We decided to come here since my daughter does gymnastics across the way and my son needed a little snack. Service was quick as there was hardly anyone in here and it wasn't busy at all. It's clean and modern interior with lots of seating. We just decided to order the 6 piece Bafang signature potstickers. It was nicely crispy on the bottom and soft and juicy inside. It had a nice flavor and pairs well with the garlic sauce. My kids ate all and we ordered another 6 pieces. read more

Bafang Dumpling - Bafang signature potstickers - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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Too oily! I have heard great things about bafang dumpling, but maybe not this location? We ordered the wonton soup which makes my lips shiny every sip I take. There were also wilted cilantro in the soup :(. The flavor of the wontons and soup were not bad. The pot stickers were again very very oily. The dumplings has really thick skin, but tasted ok! Lastly, the vinegar had a weird taste to it. I wished they had better dipping sauces given this is a dumpling place... read more

Bafang Dumpling - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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Feedback: Great Dumplings, "Sauna" Dining Experience I'm writing this because I genuinely love the food at Bafang Dumpling, but the current dining environment is making it hard to come back. It's clear that the AC is being kept off to save on costs, and it's creating a really uncomfortable atmosphere for everyone involved. Here are a few points regarding the current situation: * Poor Air Circulation: Customers are having to request that the front door stay open just to get a breeze. Eating hot soup and dumplings in a stuffy room isn't exactly the "premium" experience the food deserves. * Employee Welfare: While it's uncomfortable for me for thirty minutes, I can't imagine how difficult it is for the staff working long shifts next to a hot kitchen with no climate control. * The Vibe: Penny-pinching on the electricity bill is costing you the "dine-in" appeal. I'd love to enjoy my meal without feeling like I'm in a greenhouse. I had to ask the employee to keep the doors open to keep the air circulation. Bottom Line: The food is 10/10, but the temperature is a dealbreaker. Please turn the AC back on so your customers--and your hard-working team--can breathe! read more

Bafang Dumpling - Outside, exterior of the restaurant - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

Spacious and bright dining area. Plenty of parking available outside. Minimum services, it's not the fancy sit down with someone waiting you kind of restaurant. It serves the Taiwanese potstickers just like how they are made in Taiwan. I've also tried their noodles and the new dish, Pork Chop with Braised Pork Belly Rice. It's currently offering free soda with the Pork Chop with Braised Pork Belly Rice. Super convenient to order online in advance for pickup orders. read more

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Solid Taiwanese fast food. The place is big, parking is easy and they seem to have new items to try out every month. The beef noodle soup is pretty good. The beef is very soft. The only thing about that place is that is very cold inside. read more

Bafang Dumplings was a bit of a mixed bag for me. There are some strong items here, but also a few areas that could use improvement. The Beef Noodle Soup - 2/5. This dish was the biggest disappointment - the beef felt like the wrong cut, coming out too tough and under-seasoned. That said, the soup itself was actually decent and had a nice base, so it wasn't a total miss. It's also the most expensive item on the menu. Signature Noodles - 4/5. On the brighter side, this signature dry noodles dish is good. The dish had a rich, nutty flavor sauce that I really enjoyed, though there was a noticeable aftertaste that didn't quite work for me. That part feels subjective, and overall the dish is still solid. Signature Potstickers 4/5 - I had many potstickers in the Greater LA area, including some of the Chinese restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley area. I find some potstickers with thick and doughy wrappers. So I am pleasantly surprised to find that Bafang's pan-fried dumplings have a silky, thin yet firm wrapper. The filling is okay, wish has more filling and juicer. I just wish the bottoms were crispier to really elevate them. I wish that their dipping sauces are better. I am nitpicking here. Overall, I enjoy their potstickers. read more

Bafang Dumpling - Bafang Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

The portion was huge and large pieces of meat. For the braised noodles soup. A must have. read more

