I am going to be honest with you on this one, I went into this expecting authentic Chinese style dumplings, and unfortunately was disappointed. I guess clue one should have been the name, that in hindsight I totally missed that. When was the last time you went to Brooklyn for dumpling?
Unfortunately, the pivot on expectations was not easy, because these were the furthest from authentic dumplings. In fact, I would give them a category all their own. When have you heard of stuffing a dumpling with a cheeseburger or pizza? Or dessert dumplings with peanut butter and jelly for that matter?
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is a fairly well-known chain in the States, specifically New York, where the owner is from. She decided to open this location in Vancouver, because she loves our city, and having a franchise here means she would get to visit often. This is the first location in British Columbia with a couple more cited to open in the Guildford area as well as Calgary.
When ordering you can speak to a clerk at the single counter, but if you prefer to not be social, you can also place your order at their self-help kiosk. With it you pay by card and are given a code. This code allows you to unlock their locker boxes for our corresponding order. Honestly a little cumbersome and just ordering with a person sounds easier, with less steps. However, this contactless method would be useful for food delivery orders, drivers not having to wait in lines or trying to save time having to call the attention of the clerk.
Their cuisine can best be described as Asian-inspired cuisine, focused on creating bold and unique flavours. On top of their fusion dumplings they also do bowls, handhelds, and small plate. It was nice that we got the chance to be amongst the first to try it. Given the creative liberties taken, I think if looking for late night drunk eats they will fit your criteria.
Their fusion dumplings are available in a set of 5 or 9, served in a bowl like poutine. You can also try a few as a mix and match combo. I had a couple here as samples and a bite or two was plenty, so I would suggest sharing any.
The bacon cheese burger was beefy wth meaty cheese and some acid from pickles. The peanut butter and jelly was thick with the peanut butter sticking to the roof of my mouth. And the pizza dumplings was like a pizza pocket but with a lighter, crispy, fried, doughy shell.
As for what we ordered, my guest and I decided to go opposite ends of spectrum with something more traditionally Chinese versus very western, American fast food. I wanted to try their take on more classic dumplings available seared, fried crispy, or steamed. And my guest decided to keep his choice safe with a more familiar burger.
The have XLB which they call “pork soupy dumplings”, only available steamed. They looked legitimate, stacked in a cardboard bowl and topped with green onion. There wasn’t any vinegar or ginger, but you do get a side of chilli oil. Although it barely had flavour, let alone spice. The first clue here would have been the colouring of the oil in a pale yellow.
As for the actual dumplings, it they were deflated with little to no liquid at its centre. However, taste wise it was familiar to what I have purchased from grocery stores. Tasty when you need something in a pinch, but nothing unique on to themselves.
You can also get their dumplings in broth. Here, I had their wagyu beef dumplings with chicken, thin noodles, bok choy, and shredded carrots in a chicken broth. The broth doesn’t have depth of flavour, it isn’t rich or warming, but does have enough salt to season everything found bobbing within it. I would have liked a thicker noodle and was not a fan of the thin mix of coleslaw, seeing it as being too foreign. This was not to my taste.
Instead, I would recommend their late night fast food handhelds like their wagyu burger that my guest got. It was so soft and melty that it too stuck to the roof of my mouth on first bite. Satisfying enough and a complete meal with a side of their criss cross waffle fries. This was exactly as I expected it to be.
There is a time and a place for this one. They are not meant to be authentic, so as long as you come in with the right expectations and need, you will enjoy your meal. Given their location and service, I would only consider them as drunk food, ideal for the messy, late night cravings.
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
488 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2B7
brooklyndumplingshop.com
