My second time to this cute little restaurant when visiting my daughter at college. We needed a good, quick meal and wanted to avoid fast food and the typical bar menus. Dumpling Darling hit the spot and didn't disappoint us. I had the bibimbap with tofu. It was a decent size portion for the price. It had good flavor and was a good balance with the amount of rice in comparison to the other typical ingredients found in the dish. My daughter had the bulgogi buns, one of her favorites. Another thing I've admired about this restaurant is their approach to recycling. I believe they compost.
Rob Cardeiro
They have vegan options and that's great for our family. The food was okay. The service is slow. I imagine that they would do better with a full staff and no worldwide pandemic. I would come back to give them another chance.
Cora Vincent
such wonderful food but terrible customer service. I called for take out and was “on hold” for 10 min until i eventually hung up. I decided to go into the store and I was there for 2 min before someone greeted me. they’re always out of half the stuff on the menu and clearly need more staff. it’s a shame, their food is really good.
Devin Ganka
GROSS! They have a lot of option to choose from for sure, however all 6 different kinds of dumplings my group tried were disgusting. They have no flavor. I was really disappointed after reading a lot of good reviews, but you’re better off getting dumplings from another Chinese restaurant. Would never suggest. It was dirty inside. You could see the caked on grease behind the counter.
Kim Tessean
Tasty dumplings with lots of options. It’s more of a fun take away spot and not a sit down dine date place
Robbie Kroeschell
At this point Dumpling Darling is one of the pillars of Iowa City's gastronomic community, if you're in and around Iowa City, pop in.
Leandra Philip
The Brussel sprouts were good. Very small dumplings for high prices and the flavor was not there… disappointing…we ordered 2 different dumpling orders and the Brussels… the place also had a stale and unfavorable smell…not worth it IMO.
Ashley Brandt
The food was so good, definitely going back again sometime! And the people working there were so cool and patient with my first time being there. Highly recommended!
oriah knorr
I got their customer favorite with high expectations. However, I received dissatisfaction. Their Korean chicken dumplings had a well spiced exterior supported by a satisfying church, but it came with an excess of grease dripping off the sides. The inside was filled with dry and comparably flavorless chicken. Which could be easily reminded by pre salting the chicken to enhance flavor and prevent moisture loss.
Curtis Roberts (CAR Auto Care, Inc.)
Good food. Very different than typical Chinese or Asian cuisine with some excellent flavors. Good variety and reasonable price.
Phenomenal! Absolutely great food and always a winner for our family.
Maddie
Not sure why this place has such good reviews. The rice and soup dumplings were over cooked and gooey. The soup dumplings also tasted like soap? The Korean chicken dumplings were alright, and the pork dumplings were not that great in my opinion. Overall not a great experience. It’s also kind of expensive for the quality and quantity of food.
Kayla Hodgson
Amazing! Great food and friendly staff
Mark Mascardo
Great vegan options. I couldn't decide which items to get, so we got them all. All delicious and will go back again when visiting family in Iowa City.
Kristy Munsie
Not authentically Asian tasting - I’m giving a 2 and not a 3 because the steamed pork dumpling had raw pork ?. The steamed bun was …interesting. Coconut fried rice had no coconut in it?!
My second time to this cute little restaurant when visiting my daughter at college. We needed a good, quick meal and wanted to avoid fast food and the typical bar menus. Dumpling Darling hit the spot and didn't disappoint us. I had the bibimbap with tofu. It was a decent size portion for the price. It had good flavor and was a good balance with the amount of rice in comparison to the other typical ingredients found in the dish. My daughter had the bulgogi buns, one of her favorites. Another thing I've admired about this restaurant is their approach to recycling. I believe they compost.
They have vegan options and that's great for our family. The food was okay. The service is slow. I imagine that they would do better with a full staff and no worldwide pandemic. I would come back to give them another chance.
such wonderful food but terrible customer service. I called for take out and was “on hold” for 10 min until i eventually hung up. I decided to go into the store and I was there for 2 min before someone greeted me. they’re always out of half the stuff on the menu and clearly need more staff. it’s a shame, their food is really good.
GROSS! They have a lot of option to choose from for sure, however all 6 different kinds of dumplings my group tried were disgusting. They have no flavor. I was really disappointed after reading a lot of good reviews, but you’re better off getting dumplings from another Chinese restaurant. Would never suggest. It was dirty inside. You could see the caked on grease behind the counter.
Tasty dumplings with lots of options. It’s more of a fun take away spot and not a sit down dine date place
At this point Dumpling Darling is one of the pillars of Iowa City's gastronomic community, if you're in and around Iowa City, pop in.
The Brussel sprouts were good. Very small dumplings for high prices and the flavor was not there… disappointing…we ordered 2 different dumpling orders and the Brussels… the place also had a stale and unfavorable smell…not worth it IMO.
The food was so good, definitely going back again sometime! And the people working there were so cool and patient with my first time being there. Highly recommended!
I got their customer favorite with high expectations. However, I received dissatisfaction. Their Korean chicken dumplings had a well spiced exterior supported by a satisfying church, but it came with an excess of grease dripping off the sides. The inside was filled with dry and comparably flavorless chicken. Which could be easily reminded by pre salting the chicken to enhance flavor and prevent moisture loss.
Good food. Very different than typical Chinese or Asian cuisine with some excellent flavors. Good variety and reasonable price.
Restaurantji Recommends
Phenomenal! Absolutely great food and always a winner for our family.
Not sure why this place has such good reviews. The rice and soup dumplings were over cooked and gooey. The soup dumplings also tasted like soap? The Korean chicken dumplings were alright, and the pork dumplings were not that great in my opinion. Overall not a great experience. It’s also kind of expensive for the quality and quantity of food.
Amazing! Great food and friendly staff
Great vegan options. I couldn't decide which items to get, so we got them all. All delicious and will go back again when visiting family in Iowa City.
Not authentically Asian tasting - I’m giving a 2 and not a 3 because the steamed pork dumpling had raw pork ?. The steamed bun was …interesting. Coconut fried rice had no coconut in it?!