RESTAURANT REVIEW 10064 SAN PABLO AVE | EL CERRITO | 510-529-4161 | CHECK US OUT ON YELP wrap them! My guest and I enjoyed
watching the dumplings being handwrapped
but were somewhat surprised
that the employee did not wear gloves
during the process.
The shredded potato salad arrived at
our table shortly after we’d placed our
order. Even though the menu clearly
said “shredded” potato salad, I think
we both subconsciously expected a
dish that looked more like traditional
American potato salad. Instead, the salad
appeared to be mixed long, thin strips of
raw potatoes, carrots, and onions, topped
with sprigs of cilantro, and coated in a
strong-tasting vinegar-sesame and chili
oil. I found the taste to be somewhat
spicy, and very potent. After a couple of
bites, I sipped a drink of water, and my
mouth felt a bit numb due to the taste
of the salad. The cilantro, which initially
appeared to be garnish, enhanced and
quelled the intensity of the salad’s flavor.
Partaking of the salad was an interesting
experience for both of us, but we were
unable to finish the entire portion.
34 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM JANUARY 2020
The green bell pepper with pork
dumplings were served next. The
dumplings resembled pot stickers, but
they were not browned on one side;
instead they were completely white, soft,
and pillowy. New Dumpling boils its
dumplings and does not offer the option
to pan fry them. Our dumplings were
served piping hot, and each was plump
with the meat and vegetable filling.
On the table, there were bottles of soy
sauce, vinegar and chili sauce to use as
dumpling dipping sauces. We each had
small bowls in which to mix our sauces,
which allowed us to dip the savory puffs
easily. We both opted to mix a little
of all three sauces together and found
this combination to be very flavorful.
was delivered to the table. Once again,
they were served piping hot, and were
equally as plump and soft as the others.
We both sampled one of the carrots
with beef dumplings and immediately
acknowledged that, while they were
very good, we liked the green pepper
with pork dumplings better. The carrot
and beef combination did not have as
much seasoning and tasted a bit bland.
The bits of carrots seemed to give the
dumplings a sweet flavor, which was not
as appealing as the spiciness in the pork.
Still, we eagerly indulged in both orders
of dumplings until we felt extremely
full. We asked for a “to go” box to take
home the half dozen dumplings that
remained.
While we were dining, New
Dumpling, which can accommodate
24 seated guests, had maxed out their
seating area and had additional patrons
waiting in their overflow areas. Based on
reading customer reviews, there is often
a wait of up to 30 minutes at this small,
but popular restaurant--a testament to
the quality of the food served.