18 Succulent Chinese and Taiwanese Dumplings to Try in Los Angeles – Eater LA Feedzy

Chef Peter Lai’s Cantonese menu is one of LA’s most innovative and his line of dim sum includes tasty siu mai, traditional xiao long bao, and jumbo-sized har gow.

Hui Tou Xiang’s eponymous dumplings are flat-sided potstickers with a perfect sear on both sides. Hui tou roughly translates to “double-take delicious” in Chinese, which is fitting for these irresistible pork-filled parcels.

It’s easy to find Ixlb Dimsum Eats in Hollywood — just look for the massive dumpling mural and floor-to-ceiling windows on Sunset and Bronson. Owner Tony Ying operates this modern, minimal shop where xiao long bao dumplings and dim sum are a must.

Bistro 1968 serves plenty of classic dim sum fare like barbecue buns, spare ribs, rice rolls, and egg tarts. Chef Wong also executes outstanding Cantonese dumplings with modern twists, including spicy minced pork dumplings shaped like miniature pears and golden salted egg scallop dumplings.

Mr Dragon’s ample portion sizes are one reason why it remains a popular spot. The soup dumplings are wonderfully juicy with excellent dough consistency, as are the pan-fried buns. Order the giant iced tea to counter the heat.

In addition to an order Mian’s exceedingly spicy Sichuan-style noodles, add on a serving of the boiled chao shou dumplings. The herby chile oil with a healthy punch of ma la takes the already-solid wontons to the next level.

Zui Xiang Yuan occupies the now-closed Flavor Garden space and in a trend that’s becoming increasingly familiar, also serves some of the former tenant’s specialties including outstanding leek and scrambled egg pockets.

Though best known for its beef rolls, 101 Noodle Express also makes memorable thick-skinned potstickers filled with pork and a piping-hot stock. The dumplings travel and reheat well at home, just be careful of the innards splattering at first bite.

You Kitchen has a dumpling for everyone with 13 different types on its menu including exceptional handmade wontons, pork-and-fennel-filled dumplings, and round pan-fired sheng jian bao.

Be sure to watch Thumbling’s dumpling makers encased in a glass room. The dumplings here are all top-tier, but the pork siu mai, xiao long bao, and pan-fried chicken bun are the best.

Don’t take it personally if staffers are a bit gruff at Huge Tree Pastry. The outstanding Taiwanese breakfasts, pork pan-fried dumplings, and pan-fried leek pies make the trouble worth it.

Though the ramen and noodle soups are excellent at this Monterey Park establishment, it’s the hot oil pork and shrimp dumplings that appear on every table, along with the shrimp and leek variety.

Pine and Crane owner Vivian Ku’s got Silver Lake and Downtown’s dumpling situation locked down. The pan-fried pork buns made with kurobuta pork stand up to anything served in the San Gabriel Valley. As a plus, the Downtown location has a stunning outdoor patio.

Dan Modern Chinese opened its first Pasadena shop in 2018 to serve handmade dumplings like xiao long bao. There are now seven locations dotted throughout the Southland in West LA, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Long Beach, and Woodland Hills.

This Taiwan-based chain wants to take over the fast-casual segment in Los Angeles with locations already in Gardena, Temple City, City of Industry, and Chino Hills. Inside, expect fast-food levels of speed with pan-fried dumplings, kimchi potstickers, and steamed dumplings served with hot and sour soup, tossed sesame noodles, beef noodle soup, and fried pork chop. Take home a bag of frozen potstickers to have on hand for lazy weeknight dinners.

This Taiwanese restaurant makes killer leek-and-pork dumplings in Hacienda Heights. Additional dumpling varieties include pork, shrimp, and leek, and soup dumplings with cabbage and pork.

Garden Grove’s fast-casual spot Crystal Dumplings is a solid Cantonese spot for traditional dim sum dumplings like shu mai and har gow. Reservations are not accepted and the room fills up fast, so plan accordingly.

Though the rainbow soup dumplings look like a social media gimmick, the flavor residing inside these hand-tucked beauties is worth the trek to Paradise Dynasty. The Singapore-based restaurant group is making major inroads in the United States on the back of these dumplings, sporting delicate wrappers and creative fillings, from black truffle and spicy Sichuan with kurobuta pork. The menu extends well beyond dumplings, from terrific beef fried rice to a swoon-worthy radish pastry that’s almost too pretty to eat.