Bafang Dumpling - Beef braised noodle soup huge portions. - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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Taiwanese casual fast foods. If you're a regular dumpling & noodles person in the U.S., you may appreciate all convenient Bafang Dumpling locations popping up in recent years. Modern and clean inside. You can list pick your order or go with their combination sets on the menu. This location's public restrooms were in very good to excellent condition. Spacious too. Cashier is helpful. Lighting in this building is bright. Feels airy and comfortable inside. Grab your own order and condiments. Self service. Tipping optional. We tried the regular steamed dumplings and hot & sour soup. Good ingredients. Tasted delicious. Taiwanese beef noodle soup was good too. Generous veggies. We enjoy dipping dumplings into anything with vinegar, so it worked out great. Plenty of sauces. Bafang Dumpling in the U.S. isn't a Din Tai Fung or other authentic premium dumpling houses. Bafang is catered to the American fast foods market. Convenient and satisfying. This Torrance location was very quiet during lunchtime on weekdays. They no longer sell boba milk tea beverages here. Food prices have gone up with inflation. Overall, decent fast foods here. read more

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A quick spot near by in Torrance. The food came out relatively quick and the combo gave a variety of food. We ordered the gyoza, wonton soup, spiced chicken. And it was really good for its cost. They have a space on the side for sauces. The restaurant is more order, grab and find a seat kind of place. We will definitely be back! read more

We've passed by another location of this chain & have been curious about it. So when I needed to go to Penzey's next door, this was an easy choice for a late lunch. Their fast casual setup made ordering fast & easy. I was impressed that their credit card processing terminal didn't ask for a tip or even give a choice for one to be added manually. Maybe because they also had a tray return area with trash cans that customers could use. Service was very efficient & friendly. There were plenty of seats open, so we placed our order & sat waiting for our buzzer to go off. Everything came out fast, fresh & very hot, yet not suspiciously fast like any of it was sitting around waiting for us. It was all so yummy, we would never have thought such quality came from this casual of a chain. Pork Chop w/braised pork belly - the pork chop was very tender, the pork belly pieces were small & a really small amount. The sauce on the rice mixed with the pickled veg & cucumber was good w/the meats. Combo #1 - original pork dumplings w/either a soup or soda. These dumplings had super thin skins & a tender meaty filling. We were trying to figure out whether they're made in house bc as thin as the skins are, no way could these be intact if they were frozen & tossed in a bag. The sauce station has dispensers of sesame oil, black vinegar, garlic, soy sauce & hot sauce for you to mix to your personal preference. They do offer bags of frozen dumplings to take home; we saw the corn & chicken and the vegetarian varieties. The pics on the bags looked like rounded, sturdier shaped dumplings vs the rectangular, more delicate skinned versions made for eating there or taking out. This is a legit, reasonably priced ($26.19 for these 2 dishes) dumpling & noodle place. Chain or not, it deserves repeat visits & my high recommendations! read more

Bafang Dumpling - Pork Chop with Braised Pork Belly Rice - YUM - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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Torrance Food Crawl #438 Bafang Dumpling is a giant in Taiwan, with almost 1300 locations there, and gradually expanding to the U.S. market, with 13 locations at the time that I write this. I've been to three BD locations, and all of them are very similar in general atmosphere and operations. Dumplings are their claim to fame. They're available in four flavors: their Signature Dumpling, Kimchi & Pork, Corn & Chicken, and Veggie. I've had their Signature Dumplings and the Corn & Chicken Dumplings, and both were very good. Dumplings are not one of my 'go-to' items, but these were fine. They also offer bags of frozen dumplings that you can take home and warm up. One food item that you might not expect, based on the name of this place, is the soups. I've tried two of them, Mala Beef Noodle soup and Taiwanese Beef Noodle soup. Both were served hot, with lots of beef, and a good-tasting broth and noodles. On a cold day these are well worth considering. The potstickers were fine, nothing noteworthy. The Corn Chowder soup was typical of Asian takes on this item, however, I have to say I prefer the Southwestern US versions of Corn Chowder which seem more hearty and have more flavor. The Bafang Signature Noodles were a disappointment, with a sauce that I couldn't identify but one that I would definitely skip next time. There are also a variety of pre-made side dishes at the counter, and be sure to look at them as many seem quite appealing. The interior was clean, bright, with lots of tables available for seating. The tables and chairs are wooden and not only look nice but are also comfortable. The service at the counter was about what you would expect, polite and without any controversy. read more

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It was a cold, rainy Sunday afternoon. I was looking for a good soup, decided to give Bafang Dumplings a try. I ordered the mini wonton soup. It has a light savory broth and very delectable pork dumplings. Cost about $7.50. It was a very good option. I will definitely be back. The ambience is a kind of industrial modern vibe, clean l, with tables a few booths and a counter. The service was friendly, and my soup arrived rather quickly. read more

