Jin Mei Dumpling House

You Can’t beat the price here! Forgot about $ 5 super doughy dumplings from grudhub. Pork bun and chive pot stickers for 2 $. A hidden spot where lots local middle schoolers go

Not bad for the dirt-​cheap prices (5 dumplings for $ 1). I got 10 potstickers and although they were quite small with not too much meat inside, what meat was in there was very tasty and the crispy crust was perfectly formed. The presentation is very basic, and there is not much room to sit down. But again, can’t complain for the price.

Compared to the other area joints sporting the $ 1-​$ 1.50 price tags for 4 – 5 dumplings, the quality of the product is markedly low. Service is quick, and I was in and out at the snap of a finger. Ten dumplings for $ 2?! Can’t really complain about the value.
The lone counter woman/​dumpling cook took my order then quickly turned around and grabbed a white plastic bin. Apparently the dumplings are stored in one of these. Not covered or left near a heat source… they were just laying there. Maybe she just finished cooking them seconds before I walked in… or maybe they’d been there for an hour or longer; I wouldn’t know. At any rate, I was becoming more and more tentative at the prospect of eating these.
I sat down with my Styrofoam box, opened it, and doused it with the watered down soy sauce/​vinegar and hot sauce provided. I put an entire dumpling in my mouth. Not hot, but not cold… a little over lukewarm… serviceable at most. The dumplings were uneven in size and done-​ness; some were crispy, some were soggy, some were huge, others were almost half the size of the biggest. Broken skins abound, burnt pieces of the stove top sticking to some, and a kind of mealy/​mushy filling made for an overall mediocre experience.
How the hell do they get a three star review then?!? Well, again, $ 2 for 10 (inconsistently) large dumplings. When you can’t get quality, get quantity. And when the skin actually managed to be crispy, you could taste the potential. This could easily be a four star joint if a little bit of more care went into the product. Alas, we’ll just have to wait for whenever that happens.

Best dumplings I’ve ever had!
God bless this place and the cute ladies that make these dumplings!
The sesame pancakes are delicious.

Honestly, there isn’t much to say about this hole-​in-​the wall dumpling shop except that it reminds me of what Chinatown should feel like (and not what it feels like now)…thankfully it is not on a dirty and congested street, which makes me appreciate this place even more.
I was feeling really hungry and needing a snack in the early evening before dinner so I decided to try this place out! I got the 5 pork and chive fried dumplings for a $ 1. The dumplings were surprisingly great! The filling was tasty, and it wasn’t overly oily (which dumpling shops can be a hit or miss on). The tiny place was packed so I wouldn’t suggest coming here and expecting a table to be open.

$ 1 for 5 dumplings?! Am I back in China?
I’m one of those ABCs who can barely write my own name in Chinese, so I don’t know what the Chinese characters on the sign says. It might or not might not saying Dumplings. Regardless of the name, Dumplings say it all.
Definitely a hole in the wall. Don’t expect clean countertops and tables here. I believe they proudly show a grade of B by the health department, but that didn’t stop me (or my friend who goes all the time).
The fried dumplings (seriously 5 for $ 1) were okay and hit the spot, but I prefer my dumplings with less doughy skin and more filling.

If the name «Dumplings» becomes too ambiguous to reference a shop in Chinatown, then perhaps the actual name 津美锅贴 (Jin Mei Guo Tie) or «Jin Mei Fried Dumpling» might work as a better moniker. I understand the only English on the front says «Dumplings» but it serves merely as a description for what they do best. (#1)
For those keeping track, that is «Jin» as in the famous Chinese city, Tianjin (天津). These dumplings are of the Northern Chinese variety which includes a thicker skin, heartier fillings, and is thankfully just as cheap as the nearby competition at $ 1 for 5 guo tie pieces. The exterior of the pan fried dumplings isn’t as charred as some might like, but just ask for a well done version if at all possible. And whatever you do, eat them in house and don’t bother with the takeout as they get stale quickly.
The Mando speaking staff is pretty welcoming, though their English skills are pretty poor. Lots of pointing and picture showing might be key for our non-​Chino speaking friends, but be open to explore all that they offer. There might only be a handful of tables available (3 or 4 at best), rest assured there is rarely ever a crowd in here to occupy them.
I used to frequent the place when they still sold bags of frozen dumplings at 50 for $ 7, the cheapest in Chinatown at the time. Now that they’ve raised it a full $ 3 to $ 10, they have to know on some level that their product is better than it seems. (Rising food costs may have a part in this as well) I’ll still get a bag if I’m in the area.
And of course, don’t sleep on the scallion pancake. There is something to appreciate in all of its thick doughiness and sesame seed exterior. The noodle soups are a bit sodium heavy, but then again, what kind of soup isn’t in Chinatown?
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(#1) If this seems confusing to you, it’d be the same as a pizza joint being referred to as «Pizza» instead of «Bella Roma Pizza» or something. At least it beats the original awning … which was simply «Chinese Food.»

For $ 1 you get five not very great dumplings. But it’s for ONE dollar. So get 20?

How does this place not have a five star rating? The dumplings and noodles are consistently scrumptious (and equally cheap)! I even take my whiny 14-​year-​old students there and they love it!

This is one of those special places that reminds you of just how wonderful New York is. Ducked into this little jaunt around noon today on my way to one of the schools on Henry St. There were no seats — happy looking teens filled all the tables — and to me, that was a good sign. So, I ducked in, ordered my 5 for $ 1 pork + chive dumplings, and sat my tush down on the curb. I had a feeling they’d be good, but was still a little hesitant. Then, I took my first bite — and I was completely and totally in love with this teeny hole-​in-​the-​wall dumpling piece of heaven. All that to say — go there!

