The 10 Best Dumplings in Denver

There is a common denominator behind every good dumpling: a human hand, stuffing and pleating and twisting with care. By this definition, though, many foods can be considered dumplings. Ravioli. Samosas. Tamales. Empanadas. Each of these fussy labors of love requires some hands-on hard work, and the people who pour their hearts into these little pockets deserve their flowers, too. But for today’s comprehensive guide to the city’s best dumplings, we’re sticking to the traditional varieties (think: wontons, potstickers, and dim sum) found in Denver proper.

Is there a dumpling in Denver that you love but isn’t on this list? Let us know at dining@5280.com.

Jump Ahead:

• Best Soup Dumplings
• Best Potstickers
• Best Wontons
• Best Dumpling You’ve Never Heard Of
• Best Dim Sum (Standard)
• Best Dim Sum (Modern)
• Best Eastern European Dumplings
• Best Late-Night Dumplings
• Best Vegan Dumplings
• Best Vietnamese Dumplings

Best Soup Dumplings: Chopstickers

We’ve already penned an entire love letter to the soup dumplings at Chopstickers, but it’s worth repeating that these are the ne plus ultra of dumplings. The downtown outpost of this Fort Collins–born franchise opened just off 16th Street Mall a year and a half ago. Ever since, locals have been waxing poetic about its perfectly balanced soup dumpling. Generous on the soup but not so burdened by broth that it falls apart, Chopstickers’ version of this classic Chinese dish is juicy and pork-forward. Not proficient with a pair of chopsticks yet? The little rings at the tops of these soup dumplings render them beginner-friendly, making them easy to grab without puncturing them. 1617 California St.

Best Potstickers: Lao Wang Noodle House

Lao Wang Noodle House explicitly posts its house rules: No second orders, no split checks, and chief among them, Mom is always right. While some might balk at this style of service, Lao Wang’s house-made dumplings and decadeslong history should warrant diners’ respect. For 25 years, matriarch Chung Ming Wang (affectionately known as Mom to, well, everyone) has operated Lao Wang with her late husband, Tse Ming, and her son, Danny, serving recipes from her native Taiwan, which she hasn’t been able to return to since opening the eatery. The family has perfected the potsticker—the bottoms are delightfully crisp but not burnt—and they pair nicely with the lu rou mian (braised pork noodles) and pickled cabbage. A side of gratitude for Chung Ming, who is often cooking and taking orders all by herself, doesn’t hurt either. 945 S. Federal Blvd.

Best Wontons: MAKfam

Wontons are the humblest of the Chinese dumplings, as they’re easy to fold and traditionally served in soup or splashed with chile oil rather than with a separate dipping sauce. But the fancy wonton tong at MAKfam, which we named one of the 25 best restaurants in Denver this year, gives them the TLC treatment. Owners Kenneth Wan and Doris Yuen rest their two-bite, chicken-and-shrimp wontons in a rich, umami-laden chicken broth. Then, they ditch the chile oil for a more complex XO chile sauce, which accentuates the seafood in the filling. Simply put, these are the most flavorful wontons in the Mile High City. 39 W. First Ave.

Best Dumpling You’ve Never Heard Of: House of Bread

In the United States, “soup dumplings” almost always refer to Shanghai-style xiaolongbao, bite-size bundles of pork and broth usually served in a steaming basket. But other countries have their own worthy versions of broth-filled buns. Georgian cuisine, for example, goes big with fist-size khinkali, whose filling of seasoned beef, pork, or lamb produces a slurpable amount of juice after cooking. Try them at House of Bread, an Armenian bakery that also serves dishes from Georgia and other West Asian countries. The khinkali are boiled to order and take around half an hour, so dig into an ajarski khachapuri (egg-and-cheese bread boat) and, if available, the sini mante (small, open-faced beef dumplings cooked in tomato sauce) while you wait. Tip: Grab the thick knob of dough atop the khinkali with your fingers to eat; this “handle” can be consumed or discarded. 2020 S. Parker Road, Unit A