Taiwanese beef noodle soup was very good. Beef cooked to be very tender in the soup, ample amount of pickled vegetables, noodles, and a couple of large pieces of daikon radish. Signature potstickers were a little small, but had a clean flavor. Counter service. Didn't ask for tips so that's a nice change of pace read more

Bafang Dumpling - Logo - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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One of my favorite noodle and dumplings spots, im so happy they are here in torrance! I love their Kimchi and Pork Potstickers they are so juicy and addicting! Definitely some of the best potstickers around, they come out perfect every time I order them. Another favorite of mine is the Bafang Signature Noodle ! I love to add the black vinegar, garlic and spicy sauce to add to the flavor and it makes it perfect! Without the sauce I feel like it's not as good so highly recommend add those sauces to the noodles or it might be lacking flavor. The chicken and corn dumplings are also really good and I love the chicken cutlet ! The chicken cutlet is really good and I love the dipping sauce that comes with it. They also have frozen dumplings that you can make at home which is really cool! read more

I enjoyed the fast service and quality of food at Bafang. The prices are pretty reasonable too, the most expensive dish was the beef noodle soup at ~$17 but it was huge. My favorite was the beef noodle soup and the pork chop with braised pork rice, it was hearty and filling. There was plenty of seating when I went, mostly tables for 2 or 4 people and one larger table. Highly recommend! read more

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Just an update to my previous review. I still love this place. Dumplings and noodles are good as usual. 5 stars for being a casual, low-key, relaxed dining spot. No issues with service other than the occasional missed order when I doordash it, but it is always met with an immediate comp or replacement and apology -- they're busy, I get it. One time we had our milk tea burst in the bag (door dashers amirite?) and they refunded us without asking for proof. I already took the pictures in preparation of that phone call, but I'll still show it here. So 5 stars for great customer service! We...... still drank the milk tea in that grocery bag LOL . You're allowed to judge me :) go ahead. read more

Bafang Dumpling - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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I think it's safe to say that I am a fan! For awhile now I've been on the hunt for some bomb beef noodle soup! So when I saw that Bafang Dumpling had that on the menu, I knew I had to give it a shot. Food - First thing you'll notice is that the beef noodle soup is huge! Lol. I think you can definitely share it. But yes, this dish is bomb! The broth is delicious, the beef is tender, and the noodles hit's so good! Highly recommend! A couple weeks ago I accidentally ordered the #4 - Which is the Signature Potsticker and the Signature Noodles. But it was a pleasant mistake. I enjoyed it completely! The signature noodles are made with dry noodle, tossed in a fiery fusion of mala spice and nutty sesame sauce. It's so delicious! and Eat the potstickers with some garlic sauce! such as delicious combo! Not feeling potstickers? get the combo with the wonton soup! Also very delicious! Service: Friendly. They'll have your food ready pretty quickly! The fountain drink machine is now working! So no longer have to get a canned drink. Unless that's what you want! Lol. Parking: Never had an issue finding parking here. Price: About $14. Worth it! Will I be back? Yes I will! Those signature noodles just keep calling my name! And with the weather getting cooler, I'm sure the beef noodle soup will really hit the spot! See you soon Bafang Dumplings! read more

Have tried the beef noodle soup, signature dumplings, fried chicken and fried wonton as take out. The noodle soup might be better hot and eaten at the restaurant. The fried chicken could be spicier. Liked the hot and sour soup. The service there was great. I made a mistake with my order and the staff was able to fix it for me. Would come back again. Would also recommend getting the dumplings frozen and cooking at home. Overall 3.5 for food and 4 for service. read more

The place is warm inside, they don't have enough people to cook or serve. This place was not what I was expecting at all. Don't go there, they are too cheap imagine the ingredients they use for the food. No more, went once never again. read more

First time going. Wasnt what we expected, but it worked out. Fast casual dumpling chain. Popular, busy, lively. Service was nice, accurate, and quick. Food was as expected once we learned the concept. Fountain drinks and kid friendly too read more

