In the thick of 4 p.m. sunsets and dreary evenings, it’s hard to imagine a dinner more consoling than that which can be found at 113 Brighton Ave. While the name may be straightforward, the unassuming storefront of Boston Soup Dumplings purveys some of the best xiaolongbao in Boston.

For three years, this restaurant in the heart of Allston has been serving authentic Chinese comfort food for pick-up, dine-in, and delivery. Despite the speedy service and unanimously delicious dishes, the establishment often finds itself lacking physical guests when compared with its better-known competitors. Make no mistake: This metric underestimates its quality. Boston Soup Dumplings is a staple for local Chinese Americans and Allston residents alike — one that deserves far more love and attention from the greater Boston area.

Speaking with The Crimson on-site at the restaurant, new customers raved.

“Truly amazing dumplings. I usually go to a place in Chinatown, but this was honestly very convenient. Great flavor, great for the price,” Braydon Walorz, a resident of Allston, said during his first visit.

“I usually prefer pan fried, but these were so good,” added his friend, Seth Hagan.

And they’re not wrong. The namesake soup dumplings from this local haunt are bursting with a warming broth and tender pork — the spectacular sort of thing a mother might make for a sick child.

The delivery apps provide a better indication of the restaurant’s deserved acclaim than their in-person numbers — a carousel of drivers and the rhythmic ping of order notifications are key contributors to the ambiance of the restaurant come evening time. Although, what keeps take-out and dine-in customers returning again and again is its cozy preservation of the local “Chinese takeout joint” vibe.

Once so prevalent in America it became a trope in popular media, this epitome of consistency and convenience seems like a dying breed in an industry dominated by ghost kitchens and “leave-at-the-door-instructions” — a system in which one need never see the hands of another touch their food.

Despite the cellophane-wrapped chopsticks, picking up takeout from Boston Soup Dumplings feels like enjoying a meal served from a home kitchen — an experience refreshingly void of app interfaces and frozen food. Obviously, the owners know how to play the modern culinary game, too, but this fact feels ancillary to the integrity of their cuisine and their community focus.

Phanuwat Plangngan, who has worked as a waiter at Boston Soup Dumplings for the past two years, initially discovered the location just a 5- to 10- minute walk from his house. Plangngan said,“the customers are really nice” — most of which, according to him, are Chinese clients seeking a taste of home in Boston.

While its rice bowl dishes and Americanized scallion pancakes demonstrate evidence of Western influence, this hidden gem provides an accessible entry point for Bostonians looking to try out genuine Chinese dishes alongside their familiar, tried-and-true, takeout classics.

Vic Hu, a Chinese American and regular customer, confirmed the authenticity of the restaurant.

“If you’re looking for authentic Chinese spices, Boston Soup Dumplings definitely won’t fail you. The appetizers are authentic and classic Chinese staples,” Hu said.

So, too, are the desserts. “Sesame glutinous rice balls are a staple in China, and the ice jelly is also very popular in China,” said Hu.

I discovered Boston Soup Dumplings on a lark, when a friend suggested that we try out a new place around the corner, and I fell in love. For those seeking perfect soup dumplings and a sincere testament to Chinese cooking, or conversely looking to expand their gastronomic horizons without straying far from a familiar context, Boston Soup Dumplings is without match.

—In her column “Local Appetite,” Kate E. Ravenscroft ’26 explores locally owned foot haunts which defend the charm of an older Boston and Cambridge, in the face of rampant commercialism. She can be reached at kate.ravenscroft@thecrimson.com.