Last week, I got a press release that Dumpling Factory was going to have its grand opening on March 5. The new business — located next to Pai Café (former space of MangoMango Dessert Hawai‘i) in the Wong Leong Building on Kapahulu Avenue — offers a modern twist on traditional Chinese dumplings.
However — surprise! — I was scrolling on Instagram over President’s Day weekend and saw that the business was going to soft open on the holiday, so holiday plans turned into dumplings for lunch.
The business is the latest concept from Tina Wang, owner of Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya and Hawaiʻi-exclusive franchise owner of MangoMango Dessert.
As you can imagine, dumplings are the star of the show at this eatery. Choose from boiled or pan-fried options, including shrimp, pork, chicken and chives ($14.99-$15.99); pork, Napa cabbage and green onions ($12.99-$13.99); chicken and shiitake mushroom ($12.99-$13.99); and beef and onions ($13.99-$14.99). There’s also a vegetarian-friendly option in the form of zucchini, green pepper and egg dumplings ($11.99-$12.99).
All orders come with 12 dumplings; both dumplings and wrappers are made fresh daily by hand. You can see the staff making dumplings in real-time through the kitchen window.
The shrimp, pork, chicken and chives dumplings ($14.99) are expected to be a customer favorite. Since dumplings are traditionally boiled, we went with that option. The filling was tasty and had lots of flavor, but I wanted the shrimp to be more dominant. If you’re craving shrimp, try the shrimp, egg and chives dumplings ($13.99-$14.99) instead.
This soup is served piping hot, so be sure not to eat it too quickly. I appreciated the preparation; even after it was sitting for a bit, the noodles weren’t soggy and the broth was still hot (instead of being lukewarm). The soup itself had a hint of Sichuan spice.
Dumpling Factory also offers a variety of appetizers like housemade cucumber salad ($6.99), shredded potato with chili oil ($6.99), wood ear mushroom salad ($6.99) and brown sauce braised beef ($12.99). The shredded potato with chili oil ($6.99) is a unique option. It’s slightly crunchy but has a bit of a bite to it, thanks to the peppers. If you like spice, you’ll appreciate this dish.
If you’re looking for something to offset the savory dumplings, check out the wood ear mushroom salad ($6.99) or housemade daikon ($4.99). The mushrooms have a vinegary flavor, while daikon — much like banchan — balances out some of the heavier, savory dishes.
To celebrate its grand opening on March 5, Dumpling Factory will have a buy-one, get-one deal on dumplings for that day only. Customers who purchase an order of 12 dumplings will receive a second order of 12 dumplings to cook at home (limit is two free take-home orders per customer).
In addition, parties of two or more will receive a complimentary appetizer (excluding the brown sauce braised beef and braised housemade pork belly) to share from March 7 to 9.
CONTACT
Dumpling Factory
755 Kapahulu Ave. #1, Honolulu
808-367-1640
Instagram: @dumplingfactoryhawaii
Open daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
