New Jersey’s 21 best dumpling dishes, ranked for 2025

Dumplings? We’re crazy a-bao them!

Originating in northern China during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.), dumplings are, in the most basic sense, cooked dough surrounding some sort of filling. Dumplings can come in various shapes and forms such as wontons, baos, soup dumplings, shumai and several other varieties.

As New Jersey is home to a plethora of Asian populations and cuisines, there is no shortage of fantastic dumplings throughout the state – you just have to know where to get them. Luckily, we know just where to eat, slurp and chow down.

Check out our new list below for the best dumplings in New Jersey, ranked.

READ MORE: New Jersey’s 31 best Chinese restaurants you need to visit in 2025

21. Wontons, Wonton Guy, Edison

By moniker alone, it would be correct to assume Wonton Guy knows a thing or two about making wontons. The shrimp wontons here are huge; two to three bites each to fully consume. Guests can sample these chunky, savory wontons in either a soup or noodle dish. I usually get them in a noodle soup with brisket ($12.75). (LM)

20. Crystal shrimp dumplings, Dim Sum Go Go Go, East Brunswick

Also known as “har gow” in Cantonese, these crystal shrimp dumplings ($9.75) are a thing of beauty – and taste, of course. The translucent dumpling skin is made from either wheat or tapioca starch then is wrapped around a shrimp filling that you can see through the dough – hence the “crystal” name. They are chewy, plump and aren’t good as leftovers, so make sure to devour them fresh. (LM)

19. Soup dumpling sampler, Dumpling Den, Fort Lee

In this awesome combo dish, you get a pork dumpling, a crab, a chicken and a veggie for $8. All were quite delicious. If you still have room after that, you can munch on other favorites like the crab and pork dumplings, $11, and the dumplings sampler with chicken and kimchi, $11. (KSB)

18. Chicken dumplings, Dim Sum and Then Some, Galloway

During the pandemic in 2020, Michael and Andrew Leung began a takeout dumpling shop in Ventnor City. That humble start is now a thriving restaurant with the funny name in Galloway. The chicken dumplings ($10) here are terrific with tender chicken and an extremely soft dumpling. Also on the menu are the seafood sui mai ($11), Cantonese-style steamed dumplings with scallops and shrimp; and the pan-fried shrimp and chive bun ($9), a thick-skinned, bun-sized dumpling. (KSB)

17. Crab and pork pan fried bun, Xie Bao, Edison

This Central Jersey spot is all about incorporating crab into just about everything on the menu. Among their diverse selection of dumplings, one stood out: the crab and pork pan-fried buns. While pork is the primary filling, delicate bits of crab are mixed in, adding a subtle freshness that elevates the entire bite. (LM)

16. Shrimp shumai, Shanghai Bun, West Windsor

Shumai is a type of Chinese dumpling that is often seen in dim sum. I’ve been eating these for years, but the ones at Shanghai Bun are on another level. The wrapper surrounds some minced pork with a little bit of broth and is closed and topped with a whole mini shrimp. In a way, it’s a hybrid of shumai and a soup dumpling – whatever it is, it works. I still got that same seafood taste with the warmth of the broth. (LM)

15. Golden lava buns, LaoWu Authentic Shanghai Dumpling, Edison

I didn’t know what to expect when I saw these on the menu. Was sort of golden lava was this dough hiding? But the minute I bit into the squishy golden lava bun ($5.95 for four) I was hooked. This sweet, molten, gorgeous cream spewed out. The stunning color comes from a mix of salted egg yolks, butter, sugar, milk powder and custard or custard powder. The sweet taste took me by surprise but I’ve been thinking about them ever since. (LM)

14. Khinkali, Georgian Chef, Howell

This Jersey Shore eatery offers a true taste of Georgia (the country, not the state), and one standout dish is its khinkali ($12.36 for six)—Georgia’s take on soup dumplings. These jumbo dumplings arrive at the table steaming hot. While they may resemble Asian-style dumplings at first glance, they’re distinctly different—in the best way. The tops are much thicker, designed to be held while you eat them upside down, the traditional way. Inside, the dumplings are filled with a warm, comforting broth and a savory meat mixture bursting with cilantro flavor. (LM)

13. Shrimp dumplings, Dim Sum Station, Hackensack

If you’re a seafood fan, the shrimp dumplings ($6.95) here will satisfy. Coming on the scene in 2021, Dim Sum Station is the place for traditional Cantonese dim sum from the Guangdong region in China. On the menu you can find appetizers such as bean curd ($6.95) and chicken feet ($5.95). Favorites include beef tripe with turnips ($8.95) and since we mentioned chicken feet, you can also order braised pig intestines, ($8.95). I may stick with the dumplings! (KSB)

12. Pork wontons in spicy peanut sauce, Wu’s Shanghai Dumpling, Edison and North Brunswick

Fear not, spice dissenters: The pork wontons in spicy peanut sauce ($8.50) are more flavorful than purely hot. These meaty wontons are drenched in a rich, nutty sauce that adds another level of deliciousness to the whole dish. It may be a little messy to eat, but trust us it’s worth it. Just grab a few extra napkins (LM)

11. Kimchi beef dumplings, Best Dumplings, Englewood

I was never a huge kimchi fan, but the beef kimchi dumplings ($10) here won me over — great taste, not overly fermented. Beautiful trays ($65 to $90) of chicken wings and dumplings with a variety of ingredients await you at Best Dumplings in Inglewood. If you’re not buying for a group, try the kimchi fried dumplings with beef, $10, the dumplings with pork ($10.50) or the spinach and kale dumplings ($10.50), steamed or fried. The Dumpling soup ($10), is also popular. (KSB)

