Since last fall, Dumpling Cafe joined the Chinatown food scene (695 Washington Street, Boston). A faux terra cotta warrior at the entrance with a red scarf welcomes you. Everyone from the hostess to the waitstaff is very helpful and efficient. Perusing the whole dining room, a bamboo steamer is seen on every table. A must have dish is none other than the mini buns juicy with pork and crabmeat filling ($6.50 for 6) or xiaolong bao aka soup dumplings.
To the novice, you must carefully lift the plump dumpling with your spoon without puncturing it. Then carefully nip the top before gingerly slurping the hot, rich, delicious and flavorful broth that doesn’t need the accompanying dipping sauce. Finish by eating the lovely crab and pork contents left in the dumpling. By far, this is the best xiaolong bao around and the secret is out.
Next comes the oyster pancake with gravy ($5.95), which is a delicious egg and starch pancake studded with a generous portion of oysters and slathered with a slightly sweet red sauce atop some greens. Another interesting Taiwanese street food for the adventurous eater is the grilled duck tongues Taiwanese Style ($5.95). Four skewers holding four marinated duck tongues each. Obviously there is not much to eat here, so it is more for bragging rights. But be careful of the small cartilage. It is fun to also try the Grilled Chicken Skin ($2.95), which is rarely seen in Boston. Finally the Taiwan style braised eggplant ($9.95) is a perfect blend of slightly spicy sweet sauce with pleasantly soft eggplant, a great combination with plain white rice. Dumpling Cafe is definitely worth a visit, eager to serve all customers and even late night snackers until 2am.
Anna Ing is a Sampan contributor
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