The Best Dumpling Houses in the Sacramento Region

Fried rice, chow mein, orange chicken, egg rolls: these are the dishes typically associated with Chinese cuisine. But one staple of Chinese food is the humble dumpling. Stuffed with meat, seafood or vegetables, wrapped in a delicate dough, and steamed (or fried), dumplings can be eaten as-is, dunked in sauce, or simmered in soup for the ultimate comfort food.

Dumplings have been popular in China and other parts of Asia for thousands of years and their popularity has spread to the United States. Dumpling houses aren’t uncommon in large cities (especially those with large Chinese-American populations), but over the last few years, they’ve been springing up in unexpected places. Luckily, many of those places are right here in the greater Sacramento area!

So, if you’re craving flavorful Chinese dumplings, it won’t be hard to find a place near you. From Davis to Roseville and everywhere in between, following are some of the top dumpling spots in the greater Sacramento area.

Journey to the Dumpling | Sacramento & Elk Grove

Photo courtesy Journey to the Dumpling

This long standing dumpling house in Elk Grove has recently opened a second location in Midtown Sacramento, and it’s already established a bit of a cult following. The main draw is their delectable xiao long bao (or XLB for short), a steamed, soup-filled dumpling eaten with Chinese black vinegar and ginger. Other popular dishes include pork wontons in chili oil topped with ground peanuts and sesame, har gow shrimp dumplings with asparagus, and shiu mai dumplings made from pork, shrimp and mushrooms topped with fish roe. They also have a selection of vegetarian and vegan dumplings!

Hidden Dumpling House | Sacramento & Elk Grove

Photo courtesy Hidden Dumpling House

This laid-back dumpling spot has a variety of Chinese-inspired dishes, from noodles and rice to soups and stir fries. They also have a selection of dumplings, with options like beef and onion, pork and cabbage, and chicken and cilantro. You can also get other traditional dumplings such as soup dumplings, pork buns and spicy wontons.

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Yummy Dumplings | Cameron Park

Located in Cameron Park, this laid-back Chinese eatery has made a name for itself with its traditional, hand-wrapped dumplings. Pork, chicken, shrimp, kimchi, and vegetable dumplings are on the menu, as are a variety of pot stickers, which can be pan-fried or deep-fried. They also have several varieties of dumpling and wonton soup to warm you up on cold days.

Yang Kee Dumpling | Davis & Roseville

Photo courtesy Yang Kee Dumpling

No matter what kind of dumpling you’re craving, you’ll find it at this inviting spot, which has locations in both Davis and Roseville. Soup dumplings are their specialty, and they offer pork, crab and pork, and shrimp loofah. They also have dumplings stuffed with cabbage and corn, black pepper beef, and chicken. They even have an Impossible dumpling for the non-meat eaters!

Hao Bao | Sacramento

With three locations in Sacramento, you’re bound to find a Hao Bao near you. Their menu is a bit limited, consisting of dumplings filled with beef, pork, chicken, or vegetables, which you can also order in soup form, as well as a few noodle dishes. Plus, they serve them with a selection of house-made sauces.

Best Dim Sum | Granite Bay

Photo courtesy Best Dim Sum

In Chinese culture, dim sum translates to “to touch the heart.” These small bites are traditionally served alongside tea for brunch, offered tableside from rolling carts. This busy spot in Granite Bay is a bit different — they serve their dumplings all day and you order directly from the menu rather than a cart. Popular items include fried pork dumplings, shrimp and chive dumplings, and Shanghai meat dumplings.

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Yi Long Dumpling | Natomas

You’ll find every type of Chinese dumpling at this authentic shop in Natomas. They have soup dumplings, steamed dumplings (in flavors like beef & carrot and chicken & corn), and fried ice flower dumplings, which have a signature crispy “skirt.” They also have traditional rice and noodle dishes, as well as stir-fries.

Uncle Dumpling | Roseville

Photo courtesy Uncle Dumpling

This authentic dumpling house in Roseville specializes in soup dumplings. In fact, they offer different varieties of XLB, including spicy pork, crab and pork, and black truffle Berkshire pork. They even have a dessert version filled with chocolate! Other goodies include pan-fried pork bun, spicy wontons and fried shrimp balls.

The Dumpling House | Davis

This long-standing dumpling spot in Davis is a local favorite that’s known for its friendly service and quality ingredients. They offer dumplings with a variety of fillings, including pork and chive, chicken and corn, kimchi and pork, and beef. You can choose whether to have your dumplings pan fried, deep fried or in broth. They also have several wontons on the menu and you can even order frozen dumplings to go.

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Tasty Dumpling | Curtis Park

Photo courtesy Tasty Dumpling

Authentic, handmade dumplings are the name of the game at this tidy eatery in Sacramento’s Curtis Park neighborhood. Xiao long bao, pan-fried dumplings, and steamed dumplings are just a few of the items you’ll find on the menu. They also have traditional dishes from Xi’an, including cold noodles and spicy pork wontons.