In June 2025, I had the honor of leading a dumpling-making workshop for the Emory APIDA 2nd Annual Buford Highway Eats: Dumpling Edition at Chamblee City Hall and it was such a fun celebration of Asian food and community.
Hosted by Emory Atlanta APIDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, & Desi Alumni) Network, the event brought together over 70 guests at Chamblee City Hall to celebrate the incredible diversity of Asian food along Atlanta's iconic Buford Highway.
I led a hands-on dumpling session where attendees learned how to wrap vegetarian dumplings made with napa cabbage and tofu - a flavorful, approachable filling that's perfect for beginners.
A Hands-On Food + Culture Experience
We kicked things off with a short introduction to the cultural significance of dumplings - how they're often made for Chinese New Year, family gatherings, and special occasions.
I demonstrated a few wrapping styles (half-moon and pleated), then everyone jumped in to try it themselves. Many guests were wrapping dumplings for the first time, while others picked it up instantly. Everyone got to take their dumplings home to cook later, too!
Why Events Like This Matter
Food has a unique way of bringing people together. Whether someone grew up eating dumplings or was trying them for the first time, the shared experience of making food by hand creates connection.
Buford Highway is such an important part of Atlanta's multicultural food scene, and it was amazing to see so many people come together to celebrate that through food, stories, and community.
Dumplings We Made
For the workshop, we made my Napa Cabbage & Tofu Dumplings, a vegetarian filling that's both comforting and versatile:
- 🥬 Vegetarian, but packed with umami flavor
- 🥟 Easy to cook - pan-fry, boil, or steam
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly, great for batch cooking or parties
Everyone wrapped at least two dumplings, and many attendees said they felt inspired to try making dumplings at home afterward.
A Celebration of Dumplings in All Forms
This event wasn't just about one kind of dumpling - it was a full dumpling tasting tour across cultures, with bites from local Asian restaurants and pop-ups, including:
- @gus.dumplings - juicy chicken dumplings
- @mamakvegan - pan-fried vegan dumplings
- @kamayan_atl - veggie & shrimp lumpia (Filipino-style spring rolls)
- @bismillah_cafe - veggie & chicken samosas
- @cantonhouserestaurant - chicken shu mai
- @foodterminalofficial - steamed pork wontons
- @mintcoffeehousega - chai & watermelon mint lemonade
Together, they showed just how many delicious ways dumplings (and dumpling-adjacent foods) appear across Asian cuisines.
Thank You to Emory APIDA, We Love BuHi, and Our Community Leaders
Huge thanks to the Emory APIDA Alumni Network for organizing this event, and to We Love Buford Highway for continuing to uplift the history, culture, and businesses that make Buford Highway so special.
We were also honored to hear from inspiring speakers, including Munir Meghjani, President of the Emory Atlanta APIDA Network, and Jimmy Furst, At-Large Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Chamblee.
Jimmy spoke about the importance of cultural events like this in strengthening community connections, and We Love Buford Highway also shared a few words about their mission and ongoing work in the community.
Special thanks as well to the City of Chamblee for hosting us at Chamblee City Hall, and to everyone who came out to eat, learn, and celebrate together.
Want to Make Dumplings at Home?
For this workshop, we made my Napa Cabbage & Tofu Dumplings, a vegetarian recipe that's approachable, flavorful, and perfect for first-time dumpling makers.
👉 Napa Cabbage & Tofu Dumplings (Vegetarian)
If you're in the mood to try other styles, here are a few more dumpling recipes you might enjoy:
- Pork & Chives Dumplings - Savory pork filling packed with fragrant garlic chives for that bold, traditional flavor you'll find at dumpling shops. So good pan-fried until crispy.
- Pork & Shiitake Mushroom Dumplings - Juicy pork paired with earthy shiitake mushrooms for extra umami. These dumplings are hearty, flavorful, and great for make-ahead meals.
- Napa Cabbage & Tofu Dumplings (Vegetarian) - Light yet super flavorful dumplings filled with napa cabbage and tofu. No pre-cooking needed, and they're perfect for anyone looking for a veggie option.
- Browse All Dumplings & Wontons Recipes - From classic pork dumplings to wontons in chili oil - everything you need for a cozy dumpling night at home.
Whether you like them boiled, steamed, or pan-fried, dumplings are one of the most rewarding dishes to make at home.
Got questions or comments? Drop them below!