Located at Jalan Kuala Kedah, right beside Black Whale Milk Tea, Xiao Man Dumpling & Noodle 小嫚饺子馆 is a restaurant that specialised in dumplings and noodles. Apart from that, Xiao Man Dumpling & Noodles also serve a wide variety of Taiwan local foods and snacks, such as Taiwanese Egg Rolls, Scallion Pancake, Gua Pao, Hsinchu Fried Rice Vermicelli, Taiwanese Shaved Ice, Milk Tea and so on. With its wide variety of choices, I thought it would be a great spot for me to satisfy my craving for Taiwanese foods at first, however, it disappointed us during our first visit. In spite of that, I decided to try it again so that I can make a more fair food review for its foods.
Back to my first visit, it was the 3rd day after the grand opening (14 March 2021). I arrived there at about 12:30 pm, and after I sat down, the waiter provided me with a menu. What followed by was a “process" of this is out-of-stock, this is also out-of-stock (the whole foods that were on the same page with dumplings was out-of-stock. what's more absurd is that the dumplings restaurant without dumplings. Then I asked, "This store is open at 11 am, but now only 12:30 pm. Sold out so soon?" He replied since today is the 3rd day of the grand opening. Hmmm... fine.
In my opinion, I thought that the restaurant should prepare enough supply before they start operating, especially the newly-opened store, because the first impression is so important. People might not visit again in the future if you made a bad first impression. After went through a long order process, we ordered Soup Noodle with 3 dumplings, Village Mama Braised Pork Rice, Pork Chop Fried Rice, Brown Sugar Grass Jelly Milk Tea, and a free juice comes with the set at last.
Soup Noodles with 3 dumplings (大骨饺子汤面，RM 14.90). As the name suggests, this simple dish came with noodles, 3 pieces of dumplings, and few greens. Although the portion of the noodles was big, it disappointed us. As we thought the broth was rather bland for ours preference. Nonetheless, since I never travel to Taiwan before, so I think maybe Taiwanese love something that tastes light.
Village Mama Braised Pork Rice (卤肉饭，RM9.90)，it was one of the Taiwanese staple foods, so it is a must in the Taiwanese restaurant. The braised pork rice here tasted average. The pork here was evenly fat and lean, with the right amount of saltiness and not greasy. The only thing that can be improved is, it would be even better if Xiao Man adopts the clingy and sticky Japanese Rice instead of the usual white rice.
The last dish we order for our first visit was Pork Chop Fried Rice (排骨炒饭，RM19.90). As compared to the previous dishes, nothing to complain about this. The fried rice was quite good in my opinion. The texture of the rice was well maintained, not mushy and soggy. Every single bite into the rice was robust in the flavor of the egg. Whereas, the pork chop was flavourful and tender.
2nd visit (23 March 2021)
On the 12th day after the grand opening, we decided to visit again. Before we enter the restaurant for the 2nd visit, we asked the staff whether the dumplings are available in advance to avoid disappointment once again. Thank god, fortunately, only the Cabbage Dumplings and Meat Floss Egg Rolls are not available. As compared to my first visit, 2nd visit was considered more pleasant. Most of the food was available, the staffs were more responsive, and the atmosphere was even better... last time was too noisy and the restaurant was hot either.
We started the meal with the Pan-Fried Dumplings (韭菜煎饺，RM7.90) we craving for. We ordered the Pan-Fried Chives Dumplings instead of the soup or dry dumplings. Luckily, it did not disappoint us. The skin was thin and the meat was juicy. Although it was not crispy as Potstickers, it tasted good too and there was some vinegar given to us to compliment these dumplings.
Fried Rice Noodles with 3 Dumpling (新竹炒米粉加3粒水饺，RM 16.90). Albeit this fried rice noodle seems ordinary but in Hsinchu, Taiwan, it's one of its famous local foods. The rice vermicelli was chewy with a decent texture. Taste-wise, the rice vermicelli has a slight taste of soy sauce with the hint of deep-fried shallots.
The Signature Gua Pao (刈包，RM 8.90). The steamed bun was being stuffed with stew pork belly, preserved mustard greens, and some peanut crunch, and sliced in half. The portion of the Signature Gua Pao was rather big in size as well as the pork belly inside, thus I thought it worth the price. While the braised pork belly was evenly fat and lean, hence, it did not make me feel greasy.
Taiwanese Scallion Pancake (台湾葱抓饼) is not forsaken, we'd the one with bacon and egg (RM7.90). The sweet sauce was given as a dip. It was crispy and flakey on the outside, chewy and flavourful on the inside.
Lastly, we'd the Taiwanese Shaved Ice (黑糖刨冰，RM6.90) for the dessert. We first order it with Yam, Yam Paste, and Sweet Potato Balls, but soon after, the staff came to us again and told us the Yam Paste was not available. So we changed it to the Taro Balls. The ice was coarsely shaved, it was somewhat out of our expectation as we were expecting a smoother texture. The sweetness was suited to liking but the ingredients were not meet our expectations, particularly the Yam. I expected it should have a starchy texture but it turned out to a tough texture.
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