Best Spots for Dumplings in Austin, TX

My all-time favorite food in the world is dumplings. I have a unique cultural background, being both Taiwanese and Chinese. My dad hails from Hong Kong, while my mom is from Taiwan. Growing up, dumplings held a special place in our hearts as the ultimate comfort food and a convenient weeknight meal. We used to purchase frozen dumplings from San Dong in Houston. Whenever we craved a quick and satisfying dinner, we would boil a bag of these delicious dumplings.

During my college years, when my budget was tight (a mere $10 per week), I relied heavily on frozen dumplings. I could buy a pack of 30 dumplings for just $7 and make them the cornerstone of my survival diet. A good dumpling, according to popular opinion, not only boasts a superbly textured skin but also features a flavorful and delectable meat filling. While I will include a vegetarian option on this list, my go-to choice will always be pork and leek dumplings—whether boiled or pan-fried, depending on whether I want to fill my house with the delightful aroma of sizzling dumplings (and potentially some smoke, too!).

In recent years, dumplings have gained immense popularity in Austin, especially with the rise of soup dumplings. Consequently, I will make sure to include these delectable treats on my list as well.

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Chef Hong

Chef Hong is one of my favorite spots for dumplings in Austin. In my opinion, they make the best boiled dumplings in the city.

The wrappers have that perfect chewy, bouncy QQ texture, and the pork filling is juicy and packed with flavor. If you're craving traditional Chinese dumplings, this is the spot I recommend.

They also serve other classic dishes like liangpi and a handful of other traditional Chinese specialties, so there's plenty to try beyond the dumplings.

The only downside is that they're a food truck located near UT campus, so parking can be a bit of a hassle. But if you're willing to deal with that, I think the dumplings are absolutely worth the trip.

Sije Special Noodle

Special Noodle has quickly become one of my favorite spots since opening in North Austin. They originally have multiple locations in California, and I was excited to see them expand here.

Their dumplings are definitely the highlight for me. I especially recommend their pan fried soup dumplings, also known as Sheng Jian Bao, which are pretty rare to find in Austin. I will say that they can lean a little sweeter than my personal preference, but the technique is still really solid. Their pan fried snowflake dumplings are also consistently well executed and one of my favorites to order.

Another must order is their beef noodle soup. At first glance, it looks pretty simple, but the broth has a surprising amount of spice and depth of flavor.

Just keep in mind that they are a popular spot, so expect a wait during peak hours. And don't forget to order their green onion pie as well.
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Dumpling World

Soup Dumplings

Dumpling World is a dumpling focused restaurant in the Triangle with a great selection of dumplings and noodles. They offer everything from pan fried soup dumplings and thumbprint buns to classic xiao long bao. One of my favorite dishes here is the dan dan noodles, which strike a really nice balance between spice and nuttiness from the sesame and peanuts. If you're near UT or just looking for a solid spot in the area, this is an easy recommendation.

Steamies

Steamies holds a special place in my heart because of the fond memories I have of their humble beginnings. They reached out to me years ago when they were just starting their journey, launching their dumplings at the Mueller Farmers Market. At that time, the town was experiencing a shortage of dumplings, and Steamies came to the rescue by offering cooked dumplings at the Texas Farmers Market and convenient grab and go frozen bags. To add excitement, they even introduced a "Dumpling of the Month" concept.

What sets Steamies apart is their dedication to using high-quality ingredients. They have expanded to a brick and mortar and can now be found in the Crescent Shopping Center, where they offer not only their delicious dumplings but also a selection of small bites and grab and go options.

While Steamies does offer non dumpling options like green onion pancakes and baozi, my personal recommendation would be their flavorful pork soup dumplings. The combination of tender pork and savory broth wrapped in a delicate dumpling wrapper is delightful.

Update as of 2025 they are sold to new owners.

Here is their website

‍## Julie's Noodles

pork and chive dumpling

Soup dumplings

Julie Noodle is an unassuming gem that specializes in fresh handmade noodles and dumplings. It has become one of my go to spots for affordable and delicious Chinese food, and it's definitely a place that a lot of people in the Asian community love.

When it comes to dumplings, Julie Noodle has a great selection. Their pork soup dumplings are a must try, with a flavorful broth and tender meat filling inside. I also really enjoy their boiled pork and chive dumplings, which are packed with flavor and always come out fresh.

One of my favorite parts about ordering here is opening the steamer basket and seeing these large, juicy dumplings waiting inside. Their soup dumplings are especially impressive because of the size and the amount of filling you get for the price.

If you're looking for a place that delivers delicious dumplings and handmade noodles without breaking the bank, Julie Noodle is definitely worth checking out.

Here is their website

Mian & Bao

Mian and Bao recently opened inside The Triangle, serving a mix of Sichuan and Shanghai dishes alongside spicy beef noodle soup and dumplings. We sampled a variety of dumplings, the soup dumplings leaned a little on the sweeter side, though we enjoyed the flavor of the dough and the overall texture. They also offer panfried dumplings and spicy wontons, but if you’re visiting, I’d definitely lean more toward their noodle dishes over the dumplings. Still, it’s a solid addition to the area and a good option to have nearby.

Click here for their website.

Lins /Wu Chow/ Little Wu/ Ling Wu

Ling Qi Wu's soup dumplings are undoubtedly the most renowned dumplings in Austin, TX, having gained popularity across multiple locations in the city. These soup dumplings bear Ling Qi Wu's signature touch and have won the hearts of countless Austinites. It's fair to say that they are unrivaled when it comes to soup dumplings in the Austin area. However, it's worth mentioning that the higher price point may deter some local Asian residents who have other options available to them. But if you're willing to splurge for the sake of indulging in truly delightful soup dumplings, then Ling Qi Wu's establishment is the place for you.

Here is their website

1618 Asian Fusion

1618 Asian Fusion is a gem that offers a diverse range of cuisines, but they are talented when it comes to crafting delectable dumplings. While they excel in various dishes, their soup dumplings are some of the best in town. The thin and delicate skin, combined with a flavorful filling, makes their soup dumplings a true delight to savor. While 1618 Asian Fusion isn't exclusively a dumpling-focused spot, you'd be remiss not to order 2-3 servings of their exceptional dumplings.

Here is their website

Bee Dumpling

Soup dumplings

Bee Dumpling just opened in South Austin, and while it may not be the best Chinese food in the city, it’s probably the only spot in the area serving authentic Asian style dumplings. We tried the panfried dumplings, wontons, and soup dumplings. The soup dumplings were the winner, great broth and well made wrappers that showed real skill. The panfried dumplings had nice flavor but could’ve used a crispier bottom, and the wontons were a miss with undercooked dough. Still, for South Austin, this is a welcome addition and worth checking out if you’re nearby.

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