The Dumpling King lives up to its name
Driving by, one sign caught my eye - The Dumpling King - because everyone loves a dumpling.
The room is bright and unremarkable, with homemade art work adorning the walls. The menu is adventuresome, full of medleys that you don't see at every Chinese restaurant.
Although the dumplings drew me in, it took a while to get to them in the menu. Each offering has a picture to help develop your cravings. They have many soups and hot pot selections, such as a lamb and eggplant combo ($10.99). Lamb also shows up with cumin ($8.99).
Of course, you can get the classics like sweet and sour pork, and chicken fried rice ($7.99), but they are done with a lighter hand than the local Chinese takeout. There are two pages of fish entrees ($13.99 and under), such as a poached fish in special oil.
About three quarters of the way through the menu, I finally hit the mother lode...dumplings galore. There's veggie ones ($3.99) and dumplings stuffed with Bok choi ($5.99). Fennel and pork would make a great combination ($4.49), or how about steamed radish and beef ($4.25)?
I chose the pork and crab meat stuffing ($5.99). Look up and you'll discover these puppies don't come out of the freezer; the staff are rolling dough and stuffing dumplings at the back of the shop.
My dumplings came out of the kitchen in a bamboo steamer basket, six glorious translucent orbs of dough. They are so delicate you think you might break them; but they miraculously hold together. The crab in the stuffing was strong, but not fishy in the least. With some freshly grated ginger and a splash of soy, it was nirvana.
I also tried a hot and spicy tofu with pork dish ($5.99), a pleasant dish where the chilli played off of the bland tofu.
Dumpling King even makes a honeydew dumpling for dessert ($5.50), or offers caramelized sweet potatoes, bananas and even taro and dates. Check out the late hours on the weekend-it's a haven for insomniacs.
For comforting food that is authentically prepared, Dumpling King delivers.
The Dumpling King
3290 Midland Ave Unit #2
(North of Finch Ave)
(416) 321-0888
Wheelchair access: no barriers
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Fri-Sun: 11:30 a.m. to 4 a.m.