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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Local picks in Downtown Seattle

Bao bun spots

Made for those who demand authentic, pillowy bao buns as the baseline for any Chinese meal.

Based on 604 Opinions
+601
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Updated May 2026
01
Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 image 1
Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 image 2
Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 image 3
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Taiwanese restaurant

Spacious restaurant inside a mall features open kitchen windows where staff make dumplings. Atmosphere ranges from noisy and crowded to warm and lively, with tables close together and soft-spoken servers. A bar area offers cocktails and drinks, adding to the energetic vibe.

Xiao Long Bao stand out with their impressive variety and delicate flavor. The chocolate bao offers a unique sweet twist, while the vegan bao buns deliver full flavor and perfect texture.

Soup dumplings stand out as a must-have, with pork and chicken varieties available. The menu also features hot and sour soup, spicy dumplings, Taiwanese cabbage, noodles with ground pork, and chicken bao.

People are saying

"The food here, especially the vegan options and xiao long bao, is a real treat."

"I loved the vegan wontons and buns with flavorful filling."

"I enjoyed the tasty bao, siu mai, and dumplings."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended to avoid long wait times, especially during peak hours.

2

The restaurant is located on the top floor of a mall, across from the movie theater.

3

The kitchen closes at 9 pm, so plan your visit accordingly.

02
Mee Sum Pastry image 1
Chinese bakery

Small window and street-side setup create an authentic, bustling vibe with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Dim sum fans find best bao, fast service, and consistent quality despite no seating and a cash-only policy with a $10 minimum. Pastries like curry beef bun and pork hombow stand out as favorites.

Bao buns here stay consistently delicious with fresh steamed and baked options. The BBQ pork hum bao stands out with its sweet and savory flavors and slightly crispy outside with a soft inside.

Crab Rangoon stands out as a favorite, often described as the best ever tasted. The menu features shrimp and chicken chive dumplings, pork BBQ buns, and beef curry buns that consistently impress with their quality and flavor.

People are saying

"The BBQ pork buns have a caramelized crust and tender meat."

"The Chinese food's BBQ pork buns have a tender, flavorful meat filling."

"I thought their hum baos were the best around."

Good to know

1

The place only accepts cash payments.

2

There is a $10 minimum for card payments.

3

There is no seating available at Mee Sum Pastry.

03
Dough Zone Dumpling House Harbor Steps image 1

Open layout with bright lighting creates a vibrant atmosphere that tends to be noisy. Space feels clean and comfortable, attracting those looking for a lively dining experience. Noise level and open design distinguish it from quieter, more intimate spots.

Pork and beef bao stand out with rich flavors and the Xiao Long Bao arrives piping hot. Steamed bao buns pair well with fried rice for a solid meal.

Don Don noodles stand out with a hint of Szechuan seasoning and chewy texture. Dumplings, especially the Xiao Long Bao and chicken dumplings in chili sauce, offer rich flavor and perfect seasoning balance.

People are saying

"The food here is flavorful with a great variety."

"The Chinese food dumplings here are warm and tasty."

"The soup dumplings were piping hot and exactly what I wanted."

Good to know

1

Expect longer wait times during peak hours, but reservations are not required.

2

The restaurant is very accommodating for large groups, making it a good choice for gatherings.

3

The facility is clean and well-maintained, providing a pleasant dining environment.

04
Diamond Bay Restaurant image 1
Dim sum restaurant

Spacious dining room with VIP private rooms and a large banquet area suits big gatherings and events. Atmosphere is lively and loud, blending authentic Chinese decor with a comfortable, first-class feel. Tables are well spaced, supporting both family-style meals and social meet-ups.

Bao buns come with sesame and spring onions for extra flavor. The salted egg yolk bao stands out as a popular and tasty choice. Char siu bao also features as a solid option among the steamed buns.

Dim sum here features authentic seafood flavors and fresh ingredients with little wait time. Stir-fried dishes show strong wok hei, essential for Cantonese cooking, and the Hunan cuisine offers a spicy kick.

People are saying

"The dim sum here is authentic Cantonese Chinese food."

"The dinner spots here, especially the duck, are flavorful and well-roasted."

"The char siu bao were excellent and tasty."

