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A little preparation. A much better adventure.Independent travel advice · Made for China
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A taste of Harbin

Dongfang Dumpling King

东方饺子王

A Harbin-born dumpling chain with a branch right on Central Avenue, and the single easiest cheap meal for a visitor in the city: dozens of fillings, a photographic menu, fast service and no ceremony. Not a destination restaurant, but the one address worth knowing when you are cold, hungry and cannot read anything.

¥30–50 per person≈ US$4.47Daoli District, Central Avenue (中央大街) 37, near Xishisandao Street
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Why come here

A place worth making time for

Known as Harbin's best-known home-grown dumpling chain rather than for any award.

The house favourites

What to order

Point at the Chinese. Staff will understand it even where the menu has no English at all.

  • Pork and chive dumplings (猪肉韭菜饺子)
  • Three-delicacy dumplings with prawn (三鲜饺子)
  • Sour cabbage and pork dumplings (酸菜猪肉饺子)
  • Cold jellyfish salad (凉拌海蜇)

What it actually tastes like

The sour-cabbage filling is fermented, with a lactic tang that reads as 'off' to some first-timers. It is not off; it is the point.

Allergens in this kitchen

gluten/wheatsoyeggshellfish

This is the kitchen, not one dish. Woks, fryers, blanching water and utensils are shared in almost every Chinese restaurant, so for a serious allergy treat the whole premises as the unit rather than ordering around it.