Dumpling Time Design District

The experience was enjoyable. The waiter was very accommodating and helpful, and the food was good.

- Woodear mushrooms and smashed cucumber: These were delightfully refreshing and helped offset the heavier dishes. - Shrimp balls: They had great flavor and were generously sized, but they felt a bit too big and awkward to eat. I was hoping for something more delicate and bite-sized, with a thinner, crunchier shell. - Lobster shumai: Tasty, but the truffle flavor was very subtle. I was looking for something with a bit more punch. - Beijing noodles: I found them rather dry. - Seafood gyoza: Just okay—they didn’t stand out. - Tom Yum XLB: A bit doughy, but the unique tom yum flavor was pleasant. - Lamb dumplings: By far my favorite item of the night. Honestly, I’m not usually this critical about food, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment.

Upon our arrival at the restaurant, we were taken aback by a loud outdoor event at Thrive City that made it impossible to hold a comfortable conversation, despite having a reservation for an outdoor table. However, the staff was incredibly understanding and quick to respond. They swiftly contacted their other location just 5 minutes away and arranged for us to have an outdoor table there right away. We truly appreciate their assistance! The unexpected event was also a surprise for the restaurant, but they addressed our issue promptly. Thank you for your help!

The food quality keeps declining, with only the crispy tofu being worth trying at this point. For the same price, you can find better dumplings or Chinese food elsewhere. Unless you're really interested in paying for the presentation, it's not worth it. The Beijing noodles were the worst I've ever had—bland to the point of being flavorless, overly oily, and with a rancid taste. They were barely edible. The chicken gyoza were dry and lacked any juiciness. The veggie dumplings were a bit juicier, but the raw toppings didn’t work for me. The jellyfish salad missed freshness and vinegar, but it wasn’t terrible. The shumai and shrimp har gow weren’t bad either, but don’t expect them to be of dim sum quality. Honestly, I wouldn’t consider coming back if there were more Asian food options nearby.

This restaurant is definitely worth a visit! We went twice during our short trip to San Francisco. The dumplings were incredibly delicious—we ordered both the soup dumplings and the spicy chicken dumplings. However, the real highlight was the dessert menu, featuring unique and different Asian desserts. My entire family enjoyed this place immensely. The service was quick and excellent, and the outdoor setting was absolutely perfect.