During California’s pandemic-era shutdown in 2020, Allan Tea, who owns Hello Kitty Grand Cafe and Capital Dimsum Seafood, started a side project to keep business afloat. That venture, Cali Dumpling, a frozen dumpling delivery company, took off fast. First selling dumplings online and at local farmers markets, Tea expanded his enterprise to a 15,000-square-foot headquarters in El Monte in 2023, with dumplings landing on store shelves at 99 Ranch markets in Orange County and at cult grocer Erewhon in L.A.
On Monday, July 1, Cali Dumplings will mark the grand opening of its first brick-and-mortar restaurant, a roughly 2,000-square-foot space in Old Towne Orange.
Guests at the new fast-casual eatery can select from four potsticker fillings — organic pork, organic chicken, organic veggie and shrimp — and then choose from eight house-made sauces, like Tangy Tikka made with San Marzano tomatoes, spices, yogurt, pickled onions and cucumbers; Sicilian Marinara, with San Marzano tomatoes, pepperoni, mozzarella and parmesan crisps; or Yuzu butter, featuring hollandaise, yuzu, miso, furikake and tobiko eggs.
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“We just wanted to do something totally different with dumplings,” said Mr. Tea in a written release. “We happen to think dumplings make for the perfect vehicle for so many flavors and sauces, beyond the traditional way we’ve all eaten dumplings.”
Sides at Cali Dumpling include Indo fried rice, wok-fried noodles, sweet corn crispy rice, orange sesame salad, fries, tofu bites and more. Wines and local craft beers will also be available.
Dumpling fans can choose from a six-piece combo (with one sauce and one side) for $13.49, a ten-piece combo (two sauces, one side) for $18.79 or a family pack of 20 pieces (two sauces, two sides) for $41.98.
While Cali Dumpling officially opens Monday, it’s currently operating in soft-open mode.
Hours are 11:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.
Find it: 149 N. Glassell St., Orange
