Dumplings, in their myriad forms and styles, are among the planet’s most-loved foods. And Boston, port city that it has always been, is no mere welterweight in the global prizefight of places to partake in the dumpling splendor. Whether it be the Yangzhou-style soup dumpling the size of your hand, or the juicy and flavorful Nepalese momos, dumplings around Boston never disappoint. Head to these 12 restaurants for must-try renditions at restaurants across the city.
Read MoreWhere to Eat Boston’s Best Dumplings
From mini juicy buns to saucy soup dumplings, Boston’s got the goods
District Kitchen
A predecessor to the xiao long bao, the lesser-known but still massively popular Yangzhou-style tang bao (literally translates to “soup dumpling”) has yet to capture the same fanfare in the U.S. But if you’re desperate to try one, head to District Kitchen in Malden, a rare local purveyor of this type of soup dumpling. The restaurant also serves a variety of other interesting (and attractive) dumplings, including cuttlefish, pork, and chive dumplings in a black cuttlefish ink wrapper and lobster, pork, and cucumber dumplings in a red wrapper.
Szechuan's Dumpling
This hidden gem in Arlington is worth a trip. Don’t be misled by its name’s affiliation with Sichuan cuisine — its Chinese name is actually “Drunken Hangzhou,” a city that has a milder flavor preference than that of Sichuan. The menu features a number of homey dishes, including longjing tea shrimp, dongpo rou (red-braised pork belly), and osmanthus rice cakes favored by locals in the city of Hangzhou, where the owners are from. Be sure to go on an empty stomach because their housemade baozi, which are giant steamed buns with juicy minced pork filling, are what some regulars claim to be the best of Boston.
Golden Garden
This establishment brings the flavors of Dongbei, a region consisting of three provinces that make up China’s northeast corner, right to the heart of Malden. It’s a family-run business that started in Belmont in 2010 and moved to Malden in 2017. Come here for the housemade Northern-style dumplings, which offer fillings such as suanicai (Chinese sauerkraut) and sanxian (three umami, typically a mixture of three ingredients which can include shiitake mushroom, shrimp, and carrots), as well as fish dumplings.
Qingdao Garden
Located just north of Davis Square, Qingdao has been the stalwart of homemade Northern Chinese-style dumplings since 2007. This mom-and-pop shop is still run by the Wang family, who named the restaurant after the port city of Qingdao that’s known for crisp beer and hearty dumplings. It started as a tiny restaurant with only four tables but a 2010 expansion allowed for more indoor dining. All dumplings are made from scratch; a number of Chinese-style pan-fried pies filled with leeks and vegetables are offered as well.
Tasty Momo
These Nepalese dumplings are the pride of Magoun Square. Sophie Thakali began making momos for friends but soon found herself opening a restaurant. The spicy momos are a must, but be warned: They are not for the faint of heart.
Dumpling House
The menu at Dumpling House is packed with around a dozen different kinds of dumplings, ranging from the crispy leek pie with shrimp to Shandong-style pan-fried dumplings with pork and leek, but the star of the show is the pork soup dumpling.
Boston Soup Dumplings 烹小鲜
This relatively new addition to Boston’s dumpling scene has already amassed a decent fanbase in Allston, thanks to its quick and casual format and Allston’s large student population. The menu features a variety of dumplings, including xiao long bao, Chengdu-style dumplings in zhong sauce, Sichuan-style wontons in chili oil, and Shanghainese wontons.
Taiwan Cafe
Go to Taiwan Cafe for the savory, saucy, and chewy oyster pancakes; stay for the Taiwan-style pan-fried dumplings. Chinatown is the city’s best food neighborhood, and these are among its best dumplings. The soup dumplings, too, are a must.
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Fuchun Ju
After a brief renovation following Gourmet China House’s abrupt closure, the group behind the high-end spot Jiang Nan on Tremont Street has transformed the space into a bright and modern restaurant with a dumpling-making station, where you can watch skilled staff meticulously and swiftly folding xiao long bao, Shanghainese soup dumpling. It offers an array of classics from Shanghai and its surrounding areas, from red braised lion’s head (meatball) and sweet and sour pork spareribs to scallion noodles and shiitake mushroom chicken stew.
Dumpling Daughter
Dumpling Daughter pays homage to founder Nadia Liu Spellman’s mother, Sally Ling, of the eponymous Sally Ling’s, an upscale Chinese restaurant on Boston’s waterfront from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Dumpling Daughter is casual, though, serving a variety of dumplings, buns, scallion pancake wraps, rice bowls, and more.
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Blossom Bar
Head to Blossom Bar for an excellent cocktail, Chengdu-style dry hot chicken, dan dan noodles, and some irresistible pork dumplings in chile vinaigrette and tingling Sichuan peppercorn oil. This dish is a riff on dumplings in zhong sauce, a beloved Sichuan street food that transforms you to the bustling streets of Chengdu, its capital city.
Ming Seafood Restaurant
Cantonese spot Ming’s Seafood’s enormous dim sum selection is full of gems (don’t miss the crispy shrimp in red rice rolls), including several dumplings. Try the steamed har gow (shrimp dumplings) in cuttlefish wrappers or the Teochew-style dumplings with the crunch of peanut waiting inside. It also has superb lunch and dinner service featuring classic Cantonese fare, including an extensive salt and pepper program.