Dumpling News

Chinese restaurant to pull noodles and dumplings in Highland Village

Dragon House dumplings

Dragon House

A Chinese restaurant known for its steamed dumplings and hand-pulled noodles is coming to Highland Village: Called Dragon House, it will open in the former Snuffer’s space in The Shops at Highland Village at 4050 Barton Creek, next door to the AMC theater.

This is the second location of a restaurant that started out in Southlake. According to a spokesperson, it'll open in October.

It'll have some of the staples from the Southlake location, including soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and fried rice, but with additional entrees as well as a greater selection of drinks and desserts.

“Of course, we remain dedicated to serving the diverse and flavorful Chinese cuisine that has made us a local favorite,” the spokesperson says.

Dragon House debuted at 2640 E. Southlake Blvd. in Wyndham Plaza in 2019, quickly drawing a following, particularly for its steamed dumplings, pan fried pork buns with a crispy brown underside coated with sesame seeds, and pork wontons in chili sauce. Their noodle operation is led by "Chef Dodo," an affable emigre who previously cooked for the Chinese embassy.

They also offer Chinese classics, such as orange chicken, General Tso's chicken, scallion beef, and lo mein noodles, plus beer and wine.

The restaurant has had an interesting history: After it opened, its original owner was arrested in a prostitution sting. The manager and employees took over, reopening the restaurant after it closed briefly amid the events.

In July, the restaurant was taken over by JJ Food & Beverage, a hospitality group who are expanding the concept. Following the opening in Highland Village, they're opening a location in Dallas as well, exact address still TBA.

The atmosphere at Highland Village will be more elevated with an upgraded interior design and a more welcoming ambiance. It won’t be without live noodle pulling by hand demonstrations, either. A glimpse inside the new restaurant, as seen in a rendering, shows low-hanging lights, a private dining room with a sliding door for added privacy, and a full bar.

Fried Chicken News

Chicago restaurant debuts its fried chicken and boba tea in Frisco

Chi Tea

Chi Tea burgers and chicken sandwiches.

A new restaurant serving boba tea and fried chicken just opened in Frisco: Called Chi Tea, it's a chain from Chicago that opened its first location in Texas at 4760 Preston Rd. #228, in a former Bonchon Korean in Frisco Village.

According to a release, It opened November 1.

The concept was founded in Chicago in 2020 by brothers Zak Ayyubi, Aman Siddiqui, and friend Abdurahman Sharif, with an unusual goal to pair fried chicken sandwiches, fries, and bubble tea drinks. They've since opened two more locations in Illinois; Frisco is the fourth and the first outside the state.

The name is a little misleading, as it implies it's a beverage place, but there's equal emphasis on the sandwiches and fries. They also tout their welcoming vibe, encouraging customers to eat, drink, and linger.

Their menu features three sandwiches — Nashville hot fried chicken sandwich, a grilled chicken, and a burger with grilled onions, jalapenos, pickles, cheese, and Chi-sauce — which can also be ordered in a smaller slider size.

There are also fries, loaded fries, popcorn chicken, chicken tenders, and mac & cheese, which can be customized with bacon, beef, fries, and other toppings.

Prices typically range from $5 for a single Chi Tea Classic slider to $13 for four-piece chicken tenders.

Boba drinks are entirely customizable, starting with choice of blended smoothie or over ice, with choice of flavor ranging from pineapple to brown sugar milk tea to horchata; and toppings, like popping pearls or cream cheese foam. A regular starts at $5 and a large starts at $6.

Notably, Chi Tea was among the restaurants selected in the recent Spongebob Krabby Patty promotion during October that took place in 12 cities across North America, included a dozen restaurants in Dallas.

"We are very excited to finally bring a taste of Chicago to the Greater Dallas area," says Ayyubi in a release. "This move has been very promising and we cannot wait for the community to welcome us and for us to serve this beautiful city."

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