Where To Find Auckland’s Best Dumplings in 2026
Vicki Young
Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List NZ
Ah, the universal dumpling. Enjoyed across cultures and family tables as part of celebrations, they’re found in all shapes and sizes across cultures. From steamed to pan-fried, and all the different varieties in between—there’s something comforting about digging into a big bowlful of these steaming hot bites. Growing up, I’d wrap hundreds of jiaozi with my popo (grandmother in Cantonese), and freeze them in batches, so we could eat them year-round. Luckily these days, you can get your dumpling fix just about anywhere and at any time of the day in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Whether it’s in soup on a cold night or a quick bite of crispy-edged morsels over lunch, Tāmaki Makaurau is serving up the goods with an endless number of dumpling spots (and we’re not complaining). We’ve rounded up our top picks (in no particular order) for your 2026 dumpling sesh, which you’ll find us parked up at—with chilli oil and Chinkiang black vinegar in hand.
Here are our picks for best dumplings in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Eden Noodles
105 Dominion Road, Mount Eden
Image credit: Eden Noodles | Instagram
I remember taking the bus to Eden Noodle’s O.G. Dominion Road spot in Tāmaki Makaurau when I used to visit from Pōneke—making a bee-line for the signature dumplings in spicy sauce, and their glossy, silky wontons in a vibrant red, spicy and sour soup (I couldn’t just pick one).
I was told to go before the rush, and remember watching them swiftly make hundreds of dumplings before the dinner rush. With a number of locations throughout Tāmaki Makaurau nowadays, you don’t have to travel far for your sweet and spicy dumpling fix. Insider Intel: Sydney crew, you'll be stoked to know they've just opened last week on King Street in Newtown, Sydney.
Sumthin Dumplin
Various locations
Image Credit: Sumthin Dumplin | Instagram
A cheeky nod to Aotearoa’s love for the humble mince and cheese pie is now in dumpling form, thanks to Sumthin Dumplin’s The Beef and Cheese. With premium beef, onion and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan all in one crispy wholemeal bundle.
Our Urban List New Zealand Sales Manager Rach has fond memories of these Lorne Street lunch break faves—and now with multiple locations across Tāmakai Makaurau, you can grab them by the half dozen (or more) too.
Jolin Shanghai Restaurant
248 Dominion Road, Mount Eden
Image credit: Jolin Shanghai Restaurant | Vicki Young
Spot the bright dumpling neon sign, and make your way to Jolin Shanghai Restaurant on Dominion Road. Ask for a steamer of their xiao long bao—juicy, soupy morsels, steamed to order (and totally worth the wait). The secret is to bite a small opening and then slurp the soupy innards, followed by the dumpling itself.
Enjoy as is, or with a tiny bit of red rice vinegar for a sweet and tangy kick to cut through the savoury juiciness. They also have a fried number called sheng jian bao—which is like a cross between a fried bao and soup dumpling (the best of both worlds, really).
Tianze Dumpling House
695 Sandringham Road, Sandringham
Tianze translates to something along the lines of “heavenly grace” in Chinese—and their dumpling selection is definitely something from the heavens. Having been a go-to since opening in 2013, Tianze Dumpling House is known for their Northern Chinese-style dumplings of the steamed, boiled and fried variety.
Known as shui jiao (for the boiled variety) or guo tie (for the crispy pan-fried bottoms), these dumplings have a thicker wrapper which gives them that distinctive chew. Fillings such as pork and fennel are common Northern Chinese flavours, which you can find on the menu, along with a fragrant lamb and cumin. They also have a number of vegan options featuring wood ear mushrooms, tofu and spinach.
Timmur Nepalese and Indian Cuisine
4/1784 Great North Road, Avondale
Image credit: Timmur | Vicki Young
If you haven’t been to this Nepalese-Indian restaurant in Avondale (and their second spot in Papakura), you need to go, stat. When you talk about dumplings, you can’t forget momo—originating from Tibet and Nepal, these intricately wrapped parcels from Timmur are pleated in a circular motion from outside to the centre, making a full-moon shape, Nepali-style.
Timmur has a huge range of momo (of the veg, chicken and lamb variety) and are steamed, fried and cooked with spices in the tandoor. My first introduction to Timmur’s momo menu (yes, they have a dedicated momo menu section) was by way of a very memorable chilli-lamb momo—fried and tossed with capsicum, onion and tomato in the pan with a sweet, spicy sauce.
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Sum Made 心美
11 Davies Drive, Albany
In the last few years, Albany has seen a huge growth in Asian eateries—and with that, there’s bound to be a standout dumpling destination in this booming part of Tāmaki Makaurau. Enter Sum Made, with the juiciest and biggest siu mai, a popular yum cha fave—a Cantonese-style open dumpling made with a yellow wrapper, filled with juicy, chunky pieces of shrimp and pops of crab roe.
It’s a flavour and texture sensation—and trust me, if you come from a Cantonese household, you will have had your share of siu mai from numerous steamers and yum cha trolleys, and Sum Made’s is definitely hard to beat. You might as well stay for yum cha (the queue is worth it) and order the Superior Prawn har gow (crystal wrapper dumplings with juicy chunks of prawn), too.
Man Du Rang
27/35 Pearn Place, Northcote, Auckland
Located in the Northcote Central (Northcote Town Centre eateries and shops) is a comforting and homely Korean restaurant serving hearty, traditional Korean fare. Head to Man Du Rang for their signature mandu—Korean dumplings, with round, thick wrappers and filled with meat, vegetables or kimchi. For a crisp exterior (and soft chew on the inside), opt for their fried dumplings (gun-mandu) with kimchi and a mixture of beef and pork—the beef adds a savoury and meaty flavour, while the pork keeps the filling juicy.
