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    Star Chef Dumpling House

    4.0 (62 reviews)
    InexpensiveChinese, Taiwanese
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:30 pm

    Star Chef Dumpling House Photos

    Business Info

    STAR CHEF DUMPLING HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Very loud
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Wonton soup, steamed rice, pork pan fried dumplings
    Angela S.

    I consider myself a bit of a dumpling aficionado. I am a lover of dumplings across all cuisines though having grown up with a Japanese grandmother, I tend to be partial to the East Asian varieties. While venturing the downtown tunnels, I happened across this little gem and oh my goodness. Their food makes my soul happy. The staff was really polite and I could overhear them answering everyone's questions. The line moved decently quick though I had to wait a couple minutes for my dumplings since they were finishing up a new batch but they gave me the heads up when I was giving my order. I got a (small) wonton soup, pork pan fried dumplings, and a side of white rice. The wonton soup has a delicate broth with 3 large wontons, fresh spinach, and green onions. The rice was perfectly cooked for the type it is (I have found out there is a such thing as bad rice). The dumplings are just plain heaven. Decently thick wrapper, and the pork filling is so insanely flavorful that I didn't even need the side dipping sauce. I can't get over how good this all tasted. The dumpling and wonton fillings have such a good flavor - good quality meat with just the right amount of (what I think I'm tasting) garlic and ginger. So many times I've gone to Asian restaurants and ending up having a plain, weak filling in a thin wrapper, so disappointing. It was love at first bite. I will happily make the 10-12 minute walk from my office building to come back and order again.

    Mix order dumplings, fried pork and veggies
    Gloria M.

    Conveniently located in the tunnels of downtown, this place offers some of the tastiest pan fried pork dumplings I've had. I also enjoy the veggie dumplings - the flavor profile is so yummy and different from other veggie dumplings that have spinach. It's a very popular spot so plan ahead and give yourself an extra five minutes to wait in line.

    Pork steamed dumplings, meatballs, and wonton soup
    Mackenzie J.

    Color me surprised that dumplings this good are in the downtown tunnels. My friend suggested this so we took the long trek through the tunnels to come get dumplings. It was not a disappointment at all! Though in future I will get just the half order of dumplings if I'm getting soup. Got the pork steamed dumplings. They were absolutely packed full and huge. I ended up bringing half of them home for my husband for dinner and he said they were super delicious even reheated. I also had the "small" wonton soup. I say "small" because the container was huge! So much! And I got 3 wontons within, again completely filled with stuffing. Finally, my friend and I split the last Chinese meatball. I was NOT expecting it to be so flavorful. Again, yum! Definitely going to have to go back.

    Lima A.

    This restaurant is in downtown tunnel. You can get here by coming towards McKinney tunnel/ follow the green arrow/come under 1000 main St. Huge line during lunch as this is only dumpling place on this side of the tunnel. I usually get chicken fried rice and half order of dumpling. Runs around $12 and it's a lot of food! The chicken fried rice comes with about same amount of steamed rice that your mom would try to force feed you. And a tea egg, and a whole side of boiled steamed veggiesanf literally a whole chicken breast. As I said it can be your lunch snack and optional dinner depending on how much you eat. Be sure to ask for the garlic spicy soy sauce. It's the best!

    Beef noodle soup and pan fried pork dumplings
    Duy T.

    I was teetering between 4 and 5 stars, but with all things considered it's a 5 star to me. I've been working downtown for 6 years and good asian food is seriously hard to come by here. I've probably eaten here at least 30 times by now and they have ALWAYS been so sweet and nice. This is my number 1 for asian food on my lunch break. My go to menu items: -Chinese meatball and rice (comes with veggies/mushrooms) -Beef noodle soup (Add chili oil) -Steam pork dumplings (Spicy ginger soy sauce) -Chicken steak rice (Fried cornstarch battered chicken thighs, comes with hard boiled egg and steamed veggies)

    Steamed pork dumplings, $1 fried rice, and bok choy
    Ace G.

    Amazing dumplings and the price is just as good! First time I went here I saw the long line and was not sure if it would be worth it well it was and now I am a weekly customer....I enjoy the dumplings, hot and sour soup, beef noodle soups, fried rice and their bok choy. I have mixed and matched many combinations and all have been good. Personal favorite combo is half order steamed pork dumplings, and hot and sour soup. Always very good you should definitely give it a try and stand in line....

    Steam chicken dumplings
    Anthony P.

    Always good, comfort dumplings. Lines can get long during the peaks but their service is fast and efficient.

    Typical lunch time line.  Moves quickly.

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    10 months ago

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    10 months ago

    The service was great and the food was amazing until the employe named hannah started saying rude things to me for no reason

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    In terms of value for lunch in down town it doesnt get much better than this. I will certainly be frequenting here for their dumplings

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Great dumplings. Service is always on point. Limited hours becausee they are in tHe tunnels. Great and quick lunch spot.

