I came by late on a Friday and really liked the lower seating area, which felt like a cozy nook perfect for lingering over drinks and conversation. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, helped along by the owner and bartender who are both personable and genuinely fun to chat with. It feels like the kind of place you can keep coming back to and always feel at home. Food-wise, I tried the curry dumplings and the mac and cheese dumplings, and really enjoyed both. I also liked that they came with rye, which made the whole plate feel more hearty and unique. I like the creative menu, the cozy seating, and the bathroom "art" very seattle. read more

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Pretty good meal with a good portion for the price!! The beef flavor was really strong so I recommend the potato to balance it out. It definitely has a kick so be prepared for that!! Staff were also super kind and answered questions kindly. Bar and community vibe. read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Beef Traditional with potato - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This should've been the tzar of shit... Honestly, what the fuck are these dumplings. They look terrible. They taste terrible and you put sour cream on them. What happened to the traditional old-school dumplings that were pork with a little bit of fluids in them that just burst it in your mouth. If that's what you're looking for this is definitely not the place. You eat this if you're asking yourself if you want to live anymore. read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Sad excuse of a dumpling - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The owner and bartender here are awesome. Lovely, personable and honest people. My friends and I have been coming here lately for game night and always have a blast. It can sometimes be a bit chilly in there, but I'm sure that'll change as we get into summer soon. They have gluten-free dumplings!!! I've only tried the Khan (they sub chicken for GF version) and loved it. Will definitely try other options next time I return :o) read more

We ended up here after our Saturday night group ride. They accommodated the ebikes, electric esk8s, and eucs. Had the Frida, their only vegan dumpling dish. It was tasty and very filling. I appreciated the pickles, wished I had some hot sauce! Took a little time to get my order in but well worth it! We were there on a Saturday night and they have a karaoke dj, fun times and a great spot! Mahao!!! read more

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We ordered take-out of these delicious dumplings this week. They provide a hearty portion in the regular size. I enjoyed the Khan: Pork & Cabbage with hoisin and picked cabbage. I also got one of their very austere pickles on the side. To cap it off, we all enjoyed the cherry sweet dumplings and these may have been my favorite part. They were so pleasing. read more

The Greek dumplings were a little cold and the vegetable toppings weren't that fresh. The Korean carrot salad wasn't that flavorful either. I might have to try their classic dumplings to get a better impression when I'm in town again. read more

When in Fremont, Seattle-- the self-proclaimed "Center Of The Universe"-- remember to stop by Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar for some fast, convenient, and tasty comfort food! My go-to is the Traditional Beef & Potato Mix Dumplings with a side of Sweet & Spicy Carrot Salad. Pour in some sour cream and add a few dashes of hot sauce and you've got a delicious and satisfying flavor bomb of a meal. read more

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This restaurant has such a charming vibe--I can totally picture artists hanging out here, enjoying the food, jamming to some music, or painting. The older gentleman that some people seem to think is rude was actually super sweet and kind to us. We felt very comfortable and welcomed. I tried the classic gluten-free beef and potato dumplings, and they were really good! The spicy kick wasn't my favorite--not because I don't eat spicy food, but I just didn't think it paired well with this dish (personal preference). Would I go back? Absolutely! Just a heads-up about parking--it's street parking, and since it's Seattle, you'll want to give yourself some extra time to find a spot. read more

Stopped by here middle of a Monday and it was fantastic. I had the Greek Dumplings and the Potato Fries. Amazing food! The heat is spot on, the spices are perfect and the service is top notch. From downtown to Everett, you should Make the drive. Come see the troll, the center of the universe, and have the dumplings! It is wonderful! read more

