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    Dumpling City

    4.2 (235 reviews)
    InexpensiveShanghainese, Dim Sum
    Closed 10:00 am - 7:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Dumpling City Photos

    Business Info

    DUMPLING CITY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Dumpling City

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    Reviews With Photos

    Goeun K.

    Most Chinese people strongly complain about how inauthentic Panda Express is, but I think this place feels like the truly authentic Chinese version of Panda Express. It's more of a pick-up and to-go spot with no dine-in tables. You just choose a box size and select 2-3 main dishes along with 1 side. They offer a variety of options like Orange Chicken and Mapo Tofu. What's unique is their selection of handmade frozen dumplings. You can grab them straight from the freezer and steam them at home. We picked up a few to try as well--haven't tasted them yet, but I'm hoping they're just as good as the fresh dishes!

    Mira D.

    good takeout dumpling spot in palo alto. upon entering you can see the staff folding the dresh dumplings. dumplings are pre packaged in the freezer and they serve other food. service was okay - the employees were not very communicative. card and cash are accepted. 1. // pork and cabbage dumplings // these were our favorite. the pork and cabbage was very flavorful. the dough was a bit thick but chewy and the filling was juicy 2. // pork xiao long bao // we steamed these. the dough was a bit too thick and the filling wasn't very flavorful. they were juicy 3. // fish and chive dumpling // the chives were strong and i couldn't taste the fish at all

    Pork & Chinese Spinach Dumplings (20pcs/$10)- 4/5 stars & Pork, Chive & Shrimp Dumplings (20pcs/$10.50)- 4.5/5 stars
    Amy D.

    4-4.5 stars but rounding up for a legit dumpling spot that sells a variety of homemade dumplings! I stopped by Dumpling City on a weekday around 5pm, and they weren't busy at the time. They are located in a small storefront on El Camino Real, and they were still making fresh dumplings inside when I arrived. All staff were wearing masks properly, and hand sanitizer was available. They have a table blocking the doorway for Covid times, and there is a menu/list of all the different varieties of dumplings available. All bags are 20pcs each, and range from $10-$11/bag. I decided to try their Pork & Chinese Spinach Dumplings (20pcs/$10) & Pork, Chive & Shrimp Dumplings (20pcs/$10.50) [https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=xj1QaF30mhC8szPDxBSx7Q&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg]. Both dumplings were really good, and super fresh! The dumpling skin was the perfect thickness, and had a slight chew to it. The chive dumpling was my favorite, but the chinese spinach was also solid. I will definitely be back to purchase more dumplings, and to try their other flavors. Parking was easy to find at the time since there is some street parking on the sidewalk in front of the store.

    Dumplings from Dumpling City!!!

    Dumpling City is THE place to go for satisfying your dumpling cravings!!! They seek to provide an authentic, handmade Chinese dumpling and dimsum experience. They offer both frozen dumplings and fresh dimsum. For frozen dumplings, of which I have gotten countless bags, they offer almost 20 different types of fillings or types of dumplings, where each bag contains 20 dumplings! For example, I've bought (at least) the following fillings: pork with Napa cabbage, pork with chive, pork with celery, chicken with corn, pork and shrimp with chive, lamb and Napa cabbage, shrimp with chives, fish with chives, and vegetarian. And they are all delicious and superb. The frozen dumplings are very easy, convenient, and quick to prepare! You just place them in boiling water and wait around 10 minutes - and then you have the PERFECT dish for sharing at a potluck, for sharing for a meal among friends and family, for yourself as a snack whenever you're hungry. They also keep very well in your freezer! But that's not all. In addition to their fantastic frozen dumplings, Dumpling City also serves hot and fresh dim sum. If you go at the right time, you might be able to catch the opportunity to buy some of their fresh steamed buns (with fillings like pork, beef, veggies, taro, red bean, lotus seed, etc.) before they run out. When you visit Dumpling City, you can watch all the staff hand-crafting / hand making the dumplings and dim sum before your eyes. In addition, Dumpling City would be one of my favorite places to visit even if they didn't serve dumplings and dim sum. Every time I've gone, the lady at the register smiles at me and talks to me, as a friend remarked, like I was her daughter. And it feels really nice! Again, Dumpling City is THE place to go for dumplings and for dim sum! They really are your neighborhood kitchen, providing both an authentic handmade experience and a sense of community. I would definitely recommend enjoying food from Dumpling City!!!

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    14 days ago

    Love this place! Amazing handmade dumplings that I can cook up at home anytime. Best if made in a bamboo steam basket!

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    7 months ago

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    Photo of Kenny Q.

    Kenny Q.

