Dumpling House Inc
(212) 625-8008
118 Eldridge St
New York,
NY
10002
40.7182
-73.9917
Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown
Reviews & Ratings for Dumpling House Inc
18 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 18 reviews
Not Special.
by tomrady75
September 22, 2008
Eh... totally average. I went Sunday night because my friend and I were really craving some Chinese.
I know that a lot of people on here had rave reviews for this place...but I found the food pretty bland and the atmosphere sub par at best.
Everything was average, but nothing was great. I'd say there's no reason you shouldn't give it a try, but don't really expect anything memorable.
had better dumplings
by nicole336
August 17, 2008
I went there for the first time after the expansion and was disappointed by the experience. The most obvious change was the price, which I can understand as a lot of work went into the renovations. The ordering process is now computerized and you prepay before you get your food. This is where the process broke down. I ordered $1 of Chive dumplings and $1 of cabbage dumplings. The chives dumplings was ready, but the cabbage dumplings were not. I wound up waiting 40 MINUTES for the cabbage dumplings as other items were being cooked before the cabbage dumplings were back in rotation. Standing and waiting 40 minutes is silly for $2 worth of dumplings. I counted 11 people on staff, but only ONE person frying the dumplings and pancakes. Before the change in the ordering process, it's easy to just walk up and buy whatever is ready to go. If it's crowded, I'd come back another time. Because of the prepay, now you're stuck waiting instead of being able to make subsitution for what's available or just walking away. I think they should have stuck to their knitting and ran the business as it was: cheap, charming (in a hole-in-a-wall way), and efficient.
yum
by apples19
August 11, 2008
great prices and great food. The place was packed but we were lucky to get a table. Spent $16 for two people and brought home leftovers! great place if you are on a budget.
- Pros: food and price
- Cons: little bit of a wait for food and could use someone to focus on cleaning table only
A Highly Affordable Dumpling-fest
by nycinephile
June 19, 2008
The New York City Thrifty Gourmets Meetup Group field-tested Dumpling House (listed on printed menus as "Vanessa's Dumpling House") on Tuesday, June 17th at 8 PM. Testifying to the restaurant's popularity, a steady stream of diverse customers flowed in in order to dine at the limited number of tables and counter by the window, or order take-out. Vanessa didn't greet me with a smile or welcome, but did take my order quickly and promptly passed it to her three-member staff for preparation. Given the large number of customers and the many dishes being shuffled about, I felt that I needed to hover nearby in order to ensure that my order was filled correctly. I was not impressed by the hot and sour soup, but did appreciate that it was not filled with thickeners and nicely balanced its peppery and sour notes. My sandwich's cold beef was lackluster. Its sesame bread, though, was fresh, thick, warm and tasty. My fellow diners and I sampled a wide variety of steamed and fried dumplings and boiled won tons and enjoyed virtually all of them. I'll definitely return to enjoy more of the spicy won tons and the fried dumplings with pork and scallion! Citysearchers who visit Dumpling House as a group will be rewarded by being able to share the ample portions and split the cost---my fellow diners and I spent no more than $10 per person on our dumpling fest. :)
- Pros: Spicy won tons; fried dumplings with pork and scallion; sesame bread; varied menu
- Cons: Crowded; limited seating; orders not filled correctly
Like you are in china
by WhiteMaggie
April 19, 2008
It was too busy, it was even hard to find a place to stand dont even think about eating there because you can't. . Dumplings were cheap but waited too long to get them. If you like chinese food, and the crowd of china this place will make you feel in china...
- Pros: the food is great and cheap
- Cons: too crowded
Worth the trip
by Emily71584
April 01, 2008
At first I had a hard time finding this place because there are several 118 Eldridge places and there was some other name on the front, but I just saw a nice amount of people and some lady in the front with the veggies so I assumed that was the place, and it was because the menu said "Dumpling House". So anyway after reading all the reviews I've decided to check this place out on my very long break from work. I had the veggie dumplings and I have to say that they aren't bad. They were fresh, hot, light, (not to doughy) and they had REAL veggies inside. Veggies that you can actually see, unlike little bits of veggie from other dumplings. At $2.50 for 8 I would have to say that's not to bad of a deal. So if you're around the area or if you have a long break like me, then its worth the trip for some good dumplings at inexpensive prices.
