#4: A quest for the best dumplings 🥟
Mini review of Sun's Kitchen + 4 things I consumed this week
Tonight marks the official start of the Lunar New Year, ushering in the year of the snake. I’d like to note that it was also the year of the snake in 1989, when both myself and Taylor Swift were born. Upon realizing this, my first thought was that snake year would be fitting to release Reputation TV, but we can’t go down this rabbit (or snake) hole today.
This Chinese holiday is honestly way better than the traditional New Year’s Eve celebrated by western cultures, which involves sequins and staying out past my bedtime. Lunar New Year is all about feasting (hell yeah), spending time with people you love, and setting up good vibes for the next 365 days.
Dumplings are commonly involved in Lunar New Year’s feasts because they represent wealth and prosperity and, I assume, because they are delicious.
It should come as no surprise that I love dumplings. I have often felt that I am spiritually a dumpling that has taken on the the form of a human woman. They are a cornerstone of the hag diet.
I don’t discriminate dumpling types either. I love them fried or steamed. I love them filled with meats or veggies. I even love them in the form of little doughy balls, slow cooked with chicken. If you count pierogis as dumplings (I do), I love those too. Dumplings transcend food cultures and also space and time in some cases.
My first true dumpling experience was in Charlotte at The Dumpling Lady food truck. I ordered the pork and chive dumplings, and I was enamored. I still remember them all snug in their container, each one wrapped up like a little present and topped with chili oil.
The Dumpling Lady eventually upgraded from food truck to food stall in Optimist Hall. I also “upgraded” from my 20s to my 30s, which forced me to reassess my devotion to those particular dumplings and the amount of chili oil they’re cozied up in.
After multiple attempts, I’ve come to the unfortunate conclusion that it’s a young man’s game. I simply cannot consume oil in that quantity without either severe stomach pain or acid reflux.
So I’ve embarked on a brave journey to find a new favorite dumpling in Charlotte and let the 20-somethings have The Dumpling Lady.
I’m still pretty early on in my quest. I can only say I’ve tried both Ru San’s pork gyoza and veggie gyoza (both decent). I’ve also tried Yamazaru’s pork gyoza (also decent) and CO’s pork and ginger gyoza (wouldn’t recommend). If you’ve got good dumpling intel, pass it along.
MINI REVIEW: Sun’s Kitchen
Last week I ventured to Sun’s Kitchen in Lower South End (or LoSo if you’re insufferable) to try their extensive dumpling offerings.
I’m always a bit apprehensive to venture into finance bro territory but I was pleasantly surprised by the low key vibe. The spot, which opened last August, is relatively small and sits right on the rail trail.
You order at a kiosk when you walk in, which I personally liked. They have a pretty large menu with items like Dim Sum, dumplings, noodles, and other Szechuan plates. They also have some cocktails and beer.
Everything we ordered
Dim Sum Flight ($19) - BBQ Pork Bun, Brown Sugar Custard Bun, Siu Maai (2), Shrimp Dumplings (2), Xiao Long Bao (2)
Dumpling Flight ($13.50) - Pork & Chive (White), Beef & Carrot (Yellow), Chicken & Mushroom (Pink), Veggie (Green) and Shrimp & Chicken (Violet).
Braised Beef Noodle Soup ($15.50)
What I loved ❤️
The concept of a dumpling flight: I cannot yet say whether or not Sun’s Kitchen definitively has the best dumplings in Charlotte but I can say that I loved the experience of ordering a FLIGHT of dumplings. Screw A.I., that is true innovation. It’s beautiful. It’s inspired. I should be able to order dumpling flights all the time.
The braised beef noodle soup: I mainly came to try dumplings but I wanted to explore some different items on the menu, so I took a chance with this noodle soup. It was honestly the best dish we ordered. The braised beef was super flavorful and tender. The noodles had a great texture and I loved the bok choy and savory beef bone broth. Sun’s is worth a visit for this soup alone.
What I didn’t love 💔
The dim sum flight: Ok, it’s not that I hated everything on this plate because that’s not the case. I did enjoy the Xiao Long Bao and BBQ Pork Bun. I’d recommend ordering those on their own because you’ll get more for the price. I’d also recommend not putting the entire soup dumpling in your mouth and burning the shit out of your tongue like I did.
Final take: Worth a try 👀
While I didn’t necessarily have a transcendent experience during my visit to Sun’s Kitchen, I still had a good time and enjoyed the food, which is all you can ask for in the year of the snake 2025. It’s an approachable place to try a variety of dishes that you don’t often find in Charlotte.
4 things I consumed this week in Charlotte
‘Plain Jane’ chicken sandwich ($8.99) from Boxcar Betty’s. This is my favorite chicken sandwich in Charlotte currently. It’s topped with mayo, lettuce, pickles and tomatoes. Also worth noting…their honey mustard. Just get it.
‘Garlic Tots’ ($8) from Papi Queso. Skip the fries and level up with these tots tossed in garlic and parmesan. They’re served with a truffle aioli and I think that’s beautiful.
A glass of Prosecco ($6) from Brawley’s. Not a great Prosecco but this neighborhood bar isn’t known for their wine selection, so that’s on me. It helped that it was paired with a Suarez Bakery cupcake (not pictured because I ate it so fast) in celebration of a very cute little girl named Flo turning 2.
A homemade hot toddy with Spiced Carolina Rum ($32) from Muddy River Distillery. This is my go-to spiced rum and it’s made right outside of Charlotte in Mount Holly. Highly recommend if you make cocktails at home. Find it at your nearest ABC store.
Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate. If I could cheers you with a dumpling, I would.
c u next tuesday,
the hag herself
All of the food and drinks reviewed in QCH are paid for by the author. This newsletter does not feature any ads or sponsored content.
The chicken wontons at Menya are fantastic - although I think it's best if you sit at the bar and eat there (they use fresh wrappers which can get gloopy in takeout). We also like their pork gyoza. If you haven't tried their Taiwanese noodles, here's a hot tip! Way better than their ramen.
Dumpling flight IS true innovation - however, I will unfortunately and to my own detriment remain loyal to the Dumpling Lady (and the dan dan noodles, which are somehow only a 2/4 spicy) until a hole burns straight through my esophagus.
Flo's very honored to have gotten a hag shoutout!