The Dumpling Lady expanding to South End with new restaurant

Why it matters: The Dumpling Lady is a Charlotte transplant success story. The restaurant’s popularity underscores the fact that people in Charlotte crave creative, locally sourced dishes and exposure to other cultures. 

Context: Owner and head chef Zhang Qian started The Dumpling Lady in 2015 to bring Szechuanese home cooking to Charlotte after she moved here from Sichuan, China, the year prior. The food joint quickly gained popularity and by 2019, she announced a permanent location at Optimist Hall. 

• Qian’s menu is known for its scratch-made dumplings made from family recipes and locally-sourced ingredients.

Details: The Dumpling Lady will be located at 327 W Tremont Ave., where Callie’s Biscuit used to be. The restaurant will offer the same favorites served at Optimist Hall and the food truck plus some additional menu items. 

The Dumpling Lady’s South End location is still under construction and is scheduled to open sometime in July, Qian’s husband, John Nisbet, tells Axios. 

Of note: The new restaurant doesn’t replace the Optimist Hall food stall, which will remain in operation. Their OG food truck, parked at Resident Culture Plaza Midwood, closed in February 2023. 

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in August 2022 and updated July 2023 to add new details about the opening date.