Good to know

1

Dim sum is available daily from 11 AM to 3 PM.

2

Free parking is available for customers at the restaurant.

3

Reservations are recommended for larger groups to enjoy multiple dishes.

05
Dough Zone Dumpling House Seattle International District image 1

Modern Chinese restaurant with bright, clean interior and window seating offers a loud, lively atmosphere. Fast service matches the simple, sleek decor in a small, often crowded space. The vibe is relaxed yet energetic, welcoming families with wheelchair accessibility and high chairs.

Fluffy, pillowy bao buns come with rich, savory fillings. The Q-Bao pan-fried pork buns and Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings stand out as favorites.

Handmade dumplings stand out with perfectly done potstickers and Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings offering rich flavors. The menu also features dan dan noodles, scallion pancakes, and a refreshing cucumber salad.

People are saying

"The soup dumplings here are full of flavor."

"I had the best potstickers and soup dumplings ever."

"The pork soup dumplings were unbelievable."

Good to know

1

They do not allow reservations in advance.

2

The waitlist can get pretty long; join online before arriving.

3

Expect to wait about 10 minutes for a table on busy evenings.

06
Homestyle Dim Sum Restaurant image 1

Small and modest setup offers a cozy, homestyle atmosphere without typical dim sum carts or menus. Dim sum is authentic and affordable, with standout items like BBQ pork buns and steamed rice rolls. Early mornings bring options like congee, and larger tables accommodate groups in a casual setting.

Bao buns come fresh and fast with tea. Options include cha siu bao and other large, delicious buns priced around $5.68 for three.

Dim sum here features delicious and authentic dishes like shu mai, soup dumplings, and sticky rice stuffed tofu. Large, affordable bao buns and tasty steamed rice rolls make it a solid choice for quality Chinese food without fuss.

People are saying

"I thought the dim sum here was better than in New York."

"You have to try the pineapple buns for takeout; they're the best."

"I got three huge bao buns for less than $6."

Good to know

1

Homestyle Dim Sum Restaurant opens at 7am for sit-down and take-out options.

2

They charge an extra fee for credit card payments under $10.

3

The restaurant offers a variety of dim sum options.

07
Seattle Dumpling Co. image 1
Dumpling restaurant

Tiny, hole-in-the-wall dumpling spot with limited indoor counter seating and some outdoor tables in a back alley. Atmosphere feels cozy and family-run despite being cramped and busy, with a chill vibe in less crowded areas. Freshly steamed dumplings fill the air, creating a hidden gem experience.

Taro Bao and Red Bean Bao stand out with strong flavors. Beef bao lacks meat inside and tastes poor, while soup dumplings are overly salty.

Soup dumplings stand out with fresh, handmade quality and rich flavors. Pork and chive dumplings and beef and onion dumplings offer tasty variety alongside satisfying noodle soups.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and always amazing."

"I found the Chinese food, especially the soup dumplings, to be outstanding."

"The bao buns here are amazing, especially the taro."

Good to know

1

An order of dumplings typically contains 10 pieces instead of 12.

2

The dumplings cost about $13 for 10 handmade pieces.

3

There is very limited indoor seating, with only 4-5 stools available.

08
Ping's Dumpling House image 1
Dumpling restaurant

Dumpling restaurant with bright lime green tables and a cozy, no-frills atmosphere. The space stays quiet and visually appealing, allowing for easy conversation. Offers authentic dumplings and bao with a variety of vegetarian options.

Big, fluffy yeasty bao come alongside traditional dim sum and rarer options like lamb soup dumplings. Pork soup dumplings and pork chives lu bao offer solid, authentic flavors.

Handmade dumplings stand out with fresh pork and shrimp fillings. Xiao long bao and soup dumplings come authentic and consistently great, alongside excellent chow mein and fluffy bao buns.

People are saying

"These soup dumplings are juicy and delicious."

"The Chinese food soup dumplings are delicious and juicy."

"I thought the pork soup dumplings were some of the best I've ever had."

Good to know

1

The prices range from $13-$14 for each item.

2

The restaurant offers a variety of vegetarian options.

3

Dine-in and take-out options are available.

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Downtown Seattle, Seattle

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