How to order at Ugly Dumpling without overordering
The menu is long, and the portions are small enough that it is easy to order too much of one thing and none of another. This is the plan we would give a friend walking in for the first time.
Start with the soup dumplings
Xiao long bao come six to a basket, from about $13.80 for pork or chicken to about $18.40 for the truffle version and the sampler. One basket is a good starting point for two people. If you want to taste several fillings, the sampler is the shortcut: it brings an assortment in one basket.
Wait about a minute, lift a dumpling by its top knot, set it on a spoon and bite a small hole. Sip the broth first. The dipping sauce guide covers vinegar and ginger.
Plans by table size
The totals below use the low end of the price ranges on our full menu and leave out tax and tip.
One person
A basket of chicken soup dumplings ($13.80) and a noodle dish such as noodles with sesame sauce ($10.35) comes to about $24.15. Add a milk tea if you want a drink.
Two people
Classic pork soup dumplings ($13.80), pan-fried pork buns ($8.05), a scallion pancake ($6.90) and egg fried rice ($9.20) comes to about $37.95. It is enough for most appetites and gives you something soft, something crisp and something filling.
Four people
Two baskets of soup dumplings in different fillings, a plate of shumai, wings, a wok dish and garlic greens covers a table without waste. Keep a spare round of dim sum in reserve and add it at the end if anyone is still hungry.
Order in rounds
Dim sum comes out as the kitchen finishes it, so a first round of two or three dishes beats a full order that lands all at once. Ask for the wok dishes after the dumplings so the fried rice is not cold when you reach it.
If someone avoids meat
Read the vegetarian and vegan guide before you order, because some dishes share a basket with meat.
If someone likes heat
Szechuan spicy pork soup dumplings and spicy wontons in chili oil are the two to ask about.
Common ordering mistakes
The usual mistake is ordering all fried food. Wings, rangoon, calamari and mozzarella sticks are all heavy, and together they leave no room for the dumplings. Aim for one fried starter per table.
The second mistake is skipping the vegetable. Garlic stir-fried greens ($13.80 to $14.95) are the least glamorous item and the one that most often rescues a rich meal. The third is forgetting rice. A $3.39 bowl of steamed rice makes a saucy wok dish go further.
When to add a second basket
If you finish the first basket of soup dumplings and the table is quiet, order another in a different filling. Pork and crab ($14.95 to $16.10) is a good contrast to classic pork.
Questions people ask
How many soup dumplings should I order?
One basket of six for two people as a starter, and one basket per person if they are the main course.
How do I eat xiao long bao?
Let it cool for a minute, bite a small hole, sip the broth, then eat the dumpling with a little vinegar and ginger.
Is it better to order everything at once?
No. Order in two rounds so the food arrives hot and you can adjust.