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Vanessa's Dumpling
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Chinese Japanese, Chinese [Edit]
220 E 14th St(between 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhoods: Gramercy, East Village
(212) 529-1328
- Nearest Transit:
-
3 Av (L)
14 St - Union Sq (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Union Sq - 14 St (L)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
284 reviews for Vanessa's Dumpling
Review Highlights
"I'm in LOVE with the sesame pancake sandwich."
(in 25 reviews)
"Their bubble tea was excellent too."
(in 23 reviews)
"I love the pan-fried dumplings, 4 for $1."
(in 20 reviews)
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284 reviews in English
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Review from Eri S.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hrm. Prices are a little different from the one in Eldridge st. 5 fried dumplings for $2 instead of 4 for $1. And this place has sushi but I'll probably stay away from that...
Anyway, I got the scallion pancake sandwich with roast beef and the hot and spicy wontons. I'm seriously addicted to those wontons...not so much spicy but I love the cilantro and the oily yummy goodness. Only complaint: those wontons take awhile to boil so my sandwich was sitting there for a good ten minutes until my entire order was ready. So the sandwich was cold! Wah :( but it's okay cause I ended up getting it to go and reheating it at home. You are forgiven :] -
Review from Kevin L.
Updated - 1/27/2012
I should not have deluded myself with thoughts that they were far better than my gut feeling. The dumplings are good and cheap but nearly everything else that's not a dumpling in this place is mediocre at best. Ordered a roast pork sandwich that came out mostly filled with fatty pieces of pig skin rather than actual meat. The flavors were good but the skimped horribly with the meat and eating a fatty pig skin sandwich is not my idea of a good lunch. The bubble tea was also horrendous. I watched the guy make it and he filled most of the cup with ice, water, half and half, and sugar syrup. He put in a little bit of tea, mixed it up and then just put it out on the counter without calling out the order until I inquired if it was mine. And of course, the bubble tea tasted like crap with so little tea inside.
Service is deplorable as always with this place since they can't organize orders properly. My sandwich was ready nearly 10 minutes before my bubble tea leaving me standing there with a fast cooling meal. Traffic was actually a bit light due to rain but they could barely keep up with the pace. Do yourself a favor and avoid this place if you're coming here for anything other than dumplings. And if you do, be prepared for a frustrating wait in line.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/1/2012
I normally don't think much about dumplings outside of Flushing or Chinatown. I was surprised to… Read more »
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Review from C'est Moi L.
Seattle, WA
1/22/2012
i dig 'em. they're tasty, however... they use msg. so, i will not return.
i've tried all the different pork dumplings and like 'em all - the one with chives is my least favorite.
i'm in love with the roast pork sesame sandwich.
i've not tried any of the soups b/c i can't bring myself to eat out of those plastic containers.
i love the staff - i think they're hardworking, hilarious and pretty easy going - despite the chaos and stress.
they could improve their hygiene practices, though.
i hear the one in brooklyn is msg-free, so i'll check them out.
food tastes so great without any additives! down w/ msg! we just don't need it! -
Review from Raphael D.
Brooklyn, NY
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dirty Dumplings! Done Dirt Cheap! Put this place on your cheap snack list if you haven't already.
While my three bao foray at Baohaus was both epic and scrumptious it failed to satisfy my fat kid-level appetite for starchy, meaty destruction that particular night. I needed more (and cheaper)!
Five pork and cabbage dumplings for two bucks is a guaranteed sale in my book. The watered-down Sriracha did give me a literal sad face but at that price I'm surprised they even have hot sauce out on the tables.
Like pizza even bad dumplings are good dumplings but on the dumpling scale these are a very good 3/5. -
Review from K D.
New York, NY
2/4/2012
Not as good nor as cheap as other dumpling spots around town. However, Vanessa's has seating, doesn't tell you they are out of anything, and has a pretty big menu. If I lived closer I would probably be a regular.
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Review from Francesca L.
