Ariana Losch
Jordan Myrick
The best frozen dumplings come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. And the science is clear: People love dumplings. Soup dumplings, potstickers, wontons, gyoza…no matter the type, these savory pillows are among the best comfort foods known to man. In fact, they’re growing more popular every year, thanks to the rise in authentic Asian and Asian-fusion restaurants across the globe. And rightfully so. We can’t think of a food that delivers more instant serotonin than a juicy, delicious dumpling, can you?
How we found the frozen dumplings for our taste tests
As we sat down for our third taste test of the best frozen dumplings, we looked for new flavors, products we missed before, and most importantly, more authentic dumpling brands from specialty Asian markets. We know they aren’t accessible to everyone, but there are plenty of products on this list that are available in major grocery stores.
How we prepared the dumplings
We cooked all of the dumplings you see here today on the stove, per the directions on each bag. That means pan-fried them in oil or steamed them with water. The goal was to end up with juicy dumplings that had a nice golden crisp on the wrapper.
What we looked for in the best frozen dumplings
As we said, dumplings come in a lot of shapes and sizes. But what do the best frozen dumplings all have in common? For one, they should be juicy, savory, and bursting with flavor. Their wrappers should be delicate yet sturdy, with a soft, doughy pull even after they crisp up in the pan. (Unless we’re talking about Northern Chinese potstickers, which are known for a thicker, doughier wrapper.) Inside, the minced meat should taste succulent and enticing or, if you’re opting for veggie gyoza, include vibrant, evenly cooked vegetables that don’t turn to mush after you steam them.
It’s our job to give you the top contenders in each genre of dumpling, including (but not limited to): the best pork dumplings for that simple, classic taste; the best frozen soup dumplings to bring restaurant-quality xiao long bao into your home; the best frozen Chinese dumplings that remind you of takeout; the best frozen Korean dumplings, which have their own style going for them; and even the best vegan dumplings for our plant-based pals and gals. No matter what kind of dumpling you’re dreaming about, hopefully this ranking of the best frozen dumplings points you in the right direction.
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- O Organics Chicken & Vegetable Potstickers
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O Organics Potstickers shouldn’t feel bad about coming in last here—they might not have wow’d us, but they are a perfectly fine dumpling brand to pick up. O Organics is an Albertsons brand, so you can find these pretty easily at stores like Safeway, , Acme, and Jewel Osco. These have the slightly thicker wrapper of a Northern Chinese potsticker. The inside is mostly minced chicken, with some sparse cabbage bits thrown in. They’re a little one-note for our tastes, but some people might prefer the simplicity of these. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Vons
- Nasoya Organic Korean BBQ Vegetable Dumplings
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Originally based out of Massachusetts, Nasoya is a vegan tofu brand that has their own line of vegan dumplings we were excited to try for the first time. Now, I’ll be honest: These may not be the best frozen veggie dumplings for everyone. Our editor-and-chief Justine Sterling called them “hippie vegan dumplings” when she tried them, and I completely agree. They taste more like a Korean-inspired ravioli than a traditional East Asian gyoza or potsticker. The filling is a nice blend of sweet soy and savory beef flavor. But the dumpling wrapper is thick, pasta-like, and even looks like a traditional ravioli. The soft, crumbly texture of the filling might also remind you of cheese. Nasoya also has a Thai Basil Vegetable flavor that’s very yummy—we just favored the complexity of the Korean BBQ and were extra shocked to discover they’re 100% vegan. Nasoya isn’t our #1 pick for the best vegan dumplings brand, but they absolutely deserve a place in our ranking of the best frozen dumplings for their creativity and ingenuity. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Trader Joe’s Thai Shrimp Gyoza
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I don’t know how, I don’t know why, but Trader Joe’s has figured out how to make some of the best frozen gyoza on the market, and their thai shrimp gyoza are no exception. These taste straight out of a dim sum restaurant. The shrimp in the filling is plump and juicy. They’re green onion-forward, which I love in a seafood dumpling. The wrapper is a little pre-browned before you even cook them, which guarantees a nice and crispy bottom. Who doesn’t love a nice and crispy bottom? These are still the best frozen shrimp dumplings you can find at a major grocery store, hands down. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde
- Day-Lee Pride Umami Gyoza, Pork & Leek
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Oh, Day-Lee Pride Dumplings. We share a special bond, you and I. I brought you home and consumed all of you in about a week and a half. I’ll admit, these are not the most flavorful pork dumplings we tried by a long shot—which is funny, because the bag screams “UMAMI” at you in giant letters. These could actually use some added MSG. Still, as a weirdo who sometimes skips dumpling sauce altogether and literally just pan-fries her gyoza in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili oil, these were the perfect little blank-slate canvases to work with. They have a neat, thin wrapper and satisfying, slightly smaller size to them. If I’m capable of inhaling a full plate in under three minutes, it feels disingenuous not to recommend them. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / H-Mart
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons
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Not that a dumpling needs to be cute, but it’s worth noting that Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons are very, very cute and tiny. But don’t let their size fool you—they pack tons of meaty flavor with notes of cilantro and ginger. These are the best frozen dumplings to toss these into some premade broth or miso soup for a quick and easy wonton soup dinner. You can even add veggies and noodles to make chicken wonton ramen. These are super cheap so you’ll save money by not going to a pricey ramen restaurant. Save restaurant ramen for special occasions and turn to these for your weeknight fix. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Trader Joe’s
- Omni Plant-Based Pork Style Potstickers
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In our search for the best vegan dumplings, we tried several brands of vegan dumplings side-by-side, and on looks alone, I was convinced these would be the worst. Other vegan brands went for the classic pinched potsticker appearance, but these, like Laoban, look like they’d just been hastily folded in the kitchen and thrown in a bag. These also took the longest to crisp up in the pan, so needless to say I was concerned they would be too doughy. But nope! If there’s one lesson I’ve learned through this ranking, it’s not to judge a dumpling by its wrapper. These postickers are actually quite light, with a nice ginger tang and crunchy cabbage texture. The fake-meat taste, unlike other brands, is virtually nonexistent here. Admittedly, that’s partly because you can’t taste a super strong pork flavor. It’s more of a “vegetable (and pork) dumpling” than a “pork (and vegetable) dumpling.” That said, the texture is not mushy, and out of all the vegan dumplings on my plate, I kept coming back to these. Definitely the best vegan dumplings you can find at major grocery stores. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Laoban Ginger Chicken Dumplings
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The Laoban brand is inspired by a traditional Chinese dumpling shop located in Washington, DC—and I have to admit, going into this taste test, I was skeptical of them. The packaging is adorably minimalistic, if not a little too trendy for my tastes. When I scattered the dumplings out of the bag, my immediate thought was, “Welp, this is a rip-off.” For a $7 price point, the serving size looked like one or two meals, tops. They also don’t look very appealing; the wrapper appeared too thick, and the frozen dumplings held limply together. But that’s the thing about first impressions, guys. They usually suck. I took one bite, and suddenly I was covering my mouth like a scandalized Victorian maiden. Laoban’s ingredients taste so fresh. The wrapper is on the chewier side, but it actually has a soft, handmade appeal that still crisps up nicely in a pan (for our second taste test, I pan fried all of the dumplings for the sake of ease and because I like my dumplings on the crisp side). The filling is so juicy, the chicken tastes like real chicken, and the light touch of ginger makes every bite unique. These are some of the best frozen dumplings, even if I get less bang for my buck. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Signature Selects Potstickers, Chicken & Vegetable
