I’ve always been a big fan of dim sum. Maybe it’s because eating lots of little somethings makes my heart happy. Maybe it’s because bite-size really does just taste better. Or maybe it’s just because I love the variety it offers. But regardless, when someone says dim sum, I’m there. So, needless to say, I was pretty ecstatic to visit Xi Home Dumplings Bay, a popular London restaurant chain that specialises in authentic, handcrafted Northeastern Chinese dumplings.
I’ve been to Xi Home once before, towards the end of last year, to participate in one of their special events (side note – in addition to being a restaurant, Xi Home offers dumpling-making and other interactive masterclasses that are heaps of fun), but this was my first time going for a sit-down meal.
So I grabbed my dumpling-loving and world-class photographer I ❤️ Foodies bestie, Robyn, and off we went on a Saturday afternoon to dive into the world of dumplings at Xi Home’s Spitalfields location on Blossom Street.
The Xi Home Dumplings Bay Story
Xi Home was founded by restaurateur Wenjun Xiang, born and raised in the northern Chinese port city of Dalian, with the aim of bringing authentic Northeastern Chinese cuisine – and particularly handmade dumplings – to London’s dining scene.
The restaurant first gained attention at Bang Bang Oriental Foodhall, before expanding into two additional standalone locations, one in Covent Garden and one near Liverpool Street, with the latter designed as the group’s flagship restaurant.
That’s also the branch we visited for the I Love Foodies Xi Home Dumplings Bay review.
The restaurant itself is quite cute, with large glass walls allowing lots of light to enter the vibrantly decorated space, an open-plan kitchen where you can see chefs hand-fold dumplings, and a handful of smaller and larger tables that were all packed when we visited.
A rare moment of capturing the restaurant between guests …
Xi Home is definitely popular, and for good reason. The menu is extensive, the service is quick, prices are affordable, and the food is delish.
What’s not to love?
The Xi Home Menu
I’ve seen restaurant menus in all shapes and sizes. I’ve seen extensive menus. I’ve seen curated tasting menus. Once or twice I’ve even been to restaurants that printed edible menus, which was quite an experience.
But Xi Home’s menu, now, this was something else.
It’s not just a menu; it’s a whole illustrated storybook, packed with colourful photography, stylised artwork, and detailed descriptions that introduce diners to the dishes and regional influences behind them. It’s beautiful, and my only complaint would be that I need more time to actually read the whole thing.
They have everything you could dream of, from a world of dumplings to hot and cold starters, noodle dishes, regular mains, and even fantastic dessert options, including deep-fried pumpkin cake and steamed sticky pumpkin cake with red beans, which sounded spectacular, but we were too full by the time we finished our dumplings to try. Many dishes also reflect Dalian’s coastal identity, with some speciality seafood dumplings featuring lobster, scallop, abalone, and cuttlefish.
From cocktails to dim sum, Xi Home has it all.
Now, it’s worth noting that, unlike the Cantonese dim sum or Sichuan cuisine more commonly associated with Chinese restaurants in the UK, Xi Home focuses on the hearty, dough-based cooking traditions of Northern China.
The menu also specifically focuses on shuijiao, boiled dumplings with slightly thicker skins and juicier insides.
These are hearty and filling, delicious but different to the slightly finer-skinned, steamed dumplings you may be used to. They’re also served in portions of 10, so a plate or two is generally enough to fill you up.
Price-wise, you’re looking at approximately £15 a dish, which is great considering the size of the portions … and the fact that you’re still eating out in the heart of London.
Xi Home Review
The I Love Foodies Experience
In true I Love Foodies fashion, we had to try a little bit of everything. Of course, we were not aware of the portion sizes when we decided on what to try so you’ll be fine ordering about a quarter of what we did.
But variety is important for research, right?
So, on the menu:
- Pork with chives and prawn dumplings (£14.80)
- Homemade vegan dumplings (£12.70)
- Chives, egg and prawn dumplings (£14.80)
- Mushroom dumplings (£12.70)
- Beef with spring onion dumplings (£12.70)
- Pork soup bun (£7.00)
- Pan-fried buns (£10.80)
- Spring onion pancakes (£7.00)
- Smashed cucumber salad (£9.10)
- Seaweed salad (£9.10)
- Prawn shredded rolls (£10.20)
We also got to try a prawn and celtuce summer dish, which isn’t yet on the menu but officially launches in June.
Left: The Xi Home dumplings are boiled and slightly thicker-skinned than what you may be used to. Right: The prawn & celtuce dish is a new summer addition.
Left: The spring onion pancakes were super moreish. Right: The prawn shredded rolls were tasty but a little messy.
Everything we had was great, though it is worth remembering that these Northern Chinese dumplings are meant to be larger, thicker, heartier, and slightly chewier. If you’re expecting trays of delicate dumplings in bamboo steamers, you’re at the wrong place.
Stand-outs for me were the mushroom dumplings, not something I’d usually go for but these sounded delicious and did not disappoint, and the pork with chives and prawn dumplings, which were surprisingly juicy. The smashed cucumber and seaweed salads were also excellent, and the pork soup bun, a giant steamed dumpling that you pierce with a straw to enjoy the soup before biting in to enjoy the fillings, was also a really lovely find. The pan-fried bao are also a personal favourite, so these will always be on my top list.
The pork soup bun is tasty and fun – stick a straw into the top of the bun, slurp the soup, and then eat the whole thing.
Pan-fried baos are always one of my favourites, and the ones at Xi Home are fluffy, juicy, and delicious.
Going back, I’d definitely want to try some of the more specialised seafood dumplings, which I skipped on this visit, and I’d be keen to check out the noodle dishes and pumpkin desserts. And I’d certainly go for a good mix of what I had this time round.
The only two dishes I probably wouldn’t order again are the prawn shredded rolls and the spring onion pancakes, not because they weren’t delicious, but:
- The spring onion pancakes had a wonderful flavour and I really enjoyed them, but they were just a tad too oily for my liking.
- The prawn shredded rolls were really delicious and fun to eat, but I ended up making an absolute mess of the little dough pieces going everywhere. Tasty, but not “try not to look like a fool” safe.
Everything else, though, top-notch!
Overall, Xi Home Dumplings Bay was fab.
The food was well-prepared, fresh and delicious, the service was efficient, and the ambiance really lovely. Even with the spot being absolutely packed, the team was on fire and everything arrived at the table hot, steamy, and super quickly.
Visit Xi Home Dumplings Bay
If you want to taste something familiar that’s still a little different, try your hand at making dumplings, or just enjoy great food in a friendly setting, Xi Home is for you.
Considering its popularity, booking is definitely a must.
You’ll find all the details below.
Xi Home Dumplings Bay Contact Details
(Spitalfields Branch)
Address: 10 Blossom Street, E1 6PL, London
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday (12:00 – 15:30 & 16:30 – 22:30)
Website: www.wjxfoodculture.co.uk
Call: +44 2038939655
Email: admin@wjxfoodculture.co.uk
Written by Benike Palfi
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Article Date: May 2026
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