had snow pea leaves, ma pao tofo, steam sea bass, pork chops and pepper salt calamary. the food actually very good. the pork chops is very fatty, so I don't care much for that. but the sea bass is fresh and the calamary was good.
(3)
David W.
This is good food, especially for a cool weather town like Boston. Hot steaming dumplings and noodle soup. We had lunch and were in a rush; waiter recommended the pan fried chive pork dumplings and I had the pork chop with noodle soup. Both turned out very nice; the chop was crispy and tasty while the soup stock was a bit bland. The dumplings were hot and juicy; a decent serving of about ten dumplings and sauce. If I weren't so greedy I would have this as my entire lunch. As promised, it was fast to arrive even with a packed house lunch crowd. Another time I had dinner and liked their recommendations; we always got quality dishes. Dishes arrive hot and tasty and prices are truly reasonable. They take MC and Visa, so cash shortage is no issue. There are large windows on the street and usually lots of good natural light that makes it feel cheerful. At nights the lights make it look a bit like a bright lantern; restaurant seats about 35 to 45 people. At lunch we were offered a table to share because it was crowded; I recommend you arrive before 12 for lunch for a quick table and fastest service. At nights there is parking down the street on the next block; it's safe and about $5 for 1.5 hours or so. Enjoy!
(4)
e c.
The food is ok, but it is not worth the wait. The quality has declined since it opened. The eggplant/basil is not as good as Taiwan Cafe's. The watercress is so thick and woody that it is had to chew, not as tender as it should be. The veggie dumpling is not flavorful. The service has been consistently horrible. We waited 30 minutes patiently for our table, and they sat another party of 2 in front of our party of 2, even though they came after us. They were rude about it and did not do anything to remedy the situation. Overall, disappointing food and service.
(1)
Jessica J.
so when we arrived we noticed a line. we went inside to ask how long the wait was. they told us 20 minutes so we figured we would wait. we waited OVER AN HOUR to be seated. a little insane. we were thinking to ourselves --- the food had better be worth it! well we were not entirely disappointed. the prices were great. we definitely over ordered. we LOVED the scallion pancakes. the dipping sauce was excellent. the vegetable dumplings were just ok. i ordered the vegetable soup with udon noodles. very yummy. HUGE portion. my fiance ordered the szechuan fish soup. he loved it! that is what they are famous for as a result of a food network visit. after dinner there was NO ROOM FOR DESSERT! great success!
(4)
Valerie M.
The food is fantastic. Order streamed pork dumplings, scallion pancakes, chinese brocolli in garlic sauce and general tso chicken over rice and you'll be set for the best cheap meal you've ever had. I'm obsessed with this place. It's not fancy at all and there is usually a wait but it's totally worth it. It's so delish.
(5)
Sean M.
My wife's cousin was visiting from Taiwan, I wanted to take her here to get an opinion but we never made it. Ended up dragging my best friend here right after cousin left. That was a month ago and I have been going here once or twice a week since. GDH was always in rotation at lunch but now I'm in rut or a groove depending I don't know. I don't always get dumplings but they do have the best Xiao Long Boa in Boston's Chinatown at the moment. I like the spicy Ox tongue and and beef tendon, but I try to mix it up here. I recommend getting at least 1 noodle dish per visit. This week I was floored at how tasty the Taiwanese noodles with eel was . My advice: concentrate on the rest of the menu, dumplings are incidental, try the soups. The tables are very close together and if you see something interesting ask what is and order it. I've done that a few times with success. If you prefer American style Chinese food: skip it. * two words: "mustard greens" * it can be crazy here if you order more than 4 things be vigilant and check your bill. * appetizers are worth exploring * oh yeah they have dumplings too.
(5)
Joe T.
packed w very few tables! waited more than 30min watching other Chinese given seating w/o waiting! decided to leave! so can't rate the food.
(1)
Nupur L.
I had a fantastic Chinese New Year's dinner with friends here a few weeks ago and have wanted to go back ever since. All the food was delicious and there was plenty for people with all sorts of food preferences to eat. I'm really glad I went with Chinese friends because they knew exactly what to order. Thanks to that, I enjoyed the wonders of stinky tofu, weever (a fish I have never seen on any other menu), oyster pancake (some contended that it was too greasy but I love grease) and the shrimp and tofu, which is named as such but comes in balls that had a texture that was so airy and light that it left us in wonder. Shrimp and tofu..my word. The dumplings lived up to their mediocre reputation but everything else was fabulous or as good as it can possibly be (eggplant with basil, I'm looking at you). The stinky tofu here is a must-try because it's stinky but not impossible to eat like Taiwan Cafe's. I was prepared for it because one of my friends told me to think of it like pungent cheese, which I love. Prices are reasonable and service is quick. Do try it.
(5)
Albert D.
Fast service, cheap food. It takes 20 minutes to make and heat the dumplings. That's why they said that. They're not hating on you. The food was all right, a bit greasy, but it was worth the money. I appreciate the inexpensiveness the most.
(3)
Jake F.
Amazing! Huge portions, great prices and delicious taste! Only con we had with the place was that it's VERY small. It also fills up very quickly... even at 11 in the morning.
(4)
Ashley J.
We were in the mood for some legit Chinatown fare this week so after scanning yelp, we decided on Gourmet Dumpling House. And let it be officially known: the dumplings are truly gourmet! So totally delish, and a really fun experience too. Don't be turned off by the line to get in--it moves quickly and this place is worth the wait. I agree that you need to look beyond the basic, Americanized dishes that everyone orders (beef with broccoli anyone?) and be a little adventurous. It's totally worth it. If you want the full play-by-play of our meal, go here seedancook.com/2009/03/2… and read about our experience. I definitely recommend Gourmet Dumpling House and will be back again to try new things soon!
(4)
Dan K.
wow! after wandering to GDH late night after my usual Chinatown favorite was closed, I was thoroughly impressed. The selection and variety of food is overwhelming- makes me want to keep going back until I've had everything. Overall, I had a very enjoyable meal on the cheap. I will return for sure!!!
(5)
Nhi N.
I came here because I heard it had the best xiao long bao in Boston, and i had been craving for some. It was soupy, but the skin was sooo thick. Maybe I'm not appreciating it for what it is (the flavor was good, actually), and keep comparing it to the amazing xiao long bao at Joe's Shanghai in NY. The other dishes were good, but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Manish V.
Wow this place is absolutely unbelievable soup dumplings are great and so is the sichuan fish. The old Chinese ladies were eyeing my meals w/envy. The lines are long so some early but well worth the wait. The only thing that comes even close is Fuloon during Chinese new years.
(5)
Lynn D.
This place really is amazing. I stumbled upon the Gourmet Dumpling House on a cold winter day as I was walking through Chinatown. I just had a feeling that I needed to give it a try. As I approached the door, I noticed that the place was packed with people. As I put my name in at the counter, I looked at some of the dishes people were eating and I knew that I was in for a treat. Moreover, there were only about 3-4 other guests who were not Chinese, and this got me even more excited for some authentic Chinese food. The first time I ate here I ordered some kind of spicy red soup with beef that I saw another gentleman order, and I could not have been more satisfied with my choice. I have since tried their beef and long-horn pepper dish (I forget the actual name), their veggie dumplings, and their sesame chicken. I only tried the sesame chicken because my wife ordered it and she is not a big fan of authentic Chinese cuisine. If you come here, I would recommend that you venture beyond the typical American style Chinese dishes and try something different since this is where The Gourmet Dumpling House really shines.
(5)
Maryam D.
I love this place and it's as simple as that. Great meal every visit! While I understand others critiquing the soup dumplings (they are a bit doughy), there is far too many dishes that are excellent for me to care. Must haves: - salted sesame beef ribs - pork and leek dumplings - kim chi (there's is soo crunchy and fresh tasting, i get an order just for myself) - mah-po tofu - snow pea leaves with garlic - watercress with garlic - sesame chicken (i know, i know... but i went with less daring friends who ordered this and it was honestly good - a delicious, crispy flavorful dish!) Avoid: - garlic baked whole crab (too overcooked and bland)
(5)
Amal R.
Disclaimer: food was sampled here while under the influence of 3 strong cocktails. Translation: food always tastes better after booze, and I'd really give this place 2.5 stars, but 3 would be too generous in light of the other aspects. After drinks, one of my buddies raved about this place he discovered last week and its having the best dumplings he's ever had. This looks like your standard hole in the wall authentic Chinese place, except for the fact that it's packed! It's apparently very touristy and rumored to have some of the best dumplings in Boston, but NYC has spoiled me and I was somewhat disappointed. Though with all the good reviews and word of mouth, I really doubt I'll dissuade you. We had a 5 min wait before we were ushered to one of the crammed in tables. You're pretty much on top of other diners while eating. The selection of food tows the line between authentic Chinese and Americanized. At my buddy's suggestion we had the fried chicken dumplings, braised eggplant and scallion pancakes (which I don't eat). The dumplings were decent, though fairly bland, and nothing special. The eggplant was in a brown sauce with basil and quite savory, though very hot temperature-wise (burned my entire tongue), and after the first few chunks, the extreme saltiness really kicks in. Both of my friends insisted it was the best scallion pancakes they'd ever had, so I'll take their word for it, but I'm still skeptical. To their credit, food portions are fairly generous. If you're looking for a nice sit-down restaurant with good service, look elsewhere. We never received waters, just tea, and waiters only came by to take orders, bring food, and give us the check. Fortunately, it slowed down when we got there, and we didn't have to deal with the waiters rushing you at as many reviewers stated. Because the tables are so tightly packed, expect patrons and waiters to constantly bump into you if you're sitting by the aisle. The two middle-aged women sitting by us were rightly outraged when a waitress walked by and bumped an entire plate of hot food onto one of the woman's laps. Oy.
(2)
Nanana A.
This place is always packed and they do a lot of take out. The wait was 15 minutes and we sat at a table for 2 right next to another table for 2. It is a small restaurant and barely enough room for the waitresses to walk around. The staff was nice and service was decent. I had to wait from them to come by as ask for my glass of water. The table did not have enough room to put our orders on. Black bean clams with Thai basil - A large portion and clams were fresh and tasty. ($13.) Be sure to get a bowl of rice when you order this dish, sauce is yummy on the rice. A- XLB - You get 8 dumplings and they are larger then I'm use to. It was very good and tasty. They didn't serve any dipping vinegar sauce with it. I have had better XLB then this one. B+ Appetizer chicken wings - You get about 6-8 wings, and they were a bit large, it was greasy and okay. I had better then this one. They should serve small chicken wings. C For Boston, this may be one of the better restaurants that has great turnover and good decent food. They should think about moving to a larger place.
(3)
Pam Z.
"There is no good Chinese food in Boston!" laments my friend, David T, whose been living in Boston for almost two years. "If I can find decent Chinese food in DC, I can definitely find good Chinese food in Boston," Blueface responds. "You want to bet on that?" David T's famous last words. Lucky for David T, I didn't take him up on that bet because Gourmet Dumpling House has good Taiwanese and Sichuan food (if you order their Americanized Chinese food and it sucks, that's your fault). It's one of those super packed places where you might be seated right next to the fishtank and almost touching the next table, but you won't care because the food is so friggin good. Only demerits are that there is a $20 credit card minimum, and they'll only take one card. And they only have one kind of tea. Xiao Long Bao! Soup dumplings! Not as good as Joe's Shanghai in NYC, but definitely a solid contender. After being denied real Chinese food (i.e. veggie dim sum silliness) during my last trip to NYC, I was thrilled to have some authentic soup dumplings. I've never been sure what the proper etiquette is for eating soup dumplings is, but here's how I do it: 1)gingerly use the chopsticks (or your fingers) to place the dumpling in your soup spoon 2) "drill" a hole in the top with your chopstick, or just bite a small portion of the skin off near the top 3) pour in some of the vinegar sauce 4) attempt to fit the whole dumpling in your mouth without burning yourself or spilling anything. Alternatively, slurp all of the soup out, then eat the rest dumpling at your leisure. We also had the stinky tofu, which I thought was pretty decent and I have not seen very often outside of Hong Kong. My dining companion was not so enthralled. Perhaps it's an acquired taste? Use the hot dipping sauce that comes with it liberally. Served on a bed of kimchi-esque cabbage. Scallion pancakes are light and crispy and oh so good reheated as well. Just get them, they're totally awesome. Szechuan style fish, basically a white fish in searing hot (taste and temp) broth. It's amazing. Trust me. And you'll have plenty of broth to take home and add some noodles or rice to. Overall, GDH fulfilled the longing in my soul for Chinese food goodness. Thanks, Boston, I had a great time!
(5)
Ben B.
The scallion pancakes were awesome, as others have mentioned. My son was with me and he convinced me we should get egg rolls. Those were as boring as you might expect. The dumplings were good, much breadier than i imagined but that is likely my inexperience. I like the low-key decor ;). Old School.
(4)
Ben L.
Been walking by this place for years and there was always a line out the door even while it's raining. Was it that good to keep going back? Meh, i can only say it's okay I had some type of fried fish and soup dumplings. They were just okay, but i would only come here for lunch. Place does get crowded and Im a little claustrophobic. I would only come back for lunch, anyhow, nothing special to me.
(3)
Erica D.
Hands down The Best Chinese food we have found!! My husband and I travel a lot and Eat a lot. It's our fun to scope out hidden gems wherever we go. We also dine out with friends who are American but have lived in China! They are equal fans of this place as we are! I can't believe it took us so long to discover our not so well kept secret, GDHOUSE! We bring everyone here! They are all foodies and just fall in love! Maybe that's why other reviewers see so many non-Chinese here!!! It's our fault! We full it up with US and our friends. Non-Chinese know good food too ya know! If you want the usual Chinese fare like crab Rangoon and General Gao's chix, they have it but, that is NOT what one comes here for! This is for trying something different and real. A hole in the wall, brightly lit, basic space but the Food!!! Oh the food! Soup dumplings are good but I like the pan fried pork and leek better!!!!! Thin skin, tasty insides and great dipping sauce. My husband luuuuuvs spicy so he adores the long horn peppers with bean thread ( also comes with beef) I luuuuv the sweet and sour flounder! Yes it's sweet and sour but done right!! No neon pink sauce with pineapple and maraschino cherries here !!! Real fish perfectly fried in a great sauce with lots of fresh veggies! The northern style eggplant with pork, awesome! The string beans with beef, Fab! Bok choi with mushrooms, yum! Almost everything is amazing. Some noodle dishes are just ok. Gotta come with 4-6! Harder to get a table but there is so much to try, the portions are huge and the $$ is Ridiculous!!! 4-6 of us can pack it away and with beer spend $21 a head. Crazy... This place, the huge menu, the chaos and energy can be intimidating but take a deep breath and smile. Ask one of the very nice but busy and hard working staff for some help choosing and you will be All Good! It's worth the wait, keep your elbows in, order too much (you can always take it to go) and have a blast! Eat well my friends-
(5)
Sidney L.
I frequent Gourmet Dumpling House, most recently the day after the Nemo blizzard, when the streets were shut down by Governor's decree and most businesses were closed. I guess you can always count on Chinatown being open, even during a natural disaster. The menu is enormous and ranges from the typical items like General's chicken to more exotic dishes like pig intestines or ants on a stick (which fortunately aren't actually ants). But I go here for one reason, the dumplings, and I try not to get sidetracked by the other entrees, though the soups and the mango chicken are quite delicious. The soup dumplings here are the BEST I've ever had. These are dumplings that are filled with broth and vegetables and pork. I swallow them in one bite, and the juice explodes out as a chew on them - it's glorious. The dough is thin and delicate. Make sure to ask for a spoon to eat these dumplings, because even the most skilled at chopsticks will probably perforate the skin and lose all the juice as a result. The other dumplings they have (pork and leek, pork and cabbage, beef and celery, chicken and cabbage) all taste pretty similar to me, but I would recommend spending the extra 25 cents to get them fried instead of merely steamed. On the flip side, the service is terrible, especially when this place is busy (they take forever to take your order and then hustle you to vacate your table), and the restaurant is so packed in that it feels like the seating arrangement should be a fire hazard. But I suppose that's the norm for Chinatown, and doesn't bother me too much.
(4)
Karen B.
Can I rate a place 5 stars, but discourage people from going because I want it ALL TO MYSELF? Most authentic Chinese/Taiwanese food you'll find in the area! The juicy pork dumplings are amazing and the basil eggplant is my favorite. But really, save some for me.
(5)
Lillian C.
Great Taiwanese food and soup dumplings with the longest wait in Chinatown -Boston. Be wary of when you go to Gourmet Dumpling House, as you may end up waiting in line for 1-2 hours during the busiest times. I love the soup dumplings here, which is what they are known for. They also have decent beef noodle soup and scallion pancakes. The only pitfall is the wait, so come during the off-times or put up with the wait!!
(4)
Mahina K.
You know why there is ALWAYS a line? Because it's so damn good. I do my typical call in and order what I want, pick it up, and head on out. This is particularly good in the winter so you don't have to wait outside in the cold. I usually get the house noodles, pork dumplings, and general gao's chicken. Everything is cooked to perfection and it travels well enough (I biked home with it so it was swinging around and everything and arrived home just fine). When you do eat here be prepared to be close to your eating companions. Like super close. Even to people you don't know. I guess what everyone always needs to keep in mind is Chinatown tends to play by its own rules when it comes to seating, waiter service, and paying and tipping. Culture shock for some! But you know when in Chinatown... Unlike many places in Chinatown they do accept credit cards. But overall you can't get much better than this place.
(5)
Justin L.
Ok what is with the lines here. Yeah and I'm going to say this, also applies to Hei La Moon and China Pearl. This is the only place where you'll see a large influx of white people in Chinatown. Who made this place so god dam trendy? Chowhound? A foodie review on a blog? Anthony Bourdain? This is the only place to get Xiao Long Bao I think in Boston which makes me kinda sad. Cause it isn't so great to warrant waiting in line for it. In fact waiting in line for anything is so stupid. I'm too old for that. The food here I had a while ago but having lived in NYC and eaten in Shanghai I would say this place is average but better then many of the other places in Boston, Chinatown. That isn't saying much. PLUS its the only place that offers Xiao Long Bao? Correct me if I"m wrong. Seems like if you don't have competition you can just keep doing what you're doing. Sorry I'll always compare places to NYC because its just the honest truth. Maybe I'll give it another try here but I'll just turn around if I have to wait in line for a Chinese restaurant. GAG
Plenty of vegan/easily veganized dishes like dry tofu with long horn peppers. None of the dumplings are vegan. Best scallion pancakes in Boston.
(5)
Nicole E.
We came around 7pm on a Sunday night at the recommendation of Lonely Planet. After waiting about 20 minutes outside in the cold with several other customers (there is no where to wait in the restaurant and after giving our name we were abruptly told to wait in the front) - including some locals who were increasing our anticipation of delicious dumplings - we were escorted inside to our table. While waiting outside, we were eying a large family eating delicious seafood, including lobster, served in pots through the window. We tried to ask our waitress what this was, but it seemed she didn't understand or be interested in our question. We decided against guessing which item it was on the menu (we also thought it could have been a specially ordered thing) and ordered the Chinese broccoli, beef and string beans, and juicy pork dumplings. There was so much food. The beef and sting beans was good, but mostly string beans (little beef). The beef seemed fresher than my Chinese take out restaurant go-to at home, but the taste wasn't too different. The pork dumplings were very juicy. We took most of them home, and they were much better cold the next day. The Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce was definitely the highlight of the night. We had never had Chinese broccoli before, and it reminded me of an over-sized broccolini. It was served al dente in delicious garlic sauce. We enjoyed it that night and cold the next day in our hotel room. The drawback: everything was rushed and impersonal. I get that the food is supposed to be the main draw here, but some customer appreciation would be, in fact, appreciated. Also, if customers are supposed to wait in the cold to get a table, how about a heat lamp? There seem to be a lot of places on the street, and I think I will try another next time I am in town.
(3)
Danielle F.
The place does tend to get crowded, so definitely plan on checking it out when you are flexible from a time standpoint. In my visit, we were told that it was a 15 minute wait for a table for two, but we ended up waiting closer to 45 minutes. We were eating there prior to a show at the Cutler Majestic, and we cut it a bit close to showtime. Lesson learned - be prepared to wait (as other reviewers have suggested) and be prepared to wait longer than the host has advised. As you are waiting, you see a ton of mouth-watering food go by, a bit of a test I suppose. Patience is a bit of a virtue, but it is rewarded with a wonderful meal (at least that's what my taste buds told me). Once seated, he service is quite prompt and food comes out rather quickly. As other Yelpers have suggested, the scallion pancakes are REALLY good. We also ordered the chicken and cabbage dumplings, pan-fried, which were wonderful. The pan-frying puts a great sear on the outside and they didn't taste greasy in any way. We also ordered the crab rangoon, which was good, but was not as tasty as the other items we ordered. I wish we had gotten the eggplant with basil (next time I suppose). This place is not for you if you get claustrophobic. The tables are a bit packed together, so fair warning. The atmosphere is a bit of organized chaos, so if you are looking for a relaxing dining experience, this probably is not the place for you. I found the food to be really good, I found the menu to have a ton of options, and I thought it was reasonably priced considering the quality and quantity of the food. I think in order to have the best possible experience, one needs to go into it with the appropriate expectations. I plan on returning to sample other items from the menu that sparked my interest.
(4)
Rachel R.
I have this policy of giving Chinese restaurants one star for every shrimp they put in my food... so these two go out to the spicy pad thai. It was actually a decent dish, but shorting me of my beloved shrimp is a quick way to get on my sh*tlist. While we're on the subject of "where the hell is the seafood?" the seafood dumplings were bland and doughy, and approximately 99% devoid of seafood altogether. Next time I want something that chewy and gelatinous, I'll just attack the Pillsbury Dough Boy. The rangoons were also completely crab-less, although fried fat is hard not to enjoy, even without the crab. Overall, the food wasn't nearly good enough to warrant the absolutely terrible service. I'm not reviewing Dumpling House based off the service, which was somewhat anticipated, but it certainly doesn't make me want to forgive them for being such ocean-crawler cheapskates.
(2)
Jaeri J.
My review can be summarized by two words: AWFULLY AWESOME. 1. If you wish to visit but don't know where the restaurant is located, don't worry about it; you might needlessly think of turning on your pocket GPS when you get to Chinatown. It's really easy to spot not because of its huge, luminous, and conspicuous signboard, but because of tremendous waiting folks unintentionally advertising the restaurant. Just find a restaurant with the longest line in Chinatown. It will absolutely be Gourmet Dumpling House! If you don't want to spend your valuable time waiting, you might avoid visiting around typical lunch and dinner time, or weekend. 2. As you've already expected, the inside is also too wicked to accommodate such an enormous crowd. It is just so marvelous how the cramped place can hold approximately 30 people. However, there are three things you might want to keep in your mind. First, don't carry your fancy bag or anything handful. There are no extra chairs and no extra space for anything except asses and feet. So, don't dare think of putting your belongings on a chair. Second, food or tea on a table can be spilled accidentally by either servers or other customers because tables are extremely dense. One day, when one of its servers hastily cleaned up my next table, she mistakenly spilled a huge amount of tea on my knee. Even though she apologized and brought some paper napkins, I couldn't avoid looking like a person who pissed his jeans. Lastly, I don't want you to imagine that you will enjoy the food leisurely. The turnover rate of the restaurant is so fast that new customers or busy servers moving restlessly around you can disturb your meal. 3. Despite all negatives I mentioned, people don't stop trying to visit because it provides extremely awesome cuisines. Besides a wide selection of cuisines that even satisfy vegans, everything on the menu has never let me down. Personally, I'd like to recommend dumplings, specifically juicy pork dumplings that make me forget all complaints I have had in my mind. Moreover, I'd like you to know that you and one or two more in your party will be satiated for around $20. The price is so affordable that you can save some bucks for shopping around the Downtown area. All in all, Gourmet Dumpling House will give you an unforgettable memory that you will never experience.
(4)
Yi Z.
These guys were so rude and terrible to me and my friends. After some shoddy service, they said we didn't tip enough and literally shooed us out of the restaurant five minutes after we paid. The dumplings are only so-so...not worth the $$$ and the terrible service. Do not come!!!
(1)
Joseph L.
I love this place. It's tasty. It's cheap. I brought 2 friends last time, and we paid $30ish for the whole meal! I think we had a few dumpling platters, a soup, and meat dish. AMAZING! The downside is that it's always super crowded. The wait is usually very long. So beware! I recommend the egg and chive bun, veggie dumplings and Chinese watercress with garlic for vegetarians. The pork soup dumplings and beef/celery fried dumplings are so good! They have pretty good deals for rice/meat combo dishes too, for the cheap. If you have the stomach for spicy, get the shredded beef with longhorn peppers. Soooo tasty! Just be ready to squeeze in, as it's shoulder-to-shoulder packed. :)
(5)
Hendry C.
Craving for Chinese food and looked at Yelp for help. This place got the Most reviews, thus we decided to check it out (at 2 PM). The place was packed as expected, had to wait for 15 min - we're OK with it. Service was standard - kinda in the poor side. It's Chinese ! Lots of yelling in Chinese. We ordered some food that reviewers had which are: 1. Scallion Pancake ---- This was really dry. 2. Salted fish & chicken fried rice --- OK 3. Mini juicy pork dumplings --- REALLY DISGUSTING !!! 4. Szechuan sliced fish --- Weird taste We're giving 1 star because of the dumplings. It tastes like a rotten meat. We thought it may be the soy sauce, but nope -- something was just bad, and we had to spit it out! Although the rest of the food taste OK, we were just questioning the quality of the food and decided not to eat them.
(1)
Jonathan D.
I come here probably three or four times a month for lunch and dinner. Always an enjoyable experience. It's a small restaurant but the atmosphere is lively and most importantly, the food is great! The line is always out the door basically whenever you decide to come. Most definitely worth the wait. Price is comparable to other restaurants in the area. There's no loss in ordering more than you can eat because everything taste great and can be taken with you. I would however suggest eating the soup dumplings while still hot. It has to be my favorite dish aside from the spicy fish.
(5)
Michael C.
4 star food, 2 star service. After hearing about the various endorsements of this place (celebrity and otherwise) I decided to give it a try with some co-workers. This place is small, probably seats less than 50. If you want to get in without a hassle during lunch then get here before noon. Even on a cold winter day there was a small wait by noon. Our server had to be asked to provide water to the table, multiple times. When he took the order we asked him to repeat it, he kind of rudely assured us he had it then ended up getting it wrong by forgetting an item or two. This ended up being a benefit as the portions were big. Scallion Pancakes - Honestly, some of the best I've ever had. Extra crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Fish Szechuan Style - Fantastic soup like dish that is fairly spicy. The broth is filled with an excellent fried white fish. i recommend getting a bowl of rice to go along with it. Dumplings - We got a variety of different kinds. I know people rave about them but I thought they were just OK. Maybe I am not a dumpling guy.
(3)
Saba C.
If you're expecting 5 star restaurant quality, this is not for you. However, if you want some delicious dumplings and don't mind having to wait twenty minutes to get a table and sit under bright, fluorescent lights, then this is perfect for you! Please try their steamed pea tips. That dish will change the way you think about greens. Nom nom nom
(4)
Harry H.
They were very apologetic after botching our order, but we eventually ended up with what we requested: sliced fish szechuan style, scallion pancake, and an assortment of other satisfying but unremarkable items. At $63.80 for two, not a bad portion of grub, but feel no need to return.
(3)
Lauren B.
Mmmmm, soup dumpling... come to me... succulent little pillows of meat and broth... Delicious. They are always super crowded but I am happy to wait for those lovely little morsels... The leek/whatever dumplings tasted like all leek. That's why I'm calling them "leek/whatever," I don't remember what they were marketed as containing, but you couldn't taste it. Just buy the soup dumplings and be glad you did. I liked their Chinese broccoli, and they have nice tea. Huzzah!
(4)
Leafy S.
Huge line, and not sure if its worth it for that line. you go and you leave...theres not a ton of space, and certainly not great for a long convo. waiters are super efficient and food was decent! i heard the soup dumplings are amazing but i havent tried those because i dont eat pork.
(3)
Charles T.
Long wait, poor customer service, secretly charged card extra for tips, decent food Food was decent compared to the food in Chinatown. The soup dumplings were definitely better in Taiwan Cafe because the skin is thinner and the soup was better. In gourmet, expect to just eat flour. One issue was that when we had just finished dinner, just handed them the credit card to be charged, and they already told us to give away the table so new customers can sit. Really? I'm trying to pay here. The worst part? We decided to tip a bit less because she tried kicking us out - 10% instead of 15% - but instead, they decide to ignore what was written on the receipt and charge their own total, giving themselves a hefty almost 30% tip! This is despicable. I cannot believe this would happen, and cannot fathom a restaurant doing such a thing. It's low. You should check how much you're being charged on your card just in case.
(1)
Pb P.
Long Line to sit in a tiny space, to rush to eat flavorless juicy dumplings. The Wonton Soup I ordered came with raw chicken and mucousy seaweed. Does this make sense? There is an awesome spicy beef dish, with I think "horn peppers"? SOOO goood. I really like eating the dumplings, I really want to love the taste of them more, but they just taste too watery or something. More salt, more ginger, and more sesame oil is needed I think.
(4)
Daniel H.
In my quest to stop people from eating at establishments with roaches, here is another. We had a roach on our plate of pork dumplings. I think the heat kinda knocked it out and made it tired. It was belly up with its legs squiggling around. The pork dumplings had bones in them and tasted like chemicals. Service is what you'd expect, loud and slow. Every time I eat Chinese food outside of So Cal and Toronto, I'm reminded how good we have it. This place sucks.
(1)
Victoria P.
Delicious dumplings. Don't bother with the fried ones - get all steamed. As a born and raised southerner, there's nothing I like more than anything fried, but I definitely prefer the steamed dumplings over the fried ones here. My favorites are the mini pork dumplings (these are soup dumplings and there is a special way to eat them!) and the pork and chive dumplings. Don't bother with the regular soy sauce - use the one with the ginger slices for everything. For those of you who don't know how to eat soup dumplings, here's the quick and dirty: grab a dumpling, bite off a tiny corner, pour out the soup into your soup spoon, dip the dumpling in the ginger soy sauce, devour, and drink the soup. I honestly don't care for the soup, but my boyfriend loves it. It takes a bit of skill, especially with chopsticks, but it will change your soup dumpling experience forever. Please don't eat the soup dumpling whole - you will scald your mouth and ruin the rest of your tasty dinner.
(4)
Brooke P.
I love it here and will only eat here when I'm craving great authentic Chinese dishes. There's always a long wait BUT well worth it. It's very spicy and that's how i like my food. I always ask for it to be extra hot.
(5)
Pete L.
This is the best place I've been to in Chinatown, and I've been to most of them. There is always a wait and it's not exactly spacious or fancy, but the food is amazing and the staff is friendly and it's well worth it if you ask me. all of these are amazing: -Sliced Fish Szechuan Style -dry bean curd or beef with long horn peppers -juicy pork dumplings -fried chicken Szechuan Style (stir fry not actually fried)
(5)
Matteo P.
The food is ok, but there is definitely better in Boston. The service is one of the worse I have ever seen. They seated us in front of the door which was opened most of the time with 25 degrees outside. We were freezing during the whole dinner. Moreover the waiters were very impolite and we felt really uncomfortable. Finally, the place is very dirty. Definitely one of the worse experiences I have had here in Boston.
(1)
Joann C.
Must go for soup dumplings. I have no idea if anything else was good because that was all I ate and it was more than enough. Go again and again to master the delicate art of eating these wonderful dumplings!! Bite delicately into one on the side, just enough to taste the soup...dont drip or waste any of it! Then sip and slurp just a little bit of the soup out...and finally, when you are brave enough, eat the whole thing in one last bite - yum!! Did you get all of it? If not, try try try again
(4)
Erin S.
Water was not freely flowing. Cold and good quality- but had to request multiple times for each glass
(4)
Alex O.
Love this place. One of my favorite Chinese places ever. I've eating Chinese food in Asia, and almost everything I had here seems to be rather authentic. We always love the dumplings, the Peking Pork (sort of like Mushi pork but different.) the beef with long green horn peppers(pretty spicy) the braised Schezwan fish is terrific.
(4)
Rob G.
After hearing about this place for so long, we finally made it over for dinner. The wait was what I expected - about 35 minutes in the freezing cold - but it gave my wife and I a chance to walk around Chinatown and explore. We did not go there for the ambiance, we went for the food and it did not disappoint. The juicy dumplings with pork are out of this world good, the scallion pancakes were some of the best I have had, the spicy fish soup was amazing and the whole roasted peppers were spicy and delicious. I think we may have over ordered, I was uncomfortably stuffed, but it was worth the money and the frostbite! We will be back and since it is on my way home from work, I can definitely see myself calling in for take out on the way home.
(5)
David V.
The sticky buns are on point...but the dumplings are insane! Can't comment on any other items. Gourmet Dumpling House exceeded our exceptions! It is a small little place that cannot handle the traffic of customers that desire to come here. Once you are in, you are seated incredibly close to other patrons due to the above reasons...but the food!...Ohhh, the food! Their dumplings contain a little more soup than most, and have a wonderful flavor! Good size portions. Good prices. Amazing dumplings!.
(5)
Christina T.
Good fix for Xiao Long Bao's. Definitely not as good as the ones in Asia or Nanxiang in Flushing, New York, but probably the place to go when you're craving it in Boston. Got one basket of crab and one basket of pork. The crab one was just saltier, and I'd probably just order two baskets of pork. Skip out on the Shanghai Pan Fried Buns, too much bread, and not as crispy as some other places make them. They also tend to come out before the soup dumplings so you get pretty full before the main event!
(4)
Sereia C.
The menu is 5 star in terms of variety...that is...if you're into crazy sh*t like frog legs, beef tendons, blood. I...am not. However, my Asian BFF who brought me here is, and she said the crazy sh*t just tasted very average. The dumplings I got were phenomenal. Good thing they call it Dumpling House instead of frog leg soup house, or they may not have had 700+ reviews. Honestly, a good alternative to dim sum if you're in the area-
(3)
Alisa M.
After a long day touring Boston, we ended our night checking out Chinatown before our drive back to the hotel in Providence. I'm really glad we checked it out. There are a lot of places to eat at and everything is essentially on one street so it'd hard to miss. As we walked passed the dumpling house, there was a wait for a table and the place was packed. We were thinking about ordering something to go, but then on our way back there wasn't a line and we were seated right away. Still really full from our dinner, we decided just to order something small so we ordered the soup dumplings with pork and crab. I really enjoyed the dumpling. It came out hot and the dumpling was very fresh and are huge. I would have preferred for them to be a bit smaller and more quantity because it was a little hard to eat, but it was still very good. It came with an order of 8 for about $7. The soup was seasoned perfectly so you don't have to add soy sauce or anything. It comes with black vinegar and ginger, which you can put inside the soup or dip the dumpling in. A lot of other people were ordering the szechuan fish soup. It came in a large bowl and looked delicious. Too bad we couldn't try that, but there's always next time! Also, they only take credit cards on orders more than $20 so bring cash if you're not planning to order a lot of food. The place is cheap. We ended up spending close to $8 for our dumplings.
(3)
Arthur M.
We snuck (yes, I know it's "sneaked," but who actually says that?) in for an early Sunday lunch before wrapping up a weekend away...got there around 11:15 and were seated right away. By 11:45, the place was packed, and I can understand why... We ordered scallion pancake, Sandong-style friend dumplings, pork and leek dumplings, vegetable tofu soup, and Julienne beef with longhorn peppers. We had no idea that this would pretty much be enough to feed a small village, but damned if we didn't almost finish everything! Really enjoyed everything, especially the scallion pancake (which I had been craving), and thought it was a tremendous value. I wouldn't go with a group of more than 4, unless you don't mind sitting apart...
(4)
Kenny Y.
I walked into the restaurant the other day and saw Ming Tsai at the back table, enjoying dumplings with his whole family! And, this is the only restaurant in Boston's chinatown with a crowd of people outside waiting. That must say something about this restaurant, right? The dumplings here are delicious, juicy and bursting with soup (hey, sucking out the soup first is the best part!). I would agree that it isn't quite at the level of Joe's in Flushing NY or Din Tai Fong in Taiwan but seriously, why are you even making such a comparison? This is the best (well, only) place in Boston to get good quality dumplings, and it's worth checking out. The reason for a 4 instead of a 5 is the service - because of the big crowds and the cramped space, the waitstaff is quite pushy.
(4)
Rebecca Y.
One of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The food is awesome. They have a huge pan-China menu, with regional dishes all over China. My favorites are the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), the Sichuan spicy fish in chili oil, and the double-cooked pork. This place is very popular, so you might have to wait in line if you're coming in on a weekend night. But I've never had to wait for a lunchtime meal on any day of the week.
(4)
Myrna C.
Unless I'm mistaken, I could've sworn this place had one of the highest Zagat ratings this year for Chinese cuisine. However, from start to finish, our meal experience was less than pleasant. When we first got there, there was a group waiting outside, so when the waitress came out to call for them, we asked her to put our name on the list and we clearly noted that our name was up next. However, after us, several groups went in to put their names on the list. We decided to wait outside since we felt they could still see us, yet we wouldn't have to crowd up the whole restaurant as it's quite small. We waited and waited and wondered why it seemed that the wait was much longer than they had said it would be. My mom went in and realized they had been seating everyone who was behind us! This situation was super frustrating since we had waited much longer than everyone else and yet they were being seated before us. So unfair. Nevertheless, we finally got our seats and ordered a ton of food because we thought, well, since the ratings are good and the lines are so long, the food must be good. We ended up with Pan Fried Pork Buns, 2 orders of the Mini Juicy Pork Buns (Xiao Long Bao), Pork and Leek Steamed Dumplings, Sauteed Flounder, Twin Lobster with Ginger and Scallions, Pei Pa Tofu, and the Scallion Pancake. We had also intended on ordering Shanghai Smoked Fish but they said that they didn't have anything. I suppose that turned out to be a blessing since we had ordered way too much food as it was. When we ordered the Pan Fried Pork Bun, we thought they would be like the ones we got in Shanghai which were perfectly fried with lots of juice in it. We were completely mistaken. It was basically a regular large bun that was fried. There was nothing special about these at all. The outsides of the Mini Juicy Pork Buns were already slightly soggy from the juice leaking out. The ones at Dumpling Cafe nearby is so much better! We pretty much had to force ourselves to finish these since taking them home would mean really soggy buns. My sister actually liked the Pork and Leek Dumplings. I thought they were ok. The outsides were not as chewy as I would've liked them to be, but the inside was flavorful enough. The Sauteed Flounder was not bad. The fish was pretty tender and the overall dish would've been good over rice. However, we ordered rice and it never came. They still charged us for it, so beware. We let them know that we never received it so they took it off the receipt. The lobsters were decent, though I've never really had bad lobster so that was a relief. The pei pa tofu was actually quite good, though very filling because it is fried. I've come to find that something about the tofu they use in Chinatown is a little bit sour or something because we got a tofu dish at a different restaurant yesterday and it had the same strange flavor (ever so slight but still noticeable). Finally, the scallion pancake was probably the highlight of the meal. Even though it looks burnt, it's super crisp and yummy to munch on. Probably won't be coming back here. Poor service and average food. Plus, the restaurant is so cramped that I was literally sitting there sweating while trying to devour food that was making me warm up even more. It doesn't rank high in terms of cleanliness either. There are definitely many other restaurants in the area that I would rather go try.
(2)
Abby B.
If you are looking for some quick and damn good dumplings, this is the place to go. Sure, the service is not the greatest and they rush you out the door if it's busy but it's so good!! I would suggest getting an order of the mini juicy pork dumpling, an order of the pan fried dumplings, and an order of the scallion pancakes. Yum. You will definitely not be disappointed. They have a $20 minimum for credit cards which is a bummer, but throw some 22oz sapporos onto your order and you'll meet that minimum in no time.
(4)
Grace W.
Two stars seems a bit harsh for such a hyped-up place, but it really was "Meh. I've experienced better." Maybe we ordered unspectacular dishes, maybe it was the waitstaff making us switch to the next table over halfway through our meal so that our table could allow a party of six to sit together, or maybe it was the beef stew didn't have actual beef chunks but what appeared to be slices of what could only taste like beef jerky. Overall, my first impression of this place was correct - overhyped "traditional" dishes. The soup dumplings, while large, juicy, and tasty, had a very thick skin. As I've noted before, I don't like commenting on service at Asian places since I'm there for the food, not the people. But in this case, I could hear and see the staff make room for the party of 6 WAY before they even bothered asking my group if it was ok. No "thank you" either. Anyways, alternatives to GDH: windsor dim sum and dumpling house.
(2)
Ulrik B.
Great place! We were four people and ate way more than we should, still had food left on our place and all had a beer at a total price of 130 dollars including tips. Don't hesitate to go into some of the neighbouring restaurants though, many of them appear to boast a similar standard - just have a look in and check them out.
(5)
Kristine M.
Juicy dumplings/soup dumplings that aren't petite pathetic things! FINALLY! Boston, you serve your Chinatown well. (Can you come to DC, now?) Other Chinese dishes are solid and great price for the portion size. You get tea for free which is always a plus (and a risk, since I could really stay there all day sipping jasmine). The only down-side to this place is it's crowwwded (be ready to make friends and sit at a table with strangers, or the fish tank). Be ready for a culinary adventure! Definitely for the adventurous eater who doesn't mind sucking in their bubble of personal space. And the pics of Michael Douglass and Anne Hathaway are cool to see, too.
(4)
Christina X.
Got lucky and didn't have to wait too long! We only ordered the soup dumpling and seafood soup. Both were very tasty!
(5)
Jen P.
I'm only giving it three stars because the services was terrible. A friend and I had dinner the other night here. We were seated promptly and given menus and when we were ready to order most of the staff was sitting at a table eating watermelon. The restaurant was fairly busy too. I kept looking over and still no one came over to the table. Finally a server came over and asked " You ready?" The soup dumplings were good and the luncheon portions are huge. No one came to ask how things were, or refill our teapot with iced water. The place is very small. The sesame chicken was delicious but again, I was put off by the service.
(3)
Travis T.
Awesome and affordable Chinese food in the heart of china town. This place is tiny and there is a reason it's always packed.
(4)
Bing X.
I liked the food so I took my husband here for lunch on the weekend. There was a long line and the waiting was 25mins. Then we realized people after us were going in... I went to ask and I can see they forgot us because they took name wrong and crossed off to correct it, which may have them the impression that we were already inside? It was so unpleasant afterwards because we were put on another table with strangers. The whole meal we had to listen to the lady's medical condition conversation. We gave less tips(12%) because of the horrible experience. Then the waitress came to ask for 20%. It was so ridiculous. We are not coming again!
(1)
Sarah N.
We love this place, it's probably our favorite place in Chinatown. Accept no substitutions. Order the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style. It's spicy, but so delicious. Also, I have literally dreamt about how delicious the scallion pancakes are. Best in the city! Be prepared to have zero personal space while eating...it's part of the charm. It's loud, crowded, and a bit intense, so be prepared! And it's popular, so get there well before dinner hour, or prepared to wait at least half an hour. Worth it!
(5)
R D.
As basic as it gets for decor. Simple wooden tables, crowded together with plastic cups. Place was mobbed and we got the last open table. Service was quick and attentive. Huge choices on menu. Food was served quickly as well. Good quality was good - not awesome. House rice was good as were there specialty dumplings. General Gao lacked spice and its sauce was much to thick. Good spot to go for a late night fast meal
(4)
Jessica B.
I tried Gourmet Dumpling House for the first time last night with seven friends in tow. When I picked the restaurant, I wasn't aware of its size, but I thought that it would be doable. I easily found two hour street parking after 4 pm. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about Taiwanese and PRC food to give a very detailed review. I liked everything I ate. I had some mango chicken, with luscious, ripe mangoes, some salted squid, and every kind of dumpling on the table, from steamed to fried and vegetarian to pork. Everything was delicious. In fact, I ate the most I have in weeks and feel like a dumpling myself. The decor is nothing fancy, the lines can be long, wait times can be... under-estimated, and our waitress had a few more tables than could be efficiently serviced, but with a group of friends, we had a really nice time. It was someone's birthday and they nicely fussed over her and cleared the table so we could eat a cake we brought. Note: One credit card per table with a $20 minimum per card. Great food and really nice people. I ate a ton and got to try a lot of different things for under $17 with no alcohol.
(4)
Chris C.
Soup dumplings!!!! Dumplings never dissappoint, but I tried getting some other food here and it was just ehhhh... I got the beef soup with spinach, it had the spicy symbol next to it but it was not very spicy and it didn't have a whole lot of flavor. I'll stick to the dumplings.
(3)
V L.
Generally there will be a wait so don't go there when you're starving. Also, it is a bit cramped so be prepared to be sitting really close to your neighbors. However, this place still deserves 4 stars because the food is good. Jullienne beef is something we always get when we go there and it is GOOD. Note, make sure you have water since it is pretty spicy! The juicy soup dumplings were also very good. Scallion pancakes are decent but a bit thick.
(4)
Jiyea C.
It's ok, but I prefer Dumpling Cafe or Taiwan Cafe. The xlb has better flavor elsewhere, and we are not impressed with the pork soup. My dining companion informed me that this broth is a staple in Chinese cuisine, and the mediocre flavor of the soup here was an indicator of the quality of the restaurant itself. I don't think it's bad, but I this is not my favorite place in Chinatown.
(3)
Kris L.
This place is so over rated and their food isnt even that great! The juicy dumplings is blah..the outside was dried out. Idk if it was old or not but fresh steam dumplings aren't suppose to look like that... Dump-lings I say... Had the beef stir fry string beans...beef was cold and string beans was old. Maybe a Monday night isn't a good night to go. I rather go to new golden gate. Fresh delicious food vs this DUMP place...no so gourmet I tell ya... If your American please go to new golden gate for better Chinese food...they need to have a no star option...
(1)
Lana N.
Mehhh, maybe I'm spoiled by being in California... but GDH is definitely nothing worth raving about. It MIGHT be the best Chinese food available in Boston, idk... but if so, I am sorry Bostonians... I guess its not THAT bad? Between 4 people we split an order of Chinese pancakes, pan fried pork & chive dumplings, xiao long bao (juicy pork dumpings), and minced pork & chili sauce noodles. For the most part, everything was underwhelming and nothing compared to California's many dumpling houses... or even Joe's in NYC. The XLB were really large and quite difficult to eat, and overall unmemorable... as were the rest of the dishes. I would avoid coming to GDH unless I was crazy craving Chinese, and still then... I'd prob try and find something else if there's a long line.
(2)
Meizi H.
Very authentic Asian style! They have the best beef stew noodle in new England areas; its nothing you can find in any American Chinese restaurants. We also ordered beef with green chili pepper and it was really spicy with all pepper seeds mixed.if the dish is marked spicy, they do mean it. They have many different choices of Taiwanese traditional dishes and Chinese ones also. I have to say they are the best I've ever tried in Boston metro areas. Greet chefs and tasty food. I bet they are going to expand it in no time!!
(4)
Jow O.
just like mama-san used to make! loved this place. ordered a bunch of food. and it was all delicious and fresh!
(5)
Wei H.
This place is soooooooo good that i went there twice during my short 5-day stay in Boston. And each time it took me 1 hour to get there plus a half an hour wait. No joke. Being from Chicago, naturally I don't get to have good seafood a whole lot. The (in)famous Joe's Seafood House in Chicago charges an insane amount of money for mediocre quality seafood, which probably factors in the price of their plane right from the coasts to Chi town. Folks in Boston are *blessed* with abundant and cheap seafood and I almost wanted to move to Boston for that. Anyways, everything I got at this tiny whole-in-the-wall restaurant was delish and hit the spot oh so precisely. I LOVED the bean curd fish fillets. It was legit and it would demand a bowl of rice with it. All the casseroles are good. We got a single lobster casserole with endless veggies and rice noodles in it. As soon as it came, we all stopped talking and indulged. Salt and pepper pork chop was also very nicely done - nothing irritates more (i guess there are other things but when it comes to fried Chinese food) than restaurant over frying stuff. This dish is dry and yet the meat is still juicy enough to not make you think you are eating jerky. You probably have paid attention unknowingly to this restaurant if you ever walked on Beach street in Chinatown. It is the one restaurant with about ten people standing outside doing nothing but drooling over the food that the people are eating inside this restaurant. Nope, you cannot leave your phone number with them and have them call you when you are up. You just stand there and wait. Or you can go around to some bubble tea place to kill some time and risk losing your spot. Saw that Blake Lively was there (photo evidence). Plus, when a restaurant posts on its window that "this is not a chain. we got no other stores." you know it's good. Go there. Hustle. Bring a game or so to play while waiting, or make sure you are in good company.
(4)
Kenneth B.
Great food. Generally very fast. Dumplings good but actually the rest of menu is just as good if not better. Be prepared to wait outside after putting your name on the list. The prices are very good compared to quality of the food. It can be quite load inside but not so bad you can't hear whomever your with. Well worth a visit!
(4)
William H.
Wide selection at great prices. The dumplings are the best I've ever had. Space is tight and you have to get in early, but service is fine and we'll definitely be heading back this fall/winter.
(4)
Big B.
Food is not tasty at all. Also the food is altered to meet Americans flavor. I have no idea why so many people go there.
(2)
Kyle D.
Today, I ate the sauteed julienne beef with long horn peppers. It is very spicy but very good. I received white rice and soup with my healthy portions of beef and peppers for the low price of 7 and change. Now that is a great deal. I will definately have to get this dish again.
(5)
Peter Y.
All of my friends really love this place, as they should, but it's not really the "omg dis is def the best chinese food ive ever been to" place they rave about. I do have to admit though, their soup dumpings are amazing. Their steamed ones though, not as great. As for their other food, get the Spicy Salt and Pepper Fried Fish and the Ma Po tofu. You will thank me, so you're welcome.
(4)
Julia D.
This place was awesome!! We had the spicy chicken cashew which left us sweating in a good way! We also had the pork dumplings that were cooked perfectly. Cannot wait to go back. If I lived closer I'd be a regular.
(5)
Alan P.
Great dumpling. I also had the beef noodle soup. It's just ok; the beef is a little too tough. Long line outside the restaurant. Not a good idea if your party have more than four persons. The restaurant is really small and the tables are packed very close together. Corollary: don't bring your first date there either.
(4)
Asian F.
The food is overly salty and oily, might be tasty while you are eating it until you need to chug a gallon of water to wash out the msg after the meal... DO NOT GET FOOLED! They scribble all over your check in Chinese and add a 20% tip to your bill without you knowing it. The price they quote includes the tip, I have never been to a restaurant where I am FORCED to pay tips, especially one in Chinatown with poor service and ambiance and we were only a party of 2. I highly doubt that this is legal, don't fall for it!
(1)
Lynn J.
BEST DUMPLINGS IN BOSTON! YES...You will probably have to wait in line. That should just prove the value of their food. MUST TRY: The juicy dumplings, their most famous dish. I also enjoyed their fried dumplings & watercress with garlic sauce. THE DEAL: There is a minimum $20 order for a credit card. Go from 2-4pm and you won't wait long. Feeling friendly? Offer to sit at a big table with strangers & you might be seated quickly!
(4)
Andrea S.
Order the ants on the tree for me!!
(5)
Ryan F.
This joint is tiny and it's likely you will have to wait, but they were surprisingly quick to get us seated. We went for the soup dumplings and the sliced szechuan fish which made for a perfect lunch combination. The dumplings were flavorful, with the perfect skin texture- the filling could have been a little less dense if I'm going to be picky. The fish came out in a beaming red bowl of broth and oil with tons of peppers and peppercorns. Surprisingly, it wasn't that hot compared to other szechuan fare I've encountered. Don't get me wrong, you will occasionally inhale a space and choke for a bit, but it didn't leave my insides burning. The texture of the fish was delicate and perfect.
The service is beyond awful! The waitress was so impatient in taking our orders and the second we finished eating they gave us the bill and said they're closing. It was 11:30 and the business hours was supposed to be until 1 am.
(1)
Rachel L.
The staff was rude, but damn was the food awesome. Come here for the eats and not for the experience.
(3)
Xiao Z.
I've eaten here a couple of times, but I fail to see the allure that all of my American colleagues see here. The wait to get into Gourmet is incredibly long for food that's decent, but not spectacular. I've sampled all of the dumplings and even tried the $50 authentic dinner combos and found them to be very tasty and authentic. However, it's just not worth the long wait (up to 1hr to sit in a crowded place). Staffing...is typical for Chinatown: efficient but not very polite Food: 4-stars Wait: 2 stars Average = 3 stars
(3)
Duy L.
I dined here a couple time and the only reason that kept me coming back was the spicy fish soup. It's spicy and very delicious, I recommend that you order it mild not spicy. Overall the place is crowed and you are expected to wait about 20-30mins. Come here for the spicy fish soup it's 4/5. Eat and leave quick because it's a little dirty and tight, very hard to get comfortable for a group of friends (atmosphere and cleanness 2/5).
(4)
Helen L.
What a crowd. It was out the door. This was no joke! It was 7:30pm on a Thursday so it was prime time dinner. The place was packed and there were more people waiting after me. The service was quick as any Chinese place would be. It seems the other food looked and smelled so great especially that at the next table! The rice cake with pork and picked veggies was good and hit the spot. The crab and meat soup dumplings/ xiao long baos, however, was disappointing to me. The skin was so much larger than the dumpling but the meat wasn't. It was all this extra skin that was thicker than I remembered also. I eventually had to leave the skin on the side and eat the meat. Hopefully, the port versions are better. Let's see for next time!
(3)
Bryan G.
Dropped by this funky little joint for lunch on a bus layover in Boston due to a strong craving for Chinese food. At lunch time the wait was 10 for a table for one. This place is tiny. If you are large, claustrophobic or enjoy personal space I wouldn't recommend this place. However, if you are tiny and enjoy engaging strangers in conversation while eating some pretty bangin' Chinese I highly recommend this place. I'm usual disappointed by Chinese but this place was the exception. Pretty slammin' buns and dumplings, none of that nondescript watery sauce that plagues so much Chinese food. A fair amount of Vegetarian options as well. Also, free tea. If you like reasonably priced delicious Chinese food but hate being able to move, this place is for you.
(4)
Sarah G.
I will now dream of you, scallion pancake, every time I think about Chinatown. How I wish I lived closer to you to be one of the cool kids who could call in an order for pick up to just bring home to enjoy without having to wait at least 45 minutes to eat at this super popular dumplling spot. I would order so many scallion pancakes people would think I was smuggling them to other people because they are just that good. And they also, of course, make some pretty awesome dumplings too. I really love the fact that they make the dumplings to order and you can get them either steamed or fried. And there are so many kinds to choose from! Being someone who studies diversity, having diversity in your dumpling choices seems so much better!!! They also have tons of other things on their super long menu and we only got to try one main dish, which wasn't as spicy as I would have liked it, but the chicken and vegetables were pretty fresh too. So really for that dish 3.5 stars, but lucky for them, their scallion pancake was out of this world. Maybe they could call themselves The Gourmet Scallion Pancake and Dumpling House, just to be fair???
(4)
Alan X.
For a place that calls itself a dumpling house, the dumplings were subpar at best. Get the pot stickers instead. While not great, they were certainly better. It seems like their Chinese dishes are more sichuan inspired which clashes a bit with the idea of a dumpling house. One dish I would recommend is the spicy eggplant (yuxiang). Overall, it was decent but not great, there are probably some better places to go nearby.
(3)
Ido W.
Bottom line: Authentic, bustling, varied and open late. The food is not worth the line that is always winding outside. Go somewhere else. Pros: There was a large variety of vegetarian dishes. The vegetarian dumplings were unique, with an egg as part of the mix. I did not care for them. The pancakes were nice, but I have had better. The Taiwan style tofu was bizarre. The eggplant dish was nice. The crispy noodles in brown sauce were nice as well. Cons: they forgot the rice. The check was in Chinese and that is not very transparent. The price was higher than we had thought. They don't offer a fork. We had similar dishes elsewhere that were better.
(3)
Alee G.
Sorry Gourmet Dumpling House. I had to take away a star. Why? Well, you gave me someone else's doggy bag. I opened the box expecting my delicious dumplings and got.... well, I don't even know what it was. It look like eggplant and beef. Gross. Yeah, so.... do better Gourmet Dumpling House, ok?.... do better.
(3)
Brian K.
It was close to midnight and this restaurant was packed. XLB was very good but I'm not a fan of XLB. Avoid the chicken wings - soaked in grease. Fried scallion pancakes are a must. Arriving during "normal" dining hours? Expect a wait!
(4)
Chelsea L.
BEWARE!! Next time you get the bill, double check it! My brother and I went tonight and they added the tip to our bill without telling us. Yes, we should have double-checked it and triple-checked it so it is partially our fault, but we take this as a bit shady. When leaving we realized that our food should've cost 5+7+14+tax. This should be around 26+tax but our bill was 34. We are both annoyed that we gave an extra 5 dollars for service that was pretty much nonexistent. Yes, the food was good. Yes, the dumplings were delicious and the scallion pancakes? Oily, crispy goodness. It's just very unfortunate that this experience turned us off to the restaurant and left us with a horrible first impression. Be careful, my friends.
(2)
Alon L.
Gourmet Dumpling House is known mostly for the Xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Well, I thought they were just decent. Maybe may expectations were too high. The skin was a little too thick, and the soup was bland. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't what you'd expect as the house specialty. We also tried the pork and leek dumplings. Pretty good, but again, not fantastic. Skin again a little thick. We did like their rendition of the Chinese watercress with garlic. I could eat that all day! Service was prompt and friendly. As most reviewers have stated, the restaurant is small. So expect to feel cramped.
(3)
Harold L.
On a cool Boston night, this is where you want to eat Chinese. Delicious soup dumpling are such good comfort food especially when you're dining with a crowd. These were the crowd pleaser, so we placed 3 orders among other things. We had Chicken Corn Soup, Sauteed Shanghai Greens and more Soup Dumplings. Oh yeah, we also ordered a whole steamed fish (Tilapia, I would rather have a rock cod or sculpin), but it was moist and perfectly good. With 5 of us, there was nothing left, and quite satisfiying. As many good Chinese restaurants go, don't expect a smiling McDonald type service, but do know you'll love your meal.
(4)
J. W.
You can't get excellent Chinese food in Boston, you just can't. This is not Vancouver, New York, or San Francisco. There just isn't enough Chinese people of higher socioeconomic status in Boston to demand great Chinese food with a great ambience like there are in bigger cities. Boston is a student town. That being said, Gourmet Dumpling house is a typical Chinese restaurant you would find in any Chinatown in small town America. It's dirty, cramped, busy, with horrible service. However, all these things add to the charm of this place. More importantly, this is probably the most authentic and best (mainland Southern/Central Chinese) cuisine you'll find in Boston. The soup dumplings are well prepared (despite being served on cloth which is a public health no-no). The Singapore noodles are highly addictive and they have great hotpot dishes. The portions are huge relative to what little you're paying. Come for the food but try to zone-out the frustrating environment :)
(4)
Shun M.
went to Boston three times I always go here. fat lamb in clay pot not many ppl know is must order. this dish make ur body warm and boston is cold.
(4)
Alice L.
Really good dumplings! Service was sort of weird (hostess yelled at us because she thought we didn't pay when we did). Their green onion pancake was the bomb dot com. Seriously one of the best I've had. Soup dumplings are also worth getting (as obvious based on everyone else's review).
(4)
Anand V.
This place was recommended by my girlfriend's coworker's mom who was visiting from China. The first time we went there the food was so amazing that we went back another 3 times in the following two months. While many on here are raving about the dumplings, our favorite dish is the sliced fish with szechuan sauce. This bubbling hot (temperature & spice) dish is pack with a meaty white fish & plenty of cabbage. This dish is the reason I will always come back to this restaurant when I am in Chinatown. Another dish off the dumpling path that I would recommend is the pork with dried bean curd. A word of caution: There is likely a wait, and it could be long. The seating, while on a first come first serve basis is also based on an optimal seating structure. That is, if a table of two get up from a 4-top and your party of two is ahead of a party of three, then the party of three will get seated first.
(5)
Karina L.
I was lucky to have the opportunity to eat here on a Thursday afternoon..the line is way out the door whenever I've walked by this place in the past. Like most Chinese restaurants around here, the place is pretty small and won't accommodate many. We got the xiao long bao (they come in pork only, or pork and crab), the beef with string beans, and the pork fried rice. My mealmate and I had accidentally skipped lunch (Terrible, I know) and were STARVING. Fortunately, the food came out super promptly. The xiao long bao was yummy. The skin is on the thick side (which I like. Because I always break the skin with my chopsticks and I'm forced to lick the spilled soup off my plate like a dog), and the soup is delicious and rich. The meat can be a little disproportionately big sometimes. That said, I think the dumplings at Taiwan Cafe were better. But really, both are good options if you're looking to enjoy soup dumplings in Boston. The beef with string beans was great as well, but there weren't enough beef and way too many string beans. This is probably a good meal to take out if you're having one of those days. The pork fried rice was surprisingly delicious!!! It wasn't doused in soy sauce or oil, and had a "clean" (as clean as fried rice can feel) look and taste to it. The pork was really crispy, and I enjoyed the fact that it didn't have a lot of other ingredients in it besides that (just eggs and onions). Overall, a good place to eat. I'm not sure if it's worth the wait, but if you find yourself walking around here on a weekday mid-afternoon then it's worth a chance. Service is the standard impolite and curt. But it's a good trade-off for your food coming out super fast.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Ellen T.
Been here a couple of times but finally decided to start writing reviews since I rely on Yelp alot for reviews. Last night I came here with a group of 5 at 9pm on a Thursday. There was a wait surprisingly. I guess this place is pretty popular compared to the rest of the places in Chinatown. We immediately ordered the soup dumplings, one with pork and one with pork and crabmeat. It was a good sized dumpling with a good amount of soup in it. They were generous with the one with crabmeat too. I was very satisfied and filled my craving for soupy dumplings! The dishes I liked were the taiwanese fried rice cakes(chewy and tasty and came out very quick) and the spinach with garlic. We ordered the oyster pancake and I didn't like it too much. The texture was very gooey, tapioca like, was too gooey and soft for me. The fried pork chop with rice was okay, it came with the usual, a tea egg, napa cabbage and minced pork. Maybe not as flavorful as the other places. We also ordered an appetizer which they forgot--oxtail and tripe in chili sauce. So we cancelled it since it came so late. They even brought it out but we told the owner we didn't want it anymore. This has actually happened to me before on a few occasions. Just remember to let them know or else you'll get it later in your meal and then you don't want it anymore. Splitting the bill 5 way, it was cheap! A bargain price for dinner.
(3)Tom R.
Huge soup bowls on the cheap. Recommend the Broccoli with Beef or Sesame Chicken. I have a boring palette.
(4)Cherie L.
just what boston needs. i'm from manhattan and went home for the thanksgiving holidays and i must say that i was really impressed with this little gem. i decided to give this place a try since i've been hearing about the lines. well the lines are justified! the sheer size of the menu items is impressive. here you can get some authentic taiwanese food for great prices, such a bargain! i tried the xiao long bao, or mini steam buns and they were delish... juicy and thin skinned, just the way i like 'em. other notable dishes included the braised prime pig's feet, sauteed pork julienne with bamboo tips, beef julienne with sa-cha sauce, and the five spice cold cut roast beef. i can't wait to come back and try the other items on the massive menu. particularly the crab dishes, the sea cucumber, and the salt and pepper seafood... yum! you bostonians are lucky, we need a restaurant like this in new york! no wonder it's the celebrity hang out!
(5)jenilee p.
i got a fever. and the only prescription. is soup dumplings! occasionally i try to dissipate my cravings for delectable pork and crab soup dumplings, the kind that i had seen andrew zimmern coo over time and time again on the travel channel. but once i found out about a restaurant serving these oddities existed in boston, through a dear colleague, i find myself succumbing to the cravings more often than naught. and man, the result is always oh so satisfying. at any rate, today i went out with some friends and had a wonderful lunch. if you have the chance to order these, look on the menu for mini pork and crab soup dumplings, and prepare to be wowed. they arrive in a metal steamer, and the process to enjoy is the following: pick up a dumpling onto your spoon, prick a little hole near the bottom of the dumpling so that the soup can drain out, pick up the dumpling and enjoy the soup that has collected in the spoon, and then take a bite of something that cannot possibly be good for you. like i said, i really enjoy these, and it's a very specific craving to have developed. when we come out to this little restaurant, we also tend to order a few lunch specials. my favorites include the beef and greens with sacha sauce, the eggplant and basil, and just recently, the twice cooked pork (wonderfully spicy). three lunch special orders, and two orders of mini dumplings usually will fill up about four people at lunch time. but feel free to gorge. i haven't had anything bad at this little joint in chinatown. they also have some more exotic offerings, like jellyfish appetizers and spicy duck webs. i hope to recruit some of my more adventurous friends to try these in the very near future. also, as one final recommendation, if you're coming here for lunch, come a bit early. the few tables that they have usually fill up very quickly. heard enough? soup dumpling heaven, take the plunge!
(4)ying l.
I visited dumpling house for the second time last night, b/c i had a friend from out of town who had recently been introduced to xlb, and was craving some. It was already 10pm by then, otherwise i'd have taken her to Shanghai Gate. Anyway, the food was not bad. a step up from xlb at Chau Chow City [pretty much the only place to get xlb at dimsum in Chinatown]. We ordered two xlb, one crab and pork dumpling, and one order of the Sandong dumplings. The dough of the xlb and pork and crabs was slightly thinner than Chau Chow's, and the meat more tender. They were also very big, as some people have noted. What got me was the service. They had two servers, and the place is small, especially on a sunday night, we should have received prompter service. They spoke barely any english, and no cantonese. They did not have red vinegar, only the brown. One of the servers was told to take our orders, but instead he went away to get a stain off his shirt. I later saw him seat a group of 5 without even giving them menus. However, the food was a good deal at what we paid for it, the tea was good, and the food took a reasonable amount of time. I don't know if I'm going back any time soon, but i definitely grabbed a take out menu just in case.
(3)Jennifer D.
I love the variety here. You can get good dumplings and also find some fish head dishes (the large head mind you). Everythings' pretty consistantly good--not fab, but very good. Their scallion pancake is great here.
(5)Tiffany H.
the food wasn't horrible, but it definitely wasn't as good as we expected. the restaurant is really small and the service leaves much to be desired. our table was right behind the cashier desk, and the guy up front had to push our chair around to get in and out. the service was slow, which was surprising given out many people were waiting in line and crowding the front. our soup arrived cold and bland. my chicken cutlets were really oily (i took a bite and the oil squirted out), and the ground meat on the rice didn't have any taste. we had leftovers and also bought take-out for friends and asked for the food to be boxed. the take-out boxes and plastic bag that were handed back to us were wet with tea. since we weren't thrilled with the service, we didn't give them a glowing tip--and that's when the waitress came by to our table, picked up the tip, counted it in front of us and then said "excuse me, you're supposed to tip 15%. this is not 15%."
(1)Clint L.
This place sucks dirty butt plugs! Where should I start? The first time I was there, my friend and I ordered a lot of food. We got too excited, I guess. We got full before the rest of our dishes came out. That is when we decided to go out for a smoke(we even told the boss). When we came back in, guess what, our table was cleared! We asked what happened to our food and dude just shrugged his shoulders and looked at his waiters. We asked about the orders that never came out, same response. Got so pissed, we just left. The food was not good. The dumpling with the soup inside covers your mouth with what feels like a pasty substance, maybe uncooked flour, yuck! Despite all that happened, I still decided to give it another try. What a disappointment! I so bad want it to be good. The second time around, they gave us a waitress who did not understand what we were saying. She started arguing with us on what we asked for(ginger), giving us dirty looks, like we were stupid. To top of the cake, bitch was continuously coughing at our table when we were ordering! What great service! The food was bad once again(not everything). This place is too packed with small tables, very uncomfortable. Most of the staff is rude and the Boss is a douche. He seems to have no idea what is going on in his place. That sealed it for me. Good luck on this place.
(1)krystle j.
always busy, always good food!
(4)Izzy D.
So friggin good. 10 minute wait for 2 people around 6 on a Wednesday night. Plenty of AC, which was needed on this super-muggy night. Got the mini juicy dumplings, homemade roasted eggplant, and the spicy pan fried beef noodles. Loved all three.
(5)Holls L.
I was craving for dumplings and came across one of the yelp reviews of this place being the best Chinese food they had ever tasted, so I went. Being Chinese myself, I gave a 4 star for customer service and the food for 1 star. The place was packed; waited for 15-mins. I ordered the seafood fried noodle which was really salty and there weren't really seafood except two shrimps (a few fish cakes and 1 small scallop..). I typically like my food to be salty but this was beyond that point. Next dish was the pork dumplings---the soup was dark color and doesn't have any flavors on it. I was also disappointed that the dumplings wrap was too thick.
(3)Francisca W.
** DOUBLE TIPPING SCAM ALERT ** not sure if i can call it "scam" per se, but the sneaky addition of tip is definitely not a welcome idea. all i can say is: CHECK YOUR BILL!!! (i should have taken pictures!) story goes likes this: a colleague likes their chili fish very much, so last couple weeks we went there twice bc the first time we didn't get it. the first time we also didn't look at the bill as carefully, just saw the total and paid between the 2 of us. the second time we went, bc there were 4 at the table and we needed to calculate the amount for each, i noticed there's an extra item on the bill, and it turned out to be the tip, automatically inserted. we waved over a waiter for question, and he stated that we did not have to go by the tip if we chose not to. since it was maybe a dollar off what we would have paid, we just went with it. except that when my credit card slip came, they had the regular "tip" line on it, and no one took the time to cross it out as they have ALREADY punched in the tip-included amount as their base charge!!! so if i was being distracted or careless, i would have put in the tip there again, and be tipping twice. whose idea is that to add automatic tip for party of 4??? and if you were to do automatic tip for any party size, shouldn't you be notifying your customers??? come to think of it, did i double tip last time without realizing it?? how much more tip do they rip off their patrons altogether on any given day, since they're always full at meal time??? few years ago we already had one incident suspecting them of over charging us, a year ago they were so confused with my order i waited nearly 45 min for takeout (see past reviews); last month i went with their outdated/inaccurate "online menu" and was told the items i wanted to order didn't have lunch special, and now this. they also short-changed us on the rice too. we ordered the 3-dish lunch special both times, first time they only gave us 2 rice bc there were 2 of us, second time they asked if we wanted another rice bc the special "only" comes with 3 rice. whatever happened to my third rice the first time then?? i cleaned my bowl and had leftovers to pack you know? i don't seeing anyone offering what i deserved that time, but oh when there's a chance to upsell you're all about service suddenly. pffttt 3+ strikes and if they still aren't out, i'd be a fool. their dumplings aren't even all that great anymore, and the seating!!? can't even slip by chopsticks between chairs. i'm officially through with this place. good luck, fellow diners!
(1)Phil C.
I came here with a couple of friends for lunch on a raw day. Dumplings were definitely the way to go that day. We somehow obtained a table pretty much upon walking in, and this was on a Sunday. The beef tendon was okay, but not the best. It had a tasteless, unidentifiable component to it, which made it difficult to assess. Agreeing with my friend, I've had better elsewhere. The stir-fried rice cake with pork and mustard greens were spot on, as it was flavorful and fried well. There was a strong "dragon's breath" with the dish, telling you that wok was hot. All the components were fine and the dish was not greasy. The xiao long bao was venerable, especially in comparison elsewhere. They were sizable and had replete broth inside. The pork itself was flavorful. The pork and leek dumplings were also very good, as the dumplings held up throughout the meal. The dumpling skin was sturdy and perhaps too thick for some. The filling inside was juicy and had a noticeable leek taste. (thanks for lunch, Mai and Jason!)
(4)Natalie P.
After trying three different places in Boston's china town looking for decent XLB, this place had the most edible. It's not saying much though because all the XLB in boston is about the same, poorly made, bland, almost too raw to be safely eaten, too thick XLB you'll find anywhere in this city. Their scallion pancake was way too thick and not that good. Not really sure how this place gets recommended for Xiao Long Bao anyway. Their other food might be decent but most likely standard Chinese fare. All the menus look pretty much the same. If you absolutely have to get XLB in Boston then go to this place for it but you'll be disappointed and keep in mind you should not try to get XLB in Boston at all.
(2)Dave P.
I'm not a big Chinese food fan but this place is amazing. Their food is incredibly delicious. We ordered Mini juicy dumplings Pork and Leek dumplings (fried) Veggie buns Sesame chicken The mini juice dumplings and pork and leek dumplings were our favorite. We went on a Saturday night at 6:30 so we waited 40 min. It wasn't that bad. The tables are small and the overall restaurant space is pretty tight. And the service is what you'd expect for a Chinese restaurant -- loud, fast, aggressive, unapologetic. But you don't come here for any of this. You come here for their delicious dumplings. We will definitely come back.
(4)Sam L.
Ice water in traditional tea pots? That should have been warning sign #1. We stopped by on a Tuesday night and there was a good 10 min wait. But for what? With a menu similar to Taiwan cafe, we were eager to see if there were any differences. Unfortunately there weren't that many differences. Our pig feet with rice was overcooked though they did a good job with the flavoring. The oyster omelette had great flavor, but overly greasy. The pork liver with scallion was flavored well, but overly greasy. All of these examples tell me the chefs lack the discipline to pay attention to details. After trying out Taiwan Cafe and Gourmet Dumpling House, we can't wait to go back to Maryland for some real authentic Taiwanese food, with elbow room and actual hot tea.
(3)Lavi W.
My friend strongly recommended this place for their twin lobster with ginger and scallion sauce. I had to say I was a little bit disappointed- the lobster was kinda bland and I had to peel the shell and dip the meat in the sauce again to make it better. We also tried their fried stinky tofu. My friend from Taiwan seemed to like it a lot. There is always a line here and the place is tiny. Plan ahead if your schedule is tight.
(3)Christina P.
Don't really get why this is THE place to be for Chinese in Boston's Chinatown. I'm a Flushing food brat and it's hard to match that quality up here. It's only OK even relative to Boston's standard for Chinese food--there are better XLB places down the street and better places for general Chinese food around the corner. Came here on a Wed night with a couple girls. There was a line but only a 5 min wait for a group of 4. We had an order of XLB w/ crabmeat, salted fish and chicken fried rice, seafood pan fried noodles, sauteed green beans, and a noodle soup with pork and mustard greens. The XLB had a thicker skin and was a lot doughier than normal and not in a good way. The fried rice was standard but warm lettuce is always a little weird to me. The seafood pan fried noodles were okay, nothing amazing and minimal seafood mix. Sauteed green beans were incredibly oily. Noodle soup wasn't what we expected but decent. Overall it was lackluster. Plenty of better options around but you should totally come here so I don't have to wait in line at the other places.
(3)Kim S.
Not sure what the fuss is all about. We arrived on Sunday at 11 Am and the restaurant was already opened with a few customers. The server brought us water in a tea pot. That was strange, I thought it would be chilled Jasmine tea or something of the like. The menu is super extensive and we took some time browsing it. Service was quick and our food arrived in less than 15 minutes. Everything was greasy and lacked flavor. The noodle dish was pretty much cooked and smothered in an oil sauce, I couldn't even eat it and I LOVE noodles. The soup wontons could have used more flavor. Pricing is reasonable. I could do without ever visiting this restaurant again.
(3)Rima K.
I could take a star off for the service, but the FOOD IS SO GOOD I just can't bring myself to do it! Get creative and try the salted fish with chicken fried rice its delicious. If your taste buds are alive you'll like it. Their twin lobster with ginger and scallion sauce is outstanding. I also enjoy their string beans with beef or shredded pepper with beef. The salt and pepper fish is also very tasty and comes with fresh green peppers and seasoning. The spicy fish soup dish used to be amazing but isn't as great anymore. Way too much oil!
(5)Kimmy L.
Oh how I wish we had delicious authentic cheap chinese food like this in D.C's chinatown....I would eat here all the time if I could. There was still a wait at 10PM on a Friday night but the affordable yet delicious food was well worth the wait. - Hot tea - free and plentiful - Sweet and sour fried cod - the sauce and fish were so savory and paired perfectly with their fresh steamed jasmine rice, I am still dreaming about this dish - Chicken basil - simply yet great flavor, tender lightly fried pieces of chicken, big portion! - Pork & crab soup dumplings - the broth and outer dumpling were perfect, but some of our dumplings didn't have any broth inside which was a bummer. We are not sure if perhaps the broth got soaked up into the meat since we waited about 10 minutes or so before eating them... Will definitely come back the next time I am in Boston! *Tip* They accept credit cards! *Tip* Soup dumplings are not on the menu but just order them by name
(4)Hana N.
If you've walked through Chinatown lately, you've probably been pushed off the sidewalk by an impatient mob of want-to-be-patrons of Gourmet Dumpling House (GDH) waiting for their turn to enter the gates to dumpling heaven. My mother always told me, "Follow your nose and follow the line" when choosing a restaurant, and GDH has both the brag-worthy smells and line snaking down Beach Street. DO NOT make the mistake of going to Dumpling Café down the street. Yes, there is no line. That should be a warning, not a victory. Once I cheated on Gourmet Dumpling House and went there. Never again. Learn from my mistake, young Jedi. I will save you one hour of bad customer service and mediocre food, when the mecca is just down the road. I once cheated on GDH. Never again. NEVER again. GDH's owner, Edward, and his wife have a menu that has hundreds of options ranging from appetizing to those Emerson College girls who usually just eat at Panda Express (pork dumplings and beef noodle dishes) to hardcore-you're-probably-Asian-if-you're-ordering-Âthis gems (pork's blood soup and frog's legs.) There are pictures of J.Lo and Blake Lively on the wall right next some Chinese actors whose unlabeled identity remains a mystery to me. See, this place is for everyone. The biggest problem with GDH is the size. There are only about 10 tables with no room to wait inside. So in the winter (10 months out of the year in Boston) you'll be waiting outside, unless you're some kind of freak-yogi who can bend in crazy positions around rushing waiters and cramped diners. You'll probably also be sitting next to another group if you're in a small group. So maybe not the best place for a first date. There are two table awkwardly smashed up against a fish tank where desperate fish hang onto the last few moments of their lives. (But that shouldn't keep you from ordering the Schezuan Fish Stew. It's so good, it's worth watching your neighbors be taken out of the tank and into the kitchen.) But the claustrophobia, and long wait time are forgiven the second a dumpling goes in your mouth. GDH doesn't do reservations. They also don't do a website, Instagram, or Facebook. They do dumplings and beer until 2:00 am, though, so I think we can forgive them for a lack of Internet presence. Food Rundown Mini Juicy Dumplings As I like to explain it to my Asian-food-ignorant friends, soup dumplings are like "reverse wonton soup." The soup is inside the dumpling around a filling of pork (or pork and crab, if you like.) This will make you sing, "Oh, Heaven is a place on earth" out loud. Not that I've done that... Pork and Leek Dumplings Get them boiled, not fried. Do you really need to order 2 plates for 2 people? Yes. They're only $6.50 for 10-don't be a cheapskate. There are 8 kinds of dumplings on the menu, and these are good ones for dumpling novices and experts alike. Trust me, you won't want to share. Spicy Schezuan Fish Soup See that ubiquitous big bowl on everyone's table? This is what everyone who looks like they know what they're doing is eating. It took me about four visits to become brave enough to point to someone's table and ask what it was. Don't wait four times. It's spicy, so if you're not down to have a numb tongue (those Schezuan peppercorns, man!) for an hour after eating, this might not be for you. But before you lose the ability to taste, you'll have a few bites of soup which is bursting with some magical flavor. Do I have any idea what's in the damn thing? Not really. But why ruin the magic? Ma Po Tofu This vegetarian option is worth ordering for meat eaters. Soft, silky tofu in a spicy brown sauce over rice is filling-not like many other wimpy tofu dishes that lack flavor around the city. This one rules. The tofu is so soft it's a bit hard to pick up with a pair of chopsticks, but Edward's got you hooked up with a spoon. What a guy.
(5)Chris M.
One of my favorite places to eat in Boston. No idea why. It isn't fancy. It isn't Lobster, although they have it, and it isn't Italian. I guess the answer is pretty simple - its cheap, good and there are dumplings. Friend or steams they have them. The menu is pretty extensive with just about any Asian dish under the sun. We don't have dumplings in Detroit. We may somewhere but they aren't a go to item or easy to find here. To be fair, the other dumpling places around this place are always packed but it is only because they places have little seating. This place is bigger but still pretty full most of the time. Steamed beef and leak may be my favorite but the steamed pork soup dumpling are jiggly, sweet, and salty and are so good that I simply can't wait and often burn my mouth with this awesome stuff.
(5)Sissy K.
EAT DUMPLINGS HERE! You can't go wrong. They were absolutely fantastically amazing. A really small place, but worth the short wait for a table. I've NEVER had anything like these soup filled wonders. I can see why Ming Tsai included these dumplings on the Food Channel's show Best Thing I Ever Ate. I agree that the dumplings at Gourmet Dumpling House are some of the best things I've ever eaten, too!
(5)PM K.
This place used to be better. Much better. Also of concern to me was a sneaky bit of math on the check, which arrives as a scrawl of Chinese letters. At the bottom of the check for 2 people was a $12 charge. The credit card slip arrived with a space for a tip as usual. What I would not have known had I not asked was that the tip was added already, by them, in the form of the $12. A tip is usually optional unless stated on the menu for larger parties. No such mention there or anywhere I could see. Tip not optional, nor mentioned here. Be careful. Check your bill.
(1)Susan N.
We really enjoyed our New Year's Day late lunch here. We put our names on a list and waited a total of 20 minutes. I was happy to see that the woman taking names was being thorough and was not just seating the people who were complaining the most first. The waiters and waitresses were busy and certainly didn't seek out conversation, but we did not experience any of the issues with the waitstaff that some yelpers commented on. They were efficient, fast and friendly. The scallion pancakes were amazing. I highly recommend them. The sliced fish schezwan style was out of this world. The fish was well prepared and very fresh. The sautéed noodles with beef were very tasty. The crab and pork dumplings were our least favorite item as they were very wet and just were not our cup of tea. All in all it was a great dining experience and we are sure to be heading back many times.
(4)Jennifer T.
*Chinese broccoli with garlic (so good!!! I've eaten plenty of Chinese broccoli in my life to know how good quality and properly prepared "choi" is supposed to be like; super tender stalks and plenty of garlic) *pork and crab soup dumplings (these were ok, the skin of the dumplings were a little too thick and one of them broke which is not a good sign; the meat inside was pretty good but not the best I've had; the broth was alright but Shanghai Cafe in NY Chinatown has better soup dumplings; I was disappointed with this place's dumplings) This restaurant is super tiny and crowded; there was a huge lunch rush on a Thursday afternoon; we only ordered these two dishes so based off what we ate, I think the food is alright. NY definitely has better food. Service was decent. Overall, I would not be returning.
(3)Jaime W.
I went here with the boyfriend after walking 3 miles and looking at the long line of this place, we thought we should check it out since the place was hoppin and we was hungry. We definitely had to try their dumplings so we ordered their steamed pork dumplings and they were delicious. Sharing just one platter wasn't good enough, I wish we ordered more. It comes in 8 in an order and they do have a variety of other foods such as Taiwanese and Szechuan cuisine. We didn't get to try but will def come back when we're in Boston.
(4)Susan C.
The soup dumplings were very good, although the skins were slightly thicker. Scallion pancakes were delicious since they were not greasy and were crispy. We also ordered yang chow fried rice, Taiwanese fried rice, stay beef rice noodle, seafood fried crispy noodle, beef rolls with pancakes, and the fried dumplings. Overall, the meal was good. However, the waitstaff are not very friendly. I would have given this 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)Tao X.
Average in terms of foods, we ordered a lobster, a vegetable soup, a pork appetizer, a fish and a vegetable. Nothing special or impressive, maybe it's just because we are Chinese - I saw many "foreigners" eating happily here :)
(3)Fiona F.
This place is ok. The fried dumplings are a little soggy except for the bottom part. I don't recommend it. I guess they steamed the dumplings first and then fried them to save time for processing. That's not the right way to do it though. Xi long bao is very good! Big size, juicy and can't fit into your mouth at one bite. More of the northern style instead of the shanghai style! Entries are good and reasonably priced. I ordered spicy chicken - more chicken and less burned peppers which is good. Service is good just some servers don't seem experienced.
(3)Matt L.
Visited GDH on a Friday a little past 7:00 We waited for a spot for about 20 minutes- it wasn't too bad. The dumplings are good here, but I can't really see how they're significantly different from dumplings from other places. I recommend you get them steamed instead of fried, cause they both have a very soft consistency to them anyway. Ordered the pork and leek, pork and cabbage, an scallion pancake, and beef and onions with two bowls of rice. Again, the dumplings were fine- it's pretty hard to fuck up dumpings. The scallion pancakes were great, and the beef and onions were good too, except there was practically no beef in it. Small issue with when we paid- the server asked us to pay more tip. Pretty bad form, doing this. Needless to say, I didn't give more. Overall, decent .
(3)Lee D.
This is our go to place in Chinatown. Don't expect great service or a relaxing atmosphere but expect outstanding food. Mini pork soup dumplings are delish. The sliced fish Szechuan style entree has the perfect amount of spicy heat and the white fish melts in your mouth. Other popular dishes include pea pod tendril's, braised eggplant and pork and leek dumplings. Don't over order as tables are small and portions are large.
(5)Joelle K.
I had dinner here with a friend last week. As many people have already mentioned, this place is usually crowded with lines. Make sure to go inside and put your name on the waiting list. The restaurant is extremely crowded and tables and very close together. We had to wait about 15-20 minutes for a table for two on a Wednesday at 6. The service here is lacking at best. Our server couldn't get away from us fast enough, had zero personality, and never came back to ask us if we wanted another drink or anything else in general. Luckily, the food made up for the terrible service. My friend and I decided to just split several plates. We had the crab rangoons, scallion pancakes, fried seafood dumplings and mango shrimp and scallops. They brought the plates out as they were ready. Everything was nice and hot. All of the food that we ordered was excellent, especially the scallion pancakes and mango shrimp/scallops. I wouldn't hesitate to return.
(4)Shriman S.
Walked in with gf for my first Chinatown meal in Boston. Well.... This place is different.... To say the least. So here goes... 1. Food 4/5 flavorful, well cooked (ordered beef tendon soup and pork feet noodle soup). Qing Dao scallops were well cooked and tasted as I hoped they would. 2. Service 1/5 admittedly fast and rushed. Was told we can't get a bigger table because we didn't order enough. Paid the waitress about 10% tip (my grudge tip percentage) and was ASKED pay more tip (which I did cuz she truly looked like she needed it - the place seems understaffed and overcrowded, she looked fatigued) 3. Ambience 1/5 loud (very loud). Very crowded. And my fellow customer was eating about 10 inches away from me (the tables are literally 1 inch apart) 4. Price 3/5 our about 30 usd for a meal for 2 (appetizer and 2 entrees). I would say the place is good for a take out (if at all) else just skip it. Not worth the hoopla.
(2)Jinyoung S.
We went to Chinatown and found this place and we saw a lot of people were dining and still couples of group were waiting outside to get table. So we were waiting to get table for 30mins and end up we had to share the table with the other group of ppl. We ordered some udon with pork and veggies, mini juicy dumpling, some beef celery dumpling, pork bun and some chicken with rice. My favorite was udon. The others......... Were ok. I really disappointed with pork bun. Dumplings were so doughy.. With all these food and 2 sapporo beers were around 45bucks. Not pricy at all. But what I want to say is... The name of the restaurant is 'Gourmet Dumpling house' , so.... They must have gourmet dumpling. Udon noodle can't be the favorite plate here.
(3)Andrew J.
What is all the hype about for this restaurant? It might just be me going on a bad day but the overall experience made me want to get chef Gordon Ramsay to review this place. The service was unbelievably poor. They let another group behind us go in first and we had the same number of people in the group. The waiter spilled soy sauce on me and just ran away not saying anything, not even a simple sorry. We had to make a scene to get attention from the manager to give an apology to us. The waiters forgot to bring us the rice that came with the dish we ordered. We had to ask for it. The tables are closely packed causing napkins to fall when waiters walk by. The worse part is that the waiter did not pick up the napkin. The food overall was okay but I've had the same food better else where. This place is just not worth the frustration, can't even enjoy a meal. For example i ordered a string bean with beef dish and couldn't find many pieces of meat in it. Overall if u want to go into Chinatown for an enjoyable lunch i would highly recommend not going to this restaurant.
(1)Doven M.
