Tacoma has been supercharged by the arrival of the city’s first dedicated destination for xiao long bao, and of all places, it’s at the mall.
Supreme Dumplings opened June 8, following the spring debut of another highly anticipated addition, Happy Lamb Hot Pot. The development — a now-standing monument to the mall’s reinvention several years in the making — also has gained major names including Shake Shack, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jollibee and Kura Revolving Sushi. The burst of interest can arguably be traced back to 2019 when Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya co-founder Brandon Ting “took a leap of faith” on Tacoma Mall.
Kizuki began in Bellevue in 2012 and has 16 locations in several states. When Tacoma Mall approached him with The Village idea, he already had proof that the city and this particular shopping center was worthy of investment. Sitting in the VIP party room at his sleek new Supreme Dumplings, his second restaurant concept, he told The News Tribune that the location is his largest yet by square footage, seating more than 140 people and expected to pinch thousands of golf-ball-sized xiao long bao a day…