Dumpling Story - Valencia — Restaurant in San Francisco

The food was great but our low review is to the main waiter (according the the receipt she is called Sarah R). She was very rough and not patient with our order. Later on I thought we were missing and item and when we asked for it she was extremely defensive and not polite to say, your order is complete and this is what you order and I can prove it to you (and she went straight to look at the menu to show us that it was our not her fault and it was hers). We just asked politely and she was very rough and rude in her approach to clarify my confusion. I admired that it was my fault and asked if we could have the dumplings changes considering we haven’t even open to steam bun box, she said she can’t which it totally fair, but it was worth trying to ask.

Later on (without finishing our food), she asked if we wanted to order something else, we said no thanks and then immediately she handed over the bill (which was very disruptive in my opinion).

She then came straight with the card reader and just asked if we wanted a box for the food that was still on the table, I said we were still working on it so we didn’t need a box, she then pulled out the payment terminal and asked if we would pay with card… I was so angry at that point as we were clearly rushed out but in a very bold and impolite way, I said you have to wait as I haven’t even checked the bill, so I then took it and checked that all details where fine.. paid and then continued my conversation with the other people at the table and finished our meal. But to the restaurant management, this sort of inhumane (as in we should eat to the times of the restaurant) and rude services should not be allowed in such delicious places like this one. Hope this review is taken critically and not with the intention to punish rather than constructively train this server better to remember that customer service is key for customer retention. We would never return to this place again due to the bad...

Dumpling Story has quickly become one of my favorite go-to spots in San Francisco for authentic, comforting Chinese food. I’ve already visited twice, and both times were consistently delicious!

Their steamed and pan-fried pork dumplings are absolute must-tries — juicy, soupy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. The dumpling skins are just the right thickness, and every bite bursts with rich, savory goodness. I loved them so much I came back just to order the same dumplings again!

On my second visit, I tried the beef noodle soup, and it was another winner. The broth is rich and heartwarming — not too spicy, making it comforting and easy to enjoy. The portions are generous, and I personally found it even more satisfying with a spoonful of Lao Gan Ma chili oil, which added a nice kick and deepened the flavor.

The place itself is clean, cozy, and service is fast and friendly. Prices are reasonable for the portion size and quality of food you get.

Whether you're craving classic Chinese dumplings or a big bowl of comforting noodles, Dumpling Story delivers on taste, warmth, and satisfaction....

Food: The food at Dumpling Story was alright, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The numb & spicy pork bao had a nice texture but lacked the expected numb and spicy kick. The chicken XLB was overly sweet and lacked depth. Overall, I thought the dishes leaned too much on the sweet side for personal my taste.

Hidden Fees: This is where things went downhill. I actually called ahead to ask if there were any service charges or fees, and the host assured me they only charged tax on top of the bill. When I arrived, there was no mention of any service fees on the menu. However, when the bill arrived, I was hit with a 4.3% SF Mandate service charge. Not only did they misinform me over the phone, but they also failed to disclose this fee on the menu as required by law. This felt like a deliberate attempt to deceive customers, and it left me feeling scammed and lied to.

Overall, I give Dumpling Story 2 stars. The food was decent, but the lack of transparency around billing practices is...