If there is any Fraser Staples One that consistently saves dinner (and lunch and even breakfast time) is frozen dumplings. These versatile, compact bites are super convenient and filling—whether you steam, boil, or pan-fry them, you’ll have a delicious meal on the table faster than it takes to order delivery.
Over the past few years, the freezer aisle has exploded with options, offering everything from Japanese gyoza to Korean mando. There’s no shortage of options, from popular grocers with imported brands and private labels to new entrants from restaurants. Dumpling Betty And Mimi Cheng.
With so many widely available brands and styles, finding the perfect one can be overwhelming. To help you navigate the frozen dumpling scene, I asked five experts to name their favorite store-bought brand, and one came out on top. Read on to find out which has earned a permanent spot in the freezers of professional chefs and recipe developers.
Food professionals and chefs I asked
- Cynthia Christensen: Behind the chef and recipe developer But first we do brunch.
- Kate Etrich Williams: Recipe Developer and Senior Editor at Innova
- Bill less: The Chef and Crete at The Table at Urban Belly
- Yes, hey, Kim: Chef and founder of Miss Kim
- Mayo Quinn: Associate Editorial Director at Simply Recipes
According to Food Pro, the best store-bought dumpling brand
B. Bego emerged as the clear favorite among our panel of experts, who praised everything from its taste to its accessibility.
Myo relies on Bibigo as a quick and easy lunch for her kids, specifically the rectangular Japchae Potstickers. “Flat sided dumplings crisp up equally on both sides. They cook faster than half-moon shaped dumplings because they’re also thinner. She also appreciates how easy it is to find Bibigo products. Easy because this brand is available at major retailers like Kroger, Costco, and even the Dollar Store.
For Cynthia, a second-generation Korean American, Bibigo’s dumplings are similar to the homemade dumplings of her childhood. “My mother started helping me Mandu Guna (Korean dumplings) before walking in,” she recalls. People at Bibigo “look and taste like what I made with my mother.”
Chef Bill is another dedicated fan, noting that Japchae Potstickers have a “perfect” wrapper-to-filling ratio. “When you cut into the dumpling, you can see all the ingredients,” he says. “It’s a perfect amount of meat, noodles and vegetables.”
Kate also spoke highly of Bibigo’s wrapper: “They are consistently both soft and firm, with a silky texture despite the microwave.”
Chef Ji Hye values Bibigo for its reliability and consistent quality. But no matter which brand ends up in your cart, she has a handy tip to make sure you’re getting the best frozen product. “Grab the bag. You should be able to feel individual frozen dumplings rather than one big lump of ice. If you only feel one big lump, it’s very likely that the dumplings have been refrozen. “Be frozen,” she advises. “Trying to cook an entire ice block of dumplings is impossible!”
How to Cook Frozen Dumplings Like a Chef
Our experts agree that there’s no wrong way to enjoy frozen dumplings. Both Cynthia and Jee-hye use the steam-roasting method, which does not require boiling. “One of my favorite methods is to fry them in a little oil for two to three minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Turn, and then add a splash of water, cover with a lid, and let them cook. Allow to steam for five to seven minutes or until fully cooked,” says Cynthia.
She will also use dumplings to make other dishes in bulk. “I also like to add frozen dumplings directly to soups, like my mom’s traditional Korean Lunar Year soup. tteokgukto make it more filling and delicious.
Bill, on the other hand, prefers to boil the dumplings quickly and insists that the dipping sauce is essential. “I like to eat it with my spicy dipping sauce, soy sauce, scallions, fresh garlic, sesame oil, and distilled vinegar. It’s a great addition of flavor.”
To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see Here.