If you’ve been searching for the Ugly Dumpling menu before your visit — or you just want to know what to order before you even walk in the door — you’re in the right place.
The Ugly Dumpling menu is built around one core philosophy: take the bold, layered flavors of Shanghai street food and present them in a way that’s modern, approachable, and genuinely exciting. Whether you’re a dumpling obsessive, a noodle fanatic, or someone who just wants a satisfying meal with a great drink, there’s something here made for you.
Below, we break down every section of the Ugly Dumpling menu — what each dish is, what makes it special, and what we’d recommend if it’s your first time.
Soup Dumplings (XLB) — The Star of the Show
There’s a reason the Ugly Dumpling menu leads with Xiao Long Bao. Our handcrafted XLB are made fresh daily in our on-site Bao Lab, folded by hand, and filled with rich broth that bursts with flavor the moment you take a bite. You can often watch them being made through our open kitchen window.
We offer six XLB flavors — more variety than most dedicated dumpling restaurants:
Pork (6) — The classic. Rich pork filling, deeply savory broth. The benchmark every other XLB is measured against.
Chicken (6) — A lighter option with the same satisfying soup-burst. Great for those who prefer poultry.
Pork & Crab (6) — Sweet crabmeat lifts the pork filling and adds a subtle oceanic depth to the broth. A crowd favorite.
Pork & Truffle (6) — Our most indulgent XLB. Earthy truffle aroma paired with rich pork broth — this one gets talked about.
Pork, Shrimp & Spinach (6) — A complex, layered filling with a hint of brightness from the spinach. Highly recommended by regulars.
Szechuan Pork (6) — For those who like heat. The Szechuan spice builds slowly inside the broth, leaving a lasting warmth.
Ugly Dumpling Sampler (6) — One of each flavor. Perfect for first visits or groups who can’t decide.
How to eat them: rest on a spoon, take a small nibble to release steam, sip the broth first, then dip in the 3:1 vinegar-to-soy sauce ratio we recommend.
Dim Sum & Dumplings
Beyond the XLB, the Ugly Dumpling menu features a deep lineup of dim sum and steamed or fried dumplings that showcase the breadth of our kitchen’s craft.
Steamed & Pan-Fried Buns
Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (3) — Pillowy steamed bao stuffed with sweet-savory barbecue pork. A dim sum staple done right.
Pan Fried Pork Buns (4) — These are golden on the bottom, soft on top, and crispy in all the right places. Think of them as the griddled cousin of XLB.
Ugly Bao Bun (2) — Our signature twist on a bao bun. Bold flavor, unique presentation — exactly what the name promises.
Dumplings
Pork Dumplings (6) — Classic hand-folded dumplings with a savory pork filling. Simple, satisfying, never disappoints.
Chicken Dumplings (6) — Light and juicy. A great option alongside the soup dumplings if you want variety.
Fried Chicken Dumplings (6) — Crispy outside, juicy inside. One of our most reordered items — customers love the contrast of textures.
Chicken Kimchi Dumplings (6) — A Korean-inspired twist with tangy, funky kimchi mixed into the filling. Surprisingly addictive.
Vegan Dumplings (6) — Plant-based filling that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Fully vegetarian-friendly.
Crystal Shrimp Dumplings (6) — Translucent wrappers filled with plump whole shrimp. A dim sum classic that shows off our kitchen’s technique.
Pork & Shrimp Shumai (6) — Open-top steamed dumplings with a pork and shrimp filling. A traditional dim sum offering done with care.
Steamed Black Pepper Short Ribs — Tender short rib in a bold black pepper sauce, steamed to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Wontons — Silky, Spicy & Soupy
Wontons on the Ugly Dumpling menu come in two formats: dry-tossed in spicy sauce or in a warming soup. Both are worth ordering.
Spicy Wontons (8 per order)
Spicy Pork & Shrimp Wontons — Silky wonton wrappers filled with pork and shrimp, tossed in a house chili oil sauce. This is a spice lover’s dream.
Spicy Chicken Wontons — Same silky texture, same bold sauce, lighter filling. One of our most popular items overall.
Spicy Vegan Wontons — Plant-based filling in the same chili oil preparation. Vegan customers come back specifically for these.
Wonton Soups (8 per order)
Pork & Shrimp Wonton Soup — Wontons floating in a clean, rich broth. Comforting and deeply satisfying.
Chicken Wonton Soup — A lighter but equally flavorful soup option.
Vegan Wonton Soup — Plant-based wontons in a vegetable broth that’s quietly impressive.
Hot & Sour Soup is also available for those who want that classic Chinese-American starter with some real kick.
Appetizers & Starters
The Ugly Dumpling menu’s appetizer section is built for sharing. Order two or three for the table while your XLB arrive.
- Cucumber Salad — Light, refreshing, and gently sesame-dressed. A perfect palate cleanser between richer dishes.
- Braised Baby Back Ribs — Slow-cooked until the meat falls from the bone. Bold, sticky, and deeply satisfying.
- Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken — Crispy battered chicken bites seasoned with fragrant salt and pepper. Impossible to stop eating.
- Soy Garlic Wings (6) — Sticky, caramelized, and loaded with umami. A perennial bestseller.
- Fried Pork Chop — A whole pork chop, fried golden and seasoned. It also appears on the noodle menu for good reason.
- Spring Rolls (2) — Classic golden rolls, crispy and light.
- Scallion Pancake — Flaky, layered, and pan-crisped. A great way to start the meal.
- Edamame — Simple, salted, and always a reliable opener.
