Dina’s Dumpling - Shrimp Dumplings | Pork Dumplings | Beef Dumplings | Chicken Dumplings — Restaurant in Pasadena

I grew up in the Bay Area eating what I know as “San Francisco Chinese potstickers” (I’ve never been to China, so I cannot verify these are authentic). They have a much thicker skin than the dumplings I’ve found in LA, especially when compared to Taiwanese restaurants such as Din Tai Fung. I love DTF and have learned to enjoy the thin skinned dumplings, but I’m always still hankering to find thick skin style dumplings that I grew up with—which always came with vinegar (rice) and chili oil. I’ve missed this dumpling style so much that I’ve learned to make my own (hot water dough is easy when you have a good mixer) and I’ve also learned to love black vinegar (preferred in LA) instead of rice with my dumplings too. BUT…Dina’s vegan dumplings (I’m vegetarian) hit the spot for me—they are incredible! I wish I had a stand-alone deep freeze, just for these succulent, thick skinned little treasures! I could eat 2 dozen at a time, they’re so FREAKING good!! Their noodles however were totally flavorless and were pretty much only noodles, so I definitely recommend spending that extra cash on more dumplings. I’ve wanted to try their bean buns, but they’ve been out each time I ordered.

Some aspects I’m not crazy about: I encountered their truck at two Huntington library events and was really shocked by how expensive it is, as they do not list their prices on the side of the truck, which feels deceptive. The only place that lists their prices is on their order kiosk tablet and because the tablet payment feature is glitchy, people spend forever just trying to get their payment processed, which means the line always seems to be a longer wait than it should be. By the time you get to the front of the line to place an order with this super inefficient ordering system, you’ll begrudgingly pay whatever, because you’ve just waited 15 minutes to order behind 4 people. I’ve run operations for multiple event venues and an under funded non-profit, and this kind of inefficiency would have been fixed immediately (to be fair I’m very OCD). It also takes a pretty long time (15-20ish minutes) to get your food.

Despite all of Dina’s messiness, they still make my favorite dumpling in LA and I will endure the annoyances many times more to get these in my belly. Maybe I’ll bring a copy of Ulysses to read next time and a camping chair? I could busk while waiting for my dumplings, thus replenishing my dumpling budget and then order more? Dina’s, we’ll make it...

decent, but i'm very disappointed

dumplings were delicious and tasty. doesn't compare to some of the one's i've had in chinatown in boston, but still pretty good

dan dan noodles were far from authentic. i really feel like these are mislabeled... not very tasty, no bok choy? like are you kidding me. and you don't mix up dan dan noodles before serving them....... charging you extra for chili oil that should be in there in the first place? ya ok

the prices are outrageous. this has to be the most overpriced food truck i've been to. 24 bucks for 8 dumplings and the pretty awful noodles

order notes were not followed. paid a dollar for some extra toppings. i did not receive them. they weren't even busy when i ordered, so i have no clue as to how they screwed this up

definitely will not be coming back next time they come...

Decided to try out Dina's Dumplings when we went to the beer feast at the LA Science center was hosting.

The pics on the food truck and the big line pulled us in. All hype the dumplings were so nasty! Chewy undercooked and made with zero love. Omg I never met a dumpling I didn't like but these were so gross. After eating 2 of them I just couldn't do it. I thought maybe it was just me but hubby said they were nasty too. Straight to the trash were they belong.

I was wasted and didn't like them so I can only imagine how they taste sober. Yuck just talking about them makes my stomach hurt.

Zero flavor and just...