"If Disney, dumplings, and the sea share anything in common, it’s that each has an entire world dedicated to their fans. Only one of them is in Austin, though. Dumpling World, a strip-mall spot located in The Triangle, has a few fried rice and noodle dishes, but the specialty is right there in the name, whether you want yours boiled, fried, or steamed. Start with classic or pan-fried soup dumplings for the table, then order an entree of boiled dumplings swimming in spicy and sour broth. The xiao long bao have a rich, savory broth—with skin that isn’t overly thick—but the crispy base on the fried version adds great texture and density. Everything is made from scratch, so things can take a while when the restaurant gets busy. Use that time to appreciate that this trip didn’t cost you a plane ticket to Florida. photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel Food Rundown photo credit: Richard Casteel Soup Dumplings These have a thin and delicate skin that’s still firm enough to prevent boiling broth from spilling all over your pants. The soup is slightly sweet but still balanced. They're some of the best xiao long bao in Austin—particularly the ones filled with crab. photo credit: Richard Casteel Pan-Fried Thumb Buns As much as we love the xiao long bao, the pan-fried thumb buns are our favorites here. The wrapper has a soft texture, with a golden, crispy base. The little bit of soup inside keeps the whole thing rich, savory, and moist. photo credit: Richard Casteel Boiled Dumplings The skin is thick but has a great chewy texture, and the stuffings are seasoned well. These are good, but if it’s your first visit, stick to the soup dumplings and pan-fried thumb buns." - Nicolai McCrary
