Cancel

Open app

Search

Zen Dumpling

4.6 (310 reviews)
ModerateSoup, Salad, Dim Sum
Closed 11:00 am - 10:30 pm

Zen Dumpling Photos

Business Info

ZEN DUMPLING ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Zen Dumpling

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Lalliet V.

We came here for dinner for the first time with friends and the soup dumplings were excellent! The black truffle broth is incredible, especially when paired with the meat from the shrimp and pork dumplings--it's a perfect combination. It's also fascinating to watch the kitchen through the window; you can see the staff hand-making the dumplings, which is a really impressive process.

Mongolian beef
Enit S.

I will agree as many have already stated that we needed a spot like this in Waterford Lakes to cut through the ho-hum chain restaurants and bring some mom n pop goodness into our lives. I love that you can see the people making the dumplings through the glass pane, reminds me of the dumpling places in Montreal. They've got a solid variety of dumplings, and other dishes. I kind of wish they had more soups other than just the hot and sour soup, which was very good; wish it would come with fried wontons on the side or crunchy noodles to top it off with. You can actually ask for the crunchy noodles as I did but they don't bring it with the soup automatically. Food was good, service was good, dishes come out fast. All in all, nice addition to the Waterford Lakes area.

Shanghai Pan fried dumplings
Carnette V.

Grabbed lunch with a friend here and I'd definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a quick and easy spot for xiao long baos! There was no wait for a table and our server was also really quick to tend to us. We were able to order and our food came out shortly after. Our cucumber salad had a good spice to them and the karaage was pretty juicy. Although, I wish there was a bit more soup and seasoning in the XLBs, they were still good. Overall, I'd come back try more of their menu.

Bao bites
Chelcea F.

Zen Dumpling in Waterford Lakes is one of those places I keep coming back to. I've been multiple times, and the only time I didn't have to wait was when I got there right when they opened, so definitely expect a line. Luckily, there's a fun bakery with teas next door, so I usually pop in there and grab something for later while I wait. Inside, it's super cute, and I love that there's a window where you can watch them preparing the dumplings. They also have a QR code that lets you see photos of all the menu items, which I personally love. Ordering is easy too, they give you a paper menu where you mark off what you want, and they bring dishes out as they're ready. I've tried a lot here, and there are a few things I consider must-orders every time. The chicken karaage is always delicious, and I love the sauce it comes with, it's simple, but so good. My favorite soup dumplings are the pork soup dumplings, and the beef pancake roll is another standout. Other dishes I've had and would happily order again are the cabbage and pork dumplings, chili wontons, Mongolian beef, beef pan-fried dumplings, sweet and sour baby rib, and the pan-fried bao bites. The only thing I wasn't impressed by was the fried rice, which I thought lacked flavor the one time I tried it. They also have chili crisp, black vinegar and soy sauce on each table, and will bring you some fresh ginger in a bowl that you can combine with ingredients on the table to make a dumpling sauce. Portions are good and definitely shareable, service has always been great, and the prices are pretty decent for how much food you get. Overall, this is a spot I come back to a lot, and for good reason

Xiao long bao
Narenda C.

Been wanting to try out this place a for a while and finally made it happen. Came here on a Sunday night at 6pm and we were quoted 20-30 minutes on the waitlist, ended up being closer to 40 minutes. Small space so probably to be expected to have to wait a bit Both Xiao long bao's we ordered (truffle and pork) were delicious. The zen chili wontons were a hit too. The braised beef noodle soup was lacking in beef, and the stir fried chicken noodle was a bit bland for my liking but would definitely return for the XLB during a weekday lunch so the wait isn't as bad. Service and vibes were A plus, and the clear window to watch them make the XLB is a nice touch too.

Nick G.

Very surprisingly good! My family and I ate a lot here and all enjoyed it, We had 3 sets on dumlings, Beef lo mein, beef scallions and a bunch of other shit. You can watch the people make the dumplings in the glass window. We pretty much were talking about the decorations and materials the whole time but the food was great and def recommend in the waterford area.

pan fried pork bao buns
Aimee B.

Such good dumplings and LOTS of choices. We checked in and we were able to get seated in about 10 minutes. It was lunchtime on Valentine's day so impressed with how quick we were able to get a table. We were greeted right away and we put our order in on the paper list. We both had a beer and they brought cold glasses with the bottles. We both had the sampler soup dumplings. All were full of flavor and super good. My favorite was the pork truffle one! I also tried the chicken and mushroom dumplings and the pan friend pork bao buns. Again all was super flavorful and came out cooked perfectly (and very hot). The location has a few tables, but they can be a little close together so be sure you know at some of the tables they can hear your conversations. It did not bother us, but just something to be aware of.

