Okay, dumpling lovers, you have some new options to explore. First, the Omakase Restaurant Group has closed Udon Time, and opened DUMPLING TIME EXPRESS in its place. (The group’s popular Dumpling Time is just around the corner.) You can come in for an edited menu of quick bites of dumplings (and watch them being made at the long counter), and they’re still going to offer a couple udon dishes. Dumping Time Express is currently open from 11am-2:30pm and will open for dinner from 5pm-11pm soon. 55 Division St. at Rhode Island.
DUMPLING ALLEY has opened in the Outer Richmond, serving an array of classics and what caught my eye is the fried donut with shrimp. Open Tue-Wed 5pm-9:30pm and Thu and Sun 11:30am-2:30pm and 5pm-9:30pm, and Fri-Sat until 10pm. 2512 Clement St. at 26th Ave.
Further out, NEW DUMPLING KING has opened in the former Kingdom of Dumpling—you can peep their menu on their site. Open Wed-Mon 11am-9pm (closed Tue). 3319 Balboa St. at 34th Ave.
A tablehopper reader tipped me off that DUMPLING HOUSE has replaced the short-lived Pho 335 in the Castro. Honestly, the initial pics don’t inspire me to run right over, but if it was in my neighborhood, sure, I’d pick up some shu mai and spicy wontons. Open daily 11am-2:30pm and 5pm-9:30pm (open continuously Sat-Sun). 335 Noe St. at 16th St.
Okay, we’re taking off the dumpling feedbag now—there’s a group of neighborhood food vendors at a new food truck park, BAYVIEW BISTRO, which also has picnic tables in their sunny lot. The three local vendors serving food right now are Soul Bowl’z, Big H BBQ (his barbecue chicken looks so good), and Yes Pudding—check out their menus on the site! Come by Wed-Fri 2pm-5pm, and they’re also open on the first and fourth Saturday evenings of the month (5pm-8pm). Follow @bayviewbistrosf or Facebook for updates and support these food entrepreneurs, with hopefully more to join them. 4101 3rd St. at Hudson. [Via Chronicle.]
There’s a casual Korean place in the Haight called PURPLE RICE, serving customizable plates and bowls of rice, barbecue meat or non-meat options, and vegetables, along with noodle bowls and soup. Bring on the banchan. Open daily 12pm-2:30pm and 5pm-9:30pm (until 10pm Fri-Sat). 509 Haight St. at Fillmore.
Assorted dumplings from Dumpling Time. Photo: Michael Ogata.
