Best dumplings in London, from Din Tai Fung to Hakkasan

The humble dumpling is a thing of beauty. Be it fried, baked or steamed, it’s versatile, warming comfort food.

The bite-sized bundles make for the perfect autumn and winter treat.

September 26 marks National Dumpling Day and to celebrate we’ve rounded up the best spots to indulge in a dumpling or six.

Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung is a global dumpling sensation, with the Taiwanese restaurant chain now boasting more than 160 restaurants worldwide. It made its way to London for the first time in December 2018, allowing Europe its first taste of the restaurant’s legendary xiaolongbao dumplings. Each of these pork buns undergoes a 40 minute preparation process, passing through multiple stations that each have an assigned dim sum chef, all of whom have been trained for up to six months. You’ll recognise the delicate buns by the 18 plus pleats made in their ultra-precise wrapping.

5 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8PT, dintaifung-uk.co

Hakkasan​​

For the ultimate treat, Hakkasan delivers on luxury. The menu is a Cantonese affair devised by top chef Tong Chee Hwee. It offers traditional dim sum with a high-end twist, and both of the international brand's London locations have been recognised with a Michelin star for their efforts. If you feel like going all-out, opt for the "Supreme" dim sum platter which features a gold leaf lychee and lobster dumpling and a dover sole dumpling with black truffle.

Two locations in W1, hakkasan.com

Dumpling Shack

This spot, located at Spitalfields Market, serves up three types of handmade dumpling; a pork and leek variety, a prawn wonton and a vegan dumpling with a soy garlic dressing. They come served with a decorative sprinkle of sesame seeds and spring onion. The folks here know their stuff and take frequent trips back to China to perfect their recipes and gain inspiration for future menus.

Old Spitalfields Market, E1 6BG, dumplingshack.co.uk

Ugly Dumpling

Don’t be fooled, the dumplings here are far from ugly. Each serving is meticulously hand-crafted and beautifully garnished. The menu fuses seasonal British ingredients with Asian flavours to offer two categories of dumpling: street food classics like the prawn and chive and new favourites including the mushroom and truffle.

1 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RB, uglydumpling.co.uk

Dumplings Legend

You’re rarely more than half a yard away from a har gau in Chinatown. The axis of streets Gerrard and Wardour is London’s most densely populated dumpling destination, so choice is plenty and varied. Top picks include Beijing-style jiao zi at Jen Cafe, refined Taiwanese at Xu and superlative bar snack fodder at Opium, but Dumplings Legend is – as the name suggests – pretty legendary. Its extensive dumpling operation makes for an excellent dim sum lunch including delicate prawn har gau and xiao long bao soup dumplings fit to tempt you out of the Din Tai Fung queue.

15-16 Gerrard Street, W1D 6JE

Yauatcha​

This all-day teahouse fuses authentic dim sum with a selection of European patisseries and teas. It’s stylish and decadent and has a menu to match, with indulgent treats such as the seafood black truffle dumpling, the scallop shui mai and the wagyu beef puff. Be prepared to spend a little more here. If you're a little further east, try sibling restaurant Yauatcha City in Broadgate Circle.

15-17 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL, yauatcha.com

My Neighbours the Dumplings

This buzzy east London spot proves great dim sum doesn’t need to come from Chinatown. Chef Carol Lee hand rolls her creations for a super fresh, authentic finish. As well as dim sum, this lively restaurant offers wontons and a selection of fried pot sticker dumplings (similar to gyozas), which get their name from letting them crisp up until they cling to the base of the wok.

165 Lower Clapton Road, E5 8EQ, myneighboursthedumplings.com

RedFarm

New York-born RedFarm rolled into London in 2018 with an instant Instagram hit ready and waiting on the menu. The Pac-Man shrimp dumplings pay homage to the classic video game: four multicoloured har gau dumplings with black sesame eyes wobble menacingly on the plate in pursuit of a deep fried sweet potato version of our hero. Further dainty dishes on its dim sum menu include pork and crab soup dumplings, chicken versions in a mushroom ragout and "square-shaped" beef dumplings with hoisin.

9 Russell Street, WC2B 5HZ, redfarmldn.com