Colorado Springs, CO
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dumplings were good, sesame bun sandwich was good, hot milk tea was good. A little pricey for what it is, but overall fine. Not very comfortable seating, and very cold inside so you won't want to hang around for long, but just grab some food to go!
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Review from Josh W.
12/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
The dumplings here are alright, but nothing special. At this location the service was not very good (workers were more focused on continuing their conversations than taking orders), and the food was served relatively cold.
The dumplings I ordered came out lukewarm, and the skin was not crispy as I would have expected. The sesame pancake, which was ok, came out cold as well. So did the corn soup.
I would not come back to this location. If the food were served hot and fresh, it would probably be a decent place to go, but there's no guarantees on that. -
Review from Dan F.
12/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Can someone say "hell yes" for being fed for 2 bucks? Quite tasty and I got a bonus dumpling? 6 for $2? Dollar pizza at Two Brothers now has some competition.
I wish the siracha wasn't watered down :/ -
Review from Deborah Y.
La Canada Flintridge, CA
1/13/2012
I give three stars for their sesame pancake sandwiches. The salmon sesame pancake is so delicious. The bread is soft and has a slightly sweet/nutty taste. The salmon is kind of like teriyaki salmon and goes so well with the crunchy vegetables included in the sandwich. I have tried their chicken dumplings in soup, and it just lacked flavor. The soup did not taste like anything, and the dumpling skin was too thick for my liking
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Review from Cindy T.
Warren, NJ
12/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Where else north of Chinatown are you going to get dinner for $2.99? And a relatively healthy, delicious one at that.
A dumpling from Vanessa's has a slightly thicker, but delightfully chewy hand-rolled dumpling skin. You can choose from a variety of fillings, from the traditional pork and chive to the more nouveau chicken and mushroom. Be careful as you bite into Vanessa's dumplings though - they are served steaming hot. Each one is filled with a generous lump of meat and hot, soupy goodness that will surely scorch your mouth if you're not careful.
Their wontons are also heavenly. The skin is thinner than that of a dumpling. The filling is shrimp, pork, and watercress. If you like a bit of heat, you MUST try the wontons in red chili oil. If you're a sissy, try them boiled and dipped in a bit of soy sauce. Still very tasty.
Finally, get their sesame pancake sandwich. It can be served plain, with veggies, roast pork, or asian-style roast beef. I tried the latter. The flavors of the slightly sweet pancake, the richness of the meat, and the crispy freshness of the vegetables inside the pancake really blended well. It's no wonder this is one of their best sellers.
While I haven't tried everything on the menu, you can't go wrong ordering anything here really. And so what if you don't like it... after all, you only paid $2.99 for the entire meal. -
Review from Mindy K.
Albany, NY
11/17/2011
This Vanessa's isn't as good as the original, sister location of the same namesake in Chi-town/LES. But for all intents and purposes, it's pretty good. Dumplings are aight, and service can be a bit slow. But actually, I prefer this location's pork pancakes more than the other's (they're really sandwiches).
It's definitely one of the better, EXTREMELY cheap options in the Union Square-upper East Village area. Plus the space is a lot larger. Go get your filling, delicious $3 meal pronto.Listed in: Cheap eats
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Review from Ellie W.
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
5 dumplings for $1.99? Holy dumpling heaven.
I downed these babies like WATER, they were so delicious. My boyfriend ended up with 100 dumplings to go (yes, they sell them frozen so you can buy them to store in your fridge for your late-night dumpling cravings).
It's very much a hole in the wall type of place, with an open kitchen where you can see your beloved dumplings (destined for your belly) being made, and limited seating. Honestly, I'd probably take these dumplings to go--it's not ideal as a sit-down type of place. Makes you kind of feel like her person drinking wine alone in a corner or something. -
Review from Lauren G.
Manhattan, NY
1/12/2012
Best dumplings this side of the Yangtze river! I've searched near and far in NYC for the most authentic dumplings that match the quality I ate while living in Shanghai: Vanessa's is it. There are tons of options on the menu, but the sesame pancake sandwich filled with crispy duck and fresh veggies is my favorite! Bring a group of friends when you visit so that you can try as many things as possible.
