The Best Frozen Dumplings, Ranked

If you’re whipping up an Asian feast at home, adding a side of dumplings or potstickers is a no-brainer. Whether you’ve got chow mein, ramen, or Korean BBQ in front of you, cooking frozen dumplings on the side can make the entire meal. Can any of them defeat takeout? Which ones should you spend some of your precious paycheck on? After sampling six different brands, here are my picks for some of the best frozen dumplings out there (plus at least one to avoid).

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: 15 Delicious Dumplings from Around the World

Available from Instacart

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You don’t see a lot of Korean dumplings lining the aisles of your standard grocery store frozen section, so it’s nice to see Bibigo’s face here. These are high-quality "bulgogi" dumplings, made from chicken rather than the traditional beef, but packed with Korean flavors. We’ve got sesame oil, we’ve got sweet potato, we’ve got cabbage; the gang’s all here. 

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$3.49 from Trader Joe's

This is what I’m talking about. Be it a frozen soup dumpling or a restaurant soup dumpling, take care when you bite in. There’s an explosion of gingery, aromaticbroth waiting for you inside. As it always goes for TJ's, add another minute to the microwave instructions. And then, seriously, let them sit for a minute. The soup inside these extra-steamed dumplings is very hot.

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$3.79 from Trader Joe's

No notes at all. These are easy to eat, easy to microwave, and full of more flavor than your standard chicken-based dumpling. The tiny size might make it dangerously easy to overload on these little dudes, but there are worse things to stuff your face with. I like the tangy soy sauce that it’s served with, too.

$3.64 from Walmart

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I like the microwave instructions here. No need to have me drown these things in a bowl of boiling water. My 9-ounce box came with two bags full of dumplings, ready to be thrown into the microwave exactly as they are. Two minutes later, they’re ready for you. Perhaps you prefer a nice sear from a high heat frying pan on your potstickers, but if you’re trying to go oil-less, this works. These are just fine; nothing special, but not too shabby. You may wish these were filled with pork instead, but the lime ponzu sauce that’s included is a very nice touch.

$8.99 from Target

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The microwave instructions here are a full-on mystery to me. You’re instructed to add a cup of water per five pieces when you microwave these guys. I suppose this is the same thing as boiling dumplings, but that’s probably the single best way to destroy flavor, and when you take these out of the microwave, they’re just sitting in some hot water. The ground pork filling in Ling Ling’s dumplings sort of slides around inside the tasteless dough, loose, and I don’t care for it at all. You’re better off eating these things pan fried.

$4.99 from Target

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You probably have an opinion of P.F. Chang’s; most people do. I sure do, and that opinion is that I hate P.F. Chang’s. But look, I’m a scientist. I leave my bias at the door when I do these things — or at least, I try. The first thing I noticed about the P.F. Chang’s pork and vegetable dumplings was the smell. It is probably the first thing my entire apartment complex noticed as well. I don’t really know what’s up with these dumplings, but there is a flavor I’m not familiar with that permeates them. I don’t like it all, and I’m not sure who would. The dipping sauce that’s included helps, but not nearly enough. Leave these in the freezer section.