Marin County is welcoming its newest addition to the dining scene: Tipsy Dumpling, a Chinese restaurant located in Bon Air Center. Their fresh, handcrafted dumplings are now satisfying hungry customers in the same location where Paxti’s Pizza used to be.
In addition to their titular dumplings, Tipsy Dumpling also offers a variety of noodle and rice dishes. Customers either sit in the dining room, watching the dumplings be prepared by hand through a large glass window, or on the patio, with a variety of heat lamps and a fire pit to keep them warm.
The owners of Tipsy Dumpling, Peter Wang and Jessica Li, who also own Oyama Sushi, a Japanese restaurant with locations throughout the Bay Area, traveled to four different cities in China before opening the restaurant. There, they learned dumpling-making techniques from 20 different chefs, perfecting their food before serving it to the public.
Tipsy Dumpling has been the talk of the town since its opening. But does it really live up to the hype? The Voice took a trip to the restaurant to find out.
Upon arrival, we were seated in the dining room. Watching the dumplings be made immersed us into the culture of the restaurant and food. The service was very attentive, welcoming, and quick, with our water glasses always full and frequent checks from waiters to make sure we were enjoying the food.
The first dish we tried was the cucumber salad. One of our writers, Sammy Bradley, described it as, “fresh with a complimentary sauce, which was light with a hint of sweetness. It was the perfect beginning to our dining experience.” On top of the filling portions, the cloves of garlic floating around, creating a strong yet delicious flavor. We gave this dish a 8.5/10.
Next, we had the pork xiao long bao. These traditional chinese soup dumplings were packed with a rich broth, enhanced with the options of vinegar and soy sauce. Writer Mila Marcussen said of the soup dumplings, “[They were] surprisingly really good.” They were incredibly flavorful, particularly when paired with the sauces. Marcussen especially recommends pairing the dumplings with vinegar. A single portion comes with 8 dumplings, enough for a whole party of people to enjoy. We rated these a 9/10.
After, we got the steamed beef and onion dumplings. Though they were second to the xiao long bao, they were still enjoyed. “They were mediocre, and were slightly overcooked,” Marcussen said. “The presence of the onion in the dumplings felt strong compared to the gentle beef flavor.” Even though it was not our favorite dish, it was still satisfying. The sauce really brought together the onion and beef flavors. This dish received a lower rating from us of 6/10.
Lastly, we got the chicken chow mein. This dish ended up being the star of the show. The large portion of noodles and generous amount of chicken made eating it a refreshing experience. The ratio of vegetables was perfectly paired with the chicken. Every bite was satisfying and well seasoned. The large dish filled us up, creating a perfect end to our meal. We gave this a 9/10.
After asking about dessert, we were informed that the dessert menu was coming soon, so stay tuned for that.
All in all, the meal was incredibly enriching, and the restaurant is worth a return trip. The filling portions, high quality food, and fast service made it a top-tier dining experience. Next time you are looking to try a new restaurant, Tipsy Dumpling is definitely worth a try!