While this is from the same provider of Russian dumplings as the pel menis in Bellingham, they are very different places. Bellinghams was a place to grab essentially one of two options for a cheap price late into the night. This location has much more options and more atmosphere but comes at a higher price. When it comes down to it, it is the same Russian dumplings and they are good as always. We went with the traditional and you can't go wrong with the tangy and spicy sauce cut by the sour cream and dumplings. A perfect hangover food if there ever was one. The atmosphere itself is pretty good with nice open bar seating, a lower seating area to help you feel separate from the crowd and even an outdoor area. They have board games but I wouldn't give them too many points for this since they are all games you can get at good will for a few dollars (mostly things like connect four, janga, and other games from the 90s). The staff is friendly and helpful and gets you your order fast. Since it is such a simple dish, the food comes out within 5-10 minutes which is also always a plus. I saw they have trivia as well which is always a fun way to bring a crowd. While your going to pay a bit more of a premium that the other location, it is still a great place to grab some Good hangover food. read more

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I absolutely love the Dumpling Tzar. It's a frequent dinner for me and if I'm craving it I'll even get it delivered for lunch. I typically get the classic, which has a nice level of spice, and the Greek. Both are soft, bite size, and so good. The prices are good for what you get as well. I will say that previously the Classic had more of a sauce than a spice rub that I prefer. I also miss the Mexican style dumplings that were also very good. Would love to see those back. read more

We stopped in after a chocolate and wine pairing class next door. It's a true gem with its perfectly cooked dumplings topped with creative, mouthwatering sauces like the spicy Siberian or savory mushroom stroganoff. The staff was incredibly friendly and quick, making sure everything came out fresh and hot. The quirky, cozy atmosphere with its eclectic decor and welcoming vibe makes it the perfect spot to grab a satisfying bite in the heart of Fremont. They also made a drink for us new to the menu that didn't have a name yet. I can't wait to return to see what they ended up naming it! read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Karaoke! - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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My first time trying a Russian dumpling was when I was in Olympia, and it was a very interesting and delicious experience. Moving to Seattle, I noticed there were many shops that offered it! My boyfriend has never tried Russian dumplings, and I saw that there was a Groupon for it at this place! The location that we went to is located on a small corner of Fremont on Fremont Pl N and N 36th St across of Made in House Korean restaurant. There's only street parking around the area which could be very difficult to find during dinner rush hours. There is a small dining area with tables for customers to dine in. My boyfriend and I got a small The Classic and a small The Greek, both with beef, the first time. We didn't think the two meals were enough based on the pictures, but they were! Each of them came with about 15 dumplings. The classic was veerrry good! It came with a side of bread and sour cream. I felt the homemade chili sauce and the sour cream really enhanced the dish. The chili sauce gave it a kick while the sour cream balanced out the spiciness with a creaminess to it. The Greek was okay. It replicated a Greek gyro with all the dressing and toppings. The overall flavor was good but wasn't very memorable. My boyfriend really enjoyed his first experience of Russian dumplings. At another time, my friend and I got a regular Razorback and a small Khan. The Razorback was delicious! That bacon onion relish? WOW. Super flavorful with the chili sauce giving the meal a nice kick! Loved it! The Khan was also very good. The pickled vegetables with the spicy sauce were such a good combination! Much better than the Greek we had the first time. This shop was more of a snack kind of shop rather than a full meal. More of a comfort food without the broth (like the Asian kind)! It's also located in a relatively good place after a night out of drinking! Will be back for more of the delicious dumplings soon! read more

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I hate to say this, as I don't usually bash restaurants, being very forgiving, but I cannot recommend this restaurant. I should've known when at 6:30 PM on a Thursday there was only one table occupied. The menu itself was filthy! We ordered the two more expensive dumpling choices: The Greek and The Asian one. The Asian one was in fact edible though not delicious by any stretch of the imagination. The Greek had old translucent cucumbers on top, the dumplings were too hard to eat (still frozen? microwaved too long?) and the whole thing was unappetizing. We wasted $20+, were compelled to not tip (sorry server, even though it wasn't your fault) and saw lots of busy happy restaurant choices as we walked around after. Argh. read more

After walking past this place almost every day, we finally decided to try it. We ordered the mac and cheese dumplings and the classic, both with potato filling. I was surprised that it was a bunch of mini dumplings instead of a few big ones. The food was decent but it was more of a snack than a meal. I'm grateful for the vegetarian options! read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Mac and cheese potato dumplings - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I really liked the food here - got the Classic and the Razorback along with the classic fries, which were like cheesy mashed potatoes inside a fry. The latter came with ketchup and sriracha mayo for dipping. Drinks came out pretty quickly and food shortly thereafter. Ambiance is casual and chill. There were signs that said they had trivia on Thursdays at 7:00 but maybe because it was pretty empty they don't do it then. They also had an excellent playlist going - so many good songs so kudos to whoever put that together! read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The food is very comforting. good price and very nice owner. we like the place and it also open late.

