Nut allergy friendly: No issues here with almost anything I think…read more Parking: Plenty in the strip mall lot. Time to Order: 11-16 minutes for all of our dumplings. I've finally made it to the original spot for the legendary soup dumplings. "Better than din Tai fung", so I've heard. I can finally confirm: these are probably the best soup dumplings in Houston. We arrived around 6:15PM on a Monday after leaving Spa World (yeah, I was off for the day after an exam). No wait, though I've heard it gets quite busy and it was still decent busy while we were there. Service was very prompt and didn't keep us waiting to put an order in, and dumplings came out hot! We got: #85 Tomatoes and Pork Soup Dumplings (5/5): Whatever they put in this broth, it's like liquid crack. MSG? Who knows. The dumplings come with the perfect texture and you can literally lift them up and see the filled soup inside. Not a single one was broken. The soup was fantastic and the dumpling was excellent. It's seriously the best I've had in Houston and maybe in the U.S. #24 Pork & Scallion Thumb Bun (4.5/5): It was a tad salty, but the scallion offset the pork really well and they were perfect small bites. #27 Spicy Pork & Shrimp Wontons (4.5/5): Loved the red sauce, great wonton texture overall. No extra dips needed. I'm definitely going to try their other location and it's totally worth the trek to this one. Awesome job to the team here!

Stopped by after a meaningful day at Spa World and debated whether we were hungry enough to truly…read moreappreciate the food. Turns out, we were forced to acknowledge how good it was whether we wanted to or not... because yes, it really was that good. Tomatoes & Pork Soup Dumplings - I was exceptionally curious about incorporating tomatoes into soup dumplings, so I had to order these to satisfy my curiosity. Grateful to see they also had a thumbs-up on the menu to reinforce my decision. The dumplings were beautifully folded and didn't tear when picked up. You could actually see how much soup was packed inside--they looked like little jiggly water balloons. The broth was unexpectedly sweet while still being savory, with a very clean flavor. My BF said they were probably some of the best soup dumplings he's ever had, and I'd have to agree--they were pretty top-tier. These came out hot-hot. The wrapper felt a bit drier than other soup dumplings I've had, giving it a mildly chewy aftertaste that I wasn't fond of (I'm very aware of textures), but in terms of flavor, absolutely no complaints. It's important to note that I've never been as big a fan of soup dumplings as my BF is, but I admit this place converted me. Time to see how well it compares to Din Tai Fung. Spicy Pork & Shrimp Wonton in Red Oil: - Wonton - Very juicy with well-rendered pork fat. My favorite part was how delicate the wrapper was. After watching the dumpling episode of Chuuka Ichiban (Cooking Master Boy), I became overly aware of the thickness of dumpling wrappers. I have to admit this place absolutely nailed it--the wrapper was just thick enough to hold the filling, yet delicate enough that it almost melted away as you chewed. - Red Oil - Tangy and aromatic. Despite being an oil-based sauce, it didn't taste overly greasy. The seasoning and herbs gave it a signature spice that felt layered rather than simply spicy for the sake of being spicy. It actually grew on me the more I went back to it between the other dumplings, working as a great palate cleanser and taste bud reset. Pork & Scallion Thumb Bun - I'd never had a thumb bun before, but it's quite dainty, just as the name suggests. The texture was a bit firmer than I would have liked--almost like a stiff potsticker. All of these dumplings had a very pronounced pork flavor. I found this one a bit too salty compared to the others, perhaps because the soup dumplings and wontons were balanced by their broth and red oil. Maybe I just needed to dip it in vinegar (someone educate me). I tried it three ways: plain, accidentally in soy sauce, and finally in vinegar. The vinegar definitely mellowed out the saltiness, but this still wasn't my favorite dish. Service was fast and considerate throughout our meal. They refilled our water attentively and checked on us at a meaningful pace without feeling intrusive. I also noticed they didn't play any music here, but somehow the constant buzz of the staff moving around was comforting. The atmosphere felt peaceful and gave off very authentic Chinese vibes. Overall, we'll be visiting them again soon at their new location closer to us. #worth

Nice people. Great food. I always get spicy noodles and they are great, but the other dishes look…read moretasty too.

The price got a bit higher but the food still good. My favorite is the vegetable mix and duck wings…read more! Little spicy is good for me. However the food go bad very easy, u have to finish within day or two.

