Steam session

Tiny, yellow and with an aroma that's distinctly Chinese, Dumpling King - the new outlet, off Bandra's buzzing Carter Road, is a takeaway place. Three wooden high chairs against a board on the wall are your only place to sit and/or eat. The menu offers rice, soup, noodles, and yes, dumplings. From the soups we tried Vegetarian Noodle Soup ('100); Chicken Dumpling Soup ('130) along with Vegetarian Clearu00a0Soup ('50).

The portions sufficed for one; we liked the hot and light texture. When a place is named after dumplings, one would expect the focus to be on it. Not quite.

These dumplings were small and dark. We ordered for a bucket of Mixed Dumplings ('400) that served 40 pieces. We couldn't differentiate between mixed vegetarian and tofu paneer dumplings. The fillings were very finely chopped - and both tasted the same. The Chilli Chicken Dumplings ('140/ 8 pieces) tasted better. It would've helped if the dumpling jackets were thinner.

Coming to the mains, there isn't much to choose from: rice and noodles in vegetarian and chicken versions. Not recommended. In typical takeaway style, steamed rice was dumped into a box with a mush of gooey veggies on top. The veggies were overcooked and had lost colour.

By the time we reached home the noodles had clogged into an instant noodle-like mass, and the rice was lumpy. Tastewise, the Yam Noodle ('130) and Vegetarian Rice ('130) were okay. Served in cheery yellow paper and plastic containers, with kimchi salad; each portion feeds just one. Our order took 12 minutes. Though, home delivery will start in 3 weeks.

At Gagangiri Building, off Carter Road, Bandra (W). call Yet to commence
Dumpling King didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.u00a0