This place is unreal. I have only been to a small percentage of restaurants in China Town but I am super into Gourmet Dumpling House. I always get their dumplings but last time got the spicy salt and pepper shrimp and it was great! Highly recommend!
(5)Yumi K.
The service is pretty quick, but the place is pretty small and was really crowded when we went. We had to wait around 20 minutes before we could be seated, and since they didn't have anywhere for us to wait inside, we waited in the cold. I Also overheard one of through servers speaking on the phone stating that they do not take any reservations. Either way, once we were seated, the service was very quick and efficient. I went to the Gourmet Dumpling House with my boyfriend a couple weeks ago. The food here is amazing! I ordered pork and leek dumplings (which were amazing), and my boyfriend ordered the soup dumpling (I believe the crab and pork one) since it had been mentioned all over Yelp reviews. Personally, we both didn't like the soup dumplings. In fact, the pork and leek were far more delicious in our opinion. We Also ordered an eggplant and chicken dish to share, which was amazing too. Unfortunately, the dish does not come with rice so we had to order bowls of rice separately (a little over $1 for each bowl). Despite that, we left the restaurant very full and very happy. Will definitely be going again when we visit Boston!
(4)Bill W.
It was quite impressive to me how popular this restaurant is when I first stepped in so I was eager to try what they are best of. I ordered two bowls of noodle, some vinegar potato and some pork appetizer. I specially asked for extra spicy sause and a glass of ice water. Here is what I got: Noodles with the wrong type of meat I ordered. I accepted it just because I do not want make them busier remaking my food. A spicy sauce on the side when I asked again. A glass of water with no ice when I asked again. During the time I emptied my cup several times, though the waitress with a whole pitch of ice water passed me quite a few times I couldn't get a refill without asking. I left 1 buck for tips to express my dissatisfaction. The waitress stopped me at the door educating me to leave 15%. I refused. The tip comes with service and it's not even average. As for the food, it was good portion but not quite at the same level of its popularity.
(2)Syeda T.
Food is good. But the waiters are disappointing. And even worse, they force for high tips, which is not expected from such places.
(2)Vanessa N.
I went here specifically for the soup dumplings and I have to say I was disappointed. The wrapper was very thick and not good at all. The soup and meat inside was good but if they can thin up their wrapper I would bump it up a star. This place doesn't compare to Joe Shanghai or Din Tai Fung but if you craved it while in Boston, it would do. The green bean with dried shrimp was my favorite of the meal. It was garlicky with the right amount saltiness and shrimpiness from the dried shrimp. And it was stir fried just barely cooked, where it was still crunchy, just the way I like it. The sesame chicken was a safe dish. The flavor was good and the chicken was crispy except the sauce was a very gelatinous consistency. It seemed they used too much tapioca starch to thicken it. Would I come back next time I'm in Boston? Probably not.
(3)Stephanie T.
Definitely my favorite place in Chinatown. Definitely order the scallion pancakes, they are the best I have had in Boston. My go-to is the Ma Po tofu, perfectly cooked and not too too spicy. Be prepared to wait for a table, and once you do get one, be prepared to be rushed through your meal, though its definitely worth it. Try and come not at peak dinner or lunch hours and you will have a much shorter wait. Not great for larger parties, as there are only 3 or 4 tables that can seat more than 4 people
(4)Walter D.
We did not enjoy this place at all. We usually love all the most reviewed places on Yelp, but we found the food very oily and we weren't impressed with any of the five dishes (with a lot of variety) we ordered. The service was bad and the place was disgusting. We found a metal wire in one of the dishes. One member of our party started feeling sick almost immediately. It was the first bad meal we had on our trip, in fact it was the worst meal we have ever ever ever had in all our time and places using Yelp (and that's saying something considering we travel A LOT.) We would 100% NOT recommend. We even left all of our food and didn't take anything home it was that bad. Beware: -Tip is automatically included -Chicken was overcooked and almost inedible -Service is horrible (I told one waiter we were ready to order and he nodded at me and walked the opposite direction and did not return) -Almost everything is fried -Walls are sticky and floors are gross, what was broken was shoddily fixed (ex. Our tea kettle was broken and fixed with a paper clip) Summation: DON'T GO
(1)Aton K.
I went there with my friend once. The dishes are just ok. ABSOLUTELY NOT authentic Chinese food. I can't understand why so many people waiting outside. The service is terrible! The servant has no manners. What's more disgusting, I was charged compulsory "service fee" as tips. I won't go there again.
(1)Tyler M.
I am giving it three stars instead of four because the ambiance and service was terrible, but the food was wonderful. When I arrived, I had to request water and wasn't asked what I would have liked to drink, so that was kind of rued. I got a table for one, so I was given a table that seated four and the waitress put a couple right next to me at my table (they were very loud). It did not take long to get food though, and when I got it, it was worth the wait. I got the pork and shrimp dumpling. It is the classic Chinese style dumpling and was very good. I would go back for the food but would go on an off hour because the service and proximity is bad.
(3)Audrey C.
Okay this place is absolutely delicious. Came here with a girlfriend on a Tuesday night at about 7:30pm and there was no line, we were seated right away. The restaurant is a little small so seating is a little cramped. Don't expect the best service, it IS a Chinese restaurant. Scallion Pancake: Crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. For $4 this is totallyyyyyyy worth it. TRY! Szechuan Sliced Fish: YUM. If you like spicy red food and fish, this is your dish. The sauce is soupy like and it has the perfect flavor of spice and garlic that goes with the pieces of sliced fish and cabbage very well. Get rice with this dish also! You can put the sauce on it. Xiao Long Bao: Standard soup dumplings, don't forget to put some vinegar on your spoon before you place the xiao long bao on there! Try not to break the skin either or you won't be able to enjoy the sauce inside. If the two of us girls could eat more we definitely would have tried more on the menu, but until next time!
(5)Connie L.
I came here for lunch with a friend when visiting Boston. We ordered the soup dumplings (apparently one of the best in the area), eggplant with basil, and intestine with long horn chili peppers. Everything was up to expectation! So delicious and we finished everything! It's a fairly small place and service was a bit weird. We wanted to get the soup dumplings ahead of time while looking over the menu, but we were told that we needed to order all at the same time. They gave us an explanation for why that was the case, but honestly, I didn't understand what the waiter meant. I 've always ordered something like that first before and was never told I couldn't order something ahead of time and then add on, later. I was told that this place was always really busy, but we came at a weird hour (too early for lunch and too late for breakfast) so, definitely beat the clock. The food was excellent, super flavorful! It is also the first time going to a Chinese restaurant I've been to where they charge for extra rice (is that only in Boston?). **cash only, unless more than $20, I believe.
(4)Steph A. K.
Eating at GDH can be chaotic, and you may have to wait a long time before you can even squeeze in through the door. But if you want the best dumplings in Boston, this is where you go. The soup dumplings (or "xiao long bao") are the ultimate winner, no matter what kind you get. The broth is just spectacular. Our favorite are the pork-crab xiao long bao. The Sichuan Sliced Fish is out of this world if you enjoy dishes with heat - deliciously tender and flaky fish in a hot and tongue-numbing "ma-la" sichuan pepper-infused broth which goes perfectly on top of some fluffy white rice. Their other food is also tasty, like the traditional Americanized Chinese sesame chicken, Scallion Pancakes, etc. but the dumplings are the reason you wait in line time and time again.
(5)Ana K.
They already include tip without telling. Carefully review your bill because we paid double tip up until today... Food is good.
(4)Jiawen H.
I have ordered many different dishes from gourmet dumpling house, both eat-in and take-out. My favorite is the pig intestine with pickled mustard green. The food is really authentic and tastes just right. I wish they have a better system for people waiting in line, because waiting outside on the sidewalk during the winter is the worst! Also, be prepared to sit really close to other parties because the place is really small and crammed. Also, the waiters and waitresses are not the most friendly people.
(3)Sara L.
Very small Chinese place. Probably as close as you get to what you could find in your hometown. I ordered the Kung pao chicken and was expecting something with a little kick. It just wasn't that good. Not spicy at all. The spring roll was amazing though!
(3)Amy G.
Line is always out the door, but the food is worth it! Of course, starting with some dumplings... I mean, it's in the name of the restaurant so you know they do them right. We had the Mini Juicy Dumplings with pork. There are 8 dumplings, but they aren't very mini! They are at least two bites each and full of filling. But be careful, they are hot and extremely juicy! We also shared the Sauteed Shrimp with Okra in sa-cha sauce. It was spicy and succulent and a HUGE portion! The wait staff is a little scattered, but that can be attributed to a very full restaurant that is a bit small. But the food does come fast and the short wait outside is well worth it.
(4)coy r.
Authentic Chinese cuisine with the tight space and screaming service you would expect where you get the best food. It truly is excellent food. Including delicacies.
(5)Ramsay S.
I'm the 1000th review for this place? Awesome, let's make it count. I used to come here frequently; that being said, I won't be coming back. The tall male Chinese waiter with glasses, medium length hair, and garbage breath was immensely rude to me during my last visit, practically humiliating me in front of other customers because I was asking about details regarding a certain dish I was ordering - which seemed like stupid questions to him. His lack of patience and class was bewildering, but I still tipped because I won't stoop to his level. You were mannerless, obnoxious, and a detriment to society. As a fellow asian, I am actually embarrassed for you, truly. I definitely won't be coming back, and I want you to know -from the bottom of my heart- it's classless, unrefined immigrants like you who give professional and honorable Asians a bad name in today's society.
(1)Nancy C.
I very honestly don't understand the hype behind this place. The famed xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are probably the worst I've had in Boston. They're not terrible, but they're just not as good as JoJo Tapei's or the Dumpling Cafe's. The sauce is good, the skins are thin, but the meat inside is not fresh and overly ground. The other dishes, like the scallion pancake with roast beef, are subpar as well. Honestly, if you see a line at this place, don't bother. Even if you don't see a line, don't bother. Head over to the Dumpling Cafe for much better soup dumplings and fish, or to the Taiwan Cafe for similar and decent food.
(2)Tracy R.
As authentic and delicious as it gets! In full disclosure, I'm a vegetarian so the options are limited but that's fine because I really just want the vegetarian steamed dumplings each time. They are incredible. I go with my husband (and his family when they visit) and they all get the pork dumplings, shrimp dumplings and about 100 other things. They lived in Singapore for over a decade and absolutely love this place because of how authentic it is!
(5)Harrison L.
This is my spot. I love it here. I lived in Boston for two years and would come here on my days off, alone if I had too, for lunch and dinner. It is not fancy, do not expect to get the best service in the world, and I hope you are flexible with the definition of "personal space". But the food, oh the food. Soup dumplings are a must (duh), the pan fried noodles are excellent, but the real stars of the menu are the Szechuan dishes. The sliced fish Szechuan style is to die for. It is just a bowl of cabbage and sliced fish covered in a delicoious spicy broth and topped with dried chilies and roasted garlic. Also, trust me on this, get the Beef with Longhorn Peppers. Get it. Get it now. Best place in Boston's Chinatown? I would say so.
(5)Julia B.
One of my favorite places for reliably good food in Boston. The soup dumplings are delicious and flavorful, and extremely comforting on a cold Boston day! I've tried many of the menu items and have yet to find any I dislike. The scallion pancakes are absolutely delicious, as is anything "salt and pepper" style. The only downside is there's usually a wait, but it does go quickly.
(4)Kejian W.
As expected, Chinese restaurant in China town has bad service and environment but you come here for FOOD. With that in mind I give this place a 4 star because their food is delicious and very authentic. I ordered 3 dishes: soup dumpling, pork intestine with long horn pepper and lobster in ginger and scallion sauce. The soup dumpling is OK as it does have soup in it but the dough was too thick. It uses soy sauce and has a bit of sweetness. This is not shanghai style but more of Jiangsu province or northern china style because it is of quite large in size. The pork intestine was awesome, authentic northern style and the lobster was very fresh and very tasty. This place was very busy and there were a lot of people waiting outside. I will come back again next time when I visit Boston.
(4)Jennifer T.
Alas, our most recent visit here left me sourly disappointed. We ordered 8 dishes, and across the board, they were all very sad. The calamari was tough, the xiao long baos were a disappointment (skin was very thick, though this time we did order the dumplings with crab meat, so my preference would be for their all pork ones). Their beef noodle soup was dense with soy sauce but very flat in terms of flavor, another traditional chinese dish (mei cai kou rou) was completely unrecognizeable it was so bad - the meat tasted as if it was actually going rancid and the vegetables were sour and overly salty. Their braised fish also lacked in typical braised flavor and the meat was tough. The items I did like included the fried tofu (which had a perfectly crispy but not heavy shell) and the braised pig feet (great flavor, but not for the faint of heart). Their watercress and sa cha sauce is another favorite of mine, however, a bit on the salty side. Add to the food being mostly a miss, the place is so cramped, so you're constantly elbowing each other, and I had servers reaching behind me the entire time as my seat was right in front of the refrigerator, and a draft blowing on top of your head. Sadly, I would say, its better to go to Quincy for Chinese food, versus trying to find parking and waiting in the lines near Chinatown.
(3)Blood e.
This place was amazing, everything on the menu was great. Best restaurant in China town!
(4)Daisy R.
Delicious and flavorful food, friendly staff and conveniently located five minutes from South Station. Huge portions. I had to take half of my lunch home. Shared my table with local guy who eats there every week. Prices were very reasonable.
(4)Wen-fai F.
Came here a few years ago with my parents and we ordered several kinds of dumplings, per the name of the place. We were overall disappointed and unimpressed. So every time my parents have come to visit, we have avoided this place. Since then, I've seen lines almost every time I've passed by this place. I've always thought, "What's the big deal? Why do people like it so much? It's so over-hyped." But then curiosity got the best of me and I tried this place again for the second time ever. Instead of concentrating on dumplings, we ordered scallion pancakes, flat noodles with pork and vegetables, mapo tofu, and to give it a second chance, a side of steamed dumplings. My oh my. Everything was so good. Scallion pancakes had a ridiculous amount of layers, and were crisp and salted to perfection. The flat noodles had a hint of sweetness that worked so well with the dish. The mapo tofu was wonderfully spicy, and tofu were cut into large enough chunks so I could actually taste the silky tofu, and it wasn't just lost in some sauce. The dumplings, admittedly, were just okay. But everything else was exceptional. All in, tip included, it was $40. With leftovers. Major win! We came on a Sunday night at 9p and managed to get seated right away. We stayed in the restaurant for about 1.5 hours and at times there was a small wait at the door. It seems late on weeknights (save for Thursday/Friday) would be the time to come. I definitely won't write this place off again.
(4)David C.
After four years of living in Boston, I've finally made it to the famous Gourmet Dumpling House. I have tried going before on at least a handful of occasions, but the line has always been too long, and my hunger too great to wait. Flash forward to 3:30 pm on Memorial Day 2014, and there is still a line out the door, but by some miracle my party of four is seated quickly (albeit with another party of two--yay, new friends!). I wish I could say it was worth the wait, but as you can probably guess by my rating, I was sadly disappointed. We put in an initial order of dumplings (veggie, pork and leek, and Sandong), pork buns, and scallion pancakes to start, asking our server to leave us with one menu to decide on entrees. The scallion pancakes were easily the best thing we ate--not too greasy with just the right amount of onion flavor--but that's not saying much. We never even received the pork and leek dumplings, while the two varieties we did receive fell apart at the seams revealing lumps of flavorless filling. The pork buns were only notable for being completely unmemorable. Set to order more food that would hopefully redeem our lackluster start, our server dropped the check. We took that as a sign that we should cut our losses and leave then. There are, after all, a million other restaurants in Chinatown, many of them better than Gourmet Dumpling House.
(2)Rachel C.
Oh man this place is BUSY BUSY BUSY! We happened to luck out and walked in when there was no one in line but the minute we sat down we looked out the window and saw a long line wrapping around outside! The food was great but getting to the food was a challenge...the menu...I get nervous when I can't even imagine what the meal is going to taste like....But we didn't get the soup dumpling like everyone else...we were craving NOODLES.... I have NO idea what we ordered but both dishes we ate were delish! The location is easy you can spot it on the main road. The seating is crowded so get ready to get friendly with your neighbors :) The food is great! I couldn't cypher the menu but everything turned out okay~
(3)Ranjit H.
Oh man. Go. Just go. We got the juicy mini pork dumplings, steamed seafood dumplings, sauteed udon noodles with shrimp and mixed vegetables, and sauteed chinese lettuce with garlic. Yes yes, it was a carbtastic meal. With the exception of the seafood dumplings (which were still good), everything was fantastic. Total bill was $41 before tip. There's usually a line to get in here, but we showed up at 630 for dinner on a Sunday, and got a table immediately. We usually grab a meal in Chinatown once a month, and this was by far the best I've had. Will absolutely be back.
(5)Jenny C.
It's easiest to come if you're willing to a.) park somewhere close... good luck! or by taking the Orange Line to the Chinatown station and walking down the street. Came here with my brother and cousin and a cold blistery NYEE night. The place was PACKED to the brim. Lucky for us, we were the first group (of many) to check in so we were seated in under 20 minutes. Not bad! We ordered six different pork/seafood dumplings both steamed and pan-fried. They were all good (albeit quite bland) and very well cooked (VERY well cooked it made all the difference, IMO). Service was subpar, but that's really all you can expect from a hole in the wall in Chinatown. I'd come again just to take my H!
(3)Joanna Y.
Their soup dumplings are not consistent. Sometimes it is so absolutely juicy. Sometimes it is just plain dry and unappetizing. If you are going to order the soup dumpling though, I suggest the pork. If you are looking to eat just soup dumplings, save yourself from the wait time and check out dumpling cafe just down the road. Or Taiwan cafe just a couple restaurants away. 4 stars for the szechuan fish soup. I have not found any other restsurant who makes it as deliciously as this place. I only come here to eat this dish when it is chilly and it is not peak dinner hours. Otherwise, there are just too many here for my comfort. But I refuse to rate this restaurant based on the size, cleanliness, and staff etiquette. You are in Chinatown, what do you expect.
(4)Christine L.
Since most amazing places are shared by word of mouth, it seems only fitting that I came upon this spot thanks to my friend Nina after she heard about it from her extended network of friends! :) Due to the lack of any decent Chinese food in Portland, ME, my friends and I took advantage of our day off of school by... waking up at 8am and driving 2 hours to Boston for a nice meal!! Sounds like a great morning right? Yes! We drove straight into Chinatown in hopes of getting a table before this place filled up (opens at 11am, get here soon to avoid the wait!). We ordered the following: - XLB (xiao long bao) aka soup dumpling w/ pork - XLB w/ pork & crab - Scallion pancake - Ong choy (Okay I have no idea what this was called on the menu, but this the the name I know the veggie by) - Szechuan fish in spicy sauce For the most part, the food was amazing! I loved their scallion pancake. They often come too greasy and wet, but here they were nice and crisp! It also wasn't so overly dough-y that I'd get full off of one slice. The veggies reminded me of home, cooked in garlic and oil, yet still crisp and green. The Szechuan fish was probably the favorite of our table. It was a bowl of white fish filet and plenty of napa cabbage in a simmering hot spicy sauce (loaded with chili flakes)! Despite being quite spicy for me, it was absolutely delicious! Places like this remind me to hold on to the hope that there is still decent (if not AMAZING) chinese food out there. One minus star for the XLB. They were filled with soup, and the one with crab was plenty flavorful (however yellow). They were giant and my one complaint is that the skin was super thick. I love placing my little XLB on a spoon with the black vinegar and slurping up the soup after I take a bite, but it's nearly impossible with such a giant dumpling. I ended up stuffing it in my mouth and hoping it wasn't too hot.
(4)Carina S.
The food was good. You get family sized portions at a great price. The dumplings were juicy but not the best I've had. I was a bit disappointed by that because they are called the dumpling house. I really like the pan seared udon noodles with pork and vegetables. The scallion cakes are to die for!! Yummm!!! Pork fried rice was a winner. This place doesn't take reservations and its small. So be prepared to wait. You may have to share a table with another group. They prefer tips in cash only and if you pay with credit card, you must purchase $20 or more in food and you can only use one credit card per check.
(4)Heather S.
I would give five stars for the food but the service is so appalling that I just can't. In fact, I think giving two stars is quite generous. I live near-ish to GDH so I have been quite a few times, and each time the service has been worse than the last. You're lucky if the host/hostess even deigns to look at you when you walk in the door. Just last week, I stood patiently in line to pick up a to go order and not one of the host/hostesses bothered to ask if I was waiting for a table or if I had been helped. Instead as I stood there, the host/owner/server/I'm not sure what his role was that night, skipped right over me to ask several groups BEHIND me in line if they had been helped. If this had only happened once I would chalk it up to an accident, but it has happened every single time I have been there, but one. Curiously, the only time it did not happen I was with a friend who speaks Mandarin and is from Taiwan. Every other time I have been with Caucasian folks which leads me to feel like there is a vibe there that, unless you're a white celebrity (check out the walls for pictures with staff and Blake Lively Kate Hudson etc), you're kind of intruding on a local joint and not really welcome. Service at the table was awful no matter who I was with. Good luck waiting less than 20 minutes to even be asked if you would like to order a drink or food. However, you can guarantee that the minute you start perceptibly slowing down between bites of food you will feel dirty looks burning into your skull as the staff is itching to turn over the table. The food is delicious if you can tolerate supporting a business with abysmal service.
(2)Ariel Z.
Squandered here on a cold winter night, this time with my bf, who isn't really familiar with Asian food (gasp! ima take care of that). Good to know that you have a better chance of being seated immediately if you are going for an early dinner (4:30-5pm). We ordered way too many dumplings, which we eventually took home. But the highlight of the night for me (too spicy for him) was the Szechuan beef (no noodles, same sauce as the sliced fish by the looks of it). Holy bejeezus that spice level is what makes life worth living. It's the type of tingly sensation you get when the sauce/broth uses Sichuan peppercorns instead of the usual chilies. It hurts so goooood. We actually saw another table order this and asked what it was. It's enough to feed a whole family, so if just the two of you, you can bank on taking the rest home. I will return again and again. And the waiters are actually courteous, quick, and friendly, which is a true rarity in most Chinatown establishments!
(4)颖瑶
Always crowded! But arrived at 1:30pm so we got the seats. Food was tasty so experience was good~ will go again and try different food. Love Xiaolong bao best!
(4)Yidu L.
I have lived in great Boston area for years, this place is my favorite Chinese restaurant. Small place at Chinatown, around 20 tables, long waiting list at dinner time, last time it took me around 25~30 min to get in, but the food here is totally worth the wait. This is real traditional Chinese food, everything is so tasty. If you are fan of Chinese food and you are in Boston, this is the place you should try. For this place I usually drive 45 min from West MA, spend $12 on parking, and wait another half hour. Can not find any better place to have Chinese food.
(5)David T.
I have been meaning to dine at the Gourmet Dumpling House for a while. I ended up doing a large takeout order, the best way to try many things on your first visit. I can usually carry more than they can fit on my table. This seems to be a very popular place. They had a full house with people still waiting to get in at 11pm on a cold December night. GDH is a small restaurant that looks like it is run by a husband and wife team. The two of them are in selection of displayed pictures with celebrities in the restaurant. After staring at the wall for 20 minutes the only celeb I recognized in the pictures was Anne Hathaway. Of the 8 dishes I ordered 2 were awesome, 3 were good and 3 were average. The Awesome: Sliced fish Sichuan Style I loved this dish. They do this almost as well as my gold standard for this dish, Z & Y Restaurant in San Francisco. (its called fish with flaming chili oil at Z&Y) Xia Long Bao I just love their XLBs. Lots of tasty soup and a thin skin. I knew I was taking a chance ordering XLBs for take out, but was amazed they were still very good after a 30 minute drive home. Part of the reason I like their XLBs so much is the size. These are slightly larger than Din Ti Fung XLBs, but are an exact volumetric fit for my mouth. Getting a whole mouthful of soup in one delicious shot with no wasted air space just amplifies the experience. As far as XLBs go, size matters. I think they need to sell XLB's in S,M, L and XL dumpling sizes to ensure that everybody gets the perfect mouthful of soup experience. The Good: Beef with Okra - This was good even though the beef was a little dry Pork and leek dumplings - Very good, but not addictively good to the point that you cannot stop till you have finished the plate. Pei Pa Tofu I wasn't really sure what i was ordering here. What I got didn't look the same as it did in the Yelp picture that inspired me to try it. What I got was silken tofu battered and fried. It tasted great but I was expecting something more unusual and elaborate. The Average: String beans with dried little shrimps - This was OK but missing some punch. It needed some Asian salty black beans and and smiggen of pickled vegetables. Also they were not kidding about these shrimp being little, these are more like microscopic sea monkeys than shrimp. Not that I have anything against eating sea monkeys, that part was kinda novel, I just wanted a bit more flavor to go with my sea monkeys and beans. Simmered 3 Essence frog in hot pot - This one had great potential. I loved the taste. What did it in for me was I was assuming frogs legs, which I really like. What I got was frog body bits, which I have now come to learn are really bony and time consuming to eat. Fine if you are retired and have 3 hours to pick through frog bits, but not so good if you want a quick bite because you need to work on a proposal after dinner. Taiwanese Roll - Its hard for me to fairly evaluate this one as they forgot to pack the pancakes and sauce into my package. Even so the filling did not seem as interesting as a Mushi without pancakes.
(4)Wayne T.
I rarely go anymore, the lines are just too long, gone are the days when can go and grab a seat, take out once in a while, food is good, but several other comparable choices; I don't like how cars double park outside and people blocking sidewalk waiting outside and don't move. Be a little more adventurous people, try other restaurants, there's Taiwan Cafe and Dumpling Cafe nearby
(3)Karan R M.
This place like all other good places in Chinatown is a bit cramped. The first time I went there was with a Chinese friend as natives can best judge a food with what is served at home. I & her both agreed upon how this was the best Chinese food we've ever had. Since I am a vegetarian my options are really limited and I usually stick to the Lomein, Vegetable fried rice & dumplings. To my surprise all three of those were: 1. Properly cooked 2. Not overly salted 3. Not smelly 4. And not oily here The staff was nice and I usually go here 1-2 times a week. I'd highly recommend this place to any connoisseur of Chinese food. I am giving it a four star and not a five only because of the huge queue I've seen everytime I've been here.
(4)Bo-Huei L.
Food is so so but the wait line is always long. They are super arrogant, I have been there twice and the old lady always gives attitude/... I will not go back unless all other restaurants in Chinatown are close down
(1)Arunima C.
Gourmet Dumpling House, why dont you consider expanding so your patrons dont have to wait for 30-40 mins and then arm wrestle while sharing tables really meant for two, not four, people ???? Count us amongst those who've stopped going here because of the ridiculous wait and cramped space but sorely miss the food :( Now for the food, the XLB are filled with soupy goodness you wont find anywhere else in Boston. The pan fried pork buns are another favorite, soft but perfectly pan fried on the bottom with yummy pork filling. The ma po tofu, twice cooked pork, beef with long horn peppers are some of the dishes that are consistently tasty and well prepared. Definitely a place we wish we had the patience to go back to...
(3)Rajani A.
The most amazing dumplings I have had in ages. I am a vegetarian and finding a place which makes vegetable dumplings is very slim .. So I wanted try this place.. I couldn't have made a better choice.. The best Chinese food I have ever had.. If you are in Boston for a conference or from Boston this is one place you have to try
(5)New England D.
Always consistently good food. Dumplings are fabulous! Eggplant is wonderful!
(5)Gauravi P.
We ordered the scallion pancakes, fried chicken and leek dumplings, and steamed seafood dumplings. The food was okay- nothing special. The scallion pancakes were nice and crunchy- definitely our favorite dish here. The fried chicken and leek dumpling filling didn't have much taste. The chef messed up our order and brought us fried seafood dumplings instead of steamed seafood dumplings. We had to wait 20 more minutes for our correct order. Staff was polite though!
(3)Rajesh K.
Food is excellent...All food coming from kitchen grabs attention... Sliced Fish Szechuan Style and chicken dumplings are ones I hv tried and they always are very good... They add the tip to the check/bill (even for party of 2) and still give receipt to put tip and signature. BEWARE dont double tip...
(4)Pam C.
Crampppppped and tiny restaurant in Chinatown - you can always identify it by the hordes of people waiting outside, even in below freezing weather. Service and quite brusque and sometimes rather rude - although I guess I wouldn't blame the poor waitstaff who are pretty much on a continuous circuit from the kitchen to tables all day long. The lunch and dinner rushes are pretty much unavoidable, so be ready to wait. Food comes out very quickly and at a good temperature, even during prime lunch rush hours. The quality of the food is... ok. They're not great. The dumplings definitely look like they were made by hand - the skins are a good thickness. The pork that they use in their pork dumplings seems pretty low quality - its rather tough and doesn't make for good eating. I was actually extremely disappointed in their soup pork dumplings - the individual dumplings were way too big, and the skin was also way to thick. Additionally, the juice that came out tasted a little off, and the pork was the same pork that was in the dumplings. The fried dumplings were barely brown, and definitely lacked the crispy exterior that you'd look for in friend dumplings. Also, almost broke my tooth on a piece of bone in my dumpling. But hey, mistakes happen, I guess. Their dishes are very affordable and overall, Gourmet Dumpling House is pretty good. It's definitely one of the better restaurants in Chinatown, but it's nowhere near what you're going to get in San Gabriel or LA.
(3)Ling H.
Food was decent but going on Xmas Eve was a bit stressful IMO. The husband and I got the scallion pancakes, soup dumplings, crab rangoon, szechuan fish, and beef with peppers. Everything was solid but my husband wasn't impressed. The beef dish barely had any beef and the peppers looked like jalapenos chopped with green peppers. Did they run out of ingredients? We had to pick out little beef pieces to eat. They gave us one less dumpling but I didn't bother mentioning since we had plenty of food and the place was packed. Crab rangoon was A-OK. Fish was good, and scallion pancakes were crispy, soup dumplings were solid as well. I read that they add 20% tip on the bill but b/c the hand writing was scribbles we couldn't decipher the bill. In hindsight we should have been more careful and counted every item b/c hubby gave an extra 20% on top of the bill. We paid by CC and it had room for a tip line so we just figured we had to add the tip. If it weren't for those things, I would give this place a 3.5-4 star. Overall we prob won't go back.
(3)Helena Q.
Xiao long bao (XLB) was 7.50$ for 7, pig's blood stir fry, 11$. Credit card limit was 20$, so be sure to have cash if you only plan on buying something small. XLB skins were way too thick and one still broke :x. And the meat/soup wasn't particularly tasty, so that was a bit of a miss. The pig's blood was a bit bland, but the vegetables were seasoned appropriately. Not bad. Lines were still pretty long at 3 PM, so this is definitely a place that you need to wait for, esp if you have a large group. Service was reasonably speedy, but they're definitely trying to rush you out.
(3)Buddy T.
Not so good customer service! The waitress seems like they don't want to serve you and they even ask for extra tip. The food is great though but experiencing a service like this, I would not return again.
(2)Bec H.
Dipped into this place after a show. We ordered several different apps, dumplings, and an amazing beef dish. Everything was delicious, service was fast, friendly, and efficient. Not the place to sit and chat for hours on a busy evening, but a great spot for a tasty bite (or feast haha).
(5)Danae K.
Amazing food. Definitely get the green vegetables, the scallion pancakes, and the crab and pork dumplings. The way to eat dumplings here, is by placing it on your spoon, biting down on the top to drink the broth held in the dumpling and then finishing it up. Also ensures you don't burn yourself if they are very hot! Expect to wait at the door if it's around eating hours.
(5)Noa C.
I would give it 5 stars, but there is always a line and I always feel rushed and cramped once I sit down. The food is amazing though. We got (1) Sauteed Julienne Beef* with long horn peppers - amazingly tender beef strips mixed with a TON of jalapeno peppers - absolutely delicious, but not for the faint of heart, (2) Beef And Celery Dumplings - steamed, very good, the dumpling dough is soft and airy, (3) Mini juicy pork dumplings - very flavorful, with a perfect broth on the inside, and (4) Szechuan Style Bubbling Whole Fish (Spicy) - we watched them take a fish out of the aquarium just for us. The fish comes (as the name says) in a bubbling spicy broth, it was amazing! We've been a few times and always end up ordering a TON of food. Luckily they are able to package doggie bags for us! We love coming here, I just wish I didn't feel so rushed.
(4)Veronica C.
Ordered their famous soup dumplings, flat noodles, and salt & pepper fried fish. Their dumplings are good but not as good as you can find them in LA or NY. Restaurant is very small so there's a long wait. We were 2 on a saturday night and had to wait about 30 mins. We even had to share a table with a couple. Only takes 1 card per table. For those who like spicy food and don't mind the wait, this the place.
(4)Brittany M.
Awesome Awesome food! There was about a twenty minute wait but it is worth it! They are very brisk and take your order and pile your food onto the table right away. This is a no frills environment, they expect you to order appetizers and entrees at the same time and then slap everything down at once. The food is amazing, recommend pork dumplings. You will not regret! Awesome experience recommend to everyone!
(5)L F.
As T. Swift says, 'Cause the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate.... I want to set the record straight, although I know some negative reviews about Gourmet Dumpling House, this place is the bomb! Things to know about Gourmet Dumpling House: 1. You will end up waiting outside. There is most inevitably going to be a wait. It might be fifteen minutes it might be an hour. Dress warmly, Boston can be cold. 2. Get the soup dumplings. Yes, there are many delectable offerings on the menu, but it would be silly to skip their signature dish. The pork are better than the pork and shrimp. 3. They will only accept one credit card per table. $20 minimum. You can get a ton of food for $20. 4. The restaurant is always crowded. Yes, they will try to make you hurry along. Not a place for a leisurely meal. Other tips, if the wait is super long you can always grab pre-dinner drinks at one of the area bars. Just hope your name isn't called. Also, if you want food other than the dumplings, I highly recommend the scallion pancakes as well as the watercress.
(4)Bryan B.
Yelpers, you freaking lied to me. The Szechuan fish soup ($10) thing was nasty bitter. It was almost inedible at times. We ended up taking it to-go in hopes someone else would eat it. The scallion pancakes ($5) were crispy and tasty however and the pork and crab dumplings were flavorful. If I ever return to Boston I'm getting those two only. Place was cramped and service was rude but it's a Chinese restaurant and I'd actually be more shocked if that wasn't the case. $20 minimum for credit cards and TIP IS INCLUDED IN THE BILL SO DO NOT DOUBLE TIP THEM. Shady.
(3)Enze C.
Initially I am skeptical boz I saw at least 50% of customers are foreigners, I thought this is another Americanized Chinese restaurant like many, however I am pleasantly proven wrong, it is VERY authentic, the flavor is exactly the way I had when in China, every dish is what I like them to be, definitely I would recommend anyone who wants to try some great Chinese food, both to foreigners and Chinese. Only thing to bear in mind is the long line, so avoid peak lunch and dinner hour if you don't want to waste 30min in waiting.
(5)Amanda P.
Place is very crowded and warm. The scallion pancakes and crab ragoons were delicious. We also got the sezchuan chicken which came with rice noodles which was great. The spicy fish soup was ok and this beef with green peppers which was good but SPICY. Fried beef dumplings were very greasy and just eh. Their fans were on which made the lighting do a weird strobe thing making my husband and friend feel nauseous. Not sure if I would come back again. Nothing made me say oh my god I have to come back for this.
(3)Mn H.
Worst service ever!!!!!!!!!! in the world!!!!!!!!! The waitresses kept chatting and niggling loudly during my entire lunch. They literally handed the plates on my hands without even looking at me. When I asked for the check, no responses, at all! I can't imagine how could anyone dare to charge for a 18% tip for such a horrible and terrible service? I told her that I would love to give a tip by my choice instead of her choice. She rolled her eye and crossed the 18% and handed to me. After seeing me left with a 10%, she yelled at me saying it ain't right. I told her your service was too terrible to get any tip and she literally swore at me. How can anyone has such a terrible attitude be a waitress and expect everyone to give a tip at 18%?! That would be fair to those who worked hard and be nice to people and making a living. If I could give a zero/negative star, I would have. But the minimum choice is one.
(1)Navin B.
The food was awesome. You have to try Chicken/Beef sauted with julienne long horn peppers. Hot, spicy and tasty. Pork dumplings were awesome. Missing one star because the bill had tip included in it which was 20% of the bill for a party of 2. And one of the captains was having a full blown quarrel with another woman inside the restaurant. Go here for just the food.
(4)May C.
I went there for lunch last weekend with my friend and we ordered 3 entrees and noodle. He and I read the reviews before we went so that we can order the right thing. We kinda believe that it's important to order the right food when we visit some restaurant the first time. So we ordered 2 appetizers, 1 noodle and 3 entrees. It's very good but not really standing out as we expected. The portion was so small. One of our entree was chili fish. It came in a very large bowl and we thought, WOW, we couldn't handle all of that. Actually only a few slices of fish on top, the rest were all cabbages. He and I had no problem finishing all we had ordered. And just as the previous reviews mentioned, the bill came with a 20% tip already written for us even it's only a table of two. We never had that experience before. Besides, the waitress did not mention at all to us that tip was already added. We must have paid double tips if we had not read the other reviews.
(2)Aman S.
Authentic Chinese food; large portions. We ordered a ton of stuff wanting to try a lot, and had way too much food. Even the lobster clay pot was enormous and only $21. Dinner for 2, that actually could have fed 4 was about $65. I highly recommend this place for the the favors and the value.
(5)Christine J.
sechuan beef or fish. yuhsiang eggplant. XLB, steamed veggie dumplings (can be a lil dry). curry chicken. i like their food there, comforting and delicious. very crowded all the time, so we opt to go to Dumpling Cafe instead alot of the times, on Washington St. and very good as well.
(4)Justin P.
Love the place. Not the best service in the world but to be honest it's kind of part of the experience. They serve great dumplings (hence the name) however my favorite thing is the whole fish in a hellish broth of red chili oil, dried crumbled chills on top and chili powder. Not totally sure what it's called but might be "spicy whole fish" or something descriptive like that. They tell you what kind of fish they have available, fish it out and it's put in a soup of cabbage and chili nightmarish heat. It hurt so bad the first time I had it (but was so delicious I HAD to get prepared to have a rematch) I went back in a month and was able to have the whole thing. Like many more authentic places there is a waiting list and very reasonable prices. It's totally worth the wait, I'll be back soon!!
(4)Jennifer C.
Get the pork mini dumplings (soup dumplings) eat while they are hot cause don't taste very good when it's cooled. I also recommend getting the pork with bamboo shoots. Delicious! Since it's always busy customer service ain't so great. Always rushing you out the door and you are most likely to sit right next to or even share tables with strangers esp with a small party
(5)Teresa C.
This was our first stop in Chinatown, Boston. We thought the food would be similar to NY and we were not far off. We had the Taiwanese salt and pepper chicken, beef noodle soup, oyster pancake and Sichuan style fish. Out of these, we only disliked the fish because it was too much flavor (white pepper?). It looked so good in the reviews but overpowered my taste buds. The chicken was crispy and flavorful as it should be and reminded me of sesame/orange/general tsos chicken without the sauce and with salt and pepper instead. It wasn't the chicken strips like I've had before but I don't mind. My bf said it's different from the real thing lol. The oyster pancake was new to me but not my bf who has lived in Taipei. He really enjoyed the oyster pancakes. The beef noodle soup was good but is definitely not one of the best I've ever had. According to my bf, the beef tastes like jerky lol. I thought it was more like the beef broccoli like of beef because it was of a thinner style than the beef noodles soups I've had. They do accept cards except for Amex which was a plus. I wish we coulda tried other places but was content eating here. We didn't have any soup dumplings but everyone else around us did.
(4)Zeni s.
Food was not that great like it used to be. waiter literally tells u that tip wasn't enough. i would not even give 0 for that kinda service. they are always so rude
(1)Julian H.
I've been here twice and both times the food was really good. This place is always busy but the wait is never too long.
(4)Amanda B.
The food is good, and fairly priced. The service is quick, but very rude. They asked if we would mind sharing a larger table with another party of 2, and we said that that was fine. The food came out quickly, but that's where the good service ended. Instead of waiting for us to finish eating to clear the dishes, someone came by every time there was an empty or nearly empty plate to take it away. It was really annoying, because they would interrupt you, ask if you were done with a plate (but not wait for an answer) and then push between you to take the plate away. They gave us the check when we had just started eating, and kept coming by to ask "if we needed anything else," pointing to the check that they wanted us to pay right then. We hadn't even been there 15 minutes! I just wanted to ask them to go away and leave us alone, because they would interrupt us every couple of minutes to try to rush us out. They cleared away the tea pot (that we weren't finished with) while we were paying the check, and even started setting up the table for the next people while we were sitting there. We paid in cash and the woman didn't even ask if we wanted change (she just assumed that we left her a 40% tip). Then, as we were finishing the tea left in our cups, not even 5 minutes after we paid the check, someone else came over and asked us to leave if we were done. It was so rude! All of this rush, and we hadn't even been there for half an hour. I love dumplings and this place is very close to work, but I don't think I'll be back. After reading other Yelp reviews, I might go try the Taiwan Cafe!
(2)Emily L.
Okra dish with barbeque sauce! Yum!
(4)Haofu L.
I've been here for twice in the 3 years. I'm a Chinese. I have to say if you want to eat really good Chinese food Gourmet Dumpling House is definitely not the right place. The food quality here is really bad. Some dishes may taste ok but the ingredients are terrible! I don't know how they can brush-off their custom like this. Real Chinese food won't pick up such ingredients. For example, the fish here they choose are just the cheapest on they can have. Real Chinese food will use live fresh fish for cooking not the frozen one! Besides the servants are terrible too. They are just rushed and rude. And even ask your for higher tips with bad service!
(1)Erica R.
As far as restaurants in Boston's Chinatown go, and I visit the neighborhood at least once during any trip I make to Boston itself, this is probably my favorite restaurant. It's a guarantee that any time we go, my friend that I'm in Boston to visit and I will at least end up with the salt & pepper calamari on the table, as well as an order of the mini juicy pork dumplings - as well as probably 2 or 3 other dishes. First of all, I'm a calamari fiend...so I can't help but order it. The only time the calamari has become remotely problematic is when my friend went to eat a piece off my plate last time and it had a bit of SUPER spicy pepper on the outside that he didn't notice. He can handle hot and spicy without much issue, but that pepper? That pepper was a lot for him to take. I'm mostly a pansy when it comes to spices...at least unexpected ones. I'm pretty happy that I didn't get that spicy little sucker. Another dish that we got last time also consisted of some yellow curry noodles with...I think... chicken? (Okay, nevermind...I Googled for "gourmet dumpling house yellow curry" and the dish is just called "Curry Chicken".) I think that dish might have turned into a new favorite also. I didn't expect it to be anything special, but it was SO delicious. I think I ate like 3/4 of the plate without realizing it. Whoops! But the real star of the show? Those mini juicy pork dumplings. They're handmade...they're delicious... and oh, so addicting. Granted, I didn't grow up using chopsticks, so I'm trying to get better and better about using them to eat these dumplings...but I guess the only way for me to become more graceful in my efforts is by continuing to come back here, right? Right. ;) P.S. Almost every time I've visited GDH, there's been about a 20 minute wait - but it's either been for dinners OR lunch time on a weekend, I think. The LAST time I visited? 11:20am on a Monday morning. My friend and I got right in, a great table, and the room was maybe half full. BEST TIMING EVER.
(4)Mimi C.
we saw this place when we were having dinner across the street. the line here was long and never ending, so we made a mental note to stop by. we ordered: -xiao long baos (crab+ pork) - 2 orders of 8 each -scallion pancake -cucumbers total - $30. everything was pretty forgettable. xiao long baos were thick skinned, had too much juice, and kinda a mushy mess. the crab + pork mix was good, but no ding tai fung. scallion pancakes are fried HARD... must've double fried. we couldn't even finish it and gave it to neighbors. cucumbers were the only thing i enjoyed. ok.. but aside from all this ... i did not order their dumplings nor their famed szechuan fish soup *signature*. judging by the lines, i suppose this is what everyone else comes for.
(2)Carolyn L.
Decent dumplings but I don't see how this place got rated best Chinese restaurant in America!? I've had better at other places. My waiter recommended that I not order the xiao long baos and said I could get better ones elsewhere, so I settled on the pork and leek dumplings. They were perfectly pan fried and juicy with great skin texture. I was impressed with the amount they gave me for the price too! Don't think it's worth waiting in line for, but I'd recommend it!
(4)Kris I.
It can be a bit difficult getting here (or at least it is if you're driving in from the burbs). It can be a bit difficult getting in (wait time, cramped seating) But that's how you know it's a legit Chinese food!! First off, get the scallion pancake as soon as you order and thank me later. We ordered that, the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style soup (pretty spicy), and a few different types of dumplings. The dumplings were definitely good, but I can't get that scallion pancake out of my head.
(4)Anna G.
Favorite go to in China town. The portions are generous and the ingredients seem very fresh. This place has a very relaxed, almost collaborative feel to dinning. We've shared a table with another couple when it's busy. Food is delicious and the place has a great mix of people late night. Definitely recommend!
(5)Cindy H.
Another tourist trap, but a cheap one (if you don't factor in time). The line for this place always balloons quick. This place is tightly packed, so don't expect your conversations to go unheard. The xiaolong bao is good - they come at a nice size. I wasn't happy with their noodles though - they tasted pretty soggy. I also got some beers and they were really marked up. The bill included tip, which was not 15% of the total of our food. Beware of that!
(3)Panalee C.
We had tried fried rice and dumpling. Fried rice is so good. Dumpling is so bad. It's too thick.
(3)Sandy W.
Oh, baby it's cold outside! I went 2 weekends ago to have lunch with my family, and it was very crowded. It was 30F outside, the table was almost ready, and I asked my brother to bring my niece (who is 8 months old) to come in. I didn't want her to get sick, however, as soon as my brother brought my niece in... the wait staffs asked him rudely to take her back out to wait in the freezing cold. Personally, I have never experienced this situation in my entire life while dining out. The staffs are ruthless, nevertheless, does not care about their customers. How do you ask someone to bring a baby outside to wait in the cold, in 30F weather??? Really??? We decided to leave, as there are many other options in Chinatown (went to Peach Farm Restaurant and had VIP service as always). I had really wanted to give this place a try, but this was extremely a bad decision on my part. I spoke to the Hostess as I was leaving, and she stood behind her wait staffs decision. "Show me your money" is their motto. I am very disappointed with the wait staff, but more so with their management style. The only reason why I have to give them 1 star is because it is required by Yelp. If I can give an accurate review, it would have been 0 star or negative.
(1)Patrick C.
Personally don't think it's the best place for soup dumplings (still very good), but the sliced fish szechuan style was an unexpected surprise! I ordered it after seeing numerous other tables having ordered it. Definitely worth coming back just for this one dish! Oily, delicious, fish soup heaven! Note: the fish is a little gelatinous, so just be aware if you're picky on texture.
(4)C L.
Horrible. Had the dumplings (pork and leek) and the juicy shanghai style dumplings. The quality of the meat is sub-par and it had too much soy sauce already mixed into the meat which overwhelmed what the flavored should have been. The service is horrible. Waitresses all yelling at each other and customers from across the room - which is tiny, cramped and dirty. I get that it's Chinatown but damn, there are way more cleaner Chinese restaurants with much higher quality food. Skip this place.
(1)John K.
My absolute favorite. Food is terrific and service is prompt. I can't find anything like it anywhere else. I've had all the dumplings and they are great. Worth a stop. The menu is enormous and I've only had the traditional stuff which is very good. Quick service.
(5)Jess S.
So disappointed! I've had better dumplings!! So my experience here was horrible! I love dumplings so I was excited to try this place. The wait is ridiculous. We sat down and immediately ordered. The waitress never took our drink order! The rice was all right. We ordered pork and shrimp dumplings and pork dumplings. We some how got someone a order of I don't know what but they looked like dumplings so we ate them thinking they were our dumplings. Not good. Our dumplings were just ok. At the end of our meal we were choking and no one seemed to care. I had ordered a ginger ale before our food came out. The lady never brought it until someone at the table asked for water for everyone. They were rude about it too. Water is free! What's the problem? We all hated this place. Never to return!
(1)Cherry H.
Very reasonable price. Excellent taste. Intestine and some chicken lunch specials especially good. The space is too crammed, though. And there's always waiting line.
(5)Amanda Z.
Went here with a friend after hearing so many recommendations. I expected the place to be a bit bigger. There wasn't too much of a line when we went in, so I'd definitely recommend going before or after the dinner rush. The seating was a bit cramped, and there was a very real fear the waitresses would bump into our food or tea and send it sprawling. We ended up splitting small table with a few other customers, but there's very little room for your bags after a day of shopping! We got steamed dumplings, soup dumplings, and a dish of fish with tofu. Tried the steam dumplings first and was severely disappointed. It was overcooked, the skin incredibly soft and mushy. We tried the soup dumplings and they were pretty good, though somehow cold (perhaps we waited too long, thinking they needed to cool down?) The fish and tofu dish was very good though and incredibly filling - ended up bringing taking it home since we didn't finish it! Still amazing even when reheated. Customer service could have been a bit better. They rush you out as soon as possible, and the atmosphere is a bit hectic so it's definitely an eat-and-go kind of place. Giving this three stars because I expected the dumplings to be better considering dumplings are supposed to be its specialty.
(3)Harvard P.
Recently rated to be one of the best Chinese restaurants in the US by Travel and Leisure magazine, this restaurant is almost always full. Even if you are able to get in, it's going to be quite a squeeze. Go during non-peak hours if you want to enjoy a non-rushed meal. The food overall is very good. It's very easy to get overzealous and order a ton of stuff on the menu because everything on the menu sounds so delicious. If you're a fan of Taiwanese food, you'll be a fan of Gourmet Dumpling House. My favorite dish is the Braised Prime Pig's Leg. Other goodies include the Three Cup Chicken and the Lamb Stone Pot. Although other reviewers have noted that the xiao long bao is good, I personally prefer another place's down the street.
(4)Jenny T.
This place is your nitty gritty typical neighborhood Chinese restaurant. Good xiao long baos and tasty dumplings. Not Din Tai Fung quality but solid! Check it out if you're nearby.
(4)Joyce L.
i'm so glad i don't live close to chinatown... this place would make me gain so much weight.... mini juicy dumplings with pork: yummmmmmmm sauteed watercress: amazeballs. you need to get your greens in somewhere. schezuan spicy fish soup: great if you feel a cold creeping up on you on a winter day. otherwise, too oily for me mapotofu with beef: (an additional $1 for meat) how can mapotofu not be good spicy salt & pepper fried calamari: ahh so good when it's served hot. not as good when you get it for takeout because it's cold when you get home. #firstworldproblems scallion pancakes: meh, i could do without i can't really speak to how "authentic" these dishes are, but it's so freaking good and even though the soup dumplings look small, they're actually quite filling. GDH only takes cash if your bill comes out to be less than $20 (keep that in mind if you're splitting the bill). not surprising since it's chinatown where cash is a must. every visit, i've waited at least 20 minutes, even on week nights, and i had to wait outside because the space is so tiny! :( warning: never come here with a backpack on... you'll bump into everything & everyone. i speak from experience. other than that, feel free to indulge and wear some stretchy pants!
(4)Samita S.
Seriously - one of THE BEST Chinese Food restaurants I have ever been too in my life. Period. And having a bunch of friends from SF who have taught me the ropes that is saying something. Granted I usually keep it safe and stick with my classics - but at this place - my usual classics were the BEST I've ever had anywhere Recommend in this order (ranked in awesomeness) 1A. Beef Fried Rice 1B. Singapore Noodles 2. Mini juicy pork dumplings (soup dumplings) - LOVE their soy sauce/vinegar thing they serve with this.. killer 3. Scallion Pancakes Tried but not as Impressive (worth a shot first time around) - Pan fried pork buns - Spring Rolls Expect: To wait. Write your name down. To not get good service, but the food makes it not even matter. To sit with random strangers in a cramped space - as they put you wherever they can. But that can be fun too if you're chill. To eat hella good chinese food.
(5)Ashley N.
First time here and I would come back! We started out with mini dumplings with pork and mini dumplings with pork and crab meat. Both were delicious. I loved the one with crab meat but everyone else at the table liked the only pork. The soup was amazing in this. These did not need the soy sauce it came with because each dumplings is already rich in flavor. Twice Cooked Pork - beautifully done and well recommended. My favorite out of all the dishes. The peppers, cabbage, black beans, and whatever else was in there was very well mixed with the sauce and good. I would get this again when I go back. Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce - cannot go wrong with a vegetable side dish. Next time I'll try it with oyster sauce. Sauteed Julienne Beef* with long horn peppers - pretty good, not spicy, I ate all the peppers that came with it and the beef was tasty too. Sauteed Noodle with chicken and vegetables - got this with the flat noodles and it was pretty good. Liked the sauce and I enjoy flat noodles vs chow mein noodles. Very busy, they won't sit you until your whole party is there. I recommend 4 people max, but they can fit a large group. We had 6 people. There are only 3 large round tables there. Service was fine and typical. Prices were great! Among the six of us, we were all satisfied and well fed. I would definitely wake up just to come here to avoid the wait.
(5)Jey Y.
Bad service...no intend to take care customer, they feel like they don't need to care, food is ok. I was there by myself, they put me right next to fish tan, which is fine. I move the table toward other side LITTLE bit, the tea pot was broken before and spill all over the table. I asked sever to wipe out the water, then he blamed me for moving the table. I asked if I can change table, the sever told me I can't, at the time, there were two empty tables available. Just because I was alone, they won't willing give me table. I really hope everyone knows how bad they are. Just because they r making money, doesn't meaning they are good.
(1)Jen L.
You might have to wait for a table and it's certainly not comfy, but you should make the trip, if only for the mini juicy dumplings (pork/cabbage - fried) and the scallion pancake. I have tried the soup dumplings, but didn't love them. There's no liquor, just a few varieties of bottled beer and some sodas, and they don't take plastic for less than $20.
(4)Alice S.
This place is always so packed with lines out the door, that I just had to go in and see what this was all about. The wait was around 10 minutes for me which wasn't bad - but mind you, there were only two other people in line that night. The one thing that you should know is that this place is pretty small, meaning that a majority of the time, you might have to share a table unless you specifically tell them that you don't want to. We ordered: - egg drop soup (5/5) - Mini Juicy Dumplings with pork (5/5) - Mango Shrimp And Scallops (2/5)
(4)Alice Z.
I'll give 5 star for the variety they offer, but the food was just ok if you know authentic Chinese food. This is a place good for people who don't know Chinese food that well. :-) the shanghainess soup dumplings were actually not that good. The Taiwanese clam was just ok as well. I tried it once while I'm in Boston, but it's not something I would wait for 40 min for again. But they still deserve 4 stars for trying!
(4)Jane L.
My sister and I ordered takeout from gourmet dumpling house since it was always so packed in there. We ordered the vegetable fried rice, sautéed rice cake with pork and scallion. The vegetable fried rice was so moist and bit bland. I find it extremely oily even though it was vegetable rice. However, they cooked the vegetable well and it fits my taste buds well even though there was no meat(because I'm a meat fan, meat is love). But overall, it was mediocre The sautéed rice cake was really good. My sister fell in love with that dish. The rice cake along with the favors just melt in your mouth and it's best if you eat it with rice. Lastly, the SCALLION PANCAKE. Lemme tell you this. This pancake is by far, the BEST pancake I have ever eaten. It is so crispy yet chewy and it goes so well with the sauce. Even though my sister and I ate this pancake among with our other foods, we could just eat the scallion pancake by itself despite how oily it is. It is so delicioussssss. My sister and I were salivating because it was so good My sister and I just had to order it again before we departed back home. Even though it's $5, a bit pricey, it is so worth.
(4)Xiaowan W.
Best diner in Chinatown. No doubt. Nice boss, large plate and reasonable price. Most important, entrees taste good! But service needs to be improved anyway.
(4)Jessica C.
Finally a place in Boston that doesn't try to do a chinese/japanese/thai fusion all at once. I'm from mainland china and this place does not leave me feeling unsatisfied like fusion places often do. i came here on a monday night with a group of 6 and we waited about 25min. We ordered 10 dishes in total and the bill came out to 17$/person including taxes and tips. It was extremely satisfying as that price would not even cover a plate of pasta from the cheesecake factory. Overall I can't complain, too bad we didn't get to try some of the truly authentic dishes since it was some people's first time having authentic chinese food. The service was definitely not polite but you come here for good food and that's all. Here is what we had : 4 trays of juicy soup dumplings (pork+crab) - these were super juicy with real pieces of crab meat, definitely well liked by everyone 1 tray of steamed vegetable dumplings (those were huge) - didn't try this, the vegetarian friend liked it chicken lo mein - as good as lo mein gets general tsao's chicken - i'm not a fan of american chinese food but this one was definitely tasty watercress stir fry - lived up to authentic chinese standards hot and sour soup - can't go wrong with this one veggie tofu soup - kinda bland, one of the less exciting dishes
(4)Nancy F.
Seafood soup. Delicious had chinese seaweed. Very good. Seafood chow mein was yummy with abalone. One of the best chow meins I've tasted. Eggplant with basil tasted fresh. Pork crab dumplings were large and squirty. So Michael Douglas and Anne Hathaway ate here too. It's very small. But very quaint and our waiter was cute and awesome.
(4)Maria B.
Love their dumplings and any of their seafood dishes , it can be a lit of wait but it is worth it
(5)Jack W.
I grew up eating amazing Chinese food from home cooked to authentic restaurants. This place was awful we waited 45 min to get seated when told 25 and that would have not bothered had the food been good. I'll start this review by saying we sat with our table against the fish tanks..... cool right except the actively dying fish floating around sideways. We orders anyhow despite this. dumpling noodle soup The noodle texture was more like spaghetti and the dumplings thick and doughy skin not good. Scallion cakes Over fried and dripping with grease not good Beef pan fried noodles Good sauce and veggies but I counted and 5 total pieces of beef pretty skimpy. Sezchuan chicken Good spice and wok flavor but after we asked for white rice it never came and our waitress never came back or look our way. Over all I think it was the worst service I have ever received. I usually tip well but felt do neglected and rushed that I did not tip much and the waitress had the nerve to try to ask me about it. I do not understand how she did not comprehend that her service was flipping terrible. Awful experience from getting a table to paying the bill and to fish that we had to watch die ( we also told them about the fish they didn't care)
(1)Jinyen Y.
Arrived at Boston on Christmas Eve ... that spells trouble and hunger :( Based on my experience, Chinatown is always open and I can count on a trip there to scavenge for something to fill up my hungry tummy. I walked around Chinatown and was instantly attracted to this place because there were so many people in the restaurant (not sure if it was because everyone else was desperate like me or was the place really good). This place also fits my budget more than the southeast asian restaurant next door. We were seated rather quickly in spite of the long line (there were only two of us). We had to share a table with a couple but I guess that's the norm for busy Chinese restaurants. We looked around and it seems that everyone else was ordering the dumplings and the zha jiang mian (loosely translated: minced meat and bean noodles), therefore we did the same. Dumplings: 8 dumplings generously wrapped in meat. We had the beef and cabbage dumplings ($6.25). It was good but I am not a huge fan of beef in dumplings. Definitely kept me full. This came out the latest and we wanted to cancel it. The waitress wouldn't let us do it (signals poor service to me) and said that she would have to pay for the dish if customers cancel...what?????????? Zha Jiang Noodles: Yum! Maybe I was just too hungry but the noodles tasted really good. It was super filling and we had a tough time finishing them. I would recommend it as a side dish. Taiwan Braised Meat (taiwan kou rou): So delicious! I was swiping through pictures from fellow Yelpers and was so attracted to it. Although I knew two carb-filled dishes would fill us up, I still ordered this. I just needed some meat for Christmas Eve. It costs $10.50 and was a huge plate of fatty meat with some spinach (?) on the bottom of the plate. The fatty part of the meat was so soft and instantly melted in my mouth. I was eating all the meat (fats and meat) until I looked across the table and saw my bf healthily remove the fatty part. I felt so guilty and only ate the meat ;( *regret* We had leftovers and our bill came out to $27 (tax + tips) . Such a great deal !
(4)Vivian C.
Although Gourmet Dumpling House labels itself as "A Taste of Northern and Southern Chinese Cuisine" I've always considered it as one of 3 Taiwanese restaurants in our little Chinatown. I've never been to the Gourmet Dumpling House, as I've always headed to Taiwan Cafe and their glorious pork chop rice plate when I was in the center of Chinatown, and to Dumpling Cafe and their thin skinned soup dumplings when I came along Washington Street. The rest of my party had never made it in either as they found that the Gourmet Dumpling House always had a wait for one of its tables. One early evening, we decided to give it a shot. Despite the earliness of our attempt, there was still a wait, but since we were quoted 10 minutes, we stayed. Once the round table was vacated, the five of us were seated beneath the vent. The bad - it was chilly. The good - I did not smell the stinky tofu we ordered, though others at the table did. Taiwanese Style Fried Chicken with Basil $10.95 - large chunks of fried tender chicken. Crispy Stinky Tofu $6.95 - not my thing, but it was consumed by the rest of the table. Beef with Scallions Rolled Pancakes $8.95 - sliced into 4 portions, it was a nice fat crispy pancake rolled around a thin portion of sliced beef. Although the ratio could be improved upon, the taste and enjoyment of theirs could give that of Jo Jo Tai Pei's a run for the money. Enjoy it while it is still hot and crispy. Fried Pork Intestines $7.50 - good. Try it - I dare you. If you like fried things, and you eat meat, you'll like this. Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork (7) $7.50 - each dumpling was large, thin skinned and soupy. 1-2 per person would be fine; 3 was stretching it. Eat it while it is still hot but be careful to not get burned by the steam. Pork and Leeks Dumplings $7.50 (Fried + 25 cents) - surprisingly juicy inside. I personally prefer the fried version. But what's new with that? Sauteed U-Toy with Garlic (no idea) - we needed something green, so we asked what was fresh today. This was good too. They were packed, but the food was good. You can charge if it is $20 or more. 3.5 stars.
(3)Don M.
3.5 stars for good food that is sometimes average. Came here around 3pm on a Wed and it was crowded. Had to wait like 5 min. The staff is friendly and very fobbish. 1. Soup dumpling - I've had better. This was not as hot and fresh as others. The taste was flavorful but a bit strong. 2. Sautéed beef noodles - noodles were not as sweet as others, beef was flavorful and cut into strips. 3. Watercress - amazing. Fresh, hot, sweet. I'd come back just for this. Overall, I'll come back to try something else and give it a second try.
(3)Don T.
I must admit I was kind of disappointed but I think because the bar is set high coming from some of the best soup dumplings in NYC. I ordered the pork soup dumpling or as the menu stated, the pork mini juicy dumplings. Keep in mind I ordered them for take out as the dine in line was about a half hour for our group. The dumplings had a very nice thin skin, but the broth to me was bland and lacking flavor. I wound up using a lot of dumpling sauce to add flavor into my bite. The scallion pancake was delicious and a hit with the group. It was not too greasy and had wonderful flavor. I also order the spicy beef tripe. It was the bible tripe and not the honeycomb which the bible is much better to eat. It was very spicy but very tasteful. Only disappointed with the xlbs/soup dumplings.
(3)Sophia S.
Please do not come here. The waitress was the RUDEST person I have ever met. She clearly did not want to wait on us and kept walking by our table before she finally decided to take our order. It's not my fault she hates her job. It took her 25 minutes to bring us water and when she did, she threw it on the table and it splashed everywhere. We repeatedly asked for our food and finally someone else brought it to us. When the food did come, the dumplings were sub par and mushy. The crab rangoons were all cream cheese and not crispy. There was no real crab meat in them. Then, to make things better, when we got home from this horrible and DIRTY establishment, my friend and I both had food poisoning all night. Save yourself and do not eat here.
(1)Vivian D.
Great place for classic Chinese food! There is usually ALWAYS a wait for this place, but I only had to wait five minutes for a party of five because they moved seats for us- loving this place already. We got a variety of food- beef with string beans, (I don't recall what our ribs were called), chicken pad thai, and mini juicy dumplings with pork! Dumplings were great and definitely juicy, exploded in my mouth! I'm definitely come back for the pad thai as well!!!! Only non-favorite item would be the baby ribs we ordered. It was pretty tasty still since we were starved, but I wouldn't come back here just for the ribs. The service was nice and quick! I love the communication system here. Everyone is on task and works smoothly!
(4)Lucas X.
Foods are really really really wonderful. !!!!!!!!! Even though you may wait for a while, but it worths it. You won't regret it!!!
(5)Lin G.
Eating out for me is pretty straightforward. Food quality is paramount. Ambiance, service, and all that other crap doesn't really matter. Until you come to Dumpling House and realize that, well, maybe that's not always the case. This place crammed in the most possible amount of seats into it's square footage. There's not an extra inch of space at the tables or aisles. God forbid if you have larger than a 32 inch waist, because fucker, you won't fit in the seats or even be able to walk into the restaurant. Am okay with that... (unless it's winter time in Boston and you are actually wearing outerwear, because there's no space for that here). What really bothered me was the quality of the "service". The worst places in China has this place beat by a long shot. No smiles, rough demeanor, rushed us out with a check and no thank you. Just really mean all around and there was NO reason for it. The food, however, seemed to be authentic and good. If you don't mind horribly rude service and hardly any space to rest a tiny clutch on the table in return for decent Chinese food, then this place is for you.
(3)Jenny X.
å—北家å›is suppose to be the best chinese food restaurant here in LA, or atleast one of the best. But upon just moving in to Boston and first time here, I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed. Not only the lines were extremely long, the tables were crowded, the service was also slow and unattentive. My tea cup had some red residue of food on it, which I was mildly disgusted with, but could not do much since it pretty much takes long time for them to get anything. We got the é…¸èœå¤§è‚ ，雪èœæ¯›è±†ï¼Œèš‚èšä¸Šæ ‘，and 蒜泥白肉. Besides the 蒜泥白肉everything else was par standard. é…¸èœå¤§è‚ was a bit soggy with big pieces of veggies, èš‚èšä¸Šæ ‘ wasn't even cooked with the right kind of noodles! Traditionally this dish would be cooked with 粉ä¸ï¼Œwhich lets the flavor of the scrambled meat be absorbed into the noodles, but they use 粉æ¡, which are long and flat glass noodles. It was just not the same, quite bland and the texture was weird. Mind, the english translation was "ANTS on the tree" ; how much more careless can you be? I guess that my taste buds are too spoiled from all that variety of Asian cuisine in LA...Ah, I really miss even the simple dishes like å°ç™½èœï¼Œå¤å¤§è‚ ，ç›é…¥é¸¡. MAYBE, after some time here, I'm going to be thinking this is actually gourmet food. Especially after being stranded in the room after Boston starts to get cold...But let me hope that I would never have to think coming here may actually be a treat.
(3)Craig W.
I was visiting a friend in Boston and he said this was a must for our food tour. Of course I had to have the dumplings since it is the dumpling house and I have to say that they were incredible! We ordered an assortment of dumplings and all of them were delicious. They was only one sauce that I did not really like (too much vinegar) but service and the dumplings made up for it. I would definitely recommend Gourmet Dumpling House for some great dumplings!
(4)Ven H.
This place serves northern Chinese food, so if you like spicy, dumplings food, GO!! Quite authentic, dishes are fairly priced. A lot of options!! Lunch specials are great deals!
(3)Vy L.
My boyfriend and I went to "Gourmet Dumpling House" yesterday in hopes to satisfy our soup dumplings craving. Having had my first soup dumplings experience in New York, I knew it would be hard to find a place that would come close to it. We were excited to stumble across a restaurant dedicated to dumplings in Chinatown Boston. I have to say that the soup dumplings at Gourmet Dumpling House were pretty good! The broth inside was flavorful, meat juicy, and the dumpling itself was a good size. We also ordered the Taiwanese rice cakes with pork and vegetables which was very very bland. The hot oil on the side provided no spice, and all the glasses and silverware came out very wet. ( At least polish the glasses and silverware before you hand them out. ) The place inside is very tiny. I felt a bit claustrophobic while there and it is the norm for people to bump into you while eating. Service is what you would expect in Chinatown, quick and nothing special. Would I come back? Yeah, just for soup dumplings only though.
(3)Changlong M.
The waiter is so rude. Can't get your water Like forever. The food is just soso. So bad experience ever.
(1)Mahina W.
Went to Boston for a festival and decided to check out Chinatown. Found Gourmet Dumpling House on Yelp and decided to check it out. There were a ton of people waiting outside but the wait for a party of 7 was only about 10 minutes. We ordered: Appetizers: **chicken and cabbage dumplings **pan-fried pork and shrimp dumplings Entree: **okra in sa-cha sauce **szechuan style frog hot pot - the frog legs were very tender but what I really like about this dish are the spicy Napa cabbage and bean sprouts underneath! **vegetable fried rice **sauteed beef julienne with long horned peppers - my favorite!! I love spicy food and this dish so love it when restaurants have it. **braised tofu with scallions and vegetables Drinks: **qingdao beer **they also provide hot tea The service was incredibly fast and the food was delicious. Don't know what else I could hope for in Chinatown!
(5)Alan G.
Pros: + Decent food + Wide selection of food Cons: - Overpriced - Long wait - Slow service - Cash only for orders under $20 Came here for dinner with my friend on Friday night, around 6:20pm. We were told it would be about a 25-minute wait. We ended up waiting til 7pm (35 minutes) to be seated. After being seated, we weren't even handed menus until 15 minutes in! We ordered soup dumplings, chinese watercress, szechuan fish, and twice cooked pork. The food was served in a timely fashion, and the quality of the food itself was decent, but nothing extraordinary. The serving sizes are deceptive. The meat dishes look large, but most of it is filler veggies - the actual meat portion is not very substantial, given the price. Our overall bill, pre-tip, was over $50. Overall, I don't think it was worth it to come here. The wait is long, the service was slow, the food was expensive and in small portions, and not good enough to justify it all.
(3)Joe L.
Great Food! I was by myself so seating was quick and I was seated directly in front of the register and front door. This would not be my recommendation as this place is tight and everyone entering and leaving will be bumping into you while you're eating. I was lucky to get in an early start prior to the big crowd. A big line had formed before as I left. I suggest eating a little early like 5-6pm if you need to get in and out quickly. However the turnover is quick. I started of with a pork buns than I would NOT recommend and eventually sent back. Next I had the pork steamed dumplings that were superb, perfect! I Then I ordered the ginger and scallion lobster. Also Excellent. Apparently they steam the lobster then shake it in the a thick ginger-scallion sauce. However they do this, it's heavenly. Chinese clear like gravy with some spices and its served in broken shells for the digging. Messy but delicious. The tea served with all meals was good. If the Tsingtao beers could have been delivered cold this would have been a plus. Overall a very nice experience and a real value that I personally would highly recommend the Gourmet Dumpling House.
(4)Sarah H.
I can't get Soup Dumplings in Maine, so trips to bigger cities often involves a search for dim sum. There was a wait at Gourmet Dumpling House - not unusual for a Sunday afternoon, according to other reviews. The place is small and very crowded, our two-top table was right up next to the folks next to us - not a problem for us, as both parties respected the others' privacy. The Scallion Pancakes were great - crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. We didn't love the Pan Fried Dumplings with pork and shrimp and cabbage. We got two orders of the Mini Juicy Pork Buns (aka soup dumplings) and ate all of them. They had a thicker skin than some I've had, but that makes them easier to pick up and eat. They were very flavorful, and served with a salty/sour (probably black vinegar and ginger?) sauce. Overall, very nice.
(4)Yan C.
This will forever be my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. I take my friends here on the weekends, my family here when they visit, and my colleagues here during lunch. When anyone comes up to me asking where to get Chinese food in Boston, I always point them this way. I feel like a spokesperson for Gourmet Dumpling House lol. Honestly I've been here so many times and I enjoyed every dish - each is freshly prepared, well seasoned, reasonably priced and 100% authentic. They also come in generous portions, which are perfect for family style. Some of my favorites are: Szechuan style spicy fish, beef noodle soup, XLB (soup dumplings), and shredded pork with garlic sauce. The restaurant is almost always packed. They could really use an expansion. If you come during prime time, expect a long wait, but trust me it is SO worth it. They call your name when a table is ready, so don't go too far. Get your taste buds and wallet ready, and I guarantee you will go home with a happy belly.
(5)Tae J.
Ok, I heard people rave about this gourmet dumpling house and that we must try it. Understand that we have had other dumpling house in the area such as Taiwan cafe and dumpling cafe and honestly this place was sub-par ( bad ). The staff are willing to be helpful but fail to be so. The food is mediocre at best. I wasted 45 mins waiting on a Sunday around 1:30 for a seat to be passed along for other Chinese speaking guests. If that wasn't enough to speak of this place, the food we ordered, which was standard Chinese/ Taiwanese food was sub-par. The soup dumplings were too thick and most were popped before arriving to us. If you want a no-nonsense restaurant this is not the place to come. I would have rather gone to dumpling cafe or Taiwan cafe than here. I know better now. Don't waste your time.
(1)Maggie X.
I'll admit.. I've been called a Chinese food snob more than once in my life, but I guiltlessly blame it on Northern California's amazing Chinese cuisine and my mom's authentic cooking. For somewhere that I hear always has lines out the door, Gourmet Dumpling House did not impress me. The interior is minimalistic and standard of typical Chinese restaurants. Service was decent but spotty, and servers seemed fluent in both Chinese and English. Beef in spicy chili sauce (cold appetizer dish): ( yelp.com/biz_photos/gour… ) One of my biggest pet peeves is when meat is refrigerated and then taken out immediately before serving. It dries out the meat, gives it a kind of "refrigerator taste" (for lack of a better term), and is still cold upon eating. A chill is fine, but cold that makes my teeth hurt isn't. This platter had all the aforementioned concerns, and it was very unenjoyable. There was also a bed of filler iceberg lettuce on the bottom that wasn't very fresh and chopped garlic on top that didn't go too well with the spicy sauce. Pork and chive dumplings: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/gour… ) As a native of Beijing, I've had some of the best dumplings that Northern China has to offer, and unfortunately the fare here does not compare. The dumplings themselves were waterlogged and overboiled, and while the filling wasn't bad, it was pretty oily and a tad oversalted. Also, the dipping sauce was splashed everywhere on the plate, which was slightly frustrating because I don't usually eat most of my dumplings with sauce. Pan-fried pork buns: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/gour… ) These pan-fried pork buns were decently good and probably my favorite part of the meal. The filling had good flavor and wasn't overly salty, the wrapper was softly raised, and the pan-fried bottom was browned to a nice crisp. Beef sauteed with long horn chili peppers: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/gour… ) This dish had a decent amount of heat, and the smoky wok flavor was definitely there. There were long horn chili peppers as well as green bell peppers sliced into uniform chunks, which complemented the strips of beef well. It was a little salty, but this dish would have been pretty good with a bowl of rice. Overall, my first meal in Boston was perhaps my least favorite. I don't believe I'll be back.
(2)Sir James L.
From the smiles and helpful food suggestions from the staff to the amazing new spices my palate was filled with, the gourmet dumpling house is a must try. Affordable, plentiful, and mouthwatering...and that wasn't just the hot peppers. The wait is often 20 to 45 minutes, so get there a little early. The restaurant isn't large, but it's always full. The dumplings are to die for, but don't go killing yourself for a dumpling. Life is never that bad. Time will heal or maybe a dumpling or five will do the trick. Family owned and run. Enjoy!
(5)Alexandra M.
We got a double order of the crab rangoons, probably should have gotten more... They were fantastic and everyone at the table wanted more. The fried tofu by itself was quite bland, but the sauce was amazing. Just don't go on a date after (or during...) because it's basically a pound of garlic. The dumplings were a bit disappointing, as they were dry. Service was pretty fast, and the quote for how long we would wait was on point.
(4)Roberto M.
Dumpling Gourmet? Not at all!!! We were today eating some of them in our visit to Boston and we had the impression they were frozen Dumplings heated up in the microwave. Some of them were actually cold. The service was horrible and they told us we must give more Tip then we did. We can't at all recommend this place. We really like Chinese Food and we tried a lot in different places (NYC, Philadelphia...) so we know what we are talking about. This place never ever.
(1)Matt K.
Best restaunt in China Town. Dumplings were excellent, attentive service (once you have their attention), and one of the few places with great beer and the allowance of credit cards! It finest get better! This is the place to go in Chinatown!
(5)Steven J.
Ever watch the YouTube videos of chefs reading YELP reviews? I'm not a chef, but if I've ever seen one restaurant on YELP that embodies all that is wrong with YELP, just dive into the reviews here! OMFG. I'm sorry, but I've never seen so much stupidity in one place. Seriously: CONS: long lines, poor service, it's too crowded, my wait time was 10 minutes longer than what I was quoted, they didn't give me rice, there wasn't enough ice in my water, they were pissed I left a $1 tip (by the way, what ass***e leaves a $1 tip, blah blah blah! And OMG, a packed busy dive restaurant employed by workers who speak a different language made a mistake in taking your order. It happens. You ate in Chinatown. It's going to be all of the above and if you want hipsters charging you $300 to drink specialty bourbon cocktails in your overpriced jeans and eat (admittedly) so damn good food, with impeccable service, that's awesome. I LOVE those places and frequent them as much as possible. But you're in F***ING Chinatown where you can fill your bellies with some amazing food (yes the soup dumplings can burn your mouth -- DUH) for one-tenth the cost, but come on! Don't be the douche who walks into a restaurant who asks for no butter, cream, or salt and send a dish back because it's bland! Chefs hate you! Oh. My food review. The food is amazing. I don't mind being wedged in. I've met some cool people as a result. People. Relax. Take a deep breath. Enjoy eating. Enjoy being with your friends. And have some fun eating some amazing food.
(5)Jess S.
Tiny, crowded, and authentic. The staff are short (in speech) and the service is quick. You will probably have to get your name on a list if you show up during dinner hours, but you can walk around a bit outside and it goes by pretty quickly. The tables are crammed in the small space, so make sure not to bring in a bunch of shopping bags or something like that. Every inch counts here. My three friends and I got two orders of crab rangoon. YUM. I could have eaten more. The fried tofu was super hot when it came out but a bit bland in the end. The garlic dipping sauce, however, saved it. Just make sure you bring a breath mint for after. The vegetable dumplings largely disappointing and dry, especially considering it's named a dumpling house.
(3)Anthony W.
Came here for a little snack of soup dumplings and beef roll. They were actually very delicious and tasty. I might add that they are better than the ones we had the previous night at Taiwan café. If you don't get there by 6pm, be prepared o wait in line for a table. The place is very small as well and don't be surprised that you may end up sharing a table with someone else like we did. Since we were only a party of 2, they placed us in a 4-top table that only had 2 people in it. We were close, but really were not bothered by it. It did make for a small table though since we only had the space in front of us for dishes. If you see a group of people lining up in front of a restaurant in China Town, likely it is Gourmet Dumpling House and be sure to stop by and give it a try. They do accept credit cards, but only for charges over $20.
(4)Christopher W.
Fast, simple , and accurate review for people who don't want to read a novel finding out if a place is good. Ordered: ( 2/3 stars) Had the salt and pepper pork, salt and pepper lobster, hot and sour soup, fried rice, and shang hai dumplings. There is always a line for this place and I'm not sure why. I recommend Taiwan Cafe which is down the street from it. The price is well affordable for what you are getting. Service: (0/1 star) Bad service. Cleanliness and parking (0/1 star) dirty Go once to fulfill the hype.
(2)Jennifer S.
Delicious dumplings...but what would you expect from the gourmet dumpling house? I stopped in for lunch while I was visiting Boston on business and had some amazing pork dumplings. Flavorful and filling and just what I was looking for before heading to meetings.
(4)LikMeng L.
A lot of hype. Very much over rated. Dumpling was not good. Singapore fried mee hoon too much tumeric.
(2)Starr V.
The food is delicious but don't go if your in a hurry or expecting doting service...they move pretty slow until they're ready for you to pay and clear the table. Portions are huge so plan on sharing.
(4)Mel C.
I've only been here 2 or 3 times in the 6 years that I've lived in Boston. You know how you go to Italy and you're looking for a restaurant.. Well the type of restaurant you want is with all the local Italians eating there. The ones you want to avoid are the ones with menus in 5 languages and selfie stick tourists. Gourmet Dumpling House is the selfie stick equivalent of "good Chinese food" in Boston. Service at Chinese restaurants is normally rushed and rude, but Gourmet Dumpling House is on a completely different level. The hostess is on her phone right now editing a selfie on Meitu (Chinese photoshop), while I'm standing here waiting to pay for my takeout. It's funny because they have photos of all these celebrities on the wall, and I'm sure they treat Michael Douglas and Ming Tsai with a big smile. But hey, how do they know I'm not a relative of Ming Tsai? (I'm not). In terms of food, it is an MSG bomb. I even asked for no MSG once and they said that they can't do it. Expect oil, salt, Panda Express flavors. Make sure you have a gallon of water afterwards cause you're going to need it. It gets 2 stars because the one redeeming dish is the Szechuan fish in chili oil. (æ°´ç…®éšï¼‰ Go to Taiwan cafe instead. Trust me.
(2)Karen L.
Yikes, whaaat. I was not impressed with these dumplings at all. Juicy, sure, but the flavor wasn't there. Their chicken wings were great though! I would suggest getting an order of those if you aren't satisfied with dumplings. Also, be aware of the crowd. This place is tiny, and you'll surely elbow/be elbowed by someone. Love how sassy the servers are when they talk to each other though. They scream at each other across the restaurant without care.
(3)Cathy S.
This place always has a line, and while I think some of the food is worth a wait, the overall experience here is just okay. My latest visit was at 6PM on a Friday night, and there was already a line outside. We ended up getting seated at what was essentially one table, but they seated another couple next to us so we had to share the table. The actual service was prompt and while the people there weren't warm and friendly, they weren't necessarily rude either. The soup dumplings were pretty good, as were the other dishes, but I don't think the meal was amazing in any way. Prices are cheap and the menu is big, but if the line were long, I'd happily eat elsewhere too. PS Entrees don't come with rice so be sure to order some if you want it.
(3)Whit T.
Two words: COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT We came here to try it out instead of going to our usual favorites in Chinatown for Sunday brunch, bearing though the wait-time (which was twice as long as what we were quoted) outside, only to have Chinese-speaking patrons (who came after us) seated before us. When we caught onto what was happening, we were told we would need to share a table-which we were fine with-but what we weren't told was that it was two sets of other patrons-6 people at a table made for 4-5 people. Service was by far the worst in any Chinese restaurant we've frequented-and that's saying ALOT. But still we thought we would bear through it if the food was worth it. IT WASN'T. It was (at best) Panda-Express-quality eggplant and basil, bland watercress and garlic, and the soup dumplings were too thick and tasteless. Don't come here; you're better off trying Taiwan Cafe or Dumpling Cafe down the street.
(1)Mala S.
I decided to try out Gourmet Dumpling House this Sunday since it was such a rainy day and warm dumplings sounded perfect. I also had the illusion that the wait might be less since it was raining out - we quickly realized that wasn't the case. For a table of 2, we waited 40 minutes and since the restaurant is so small, we had to wait outside, with about 10 others also waiting for tables. Once we were finally in, we got warm tea which quickly warmed us up. We had: - Pork Soup Dumplings (7 pcs): quite good. I love soup dumplings and eat them everywhere I can. These ones have great juicy meat inside and are quite big. They were much larger than I expected and 7 between 2 of us was a lot. The skin was decent, I wish it was thinner. - Taiwanese Chicken and Basil: This was great! The dish came with a pretty big pile of chicken pieces ranging from small pieces that were crispy to larger chucks which were juicy. I would definitely recommend this. - Beef with american broccoli: This dish was good but not too out of the ordinary. My boyfriend loved it so we'd probably get it again. The broccoli was nice and fresh and this went well with the white rice. Cons: - The wait - The tables are small so it's hard to have 3 dishes at a 2 person table with the tea and plates.
(4)A. C.
(6/13/2015) So excited to be in a Chinatown while visiting Boston. Was with 2 Taiwanese co-workers and decided to head to GDH for a late lunch. A table for 5 was open for us in the crammed and bustling dining room (it's probably a fire marshal's worst nightmare). We the Taiwanese food junkies were overly excited and nostalgic and we got waaaay too much food, but it was really delicious. Everything we had was savory and well-seasoned. Specifically came for the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), when hot the skins were chewy and tender, plenty of soup, a dark, rich pork broth, after cooled, a little too chewy and tough to get into. Also to note, these are not the dainty delicate sippers you might be used to, they're kind of gulpers. Pan-fried steamed buns, we got pork and leek, were dense, sweet, puffy, golden crust on the bottom. Best of both the steam bun vs. fried dumpling world (but a def over-filling gut bomb). For light savory dishes go for the stir-fried rice vermicelli (mi fen), with pork, scallions, mung bean sprouts. Scallion Pancakes are crispy and flaky, many layers, well-salted. Plain was delish, but the Scallion Pancake stuffed with Red-cooked Beef, is seriously no joke, intense. Oyster Crepe was extra crisp on the edges, like oil-fried eggs and had an interesting gooey cornstarch chew, oysters plump, red sauce like sweet and sour. Sauteed water spinach was a nice al dente veg to counteract our bunfest. The place is pretty "authentic" as far as cleanliness (it's sticky) and service (it's brusque but efficient) go. Dining room was full the whole time we were there and a line out the door when we left. Prices reasonable if you order like a normal human beings (and not like us).
(5)Melissa C.
Great food. Terrible service. Study the menu before you go and know what you want to get. Waiters won't answer questions on menu items or make recommendations. The service feels rushed and the check was brought to us mid-meal. The tip is included in the price. Food highlight: pan fried chicken dumplings.
(4)Michael J.
Came here with my little brother on a Friday for lunch, it was a 5-10 minute wait for a table of two. We ordered the mini juicy pork dumplings, beef and string beans, and sauteed beef with okra (don't order beef and string beans if you are hoping to eat beef). The Good: My brother thought the dumplings were okay, not bad, but not great either. I thought the sauteed beef was decent but my brother said "the flavor was too strong". The Bad: First, a table of two who put down their name after us got seated before us. Second, they forgot to serve us our rice which came with our meals, not a deal breaker, but serving rice at a Chinese restaurant is pretty basic, and all the other tables got their rice. The Ugly: The server spilled soy sauce all over my brothers pants when the server brought us our meal, he didn't say "sorry" or even a " 对ä¸èµ· (Mandarin for sorry)" and left with out even trying to help clean up his mistake (they took off $5 from a $25 bill for the spill). Final Thoughts: I can't remember the last time I experienced service as bad as this, it was just one mistake after the other. As a local Chinese American I know this place is over hyped, the only reason we came here was because my brother wanted to try the restaurant so he could write his own yelp review for it. My brother was not happy that he smelled like soy sauce for the rest of the day. If you know any better, you will avoid this place.
(1)Dang P.
We tried several dishes here, but overall, the food wasn't that great and the dining area feels very cramped. The restaurant was very busy and there were many servers, but the service didn't exist. The lack of atmosphere and the lack of service would have been ok if the food was outstanding, but it wasn't. However, the prices are low, and they have lunch specials.
(2)Lillian C.
2.5 stars... rounding up to 3 This place is small, cramped, and the wait is always long. Thus, the service we received was really BAD. Yes, I understand the need to turn over as many tables as possible, but it's really uncomfortable to have the "boss" lady stare at us like a hawk every 5 min... even with full plates of food on our table! The whole experience was pretty bad and even though the food was decent, I don't think I'll come back. We ordered the Szechwan spicy fish, sautéed vegetables, stinky tofu, XLB, scallion pancakes, salt and pepper calamari, and a spicy pot with beef. The good: stinky tofu reminded me of the ones I would get in Taiwan and I loved the pickled cabbage that came with it; the scallion pancake was also really good, and I liked the assortment of vegetables (lotus root!) in the spicy pot with beef (for some reason we thought this was a dish that would come with spicy soup... but nope, it's a stir fry and no soup). The rest of the items were just average: XLB was ok, but not the best I've had in Boston, Szechwan spicy fish was also not that flavorful nor spicy, and the sautéed vegetables were just average. The salt and pepper calamari had a weird type of breading and it tasted a little weird. It's probably my least favorite dish. Based just on the food I wouldn't write this place completely off, but the wait, service, and death stare really turns me off.
(3)Christine P.
