This ain’t it. Really thick XLB skin (that’s bad) + no soup at all. You can get better scallion pancakes in the frozen section at May Wah. Pork and chive dumplings tasteless. Chinese people don’t go here, that says it all.
Jane Lu
Really solid, unassuming dumpling joint! Not mind-blowing xlb but still pretty good. The dumplings were very authentic and delicious.
Sara M
The dumplings were out of this world. They do have a limited menu right now though so some things aren't available like the steamed buns
Tim Harry
Small place with really good dumplings! The vegetable buns weren't my favorite but were still quite good. Currently they may not have everything on the menu!!
Mary Livesey
Veggie dumplings and veggie buns are so delicious!!! Also came a different time for meat dishes, all excellent! Really kind staff. Will be back again!
Shinji Inaba
Karage Chicken appetizer; some pieces were dry and tough. The oil used to fry chicken tasted borderline, in need of changing. One of the noodle dishes were almost cold and was not very flavorful. Had higher expectations reading reviews and seeing a lot of people in there many times, does not qualify to be near or close to that of a “chef inspired” restaurant, if that’s what you maybe looking for. Mediocre at best.
Melvin Dizon
The rather unremarkable appearance of Dumpling Alley, as well as its equally unremarkable name, is not likely to pique your interest if you happen to be meandering through the Central Richmond neighborhood at the time. If, on the other hand, you were to peek inside, you would find that there is a flurry of activity going on behind a glass-fronted window and into the kitchen. This would be apparent to you if you were to look inside. The deft hands of experienced dumpling makers are pinching and pleating the dough in a way that is both elegant and efficient. The flavors here are Shanghainese, but in addition to appropriately skilled renditions of the expected xiao long bao (soup dumplings) and sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns), you'll also find colorful specialties tinted with the likes of carrot juice, spinach, or squid ink. The springy handmade noodles are a customer favorite, and the soy milk that is made in-house can quench the thirst of even those who are lactose intolerant. This is due to the fact that both of these items are made from scratch.
R Feria
Food was meh. Out of the xiao long bao when I arrived so I tried the pan fried pork dumplings and the steamed pork and cabbage dumplings. Both were very bland. I wouldn't recommend this place.
Esther Kim
This is the spot! Dumplings are super juicy, big (filling!), and the beef noodle soup has a really nice comforting flavor that would make you want to come back. Ask for extra hot sauce on the side! The owners are very kind, and can give good recommendations if you tell them what you like!
Nicolas Ehrhardt (Nic)
Excellent dumplings. The skin was very fresh and chewy. The Thai basil special is definitely a good pick as well. I also recommend the beef stew (comes with bok choy). I wasn't a fan of the xlb though (lacked soup inside). Prices are very reasonable and service is fast.
Dumplings were very very good! My husband and I tried the family special and really like the pork, shrimp and chives dumplings but were impressed with the dumpling that had Thai basil! I would skip the beef pepper pancake; not bad tasting in anyway but boring in flavor. I would definitely recommend this place and order take out in the near future.
Jordan Lee
I thought this place was alright. The xiao long bao was good. Supposedly, based on the menu, there's a limited number of xlb dishes they serve daily so keep that in mind (I asked when I called). The zhajiangmian was a bit disappointing. It needed some more sauce as I had a fair amount of naked noodles. Pork and shrimp dumplings were solid. I'll definitely try out their other variations of dumplings as they offer plenty. I got the seasonal vegetables to round out my meal, but it was really just cabbage with some vermicelli. Expected a bit more for the price. I got the pan fried pork buns thinking it would be like the shangahi pan fried soup dumpling style, but it was really just a dim sum steam pork bun with a crispy bottom. I'd pass on it in the future.Overall, I will give this place another shot one day as I want to like this place.
Al Monte
Excellent handmade dumplings, friendly owner. Got frozen stuff to go and could taste the difference in quality.
W S
Super friendly. Delicious food. Quick. Great for takeout.
