Beidahuang Dumplings

Review

Beidahuang Dumplings is on Section 1 of Nangang Road near Nangang Vocational High School and is one of Nangang's most famous dumpling shops, with a review count near the top for the whole district. The name refers to the Great Northern Wilderness of northeast China, and it serves big northern-style boiled dumplings to office workers, students and food lovers who come specially, so the room is nearly full at mealtimes.

The signature jumbo dumpling is about twice the size of a normal one, and you must order at least six. The wrapper is springy and chewy, the filling dense and juicy, and the house dumpling sauce is there to dip. Sources disagree on price: a recent blogger recorded NT$9.5 per dumpling, while an older news report mentioned a rise from NT$8 to NT$8.5, so check on site. The braised platter from the chilled cabinet is large and ordered by most tables, and there are also dry-tossed noodles, beef-broth noodles, hot and sour soup and miso soup.

Diners widely praise the size and generous filling; many say five or six dumplings fill them up, and men manage about ten. The braised dishes and hot and sour soup are often recommended. Complaints focus on the setting: a basic room, floors that can be slippery and a find-your-own-seat system at peak times. Some also feel the dumplings cost more than at ordinary noodle shops, side dishes are pricey and vegetable choices are few.

Hours are roughly 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, though one blogger recorded later closing; sources disagree, so confirm before going. Weekday lunch brings the biggest office crowd, so arrive at opening or in the mid-afternoon lull. It is air-conditioned. Walk from MRT Nangang Station; there are roadside parking spaces nearby, but they are not always easy to find.

It suits big eaters wanting to fill up on a small budget, and groups who like to share. Each person can start with six to eight dumplings, then share a braised platter and a hot and sour soup, adding more if needed. On a first visit do not over-order; these dumplings are more filling than you expect.