Rickshaw Dumpling Truck

*** Great portions, but not fresh and lacked flavor ***
I was really hoping this place would be a winner. The pork and chives dumpling fell short in pleasing me. It lacked flavor and you could tell the dough was not fresh. I was not impressed at all and won’t be making a visit back.

The dumplings are not good here. Take it from a Chinese person who grew up on real dumplings. Weird tasting sauces too. I got a stomachache from the dumplings. Plus, the girls selling the dumplings were not that friendly.
TGI Fridays has better dumplings with a better dipping sauce!

A-​Ok Dumplings for a price.
Food: 2 Stars
Simple dumplings with solid flavor is the best way to describe Rickshaw’s dumplings. The chicken & thai basil is my favorite. It has a nice combination of flavors that doesn’t overpower your taste buds. The pork dumplings are another solid take.
There is nothing entirely spectacular about the dumplings, but they are cooked properly, fresh, and taste good. The price for them is a little high (especially if you want to mix and match) though. I usually prefer my dumplings to be fried because steamed dumplings have less flavor, but the steamed dumplings at Rickshaw’s are a good change from the standard blander dumplings that have become more of a commonplace.
The dipping sauces are a bit odd for the dumplings (rather than teh usual sauce). While it is unusual I do recommend a taste.
I highly recommend avoiding the Miso Soup. I can arguably say it was the worst miso soup I have ever had. For $ 3 you are served half a cup of soup with about 3 or 4 pieces of tofu, no seaweed, scallions that completely overpower the soup, and the blanded possible broth known to madkind. Since the miso soup is not the staple of the food truck, I will not let it effect the overall rating too much, but it is something that needs to be worked on, especially since it is winter and people want their warm soups, no matter the price.
Service: 3.5 Stars
Standard quick service you come to expect from a food truck, especially downtown. Their cleanliness is a questionable factor at times in my opinion. I recently received a spoon (for the first and last Miso soup I’ll ever get from this truck) that looked like it went swimming in the Hudson river for a little while, then decided to hide in an air duct.
Other than that all is normal.
Overall: 2.49 Stars
As far a food trucks go, Rickshaw Dumplings is average. They do not stand out of the crowd littered with Asian themed food trucks, nor do they disappear. They hold their own and are a good fix when you aren’t in the mood for a big lunch. Their solid dumplings are what keeps me coming back.
I wish they would lower the price and allow for more mixing and matching, because 6 dumplings for $ 6.5 is a bit on the overpriced side.
I also highly recommend they do something regarding their Miso Soup.
Go here for a taste and see whether or not they are worth your business in the future.
NOTE: I tried the Miso Soup about 2 weeks later and the quality of it is still miserable.
NOTE 2: They had Tom Yum Soup a few weeks ago, and once again I decided to take a stab at it. It was a miserable experience. After bringing the soup back to the office i noticed a thick layer of oil pooling at the top of the container. I mixed it in with the rest of the soup, but immediately it pooled to the top again.
I understand that the soup is meant to be spicy as well, but the spiciness was overpower and completely removed any flavor it was meant to have.
I officially will never try their soup again.

I visited the Rickshaw truck back in June when it was parked up as part of the Prospect Park Food Truck Rally. I plumped for portions of both chicken and edamame to share with my boyfriend. We also got a wonderfully refreshing drink to go with it. Service was quick and efficient, if a tad cool and distant compared to some of the other chatty and enthusiastic vendors we met that day. However, I went for the dumplings and they did the job. Both types of dumpling were tender flavourful and the accompanying dips complimented them well.
These aren’t life changing dumplings and probably aren’t worth going out of your way for. But if you happen to stumble across this truck then it’s a solid option for lunch.

I’ve tried the dumplings from the Rickshaw Dumpling restaurant, but never the truck so I decided to give it a shot with my boyfriend.
So we ordered the Pork & Chives dumpling since the other dumpling selections didn’t appeal to us. The pork & chives dumpling were steamed. I actually don’t like chives in my dumplings, since they tend to excrete a somewhat unpleasant smell. However, the chives in these dumplings weren’t overpowering.
I really think the dumplings lacked flavor. What happened to seasoning the meat before preparing your dumplings? A dipping sauce came with it, but it was a little too vinegary.
It’s not the best dumplings I ever had. If I had a choice, I rather go for dollar dumplings in Chinatown where the flavor and seasoning is up-​to-​par.

From
Bedford
To Eldridge
There are better
Dumplings that cost a lot less. A buck each!