I came here with a good friend from college who celebrates Chinese new year, we wanted to have some season appropriate dumplings and enjoy a chat near chinatown. It was cold outside and started to snow as we approached the restaurant and sadly for us there wasn't much room to stand and wait indoors. We made it work and chatted for the half-an hour that it took the crowded place to give up a table. in the time that we were chatting and waiting we'd gotten quite hungry and decided on what to order the second we sat down. We ordered two types of dumplings, one that i know we ordered was fried pork and leek. Additionally we ordered a side of pepper chicken. The dumplings were on point and amazing - fired is the way to go if you aren't watching your weight for this type of meal. The pepper chicken was VERY spicy. The kind of spicy that snaps your throat closed and makes you cough to catch up with yourself. After you get used to that its pretty good. I'd order it again but with rice because I guess I could handle it better - even enjoy it at that rate. To the reviews that debunk this place for making you wait and not having enough room, please don't wait - I will though, the food is worth it.
(4)Anthony M.
Adding to the GF and mine never-ending quest of visiting places on the Food Network, we came upon this place while coming to Boston for a few days. Was it the best Chinese food I've ever had? No. Was it good? Definitely. If I were from Boston, would I wait outside in the cold regularly for what seems to be a standard 30 minute line for average service and mediocre at best dining accommodations? Maybe. This place is better suited for coming as a larger group and not as a couple. Several groups who arrived after us were seated before us because of the limited 2-person tables--there was only 1 by my count and we were lucky to sit at it, although it's right next to the fish tank and they had to interrupt our meal to pull some people lobsters out. (But at least they were nice enough to give us free sodas for the inconvenience.) Expect to get seated with other people if you're coming as a couple. The portions are also very large which make it a better to come as a group and eat family style and you'll be able to try out more stuff. We ordered an appetizer, an order of dumplings and 2 entrees and it definitely was too much food for 2. The scallion pancakes were very good but don't make me crave them like a place back home. Loved the steamed pork dumplings and they came in a very generous portion of about 10-12. The beef with string beans was tasty but the ratio of beef to string bean might have been a little off. Had to try the Szechuan style sliced fish since it was on Best Thing I've ever ate and on most of the reviews here. I liked it and was happy to try it but it's not something I'll be craving and wanting to stand outside for. Not too spicy (although I'm a bad judge of that since my spice tolerance is pretty high), a good portion of fish, but a little oily. Didn't get automatically charged a tip like some had reviewed. One weird thing also happened. Towards the end of our meal when the GF finished eating but I obviously was still working on the food, the waitress put the check next to me and thanked us. Is that their way of saying GTFO? It's not like we were there an extraordinary amount of time.
(4)Lucy L.
Great food !!!!! Spicy fish, pepper beef and flounder are really really really great. Here's the only restaurant that you gotta wait in Chinatown. But it means this is a fantastic restaurant.
(5)Hua X.
i came here with my friends all the time . Their spicy fish,eggplant and Szuchuan toufu are really wonderful.. the best in Boston. GRRAT FOOD
(5)Alan W.
Awesome meal at the Dumpling House! I really enjoy the XLB dumplings and regular dumplings here. Everything was good and it's definitely a place that I would go back to when in Boston.
(4)Alex G.
Lot of mixed reviews, and now I know why: there are some good dishes and some very mediocre ones. The secret is to know the difference. Soup dumplings and steamed dumplings were both excellent, and I wished I had stopped there (in terms of dumplings). The vegetable buns were a disaster, and the pork buns were nothing like the ones we normally love. These were overly doughy, too thick, and not the "BBQ pork" filling we like. Skip those. The won ton soup was spicy (huh?), and had a strange seaweed flavor. Not for me, my friends. The tea pot held iced water, instead of hot tea. A disappointment. Overall, this a fair (not great) restaurant that left me saying "meh." Two stars.
(2)Mark G.
My absolute favorite for dumplings and Chinese. Arrive early and expect to wait for a table if you have a party of more than two. The place is tiny but service moves quickly. Order the pork and crab soup dumplings, the scallion pancake, or some pan-fried pork buns to start. The shrimp and okra in Sa-Cha sauce is amazing and not something I've seen anywhere else in town. The seafood soups (massive, like you'd expect for pho) are great -- just remember the spicier dishes on the menu tend to be the best. Other great choices are the spicy fried pork, the shredded beef and okra, and the salt and pepper shrimp (just remember to order the "peeled" version if you're squeamish about shrimp with the heads still on. If you haven't been here before, you're in for a treat.
(5)Nick K.
My favorite dinner of the past few months was here. Went with two colleagues, we just ordered a bunch of different stuff off the menu. YES. The soup dumplings were incredible. Miso soup was great. Scallion pancakes were super tasty too! Small place, you might have to wait, but in my opinion was worth it.
(5)David R.
OK dim sum and Chinese food - wasn't amazing, but wasn't bad. We managed the get seated right away which was great, but I was a tad disappointed with the food.
(3)Lucy W.
Awesome food! And I can't believe how much you get for your money. You can't go wrong with the dumplings, pork buns and flat noodles. My fav... the soup dumplings... DELICIOUS. I came with a group of about 15 people, and amazingly, they were able to accommodate us very easily. We all ordered a personal entree. And some people ordered an entree AND an app. Big mistake. The portion sizes are HUGE! We had so many leftovers (which got devoured at 2 AM after a night at the bars).
(5)Diana L.
Yo whyyyy is this place so popular?! Is it because white people see a line and they think "must be good" ? Taiwan Cafe is so much better and they never really have giant lines. Plus this place rudely suggested that I leave a 20% tip on my check at a table of just me and my boyfriend -- they wrote the 20% tip amount at the top of my receipt! I was like uh no. I tipped 15% and was fully ready to defend my tip on the way out but they didn't bring it up to me. We got: - pan fried dumplings - soup dumplings - stinky tofu - mapo tofu - a Szechuan chicken stir fry dish I wasn't blown away by anything. The dumplings were really good but the soup dumplings at Taiwan Cafe are better - I've had them many times. The stinky tofu is also better and stinkier (to me better & stinkier is one and the same) at Taiwan cafe. Mapo tofu is also better there and the chicken stir fry was good but nothing to write home about. All in all: good but nothing to write home about and if you're in Chinatown just go to Taiwan cafe, it's incredible.
(3)Bonnie C.
Gourmet Dumpling House is one of those places that you can go to knowing that it's going to be a great and satisfying meal. Whenever I come here, I order 1-2 trays of pork soup dumplings, beef chow fun, and spinach. Occasionally, I would order something different, like fried pork intestines or pan-fried dumplings. All of which are really good. It's usually really crowded, so when you get there, there will probably be two parties waiting. They tell you the wait is 20 minutes, but they usually seat you within 5-10 minutes. The service there is fast, but also really great. The tables are rather close to each other, so it does get annoying when you have to maneuver through them, but that's okay. It's not a huge problem. The only thing to really "complain" about is how small the restaurant is. For a super busy and successful restaurant like theirs, they should really consider expanding it. Though I'm pretty sure they've already considered it, haha. Not really a complaint, but it would be nice if they did.
(5)Gigi L.
GDH seem to target the American demographics. Most of their patrons were not Chinese--this makes me raise an eyebrow.... Anyways, the food was decent, but I couldn't taste the authenticity in their recipes. Got the Szechwan Spicy Fish, Xaio long bao, and scallion pancake. The fish wasn't spicy at all and extremely oily. They put napa cabbage on the bottom but it does nothing to the dish. Its def not the best thing i have ever ate, as proclaimed by Food Network. The XLB had thee thickest skin. I think they do this to preserve the soup when steaming them. Real XLB are supposed to have a thin and delicate skin with a scrumptious flavorful center. It was not accomplished here. My friend really enjoyed the scallion pancake because it was crispy, but I thought it was just okay. Not sure if i'll be back a second time... Def going back to Cali to get my XLB fix
(2)Simon L.
Go for lunch, before 11:30am and you may not have to wait in line. Go later or for dinner and suffer the consequences. A menu that is giant, keep to the stuffy haven't heard of and it will not disappoint. Sliced fish Szechuan style put this place on the map appearing in numerous television shows. It is a stew of luscious fish served in nearly boiling bean paste broth with piles of fiery peppers and dusted with a mountain of crushed chili. Take a bite un-expectantly and you will surely be consumed with fire while chocking simultaneously. It is a marvelous dish - sweet, tender, thick, spicy. A meal in and of itself. As for the namesake dumplings? An order of the mini broth filled pork ones ($7.50) will do. Wrapped in a dumpling casing that is thin enough to puncture with a small amount of pressure from your chop sticks, these babies are loaded with scalding broth and a hearty portion of ground pork. Twice cooked pork ($10.95) comes with cabbage, a pile of thin sliced pork in a black bean and pepper preparation. Scallion shoots, red pepper flakes, black beans. Tight quarters. Brusk service. Spectacular food.
(4)Robert R.
Dumpling House is small and crowded, the service is chaotic but quick. I never know who my waiter/waitress (I think the entire waitstaff just swarms all the tables) is when I eat here, but the food always comes out quick. Eat the dumplings. Eat the soup dumplings. This is the only reason you would go here. They're amazing! It doesn't hurt that they're hard to find anywhere else. The rest of the menu is so-so; I reiterate: Eat Dumplings!
(3)Chenkai L.
There is always seem to be a long line at time place, and I will say it does deserve the popularity. The space inside is small, tables are packed tight and there's definitely a feeling of claustrophobia inside this place. But what it lacks in atmosphere and space, it makes up for in cheap delicious food. There are a couple dishes here that they are famous for. One of the 水煮鱼, or spicy fish is cooked to perfect in delicious sichuan style sauce. As red as it looks, it actually not very spicy at all but tastes awesome. The other are the soup dumplings, which they make really well, I have to say they make the best soup dumplings in boston, and the price is unbeatable. A new location opened by Central Square that seems a lot more legit, larger space, better menu, better decor, which has now become one of my favorite restaurants. However, I think the Chinatown location still makes their soup dumplings better.
(5)Kathleen B.
So delicious, try the Singapore noodles! The staff seated us fast and food came quick
(4)Adam L.
This place serves some pretty authentic dishes. The negative of coming here is that it can get pretty crowded and you may have to wait a bit. I got taiwanese noodles, xiao long baos, scallion pancakes. I have been to this place multiple times so i can attest to the food here. The food here is made with great flavorful quality. This place always has me stuffed by the end of my meal. The prices are fair and the quantity is on the better side. The one thing i will say about the xiao long baos is that its okay. I've tried the xiao long baos here and they're not the best ones that i've had. The size of them are normal sizes. The thing i look for in xiao long baos is the tastiness of the broth and the quality of the wrap. These aren't just on par with the better ones that i've had. Not to say that its not worth getting, but its just not something that i would die for. I'd prob come here once a week.
(3)Claire W.
I made a yelp account just to put out my review on this restaurant. That's how disappointed I am. Credentials: I lived in Shanghai for the past three years. So I've had authentic xiao long bao and dumplings. My favorite xiao long bao joint in Shanghai is probably Din Tai Fung haha. We went on Sunday night during memorial day weekend. For many years I've heard about this place and decided to try it. Here's what we ordered: Oyster Pancake with Gravy Seafood Dumplings Mini juicy dumplings with pork (Xiao long bao) Yu Hsian Sauteed Shredded Pork In Spicy Sauce The oyster pancake was pretty standard, but if I was in the mood for oyster pancake I would go to a Taiwanese restaurant. Yu Hsian pork was okay, a bit sweet and not that spicy. The regular entrees here are probably okay. But....the dumplings at Gourmet Dumpling House? Awful. The shape is weird and small, and too much dough. Probably to cut costs. The fillings aren't that good either. There wasn't enough filling, and the filling was bland. The xiao long bao here are horrendous. Rather, I felt like I was eating large dumplings filled with water. The dough was too thick and probably dumpling dough. The shape was flat and large. The actual shape of xiao long bao should be smaller and more neat. I'm not sure how to describe it since I don't make these. You can look up pictures of xiao long bao, and compare them to the ones here. They're different. I was so disappointed. I can't believe that people go here for dumplings. For my family (and probably most typical Chinese families), if we want dumplings we'll get the frozen dumplings from the Asian grocery store. If we have lots of time or it's a special occasion, we'll make our own. Getting your own frozen dumplings from Super88 or Cmart is cheaper and better than here. Go here for anything but dumplings.
(2)Meghan D.
This place is always busy- but they turn around the tables pretty quickly. The food is incredible, best Chinese I have ever had. Definitely get the scallion pancakes for an appetizer and I get chicken fried rice & sweer and sour chicken. Service is not very good, neither is the atmosphere or inside of the restaurant, but really everyone seems to be there for the food. A+
(4)Holly C.
Love the soup dumplings, pork and leek steamed dumplings, and spicy sliced fish! Small restaurant that always has a line out the door, but it moves fast and it is worth the wait! Just be careful and let the soup dumplings cool off a bit before popping one in your mouth!
(5)Donna J.
Finally had their sliced fish szechuan style after seeing countless customers order it. It didn't give me the WOW I was waiting for, but it is good. Not too spicy, but it is pretty oily. The fish crumbles if you don't have a light hand with chopsticks. Can't really describe how it tastes, the fish kind of melts in your mouth. I've been here a handful of times and service is fine for a small busy restaurant. I wouldn't recommend coming with a large party as the times I've been seated more quickly have been when we were only two in a party. Also, be prepared to sometimes sit with strangers or on top of other customers because the tables are inches apart. My go-to is the Juicy Pork Dumplings also known as soup dumplings. I don't know if there is a specific way to eat these, but my friend stated that you take a spoon full of the dark vinegar sauce, plop the dumpling in the saucy spoon, and bite into the dumpling so that everything mixes together. I also take the non-traditional approach of grabbing the top of the dumpling with my bare hands because I usually end up breaking the dumpling when I use the chopsticks.
(3)Thuy L.
Where do you go when you crave delicious, authentic, chinese food? GDH of course. Where the soup dumplings and the spicy fish broth leave your taste buds yearning for more until the very last drop. Where the long-horned beef and scallion pancakes make you wish you could literally move things around in your stomach to make room for that last bite. Where upon entering, you think there's no way I'm waiting in this line but then you do every time and it's so worth it. Where despite the line, you are in and out within 30 minutes. You come, you eat, you pay, and you roll home. Not only has GDH gained notoriety among the locals, but also celebrities. Ming Tsai has raved about the spicy fish broth on the food network's "The best thing I ever ate--Better than mine." The number of celebrity photos has doubled since I first started coming here. They don't split credit cards so either bring cash. Nom, Nom, Nom.
(5)An L.
Delicious watercress if you're craving Asian vegetables. I even came here for lunch and dinner in one day because of the watercress. Vegetarian dumpling also tasty, bountiful, and fills you up very fast. The cabbage/chicken dumpling was not good. It's always crowded here, but they turnover fast and are very efficient, even predicting your needs (i.e. rice, check). Tea was also nice. Inexpensive. The yee mien noodles (yellow noodles) was average.
(4)Michelle Z.
Delicious food served fast in family style. This place is packed for a reason! Great sauteed noodles with beef - flavorful and the meat was tender. Average to good pork w/chive dumplings. Spicy crispy salt & pepper pork chops didn't have a lot of kick, but went perfectly with our Tsing Tao beers. A satisfying meal for two for under $40, with enough left over to snack on for lunch the next day.
(4)Fred L.
I've been about ten times now so I think I can say with a pretty high degree of confidence that GDH is a great spot to get some authentic, tasty Chinese/Taiwanese food. Plus I'm Taiwanese so I know how things should taste, unlike the meatloaf and casserole types that give GDH poor marks. No disrespect, but some of the reviews below just don't make any sense. Steamed veggie dumplings--I get them every time I go to GDH as they are my favorite in Boston. Lots of places around the world make it a bunch of different ways using a variety of vegetables, but these are downright delicious. I will update this with more dishes when I have more time... Meanwhile, do yourself a favor and hit this place up.
(5)Nina N.
I came here with the sole purpose of trying the dumplings, but I was disappointed at the limited options on the menu. Gourmet Dumpling House was just another typical Chinese food restaurant which was plentiful in Chinatown. Of what little options we had, my boyfriend and I were able to find two dumpling dishes that sounded appetizing. For appetizer, we ordered from the entree menu the sauteed littleneck clams with basil. I know, this is not a dumpling. It's coming. For dumplings we found two to be most appealing and they were the Mini Juicy Dumplings with pork and crabmeat and the Sandong Style Pan Fried Dumplings. On a positive note, all three dishes were delectable. The clams were done perfectly. The aroma of the basil, the flavor and the consistency of the sauce was very balance, not too salty as other places where we've had this dish before. Now to what I considered the main course. The mini pork and crabmeat dumpling surprised me. They were not mini. I was expecting really small but instead I got something a little bigger than mini. Lol. How I'd like to describe them is piping hot juicy deliciousness. But after eating three you may want something to cleanse your palette. Which is why the dipping sauce makes such a great pairing, beware it is sour. The dumplings were paired with a ginger soy?/vinegar dipping sauce. I could be wrong about the soy sauce part. It may as well be all dark vinegar with ginger in it and no soy sauce. Now the Sandong Style Pan Fried Dumplings is one of the best dumplings I have had in the longest time....I have not eaten dumplings in a very long time. Still, they were yum yum yum. Not pouring juice all over your mouth delicious like the mini juicy dumplings but instead they were crispy-must-have-more type of dumpling. They tasted great without the dipping sauce that they came with, but they tasted even better with it. I was surprised by how fast these dumplings filled us up. I would definitely come back and I would totally recommend these two dumpling dishes. I personally like the pan fried one better though. My hope is that they will expand their dumpling menu to include more variety. See my pictures.
(4)Ash C.
Beef tendon soup was very delicious. Dumpling casing was a little bit thicker than I expected. Overall, it was not bad at all.
(3)Colby B.
I love Gourmet Dumpling House. I find myself waiting until the afternoon - long past lunch time but still before dinner time - to indulge in my love for this place. Its not fully packed around then (same goes for 10pm-close, not usually as packed) and there is no waiting outside in the freezing cold. Not that I haven't done that here. The soups are all great, as with the soup dumplings, or as they are listed on the menu the mini juicy buns. I haven't had the crab/pork ones, just straight up pork. Very tasty with a slight sweetness and the black vinegar sauce they serve it with compliments it nicely. The sliced fish szechuan style is great, but if you are on this yelp page you probably already know that about this place!! Its one of their most popular dishes (as well as the soup dumplings). Something about their sauteed spinach with garlic keeps me coming back for more. Its the strong yet sweet garlic flavor - its been perfectly roasted/fried/whatever magic they use to cook it. Its great, and a huge portion. I think its 9 or 10$ but definitely worth it. The menu can be overwhelming but just take your time with it and be careful how much you order at a time!! The tables can get very crowded very quickly. But it is worth it. More often than not we will be elbow to elbow with complete strangers but so long as I have my soup dumplings and szechuan fish nothing can bother me!
(4)Anup S.
Great dim sum for lunch!
(4)Rachel T.
My roommate come here at least every two weeks. All the Wellesley women love it and will trek all the way to China town to get some delicious dumplings. Also try the fried tofu with the sauce. It's delicious!
(5)Robert N.
Never ever! My friends and I were craving dumplings and xiao long baos. We got here around 11ish right when it opened as it looked like they were still cleaning and washing plates from the night before. We ordered dumplings, xiao long baos, scallion pancakes, and oyster pancake. Everything was okay, the pancakes were extremely oily. So, two of my friends found bones in their piece of the oyster pancake! YES, I SAID IT! There were bones in the pancake! We assumed it's from the night before as they were just cleaning up. I was so grossed out by it I couldn't have another piece. They replaced our order, and I didn't get why my friends wanted more. Yup, never coming here again.
(1)Ben C.
How does this restaurant only have 3 1/2 stars? Yes the service is lousy, you have to wait to get a table (in winter that can be nasty) and it is crowded as hell...but who cares when the food is so good! The dumplings are of course the real highlight here. They are easily the best in Boston and you would have to trek a long way into Queens, NY to find their equal. Having said that, pretty much everything in the menu is a winner. Also, it's so cheap; they could double their prices tomorrow and I would still go there. Personally I like the chaotic, loud, balls-to-the-wall atmosphere here. It's not romantic, but it is authentic and the food is very very good.
(5)Skye G.
This place is on the small size and gets full fast so either go early or plan to wait for a seat. It is fun to see all of the different dishes that people order but I hate to be looking at others while they eat so put your name in and wait outside. That is if you can get back out since it is packed with a very small check in area. Not even sure I can call it a check in area. The Combo of 3 for $19.95 which includes soup and white rice is a winner. Great when you can share with friends and get a decent meal for a reasonable price. We ordered the following: #38 Sweet and Sour Flounder #18 Sautéed Pork Julienne with Mustard Greens and Bean Curd #4 Julienned Beef with Chinese Watercress in Sa-Cha Sauce A32 Vegetarian Steamed Dumplings A34 Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork This was plenty - plenty of food. The Sweet and Sour Flounder was a bit heavy on the sauce but the fish itself was amazing. It was light, fluffy which means fresh with lots of great taste. I'd order this again with either light on the sauce or no sauce. The Sautéed Pork Julienne with Mustard Greens and Bean Curd was not to my liking. I wouldn't order it again but maybe just me. The bean curd had a spongy texture and not much taste. It was also harder for me to eat this dish since the others were so good. The Julienned Beef with Chinese Watercress in Sa-Cha was really great. The watercress had a great crunch to it and I didn't find it too bitter. It has a bite to it but not really spicy. Even for one in our crowd who doesn't eat or like spicy she tried it and did like it. The Veggie Dumplings were good and I'd recommend them if you are a vegetarian. However I really enjoyed the Pork ones better. They don't call it juicy for nothing! Be careful they are super hot and if you do take a bite you will either burn your pour tongue or spray your face...either way it might be funny. So you can use the soup bowl you just emptied to put your dumpling in or use the soup spoon. Although the dumpling is bigger than the spoon and that gets messy too. The juice inside is wonderful. These could be a meal themselves. I tend to like pan fried dumplings as I like the crispy edging rather than the steamed but these are worth ordering again. I consider this one of the better places to eat and it is neck and neck with the Taiwan Café. I'll need to try an order of the littleneck with basil next to do a comparison. Mmmm will be going back soon.
(4)Michael D.
THANK YOU CHINATOWN FOR YOUR HIDDEN GEMS THAT ARE OPEN TIL THE WEE HOURS OF THE NIGHT. The mbta should take your advice and stay open a little later... After a night of shots to the dome which ended up with me missing the T, i had THE BIGGEST CRAVING for roast duck. In my state of mind, I didn't think I could make the few extra steps to vinh sun so i just went to the first restaurant with a giant blue and red OPEN sign.. and it was here.. at gourmet dumps.. Got sandong style dumplings ( yelp.com/biz_photos/v0lH… ), pork and leek dumpings ( yelp.com/biz_photos/v0lH… ), and scallion pancakes ( yelp.com/biz_photos/v0lH… ). The dumplings weren't too shabby, but what REALLY turned me on was the scallion pancakes. They were so perfectly greasy and so perfectly tasty ohh mann. I may have been slightly impaired, but even so I know my Chinese food, I lived in Garden grove, California, aka Asian central! The scallion pancakes were probably one of the best ones I've ever had, but as for the dumplings, I've had better elsewhereee. I give em 3.5 stars for the dumplings and the scallion pancakes. I plan on coming here during the day so i can try some of their other stuff, so look for an update!
(3)Melly S.
My review based on my first (and most likely last) visit here. First off, there's always a huge line everytime I wanted to try this place. But since it was 4th of July, the line didn't look so long so we managed to get a table for 2 in 25mins (which they initially said would take 15mins). Second, we experienced terrible service. Everytime we needed something (or remind someone about our order of one bowl of rice that took 20 mins!), we needed to proactively remind 2-3 different waiters. One waitress was particularly unpleasant and very rudely shooed me away from the counter when we were waiting to be seated next. Third, the food. I'm the kind of person that would go extra lengths to have great food (including 2 hours waiting in line for brunch) and going to hole in the wall places or shacks that have crazy long queues, even if the service is bad, because at the end of the day the food made it worth the effort. How disappointed I was to find that the food was just meh. The szechuan style sliced fish (that for some reason was praised a lot in yelp- that's why we ordered it) was rather bland and not hot at all (even though it appeared really spicy. But this might be my Asian tastebuds). The soup dumplings weren't terribe, but it wasn't what I expected from a place called Gourmet Dumpling House. I thought they were supposed to be experts in this stuff? Or maybe the xiao long bao I'm familiar with in Din Tai Fung has set a high standard. Oh and the fried chives bun apparently isn't a bun, but rather looks like fried scallion pancake (again, disappointed since we were expecting something that looked well kinda like a BUN (mantau) - and we checked with a waitress just to make sure whether they got the order mixed up and they said it was a fried bun). It tasted okay, but nothing special (again). Oh and what's up with not serving chinese tea at a dumpling restaurant? So to conclude: given the meh taste of food that's probably comparable to just any random ordinary chinese restaurants w/o the popularity and line that they have here and the poor service, I really don't understand the hype that surrounds this place.
(2)David A.
Wow is this place great. Total Chinatown experience with incredible food. Great value for the price. Portions are huge. The eggplant with basil is one of the best veggie dishes in recent memory. The portion will feed four easily. The steamed pork dumplings are also fantastic and the prtion, again, is huge. My daughter thought that the steamed pork buns were the highlight; I though they were a bit too bready. I loved the szuchuan shrimp. Served in a big hot pot, is spicy with a fantastic broth a lots of addictive cabbage. We ordered way too much for the two of us and the check was under $40.
(5)Angela H.
In general, I was not impressed with Boston's Chinese/Taiwanese food. You can get food this quality or better in Chicago without having to wait 45 min. Food is authentic. Overall flavors were good. Beef noodle soup was a bit sweet, which threw me off guard. It was not what I grew up with. Dumplings were hot, soupy and the skin was thin, it was obvious that every component was made in house and by very skilled workers. But in general it was not worth the wait and I've had better.
(3)Allie O.
Is it just me or is it impossible to eat soup dumplings in public? I don't get the method, and I hate plastic chopsticks. The food slips and slides all over the place, so does it really matter what it tastes like if I can't get it into my mouth? That's what she said. The good: The wait wasn't bad at all, and I guess I never mind standing next to a dumpster before lunch. I didn't know that before, but I know it now. Service was fast. Menu is extensive, prices are good. SCALLION PANCAKES are the best I've ever had. Wonderful. The bad: I don't think I like pork buns, but if I did, I didn't like these. The short rib/beef entree was awful. Bad flavor, questionable meat, and bone IN?!?! Again with the question of function. HOW am I supposed to eat that in public using only the utensils I was given? I just don't understand. Maybe my teeth aren't that sharp. The ugly: Ugly is giving 2 stars to a restaurant when it isn't deserved, and they are usually given out by ugly people with ugly, dirty keyboards. You know it's true. So, three it is, and the percentage isn't going to make a difference, but hopefully people will get to eat some bangin ass scallion pancakes.
(3)Ming L.
Used to be a decent place for a bite, but service has been terrible lately. Not only have they started automatically charging a 18% tip on EVERY BILL, the food quality has also gone downhill as they started rushing orders. Also, no more lunch specials on weekends.
(3)Jason M.
Let's get some things straight - - You're going to put your name on the wait list and inevitably you will feel as if someone was seated before you. - You are going to be sitting in close quarters with other people. - The food will come out at different times. - You may not ever have your water refilled. But, let's get some other things straight - - You're going to get the most delicate juicy dumplings in Boston. - You'll have the most flavorful fried dumplings in Boston. - They have the tastiest and freshest veggies in all of Chinatown. Just get this - 1 order of pork juicy dumplings, 1 order of pork & leek fried dumplings, 1 order of watercress with garlic sauce. It's a total meal for 2 people, hits the minimum $20 order for a credit card and will come out fresh and tasty. Thank me later. Pro-tip - Go between 2-4pm. You won't wait more than 10 minutes. And, if you're willing to sit at a big table with strangers, you might be seated even faster.
(5)Alice W.
This place is so small and usually has about a 30 minute wait, but it is always worth it. My favorite dishes include the braised pigs feet, the sauteed pork and vegetables with rice cakes(usually comes with noodles, just sub for rice cakes), xiao long bao(juicy pork dumplings) and the scallion pancakes. Most items are about 10 dollars each and there are lunch specials that include free rice and soup. Don't forget to try their xiao long bao(juicy pork dumplings). They are best when they come right out of the kitchen. Be careful when you bite into them because juice will come out so eat with a spoon! They take card if it is over $20 and only one card per a table. P.S. while you wait stop by the bakeries around because they all have all kinds of yummy breads and cakes!
(4)Tony J.
Food was very good but the dishes were dirty and had to be replaced. I would rate this place a 4 based on the food.
(3)Kate A.
I went here for the first time today, and it was amazing! I knew from a friend that it gets packed so we went at 11:15 to avoid the rush and were seated right away. We split: Home Style Braised Eggplant with Basil, Spicy Beef with Long Horn Peppers, and the Crab & Pork Soup Dumplings. Everything was delicious -- I especially liked the sweet & spicy of the eggplant. Re: payment methods - they only accept one credit card per table and there is a $20 minimum.
(5)Katherine S.
I am literally about to explode from eating so much at this place. I ordered the Sandong and mini pork dumplings, and some noodles. I was expecting to have enough food for dinner and likely lunch tomorrow. However, sometimes places like this give you tiny portions....NOT HERE! The place was packed with people, and the lady taking my take-out order was in a rush, so I just pointed randomly at things rather than carefully reading the menu. NOTE: Dumplings often come with 8 of them!!!! When I saw that an order was 6-7$, I assumed I'd get 3, possibly 4, and that they'd be small.....WRONG! I got 8, and they were HUGE! So now, after eating 16 dumplings, I feel like I'm going to explode. But in a good way. The dumplings were fresh and delicious. However, I'm saving the noodles for 1-2 more meals (they are also huge). They look tasty, but if I eat anything else, I'll likely die.
(5)Cindy W.
Its Chinatown....by no means this place is "gourmet." Pretty decent food but I expect a place that has a name "dumpling house" would carry more than 4-5 choices of dumplings. Overall good but I wanted more. Always packed. Waiters and staff seems to be pushing you out of the door to fill tables. Just get the xiao long baos....crates and crates of them.
(3)Ashley R.
The food is authentic and AMAZING, and the prices are excellent to boot. If you go during peak hours there will be a line, but trust me when I say it's worth it. Everything I've ever eaten here is great, but I would like to specifically recommend the soup dumplings and the Szechuan fish in spicy sauce. So freakin' good!
(5)Vivian L.
Went there for the soup dumplings, left with a full and satisfied stomach! The pork stuffing and broth were juicy, sweet and delicious. The dumplings run on the larger side, making consumption a difficult art to master, but the thick wrappers really helped. Will definitely visit again.
(4)Cecilia J.
Flavors good, execution sub-par. I know, I'm a bit of a Chinese food snob -- *I knowwww* -- forgive me? I just don't think the food here is worth the upwards of 1 hour long wait. There are people practically camped out on the stoop outside! There are also lots of non-Chinese people eating here, WHICH I THINK IS GREAT. Really truly. I would just encourage you to try other just-as-hole-in-the-wall-like restaurants in Chinatown (like New Golden Gate, right down the street, which is delicious). The soup dumplings, which this place is assumedly named after, are okay. The flavors are there, but there's not enough soup and the skin is too thick. The beef noodle soup is really not as good as it could be. The stir-fried pea tendrils were a bit tough. But I've only tried a tiny subset of their large menu - so I would be willing to come back and try other things. Plus sides: it's cheap, portions are large, and you get to make new friends with the random couple that is sitting knees-to-knees and shoulders-to-shoulders to you at the same table!
(3)Michael S.
After a nice meal with the gf, we decided to hit up chinatown to see it and also see if we could pick up some cheap shirts. Luckily, we came upon this GDH and I remembered seeing some people on yelp talk recommending this place. Now, we were still kind of full, but that didn't stop us from ordering their soup dumplings. I don't have much experience with these, but I can say that they were very delicious and the price was very good. If Ming Tsai likes this place then it must be good! Too bad I didn't try the soup he recommended.
(4)Marissa G.
Good. Not the best Chinese food I've ever had, but definitely a solid establishment with some standouts. I was pretty impressed by the XLB (soup dumplings) which were plump and full of broth. The skin was thicker than some better places I have been to, but the flavor was there. The scallion pancakes were also very good-- greasy and crispy. They hit the spot. The over-yelped spicy fish dish would have made it to the second paragraph of this review, but unfortunately, although the Szechuan sauce was right on the money, there just wasn't enough actual fish in the dish to make it worth the price. Boo. Overall, I'd come back, but I'm still missing my favorite places in NY and Chicago.
(3)Denise T.
2 1/2 stars: 3 stars for food / 2 stars for service I've now had the soup dumplings at both GDH and Dumpling Cafe and the I prefer the later. The skin is too heavy and doughy at GDH and the filling not as delicate. Dumpling Cafe is also cleaner. We arrived at 11 when they opened and there was only 1 other table w/ customers. However the staff of 7 (!!) was too busy feeding themselves and sitting down to eat their lunch to be concerned with our table. They were also extremely loud and laughing obnoxiously as they ate their food. We also got the shrimp dumpling and watercress with sauteed garlic which was decent, but nothing special. If you want divine soup dumpling - go around the corner to Dumpling Cafe!
(2)Chukie G.
OK. Twice in Boston I am a native So Cal any asian food been there done that including NY city. This hole in the wall is legit Taiwanese food as good as in Taipei. Dumpling is not too greasy half char at the bottom soft and moist inside don't forget to ask for chili oil condiment you can't live without it. Be daring to try other than dumpling there are about a hundred dishes. The only thing is I always prayed, let there be no Taiwanese there so there is no stinking tofu ordered. I don't go anywhere else when in chinatown of Boston I am happy in this place
(4)Jeff M.
Gourmet Dumpling House is bomb. Spicy bubbling fish was more peppery than spicy and the fish in it was nice and flaky. Pork soup dumplings were also very nice. I can't wait to come back and try more from the menu. Probably the best place I've eaten in China Town. My only warning is that this place is incredibly small with no good area to wait for your table. Queues start well before 6pm.
(5)Edith K.
Came here with one of my girlfriends and we got an order of juicy pork dumplings and scallion pancakes and we walked out full and each paying 7 bucks maybe? What a steal!
(5)Samantha W.
Went here a couple weeks ago and I am an avid SLB lover! The wait in line for 4 people took about 30 minutes, but the waiters and staff were all very accommodating. Definitely good, but the meal was more of a 3.5 star ordeal rather than a full 4. The SLB dish itself was delicious, but the scallion pancake was slightly lacking. Portions are big...the restaurant I usually go to in NY has 8 SLB per tier, but here they at 10 SLB. We were unaware and ordered 2 tiers and we were completely full by the end of the meal.
(4)Fan L.
I've been to this place many times, but no more! Waiters here like to DEMAND for more tip. I find that extremely rude and unacceptable especially given the bad service you get. When your waiter 1) doesn't refill your drinks, 2) doesn't ask if your food is fine, 3) interrups you with the bill when you are barely half-way done, etc you realize you get better service at a McDonalds! Despite the crappy service, I initially left ~12% tip. Upon returning from the restroom, I found her nagging my friends for more tip. I went straight to the owner to explain the situation, and he did not hesitate to tell me to ignore her. I should have changed the tip to $0! In short, generous gratuity come after GOOD service, do NOT take it for granted. Asking for more tip is the worse service you can provide.
(1)Isabella C.
I come here very often for their soup dumplings but I have to say that they're about the only things on the menu that're really delicious. I've been to several places for soup dumplings (in NY) and this is definitely one of the best! In terms of other menu items, they're scallion pancakes are quite good. Oyster pancakes are a little weird.... They put some gooey substance that makes the texture weird. If you're looking at noodle soups, I've tried beef tendon noodle soup, chicken julienne wanton noodle soup, and chow fun soup all of which are fine in the winter but they're not very tasty. Their beef chow fun is good but I really think Peach Farm does a much better job. Overall, it's a GREAT place for soup dumplings but I wouldn't really order anything else. Service is also poor but it's about all you could expect in Chinatown. And it's always crowded w very little space between tables so I always do takeout which is a great option.
(4)Annette A.
Forget the MBTA, you're going to need a wheel barrel to roll yourself out of this place after you eat. Gourmet Dumpling House, or "GDH" as it's lovingly nicknamed, is a crowded hot spot in Chinatown. And the patient foodies know that if a place is crowded - IT MEANS WAIT, STUPID. GDH is very popular and you can expect to be sitting elbow-to-elbow with your neighbor. But once you started seeing huge portions of delicious, steaming food land on the tables around you, you'll be completely at peace. It's hard for me to recommend once good thing here. Clearly, the dumplings are something to try. I've had a rocking spicy fish stew as well as a few soups and everything's been phenomenal. My best tip is to look around, see what everyone else is eating and to ask the server to bring you the same thing.
(4)Lovan C.
You go here for the food not for the service or the ambiance. It is in a class of it's own together with Sichuan Gourmet in Billerica. The Scallion pancakes are by far the best I have had in Boston. The soup dumplings are incredible along with the salt and pepper shrimp. The menu is definitely not westernized and is one of the few places where you can try things like stinky tofu. Stay away from the more western items on the list like General Gau's chicken and you should have an excellent meal.
(4)Ivy G.
First meal after I arrived Boston last year. I would always come to this restaurant if I miss Chinese food. It is always loud and full of people. Sometimes at rush hour, prepare yourself with 20mins waiting. I would recommend some spicy cuisine here, since it really tastes spicy if u never satisfy with the American Spicy food.
(4)Emma C.
OMGAH OMGAH OMGAH I shall elaborate. I FRICKIN LOVE THIS PLACE. Granted, it's tiny, so obviously I worry that a obese person will sit right behind me and push me into my table so hard that I'm gasping for air just to squeeze out of his/her chair to use the bathroom......but the food is phenomenal. I've been to this place probably 4-5 times, and I've never been disappointed. Granted, I usually always get the same thing each time, so there's really not much room for error. If you go here, you have to get their eggplant. I really don't remember what it's called, but the first time I got here with a group of friends, we asked the waitress what were the more popular dishes at this place and she pointed out the eggplant dish and a spicy beef dish with peppers. Both dishes are amazingly spicy. Personally, I love stomach pain-inducing spicy food, so those 2 dishes are heaven for me. The eggplant dish: Seriously, asian people know how to handle eggplant. The dish is obviously mixed with some oil and some heavy duty spices, which makes the eggplant so tender and SO YUMMY WITH WHITE RICE. The spicy beef dish with peppers: I love it when meat is cut into tiny pieces. Maybe it's because when I was younger, my mom always cut my meat into teensy weensy pieces for me. Whatever. Psychology bullshit aside, I think smaller slices of meat = better tasting meat. And the beef in this dish are finely chopped and sauteed in oil and spicy spicy pepper. Once again, the perfect side dish to white rice. Oh, and how could I forget. The soup dumplings? The reason why Gourmet Dumpling House is called Gourmet Dumpling House? Yeah. Order some soup dumplings. And please don't be a noob and open the dumpling skin and spill all that delicious soup onto your plate. Use your spoon. Atta boy (or girl....)
(4)Marwan A.
#NAME?
(1)Rob K.
No, I did not order any dumplings, but I sure wish I did! Those plump beauties looked divine. The gentleman that I shared a table with was a dumpling eating pro. He picked one up with his chopsticks, slurped the juices out, then took a bite. These dumplings respect two bites. I was alone and my meal choice was quite boring. Sesame chicken was what I craved and it was executed to perfection, along with rice, tea, and soup for under $8. Word of advice, don't come alone. Come here for a family feast! Credit card minimum is a whopping $20! Tacky hand written signs are posted on every wall.
(4)Joe B.
I go here for one thing Sliced Fish Szechuan Style - its amazing. If you you like spicy food, like really super super spicy food, you have to have it. Its so hot it will numb your mouth in that super good way only spicy food can. Scallion Pancakes and the Dumplings are the bomb. A must have if you go. Service isn't great but the food makes up for it. Try not to get the table next to the fish tank, or you'll be smelling fishy water instead of dumpling!
(3)Jenna V.
I miss living in New England partly because of the dearth of good Chinese food. (Seriously -who would have thought Boston would have better Chinese food than Portland, Oregon?) This place is tops on my list of food I dream about. I was back in Boston on business and went out with my girlfriend who's local to Boston, and two colleagues. We drank Tsing Taos, we devoured two orders of scallion pancakes (which may in fact be laced with some sort of addictive drug), and we had soups and sides and giant plates of entrees that could have fed an army (and indeed, a small army of people wait outside for your seat, menacingly, so don't plan on lingering). We had four immensely satisfied, happy diners - and a dirt cheap tab that was written off as a business expense, bonus! A trip to Boston is not complete without stopping here. Period. Plan on waiting a bit, but it's so very, very worth it!
(5)Lina L.
A must-visit spot every time i am in Boston. One of the best places for xiao long bao aka steamed dumplings. You just have to get past the crowded tables and the occasional sharing of tables with strangers. Service is pretty fast, although often done impolitely almost rude manner. But hey, just come for the meal and leave. You really don't want to stay here too long.
(4)Alex K.
This place is always packed by local folks. I found the preparation to be authentic and well prepared. Prices are acceptable. The place is small and you do have to be ok with the aromas and tight space. Service is efficient but not the place you come to ask questions. You should figure out what you want upfront. I had the juicy mini pork dumplings, the sliced fish soup and the seaweed salad. Everything was well prepared and flavorful, but I found too much fat and oil in the dumpling and soup.
(3)Lisa S.
I made it to Gourmet Dumpling House on Friday... and realized I had been there before, and just hadn't remembered the name :-). I went with two other people at 7pm on a Friday, and we just barely got the last open 4-person table. After that, a line formed pretty quickly, and when we left around 8, people were even waiting outside. The waiter came by right away to drop off some hot tea. I asked for water, and they brought out 3 glasses, and refilled them pretty quickly throughout the meal. Since we all loved scallion pancakes, we ordered 3 of them (our waitress seemed pretty amazed/grossed out/confused/impressed by this). We also ordered pork and leek dumplings and pan fried pork buns. Everything was amazing. The buns, which were my first ones ever, were amazing. The scallion pancakes were crispy and the right thickness... and the entire meal was only $30 with tip. I would definitely order all the same if I went back again. Last time I was here, I ate sesame chicken, which was solid, but not especially memorable. They have a pretty huge menu with lots of choices, including a lot of traditional/authentic Asian food, so you can pretty much find whatever you are craving. But I'd definitely recommend the pancakes, dumplings, and buns.
(4)Armin F.
Hands down, the Best Chinese in Boston or anywhere I have eaten Chinese food. Service is typical Chinese, interior is horrific but this makes the place only more likable. Awesome dishes are: - pan fried dumplings - pork buns - chow chow noodles - green bell pepper beef (spicy) There most likely will be a line when you go, but wait, it's totally worth it.
(5)Grace W.
This restaurant makes me feel like I'm back in Taiwan - and the loud cramped space kinda contributes to the homey atmosphere. Sure, the space is not ideal (e.g. huge sign on the door that they cannot accommodate baby stroller's... and it's true), but wow, the food is worth it! Mmm, they have the best chinese water spinach, and the soup dumpling tastes homemade. The salt and pepper calamari was also yummy. The food arrived pretty quickly and everything is flavored so perfectly, down to the panfried garlic slices. Note on timing: We've gone there a couple times for early dinner (4ish pm) and had to wait 15 minutes for a table. I think it gets to be a 1hr wait during a normal dinnertime on weeknights.
(4)Jessica K.
We came to eat here the same way many do, we were walking around, looking for a place for dinner, and were swayed by the word "dumpling" coupled with the people gathered outside. We probably waited half an hour for a table on a weeknight around 6 pm. The menu is amusing because they have lots and lots of interesting items and I'm sure authentic combinations that just don't sound appealing- but one of the benefits of vegetarianism is being able to stick with the less adventurous options. We had the braised tofu with scallions, which Johnny said tasted the closest to beef of any tofu he's tried, the vegetable fried rice, which was garlicy and delightful, and then both the vegetable buns and dumplings.... yum. There's a pot of green tea on the table and canned soft drinks or beer. I saw wine in the server station but didn't see a menu anywhere. Lots of veggie options overall, and quick, no-frills service. Enough food for four people for under $30 with tip.
(4)Nancy T.
This place is so overrated! Everyone raves about this place so I decided to try it one day. My boyfriend and I went on a weekday and there was still an hour wait! WHY. I don't understand. First of all, the place is so cramped and hot. Second of all, we got seated right next to the fish tanks... No, not those fish tanks restaurants have for decorations.. The fish tanks where you can order them. I WAS planning on ordering the spicy fish everyone raves about but NOPE. How can I order that when I have them big ol eyes inches away STARING ME DOWN.. All I can imagine is them saying "DON'T ORDER ME PLEASE, DON'T EAT ME." One of the workers actually had me get up in the middle of my dinner so they can catch a fish for someone else's dinner. At least we know the fish is served fresh there! But no matter what, I don't want to be sitting next to my soon-to-be dinner. I felt so bad that I couldn't eat fish for a whole week..until I went out for sushi, but that's a different story. Hehe. The dumplings were ok. The Xiao long bao actually tastes like how they taste in china. I'm not a super big fan of dumplings though. My boyfriend loves them so that's the only reason why I gave this place a shot. He wasn't in love with the dumplings so.. I'm pretty sure we won't be back. We ordered some kinda noodle, that watercress vegetable, fried dumplings and Xiao long baos. The food was mediocre. Not worth the wait. The service was ehh. The only times I saw the waiter was when she took our order and when she gave us the bill. I recommend getting those mini dumplings for take out and call it a night. I wouldn't recommend going if the wait is any longer than 10 minutes. You're in Chinatown.. Walk a few blocks to a decent Chinese restaurant where you don't have to wait two hours and where they will probably have one of those decorative fish tanks.
(2)Jenn H.
Can i tell you how much I miss this place? I discovered this place soon after they opened in October of 2007, and introduced it to all my college friends, including the Taiwanese association of my school. I went so often that the owner would greet me, and would always chat with me. Years after I'd left Boston, he still remembers me--the last time I went back, he still remembered my name, and asked if I were still in grad school at Hopkins, and how my siblings/parents were doing (he'd only met them once!) Anyways, right. Food. Authentic Taiwanese food, though a tad oily (ask them to go easy). I ALWAYS get their jiu cai dumplings, and almost everything there is delicious...one of my favorites is jiu huang xiang gan rou si. So, so good. also like the tomato and egg with beef, their rou zhao fan is a STEAL...man, everything there is just awesome. Dumpling House, I'm coming back to Boston in May--look forward to seeing you again then :)
(5)Lorrie M.
What in the madness is this? Delicious, cheap, awesome, star-studded CHINESE food in the heart of Boston? Is this possible? Goodness, I am totally blown away. Their Xiao Long Bao (as everyone has mentioned here, juicy pork dumplings) are just absolutely amazing as is the rest of their dumpling line. Of course this place has a menu that will stretch on for miles, but their dumplings are truly spectacular. I never expected to find such an authentic place in Boston and having come from China and lived there most of my life, I know exactly what some of these Chinese dishes should taste like. I was shocked by how authentic this place was and then even more so by the pictures on the wall. Apparently Michael Douglas and Blake Lively (sp?) and Kate Hudson visit!! They have actually been there on more than one occasion and the staff loves it (hence the five million pictures on the wall). Great place, highly recommended!
(5)Hana T.
A favorite of my boyfriend and I! Gourmet Dumpling House offers a huge menu of dishes, few are standard Chinese joint menu items, others are extremely authentic and are wild cards to those unfamiliar with real Chinese food. Regardless, we always order a few varieties of dumplings (mini juicy pork dumplings being my favorite), but the selection of dumplings is admittedly small, considering the fact that the place is named after dumplings. However, all the dumplings I have ever sampled have been delicious - piping hot, filled with mysterious goodies, and served with a tangy sauce. You must get the scallion pancakes. Best I have ever eaten. Another dish to try is the Szechuan style fish stew. The portion is definitely enough to share between two...or even three. Spicy fish in a somewhat-oily broth with some bok choy and other veggies thrown in. Really savory, and it seems like it's a popular choice in the restaurant. Like most good places in Chinatown, the restaurant is nearly always packed with customers, with a line going out the door during the lunch rush. Be prepared to share your table if you're a party of one or two - it can be a little awkward, but I personally think it adds a little something to the experience.
(4)Raymond N.
This is definitely my favorite spot to eat whenever I'm in Boston Chinatown. It is much smaller than the Chinatown in NYC, but don't let it fool you. There are many hidden gems at this location. Gourmet Dumpling House is one of them. This place gets crowded early and quick, so please be there 5 minutes before the door opens for business. Service is lighting fast. After your waiter takes the order, the food usually hit the table within 10 minutes. Surprisingly, I wasn't impressed by their soup dumplings. The dough is too thick and barely any soup inside the dumplings. Failed. But the fried dumplings are decent. Come to NYC (Nan Xiang on Prince Street) for the soup version. In any event, the scallion pancakes or oyster pancakes are not completely saturated with grease *thumbs up* I tend to visit during lunch special. $20 for 3 dishes plus rice and soup? What a deal! Try their signature beef w/ spicy peppers. Might need a glass (or few glasses) of water on standby. Very fresh seafood dishes. Try the steam fish filets. If this is your first time eating chinese food, no worries. Menu is pretty non-Asian friendly for the most part. You won't be disappointed.
(4)James C.
You come to this place for the dumplings and a few other specialty dishes. It is not supposed to be a special night out, have ambiance, or wow you with service. Do not go here and order americanized Chinese food like seemingly half the people were. Now that that is out of the way... We went for the first time at 3pm on a Sunday and it was standing room only. Yes the place is a hole in the wall, but these types of places often have the best ethnic food. It was half chinese people ordering mostly the things this place is known for, and half tourists ordering fried rice and crab rangoon, go figure. We had the pork soup dumplings and pan fried dumplings. They were quite good. We also had a Szechuan spicy fish dish with all types of peppers and a dark red sauce eaten with white rice. It was not too spicy that it could not be enjoyed, just right. The scallion pancakes also gets a nod. Tasty stuff! Yes, you may wait a long time, you may be cramped and you may be hot. Go for the food, not the atmosphere.
(4)Joe R.
No, you can't have a glass of water. No, you can't have a fork. Yes, the service is mediocre at best, and yes, the food is kind of greasy. And I'm not really sure, but I'm willing to bet there are health code violations. So if any of those things bother you, don't bother coming inside. If you want to eat some great tasting food at a cheap price, this is your place. If you want a fork, clean silverware and a wait staff that actually cares, go to PF Changs and stay out of this place.
(5)Guillermo M.
Scallion pancakes are the best. Vegetables were really good too (mushrooms with greens). We had the pork and crab soup dumplings and although they were really good I will try the traditional pork ones next time.
(4)Arcadian B.
BEST shanghai dumplings ever!!!!!! Cheap and amazing food Although the place is really and I mean really small If your the hefty be aware of the seating
(4)Carol G.
For the past fews years that I have been to this restaurant, the service has always been bad. Yes they are busy, but still that's not a good excuse for ignoring your customer. But I still put up with them since the food was good, and price was reasonable for lunch special. Last week I went there again, and was informed that there was no more lunch special on weekends, and cash only (I was told that their credit card machine was broken which I really doubt). I said fine then ordered from the regular menu. The price is relatively high comparing to other restaurants in Chinatown, and portion was really small. And this time, the service was even worse. Not even one waiter came greet us and took the order until I asked front desk a few times. Finally my order was taken after 15 minutes later, then there was no cold water. I asked a few waiters, none of them seemed to remember to bring us a glass of water. Eventually I sent my kids over to the front desk to ask for the water and got it. Then there was the bill in the end....Without being told or ask, there was the 18% tip added to our bill. This is a lunch for a party of 3. I might understand it if we were a bigger party and it was dinner. But usually you should be notified before hand if they will charge you tips automatically. Not at the Gourmet Dumpling House!! With the poor, marginal service they provided us (no water or refill, keep ignoring our ordering request....), they shamelessly charged us a 18% tip that I usually happily to pay only when the service was good. And again, they didn't even warn us before hand. Now I understand why the waiter was dare to ignore customer like that! Because they don't really have to satisfy your needs to get paid a good tips. Anyway, I paid the full bill without arguing with them. When I walked out of door, one thing I was pretty sure about. That is there is no way I will be returning to this place in the future!! There are many good places in Chinatown with much better service and same good food, why should I put up with Gourmet Dumpling house, spend my time and money and not getting a satisfied service?!
(1)Scott P.
the menu was huge many choices had several of the dumplings & mango chicken. everything was good. a must return to further explore more of the delicious offerings
(5)Josephine L.
An authentic Taiwanese/Northern Chinese spot for tasty specialties from those regions. The staff speak Taiwanese Mandarin for the most part, though some are Cantonese as well. I had to try the crispy stinky tofu and it was as good as what I'd expect in T-land. But only order this if everyone with you will like it--or if you hate your dining companions. My boyfriend (whom I obviously love) tried it for the first time at GDH and he spat it out, proclaiming it was the most disgusting thing he'd ever eaten. He could not drink enough water to get the taste out and even asked to switch bowls with me so he wouldn't accidentally drop his soup dumpling onto the spat-out tofu. *Sigh* It's an acquired taste at best and not for the faint of heart. Think really, really stinky cheese that's been fermented in feet (sorry stinky tofu, I love you but I have to be honest). The pork and crabmeat soup dumplings are quite delicious, though not as mindblowingly flavorful as others I've had. The spicy beef noodle soup--my favorite Taiwanese dish of all time--is all right, but not done the way I like it. The beef should be in chunks, not thin slices, it should be served with bok choy, not spinach and the noodles should be hand-drawn and chewy, not thin and processed. But the broth was decent. I was a little sketched out after seeing what looked like a small cockroach crawling up the fish tank we were seated next to, but I have felt fine since eating at GDH and have not vomited up cockroaches or anything of the like. Yay. So....I'll chalk it up to a one-time deal and assume the bug was discovered soon after we left and promptly exterminated.
(3)Shawheen R.
Good food but tight space
(4)Julie T.
Chinese food is my go-to hangover remedy. I've only been here a couple times but each time I left super satisfied! The food is cheap and it tastes amazing. I had soup dumplings for the first time here. I didn't know how to approach it at first but the waitress was kind enough to give me some tips on how to go about eating it without letting all the soup spill all over my plate. Now I'm a soup dumpling pro! Huzzah!
(4)Jeff K.
One of the best, if not the best meal in Chinatown for me. The pan fried were better than the low fat, I mean steamed ones but the scallion pancakes were better. White rice was nice and sticky, mango chicken and the beef with broccoli were a nice addition to the table. The wait was nothing, pretty packed but likes other have said the turnover is quick and the 5 of us got in with about a 10 minute wait on a Saturday night after the movies. For the amount of food it was inexpensive for the what we ate. 3 apps, 2 entrees and white rice plus two soda's for $50 bucks for the 5 of us.
(4)sean g.
Yeah, this place is amazing. Its also too small, too hot, and too crowded. The food is sublime. The wait outside is not.
(5)Jon S.
It was great. Everytime it was delicious but it is a bit expensive. Worth it but expensive. The scallion pancakes are good (not as good as New Jumbo) and the chicken dishes are great. The seating is really tight and its really hard to get a seat friday and saturday night and the customer service isn't stellar.
(4)Charli J.
So I wont bog this review down with too much fluff. Here is what you need to know: EVERYTHING IS AMAZING! We had: The eggplant The Okra Scallion Pancake Soup Dumplings Longhorn Beef Clams Ginger Fish Epically amazing!
(5)Paul H.
Ok...I feel like one of those people that started seeing the Grateful Dead after Touch of Grey came out....I am late to the party and YES I did see Ming on the FNetwork talking about the spicy fish soup. So we ventured up on a Friday no less...to brave the line and try some of this hellbroth that sounded so wonderful. This dish seems to be a specialty of the house and it was worth the trip and the wait. The dumplings were excellent as well. We got steamed not fried. Tried the sichuan chicken... very tasty.. and a flavorful yet very less spicy sesame chicken and pork fried rice...all very good...little greasy but fresh and made to order. I will be going back for the soup for sure and from what I read here to try the scallion pancakes and the sliced sichuan fish.
(5)Joanna H.
I've been here four times within the past month and each time I've come out extremely satisfied with my stomach filled to the brim. The three things I know people come here for: the Pork and Leek Dumplings, the Soup Dumplings and the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style. They make their own dumpling skin here so it's thicker than usual. I prefer thinner skin and more filling but I still enjoy these dumplings. You can't really go wrong with pork and leek dumplings. The soup dumplings are very yummy. I went with 3 friends who weren't familiar with the strategy of eating soup dumplings, and 2/3 experienced a soup explosion all over their body. You have to be careful. Place your soup dumpling in a spoon. Take a small bite of it, let the juices flow out in the spoon. Then consume it all together. It's a simple strategy that guarantees you won't miss out on any of the precious soup. I really enjoy the Sliced Fish Szechuan style which is white fish boiled in this hot oil with peppercorn, dried chili peppers, garlic and cabbage. Paired with rice, it's a must-try dish. It's not too spicy and extremely flavorful. If you order any of these three things, you'll have a fine time at the Gourmet Dumpling House. One more thing, don't get discouraged by the long lines outside. Be sure to go in and ask how long the wait is because the most I've had to wait is 20 minutes. With good company (your cellphone counts), the time passes by fast.
(4)Jennifer W.
If people would stop raving about this place having "authentic" Shanghainese soup dumplings and this place stopped putting in on the menu as such, I'd give it 4 1/2 stars. This really is more of a Northern style dumpling place; and they make very good ones of those with various fillings. I also really enjoy their spicy fish dish (which is called "fish in water"). I think it's a great place for a quick meal or take out. But seriously, the soup dumplings are a disgrace, it's just NOT the real thing and anyone from Shanghai (which includes me), can tell you that.
(3)Glenn C.
Was here with someone else. Solid place. Fully crowded even at 11 in the morning. Decided to go here as I saw it fully crowded the previous night. Ambience: All Chinese outside of me and the table next to us. Cantonese style dining as we sat next to other people eating., Small tables/a little bit too crowded for all of the food. Loud. Price: For the size/taste of the portions, really good (what I would expect for this type of restaurant. Service: Place was fully crowded, took a while but they were nice about it. Water was refilled when needed. Drink: Tea, Water Food: Appetizer: Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork (8) 7.50 (me) Steamed Vegetable Buns (2): 2.95 (him) Juicy pork buns were delicious. Soup inside was hot but not too hot. Pork inside was cooked well. Dumpling itself wasn't too hard or too soft. Had to take 5 or so out due to having too much to eat. Still tasted great cool. In some ways, I preferred it cool as I could taste the soup without it burning my tongue. Buns had a better texture, dumplings had a better inside. Steamed Pork buns would have been the best (?) Main food: Yu Hsian Eggplant: 10.95 (me): Eggplant in a dark red spicy sauce, contained pork (?) and a little bit of other veggies outside the eggplant. Nice and spicy. Eggplants were nice and Chestnut Chicken: 11.95 (him): Chicken, Chestnuts, great sauce. Main issue was that it was bony so it was slightly difficult to eat. We got a little bit too much food......yep...just a LITTLE bit. Overall: Solid food, great chestnut/eggplant. Dumplings were great but I found my main dish better.
(5)Steve R.
Sliced Fish Szechuan Style!!!!!! Yup, that good. Comes out steaming hot and also spicy hot. And oh so delicious!! I was sweating but could not stop eating it. They pull the fish right out of the tank so if that bothers you, stay away (or don't look). And to think I almost didn't want to finish the walk...what a mistake that would have been. I've had the soup dumplings and the scallion pancakes and both are very good. But looking at everybody else's plate, I knew I had to try something new...and the SLICED FISH SZECHUAN STYLE was it!!!! Enjoy!
(5)Mike P.
I haven't tried the pork+leek dumpling or the juicy buns here yet so this review does not apply to those items. I did try the seafood dumpling (San xian, or 3 fresh fillings), they were mediocre at best. Those dumpling had thick non-smooth shell, typically it means they're prepped for frying. Each dumpling had one shrimp, and I cannot tell what the rest of the minced filling is, very sketchy. Taste was so so. I also had fuqi fei pian (ox tripe and meat in red oil), this is a very traditional Chinese dish. However, they clearly did not prep it very carefully as my order had pieces of pepper throughout and the sauce was not evenly distributed across the dish. Typically the pepper should be completely grounded. On the plus side, an order of juicy pork bun comes with 8 instead of 6(most other places). For appetizers they also allow you to combine 2 items for 1 order. Overall not impressed, but again I'm chinese so I'm definitely picky when it comes to chinese food.
(2)Sonia M.
I highly recommend this place. The food and service is awesome. If you are going during the weekend be prepared for a wait tho' it goes very quick.
(4)Ariana Z.
Best dumplings ever. So many varieties. I stopped by one day, it was somewhat raining outside but I heard about how legendary this place was. It would be a 15 minute wait, but we decided to go ahead despite the rain outside. 15 minutes later, we are summoned in and we place the orders. With the cold and rainy weather, I decided with the soup with dumplings. It was very cheap but I still got a massive bowl, certainly more than I could eat. The soup was more than well worth the 15 minute wait in the rain. It quickly warmed me up and the combination of dumplings in soup was amazing. We came back a second time with a large group and had a variety of dumplings. Again, it was amazing. I notice that during the heavy eating hours, there will be some waiting time before they can accommodate you, but it is so worth it.
(5)Suzanne L.
It seems that the more times I go here, the more "meh" (hence the appropriate 2-star rating) experiences I have. The pork buns are fine, the sautéed Chinese watercress is yummy, the dumplings are fine, but otherwise, its hit or miss. My last "miss" was a weirdly flat Hot and Sour soup. My advice is to stick to the lunch special so you aren't disappointed by the cost/quality ratio.
(2)Ashley B.
2012 Review #104: Hmmmmmm...... I'm a little puzzled. We came here during PAX, and we had about 2 hours to eat in mid/late afternoon. We got here, put our name down, and were told 20 minutes. Remember the "Chinese Restaurant" episode of Seinfeld? This was it. I'm not kidding. We were told 20 minutes. 45 minutes later, we decided that we wouldn't have time to wait and eat, so we asked to order to go. We placed an order for xiao long bao (puzzlingly called "juicy dumplings" here), pork and leek dumplings, and chicken and broccoli. We were told "15-20 minutes" for our food. Keep in mind we have been waiting to sit down for almost an hour. Every five seconds, someone new comes to put their name on the list. The staff scribbles their name, or something like it, on a pink piece of paper in no discernible order. They seemed to be seating people simply by bitchiness level. Someone would walk in and quietly ask how long, they'd be told "5, 10 minutes" and walk away. Someone would come in and pointedly ask how long, they'd be told "5, 10 minutes" and then be sat immediately. It was frustrating and suspicious. After being told our food would take 15-20 minutes, we waited another 45 minutes. If you're wondering why we bothered to stay. Well, we had to eat, and the other option, Taiwanese Cafe, seems to be closed for repairs. And once you've invested over an hour and gotten nothing out of it, you feel like a loser to leave. After an hour and a half, we finally left with our food. We were given: 1 napkin. 1 very tiny soup spoon, with which to eat soup dumplings, and 1 set of chopsticks. We are clearly 2 people. The xiao long bao were.....huge. They didn't fit in the spoon (insert "Rejected" spoon reference here), so when you bit in the side of the dumpling to suck the soup out, it just leaked all over. So, then you had to try and eat them in one bite, which was also impossible. The filling and soup were tasty, but the skins were thick and again, were too large and created a flat, very messy dumpling. Lao Wang in Denver is much, much better. The pork and leek dumplings were disappointing as well. We got ours steamed, and although the filling was pretty good, without any sauce it was like eating a sponge. They were also on the large side, and the skins were so thick that per dumpling, you ate about 1/4 cup of dough, and 1/2 tbsp of filling. Very bad proportion. The chicken and broccoli smelled and tasted quite old. Although the broccoli looked relatively fresh, the taste and smell were pretty off-putting- I can still smell them. They included a soup, which was like a very weak miso/ginger soup, and some bland rice. I don't know what we missed. It wasn't because we let the food sit around- we ate it on the bus immediately after leaving. Maybe if this restaurant got a little organized it'd be better. For now, I'll eat the better offerings in Denver and not return.
(2)Corona W.
Food is okay (nothing different from other restaurants in Chinatown) but the staff is so rude! I would never expect spectacular service in Chinatown but the service here was beyond unacceptable. First, we waited for tea and someone to come to our table. This took about twenty minutes. Those seated after us had their orders taken before us. We waited patiently and finally got someone's attention. He messed up our order of stinky tofu and brought us fried chicken wings and then scallion pancake instead. When I told the staff that we had never ordered scallion pancake, the staff insisted that I had and acted like I was being unreasonable for saying something. Seriously, do they expect me to pay for something I don't want to eat??? Finally, they never brought my bf his beer and the waitress had the audacity to yell at me for bringing the check up to her to confirm that it was ours. She kept making a point to say that they had exchanged the scallion pancake for the stinky tofu. Hello. It's not an exchange if it was YOUR mistake. The whole meal was a headache. This was the first time we did not leave a tip. Never coming back again.
(1)lisa v.
This is the real thing, the place you wish you had known about when you were stumbling around Boston's Chinatown not knowing what was touristy and what was real, and if you had Chinese friends you would have known about this place, the place you would go if you yourself were fortunate enough to be Chinese and knew your dumpling from a hole in the ants on a log or whatever the hell that dish is. It's a hole in the wall, and what a hole, not to use the word hole three times in two sentences, but there you go, holy moly. I have, through inquisitive co-diner snoopery, determined two favorite dishes: an eggplant dish with eggplant, yes also but with basil too, and julienned beef with long horn peppers. Wow. Just wow. They're so good, I'm frightened to try anything else, although my BF opines that the whole talapia is very much not to be missed, you must love it to the extent of marrying it. (I only mention marrying it because I had to translate something into Klingon today, and when I re-translated back intoEnglish, "I miss you alot" got translated into "I miss you must marry you," but that's another story). The dumplings are very good indeed, although I think all this high-carbohydrate stuff is pure poison. But who wants to avoid carbohydrates when they're searching for good Chinese food? Ignore that sentence about high carbohydrates and just enjoy this lovely restaurant for as long as your pancreas isn't coughing up blood in a corner.
(5)Alyssa J.
I am in heaven. Scallion pancake heaven. I stopped in the Dumpling House tonight after work, and I am so pleased with myself for doing so. The scallion pancakes are hands down the BEST I have ever had. Fried to perfection, crispy and delicious. The dipping sauce is a little sweeter and more savory than most scallion pancake dipping sauces, so the whole experience was amazing. I also got the pork and leek dumplings. Holy dumpling paradise Batman. The dumpling dough is super thin and chock full of pretty tasty pork. I got the steamed dumplings, next time when I'm feeling naughty I'll probably try the fried ones. Service is quick and efficient. This place is tiny, so I assume you would want to make a reservation if you were coming here Thursday thru Saturday.
(4)Michael P.
Gourmet Dumpling House, you saved my life. When I didn't have dinner and was wandering the streets of Boston at midnight, your brightly lit storefront filled me with glee. Beef tendon noodle soup, please! Not the best or worse I've had, but nevertheless delicious. Plenty of tendon, might I add. I also appreciate how you separated the noodle from the soup in my take-out order.
(4)Michael L.
Everyone kept telling me how this place was super good and everytime i walked past it i would always see a line so i decided to try this place out. My friend and I came here and stuffed our faces Scallion Pancake - first impression:burnt. -taste: suprisingly good. You dont really taste anything burnt. The sauce they give you with it is like soysauce but sweeter - verdict: i like... lol Szechuan Style Bubbling whole Fish (Spicy) -The waitress recommended this one and it also has its own newspaper article written on the wall. This dish comes in a fairly large bowl and is very oily. Its spicy just the way i like it. The fish is very good but on the bottom its all cabbage. I wish it was filled with noodles or something. The spicy flavor does soak into the cabbage if you like that kind of stuff. Mini Juicy Dumplings wiht Pork (8) - the skin of the dumplings was pretty thick. There was indeed soup inside these dumplings. These were decent but definitely not worth raving about House Pork chops over Rice - This dish was surprisingly good. The pork chops (which is fried) wasnt soggy. It was still crispy and had a sweet taste to it. Good stuff. Pan Fried Pork Buns (4) - The pan fried pork buns was probably my least favorite. Too much bread. not enough meat. I probably would not order this again. The whole restaurant was super crowded. Not cool. The tables were extremely small. Our dishes had to be stacked on top of each other and we had to swallow earlier dishes down our mouths to make room for the other ones. Dont order too much :P Service was lacking.. It takes less than 10 seconds (literally) to walk from the back to the front but yet we had to wait a long time for water (had to ask twice). 3.75-4 for food. 3 for service 2.5 for environment. Overall I would be willing to come back but i would definitely try to come on a off day. I dont think this place is worth waiting more than 15 minutes for.
(3)Kiki W.
Today was not the first time that my boyfriend and I went to Gourmet Dumpling. We still remember how good the food was when we went there previously. We were pretty disappointed today. First, the man at the door got my boyfriend's name wrong, from Brandon to Reagan. It was not even close. We were lucky that we were the only people in line at the restaurant when they called our name. We ordered Yu Hsian Sauteed Shredded Pork in Spicy Sauce, mini juicy dumplings, and steamed live Sea Bass. The Yu Hsian Sauteed Shredded Pork in Spicy Sauce was mediocre, however, the steamed live Sea Bass was too salty and the mini juicy dumplings were both salty and undercooked. In general, we love juicy dumplings but this time we could not even finish the dish. We felt bad for the people who were waiting in line in the chilly weather outside the restaurant. The restaurant is not as good as many Boston guidebooks state anymore. Do not be lured. If you still want to go to this place after reading my review, make sure they do not seat you in front of the fish tank. From what we saw today, it was unpleasant when a waiter came to grab a live fish while people were having their dinner.
(2)Jess M.
Was pleasantly pleased with my first experience at the Gourmet Dumpling House! Ordered a delicious cold Tsingtao and the pork leek dumplings to start. (Tea in the kettle is complimentary and on the table when you arrive) The dumplings were soft, juicy, and accompanied by a tasty sauce. The portion was generous and definitely enough for 2 or more to share. Second on the menu was the Schezuan sliced fish dish and the fried chicken. The fish dish was served in a heaping bowl with other vegetables and various peppers. The dish was excellent, especially for a heat fanatic such as myself. The portion was huge and definitely large enough for 2. The fried chicken was also quite good, crispy and covered in spices. I would have enjoyed the chicken dish more if the bones had been removed (The chicken pieces were hard to eat). Overall, the food and drinks were excellent and came fast. Will definitely be back for more of the dishes! Try out the Dumpling House!
(4)Nicky N.
Try the scrambled egg w/ tomato and beef over rice plate. $5.75ish for a hearty plate that looks like cat vomit but tastes comforting and delicious. My bf and I usually order one for eating there and one to go. Soup dumplings or xiao long bao are nothing special. Yes they may be amongst the best available in Boston, but that's not saying much at all. After having some at din tai fung in CA I can't go back. The skins of the dumplings here are made with little care and rip easily. Oftentimes when the dumplings come out of the steamer, half of the precious soup has already leaked out onto the liner...*wipes away tear* + 1 star - ladies if you have a nice handbag, ask for a purse hook for your table. I was pleasantly surprised that a dingy place in Chinatown offered these.
(4)Johnny N.
Solid. Most important - open until 1am on all nights. But these are some tasty digs. I ordered myself some pork/cabbage pan-fried dumplings, fried chicken wings, and chicken corn chowder, and all were awesome. I wish the hot chili oil was hotter. Service was quite friendly and helpful. Wasn't crowded when I went at 10pm on a Monday, but it's small, I can see how it can get busy. I would definitely come back here again to try their other items.
(4)Heather C.
I really liked this place, though I admit I have only been once so far. My dining companion spoke fluent Chinese, which I think gave us some extra good service. Our waitress was impressed. The pork dumplings are amazing. I forget the name, but I LOVED the pork with fish sauce dish. The Sichuan tofu was nice and spicy. I also really enjoy their tea. Sometimes the tea at Chinese places has a strong flavor that I don't love. This one was very mild. The place is busy and cramped, but totally worth it. The menu is large and the prices are reasonable. I will be back.
(4)Tu H.
I read about this place and wanted to like it so much but the service was non existent and the food was not what I expected. I'm disappointed.
(2)Clara L.
So I never went here because the line is so freakishly long at all times. And now that it's cold, my likeliness to wait outside while I watch people eating steaming hot buns and dumplings and noodles is slim. But I was determined, so I waited outside for 25 minutes for my spot in the sardine tin. When we sat down, there was a hot pot of tea waiting, which was promptly poured down our throats to defrost us from the inside out. We ordered a wonton soup, an order of xiao long bao, and curry noodles with chicken and shrimp. That filled us up with even a little bit left to go. The service was a little slow, especially since we were hidden right behind the front counter, and the barrage of people who kept the door open because they wanted some warmth and exposing the restaurant to frigid air was quite annoying. However, they were all very pleasant and the prices were very reasonable. We left for under $30 after tip. I will be back, perhaps for lunch or brunch, when I don't have to wait in the cold!
(4)Kelsey C.
I am the granddaughter of the world's greatest chef and no one and no thing comes close to my grandma's cooking. But aside from my mother, GDH is probably the closest anyone's ever come. I've probably had half the menu but here are my faves: Scallion Pancake - perfectly fried with an amazing batter, probably the only batter that gives my grandma a run for her money Crispy Fried Tofu - great neutral crispity crunchity goodness to order for the table Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork and Crabmeat - easily the best thing here. The pork ones are good too, but believe me you don't want just pork when you can have crab too Vegetarian Dumplings - steamed or pan-fried - a good alternative for those who don't eat meat or just don't eat pork Sauteed Pork Julienne with Bamboo Tips - seems over-simplified, but the pork is tender and so are the baby bamboo shoots. Ideal for appreciators of simplicity...and carnivorous pandas. Sliced Fish Szechuan Style - a pot of slow death but believe me, it's the best way to go! Sesame Chicken - far better than anything you'll get a grease-on-the-walls fast food place; a good option for the completely unadventurous The thing I love most about GDH is that they're accommodating. I know the service sucks, but it's not an authentic Chinese place if you don't spend half your meal chasing after a glass of ice water, and it's not Chinese service if you don't wave down various waiters at least 5 times per meal. Then again, the staff is still friendly, and if you want a dish made with a different meat or a different sauce, they'll do it and they'll do it well. So the water may be scarce and the line will always be long, but believe me, I'd wait for days.
(4)kathy y.
As a Chinese person I can say this place is overrated, by themselves! Not sure why they post a paper on the wall to say that they are the best Chinese restaurant, because while they are decent, there are definitely better places out there. We waited for 40 minutes to go in because we wanted to try it, but the food turned out to be just ok. Ordered a spicy appetizer but it turned out more sweet than spicy... Nothing memorable - just like food you could make at home every day or get at any Chinatown restaurants. Price was ok!
(3)Christine k.
You MUST order the schezuan style sliced fish filet (if you like spicy), the stir-fried chinese watercress (with garlic, I think), and the fried peeled shrimp. They are the tastiest 3 dishes I've ever had in any Chinese restaurant, hands down, EVER, in the ENTIRE WORLD (this is loosely based on being born in China, raised in L.A., and having had Chinese food in every major country in Western Europe and every major cosmopolitan city in California and the East coast). It's a little pricey for Chinese food (our bill was $25 per person), but oh well, such is the price for the only Chinese food in Boston worth eating.
(5)Little B.
Not a palace exactly, but delicious dumplings made beautifully. Not too much dough, juicy and meaty. I also recommend the seaweed, which reminded me a little of Korean kimchi. Very fast service. Be careful not to order too much. They give a decent portions too.
(4)Christina K.
Soo good!!!! This place is always packed, so I usually just order stuff to go or call in for a pick up. I haven't had a bad dish at all. The dishes are flavorful and not too oily. The food comes out quickly as well. I'm a huge fan of any of their stir fried noodle dishes. It's a bit cramped, but what do you expect? It's Boston, many cafe places are small. I would recommend coming with just 4 people max. They do not have any large tables, so don't expect having large groups here. Service can be spotty, but you can't be afraid to flag them down. They're usually only two, (maybe 3 on the weekends), so you need to raise your hand if you need anything. In summary, I recommend just doing take out and eating in the comfort of your own place than have mobs of people staring at you from the outside who are waiting for a table. The food is well worth the wait if you chose to wait instead. :)
(5)Matthew A.
GDH Review # 287. WE could not help to go here from all the yummy dishy reviews. We love dumplings so we just had to get in on the action. The space is SMALL and crowded. Be prepared to squeeze in and even share a table with others. Most tables struggle to be big enough even to hold the bowls and plates. We enjoyed free tea (H20 not normally given). We got an order of scallion pancake (recommended); pork & leek dumplings; and an order of spicy noodle beef soup with greens. . All this for $18!! The two of us had more than enough and left stuffed and happy. A few mentionables: -We also ordered a side of rice which never came. It was on the bill so we had to ask for it to be removed. -Service is less than stellar. Be prepared to wait for any thing not delivered. -Too crowded and HOT. Open a window or turn on the AC please. I can not wait to return to try out more dumplings. Next time I want the kind with the pork and soup broth INSIDE the dumpling!!
(4)Anne W.
This place's quality has gone down. I can't believe when I see the lines for this place because it's not as good as it used to be. You can always tell if a place is authentic by the number of Asians versus non-Asians. I went here last time for a wonton soup and green bean dish. The green beans were really unfresh... ick. I felt sick for the next day or so. I am going to try the new dumpling place down the street. Report back soon.
(2)Good M.
Most, if not, all of their signature dumplings are purchased pre-made and frozen from distribution centers south of Boston. Luckily for them, their tables are always filled to capacity by blind tourists. As a result, good service and attitudes from the waitstaff is a thing of the past. Like many others have said already, this place can definitely afford to treat you like shit and serve you mediocre, non-authentic food from a wok or steamer.
(1)Melody L.
I came here with a friend for a late lunch and we ordered the xiao long bao, pickled cucumbers, peanuts, scallion pancake, and the eggplant with basil. The scallion pancakes were pretty good - they make them slightly thicker, but still very chewy and flaky with appropriate amounts of salt. The xiao long bao was decent and...the peanuts were good. However, the cucumbers were awful and the eggplant with basil was simply too oily and greasy. They charged for rice, which was annoying, and some of the dishes are very, very overpriced (pickled cucumbers should not cost $7).
(2)Judy L.
Sadly, Boston's shiaolongbaos don't stand a chance against the ones I got from California. (I'd recommend Shanghai Dumplings in Saratoga, CA, and Ding Tai Fung in LA, CA). And we were also disappointed by the pork buns here (shuei jien bao). A consistent theme. They were GINORMOUS. They were at least double what their usual sizes should be. And so their "skins" were too thick for them to be delicate. :( Sad times. However, their lunch special entrees are good. I'd recommend bamboo shoots with shredded pork.
(3)H T.
Food is great here. Close to authentic as you can get here. The dumplings, spicy fish, beef with long-horn pepper, eggplant, are pork blood w/ leek are so good. Just disregard their waitstaff services. It's typical of many Chinese restaurant. Come for the food and that's how I'm giving this place 4 stars... Just for their food! Btw, it is on the pricier side of Chinatown.
(4)Doug J.
(score 1-100) 94. Well, let me give two reasons why you should eat here...number one... This place gets lots of National acclaim. Travel and Leisure Top 25 Chinese Restaurant. They are in many Newspapers, Yahoo Top 10 Chinese Restaurants in the US consistently. The reason being is their Dumplings. These juice filled pieces of dumpling heaven are great for dinner or even better after a late night saturday fix. They really are top notch and are signature for late night dining affair in Chinatown. ...number two... I am asian as well and I have over 100+ friends of Chinese decent who go there over most options in Chinatown.
(5)Tony S.
Nipples.... .... just a totally random thought that has nothing to do with this review. But Kudos to Marc C. and Nate Y. for their reviews of this place. The family was in the mood for something completely different from the boring pizza, burger, and Thai food selections in our neighborhood. With no idea of what to do, I peeped at everyone's reviews, and noticed these 2 aforementioned members of my VIP Posse, and decided to go for it. Rarely do I venture out with the family on first-time restaurant visits, but we were starving and desparate. We went for the 2 different soup dumplings, the regular pork ones(YUMiLicious!!!) and the pork+crab ones (um... sorta yummy, sorta different... guess I'm not that much into crab). The Mapo tofu was delish.... so good that mom scarfed it all by herself. The sauteed squid was sorta meh, but u know what? I don't care. The dumplings were AWSUM. Value? good good good. 2 dumplings, squid, mapo tofu, and 2 bowls of rice = $39.80. Definately gonna come here again. Found my dumpling booty call.
(4)constantconsumer c.
The xiao long bao's are decent but not the best in Chinatown. On my points scale (1-5, 5 being the best), I found the thinness of the skin is a hesitant 4 (it was a bit inconsistent between orders), the texture of the meat was a (5), not dense at all, the juicyness was a 5, but the flavor was a 2.5, a bit bland and the sauce didnt improve it. The pan fried dumplings were the thick doughy-y kind but very good and flavorful. The okra in satay sauce was unique and yummy and the beef stew over noodles was decent.
(3)Mike D.
This place is definitely worth the hype of what everyone is talking about in Boston. All the food is fresh and tasty. The prices are actually very reasonable. The space is tight and usually the place is packed. I would try the scallion pancakes, dumplings, and veggie soup. One of my favorite Chinatown spots.
(4)Linda Y.
Why does this place get consistently stellar reviews? Yes, it's a staple of Chinatown, but come on now, these dumplings are sub-par. Their juicy pork dumplings are a let down and their pan fried dumplings are unremarkable. It is seriously not worth the wait behind the never ending queue of college students. And I hate to say this because the waiters are clearly really overworked, but the service is very spotty, and the dishes never fail to come out in the most non-sensical sequence. Talk about overrated. Maybe I should try their Szechuan dishes instead. Those look more promising.
(2)Alan L.
This place is AWESOME. We ordered Sauteed Julienne Beef w/Long Horn Peppers & Ma Po Tofu off of the lunch menu and ordered an order of Sandong Style Pan Fried Dumplings and Mini Juicy Dumplings wiht Pork for side. My wife and I enjoyed it very much! The Beef with Long Horm Peppers was hot but manageable. The rest of the food just heaven. The dumplings were light but filling. We love this place and we would definitely come back again. BTW, it was a take out order and heated it up for dinner, not lunch.
(4)Liza B.
This place is pretty overhyped. Every weekend there's a line out the door of people from Newton etc coming here and it's ridiculous! You can get dumplings that are just as good at Windsor or Taiwan cafe and the rest of the food is fine but it's nothing special and it's overpriced. If you want real authentic Chinatown go to somewhere else!
(3)Hieu P.
Even though many people like this place, I don't! 9 o'clock Wednesday night. The restaurant was packed. I got a table after about 10' wait. I ordered steamed dumplings, lamb soup, and stewed beef with okra. The food was ok. However, the value/price ratio was certainly less than 1. The customer service was horrible. A waiter gave me the check and collect the dishes right after I barely finished my meal. This gave me a message that I am being kicked out of the restaurant!!! My bill was $29.60, and I tipped $3 (10%). The waiter told me that I had to tip 15% for this bill. I wondered if there was a rule here that I had to do so. But I was too tired to argue, so I paid the bill and go. BOTTOM LINE: if this place is crowded, you probably wouldn't want to wait, unless you wanna get kicked out for other "more important" customers to get seated. REMEMBER this place is pretty famous in Chinatown, so they can afford to have one less customer!!!!! Good bye Gourmet. I hope I never have to see you again.
(1)Kat B.
My husband and I went here last night despite the recent bad reviews because we wanted to try their shengjiangbao (fried dumplings). The dumplings that arrived were in no way authentic shengjiangbao. They were simply large baozi that had been steamed and then tossed in a wok for a few seconds to "burn" the bottom. The meat/vegetable filling of the baozi was bland/tasteless and the meat-to-dough ratio was off (too much dough). Plus they were not cooked the way true shengjianbao are prepared. In all honesty you could have enjoyed a better baozi dish if you went to one of the nearby Chinatown supermarkets and purchased frozen ones and cooked them at home yourself. None of their appetizers were fresh and I was actually worried they might make me sick afterward. The texture of their jellyfish appetizer was indicative that it had been sitting out too long somewhere. It also had an unpleasant and off-putting aftertaste that lingered in my mouth during the T ride home. Their spicy beef tripe was overly seasoned and oily and their ox tongue and tripe with chili sauce was just ok. Every appetizer we ordered there I've had much better versions of at restaurants outside of Chinatown. Our service was actually better than I expected but I still had to spend a while trying to flag a waitress down to take our order. Also it's disconcerting to hear so much shouting coming from the kitchen and from the dining room to the kitchen. Unless Gourmet Dumpling House completely transforms its dishes, they should consider editing the name of their restaurant. Gourmet is the last word in the dictionary I would use to describe this restaurant. A more fitting epithet would be "Mediocre". If you're looking for delicious, authentic dumplings, avoid GDH at all costs.
(1)Ashley D.
very good but i just don't think it's worth all the hype. best soup dumplings in boston? eh probably. some of the best i've ever had? nope. da house a lot smaller than most chinese restaurants which is why it's usually packed. i went on a random tuesday night around 6 or 7 and didn't have to wait to get seated. it was still full of people but from what we saw, it seems weekdays are the best days to go to avoid the huge lines. the service was pretty good. it definitely always helps to have someone that knows mandarin eating with you. the soup dumplings were good. not the best i've had, but pretty good. they're a bit bigger and thus a lot harder to eat, so me and my semi-amateur dumpling technique made a bit of a mess of it. the spicy szechuan style sliced fish was really good at first but then got to be a little too much. i love spicy food but this was straight up intense. it's a peppery spicy which is really hard to eat a lot of, and there is A LOT of this fish and napa in this dish. pretty good as leftovers though, just increase your rice to spice ratio for this one. i would like to try some of the other stuff here, so we'll see how that goes.
(3)Alan T.
The seafood dumplings weren't bad and the size of the seafood in clay pot took us by surprise. We've had better dumplings, though. Fair warning- expect a wait and you'll be elbow to elbow in this place. It's very cramped. Also, is it too much to expect to have *clean* teacups and utensils at your table? Had to flag the staff twice to get her teacup and soup spoon replaced. Maybe we'll come back for another try. Maybe...
(2)Nate Y.
It's the day after my "procedure" and I haven't been this clean since the last time I had a stomach virus whilst traveling. So what better way to fill up but on dumplings. And not just any dumplings, but soup dumplings! I didn't realize that these suckers originated from Shanghai, since most the food I have had there was not so memorable or very tasty. I didn't know of any place that offered these since I typically have gone to Cantonese/HK eateries. Thanks be to Yelp I find Gourmet Dumpling House. With three willing companions we arrived here around 6PM on a Thursday evening the place was bustling. Even so it really didn't take long to seat us. We order the pork and the pork/crab meat dumplings, ma po tofu, watercrest with garlic, and the mango chicken. The pork dumplings, filled with broth, was delicious and fun when trying to eat them in the proper way of drinking the broth and filling it with the soy/vinegar and ginger sauce. The crab meat and pork dumplings were okay, but I personally didn't like the strong taste of the crab meat (maybe canned?). The ma po tofu was good with the right amount of spiciness for me, as well as the mango chicken with a nice blend of sweet and spicy, although the sauce was a bit too gelatinous. The watercrest with garlic was tasty with a good amount of garlic and not oily. With all this food the total came to only $60 which included the tip. We had leftovers to spare as well. I will definitely be coming back for the dumplings and to try their Taiwanese dishes.
(4)Brown J.
Extremely overrated! Bad service, way to many people The food is not that good as they said. Salty, oily and not authentic at all. You know what, such kind of Chinese restaurant will definitely go bankrupt in China. The bottom line: I WILL NEVER STEP IN AGAIN IN THE REST OF MY LIFE!
(1)Cammy C.
Kate Hudson and Blake Lively eat here!! Enough said! Haha, no but seriously, this place is always packed for good reason...the dumplings here are reason enough to keep coming back! With that being said, everything else was just kind of okay. The service was lacking, first they served us our dumplings without any sauce. Our dishes were supposed to come with soup, but they forgot so we had to ask them for it. We ordered some lien go, eggplant, and tofu...which we specifically asked our waiter to tell the cook to go easy on the oil but our food still came out really greasy! I mean, yeah it was still tasty, but after we ate everything off our plates, there were puddles of oil lying at the bottom. YUCK! And our server forgot to put in our order for the tofu, so we had to sit around an extra 10 mins waiting for our dish after we already finished eating! I felt like they were trying to rush us out because we were holding up a table...even though it wasn't our fault! I guess I know never to come before or during lunch rush hour again.
