Xi Home Dumpling Shoreditch

One of the first new arrivals in Shoreditch’s swanky new Norton Folgate development, Xi Home arrives with a popular calling card - dumplings. Lots of dumplings. At very reasonable prices too - Xi Home’s dumplings come in tens, starting at a very wallet friendly £11.80 for the more classic fillings. Sure, you can throw twenty five quid at a plate of gourmet abalone dumplings, but if good food on a budget is what you’re aiming for, Xi Home definitely has you covered on that front.

The interiors are admittedly a little bare, but neon decorations of the wall and ceiling bring a little bit of cheer to what is otherwise relatively bare-bones decor. Wooden tables have sturdy stools tucked underneath, but there is also banquette seating around the edge if you’re hoping for a proper chair to sit on.

The idea, of course, is that it won’t take long to demolish a few plates of dumplings and therefore you won’t be here long enough to start judging the decor. All the dumplings here are made to order so expect to wait a good ten minutes, but the results are excellent for the price - Xi Home’s steamed dumplings have a thicker skin than most, which gives a nice chewy exterior. They’re well stuffed too - for the price, one might expect some skimping on the fillings but there’s no sign of that here. Encouraged, we decide to further explore the menu and find that Xi Home is a very solid all-rounder. There are some good soups on offer, including a lovely pork rib soup which packs a punchy broth, and the giant pork soup bun that has made Xi Home a hit on social media (it comes with a straw for easy sipping) is also delicious.

Sure, not everything hits the same heights - we found spring onion pancakes a little lacking in flavour, and pan-fried dumplings a tad on the oily side - but what Xi Home does, on the whole it does very well. Finish off with some crispy milk curd and you’ll leave very satisfied indeed, with no great impact on your bank balance.

Shoreditch’s Blossom Street is home to the third location of Xi Home Dumplings, joining their Covent Garden and Edgware Road restaurants. Founded by Wenjun Xiang, Xi Home Dumplings was inspired by Xiang’s home of Dalian, in northern China. Unable to find the style, or quality, of dumplings in London that they had grown up around, Xi Home Dumplings prides themselves on serving up London's best north Chinese dumplings. In order to guarantee authenticity, Wenjun hand selected chefs from Dalian, and flew them out to join to Xi Home Dumpling team. Now, customers can witness their expertise first-hand from behind the glass-fronted kitchen.

Xi Home Dumplings are a true all-day affair, opening for breakfast at 8.30am. Begin your day with their Chinese pancake, served with sausages, bacon and eggs, for a satisfying spin on a full English, or opt for the twisted bun with pork mince. No matter what you order, make sure you wash it all down with one of their delicious, fresh detox juices. For an extra boost of energy, order Matcha Power, made with pineapple, spinach, banana, apple and matcha powder, it is the perfect way to start your day.

As soon as breakfast is over, it is all about the dumplings. With over 20 types to choose from, all of which are lovingly made and steamed (or fried) to order, you will want to try as many as possible. For maximum dumpling sampling, come with a large group and share several between you. Signature dumplings include pork with chives, spicy pork and beef with spring onion. Other favourites are the open mouth king prawn dumplings, and the beautiful, green-tipped jade lobster dumpling, a recipe that has been passed through Xiang’s family for several generations. Adventurous palettes can test out the abalone and black cuttlefish dumplings.

By far the most Instagram-friendly dish on the menu is the pork soup bun, a giant dumpling that is served with a straw to sip on the hot soup with. They also have a large selection of teas to choose from, as well as a short but delicious cocktail list.