The Dumpling Lady

11

144

732

14 days ago

Omg!!!! These dumplings were the best?"! They were made fresh to order. The service was quick and friendly. This location is in Optimist Hall. There isn't much to the ambiance. The chili sauce that accompanies the dumplings is spicy but it's really good! We will definitely be back to try the variety of food they offer. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Chicken and Shrimp & Chicken Dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Dave C.

0

90

6

10 days ago

Had dinner there with my son and I'd say the food was great. Served fresh, hot, and fast. My son shared he's been there several times and has never been disappointed. Food is consistently delicious. Service was friendly and helpful. The person taking our order was very interested to know if we were pleased with our orders. Again, we were The restaurant has seating but it appears the place is more geared towards to-go orders. That said, the place is has a local eatery vibe and you can easily enjoy your meal there. Neutral ambiance and good music read more

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Simran B.

80

340

542

6 months ago

We visited dumpling lady for a quick lunch on a Sunday. We ordered the pork soup dumplings, sichuan cucumber, and the pork belly noodle special. Starting with the dumplings, these things should not be called soup dumplings. The broth quantity was very disappointing. I have better experience with the mila frozen dumplings I steam at home. That being said, I liked the little foil cups they were served in, especially when they didn't have large soup spoons. The noodles were really well cooked, and I loved the pork belly, but the portion was underwhelming. The cucumber was definitely the highlight for me though. It had a great flavor profile, and I loved the spice level. 10/10 would recommend for the cucumbers. As much as I appreciated the goal here, I likely wouldn't go back. There are a lot of spots in optimist hall, and I'm inclined to believe I'd be happier with something else. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Pork belly noodles - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Xenia M.

421

1167

4363

2 months ago

Was so glad to see The Dumpling Lady offered non-pork dumplings! I got the shrimp and chicken dumplings which I loved so much! The chili sauce the top it with is also a great addition! read more

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Audrey L.

1

73

97

4 months ago

Love them! Get them every time I'm at optimist hall! The spicy sauce is soo good and soo spicy. Always quick service with high quality food. Love the hall and has indoor and outdoor seating read more

The Dumpling Lady - Dumplings variety - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Henry L.

1003

89

173

8 months ago

Surprisingly this place is not bad for being a stall in a food hall. Food was tasty especially the pork belly dumplings. The Szechuan noodle soup was nice because it was cold outside but it definitely packs a punch from all the spice. Service was fast! I was able to eat both of those dishes. A bit pricy for what you get though. read more

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Mo S.

33

175

1069

9 months ago

After so many great reviews, I finally had to try this place. Located at Optimist Hall. Theybare on the corner across from Harriets. The person taking my order was nice and made suggestions. I arrived right before the lunch rush on a Friday. It did not take long for my food to be prepared. Inlike that they give you a pager to alert you when your food is ready. Bottom line, I was not impressed. The only impression was to not visit again. Food cost way too much money to taste mid. There was zero flavor, add spice in the chicken noodle bowl that I ordered. I ordered a separate order of the pork belly dumplings. The dumplings were the perfect consistency, but the filling taste like a mush of nothing. read more

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Trevor J.

192

77

94

6 months ago

I tried the chicken dumplings here. They were amazing and the chili oil went perfectly with them. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Chicken Dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Denawa A.

5

33

87

7 months ago

So consistent! Doesn't matter how many times I come they hit the same flavors. Tried the sweet pork belly dumplings for the first time today and they were so good. Optimist hall was pretty busy per usual in a Saturday but I was able to get my food pretty quickly. The smellllsss, I wish the picture could give you a whiff of how good this smells read more

The Dumpling Lady - Sweet Pork Belly Dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Kamilia L.

383

498

1695

8 months ago

Ohhhh how I love her Sweet Pork Belly dumplings. They have the most delectable and delicate thin wrappers with copious amount of meat that is moist and packed with flavor. Each bite is an explosion of chilling oil, onion, and five spice which plays well with the sweet pork belly. Its cute and cooked so its not greasy or crispy but succulently moist. I also order the classic Dan Dan which isn't too spicey but has a nice kick. I came during dinner and received these huge portions. I typically get the lunch portion which is more than enough to satiate my hunger. I forgot how l massive the regular portions are. I had some left for lunch the next day. Its great to share too. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Dim Sum - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Dumpling Lady - Pork Belly dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Krissy W.

328

94

158

8 months ago

All that and DIM SUM!!! honestly, this place is a local staple - a legacy if you will. "Have you tried dumping lady? Omg you neeeeed to. You aren't a local until you get it. It's so good." - everyone in Charlotte to the 150+ people moving here every day read more

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Gwendolyn W.

109

472

176

5 months ago

This was a fun restaurant. I will say I was expecting a little more from all the amazing reviews. The scallion pancake was yummy but a little oily. The broth and dumplings were good but just a little plain. The smashed cucumber was addicting but pretty hot and had a ton of oil. Also just a note it's heavy on the Szechuan pepper so my tongue went numb after a while. read more

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Lauren M.

