Soft and savory, bite-sized treats, Asian-style dumplings are a very special kind of comfort food. But where can you find the best in Birmingham? Well, you could do a lot worse than checking out Blow Water – whose famous “family-recipe dumplings” have taken Kings Heath by storm since it opened in 2022.
Inspired by a desire to introduce Birmingham to Hong Kong, Blow Water is the brainchild of Sabrina Fung. Two years of successful pop-ups across the city led to her first café on Heathfield Road; which takes inspiration from the local Japanese, Korean and Shanghainese restaurants she grew up with. Visitors to this intimate venue can settle down in a minimalist café that feels a lot closer to Hong Kong than 6,000 miles away.
Alongside Sabrina’s signature dumplings, which are worth the visit alone, diners can also discover a menu brimming with East Asian delights. Expect anything from a seasonal menu that often includes Shanghainese sticky rice rolls, Hong Kong-style Spam & egg sandwiches, congee, Teriyaki chicken, hearty Taiwanese rice bowls and so much more.
But it’s not all about the food… This female-led café has quickly become one of the coolest spots to hangout in Birmingham. That’s largely down to its cool aesthetics and performances from some of the best UK musicians.
Recently, we’ve seen shows from DJ Bus Replacement Service and rising jazz-star Kamaal Williams – turning this dumpling shop into a proper party. Birmingham techno legend Surgeon has also stopped by for a DJ set. It’s always bound to get raucous!
For some less energetic evenings at Blow Water, Sabrina also runs dumpling making classes on a regular basis. Helping to share her signature recipe with the rest of us. Aren’t we lucky? To learn more about Blow Water and upcoming events, as well as purchase Blow Water merchandise, head here.