The Old East Village Dumpling Trail: A Local's Guide

Old East Village is already one of the most historically interesting neighbourhoods in London — an Ontario Heritage Conservation District, home to Banting House and Aeolian Hall. It's also home to something most real estate sites never mention: a genuinely great, self-guided food trail built entirely around dumplings, running along Dundas Street.

What the Dumpling Trail Actually Is

The Old East Village Dumpling Trail, run by the OEV Business Improvement Area, is a curated, self-guided tour connecting eight different cultures' takes on the dumpling — all within easy walking distance of each other in and around Dundas Street. It's the kind of thing that only works in a neighbourhood with Old East Village's genuine cultural mix, and it's become a real draw for the area beyond its residents.

The Stops

• Bella's Acacia Catering — Korean. The Kimchi Dumpling, stuffed with house-made medium-spicy kimchi and spinach.
• Authentic Flavour — Caribbean. The Fry Dumpling — a fried pastry packed with a hearty, warm filling.
• Unique Food Attitudes — Polish. Pierogis, both savoury and sweet, plus a Polish poutine made with pierogi and goulash sauce.
• So Inviting — Chinese. Chinese Dumplings, a specialty at this traditional Chinese bakery — self-serve, grab-and-go.
• Momos at the Market — Nepalese. Handmade momos at the Western Fair Market, meat- or vegetable-filled, served with tomato, coriander, and garlic sauce.
• True Taco — Mexican. Empanadas — deep-fried tortilla pockets filled with bean, chicken, or chorizo, topped with lettuce, crema, and parmesan.
• Tony's Famous Italian — Italian. Panzerotti — deep-fried, cheesy, saucy pockets filled with your choice of toppings, in generous portions.
• Vietnam Restaurant — Vietnamese. Wonton soup, with shrimp, green onion, and a well-balanced broth.

Worth knowing separately: Pierogi Queen, a London-based pierogi food truck built on a family recipe, also turns up around the neighbourhood and city — its fusion flavours (buffalo chicken, taco, apple pie) are a fun, different take on the same dumpling theme, though it's not one of the trail's fixed eight stops since it operates as a food truck rather than a set location.

More Dining Worth a Trip — Richmond Row

If you're making a day of it, London's Richmond Row corridor (downtown, distinct from Old East Village) is worth adding to the list. Toboggan Brewing Co., at 585 Richmond Street, is a local craft brewery and brew pub named for London's 19th-century tobogganing history, with its own beers on tap and above-average pub fare. Thaifoon Restaurant (locations on Dundas Street and Richmond Street) serves authentic Thai food from a family-run kitchen. And Mingle by Mr. & Mrs. Bao, on Richmond Street, is a Taiwanese-style small-plates spot known for its steamed milk buns.

Why This Matters If You're House-Hunting

Food scene is a real factor for a lot of buyers looking at Old East Village specifically — it's part of what makes the neighbourhood's revitalization genuinely different from a purely residential pitch. If walkable, independent dining is high on your list, it's worth weighing alongside the neighbourhood's heritage architecture and Western Fair Farmers and Artisans Market.

Curious what's actually for sale in Old East Village right now? See current listings, or reach out to Justin directly.