Mr Lobster Private Kitchen 龍虾皇私房菜
4/301 Lincoln Road, Henderson
Image credit: Mr Lobster Private Kitchen | Facebook
True story: I once took two buses from North to West Auckland just to have yum cha at Mr Lobster Private Kitchen, and I can tell you, it’s worth the one hour commute in itself. For elevated yum cha dishes, this is the place—from their unique black wrapper prawn and truffle dumplings (plus steamed wood-ear fungus and truffle for vegetarians), vibrant green spinach and garlic prawn, to prawn and scallop har gow. Insider Intel: Head to their Peking Duck and Dim Sum nights on Tuesdays, for a rare evening yum cha affair, alongside flavoursome, crispy-skinned Peking-style roast duck.
Miso Ra
Various locations
We can’t forget gyoza, Japan’s call to the comforting dumpling—and Miso Ra have them on their Beer Spot pop-up menu, along with their popular miso ramen inspired by Tokyo street ramen. Gyoza have a thin dough wrapper, and are usually made with pork and cabbage—Miso Ra’s gyoza are pan-fried for a perfectly crisp dumpling bottom.
They offer both ramen and gyoza with pork and vegan fillings, and if you’re after a less brothy combo, they also have yakisoba in the line-up too. As they're a food truck, keep an eye on their socials for their pop-up locations around Tāmaki Makaurau.
Lucky Fortune Restaurant
532 Mount Albert Road, Three Kings
Image credit: Lucky Fortune Restaurant | Vicki Young
It’s hard to find a yum cha place that still has the yum cha aunties pushing the carts full of steamers, so we can count our lucky fortune (get it) that Lucky Fortune Restaurant delivers all your fave yum cha dumplings, along with that O.G. lively service.
Lucky Fortune Restaurant serves Cantonese classics for yum cha and it’s my go to for all the har gow, siu mai, wu gok (chewy and crisp, taro and meat dumplings) and fragrant pan-fried chive jiaozi. Eat your weight in dumplings (their coriander and prawn har gao is a must) and if you can’t decide, they also have a medley of a variety of dumplings you can order by the steamer-full.
Take A Bao
5/287 Oteha Valley Road, Albany
Image credit: Take A Bao | Vicki Young
There are so many places in Albany but this was an accidental find, on the way to a game at the stadium on a rainy and windy day—in search of something warm and comforting to eat. Tucked away in an unassuming carpark space by the petrol station, is Take A Bao. Not only do they have Shanghai-style soup dumplings, but they have these brothy, pork mince with black truffle dumplings that are big in flavour and size, compared to the traditional soup dumplings (also still great). Come here for the pork belly noodles and crispy fried eggplant, but the soup dumplings are non-negotiable, must-add items to your meal.
Huami
SkyCity 87 Federal Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Huami Skycity Auckland | Vicki Young
If you’re after a fancy spot for dumplings, look no further than Huami. Aside from their signature fruit wood-roasted duck, their dumplings are also a go-to here. Made right before your eyes in their open kitchen, the chefs expertly showcase a range of folding techniques. It’s one of the few places I’ve seen the pinch-braid fold (on their spinach dumplings).
Check out their steamed dumpling range which include signatures like braised baby paua and chicken, venison with shrimp and crunchy water chestnuts, and jet-black squid ink wrapped prawn dumplings. Don’t forget their pan-fried pork and leek dumplings too—with a stunning crispy lace, they’re a work of art.
Auckland Polish Association
Various locations
While we’re talking dumplings, you can get authentic Polish pierogi in Tāmaki Makaurau thanks to the Auckland Polish Association who run events across Tāmaki Makaurau, where their pierogi are often sold at. These dumplings symbolise family togetherness and gratitude, and can be found on many Polish family tables during celebrations.
The most common flavour, pierogi ruskie, are parcels of mashed potato with Polish farmer-style cheese (similar to quark or cottage cheese) wrapped in a thick dumpling wrapper. Other fillings include a tangy sauerkraut and dried wild mushroom number (pierogi z kapustą i grzybami), and meat-filled pierogi with pork or beef (pierogi z mięsem). They can be boiled but the Auckland Polish Association recommends them pan-fried in melted butter, and served with smietana (sour cream), fried onions and gherkins. This is the kind of dumpling I can get on board with.
Special mention: Frozen khinkali from Gastronomy
19/270 Oteha Valley Road, Albany
Image credit: Khinkali making class in Tbilisi, Georgia | Vicki Young
When in Georgia, you can’t experience Georgian food without enjoying a giant steaming plate piled with massive, pleated wheat dumplings. Known as khinkali (ხინკალი), these giant and juicy soup dumplings are filled with ground meat, onion and Georgian spices like blue fenugreek. They’re boiled and then topped with freshly cracked black pepper, before being eaten right away by the plateful.
There’s only one way to eat khinkali and it’s using your hands—by holding the top part called kudi (კუდი, meaning “tail”) and biting both sides to let the steam pass through while you slurp the soup (before you gobble up the rest of the morsel, leaving the “tail” behind). Having eaten many varieties and forms in Georgia, I can attest they are most definitely worth travelling across the globe for—or in this case, to Albany (for now).
You can buy Gastonomy’s handmade version frozen right here in Tāmaki Makaurau, and if you have any leftover cooked khinkali, pan-fry them the next day for a crispy and soupy next-level breakfast (you can thank me later).
Hungry for more? Check out The Feed New Zealand for all the latest and local food news in Aotearoa every week.
Main Image Credit: Sumthin Dumplin | Facebook