Man, am I getting some weird mixed signals on this place.
Nikki Buchanan gave them an awfully nice blurb in Phoenix Mag. I have friends in that part of town who've been very happy with delivery from them. Word online is all over the map. So I figured I'd better see for myself.
It's certainly popular! Busybusy close to close on a Saturday evening. I chose dishes that were pretty much down the middle, to compare to what I've read/heard about them.
Straight-up pan-fried dumplings were probably the best of the bunch. I do love when they turn that cornstarch slurry into a crispy shell. The dumplings themselves were... fine. I'd eat them if they were in the 'hood. (They're not in my 'hood.)
XLB, though, were super disappointing. Lots of soup, but clunky construction with really weak flavor. Heavy ginger on the filling, but no balance.
Yeah, those aren't shengjianbao. The menu lists them in English as "Pan-Fried Pork Buns," which is less specific, but the Chinese characters (生煎包) absolutely identify them as SJB. As basic pork baozi, they're passable. As SJB, they're awful.
Nikki loved the Three Cup Chicken, but man, I am not feeling this at all. Oddly flat and flavorless, right down to the basil.
And I'm totally puzzled by the Steamed Chicken in Chili Sauce. Definitely intended to be kou shui ji — both identified by the Chinese characters on the menu (口水鸡) and... I mean... look at it. But like the Three Cup Chicken, just bizarrely devoid of flavor. No salt, almost zero Sichuan pepper, barely any hint of garlic or scallion or ginger or anything. Texture on the chicken was beautiful, but it sat in flavorless red oil.
What's really weird is that I can't figure out who that last dish is for. It's almost like it's toned down, but people accustomed to Canto-American aren't going to order this dish. And anybody who knows the dish is going to find it dull.
But maybe that's it. The menu is kind of a wild mix of styles. Different regions, different dishes, some Americanized, some esoterica. It's just one visit and I'm really curious to hear about others' experience. But my impression is that Uncle Panda needs to decide what it is and be that.
Uncle Panda Dumpling and Noodle House
unclepandadumplings.com
602-675-3838
5626 W. Bell Road
Glendale, AZ 85308
Uncle Panda - Can Anbody Get a Read?
- Skillet Doux
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Re: Uncle Panda - Can Anbody Get a Read?
I live in the far west valley, and while I haven't eaten there yet- it's far for takeout- the bulk of the Chinese food out here is truly awful, and Uncle Panda has been recc'ed to us a bunch, with several people telling us it's the only edible Chinese place this side of the valley. Having tried most of the rest, I believe it.
- Skillet Doux
- Site Admin
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Sun Sep 03, 2023 5:10 pm
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Contact:
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- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:59 pm
Re: Uncle Panda - Can Anbody Get a Read?
Yes. I have heard they're better during the weekend, but I take that with a grain of salt.