Really solid selection of dumpling dishes, including a very good version of pork soup dumplings (xiao long bao).
The three of us came here on a Tuesday holiday for lunch (after checking to make sure they were open). It wasn't too crowded inside and we got seated right away. Water was brought immediately, and one paper menu with pen was given to make our choices (similar to a dim sum place). One thing to notice right away was that everything was under ten dollars (with most under eight), encouraging one to try different things since most are shareable. That's what we did, and most it was quite good.
Beef-stew Noodle Soup ($9.95) - on the smaller side but definitely appropriate for the price, with a bit weak beef broth (flavored with star anise and other chinese spices) that was oily. It used small chunks of beef with a lot of gristle around (probably from the shank), which I think is the absolute best cut of beef for this dish). The noodles were OK. Definitely satisfying considering the Seattle winter weather.
Pork Xiao Long Bao ($9.25 each) - comes in eights and are the typical (smaller) size. It was expertly handmade, which makes the price very reasonable. Interestingly, the pork and crab version is the same price (which if one frequents DTF knows is unusual). The skin was thin with the top not too thick, the pork sausage inside was flavorful and the soup gelatin was tasty. It's a very good version of XLB, and deserved the two steamer baskets that we got (and devoured)
Chinese Crepe ($7.15) - this was a special, with a egg and flour batter wrapping around crispy won-ton chips, covered in a dark house special sauce. It looked interesting (and I love omelets) so worth a taste, but we wouldn't get it again.
Pork & Shrimp Potstickers, pan fried ($7.15) - probably my favorite dish this time. Definitely worth the pan fried style, with a beautiful dumpling 'skirt'...beautiful to look at, and enjoyable to eat too. The pork filling is consistently good here.
Q-Bao: pan fried pork buns (9.95) - really interesting...combines the dough and breadiness of a chinese bao, with the filling of a potsticker, and then having the bottom pan fried. It was OK.
One thing I really like about Dough Zone are the simple accoutrements at the table: soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil...all high quality. For the soup dumplings, little ramekins of ginger are given, but instead of it being sliced, the ginger is crushed, letting it mix even better. My wife really likes it with the XLB, and will ask for it at other places...so far, Dough Zone is the only place that does it like this.
Service was OK throughout. It was well staffed, and they weren't very busy so food came out right away hot. They did finally refill the water towards the end of the meal. Paying was at the table and was quick and easy.
Founded in 2014 in Bellevue, WA, this is one of two locations in Bellevue (and one of fourteen in WA). There are also three locations in OR, five in NorCal, and four in the Houston, TX area. One of the benefits of having so many locations close together in the Seattle area: can optimize the consistency of the product by prepping much of it in a central place, which reduces costs as well (which I believe is passed down to the customer). There is a lot of competition for this type of cuisine in this area...Dough Zone's continued expansion seems to indicate they are doing things right. read more