There really aren't that many inexpensive and delicious Asian places to eat in Berkeley. Amongst the chengdu, happy valley, or the great China's, your definitely going to pay over your college budget. That's where dumpling express comes in. I'm so glad they moved in a few years ago. With cheap prices and good food, there's a reason why they make good bank. My favorite dish to order is the spicy bean sauce noodles. It's hot hot hot and flavorful! I really love this place most of all because of the HUGE PORTION SIZE. For $7, you'll have plenty for two meals. Check this place out and enjoy delicious food :) Eat well and prosper, read more

They don't sell ones and twos of things so not really how I think of dim sum where you can get a variety of things. The sell them in batches of 6 and/or 12. Too many! Disappointing. Meanwhile I give the food mixed reviews although I've only eaten there once. read more

Dumpling Express - Shanghainese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Proprietor stayed open a little longer just to accommodate me, and the food was delicious.

This place is ok for being one of the only options I know of for what I come here for. I come here for one thing: Xiao long bao (soup dumplings). The soup dumplings have been a hit or miss. The first time I came here they were a hit. The dumplings were juicy and made just right. The second time I feel like I got a little cheated on the actual juiciness of how the dumplings should be. There was very little soup in the dumplings and I left feeling pretty unsatisfied. The cool thing about this place is the freshness of all their dishes. My bf got the spicy eggplant entrée and they actually had fresh eggplants that they brought out and made from scratch after he ordered. I also got the lamb & chive dumplings that they made from scratch after I ordered. This also causes a substantial wait time, but the freshness is worth it if you aren't at your hangry stage. I'd come here again if I was desperate for some dumplings and couldn't make it to other places with better dumplings. The food is OK and so is the price. I think they need to work on consistency with their soup dumplings and more flavor to their entrée dishes (bf complained that eggplant wasn't spicy at all). read more

Love Dumpling Express! Their Shanghai dumplings are delicious, and some of the best I've ever had. Definitely recommend paying with cash, it'll save you a few bucks. Service is always friendly and they're good people. Support Dumpling Express! read more

So glad this dim sum shop was on my Berkeley walking route today! Handmade dim sum at such a reasonable price and so delicious. I tasted the care that's put into making quality food. They also offer frozen options to cook at home. Will definitely return again & again. read more

they say in 7-8 minutes that the dumplings will be ready. I waited about 1/2 an hour for mine. In the waiting time, i saw one patron actually come back with his box because he wasn't given 12, but 11 dumplings. make sure you count yours before you leave. I had tried the soup dumplings on another day and they were over steamed that the skins were shriveled rendering the whole feel of it in the mouth not as good of an experience. i highly discourage getting the fish chive dumplings. The filling is inedible and i feel slightly anguished to have made to wait so long for something like that. There is a problem with the person boiling the dumplings too or that the dumpling skins themselves have problems. All of my dumplings look like they have holes in them and the filling leaked. Actually i feel half of them weren't even fully cooked as the dumpling skin was still floury pasty tasting. Granted they tried to give me 13 but 13 bad looking and equally awful tasting dumplings isn't even going to cut it. I tried to feed some of it to my hamster and even she would not take a bite. At this point frozen dumplings wins over this place. Oh and you can't mix 2 dumpling fillings in 1 12 order either even if they are in the same price category. I don't understand why since you just grab the dumplings from where you store them. This is probably my last time coming here. P.S: to the old ladies making the dumplings, the hairnets are supposed to make sure all your hair is stuffed in there for sanitary purposes so make sure it is! read more

Food: The shanghai soup dumpling with pork was mediocre but decent for its price. The skin was thin but lacked a little in elasticity and was slightly hardened on the top. It was also weird that the juice coagulated immediately upon contact with the dumpling tin. The green tea ice cream was thick and creamy (going to try pina colada flavor next)! Cost: relatively cheap (12 dumplings for $6, 1 scoop ice cream for $1) Environment: No chairs and the wait was long (15-20 minutes); but considering that everything is made in front of you and upon request, it was a fun experience with friends. Go for the experience, not for the food or satiation. read more

