Tong Dumpling Pot

Craving for dumplings, found Tong’s review and got all excited, but when we got there, it’s now a vietnamese place! :-(

good dumplings… but too bad, they are closed.

mmm… fresh dumplings in flavors like chicken, beef, veggie and even lamb in different variations! Freshly made in front of your eyes. Very delicious and juicy. We tried the dumplings steamed. The green onion pancakes were crispy but not greasy. The owner was very friendly, helpful and nice. Unfortunately when we visited on a Sunday at 1 pm, they ran out of half of the dumplings on the menu.

Overall food and ambiance are A OK
Its basically just regular chinese boil dumpling, but it is made fresh in front of you from scratch
if you are not used to eat it then it feel plain, but you should eat it with the black vinegar + some chili sauce + white pepper
Price is cheap since its come with a dozen per plate
service is fast and friendly
the pancake is good and crispy though it can be better
They can speak a bit english, but to be sure always point at the correct number.
Credit card is only for over $ 20 otherwise is cash

Hello, my name is Cheralyn and I am a dumplingaholic.
If I don’t eat a dozen pork & chive dumplings every week I start to get cranky.
I love eating here, because the food is delicious and the staff is so sweet. I come here alone, or with coworkers, and I am always trying to turn new people onto this place. The employees don’t speak much english but it’s never a problem, it actually makes it even more special.
**The location on the Unilocal map is not accurate, Tong is actually on the East side of Warm Springs/​Milpitas Blvd. Use your GPS and you’ll be fine :)

This place is located in a strip mall, near Lion Plaza. We went here for dinner on a Saturday night. The lady who tried to take our order spoke broken English so she handed her pad to a young man, who also didn’t speak good English when she realized we weren’t Mandarin speakers.
We attempted to order some chow mein and chow fun to go with our dumplings. The young man informed us that he had neither of those. We tried to order something on the back page of the menu and he said nothing on the back page was available. He said something to the effect that the cook who was on duty could only cook a few things. He wasn’t kidding! This was starting to remind me of Monty Python’s «Cheese Shop».
We then ordered three different types of dumplings. They arrived unadorned and seemingly wet right out of a pot of water. And each variety tasted the same — just like from the huge pile of dumpling stuffing the ladies were working on at the next table. We also ordered a tofu dish. This seemed like tofu dumped right from its container and seasoned with a few things.
The bottom line is that you or I could cook these dishes as well or probably better. I will not be coming back.

I found out about this place from driving past by it one day. I took a chance and bought a bag of pork and cabbage dumplings and it was really good. I went back the following week wanting to buy the beef and onion but it was out. The lady working there told me to take the chicken and mushroom so i did. It was a mistake. I think they can’t sell this one that’s why she recommend it. I didn’t get discourage by it. I went back again. This time I got the pork and cabbage again. It’s still very good. I guess you just have to pick the popular dumplings so the turn around rate is better. Don’t get the less popular combination where it’s not selling fast and just sitting int he freezer.

This is a good place for lunch, I come here like every other week with my co workers and we usually order the shrimp dumplings and the pork and chives fried, we got them steamed one time, which are juicier, but the crispy taste on the dumplings make them so much better. Yum. We also order the green onion pancakes and the chicken fried rice which are all delicious. I have also ordered their vegetarian noodles, and it was soft, tasted like the noodles may have been made in house, the taste was a bit bland, but I added some vinegar and it made it taste better.
Whatever you order, it comes with hot and sour soup which I dont like too much because it tastes really bland, even adding soy sauce, doesn’t do the trick. They also give you edamame beans, seaweed (which sometimes can be slimy and tastes really bad), they also come with peanuts and pigs ear. Aside from the seaweed the others are really tasty, the pig’s ear can taste tough sometimes. The noodle soup dishes are also very popular here, they give you a lot of noodles for the dish which can be a positive or negative depending on how much you like noodles.
I’ve neer been here for dinner, but definitely come here for lunch, it’s cheap and fills you up.