The Williamsburg location is my favorite - the staff is gracious and the service is incredibly quick. This store is new, in pristine condition, and the ingredients are clearly of the highest quality! -
Review from Lisa Jane C.
Brooklyn, NY
11/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Found a new favorite dumpling restaurant...at least for now.
Had the vegetable dumpling and sesame pancake. Just awesome. A warning - the pancakes get cold quickly, so eat yours first.
The dumplings were great - the dough was not thick and I could really taste the vegetables. Some places have dumplings which are similar to school cafeteria food - but not Vanessa's!
The dumplings can also be purchased in quantities of thirty - will have to do that when this place is my last stop before going home. These are so much better than what my local restaurants deliver.
Two things to remember:
1) The sesame pancakes should be eaten first unless you like cold food.
2) The sign says that dumplings take about twenty minutes to prepare so don't expect to eat quickly. So happy I had a good book with me.
Love this one! -
Review from Jimmy C.
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
A Breath of Cheap Goody-ness in the jungles of high priced food in the heart of Manhattan.
FOOD:
Asian Soul Food right here. Great dumplings and Chinese Sandwiches. Very tasty for the price.
ATMOSPHERE:
Has some seating, but don't expect to come here in a large group and expect everyone to have seats. Idea scenario: 2-3 people. It is a very low-end Asian style seating and ambiance. Nothing grand or luxurious.
SERVICE:
Typical Asian style counter service. Not the most professional but when there are a lot of people service can be slow.
SUMMARY:
Great place near Union Square to have a cheap meal under five dollars and be full with quality Asian food. Definitely go for dumplings or the Chinese Sandwiches. It will fill you up and they are not stingy. Are they the best you will ever have? Probably not, but this Chinese Oasis near a Manhattan Hot Spot will have you raving for more every time you want a full tummy and nothing hurting your pocket books. -
Review from Food C.
Syracuse, NY
1/6/2012
This place is a gem if you are a fan of dumplings.
They are cheap and so delicious...and only costs an extra $1 if you want them in soup!
The bubble tea is very reasonably priced here for the quality, along with the sushi.
When I'm in the area I always stop by here....it's good to spend as little as possible on food when everything else in Manhattan is already ridiculously overpriced. -
Review from Stockton J.
East Village, Manhattan, NY
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good, fast and cheap!
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Review from Shauna And Rob I.
Manhattan, NY
10/6/2011
Their dumplings are so good that I walk into their place with a Costco-like attitude and I buy the frozen dumplings by the bag. It's $8 for a shady brown paper bag of about 30 handmade dumplings.
The chive and pork are much better then the cabbage ones, but either will satisfy. The sushi is definately Average with a capital 'A' but they have good deals if you go there late at night. -
Review from Chester W.
Chicago, IL
10/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Place is cheap and the food is decent. Why they have a sushi bar here is anyone's guess, but sushi and Chinese chefs should not mix... just my humble Chinese opinion.
Honestly, if you've never tried Vanessa's dumplings, don't make a trip to the 14th st location. The one in Soho is much better and even cheaper!! Crazy, I know!!! -
Review from Sara A.
New York, NY
12/25/2011
Omg I'm not an expert on dumplings but my goodness these were good! I only eat veggie dumplings and way too often they're stuffed with cabbage and carrots the end. And the other times it's usually cabbage carrots and some corn and spinach. But these were actually stuffed with real veggies! And tofu!! It's a hole in the wall but great dumplings and I'm so going back for the sesame pancake that my friend had.
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Review from Tammy T.
Manhattan, NY
11/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had the cabbage and pork dumplings, some were burnt and some were undercooked. My stomach is rumbling and not because I'm hungry for more dumplings.
