Lao Bei Fang Dumpling House — Restaurant in New York

Came here and ordered the spicy beef stew hand-drawn noodles, meat & bean source (according to receipt) hand-drawn noodles, and pork & leek fried dumplings.

The pork and leek fried dumplings were very delicious. Tons of meat and leeks. I did think the dumpling skin was too thick and as a result, a little soggy, but the inside was very flavorful. It tastes even better when you add the hot chili oil in the big plastic container on the table.

The beef noodle soup was not spicy at all. The broth was just alright but once you put a spoon full of the hot chili oil, the dish became complete in my opinion. Yes the broth is a little oily and the chili doesn't help but I don't think you're coming here for healthy food. Despite adding a real spoonful of chili, the dish wasn't spicy at all. It was just a little kick and that was it. I am extremely surprised that the chili was not that spicy at all. The watered down rooster sauce was a little spicier, but not by much. The noodles were really good. A little al dente and it was thick enough. I think if the noodles had been thinner, it wouldn't have been appropriate for this dish. They give you lots of meat/ingredients.

The meat & bean sauce noodles was okay. It's not a soup based noodle. You just have to mix the bean sauce into the noodles really well. I was surprised that this dish was not spicy at all. Usually this dish is. Again, just add the chili oil to this and it'll taste 10x better. They also have potatoes in here which is a little different from what I'm used to but that's probably because the origin of this dish comes from a different part of China than what I've eaten before.

Service is just okay. You have to "fight" for your own table. You place your order, pay for it, then hope that there's a table open for your correct party size. You basically share tables with other guests. Once you're done, you bus your own table with soup going into one trash can and the rest in another. It's exactly what it's like in China in certain noodle houses.

I would definitely come here again and would recommend this...

9/27/2024: (Update #2) My favorite spot to get boiled dumplings in Elmhurst! I’m a bit biased - I grew up in this neighborhood, so Lao Bei Fang is very nostalgic to me. When you see the bright red awning, you know you’re at the right spot. The pork and leek boiled dumplings here are very hearty, meaty, and super juicy. They’re thicker-skinned dumplings which are definitely going to leave you full. Came here last week with my husband for a fast, casual experience with cafeteria-style seating and good dumplings. A box will fill you up quick in this no-frills restaurant. Don’t forget to load up on the chili oil, soy sauce, and hot sauce!

2024 pricing- 🥟 $3 for (4) pork & leek fried dumplings 🥟 $6 for (8) pork & leek boiled dumplings

4/29/2021: (Update #1) Still cash only & we noticed that the prices for the dumplings haven't increased for a couple of years now! My fiance and I ordered the #1 Pork & Leek Fried Dumpling (8 pieces, $4.25), #2 Pork & Leek Boiled Dumplings (8 pieces, $4.25), and #44 Scallion Pancakes w/ Beef ($4.50). Had a pretty mediocre meal at Lao Bei Fang Dumpling House last night though. The fried dumplings were much too charred and dry, compared to the previous times we've had meals here. The scallion pancake was not appetizing at all, being too thick and flavorless. The limp lettuce and the 2 thin beef circles didn't go well together either. At least the Pork & Leek Boiled Dumplings were still good - next time we'll just stick with multiples of that dish!

6/10/2019: (Original Review) Lao Bei Fang Dumpling House is always a good comfort food stop, if you're in the mood for some delicious greasy foods. My boyfriend and I came here after a day of rock climbing and it really hit the spot. We ordered the #1 Pork & Leek Fried Dumpling (8 pieces, $4.25), #2 Pork & Leek Boiled Dumplings (8 pieces, $4.25), and #28 All-in-one House Special Hand-Pulled Noodle Soup ($8.75). Filling, good portions, and reasonably priced. Street parking could be a bit tricky, but is available (metered and free). Cash only, and they call your number when your...

My rating is mainly due to their dumplings and soups. Anything that's in the front by the register I cant speak for so please reference another review for a quick insight. This place has been my go to for whenever I crave some authentic dumplings! I have been a regular with them dating back to their old location which was just a 3 minute walk up Whitney Avenue near the playground! They have the best dumplings hands down in the neighborhood! I'm sure there's others out there in NYC but in terms of the Elmhurst area this is one of the gems! All their food is made in store and fresh! Their soups are great on a chilly day! Their dumplings are great for a quick snack while on the go! The location can be a little crowded even with moderate foot traffic and if you're trying to get a seat during the colder part of the year good luck as this place is a favorite to the locals during that time. Their dumplings are pretty delicious and they serve them in your choice of fried or steamed. I believe they only serve pork chive dumplings so quick heads up! Their soups are pretty hearty and filling alone and the prices are fair. Originally started at $1 for 4 dumplings so the price has changed and is now $1.75 (yikes) but the price isnt an issue when the quality is simply great! Great spot for anybody seeking to try good soup...