In general, dumplings start with a base of dough that is made from flour, rice or potato. Next it is filled with meats, cheese or vegetables or may not be filled at all. Then dumplings are usually baked, boiled, fried or steamed.
Here are a few different types to try in Northwest Austin:
Pierogi | Central and Eastern European dumplings, boiled or fried, that can be sweet or savory
Brama Restaurant
3301 Steck Ave., Austin • 512-579-0880 • www.bramarestaurant.com
Dumpling to try: The pierogi at Brama are all handmade by co-owner Tatiana Bogdanovych’s mother. Brama serves both pierogi and pelmeni—a similar Russian dumpling—both boiled or fried. Customers can also add a side of beet horseradish for an extra $1. | $11
Gyoza | Japanese pan-fried dumplings filled with meat in a wonton wrapper
Don Don Express11815 N. RM 620, Austin • 737-205-8025 • www.dondonexpresstx.com
Dumpling to try: The restaurant offers two different types of dumplings, including pork gyoza. Don Don also offers a lobster dumpling with spicy lobster meat, topped with a sweet chili mayo. | $3.99-$4.99
Goya Restaurant
13776 N. US 183, Ste. 134, Austin • 512-814-0130 • www.goya-austin.com
Dumpling to try: The restaurant offers an order of six gyoza filled with chicken and vegetables and served with soy sauce. | $5.95
Nagoya Steak and Sushi
11630 N. RM 620, Austin • 512-258-9888 • www.nagoyasteakandsushi.com
Dumpling to try: The restaurant’s pork- and veggie-filled gyoza are served with a sweet and sour sauce. An order comes with six gyoza. | $6
Malai Kofta | Indian vegetable dumplings, usually cooked in a tomato-onion sauce
Biryani & Co.
11150 Research Blvd., Ste. 210, Austin • 512-342-1985 • www.biryaniusa.com
Dumpling to try: The restaurant’s version of malai kofta comes from chef and owner Sundar Manickam’s own recipe. The potato and cottage cheese dumpling includes his special mint-flavored and nut-based sauce, which he said is rich and creamy. | $12.99
Biryani Pot
12407 MoPac, Austin • 512-837-4444 • www.biryanipotusa.com/austin-tx.html
Dumpling to try: The restaurant’s version of the deep-fried dumpling is made with veggies, cheese and cashews in a creamy onion and cashew sauce. | $10.99
Tarka Indian Kitchen
11501 Rock Rose Ave., Austin • 512-719-3311 • www.tarkaindiankitchen.com
Dumpling to try: Tarka’s vegetable dumplings include ground cashews, spices and paneer cheese. They are served in the restaurant’s korma, or nut-cream, sauce. | $8.25
Manti | Central Asian and Eurasian dumplings, steamed or boiled
UZeat Restaurant
8650 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 119, Austin • 512-992-0128 • www.uzeataustin.com
Dumpling to try: UZeat serves three separate types of manti: vegetarian, lamb and beef. The vegetarian dumplings are filled with potato, squash, cabbage and onion. | $10.99
Gnocchi | Italian dumplings made from a potato dough
MIA Italian Tapas & Bar
11420 Rock Rose Ave., Ste. 120, Austin • 512-215-9598 • www.miatapasaustin.com
Dumpling to try: The potato gnocchi is served on a bed of grilled corn and red bell pepper. | $9
Taverna
3120 Palm Way, Ste. 160, Austin • 512-356-9384 • www.tavernabylombardi.com
Dumpling to try: The Italian eatery in Domain Northside offers a potato gnocchi served with a short rib ragu and topped with shaved parmigiano. | $20.50
Chinese dumplings | Flour- or rice-based dumplings, usually steamed or fried
Asia Cafe
8650 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 114A, Austin • 512-331-5788 • www.asiacafetx.com
Dumpling to try: Asia Cafe offers diners a handful of different dumpling styles, from steamed buns to wontons. Try the restaurant’s Zhong dumplings, a street food from the Chinese city of Chengdu. | $6.95
Chen’s Noodle House
8650 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 127, Austin • 512-336-8889 • www.chensnoodlehouseaustin.com
Dumpling to try: The noodle house allows customers to order its pork-and-cabbage dumplings four ways: steamed, boiled, fried or in a dumpling soup. | $9-$10
Fat Dragon
8650 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 109, Austin • 512-258-7587 • www.fatdragonatx.com
Dumpling to try: Fat Dragon offers more than a dozen separate types of dumplings, including its mala spicy soup dumpling, made with an oily and spicy sauce. | $6
Julie’s Noodles
8557 Research Blvd., Ste. 110, Austin • 512-394-6967 • www.juliesnoodles.com
Dumpling to try: Julie’s Noodles serves handmade dumplings with a distinctive aquamarine hue. These dumplings have thicker skins than Julie’s Noodles’ soup dumplings and are filled with a choice of pork, cabbage or chives. | $9.75
New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant
10901 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 501, Austin • 512-832-9992 • www.newfortunetx.com
Dumpling to try: New Fortune has more than 10 dumpling styles on its dim sum menu, including soup dumplings, steamed buns and wontons. | Prices vary
Momo | Himalayan steamed dumplings
Himalaya Kosheli
8650 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 148, Austin • 512-582-0157 • www.himalayakoshelitx.site
Dumpling to try: Owner Devi Bhetuwal said Himalaya Kosheli is the lone restaurant in Austin serving chili chicken momo, a Nepali dumpling. | $10.99
This list is not comprehensive.