YUMMY. this is my first time having dumplings in america and at a pretty legit dumpling joint. I used to have it alot in china so i was a bit skeptical about a dumpling store. However, its located near Lion market, but not in that plaza. When you walk in, its like tables and at the end, you see these ladies making dumplings from scratch with the meat and dough. It’s pretty cool if you’ve never seen it before. But, yeah i took my mom here on a monday for lunch. she absolutely loved it and was amazed as well. We ordered teh 3 deluxe (shrimp, pork, chives and something else) it was super FLAVORFUL. it was our favorite and i think its the most popular one on the menu. I also ordered the chicken with cabbage dumpling which wasn’t so bad, but 3 deluxe blows it out of the water. We had it steamed because thats how it should be eaten. Put some vinegar and theres your meal! We also ordered the green onion pancake or choon yu bing. SO FREAKIN GOOD. not as salty and had the right crispiness. we finished the whole plate. Our meal was considered a lunch meal so it came with hot and sour soup and a side dish. I liked the peanuts better than the spicy seaweed as it had a bland taste.
I’ll definitely come back. we ordered 2 bags to go and its only 14.99. The 3 entrees for 23.99 is such a good deal. My mom and i want to try that next. THis place is pretty legit and to be in milpitas, thats so cool! It’s closer to my house and i can come here more often. The ladies here don’t speak much english so be prepared to bring someone who does or you’ll be kinda ehh but they do have english menu.
for the lunch special, its a GREAT price. 7 bucks for 12 pieces of dumpling, side of soup and dish. YUM
so basically since my really asian mom approves of it, i hope to come back again

Pretty good dumpings. They make it fresh. Shanghainese owned. Prices are cheap. i would go with the pork dumplings instead of the beef or lamb

Went here last Wednesday because a friend picked the place. Never knew it exists until then. The restaurant itself if not fancy. Pretty much your typical cheap Chinese restaurant look. The friend said he really likes the dumpling there so we pretty just much ordered 4 plates of dumplings, 1 green onion pancake, and some other appetizer (can’t remember what) for the 4 of us. The dumplings were decent. Personally I’m not a big fan of dumplings so I can only give you my opinion. They were just decent. The beef dumpling somehow tasted like lamb, but they were OK. The lamb favor ones we ordered as pot stickers, and they were good, but didn’t taste like lamb as much as the beef dumplings. I just found it odd. The green onion pancake was actually my favorite during the deal. I think it’s an average place with average food. Oh, the wait staff doesn’t speak good English. We had to figure out how to say ‘Diet Coke’ in Mandarin for them to understand. Not a big deal since they were totally friendly! Would I return? Sure, if friends want to eat there I’m game.

dumplings galore! made right in front of you while you are dining. The rest of the menu is kinda small but the dumpling selection fried or steamed should be enough to tied you over. Ja Jiang Mien, Lamb/​Chive dumplings, Beef /​Onion dumplins, and the Pork/​Shrimp/​Onion dumplings were all really solid. You get peanuts, pigs ear and soy beans as side plates. There’s a bit of a language barrier especially when you’re co-​worker is the whitest person in the place but other than that you’ll get some tasty eats.

Awesome and authentic. Just like mama used to make! Hubby and I both favored the 3 Treasures dumpling best. They even have frozen dumplings to take home — love it!

Finally was able to eat at this location last night. Tried going on Monday evening, but found it closed. Unusual as it is not supposed to be closed on Monday evening.
My parents and I were disappointed. It was not the real «dumplings» that we are used to eating.
Started with A1, which is the Three Deluxe (pork, chive, shrimp) dumpling. Not good at all. Too bland, even with red vinegar.
Also, not good was the Beef Noodle Soup. It was a bit too pricey for $ 7.95.
The only thing that was good at all was the Beef with Green Onion dumpling. Good flavor. Even better flavor with red vinegar.
Will not be coming back. I would be surprised if it lasts more than six months, especially with its unusual location (not in the Lion Shopping Center).
By the way, the map is in the wrong side. It is located on Dixon Road, not Dixon Landing Rd.

