Dumpling Company

★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★

The Dumpling Company, 3a/100 Willis Street, Wellington We’d heard . . . This was a good place for a quick lunch. Talk about understatement.

The vibe . . . is diner-ish. It’s not a spot for long lunches. It’s almost a fast-food joint – food comes quickly and seats are not designed for lounging at. We ordered . . . Dumplings, because why would you even consider anything else when there are dumplings available? Obviously, in Wellington, you are spoiled for choice but my money is always on The Dumpling Company because, for less than $20, you will be stuffed full of some top-drawer nosh.

I ordered the chilli oil dumplings ($9.90), which is your choice of 10 dumplings (they have nine flavours – my favourites are seafood, chicken and coriander and duck), in a spicy hot, clear soup. Simple, nourishing and cheap, this dish is the stuff lunchtime dreams are made of.

One of my companions opted for 10 beef and cumin dumplings ($10) steamed, which comes like a wheel of pastry covered nuggets, with a crunchy rim of dumpling ‘‘crackling’’ and a dollop of fresh slaw in the middle. Our friend tried a Passion Gold ‘‘baoger’’ ($12), like a Vietnamese bao filled with tempura prawns, mayo, pickle and salad. ‘‘Delish.’’

We were in, fed and out again in under 30 minutes, perfect for a workday lunch. Ifyougo... Don’t expect anything too flash, this is a functional dumpling joint, get in, get fed and get out.

Food: If you love dumplings this place is your lunchtime dream come true.

Service: A little mixed, to be honest. But it’s all to the good – this is fast-food, Asia-style.

Coffee: No coffee, but iced and piping hot Jasmine teas are available.