Dumpling Plus is bringing its soup dumplings beyond the Delmar Loop, with plans to open a second location in The Grove. The new restaurant plans to take over the space vacated by Chao Baan, which closed in September after seven years in business, and it marks the first expansion for the young Shanghai-inspired concept.
From Delmar Loop Debut to Grove Expansion
Dumpling Plus opened its original location at 6335 Delmar, in the former Blue Ocean space, on May 1, according to St. Louis Magazine. The concept specializes in Jiangnan cuisine, the eastern Chinese region that includes Shanghai, and built its reputation on colorful, handmade soup dumplings. Its Grove location will mark the brand's first expansion beyond the Loop flagship, per the same outlet's reporting.
The atmosphere at the new Grove spot is expected to resemble the flagship's look and feel, the report notes. That original Delmar Loop restaurant drew its modern interior design from Yuyuan Garden, featuring backlit booths, illuminated Chinese folk art panels, and a palette of wood and neutral tones. Diners at the Loop location can also watch dumplings made by hand through a window built into the space.
What's on the Menu
Dumpling Plus's menu includes Lucky Six soup dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, and spicy pork and vegetable wontons.
Overseeing the Loop kitchen is head chef Yaya Liang. Dumpling Plus is owned by Chin Zhang.
Other Restaurant Projects
Pho Now and Little Fish are currently under construction nearby at 6665 Delmar and 6685 Delmar, respectively; Little Fish carries the tagline pickled mustard fish, hot pot, and robot kitchen.
The Grove has seen a wave of new restaurant openings in recent months. Baia, an Italian restaurant at the corner of Manchester and South Boyle, was one of three new restaurants to open in the neighborhood in the three months before mid-September, according to St. Louis Public Radio. The report also noted that Good Hospitality, the group behind Baia, was planning to open two more restaurants within the following year.
Soup dumplings have been expanding their footprint across the St. Louis region more broadly. Tiger Soup Dumplings opened its first location in Fenton before adding a second in Des Peres in 2024, and the chain planned a third location at 1900 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles for spring 2026, according to Sauce Magazine. That planned St. Charles spot, at roughly 1,900 square feet, was designed to echo the Des Peres location's black-and-wood look and include an open window for guests to watch the dumpling-making process.
