Great Sweet and Sour Chicken and Shrimp Dumplings ! I also enjoyed the Crispy Beef. Will definitely order again.
Amanda W.
Stopped by Hot Peppercorn restaurant in Springfield as it is directly next to Trader Joes's and we needed to grab lunch. I definitely had higher expectations for this spot, however it barely made the mark. Upon walking in, the restaurant has many large tables and booths, we were seated at a booth. There were at least 5 other tables there. I received the dim sum menu and the regular menu. Of course we ordered a few dim sum dishes, plus a few dishes from the regular menu: diced chicken with chili, eggplant with spicy garlic sauce. And the other dishes from the dim sum menu were: sesame balls with red bean, string beans and Chinese broccoli. I liked the Chinese broccoli the best, it was only steamed veggies with a side of sauce. And the string beans. However the diced chicken with chili is a huge No, it was filled with so much breading I barely tasted any chicken. The entire thing was breading! really horrible. I reckon there were no pieces of chicken! And the eggplant was good, came out still piping hot. It came with black funghi mushroom in a brown sauce. Overall the dishes were decent, however hard pass on the dice chicken with chili unless you want to be eating fried breading. And get the string beans and Chinese broccoli from the dim sum menu. Nothing overly special.
Erik
Food was really good but they took a long time to bring more water and then dumped a glass full of ice into it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Everyday Dim Sum
Max Blanco
It was our first time dining at this restaurant today. We arrived and sat down at 2:50 PM. First, we went to the restroom to wash our hands. As soon as we came back to our table, the server asked us if we were ready. We informed him that we needed more time to read the menu. Two minutes later he came back again to see if we were ready. At that point we felt rushed. At around 3:05 PM, we asked the waiter a question about the lunch menu. He said that it was too late because the lunch ended at 3 PM. We reminded him that we were sat before that time, but he just ignored us. I went to talk to the guy in charge who was standing behind the counter. He said that the waiter couldn't serve the lunch menu anymore, but that they were going to serve us anyway - like doing us a favor. Thank you, but no thank you. No apologies were given, but poor attitude and lack of customer service from the waiter and the manager/owner. We went somewhere else instead.
Service: 1
Aldrin
So, my wife and I ducked back into Hot Peppercorn Restaurant, dodging raindrops and craving that kind of warmth only good food and good company can provide. Last time we were here, it was a big group hangout, and the place absolutely nailed it - every dish was a hit, proving that Hot Peppercorn wasn't just a one-hit wonder.This time around, it was just the two of us on a classic rainy evening, looking for that perfect food hug. We kicked things off with fried calamari. Let me tell you, it was like the opening act that gets you hyped for the main event. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, it was the calamari of dreams.Then came the seafood hotpot, the kind of dish that makes you wonder why all food can't be this comforting and delicious. We got adventurous and added an extra bowl of rice because, why not? By the end, we were stuffed in the best way possible, all for a cool $31.The vibe of Hot Peppercorn? Imagine the warmest, most welcoming place you know, then add some awesome real plants and a mini live koi tank for that extra touch of home. It's the kind of spot that's not just about the meal but the whole experience - from the genuinely friendly staff who've got this uncanny ability to know what you need before you do, to the cozy ambiance that makes you want to linger longer.Hot Peppercorn is more than just a restaurant; it's a reminder of how great it feels to be taken care of, to enjoy a meal that's been crafted with care, and to just soak in the good vibes. It's the kind of place that proves, yet again, that the best meals aren't just about the food on your plate but the memories you make while eating it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aldrin M.
So, my wife and I ducked back into Hot Peppercorn Restaurant, dodging raindrops and craving that kind of warmth only good food and good company can provide. Last time we were here, it was a big group hang, and the place absolutely nailed it - every dish was a hit, proving that Hot Peppercorn wasn't just a one-hit wonder. This time around, it was just the two of us on a classic rainy evening, looking for that perfect food hug. We kicked things off with fried calamari. Let me tell you, it was like the opening act that gets you hyped for the main event. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, it was the calamari of dreams. Then came the seafood hotpot, the kind of dish that makes you wonder why all food can't be this comforting and delicious. We got adventurous and added an extra bowl of rice because, why not? By the end, we were stuffed in the best way possible, all for a cool $31. Skipping on the fountain drinks? Always a power move. The vibe of Hot Peppercorn? Imagine the warmest, most welcoming place you know, then add some awesome real plants and a mini live koi tank for that extra touch of home. It's the kind of spot that's not just about the meal but the whole experience - from the genuinely friendly staff who've got this uncanny ability to know what you need before you do, to the cozy ambiance that makes you want to linger longer. Hot Peppercorn is more than just a restaurant; it's a reminder of how great it feels to be taken care of, to enjoy a meal that's been crafted with care, and to just soak in the good vibes. It's the kind of place that proves, yet again, that the best meals aren't just about the food on your plate but the memories you make while eating it.
