Dough Zone brings Chinese comfort food to Midtown
Midtown has a new infusion of dumplings, buns, dim sum and noodles now that a Washington state-based chain has opened its first Houston restaurant.
Dough Zone, which bills itself as an authentic Chinese comfort-food restaurant, opened Tuesday at 2450 Louisiana in Midtown (the former Ibiza space). It is the first of several locations Dough Zone plans for the Houston area, including 1700 Post Oak in Uptown in January 2024 and 2715 Town Center Blvd. in Sugar
Land in April 2024. The company also is looking for possible expansions in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.
The chain, with locations in Washington, California and Oregon, selected Houston as its first Texas outpost because of its diverse demographics and “strong interest in Chinese cuisine.”
To that end, Dough Zone plans to deliver a strong lineup that includes soup dumplings, steamed and pan-fried pork buns, dumplings (steamed and fried potstickers, steamed dumplings and fried wontons), and noodle bowls and soups. The menu also includes braised pig ear, spicy beef shank, onion pancakes and vegetable dishes.
At 4,500 square feet, the Midtown restaurant will be one of Dough Zone’s largest and will offer patio dining, as well.
Founded in 2014 as a momand-pop venture in Bellevue, Wash., Dough Zone eventually grew to a chain of 16 West Coast locations known for a menu revolving around dough (hence the name). While the restaurant prides itself on authentic flavors, Dough Zone also is known for combining traditional recipes with a modern twist. The menu’s 50 dishes are meant to be shared, mixed and matched.