Dumpling Xuan — Restaurant in Cambridge

A Royal Decree on Dumplings: All Hail Dumpling Xuan!

The Queen and I were recently struck by a powerful, dough-wrapped craving. The royal scrolls of Instagram alerted us to a promising fiefdom in East Cambridge: Dumpling Xuan. With stellar reviews as our guide and a 15-minute chariot ride, we embarked on a quest for the perfect parcel.

Dumpling Xuan is nestled in a neighborhood, a cozy spot where the parking is of the street variety (a classic Cambridge jousting tournament). Do they take reservations? Our intelligence suggests not. We bravely walked in, were promptly greeted by a most friendly subject, and were shown to a perfectly sized table for two. The realm is intimate, buzzing with the happy chatter of commoners and nobles alike, all united by the glorious scent of steaming and frying dough. The air itself was delicious.

Behold, the menu! A vast and glorious tapestry of options that could intimidate a lesser appetite. But our mission was clear: Dumplings. Steamed. Fried. We wanted them all. Service was swift and friendly, even as a steady stream of loyal takeout patrons created a revolving door of deliciousness—always a stellar sign.

The feast began to arrive. First, the Scallion Pancakes: flaky, savory, and the ideal scepter to wield while waiting. Then, the main event: the Fried Pork and Cabbage Dumplings. Let it be known far and wide: these dumplings are no mere snack. They are substantial, generously filled, and packed with flavor. This is meat justice, served in a perfectly golden-brown vessel.

Not to be outdone, The Queen’s order of Shanghai Style Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) arrived. They were even grander, delicate pouches holding a thrilling, hot, and savory broth within. A word of caution to the court: do not burst these precious jewels prematurely! The technique is part of the fun.

The final verdict from the throne? Dumpling Xuan absolutely lives up to the hype. The portions are generous, the quality is top-tier, and the vibe is authentically fantastic. Whether you dine in to soak up the atmosphere or summon their delights to your own castle via delivery, Dumpling Xuan is a dumpling destination worthy of your patronage.

Our royal seal of approval is officially granted. Long live...

I finally made my way over to Dumpling Xuan and it's now one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Not only are their dumplings and spicy dishes good, they make amazing niangao as well! I am always thinking about reasons to return.

The pork xiao long bao are very good! Flavorful hot soup, sturdy (but not too thick) skin. Fresh ginger in the dipping sauce (though I would rather have soy sauce than vinegar). It definitely made me want to try more dumplings next time!

The niangao was the star of the show. Probably one of the best I've ever had (and I order it whenever it's on the menu). I love the addition of bamboo -- it adds flavor and texture that elevates the dish. Great flavor, perfectly cooked rice cakes, tender flavorful pork, and crunchy veggies. I would come back just for this (and have).

The hot and spicy fish fillet was recommended by the waitress. I honestly thought we were getting the boiled fish fillet but this was a delightful surprise. Delicious savory and spicy flavors in the seasoning, tender, crispy, and hot fish fillet...and the peppers were a nice touch as well. I loved it! I would definitely get this again.

The eggplant in garlic sauce was pretty sweet and the eggplant was less tender than I like, but it was pretty good overall.

The second time we went, we also tried the chive and egg pocket which was tasty, the mapo tofu which I thought was nothing too special (but we did get it vegetarian, which may be different from usual), and the dry chili chicken which was good but not my favorite iteration.

Overall the niangao and hot and spicy fish fillet were super delicious and I can't wait to come back and gorge on dumplings next time. The staff are super friendly and accommodating of dietary restrictions and the restaurant is spacious with plenty of seating. I will certainly...

First impression, it was a cute little place with a cozy atmosphere. Despite only being a party of two, the hostess didn't make us wait for a smaller table to free up and sat us straight away. They had plenty of vegetarian options for us to choose from and we went with the vegetable mapo tofu and the special mustard green w. Edamame bean curd sheet. Let me tell you it was the most delicious food I've had in some time. The mapo tofu was extremely garlicy in the best possible way and the sauce for the bean curd dish was so rich and savory.

They're definitely designed to be served family style, so for two people only order one dish and a rice for each person if you don't want to take leftovers home.

They also have complimentary oranges to finish off your meal. I'm not sure if you have to ask or if they just bring it but the waitress offered when I asked about a dessert menu.

If you order a bit to much, they will also take the food away and package it for you instead of making you do it yourself. It's a great service you don't see much anymore. They do use classic takeout containers like the foldable cartons and plastic tubs though. If you're particularly plastic minded just bring your own container.

Lastly, if you're vegan, I was able to ask the server if the bean curd dish contained egg, and she said it did not, nor did she seem confused by my question. So while things might not be clearly labeled as vegan, I think you'll have an easy time...