Hipster-style street-side food stall in Kaohsiung – A blooming beauty of dumplings made by women!

Text and photos byKui Xiao Sun

If we’re living in an era where “camera eats first,” I think many of us, just like us, love to explore these small shops that are super photogenic. These little spots aren’t too pricey, and the closer they are to everyday life, the more appealing they become. Take, for example, “Women’s Dumplings” near Pier-2 Art Center in Kaohsiung—it’s located on the second-floor walkway above the market. Size-wise, it’s one of the smallest along the entire row—but it’s the busiest, most crowded, and most eye-catching place along the whole street.

The day before, we had “Men’s Rice.” Today, we came to taste “Women’s Dumplings”! There’s something delightfully playful about this one-male-one-female pairing~ With the buzz of the Mayday concert happening those days, waiting nearly an hour felt just right, XD. Fortunately, our car was parked right in a spot right in front of the shop. As time slowly passed, we waited patiently for the deliciousness to arrive~

“Women’s Dumplings” can be described as a hipster-style street food stall. The little shop gives off a rustic Zakka vibe, yet it sells pan-fried dumplings and pot-cooked noodles. In such an atmosphere, even waiting a bit feels like a treat. You find yourself curious about how the food tastes, excited for the surprise of freshly made bites :) All the staff are women, hence the name “Women’s.” Plus, women = good. Good ingredients, sincere and heartfelt goodness—maybe that’s what they aim to offer!

Decide what you want to eat, then order and pay while waiting for a seat. Basically, seating is arranged by “Women’s Dumplings” itself~ Next to the counter, there are utensils and condiments, including the shop’s homemade chili sauce—spicy food lovers definitely shouldn’t miss it, XD!

On this day, we ordered:#Tata Pan-Fried Dumplings 60 TWD #Pot-Cooked Noodles 70 TWD #Black Tea 15 TWD x2When everything arrived at the table, it really got our mouths watering. The fragrant aromas and the delicious taste of street snacks—aren’t these exactly the flavors we could never get tired of?!

#Tata Pan-Fried Dumplings 60 TWDThe most classic item at “Women’s Dumplings” is the round plate of dumplings. We didn’t hesitate to order the basil flavor when we saw it. Haha~ This green Tata dumpling platter arrived upside-down, and the crispy golden layers between the dumpling wrappers were so pretty—like petals blooming outward. The crispy texture and visual appeal won our hearts all at once~

Spicy food fans, don’t forget—“Women’s Dumplings” has homemade chili sauce, so be sure to grab a side dish of it. Dip those bouncy dumplings in a bit, and when the tender filling bursts in your mouth along with the sauce, you’ll truly realize just how delicious these dumplings are. The chewy wrappers, the basil-scented filling, the irresistible chili-soy combo—all essential. And then there’s the occasional crisp layer that adds a satisfying crunch when you bite into it~

Truth be told, “Women’s Dumplings” doesn’t have many seats—there were only about four or five tables in my memory. Maybe after waiting almost an hour, it was a bit funny that we finished this delicious meal in less than half an hour. But being lucky enough to enjoy such a wonderful “Women’s Dumplings”—both in form and spirit—made our hearts swell with emotion during our trip to Kaohsiung :)

#Pot-Cooked Noodles 70 TWD

Pot-cooked noodles are a pretty common national street snack, so we figured we’d go ahead and order a bowl at “Women’s Dumplings” too. When the small bowl was brought to our table, we sensed a thoughtful touch. The owner said, “Since I brought it out anyway, I might as well give it to you” (she had actually wanted to ask if we needed it, but her hands had already delivered it XD). That cuteness, that warmth, made us all laugh. Honestly, yes—we did need a small bowl for sharing, but the fact that she offered it without us even asking—that kind of gentle thoughtfulness is something we’ll always remember.

How are pot-cooked noodles made? To be honest, I’ve been thinking about that question a lot lately XD. Simple, unpretentious broth, a handful of noodles dropped in, followed by meatballs, shrimp, clams, black fungus, eggs, scallions, and so on. Every bite is filled with “ungreasy love.” This humble little snack is so ordinary, so simple that you’ll find yourself thinking about it often—and never getting tired of eating it every day :)

If we visit many places just to take photos, then I’d say “Women’s Dumplings” is the kind of place where, after taking photos, you’ll still want to come back for a bite every now and then. Maybe you’ll have to wait a bit, maybe there aren’t many seats—but dedicated women are beautiful, and the food made by these earnest female owners is full of sincerity. Next time you’re in the area, put “Women’s Dumplings” on your list. Let this goodness become part of your cherished memories~

Women’s Dumplings
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Address: No. 2, Lane 113, Qixian 3rd Rd., Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 0975-629-456
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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