Taste This: Shrimp and Chive Potstickers at XJ Dumpling House

Don't worry, EAT99 will return to our regularly scheduled T&T Supermarket exploration programming soon, but there is a local newsflash that demands to be announced today:

These chive and shrimp potstickers with crispy lacing and spinach-juiced dough have landed on the border of Edmonds and Lynnwood, just a few doors down from the QFC on 196th.

(!)

We are now minutes away from the best Chinese "dough food" in the region--buns, dumplings, potstickers and noodles of the most unique variety: purple potstickers filled with pork and scallions; black potstickers filled with squid, pork and chives; red potstickers filled with scallops, zucchini, and eggs, and yellow potstickers filled with chicken, sweet corn, and carrots. 

How did the comparatively ordinary shrimp potstickers come out ahead of this all-star lineup? I'm taking no questions. 

Instead, let's discuss the crispy lacing that provides the most delicate of nests for the thin, smooth dough filled with all things juicy and delicious: it is made by mixing cornstarch and flour, then frying. After tasting these, all non-nested potstickers will have no purpose. That extra light crunch? Extra important. 

Potstickers range in price from $7.99 to $12.99--or you can get the Signature Rainbow selection for $15.99. Why wouldn't you do that?

When a restaurant adds creative twists to dishes we have all had before, like adding pork to scallion pancakes for their Thousand Layer Pancakes ($15.99) or a hint of Indian curry flavor to their Red Chili Wontons ($8.99), it's confusing . . . what dish could possibly be sacrificed next time for the sake of something new? Certainly not their crispy fried pork, shrimp and egg buns (fight traffic to drive to Dumpling World in Everett for these? No longer necessary!)

To conclude today's newsflash, the Sweet & Sour Mix Vegetable Salad ($6.99) must be mentioned: tofu skin, wood ear mushrooms, onions, cilantro and peanuts, tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing. Are you going to miss this? I don't think so. 

Prepare yourselves, because this is only their soft opening period; when their shipment arrives from China, they will have the equipment necessary to expand to the menu of their dreams. Based on everything consumed last night, I'm certainly not going to miss any of it. 

XJ Dumpling House
750 196th St SW
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 245-8746

Open Tuesday--Sunday
11:30 AM -- 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM -- 8:30 PM