On the Menu: Dumplings

A dumpling may seem like an innocent enough food - some dough wrapped around a filling, then either steamed, fried or baked. But aficionados know that in the unassuming wrapper can exist sophisticated flavors, both savory and sweet. Looking for dumplings in Northeast Florida? You're in luck, as there are quite a few serving up some delicious ones:

Tim Wah Dim Sum: Servers here dole out the restaurant’s house-made dumplings in the traditional dim sum style – from carts they push around the cozy space. Options typically include steamed shrimp, spinach and soup dumplings; steamed shrimp and pork shumai; fried pork dumplings; and pan-fried chicken potstickers.
8358 Point Meadows Dr., Suite 11, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Seasons Dumplings – Open since late May, this Taiwanese-style mom and pop shop already has a loyal following. As the name implies, the dumplings  - which can be ordered boiled, pan fried or deep-fried – are the main draw. At the moment, they are serving pork and chives, pork and cabbage, beef and scallions, and vegetarian varieties.
10584 Old St Augustine Rd., Unit 10, Jacksonville, FL 32257

Blue Bamboo Restaurant: Helmed by celebrity chef Dennis Chan, this Southside spot just celebrated its 13th birthday. The regular menu features a “Five Dumpling Sampler,” and there’s also a monthly “Dim Sum Sunday” event, with an ala carte menu of expanded dim sum offerings.
10110 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32257

Hawkers: While it doesn’t specialize in dumplings, this Asian street-fare joint - which has locations in 5 Points and Neptune Beach - makes some pretty special ones. If their “Yi-Yi Chicken Dumplings,” which are hand-rolled in-house daily and wok-seared, leaves you yearning for more, try the next closest thing on the menu – the chicken and shrimp wontons.
1001 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32204
241 N. Atlantic Blvd., Neptune, FL 32266

Crane Ramen:  Don’t overlook the rest of the menu - especially the dumplings – the next time you head here for a bowl of ramen! Like everything else on the menu, their gyoza, or Japanese-style dumplings, are scratch-made (using local and regional ingredients whenever possible) and are available in pork or vegetable and tofu varieties.
1029 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32204

Hakka Kitchen: This vegan-friendly, organic café probably serves up some of the healthiest dumplings in town – and you can order them via a drive-through window (the spot was formerly a Taco Bell)! Their “Housemade Golden Dumplings” are available in two varieties: seasoned tofu and mushroom (featuring tofu produced on site), or chicken.
14474 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32250