8 Trader Joe’s Dumplings and Asian Frozen Picks Worth Stocking the Freezer With Right Now

Trader Joe’s just leaked a new Korean-style Kimchi Mandu Dumpling that fans have been waiting on for years — and it’s the perfect excuse to revisit the whole dumpling-and-Asian-frozen section. Eight items below earn the freezer space every week, and one is the new kid that’s about to disappear from shelves on day one.

Here’s what to grab.

1. Kimchi Mandu Dumplings

$4.99 (frozen, new)

Nutritional Facts

Serving size: 3 potstickers (75g) | Serves about 6

Calories: 100
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 490 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
Dietary Fiber: 2 g
Total Sugars: 2 g
Includes: less than 1g Added Sugars g Added Sugars
Protein: 5 g
Vitamin D: 0.0 mcg
Calcium: 50 mg
Iron: 2.2 mg
Potassium: 270 mg

Ingredients

WATER
WHEAT FLOUR
KIMCHI (NAPA CABBAGE, DRIED RED PEPPER, BROTH [WATER, RADISH, ONION, GREEN ONION], SALT, GREEN ONION, GARLIC, SUGAR, GINGER)
TEXTURED SOY PROTEIN
CHIVES
GLASS NOODLE (SWEET POTATO STARCH)
ONION
GREEN ONION
RADISH
SUGAR
MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH
SALT
GARLIC
SWEET RICE FLOUR
DRIED RED PEPPER
BLACK PEPPER.

The brand-new Korean-style mandu that’s about to hit shelves this month. Rectangular pillow-pouch shape, packed with kimchi, described by early tasters as ‘intensely kimchi-y’ — the spiciest dumpling in TJ’s freezer lineup. Microwaved, pan-fried, or thrown into broth. Expected to be the kind of item that sells out within the first week.

Taste Notes

Sharp kimchi flavor with real fermented depth — not a mild knockoff. Wrapper is slightly thicker than a gyoza, holds shape on pan-fry. Heat is medium, not extreme.

Serving Ideas

Pan-fry with a splash of water 6 minutes — crispy bottom, steamed top, like dumpling perfection.
Drop in chicken broth with scallions and a soft-boiled egg for a 7-minute Korean-inspired soup.
Serve with a soy-sesame-vinegar dip plus a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

2. Pork Gyoza Potstickers

$3.99 (frozen, 16-count)

Nutritional Facts

Nutritional info coming soon — check the package, or reply with your label photo and we will add it.

Ingredients

Filling PORK
CABBAGE
ONION
TEXTURED SOY FLOUR (WATER, SOY FLOUR)
GREEN ONION
SOY SAUCE (WATER, NON-GMO SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SALT)
SUGAR
SALT
GARLIC
GINGER
BLACK PEPPER

The all-time TJ freezer staple. Sixteen Japanese-style pork-and-cabbage gyoza for $3.99. Pan-fry with a splash of water and you get crispy bottoms with juicy fillings in seven minutes. The mid-week dinner that never fails.

Taste Notes

Juicy pork filling with cabbage crunch. Wrapper crisps golden on the bottom and stays tender on top. Garlic and ginger present but balanced — not aggressive.

Serving Ideas

Pan-fry with water + lid standard method — 7 minutes total, perfect every time.
Add to a quick wonton soup with chicken broth, bok choy, and scallions.
Serve with TJ Soyaki + rice vinegar + chili crisp for the perfect dipping trio.

3. Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings

$4.99 (frozen)

Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings - in store

Nutritional Facts

Serving size: 1 Container (170g) | Serves 1

Calories: 230
Total Fat: 9 g
Saturated Fat: 1.0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 620 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 36 g
Dietary Fiber: 2 g
Total Sugars: 3 g
Includes: 2 g Added Sugars
Protein: 4 g
Vitamin D: 0.0 mcg
Calcium: 30 mg
Iron: 1.5 mg
Potassium: 130 mg

Ingredients

FILLING (WATER, JACKFRUIT [JACKFRUIT, WATER], GREEN CABBAGE, CANOLA OIL, SPINACH, CARROT, RICE WINE [WATER, RICE, SALT], GREEN ONION, SUGAR, GINGER PUREE [GINGER, WATER], SOY SAUCE [WATER, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SALT], KALE, METHYLCELLULOSE, SEA SALT, SESAME OIL, SPINACH POWDER, GROUND GINGER, AGAR-AGAR, DRIED SHIITAKE MUSHROOM, YEAST EXTRACT, WHITE PEPPER)
DOUGH (UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], WATER, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, WHEAT FLOUR, SEA SALT, CANOLA OIL)

XLB-style soup dumplings with broth sealed inside. Steam-only, six minutes. Eat carefully — the soup is hot and there is a lot of it. The dipping sauce we recommend: TJ’s Soyaki plus a splash of rice vinegar plus a tiny dot of chili crunch.