(4)Jennifer N.
I am sorry to be the only critic among all of the Dumpling House fans- but my experience was reminiscent more of a Dump House. Place was really crowded at lunch, probably because it is popular. Started with spring rolls- they were flavorless and tasted much like frozen ones I could get at Trader Joes. Wonton Soup was FULL of bones. I could not even eat it- why would you put bones in a wonton? I was embarrassed trying to eat it in front of my friend, because I had to spit bones out into my hands. Ick. Beef and broccoli- thought it was a safe choice but the beef had SO much oil it was not at all enjoyable. It actually had a sticky sort of coating, that makes my stomach hurt thinking about it. Worst part- we both had huge headaches and tummy aches after. Total MSG. Sorry Dump House- but I will not be back.
(2)Jess D.
If you have ever eaten real Taiwanese food, then you would know that this place does not even compare. And when I say real Taiwanese food, I mean, actually on the island of Taiwan. The xiao long bao are not good. The skin is too thick and chewy (not in a good way either) and the soup inside is oily and lacking flavor. I also ordered a plate of fried pork and leek dumplings but they were just too oily. The flavor of the filling is not that great. You don't really get too much flavor of the leeks (or maybe they were supposed to be chives?). Finally, I ordered the chicken cutlet over rice. It was deep fried but again, much too oily. The cabbage on top tasted like nothing at all. The restaurant itself is very cramped. We were placed at a table right next to the register and waiters were bumping our chair left and right. The only reason why this place gets two stars is because our waiter was fabulous and they served us the food quick so that we could hightail it out of there.
(2)John R.
So tried this place for the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style as recomended on TV by Ming Tsai, it was really good and really spicy. All the food was superb, liked the dumplings. Small place and very busy but service was good.
(5)James A.
The food isn't that bad. The dumplings and general gaos were great. We also had egg drop soup which tasted like dishwater. The service was poor. The waitress was rude and not attentive at all. One plus is that the prices are very low. Overall, good main dishes but I'd stay away from the soups.
(3)Pete K.
This place was great! Got there around 6p on a Sunday and only waited a few minutes. Took a while for someone to finally take our order, but food came quickly. Very tasty and wicked cheap! Definitely recommend.
(4)Tim D.
I heard Michael Douglas loves this place, and my chin isn't nearly cleft enough to contradict the man directly. But neither can I hide the truth: These guys made me a truly sad seafood hot-pot, and there's no excuse to be making bad seafood hot-pots nowadays, life being what it is. It was 40% celery, friends, and 20% carrots. What shrimp it had were good, true. There was but a whisp of them, though-- or were they even there? Were they, maybe, just little pink Hopes? Who can be sure? I really felt there was contempt for me in that hot-pot. Celery in such quantities in a seafood dish-- it's pure disdain, in the language of chinese cookery. I lay a burden on you, Dumpling House. The burden is to live up to your hype. May the Merciful grant it to you some day.
(2)Derrick P.
Not a huge fan. Compared to Chinese restaurants in New York or San Francisco, I don't see anything particularly special about this place. The noodle soup did not have fresh or high quality ingredients (much less enjoyable than the Vietnamese pho place down the street) and the dumplings made me feel a little nauseated after getting through them. Yes, this place does have an authentic feel about it, but also doesn't feel entirely clean or well kept. Wasn't particularly happy with the service and felt a little sick the next day. The $20 cash minimum is no fun either. Probably wouldn't bother coming back here again.
(3)Rob Y.
Food (9.5/10) = If you're tired of the Cantonese cuisine which dominates Chinatown, definitely try out Gourmet Dumpling House (GDH). Of all the Chinese restaurants in the Boston area, this is the BEST. When it first opened, I came here almost everyday. I've tried most of the dishes, so I'll state a few of them in my review. Appetizers: 1) Chilled Spicy Pork Ears = I ALWAYS order this when I eat at GDH. 2) Scallion Pancakes = Very nicely done. Large fluffy pieces. 3) Mini Steamed Buns with Pork and Crabmeat = Another appetizer I ALWAYS order when I come to GDH. If you like this dish (aka. Mini Pork Soup Buns), this is the best place to get it in the Boston area. 4) Pork & Leek/Pork & Cabbage/Beef & Celery Dumplings = Very nicely done. These dumplings are homemade and they remind me of the dumplings I had while wondering around in the streets of China. 5) Stinky Tofu (Not on menu; written in Chinese on the wall) = Not as stinky as the ones you will find in China or Taiwan, but still full of flavor. If you are adventurous, certainly give this a try! Lunch Box, Rice & Noodles 1) House Pork Chops over Rice = A nice Taiwanese "street food" dish. It comes with 2 fried porkchops, vegetables, minced ground pork, and a tea=boiled egg. For $5, you really get a lot of food! 2) Pork Ribs with Bitter Melon over Rice = If you like pork ribs and bitter melon, this dish is for you! 3) Hearty Noodles with Pork and Vegetables = This is my favorite of all the noodle dishes. Like the name says, this dish is hearty. This is a noodle dish with eggs scrambled in, julienned pork, bamboo shoots, and "wood ears." The soup itself is thick and full of flavor. 4) Beef Stew Noodles with Vegetables = this is a spicy noodle dish. The soup is very spicy and oily, and is not meant to be consumed. Soups 1) Chinese Herbal Squid-Ox Tail Soup = if you have never had Chinese herbal soup, give this a try. Entrees 1) Sauteed Eel with Yellow Chives = the eel is sliced into very thin strips to match the look of the yellow chives. A very nice dish with a little heat to it! 2) Sliced Fish Szechuan Style = My #1 dish of GDH. Every person that I have invited to GDH loves this dish. No other restaurant in the Boston area serves this popular dish of the Szechuan region in China. Braised or Sweet and Sour 1) Kung Pao Chicken = Disappointing. Considering how well this restaurant cooks Szechuan style dishes, I expected this to be good. 2) House Style Asparagus Chicken = A nice combination with a great flavor. 3) Sauteed Pork Julienne with Bamboo Tips = This is one of GDH's more popular dishes. Definitely give this dish a try. 4) Sauteed Pork with Mustard Greens and Bean Bowties = A very clean and light flavor. The textures of each ingredient really go well together. 5) Simmered Three Essence Chicken = Nicely done. The three essences are sesame oil, wine, and soy sauce. 6) "Yu Xiang Ro Si" (not on menu; written in Chinese on wall) = An awesome dish! It's sweet! It's sour! It's spicy! Vegetables: 1) Sauteed Chinese Watercress with Garlic = a very nice and clean flavor. 2) Bitter Melon with Salty Eggs = I really like the flavor of bitter melon so this dish is a treat for me. 3) Braised Tofu with Scallion and Vegetables = nothing special. 4) Ma Po Tofu = not the ma po tofu I was expecting, but still delicious. Chef's Specials: 1) Braised Prime Pig's Feet with Seafood = This is my #2 dish of GDH! It's actually pork shoulder and the meat is delicate and juicy! Service (8.5/10) = Service is fantastic relative to what you would expect from a Chinese restaurant. Edward (the owner) makes an effort to meet his guests and gives recommendations to those who are eating at GDH for the first time. If you are a regular customer like me, sometimes they'll give you appetizers and/or drinks on the house. I recently graduated and when I had my celebration dinner there, they gave us Champaign on the house! The people of GDH truly value their customers. Ambiance (7/10) = Nothing special here. It is what you would and should expect from most Chinese restaurants. The place is a bit crowded, but I feel it gives the place a nice homey feel to it. Overall Opinion = One fellow yelper had an issue with GDH concerning meat in her food. Although unfortunate, be aware that this restaurant is very traditional with its cuisine. So although you may order a vegetable dish, the sauce that comes with it might be created with a meat stock. Vegetarianism is not as prominent in China as it is in other parts of the world. The Chinese eat anything and everything. Whenever I have guests coming into Boston, or friends who want to try something new in Chinatown, this is the place I bring them, and all have enjoyed the food as much as I have. If you have already been here and had a so-so experience, give GDH another try and order some of the other dishes I mentioned.
(5)Susan K.
Decided to bring some out of town visitors here during the huge blizzard that hit Boston. It was about 10pm and most places were closed...except this place. I heard that this place was good from another person...so I was like why not. The place was small. Nothing spectacular. Just a regular small restaurant that wasn't too fancy. We were seated right away...the six of us. Like most Asian restaurant, the staff spoke little English but we were able to order fine. I wished I bought a Chinese friend along to order the GOOD stuff but after reading the menu inside out, I was able to order good dishes. Food came out fast and we all devoured it. I thought it was good. A little greasy but not as greasy as the Chinese/American take-out. Loved the string beans with beef...although there were barely any beef. The price was cheap too and including tax and tip, it only came out to approximately $10 a person for lots of food. Pretty good deal to me. I have to be fair and say that I haven't tried the dumplings here. I will have to come back and try that...cause there's a reason why they should call themselves "Gourmet Dumpling House".
(3)Chris M.
Some great Chinese food here. But I probably wouldn't get the Shanghai noodles again. Not impressed with the Shanghai noodles.
(4)Diane Y.
This is my first review ever posted. Totally disappointed at this place... we ordered takeout, beef noodle soup (the beef is thin, not good quality and the noodle has gone bad with a strong sour smell), the string beans with beef, can't find the beef and the string bean is too well done and oily, pork with bamboo tips, it's just soso but at least edible. I thought to give this place a try since it's always busy and typically has a wait. I paid $31, had to throw out 2 out of 3 dishes..... will never go there again!
(1)Scott J.
It was approaching 11 PM, I was starving, and I was walking to the Orange Line in Chinatown. I couldn't resist the urge to grab a late dinner at Gourmet Dumpling House. Since it was a Tuesday night, the place was pretty deserted. I stumbled in alone and was treated very well; I requested that my flat noodles with beef be prepared spicy and threw in some mini-pork buns for good measure. My entree was out in just a few minutes, steaming hot, fresh, and bursting with heat and flavor. The buns and dumplings always take 15 minutes, so they followed shortly thereafter. Needless to say, I had leftovers and happily took them home. I heard the woman at the register tell prospective patrons that they were closing at 11:45 PM. I'm not sure if that's just Tuesday, or any weeknight. This is a must-visit restaurant in Chinatown for quality, authentic food with good service, clean bathrooms, and attentive staff.
(4)Chen L.
Really good chong you bing! The dumplings were also decently good. We ordered the xiao long bao and the sze chuan fish pieces and some pan fried pork buns that were good too, but I thought the chong you bings were one of the better ones I've ever had. Esp comparing with all the other Chinese places I go to in the SD bay area
(3)Grains P.
I've braved the crowds many times to dine here for the tasty xiaolongbao, but after my most recent visit, I've simply had enough of this place. First of all, the place is packed, so you're dining in fairly cramped table arrangements. Staff treat you curtly and practically toss food on your table when it comes. Maybe I came on a bad day because the xiaolongbao wasn't all that great. The skin on the top of the dumplings was dry, which makes me wonder if it was sitting out for a while. Also, we ordered stir-fried noodle with eel and found a piece of plastic that had been mixed into it. Before we barely had any time to digest the meal, a check was tossed onto our table. They practically rushed us out of the restaurant to make room for new diners, not that I really wanted to stay in such an uncomfortable and noisy atmosphere. I used to like this place because the food was good, but perhaps the pressures of popularity has made the overall dining experience go downhill.
(2)Rich S.
Long time fan of GDH. Love the spicy long horn peppers with beef, eggplant in basil sauce, and any vegetable sauteed with tons of garlic. Oh and if it needed to be said again, 2 orders of juicy buns must be ordered as soon as you sit down!!! (they're made fresh and take 15 minutes to order) Other things worth checking out, the scallion pancakes, they're much bettter here than anywhere else. And, try the MaPo tofu with pork. Anyone looking for westernized service should be warned though, this is chinatown and you're at a chinese restaurant. it's not rude, it's a cultural experience, lighten up.
(5)Dian L.
I'm mad at my mom and I'm mad at myself for coming to Boston Chinatown half prepared. I went to Gourmet Dumpling House, but didn't note what to order and watched arrays of appetizing dishes floating past me. Noodles with spinach, huge seafood soups, ginger chicken stews, jellyfish, various dumplings, but I was feeding myself a fish for my rough day of interviewing and only have one stomach so, ill advised, I went for the easily recognizable. I had also asked my non internet savvy mom to look up some of the reviews and see what's good there, she named scallion pancakes and mapo tofu. I prefer to "gird my loins" before stepping into unfamiliarly large menu territory. Again, I only have one stomach and a smaller wallet. A girl next to me was eating a plate of what looked like "soup dumplings," so I asked her if she would recommend them/if they were the specialty. She said the small "juicy pork dumplings" were filling and delicious, so yes. Though there was Mandarin Chinese being spoken by the personnel and guests, I'm not sure these "juicy dumplings" were the same as the soup dumplings I'm used to and, if they are, they didn't have the tender, palpable skin when steaming, soft meat, and more than a spoonful of soup I'm used to. If they are soup dumplings, they were missing most of the useful soup traits. The skin was tougher and resilient, more like gyoza, even when hot, the meat was more chewy again like a normal dumpling and the inside had only a bit of "juice." Overall, it is good as a soup dumpling/other dumpling hybrid, but if it is authentic as a soup dumpling, it is puzzling at the least. I also ordered a scallion pancake, which was deep fried to crunchiness in layers of flaky dough and had a very strong cooked onion taste. My favorite (seafood) scallion pancake I've had was from Kang Suh, which was not over crispy but well cooked with pieces of I think squid stuffed inside the scallion if that's even possible. The scallion pancakes I've had in dim sum and banchan at Korean places after that were over fried and less fresh. In places famed for dumplings like Joe's Shanghai or for their more authentic, uncompromisingly Chinese cuisine like Grand Szechuan, I'm cautious about ordering seemingly Americanized, starch slathered dinner items, but at Gourmet Dumpling House, the huge dinner portions I saw floating by looked delicious and creative. I want to come to Gourmet Dumpling House again, probably with other people so I don't surround myself with various dishes and pick at them like a rich, fat, empress.. Or more like a poor, not too fat woman taking advantage of the $20 credit card minimum.
(3)Liz G.
Meander your way over to Chinatown after a night of hard drinking. Or skip on over after a day full of TPS reports. Whatever state you're in, the Gourmet Dumpling House is a must-try. The DUMPLINGS are great...
(4)David P.
2.5 stars After my trip to Singapore, I realize chinese food in Boston pretty much sucks. This place is okay. Before my trip, it was good. The soup dumplings here have way too much dough with little filling. The other dishes are fairly routine without any outstanding quality. (I always get whatever the waitress recommends.) Can't wait for some talented, authentic Chinese chefs to come this way. I won't hold my breath though.
(2)Keli R.
This was our first trip to any Chinatown and we were warned....don't stay after dark and only follow the busy part of Chinatown. Oh boy, what was I getting myself into. After my first bubbletea experience and a long leisurely walk around Boston Commons, we headed back to Chinatown to get some dumplings! Well we were sidetracked by a few sightings of the Yankees, Josh Beckett from the Red Sox and Cameron Diaz...my boyfriend faltered, wanting to stick around the Ritz some more to gawk at celebrities. AH!!! it's almost dark! we need to move!! I had read the reviews on here and wanted to try it. Again, I am weary of large crowds and pictures of celebs on the wall...but the owner sat our order and I appreciated that. It is small...cramped...and fast paced. The fish they cook is swimming in a tank along the wall. There is a variety of Chinese beer in the cooler. I love it. Everyone was eating the fish stew and I vow to try this next time I go back! We ordered kim chee, pork buns, "juicy pork dumplings" which are soup dumplings, Yen something pork..i forget the name and head on/shell on salt and pepper shrimp. The kim chee was cold and spicy...like a really great cole slaw. The pork buns were a little lackluster. Too much "bun" for me. The soup dumplings were VERY VERY good...although I do have one complaint. The dough was so so thin and delicate which is a great thing, but I think you need to be very skilled to pick them up without puncturing the skin to "suck out" the yummy soup. We requested spoons and this was quickly rectified. Our pork dish was soooo good. Is there MSG in this dish? is this why we're eating so much???? WHO CARES!! was my boyfriend's response. The pork was shiny and delish. Cilantro scattered throughout the dish and chinese mushrooms.. YES! I LOVE MUSHROOMS! so good. Didn't look as good as the fish stew but I WILL be back dumpling house! Our shrimp took a while to come out....when I ordered it, my waitress said, "are you sure? it's head on and shell on"... YES PLEASE! It came out and there was like 15 shrimp...big shrimp on our plate..for 11.00! It may skeeve some people out..but I'm taking the bizarre food approach on this one. I eat the whole thing. I pull off the head, suck out the brains and shove it down the gullet. I eat the shell...the tail..all of it...I don't care. I don't care if you think I'm gross and if you don't do it, you're missing out. The frying makes the shells so delicate and sweet. The brain is the best part! The shrimp were juicy..you could see the juice flowing under the shell. YUM YUM YUM! for those alone you should go. Anotehr small complaint would be that the bill is written in Chinese..and who really knows what they're charging you for? All in all ..with 3 beers..it came to 50.00. WE WILL BE BACK! I LOVE CHINA TOWN!!
(4)Veronica P.
Totally missing dumplings after living in London and not being able to find a good place for it. This place hit the spot. Pretty good dumplings. Cheap, $6 for 12 big fat pork and cabbage dumplings. The meat and skin ratio is good, although.. the skin could be a tad thinner. Very quick service. 5 minutesalthough it was super busy. Glad I followed the crowd - always pick a busy place !
(4)Kyle S.
PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS, PAN FRIED PORK BUNS!!! okay now that that is out of my system I can write a proper review. The first thing you should know is: there will be a line! Expect to wait at least 20 minutes to get a seat and make sure you stay close because I'm pretty sure all white people look the same to them :-p (of course that only applies to boring, sun deprived people like me). the menu is extremely overwhelming... so don't think, just pick with your stomach. Everything is delicious, I promise. If you're clever you'll just look at what other people are eating and say "I want that!". Speak clearly to the waiters if you want your order right; there is nothing shameful about pointing to the item you want. I ordered the 3 cup chicken, beef with string beans, and the... PAN FRIED PORK BUNS. mmmmm.... Try them. now. go! what are you waiting for you fool??? also... this is one of the few restaurants in Chinatown that accepts credit cards, so go big and share with your friends!
(5)Aristophelius M.
The food is delicious and surprisingly cheap. Some dishes come out super fast. They have lots of good specifically Taiwanese food.
(4)Karl R.
One of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Boston. Also, did you know this is Ming Tsai's favorite Chinese restaurant too?? There is definitely a reason this place is so well-liked. I'm not Chinese, but I'm engaged to someone who is, and we always make a big deal about eating authentic Chinese cuisine. You will definitely find plenty of authentic dishes at Gourmet Dumping House. Some are okay, while others are the best in town. Still not convinced this place is Chinese-approved? Then take a peek inside the window. So here are a couple dishes that Gourmet Dumpling House is known for: - (xiaolongbao): soup-filled dumplings. Ordering these is a MUST! If you haven't eaten these before, bring a Chinese friend to show you how or be CAREFUL about the HOT soup inside the dumpling. You can't just willy-nilly pick these things up out of the steamer... they might break and the precious soup will spill out. Eat these delicately! - (shuizhuyu): sichuan style fish in spicy broth. I realize Gourment Dumpling House is not a Sichuan restaurant, but they prepare this dish better than all the other Sichuan places my fiancee has taken me to. This dish is my fiancee's favorite dish... and we both agree Gourmet Dumpling House does the best job in town. Their other dishes are good, but not to the level of the ones I described above. Wow. Ironically I'm not that crazy about their regular dumplings... but maybe that's because the xiaolongbao are just so dang good. Prices are great for the quality and quantity of food you get. The place is extremely small, so be prepared to wait a while. The waiters may also have issue bringing out certain items if you don't speak to them in Chinese (e.g. like water or white rice).
(5)Aaron A.
3 stars. Dumplings were very greasy. Yuck. ginger crab i could've did without. The spicy flounder was great. The pancake scallions were good.
(3)Ben P.
The space was cramped and small, having to wait was rather uncomfortable as there was little room to stand, nowhere to sit, and it was freezing outside. The menu was huge! Got the mini juicy pork dumplings and bbq braised ribs, both of which were delicious. The food also came out really fast. Wasn't so crazy about the soup but it was okay. Overall the meal was enjoyable, although I felt like they were rushing us with the way they put the check on the table without asking if we were ready... but I guess with a place as crowded as they are it doesn't surprise me. I'd definitely go back again.
(4)Justin Y.
This review does not include the szechuan spicy-fish pot which I heard about in Best Thing I Ever Ate on Food Network (recommended by Ming Tsai). As someone who has lived in Asia, I have to say that some of the stuff we ordered was mediocre. The juicy dumplings with pork were juicy (which is good!) but their was simply too much meat for the dumpling. At the places with 5-star juicy dumplings, each step in making the dumpling is measured on a scale to ensure that the exact amount of dough and meat are put into the recipe. I don't expect perfection, but the ratio of meat to dough was not good. The pan-fried pork buns on the other hand, had too much dough. This really ruined the texture of the bun, and the bottom wasn't even crispy because of this overdose of dough. The oyster pancake had too much of that "gelatin" which is used to bond the pancake together. The sauteed watercress with garlic was good. The fried squid was pretty good too. Nicely breaded and had the right amount of seasoning. For Chinese food in the US this is good. My review is biased because of I've eaten Chinese food my whole life (and I haven't tasted their fish yet). I will give it another shot sometime and give a more up-to-date review.
(3)Deb B.
Fantastic dumplings and amazing scallion pancakes!!
(5)Lulu A.
I've been here twice (sober... yes, I came here during daylight hours!) 1st time my friend and I were being fatties and had: Scallion Pancake - Highlight of the meal... flaky, puffy, delicious, and just a little greasy... nomnomonm Spring Rolls - nothing to write home about, solid performance, but we had to ask for the duck sauce General Gau's Chicken - ehh, not amazing, and definitely some dark meat... also the rice never came (a blessing in disguise) 2nd Experience: with a coworker Vegetable Dumplings (steamed) - delicious, light, a little chewiness, stuffed w bok choy, seaweed salad, garlic, a little oil, and possibly something else green - recommended and there were like 12! Hot & Sour Soup (cup) - DELICIOUS, one of the best I've had - served super warm, little slices of pork and tofu and egg... ohhh yes :)
(4)Julie S.
Gourmet Dumpling House is a hole in the wall in Chinatown that serves absolutely delicious dumplings. The dumplings are large, as are the orders. For 2 people we ordered 1 order of steamed juicy buns, 1 order of vegetable dumplings, and scallion pancakes. We're both big eaters (I'm pregnant so I'm an especially big eater) and we still had leftovers to take home. The dumplings here are fresh and tasty. I do wish the orders were smaller and less expensive so you could have more variety in a meal, but that's a small gripe. The scallion pancakes were just eh, so stick to the dumplings and you'll leave happy and full.
(4)Shweta V.
We wanted to get a quick lunch in Chinatown and this place showed up amongst the highest rated spots on Yelp. True to claim, it was a quick meal with wait time less than 10 minutes around peak lunch time. We ordered the scallion pancakes and vegetable dumplings based on Yelp recommendations, as well as the sauteed noodles with shrimp & vegetables. All 3 items were good..just not as awesome as I expected based on the reviews. Great part about the noodles was that they were not doused in soy sauce or salt or grease, unlike many Chinese restaurants...though I wish they had more real 'vegetables' such as broccoli or carrots than bean sprouts and green onions. Scallion pancakes were deep fried - wish they were pan seared / less greasy. Friendly and fast service. Large portion sizes. Plenty of locals (families, officegoers, students etc) and tourists. Overall, good experience...though a bit overhyped IMO. I'll try another place next time I'm in the area.
(3)Tamika W.
Tea was delicious... Crab rangoons were runny and had very little crab in them. Gross. The pork dumplings were not to my taste as they engaged my gag reflex. Very cramped little place, not worth the hype.
(1)Jimmy H.
It seems that this place serves dishes of two extreme of hit & miss. And thankfully, the dishes my friends and I order were "hit". My friends ordered mediocre beef and broccolis, pan fried noodles that were two thumbs up in their books. And I order beef stew noodle soup which I would give 4 stars. Beijing ravioli was the best in town in my book. Next to shabu village, I think. I personally preferred fried ravioli. Its decor is nothing impressive or nothing disgusting. I did feel that they clammed up too many tables in small space. It felt a little uncomfortable. Service was adequate. Not too friendly or not too rude. And someone needs to tell that waiter with mullet that his hair is waaaay out of the time.
(4)Pedro C.
My last visit here was a little disappointing. But all the previous ones before that were pretty good. As it's name suggests, this place has dumplings. I love dumplings. And they seem to always please with dumplings (steamed or fried) that taste so good you can taste the different fresh ingredients inside. They do awesome side dishes as well. However, my last visit was not as expected. The dumpling was bland and the side of friend intestine was soggy. I'm hoping this was an anomaly and will not be the norm. Service is quick as they want to turn around and get the next group seated.
(3)Jenn T.
i've been to this place numerous times and have always enjoyed their food. their service has been okay but i never expected much of that from chinatown. today...however... the terrible service just pushed us over the edge. first we were given one menu for a table of six people. fine. we order. food started coming out, entrees first, appetizers last. fine. where was the big bowl of rice i ordered? had to ask for it. fine. rice comes out, no bowls. had to ask for that. fine. steamed buns come out and because we weren't fast enough to clear some space for the waitress, she decided it was okay to put it on top of a only half eaten dish. what? seriously? fine. steam buns sit there for 10 minutes without the sauce. we had to ask for that. fine. we sat there, finished our meal while smelling cigarette smoke that came from the kitchen, and i decided that with this seriously crappy service, they're lucky that i leave them 5% tip, so that's what i did. we walk out, loitered outside for a minute as we normally do before we part ways and the waitress runs out and says...um, tip? so i explained to her why she was lucky to have gotten any at all. tips are not required, nor is it expected. you have to earn it. after we've left for almost 20 minutes, we realized we left a bag a video games there, so we knew there'll probably be some trouble, but we went back for it. we were right. they first refused to give it back to the person who went in to get it...but because the friend refused to leave until he got it back, they gave him back an empty bag...it wasn't until they realized we were EXTREMELY persistent that they took the games out from underneath the registrar desk. i guess finders keepers but if you ever leave anything there, prepare for possibly not getting it back.
(1)Erin C.
Best Chinese food in Boston's Chinatown! We always get: - pork soup dumplings - hot and sour soup (this place makes it really peppery, which I like) - scallion pancakes - szechuan boiled beef (this is the most delicious thing if you like spicy food...it's basically thin slices of tender marinated beef in a super hot and flavorful broth) - sauteed pea pod stems (they don't always have this; gotta ask for it) I got the beef soup noodle dish once and do NOT recommend it. I also do not recommend coming here with a big group because the line is always so long and the place is pretty cramped; I think 4 people max is good unless you don't mind waiting and getting squished in the corner.
(4)Milee S.
Came here the other night after a movie. The place is not that great in terms of decor, and was pretty busy for 10 pm. My friends who have come here before ordered and I was glad they did. We started with pork and leek fried raviolis with a dipping sauce. Nice amount of dumplings and the raviolis were very tasty. Next was the scallion pancake which I love. I really enjoyed this dish. We finally ended with a basket of steamed pork dumplings. I had never eaten this kind, so I was told to put it on the spoon, drizzle the ginger sauce on top and eat with the chopsticks helping you. However, the broth inside is super hot, so really take your time eating it. It was pretty good and stuffed with pork, whcih was a little too much for me. Tea was ok. I'd come back again as i really liked it. And it's so super cheap!
(4)C F.
Fantastic - have not seen a dish come out of the kitchen which didn't look as appetizing as the previous one. Not only does the food rock - but so does the staff in keeping a newcomer hip to what is on everyone's tables...start with the pork and crab dumplings and then move into the bamboo with pork and the excellent beef dish with the peppers which was on everyones table!
(5)Alexandra S.
I went to Gourmet Dumpling House for the first time two days ago. I've been back twice since. I'd been reading about XLB's on food blogs but had never indulged. I wasn't sure where to find them on the menu as "xiao long bao" was not indicated in english script. after a few failed attempts that were all very delicious (vegetable dumplings, pork buns, pork and leek, etc etc) we found the fabled food. A34! A35! mini juicy pork dumplings! the "juicy" implied that the dumpling was filled with soup! hoorah! also: don't order the stinky tofu unless you're sure you like "stinky" tofu. it seems to be an acquired taste. To the those unaccustomed to the dish, stinky tofu smells like a dead baby rotting in a fermented diaper... and it is really hard to separate the stench from the taste so your whole mouth tastes like manure. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St… GDH wasn't overly crowded when we ordered stinky tofu and the waitstaff miiiiiiight have intentionally refrained from seating groups around our table. our leftover stinky tofu is sitting isolated from all our other food in an industrial ziplock freezer bag which I am terrified to open.
(5)Olivia F.
I went here with my brother in May and was a huge fan of the steamed juicy pork dumplings. They are huge (the size of pork buns), and when you bite into them, the broth/juice inside basically explodes in your mouth. 8 to an order, very reasonable price-wise. Not terribly impressed by the scallion pancake (I've had better), or the somewhat rude service at this place. It's very crowded but really, the dumplings are worth it. We also got a huge, dinner-size plate piled with Chinese broccoli in garlic sauce which was excellent. I would come here again...and again...
(4)douglas h.
Lunch My go-to place in Chinatown
(4)Celina C.
Great food! We ordered ma po tofu, scallion pancakes, fried dumplings with leek and egg, pork soup dumplings, and more fried dumplings! The food came out really fast and everything was delicious. The dipping sauces also went really well with everything that was served. The only downside is that the restaurant is very small, leaving very little room for waiters to maneuver in, and a very loud environment.
(4)Christine L.
I lurrrrve Gourmet Dump! I work about 15 min walking from this place. Nothing beats $6 lunch. The food is no culinary masterpiece, but they've got any Chinese food you could be craving at prices so low, you can fulfill multiple cravings at once. My friends make fun of me because I predictably order Bitter Melon every time. If you, like me, love bitter melon, than I highly suggest it at Gourmet Dump, because they do not drown the melon in a black sauce. Instead, they lightly sautee the melon in some oil and garlic and toss in some pork, the way it's suppose to be. It's not bitter melon, if you can't taste some of the bitterness. : D They also have fab Pei Pa Tofu, which is for all non-canto speakers, "Rough Skin Tofu". This tofu is nicely crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The accompanying sauce is quite complimentary. The noodles are always cost-effective ways to eat. Delicious and filling! My boyfriend looooooves dumplings. (Really, he said on his death-bed he wants a fluff sandwich and dumplings) He is a gwai-lo, but don't tell him I said that. haha. This place is perfect for both of us because I can get the more traditional flavors of China, while he gets the really Americanized flavors found in the Taiwanese pan-fried dumpling. FYI though, it gets PACKED, don't bother going during any peak hours unless you want to wait at least 15 min.
(5)Buffy B.
Super delicious. The spicy dishes are actually have a kick to them. I don't normally enjoy eggplant but my friends ordered it and I gave it a shot. DELISH. The dumplings are super juicy so watch your clothes when you eat them.
(4)Daniel F.
Seafood dumplings I ordered were still frozen inside, this place should receive 0 stars for serving uncooked seafood. Soup dumpling was passable but the quality of the meat could have been pink slime. I had to spit out a lot of cartilage/bone pieces. Serving staff were loud and unprofessional talking (in mandarin) about one of the waitress which happened to be waiting on us was having massive diarrhea. Honestly I am surprised that the local food inspectors have not shut this place down.
(1)Jeffrey B.
The four of us ordered 20 Vegetarian Steamed Dumplings, 2 Steamed Vegetable Buns, an order of Fried Buns with Chives and Egg, Mushrooms with Bok Choy, and a Scallion Pancake. When we remembered that we had a fridge in our hotel room, I ordered 8 Sandong Style Pan Fried Dumplings (about 5 minutes later). We got through pretty much the whole meal and were starting the slow down to save room for the as yet unarrived Sandong style dumplings. Finally, 30 minutes or more after ordering them we gave up on them ever arriving. We were about ready to ask for the check and out they came! Everything was really good. I was about ready to drink that delicious dipping sauce. Even though it felt like a limitless feast being paraded in front of us, it only ended up being about $12 with tax and tip per person.
(4)Alexandra G.
Great price- quality relationship. Fast service, great authenticity, also confirmed by my Chinese friends. I would really recommend the soft shell crab, and the soup dumplings with crab.
(5)Hieu N.
Fresh fresh fresh. The xiao long bao are soup dripping down your arm good. the noodles and stuff are ... different i guess but i need to try more of their vast menu to know. as far as i DO know, the dumplings, when fried steamed or what not, are the burst of flavor that save me when the shit hits the fan day in and day out. the prices are certainly affordable. more affordable then some of the ritzy crappy chinese that people burn their money for. the place is clean, friendly, and cramped, but boy who gives a damn when its its you eating YOUR dumpings in your down little dumping world in your dumpling world bubble. yeahhhhhhhh
(4)Esther Y.
Such a great experience! I'm glad we were able to slide in with just a 10 min wait. The service was fast, efficient, and pleasant. The Hubs and I had the salted fish and chicken fried rice (awesome!), the sandong dumplings and the juicy pork dumplings. I kind of ordered wrong, I was in the mood for bun, but that has to be on the next mission. The juicy pork dumplings are SUPER good. They are really juicy, so I recc cutting them in have, unless you kind of hate the person you are eating with and want to splash them on "accident" with dumpling juice. Ha! The sandong dumplings were OK, they were a little too cabbagey, and they started getting that cooked cabbage kind of rotten feet smell.....but they were still good. Didn't my description make you want to go and try them? LOL. I would def go again, and can't wait to try more things off the menu!
(4)Stephanie B.
i am definitely a fan of gourmet dumpling house, and dumplings in general. that said, i think i will carry-out from now on. it is just uncomfortable to eat there. last visit a man got spilled on since the space is so tight (he was very, very upset; his jacket had dragons on it). you can't talk about the other patrons because they are basically at your table. not to say that dumpling cafe has more room necessarily, but the waitstaff is at least a little more cautious when meandering around your space. my take-out menu will include: vegetable noodle soup, pork and leek dumplings, scallion pancakes. this deliciousness will definitely last for two meals (or one reeeally emotional night). i'm not the biggest xiao long bao fan, but friends i've come here with swear by them. the the veggie dumplings are good too, but the pork and leek really hit the spot. additionally, when i ordered veggie noodle soup, they brought out veggie lo mein, and, with an awkward smile, said "they accidentally made lo mein instead of soup." and then offered it to me. "uhh, no, thanks, that's not what i ordered." oh, sorry, i know you ordered something but we made something else and won't you eat this instead because we made it? um, no. although you don't come to chinatown for the service, let's be honest.
(3)molly b.
Another great meal at the Gourmet Dumpling House! This time I brought some friends in from out of town and they thought it was the best dumplings they ever had. We had the pan-friend dumplings, the mini juicy pork dumplings (my favorite), the scallion pancakes, then shared an order of Eggplant with basil. OMG so good! A ton of food for not a lot of money. We had to wait maybe 10 minutes for a table, but once we were seated, we were not rushed.
(4)Jason L.
This has been on my bookmark list for awhile, and it has justified its spot. I rarely give 5 - stars, but this place is just spot-on on so many levels. Food rundown: Sauteed rice cakes w/ mustard greens/pork - it was CNY, so in tradition, you have to eat rice cakes. Flavors were done just right, not too oily. My friends have never had this dish before and loved it. Crab/pork dumplings - Ive had dumplings of all kinds in many many countries, so I had to see what the hype was about. 8 large xiao long baos were steamed to order, and the pork/crab ratio is like 60/40. Great dark/meaty flavors, with the pork/crab infused juice spilling out, just like it should. Pork/cabbage dumplings - First, the wrapper has a great homemade texture, it tastes like my mom's. Filling is good too, could use a tad more ginger. Shen jian bao - pan fried, shanghai style. True to form, as in it was more wrapper than filling, crispy outside. Half my family is Taiwanese, so I can attest that all the dishes we had were extremely authentic, both in ingredients, taste, preparation. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. Service was very fast, but it's a long wait. We waited 35, but SO worth it. Damage was $10 a person, another plus. Amazing. Food - 9/10 Service - 5/5 Atmosphere - 3/5 Value - 5/5 Tip - order the steamed dumplings as soon as you sit down, then peruse the rest of the menu, as they take 15 minutes. Tip 2 - don't go there and order fried chicken / Gao's like the table next to us... What a waste =( You really shouldn't come to a place like this to order americanized chinese....there's Panda for that
(5)v y.
My biggest problem with this place is that it's really tiny and always very crowded. I always go as a table of two, and always end up sitting right next to another pair of people, like we're really a table of four. Some of the food is really solid, some of it is decent, and some of it's just bad. The xie ren xiao long tang bao (soupy dumplings with crab) is one of my favorites here, and every time it's a solid dish (I've been like 3 times). While it's not the best xiao long tang bao I've ever had, it is definitely the best one I've had in Boston. The soup is flavorful and there's plenty of crab taste. Another great item to get is the scallion pancakes. I usually don't rave about scallion pancakes, but these definitely taste homemade as they are both crispy and filled with layers and they come with a great dipping sauce. Descent items on the menu that I've tried include the stir-fried (?) nian gao (year cake?) and also their spicy eggplant dish. Things I'd never order again would be the chicken dumplings (especially not steamed) and I would also never order their Szechuan fish listed under the chef's specials. Not only did the fish run me $28 (more than the rest of my meal combined) it had no flavor and the sauce/soup it came in was just oily. Maybe they expect that since the Szechuan peppers will numb your tongue...that they don't need to season the fish since you won't be able to taste it anyways.... So where the good stuff here is good, the bad stuff is pretty bad.
(4)Nikki B.
I came here last week with my coworker to have a relatively quick lunch. We started out splitting an appetizer order of the steamed leek and pork dumplings. From there, I got the julienne beef saute with longhorn peppers, and my friend got the Jing-Du style pork. Everything was absolutely delicious- the dumplings were tender and not too doughy and the filling was flavorful but mild. My beef was very yummy, though I felt there were a little too many peppers... the spiciness was a nice kick on an otherwise cold day. I stole a few pieces of my friend's pork and it was delicious, whenever I head back I'll likely end up with that! As you'd expect, hot tea and steamed white rice comes complimentary with your meal. The space is a little cramped but that's to be expected, and due to it being the lunch rush our server wasn't as attentive as she could have been. All in all though it was a delicious, cheap, and enjoyable lunch experience in Chinatown!
(4)David A.
This place was awesome. At first a little hesitant because of the seating arrangements, quickly overcame as the food piled out. Dumplings were perfect; filled with a seaweed-type veggie with two sauces ( one bitter, one sweet ) and an order of scallion pancake. As we waited for entree we scarfed down these ample apps. Tea and water kept us hydrated as we waited (took a little while, chalk up to a busy night), and when our orders of chicken (gua for me, sesame for the princess) arrived we could barely make a dent in the massive serving. Princess and I ate, filled to gills for less than 30.00. Damn good night I may suggest...
(4)buckminster f.
FYI: Based on the taste of their food alone, I would give them five stars, but they lose two because of the MSG they pour into the food. If you are also prone to MSG induced nausea and bloating as I am, I suggest you skip out on the place and don't bother reading the rest of the review. But if you don't care what kind of chemicals are being poured into what you eat as long as it tastes good, this is the place for you. Here's what we ordered: -juicy pork and crab dumplings: Not as good as what we've had in Shanghai but fantastic by Boston standards. They are not skimpy with the crab meat, so yes pay that extra $.75 for the crab meat/pork combo. -steamed veggie dumplings: The stuffing is a combination of spinach and bean curd. The flavors are subtle but delicious. I love the cilantro dipping they serve them with. -fried pork buns: These are also great, although the stuffing isn't as good as the previous to. Perfect complement to a bunch of dumplings,, esp given the yummy crispy bottom. -sauteed eggplant with basil: I love love love this dish. The eggplants are tender and come apart easily. The sauce is sweet and savory. The basil is super fragrant. Zenith of chinese cooking. -beef noodles: The bf and his friend gobbled this down and then asked for more soup half way to go with the rest of their noodles. They were quite generous with the meat and noodle portions (and the soup).
(3)Thomas E.
Agree with the other reviews, and also give this five stars for delicious food at great value. Matches the quality of the best Yelp rated places I have been to in San Francisco. Particularly enjoyed the Szechuan fish (bubbling fish) which is very fresh white fish cooked in a very spicy broth / chili oil. Enough for two, it tasted every bit as good as what I order at Z&Y in SF. My son opted for flat rice noodles with beef, which he loved. He's particular, so that says a lot. It is cramped, and the popularity does mean a wait. Both a small price to pay, especially at these prices.
(5)Susan D.
Get ready for sitting in your neighbors' laps while you dine on authentic noodles swimming in oil and more greasy pan fried carbs and pork. Come only if you are a poor college student and enjoy sitting with other college kids who haven't showered in a week and gracefully stab their dumplings and proceed to nibble like it's a lollipop. For what you pay, you don't get as many dumplings as you used to. Plus, the dumplings were not as good as before... had less broth.
(1)J C.
Went on a sunday night and the place was packed with a wait and it was like that at least until 8pm. It's a small spot. Ordered pan fried noodle, crab dumplings, stinky tofu, and a veggie. Noodles were ok. Dumplings were really good, impressed but they ar not as flavorful as Joe Shanghai in NYC. Still, very good. Stinky tofu is really good but the cabbage that came with it is not so good, it's not very flavorful. Service is not that great but hosts were pretty nice. Food came quickly. Probably wont be back because its so small and theres not much room to stand and wait, especially with an infant and his car seat.
(3)Bouf F.
The food is nothing short of astounding. I HIGHLY suggest the pork with bean curd & mustard greens and the mushi eggplant. The wait staff will NEVER cut you off for ordering beer in excess. Should you wish to eat in make sure you stay inside while you wait for your table. Affording others the courtesy of standing inside while they attempt to pick up food and wait for tables is NOT suggested. Even after telling the host & hostess we would be outside, thinking people would afford me the courtesy of passing the message down the line and out the door that out table was ready, was a poor idea as no message was passed on and our table was given away so they lose 1/2 a star for that. The other reason for taking away a 1/2 star is as follows: The only 2 person table left (after ours was given away) was next to the fish tanks, which was fine. My ADD was tempered with the fish swimming around and staring at me. During the course of our meal, one of the large fish died. I know all the fish were alive when I sat down but during the course of dinner, one turned belly up and floated there for the duration of dinner. I made sure to inform the table of good times people next to us as I had reason to believe the staff would have taken it out of the tank and served it to someone. I do not intend to order fish from there (nor did I have the intent when I sat down). Other than the untimely death of its seafood, I highly suggest you dine and drink here.
(4)Ally W.
PLEASE CHANGE YOUR STAFF BECAUSE THEIR ATTITUDES SUCK! Your staff shouldn't be asking for extra tips because tips should be earned. Don't tell me aloud that your boss doesn't pay you enough and that you make your living off tips! That's just an embarrassment to you! Short dumpy waitress, I would give you more tips if I felt like you deserved more. But in reality, your service was beyond terrible and your attitude was very unappealing. Don't give me a nasty face when I ask for simply things such a a spoon! Sorry, I'm never coming back here unless they change their staff or give them some sort of customer service training 101.
(1)Philip S.
Chinese restaurants like this are tricky because the menu is enormouse and if you're a first timer, you have no idea which dish is their best and which dishes to avoid. Luckily I came here with someone who is familiar with what to (not) order. She ordered the flat noodles with beef, ma pu tofu, and dumplings (can't remember which). The noodles and tofu were definitely the standouts as I'm not terribly excited by dumplings anymore. The 3 plates were sufficiently large enough for all 3 of us, so be warned if you like to order a lot; you will probably need a box to go.
(4)Steve V.
Staying in the Chinatown / Tufts medical center area, this place was highly recommended by the hotel front desk. There was a disclaimer, however, that I only visit if I was ok with authentic Chinese food. This was only partly true. There were plenty of things on the menu that many would cringe at the thought of eating (pig ears, intestine, frog legs) although I am one for trying everything. And, there were more common, Americanized dishes too. As recommended by many Yelpers, I ordered the xiao long bao (8 steamed pork dumplings with soup inside). They were excellent! Perfectly cooked. I definitely would get them again. Since I didn't want to eat ONLY dumplings for dinner, I also asked for a soup recommendation. I ordered a small bowl of the Taiwanese hot and sour soup. And it was hot both with regard to temperature and spice. My lips were burning a little as I polished off the bowl. And if you were wondering, yes, I ate all 8 dumplings. The place was very busy with patrons of all ethnicities. In fact, there was a line out the door at one point. I don't think Chinese restaurant staff are generally considered super friendly. Same here, but staff was attentive. Prices were very reasonable. Ambiance was just a room packed with as many tables as possible. Very simple. Go for the food, not the decor. I would definitely return here on a future visit to Boston!
(5)Cindy H.
This restaurant was rated as one of the top 5 Chinese restaurants on Yahoo.com , so I had to try it when I was out in Boston. I was really excited to bring my co-worker for her first meal in Chinatown, but I'm not sure if she enjoyed it...I hope so. Our favorite was the scallion pancakes. They were crispy and flaky, but slightly greasy. The sweet & sour flounder was okay - the sauce was good but too bad the fish wasn't crispy anymore. The xiao long bao didn't taste very good compared to other Shanghai-nese restaurants - the meat was coarse and rough and the skin wasn't thin enough. I was pretty disappointed with the pork chow mein because it was very greasy and salty (there was soy sauce added on the bottom of the dish).
(3)Joshua S.
Small hole in the wall....Elbow room only....small tables! But that's what makes it AWESOME! The food....WOW! Great portions (large) and it's authentic. Of course the dumplings are to die for (we had pork and leek). the seafood noodles we great and surprisingly the large plate of garlic spinach was something you could eat all night long. The only problem with this place is that when you see people ordering other stuff, you want to reach over and pick at their plate!
(5)Marie W.
Yes, this place is small with potential of a long wait. Luckily, we only waited 20 minutes on a weeknight, though they sat two of us side by side in a cramped space by the cashier. The food is good, but not necessarily worth waiting over an hour--if we had to wait that long, I would probably remove a star. We had the xiao long bao, veggie dumplings and scallion pancakes for $20. The scallion pancakes were very good, thick but flaky, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The veggie dumplings were pretty decent for veggie food. The menu probably has over 100 items, but people come for a select few specialty items. For those who are used to Taiwanese food from Flushing or California, this place is decent. For Boston, it's hard to beat--especially the price.
(4)Anthony L.
got what was recommended, it was good, reasonably priced, and good portion for lunch - pork and leek fried dumplings (make sure it's fried), scallion pancakes, xiao long bao
(5)Jade Y.
The food was delish! Coming from Southern California and having options to a plethora of Chinese cuisine, I must say that I have finally found a place that steps up to the plate. The restaurant is small, kind of a hole in the wall, but then again that's where all the hidden gems are. We came right before the rush hour around 6pm on a Saturday and there was a line out the door the whole time we were there. My friend and I ate here because we had gotten a recommendation through the ropes on good Chinese food and man, were they right! The dishes we ordered hit the spot completely and the prices are very fair. The only snag that's keeping this place from 5 stars is that they didn't bring out everything that we ordered. We were just finishing up our: Chicken chow mein and spicy beef/pepper... when they set the check down and we had to ask what happened to our dumplings only for them to find that they had never ordered it through their kitchen. They had even charged us for it! And the sort of dumplings we ordered require 15-20 min to prepare :/ So they readjusted the bill after we had told them we were still charged for it. The staff is polite and work very well with each other. I will be definitely be going back to this place and let's hope they bring out all the food!
(4)Cherie C.
This menu is HUGE. There's more than just dumpling here. We got steamed pork buns and Taiwan fried dumplings to start. Both were brought out steaming hot and were pretty tasty. The pork buns had a lot of liquid in them, even before we added the sauce (with lots of slivers of fresh ginger). This made them messy, as neither of us are experts at eating dumplings or buns; we ended up squirting food all over us. But since we weren't dressed up, it was kinda fun. The beef stew noodle soup was really good. The broth was thick and flavorful with a bit of spice, and there were thick slices of grilled, marinated meat. The pork noodle soup with mustard greens was warm and good, with bits of pork and greens; unfortunately it was served last. It was the most mild flavor, so it paled after the strong beef soup and the buns. Service was fine. The tea was basic black tea. The restaurant got really crowded while we were there, so you may have to wait for a table in the small dining room. Prices were quite reasonable.
(4)Wenqing L.
The spicy fish is really nice. Though it's more like fish rolls than fish slices. Other dishes are of good taste too, but not so impressive.
(4)kay y.
This place is a just NOT original!!! their CHEFfS/ OWENR... worked in tai wan cafe for a long time... 5 yr+ learn their manu, their receipt and open their new restaurant with 98% of their manu item copy from tai wan cafe.. I think they become so popular and overrated really thattttt good? really no other place like this? If you want "REAL" + "ORIGINAL" -Taiwanes Food, WHY DONT JUST WALK 1/2 BLOCK AND TASTED THE REAL TAIWANESE FOOD MADE BY A TAIWANESE CHEF! MANU IS THE SAME ANYWAY! THATS WHERE I WOULD GO!!
(1)Marlee S.
#NAME?
(3)Becca P.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! It's well priced and the food is SO GOOD. I highly recommend getting the Juliennne Long Horn Peppers with Beef if you are a spicy food fan! It is just so delicious but expect to down a few cups of water if you can't take the heat. The buns with the soup inside are AMAZING. Just talking about these 2 menu items makes me incredibly hungry. Everything else that is on the usual Chinese menu is very good here too. I would recommend doing family style here so you can get a taste of everything.
(5)Elaine S.
this place regularly tempts me to abandon vegetarianism pork dumpling noodle soup was so good in the winter of 2010. xiao long bao. scallion pancakes. it's been very crowded every time i've been here. it's fun to watch the waitstaff scramble around in a panic. sometimes their credit card scanner doesn't work. there is a photo of the restaurant owners with blake lively on the wall.
(5)Daniel L.
This place is awesome. If you don't mind waiting in the cold and then getting crammed in a corner, its definitely worth it. The food is good, and the price is great. The dumplings were good. The scallion pancake was...a fried scallion pancake. Hard not to be good. I didn't know what half the things on the menu were, but most tables had something sitting on them that looked delicious. If you aren't a veteran of Chinese food, just try to stay away from some of the more typical americanized Chinese dishes you recognize on the menu. Otherwise you'll be poking at your General Gau's chicken, wishing you could get your chop stick in the Szechuan Style Bubbling Whole Fish taunting you from next table.
(4)Jo-Anna L.
Went here on a Saturday at lunch time and boy was it a madhouse. There were only 2 groups in front of us, but we were basically ignored for 10 minutes until some tables opened up. They didn't want to seat us because one member of our party wasn't there yet, even though we knew what we were going to order, but in the end they begrudgingly seated us. Once we were seated, the service was fine though. Food was great, as good as what people have raved about. I loved the soup filled dumplings (I can never remember what they're called), much better than taiwan cafe's ones, but still not as good as what I ate in China. We got a seafood noodle dish, and it was also very good with lots of yummy veggies too. I would be willing to go back at a less busy time for the great food. Lunch on a Saturday was a little nuts and the waitstaff looked a bit stressed out. Not only were they dealing with guests, but also take out orders at the same time.
(4)Joanna L.
REALLY, boston?? You think this place is that great?? It doesn't matter that you have to wait in line forever, or that the staff here is astoundingly rude and bad at understanding how customer service is supposed to work. It's that the food...just isn't that good. Anyone who's ever been to Arcadia, New York, Shanghai, or Taiwan knows the xiao long bao are supposed to be much, much better. While GDH's dumplings do have an ample amount of soup in them, the dough is thick, rubbery, and nothing like the true delicate form of a well handmade dumpling. The soup inside is salty and murky-looking; a good dumpling should have a tasty but clear and clean-looking broth. They should be light, and savory - not heavy, cumbersome, and cloying in saltiness. I will say the Sliced szechuan fish dish is very good, and in fact much more of note than the dumplings here. The fish dish is worth waiting in line for 45 minutes - the dumplings are NOT. My advice to anyone seeking good quality xiaolongbao is to find the nearest Din Tai Fung, and travel there - because Boston may just not have it - and Gourmet Dumpling House for SURE doesn't.
(2)Christine C.
Wonderful on the weekends, subpar midweek... lunch specials aren't such a deal. Eggplant, string beans, julienned beef, udon vegetable soup, and of course the freshly made dumplings are delicious and a must have when in the neighborhood... or even after a movie! Very tight space, make sure not to come with a big crowd, really long lines on the weekend, even sunday evenings!
(3)Chris M.
I went here with a couple of friends after we had dinner already and just ordered the dumplings (xiao loong bao). They were great! They're really big, probably three times the size of the usual ones and with so much tasty soup inside. We went late, I think after 1am. So it was nice that they were still open. Even at that time, the little place was still packed. Every table was taken. I would imagine that at dinner time, they'd have a line out the door, but that'd just show you how good the food is that people are willing to wait. So this review is only on the dumplings. And yes, I'd agree that they are gourmet!
(5)Katie W.
All I can do is reiterate what everyone else said. Amazing scallion pancakes, pork buns, and salt & pepper soft shell crab. The moistest soft shell crab ever... and I HATE the 'm' word. Huge portions, teeny prices. Tea is served immediately, you have to ask for water. Get there before 5 most days and you won't have to wait very long. The only place in Boston I've found to be comparable to Vanessa's in NY.
(5)Madison C.
We got into Boston really late and wanted some good noodle soup. Saw Gourmet Dumpling House; Yelped for reviews; and went in. It was 11pm and the restaurant was jammed pack. I ordered the Udon noodle with dumplings in clear broth. The flavoring was good, it wasn't salty, and did not taste MSG in my food. I think they are known for their "small soup dumplings." We did not order those dumplings that night. Its a good place for a late night dinner or snack. The food are decently priced and the service was fast. Will go back again when visiting Boston. Bathroom is clean.
(3)Samuel H.
The food here, especially the dumplings, is amazing. The atmosphere is chaotic and I had to dine with strangers because there are not a lot of seats and it gets crowded. At first I was taken aback by this, but all added to dining experience like no other in Boston. The dumplings are moist fresh and delicious. The staff is friendly and attentive. If you're bothered by informality this probably isn't the place for you, but if you want an authentic, crazy Chinese dining experience this place is for you.
(5)Terry C.
The Dumpling House is really good. I've been here so many times and have always been happy with the food and service each time. The restaurant is small so there can be a wait a lot of times. Good: Taiwanese Style Pan Fried Dumplings Pork And Cabbage Dumplings Salted Fish And Chicken Fried Rice (not for everyone...salted fish has a very distinct smell to it that might be a turn off to some) Taiwanese Style Sauteed Rice Cake Spicy Salt And Pepper Soft Shell Crab Beef with scallions The dishes are very flavorful - might be MSG...? but i don't want to think about it.
(4)Ayon J. R.
Perhaps the best Chinese food I ever had! Beware though! You;re not likely to find Gen. Tso's Chicken or other so-called Chinese. What you will get is purely authentic Chinese food. I'm not giving it a 5-star because the place is a bit cramped.
(4)Runner B.
Great place to get food after watching a movie at AMC in the commons! TRY the Pork and Bamboo dish! It's my favorite!
(5)Lanhy N.
I was first introduced to soup dumplings in NYC at Jo Shanghai. When I stumbled upon Dumpling house in Boston, I was ecstatic! This place is almost as good as Jo Shanghai. The soup and filling to the dumplin
(4)Shaye S.
this place is a BOMB!!! after 20 minutes of waiting in line for a table of 2 outside in a typical Friday evening which is not that bad, we finally got into restaurant. The price is reasonable and the food in here totally rocks. The xiaoongbao is definitely worth a try. i didn't give a 5 star is because the staff here is always in a rush to deliver food and take order etc. not a lot of time to really take care of our table but i guess that is because there are so many customers but limited waiters/ waitresses at the same time, otherwise it is a perfect place for dining our with friends, preferably less than 4 people or you will wait for like an hour to be seated.
(4)Crystal E.
Love the dumplings! Good deal.
(5)Graceypoo M.
After checking out the "Ladies Make Some Noise" R-Kelly concert at the Wang Theatre, my classmates and I were craving for some cheap eats. Chinatown was nearby, but we walked around for a good minute since we were not that familiar with the area. After walking into a place that was actually closed, they recommended that we check out Beach St for places that were still open at 11:45pm. Gourmet Dumpling House was crackalackin' compared to the place next door, so we ordered foods to go. This place is usually open until 12:30-1am everyday. I had the spicy dried anchovies and pad thai which I didn't eat until today. I loved the dried anchovies (they are naturally salty so it's best to eat these with steamed rice). The pad thai is a new item.... while it wasn't bad, i've had better, but heyy can't complain. A couple of my classmates weren't too happy with their crab rangoon. I would've asked to eat them, but I remembered I'm allergic to crab. I wish I did get the dumplings. I asked the lady with the awesome big hair if they had XLBs. She declared, "YES"... I need to come back here and actually have the gourmet dumplings. ( | )
(3)C W.
This is the best place for soup dumplings, shrimp, eggplant, ma po, Szechuan fish HANDS DOWN! We go here every time we are seeing a show downtown, always leave full, happy and having spent less money than seems possible. Best Chinese in Boston by a long shot. Though the decor, service and crowds are not ideal.
(5)Sandy H.
I came here with my mom and fiance on a Monday night around 7:30pm and we had to wait 20 minutes before we were seated. We ordered the xiao long bao and the eggplant along with the lobster dinner for 2-3 people located on the back of their menus. The dinner came with an order of ox tail soup, steamed dumplings, a clay pot of chicken, chinese watercress, and lobster. This was more than enough food for a family of 6, but we were greedy. For a place called Gourmet Dumpling House, I had high hopes for their dumplings, but they were really disappointing. The dumpling skins were thick and the filling was bland. They used too much starch with the lobster so the sauce was really gooey. The xiao long baos were just okay - I've had much better in NYC and LA. Now, the eggplant dish with pork was amazing...greasy, but sooooo good. I would definitely come back for that.
(3)Abigail B.
One day, during my sister's and my trip to Boston, we were in the mood for Chinese and decided to head over to Chinatown with our friend, Amanda, who lives in Jamaica Plains. The three of us were walking through the streets, trying to decide on a restaurant when we saw the Gourmet Dumpling House. While we were standing outside trying to decide on the place, a lady was leaving the place and highly recommended it to us. We decided to take this random lady's recommendation and put our names on the waiting list--20 minutes is what they told us. The place is tiny and was a bit crowded on a Sunday afternoon so we had to wait outside in the sun but it was ok because it wasn't too hot. About 30 minutes later, they seated the 3 of us at a table for 6. My sister and our friend are pescetarians (they eat seafood) so they ordered sweet and sour flounder, shrimp pad Thai, and vegetarian dumplings. Even though the name of the restaurant says they're a dumpling house, they also had a TON of other items on the menu. I ordered the pork and cabbage dumplings and seafood seaweed soup. The pork and cabbage dumplings were pretty good and it was a big plate (8-10 dumplings). The soup was a little bland but our friend seemed to really like it in fact she ate it 'til it was all gone. We all LOVED the flounder. Mmmmm, it was like eating sweet and sour chicken but much more tender! They didn't care too much for the vegetarian dumplings and the shrimp pad thai was nothing great but not bad either. About a fourth of the way into our meal, a group of 6 people came in to the restaurant and the owner asked us if he could get us to move to a smaller table for free beer. We moved and two of us had a bottle of beer each (Heineken and Sam Adams). Not only was the food pretty good, but the bill was sweet too! Only $35 for the three of us! We were very happy with this place and will come here again on our next trip to Boston! The only downside I can think of for this place was our wait to be seated and the tiny size of the place. Other than that, we highly recommend it!
(5)Eric S.
The food here is very good and very authentic. Kinda pricey, but I guess you have to pay for quality.
(4)Meghana A.
We came here for the soup dumplings and were not disappointed! You have to try these soup-filled dumplings! I think they are called Juicy pork buns on the menu. Here are fool-proof directions for eating these infamous dumplings: Place dumpling on your soup spoon, carefully make a hole in the top of the dumpling with your chopstick, drink (slurp) the soup through the hole, then sprinkle the dumpling with the tangy ginger vinegar sauce and eat. This is a perfect warming meal for a rainy cool day. I like to order chinese pea shoot greens when I come here for a wonderfully vibrant crunchy sauteed vegetable dish on the side. This restaurant also features a wide array of unique chinese dishes including different kinds of spicy curries and hot pots. You get complimentary unlimited green tea with every meal. This is one of my favorite restaurants in chinatown!
(5)Bill A.
Hmmm...well, apparently if you walk into the restaurant at 11:55pm on a Saturday, they say the kitchen is closed. Their hours state they close at 1:00am on Saturday nights. Apparently they don't believe they need to respect their listed hours. Skip.
(1)Jeff L.
Service was TERRIBLE. Just terrible. They made me wait 30 minutes for the simplest, smallest order. The hostess kept asking the kitchen if my order was ready. They didn't know I could understand what they were saying. They were just slacking off. But the food was awesome. And that's what it's all about.
(4)Nicole M.
Gourmet Dumpling House has excellent food and speedy service to compensate for its tiny space. Their signature dumplings are truly mighty dumplings for all seasons--in the summer, have 'em with the cold noodles. As a side dish for sharing, I recommend watercress. The limited surface area on the tables forces you to be creative in rearranging all the plates: a bonus mental exercise! Worth the wait in line.
(4)Chris B.
Reliably good. Soup dumplings are tasty and always on our order (one time we screwed up and got pan fried dumplings -- not a big fan since the dough is too thick for that form factor, IMHO). We also like the probably Americanized braised tofu & veggies dish. Wonton soup comes with a ton of seaweed inside, so I'd try to avoid that / request no seaweed. Food goes great with beer, and the restaurant is open seemingly always. Fantastic.
(4)Paula N.
Had a dinner with a group of friends. The food came quickly but then a little roach was running around the dish. I showed it to the waitress who just killed it in front of us and simply walked away and pretended that nothing happened. Dishes and cups are very greasing. No matter how good their food are, I'll never come here again. Gross!
(1)LuluandDaquan B.
We came here twice in the last week, mostly because we were in the area, but also because it's good enough to not venture into other Chinatown spots! If you have a weird eating schedule you'll be seated right away (came here Thursday night and Monday afternoon). DQ loves dumplings, and proclaimed they are the best things he's ever eaten. I wouldn't go that far but they are pretty good! We tried the Sandong Pan Fried both times we came and they were crunchy outside, well seasoned inside. It tastes fresh but the frying probably helps. Steamed vegetable dumplings were also very good. They are light, not oily at all, and still very tasty. We have also had noodles and rice here but haven't given the entrees a try. The portions are big and prices are very good. Now I really want to try the xiao long bao!
(4)Cecilia L.
Super cramped, but all the better to see your neighbor's food. You'll want to order whatever they're having. I can't imagine coming back without ordering the sliced sichuan fish. It's not nearly as spicy as its fire hydrant hue suggests, but has a lovely tingling hotness, tender fish and green onions in an oily but not greasy broth. The cool flavors of the beef with scallions was the perfect complement, and the lobster with ginger and scallion had me loudly slurping the meat out of its shells. But on to the namesake. The "mini juicy buns" with pork and crabmeat , or xiao long bao, will scald your tongue with delicious broth. Pan-fried pork and leek dumplings are also wonderful, though I prefer the skins thinner. Wash it all down with a Tsingtao and leave happy and fat.
(4)Lindsey J.
This place is always packed. It is busy when I meander through Chinatown on a Sunday night, after dropping someone off at South Station. It is busy during the week. It is busy even on the earliest side of Saturday night, the kind where you think you are erring on the side of caution by getting here way before both dinner and your movie time. Oh but dumplings make people flock. In numbers But do not despair. First, get inside the vestibule to avoid the cold (or the heat, but I haven't actually been here in the summer yet, so maybe they don't have AC) Second, get your name on that scrawled list. Third, wait. You will get in fast, I promise. The turn around here is fast. The dinning room is literally the size of my living room, maybe smaller. But people come and go from those little tables, most of them side by side with other diners, every few minutes. If you have a larger group, which I often see people coming with, it will take longer. Two or three people looking for dumplings and everything else? I'd say 15 minutes. The food is good too. The dumplings are delicious, cheap, and can easily make a meal. There is about one of everything on the menu. I don't even begin to pretend to know everything about Taiwainese food and how to judge it's quality. But I like coming here, picking blindly, and seeing what happens. But always with an order of dumplings. Always.
(5)Hilary D.
I went to Gourmet Dumpling House yesterday for a late lunch after I tried to go to Taiwan Cafe and saw that it doesn't exist anymore. Thankfully, I spend a nerdly amount of time on Yelp studying restaurant reviews and menus, so I knew that if I wanted Hot & Sour Soup and Chilled Spicy Pork Ears, I could get them about 10 feet away from TC at Gourmet Dumpling House. I can't really comment on service because I simply popped in for takeaway and promptly hiked back to my office, and they were fairly quick with my order despite the fact that there seemed to be only three people on the floor and all the tables were packed. When I got back to my office on Summer Street, my soup was still piping hot. By the way, I was expecting a pint of soup - I got a quart. Yay, more Hot & Sour Soup for me!!! I must, must, must shower this soup with praise because Gourmet Dumpling House's Hot & Sour Soup is actually spicy. Often, when I order hot & sour soup, I can't help but wonder if the chefs believe the "hot" in "hot & sour" refers to the temperature rather than the spice level. I can tolerate a good amount of heat (ghost pepper vinaigrette, anyone?), and this was not overwhelmingly spicy - on a scale of 1 (bell pepper) to 10 (habanero), it was probably a three or four, but it had a nice bite to it, much of which seemed to come from a generous amount of white pepper, which I thought was a nice touch. The soup contains a good amount of mushrooms (enoki and tree ear), shreds of carrots and bamboo shoots, egg, silken tofu, and bits of pork. It was thickened to just the right consistency - thicker than broth, but not so thick that I thought, "Ummmm, I don't remember ordering f***ing aspic..." The Chilled Spicy Pork Ears were far too greasy for my taste, but I might not have been so put off by the gastrointestinal lube job if I'd ordered a side of steamed rice so I could have combined them and cut the grease a bit. The pork ears were legit bathing in bright red chili oil - there must have been at least a half cup of oil, if not more, at the bottom of the takeaway container. I blotted them with about 2/3 of a roll of paper towels, and I ate them extremely cautiously, because bright red chili oil and work clothes = a potential trip to the dry cleaner, and the last thing I need in my life is another errand. Despite the grease factor, the pork ears were deliciously tasty, and I would certainly order them again - with rice. There are several other dishes on the menu that I can't wait to try - specifically, Beef with Long Horn Peppers, Ma Po Tofu, and Pork Ribs & Bitter Melon Over Rice. I will gladly return to Gourmet Dumpling House!
(4)Jack M.
Pretty typical Boston Chinatown experience. Cramped, kinda dirty, but OK food if you know what to order. Get the dumplings. They're good. They're why it's called the DUMPLING house. If they had good duck, it would be the DUCK house. But it's not. Get the dumplings. DO IT. The dumplings with the shredded spinach and noodles inside are spot-on. They come with a nice soy sauce for dipping. This is the BEST thing they make here and they are very good. You will love them. I've had a number of other dishes here. The crispy fried tofu is nice. The do a beef noodle dish which is solid. Scallion pancakes are typically onion-y and doused in grease. It's a typical Chinatown place. You sit so close to other people, you feel like you are taking them out to eat. It's cheap. The menu can be hard to decipher - you may end up with bones in that chicken dish you ordered or maybe some shrimp in there you weren't expecting. Most places in Chinatown skeeve me out with their lack of cleanliness and this place is no exception. If you can hack it, give this place a shot.
(3)Janet K.
Ok, this place is so good that I signed up for a Yelp account just to tell you all how good it was. That's how good it is. I'm not an experienced xiao long bao taster. I've had them frozen and in two other restaurants. This by far is the very best. The dumpling skin felt firm and freshly made, not mushy like the other ones I've had. The meat inside was fresh and tasted like it was MSG free. Really awesome. The thing that blew me away was their tomato and chicken rice dish. It was a knockout. It had all these complex flavors. Usually the restaurants make it really bland or have it taste like ketchup. I ate that whole plate, and I usually never finish my plate. I'm usually a small portion kind of girl. Yeah that got thrown out of the window after I had this. I LOVE this place. I want to dig a hole in a wall and live there. Call me out when it's dinner time.
(5)Due H.
I came here with a friend. Eh, its alright. From the other reviews it seems like this place is awesome. Maybe my standards are too high. Scallion pancakes were definitely better in taiwan. Dumplings were definitely better in china and taiwan. The ma po tofu was definitely better in sichuan. I guess, everything in boston is anticlimatic when I'm comparing with asia.
(3)Ramon M.
Simple review: great food, rushed service, but long lines!
(4)Ahmed A.
We went here for the first time with my wife on a Sunday night without any reservations, and here's the lowdown: 1. Its small and crowded...probably because it was weekend but boy I don't remember the last time I had to wait 20 min for a table for two. 2. Its loud, and rushed. There are servers running all over the place with plates of food in their hands. Not the place you want to go to if you want to relax on a weekend. 3. The food was good. I'd give it an average of 6/10. I've had better dumplings. 4. Beware ordering the soups. They come in a one size bowl as big as your HEAD! No joke! We had to take the food out with us since we couldnt finish it. 5. The waiters don't speak English very well and you'll have trouble understanding them. 6. Their food tasted good and the place seemed clean enough but if you dislike seeing waters throw your food into a carton box infront of your eyes don't go here.
(3)Jia Z.
I want to give this place a 3.5, but their "steamed" dumplings ARE 4 STAR QUALITY. I am only talking about the jiao zi.. soup dumplings and bao zi did not taste very good. Soup dumplings were way too big and thick and the meat just tasted funny... not their specialty. Stick with their plain steamed or fried dumplings.. very very good!! Their scallion pancake was ok.. I've had a lot better though
(3)Kittery R.
Good good, reasonable price. F**K up line to wait at dinner time, and the owner is not even fair, he's like a pimp, giving you a crocky look and acts like a king. Like he's your ruler, and if you dont smile up to his ASS you cant get a table or have to wait 2 hours. So because of that service, I avoid this place. But the service onces you're seat is not bad.
(2)Winnie T.
Dumplings = heaven. I figured since this place is known for their dumplings, I didn't care to try anything else. The dumplings with the soup in them (in Chinese, they're called xiu long bao) are DELICIOUS. Also, the size of those things are pretty damn big! Typically, those type of dumplings are smaller but these ones are the biggest I've ever seen, and for the price, it was WAAAAY worth it! The pan fried dumplings are also to die for, and they aren't stingy with the filling as there's a healthy chunk of meat in the dumplings. I would recommend certain dumplings, but ALL the dumplings I've eaten here so far are good, so you really can't go wrong with whatever you choose to order. The only downside to this place is how small it is and how parking is such a hassle. The place also tends to be crowded so I wouldn't suggest coming here with large parties. The tables are also placed super close to one another so don't expect to carry any private conversations in this place!
(4)Laurinda U.
I went here for the first time today after I heard that the Taiwan Cafe chef had jumped ship for this place. It's a really small space like others have mentioned and tends to have a line out the door if you get there after 12. Though usually this is a sign of how wonderful the food is, I think it's pretty good but perhaps not worth $2.00 more than Taiwan's lunch specials. Although this could be because 1. it was my first time there 2. I had to share a table and 3. the servers aren't that good, shouting across the room, getting food on clothes, and forgetting the soup and rice until reminded. [all of which happened to me or a table companion] Otherwise, I got the schezchuan (sp?) fried chicken and it was very good. My co-worker's beef and bamboo tips were comparable to Taiwan Cafe and my other co-worker's fish was just okay. Although I did have order envy when one of the strangers whose table I was sharing had ordered mussels and sweet and sour fish. I'll probably come back to try those (despite the higher prices). You probably wonder why I keep comparing to Taiwan Cafe . . . in my mind, they are dueling for the privilege of my dollar and appetite.
(3)Tani S.
Tiny place! We were shocked since expected something bigger with so many yelp reviews but we fortunately arrived a little before 5 pm on a Sunday night and the wait was only ten minutes. The service was fast and the dumplings were piping hot and yummy! We tried the chicken and cabbage, soup dumplings with pork, and vegetable buns....of all of them our favorite was the soup dumplings. The dumplings were great and much better than most we've had but still don't come close to the soup ones my husband experienced in Taiwan or my beloved dumplings I've had at Sha Lin in Vancouver, BC. We also had the sweet and sour flounder which was really good... trying something a bit sweeter in hopes that our two year old would finish it and she ended up having half of it by herself :). We're looking forward to coming back!
(4)Robert C.
Tonight's new adventure was the Gourmet Dumpling House on the recommendation of my new favorite person, Alyssa. Between the scallion pancakes, the dumplings, and the pan-fried pork buns, my taste buds didn't really stand a chance -- they were in a complete state of ecstasy for longer than I was prepared for. For how busy the place was, the service was surprisingly quick, but it didn't feel like they were rushing us out the door to accommodate the line forming outside. For anyone reading this review: you should definitely go, but you'd better not be the reason I have to wait in line.
(4)Ellie N.
This place is awesome! My FAV is the Szechuan Fish Soup! It's crazily awesome! The food was really good and inexpensive.
(4)Heather G.
I have always wanted to try this place, but every single time I walk in, it's packed to the point where people are spilling out the door, waiting for a table. This place is always busy. Today, I couldn't wait any longer to try the food, so I sprung for takeout. I opted for the Taiwanese rolls ($6.95), the rice cake with beef and mustard greens ($9.95), and a really spicy dish full of beef (substitute for pork) and bamboo ($9.95). Walking the short distance back to my office, I almost broke into a sprint because the food smelled so delicious. The rice cake dish was starchy and sticky and chewy (as rice cake tends to be), but the mustard greens, sauteed in garlic and ginger, were soft with a bit of crunch left, and very flavorful. The beef, while adding substance to the dish, didn't add a great deal of flavor or texture, and the stars were the rice cake and the greens. The bamboo dish was entirely too peppery/spicy for me, but I have a low tolerance for peppery/chili heat. However, I will say: MY GOODNESS, you haven't lived until you've had fresh bamboo. I have always had it from the can, but never fresh...what a difference. Normally, when a dish is only 20% meat, i feel ripped off. However, with this particular dish, the absence of meat was eagerly welcomed, as the bamboo took center stage. It was chewy and crunchy all at the same time, and despite the heat in the dish, I enjoyed every last sliver of the delightful root (bamboo is a root, yes?), but the next time I order this dish, I will request the chef to go easy on the chilis. The Taiwanese rolls were my favorite. The dish comes with 6 very thin wraps and a side of hoisin. The actual filling is a bit bland, but it was a welcome-blandness after the heat in the last dish. Thin strips of tofu, veggies, and meat were mixed together and seasoned very lightly, and I could not discern any specific individual components from others, but they were tasty in a way that didn't deliver a strong punch to my taste buds. The hoisin served to deliver a great, sweet depth to the mixture, and wrapped up in the wraps, these rolls were heavenly. My favorite dish of the evening, I'd come back just for these. Downsides? Everything was dripping in grease. All the dishes were insanely oily, so they left a chinese-takeout-like heaviness in my stomach post-consumption. I would be more excited to return if everything wasn't glistening with oil. Otherwise, the portion-size and food-quality were both reasonable for the price, and the menu is really extensive. I will return for sure, and perhaps even stick through the 30+ minute wait the place always has to enjoy the experience in-house.
(3)Mary M.
This was the first time I've been to this place, and the last. We kept it simple and ordered the plain pork soup dumplings and the crab + pork soup dumplings. I've had much better. The skin on the dumpling was too thick and doughy for my taste. Although I knew the dumplings would be big from the previous reviews, I realized later that it only made it more difficult to eat. I am used to bite size soup dumplings that you can put entirely in your mouth, which I think is the better way to eat it. Having to bite it only makes you lose most of the soup inside. Plus, although the skin was thick, it wasn't very strong and was leaking soup out as you picked it up with your chopsticks. I did have high expectations for this place and was hoping to find good dumplings in Boston so I was disappointed. We also ordered some rice porridge. That was a total miss as well. The taste of it was ok, but the rice was hard and you see whole grains of it swimming in the soup. It was as if someone just mixed soup with rice, rather than having it being cooked together until the rice broke up. I can't really cook, but I can definitely make better rice porridge myself.
(2)Alena K.
Food is pretty good, service is awful. Not a place I would ever go back to.
(3)Mcslimj B.
Fine Taiwanese and solid coastal PRC cuisine in Chinatown, oddly not really about the dumplings. The Boston Phoenix is predictably cheap with expenses for my "On the Cheap" column, which makes it challenging to review restaurants with broad menus without dipping into my own wallet. But occasionally a place is so good I say, "Screw it, I'm wading in." Gourmet Dumpling House is one such place, an ostensibly Taiwanese storefront in Chinatown that covers a broad range of northern and southern Chinese cuisines very skillfully, and helpfully offers an English menu with mostly accurate translations. The namesake dumplings are occasionally terrific, especially Taiwanese-style pan-fried dumplings ($7 for eight): large pork dumplings with thin-yet-crisp wrappers and ginger/soy dip. Two Shanghainese soup-dumpling varieties -- mini steamed buns with pork ($6/eight) or pork and crab ($7eight) -- have a delicious burst of scalding liquid aspic inside and a black-vinegar dip for bite. Crab/pork boasts fine, clear crab flavor, and pork-only a lovely hint of liver, but I'd prefer them smaller and more delicate-skinned. Pork and leek dumplings ($6/12) are bite-size, lightly doughy, and filling. Sautéed eel with yellow chives ($13) is loaded with sliced eel and mildly hot green peppers -- a Shanghainese dish of beguiling complexity. Beef julienne with Chinese watercress and sa cha sauce ($10) uses beef parsimoniously, but features a nice hit of dried-shrimp saltiness. Sautéed pork julienne with bamboo tips ($10) is superb, prompting the urge to throw your larder's canned bamboo shoots out the window. Sautéed Chinese watercress with garlic ($10) is simple, classic, and loaded with nearly raw garlic slices. Sautéed Chinese mushrooms over greens ($9) is oooh-inducing: an iris of baby choy of a tranquil, almost-unearthly green hue, surrounding a dark-brown pupil of shiitake caps in a glossy soy-based sauce. It's also simple and satisfying. Given the menu's depth from Taiwan and coastal provinces from Guangdong to Shandong, decently executed Sichuan dishes are a pleasant surprise. For instance, a vegetarian ma po tofu ($8) presents the mouth-feel of wetly scrambled eggs with some real chili fire, though its heat pales next to sliced fish Szechuan style ($13), a carmine stew of flounder and choy that will have you gobbling white rice for relief. Oil cans of Asian lagers like Tsingtao ($7) and Sapporo Premium ($7.50) and good complimentary tea go down easy with this amazing food. And I've touched on only a handful of the 200 dishes offered at dinner. Despite generous portions and excellent value, this spotless, consistent restaurant will end up costing me: I'll be returning here soon to spend a lot more of my own money.
(4)lily l.
I went there for lunch today and I must say...what a dissapointment. I realy expected more based on my fellow yelpers. We arrived at lunch..packed house. Wait was not long to be seated. We ordered mini stock filled dumplings, lunch specials beef with green beans and flat noodles with seafood. Their promise of lunch special being made in 15 minutes failed. I waited over 45 minutes for my lunch to arrive. Dumplings... stock leaked..what was left was mooshy unappetizing pork filled over cooked dumplings. Beef and string beans....came out extremely greasy and the meat was barely there. Chow foon or flat noodles with seafood...where are the seafood? Late and unappetizing...I am extremely unhappy. My lunch was served after all "the regulars" were served. I waited patiently and I must say that their lunches are decent sized, but I would never go there for lunch again. Way too hectic, way too unorganized, and took way too long to get any tyoe of service.
(3)Linda H.
Came here for dinner around 9:50pm on a Friday night. The other restaurant that I tried to go to was closing up shop for the night, so we decided to try this place because it was near and it was packed. There were only two tables of two available, but not for long. We sat down and then two other people sat down shortly afterwards. We ordered a dish of the xlb, pan fried pork and vegetable with shanghai noodles, and a dish called ants on a tree (a noodle dish with pork and bean thread noodles and some other goodies). The two noodle dishes were delicious! Actually, the ants on a tree dish looked so good that the ladies sitting next to us asked us what it was so that they could get it as well. As for the xlb, I've had better. I used to live in Seattle, so I drove up to Vancouver/Richmond BC all the time just to eat Chinese food. That's a reflection of how much I like food and how good the food is up there. The xlb at Gourmet Dumpling House were good, but I thought it was too doughy. I'd probably order them again though the next time I come here because it's more feasible than traveling from Boston to the NW for some Chinese food.
(4)Sam M.
The scene played out in my apartment last weekend: Me: I brought home some leftover sauteed noodles from Gourmet Dumpling House, honey. Hubby: Ugh, I don't like sauteed noodles, I never eat sauteed noodles. (5 minutes later) Me: Where are the sauteed noodles? Hubby: ** urp ** In short -- great food! The restaurant is really small for all the people who want to get into it, but it's worth the 5-10 minute wait out in the cold. I tried the mini juicy dumplings and my friend had the spicy eggplant, both of which were so good we didn't have room to finish the sauteed noodles with chicken & veggies. Service was fast & efficient so empty dishes get taken off the small table right away. If I had one pet peeve it was seeing a table of folks from the suburbs eating takeout staples -- General Gao, kung pao chicken, fried rice, etc. Why come to Chinatown to eat the same stuff you can get at home? Look around at the other tables and if something looks good but you don't know what it is, point it out to the waiter! Stop wasting table space if you're not gonna be adventurous. Maybe Gourmet Dumpling House should just take that stuff off the menu, see if it affects their profits at all. The menu already has enough interesting stuff on it to keep me returning several times to try everything.
(4)S P.
Came here after reading a recommendation from an internet travel article, which published a list of recommended Chinese restaurants in the US. We didn't think much of the dumplings here. Xiao Long Bao and Sheng Jian Bao were ok, but not that good despite the recommendation. Grade B dumplings. XLB wasn't juicy and the skin was a bit thick. SJB was not crunchy on the bottom. Meats could be more flavorful too. There are a number of better dumpling places in Los Angeles like Wang Xing Ji, Ding Tai Fung, or even the Kang Kang Food Court. Mango chicken dish was Ok. Not spectacular either. The service here was adequate. Quite good whenever they were not busy. It was quite a busy restaurant. There was a line by 6 pm.
(2)Lauren L.
I really wanted to love Gourmet Dumpling (more Taiwanese food = more better) but after giving them multiple chances, I just can't bring myself to come back here. Every time I've eaten here the food has been over-seasoned. It's too salty, too greasy, too sweet, too SOMETHING. Regardless of whether I order vegetarian dishes, meat dishes, 'authentic dishes' or Americanized Chinese food dishes, it's all the same. Nothing I've eaten here has tasted very good, period. The food isn't expensive, but I'd rather go elsewhere for food in Chinatown (like Taiwan Cafe, Rainbow Cafe, or even $3 Vietnamese sandwiches).
(2)Aaron R.
I went on a Wednesday and there was still a 1/2 hour wait! In my eyes, this shows just how good this place is. From the front step, you could throw a rock and hit 5 places that serve dumplings but this was the only place with a line. I ordered my pork and leek dumplings and chinese broccoli to go and waited 30 minutes before asking where my food was. It turned out that it was finished, it was just sitting at the register. Woops! Regardless, the dumplings were awesome. They had a lovely chewiness that you just don't get unless you make your dough by hand. The filling and dipping sauce we great as well. I recommend dining in. ;)
(4)Hiroyuki T.
Loved this place! Though it's not a sichuan restaurant (I think it's more Taiwanese), this restaurant has an excellent selection of spicy and other dishes. After making the clumsy mistake of going to Beach Street in Fields Corner on the Red Line, we grabbed the T back to Chinatown and made it just in time (4pm on the dot) to order some of their dishes at lunch prices. The owner remembered me calling in advance and was very friendly with us. We ended up totally killing our dishes in about 20 minutes! Yes, we are vicious, vicious eaters! - The twice cooked pork with leeks is delicious. About 7.95 at the lunch special price. - The chili fish hot pot is out of this world AMAZING. What I love most about this dish at this restaurant is that it's less oily and more soupy, and the soup has some deep taste. The texture of the fish is also very soft yet tender. Excellent excellent excellent. All of this for $13.95 - The spicy chilled pig ears were absolutely gorgeous. They are filled with collagen (great for making your skin clear and shiny) and they served a heap of it. Delicious, and it's only about 6 bucks. - Sesame chicken - very tasty and not too sweet, which I like. This definitely rounded out our spiced up tongues from the spicy fish hot pot. I think it was about 9 bucks. - Pork and crab xiao ron bao. Amazing. Gushing with juice when you bite it. Pour that ginger, black vinegar sauce on top and eat in one go. You'll be slurping down all that crabby and porky goodness. About 6 bucks - but each one was pretty big (the fillings were very big). This and about 4 cups of rice and we were stuffed! I had a mad stomach ache after for eating so much, but it was sooooo worth it. And after a nice walk around Harvard Square afterwards, I felt ready for some Canolli's at Mike's Pastries and beer at baby back ribs at Boston Beer Works =) The service was very quick and everyone was very attentive. We entered around 4 and by the time we left the restaurant, people were waiting at the door to be seated. The price was totally reasonable too. The two of us each paid 25 bucks including tax and tip for all that food. Crazy goodness. Totally awesome. Will be back next time I'm in town. Love this place!
(5)Kai P.
Hands down - this is the best restaurant in China Town. Time and time again I am simply blown away at how fresh everything tastes. The three-item lunch combo is perfect for sharing and with the exception of some of the more adventurous stuff on the menu (fried pork feet anyone?) I haven't come across anything that I wouldn't absolutely recommend. Service is fast. Food is great. Now stay away from this at lunch so I don't have to wait in line.
(5)Alex C.
On several occasions, I have tried the "juicy" (soup) dumplings and find them worthy of all the praise others have given them. For first timers on this dish, it is best to pick them up with your chopsticks, then with your other hand support the dumpling with a soup spoon, nibble a corner, and then slurp away.
(4)Epicurean G.
Oh xiao long bau how I love you! These dumplings with delicious soup inside are a restaurant specialty. They take around 20 minutes but the wait is *so* worth it! Put a spoon underneath, pierce with a chopstick and let some liquid come out. Sip the hot liquid, then eat the dumpling. For those who disparage these dumplings compared with the very best in New York, since I have not tried Joe Shanghai I cannot contradict you. But I will say these xiao long bau are better or equal to all the ones I have tried in New York and nearly as good as the very best in San Francisco, which I would argue handily beats New York. If you live in Boston, and you want a xiao long bau, this is the place to go! Tied for my favorite item on the menu is the pork with leek dumplings. They cook faster, require no lesson before eating--and they are equally delicious. I've also ordered extensively off the full menu and everything else is fresh, delicious and as authentically Chinese as can be had in the U.S. More than most Chinese restaurants, it pays to go with a few friends so you can sample a variety of the wonders available. One downside is that it's crowded and the service is harried , impersonal and efficient. Go with a mellow attitude or skip it. If you want your ass kissed, try the Ritz Carlton.
(5)Lorelle C.
Read some reviews before heading to GDH last Monday and had a general idea of what I was ordering. Arrived early, 6PMish, and all tables were full so we had to wait about 5 minutes. This was the first sign that this place was going to be a winner! My brother and I started with the vegetable dumplings and they were better than I imagined! The dumplings are about as big as my fist and are filled with tender minced vegetables... dough is very soft... you can tell these are the real things- definitely not some frozen Gyoza like other places... Looking around the restaurant I noticed that almost every table had dumplings. (Oh, and everyone was Asian, another good sign!) We decided to go with a family style dinner so I got the braised eggplant with basil while my brother got scallion pancakes and crab rangoon. I don't care too much for fried food anyway, but the crab rangoon seemed sub-par (aren't they are a more Chinese/American dish?)... the scallion pancakes were good. My braised eggplant was delicious, but I did not expect the slimy, soggy texture. The sauce was very good- pretty spicy which was another surprise. I would like to go again and try something new- a lot of folks had lobster so perhaps I would try that. The noodle/soup bowls were huge and also looked good.
(4)Alicia J.
