Dumplings, potstickers, and soup dumplings are traditional Chinese delicacies loved by not only overseas Chinese but also Westerners, collectively referred to in English as “Dumplings.” The warehouse-style chain store Costco sells a variety of dumplings and xiaolongbao, especially in stores located in Asian communities. These Chinese delicacies are staples in Costco’s frozen food section, but what makes them so special?
When you are hungry but pressed for time, frozen dumplings and soup dumplings are lifesavers. All dumplings sold at Costco can be cooked in less than 15 minutes, with most only needing under 10 minutes.
Instead of spending a hefty amount on takeout or waiting for the next dim sum opportunity at a teahouse, why not enjoy piping hot dumplings in the comfort of your kitchen? However, Costco’s bulk packaging for dumplings does take up a lot of fridge space, so selecting the right brand and flavor is crucial.
The following is a ranking of dumplings and xiaolongbao sold at Costco by the American food and beverage website The Daily Meal. This ranking does not include all the dumplings and buns sold at Costco, possibly because some brands’ dumplings are not available in most stores.
Tastes vary among individuals, so this ranking may not necessarily align with everyone’s preferences or the majority’s opinion. Readers interested can try out various dumplings and soup dumplings to form their own evaluations.
The champion is Ajinomoto’s Japanese-style pork and chicken pan-fried dumplings. This dumpling outshines other products in every aspect. The thin and smooth dumpling skin is both resilient and not prone to breaking. After frying, the bottom displays a charming golden-brown hue, and the frost pattern formed around the edges adds a delicate crispy texture. With each bite, every part of the dumpling skin is thoroughly cooked and has a soft and tender texture.
The filling also does not disappoint. The combination of pork and chicken imparts a rich meaty flavor and freshness to the dumpling, with a chewiness that remains tender. The meat filling is the star of this dumpling, while ingredients like cabbage, chives, garlic, and sake enhance and intensify the flavors. The overall taste balance is harmonious, allowing the soft and tender dumpling skin and filling to blend perfectly in the mouth.
Furthermore, the accompanying dipping sauce is simple and pure, adding a touch of acidity, freshness, and saltiness without overwhelming the original flavor of the dumplings. This super-sized pack contains 60 dumplings, offering good value for money.
The “Ginger Chicken Soup Dumplings” produced by the well-known frozen xiaolongbao brand Laoban are available in the frozen food section at Costco. The texture and flavor of these soup dumplings do not resemble typical frozen foods and are on par with handcrafted xiaolongbao served in restaurants. The steaming effect is good: the dough is soft and delicate (slightly sticky), the filling is perfectly cooked with abundant juicy meatiness.
Ginger dominates the flavor profile, accompanied by a subtle sourness from vinegar and deep sweetness from honey. The chicken used is labeled as free-range roasted chicken, lending a rich flavor superior to other chicken dumplings ranked lower on the list. Well-seasoned, full of soup, they can be enjoyed without needing to dip them in sauce.
Compared to other dumplings at Costco, even though this pack is smaller and pricier per piece, the additional expenditure is worthwhile.
The “Wanchai Ferry Pork and Cabbage Dumplings” refer to the classic flavor dumplings released by the renowned frozen food brand “Wanchai Ferry.” This product is not only a popular frozen food item but also has a deep brand history. It is the first classic original flavor created by Zang Jianhe, the founder of Wanchai Ferry, when he started his business by setting up a stall in Wan Chai district, Hong Kong, in 1978.
The Daily Meal article states that the dumpling skin of this dumpling is much thinner; although the pleated part at the sealed edge is slightly hard, the main part of the dumpling skin is adequately cooked, maintaining softness and a chewy texture.
The pork and cabbage filling also includes scallions, wood ear mushrooms, and onions, resulting in an overall fresh and rich flavor with hints of garlic, fresh ginger, and a subtle spiciness of chili peppers. While the saltiness may be slightly lacking, a dip of soy sauce can easily solve that, although no dipping sauce is included in the packaging, requiring preparation.
These chicken cilantro mini wontons are tiny and convenient to eat one by one. Bibigo successfully crafts the dough to be thin yet sturdy, ensuring there are no issues with toughness or breakage. The meat-to-dough ratio is just right, providing a solid meaty texture with each bite. The filling primarily features a rich cilantro flavor without masking its uniqueness; therefore, if you naturally dislike cilantro, it’s best to avoid this product.
The dumplings exude a fresh herbal aroma, with a light and enticing texture. However, the primary issue with this mini wonton lies in its seasoning; the filling noticeably lacks saltiness, and no dipping sauce is included in the packaging. Adding soy sauce can rapidly enhance the flavor.
This dumpling is quite decent, easy to cook, with no apparent drawbacks, but also lacks any exceptional features, making it suitable for an ordinary meal without standing out like the previous four dishes.
The filling of these potstickers is similar to that of the chicken dumplings from Bibigo, with the exception of mushrooms, resulting in a slightly less layered flavor profile. The various ingredients in the filling do not retain clear granules but are mashed into a uniform mixture.
However, this filling has a uniformly tender texture and carries a pleasant peppery flavor. The dumpling skin is on the thicker side with a good chewiness, ensuring the dumplings hold together during cooking; the crispy texture from frying contrasts nicely with the soft and glutinous filling.
The accompanying soy sauce dipping sauce and other aspects of these potstickers are ordinary, providing a nice additional flavor to the initially straightforward potstickers.
According to The Daily Meal article, following the recommended microwave heating instructions, a disappointing outcome was observed with the mini buns cooked together with their steaming dish. Some parts of the dough still stubbornly retained a tough texture, while others, particularly the bottom of the buns, became soggy and easily torn apart with a chopstick.
This is regrettable as the filling of these buns is quite flavorful. The chicken has a perfect texture, neither too soft like minced meat nor too dry and tough to chew. Chinese cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, and onions bring a unique rustic aroma and rich vegetable flavor, while ginger and black pepper add an invigorating spiciness.
Visually, this is perhaps the least appealing of all the Costco dumplings and buns, resembling flat ice hockey pucks without a plump and round appearance.
The beef ho fun flavor steamed buns are similar to the chicken steamed buns, with a rich and savory beef filling, incorporating the fragrance of onions. However, once steamed, the top of the buns becomes tough and hard to chew, while the bottom is thin and fragile, prone to breakage. Additionally, both the broth and dipping sauce are overly sweet.
Shrimp dumplings (Ha Gao/Har Gow, also known as crystal shrimp dumplings) are classic Cantonese dim sum that is beloved by many Chinese people and a considerable number of Westerners enjoy this Cantonese dim sum. However, The Daily Meal’s assessment of these shrimp dumplings is not favorable.
The article mentions that shrimp dumpling skin is typically made from a mix of wheat starch, potato starch, and tapioca starch, emphasizing a delicate and almost transparent texture. However, the skin of these shrimp dumplings is slightly too thick. While the sizable chunks of shrimp themselves have a decent elasticity and tender texture, the overall flavor is flat. Moreover, the ginger soy dipping sauce included in the packaging is overly sweet and strongly flavored, completely masking the dumplings’ own taste.
Opinions on these shrimp dumplings vary on online platforms. One Reddit user wrote, “I always finish them quickly. I bought two boxes when they were on sale for the first time, and I’ll buy two more tomorrow.”
However, several shoppers expressed a dissatisfaction with the sauce paired with the shrimp dumplings, with a few providing alternative dipping sauce suggestions.
A Reddit user recommended, “Just soy sauce and chili oil”; another user suggested, “Chili sauce and a bit of sesame oil are good enough.”