Chloe S.
Ambiance in this place was completely suitable and relaxing. The service was very exceptional, everyone is very helpful and attentive to your order. Serves were friendly and approachable. The food is out of this world. Hands downs the best Asian cuisine I've been to on the east coast. Definitely an every week or every other week contender!
Shena H.
Favorite place to go for some Chinese cuisine. The staff are all extremely friendly and attentive. The food always hits the spot! I love their soup dumplings the most! We always order two of them. The Lo mien is delicious! The dim sum menu also has an abundance of items that taste amazing and fresh! The last few times I've gone the older gentleman serving us were just an absolute treat to have take care of us! Not crazy and hustle bustle environment. It's very welcoming and calm. Thank you so much ! Highly recommended!
Sheila Buckner
The food was amazing and full of flavor. Customer service started great but fizzled a bit, could be due to the busyness but not too the point of being unpleasant. Definitely plan to go back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Harpreet Randhawa
The service here is terrible, they only care for the customers dining in not for those doing take out. You will be blatantly ignored when they see you
Their variety of less common dishes and dim sum grabbed my attention. Dishes like Spicy Dry Hot Pot, Bake BBQ Roast Pork Pastry, and Spicy Cumin Lamb. They have Chinese American dishes, also. My wife and I arrived at 1:30 pm. They had a small water fountain with fish next to the front door and other items for good Feng Shui. Their menu was a laminated sheet about 11 X 17 inches with print on both sides. The dim sum menu was on regular paper, so it can be marked with choices. We tried 16 dishes on 2 visits. 5 dishes were good in a typical way and had nothing worth mentioning. They were Prawn with Walnuts, Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll, Egg Custard tart, Chinese Breadstick Rice Noodle Roll, and Sesame Ball. Here's the other 11. 1) Sesame Cold Noodle Egg noodles, like in lo mein, and shredded cucumbers marinated with a weak brown sauce and topped with sesame seeds. It was served cold. BLAND! Don't get this. 2) Szechuan Wonton in Hot Chili Oil There were 8 soft wontons with a very hot sauce. The sauce had red chile oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar with a touch of sweetness. It was peppery hot with little depth. The filling was sparse and weak in flavor. It's not worth it. 3) Steamed Phoenix Bun It had 3 soft white buns filled with salty egg yolk and egg custard. The filling was slightly sweet with egg yolk, milk, and butter flavors. I prefer a smooth, creamy filling, not grainy and pasty. It had both, which became grainy custard when eaten. It tasted fine. 4) Soup Dumpling Shanghai Style It had 8 dumplings filled with soup and seasoned ground pork. It came with a sauce that tasted of vinegar, sugar, and light soy sauce. It added flavor to the weak broth in the dumplings. The broth tasted of chicken, rice wine, and msg. The filling and wrap were typical. Overall, it was okay because the flavors worked well together. 5) Bake BBQ Roast Pork Pastry It had finely diced pieces of roast pork marinated with sweet barbecue sauce in a triangular pastry coated with sesame seeds. The pastry was airy and flaky like a croissant. The flavor was oily and buttery. The pork was sweet and savory. The texture was excellent, but there wasn't much filling, so the oil/butter flavor of the pastry was overwhelming. 6) Crispy Beef It had crispy strips of beef, white onions, green onions, carrots, shredded lettuce, and celery; dry-sauteed in a sticky brown sauce and topped with sesame seeds. It came with white rice. The sauce was mostly sweet with background flavors of sesame oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, seasonings, and garlic. It was flavorfully addictive with a great crispness. 7) Shredded Pork Pan Fried Noodle It had strips of seasoned pork, crispy thin noodles, snow peas, carrots, bean sprouts, and white onions in a brown sauce. Good fresh ingredients, tasty fried noodles, and tender savory pork in a simple brown sauce that lacked depth. It was a typical brown sauce that every mundane Chinese American restaurant uses. So close to greatness. 8) Spicy Dry Hot Pot You have to pick a protein and a spice level. We picked seafood and less spicy. It had scallops, shrimp, flounder, squid, chinese napa, woodear mushroom, dry bean curd, broccoli, celery, carrots, and bean sprouts. It had a moderately hot Chinese 5-spice sauce. It was served in a small wok with a candle burner, which we blew out to keep it from overcooking the food. It was cooked well except for the chewy squid. There were 2 large scallops, 2 large shrimp, some fish, and a lot of squid. Overall, it was flavorful, fresh, and well-rounded. 9) Spicy Cumin Lamb Seasoned lamb pieces, green and red peppers, and onions with white rice in a moderately spicy sauce that tasted of cumin, garlic, rice wine, soy sauce, sugar, and red chile. A delicious dish with tender, moist lamb in a sauce with deep flavor. The lamb had no gamey flavor. 10) Pork Chop with Peking Sauce Crispy lightly breaded pieces of pork chop and pineapple chunks in a sweet and sour sauce. It tasted of hoisin sauce, tomato, Shaoxing wine, and sugar with a touch of vinegar and Worcester sauce. Beautifully executed with a
Kevin James
I ordered roast duckIt was cold like freezing coldDidn’t give us rice said we had to ask for itI called an told them an they said“We can throw it in the microwave”Super rude an disrespectfulNever coming back again
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Julia W.