If you enjoy soft, thick, doughy carb, you should visit Dumplings (if you enjoy thin-​skinned dumplings, go to Lam Zhou Handmade Noodles). Be warned that this place is s.u.p.e.r divey, and that although there are 3 tiny tables inside, you may want to take your food elsewhere as those tables are most likely not cleaned up. It’s a mad bargain, as you get 5 dumplings for $ 1, and they are a pretty good size. In fact, I would recommend to NOT order anything from there but to get their frozen dumplings to make at home, as the food there tends to be pre-​made and then reheated. It would also help immensely if you go with someone that speaks Chinese, as it seems the owners have very limited conversational English ability.
The 4 stars are solely for their frozen dumplings that are freshly made. For $ 10, you get 50 dumplings (standard price in Chinatown), but you get a choice between pork & chive or pork & cabbage. I tend to get the latter, as the former is way too prevalent already. What makes their frozen dumpling a notch better than anywhere else is the well-​seasoned filling and the freshness. When I make them at home I don’t use any additional dipping sauce as it is already very flavorful.
Also, the lady at the counter is so friendly; after learning that I live about 40 minutes subway ride away from the store, she dug deep into the freezer for another bag of dumplings more well-​frozen (but just as fresh) and offered to double bag it in an effort to keep it frozen. This effort in customer service is nearly unheard of in Chinatown, so I definitely appreciate it.

I’ve been going to this place since 2007, the food hasn’t change at all or the price. This is the prefect place for dumplings and hot and sour soup. The ladies here are some of the nicest you will ever meet. The service is quick. The place might be a bit small but the food will remain you of home.
Always a stop for me every time I come to Chinatown

2-​stars. My bad for coming in to order steamed fried dumplings at 12:30 on a Sunday. I told the lady what I wanted. Then she asked me ‘to stay or to go’. I said ‘to go’. Lastly, she went to a stainless steel bowl that was covered with a styrofoam to-​go box and picked 5 with her tongs. I’m thinking ‘is she giving my dumplings that have been cooked earlier in the morning’. Course, I’m hoping they were cooked in the morning. Yes, she did. Within 5 minutes of ordering, I’m eating it at home. It was cool, the exterior was thick-​skinned & gooey, and the meat filling was cool. I wanted to bring it back to the store, but was lazy to put on my shoes and take the elevator down & walk 2 blocks to the store.
I know you are selling dumplings for cheap, but you shouldn’t be doing that to customers.

I like this place for a few reasons:
1. The dumplings are extremely cheap.
2. It’s operated by ladies from my hometown.
3. You can call them in the morning to place a special order tailored to your taste, and pick the dumplings up in the afternoon.
I’ve never eaten there, only have purchased frozen dumplings to cook at home. Their dumplings have a thick shell, and it’s not the best I’ve had. However, it does remind me of home. Will support their business as long as I live in the city.

Cheap dumplings but I think they might need a little more salt. The filling and wrapper ratio was average. The filling was a little bit dry.

it’s certainly not the best steamed dumplings I have ever had. the dough is thick and a bit nummy but $ 1.50 for 8 fairly sized vegetable dumplings… come on… it’s an amazing deal just not my everyday go-​to place.

Forget Vanessa’s, if you have made it to there then you must walk the extra four blocks to this true dumpling dive. Yes, it is a bit of a dive even compared to Vanessa’s but the décor/​ambiance do not reflect on the quality… safety of the food. Plus the eclectic crowd that rolls through here is a wonder — kids coming from a local football game or on lunch break, hipsters, chinese family, lost suits, hipsters, etc…
All of the food is delicious — pork/​veggie dumplings, won ton soup, bok choy, pancakes, etc and yes, the prices are ridiculously affordable. I am guessing that they make their money on bilk sales as if you look behind the counter you will always see a number of folks manufacturing dumplings.
This restaurant is the real deal when you are looking for authentic dumpling experience.

I don’t understand how this restaurant survives? How can dumplings only be $ 1? I was walking towards the subway and happened across the sign and proceeded to check out their cheap menu! I was super excited since I was touring NY with a poor student/​recession budget. I was so excited I literally tripped but the dude in front on me was too busy and probably too excited chewing on his dollar dumplings he didn’t notice. These dumplings are probably made of all sorts of refuse meat and chock full of MSG. But oh well, it’s only $ 1.
P. S. I didn’t get sick afterwards.

This review is only for their dumplings.
Dirt cheap dumplings (FYI, pork is the default meat for dumplings otherwise specficied), average taste. They need to put more oil to the pan fried dumplings, they come out too dry and lacking that pan fried flavor. It is like frying an egg, the one fried in oil tastes better than the one dry cooked in the non stick spray.
Two stars but bumped up to 3 since the boss lady behind the counter is all smiley and nice to the customers. You don’t get that too often in Chinatown.

Sometimes the cheaper isn’t always better — it can actually be worse. If you only care about getting that extra dumpling out of your dollar rather than taste, you have found the right place. If you’re like me and devour your food delicately, your dollar is in jeopardy.
I’m actually quite sick of a lot of these dumpling places, which is the word of mouth with tourists. When word of mouth gets out of hand, nothing is made with love and you’ll have to find a new place. I have really tried to like this place for the last 2 years, but I give up. Cheap, yes, Tasty, no. Being a neighborhood gem to only those who live around there (or search up this review), you’d think this would be another hole in the wall, a well-​kept secret.
Thank God I have only shelled out 3 bucks, to be precise. It took me three times to put my head down and write this review. The dumplings here are not good. There, I said it! Every time I get the fried dumplings, they are mushy and cold. The meat inside isn’t great as well; for some reason, I always feel like I’m eating raw meat. They are never juicy and are always dried up. I really try hard to like this place, so spare me, but it’s not working!