As a food journalist, I am constantly asked what my favourite dish to go out for is. While I began this series with my top sandwich shops, sandwiches far and away being my favourite food, there are days when the dumpling does reign supreme. Xiao Long Bao and crispy gyozas, pan-fried beef and wontons in chilli oil, aside from the sandwich, very little comes close. So, in my very honest, very seasoned opinion, here lies my top 5. 

1. Best affordable dumplings

Beijing Dumpling

If you’ve ever asked me where to go for food, you’ll know my answer will always, forever, without fail bequeath you the recommendation of Beijing Dumpling. This unassuming storefront, which competes in the age-old race of best-Chinatown-dumplings, has, and take my word for it, the best Chinatown dumplings. I know that everyone has their cult favourite dim sum place, the one they say is the best, the cheapest, the most authentic, but if they say anywhere other than Beijing Dumpling, they would be incorrect. 

If you’ve ever asked me where to go for food, you’ll know my answer will always, forever, without fail bequeath you the recommendation of Beijing Dumpling.

At Beijing Dumpling, you can sit down, have 10 dishes between two, sake if you fancy, tea, and leave in 30 minutes, 25 quid lighter. You can also have 16 xiao long bao for under £16 pounds and spend your sweet time eating them. In an effort to never spoil it, I only ever bring my favourite people here. Each time I do, we leave paying the place a new declaration of loyalty to this dumpling haunt. With probably 100 menu items averaging £8-10 and four set menus under £30, this is not only one of the best value destinations in London with portions veering on massive, but it is also the best dumpling… and the best cucumber salad (£5)… and the best duck pancakes (£10.50). 

Where: 23 Lisle St, London WC2H 7BA
Website: www.beijingdumpling.co.uk

2. Best expensive dumplings

Din Tai Fung

While I’m doing what I can to avoid sounding basic, it is rational for Din Tai Fung to be on a dumpling guide. There is a rationale for the monopoly to be on the lips of city goers worldwide. Their Xiao Long Bao (my favourite iteration of the dumpling) lies the framework for what is one of the best you could get in London. Miniscule folds in a paper-thin wrapper twist and pleat to encapsulate a broth that sends shock down the throat, into the stomach, and lingers for multiple decades. Without fail, Din Tai Fung always enters the dumpling conversation. I’m okay with that. It really is that good, if you’re willing to drop a pretty penny. That said, why wouldn’t you want your special occasions to be gathered around dumplings? Silly question. Next.

Where: Multiple Locations
Website: www.dintaifung-uk.com

3. Best new(ish) dumplings

Archive & Myth

While I know Archive & Myth has been open for a bit over a year, I did not know that they serve unlimited dumplings. I figured this out on a routine visit to the sub Magic Mike bar. Every Wednesday, Archive & Myth serves champagne and dumplings. By that I mean, an hour of unlimited dumplings for £20 and 50% off Porte Noire Champagne. I know this seems like an ad placement, but I actually ran into this, and it was actually the best day of my life. What a happy accident. 

The deal is that there is a neighbouring Chinese restaurant that the bar has partnered with, Chop Chop, to pull off this brilliance. It’s all the classics, prawn dumplings, veggie, spicy chicken, but served in a sexy, dark, basement lounge with some of the best cocktails in London crafted by cocktail king, Jack Sotti. It’s like the drunk food came to you without the delivery fee, some sort of manifestation of one’s most euphoric, late-night, one-too-many aspirations. 

Where: Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn St, London WC2H 7JH
Website: www.archiveandmyth.com

4. Best looking dumplings

Feng Shang Princess 

Have you seen The Gentlemen? The one with Matthew McConaughey? In that movie, there is a floating Chinese restaurant which is run by Lord George, the head of the Chinese gang in the film. For some reason, I’ve always been obsessed with the fact that this restaurant does, in fact, exist; it does serve Chinese food, and it is as wonderfully picturesque as it looks.

Dumplings come hot in their steaming baskets, stacked atop eachother as they spin round and round on the lazy susans that each table dons.

Feng Shang Princes sits on the Regent’s Canal. Dumplings come hot in their steaming baskets, stacked atop eachother as they spin round and round on the lazy susans that each table dons. You’ll watch satay chicken, prawn toast, kung pao chicken, and udon spin past you as you reach for your eighth king prawn-filled har gow, prawn and chive, or pork wonton in spicy chilli oil. All the while, you’ll be looking out onto the canal, moss floating, clinging to the bright red hull of the boat, experiencing a subtle sensation of rocking, which your table can’t decide whether it’s in your heads or not. Every now and then, you’ll think, “wow, I’m eating Chinese food on a boat”, as you order more from the dumpling man. Did I mention the martinis are really good? 

Where: Southern Star Cumberland Basin, Prince Albert Rd, London NW1 7SS
Website: www.fengshang.co.uk

5. Honourable mention

Oroshi

I really love Borough Market, particularly on a weekday, if, for some reason, I can get there. Something about it feeling both so familiar as well as so uncharted, a seemingly impossible list of stalls to visit, makes it a lot more appealing. I really want to know who has the best oyster (Richard Haward’s), who has the best salt beef (Nanna Fanny’s), and who has the best cheese (Borough Cheese Company). Luckily, I have figured out much about Borough Market. I’ve also figured out what my favourite stall is, which also happens to serve my favourite dumpling.

For as long as I’ve known Oroshi (upwards of four years), their veggie gyozas have been filled with a mix of pumpkin, tofu, seaweed and garlic chives, served with their home-made chilli jam on the side. Despite being unchanging, it is a comforting feeling that I can trust that Oroshi are consistent in what they hand me over the counter. Always, I branch out, try something new, perhaps a sashimi or a bento box, always, I return for gyozas drenched in chilli oil. I know exactly what they will be like, even now I can taste them — sitting at their wooden counter, watching them grill, or pickle, or pour, sipping on the best tea I have ever had (not an exaggeration, the iced green tea is one of the best non-alcoholic drinks in London), awaiting my beautiful pumpkin parcels. This is, in all accounts of the word, rain or shine, sickness or health, my paradise.

Where: Borough Market Kitchen, Oroshi, Winchester Walk, London SE1 9AG
Website: www.instagram.com

Affordable, Food & Drink, Restaurants

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