Viral Yuen Kee dumplings at Fortune Centre

You’ve probably seen Yuen Kee Dumpling’s viral chilli oil dumplings making rounds online — not just the plump, juicy parcels of meat, but also the snaking queues that line the side of this stall in Fortune Centre.

It started as Yuan Ji Yun Jiao from Guangzhou, China. Now, it has nearly 5,000 outlets worldwide.

Its first Singapore outpost, which opened in mid-December last year, has taken over the space previously occupied by the popular Atas Turkish Kebab.

The overwhelming demand for the brand’s wares has even paved the way for a second outlet at Serangoon Nex — though the opening date is yet to be confirmed.

While dumplings and wantons take centerstage, the menu also offers an array of other Cantonese delights — noodles, desserts, and side dishes such as fried prawn rolls and savoury pork trotters.

If you’re planning to visit, we recommend dropping by outside of peak lunch and dinner hours — the queue can get pretty long!

Freshly handcrafted with a labour of love

At the front of the store, you can watch the masters in action, meticulously folding and preparing each dumpling and wanton by hand. 

Handmade dumplings have long been a symbol of love and tradition, requiring patience and exacting precision from their makers. With every bite of these freshly made delicacies, you can taste the warmth and care that goes into crafting each one.

The orders do take some time to arrive, that is because everything is made to order (something we appreciate).

Juicy, flavourful dumplings

You can pick between the 10-piece or the 12-piece dumpling sets, and then choose from seven sauces to accompany them.

We opted for the 10-piece chives and pork dumplings in viral mixed sauce with chilli oil (S$7.80). 

Besides these, you can also get the shrimp and vegetables, celery and pork and corn and pork dumplings. You can also add ramen or egg noodles for an extra S$2.

Each bite delivers a burst of rich, savoury goodness. The generously packed meat was juicy and well-seasoned to exude a deep umami. Meanwhile, the chives introduce a light, aromatic contrast that balances out the dumpling’s meaty core.

The dough of its skin was soft, yet provided just enough structure to hold everything together, even after biting it in half.

However, the much-hyped chilli oil fell slightly short of expectations. While it added a savoury depth to the dish, a spicier kick would have added more to the meal, rather than just giving the whole dish an overly oily quality.

Silky, nutty wantons

We also tried the 10-piece shrimp and crab roe pork wantons in peanut sauce (S$10.80).

But if seafood is not your thing, you can also choose the pork and corn and pork wantons.

It is no surprise that this filling is one of Yuen Kee’s signatures and a fan-favourite. Each dumpling was packed with a blend of delicious sweet shrimp and pork crab roe, giving us a deeply flavourful bite.

The peanut sauce — a common sauce for dumplings in Chinese cuisine — was thick and velvety, coating each piece in a smooth, nutty richness. It has a gentle sweetness that works with the brininess of the seafood.

Like the dumplings, the wantons are wrapped in thin, delicate skin. If you’re looking for something rich and silky, the peanut sauce is a solid choice.

Hearty and comforting noodles

The braised beef brisk soup noodles (S$9.50) provided a hearty and soothing finish to our meal. The broth was deeply beefy and full-bodied, offering comfort in every sip. Generous portions of beef brisket — lean, yet succulent — were both firm and tender, delivering a satisfying chew. 

The egg noodles, thin and springy, absorbed the broth’s savoury essence. It was easily one of the standout elements of this dish.

In all, the braised beef brisk soup noodles felt nourishing, with slow-simmered flavours in every spoonful.

Take home fresh, raw dumplings

If you want to enjoy Yuen Kee’s dumplings at home, you can get its fresh, raw dumplings and wantons, priced at S$6.30 for 250g and S$11.80 for 500g.

So, was it worth the hype? We say: Yes! 

While the chilli oil dumplings were not the showstopper we expected, Yuen Kee still offered an impressive variety of other delicious sauces and flavours that we thoroughly enjoyed.

For the latest food news, read our stories on the new kakigori specialist cafe in Tiong bahru and Maggie’s new “almost Chinese” spot.

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You can also book a ride to Fortune Centre to try these delectable dumplings.