Fresh dumplings, cheap Chinese food. That being said, it takes quite a while to get your food and the food itself is only okay... the upside is they give you a large amount. Nothing special. Also, there are not many places to sit; there is a small bar with about 4 chairs. So this place was designed to be a grab and go. However, it is more like an order-and-wait-for-a-long-time-and-be-late-for-class. Would have been better if it was sit down. Not recommended for those in a hurry or on their way to class or looking for cheap fast food because they don't have time to cook. read more

Super Cheap Dumplings. Not super fast. Not super tasty. But Cheap and you get a lot of food. Good enough to get your dumpling fix in. read more

Tried their mushroom sticky rice wrapped up in what looked like vine leaves = SO GOOD. Must try, it was so cheap and very tasteful. Drooling. I have to try their other rice dishes. Will be back for sure. read more

WORST SERVICE EVER!!! It took just under an hour to get chicken w/corn dumplings, wings, and a lemonade. There weren't even that many people there. The food is good but the wait was sooo not worth it! :( read more

Didn't open until 12... waited for 30minutes and had to leave. Sad they didn't have it together enough to open on time. Or at least revise the hours of operation! Come on! read more

it's a quick dim sum spot with a lot of items on the menu. They have congee, sticky rice, XLB, beef chow fun. Typical stuff i ate when i was a kid. I would come back. read more

I like how they show separate prices for cash and credit card. Food is good. You can taste that the dumplings are freshly made/cook.

Wait what happened to this place I used to get dumplings here all the time but haven't in the last year and a half since I graduated. Just got some dumplings delivered and while they used to sell 12 dumplings for about $7 now they sell 6 for about $6. But like fine maybe demand went up and stuff whatever. But the dumpling skin is no longer the delicious thick handmade ones from before but instead thin plastic looking ones. I read other reviews about the employees being rude and demanding to check order numbers and stuff and that was not the experience I remember having when I used to go there (got delivery so I didn't experience their staff in person this time). Did they have a change of ownership or something?? Anybody know?? (meanwhile, RIP the dumplings express I used to know ) read more

My kids & I love this place. We always get: 1) soup dumplings with pork. My personal favorite. 2) steamed custard buns 3) steamed taro buns, & 4) fried sesame balls with red bean paste. Don't forget to bring cash, which is cheaper than paying with a card here! read more

I wasn't overly impressed with the food here. Luckily we snagged a table outside as the inside was a zoo and very small. They probably do really well because they're right next to campus and it's the only place for dumplings. If you don't live right near campus then don't bother coming here. The parking sucks and there's no seating. read more

Pretty much a fast food dumpling spot but it's good for a quick & affordable fix. My favorite is the kimchi dumplings , soup dumplings, & the shrimp shu mai. I'd advise to order online or call in because it gets busy & the wait can be long. A small con is the attentiveness of the cashier. If they're busy they don't really acknowledge you at the register until they're finishing a task. read more

So excited to have a great dumpling place nearby. The soup dumplings, shrimp and chive dumpling and pork dumplings were great. Love that you can also take home frozen dumplings. The wonton soup was a little bland, they could use some more dishes and utensils to facilitate sharing and they charge a lot to use a credit card) hence the 4 stars instead of 5) but overall very happy! read more

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I've tried the XLB dumplings (juicy and steaming...yum), lamb and veggie dumplings (good, but tasted a little gamey), and preserved egg and pork congee (pretty decent quality and filling!). Overall all the dishes were really authentic and delicious - a lot better than the Asian Ghetto for sure! The people are really friendly and it's cool that you can watch them make the dumplings right in front of you. Really happy to support this local business and will definitely be back. =) That being said, the name Dumpling "Express" is a little misleading. They should try to work on their business execution by cutting down wait times which usually take 15-20 (perhaps a online/phone ordering service so you don't have to stand in the shop waiting for so long). On the other hand, customers should understand that making fresh dumplings takes time! Also, don't expect to be able to sit here - they are not trying to provide space to hang out or eat leisurely. This is a get your dumplings and go kind of place. read more

