There’s a New Dumplin’ Place in Town
Hey Dumplin’ located at 1263 Barkley Boulevard, Suite 102, Bellingham, WA 98226 is everything I needed for my dumpling fix.
I have to acknowledge my experience with Eastern European-style dumplings is verrrry limited.
I lived through the magical timeline where Pel’Meni in Downtown Bellingham was $6 (after tipping) for a container of dumplings. It was a college-must then and now. I’ll be sure to write a story about them soon, because they do hold a special place in my heart. But fast-forward to today, we now have a new Dumpling-focused restaurant expanding and focusing on pelmeni and vareniki options in Bellingham.
Parking was easy, finding the front door was a bit of an adventure as we wrapped around the building almost to the corner side of the parking lot. As long as you follow the smiling dumpling, like we did, you’ll find your way.
It’s a narrow corridor when you walk in with lovely tapestry and photos of adorable kiddos eating dumplings adorning the walls, then you turn the corner and it’s time to order!
Chef and I ordered 2 half pounds so we could try two of the twelve sauces they currently have available. You start by choosing your dumpling and one sauce. All the dumplings come with a fresh baked roll and it’s served with sour cream.
So step one, choose your dumpling from Hey Dumplin’
Dumplings Options
Classic Pelmeni (Beef, Pork, Veal)
Chicken Pelmeni
Potato Vareniki
Gluten Free Cheese
Next: Pick Your Sauce
Butter Sauce
Charred Garlic Thyme
Tikka Masala
Onion Dill with Chili
Sweet Chili Soy
Creamy Basil Pesto
Tuscan Parm and Sundried Tomato
Cajun Bayou Butter Sauce
Everything Bagel
Garlic/Herb/Parm
Massively Garlic
Buttered Real Black Truffle
Then you have a collection of goodies you can add on, like bacon, carmelized onion, extra sauce, rolls, sour cream.
Plus a collection of Zakuski — a Russian term, referring to a selection of cold appetizers, similar to tapas or mezze, served before a meal or alongside alcoholic beverages, which they also offer.
We skipped the appetizers but did order dessert and holy cow, did the Tzar Tea Creme Brulee steal the show for our meal! Chef also got “The Cookie” and the Medovik Honey Cake to go which we nibbled on over the next few days, so, so tasty.
It started empty, but was completely filled fifteen minutes after we sat down and they handled carry-out orders with great speed and efficiency!
After we ordered we took our number and found a seat. The staff quickly brought water and our utensils. It was a short wait before food arrived and I think the most interesting thing we discussed was how adorable the graphic design was and how it hadn’t fully spread to the décor inside. Think of how Bellingham’s Maple Bar aesthetic stretches to every inch of their interior design and to their online presence. But Chef pointed out that the graphic design matched the experience of the comfort food: light-hearted and fun. The space is still new and we loved the entire atmosphere, interior and Chef was enamored by the silverware which was beautiful. So it didn’t really matter to us that the smiley bright dumpling icon stopped at the menu screen.
Then the Dumplings arrived.
Charred Garlic and Thyme Dumplings from Hey Dumplin’
Onion Dill with Chili Dumplings from Hey Dumplin’
We ordered the classic pelmeni (beef, pork, veal), one order with charred garlic thyme sauce and the other with onion dill with chili. They were the epitome of comfort food. Flavorful, fun, and easy to eat.
We watched other customers come in and out, we saw an influencer filming something, families with varying ages of kids come in, college kids, construction workers.
I really enjoyed watching a pair of guys who each ordered one pound of plain dumplings each and probably four sauces each so they could try (almost) everything. It seemed like the way to go until about halfway through their dumplings they kept laughing at how full they were.
Then dessert arrived.
The Tzar Tea Creme Brulee had a great presentation on the plate and as we cracked through the caramelly shell it smelled so good. I’m not a tea person, but it was delicious. It wasn’t overpowered by sweetness and the rich earthy tea flavor swooped in as the lasting flavor.
Tzar Tea Creme Brulee from Hey Dumpin’
In Summary — Hey Dumplin’ is waitin’ for you, dumplin!It was a delightful experience. We left full and satisfied. I truly can’t wait to return and try more flavors. I have no doubt they will continue to refine their menu, add flavors, and do well in Bellingham. I am wishing them the absolute best! Cheers to Hey, Dumplin in Bellingham, WA!
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