Tag Archives: taiwan cafe

Dumpling Cafe, Chinatown, Boston

Posted on by
Reply

Dumpling Cafe, located next to Penang (BMH’s review of Penang), is famous for its dumplings, especially its xiao long bao or soupy dumplings and is a contender for the best soupy dumplings in Boston in our book. The restaurant relaunched a few years ago and has been very busy since.

In fact, Dumpling Cafe is owned by the same management as one of our other favorites, Taiwan Cafe (BMH review’s of Taiwan Cafe first dinner and revisited).

Dumpling Cafe is clean and pleasant inside. There are several long communal tables and large tables suited for groups.

The menu is filled with authentic Taiwanese and greater Chinese noodle dishes, fish, oyster pancakes and fried stinky tofu. Another time. To start, we ordered two orders of Spring Roll ($2.50 for two rolls). The rolls were nicely fried, and filled with a nice balance of cabbage, carrots and vegetables.

Dumping Cafe’s scallion pancake was one of the best eaten in Boston ($4.25). Full of green onion scent and flavor, lightly crisp on the exterior and tender on the inside. The thickness was just right and we had to order a second order shortly thereafter.

The Fried Pork and Leek Dumplings ($5.96 steamed and an additional $0.25 for fried) and a tender pork nugget inside with a light onion flavor. The dumplings had a nice crust as well, but we think GDH has better ones.

The fried chicken dumplings ($5.95+$0.25) was also lovely. Great skin, full of flavor and each bite made you want more.

Some of the best soupy dumplings or mini juicy buns with pork ($5.95) are here at Dumpling Cafe. The bamboo steamer carried six generous sized juicy buns.

Nestled in the soup spoon, we punctured the dumpling with a small bite and the intense flavor of pork broth filled the remaining space in the well of the spoon. The soft dumpling wrapper was a nice balance to the pork meat waiting inside.

Our other all time favorite of the evening was the pan fried wonton for $4.25 each. These were just unreal and as a result we ordered a second helping. A must try. Usually we have steamed wontons or in a soup, but these had a nice texture because the wonton skins are much thinner and as a result crispier. The memorable meat and onion flavor were mouthwatering.

The Taiwan Style Wonton Soup ($2.50) was very warming and filling. The same lovely center was enhanced by the broth and bitter greens. The soup would be perfect in the winter and a small serving is very inexpensive.

The denouement was not fortune cookies, but complimentary sections of slices oranges. That’s the way we like to end the meal, with a refreshing cut of acidity and sweetness. These oranges were some of the sweetest and juiciest oranges eaten. A nice ending to our meal.

Next time, we plan on enjoying more soupy dumplings, scallion pancakes, fried wontons, as well as sampling the hot pots and noodles. Dumpling Cafe is a fantastic place for authentic Taiwanese cuisine. The restaurant deserves its popularity because of its flavorful cuisine and solid execution.

Dumpling Cafe on Urbanspoon

Taiwan Cafe, Chinatown, Boston Revisited

Posted on by
Reply

Our previous visit to Taiwan Cafe was so good, that we were counting down the days until our next visit. Armed with more dining companions and pre-dining preparation (light soup and small grazing during the day), we were ready to experience other aspects of the menu.

We timed the dining experience well, arriving before 6:30pm and half the restaurant was empty. Around 7pm, the restaurant was jam-packed and every seat was taken.

After some debate, we decided on several more exotic items. After a conversation about the “ugly” we have all consumed, we narrowed the dialogue into Taiwan Cafe dishes including blood soup, pig ears and other entrails. We still could not decide between tendons or tongue, so we got both.

The Chilled Spicy Beef Tendon ($5.95) was paper-thin and had a bit of heat. Folks preferred the tendon to the tongue, but both were fairly untouched after the initial tasting. The Chilled Five Spiced Duck Tongues for $10.95 had the skin’s flavor of a roasted five spice duck, but the cartilage seemed to be off putting for most tasters.

Our server said one of the most popular appetizers at Taiwan Cafe is the Oyster Pancake with gravy for $5.55. It is not a dish for the faint of heart. The edges of the pancake were super airy and crispy, that was the best part of the dish. The glutenous, clear, slimy interior texture was hard to swallow. Although it was palatable, the warm oyster bits were tough to enjoy when most times, I consume oysters chilled and on the shell. The brown-red hued sauce was sweet and did compliment the pancake.