5

112

343

8 months ago

The Dumpling Lady is one of me and my parents favorite spots! Then Optimist Hall location is my favorite - because it is quick and you have many options of either sitting or taking your food to go. The Dan Dan noodles have always been my go to. I used to love the soup dumplings, but a few months ago they changed the recipe. Now I get the chengdu dumplings which are close to the ones I used to get before! (The chili sauce is to die for!) always get extra! read more

The Dumpling Lady - Chengdu dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Dumpling Lady - Dan Dan noodles - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Tori H.

301

725

3159

9 months ago

Went here to get dumplings, ended up circling back to get ramen as well. The chicken and shrimp dumplings were delicious, they came with a sauce and the sauce was so flavorful. The Ramen, the Ramen was bomb. We got two different kinds, both were high on the spice level AND MAN OH MAN were they spicy! But they were soooo good, the flavors exploded in your mouth! They had our noses running forsure though, all that spice. Would definitely recommend, can't wait to be in town again to go back! read more

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Mona E.

170

355

486

1 year ago

Super delicious chicken pan fried dumplings. I'm so used to getting dumplings that are on the sweeter side but these were definitely more savory. They came with a delicious chili oil sauce to dip them into. They can get busy but the employees are super nice. read more

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Ted G.

0

121

67

8 months ago

Amazing Dan Dan noodles. I just read my review from 6 years ago- time flies- and I wasn't happy then but am now. I had stayed away. But I loved my noodles and sampled the fried chicken dumplings and steamed pork & chive ones- both delicious. Now I will seek out The Dumpling Lady! Can't wait to have more noodles and will try other dishes. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Pork & chive dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Dumpling Lady - Spicy beef noodles - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Hannah L.

98

59

143

10 months ago

Dumpling Lady always hits! Definitely one of my favorite takeout spots in Charlotte. Highly recommend the Pork and Chive dumplings. Warning: The Spicy Beef Noodle is extremely spicy. But still so delicious. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Pork and Chive Dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Chrissy S.

7

58

152

9 months ago

Ordered for pickup and also went in another day to grab lunch, a bit of a wait but probably just 5 mins. I absolutely love the spicy beef noodles, it's fantastic and full of flavor. The shrimp and chicken dumplings are also great. Those are my go to orders and they never disappoint. It's in the markets so they don't really have personal sitting spaces designated to them but it's not bad. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Menu - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Dumpling Lady - Chicken and shrimp dumpling - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Dumpling Lady - Spicy beef - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Amy U.

916

562

1546

2 years ago

Extremely tasty dumplings! I was super impressed with the overall quality, size, taste and most importantly (for me personally)) the texture of the dumplings. Spectacular experience! Loved the spicy chill sauce for dipping and it's a small extra charge for an extra by the way but it was recommended that most don't need it. The spicy cucumbers were very spicy indeed,; make sure you get a cold drink! I love it hot, so I was very pleased. Prices were very reasonable and service was pretty prompt for a busy Saturday.. I loved how they give you a buzzer so you can walk around and order food from other places or just take a stroll and check everything out in Optimist Hall while you are waiting for your order to be filled. I would definitely come back and try something else next time. Thank you! read more

The Dumpling Lady - Shrimp & Pork Dumplings and very spicy cucumbers - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Anthony S.

391

48

116

1 year ago

I love going to Optimist Hall so since I had a friend in town we decided to go! I opted for The Dumpling Lady and got the Chengdu Dumplings which were flavorful and filling! I ate half at the hall and the other half at home!l and even left over it was still fantastic. Service was quick and easy and I was sat down eating within minutes! Always friendly, clean and fresh so of course I'll return! read more

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Andrew K.

2

839

1171

1 year ago

Really solid dumpling options. They're plump, perfectly formed, and the portion is great. The spiciness of the sauce is just right and creates a lovely textural complement to the filling of the dumpling. Came out pretty quickly, which was a plus, as well. Would definitely consider grabbing takeout from here for dinner in the future. read more

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Kyle G.

10

107

62

1 year ago

Visiting an old favorite city in Charlotte. This spot, Optimist Hall holds grub spots of all cultures. Soon as I saw this joint, choice was made. Did not disappoint! Definitely going back before I leave. The dumplings were spot on sublime. The spicy beef noodles were so fresh and kicking with goody spice. I wish it was acceptable to bathe in their homemade chili oil. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Pork dumplings with homemade chili oil. Hot damn! - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Dumpling Lady - Spicy beef noodles. Yowsa! - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Susan H.

Elite 23

8

60

77

1 year ago

Crazy good everything! Service was fabulous. Food was top notch with just enough seating if choosing to dine in. Place is clean and orderly. We both had the pork and chive dumplings with Dan Dan Noodles. Are you kidding me?! Perfectly cooked, super great flavor-bombs. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Dan Dan noodles and Pork and Chive dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Derric M.

0

14

6

3 months ago

The dumpling lady is always a hit left stopping here. Their sauces are so original and absolutely phenomenal dumplings.

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Bruce K.

2421

26173

77504

2 years ago

I got hooked on Dan Dan Noodles on a trip to (of all places) Toronto and then soup dumplings in Taipei. I was craving both today but I can't eat two full portions so I settled for dumplings today. A variety of options on the menu today and I decided that it would be the pork & chives dumplings today. After ordering, I was given a beeper and it beeped at me about 8 minutes later. Enough time to wander into the nearby Pet Wants for treats to bring home. A bowl of hot and spicy dumplings awaits. Nicely presented, stuffed and flavorful and definitely spicy dumplings. A perfect meal and the craving is now satisfied. Next time, I'll aim to hit the South End location at weekday lunch time. The half and half noodles and dumplings option would be perfect! [Review 1806 of 2024 - 3723 in North Carolina - 22828 overall] read more

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Linda J.

