Serious Sanji| Dumpling & Dim Sum & Bubble Tea — Restaurant in Wauwatosa

I really wanted to like this place but I've been disappointed twice. Atmosphere and service was okay. But food had NO FLAVOR. I went twice--during the grand opening back in October 2024 and today, January 2025. And both times, the food, particular the noodles and soups lacked flavor (more details below, if you care for it). In the most respectful way possible, it kind of made me wonder if they've tried their own food. The food was also not very filling and for the price, I'm not sure if I would give it a third try. I would say the best thing that they offer is their bubble tea, if you like bubble tea. I was so disappointed in the food and wasn't going to write this review. But after talking to a few friends and family who shared a similar disappointment, I felt inclined to write this review. Maybe the owners need to revisit the food menu/flavor.

What we ordered-- The wonton soup tastes very watered down. The first time around, my husband and I thought that maybe it was busy so they probably rushed making the dish. But the second time around confirmed that it just wasn't good. We added so much soy sauce and couldn't reach the flavor we were searching for. The crispy chicken looks golden brown and crispy on the menu so I was surprised when I received and off-white, soggy fried chicken bits. The sauce, ketchup, was also not impressive and price of the dish didn't compensate for the appetizer's appearance and texture. BBQ Pork Buns tasted fine. But for the price, the amount of meat you get is not filling. Splash oil noodles was very disappointing, in my opinion. Again, no flavor. And it tastes like something an amateur could make at home. I really wished I had nicer things to say about this dish but I'm going to move it along. Beef Noodle soup also tastes okay. It has more flavor than the Wonton Soup, but it is very low in rating compared to other beef noodles soups that I've had. All of the dumplings that I had tasted fine as well. But, in my onion, they don't taste too different from something you could get at any other Chinese restaurant that...

Went to this lovely restaurant for the first time tonight, and I am literally making plans to go back within the week!

First, the atmosphere is comfortable. There are booths and tables, and there is lovely music playing, but if you are hard of hearing it may be a little loud for your tastes. My friend and I had no issues with our conversation, but I try to mention that for others.

The waitstaff was very friendly, and we were helped right away. Our server was lovely, and she answered many questions for us, without seeming to be in a rush. Also, having a kitty robot deliver some of the dishes while singing a song? AMAZING

This was also my first time trying a green tea beverage, and the orange drink with 75% sweetness was great. Also, so cool that you can customize Sweetness by percentage (25, 50, 75 or 100%), and the amount of ice you want in your beverage. All drinks get the wide Boba straws too and there a LOT of drink options (literally almost the entire opposite side of the menu) with additions you can make. I'll have to go back to try milk tea and plenty more (they also have non dairy options for the milk tea).

The menu is vast but not complicated, and unlike some other places, it lists exactly how many of each item you'll get which is wonderful for sharing.

We started with the scallion pancakes, which were delicious, then had some Peking duck buns which were GREAT. Very soft bun, delicious duck, perfect for sharing. The chicken sanji were good, and if you like a more fried/crisp bottom, you'll really like these (I'm more of a steamed gal myself). Finally, the Shanghai Soup Dumplings (pork filling) were INCREDIBLE. Had to get a second order because they were so good (I could have kept going lol).

There was a cute statue (maybe mascot) at the front that a couple kids took pictures with and the menu was really family friendly.

Definitely worth a stop if you're looking for a great new place...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Serious Sanji, and it was a truly delightful experience! We started off with the pork and chive dumplings, which were pan-fried to perfection—crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful on the inside. An easy 10/10 for the appetizer, setting a high bar for the rest of the meal.

For the main course, I ordered the Chicken Sanji and the soup dumpling with a chicken filling. Both dishes were delicious, though I couldn't help but imagine that the pork options might take these flavors to another level next time. The Chicken Sanji was tender and satisfying, but I could almost taste how the rich, savory profile of pork might enhance the dish further. The soup dumpling was also enjoyable, with its warm, comforting broth, yet it left me curious to explore the more robust pork variant.

One of the highlights of the meal was the coconut balls for dessert, which were nothing short of heavenly. Soft and subtly sweet, they melted in the mouth and were the perfect light, tropical finish. However, the timing did catch me by surprise, as the dessert arrived promptly after the appetizer, well before our main dishes. While unexpected, this small quirk didn’t detract much from the overall experience.

To drink, I ordered the Thai tea with jelly at 50% sweetness, and it was a fantastic choice. The slightly reduced sweetness allowed the tea’s depth to shine through, complemented by the smooth, chewy jelly—a refreshing and enjoyable accompaniment to the meal.

The service was attentive and friendly, rounding out a lovely experience at Serious Sanji. I’d happily rate it an 8/10 overall, with delicious flavors, a fun atmosphere, and just a touch of adventure left for my next visit to try the...