Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings Review

Trader Joe’s Chinese Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings: a culinary adventure or a misguided fusion folly? Upon first glance, these dumplings seem like a promising addition to any freezer, promising the warmth and comfort of traditional soup dumplings without the hassle of, well, actually going to a restaurant. The packaging, with its inviting image and bold claims of authenticity, seduces you into a state of hopeful anticipation. However, as any seasoned Trader Joe’s enthusiast knows, the journey from the freezer aisle to the dinner plate is fraught with the peril of unmet expectations. Let’s dive into this enigmatic offering and see if it delivers a taste of Shanghai, or if it’s just another case of Joe trying too hard to be worldly.

Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings Review – Around the world, there is a chain of Dim Sum restaurants called Din Tai Fung. We have a couple of them here in the Seattle area and they are always packed. They serve soup dumplings that are some of the best I have ever had. Din Tai Fung is rapidly spreading around the world and someday there might be one near you, but Dim Sum is becoming the new Chinese food sensation in the USA. These aren’t as good, but they are pretty darn close!

What in the world are Soup Dumplings?

Soup dumplings, traditionally known as “Xiao Long Bao,” are a culinary marvel hailing from the Jiangnan region of China, particularly associated with Shanghai and Wuxi. These delicate parcels are a feat of gastronomic engineering, encapsulating a rich, savory broth within a tender, paper-thin wrapper. Made from a meticulously crafted dough and a gelatinized meat broth that liquefies upon steaming, each dumpling cradles a small portion of seasoned meat, typically pork. The magic unfolds when these dumplings are steamed, as the solidified broth melts, creating a delectable soup encased within the dough. Eaten with a spoon to capture every drop of the flavorful soup, and often accompanied by a dipping sauce of black vinegar and ginger, soup dumplings offer an exquisite balance of textures and flavors, bursting with a warm, umami-laden broth at the first bite.

Where can I find Trader Joe’s Chicken Soup Dumplings?

Well, the obvious answer is that you can find them at Trader Joe’s in the frozen food aisle. They also make Pork Soup Dumplings. They both cost $3.49 for a 6 oz box of six dumplings.

I would hazard a guess that most Trader Joe’s shoppers are pretty adventurous. On the surface, the words “soup” and “dumpling” don’t really go together, but when they are well made, they are sublime. You are probably wondering how they get the soup part into the middle of the dumpling without it leaking. It’s a little secret but it’s not too crazy.

According to the Trader Joe’s website, their soup dumplings are “inspired by the same original soup dumplings, xiao long bao, that originated in the Jiangsu province of China, this type of dumpling is traditionally prepared in a xiao long, the small bamboo steaming basket from which it gets its name. In English-speaking countries, they’re most often called Soup Dumplings because they are filled with hot soup (and therefore must be eaten carefully!)”.

The way they are made is by putting some ground meat and a thick soup stock that has been chilled to a Jello consistency. You chop up that gelatin into little cubes and put it in with your meat. No leaking! When you steam the dumplings, it turns back into a liquid and instant soup in a dumpling!

I suppose Trader Joe’s is trying to jump on this bandwagon with their Chicken Soup Dumplings. I think they’ve done a good job making dumplings that are a close facsimile to what you get in a good Dim Sum restaurant. 

Soup dumplings are a specialty food that is almost impossible to recreate at home, and often can be hard to come by in Chinese restaurants, which are also known as Xiao Long Bao.

I was HIGHLY suspicious when I saw a Trader’s version in the freezer section – soup dumplings don’t travel well as takeout food (which is why we only ever eat them at restaurants), so I certainly could not imagine that a freezer version with microwave instructions would pass as anything remotely edible. Also – the filling is chicken-based. I’d only ever had pork soup dumplings, and I wasn’t looking to mix it up.

Color me surprised, though, because these were actually pretty good! I mean look, they’ll never measure up to the dumplings at your favorite restaurant (nothing will), but they were solid.

How do you cook Trader Joe’s Chicken Soup Dumplings?

There are six dumplings in the tray, each cradled in its own little pocket like an egg carton. Prep couldn’t be easier, you just microwave the dumplings in the tray for a little under two minutes and you’ve got a hot appetizer. Only two of my dumplings came out leaky (I was expecting that they’d all be a disaster)- the rest held up perfectly.

The skins were the right mix of delicate and sturdy, the filling was flavorful, and the soup rich. I made a quick dipping sauce with soy sauce, grated ginger, and rice vinegar, and it rounded out every bite in just the right way. Unfortunately, my kids can eat about 3 boxes of these each. Yes, it’s cheaper than going out but at $3.49 a box, it adds up quickly. But, I will be buying these as much as I can to feed my need for good soup dumplings!

My Final Thoughts

In the grand, unpredictable theater that is the frozen food aisle of Trader Joe’s, their Chinese Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings emerge as a surprisingly delightful act, warranting a well-deserved 8 out of 10 bells. Sure, they might not transport you directly to the bustling streets of Shanghai, but let’s be real: for a quick freezer fix, they do an impressive high-wire act. The broth, while not quite a symphony of nuanced flavors, still sings a harmonious tune of savory goodness, and the dough, though not hand-pulled by a wizened dumpling master, holds its own in texture and taste. These dumplings are like that reliable friend who’s always up for a good time — not the life of the party, but never a disappointment. So, hats off to Trader Joe’s for packaging a pinch of culinary adventure between layers of dough and delivering a solid performance that almost makes you forget you’re eating out of a microwave-safe tray. Bravo!

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