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Paul's Pel'meni

4.4 (722 reviews)
InexpensiveRussian, Asian Fusion
Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Order Paul's Pel'meni Takeout or Delivery

Paul's Pel'meni Photos

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PAUL'S PEL'MENI ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Paul's Pel'meni

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Reviews With Photos

Louie W.

Never had a bad experience for the last 10 years until today and Jesus Christ the workers must be on drugs. I called to ask why they on earth would they ever do this and they didn't listen. Said to file a formal complaint. I won't, I don't care that much I'm just sad I was very excited to eat but I can't because well... see the photo

Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Full Order)
uma p.

Literally my favorite food in all of Madison, Paul's is THE BEST!! Although this is known as a late night spot in Madison, it is fantastic any time of day. I usually get "the mix" with both potato & beef, and it's amazing. The service is usually pretty quick as well! Highly recommend!

Black Earth Ground Beef Pel'meni (Full Order) Potato Pel'meni (Half Order)
Mark C.

The dumplings are really good. They offer you either potato or beef or you can get a mix of both. I prefer the beef one and they have a lot of different toppings you can ask for. Service is very quick and it's got a chill vibe. Good for a quick bite.

Potato Pel'meni (Half Order) (with the works)
fenn h.

THIS PLACE IS AWESOME i love the food i love the workers i love the location. this is by far my favorite spot in madison. it's so delish please go here

Beef pelmeni and potato pelmeni
Louise F.

A very very college style place, feels homey and comforting. We got an order both of beef and potato pelmeni and we liked the beef more. A little slow but quick to eat once you've got the food.

Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Full Order)
Alex W.

Flavors were okay. Just don't think it was worth the price ($9 for what didn't feel like a full meal). Felt like an elevated college tier meal. Would probably choose somewhere else when I'm downtown. Still, this was an interesting concept and a unique restaurant!

Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Full Order)
Ben M.

I thought it was slightly expensive for the amount of food I got, and perhaps a bit overrated based on how much I've heard this place hyped up. In terms of taste, not bad. I liked the beef pel'mini a bit more than the potato. There's a nice bar and seating area, but despite the (relatively short) 10-15 minute wait most people I saw took their food to go so it's empty. I'd recommend coming here once, but personally I probably wouldn't come here again (as there's only one menu option).

No leftovers at Paul's Pel'meni

Paul's Pel'meni. They serve dumplings a plen'y. Come in for some dranks. But.. eat before you get tanked. Order the half and half if you're unsure. Half beef, half potato is hunger's cure. Get a side of sour cream. Guaranteed to make your smile beam. Avoid Monday nights if you're planning a drunkard date. Cause every other night has $5 pints on tap from five to eight.

Black Earth Ground Beef Pel'meni (Full Order) with the works- incredible
Ben W.

Beats expectations every time and now needs to be stopped at anytime I am around Madison. It's quick, delicious, flavorful and easy to eat! It's really the perfect snack to share, eat alone. Half/full order 7/9$ each with full orders giving around 30-40 snack size beef or mixed beef and potato Russian dumplings which are incredible when topped with 'the works' including that delicious curry powder! 5/5 every time out and a must try if you are in Madison!

Mixed order with the works!

My favorite kind of place-where you specialize in the thing that you're the best at! I love a hole-in-the-wall place with excellent food. Perfected Siberian-style dumplings for a hella cheap price. Very quick service, too! Definitely will be back!

Ground beef Pel'meni (half order) with the works
Phoebe H.

I come here a couple times a year bc the food is so comforting. I like the beef with the works the most. If you come here when it's slow service is pretty instantaneous. The employees are always so kind and friendly. Definitely a gem near end of a night out.

Full order half potato half beef
MaryDan H.

Ordered ahead on their website for pickup. Very easy to navigate, and I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonable prices. My first order was half potato/half beef dumplings with butter, cilantro and sour cream on the side. The dumplings are petite bite-sized dumplings that are simply outstanding. They reheat nicely, too. Love these dumplings!

Half order of mixed (some beef and some potato) pel'meni (Russian Dumplings)
Rick R.

