Frozen dumplings - favorites? best place to find them?

[maria_nyc]

I have been thinking of keeping frozen dumplings as a pantry staple but with all the choices available it's hard to know which ones are the best choice--quality and flavor wise.

So recently I visited Pacific Supermarket (Asian supermarket in the Roosevelt/75th Street vicinity) and compiled a list of all the frozen dumplings available in the hopes that people with more experience will post about their favorites in the list or recommend different kind and/or supplier....

1. Aurnish Enterprises Corp.
3 lbs. @ $11.50

2. Fortune Avenue
Pork & Leek Dumplings 19 onzs. @ $2.79

Also available:
Cabbage & Pork Dumplings
Vegetable, Pork & Mushrooms Dumplings
Chicken & Leek Dumplings

3. Mandarin Rolls.
Chef Hon
1 lb. bag @ $3.59

4. Wei-Chuan:
Vegetable, pork & leek Dumplings
21 onzs. @ $2.99

Wei-Chuan.
Pre-steamed
Vegetable Dumplings
21 onzs. @ $2.99

5. Ha Cao Nhung
1. Chicken & lotus root Dumplings (low fat/low cholesterol)
21 onzs. @ $3.79

Also available:
Pork, bitter melon Dumplings & Pork, black mushroom Dumplings

I also saw:
Sesame Buns - Tomei - 1.43 lbs. @ $2.99
Cabbag Buns - Tomei - $1.43 lbs. @ $2.99

[gpcohen]

Best North Dumpling Shop [Flushing] 135-08 Roosevelt Ave. #A4 Great variety to eat there or take away frozen. I loved the "pork and fennel" which was actually pork and dill.
http://www.chow.com/outer_boroughs_di...

[sarahbecca]

Have you tried Fried Dumpling, 99 Allen St.? They sell bags of frozen which are very good.

[desol81]

The original Fried Dumpling location is on Mosco Street(just past the bend in Mott). In addition to bying top-notch cheap frozen dumplings and Bao, you can sit at the cramped counter and down 5 for a buck and supplement them with some tasty and cheap hot & sour soup! Yum!

[lucybobo]

We recently bought several kinds of dumplings from Deluxe Food Market on Elizabeth St. It's their own brand. My kids and husband liked them but I did not. I found them too sweet. The ingredients used for the fillings appeared to be of decent quality, though. It's just a matter of taste.

[bobjbkln]

Also, not all dumplings are from East Asia. Don't forget Russian Pelmeni, available frozen in lots of varieties (lamb, port, veal, chicken, etc.) at places like Eagle (18th St. & 5th Ave, South Slope) or in Brighton Beach.

[j.ey2]

I buy frozen dumplings at the asian supermarket on 8th ave and around 68th st. They don't have msg and I have been happy with the flavor. I pan fry them in a little oil to brown them, and then I add a little water to the pan and cover to steam them. Yum.I'm trying to decipher the brand from the package, but all I can find is Chef One on the back of the package. On the front is the no msg, no artificial color info. Good luck

[kli04]

Yes, I like the Chef One dumplings too! The good thing is they don't have MSG, won't make me thirsty. Also, they have the thinnest dumpling skin, taste great especially when you pan fry them. And they just come out the whole wheat dumplings, even healthier =)

[prunefeet]

Eagle Provisions sells frozen pelmeni??????? I am SO excited!!!

[gnosh]

You can buy frozen dumplings at Family Dumpling in Sunset Park. (They make them there.) They have several kinds. I recently tried the chicken and veg ones, and they were quite good and light. Actually better than the ones I had at the restaurant itself.

[jason carey]

where is that?
I want to check it out.

[gnosh]

It's on 7th Avenue I think around 70th Street. Maybe someone else can remember more specifically. I know I found the address online somewhere once (before I went), but tried again just now now and couldn't find it.....

[wleatherette]

i was just going to recommend family dumpling. 7th and 70th sounds about right, as i remember turning off of 8th avenue to get there. in any case, it's in/near the sunset park chinatown. i like the ones meant for frying a bit better than the ones meant for steaming.

[Ike]

The dumpling joint on 49th St. just west of 8th Ave. in Brooklyn is great. Haven't had their frozen ones, though.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/238941
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/249860
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/24720...

[Eggsactley]

got to agree...it's one of my favorite lunch spots when I'm working in the area. Can't beat the price either.

