Review from a person with braces: I don’t know if there’s a restroom since I always take it to go.
Xiangzhen Potstickers is a well-known local old shop in Zhonghe, and it tends to have a lot of people each time I visit, so I recommend calling ahead to reserve. They also sell raw potstickers and dumplings, which are convenient to take home and cook yourself. The price for a potsticker is 8 NT dollars each, which is 1 dollar more expensive than typical chain brands, but they are larger and more filling; dumplings are priced at 6.5 dollars each, which is 0.5 dollars cheaper. Parking may be a bit inconvenient if you drive.
This time I ordered potstickers, dumplings, hot and sour soup, and soy milk. The potstickers had a crispy and fragrant outer skin, and the filling of cabbage was crunchy and solid. They were quite large, delicious enough to eat on their own, though I felt they were a bit oily; still, I couldn't resist. The dumplings were average and did not differ much from chain brands. The hot and sour soup was rich in ingredients and flavor, with a strong peppery aroma that was quite satisfying to drink. The soy milk was sweetened and tasted ordinary, with no special surprises. Overall, I would visit this shop again for their potstickers.
All the activities in Hualien are mostly done at the main store on Fuguo Road, but this time I stumbled upon a new branch in the alleys of the shopping district. They specialize in dumplings, with prices ranging from 6 to 12 TWD per piece, offering a wide variety. They also serve fried dumplings and other soup dishes. The dumplings, whether boiled or fried, are filled generously with solid ingredients, using real materials. Today’s corn dumplings had a rich flavor, although they were a bit small; adding zongzi made for a more filling meal. The sauce is soy sauce that already has chili added, and you can help yourself to garlic and drinks.
The Ba Fang Yun Ji new store at Qizhang is just as the name suggests, located about a 2-minute walk from Exit 1 of the Qizhang MRT Station. To the right of the store is the checkout and cooking area, while the dining space on the left is not very large. There are also stairs leading down to the B1 seating, but the space isn't very comfortable, so I don't often dine in and usually take my food to go.
Ordering is done at the counter either verbally or by filling out a form for payment. You can take a number and wait to be called. Both cash and two forms of electronic payment are accepted. For Ba Fang Yun Ji, the potstickers and dumplings are priced individually, so there’s no minimum order requirement (great!).
Today I ordered:
🔸 Corn Potstickers $7 each
The potstickers I got today were perfectly pan-fried without burning👏🏻. I ordered a total of 10—corn potstickers are one of my favorite flavors. They have the same price as the signature ones but with more corn for added texture and sweetness, making them tastier than the basic pork and cabbage filling.
🔸 Fresh Shrimp Dumplings $10.5 each
The shrimp filling is whole rather than chopped (one whole shrimp plus a little tail?🤣) and has a juicy, sweet texture that tastes great even without dipping sauce.
🔸 Swordfish and Squid Ball Soup $35
The soup base is lightly seasoned, and there are three squid balls that are medium-sized and of average flavor. It would be better if there were a bit more seaweed.
The customers at this Ba Fang mainly consist of local residents, and the staff are friendly and kind. There are many scooters parked in front of the store, making the waiting area quite cramped and not very convenient for picking up takeout. The store offers a caring dining environment, and overall, it's a pretty good establishment.
Before Ba Fang Yun Ji, my favorite chain dumpling shop was Si Hai You Long. However, as Ba Fang's offerings increased, Si Hai You Long gradually closed down.
This time, at Ba Fang, I ordered beef noodles and chive dumplings. Regarding the beef noodles, observing their preparation process reveals that they are made from factory-prepared frozen meal kits heated up, resulting in a very average taste with no surprises. The noodles also come from frozen packs, and their texture feels quite mushy. Even if you plan to buy the meal kit to cook at home, I wouldn't recommend it as it doesn't taste very good overall.
As for the dumplings, since I personally love chives, I always order them whenever I visit. However, neither the current Ba Fang nor Si Hai You Long can bring back the past era when a fully stuffed dumpling cost only 5 yuan each. Now, the filling is minimal, with the skin taking up most of the dumpling. Unless you try your luck at a non-chain dumpling shop, you're more likely to encounter something better.
"Great! The day after tomorrow is a national holiday, so I can go to the night market and have some fun. I'm really happy! 🥳" by Brother
<About the dining experience after the meal 🥣>
I highly recommend their signature potstickers; the flavor is incredibly rich (you don’t even need dipping sauce) and the texture is super crispy! It's worlds apart from that eight X cloud X place.
I was a bit disappointed with the sesame mixed dumplings; I thought they would be in potsticker form, but they turned out to be boiled dumplings… After a few bites, it can get a bit oily, but surprisingly, the flavor combination is quite delicious.
If you're a lover of century eggs, you must try their century egg noodles. With plenty of century eggs and topped with lots of scallions, each bite is filled with a rich century egg taste along with some meat sauce flavor, and the noodles are not too hard, making them easy to bite through.
Regarding the hot and sour soup, after eating these strongly flavored dishes, it felt similar to a certain well-known brand with nothing particularly outstanding.
<About the on-site decoration and environment 🐾>
The ordering is done by scanning a QR code with your phone, which is very convenient! After dining, you need to put your utensils in the recycling bin yourself. The dining area is also very spacious, and the layout is smooth and easy to navigate.
