Located off Palo Alto’s bustling University Avenue, Dumpling Hours is a trendy Chinese restaurant that serves a variety of steamed, boiled, and pan-fried dumplings alongside other dishes. Their highly rated specialty is Chinese soup dumplings, or xiao long bao, which are steamed dumplings filled with savory broth and meat. Dumpling Hours has several locations across the Bay Area, including Brentwood, Walnut Creek, and Oakland. The Palo Alto location is their newest and opened in May 2024.
Sauteed String Beans with Garlic Sauce ($15.95): 9/10
The addictively delicious string beans have a pleasing crunch complemented by a smoky garlic flavor. The umami sauce pairs perfectly with the freshness of the green beans, and the chopped garlic scattered throughout the beans intensifies the savory flavor. These string beans could convert even the pickiest vegetable eater with their satisfying texture and flavorful sauce. If you’re not a fan of garlic, however, this probably isn’t the dish for you.
Pork Xiao Long Bao ($9.95) : 9/10
The pork xiao long baos are delicious explosions of flavor wrapped in delicate dumpling skins. The dumpling wrappers are thin and expertly pleated. Upon first bite, there’s a burst of warm, savory soup that flawlessly complements the tender pork. The richness of the pork is perfectly balanced with the tang of the vinegar dipping sauce. However, the thinness of the dumpling skin made it slightly difficult to pick the dumplings up with chopsticks without them bursting open.
Pan-Fried Pork Buns ($15.95): 10/10
The buns, made of a soft dough, are filled with flavorful pork and broth. The golden brown, crunchy bottom is the star of the show, providing a satisfying texture that contrasts with the soft, juicy pork inside. The ratio of meat to soup inside the bun was perfect, and the dough encasing the filling was neither too thick nor too thin, making the perfect bite. The tangy black vinegar sauce adds depth to the pork flavor. Even with the high price, it’s understandable that these buns are one of the most popular items on the menu.
Pork Wontons with Sesame Sauce and Chili Oil ($12.95): 6/10
The spicy wontons consisted of very soft wrappers filled with juicy pork and topped with sesame sauce and chili oil. The rich sesame sauce offset the intense spice of the chili oil, but the excess made the wontons a bit too greasy. This dish felt overpriced and was not a highlight of the menu.
