Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

XLB Dumpling Bar in Brea

4.5 (91) 437 S Associated Rd, Brea, CA 92821, United States

Categories

Dumpling restaurant

Location on the map

Brea, Orange County, California, US

Phone: +1 714-227-1228
Site: https://xlbdumplingbarca.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–9 PM
Tuesday:11 AM–9 PM
Wednesday:11 AM–9 PM
Thursday:11 AM–9 PM
Friday:11 AM–9 PM
Saturday:11 AM–9 PM
Sunday:11 AM–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.5

91 Reviews for XLB Dumpling Bar 2024:

Review №1

2023-05-30 03:57:52

My family and I have been here several times now, and have enjoyed the experience. This is definitely a dumpling bar i.e. a small place with very limited seating and take away style service. But knowing that, Weve enjoyed the offerings especially as there arent a lot of similar options in the immediate area (Brea). Weve generally had good service, and its clear they are trying to expand their offerings. Great place for some casual xiao long bao (dumplings with soup inside) and dim sum style menu items.

Review №2

2023-08-01 00:12:21

Had lunch today at XLB Dumpling Bar and was pleased with the food and service. The true test of any dumpling place is the Xiaolongbao soup dumplings. Their soup dumplings are solid and are a good pick in the area since we are pretty far from Din Tai Fung. I also ordered the braised chicken noodles which was a heaping and generous portion. It was a little bland but overall tasty. The food here is also very affordable, seemed like most dishes were $10 or under.

Review №3

2021-08-26 00:52:03

Delectable, wonderfully savory 😋 perfect service 😊 6-7/10 dumplings + wontons👍 - Dumplings vary widely in taste on the palate, making for a fun meal of family style eating 🥢Dumplings are made in a front room area surrounded by glass. Cool to watch them all being made before & as you eat them 🤩Dumpling fillings are all well prepped and made; yummy 😋Pizza dumplings are a fun + delicious idea 👩‍🍳XLB dumplings are worth their rep 🤤 good brothOrdered each of the servers recommendations ☺ 💯 all were pretty good, most were great. LOVED the pork + shrimp dumplingsEarly Grey tea 🍵 really aromatic; niceTexture of the dumplings was good👎 - spicy peanut noodles 🍜 (din din?) were plenty spicy, but not so flavorfulMost of the sauces didnt add much to the dumplings 😕Cream cheese Thai tea wasnt as delicious as I was hoping, but decent anyway 😌 5/10 Thai Tea

Review №4

2022-11-30 20:02:04

The owner & cashier were so sweet & amazing! The customer service is 100000/10. The owner even came to our table & talked to us, gave us tips on when to come in, & his cooking is phenomenal. The pork soup dumplings were the best thing I’ve eaten in a long time. I even went & bought the last order he had left. The Mango Galaxy drink is super yummy too!! I highly recommend this place & my friend & I will definitely be back for another visit 🥰

Review №5

2021-06-16 04:41:47

Friendly staff, clean indoor eating area, amazing dumplings! Very cool place and reasonably priced!Recommend the standard XLB, Bok Choy (with spicy sauce if you like heat), and the Sesame Noodles! Delicious!

Review №6

2023-10-19 07:47:21

After doing a little shopping at the Brea mall (which looked great by the way). We checked out this little dumplings spot. Its located near the DSW and Mothers market on Imperial and Associated. We ordered the mushrooms pork dumplings, the Al pastor (yes), the pulled pork bao, bock choy and green beans with the sauce on the side. Everything was very flavorful. So good. My favorite the Al pastor dumplings. The brothers who own the biz were so sweet and really accommodating. We will be back

Review №7

2022-09-21 06:35:49

Green Beans, Pork & Mushroom Wontons, and Pulled Pork Bai were delicious. Dan Dan Noodle and mango galaxy were excellent. Friendly staff and affordable price.

Review №8

2023-09-13 01:14:21

Everytime I come here it does not disappoint! Delicious food for a good price. They are always so friendly and fast! Great for those nights when I dont want to cook after work

Review №9

2022-03-13 19:15:02

DELICIOUS!!! The earl grey tea really hit the spot! I cant wait to go back and try more dumplimgs. I enjoyed the shrimp and pork on this visit!