"The Dumpling House" is located along Victory Road, near the school district. The restaurant specializes in shumai, xiaolongbao, steamed dumplings, and hot and sour soup, making it popular among many students. Its signature dish, the thread wrapped shumai, features a filling of juicy meat paired with shrimp and stretchy cheese, which is truly unique.
The storefront has an open-air design with two four-person tables and chairs outside, while the inside has four four-person tables, accommodating around 20 people. The preparation and dining areas are separated, and due to the limited space, there can be a wait during busy dining times.
The menu at Dumpling House includes the following: besides the signature thread wrapped shumai, there are options for boiled dumplings, steamed dumplings, xiaolongbao, soup dumplings, wonton soup, hot and sour soup, and corn chowder to choose from.
Shrimp Soup Dumpling $95
Each order comes with 8 dumplings, which are handmade daily with thin skins and generous fillings. One bite of the juicy dumpling might burn your tongue if you're not careful! The filling combines piping hot meat juice with tender shrimp, making it a xiaolongbao shop worth returning to. I really love the juicy and thin-skinned variety.
Thread Wrapped Shumai $95
Each order comes with 8 dumplings, known for its signature wrap that features cheese. This was my first time trying shumai with cheese that creates a stretchy effect, and it was really cool and interesting. In addition to the meat juice, the added creamy cheese and a hint of corn make it a creative dish.
Hot and Sour Soup (Small) $35
This soup includes egg drop, wood ear mushrooms, shredded pork, tofu, and bamboo shoots, packed with a lot of ingredients in a large bowl. If you order soup noodles, it’s very filling. The broth is tangy with a slight spiciness, making it very appetizing.
My thoughts: Initially drawn by the creative thread wrapped shumai, I personally prefer the shrimp soup dumplings more. The soup is so abundant it can easily burn your tongue, truly the nemesis for my sensitive tongue.
Priority on Meals: The shrimp soup dumplings are excellent.
Priority on Environment: The space is not large but has air conditioning and is clean.
Priority on Parking: Scooters can park at the door; cars can park in roadside spaces.
Priority on Restrooms: None available.
Priority on Queuing: Very quick service with almost no wait (although there can be a crowd during dinner hours).
Priority on Service: Average.
Value for Money: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(A simple discussion on food and price.)
The space inside the restaurant is quite large, and it is located near important thoroughfares, making transportation very convenient. There are also many spots outside for roadside parking, so if a family or a group of friends comes to eat, I would highly recommend it.
As the name suggests, their specialty is steamed dumplings, and I recommend trying the shrimp dumplings. On one hand, there are not many places that serve shrimp dumplings, and on the other hand, the ones they make have a very fresh and sweet taste. Additionally, I recommend their meat sauce dry noodles, which are very rich in ingredients, giving you not only a feeling of fullness but also a sense of abundance.
For those who enjoy spicy food, you can try the Sichuan noodles, as they really capture the essence of Sichuan flavor, which includes not just spiciness but also a numbing sensation. However, you should definitely grab a drink first to soothe your throat! 😂
There aren't many seats for dining in, but the turnover rate is high, so you won't have to wait too long.
By around 7:30 PM, the rice and wontons are already sold out.
The filling of the steamed dumplings is very similar to that of the boiled dumplings, but the skin is thin and juicy.
The chicken roll pancake is light and not heavy, and the inclusion of vegetables makes it very refreshing.
The braised pork dry noodles use lean meat and are not greasy, and they taste very similar to Tainan's Yi Mian, except the noodles are not Yi Mian.
Thank you, Fooday 🥳, for making me want to try more different foods 🍽.
🚩 Location 🧭
Located at the intersection of Jianxing Street and Dazhi Road in East District, Taichung City, in a triangular window shop.
🪑 About the overall atmosphere 🎡
The sidewalk space is quite large; I noticed cars often push their front ends into the sidewalk, but that area has a red line. The interior space of the shop is also quite big, but it seems like there are not enough staff, so the wait for food might be a bit longer.
💰 About the prices 💰
Signature dumplings (10 pieces) $70, traditional dry noodles $45, boiled greens $35.
🍴 About the food ☕
The dumplings are delicious even without sauce, and the thickness of the skin is just right. The dry noodles need to be mixed a bit; when they first arrive, they tend to clump together and are hard to separate. Just eating the original sauce and bean sprouts gives a sense of traditional flavor. For the boiled greens, you can choose between okra and broccoli; I chose broccoli, and with a bit of minced pork on top, it was delicious and not too tough. After finishing, you need to clear your own plates to the recycling area.
🤨 Conclusion ♥
A spacious dining environment + consistent quality of a chain store, I will likely visit often.
▶ Beef Roll $110 ◀
The roll is packed with lots of beef. The wrapper isn't too thin, but it's fried to a very fragrant crisp! The beef and green onion inside aren't heavily seasoned, making it a very refreshing snack!
▶ Potstickers $80/10 pieces ◀
The outer skin is super crispy! And the filling doesn't have a pork lard smell, but you have to order 10 pieces per serving.
▶ Beef Egg Drop Soup $50 ◀
This is a beef broth base with egg drop, but there’s no actual beef in it! However, the egg drop is very tender!!
▶ Beef Noodle Soup $145 ◀
The beef in the noodle soup is super abundant! You can also chew on some tendons. Their noodles are thicker, so the texture is very chewy! I love it so much!