Normally I don't rate poorly due to service but I felt I had to for this restaurant. We waited 30+ minutes to be seated and even once seated it took eternity for us to get our food. We could barely enjoy it because of how long it took them to serve our dishes in addition to the inconsistent timing of serving dishes. We kept ordering more because it took so long for dishes to get to us. The first few set of dishes we got were only maybe 2-4 dishes for a large group, and then we proceeded to wait an unacceptably long time before we got our remaining dishes. The restaurant was woefully understaffed, I think there were only 2 or 3 waitresses for many tables. The waitresses barely checked in on our table, we walked up to get our own chopsticks and napkins from the to-go area. The food was good, but I could barely enjoy it because of how horrid the service was. Maybe if we went on an off-time when there aren't crowds it would be better. Also the xiaolongbao didn't have any soup in them. Overall what could have been a solid experience totally marred by the horrible service experience.
Monic T
Really awesome sesame ball thingy and my parents loved the noodle soup that came with duck. I asked our server what brand of chili oil they used and he gave me some in a tiny container which was very nice :))
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Rosamy Baca
I love the food but the service is horrible from the couple in charge. I am a frequent customer but this is the last time I visit this place. The man in charge made racist gestures and made me and my family feel uncomfortable and he was upset because my way of paying was
Great Sweet and Sour Chicken and Shrimp Dumplings ! I also enjoyed the Crispy Beef. Will definitely order again.
Stopped by Hot Peppercorn restaurant in Springfield as it is directly next to Trader Joes's and we needed to grab lunch. I definitely had higher expectations for this spot, however it barely made the mark. Upon walking in, the restaurant has many large tables and booths, we were seated at a booth. There were at least 5 other tables there. I received the dim sum menu and the regular menu. Of course we ordered a few dim sum dishes, plus a few dishes from the regular menu: diced chicken with chili, eggplant with spicy garlic sauce. And the other dishes from the dim sum menu were: sesame balls with red bean, string beans and Chinese broccoli. I liked the Chinese broccoli the best, it was only steamed veggies with a side of sauce. And the string beans. However the diced chicken with chili is a huge No, it was filled with so much breading I barely tasted any chicken. The entire thing was breading! really horrible. I reckon there were no pieces of chicken! And the eggplant was good, came out still piping hot. It came with black funghi mushroom in a brown sauce. Overall the dishes were decent, however hard pass on the dice chicken with chili unless you want to be eating fried breading. And get the string beans and Chinese broccoli from the dim sum menu. Nothing overly special.
Food was really good but they took a long time to bring more water and then dumped a glass full of ice into it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Everyday Dim Sum
It was our first time dining at this restaurant today. We arrived and sat down at 2:50 PM. First, we went to the restroom to wash our hands. As soon as we came back to our table, the server asked us if we were ready. We informed him that we needed more time to read the menu. Two minutes later he came back again to see if we were ready. At that point we felt rushed. At around 3:05 PM, we asked the waiter a question about the lunch menu. He said that it was too late because the lunch ended at 3 PM. We reminded him that we were sat before that time, but he just ignored us. I went to talk to the guy in charge who was standing behind the counter. He said that the waiter couldn't serve the lunch menu anymore, but that they were going to serve us anyway - like doing us a favor. Thank you, but no thank you. No apologies were given, but poor attitude and lack of customer service from the waiter and the manager/owner. We went somewhere else instead.
