Kapao! Asian Kitchen, Ashburn

In the creation of their signature dumplings, Kapao! Asian Kitchen's chefs demonstrate the level of care that they give to each plate they cook. No pre-frozen shortcuts will do: every day, dumpling masters infuse lean chicken with cabbage, mu-er mushrooms, scallions, and ginger. They stuff this fragrant concoction in dumpling wrappers with a free hand, then pinch each of them closed. Finally, the dumplings are pan-fried or prepared traditionally to the customer's liking, then plated or added into a bowl of steaming chicken broth and noodles.

Beneath the sheen of the stainless steel kitchen, each of the items on the menu receive similar attention. General Kapao!'s chicken owes its sweetness to a natural glaze, free of food colorings and preservatives.