Happy Little Dumplings

It’s pretty easy to miss Happy Little Dumpling when driving down James Street: nestled in one of these new «lifestyle centres» that dot James St (and are beginning to infiltrate some other upmarket suburbs), it is but a corridor, with chairs outside and a counter at the end. The décor is… happy: bright red and white are the couleurs de jour.
Depending on the time, you can be up for a bit of a wait. Thankfully (depending on your priorities…), most of the dumplings are sitting in little hot boxes, ready and waiting for your order. Unfortunately, the dumplings are nothing special: very little flavour either in the filling or the pastry (then again, I’ve only been impressed by one vegetarian dumpling in Brisbane, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised).
The rice paper rolls are quite good, if you get there early enough to get them (and not on Sunday!).
Overall, the prices are reasonable and it’s pretty quick service and, as long as you’re not expecting to find Dumpling Nirvana, you’ll certainly get… dumplings. (the sweet potato is my favourite)

Oh how I love dumplings.
Shopping on James street can be very exhausting and if you’re just after a little treat, pop into Happy Little Dumplings. They are a bit on the pricey site as you’ll pay $ 11 for 6 pcs, but they are really delicious (especially the vegetarian ones). Staff is very friendly too. And with every meal you can enjoy your pot of jasmin tea for free.

I have to start this with a confession. I like dumplings, but I find it hard to be passionately, all consumingly in LOVE with them. I know there are people who are, and I get it (I’m this way about sushi) but dumplings and I are still just lukewarm towards eachother.
With that in mind, let me tell you about my lunchtime adventures to Happy Little Dumplings (HLD) newest space on James Street (next door to Jules & Roc). We arrived at around 12:30 and in the midst of the lunch peak. Service was a little slow and the group I was with all concluded it was completely understandable given it was only their first week of trade. I have previously eaten at HLD’s Bulimba store so made some spot on rec’s to the people I was with. There was a small wait on some of the dumplings ordered while they were freshly cooked (who can argue with that!?). Always try the pork belly, prawn and BBQ pork bun — they’re my standouts from the menu.
HLD is a perfectly fine quick lunch bite or snack. Unfortunately for the price ($ 11 for 6 for the majority of dumplings) I imagine it might be a costly meal for many to feel suitably satisfied. That said the prices do reflect the purchasing of fresh produce by the owners, for example, they try to ensure that all the prawns used in dumplings are Australian prawns.