All Hail the Dumpling Tsar of Fremont

This was another place stumbled upon by accident and another place that was so tasty I had an uncontrollable urge to go back right away. It almost killed me to wait the 3 days between visits. Pel'Meni Dumpling Tsar is tucked away in a building in an alley close to the Lenin statue in Fremont. It shares space with a tattoo shop and a hot yoga studio bizarrely enough. It's essentially a food stand when it boils down to it complete with an erasable menu.

There are only two food options: beef dumpling or potato dumpling. Really that is all you need when food is done so flavorfully. What makes the dumplings so delightful is the sprinkling of curry, dollop of sour cream, handful of freshly chopped cilantro, and the siracha rice vinegar sauce that goes on for extra punch. I read an online review the other day that said the potato dumplings were bland and that it would be best to avoid this place if you are a vegetarian as a result. As someone who is currently on day 19 of vegetarianism, I can say with all assurance that the person who wrote that is obviously a douche with no sense of taste because even something as simple as a potato wrapped in dumpling pastry made from scratch can have a superb amount of flavor if done right and I believe Pel'Meni is adequately named as the Dumpling Tsar. This food is great for soaking up beer (hence their extended post-bar closing hours) and makes a good lunch to take home from work right before the worst snowstorm Seattle has seen in decades (the dumplings were still warm when I got to Bellevue from Fremont, that's how awesome they are). The token slice of bread that comes with each order (because you didn't consume enough carbs already) make a great vessel for consuming the sauce left in the bottom of the biodegradable container when the dumplings have been successfully consumed. Have a bar of Theo Chocolate (a local fair-trade organic chocolate bar making company with unique flavor combos) and you are all set to get down with your Fremont-loving, hippie/grunge, Seattlite self. Наслаждайтесь!

http://www.pelmenirestaurant.com/