Xiao long bao (steamed soup dumplings) from Mason’s in Aurora. (Mike Mallory, Provided by Mason’s Dumpling Shop)
Mason’s Dumpling Shop turns out thousands of fresh steamed, pan-fried and boiled dumplings every day. And Denver’s got the appetite for it.
“If volume isn’t high, it’s hard to make dough and fillings every day fresh,” said Mason’s co-owner Shanzi Sun. “That’s why restaurants that serve them as appetizers can’t always make them fresh like we do.”
Sun and his cousin Ker Zhu opened Mason’s Dumpling Shop, an offshoot of L.A. institution Luscious Dumplings, in Aurora in 2020 and a second in Boulder in 2022. The family will debut its third shop in Lakewood in mid-February.
And they’re not alone. Metro Denver is in the midst of a dumpling boom. At least half a dozen dumpling-specific restaurants opened last year in Denver, Northglenn, Greenwood Village, Federal Heights and elsewhere, while the owners of Nana’s Dim Sum and Dumplings introduced their first restaurant in Denver — with plans to open three more locations in Denver, Boulder and Aurora.
Why the sudden dumpling explosion? “Dumplings are relatively easy to eat, compared to most traditional Chinese food,” Sun said. “People from all ages and backgrounds enjoy dumplings, and the price point is relatively easy to accept.”
Need your fix? Here are the details on Mason’s upcoming location, as well as a planned new outlet of Bryan’s, and information about a
Mason’s Dumpling Shop
Mason’s third Colorado shop opens in Lakewood’s Belmar neighborhood next month. The fast-casual concept is taking over from Vietnamese Cajun restaurant Seafood Empire, which just closed. Co-owner Shanzi Sun said he and his cousin plan to add draft beers to the menu, which otherwise will resemble the Aurora location. “There aren’t really any dumpling-specific shops here, so we want to fill that void,” Sun said about Lakewood.
6981 W. Alaska Drive, Lakewood; masonsdumplingshop.com
Bryan’s Dumpling House
Bryan’s Dumpling House made its debut in Greenwood Village last year with its multicolored, Instagram-friendly soup dumplings. Now, owner Xiaolong Hao is ready to spread the rainbow dumpling love to Westminster. Bryan’s second location is coming soon to a shopping center at 120th Avenue and Federal Boulevard. Take your pick of red, green, yellow or orange soup dumplings, or try the Szechuan-style dan dan noodles, stir-fried shredded pork loin in black bean sauce and mapo tofu.
2851 W. 120th Ave., Unit 100, Westminster; bryansdh.com
Dumpling Kitchen
Dumpling Kitchen went under the radar with its summer opening in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood. At this brand-new concept, kids can get bao buns decorated to look like pigs, while parents test their spice level with the chili oil wontons. Dumpling Kitchen also plays with color, like Bryan’s, to help customers identify which type of dumplings they’re popping into their mouths.
4045 N. Pecos St., Unit 130, Denver; dumplingkitchenco.com
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