Dumplings Just Became the Main Dish in America’s Fast Casual Boom

Dumplings are having a breakout moment—and we’re not just talking about grandma’s pork and chive recipe. The global dumpling market is expected to more than double from $16.5 billion in 2024 to $36.8 billion by 2034. North America is leading the charge with nearly 15% compound annual growth, as consumers gobble up convenience, comfort, and creativity in one perfectly folded bite.

Fast-casual dumpling joints are multiplying like bao buns in a bamboo steamer. Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is going full Jetsons with its automat-style service and wild flavor combos like Buffalo chicken and bacon cheeseburger dumplings. Luscious Dumplings, a cult-favorite in California, is heading to Texas this May. San Francisco’s Dumpling Time is blowing minds with truffle soup dumplings and plant-based gyoza. These aren’t just snacks—they’re the next wave of fast casual.

What’s helping drive this rise? Delivery. In the post-pandemic boom, to-go-friendly foods surged in popularity, and dumplings—compact, sealed, and heat-trapping like edible luggage—became delivery royalty. In fact, DoorDash reports that dumplings were among the top 10 most-ordered items in 2024, thanks to their portability and social-media-worthy appeal.

Speaking of social, dumplings have become Instagram icons. On TikTok alone, videos tagged #dumplings have racked up over 2.4 billion views. Whether it’s rainbow-hued wrappers, ASMR folding tutorials, or lava dumplings oozing with chocolate, these bites are built for virality. Brands like MìLà have turned that momentum into freezer aisle dominance at Costco and Target.

Dumpling menus are also getting bolder and broader. Think buffalo chicken gyoza, Philly cheesesteak bao, or jackfruit-and-tofu shumai. It’s a full-blown global remix, with new flavors meeting diverse diets and new audiences in every market.

Bottom line: dumplings are no longer just a side dish. They’re a business model, a cultural connector, and a fast-casual force to be reckoned with. Watch your back, tacos. The dumpling takeover is already folding in the future.