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Before taking on this story, I really had no idea what a dumpling was, except that they were, for the most part, dough wrapped around some meat or vegetables. I had no idea how they were cooked, served or even eaten and did not understand how a restaurant specializing in this specific dish ended up in, of all places, Des Moines. However, I approached it with an open mind and was excited about what I discovered.

Dumpling Darling was founded by Lesley Rish, a Chicago suburb native who graduated from Iowa State University in 2010. After graduating from college, she traveled to Korea to teach English, which is where her love for dumplings and idea for the restaurant came about. Rish opened her first Dumpling Darling restaurant in March of 2017 in Iowa City, where it caters to the late-night college scene. The restaurant has been successful enough to open a second location here in Des Moines. The Des Moines location is a much larger building that is geared to working professionals and families.

Upon walking into Dumpling Darling, I was surprised. I was imagining a smaller place with a few waiters or waitresses. Once inside, I realized that all the assumptions I had about the restaurant were wrong.
Standing by the front door, I looked over a large, open room. The design and set up gave off a casual, friendly and inviting vibe. I quickly noticed that the natural light showed how the beautiful brick walls of the building complement the light blue, tan and silver colors that came from the chairs and tables. As I walked through the restaurant toward the counter, I started to smell different ingredients. It reminded me of when you stick your nose over a hot cup of tea and the aroma of the herbs is heightened because of the moisture from the steam. The menus were made of wood boards that hung strategically over the counter, where an employee was waiting patiently for you to decide what to order. This setup was almost like a fast food restaurant but with a lot more class and organization.

The menu was organized and laid out with neat labeling at the top, specifying the different styles of dumplings available. Customers could order traditional steamed or fried dumplings or buns. I also noticed an option for “Flights,” which were platters of any dumplings you wanted up to 20 per plate. They also offered separate dishes for those who did not want dumplings or buns and offered sides, desserts and gluten-free options.

I ordered a small plate of the steamed pork and cabbage dumplings, which is one of their signature dishes, as well as a small plate of the Avocado Rangoon dumplings. The presentation was fantastic; my steamed dumplings came in a tan bamboo woven box, and my Avocado Rangoon came in a simple metal tray resembling a paper tray you would get nachos in at the ballpark. Both dishes were served with a sauce specific for that dish and garnished with some scallions and carrot strips for color. The flavors mixed well together and had a good balance, especially when paired with the sauces that were provided. The small order contains five dumplings, and the regular order contains eight at roughly $6 for a small and $9 for a regular size. I spent about $15 for my order after also ordering a drink.

At the soda fountain, I realized that Dumpling Darling, along with their unique take on food, was also unique in their beverage options. Dumpling Darling only serves soft drinks produced by “Tractor Beverage Co.,” which is a 100 percent non-GMO/organic beverage company out of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and it is the only restaurant in Des Moines that serves it. This helps to separate and distinguish Dumpling Darling from other restaurants in Des Moines. They also serve craft beers, wine, coffee, tea and house cocktails.

All in all, I would give the restaurant a solid seven out of ten. The reason for this is because I feel that the menu pricing is a little steep for a college student; however, it does match the demographic that it targets, so the pricing should be set a little higher. I could definitely see my friends and myself coming back and ordering some food before going downtown on a Friday or Saturday night.