886

1358

7625

2 years ago

This food is good however, the Sriracha/chili flavoring was a bit over abundant. I ordered the pork belly dumpling and couldn't taste the meat at all. The service was good, she was knowledgeable about the product and the food came out pretty fast. There was a line to order, and some small seating near by. I am good on this place and will just keep it as a one time experience. Thanks read more

The Dumpling Lady - Pork belly dumpling - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Dumpling Lady - Front - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Team KP S.

5

155

317

8 months ago

For what it was and the taste, save your money and go to a dumpling house like Sun Kitchen. The dan dan noodles were just okay and wonton's in chili oil were bad, no flavor other than hot, mushy dough and no filling. Hard pass, not worth a second try. Also, the staff were really unfriendly. Placed a mobile order, they never texted so when I walked up to ask about the food being ready she just shoved a bag at me. I mentioned that the texting part of their order process wasn't working and she just turned away. I REALLY loved the helpful and friendly demeanor.... To those about to nosh, look elsewhere! read more

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Kenneth B.

18

120

2

1 year ago

The Dumpling Lady is a gem. A small, unassuming spot that delivers some of the best Chinese you'll find in Charlotte. I imagine if I worked nearby, this would be the spot I'd come to most often for lunch (and there are a lot of food options in Optimist Hall and the surrounding area). I've tried various dumplings here and all were tasty. But I really love the Dan Dan noodles. I can't find any better in the city. It's so good. The noodles, the sauce, the mixture. Everything. And it's hella filling at a reasonable price. I haven't tried their other locations but if they are any consistent, I strongly recommend trying them whenever you're near one. read more

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Ian N.

399

215

543

2 years ago

Dan Dan Noodles (4/5): I liked that it wasn't too soupy, but it was maybe just a tad dry. Pretty spicy with that szechuan pepper heat that numbs your tongue. The noodles were well cooked, and I liked the minced meat (but chunks would've been better). Chengdu Style Dumplings (3/5): Nothing special. It was hard to taste the filling with the amount of soy sauce and chili oil dumped in. The wrapper was pretty good but I would've preferred it to be a bit more firm. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this) read more

The Dumpling Lady - Dan Dan Noodles and Chengdu Style Dumplings (Lunch Special) - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Travis T.

4

435

1312

1 year ago

The dan dan noodles was delicious and had the right amount of spice level. However, it could be a little bit less sweet. read more

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Shavonne B.

Elite 25

400

84

129

1 year ago

I love coming to optimist hall when the weather is nice, inside there's so much seating and so many places to try! Came out to meet a few friends, and I wanted something good but not too heavy. When you walk up, they have a little area blocked out in the front for the line, they have everything on the menu and when placing the order they give you the little device that buzzes when your food is ready. I would suggest placing your order here then using the time you're waiting to stop by the bar or any other place you want to hit. Depending on the busyness, it can be about a 5-10 minute wait. Came and got the shrimp and chicken dumplings, they were so good I had to get them twice in one week!! Just a heads up, the chili sauce is SPICY!!! But I was loving every single bite! Next time I come I'll definitely get the lunch special so I can get the ramen too! read more

The Dumpling Lady - Shrimp and chicken dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Sofia G.

24

136

512

2 years ago

Was visiting my cousin and she took us to Optimist Hall where I had the opportunity to order and enjoy the chicken and shrimp dumplings as well as the chicken pot stickers. I had the sauce on the side so I had some variety. Next time I'm going to have them just pour it all in. It still tasted just as good once I poured it in myself. I'm mad we don't have this in Florida where I live. They would get all my money! It was so damn good. The ladies were very patient with me and my indecisiveness of what I wanted to eat. The location is great. It's kind of like a mess hall with lots of other food spots and seating. Looking forward to visiting again so I can order some more and to bring some back home. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Chicken and Shrimp Dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The Dumpling Lady - Chicken Pot Stickers - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Jessica C.

162

276

586

2 years ago

Cashier was friendly. Nice place inside of a food hall. Ordered the Ramen special -- soy braised pork belly with bok choy & quail egg. This was pretty good. Spice level was about a 4/10. The pork belly was tender and had good flavor! Vegetables were nicely cooked. I'd try again! read more

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Daniel S.

0

45

97

11 months ago

So so so freaking delicious. A little on the spicy side in which I loved built I'm sure my body will complain about later. Quick service and several options to choose from. I went with the Dan Dan noodles as well as the shrimp and chicken dumplings. Both were beyond amazing. I cannot wait to come back to try something else. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Dan Dan noodles and shrimp & chicken dumplings - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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sally t.

18

86

182

1 year ago

Worker was very kind and answered all of my questions. I got the most popular option with extra chili oil and it was amazing. The texture of the dumplings were perfect and they were very flavorful. I wanted to eat the entire serving but got other items and wanted to try all the things. Ate for leftovers and it was just as good. read more

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Nathanael S.

