One of Chinatown’s Best Dumpling Makers is Opening a Downtown Restaurant

One of Chinatown’s best restaurants for dumplings is opening a quick-serve shop in the Loop. Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings, known as QXY by many, plans to open a casual spin-off restaurant called JIAO in May at 18 S. Wabash Avenue. Expect a scaled-down menu compared to the massive number of selections available in Chinatown.

Customers at QXY could order their dumplings pan fried or steamed. Popular fillings include lamb and coriander, crab, and pork and leek. JIAO will have a rotating menu of selections, reported Time Out Chicago. Management wants to meld American fast-food convenience with Chinese culture. They’ll also serve other appetizers.

Formerly located in the basement of Chinatown’s Richland food court, Qing Xiang Yuan moved upstairs to its current location in 2016. The restaurant has been open since 2015. While some frown on the quality of Chicago’s Chinese food compared to other American cities, QXY competes with some of the best dumpling makers in the country, and probably deserves more recognition.

Part of QXY’s charm is flipping through that menu using iPads given to customers at their tables. Manager Eric Zhou couldn’t immediately reply if they’ll utilize the tablets at JIAO. Check back for updates.