- Cream Cheese Rangoon (6) — Contains imitation crab. Crispy wonton cups with creamy filling. A crowd-pleasing comfort item.
- Fried Calamari — Lightly battered squid, tender inside and crispy out.
Noodles — Wok-Tossed & Soup
The noodle section of the Ugly Dumpling menu is serious. We offer both stir-fried noodles and noodle soups, with green tea noodles being a house specialty.
Noodle Soups
Braised Beef Noodle Soup (contains beef tendon) — Deep, long-simmered beef broth with tender braised beef. A meal in itself.
Fried Pork Chop Noodle Soup — The fried pork chop from our appetizer section, served over noodles in broth. Hearty and satisfying.
Pork & Shrimp Wonton Soup — Also listed here as a noodle bowl option.
Stir-Fried Noodles
Choose your protein — Chicken, Shrimp, Shredded Beef, or Vegetable — for any of the stir-fried noodle dishes.
- Noodles w. Spicy Sauce — House noodles tossed in a bold spicy sauce. Simple but deeply flavorful.
- Green Tea Noodles w. Spicy Sauce — Our signature. The green tea noodles add an earthy, slightly grassy quality that makes this dish unlike anything else on the menu.
- Green Tea Noodles w. Sesame Sauce (contains peanuts) — A nuttier, creamier version of our green tea noodles.
- Noodles w. Sesame Sauce (contains peanuts) — Classic sesame noodles, rich and satisfying.
- Noodles w. Diced Beef & Szechuan Peppers — Numbing, tingly Szechuan heat with tender beef. For spice enthusiasts.
- Chicken / Shrimp / Shredded Beef Stir-Fried Noodles — Wok-tossed with your protein of choice.
- Vegetable Stir-Fried Noodles — A solid plant-based option with great wok flavor.
Wok Favorites & Fried Rice
The Ugly Dumpling menu’s wok section brings Shanghai street food energy to familiar dishes — orange chicken, beef & broccoli, and more, all cooked fast and hot in a real wok.
Wok Dishes
- Orange Chicken — Sweet, citrusy, and crispy. A comfort classic with a house-made sauce.
- Chicken & Broccoli — Clean, savory, and light.
- Sweet & Sour Chicken — Crispy chicken in a bright, tangy sauce.
- Kung Pao Chicken / Shrimp / Beef (contains peanuts) — Spicy, nutty, with crunchy peanuts and dried chilies.
- Creamy Shrimp — Plump shrimp in a velvety sauce. A popular lighter option.
- Mongolian Beef — Tender beef in a sweet soy-scallion sauce.
- Black Pepper Beef — Strips of beef with bold cracked pepper and aromatics.
- Beef & Broccoli — The classic, done with care.
- Shredded Beef & Shishito Peppers — Savory beef with mild shishito peppers. A sophisticated wok dish.
Fried Rice
Available with Pork Chop, Shrimp, Shredded Beef, Chicken, or Vegetable Egg.
Add the ‘Make It Ugly +3’ upgrade to any fried rice to elevate it with extra toppings and flavor.
Vegetable Sides
Broccoli w. Garlic — Wok-tossed with fragrant garlic. Simple and excellent.
String Beans w. Garlic — One of our most-mentioned dishes in reviews. The garlic caramelizes beautifully.
Boba Tea & Drinks
The Ugly Dumpling menu includes a full drinks program — boba tea, fruity yogurt drinks, iced sweets, hot tea, and boozy add-ons.
Bubble Tea & Specialty Drinks
- Milk Tea — Black or Green base, available hot or iced.
- Iced Tea — Black or Green, with flavor options: Honey, Passion Fruit, Peach, Mango, Lychee, Strawberry.
- Fruity Yogurt Drink — Same flavors as the iced teas, creamy and refreshing.
- Iced Sweet Crème — Available in Strawberry, Matcha, Thai Tea, and Taro.
- Brown Sugar Boba — Classic brown sugar milk tea with boba pearls.
- Honey Lemonade — With optional Rainbow Jelly, Boba, or Popping Boba add-ins.
All drinks can be made boozy with a spirit add-on — perfect if you’re dining in and want something fun with your meal.
Hot Tea & Soft Drinks
Hot Jasmine Tea, Soft Drinks, Juice (Apple, Cranberry, Pineapple, Orange), and Fiji Water round out the non-alcoholic options.
Desserts
The Ugly Dumpling menu keeps desserts focused and satisfying:
- Chocolate Chip Lava Cookie à la Mode — A warm cookie with molten chocolate center, served with ice cream. Rich and indulgent.
- NY Style Cheesecake — Classic, creamy, and smooth.
- Fortune Cookie Cheesecake — A playful house specialty that nods to the Asian dining tradition.
- Peanut Butter Bomb — Intense peanut butter flavor in a compact dessert.
- Ice Cream — Chocolate or Vanilla.
Catering & Group Dining
Ugly Dumpling offers catering services for events, parties, and group celebrations. If you’re planning a gathering of six or more, note that an 18% gratuity is automatically added to dine-in checks. Reach out via the website to discuss catering options.
Ready to Order? Find Your Nearest Ugly Dumpling
The Ugly Dumpling menu is designed to be explored. Come in and try the XLB sampler alongside the Spicy Chicken Wontons and Green Tea Noodles on your first visit — that combination gives you a strong feel for everything the restaurant does best.
With locations across New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware, and more opening soon in Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, and beyond, there’s likely an Ugly Dumpling near you.
View the full menu: uglydumpling.us/menu
Find a location: uglydumpling.us/locations
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