Review №10

2023-06-13 21:50:12

What we have here is solid quality food, but a lack of service. When you enter the establishment, you’ll notice a lack of patrons. But don’t let that turn you away. From baos to dumplings, you can’t go wrong with most of the menu items. If you wish to have an enjoyable experience, you should probably make the drive to their Walnut location. Their Walnut location crafts a much more welcoming atmosphere and is actually filled with patrons.

Review №11

2020-12-11 05:57:00

It was my first time coming here. We came for lunch. I placed an order on the phone and the order was ready within 10 minutes. I ordered green beans spicy, the xlb soup dumpling and a pulled pork bao. The green beans were well cooked and the sauce was delicious. There were roasted garlic pieces on top I think that were crunchy. And it could have easily fed two people or more but it was so good I ate it all. I also ate the dumplings and the bao so fast that I didnt get a picture. The soup dumpling was cooked well and the inside was flavorful. I got the sweet soy sauce and The sauce was good. The bao had barbecue sauce pulled pork and it was yummy!!. Definitely cant wait to go back.

Review №12

2023-06-04 01:22:45

A wonderful little restaurant hidden in a busy shopping center. The food is delicious, the prices are reasonable, and the staff are friendly and helpful. The food goes beyond traditional dumplings and infuses different types of food to create a truly diverse menu. Perfect for solo diners and for sharing.

Review №13

2021-11-23 06:25:15

This is a good place for a quick bite. I would recommend the braised chicken rice, the Dan Dan Noodles, and the pork & shrimp dumplings.

Review №14

2023-10-03 03:20:54

This is great food with great prices! We have been looking for a place like this and are so glad we found it. Great service as well. Will definitely be going back soon!

Review №15

2023-05-03 00:34:32

I swear XLB Dumpling Bar staff is the best there is. I went in there for take out because my wife was sick and the guy helped order some tasty things and also recommended so bomb sauces. They gave me my order with a smile and made me feel like I truly mattered. Their food is great, but the people are greater. Thanks guys!

Review №16

2020-11-20 22:18:24

A fusion dumpling place! Surprised by the curry chicken dumpling and cheeseburger bao. And we love they have lot of garlic and green onions topped on rice and noodle dishes!

Review №17

2021-10-30 20:40:39

First time eating at XLB Dumpling Bar and I am pleased that I did. Their Dan Dan Noodles are delicious, spicy, and filling. I will definitely be back for more!

Review №18

2022-12-02 20:19:35

I have been here several times and it used to be a quick stop for good quality dumplings, however this visit was a little different. We had to wait about 30 minutes for two orders of dumplings. The pork siu Mai were fantastic, however, the chicken dumplings were over cooked, very dry inside and the dumpling dough was tough chewy and dry. Overall, still a good spot for dumplings, would be a top contender if they can stay consistent with their dumplings.

Review №19

2023-06-21 03:01:13

Johnny and friend were great! Moms recipes were taken to another level. It was delicious 😋 Highly recommended.

Review №20

2023-04-16 19:27:28

Dumplings were cold and tasted horrible. The Pork soup dumplings had meat that seemed not fresh.The Mexican fusion ones w al pastor were even more horrible. Just a really weird combination of tastes & textures.

Review №21

2020-09-13 20:55:14

Great food and friendly service. Courteous of food sensitivities and allergies 😊 Highly recommend even as a vegan! Theyre new to this location and say theyre going to be adding even more things to their menu as they experiment in the kitchen. I can hardly wait!

Review №22

2023-02-09 04:36:39

Owner is friendly and the food is amazing we drove up from orange county, well worth the trip! Well be coming back. We had the Xiao Long BAO, Dan Dan noodles and sesame noodles, the pizza dumplings were great too.

Review №23

2022-10-09 20:35:47

Easy fast casual dumplings joint. Great place for quick and delicious dumplings, noodles, and vegetables.

