Northern Style Chinese Dumpling House
Located in DTLA, Northern Cafe is a Northern-style Chinese Dumpling House where you can experience both luxury and casual charm. As soon as you enter the store, the large circular bar in the center catches your eye, adding to the upscale atmosphere, and the spacious hall with various seating arrangements makes it suitable for gatherings or dining. It is especially known for its authentic Northern Chinese dumplings and a variety of dishes, consistently loved for their generous portions and rich flavors.
Since it was our first visit, we decided to order a variety of dishes. Starting with Cucumber Salad, Sauteed String Beans, and Orange Chicken, we chose Pork Wontons in Spicy Sauce, Pork Soup Dumplings, and Steamed Shrimp Dumplings for the dumplings. Among the various noodle dishes, we selected Dan Dan Noodle, and paired our meal with Pineapple & Coconut Smoothie and Lychee Bliss Sangria.
The Cucumber Salad had a crunchy texture with a tangy dressing that refreshed the palate. It was light yet clean, making it a great starter to accompany the other dishes. The Sauteed String Beans were salty and stir-fried to perfection, maintaining a tender texture. The subtle garlic flavor made it a dish you couldn’t resist going back for. The Orange Chicken featured crispy skin and moist chicken, perfectly complemented by a sweet sauce. The sauce was not overpowering, making it an easy appetizer to enjoy before the meal.
The Pork Wontons in Spicy Sauce had a thin skin filled with a hearty filling, harmonizing beautifully with the spicy sauce for a deep flavor. The spiciness was mild, providing just the right amount of kick to stimulate the appetite. The Pork Soup Dumplings released warm juices when you slightly burst the skin, filling your mouth with flavor. They had a light yet rich taste that kept the chopsticks reaching for more. The Steamed Shrimp Dumplings were packed with plump shrimp, offering a chewy and refreshing bite with every mouthful. It was a flavor that anyone could enjoy, and among the three dumpling dishes, it was particularly impressive and the most delicious.
The Dan Dan Noodle was rich with a savory peanut sauce and a hint of spiciness that was evident from the first bite. The chewy noodles absorbed the sauce well, making it a satisfying dish, and if you love peanuts, this is a must-try. The Pineapple & Coconut Smoothie was served in a cute pineapple-shaped glass, instantly conveying a sense of refreshment. Its sweet and smooth texture was appealing, and the combination of the pineapple’s tartness and the coconut’s richness paired well with the dumplings. The Lychee Bliss Sangria was a cocktail that combined the sweet and subtle aroma of lychee with the refreshing taste of pineapple, making it light and enjoyable. The smooth flavor of the wine and the fruity notes blended harmoniously, making it a great accompaniment to the meal or a delightful drink on its own.
Northern Cafe (DTLA)
From a variety of appetizers to juicy dumplings and hearty noodle dishes, as well as refreshing drinks and cocktails, this visit was an experience where I could enjoy a range of Northern Chinese cuisine all in one place. I was able to dine leisurely in a spacious and luxurious atmosphere, and each menu item harmoniously complemented the others, resulting in high satisfaction. If you want to enjoy a hearty meal with authentic dumplings, how about stopping by Northern Cafe?
