Vegetarian Options at Ugly Dumpling: Your Complete Plant-Based Guide

Ugly Dumpling is primarily a meat-forward Chinese restaurant — but there are more plant-based options than most people realize. Here's the complete guide.

Vegan Dumplings

Our Vegan Dumplings ($9.20 for 6) use a filling of seasoned tofu, glass noodles, cabbage, and shiitake mushroom — no meat, no egg, no dairy. The wrappers are made with wheat flour and water only. These are available pan-fried or steamed. Ask your server for the pan-fried version — the crispy skirt adds a textural contrast that elevates the whole plate.

Sides and Starters

Cucumber Salad ($7.50) — smashed cucumber with black vinegar, chili oil, garlic, and sesame. Fully vegan. One of the most popular items on the menu regardless of dietary preference.

Edamame ($5.00) — salted and steamed. Simple, clean, vegan.

Spring Rolls — the vegetable version is available. Ask your server to confirm — we sometimes run a cabbage-and-glass-noodle filling that is fully vegan.

Noodles

Sesame Noodles ($11.50) — hand-pulled wheat noodles, house sesame sauce, cucumber, scallions. No meat. The sauce contains sesame paste and soy sauce; no egg. This is a reliable vegan option.

Spicy Noodles ($11.50) — same base noodle with a chili oil sauce. Confirm with your server that you want no additions.

What to Avoid (Hidden Animal Products)

Some items that look vegetarian contain hidden animal products. The broth in our Hot and Sour Soup is pork-based. The Steamed BBQ Pork Buns are not vegan (pork filling and egg wash). The Pork Shrimp Shumai contains both pork and shrimp. When in doubt, ask your server — we're always happy to clarify.

Building a Full Vegan Meal at Ugly Dumpling

Start with Edamame → Cucumber Salad → Vegan Dumplings (pan-fried) → Sesame Noodles → Taro Milk Tea (specify no egg pudding topping). That's a complete, satisfying meal entirely plant-based. Total cost: approximately $42–$45 before tax and tip.

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8 locations across NJ, CT, VA, and DE. Dine-in, takeout, or delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub.