Photo: BC Dumpling Festival
A love of dumplings unites people across cultures. Due to Vancouver’s multiculturalism, there is an array of different dumplings at its many restaurants, food vendors, and upcoming BC Dumpling Festival.
Dumpling aficionados in Metro Vancouver can look forward to the return of the annual BC Dumpling Festival, now marking its third anniversary. The exciting event will take place August 10, 2024, from 11am to 8pm at Coquitlam’s expansive Town Centre Park.
Photo: BC Dumpling Festival
The main stars of the Festival will, of course, be the dumplings. Seventeen dumpling restaurants/vendors will be brought together, representing an international diversity of options. They include Nina’s Pierogi (Polish), Pastaggio (Italian), Richmond’s Chef Tony Dim Sum (Cantonese), and Morgan’s Harbour Jamaican Patties.
Photo: BC Dumpling Festival
You’ll have a hard time deciding between dumplings like har gow, momo, ravioli, mandu, and gyoza. Even better, you and your family/friends can buy a bunch of different types and share them in one big cross-cultural dumpling picnic. It’s the perfect opportunity to make new friends as well as learn about dumplings you haven’t tried before.
Photo: BC Dumpling Festival
There is also a Dumpling Eating Contest that will start at 11:30am after the opening ceremonies at 11am. The Contest isn’t accepting any further contestants at this point but you can watch and cheer on the participants as they competitively gorge on dumplings.
Photo: BC Dumpling Festival
In addition to dumplings, 19 other food vendors will be participating, showcasing unique cultural specialities. You can nosh on eats from places such as Little Lebanon Eats, Shameless Buns (modern Filipino), and Japadog, as well as sweet treats from vendors like Lee’s Donuts and Beavertails.
Photo: BC Dumpling Festival
Once you’re done delighting in dumplings, you can browse the goods and services of over 40 community vendors, who range from the popular Gary’s Kettle Corn to Infusion Soy Sauces.
The BC Dumpling Fest is about celebrating community through food, as well as culture and art. The Philippines will be this year’s spotlight nation, with a pavilion, performances, and the serving of a purple ube siopao (steamed bun) by Mr. Siopao de Langley.
Over 100 performers, such as Srikandi Indonesia Dancers and Vancouver Okinawa Taiko, will appear on stage. They will display their talents as well as their cultural heritage.
Photo: BC Dumpling Festival
Finally, make sure to check out a collab between WKNDRS and Green Forest XR, which entails a live art mural and cute dumpling characters in augmented reality.
Overall, this FREE event will be a fun, delicious, and entertaining outing for the whole family. You’ll particularly be uplifted by the feeling of community that comes from eating dumplings with people from all over Metro Vancouver and the world. See here for further info.
Where to Go for More Dumplings in Vancouver
Mott 32; Photo: Amy Ho
If the BC Dumpling Festival puts you in the mood to eat even more dumplings, Vancouver is definitely the place to indulge this craving.
The Richmond Night Market, which runs until October 14, 2024, is a great destination for many kinds of interesting dumplings. Plus, upcoming summer cultural fests, like the Powell Street Festival (August 3-4, 2024) and TAIWANfest (August 31-September 2, 2024), will have dumplings to enjoy.
Many of the vendors (e.g., Nina’s Pierogi, House of Yee Fine Foods) at the BC Dumpling Festival can be found at Vancouver Farmers Markets, along with other vendors that sell diverse dumplings.
Meanwhile, Richmond has curated a Dumpling Trail for engaging in self-guided tastings of Asian dumplings (e.g., xiao long bao) at various establishments. The Chinese Restaurant Awards is also a good resource for suggestions (e.g., Best Dim Sum 2022 was Dynasty Seafood Restaurant).
Ultimately, a global selection of dumplings can be found across Vancouver, including upscale Cantonese classics at Mott 32 (e.g., soft quail egg, Iberico pork, and black truffle siu mai), vegetable “munchurians” at Tasty Indian Bistro, veal ossobuco-stuffed francobolli at Carlino, and mantu and aushak at The Afghan Horsemen.
The dumpling possibilities are endless in Vancouver!
