In celebration of National Dumpling Day, it has been revealed that a number of Chinatown restaurants will be giving away a total of 2,000 free dumplings to hungry Londoners.
The annual day dedicated to the springy, delicious parcels which are a staple of Chinese cuisine takes place on Thursday 26 September. To mark the occasion, Chinatown has announced that 10 of its restaurants will be giving away 2,000 dumplings to celebrate.
The offering will feature both sweet and savoury dumplings, some of which are inspired by the traditional likes of gyoza and xiao long bao, and others which take a more contemporary approach.
If you’re wondering how to claim your free dumpling at each restaurant, it’s really quite a simple affair. Simply turn up to Chinatown on Thursday 26 September (the nearest tube station is Leicester Square), find a participating restaurant and ask for the specific dumpling they’re offering for the big day. You’ll then be able to enjoy your sweet or savoury treat entirely free of charge, before moving on to the next place on your list.
For the full list of participating Chinatown restaurants and what type of dumpling they’ll be serving, see below:
National Dumpling Day London: Participating Chinatown restaurants
Leong’s Legend
What: Taiwanese-leaning Leong’s will be handing out spicy won tons
Where: 4 Macclesfield Street, W1D 6AX
Rasa Sayang
What: Pocket-friendly Rasa Sayang is giving away homemade fried chicken won tons
Where: 5 Macclesfield Street, W1D 6AY
Dumplings’ Legend
What: New-wave Chinatown café Dumplings’ Legend will be serving up a truffle pork xiao long bao.
Where: 15-16 Gerrard Street, W1D 6JE
Orient London
What: Everything is better deep-fried, which is why Orient London is giving out deep-fried prawn dumplings.
Where: 15 Wardour Street, W1D 6PH
Bun House
What: Bun House is keeping it sweet with traditional custard buns
Where: 26-27 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA
Shanghai Modern
What: At Shanghai Modern, diners can choose between pan-fried chicken dumplings and pan-fried vegetable dumplings.
Where: 12 Newport Place, WC2H 7JP
Ichibuns
What: Cheekily named Ichibuns is dishing out mushroom and jicama gyoza.
Where: 22 Wardour Street, W1D 6QH
New China
What: Visitors to New China will be able to get their hands on grilled pork jiaozi.
Where: 48 Gerrard Street, W1D 5QL
Olle
What: Korean barbecue restaurant Olle will be turning out Korean beef mandu.
Where: 86-88 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 6NH
Yolkin
What: This ice cream sandwich joint will serve dumpling-shaped macarons filled with black sesame ganache.
Where: 24 Rupert Street, W1D 6DQ
If your love for dim sum doesn’t stop at just dumplings, check out our pick of the best dim sum restaurants in London.