[jen kalb]

they have quite a variety of frozen dumplings which are very good. I cant say I like many of the prepared food supermarket products nearly as well as those purchasable in local chinatown stores. for example the fried tofu I buy at the tofu store in sunset park is wondeerful, and infinitely superior to the bagged stuff I get at kam man in NJ. I just think you have a better bet going with the local artisan.

ps reading this again Im not sure Im talking about the same place - the one we go to and like the frozen dumplings at is maybe 47th or 48th just EAST of 8th. they have a freezerful of diff varieties and you can see the staff making them in the back room.

[squid kun]

A digest item from last summer mentioned Family Dumpling, among other places ... http://www.chow.com/digest/785

[jason carey]

The best frozen dumplings I know of are in Manhattan, made in-store at Deluxe Food Market, Between Elizabeth and Mott. from $7.50 to $10.00 . they have all sorts and they are vastly superior to any of the factory made ones you can buy at normal Asian Supermarkets.
However this is in Manhattan

[maria_nyc]

On what street is Deluxe Food Market?

I'm willing to travel a bit if the product is fresher and better prepared so I'll like to give this place a try.

[wleatherette]

deluxe has entrances on both mott and elizabeth, as it runs between the two streets. i think hester is one of the cross streets, although i could be wrong about that. it has fresh meat/seafood, a bunch of frozen stuff, sushi, pretty good roast meats, a great and cheap steam table, and probably a lot more stuff that i'm forgetting.

[jason carey]

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ghAF3f4a68kbA...

[redgirl]

i would love to see if anyone has a good rec. for brooklyn. and, even tho i know this is difficult, would love it if there are some good pork dumplings sans msg.

lastly, is there such a thing as a frozen steamed bbq pork bun?

[mag]

we usually buy "Ling Ling all natural pot stickers" at cosco. they do not have any msg, and are quite good. a great back up to have in the house.

[moymoy]

redgirl,

there are frozen steamed bbq pork buns. i grew up with the stuff! it's made by "May's May's" red lettering in a clear plastic bag in the frozen food section of most Chinese supermarkets. if you can't find them you can always go to the actual store on Pell St off Mott in Chinatown.

[maria_nyc]

lastly, is there such a thing as a frozen steamed bbq pork bun?

I didn't see any at Pacific, but maybe Chinatown will be a better place to try.
I'll try to check out Chinatown (Manhattan or Flushing) next weekend and will let you know.

[MShapiro]

I believe we found frozen pork buns in the Gravesend Chinatown on Ave U. I forgot which store it was.

[foodforu]

The Asian market on 5th ave and around 68th st has a brand of frozen dumplings without msg. I buy them all the time. I think it is 3 bags for 10 dollars. The brand is not written in english, but on the back is says Chef One Corp. On the front is says no artificial color, no msg added. They have many flavors. I like anything with chives.

[Mike V]

My favorite are the Fresh Pork & Chives Dumplings (50 for $10) from the Lao Bei Fang Dumpling House in Elmhurst. Once I purchased frozen from Pacific and was very disappointed. Don't remember the brand.

[Linda]

i would love to hear what others have to say! my mother used to always make fresh mandoo (korean dumplings), which i know are not difficult to make, but i'm a working woman that doesn't have time (or a daughter) to spend an afternoon making mandoo together.

if anyone can also offer good korean frozen mandoo brands? thank you!

[moymoy]

My favorite korean mandoo are:

CJ's or C&J with meat, leeks & cellophane noodles. I pan fry a batch on the weekend and I'm in heaven. For whatever reason only the H-Mart on Northern & 155 seems to carry it.

PULMONE's kimchi mandoo is excellent as well (and looks adorable in a round shape) but watch out it's a bit spicy. If you catch it on sale it's a steal at $5 a bag.

[Linda]

thank you so much for the recommendation. i go to that han ah reum so i will keep my eye out for it! i usually get so frustrated trying to figure out which one is worthwhile out of the plethora of choices there.

[maria_nyc]

I wonder if they may have them in the big Korean supermarket in W. 32nd street. I'll check it out and post. I love all dumplings so it will nice to try Korean ones as well.

[moymoy]

The PULMONE brand shouldn't be difficult to find on 32nd St. My best friend (who happens to be Korean) told me it's the brand favored by Koreans.

Also, there is a lil restaurant called "Mandoo Bar" on 32nd that makes fresh dumplings (they may sell them frozen as well, not too sure) right in front of the window. If you care to try them, I think you'd enjoy it.

[prunefeet]

This is also an H-Mart, aka Han ah Reum...it's a chain...

[yuriwebboy]

i prefer the chorpidong brand (with the little smiling guy that seems to be wearing a sombrero) leek and kim chi dumplings.