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The best dumplings in Johannesburg are addictive bites!
There are loads of reasons why people tuck into dumplings. Some of our gym bros, for instance, swear by them for protein, while others just love how easy on the wallet they are.
Me? I’m in it purely for the taste. For something so small, those little suckers manage to carry more flavours than half the meals I cook at home.
And while I’ve never made it to China, Japan, or Korea, Joburg isn’t really far behind. The lekker joints below prove that, with their authentic (and sometimes creative) takes that can rival those of the world’s dumpling capitals.
Shun De
From purilarbtommy
Address: 32 Derrick Ave, Cyrildene
Contact Details: +27 82 059 2291
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
Shun De stays true to its Cantonese roots. Their range isn’t the craziest, but staples like chaozhou dumplings (minced pork with bits of dried shrimp) don’t need fancy add-ons anyway.
As for how to take them, you can either go “by the bowl” or the Sunday yum cha route. The latter is undeniably more popular, as it rolls out the classics, like pork, prawn, and even deep-fried taro, through a reasonably priced buffet.
| Tip: Hate crowds? Go on weekdays. |
Yamitsuki Sushi Teppanyaki Dim Sum Bar
From yamitsukisa
Address: 55 Van Buuren Rd, Bedfordview
Contact Details: +27 11 455 0380
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 9:30 pm
You’ve probably seen me at Yamitsuki before…not that it’s a rarity. This 22-year-old spot dishes out my all-time faves, you know, mainly noodles and dumplings.
The selection is traditional-leaning, though specials such as beef fillet or spinach jazzed by cream cheese are also available, with prices between R91 and R101 per bowl.
That said, it’s BBQ pork that tops my list. I’m simply a fan of its tenderness and fire-forward taste.
| Tip: Birthday celebrants get lots of gifts, including a slice of cake. |
Momo Kuro
From momoeatery
Address: Secret Stairway, 21 Keyes Ave, Rosebank
Contact Details: +27 10 594 5395
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Wed – 11 am to 9:30 pm
- Thu to Sat – 11 am to 10 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 9:30 pm
Modern Asian street food stars at the city-gazing Momo Kuro. In other words, you can bite into parcels of Szechuan-glazed chicken and prawn while chilling on a balcony.
Lighter (and cheaper) picks can be gobbled too. The R75 bowl of sui gau is one, an earthy-fresh combo of edamame and mushrooms in a crystal rice wrapper.
| Tip: Bring your own booze. There’s no corkage fee. |
Chunky Chau Rosebank
From chunky_chau_restaurant
Address: The Firs / Hyatt Centre, C/O Oxford Road &, Biermann Ave, Rosebank
Contact Details: +27 10 590 8777
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 8 pm
I vibe with Pan Asian fare, and Chunky Chau feeds that obsession. If you’ve been out of the loop, their Pad Thai and poke bowls are crowd-pleasers, especially with pork or beef dumplings on the side.
Not that the parcels are an afterthought. The Sexy Money Bag (prawn plus chicken), for instance, is drool-worthy, thanks to its oceanic and hearty punch.
| Tip: Sushi (if you need more sushi joint recos, try SA’s best!) and cocktails are 20% cheaper from Monday to Thursday (4 pm to 7 pm and sit-downs only). |
Soya Soul
From soyasoul.riverside
Address: Shop G003, Riverside Shopping Centre, 319 Bryanston Drive &, 4 Cambridge Rd, Bryanston
Contact Details: 27 65 512 3456
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 9:30 pm
Every time someone asks me why I frequent Soya Soul, I keep my replies short: “The flavours are bold, and the atmosphere is light.”
Dumpling-wise, the first part holds up really, really well. Their pork, prawn, chicken, and spinach cheese are heavy on the umami end.
| Tip: Call to book. Walk-ins are allowed, but they’re a hot spot. |
Jinsei
Address: 3 Country Estate Dr, Waterfall City
Contact Details: +27 10 023 9957
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 9 pm
The contemporary Japanese aesthetic of Jinsei is an eye-catcher. However, it’s the smoky robata essence and tantalising notes that’ll make you stay and return.
Tokyo’s tastes run the tables here, headlined by trad miso ramen and thin-dough pork, prawn, and chicken dumplings. Asian loose-leaf teas are poured to balance them out.
The five-spice beef is what gets my vote, though. Its wave of savoury-sweet notes and comforting aroma is worthy of the R62 price.
| Tip: On Fridays and Sundays (5 pm to 7 pm), cocktails are 50% off. (If you miss the designated time, try these other excellent cocktail bars.) |
Cosmo Dumpling Bakery & Restaurant
From cosmo_dumpling
Address: Jackal Creek Corner, Cnr Areole Ave, Boundary Rd, Northriding, Roodepoort
Contact Details: +27 73 436 8053
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 9 am to 7 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 6 pm
Purists be damned; Cosmo’s “dumplings” are too delicious to skip. See, this down-to-earth joint offers soft dombolo, steamed bread served in options such as carrot and parsley.