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Signature Selects Chicken & Veggie Potstickers (the house brand at Albertsons-owned grocery stores) are, simply put, impossible to fault. The dark chicken meat seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger blends perfectly with crunchy cabbage and green onions. Even after you crisp them, the dumpling wrappers have a nice doughy pull. Their family-sized bags are big and budget-friendly, making these some of the best frozen potstickers you can find at a major food retailer. We liked them better than countless other brands of chicken gyoza, including (gasp) Trader Joe’s. Still, there was one other brand we liked more than Signature Select. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Bibigo Mandu Bulgogi Chicken
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We tried a couple variations of “bulgogi-flavored” dumplings, and we just weren’t sold on them. Most struck us as half-hearted attempts to cram a trendy Korean food into a dumpling format—and the overpowering flavor bulgogi marinade always threw off the balance. But not this time. Bibigo finally got it right. The bulgogi flavor is subtle and well-integrated, balanced by a filling of chicken (instead of super savory beef), cabbage, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil to give it a more classic dumpling taste. They’re different, but not too different. If you want to try something new without going too crazy, these are the best frozen dumplings to pick up. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Dollar Tree
- Laoban Livin’ on the Vedge Dumplings
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I have a vendetta against mushy vegetable dumplings. It’s a pretty pointless and sad vendetta, to be honest with you, because even the best frozen veggie dumplings are going to be a little mushier inside than their savory counterparts. But these punny Laoban “Livin’ on the Vedge” dumplings are easily the best vegetable dumplings I’ve had to date. Are they mushy? A little bit, yes—but definitely the least of all the other brands we tried. The filling’s thick, almost meaty slices of shitake mushroom, crunchy bok choy, and spicy Chinese chili crisps all work in tandem to create a bold flavor explosion. Seriously, I didn’t think veggie dumplings could taste this savory and complex. I’d eat these over just about any chicken or pork dumpling any day of the week. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Tai Pei Chicken Potstickers
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These blew most other chicken dumplings out of the water, mostly because they taste like they were made with flavorful dark meat chicken. If a chicken leg dumpling doesn’t sound delicious to you, keep scrolling. But if you’re smart, you think chicken leg dumplings sound incredible and you will be buying these Tai Pei Chicken Potstickers. They’re peppery, savory, and brown nicely when you cook them. With a thicker, doughier wrapper and slouchy dumpling shape, these are the best Northern Chinese potstickers we tried. They’re true takeout dumplings. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart
- Bibigo Chicken Soup Dumplings & Bibigo Pork Soup Dumplings
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Bibigo is the king of soup dumplings. The fact that they make some of the best frozen soup dumplings on an international scale should simply not be contested. We’re particularly obsessed with their pork soup dumplings. You get plenty of rich broth when you bite into these. To sweeten the pot even more, these are microwaveable and come with their own dipping sauce! Not that you need another reason to buy these, but I found both the chicken and the pork versions at my local Dollar Tree for an extremely low price. Good job, Bibigo! —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Merc / Ralphs / Freshly Brookshires
- Laoban Pork & Chive Dumplings
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Again, not to be redundant, but Laoban makes a name for itself in two major ways: Their ingredients have a distinct freshness, and the filling flavors are consistently complex, unique, and yet universally appealing. Flavor-wise, Laoban’s Pork & Chive dumplings can’t be beat. I stand by that, even though they only earned second place in this ranking. They are boldly savory and so succulent and juicy, you actually have to be careful biting into them. But we have to consider the full package, and frankly, the full package is a little pricey compared to other brands. Laoban may make some of the best frozen dumplings we’ve tried to date, but they also look and taste different than the gyoza you expect to receive at a restaurant—and many of us are searching for that distinct appeal.Still, the creativity and overall wow factor deserves high praise. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Fortune Avenue Chicken & Leek Dumplings