30

65

462

2 years ago

This was my first time trying The dumpling lady. I hadn't heard about it from anyone. I was just walking around inside the optimist food hall and noticed the food menu. I'm a sucker for All types of dumplings. I asked the lady what she recommended on The dumpling side and she mentioned the Chengdu was her favorite. It had a nice flavor and a little bit of spice without being overpowering which was nice I also tried the Dan Dan noodles and also had a good mix of textures and flavor. I've had other versions of Dan Dan that had a much stronger peanut flavor. I wouldn't say that I know enough about Dan. Dan, to say if one is right or wrong overall I wouldn't hesitate to order it again. I would definitely want to try the soup dumplings the next time but I didn't get a chance this time around. read more

The Dumpling Lady - Noodle and dumpling menu - Szechuan Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Waldemar G.

75

314

1321

2 years ago

Conveniently located inside the Optimist Hall, my daughter and I decided to try out a few places, and the dumpling lady was one of them. She did not disappoint; the young lady that took our order was patient with us as we did not know what we wanted yet and helped us decide on a few different things. Let me say everything came out very good. Delicious. We'll go back again for sure. read more

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Tim H.

0

9

0

3 months ago

Awesome food!!! Dan Dan noodles are outstanding! I'm going back to try the bao buns with my kids!

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Quinton W.

6

16

50

8 months ago

Great dumplings and the sauce is a perfect addition!! Plus the added bonus of frozen dumplings to go so late night snacking made easy.

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Jessica L.

1

18

47

1 year ago

I'd grab their food but avoid their incompetent service provided by the untrained cashiers. Call to pick up but double check the bag. This is the third time I've gotten my order picked up with things missing. Gone back to ask for them, only to have a smart tone back at me. Someone was hired there without any true hospitality whatsoever and I hate that my experience has been this way. It wasn't peak time. If your cashiers are patient enough to get their nails done(as per her beautiful claws), and finish their conversations with each other before helping anyone--they can be patient enough to look over a simple order and not talk back to a customer that's picking up something that was missing. 4/5 - the food is always delicious. I'd loose 4 stars for service and give a solid 1 if it wouldn't pull the entire rating down. read more

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More info about The Dumpling Lady

1115 N Brevard St
Charlotte, NC 28206
NoDa
Directions
(980) 595-6174
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.thedumplinglady.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does The Dumpling Lady open?

The Dumpling Lady opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does The Dumpling Lady close?

The Dumpling Lady closes at 8:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.The Dumpling Lady closes at 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:00 AM - 8:30 PMFri-Sat 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Payment methods

Does The Dumpling Lady take Bitcoin?

No, The Dumpling Lady does not take Bitcoin.

Does The Dumpling Lady take credit cards?

Yes, The Dumpling Lady takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Dumpling Lady have catering options?

Yes, The Dumpling Lady does have catering options.

Does The Dumpling Lady have a happy hour?

No, The Dumpling Lady does not have a happy hour.

Does The Dumpling Lady serve alcohol?

No, The Dumpling Lady does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does The Dumpling Lady allow dogs?

Yes, The Dumpling Lady allows dogs.

Does The Dumpling Lady have TVs?

No, The Dumpling Lady does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Dumpling Lady have bike parking?

Yes, The Dumpling Lady has bike parking.

Does The Dumpling Lady have parking?

Yes, The Dumpling Lady has parking options.

Other Amenities

Is The Dumpling Lady wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Dumpling Lady is wheelchair accessible.

Does The Dumpling Lady have free WiFi?

No, The Dumpling Lady does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Authentic Sichuan food - think dumplings, noodles, wontons, etc. We use local fresh ingredients and never cut corners

History

Established in 2016.

I started The Dumpling Lady when I moved from Sichuan Province to Charlotte to be with my husband in 2015. I began making food for friends and family members simply because I miss my hometown and cooking Sichuan spicy food is the what brings me back to the feeling of home. I started selling my food at local farmers markets where I formed relationships with my local farmers and suppliers who help me use the freshest meats and veggies possible. I started my food truck in July 2016 to share my spicy Sichuan food with not only friends and family, but my local community in Charlotte as well. I look forward to seeing you!

Meet the Business Owner: Qian Z.

From NeiJiang, Sichuan, China, bringing authentic Sichuan food to Charlotte, NC

More Info

Health Score

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AMAZING food and hospitality. My sister and I come here all the time and absolutely love everything…read morewe have had. Not only is the food a 10/10 the atmosphere is great!!

My Mom and I had a great lunch here. It's been a good while since I had Sun's and it was my Mom's…read morefirst time. I like how you can order as soon as you walk in on a computer. It was a quick and easy process. It was impersonal but I guess that is how technology is changing things. We ordered and sat ourselves. I tried the mango drink and it was really delicious!!! We ordered the dumpling platter, lamb and beef skewers, the don don noodles I believe and I got the lunch special with the spicy chicken. Everything was SO GOOD!!! My mom ate all of here food and loved it. I really enjoyed every thing too. I need to come here more often, there's a lot of other dishes I would love to try!!! It's so just super cute inside, I love their decor.

