Mama Lu's Dumpling House

Mama Lu's Dumpling House

700 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

+1 213-617-2323

Dumpling restaurant
(328)
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About This Place

Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles' vibrant Chinatown at 700 N Spring St, Mama Lu's Dumpling House is an indispensable destination for lovers of authentic Chinese cuisine. This bustling dumpling restaurant masterfully weaves traditional flavors with generous portions, offering an immersive dining experience that captures the spirit of homestyle Chinese cooking.

From the moment you sit down, the atmosphere hums with the lively energy of satisfied diners sharing plates and laughter. The dining area is bright and clean, with attentive servers who balance friendly warmth and efficient service, making every visit feel welcoming whether you're ordering in or dining in.

At the core of Mama Lu’s appeal is their exquisite array of dumplings and dim sum classics. The juicy pork dumplings (10 小笼汤包10) are a standout favorite — delicate, thin-skinned parcels bursting with rich, savory juices that greet your palate with a warm embrace. Another must-try is the Shrimp, Napa & Pork Dumplings, which deliver a harmonious blend of seafood sweetness and earthy freshness wrapped in tender dough. For those seeking something crispy, the Fried Pork Buns provide a satisfying crunch followed by a savory pork filling infused with fragrant peanut and sesame oil.

But Mama Lu’s offerings extend far beyond dumplings. Feast on enticing mains like the Lobster E-Fu Noodles, where tender lobster chunks nestle amid silky noodles soaked in a flavorful sauce that bursts with umami depth. The Honey Garlic Pork Chops present a beautifully balanced medley of sweet, garlicky, and savory notes, while the Crab with Dried Scallop & Egg White Fried Rice boasts layers of subtly briny richness elevated by fluffy rice textures.

Vegetable lovers will appreciate dishes like Garlic Baby Bok Choy and the homestyle House Special Tofu that resonate with comforting, authentic flavors. The soups are equally memorable—whether it’s the tangy complexity of the Hot & Sour Soup or the indulgent Wor Wonton Soup packed with shrimp, fish, scallop, squid, and meats, each sip envelops your senses in warmth and satisfaction.

What truly sets Mama Lu’s apart is the unwavering quality and generous portions that encourage communal dining and sharing. Reviewers frequently mention the perfect balance of texture and flavor—from the crisp skin and tender meat of the Half Peking Duck to the bold, layered notes of the Lobster Noodles and perfectly executed potstickers. This is a place where every dish invites you to savor a story steeped in tradition and passion for Chinese culinary artistry.

If you’re in Downtown LA craving genuine Chinese comfort food that's vibrant, authentic, and soulfully satisfying, Mama Lu's Dumpling House is a culinary gem you should not miss. Whether you’re gathering with friends or treating family to a memorable meal, the rich flavors and warm hospitality here promise an experience that delights long after the last bite.

Contact Information:
Address: 700 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: +1 213-617-2323

Service options
Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Comfort food Quick bite Small plates
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Family friendly Groups Locals Tourists
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs
Parking
Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Saturday
    08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Sunday
    08:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Allison Wibowo
    3 week ago

    If you're looking for authentic Chinese food in Chinatown, Mama Lu's is an absolute must-visit. We went all-in, ordering a mix of classics and house specials, and everything was executed perfectly. Our star of the show was definitely the Half Peking Duck. The skin was perfectly crisp, and the meat was incredibly tender. It was served with all the traditional fixings, making for a fun, interactive, and delicious experience. For dim sum, the XLB (Xiao Long Bao) were spot on. The delicate skins held a generous amount of savory pork and, crucially, plenty of rich, hot broth. They require a gentle hand, but are well worth the effort. The vegetable dishes were also wonderful. The Eggplant with Garlic Sauce was smoky, soft, and smothered in a deeply aromatic, savory sauce that had us scraping the plate. It was the perfect counterpoint to the richer items. We also loved the sweet and savory contrast of the Honey Walnut Shrimp. The shrimp were huge, crispy, and coated in a creamy glaze, while the candied walnuts provided a delightful crunch. The Seafood & Tofu in Casserole was comforting and warm, packed with tender seafood pieces and silky tofu in a light, flavorful sauce—the perfect dish for a chilly evening. It was a rainy day, so the Chicken w/ Corn Soup was a classic, thick, and comforting dish I’m glad we got! We finished our meal sweetly with the chewy, delicious Sesame Balls. Overall, Mama Lu's delivers on flavor, portion size, and authenticity. Come hungry, bring friends, and be ready to order a lot—you won't regret it!

