Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings

"This Chinatown staple is known for its dumplings which come in many varieties. The one confirmed halal item is the lamb and coriander dumpling." - Nylah Iqbal Muhammad

"Arguably the finest dumplings in Chicago can be had at this Chinatown restaurant. QXY specializes in soup dumplings filled with everything from pork and lamb to premium ingredients like lobster and sea urchin. Barbecue skewers are popular as well. Visit the website to place an order." - Ashok Selvam, Eater Staff

"QXY is no stranger to Chicago food lists, and for good reason: The generations of muscle memory are wonderfully present in every bite of its dumplings. There is both precision and warmth in this Chinatown staple where lines of people wait to disappear into the delicate folds of bouncy, brothy happiness. The family secrets in these recipes are completely worth the hype." - Alex Jewell

"The menu at Qing Xiang Yuan is like something out of a grade school math textbook: With 40 options that can either be fried, boiled, or steamed, how many different dumplings does QXY have? And using our second-grade math skills, we’ve calculated that this Chinatown spot has 120 options, putting it in first place for most dumpling varieties in Chicago. But more important than just having a bunch to choose from is that they’re all fantastic. Some of our favorites are the beef and onion, lamb and coriander, and tomato and egg, all of which are wrapped in a thin, soft wrapper, and loaded with broth. While these aren’t technically xiao long bao, they have the same satisfying juiciness—like a savory Gusher." - john ringor

"Not only are the dumplings handmade at Qing Xiang Yuan in Chinatown, you can watch them being shaped through a window looking into the kitchen. The menu offers pan-fried, steamed, and boiled dumplings with vegetarian, seafood, and meat fillings. And if you’re not feeling the extensive tea menu here, feel free to bring in a tallboy." - josh barnett, adrian kane, john ringor