Eileen Leahy
Everything was delicious!! The XLB was awesome, and the service was passionate. Alvin is great.Treat-yo-self and go have a meal here.
This ain’t it. Really thick XLB skin (that’s bad) + no soup at all. You can get better scallion pancakes in the frozen section at May Wah. Pork and chive dumplings tasteless. Chinese people don’t go here, that says it all.
Really solid, unassuming dumpling joint! Not mind-blowing xlb but still pretty good. The dumplings were very authentic and delicious.
The dumplings were out of this world. They do have a limited menu right now though so some things aren't available like the steamed buns
Small place with really good dumplings! The vegetable buns weren't my favorite but were still quite good. Currently they may not have everything on the menu!!
Veggie dumplings and veggie buns are so delicious!!! Also came a different time for meat dishes, all excellent! Really kind staff. Will be back again!
Karage Chicken appetizer; some pieces were dry and tough. The oil used to fry chicken tasted borderline, in need of changing. One of the noodle dishes were almost cold and was not very flavorful. Had higher expectations reading reviews and seeing a lot of people in there many times, does not qualify to be near or close to that of a “chef inspired” restaurant, if that’s what you maybe looking for. Mediocre at best.
The rather unremarkable appearance of Dumpling Alley, as well as its equally unremarkable name, is not likely to pique your interest if you happen to be meandering through the Central Richmond neighborhood at the time. If, on the other hand, you were to peek inside, you would find that there is a flurry of activity going on behind a glass-fronted window and into the kitchen. This would be apparent to you if you were to look inside. The deft hands of experienced dumpling makers are pinching and pleating the dough in a way that is both elegant and efficient. The flavors here are Shanghainese, but in addition to appropriately skilled renditions of the expected xiao long bao (soup dumplings) and sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns), you'll also find colorful specialties tinted with the likes of carrot juice, spinach, or squid ink. The springy handmade noodles are a customer favorite, and the soy milk that is made in-house can quench the thirst of even those who are lactose intolerant. This is due to the fact that both of these items are made from scratch.
Food was meh. Out of the xiao long bao when I arrived so I tried the pan fried pork dumplings and the steamed pork and cabbage dumplings. Both were very bland. I wouldn't recommend this place.
This is the spot! Dumplings are super juicy, big (filling!), and the beef noodle soup has a really nice comforting flavor that would make you want to come back. Ask for extra hot sauce on the side! The owners are very kind, and can give good recommendations if you tell them what you like!
Excellent dumplings. The skin was very fresh and chewy. The Thai basil special is definitely a good pick as well. I also recommend the beef stew (comes with bok choy). I wasn't a fan of the xlb though (lacked soup inside). Prices are very reasonable and service is fast.
Restaurantji Recommends
Dumplings were very very good! My husband and I tried the family special and really like the pork, shrimp and chives dumplings but were impressed with the dumpling that had Thai basil! I would skip the beef pepper pancake; not bad tasting in anyway but boring in flavor. I would definitely recommend this place and order take out in the near future.
I thought this place was alright. The xiao long bao was good. Supposedly, based on the menu, there's a limited number of xlb dishes they serve daily so keep that in mind (I asked when I called). The zhajiangmian was a bit disappointing. It needed some more sauce as I had a fair amount of naked noodles. Pork and shrimp dumplings were solid. I'll definitely try out their other variations of dumplings as they offer plenty. I got the seasonal vegetables to round out my meal, but it was really just cabbage with some vermicelli. Expected a bit more for the price. I got the pan fried pork buns thinking it would be like the shangahi pan fried soup dumpling style, but it was really just a dim sum steam pork bun with a crispy bottom. I'd pass on it in the future.Overall, I will give this place another shot one day as I want to like this place.
Excellent handmade dumplings, friendly owner. Got frozen stuff to go and could taste the difference in quality.
Super friendly. Delicious food. Quick. Great for takeout.
Everything was delicious!! The XLB was awesome, and the service was passionate. Alvin is great.Treat-yo-self and go have a meal here.
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