Review №24

2022-08-01 04:37:20

They make it on the spot so To-go takes a bit longer than you would expect, but the taste is on point.Four stars because for the price the quantity isnt there. Its 8 dumpling for $10. And the dumplings are very small. I feel like even for a appetizer it is a bit overpriced.The guys that was taking order was super nice though

Review №25

2023-01-26 21:26:10

In love with the Pork Soup Dumplings, way better than Din Tai Fung. This place has great customer service and very clean. Great for family style - affordable. Looking for something refreshing, try yogurt galaxy it’s my favorite.

Review №26

2021-12-29 04:31:07

The Dan Dan noodle and pork and shrimp dumplings were good. I was disappointed that the soup dumplings and braised chicken rice were sold out.

Review №27

2023-01-26 02:08:33

Store is always clean and the service is quick. Employees are always welcoming. I wish there were a bigger variety in the dumplings, but my favorite item is the Dan Dan noodles.

Review №28

2022-10-16 20:37:05

The dumplings were very overpriced for how small they were, the dough was too thick, they weren’t even warm, and they tasted very bland. Getting charged for a really small amount of sauce was such a disappointment as well. I won’t be coming back. The lighting and atmosphere isn’t welcoming either.

Review №29

2022-10-06 15:18:14

Came by after seeing social media posts and had a craving for dumplings - I also had a gift card to use, so it was perfect timing. They have unique flavors on the menu which also drew me in as well.- PARKING -Shares a lot with other businesses, so youll have no issue finding a parking spot.- SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT -The staff was extremely friendly the entire time from start to finish. The cashier let us know we could sit anywhere and order when we were ready. After you order, they bring bowls/utensils and water to your table. Theres not much seating space inside, with maybe only 4 tables and some bar seating stools. It looked like a lot of customers got orders to-go instead.- FOOD -Pork Soup Dumplings (6pc - $8.00): We had to get the OG item and this was truly what I was craving. When they delivered the food, I definitely was disappointed in how they looked. They were small and shriveled up, making me think there would be no soup to be found. I was pleasantly surprised as there actually was /some/ soup, but still nothing compared to other restaurants and how much those dumplings had. Flavor was OK.Shrimp and Pork Shu Mai (7pc - $10.00): Fairly standard Shu Mai, with some pieces having pretty decent sized shrimp chunks. Again, just OK.Pork & Mushroom Wontons (8pc - $8): This was my favorite out of the bunch as it had the most flavor. The filling itself was a nice mixture and the chili oil sauce the wontons sat in was delicious. I do think the wrapper to filling ratio could have been better, but still a tasty item.Dan Dan Noodles ($7.00): Make sure you mix well and as soon as you can after they deliver it to you because the peanut sauce starts to dry up and solidify the noodles together. Pretty good flavor, but definitely different than other Dan Dan Noodles Ive had in the past, so dont go in thinking you know what youre about to eat.Char Siu Bao ($3.50): Would not recommend this. The bao, although fluffy, was way too dense as the filling ratio was off. The Char Siu inside honestly reminded me of those frozen packs of baos you get at the market. It was also pretty flavorless.They also have a variety of sauces you can order, but my favorite was probably the Red Chili Oil. It had a nice kick and tartness - probably Black Vinegar was used in addition to Soy Sauce in this mixture.- OVERALL -The food was just OK for the most part, although I wasnt expecting too much so I wasnt super disappointed. Im glad I received a gift card as I dont think Id feel satisfied paying for what I got. Will be back to at least try the more unique flavors to round off my experience here.

Review №30

2023-01-10 04:20:26

The gentlemen at this place were extremely welcoming and kind. They helped us with recommendations and let us know how long the wait time for food would be. They offered us complimentary drink when they noticed the food was taking a bit longer, even though we had no issues waiting. Will come back again!

Review №31

2022-05-30 16:54:30

This place is good. Ordered the standard pork broth dumplings and cheeseburger bao. You can tell the dumplings were fresh--if not for the sheer fact you can see them make it--but each bite had a bit of broth to add to the flavor. The Cheeseburger Bao was a little basic, but earned points with me for that attempt of innovation and trying something new.Would definitely recommend for those in the area.

