Dabao Jiaozi (大宝饺子)

There's near consensus within the local Chinese community that Dabao Jiaozi is the destination for home-style dumplings in Budapest – this in a city with more than 30,000 Chinese people. Dabao makes Shandong-style dumplings, which means the wrappers are on the thick and chewy side. There are several versions, usually with a base-filling of ground pork, shrimp, and shredded Chinese chives.

Located within Budapest's Chinatown, DaBao is mainly a takeout operation but there's a few tables for sitdown customers. While waiting for your order, cast a glance at the kitchen, where you might catch a cheery group of Chinese women hunched over a mound of dough, flattening, stuffing, and folding pieces with incredible efficiency. An order, fifteen pieces, will appease the average appetite and cost about €8. I also like their century eggs.