If I could eat all the dumplings in the world without physically turning into a life-sized dumpling, I would. Perhaps it’s in my Asian blood, but I really do have a thing for dumplings. I grew up making dumplings with my family and our home freezer is always well stocked with them – you know, just in case of a dumpling craving.
From traditional Chinese dumplings to Eastern European varieties, these are some of the best dumpling places in the 852.
Nom Nom Dumpling (餃掂手工餃子雲吞專門店)
Photo credit: siufarb
With a name like Nom Nom Dumpling, this spot offers pretty nom-worthy dumpling choices and nourishing soup bases, using rich, healthy ingredients like arrowroot and spare ribs. While they are known for their traditional dumpling fillings such as pork and leek and pork and matsutake mushroom (with soup: 狀元九鼎湯), they also offer unconventional fillings like in their pan-fried soft-cheese dumplings.
Mongkok: 30 Boundary Street, Prince Edward, 3105 9968
Wanchai: 44 Johnston Road, 2873 6800
Ma Ma’s Dumpling (有得餃)
Photo credit: 852hkfood
As many people already know, Yuen Long is a district littered with lots of good local eats, and Ma Ma’s Dumpling is on that list. You gotta dig into their signature big, crispy, golden ingots with different fillings – a popular filling choice is corn and pork. And if you don’t like them fried, get your dumplings in soup or with noodles. Aside from dumplings, they are well known for their braised pork trotters – yum is right.
53–59 Yau San Street, Yuen Long, 2449 3389
Northern Dumpling Yuan (北方餃子源)
Photo credit: Andrea_C
Since our office move to Wong Chuk Hang, Northern Dumpling Yuan is one of the hole-in-the-wall shops that I miss in Wanchai. I especially love their fried dumplings with pork and leek, which are juice-packed, crispy pockets that I could easily down – many at a time – in one go. And the best part? If you like these bad boys as much as I do, you can buy freshly made dumplings in batches from the shop and cook them in soup in the comfort of your own home. And, psst, they make great hotpot dippers too.
Six branches around town, including 259 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, 2838 8486
Paradise Dynasty (樂天皇朝)
Photo credit: TheMysteryTraveler
Paradise Dynasty is one of my favourite places to get my xiao long bao (soup dumpling) fix. I don’t even look at the menu these days and just order two things off the top of my head: a basket of 10 soup dumplings and a bowl of noodles with pork-and-shrimp dumplings tossed in a spicy, vinegary sauce. Trust me, this order never goes wrong.
Causeway Bay: 6/F, Lee Theatre, 99 Percival Street, 2177 0903
Mongkok: Shop 203–205, 2/F, Grand Tower, 639 Nathan Road, 2177 3456
Tsing Yi: Shop 310B, 3/F, Maritime Square, 33 Tsing King Road, 2177 8777
Shan Dong Little Restaurant
Photo credit: OpenRice
While squid-ink pasta and risotto are commonly known, squid-ink dumplings?! This place is known for their squid-filling dumplings, and you don’t have to worry about staining your teeth while you chomp away on these.
101 Ivy Street, Tai Kok Tsui, 6431 9188
Chao Chao Gyoza (餃餃餃子)
Photo credit: apple8013
Want something pan-fried but not overly oily? Potstickers are probably your thing, and the Japanese do them so well. I love how the gyoza at Chao Chao are so light, moreish and addictive.
Hung Hom: Shop G28, G/F, Pebbles World (Site 3), Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa, 2657 5575
Quarry Bay: 2 Finnie Street, 9661 0201
Wanchai: 31 Amoy Street, 2735 5360
Bafang Yunji 八方雲集
Photo credit: Xuite
Ahh, Ba Fang, a reliable favourite when it comes to satisfying cravings for Taiwanese potstickers. While they also offer noodle sets, I am personally not a fan of their noodles. Just go straight for their potstickers. Like 10 of them at one go. Just. Do. It.
Available at various locations around town
King’s Dumpling
Another place where you can get your fix of Taiwanese potstickers is King’s Dumpling. They also offer other iconic Chinese dishes like soup dumplings and noodle soups.
Shop 404–405, 4/F, The ONE, 100 Nathan Road, TST, 2489 8066
Dacha
It’s been more than a year since I had my first taste of Siberian pelmeni at Dacha, and I still remember the comfort they brought, tossed in a light, herby butter sauce and complemented by sour cream on the side.
38–40 Hollywood Road, Central, 2420 3555
Know of any other good dumpling places in Hong Kong? Drop me a note at yan@afoodieworld.com and my tummy will thank you!
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