Ranshu

The signature water dumplings are a natural place to start at Ranshu. Diners describe thick, chewy wrappers and juicy filling that bursts with flavour. Some found the dumplings small and easy to keep eating; one diner ordered several plates. Chilli oil from the table or a dip of black vinegar and chilli oil offers different ways to enjoy them.

Make the dumplings the centrepiece, then add a mutton dish. One diner reported that the richness of the mutton in the mutton and celery stir-fry was balanced by the celery’s crisp texture, with a numbing tingle from Sichuan pepper following later. Others paired it with beer or Shaoxing wine, making it a good fit for a dinner that builds gradually, one dish at a time. Mutton backbone, described as a dish to eat by biting the meat from around the bones, is another option if you want something different alongside the dumplings.

For noodles, there is also mutton ramen. Diners have described the broth as light yet savoury, and noted that a dash of the table’s chilli oil changes its flavour. Others have remarked on the generous amounts of mutton and coriander. Ordering the water dumplings with the ramen brings together chewy-skinned dumplings and noodles with the savoury flavour of mutton.

Ranshu is a Chinese restaurant in Tateishi, open Tuesday to Sunday from 17:00 to 21:30 minutes and closed on Mondays. You could make a meal of water dumplings with a mutton dish and a drink, or finish with mutton ramen.