Taste Notes

Real broth inside — surprisingly rich for a frozen product. Chicken filling is mild and savory; the broth carries the show. Wrapper is delicate, slightly chewy.

Serving Ideas

Steam in a bamboo basket 6 minutes — never microwave or you lose the soup.
Eat the right way bite the top, sip the broth first, then eat the rest.
Serve with ginger-vinegar julienned fresh ginger in rice vinegar is the traditional dip.

4. Vegetable Gyoza

$3.99 (frozen, 16-count)

Nutritional Facts

Serving size: about 3 pieces (85g) | Serves about 5

Calories: 160
Total Fat: 4.5 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 300 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
Dietary Fiber: 2 g
Total Sugars: 2 g
Includes: 1 g Added Sugars
Protein: 3 g
Vitamin D: 0.6 mcg
Calcium: 30 mg
Iron: 0.4 mg
Potassium: 100 mg

Ingredients

FILLING: WHITE CABBAGE
CARROT
CHIVE
WHITE RADDISH
GREEN ONION
ONION
GINGER
GARLIC
SOY SAUCE ( SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SALT, ALCOHOL, WATER)
WHEAT FLOUR
WHEAT STARCH
CORN FLOUR
SOYBEAN OIL
SESAME OIL
SUGAR
SALT
PEPPER
VEGETABLE POWDER (ONION, CABBAGE, CARROT, SPRING ONION, MALTODEXTERIN [CORN], SALT)
DOUGH: UNBLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR
TAPIOCA STARCH
WATER
PALM OIL

The plant-based counterpart to the pork gyoza. Cabbage, edamame, carrot, and shiitake mushroom filling. Crisp up better than the pork because the filling has less moisture. Sixteen pieces for $3.99.

Taste Notes

Earthy from the shiitake, sweet from the carrot, light cabbage crunch. Less rich than the pork version but the wrapper crisps more aggressively (which we like). Garlic forward.

Serving Ideas

Pan-fry until very crisp filling has less moisture so they get extra-crispy easily.
Toss in a stir-fry with bok choy and TJ Soyaki — restaurant-style 10-minute dinner.
Serve cold next day with a chili-soy dipping sauce — they hold texture surprisingly well.

5. Mandarin Orange Chicken

$6.99 (frozen)

Nutritional Facts

Serving size: 1 cup frozen chicken and sauce (163g)) | Serves about 4

Calories: 320
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 95mg
Sodium: 570mg
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Total Sugars: 16g
Includes: 16g Added Sugars
Protein: 22g
Vitamin D: 0.1mcg
Calcium: 10mg
Iron: 2mg
Potassium: 370mg

Ingredients

BATTERED DARK CHICKEN MEAT (DARK CHICKEN MEAT, WATER, CORNSTARCH, UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], EGG, SOYBEAN OIL, SALT, WHITE PEPPER, GARLIC, GREEN ONION, GINGER)
SAUCE (SUGAR, DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR, WATER, SOY SAUCE [WATER, SOYBEAN, SALT, WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, MUSHROOM EXTRACT], MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, GARLIC, GREEN ONION, GINGER, RED CHILI PEPPER, ORANGE PEEL, MANDARIN ORANGE PEEL)

The TJ-iconic battered chicken in a tangy orange sauce. Best to bake (not microwave) — toss in convection oven at 425°F for 18 minutes, then drizzle the sauce after. Serve over jasmine rice. The dish that introduced an entire generation to TJ’s frozen aisle.

Taste Notes

Crispy fried-style batter that holds up after baking. Sauce balances orange sweetness with vinegar tang and ginger warmth — never cloying. Chicken pieces stay tender, not stringy.

Serving Ideas

Bake at 425°F for 18 minutes then toss in sauce — never microwave, you lose the crispy batter.
Serve over jasmine rice with steamed broccoli and scallions for the classic plate.
Stuff into a wrap with shredded lettuce + cucumber + extra orange sauce for an Asian-style wrap.

6. Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs

$13.99/lb (fresh meat counter)

Nutritional Facts

Serving size: 1 piece (110g/3.9 oz) | Serves about 5

Calories: 320
Total Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 75mg
Sodium: 230mg
Total Carbohydrate: 2g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 16g

Ingredients

BEEF SHORT RIB
MARINADE: (SOY SAUCE, [WATER, WHEAT, SOYBEAN, SALT], WATER, BROWN SUGAR, RICE WINE [RICE, KOJI RICE, WATER], SESAME OIL, GARLIC, LEMON JUICE, BLACK PEPPER)

Already-marinated, flame-grill-ready short ribs from the meat counter (not freezer, but close enough). Broil for 8 minutes per side. Serve over rice with the included sauce packet or with TJ Gochujang Sauce.

