Boston | Fresh pickled beans and dried mallow for spring

🍲 Szechuan‘s Dumpling: Boston’s Hangzhou-Inspired Eatery—Decent, But With Room to Grow Finally got to try Szechuan‘s Dumpling (dubbed “Drunken Hangzhou” for its regional focus). It’s passable—hovering just above average—and in Boston’s limited Chinese food scene, that’s enough to warrant a try. But higher prices and small missteps keep it from being a standout. 🍲 The Dishes: Hits and Near-Misses Yanduxian Soup ($26.95): 🥣 A comforting, if inauthentic, take on the classic Hangzhou broth. The soup is light (not greasy) and “fresh-tasting”—though the richness likely comes from MSG (my throat felt dry by afternoon). Notably, there’s no salted pork or pork belly—just tender, plentiful ribs. The bamboo shoots are frozen (texturally flat), and the tofu skin knots (a highlight of traditional yanduxian) are scarce. Still, it’s warm, meaty, and satisfying. Malantou with Dried Tofu ($11.95): 🌿 Nostalgic but underwhelming. The flavor is close to the real deal, but a pinch more sugar and sesame oil would mellow the malantou greens’ bitterness. Biggest issue: The portion is tiny—barely half a bowl. 😐 The Mix-Up Five-Spice Beef Shank ($12.95): 🥩 I ordered smoked fish, but got this instead. It’s mild, slightly undercooked (could be softer), and paired with a tangy vinegar dip that helps. Tasted fine, but not what I wanted. 💸 Value & Notes Price: Steep for the quality, especially with Uber Eats fees (adding $10+). Fresh bamboo (instead of frozen) would make the cost feel justified. Location: In Arlington, a drive from Boston—better for pick-up than delivery. Szechuan‘s Dumpling fills a gap for Hangzhou-style dishes in Boston, but it’s not exceptional. Worth a try if you’re craving these flavors, but manage expectations. 📍 Szechuan‘s Dumpling 1360 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476 #BostonChineseFood #HangzhouFlavors #TakeoutOptions