Shanghai Dumpling Shop in Millbrae

Spicy Dumplings at Shanghai Dumpling Shop in Millbrae.

This past weekend we attended the Santa Cruz Mushroom Festival, which we attend every year. Usually we'll stop and eat someplace in Milpitas on the way home, but we took a different route, north on Highway One, then headed east at Half Moon Bay, which brings one just south of Millbrae on 101.

We've eaten at a few places around Silicon Valley, and were particularly impressed by the one Millbrae Chinese restaurant we chose more or less at random. We more or less did the same thing Sunday night, having heard other people praise the Chinese cuisine scene in Millbrae. Shanghai dumplings sounded great.

Above and below is the Mu Shu Lamb with Pancakes & Hoisin Sauce. Been a long time since I've had Mu Shu, and never with lamb, and nowhere close to as good as this, though to be honest it's just stir-fried vegetables and lamb, but cooked to perfection. Cabbage, carrots, scallions and wood ear mushrooms. Everything fresh to begin with, still very crunchy with a nice char on them.

Four pancakes really isn't enough. Hoisin sauce was likely made in-house, and gotta say, nothing we got here was overly salted--the spice and seasoning was perfectly balanced.

Here you can see my Mu Shu Lamb "burrito" (I'm sure someone's tried calling it that).

Here's those Spicy Dumplings again, and they were oh-so heavenly. Pork and chives and a bit of stock inside, the sauce was chile and/or chile oil mixed with Chinese Sesame sauce, and thinly sliced scallions and sesame seeds as garnish. The texture of the dumplings was spot on. The dumplings here are as good as the best I've ever had. Can't wait to return. They've got to be made in-house.

Here's a dumpling with one bite, so you can see the contents. 

Here's our selection from the "Shanghai Style Braise" part of the menu: Braised Pork Rump. Essentially pork rump cooked low and slow until tender, with a sauce imbued with Chinese Five Spice, and ringed around with Baby Bok Choy. We've had this Classic Chinese dish at several restaurants, and while I consider the version at China Village in Albany to be the best I've had the delight of trying, this one is a close second. You can definitely taste the Star Anise, Cloves, Cinnamon, Sichuan Pepper & Fennel Seeds, but not quite as keenly and intense as what they serve at China Village. 

But look at that unctuous mass of pork!

We ate as much as we could, & I've been pigging out on the leftovers at lunch for the last couple of days (and I'll maybe finish it tomorrow). Something about all that pork fat essentially seals in the flavors like pork confit. 

Shanghai Dumpling Shop

455 Broadway

Millbrae, CA 94030

650-697-0682