For those doubting America's greatness (we have one fellow in mind), New York's dumpling scene offers a swift rebuttal. Here is a city - we would say melting pot but a large pan sizzling with sesame oil seems more appropriate - where mandoo meets gyoza. Western ingredients marry flavors from Korea, China, and Japan. Vegans can share a meal with carnivores. The range of dumplings in the five boroughs illustrate what America and the human experience is all about. We could wax poetic about these magical pockets of flavor, but we realize that you're here for one a reason: a quick run-down of eat-before-you die dumpling spots.

[Photo via @adamantlyadler]