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Riceblossom

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(75 reviews)

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As much as I love their foods, can't believe that it's been over a year since I've been here?!?…read more I noticed right away that there's been some more renovations. The booths are now Orange, giving the place a brighter look. The fake Cherry Blossom Tree still stands though. Well, I couldn't stop myself from reordering my fave dish in all of Charlotte...the Spicy Fish Filet in Flaming Pan! I probably said this before...but not only delish, this is possibly the biggest steal in Charlotte. This entree comes with generous chunks of fried fish, with at least 6-7 veggie varieties...including the exotic Lotus...and all for just $19.99!! In any American restaurant, this type of entree (plenty of fish and veggie varieties?!?) would easily be priced over $40. I need to try other items on their extensive menu, but I am so hopelessly hooked on this entree!

I came here a few years ago for my first Yelp event so when I saw they were doing a special on…read moretheir mapo tofu I knew I needed to come back. Just as good as last time I was here. The food was great. I wish I could eat mapo tofu every day. We also got the diced chicken with peppers. It's addictive. I love this place and I need to go more often.

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Baoding

The fried rice and stir-fried okra together are amazing. Food is always good!…read more The ambiance is outdated but the service is exceptional.

Searching for Chinese in Charlotte, I found that this place had an intriguing menu. They are retro…read morein the sense that there is no online ordering, so I called in. It is busy enough that plenty of other people had also called in for takeout. The price was higher than I thought it would be by a significant margin; I thought something was off but then rechecking their menu I saw it was indeed $20 for a vegetable entree. On the upside, they did offer brown rice at no extra charge. Still, I'll get three meals out of it and as someone who eats a lot of takeout, this was not a great value. In terms of quality, I was thrilled to find that they offered a stir-fried okra dish. This is a ubiquitous Indian dish, and of course okra is common throughout the tropics globally, but I'd never seen this offered at a Chinese restaurant before. And the rapid cooking technique typical of the cuisine produced a delightfully crisp vegetable, which went great with a black bean sauce and some very hot dried chilis. On the other hand, their interpretation of ma po tofu had some fermented broad beans but minimal vegetables (sometimes you get mushrooms or peas or at least some leeks or something) and no numbing sensation. They had a bean curd roll dish that I enjoyed, and some quality dumplings. Overall, not huge portions and a mix of okay to great quality.

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The bar

YaMe Asian Noodles

Today I met a friend for lunch at YaMe. I was greeted by the staff when I entered and the…read morerestaurant was as very clean. The menu offers something for everyone. It was our first visit and we wanted to try the curry. We ordered the Thai Red Curry and the Thai Green Curry. Both were perfection! The red curry had just the right amount of spice to give it flavor, but not be too spicy hot. The green was mild, but flavorful. The dumplings were so good. These were both very good and we added shrimp and chicken. I believe they would be just a satisfying with only the vegetables. This is my go to place for Asian noodle dishes from now on...can't wait to sample more of the menu on my next visit.

First time visiting YaMe for lunch. The vegetable soup is good - fresh veggies either a light broth…read moreand rice noodles. The service was excellent, friendly and accommodating. There's parking and ample space to dine-in. The ambiance is relaxed and inviting. I would definitely recommend and will revisit.

Dish bin area

Chili oil just makes it!

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Thai Iced Tea

Lam's Kitchen

I genuinely enjoy Lam's Kitchen. It's one of those places I'm willing to drive out of my way from…read moreUptown to Matthews for--and it's worth the trip every time. As a Bay Area foodie, I'm always searching for Chinese food that gives me that same feeling I get in San Francisco or Houston's Chinatown. Lam's comes close. The ingredients taste fresh, everything is made to order, the proteins are tender, and the flavors have depth without being heavy or overdone. This visit, I ordered the scallion beef, and it was excellent--tender beef, plenty of scallions and onions, and beautifully seasoned. I asked for something spicy on the side, thinking sambal or hot chili sauce, and they brought me chili crisp. Perfect. And yes, I know sweet and sour pork can sound cliché, but theirs deserves some respect. It's made with cubes of tender pork, bell peppers and pineapple, and the sauce isn't cloyingly sweet. The quality of the pork makes the dish. I'm already looking forward to the leftovers. Other favorites include the string beans with ground pork and the beef with broccoli. Both are stellar. They also have an extensive dim sum menu. It's ordered from the menu rather than served from carts, which means there's plenty more for me to work my way through. There's something comforting about eating here. Seeing families gathered around the tables enjoying Chinese food sometimes makes me a little homesick for meals out with my mom. Food has a funny way of doing that. The restaurant itself is clean, comfortable and nicely air-conditioned, with a large live seafood/lobster tank. Service is friendly and fast. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable, and there's an easy parking lot right outside. Lam's Kitchen has earned a permanent spot in my rotation. I'll happily keep making the drive to Matthews and eating my way through the menu. Life is too short not to eat well. Get out there and find your next meal.

Everything is always GREAT! The waitstaff treat you like FAMILY…read moreEven though there were 3 of us eating, there are always leftovers to enjoy the next day.