Service: 1
So, my wife and I ducked back into Hot Peppercorn Restaurant, dodging raindrops and craving that kind of warmth only good food and good company can provide. Last time we were here, it was a big group hangout, and the place absolutely nailed it - every dish was a hit, proving that Hot Peppercorn wasn't just a one-hit wonder.This time around, it was just the two of us on a classic rainy evening, looking for that perfect food hug. We kicked things off with fried calamari. Let me tell you, it was like the opening act that gets you hyped for the main event. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, it was the calamari of dreams.Then came the seafood hotpot, the kind of dish that makes you wonder why all food can't be this comforting and delicious. We got adventurous and added an extra bowl of rice because, why not? By the end, we were stuffed in the best way possible, all for a cool $31.The vibe of Hot Peppercorn? Imagine the warmest, most welcoming place you know, then add some awesome real plants and a mini live koi tank for that extra touch of home. It's the kind of spot that's not just about the meal but the whole experience - from the genuinely friendly staff who've got this uncanny ability to know what you need before you do, to the cozy ambiance that makes you want to linger longer.Hot Peppercorn is more than just a restaurant; it's a reminder of how great it feels to be taken care of, to enjoy a meal that's been crafted with care, and to just soak in the good vibes. It's the kind of place that proves, yet again, that the best meals aren't just about the food on your plate but the memories you make while eating it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So, my wife and I ducked back into Hot Peppercorn Restaurant, dodging raindrops and craving that kind of warmth only good food and good company can provide. Last time we were here, it was a big group hang, and the place absolutely nailed it - every dish was a hit, proving that Hot Peppercorn wasn't just a one-hit wonder. This time around, it was just the two of us on a classic rainy evening, looking for that perfect food hug. We kicked things off with fried calamari. Let me tell you, it was like the opening act that gets you hyped for the main event. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, it was the calamari of dreams. Then came the seafood hotpot, the kind of dish that makes you wonder why all food can't be this comforting and delicious. We got adventurous and added an extra bowl of rice because, why not? By the end, we were stuffed in the best way possible, all for a cool $31. Skipping on the fountain drinks? Always a power move. The vibe of Hot Peppercorn? Imagine the warmest, most welcoming place you know, then add some awesome real plants and a mini live koi tank for that extra touch of home. It's the kind of spot that's not just about the meal but the whole experience - from the genuinely friendly staff who've got this uncanny ability to know what you need before you do, to the cozy ambiance that makes you want to linger longer. Hot Peppercorn is more than just a restaurant; it's a reminder of how great it feels to be taken care of, to enjoy a meal that's been crafted with care, and to just soak in the good vibes. It's the kind of place that proves, yet again, that the best meals aren't just about the food on your plate but the memories you make while eating it.
Ambiance in this place was completely suitable and relaxing. The service was very exceptional, everyone is very helpful and attentive to your order. Serves were friendly and approachable. The food is out of this world. Hands downs the best Asian cuisine I've been to on the east coast. Definitely an every week or every other week contender!
Favorite place to go for some Chinese cuisine. The staff are all extremely friendly and attentive. The food always hits the spot! I love their soup dumplings the most! We always order two of them. The Lo mien is delicious! The dim sum menu also has an abundance of items that taste amazing and fresh! The last few times I've gone the older gentleman serving us were just an absolute treat to have take care of us! Not crazy and hustle bustle environment. It's very welcoming and calm. Thank you so much ! Highly recommended!
