Duddell’s
9a St. Thomas Street, SE1 9RY
Hong Kong import Duddell’s caused quite a stir when it opened its first London branch, and we’re still going back every time we have a craving for their Cantonese duck, or their dim sum. If you’re eating at dinner – be warned, there’s only a single selection of dumplings on offer: dim sum lovers should head there for the lunchtime tick box menu, which has a lot more choice.
Mamalan
Brixton and Clapham
We first came across Mamalan’s dumplings in Brixton Village, and back then it was one of the only places to get your fix in south London. The Beijing style kitchen has a branch in Clapham now too, but we still like visiting their original, tiny haunt for tang mein with a side of king prawn and water chestnut dumplings.
My Neighbours The Dumplings
165 Lower Clapton Road, E5 8EQ
If you want to get a seat at My Neighbours The Dumplings – go early. Vietnamese is the predominant Asian fare in Hackney, so when east London needs dim sum, you’ll find them here. Wait at the bar with a beer, and when you do manage to get a seat at one of those coveted communal tables, order as many different styles as you possibly can (and the scallops).
Ugly Dumpling
1 Newburgh St, W1F 7RB
Ugly Dumpling is only a few steps away from UJHQ, and you’ll find us lunching here when we’re feeling carby. Despite the name, these dumplings are far from ugly – we like to go for one of their (really good value) platters, with a side of their cheeseburger dumplings just for good measure.
XU
30 Rupert Street, W1D 6DL
XU isn’t known as a dumpling restaurant, but their lunchtime menu is full of options for a carb fix. Our favourites are their mixed mushroom dumplings, with a double helping of their picture-perfect taro dumplings – both the sausage and the sweet potato variety.
By JS