The Ugly Dumpling
McLeans Ridges, NSW
- Services
- Food truck
- Works in
- Byron Bay and Far North Coast, Regional NSW
- In business
- 4+ years
About
The Ugly Dumpling is a dumpling food truck from McLeans Ridges, in the hills between Lismore and Ballina. The story starts in Footscray in Melbourne's inner west, where dumplings were the family habit — Chinese, Japanese, Nepalese, all of it. A lap of Australia ended in the Northern Rivers, and after two years without a decent dumpling there was nothing for it but to roll them at the kitchen bench. That was four years ago; the packs now sit in more than twenty stores across the region.
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Everything is handmade. The dough is organic stoneground flour, the fillings are free-range meats and locally grown vegetables, and there are no additives or preservatives. Three dumplings anchor the menu: free-range pork with spring onion and ginger, lemongrass beef brisket with coriander, garlic and a hint of chilli, and a vegan dumpling of mushroom, cabbage, celery, carrot, spring onion and ginger. They are big, generous dumplings made to ooze and made to share — no one-bite wonders. For weddings and private events the truck comes to you, and the menu is built around your people — more than dumplings if you want it, with vegan, gluten-free, lactose-intolerant and cultural requirements all catered for. They take functions from 50 to 500 guests, and around the Northern Rivers the van is a familiar sight at markets and festivals from Lismore to Ballina, Casino and Nimbin, travelling as far as Armidale and over the Queensland border for the right event.
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Questions
Do you cater weddings and private events?
Yes — the truck is available for private functions and events across the Northern Rivers and beyond. We work with you to tailor the perfect menu, and it all starts with an obligation-free chat.
How many guests can you cater for?
Whether your function is for 50 or 500, the van handles it — we build the menu and the service around your numbers.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
All of them. From the strictest vegans to the heartiest carnivores, gluten free to lactose intolerant, cultural requirements to far-out inspiration — we can do it.
Is it only dumplings?
No — dumplings are the heart of the menu, but we offer a variety of other dishes and are experienced in creating bespoke menus to suit your event.
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How are the dumplings made?
By hand, with a focus on quality local produce. The dough is made from organic stoneground flour, the fillings use free-range meats and locally grown vegetables, and there are no additives or preservatives.
Where are you based, and how far do you travel?
We are based at McLeans Ridges in the Northern Rivers, and the van is a regular at markets and festivals from Lismore to Ballina, Casino and Nimbin. We travel for bookings — recent events have taken us to Armidale and into Queensland.
Can we take dumplings home?
Yes — our packaged dumplings (free-range pork, lemongrass beef and vegan veggie) are stocked by more than twenty stores across the region.
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