Recently, I went to Side Wok Cafe located at 1087 Broad Ripple Ave. First and foremost, I always appreciate a good pun, so the name of the restaurant already had me hopeful. The reason I went was because I have my favorite Chinese place back home, but my friends and I decided we needed to try some local places and see if we can find a new favorite for when we’re on campus.
The atmosphere inside is very quiet due to COVID restrictions. However, I did appreciate the warm decorations and red paintings on the wall.
I ordered steamed pork dumplings and wonton soup, as well as fried rice. The steamed pork dumplings were some of the best dumplings I have ever had, but the dipping sauce is what made them so good. I don’t know what it was. It tasted like a better version of soy sauce. Whatever it was, I have been thinking about it ever since.
Then there was the wonton soup. Granted, when we went it was eighty degrees outside so soup might seem like an odd choice. However, if you’re ever sick with a sinus infection like I was, this soup’s broth made my throat feel like I haven’t been coughing for two weeks straight. The wontons were also good, but after the dumplings dipped in that incredible sauce, it was hard to be as excited about them.
Lastly was the fried rice. After the soup and dumplings, I wasn’t feeling very hungry anymore so I didn’t eat much, but it was definitely the most underwhelming item I tried. Maybe with soy sauce it would’ve been better, but not the best fried rice I’ve ever had.
Overall, I give it a solid 8/10. I would go back and I do recommend the steamed pork dumplings (you get eight for $6.55!).