While the answer to running errands on an empty stomach with time constraints is fast food, more often than not the options just aren’t that appealing. Besides the obvious slice of pizza or hot dog, I usually look for dumplings, which are fast, filling, and inexpensive.
While waiting for an appointment in the East Village I stumbled upon Plump Dumpling, a standard fast food Chinese joint with extra special pride in their dumplings.
There are several types to choose from, steamed meat to seafood to vegetable, and they can be ordered on their own or added to soup, an excellent vehicle to showcase the dumplings’ versatility. The texture is not doughy or too thin. It is just right, with great tasting fillings. A choice of four different types of noodles can be added to the soup creating layered dimension and satisfying slurpiness to the experience.
It is very hard to spend over five dollars here, and though that doesn’t compare to the two dollar slice or wiener, you get what you pay for with a satisfying bowl that will keep you running your errands for the rest of the afternoon.
Plump Dumpling 299 East 11th St (bet. 1st & 2nd Aves.)