Tong Dumpling Pot takes over a phở place, a few doors from elite bakery, a filipino bakery.
lunch specials: (m-​f) one order dumpling, one side dish +hot & sour soup (6.95) pretty good deal.
sampling:
–hot & sour soup, cup (1): perfecto taste, absolutely perfect tartness and hotness. not much bamboo and other goodies though.
–lamb with green onion dumpling (12/6.95): very flavorful lamb taste.
–fried lamb with green onions (9.95):outstanding. fresh tasting. chef says they used the best lamb
–green onion pancake (3.50)whole cut into 6 pieces: on the thick side, ok
someone else ate most of it.
–beef noodle soup (7.95) tasted like and confirmed to be hand pulled nooldes. noodles thick and chewy, broth beefy tasting with msg back. beef brisket tender but not outstanding. above average.
leftovers:
–food quality not uniform, some hits and misses. (avoided misses by refining eric w’s experience.)
–some msg used.
–service ok. tea didn’t get water refilled however but we didn’t need it. waitress was available when i called her. she’s busy making dumplings.
–waitress spoke mandarin but was very clear in getting the order right. (steam versus fried dumplings).
chinese lessons mandarin
fried lamb with green onions chao yang cong

Went to Tong Dumpling Pot in Milpitas, this is restaurant #2. It on Dixon Landing Rd just past Milpitas Blvd — past McDonald’s up the street, On the Left-​hand Strip Mall (NOT in Lion’s Shopping ctr). Original location: 6184 Bollinger Rd, SJ 95 129.
They made FRESH DUMPLINGS right by the register. That’s pretty cool.
Lunch Special Mon-​Fri — $ 6.95 is One order of dumplings (12 pcs) + One Side Dish & Hot Sour Soup! It’s a lot of food & cheap.
I got A1. Three Deluxe (pork, chive, shrimp) dumplings. I liked them alot. Steamed was good, didn’t try the fried version which is 30c more. Hot & Sour Soup just ok for me. Side — I picked soybeans. Fine.
M. got Beef w/​green onion dumplings & enjoyed them. Side — he picked peanuts. I thought they were fine. He liked the soup too. $ 6.95.
We shared an order of Green Onion Pancake $ 3.50 — very nice, thin & crispy. About 5 pcs.
They have other soups; Noodle dishes; Chef’s Special 3 items $ 23.99. Frozen dumplings 50pcs/​bag from $ 14.50 -$ 20.50.
They take credit cards. Bagged individual fortune cookie with bill. Bathrooms available in back.
Closed Tues
M, W-​Sun 11 – 2:30pm & 4:30−9pm

My husband and I have been a big fan of Tong Dumpling Pot in San Jose for years, and we were happy to find out on Unilocal recently that a branch opened up much closer to our house in Milpitas! Today was the first visit to the new location, and we have to say that the dumplings were as delicious as the ones at the original place.
Deluxe dumplings (a mixture of pork, shrimp, and leeks, I think) are very juicy and flavorful. We’ve had their dumplings pan-​fried and steamed at the original location, and we definitely think that their hand-​kneaded dough tastes better steamed.
What I love about this place is the homey atmosphere and simple taste. Today, I saw these three Chinese ladies wearing the same aprons with a rabbit on it and making dumplings at an amazing speed behind the counter. It was such a cute and warm scene that I took pictures (and uploaded to Unilocal). You cannot expect a very spicy or strong-​tasting Chinese food here. I’m not Chinese, so I don’t know what a Chinese comfort food is like, but their food tastes very homey and calmly satisfying to me. Their dumplings hit the spot like only a mother’s food can do. I just have to go back to this place and eat their dumplings from time to time.
By the way, the Google map directed us to a wrong location today. The restaurant is on the east (not west) side of the Milpitas blvd towards the mountains.

