Ugly Dumpling, an expanding fast-casual chain serving Chinese dumplings, is set to open next year at the Marketplace at Hamden, the company confirmed.
The restaurant is set to be located in the Marketplace at 2335 Dixwell Ave. and will occupy a 6,830-square-foot space, according to a lease plan. The company confirmed the restaurant is currently finalizing architectural plans with the owner of the Marketplace.
The location will take over the space where TGI Fridays was located in the marketplace, according to the Marketplace website.
The chain has announced a rapid expansion over the next year. Currently, the restaurant has two locations open in New Jersey, but eight other locations are planned in other states including New York, Maryland and Texas. The Hamden location is the first for New England. Demand for one-bite dumplings is growing over other traditional meals like ramen, according to the company website. Dumplings offer an assortment of meat and vegetables wrapped inside dough.
The chain serves up classic Chinese staples like wonton soup, spicy chicken wonton, shrimp and pork dumplings and even vegan dumplings. Several rice and noodle dishes are also on the menu like chicken and beef stir fry noodles. Appetizers like edamame, spring rolls, salt and pepper popcorn chicken and fried pork chops can also be ordered.
“When we created Ugly Dumpling, we wanted to tap into the historical Shanghai street food movement but do so in a way that caters to the modern palette. Our menu respects Shanghai’s centuries-old cooking techniques while cultivating an exciting experience for today’s restaurant goer,” the chain said in a press release.
Ugly Dumpling also has several varieties of drinks on the menu including boba tea, milk tea and a fruity yogurt drink in several different flavors.
The last few years have been a particularly challenging time in the food industry as several iconic restaurants announced their closures in the state. But while full-service restaurants continue to struggle, fast-casual chains have seen success. The shift is largely based on changing consumer habits post-pandemic amid rising food prices and a shift towards cheaper on-the-go options, according to Scott Dolch, president and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant Association.
In addition, the state has seen a growing number of Asian inspired markets and restaurants, with many being named among the best in the region. Asian Americans are the country’s fastest-growing racial or ethnic group and are projected to be its largest immigrant group by 2055, according to Pew Research Center. Connecticut is home to more than 170,000 Asian residents, according to census data.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected]