Fresh tank of two sizes of Lobster and Dungeness Crabs

Seafood bird's nest noodles

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Dim sum menu Aug 2026

Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle

Went to eat with my coworker who recommended this place as serving authentic Chinese cuisine. I…read morecould not pass up that opportunity as Asian cuisine is in my top three. It's very rare for me to do a review and not have pics to accompany it but from entrance to exit I don't think I liked my phone up once. Coworker's company was great but the food really made for a great experience. In addition to that having my coworker speak to the culture of the food made it all the more appreciated. I definitely can't say enough good words about the food and the service and the overall experience. Five stars is all I can give but if there were more this restaurant would well deserve it. Next time I'll have to get pics

Great authentic Chinese Hot Pot place! The food is fantastic and the service fast and efficient…read moreplus the atmosphere is cool! The prices are very reasonable for the quality of food served! I have eaten here many times and I have tried virtually everything on the menu. With that said, here is my take on it. Everything that I have tried has been delicious! For cold appetizers, I am a big fan of the Black Fungus W. Vinegar Sauce, Cold Spicy Sour Cucumber and the Spicy Beef Tendon. For hot appetizers, everyone raves about the Popcorn Chicken and I concur that it's very good! I really like the Frled Pork Gyoza too. For the main course, they have some rice dishes, but the main focus is the hot pot soups. They bring out a 300°F Stone bowl of broth (in an insulated pot holder) and the ingredients to put in it. You put the meat and lettuce in first, then the other ingredients and the noodles last then wait for "10 seconds"thus the name of the restaurant. I have tried all of the broths and they are all good depending on your tastes. The original broth is the bass broth. Then they add things to the other others to differentiate them. My favorites are the Tomato Soup (especially with Beef Flank) and Spicy Soup. If you like things VERY spicy, they can bring you some cut Thai peppers. The wait staff are patient are very helpful in guiding patrons. They understand that this is a new experience for them. They also pay attention to their customers eating habits. One time when I went in, they noticed that I added lots of chili peppers and chili oil to my food. That's when she said she could bring me some very hot fresh chili peppers. Charlotte is truly blessed to have so many great authentic Chinese body shops popping up all over town! I highly recommend this place! Cheers!

Dining area with large wall decorations #tensecondscharlotte #charlottenc #charlottefoodscene #preservefootprints

E1. Popcorn Chicken

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Toppings

Wan Fu Quality Chinese Cuisine

Wan Fu is stamped as the best Chinese spot in Charlotte and I'll Stan by that! Every time someone…read moreasks me where to get good Chinese food, this is the first place that comes to mind. The food is always consistent, and that's what keeps me coming back here. I visited during lunch, and they only had two servers working, so service was a little slower than usual. To start, I ordered the spring roll, then had the Wan Fu Scallops and the Singapore Rice Noodles. The spring roll was crispy and hit the spot. The Singapore noodles were packed with flavor and had a nice spicy kick. If you're not big on spice, I'm sure they can tone it down if you ask. The Wan Fu Scallops were tender and just as delicious. I've been here several times, and the quality never disappoints. Consistency is hard to find, but Wan Fu gets it right every time. If you're looking for Chinese food in Charlotte that's worth coming back for, this is the spot.

Yummy food attentive service and no frills in the place! Will enjoy as a new take out spot…read more Everything looked amazing as I looked around!

Interior bar

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Good Chinese food

Yiding Hot Pot

3.8

(78 reviews)

10.4 mi

This place was a really fun dinner. We had never been there so we needed a bit of help navigating…read morethrough the process. Our server was amazing and patient and helpful. The robot delivery was fun but beware you don't get in their way or you may get bumped! Fun atmosphere and delicious food made for a great experience! The hot bar food was delicious! Definitely recommend! Two thumbs way up

Yiding Hot Pot is an interactive and communal experience in a casual environment. That's what the…read moreadult in me is quoting. The child in me says "Wow! We get to play with our food and have a fun time with our family and friends all while making a mess! Plus, robots!" There are so many dining choices to make here but we really can't go wrong especially since it's "all you can eat". Pick a broth (simple? mild? umami? spicy? very spicy?), and then select among literally dozens of raw meats, seafood, veggies, tofu and noodles to cook in it. Each person gets their own pot, so be selfish and choose your pleasure. Order some dumplings or other dim sum "appetizers" Order various sashimi or sushi rolls. Go to the cold bar and stock up on Asian salad options and various dipping sauces. For us big kids beer, wine, sake and soju are also available. Then as the broth in the buckets boil in front of us start adding and scooping out ingredients. Eat. Repeat. Did I say robots? The food is delivered to the tables by these cutesy things. Just don't stiff the bots on tips - I hear they'll run you down and tase you (just kidding - I think). Did I say messy? Seriously, don't wear nice clothes. Broth gets distributed, well, pretty much everywhere. Needless to say, Yiding Hot Pot is a place best enjoyed with a group. Approved and recommended for children of all ages!