The dumplings here had a good flavor but honestly not the best ones I've had. It was a bit more watery than I was expecting. Also, I didn't see any potstickers on the menu. The ones from a sit-down Chinese restaurant are better, but this place makes up for that with its speed and fast-food concept. For a good meal I suggest getting one of the fried noodles or rice meals (Same price as 12 dumplings but quantity is way bigger than dumplings). Oh and also there's an extra 50 cent charge for using card, so bring cash unless that's just how you roll. read more

I do not have extensive experience eating dumplings, BUT I have spend enough time eating frozen dumplings to know that the dumplings served here are not that different from the frozen variety. The dough was not glossy or all that pretty wrapped around the meat inside. 12 pieces of chicken/napa dumplings (around $6) looked almost the same as store bought dumplings (~$5 for definitely more than 12 pieces) from Safeway. I had some steamed taro buns (~$3 for 3 buns). They were purple. One was squished. My friend who has spent a lot of time in Hong Kong eating authentic dim sum said these buns tasted and looked store bought. There is also an extra $0.50 fee for each item if the food is paid with card. (ugh! bad garrrrrrh no! terrible...) I left the place unimpressed and my friend rather disappointed. read more

Good hole in the wall with the dim sum basics and some dishes. Dumplings are freshly made and piping hot, so was the sticky rice. They have different prices for cash and card. Paying by card is 50 cent more. read more

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12 Juicy dumplings for 7-8 bucks. I think it is great deal! And there are quite stuffing. I normally cannot finish one order (12 dumplings) for lunch. My personal favorite is pork+kimchi. read more

If you have only 30 minutes to grab a bite, then this place is not for you. My food order of BBQ pork buns, shrimp dumpling, and shrimp/chives dumpling took over 40minutes. I sat in front of the pick-up area and the employee made eye contact with me several times but did not take care of my order until I asked him. Upon asking he said the shrimp/chives dumplings were not prepared for me yet...how come he didn't tell me within the 40 minutes???...who knows. The BBQ pork buns lacked flavor and 3 out of 3 buns were all fat and tendons. The Shanghai dumplings were dry and were not soupy at all. In short...there are better Bay Area places than this for dumplings. I would give half a star if I could. read more

Great place if fresh-made dumplings are what you are looking for! They have a variety of dumpling fillings for you to choose from (including soup dumplings!!). Pretty legit for Berkeley! The food is very affordable ($5-7), and each order comes with 12 dumplings. This is more of a take-out and/or stand-at-the-counter location; there are no places to sit. They do provide pitchers of water for you though. The owners are super nice too, and you can watch them wrap dumplings from behind the glass counter. DEFINITELY a new favorite place to get dumplings! read more

Dumpling express is not express at all :( took forever to get food. I'd recommend calling in if you are in a hurry. That being said, their rice porridges are very good, especially for sick people, and they have the black egg pork porridge ones. They ask for more with card, so be sure to bring cash! It's all within the 6-7 dollar range though so quite affordable nonetheless. Personally the dough on their dumplings is a little too thick for me, but I sometimes get them frozen if I don't have time to get groceries because it's quite cheap and convenient. read more

Terrific dumplings and steamed buns were a hit with the kids. My K2 chicken porridge was bland and lemon is $2.50.

