Ping's Dumpling House Awards

Ping's Dumpling House Restaurant Review:

Ping crafts more than 20 different kinds of dumplings, all sold frozen in the mini-market half of the restaurant. But, following numerous requests, Ping finally switched half of the market into an actual dumpling restaurant with dark-wood tables and soft lighting channeling the feel of an Eastern tea house. Customers flock here for the opportunity to eat hot dumplings on-site. The cuisine, from Ping’s native Qingdao province, is milder than the spicy flavors of Sichuan, and softer than the crispy textures of deep-fried modern styles from Shanghai. Plump dumplings are irregular and just slightly misshapen, and make up the bulk of the menu in lamb, seafood and various pork varieties. But the subtle noodle soups provide a belly-warming lunch, especially when spiked with a dash of the garlic-punch of dumpling sauce. Qingdao street food rounds out the offerings, so there’s no room for alcohol, but tea, soda and other beverages are available.