It’s Always Time for Dumplings
If you are craving authentic Shanghainese-style dumplings but won’t be traveling to China anytime soon, look no further than Walnut Creek’s tasty eatery, Dumpling Hours.
The real reason to go to Dumpling Hours is, as the name suggests, its delicious dumplings. Specifically, its Xiǎo lóng bāo (小笼包), a steamed dumpling with a thin layer of dough, usually filled with pork or minced crab meat, and soup with flavorful soup stays inside the dumpling until it is bitten into.
A recent lunch trip to Dumpling Hours, only 20 minutes from Athenian did not disappoint. The pork Xiǎo lóng bāo was delicious, delicate, and served with the traditional vinegar and ginger sauce. Presented in a bamboo steamer, it’s a great dish to share with friends, especially because dumplings represent comfort, hope, and prosperity in Chinese culture.
The juicy pan-fried version, Shēng jiān bāo (生煎包), has a golden and crispy bottom with the same delicious soup inside. With the perfect crunch, excellent seasoning, and bursts of flavor with every bite, it was just as delicious as its steamed counterpart. Splash zone warning: biting into either of these dumplings must be done with caution, as the soup can easily burst on your clothes if you’re not careful.
Aside from dumplings, the expansive menu has a variety of noodles, soups, and vegetables. To accompany the dumplings, I ordered ginger & scallion noodles, hot & sour soup, and jellyfish salad with green onion oil. This variety added great flavor and texture combinations, one of the hallmarks of Shanghainese cuisine.
The noodles were dripping with soy sauce, making them slightly oily, but still quite tasty. The soup had mushrooms and tofu but was more on the sour than hot side. Shanghainese food is traditionally not spicy. The jellyfish salad added unique textures and flavors to the meal. The crunchiness of the jellyfish and cucumber complemented each other greatly.
The restaurant is always busy and lively, with inside and outside seating options. It’s perfect if you have a dog. No matter the weather, there are heaters and umbrellas outside. Meanwhile, inside, there’s upbeat music playing and an open kitchen where you can watch the cooks hand-make the dumplings. Dumpling Hours is centrally located and is only a 5-minute walk from Broadway Plaza.
The overall service is quick and efficient with the option to order online using a QR code at every table or ordering with waitstaff. If you come during prime hours, expect a line at the door. It’s worth the wait!Prices range from $10-$16 for 4-8 dumplings, $13-$15 for soups that serve 3-4 people, $16-$18 for noodles. Three people can eat well for around $70.
Located at: 1389 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Hours: Monday-Saturday open from 11-2:30pm for lunch and 5-9pm for dinner; Sunday open from 11-2:30pm for lunch and 5-8:30pm for dinner
