Is there any better way to carb load than by scarfing down an order of dumplings. We've gathered together a list of London's best dumplings, from dim sum favourites to hearty Eastern European options.
Dumplings' Legend
Chinatown - 15-16 Gerrard St, London W1D 6JE
Before Din Tai Fung burst onto the London scene, there was this Chinatown staple and it still turns out exemplary xiao long bao - if a little less delicate than DTF. This remains one of our favourite restaurants in London.
Dumpling Shack
Spitalfields, South Quay
The fried shengjianbaos from Dumpling Shack are just fabulous - filled with pork and leek, these soup dumplings are a sturdier cousin of the xiao long bao and every bit as good. Ultimately, you're going to want everything on the menu here.
Photo by @ks_ate_here
BaoziInn
Soho, London Bridge
This Northern Chinese restaurant burst onto Instagram with their colourful dumplings which taste every bit as good as they look. Personal favourites were the ruby prawn dumplings in beetroot pastry
Din Tai Fung
Covent Garden, Selfridges, Centre Point
Since opening their first London restaurant in Covent Garden, Din Tai Fung have sold over 1.1 million Xiao Long Bao. And there's a reason for that; they've refined their dumpling production line so perfectly you always know you're going to get great xiao long bao here, their signature dish (which you can always see them creating).
House of Momo
Dalston - 52 Boleyn Rd, London N16 8JP
As the name suggests, this Dalston spot prides itself on its Himalayan momo dumplings. They come steamed or fried and while there are loads of options, the house favourite are the jhol momo which come in a bowl of curry sauce.
My Neighbours The Dumplings
Hackney and Victoria Park
This family-run dumpling and sake house prides itself on the freshness of its house-made dumplings, and there are always a few interesting specials to look out for. But the classic, always-on Prawn Har Gau are just plump and gorgeous and unmissable.
More about My Neighbours The Dumplings
Ugly Dumpling
Carnaby and Fitzrovia
Ugly Dumpling combines Western ingredients with Asian recipes. So while you'll see more traditional dumplings like pork belly or aromatic duck, you'll also find cheeseburger dumplings as well as halloumi & courgette. They even have dessert dumplings which include pecan pie and Nutella.
BAO
Marylebone - 56 James St, London W1U 1HF
Some of the BAO restaurants in London have a specific focus (alongside the BAO buns) and their Marylebone outpost is all about dumplings. Here you'll find prawn dumplings in egg drop soup alongside Pan-fried mushroom Guo Tie dumplings. And if you go into any BAO, they should have boiled cull yaw dumplings on the menu.
Ognisko
South Kensington - 55 Exhibition Rd, London SW7 2PG
Comfort food specialists Ognisko have all manner of Polish dumplings on their menu in South Kensington from the Kopytha dumplings in their soup to cheese, potato and onion pierogi. But for us, the must-have ones are the veal and pork pelmeni, served with sour cream.
A Wong
Victoria - 70 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1DE
One of the best reasons to clear your diary and go for a long lunch is the daytime dim sum menu at Andrew Wong's two-Michelin-starred restaurant. The clear shrimp dumplings with sweet chilli sauce and topped with a rice vinegar cloud are amazing and come in a platter along with sui mai with pork crackling.
Photo by John Carey
Bala Baya
Southwark - Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union St, London SE1 0LR
The kebab dumplings at Bala Baya aren’t always on the menu, but when they are you should hightail it down here to order them. Featuring braised lamb and shawarma spices they’re served with pine nuts and garlic yoghurt with fresh spring onion and a rich dates jus.
Bob Bob Ricard
Soho, City of London
Dumplings may have begun as peasant fare but they’ve had a luxe makeover at Bob Bob Ricard where the Truffle, Potato and Mushroom Vareniki is the dish to go for. These Russian dumplings are garnished with crispy shallots and served with forest mushroom velouté.
Hakkasan
Fitzrovia - 8 Hanway Pl, London W1T 1HD
Head to Hakkasan's original Hanway Place restaurant for a high-end dumpling treat. Order the Shou tasting menu where the dumpling course goes big on luxury ingredients - including langoustine har gau with Prunier caviar, sea bass jade dumpling and wild mushroom with black truffle.
