Vegetarian & Vegan Guide to Ugly Dumpling: The Full 2026 Edition
While the name Ugly Dumpling often brings to mind traditional pork-filled Xiao Long Bao, this rapidly expanding restaurant chain has become a premier destination for vegetarian and vegan diners across the East Coast.
The Main Event: Meat-Free Dumplings & Wontons
Ugly Dumpling has perfected the art of the vegetable filling, ensuring these items are just as juicy and savory as their signature meat dishes.
Vegan Dumplings (6 pcs)
$10.35The Gold Standard for Plant-Based Diners. These dumplings feature a delicate, hand-pleated wrapper stuffed with a vibrant medley of finely chopped bok choy, mushrooms, and glass noodles. They are steamed to order, preserving the fresh, earthy flavors of the greens.
Spicy Vegan Wontons (8 pcs)
$11.50If you crave bold heat, this is the dish for you. These wontons are served swimming in a signature house-made spicy and sour chili oil. The sauce provides a complex balance of tang, salt, and spice that makes it a top-rated favorite even among meat-eaters.
Vegan Wonton Soup (8 pcs)
$11.50For a lighter, soul-warming meal, this soup features high-quality vegan wontons in a clear, seasoned vegetable broth. It is the ultimate comfort food choice for chilly days.
Vegetarian Appetizers & Starters
Kick off your meal with these crispy and fresh meat-free selections:
Extra crispy golden triangles with a rich, melted cream cheese center.
A classic crispy starter filled with seasoned shredded cabbage and carrots.
A refreshing palate cleanser featuring crunchy cucumber in garlic-vinegar dressing.
Steamed to perfection and finished with sea salt, a simple high-protein snack.
Noodles & Wok Greens
Many of the heartiest dishes at Ugly Dumpling are naturally vegetarian-friendly:
- Noodles with Sesame Sauce | $10.35 - A creamy, nutty, and savory cold noodle dish that is a staple for vegetarian regulars. (Contains peanuts).
- Vegetable Stir-Fried Noodles | $13.80 - A massive portion of wok-tossed noodles loaded with fresh broccoli, carrots, and cabbage.
- Noodles with Spicy Sauce | $10.35 - For those who want their noodles with a punchy, fermented chili kick.
- String Beans with Garlic | $14.95 - Flash-fried in a hot wok to retain a snap texture and tossed with aromatic garlic.
- Broccoli with Garlic | $13.80 - Bright, tender broccoli florets sauteed with high-heat wok aromatics.
Boba & Refreshing Beverages
Complete your plant-based feast with a signature drink:
- Brown Sugar Boba | $6.90 - Caramelized syrup with chewy tapioca pearls. (Note: Contains dairy; check with your server for plant-based milk alternatives).
- Blackberry Lemonade Refresher | $8.05 - A vegan-friendly, tart, and fruity drink that perfectly balances the spice of the wontons.
- Honey Lemonade | $5.75 - Simple, bright, and refreshing.
Pro-Tips for the Vegetarian Diner
Reheat with Care
If you take your Vegan Dumplings to-go, do not microwave them in the plastic container! For the best texture, steam them for 2-3 minutes on a plate over boiling water to restore the wrapper elasticity.
The Chili Oil Secret
The house chili crisp on the table is typically vegan-friendly. It is the best way to add extra oomph to the Sesame Noodles or plain White Rice.
Cross-Contamination
As an open-kitchen restaurant that hand-makes thousands of dumplings daily, flour and meat products are handled constantly. If you have a severe allergy, always notify the manager before ordering.
Final Verdict: Ugly Dumpling proves that ugly is just a nickname for authentic, soul-satisfying food. With a menu that treats vegetables with the same respect as pork and truffle, it remains a top-tier choice for the plant-based community in 2026.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options at a Glance
Menus vary by location, and dishes can share woks and fryers with meat. Use this as a shortlist and confirm with staff.
| Dish | Vegetarian | Vegan | What to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegan Dumplings | Yes | Yes | Steamed or pan-fried, and what oil is used |
| Garlic Greens / String Beans | Yes | Usually | Whether oyster sauce is added |
| Cucumber Salad | Yes | Usually | Whether the dressing has fish sauce |
| Scallion Pancakes | Yes | Often | Whether the dough contains egg |
| Vegetable Fried Rice | Yes | Ask | Request it without egg |
| Mapo Tofu | Ask | Ask | Traditionally made with minced meat |
A Sample Meat-Free Meal for Two
Order one basket of Vegan Dumplings, a plate of Garlic Greens, Cucumber Salad and Vegetable Fried Rice without egg. On the Edison reference menu that comes to roughly $41 to $45 before drinks, tax and tip.
More Questions, Answered
Are Ugly Dumpling soup dumplings vegetarian?
No. The soup dumplings on the core menu are made with pork, chicken or seafood, and the broth is meat-based. Vegan Dumplings are the meat-free option.
Is boba vegan?
Tapioca pearls are plant-based, but most milk teas use dairy or non-dairy creamer that may contain milk derivatives. Fruit teas and lemonades are the safer vegan choice.
Does Ugly Dumpling have gluten-free vegan food?
Options are very limited because wrappers, noodles and soy sauce contain wheat. Ask staff before ordering.