Our list of the best dumplings in the city.
One universal truth everyone seems to agree upon is that dumplings are delicious. From juicy xiao long bao, to sweet strawberry pierogies, to raviolo filled with oozing egg yolk—it appears that almost every culture has discovered the following very scientific formula: Dough + Filling = Happiness. So in an effort to uphold scientific truth (and because we wanted an excuse to eat a bunch of dumplings) we made this list of the best dumplings in Chicago.
The menu at Qing Xiang Yuan islike something out of a grade school math textbook: With 40 options that can either be fried, boiled, or steamed, how many different dumplings does QXY have? And using our second-grade math skills, we’ve calculated that this Chinatown spot has 120 options, putting it in first place for most dumpling varieties in Chicago. But more important than just having a bunch to choose from is that they’re all fantastic. Some of our favorites are the beef and onion, lamb and coriander, and tomato and egg, all of which are wrapped in a thin, soft wrapper, and loaded with broth. While these aren’t technically xiao long bao, they have the same satisfying juiciness—like a savory Gusher.
Momo World sounds like a food-based theme park, but instead of rollercoasters and someone sweating in a dumpling costume, this counter-service spot in University Village serves the best momos in Chicago. From simple steamed or fried, to jhol momos bathed in a spiced tomato sauce, to smoky tandoori momos with a crispy pan-fried wrapper, it’s impossible to make a bad choice. There are varieties with fillings like pork, chicken, vegetable, and fish, which all have a satisfying chewy or crunchy texture depending on how the momos are prepared. The inside is a bit small, but feel free to show up with friends and curate your own momo tasting.
Small, frequently packed, and with loud music blasting through the speakers, this BYOB Chinese spot in Ukrainian Village feels like a party at your friend’s studio apartment—if you replaced the stale bag of Chex Mix with incredible dumplings. We love the pork and chive or the mushroom that’s rich with umami. They come floating in a fragrant spicy and sour soup that’s absorbed by the tender wrapper, and are garnished with sesame seeds and plenty of cilantro for freshness. Going for lunch is the best way to ensure that you are actually able to get your hands on some, since they only make a set number a day. You don’t want to show up when the dumpling party is over.
If you got a dollar for every Kyrgyz restaurant in Chicago, well, you’d only have two dollars since last we checked there were only two. But we like to believe in quality over quantity, and this Lincoln Square sit-down spot with a small yurt-like interior has dumplings that make us want to start a fanclub. We like the hacky-sack-sized manty or fried vareniki filled with mashed potatoes, both of which are great for sharing with a group. They also have a fantastic beef pelmeni appetizer topped with garlicky sour cream which you could share, but you’ll want to keep for yourself.
Inside this sit-down Chinese restaurant in Hyde Park you’ll find a ceiling full of red paper lanterns, lots of group seating, and a long menu. But we’re here to help you simplify your life: get the dumplings. There are only four types, but they’re all delicious. Both the shui mai and shrimp dumplings are plump and juicy, and have perfectly seasoned pieces of shellfish packed into a pleasantly chewy wrapper. But if you’re looking for non-seafood options, the crispy pork potstickers or the umami-rich vegetable dumplings are both great choices, too
Community Tavern in Portage Park has an Asian-inspired menu with a handful of different dumplings, but our two favorites are the short rib and the mushroom butter. The steamed short rib dumplings are full of buttery meat, have a soft chew, and are covered in a sweet and spicy XO sauce. For a vegetarian option, the mushroom has a crispy bottom, and a rich, umami filling that receives added freshness from Thai basil and a pleasant bitterness from rapini.
Monteverde is a fantastic West Loop Italian restaurant with some of the best pasta in the city. And their raviolo—one large, pasta pocket with a gooey egg yolk center—is no exception. But aside from the pasta itself, what’s exciting (and also frustrating) is that it goes through phases like a preteen who just discovered Manic Panic. The seasons dictate what it will be served with, so you could find truffles one time and then come back to find it topped with pomegranate seeds. Either way, this pasta chameleon is always a must-order.
This Chinese spot in Bridgeport has a very long menu of everything from jellyfish salad to orange chicken, but their standout dish is the Northern dumplings. Each order comes with eight dumplings filled with a balanced blend of shrimp, pork, and plenty of broth. These are similar to xiao long bao, except they have a thicker, chewier wrapper and look like XLBs that spent the summer bulking up at the gym and doubling in size. Served in a large wooden basket and with steam emanating from their expertly pinched tops, you can tell that they’re very fresh but also very hot. So make sure to let them cool off first if you want to be able to taste the rest of your meal.
