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Chinese bao bun spots

Made for those who seek out traditional Chinese kitchens specifically for their mastery of steamed bao buns.

Based on 665 Opinions
+662
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Updated April 2026
01
Bao Bao Dumpling image 1
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Chinese restaurant

Modern space with glass panel kitchen and QR code menu offers a quiet, cozy atmosphere reminiscent of old Shanghai. Authentic Shanghainese cuisine draws a mix of families and locals seeking stylish, low-key dining with carefully served hot dishes.

Shengjian Bao stands out with its pan-fried, juicy pork filling, offering a taste authentic to Shanghai. The bao buns here are consistently great, combining a soft, fluffy texture with flavorful fillings that appeal to both kids and adults.

Soup dumplings and pan-fried pork baos stand out for their flavor and juiciness. Handmade dumplings, especially the pork varieties, maintain consistent quality and taste great whether dining in or ordering delivery.

People are saying

"The pan-fried dumplings here are amazing and sublime."

"The pan-fried dumplings here are amazing and perfectly juicy."

"I thought the pan-fried Bao Buns were the best I'd ever had."

Good to know

1

Parking could be challenging in the area.

2

The restaurant offers authentic Shanghainese taste and affordable pricing.

3

The owner mentioned that more dishes are coming soon, like crab xiaolongbao.

02
Dumpling King image 1
Dumpling restaurant

Open floor plan with visible chefs folding dumplings creates an engaging atmosphere. The vibe is cozy and modern casual, blending traditional dim sum with contemporary design. Frequented by groups enjoying extensive menus featuring fresh, flavorful dumplings and noodles at reasonable prices.

Handmade baos stand out with BBQ pork, custard buns, and a four bao special featuring dried fried chicken and beef roll. Mushu pork and soup dumplings also complement the selection well.

Soup dumplings come hot, fresh, and bursting with flavor, standing out as a highlight. The menu offers a wide range of dumplings and noodle dishes like garlic noodles and Kung Pao Chicken buns, all reasonably priced and served in a modern, clean setting with a view of chefs folding dumplings.

People are saying

"These dumplings are the best I've had in the city."

"I found the pan-fried pork baos to be flavorful and handmade."

"I thought the Chinese food dumplings were the best I've had."

Good to know

1

Dumpling King offers two menus: one for regular Chinese food and one for dumplings.

2

Expect to pay around $25 per person for a meal, including drinks.

3

Dumpling King has a solid selection of vegan and vegetarian options.

03
Dynasty Dumpling image 1
Dumpling restaurant

Bright, modern space with a clean, casual ambiance and homey neighborhood feel. Atmosphere stays relaxing with Mandarin ballads at a comfortable volume, making it suitable for casual dinners or gatherings. Crowds peak at lunch and dinner, creating a lively but comfortable environment.

Sheng jian bao tastes close to Shanghai style and stands out as the real star. Xiao long bao and pork bao offer fantastic flavors with a hint of ginger in the pork bao that makes it unique.

Hand-made dim sum shines with fresh, house-made dumplings packed with vegetables. Classic dishes like Mongolian beef and Xiao Long Baos stand out alongside tasty vegetarian options like Mapo tofu.

People are saying

"The soup dumplings here are fantastic and flavorful."

"The dinner spots here serve delicious, flavorful food with generous portions."

"The Xiao Long Bao here are really well prepared."

Good to know

1

Parking may be challenging; street parking is limited.

2

They offer a 10% discount on meals this month for their opening.

3

Reservations are not required but calling ahead for pickup is recommended.

04
Village Tea House image 1

Spacious restaurant with a minimalist design and clean, well-maintained decor creates a casual but lively atmosphere. Noise levels are high, making conversations difficult, especially during busy times. Known for authentic, delicious dumplings and top-notch noodles, it offers quick service without carts and affordable prices.

Sheng Jian Bao stands out with its piping hot soup inside and flavorful, moist filling. It takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare and is a consistent favorite alongside BBQ pork buns and Xiao Long Bao.

Xiao Long Bao stands out with juicy, flavorful soup inside soft, tender meat dumplings. Hot and Sour Soup offers a rich, memorable taste. Dim sum includes plump, nicely steamed dumplings like shrimp and chive or boiled pork and cabbage, all made with fresh ingredients.

People are saying

"The dan dan noodles and pan-fried buns are a must-try."