Review №32

2022-09-17 22:42:08

The pizza dumplings are out of this world, never did I think there was such a thing as pizza dumplings. Also try out their strawberry milk bobba its also great. Its a little hidden but all great things are hidden and tougher to find. You wont be let down coming here.

Review №33

2021-08-01 00:44:06

Ive eaten here three times. The first time I ate here was probably a month after they first opened. The food was actually pretty good and everything that I got was almost perfect. I was so excited to go back after the experience that I had. The second time though, I came at around 6pm. Let me just say that I have never felt more disappointed at a restaurant like I was. The soup dumpling wrapper was so thick and it was really not a soup dumplings, more like a fat meatball dumpling wrapped with a thick blanket with a bit of juice outside. I was just really disappointed, especially after knowing what the place offered the last time. More than half a year later, I came back to give it one more chance. I saw that their reviews were still looking pretty sweet. I ordered the soup dumplings and sesame noodles. The sesame noodles were pretty good, the noodles were springy and the sesame sauce was good. But the soup dumplings were still pretty disappointing to me. It was almost the same as the second time except there was a little bit more juice. I really wanted to love this place. But I dont think I will be coming back especially with Rowland Heights not too far away. Three stars because of the affordable pricing!

Review №34

2022-07-30 02:59:07

Came here on a Friday night and it was busy but we walked straight up and ordered and had very little wait for dine-in. Lilly was super friendly and helpful. Noods, Dumps and Baos are all delicious, and the fusion options like Pizza Dumplings and Cheeseburger Bao were a huge hit with my kids. Great value and very tasty! Will come back anytime were in town.

Review №35

2023-08-06 04:15:20

Delicious food Great customer service cant wait to come back and try more of the menu.

Review №36

2020-09-15 16:24:54

I was very impressed. The food is great, and all made onsight. The pastor, and pork soup dumplings were amazing, but the cheeseburger bao buns were my favorite. Very courteous staff. Johnny was very helpful. Also they dont accept tips. Ill be back very soon.

Review №37

2022-01-18 06:30:58

Great dumplings! Small shop, small menu and very simple. We loved the creative cheeseburger bao.

Review №38

2021-10-03 02:12:07

I tried the pork and shrimp dumpling, really good. The soup dumpling I didnt care for, the pastor dumplings were really good too. Me and my daughter lived the strawberry milk. The cheeseburger baos were ok. I want to come back to try more though. I would recommend this place. They have different sauces too that were good.

Review №39

2022-10-02 23:37:35

I came in excited to eat dumplings and was soo disappointed. Everything taste bland, the dumplings were tiny, and bao had little filling. We probably are not gonna even finish the food because it was such a let down.

Review №40

2022-11-10 02:10:07

Very solid dumping restaurant. I had the curry chicken dumping. A cheese burger bao abd a taro root milk tea. Dumping were so good. The bao was so so good. The taro milk tea is one of the best taro milk teas iv ever had so far

Review №41

2020-09-07 16:42:39

Was waiting for XLB Dumpling Bar to open this location for so long and its finally open! YAY! Only for takeout and delivery right now, but hopefully we will all get to experience that beautiful dining area!The new Brea location is located in a great plaza with numerous restaurants (mostly fast food/chain) today was their first day of soft opening so they gave away their Soupdumpling shirt to the first 100 customers. Those shirts are so nice! Unfortunately it was a scorching day in Brea well over 100 outside :( there is no shaded area but they set up canopies so no one would be in the sun. They were also handing out cold water bottles which was greatly appreciated and needed.While you wait in line, the first thing you can see is the dumpling room where there are ladies making their soup dumplings by hand. There are social distancing stickers placed in the ground, but it did feel a little cramped waiting inside. They fixed the issue by slowing down on how many orders they took at a time so that everyone wouldnt be waiting close together. Its only their first day so its completely understandable. Everyone was working efficiently and the max we saw someone wait was 30 minutes. Not too bad for grand opening day!What I really love is the dining area! A huge step up from their first location. Much improved seating area. There is a long bar area that really lives up to their name! When everything is back to normal, youll be able to sit there and have a FULL view of the kitchen. You can see the employees interact, steam and boil dumplings, and pack your order. Im excited to see how it will be once dining in will be available. I already know it will be popping whenever that happens. Restrooms are closed at this time to prevent the spread.Ordering was easy as the menu is posted right at the front counter on the plexiglass. It would be nice to have the menu digitally so we can decide while in line though. Hopefully this will be considered in the near future. Same exact menu as their Walnut location! I hope they introduce some more menu items as they settle in. More soup dumpling filling options and more noodle and rice options would provide a much needed variety. Ive already tried everything on the menu so its time for some new stuff!I always appreciate the hospitality of the owners here! They treat you like theyve known you for awhile and they build relationships with their customers. Even with the COVID situation, the service was great as always. We cant wait to see how far they will go and will continue to support!Go check it out if youre in OC or live near Brea! Have a dumpling date with friends at a park and enjoy!

