If you have been searching for Ugly Dumpling and wondering whether it lives up to the buzz — this review will give you everything you need. Ugly Dumpling is a modern Asian restaurant built around handcrafted soup dumplings, dim sum, wontons, noodles, and bold Shanghai-inspired flavors. The name is hard to forget, and after your first visit, neither is the food.
Whether you are a first-time customer or a regular looking for new dishes to try, here is an honest look at what makes Ugly Dumpling one of the best modern Asian dining experiences on the East Coast.
What Is Ugly Dumpling?
Ugly Dumpling is a restaurant brand that has built its identity around one simple idea: real dumplings are handmade, and handmade food is never perfectly shaped. The name is a nod to that philosophy. Every dumpling folded in the Ugly Dumpling kitchen is made by hand — not stamped by a machine, not frozen in a factory. The result is food with genuine texture, real flavor, and the warmth that only comes from made-from-scratch cooking.
The menu spans soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao / XLB), dim sum, spicy wontons, pan-fried buns, noodle soups, stir-fried noodles, wok dishes, boba tea, and desserts. It is a complete dining experience that works for lunch, dinner, takeout, or a full group meal.
The Soup Dumplings: Honest and Excellent
Soup dumplings are the star at Ugly Dumpling, and they deserve the spotlight. Each XLB is filled with seasoned meat and hot broth, wrapped in a thin delicate skin, and steamed fresh to order. When you bite into one, a burst of warm, savory soup fills your mouth instantly.
Ugly Dumpling offers multiple XLB flavors — classic pork, chicken, pork and crab, pork and truffle, pork shrimp and spinach, and Szechuan pork. For first-time visitors, the sampler is the smartest way to go. You get one of each flavor, which makes it easy to find your personal favorite.
The technique matters: rest the dumpling on a spoon, make a small opening to release steam, sip the broth first, then eat the rest. Add a touch of vinegar and soy sauce if you like, but the first one is best eaten plain so you taste the full flavor uninterrupted.
Dim Sum and Dumplings Beyond the XLB
While soup dumplings are the headliner, the rest of the dim sum menu holds its own. The pan-fried pork buns are golden and crispy at the bottom with a soft, fluffy top — a completely different experience from the XLB but equally satisfying.
The spicy wontons are another crowd favorite. Whether you order the spicy pork and shrimp version or the spicy chicken version, you get silky wonton wrappers coated in a rich house chili oil sauce. They are bold, comforting, and hard to stop eating.
For variety, the fried chicken dumplings offer a crispy-outside, juicy-inside experience that contrasts beautifully with the softer steamed options. The chicken kimchi dumplings are worth trying for something with a Korean-inspired twist.
Noodles That Earn Their Place on the Menu
Ugly Dumpling takes noodles seriously. The green tea noodles with spicy sauce are a signature dish — earthy, slightly grassy, and tossed in a bold house sauce. They are unlike anything you will find at a standard takeout spot. For something more classic, the sesame noodles are creamy and satisfying, while the braised beef noodle soup is rich and deeply comforting.
Noodles work well as a pairing with dumplings. A bowl of green tea noodles alongside a basket of XLB makes a complete, satisfying meal.
Wok Dishes, Appetizers, and the Rest of the Menu
Beyond dumplings and noodles, Ugly Dumpling delivers on appetizers and wok dishes too. The soy garlic wings are sticky, caramelized, and loaded with umami. The salt and pepper popcorn chicken is crispy and impossible to stop eating. String beans with garlic have become a go-to vegetable side that customers frequently mention in reviews.
The wok dishes bring Shanghai street food energy to familiar formats — orange chicken, Mongolian beef, black pepper beef, and kung pao options are all solid choices for people who want something more filling alongside their dumplings.
Boba Tea and Drinks
No visit to Ugly Dumpling is complete without a drink. Boba tea, fruit tea, and milk tea are all available, and they pair naturally with the savory food. Brown sugar boba is the most popular choice, but the iced fruit teas in flavors like mango, passion fruit, lychee, and peach are refreshing and well-made.
If you are dining in and want something fun, all drinks can be made boozy with a spirit add-on. The Fortune Cookie Cheesecake is the dessert to order — a playful, creative finish that fits the brand perfectly.
Is Ugly Dumpling Worth Visiting?
The short answer is yes. Ugly Dumpling delivers on its promise: handcrafted dumplings with real flavor, a menu full of variety, and a dining experience that feels modern without being pretentious. The name gets attention, and the food earns it.
If you are visiting for the first time, start with the XLB sampler and spicy wontons. Add a noodle dish and a boba drink. On your second visit, work through the rest of the menu — the pan-fried buns, the wok dishes, the fried chicken dumplings. Each visit gives you something new to try.
Where to Find Ugly Dumpling
Ugly Dumpling has locations across the East Coast including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland, with more locations opening across the country. To find the nearest Ugly Dumpling, check the official locations page.
Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all available at most locations. For groups, note that an 18% gratuity is added automatically for larger parties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ugly Dumpling
What is the best dish at Ugly Dumpling?
Soup dumplings (XLB) are the signature item and the best starting point. The XLB sampler lets you try all six flavors in one order.
How spicy is the food at Ugly Dumpling?
Most dishes are not very spicy by default. The spicy wontons and Szechuan pork XLB have noticeable heat, but the majority of the menu is approachable for customers who prefer milder flavors.
Is Ugly Dumpling good for groups?
Yes. The menu is built for sharing, and a mix of dumplings, wontons, noodles, buns, and appetizers gives everyone plenty of options. Large parties of six or more will have an 18% gratuity added automatically.
Does Ugly Dumpling offer vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes. The menu includes vegan dumplings, vegan wontons, vegan wonton soup, and vegetable noodle and stir-fry options.
Can I order Ugly Dumpling online?
Yes. Many locations support online ordering for takeout and delivery. Visit the official Ugly Dumpling locations page or check your local delivery app to confirm availability.
For more information, explore the Ugly Dumpling Menu Guide, our guide to Ugly Dumpling Soup Dumplings, and Ugly Dumpling Near Me.