The food was amazing and full of flavor. Customer service started great but fizzled a bit, could be due to the busyness but not too the point of being unpleasant. Definitely plan to go back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
The service here is terrible, they only care for the customers dining in not for those doing take out. You will be blatantly ignored when they see you
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Their variety of less common dishes and dim sum grabbed my attention. Dishes like Spicy Dry Hot Pot, Bake BBQ Roast Pork Pastry, and Spicy Cumin Lamb. They have Chinese American dishes, also. My wife and I arrived at 1:30 pm. They had a small water fountain with fish next to the front door and other items for good Feng Shui. Their menu was a laminated sheet about 11 X 17 inches with print on both sides. The dim sum menu was on regular paper, so it can be marked with choices. We tried 16 dishes on 2 visits. 5 dishes were good in a typical way and had nothing worth mentioning. They were Prawn with Walnuts, Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll, Egg Custard tart, Chinese Breadstick Rice Noodle Roll, and Sesame Ball. Here's the other 11. 1) Sesame Cold Noodle Egg noodles, like in lo mein, and shredded cucumbers marinated with a weak brown sauce and topped with sesame seeds. It was served cold. BLAND! Don't get this. 2) Szechuan Wonton in Hot Chili Oil There were 8 soft wontons with a very hot sauce. The sauce had red chile oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar with a touch of sweetness. It was peppery hot with little depth. The filling was sparse and weak in flavor. It's not worth it. 3) Steamed Phoenix Bun It had 3 soft white buns filled with salty egg yolk and egg custard. The filling was slightly sweet with egg yolk, milk, and butter flavors. I prefer a smooth, creamy filling, not grainy and pasty. It had both, which became grainy custard when eaten. It tasted fine. 4) Soup Dumpling Shanghai Style It had 8 dumplings filled with soup and seasoned ground pork. It came with a sauce that tasted of vinegar, sugar, and light soy sauce. It added flavor to the weak broth in the dumplings. The broth tasted of chicken, rice wine, and msg. The filling and wrap were typical. Overall, it was okay because the flavors worked well together. 5) Bake BBQ Roast Pork Pastry It had finely diced pieces of roast pork marinated with sweet barbecue sauce in a triangular pastry coated with sesame seeds. The pastry was airy and flaky like a croissant. The flavor was oily and buttery. The pork was sweet and savory. The texture was excellent, but there wasn't much filling, so the oil/butter flavor of the pastry was overwhelming. 6) Crispy Beef It had crispy strips of beef, white onions, green onions, carrots, shredded lettuce, and celery; dry-sauteed in a sticky brown sauce and topped with sesame seeds. It came with white rice. The sauce was mostly sweet with background flavors of sesame oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, seasonings, and garlic. It was flavorfully addictive with a great crispness. 7) Shredded Pork Pan Fried Noodle It had strips of seasoned pork, crispy thin noodles, snow peas, carrots, bean sprouts, and white onions in a brown sauce. Good fresh ingredients, tasty fried noodles, and tender savory pork in a simple brown sauce that lacked depth. It was a typical brown sauce that every mundane Chinese American restaurant uses. So close to greatness. 8) Spicy Dry Hot Pot You have to pick a protein and a spice level. We picked seafood and less spicy. It had scallops, shrimp, flounder, squid, chinese napa, woodear mushroom, dry bean curd, broccoli, celery, carrots, and bean sprouts. It had a moderately hot Chinese 5-spice sauce. It was served in a small wok with a candle burner, which we blew out to keep it from overcooking the food. It was cooked well except for the chewy squid. There were 2 large scallops, 2 large shrimp, some fish, and a lot of squid. Overall, it was flavorful, fresh, and well-rounded. 9) Spicy Cumin Lamb Seasoned lamb pieces, green and red peppers, and onions with white rice in a moderately spicy sauce that tasted of cumin, garlic, rice wine, soy sauce, sugar, and red chile. A delicious dish with tender, moist lamb in a sauce with deep flavor. The lamb had no gamey flavor. 10) Pork Chop with Peking Sauce Crispy lightly breaded pieces of pork chop and pineapple chunks in a sweet and sour sauce. It tasted of hoisin sauce, tomato, Shaoxing wine, and sugar with a touch of vinegar and Worcester sauce. Beautifully executed with a
I ordered roast duckIt was cold like freezing coldDidn’t give us rice said we had to ask for itI called an told them an they said“We can throw it in the microwave”Super rude an disrespectfulNever coming back again
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Normally I don't rate poorly due to service but I felt I had to for this restaurant. We waited 30+ minutes to be seated and even once seated it took eternity for us to get our food. We could barely enjoy it because of how long it took them to serve our dishes in addition to the inconsistent timing of serving dishes. We kept ordering more because it took so long for dishes to get to us. The first few set of dishes we got were only maybe 2-4 dishes for a large group, and then we proceeded to wait an unacceptably long time before we got our remaining dishes. The restaurant was woefully understaffed, I think there were only 2 or 3 waitresses for many tables. The waitresses barely checked in on our table, we walked up to get our own chopsticks and napkins from the to-go area. The food was good, but I could barely enjoy it because of how horrid the service was. Maybe if we went on an off-time when there aren't crowds it would be better. Also the xiaolongbao didn't have any soup in them. Overall what could have been a solid experience totally marred by the horrible service experience.
Really awesome sesame ball thingy and my parents loved the noodle soup that came with duck. I asked our server what brand of chili oil they used and he gave me some in a tiny container which was very nice :))
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
I love the food but the service is horrible from the couple in charge. I am a frequent customer but this is the last time I visit this place. The man in charge made racist gestures and made me and my family feel uncomfortable and he was upset because my way of paying was
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1