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Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan is a writer and marketing coordinator living in Portland. Read More

A delicious spread of Chinese dumplings at XLB in North Portland. A delicious spread of Chinese dumplings at XLB in North Portland.
i
A delicious spread of Chinese dumplings at XLB in North Portland.
Culture / Food

Portland’s Best Dumplings

From Japanese gyoza to Polish pierogi, nothing says comfort food like these doughy pockets of goodness.

Updated Jan. 5, 2021 3 min read
Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan is a writer and marketing coordinator living in Portland. Read More

Every February, Portland celebrates its love for dough-wrapped delights with Dumpling Week, a citywide celebration featuring inventive dumpling creations that you won’t find anywhere (or anytime) else. No matter when you visit Portland, you can enjoy a variety of dumplings at these terrific eateries.

Chinese Dumplings

Pure Spice Restaurant

For fresh handmade Chinese dumplings (har gow) at a wallet-friendly price, head to Pure Spice Restaurant, an unassuming restaurant hidden in a strip mall on S.E. 87th Ave in the Jade District. The generous dim sum menu is peppered with classic Cantonese small plates, including gossamer-wrapped shrimp or pork and chive dumplings served from a steaming basket. And at less than $3 a pop, you can afford to eat to your heart’s content.

XLB

All hail the soup dumpling! Chinese soup dumplings, called xiaolongbao (or “XLB” for short), were lamentably scarce in Portland until XLB appeared in January 2017. Pockets of paper-thin dough surrounding a bite of meat and piping hot broth, XLB are notoriously tricky to make — and eat. (Treat that steaming broth with care!) This laid-back North Williams spot serves up these treasures along with steam buns, stir-fries and other authentic Chinese street food.

Korean Dumplings

Han Oak

On Sunday and Monday evenings, breezy Korean-American restaurant Han Oak transforms into a dumpling and noodle house. The normal prix-fixe menu is replaced with a more laid-back counter service dedicated to noodles and Korean-style dumplings (called mandu), along with craft cocktails.

Asian Eats

More Food
Tokyo ramen restaurant Afuri opened its first international located in Portland, selecting the City of Roses because of its excellent water quality.

Portland Ramen Restaurants

The Portland ramen scene has exploded in recent years, spurred by the arrival of two authentic eateries straight from Tokyo.

Dig into a plate of authentic vegetarian pad Thai at KaTi Portland.

Thai Food in Portland

Thai food in Portland is some of the city's best cuisine with options that are cheap or pricey, sweet or savory, authentic or Americanized, vegan or meaty.

Popular offerings on the menu at Takahashi include the \"Cholesteroll,\" Jo Roll and vegetarian sushi.

Eight Great Sushi Spots Around Portland

Portland is only an hour away from the Pacific Ocean, so it should come as no surprise that the city’s sushi options are both delicious and expansive.

Polish Dumplings

Grandpa’s Cafe

For arguably the best Polish pierogi in town, you’ll need a membership to the Polish Library Building Association. But don’t worry: A one-day membership will only set you back one dollar. Once you’re official, you’ll have access to Grandpa’s Cafe and their handmade potato and cheese dumplings. Topped with caramelized onions and plenty of sour cream, they’re even better when washed down with an imported Polish brew. The cafe is only open on Fridays and Sundays, so plan your visit accordingly.

Russian Dumplings

Kachka

Blaring Russian pop ballads and sporting a globe-trotting vodka list, Soviet-inspired Kachka is a Portland dining experience not to be missed. The dumplings here are chewy and petite and can be ordered pan-fried or swimming in a decadent broth. The meaty pelmeni are st\uffed with beef, veal and pork, while the vareniki come with farmer’s cheese (think the Russian version of a pierogi) or sour cherry. Wash it down with a curated vodka flight and a pickleback.

Dumplings of All Varieties

The Dump Truck

For a quick dumpling fix downtown, visit the bright yellow Dump Truck food cart, where locals line up for the classic Mr. Ma’s special with pork, green onion and ginger, and the vegan potato curry served with coconut yogurt sauce. Can’t decide? Mix and match a bit of everything with their sampler options. For folks who prefer their dumpling dough wrapped around something sweet, the Dump Truck also serves rotating dessert dumplings like apple pie and pumpkin.

Food, Food Carts

Food Carts

Portland food carts offer a wide range of simple, satisfying eats and some surprisingly sophisticated fare.

Read more

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