Bafang Dumpling - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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My friends and I ordered take out from here yesterday and got the mala noodles and pork and kimchi dumplings for myself. Everything was neatly packaged so that was nice. The dumplings are pretty good with a great price point but they don't really have dumpling sauce specifically----although they do have a large variety of sauces. I guess you can dip the dumplings in soy sauce. The noodles were way overpriced for what they gave you. The mala wasn't spicy at all and that was a little disappointing. The portion was decent but it also doesn't come with any veggies (besides green onion as a garnish) or protein (thank god for the dumplings) so it didn't feel satisfying as a meal. I also felt like the portion was a bit small for the price and I guess could be a good appetizer? I can't touch on the service or ambiance because I wasn't there to pick up the food. All in all, it was an okay spot for a meal but I wouldn't go out of my way nor would I feel compelled to order from here unless it was the only thing open in the area. Oh, also, a side note---my friend ordered signature noodle but she said it tasted like there was a bit of mala (she said it numbed her tongue a little and she didn't like it). When I tried it, it just tasted like sesame and peanuts to me even though the allergens don't list peanuts anywhere. read more

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Pretty good Taiwanese chain place for dumplings and potstickers. Their combos give you a lot of choices and variety for potstickers, dumplings, and noodles. Their corn chowder and hot and sour soup is very soothing and homely. the potstickers and dumplings are very good and the garlic, soy and other sauces are easy to grab and access. The service is a tad bit slow and you bus your own table. read more

Bafang Dumpling - Potstickers and corn chowder - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

It tasted good. Not too filling for the cost in my opinion. I like big portions. This is like a cute thing to try on a date where you can feed a dumpling to the other and laugh when it slips off the chopstick. If I'm at a county fair or night market where we're exploring different foods to try, I can see it. But why would I choose to eat out at a place with high priced noodles and gyozas? Maybe I'm aging but I don't see the appeal. The music playing on the speaker was obnoxiously loud so it was difficult to have a conversation without yelling "WHAT DID YOU SAY??". There isn't much to say about service when we have to bus our own trays. The water cups are tiny too. Had to get up 4 - 5 times to refill waters at our table. read more

Bafang Dumpling - Potsticker - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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Firstly their food especially the dumplings is outta this world good! It's so yummy, made to perfection. This is the dish that made Bafang so popular in Taiwan! They also sell cold side dishes that's not on the menu, totally Taiwanese authentic, yum (look to the right of cash registers)!! Secondly, their customer service is also outta this world good!! A special event, Multi-Cultural Night, was happening at Victor Elementary School. I was in charge of hosting the Taiwan table. So I ordered 200 potstickers and asked the manager if Bafang would like to sponsor the event, expecting a discount. BUT she gave me the potstickers for free!!!! Wow!!! If you have any school events, order from Bafang!!! read more

Very casual spot - order & pickup food at the counter so it gives the feel of a mall food court. Decent food, but not impressive. Find and clean your own table. Sauces were available and all self service. Food was decent, but not traditional. Potstickers were very light, the garlic noodles not super garlicky. The hot & sour soup was neither hot (spicy) nor sour. Teas were already sweetened. My daughter liked it, but I guess I might have more of a traditional dumpling palate- I'm looking for deeper, savory broth and flavors inside a dumpling. So mixed reviews on this one. read more

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I'd heard a lot of good things about Bafang when it first opened in the 626 area, with many praising it as a great spot for "fast food" style Chinese/Taiwanese cuisine. So, I was excited to finally try it at their new Torrance location. Unfortunately, it turned out to be more of a "fast food" experience in the worst sense, with low-quality food that didn't live up to the hype. We ordered the beef noodle soup--3 stars. It wasn't bad, but it lacked flavor, and the portion was smaller than expected. I also tried the pork chop, and honestly, it tasted like something you'd get on an airplane--except this time, I had to pay for it! The chicken was rubbery, and I found myself wondering if it was some kind of bio-engineered meat. I didn't bother finishing it because it didn't taste like chicken at all. Overall, the meal was a letdown, and it definitely didn't meet my expectations. I won't be coming back to this place. read more

Bafang Dumpling - beef noodle - decent. Pork chop - not good at all. - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

Welcome to Torrance, Bafang!!! So happy to try you today. Huge location, which could fit additional tables, in my opinion. Love how Yelp offers the approximate waiting time each operating hour. Bafang offers a Dumplings sampler bowl in a combo but not a Potsticker sampler. Not fair. I really would have liked to try a sampler of all potstickers. My friend ordered the Dumpling Sampler with Hot & Sour Soup. I ordered #6 6 Signature Potstickers and Signature Noodle Bowl. They take online orders as well as offer frozen items too. Sauce station had soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil and garlic sauce. There were also bottles of chili sauce. The food was hot, fresh and delicious. Ok, bye. read more

