Mason's Dumpling Shop - Boulder — Restaurant in Boulder

Needed lunch as this was maybe a 10min walk from my office went to get takeout. Tables at lunchtime were full and the pan fried dumplings looked delicious and very popular. I tried the steamed fish and cabbage dumplings which the server said were underrated and the stewed angus beef over rice. The steam fish dumplings were ok but underwhelming as the flavors were very mild and I doused them in chili oil to give it some kick. Plus getting them steamed which is how they come, it may have been beyyer to eat on site because by the time I got back to my office, the skins were hardened and thick for eating. The beef bowl was a bit on the fatty side and had some chopped up broccoli not the bok choy advertised and expected. It also had a huge skin on chunk of ginger that may have been nice minced or sliced but not a solid 1.5" piece of it. Service was great, they placed chopsticks, soy sauce, chili sauce and napkins to go. The food, well there are definitely menu items I'd still like to try that may be better flavorwise, like the soup dumplings, the bao buns and pan fried dumplings. *UPDATE- went back with hubby for dinner. Ordered book choices which was good and the crab soup dumplings which were delicious, both arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Our chicken Pam fried dumplings didn't show up and after everyone else who arrived after us got their food, we finally had to flag down a server and ask about them as it had been close to 20min between finishing our soup dumplings. They said that they had burned our first batch so had to make a new one. The only woman working there offered us a free appetizer as an apology so we asked for the scallion pancakes. The pan fried dumplings finally arrived and half were burnt on at least half or all of them on one side with the other side looking a bit underdone. At least one dumpling had a 1 inch piece of charred skin stuck to the side that my husband scraped off with his pocket knife and he said at least half his dumplings tasted burned. If I were the restaurant I wouldn't have served them looking like that. We asked for the scallion pancakes to go so have not eaten them . Sadly disappointed in our experience when you were able to see the kitchen staff shooting the sh and at least one on their headphone or phones when customers were waiting and only the woman appeared to be clearing any dishes. Not sure I would want to go back for dinner as the lunchtime plates when I first went to get take out looked far...

This is a new venture by a small, Denver local business, and I love what they're doing. The decor is industrial minimal, but it doesn't have to be any more than that given the quality of the food. It's fusion food, with lots of good traditional dumplings, including some excellent soup dumplings, a pan fried Chinese Chive pocket that reminds me of my Mom's, and plenty of steamed and boiled dumplings on traditional lines. The soy, chili oil, and black vinegar on the tables is super traditional as is the slivered ginger to go with the soup dumplings (add some black vinegar to the slivers and dip your dumplings in that and top it with a shred or two of ginger).

But there's a super flavorful and surprisingly satisfying beef and cheese dumpling that the owner said was from his love a Philly cheesesteaks. There's the American iconic steamed bread wrapped around fillings that are called bao buns? (To me that's like saying salsa sauce) The spicy beef and the beautifully rich pork belly buns were packed with umami and spice, with a good balance of herb and veg, and the wrapping buns were firm and well-thought out for their purpose of soaking up all the good juices and still staying intact.

Everything is really well priced for how much work they are! I'm impressed that these folks can make a good living doing all the work it takes to make these things, and I'm grateful they're doing it, so I'm coming as frequently as I can to support what they're doing. Eventually, I'll get pictures BEFORE we...

First time so I don’t have negative to say about it. The atmosphere was relaxed not too busy , again first time here so minimal judgment. But I will absolutely say that the veggie bun with sweet and sour flavors was delicious. A soy based chicken imitation was honestly really good . I wish there was more of it on the bun. The bun itself was very thick vs the amount of soy chicken and veggies. For it being a veggie bun and told that a meat imitation was included in the meal was a bit of a surprise since I expected the veggie to be just a veggie but was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the meat replacement soy. Running out of meat first and having a large amount of bun left was unfortunate but the sweet and sour sauce that dropped at the bottom of my to go plate was still delicious enough to dip the bun in and eat. Not heavy at all I can tell my tummy takes well to the quality of the bun and I don’t feel any issues now and hopefully not later. For being the first time, I will be back to try different items on the menu. The bun right now, an absolute 8.5 given the ratios other wise id give it a 10. So good. Quick and friendly service. Great location and easy ambiance. 10/10...