Gourmet Dumpling House is part of my quest for finding the perfect restaurant in Chinatown. Apart from one restaurant in Philly, notably not in its Chinatown, I have yet to find it, as this place is reasonable but not overly good. Let's start with the fact that I love xiao long bao to pieces. In my opinion, there also is almost nothing you can do to make them in a bad way, and that certainly applies to the buns here. They were indeed juicy and had well-tasting fillings but somehow, they were larger than I expect and harder to eat as well. Having gotten the most important aspect out of the way (xiao long bao that is), indeed this seems to be the only place in Chinatown which regularly has a long line. It took them almost 30 minutes to seat our party of 3, and while I didn't mind waiting it is a little unpleasant to be waiting at the door, having to constantly let people through or into the restaurant (along with the freezing cold). It's alright, and service was ultimately good when we go to our table. When we got there, I was actually planning to get a handful of dumpling dishes but it seemed like nobody here actually got dumplings, but several people had plain green vegetable dishes. I find that utterly strange because I would have no reason to eat such a dish at a restaurant - all I need to do is to buy vegetables and I'd cook them better (as in: more to my own tastes) than any restaurant would in less than 5 minutes. In the end, we ended up with asparagus and beef, mapo tofu and twice-cooked pork. The asparagus dish was awesome and the beef was cooked very well, the tofu had a good sauce but the taste of the sauce did not properly get into the tofu. Finally, the twice-cooked pork had good vegetables but the pork itself was not great. All in all, the food was well-made and we liked it, but it is not necessarily something we'd go out of our way to come back for. I will remember that it *is* fishy when a restaurant claims to make "Northern and Southern" style Chinese food.
(3)Doug P.
I am so glad I found this place soon after it opened. The food is excellent here. It's a small restaruant and always full. I hope that it continues to do well so they can expand to a lager space. If you like more traditional chinese food you have to try this place
(5)Laura M.
The dishes tasted good, but I had to give them one star because I found a pill bug in my soup. Gross!!!
(1)Chris C.
Took a friend here on Saturday who was very skeptical that dumplings could be as good as I was claiming. After her first bite there was no more doubt. All of the dumplings are amazing so you can't really go wrong. I also enjoy the Chinese watercress with garlic. Now I just need to get better with chopsticks so I can look less awkward while eating here. The only downside is the place is tiny & wicked crowded at all hours. So be prepared to wait in line and get bumped into a million times while eating if your in one of the tables in the middle of the room. It is totally worth it though.
(5)Sean F.
Great lunch special: 3 entrees for $20. We split the chicken + asparagus, squid + mustard greens, and sauteed spinach and garlic. The ingredients were very fresh and not at all greasy or heavy. The place was crowded in a good way, and while we didn't have to wait to be seated for lunch, we did share a table. The service was fast and accurate. The decor is a mish mash of "Chinatown chic" --including the obligatory small fish tank (presumably) with tomorrow's lunch swimming around, but it's definitely worth coming for the food.
(4)Tiffany L.
it deserves four stars because it is one of the very few chinese restaurants in chinatown that has good food! SCALLION PANCAKES PLEASE! :)
(4)Patrick H.
***4.5*** I love this place. BIG KUDOS to my friend Ina for directing me here for my recent visit to Boston. She hit the nail right on-the-head! First off... can you say "BARGAIN"? $25 for two people including hot tea, soup and, I'm ashamed to admit it... almost more food than I could eat. (note: I said "almost") We started with the Hot and Sour Soup. A GINORMOUS bowl of the best Hot and Sour soup I've ever tasted. It was enough to feed 6 people. $4.50. That's crazy. We also ordered the scallion pancakes. Another huge portion, crisp, hot and very tasty. Mini Steamed Pork Buns were equally huge and delicious. I'm not sure why there were called "mini". They had a real homemade feel to them which was very comforting. At the suggestion of our waiter we tried the pork and scallion dumplings and, as I always say, it is wise to listen to your waiter. By far the best thing we sampled though, were the Soup Dumplings. What a kick! Each large dumpling is filled with a small meatball which when cooked exudes it's own broth creating it's own meatball soup in a dough. They are a challenge to eat, essentially you have to bite the top off and suck out the soup, then gobble up the rest of the delectable meatball and glorious dumpling wrapper. I used a bowl for back up. This goes on my list as a "MUST DO" in Boston. The place is small and quaint. Service is fast and efficient and you can tell that everything here is made in house, by hand. That's not something you can always say about Dim Sum.
(4)Jim K.
The Xiao Long Bao was excellent as advertised.Taiwanese rice noodle and seafood was cooked well. Service was excellent. The only drawback was the sauce on the Kung Pao chicken was too sweet.
(4)Lisa C.
I don't give out very many 5-star reviews, but this place totally deserves it. First of all, we got there early, so we were seated right away, but I'd been warned that if you don't get there early there can be line out the door while people wait for a table. Part of that is because of the draw of the place but I think it's also to do with the fact that there are only like 8 tables in the whole place. Since I'm allergic to fish (what a shame since so much of the menu had fish on it), we were limited as to what we could order, but the juicy pork buns were TO DIE FOR, the pork and cabbage mini buns were delicious and the spring rolls were light and crisy - just the way I like them - not greasy at all! Total bill, including two beers? $21.70. For two people. You can't beat that!
(5)Billie M.
Gourmet Dumpling House: A Play in Three Acts Act 1 The lights rise to show a table of 3 guests perusing menus and a patient waiter. Billie: Soup Dumplings! Friend 1: Not a good idea. You're a slob and you're wearing a white shirt Billie: Soup Dumplings! Friend 2: Not a good idea. You're a slob and I'M wearing a white shirt. Billie: Soup Dumplings! Friend 1 to waiter: We'll have the pork and leek dumplings please. Billie: Pork and Leek Dumplings! Friend 2: Shut up and drink your beer ****Scene**** Act 2 The dumplings have arrived and the guests are preparing to order their next course. Billie (pointing to the table next to them): What's that red bowl thing? Waiter: It's beef and cabbage in a spicy Szechuan broth. Very Good. Very popular. Billie: We'll take one! (pointing to table behind them) What's that green leafy thing? Waiter: Chinese watercress sauteed in garlic. Very fresh. Billie: We'll take one! (pointing to table in front of them) What's that sizzling thing over there? Waiter: Three essence chicken. It's one of my favorites. Billie: We'll.... Friend 1 interrupts: I'm sorry, excuse her, she doesn't get out much. We'll have the Szechuan style beef, the garlic watercress, the chicken and asparagus, and the crispy chicken. Billie, pouting: Well excuse me for getting excited about food. Friend 2: Shut up and drink your beer ****Scene**** Act 3 The food has been eaten and the owner delivers the check. Billie: Holy crap, we got ALL that food, plus beers and it's this cheap? I love Gourmet Dumpling House! Owner: I'm glad you guys had a good time, be sure to come back soon and I'll help you pick new dishes. Billie: This is the only place I'm going to eat at for the rest of my life! I want to live inside a dumpling! Owner: Shut up and finish your beer. Billie, Owner, Friend 1, Friend 2: HAHAHAHAHAHA ****Scene****
(4)Drew V.
My go-to place in Chinatown. My favorite eggplant basil and twice cooked pork in Boston. Great soup dumplings. It is cramped and a little chaotic, but that's part of the charm and why there's usually not much of a wait.
(4)Brian N.
The name is misleading. That's something I hate. Hate hate hate b/c it makes me pass by the restaurant once and then ruminate about how awesome these dumplings will be when I take my friends to it the next time I'm in town and then find out that they are less than spectacular. This place claims to be a dumpling house yet only offers about 5 kinds of dumplings. WTF? Instead the menu is riddled with 100 other dishes which are all good too but still...you have a good thing going if you just stick to dumplings and do them well. It's a niche market in Boston. Chinese restaurants in general need to learn this. Quantity is not equal to quality. So the Soup Dumpling: came out with the skins dry. I understand that the magic is the moisture on the inside but if the skin is dry from the dumpling sitting out after steaming then I am not happy. The dumpling filling was good, but could also have more flavor. I was expecting for a savory explosion, and what I got was kind of bland. What redeems this place? Best scallion pancake I've ever had since dining in Boston, San Francisco, and LA. Multi-layered, thin layers, and crispy. Very crispy. Also came with a vinegar-y dipping sauce that was a nice touch. Claypot Chicken w/ Basil was also very fragrant and tasty. Wish they gave pieces with fewer bones and gristle. This place is too hyped all in all and needs a 3-star to level the playing field.
(3)Paul B.
We waited about 30 minutes to get a table at this tiny place on a mid-week evening. Very glad we did. Our party of three had the hot soup that Ming Tsai had, the pork belly with marinated vegetables, fried squid, bitter melon with (duck) egg and those amazing tender and juicy dumplings filled with meat and soup. Incredibly fast service given the fact that the place was packed. Incredients seemed super fresh and artistically presented. The fact that the kitchen can turn out a good looking plate in this rush is great testimony to the talent back there. Five items, three beers= $49. Amazing! Go here, you will not be disapointed.
(5)Lily F.
Focus on the more "authentic" Chinese dishes and you are in for a real treat! Yes, the mango chicken and scallion pancakes are delicious, but the soup dumplings I had are BY FAR the most rave worthy item. They take a little longer to cook (about 15 mins) but they are delectable and you must order them! When they arrive bite off the top of the dumpling and suck the broth out...then devour the yummy meat and voila! They're probably not the best "1st date food" but are surely one of the reasons the line was out the door by noon.
(4)Eva H.
Food is for sure delicious and very reasonable. The service on the other hand is horrible. The waitres was not very nice, even rude. She hacked a nougy and spat it in the dinning area into a sink, everyone could see and hear. I thought I was going to start dry-heaving. The place is dirty,cramped and loud. Makes me wonder if they do things like that in the dinning area what do they do out back where no one can see....
(3)Jenny J.
Delicious!!! Recommend the scallion pancakes, the xiao long bao (very meaty and juicy), the crab xiao long bao (a little rich, very crabby), and the pea shoots. It was super crowded but we were lucky to get a table after only 10 min and the service was very fast. Totally going back next time we're getting lunch in Chinatown. This was Bay Area quality Chinese food. :-)
(5)David P.
Solid Taiwanese and Chinese fare, though due to its small size and apparent reputation the wait can be a bit long for a table. Portions are good sized and prepared very well. The name of the establishment though can be a bit misleading, as the dumplings and baozi offerings in its menu are miniscule compared to the rest of the non-breaded or doughy foods. I thought my Sichuanese fish fillets in chili oil was pretty good, as were my son's Americanized General Gau chicken rice platter.
(4)Foodie F.
I'm not gonna go into details because there are to many reviews of this place. Just great that's all there is to it. Only downside is that it's very small so you must be willing to sit close quarters and wait for a table. Soup dumplings aren't as good as Joe's Shanghai, but they are still pretty damn good.
(5)Daigo F.
Wow. I had recommendation from three different people, and so I wanted to try it, and I finally did. I believe the hype. It is the best shou ron pou (Xiaolongbao) that I had in Boston, yet. In the memu that is A34, Mini Juicy Dumpling with Pork (8) $6.50. Lunch specials are $7.25 and lots of choices, Awesome. I will go back there again. They do accept credit card, but they have minimum of $20.
(5)Heila N.
Was not pleased with my dumplings or soup. The mini juicy pork dumplings were too doughy and the pork filling didn't seem fresh. They were not very flavorful- maybe I should have tried them fried? I asked the waitress which was the best spicy soup she suggested Beef noodle soup... not only was it NOT spicy it was very oily. After reading some of the other posts I made sure to order the scallion pancakes.. now those were good. I give this place two stars because I was not pleased with my meal- however I would come back here after doing more research and ordering dishes other yelppers suggested.
(2)Mimi H.
Well my friend really wanted Soup Dumplings. I thought she meant soup AND dumplings. Her sister thought she meant Soup with Dumplings in it. But no, she meant Dumplings with soup inside. We went about 3 on Saturday afternoon and it wasn't crowded at all. We ordered Fried Tofu, Pork Fried Rice, Scallion Pancakes, 2 orders of Soup Dumplings and... I think that's it, everything was so delicious!! And cheap too! everything came to 35 bucks for 4 people, and a tall can of Karin is 2 dollars!! Omg. I would def come to this place again.
(4)Crystal L.
The place is small and pack!!! Their dumplings are good. We had their xiao long bao which was good and they're huge compare to the size they're suppose to be. I do have to say that I'm not a big fan because the wrapping was too thick. It's best if it's thinner. With that, the wrapping is the same for their vegetarian dumpling. But I do have to say their vegetarian dumpling tasted better. We also had their rice cake which was very oily. It's good. Just too oily. Place is good.
(3)Ka T.
Wow, i want to go back by just thinking about it. Im ordered 4 different meals myself cause i was hungry and couldn't decide what i wanted. I ended up making friends with my neighbors and shared my food. Definitely a place to try if your in china town. The soup dumplings were amazing.....reminded me of eating them in Taiwan.
(5)Michelle K.
The Dumpling House is the only restaurant that my friends and I go to in Chinatown. We first went off of a recommendation and now make a point of going back once a month. It is often crowded, but it is worth the wait. Recently we had the scallion pancakes, pork and leek dumplings, steamed buns, and chicken and vegetable noodles. Love the scallion pancakes and will always have room for an order of pork and leek dumplings. Although they state on the menu that it will take fifteen minutes for the dumplings and buns, they always manage to have food on our table quickly. Inexpensive and delicious, I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)Anita L.
Friend told me that this is a Taiwanese restaurant, but I realized this is a combination of both north and south after looking at their menu. We ordered the steam pork dumplings and the leek & pork dumplings. Was definitely disappointed at their steam pork dumplings. I tried various steam pork dumplings before (both in Shanghai & Taiwan) and never seen dumplings so big and their skin so thick. Restaurant was super crowded and I had to wait 30 minutes for a table. The dumplings were definitely not worth my wait.
(2)Walter G.
this place is probably my favorite chinese restaurant in boston so far. the dumplings are awesome (as they better be given the restaurant's name), and they have some KICK ASS really authentic dishes. also a plus, the veggies in everything were really fresh and crispy and delish. if you're up for a challenge try the citroen soup. i'm not sure what it's called on the menu but it's a red broth with mostly beef, cabbage, and peppers. the waitress said it was very famous so they'll probably know what you mean. good, but SO FUCKING HOT. we saw some other guy eating it and sweating his face off so my friend decided to try it. even taking a big whiff of it makes your eyes water. good experience though. the minced pork with bread bean sauce over noodles is also pretty awesome. the fried tofu was too mushy and soft in my opinion but i don't really like tofu so take that with a grain of salt. when ordering, keep in mind that everything is huge. one entree (or bowl of soup) will easily feed three people if you add an order of rice and dumplings. me and my two friends got dumplings, spring rolls, fried rice, the soup, noodles, tofu and a round of tsingtaos and spent $22 apiece with a lot of leftovers.
(4)Julie S.
Amazing dumplings! Best in town! Get the pan-fried pork buns (no seriously get those!) and get the mini juicy dumplings. Steamed are the best and its open late! Just go!!!!
(5)Michael G.
Overall, it wasn't too bad, though the name is something of a misnomer in my opinion. There really aren't all that many dumplings on the menu, and they are by no means gourmet. However, the prices are reasonable, the service is fast, and the hours are pretty good. We were eating there at like 10PM after all. I highly do not recommend getting the vegetable dumplings. They have a weird taste to them and, oddly enough, were better reheated the next day. However, the steamed pork buns (I'm not really sure what the name is in English, but the direct translation is small dragon dumplings) are pretty decent. I also enjoyed the scallion pancake which is fried to a crisp perfection, but for whatever reason, my girlfriend found it bland. BTW, after reading Cherie's review, I'd like to add that the steamed pork buns are supposed to be really soupy on the inside. They're actually made with a small block of frozen boullion. Pick them up with one of those huge ladle-like spoons, take a little bite to let out some steam, and then eat it up. The soup ends up in the spoon, so you hopefully don't squirt it all over the place.
(3)Byron M.
If you want shanghai styled cooking in Chinatown, the options are very limited, however Goumet Dumpling House may fill this gap. I reccomend the Xiao Long Bao which are dumplings with a soupy meaty stuffing. Be careful as they are really hot when they come out and you may scald your mouth if you just bite into them. This place is clean unlike some establishments in Chinatown.
(4)Justin Gwailo H.
Pretty much in par with Taiwan Cafe, except their specialties are, of course, the dumplings.
(4)Dara C.
Pretty solid Chinatown excursion. I've been a few times but a recent visit with the fella requires me to relate, at exhaustive and largely uninteresting length, my experience. As is, soup dumplings are pretty bomb. I like biting into anything that has the potential to squirt its insides all over my fa ... so anyway, I like soup dumplings. Gourmet Dumpling's dumplings are fairly representative of the awesome, sticky-slippery-outside, awesome-savory-meaty-inside quality of the soup dumpling. I wish they would be a little bit moister, because there is some heavy gnawing required. I'm also not crazy about the pork-crabmeat combination. I found two bits of shell in two separate dumplings. Although that's surely a testament to the freshness of the critter within, I wasn't thrilled to risk the structural integrity of my incisors, nor was the crabmeat taste especially notable. Soup dumplings shouldn't have muddy flavors. The chicken-and-cabbage version is pretty much fantastic; plain pork, as I recall, is similarly worthwhile. Kind of wish there were more combinations; for a "dumpling house," five or six options just aren't enough to satiate my lust. Entrees run the gamut from the more Americanized and blander offerings--sesame chicken, General Gau's--to fish heads, pork intestines, and other satisfying bits of offal. Recent selections: ma po tofu, with its fiery dose of chili oil, was extremely pleasant. If only the tofu were a tad firmer; my weakly Caucasian chopstick skills are laughable with the soft version. Fried oysters were also tasty, a mountain of hot bivalves in a light, crunchy coating. They came with some sort of Szechuan chili-and-salt condiment of indeterminate origin, odd in its dryness but very spicy, tangy and delicious. (Consider, if you will, dipping your oysters in the ma po tofu sauce. Consider elation. Choose life.) The space is extremely cramped, not exactly beautiful, and its ambiance consists of a tank of fish who stare at you while you eat, lots of old tiling, and wobbly tables. Servers are brusque; food comes out all at once or in rapid-fire burst, entrees often before appetizers. The menu says dumplings take 15 minutes; this can be much more than 20. Green tea is complimentary; getting water is an unimaginable feat. So if you don't mind rushed service--you shouldn't in Chinatown--and some occasionally hellish waits, Gourmet Dumpling House is worth your time and attention. Also, you kind have to be okay with a tank of fish staring at you and going "glub-glub-glub" while you gnaw happily one of their brothers.
(4)Danny F.
Why people rave about this place and wait for hours outside is beyond me. The signature xiao long boa (juicy dumplings) were supremely average. As were the sauteed Chinese watercress and littleneck clam soup. Nothing was bad, but I would not call the food good either. Back to the dumplings, I can get better ones in the frozen aisles of any Chinese supermarket. Fail.
(3)Alan C.
there's something to be said about piping hot and juicy xiao long baos (soup dumplings): AMAZING. ever since i've experienced joe shanghai's in nyc, my cravings for those legendary xiao long baos have become so addicting. they're so friggin good there, it honestly makes me wanna slap my momma. so we roll up in my hoop dee. bam, their big blue dumpling sign sticks out; it makes me think of xiao long baos and the wonderful juice explosions when you take that first bite. i love dumplings. i could eat a million of them and still eat more. they're like giant gummy bears. the restaurant is your typical c-town diner with your typical c-town service. just as long as the food is yummy, i really don't give a rat's ass about the service. the place is small but comfortable. so skipping onto the food, we ordered: seafood pan fried noodles: the waitress said it was really good here so we tried. the truth is it's real salty, and there wasn't much seafood to go around with. i kid you not but there were only 2 pieces of shrimp. 1 for me and 1 for my bro. taiwanese style fried noodles with minced pork: on the menu, there was one of those spicy symbols right next to it. when we ordered, the waitress brags... "ohhh, really spicy noodles!!" ...she said it in a way like she wanted to challenge me... "oh yeah? we love spicy...actually, make that EXTRA spicy"... and then i'll be the judge. they weren't spicy at all, which was disappointing...but it's nothing a bottle of sriracha can't fix. btw, the noodles were soggy. pan fried pork and chive dumplings: these were actually pretty good. the skin was a little on the thicker side but okay. the pork filling inside tasted delicious with red vinegar. xiao long baos: their version of the XLBs were acceptable, barely. they weren't exciting when you ate them. the reason is simple: just not much soup in them suckers...they were pretty bland to me. every time i leave a restaurant, i always find myself asking the same darn question: "did that hit the spot?" a complete airball if you ask me. i am however willing to give it a 2nd chance.
(3)Lilee N.
great authentic chinese food that won't leave you feeling gross. the food is made to order and brought out quickly. we ordered the lunch special on the back of the menu which lets you pick three dishes. comes with rice (or noodles) and soup all for $20. the xiao long bao for an appetizer (additional cost) was worth it! YUM! not too crowded for lunch on a friday afternoon when we went. place is small and quaint. highly recommend!
(5)David L.
Good scallion cake. Xiaolongbao was ok, not as good as Shanghai Cafe in NY Chinatown. SZechuan fish (water-boiled fish) was interesting but Tasty & Spicy in Flushing NY was much better.
(4)Ian S.
I had this crazy craving for dumplings last night and, since we were visiting friends who had just moved into a swanky loft down the street, were recommended to the aptly named Gourmet Dumpling House. I don't know about "Gourmet." If "gourmet" implies that the restaurant is going to get your order right, then Dumpling House is surely not. We ordered cai xin; they brought us bai cai. We ordered the clam soup; they brought us clams in black-bean sauce. The good thing is that what they did bring us was excellent. The bai cai was crisp and garlicky, and the clams in black-bean sauce achieved new heights in the finger-foods category with its gingery and garlicky flavors. I was less impressed with the dumplings, especially the xiao long bao. On the upside, the dumplings contained ample hot liquid that scalded the roof of my mouth. They were crimped perfectly with a little hole at the top through which I could pour the ginger vinegar sauce. On the down side, the wrappers were too thick, and there wasn't enough savory pork filling. I didn't even make it over to the fried leek and pork ravioli (why can't we just call them potstickers?). For a late-night dumpling binge, the bill came to $40 for people with tip, which seems just a bit over the top to me. But that's the price one must pay for being bonkers for bao.
(3)Mai N.
great food but tight space for big groups rec: spicy tofu, dumplings, fried fish...
(4)Sherry H.
As a born and bred Taiwanese, if there is anything I know about Chinese or Taiwanese food, it'd be dumplings. I was absolutely mortified by the quality of their dumplings. The skin was no where near presentable. I was very disappointed. Whomever cooked the dumplings clearly did not know what he was doing. For a restaurant to call itself "Gourmet Dumpling House", the dumplings were, to say the least, abysmal. Though, I must admit, the sour and spicy soup was authentic enough.
(1)A R.
The dumplings are mediocre. The soup dumplings are grainy and flavorless, and the regular dumplings are (at least when steamed) mushy and overcooked.
(2)Nicole D.
The best thing about this place is that they're open (I think most nights) til 1am. We ordered the dumplings and weren't disappointed. I loved that they were filled with the soup and are authentic. They are larger than some other places, and were about $7 for 8. The restaurant was clean and service was pretty good. They speak Mandarin mostly, and I saw a fair diversity of people eating there/ordering to go.
(3)Kneekey T.
I must admit I was disappointed, especially after reading the reviews. Manfriend and I ordered Chinese watercress with garlic, spicy salt and pepper calamari, and spicy Taiwanese noodles with eel. Yes, we ordered too much for two, my fault entirely. The watercress came up first and was really yummy, spiced perfectly with nice chunks of garlic. I made me super excited about the other dishes. Manfriend liked it too, however, he is ethically opposed to paying $10.00 for a plate of veggies. Understandable. Next came the calamari. I was lured into ordering this by a group of cool looking young lads eating it by the window while we were waiting in the long line for a table. At first it was tasty and crunchy but then...a weird after-taste...I think the batter may have been stale. By the time the noodles and eel came I was almost full but unsatisfied and wistfully eyeing my neighbor's fried rice. The noodles were super spicy, and let me tell you, we like spicy. It appeared that they left the seeds in the jalapenos. The eel tasted like beef jerky and the sauce reminded me of BBQ, blah. Here's the disturbing part about the service. We were seated next to two women on our left and a father/daughter pair on our right. Keep in mind that this place is super small. The owner greeted both of our neighbors after their meal. He asked them if they enjoyed it and even shook hands with the father. When it came time for our bill, nothing, not a word. What are we chilled pork ears?
(2)Victoria A.
Overall: Gourmet Dumpling house is a great choice. I get takeout from here everytime I have to go through Chinatown to grab a train at south station.They've got a wide range of tasty options so you can satisfy both more adventurous and more conservative diners. If you don't believe me, believe the crowd of people waiting outside around dinner time. Specifics: This place is pretty popular, and kind of small. You'll probably have to wait for a little bit if you come in between 6:30 and 8:30. Unless you're planning on talking in graphic detail about your sex life, or medical problems or criminal tendencies, don't hesitate to accept if the host offers you seats at a large table with strangers to cut down on your wait time. This is a great place to eat family style if that's your thing. The dishes are large and easily shared, and you'll definitely want to try a bit of everything. Like I said before, there's a wide range of options. The chicken with asparagus and the pork chops are good options for people who like mild flavors, as are many of the fried noodle dishes. The ma po tofu and fish in spicy sichuan sauce are both good spicy dishes (the latter was suggested by a waitress as a specialty and you'll notice at least one table has ordered it every time you go to the restaurant). One of my personal favorites is the beef with vegetable noodles with sa cha sauce, with rice cakes substituted for noodles. OF COURSE you should get dumplings if you go here because if you go to a place called gourmet dumpling house and don't get dumplings that's like going to burger king and not eating a burger, or going to McDonalds and not eating a Scottish person. The dumplings will make you happy. They will make you happy and fat and round, like a little dumpling yourself. The restaurant is pretty cramped and the decor is typical Chinatown. the bathroom is functional. The appetizers won't always come out before the entrees, and the main dishes might not always come out at the same time. Whatever. If you can't handle that, you probably can't handle walking through Chinatown to get to the restaurant in the first place, so it's a non-issue. The waiters are good at suggesting dishes, too, though they often seem so frantic that you'll feel guilty delaying them.
(4)K S.
Great food, great service! I've been here about 4 times since it opened. Delicious food each time. For those who have complained about the 20 min wait time for those dumplings, it clearly says on the menu that it takes that long. If you can't wait for them, don't order them! However, you'd be missing out. They are really good, esp with the soy vinegar sauce. Last night I got watercress with garlic, the three seasoned chicken legs in a hot pot (my favorite dish there), and the beef szechuan style (spicy and SO good). I love food and have been to many of the restaurants in Chinatown. This is my new favorite! :)
(5)Nathan V.
Haven't ready any of the other reviews but maybe I ordered the wrong thing. I was good to fair but not a four star rating in my book. I got the General Gau's and I got the "white" version...granted I may have some appearance like that, but I was hoping for more spice (yea I can handle a little of it). What I got was a very sweet grocery store version....maybe not that bad but at least more in that direction. Also got the pea vines with garlic which was quite good, friends I was with also enjoyed their food. I would say that give the name of the restaurant to be fair I should actually try their dumplings, they looked quite delicious, and were suggested by one of the friends. Next time!
(3)Oriana S.
If you love dumplings, this is the place to go! I love the soup filled dumplings. You get authentic Chinese dishes here, as well as dishes that appeal to American taste buds. Overall, the food is delicious! I've eaten here a few times and have always left full and satisfied. Can't wait to go back there!
(5)Caroline M.
Went for late lunch. Pork/leek and beef/celery dumplings were really good. Asparagus beef and sauteed flounder were quite good. The shrimp and tofu was so-so. Only a few small shrimps, soft tofu and bland sauce. Portions were small-ish, except for the dumplings. The place wasn't particularly clean and one of the staff was hawking behind the counter. kind of a turn-off. The waiter never brought the water that we asked for. We liked the busy atmosphere.
(3)Just H.
general tso chicken was great! crab/pork dumpling had a yellow tint on it like, it was egg inside instead of crab. it jux tasted like an egg dumpling! taiwanese noodle soup tasted bland. the service was terrible! was ignored, the guy just put plates on the table without saying anything and walk away really fast, and if i ask for something the guy look like he didnt wanna do it, had that snobby look on his face. maybe he was the owner? i dont know...the other manager was rude, not a friendly atmosphere. but will try again and hopefully it'll change.
(2)Chris W.
A brand new place in Chinatown! We were trying to decide between Peach Farm and HK Eatery, but we decided to give this new place a try. Their tag line is "Northern and Southern Chinese" which makes up all of China? Their menu supported that assertion with random dishes from all kinds of different cuisines, a lot of them were actually Taiwanese dishes. The fact that it was also a Mandarin speaking establishment, led us to believe that the owners were Taiwanese actually. The pei pa tofu was tasteless. Literally, tasteless. Everything else was average. We didn't actually try any dumplings, so maybe we missed out on what may be their speciality dish? Our general consensus was that while the place is nice and new, we can't really justify choosing it over our other well-established (in our mind) favorites in Chinatown when we are in the area. It is just another restaurant in Chinatown that doesn't really stand out among all of them and can't beat out our favorites.
(2)Richard C.
The best Chinese restaurant in Chinatown if you are looking for Szechuan cuisine. (Otherwise, I would vote for my new love, the Asian Garden). But Gourmet Dumpling's Hot fish soup in a bowl is so hot and spicy and tasty you will cry when you eat it! (or was it the spiciness that causes it?) The scallion pancake is almost unrivalled in Boston also. So go there, hurry up. The only problem is that it has gotten a reputation already from its food quality making it difficult to find a seat without a wait these days. Their prices are also a bit higher, given than their portions are typically smaller than most Chinese restaurants.
(5)Brian D.
My face was melted off of my head last night at Gourmet Dumpling House. I am writing this review and drinking an iced coffee, at my desk, sans face. You should see how people look at you when you order a coffee acting all business as usual, without a face. Good times. Ok. So. I went to Gourmet Dumpling House. Yeah. It was pretty awesome. I think the best way to describe my experience will be to draft a nice orderly sequence of events: 1. Meet friends at Jacob Wirth's for drinks 2. Show up too early and go to the Tam to drink alone because Jacob's is actually pretty lame 3. Go back to Jacob's, meet friends, consume beer and eat some pretzels 4. Proceed to Gourmet Dumpling House with friends minus the one who is now doing something sketchy in an alley with the hot server from Jacob's 5. Show up at GDH with party of 6 and are immediately seated and handed the encyclopedia/menu 6. Pick out everything I want to try and order for the table via writing down item numbers on dirty napkin and handing to waitress so I can continue my conversation about this time when I went to Chinatown with my dad and his friend one time......or maybe it was about Seinfeld....anyway we had: -fish chins and spicy tofu -shredded beef with spicy chili pepper -pork and crab dumpling -scallion pancake -beef heart -beer 7.We eat wildly, like fat kids in a candy store. 8. Our faces melt off. 9. I wake up with the taste of spicy chili's still in my mouth. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
(4)Michele F.
Vegetarian dumplings, while full of flavorful greens, were extremely doughy and the sauce that came with it was super bland and not as vinegar based as good sauces tend to be. Vegetarian pan fried noodles was basically broccoli and carrots in a corn starch filled bland sauce over crispy egg noodles. Other people seemed happy with their food- perhaps the meat dishes are better? I don't understand the hype around this place at all.
(2)Anya T.
Yes, I have spent time in China (4 months in Beijing with no kitchen, so I ate out every day) and know how fantastic real Chinese restaurant food is. But this is America so Chinese food this good in Boston deserves 5 stars. It's not super americanized and the dishes have that complexity of flavor that they should. I love the mapo tofu, yuxiang eggplant and beef in sa-cha sauce. Yes, it is called Gourmet Dumpling House, but that doesn't necessarily mean that have to only sell dumplings (which are also tasty). But does it really need to be called Tasty Golden Dragon Jade Island Peking Garden Hong Kong Royal China Palace? The fact that every time I go in, it's packed with a line and people waiting outside only speaks to its popularity. The place is small, but the food is served quickly and the speed with which they clear the table lets you know that sitting around after the meal when 10 other people are waiting to sit is not greatly appreciated, so you won't be waiting long and the food is great once you get inside. Don't be afraid to speak up, you may need to in order to get some service after you've ordered.
(5)Kelly S.
It's Chinatown, so expect a small, busy room. We visited on a Saturday evening, and waited a few minutes for a table-but their turn around was swift. Great service overall, even though the place stayed packed. I'm still day dreaming about the Taiwanese Style Hot and Sour Soup, YUM! A perfect mixture of flavors. Everything comes in large portions at decent prices and you'll find a mix of tourists and locals.
(5)Al A.
Good dumplings. Well priced. Fast service. Will try to turn your table as quickly as possible.
(4)Norman Y.
We had the XIaoLongBao. These were pretty authentic and well cooked. Pretty standard XiaoLongBao, which is a compliment, since most places seem to mess them up. ShuiZhuYu (Fish Fillets in a spicy broth) was a very authentic dish which was well done. The only thing was that it was a bit bland. The broth was a tad watery and thin. Could have had more pieces of fish too. Otherwise, very authentic and well done. Spicy pork and general Gau's kitchen were 5 stars and the best I ever had. Seating was a bit cramped, but the waiters were extremely nice.
(4)Katy P.
Really 4.5 stars. Every now and then I get a mean craving for some authentic Chinese dumplings. Instead of hitting up dim sum all alone, I head to Gourmet Dumpling House. The soup dumplings are delicious (but they are boiling HOT) and come with a great ginger sauce. I've also had the handmade pork & leek raviolis which are the perfect size and the right combination of dough and meat filling. As far as their regular dishes, we really enjoy the beef and scallion. Before your plate arrives you can smell the wonderful sauce being simmered in the kitchen. The salt & pepper calamari was good, but a bit overbattered for my tastes. Beware, this is a tiny restaurant so you can expect to have to squeeze past a few tables to be seated and have people squeezing past you while you eat.
(4)Chloe C.
While walking around in Boston's Chinatown, I noticed this place. It looked decent, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm not one to pass up on any restaurant with "dumpling" in the name. It was only about 5, but the place was already crowded. The inside was fairly small and everyone was packed in quite snuggly. I tried the pork and leek dumplings, the juicy dumpling, and the scallion pancakes. All of these dishes were very good - not the best I've ever had, but tasty and satisfying. Service was a bit on the slow side for a Chinese place. Overall, I left feeling content and willing to return.
(4)Jarrod C.
Without a doubt some of the best northern Chinese cuisine I've ever had. The place is tiny, and they really pack you in. Lunch specials are reasonably priced and come with soup, rice, in addition to your meal. We ordered pork and leek streamed dumplings which were absolutely delicious. My yellow curry chicken was delicious, as was the twice cooked pork. Highly recommend if you're in the area and you don't mind a small restaurant. Place was packed yet the wait was a reasonable 10 minutes.
(4)Sara S.
Everything I have ever ordered here has been delicious. It is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. However, this only in regards to the food. The service is generally sub par (waiters spend half the time talking amongst themselves and the other half rushing past your table without acknowledging you). The area is incredibly cramped and if you are ever offered the table next to the fish tank... you may want to wait for another one because waiters will be shoving past you and/or asking you to move as they scoop out fish and lobsters who, inevitably, splash gross tank water all over your table. All that being said, the quality and flavor of the food MORE than make up for these inconveniences. Some recommendations: Spicy Sichuan Beef (very spicy and delicious - make sure to order rice with this!) Pork and Leek Dumplings (perfection) Soft Shelled Crab (fried up and very flavorful) Vietnamese Noodles (if you like rice cakes this dish is very satisfying)
(4)Sara Y.
soup dumplings - 5 stahs pork/shrimp mini dumpling- 5 stahs eggplant w/ chile- 5 stahs pork w/ bamboo shoots- 5 stahs almost everything i've had here- 5 stahs. SOOOO f'ing good. this place is PACKED for lunch... on the wknds there is line snaking outside. my parents love this place, cuz they have some really traditional dishes. went with two friends yesterday, and one was pregnant. the waitress was super sweet and asked if she could get our friend decaf tea or hot water... she also gave us some herbal soup. LOVELY : )
(5)Amy C.
The dumplings are no joke, yo. Get the pork and leek fried dumplings like everyone here says. You'll be psyched. The beef and scallion dish was really good too. There's always a line but it moves pretty fast. Big portions for little $$. Hurry up. Go now!
(4)Crystal J.
Unlike others below, I do think the food is amazing. A lot of peolpe are thrown off by the traditional northern style service and food. Northerners are loud and the atmosphere is always loud and jovial. The food is PHENOMINAL. And to the person below who tried to claim their dumplings are "frozen"....Good M....clearly you don't know anything about xiao long bao. You can tell by the shell that they are made on site. I date a chinese ex chef....I'm pretty sure he could tell the difference. My only complaint is that, although their prices are cheap, you DO have to watch the bill. Sometimes they make mistakes and over charge. In addition, NEVER sit by the fish tank. They need to remove that table all together.
(4)Marc C.
Picture it. Christmas night. 2008. A lonely, depressed, and hungry guy doesn't want to move out of bed because he has the holiday blahs from dealing with such things as the recent end of a long term relationship and the fact that the only present he got this year was a framed picture of his dead brother (true story). The phone rings. It is his ex-boyfriend. He is hungry and alone. "Wanna go get something to eat?" the ex asks. "I guess we could," he replies. "Where do you wanna go?" the interrogation continues. "I guess Chinatown is gonna be the only thing open," he says knowing that it only a few blocks from home. "OK, be at your place in a bit," the ex zippily replies. This was the start of life on Christmas day for me. 6:45 PM finally hopping in the shower, dressing (in a rather dashingly handsome manner, I might add), and scurrying off to Chinatown with my ex-boyfriend turned good friend for nourishment. I live close to Chinatown, so I am familiar with the restaurants there and tried to narrow down where to eat. After Yelping on my iPhone, I decided to give Gourmet Dumpling House a try since it is one of the few places I haven't made it to in the area. OMG! What took me so long?! I am an idiot! We ordered entirely too much food for two people (but yay for leftovers since it is Chinese food and we would be hungry again in a couple of hours). Hot and sour soup? Check. Egg rolls? Check. General Gau's chicken? Check. Beef with broccoli? Check. Pork and cabbage dumplings? Check. Scallion pancakes? Check. Pork fried rice? Check. Kinda creepy older guy you don't know at the same table as you eyeing your food and making it so you have no choice but to let him try yours as well as his own? Check. (Cue mental screeching sounds of of a speeding car slamming on its brakes) Yeah, so we went in and requested a table for two and were seated a few minutes later to enjoy our holiday dinner. They then sat a perfect stranger across the table from us without even asking, but we just went with the flow. We ordered and then started the task of eating the pile of food we ordered. "Is that General Gau's chicken?" the stranger asked. "Yeah," I replied. "Is it good?" he followed. "Yeah, really good." my friend replies. "Looks really good," the older guy says, "I should have ordered it so I could try it." My friend and I kinda look at each other blankly and offer him some since we were raised right. "No, no, no, I couldn't..." the stranger acts poorly as if to resist while at the same time reaching over with his chopsticks (that he has already been eating with) and plunks a chunk of chicken off of the plate (he has not apparently understood the concept of the serving spoon). "That is great," he proclaims after chewing the piece with his mouth open. "It is nice to see people that enjoy food," he says to us. I can not take points off for that comment. So all things considered, this place is great and a must visit. The food was phenomenal. The scallion pancakes were flavorful and flaky. The General Gau's chicken was sweet and spicy. The beef with broccoli had just the right amount of sauce so you didn't lose the individual flavors. The pork fried rice was cooked to perfection (although I would have preferred to have more vegetables and roasted pork instead of the shredded pork). My dining companion raved about the hot and sour soup (I couldn't try due to an allergy to one of the ingredients). The egg rolls and the pork and cabbage dumplings missed the mark for me a bit. They were both cooked well, but there was nothing in the egg roll but cabbage and a sliver of carrot, and the dumplings had a very bland, unflavored filling. I won't fault them too much for the two items, I will just make other selections the next visit. I like this place. Would I return? Definitely sooner rather than later. Hopefully the next time, the only people eating the food we ordered will be the people I went to the restaurant with in the first place.
(4)Jamie G.
Went here for dinner Saturday before going to the movies. I would in the future be more weary of coming here if you have time constraints because it is WICKED crowded! Our 10 minute wait turned unto almost a half an hour. However, I swear our food came out seconds after we ordered! Now I dont usually like Chinese food because it is too greasy and americanized, but this place served more traditional, authentic Chinese. The entrees are big enough to feed at least two people if not three. We ordered the Beef with String Beans and the Kung Pao Chicken, with rice, and also an order of beef with celery dumplings, two beers and tea. Everything was amazing, though the Kung Pao was not my fave. And we took tons of leftovers home with us! And the price was unbelievably cheap for so much food! Will definitely come back again, though probably not on the weekend for dinner unless I'm there by 5pm.
(4)Steve N.
went with The Kid on 4/11/09. we got there during the rush around 1230pm and were able to snag a four top for just the two of us. it was busy, but in a good way with a decent mix of folks of all ages. started with the pork and crab XLB which we found flavorful but lacking in the soup department. the skins were a little tough but i chocked that up to the dumplings probably being steamed in advance. we also tried the eel with yellow chive and really liked that a lot. we found the pork with bamboo tip to be similar to Taiwan Cafe's but with larger pieces of bamboo tip, pretty good. we thought the beef with watercress to be just OK as the watercress was a little off in color and cut up a little too small. we will definitely be back, but at a slower time and mostly to sample some of the other buns and dumplings we saw going by our table.
(3)Adam S.
LOVED this place. The dumplings were about as good as you get away from California. Cheap too, of course.
(5)Cahaya S.
nyam nyam! i crave this place :) the first time I came over here was on a cold night an after party-party - when we decided we were still hungry from the original party -- and so stopped into this little joint that was packed full of people at 11pm. Very good sign. We stuffed into a little corner of the place - all 4 of us -- at a table that had just been vacated by its occupants. And on that table were a heap of untouched leftover dumplings -- which the piggies among us gleefully helped ourselves too....I know!! I know!! but which is worse? wasting perfectly good, delectable, food? or letting perfectly good delicious, warm juicy dumplings go to waste? See! :) Anyway - we shamelessly nibbled at the leftovers and were blown away!! Instant fans we became. The place serves Taiwanese style cuisine, as well as some northern chinese fare. The owners/managers are very friendly with a good sense of humour. and you can get a glimpse of the cook, when she comes out from the kitchen mostly toward the end of the night. Well ....my all time favourites there are their hot and sour soup -- so full of delicate, delicacies - wood ear mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu, ground meat - if u want to go non-vegetarian. Just perfect. Their egg drop soup is really good too. Not your usual fare that you get at other Chinese places. Tried a Northern Chinese style lamb soup as well - which was quite unexpected. Very peppery and soothing. Their dumplings are yummy too -- the Taiwanese style dumplings are their classic fare. Specify Soupy dumplings if you want the version with the soup inside of the wrap. Their vegetarian dumplings are actually my favourite. Really yummy firm tofu and spinach ( i think) all finely ground up and stuffed into the skin -- makes for a really perfectly tasty bite. Their okra's pretty decent and the ma po tofu is a crowd favourite. the noodles are really tasty, but a tad bit too greasy to let me order it too often. Wish I had discovered this place sooner than I did, after being in Boston for all those years. It's definitely my top two places in Boston Chinatown to eat at.
(4)Sara S.
Hit up GDH after the Yelp Via Matta Event- YAY for creepy drunk people entertainment, beer and wine, chicken lo-mein, and steamed vegetable buns, along with the aforementioned scallion pancakes and veggie dumplings!
(5)Dan O.
This was one off my most memorable experiences at a Chinese restaurant. My new friend shocked me when she started speaking Chinese to the hostess, and the waitress. It was great, she offered to order I wasn't about to argue. So we had a some beers, tried some different types of dumplings and some scallion pancakes. Everything was great, ill definately be back
(4)Arestia R.
I am a Chinatown lover and a believer in Gourmet Dumpling House. The pork buns are delicious and the dumplings are handmade and to die for. The decor is everything a Chinatown spot should be - pretty a-typical. The servers are attentive and I love places where they plop a pot of tea on your table without you even asking. Definitely heading back!
(5)Maryann-David M.
I walk by here and the place is packed well it seems like its always pack and I know why they value of their food is teh best ever wow we got 6 courses for $40 the food is not bad its ok not the greatest but edible so I definitely will come here again as long as the lines aren't too long, but it seems to be always packed.
(3)Jing M.
the food is delicious and cheap! it's one of the best places to go in chinatown! You can get the lunch boxes during dinner time. it's $6 and it'll fill you up! Try the B5 or the B6!!! sooo good!
(4)Pokey R.
Best xiao long bao (mini juicy pork dumplings) in the city. There aren't that many tables and the overall room is cramped, so the wait can be a long time, but it's a great place to stop by for take-out.
(4)Oiyan P.
4 stars for the non-dumpling food. the soup dumplings themselves were kind of dry. where was the soup? i think all the soup dumplings i had already had the soup leaked out. it was sad. other than the pork and crab soup dumplings, we also ordered pea sprouts with garlic, which was delish. also had sa-cha noodles that were quite good... very good, delicate spices. very good, cheap place for a quick, tasty lunch. apparently a lot of other people thought so too, since it was extremely crowded.
(3)Brittany M.
A group of my friends went here because we thought it was busy, new, and sounded pretty tasty! However, the food was mediocre, not super fresh, and then immediately after finishing our meal and paying (within 5 minutes) they actually had the audacity to ask us to leave because they needed the table! I can understand if we were loud or been there for more than half an hour -- but 5 minutes? Just rude, I've never had that happen at a restaurant EVER. I thought it was possible we just had some rude server, and went there again two days ago with a friend. First, they asked us if it would be OK to seat as at a table with a complete stranger although there were 5 vacant tables. I had to actually ask if we could have our own table. We were placed next to the fish tank which was filled with sick-looking fish and a large, dead crab. Then, it took them over 15 minutes to stop and take our order. After that, they said there was a $20 minimum and refused to take our credit card for a $19 order. Not only is that inconvenient, it's illegal and against the terms of the credit card companies. I will not be going back. Taiwan Cafe has friendlier servers, the SAME food available, and is tastier and cheaper.
(1)Ryan D.
This place is a great spot for dumplings! They are authentic and true to the roots of Chinese street food. This place is small so when i got here they had no seats. ......its cool its cool i ate it outside which made my experience even better. I felt like i time traveled while biting into my bao zhe(giant ass dumplings) The filling had extra pork fat which melted in my mouth and the scallions,garlic and ginger added a authentic flavor. It brought me back to my childhood days visiting my family in sichuan. Waking up going to the local noodle shop, waiting in line for that first bit of heaven.
(4)j e.
I was so so hopeful that finally a decent xlb outside of Asia but was so disappointed. The soup flavor was fine but the xlb were big and bulky with thick skins and globs of congealed fat in every bite even when steaming hot. The crab xlb were incredibly fishy and I only ate one of the 8. Absolutely terrible. I don't know what kind of magical gastronomy is going on at din Tai fung but there isn't anyone that I've found that can come close. Very sad.
(1)Kevin W.
Can someone please tell me what makes this place 'gourmet' or different from any other place in Chinatown? I'm just saying.
(2)Chloe F.
Gourmet Dumpling House is probably the best thing to ever happen to me. My roommates and I make special trips to eat the Veggie Dumplings. They are beyond heavenly. Celestial, maybe. We have contemplated ordering T shirts to rep this place. It gets really busy, which is only a testament to how good the food is and it is CHEAP! The amount of patrons does slow the service down, but not enough to mar the eating experience. You can get an enormous amount of food for cheap. I love them.
(5)Huan z.
I am not sure about other food they have but the food I ordered are very yummy. I ordered Pork/Veggie Dumpling and 3 cup Chicken/Basil Chicken. The waiter is friendly and helpful. I will try some other food next time while I am in China Town. So Far, so good!
(4)Jen D.
This is my go to place if I'm in the mood for great, unpretentious, satisfying food on a budget. I have tried various things on their menu and although it's sometimes a miss, I continue to be impressed by the quality and consistency of their food. We always, always get the soup dumplings which are simply amazing. I totally recommend these - they will satisfy anyone. Often, we will also get the stinky tofu, adds a delicious start to our meal. As far as ambiance goes, be ready for it to be packed and loud. It's a small restaurant which now has a large following so they try to get people in and out as fast as possible. We often come between the lunch and dinner rushes, but there is usually a line of people waiting to be seated whenever we have come. There really is no decor and so the focus simply is the food. The servers are prompt and extremely efficient. Since I come for the great food, I have learned to live with the atmosphere. I never leave disappointed.
(5)JB C.
If you need a soup dumpling fix, this place will do the job. The skins (on these and all the dumplings we've tried) are a bit too think for my liking but they're flavorful. The scallion pancakes are some of the best I've had in the states. We love the Yu Hsian eggplant which is a mix of sweet and spicy. The Ma po tofu is also good. Only downside is there is pretty much always a wait (even on Tuesday night at 8PM in the rain). The good is it's usually only about 10-15 minutes. Of course we tend to go on off hours to try have less wait.
(4)Michael G.
Delicious - very good food and descent service! I'll be back!
(5)Liz W.
Stumbled upon this place on New Year's Eve. Felt like having some good Chinese. The place was pretty packed when we almost walked past it. We figured that for a place this packed it's gotta be good or at least a safe bet. Sat down and ordered this basil veggie dish. Have to say it was delish. Saw the table next to us with some sort of dumplings, asked the waitress and she said we should give it a try. Glad we did. It was really good!! And there's a way to eat this too. Take note: You're suppose to suck out all of this soupy sauce in the dumpling before biting into it... Or else it'll burst and make a mess. So be careful. All in all, fellow Yelpers. Give this place a try and you won't be disappointed. Get the dumplings for sure. Hence the name "Dumpling House".
(5)Alan N.
Went here after a day of drinking on sunday. another recommendation by sarah and neil. nestled in chinatown and with a 15 min wait, i figured this was the right spot. and it probably is. i think we ordered the wrong dishes. first thing to note, the portions here are really big, which is always a plus for me. neil and mike got small hot and sour soups for $3 each. we split a cabbage and pork dumpling order (12 for $6), and they were just ok, they were boiled instead of pan fried. Sarah and Mike got General Gau's chicken which is like General Tso's with a thicker sauce. neil got chicken and asparagus which looked and tasted very good. I got seafood pan fried noodles which was subpar (brown sauce, two shrimp, not enough sauce). the table behind us ordered the right stuff - soup dumplings (i shoudl have ordered these to compare to ny), pan fried dumplings, the vegetable known as pok boong in thai or ong choy in chinese, and some rib dish. that was the right order, and for whatever reason (too hungover/tired) we failed at executing as good a selection as they did. sidenote, we were going to go to peach road or whatever its called but there was an hour wait. final conclusion, you need to go here with a chinese person
(3)Lily L.
Ambiance: Located in the heart of Chinatown, GDH is a rather small restaurant. If you come here during lunch/dinner time, there will be a guaranteed line out the door. When it is busy, the 2 people tables will only be separated by 2 inches. Sometimes, multiple small parties may be asked to sit in the same round table (unless you want more wait time for your own table). Food: There are a few items that I will always get. Ma La Er Si: For the faint hearted, these are pig's ears, so you may not try it. For those who actually enjoy this dish, GDH's Ma La Er Si is the best I've had. Xiao Lun Tang Bao: Best eaten with a spoon so you get to savor the soup inside (it's really one of the reasons to eat it), I haven't seen this dish being offered in many other restaurants. It's definitely a traditional Chinese dish. Plan on a 15 min wait time for this dish as that's how long it'll take for the chef to make them. Hong Shao Ti Bang: Braised pork shoulders is a giant hunk of meat sitting on some shanghai bok choy. This dish may take upwards for 30-45 minutes to prepare even in a pressure cooker. The meat is flavorful and there's a layer of fat surrounding the lean meat. Usually, eating anything fatty makes me gag, but I can actually eat some of this fat. Shui Zhu Yu: A spicy Sichuan fish dish with lots of napa cabbage inside. Scoop out the fish from the spice-laden water to minimize the spiciness. The longer everything stays in the soup, the spicier it becomes. Candy: They have a giant golden apple on their cash register counter that contains some asian flavored candy (e.g. cantaloupe). Get it since it's free anyways. And the candies are actually quite tasty. For weekend: Soymilk; I think they make their own soymilk. It's quite delicious actually. I think it usually runs out by 4:30PM. You Tiao: Also known as twist crueller, this is a Chinese breakfast staple. This also tend to run out by 4:30PM. It tastes very similar to fried dough, without the powdered sugar, of course. Service: Definitely the best service in town. The owners try to greet their guests. The waitstaff is friendly. There's actually a pretty good looking male waiter there. Having eye candy is always good.
(4)Alex L.
Definitely one of the better/best Chinese restaurants in Boston (unfortunately doesn't say too much). Very reminiscent of a restaurant I ate at all the time in Dallas. They have great small juicy dumplings (xiao long bao or however you say it), decent stir fry, and are fairly authentic. I just discovered it 3 weeks ago and have been 3 times in that time period, probably going to go at least twice in the next week. Not that I'm obsessed, but honestly, what other Chinese restaurants are there in Boston?
(4)Bo F.
Best "shui zhu" dishes anywhere. I think it's translated to beef/fish with chili sauce or something. It's the 2nd to last selection under Entrees. Better than Sichuan Garden. Not pasty (not too much starch), just the right amount of peppercorns, delicious. We finished the meat in the soup but packed it up anyway so I can save it. I met the chef and she was very friendly and gave me advice on how to use the soup, i.e. making noodles or adding additional meat in it. The steamed buns were very authentic with soup inside very durable buns. Delicious. Lots of other exotic dishes geared towards authentic Chinese food lovers: duck tongue, pig blood, tripe, lung, organs and stuff mmm... I found the staff to be extremely friendly, the dumplings came out in 10 minutes. Downside: crowded and small, would've gotten 5 stars if it weren't for this. Had conversations with manager, hostess, and waitress. Very very friendly staff. Funny story: We were waiting for a table for 5 minutes because a non-Chinese patron was having a good time speaking Chinese to the waitress for 10 minutes after he finished his meal.
(4)Steph M.
Really good food! I had the sesame chicken and vegetable dumplings and both were good. In the future I would probably try the one of the other fried dumplings over the steamed veggie ones (the veggie ones were mostly spinach and tofu) but overall it was a great meal!
(4)DAVID F.
Great Chinese food. Had the lobster with ginger and green onions, steam dumplings, pot stickers, and szechuan fish slices. All great and specialties! Beware that the fish can be very spicy. Needed a bigger table for all the dishes.
(4)N. H.
This review is based only on their xiao long bao. We came here at 10:30 pm and the place was still packed, which is always a good sign. The wait was less than 5 minutes due to the high turnover and we were seated as soon as the tables were cleaned. Once seated we immediately ordered the steamed juicy buns as they usually take greater than 10 minutes to be prepared. The buns came out piping hot and super juicy. My only criticism is that the skin on the buns are a bit too thick and hard to bite through. Other than that, these are darn good xiaolong baos that are well priced and more filing than you'd expect.
(4)talia s.
WOW. I didn't know Chinese food could be better, but it can, at Gourmet Dumpling House. They have taken scallion pancakes to the next level. It will blow your mind. The pork and crab juicy dumplings were so fresh and delicious. We got there right when they opened so it was a little chilly because the heat hadn't kicked in. But the food is so worth it. Everything we ordered came out staggered so you were not overwhelmed and all the food was at its freshest. Order the the pea pods and garlic. They use the pea pod shoots, not the pods. AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS. And did I mention, great value. Group of 6 ate our fill at $10/person.
(5)Jessica G.
The food is delicious, the service is a bit haphazard, but that is understandable as the dining room is packed. Really tasty food at reasonable prices. If you need ambiance this is not the place for you, but you could always try getting something to go and sit in a fancy hotel lobby to eat it :)
(4)Jenny L.
I finally made my way to Gourmet Dumpling House because I couldn't ignore my Chinese food craving any longer. The name itself can be deceiving but if you keep in mind that this place is in the middle of Chinatown, you'll realize "gourmet" just means the place is clean and the food is authentic. But like any other authentic Chinese restaurant, this place is bright, loud, and cramped. Made me feel right at home. Here's what we ate: Mini Steamed Buns with Pork (xiao long bao) - I must say that I've had these things the best Chinese restaurants in LA and at its birthplace in Shanghai and thought that these were quite good. The pork and "soup" filling were just as tasty as the best I've had. The only difference was that the outside was a little thicker than I'm used to but I actually enjoyed it more this way. Scallion Pancake - crunchy on the outside and doughy and soft on the inside. Could have used a little more scallion but other than that they were the very good. Beef Stew Noodle Soup with Spinach - the noodles had just enough bounce and the spinach was a nice touch but the beef was thinly sliced and not as tender and flavorful as I would have liked. The soup base itself was probably the least authentic of everything I had here. I prefer the beef noodle soup at Wisteria. Taiwanese Style Sauteed Rice Noodles with Pork and Vegetables - tasted just like my mom's but was a little dry. Good flavor overall. I was very satisfied with my meal given that I couldn't go to my favorite place back home. And the authentic Chinese food price of $24 for all 4 dishes was pretty fantastic too. A good option to have if you're in the mood for Chinese food in Boston.
(4)Yoojin A.
Absolutely DELICIOUS!!~ After having a dumpling craving for a week, I decided to check yelp.com for restaurant suggestions, & "Gourmet Dumpling House" came up immediately. Like most people have mentioned, this place was pretty packed since the restaurant is on the smaller side, so you may have to either share a large round table or sit right next to another couple. This may explain why the wait-staff was a little confused as to who to deliver dishes to (we accidentally received an adjacent table's order twice!). I had the mini pork & cabbage soup (or juicy) dumplings, taiwanese pan-fried dumplings, chicken szechuan-style, and scallion pancakes...everything was sO scrumptuous & the portions were huge! The soup dumplings (8 in an order) are always a favorite of mine since having them from "Joe's Shanghai" in NYC Chinatown, and I can say that the quality is very similar; the scallion pancakes are more doughy than crunchy, which I also like better. The szechuan chicken was just the right level of spicy & complemented the pan-fried dumplings (again, 8 to an order) quite nicely~~ Best of all, the prices are very reasonable, & the restaurant is conveniently located very close to both the Chinatown T (orange line) & Boylston T (green line).
(5)Philippa S.
A friend and I were craving dumplings while in Boston for the Harvard-Yale Game, so we found ourselves wandering around Chinatown on a Sunday morning looking for a dumpling house. Beach Street, in the heart of the neighborhood, is crowded with Chinese bakeries, butchers, and restaurants. With my complete ignorance about the language and my friend's limited classroom Chinese, we resorted to choosing our restaurant based on the number of Chinese people sitting inside. We ended up waiting half an hour outside Gourmet Dumpling House, waiting for a server to call our names off a scrap of cardboard that served as the waiting list. We didn't even consider moving on, though; the smell of frying dough, soy sauce, and onions kept us salivating as we peered in the plate glass window. At last, our patience was rewarded and we were ushered inside to a little plastic table crammed in between another table and the entrance. There is nothing fancy about Gourmet Dumpling House's amenities: the tables are crammed so close together that there is little room for servers or patrons to move; the only décor is the faux marble tiling and the red and gold paper decorations hanging from the ceiling. The restaurant's sparseness felt very authentic, though, coupled with the whiteboard of specials written only in Chinese and the tank of live fish in the corner. No frills, just good food. And the food was excellent. We got two kinds of dumplings: baozi, big doughy parcels stuffed with an oily mixture of pork and broth, and jiaozi, the smaller crescent-shaped kind that are steamed and dipped in sauce. The baozi were without a doubt the best dumplings I have ever had. The dough was tender yet flavorful, the filling pleasantly gamey and fatty. The Gourmet Dumpling House clearly excels at dumplings, but their other food is quite good as well. We ordered something simply called "spicy chicken," which turned out to be small pieces of tender chicken and vegetables in a hot chili sauce. The chicken was well cooked but the sauce was to die for: slightly sweet and peppery at the beginning, spicy at the end. Served over rice and washed down with hot tea, it was a perfect end to the dumpling meal. I'm sure that better Chinese food exists, but for a place we wandered into blind, Gourmet Dumpling House excelled.
(4)Little B.
Oh my Gawd! I forced my friend to go to China Town and by some miracle she had a referal from a friend about this place. She wanted to go to PF Changs...YUCK! GDH was fantastic, packed, we got a large bowl of red looking soup, with fish and cabbage, wondeful, spicy but savory, full of garlic, picture on the wall, can't remember what it was. We had the leek and pork buns, great, saw the vegitarian buns 10 on a huge steam bowl, a must have but we missed it. I am going back, I hear it's packed every night but Monday and Tuesday, this was a Thursday and we got sat in 10 min. GO!
(5)Ayuka H.
they have the best chinese food in boston. have been there so many times and it never let me down. it's so popular and famous in the area that the average waiting time is probably 20min+ and might go as long as 45mins during the rush hour.
(5)Linda T.
I had thought that I finally found a place in Boston that had the best xiao long boas when I went there the first time on a weekday for lunch. Everything was great and the wait wasn't too long until........ I came here on a Saturday night. The lady at the front took down my bf's name and told us to wait outside. We didn't mind since she said it would only be 15 minutes. Two other groups came by and gave her their names and came outside and waited with us. As people left, one of the groups went inside and sat down!! We were pissed but we decided to let it go. Then the other group saw that happen so they went inside and we followed a couple of minutes after only to find that the lady sat them down before us again! The 2 groups before us was also a group of two so it had nothing to do with the number of people in the party. Basically, the lady sat down whoever was in her face. Hey, we'd be in her face too if she hadn't told us to wait outside. Excuse me while I say WHAT A BITCH. It was cold out too! My bf got so mad he dropped the menus and just left. I tried to catch him so I couldn't give her a piece of my mind. I wish I did though. Overall, good food but horrible horrible service. I will not give my money to them anymore. If you wanna eat here, just make sure you don't get cut like we did.
(1)Damien Y.
Went here this weekend with my cousin and his girlfriend. After watching the Bizarre Foods episode where Zimmern goes to the dumpling house I had a craving for dumplings. We got three lunch specials which came with rice and soup and three sets of dumplings. The pork bellies with preserved veggies was excellent, the twice cooked pork with cabbage had a great interplay of textures, and the bbq spare ribs were also fantastic. The dumplings we got were the chicken and cabbage (steamed), the min steamed pork buns, and the fried pork and leek dumplings. The table was overflowing with food so the stacked the dumpling containers on top of another! The food was excellent, pricing was great, will definitely be going back again, and again.
(5)Jonathan F.
Great and very authentic Chinese food. They have a lot of very weird items on the menu, included pigs ears and heart, eel, etc. You can get just about every part of any animal here if you're brave/bored enough to try. I've stuck with the traditional items and they've been great. Try the steamed pork buns if you go!
(4)Julie C.
Cheap & delicious went with a large group and it seemed as though everything tasted good...at the end the bill was only $13/person def need to come back and try it again!
(5)Sam K.
Some of the best Bay Area throwback dumplings I've had since arriving in Boston! The Crab and Pork juicy mini-dumplings are delicious and the Sesame Chicken is succulent and crispy without being doughy and too filling. Cramped little restaurant but quick service and helpful staff. Will go again!!
(4)Mabel C.
Decent Chinese food because it feels authentic, is cheap, and it gives me a chance to practice my conversation skills with random strangers sitting at the same table as me due to overcrowding. I haven't had a dish I didn't like, but then again, I like authentic Chinese food.
(4)J R.
Went on a late Sunday afternoon. Had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. Busy, crowded, loud. WORTH IT! Delicious. Drooling just thinking about it.
(5)Ann C.
another taiwanese food on the block. it gets SUPER busy. when it first opened, i was shocked at how crowded it was and even after a month of opening; it's still crazy packed and busy. since parking is difficult around c-town, i recommend going in and putting your name down first or let the owners know and then find parking to offset the waiting time. i thought the food was good, esp the scallion pancakes, the pork dumplings and they also have Shanghai noodles that's not on the menu- which is also very yummy. yes, the name of the restaurant has the word "gourmet," but you should all know by now that there is no such thing as gourmet in chinatown. just accept the falsity and move on.
(4)melinda j.
For a "gourmet dumpling house", I was expecting a vast array of dumplings and dumpling fillings! But there wasn't much more offered than your standard veg or pork 'n leek combo -- yeah, it was disappointing. So we ordered one order of Beijing ravioli and some boiled dumplings. The skins of the dumplings were excessively thick and the pork mixture appeared pureed to a paste and needed more flavor, in the form of more sesame seed oil or leeks perhaps. We also ordered green beans with dried shrimp, which were okay but not anything to call home about.
(3)Colin K.
Would be 5 stars but lately there are too many white people eating here. Just kidding! The police need to investigate because the scallion pancakes here are clearly made with heroin. Shockingly, disturbingly good. The various dumplings including the boiled and pan-fried variety are all very good and fill in Chinatown's gap in northeastern Chinese food. Also had consistently good experiences with kung pao and orange chicken (which are "real Chinese food," FYI) and ma po tofu. They have Harbin beer for the properly regional accompaniment to your meal, and it is really really clean by mid-priced Chinatown standards, so you can bring your nervous nelly dining companions here and not have to listen to them carping about the last time the floor was mopped.
(4)Wesley C.
huge menu! best dumplings and baos in boston. it's also very affortable.
(4)Sarah B.
Best Dumplings EVER!!!
(5)L L.
This being Gourmet Dumpling House, I naturally had to try the dumplings. I wasn't incredibly impressed, though. The xiao long bao came with lots of hot soup, but the pork was a little tough--not what I'd expected, and definitely wouldn't have again (if you want something more authentic, go to Taiwan Cafe). The pork dumplings (with cabbage?) were okay, as was the anchovy appetizer. We weren't that hungry that night, so that was all we had room for. Maybe we would have done better trying some of the main dishes. It was also SUPER crowded and we were in between another table 2 inches away and the front desk-thingy and could hear almost everything the waiters were saying. In sum: mediocre, crowded. Meh. I'm a fan of Chinatown food, but GDH doesn't rank high on my list. Maybe some other time, when I'm feeling adventurous again...
(2)Dolores H.
Good, sometimes great, food. Unfortunately,we gotten dirty plates here twice, which is really off-putting.
(3)Michael V.
This was my first time eating soup dumplings and wow was it awesome. I the eggplant with beef and sautéed potatoes and both were pretty good so my overall impression of this place was very good. It's probably one the best Chinese restaurants in Boston to be quite honest.
(4)I D.
The name is a little misguiding. I went here thinking I'd get a menu full of dumplings....I did get a menu, and I did get dumplings, but it wasn't even close to full! The food was decent. The dumplings with the soup inside were really really good. The salt and pepper calamari was just ok; a little over fried. The beef ribs, were marinated really well and were good, but I felt like I didn't get enough for what I paid for because the plate was so little, and the majority of the dish was bones. I'd come here again, but I'd stick with the dumplings and get a couple of other dishes to try.
(3)Juggy W.
The Taiwan cafe contender is here. This place serves similar items as Taiwan cafe at a higher premium... I had the traditional pork chop over rice plate and oyster pancake. Both were somewhat authentic but I somehow cannot really justify the higher price here.
(4)Carie Y.
You know you should get the pork soup dumplings, but I'm about to give away the secret of the best item on the menu: julienned beef with longhorn peppers. Spicy, salty, satisfying. You're welcome.
(4)Mara M.
One of my favorite places in Boston. The soup dumplings are wonderful, and the bean curd with long horn peppers is a crowd pleaser, even for those who aren't vegetarian. Top it off with a scallion pancake and you're done! The wait can be long at peak times, and you will probably be seated elbow to elbow with another group, but it is all part of the experience.
(4)vanessa s.
I saw this on the food network website and dragged my husband out to take me! so glad we did! delicious.Basil eggplant so tender sweet and spicy. I tried the famous fish soup very good as well but a little too spicy for me..the dumplings were good but not amazing.But the food in general is delicious. Might be our go to Chinese place from now on. It's a hassle to find parking middle of Chinatown but you can order over the phone and pick up..I wouldn't mind putting the extra effort into delicious Chinese food :)
(4)Skull C.
Wow. this place really has dropped in quality. I used to go here pretty often 1 year ago. I went there tonight and my advice to anyone else is to avoid the long lines and shoddy service because the food quality has gone way down. The owner has cut corners with the staff and chefs and the portions and quality of the ingredients has also decreased. try something else in chinatown
(1)Ash G.
WONDERFUL juicy dumplings. Worth a drive on a cold afternoon just for these fabulous bundles of total joy.
(5)Ben W.
The Chinese name of this restaurant is Flavors from the South and North, which has nothing to do with its English name. Its best dish, for those who love Sichuan spicy food is Spicy Water Boiled Fish. My wife and I order this fish every time we go there.
(4)Mishka A.
If you're looking for good dumplings, this is the place to be. My friend and I shared Soupy Dumplings (8), Taiwanese Style Fried Dumplings (6 or 8) and Scallion pancakes (large round pie, chopped to 6 or 8 pieces) and we were stuffed. The Soupy Dumpling actually had soup in them, unlike most other places, and the Fried Dumpling were humongous. Total came out to $18 - not bad for a meal for two! I've been here once before to try other dishes and they were fine, but nothing to write home about. Downside to this place is that seating is limited, hard to accommodate a large group, but they get people in and out of there very quickly so you don't have to wait long. Takeaway: Great dumplings for cheap!
(4)Jim C.
It has been a very long time since my family and I last venture into Boston Chinatown again. We were in the mood for some groceries shopping and a treat on Taiwanese cuisine. With some great hope for this place, thinking they might redeem themselves after all this time had past. Last time we drop into this place, I was not all that impress and this time I have just completely lost all my faith. I am not kidding. Today's dinning experience was like going on another blind date with the same person on the second time. When I walk out of this place, I can only scream to myself "WHAT IN F#$%&*'n THE WORLD WAS I THINKING?". The only thing that got going for this place is all because of its location. People are get attracted due to this place has a active line of patrons is awaiting to enter. If I can only tell time "DON'T BE FOOL, IT'S NOT WORTH THE $MONEY!" We ordered the Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork, Beef Stew Noodle Soup with Spinach, and Pork Bellies with Preserved Vegetable in Brown Sauce. The Dumplings had a lot of Juicy (alright), if you would consider water steam are pork juice. I can barely taste if there were any pork in them. The Beef Stew Noodle Soup has no original authentic taste what so ever. In Taiwan, the making of Beef Stew Noodle Soup is almost a art form, they are various special herb mixed into the soup to bring out the spice and beef flavor. This place simply try to put out soak shredded beef in soy sauce and chili pepper oil. Not to mention the type of noodle they used in this dish, the yellow egg noodle (which is just about a grade up from the instant noodle that you buy in the supermarket. The Pork Bellies with Preserved Vegetable in Brown Sauce, all I can say is that with a can of turkey gravy and water broiled pork bellies you can fool a lot of people. If someday for some god unknowing reason I decide to go this place again, I hope taste buds will shout down my body, or just raise my hand and slap me across my face.
(1)Nancy G.
I'm bummed, man. I really wanted to love this place. But it wasn't cheap, and their soup dumplings were outright uninteresting, from the too thick pasta to the kinda bland broth and dumpling. Also, their black vinegar sauce is the harshest brand I've tasted (and yes, that makes a big difference when you like the stuff as much as I usually do). While the much-lauded Taiwanese-style pan-fried dumplings are huge, the crust isn't fully developed and the filling was, once again, disappointinly bland. For better equivalents in NYC's Chinatown, try the rightly famous Joe's Shanghai on Pell Street for soup dumplings (and Allston's JoJo Tapei is even better than Joe's IMHO) and the fried pork dumplings right around the corner from Joe's at Fried Dumplings on Mosco Street. There $1 will get you 5 juicy, crusty little treats to eat at a stand-up counter where strangers chew in silence while passing the vinegar and hot sauce bottles. Heaven.
(3)M L.
We came here wanting to be blown away...I mean, seriously, the place is called 'gourmet dumpling house.' So bring on your gourmet dumplings, right? Not quite. As other reviewers have mentioned, there really aren't that many dumplings to choose from, and the ones you do get have gigantic thick skins so that there's almost more dough than filling. The noodle soup we had was good but I think that Taiwan Cafe might be better. Xiao long bao is pretty exciting but nothing to go crazy over... many of the dim sum places around seem to do them as well if not better. It was cheap and quite filling, but the food didn't live up to the title in my opinion. This dumpling fan was disappointed.
(2)Tommy M.
I love it. Went there for the first time this week. Got the scallion pancakes, a frequent pick for me, and I can honestly say they are THE BEST I've ever had. Also got some steamed dumplings which were amazing. One disappointment was that I ordered some crab meat buns and they never appeared, but I didn't get charged for them and I was full anyway, so it didn't bother me too much. I will definitely go back soon.
(5)Simone P.
This place is AWESOME! The noodles are absolutely delicious, fresh and wonderful while the dumplings are pretty damn close to stuff I had in Mainland China. Obviously, it's a tiny hole in the wall type place in Chinatown but - the food there is amazing! I've never had a bad meal and I must say I've been there about 8 times. The first time I ventured into here - I wasn't sure what I was in store from. The clientele is mainly Chinese - but you never know. I had some amazing food. The vegetables are sauteed lightly in sauce and often served al dente - while the noodles are freshly stir fried with an abundance of spices. The entree dishes (protein based) are also great - I've had chicken dishes, pork dishes as well as the spare ribs. The food is really absolutely amazing and definitely worth the buck - since it's priced well. I'd suggest ordering the stir fried noodles with chicken as well as trying the shanghainese dumplings (which are served with soup inside - they're great!). Their pork and leek dumplings are also amazing - both steamed and pan fried. Have a GREAT meal!
(5)Allie M.
Best scallion pancakes I've ever had. Also, make sure to try the vegetable steamed buns.
(5)Randy M.
i had wanted to go here for a few months, but heard the line was long. It is, especially if you are a white person. Talk about reverse discrimination. Asians walk in, miraculously get seated when a second earlier there were no seats...but that is Chinatown....HOWEVER....I admit my turn had come after half an hour.....BUT when i walked and smelled old fish, rancid pork and rotted vegetables, I ran for my life. I would think Saturday had fresh food, but I guess they shopped late at Haymarket that day...Good luck here.
(1)g s.
Stopped by here with some friends this weekend after catching a movie. Great food in this tiny spot. We started with sping rolls & steamed dumplings. I got the Kung Pao chicken, which they said was spicy but really wasn't. Sampled some other dishes including sesame chicken, curry chicken and pork lo mein. All were yummy. Prices were very cheap. Can't wait to go back again!
(4)Ashley J.
I am such a whore for Asian food that I think I went on more dates than I should of with a guy in the past just because he spoke Chinese and could get me the good stuff..... Anyway I digress. Surprisingly I had never ventured here before so my fiance and I headed here last night to do some early bird special eating and beat the crowds that are rumored to form here. It is pretty much what most people have already said. The dumplings were disappointing. Dumplings are seriously one of my reasons for eating and the pork and crab dumplings are average. The skin is too thick and the texture and flavor is off. Almost like Peking ravioli. I somehow managed to get some of the ravioli juice in my hair and the smell made me gag all the way home. The 2 other dishes were FANTASTIC and totally made up for the average dumplings. The waiter, who was super nice, suggested we had to try the Sichuan sliced fish. I have to say it was the best sichuan I have had to date in Boston. Spicy and flavorful with the power of the spice building as you eat. We devoured the bowl. The spicy sliced pigs ear was not significantly spicy when compared with the fish but it had great flavor and a unique texture that was new to both of us. We really enjoyed the experience. The restaurant is tiny and while we were eating they made a guy next to us move so they could give half his table away. That so wouldn't have flown with me but he was cool with it so to each their own. The service was above par for Chinatown and they serve beer so we were really happy. Definitely a go back place.
(4)Jim K.
My wife and I came to Boston this past weekend and definitely had to come to Gourmet Dumpling after the last time we were in Boston and had their spicy fish pot! The fish is spicy and delicious and comes with a bunch of other vegetables inside. I know this place is called Gourmet Dumpling House and their dumplings are pretty good, but the spicy fish is the best thing here that brings me back! Only problem with this restaurant is that they're pretty popular so their tables get filled up quickly, which is why we made sure to come here right before noon to avoid the rush
(5)gwendolyn g.
why are some reviews so pseudo-snobby? please! if you want good chinese food, go to china. seriously, i've seen weird reviews like that, time and again. well, we are in boston and this place is one of the very best in our chinatown. maybe you've had better dumplings in sf or wherever, but this place has some of the top ranking food in boston's chinatown (in my humble opinion). service stinks, tables are squished together, there's no entrance or place to wait for your table or your take-out order. those are my cons. pros: i have not tried one single thing from this place that was not simply delicious. and my husband is chinese and he agrees, so there, snobs!
(4)Jo B.
The food at this place is pretty good, I would definitely go back and try some other things when it is less crowded, but I wasn't too thrilled with the cramped quarters when I went (430 on a Sunday evening). There is literally one inch of space in between tables. Bring some lube because you will need it in order to squeeze into your seat. It also gets loud when it's crowded so it's tough to have a conversation. All that aside, I enjoyed what I ordered....the mini pork dumplings and the chicken with broccoli rice bowl. You get 8 dumplings in an order and they aren't "mini" at all, so I was only able to consume 3. The dipping sauce it came with had sliced ginger and was really good. The chicken with broccoli was the most flavorful chicken and broccoli I think I've ever had. The rice it came with was perfectly cooked, thick and and a little sticky, just perfect.
(3)Tony P.
Been here a couple of times. Delicious, hearty portions for great prices. Service by the waiters is good. However, trying to get seated can be a nightmare -- the owner has only been nice about seating/waiting when we arrive in a larger group.
(4)MS J.
I really liked this place! In fact, I went there twice in the same day! Hahaha... well I had brunch there and was impressed by how authentic the food tasted. I guess for some reason I didn't expect Boston to have good Chinese food. The dumplings were not very good nor authentic though. And the name being "Gourmet Dumpling House" is pretty misleading. They only had like 3 different kinds of dumplings. And they are gigantic, the skin was so thick and the filling was pretty gross... lol. But everything else I had at this restaurant was pretty good. So I went back there for a late night snack since they open late! Had the same waiter. Poor guy, must've been working a 16 hour shift or something.
(4)jamie l.
i want to tell you that this place sucks - so you won't go there...b/c it's such a small place and i hate waiting for a table...but i can't tell a lie. this is one of our favorite restaurants in the city and definitely the best chinese in town. guaranteed - you can't go wrong at the dumpling house.
(5)Michael S.
This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. 4 stars just because sometimes the service isn't the greatest (food comes out quick but it can take a while to pay, which can be aggravating in a place this small). The pan-fried pork buns are incredible. Mini juicy dumplings with pork are fantastic too, though I don't recommend them with crabmeat. Order lots of stuff and split. Also love the General Gau's chicken, beef lo mein, and scallion pancakes.
(4)Fortuna F.
yum--small inside and if you go at night you might be seated next to another couple but cozy. great dishes: hui guo ruo--twice cooked pork do miao in garlic it's all good didn't get the steamed fish but it looked good
(5)lulu l.
Another Chinatown eatery that offers a fantastic value! The space is small and the tables are so close that you could eat off the next table! You'll also have to overlook the rushed service. Like most Chinatown places, they depend on volume to make their $. For my boyfriend and I, our typical meal is an order of the steamed mini buns (both pork and pork & crabmeat are great) or the steamed dumplings, braized eggplant with basil, and one bowl of rice. That is usually enough for a meal - if you're not famished and you'll leave room in your stomach for a pastry dessert at one of the nearby bakeries. Each time I've been there, there are always interesting and yummy looking dishes that pass by. Don't be shy and ask what they are; you'll definitely be intrigued. Again, I can't over emphasized that the service is ultra rushed so your buns/dumplings may be served AFTER your main dishes arrive. We've resorted to ordering one course at a time so we can get the dumplings first - to the annoyance of the wait staff.
(4)james k.
Was at a Mediterranean restaurant in Somerville, late in the evening, whose food was oversauced, nondescript, pricey and undistinguished. Expresso martini was good though. While munching non-excitedly had this hankering for no nonsense authentic dumplings. Who knows what triggers this type of sudden craving. Drove down to Chinatown and while my gf was dozing in the car, parked beside a fire hydrant with the flashers going, got the juicy, mini pork and chive dumplings to go. What the heck, also some flat noodles with beef and general gauo chicken since I was there already and all came to $25. Quickly had some of the food in the car, my gf still in lala land. The first bite of the dumpling with juice popping out hot, now thats what I'm talking about! A little taste of the noodle, slightly burnt, charcoal taste mixed with sweet oil and soy, crunch veg. Moist, hot chicken, not sufficiently spicey for my taste but some would say well balanced. I was kinda full from the dinner before but everything tasted great still, a true test of good food. I've had dumplings everywhere in the world and not-so-humbly consider myself a bit of dumpling snob. I place GDH's right up there at the top. I have not tried a lot of things on the giant menu and I'm sure some are just glops but at a place like this, on certain nights on the verge of winter, craving for true simple sensation on taste buds calls from the subconscious and you just gotta satisfy it. Driving home gf stirs and asks what the smell is in the car. I say heaven. She say uhuh and back to slumber while I dream of another bite of the luscious dumpling.
(5)Sam F.
Awww yeahhhh first night in Boston and I found a legit Chinese place for dinner. Arrived around 7 PM on a Tuesday night with two friends and we had to put our name on the list because there were already a bunch of people inside. Thankfully we didn't have to wait out in the cold too long, after five minutes or so we were in! We ordered the xiao long bao, eggplant with basil, spicy fish stew, and rice cakes with pork and vegetables. Xiao long bao: not bad but I've had better. The dumpling skin was too thick and the dumpling itself was larger than normal but the filling was good and the sauce on the side was great! Eggplant with basil: YESSSSS!!!! I love this dish! The eggplant was prepared perfectly so that it was nice and soft, and the sauce was luscious and meaty. I couldn't stop eating this dish, and I wasn't ashamed because it's a great way to eat your vegetables! Spicy fish stew: not bad, most of the bowl was filled with cabbage and they placed the fish on top. Flavor was pretty good but it looks far spicier than it actually tastes so don't be scared! Rice cakes with pork and veg: solid dish and it actually went really well with the sauce from the eggplant! Rice cakes were nice and chewy, pork and veg were plentiful. Oh and the tea is great here too and they keep refilling your pot when the water gets low! Beware this restaurant is tiny and it gets packed but the food is great!
(4)Melinda N.
Only come here for the soup dumplings. THey are awesome. The food bill was so cheap. we got fried rice, 2 orders of soup dumplings, scallion pancakes and rice cakes and it was $8 per person! There were 7 of us. the waiter forgot to add on our beers to the bill and chased us down. i felt like it should've been on them. When the food was brought out by other serves, they would hit my guests with the plate as they tried to place it on the table...uhm okay.... we would ask for additional items like spoons and napkins and they would plopped down by this unhappy server as well. o well. good thing their soup dumplings are so delicious. be careful it can be HOT!
(3)Shreya S.
The food is too good. Scallion pancakes were awesome. Dumplings were good. Chicken was good. It's a must try Chinese place. The only thing that was disappointing was the service. The staff were busy in themselves rather than taking care of people. And I did not like the ambience but the food compensated it all.
(4)Eddie S.
The dumplings here are good! They were very affordable and the service was quick. I found the veggie and egg dumplings to be better than the beef and celery and the pork and leek dumplings, would def. recommend them!
(4)Ning A.
We came here by accident as I misheard my friend's recommendation for dumpling cafe. We came to gourmet instead. We had a large party and we did come late around 11pm. They restaurant is listed as open til 1am. We ordered both the standard soup dumplings and crab soup dumplings. Both of these were mediocre at best as the fillings had color of soy sauce and hardly any difference between the two types of dumplings. How anyone would think they taste good is beyond me. For appetizers the marinated cucumbers were just flat out not fresh. Pig ears were better. The marinated pork belly the only dish that tasted good. My friends also ordered a decent wonton soup and a general gao's chicken. Typical Americanized stuff that actually was surprisingly good. I guess my initial mistake cost us this experience. This should be called the American ungourmet dumpling house. Plus after only about an hour when we were in the midst of talking about what has happened in the ten years since we last met they booted us out of the restaurant. One hour short of their closing time. Would have given two stars for food. One star off for attitude.
(1)Sylvia C.
This place is always super busy to the point they try to maximize their table real estate instead of first come first serve (ie. saving 4 top for 3-4ppl). Bummer for us - we always tend to order 4+ dishes and know that the standard 2 top table will not fit all our food. This evening we ended ordering 7 dishes - they later moved us to a bigger table. Service is a mix - they always forget our drinks or to bring the rice. After 2-3 reminders - we'll eventually get them. Lucky they got a master chef in the back whipping up the flavorful cuisines at lightning speed. Recommend - the 3 essence chicken, pork/crabmeat soup dumplings and watercress in sa-cha sauce.
(4)Summer Rain U.
Wonderful dumplings but the place was so tiny and crowded. We got the pleasure of getting up from our seat when they fished the lobsters out of the take next to our table. Great place but take out probably best. Steamed dumplings are a must!
(4)Chris W.
Definitely one of the better dumplings houses I have visited. The food is fresh and tasty and the service is speedy. Can't wait to go back. On the downside, it isn't ridiculously cheap like most dumpling houses and you expect a 10-20 minute wait outside to be seated. Despite all that, the dumplings are so delicious that I give it 5 stars. Recommend the beef and celery dumplings.
(5)Jake S.
Okay everything I said before is true but the food OMG mini juicy dumplings with pork and the spicy fish soup, I think about it in my sleep. Definitely worth suffering through all of the chaos to get that delicious fish soup.
(5)DJ N.
I've eaten here twice and both times were great. Sometimes you can find the best food in hole in the wall restaurants. This is one of them. If you like spicy, then there are a lot of great options. The standard is the Szechuan Sliced Fish. People wait in line for this one and it is well worth it. Other items that I really enjoyed: seafood dumplings, scallion pancakes, sauteed snap peas, and salt & pepper prawns (with the shell). The prices are very reasonable and the environment is extra casual. The space is tiny so if you show up with more than 4 people expect a long wait. Otherwise, expect a 15-30 minute wait. Give this place a try. You won't be disappointed. I would love to give them 4.5 stars...
(4)Mia C.
Went there the first time today and was disappointed at their Szechuan dishes. The broth in the spicy boiled fish was somewhat sweet, which is a big no-no for any Szechuan dishes. We also ordered a signature Szechuan dish Fried Chicken with Dry Chilies. I was shockingly disappointed at it soon as it was served. It didn't look like or taste like the real thing. So I asked the waitress if she took the wrong order and tried to explain to her that this was not what I was expecting. The waitress looked at me annoyed and said to the manager :"I don't know what she is talking about."The manager was nicer. Hearing my complaint she explained that there was another dish that was similar to what I wanted. Though I'm pretty sure she had no idea what the real deal is. I mean...if you don't know how to make it right then don't put the name on your menu. Or give this dish another name. The dumplings were okay. I guess I expected too much from this place seeing the wait line. If you don't usually get authentic Szechuan, you will probably find this place ok. Or just avoid ordering Szechuan here.
(3)Prakruthi G.
The best place for Chinese food in Boston! The scallion pancakes and the Sichuan fish are highly recommended. Very reasonably priced and service is great as well. One should also remember to try their beans with dry shrimp. Waiting to go there again!
(4)Sarah M.
Easily the best Chinese food I have ever had. I work in Chinatown and have tried most of the other highly rated spots, and this place beats them all. I think it's popularity has caused some backlash that is undeserved. I am a vegetarian, but I have tried the soup dumplings and they were totally worth it. The veggie dumplings are also spectacular, which is rare. If you eat at one Chinese restaurant in Boston, or at one restaurant in Boston, make it here.
(5)Shawn T.
We came for Shanghai dumplings and were not disappointed. On a Monday night, it was packed and we waited about 15 minutes for a table. This is a small restaurant with tables set very close together. Besides the dumplings, we also had tofu and onion pancakes, everything was good. The dumplings were, by no means, the best we've had, but they satisfied our craving.
(4)Sze H.
