Ugly Dumpling - Holmdel, NJ

We had 4 kids and 4 adults and they let us push some tables together to accommodate the group. We were not allowed to use 2 adjacent booths because “corporate” doesn’t allow it. There was hardly anyone there when we got there, so maybe that’s true or maybe they didn’t want to deal with a table of 10 year olds. Ok, fine. We waited for 20 minutes to get our order taken, but food came out relatively quickly. I ordered a Diet Pepsi, and received a regular Pepsi. The waiter lied and said it was diet and when I went to refill, seltzer came out of the Diet Pepsi section of the machine. Not cool lying. I get there was only 1 waiter for the entire place, but still, unacceptable. Corporate needs to do better staffing this place. Food gets blander every time we go. The fried rice was oily and bland, the spring roll was crispy but had no flavor other than the sauce. I had pork and shrimp wonton soup which had very little flavor until I added the spicy oil. My son loves the soup dumplings otherwise we probably wouldn’t have gone there again. So disappointing. Definitely not express if you are dining in - we were there for about 90 minutes. Probably nice and quick for take out but not dine in.

If you need a casual place to grab a quick bite with great aesthetics this is it! The food was great, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting, making it perfect for a stop with friends or a casual dinner.

But what really made our experience stand out was the exceptional service. Chisom, at the front register was absolutely fantastic - sweet, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful dining experience.

I’m 100% coming back as soon as I can!

(I started eating the food before I could get a picture bc I was too excited 😅)

This ugly dumpling location had such great ambience and amazing food. As seen on the photo I got the chicken dumpling combo and it was such a delicious platter. The chicken dumpling was one of the best there. And just the atmosphere and the employees were so professional and friendly. Loved this location and will definitely be going back!

*5/5 stars*

"I'm obsessed with Ugly Dumplings! The moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat. The decor might be quirky, but the real star of the show is the food. The dumplings are TO DIE FOR - each bite is a flavor explosion that will leave you craving more. From classic pork and chive to creative options like truffle and mushroom, every dumpling is a masterpiece. The service is friendly and attentive, and the prices are super reasonable. Don't let the name fool you - Ugly Dumplings is a hidden gem that will become your new favorite spot. Get ready for a dumpling addiction!"

The Boba teas are a must try!

This is a cute place to eat in and not have to stress about your pocket. This is not a formal sit down restaurant, you order up front and they bring you the food to your table when ready.
The service is great.
The food was yummy but I have had better pork buns. Loved the noodles and the dumplings and the orange chicken.
Would come again!