- Pros: Great dumplings that are hot, fresh, filling, and not to doughy.
- Cons: Several numbers that say 118 on them but they're different by letters. For example. 118A and then, 118B and so on.
WAS BETTER before renovations
by doppleclutch
February 04, 2008
I went there for the first time after the expansion and was disappointed by the experience. The most obvious change was the price, which I can understand as a lot of work went into the renovations. The ordering process is now computerized and you prepay before you get your food.
This is where the process broke down. I ordered $1 of Chive dumplings and $1 of cabbage dumplings. The chives dumplings was ready, but the cabbage dumplings were not. I wound up waiting 40 MINUTES for the cabbage dumplings as other items were being cooked before the cabbage dumplings were back in rotation. Standing and waiting 40 minutes is silly for $2 worth of dumplings. I counted 11 people on staff, but only ONE person frying the dumplings and pancakes.
Before the change in the ordering process, it's easy to just walk up and buy whatever is ready to go. If it's crowded, I'd come back another time. Because of the prepay, now you're stuck waiting instead of being able to make subsitution for what's available or just walking away.
I think they should have stuck to their knitting and ran the business as it was: cheap, charming (in a hole-in-a-wall way), and efficient.
my favorite fast-food, by far...
by daeviydt
May 05, 2007
i've had everything on the menu (about a dozen items) dozens of times... my absolute favorite item is the sesame pancake with tuna salad with kimchi (you have to ask them to add the kimchi) -- the sesame pancakes are always fresh and crispy and crunchy, with the tuna salad (peas, carrots, scallions) and kimchi this sandwich is an absolute knockout -- and the price is beyond perfect... i ate here every day for almost two months. some days i would skip a day, then eat here twice the next day... this place is nowhere near my house, but it's well worth the subway ride and the walk... the waiting line is something you have to get used to. basically don't wait politely. push your way in and be very direct with not a lot of extra talk... i love the dumplings -- so good and SO worth the price... i love all the staff members. i never talk to them really but when they hear my sandwich order they all look over their shoulder and smile at me (they're very familiar with me and my order)... i like to get my sandwich and/or dumplings and get some cold soy milk and go over to the park on chrystie and watch people play soccer... i love this place so much, if i ever have grandchildren i'll tell them stories of all the adventures i've had getting to and from this place.... i've brought at least 2 dozen people to this place and everybody absolutely love it, "the best dumplings i've ever had in my life -- and so fast, and so cheap!!!"... lots of school kids come here. lots of old people come here. lots of real chinese people come here. lots of very hip people of all ages and ethnicities come here...
- Pros: soups, sandwiches, noodles, dumplings, they treat their regular customers like family...
- Cons: too many people know about this place!
Lives up to the hype
by sflawton
April 06, 2007
Very crowded and busy, but we always managed to find a place to stand and eat. Food is steamed/boiled as you watch. Staff is suprisingly friendly considering the cramped/hectic work environment. Dumplings are excellent.
- Pros: Cheap, cheap, cheap.
Incredible value for very good dumplings
by chetlemon
March 04, 2007
Very good dumplings, very, very, very low prices. Most people get the fried pork and chive dumplings, five for a dollar, and usually available on the spot. Boiled dumplings are also great, but they're made to order, so you'll usually have to wait 5-10 minutes. You can also get these in a soup, which is pretty good. Sesame pancakes are also popular, I usually get mine with vegetables (carrots, cucumber, cilantro, so vaguely reminiscent of a Vietnamese sandwich) ... the beef and tuna can be low quality, so I usually skip adding them. Vegetarian hot and sour soup is a dollar for a small bowl, and is also great. Great food at amazing prices, just keep in mind that it's an absolute madhouse trying to get your order in; there's not line, expect people to cut in front of you, but I'm willing to put up with it for their dumplings.
- Pros: Dumplings, prices
- Cons: Chaotic, crowded, often nowhere to sit
