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Pan-fried, soup-filled, or chile oil-doused pouches to try
by Vinciane Ngomsi and Aparna Krishnamoorthy Updated
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by Vinciane Ngomsi and Aparna Krishnamoorthy Updated
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Is there anything more comforting than a dumpling? Plenty of restaurants across the city offer little parcels of dough with warm fillings that represent Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Nepalese, Russian, and Afghan cuisines in pan-fried, steamed, soup-filled, and meat-stuffed varieties. D.C.’s dumpling game just got a boost with the 14th Street NW arrival of Soupy Dumpling & Fancy Cuppa Bubble Tea in the old Pig space.
This map runs through 17 reliable dumpling destinations.
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Dumplings are a whole section of the menu, and there are plenty of options to pick from at this no frills Rockville joint. Diverse fillings range from pork and chive, fish and cilantro, squash and pork, and vegetarian options. Regulars proclaim that anything labeled “mama” is a sure bet, and fried dumplings are better than steamed here.
Tucked away in a shopping center in Rockville, this popular dim sum restaurant serves pan-fried pork dumplings and a steamed vegetable version. An additional location sits in Annandale, Virginia.
There’s a lot of things to love at Peter Chang’s modern Sichuan flagship in Bethesda. Try vegetable or pork dumplings (steamed or fried), a chicken soup dumpling, or spicy wontons.
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At this Afghan restaurant in the Palisades, leek and scallion aushak are steamed and topped with beef and lentil sauce, mint, and yogurt puree. There’s also a steamed pumpkin dumpling that comes with a choice of yogurt garlic sauce or minced beef.
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At this Afghan bistro, you can find traditional mantoo steamed dumplings with ground beef that are topped with a split pea and tomato sauce, or the aushak dumplings stuffed with leeks and topped with beef. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, too.
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This is the place for Nepalese momos. Meat options include minced buffalo, goat, or chicken. A vegetarian version comes with carrot and cabbage. Try the Jhol momo with a choice of vegetable, chicken, or pork dumpling that are steamed and dipped into a stewed sauce.
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The mandu, pan-fried pork and kimchi dumplings, are a signature dish at this Korean hitmaker in Dupont. They’re available on their dining menu and also on the late-night bar menu on the first floor. The owners’ other spots, Mandu and Chiko, are great for dumplings, too.
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The sibling bar to Copy Cat on H Street NE sells Sichuan wontons, little packages of pork in a tender and slippery dumpling topped with chile oil, cilantro, and scallions. The kitchen stays open late for last call dumpling cravings.
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The “humble plate of chili wontons” at this Blagden Alley hot spot are stuffed with chicken and shrimp, then doused in hot chile oil.
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Chicken gyoza with chile oil are a great way to start the meal at this chicken-centric ramen restaurant.
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Try the manti, steamed Uzbek dumplings that are stuffed with diced, seasoned lamb, onions, and spices, then served with yogurt and a tomato sauce. There are also ground beef pelmeni. An additional Virginia location sits in Alexandria.
Chef Erik Bruner-Yang’s hip Southeast Asian cafe on H Street NE is long known for its best-selling crystal shrimp dumplings. Other options include ginger chicken soup or crispy gruyere dumplings.
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A great place to dine before a concert or Wizards or Capitals game at Capital One arena, Bar Chinois boasts a happy hour that lets you fuel up on dumplings in the form of soup or wontons starting at $10.
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Peter Chang’s D.C. spot served dumplings that arrive either pan-fried or steamed alongside his signature soy-chili dip.
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Find the chicken dumplings seasoned with lemongrass and topped with scallion relish and yuzu ponzu ginger on Nama Ko’s dinner and brunch menu.
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Old Town’s noodle house does dumplings justice. Six-top orders, served pan-fried or steamed, are packed with smoked tofu, duck, lump crab, minced chicken, pork, and more. FYI: Yunnan is moving to a much-larger locale in Pentagon City later this year.
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Union Market’s go-to stall for pork soup dumplings and Beyond Meat wontons comes from chef Tim Ma and Patrick Coyne. The duorecently supersized the Laoban brand with frozen versions found in grocery store aisles around D.C.
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Dumplings are a whole section of the menu, and there are plenty of options to pick from at this no frills Rockville joint. Diverse fillings range from pork and chive, fish and cilantro, squash and pork, and vegetarian options. Regulars proclaim that anything labeled “mama” is a sure bet, and fried dumplings are better than steamed here.
Tucked away in a shopping center in Rockville, this popular dim sum restaurant serves pan-fried pork dumplings and a steamed vegetable version. An additional location sits in Annandale, Virginia.
There’s a lot of things to love at Peter Chang’s modern Sichuan flagship in Bethesda. Try vegetable or pork dumplings (steamed or fried), a chicken soup dumpling, or spicy wontons.
At this Afghan restaurant in the Palisades, leek and scallion aushak are steamed and topped with beef and lentil sauce, mint, and yogurt puree. There’s also a steamed pumpkin dumpling that comes with a choice of yogurt garlic sauce or minced beef.
At this Afghan bistro, you can find traditional mantoo steamed dumplings with ground beef that are topped with a split pea and tomato sauce, or the aushak dumplings stuffed with leeks and topped with beef. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, too.
This is the place for Nepalese momos. Meat options include minced buffalo, goat, or chicken. A vegetarian version comes with carrot and cabbage. Try the Jhol momo with a choice of vegetable, chicken, or pork dumpling that are steamed and dipped into a stewed sauce.
The mandu, pan-fried pork and kimchi dumplings, are a signature dish at this Korean hitmaker in Dupont. They’re available on their dining menu and also on the late-night bar menu on the first floor. The owners’ other spots, Mandu and Chiko, are great for dumplings, too.
The sibling bar to Copy Cat on H Street NE sells Sichuan wontons, little packages of pork in a tender and slippery dumpling topped with chile oil, cilantro, and scallions. The kitchen stays open late for last call dumpling cravings.
The “humble plate of chili wontons” at this Blagden Alley hot spot are stuffed with chicken and shrimp, then doused in hot chile oil.
Chicken gyoza with chile oil are a great way to start the meal at this chicken-centric ramen restaurant.
Try the manti, steamed Uzbek dumplings that are stuffed with diced, seasoned lamb, onions, and spices, then served with yogurt and a tomato sauce. There are also ground beef pelmeni. An additional Virginia location sits in Alexandria.
Chef Erik Bruner-Yang’s hip Southeast Asian cafe on H Street NE is long known for its best-selling crystal shrimp dumplings. Other options include ginger chicken soup or crispy gruyere dumplings.
A great place to dine before a concert or Wizards or Capitals game at Capital One arena, Bar Chinois boasts a happy hour that lets you fuel up on dumplings in the form of soup or wontons starting at $10.
Peter Chang’s D.C. spot served dumplings that arrive either pan-fried or steamed alongside his signature soy-chili dip.
Find the chicken dumplings seasoned with lemongrass and topped with scallion relish and yuzu ponzu ginger on Nama Ko’s dinner and brunch menu.
Old Town’s noodle house does dumplings justice. Six-top orders, served pan-fried or steamed, are packed with smoked tofu, duck, lump crab, minced chicken, pork, and more. FYI: Yunnan is moving to a much-larger locale in Pentagon City later this year.
Union Market’s go-to stall for pork soup dumplings and Beyond Meat wontons comes from chef Tim Ma and Patrick Coyne. The duorecently supersized the Laoban brand with frozen versions found in grocery store aisles around D.C.
