JA Jiaozi Authentic Dumplings

Handmade dumplings and Chinese dishes with big flavor, advertising the freshest ingredients across their menu.

On my hunt to find some real good authentic dumplings, I visited Jiaozi Authentic Dumplings in Irvine, located in the Tustin Jamboree Market Place. The inside is nicely decorated and even includes a view into the kitchen to prove that the dumplings are, in fact, made by hand.

They offer a variety of appetizers, vegetable dishes, meats, and dumplings both for dine in and to go.

Review

Tonight, I got to try

Pan Fried Shrimp Jiaozi
Scallops and Shrimp Steam Jiaozi
Flaming Hot Jiaozi
Stir Fried Garlic Baby Bok Choy
Stir Fried Green Beans with XO Sauce
Beef Mapo Tofu
Honey Black Pepper Beef with Mushroom
Roasted Angus Beef Skewers

My overall opinion is that all of the dishes are quite tasty, but seem to have a touch of Asian American fusion.

The dumplings are all very flavorful, and I appreciate that they offer steamed, pan fried, and boiled dumplings, which will change the texture and flavor of each of them.

The simple dumplings containing shrimp or pork are the best. The stylized ones such as the flaming hot were a novelty that wasn’t that great.

The green beans has great flavor, and a semi firm texture, while the bok Choi was lighter with a white sauce and crunchier as they trim the green leafy party. The mapo tofu had a quite authentic flavor, allowing you to taste a bit of the Sichuan spices and pixiam doubanjiang or similar peppers used to cook it.

The beef dishes were also satisfactory, both offering fatty and flavorful meats. I love the cumin and pepper spices on the beef skewers, and could even go with more for that peak flavor. I was afraid the honey black pepper beef would be too sweet, but it strikes a good savory sweet balance, and the mushrooms were very tasty as well.

From my limited experience, I don’t think that this is wholly authentic, but I did enjoy the dishes I tasted and think that it would be a great place to stop by and grab a bunch of dumplings.