Ugly Dumpling Vancouver Menu 2026
Not part of the Ugly Dumpling chain. This restaurant only shares the name.
Ugly Dumpling Vancouver on Commercial Drive is an independent restaurant with no connection to the US Ugly Dumpling chain. Despite the name, it was never a dumpling house in the usual sense.
Below is what is publicly known about the restaurant, how its menu worked, and how it compares with the US chain that the rest of this site covers.
Ugly Dumpling Vancouver at a Glance
| Address | 1590 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y2 |
|---|---|
| Region | British Columbia, Canada |
| Phone | Not listed |
| Status | Independent restaurant, not part of the US Ugly Dumpling chain. Some review sites mark this listing as closed; confirm before visiting. |
Background
Ugly Dumpling opened on Commercial Drive in late 2018 in the space formerly occupied by Merchant\u2019s Workshop. Local coverage credited chef Darren Gee (previously of Farmer\u2019s Apprentice, Kinome and Le Crocodile) and Van Doren Chan as co-owners.
What the Vancouver Menu Was Like
Reviews described pan-Asian, largely Japanese-leaning share plates built around local and organic produce, with a menu that changed often. There was typically a single daily dumpling rather than a full dumpling list, a nightly \u201cstaff meal\u201d special and a family-style omakase option. Dishes mentioned in reviews included pork, dried shrimp and lemongrass dumplings, spicy celery and smoked tofu salad, steamed potatoes with cod roe butter and kabocha pudding.
Reviewers also noted that the restaurant did not take reservations and had limited seating, so lines were common when it was busy.
Vancouver Restaurant vs the Ugly Dumpling Chain
| Â | Ugly Dumpling Vancouver | Ugly Dumpling chain |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Independent, chef-owned | US restaurant chain (uglydumpling.us) |
| Menu style | Seasonal pan-Asian share plates, one daily dumpling | Fixed menu of soup dumplings, dim sum, noodles, wok dishes |
| Dumplings | One rotating dumpling of the day | Six soup dumpling flavors plus dim sum |
| Booking | No reservations (per reviews) | Mostly walk-in, fast-casual |
How to Tell Which Ugly Dumpling You Found
Several unrelated restaurants use the Ugly Dumpling name. Before you order or rely on a menu you found online, check these signs:
- The chain's official website is uglydumpling.us. Independent restaurants use their own websites or social pages.
- Chain menus center on six-piece baskets of soup dumplings (xiao long bao), pan-fried pork buns and boba.
- Chain restaurants are currently open in CT, DE, MD, NJ, NY, TX and VA, with more in development in FL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, RI and SC.
- Delivery apps sometimes mix up restaurants with similar names, so compare the street address before ordering.
| Chain status | Count | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 15 | Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia |
| In development | 18 | Adds Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina |
| Same-name, unaffiliated | 4 | London, Jacksonville, Portland, Vancouver |
Ugly Dumpling Vancouver FAQ
Is Ugly Dumpling Vancouver related to the US chain?
No. It is an independent, chef-owned restaurant that shares only the name.
Is Ugly Dumpling on Commercial Drive still open?
Some review platforms list it as closed. Check a current map listing or the restaurant\u2019s social accounts before going.
Did Ugly Dumpling Vancouver serve soup dumplings?
Not as a focus. It served one daily dumpling alongside seasonal share plates.
Looking for the Ugly Dumpling Chain Instead?
Explore Other Ugly Dumpling Locations
Every guide lists the menu, prices, opening status and ordering tips for that restaurant.