Review №42

2022-09-09 02:46:19

This place is absolutely phenomenal. The soup dumplings are my favorite. Unfortunately they run out of them often. Hope that gets resolved but otherwise this place is terrific.

Review №43

2020-12-10 00:37:19

Best dumplings ever! I travel the country and have tried so many different kinds. These guys make it the best. Super fresh and tasty. They soup dumplings are to die for. I’m so happy I found this spot, whenever I’m in town. I’ll be coming here!!

Review №44

2022-08-09 23:35:27

I stop by here for my occasional craving for dimsum and the food is always amazing. The people who work here are also so nice and welcoming. The dan dan noodles and the pork soup dumplings are my favorite here.

Review №45

2020-10-10 22:01:44

The menu is so simple and easy to navigate for people whove never experienced dumplings.The drinks are really colorful and not too sugary; I tried the Grapefruit Galaxy and Im definitely getting this again next time.If its your first time, Id try their classic pork dumplings. Theyre handmade, and made me really want to try the other flavors next time!If you want to try a fusion of a normal bao, they have Kimchi, Cheeseburger, Pizza, and Pulled Pork flavors! I tried the Cheese burger bao, and next time I want to try the Pizza Bao.

Review №46

2021-06-20 21:22:21

Im always searching for XLB wherever I may travel and I was stoked with finding this dumpling bar..A baby sized dumpling house about the size of the Starbucks next door.Our timing was good as we were able to grab a table. You order with the friendly cashier and they bring it out to you straight from the kitchen. The kitchen is visible and showcased behind glass windows so you know your dumpling are coming out fresh.Pork XLB - The staple dumpling that all dumpling houses are judged on. XLB DB did good. Savory broth inside and fresh ingredients on the dumpling and pork.Shrimp & Pork Dumplings - packed with yummy shrimp and pork. this the dumpling that eats like a meal. Very hearty and tasty.FusionDan Dan Noodles- Absolutely delicious. Perfect noodle to pair with your dumplings.Cheeseburger Bao - This was a very creative east meets west fusion dish. This could have gone astray but this was wonderful! Cheeseyburger stuffed into a bao bun so works and definitely give it a try.Overall I was so pleasantly surprised and had a blast at XLB dumpling house. This is the best casual XLB dumpling house Ive visited so far this year. If Im every in the area, Ill be looking to visit quickly. Enjoy!

Review №47

2022-10-17 20:56:19

Great little place that has absolutely great steam dumplings with with a wide variety of flavors my wife and I will definitely come back authentic steam dumplings just fantastic.

Review №48

2022-03-20 20:55:03

If you want good dumplings go to super juicy dumplings you wont be disappointed. The dumplings here sub par the wrapper was too thick and chewy not delicate. SORRY Just being honest.

Review №49

2023-08-01 22:36:20

I had a chicken dumpling and it’s sticky and not well cooked. Disappointed

Review №50

2023-06-13 18:14:47

One of those places that you come for the food, not the atmosphere. Food is great.

Review №51

2021-10-26 21:10:21

Good enough food but service is meh. Asked for server preference on drinks and got the worst excuse for a mango flavoing Ive ever tasted. They then refused an exchange or refund on the drink.

Review №52

2021-06-11 11:00:15

Great food from a family owned business. Excellent selection of dumplings, Boa, noodles and more. Dont be afraid to try any of them.