The food at Uncle Chin's is amazing! Service was very good as well. It's a small place but well…read moreworth it!

BF hosted a major get-together for friends and chose this gem as the gathering spot. No regrets all…read morearound--everyone thought it was a great place to eat, catch up, and spend the afternoon. Malaysian Grilled Chicken Satay - Super tender with a sweet peanut sauce that really accentuated the flavors. Probably my favorite appetizer so far--had to be extra careful around my BF after this! Definitely my brother's personal favorite; I'm sure he ate 3 of them! Hainanese Chicken & Rice - Very tender and chewy with a mild flavor. The ginger-and-scallion sauce at the bottom was very refreshing, and the aromatic rice was among the most delicious I've had! I saw that the grains looked similar to Vietnamese broken rice because they weren't fully rounded. For some reason, this made the texture so much more appealing to me. Curry Chicken Puff - Love the curry flavor of this and the delicacy of the puff pastry. The shell isn't too thick, and the vegetables are very well infused with the curry, making them strong contributors to the overall flavor. Despite it being a pastry, I didn't feel overwhelmed by the carbs--indicating that the breading-to-stuffing ratio of this sat at the perfect pinnacle. Malaysian Roti Canai - One of my absolute favorite dishes here. I would come to this place just for this--the whole table compared the combo to crack. No joke. The chicken and potatoes are some of the most tender pieces in this dish, and you could slurp the broth like it's its own dish. I watched this go way too fast, and even two orders per table were not enough to satisfy the crowd. Malaysian Roti Canai (w. Egg) - Love the original much more, but this was still very delicious. They made the egg very thin, so it didn't overwhelm the roti. The egg took away from my favorite roti taste, but it was so well seasoned I wasn't even that angry about it. Malaysian Char Kuey Teow (Migoreng) - OOH. This has a unique flavor --much more savory than packaged ramen. The texture of the noodles is very inviting. It's much less salty compared to the pre-packaged Migoreng. The flavor was more umami. Rich, deep, and just the perfect amount to coat the noodles. Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetable (w. Tofu) - This is a very saucy vegetable dish, but I didn't mind it at all. I loved it, though it was the last dish I had and I was definitely stuffed by then. The sauce reminds me of a thinner Migoreng sauce--more viscous than a loose sauce, but not as thick as Migoreng. Very good, but my taste buds were definitely overwhelmed by then. Malaysian Milk Tea - Not as sweet as I expected. I was told the tea leaves were imported from Malaysia, and our table ended up ordering six of them. The lingering bitterness in the aftertaste is something I'm very fond of, and the tea flavor is exceptionally rich. The milk infusion in this is exceptional. Malaysian Lime "Calamansi" & Plum Drink - Tasted like a lime-tamarind drink to my BF, while my brother and I thought it tasted like Vietnamese chanh muối. Overall, Uncle Chin's lived up to the hype, just as I knew it would from the day my BF brought home leftover roti from his very first visit. The buzz of having 16 people definitely distracted me from paying close attention to every dish--I even missed taking a few photos--but one thing remained true: everyone was talking about the food. Every time a new dish came out, the table erupted with commentary about its flavor, uniqueness, and overall impact. Some dishes stole the show more than others (my lovely roti, hello), but every single one earned its place on the menu. Very sad we didn't get to see Uncle Chin sing, but with 16 people to serve during the lunch rush, I'm sure he was pretty overwhelmed.

The best pho spot when you DON'T want to drive all the way to the Bellaire Chinatown to get some…read morequality Viet food. I love the pho broth and the quality here. The small pho is a good size for a small to moderate stomach eater like me. Wish it's served in the larger bowl just to make mixing in the beansprouts easier, but that's ok. I got the #9 combination meatball, flank, and tendon. The pork and grill shrimp bun was fantastic as well. Loads of pork and the shrimp cook very well. Consistent, fast, and excellent food and service. All elements of a spot that brings me back!!

Honestly was one of those days where soup belly was needed…read more And this place hit the spot nicely. I think the location near Chinatown is better, but I'm happy to see this location closer to my place. Did it hit the spot? Heck yes. Will I be back? Heck yes.

A year and a half dozen + visits later and I'm still singing their praises!…read more While service can be a bit hit or miss during busier times the food is so exceptional that you don't really notice.