Wow. What a place. Tiny little hole in the wall - you will get to know the folks at the next table, because they're so close you can't help it. We had the scallion pancakes, pan fried flat noodles with beef, pork and leek dumplings, and soup dumplings. It was a LOT of food, and only 30 bucks for all of it. Previous reviewer must have gone at an un-fortuitous time to see majority non-Chinese in there - when we went, my wife and the table next to us were the only non-Chinese in the place. This is a must-visit for me on any subsequent visit to Boston.
(5)Zakkai K.
This is my favorite restaurant in the world. I have eaten ma po tofu at more Chinese restaurant than I can count, and this one is the best. I'm vegetarian, and I can always go to this place and get something new to eat that's unlike anything I've had before, and also delicious..
(5)Leanne C.
Authentic, quick and cheap. Since my office moved to Chinatown, I've been picking a dumpling house at random and this has been my favourite so far. Vegetarian/vegan options, super huge and tasty soups for $5-$8, and (mostly) attentive service. My vegetable soup had bok choy, tomato (I love Asian soups that add tomato), carrots, broccoli, and the other usual Asian-stirfry/veggie dish culprits. Once I dumped a bunch of sweat inducing sriracha into the mix, I was in heaven. If you're nearby (or even in the financial district, take the hike) you should definitely check this place out.
(5)Sam F.
I lived in the Boston area for 20 years, and in China for about 3, so I know both the city of Boston and Chinese food pretty well. This is hands down my favorite Chinese restaurant in the Boston area, known affectionately in our family as G-Dump. A bit crowded (which to me is just endearing because it reminds me of China), and can require a wait to get in (sign of good food), but the food is more authentic than anything I've had anywhere else in the US. Even typically un-glamorous fare like beef stir fried rice is remarkable. None of that soy-sauce-brown-stained-hard-rice-with-pink-dyed-Âpork-bits stuff that you get in typical Chinese restaurants in the US. It is fried just right and laced with wonderful cooked Chinese cabbage, and just enough meat to flavor the rice. Sometimes I just get that alone to go. Also try one of the fish soups (several good ones). If you are observant, you will notice someone pull a fish out of the tank at the back shortly after you order it. The soup dumplings are also deservedly popular.
(5)Francisco M.
Really cramped but really good! Soup dumplings are the best. It'd be 5 star but its constantly packed and has long wait times.
(4)Alex A.
For a place touting itself as a gourmet dumpling joint, this place is very decidedly subpar, especially considering the abundance of nearby dumpling places that are superior in quality. I may be alone in my assessment, but I found the dumpling wrapper to be too thick, the soup-filling-wrapper ratio to be out of whack, and the flavor of the whole package to be severely lacking. Honestly, it's not the worst place in Boston to get dumplings and Chinese food, but I feel like much of this place's reputation comes from glowing word-of-mouth reviews provided courtesy of uninformed dipsticks. In a nutshell: not the worst place to go to if you're hungry, but given time and patience, you can do way better.
(2)Peter C.
We've had several really good meals here. Soup dumplings: tasty, fun to try, but not quite my thing Pork & Leek dumplings (pan-fried): really good Scallion pancake: best I've ever had Udon noodles pan-fried with pork and vegetables: really good Sauteed green beans: ok
(4)Kate T.
The restaurant as a whole gets 4 stars...the scallion pancakes get 5. Or 10, if I could give 10. HOLY DELICIOUS. They are PERFECT. Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside with just perfect flavor. We had 4 people at dinner and got 2 orders of those alone...we destroyed them. I'm now in a horribly depressed state because I have yet to find scallion pancakes remotely on par with these in Phoenix. We ordered a variety of things - pork, shrimp, chicken - for our main entree and they were all very good, it's just that nothing stuck with me like those damn pancakes. I'm obsessed. As you can tell. I was sadly not impressed with the vegetable dumplings despite some really good reviews I had seen for them. Maybe my taste buds were just hopped up on scallion pancakes and couldn't appreciate the dumplings. All right, I'll shut up about the pancakes. Be warned, you will wait to eat here. I think we waited about 45 minutes, maybe more, to get a table - and this was after 9 PM, so don't think going later will remove the crowd factor. And you wait outside - the place is pretty small with veryyy limited waiting space inside. If the aforementioned pancakes are worth waiting outside in winter for over half an hour to you, I am in the same boat...just don't forget your gloves.
(4)Kenny C.
People RAVE about this place. I came in with expectations set way too high. Background: I grew up in Taiwan and I'm gonna compare this to what I'm used to eating in Taiwan. Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings): One important measure of good xiaolongbao is to have the right proportion of skin:meat:soup in each bite. This proportion was not there. The soup is flavorful and there were a lot of it. The filling was not bad. However, the skin is too thick and the size of the bao were too large (xiao = small, these should be small, like bite sized). Ideally, you should be able to pop one in your mouth and not choke on the soup (I almost choked on the soup trying to stuff one in my mouth). If you've never had soup dumplings before, you might enjoy this. Just know that there are much better soup dumplings out there. Shenjianbao (pan fried baos?): I'm pretty sure the dough is made in-house, which I appreciate. However, it's just not that good. There's also no crisp (jian = pan fried = crispy) to the bao. The flavor of the filling was not bad. The skin is what threw me off. Pot stickers: I think this is my favorite out of the 3. But again, I've had better. Pot stickers should be crispy on the outside, and this is... not. However, the filling was very good, packed with flavor and juice. The dipping sauce goes very well with the pot sticker's flavor. I'd recommend this.
(3)kiva p.
This is place has really wonderful food! I have been to China, and this food reminds me of it the most! When I go any Chinese restaurant I take a look at the patrons to get a sense if the food is authentic. This was confirmed the moment I walked in TO GDH, and the faces were all Asian. They do not deliver, don't accept credit cards over the phone, but they will take large orders. I ordered in celebration of the Chinese new year. The food was a bit late and I had to send a courier to pick it up and drop it off....I order extra rice last minute and there was a mix up about payment so the food wasn't released on schedule ... This place gets very hectic, so contacting them can be quite difficult. I say it's best to do your transactions in person versus over the phone. The dumplings took me right back to Xian China, there crispy noodles are awesome, all their green vegetable dishes are so tasty especially the watercress. I will without a doubt order from this place again. The food was well prepared and delish!
(4)Sherman N.
Maybe I'm overly critical due to the fact that I'm exposed to extremely high quality Chinese food in NYC and Hong Kong , but this place really fell flat from the hype. I was recommended here by a friend from Boston who swore that the Chinese food was better than anywhere else. I was pretty excited because the line was long, in that I had to wait about an hour to be seated. If there were that many people, I'm sure the food would be delicious right? We decided to order both the crab/pork soup dumplings and the pork soup dumplings and a few other dishes that were so unmemorable that I forgot we even ordered them. Upon consumption I realized that the soup dumplings were not only extremely thick compared to the soup dumplings I had in both NYC and China , but there was only a few droplets of soup. The texture was undesirable in my opinion because it felt like I was just eating meat covered in a thick layer of dough. I'm not sure if there are other soup dumpling locations in the Boston Chinatown area, but in my opinion this location did not live up to its hype.
(3)Wei W.
This hole-in-the-wall "dumpling" restaurant is anything but gourmet. With a menu boasting over 50 traditional dishes, you would think one of them would be better than mediocre. Nope. Not even the soup dumplings, which is the reason why we came here in the first place - they are now lackluster in flavor and grease pits to boot. I heard they were amazing in the day, but definitely not today. We also ordered crispy noodles with beef and mango seafood dishes for entrees. The noodles came out just right, but the flavors were off (like three-day old ingredients off). The mango seafood dish was far too greasy, to the point where the sauce was oozing off the plate without us needing to push it around. One of my friends was daring enough to try the stinky tofu. Verdict? Nothing like true Taiwanese tofu; it was overly chewy and the cabbage topping was overcooked. Rookie lesson #5: Don't come in with more than four people at a time. Throughout dinner, we were elbowed and shoved around by the waitresses running to and from the kitchen (we had the fortune of sitting in front of the kitchen door). A few times a waitress nearly spilled an entire order on me. Needless to say, I'm not coming back.
(1)Andrew N.
This place has decent Taiwanese food, which gets the job done when you're coming back from a late night of drinking (or studying too). The XLB pork soup dumplings aren't as good as the ones at Taiwan Cafe down the street. They were juicy and full of soup but the wrap outside were super dry and tough, making it hard to bite into. On the other hand, the scallion pancakes are actually really good here. They come out hot, crispy, and the right amount of grease! Honestly though, you should probably come here just for the Xiao Long Bao and the pancakes. I've tried their regular food (both at late at night and during lunch time) and it was mediocre at best. The portions are pretty small, especially for the price (You'd think China town would be cheap, right?). Most of the food is too greesy or too bland. Of all of the dishes I've tried, I think the General Tso's chicken was probably the best -I wouldn't mind getting it again! It's a typical small Asian joint that tries to get you in and out as fast as possible so don't expect the best service (nor the best food really). The signs on the door say its one of the Best Chinese Restuarants in America, but that's a huge lie. 3 stars!
(3)Cindy C.
The food here is really good and even sometimes the wait is a little long, it's definitely worth the wait. I've had their clams, lobster, fried tofu, and some other dishes. So far the best Chinese food I have had in Boston. Their other branch in Cambridge is not worth going to.
(5)Traci K.
Gourmet Dumpling House is pretty tasty. The menu is pretty extensive and the dumpling/bun options are pretty good. The space is tiny and they pack as many tables in as humanly possible. (Our two top was bumped right up against the fish tank. I had tilapia judging me as I inhaled several plates of dumplings). Eat this: Juicy dumplings. We had the pork and crab. By far the best ones we tried. Oozing with deliciousness. The filling was perfectly seasoned and most excellent. We also had the pan-fried pork buns - which were OK, but there was more bun than filling. And the pork and cabbage dumplings which were a very close second favorite to the juicy dumplings. The scallion pancake is super crispy and thick. A little greasy, but not a bad try. We should have stopped there, but we wanted to try a noodle dish - so we split the beef and veggie. It was not good. No flavor, funky smell and the noodles were dressed in some weird gritty sauce. Definitely not interested in trying that again. Otherwise, the service was pretty good and the bustling atmosphere (while a little overwhelming) was pretty fun. After the fact we heard from a friend that the twin lobster hot pot was the thing to try. I guess we'll have to go back.
(3)Gaetan D.
Insanely good! A must go! the dumpling soup(ask how to eat it), basil eggplant and pork bamboo, so gooooood!
(5)Eric M.
Thought this was very good, especially for the cost. Szechuan fish was phenomenal as was the crab Rangoon. Soup dumplings were good, but I've had better in NYC Chinatown
(5)Leslie H.
Get the super spicy fish soup! I am most definitely not a fan of spicy food, but this soup is a must order at Gourmet Dumpling House. It comes chock full of perfectly cooked pieces of white-flesh fish. The soup itself is full of chili oil and way too hot for me, but I was able to use rice to sop up all the spicy oil and scrape off the chili seeds. I also greatly enjoyed the soup dumpling. They were much larger than what I'm used to, but still full of savory soup. My biggest complaint is that the wrapper was too thin and non-pliable; they broke upon the barest touch of the chopsticks. We also got the peashoots with garlic, which were perfectly cooked, if a bit too wet. Avoid the chicken chow mein as it is swimming in sauce, and not in a good way. Service is hurried, but fairly attentive for a Chinese restaurant. The tables are placed WAY too closely together, but if you're smart, you'll come as an odd number so you'll have an extra chair to stash your coats and bags.
(4)Harmony H.
Hands down best dumplings ever. They also have the best scallion pancakes, eggplant, spicy fish soup, etc. The restaurant itself is a little grimey and they definitely use MSG. But who cares! The food is absolutely out of this world..
(5)Kuong L.
This seems to be the place to go if you're in Chinatown. There is always a wait. We got there around 7:30 pm and put our names on the list for a table for 4. Was told by the hostess that it shouldn't be more than 25 minutes when in reality it took us close to an hour to be seated. When we asked why it took so long, the hostess said she did not see us even though we were standing right outside the door. The soup dumplings were indeed good. Worth trying if you're there but definitely not worth the wait. We ordered the Singapore Noodles, which was delicious. (Would recommend this dish if you like the flavor of curry). We ordered the salt and pepper shrimp peeled -- that was perhaps our favorite dish. Right amount of spice to keep you wanting more. We got the watercrest with garlic which was a big disappointment; lacked a lot of flavor. We also got the braised eggplant with basil. This was a great dish with an unexpected light sweet taste to it. The service was fast and efficient, as is the case with most restaurants in Chinatown. The food is generally very good but to be honest, I'm not sure the wait is that worth it compared to other restaurants in the area. Taiwan Cafe and Asian Garden are two great authentic restaurants that are close by and does not have a long wait. I do think it's worth trying the soup dumplings once but not sure the long wait makes me want to make this my go to place in Chinatown. Should also be noted that most of the patrons are white and the few times I've been there, there doesn't seem to be any local Chinese folks eating there --- take that as you will. It definitely is good food that caters to more Americanized pallet; and I'm not saying this as a bad thing, but something worth noting for those out there who are interested in having an authentic experience without being scared away by pigs feet (which by the way, they also serve and is definitely worth trying!).
(3)Katy M.
Really, really good pork buns. Also, if you're not a tea drinker, make sure you let your waiter know so you do not get charged for the tea.
(4)Mark C.
This place was my second choice I should say at the start. The dim sum place a block away had a 20 minute wait so I ended up here. As the only Caucasian guy in the place I was hopeful that is found an authentic spot. If so then I prefer the non-authentic dumpling place. The fried pork buns were really tasteless without adding soy and hot oil. Next the steamed and pan fried "dumplings" we're what most refer to as pot stickers. Decent but not memorable. As a single I kind of got the indifferent treatment and felt pressured to leave after my last bite as there were a few waiting for tables. I was only at a two-top so I wasn't camped out and I did actually leave a minute after finishing. Not so gourmet I'd say.
(2)Clare F.
Gourmet Dumpling House really never disappoints. Every meal I've had there, take-out or eat-in, has been delicious. We headed there today, opting for take-out. Only had to wait a few minutes to give our order and it was ready in a half hour, giving us time to grab treats at the bakery and poke around a few cool shops. I got the steamed vegetable dumplings. Good, but I remember them being better, and coming with more dipping sauce (nobody likes a dry dumpling!) I tried out the vegetable fried rice, which was surprisingly light. The veggies included lettuce, which sounds really weird but it worked in the dish. The highlight was the oyster pancake app. They do NOT skimp on the oysters. The pancake is large and certainly shareable, and it comes with this red sticky kind of sweet sauce. Pretty awesome. This place always has a wait, even in the middle of the afternoon. It is small and kind of cramped, but that just adds to the charm.
(4)Shelley W.
I'm giving this place four stars for the food and zero stars for the restaurant ambiance. Waiting for seating at Gourmet Dumpling is an experience in itself. If you frequent Chinatown fairly often, you'll notice a throng of people hanging around outside the restaurant. In order to make reservations, you must squeeze in through the one-person wide narrow entrance, find a waiter/waitress, and give your name and the number of people for them to jot/scribble down in a mini steno books. From my experience, if you speak Chinese, the waiters at Gourmet Dumpling House definitely give you priority in better seating. For two, we ordered three dishes: the leek/pork dumplings, pork/cabbage dumplings, and the scallion pancakes. The scallion pancakes were crispy and delicious--this is coming from someone who personally doesn't like eating them (we ended up ordering it because of the other Yelp reviews). The two dishes of dumplings are hand-made, with the leek being my personal favorite. The food was served fairly quickly and while there may be many customers, the waiters seemed to be fairly receptive to the needs of the customers. As most of the previous reviewers already mentioned, the restaurant ambiance is on the frantic and crowded side of the spectrum. For this visit, we ended up sitting right next to the cashier station facing the wall, with a dusty mini tower fan in the corner that didn't seem to work. Nevertheless, the restaurant air circulation is fine and there is AC if anyone was worried about that haha. For a first-timer who may not be as comfortable being squeezed in a table with strangers slurping down soup dumplings within elbow's reach--there are plenty of other restaurants in the area that will be more accommodating of one's personal bubble. But at the same time, the crowded room and liveliness of the restaurant does make the experience very interesting and memorable. All in all, I would definitely come here again if I'm ever craving some dumplings!
(4)Dean L.
The food here is awesome, but be prepared to be treated like crap when you come. Some of the workers are easily frustrated and have zero patience (the younger workers are much better, so try to look for them!). On my first visit, I asked the older woman behind the counter for a recommendation and she wouldn't give me one! Instead she kept saying "everything is good, it depends on what you like." When I kept pressing by asking what is most popular she just got frustrated and blew me off! Even still, I have been back here many times because the food is pretty darn good. I have sworn off this restaurant a few times, but each time I come crawling back. Besides, they could care less if you come or not since the place is always super busy.
(3)See X.
Awesome food. Scallion pancake is a must get. Fried udon noodles were so good. The star anise in the Szechuan was a bit overpowering, but overall the food was fantastic. Service was a bit crazy though. There's a lot of yelling across the room that goes on. This place is always packed and it's in the tiniest room.
(4)Andrew R.
I'm not reading to get on the GDH train, but the dumplings are really really good. This is the best dim sum place I've found in Boston -- better than Windsor or Dumpling Cafe.
(4)Nora L.
I've endured the long waits and have been here twice (once with my boyfriend and another time with a group). I came out full and satisfied both times. The szechuan yu pian is the best that I've had at similar restaurants in Boston, definitely a must try at Gourmet Dumpling House. The xiao long bao is also delicious. We ordered other dishes but these were the stars for sure. Note that this restaurant is small and seemingly always crowded. Not a great place for a date but perfect for a small group looking to enjoy a delicious meal.
(4)Ken H.
This place is alright. I am underwhelmed by the quality of Chinese food in Boston. People recommended this place said it has one of the best Chinese food in town. I was disappointed. The steamed dumpling was juicy but flavorless. The look wasn't so pleasant. It feels like they just fold it any way that they wanted. I also tried steamed bun, again it looks like previously frozen bun but again the ones you got from the supermarket have better look than this and cheaper. Blend taste. Broiled dumplings were good , but nothing to write home about. They should go check out Chinese restaurants in LA, SF, NYC to see how they run the dumpling house business (esp Nan Xiang Dumpling in Flushing, thats one of the best looking dumpling I have seem in States)
(3)Matthew B.
While you may feel like you're in a Darwinian experiment when attempting to get a seat, I assure you that it's worth every shove & elbowing for position. Huge love for these - in order: * Scallion Pancakes - so much flavorful (and fantastically oily) action in these little guys. My girlfriend claimed to hear angels sing when trying it. * Soup dumplings - not since WD-50 and the deconstrunctional food movement has soup been so well incorporated into a solid. There's magic in that dumpling container. * General Gau's Chicken - if you have friends that somehow aren't able to sustain themselves purely on dumplings and pancakes, you can always tag in the General. It's incredibly flavorful and enough to share with the entire army. Heads up - AMEX isn't accepted and you should plan to be patient with language - i.e. don't be that guy that gets frustrated when you have to repeat yourself. As those 5 stars show, it's all well worth it.
(5)Aristotle L.
Lunch here was probably the highlight of my visit to Boston. We arrived mid weekday afternoon for lunch and they were very busy. Once seated, we ordered the mini juicy dumplings, pan fried sea food noodles, San dong style pan fried dumplings and Chinese broccoli (to act healthy). Bottom line, the food was good; a legitimate example of any good major metropolitan Chinatown establishment. Also very affordable for the portions provided. I would come here again for my next Boston visit.
(4)Juanita W.
I would have rated this restaurant higher based on the quality of the food; HOWEVER, I could not because of the discrimination I felt from the staff. We sat for a good 10 minutes without any of the servers acknowledging our presence. Then three of the servers stood beside our table with their backs to us and obviously discussed who had to serve our table. The man must have drawn the short straw. He then asked what we wanted. I did not read any of the reviews until after I left the restaurant. It appears from other reviews that this may be a common practice. Sad, very sad!
(3)Irvin H.
Food is good-Crab rangoons, soup dumplings and regular dishes. Service sucks and space is tight but atmosphere is cool.
(4)Angela S.
The sliced fish szechuan dish was the star of the night. The broth was spicy, but not too spicy. The sliced fish were tender and flavorful. We also ordered the eggplant with basil. Unlike many of the other chinese restaurants that I've been to in NY, the eggplants weren't mushy. However, I will say that the dish was very oily, but delicious. In addition, we also ordered the beef with black pepper which consisted of pieces of sauteed beef with slices of green pepper and onions. The dish was good, but ordinary.
(5)Di L.
Oh no no no! I remember the dumplings here being much better in the past. I'm not sure if this is because I have become more picky, or if better restaurants have since opened, or if they have actually gone downhill, but I don't like this place at all anymore. The dumplings are still ok, but very greasy. They were not as spectacular as I would have expected based on the reviews. I don't think that they are far superior to most other dumpling restaurants in town, or even Chinese restaurants that don't specifically have the word "dumpling" in their names. The soup dumplings had little soup in the filling, and were small and thick-skinned. They're not terrible, but I actually prefer the frozen packages you can get at C Mart over these. Of particular note, the pork belly with pickled vegetables was absolutely atrocious--mostly vegetable with strips of bland, soggy meat on top, all doused in a soy-based sauce with too much cornstarch. I'm not sure whether to be appalled or impressed, I mean, it has to take a certain skill to make fried fat taste anything but f***ing amazing, and they wholly achieved that. Also, the scallion pancakes were very greasy and looked deep-fried, which is not how scallion pancakes are done in my book. Actually, most everything I have ordered here recently has been too greasy for my taste, which is generally the first indication of a less-than-stellar Chinese restaurant. Maybe they do other dishes much better, but I won't be back to find out anytime in the near future.
(2)Ryan D.
Decently good food. The xiao long bao had a good consistency to the pork inside, it wasn't too packed in which I liked, along with the large size (compared to XLB you find in CA). Ordered chinese broccoli with oyster sauce and was given it with garlic instead. Service was tough, we were seated and not given menus, and then water was hard to get. Other than that, I was happy to get some decent Chinese food in Boston.
(3)Jie W.
I dont know why free water need 6 dollar？
(1)Tiffany J.
Hands down, the best restaurant in Boston Chinatown. It's also really obvious because EVERYTIME I've walked past the entrance, there is a long line outside. Average wait time seems to be anywhere from 25-45 minutes. But trust me, IT IS SO WORTH THE WAIT, even if seating is very cramped inside (eating next to the fish tank is quite the experience). I always order the Szechuan spicy fish, which seems to be their most popular dish. It is an extremely spicy and oily white fish dish and it comes with a lot of tasty cabbage (feeds 2-4). I also typically get the steamed spinach dumplings, which is a really great vegetarian option.
(5)Peter R.
Go here now. Get the Szechuan Sliced Fish. Sweat it out in pure delicious bliss. Ahhh. Silky slices of white fish in a vibrant and spicy broth. Napa cabbage also soaks up the ultimate broth and delivers a textural sponge for your delight. Order white rice to tame your tastebuds when they are.overcome and dive in for more. The dumplings are great too, no doubt. But the fish is the dish.
(5)Joe R.
Foods fantastic. That needs to be said up front. Wait staffs terrible. There's always a wait, and I've been actively ignored while the front desk checked their facebook account on their phone. Is it worth the hassle? totally. Cash only. Be prepared for a bit of a wait, so show up 15 minutes or so before you want to eat.
(4)Bee G.
At last! Every time I walk by this place, there's a line out the door (the restaurant itself is quite small). But lo and behold, it just happened that a friend and I were meeting for a very early dinner. We were in Chinatown, trying to pick a place to eat. "All I know is I want dumplings," my friend says when I ask her where she wants to go. As we walk and point at different restaurants, recounting our good (or bad, or lukewarm) experiences eating there, I point at Gourmet Dumpling House. It's supposed to be good, I say, and look, there's no line for a change! We ordered a dumpling noodle soup each, some pork dumplings, and two veggie buns. The noodle soup was bland, and I wouldn't order it again. But the dumplings, oh the dumplings were delicious (as were the buns). Next time, and I hope there is a next time, I'll order dumplings/buns and something other than noodle soup.
(4)Rach M.
The soup dumplings are so *bleepin* good. Seriously, best dumplings in Boston. Don't even bother trying anywhere else. I went here with a group of my girlfriends for brunch (my first time, their second or third time), and I was so impressed. I had the best dumplings I have ever tasted, amazing fried rice, scallion pancakes that I wish I could eat for every meal and bottomless tea. What more could I ask for? I wish I lived closer to this little gem in Chinatown. This place will not disappoint.
(5)Casey C.
Not as good as i expected, the waitresses are rude and they almost sweep my cell phone.
(2)Rick P.
We walked by at 11:45am today and were happy to see there wasn't a line out the door like there usually is. Perhaps the time change today was the reason. I do like this place, unfortunately, there are two other Taiwanese restaurants in Boston Chinatown that are a little bit better. Soup dumplings are good, not great. Oyster pancake was very good. Okra with sa-cha sauce was superb, but I imagine you have to like okra in order to like this dish.
(4)Dorise G.
Chicken and veg dumplings? Outstanding. Esp the veg dumplings. The bun was virtually perfect. Why only 3 stars? It was a 95 degree day, I'd walked 5+ miles to get there, and after downing my first glass of water, I asked literally 5 waiters/waitresses (this is not an exaggeration) if i could get some more water. There was a woman walking around with a pitcher of water and not looking at anybody's glass to see if they needed more. I get the place is awesome and is busy, but I'll forwarn you now - bring your own beverage, or you will be parched.
(3)Robert H.
I find the food here really mediocre despite the fact that there are often long lines standing outside. Tired it 5 times as my wife likes one dish I often want to tell the people in line, what the heck are you wasting your time standing in line here I can name five places in china town that are better, namely Peach Farm, or a Sushi place inside the building a few doors down Every one of the 100 plus items is thrown together very fast like the red spicy hot fish, cooked in minutes but without deep flavor spiced up to appeal to homesick Chinese who want something red hot The owners, a tall 50ish slim guy with a belly is ok, but his plump wife, rather porky, who spends her time counting money and doesnt have a very friendly attitude. They did once try to change a dish to my liking
(2)E. S.
The first time we came here we were amazed. The beef fried rice is not greasy like it is as many Chinese places, but still has that same great flavor. They are generous with the beef and it is well cooked, not dry. The dumplings were very juicy and the pork fried buns, while a bit doughy for our taste, were also excellent. Since that first time, we have had mostly good experiences, although sometimes the quality can be not as great. Nonetheless, I highly recommend their food.
(5)Robin C.
SO GOOD. Best scallion pancakes in Boston, I would argue. Huge menu of very affordable authentic dishes. I've never had a dish I didn't like, and neither has anyone I've come here with. Dumplings are great! I love the vegetarian dumplings, and my meat-eating friends love the mini pork dumplings and the soup dumplings. The Taiwan style pan fried tofu is my favorite dish--silky, soft tofu, with perfectly fried (not leathery) skins, in a delicious, tangy soy sauce with green onion. Very simple, but I haven't seen it anywhere else. Keep in mind, the service is not friendly (not bad, but don't expect smiles and eye contact), and your table by the fish tank *might* be moved half way through your meal so that your entertainment can become someone else's dinner...So yes. Expect amazing food (nothing else) and prepare to enjoy it.
(5)johnny p.
Excellent dumplings and stickers. Szechuan chicken, beef black bean excellent. DO NOT get the curry chicken.
(4)Hannah R.
The reason that everyone loves this place and talks it up is that it's THE BEST CHINESE FUDZ ERRRVERRRRRR. Or at least in Boston's Chinatown region. Just go and order the things that sound good. Because they will be good! The seafood is excellent. Duh the dumplings. The Shitake mushrooms in sauce are perhaps one of my favorite delicacies on the planet. These are things I like. You order what you like. Then we will share, and toast with Sapporo, and laugh and laugh and laugh. Get there early because, like everyone is saying, the line can be a real pain. You never know! And there's not a whole lot to do around Chinatown after dark besides eat so...
(4)Marck N.
Wanting to try the local Chinese food during out trip we ventured here. I have read the reviews of the long lines, but coming on a Monday, we were able to be seated quickly. We ordered off the appetizer and dumpling options. For three people, we ordered enough for 6. We shared the steamed pork, five spice cold cut roast beef, oyster pancake with gravy, mini juicy dumpling with pork and crabmeat, steamed vegetable buns, pork and leeks dumpling, beef and celery dumplings, and the Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce. The first dishes that came out was the oyster pancake with gravy and the vegetable bun. I didn't like both dishes, as the pancake was too oily and the gravy sauce odd tasting. The vegetable bun was to doughy. Dishes that were good were the dumpling with pork and crabmeat, pork and leeks dumpling, steamed pork, and the Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce. The pork and crabmeat dumpling soup was really good and the steam pork spicy garlic flavor also made this fatty dish good. The pork and leeks taste was better than the beef and celery one. Though I did find the wrap to be heavy too. Service was slow, but the restaurant did start to fill up afterwards. Filled to my stomach I noticed the pictures of celebrities that ate there as we left. The 3 pictures of Ming Tsai grabbed my attention. I assumed then that this place must be good, but just not good to me. Later did I realize that he made this restaurant popular with this endorsement on the Food Network.
(2)Kenson K.
Meh, I've had better. Everything here is so greasy and heavy. I could feel this sitting in my stomach all day long. Some of the good things we ordered Seafood dumpling Gailan (Chinese broccoli) - lots of garlic on this one. Mini juicy dumplings with pork and crab - like Shanghai dumplings Steamed pork - this was my favorite of the bunch. It had an oily spicy sauce on it. We ordered a lot and everything else was meh..... Be careful, they automatically add in a 15% tip to the bill. Read past all the Chinese on the bill and you'll see it tacked on. The cashier is quite rude too. We were waiting and waiting and waiting to pay our bill and she was just farting around. And when my friend told her that he was waiting for his change she curtly said, "I know". Well beeotch, if you know then hurry your little butt along. I guess she wasn't well trained at the communist gulag when she decided to sneak across the border to freedom. Yes, I'm Asian, I can say it.
(2)Lucy E.
Any time I think of the Gourmet Dumpling House I start craving their delicious soup dumplings and amazing pork buns. If I lived closer and there was less of a line every single time I went, I would go on a weekly place. But alas it is a bit of a trek and has very few seats in the dining room. The food I enjoy, steam buns, soup dumplings, and scallion pancakes doing translate well for take-out. But Oh -Em -Gee! I do love the scallion pancakes, best I've ever had! And every single time I go I scorch my tongue to pieces and I don't even care. Why wait for soup dumpling to cool to an edible temperature? I'd rather have them in my stomach the moment I see them! And of course don't forget the steamed pork buns, soft amazing bao with sweet pork on the inside! Ok, I guess I know where I'm going to dinner!
(4)Eileen X.
My boy friend and I went there today thinking it was a good place to eat according to yelp. Half way finished, I found a baby roaches floating on top of in my soup. I got so grossed out, I could not finish the meal. Now I still worrying I might have diarrhea later. :(
(1)Lisa W.
I've been wanting to come here since we moved here 3 years ago, but the line was always too d**n long! Ain't nobody got time for that! We finally got a seat after a 15 minute wait on a Sunday at 2pm, and I was expecting.. I don't know.. little bursts of happiness in my mouth? What we got was good dumplings.. but nothing that's worth a 1-2 hour wait. The juicy pork dumplings were good, and so were the chive dumplings. We got some dishes off their 3 for $20 menu and that was pretty good, too. But nothing jumped out at me that was better than the regular Chinatown fare. I would come back if there was no wait, but if I see a line outside I'm going elsewhere.
(3)Jacinda Z.
We go here on a regular basis and it's our go-to Chinese restaurant in Chinatown - definitely get the soup dumplings (we always get the one with pork), that's their specialty! Basically all the food is very very good, and "authentic". We also like to get the fish in chili sauce, which is delicious. Just make sure you don't get any dishes that are a "seasonal price", because that aka means expensive. We made the mistake of order 3 trays of soup dumplings for 2 people...lol. Waayyy too much! So I'd suggest if you want a meal of soup dumplings, only 1 tray per person, max! It's 8 soup dumplings per tray. We also got Shanghai greens the last time we went, which was delicious. Nothing super special, but just some bok choy that was (relatively) healthy. Also, don't expect good/friendly service here. But that's kinda the usual for any chinese restaurant. Like others have said, there is a wait during peak hours (30-45minutes), such as a Saturday for dinner. We always go on the weekends around 3-4pm, and there's never a wait.
(4)Audrey C.
Discovered it one day by chance after moving to Boston, hands down the best, most authentic Taiwanese eating experience I have had so far away from home. I always order the steamed pork and leek dumplings and the scallion pancakes because it's what my grandma makes for me at home. It's always so perfect, so flavorful, and the dumplings are always so juicy and succulent. I grew up preferring steamed dumplings to pot stickers, but depending on what you like, they're all delicious. I want to try some of their other stuff too, but I will happily hop on the T to get to Chinatown just to get my dumpling fix at this place.
(5)Kevin L.
The best Chinese in Boston, possibly America. The only Chinese that I'eve ever had that was better was from Tsa Yang in NYC. Both are authentic and perfect. An easy five star. We caught a cab in.. the easy part. At lunch on a Saturday was roughly a 20 minute wait (completely worth it). We each had a Sapporo, shared an order of dumplings (best ever) and the slice fish szechwan style. It was just as good as we had heard from FoodTV. Reasonably high spice level and very filling. Only difficult part was finding a cab out of Chinatown. Roads are very narrow and gets a little crazy when packed. If you have time to sample this. Do so. Photos loaded!
(5)Aisha D.
The food is delicious, abundant, and cheap. I'm not a dumpling connoisseur, but my friends that are tell me the dumpling skin is a bit on the thick side. To me, they are perfectly delicious. This is not an ambiance place, though. The tables are crammed and you often have to share table with strangers. The wait staff doesn't speak much English and are often abrupt. The owner will ask you to leave if you're lingering after finishing your meal. This has happened three times to me already! I continue to patron them because they have the tastiest food in the neighbourhood!
(4)Azmyra K.
Travel and Leisure Magazine recently named Gourmet Dumpling House as one of the top 25 best Chinese restaurants in the US. I have dined at many of the restaurants in Boston's Chinatown but have always skipped GDH because of the long lines. However, this past weekend, I decided that enough was enough and decided to find out what the hype was all about. I decided to meet a couple friends at GDH around 2:30 pm on a Sunday afternoon and we were pleased to discover that our choice of an odd hour had been a fortuitous one. Our wait was only 15 minutes or so. It was funny to wait outside because nearly every person that passed the restaurant made some comment along the lines of "I heard this place is great!" before glancing at the line and moving on. After being seated (the place is tiny), we quickly placed our order with an obviously impatient waitress. I've long ago come to understand that in authentic asian restaurants, service quality is inversely correlated to the quality of food. Basically, expect to be treated poorly (particularly if you don't speak Chinese) but expect to be rewarded for that discourtesy with an amazing meal. Our group of 3 ordered the pork and crab soup dumplings, the scallion pancakes, and the szechuan whole fish stew (tilapia). All three items were sensational. The soup dumplings were flavorful with just the right consistency and the szechuan fish stew was like a delicious bowl of napalm (be sure to order some rice with it!). The scallion pancakes were the standout for our meal. The pancakes were thicker than most other places but they were incredibly crispy and flakey. So is it one of the best Chinese restaurants in the US? Probably not. We've had better in NYC, San Francisco, and China (of course). However, is it some of the best Chinese food that I've had here in Boston? Absolutely.
(5)Anthony N.
There are 2 reasons why I think this place is crowed: #1: It is extremely CHEAP! #2: This place probably has the best XLB Boston has to offer. Don't get me wrong, the XLB are good. They are just not the "best" I have ever had. Nothing compared to Joe Shanghai in NYC or Din Tai Fung in Arcadia, CA (which I think has the best one). This place is extremely small and cramped. They will seat you with other parties just cuz the line is so long. There is barely any walking room in the restaurant and you will for sure have people bumping into your elbow as you are eating. On top of all this, this restaurant is not the cleanest, but it is standard in Chinatowns everywhere (except for the Chinatown in D.C. cuz that place is not even Chinatown, it's more like what white people want Chinatown to look like). Is this place worth the wait and the conditions? If you are from Boston or in the middle of nowhere with not a lot of authentic Chinese restaurants, then yes. But if you are from SF, Southern Cal, or NYC, then no. P.S. The food here is EXTREMELY GREASY. Not for those who are watching what they eat.
(3)Marcus D.
Everytime I have walked by here it's constantly packed - mostly with Asians, so you know it's good. We came here last Friday night. We were craving hot pot, but wanted to try the dumplings. We also ordered the spicy fish soup - absolutely delicious and was recommended by a diner seated at a nearby table. The seafood and pork dumplings were delicious. Our waiter was a bit like a dumpling Nazi, but I chalk that up to the "charm" of the neighborhood.
(5)Rosy T.
First impressions can determine whether or not if I would like to come back to this place. & I must say the food was delicious so I will definitely be back for more !! Gourmet Dumpling House you haven't seen the last of me !!
(4)Heidi L.
The first time I came here, I thought the food was unmemorable especially the soup dumplings because this place was suppose to be the best; however, the boyfriend wanted to eat here again after having a delicious experience with his siblings. We put our name on the list and was quoted a 30 minute wait. When his last name was called for a party of 2, we rushed to the door, but another Lee party of 2 beat us there. The host sat them down. I knew they had come after us so I sent the boyfriend to go in and investigate. The host confirmed with the boyfriend that it was our reservation...so if the host knew, then why would he seat them instead of us. Annoying. For dinner, we got the scallion pancake, the fried dumplings, and the soup dumplings because the boyfriend loved those last time. The dishes came out pretty quickly, however, again all the dishes were bland, especially the soup dumplings. Verdict: This place is cheap, but I will not be back.
(2)Adam H.
One of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Boston and i don't usually order the dumpling. I really love the sweet & sour flounder, Singapore noodles. The scallion pancakes are always a great starter. Expect to wait in line for a bit especially if you are going at peak meal times. This place is crowded, cramped and not very accommodating but it kind of adds to the charm of the place you always know what you will get.
(4)Vy V.
Who on earth told people this place was good? Who? Why? I've been here once when it first opened and I will never ever go again. The dumplings are mediocre. The soup kind. The fried kind. The every kind. And the rest of their menu isn't anything to smile about either. Every time I see long lines of people waiting for a table as I walk through Chinatown I just want to scream at them and tell them they need to go somewhere else. Sigh! Hyped up from an article by some horrible food critic years ago and it has people swarming. I guess the restaurant makes good money...too bad their food isn't worth another one of my pennies. I'd recommend going to Taiwan Cafe if you must. But nothing beats the soup dumplings in NYC though unless you want to travel to Asia.
(1)Bert V.
Good food but very poor service. They also charge gratuity for 2 people! Unacceptable!
(1)Alec B.
Actually a shockingly nice bathroom - not much decoration, but solid materials and modern fixtures, all well maintained and clean. A lot of smaller restaurants like this tend to ignore the bathroom both in terms of care and design. Pleased to report that this is not the case at Dumpling House, which is fantastic in every other way as well.
(4)Ian B.
Sliced Fish Szechuan Style is my favorite dish in the city. Seriously, I'd rather eat that than anything I've had anywhere else in Boston. It alone is worth the wait, and there usually is a wait, and is worth sitting at the awful little table in the back by the fish tank, if, say, you came alone just to eat this dish... While we're on it, these guys make the best scallion pancakes in town and the best peapod stems I've ever had--and I order peapod stems any time I can. Big thumbs up to the beef with long horn peppers, the ma po tofu, pork and leek dumplings (best steamed, I think), and three cups chicken. And who needs more than that? The soup dumplings are only okay. People are justly disappointed: it's called the Gourmet Dumpling House, so you think the dumplings are going to be their big specialty, but they really aren't. If it were called the Gourmet Sliced Fish Szechuan Style House, nobody would ever be disappointed. Five stars for the GSFSSH!
(5)Riff R.
Fun and cozy atmosphere. Service was attentive. I liked their dumplings.
(5)Shang S.
The name is a bit misleading, this place is known for their mainland Chinese food in general, but they serve soup dumplings as well. No reservations, lines can get crazy, but their sliced fish, szechuan style, is to die for. All around extremely authentic Chinese food. If it gets too crowded, Dumpling Cafe is very similar alternative though more Taiwanese in cuisine
(4)Ivy T.
I love this place. Oddly enough, it's not for their dumplings. I love their eggs with bittermelon, and Sichuan sliced fish. The fish dish contained so much fish. It was more than enough for five people (of course other dishes were ordered). I even recooked the leftover fish to include other ingredients. Their sauce was so flavorful that it instantly flavored the tofu and vegetables that I had tossed in. I've had to share a table with strangers before during really busy periods. It's not as odd as one would imagine. It gave me another opportunity to food watch.
(5)Nancy H.
Food is hot, fresh, and tasty, but overall not impressive. My friends and I managed to snag a table for 5 on Saturday around 5:30pm. We ordered scallion pancakes, vegetarian dumplings, chicken and cabbage dumplings, and xiao long bao. Let's just say I enjoyed the soy sauce the most. The scallion pancakes where overly fried (8 pieces) The vegetarian dumplings were good. 10 came in a steamer. It also came last because they "mixed up" our order. The chicken and cabbage dumpling where pretty good. (15 pieces) The xiao long bao was nothing amazing at all. (8 pieces) It's worth a try, but I think I'll come here again to retry their scallion pancakes just in case it was just poorly done due to business, and try their pan fried buns. The waiter/waitress were nice though. The place is tiny. It was really funny to see not a lot of Asians. (you know what they say, if there are no asian people eating at an asian restaurant somethings up. but no this place is legit. hehe.) Anyways, our bill came out to be 25.70 and I went home full.
(3)Carrie S.
I highly recommend this place! I really enjoyed my lunch here. I have spent a lot of time in china and am half-Chinese, and thought the food was very authentic and delicious! (Although I will say the the xiao long bao - soup filled dumplings - would've been better if they had thinner, more delicate skins.) my favorite was the hot and sour soup - delicious and well-balanced! Those who aren't accustomed to Chinese-style dining should be aware of two things: 1) it's much more rewarding to eat here with a decently sized group. This allows you to order a good variety of dishes to try. (And of course, eat family-style and share!) 2) speaking some mandarin can be helpful in getting seated and served more quickly (but is by no means necessary). The waitstaff is very friendly, but you need to be proactive in getting their attention, probably because its such a crowded and popular spot!
(4)Sushmita M.
I dream of dumplings. I dream of GDH dumplings. It is always worth a wait or walk in the cold or snow or rain. I even navigated my parents here once when caught in a downpour while exploring the Boston Common. They are picky when it comes to eating out. Nothing usually satisfies them. GDH passed the test. Of course, you must get the soup dumplings and the steamed dumplings (pork and leek, pork and cabbage, seafood, might as well order them all). Then one must maneuver through the rest of the menu, which is always difficult, because everything is perfect. All of the greens are a go (I especially love the braised eggplant with basil), and if you're adventurous, they even have stinky tofu. I'm not personally a fan, but I respect.
(5)Harris R.
I was really disappointed with the the dumplings, too big, soggy, and greasy. The tongue appetizer was great though.
(2)Alexander S.
Place was a little cramped, and we had to stand around for 30 minutes just to get a table. But the dumplings and scallion pancakes are legendary, probably the best in all of Boston. The scallion pancakes in particular are about as addicting as any narcotic.
(3)Kelsey M.
We were just strolling and noticed there wasn't the usual long waiting line to get in so we gave it a shot. During lunch hours, the prices and portions are a good value. Food is very good here! Wait staff was okay, nothing extraordinary and spoke poor English. The dining area is VERY cramped, I was bumped into by staff and guests. Biggest downer other than space is the ungodly heat! It felt so good when we got outside!
(4)Andrea M.
Don't get takeout I generally love GDH but when you give people takeout that's so wrapped up you can't review your order, that's bad. When they get home and there's fish instead of beef, that's bad. When you cants get through on the phone to talk to them about the error that ruined dinner, that just sucks.
(2)Betty H.
This is probably the only time for me where the restaurant's food is very good, but the terribleness of everything else is distasteful enough for me to avoid the location. I've been here more than five times, so I feel comfortable is making an overall assessment. Yes, the (xiaolongbao) is great, like everyone else mentioned. Be sure to eat it with a spoon underneath, since it contains a good deal of soup/sauce. I usually get the beef noodle soup, which is delicious. The szechuan sliced fish is definitely the best dish here. I occasionally have dreams about it. NEGATIVES: The restaurant is extremely tight and crowded at all hours. Service is beyond awful. The first time, a waitress came out of the restaurant, chased us down the street, and demanded we give her a bigger tip (beyond rude). We gave her around 14-15% since it was lunch and she was pretty short with us. The second time, the waiter had an attitude and was rude throughout the whole meal (possibly because our meal was inexpensive -under $20- so he didn't expect a large tip). Unfortunately, the staff can get away with their terrible service because the food keeps customers coming in.
(2)Gen M.
REally delicious - a friend of mine and I went there around 430pm, odd time, so we got seated quickly and fed quickly. By the time we were half way done with our food, the people ROLLED in. SO CROWDED!!! But the food - kind of junky delicious dumplings - worth it.
(5)K F.
The food here is good, no doubt about that. The atmosphere and customer service, however are awful. It is not worth the food to sit in this tiny place and get rushed. It doesn't feel clean and you have to call over the waitstaff if you want anything. Hosts are not afraid to roll their eyes at you, either. I'm not afraid of hole in the wall places but I like feeling like I'm welcome. Do not come here with a group larger than 4 people! By the way, they don't split checks so you better have cash. Big sign says - 1 card per table. I'll be looking elsewhere for dumplings.
(2)Soo C.
All dishes tasted AWESOMMEE. Definitely not your regular cheap chinese meal. It's got an extra kick to each dish. I'm not a chinese cuisine expert by any means, but I've been around enough to get a good survey of how sesame chicken tastes generally. I went at 12:30 on sunday. Timing was fantastic; We were lucky to have come right before a long line build-up out the door. Ordered: mini pork and crab buns, fried vegetable buns, and sesame chicken. My favorite was the sesame chicken. Tender inside, crispy sticky sauce on the outside. This is definitely a standard so-called americanized chinese dish, and they proved their gourmet status by impressing me with it. Kudos! Mini pork and crab buns were also very tasty - juicy! The prices tend to be higher than other Chinatown places, but worth. Portions can be smaller than other places in general, but I'd say just right for a normal-sized stomach. At least I didn't find the portion significantly smaller than other places in Chinatown. It's a very small place packed to fill most number of customers at a time - just like most other places in Boston Chinatown, or some of the busier restaurants in North End. By the entrance, they have pictures of the owners with bunch of celebrities that have visited the place in the past. That sent me the subliminal message that this place is the coolest, and reaffirmed my taste buds' pleasure.
(4)Paul A.
The food is AWESOME!! But the service is awful. Never go there with just 2 people. They don't seat you until a 2 top table opens up. They don't just seat you when a table opens up. If you ask them for something, it takes forever to get it to you. They forgot our app as well.
(2)Cathy H.
Wow. Amazing! Only place in Chinatown that was packed. Place is small and the servers are quick but the food is amazingly delish. Gotta get the pork dumplings. The tofu with broccoli and rice was off the charts. Definitely going to come back!!!!
(4)Kelly F.
Good food great prices small place. No atmosphere but definitely worth going. We had dumplings scallion pancake some egg dish that was really good. They forgot dipping sauce which really adds flavor so make sure you ask for it. Hot tea comes complementary
(3)Jill G.
This restaurant boasts a great variety of dumplings and buns, as well as other Sichuan dishes. Best scallion pancakes I have ever had! Also, the pork and crab dumplings are delicious and juicy. Skip the salt and pepper chicken wings and get ready for some heat with the sichuan sliced fish and ask for extra extra rice! Be prepared to wait in line though - this place is popular and the line is often out the door!
(5)Serena H.
The food is decent here but I definitely think this restaurant is overrated. Their juicy dumplings are good but I have had better, and I do have to say they have a good Szechuan selection. BUT service and staff are soooo rude. You know why it's crowded here all the time? Because the damn place is so small! You can barely fit people in this restaurant that they don't even allow strollers in here as well. The managers here know that people will spend money at their place so they are rude and definitely have no manners. The waiters and waitresses are very nice but I feel so sorry for them because of their disrespectful managers. If you go there towards their closing time you will experience it. They say they close at 12am on weekdays? By 11:30pm the managers yell at all the customers to get their cards/cash out because they are closing. Listen, I understand you want to leave but don't sit me then if you're going to holler at me to take out my cash 30 minutes before the restaurant closes.
(2)Conor S.
Apparently a seriously underrated restaurant. The line out the door is pretty quick, so don't be turned off by it. Small place with some seriously savory food. As the name implies, check out the dumplings. I got the mini pork dumplings, and, in writing about them now, I'm considering making my way back there this weekend.
(5)Nashrah R.
After hearing a lot about this place--and not to mention the great (but in retrospect, inconsistent) Yelp reviews--I finally made my way to Gourmet Dumpling House last night. I was very disappointed. We tried the steamed chicken with cabbage, and the seafood dumplings as well as the seafood soup with seaweed. --Dumplings: The wrappers were too thick and flavorless, making it hard to taste the actual filling. I preferred the chicken over the seafood because it seemed marginally better seasoned. It would be much better if the wrappers were thinner and the dumplings were better stuffed with fillings. The soy dipping sauce also lacked in flavor and was pretty small in size for dipping the many dumplings. Pros: dumplings were juicy; generous proportions. --Seafood soup: Pretty good but I still found it kind of bland. Lots of seafood so I wasn't disappointed in terms of variety. --Rest of the menu: The items looked pretty generic and kind of pricey for Chinatown ($12 and above for what I consider to be the good stuff). --Service: Not great. We were sat at the back near the kitchen at a shared table, and because half the table was empty, the waiters thought it was okay to use it as a resting place for filling up to go boxes. Plus, we had to return a soup bowl because it was not cleanly washed (bits of food were stuck to the side).
(1)Joyce H.
This place is SUPER popular. We got there right as the crowds were starting to pile in... and it was only 5:20pm. I met up with some friends from Boston here. It was goooood stuff. One friend who had lived in the LA area later said that Gourmet Dumpling House rivals Din Tai Fung in xiao long bao. Those are weighty words! The 5 of us shared a few dishes: - Seafood hot pot: SUPER fresh. I loooove seafood hot pot, so it was a great treat to be able to eat fresh squid and tender tofu. - Spicy fish stew: This seemed to be a popular choice. I think it's as good as other spicy fish stew, but it was very very crave-worthy. - Pork and bamboo: I abstained from the pork but the bamboo was cut very thinly and it had really good flavor. Mmm, I love eating bamboo with rice! - Xiao long bao (pork soup dumplings): The moment of truth. They were pretty good! I had two... and it was gooood. Just enough soup, lots of flavor. I can't say that they're better than Ding Tai Fung (fake Din Tai Fung in Toronto), but then again, at DTF, I was REALLY hungry. I also heard the crab pork xiao long bao is really good (chunks of crab??) so I'd be down for trying this again. - Oyster pancake: Fresh and tasty... I could probably eat this for a while. Service-wise, all our waiters were rushing around because of the business. I think some of the presentation was done with less care (i.e. red sauce on oyster pancake was unevenly distributed). I'm not complaining too much though--the food was good! Yay, I'm a fan.
(4)Ambrose C.
I went to this restaurant for the first time recently with seven people including me, and I was looking forward to eating there, because I wanted to eat some non-Cantonese cuisine dishes in Chinatown. Here are some notable dishes that we had ordered. A plate filled with small pork dumplings. A plate filled with eight pieces of pork Xiao Long Bao - The menu calls it "Mini Juicy Dumplings with Pork", but they are really a cooked Bao Zi (bun), not Jiao Zi (dumpling). Xiao Long Bao literally means Little Basket Bun in Mandarin Chinese. It is a popular street food in Eastern China, especially in Shanghai. Yu Xiang Qie Zi - The dish in English says Yu Hsiang Eggplant. Qie Zi means eggplant. Yu literally means "fish" while Xiang literally means "fragrant" or "spice". Yu Xiang style supposedly involves the usage of a garlicky, spiced up sauce. Hong Shao Ce Yu - The English name of it is Braised Tilapia. Hong Shao literally means "braised". A friend of mine originally from Hunan, China really likes this dish. Some bowls of white rice. The dumplings were pretty good, but I liked the Xiao Long Bao even better. Each piece was wide enough for two or three bites, and was filled with tasty meat. One loaded plate of Xiao Long Bao should be decent enough for two people. As for the other two dishes, I really liked the Yu Xiang Qie Zi, I kept eating that quite often with my bowl of rice. The braised tilapia was pretty huge. It was a whole cooked fish put on a large plate covered in a reddish sauce. Although it was a little bony, the tilapia was really good as well and went well with the bowl of rice. Overall, I would definitely come back here again for the Xiao Long Bao. That was probably one of the best dishes and I would also definitely come back for the Yu Xiang Qie Zi with rice.
(4)Michael R.
Grrrrrr. This is a really tough review to write. Honestly, the food was really, really good. Top notch General Gao's, fried rice, and steamed dumplings. I'm talking really, really good. But the service was hands-down the worst I've ever had at a restaurant. Our semi-large party was completely ignored once we got a table (large party = large tip, easy math). Hand-waving and "excuse-me's" were of no use. We had to get up and find the guy in charge to just get started with waters, which was a half-hour after we sat down. After several sighs and annoyed grumbles, he grabbed a waitress and set us up. Our orders took another hour+ to hit the table, and don't even try to get drink refills -- we couldn't get them until the check was at the table and we were done our meals. Throw in some mixed up orders, add a little general inattentiveness of the staff, season with a rude manager, and you've got a stew goin'! Okay, Arrested Development references aside, I admit, I'd go back again for the great food, but just be forewarned, you might get the cold shoulder.
(2)Angie T.
We were drawn to this place because of the massive amount of people waiting outside of this restaurant at 8pm. And they do certainly live up to their reputation for having delicious dumplings. We tried their mini steam buns with pork and don't be fooled by the name, mini they are not! Each bun is filled with a wonderful sauce that honestly you don't even need to dip this bun into their soy sauce mixture. It's good just as is! But being that I've been to many restaurants especially in NYC I wouldn't rate it top notch. The dumplings were a little dough-y. But it was still a great experience. Another must try is their Chicken Corn Soup. If you love soup as much as I do, it comes in a huge bowl and it's filled with yumminess. I would stay clear of the noodle soup, it came out too fast, the noodles were not fully cooked and there was not enough soup and way too much noodles. Expect to wait for awhile for a table. The restaurant is small and they may tell you it's only 15 minutes but you can expect to wait 45 min to 1 hour, but all the locals were willing to wait, so we were too! And for a Chinese Restaurant in a Chinatown, the staff were very friendly. Thumbs Up Dumpling House!
(3)J L.
For 2 people we ordered a Beef tendon noodle soup and Beef stew noodle soup with order of xiao long bao with crab meat. The noodle bowls were huge and filled us up completely and they're only $7! The beef stew noodle was alright, the beef was pretty tough as if they just deep fried slices of beef and threw them in. The crab meat xiao long baos were amazing, I would definitely recommend them. We even came back later for an order of regular xiao long baos and another one with crab meat to go. The original xiao long baos are alright, but the ones with crab meat are definitely the way to go!
(4)Brian Q.
I'm really sad about my last take-out experience at Gourmet Dumpling House. When we arrived, we were told by a male server that our food wasn't ready yet. He was passing an iPhone back and forth between the woman behind the counter. Neither of them even looked up at us. After standing in the crowded doorway for about 7 minutes, dodging other servers trying to shimmy through the tight space, another employee asked us if we were waiting to be seated. I told her, "No--we're waiting for our take-out order" . . . which had been sitting on the floor at the feet of the woman behind the counter the whole time. No kidding: the counter attendant took and processed my credit card without once looking up at me. She just kept playing on her damn iPhone! She gestured for me to go behind the counter and pick the food up from the floor myself. No "thank you." No "goodbye." No concern for me, a paying customer, whatsoever. I used to be a regular. Think I'll be ordering from Taiwan Café from now on!
(1)Julia H.
Honestly, I was slightly disappointed after all the rave reviews I'd heard. The soup dumplings were decent, but I found the flavor off. I've had much better in New York (and China of course). The chive dumplings were also only OK. Don't get the crispy fried pork chops. It's greasy, bland, and not made of real pork chops, only pieces of pork. The star was the spicy szechuan fish. The fish was tender and the broth was extremely flavorful. Overall, the quality of the ingredients (specifically the pork) seems questionable (not food poisoning questionable of course, but not high quality ingredients).
(3)Augusto T.
A great China town lunch destination. This restaurant is one of the few places in Boston that you can get xiaolongbao soup dumplings. I really liked both the crab meet and pork versions. Their not-dumpling-dishes are also quite good. The bamboo beef and the squid with chinese celery were both very fresh and tasty. The prices are affordable and you get free soup and rice included with your order. Definitely stop by for a satisfying lunch.
(4)Julia L.
This place is only good by default because there's no better competitors. If you come with less than 4 people, expect to sit with another group. Came here for the xiao long bao after craving it for so long, which was okay but definitely have had better. I bit into it and no soup flowed into my mouth - slightly disappointed. Double cooked pork was better, but not spicy like it's supposed to be made. The pork was given in generous proportions though so that was a plus. Shui jian bao was mushy, not crispy at the bottom. Maybe it was too packed the day I went, but from reading reviews, it's packed everyday so I'm not sure why everything was so average. And if food is the only thing going for them (which is about all I expect from Chinatown), then this place isn't really worth your time. If you want better Chinese/ Taiwanese food, Taiwan Cafe is only two blocks down with a similar menu. Both restaurants want you to be hustled in and out, pay in cash, but at least Taiwan Cafe can offer excellent food at a cheap price which can't be said for Gourmet Dumpling House.
(3)Stephanie G.
Very cost effective, the service is fast. Big round tables make for easy sitting in groups of six. It definitely gets crowded around lunchtime, so I would arrive before noon if you can. The food is good - I wasn't so crazy about my dumplings. Everything seemed overly greasy to me, which I'm not a huge fan of, but the food was well seasoned and yummy all the same.
(3)Chaos M.
Why a lot of Americans always waiting outside! Yes, it is not American Chinese food. But it is far from a good authentic one. Just ok.
(3)Amanda S.
HOLY DUMPLINGS, BATMAN! to this day, i have routine pains for missing china and authentic chinese food. imagine my surprise when i finally had a taste in - of all places - boston. this place is so popular that it's always packed, and you'll likely have to share a table, like my dining companion and i did. those three had no idea i'd order enough food for all five of us, but intended on sharing it with only one other. - the scallion pancakes are a MUST. piping hot and addictive. - pork and leek dumplings. steamed. trust. - fried buns with chives and eggs. gobble gobble gobble. - shredded beef with longhorn peppers in a szechuan soup. super spicy and super slurptastic! i hadn't had food this authentically spicy since i visited chengdu. - pan-fried noodles with vegetables..just to say we got our veggies in ;) don't forget the rice. we happily ate as our three tablemates gaped in horror. don't mind them; your buddha belly will be happy for the rest of the day. also..if you can speak mandarin or cantonese..USE IT! you'll be accommodated much, much faster. especially when you want that glass of water to settle the heat in your mouth!
(4)Rohit K.
1. People running the restaurant are very rude. Also, the place is small and crowded. 2. However, the food is good (hot and spicy, great for late night thanksgiving/christmas dinners). Try the schechuan hot pot fish. 3. They are open late (although the open late bit is unreliable).
(4)Victoria J.
Oh man, those pan friend pork buns haunt me to this day. It's only been two days really, but I can still taste them they were so delicious. The scallion pancakes were good, a bit thicker & chewier than I've had before, but did not take away from the cripsy, fried goodness. The sauce for the scallion pancakes must have had a little bit of fish oil in it because I definitely had that fishy after taste. All in all, a definitely yummy Dumpling house and I will be coming back on the regular.
(4)Dibarah M.
A lot of great reviews right? Over-hyped. Or maybe at one point in the past it used to be good. I ordered their noodle soup and all there was in the bowl was beef fat (it was beef tendon noodle soup), low-quality noodle and probably three bottles of SOYSAUCE. The stench of soysauce (and I usually love soysauce) was so strong, that I started feeling nauseous. 15 minutes into eating our entrees, we had to call a waiter to remind them of our appetizers. In came piping hot dumpling-- WRONG ORDER. Then finally our dumplings came. Seafood dumplings- sounds appetizing right? I ordered steamed dumplings, and came fried, sweetish dumplings that tasted and smelled NOTHING like no seafood I ever came about. Best of all, never ever got water served. When we went to talk to the manager, she didn't even look at us while we were voicing ourselves. Such low class service. Wonder how it got such good reviews-- NEVER GOING BACK
(1)Janet G.
Awful. One star is generous. No choice for soup. I don't eat pork so I just didn't get any soup, even though it's included with my lunch (forget asking for a discount, of course - what, are you nuts?). Rude, inefficient service, everyone is eating on top of everyone else. Their sole saving grace is their cheap pricing, but there are plenty of places in Chinatown where the food costs about the same, is better, more plentiful and you are not made to feel that you are horribly imposing on the waitstaff to do their jobs. Oh, and this was the winter. It was FREEZING in there.
(1)Ross G.
scallion pancake was great and reasonably priced unlike other places in the area. General Gau's chicken was delicious, looking forward to trying more things next time I go. I also tried the veggie dumplings, and they were good. May go with the pot stickers next time! Definitely check this place out if you are in Boston!
(4)Chris C.
Great XLB, Spicy Pig Ear and Spicy Fish here. Expect a long wait since the dining room only has 8-10 tables. The service is questionable but is as expected with the amount of people who flood this place. This is a great spot in the heart of Chinatown and definitely worth checkin out.
(4)Amy M.
The best dumplings in town. Maybe I am not a proper connoisseur of all things smushed inside a wonton wrapper, but they always hit the spot for me. The best spicy tripe and tendon in town. Also one of the few places a whitey like me can order spicy tripe and tendon and not be gawked at like I've grown a unicorn horn. They have many amazing specialty dishes that go above and beyond just dumplings but honestly, why bother? ALL the dumplings are heavenly. The all of them. I particularly like the "juicy" dumplings or soup dumplings. Whenever I go, I plan on ordering so much food that the server looks at me, raises an eyebrow, and icily enquires if Madame would like a trough. Or they would if the servers did more than bark WHAT YOU WANT at you and hastily throw a teapot down on the table. Hands down, my favorite spot in Chinatown. Lose a star for being epically curmudgeonly but that's probably part of the charm, too. Great for a late bite, cheap cheap cheap, but be ready to wait at peak times. I don't know why this place gets so much haterade. Never had a bad experience.
(4)H L.
We noticed this place being crowded, with a long line outside their shopfront, which is rare to see in Boston Chinatown. So, we decided to try this place someday. That was last Sunday night. We visited at 9:30pm. The place was packed, unlike other competitors. From their English name, we expected dumplings for main(dinner time), but they have only 8-10 kinds of dumplings to pick, and the rest are appetizers, main, or specialties. There are way too many to choose from. In fact, when I look at the Chinese Characters on their front, their store name means, North South Popular flavors. I guess that explains extensive numbers on the menu. 57 appetizers on one page is quite overwhelming. We ordered two dumplings, one fried(shrimp, pork), the other steamed(pork, Crab), huge portions(8-10 buns-half the size of the palm each), and a spicy fish soup(Flounder), and a chestnut chicken(braised). Every Chinese Restaurant offers a good to great food experience to the visitors, but the foods we ate was very different. Yes, buns are slightly thick as some reviewers mentioned, but the ingredients they put were not a cheat, but, very hearty, or, wholesome, in every sense. The foods were freshly cooked, and the taste of the fish soup, something different that other restaurants had never offered before. When I asked our waiter, the owner's nephew, he said the family is from Tsingtao/Qingdao, China. Maybe that explains the difference of the taste. I would give 4.5 star for the experience for now. It was our first time visit, and we will see if their food will surprise us in our next visits.
(5)Stacy H.
this place was absolutely packed to the brim with people when i came. this can only mean good news to a chinese angeleno like me -- lots of people and lots of non-asian people must mean that this place is good. sadly, i was wrong. yes, this place is authentic, but not because of its food. sure, you get to choose which still-swimming fish you want to eat, but the waitresses will attempt to scoop it while you're sitting right next to the tank. and like their counterparts in china, the waitresses were always yelling in my ear because they were so busy. even with the excellent communication, we were often served the wrong dishes. the best word i can use to describe their food is bipolar. the veggie fried rice that we ordered was swimming in oil (the rice was already saturated), and was extremely extremely salty. the vegetarian dumplings had no flavor whatsoever, and was forgettable. really, i want to give this place three stars. but this is what gave them only two: i saw a piece of pig ear fall onto the waitress's (gloveless) hands as she was serving the dish. instead of throwing that piece away, she just put it back onto the plate and gave it to us. gross.
(2)Pratik P.
I'm going to keep this short on purpose. Get the pork and leek dumplings. It's going to explode in your mouth, seriously.
(4)Monique S.
I was very excited to come here after the great reviews. After being overwhelmed by the huge menu, I decided to play it safe and get the general gau's chicken. Boy was that a mistake. The chicken came out drowning in some gum-like substance. Instead of judging the chicken by its looks, I decided to give it a taste. Not good. It was doughy and the sauce was thick and hard, not a liquid sauce. Disgusting. On a good note, all of the reviews of the scallion pancakes are delicious, reminiscent of a garlic knot. I'd go again and try a noodle or rice dish.
(3)Vina A.
We went hungry. We are Chinese. This is an honest review and I implore you - DO NOT GO HERE. After seeing lines of people outside a few weeks in a row, we decided to give it a try.... and that is the last time we'll ever go there. Were the 4-5 star reviewers all inebriated? People dream of this place? Was it a nightmare?! Have they laced the MSG with another drug? --- Seriously, the food was MEDIOCRE, at best. --- The boiled dumplings were an acceptable consistency for being hand made but there was nothing outstanding about them. They were bland and off-smelling and just sat there... and sat there... .. and now they're regretfully just sitting at the bottom of my stomach. The cucumbers were disgusting. First problem was the fact that they used regular cucumbers instead of persian cucumbers which are crunchier and actually have a bright flavor, rather than these pumped up, bland ones. Second problem was that it seemed like they just tossed a giant scoop of MSG over it and a few pepper flakes. DISGUSTING. Inedible. It made me sad. The scallion pancake was nicely thick, chewy and crunchy, but again, there was nothing special about them. No real flavor of scallions... and the oil they fried it in was obviously old. And lastly, this place is not clean for even Chinese standards. There was a dead bug on one of my dumplings. I actually don't really have a big problem with that, since I've happily eaten at C rated Chinese restaurants in Chinatown NYC and abroad but just as long as the food is good and the front clean. Here, the plates were questionable and the tables sticky. If this place can't even keep up front clean, who knows what's going on back there. 30 dollars for a tasteless, uneventful chinese lunch ... I wish we went to McDonalds. I'm just starting to explore Boston.. is this really the best it has to offer? I am going to cry.
(1)Michelle R.
This restaurant is always crowded.. expect 45min+ wait on weekend nights. The pork and chive dumplings are juicy and delicious. If you're a fan of spice, you must get the water boiled fish (shui zhu yu), a Sichuan style dish! It's tender pieces of fish packed with delicious spicy flavor and a good kick of numbness that will leave your mouth tingling. Probably the best spicy fish I've had in Boston. The other dishes on the menu that I've tried (e.g. beef noodle soup, stir fried beef w/ peppers) are nothing special but still tasty.
(4)Eric F.
Everyone seems to love GDH as evidenced by the line out the door on most nights of the week and it's unfortunate that they don't know that there's better fare just a stone's throw away. The Xiao Long Bao is decent at best and the boiled dumplings honestly taste exactly like the frozen variety one would find at any Asian market. Other dishes like Ma Po Tofu, General Gao's Chicken, etc. are all solid and pretty standard...just not at all worth the wait or the cramped, grungy atmosphere.
(2)Ella M.
I would give this restaurant a negative five if I were able to based on their disrespectful behavior. Let me explain. My wife and I spent our 2nd anniversary in Boston visiting some of the areas in Boston we hadn't had the chance to visit yet. We began our day at Happy Feet Massage and will give them a review next (AWESOME)! After receiving the best massages of our lives we walked around Chinatown. During this time we came across a restaurant where people were waiting outside for their turn to dine. We both remarked that the food must be good. We did a bit of shopping before finding ourselves back in front of Gourmet Dumpling House. There was still a line of people but we decided to go ahead and give it a try. My wife put our names on the list and we waited for about twenty minutes out in the chilly air before we were able to get inside to wait. Once inside we were quickly ignored and overlooked as two girls (Asian) walked in passed the line up and were waved in to have a seat. My wife made it known that we should be the next to be seated. We finally get seated in the very back near a closet, nasty fish tank and area where staff stand eating (unprofessional). As I'm about to sit down I notice two workers looking at me and laughing. I disregard this interaction at first until I notice another worker come over, whisper to the other two (as they're all looking in my direction laughing). This happens several times with other workers. Now I' m feeling uneasy and concerned. Are African Americans not welcome here? Ok, I'm being paranoid I tell myself; but still mention it to my wife who also feels a bit anxious. We order some dishes and the waiter stands right on top of me until his leg is actually bumping my thigh. I move my legs over. More weirdness! I pour some tea and begin sipping when I notice something stuck to the inside of my cup...Get another cup. Food comes out...overly fried Crab Rangoon and delicious looking baby beef ribs....ummmm, no way. A long black hair is sitting on top of the rib I just drooled over. This dish goes back and I decide to cancel my entree; my wife tried to enjoy her food but was unable to once she notices that I've become so upset that I'm crying. FRUSTRATED! Sooo, we Get the check, leave and promise to never return. We plan to share our experience with as many people as possible. Now on to Trip Advisor! By the way another couple (Of Color) were also overlooked for seating right after it happened to us...coincidence? Doubt it.
(1)Eleanor F.
Best veggie dumplings ever! Scallion pancakes are great too. Also, for the veggies, try the eggplant with garlic! It's soooo good. Only 4 stars because there is ALWAYS a wait, and the seating is cramped. Sometimes they sit two different couples at a 4 person table. But there's a wait because it's so good, and worth it. This is the only place I eat in Chinatown anymore.
(4)Chris G.
This is superlative stuff. Literally everything we tried was to die for. First off: Hot and Sour soup. I'm a big soup-fan, and this is my favorite soup, and this was easily, hands-down, NOT KIDDING the best I've ever savored. Thick clusters of enokitake mushrooms, egg, pork, and endless amounts of yum. Second off: Crab Rangoons. Cliché, super americano, but creamy and delicious. Spicy Beef and Longhorn Beans: Seriously amazing. I've been having a hard time finding spicy in Boston / East Coast, but this was a good fix. Bursting with flavor, intense, memorable. DUMPLINGS: We tried the soup dumplings, the Sandang dumplings, and I could probably write epic, Homeric prose about them, but I will save you the time by saying that these are the most delicious dumplings I've ever slurped. GO. Go now. Be prepared for a crowd, and a wait, but both are worth it, and justified by the glory contained within this unassuming hole in the wall.
(5)Caroline R.
Gourmet Dumpling House has some pretty stellar food. The dumplings, xiao ling bao, beef and string beans, and the scallion pancakes are my absolute favorites. But the service here is a bit subpar. The first time I came, the food was literally thrown on the table when it arrived. Another time, I had literally just sat down at the table when the waiter asked if we were ready to order. We obviously weren't and asked for him to come back in a minute....15 minutes later he still never came back although we kept trying to grab his attention. Once we finally did place our order, the rice was the LAST THING TO COME OUT about 20 minutes after everything else. How can you give us just the food with no rice? We were too hungry to care at first but definitely annoyed. The place is small and cramped so be prepared for a line. It also sucks to sit in the aisle. I was even elbowed by a waitress once when I was sitting down...nice. Thankfully the dumplings and scallion pancakes more than make up for it.
(3)Shaina P.
Key advice here people: bring friends! A few items (that is 3 items) from the menu could easily feed four. But ... considering that there are HUNDREDS of mouth-watering options on the menu ... the temptation to order more than "a few" items is strong. In which case, bring ten! Just be aware the the establishment is tight-spaced. I could barely get through the mini juicy pork & crab dumplings (certainly not a size that I would describe as mini), these dumplings have a nice outer layer (hand wrapped and not thick and bready) and are filled with a subtly spiced ball of meat and served with some sort of fermented soy sauce and big fresh slices of ginger. But next time I might opt for straight-up pork dumplings. Mmmm... The shredded chicken and noodles with wonton soup was very large. The thin yellow wheat noodles were slippery and slurpy, but a nice texture and weight, enough to grab a big bite-full with one snatch of your chop sticks. The thin rice noodles sauteed with pork and vegetables had a light sacue and mild flavor. Nothing to get excited over, but good for someone who might be unsure of what to order. The table next to us ordered sauteed mustard greens that were piled high and the brightest green I've ever seen (gorgeous!). It's been a while since my mouth has watered over a vegetable! Surely I shall return.
(4)Jules K.
loved the scallion pancakes, and the soup dumplings!!! So glad we finally got in to check this place out. Friendly staff, and convenient location between a T stop and the express bus stop. Tried vegetable, pork+leek, and pork soup dumplings, but the soup dumplings were our favorite! Looking forward to trying out more new items on the menu.
(4)Lynn C.
Went on a Friday night...a very random decision since we were in Chinatown just wanted some Asian food. We know that this restaurant is always full and have people waiting outside so we figured we'd give it a try. Best decision ever. Even though it was crazy busy, the wait was less than 10 minutes. I was ecstatic when I sat down. I looked at the menu and they were authentic dishes one would find in a given restaurant in Taiwan. I'm Taiwanese and I rarely EVER eat authentic Taiwanese styled food in North America. We ordered Chinese Watercress stir fried in garlic, chive and pork dumplings, clams stirfried with basil, and pork dipped in garlic soy sauce which is served cold as appetizer. The clams and water cress were AMAZING. the dumplings didnt have chive tastes tho still very good, and the pork wasn't as good as expected. However, the overall taste and authenticity is something i've been dying to find in north america and now i'm always craving to go back and try different things!
(5)Michelle T.
Love the cute, friendly Taiwanese couple who owns this place, but hate the long lines, long wait, and too-thick-a-skin of those xiao long bao's. Nothin' like the paper thin skin, juicy piping dumplings of Shanghai! However, maybe they used the same dough for their dumplings, because the potstickers we got were great. Northern style dumplings are just these - thick in the skin, chewy, doughy, and hearty! Yes, it was little on the greasy side, and I'd love for more filling, but nevertheless, delicious! Taiwanese Beef Soup Noodles - The bf liked the beef and the broth a lot, but wish the noodles were thicker and chewier. Seaweed egg drop soup - A little too much msg and salt, but if you look beyond that, it really is a soothing both of tasty soup. :P Pork 'n cabbage potstickers - Tasty by itself but WAY better with the chili soy dipping sauce. Good prices, good hearty size. Would come back again, but nothing to write home about. The restaurant itself is small and tables packed really tightly together, hence it can get loud 'n noisy. It's not a pretentious restaurant, just a good place to get homey grub with your friends. OR take out...since the lines are long. :P
(3)Philip H.
Do not encourage this place to continue making its nasty, thick-skinned, soup-less, cockroach-infested, stinky-meat dumplings. It's a sick joke that they dare use the word "Gourmet" in their name. Shame on them as they bring shame to what dumplings should taste like. Send me a note, and I will make you good dumpling or tell you where to go. I despise seeing the throngs of tourists and non-Asians shiver and wait for 30 min-1 hour to get a taste of my culture's food and then get treated terribly by the staff here. The last time I was here, the owner got in a LOUD argument with one of the waiters and there was yelling and screaming over the customers for 5 minutes. The owner fired the waiter on the spot and had him pack up and leave. People stunned, especially those trying dumplings for the first time. Embarrassment and shame swept over me as I could see the non-Asians wonder how my people act in public. Pathetic. Health inspectors, please come and shut this place down!
(1)Kelly O.
I have to sing my own praises about GDH, it's probably my favorite Chinese place in the city. I lost my soup dumpling virginity here thanks to an in-the-know friend a few years ago, and have never looked back since... they. are. so. insanely. goooood. And so fricken cheap/filling, I could just get myself an order of these and be full and happy. I've tried some other things from here (scallion pancake, a chicken dish, an asparagus dish) and it's all mighty fine, but really, would you expect it to not be all about the dumplings? Soup + pork + crab + ginger + wrapper = food gold. It's cramped and hurried, but the waiter has always been charming enough to us. Tip: ask for peanuts with your Tsingtao, they go together like peanut butter and jelly. Love the lovely GDH. UPDATE: I'd like to add the tofu balls with shrimp and the eggplant with basil to my must-haves here. I don't even like eggplant, that should tell you something...
(5)Lilia C.
Great food!! Their sauteed dry beef noodle keeps a lot of flavor whereas a lot of other restaurants in Chinatown does not. I have a guilty pleasure of scallion pancakes and their's is nice and crispy and that sauce is great. Their Xiao Long Baos are a little doughy on the outside but it's not bad. The reason why I'm giving them two stars is because I realized after paying and leaving that they upcharged both my appetizers (I took a menu with me). I was charged 6.95 for the garlic cucumber appetizer and then my scallion pancakes were upcharged an extra dollar too. Their checks are written in Chinese so they might be banking on people not being able to read it. The sketchy thing is the woman who looks to be the manager gave us our check and did a double take and then took it back to correct. SKETCHY. I still recommend going there but keep an eye out on your bill!!!
(2)J F.
The steamed dumplings are to die for. It has the perfect ratio of fat to meat content. These little pockets of fun are worth the trip and wait at this establishment. I'd say Dumpling House is one of the more competitive restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)Min T.
This turned out to be our last meal in Boston. In that respect, it's only memorable for that. After touring the Sam Adams Brewery, we wanted to get a bite before our flight back home. I figured we'll follow the crowd and find a place. The first place we stopped in was empty. The next, Gourmet Dumpling House, looked warm and inviting with the house half full. The menu stated something along the lines as its specialties being Northern and Southern Chinese. Oh really? But this place is known for their dumplings, right? I surely hope so and ordered the pork and crab dumplings thinking they'd be similar to my beloved XLB. Okay, they take 15 minutes to come out and our barely speaking English waitress couldn't explain that to us. But no worries, the staff was mostly speaking Cantonese and I understood their Chinglish. I also ordered chicken with asparagus, spinach with garlic and seafood yee mein. Anyone who knows me, these are some of my comfort Chinese foods and I figure they wouldn't scare the gay boyfriend too much. Well, the yee mein was way, way too soft. The noodles had been cut too and I like my yee mein long and al dente. Sigh. Seafood was really imitation crab, a few pieces of squid and a couple of shrimp. Sigh. The chicken with asparagus comes with China's most famous sauce- corn starch with soy sauce. They didn't thin the sauce enough, probably didn't use enough hot water and the sauce was rather clumpy. Sigh. The spinach was good though. Unsigh. Then finally the dumplings came. The eight "mini" dumplings were enormous. The waitress brought them over without sauce and a passing waiter yelled her to give us some when he noticed I concocted an ad hoc sauce from the grimy bottles on the table. Sigh. Well, they were okay. The dumplings had too thick wrappers but the flavor was there. And the soup wasn't bad in 'em. But they were surely not XLBs. Portions are enormous. Prices are a bit on the expensive side for Chinese food but I come from the land of cheap yet ostensibly fantastic Asian food. Unmemorable, yet memorable.
(3)Capt k.
OMG the place is so busy, I was stressed when I finished my meal. The food is good and major plus is their extensive lunch menu selection, pork belly, flounder......... The XLB is good but not as good as Ding Tai Fung. One word of advice, don't come with party of two, you are either end up in a tiny table or share a table with complete strangers. Don't take the table right next to the fish tank. They will ask you to stand up to get live fish out of tank during your meal. Four stars for the food, minus one star for the atmosphere.
(3)Abigail H.
Whenever friends or family come in town, we go here. Ever since I saw a description for the place in a Boston magazine, I've been going back. It's usually pretty packed but when you get in that small, noisy room of a restaurant it's totally worth it. The owners are this cute couple who are always at the front of the store hosting. They can be super busy but they are really nice people. It's delicious and pretty cheap. Definitely a favorite. Caution: they only take credit cards on purchases of over $20 (it's either $20 or $25 but I'm forgetting). Just keep that in mind if you're a student like me who only buys one little meal and doesn't carry cash.
(4)Richard G.
Stopped in yesterday afternoon for a late lunch. GDH was mostly empty. Was feeling unimaginative -- ordered General Gau Chicken to go. Ugggghh!! Back at my desk (a quick 5 minutes away), I opened a lukewarm container filled with NASTY chicken and a sickeningly thick amber sauce that was nowhere near spicy enough. Live & learn.
(1)Katrina H.
Worth the cold wait outside....there is no space inside to wait so be prepared to stand outside. The atmosphere? Don't expect to have a romantic evening here. It is loud and crowded(okay, maybe overcrowded is the right term) BUT they serve the best mini juicy dumplings around! Price is perfect! Cheap large quality servings,,,great for me! We love to make trips from NH to Boston to have their food....mini juicy dumplings, fried cabbage and pork dumplings, pork fried rice, Szechuan chicken with vegetables and sesame chicken. We order extras to take home!
(4)Chad K.
Best Chinese meal thus far.
(5)Laura C.
Love the dumplings! Love the green beans with mini shrimp!! One star off for ambiance, long wait, service... it's a Chinatown restaurant, the food is great, but really what can you expect from the other stuff?
(4)Joy X.
Soup dumplings are better than average, but the skin was thicker than it should be Ma po tofu is pretty standard - not standout
(4)Rebecca N.
Best place for food in Chinatown. Eggplant with basil is perfect! Vegetarian dumplings are delicious. General Tsao's is very well executed. If you're in Chinatown, the choices can seem overwhelming. Once I discovered this place I have never had to scramble on my iPhone to figure where to eat. It's bustling and busy and you may have to wait, but you won't be disappointed. Service is fast and very friendly, too. Really appreciate how hard the staff works here. Just don't tell anyone about this place - we really need to keep it under wraps.
(4)Hannah K.
The steamed pork dumplings were super good!!!! Then I got the shanghai style fried dumplings but they were way too greasy and I wasn't a fan of their "surf and turf" filling. My girlfriend (the account owner) got fried tofu appetizer and steamed veggie dumplings and they were good but not amazing. Overall, good joint for da dumps cravings but was not truly amazed!
(4)Shaun A.
Went to Chinatown for dinner and didn't know where to go. Walked by Gourmet Dumpling House and there was a line out the door. Line out the door means great food, right? Waited 20/25 minutes and was seated promptly. Menu was a little long, so we went to yelp for a few suggestions. Ordered the spicy seafood noodle soup, bamboo shoot and pork, pork and leek dumplings and curry. Everything was amazing! Such rich and authentic flavor. We actually went back the next day for lunch. Gourmet Dumpling House is a must see!
(4)Adam S.
Located in the middle of Boston's (relatively small) Chinatown, this place has some great and exotic food. We had the pork and leek dumplings. They were split 50/50 between steamed and fried... I prefered fried, but both were good. We also had the beef spare ribs, which were amazing and some of the best I've had. I had the pork belly and pickled veggie dish. It was pretty good, but maybe a little too adventurous for my tastes. My friends had beef and broccoli and twice cooked pork and both were good. The menu here is pretty exotic, but you can also get the staples. The service was friendly. The only thing that was unusual was that they brought the food out in no particular order (ie apps and entrees coming in no order). It's busy too.
(4)Tony Z.
Gourmet dumpling house, if you and I were in prison and you dropped the soap. I would protect you. That's how much I love you.
(5)Christina K.
My friends and I had gone to Chinatown to attend a Gen44 event and found it hella lame. So we decided to go get food and since I'd read about this place on yelp, we went here at about 7:30-8. We were seated right away and took a while to peruse the very extensive menu. We ordered the cucumber appetizer, fried tofu appetizer, clams with black bean sauce, vegetarian dumplings for me, and fish and vegetables over rice. Everything was REALLY good. I don't know if I was way excited about having good Chinese food in Boston, but I was really really blown away. All my other experiences with Chinese food in Boston have been less than stellar - Hong Kong in H-square, some random place in Brookline, and some smaller join in Chinatown. I also admit to having high standards given the great cooks in my own Chinese household and having savored the glories of the San Gabriel Valley, but we agreed that this place came out pretty damn close to that. Everyone there had ordered a TON of different things, so to say that this place was a dumpling house is a misnomer. I would suggest coming here with plenty of friends and share a few dishes since I wanted to order more, but it would have been way too much (quantity and $$). Lots of people had ordered hot pots and different noodle dishes. My vegetarian dumplings were really good and I was impressed by the fact that they had a good mix of finely chopped veggies and noodles inside a handmade dumpling wrapper. The sauce was not that great and they did not have chili sauce on the table which disappointed. The fish and clams were also good. We all LOVED the fried tofu appetizer - crispy and piping hot - but we all thought the cucumbers were a total bust. Overall though, I was impressed by the food and the fact that it wasn't very greasy at all which can be a HUGE turnoff when eating out. Like seriously. I looked at the noodles at the other tables and the vegetable dishes and it looked like stuff I would cook at home - no greasy sheen of oil pooling on the plate. Suh-weet. Now I know where to go for some great Chinese food in Boston.
(5)Tootoo T.
Be very careful of your bill. On more than one occasion we have had up to $20 extra charged on our bill. The bill is in chinese so make sure you ask what you are paying for. I want to say this was a mistake on their part but it has happened so many times - Im pretty sure its not! Food is good.
(2)Dave L.
Packed the family Truckster up for a ride to Somerville to visit a SIL and her husband. We took the T in for lunch at the GDH, which was our first visit. Like Aahnold said - "Ahl be bach". We arrived just exactly at noon and it was already full. We were told the wait would be 15 minutes, so we went across the street to browse in the Chinese market. 15 minutes later, we were seated at a big round table right at the front window. The menu is loaded with delicious sounding items, and we ordered a decent sampling of different things. We got some steamed vegetable dumplings that were fantastic! Everyone except my 14 yo son loved them. There was an order of Singapore noodles - delicious. Fine delicate little noodles in a curry type sauce with shrimp, chicken, and egg. Outstanding. Some sort of beef noodle dish which was OK, but not the hit of the day. Mini Saucy Pork Dumplings - I loved these. I think these are the soup dumplings people talk about. The filling is tender pork swimming in tasty broth. The dumpling itself was excellent as well. We also had the scallion pancakes, which were amazing. They were crispy, flavorful and one of the favorites at the table. We also got an order of some sort of bun, but I don't remember exactly the name. I wasn't crazy about it. The dough was a bit too thick and tough for my liking. It was more bready than the other types we got. All in all, it was a delicious experience, and very inexpensive. I can't wait to go back and try some different things.
(4)Tashia N.
the line outside of the restaurant is definitely worth it. if there is one restaurant in Chinatown to choose from, it's this one. highlights were the Chinese broccoli dish and scallion pancakes.
(5)Elvira C.
The food is ok. I don't want to know how it was made and what was put in it. This is what a restaurant looks like in the 1970s in China. If you ever want to time travel, then probably not a bad place to go to. The ingredients used definitely do not match those in a good, real Chinese restaurant in China. The toilet was flooded and the ambiance was loud. Some waiting staff were friendly, but the one at our table was extremely rude and unpleasant. The tables are greasy and the floor is dirty. Definitely a place to observe FOB culture. Restaurants in Beijing are simply so much nicer, quieter, and more upscale. The restaurant is extremely crowded. It is so peculiar that a cafe or a pasta joint can be as small as this place, yet it can make you feel cozy. But one of my friends and I felt extremely uncomfortable here. I am pretty sure the owner is making some pretty good money to make the restaurant nicer and to provide better ingredients. The price was actually not that great. There were 5 of us and we spent $15 each including tips. But I've spent $12 including tips before for a bowl of delicious freshly-made pasta at SOHO, NYC. Unless you're seriously craving for greasy Chinese food, there are many more places that you can spend a nice dinner at.
(2)John N.
I was staying close to Chinatown so I look up yelp and this place had great reviews plus I talked w/a local and they say if you have to try only 1 place in Chinatown then this is it. I came in during the afternoon and i got my seat right away. I order 1 pork dumplings soup and 1 fried pork dumplings. I saw all of the pictures on the wall and all of the article they have regarding this place so i was pretty excited that I got a chance to try it. They even have famous chef come in so I was expecting A LOT. My soup dumplings came first and it was hugh for the size. 1 bite and I knew it was ok, nothing special and there were barely any soup in it. I was very very disappointed. Next my fried dumplings came out and it was barely have any sear on it. It was like eating a stream dumplings lol....I knew I didn't want to finish my lunch so I just pay the bill and left. The waiter asked me if I wanted to go bag which I always do no matter how much food is left but in this case, I had to PASS!!!
