Yummy Dumpling
1708 Irving St, San Francisco, CA
My dad always told me I should never have to force anything.
This was often in reference to plugging things in or putting things together
But I'm sure he would agree it’s a sound philosophy for most things in life.
I have plenty to say about Yummy Dumpling
It's just hard to come up with something in particular.
I’m trying not to force it.
I found Yummy Dumpling while surfing google maps on the train one day.
4.8 stars and over 100 reviews is more than enough to get my attention.
Maybe I’m shallow.
The N train out to the Sunset takes a lifetime.
No matter where you get on it’s going to be at least 30 stops and it will feel like 40. I always find myself considering settling down in a precious little
million dollar home out there. I don’t need much.
You can exit the N before the track jumps from Irving to Judah
or ride a few more stops down Judah.
I prefer the walk down Irving, though it always feels a few blocks longer than it should. Getting off further down on Judah alleviates this but at what cost?
Yummy Dumpling is headed by a beige sign with green lettering.
The lettering is not in my mother tongue
but I could make an educated guess at the translation.
Dumplings are a super food.
I won't go on too long about the many ways to prepare a dumpling,
though one certainly could. Steamed or boiled, served with soup, noodles, both or neither. I often dress mine in soy, vinegar and chili oil.
A concoction I came up with myself.
We never had dumplings in the house growing up.
Our fridge was more of a leftover pasta situation.
I have come to learn I am a part of the global minority in that regard.
Billions of people are as familiar with the frozen dumpling as I am with leftover pasta.
I wasn't introduced to the dumpling, as I would come to know it,
until I moved to San Francisco and discovered Yummy Dumpling.
Before we get too far, I should clarify that Yummy Dumpling is not a restaurant. It is a frozen takeaway dumpling operation hidden deep in the Sunset. They do own a restaurant, King of Noodles, where they serve their dumplings. I just can’t bring myself to visit. Similar to when you don’t want to watch the movie because the book is so good.
I first visited Yummy Dumpling during the time of the pandemic when things were opening up but walking around without a mask was a political statement. It wasn’t strange to me that Yummy Dumpling presented like any other takeaway food offering of the time. Plastic table, hand sanitizer and an iPad. It is at this table that one continues to place an order today.
As the world changes around it, Yummy Dumpling remains consistent and true.
Yummy Dumpling is owned and operated by four friendly women.
One takes orders at the restaurant's front entrance
while the other three form and fold dumplings at a half-marathon pace.
Their menu features ~20 options ranging from $10-13 for 20 dumplings.
Just pick one, they're all great. The pork is juicy, the shrimp is snappy,
the soup dumplings are soupy. The vegetarian dumplings feature edamame and they are not my first choice.
My edamame aversion aside,
These dumplings, and the women who form them, mean a lot to me.
They have become a serious part of my weekly diet since moving to this great city. A pack of nice ramen noodles and some chili oil is all it takes to have
a two dollar meal in my back pocket at all times.
Take a vacation ladies.
Reduce your hours.
Switch to a four day work week.
I'm flexible.
We make time for those we love.