The Bay Area is an Asian restaurant hotbed. Boise is not. Guess what’s coming?
It’s no secret that the San Francisco Bay Area is considered a hotbed for Asian food.
Boise? Yeah, not so much.
So expect not just California transplants, but the majority of Idaho ethnic-food enthusiasts, to take sudden interest in The Warehouse Food Hall, 370 S. 8th St., this fall.
That’s when Dumpling Time plans to open as a new Warehouse vendor. The small chain will take over a space that used to hold Wok N’ Roll, which moved to a brick-and-mortar at 345 S. 8th St.
“A fine-casual Asian concept,“ Dumpling Time has five stores, according to a press release, all in the Bay Area. “Blending traditional techniques with locally sourced ingredients, Dumpling Time offers a refined yet approachable menu featuring handmade dumplings, gyoza and bao among other signature dishes.”
Dumpling Time will be the second Boise venture from California-based restaurateur Kash Feng, CEO of Omakase Restaurant Group. Feng unveiled Raibu Sushi Bar near the Boise Co-op in late 2025 with Idaho business partner Jon Bergscheider, who also will be a co-owner of Boise’s Dumpling Time.
Dumpling Time’s website describes it as “a modern, welcoming Cali-Asian eatery where guests can watch dumplings being made by hand ... right before their eyes.” It’s a “cool, colorful celebration of Asian dumplings from the acclaimed restaurant team behind San Francisco’s Michelin-starred Omakase and Niku Steakhouse.”
Bottom line? If these Asian dumplings rock, hungry Idahoans will pounce. Dumpling Time will help fill an Asian-food opportunity left after Bao Boi, now a local food truck, exited The Warehouse in 2024. Starting Memorial Day weekend, Bao Boi plans to begin parking at 33rd and Carr streets in Garden City, near Boise Whitewater Park, according to its Instagram page.
The Warehouse’s other food-and-drink vendors are Anzalone Pizza, Basquenese, Caffe D’Arte, Camp Cocktail Bar, El Cafetal, Just Chicken, KB’s Burritos, The Loading Dock, Mazzah Mediterranean Grill, Neighbor Tim’s BBQ, Poppy Seed Bakery & Cafe, Rush Bowls and Totally Smashed.