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    2 months ago

    Fantastic dumplings! Frozen and ready for pick up. Pretty easy to prepare at home. They taste so fresh, highly recommend!

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    3 months ago

    Dumplings are good but too bad there's only frozen ones to buy. I'm glad now they some hot deli items.

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    Kenny Q.

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    Photo of Goeun K.
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    1 year ago

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    Kenny Q.

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    3 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

    Everything I have tried is delicious and if you do not know how to cook things, there are cooking instructions on the website.

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    Kenny Q.

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    Photo of Tim K.
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    10 months ago

    Been here many times.,,,these people work hard to make a fresh product. Customer since they opened!

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    Kenny Q.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Not worth the hype or the money. The food was just ok. Nothing was outstanding or excellent.. if you want good dim sum don't come here.

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    Kenny Q.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The dumpling is pricey, the wrap is thick but flavor is good. Not sure if I would purchase again.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    11 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Been coming here monthly for years. My favorite is the 白菜豬肉. Authentic and delicious. Very lucky to have this place.

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    Kenny Q.

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Page 1 of 6

    Dumpling City Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Dumpling City

    How many dumplings are in a bag?

    20 dumplings per bag

    Are the wrappers on the thicker or thinner side?

    Permanently closed? Haven't been opened lately

    Hi, we are not closed. Due to shortage of workers and some of the dumplings are out of stock, so we have to turn off our online ordering, but we are open for pick up orders. If there is any particular flavor of dumplings you are looking for, you… Read more

    Do they use MSG?

    Hi, yes, we use chicken flavored power which contains MSG in most of our dumplings except the vegan dumplings.

    Has anyone bought the steamed buns? (take away) I've tried steaming in a basket steamer and…

    I steam them and they are great. Just ten minutes. I put a new, wet, coffee filter on the bottom to prevent the bun from sticking.

    The meats used in the dumplings, are they organic?

    Can you eat there? In their pictures, they have tables with condiments in the middle.

    Not anymore. The restaurant part has been closed.

    How do you cook the dumplings? I just bought some but there are no directions.

    They instructed me to boil the frozen dumplings for 10 minutes - came out great!

    Hope people can eat hot cooked dumplings here?!

    No, it's not a restaurant. It's a factory so you buy frozen dumpling here

    Can you buy cooked dumplings? Or only frozen ones?

    Only frozen or freshly-made ones, no cooked options when I visited it.

    Are vegetarian options also vegan?

    Yes they are vegan! And delicious! Very fresh!

    Does Dumpling City still serve the menu in the pictures? I'm curious if for example I could get the "five spice marinated beef". Thanks!

    No. It is now only selling frozen dumplings.

    How much is a pack of frozen dumplings(pork dumplings w/Napa cabbage、Chicken dumplings w/Spinach)?

    I got those today came to $18.40

    View All 18 Questions

    Chef Zhao Kitchen - fried dumplings (sheng jian bao)

    Chef Zhao Kitchen

    3.7(517 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    This place is located right off the Embarcadero exit and easy to miss if you're just driving by…read more Surprisingly, they were getting busy when we arrived. There were various dishes on the menu with appetizers, different proteins, carbs, etc. We had already looked at the menu prior to coming so we were able to place our order fairly quickly. Thick stir fried noodles: The noodles were pretty good! They were a mix of bouncy and chewy with small slices of chicken and bok choy throughout the dish. It was quite oily though. Spicy wontons: I thought these were going to be soaked in a peanut sauce but it was definitely more of szechuan chili oil. Maybe I read the description wrong. The wontons were tiny but plentiful. These were just okay, the pork filling was bland. Pan fried dumpling buns: The buns weren't as crispy as they're supposed to be. They had a small amount of pork filling but good soup inside. Be careful biting into one because it was hot. Sweet and sour chicken: Our favorite dish out of everything! It was the perfect combo of sweet and sour. There was more than enough chicken and gave us leftovers for another meal. I enjoyed the extra textures of the bell peppers, onions and pineapple throughout the dish. Definitely recommend! Service was as usual for a Chinese spot. There's a small private room on the right side if you have a reservation for a larger party. They do have a sign up at the front for a $2.50 credit card fee due to rising inflation so heads up.

    This was a resy restaurant! Came here as a group of 3 without a reso. The staff doing the walk ins…read morewas really friendly and apologetic about the wait time, which wasn't even his fault;it was ours. I liked their XLB in particular, but we were satisfied with our other dishes. FYI: they charge a 2.5% credit card fee, but I'd probably come back again. I think it's a nice place to go to with friends even without any resy creds!