Great service, great vibes, fun karaoke crowd. Khan pelmeni bowl was delicious. Greek pelmeni bowl was unkind and unnecessary.

What a unique meal! I had the classic potato dumplings and it was super flavorful. Everyone I was with ordered something different and we all enjoyed every bite. read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Classic - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Maybe this is authentic; I can't comment on that. However, the overwhelming flavor is vinegar. I've been to Russia. I didn't have dumplings, but I don't remember vinegar being a staple, either. The food in Russia was bland; without the sauce, these dumplings were similarly bland, so maybe it's authentic aside from the vinegar? My kids' favorite was the apple cinnamon dumplings for dessert. Frankly, they tasted like something only a kid would love. The people behind the counter may have been new. Order was wrong, correcting it took ages... the Peter Principle in action. The staff also looked somewhat surly and generally unhappy - now THAT is authentic Russian! read more

Had never had Russian dumplings before-- it was a real surprise and a real treat! Came here because a pal and I had an art class at The Works, which is just steps from this place. Place was empty at 5pm on a Friday night, so we wondered. But staff was super nice, and food was awesome! They make dumplings in different sauces and fillings. Both friend and I ordered chicken filled Greek style.. soooo good. Covered in sour cream sauce, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers. We had the medium size and it was so very filling and great. I highly recommend it. They do have cocktails and beer on tap. read more

Walked in around 10pm since it was one of the few restaurants still open at that time. The staff gave his honest & helpful opinion and recommended that we get the beef dumplings. Food was tasty but slightly pricey and dumplings were smaller than we expected. Overall not disappointed. The classic dumplings were like chili/curry flavored and has a strong taste. The mac n cheese was creamy and good. We enjoyed the food :) read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - The Greek - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Highly recommend the "frida." There was a lot of flavors there and the dipping sauce was so good. The Nutella one is rich and good for chocolate lovers. These came out pretty quickly and fill you up. read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Frida - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Friendly staff, quick service for a stop in running errands with my sister. She ordered the classic with potato dumplings and a side of fries and and I got the razorback with beef. I really enjoyed my dumplings! The bacon onion relish was kind of sweet and the sour cream help add some acidity to it. Really enjoy the fries too. They were shaped differently. Almost like a gnocchi and fried? I don't know but delicious! And so fluffy. read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Fries - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Love their dumplings & the cute vibe of the place. Great for lunch or late night eats

I got a Groupon to try the dumplings here. It's in a prime location in Fremont. I tried both potato and beef dumplings and they are both pretty tasty. The main complaint I have is that it's very small portion for $20(the Groupon amount). I'd have this as a side or a snack but it's not a proper meal unless you spend a lot. It's definitely interesting though for my first experience of Russian dumplings! It's worth stopping by to try it out if you haven't. read more

take out with two meat eating friends on a sunny spring day saw us end up at tzar. as a vegetarian, i had limited options so i went with the traditional potato dumplings with dill and sour cream. they were good but bland; not that i'm surprised by that but i probably should've chosen the curry or something that promised more complexity. i got the regular size which was plenty. the large would have been too much for me for one sitting although it would make good leftovers! they have a dedicated outdoor eating section and the employee brought our orders out to us when they were ready. in the nicer spring weather, this is a good place to try if you want some food that'll fill you up. read more

Spicy, vinegary, curry, sour cream. Need I say more? Fast lunch, good service. Decor is very retro and the bar is stocked full. Parking is lame, but not a deterrent if you can do some navigation. read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - The classic - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Dumplings were ok prices for the area. They had Groupon so I decided to try. The dill and vinegar smelled super strong. There are beef and potato filling, I chose beef. The shell was chewy and thick. Not my type of dumplings, but you should try to know. Especially dipping dumpling in sour cream. Its def something new. Customer service was nice. read more