It's cheap. That gets 3 stars. Is the place clean, no. But you get what you pay for. One of the guys handling the food was cleaning the bathroom and he returned to handling the food. I went into the restroom, it turned out the sink in the bathroom was busted...no need to wonder if he washed his hands before going back to work. -
Review from J B.
Manhattan, NY
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dumplings are tasty, but definitely needed the hot sauce to go with it. I also ended up getting dumpling soup, which was a huge quart of broth noddles dumplings and some spinach. Pretty tasty! My friend got a pork roll, which looked pretty yummy to me too.
Place is cheap and pretty quick. If nothing else go get some dumplings!! -
Review from Elle L.
Manhattan, NY
10/31/2011 3 photos
cheap food that i don't have to go all the way down
to chinatown for ! i am unsure if this place is a chain
of vanessa's dumpling house in eldridge st,
but they seem to sell very similar stuff...
if there is a difference, they don't sell sesame pancake
with peking duck!!! it's my favorite in vanessa's dumpling house!
the prices here seem to be ~$.50 higher too.
i got the scallion and pork pan fried dumplings,
5 pieces for $2.17 (tax included). they came fresh out of their
kitchen and i went happily devouring within a minute of
making my order! :D -
Review from Ajay T.
Manhattan, NY
9/26/2011
2 bucks for 5 dumplings in East Village. So cheappp! It may not be the best dumplings you will have, but I think they are up to snuff. Sometimes the dumplings get a bit burnt or undercooked, but it is still worth the price.
I prefer pickup, instead of sitting down because the place can get hectic at times. Also I have witnessed a few too many incidents, involving stealing and spitting, that I rather just eat outside or in the confines of my comfortable apartment.
They do have fast service, maybe not the friendliest. Regardless of the shortcomings, I will continue to go to this place because I love me some dumplings and I especially love saving monaay. -
Review from Bo L.
Manhattan, NY
9/29/2011
Inexpensive dumplings made exactly like (and only slightly more expensive than) those in tiny Chinatown dumpling shops.
Great for cheap eats! -
Review from Katee L.
Brooklyn, NY
8/4/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I'm going to say they cater to the NYU student crowd, b/c the food is cheap, greasy, and perfect for the student budget. They even take campus cash....whaaa?
In any case, I've been to the one in Chinatown and had walked by here a number of times. The lady at the counter was either hard of hearing or didn't understand English. I ordered 4 items, and instead only got 2. My friend had to go back and reorder the other two items. We also got the pork/chive dumplings and ended up with the pork/cabbage dumplings which were not fresh. I think they just gave us whatever they had b/c it came out really quick.
The food isn't bad and I actually like the pork sesame pancake. I remember at the other location they used to be huge pizza looking triangles but these were more like mini pancake shaped. I added some duck sauce and hot sauce to the insides and I thought it made it so much better! It was a little bland. Anyway, I only came here b/c I was in the area and didn't feel like going to Chinatown. -
Review from Jane K.
6/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The 14th Street Vanessa's is neither the best nor the worst dumpling shop I've patronized. The pricing can be incredibly cheap for some things ($1.95 for 6 pork dumplings) or strangely overpriced for others ($5.99 for shrimp dumplings).
The sesame pancakes are literally steeped in hot oil and watching someone eat it is akin to watching a person eat a stick of butter; simultaneously fascinating and revolting.
The service here is also abysmal. I'm fine without a smile or a greeting, but waiting 20 minutes for someone to fry up 6 potstickers can be extremely frustrating. They also boast a sushi counter that I'd recommend you avoid at all costs.
For a quick, cheap and greasy meal - Vanessa's is a good bet. But if you have time to go to Chinatown instead, there's absolutely no reason to stop here.Listed in: Asian Invasion NYC, I'm Just Not That Into You
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Review from Sue K.
Claremont, CA
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
After church, Grace K. and I came to this place for a light lunch. We ordered pork/chive dumplings, hot and sour soup, and a pork sandwich. We were pretty full after the meal but had to get boba on the way out.