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Bafang is a quick and easy option for those who have a craving for Taiwanese fare. The restaurant offers beef noodle soup, boiled dumplings, potstickers, corn soup, hot and sour soup, fried pork and boba teas. They offer various combos of dumplings, soup, or noodles. The restaurant itself is very clean and offers plenty of seating for small and large groups. The bathrooms were clean as well. The dumplings overall were very good, soups were tasty and the noodles had a good slurp to it. The Taiwanese Beef Noodle soup was tasty but I would have liked to see more beef in it because it is one of the more expensive items on the menu. Service is quick and efficient. A buzzer is given to you when an order is placed. read more

Bafang Dumpling - Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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The food was amazing(for a fast food joint) and their boba is nothing to scoff at. I had the dumpling and wonton soup combo and a mango soy milk boba. I wasn't disappointed. Service isn't your typical dine-in restaurant but a counter where you go up to and order your meal and you pick it up like Panera Bread where they give you a pager. The one girl up front was friendly so had no issues with customer service. It's a Taiwanese franchise that's been around since 1998 and I can see why. I hope they open up in more locations in other areas. It's a good introduction to Taiwanese food. They had a decent amount of sauce options--reminded me of Ono Hawaiian BBQ where they have a pump station where you go up and refill yourself. Also clean, a/c breezy and nice inside too. I want to come back again (and try the Pork Chop!). Not sure why there are negative reviews... I had a good time. (it's located where the Curry House used to be) read more

Bafang Dumpling - Wonton Soup + Bafang Dumplings - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

This review is purely based on the few items I have tried. Plenty of seating. Fairly clean. Self serve water and condiments on the side for your dipping sauce needs. Ordered food to go and had to wait a while. Food: Tried combo #2 -signature pot stickers: Has a nice crunch and is juicy. I typically do eat with less salt in my food and found the pot stickers too salty for me. -wonton soup: It was okay. The meat in the wonton had similar flavors to the signature pot stickers. The soup has a nicer mellow flavor but was too oily for me. Drink: I love mango, so I enjoyed the soy wild mango drink with boba. It's not a strong mango flavor but tasted refreshing. The boba had a nice chew and didn't harden. Parking: Plenty of parking in the plaza parking lot. That said, I would probably give the place another try for the other items on the menu. read more

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A Solid, Speedy Taiwanese Option. The casual atmosphere and efficient ordering system (order upfront, receive a pager) make it a breeze to grab a bite. The Taiwanese beef noodle soup is a standout, served in a huge bowl and with tons of flavor. I also enjoyed the chili pepper fried chicken, a flavorful and crispy complement to the soup. While it may not match the refined dining experience of more upscale establishments, this restaurant delivers excellent value and a satisfying meal. It's a great choice for a quick and tasty Taiwanese fix. read more

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I was here on their grand opening day when it was really crowded so the wait was a little long and the seating was scarce. It's situated centrally in a busy shopping plaza with lots of parking. Since then, the dust has settled a bit and it was quick and easy to order. Place your order then wait for your number to be called for pick up at the counter. Although Bafang Dumplings is known for their dumplings, I'm actually not really a fan of the dumplings here but prefer their signature potstickers instead. The fried chicken and pork chop are pretty decent too. There's a self-serve station for iced water and a selection of dipping sauces. read more

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Visited 3-4 times prior to writing this review. Food (4.5/5): - Consistently good and fresh, no complaints. This is the strongest point. Service (2/5): - I would say this is the weakest area. From making an order, waiting for it to finish, and receiving the order. The staff give off unwelcoming vibes and don't greet nor say "you're welcome." It's pure silent treatment and the interaction is awkward. Also, even the simplest order can have you waiting 15 minutes+. I think that's way too long, especially when it's not visibly busy in store. Maybe priority is going to online orders? Ambience (4/5): - Wide and spacious with lots of seating. The back seating area (behind the trash) is private but the AC blasts around there, so it's too cold. - Tables and (especially) the self-serve condiments / water area is consistently dirty every visit. Stuff are running low, the area and pumps need attention / need to be wiped down. - Ample of parking. I can imagine (even during peak hours) it wouldn't be too difficult to find parking. Overall, I'd recommend adding a tablet to self-order and avoid cashier interaction. It seems better suited for take-out than dine-in (regardless of the dining space). On a positive note, the product has been consistently great, and that's usually what matters most to me! read more

