Guides / Spots

The Best Dumplings in Toronto

Johnny Ly

1 year ago

There's plenty of choices when it comes to the best dumplings in Toronto. There are many dumpling restaurants across the city but what sets the great apart from the good are the delicate folds of the wrapper, the complexity of the broth and the richness of the filling. Though the definition of a dumpling can vary widely based across several regions and cultures, we wanted to focus primarily on the East Asian variety. From boiled to steamed to pan-fried, dumplings will always hit the spot no matter how you swing it.

Here are the best dumplings in Toronto.

421 Spadina Ave

Mother's Dumplings

Often heralded as one of the best spots in town for dumplings, Mother's is probably the most famous one on this list. They hand make the dumplings right in front of the window to entice all passersby in Chinatown. They have been using the same family recipe for years and are a must-try for any dumpling lover in the city.

280 Spadina Ave

Juicy Dumpling

This Chinatown spot has become a staple for those on the go. They offer soup-filled dumplings for a fraction of the cost of many places around town. They're fast, tasty, and definitely worth stopping by again and again.

3235 Hwy 7 #18B

Ding Tai Fung

This Northern-style dim sum restaurant has a couple of locations in Scarborough and Markham. They offer some great pan-fried dumplings and xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) as well.

1 Byng Ave

Sang-Ji Fried Bao

These stuffed soup buns are so popular that you'll often find long wait times for them. They are perfectly soft and fluffy on top but crunchy fried at the bottom. They also house tongue-burning soup inside, so treat this as a warning now.

619 Gerrard St E

Dumpling House - Gerrard

This restaurant on the east end offers so many dumpling options that it's difficult to choose just one. Luckily, prices are pretty good so perhaps getting more than one kind is the go-to move here.

792 College St

The Daily Dumpling Wonton Co.

This cozy storefront offers a simple menu of classic Shanghainese dumplings that are packed with flavour. You can have them served on the spot with sauce or in soup form.

328 Spadina Ave

Dumpling King

This small local chain has a couple of locations located north of the core. They make almost every dumpling known to man on-premise and serve them however you like -- pan-fried, boiled, steamed, etc.

79 Huron St

Yummy Yummy Dumplings

This spot in Chinatown occupies the former location of Mother's Dumplings, and they seem to be carrying their own with massive plates of steamed and boiled dumplings to order.

2904 Dundas St W

Tumi Dumpling House

This Chinese restaurant in the Junction offers a wide array of dumpling options that include xiaolongbao, lamb dumplings and pan-fried vegan options.

361 Spadina Ave

Nihao Dumplings

This fast-casual spot in Chinatown does pan-fried dumplings with your choice of fillings like chicken, pork, beef and mushroom. They're perfectly crisp, crunchy and affordable as well.

641 Yonge St

Shinyi Handmade Dumplings

This newly opened dumpling shop offers a wide variety of dumplings in seemingly every colour of the rainbow.

108 Chestnut St

Lai Wah Heen

This fanciful dim sum restaurant offers higher-end versions of dishes, including amazing dumplings like steamed dumplings with lobster escalopes and shrimp in garlic butter, wagyu beef dumplings and pork wontons with chive in soup.

503 College St

DaiLo

The menu offers modern bar takes on classic Chinese dishes, but the Hakka wontons here are some of the best you'll find in the city. It's a family recipe from chef Liu that is stuffed with pork and shrimp and then tossed in a blend of oyster sauce, soy sauce, chili oil and roasted almonds.

K.Market

Not the conventional restaurant, but the dumplings are absolutely incredible. Chef Ken Yau hand makes all his dumplings that are stored and ready to be eaten from the comfort of home.

771 Dundas St W

Chop Chop

This hip little Chinese spot does classic Chinese dishes like green onion pancakes and Taiwanese basil fried chicken. But their dumplings are crisp and delicately filled with a perfect spicy dipping sauce.