THE DUMPLING QUEEN (水饺皇后) (2025)

Genre: Drama/Biography
Director: Andrew Lau
Cast: Ma Li, Kara Wai, Zhu Ya Wen, Ben Yuen, Cheung Tat-Ming, Michael Tse, Fiona Sit, Wong Cho-Lam, Tai Bo, Zhang Yamei, Wenjuan Feng, Elena Kong Mei-Ye
Runtime: 2 hr 
Rating: NC16 (Some Coarse Language)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 26 June 2025

Synopsis: In the 1970s, Zang Jianhe (Ma Li), a woman from Qingdao, was forced to leave her hometown with her two daughters. To make ends meet and raise her children, she washed dishes by day and cleaned cars by night. With no one to rely on, she bore the immense pressure alone. Determined to break free from her fate, Zang Jianhe decided to make a living by selling dumplings. From struggling to attract customers to eventually thriving, she received much support from tough-but-kind Hong Jie (Kara Wai), Brother Hua (Zhu Yawen), and Uncle Dessert (Ben Yuen). Through perseverance, she grew her dumpling business into a success, and her life gradually opened up to new possibilities...

Movie Review:

We’ve all seen how food on film can stir the senses and spark cravings long after the credits roll. Ang Lee’s Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) tempts with its lovingly prepared Taiwanese feasts, while Lasse Hallström’s Chocolat (2000) seduces with scenes steeped in rich, velvety indulgence. And for those who adore French cuisine, Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia (2009) is a mouthwatering tribute to the joy of cooking.

In a similar vein, this biopic by Hong Kong filmmaker Andrew Lau — while chronicling a single mother’s inspiring rise to become a business mogul — also stirred the appetite. By the time the credits rolled, we were craving a comforting bowl of dumplings. This writer even headed to a nearby coffee shop to savour a steaming bowl, and that was the perfect end to the evening.

Bringing this true story to the big screen was a smart — and mouthwatering — move. Zang Jianhe, later affectionately known as the “Dumpling Queen,” was a mother of two from Qingdao whose life took a dramatic turn in the 1970s. What was meant to be a heartfelt reunion with her husband became a painful betrayal when she discovered he had married another woman in Thailand — a decision driven largely by his mother’s desire for a grandson.

Undeterred, Zang smuggled herself and her two daughters into Hong Kong in 1978. Fueled by grit and a mother’s resolve, she took on gruelling jobs and worked punishingly long hours — cue the emotional montage that’s sure to tug at heartstrings. Her turning point came when she accepted a kind offer to sell dumplings from a modest cart at Wan Chai Pier.

Driven by a relentless pursuit to perfect her craft and a fierce desire to give her daughters a better life, Zang transformed those humble beginnings into a frozen dumpling empire — the now-iconic Wanchai Ferry brand.

The movie boasts a star-studded cast. Ma Li, best known for her comedic roles in China, takes a dramatic turn as Zang — and delivers a performance so grounded and heartfelt, it might just send you home wanting to hug your own mother. Zhu Yawen plays a stoic police officer quietly harbouring feelings for Zang; while their romance is free of grand gestures, its understated warmth is genuinely endearing.

The supporting cast is just as impressive, with a strong showing from the Hong Kong film scene. Kara Wai brings flair to the role of Zang’s sympathetic landlady, while Ben Yuen shines as the kind-hearted man who gifts Zang a pushcart to kickstart her dumpling business. Rounding out the ensemble are familiar faces like Cheung Tat-Ming, Wong Cho-Lam and Tai Bo, who play her neighbours in a cramped but close-knit community.

You can always count on Lau to deliver a visually stunning film. With its elaborate sets and intricate production design, the movie is truly a feast for the eyes. It also cleverly weaves in various tunes from the era, making it even more relatable and immersive for viewers familiar with that time period.

At 120 minutes, the movie sticks closely to a tried-and-true formula — and that’s entirely by design. Aimed at audiences who appreciate a classic rags-to-riches tale, it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel with unexpected twists or complex subplots. Instead, it delivers exactly what viewers want: a straightforward but emotionally satisfying narrative that makes it easy to root for a hardworking woman who refuses to give up.

Movie Rating:

(A simple yet heartfelt biopic celebrating hard work and a mother’s love - featuring delicious dumpling scenes that’ll leave you hungry long after the credits roll)

Review by John Li