Alanna
We loved this place! Lots of great dumpling options- we tried the chicken soup dumplings and the rainbow soup dumplings- which is one of each flavor- and we loved them all! Lots of flavor. We also tried the pork Bao and the crab now both of which were very tasty. Service was fast too
… moreLynn Ta
I tried the rainbow soup dumplings, which are an assortment of different flavors and were fun and tasty. All of them looked a little deflated, but by far the best and most flavorful dumpling of the bunch is the crab meat and pork. Don’t let the appearance fool you. I find myself ordering it every time. The filling is rich and perfectly seasoned making each bite a real standout.
The hot and sour soup is also excellent. It has a nice balance of tanginess and spice with plenty of texture from mushrooms and tofu. It’s a great complement to the dumplings and rounds out the meal perfectly.
If you’re a dumpling fan this place is definitely worth a visit.
… moreBenedict Palmeri
I stumbled upon Dumpling District in Ballston Quarter looking for a quick bite and am so glad I stopped. I was greeted immediately by Peter, the general manager, and he was so helpful in breaking down the different dishes and menu items. Very thorough in the descriptions of each. I love soup dumplings, so that was a must try for me. I went with a split of the mala (spicy pork) and crabmeat and pork soup dumplings. The broth was extremely savory and the dumplings held together excellently. The mala was rich in flavor and not too spicy at all and the crabmeat and pork complimented each other nicely. Peter pointed out that the pork chops were one of his favorites, so I had to try those. They weren’t too salty at all like some pork chops and were very tender, cooked to perfection, and no toughness. The flavor was delicious. I also got the braised pork belly bowl and the pork belly just melted in my mouth like butter. 10/10 this will be a regular spot for me. Peter was extremely inviting and you could tell he was very passionate about the dishes. All around an excellent experience you should try for yourself.
… moreS. Johnson
A mixed bite, dumpling disappointment, but a soup redemption. Taking a well-earned break from my usual grind of fixing planes, I ventured out with high hopes and an appetite for discovery. I was eager to be wowed, especially by a spot known for its dumplings. Sadly, the culinary journey didn’t quite take off the way I expected. This place is situated in the Ballston Quarter Food court, I got lost trying to find it, so here you go……it’s underneath the building!!!
My wife and I ordered an assortment of dumplings, including the vibrant rainbow dumplings and the much-anticipated crab dumplings. For our daughter, we chose the seafood noodle soup–a decision that, in hindsight, turned out to be the saving grace of the entire meal.
Let’s start with the dumplings. While visually appealing, the flavors left much to be desired. There was a disappointing lack of distinction between the varieties–bland, uninspired, and nearly indistinguishable from one another. The only exception was the black truffle soup dumpling, which offered a welcome burst of flavor and stood apart as the sole highlight in an otherwise forgettable lineup.
The crab dumplings, in particular, were underwhelming. I had expected the briny sweetness of crab to shine through, but it was muted to the point of invisibility. Frankly, the lack of contrast among the flavors made me contemplate seeking a different dining option altogether.
But then, the seafood noodle soup arrived–and the story changed. Served in three distinct components, the dish invited interaction and discovery. The base: tender noodles accompanied by a generous seafood tray. Into this, you pour a separate vessel of clear, aromatic broth–giving it a minute or two to fully awaken the flavors. The result? A richly layered, deeply satisfying bowl of comfort.
Scallops, white fish, shiitake mushrooms, bok choy–each element played its part. The textures were thoughtful, the flavors balanced. I managed a few bites before our daughter reminded me, in no uncertain terms, that I was intruding on her meal. Fair enough. It was that good.
Service was another highlight. The young man behind the counter was gracious, attentive, and genuinely kind–a quality that earns its own star in my book. The ambiance was refreshingly different: industrial, a touch underground, with an urban energy that stood in stark contrast to the more polished but generic feel of the Waldorf area. It’s a space that welcomes families without sacrificing character.
In short, the setting and service raised expectations the food didn’t quite meet–at least when it came to the dumplings. But the seafood noodle soup? That dish alone is worth a return visit. Come for the ambiance, stay for the soup–and if you’re chasing great dumplings, perhaps look elsewhere… for now. And as always, enjoy your bite……or try someplace else.
… moreBen M
Wife and I came here for a quick early dinner. Ordered one order of the soup dumpling sampler, hot and sour soup and the scallion noodles. The scallion noodles and the soup were bland to the point of being almost inedible, with the soup in particular tasting like it was straight out of one of those powdered soup packets yet even more watered down. Seriously, I cannot reiterate enough how terrible the hot and sour soup was… It was the worst I’ve ever had. The soup dumplings, though, were actually pretty good – flavorful and delicious, although the dipping sauce was not particularly good. I recommend eating the dumplings by themselves without it. Overall though, not particularly pleased with the quality.
… moreStephen Fu
My coworker brought me to Ballston Quarter after our meeting for lunch before I flew out. The overall food court has some great eats but I love me some dumplings. Found Dumpling District and was pleased that it offered the menu in both English and Chinese, that’s how you know it’s legit! The gentleman was very friendly, informative, and he also spoke Cantonese which I don’t see often in my hometown of Raleigh. The soup dumplings had great flavor and temperature while the fried dumplings had just the right proportion of filling to wrap. On top of that, the house fried rice had great wok hei (for those Chinese/Canto speakers). I will definitely go back the next time I am in town!
… moreTianyi Xu
This is a surprise shop, Xiaolongbao can be said to be beautiful and delicious! The fried rice was also very much to my liking and the staff was very good at service! It’s very efficient! I’ll definitely come back next time
… moreTergel Odkhuu
The dumplings are very well-balanced! It tastes very nice! There’s also different varieties of dumplings so you get to choose which ones you want! The customer service is very engaging and friendly so it’s very nice and direct for communicating! The atmosphere is very nice too because it’s clean and everything you need is prepared and ready! Go check it out sometime! You will have a splendid time at Dumpling District!
… moreMaggie Howell
Solid fried rice and dumpling spot!
Was craving chicken fried rice, I also got some beef potstickers as well. Everything was delicious and cooked well. I would like to try the soup dumplings next time.
They have spicy chili oil, which I added to my fried rice, along with some soy sauce. I wish they had some spicy mayo well, but overall delicious lunch!!
… moreCaz K. Wilson
Dumpling District is located in the Ballston Quarter neighborhood and more specifically, inside the food court of the newly renovated mall. From mouth watering Dim Sum to savory full flavored soup, each meal is wonderfully crafted and prepared with love and care to showcase its exquisite taste of organic ingredients. The service is exceptional introducing a quick in and out method if in person and delivery using a food courier service. The staff is very friendly and professional making sure your needs are met. If you have an allergy or medical food condition then please do not hesitate to share this information with a staff member to see if adjustments can be made. I have been coming by and enjoying the family friendly service and not to mention the tasty food dumpling district prepared. I am eagerly awaiting a release of their logo as a keychain to collect as a souvenir and gift to family and friends. When ready to satisfy your tastebuds, then stop on by to the Dumpling District located inside the Ballston Quarter neighborhood here in Arlington Virginia. My apologies I forgot to mention that if you like dumplings then definitely try their rainbow soup dumplings or you can purchase it as a gift for a family member or friend. Be warned, they are extremely hot when you open to taste.
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