Rickshaw Dumpling Truck

Dumplings aren't something you need to learn to love.

The Rickshaw Dumpling Truck is one of many mobile food vending units of Rickshaw Dumpling Bar, which has several locations throughout New York.  Rickshaw Dumpling Bar was co-founded in 2005 by Chef Anita Lo.  In my mind a very high-class but low-key chef, she is the Executive Chef of Restaurant Annisa in Greenwich Village, and has been a former contestant on Iron Chef America, Top Chef Masters season 1, and most recently seen in the public eye on Food Network's Chopped.  In 2010 she left Rickshaw Dumpling Bar to pursue other culinary interests, but her legacy still lives on in these handmade, steamed bundles of joy.

At the Dumpling Bar locations, you can choose between five different types of dumplings.  You then have your choice of getting them pan-fried or steamed, on top of a large salad or in a bowl of hot noodle soup.  Service is fast, the portions are large, and everything is just so damn good.

Although still good, the trucks only offer three types of dumplings, and you can only receive them steamed, and on their own with a dipping sauce.  Chicken with Thai basil, pork with Chinese chives, and vegetarian edamame.  Rickshaw prides itself on using organic Bell & Evans chicken, the same used by most NYC restaurants, and organic edamame.  The flavors are clean, and do come through.  However, at $6 for 6 pieces, you wonder how paying $1 for a steamed dumpling is justified.



The pork and Chinese chive dumplings are served with a soy-sesame dip.  If you've ever had Asian dumplings before, this is the flavor combination that is the most traditional.

Pork and Chinese Chive Dumplings with Soy-Sesame Dip

The chicken and Thai basil combination is served with a spicy peanut sate dip.  They are going more for a Thai spin on this one, and it works.

Chicken and Thai Basil Dumplings with Spicy Peanut Sate Dip

As good as the dumplings are, I do have a few complaints about the food trucks.  The dumplings are not as hot in the middle as when you get them at the restaurants, and the restaurants give you more value for your money serving salad or hot noodle soup with your dumplings.

If you're having a big craving for dumplings you can't go wrong with the trucks, but if you can hold out, visit the restaurants instead.

Rickshaw Dumpling Truck

Follow their locations on twitter @RickshawTruck