Definitely a happening place, for good reason
Kerri C.

A friend raved about this place, so we went together. Overall, I'd say she's right. Most of the things we ordered were awesome. I loved the Dan Dan Noodles. They were too spicy for my friend, though. The Stir-fried Green Beans and the Braised Pork Belly Buns are also delicious. The Signature Boa Steam is good, as well. However, by comparison, the Chicken & Mushroom Steamed Dumplings weren't anything special. I wouldn't order those again. My favorite among the soup dumplings is the truffle pork. Our service was okay. My friend prefers a different server, whom she had in the past. He was there and we could definitely see the difference in how he engaged with the guests. We had to ask for an explanation of the Signature Xlb Sampler. It was dropped off without one, so we asked the nearest available employee afterward. The interior is modern. Wish it was a bit bigger. The owner is sweet and definitely cares about the patrons. It gets busy here, so plan accordingly. I'll definitely be back, as I'm still learning what's best on the menu.

Ariann A.

Zen Dumpling is one of those places I always come back to! The soup dumplings here are not only amazing but they are freshly made too! I also love the fried rice & baby spear ribs! This place is definitely worth checking out. From the friendly staff to the bustling atmosphere, I recommend it!

Kimone M.

This place came highly recommended from a friend. I live in Waterford lakes and was not aware of its opening early last year. This place was more popular than I realized. The wait was an hour for 2 people and so worth it. It's conveniently in the shopping center with more than enough to pass that time. Once seated, service was amazing. It's a simple clean aesthetic. You can see the chefs working from your seats. It was obviously busy but didn't mind waiting for the dumpling perfection. We also ordered to go plates after. The portions were perfect and our dumplings, both steamed and fried were quite tasty and done just right. It is a louder restaurant with large groups and families. However, it is just that good and definitely explains why after almost a year the wait is still that long.

Sweet and sour ribs
Kameron C.

Zen dumpling is an impressive local 'chain' restaurant in Florida (Brandon, Orlando and Jax). It's the closest soup dumplings place in Florida to the famous Din Tai Fung restaurant, which started in Taiwan. The appetizers including ribs, cucumbers, and green beans tasted amazing. The soup dumplings do not disappoint, especially the truffle soup dumpling. I was disappointed not having a dessert dumpling option but the menu overall was impressive. The service was quick and friendly, and the decor matched the amazing flavors of the authentic Asian soup dumplings. Highly recommended.

First visit
Darline D.

First visit, after hearing great reviews. Stopped in for a take-out order since I was in the area. Dumplings were flavorful, but menu was more suited for sharing. There was no option for a side of fried rice, so had lots of left overs. I'd go back with friends next time.

General Tso, Truffle Pork Soup Dumpling
Kheyt C.

Place is not too big and not too small-- busy during both times that I've been. Waited a while for a table the first time (there are tables/chairs right outside so we just hung out there while waiting), then luckily they had one vacant table when we walked in the second time. Place is clean. Kitchen has a portion with a glass wall so you can watch the chefs make the dumplings. Staff were on it both times-- got us what we needed promptly, checked up on us, and offered to answer any questions we might have. There was a good balance of "heat" in both temperature and spice.... and I LOVE food that stays warm while I eat. My favorites are: signature bao pan fried, truffle pork soup dumpling, hot & sour soup, dan dan noodle, and thai milk tea with boba. Fried rice was also delicious. Husby LOVES the scallion pancake, but this one I'm just OK with-- I'm a sauce girly so I need to dip it in the sauces from other dishes like the dan dan noodle/cucumber salad. The QR code on the top right corner of the menu is SUPER helpful with pictures next to each menu item. I also appreciate the cute insulated to go bags. Menu: https://qrcode.chowbus.com/browsing?code=FVVZ7v

Truffle Pork Soup Dumplings

See all

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

19 days ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

20 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of D.j. T.
31
10
8

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

7 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 2
Love this 3
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 15
Thanks 6
Love this 14
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Chris A.
1079
984
3204

9 months ago

Helpful 14
Thanks 3
Love this 10
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 8

Zen Dumpling Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Zen Dumpling

Do they have a license for alcohol?