First time here and first time having pel'mini, which Google describes as Russian dumplings that are typically served with sour cream or butter. Here you can choose beef or potato or a mix of both, with butter, sour cream, cilantro, yellow curry powder, or Sweet Chili sauce, or The Works, which is all of the above. You walk up to an order window in hallway behind the bar, place and pay for your order. The steamed dumplings are ready fairly quickly if the place isn't busy, which it wasn't at 3:30 on the Saturday afternoon I came in. I waited a minute for my order. Then went into the dining room to enjoy them. They were great as is, but I can see the desire to add butter or sour cream. I chose the sweet chili sauce and yellow curry powder, which were fine, but I preferred the pel'meni as they are. Worth a visit. I would come back if a friend wanted to try it, or on a food tour of different places, since there is nothing else on the menu.

Half Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Full Order)

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4 years ago

Fire, decent price for decent amount of food. Potato over beef even though I typically like meat.

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

Dumplings were kinda meh. Terrible location to pick up from. Bread was good, wish they'd given me both pieces.

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6 years ago

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2 years ago

Paul's Pel'meni is a classic favorite for me. Their dumplings are extremely tasty. Highly recommend!

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13 years ago

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4 years ago

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8 years ago

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3 years ago

LOVE this place! Only a couple items on the menu, but getting the works is the move for sure

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8 years ago

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8 years ago

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3 years ago

What a treat you choose meat potato or both spicy or not spicy. It is great especially in winter !!!

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2 years ago

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8 years ago

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3 years ago

Its one thing (meat or potato) and its perfect especially in the winter months !

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4 years ago

I cannot say enough positive things about Paul's. The food is amazing and perfect every time! Its a gem!

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8 years ago

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Paul's Pel'meni Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Paul's Pel'meni

Does the dough contain egg? I'm allergic to egg. Thx!

здравствуйте, Cheryl... I created an account on Yelp just to answer this question. if ever you do find pelmeni without eggs, you will have been the sole architect... & fated forth a total structural collapse.

What are the Xmas hours?

Closed Christmas

Is it true that you can buy frozen dumplings to make at home?

Yes it's true

Does the new location serve alcohol or have any new additions to the menu?

The new location has a full service bar in the back. They're looking to add new items to the menu, but as of a couple weeks ago they hadn't yet.

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Zen Ramen

Zen Ramen

4.3
(48 reviews)
4.8 mi
$$

The ramen is delicious, and I thought the Gyoza appetizer…read more was the best I've ever had. The server, (Jayai) was wonderful. She was very careful about our allergy concerns and made sure to take care of us (my daughter has a severe fish allergy and needed her ramen free of fish cake & sauce). The Thai boba tea was delicious, too. I discovered that I prefer Thai ice tea better without boba, but I really enjoyed it in this form, as well. I enjoyed the clean and comfortable atmosphere. I was thankful for the interior photograph left by a previous Yelper because the Yelp reviews I read didn't mention that the place had a dine-in an option. The dining space want just accommodating, but lovely, as well.

I'm a bit conflicted about the meal I had. First off, service was great, and the speed the food…read morearrived was perfect. So, absolutely no issues there. For an appetizer, I had the gyoza, and it was perfect. Evenly fried and steamed, even if it was just frozen stuff from the bag like at the Japanese restaurant I used to work at, it was at least prepared with skill. My main entree was the garlic miso ramen. And while each component worked on its own, all of them put together made it seem less as a whole. My biggest issues were the chashu pork which came out a little overcooked. I know the reason, and probably shouldn't hold it against them, but it reminded me a bit of the overcooked pork of my childhood. The other issue was the broth. It was sweet on the backend, which really didn't do it for me the more I've thought about it. I'm not sure if it was the pork broth or the tare. My suspicion lies heavier towards the tare than the broth, but I could be wrong. Either way, I felt that such noticeable sweetness was out of place especially since it did too much to counter the garlic flavor. I suspect it was there to do that for those who don't like a heavy garlic flavor, but then again, if you don't like garlic flavor, you shouldn't be ordering something labeled as garlic on the menu. I will say that marinating the egg was a nice touch and gave it a depth of flavor that typically isn't there from other ramen places I've tried. Otherwise, it was good overall, it just felt like it didn't completely come together with the sweetness of the broth and the pork being a tad overcooked. Still, despite perhaps not looking like it, Zen Ramen was a solid little ramen shop on the East Side and I would not oppose going back to try some of their other ramen bowls. It might not blow your mind if you're a regular ramen connoisseur, but is still a solid spot if you want something affordable and unpretentious.

