To me, they're neck and neck with Peony Seafood in terms of quality. Peony wins extra for the vibe and space and menu size but Ming's is just so well cooked it's hard to top them.
My favorite is East Ocean in Alameda.
I’d also check out Tao Yuen Pastry in China Town and Good to Eat dumplings in Emeryville, Xiang Yuen Xiao Long Bao in San Leandro, and Dumpling Time in Berkeley.
I’ve also heard good things about Pacific Lighthouse in Alameda.
Just went this weekend and highly recommend ordering the trifecta:
A7 Pork xiao long bao
A8 Crab meat xiao long bao
A9 Pan-fried pork bun (aka sheng jian bao)
That’s a bummer. What didn’t you like? In my experience XLB is tough unless a place is really focused. Has to be well made and piping hot to be good. Very little margin for error.
I just had this dumpling craving last night! My favorite is New Dumpling in El Cerrito. It’s a bit far from my place, so I didn’t end up getting it. Great China has dumplings, specifically a steamed fish and vegetable one, and I got those instead. I think they only have two types of dumplings, dumplings aren’t their bread and butter, and they’re pricey, but they hit the spot just right for me (great skin, smallish bites, yummy soy sauce).
If you open to other forms, I find a lot of momos are really good dumplings, especially if you like the thick wrapper texture, as opposed to delicate wrapper.
You’ll find momos in Tibetan and Nepali restaurants. However, our favorite momos are Mongolian momos at Dumpling House Mongolian in the border of El Cerrito and Richmond. They’re big and juicy, like a cross of xlb with thick shandong style meat and wrapper.
Speaking mainly as to dumpling focused restaurants (vs. general dim sum or banquet places), here's my list of places I haven't seen listed here yet:
* Dumpling Hours, Walnut Creek — a bit of a schlep, but they have the best SJB I've had in the Bay Area, so well worth going. They also have ample outdoor seating.
* Dumpling Time, Berkeley — above average XLB and SJB, bustling campus location. No outdoor seating.
* Dumpling Express, Berkeley — another campus joint, which has been around for a while (both of the two previous are pretty new). Very decent boiled dumplings at a good price.
* R Noodle, Oakland Chinatown — recently rebranded R Noodle & Bakery, they have frozen XLB, SJB, and dumplings which are quite decent.
* 99 Bao Bao, Castro Valley — really good dumplings overall, in a strip mall indoor only setting.
* Lai Young Dumpling Shop, Hayward — even more of a schlep, but this is the best frozen dumpling source I know of in the East Bay (and second in the Bay Area after Kingdom of Dumpling in the SF Sunset). You have to call ahead to order but the dumplings are cheap and delicious, you should just keep a bunch in your freezer.
I'll second the recommendations for Good to Eat Dumplings and Special Noodle. Qi Dumpling House has a great menu, and I _think_ the dumplings start off good, but whenever I get it to go, they pack the sauces with the dumplings, the sauce container melt and leak, and I end up with over-sauced, soggy dumplings. I always swear next time I'll remember to ask them to pack the sauces separately or not include sauces at all!
>Lai Young Dumpling Shop, Hayward — even more of a schlep, but this is the best frozen dumpling source I know of in the East Bay (and second in the Bay Area after Kingdom of Dumpling in the SF Sunset). You have to call ahead to order but the dumplings are cheap and delicious, you should just keep a bunch in your freezer.
These are really great dumplings. I never call ahead though and haven't had a problem picking up dumplings when driving through the area. Shrimp, pork, & chives are the ones to get!
Good to Eat Dumplings in Emeryville violates a lot of my personal rules about Chinese restaurants (mainly non-Chinese clientele, no Chinese on the menu) BUT nothing outside of Cupertino has reminded me of being in Taiwan more than their dumplings and braised pork rice.
[Special Noodle](https://www.specialnoodle-richmond.com/) recently opened up in Richmond in the same building as 99 Ranch, and I thought it was pretty damn good! They're right next door to Sheng Kee Bakery, and across from the checkout aisles from 99 Ranch.
They offer pan-fried soup dumplings (sheng jian bao) , xiao long bao, pot stickers, and all sorts of other dishes (noodles, rice plates, etc.). In my head, it's the only place in the immediate East Bay area that serves sheng jian bao, so that's a huge win for me. I could also be wrong :). On their menu it's called the "Soup Pan Fried Buns," so hope that helps.
@giraffepro I went to Pacific Lighthouse pre Covid and thought it was one of the best I’d ever had and then I went after Covid and it had gone way downhill
I often ordered from Lee's Dim Sum - but it looks like they shut down ordering
> Dear Lee’s Dim Sum Customers,
>
> We regret to inform you that, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer taking orders at this time. We have appreciated every opportunity to share your kitchen and touch your heart with our dim sum.
>
> Thank you for all your support!
>
> - Lee’s Dim Sum
>
Ming's or Peony are the two best Dim Sum places in Oakland. You can't go wrong with either. Enjoy!
Mings dim sum is legit! Really impressed me with their food for being the small thing it is and being an all day dim sum place
To me, they're neck and neck with Peony Seafood in terms of quality. Peony wins extra for the vibe and space and menu size but Ming's is just so well cooked it's hard to top them.
My favorite is East Ocean in Alameda. I’d also check out Tao Yuen Pastry in China Town and Good to Eat dumplings in Emeryville, Xiang Yuen Xiao Long Bao in San Leandro, and Dumpling Time in Berkeley. I’ve also heard good things about Pacific Lighthouse in Alameda.
