Dumplings, a popular snack in many cultures across the globe are a small mass of dough with fillings that can be boiled, steamed, or fried. Dumplings are sometimes mistaken to be solely Chinese Jiaozi or Dim Sum, but the food group comprises Italian Ravioli, Indian Samosas, and Modaks, Polish Pirogis, Turkish Mantis, Empanadas of South America, and even Nepalese Momos.

In short, dumplings are any savory dish wrapped in dough. NYC, the gourmand paradise itself, has one of the United States' best Chinatowns — and wonderful eateries for perfect dumplings of all kinds.

Before Dumpling Crawl, More About Dumplings!

Most people believe that dumplings were invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a Chinese medical practitioner, and later flourished across various cultures.

The fillings differ as per the region and can range anything from vegetables, beef, pork, ricotta, eggs, herbs and spices and so much more.

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The art of making dumplings is truly traditional and can’t be replaced by machine-made ones which have thicker wrappers.

Chinatown in New York and also several other places take you through an authentic dumpling crawl where the level of craftsmanship and the experience is unmatched.

The Best Dumpling Crawls In Chinatown NYC

Vegetarian Dim Sum House

Owning its legacy for 26 years, Vegetarian Dim Sum House is the first vegetarian outlet in Chinatown. The watercress dumplings with a filling of watercress, mushrooms, and ham along with the dipping sauce are their main recommendation.

This is followed by Spinach Dumpling, Taro Treasure Box, Turnip Cakes, Snow Pea Leaves dumpling, Mini Rice in Lotus Leaves and so much more.

  • Location: Doyers St & Mott St
  • Hours: 10:30 am to 8:30 pm

Mee Sum Cafe

For more than 50 years, the legacy of Mee Sum Cafe is held in high regard owing to its Classic Cantonese dishes as authentic as its origin in China.

The USP of the cuisine here refrains from adding a modern twist, even to its ambiance itself. Mee Sum is primarily known for its dim sum but its steamy sticky rice wraps which are known as Chinese Tamales are another famous recommendation.

Also, the Sam Bo Fan, which is a Chinese sausage and Salted Pork Fish over rice, is worth trying.

  • Location: Doyers St & Mott St
  • Hours: 5:30 am to 5:30 pm

Ping’s, Chinatown

The restaurant, Ping has the closest proximity to flavors found in Hong Kong and thus, Ping has garnered fame. It is peculiarly known for Ha Gao which is by far the most popular dim sum item.

Dim sums are a large range of small Chinese dishes associated with Cantonese cuisine.

The shrimp quality of Ha Gao here is quite excellent and thus, the first item on the menu to be tried. Not only dim sum but classics such as har grow, braised chicken and spare ribs are worth trying.

  • Location: 22 Mott St
  • Hours: 11 am to 9 pm (weekdays) and 11 am to 10 pm (weekends)

Jim Fong

Since 1978, Jing Fong is serving its customers, initially in Chinatown as the largest Cantonese dim sum restaurant and now reopened on Centre Street again.

It has a panoply of dim sum ranging from har grow, Siu Mai, Shrimp, and Chive dim sum, Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce, seafood, pork items, and so on.

With its authentic taste and affordable price, Jing Fong can't be missed.

  • Locations: 202 Center Street
  • Hours: Mon - Fri (11 am to 9:30 pm)

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Shanghai 21

The first restaurant in Chinatown to serve soup dumplings has been Shanghai 21. The soup dumpling's USP comes from the fact that they are wrapped with only the order placed and thus, the freshness is always intact.

Also, in terms of health, gelatin is used versus pig’s skin in fillings, thus, the dumplings have more nutritional value. Shanghai Style Lo Mein With Chicken, Shanghai Style Lo mein With Pork or Beef are its recommendations

  • Location: 21 Mott St, New York
  • Hours: Monday to Sunday (11 am - 8:30 pm)

Great NY Noodletown

Amongst the food connoisseurs, a few celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker have been ardent fans of this outlet. The Won Ton Noodle Soup has been people’s favorite Been in Chinatown, NYC for 40 years, this food outlet is featured in New York Times, Travel & Leisure, New York Magazine, and Eater as well as a Netflix show.

Right from Cantonese-style noodle soups, it also serves congee, soy sauce chicken, BBQ roasted spare ribs, crispy duck, shelled crabs, roasted suckling pigs and so much more. Moreover, it is very affordable, starting at $4 for the porridges.

  • Location: 28 Bowery
  • Hours: 9 am to 4 am

Dim Sum Go Go

What sets Dim Sum Go Go Apart is its roast duck dumplings and its homemade xo sauce. Its popularity can be traced from its rolling over of 12,000 dumplings per week with its 3-star dumpling being the best among all.

With its jicama, lotus root, and cabbage filling, there are other dishes such as sweet shrimp, plump snow pea leaf dumplings, tender duck dumplings, and flaky baked roast pork pie along with their exotic sauces which are worth trying.

  • Location: 5E Broadway
  • Timing: 11 am - 9pm