"The hot and sour soup here is some of the best I've ever had."

"The pork sheng jian bao here is a must-try."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for lunch to avoid long wait times.

2

The Sheng Jian Bao takes 15-20 minutes to prepare, so expect a wait.

3

Prices are reasonable compared to other dim sum places in the area.

05
Fuwa Dumpling image 1
Chinese restaurant

Simple, clean space with spacious seating and unassuming decor creates a calm, family-friendly atmosphere. Energy stays easygoing and unpretentious, welcoming a steady flow of diners. Focus centers on authentic, handmade dumplings served in generous portions at affordable prices.

Xiao long bao come in pork and are a key item alongside Napa cabbage & pork dumplings and pan-fried options. The menu offers a variety of dumplings including boiled, pan-fried, and xiao long bao styles.

Freshly made Northern Chinese-style dumplings stand out with thin, delicate skins and well-balanced fillings. Options include pork, beef and onion, fish, vegetarian, and Xiao Long Bao, all prepared in-house with care.

People are saying

"I had some of the best dumplings I've ever experienced."

"I thought the Chinese food dumplings were mind blowing."

"These bao buns are the most delicious I've ever had."

Good to know

1

The restaurant serves a variety of dumplings, including boiled, pan-fried, and soup dumplings.

2

Prices are very low compared to other dumpling places in the city.

3

Portions are generous, with 14 dumplings per order.

06
Go Duck Yourself 去你鸭的 image 1

Industrial-style interior with a steampunk design and an open kitchen creates a modern, cozy vibe. Atmosphere feels warm and inviting, blending casual friendliness with stylish decor. Regulars enjoy bone-free Cantonese barbecue duck in a neighborhood setting.

Bao buns come incredibly soft with scallions and hoisin, pairing well with roast duck. A bao trio dessert offers a fun mix of unique flavors to finish the meal.

Cantonese roast duck stands out with its crispy skin, juicy meat, and deep flavor. Chinese BBQ pork is perfectly seasoned and moist, delivering super flavorful bites.

People are saying

"The Cantonese Roast Duck here has incredibly crispy skin and juicy meat."

"I found the Cantonese roast duck to be incredibly flavorful with crispy skin."

"The roast duck bao buns were juicy, tender, and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Reservations are necessary on weekends to secure a table.

2

The duck dish costs $30, which may be considered high for the portion size.

3

Parking is generally easy to find off Cortland Avenue.

07
Dumpling Bites image 1
Dumpling restaurant

Spacious two-level restaurant with modern design and high ceilings creates a clean, casual atmosphere. The place draws a steady crowd seeking quality Shanghai dumplings and affordable dim sum in a neighborhood setting. Large tables on the balcony accommodate groups, adding to its welcoming vibe.

Sheng Jian Bao features a thin skin with a great pan-fried crust that might challenge beginners. Xiao long bao stands out as super juicy and flavorful, especially the Ultra Mega Juicy version.

Xiao Long Bao stands out with thin, soft skins and rich soup inside, rivaling well-known spots. Dim sum includes traditional Shanghai dumplings and a hot and sour soup that balances spice and sourness well.

People are saying

"The Chinese food's soup dumplings are incredibly juicy."

"I thought the ham fried rice was very good."

"These soup dumplings are some of the best I've had, super juicy."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times during weekends, especially for dinner.

2

Free parking is available a block or two away from the restaurant.

3

Dumpling Bites offers a 50% discount on select dishes during their anniversary.

08
Mongkok Dim Sum image 1
Dim sum restaurant

Dim sum restaurant with a tight indoor seating area and a busy atmosphere. Offers large, affordable dim sum portions with standout items like shrimp dumplings and cha siu bao. Cash-only policy and early opening hours attract a steady crowd.

Cha siu bao stands out with its generous BBQ pork fillings. Other dim sum items like ha gow and siu mai also complement the bao selection.

Shrimp dumplings, har gow, and siu mai offer excellent flavor and freshness. Cha siu bao stands out with generous BBQ pork fillings. Dim sum prices stay very affordable, making it a solid take-out option.

People are saying

"The food here is great and cheap."

"The cha siu bao here has so much BBQ pork filling."

"The dim sum here is amazing, especially the shrimp dumplings."

Good to know

1

Mongkok Dim Sum is a cash-only establishment.

2

The prices for dim sum are very affordable.

3

Baked pork buns are not available until 11am.

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