The newest addition to the Chinese food mecca known as Dixon Landing is another branch of the popular San Jose establishment, Tong Dumpling Pot (
). This one is located across the street from the rest of the pack, in an overwhelmingly, non-​welcoming strip mall that doesn’t look like the type of area such a restaurant would normally be. In any event, it was welcoming enough for me to give it a whirl for lunch with the family on a Friday afternoon in June, so here goes!
Environment — Despite the rugged exterior, the management did quite a decent job of sprucing up the inside. There is nothing overly spectacular, but it’s pretty much on par with any other newish Chinese restaurant around town. They do have a big screen TV up front above the counter, but it was not turned on. Patrons seemed to be all Chinese, middle-​aged, and the joint was about half full. Even with this decent sized crowd, it was very quiet though. Perhaps turning on the boob tube or some banging C-​Pop would liven things up. B–
Service — The staff is very Northern Chinese, so English is minimal, and Cantonese is definitely out of the question. However, it is easy to simply point at items on the menu. The waitresses are quite quick and attentive, often refilling tea and asking how things are going (in Mandarin, of course). No smiles are to be found, but that is probably asking for too much. Also, the «standing up front in a row, with hands behind back» stance can be offputting to some, but this is just their way of showing that they are at your service. B
Dumplings (12 for $ 6.95) — Passable, but none too magnificent. The local standard is represented by House of Dumplings in Union City (
), and the variation at Tong is a step below. The fillings are slightly bland, and skin is a tad bit thick. We tried the chicken with mushroom and cabbage and three deluxe (pork, chive, shrimp). Out of these two, the former seems to be the better choice, but I will probably come back to taste some of the other choices. Other options include the usual selection of pork, lamb, beef, and even squash and egg. The lunch special will run you the same price, but adds additional soup and appetizer. C+
Zha Jiang Mien — A tad on the smallish side, with not enough sauce. The noodles are of a nice complexion, but the sauce doesn’t exhibit that kick that usually accompanies this dish, possibly because of the less than adequate amount of it. However, overall it is decently tasty. Perhaps you can ask for more sauce? B
Green Onion Pancake ($ 3.50) — The right amount crispiness, and doesn’t get soggy over time. It is also not overly greasy, nor too thin. I would say that the amount of thickness is just about how I like it. Instead of being served in its original round shape (ala pizza), it is chopped up, and aligned in a row. A subtle nuance, but adds a little bit of flair. B+
In the end, I’m always happy to find a new establishment near my work place. Weird location aside, I think Tong has a decent shot at staying afloat for the immediate future. As mentioned in my previous reviews, I’m not a huge fan of big lunches, but if I have a cheat day, or friends and family visiting me, I’m happy that I have another option among this already seemingly endless selection already. So, who out there in Unilocalland wants to join me for lunch sometime?

This place recently opened down the street from my boyfriends house. It used to be a Vietnamese restaurant and since we went there so often and built a nice relationship with the the owners, I was a little upset when they closed and opened Tong Dumpling. I even said I would NOT go there on principle alone. The liquor store owner next door (where I go regularly for energy drinks and ice cream) recommended it to my boyfriend, so I caved… and I’m happy I did.
We were seated immediately (group of 4), and given water and hot tea. The owner came over and greeted us. He was very friendly and informative. We ordered and our food came out piping hot.
Spicy Seaweed: Yummy yummy yummy!
Deluxe Dumpling: Amaaaazing!
Pork & Cilantro Dumpling: Mouth watering good! [both steamed and fried]
Shrimp Fried Rice: DEEEEELISH! A lot of the places I’ve gone to have fried rice that’s super greasy… not this one. AND I was so pleased to order shrimp fried rice and see lots of shrimp (not the usual 4 shrimp I usually see).
Kung Pao Chicken: FRESH. DELICIOUS.
Good service. Good food. Good portion sizes. Good price.
A little language barrier, but all you got to do is point to what you want on the menu. No biggie! :)