Dumpling Drop — Restaurant in Victoria

Listen, I love mango sticky rice, even bad mango sticky rice. But I’m 99% sure I got served a PEACH sticky rice here. I basically never write reviews but this is too crazy to me. When it first arrived you couldn’t tell the color was off since it was covered in coconut cream, but as soon as I put it in my mouth I was confused as to why it was literally disintegrating. Upon further inspection of the “mango”, I noticed it was very pale and didn’t really resemble fresh mango at all. After bringing it up to the people I was with, they also agreed that this could not be a mango. Then, finally, it clicked – it tasted like and had the exact texture of a canned peach. I can’t say for certain that it’s peach because I didn’t prepare it, but even if it really is fresh mango, the fact that it tastes and feels like a canned peach is pretty sad.

other than that, the sticky rice was mushy, the dumplings were deep fried and covered in a gochujang-like sauce (not traditional in any sense, but they also don’t claim to be so do with that what you will). The yuzu brussel sprouts were actually pretty good! I was super excited to try this place out but cannot in good heart recommend it. The interiors and branding are super nice and were what initially caught my eye, it’s but overpriced for the portion and i’ll forever have ptsd thinking about the absurdity of whether I really got served a canned...

I never write reviews but wow.. This place was a serious disappointment. At first my girlfriend and I were optimistic, given the volume of 5-star reviews. Unfortunately, after eating here, we highly suspect the authenticity of most of these online reviews. This place (ostensibly a restaurant) operates more like a rip-off food truck. You pay and tip first, then receive minimal portions and basically no service from an apathetic server. I paid $30 (tip included) for the Happy Hour special (a beer and pork belly dumplings), a cucumber salad, and crispy chicken bao. The crispy chicken bao was two for $8, and each was only one bite. The pork belly dumplings and the beer was $10 altogether, which sounds reasonable, until you find out that they really mean half a beer and five bite-sized frozen dumplings. The cucumber salad was $5, and it was tasty, but again not worth the price given their tiny portions. I hope this review will reach some people considering dining here. Heed this warning: you will pay a high price for food and service, yet you will receive little food and awful service. I feel cheated by this place. Save your money...

Authenticity of reviews come into question with such contrasting opinions of poor to many excellent. Having tried the restaurant and grocery items, I can assure local residents that a $4 bag of dumplings from Walmart will be more deserving of a rave. I applaud Victorians for their support of locally produced food and restaurants, however it is baffling that they receive so much praise with even restaurants having collaborated with this business. Over-fried dumplings smothered in a oil based sauce best belongs in a craft beer festival food stand or late night drunk street side food stall. The price of the dumplings and oil are 2-3x more expensive than what they are worth in other establishments/stores without the risk of a heart attack. I also attempted their frozen dumplings as well..... but after they fell apart post cooking from possibly the dough being freezer burnt/ dried out, $15 for a bag may warrant a email to the better business bureau. Would have loved to support their story and a local establishment, but unfortunately having given them multiple chances, they've struck out on multiple...