Dumpling Bliss Ottawa 幸福饺子馆 — Restaurant in Ottawa

I have enjoyed Dim Sum from eateries around the globe for over 40 years. Today, one can find high quality frozen Dim Sum in all of the larger grocery outlets around the city. This requires restaurant Dim Sum to be next level full stop. Dim Sum is never an inexpensive culinary adventure these days. So when I read a recent article on Dumpling Bliss, I was intrigued if a little skeptical given one of the co owners indicated their Dim Sum did not require any dipping sauces given their level of perfection. The other comment which raised an eyebrow was that 1,000 people could eat the same Dim Sum and each would have a different opinion. Indeed. I would counter ALL opinions are valid, and further, some palates are more advanced.

Still I walked in yesterday with the expectation Dumpling Bliss might rival a tiny Dim Sum chain in San Francisco whose offerings were so sensational I would have paid triple the already high cost of each plate.

Unfortunately, the dumplings were at par with the most average frozen varieties one might purchase. We ordered a pork, a beef, and a chive egg: two pan fried, one steamed... 10 of each. The pork was bland beyond words, the beef owned that slightly off taste, unseasoned taste of low quality ground chuck, while the chive egg tasted of nothing but chive. Seriously brutal. Also ordered was the sweet and hot deep fried fish and a deep fried battered chicken. The fish was superb, while the chicken tho very good, was accompanied by a weird butter something dip.

The service was excellent. When the scan ordering did not work, she was there to take the order instantly. Not very busy at that lunch.

Given this eatery is about the dumplings, I won't be setting foot in Dumpling Bliss again. $85...

This was our (wife and I) first time visiting and it was awesome. The variety was great, the prices were very good and the dumplings themselves were absolutely delicious. We got 3 different dumpling types (chicken and mushroom, pork and pickled cabbage and the unexpected tomato and egg) and tempura shrimp. The two meat dumplings we got pan seared and the tomato and egg was steamed.. I was convinced I would hate the tomato and egg since I much prefer pan seared dumplings and the idea of an egg dumpling was gross to me.. I was beyond pleasantly surprised by the steamed tomato and egg dumpling. It was like a dumpling breakfast; it was awesome! The two meat dumplings were amazing and the shrimp was perfectly crispy and not overcooked in the slightest. The whole thing cost about $50 before tip and we were absolutely stuffed (30 dumplings and 6 shrimp between two people). The only thing I would suggest is more table condiments. The two that were offered were really good (chili crisp oil and rice wine vinegar/soy sauce mix) but it would have been nice to also have a garlic chili oil crisp, sriracha and maybe even hoisin (big time pho eater).. I'm a condiment kind of guy. Even with that, I'd legit give this place a solid 9.5 out of 10. Everything was delicious and fast, the place was clean, the server was nice and the price was amazing. Definitely try this place and become a regular. After having tried it, we will definitely be going back as...

It’s honestly ridiculous. When we walked in, the lady at the front stayed on her phone the entire time. We had to ask for the menu, and even then, she barely looked at us no effort to explain anything, no welcome, nothing. It was our first time there, and instead of helping, it felt like we were bothering her, even though the place was completely empty on a rainy day.

The rules also make no sense. How is it possible that for 16 dumplings ($20.99 before tax), we can’t split the same flavor with half boiled and half grilled? Instead, we were told we had to order another full 16-piece portion (another $20.99) just to try a different cooking style. That’s not only lazy but feels dishonest.

I stayed polite, but the staff member kept giving us strange looks while going back and forth on her phone. At that point, I walked outthere’s no way I’d spend money after such a bad customer experience.

I will not be coming back, and I do not recommend this...