Our meal came out to be around 8 dollars and the bobas came out to be around then as well. cheap, fast, and delicious. i wouldn't say its the best dumplings i have had or the best soup i have had but it was good enough and i was satisfied with the meal. the hot and sour soup had gelatinous chunks (they didnt stir it enough?) and the dumplings were a little hard as they were pan fried...
I'd visit again, if i am in the area; i'd bring other people with me too. -
Review from Dd D.
New York, NY
9/12/2011
Everytime I go here, I have no complaints. Nope. The food is good,
not the greatest ever in the universe but w/e. Deal with it. The price is great tooo! -
Review from Jessica D.
Brooklyn, NY
8/13/2011 3 photos
There are many dumpling joints in the Big Apple but, only few are actually top-notch. Vanessa's Dumpling has two locations if you haven't noticed. One located in Gramercy Park/Union Square and the oldest and classic one is located in Lower East Side/Chinatown. I've only tried the one in Gramercy Park once. I always wanted to know what this one would be like so my boyfriend & I came here for lunch once.
The dumplings are simply delicious and inexpensive. We both got a plate of 5 dumplings for each person, a sesame beef pancake, a hot & sour soup, and two bubble teas.
Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings: They were perfectly made and perfectly crunchy. I always prefer dumplings with a crunchy texture because it makes the experience just more delightful.
Sesame Pancake Sandwich with Beef: I never tried a sandwich like this before but I sure loved it. The beef was well seasoned and taste great. It came with some Vietnamese sweet relish which I'm not too fond of but, it was nice to try a new item of food.
Overall, a simple restaurant with great and inexpensive food. I highly recommend Vanessa's Dumpling if you're looking for a nice dumpling joint to try and for inexpensive food. You can't go wrong! -
Review from Pat R.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 11/9/2011
I guess they have so much biz they don't care about even the most rudimentary customer service anymore. They ran out of a dish for my delivery order and just decided to give us another item without informing us of the change...better yet, just call and ask us what we would like instead. Then they forgot all the condiments for the delivery.
I called to let them know wtf?! The guy who takes the order didn't even apologize or offer a discount. Instead he says an 'option' is to not take the item they delivered and they won't charge me...wow.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/30/2010
I actually think the food deserves more than 3 stars..probably closer to 4 stars and the price point… Read more »
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Review from Josh H.
New York, NY
11/14/2011
The dumplings are delicious, though I wish they didn't stick to each other so much. The meat filling is a little on the dry side. The pork/chive is superior to the pork/cabbage, which is a little bland. I didn't like their sushi, even though it is cheap and is quite substantial. I guess that's due to the fact that it had been sitting there for a while. But for the price, this place is an excellent value because the food is above average for below average price. Pork buns are also good here. I don't like their vegetable dumplings--they have a mushy, gross texture. Overall, its a great place to get a bunch of delicious, cheap dumplings. For anything else, you'll probably be disappointed, though at least you wont feel insulted by high prices.
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Review from curtis w.
New York, NY
4/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Our country is going down the shitter
We're fucked and it seems like it's just getting worse. The economy is tanking and the price on gas, food and everything else keeps rising.
I don't know what to do. Where to go. Who to talk to. Everything is dark and cold...
Then I remembered Vanessa's. Sister is hooking you up with a recession special. Tight! But honestly, with her prices, everything is a special.
I personally forgot about her dumpling's a while back, which are good, and I moved on to her Pork Sesame Pancake Sandwiches. Which are amazing, and at 2 dollars a pop, who can resist.
So... Dear Wall Street Douche, before jumping out your office window, take a breather and head over to Vanessa's. You can thank me later. -
Review from Tracy W.
6/6/2011
No no and no. My stomach died after eating here and had to spend quality time I didn't want to spend with my toilet.
I got a chicken teriyaki sesame pancake sandwich. This was not bad but the sesame pancake was pretttttty tough and chewy. Oily, but that's expected.
Ordered the pork and chives pan fried dumplings. The bottom was charred with a layer of carcinogen, way to make my dumplings black. After peeling off the black matter, I ate the hardest pan fried dumpling ever-- it hurt my mouth just trying to chew. Needless to say, I didn't finish my dumplings.