No they just have beer and wine no hard alcohol

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Ming's Bistro - full spread

Ming's Bistro

(608 reviews)

$$

Mills50, Colonialtown North

Easily one of the best spots in Orlando for authentic dim sum and Chinese food. You can tell this…read moreplace has built a loyal following over the years because the food speaks for itself. Everything came out fresh, hot, and packed with flavor, and the portions were really generous. The shrimp dumplings, pork buns, shumai, and beef chow fun were all amazing, and it honestly reminded me of some of the better dim sum places you'd find in bigger cities. What I like most is that it feels authentic without trying to cater too hard to trends. It has that classic family-style Chinese restaurant atmosphere where the focus is really on the food. Service was quick, the staff kept everything moving smoothly even when it got busy, and the overall experience felt genuine. If you're looking for authentic dim sum in Orlando, this is definitely one of the top places to go. Great spot for sharing a bunch of dishes with friends or family and trying a little bit of everything. I'll definitely keep coming back whenever I'm craving good dim sum.

Ming's is a mom and pop shop...it's not fine dining, it's not franchise. Through that lens you…read morerealize this place is awesome. Everyone is friendly but not overly nice The restaurant vibe is what you would expect from a mom and pop spot...take that as you will. It hasn't stopped me from eating there and the food is always fantastic and fresh. For most visits we get it to go cause we live far away and we always get a bunch and literally get 2 to 3 meals out of it for our family of 4. Here is what we typically... Chicken Lo Mein - nice thin noodles, real chicken, fresh veggies Chicken Fried Rice - lots of egg and chicken and some veggies General Tso's chicken - my 8 year old's favorite - we got no spice Sui Mai - includes pork and shrimp - big and juicy Shrimp and Chive - my wife's favorite - it's just delicious Seafood dumplings - not sure all the seafood but also awesome Pan fried pork potstickers- for my older son cause he has shellfish allergies Appetizer portion of Roast duck - super tender, great flavor, crispy skin Appetizer portion of Pork Belly - it's pork belly...enough said Sesame balls - these are more of a dessert, not overly sweet but a nice finish to the meal Lastly we tried something new...the turnip dumplings which were small squares of turnip paste?? That are fried and tossed in something spicy - these were awesome! Definitely adding into the rotation. Overall this place is awesome and worth a try!!

The Lucky Dumpling - Pork and Ginger Dumplings with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce  drizzled on top

The Lucky Dumpling

(13 reviews)

South Eola, Downtown / Central Business District / CBD

This place literally does not have any social media or exists anywhere on social platforms. I was a…read morelittle nervous until I came on and saw a bunch of reviews for them. Every weekend when we went to the farmers market they always have a large line and people would be walking away with multiple dishes. We finally gave it a try, there are four flavors you can get 4 dumplings for $6. The only downside is you cannot mix and match flavors, so if you want to try multiple you have to do separate orders. But trust me, it's worth it! They are cooked right on the spot and are delicious. Biggest Advice? Order more ahead of time because they sell out fast and the lines are always long. It will become one of go to spots for the farmers markets on Sunday!

I absolutely love fried dumplings and was so excited to see this vendor at the Lake Eola Farmer's…read moreMarket. I went the traditional route with getting a pork dumpling and I was not disappointed. It was fried perfectly on one side and had that steamed effect on the other. There is a selection of different sauces to add to them on the table, such as sriracha sauce, soy sauce and sweet thai chili sauce. I chose sweety thai chili sauce because I like the sweet, zesty kick it gives which was a great compliment to the food. It was only $6 for 4 decently sized dumplings which wasn't bad. I'll be back to try the other flavors next time!!

Tasty Wok - 39. Beef with Pan Fried Noodle

Tasty Wok

(698 reviews)

