I’ve never met a dumpling I didn’t like – nor have I met a person who doesn’t like dumplings. From soupy xiao long bao and crispy gyozas to boiled pierogis and golden samosas, these bite-sized parcels bring people together across the globe. Adelaide’s Lucky Dumpling Market has been doing exactly that too since it launched in 2017, focusing on the best of Asian street food. If you’re keen to join this year's dumpling party, the wait is almost over.
Returning to Elder Park from October 17 to November 9, this sizzling food festival is bringing a fresh line-up of stalls selling everything from bao, curries and satay to sweet treats and bubble tea – plus, of course, more dumplings than your belly can handle. Last year, more than 168,000 people flocked to the riverbank to taste the city’s best Asian fare, and in 2025, it’s only set to expand, with live music, vibrant bars and family-friendly fun rounding out the experience.
This year’s line-up welcomes three exciting new vendors, alongside 25 returning favourites. Just Sticks will bring their giant crispy fried squid skewers to the party, Xeo Xeo will add sizzling Vietnamese pancakes to the mix, and Please Send Noods – an Ong Noi and Shibui collab – makes its festival debut with Italian–Asian fusion noodles.
Lucky Dumpling Festival is brought to us by the team behind Gluttony – the Adelaide Fringe’s largest venue – so expect to see some familiar festival favourites. Travel to India with Son In Law’s colourful cartoon buns, escape to Vietnam with Toly’s bahn mi skewers or head to the Philippines for Hoy Pinoy’s charcoal meat skewers. Save space for Phat Head Dumpling’s best-selling grilled chicken noodles, pure prawn dumplings and brand-new mocha milk tea. Then end on a sweet note with mochi doughnuts and pandan churros from Shmochi, dessert dumplings from Chocolate and Co, or soufflé pancakes from Astonish Patisserie.
If you’re in the mood for a tipple, head to the Sake Bar for top-tier Japanese spirits, including sake and whisky flights. You can also sip on boozy Vietnamese iced coffees, yuzu spritzes and classic Japanese beers.
Lucky Dumpling Market is held in collaboration with OzAsia Festival – Australia’s leading international arts festival celebrating Asia – so the riverside will be buzzing with a diverse line-up of performances from day to night, Thursdays to Sundays. Looking for a more relaxed night out? We recommend popping by for dinner on Tuesday or Wednesday when the queues are bound to be shorter. You can check out the entertainment program and opening hours here.