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Lee Cafe

Since I moved from NYC I have been desperately searching for REAL Chinese food. Lee Cafe came…read morehighly recommended by another NayC transplant so I figured I'd give it a go. I ordered the sesame chicken dinner, wonton soup and an egg roll. The egg roll was soooooo small...super lint and little. I co my s from a place where one egg roll can be shared by two people. Thick and super stuffed. Forget that. It doesn't exist here. The mini egg roll was dry and you couldn't even tell what was in it. The wonton soup broth had a great flavor but the wontons were not fresh. They were gummy in a creepy kinda way. Frozen with freezer burn was my best guess. The sesame chicken was super super super OVERFRIED. Dry as a bone inside. This had clearly been pre fried and then fried again and dipped in a sticky sauce with weird texture. Kind of tasted like sesame chicken but the texture of the sauce and the dry chicken were disgusting. I spit it out. This place is a nicer version of Panda Express. If you like Panda Express .....bless your hearts than you might love this place. Those of us who have been exposed to amazing Chinese food at super cheap prices are not loving the Chinese food offerrings here in the Carolina's. Yuck

My wife loved her selection. I was disappointed in my selection. I truly believe that l would have…read moreenjoyed one of my usual selections. Service was attentive and we would visit another tim

Salt and pepper pork chops

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Sizzling Steak Black Pepper Sauce

Jade Dragon

Love any excuse to come here for the best won ton soup in the state. Couple a bowl ($3.95) with an…read moreegg roll ($2.50 each) or two and that is lunch...with hot tea ($2.50). Lunch service is as quick as for dinner and there are usually seats empty. You owe it to yourself to give it a try.

Noticed that the menu on their website had prices that show about $4 cheaper than when you actually…read morego to order online which is very deceiving. I'm not paying $15 for Chinese food lunch.

Prep work

Szechuan Chicken, $10.95

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Rice

Little Mama's

Food was good. Waiter Moses ?? He wasn't very attentive,…read morenever refilling waters nor replacing silverware that was taken when used. He also forgot a beer and never asked for dessert menu and tossed it on the table when it was provided to us.. He seems he like to go home early.....

We love the family style meals available for takeout. Delicious, easy and super convenient!read more

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Sea Level NC

First it was my first visit and I invited two other couples. The waitress was pleasant kind of…read morebless your heart type of attitude. Once my guest arrived the problems started. To move forward I would like to say we all ordered out food, and it was a total of six of us . Three people approved of their dish however, two of us had cold food when you go to a upscale restaurant, such as sea level it would be nice not to have to send our food back due to the temperature. The manager came to the table and she did get our food prepared correctly however, at that point the manager should have given some type of concessions and offered the free dessert because we were not able to eat with our guest. I had to ask for that type of service. My friend got her Bill and the waitress was doing what you call up sale. She asked her husband and my husband if they would like to have three scallops added to their meal the waitress did not say would you like to have three scallops added to your meal for $30? She just plainly said would you like to have three scallops added to your meal or a lobster tail now I understand that there are many people that would go in and not have a problem with the price however, it should be stated how much the up charge is going to be and it should be in writing on the menu because we looked back on the menu and there was not a price for up charge on the scallops . My friend was not happy with the service nor the cost of the scallops . The manager did not really know how to handle the situation but because I invited everyone I wanted to make it right and I asked to pay part of her bill and of course my friend denied and said it'd be best. If we just not come back she said the food wasn't bad the food was actually good however, the waitress was definitely not as friendly focused as she should have been and not willing to help make our experience the best I will say the manager should have been able to accommodate her request and move forward and be kind and understand her point. I will be back and I would love for my friends to come back. The ambiance was very nice and the drinks and food were good as well. Please note the manager at the end gave us a $10 coupon for next visit but our friends were not happy with the outcome. It was simply lack of communication and more openness regarding the charges of up selling and the price is not on the menu. My husband and I left the waitress a $40 tip to show her we did not take it personal and the restaurant has great potential but additional customer service is definitely needed. Thank you.

An absolutely wonderful experience at Sea Level Charlotte! From the moment we arrived, everything…read morewas fantastic--the atmosphere, the food, the hospitality, and the overall experience made for such a memorable evening. A very special shout-out to Jeremiah, who truly went above and beyond. His service was exceptional--warm, attentive, professional, and genuinely thoughtful. He made us feel welcomed and taken care of throughout our entire visit, and his positive energy made the experience even more enjoyable. It's rare to encounter someone who takes such genuine pride in providing outstanding service. Jeremiah is truly an asset to Sea Level Charlotte. People like him are what turn a good dining experience into an exceptional one. Thank you, Sea Level Charlotte, for a wonderful time--and especially to Jeremiah for making our visit so special. We can't wait to come back!

Soft shell season is here!

