The dumpling gods have smiled upon Buffalo. The proof is in the diverse and economical body of work offered by our community’s dumpling artists.
My favorites include delicate forest mushroom dumplings served in borscht by a Ukrainian grandmother, and Tibetan chicken momos in butter chicken sauce. Plus, let’s be honest, half a dozen versions of pork-centric pasta pillows.
China Taste offers 10 pork and cabbage dumplings made to order, steamed or fried, for $8.99, a ridiculous bargain. At $9.99, shrimp, egg, and leek dumplings are almost light, worlds away from porky fat.
1280 Sweet Home Road, Amherst NY chinatastebuffalo.com,716-568-0080
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Closed Thursday.
In the basement of one of Buffalo’s coolest historic towers, K Dara Noodle Bar always has dumplings to be reckoned with among its diverse small plates.
110 Pearl St., Buffalo NY, kdara.net, 716-939-2002
Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday, 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday.
In Kenmore, Home Taste offers a dozen handmade dumplings for $9.50 (vegetable) to $11.99 (pork with leek and shrimp). Fish dumplings, too, along with pork and celery, chicken and leek, and pork with sour cabbage.
3106 Delaware Ave., Kenmore NY, 716-322-0088
Hours: 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Closed Monday.
In Tonawanda, Peking Quick One has anchored its relationship with steady regulars with pork and cabbage dumplings, steamed or fried.
359 Somerville Ave., Tonawanda NY, 716-381-8730
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday-Monday. Closed Tuesday.
Around the corner from Raha Coffee at Grant and Amherst, Sarnia offers momos, Tibetan dumplings pinched at the top like soup dumplings.
370 Amherst St. Unit 3 (entrance on Grant) Buffalo, NY, 716-256-7724
Hours: noon-10 p.m. Monday, 6 p.m.-midnight Wednesday, noon-10 p.m. Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, Saturday. Closed Tuesday.
Ukie mushroom dumpling in borscht
On Friday nights at the Ukrainian-American Civic Center, enjoy Pani Maria’s borscht with mushroom dumplings for $6.
205 Military Road, Buffalo NY, facebook.com/ukiclub, 716-877-7200
Hours: Friday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Otherwise a membership social club.
Homegrown halal dumpling star Moneybags Dumplings offers flavors like sesame chicken, jerk cabbage, vegan soy shroom, black pepper beef, and many more, $9-$16.
69 Chenango St., Buffalo, NY, moneybagsdumplings.com, 716-345-7901
Hours: 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday.
OG Dumpling House offers dumplings in a variety of formats, including soup dumplings that might satisfy you.
1400 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda NY, ogdumplinghouseny.com, 716-259-8657
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, Saturday.
The Cantonese menu at Wok & Roll is one of the largest dumpling and dim sum menu in Western New York.
5467 Sheridan Dr, Amherst NY, thewokandroll.com, 716-631-8880
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday.
REVIEW: When people find out that vegan cafe Sevens is in the Old First Ward, not known for its animal-free lifestyle enthusiasts, they say really? Once you visit the chill post-industrial space and enjoy animal-free cooking like sausage rolls, cardamom buns, and the Korean grain bowl, it makes sense. Sevens is a working-class cafe that happens to be vegan. (Later this week, for patrons.)
ASK THE CRITIC:
Q: What really is the best brunch in town these days, sir? Best in this case is more atmosphere (quiet) and service than menu but obvs that’s always important too. Price is not, but pricy isn’t the point either; we roll high- to low-brow.
– Ethan C.
A: Southern Junction, silly.
Southern Junction’s brunch sampler ($60) is a ludicrous value that will feed four to six people, even with expanded appetites due to jazz cabbage. That’s a full slate of five taco fillings and shaved ham with ten tortillas, queso, onions, and sauces. Plus a biscuit and gravy with hot kielbasa. Plus a cinnamon roll.
More local food and restaurant stories compiled by Michael Chelus of Nittany Epicurean:
Mr. Galarneau wrote about the delicious pizza he had at Buffalo Deep Dish inside BriarBrothers Brewing [Four Bites]
Andrew also told us about Barrel + Brine’s new mission to turn abandoned fruit into a windfall for farmers [Four Bites]
Alan pondered whether Chef Darian Bryan can win Next Level Chef [Buffalo News]
Perro & Poni at Wilkeson Point reopened for the season this weekend [Buffalo Rising]
Sully’s Chowder House is coming to the former William K’s location at the Erie Basin Marina [Buffalo Rising]
Brian’s Buffalo Beer Buzz told us about the return of a Lock IPA Series favorite from Big Ditch, the release of New York Beer Project’s first ever lambic-style ale and more [Buffalo Beer League]
More great coverage of my friends at Barrel + Brine [Buffalo News]
Brett wrote about the newly opened World of Desserts in the Village of Orchard Park [Step Out Buffalo]
Sarah wrote about Anzivino’s Sweets & Boutique in Ellicottville [Step Out Buffalo]
Wine, Wags & Brews returns to the SPCA in West Seneca on 6/10 [Buffalo Beer League]
Resurgence at Canalside is set to open for the season on 6/6 [Buffalo Beer League]
42 North Brewing Company, in partnership with Erie County Parks, is hosting a “Pints in the Park” event to celebrate National Trails Day at Sprague Brook Park on 6/6 [Buffalo Beer League]
The New York State Craft Brewers Fest returns to Canalside on 6/13 [Buffalo Beer League]
Jamie told us about her meal at Kumo Asian Cuisine [Open till Four]
Chef Darian Bryan won Next Level Chef [Buffalo News]
More coverage of Chef Darian Bryan’s win on Next Level Chef [Buffalo Rising]
Brett also wrote about Chef Darian Bryan’s win and his forthcoming steakhouse [Step Out Buffalo]
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