  • Deng anker
    2 month ago

    Had a group dinner with friends in Downtown LA and went with the always-reliable Mama Lu’s Dumpling House. This place is perfect for sharing—big portions, solid execution, and it’s really hard to order wrong. What we ordered: • Lobster Noodles with Green Vegetables Firm lobster meat, noodles soaked up all the flavor — the star of the table • Honey Garlic Pork Chops Sweet, savory, garlicky, and addictive • Pan-Fried Seafood Noodles Great wok hei, generous seafood • Fried Tofu with Seaweed Crispy outside, soft inside — a great palate cleanser • Dr. Fish in Black Bean Sauce Rich black bean flavor, very comforting with rice • Har Gow & Siu Mai Classic dim sum, consistently good • Sweet & Sour Chicken Well-balanced sweet and tangy, crowd-friendly

  • Alexis Preciado
    2 month ago

    Mama Lou’s Dumpling House is such a great find in LA! The food is packed with flavor — I had the green beans, green beans with beef, French onion–style beef tenderloin, and the potstickers, and every dish was delicious. The restaurant is super clean, and the service was friendly and quick. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back with friends or family. Highly recommend if you’re craving good Chinese food!

  • Yifan Xiao (Ivan)
    2 month ago

    Mamalu (Yikoufu), a long-established restaurant in LADT, has always been one of my go-to spots back when I was working as a tour guide. I often brought guests here for meals. The portions are generous, and the quality of the noodles and other staples is excellent — dumplings, buns, fried rice, fried noodles, etc. Of course, the stir-fried dishes are also very good, and their lobster E-fu noodle offers outstanding value for money. I highly recommend this place. Today, I chose this restaurant to host a Mexican friend of mine. She was surprised at how delicious the Chinese food here is. She especially enjoyed the string beans, black pepper beef cubes, fried rice, and buns.

  • Monsterlovetoeat
    2 month ago

    Visited with a friend on a rainy day to get some XLB and more. Love their food so much. All the dishes are delicious, big portion to share with. The servers are so friendly and nice. Dining area is clean and bring. The also have a Togo dim sum area for all others order Togo only. Will definitely come back again.

  • Kat B
    2 month ago

    This is My go to Chinese restaurant but my first time in Chinatown becuz i frequent the mpk location and pasadena. I love how they offer dimsum so ofcourse i had to get my go to’s hargow and siomai. Parking is next to the restaurant in the lot! what a bonus esp. in Chinatown. Service is on point and friendly. Lots of tables and perfect spot for celebrating a special occasion of just cuz u wana eat Chinese foods. My go to’s are also the spicy wontons, pan fried noodles is a must and everything was just yummy. Can’t beat mama lu’s portions. Huge portions. See u soon mama lu’s.

  • Windy “Windy Anglomos” Anglomos
    3 month ago

    The roast duck and soup dumplings are amazing super flavorful and authentic. Their dim sum is also great, with lots of variety and everything tastes fresh. The prices are very reasonable, and it’s a perfect place for group gatherings or weekend brunch with friends.

  • chi f cheng
    4 month ago

    Mama Lu’s Dumpling House never disappoints. The food here is always fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked — especially the roasted duck, which are some of the best in the area. It is very juicy and tasty. The pan-fried pork buns are another must-try — crispy on the bottom and juicy inside. I also recommend seafood & tofu in casserole and crab meat & fish maw soap— they hit that perfect balance of texture and taste every single time. Service is quick and efficient even when it’s busy (and it’s always busy — a good sign!). The staff handles the crowd well, and food comes out piping hot. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. Whether you’re coming with friends, family, or just craving comfort food, Mama Lu’s hits the spot every time. Pro tip: Go early or be prepared to wait — but trust me, it’s worth it!

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