Is this what you call great dumplings? Great dumplings start with great dough, which this place was definitely lacking. Instantly after tasting the filling, I could tell that the dumplings were frozen beforehand.
The Chinese lady taking orders was not friendly. I don't think she'd even smile if someone tickled her.
I'm asian, and I know what good dumplings taste like. I will not be back. -
Review from Alex E.
Manhattan, NY
6/10/2011
I LOVE this place.
It smells, is dirty, tables are not clean but who cares?
There is something about dumplings that is irresistible, except soup dumplings I tried those (not in Vanessa's) and I hate them. Retarded idea... anyway....
Forget the dumplings at Vanessa's though, for the first time I decided to try the pancake pork sandwich thing, and it was INCREDIBLE. One of the best sandwiches I ever tried. And so cheap!!
I am upset they close early, I am about to deduct a star for that, but then I remembered their coconut bubble tea and how could I do such a thing to such sweet sweet people????????? -
Review from Albert L.
5/24/2011
Is it cheap?! YES!
How's the service? Sucks!
How is the food? Ok!
Would I come back here again? Perhaps, because it is cheap!!!
What did I order - dumplings (durrr) and the sesame panpake
If it wasn't cheap, it would be 2 stars. -
Review from Nicolas B.
Manhattan, NY
11/15/2011
The food is delicious and so inexpensive, I can't help but walk out and ask myself if there was a catch or something... There is none. Probably why there's usually a big line.
The food itself is really good, personally, I always get the sesame pancake chicken teriyaki and 5 fried dumplings, for around 6 bucks its so worth it and I cant eat another bite.
The only thing stopping me from giving this place 5 stars is the cranky annoying cashier. Usually I don't give bad reviews based on service, for me its just the food that matters, but this woman is very obnoxious.
Ive gone there 3 times in a single week, I never leave unsatisfied. -
Review from Melissa M.
New York, NY
Updated - 5/5/2011
UPDATE
SO I went back craving that (once awesome) boba tea and some fried dumplings only to find myself never wanting to return....
I ordered my dumplings and tea during a time that wasnt even very busy I think there were like 2 people also waiting for an order. They took forever to finish the order, and once I got the dumplings, I couldnt help but notice the LARGE hair jutting out from one of the dumplings so i asked them to just replace that one in which they took the entire order from me, said something to each other in their language and then gave me the dirtiest looks ever.
The boba tea....SUCKED. They packed it full of ice and there was barely any tea to drink at all.
Very disappointed in this place.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/10/2011
I first discovered the place while my bf and I were looking for a quick bite without breaking the… Read more »
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Review from han c.
New York, NY
3/27/2011
Blech.
I have confirmed the gist of everyone else's reviews below:
Yes. Service sucks. I got the lady with the high-pitched scratchy voice. She short changed me $5, and it was a process to explain it. My ears may have bled a little too.
Yes. The dumplings are meh. The outer shell is too thick! Dumplings should be thin, chewy and delightful. These remind me of dough that has been manhandled by wrestlers. I ate the insides and left the shell carcasses...remnants of what could have been...
The milk tea sucks. I dunno. Maybe it should kind of look like tea? A little bit? An itty witty teeny bit? No. Hot cup of white sweetened liquid. Thanks. Appreciate it.
I am not sure why Vanessa's is so highly noted among dumpling connoisseurs but it stinks. Mayhaps the Eldridge location is better (but I have no desire to find out).
Lan Zhou still remains my faves. -
Review from Hannah M.
9/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
come here if you fit any or all of the below mentioned criteria:
-ballin on a budget
-in the east village
-enjoy dumplings
-want a lot of food for a little money
-enjoy fast service
-plenty of tables, high turnaround
not the best, definitely not the worst. hell, i was full off of 5 dumplings and a sesame pancake for a total of $3.64. no complaints from this fat kid.
