Status update (September 2026): Check before you visit. YanYan’s own website still lists the Jordaan shop and its hours. But its Uber Eats page has shown the Jordaan branch as closed since 1 November 2025, and a place directory updated in August 2026 lists it as permanently closed. The second branch, on Rijnstraat in Amsterdam-Zuid, was advertised for takeover in 2025 and is listed as permanently closed. Call +31 20 221 3116 or check YanYan’s website before you make the trip.
YanYan (full name: YanYan | Fly by dumpling house) is a small dumpling shop in Amsterdam’s Jordaan that makes jiaozi, Northern Chinese dumplings, from a family recipe. They’re steamed and then pan-fried, so each one ends up with a crisp, lacy base. You can eat in or take away. The shop suits a quick, casual lunch or an early dinner, not a long night out: its listed hours end at 20:00.
What makes YanYan different
YanYan is run by three cousins. They named it after the family matriarch whose cooking inspired the recipes. The owners were born in China and grew up in France, and you can see both influences on the menu. Yanyan also means “swallow” in Chinese, which is where the “fly by” in the name comes from.
The team calls its dumpling a meeting of East and West. The base is an old family recipe from their mother and aunt, made with fresh local ingredients and cooked by steam-frying instead of just boiling or steaming. The result is the contrast the shop is known for: a soft, juicy filling on top of a crunchy, golden bottom.
What to order
The fillings are short and focused, with meat, poultry and plant-based options. The menu has changed over time, so treat these as examples, not a fixed list:
- Classic fillings: pork and chives, chicken and coriander, and shiitake with tofu.
- Specials: inventive specials such as a boeuf bourguignon dumpling with flat rice cake, a nod to the owners’ French upbringing.
- Dipping extras: mirin-soy marinated egg yolks, plus a Flavor Booster Box of four sauces (sesame, spicy mayo, classic vinegar and a warm chilli sauce).
- Tasting menu: an omakase-style dumpling tasting of five courses with tea and snacks, listed at €30 on YanYan’s ordering site.
- Dessert: tangyuan, glutinous rice balls filled with sesame and served in warm ginger syrup with dried osmanthus.
YanYan also sells frozen dumplings to cook at home. Its ordering site lists a “menu for two” (24 frozen dumplings with dressing, noodles, edamame, sauces and fruit tea) at €40. A separate pack of 24 frozen dumplings has been listed at €19.50. Prices come from the ordering pages and may have changed.
Location and listed hours
| Branch | Address | Listed hours | Reported status |
|---|---|---|---|
| YanYan Jordaan (the flagship) | Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat 12, 1015 SC Amsterdam | Wednesday–Sunday, 11:00 or 12:00 to 20:00; closed Monday and Tuesday | Reported closed by third-party listings; still listed on YanYan’s website |
| YanYan Rijnstraat (the Lab) | Rijnstraat 229, 1079 HH Amsterdam | Previously weekdays 11:00–20:00 | Advertised for takeover in 2025; listed as permanently closed |
How to get there
The Jordaan shop is on Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat, a short side street in the northern Jordaan, west of the canal ring. Walking or cycling is the easiest way to get there. The narrow streets around it are made for strolling and hard for cars.
- On foot: from Amsterdam Centraal, walk west through the canal ring into the Jordaan. Enter the full address into your maps app, because the Jordaan has several similarly named dwarsstraten (side streets).
- By tram or bus: use the 9292 journey planner or the GVB website to find the nearest stop from where you are. Several tram lines stop along the edge of the Jordaan.
- From Schiphol: take the train to Amsterdam Centraal, then walk or take a tram from there.
- By bike: park only in marked racks and lock your bike to something fixed. Sidewalks in the Jordaan are narrow.
Tips for visiting
- Confirm it’s open first. Because of the conflicting reports, call or check YanYan’s website on the day you plan to go.
- Don’t plan a late visit. The listed hours end at 20:00, and the shop has been closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Order more than one flavour. Portions are easy to share, and trying a meat and a plant-based filling side by side is the best way to see what the kitchen does.
- Get takeaway on a nice day. Dumplings are best eaten warm, so if you’re taking them to a bench along the Egelantiersgracht or Prinsengracht, eat them soon.
- Have a backup nearby. If YanYan is closed, Amsterdam’s Chinatown around Zeedijk, a walk or short tram ride away, has several long-running dumpling and dim sum restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
Is YanYan Dumplings in Amsterdam still open?
The reports conflict. YanYan’s website still lists the Jordaan shop, but its Uber Eats page has shown it as closed since November 2025, and a directory updated in August 2026 lists it as permanently closed. The Rijnstraat branch has closed. Call +31 20 221 3116 before you visit.
Where is YanYan Dumplings in Amsterdam?
The flagship is at Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat 12, 1015 SC Amsterdam, in the Jordaan. A second branch at Rijnstraat 229 in Amsterdam-Zuid is no longer operating.
What kind of dumplings does YanYan make?
YanYan makes jiaozi, Northern Chinese dumplings, from a family recipe. They are steam-fried, which gives them a soft top and a crisp, lacy base.
Does YanYan have vegetarian or vegan dumplings?
Yes. The menu has included plant-based fillings such as shiitake with tofu, and vegan options have been listed on its menus.
Can you buy YanYan dumplings to cook at home?
YanYan has sold frozen dumplings, including a 24-piece pack and a dinner kit for two with noodles, sauces and edamame, through its own ordering site.