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I really wanted to give this place another chance, but the experience was unacceptable from start to finish. After waiting 45 minutes for my order, I finally had to get back in line just to request a refund, which took another 15 minutes. Ironically, by the time I got to the register my food was ready, but most of it was cold, except for the soup. Unfortunately, this wasn't my first bad experience here. On a prior visit, I also waited far longer than reasonable, even when the restaurant wasn't busy. That tells me this isn't a one-time fluke, it's a recurring issue. What makes it worse is the lack of accountability. The staff clearly isn't equipped to handle orders efficiently, and the manager's dismissive attitude spoke volumes. No explanation, no real apology, just a "deal with it" approach that left a bad taste in my mouth. Yes, the food itself can be decent when it's hot, but that doesn't matter if it consistently arrives late and cold. For me, the poor service and lack of management responsibility outweigh everything else. This is not a place I'd recommend. read more

The food was delicious! I ordered a pork chop with braided pork belly rice and potstickers. The pork was soft and well-cooked, and the potstickers were also delicious. We will definitely be coming back and highly recommend it. read more

Went back and guess what, not a fan of the noodles. It just isn't all that, but the dumpling and the potstickers suffice. I liked their dumpling soup and really like their fried chicken and the sauce. Something about the sauce is unique, spicy, and really good. Next time, skipping noodles and getting dumplings, potstickers, dumpling soup, and fried chicken. The drinks are decent too. read more

Love Bafang! A great addition to the Torrance. (replaced the old Curry House) Family-friendly, clean and quality food. The whole concept...order up front, reasonable prices, good portion sizes which is easy to share family style. My favorites are the Beef Noodle Soup and the pot stickers. But try the different dumplings. Busy parking lot but I always find a space. read more

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"Your favorites from Taiwan" as they say, so we definitely had to try them out! This fast casual dining experience was great; the staff was nice and welcoming, the location had plenty of parking, the interior was bright and open, and the food was tasty! We enjoyed the freshness of the ingredients, the meat inside the potstickers were seasoned well, paired with the various sauces was delicious. The texture of the noodles was nice and chewy, may be an acquired taste for some, but if you like a more subtle bite, then this may be up your alley. The wonton soup was comforting and enjoyable! Overall, it was a great experience! 3.5/5 Happy eats, loves! ^_^ read more

Bafang Dumpling - Wonton soup, signature noodles, signature potstickers - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

Was stopping by the Korean market, but needed food before shopping. This place looked good so decided to stop in. The young lady at the counter was very polite and answered any and all questions clearly. The place is big and clean. Ordered the #1 which is potstickers with hot and sour soup. Both were very tasty. Also got the signature noodles and kimchee dumplings. Overall everything was great. There wasn't anything to complain about and I would definitely come back again is in the area! Plenty of sauce options as well. Overall had a good experience and plenty of leftovers to take home! read more

Bafang Dumpling - Potstickers, kimchee dumplings, signature noodles and hot and sour soup. - Taiwanese Near Me - Torrance, California

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't enjoy dumplings or potstickers. Hear me out. If there were a way to keep the aforementioned hot, maybe a hot pad situation or perhaps a roaming dumpling girl or boy who could stop and drop a hot one in your mouth, maybe that would change my mind. Until such time, I'll never opt for any dumpling meal. The Mr. was looking forward to trying the Mala Beef Noodle soup - I wasn't hungry, so I had a corn chowder. He loved the soup. It was nicely spiced but not enough to make you sweat. Veggies were fresh, bok choy, cilantro, and scallions. Slurpy noods and tender braised beef. My corn chowder was seriously lacking flavor. Maybe it needed salt. Or pepper. Or maybe the roux was undercooked. Or maybe it just wasn't a good corn chowder. Dumplings and potstickers weren't flavorful. Then again, these little steamed dough pockets never really thrill me. I thought dousing with one of the sauces like garlic or chili would kick up the flavor profile, but really, all it did was highlight the tasteless pocket. I glanced at the sauce station, and for a minute, I wished I was a little sauced, but that's not possible here - only teas are served. The service was swift and friendly, and the place is airy and spotless. More power to the folks who love this type of food, I'm just not a fan. read more

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