The food was good, but unfortunately, the service completely overshadowed the experience…read more Our group of eight arrived about an hour before closing, and from the moment we walked in, it was obvious that the staff was annoyed we were there. At approximately 9:20 p.m., our waiter made a point to tell us that the restaurant closed at 9:30 p.m. and that we would be KICKED OUT by 9:40 p.m. I have never felt so rushed or unwelcome at a restaurant. Another group of four arrived about 30 minutes before closing and was refused service altogether. If you decide to visit, make sure you arrive with plenty of time before closing, because it appears the posted closing time may not reflect when they actually stop serving customers. The food was enjoyable, but based on the service and how unwelcome we were made to feel, I doubt I will return.

Jin Yuan Cafe's (錦源美食) opened two years ago and quickly became one of the only true Shanghainese…read morespots in Katy -- if not in the greater Houston area. Located inside of the 99 Ranch Market (#1) along Mason, it had so much potential but struggled with foot traffic. As a result, it closed for good several weeks ago. With only a handful of tables, the setup was casual and completely unpretentious. The restaurant transitioned from over-the-counter ordering to a self service kiosk, a practice that has become commonplace amongst many Asian eateries. Prices were reasonable for the area, with plenty of options under $10. The menu featured a number of classics true to Shanghainese cuisine, including their stir fried udon (上海粗炒麵), scallion oil noodles (葱油拌面), min purse wontons (小馄饨), and even braised wheat gluten (烤麩). All of these items delivered in a big way, even their steamed dumplings (水餃) was silky and plump. Unfortunately two Shanghainese staples fell short: soup dumplings / XLB (小籠包) and pan fried buns / SJB (生煎包). The XLB was doughy, unstable, and the broth lacked depth. The SJB suffered from a similar doughy texture, with very little crisp at the bottom. These were not issues initially, but over time the decline in quality became noticeable. There is a part of me that hopes for a revival in a new location. While there is no shortage of soup dumplings in Houston, Shanghainese cuisine remains rare. ___________ (#1) 99 Ranch Market - Katy: https://www.yelp.com/biz/99-ranch-market-katy-2

Curry Beef Vermicelli: this is one of the more unique dishes I've had recently. The soup is super…read morelight, but has an aromatic curry aroma to it. The noodles are thin but cooked al dente. Nice tender slices of beef. Pan fried dumplings: Really great texture... crispy on the bottom and soft everywhere else. The dumplings were juicy and very flavorful. Very sad that they closed... it was a super affordable hidden gem.

This place is in the food court of 99 ranch in case anyone is wondering. The place is always super…read moreclean with plenty of tables of chairs to sit around. Service is fast and the food is amazing consider if being in the food court and they have a huge variety! I've tried most of their items over the years and never regret once. The price is very fair and the entrees is like Panda Express but better! Great for meal prepping or just take out in a busy day.

I was super hungry and ate a huge meal all by myself!…read more I had the two entree with noodles (that doesn't count as an entree) with orange chicken and spicy eggplant (Japanese eggplant), a sesame ball with bean paste inside and 3 egg rolls. It was a good price for all that food! You can use your Ranch 99 card to get points. It is also a good place to people watch. The employees are friendly and helpful (I Almost got a bun with chicken instead of yellow bean paste..would have been a huge surprise!) They have workers that non-stop clean the tables. I would definitely eat here again!

Quick, late lunch when I was craving pho. You order at the counter and the prices are on par with…read moremost places in the area. The menu is simple, but has a lot of variety like noodle dishes, coffee teas, and soups. You can even make your own bowls. The pho broth is complex, savory and full of umani without being salty. It's a great place for a quick meal.

I got a pineapple/mango smoothie ! Amazing ! I absolutely loved it and have nothing bad to say,…read moregreat and attentive service, and I enjoyed the cozy coffee store feel I will be back ! Thank you!

