Dumpling Empire — Restaurant in South San Francisco

Two years ago, this place was very good and we would always have to wait outside for 10-15 minutes, then we noticed people we no longer going and the food was not as good. For example the dumpling skins started getting thicker, and the spicy beef tendon, usually cut very thin, was getting thicker. Still the service was OK, and the food still tasted pretty good.

Well we just went back there for the first time in 6 months. It was 8PM and pretty busy. A couple of 4 that came after us got to order first. It took about 20 minutes before we got to order (for the 3 of us).

We ordered Shoa Long Bao and were told they were out. That is one of their specialties and they were out at 8PM.. I wish they at least would have told us that when they gave us the menu.

Anyways, we also ordered the thin spicy tendons, and were later told they were out of that too. A little while later the aforementioned table was getting served a huge place of spicy tendon. It took a long time to get everything out for that table and we were served nothing.

Finally, 20 minutes after we ordered, we received 1 out of three dishes. Then another table that came after us started getting served and got two dishes, including one that we had ordered but had not yet received. We did not get the 2nd dish until we finished the first, and a did not get the third until after we finished eating the second. Meanwhile, yet another table that had come in 40 minutes after us started to get all their food served less than 10 minutes after they ordered. All of their dishes came to them right after we received our last dish.

So we never got to try their specialties but I can only guess that they must be very good again due crowded atmosphere. I think a dumpling restaurant gets a pass on other items if their specialties are very good. But the dumplings that we ordered were doughy and chewy. Not good for a dumpling house. And their service for us was pretty bad and were never received any apologies. My wife gave a 10% tip. I wanted to leave 99 cents to make sure that they knew that we were not pleased. Well I am still fuming and writing this instead of leaving...

Authentic, Delicious and Fresh Food, served with pride.

This is a must visit and a must return.

A family owned and operated establishment was a diamond in the rough. Like many places that may lack curb appeal, once you enter, you know you are going to experience the real deal.

Dumpling Empire did not disappoint.

Hot tea was served immediately along with ice water. We inspected the homemade hot chili sauce on the table and could not wait to place our order and try this sauce out.

Don't mind the paper plates and plastic forks, you also get chop sticks and plenty of well-absorbing paper napkins. This place is clean. We felt like we were at someone's home or picnic. For us, so much fun and a warm feeling.

The food does all the speaking that is needed.

We, party of two, after work, started off with spicy green beans that were snap-tactically fresh and perfectly spiced with flavor and heat. The beans were followed by pork dumplings with cabbage that were simple but elegantly flavored, no heat here.

On to the salt and pepper fish. Wow! Fresh, crispy fish that were spiced perfectly. the right amount of salt and pepper that did not take away from the fish. We finally got to try the homemade hot chili sauce. Exploding with flavor. If you like flavor with heat, this is the place, and this is the sauce. Habanero base and other spices added to bring happiness and fire to our palate.

Many of us have been there, "This stuff is hot, but the rich flavors keep bringing me back. . .I can't stop!"

Rounding out our order was a traditional chicken fried rice that, as expected, was hot, fresh and delicious. Again, not heat, but plenty of fresh flavors.

So many traditional dishes and interesting ones to try.

Well done...

All 6 items we ordered were meh or not good. The cucumbers w/peanuts appetizer was refreshing but at $7.95 for the small portion, it was way over-priced. The shanghai dumplings did had a bit of soup but we've had alot better. Xiao Long Bao restaurant on Grand ave, SSF has better Shanghai dumpling but that's the only thing we like from there though. My kids said the frozen Shanghai dumplings we get at Costco are better too & tea had almost no flavor either. The pork w/napa dumplings were nothing special either. Both the skin were kind of thick & not smooth. We accidently ordered the beef pancake that had ground beef instead of the sesame beef pancake that had fillets of beef. The beef pancake was so oily that the oil was literally dripping down my fingers while I held it up to eat. We barely ate the noodle w/bean paste because it was completely flavorless like they forgot to put the bean paste or any seasoning. We didn't even get a serving spoon or fork to mix it or serve it. The sesame balls looked good but they were a bit too dry & hollow, not much black sesame paste inside. Also, the restroom was very tight & kind of grossed. The mop bucket & garbage can were both about 1ft right in front of the toilet. Barely had room to stand or bend down in front of the toilet. I was afraid my pants or hair or purse would touch the mop bucket. I give Dumpling Empire 2 Stars because ambience, food & service were all not that good. I gave them 0.5 stars more because we only waited 8 mins to be seated, food came at a timely manner & we found metered parking...