10. Mac and cheese dumplings, Pinwheel Garden Dumpling and Noodle Bar, Jersey City

How can you go wrong with crispy-meets-gooey mac and cheese dumplings ($10.75)? Talk about comfort food. This family-owned spot serves dishes from Taiwan, Japan, Korea, India, China and other countries. The owners pride themselves on using gluten-free seasonings, pink Himalayan salt, and sustainable palm sugar and agave for the sweet bite. The also-popular vegan dumplings ($10.75), come with curried cauliflower, potatoes, chickpeas, edamame, sunflower seeds, raisins, and a tamarind cilantro mint sauce. (KSB)

9. Pelmeni, Bear and Birch, Freehold

Bear and Birch may be best known as a Russian banya (spa), but the on-site restaurant is a destination in its own right—especially for lovers of traditional Russian cuisine. Among the highlights are the handmade pelmeni, delicate Siberian dumplings filled with either chicken or pork, then served piping hot with a generous dollop of sour cream on the side. The tangy cream adds a cool contrast to the warm, savory filling, making these bite-sized dumplings as comforting as they are addictive. (LM)

8. Beef and chive mandu, Woori Mart, Northvale

My friend from Korea told me that this small stand located inside the Woori Mart in Northvale offers mandu that are just as good as her mother’s – how could I ignore such a claim? Mandu, or mandoo, are a type of dumpling in Korea where you combine meat, vegetables and Korean glass noodles. This small stand is located right next to the bakery inside the supermarket. Guests can either get their mandu pan-fried or steamed – I prefer the latter. This dumpling had the simplest of ingredients but boasted big flavor. I didn’t even need the soy sauce packet with which it was served. (LM)

7. Shrimp dumplings, Bao Dumplings and Bao Tea, Kenilworth, Freehold and Hazlet

These shrimp dumplings ($12.95) were fresh and tasty with tender shrimp and delicious and crunchy veggies. The vegetarian dumplings ($12.95) were tender and tasty with fresh carrots, cabbage and other veggies. Other favorites are the chicken with corn ($11.95) and shrimp with pork and chives, ($11.95). (KSB)

6. Pork dumplings, Dumpling Dojo, Rutherford

This Asian fusion eatery features Asian cuisine mixed with Western influences. You get a sense of that in the taste of these pork dumplings. They were somewhere between a pierogi and a dumpling, crispy on the bottom with a lingering flavor. In addition to pork, shrimp, chicken and vegetable dumplings ($8.10) you can order the Szechuan ravioli ($8.49) with pork, scallions and a spicy Szechuan vinaigrette. (KSB)

5. Pork soup dumplings, Soup Dumpling Plus, Fort Lee

Nothing beats the classic! Soup dumplings are like a regular dumpling except the dough is folded with a solidified broth. Once the dumplings are steamed, the solid broth melts into liquid. It is my favorite comfort food, with delicate dumpling skin, tasty meat filling and a mouthwatering broth – perfect for a cold or rainy day. (LM)

4. Peanut butter dumplings, Wasai Bistro, Cranford

That’s right, peanut butter. These are a bit of a misnomer since it’s actually a pork dumpling ($9), with peanut butter sauce, but boy were they tasty. The pork was tender and all, but the peanut butter sauce on the soft dumpling was something I could have eaten by the gallon! I also tried the seafood dumpling ($9) here. They were fresh with scallops and shrimp. All in all, this is my favorite place for dumplings in New Jersey. (KSB)

3. Pan-fried pork buns, Old Shanghai Soup Dumplings, Palisades Park

Among the many shops and eateries on this main strip in Palisades Park resides this charming dumpling restaurant. Although many people come to this restaurant for their soup dumplings, which are also spectacular, I usually gravitate toward their pan-fried pork buns ($8.95). These squishy buns with a bread-like dough and crisp bottom revealed a juicy interior with tender meat. (LM)

2. Crab meat and pork soup dumplings, Tasty Moment, Edison

Good luck trying to grab a table here as it’s always crowded — and for good reason. The soup dumplings at Tasty Moment are top-notch, especially their crab meat and pork soup dumplings. It’s just like the classic pork but with an added depth of crab flavor that just meshes together so well. I’m so obsessed with Tasty Moment I forced a bunch of coworkers to dine here with me last year, and even though my editor nearly choked on one of the spicier varieties, he still approved! (LM)

1. Lucky six soup dumplings, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, Cherry Hill

Soup dumplings — but make them rainbow! Don’t worry, the colored dough is made of all natural ingredients and is used to distinguish the different flavors. Truffle and pork are black, chicken is yellow, scallops and pork are red and gourd luffa (vines in different gourds), shrimp and pork are green. Now, I’ve had my fair share of soup dumplings, but these offer a bold and rich broth beyond compare. Don’t believe me? Beginning in 2007, this restaurant was Michelin-recommended for nine consecutive years – due in large part to these little beauties. These soup dumplings were also one of the best things we ate in 2023 and one of the dishes you need to try this year. (LM)

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Lauren Musni may be reached at lmusni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Laurengmusni and on Instagram. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Karim Shamsi-Basha may be reached at kshamsi-basha@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter & Instagram. Find NJ.com on Facebook.