hunan kitchen has been a staple for yearssss, truly my fav restaurant ever and hands down the best…read morechinese food i've had!! the interior has plenty of seating, making it great for both family dinners and group gatherings. the owners are a couple: a super friendly woman and the diligent chef. the service is always attentive and fast and the food comes out SOOO quickly. portions are also huuuge at consistently high quality. what really sets this place apart is the depth of flavor, the spice levels are just right. you taste the chili, sichuan peppercorn, and mala fragrances, along with that unmistakable wok hei!! nothing feels muted or overly aggressive. - one must-order is the hunan bbq fish (君山烤鱼). at just over $30, ITS SUCH A STEALLL for what you get: an entire seabass served in a massive chafing dish, surrounded by a medley of vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes, lotus root, and peppers. the fish is tender and flaky, not overly salty or spicy, but infused with a beautifully fragrant mala heat. it's perfect for celebratory meals or sharing with a big group - the sautéed preserved pork with dried smoked bamboo shoots (烟笋炒腊肉) is an absolute classic. the cured pork belly has an intense smokiness that hits you immediately, with alternating bites of rich fatty pieces and deeply savory lean cuts. the bamboo shoots add texture and soak up all that flavor - their poached sliced beef in hot chili oil (水煮牛肉) is another standout. the beef is incredibly succulent, swimming in a chili oil broth that's bursting with aroma without being overwhelming. this dish can often be too oily or salty elsewhere, but hunan kitchen nails the balance! - the sauteed diced chicken with chili pepper (辣子鸡) is my all time FAVVV and something i've loved since growing up. the chicken is perfectly crispy and crunchy while staying juicy on the inside. paired with dried chilies and peppercorns, the numbing spice slowly creeps in and builds as you eat. its ADDICTING in the most dangerous way, and i genuinely cannot stop eating it every time - the stir-fried diced chicken with green peppercorn (青花椒鸡丁) offers a slightly different flavor profile that i really love. the chicken is tender, and the green peppercorn brings a refreshing, citrusy, almost electric numbing sensation that feels lighter and brighter compared to red chilies. it's bold and a really fun contrast to some of the other dishes - for something non spicy, the seafood and japanese tofu (海鲜玉子豆腐) is PURE COMFORT FOOD for me. the tofu is lightly crisped on the outside but sooo silky inside, topped with soft fish fillets, huge shrimp, and a rich, glossy sauce packed with umami. i ascend every single time i eat it LOL overall, hunan kitchen is insanely worth it for the price. the portions are massive, the quality is consistently high, and for how authentic and flavorful the food is, it's honestly such a steal. you get way more than what you pay for, especially when ordering family style, and they even offer lunch specials, which makes it easy to come back often for a quick meal. it's such an underrated spot in katy and i wish more people talked about it :') this place deserves way more love!!

Unique and delicious Chinese food! Always enjoy it! The diced chicken with chili pepper is a…read morefavorite! Dumplings amazing too!!

If you're looking for a VERY quaint and super duper delicious dumpling house, this is the place to…read morego! We went to our normal dumpling restaurant and it had a note on the door that it was closed today, so we thought we'd finally give Dumplingholic a try. So happy we did! We started out with the onion cakes and some iced teas. We went on to order the pork xiaolongbao, pork & scallion spicy and sour dumplings soup, and pan fried pork and scallion dumplings. Let me tell you, so flavorful. Nothing plain or boring, broth seasoned, the meat seasoned. I also liked that you can see the dumplings being made. The kid serving us was so kind too. Wish I would have taken some pictures!

What a wonderful experience. Dumpling, noodle and Bao restaurants have been opening all around Katy…read morefor the last year and a half. This is a welcome entrance and certainly a wonderful competitor that benefits the consumer considerably. Firstly, let's talk about their menu which is rather extensive frankly we had soup and steamed dumplings, two different meals and to top it off shrimp fried rolls. All of them were absolutely wonderful. As I've said, in other dumpling places since this is a non-native food for me I can't speak to how close to authentic it is but regardless of its authenticity, it is well worth the experience. The service is extremely efficient very prompt you want for nothing. The only problem is that it is now a popular enough spot apparently that the demand on the single server which was in the restaurant on this particular occasion is considerable plus that same server buses the tables. In any case, she was absolutely wonderful extremely efficient and very kind. Took her time to explain items on the menu and then to discuss what some of her favorites amongst the many items they offer are. Will take her up on it the next time. The ambience is rather straightforward. Nothing luxurious whatsoever, but it gets the job done and so I'm certainly not going to opine negatively given the food service and the value. It is quite clean, which to me is a fundamental requirement of any restaurant. This restaurant certainly meets that criteria without any difficulty whatsoever. I would highly recommend this experience value quality of food service all wonderful and should not be missed.