(2)Eric L.
On the pursuit of xlb in Boston, my journey led me to Gourmet Dumpling House. Gourmet Dumpling House opened only a couple years ago back in 2007 and has apparently become one of the more popular places to eat in Chinatown, fueled by their xlb. My friends and I headed in on a Saturday morning; arriving at 11:40 AM meant we had a 20 minute wait as the restaurant was already filled up. They graciously took down the number to our cellular so we could cross the street and hit up Hing Shing Pastry across the street. For the three of us, we ended up ordering two baskets of xlb, one yu-xiang eggplant, one house fried rice and an oyster pancake. Since the xlb take 15 min to prep and steam, all the other dishes came first. The oyster pancake was pretty good; it was a good throwback to the street food of Taiwan. The yu-xiang eggplant did not impress me at all; I found the sauce much thicker and sweeter than I would have liked and not nearly as spicy. The house fried rice had chopped lettuce, egg, shrimp and pork and wasn't particularly interesting; it is after fried rice. I would have liked the lettuce to be chopped into smaller pieces closer to the size of the shrimp or pork, as each bite was awkwardly overwhelmed with mainly lettuce. When the xlb arrived, we all stopped eating everything else and focused our efforts on optimal placement of the basket so everyone could tackle it at once. Our eyes stared at the 8 succulent little dumplings with oh so thin skin, just waiting to be dipped into black vinegar and topped with ginger, just waiting for us to make the small bite to let the soup out. The xlb have a pleasant amount of soup with good flavor; not excessively oily and just enough salty. The filling was mediocre; although well flavored, I found the meat a bit too crumbly and I wasn't too impressed with the texture. All in all, I'd say Gourmet Dumpling House is a decent Taiwanese restaurant, and definitely an excellent choice if you're in the area and looking to get a quick xlb fix, but personally I think there are better options for Taiwanese food in Boston. Prices are reasonable with an order of 8 xlb costing you $6.50 and many lunchbox specials at around $6. (On other occasions I have tried Gourmet Dumpling House's lunchbox specials before; I personally prefer Taiwan Cafe's lunchbox specials to those of Gourmet Dumpling House, but to each his own). Fun fact: they're open until 1 AM every day.
(3)Mac O.
If Ming Tsai hadn't told me about Gourmet Dumpling House, it's not the kind of place I'd be inclined to wander into off the street. Love that. GDH is completely unassuming with nothing really to indicate that such delicious and authentic Chinese/Taiwanese food is being served within...other than its Chinatown location, obviously. OK, so I don't know Ming personally (I wish). But on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" he touted the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style as being better than any Chinese dish he makes. I think it's been established I geek out over spots featured on food shows, so naturally I wanted to pay GDH a visit on our next trip to Boston. We had to try the Szechuan fish. It was excellent. The fish itself -- some white fish, I was too busy eating to ask -- literally melted in the mouth it was so tender and moist. The broth was alternately blazingly spicy and soothing, a perplexing combination that had husband and me coming back for spoonful after spoonful. We also ordered a scallion pancake and -- because this is, after all, a dumpling house -- some steamed veggie dumplings. The dumplings were good, with one of the best filling-to-dough ratios I've found. There was a nice thin, al dente dough surrounding mounds of spinach, scallion, tofu, and vermicelli. I admit that a dumpling with pork and crab, or beef and celery, would probably have been a bit more exciting. The scallion pancake, on the other hand, was the best I've ever had: light and crisp with just the right onion flavor, without being greasy or oily. It almost stole all the Szechuan fish's thunder. Husband and I aren't adventurous, random-organ-meat eaters, but if you are, there's a ton for you here, too: jellyfish, chilli ox tripe and tongue, roast pig heart, beef tendon noodle soup, pork intestine and blood pudding soup, braised sea cucumber, sautéed pig blood and leeks, braised fish chins, braised pig feet...GDH is clearly not Americanized Chinese, and I fully appreciate that. You don't get forks, either, and tea is the drink of choice instead of ice water. Service was efficient and brusque, professional but not overly hospitable. It's a tiny little dining room in a spot that's exceptionally popular, so I think servers are trying to turn tables as quickly as possible. No matter, husband and I still loved the whole experience of being at GDH. And the entire, filling meal only set us back 26 bucks. Winner winner Chinese dinner. [15 Minutes of Fame: "The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Better Than Mine" (Ming Tsai, sliced fish Szechuan style)]
(4)Jon S.
I usually don't like Chinese food but I really like this place. I've probably eaten here greater than 30 times and I pretty much only order the soup dumplings and the Szechuan fish (along with the scallion pancake and shanghai greens). The broth in the soup dumplings is awesome. I'm not bothered by the relative thickness of the skin. Sometimes they overcook the dumplings and they fall apart (but that's the only demerit). It took me a few trips to notice that all the Asian people (note I am Asian) ordered the Szechuan fish. The dish makes me sweat profusely when I eat it but I don't care. It tastes too good and it is one of my favorite dishes in all of Boston. Too bad for the regulars that this place was on the Food network over a year ago as this place has gotten noticeably busier. Nonetheless, whether it is lunch, dinner, or late night, this restaurant is my go to place in Chinatown.
(4)Ahmet K.
You have to wait to get a table at least 30 min... Food is fresh and order to cook!!! I loved the pepper steak and beef dumpling... Service is outstanding.Food and service is worth to wait
(5)Amanda H.
I've enjoyed everything I've ever ordered here, but the sweet and sour flounder is probably my go-to dish. The pork and leek dumplings are also amazing. As other reviewers have mentioned, the wait can be a hassle, but in the summer you can get take-out and eat it in the park around the corner.
(4)Vina Y.
I think this place is way over-hyped. I walked in and saw pictures of celebs like Blake Lively, Kate Hudson and Michael Douglas on the wall and was worried. I feel like food taste/quality at Chinese places usually decreases with the more attention it gets from celebrities because they don't have to try as hard! The place was packed and I was feeling claustrophobic with people bumping into me as they were coming in and out of the narrow passage to the door. Got the -xiao long bao (soup douplings) - the skin was thick and half of the dumplings didn't have soup in them! The meat texture was too..pulverized if that makes sense. -dou miao (pea pod sprouts) sauteed with garlic - delicious but that's a hard dish to mess up. The dou miao was fresh though, points for that! -some kind of breaded spare rib (i didn't order it) - way too much breading and it was bland. It was like the kind of breading on sweet/sour pork. Pass. -veggie dumplings - not bad, had chives, mushrooms and egg mixture in it. -Taiwanese style thin rice noodle -slightly curry-ish flavor with bean sprouts and onions. Pretty good. So the food was not entirely bad, but it wasn't amazing either. Tasted like standard Chinatown fare - definitely not worth the hype, wait, or uncomfortable seating.
(3)Zach W.
Hi everyone! My name is Zach and I'm addicted to Hot & Sour soup at GDH. How do you say WOWSA in Chinese???? Recent awesome order: Hot & Sour soup (simply amazing deliciousness that I may have to go to rehab for because it's addicting), Pork Fried Rice (a lil greasy but solid), Pan Fried Pork Bun (here it is.....WOWSA!!!). Funny thing happened though (not sure if it's a commentary on the pride they have of their Bun's or on the questionable service)......We ordered Pan Fried Pork Buns....they arrived at table (come in set of 4)....began to masticate and destroy buns.....they came and took bun's away from us, including the ones we were eating, telling us they over cooked them.....brought out new buns.....they definitely tasted better.....did I just get poisoned???? So far I'm still alive and feel fine. Definitely going to go back and eat more Hot & Sour....one of the best hot & sours I've ever had.
(4)Helen L.
This is one of the best Taiwanese places I've ever been to! It's really Taiwanese, and not Chinese, by the way. Ha. My two friends and I ordered the pork and leek dumplings and some sort of port soup dumplings. THE SOUP DUMPLINGS WERE AMAZING. AMMMAAAZING. The regular non soup dumplings were fried and also delicious. However, I think my favorite part was the scallion pancakes! I've never had SUCH GOOD SCALLION PANCAKES to a point I never knew they could even be that good. The dumplings are about $6.50 per plate and you get 6-8 of them. You actually full up really quickly! I wanted to order other items that look equally good (from peering at other people's tables) but I was too full. That just means I have to go back! We got there at 6pm and there was already a 20 minute wait. Well worth it!
(5)Nicolas C.
We knew we were in for something special when we had to wait 25 minutes for a table of two. We almost left but we had received a hot tip from a guy that looked like he had just took some ecstasy when he spoke of this spot. When we sat down we were in awe of the elderly couple next to us. One of them looked like a machine with one goal: KILL DUMPLINGS. After me and my friend were done with the meal we looked at each other and could only say one thing "BALLER!" Our fist pound explosion was in homage to our sincere amazement at how much leftovers we had. You should anticipate this problem of deciding who gets to take home them home- a fight to the death? I just decided to pay a little extra. We didn't have the namesake but what we did have was on a Michael Jordan level of amazing- so good that I'm tearing up just thinking about all the useless Chinese restaurants I've had in my lifetime. The pepper chicken wings were in the lower echelon of great. I happily say this was the weakest dish but only because everything else seemed so special. The beef with okra was well seasoned and left my palate wanting more although I was really grateful there was okra to balance the super flavorful beef. The sauteed mushrooms over vegetables were special. The mushrooms were flavorful and the bok choy that accompanied it paired nicely with all the intense dishes we ordered. It provided a needed respite. And the windmill slam of the day was the chilly fish soup with cabbage. Think No Name chowder with Asian magic. This is a must order for anyone that likes a spicy dish. There is a fifth dish we had, it may have been the best dish but we had such a small sample that it's hard to know. This is courtesy of the sweet mother and her son that sat next to us. We had considered getting the eggplant but decided against it. Out of sheer synchronicity they had ordered it and it looked amazing. I wanted to make sure it was the eggplant so I asked and her response was to grab the plate and start shoveling eggplant on our plate. I demurely said "no you don't have t...." and stopped because it was too late, it was already there. The consistency was soft and the eggplant was sweet and melted in my mouth. I'd like to give a shout out to the mom who made that possible, you rock! The environment was family friendly and inviting. Me and my boy talked to a couple of the patrons exchanging our experiences with a "oh my gawd you gadda try this (x)..." Final thought: go here before you die!
(5)Tim Y.
My absolute all time favorite dumpling in the world. I try to eat here at least twice a month. I always take a group from work or order and bring it in. My favorite is the mini juicy pork dumplings. They are a MUST HAVE!!!!
(5)Jennifer N.
Get the dumplings. This might be obvious given the name of the place, but it bears repeating: get the dumplings. It's all about the dumplings. And the appetizers. The scallion pancakes are just the right consistency of fried excellence, served with a garlicky, cilantro-fied soy sauce. We found the main courses considerably less exciting. We had the "house special" chicken and asparagus- the asparagus was well under-cooked, and the sauce it was served in was unbelieveably salty. The noodles with seafood was similarly unremarkable -- nothing bad, but nothing that distinguished the Dumpling House from any other Chinatown place. Logistics: This place is packed. The service is brusque, and the staff frowns upon post-dinner lingering.
(3)Nikolette C.
WoW. My friend said that the scallion pancakes were good, BUT they were GREAT. OMG! The scallion pancakes get SIX STARS! Very greasy (and I hate greasy), but sooo gooood! Crab rangoons were also good, but those are always good. I thought the General Gau's was quite delicious, despite the gooey sauce (yes, as Monique S. pointed out, very gum-like indeed). The pork buns are also very good. I have had a few other things off the menu, and it all seems to be pretty good. But the scallion pancakes and the consistently good food and service will keep me coming back!
(4)Bob H.
When we (me, my relatives (Jenny, Uncle Dave, and Kit) unfortunately Aunt Theresa couldn't be there, she's got the stomach flu) went to Gourmet Dumpling House today, it was packed. We had to wait about ten minutes to get a table. The seats weren't very roomy, but the food made up for it. We had the sautéed flat noodles, and may I say, I only had three bites before Jenny ate everything. But they are a little greasy, just a heads up. GDH was very, very loud, but if you don't mind the noise, then the atmosphere isnt too bad. Service wasn't very good, not too bad either. Overall, the food was pretty good. But if Aunt Theresa was there, it would be more fun.
(4)R Y J.
I decided to try soup dumplings in Boston since New York has some awesome ones. Honestly, I wasn't that impressed, but they were still good. These have more soup in them, although a bit too salty, which is a plus. My friend and I also had the scallion pancake. Get it! The soy sauce that comes with it is really good, too. I think I enjoyed that more than the pancake itself. We also got the spicy fish. Everyone apparently loves it, but you hardly get much out of it. It's just a huge bowl of oil. It's spicy (if you're not Asian :P), so be careful. Overall, pretty content with the food. I think it also helped that we didn't have to wait at all and we were expecting to wait for a really long time (go in pairs, not in groups!).
(3)Angela A.
I have become addicted to GDH. I don't care if I have to wait 20-30 minutes outside on the sidewalk every single time I come, regardless of group size or time/day. I'll stand in the snow if I have to. I'll stand in lava. I love this place. I love the bustling, roaring trade they do (good on GDH!); it's been a lively, frenetic, wonderful atmosphere every time I've gone. And the FOOD. My God. The spicy fish (Schezuan style) thing is my go-to - the centerpiece to every feast. Then there's the amazing dumplings - pork and leek; especially incredible. The constant stream of piping hot jasmine tea. The green beans with shrimpy bits. Those big soupy dumplings that drop their soupy bits all over your rice. Mmmm. I am dying just typing about it. Everything is delicious, aromatic, amazing; totally unlike the Chinese-American food I usually find (General Tso's chicken, etc.) and totally better. Sure, sometimes we have to repeat our rice order. But who cares? GDH is my delicious Chinatown heaven, busting my wallet (even though it's relatively cheap - I just go so often!) - and always worth it.
(5)Norina N.
This place was always packed whenever I passed by. So my bf & I went in out of curiousity. First thing that came to my mind was oh no, too crowded with little room to move around, I was about to step out, but let's see what they have that made many people stopped by. We had Ox Tail soup, chilled pork ears, eel with yellow chive, taiwanese rice cakes. They were alright, nothing stood out much. All that time we stayed there, I just didnt feel comfortable. The waiters walked back and forth, leaning on our table and all that. As when it comes to pick out a restaurant, the food quality is important, as well as the atmosphere and tables arrangement. so I dont know if I would come back to this spot. I'd rather choose Taiwan Cafe over this place.
(2)Wendy L.
This place is definitely different from the rest of what you can find in Boston's Chinatown. Lots of delicious spicy choices. Non-Spicy favorites: Scallion pancake - start out with this savory and crispy appetizer, you won't regret it. The dipping sauce amazing! String Beans with Dried Shrimp - a great veggie dish...flavorful but not too greasy. If you are chinese and you always order a vegetable dish go with this one. I know "dried shrimp" sounds weird but direct translations don't always work. Mini Juicy Dumplings (8 pieces) - although I've had better elsewhere this is definitely the best ones you can find in Boston. Make sure you put the dumpling on a soup because the best part about it is the soup inside and it pops out when you bite into it. Spicy favorites: Beef with Julienne Peppers - great dish to pair with a bowl of white rice but pretty spicy. You can see the pepper seeds in this dish! Sliced Fish Szechuan Style - this is an EXTREMELY spicy dish. I like the tender slices of boneless fish but there is something crazy about the condiments they sprinkle on top. One of them has a really numbing flavor and we always try and scrap it off. The service is not that great here but what do you expect when the food is cheap and delicious? Live with it. It's also not somewhere to have a long meal with someone and stay for a cup of tea after because there is always a long line outside. There is a great deal for lunch Monday through Sunday 11-4pm...you get 3 dishes with 3 bowls of rice for $20.
(4)Charles T.
The wait at this restaurant was excruciatingly long. But the food was decent. Can't say the dumplings were amazing; definitely can't compare to NY or Shanghai but it holds its own in Boston. The Julienne long horn beef is pretty good and overall the food is fine for the price.
(3)Jamie D.
Soup dumplings and scallion pancakes. So.freaking.good. The ONLY thing I think they can improve on is their customer service. They treated us like we were more in their way than anything. No matter, if I lived in Boston, I would order out from this place every chance I got.
(4)Skye A.
This place is amazing!! We ordered beef and celery dumplings as appetizers, my boyfriend ordered general gao chicken and I got taiwanese noodles with seafood and veggies. It was absolutely delicious and our total bill was under $22!! Usually you can't find a restaurant in Boston with calimari and fish in a dish that doesn't cost $10, but it was great! The lunch boxes are huge portions and lots of the food is under $10. We ate there for the first time yesterday and already want to go there again tonight! We sat next to an enormous fish tank, which meant that sometimes the chef had to reach inside and pull out a fish or two practically right over us. But it was cool! And it means the seafood is fresh : ) If you are looking for a hoity-toity restaurant where you can hear the clink of your wine glasses, this isn't the place, but it was the perfect date for my boyfriend and I. A ton of delicious food, fast service, and a fun ambiance. Just go!
(5)Mike C.
I'm a knucklehead. I order the vegetable fried rice for take out every time I go here. I don't mind waiting outside in the cold. Takes 15 minutes. If I was good enough with my chopsticks I'd eat every last grain.
(5)Logan J.
this is the best chinese food--specifically the best dumplings--that ive had in boston. i used to go here almost weekly for the veg dumplings. they are amazing. the service is usually pretty fast, although the place can get pretty crowded during lunch/dinner. the scallion pancakes and ma po tofu are also delicious here. a great place to go with out of town guests who want a chinatown experience or a great place to go if youre really craving some excellent chinese food here in boston!
(5)Nicholas C.
hands down best Chinese (Taiwanese) food in boston. this is my go to place whether it be for a quick lunch, snack, dinner or take out. A long line everyday really tells you how popular this place has become. I dont think i have EVER been there when there was not a line. luckily the line goes quick and you usually are seated within 20 minutes. every time i leave, i always think its worth it. Favorite dishes: 1) Xiao long bao. mini juicy dumplings that honestly just taste like heaven. 2) stinky tofu. I think i might be the only one who orders the stinky tofu here. it is so damn good. 3) Zha jiang mian. juicy noodles with special sauce and tofu. 4) ma po tofu. overall, 5/5. you want good ass chinese food...this is where you go!
(5)Catie C.
Packed for lunch. It's not even called service on what they provide. They just put stuff on the table. Wave them down for anything. They forget. One of the better places for Northern food in the area; but that doesn't say much. Dumplings were OK. Beef Soup was OK. All in all, nothing to rave. Nothing special. Very cramped atmosphere where anyone that walks by can knock the chopstix from you hand and you can help yourself to your neighboring table's dishes.
(2)Asavari G.
"Gourmet Dumps" is an obsession among my friends and co-workers. I've loved every dish I've had, but here are the hottest favorites: DUMPLINGS/APPS: Soup Dumplings - gotta have these soon after their made to savor their juicy goodness Pork and leek dumplings - tasty, well-made dumplings Vegetarian steamed dumplings - I find it hard to get a really strong veggie dumpling, but GDH does it! Scallion pancakes - crispy, a bit greasy but eh, they're so good. MAINS (family-style of course) Home Style Braised Eggplant with Basil- melts-in-your-mouth eggplant Sauteed Snow Pea Pod with Garlic - Fresh, crunchy, green (and garlic! yum) Sauteed Noodles with Beef and Vegetables in Sa-Cha sauce - sa-cha is kind of like a BBQ sauce, but not really. It is a bit fishy-tasting, so steer clear if that's not your jam. Everything else I've had - the Kung Pao, Broccoli chicken etc. has also been good. Still need to try the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style. There's always next time!
(5)Kenneth F.
Very reliable food and quick to come out! The only problem is that everyone wants in on the action so you sometimes encounter a wait which is hard to justify with so many different restaurants in the area. Aim to miss the lunch and dinner crowds and use the weekdays if possible! I can never remember which of the dishes I ordered the last time so I always go for something random that sounds interesting and even if it's not what I expected always turns out to be something good!
(5)Maura C.
So with all the restaurants in Chinatown, I knew I picked the right one because there was a line outside early on a Thursday night. Lucky for us, it moved super quick and we were seated within minutes. We ordered dumplings (Of course!) - crab and pork soup dumplings, vegetarian dumplings, and pork and leek dumplings. I would pass on the vegetarian next time.. not much flavor there except the dipping sauce. We also ordered the pan fried pork buns and beef with wide noodles. The name of this dish made it sound very ordinary, however there was nothing ordinary about it! The sauce was delicious and it came to the table seriously less than 3 minutes after ordering it!! Talk about service. The portions are a good size and great for sharing... we still had plenty of left overs for everyone to take home.
(4)Desi N.
Dumpling House is the best Chinese Restaurant in Boston area hands down. I go there with colleagues all the time and have NEVER been less than satisfied. Their Scallion Pancakes, steamed dumplings, Eggplant basil, Kung Pao chicken, MaaPo tofu and some of my favorite dishes. I have tried all of these else where in other Boston and Metro Boston area Chinese restaurants and am yet to find a match .. the search continues ... TIP: Usually crowded at lunch so plan accordingly.
(5)Matt H.
Best post-St. Patrick's Day food in my LIFE. Dumplings, dumplings, and more dumplings. Just read the other reviews...they're more eloquent than me and also, eat here. You won't regret it.
(5)Sandra C.
Came here last night because my friends peer pressured me into going. Turned out pretty decent...even though we came in during a busy time. Two different servers went to our table with yummy looking plates...only to have it not be ours...Oh well..WE HAD XIAO LONG BAO!!! I didn't even know you could find those in Boston. I always went to New York for them. I think New York's dumplings are better, but this is still pretty good. The owner thought my friends and I were pretty, so he hooked us up with some free drinks. AWESOME! Anyways, everyone's really nice there...I'm definitely coming back. Just not during the dinner rush though.
(4)Kim C.
Gourmet Dumpling House - just go. Yes it is very small. Yes you will be right on top of the table next to you. Yes it is noisy. Yes you will need to wait outside and it feels like there is no rhyme or reason to the "wait list", but the reward is the best dumpling in Boston. Order the juicy dumplings with pork. Trust me. They are DIVINE! Pork and leek dumplings are spectacular as well. As are the chicken and cabbage. Pork buns, I LOVE pork buns and GDH's are very good. They are a little heavy on the breadiness and could use a little more filling, but plenty flavorful. I always like a side order of veggies - bok choy or watercress - delicious. A couple of orders of dumplings and a side of veggies is a perfect meal for 2 people and you spend a little over $20(including tip). For that price and you get an authentic Chinatown experience and did I mention how good the juicy dumplings are!?!
(4)Hummus P.
Overall solid place but only gave 3 stars - General Gau's Chicken, spicy beef tongue/tendons, sautéed veggies all delicious - dumpling buns with crab meat was sub par. In fact it was too fishy for some reason(reason for 3 stars)
(3)Jacqueline M.
I've been here a few times and the quality is consistent. It's my favorite dim sum in the city, and while they don't have my favorite (Char Siu Bao), they have amazing dumplings that are juicy and plump. Their soup dumplings might be the best I've ever had. Blake Lively agrees (hint: look at the wall behind the register).
(4)Justin H.
This place has everything I want in an Asian restaurant: 1) Small space that is always crowded and you have to fight to get in the door 2) Decor that focuses on the food first, ambiance second 3) Friendly staff that nonetheless want you to eat and move on as quick as possible during rush time 4) A sign out front describing somewhat care salesman-ish how unique and special their food is (but ultimately proves true) 5) A knock your socks off Schezuan spicy fish soup dish that is filled with mouth numbing and burning spices and enough generous fish chunks to fill you up and make you feel like you haven't made a dent- this dish alone is worth the trip 6) Vegetarian dumplings that are just about the best I've had anywhere- satisfying, bone sticking filling, chewy bouncy wrapper and it all comes in a metal tin that elicits immediate Pavlovian drool response Too many other dishes to mention- among them stinky tofu, and if that turns you off then you turn me off, where's your sense of adventure? Go here, order a cold Tsingtao and get the spicy fish soup and anything else that meets your fancy, I guarantee you will not regret it.
(5)Marti S.
I liked the Gourmet Dumpling House well enough, but I'm not sure it was worth the 40 minute wait on a cold street. The dumplings were good, but a little watery. The non-dumpling food was pretty generic. And I didn't try the buns because there were mushrooms in there, and I was not expecting that and mushrooms are gah-ross. Honestly, I'd try it again on a night other than Friday just to see if I'm missing something that makes this place so standout.
(3)Yang J.
Bad!!!Don't come and wait.
(1)Tracy G.
I've been to Gourmet Dumpling House several times over the years and am never disappointed. Today, I tried the Taiwanese rice noodles with pork and vegetables - absolutely delicious! The sauce was just right with fresh scallions and bean sprouts. We had two kinds of dumplings, light and tasty - we always order the pork and leek (not sure what the others were). Also had the scallion pancake - nicely fried and delicious. Very true that it's extremely crowded and cramped, but I have never had any major trouble here. Service is fast and we can always find someone to assist us. Definitely worth a visit!
(4)Sham Y.
My coworkers and I get food here every few months. I'm a huge dumpling fan and have not been disappointed yet. I tried some vegetarian ones once which I was less into but I think that's just the meatless thing. Their long hot peppers with beef is usually super spicy and awesome. I think the level of spice depends on the season. I have also tried their scallion pancake but it has nothing on my mom's.
(5)Mike Z.
I've been here at GDH several times before, but this last time has got to be the most disappointing. Here's how my story unraveled: The lady and I arrive here at 10:15PM and there is a queue as expected. Reason being, the restaurant is very small and crammed and the food is good is my guess. Tip for those of you that have not eaten here yet: if you cannot stand queues, you may want to avoid the peak lunch (12-3pm) and dinner (7-10pm) hours, it's a guarantee that you will wait. Anyway, we went to the lady at the front desk to place our name on the queue and was notified "20 minutes" instantly. So we walk outside, waiting, all the whilst familiarizing ourselves with those that were in line before us and those that came after. We acknowledged that there were 3 groups that were before us and two groups that came after. The next 20 minutes go by and we're moving up the queue, anxiously waiting for our names to be called when we noticed one of the groups that came in after us, got seated before us. It's partially our fault for not pointing it out I guess, but we thought it may have been a mistake and decided to let it go. Another 10 minutes lapses and the owner comes out of the restaurant and calls my surname. Coincidentally, there was another group of 4 that was registered under the same name on the queue, that came in AFTER us. The owner goes back in to the restaurant to try to figure out who came in first and of course allows them to sit first and tells us "it will be another two minutes". At this point, I wanted to leave because now we've had two groups that placed their name on the queue after us being seated before us, but since we waited for so long already and we were starving, we decided to stay especially since it's going to be another two minutes. My speculation is that the owner saw that the group of 4 will be more profitable than a group of 2, therefore they were called first. Logical? Probably. Fair? Hell no. We didn't want to complain at this point since we got seated shortly after the other group was seated, we didn't want it to affect the food/service that was to be provided. We get seated and placed an order for: 1) Sliced Fish Szechuan Style 2) Spicy Salt and Pepper Pork Chops 3) Mini juicy dumplings with pork and crabmeat The sliced fish dish is one of the more popular Northern Chinese dishes and I could see why. It's presented in a big bowl filled with napa cabbage, slices of lightly fried fish filet, red chili peppers, all drowned in an immensely oily, red, and spicy broth. The fish was very tender, tasty, and spicy. The cabbage, after soaking in the spice-induced broth and after absorbing all of it's deliciousness, tasted mighty good as well. The spicy salt and pepper pork chops were garbage. I ate three pieces and abandoned the rest. The pieces were hard, tasteless, and nothing like what it's supposed to be - the meat tender, juicy, and the taste distinct with salt and pepper. They weren't even pork chops as there were no bone anywhere to be found, it was all deep-fried pork strips. It's partially my fault for ordering this Cantonese dish in a Taiwanese/Northern Chinese restaurant. If you've ever ordered steak at an Italian restaurant, that's what I just did here, to put it into perspective. The xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) were delicious as always. It's the main dish that keeps me coming back here. The soup is tasty, the coating is soft and chewy, the meat is juicy and full of flavor. One of the best in Boston. The atmosphere was loud and chaotic. Loud was a group effort by everybody in the restaurant, but chaotic was a group of drunk college kids in the back trying to talk, laugh, and embarrassingly present themselves louder than everyone else, which prompted frequent "WTF" stares from the annoyed patrons, us included. The servers were not very attentive at all, a standard that must be met if you work in restaurant in Chinatown. It took a while to place our order, a drink order was forgotten, and it took a while to get our check after we were finished. We had to put in ample effort to flag them down (there's 3 servers in this small place, logically it shouldn't have been that hard, right? Wrong) for each of our requests. They also charge $2.00 for a can of soda. One star for the chefs that consistently makes the delicious xiaolongbaos and sliced fish szechuan style dishes, none for the managers/servers/obnoxious frat boys & gals.
(1)L T.
This restaurant is a MUST VISIT if you come to Boston! Their famous xiao long bao (juicy pork dumplings) are the best...even better than NYC! The longhorn peppers with beef are amazing as well (if you love spicy foods). Just a heads up for parents -- you won't be able to bring any strollers due to it being a small restaurant with limited space.
(5)Josh K.
"Chinatown in Beantown" by Josh K. It was only 4:45 PM, not quite dinner time yet but coming from Albany we were starving and couldn't wait. Our friend, and fellow yelper elite Alyssa, told us about this little authentic Taiwanese spot in the heart of Chinatown. No stranger to Asian food, this sounded perfect. When we got to Gourmet Dumpling House, I was suprised to find the place was already full. When going to Chinese restaurants this is a good sign as it keeps the woks frying and the food fresh and bacteria free. At 5 pm on a Saturday afternoon, we still have to wait about 15 minutes outside in the cold Boston winter till we could be seated. While we waited, I rudely gawked through the window to see what fellow patrons (locals, Asians, and tourists alike) were ordering. Like the menu, what people ordered ran the gamut of Chinese cuisine: Stir fried noodles, peppered beef, dumplings galore, large bowls of steaming soups, and whole fried fish in oyster and soy sauces with an assortment of Chinese vegetables. When we were finally seated, the smoke alarm went off. If there was a fire, this small little restaurant would have been up in flames in no time. Nobody in the restaurant seemed to mind. Either the loud sound must be such a regular occurrence here that people don't even hear it anymore, or they are too busy slurping up savory noodles to worry about being burnt to a crisp. One of the workers quickly got the alarm turned off and handed us the extensive menu and served us some warm Chinese Herbal (black?) tea. Although everything looked good, we wanted to leave room for binge drinking later so it was strictly light Dim Sum for us (I was very tempted to order the flounder-and probably should have). Alyssa recommended the fried scallion pancakes. So we got two orders of them. In Asia, pancakes are a popular street food, and I am used to such dishes as flatter and eggier (often with fried oysters in them). The pancakes here were thicker, more doughy and crispy. Even though some of the scallion flavor was masked by the fried dough, they were tasty, especially accompanied with the plum and soy with ginger dipping sauces We also ordered the Taiwanese Noodle soup with pork dumplings. I was reminded of my beloved "Mandu-Guk" (Korean dumpling soup) that I used to order on a weekly basis whilst living in Pohang, South Korea. Here at the Gourmet Dumpling House, the soup was served in a gigantic bowl good enough to feed 4 people. The broth was light and delicate; perfect for sipping away on this blustery late afternoon. Although we had dumplings in our soup, we decided to go with the pork and leek dumplings-all were exquisite, perhaps the best I have had outside of Asia. The food was all eaten voraciously, and by the end of the meal, we were all extremely dim summed out. I felt like I could never eat another dumpling again (this didn't last long because as I type this I want some warm dumplings right now!) If we had to do the meal all over again (I would do it anytime!), I would have substituted the extra order of dumplings for one of the main entrees. When the bill came out, the three of us ate for well under 30 dollars! I was astonished that such quality could be had in the reputed expensive dining scene of Boston. Although I was burping up leek, garlic, and scallion for the rest of the night and into the morning, I don't think that will hinder me coming back next time I am visiting the New England capital. Acid reflux aside, the Gourmet Dumpling House is a great culinary exploration of staple Chinese/Taiwanese cuisine in Boston's vastly underrated (as compared to New York City and San Francisco) Chinatown.
(4)Art L.
In my search for the perfect soup dumpling, my travels have brought me to Gourmet Dumpling House smack in the middle of Boston's Chinatown. I admit that I found this place via Yelp, and I suspect many others have because the Asian to Non-Asian ratio at this restaurant was an even 1 to 1. I was very hopeful about this restaurant because a picture I found online of Gourmet Dumpling House's dumplings looked just like my favorite ones at Joe's Ginger in New York City. The dumplings were served in about 15 minutes and my verdict is this: If you really need to have soup dumplings in Boston, you should come here (because you have no other choice), but do not come here with high expectations and I mean the three golden rules of a good soup dumpling, that is, a chewy skin with a thin cloth-like texture, a rich broth, and well flavored meat. The dumplings here didn't exhibit any of these qualities unfortunately. The one bit of credit I do give them is that from the exterior, they look like the real thing! As for the other food, such as a cold tongue dish, garlic spinach and spice salt fish, these dishes were excellent. I looked around the dining room and noticed many Chinese were ordering Sichuan dishes swimming in chili oil and they seemed to be enjoying it. The couple next to us order a bowl of noodles, and I must say, it is about twice the size of what you would get in a place in New York. I can't say anything about the quality though. Overall, this place is a good value for it's portion sizes and quality. However, please remember, this place is not a soup dumpling mecca. That will always be Joe's Ginger and Joe's Shanghai in New York (until they change their chef!).
(3)Jigisha P.
I went to this place for the first time a couple of days ago with my friends who swore by it. I was not disappointed. The place was packed on a Wednesday night but we got a table pretty quickly. We ordered the Fried whole green peppers which were HOT! The dumplings (both fried and steamed) were great and we couldn't gobble them up fast enough. The Mango chicken- A-OK. I definitely want to try the other chef's specials. Downside: Very, very busy staff. 3 hungry grad students do not like staring at their food while waiting for their forks and knives.
(4)Nighthawk H.
I went here numerous times during my first trip to Boston, and not a week has passed where I don't think about the dumplings here. I enjoyed the other dishes I got, but the dumpling are the best, hence the name of the establishment. I never experienced bad service, and the place was always jam packed. Tea refills were on point, and the tea was good on top of that. Without a doubt this will be one of the first things I do if I ever go back to Boston.
(5)Angie C.
TINY! Super delicious authentic dishes Experience: The staff doesn't speak much English, but they get the job done. The place is TINY, not good for groups and there will be a long wait. Food: Amazing food! This place has dishes I've only had at home. I'm talking pork blood, pig's feet, beef tongue...none of the Americanized bullsh*t. I recommend the following: 1. xiao long bao (mini juicy dumpling w/pork)-shanghai dumpling, my FAVORITE 2. scrambled eggs, tomato, and beef 3. sauteed beef julienne with long horn peppers- super spicy, but oh so good. 4. braised roast pig's feet and the list goes on... Overall: I highly recommend this place if you're Chinese or if you're open to try new things. Don't hate, just don't come.
(4)Sal W.
I was mostly disappointed here. Had a spicy beef soup, kung pao chicken and mixed meat dumplings. The soup was bland, the kung pao completely sucked (weak taste, loaded with celery and carrots), and the dumplings were reasonable. The place was completely crowded, and it was hard to move around because the tables are so packed in. There was no service as my water cup sat empty for most of the meal, without even one refill. Waitress was bothered by my friend's request for a recommendation between two dishes. Overall, sucks. Food Quality/Taste = 2 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 3 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = 0! Experience with Staff = 1 Stars Decor = 1 Stars
(2)Katherine R.
SO DELICIOUS. The Boy and I went around 7:30 on a Friday, and waited about a half hour. It was nice out and we anticipated it, so no biggie. We get in and this place is NOT where you should come for atmosphere- CRAMPED doesn't even begin to describe, but when you're food comes you're too busy stuffing your face to notice whats around you. I ordered the Hot and Sour soup, which was great, but not the best I ever had (which is from a hole in the wall on the south shore). It is really peppery- which was different and cool. Not really sour, which is why it wasn't my favorite. We split the chicken and cabbage dumplings- very good, not extraordinary. The juicy pork dumplings- AMAZING. whatever broth that is, SO GOOD. We also ordered the Julianned Beef and Peppers. Totally delicious. The boy could not stop eating it. Just spicy enough, though I could taste the MSG. I really wanted to try the fish soup they're so famous for- but the boy was a little hesitant. Next time I'm totally getting it though, because it looked AMAZING.
(4)Sidi L.
we always came here in the first half year we came to boston. you always need to wait for a long timeï¼food here is good，but the dumplings let me down:(
(4)Melanie T.
Food and price was 4 stars. It's chinatown, so the ambiance and service was 1.5 stars, so know what you're in for. It's crowded and bustling, but the food is great. Standouts were the beef with amazing peppers and the dumplings. Only loser, for me, was the hot and sour soup. I always say Boston has crappy Chinese food. I absolutely retract that statement after going here.
(4)H. G.
This might be my #1 spot in Chinatown. And it's a favorite of Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette of Toro and Coppa. The dumplings are, of course, a great option here, especially the soup dumplings. The scallion pancakes are excellent, as well. I also really loved the ma po tofu (though a few more veggies other than just green onions would have been nice), because the tofu was silky and covered in a fantastic sauce. But my single favorite dish (if you can even call it a dish) is the Sichuan soup. It is too big to be a dish and technically it comes out in a bowl. A massive bowl of bright red soup filled with delectable fish and covered with a layer of red chili flakes. My only complaints are that everything was a bit too oily for my liking and they don't offer brown rice (yes, I know, it's authentic Sichuan, but still...).
(4)Allen Z.
It charges you 25% tip if the party size is above 5. Food quality much better than the service.
(3)Lana C.
My favorite place in chinatown. Not a huge crazy dim sum hall. Solid, tasty food. Big portions mean lotsa bang for your buck. Soup dumplings are great. The service is usually spot on, but the last time I was there the waitstaff was distracted by a big bag of lotion and our server kind of forgot about us.
(4)Jesse N.
I've been to this place twice, and remain unimpressed, largely due to all the hype. I guess it has something to do with the expectation setting when I'm lingering around outside for 1-2 hours waiting to hear my name called. Maybe it's the fact that space seems to tight...But I digress. This is Chinatown, and it's about the food. Soup dumplings were unimpressive, and I found them to be really sour. They were a disappointment, especially since I had recently had some in New York's Chinatown. Both times I was there my friends ordered the chili eggplant - also unimpressed with that one. I found the dish to just be really oily. With all of the other great options in Chinatown, I could never justify waiting in line for this place. I won't go back unless one of my friends forces me to = (.
(2)Mark D.
They were okay. I think i just ordered the wrong items. Would definitely come back to try again. I got the porked buns, but I don't like buns (bao zi), so I should have went for the dumplings instead. I also got mapo tofu, which was pretty tasty.
(2)john e.
This place has declined and has gone from being to one of the busiest restaurants to being often empty.........
(2)Joanna C.
Okay... I finally found them. Soup dumplings. Done the way they do it in NYC. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!! Seriously, now I have no reasons to leave Boston. I was like, eh, I may stay or I may go... and now, I can staaaaaaay!! Thank you my dear food buddy for taking me to this small hole in the wall restaurant with florescent lighting and formica tables... my piece of heaven in Boston. And seriously... it does take 15 minutes for the dumplings to show. But they're so totally worth it. Mmmmm... We got ma po tofu done with pork (pork and soft tofu with a spicy red sauce that you can just throw on top of rice and just... consume). Comfort food. That is my comfort food. It makes me feel warm and just... cuddly inside. I love it. Don't go, because I want this place ALL to myself. :)
(5)Tommy T.
I had to slap myself in the face to make sure I wasn't dreaming of how good the food was here. Other than the upside-down "sleeping" fish in the fish tank, 5 stars man...5 friggin' stars!
(5)David L.
Went in with great expectations only to be disappointing. Salt and pepper shrimp was more deep fried than the standard, and the taiwanese noodle soup with wontons was a bland broth beyond salvage. The highlight was seeing Andrew Zimmern (Food Network's Bizarre Foods host) filming a segment across the street. Not surprised he hightailed it right past this overrated joint.
(2)Radhika A.
Everything we ordered was delicious. We went there on New Years eve and the place was packed. But the service was quick and efficient. This restaurant is located in the Chinatown district of Boston and I am sure there is a lot of competition around but this place seems to be doing well despite that. That says a lot.
(4)Erica H.
I read that Ming Tsai recommends the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style and stopped by. It's a full house, small and tight, but no one seemed to mind. The sliced fish order was HUGE. It came out as a bowl of perfectly cooked white fish, on a bed of napa cabbage in a spicy broth, topped with a lot of spicy peppers. Warning: Hot, oily and spicy It was delicious! I ordered the stir-fried bitter melon to cool my body down after the fish. It was cooked with garlic and ginger, perfect combination to cut the bitterness of the melon. I saw a lot of dumpling orders and stir-fried greens come out of the kitchen, so I look forward to trying those when I'm with a group because the portions are big. They require a $20 minimum for credit cards and expect to wait at least 20 minutes for a table.
(4)Alex M.
I'm just another fool who loves this place for their soup dumplings. I also heartily recommend the miso soup with fish, though - a surprise favorite for my friends and I. BUT, and I am serious here, stay clear of the oyster pancake.
(5)Patrick S.
Chicken cabbage dumplings ok... HUGE fan of the flat noodles w/ sautéed beef and Singapore noodles. Came at 3pm and sat down without a wait. Best Chinese food in boston Chinatown and is well priced. Don't expect top notch service when u come here...
(4)Lauren P.
The food is delicious, and cheap, but what you're not charged in cash, you pay for with patience -- the wait to be seated is long, and uncomfortably cramped (expect to be bumped into and stepped on); the seating order is sometimes wildly unfair (no reservations either); and the waitstaff are forgetful (want water? you'll have to ask for it at least twice). However, when you get the craving for your favorite Gourmet Dumpling House dish, you WILL be back, even if it means showering directly afterwards to get that grimy greasy smell out of your hair. Favorite dishes here include scallion pancakes and pan-fried noodles.
(3)Erika G.
I could make meals out of dumplings. And when i am in that kind of mood- what place could be better than one with dumpling in the name? But this is not just any dumpling.. this is pan fried pork buns!... xiao long bao! ... dumpling soup! Most of the other food I could probably pass on. But why would I want to waste my appetite on anything but dumplings?
(5)Anna L.
We went there once to order lunch and some soup dumplings. First off, the lunch we got was pretty awful. most of the dishes have more veggies than they do meat. The soup dumplings are HUGE and way too much meat (sounds like it's a good deal but it's not.) Soup dumplings should have not the whole thing of meat but just half the dumpling with meat and then the rest with soup and fat and crab bits, etc... but this place made them more like peking ravioli with thick skin and barely any soup in the dumplings. I won't go back because the taste is horrible and it doesn't seem like they used any effort making their food. Plus, it's quite expensive for the amount of food they give.
(2)Alex S.
I don't understand why this place is so crowded. The place is cramped and the prices are high for china town. I have tried all their dumplings and frankly they are all so so. It isn't amazing and their prices are outrageous for what you get. I think this place labels itself as "gourmet" and that attracts a lot of tourists with inexperienced palates. it simply isn't worth the value you get out of your dollar and you could get better dumplings else where for less.
(2)Slider S.
Happened into Chinatown Boston since my better half was working on assignment I thought it would be nice to do lunch nearby. We popped into this tightly packed restaurant for the "gourmet" dumplings as advertised in the name. Just a couple of months ago I had the privilege to have spent 2 weeks in Hong Kong and I sampled & consumed some of the most amazing foods from the century old fermented eggs to rice porridge known as congee. My hosts were amazed that I would try anything which was more than some Chinese would do! Back to the location & task at hand... I figured this restaurant was popular for a reason so we waited to be seated in this tight little diner. We ordered the pork dumplings, house fried rice and mustard greens, edamame (soy beans in Japanese ) with tofu. The rice was average, the veggie dish w/ soy was ok & would have been much better without all the MSG in it but the real stickler were the dumplings. I gently grasped a dumpling & picked it up with my chopsticks and lo & behold it maintained its shape! The dumplings I had in HK were delicate & thin but strong enough to hold the contents, these dumplings were a thick & heavy duty version which I guess is easier for the average American consumer but somewhat negates the experience. I gently bit into the side expecting the delicate juices (souplike) to touch the taste buds with the wonderful flavors of its contents pork, crab & spices but instead got a rude blast of what tasted of old or newly decaying meat...ugh! Putting it back I plucked another and it was the same thing so I asked my sweetie what she thought and it didn't take but a second to get her response...not good! I brought the issue up with our hosts...2 of them...and the response I got was "oh you must not be used to the type of filling as they are traditional Chinese cuisine" oh yeah and the last time I ate at the big McD's back in 1974 I thought now this is the pinnacle of good eats...yeah right!!!! Too salty, too crowded, too old (not aged) meat made for too much for me to tolerate. I usually am very tolerant of people and provide lots of room to accommodate their expressions but I'm sorry this outfit lacks in many ways & if I had the time I would stand outside and inform potential diners the error of their ways. This is what I will do however I expect people to make good choices & follow their hearts to do the right thing & support the chefs & businesses that are creative, focused on their craft and go out of their way to give patrons the very best they can. This outfit has a desire to put profit in front of a quality experience for Boston and those unfortunate to step in. Boston is a big city and there are plenty of places to experience good food and this is not one of them!
(1)Alexandra Z.
Trying to pick a restaurant in Chinatown? I would come here every time if the line isn't so long all the time! If you have the time to wait for a table, this is definitely the place to go to for authentic Chinese food. Dumplings, spicy food... All good stuff!
(5)Rebecca V.
I just keep coming back for more! These dumplings are my favorites. Be ready to wait for them though. I came here and took them to go to save us from being crunched in a corner. And despite the ambiance every bun and dumpling is worth the wait!
(5)Jon H.
One week since the discovery of this place, and I've been back twice, stuffed myself to the point where I feel like passing out. Yeah, its that good. Being from California, I'm spoiled on Chinese food, specfically noodle soups, scallion pancakes, and xiao long bao's. As far as the xiao long bao and dumplings go, they're just slightly above average. I think Shanghai Gate has better flavors, but gourmet house owns in terms of size and amount. But lets focus on the scallion pancakes and the noodle soups. The spicy beef/tendon noodle soup is the best you can get in Boston. Until I find something better, I'll be coming back here once a week to satisfy my need for bee noodle soup. Really brings back memories of my dad stewing this stuff in the kitchen for a whole day (his is obviously better). The scallion pancakes, while a bit on the oily side, are crispy, flavorful, and plentiful. This place DOES NOT skimp on portion size. Nor does it skimp on bang for your buck. Everytime I've come here, I've left stuffed to the brim for less than $10 a person. AWESOME.
(5)Kenny J.
A fairly new and good Chinese restaurant. I wish this place was around when I was in college. I went here with a friend for lunch before heading to Logan. It's pretty close to South Station and we had a late lunch here and didn't need to wait for a table. Pan-fried pork and leek dumplings were really good. Tender and juicy, but order right away as they can take 15-20mins to come out as indicated on their menu. We also shared a bowl of beef noodle soup and scallion pancakes. Both were solid. A lot of food for two people for lunch, and was only $20 including a generous tip. Service was good and they have a fairly extensive menu.
(4)Christopher W.
Phenomenal authentic Asian cuisine. I could go here and just eat dumplings, but there are so many other great dishes on the menu. Even the simplest items like green beans and the hot and sour soup have great flavor. Highly recommend the fatty pork and the spicy fish soup, along with ANY of the dumplings (you can't really go wrong). One caveat, that held back a higher rating is the fact that this place is tiny, and the service is relatively crappy. If you bring more than a couple people you will wait for at least a half hour, and they'll seat everyone with a smaller group before you rather than push a table together or add a chair. And if you ask how long the wait is and they say 5 and 5 in broken english...it means 55 minutes, not 5 minutes plus another 5 minutes...
(4)Dan L.
Oh Chinatown how I have missed you!! I moved to Phoenix several years back and I have not had real Chinese food since. Phoenix serves the Americanized Chinese food, unless you go out for Dim Sum. The Gourmet Dumpling House satiated the void that has been missing in my life. I tend to think of myself as an adventurous eater and every time I go to Chinatown I eat real Chinese food. I ordered crispy chicken skins, a frog dish, seared pig's blood, and a noodle dish. I always over order in Chinatown and after wards I realize the huge portions that they give you, lol. I have never tried frog before and if someone is going to make me a dish for the first time it's going to be the Chinese, they are the best cooks on the planet. Without disappointment they delivered. Each dish was divine and totally worth the 5 and a half hour flight to eat it. My only complaint is that I live 3,000 miles away now so I don't have the luxury of eating here on a regular basis!!
(5)Hannah M.
Amazing for the 2nd time! 1st time was a novel experience for me and I ordered nothing - just ate what was placed in front of me by the friends I was eating with. Eggplant, jellyfish, dumplings, tofu. It was all really good, but I don't remember specifics. 2nd time we ordered: Pan fried pork buns Mini juicy pork dumplings Scallion pancakes Spring rolls Yes, we just got appetizers, but they were so good we didn't need entrees! The dumplings explode a little when you bite into them, it's delicious! And the scallion pancakes are perfectly fried, not too greasy. Dipping/pouring sauces are tasty too. Waitstaff is prompt, attentive, and accurate. Price is right. This place is a must try in Chinatown!
(4)Ryan G.
For Boston standards, this is pretty much as good as it gets! TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT! Not gonna lie, its still pretty darn good; but compared to places in California and especially China, its just pretty good. What's really good here are the dumplings, hence the name dumpling house. Der da Der. You have to get the fried dumplings and the shanghai buns, the ones with the soup in the middle. SO GOOD! I tend to further my dumpling experience here, but so far its woohooo as good as it gets...boston wise! This place to me is like the number one spot in China town. There is usually a wait and when I occasionally pass by, sometimes there are people waiting outside just to get a seat. Totally a great place to go if you are ever in Chinatown. Just Do It.
(5)William Y.
It's really like a 3.5 star, but since I always have to wait to eat here maybe because I come at busy hours, I will round down to 3. Honestly, I don't under why people have a hype about this place, so I have to write my piece of review about it. Food: - Not typical Taiwanese, Cantonese, nor Szechuang style, it's more like a combination of them although you can find each cuisine's classic dishes here. The flavor tends to be on the stronger side maybe to accommodate non-Chinese diners. Thus, although the dishes here taste similar to authentic Chinese dishes, their flavor is much saltier. However, in general the dishes are fairly authentic, and some of my favorites including: steamed pork with garlic sauce, and Szechuan style fish. Service: -You should expect to wait for about 30min during busy hours to get sitted -Service tends to be fast, but sometimes they can be sloppy since they are so crowded -Since they are busy, they tend to try to get you out as fast as possible. If you want chat a bit after your meal, they will try to annoy you and make you leave. Oh well, it's that nice of a place to talk anyways... Environment: - Very small restaurant, and they want to put as many tables in there as possible. This is my biggest issue since I tend to bump into people or someone else tends to bump into me. -Smell, the odors from the kitchen leaks into the dining room, and your clothes will smell like the restaurant after you eat here... Overall, I think the food here is decent, and I visited many times in the past five or six years since it opened. Unlike some other places in Chinatown, the food quality can vary a lot, the food quality is very consistent and I was seldom disappointed by the food. However, at times, I am not fully satisfied with their service and environment.
(3)Eliad C.
I first came across this place by accident, on a very rainy day in 2010 while walking about Boston for one of my first times. I happened to have the soup that day and I was forever hooked. This place brings 3 things that I like to the table - Fresh cooking, reasonable price and disregard of the local pallet's preferences. If you are going as 2-3 people for the first time, make sure to order from the lunch menu, it will feed the entire party easily with all the top dishes (choose 3) they have to offer for only $20 (total, before tax). My personal favorites are: 1. Taiwanese hot and sour soup 2. Beef with okra 3. Julienne pork with bamboo tips 4. Snow pea pods 5. Longhorn pepper with beef (very peppery!) Try it, I wouldn't waste my time on anything else in the area.
(5)Sara S.
Awesome soup dumplings! Super flavorful, super tasty, i could have eaten 6 orders. However, I decided to spoil myself and perform a comparison yesterday between Gourmet Dumpling and Dumpling Cafe. Since I hear everyone is torn as to which is the best... The winner hands down is Gourmet Dumpling. Their servers were very attentive, checked in with me, took my order promptly and it was a pleasure to eat there. I was seated right away, and everything around me looked great and smelt even better. The only thing people were eating at Dumpling Cafe were the dumplings, which is strange to see since their menu is very large... maybe the rest of the menu doesn't prove to be as delectable. This was not the case at Gourmet Dumpling! i wish i had gotten the seafood noodle soup when I was there and skipped my whole trip to Dumpling Cafe. If you want to see what my terrible experience at Dumpling Cafe was like you can punch that one into yelp!
(4)Kelly W.
Usually there's a wait, but WELL WORTH IT. The "juicy pork dumplings" are yummy yummy. And the scallion pancakes are delicious! I've been there twice in the past week, and I just can't get enough. Both times, I've eaten too much, just because the food is so good, I can't stop! It's small though, so I would recommend groups of 4 max.
(5)Sarah C.
We went to to Gourmet Dumpling House for the first time last Friday at around 8pm. The place was packed (it's not all that big to begin with) but we didn't wait more than 5-10 minutes for a table, and after our first encounter with our waitress we understood why: the servers there get right down to business, wanting to take your order before you've even had a chance to decide which kind of beer you want. But hey, can you blame them? The faster they move people through the place, the more money they can make in a night. That's smart business (as long as the food compensates for the service, which it certainly does). We shared two appetizers, the soup dumplings and the steamed buns, and quickly came to the realization that our eyes were way bigger than our stomachs- the portions were huge! But I've never had better buns or dumplings in my life. They were piping hot and full of flavor. I would've eaten more of each but knew I had to save some room for our entrees... ...and we shared two- braised tofu and vegetables and General Gau's chicken. These two dishes were delicious as well and the portions did not disappoint. The chicken was tender and perfectly breaded, although I could've done with less sauce, and the tofu and veggies were perfectly cooked and super yummy. Bottom line for Gourmet Dumpling House: a hole-in-the-wall place slightly lacking in ambience but perfect for anyone looking for quick, delectable authentic Asian food in the heart of Chinatown.
(4)J R.
Carbz Attack!!! Hot Stuff - The Scallion Pancakes are d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. Its Cool - Gourmet Dumpling House serves beer and wine and is open late. Just a Note - This review is weak. I'll get back at ya. In the intervening time, just eat it.
(4)Cynthia T.
This place is always... and I mean ALWAYS crowded with people. I've tried the chicken dumpling fried. delicious. steamed ones just weren't that good. At least in my opinion. From looking at the menu, food is affordable and if anything it was cheap. The first time eating there I had this tofu beef plate that was sorta bland. The second time I went, I tried some noodles (forgot the name) and unlike the first plate, this one was very tasty. Overall, the service was fast and the people there were friendly. Definitely will come back!
(5)KoreanSoup S.
Love this place. Great Xiao Long Bao and Shui Jiao. It's open late too and I love it. Although I can't give it 5 starts because it's not a "nice place". It is a hole in the wall gem and I mean that in a good good way. Hell, that's how I roll and this is my kind of place. 5 stars!
(5)Simona S.
Actually, the dumplings were my least favorite part. Maybe because I was so stuffed from the rest of my food. Or because the waiters simply refused to give my lunch date and I some water. Whatever the case the food was awesome and abundant and CHEAP and few things make me happier than reasonably priced huge portions. Aside from the water incident, service was mostly prompt and friendly. I always feel a little uncomfortable when I am the minority anywhere but in Chinatown that's a great sign. Also, thinking about their scallion pancake makes my mouth water. And few things make me feel that way.
(4)Betty K.
I love soup dumplings and try them at any Chinese restaurant I go to, but I must say these ones were a little disappointing, especially since I heard lots of good things about this place. The buns lacked flavor and the skin was thick and a little dry, so they ripped easily. Can't compare to the other Boston Chinatown restaurants, but Flushing definitely has better soup dumplings. The scallion pancakes are quite delicious - crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, thanks to an extra dose of pan frying. The other dishes were ok, but not spectacular. A small place and pretty busy, but the food came out fast.
(3)Yvonne W.
I came here for the second time this past Friday, and I finally tried the xiao long bao/soup dumplings and the eggplant. We also got the scallion pancakes (how could we resist Gourmet Dumpling House's cong you bing and all of its flakey layers of yumminess?!) and the hui guo ruo (twice cooked pork). Those xiao long bao..... you need to come here if you like them. If you love them, COME NOW (assuming you are in the Boston area, of course :). Thin skins, good flavor in the broth, and lots of broth inside those thin skins. Mmmmmm, Yum-o! Twice cooked pork was solid. The pork was nice and flavorful and a decent portion for an order. The basil eggplant had a good flavor, but I prefer Taiwan Cafe's. The eggplant here had wayyyy too much cornstarch in the sauce -- too thick and gooey for my taste. Love this place, love this place.... Would love it more if the seating weren't so tight, though.
(4)Doris W.
I came here once and I have no recollection of what I ate. It's kind of sad really. But I finally went back last week after a 1-2 year hiatus for a late post-show dinner. We ordered the pork xiu long baos since I don't remember trying them the first time I went. They were pretty good. Large and not as doughy which was nice. It may have been slightly over-steamed but not a problem. My favorite dishes of the night were the garlic sauteed pea pod stems (love that stuff) and beef, tomato, and scrambled eggs rice plate. We also ordered some type of spicy fish soup which was super greasy not as as spicy as it looked. The fish was good but I got a little queasy from the grease. The noodle soup with chilis and beef (dandan noodles?) were death. I don't know if it was because I let the noodles sit in the broth for too long but it soaked up all the heat from the chilis. I had two bites of noodles and my mouth went numb. Granted I'm weak sauce when it comes to hot foods but really, how can that be enjoyable for people?! Overall, I thought the food was good. Service was pretty basic and the food came out quick. I'll be back, especially for the egg, beef, and tomato rice dish. So good.
(3)Doug R.
it has recently come to my attention that i have an unhealthy obsession with Chinese Chicken...whether it is orange, sesame or the infamous general i find them all delicious in their own special way. But the dumpling house had some of the best General Gau chicken that i have ever had. i am not a big fan of spicy chicken mainly because i can only handle mildly spicy items, because i am a giant wuss. But i digress as usual...the dumpling house was fantastic...great atmosphere, the owner was very friendly and found me and my group to be very amusing in our ordering tactics and they have one of those really cool paintings on the wall that plugs in and is a moving waterfall. The price was perfect. There truly was a smorgasbord of dumpling house delicacies on the table and the check was very reasonable...would i go back you ask...the answer to that my friends in the rating!
(4)Ryan R.
Soooo.... I had the pleasure of trying this place out a few weeks ago for a friends birthday. Soooo F*cking Goooood. I have had your run of the mill dumplings at your local Chinese restaurants before but this food was on an entirely different level. Their menu is huge so basically we just pointed at stuff and tried it. EVERYTHING was awesome, specifically the Sandong and crab dumplings. They are made to order so you are better off ordering something before hand because they take a good 15 minutes to come out because they are all individual hand made. I suggest the watercress salad with garlic and, you MUST get these, scallion pancakes... We had a party of 9 that day and had to wait an hour but it was well worth the wait. The owner was so grateful that we waited he gave us all a free round a beer...... and mind you 9 of us ate a lot and we ended up with a bill of 100 bucks... that's pretty damn good. If you have the urge for dumpling or good authentic Chinese food...GO HERE... If you are looking at the main entrance to Chinatown (the decorative arch), walk straight under it and go about 200 yards... on the right is GDH... Enjoy.
(5)Rita T.
There are so many great places to eat at in Chinatown, it is tough to decide where to go. Gourmet Dumplings only caught my attention when I was searching for braised pork bellies. I was not disappointed! It was my first time there, at 5:30 on a Sunday. The place was packed, which was a good sign. I heard the pork dumplings was good but I was out to get my pork bellies (not really for the health conscious) but it definitely satisfied my craving. We also had the mini steamed buns; a little different from the soft steamed bread that you would get from other dimsum. This has a wonton-like wrapper which wasn't to my liking, but the filling and the sauce were yummy. There were a lot more on the menu that seemed worth a try so we will definitely be back.
(4)Walter D.
This is my favorite place in Chinatown. Too bad it's been "discovered," since it's no longer as easy to get a table as it used to be, but I'm happy they're doing the brisk business they well deserve. Don't be fooled by their terrible imitator (on Washington St., I think, and missing one character in the name; as I recall, the character for "taste," appropriately enough). That place is vile. To order: any of the dumplings, of course; scallion pancakes; and, if you're a fellow bitter melon addict, bitter melon with salty egg--they do a great job with this dish.
(5)Jesse L.
Very poor service. They give clear incentive to those who speak Chinese. As my group and i were waiting for a table for three, we noticed they were giving clear incentive to those who were talking to them in Chinese. the food came out very slowly and don't even think about having your water refilled. The food itself was oily but i suppose that's what you expect from Chinese cuisine. Stay away, you have been warned!
(1)Jenni R.
Phe-NOM NOM NOM-enal. The portions here are huge! The wait can be a little ridiculous, as the restaurant is undersized for the demand caused by it's popularity, BUT if you can brave the wait, your tastebuds better pony up because they're in for a wild ride. We ordered dumplings, sesame chicken, and some kind of beef. All absolutely wonderful, all left us with extra for taking home for not one, but TWO additional meals each. The portions really lead you to believe that they're meant to be shared family style. As is with the mafia, once you're in, you're golden. We stayed at the DoubleTree nearby and all four employees at the desk, along with the bartender who chimed in recommended this place. You won't be disappointed. I might make it a point to get here every time I come back up to Boston.
(5)Big E.
I have to knock them down one star strictly for horrible, awful, no-good service. OK, I get that it's a very popular restaurant that always has a wait so they can slack on the service and probably get away with it, but after going a few times, it's gotten worse each time. They're not really rude or anything, it's just that they ignore you completely. I had to get up and find someone to get more tea and then again to ask for the check because they never came back even once after they brought the food. The food is still the best though! Maybe I'll just have to get take out here more instead.
(4)alwyn v.
One of the busiest little restaurants in Chinatown. Great food, reasonable prices and if you are willing to wait a yummy meal.
(4)Nicholas A.
Can't understand why anyone on earth would rate this food edible. Anyone from Taiwan would be horrified by the taste and quality of this food. Their dumplings are no better than frozen dumplings you can buy from H-Mart; and even worse: they were UNDERCOOKED! They try to do too many types of food and can't do any of them properly. Having made serious pilgrimages to food meccas around the world, even one star is being generous.
(1)Jon S.
Five stars for the food and the price. Favorites are the soup dumplings, and the beef with long horn peppers. Lots of veggie and seafood choices. It's often a wait to get a table - the place is tiny - so go when the weather is good and you're not quite hungry yet. The garage a block up has validated parking for $6.
(5)Ben C.
I only had the dumplings here so can't speak for the full menu. The dumplings were OK but fell short of authentic homemade Chinese dumplings. The filling was short on ingredients and fell apart when I bit into the dumpling. Too loose = not mixed enough. The flavors were good, and there was a pretty extensive list of side dishes to go with it. Service was friendly and fast. All in all not a bad option but the dumplings were disappointing.
(3)Garett N.
Came here with my parents. There was some good parts and some bad parts about this experience. The good part is that the dumplings were pretty good. We also had some pork strips that were alright as well. The mediocre part were the noodle dishes and the scallion pancake. They were okay, but not the best we've ever had. The bad part was the stinky tofu. I've definitely had better ones out there, though not in Boston. So overall, this is a mixed bag. May come back to try their lunch specials.
(3)David V.
My wife and I came here on a Friday night and the place was PACKED, so we ended up sharing a table with a woman her young son. It's a small place, and it seems like many of the Asian clientele are familiar with the staff, which is a good sign to us. For only $24 we stuffed ourselves on delicious dumplings and buns. The service was quick and friendly and the food was fresh. I agree with another reviewer that there is not large selection of dumplings, however, I'll take quality over quantity!
(5)Doris K.
Traditional Taiwanese fare and apparently Michael Douglas is a huge fan of this place too! There are so many pictures of him by the front door. It's a pretty cramped place like much of Chinatown but the staff manages to get around with no problems. We started with the oyster pancakes. I still prefer the HK style over what we had. The Taiwanese like to drizzle a plum sauce over the pancake, and I hate missing sweet with salty. We also order some intestines - yum! Crispy, fried, and well seasoned, the only thing that got to me was that there was ginger. Also tried out their xiao long bao (mini steamed pork dumplings) which were fantastic. Reminds me of the stuff back from the motherland! Although my main entree, beef noodle soup, wasn't anything fantastic; I've had better at Shangrila. My friend's main entree, seafood and stir fried noodles was great! Very tasty and lots of flavor. The next time I go I really want to order some dumplings - they looked good! Keep in mind that this place has a huge wait during lunchtime so try to go during the in-between hours if you have a chance.
(4)Jason P.
Great dumplings and other food. Service was o.k., but I could see it being problematic-even when it's slow they don't rush to your table. I would definitely go back here, but I would avoid it around typical busy times-it's on the small side-expect to be squeezed in at most tables, possibly even sharing a table w/strangers. All that said, great food and reasonable prices. Would def. recommend.
(4)Bryan P.
For a Friday night, the second day of chinese new year, I was surprised we only had to wait five to ten minutes for a table. This place always gets packed at night, but whenever we eat here we usually only wait a couple of minutes. The food is overall pretty good here, nothing really bad about our dinner. We started with pork and crabmeat dumplings which reminded me of a soup dumpling. The order came with 8 pieces, so it was a great starter for three of us. The texture of the filling was good but the ginger was a bit overpowering and couldn't really taste the crab. The dumpling wrap was dry on the outside and came with a vinegar dipping sauce. The shrimp fried rice was really good. Uncomplicated and loaded with shrimp in every spoonful. They definitely aren't stingy like other chinese restaurants I've been to. The beef with watercress was crunchy and chewy, which you can't go wrong ordering. The watercress was cooked perfectly crisp and the strips of beef were too salty. Finally, not much to say about the chicken with broccoli. Was just as good as any other chinese restaurant where I have ordered the dish. Overall, the food here is good, nothing outstanding or bad either about the dinner. If you are in chinatown trying to decide on a place to eat, this place is a good choice. Plus, anywhere that Kate Hudson and Blake Lively have been to you have to try at least once.
(3)C S.
Our lucky night. First, a legitimate parking spot in Chinatown at 6 pm on a Friday night. We walked to the restaurant to see a line of about 10 people standing outside. My luck again, they were 1 group and we just walked right in and got a table for 2. The place was packed. After about 5 minutes reading the huge menu, a guy looking like the owner came over and offer any assistance. We asked about the dumplings and then ordered. I don't know how to rate this food but we loved everything we had. The place was packed with Asian people so I will suspect it is pretty authentic. We stayed conservative. Scallion pancake was so large and flaky compared to any we've had in the past. Chicken and asparagus was fresh, hot and not smothered in some sauce hiding the food. Just real good. Not on the menu but I asked for lo mein or something like that. Not a problem. And what would a trip to the GDH be without the famous soup filled buns? That was an experience. I have to agree on other reviews that the buns were a slight bit doughy but who cares. These babies are hand made fresh. The buns take about 15 minutes to prepare and you get your food as it is ready, not all at once. Dumplings came last. Later on, that guy(owner?) came back over to see how we were enjoying the food. It was great not to be rushed out like in so many Chinese places. Seemed like a constant line of people waiting to get in. The people were great, the food was great and the prices were great. I'm going back without a doubt.
(4)Nicholas A.
I just can't understand why so many people are at this place. Ok... I don't expect things to be as good as in Taipei or Qingdao (the restaurant has items that suggest a background with both), but... undercooked dumplings with mediocre quality filling, horrendous hong shao niu rou mian (spicy beef soup noodle), clams that were full of sand, a bei fang yang rou tang (northern style lamb soup) with tough as rubber overcooked lamb flavored with not much more than white pepper, salt, msg and scallions. This is not the worst Chinatown has to offer, but pretty close to it. If this was 20 years ago, perhaps, I would have given two stars, but... after all this time, availability of food products from Asia, and a supposedly better understanding of food, I just can't believe this place could be so poor. Maybe I went when their main chef was on vacation, but staying at home and following any decent Chinese cookbook (e.g. Pei Mei) results in far, far superior food. Waste your money if you must... Never again, unless I go with someone who truly knows what is excellent and what to avoid. Update: and... three hours later: my stomach is in knots. Undercooked ground pork in dumplings is very dangerous... I would be really curious about the positive reviews from people of Chinese descent: are you ABC's? or did your parents go through the Culture Revolution? I would doubt ANYONE from Taiwan would give even a half star... The worst of Flushing, NY or Monterey Park, CA is at least 3.5 stars compared to this...
(1)Sasha B.
Don't be discouraged by the fact that half the patrons are white...this is definitely an authentic and delicious chinese restaurant! I ordered the xiao lum bao, won ton soup, and chinese broccoli. The bao were yummy, but not the best I've ever had. The skin was thick, although the soup was flavorful. The wonton soup was fabulous though! Super meaty wonton, and the broth is fabulous! The broccoli was also good, always exciting when the restaurant has it at all as a stand alone side dish, and this one is well cooked and seasoned.
(4)Katy O.
Pretty much a standard when I go into Chinatown! The food is reliably good. Sometimes the wait is longer than others (during the work week around 12-1, especially), but it's well worth it. Some favorite dishes: Soup dumplings -- they take more time than the rest of the menu (about 15 mins at peak time), but they're the perfect mix of meat, bun, and liquid. Basil Eggplant -- was totally not a fan of eggplant until I tried this dish. The eggplant is well-cooked and absorbs the sweet and spicy sauce excellently. Fried Tofu -- best ordered when you're eating there. Comes out fresh and hot with a nice sauce (not that you need it). Beef with Chinese Watercress in Sa- Cha Sauce -- Pretty spicy beef, good amount of vegetables, flavorful sauce.
(5)Ina C.
Xiao long bao, I don't know how I could allow Others to chow Elsewhere, but now I'll plow My way through Chinatow(...n) To eat your xiao long bao
(4)Qinglan W.
Friend took us to this restaurant after he stumbled on it drunk one late night with a group of Chinese friends. Definitely good soup dumplings for Boston. Taste similar to the mainstream ones you find in Shanghai, Taiwan, and HK (just pork, nothing special). Waiters are fairly young so all of them are eager to speak English and there were definitely a lot more non-Chinese clients than Chinese. They speak actually speak clear Mandarin vs. Cantonese/Taiwanese answers to Mandarin questions. I recommend getting a vegetable dish along with the fried/meat heavy food. The watercress is quite nice. Wait staff despite English speakers are kind of slow and forgetful due to the rush they get. It's a small space.
(4)S Z.
I had the vegetarian dumplings and the pork plus leak dumplings for lunch (all steamed). I wanted to like the dumplings after reading the multitude of favorable reviews, but long story short, I've had better dumplings out of a frozen bag. 1) The dumpling skin - The cooked texture should be soft but resilient and provide a kind of springiness when chewed. Unfortunately, the dumpling skins today were soggy, doughy and as elastic as silly putty. 2) The dumpling filling - the filling should hold together nicely so that the dumpling doesn't fall apart when bitten into and to prevent the dumpling from sponging up too much water and turning into a water logged sak. The vegetarian dumplings today were water logged and mushy and gritty at the same time. Bleh. The meat dumpling had slightly better consistency but the leek pieces were much too large to hold together which again made for a very soft and soggy interior. I also had the home made kim chee and scallion pancakes. The kimchee was made with American cabbage rather than Chinese cabbage which I prefer but aside from that, the kim chee was crunchy, spicy, sweet and quite refreshing. The scallion pancakes appeared to be deep friend (instead of panfriend) but were very good nonetheless - I would probably get a pancake to-go next time for a street snack.
(2)Lusi F.
For a place called gourmet dumpling house, they should really have some good dumpling options, instead of just a few made with super thick skin
(1)Dan L.
D27...Need I say more?! I am a huge fan of spicy cuisine of any culture. Do not order this if you are afraid of the heat. The fish is incredibly fresh and tender (it may be because the fish tank was 14 inches from my head!). Did I mention that it was spicy? But, since this was all I ate (and an order of veggie dumplings), I would hesitate giving it 5 stars. At first, I thought the frantic and curt waitstaff were a deal breaker (especially when I hadn't even say down when they asked if I was ready to order). But as the meal went on and they offered me more napkins to mop up the sweat on my brow (did I mention spicy?), I knew that these people knew what they were doing. Excellent visit and would absolutely go again.
(4)Omar F.
This place is amazing. I went there with a friend first to try it out and I was surprised by the flavors. My friend is Chinese and she thinks this is one of the least Americanized restaurants in the area, which I thought was nice. I can say that between my friend, my family and I we've tried almost all there is to try and you can confidently order anything and expect something edible and usually really good. I'm not sure if that will be the case if you vegetarian though. To note: their soup dumplings ARE delicious. That's about it. Just go check it out, it's pretty cheap and you won't regret trying it out.
(4)Connie L.
The stand-outs at this place are the xiao long bao (by Boston standards, pretty good....by NYC standards, just OK), the spicy fish, and the sauteed greens with garlic. The beef noodles are completely mediocre - soggy noodles, bland broth, complete with a slick of grease across the top. Inexpensive, decent portions, and open late for Boston. Credit card minimum of $20 (boo!).
(3)Howe L.
The quintessential chinese restaurant! Once I get into this packed (there's always a line) place, I feel like I'm in any restaurant in Hong Kong or Canton. The loud conversations, eating with random strangers, expedient service, great value, and most importantly, delicious food! Authentic (as it gets in Boston) and once in a while, the service is better than expected (though only if I speak Cantonese..).
(5)Louie S.
This place is off the charts!! Tried the szechuan fish soup and it was DELICIOUS...spicy, flavorful and amazing textures. Also tried the crab/pork steamed dumplings. There are no words for how delicious they are. (Next time, I'll try the fried dumplings). Mushrooms and baby bok choy was a pleasant surprise. The crab rangoos are homemade and are the best that I've ever had. I'm no expert, but I have dined in all the major Chinatown's in America and no place compares to this place. You will not be disappointed, I promise! Cheers.
(5)Kevin O.
Tonight we went to the Gourmet Dumpling House for the first time. Some friends brought us as they had enjoyed an earlier visit. I must say I was impressed. We shared a number of dishes and all of them were delicious. As appetizers we got scallion pancakes (super), fried tofu (decent), and multiple dumplings. My friends enjoyed a juicy pork and crab meat dumpling and I ordered the vegetarian dumplings. They were honestly the best I've ever had. They were steamed with a tofu, egg, clear noodle, and veggie mixture inside. Ten dumplings were only $6. For entrees, we had an eggplant dish with a spicy basil sauce, a spinach dish in a garlic sauce, and a noodle soup. The eggplant was my favorite, spicy but not overly spicy. The spinach dish was good, though somewhat medium in taste. Between the four appetizers and three main dishes, it was more than enough food for four people and inexpensive ($40+). I know there are other places to try in Chinatown, but Gourmet Dumpling House is a place to check try at least once. I'm not sure that I will ever have the courage to try the fried stinky tofu, but admire those who can.....
(4)Alice Z.
Food was ok but definitely not good enough to warrant some of the hyperboles dished out in some of the reviews. Some of the dishes we ordered met expectations but some of the other dishes were plainly sub-par. There was no space at all to eat at the restaurant and the staff's attitude ranged from inattentive to just downright rude. I would not come here if you want a pleasant dining experience.
(1)Mike R.
Long wait, lots of white people, but very very good. If I'm willing to kill some time in chinatown, I'll go to dinner here. I recommend the eggplant and pork dish, and of course the soup dumplings.
(4)Arjun S.
Great food and awesome dumplings! Restaurant is very small though, so be prepared to wait.
(4)I Y.
I came here with my family last night to celebrate my aunt's birthday. It was actually my second time to the restaurant. The first time, the restaurant didn't make an impression on me, probably because I just didn't know what was good on the menu. The second time, my mom did the ordering. The food was good, albeit some dishes were a little salty. We did a family style dinner: - Shanghai dumplings (aka xiao long bao) was not bad. The dumplings were big and there was a good amount of soup in each one. - Ma po tofu was ok. Nothing spectacular. - Stir-fried pea pod stems was ok. I've had better. - Pan fried pork buns was very filling. This was ok. It's like having a peking ravioli but with a bun texture around the meat. - Szechuan Style sliced fish was pretty good. There was a nice spicy kick to it. The fish had good texture and tasted good. - Sauteed Beef Julienne with Long Horn Peppers was probably our favorite. It was nice and spicy with good flavors. - Szechuan style fried chicken was ok. It was served as chunks of deep fried bone-in chicken. Not quite what I was expecting - I was more use to boneless diced chicken. - Szechuan style chicken was alright. This was a little salty for my party. I thought it was alright if you eat it with a lot of rice. I would come back again and try their xiao long bao. But next time I will order the one with the crabmeat so I can compare it properly to my experience in Shanghai Cafe in NYC.
(3)Jason L.
It was very crowded the night we came here. The best dish we had is szhechuan spicy fish. Didn't like the fried dumplings as the skin is too thick and also had the fried intestines but the dough on the outside didn't taste that great. Service was great if you spoke chinese and didn't linger around after you finished :-)
(3)Nicholas B.
CALL COPS!!! I used to love this place, until I realized to only come with a Chinese person. That's right, Gourmet Dumpling House has twice now altered my check, assuming my round eyes don't read Chinese, to steal money. I warned my friend, but he said to show him, and lo and behold, the $4.50 scallion pancakes were $6.00, the $7.95 Taiwanese noodles were $18.95!!! (say WHAAA?), and the $9.95 dish was $10.95. Add in the veggie buns and rice, $41 & change, ladies and gentlemen. The place needs to be stung by some young cops to prove it to people still touting (sp.) how awesome the place is, which pisses me off bc the food was usually good! Out of principle, my friends and I will NEVER RETURN!!! Word to the wise, if you aren't with an Asian, ask for the menu after and ask what the bill says before they take it away to say it's the wrong bill. Qingwen, zhe shi shenme? Oh, that six is a four? OK, so read the total for me? $41, you say? Why that 4 no look like a 6 then? Wei shenme?! (Seems Yelp doesn't support Chinese :) They look the same to me?!!! I haven't a clue why we then paid the original $28 bill. My friend says, "It must've been some decency hard-wired in our brains, idk." Also, without these occurrences, the service ALWAYS SUCKED! Bill comes half-way through your meal, they ignore you and look around when you try to order, get upset when you ask for things, etc.
(1)Jaquelina L.
After moving from SF to Boston, I finally found a place that is comparable to the bay area standard. I tried the following items since I discovered this place a week ago. -Noodle soup with Pork and Special Mustard Green -Lobster with Mixed Vegetables in Clay Plot -Stinky Tofu -Simmered 3 Essence chopped chicken legs in Hot Pot -Taiwanese Style sauteed rice cake with pork and mustard green Highly recommended!
(5)Kristine R.
I just got off the bus in Boston and I'm starving. My friend and I stumble upon this place and it's pretty good. We ordered a beef soup withnoodles and peppers and a spicy salt and pepper squid. Both were very tasty, especially since we were both STARVING. The soup hit the spot too since it was a bit chilly. The service is kind of meh, but whatever. The place is teeny and it was crowded when we went. The prices are okay. I'd come back here but I'm sure there's other places that might be better.
(3)Kim V.
alright here is my spill for this place...this was my second time coming to this place and i have to say that this place does it job...the dumpling soup are de-lish, but hands down goes to joe shanghai place...since this is the only restaurant in the boston area serves bomb-ass dumpling soup, the down side of it is that they only had pork or pork and crab meat dumpling soup...i just wish they had more options the dumpling pork and pork and crab meat, were super juicy and big..it comes in 6-8 dumplings and its 2 order of them are enough for 5 people...just describing the dumplings itself is making me hungry for more :)...the service isn't too bad...and if you go during sunday it gets pack pretty quickly
(5)Richard D.
Hole in the wall joint, but sooooo delicious. I see why it is so famous now! Shanghai's specialty the shao long bao are huge, juicy an delicious!
(4)Dan Y.
Good for the area but not the best I've had. The soup/crab dumplings had a surprising amount of crab in them. Its too bad you cant taste the crab, for some inexplicable reason it is just missing. Such a horrible tease, You can see all the crab meat but cant taste it! As pork buns though, they were pretty good for the area. The consistency of the buns though needed work, some were very good and thin skinned while others where overly thick. Scallion pancake very good with an addictive dipping sauce. word of caution though the sauce is very heavily laced with garlic oil and you will be tasting and smelling that for hours. Stir fried broad noodle was some of the best i have had. Not greasy at all and very tasty. Their cold dishes in general could have used more flavor. The size and quality was good but could have used more depth to the heat and more cilantro.
(3)Geoffrey R.
First off the Menu, appetizer section to be specific, WTF! confusing. So everything above the Combos are Buns on the appetizers... I think. We ordered the Scallion Pancake, Crispy fried Tofu, mini steamed Buns with Pork & Crab, and the fried Pork & cabbage dumplings. TOOO MUCH FOOD FOR 2 people! We asked when we hit 3, and the guy gave us the motion that we should order 4. Now that I look back on it... I think he just had a facial twitch. So the food started coming. The Scallion pancake was good, but it was very very fried. I am more used to the Korean style which is not as thoroughly cooked. The fried Tofu was very enjoyable. BUT WATCH OUT THAT CRAP IS HOT! I almost died after I popped on in my mouth. The waiter watched this with much amusement and didn't get me water for a few minutes... it seemed like hours. I tried to take some Tea, which was also hot and... yeah, right out of Looney toons including smoke out of my ears. The Dumplings were fantastic, and the Mini Bun's were good. I would like to try the mini Bun's without the crab, it was ok, but I think the pork alone would be better. I would like to try some of the crazier Bun's... but i am mildly terrified. Jellyfish, Duck Web, Steamed Squid... and those are the ones that I would consider more normal of the options.
(4)Adam L.
Best soup dumplings I've ever had! Hungry just thinking about them. Go get 'em!
(4)Ian S.
This place was crowded and stinky. First of all rice doesn't come with any of the dishes and also if you want some water...YOUR OUT OF LUCK BUDDY. My food was spicy and I had to wait 20 minutes for a glass of water. The glass of water was also the size of a monopoly thimble game piece. IS THERE A DROUGHT IN MASSACHUSETTS THAT I AM UNAWARE OF? YOU'RE NOT IN CHINA ANYMORE GUYS. WATER FLOWS THROUGH THE FAUCETS. GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE WATER. I PROMISE I WON'T TELL THE EMPEROR. Also, they have only like 5 different choice of dumplings on the menu. FALSE ADVERTISING. Just go to panda express instead (is that place still around?).
(2)Kavitha M.
Hate to go against the tide, but this place disappointed. The szechuan spicy-fish pot, which I was so excited to try because I love Ming Tsai, sadly lacked flavor. It was basically hot water with some chili flakes and minimal salt. Not even the 2 hairs floating in the broth could give it more flavor. The staff, however, was very nice and brought us another soup. Although the hub was adventurous enough to try the second offering, I was too timid. The dumplings were good- however they did not compare the the soup dumplings and pan fried dumplings in Shanghai. If I ever went back, I would stick to the dumplings. Going back is unlikely, though because of the long wait to get seated.
(2)Hana C.
Ethnic, yummylicious chinese food. Had schezun style spicy fish, shredded spicy beef and pork buns. All very yummy. The place is small but the food is very delicious. One of the best Chinese restaurants in Chinatown I would have to say.
(5)Jameson L.
This place is, what it is. Its small, tight, and kinda grimmy feeling (as if the rest of chinatown is any better). I think the food is great. Everything in chinatown is basically cantonese food and this place makes a create combination of other regional dishes. There are traditional dishes from shanghai to taiwan and everything inbetween. Obviously, this isnt the best examples of these dishes but hey, im miles away from my home is this the best I can get to home cooking. recommend oyster pancakes soup dumplings taiwan dumplings -i normally just get appetizers and do a dim sum/tapas kinda thing
(4)Tommy N.
For some reason, Japanese people are crazy about the xiaolongbao, myself included. There's a place in Queens, NY that I like (yea, that's right, I compared a Boston establishment to a New York one) but so far I haven't found my spot for dumplings in Boston yet. But now, I think the search is over. I really enjoyed the dumplings with pork and crabmeat and the panseared one that we got. The noodle dish was pretty standard, but really, it's all about the dumplings here. Priced around 6 to 8 dollars for 8 dumplings, it's reasonable but not cheap.
(4)Erdan L.
As a Chinese, I had to see this restaurant does not deserve 4 star. The food does taste like Chinese food, but the worst kind.
(1)Jennifer L.
First of all, I love Chinatown! Tiny restaurants, delicious smells, great people watching. This place is really good. We got the best seat in the house, space-wise, though the bulging eyes on the apparently frantic fish in the tank immediately (I'm talking 2 inches) to my right did slightly disturb my inner vegetarian. I ordered veggie buns as an appetizer and braised tofu for dinner. My companion got the pork dumplings and an intact, gigantic crab, which he had no idea how to eat but enjoyed immensely. He struggled to devour the dumplings; with his crab, this was an enormous amount of food, but they were so good he couldn't resist. The veggie buns were good, fresh out of the oven. The braised tofu was awesome! It came with lots of fresh veggies and was cooked in a delicious, rich sauce. Hot tea was on the table when we arrived. Add a couple of Qing Daos to the menu and we couldn't have been happier. The service was fast and very friendly! All this for around $40 including tip ... not bad.
(4)Joe S.
So good! Worth the waiting in line. Got to give it a try if you like authentic chinese
(5)Kaitlin M.
Before arriving at this fabulous restaurant you need to prepare yourself for the communal seating. As someone who adores Mr. Bartley's Burgers in Harvard Sq. I was okay with this notion. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. My friend and I ordered Pan Friend Noodles with veggies and our waitress was kind enough to let us know that they would be crunchy so we quickly changed our order to sauteed noodles with veggies and were happy when a gorgeous plate of lo mein showed up. Other menu recommendations: pork and leek dumplings and the beef with scallions! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Engelbert H.
My new favorite spot in Chinatown! Try the house specialty fish (it says striped bass but ask for whatever's fresh and they'll go catch it for you in the tank) with spicy bean curd. The fish was excellent and very well prepared! The chilled pig ears were good but I have to say I couldn't quite get used to the texture of the cartilage. Pig tongue was very nice and seafood soup was delicious. I can't wait to go back and try other things!
(5)Colleen B.
Leave it to my formerly non-adventurous eating husband to steer me to this place. Turns out he's got an addiction to the mini steamed buns with pork and for good reason they are rich and delish. It is an eclectic menu, but don't judge it till you try it. For instance where can you find pickled mustard with intestine and blood pudding, alongside more traditional Chinese fare like scallion pancake? We went the more traditional route and in the process completely over ordered (how can you not when the prices are so cheap!) Here's the run down of delicious treats: Sauteed shrimp with Tofu and Edamame=protein packed and perfectly cooked, but in a somewhat gooey clear sauce. Vegetarian steamed ravioli=chopped green veggies and garlic. Very fresh and tasty Curry Chicken=do not miss! The chicken is so tender and potatoes are so amazing. Mini steamed pork buns=juicy pork in a tender dumpling....ahhh dumpling bliss. Grand total about $25 and waaaay more food than we could possibly eat. Go get your dumpling on!
(4)R G.
One of the better places I've been to in Chinatown. Yes, it's small and there's usually a wait. But the food is great, the prices are low, and the portions are very generous. The staff is hit or miss-- the woman helping us most was very friendly and warm, but some others seemed a little cranky. But that won't keep me away. I hope to go back with a larger group so we can get a more diverse sampling of the menu.
(4)M. P.
This place has so many awesome reviews but I thought I'd give one, too, just so there is a recent one. The food is cheap and delish. But remember that when you go to a dumpling house...you should order dumplings. I made the mistake one time to order the wonton soup and it is nothing near what HK Eatery's wonton soup - it sucked. Anyways, scallion pancakes was very addictive and the reviews about it is very correct! I always get the XLB from now on and I'm never disappointed. UPDATE: I have to remove two stars for the really awful service that we received there recently. A waitress came over and basically rushed us out but grabbing our bamboo steamer that was still full of dumplings without asking us if it was empty or if we wanted to have it packed to-go. Nothing!