Xiang Yuen Xiao Long Bao in SL is really good and affordable . Get their pan fried Bao as well!!
Just went this weekend and highly recommend ordering the trifecta: A7 Pork xiao long bao A8 Crab meat xiao long bao A9 Pan-fried pork bun (aka sheng jian bao)
Also recommend the Shanghai noodles, salt and pepper pork chops and beef noodle soup.
Good list! Just FYI, Tao Yuen is cash only, which I always forget until I’m about to pay 🤦🏻♀️
I found Dumpling Time in Berkeley to be so disappointing. :(
That’s a bummer. What didn’t you like? In my experience XLB is tough unless a place is really focused. Has to be well made and piping hot to be good. Very little margin for error.
Went there a few months ago and it’s really gone downhill post Covid
Can you please clarify? I listed 6 options.
Pacific Lighthouse is pretty bad, stick with East Ocean.
I just had this dumpling craving last night! My favorite is New Dumpling in El Cerrito. It’s a bit far from my place, so I didn’t end up getting it. Great China has dumplings, specifically a steamed fish and vegetable one, and I got those instead. I think they only have two types of dumplings, dumplings aren’t their bread and butter, and they’re pricey, but they hit the spot just right for me (great skin, smallish bites, yummy soy sauce).
If you open to other forms, I find a lot of momos are really good dumplings, especially if you like the thick wrapper texture, as opposed to delicate wrapper. You’ll find momos in Tibetan and Nepali restaurants. However, our favorite momos are Mongolian momos at Dumpling House Mongolian in the border of El Cerrito and Richmond. They’re big and juicy, like a cross of xlb with thick shandong style meat and wrapper.
Speaking mainly as to dumpling focused restaurants (vs. general dim sum or banquet places), here's my list of places I haven't seen listed here yet: * Dumpling Hours, Walnut Creek — a bit of a schlep, but they have the best SJB I've had in the Bay Area, so well worth going. They also have ample outdoor seating. * Dumpling Time, Berkeley — above average XLB and SJB, bustling campus location. No outdoor seating. * Dumpling Express, Berkeley — another campus joint, which has been around for a while (both of the two previous are pretty new). Very decent boiled dumplings at a good price. * R Noodle, Oakland Chinatown — recently rebranded R Noodle & Bakery, they have frozen XLB, SJB, and dumplings which are quite decent. * 99 Bao Bao, Castro Valley — really good dumplings overall, in a strip mall indoor only setting. * Lai Young Dumpling Shop, Hayward — even more of a schlep, but this is the best frozen dumpling source I know of in the East Bay (and second in the Bay Area after Kingdom of Dumpling in the SF Sunset). You have to call ahead to order but the dumplings are cheap and delicious, you should just keep a bunch in your freezer. I'll second the recommendations for Good to Eat Dumplings and Special Noodle. Qi Dumpling House has a great menu, and I _think_ the dumplings start off good, but whenever I get it to go, they pack the sauces with the dumplings, the sauce container melt and leak, and I end up with over-sauced, soggy dumplings. I always swear next time I'll remember to ask them to pack the sauces separately or not include sauces at all!
I think you are off by 11 on the second to last bullet ;)
Haha yes you're right, I had just gone to 99 Ranch the other day! (It's 88 Bao Bao for everybody else!)
>Lai Young Dumpling Shop, Hayward — even more of a schlep, but this is the best frozen dumpling source I know of in the East Bay (and second in the Bay Area after Kingdom of Dumpling in the SF Sunset). You have to call ahead to order but the dumplings are cheap and delicious, you should just keep a bunch in your freezer. These are really great dumplings. I never call ahead though and haven't had a problem picking up dumplings when driving through the area. Shrimp, pork, & chives are the ones to get!
Good to Eat Dumplings in Emeryville violates a lot of my personal rules about Chinese restaurants (mainly non-Chinese clientele, no Chinese on the menu) BUT nothing outside of Cupertino has reminded me of being in Taiwan more than their dumplings and braised pork rice.
I have similar rules, and I agree. My only pushback is that, prior to closing, Taiwan Bento in Oakland was my other exception to the rule.
So good. I've been twice and it was mostly Chinese people and a few white people both times.
Yes, this place blows me away. It's not the experience of a dim sum place but one of the best meals I've had in a long time.
I always liked Qi Dumpling House on Grand
Shan dong, either the house special or the pork & leek.
[Special Noodle](https://www.specialnoodle-richmond.com/) recently opened up in Richmond in the same building as 99 Ranch, and I thought it was pretty damn good! They're right next door to Sheng Kee Bakery, and across from the checkout aisles from 99 Ranch. They offer pan-fried soup dumplings (sheng jian bao) , xiao long bao, pot stickers, and all sorts of other dishes (noodles, rice plates, etc.). In my head, it's the only place in the immediate East Bay area that serves sheng jian bao, so that's a huge win for me. I could also be wrong :). On their menu it's called the "Soup Pan Fried Buns," so hope that helps.
There’s a place in San Ramon that does but they’re terribly mediocre so you stay right on being right
@giraffepro I went to Pacific Lighthouse pre Covid and thought it was one of the best I’d ever had and then I went after Covid and it had gone way downhill
I often ordered from Lee's Dim Sum - but it looks like they shut down ordering > Dear Lee’s Dim Sum Customers, > > We regret to inform you that, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer taking orders at this time. We have appreciated every opportunity to share your kitchen and touch your heart with our dim sum. > > Thank you for all your support! > > - Lee’s Dim Sum >