Unlike the Asian kind, dombolo isn’t stuffed (or bank-breaking). Its main flavours are drawn from the meat and protein of South African specialities, like chakalaka and sheep trotters.
| Tip: Go early if you can. Stocks don’t last. |
Saigon Suzy Parkwood
From saigonsuzy_
Address: Unit 1, Parkwood Mansions, 144 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood
Contact Details: +27 76 284 9786
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 12 am
- Fri – 12 pm to 1 am
- Sat – 12 pm to 1 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 10 pm
Saigon Suzzy is no sleepy spot (the cherry blossom orchard is laid-back, though). Patrons and wanderers come here for two things: tempering Asian bites and headbanging rock ‘n roll.
Their dumplings are bangers too, and you can even nab picks that others don’t cook up. Think tofu and shimeji mushroom potstickers, which are chewy and nutty little pockets with hints of umami.
| Tip: Book a karaoke room and belt out your faves. |
Chopstix Melville
From chopstixza
Address: 27 Boxes, 75 4th Ave, Melville
Contact Details: +27 83 289 1952
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 11 am to 9 pm
- Tue to Sun – 10:30 am to 9 pm
Chopstix’s compact menu makes a solid intro for Cantonese dumplings.
Look no further than their Magic Bags for proof. Translucent and smoky-sweet, it’s loaded with Cantonese sausages and a subtle nutty punch.
Past that, pork, prawn, and a mix of both are your best options, all homemade and wallet-friendly.
| Tip: Deals, such as free dumplings or veggie rolls, are usually offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. |
Lotus Chinese Restaurant
From lotus_rosebank
Address: 160 Jan Smuts Ave, Rosebank
Contact Details: +27 72 484 6138
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 2 pm, 4 pm to 9 pm
Come Sundays, we feast at Lotus. Dumplings are included in their buffet spread, and the R169 to R199 price isn’t the worst in the city.
In terms of choices, you’ll get a lineup of deep-fried and boiled Chinese dumplings. Pork and chicken are what most patrons lean toward, often alongside Lotus’ famed chicken noodles.
| Tip: They don’t run out of events or deals. For the latest scoop, peep their Insta. |
PRON – People’s Republic of Noodles
From pron.restaurant
Address: 69 7th St, Linden, Randburg
Contact Details: +27 65 555 1211
Operating Hours: Mon to Sat – 12 pm to 9:30 pm
PRON just hit 10 years last July, and from what I’ve tasted, it’s good for at least another decade. Well, it’s not really earth-shattering news, considering their recipes are straight out of Northern China!
That means the dumplings here are all about that fire, salt, and aroma. Anyone who’s had their crackling pork, prawn, beef, and vegetarian potstickers knows what I mean.
| Tip: Tight on time? Call and opt for their “click and collect” route. |
Red Chamber
From eusebius_mckaise
Address: Hyde Park
Contact Details: +27 11 325 6048
Operating Hours:
- Tue – 11 am to 9:30 pm
- Wed to Sat – 11 am to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 9 pm
Peking duck may be Red Chamber’s claim to fame, but don’t sleep on their authentic Mandarin dumplings. The variety alone, featuring baked, steamed, and crackling parcels of pork and beef, pulls foodies.
It’s the R92 (4 pieces) steamed prawn that won me, though. You can taste the sea in this number, and the silky dough is lighter than the rest, making it a solid match for stir-fried or soup noodles.
| Tip: It’s best to drive. Parking space is seldom an issue. |
KōL Izakhaya
From kol.izakhaya
Address: Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre Jan Smuts and, 6th Rd, Hyde Park
Contact Details: +27 10 900 2415
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 10 pm
Acclaimed for cooking Japanese-inspired fare over binchō-tan coals, KōL takes potstickers and steamed dumplings to another level. Specifically, they revive the classics here.
Nothing proves that better than the charred octopus dumplings. Sharp Beni Shoga and peppery negi infuse every piece with tart and fiery essences, while bamboo shoots add a fresh, snappy crunch.
| Tip: Email [email protected] if you’re looking for a year-end function space. |
TANG Asian Luxury Restaurant & Bar
From tang_sandton
Address: Shop No 120, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton
Contact Details: +27 71 379 2161
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 11 pm
With accolades from events like the World Culinary Awards, TANG is a marbled haunt worth splurging for. I mean, not every corner of Joburg gets a posh izakaya-Hong Kong mashup.
That exquisite style is present in their dumplings. No other entry here brings out potstickers with truffled duck or delicate salmon caviar.
For me, though, the rock shrimp version tops them all. Its light seasoning lets the oceanic sweetness and natural brine shine through, leaving the richer best-sellers like pork belly and soft shell crab room to shine.
| Tip: Weekends here get noisy and busy. If you want a calmer vibe, opt for a Monday or Tuesday trip. |