I was feelin’ cool today, and decided to get my lunch from a truck and be that kind of trendy city dweller. I waited on line for a good 10 minutes, ordered the chicken and thai basil dumplings with peanut dipping sauce with a side of chili sesame noodles for $ 9 (because they were sold out of the pork and chive), and promptly received my goodies.
The pro’s: fast-​moving line, tasty dumpling filling, good side choices, adorable packaging, cute behind-​the-​counter-​dude.
The con’s: Lukewarm dumplings (let’s make ‘em hot!), pricey as hell for what you get, good luck finding the truck in the same spot it was yesterday.
Overall, a nice change for lunch in an area where people tend to stick to their regular spots, but I was really expecting some nice punchy dumplings on the cheap, and instead got lukewarm dumplings that were tasty, but generally underwhelming.

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…
I’m having the pork/​chive dumplings right now…
Pork is ok — but needs seasoning…
Wrappers were ok! 2 were undercooked — and others were just right.
Wish they were piping hot… and not lukewarm. borderline cool
Wish they had more flavour. a little punch. some chile… some ginger… some…cilantro…something…
However — Soy/​Sesame dipping sauce has some bite… vinegar-y…soy saucy. but again… lacking some heat…
I think these guys need to step up on the flavour train…
Box/​Bag/​Stickers/​Dipping sauce container… all very cute stuff…
But I’d rather the stuff inside be just as cute.

I actually visited the truck at The Lot under the High Line, but this truck has the most reviews and seemed like the logical place to put mine.
I was drunk and desperately needed something in my belly. Rickshaw dumplings was right there and $ 6 seemed to be a reasonable amount to pay for something to go in my belly.
But I will never be buying Rickshaw dumplings again. My friend and I split an order of pork and chive dumplings and were really underwhelmed. They kind of reminded me of Trader Joe’s frozen chicken dumplings… Bland and lacking in the meat department. The dipping sauce didn’t really improve their taste either.

I tried their chicken and thai basil. It came with a side, and I chosed the sesame noodles. The dumplings were decent with the sauce. I asked to try their soy sauce but it was a bit too sour for my taste. the noodles were a bit on the dry side but I added whatever sauce I had left.
It is a bit pricey but they give midtown Manhattan office workers options for lunch. Most wouldn’t travel to Chinatown in that mere 1 hr lunch. The staff were attentive. It is always good to try new things right?!

I really hate saying anything negative about a small business.
I visited the brick and mortar location way back when it was on 8^th street and liked the dumplings.
Of course, back then I didnt have rent to pay so i didnt mind spending a small fortune on fancy duck dumplings.
What you find here you cannot find in chinatown. The variety is unique but the price tag cannot, in my opinion, be justified.
$ 1 per dumpling is painful. and does not equate a meal.

Saw this truck at Grand Central for the Earth Day festivities and had to stop by.
I’m surprised at the reviews… damn haters! These guys are crazy cool and the dumplings are delicious. I love the concept… it’s a no brainer-​dumplings here! lol They also have soups as well which I will try next time.

Running into the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck really made me happy today. I assumed I would be eating my usual soup or salad and lo and behold, the dumpling truck came out of nowhere and called my name.
Not literally, because that would be weird. I felt drawn to it as a different Midtown lunch option.
For a staggering $ 9 I was given 6 pork and chive dumplings and a small side of noodles. I don’t know why I found this expensive. I guess because it was food from a truck and I mean it was noodles and dumplings after all — — - aren’t they supposed to be cheap everywhere?
It’s totally fine though because I grabbed my bag from the friendly and efficient staff and hauled buttocks back to my desk.
Upon opening the goodies, I was happy to find out that the dumplings were mighty tasty. They were very filling without making me sleepy. Not the best dumplings of my life, but pretty good considering the other options in the area and the fact that… you know… they came from a truck. The dipping sauce was really nice and smooth, classic dark soy dumpling sauce and the noodles were only just okay. I wish they were served warm instead of cold. That might just be a personal preference though, so maybe try them for yourself.
While not super impressed and ridiculously thrilled, I’m still a happy midtown lunch-​er satiated and ready for 5 more hours of boring work.
I do think it’s a bit pricey for what you get. I don’t think it’s a Food Truck Win, but it’s a great option when you are sick of the mega-​delis.

I went to the midtown truck but since I can’t find it on Unilocal! (and they are all owned by the same people) I’ll review it on here.
Dumplings were blah, kind of mushy (and not cooked to order as I would have hoped). And for $ 6? I might as well just get dumplings at any of the million buffet delis in Manhattan.
The miso soup was cold, and was not made cold from the 1 minute walk back to my office. $ 3 for a tiny cup of cold miso? For real? Pret offers a great miso for almost the same price and is alot bigger (and never cold)
First and last visit to any of the richshaw trucks.