Imperial Treasure
St. James - 9-10 Waterloo Pl, London SW1Y 4BE
Best known for their very highly rated Peking duck, this high-end Chinese restaurant also does a mean line in dim sum. Available for lunch every day, highlights are their Seafood Dumpling Consommé with Dried Scallop and Bamboo Pith while the Shanghai soup dumplings are made with Iberico pork.
Kipferl
Islington - 20 Camden Passage, London N1 8ED
It'd be a pretty poor affair if you couldn't find good dumplings on an Austrian menu. Thankfully Kipferl on Islington's Camden Passage has a variety of dumplings on offer from their spinatknodel - spinach dumplings with organic mountain cheese and brown butter, to their kaspressknodel, fried savoury cheese dumplings with a sour cream dip.
Ogam
Islington - 10 Chapel Market, London N1 9EZ
If it's Korean dumplings and Soju shots you’re after, then Ogam on Chapel Market is the place to go. And what better bar food to line your stomach with than their deep-fried dumplings? Here, they include vegetable, pork & kimchi and shrimp.
Yauatcha
Soho and Broadgate
This Cantonese tea and dumpling house has two branches - the original in Soho, and the larger spot in Broadgate in the City. All the dumplings are very good, but the veggie options are worth seeking out, particularly the edamame and truffle dumplings.
Pearl Liang
8 Sheldon Square, London W2 6EZ
If you're looking for vegetarian dumpling options, then Pearl Liang's daytime dim sum menu has a pretty decent selection, the best of which is their monk's vegetable dumpling with a hefty mushroom umami hit.
Rainbo
Boxpark Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Hackney
One of London’s early street food successes, this husband and wife team have been serving up homemade gyoza since 2012. The range includes a variety of vegan and veggie options, but our favourite’s probably the pork and Chinese chive. They also do nationwide delivery of frozen gyoza (which you can find in London shops too).
Royal China
Baker Street, Queensway, Canary Wharf, Harrow, Fulham
We couldn't very well do a London guide to dumplings without including the group which feeds dim sum to thousands of Londoners every day. But if you are trying to work out what to have, we'd say start with the Fried Yam Paste Meat Dumplings.
Shikumen
Shepherds Bush - 58 Shepherd’s Bush Green, London W12 8QE
Any Chinese restaurant that got Fay Maschler to describe their xiao long bao as 'superb' has to be doing something right. So obviously go for their rainbow-coloured soup dumplings while you work out what else you want.
Silk Road
Camberwell - 49 Camberwell Church St, London SE5 8TR
This popular Camberwell spot focuses on Xinjiang cuisine. Go for a meaty double pairing, starting with their popular lamb skewers and following with beef and onion grilled dumplings.
Titu
1A Shepherd St, Mayfair, London W1J 7HJ
This dinky gyoza bar on Shepherd Market is serving up exemplary fried dumplings. As it's Mayfair you might as well plump for the chicken and foie gras option.
Xi Home
Covent Garden, Colindale
Xi Home specialises in North-Eastern Chinese dumplings at both their kiosk in the huge North London food market Bang Bang Oriental and the Covent Garden restaurant. Our favourite? The classic pork and chive.
Xi'an Impression
117 Benwell Rd, London N7 7BW
Best known for their biang biang noodles, this unassuming spot opposite the Emirates stadium also turns out excellent open-ended potsticker dumplings. Our tip - go for the chicken and mushroom option.
Also see
Mimi Mei Fair (Mayfair) - Samyukta Nair's 1920s Shanghai-style restaurant features Xiao long jewels - a rainbow-hued selection of dumplings
Dim Sum Terrace (Knightsbridge) - Harrods' take on a dumpling house. Yes, there are lobster dumplings.
Bun House (Soho) - Mainly about buns, you can also get plenty of dumplings here too.
Mangal II (Dalston) - This excellent restaurant often has dumplings on the menu - mushroom manti at the time of writing.
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