Photos
Zen Ramen
Calamari - fried squid
Calamari - fried squid
Dining room

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Dining room
Roll Play

Roll Play

4.6
(60 reviews)
3.3 mi
$$

We didn't play any of the games here, but we noticed they sold bubble tea, so we decided to order…read moresome drinks. When I arrived, there was only one person waiting for an order, so I was able to place mine right away. However, it ended up taking quite a while for the drinks to be prepared. We had also ordered a whole pizza from Ian's Pizza, and we received and finished the pizza before our drinks were ready. In fact, I didn't get the notification that the drinks were ready until after we were done eating. The drinks themselves were good, but the wait time was surprisingly long, especially considering how few people appeared to be waiting. When I picked up my order, the customer who had been waiting before me was still there as well. Overall, I enjoyed the bubble tea, but I would be prepared for a potentially long wait.

Listen, Roll Play has a pretty good Taro boba. However after being around for a couple years it…read morestill seems they are struggling. When they use the cup sealer it's not sealed properly, sometimes it's got two of the seals, sometimes it's just not sealed on all the way. And then if that's okay well then the straw is too small so every boba bit gets stuck. Oh man but if those two are okay then it's the boba pearls itself. Ahh. Boba is not a new concept for me, I've had my fair share but when the boba is so over cooked that some of it seems to be melted and that as you sip the slush you are also accidentally swallowing the pearls because they're so soft, small, and mushy that you can't even feel it in your mouth until its too late. Completely different from someone swallowing a boba pearl that is firm and round where the moment it enters your mouth and is no longer in the straw you are aware. And because the pearls are so warm, it melts the bottom of your slush. Sure you can swirl it around but it'll still melt the nearby slush. It shouldn't be too warm or borderline hot. If I wanted milk tea I would've just ordered that. And then, on top of all that if if IF all that seems to be fine. It's the wait time. It seems like it takes so long to get your drink if there's people ordering food. Like if you go in and it's a board game meet up, good luck. It's gonna be a half hour for 2 slushy drinks. If they cannot work under the pressure of having to serve their whole space full of people in a board game meet up group, then just say it's for a private event or something. You don't even wait that long at bubbling teapot if you're getting drinks when the nearby schools have just gotten out. Honestly so ridiculous, and I forgot to mention that the taro flavor varies. Sometimes it's good like something you'd get in the PNW and sometimes it's a hint of taro, sometimes it tastes like a mouth full of powder. I'll give it 2 stars because when it's good it's good, but when is it good? Hmm well not when they're in a rush so get there right when they open IF they open on time?

Photos
Game shop
Game shop
Red Bean taiyaki
Red Bean taiyaki
Roll Play

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Hot-N-Spicy

Hot-N-Spicy

4.6
(134 reviews)
3.5 mi

Hot-N-Spicy is one of my all time favorite restaurants which remains a cultural culinary gem!…read moreMadison, WI is beyond blessed to have Hot-N-Spicy which is the most authentic SouthEast Asian restaurant in the Madison area that shares the culture of countries like Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam with the community through their incredible delicious food/cuisine! They truly live up to their name "Hot-N-Spicy". The cultural significance of the chili pepper often represents hospitality, warmth, and resilience! They bring all the spice and don't hold back! If you are not used to spice/spicy hot dishes, I suggest you start at level one spice and work your way up. They will ask you on dishes made with chili peppers what spice level you want 1-4 and can even make it hotter also! Hot-N-Spicy is genuinely unique because they offer Issan food dishes and flavors that is uniquely from the Issan/Isan Northeast region of Thailand that is heavily influenced by Lao and Cambodian flavors with the use of heat, fresh herbs, and use of fish sauce that brings different flavors different from other regions of Thailand. Hot-N-Spicy used to be located in the back of the Viet Hoa Market. It is now located next door from the market in a larger space in the same strip mall that allows for a more comfortable sit-down seating experience of a full restaurant. I have tried almost everything on their menu and have never been disappointed! For appetizers, I love their angel wings which are deboned chicken wings stuffed with chicken, carrot, and bean thread noodles fried to pure crispy perfection! Their most popular selling appetizers are their amazingly addictively delicious crab rangoons! Their chicken satay is also a must try! I also recommend trying their beef jerky which is so delicious, it often sells out quickly during the day! Their main entrees are so outstanding, it is hard to order one entree! My absolute favorite that I recommend is their steak Laab which is the best Laab I have had in Madison! It is heavily influenced with Isaan flavors/culture with minced beef, tripe, red onion, cilantro, mint, fresh lime juice, rice powder, fish sauce and scallions. I love the beef steak Laab because it is unlike anything you will ever taste with so much flavor from a combination of flavors with hint of sour with the lime, salty/umami/pungence from the fish sauce, balanced with refreshing different herbs, texture with the tripe, while the toasted rice powder gives this dish a tiny bit of crunch/texture that gives a subtle nutty flavor! This dish is a minced meat salad traditionally eaten with your hands and sticky rice/vegetables like cucumber. I also really enjoy their Pad Thai, Pho, and Crispy Noodle Lad Na! Your visit wouldn't be complete without quenching your thirst with either their Thai iced coffee/tea! Hot-N-Spicy remains at the top of my list for Thai/Lao cuisine! If you are looking for true authentic flavors/traditionally prepared dishes, definitely try Hot-N-Spicy!

