Review: Xi Home Dumplings Bay

>SUBSCRIBE FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO EVERY WEEKEND<

If you’re a fan of dumplings, there’s a new restaurant on Blossom Street in Shoreditch that should be on your radar. Inspired by the cuisine of the bustling port of Dalian in Northern China, Xi Home is the latest offering from 27-year-old restaurateur Wenjun Xiang, serving up a range of over 20 authentic, handmade dumplings alongside tea, cocktails and detox juices.

The atmosphere is relaxed and toned-down, the décor evocative of a late-night diner. The location makes it prime real estate for a post-work dinner – I noticed several clusters of colleagues around me catching up over steaming bowls of wonton broth. The design pays homage to the Dalian region, with nods to its long-established fishing heritage, from the giant neon lobster on the ceiling to the wave-like patterns that decorate its distinctive walls. Seafood fans will be pleased with the variety of adventurous oceanic cuisine on offer, from black cuttlefish dumplings to the gourmet special of jade lobster.

Intrigued by the moniker of ‘gourmet special,’ I of course had to try the jade lobster dumplings. Wrapped in pretty green packages, the dumplings were delicious, especially paired with an accompaniment of dark soy sauce mixed with the self-described ‘special sauce’ of chilli oil, kept in bottles on the tables. The texture of the dumplings is wondrously fresh, soft and silky – or, as my dining companion quite eloquently described it, ‘slimy but in a really good way.’

(Scroll to keep reading)

We also shared a serving of prawn, egg and chive dumplings, a combination I had never tried before and initially remained a little hesitant about, but I should never have feared. These, too, tasted gorgeous. We accompanied these with bowls of wonton – I opted for the prawn wonton which arrived in a deep-flavoured broth. Again, very tasty, although so hot that I bunt my tongue, so I would advise caution. If you’re a fan of the spicier side of things, my guest thoroughly enjoyed their pork wonton in spicy broth. Or, if all this sounds like overdoing it on the dumplings, they also offer noodle dishes and an array of buns, rolls, pancakes and street food to enjoy instead.

For drinks, I fancied something sweet, so opted for a matcha drink with coconut, which proved a sweet, cold and yummy accompaniment to my hot bowl of broth.

The restaurant also offers a breakfast menu served from 8:30am, offering a wide range of breakfast foods with a Dalian twist, from Chinese pancakes with sausages to twisted buns with pork mince. Though I would say what Xi Home truly excel at is, of course, what they’re known for: the dumplings. Even my guest, heretofore uninitiated into the wonderful world of dumplings, was left gushing and wanting more.

Dining out in Shoreditch can sometimes feel like a daunting prospect. The overbooked restaurants, the stressed sea of suits from the finance district, the sheer abundance of choice. But Xi Home’s atmosphere makes it feel like the eye of the storm. The quiet, late-night vibes, friendly service and warm bowls of broth transport you elsewhere. Time seems to slow a little, and all you have left to worry about is whether you can fit in just one more dumpling.