$$

Mills50, Colonialtown North

I was craving Tasty Wok (again) & decided to order 2 more dishes that I haven't had in years…read more Mandarin Egg Tofu With House Sauce Fish Filet with Black Bean Sauce These 2 dishes are HOUSE SPECIALTIES so that means they are known to be unique dishes and delicious. Mandarin Egg Tofu - Egg tofu is very delicious and is similar to silken tofu consistency and this dish is delicious. It has pork strips, enoki mushrooms , mini corn, snap peas, green onions. The egg tofu is fried first and once you bite into it its very tender and silky smooth texture and kind of creamy. This is my favorite tofu. The house sauce is a big brown based sauce. The snap peas seemed a little overcooked losing its bite and crunchy texture nonetheless still a memorable delicious dish. This would be a great vegetarian dish if you opt out the pork strips, Fish Filet with Black Bean Sauce - This is usually served or listed on the menu as a rice plate dish. I usually eat this dining in and its a delicious plate entree. They use Swai filets for this dish. For $1 extra you can order it as a dish with rice on the side and you get more fish filets etc separate. This is a lightly battered fish filets fried and topped with house brown sauce with slithers of onions and red / green bell peppers. Of course the brown sauce is black bean sauce so you will see speckles of black beans with the sauce. There are ginger notes as well when you devour this dish. The fish filets are cooked perfectly so soft and tender. The rice served here can be better imo. Perhaps better brand or grain rice? Also ordered my regulars ; Walnut Shrimp, Beef Chow Fun. Walnut Shrimp - Request ordering this (take out only) having the broccoli stored separately. This provides the shrimp dish to not be soggy. I think you get more shrimps this way too. Tasty Wok's walnut shrimp is by far the best in orlando imo - they really seasoned the shrimp itself prior to dressing it with their creamy sauce. The sauce has a tad sweetness to it & some sort of umami. The shrimps are jumbo large sized. You get about 10-12? Shrimps in this dish. I have had my share of tasting this dish at different restaurants and by far Tasty Wok's is by far my favorite. Beef Chow Fun - Another favorite from Tasty Wok. Wok Hei present, Tender seasoned beef thinly sliced, and Tender wide noodles. It was under seasoned salt wise but eating it with their creamy sauce seasoned beef makes up for it. Again, ate my share of Beef Chow Fun at many restaurants and by far Tasty Wok's have been my favorite thus far. They offer free mini tubs of chili oil upon request. Also chopsticks. Tasty wok do not seem busy dining in but they are busy with take out orders.

*4.5 but rounded to 5…read more I've been going to Tasty Wok since their old location across the street on E Colonial Drive. It was a hole-in-the-wall dive but still authentic back then. The staff were friendly and prompt. We came around late lunch and it was picking up after we were seated. The space is wide and has the old traditional Chinese restaurant aesthetics with a slight modernization. You can see all the crispy meats hanging at the front counter like a traditional shop. We ordered the Shrimp Wonton Soup with Egg Noodles. My go-to for comfort food. I've been a customer since college days and they make one of the best shrimp wontons. I know they've tweaked the recipe a little since the shrimp filling used to be ground up, which was better, but it didn't take away from the freshness. The broth is consistently flavorful with fresh greens and egg noodles. I somehow like the texture of the noodles more than the spaghetti size ones. We ordered the Crispy pork Belly and Duck combo which is really well seasoned. Some bites may be a little salty but it balances out with the rice. You can hear the crunch on the pork belly which is my favorite. We also got the Beef Chow Fun. It's wide noodles and cooked with scallions, beansprouts, and white onions. It was cooked over a flame so you can taste a hint of a char which is not overwhelming or greasy. It's the perfect balance to all the items. What I didn't order was the Water Spinach but it is one of my favorite vegetable dishes. You have to try it when it's available! I had hot tea with it and lots of hot chili oil in my dishes! I am happy they have remained pretty consistent in the dishes. Only on a couple occasions it was off but not many times. There's a small parking lot and plenty of street parking. They share it with other popular spots like Haan Coffee, Sampaguita, etc.

JuicyPot

JuicyPot

(224 reviews)

$$

Horizons West / West Orlando

Traveled here for the best hotpot! The customer service was very refreshing -the best I've…read moreexperienced in awhile! Thank you JuicyPot for being apart of our amazing date night!

If you're a hot pot lover in Orlando, Juicy Pot on West Colonial is definitely a spot that deserves…read moreall the hype -- and honestly one of my favorite places to satisfy a hot pot craving. Every visit here feels cozy, flavorful, and perfect for gathering with family and friends. Let's talk about the broth because that's the real star. My absolute go-to (and forever favorite) is the Tom Yum broth -- it's rich, aromatic, and packed with that perfect balance of sour, spicy, and savory. I love customizing it the way I grew up enjoying Thai hot pot by adding extra mushrooms, tomatoes, chili peppers, cilantro, green onions, garlic, and a squeeze of lime juice. The flavor becomes even brighter and so comforting -- seriously next level. The ingredient selection is another huge win. There's a great variety of seafood, different meats, and an abundance of fresh veggies, so you can really build your bowl exactly how you want it. Everything tastes fresh and the portions are generous, making it one of the best hot pot experiences in Orlando by far. Friendly staffs. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, which makes it perfect for both small dinners and bigger group hangouts. I love coming here with my family and friends -- it's the kind of place where you can slow down, cook together, and just enjoy the moment. Hot pot just hits differently during the cooler season, but honestly... in Florida weather, it's good any time of year. Juicy Pot is always a place I'll come back to whenever I get the chance. If you're looking for a flavorful, comforting, and consistently satisfying hot pot spot, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Zen Dumpling - soup - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...