Little Dumpling King: Big Flavors, Loud Tunes, and Even Bigger Heart!

Not often does it happen that one simply walks into a place and right away feels the vibe of it. Well, that's what happens to just about anybody who steps into Little Dumpling King, a small restaurant situated in the heart of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. This place is so much more than just another restaurant-it's a whirlwind of flavors, a tide of sounds, and a statement of character. It's small, but it does have quite a high kick.

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The minute one walks in, loud music and mouthwatering aromas of food on the stovetop greet him. It is a restaurant that certainly believes in doing things its way, from a savory, more-chili-than-oil crispy chili oil that it makes in-house itself to sprinkling it liberally over everything from dumplings to deep-fried chicken wings to sticky rice. Surprisingly, it does not feel like too much; instead, it contributes this particular signature to every dish - a mark that makes you feel like you have stepped into a place that knows exactly who it is.

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First of all, you notice that the people working here really care. It's a stalwartly personality-filled restaurant, loud music-churner-2000s indie to heavy metal and "sad Midwest emo". Its owner, Rob McIntyre, sporting dark, twinkly eyes and a quirky beard, claims it helps his anxiety. The walls are plastered with posters that speak their minds-like, "The working class strikes back" and "We hate the government." You can tell that they aren't afraid to be themselves.

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When a bunch of troublemakers came through Stoke recently, Little Dumpling King didn't stay silent. They came out onto social media, in defense of their multiethnic community, and made it loud and clear: they don't take on hate. They are proud of who they are and what they represent, and they make sure that everyone feels welcome. The passion and love for the community is one aspect that makes this place special, even before one takes a bite of their food.

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Now, on to the food: The menu reads like a superfan collected every flavor dish from around Asia. More importantly, though, are big, fat pork dumplings that were full-bodied and flavorful, but even better are the haggis dumplings, which sound like an adventurous night in Scotland that just went right. The dumpling skin is see-through, thin and delicately transparent with a peppery filling, just adequately savory. All are topped with crispy chili, sesame seeds, and a sprinkling of green onions for added color and flavor.

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Then, of course, there are the chicken wings, another popular favorite. For four huge pieces at Β£7.75, they come smothered in a thick, crunchy batter that is super tasty. The bits of crispy batter around them remind you of chip shop scraps, providing just that satisfying crunch in every single bite.

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But it's not all about the meat. Little Dumpling King has something for everyone: jackfruit dumplings, mung bean hummus. There's even a rice bowl topped with pumpkin croquettes and hot sauce. For the tofu lovers, there's a bao bun with a thick slice of tofu, battered and deep-fried. It has a nice crunchy layer on the outside, where the inside is soft and creamy. It's topped with gherkin slices, a drizzle of hot sauce adding that perfect kick.

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And then, of course, there are the mussels-which arrive in an enormous bowl, almost velvety in texture and swimming in a light tom yum broth that's bright red and tinged with coconut milk. It's bracingly fresh and invigorating-in a word, it's like being hugged in a bowl. The mussels themselves are so good they require little in the way of fancy dressing up.

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Little Dumpling King also has some unique dishes that show their attention to detail. The priciest dish from the menu is Β£14-the steak tartare. It's perfectly seasoned, topped with a raw egg yolk you mix in yourself, and finished with an appropriate grating of cured egg yolk. The crispy "wonton skin poppadoms" are golden and perfect for scooping up every bit.

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These people at Little Dumpling King are respectful, thoughtful even, of their food, despite the bold flavors that hit with a punch. The dressing on their salmon crudo, for instance, comes in the form of soy and herb oil over tiny pickled garlic buds that pop in the mouth. It's touches like this that let you know they actually care about what they serve.

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Food here is not only mouth-watering, but it is also very reasonably priced, from Β£4 to Β£14, so you can order a lot without having to feel bad. While this team does care about the profit margin, they're more concerned with sharing food love with as many people as possible. And the prices will surely reflect that belief in making good food available to everybody.

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Little Dumpling King is not just a restaurant; it celebrates inclusiveness, flavor, and community all in one. It is also a spot where no one judges you, be it who you are or where you're from. It is a place where the food is as loud and proud as those serving it. So if you ever find your way down to Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, be sure to pop by Little Dumpling King. Just be prepared to fall in love-dumpling by dumpling.

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