Picture yourself in the northeastern town of ShenYang when the night is dark and full of terrors. What do you cook up to get though the long winter and fight off the white walker invasion? Hearty noodles and dumplings.
To those people that believe Gluten Free is the answer to a healthier diet (myself included) keep in mind that the cereal grain 'wheat' has over 30 subspecies and humans have been eating this gluten for over 10,000 years since Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq).
Masons Dumpling Shop started in 2001CE with original founders who opened first store in San Gabriel Valley (SGV in the Los Angles area) they've expanded to Aurora CO win for me and you. Their menu is closely related to 'Din Tai Fung' but mom and pop style.
Dumplings are always crispy good served in person or reheated in a toaster oven. What stands out here are the appetizers, the ingredients are fresh and it's gluten free, vegan free, but not money free.
Parking lot is fairly busy next to liquor store. The evening dining room gets crowded so I recommend take out dinner with the ToastTab app. I love the concept and hope they keep their menu small and focused.
Pork Belly Bun - on Wikipedia 'Red braised pork belly' you can read about the history and how to make the sauce. A Bao 包子 bun is basically a stuffed taco with meat. This one came with spicy chili oil.
Bok Choy, Seaweed salad, wood ear, lotus roots, and smoked tofu are great options for gluten free believers (less than 1% of population actually have celiac disease) alright I'll stop fuming the gluten debate.
Happy families always make JiaoZi 饺子 together during new year celebrations, and they never eat orange chicken, bet!