Mandoo, Inc.

[Jason Perlow]

I was recently made aware that there is a Chinese dumpling factory in Englewood which makes frozen dumplings for the various local Asian markets, where you can actually eat them freshly steamed after just coming off the assembly line.

I'm not sure where exactly in Englewood this is, but it is supposed to be in the industrial part of town.

I've had the "Englewood Dumpling" brand before, as I have bought the frozen ones (many varieties) at King Fung Supermarket in River Edge -- they happen to be very good.

Anyone been to this place or can help me figure out where it is?

[ahr]

Perhaps Mandoo, Inc., 75 W. Sheffield Ave., Englewood?

[Jason Perlow]

Possibly, but that technically makes it Korean then. I'll have to check it out.

[markymark]

Possibly, but that technically makes it Korean then. I'll have to check it out.

←

I think that you are definitely talking about Mandoo. Its about 2 minutes from the Van Brundt exit of Rt 4, south of the highway. Follow the Van Brundt exit under Rt 4, proceed to the hot dog truck (if during work hours), make a right and it will be on the right in about 100 yards. I believe that I first heard of the factory in one of the short food sections in the NJ section of the New York Times, but I cannot find the link. They have about 5-6 versions of a dumpling that we usually pan fry at home. Varieties include vegetable, shrimp with broccoli, beef, and kimchee (not that spicy). They are usually cooking one variety at a time, and you can buy a small tray(10-12?) right out of the oven (essentially steamed) for a few bucks, served with a small cup of the dipping sauce. The other way to buy is large bags of frozen dumplings--about 50 to a bag, usually for about $11-12. Definitely buy a small bottle of the dipping sauce--I think about $1.50 and it will last for a while. The clientele appears to be mostly but not exclusively Korean. The dumplings are enjoyed by the whole family, including the kids.

And yes, I think that these are the "Englewood Dumplings" seen in stores.

Edited January 16, 2006 by markymark (log)

[Jason Perlow]

I found this description elsewhere:

http://www.brotherhoodwinery.net/pages/links.asp

Mandoo, Inc. (Manufacturer of Korean Dumplings) - 75 W. Sheffield Ave., Englewood, New Jersey 07631 Tel: 201-568-9337  The owner, Mr. Lee, has been buying Brotherhood wine for years. If you can find this dumpling factory in the maze of industrial park, you can walk in and purchase bags of around 50 handmade dumplings for only $10.50/bag with Ginger Dipping Sauce 8 0z. for $1.50/bottle. Their best-seller is the Vegetable Dumpling. Try the Shrimp Shumai. Open Mon - Sat. 8am - 7pm ... Mandoo has no website and accepts cash only.

[markymark]

Here is the NYT aticle (2003)

There do accept credit cards now.

"Chefs and caterers love them, and prestigious specialty food stores (including Zabar's, Whole Foods, Gourmet Garage and Fairway) carry them. But you don't have to be a food professional to buy Mandoo Inc. dumplings.

Walk through the door of the Mandoo Inc. warehouse tucked in Englewood's industrial area, and you are practically on the manufacturing floor. Here, 15 to 20 employees make up to 30,000 dumplings a day, every one folded by hand.

Part of the fun of buying dumplings here is watching them being made, although you never know what part of the process they will be on when you arrive. You also won't know which flavor is available warm out of the ovens unless you call that day. But you can buy bags of newly frozen dumplings in all flavors.

Mandoo Inc., 75 West Sheffield Avenue, Englewood; (201)568-9337. Open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m."

Moderator note: Excerpted from original 400 word article.

Edited January 24, 2006 by Jason Perlow (log)

[Jason Perlow]

Shit. Scratch that idea.

I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not the only person capable of original thought at the NJ section of the Times.

That must be a pretty stealth factory to be able to escape notice on this site!

[Jason Perlow]

Rachel and I went to Mandoo Inc., today. And the plot regarding "Englewood Dumpling" brand thickens -- as it turns out Mandoo Inc. is not "Englewood Dumpling" brand, according to their owner, Mr. Lee. So now we have to find out where "Englewood Dumpling" is.

Here is the sign on West Sheffield avenue. Mandoo Inc. is definitely on the industrial part of Englewood.

The totally non-descript building housing Mandoo Inc.

Dumpling price list

Kitchen area. Mandoo Inc. cooks a single variety of dumpling per day, which can be eaten right out of the steamer. Today was kimchi dumplings.

Kimchi dumplings with Ginger dipping sauce.

Ginger dipping sauce for sale.

Tteok, or sliced rice cakes. These can be used in soup or sauteed with vegetables and meat as a type of noodles, or used in Ttteokbokki, a spicy dish with red pepper paste and lots of garlic and scallions.

[froggert]

my gf and i keep a few bags of the vegetable dumplings, vegetable buns and red bean buns in the freezer for a quick meal. easiest (and best imo) way to make them is steaming. i prefer the chinese style ones that we used to get in chinatown, but englewood is practically on the way home from work.

i stopped in last week and the building across the parking lot was offering valet parking. not sure what was going on, but it seemed a little strange.