Either steamed or fried, dumplings have been a favorite comfort food as it is packed with explosive flavors in every bite. Dumplings have come in various shapes, colors, and varieties that cater to every palate. Whether you prefer Chinese dumplings over its Taiwanese counterpart, here are some of the best restaurants around Metro Manila offering a plethora of dumplings that you should try other than the usual siomai.

Take your gastronomic adventure to East Asia by savoring Chinese cuisine at Bai Nian Tang Bao in Uptown Parade, BGC. This restaurant is known for their Special Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao and they only use the freshest meat and handmade wrappers to ensure the taste of their dumplings. If you’re looking for a different kind of dim sum, level-up the usual siomai-rice combo with Bai Nian Tang Bao’s Special Sticky Rice and Pork Siomai.

Bai Nian Tao Bao is located on the ground floor of Uptown Parade in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

For more details and inquiries, visit Bai Nian Tang Bao’s Facebook page.

Modern Shanghai offers authentic local Shanghai cuisine in a casual and home-like manner with a modern twist. Their all-time favorite dishes stemmed from Shanghai’s most original home cooked recipes. Have a taste of their Signature Xiao Long Bao that’s bursting with umami flavor, or their must-try Steamed "Hakaw" Shrimp Dumplings.

Modern Shanghai is located on the 2nd Level of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

For more details and inquiries, visit Modern Shanghai’s Facebook page.

Experience dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant without having to travel to Taiwan. Din Tai Fung’s world-renowned xiao long bao is an experience itself and deserves to be in a must-try list of every foodie. Their Chili Crab Xiao Long Bao can send anyone on a fiery culinary trip with its juicy and spicy filling. This Taiwanese restaurant franchise created a Philippine original Chocolate Xiao Long Bao, a sinfully delicious dessert oozing with warm chocolate delight.

Din Tai Fung has branches at SM Megamall Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong City, at C1 Bonifacio High Street Central in BGC, and at Rockwell in Makati.

For more details and inquiries, visit Din Tai Fung’s Facebook page.

Indulge in authentic Taiwanese and Cantonese cuisine that are sure to whet your appetite at Lugang Café. The restaurant’s roster of Chinese chefs and imported ingredients from China and Taiwan ensure that every dish is authentic. For dumplings, Lugang Café’s Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao with Truffle Paste and Pan-fried Pork Dumplings are highly recommended.

Lugang Café has branches at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM North EDSA in Quezon City, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, Glorietta 2 in Makati City, SM Aura Premier in BGC, Robinsons Place Manila in Ermita, and at O'Square in Greenhills.

For more details and inquiries, visit Lugang Café’s Facebook page.

Another Michelin-approved dining place in the metro is the Chinese dim sum restaurant, Tim Ho Wan. It started as a hole-in-the-wall eatery in Hongkong and has since branched out in different countries including here in the Philippines. The restaurant is famous for its Baked Pork Buns, but their dumplings are equally mouthwatering. Go the extra mile and try Tim Ho Wan’s Chef Special Bamboo Shoot and Black Fungus Dumpling Soup which is good for strengthening the immune system. But if you’re having a hard time to choose, order the Special Tea Time Chow Mien Set which has both Pork Dumplings with Shrimp and Prawn Dumplings.

Tim Ho Wan has branches at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM North EDSA in Quezon City, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, Glorietta 3 in Makati City, Robinsons Place Manila in Ermita, and Uptown Place Mall in BGC.

For more details and inquiries, visit Tim Ho Wan’s Facebook page.

Have a dumpling party and feast like a king at King Chef Restaurant. Found inside Binondo’s Lucky Chinatown Mall, the restaurant offers traditional Cantonese cuisine with a hint of contemporary twist. Do not miss the flavorful meat bombs, Sharksfin Dumplings and Fried Duck Wanton, as nothing still beats the classics.

King Chef Restaurant is located on the second floor of Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila.

For more details and inquiries, visit King Chef Restaurant’s Facebook page.

Another favorite dumpling place in Binondo Chinatown, Dong Bei Dumplings never misses out the list of must-eats in Binondo Food Crawl. The hole-in-the-wall restaurant is famous for its Kutchay (Chinese/garlic chives) Dumplings that’s only PHP200.00 for 14 pieces!

For more details and inquiries, visit Dong Bei Dumplings’ Facebook page.

When it comes to other types of dumplings, the Japanese also have their own version called gyoza. Steamed or fried, gyozas are deemed one of the all-time favorite comfort dishes. At Chao Chao Gyoza, they serve gyozas the Japanese away by partnering it with a pint of Japanese beer or cocktail. If you want to try all of Chao Chao Gyoza’s flavorful dumplings in one sitting, order the crowd favorite Gyoza Hi-Five. It’s a set of different flavorful gyozas: 2 pcs. Ebi Yaki Gyoza, Curry Gyoza, Tori Cheese Gyoza, Niku Yaki Gyoza, and Horensu Gyoza.

Chao Chao Gyoza Bar is located at 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

For more details and inquiries, visit Chao Chao Gyoza’s Facebook page.

ALSO READ: Chao Chao Gyoza Bar: Your next gyoza + beer hangout place in BGC

Savor the exquisite flavors from the northern and southern China at Paradise Dynasty, a concept originated from Singapore. The restaurant’s eight-flavored Specialty Dynasty Xiao Long Bao has been touted as a world-first as it comes in never-tried-before flavors including cheese, garlic, ginseng, Szechuan, foie gras, and black truffle. Amplify your dining experience at Paradise Dynasty even more with their Pork Dumpling with Hot Chili Vinaigrette, a playful combination of spicy and tangy taste.

Paradise Dynasty is located S Maison Conrad Manila in Pasay City, The Podium in Mandaluyong City, and at SM Aura Premier, Taguig.

For more details and inquiries, visit Paradise Dynasty’s Facebook page.

Where’s your favorite dumpling place? Share it with us in the comments section!

Cover images grabbed from Paradise Dynasty’s and Din Tai Fung's Facebook page.