A friend compelled me to eat this for lunch one day when it was parked on 52^nd and Lex (I think that’s where it goes in Midtown East?)
The chicken dumplings were okay, but I agree that the peanut sauce was chalky and didn’t taste as good as it should have all things considered. Also… I got shorted! There were only 5 dumplings in my little dumpling box with the cute sticker on it that was supposed to contain 6 dumplings. I felt like a little kid on Christmas who opened the biggest, most nicely wrapped box under the tree only to find it was EMPTY inside; the effect was devastating.
Equally devastating was how overpriced the dumplings were– $ 6 for 6 of them? If something makes these dumplings worth a dollar each, I clearly missed it. (Or more than a dollar, in my case, since i didn’t even get 6…)
In sum, I’d advise you not to follow their Twitter to find out when they’re parked by your office. Overrated.

Was craving their Noodle Salad, so headed over to Bway and 75^th around 12pm on this terrible weathered day. Only to see that they weren’t there as they said they would be on their website from 11−5pm. So disappointed, and went back to work hungry. I will still crave their food, and possibly try to catch the truck again … but if the website lies to me so many times I’m just going to give up.
1-​star off for not updating their locations.

Just a few days ago, I posted about the movement of more food trucks to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Well, here comes another one. This time, Top Chef Master contestant Anita Lo, owner of Michelin starred Annisa, has brought her Rickshaw Dumpling truck to the Columbia University. There apparently is a main location on 23^rd street along with a fleet of trucks.
The dumpling truck only features three variety of dumplings, pork, chicken and vegetarian edamame. Along with those, and their respective dipping sauces, you can order a side salad, miso soup, noodles and chilled edamame. The cost of 6 dumplings is $ 6 and sides are another $ 3. One oddity is the listing of a «special» where you get a side and dumplings for $ 9. Well, guess what, that is the regular price! They should reduce this to $ 8.50 for a way to entice more people.
Anyway, on to the taste. The dumpling were delicious. The outer dumpling was soft, moist and not at all chewy. They were quite hot, though an even fresher dumpling would have been better, but the filling was also tasty and perfect. Chicken and Thai basil with a peanut sauce is a perfect combo and filling. The noodle salad, which is the best value of the sides, is good, but a little greasy from sitting in its container. Overall, I was nicely surprised to find great dumplings from a truck. I tip my cap to you Ms. Lo.

Ordered the Pork & Chinese Chive Dumplings —
— I would consider it pretty decent (from an Americanized standards)
— As an Asian person who likes dumplings — meh

Rickshaw Dumpling Bar is pretty awesome. Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, not so awesome.
The dumplings themselves are, well, rubbery and its clear that they aren’t made fresh. This was confirmed when I got a look inside and saw the guy tearing open a bag full of ‘em and pouring them into some vat. What’s worse is that these little Truckers are only 50 cents cheaper for a half-​dozen than the fresh ones at the Bar. The only exception here, the only dumplings that seem true to taste, are the Peking Duck. But they’re the special. Sometimes.
The chilled edamame side is worth it — I’ve got to hand it to them. The only problem is that it’s always 86’ed! Every week it seems they park in front of my office and every time I order the side, I’m always told they’re out. How much do they bring with them on the Truck? The answer seems to be «not enough».
Rickshaw Dumpling Truck proves that not every good idea translates to another good idea when you go and put it on wheels. Go to 23^rd St. Take a seat at the real Rickshaw. Dumplings on-​the-​go is a no-​go for this guy.

Within hours of arriving in New York, I tracked down the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, a food vendor I had been following on Twitter.
I ordered the edamame dumplings, six to an order, served in an adorable white take-​out box, and accompanied by a lemon-​sansho dip. I plopped down on the stairs of a nearby building in Hanover Square, and dug into my vegetarian treat.
The dumplings were still warm, perfect for the blustery NY day. The whole wheat skin was thick enough to contain the surprisingly hearty edamame filling, with a hint of lemon zest. The edamame was cooked to a tender chewiness, neither mushy nor crunchy, which perfectly absorbed the tangy lemon dipping sauce.
I particularly enjoyed the slight tartness of the lemon flavor, cutting into the richness of the dumpling filling. The whole wheat wrapper was an interesting twist; the speckles of wheat provided to be a contrast in texture to the smooth filling, and completed the healthy concept of a vegetarian dumpling.
I’m not entirely certain that they were worth $ 1/​dumpling, but they were definitely hearty and filling for a vegetarian snack.
Besides, who could resist the cute «dip me» sticker on the sauce container? :)