Dumpling Kitchen

2517 Durant Ave Ste A, Berkeley, CA 94704, United States
$$$ Dim sum restaurant
(131 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Dumpling Kitchen, an inviting dim sum restaurant nestled in the heart of Berkeley at 2517 Durant Ave. This cozy establishment serves up a delightful assortment of traditional Chinese dumplings and other savory dishes, making it a beloved spot for both locals and students alike.

Your taste buds are in for a treat as you explore their menu. Start with Hot & Sour Soup, a harmonious blend of spices that will awaken your senses, or dive into the rich flavors of the Beef With Cilantro Soup, where minced beef mingles with fragrant cilantro in a clear broth. For a lighter option, try the Chicken & Corn Soup, which boasts tender pieces of chicken steeped in a sweet, savory broth.

Of course, the star of the show is the dumplings. The Steamed Shrimp & Pork Shumai, with their delicate wrappers and succulent fillings, are a must-try, transporting you straight to the streets of Shanghai with each bite. Don't miss the BBQ Pork Baos, soft steamed buns that reveal juicy, sweet barbecued pork within—an exquisite marriage of textures and flavors.

For those in search of something unique, the Mapo Tofu offers a spicy burst of flavors, igniting your palate with its aromatic blend of spices, while the Salt & Pepper Chicken takes your taste experience to new heights with its perfect balance of crunch and zest.

The dining atmosphere at Dumpling Kitchen is friendly and vibrant, often filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation. Patrons rave about the passionate service provided by a young, enthusiastic staff whose warm hospitality enhances the overall experience. You can enjoy your meal either in-house or opt for the convenience of delivery, a popular choice among local students who appreciate quality food at a reasonable price.

Customer reviews speak volumes about Dumpling Kitchen's appeal. Leo Cheung, an enthusiastic patron, mentions the "super delicious" dumplings and friendly service that makes every visit a gratifying experience. Andrew Cheng echoes this sentiment, praising not only the mouth-watering dishes like soup dumplings and beef rolls, but also the generous portions that leave you feeling satisfied.

While some reviews note minor criticisms like a slight saltiness in certain stir-fried dishes, the overall consensus is that Dumpling Kitchen offers a delightful and satisfying culinary experience. As you plan your visit, be prepared for possible lines, as many patrons happily wait to indulge in their favorite dumplings.

In summary, Dumpling Kitchen isn't just a restaurant; it's a community hub celebrating authentic Chinese cuisine. Whether you’re amidst a bustling campus day or simply seeking comfort food that feels like home, this gem is ready to welcome you with open arms—and delicious dumplings!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has live music
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Family friendly
Popular with university students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

131 Reviews
Leo Cheung

30 Aug 2025

I love this place very much, and tend to come here when I’m on campus and searching for Chinese in that area for a simple lunch. The people who provide service are passionate and friendly youngsters, and they can serve you in both English and Chinese languages. They don’t have a very big menu, but they are really good at what they are specialized. Dumplings and Baozi are super delicious, all other small snacks are amazing too. Their main dishes are wonderful too. It’s very interesting that they are specialized in Shanghai food, but at the same time they also offer selected signature dishes from other places in China. One thing though, they still can’t serve alcoholic beverages. The location on Google map is a bit confusing, the restaurant is right on the side of the street, really easy to find!

Nitin Bhargava

29 Aug 2025

Always liked Dumpling Kitchen. It is closing tomorrow - June 22, 2025.

Kara Chan

25 Aug 2025

Order delivery. Their soup dumplings are very good totally comparable to DTF but much cheaper and closer. The other dumplings were good. The fried noodles and rice cake are delicious. Will definitely go back for more soup dumplings

James

22 Aug 2025

The name is misleading as they serve more dim sum style/soup dumplings rather than pan-fried dumplings. Their food is good, but slightly pricey. My favorite dish/dessert is their jiuniang, which has high protein and high portions. Their soup dumplings were also rather good. The only downside is their stir-fry dishes which were a little too salty. Their menu is quite comprehensive with plenty of options, the staff are responsive, and the ambiance inside is quite nice with a homey feel.

Andrew Cheng

19 Aug 2025

This is one of my favorite places in Berkeley!!! Not only is their food good, their service is good as well. Most items on their menu were very very delicious, such as the soup dumpling, chili wonton, stir fried noodles, noodle soups, beef rolls. They seriously do not skimp on their portion sizes or ingredients.

Arthur T

16 Jul 2025

Stumbled upon Dumpling Kitchen while I was in the area. Two of us ordered: kurobuta pork soup dumpling 8 pcs $11.95 beef roll pancakes $7.95 dry braised string beans 13.80 steamed shrimp and pork shumai $11.95 Could definitely go without the shumai. Everything else was decent. Put your name down if there is a line. It was a bit unorganized to get a seat and ordering took some time.

Wesley

08 Jul 2025

DOES STEVE LIM WORK HERE!? WE WERE TOO SHY TO ASK! We were craving dumplings and came here after spending all morning at the botanical garden. The noodles were good but the chicken tasted a little weird. However, the A.01 Shanghai-style streamed pork dumplings were so super good! We order two of them and was completely full at the end. The staff was super friendly and nice. We will be come back here for dumplings again ^.^

Join the Dumpling Kitchen Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.