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You know what—Fortune Avenue’s dumplings might not be our #1 best frozen dumplings, but they were the only ones I tried this time around that made me say “holy shit” out loud three times. These dumps are juicy as hell. It takes you by surprise with every bite. If you peek inside, you’ll notice a 50/50 mix of juicy leek and minced chicken. The flavor combo couldn’t be more perfect. It’s peak umami. Actually, the more I write about them, the more I’m convinced these were my favorite of the bunch. They are super simple yet explosively flavorful. The only big downside is that we could only find these at Asian grocers. If you have one near you, please pick these up, I beg you! —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Uber Eats
- Trader Joe’s Pork Gyoza Potstickers
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Remember what I said about their Thai shrimp dumplings? Trader Joe’s has the gyoza game on lock. It’s puzzling, considering there are plenty of Asian cuisine brands out vying for this top spot, but alas. TJ’s pork gyoza check all the right boxes and still come at an incredibly affordable price. They are so juicy, flavorful, and meaty. They’re gingery and, while super savory, have a hint of sweetness that is really pleasant. After we cooked them, they looked like gyoza you’d get from a restaurant. I would eat an entire bag of these with some black vinegar on any given Friday night and feel extremely happy about it. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Trader Joe’s
- Bibigo Mandu Pork & Vegetable Dumplings
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Maybe I’ve been influenced by my love for the K-drama A Business Proposal, which is one long Bibigo advertisement (the main characters work at Bibigo; I’ve been subliminally brainwashed), but Bibigo dumplings are just consistently excellent. These mandu pork & veggie dumplings are literally packed to the brim with filling, and yet they manage to look incredibly artful, with a pretty, fluttery top on the thin and delicate wrapper. You almost feel bad biting into them and ruining the aesthetic. Not that you can help it—they’re deeply, addictively savory. These also have glass noodles inside them, which we found kinda fun. Plus, you can find them at Dollar Tree. Which is ironic, since they look and taste like fancy restaurant dumplings. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Wei-Chuan Pork, Leek & Shrimp Dumpling
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It took three years, but Trader Joe’s frozen pork gyoza have finally been unseated from their first-place spot—by two brands of the best frozen dumplings we’ve ever tried. Not to toot my own horn here, but I totally saw this one coming. I tried Wei-Chuan’s bao buns back in October, and they were by far the best of the bunch. I just had a feeling these frozen dumplings would really deliver, too. Like Fortune Avenue, the leek in the filling makes these so incredibly juicy. (I’m beginning to suspect leek is the secret ingredient to good dumps.) They have the perfect amount of briny shrimp flavor (and little nibbly shrimp bits) and an overall quality that rivals your local dim sum spot. Sadly, it’s going to be easiest to find Wei-Chuan products at specialty Asian grocers, but I have seen them pop up in my local Ralphs a couple of times. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Kroger
Runner Up: Best Store Brand
Most Unique
Runner Up: Best Seafood Dumplings
Best with Sauce
Best Wontons
Best Vegan Dumplings
Best Gingery
Best Grocery Store Brand
Best Bulgogi
Best Vegetable Dumplings
Best Takeout Style
Best Soup Dumplings
Best Beijing-Style
Best Juicy
Best Value
Runner Up
Best of the Best
Other frozen dumplings we tried:
Trader Joe’s Thai Vegetable Gyoza, PF Chang’s Pork Dumplings, PF Changs Chicken Dumplings, Feel Good Veggie Dumplings, Tai Pei Pork Dumplings, Ling Ling Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings, Trader Joe’s Chicken Potstickers, Fusia Pork Potstickers, Fusia Chicken Potstickers, Crazy Cuizine Asian Style Gyoza Dumpling, Crazy Cuizine Pork Potstickers Asian Style Gyoza Dumpling, Feel Good Foods Potstickers Chicken Gluten Free, Feel Good Foods Vegetable Dumplings, Feel Good Foods Dumplings Pork, Sprouts Chicken Gyoza Potstickers, Sprouts Pork Gyoza Potstickers, Nasoya Dumplings Vegan Tofu Vegetable, Hungry Planet Pork Gyoza, O’Food Plant-Based Mandu KBBQ Flavor (Korean-style Potstickers), Ling Ling Beef Bulgogi Flavored Potstickers, Ling Ling Spicy Chicken Dumplings Filled With Chicken, Vegetables And Seasoning Potstickers, Cabb Chicken Dumpling, Synear Dumpling Pork & Leek, Synear Pork Dumpling with Shrimp Flavored, Sobo Veggie Pork, Sobo Curry & Potato
Sporked Staff
Gwynedd Stuart
Justine Sterling
