Starting life as a pop-up, in 2017 Ugly Dumpling finally grew up…
…and blossomed into a beautiful permanent restaurant.
You’ll find it tucked into a corner of Carnaby Street in Soho, where they’ve filled the cubby-hole dining area with a hoard of cosy and homely touches, including soft banquette seating and warm wooden walls.
Ugly Dumpling originally built up a reputation for their signature Anglo-Chinese food, but the menu here ventures way beyond ol’ Blighty. While you’ll still find classic dumplings filled with traditional flavours like pork belly, aromatic duck, and satay chicken, they’ve gone off piste with their New Favourites section of the menu, where you’ll find inventive fusion combinations like mushroom & truffle; lamb, harissa & yoghurt; and courgette & halloumi.
Just to mix things up, there’s a clutch of sides that don’t take dumpling form, like tempura aubergine drizzled with golden syrup dressing; noodles with seasonal veg and tahini-laced broccoli. Then, just in case you were missing those dumplings, they’re back for dessert, fried or steamed with fillings like nutella or strawberry cheesecake.
And to make sure it all goes down smoothly, Ugly Dumpling offers up negronis and Aperol spritzes alongside a short and sweet wine list, bolstered by craft beers from Japan and the US.
Would hate to be those other dumplings right now…
NOTE: Ugly Dumpling Carnaby is open for lunch daily and dinner Mon-Sat. You can find out more, and book, at their website HERE. If they’re full, their second restaurant, Ugly Dumpling Fitzrovia, is a 7 minute walk away. They are both dog-friendly restaurants.
Ugly Dumpling | 1 Newburgh St, Carnaby, W1F 7RB
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