Ugly Dumpling Is Coming to Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, NY

Long Island has been asking, and we finally have good news to share. Ugly Dumpling is officially coming to Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, New York. If you live on Long Island or spend any time in Suffolk County, you already know Smith Haven is one of the go-to spots for shopping, food, and hanging out. We could not be more excited to set up shop there.

This is going to be our newest New York location, and it holds a special place for us because Long Island has a massive appetite for bold, creative Asian food. The community out there is food-savvy, adventurous, and has been reaching out to us for a while now asking when we were going to make the trip east. The answer is: soon.

**Where to Find Us at Smith Haven Mall**

Our Lake Grove location will be on the exterior of Smith Haven Mall, near Verizon. We have a dedicated exterior entrance, which means you can pop in directly from the parking lot without having to walk through the entire mall. That kind of accessibility matters to us - we want getting your soup dumplings to be as easy and quick as possible, whether you are stopping by on a lunch break or making a full dinner of it.

Smith Haven Mall is located at the intersection of Route 347 and Route 25A in Lake Grove, right in the heart of Long Island. It pulls in visitors from all over Suffolk County - Lake Grove, Smithtown, Setauket, St. James, Commack, Hauppauge, and well beyond. Stony Brook University is just a few miles away, and we already know college students have a serious love for boba and dumplings.

**What to Expect on the Ugly Dumpling Menu**

If this is your first time hearing about us, here is the short version: Ugly Dumpling is a modern Asian restaurant rooted in the tradition of Xiao Long Bao - the legendary Shanghai soup dumpling. We took that foundation and built something bigger around it.

Our signature colorful dumplings are the ones you have probably seen floating around social media. Red, green, yellow, black, and white wrappers - each one a different flavor filling, all steamed fresh to order. The inside is where the magic happens: hot, savory soup bursts out when you bite in. There is a technique to eating them properly (nibble the top, let the steam escape, sip the soup first), and honestly, learning it is half the fun.

Beyond the XLB, our menu covers a lot of ground. We have pan-fried potstickers with that crispy bottom crust, wonton dishes swimming in chili oil, BBQ pork steamed buns that melt in your mouth, and a solid selection of cold appetizers including our smashed cucumber salad and garlic string beans. These are the kinds of dishes that you keep coming back for, not because they are trendy, but because they are genuinely delicious.

For entrees, we do noodles in a big way. Our lo mein and stir-fry noodle dishes come with your choice of protein, and the sauces are built from scratch. Rice plates - including our pork chop fried rice - are another standout for folks who want something more filling. And for protein lovers, our Orange Chicken and Soy Garlic Wings have developed a serious following.

Then there is Ugly Dumpling Boba. We have our own boba line that we are genuinely proud of. Classic milk teas, fruit teas, and seasonal specials. The branded cups with our little cartoon dumpling mascot have become something of a social media staple, and we are excited to bring that culture to Long Island.

Dessert-wise, our Fortune Cookie Cheesecake is a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. It takes a classic American dessert and gives it an Asian-American twist that just works.

**Why Smith Haven Mall Makes Sense for Us**

We have been thoughtful about where we open new locations. It is not just about finding an available space - we look for communities where people are already excited about bold, creative food, and where there is enough foot traffic to support a full restaurant experience.

Smith Haven Mall is one of the most visited shopping centers on Long Island. It draws a diverse crowd from across Suffolk County, and the food scene there reflects that diversity. Our style of food - approachable, fun, shareable, and grounded in authentic Chinese culinary tradition - fits naturally into that environment.

Long Island also has a strong Asian-American community, particularly in areas like East Meadow, Hicksville, and Flushing just to the west. Residents in those communities know their dumplings, and we take that seriously. We are not going to show up and give you a watered-down version of Chinese cuisine. What we serve in Lake Grove will be the same quality and authenticity you find at every Ugly Dumpling location.

**When Are You Opening?**

We are not able to share a firm opening date yet, but we will make plenty of noise when we do. The best way to stay updated is to follow us on Instagram at @uglydumpling.us - that is where we post real-time updates, sneak peeks of new menu items, and opening announcements. You can also check the Ugly Dumpling page directly on the Smith Haven Mall website through Simon.com for store-specific news.

If you are the type who wants to be first in line on opening day - and trust us, you do want to be there - following our social media is the move. We tend to do some fun launch-day specials for our new locations, and Lake Grove will be no different.

**A Note to Long Island**

We know you have options. Long Island has a great food culture - there are solid restaurants everywhere, and the dining scene has been getting more adventurous every year. That makes us want to show up and actually earn your business.

What we promise at Ugly Dumpling Lake Grove is the same thing we promise at every location: fresh ingredients, made-to-order dishes, a welcoming atmosphere, and a menu that gives you something new to try every visit. Whether you are coming in for a quick boba run between shopping stops or sitting down for a full meal with friends, we are building this space with you in mind.

Long Island has been waiting. We are almost there.

Keep an eye on our Instagram @uglydumpling.us and check back here at UglyDumplingMenu.com for the official opening announcement. We cannot wait to see you at Smith Haven Mall.