Taste Notes

Sweet-savory marinade clings to the meat through the cook. Beef stays tender on a quick broil — never rubbery. Char marks develop fast at high heat.

Serving Ideas

Broil 8 minutes per side for the right tender-with-char balance.
Serve over rice with kimchi and a fried egg on top for a Korean comfort bowl.
Slice and use in lettuce wraps with shredded carrot, scallion, and gochujang sauce.

7. Vegetable Pad Thai

$3.99 (frozen)

Nutritional Facts

Serving size: 1 tray (300g) | Serves 1

Calories: 360
Total Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 950 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 55 g
Dietary Fiber: 5 g
Total Sugars: 27 g
Includes: 20 g Added Sugars
Protein: 10 g
Vitamin D: 0 mcg
Calcium: 50 mg
Iron: 2.0 mg
Potassium: 410 mg

Ingredients

BEAN SPROUTS
WATER
RICE NOODLES (RICE, WATER)
CHIVES
PALM OIL
SHALLOTS
TOFU (SOYBEAN, SALT)
SUGAR
CHILI SAUCE (WATER, CHILI, GARLIC, SUGAR, VINEGAR, SALT)
TAMARIND SAUCE (TAMARIND PASTE, WATER)
CASHEWS
GARLIC
TOMATO SAUCE (TOMATO, WATER, SUGAR, SALT, VINEGAR)
RADISH
VINEGAR
SOY SAUCE (SOYBEAN, SALT, WHEAT FLOUR)
SALT
CHILI POWDER.

The frozen Thai noodles with peanut sauce. Best heated stovetop with extra cilantro, lime, and crushed peanuts on top — the microwave version lands sweet but a bit loose. A 4-minute pantry dinner.

Taste Notes

Peanut-forward sauce with a sweet edge — needs lime to balance. Rice noodles hold up well on stovetop reheat. Fresh herbs at the end transform the dish.

Serving Ideas

Heat in a skillet with a splash of water — 4 minutes, much better than microwave.
Top with crushed roasted peanuts fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and a few drops of sriracha.
Add a fried egg for protein and richness — restaurant-style upgrade.

8. Knife-Cut Style Noodles

$3.49 (frozen)

Nutritional Facts

Serving size: 1 noodle pack + 1 Sauce packet + 1 sesame paste packet (113g) | Serves 4

Calories: 460
Total Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 2.0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 700 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 66 g
Dietary Fiber: 3 g
Total Sugars: 8 g
Includes: 6 g Added Sugars
Protein: 15 g
Vitamin D: 0.0 mcg
Calcium: 100 mg
Iron: 1.5 mg
Potassium: 210 mg

Ingredients

NOODLES (WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, SALT)
SPICY SOY GARLIC SAUCE (SOY SAUCE [WATER, GLUCOSE, DEFATTED SOY FLOUR, INVERT SUGAR SYRUP, WHEAT, SALT, CARAMEL COLOR, ETHYL ALCOHOL {TO PRESERVE}, YEAST EXTRACT POWDER, MALIC ACID], SEASONING SAUCE [WATER, CANE SUGAR, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, MALIC ACID], SPICY GARLIC OIL [GARLIC OIL {CANOLA OIL, GARLIC, MIXED TOCOPHEROLS (TO PRESERVE)}, SUGAR, YEAST EXTRACT, RED CHILI POWDER {CHILI POWDER, CHILI PEPPER}, CAYENNE POWDER, CHILI PEPPER])
SESAME SEED PASTE (SESAME SEEDS, OIL BLEND [CANOLA OIL, SESAME OIL])

Thick, chewy hand-pulled-style noodles, frozen. Cook 4 minutes and toss with chili oil, soy, scallion, and a soft-boiled egg. Or pair with the Kung Pao Chicken (also frozen) for a fast bowl with restaurant-level texture.

Taste Notes

Thick, springy, with the slight irregularity that signals ‘real’ hand-pulled noodles. Holds sauces well. Chew is firm without being tough.

Serving Ideas

Toss with chili oil + soy + scallion for a 6-minute dan dan style bowl with a soft-boiled egg.
Pair with frozen Kung Pao Chicken and you have restaurant-level texture in 8 minutes.
Stir-fry with vegetables and Soyaki add shredded chicken or shrimp for a complete dinner.

The cart-builder

If you’re stocking the freezer for the next two weeks of weeknight dinners, grab these four: Pork Gyoza Potstickers, Mandarin Orange Chicken, Knife-Cut Noodles, and a bag of the new Kimchi Mandu if you can find them. That’s four meals for under $20 total, all under 15 minutes start to finish.

What’s your favorite TJ dumpling or Asian frozen item? Reply and tell us — we’ll feature reader picks in next week’s frozen-section roundup.