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The Dumplings come out quite fresh. But... I will admit, the vinegar levels in the vegetable sides were a little overwhelming (good for one bite, but a little to much when trying to eat the whole dish). My favorite item that we got was probably the chili powder dumplings, but I would probably not order a majority of the dishes that I had again -- simply because it was too acidic. read more

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I love how they're open till 2am. It's a nice, quiet refuge when you're trying to get food that's not at a loud bar. The food was so tasty. I got the beef and potato size regular with the classic topping, it was so yummy and soft and a balance of tart flavors. I would bring out of town guests here. read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Ordered the Mac&cheese and the original both with beef, sized small, they were tasty and filling. I think one regular would not have been filling. The flavor on the Mac and cheese the name explains the taste, the original had curry power on it with a side of sour cream unusual but good. The Russian dumplings taste similar to ravioli from Trader Joe's. They are remodeling and will have a full open bar in November so I was told by the worker. There was a single person working at 9pm and he was very diligent. They food and service was good for the hour of the night, however, I wouldn't go out of my way to come and eat here, the pricing compared to the proportions was high that is Seattle for you. read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - The full Menu - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Extremely rude service. Bar bartender threatened to kick me and husband out because my ID expired earlier this year. It was a strange response because I clearly said that's fine; I won't order drink then; I didn't insist or complain in any way. His response is so unwarranted. read more

I really like the classic beef dumplings here. I've had them before at a location in Bellingham so when I brought my friends here, I new what to expect and what I could recommend to them. The classic comes with bread in Bellingham, here it doesn't. For the amount of dumplings we get, the price is pretty high in my opinion. They seem understaffed, they had only one individual working the restaurant when I got there but he is a very nice and talkative guy. Most of the place was still under being remodeled and the bathrooms are closed currently. I will come here again but only occasionally. read more

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Kinda grunge vibe, but good flavor. Honestly my opinion is that this is drunchies material but not necessarily food I go out of my way to order. I like how you can mix and match the dumpling type and sauce, and the staff was friendly but overall it was a good but not great meal. Careful, also, for cilantro haters like me, they put CILANTRO on a lot of items. Make sure to ask without and don't make my mistakes. read more

Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar - Russian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Mean server. Aggressive male. Got our order wrong, came back to give us corrected food but didn't apologize for the attitude.

As a Slavic person this was beyond bad.... Grains of questionable meat in way too much dough swimming in vinegar.... 2/10 hard pass next time. Bar and staff were nice. read more

6/16/20 I came here for dinner. I was driving near by for work and was craving something from my "native country" I decided to order "outside the box" and try something more adventurous. So I ordered the Greek pelmemi and the kahn pelmeni. I had the carrot salad and the cabbage salad. I am most definitely not a fan of hoisin sauce and I didn't realize it until I bite into my first pelmeni. The carrot salad was most definitely not what I expected, I thought it was going to be traditional Eastern European style and it was more bland than I expected. I definitely enjoyed the Greek style version and was able to save some of the Hoisin sauced ones by cutting out the meat from the dumpling and using sour cream to mask the sauce. Overall, the food was good, but I should've stuck to traditional flavors and ordered the plain type. I'd recommend trying the pelmeni to anyone who's never had Eastern European foods, as this is as close to it, that anyone would ever have, unless there's other more authentic "Russian" type of restaurants. read more

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CRAZY little dumpling place! Hidden around a corner alley type looking thing. When you walk in, it looks like it should be a place a band is playing at, but... they serve food! Odd, but cool and definitely unexpected. The service was quaintly what you would expect at a little hole in the wall dive, but also part of the charm, haha! Not bad by any means. The guy in the hockey jersey behind the counter was helpful in picking out which kind of dumplings would be good to order. Ended up getting three different kinds and sharing them with my friends. They were ALL good! Not high end, but for $8, decent! Great end of the night food and a fun little spot to take people for an authentic hole in the wall place in the city! read more