Appetizers · Vegan · Gluten-Free
Ugly Dumpling Edamame.
Steamed and salted edamame. Six dollars, zero complexity, zero regret. The table snack that arrives before decisions are made about anything else.
Vegan
GF
Appetizers · Vegan · Gluten-Free
Steamed and salted edamame. Six dollars, zero complexity, zero regret. The table snack that arrives before decisions are made about anything else.
There is almost nothing to explain about edamame. Immature soybeans are harvested before the pod dries, steamed until tender, salted, and served. The whole preparation takes minutes. The result is a snack that has sustained its popularity across Japanese izakayas, Korean barbecue restaurants, and Chinese-American dining rooms for decades because it is simply, reliably good.
The beans at Ugly Dumpling are served in the pod, warm, with enough salt to season but not overwhelm the natural sweetness of the soybean. To eat them, press the base of the pod between your fingers and slide the beans out directly into your mouth. Discard the pod. Repeat until the bowl is empty, which takes less time than you expect.
At $6, edamame is the automatic first order for nearly every experienced diner at this type of restaurant. It arrives quickly, requires no deliberation, occupies the hands while the menu is being discussed, and gives everyone at the table something to eat while they wait for the heavier dishes. Treat it like bread service. Order it automatically.
Per full order. Figures are estimates based on standard recipe; actual values may vary.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 188 |
| Protein | 16 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Sodium | 440 mg |
Soy — edamame is soybean. This is the only allergen present. Guests with soy allergies cannot eat edamame.
Wheat, dairy, egg, shellfish, pork, chicken, or tree nuts. Fully vegan and gluten-free. At 188 calories, it is also one of the most nutritionally balanced items on the appetizer menu — 16 g of complete protein from a single plant source.
At 16 g of protein per order, edamame delivers more protein per calorie than almost any other appetizer on the menu. For diners tracking nutrition or avoiding meat, the edamame is the highest-protein vegan option available by a wide margin.
Cold beer — lager, pilsner, or light ale — is the classic pairing for edamame. The salt draws out the sweetness of the bean, and the bitterness of the beer plays against both. Jasmine tea is the non-alcoholic alternative that works just as well.
Order the edamame the moment you sit down, before you've opened the menu. It arrives faster than any other item, keeps the table occupied, and costs $6. There is no scenario in which ordering edamame is a mistake. It is the universal first move.
