We love dumplings. Boas, manti, ravioli, pierogi – you name one, we’re eating it in Toronto right now.
We firmly believe a good dumpling is more than the sum of its humble parts – dough, filling and dipping sauce. In Toronto, you’ll find all sorts of versions, from all sorts of places. They each tell a unique story of people and place. You can easily fill a week hopping from country to country through it’s dumplings in the city.
Here’s our favorite places for dumplings in Toronto, right now. Many offer takeout, delivery and frozen (cook at home) options. Why not try creating a world tour at home?
Har Gow
Hong Shing, 195 Dundas St West
These translucent, steamed prawn dumplings are a familiar sight for anyone who appreciates dim sum. The dumpling is sometimes called a shrimp bonnet for its pleated shape; and in fact, should have at least seven and preferably ten or more pleats imprinted on its wrapper. The more pleats, the more skilled the maker. Our favorite version is from the folks at Hong Shing. They’re available steamed or frozen for take out or delivery.
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Xiao Long Boa
Chinese Traditional Bun, 536 Dundas Street West
What this unassuming dumpling house lacks in decor, it makes up for in flavour. We love their steamed, pork and ‘soup’ filled parcels. Dumpling enthusiasts will love that you can watch the cooks stuff, fold and pleat the days dumplings while dining. Side note: don’t skip the Dan Dan Noodles. Chinese Traditional Bun is available for delivery, use the link below to order!
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Pierogi
Cafe Polonez, 195 Roncesvalles Avenue
These hand-folded Polish dumplings can be filled with anything from sauerkraut to potatoes to blueberries (though please, not at the same time!). At Cafe Polonez they served them up boiled or fried, with sour cream and lardy onions (with the savoury versions!); solo or as part of massive tasting platters. If you want to expand your Eastern European dumpling repertoire, they also serve Knedle, kopytka and uszka with barszcz. You can order take-out or delivery using the RITUAL app.
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Manti
Anatolia Restaurant, 5122 Dundas Street West, Etobicoke
Manti are Turkish beef-filled dumplings, boiled and typically topped with garlic yogurt. At Anatolia they drizzle them with hot butter and chili to kick it up a notch. They’re delicate and delicious! Anatolia is offering take-out at reduced prices during the stay-home order. Their chef is also teaching online Turkish cooking classes!
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Momos
TC’s Tibetan Momos, Saturdays at the Evergreen Brick Works Market
These hand braided little Tibetan morsels come in two varieties: beef and vegetable. At the farmers’ market, they’re served with heaps of pickled cabbage and hot sauce. You can order them frozen right to your home through the Virtual Farmers Market – there’s even the option the get a jar of their addictive hot sauce added to the order!
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Gyoza
Ramen Isshin, 421 College Street
Gyoza are Japanese dumplings using wonton wrappers, typically stuffed with pork and cabbage. At Isshin, their near-flawless ramen is hard to beat, but the deep-fried gyoza dumplings are well worth the visit too! During stay at home orders, Ramen Isshin is available for pick-up and delivery. Use the link below to order.
Siu mai
Rol San, 323 Spadina Avenue
Siu mai are a type of Chinese dumpling. There are as many varieties as there are regional cuisines in China. The ones most often seen in Toronto are Cantonese. They are made with ground pork, chopped shrimp and aromatics – giving them a very unique texture. We think the best ones in the city are at Rol San, a dim sum restaurant in West Chinatown. They’re light, springy and very well seasoned. Rol San is available for take out and delivery via a myriad of delivery apps.
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Daifuku
Hcafe, 4750 Yonge Street
The easiest way to explain Daifuku is to call them Japanese rice cake “balls”. They can be filled with savoury or sweet fillings. At HCafe they fill some with fresh fruit to a cool, unexpected texture. HCafe is availale for delivery too!
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Agnolotti
Famiglia Baldassarre, 122 Geary Avenue
You’ve probably heard of ravioli and tortellini, but the seasonal agnolotti – a Piemontese filled pasta – wins due to it’s slightly larger size. We like the ratio of filling to chewy dough in this classic Italian shape; and like most of the pastas at this tiny Toronto shop, their version is damn near perfect every time. Famiglia Baldassarre is not open for delivery, but they are operating a bodega where you can purchase their pastas fresh or frozen. Follow their Instagram for details and updates.
Wontons
The Daily Dumpling Wonton Co., 792 College Street and 750 Spadina Ave
Wontons are a type of Chinese dumpling. They come in small parcels and are available in many forms: steamed, deep-fried or in wonton soup. Our favorite are by the The Daily Dumpling Wonton Co. – a high-end dumpling company that specializes in fresh and frozen handmade Shanghainese wontons. Their mission is to bring this classic Shanghai comfort food to Toronto. Their wontons are available frozen in many grocers, but if you want the full experience – we encourage you to order them for take out or delivery using the link below.