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    16 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Favorite dumplings in all of Houston. Lines get long and for good reasons. One of my go-to for an affordable and tasty lunch.

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    Tainan Bistro

    Tainan Bistro

    4.2
    (135 reviews)
    11.5 mi
    $

    This is a casual Taiwanese restaurant in Houston Chinatown. The food was cheap and delicious, but…read morethe environment was slightly dirty and old. We got the oyster pancake, fried chicken with squid tempura, beef noodle soup and lurou noodle - all were very good and filling. There was complementary soup as well - though it was mostly sesame oil in hot water with some bits of egg and tomatoes.

    It seems a bit strange how hard it can be to find Taiwanese food in a city like Houston but glad we…read morestumbled upon this one! Its a very casual, cafeteria-esque restaurant with a pretty extensive menu. The owner was really nice but I think assumed I could speak Mandarin/Taiwanese but sadly I'm just a Canto boy. Anyways, we ordered with him and he gave us a number and explained the process in Taiwanese but we figured it out. Grab the items you need, get water if you want, sit at an open table and wait. I ended up trying the oyster pancake and the leek, pork intestine, and blood claypot. Both were great and really hit the spot for me (pro tip, their chili oil is great and adds another great layer of flavor). The oyster pancake had quite a bit of oysters and they were nice and plump. For those willing to try offal meats, the pork intestine and pork blood was amazing, flavors exactly what I wanted and cooked very well, nothing was chewy or over/undercooked. Prices and portions were also great and I was able to have my meal for 3 different days, and the third day I just overate. Overall, I'm glad to have found this spot and recommend it for anyone wanting Taiwanese food or to try something different. They have a lot of options and a really great deal for the more buffet/cafeteria style plates. Def can't wait to come back and get some more food!

    Photos
    No they don't got Banh Mi!
    No they don't got Banh Mi!
    Braised Pork Belly w/Preserved Vegetables (梅干扣肉)
    Braised Pork Belly w/Preserved Vegetables (梅干扣肉)
    Inside - Ordering Counter

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    Inside - Ordering Counter
    Mama Wu’s Kitchen 吳媽媽

    Mama Wu’s Kitchen 吳媽媽

    4.7
    (37 reviews)
    18.3 mi

    Came to Mama Wu's Kitchen for a quick dinner and it was exactly what we needed. It's a small…read moremom-and-pop shop located inside Jusgo Supermarket, serving Taiwanese-style comfort food that's perfect when you're in a time crunch. I ordered the rice combo with the chicken leg. The portion was solid and it came together as a simple, balanced meal. Nothing about the chicken really wow'd me, but it was still a healthy and satisfying option for a quick bite. Overall, it's a good grab-and-go spot if you're in the area and want something quick, affordable, and home-style without a long wait.

    I used to get Mama Wu's bento box once a week when I lived in Sugar Land, and even though I no…read morelonger live in the area, I still make a point to stop by whenever I'm visiting family. My favorites are the fish fillet and the braised pork. I remember when the boxes were around $6, and now they're about $10 each, but the flavor is still just as good as before. The portion size has gotten a bit smaller (inflation sucks), but the quality remains solid. I especially like the few slices of sausage and some pickled mustard greens, which help balance out the richness of the braised pork belly. If you dine in, they offer unsweetened black tea that's actually quite tasty. It's a no-frills spot--simple, quick, and dependable whether you're grabbing food to go or eating there. They also sell items like mung bean cake, which I love, and I usually take a couple home. They got a few tables to dine in and the staff are friendly.

    Photos
    Front
    Front
    Mama Wu’s Kitchen 吳媽媽
    Ig: @whatsviveating  |  rice with soy braised chicken leg quarter

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    Ig: @whatsviveating | rice with soy braised chicken leg quarter
    Hu's Cooking

    Hu's Cooking

    4.5
    (1.1k reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    Look no further for authenticity, flavor, and complexity in Chinese cooking near the med center!…read more Though we opted for more "simple" dishes during this experience, you can judge a place by if they can do their simple dishes well. The mapo tofu is one of the best we've had outside of Bellaire with spicy, savory, numbing, and warmth that you expect from a good mapo tofu. Crispy popcorn chicken is a classic that's spicy, lightly fried, and crisp. It has an authenticity that other places around can't replicate and makes you keep craving more. The portions are also appropriate for their price. Service is incredibly quick, and you can order as you go and receive your dish within 10-15 minutes, regardless of how busy they are. As for the ambiance, it's loud, it's hectic, and it's simple... maybe a stretch, but makes me feel like I'm eating at a mom and pop shop in the heart of China. This place is definitely a go to if I'm convincing a friend of Houston's great food scene! Rating: 4.5/5