Review №53

2022-08-13 00:51:09

Johnny is the absolute best. He was so helpful and accommodating. The food is SO good too. Will definitely be back.

Review №54

2023-01-31 21:57:02

Service was good but food was way over priced and some of the stuff my wife can do better then that. It will be the 1st and last time we ever be there.

Review №55

2022-02-01 22:27:25

Clean friendly fast & tasty. I tried veggie, shrimp & pork. Just delicious. Fresh is always good.

Review №56

2022-03-25 18:15:42

Delicious -- what I wish they also had is BBQ Pork Bau. I also wonder whether beverages are available, as I didnt notice that option.

Review №57

2023-10-02 21:57:33

Amazing food and customer service :)

Review №58

2020-09-19 22:36:27

A must try! Food was extremely delicious and the sauces were all very good. The service was also fantastic! I can’t wait to go back.

Review №59

2023-03-22 21:24:26

Beryl was so friendly and so helpful! Dan Dan and sesame noodle is good!

Review №60

2020-10-06 22:32:41

Amazing dumplings I really liked the Galaxy drink but even better playlist... atmosphere - sunshine was bumping!! Lol

Review №61

2021-08-10 06:40:03

Really good. I highly suggest the Baos and soup dumpling. They have a various sauces but I enjoy the crusoy/fried Chilli flakes.

Review №62

2021-07-24 02:19:35

Good customer service along with good dumplings at a reasonable price. 100% recommend coming here to eat.

Review №63

2022-07-31 03:53:28

THEY CLOSE AT 8:45PM. Delicious dumplings though, just update hours please

Review №64

2023-08-18 18:06:36

A bit pricey but good...

Review №65

2023-04-19 05:01:16

Good food and serviceInside is like a school cafeteria.

Review №66

2022-07-25 20:06:32

Super clean, very reasonable prices!!!Staff is super friendly and I was served so quickly!!! Come try it!

Review №67

2022-11-20 04:22:07

Awesome food. One of my favorites in the area. Must try

Review №68

2021-08-12 19:11:49

Not bad, good food and good service and much reasonable prices compared to other similar places.Can improve on portion size

Review №69

2022-07-21 01:47:08

Really great service and the drink was great

Review №70

2021-11-23 03:43:54

Service is fine, but food is not great. Expect fast-food level cuisine.

Review №71

2022-08-26 23:13:36

The Shanghai dumpling wasn’t warm despite ordering it 10 min back

Review №72

2023-01-17 21:47:27

Just one word to describe the food here and it is... DELICIOUS!

Review №73

2022-04-08 01:15:09

Great food especially the pork and shrimp dumplings

Review №74

2021-09-05 23:53:23

Clean, good food. Shrimp and pork dumpling were good.

Review №75

2021-03-16 21:29:34

This place is bomb for dumplings with a lot of non traditional delicious takes on xlb!!!

Review №76

2020-09-19 20:07:14

Real good and freshly made dumplings in Brea! 😊

Review №77

2021-05-02 04:00:31

Looking for something different.Fresh dumplings and noodles.Yum yum

Review №78

2021-10-26 00:25:51

Wow! Unique and amazing food. Good service too👍

Review №79

2022-04-17 21:54:40

Yummy! Love the soupiness of the xlb soup dumpling

Review №80

2022-03-08 05:17:16

Amazing food n amazing service,highly recommended!

Review №81

2020-09-12 06:17:06

I recommend the spicy Wonton and Sesame Noodle.

Review №82

2022-07-02 02:05:30

Great value and good comfy food

Review №83

2023-03-12 23:12:36

Freshly made and delicious 😋

Review №84

2023-09-08 00:39:09

Food is alright

Review №85

2022-04-16 03:07:31

👍

Review №86

2023-03-11 02:01:38

Amazing hospitality and service 😁

Review №87

2021-09-04 02:39:59

Everything we ate was delicious!

Review №88

2020-10-17 20:19:20

Good dumplings

Review №89

2022-10-16 00:30:47

Not friendly host

Review №90

2022-04-01 21:17:04

Love the food there

Review №91

2022-04-05 00:13:02

Great food.