From Seoul to Taipei: The Dumpling Boom in Dutch Grocery Stores
I’m a Lazy Food Lover. I love comforting, flavorful meals—but I don’t always have the time or energy to cook from scratch or the budget to eat out. That’s why I turn to one of my favorite shortcuts: premade Asian food. It’s quick, satisfying, and surprisingly affordable—if you know where to shop.
Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a growing presence of Asian cuisine in the Netherlands. Not just the familiar Chinese and Japanese dishes, but increasingly also Korean, Vietnamese, and Taiwanese options. Among them, premade dumplings have quickly become a personal favorite. So you can imagine my excitement when I spotted them in the freezer aisle at Albert Heijn, just around the corner from my home.
Examples of branded-premade Dumplings in NL supermarkets
In this post, I’m sharing my findings on the dumpling landscape in the Dutch supermarkets—what’s available, how much it costs, and which supermarkets offer the best deals.
💰 Price Highlights & Value Picks
💡 Mid-Range Options Worth Trying
- Meirun’s Pork & Shrimp and Kungfu Dumpling’s Three Delicacies, both sold at Amazing Oriental, offer solid value around €12–€12.50 per kg. These brands deliver authentic Asian flavors at reasonable prices.
infographic: Dumpling Price Comparison by brand, products and Retailers
infographic: Dumpling Price Comparison by products and Retailers
- AH Gyoza Kip is the only store-brand dumpling option at Albert Heijn, competitively priced at €12.46/kg, making it a good value pick for everyday shoppers.
infographic: Dumplings in Albert Heijn only
🏪 Retailer Comparison
- Ochama
✔️ Best value overall, especially for bulk packs of Bibigo and Freshasia dumplings.
✔️ Offers a wide range of Asian dumplings, including lesser-known brands, regional specialties, and seafood-filled varieties.
❗As an online-only retailer, Ochama charges €4 for home delivery or €2 + packaging fee for pick-up if your order is under €49. - Jumbo
✔️ Offers a solid Bibigo selection, including both classic and vegan options.
➕ Convenient for in-store shopping.
➖ Prices are consistent but slightly higher than at Ochama. - Amazing Oriental
✔️ Features the widest variety of Asian dumplings, including niche brands and regional specialties not typically found in mainstream supermarkets.
➕ Ideal for food enthusiasts looking for authentic flavors.
➖ Prices can vary and are sometimes higher than other retailers. -
Albert Heijn
✔️ Great for convenience and accessibility, offering smaller packs of popular dumplings, including both Bibigo and its own AH-branded gyoza.
➖ Not ideal for bulk purchases or specialty varieties.
➕ Perfect for a quick, easy meal solution
🧾 Additional Insight: Albert Heijn’s Pricing Strategy
One particularly interesting finding was the strategic price shift by Albert Heijn in early 2025. When the supermarket introduced its own store-brand dumplings, they were priced on par with Bibigo Gyoza. Although I don’t recall the exact weight of the AH pack, it appeared to be roughly the same—or slightly smaller—than Bibigo’s.
But just a few weeks after launch, Albert Heijn lowered the price, undercutting Bibigo and firmly positioning its own dumplings as the budget-friendly option in the category. This was a smart move to attract cost-conscious consumers.
Albert Heijn can afford to do this because it controls its entire retail channel. As both supplier and seller, it avoids third-party distribution costs—giving it the freedom to price its private-label products more competitively than imported brands.
🥟 Conclusion: dumplings’ Price comparison across Dutch supermarkets
There’s no shortage of dumpling options across Dutch supermarkets—but Ochama clearly leads in value, especially for large Bibigo and Freshasia packs.
If you prioritize convenience, Albert Heijn and Jumbo are excellent go-to’s. If you’re hunting for authentic regional flavors or seafood dumplings, Amazing Oriental and Ochama is your best bet—even if it’s sometimes a bit pricier.
So, how much for a dumpling? The answer depends on where you shop—but rest assured, whether it’s pork and chive, beef bulgogi, or vegan Korean BBQ, there’s something out there for every taste and budget.
And if you’re feeling adventurous? Try making your own dumplings at home. It’s fun, rewarding, and a delicious weekend project.