Best Dim Sum (Standard): Pho Hong

Traditional dim sum is highly ritualistic. It should be eaten as breakfast or lunch, servers should hand out dishes from roving carts, and each table should have a pot of tea that’s filled again and again. But for many, the part of the meal that matters most is the robust roster of dumplings. Pho Hong’s options are all homemade, from standard siu mai and har gow to deep-fried ham sui gok, football-shaped glutinous rice dumplings stuffed with pork. It’s one of the best ways to sample a slew of dumplings at once, and plus, Pho Hong offers its dim sum all day, so you can do breakfast for dinner, Cantonese-style. 375 S. Federal Blvd., Suite 109

Best Dim Sum (Modern): Yuan Wonton

Since Yuan Wonton’s brick-and-mortar shop opened in September 2023, it’s gone on to earn a James Beard Foundation Award finalist nomination, find a spot on the New York Times’ list of America’s Best Restaurants, and land on our 25 Best Restaurants list, too. What’s most impressive is the range of chef Penelope Wong’s dumplings. Producing the number of doughs, fillings, and accompaniments that go into her weekly lineup is an astronomical feat, even before considering the wrapping process. The menu varies from day to day, but you can pretty much always form a dim sum-esque meal from the available dumplings and desserts (try the sesame balls). 2878 Fairfax St.

Best Eastern European Dumplings: Red Square Euro Bistro

A block away from Larimer Square, Red Square Euro Bistro presents elegant renditions of two classic Eastern European dumplings. For a simpler bite, opt for the pelmeni, bite-size beef dumplings swimming in a pool of beef bouillon and neatly dolloped with sour cream. Of course, there’s also the pierogi. Red Square’s are filled with ricotta and leek and come with browned mushrooms and a tangy white wine butter sauce. Individually, they work as appetizers before entrées of goulash, beef stroganoff, or pork schnitzel, but you could easily fill up on these parcels if you spring for both. 1512 Larimer St., Suite R38

Best Late-Night Dumplings: Nana’s Dim Sum

Open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Nana’s Dim Sum isn’t just a prime pick for (relatively) late-night eats because of its moody crimson lighting and lengthy beverage menu. You go to this LoHi restaurant at 10 p.m. because that’s when there’s finally no wait to get in—and no, Nana’s doesn’t take reservations, unless your party is six people or larger. So waltz in after peak dinner hours, order a cocktail, then peruse the plentitude of dumpling choices. We recommend the thumblings (tiny pork buns that come with a crispy skirt) and the chile oil wontons, although you can’t go wrong with the xiaolongbao and sweet rice shumai either. 3316 Tejon St., Suite 102

Best Vegan Dumplings: The Easy Vegan

While the Easy Vegan currently operates as a pop-up, owners Alexi Mandolini and Taylor Herbert’s pierogi are so delicious that they’d make a successful brick-and-mortar business all on their own. Most pierogi contain some form of meat or dairy, but you won’t miss either with the Easy Vegan’s imaginative, plant-based preparations, like a Japanese sweet potato version with miso and black garlic cream sauce or an autumnal carrot-potato dumpling with kohlrabi kraut and spiced applesauce. Not only are the flavors impactful, but the browning on the pierogi and the ample toppings provide textural variety that’s often missing in vegan food. Seek these out at local farmers’ markets in the warmer months and at other local events. Location varies

Best Vietnamese Dumplings: O Liên Kitchen

Central Vietnamese food rarely gets the spotlight in Denver, but O Liên Kitchen, nestled within a cluster of Vietnamese restaurants on South Federal Boulevard, represents the cuisine well. One of its biggest boons is its selection of variably wrapped pork and shrimp dumplings that are naturally low in gluten because they use sweet rice or tapioca flour in the dough. Among the four kinds available in the combination plate, the banh it tran most closely resembles a conventional dumpling, but the ones wrapped in banana leaf are also worth a try. 781 S. Federal Blvd., Unit B

Honorable Mentions: 3 More Dumplings to Try

• Dine on massive Korean-style dumplings at Seoul Mandoo in Aurora, then purchase some frozen to have at home. The kimchi and galbi (Korean barbecue) are standouts.
• The Nepalese dumplings at Westminster’s MoMo House come in five different flavors: chicken, tofu, vegan, lamb, and bison. Order the momo house combo plate, which also comes with samosas and lentil pancakes.
• Inventive dumpling dishes rooted in Eastern European traditions often grace the menu at Molotov Kitschen & Cocktails. Look for seasonal interpretations of pelmeni or varenyky, half-moon dumplings from Ukraine; one with corn and crab was featured this past summer.