Tag Archives: wonton

Dumpling Cafe, Chinatown, Boston

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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.

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Taiwan Cafe, Chinatown, Boston

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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

Thai Basil, Newbury Street, Back Bay, Boston

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Wearing sweats, L.L.Bean fleece slippers and my back up pair of Warby Parker glasses is my version of the epitome of lazy. On one of those lazy evenings, it is when I order in.

I ordered Thai Basil via Foodler before and after a day of holiday shopping, I wanted to try Thai Basil restaurant again in person to see if the delivery and restaurant food quality was comparable, which they are.

Two make a proper comparison, I was set on ordering my exact delivery order, so I had the Wonton Soup for $3.50. The delicate wrapped with mince chicken, shrimp and slivers of snap peas and bits of scallion in clear broth was just as warming and satisfying as my delivery experience.

My shopping partner in crime and I also enjoyed some of the spicy Chicken Tom Yum Soup for $3.50. The tender chicken served in hot and sour broth seasoned with exotic Thai herbs, slices of mushrooms, lemongrass and lime leaves.

We also tried the sweetened Pad Thai for $8.95. The rice noodles pan fried with scrambled egg, slices of chicken, bean sprouts, scallions and topped with crushed peanuts.

As I had in my Foodler experience, I also enjoyed the Fried Rice Tropical for $9.95. The fried rice with chicken with sweet chunks pineapple, onion, snappy snow peas and spiced madras curry powder, and topped with cashew nuts.

Both with delivery and in-house, the Thai Basil soups, noodles and rice dishes we have tried are consistent. The portions and temperature are equally generous and made fresh.Thai Basil on Urbanspoon

Thai Basil, Back Bay, Boston and Foodler

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I think I have tried most delivery services in Boston, including DiningIn, GrubHub, Seamlessweb, Dash and now Foodler.

What makes Foodler enjoyable to use is the easy, simplistic interface and I like how the website is highly navigable. GrubHub only has an Iphone app (I am an Ipad user) and I have expererienced bugs and crashes using the DiningIn website while adding special instructions on pizza toppings.

Foodler website on my ipad

Foodler has a lot of nice nuances and functionalities. It lists in the right sidebar instant rebate discounts and various coupons for free items or a certain percentage off the first order.

I have ordered take out at Thai Basil for lunch before and the Newbury Street restaurant is always busy during lunch hours.  I felt Thai Basil would be a good test experiment to use Foodler because I already knew the menu and the restaurant location. What was very lucky and quite fortuitous was that my first order with Thai Basil resulted in 15% off and had free delivery.

Foodler lists the 3rd parties who deliver such as Dash and the website enables the ability to sort the Top Rated, Most Rated and Recommended menu items. Each item has pretty granular, detailed descriptions of the food items. One adjustment I think would be beneficial is, in addition to providing a star rating, it would be great for users to have the functionality to could write their review and descriptions of the dishes.

I used the search box to search for specific menu items, including wonton soup. Foodler came up with the various restaurant options and the variance in pricing. This was helpful to find out pricing at other restaurants and where else had wonton soup in Boston.

I liked the drop down section that was easy to add allergy restrictions (in this case no shrimp for my fellow diner) and special instructions. We ordered wonton soup for $3.50 each and Fried Rice Tropical for $9.95.

In addition, I received estimate arrival time and confirmation email. The delivery was made 15 minutes earlier than expected which was a nice surprise.

Thai Basil’s take out delivery bag. Yes, I will have a nice day and meal, thank you very much!

The contents of the order included a few paper napkins, plastic utensils, chili sauce, dipping sauce, 2 wonton soups and Fried Rice Tropical.

The tropical rice was very warm and had tender chicken (not an ounce of shrimp), chunks of pineapple, slivers onions, baby corn, crispy snow peas, mushrooms, sweet green peppers, spiced madras curry powder, and cashew nuts. This exotic version of fried rice was was well seasoned from the curry and loaded full of vegetables and nuts. I wish there were a few more pieces of tender chicken, but otherwise, it was very satisfying.
The warm wonton soup contained delicate wrapped with mince chicken, shrimp and vegetables in clear broth.

I really liked the four floating wonton dumplings with the flavorful clear broth and crispy snap peas and zigzag cut carrots. I certainly would order this again. Overall, I think I would use Foodler much more often than the other service providers because I had a very solid experience.

**Disclaimer:  I received FoodlerBucks to try the Foodler service and to offer my review.

Thai Basil on Urbanspoon