Sitting down with Yu Mei Kumarasinghe, I was immediately drawn to the sight of her expertly folding delicate sheets of dough with practised ease. Each fold and each pinch spoke of passion, patience, and years of experience. As the owner of Mei’s Jiaozi, Yu Mei has built a reputation for bringing dumplings to life, leaving a lasting impression on her customers. As the dumplings gently simmered in the water, she shared the story of how it all began, with a love for dumplings turning into a growing business, one dumpling at a time.

‘Cooking has always been a way to stay connected to my roots,’ Yu Mei, the youngest of four siblings, shared. Her father, who arrived in Sri Lanka from China in 1944 at just seventeen, was part of the first wave of Chinese immigrants to arrive in Sri Lanka. Unfamiliar with Sri Lankan cuisine, he ate Chinese meals for every meal except breakfast. Once he got married, he taught Yu Mei’s mother to cook authentic Chinese dishes, including dumplings. Growing up, watching her mother recreate those flavours in their home, inspired her to learn this art as well. ‘Dumplings became a bridge to my father’s culture and legacy, and it was important to me to preserve that part of our heritage.’

Yu Mei first started making dumplings at home when her children were very young. She started it as a small business on the side. As they grew older, she paused the business to focus on raising them and managing her Montessori.  With the encouragement of two of her close friends, she relaunched her business last August. ‘Their belief in my skills gave me the confidence to restart my dumpling business, and I haven’t looked back since.’

Yu Mei has recently expanded her menu by introducing new dishes, including Char Siu pork, Char Siu pork ribs, and Chinese clay pot chicken rice, an exciting step that marks a dream come true for her as she grows her business.

I had the pleasure of trying the new dishes. Yu Mei’s baozi took me by surprise! They were different from the usual bao - these had a thinner, slightly firmer texture. Delicate yet sturdy, the light, mildly sweet dough paired harmoniously with the savoury chicken and pork fillings The Char Siu pork ribs were rich and meaty, with just the right amount of sweetness. The best part? The meat was so tender it slid right off the bone.

I tried the jiaozi next—silky, juicy, and packed with umami. The chicken, pork, prawn, and vegetable fillings were all flavorful, each dumpling holding just the right balance of texture and taste.

The clay pot chicken rice stood out the most. Fragrant with shiitake mushrooms and Chinese sausage, it had that deep, smoky aroma that only true clay pot cooking can achieve. A side of fresh cucumber and chilli vinegar made it even better.

Finally, the Char Siu pork belly—sweet, succulent, and rich with umami. The fat-to-lean ratio was just right, making every bite melt in my mouth.

Yu Mei’s food isn’t just delicious—it’s thoughtful, comforting, and full of tradition as she follows a taste- a culinary instinct she inherited from her mother. ‘She taught me to trust my palate and adjust as I go, and now making dumplings feels like second nature, almost like muscle memory.’ 

One of the biggest challenges she faces is finding enough time to make the dumplings within her busy schedule, as every piece is handmade by her. But Yu Mei ensures that each dumpling is crafted with love and care as she takes great care in ensuring the taste resonates with what her mother would have made. She carefully selects her ingredients from small, trusted local businesses- places that have not only provided her with the freshest supplies but have also supported her along the way. For her, sourcing locally is not just about ensuring freshness; it is a way of giving back to the community that has supported her journey.

For Yu Mei, the most rewarding part of her work comes from receiving positive, heartfelt feedback from her customers. Knowing that people enjoy her food and recognize the care and effort she puts into every dish brings her immense satisfaction. Yu Mei mentioned, ‘One of the most touching aspects of this journey is hearing from my childhood friends. Many of them have told me how the dumplings I cook today bring back memories of eating my mom's dumplings from my Tiffin box at school. It brings them a sense of nostalgia, taking them back to those carefree, happier days. Moments like these make this business even more meaningful to me.’ Additionally, continuing her father’s legacy and staying rooted in her Chinese heritage fills her with a deep sense of pride.

As Yu Mei continues to grow her business, she ensures that enjoying her delicious dumplings is as convenient as it is satisfying. Customers can easily place orders through WhatsApp or by calling her directly, with delivery available through Uber and PickMe Flash. For those who prefer to pick up their orders, she offers two convenient locations in Pitakotte and Colombo 5. While she does not provide catering services, her focus remains on delivering quality dumplings straight to her customers. With every bite, it is clear that Yu Mei’s passion for dumplings is at the heart of it all. 

Pics Waruna Wanniarachchi