Tucked between Boston’s bustling downtown and financial districts, Chinatown is a vibrant and diverse cultural enclave long celebrated for its culinary excellence. For over a century, it has been a center of Chinese-American life, creativity and community. This dumpling crawl traces the stories and flavors that define five of the neighborhood’s most beloved spots.
Zhi Wei Cafe
Item: Homemade Pan-Fried Bun
Cost: $8.99
The (Dim) Sum: 4/5
Just behind South Station, Zhi Wei Cafe serves up the tastes of Northern China in the corner of Boston’s Leather District. The family-owned spot — opened in 2023 and best known for its Lanzhou-style hand-pulled noodles — also cooks up memorable dumplings. After a brief 10-minute wait, the buns came steaming and freshly seared, their bottoms golden and crisp. Their tender filling was savory and wrapped inside soft pillowy dough. Each bite was balanced and comforting, much like the atmosphere of the restaurant.
Nan Xiang Express
Item: Pork Crispy Bottom Buns
Cost: $9.95
The (Dim) Sum: 5/5
Nan Xiang Express is a trendy Shanghainese spot specializing in xiaolongbao to-go. Bursting with juice and flavor, the buns arrive topped with sesame seeds and scallions and served piping hot. Perfect for a quick bite, the food is packaged for portability without skimping on quality. Named after the ancient canal-lined town just outside Shanghai where the dish originates, Nan Xiang Express is a daughter project of Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao in Queens, New York. The Beach Street location opened in 2024, becoming a favorite for hungry passersby craving a delicious and affordable dumpling fix.
Potluck Cafe
Item: Steamed Pork Gyoza (Pork Peking Ravioli)
Cost: $8.95
The (Dim) Sum: 4/5
Potluck Cafe, a hole-in-the-wall spot serving Cantonese and Hong Kong-style eats in a cafeteria format, is the perfect casual and quick dining spot. They serve up deliciously crisp steamed pork gyoza known as “Peking ravioli,” a term coined in Massachusetts during the mid-20th century by restaurateur Joyce Chen to appeal to Western clientele. These pan-fried dumplings are now a staple of New England Chinese cuisine. At Potluck, the flavours were elevated by a garlic-scallion soy sauce seeping into the soft gyoza wrapper. The filling is rich and blissful, the perfect bite of New England-style comfort.
Winsor Dim Sum Cafe
Item: Shanghainese Pork Soup Dumplings
Cost: $13
The (Dim) Sum: 4/5
Winsor Dim Sum Cafe, a small, well-known gem offering the traditional dim sum experience, is the perfect spot to take a big group — circle the round tables and savor a slow, authentic feast. Dim sum, translating to “touch to the heart,” was created to be a communal experience shared with friends and family, with small plates served on a passing cart and accompanied by tea as a perfect palate cleanser. Winsor’s famous Pork Xiao Long Bao touches the heart with their rich pork broth filling and delicate wrapper. Even when taken to-go, each bite proves why it remains a beloved dim sum destination.
Dynasty
Item: T49: Red Bean Piggy Buns
Cost: $6.50
The (Dim) Sum: 5/5
Dynasty is an elegant yet comfortable dim sum spot known for blending the traditional and modern flavors of Cantonese cuisine. Pale yellow lanterns adorn the ceiling above circles of tables meant for sharing dim sum. It’s almost criminal to bite past the smiling, pillowy pig wrapper. The earthiness of the red bean paste is complemented by the subtle sweetness of the wrapper. If you’re looking for a not-too-sweet treat after a successful crawl, Dynasty can deliver.
On the crawl, we got just a nibble of Chinatown’s diverse offerings. From Peking ravioli to Shanghainese soup dumplings, there is a whole world of dumplings to explore on each of the neighborhood’s streets. Beyond the bites, Chinatown is a passageway into a community rich with history and resilience. Each dumpling devoured supports local establishments and small businesses, preserving the vibrant culinary heritage that keeps Chinatown alive as Boston’s culinary beating heart.
