In the FoodEEs series, El Estoque staff members take on different food establishments, reviewing the menu items based on taste, price and authenticity.
Specializing in dim sum and other Chinese cuisine, Dough Zone offers a wide variety of dumplings, wontons, noodles and other traditional delicacies. The restaurant’s selection of dishes at relatively low prices makes it easy to sample multiple plates. With a black and beige motif, metal partitions and ironwood furniture, the restaurant’s modern interior, paired with dim lighting create a sophisticated dining experience. Customers order online by scanning a QR code and enjoy short wait times, which reflects the restaurant’s commitment to quality service.
Pork Boiled Wontons in Chili Sauce ($7.65)
As a special type of dumpling, wontons are characterized by a higher wrapper-to-filling ratio and their signature thin, delicate wrappers. The Pork Boiled Wontons in Chili Sauce at Dough Zone adheres to its name. The delicate wrapper provides a slippery mouthfeel that’s surprisingly enjoyable. Similarly, the pork filling is tender, but not mushy — predominantly savory with just a hint of sweetness to accentuate the flavor. The wontons are drenched with a mild chili sauce and topped with scallion and sesame. The garnishings add a faint earthy aroma but are mostly smothered by the sharp flavor of the chili sauce. Because of the low price point, the unexpectedly small portion size is begrudgingly let off the hook. However, the skewed filling-to-wrapper ratio, even by wonton standards, is simply abominable. As enjoyable as the wrappers are, there can still be too much of a good thing, and the wontons could use some more filling.
RATING: 3/5
Vegetable Steamed Dumplings ($7.30)
The vegetable steamed dumplings at Dough Zone are filled with tofu, glass noodles, carrot and Taiwanese cabbage, and the wrapper creates a strong first impression upon the first bite, feeling delicate and light while still holding together without tearing. This allows the steamed exterior to stay tender and moist even after sitting out a while. The dumplings are also not too dense, allowing one to eat multiple without feeling overloaded. The filling itself is evenly distributed, so each dumpling includes a bit of every vegetable. However, the vegetables are overcooked, losing their crunchiness and causing the individual flavors, such as the subtle earthiness of the tofu and the sweetness of the cabbage and carrot, to blend rather than stand out. On top of this, the filling lacks seasoning, with barely a hint of salt and no soy sauce, making the dumplings taste bland compared to other menu items. Ultimately, while the dumplings offer a pleasant texture and lightness, the overcooked filling and lack of seasoning keep them from standing out.
RATING: 3/5
Green Onion Pancake ($4.15)
The green onion pancake is a thin, savory flatbread with a buttery, flaky texture, making each bite satisfying. The outside has a light crispiness while the inside remains soft, and it arrived hot, adding to the overall experience. Complementing this, the green onion flavor is prominent, adding a fresh, savory quality that you can taste throughout the meal. Its thin, airy feel also makes it an easy snack or appetizer, and at its price point, is a good deal. However, the pancake can be quite greasy to handle, leaving oil on your fingers and resulting in a few bites that are softer than others, leading to an uneven texture. Overall, the green onion pancake is a flavorful and affordable option, though the greasiness and inconsistency in texture prevent it from living up to its fullest.
RATING: 4/5
Banana Crepe with Whipped Cream ($7.95)
The Banana Crepe with Whipped Cream isn’t a crepe in the traditional sense. Known as “飞饼” in Chinese, or roughly translated to “flying pancakes”, there really is no suitable English equivalent of the dessert. In reality, it’s just roasted banana puree sandwiched between thin layers of fried dough. While it’s a simple concept, the combination surprisingly works. The layered dough has a rubbery, chewy texture with a crispy exterior that adds contrast, and the banana puree tucked in between is warm and comforting. Caramelization really brings out the ripe and creamy flavor inherent in bananas, which pairs wonderfully with the airy whipped cream. With that being said, the filling is lacking in sweetness, resulting in the overall taste being rather understated. Altogether, the Banana Crepe at Dough Zone makes for a strange but delightful dessert.
RATING: 3.5/5
With a sleek, cozy atmosphere and solid service, Dough Zone is a must-visit for any food enthusiast looking to try new flavors without committing to a single heavy entree. While some menu items compare better than others and portions lean on the smaller side, the lower prices help justify this, allowing diners to sample a variety and work their way through the loaded menu.
OVERALL RATING: 3.5/5
OVERALL PRICE: $$/$$$
