New Dumpling House (Pittsburgh)

New Dumpling House
2138 Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217


Pittsburgh. A city in which struggled from the death of the steel industry is now bursting from the ashes of its post-industrial squalor. With its landscape of decaying factories or soot covered sky scrapers also lie a booming art/music scene(s), a lively night life, and a wide array of restaurants that will make any palate satisfied. Like the gems of the industrial era architecture in Pittsburgh, the hidden vegan/vegetarian delicacies that inhabit the “Steel City” also serve its purpose of intrigue. Case-in-point: New Dumpling House in Squirrel Hill.

I visited New Dumpling House for the first time roughly six years ago. Like a strange traumatic experience, I managed to somehow block it out of my memory and mistake it for a competing not-so-good Chinese dumpling-oriented restaurant in the area. Either way, I manage to make it back recently to see what has changed and what has not.

Upon arrival, I was “greeted” by the owner who’s a casually dressed Asian gentleman that didn’t quite make any eye contact, smile, or spoke for that matter. I was escorted by a younger gentleman that was dressed formally and from the looks of it was the owner’s son. He too did not display any facial expression or emotions for that matter. This was going to be interesting experience.

What I like about Pittsburgh is that the majority of Chinese restaurants give you a limitless amount of hot tea, which to me is the nectar of the gods. New Dumpling House provided me with my fix of nectar as well as complementary “fried noodles” and dipping sauce. What’s semi-impressive about their menu was the fact that the whole backside was devoted to their mock “meat” options. My eyes instantly went to Christmas tree mode.

I’m not going to lie. I’m quite a hefty eater. I once put a 300 lbs + vegan out of misery at a vegan pizza eating contest in Eugene, Oregon when I was sixteen. Ordering appetizers wouldn’t be an issue, or so I thought. The vegetable dumplings alone in the restaurant are big enough to be eaten as a dinner. Not only the size but the quantity (six dumplings an order) could fill anyone. Unaware, I ordered the dumplings as well as the mock General Tso’s “Chicken” with brown rice (yes, there is this great option available).

Depending on how many quests there are, the wait isn’t really that long and with the infinite amount of “fried noodles” and tea, it keeps you occupied. However, the timing of the appetizer isn’t so great for they give it to you shortly before the entrée. Nevertheless, the General Mock “Chicken” slays, yet it’s doesn’t taste anything remotely like chicken but does have a great taste independently. Portion wise, it’s too much. Yes, I said it. I’ve never left a restaurant without a “doggy bag” but almost every time eating New Dumpling House, I’ve carried my fair share.

I gave new dumpling house only three bowls because even though they had mock "meat" options, the taste is a little below par. Nevertheless, it’s better than the majority of Chinese restaurants in Pittsburgh.

If you plan on eating at New Dumpling House I’ll ask a few things from you: 1) try to make the Asian male server with the glasses smile, make it a game if you have to, 2) stay away from the mock “pork”, it’s totally “seitan-in-a-can” and 3) if ordering dumplings, don’t order anything else, they’re way too much.

Yinz enjoy!