Pel'meni - Bellingham

It's a dark, rainy bellingham night and I can't remember the last time I was here, but it's over ten and I want something warm and cheap. I push the door, my glasses are nebulized in my mask, and I run with the wipe of the raindrop – totally blind. a friendly voice greets me and pushes me forward. I laugh and say I can't see. “That’s in order! it’s always the same! no menu is necessary!” says the friendly voice and I laugh. “Please, a kartoffel,” I say. “You have it! $8. sour cream?” “Yes, please!” “One, two, three?” “Only one please!” that eat is hot, tasty, cheap, comfort, and tastes like lazy nights in college, when the streets were filled and the pandemic could not yet dream. this place is perfect and truly authentic for itself – from the always sweet coworkers and beloved record players to the cheap conned softdrinks and simple dining options, “bef or potato”. Pel’meni is good for the soul and I hope it never changes. Masks required, sitting in the interior, and the selection of badges.

I visited this restaurant juniau, ak and it was one of my most popular restaurants. this branch has also all the same elements, namely record player, unique selective music, super short menu, cheap, filling, various types of drinks, open late and above all, same recipe! Now there's another reason to drive here!

I've been coming here for years. Amazing place and a staple of downtown Bellingham. Their dumplings used to be $7 up until recently, now they are $9 per order. I don't necessarily mind paying a little extra, but their portion sizes have always been the most inconsistent I have ever seen at any restaurant. Sometimes you'll get a ton, and sometimes you'll get less than half that. When they used to cost $7, it was a fine enough price point to accept that, and sometimes, it came out to a great deal. But now that they charge $10+ after tip, it's pretty disappointing to get a half serving and pay more for it. I feel their portions have gotten smaller over time as well despite increased price. Hard to stop going completely, but I am definitely less likely to stop in when passing by. Genuinely disappointed when I go sometimes now.

After reading reviews I was very excited to visit this place. But was very disappointed after I been served the food. Their pel'meni have nothing to do with traditional Russian pel'meni. They served them with either meat or potato. I could taste potatoes, but... there was no meat at all. It's just basically plain dough. And very small. And this place not even run by Russian people.

Price went up and portions went waaaayyyy down. there were 13 tiny not hot dumplings and a piece of bread not larger than 1 x 2 for $9. that's 70¢ per dumpling smaller than the size of a nickel. it's hot or miss here and lately it's been a lot more miss. no portion or quality control that I can observe.