(2)Snuffles B.
Its seems damn near impossible to find authentic Chinese these days, so I was pleasantly surprised when a non-Chinese friend brought me here. It's small, cramped, and a complete eyesore, but thats what it usually takes to get some real Chinese food. We got there at 7 on a Friday and already a pretty large group of people were milling around outside waiting. Fortunately we were seated quickly as there were only two of us and the owners were really nice. We ordered the pork XLB, stir fried green beans, and twice cooked pork. The food came pretty quickly, though it took mutiple reminders for them to remember the rice. The XLB was OK. My gold standard for XLB were the ones from Shanghai's NanXiang shop - the original XLB and more recently, DinTaiFung, which I think are even better. The ones at this place were pretty big - the skin was thin enough and had a decent chew and there was a good amount of soup. The meat was a tad dry and the XLB were not hot enough. If I don't burn my tongue on the soup, I wonder if it was fresh or not. The green beans were very good, crisp without being too greasy, I'd say as good as home made. The twice cooked pork came with a surprisingly large amount of peppers and cabbage, which actually tasted pretty good. It was just a little spicy so spice lightweights can handle it and the meat was flavorful, not too salty (as twice cooked pork often tends to be) and not too tough. The one upside to being elbow to elbow with complete strangers is that you can check out everyone else's food. Everything looked very authentic and fresh, and people were ordering very different things, which is a good sign that indicates its not a one-note restaurant. And the final bill of only $30 for all that food makes it a pretty darned good deal.
(4)Blair H.
Ok. So this is a review for Chinese food by a Japanese guy. I approach these kind of places like i approach most other great experiences. I close my eyes and let someone else take over. I recognize some dishes on the menu, but from my experience, the ones that I recognize aren't worth ordering. So I let the nice waitress do her bidding. I lay out some ground rules. No fried stuff, as they usually taste like oil that hasn't been changed in years, and no soups, as they are usually based from MSG ...that about does it. Everything else is fair game. She ends up picking her favorites, which I make sure aren't just the most expensive things on the menu. We end up getting eggplants in some sort of hoisin based sauce with basil (awesome), three different types of dumplings (equally as awesome on the scale of awesominity), and some bean sprouts (simple, yet awesome). I can't comment on authenticity, but it was just down right good food. And after a meal fit for an small Olympic pomelhorse team, I was down $40. My advice, go, and let them bring out whatever they want. If you can pronounce it (and you're not Chinese), then it's probably not worth eating. Ie, anything that starts with General or ends with Pow. And don't bring one of those whiny picky eaters that like soysauce on their rice.
(4)Sean H.
I'm surprised the reviews of this place vary so wildly. I think its the best budget Chinese in Boston by far, and have never experienced bugs or long waits. I go here at least once a week for lunch, and its always fresh, authentic, cheap and friendly. The lunch specials, soup and dumplings are all great.
(5)KW L.
The food at this place is five stars for sure. We had the scallion pancake, the braised ribs in bbq sacue, Ma po tofu, and of course the juicy pork dumplings, and the sandong fried dumplings. All of the food was excellent. The sauces that come with the dumplings are also spot on in complementing the dumplings. The prices are also very reasonable and would probably pay more for the food if i had to. A couple of the cons about the place are the wait times that you encounter there because the place is tiny and also the service is sometimes spotty. Easy five stars if the service was a little better.
(4)Eric B.
Great menu and staff!
(5)lil s.
The best soup dumplings you'll find in Boston...until our friends in NY finally open a Joe Shanghai's here. I'm not trying to start rumors, just planting thoughts in the heads of the franchise owners. Anyhoo, Gourmet Dumpling House lacks ambience but dumplings are great, service is as good as it gets in C-town and wait is never bad. Thumbs up from me!
(4)Laura O.
Fantastic! Order dumplings! Juicy and pork were great. Plus the scallion pancakes were so yummy. You may need to wait but it is worth it.
(5)Chris J.
Solid, cramped, classic feel. A million options that come out fast. Dumplings are killer.
(4)Theodore Y.
Finally tried this place for lunch.. It's usually very difficuly to land a table here during lunch but we got lucky yesterday. We ordered the Mini Steamed Buns with Pork (Xiao Loong Bao), the Sauteed Julienne Beef w/ Long Horn Peppers, and the Minced Pork with Bread Bean Sauce over Noodles. I have to say everything was VERY VERY good. The Sauteed Beef was bursting with flavor and though it was VERY spicy, you just couldn't help but keep poppin more in your mouth. I've had the Minced Pork Noodles in a variety of different places (including Hong Kong), and I would have to say this is one of the best places that i've ever had it. At first I thought they kinda cheaped out on the minced pork, but after mixign everything together (the pork, bean curd, gravy, beans), I realized to my delight that it was the perfect amount of everything. The Mini Steamed Buns with Pork (Xiao Loong Bao) came last, as they had to steam and prepare everythign on the spot. I thought it was delicious and so did my other 2 friends, but I personally thought it still tasted a bit "dough-ey". You could still taste a bit of the dough in the pork soup. My only complaint is that the Mini-Steamed Pork Buns came last. It is listed as an appetizer and having a restraunt called "Dumpling House", you would expect it to come FIRST, and not AFTER everyones entree has been picked apart already. All in all, everything had a copious amount of flavor. DEF will hit this place up again.
(4)Alice G.
Great food! The dumplings are great. The pork and cabbage or chicken and cabbage pan fried dumplings are so yummy. The soup dumplings are also soo delious. I also like the Ma Po Tofu and the Taiwanses style sauteed rice noodles with pork and vegetable. The Eggplant Basil is another favorite of mine. This place is also inexpensive and you get a lot of food for the price. I think it's the best Chinese restaurant in town!
(5)Diane H.
Scallion pancakes are good! so is the shui long bao which i dont know what you call it in english. Party of 8 at 7pm on a Saturday..i would assume there be no room cause every time I try to go eat there, there is a line...but there was room! Pretty good food...I loved the tea, it has flavor. Sat near back where they have the plates and stuff, waiter spilled warm water all over my coat and the guy next to me, guy got really angry, then I wiped the liquid away then I joking said " you guys should give me a free drink LOL" and they did. ahaha. Very good at taking care of situation and not trying to fight with customer..and just was nice :) Will return!
(4)Jack Y.
bawstoners must have never had a real dumpling before because the dumplings here are disgusting. there is more dough than meat. the dough is thick and chewy and the meat is bland. there is nothing gourmet about this place. should have seen the red flags when i walked in..the ratio of asians to non asians was about 1:8. save your money and buy frozen dumplings. also had the oyster pancake in gravy...which was chewy and bland at best. was really hoping to like that one..
(2)David J.
Xiaolongbao, how I missed you. There are other places in Chinatown that serve soup dumplings, but the ones I'd sampled were mealy, arid simulacra of what I fell in love with in New York's Chinatown. Gourmet Dumpling House does 'em right. If you're not familiar with xiaolongbao, they are dumplings filled with a delectable lump of ground meat and a generous dollop of broth. They're bundled up to hold the soup and meat inside, then steamed in a bamboo basket. That's right--the soup is IN the dumpling. GDH makes them in straight-up pork and pork-and-crabmeat versions. I opted for the latter. The skins are not too thick but are supple enough that they don't burst open until you're ready to extract the piping hot broth inside. (Seriously. That broth is hot. Don't be a hero and try to pop one of these dumplings into your mouth whole hog.) The ratio of crab to pork is pretty generous here, and combined with the flavoring (which relies more on the savory, slightly unctuous pork broth than on heaps of salt or msg for depth) makes for a relatively light soup dumpling. Eight to an order make for a hearty solo meal or a good bit to split with a companion along with some greens. Just make sure that you bring someone you trust. Because the dumplings are that good, and because it really is impossible to look suave while eating them. Ok, I'll admit. The xiaolongbao at GDH won't make me forget Joe's Shanghai -- or even New Green Bo -- anytime soon. But they're damn good, and you don't have to ride the Fung Wah bus to get 'em.
(4)Iska B.
The only place I had experienced in Chinatown up until this point was dim sum at the China Pearl. It was time to expand out and try one of the multitude of little restaurants scattered about. This one caught my eye mainly because it had the word "dumpling" in the name and boy do I just LOVE dumplings. It's not a huge place but we were seated right away and the staff was really nice. They may not have the best English ever but hey you can always just point to the menu if they don't get what you are saying! It was clean in there also which is obviously appreciated. I had the chicken wonton soup and I also ordered the beef and celery dumplings (steamed). The soup was HUGE. Wow. For only $6.95 you get a huge bowl brimming with wontons and chicken. The broth was heavenly. So mild and clear...wow. I could barely finish it, I think they are made to share between two people. They don't skimp on the wontons either. The dumplings were also delicious and came with a great dipping sauce. I almost wish the portions weren't so large because the menu is huge and I wished I could have tried more stuff! Great experience here.They even take Discover! Awesome! I will certainly be going back to try out more of the menu!
(4)Calli C.
Stopped in here with some friends for a celebratory dinner. Feeling expansive, we ordered the soup dumplings with pork and the ones with pork and crabmeat, ma po tofu, Chinese watercress, and mango chicken. The pork soup dumplings were a lot more flavorful than the ones with crabmeat, which were less juicy and had a chewier consistency. I loooooveeee soup dumplings (also known as xiao long bao, Shanghai dumplings, or at the House, they're listed as juicy dumplings) mostly because they are fun and messy to eat. The sauce (soy, rice vinegar, and ginger) came pre-mixed and I was used to being able to make it myself to suit my personal taste but that wasn't that big of a deal. The tofu was just spicy enough, and I wished I had had more room in my stomach to eat more of it. The watercress was cooked just enough to keep some of its crispness. I was only underwhelmed by the mango chicken, which came in a pretty thick overly sweet sauce and didn't seem to have much chicken. The place is tiny, so if you have a big group - as in, more than 4 - come prepared to wait. Other than that, a super-affordable and delectable meal.
(4)Mark Z.
We came from San Francisco and decided to give it a try. There was a long line so we thought it would be really good. We had the pancakes, spicy fish, the famous dumplings and the black bean clams. My girlfriend liked the pancakes but I thought everything was just OK. For me the line was not worth the wait but it's not bad for regular Chinese food.
(2)Stephen Y.
Maybe it was unfair to compare it to Wing's... But I miss Wing's sooooo much ! :( Crowded on a weeknight ! That's always a good sign... Got seated relatively quickly. Think there was a bit of language barrier- maybe shouldn't pretend I can speak mandarin... The famous soup XLB wasn't really that good- kinda luke warm... not soupy enough... skin too thick... very mass- produced XLBs.... 2X cooked pork was actually decent... steamed tilapia was the best dish of the night... the bad thing was there wasn't enough fish to go around and I was forced to eat the head One pet peeve was the entrees arrived before the appetizers that we ordered.... not cool especially when trying to eat XLB when you have a full bowl of rice Nevertheless.. dinner was very reasonable... money-wise Just like track #2 in "The Joshua Tree".... still looking for pork shoulder and lion's head....
(3)Jim K.
This is my Chinatown joint of choice when I'm in the area. Of course the dumplings are top notch, try the soup dumpings which take a bit of practice eating but the reward is tasty (or super hot soup scalding your chin). Seating is typical cramped Chinatown style but that works. Service is quick and efficient and one can't help but be happy eating here, a good dumpling vibe. They have American Chinese stuff like Kung Pao chicken that also deliver the goods. I back this place.
(4)Jing Z.
went there a couple of times, was good, but the last time we went there, saw cockroaches climbing on the shelf. so disgusting! will never go back.
(1)Ryan W.
Despite the fact that Chinese food is not the most vegetarian-friendly Asian cuisine, we were able to put together a pretty sumptuous veggie feast at Gourmet Dumpling House. We tried the steamed veggie ravioli, the spicy eggplant with basil, and the ma po tofu. The portions were enormous - there were 2 of us, but the plates they brought (around $8 each) would easily feed 4 people. (I took plenty of leftovers.) The vegetable ravioli were tasty and filling, the ma po tofu was extremely spicy (and only got more so in its 2nd-day-leftovers incarnation) but good, and the eggplant with basil was absolutely delicious. I'd certainly order both the dumplings and the eggplant again. My only beef with this restaurant is that they were very, very slow to fill the water glasses - not fun when you've just committed to a table full of sinus-clearing spicy food - but we did come during a busy lunch hour. My only disappointment was not being able to try the XLB (soup dumplings), because they are definitely known as the house specialty, but of course they are traditionally made with pork. If anyone comes across this and knows of a spot in Boston to try vegetarian soup dumplings, let me know!
(3)Michael D.
Oh man I dig this place. I had tried going here several times but the wait was always too long (40+ min) so I was pleased to see no line after a movie one Sunday night around 10pm. The dumplings with broth, as many have attested, are delicious. It requires all the dexterity and cunning I can summon to fit one dumpling into my mouth in a single bite, but it requires neither clean-up nor soup spoon if pulled off correctly.
(4)Michelle L.
I like the concept of dumplings but can't deal with their insides for more than a few bites. The good news is that Gourmet Dumpling House has a huge menu full of non-dumpling options. I like the schezuan beef that comes in a big bowl of vegetables and broth, scallion pancake, and pan fried noodle with chicken and veges. Just to get the full dumpling gourmet experience you should try the juicy dumplings; dumplings filled with a hot soup broth and meat ball. I'm just sayin' that I'm down with mystery meat, which is what a meat ball is.
(3)Q S.
I was expecting killer dumplings. But instead, I was disappointed. We ordered Xiao Long Bao. It was super greasy and was not salted well. My friend ordered the veggie dumplings, and that was only ok also. We ordered a seafood porridge, but it didn't come with that much seafood and was flavorless.
(3)Kristina D.
My friends and I ended up here post-Tam at 11:05 yesterday after first trying to find Wendy's (closed) and Pho Pasteur (denied us entry because it closes at 10:45). Usually, late-night food ends up tasting divine if one has imbibed enough beverages. Gourmet Dumpling House's offerings did not make it higher than mediocre last night. We had: -noodle soup with chicken wontons and yellow noodles (three of us) The noodles looked like longer versions of the kind in Lipton instant chicken noodle soup packets, and the wontons were semi-decent. One of the other two who got the soup absolutely detested them though. -mini steamed pork buns These were extemely watery and the meat tasted exactly like that in my wontons...suspect. -pork fried rice Decent. It tasted better with some of the pork buns' soy ginger sauce on top. -egg rolls Piping out right out of the deep fryer, but could have used duck sauce and a little less grease. -tea Standard. Service was quick, and the food was cheap. The menu also included quite a variety of foods (pig's blood, pig heart, liver, etc) in addition to the soups, appetizers, and dumplings. I am somewhat intrigued by the reviews of the dumplings...I may have to try those the next time I am around the Tam.
(2)Kana O.
I'm not actually sure why they're called gourmet dumpling house, because the best stuff on their menu are everything other than dumplings! (Warning: I compare all my xiao long baos served in America to the ones at Joe Shanghai in NYC - I could compare it to the ones at Din Tai Fung in Taiwan, but that's just not fair at all) My husband heard of this place from his friend who was introduced to xiao long baos by his roommate's Chinese girlfriend. Since I had been complaining to him that there are no good xiao long baos in Boston, he was certain he had finally found a great place to take me. After talking about it for months, we finally went there and we got 2 orders of xiao long baos like we usually do at Joe Shanghai. This was a HUGE mistake... their skin was way too thick and I could only finish 4 where I usually eat 8! The pork filling was okay but I honestly didn't care because I couldn't get over the thick doughy skin! Then I looked around to see what everyone else was eating and realized that no one had ordered their dumplings and everyone looked extremely happy with their non-dumpling dishes! I told myself that we will come back here again for other items on their menu next time. Couple months later, we did just that. This time we got steamed watercress with garlic sauce, house fried rice, and ma-po tofu. I must say that their ma-po tofu was the best I have ever had and both their watercress dish and fried rice were very very good. Needless to say, I will be returning to Gourmet Dumpling House for their yummy food!! but I am still searching for good xiao long baos in Boston.. any suggestions??
(4)Sarah L.
Came here to warm up during one of those inexplicably cold nights last week...Shabu Zen had a 20 minute wait so we came here instead, and were pleasantly surprised. The dumplings were clearly handmade and very fresh, and a perfect combination of meat and spices. Plus a tasty, simple broth and enough noodles to fill me up, and they thew in a few handfuls of greens per our request. The owner kept checking on us and was really nice despite the late hour. Of note: the backlit photograph "art" on the wall chirps like a bird (I thought there was a parakeet in the ceiling vent the whole meal). And note the lobsters in the tank -- at one point, the owner stuck in a net to pull one out for someone's dish, and the poor lob's comrades didn't move for the rest of the evening, and avoided the spot formerly occupied by their friend. :(
(4)Lora B.
Oh Gourmet Dumpling House, you are definitely my favorite Chinese restaurant in Boston. I must confess, the first time I visited Dumpling House I was not very impressed. I consider myself to be brave when it comes to trying new food, but browsing through pages and pages of items, that included many organs I never knew could be used as proteins for consumption, I sadly ended up playing it safe. It was not until I came here on a first date with my boyfriend that my eyes were opened to the wonder that is Gourmet Dumpling House. Since that fateful day I have been back numerous times and though we always add something new to the meal equation, the following are staples that we order each visit: Pork Soup Dumpling: Delicious and fun to eat. Biting into the first piping hot doughy dumpling and sucking out the flavorful soup is something I will always find exciting. Scallion Pancakes: Dumpling house has the best I have ever eaten. Thick and not overly greasy; they also come with a delicious dipping sauce. Sichuan Soup: Not even on the menu, if you ask for the spicy fish soup they will know what you mean. Now I LOVE spicy food, the hotter the better, and this soup will melt your face off. White fish, cabbage and a plethora of chilies floating in ridiculously spicy broth. I have found heat-lovers heaven. Make sure to order it with rice, dump half the rice onto your plate and ladle the soup into your rice bowl. It's fantastic. The only item I have tried and not liked was pig heart, but come on... pig heart? I don't know what I was thinking. While the space is small and always full of boisterous diners and hectic but friendly staff, I will never mind waiting for a table at Gourmet Dumpling House.
(5)Guy A.
Scallion pancakes, pork and leeks dumplings (or any of the dumplings really), and the sesame chicken are all absolutely amazing. This place is super cheap relative to the quality and quantity of food. As a college student, this is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the city.
(5)Laura G.
Finally made it to this place after staring (drooling) at the sign while walking in Chinatown. A friend told me it is not all about the dumplings, and when looking at the menu I would agree---great variety! We did get two types of dumpling: pork and cabbage "ravioli", and the fan fried dumplings. The ravioli were a perfect mouth full with an excellent dipping sauce, and even though there were 12 of them, they were gone in minutes. The fried dumplings were also great but very filling as there are 8 of them and they are very large. A big surprise was our main dish--pork julienne with bamboo tips which was called something different on the actual menu---pork in spicy sauce? It was perfect, very tender with the exact correct amount of spice. Cant wait to go back and try out other Yelpers suggestions! Regarding previous postings about service, I agree that it is crowded (always a good sign!) and the wait staff is not the most attentive---but the food came out quickly and was terrific so I did not really notice :) **Offer validation for one of the parking garages next door for only $6**
(4)Sand R.
I am very picky about Asian food, and this place is very legit! Everything we ordered was good; spicy tofu is the best. Since I had the most famous dumplings (Din Tai Fun in Taipei) before, I cannot give 5 stars to their dumplings here. But I would say they are very good dumplings in the US.
(4)Lindsay H.
This was my first dumpling experience and man was it good. I honestly had no idea what to order because the menu was so large but because my friend had been here before I let her do the ordering. Large plates of food arrived and we sampled a little bit of everything, pork dumplings, dumpling soup and sesame chicken. Mmm mm. The restaurant was bustling with people. The tables are right on top of one another so this restaurant is not for someone who may be claustrophobic. Tips are already calculated into the bill at the end. Parking is tricky, for 6:30pm on a Monday night we lucked out and found a spot on a side street, but I recommend taking the T here if possible.
(4)Tom F.
The seating is a little tight but the food is great. We had the sliced szechuan fish, scallion pan cakes, pan fried noodles and some dumplings all were great. The price wasn't bad at $35 but it was way too much food for two people. The portions are generous and it was an overall good experience.
(4)Manorah R.
I did not like the Veggie Dumplings... it was more like broccoli dumplings. The beef and broccoli was just A-OK. Stick to the mini pork dumplings instead. I loved how juicy they were.. If I were to have just that this would have been a 4 star review.
(3)Teresa T.
Worst Chinese restaurant in Chinatown area!! So disappointed. The service is ok, but food is terrible especially considering the long line. If you like American style Chinese food, you might like it. But nothing authentic at all. I've been to almost every single Chinese restaurant In this area, but this is the only one really disappointing me :( will never come back again.
(1)Judy H.
I am obsessed with this place. It is my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. I think it may be the best Restaurant in Chinatown. With 222 reviews I can't add that much to the dialog except to say I love the Vegetarian dumplings, Little Soup dumplings, and the pork and leek dumplings. Yo' Boo it's ALL about the dumplings. The Scallion Pancake is a work of art. I had never ever ordered it before in my 35 years of eating in Chinatown. A nasty greasy dubious thing in other places, but here light crispy and delicious. Another stand out is Okra with Beef ( without the sauce) Amazing and the watercress with garlic, wonderful stuff. ! And the Crispy fried tofu is great ! Vegan McNuggets ! Who knew ? Can get rowded but a great vibe with students, families and foodies of all different races and colors. Whenever I come here or think of this restaurant , I sing my happy dumpling song in my head, "Dumpling, Dumpling, Dumpling ..."
(5)isa g.
I would have given these place 4 stars if the host had been honest about the true wait time. We were told 15-20 min and it turned into an hour. Had we known it was going to be that long for party of 5 we would have split up or ordered a takeout. I usually avoid eating in Chinatown as I can find better quality Chinese food outside of this neighborhood with better service and ambiance but my cousins visiting me from NY wanted to try their spicy fish soup that was written up in some magazine so came we came here on Sat afternoon. This place usually has people standing outside as the place is tiny so we were willing to wait 15 min but not an hour. There are only 3 tables that seats more than 4 people so if you have more than that in your party then you need to wait for one of the round tables to open up. This place will not put together one of the square tables for your party. By the time we sat we knew what we wanted to eat having studies the extensive menu while waiting. All the foods we ordered from the juicy dumplings, spicy fish soup, hot pepper stir-fry, mapo tofu, lo mein were all good and much spicier and different than what we usually get from other Chinese restaurants so it was a nice change. The service was better than expected as well however all those point is not worth more than 15-20 min wait.
(3)Kit Y.
MEAT IN MY MOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!! I went here last night after a long crappy work day and when you have been at work for almost 12 hours you want food fast and tasty. Us: can we please get some vegetarian dumplings, rice cakes with cabbage, and eggplant basil? Server: yes, but dumplings will takes 20 minutes, ok? Us: ok but really we were like fuck why are we ordering dumplings then, but we figured we can eat the other food first because we didn't care what order things came out in. So then our rice cakes came first COVERED in pork!!!!!! I was pissed as the menu did not list that, perhaps we should have known better that that is what happens traditionally, but why did they not put that on the ingredient list? So we sent it back. Next the dumplings came out and they looked really good and we were really hungry so we dove right in. Luckily my coworker swallowed first because the next word out of her mouth were not, "this is so good" or anything like that, they were, "THIS IS PORK!" Luckily she is not veg. So anyways, we sent that back too and really we should have left but we were so hungry and the next batch of food was coming out. So the rice cakes came back sans pork and we both agreed that they were pretty good but we are eating our first batch of food at this point 45 minutes later! When we finished the dish, the dumplings finally arrived and they were pretty good too. But after we finished all the dumplings, our eggplant still had not arrived. After a little bit of a break, our last dish finally came. This was probably the worst of the three but still not bad. It tasted good but seemed like it had been left out because some of the sauce had become gelatinous. So the food is ok, but the service was the worst I have ever encountered. I mean the people were nice but they also screwed up our entire dinner and the food took FOREVER to come dish by dish. It was so painful.
(1)Paran Y.
when compared with other chinese places in boston, this is 5 stars. when comaprd elsewhere....a little lower. by far the best chinese food you can get in boston china town. string beans, dumplings...if you are an asian yearning for that msg goodness, look no further.
(4)Cary C.
Well a lot has been said about this place, and I basically agree with all of it. This place is hit or miss as in the dishes they have can range from almost the best I've ever had to well below average. I went here to lunch yesterday with a girl (round eye), so I didn't get the real crazy stuff. (feet, tongue, tendon). I got the: Cong you bing (Scallion Pancakes) - These were amazing, the best I've had at a restaurant, and trust me I've had many a scallion pancake. I'm half Taiwanese and have had some homemade may have edged out these, but these are are the best any restaurants put out. They were a little more fried than usual, but that certainly didn't take away from anything. Also most places don't give you a dipping sauce, but not at GDH. Their sauce (soy, vinegar, ginger, something else?) was amazing as well. xiao long bao (soup dumplings) - Well even after reading most of the reviews I figure I had to try out dumplings if I was at gourmet dumpling house. These were all right, I've had better in other Chinatowns (NYC, Philly). Not sure about if there are better in Boston, but I don't eat soup dumplings too much. If you want Dumplings, go next door to Taiwan Cafe. Their Pan fried dumplings are the best I've had in Boston, but that's another story. Eggplant with Basil - Another killer dish. Very nice sauce, well cooked, plus I'm a big egg plant fan. Noodles with beef and Vegetables - 3 Letters for ya: M-E-H. Hot and Sour Soup - Above average and had enoki mushrooms. Could have been a little more hot and/or sour as the name of the dish would suggest. So to sum up, this place has some great dishes, just be sure to do you research before coming so you know which ones to get here.
(4)Rose W.
came here on a friday for an early dinner - and at 5:30pm, the place was packed! we ordered soup with tofu and pork dumplings - not soup dumplings - and both were good. portions are relatively large, and the place is reasonably priced. id come back!
(4)Archana V.
The sichuan stye fish is to die for! Can't think of a better way to put my spice cravings to rest!
(5)Rudy W.
went there twice, once for the taiwanese food (Stinky tofo and dumplings) both of them, terrible. but I have to give a try for something else :) I had snow pea leaves, ma pao tofo, steam sea bass, pork chops and pepper salt calamary. the food actually very good. the pork chops is very fatty, so I don't care much for that. but the sea bass is fresh and the calamary was good.
(3)David W.
This is good food, especially for a cool weather town like Boston. Hot steaming dumplings and noodle soup. We had lunch and were in a rush; waiter recommended the pan fried chive pork dumplings and I had the pork chop with noodle soup. Both turned out very nice; the chop was crispy and tasty while the soup stock was a bit bland. The dumplings were hot and juicy; a decent serving of about ten dumplings and sauce. If I weren't so greedy I would have this as my entire lunch. As promised, it was fast to arrive even with a packed house lunch crowd. Another time I had dinner and liked their recommendations; we always got quality dishes. Dishes arrive hot and tasty and prices are truly reasonable. They take MC and Visa, so cash shortage is no issue. There are large windows on the street and usually lots of good natural light that makes it feel cheerful. At nights the lights make it look a bit like a bright lantern; restaurant seats about 35 to 45 people. At lunch we were offered a table to share because it was crowded; I recommend you arrive before 12 for lunch for a quick table and fastest service. At nights there is parking down the street on the next block; it's safe and about $5 for 1.5 hours or so. Enjoy!
(4)e c.
The food is ok, but it is not worth the wait. The quality has declined since it opened. The eggplant/basil is not as good as Taiwan Cafe's. The watercress is so thick and woody that it is had to chew, not as tender as it should be. The veggie dumpling is not flavorful. The service has been consistently horrible. We waited 30 minutes patiently for our table, and they sat another party of 2 in front of our party of 2, even though they came after us. They were rude about it and did not do anything to remedy the situation. Overall, disappointing food and service.
(1)Jessica J.
so when we arrived we noticed a line. we went inside to ask how long the wait was. they told us 20 minutes so we figured we would wait. we waited OVER AN HOUR to be seated. a little insane. we were thinking to ourselves --- the food had better be worth it! well we were not entirely disappointed. the prices were great. we definitely over ordered. we LOVED the scallion pancakes. the dipping sauce was excellent. the vegetable dumplings were just ok. i ordered the vegetable soup with udon noodles. very yummy. HUGE portion. my fiance ordered the szechuan fish soup. he loved it! that is what they are famous for as a result of a food network visit. after dinner there was NO ROOM FOR DESSERT! great success!
(4)Valerie M.
The food is fantastic. Order streamed pork dumplings, scallion pancakes, chinese brocolli in garlic sauce and general tso chicken over rice and you'll be set for the best cheap meal you've ever had. I'm obsessed with this place. It's not fancy at all and there is usually a wait but it's totally worth it. It's so delish.
(5)Sean M.
My wife's cousin was visiting from Taiwan, I wanted to take her here to get an opinion but we never made it. Ended up dragging my best friend here right after cousin left. That was a month ago and I have been going here once or twice a week since. GDH was always in rotation at lunch but now I'm in rut or a groove depending I don't know. I don't always get dumplings but they do have the best Xiao Long Boa in Boston's Chinatown at the moment. I like the spicy Ox tongue and and beef tendon, but I try to mix it up here. I recommend getting at least 1 noodle dish per visit. This week I was floored at how tasty the Taiwanese noodles with eel was . My advice: concentrate on the rest of the menu, dumplings are incidental, try the soups. The tables are very close together and if you see something interesting ask what is and order it. I've done that a few times with success. If you prefer American style Chinese food: skip it. * two words: "mustard greens" * it can be crazy here if you order more than 4 things be vigilant and check your bill. * appetizers are worth exploring * oh yeah they have dumplings too.
(5)Joe T.
packed w very few tables! waited more than 30min watching other Chinese given seating w/o waiting! decided to leave! so can't rate the food.
(1)Nupur L.
I had a fantastic Chinese New Year's dinner with friends here a few weeks ago and have wanted to go back ever since. All the food was delicious and there was plenty for people with all sorts of food preferences to eat. I'm really glad I went with Chinese friends because they knew exactly what to order. Thanks to that, I enjoyed the wonders of stinky tofu, weever (a fish I have never seen on any other menu), oyster pancake (some contended that it was too greasy but I love grease) and the shrimp and tofu, which is named as such but comes in balls that had a texture that was so airy and light that it left us in wonder. Shrimp and tofu..my word. The dumplings lived up to their mediocre reputation but everything else was fabulous or as good as it can possibly be (eggplant with basil, I'm looking at you). The stinky tofu here is a must-try because it's stinky but not impossible to eat like Taiwan Cafe's. I was prepared for it because one of my friends told me to think of it like pungent cheese, which I love. Prices are reasonable and service is quick. Do try it.
(5)Albert D.
Fast service, cheap food. It takes 20 minutes to make and heat the dumplings. That's why they said that. They're not hating on you. The food was all right, a bit greasy, but it was worth the money. I appreciate the inexpensiveness the most.
(3)Jake F.
Amazing! Huge portions, great prices and delicious taste! Only con we had with the place was that it's VERY small. It also fills up very quickly... even at 11 in the morning.
(4)Ashley J.
We were in the mood for some legit Chinatown fare this week so after scanning yelp, we decided on Gourmet Dumpling House. And let it be officially known: the dumplings are truly gourmet! So totally delish, and a really fun experience too. Don't be turned off by the line to get in--it moves quickly and this place is worth the wait. I agree that you need to look beyond the basic, Americanized dishes that everyone orders (beef with broccoli anyone?) and be a little adventurous. It's totally worth it. If you want the full play-by-play of our meal, go here seedancook.com/2009/03/2… and read about our experience. I definitely recommend Gourmet Dumpling House and will be back again to try new things soon!
(4)Dan K.
wow! after wandering to GDH late night after my usual Chinatown favorite was closed, I was thoroughly impressed. The selection and variety of food is overwhelming- makes me want to keep going back until I've had everything. Overall, I had a very enjoyable meal on the cheap. I will return for sure!!!
(5)Nhi N.
I came here because I heard it had the best xiao long bao in Boston, and i had been craving for some. It was soupy, but the skin was sooo thick. Maybe I'm not appreciating it for what it is (the flavor was good, actually), and keep comparing it to the amazing xiao long bao at Joe's Shanghai in NY. The other dishes were good, but nothing to write home about.
(3)Manish V.
Wow this place is absolutely unbelievable soup dumplings are great and so is the sichuan fish. The old Chinese ladies were eyeing my meals w/envy. The lines are long so some early but well worth the wait. The only thing that comes even close is Fuloon during Chinese new years.
(5)Lynn D.
This place really is amazing. I stumbled upon the Gourmet Dumpling House on a cold winter day as I was walking through Chinatown. I just had a feeling that I needed to give it a try. As I approached the door, I noticed that the place was packed with people. As I put my name in at the counter, I looked at some of the dishes people were eating and I knew that I was in for a treat. Moreover, there were only about 3-4 other guests who were not Chinese, and this got me even more excited for some authentic Chinese food. The first time I ate here I ordered some kind of spicy red soup with beef that I saw another gentleman order, and I could not have been more satisfied with my choice. I have since tried their beef and long-horn pepper dish (I forget the actual name), their veggie dumplings, and their sesame chicken. I only tried the sesame chicken because my wife ordered it and she is not a big fan of authentic Chinese cuisine. If you come here, I would recommend that you venture beyond the typical American style Chinese dishes and try something different since this is where The Gourmet Dumpling House really shines.
(5)Maryam D.
I love this place and it's as simple as that. Great meal every visit! While I understand others critiquing the soup dumplings (they are a bit doughy), there is far too many dishes that are excellent for me to care. Must haves: - salted sesame beef ribs - pork and leek dumplings - kim chi (there's is soo crunchy and fresh tasting, i get an order just for myself) - mah-po tofu - snow pea leaves with garlic - watercress with garlic - sesame chicken (i know, i know... but i went with less daring friends who ordered this and it was honestly good - a delicious, crispy flavorful dish!) Avoid: - garlic baked whole crab (too overcooked and bland)
(5)Amal R.
Disclaimer: food was sampled here while under the influence of 3 strong cocktails. Translation: food always tastes better after booze, and I'd really give this place 2.5 stars, but 3 would be too generous in light of the other aspects. After drinks, one of my buddies raved about this place he discovered last week and its having the best dumplings he's ever had. This looks like your standard hole in the wall authentic Chinese place, except for the fact that it's packed! It's apparently very touristy and rumored to have some of the best dumplings in Boston, but NYC has spoiled me and I was somewhat disappointed. Though with all the good reviews and word of mouth, I really doubt I'll dissuade you. We had a 5 min wait before we were ushered to one of the crammed in tables. You're pretty much on top of other diners while eating. The selection of food tows the line between authentic Chinese and Americanized. At my buddy's suggestion we had the fried chicken dumplings, braised eggplant and scallion pancakes (which I don't eat). The dumplings were decent, though fairly bland, and nothing special. The eggplant was in a brown sauce with basil and quite savory, though very hot temperature-wise (burned my entire tongue), and after the first few chunks, the extreme saltiness really kicks in. Both of my friends insisted it was the best scallion pancakes they'd ever had, so I'll take their word for it, but I'm still skeptical. To their credit, food portions are fairly generous. If you're looking for a nice sit-down restaurant with good service, look elsewhere. We never received waters, just tea, and waiters only came by to take orders, bring food, and give us the check. Fortunately, it slowed down when we got there, and we didn't have to deal with the waiters rushing you at as many reviewers stated. Because the tables are so tightly packed, expect patrons and waiters to constantly bump into you if you're sitting by the aisle. The two middle-aged women sitting by us were rightly outraged when a waitress walked by and bumped an entire plate of hot food onto one of the woman's laps. Oy.
(2)Nanana A.
This place is always packed and they do a lot of take out. The wait was 15 minutes and we sat at a table for 2 right next to another table for 2. It is a small restaurant and barely enough room for the waitresses to walk around. The staff was nice and service was decent. I had to wait from them to come by as ask for my glass of water. The table did not have enough room to put our orders on. Black bean clams with Thai basil - A large portion and clams were fresh and tasty. ($13.) Be sure to get a bowl of rice when you order this dish, sauce is yummy on the rice. A- XLB - You get 8 dumplings and they are larger then I'm use to. It was very good and tasty. They didn't serve any dipping vinegar sauce with it. I have had better XLB then this one. B+ Appetizer chicken wings - You get about 6-8 wings, and they were a bit large, it was greasy and okay. I had better then this one. They should serve small chicken wings. C For Boston, this may be one of the better restaurants that has great turnover and good decent food. They should think about moving to a larger place.
(3)Pam Z.
"There is no good Chinese food in Boston!" laments my friend, David T, whose been living in Boston for almost two years. "If I can find decent Chinese food in DC, I can definitely find good Chinese food in Boston," Blueface responds. "You want to bet on that?" David T's famous last words. Lucky for David T, I didn't take him up on that bet because Gourmet Dumpling House has good Taiwanese and Sichuan food (if you order their Americanized Chinese food and it sucks, that's your fault). It's one of those super packed places where you might be seated right next to the fishtank and almost touching the next table, but you won't care because the food is so friggin good. Only demerits are that there is a $20 credit card minimum, and they'll only take one card. And they only have one kind of tea. Xiao Long Bao! Soup dumplings! Not as good as Joe's Shanghai in NYC, but definitely a solid contender. After being denied real Chinese food (i.e. veggie dim sum silliness) during my last trip to NYC, I was thrilled to have some authentic soup dumplings. I've never been sure what the proper etiquette is for eating soup dumplings is, but here's how I do it: 1)gingerly use the chopsticks (or your fingers) to place the dumpling in your soup spoon 2) "drill" a hole in the top with your chopstick, or just bite a small portion of the skin off near the top 3) pour in some of the vinegar sauce 4) attempt to fit the whole dumpling in your mouth without burning yourself or spilling anything. Alternatively, slurp all of the soup out, then eat the rest dumpling at your leisure. We also had the stinky tofu, which I thought was pretty decent and I have not seen very often outside of Hong Kong. My dining companion was not so enthralled. Perhaps it's an acquired taste? Use the hot dipping sauce that comes with it liberally. Served on a bed of kimchi-esque cabbage. Scallion pancakes are light and crispy and oh so good reheated as well. Just get them, they're totally awesome. Szechuan style fish, basically a white fish in searing hot (taste and temp) broth. It's amazing. Trust me. And you'll have plenty of broth to take home and add some noodles or rice to. Overall, GDH fulfilled the longing in my soul for Chinese food goodness. Thanks, Boston, I had a great time!
(5)Ben B.
The scallion pancakes were awesome, as others have mentioned. My son was with me and he convinced me we should get egg rolls. Those were as boring as you might expect. The dumplings were good, much breadier than i imagined but that is likely my inexperience. I like the low-key decor ;). Old School.
(4)Ben L.
Been walking by this place for years and there was always a line out the door even while it's raining. Was it that good to keep going back? Meh, i can only say it's okay I had some type of fried fish and soup dumplings. They were just okay, but i would only come here for lunch. Place does get crowded and Im a little claustrophobic. I would only come back for lunch, anyhow, nothing special to me.
(3)Erica D.
Hands down The Best Chinese food we have found!! My husband and I travel a lot and Eat a lot. It's our fun to scope out hidden gems wherever we go. We also dine out with friends who are American but have lived in China! They are equal fans of this place as we are! I can't believe it took us so long to discover our not so well kept secret, GDHOUSE! We bring everyone here! They are all foodies and just fall in love! Maybe that's why other reviewers see so many non-Chinese here!!! It's our fault! We full it up with US and our friends. Non-Chinese know good food too ya know! If you want the usual Chinese fare like crab Rangoon and General Gao's chix, they have it but, that is NOT what one comes here for! This is for trying something different and real. A hole in the wall, brightly lit, basic space but the Food!!! Oh the food! Soup dumplings are good but I like the pan fried pork and leek better!!!!! Thin skin, tasty insides and great dipping sauce. My husband luuuuuvs spicy so he adores the long horn peppers with bean thread ( also comes with beef) I luuuuv the sweet and sour flounder! Yes it's sweet and sour but done right!! No neon pink sauce with pineapple and maraschino cherries here !!! Real fish perfectly fried in a great sauce with lots of fresh veggies! The northern style eggplant with pork, awesome! The string beans with beef, Fab! Bok choi with mushrooms, yum! Almost everything is amazing. Some noodle dishes are just ok. Gotta come with 4-6! Harder to get a table but there is so much to try, the portions are huge and the $$ is Ridiculous!!! 4-6 of us can pack it away and with beer spend $21 a head. Crazy... This place, the huge menu, the chaos and energy can be intimidating but take a deep breath and smile. Ask one of the very nice but busy and hard working staff for some help choosing and you will be All Good! It's worth the wait, keep your elbows in, order too much (you can always take it to go) and have a blast! Eat well my friends-
(5)Sidney L.
I frequent Gourmet Dumpling House, most recently the day after the Nemo blizzard, when the streets were shut down by Governor's decree and most businesses were closed. I guess you can always count on Chinatown being open, even during a natural disaster. The menu is enormous and ranges from the typical items like General's chicken to more exotic dishes like pig intestines or ants on a stick (which fortunately aren't actually ants). But I go here for one reason, the dumplings, and I try not to get sidetracked by the other entrees, though the soups and the mango chicken are quite delicious. The soup dumplings here are the BEST I've ever had. These are dumplings that are filled with broth and vegetables and pork. I swallow them in one bite, and the juice explodes out as a chew on them - it's glorious. The dough is thin and delicate. Make sure to ask for a spoon to eat these dumplings, because even the most skilled at chopsticks will probably perforate the skin and lose all the juice as a result. The other dumplings they have (pork and leek, pork and cabbage, beef and celery, chicken and cabbage) all taste pretty similar to me, but I would recommend spending the extra 25 cents to get them fried instead of merely steamed. On the flip side, the service is terrible, especially when this place is busy (they take forever to take your order and then hustle you to vacate your table), and the restaurant is so packed in that it feels like the seating arrangement should be a fire hazard. But I suppose that's the norm for Chinatown, and doesn't bother me too much.
(4)Karen B.
Can I rate a place 5 stars, but discourage people from going because I want it ALL TO MYSELF? Most authentic Chinese/Taiwanese food you'll find in the area! The juicy pork dumplings are amazing and the basil eggplant is my favorite. But really, save some for me.
(5)Lillian C.
Great Taiwanese food and soup dumplings with the longest wait in Chinatown -Boston. Be wary of when you go to Gourmet Dumpling House, as you may end up waiting in line for 1-2 hours during the busiest times. I love the soup dumplings here, which is what they are known for. They also have decent beef noodle soup and scallion pancakes. The only pitfall is the wait, so come during the off-times or put up with the wait!!
(4)Mahina K.
You know why there is ALWAYS a line? Because it's so damn good. I do my typical call in and order what I want, pick it up, and head on out. This is particularly good in the winter so you don't have to wait outside in the cold. I usually get the house noodles, pork dumplings, and general gao's chicken. Everything is cooked to perfection and it travels well enough (I biked home with it so it was swinging around and everything and arrived home just fine). When you do eat here be prepared to be close to your eating companions. Like super close. Even to people you don't know. I guess what everyone always needs to keep in mind is Chinatown tends to play by its own rules when it comes to seating, waiter service, and paying and tipping. Culture shock for some! But you know when in Chinatown... Unlike many places in Chinatown they do accept credit cards. But overall you can't get much better than this place.
(5)Justin L.
Ok what is with the lines here. Yeah and I'm going to say this, also applies to Hei La Moon and China Pearl. This is the only place where you'll see a large influx of white people in Chinatown. Who made this place so god dam trendy? Chowhound? A foodie review on a blog? Anthony Bourdain? This is the only place to get Xiao Long Bao I think in Boston which makes me kinda sad. Cause it isn't so great to warrant waiting in line for it. In fact waiting in line for anything is so stupid. I'm too old for that. The food here I had a while ago but having lived in NYC and eaten in Shanghai I would say this place is average but better then many of the other places in Boston, Chinatown. That isn't saying much. PLUS its the only place that offers Xiao Long Bao? Correct me if I"m wrong. Seems like if you don't have competition you can just keep doing what you're doing. Sorry I'll always compare places to NYC because its just the honest truth. Maybe I'll give it another try here but I'll just turn around if I have to wait in line for a Chinese restaurant. GAG
(2)S. S.
I love chatting, laughing and flirting with my date. Non-stop. This is the first time that we did not speak at all after the food arrived. Who knew this tiny little overstuffed place with rushed service would have excellent food. The best beef with longhorn peppers that I have had in Boston. The beef sautéed with just the right amount of spice. I wanted to mop up the remaining peppers with some rice if I hadn't been so full. We also got the noodles with chicken and veggies which tempered off the heat from the beef dish. The scallion pancakes were fresh, steamy and delicious. We devoured the food and then came up for some air and conversation. Finished off the meal with the green tea (which btw only has 24mg of caffeine, so it won't keep you up and will wipe off any heat from your palate). Props to our waitress for being super friendly, engaging with us in a rare conversation, a virtually unheard of occurrence in Chinatown. Added bonus: easily accommodated our seafood allergy without fuss. Loved this place.
(5)Peter K.
Plenty of vegan/easily veganized dishes like dry tofu with long horn peppers. None of the dumplings are vegan. Best scallion pancakes in Boston.
(5)Nicole E.
We came around 7pm on a Sunday night at the recommendation of Lonely Planet. After waiting about 20 minutes outside in the cold with several other customers (there is no where to wait in the restaurant and after giving our name we were abruptly told to wait in the front) - including some locals who were increasing our anticipation of delicious dumplings - we were escorted inside to our table. While waiting outside, we were eying a large family eating delicious seafood, including lobster, served in pots through the window. We tried to ask our waitress what this was, but it seemed she didn't understand or be interested in our question. We decided against guessing which item it was on the menu (we also thought it could have been a specially ordered thing) and ordered the Chinese broccoli, beef and string beans, and juicy pork dumplings. There was so much food. The beef and sting beans was good, but mostly string beans (little beef). The beef seemed fresher than my Chinese take out restaurant go-to at home, but the taste wasn't too different. The pork dumplings were very juicy. We took most of them home, and they were much better cold the next day. The Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce was definitely the highlight of the night. We had never had Chinese broccoli before, and it reminded me of an over-sized broccolini. It was served al dente in delicious garlic sauce. We enjoyed it that night and cold the next day in our hotel room. The drawback: everything was rushed and impersonal. I get that the food is supposed to be the main draw here, but some customer appreciation would be, in fact, appreciated. Also, if customers are supposed to wait in the cold to get a table, how about a heat lamp? There seem to be a lot of places on the street, and I think I will try another next time I am in town.
(3)Danielle F.
The place does tend to get crowded, so definitely plan on checking it out when you are flexible from a time standpoint. In my visit, we were told that it was a 15 minute wait for a table for two, but we ended up waiting closer to 45 minutes. We were eating there prior to a show at the Cutler Majestic, and we cut it a bit close to showtime. Lesson learned - be prepared to wait (as other reviewers have suggested) and be prepared to wait longer than the host has advised. As you are waiting, you see a ton of mouth-watering food go by, a bit of a test I suppose. Patience is a bit of a virtue, but it is rewarded with a wonderful meal (at least that's what my taste buds told me). Once seated, he service is quite prompt and food comes out rather quickly. As other Yelpers have suggested, the scallion pancakes are REALLY good. We also ordered the chicken and cabbage dumplings, pan-fried, which were wonderful. The pan-frying puts a great sear on the outside and they didn't taste greasy in any way. We also ordered the crab rangoon, which was good, but was not as tasty as the other items we ordered. I wish we had gotten the eggplant with basil (next time I suppose). This place is not for you if you get claustrophobic. The tables are a bit packed together, so fair warning. The atmosphere is a bit of organized chaos, so if you are looking for a relaxing dining experience, this probably is not the place for you. I found the food to be really good, I found the menu to have a ton of options, and I thought it was reasonably priced considering the quality and quantity of the food. I think in order to have the best possible experience, one needs to go into it with the appropriate expectations. I plan on returning to sample other items from the menu that sparked my interest.
(4)Rachel R.
I have this policy of giving Chinese restaurants one star for every shrimp they put in my food... so these two go out to the spicy pad thai. It was actually a decent dish, but shorting me of my beloved shrimp is a quick way to get on my sh*tlist. While we're on the subject of "where the hell is the seafood?" the seafood dumplings were bland and doughy, and approximately 99% devoid of seafood altogether. Next time I want something that chewy and gelatinous, I'll just attack the Pillsbury Dough Boy. The rangoons were also completely crab-less, although fried fat is hard not to enjoy, even without the crab. Overall, the food wasn't nearly good enough to warrant the absolutely terrible service. I'm not reviewing Dumpling House based off the service, which was somewhat anticipated, but it certainly doesn't make me want to forgive them for being such ocean-crawler cheapskates.
(2)Jaeri J.
My review can be summarized by two words: AWFULLY AWESOME. 1. If you wish to visit but don't know where the restaurant is located, don't worry about it; you might needlessly think of turning on your pocket GPS when you get to Chinatown. It's really easy to spot not because of its huge, luminous, and conspicuous signboard, but because of tremendous waiting folks unintentionally advertising the restaurant. Just find a restaurant with the longest line in Chinatown. It will absolutely be Gourmet Dumpling House! If you don't want to spend your valuable time waiting, you might avoid visiting around typical lunch and dinner time, or weekend. 2. As you've already expected, the inside is also too wicked to accommodate such an enormous crowd. It is just so marvelous how the cramped place can hold approximately 30 people. However, there are three things you might want to keep in your mind. First, don't carry your fancy bag or anything handful. There are no extra chairs and no extra space for anything except asses and feet. So, don't dare think of putting your belongings on a chair. Second, food or tea on a table can be spilled accidentally by either servers or other customers because tables are extremely dense. One day, when one of its servers hastily cleaned up my next table, she mistakenly spilled a huge amount of tea on my knee. Even though she apologized and brought some paper napkins, I couldn't avoid looking like a person who pissed his jeans. Lastly, I don't want you to imagine that you will enjoy the food leisurely. The turnover rate of the restaurant is so fast that new customers or busy servers moving restlessly around you can disturb your meal. 3. Despite all negatives I mentioned, people don't stop trying to visit because it provides extremely awesome cuisines. Besides a wide selection of cuisines that even satisfy vegans, everything on the menu has never let me down. Personally, I'd like to recommend dumplings, specifically juicy pork dumplings that make me forget all complaints I have had in my mind. Moreover, I'd like you to know that you and one or two more in your party will be satiated for around $20. The price is so affordable that you can save some bucks for shopping around the Downtown area. All in all, Gourmet Dumpling House will give you an unforgettable memory that you will never experience.
(4)Yi Z.
These guys were so rude and terrible to me and my friends. After some shoddy service, they said we didn't tip enough and literally shooed us out of the restaurant five minutes after we paid. The dumplings are only so-so...not worth the $$$ and the terrible service. Do not come!!!
(1)Joseph L.
I love this place. It's tasty. It's cheap. I brought 2 friends last time, and we paid $30ish for the whole meal! I think we had a few dumpling platters, a soup, and meat dish. AMAZING! The downside is that it's always super crowded. The wait is usually very long. So beware! I recommend the egg and chive bun, veggie dumplings and Chinese watercress with garlic for vegetarians. The pork soup dumplings and beef/celery fried dumplings are so good! They have pretty good deals for rice/meat combo dishes too, for the cheap. If you have the stomach for spicy, get the shredded beef with longhorn peppers. Soooo tasty! Just be ready to squeeze in, as it's shoulder-to-shoulder packed. :)
(5)Hendry C.
Craving for Chinese food and looked at Yelp for help. This place got the Most reviews, thus we decided to check it out (at 2 PM). The place was packed as expected, had to wait for 15 min - we're OK with it. Service was standard - kinda in the poor side. It's Chinese ! Lots of yelling in Chinese. We ordered some food that reviewers had which are: 1. Scallion Pancake ---- This was really dry. 2. Salted fish & chicken fried rice --- OK 3. Mini juicy pork dumplings --- REALLY DISGUSTING !!! 4. Szechuan sliced fish --- Weird taste We're giving 1 star because of the dumplings. It tastes like a rotten meat. We thought it may be the soy sauce, but nope -- something was just bad, and we had to spit it out! Although the rest of the food taste OK, we were just questioning the quality of the food and decided not to eat them.
(1)Jonathan D.
I come here probably three or four times a month for lunch and dinner. Always an enjoyable experience. It's a small restaurant but the atmosphere is lively and most importantly, the food is great! The line is always out the door basically whenever you decide to come. Most definitely worth the wait. Price is comparable to other restaurants in the area. There's no loss in ordering more than you can eat because everything taste great and can be taken with you. I would however suggest eating the soup dumplings while still hot. It has to be my favorite dish aside from the spicy fish.
(5)Michael C.
4 star food, 2 star service. After hearing about the various endorsements of this place (celebrity and otherwise) I decided to give it a try with some co-workers. This place is small, probably seats less than 50. If you want to get in without a hassle during lunch then get here before noon. Even on a cold winter day there was a small wait by noon. Our server had to be asked to provide water to the table, multiple times. When he took the order we asked him to repeat it, he kind of rudely assured us he had it then ended up getting it wrong by forgetting an item or two. This ended up being a benefit as the portions were big. Scallion Pancakes - Honestly, some of the best I've ever had. Extra crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Fish Szechuan Style - Fantastic soup like dish that is fairly spicy. The broth is filled with an excellent fried white fish. i recommend getting a bowl of rice to go along with it. Dumplings - We got a variety of different kinds. I know people rave about them but I thought they were just OK. Maybe I am not a dumpling guy.
(3)Saba C.
If you're expecting 5 star restaurant quality, this is not for you. However, if you want some delicious dumplings and don't mind having to wait twenty minutes to get a table and sit under bright, fluorescent lights, then this is perfect for you! Please try their steamed pea tips. That dish will change the way you think about greens. Nom nom nom
(4)Harry H.
They were very apologetic after botching our order, but we eventually ended up with what we requested: sliced fish szechuan style, scallion pancake, and an assortment of other satisfying but unremarkable items. At $63.80 for two, not a bad portion of grub, but feel no need to return.
(3)Lauren B.
Mmmmm, soup dumpling... come to me... succulent little pillows of meat and broth... Delicious. They are always super crowded but I am happy to wait for those lovely little morsels... The leek/whatever dumplings tasted like all leek. That's why I'm calling them "leek/whatever," I don't remember what they were marketed as containing, but you couldn't taste it. Just buy the soup dumplings and be glad you did. I liked their Chinese broccoli, and they have nice tea. Huzzah!
(4)Leafy S.
Huge line, and not sure if its worth it for that line. you go and you leave...theres not a ton of space, and certainly not great for a long convo. waiters are super efficient and food was decent! i heard the soup dumplings are amazing but i havent tried those because i dont eat pork.
(3)Charles T.
Long wait, poor customer service, secretly charged card extra for tips, decent food Food was decent compared to the food in Chinatown. The soup dumplings were definitely better in Taiwan Cafe because the skin is thinner and the soup was better. In gourmet, expect to just eat flour. One issue was that when we had just finished dinner, just handed them the credit card to be charged, and they already told us to give away the table so new customers can sit. Really? I'm trying to pay here. The worst part? We decided to tip a bit less because she tried kicking us out - 10% instead of 15% - but instead, they decide to ignore what was written on the receipt and charge their own total, giving themselves a hefty almost 30% tip! This is despicable. I cannot believe this would happen, and cannot fathom a restaurant doing such a thing. It's low. You should check how much you're being charged on your card just in case.
(1)Pb P.
Long Line to sit in a tiny space, to rush to eat flavorless juicy dumplings. The Wonton Soup I ordered came with raw chicken and mucousy seaweed. Does this make sense? There is an awesome spicy beef dish, with I think "horn peppers"? SOOO goood. I really like eating the dumplings, I really want to love the taste of them more, but they just taste too watery or something. More salt, more ginger, and more sesame oil is needed I think.
(4)Daniel H.
In my quest to stop people from eating at establishments with roaches, here is another. We had a roach on our plate of pork dumplings. I think the heat kinda knocked it out and made it tired. It was belly up with its legs squiggling around. The pork dumplings had bones in them and tasted like chemicals. Service is what you'd expect, loud and slow. Every time I eat Chinese food outside of So Cal and Toronto, I'm reminded how good we have it. This place sucks.
(1)Victoria P.
Delicious dumplings. Don't bother with the fried ones - get all steamed. As a born and raised southerner, there's nothing I like more than anything fried, but I definitely prefer the steamed dumplings over the fried ones here. My favorites are the mini pork dumplings (these are soup dumplings and there is a special way to eat them!) and the pork and chive dumplings. Don't bother with the regular soy sauce - use the one with the ginger slices for everything. For those of you who don't know how to eat soup dumplings, here's the quick and dirty: grab a dumpling, bite off a tiny corner, pour out the soup into your soup spoon, dip the dumpling in the ginger soy sauce, devour, and drink the soup. I honestly don't care for the soup, but my boyfriend loves it. It takes a bit of skill, especially with chopsticks, but it will change your soup dumpling experience forever. Please don't eat the soup dumpling whole - you will scald your mouth and ruin the rest of your tasty dinner.
(4)Brooke P.
I love it here and will only eat here when I'm craving great authentic Chinese dishes. There's always a long wait BUT well worth it. It's very spicy and that's how i like my food. I always ask for it to be extra hot.
(5)Pete L.
This is the best place I've been to in Chinatown, and I've been to most of them. There is always a wait and it's not exactly spacious or fancy, but the food is amazing and the staff is friendly and it's well worth it if you ask me. all of these are amazing: -Sliced Fish Szechuan Style -dry bean curd or beef with long horn peppers -juicy pork dumplings -fried chicken Szechuan Style (stir fry not actually fried)
(5)Matteo P.
The food is ok, but there is definitely better in Boston. The service is one of the worse I have ever seen. They seated us in front of the door which was opened most of the time with 25 degrees outside. We were freezing during the whole dinner. Moreover the waiters were very impolite and we felt really uncomfortable. Finally, the place is very dirty. Definitely one of the worse experiences I have had here in Boston.
(1)Joann C.
Must go for soup dumplings. I have no idea if anything else was good because that was all I ate and it was more than enough. Go again and again to master the delicate art of eating these wonderful dumplings!! Bite delicately into one on the side, just enough to taste the soup...dont drip or waste any of it! Then sip and slurp just a little bit of the soup out...and finally, when you are brave enough, eat the whole thing in one last bite - yum!! Did you get all of it? If not, try try try again
(4)Erin S.
Water was not freely flowing. Cold and good quality- but had to request multiple times for each glass
(4)Alex O.
Love this place. One of my favorite Chinese places ever. I've eating Chinese food in Asia, and almost everything I had here seems to be rather authentic. We always love the dumplings, the Peking Pork (sort of like Mushi pork but different.) the beef with long green horn peppers(pretty spicy) the braised Schezwan fish is terrific.
(4)Rob G.
After hearing about this place for so long, we finally made it over for dinner. The wait was what I expected - about 35 minutes in the freezing cold - but it gave my wife and I a chance to walk around Chinatown and explore. We did not go there for the ambiance, we went for the food and it did not disappoint. The juicy dumplings with pork are out of this world good, the scallion pancakes were some of the best I have had, the spicy fish soup was amazing and the whole roasted peppers were spicy and delicious. I think we may have over ordered, I was uncomfortably stuffed, but it was worth the money and the frostbite! We will be back and since it is on my way home from work, I can definitely see myself calling in for take out on the way home.
(5)David V.
The sticky buns are on point...but the dumplings are insane! Can't comment on any other items. Gourmet Dumpling House exceeded our exceptions! It is a small little place that cannot handle the traffic of customers that desire to come here. Once you are in, you are seated incredibly close to other patrons due to the above reasons...but the food!...Ohhh, the food! Their dumplings contain a little more soup than most, and have a wonderful flavor! Good size portions. Good prices. Amazing dumplings!.
(5)Christina T.
Good fix for Xiao Long Bao's. Definitely not as good as the ones in Asia or Nanxiang in Flushing, New York, but probably the place to go when you're craving it in Boston. Got one basket of crab and one basket of pork. The crab one was just saltier, and I'd probably just order two baskets of pork. Skip out on the Shanghai Pan Fried Buns, too much bread, and not as crispy as some other places make them. They also tend to come out before the soup dumplings so you get pretty full before the main event!
(4)Sereia C.
The menu is 5 star in terms of variety...that is...if you're into crazy sh*t like frog legs, beef tendons, blood. I...am not. However, my Asian BFF who brought me here is, and she said the crazy sh*t just tasted very average. The dumplings I got were phenomenal. Good thing they call it Dumpling House instead of frog leg soup house, or they may not have had 700+ reviews. Honestly, a good alternative to dim sum if you're in the area-
(3)Alisa M.
After a long day touring Boston, we ended our night checking out Chinatown before our drive back to the hotel in Providence. I'm really glad we checked it out. There are a lot of places to eat at and everything is essentially on one street so it'd hard to miss. As we walked passed the dumpling house, there was a wait for a table and the place was packed. We were thinking about ordering something to go, but then on our way back there wasn't a line and we were seated right away. Still really full from our dinner, we decided just to order something small so we ordered the soup dumplings with pork and crab. I really enjoyed the dumpling. It came out hot and the dumpling was very fresh and are huge. I would have preferred for them to be a bit smaller and more quantity because it was a little hard to eat, but it was still very good. It came with an order of 8 for about $7. The soup was seasoned perfectly so you don't have to add soy sauce or anything. It comes with black vinegar and ginger, which you can put inside the soup or dip the dumpling in. A lot of other people were ordering the szechuan fish soup. It came in a large bowl and looked delicious. Too bad we couldn't try that, but there's always next time! Also, they only take credit cards on orders more than $20 so bring cash if you're not planning to order a lot of food. The place is cheap. We ended up spending close to $8 for our dumplings.
(3)Arthur M.
We snuck (yes, I know it's "sneaked," but who actually says that?) in for an early Sunday lunch before wrapping up a weekend away...got there around 11:15 and were seated right away. By 11:45, the place was packed, and I can understand why... We ordered scallion pancake, Sandong-style friend dumplings, pork and leek dumplings, vegetable tofu soup, and Julienne beef with longhorn peppers. We had no idea that this would pretty much be enough to feed a small village, but damned if we didn't almost finish everything! Really enjoyed everything, especially the scallion pancake (which I had been craving), and thought it was a tremendous value. I wouldn't go with a group of more than 4, unless you don't mind sitting apart...
(4)Kenny Y.
I walked into the restaurant the other day and saw Ming Tsai at the back table, enjoying dumplings with his whole family! And, this is the only restaurant in Boston's chinatown with a crowd of people outside waiting. That must say something about this restaurant, right? The dumplings here are delicious, juicy and bursting with soup (hey, sucking out the soup first is the best part!). I would agree that it isn't quite at the level of Joe's in Flushing NY or Din Tai Fong in Taiwan but seriously, why are you even making such a comparison? This is the best (well, only) place in Boston to get good quality dumplings, and it's worth checking out. The reason for a 4 instead of a 5 is the service - because of the big crowds and the cramped space, the waitstaff is quite pushy.
(4)Rebecca Y.
One of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The food is awesome. They have a huge pan-China menu, with regional dishes all over China. My favorites are the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), the Sichuan spicy fish in chili oil, and the double-cooked pork. This place is very popular, so you might have to wait in line if you're coming in on a weekend night. But I've never had to wait for a lunchtime meal on any day of the week.
(4)Myrna C.
Unless I'm mistaken, I could've sworn this place had one of the highest Zagat ratings this year for Chinese cuisine. However, from start to finish, our meal experience was less than pleasant. When we first got there, there was a group waiting outside, so when the waitress came out to call for them, we asked her to put our name on the list and we clearly noted that our name was up next. However, after us, several groups went in to put their names on the list. We decided to wait outside since we felt they could still see us, yet we wouldn't have to crowd up the whole restaurant as it's quite small. We waited and waited and wondered why it seemed that the wait was much longer than they had said it would be. My mom went in and realized they had been seating everyone who was behind us! This situation was super frustrating since we had waited much longer than everyone else and yet they were being seated before us. So unfair. Nevertheless, we finally got our seats and ordered a ton of food because we thought, well, since the ratings are good and the lines are so long, the food must be good. We ended up with Pan Fried Pork Buns, 2 orders of the Mini Juicy Pork Buns (Xiao Long Bao), Pork and Leek Steamed Dumplings, Sauteed Flounder, Twin Lobster with Ginger and Scallions, Pei Pa Tofu, and the Scallion Pancake. We had also intended on ordering Shanghai Smoked Fish but they said that they didn't have anything. I suppose that turned out to be a blessing since we had ordered way too much food as it was. When we ordered the Pan Fried Pork Bun, we thought they would be like the ones we got in Shanghai which were perfectly fried with lots of juice in it. We were completely mistaken. It was basically a regular large bun that was fried. There was nothing special about these at all. The outsides of the Mini Juicy Pork Buns were already slightly soggy from the juice leaking out. The ones at Dumpling Cafe nearby is so much better! We pretty much had to force ourselves to finish these since taking them home would mean really soggy buns. My sister actually liked the Pork and Leek Dumplings. I thought they were ok. The outsides were not as chewy as I would've liked them to be, but the inside was flavorful enough. The Sauteed Flounder was not bad. The fish was pretty tender and the overall dish would've been good over rice. However, we ordered rice and it never came. They still charged us for it, so beware. We let them know that we never received it so they took it off the receipt. The lobsters were decent, though I've never really had bad lobster so that was a relief. The pei pa tofu was actually quite good, though very filling because it is fried. I've come to find that something about the tofu they use in Chinatown is a little bit sour or something because we got a tofu dish at a different restaurant yesterday and it had the same strange flavor (ever so slight but still noticeable). Finally, the scallion pancake was probably the highlight of the meal. Even though it looks burnt, it's super crisp and yummy to munch on. Probably won't be coming back here. Poor service and average food. Plus, the restaurant is so cramped that I was literally sitting there sweating while trying to devour food that was making me warm up even more. It doesn't rank high in terms of cleanliness either. There are definitely many other restaurants in the area that I would rather go try.
(2)Abby B.
If you are looking for some quick and damn good dumplings, this is the place to go. Sure, the service is not the greatest and they rush you out the door if it's busy but it's so good!! I would suggest getting an order of the mini juicy pork dumpling, an order of the pan fried dumplings, and an order of the scallion pancakes. Yum. You will definitely not be disappointed. They have a $20 minimum for credit cards which is a bummer, but throw some 22oz sapporos onto your order and you'll meet that minimum in no time.
(4)Grace W.
Two stars seems a bit harsh for such a hyped-up place, but it really was "Meh. I've experienced better." Maybe we ordered unspectacular dishes, maybe it was the waitstaff making us switch to the next table over halfway through our meal so that our table could allow a party of six to sit together, or maybe it was the beef stew didn't have actual beef chunks but what appeared to be slices of what could only taste like beef jerky. Overall, my first impression of this place was correct - overhyped "traditional" dishes. The soup dumplings, while large, juicy, and tasty, had a very thick skin. As I've noted before, I don't like commenting on service at Asian places since I'm there for the food, not the people. But in this case, I could hear and see the staff make room for the party of 6 WAY before they even bothered asking my group if it was ok. No "thank you" either. Anyways, alternatives to GDH: windsor dim sum and dumpling house.
(2)Ulrik B.
Great place! We were four people and ate way more than we should, still had food left on our place and all had a beer at a total price of 130 dollars including tips. Don't hesitate to go into some of the neighbouring restaurants though, many of them appear to boast a similar standard - just have a look in and check them out.
(5)Kristine M.
Juicy dumplings/soup dumplings that aren't petite pathetic things! FINALLY! Boston, you serve your Chinatown well. (Can you come to DC, now?) Other Chinese dishes are solid and great price for the portion size. You get tea for free which is always a plus (and a risk, since I could really stay there all day sipping jasmine). The only down-side to this place is it's crowwwded (be ready to make friends and sit at a table with strangers, or the fish tank). Be ready for a culinary adventure! Definitely for the adventurous eater who doesn't mind sucking in their bubble of personal space. And the pics of Michael Douglass and Anne Hathaway are cool to see, too.
(4)Christina X.
Got lucky and didn't have to wait too long! We only ordered the soup dumpling and seafood soup. Both were very tasty!
(5)Jen P.
I'm only giving it three stars because the services was terrible. A friend and I had dinner the other night here. We were seated promptly and given menus and when we were ready to order most of the staff was sitting at a table eating watermelon. The restaurant was fairly busy too. I kept looking over and still no one came over to the table. Finally a server came over and asked " You ready?" The soup dumplings were good and the luncheon portions are huge. No one came to ask how things were, or refill our teapot with iced water. The place is very small. The sesame chicken was delicious but again, I was put off by the service.
(3)Travis T.
Awesome and affordable Chinese food in the heart of china town. This place is tiny and there is a reason it's always packed.
(4)Bing X.
I liked the food so I took my husband here for lunch on the weekend. There was a long line and the waiting was 25mins. Then we realized people after us were going in... I went to ask and I can see they forgot us because they took name wrong and crossed off to correct it, which may have them the impression that we were already inside? It was so unpleasant afterwards because we were put on another table with strangers. The whole meal we had to listen to the lady's medical condition conversation. We gave less tips(12%) because of the horrible experience. Then the waitress came to ask for 20%. It was so ridiculous. We are not coming again!
(1)Sarah N.
We love this place, it's probably our favorite place in Chinatown. Accept no substitutions. Order the Sliced Fish Szechuan Style. It's spicy, but so delicious. Also, I have literally dreamt about how delicious the scallion pancakes are. Best in the city! Be prepared to have zero personal space while eating...it's part of the charm. It's loud, crowded, and a bit intense, so be prepared! And it's popular, so get there well before dinner hour, or prepared to wait at least half an hour. Worth it!
(5)R D.
As basic as it gets for decor. Simple wooden tables, crowded together with plastic cups. Place was mobbed and we got the last open table. Service was quick and attentive. Huge choices on menu. Food was served quickly as well. Good quality was good - not awesome. House rice was good as were there specialty dumplings. General Gao lacked spice and its sauce was much to thick. Good spot to go for a late night fast meal
(4)Jessica B.
I tried Gourmet Dumpling House for the first time last night with seven friends in tow. When I picked the restaurant, I wasn't aware of its size, but I thought that it would be doable. I easily found two hour street parking after 4 pm. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about Taiwanese and PRC food to give a very detailed review. I liked everything I ate. I had some mango chicken, with luscious, ripe mangoes, some salted squid, and every kind of dumpling on the table, from steamed to fried and vegetarian to pork. Everything was delicious. In fact, I ate the most I have in weeks and feel like a dumpling myself. The decor is nothing fancy, the lines can be long, wait times can be... under-estimated, and our waitress had a few more tables than could be efficiently serviced, but with a group of friends, we had a really nice time. It was someone's birthday and they nicely fussed over her and cleared the table so we could eat a cake we brought. Note: One credit card per table with a $20 minimum per card. Great food and really nice people. I ate a ton and got to try a lot of different things for under $17 with no alcohol.
(4)Chris C.
Soup dumplings!!!! Dumplings never dissappoint, but I tried getting some other food here and it was just ehhhh... I got the beef soup with spinach, it had the spicy symbol next to it but it was not very spicy and it didn't have a whole lot of flavor. I'll stick to the dumplings.
(3)V L.
Generally there will be a wait so don't go there when you're starving. Also, it is a bit cramped so be prepared to be sitting really close to your neighbors. However, this place still deserves 4 stars because the food is good. Jullienne beef is something we always get when we go there and it is GOOD. Note, make sure you have water since it is pretty spicy! The juicy soup dumplings were also very good. Scallion pancakes are decent but a bit thick.
(4)Jiyea C.
It's ok, but I prefer Dumpling Cafe or Taiwan Cafe. The xlb has better flavor elsewhere, and we are not impressed with the pork soup. My dining companion informed me that this broth is a staple in Chinese cuisine, and the mediocre flavor of the soup here was an indicator of the quality of the restaurant itself. I don't think it's bad, but I this is not my favorite place in Chinatown.
(3)Kris L.
This place is so over rated and their food isnt even that great! The juicy dumplings is blah..the outside was dried out. Idk if it was old or not but fresh steam dumplings aren't suppose to look like that... Dump-lings I say... Had the beef stir fry string beans...beef was cold and string beans was old. Maybe a Monday night isn't a good night to go. I rather go to new golden gate. Fresh delicious food vs this DUMP place...no so gourmet I tell ya... If your American please go to new golden gate for better Chinese food...they need to have a no star option...
(1)Lana N.
Mehhh, maybe I'm spoiled by being in California... but GDH is definitely nothing worth raving about. It MIGHT be the best Chinese food available in Boston, idk... but if so, I am sorry Bostonians... I guess its not THAT bad? Between 4 people we split an order of Chinese pancakes, pan fried pork & chive dumplings, xiao long bao (juicy pork dumpings), and minced pork & chili sauce noodles. For the most part, everything was underwhelming and nothing compared to California's many dumpling houses... or even Joe's in NYC. The XLB were really large and quite difficult to eat, and overall unmemorable... as were the rest of the dishes. I would avoid coming to GDH unless I was crazy craving Chinese, and still then... I'd prob try and find something else if there's a long line.
(2)Meizi H.
Very authentic Asian style! They have the best beef stew noodle in new England areas; its nothing you can find in any American Chinese restaurants. We also ordered beef with green chili pepper and it was really spicy with all pepper seeds mixed.if the dish is marked spicy, they do mean it. They have many different choices of Taiwanese traditional dishes and Chinese ones also. I have to say they are the best I've ever tried in Boston metro areas. Greet chefs and tasty food. I bet they are going to expand it in no time!!
(4)Jow O.
just like mama-san used to make! loved this place. ordered a bunch of food. and it was all delicious and fresh!
(5)Wei H.
This place is soooooooo good that i went there twice during my short 5-day stay in Boston. And each time it took me 1 hour to get there plus a half an hour wait. No joke. Being from Chicago, naturally I don't get to have good seafood a whole lot. The (in)famous Joe's Seafood House in Chicago charges an insane amount of money for mediocre quality seafood, which probably factors in the price of their plane right from the coasts to Chi town. Folks in Boston are *blessed* with abundant and cheap seafood and I almost wanted to move to Boston for that. Anyways, everything I got at this tiny whole-in-the-wall restaurant was delish and hit the spot oh so precisely. I LOVED the bean curd fish fillets. It was legit and it would demand a bowl of rice with it. All the casseroles are good. We got a single lobster casserole with endless veggies and rice noodles in it. As soon as it came, we all stopped talking and indulged. Salt and pepper pork chop was also very nicely done - nothing irritates more (i guess there are other things but when it comes to fried Chinese food) than restaurant over frying stuff. This dish is dry and yet the meat is still juicy enough to not make you think you are eating jerky. You probably have paid attention unknowingly to this restaurant if you ever walked on Beach street in Chinatown. It is the one restaurant with about ten people standing outside doing nothing but drooling over the food that the people are eating inside this restaurant. Nope, you cannot leave your phone number with them and have them call you when you are up. You just stand there and wait. Or you can go around to some bubble tea place to kill some time and risk losing your spot. Saw that Blake Lively was there (photo evidence). Plus, when a restaurant posts on its window that "this is not a chain. we got no other stores." you know it's good. Go there. Hustle. Bring a game or so to play while waiting, or make sure you are in good company.
(4)Kenneth B.
Great food. Generally very fast. Dumplings good but actually the rest of menu is just as good if not better. Be prepared to wait outside after putting your name on the list. The prices are very good compared to quality of the food. It can be quite load inside but not so bad you can't hear whomever your with. Well worth a visit!
(4)William H.
Wide selection at great prices. The dumplings are the best I've ever had. Space is tight and you have to get in early, but service is fine and we'll definitely be heading back this fall/winter.
(4)Big B.
Food is not tasty at all. Also the food is altered to meet Americans flavor. I have no idea why so many people go there.
(2)Kyle D.
Today, I ate the sauteed julienne beef with long horn peppers. It is very spicy but very good. I received white rice and soup with my healthy portions of beef and peppers for the low price of 7 and change. Now that is a great deal. I will definately have to get this dish again.
(5)Peter Y.
All of my friends really love this place, as they should, but it's not really the "omg dis is def the best chinese food ive ever been to" place they rave about. I do have to admit though, their soup dumpings are amazing. Their steamed ones though, not as great. As for their other food, get the Spicy Salt and Pepper Fried Fish and the Ma Po tofu. You will thank me, so you're welcome.
(4)Julia D.
This place was awesome!! We had the spicy chicken cashew which left us sweating in a good way! We also had the pork dumplings that were cooked perfectly. Cannot wait to go back. If I lived closer I'd be a regular.
(5)Alan P.
Great dumpling. I also had the beef noodle soup. It's just ok; the beef is a little too tough. Long line outside the restaurant. Not a good idea if your party have more than four persons. The restaurant is really small and the tables are packed very close together. Corollary: don't bring your first date there either.
(4)Asian F.
The food is overly salty and oily, might be tasty while you are eating it until you need to chug a gallon of water to wash out the msg after the meal... DO NOT GET FOOLED! They scribble all over your check in Chinese and add a 20% tip to your bill without you knowing it. The price they quote includes the tip, I have never been to a restaurant where I am FORCED to pay tips, especially one in Chinatown with poor service and ambiance and we were only a party of 2. I highly doubt that this is legal, don't fall for it!
(1)Lynn J.
BEST DUMPLINGS IN BOSTON! YES...You will probably have to wait in line. That should just prove the value of their food. MUST TRY: The juicy dumplings, their most famous dish. I also enjoyed their fried dumplings & watercress with garlic sauce. THE DEAL: There is a minimum $20 order for a credit card. Go from 2-4pm and you won't wait long. Feeling friendly? Offer to sit at a big table with strangers & you might be seated quickly!
(4)Andrea S.
Order the ants on the tree for me!!
(5)Ryan F.
This joint is tiny and it's likely you will have to wait, but they were surprisingly quick to get us seated. We went for the soup dumplings and the sliced szechuan fish which made for a perfect lunch combination. The dumplings were flavorful, with the perfect skin texture- the filling could have been a little less dense if I'm going to be picky. The fish came out in a beaming red bowl of broth and oil with tons of peppers and peppercorns. Surprisingly, it wasn't that hot compared to other szechuan fare I've encountered. Don't get me wrong, you will occasionally inhale a space and choke for a bit, but it didn't leave my insides burning. The texture of the fish was delicate and perfect.
(4)Jessica D.
Not worth the hype, line, or wait. Service is mediocre, as expected. Food is standard. Had pork dumplings, sesame chic, sezachuan chic, and sautéed Bok Choy. All was tasty but nothing great. probably wouldn't go back. Go to Korean place across/at corner of the nearby street - delish!
(3)Ignatia S.
The service is beyond awful! The waitress was so impatient in taking our orders and the second we finished eating they gave us the bill and said they're closing. It was 11:30 and the business hours was supposed to be until 1 am.
(1)Rachel L.
The staff was rude, but damn was the food awesome. Come here for the eats and not for the experience.
(3)Xiao Z.
I've eaten here a couple of times, but I fail to see the allure that all of my American colleagues see here. The wait to get into Gourmet is incredibly long for food that's decent, but not spectacular. I've sampled all of the dumplings and even tried the $50 authentic dinner combos and found them to be very tasty and authentic. However, it's just not worth the long wait (up to 1hr to sit in a crowded place). Staffing...is typical for Chinatown: efficient but not very polite Food: 4-stars Wait: 2 stars Average = 3 stars
(3)Duy L.
I dined here a couple time and the only reason that kept me coming back was the spicy fish soup. It's spicy and very delicious, I recommend that you order it mild not spicy. Overall the place is crowed and you are expected to wait about 20-30mins. Come here for the spicy fish soup it's 4/5. Eat and leave quick because it's a little dirty and tight, very hard to get comfortable for a group of friends (atmosphere and cleanness 2/5).
(4)Helen L.
What a crowd. It was out the door. This was no joke! It was 7:30pm on a Thursday so it was prime time dinner. The place was packed and there were more people waiting after me. The service was quick as any Chinese place would be. It seems the other food looked and smelled so great especially that at the next table! The rice cake with pork and picked veggies was good and hit the spot. The crab and meat soup dumplings/ xiao long baos, however, was disappointing to me. The skin was so much larger than the dumpling but the meat wasn't. It was all this extra skin that was thicker than I remembered also. I eventually had to leave the skin on the side and eat the meat. Hopefully, the port versions are better. Let's see for next time!
(3)Bryan G.
Dropped by this funky little joint for lunch on a bus layover in Boston due to a strong craving for Chinese food. At lunch time the wait was 10 for a table for one. This place is tiny. If you are large, claustrophobic or enjoy personal space I wouldn't recommend this place. However, if you are tiny and enjoy engaging strangers in conversation while eating some pretty bangin' Chinese I highly recommend this place. I'm usual disappointed by Chinese but this place was the exception. Pretty slammin' buns and dumplings, none of that nondescript watery sauce that plagues so much Chinese food. A fair amount of Vegetarian options as well. Also, free tea. If you like reasonably priced delicious Chinese food but hate being able to move, this place is for you.
(4)Sarah G.
I will now dream of you, scallion pancake, every time I think about Chinatown. How I wish I lived closer to you to be one of the cool kids who could call in an order for pick up to just bring home to enjoy without having to wait at least 45 minutes to eat at this super popular dumplling spot. I would order so many scallion pancakes people would think I was smuggling them to other people because they are just that good. And they also, of course, make some pretty awesome dumplings too. I really love the fact that they make the dumplings to order and you can get them either steamed or fried. And there are so many kinds to choose from! Being someone who studies diversity, having diversity in your dumpling choices seems so much better!!! They also have tons of other things on their super long menu and we only got to try one main dish, which wasn't as spicy as I would have liked it, but the chicken and vegetables were pretty fresh too. So really for that dish 3.5 stars, but lucky for them, their scallion pancake was out of this world. Maybe they could call themselves The Gourmet Scallion Pancake and Dumpling House, just to be fair???
(4)Alan X.
For a place that calls itself a dumpling house, the dumplings were subpar at best. Get the pot stickers instead. While not great, they were certainly better. It seems like their Chinese dishes are more sichuan inspired which clashes a bit with the idea of a dumpling house. One dish I would recommend is the spicy eggplant (yuxiang). Overall, it was decent but not great, there are probably some better places to go nearby.
(3)Ido W.
Bottom line: Authentic, bustling, varied and open late. The food is not worth the line that is always winding outside. Go somewhere else. Pros: There was a large variety of vegetarian dishes. The vegetarian dumplings were unique, with an egg as part of the mix. I did not care for them. The pancakes were nice, but I have had better. The Taiwan style tofu was bizarre. The eggplant dish was nice. The crispy noodles in brown sauce were nice as well. Cons: they forgot the rice. The check was in Chinese and that is not very transparent. The price was higher than we had thought. They don't offer a fork. We had similar dishes elsewhere that were better.
(3)Alee G.
Sorry Gourmet Dumpling House. I had to take away a star. Why? Well, you gave me someone else's doggy bag. I opened the box expecting my delicious dumplings and got.... well, I don't even know what it was. It look like eggplant and beef. Gross. Yeah, so.... do better Gourmet Dumpling House, ok?.... do better.
(3)Brian K.
It was close to midnight and this restaurant was packed. XLB was very good but I'm not a fan of XLB. Avoid the chicken wings - soaked in grease. Fried scallion pancakes are a must. Arriving during "normal" dining hours? Expect a wait!
(4)Chelsea L.
BEWARE!! Next time you get the bill, double check it! My brother and I went tonight and they added the tip to our bill without telling us. Yes, we should have double-checked it and triple-checked it so it is partially our fault, but we take this as a bit shady. When leaving we realized that our food should've cost 5+7+14+tax. This should be around 26+tax but our bill was 34. We are both annoyed that we gave an extra 5 dollars for service that was pretty much nonexistent. Yes, the food was good. Yes, the dumplings were delicious and the scallion pancakes? Oily, crispy goodness. It's just very unfortunate that this experience turned us off to the restaurant and left us with a horrible first impression. Be careful, my friends.
(2)Alon L.
Gourmet Dumpling House is known mostly for the Xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Well, I thought they were just decent. Maybe may expectations were too high. The skin was a little too thick, and the soup was bland. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't what you'd expect as the house specialty. We also tried the pork and leek dumplings. Pretty good, but again, not fantastic. Skin again a little thick. We did like their rendition of the Chinese watercress with garlic. I could eat that all day! Service was prompt and friendly. As most reviewers have stated, the restaurant is small. So expect to feel cramped.
(3)Harold L.
On a cool Boston night, this is where you want to eat Chinese. Delicious soup dumpling are such good comfort food especially when you're dining with a crowd. These were the crowd pleaser, so we placed 3 orders among other things. We had Chicken Corn Soup, Sauteed Shanghai Greens and more Soup Dumplings. Oh yeah, we also ordered a whole steamed fish (Tilapia, I would rather have a rock cod or sculpin), but it was moist and perfectly good. With 5 of us, there was nothing left, and quite satisfiying. As many good Chinese restaurants go, don't expect a smiling McDonald type service, but do know you'll love your meal.
(4)J. W.
You can't get excellent Chinese food in Boston, you just can't. This is not Vancouver, New York, or San Francisco. There just isn't enough Chinese people of higher socioeconomic status in Boston to demand great Chinese food with a great ambience like there are in bigger cities. Boston is a student town. That being said, Gourmet Dumpling house is a typical Chinese restaurant you would find in any Chinatown in small town America. It's dirty, cramped, busy, with horrible service. However, all these things add to the charm of this place. More importantly, this is probably the most authentic and best (mainland Southern/Central Chinese) cuisine you'll find in Boston. The soup dumplings are well prepared (despite being served on cloth which is a public health no-no). The Singapore noodles are highly addictive and they have great hotpot dishes. The portions are huge relative to what little you're paying. Come for the food but try to zone-out the frustrating environment :)
(4)Shun M.
went to Boston three times I always go here. fat lamb in clay pot not many ppl know is must order. this dish make ur body warm and boston is cold.
(4)Alice L.
Really good dumplings! Service was sort of weird (hostess yelled at us because she thought we didn't pay when we did). Their green onion pancake was the bomb dot com. Seriously one of the best I've had. Soup dumplings are also worth getting (as obvious based on everyone else's review).
(4)Anand V.
This place was recommended by my girlfriend's coworker's mom who was visiting from China. The first time we went there the food was so amazing that we went back another 3 times in the following two months. While many on here are raving about the dumplings, our favorite dish is the sliced fish with szechuan sauce. This bubbling hot (temperature & spice) dish is pack with a meaty white fish & plenty of cabbage. This dish is the reason I will always come back to this restaurant when I am in Chinatown. Another dish off the dumpling path that I would recommend is the pork with dried bean curd. A word of caution: There is likely a wait, and it could be long. The seating, while on a first come first serve basis is also based on an optimal seating structure. That is, if a table of two get up from a 4-top and your party of two is ahead of a party of three, then the party of three will get seated first.
(5)Karina L.
I was lucky to have the opportunity to eat here on a Thursday afternoon..the line is way out the door whenever I've walked by this place in the past. Like most Chinese restaurants around here, the place is pretty small and won't accommodate many. We got the xiao long bao (they come in pork only, or pork and crab), the beef with string beans, and the pork fried rice. My mealmate and I had accidentally skipped lunch (Terrible, I know) and were STARVING. Fortunately, the food came out super promptly. The xiao long bao was yummy. The skin is on the thick side (which I like. Because I always break the skin with my chopsticks and I'm forced to lick the spilled soup off my plate like a dog), and the soup is delicious and rich. The meat can be a little disproportionately big sometimes. That said, I think the dumplings at Taiwan Cafe were better. But really, both are good options if you're looking to enjoy soup dumplings in Boston. The beef with string beans was great as well, but there weren't enough beef and way too many string beans. This is probably a good meal to take out if you're having one of those days. The pork fried rice was surprisingly delicious!!! It wasn't doused in soy sauce or oil, and had a "clean" (as clean as fried rice can feel) look and taste to it. The pork was really crispy, and I enjoyed the fact that it didn't have a lot of other ingredients in it besides that (just eggs and onions). Overall, a good place to eat. I'm not sure if it's worth the wait, but if you find yourself walking around here on a weekday mid-afternoon then it's worth a chance. Service is the standard impolite and curt. But it's a good trade-off for your food coming out super fast.
(4)