Seven oriental ravioli to try in Rome (including Japanese, Chinese, and Korean options)

Gyoza di manzo fritto – Kisaki

Just steps from the Pantheon, Kisaki is a safe and reliable place to stop during a stroll downtown. It's curious that such a refined restaurant only offers gyoza in their most sinful form: fried. The fried dough, however, is light and dry, and envelops a filling with a bold flavor. The beef gyoza (10 euros) stand out, but the options with shrimp (11) or vegetables (10) are also worth a try. To complete the experience, we recommend trying the ramen (16-22): beautiful to look at and with a broth with intense flavors that's truly not bad.

Kisaki. Piazza Capranica 75, Rome. Tel. 066785838. Instagram.

Shrimp Xiao Mai – Dumpling Bar

After years spent in China perfecting the art of oriental cuisine, Gianni Catani created the Dumpling Bar, a place where every dish tells its own story and is a reference to Rome's dumplings. Among the 11 menu items—from the traditional to the bold—the real star is the Xiao Mai shrimp (7 euros): steamed, its distinctive pouch-like shape enveloping a juicy filling immersed in broth. Strictly meant to be savored in a single bite. And for those who want to complete the experience, the opulent udon options (7-8) are the ideal choice.

Dumpling Bar. Piazza Antonio Meucci 1A, Rome. Tel. 3440658913. Instagram.

Shrimp Ravioli – JiaMo Lab

JiaMo Lab is famous for its sandwiches, but the unexpected surprise is the grilled shrimp ravioli (€6). They look rough, but the dough is so thin that you can see the filling, which is as flavorful as it is well-balanced. Topping it all off is the golden crust that adds that crispy effect they are true masters of. We recommend continuing your tasting: the sandwiches with stewed meat encased in their signature crispy casing (€5-€6) will perfectly round off the experience.

JiaMo Lab. Via Bergamo 15, Rome. Tel. 3888348616. Instagram.

Pork and Kimchi Gyoza – Galbi

Among Rome's Korean restaurants, Galbi stands out for its ideal blend of tradition and modernity. The pork and kimchi gyoza (€8) is a perfect example: the golden pastry encloses a filling that combines spicy (but bearable) notes with the deep, complex flavors of fermented cabbage, offering an unexpected taste experience. Undoubtedly, this dumpling is different from the norm, perfect for those seeking something out of the ordinary. And for a complete journey into Korean gastronomic culture, the marinated meat cooked tableside on the stove is the most sensible option, both fun and a perfect complement to the visit.

Galbi. Via Cremara 21, Rome. Tel. 068842132. Instagram.

Steamed Sichuan Dumplings – Song

In the heart of Prati, Song brings Asian flavours to the table through a carefully crafted culinary offering with a well-defined identity. Among the various starters, the steamed Sichuan ravioli (9 euros) are a must: a soft and moist pasta, shaped like a handkerchief, envelops a rich pork filling. The sauce, slightly spicy and flavoured with spices, adds a touch of depth that completes the bite. For those who want to continue the journey, the Peking duck (18) is an excellent choice: served with very thin crepes in which to place the crispy-skinned duck, fresh vegetables and the Hoisin sauce that binds everything together with a delicious sweet note.

Song. Via Valadier 14, Rome. Tel. 063215804. Instagram.

Har Bao Shrimp – BabaBao

In a beautifully appointed setting that transports guests to the bustling streets of China, BabaBao impresses with its long open kitchen, which produces 12 types of dumplings with both classic and creative combinations of ingredients. Among these, the prawn Har Gao (7 euros) is unmissable. Served in a steaming steamer, it surprises with its delicate flavor and pleasant texture: the filling, pulpy but not rubbery, melts in the mouth. To continue, we recommend the Bao Burg with fried chicken and lime sauce with 'Nduja (4.50): the spicy and citrus notes pair perfectly with the fried ingredients.

BabaBao Ravioleria. Via Scribonio Curione 42, Rome. Tel. 0645471116. Instagram.

Steamed Pork Ravioli – One Restaurant

One Restaurant is run by a group of young Chinese who came to Rome to study and decided to offer Romans a fresh take on traditional Chinese cuisine, becoming one of the city's most popular Asian restaurants. Among the menu's standouts are the steamed pork ravioli (€6), a thin pastry filled with a filling reminiscent of home cooking. The menu, however, holds many other surprises, as the menu is precise and well-structured: we're talking about regional Sichuan cuisine.

One Restaurant. Via Tuscolana 623, Rome. Tel. 3899504709. Instagram.