The Spicy Salt & Pepper Chilean Sea Bass Chunks had a nice crust on the exterior. However, the dish was a tad too salty and a bit expensive for $18.95. The fish didn’t seem as fresh as the salt and pepper flounder eaten at Gourmet Dumpling House and we think GDH does spicy salt and pepper fish better.

The three items we would order again is the beef scallion pancake roll, sauteed noodles and sweet and sour chicken. The thinly sliced Roast Beef with scallions roll in scallion pancake ($6.95) was really delicious. These were some of the best scallion pancakes eaten with a flakey, crispy exterior, tender interior and scallion scent.

The Taiwan Style Sauteed Noodles with pork & veggies for $6.50 was a large portion and had a nice flavor. The soft noodles, tender pork and sprouts and greens were a great combination and we cleaned the plate clean.

The Sauteed Julienned Chicken Sauteed with veggies in sweet & sour sauce for $11.95 was also a favorite. The thin slices of crispy chicken was doused in a great sweet and sour sauce. The green peppers and onions had a nice crisp and counteracted the fried crust on the chicken.

On our way out, we saw tables with soupy dumplings and beef with long horn peppers. Clearly, we will have to come back again for another round. Taiwan Cafe’s vegetarian and tofu stir fry dishes are phenomenal and will order in the future.

Like clockwork, the servers ran around the restaurant like chickens with their heads chopped off. They checked multiple times if our table was ready to be cashed in. Just remember, Taiwan Cafe is a cash only establishment. I had high conviction that Taiwan Cafe took cards and was embarrassed and sheepish when I saw the magic marker sign, stating Cash Only.

Taiwan Cafe on Urbanspoon

Taiwan Cafe, Chinatown, Boston

Posted on by
Reply

We were originally going to eat at Penang, but there was a change of plans and we were brainstorming alternatives.

Pho Pasteur? Gourmet Dumpling House? Winsor Cafe? Sushishaya? How about something somewhat new? Sure. We wandered towards the restaurant with the blue awning, Taiwan Cafe.

I had only been to Taiwan Cafe once and it was a take out order for the office. Two of my former bosses, both of Taiwanese descent ordered take out for our group and I went to Taiwan Cafe to pick it up. I recall them slurping soup with pork intestine and blood and I was a bit disturbed. Now I realize, I was just immature.  I had not been back since, but I am so glad we went and I look forward to going back for more. New favorite = Taiwan Cafe.

When you walk into Taiwan Cafe, you immediately feel that this dining experience will be an authentic one. Authentic as in no frills atmosphere, bustling tables, waitresses hustling between patrons, the owner wearing Abercrombie and a pleated mini-skirt and asking us to share a table with others. My friend commented that they did not feel as if we were in Boston.

The menu includes fried pork intestine, chilled jelly fish, chilled seaweed, pork and bitter melon soup and sauteed pork kidney. The descriptions on the menu did not describe how each dish is prepared is non-existent so we had to inquire further on each item we were interested in.

Our waitress was patient, explaining in broken English various preparations, sizes and suggestions. We were well on our way to a fantastic meal once they poured each of us two cups of tea.

Golden cat and lucky bamboo

We started with the large bowl of Taiwanese style wonton soup for $4.95. Usually the wonton soups I have had are half the size, for the same price, so these was great value for money. Taiwan Cafe serves the best wonton soup I have ever eaten. It has the most aromatic broth, fresh dumplings with flavorful pork and shrimp filling, greens and a bit of seaweed.

The braised tofu with vegetables (mushroom, carrots, broccoli, bamboo shoots) had the most savory, delicious sauce. The tofu was lightly fried and absorbed all that amazing sauce. We kept eating well past our fullness and both commented that we knew we were just eating because it tasted so good.

The bill came to $14.90 for tremendous portions, flavorful dishes and satisfied customers. We were so happy and were ready to come back again, order the same dishes and try something new. Maybe I will be brave and try my first stinky tofu?

Upon payment (cash only), our waitress clearly wanted to shuffle us out the door. As we were leaving the restaurant, the restaurant was completely full and there was a line of 10 people waiting out the door for a seat. This was a clear indication of the quality, price and popularity of Taiwan Cafe.

Taiwan Cafe on Urbanspoon