Just for the record - I am basing my review on take out, not going to the restaurant to sit down and eat.
I want to love this place. I want to give this place a stellar review - but alas, with the items that I have gotten, I cannot. I've ordered from Dumpling Dojo a few times and have gotten different things each time. Their menu is filled with delicious-sounding entrees that have a unique spin, different from typical Chinese places. In addition, all the food is definitely made fresh using real ingredients. So what's the problem?
Well...they do not season some of their food items properly - specifically, the sides / veggie entrees. The best thing about typical Chinese food restaurants is the preparation and sauce that goes along with the food - and as someone who does not cook their own Chinese food, I look forward to the sticky-sweet, savory flavors that Chinese-American food is associated with. I find that Dumpling Dojo lacks that.
On the plus side, their General Tso's chicken is some of the best I've ever had - and their dumplings are solid. Not amazing, but solid (although I liked them better crisped up in the air fryer the next day). But the other things I've had just simply lacked flavor.
For example, I ordered their veggie fried rice and found it incredibly bland and mushy. It was great heated up and doctored, but I want that experience out of the gate. I also ordered their lomein veggie bowl - man, what a disappointment! Basically, I received a container of steamed vegetables and boiled noodles - no sauce or anything. Again, if I put my own spin on it, it would be fine - but when I order out, I don't want to season my own food. It should be prepared as it.
Also, I had the short rib buns and they were ok. The sweet potato fry topper was really stale and stiff, and the coleslaw seemed droopy and old - but it was fine.
The delivery has also always come very quick, which is a plus as well. However, I don't want to order from a place where the food is hit-and-miss. read more