Like successfully riding a three-person tandem bike, good xiao long bao must have all of its components—broth, filling, and wrapper—working in harmony. And the best place to go to for harmonious soup dumplings (tandem bike optional) is Hing Kee in Chinatown. They come in three juicy varieties: pork, crab and pork, and chicken. Each one has a delicate, chewy wrapper, and is brimming with warm, flavorful broth that perfectly complements the meat. Make sure to also add some black vinegar and chili oil before slurping them up for an added burst of tartness and spice.
Like any member of the Girl and The Goat family, this upscale Chinese restaurant is always busy. But while this Fulton Market spot’s “Goat” heritage is responsible for some of the crowd, it’s also because of the tasty food, particularly their dumplings. Their plump xiao long bao are loaded with rich broth and juicy pieces of goat and duck meat. And while these soup dumplings are great, even better are their jiaozi. These have a light chewy top paired with a satisfyingly crispy bottom and are filled with a robust mix of short rib and buttery bone marrow.
Dolo’s dim sum classics are great, but it’s their unique dumplings that keep us coming back to this upscale Chinatown spot. The first must-order is the fried shrimp and leek dumplings that look like tiny versions of the flying saucers that the government doesn’t want you to know exists. They have a light and crispy wrapper, and are filled with salty pieces of seafood. We also like the big pieces of shrimp in our other favorite, the shrimp and corn dumplings. These have a tender wrapper with just a touch of crispiness, with the corn and carrot filling throwing some sweetness into the mix.
“Volcano broth” might sound like it would cause profuse sweating and an outburst of expletives, similar to what usually happens on an episode of Hot Ones. But the delicious volcano broth with Cheng Du wontons at both of Da Mao Jia’s Lincoln Park and Bridgeport locations is actually quite mild. The tart soup comes with plenty of floating, meaty pork wontons and has just enough tingly Sichuan spice. While we’re here, we also like to order their Zhong dumplings. These are flatter with a medium chew, and come with a sweet and nutty chili soy sauce that nicely contrasts with the sour volcano broth.
Jin Ju’s sleek interior has the ideal mood lighting perfect for assessing your potential connection with “Gary Hinge”, but it also works for a relaxed Korean meal with friends. Regardless of who you're here with, make sure to start off with some mandoo. These dumplings have a thin-but-sturdy wrapper, and they come in two varieties that can be ordered fried or steamed. The beef has perfectly seasoned meat, tofu, and vegetables, while their vegetarian option filled with kimchi is pleasantly tart with a hint of spice. Even if you leave unsure about your date, at least you’ll leave with a newfound love for their mandoo.
With the combination of its wooden interior, string lights, and leafy garland decorations, this cozy Polish spot in Jefferson Park makes us feel like we’re eating in a cabin around the holidays. And while this place is great in the winter for a warm cup of borscht, it’s also the perfect place for year-round pierogi. These dumplings have a thick wrapper and come in varieties like cheese and potato or beef and pork, as well as fruity ones like strawberry or plum. But the best part is mixing and matching like a Trader Joe’s “Build Your Own Six-Pack”, to create a sampler of sweet, savory, boiled, and fried pierogies. Speaking of six-packs, this place is BYOB, so make sure to do that too.
Chengdu Impression has locations in both Wicker Park and Lincoln Park, and both have our favorite Sichuan wontons. These dumplings have a soft, delicate wrapper and a moist, pork filling. Served with a mix of vinegar and chili oil, each bite has a great combination of savory, sour, and spicy. Topping it all off are green onions and a dollop of fresh minced garlic that will warrant a mint or three if you have to do some close-talking afterwards—but that’s a problem for future you.
The bready dumplings at this Korean food stall outside of JoongBoo supermarket in Avondale might be more closely related to buns—but Wang Mandoo literally translates to “King Dumpling”, and we’re not going to argue with royalty. There are only three varieties: two savory filled with chunky pieces of pork or pork with kimchi, and a sweet option made with a black rice wrapper and smooth red bean filling. They’re massive, with one alone sufficing as a light meal. So if you’ve come to shop at JoongBoo on an empty stomach, an order will prevent you from impulsively purchasing 20 packets of Shin Ramen.
When you think of Manny’s Delicatessen, the first thing you probably think of are thick Reubens that require you to unhinge your jaw to take a bite. But if you take off your sandwich goggles, you’ll notice that this massive, retro-styled cafeteria in the South Loop has kreplach on the menu. And while these scraggly balls might not look like much, don’t let their humble appearance fool you. They have a well-seasoned, chopped beef filling wrapped in a thick layer of soft dough that absorbs the life-giving chicken broth. A bowl of this is so soothing, if you were eating this while taking a polygraph test, you could lie about anything and still pass.
Qing Xiang Yuan is a restaurant in Chinatown that specializes in broth-filled dumplings.
Lao Peng You is a busy BYOB spot in Ukrainian Village with great handmade noodles and dumplings.
The 40 greatest restaurants in Chicago’s Chinatown.