I love dumplings but was bored of the usual places and seeing the same things on the menu. Tucked away in the quirky Carnaby Street was this alternative but was it any good? Time to find out…
Ideal for:
Those looking for a quirky dining choice
For a quick bite to eat
Dining on a budget
Ambience & Décor
They say good things come in small packages. This corner restaurant situated on the quirky Carnaby Street, can barely hold 20 diners, but it was such a quaint and cute place. The wooden fixtures and fittings made it feel like a beach shack, with the added bonus of a colourful but small bar area. The interior vibe was quirky, alternative but relaxing. The sunny day accentuated the light pastel shades. It just worked, despite being a tad cramped.
Service
The waitresses mirrored the restaurant; quirky, alternative but super fun. They made suggestions based on our personalities, and along with my dining companion, picked some winners.
Food
Started with the Roast pepper & halloumi dumpling. The accompanying garnish and sweetcorn added some real depth to the harmonious combination of peppers and halloumi. Delicious start.
2018 was the year I fell in love with jackfruit, and the BBQ Jackfruit dumpling was sublime. The sweet-savoury combination really worked.
My favourite dumplings were the Satay chicken and Hamburger. Deconstructed dishes can falter on flavour and texture balance, but the differing elements harmoniously came together. Chicken dumpling; thick, rich and creamy satay sauce and sesame garnish for the Satay. Beef and cheese dumpling; tomato sauce and mustard atop for the Hamburger.
Final meat dish was the Aromatic duck. It took some skill to ensure the dumpling was perfect cooked but kept the duck moist. Ugly Dumpling pulled it off well.
Moving into the vegetarian dishes, the best was Mushroom & truffle. I am a sucker for truffle, and it paired well with its cousin, the mushroom. The garnish of parmesan over the top tempered the powerful earthy flavours. A cracking ensemble put together.
I found myself effusing less about the Spinach & tofu and the Ricotta & spinach dishes but both were acceptable, if not a tad bland compared to the above.
Having all the dishes laid out, the vibrant colours in addition to the non-traditional filling made eating at Ugly Dumpling such a treat. It was a culinary lesson on what can work encased in a dumpling, and given they change their menus regularly, I will come back to repeatedly. The last two vegetarian dumplings cost it the highest accolade, but a fantastic meal for very few pounds spent. Easy A Rating.
Photos of Ugly Dumpling and more can be found on Instagram here.
Final grade: A
Final comment: Bored of the usual dumpling places? Ugly Dumpling is the place for you.
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