Dumpling House Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

I'm not gonna hold any punches for this review. FYI, this is review is based on personal experience and opinion. Please take it with a grain of salt.

Context: I used to frequent this establishment almost a decade ago. However, how does it currently fare in 2022? Let's take a look and find out!

Service: (2/5) - We came into the establishment on a late Sunday afternoon, the person in the front with a stern-look greeted us and warned us that they accepted cash only. When sitting down, it feels like the staff were watching the floor like hawks. Upon finishing our dishes, they quickly came over taking our dishes away and handed us the bill. I definitely feel like they just want customers to come in, eat, pay, and go away fast. Pricing wise, it's definitely a lot more expensive than I'd had like and valued from this dining experience.

Food: (2/5) - (Tea) I wouldn't even call it tea, more like warm water at best, not even properly hot for a tea. While there's a tea bag in there but it feels like it's been refilled too many times. Might as well say they gave us warm water, can't even savor any tea from it. (Fried Lamb Dumpling) The signature fried dumplings that I recall and loved! What shocked me is the lack of lamb flavor and the tiny amount of filling. I felt like I was more eating fried dumpling skin with a hint of lamb. I was pretty disappointed. (Spinach and Black Mushroom Steamed Dumpling) The steamed dumpling was definitely properly prepared, what astonishes me is how little black mushroom there inside. It was mainly spinach with a sprinkle of black mushroom. So little in fact that you can barely pick up its flavor.

Environment: (4/5) - Definitely what stood out the most from how I used to remember. I recalled the run-down looking restaurant back in the day, now it's all nice with mirrors and...

After looking for a good spot to eat we choose this one for the good reviews...Our surprise when we were served the food. From the start we had an unpleasent feeling, the Staff a young man was very rude when we came in. Didnt really feel welcome, more of a "if You have to than "please" come in". The Staff that came to fill our cups with water ignored me when I said that Im ok and dont want it and did it so non chalantly that when she was retriving the jug she spiled water over my friends plate of food and on him and just went around her day. XD No sorry, no nothing. I still had my hopes up cause the food smelled amazing. Yet, the worst part was the food, we took 3 plates so we can try different stuff. Soggy Chicken dumplings and lamb dumplings and chicken with veggies and to that we took a bowl of rice. The meat didnt had any taste if it wasnt for the soy sauce the chicken dumpling wouldnt be eatable. You just tester the soy sauce not the food itself. The chicken with veggies was the same, You couldnt taste the meat, the veggies were good. The Bowl was really little and You had to additionally pay for it. For the other place that I went the Bowl was really small. The worst for last, the lamb dumplings. I took one bite and had to spot it out. I dont remember the last time I really would throw up because of the taste of the food. And Im a foody, I like different foods. And its different if You dont like the taste of something but this was too much. Its was just disgusting. .It was a really sad experience. I guess if Youre a vegeterian You could like the place...? But do not take meat...

Our recent visit to Dumpling House on Spadina was our first time back since the pandemic, and it brought back many memories! The food remains solid, with the same delicious flavors and authentic taste that Dumpling House has always been known for. We especially recommend the pork and chive pan-fried dumplings – they were perfectly crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, and full of flavor. It’s definitely a must-try dish if you’re visiting.

However, while the food quality hasn’t changed, the ambiance feels a bit tired. The interior could use a facelift, as it’s starting to show signs of wear and tear. A renovation to freshen up the décor and seating would not only improve the dining experience but likely draw in more customers. It would really enhance the restaurant’s appeal and help it stand out in the competitive Chinatown area.

We went on a Saturday night and found it to be relatively quiet, which was surprising. Although it was nice to avoid the usual weekend crowd, we couldn’t help but feel that a more updated and inviting atmosphere could bring back some of the bustling energy that Dumpling House used to have. With a little investment in the décor and ambiance, the place could easily become a hotspot again.

All in all, Dumpling House is still a good option for tasty, authentic dumplings, especially if you’re craving the classic pork and chive pan-fried dumplings. We enjoyed our meal, but we’re hoping to see some improvements in the ambiance on...