If your comfort-food radar only picks up burgers and fries, your taste buds are about to discover a new favorite. Zen Dumpling, a Florida-born concept known for handcrafted soup dumplings, is garnering rave reviews in Brandon at 2420 W. Brandon Blvd. The new spot just opened earlier this fall and it is the brand’s first step into the Tampa Bay area, following successful locations in Orlando and Jacksonville.
Photo via Zen Dumpling
What makes it special
At Zen Dumpling, the spotlight is, obviously, on the soup dumplings (also known as xiao long bao). Guests can go classic with pork, or branch out into chicken, beef, crab and pork, shrimp and pork, or even a rich truffle pork dumpling. For anyone who can’t pick just one (like me), the Signature XLB Sampler lines up six different flavors so you can taste your way across the menu in a single sitting.
Beyond the xiao long bao, there are plenty of options. The kitchen serves up bao buns (steamed or pan-fried), pan-fried dumplings like the Shanghai or beef version, and steamed dumplings packed with fillings from cabbage and pork to shrimp and pork or chicken and mushroom. Small plates keep the table lively with scallion pancakes, Zen chili wontons, and sweet rice shumai. The wok menu features favorites like dandan noodles, General Tso’s chicken, and Mongolian beef. It’s a lineup designed for comfort food lovers, but also one that rewards adventurous eaters (my people!) who like to mix and match.
Photo via Zen Dumpling
Why Brandon works
Brandon’s food culture has been craving something different, and Zen Dumpling fills that gap by introducing a style of comfort food that is both approachable and memorable. Soup dumplings might sound fancy, but here they are fun, casual, and made for everyone. It’s the kind of food that works for a quick weekday lunch, a family outing, or even a late-night craving when you need something warm and satisfying.
The new Brandon location marks the start of a new chapter for Zen Dumpling, one that brings their popular concept to the Bay for the first time. For locals, it means no more road trips to Orlando or Jacksonville to get a taste. For the brand, it marks a step toward becoming a recognizable name across Florida.
Zen Dumpling in Brandon is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Visit their website or Insta for updates.
Photo via Zen Dumpling