Kai Feng Fu Dumpling House — Restaurant in New York

It's not always what you see before you that defines what is inside. I've been coming here for years for dumplings, scallion pancakes, and sesame pancakes.. everyone of them never fails in making my mouth water as the tasty scents drift through the air.

Dumplings can be purchased for as little of $1.50 for six! It is not a good deal, it's a freakin. incredible runaway bargain! Prices on other items are likewise to anyone on a budget, and the food is fit for the most picky palates when it comes to dumplings and Chinese pancakes.

Difficult to find parking there even if for a few minutes but they are really fast getting the orders out. The meter maids seem to make this area their go to space to dish out tickets so keep an eye out if you are at a meter and haven't fed it, double parked, or at a fire hydrant.

This place is a hidden gem, but not so hidden because I've often seen EMT's police, and hospital workers drop by for some dumplings.

This place is cash only. Handicap friendly (ground floor). There is a dining area adjacent (although closed due to pandemic rules). It is spartan but serves the purpose.

You can even purchase bubble tea or a fruit drink right around the corner on 8th Avenue and 49th St to accompany your dumplings.

It seems like a family run operation, but what I noticed most is they are there all day and just about every day. Hard working, efficient, and dishes out great convenient finger foods at ridiculously low prices and consistent.

If you are in the area it's worth the try if you haven't been. Be assured they will not disappoint. the price is just right (probably because they don't spend it on bells and whistles, nor costly cosmetics).

Support this hard working dedicated and worthwhile small family business because their price point is not meant for well paid salaried employees but indirectly serve those who don't have two wooden nickels to rub...

tl:dr - Hidden Gem, Good selections. Good food (not Michelin), but great pricing. 4 dumplings for $1 is a great start. $1 scallion pancake, 3 for $1 fried steam (meat) buns, etc. Traditional food, with traditional pricing. No American food here; no beef and broccoli, no shrimp fried rice, no general Tao chicken. That's why it is great.

Kai Feng Fu, aka Hole-in-the-wall aka hidden gem. They were the first in the entire borough to established a fried dumpling specialty store. They were the first to offer 5 dumplings for $1 (now its 4 for $1). They brought over their skills from the old country and continue their tradition here. Unlike other 95% of Chinese restaurants in the entire country, where the chiefs didn't pick up their cooking skill until they landed here in the USA. Where they were only cooking for a means to survive instead of a passion for cooking. The pricing is very fitting the neighborhood. Very affordable and good eat in the right portion. You will not find unnecessary large/over sized typical Chinese box meal here. Their selection are a plenty. They even offer frozen dumpling if you so desired to prepare them at home yourself. Along with freshly prepared soy drink (no such thing as soy milk) to compliment their fantastic offering. Service is acceptable, tipping is never require, seating is more than acceptable since they took up the room next door. For a quick meal and if you don't mind paying far less than every other establishment. You should pay them a visit. Think of them as Chinese street food vendor (Picture yourself in China) now with a roof. And you will not be disappointed. But if you prefer a more pleasant environment, nicer setting to have your dumpling. There are always other similar offerings in the neighborhood, as long as you are willing to justify this...

I have been coming here since its opening in the early 2000s. Back in the those days, 5 dumplings were $1 and the noodle soups were $2.50. Pretty sure it switched owners at some point and the dumpling quality decreased slightly but still the best I've had in the US. The standard potstickers with pork and leek (now 5 for $1.25) is thin-skinned and juicy. Don't come here looking for dumplings with half inch thick skin with a tiny lump of overly soy sauced meat. (I know there's a great number of you who prefer thicker doughier skin but this is the northern style dumpling so the skin is thinner) The wonton soup (now 5 for $1.00) tastes like cloud and pillows on your tongue. Add some vinegar, splash of soy sauce and hot sauce and those leftover dumpling juice in the broth of the wonton soup and you get some amazing taste-bud kicking flavors. Got leftover broth? Get a fresh sesame pancake ($1) and dip that fragrant soft on the inside and crispy on the outside goodness into the broth. Best $3.25 meal ever.

The noodles are good too. My dad always get their beef stew noodle soup. Their soy milk, mung bean soup and ice tea (a bit too sweet) is made in the house as well. Overall it's a great place to grab food. The service is quick and friendly. No tip required.

Sometimes I wonder with the amount of money they made over the years why they didn't expand or clean up/renovate the place a little. And then I thought - why should they? The place is so good I would keep coming back even if the department give them a C.

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