    I've been a happy patron of Hu's Cooking ever since they opened the year before the pandemic, but…read morebecause of their instant success and local renown from their excellent eats, speedy service, busy-but-not-crowded vibes (see: their 1000+ Yelp reviews) I've never felt the need to drop a review of my own - until just this week. On my most recent visit we ordered mapo tofu with pork intestines off the specials menu - a hybrid of two of my favorite Sichuan-style dishes. The blend of bouncy, savory morsels amidst tender, saucy tofu was at once revolutionary and so obvious; why hadn't I yet seen this at any other restaurant? And sure, innards may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's important for you to know that none of my past orders from the 50+ item menu have ever failed me, whether enjoyed in the restaurant or at home. Maybe you'd prefer the aromatic, classic, perfectly balanced three-cup chicken? Or the sweet-skinned duck, glazed so delicately that specks of sugar crystal threaten to jump off onto the plate as you pick up a juicy slice with your chopsticks? And if you're vegetarian, might you consider the punchy garlic eggplant or the wok-kissed string beans? I could go on. Do yourself a favor and come see for yourself, though I'd recommend parallel parking on the neighborhood streets behind the restaurant rather than the rocky parking lot, to save you some trouble. Bring friends and chow down family style - you'll need help covering as much of the menu as you can, but you'll definitely have to come back to try everything.

    Photos
    Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans
    Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans
    Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat
    Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat
    Hu's Cooking

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    Tao Roll And Pancake

    Tao Roll And Pancake

    4.3
    (217 reviews)
    11.9 mi
    $

    Came after hearing such great reviews from friends. I have been wanting to try this place but…read morebecause it is only a breakfast spot, it has limited hours. I loved being able to see them make the rolls in front of you. The ambiance is super casual and there is limited seating inside. The service was quick and the food came out in under 5 minutes even though they were quite busy. I got the egg pancake and the tao rice roll to share with a friend and both were great! The egg pancake was crunchy and steaming hot. The egg with chives was delicious, and I liked the filling of the hot dogs, lettuce, and chili oil. (7.8/10) The tao rice roll was my personal favorite. The pork floss, lettuce, Chinese sausage, and white sauce paired so well all together. The rice was perfectly chewy and the portion was generous. (8.8/10) Both of these were super filling and reasonably priced (under $13!). For the price point you really can't beat it. I would love to come back and try more.

    The atmosphere is like a hole in the wall vibe.. it's small and cozy. You can see them making the…read morerolls up front. I tried the Taiwan roll and this was a nostalgic taste to it for me. It was easy to eat and the insides were packed with flavors. I also tried the dumplings and they were hot and fresh. These had just the right amount of soup inside of it. However, the meat did seem like it was too chunky. Service was a little slow for the dumplings but quick with the rolls.

    Photos
    Busy Saturday morning
    Busy Saturday morning
    Soy Milk E2
    Soy Milk E2
    Menu

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    Menu
    Rice To Meet You 煲来饱去

    Rice To Meet You 煲来饱去

    4.4
    (432 reviews)
    11.8 mi
    $$

    Why have I not tried this place sooner?! The food is here is so homey and delicious. The beef…read morebrisket noodle roll reminded me a bit of hủ tiếu, but BETTER. I prefer this over the vietnamese version for sure, and the brisket was so tender. I also got to try the Cantonese Cured Pork Belly and Spare Ribs Combo, this takes about 15 minutes to come out. This was very good, I loved the spare ribs. It was my partner's favorite dish. The combo comes with either a choice of drink, or soup. We went soup and chose the coconut chicken; I was expecting a creamy coconut base, but it's not that at all. This was a good palette refresher, but I did season it with the clay pot sauce they had at the table. Food is good, Service is fast, Price is cheap! Coming back for sureeee

    Came to this restaurant on a whim since I was in the area. This is a small restaurant, and the…read moreinterior is very clean and simply decorated. The menu was simple and small. It felt very authentic. The service was fine and the quickly took my food order. It does take some time to come out, so I believe they cook everything fresh. The food came out scorching hot. Everything we ordered was HOT. My rice bowl came with ginseng soup. The soup was ok. It tasted good and slightly bitter (which I didn't mind), but what was off-putting was the meat inside. It was cut up, black skin, and hard to eat as it had lots of bones. The soup was also too hot to eat. I really enjoyed the chicken wings. It had a nice flavor but again, SCORCHING HOT.

    Photos
    Weekday lunch crowd
    Weekday lunch crowd
    45. Popcorn Chicken
    45. Popcorn Chicken
    Cured pork belly

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    Cured pork belly

    Star Chef Dumpling House - chinese - Updated July 2026

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