The casual, sit-down spot from the owners of San Francisco ’ s Dumpling Home held its soft open yesterday, Aug. 12, at 1389 N. Main Street, Suite B, in the former Burger Loft. And if its second gear day of business is any indication, it is going to be a success. The restaurant opened at 11 ante meridiem and by 12:30 post meridiem, diners were seated both inside, where about 10 tables look into the open kitchen, and at another five or so tables on the patio .
Dumpling Hours specializes in a variety show of traditional taiwanese dumplings, from boiled ( $ 8- $ 11 ) and pan-fried ( $ 9- $ 13 ) to the wildly-popular steam bao or soup dumplings ( $ 7- $ 24 ), which are offered in four or eight pieces and arrive still steaming in a bamboo basket .
The Numb & Spicy Pork Xia Long Bao ( $ 8 ) were exquisite ; not your typical thick-skinned dumplings. These were near-sheer, graceful purses filled with perfectly-cooked pork barrel and a squirt of loss hot sauce that is lightly washed away by the savory explosion of broth. I easily could ’ ve eaten the larger part ( $ 15 ).
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I supplemented my bao with a idle Wood Ear and Silver Ear Mushrooms Salad ( $ 7 ), a cup of tea I constantly decree when eating out in Chinatown. Like the more long-familiar, brown-colored forest ears, silver ear mushrooms are sparse and crunchy and prized in chinese cook for their health benefits. They are a lot lighter in color though — appearing like boodle or sauerkraut — but give off the lapp umami flavor and addictive snap as wood ears. Super stoked to have this serve in my region immediately .
In addition to the humble plates and salads, the Dumpling Hours menu has a small oblation of noodles ( $ 13- $ 19 ) a good as soups ( $ 10- $ 12 ). Stay tuned for more news on this bright addition to Walnut Creek ’ s dining scenery. The restaurant ’ s orifice hours are 11 ante meridiem to 2:30 post meridiem casual for lunch and 4:30 to 9 p.m.
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