I wish I'd gotten to try the Dim Sum and XLB here, because they seem to be the stars! Alas, I was having a Banh Mi craving, and this happened to be one of the only places I could find in Berkeley that fit the bill. I grew up in Berkeley, and have always considered it to be an amazing food mecca... but weirdly, my current home (Denver, CO, for the last 18 years) beats the pants off Berkeley when it comes to Bahn Mi! We DO boast a huge Vietnamese population here, and they know what they're doing when it comes to sandwiches. To make an authentic Banh Mi, you need to start with the right kind of bread. It's kind of like cheesesteaks... they're not REAL cheesesteaks unless they're on an Amoroso roll. Well, you can have the best Bahn Mi fillings in the world, but they're not REAL Bahn Mi unless they're on the properly-crusty Vietnamese baguettes that can only come from an authentic Vietnamese bakery. Unfortunately, the ones at Dumpling Express didn't fit the bill. They were just rolls. Fresh rolls, sure. Tasty enough. But not Vietnamese baguettes. SO, they were fine... but they weren't Banh Mi. Same for the fillings... they only offered "pork" (which is a mix of grilled pork and pate), and "turkey" (I don't even know what that is... REAL Bahn Mi sandwiches never come in "turkey"). I had the pork. It was fine... but it wasn't Bahn Mi. A real Bahn Mi joint will offer grilled or bbq pork, chicken options, thin brisket, bbq beef, pate, etc. And never sliced turkey cold cuts. They got the spicy slaw and cilantro right, the perfect mix of cilantro and daikon radish right, and really... the whole thing wasn't bad. But... it just wasn't Bahn Mi. I'll be back next time I'm in town, but I'll opt for the XLB instead! ;) read more

This is dirtiest place ever flies everywhere meat is sitting out most of everything is frozen the wonton soup has lettuce in it and that's pretty much it dumplings are hard buns are super small service slow and rude never again read more

Great handmade speciality restaurant. You can watch the amazing skills as they roll their billionth dumpling. Seriously, this place is old school, which I appreciate. I love the food. The prices are cheap. If you come off hour the lines are short. I consider this place a "tip"... And, if you like cheap fresh handmade Chinese dumplings it's a great tip. read more

Hot. Fresh. Fast. Very good flavor. Extremely friendly. Tons of choices. We will return.

Not expensive at all + huge portions = good deal Bring cash though because they're taxing cards read more

My friends and I went to Dumpling Express on a Friday night. It wasn't terribly busy but it was clear they were receiving a lot of takeout orders. We ordered the Shanghai soup dumplings and the BBQ steamed pork buns. Both were heavenly. Cheap prices and combos, too. Little complaints here. read more

Veggie dumplings - wow. Brought them home, served some with a dipping dish of soy sauce - rice vinegar - honey - mustard. Made chicken broth for the rest to swim in. read more

This is the place where you can get FIRED rice :-D LOLOLOZZzzz There's quite an extensive menu, in fact, every time I get once step closer to the register I stumble upon five more options. But I was so hypnotized by the live NAPA cabbage chopping that I could not resist. It was CLEAVER action up in this HIZZZYyyy. Cool that you can see the chef making the food up close. I could not stop staring, I also had 5 cups of coffee that day so I don't know. - 1 star for cleanliness, which reminded me a little bit of Wurster Hall across the street. +1 for all my peeps eating there this is Sam Yumyum signing out. Peace Brothasss read more

I come here a couple times a week for lunch. You get get lots of good stuff for cheap and the owner is a super nice guy. They add a charge if you pay by card so bring cash to save a couple bucks. One long table and some outside seating but there are plenty of peaceful places nearby to take your food and chill....it is campus after all read more

The dumplings, porridge, and fried rice are great here. I'm a fan of the pork dumplings but not the beef dumplings. The fried rice has large portions and is made quite quickly. There is often a 10-15 min wait but this is great for take out. I crave Chinese food often and this is my go-to. read more

Convenient and reasonably priced. Wait for food is about 10-15 minutes, a little longer if you get them fried. Small shop with a handful of seats inside and a couple small tables outside. Discount if you pay with cash. Wasn't all that impressed with their dumplings. Don't think I'll come here on my own but I won't say no if a friend wants to come here. read more