Chinese Traditional Bun - Toronto

I was a bit hesitant to go to this restaurant because of the mixed reviews on Yelp. However, I am glad I decided to give it a try because the diverse selection... Lire plus I was a bit hesitant to go to this restaurant because of the mixed reviews on Yelp. However, I am glad I decided to give it a try because the diverse selection of food was quite good.

Highly recommend trying the chili tofu appetizer. The soup dumplings (buns) and sliced potato appetizer are also recommended. The cumin lamb dish was just okay.... Lire plus Highly recommend trying the chili tofu appetizer. The soup dumplings (buns) and sliced potato appetizer are also recommended. The cumin lamb dish was just okay. The chili tofu appetizer was a delicious start to the meal.

Honestly, I was a bit uncertain about entering this partially underground restaurant located in the heart of Chinatown. At first glance, the place seemed a bit... Lire plus Honestly, I was a bit uncertain about entering this partially underground restaurant located in the heart of Chinatown. At first glance, the place seemed a bit shady.

From out of town and visiting a friend. Went grocery shopping around Spadina/Dundas area and had Googled places for shui jiao--dumplings - not always a successf... Lire plus From out of town and visiting a friend. Went grocery shopping around Spadina/Dundas area and had Googled places for shui jiao--dumplings - not always a successful enterprise, Ole Mr Google., I usually just look at the photos- whether it is for sushi( especially,) or Chinese, not trusting the reviews, but. here I am, writing one. :>)) Out of 5-6 places we chose TRADITIONAL CHINESE BUNS. Glad we did. Downstairs .-very small place. minimal decor(good ! just FOOD,) tiny open kitchen on the right - couple people filling pork and chive dumplings. Mid-afternoon so only 3-4 other people eating .. pretty expansive menu, even with the almost obligatory mapo dofu. BUT, this is not a Szechuan place, soooo- and anyway, I wanted dumplings. (I would cook my own Szechuan that evening.)Server- (Owner?) came by. As the many dumpling choices came with 12 each, and we wanted several different varieties,she suggested the Assorted. (3-4 different fillings with 3-4 dumplings each) pork/chive, pork/shrimp. and- I forget the other....Also an order of xiao long bao and cold mung bean jelly noodles. I had eaten a similar dish at CHENGDU TASTE in the SGV outside LA recently that was a killer dish and wanted to try this. It was not a KILLER, but it was delicious, although very different, of course - mild with cuke slices. At my request the server added a little kick to it. one of their chili oil (hong you) based sauces. different from what you can mix yourself at the table from the usual soy sauce, shanxi or chinkiang vinegar and chili oil. The dumplings were delicious- I would say the skins were just a very little heavy for my taste, but not by much. No complaints. The fillings were mouthwatering. The xiao long bao fillings were also wonderful. the soup had just the right amount of saltiness ( which can sometimes be way overdone-) smooth rich flavor....Some have complained about the lack of English...OK, all I can say is. get over it. The menu is in Chinese and English. Our server had enough English words to figure things out. I have about 25 Chinese words in my head..If you can't communicate well enough by gesture, instinct and feeling, to eat in a different language. I imagine there might be other equally as good shui jiao places nearby ( and I am sure many that are not nearly this good,) but TRADITIONAL CHINESE BUNS. is a winner.

Decent place for authentic Chinese food. Ordered lamb skewers, pork and chive buns and their traditional dumplings (forgot the flavour but first one on the menu... Lire plus Decent place for authentic Chinese food. Ordered lamb skewers, pork and chive buns and their traditional dumplings (forgot the flavour but first one on the menu) in hot and sour soup. Lamb skewers were a bit tiny and fatty. Overcooked as it was chewy. Not recommended. Dumplings were the best part of the meal. Juicy, filing was made perfectly. The soup wasn't spicy at all so you can skip the $1.50 upgrade. The bun was soggy at the bottom so I didn't like it that much. We came at an odd time so the buns weren't fresh. But it does remind me of the taste of China when I visited a few years ago. Recommend for nostalgia feeling but not for first-timers. The entrance door is kind of busted, they should fix it.