I recently visited Hot N Spicy again, and it was just as good as I remembered! The Summer Rolls…read morewith pork nem nuong were incredibly fresh and packed with flavor. The combination of romaine, cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, mint, homemade daikon, and the crispy fried egg roll wrapper created the perfect balance of freshness and crunch. The nem nuong dipping sauce was so good that I ordered extra. I also tried the Panang Red Curry, and it was outstanding. The curry was rich, creamy, slightly sweet, and packed with flavor. I ordered level 1 spice, and it was the perfect amount of heat without overwhelming the dish. The homemade curry paste, coconut milk, basil, peppers, and jasmine rice came together beautifully. It's also been great to see this local business grow. What started as a takeout spot inside Viet Hoa Market has expanded into a larger space on Monona Drive, and it's easy to see why. The food is consistently delicious, the portions are generous, and the new location offers plenty of seating. If you're craving fresh spring rolls, flavorful curry, or simply a great meal, Hot N Spicy is absolutely worth a visit. Added bonus the service was AMAZING!!!

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Sticky race containers
Sticky race containers
Hot-N-Spicy
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Bandung Indonesian Restaurant

Bandung Indonesian Restaurant

3.9
(297 reviews)
1.0 mi
$$

Service: Extraordinary!! Our waiter was so friendly and knowledgeable about the food and the…read morecocktail options. He took great care of us and made us feel welcomed and appreciated. Food: Wow!! We ordered 3 entrees to share amongst 3 people- "medium" spice level- and each was perfect! We even had extra to take home. My favorite was the tempeh. I didn't know how much potatoes are used in Indonesian cooking. This Irish girl appreciated that! Each of the 3 dishes included potatoes in some way and each were different and delicious. Cocktails: I ordered the Long Island Thai Tea and it was too strong for me so a friend drank it, and said it was awesome, and I happily returned to Diet Pepsi. I'm not really a drinker. It looks like there is a performance space next to the dining room, so I'm guessing there might be music or karaoke nights here? I'm totally going to check out that option as that would be a blast. Looooooooved everything about Bandung and I'll be back. Often!!

We have heard people talk about this place for years but never got around to giving it a try until…read morethis past weekend. With a City Tin discount coupon in hand we popped in early on a Friday evening. Good thing we were early because it was pretty full soon after we arrived. It appears you can call for a reservation which we will do next time. After ordering a beer and after the kind waitress gave us instructions on how to see the full menu through a QR code we placed our order. (They do have a physical menu but that is the short version - more is on-line. She did say that to get to the QR menu is complicated and she was right - thus the coaching session!) I saw from one of the reviews a recommendation on the Krakatoa Chicken so I ordered it. The presentation is not unlike fajitas with a smoking hot plate of lightly fried chicken, onions, carrots and mushrooms brought to the table. The server then poured on the sweet sauce and the steam enveloped the restaurant. Quite the show and it was delicious. My wife got the Bakmi Jahe noodle dish, which was on the short menu, and very tasty and a huge portion. Prices were reasonable for the portions and the quality. We will definitely return.

Photos
Everything is very clean
Everything is very clean
Satay Sapi (Beef) Lunch Special (4/5)
Satay Sapi (Beef) Lunch Special (4/5)
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Gado Gado

Paul's Pel'meni - russian - Updated July 2026

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