Vancouver is no stranger to soup dumplings and a new challenger is set to land in the city.
A Montreal soup dumpling chain is opening its first Vancouver restaurants, starting with a Kerrisdale shop in the old ZUBU Ramen unit.
Sammi & Soupe Dumpling has red “Opening Soon” signs up at 2129 West 41st Avenue, spotted by Noms Mag community member Tom.
Another sign in the window reads “Vancouver, we’re here!”
ZUBU closed its Kerrisdale ramen bar temporarily in July, after what the brand called an unexpected situation with the location’s franchise operator.
Sammi’s location page lists a second Vancouver spot, too, at 1074 Denman Street in the West End.
That’s the unit where Legendary Noodle closed in late September after 20 years.
Both are marked “coming soon,” with no opening dates yet.
Sammi started in Montreal in 2013 and now has nine locations across the Montreal area and Ottawa, so these will be its first in Western Canada.
The menu has pan-fried dumplings and wonton soup, but the xiao long bao are the main event.
They’re split into premium and classic.
The premium side has Tom Yum Shrimp and Teriyaki Beef, two fillings I’ve never seen in xiao long bao form.
The classic side has 10 more, from classic juicy pork and pork and chive to chicken and mushroom, shrimp and coriander, and pork and snow crab.
That’s 12 kinds of xiao long bao in total, which is honestly the most I’ve seen any one spot offer.
Dessert gets the dumpling treatment as well.
There’s a lava chocolate xiao long bao, which reminds me of the chocolate one Din Tai Fung does, just minus the sea salt cream, plus a black sesame and peanut version.
The chain also sells some cute merch online, like tote bags, graphic tees, a dumpling-shaped soap and a giant dumpling plush pillow.
Metro Vancouver already has its fair share of really good xiao long bao, so it’ll be interesting to see how Sammi fares here.
I’ll be keeping an eye on the 41st Avenue windows for an opening date, and I’m going straight for the Tom Yum dumpling.
Maybe that combo just works?
Sammi joins other new and upcoming Vancouver spots like Bento Cafe in Kerrisdale, Forecast Coffee Marine Gateway, Tucci’s Fraser.
Address
2129 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver BC and 1074 Denman Street, Vancouver BC
