Mimi Cheng's Dumplings — Restaurant in New York

In general, I eat a lot of seafood and vegetable dumplings. A small bit of meat dumplings here and there. Dumplings are one of my food groups. It is really hard to find a good clean simple and flavorful vegetable dumpling. This is the best I’ve had in nyc. Reminds me of my grandmothers. I really like how the ingredients aren’t also mushed together, you can really taste and see the vegetable that you’re eating. The crispy cabbage salad with the subtle, light but flavorful dressing is not to be missed! Pairs excellent with vegetable dumpling! As far as the price, it’s in East Village, everyone has to pay their rent and utilities, small mom and pop looking location, made by hand, great quality tasting ingredients, perfect in my opinion, so completely worth it!

So above is my first review from about a week ago. I was in the neighborhood again and enjoyed them so much the first time decided to come back and get the same thing. Unfortunately, we’re not the best dumplings. They were cold and still raw so asked them to be reheated. Three came back slightly broken and were still raw and cold, which was a bummer. The dumpling sauce also tastes different. The cabbage salad lacked the amount of dressing from the first time. I really want to love this place because they have good items but need to work on consistency. My first visit was 5 out of 5 stars for food. My second visit was 1 out of 5 for food. So I am changing it to 3 stars. Took off a star second time for service since the guy was nice but seemed to be more concerned with his...

Short: Great Asian inspired fast food restaurant to grab a quick bite or snack. Delicious traditional dumpling, with "special sauce" which is a must try.

Long: As you first walk in, the shop seems to be very small with limited seating to get friendly with others. There are seats aligning the wall of the restaurant and picnic style benches in the middle of the room. The menu is simple and easy to understand with descriptions of the different style of dumplings and side dishes to try.

I ordered the Taiwanese street car veggies, Mimi Cheng, and reinvented classic dumplings. The veggies were delicious with the oyster sauce and garlic, however it was a little much for my liking on the oyster sauce. Both the Mimi Cheng and re-invented classic dumplings were phenomenal. It had a very authentic meaty taste upon the first bite. I got both dumplings pan-fried which I would definitely recommend to get that nice crunch. The wrapping was not thick and doughy but in fact very light. The Mimi Cheng Special Sauce is an absolute must try. Don't be fooled and drizzle that sauce all over your pan-fried dumplings because you will end up with a soggy snack before you can eat them all.

Overall this place was a great pit stop to grab a bite to eat and the service was great. I gave this place 4 stars for the great authentic taste but unfortunately wish they had way more on their menu. Can't wait to go back to have the Mimi Cheng...

KEY POINTS: DO NOT BE FOOLED BY PHOTOS & FOOD MADE ME SICK! PLACE IS EMPTY FOR A REASON So I visited this place when it first opened in 2016 and it was delicious. I had the pork/ chive and vegetable dumplings. I haven't been back since until yesterday. I ordered the pork/chive dumplings and the Spicy Dan Dan noodles. The noodles were honestly the blandest thing I've ever tasted. I think if I made them at home with some butter it would've had more flavor. They were smothered in oil and had absolutely no flavor (zero hints of garlic) just some heat. I had to ask for soy sauce to add in because it was truly not appetizing. The dumplings were too fried one the signature side and didn't get to be fully cook within. I am writing this review because I truly regret not telling them right away that the food was so awful for the $26 that I paid. I was starving and looking forward to eating here again and after seeing how expensive the menu was, I just finished the dumplings and threw away the noodles. I am not a reviewer. I never leave good or bad reviews. But I felt I needed to warn any new comers to this specific location because it was truly expensive for what you receive, it doesn't taste good, and I swear it made my stomach sick. It's the following day and I can't stop visiting the bathroom! Do not be fooled by the photos or...