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Ugly Dumpling Express

3.3 (50 reviews)
Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Order Ugly Dumpling Express Takeout or Delivery

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UGLY DUMPLING EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Dogs allowed
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Ugly Dumpling Express

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Orange Chicken with White Rice
Linda P.

The food was beyond fresh and amazing ! I visited the restaurant with different parties two days in a row (hubby / daughter). The service both times were amazing as we had been seated and served by waitress Amanda. She is such a wonderful young lady! Her smile and help with the menu made our experience so go we even ordered to go for both evenings. The best ! There's a cute cross between franchise feel and comfy dining in the restaurant. The tables are comfortable and not too close together, but the hall by the main kitchen has booths for a more private atmosphere.

#1 combo
Steve D.

Service was great. Ambiance is cool and welcoming. Cashier Amanda was a delight. I had a clear path of what I wanted as I entered but she up-sold me, which I was fine with, she was sweet and attentive. I ordered a #1 which was chicken fingers, spicy wontons, 2 spring rolls and a fountain soda. The spring rolls were as they should be, the filled the void. The spicy pork wontons were wonderful, they got the nose running and that chili oil was dynamite. The chicken fingers were weird. Clearly dark meat but the chewy texture turned me off a bit. The crunch and seasoning were good. The texture was a turn off for me honestly. I forced myself to eat a few and even dipped them in the spicy chili sauce from the wontons. Just that texture was rough for me to get past.

Wall art
Alex P.

This is an awesome quick place to stop for lunch or a snack. The dumplings aren't as good as some of the more authentic soup dumpling places I've tried, but I still really enjoyed it. The inside is always clean and it has never been overly crowded when I've come (I've been 4x) Our favorite are the pork truffle soup dumplings, the orange chicken and the peach black tea with no sweeteners. There is plenty of parking and shopping in the plaza to walk around before or after For my GF friends: this isn't the place for you. The menu is mostly dumplings and noodle dishes and since it's an express location there is a small menu overall. They have bubble teas and regular flavored teas which is likely GF, but I have no asked specifically

Donna P.

My family really enjoys the food at the Ugly dumpling. The name is adorable. We have done takeout and eat in. Located not far from Best Buy in Holmdel. Parking is easy.

Entire seating area other table is people waiting for take out

Server seems like she hates her job and doesnt wanna be bothered by customers.. got very nasty with other customers telling them they were only doing take-out only.

The lights change color in the bathroom.

Not your typical restaurant... no waiters nor waitresses. You order at the front and take a seat. The kitchen staff brings the food to you. The decor is pleasant. Clean and fresh. Not too dark and not overly bright. Love a clean toilet. Most importantly, the food was authentically Chinese and very flavorful. My lunch for my wife, 5 yr old son and myself, set me back $51. It felt like McDonald's but I felt like I need to tip. I left 15%... $7. Considering you dispose of your garbage, this may not be require tipping. What are your thoughts?

Chicken XLB (6)
Hector S.

The restaurant offers a self service kiosk with plenty of options. I had the recommended Chicken XLB and it was decent. I would eat here again if I'm in the area and want something quick.

Fried pork buns
Sebastian B.

Hello yelpers this is my explanation of the new UDX ugly dumping express in Holmdel. This was Cheeseburger Cheeseburger in its past life and I cant explain why they didn't last but UDX is in a good place. The concept here is like an airport restaurant in a busy strip mall. You walk in and order from a kiosk the counter people will call your name when your order is ready. There's no glamor no hospitality just fun food. What is weird is they give you your cup at the counter but you get your food from another window. Nobody explains this not even a sign describing the unusual procedure. Most people aren't aware of soup dumplings which is their signature dish but other Chinese food items are more familiar. Prices are fair so you can order several things. The portions are small and everything comes served in a to go box or bowl even the lid is there for you. Service and hospitality are non existent in fact I'm sitting in the dining room right now and watched a few people leave while waiting for a kiosk and the 2 girls behind the counter weren't even interested in asking someone to the counter for assistance. At one point they were having a fairly loud laughing session with one of the kitchen workers. It is bright and clean in here very modern and sleek. Remember this place is open only a week or two while I'm writing this. I had a noodle dish which was not bad but lacking in any wow or presentation. I ordered the fried pork bun which I enjoyed, in fact they were very good. I also had the soup dumpling combo which was okay but not great. I'm sure the thing here is their new staff and lack of management present at 7:30p on a Saturday. This is prime dining time and there's less than 10 diners in here. I expect a wait since the concept and location are super new. The other issue is they offer a combo meal on their menu and online but there was a post it note saying "NO COMBO"... WTF? I'm not warning anyone to stay away try it yourself it's good different food at fair prices. But it's fast food so get ready to eat not be welcomed or wowed. If you want to try real Chinese dumplings check out Shanghai Bun in Matawan to compare to UDX.

Orange Chicken
Michael D.

Food is average, but not as bad as reviews say. Popcorn chicken was pretty good The fried rice isn't bad. Not too much flavor, but not too oily either. Fried chicken, was supposed to be soy garlic flavor, but really not as good soy garlic fried chicken that you'd get from a Korean fried chicken restaurant. Ok, I'll admit the orange chicken was not good at all. No flavor.

Spicy Pork Wontons (8)

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5 months ago

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10 months ago

Food is ridiculously expensive and very bland. Place is very clean, service is good. Not the best food for the price.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Great soup dumplings, love the combo meal options. Excellent service would 100% go again

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

site says open til 9 but kitchen closed at 830, say youre open until 8 if thats the case

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2 years ago

Good food, quick service. The chicken wonton soup is so delicious, and the garlic soy wings were so crispy.

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2 years ago

food was amazing. definitely coming back. Amanda took my order she was a great help. I got the orange chicken it was so good !

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Ask the Community - Ugly Dumpling Express

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Ugly Dumpling Express - chinese - Updated May 2026

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