Chinese dumplings, a revered and traditional dish in Chinese cuisine, have gained popularity among Westerners, thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of young, innovative Chinese immigrants in cities such as London, Vancouver, and Seattle. These individuals are not only upholding the traditional fillings of dumplings but also venturing into new and exciting flavours. Let us delve deeper into the leaders spearheading this culinary movement.
One notable example is Sandy Tang, a Macau-native and runner-up on MasterChef UK, who established Love Sum Dumplings in London in 2020. Commencing with the humble beginnings of selling dumplings from a food truck outside Battersea station, Tang’s business has flourished, offering an array of unique flavours such as har gow, pork, prawn, shiitake mushroom, siu mai, and vegetarian options.
Having undergone the cultural adaptation from Macau to Kent, Tang draws inspiration from her upbringing to create recipes paying homage to her roots. Her commitment to consistency, utilizing specific ingredients from reputable suppliers, ensures that her dumplings maintain their distinctive and authentic taste.
Turning our attention to Vancouver, Pearl Lam and Dickson Li, trading under the brand name Dicky’s Dumps, have made their mark in the dumpling industry. What began as a modest dumpling bar at an art show swiftly evolved into a thriving enterprise. Their range of dumplings, including traditional Cantonese pork and chives, shrimp and scallop with coriander, vegetarian, and chicken and ginger, caters to a diverse range of palates. Their emphasis on storytelling and community involvement distinguishes them and has solidified their business success.
On the opposite side of the continent in Seattle, Jen Liao and Caleb Wang are making strides with MìLà, a frozen soup dumpling enterprise. The duo has crafted an assortment of unique flavours, including chicken soup dumplings, pork and shrimp soup dumplings, and a variety of noodles and sauces, each drawing from their cultural heritage and childhood memories from their respective families.
Their contemporary branding and focus on appealing to a wide customer base, along with the endorsement from Hollywood star Simu Liu, have propelled their business to new heights, engaging a broader audience and breaking the conventional barriers tied to frozen Chinese cuisine.
Through their unwavering dedication, ingenuity, and steadfastness, these millennial entrepreneurs are reshaping the culinary panorama and introducing Chinese dumplings to a global audience. As they persist in innovating and extending their influence, it is evident that the unpretentious dumpling has discovered a new place in the hearts and households of individuals worldwide.