Manti Dumplings Debut This Weekend at Bear

The other night we stopped in at Bear to wish them well on their third anniversary, and of course to eat. We had some lovely things—dill potatoes, octopus, pickled herring (a personal favorite), blini (slightly sweet and delicate), and of course, a big bowl of dumplings. These were handmade pelmeni, a Siberian style dumpling filled with pork and topped with dill and sour cream. Crazy delicious.

Natasha told us that they were going to debut a new dumpling this weekend, and their Facebook page reveals more details. The dumpling is manti, which I originally knew of as a Turkish dumpling, but the ones she is making are traditional to Kazakhstan:

Manti are a traditional dumpling from Kazakhstan. We make them here by hand and fill them with ground lamb. They are soft, delicious, and melt in your mouth.

They are boiled and then fried for a bit and it looks like they serve them with a bit of pepper paste and some herbs. After having the delicious pelmeni there the other night, we can only imagine how tasty the manti will be.

Personally, I’m very happy that someone in the neighborhood is making Eastern European and Central Asian styles of dumplings—and who better than Bear, whose owners have roots in that part of the world. We can’t wait to stop by and check them out.

Bear, 12-14 31st Ave., Astoria, NY 11106, (917) 396-4939, bearnyc.com. NB: Bear is cash only.