Bar area

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Fish House Punch Pitcher

Uchi Charlotte

I have been to all of the original Austin locations and the Charlotte location is good but leaves…read moresomething to be desired. Given the price and reputation from my past experiences, I was expecting top tier service, food, and ambience with a quality of fish second to none in the area. Let's break it down: We had a table of 3 and each ordered the signature tasting ($60 pp, a drink, and 2 extra items (one tuna roll and the Australian wagyu hot rock, ~$20 each) 1. Service Our waitress was kind and professional, but the overall cohesion of the staff seemed off and the wait times between courses was sporadic and often too long. It took about 30 minutes from ordering to get our first course which was... a salad wrap. Not only did this seem way too long, but it was extremely underwhelming for a top tier tasting menu experience (will come back to this in the food section). After that, some courses came out overlapping each other, and some were 10-15 min apart. This made it feel less like a fine dining tasting experience and more disorganized. On top of that, the server bringing the food to the table would explain each course in a rush and we could not hear them, meaning we did not know much about each dish. Lastly, our water was consistently empty and previous corse dishes were left on the table when new ones were served, which is a minor thing but should be standard at a fine dining restaurant. Knowing how blown away I was in Austin by the original restaurant, the overall service left me feeling disappointed in bringing my friends and hyping up the place for such an expensive meal. 2. Food Our tasting menu consisted of 7 courses including a salad wrap, tuna hamachi (cold), a sea bream role, ponzu glazed salmon (hot), 2 pieces of nigiri per person, brussel sprouts, and a dessert. Having 2 of 6 core dishes be a salad and veggie at a renowned seafood restaurant was disappointing, and these did not blow me a way at all and were average at best (salad was uninteresting, brussels were cold and too saucy). The sea bream role was also just average, but the tuna hamachi, salmon, and nigiri were excellent. I felt that the portion size was small for 3 people, it was marginally bigger than a 2 person tasting and that was also slightly disappointing. We each got to choose our own dessert which was nice and included a guava and banana cake which were excellent but much too big compared to the portions of the core dishes. We also ordered the additional tuna crunchy roll and hot rock wagyu which were excellent, and a much better value than the tasting portions. Overall, the food was still good, but I distinctly remember the few times I went to the Austin restaurant being absolutely blown away by the food quality, uniqueness, and menu selection, which was not the case here. I hope this improves in the future. 3. Ambience The adaptive reuse space was awesome and the look of the place is stellar. I loved how much seating and bar space there was and the overall lighting and mood was great. The only complaint I have here is that it was very loud making it hard to hear servers and each other over conversation. No one wants to be shouting over the ambient noise when paying $100+ for a meal. For context, we are late 20s, we are not shy to louder bars and restaurants, this was especially noisy. In general, I believe this place has a ton of potential and I really hope it improves in quality and value before I come back again. At present, I would not recommend the tasting menu and instead opt for individual dishes.

Alex was our waiter, he was amazing! Very caring, attentive, and just a great waiter!!read more

Tuna hamachi crispy rice

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Soft shell crab roll

Mama Ricotta's

WOW.......where to begin! Everything about this place was just amazing. From the very beginning on…read morea Sunday the wait was nothing even though the parking lot was packed. The service from our waitress was over the top good, which I got her name! The food.......it was like an angel singing Started with the house made fresh mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and olive oil, the flavors were fresh and colorful. I had the lasagna with a meatball and extra sauce, which ia literally the best I have had since moving from Syracuse NY. Most sauces in the south are to sweet and tastes like Chef Boy RD......but not here full of flavor with a nice bite to it, would make any Italian Nonna cry! We had little ones with us that just wanted Alfredo which wasn't on the menu, no problem waitress to the rescue again, she has the kitchen whip up a fresh Alfredo sauce, and seriously the first time I have seen the kids finish a whole meal!!! Manager came by and introduced himself , and gave a friendly handshake wich made the overall experience even better! 10 out of 10 and can't wait to go again!!!!

What an amazing find…read more We had a party of 10 and the reviews were great here. For appetizers we had short rib meatballs and goat cheese appetizer. They were both flavorful and a hit. The goat cheese was amazing. I shared my penne ala vodka with my partners chicken parmesan. This is one of the best chicken parmesans I have had. We requested fresh pasta for both. Order their homemade pasta and be prepared to share. Portions were above average. For dessert you must try the cheesecake. Smooth and well balanced. One improvement could be the chocolate cake. This was dry and kacked the chocolate flavor the menu teased. The service was great. Ill be back in September.

Famous Penne alla Vodka

Pollo carciofi

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Joe's Pizza

Yunta Nikkei

Everyone was amazing and love love the new menu! Everyone works together which I love, but our…read morewaiter at the bar Johnathon was fantastic and really was helpful with our choices!! Food, drinks, ambiance with the Dj was on point! Can't wait to come back!

This is our fav restaurant in Clt. It's so inventive and delicious, reasonably priced and sexy…read morevibe. We had Jacinto as a server and he was so helpful and nice. Great recommendations We always order the gratin and will always be ordering Beef Anticucho. The maize and truffle was to die for- the sauce is over the top. The Crabocado Causa was good but it wouldn't be something I'd put on my "must order" list Again, this place is just so amazing and consistent. We love it

Bar

Ceviche Classico (fish)

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Salmon Ceviche

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Austin B.

156

41

37

3 years ago

If you're a fan of authentic Chinese cuisine, you won't want to miss the Dumpling Lady at Optimist Hall in Charlotte NC. This food stall is a hidden gem, serving up some of the most delicious and authentic dumplings you'll ever taste. The menu at the Dumpling Lady is simple but flavorful, with a variety of different dumpling options to choose from. Whether you prefer meat or vegetarian options, there's something for everyone here. The dumplings themselves are made fresh to order, with a delicate and flavorful dough that's the perfect texture. The fillings are bursting with flavor, from the savory pork and chive to the deliciously spicy Szechuan-style chicken. But what really sets the Dumpling Lady apart is the exceptional service. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and they take the time to explain the menu and make recommendations based on your preferences. Overall, I would highly recommend the Dumpling Lady to anyone looking for an authentic and delicious Chinese food experience in Charlotte. The food is outstanding, the service is top-notch, and the prices are very reasonable. Don't miss out on this hidden gem in Optimist Hall! read more

Vannessa W.