    Photos
    Chef Zhao Kitchen - Inside is small

    Inside is small

    Chef Zhao Kitchen - Matcha ice cream

    Matcha ice cream

    Chef Zhao Kitchen - Fried noodles

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    Fried noodles

    Little Shanghai Restaurant - Pan fried bao

    Little Shanghai Restaurant

    3.6(745 reviews)
    12.8 mi
    $$

    If you are looking for a spot that carries the "Shanghai native" approved restaurant, this is one…read moreof it. I've visited many times, and the consistency of the authentic flavors keeps me coming back. The menu is a deep dive into Shanghainese classics. My personal recommendations: ​The Staples: You can't go wrong with the Xiao Long Bao, Stir-Fry Rice Cakes, and the Sweet Spare Ribs. The Spicy Pickled Stomach and the Small Shrimp are favorites of mine. Their Cold Noodles and Yellow Croaker are excellent representations of the cuisine. ​If you visit during the week, check out their lunch specials. ​Service & Timing The kitchen is generally quite efficient. While a few specific items might take a bit longer to prep, most dishes arrive at the table surprisingly fast. Just be prepared for a crowd--it gets very busy during the lunch rush! ​There is a small, limited parking lot behind the restaurant, but it fills up fast. ​If there is an event at the San Mateo Event Center, street parking becomes very challenging. Plan to arrive a few minutes early or visit on a non-event day to save yourself the headache. Whether you're a fan of traditional Shanghai comfort food or just looking for a solid Chinese lunch, this place is a must-visit. It's officially approved by my friends from Shanghai, which is the highest praise a restaurant can get!

    Little Shanghai Restaurant makes the best Shanghai style chow mein! This is also known as Shanghai…read morefried noodles at other places. I've ordered the noodles several times for take out and have eaten at the restaurant once. Having it fresh is the best, but sometimes take out is my only option. The dish is so flavorful with a generous amount of pork and veggies. You have to try the Shanghai fried pork buns! They're amazing, but definitely made to be enjoyed 'dine-in' or else you lose that crispy fried crust if you take them to-go. The meat inside is so juicy when they're fresh. As an appetizer, the pig's ear with five spice was my favorite. They also give you a small tray of peanuts if you dine-in. The restaurant itself is quite small but the tables are spaced out enough where you don't feel like you're right next to the other parties. The service is consistently sharp, and there is a genuine sense of gratitude for your business every time you walk through the door, even when I'm just picking up a to-go order. I definitely want to try more of their Shanghai Dim Sum the next time I stop by.

    Photos
    Little Shanghai Restaurant - Take out portions

    Take out portions

    Little Shanghai Restaurant - Pig's ear with five spice

    Pig's ear with five spice

    Little Shanghai Restaurant - Pork Knuckles In Soy Sauce (eaten)

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    Pork Knuckles In Soy Sauce (eaten)

    Taste - 酸辣粉

    Taste

    4.1(419 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    I thought I came here a few months ago, but it was almost a year ago! This place never disappoints…read more A smiling waiter - who seemed super busy but had a huge smile on her face - just the right attitude for people ringing in the Easter weekend on a Good Friday. We enjoyed every dish! The chongqin spicy noodles, the salt and pepper shrimps, the sizzling cumin lamb, the fish in chili oil. Yum yum yum! We ordered the hottest version but it was not too spicy for us - it was very flavorful. The fresh cut red chillies they give you, was really spicy - the red bean spicy sauce was just right. We enjoyed the cool beers with the spicy food. It's a unique ambience for a Univ Ave restaurant- it's just a Chinese kitchen serving good food - like you came to a home and got served really well. Will come back again with more family members. Ps: another surprising thing - we were a party of 6 and they didn't automatically charge us the tip - I took care of them - because I was super satisfied and happy with my meal!

    It's hard to miss this one on the busy University Avenue with their bright red China elements --…read moreand maybe really hard to beat too. This is probably the only Chinese restaurant around here with such an inviting outdoor patio, which makes it perfect for us since our dog babies can relax too. The menu strikes a really smart balance between authentic Sichuan spicy dishes and more Americanized Chinese classics, so there's something for everyone. The signature spicy fish fillet in flaming red oil is a must-try -- bold, fragrant, and so satisfying it might have just saved me an expensive flight back to China. The chili oil wontons are my personal favorite starter and never disappoint. This is an easy repeat spot for us, and we'll definitely go back around CNY days.

    Photos
    Taste - Inside

    Inside

    Taste - LS11. / Spicy Fish Fillet in Flaming Red Oil(L)

    LS11. / Spicy Fish Fillet in Flaming Red Oil(L)

    Taste - Ma po tofu (we asked for no mala/numbing spice)

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    Ma po tofu (we asked for no mala/numbing spice)

    Dumpling City - shanghainese - Updated May 2026

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