DUMPLING DELIGHTS

Around the world in eight dumplings

Check out our list of international doughy delights and where to find them in Abu Dhabi

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XIAO LONG BAO

Origin: Taiwan Eating a soup dumpling takes skill: you don’t want to tear it and splatter its rich broth everywhere, but you also don’t want to burn the roof of your mouth. Luckily, the institution that is Din Tai Fung has perfected its dumplings so that the dough is thick enough to safely make the journey from chopstick to mouth. As for the burning-your-mouth thing? You’re on your own. a The Galleria Mall, Abu Dhabi. @dintaifungae

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MANTI

Origin: Turkey Manti is most commonly associated with Turkish cuisine and is representative of a standard dumpling – nothing too special, but nothing too offensive either. It is usually filled with minced meat, onions, and spices and doused in butter. Tean in Jumeirah Saadiyat Island has a pretty gourmet option with each manti delicately stuffed with minced lamb and pine nuts and served with yoghurt sauce. a Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island. @jumeirahsaadiyat

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GNOCCHI

Origin: Italy Finding an Italian restaurant in Abu Dhabi is like trying to find hay in a haystack. And while it’s not hard to find gnocchi, there’s one new place that we are particularly fond of and that’s Talea. Order the homemade gnocchi with white veal ragu. a Emirates Palace. mandarinoriental.com

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GYOZA

Origin: Japan These Japanese dumplings are made with thin wrappers, and filled with minced meat or fish, cabbage, scallions, garlic and ginger. They are then served with rice vinegar, soy sauce and chili oilbased dipping sauce. We’re particularly partial to the beef gyoza from Akiba Dori. a Yas Bay, Yas Island. akibadori.com

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PATTIES

Origin: Jamaica A Jamaican beef patty is made with curry-flavoured beef stuffed in a buttery, flaky pastry dough, baked until golden brown and delicious. Order yours from What’s On Awardwinning indie restaurant West

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to West and choose between spicy or non-spicy patties – we suggest the latter. a Al Bzaymi Street, Abu Dhabi. @westtowestkitchen

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HAR GOW

Origin: Hong Kong A traditional Cantonese dumpling, har gow is served as dim sum. Sometimes called a ‘shrimp bonnet’, the translucent wrappers of these shrimp dumplings are filled with shrimp chunks, bamboo shoots, scallions, and grated ginger, and no one does them better than in Rosewood’s Dai Pai Dong. a Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island. @daipaidongad

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BÁNH BỘT LỌC

Origin: Vietnam Saigon House opened in late 2021 and has been impressing diners with its authentic Vietnamese cuisine ever since. One of its signature dishes are the tapioca shrimp dumplings otherwise known as bánh bột lọc. The small, clear-looking, chewy tapioca dumplings are filled with shrimp and topped with fried shallots. a Al Manhal Street. @saigonhouse.uae

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MOMO

Origin: Nepal

In Nepal, momos – pastry shells stuffed with either meat or vegetables – are a popular fast food. Go straight to Nepal Palace. For a mere Dhs15, you can enjoy a mammoth platter of momos. Surrounded by Nepalese taxi drivers fuelling up on their national food in between fares, you’ll feel transported to Kathmandu. a Between Hamdan & Zayed the First Streets near the World Trade Center Abu Dhabi

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