Four Fresno restaurants opened in January. More soup dumplings, a favorite returns
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- Four new Fresno‑area restaurants opened in January, offsetting several closures.
- Two new spots launched Chinese soup‑dumpling menus; one part of a small chain.
- Starving Artists Bistro reopened and Randy’s Donuts opened its first Clovis location.
Several high-profile restaurants in the area closed in January — but it wasn’t all bad news.
At least four new restaurants opened during the month too.
January saw the Chinese soup dumpling trend hit the city with the opening of two new restaurants specializing in them.
An old favorite, Starving Artists Bistro, reopened after its closure in 2024. And a regional chain donut shop opened its first location in Clovis.
Here’s a look at who opened and what they serve, including our Fresno Bee reporters’ full stories about them.
New restaurants opening
Jingle Bao
This Chinese soup dumpling spot opened in the former Boston Market restaurant on Bullard Avenue Jan. 17. Soup dumplings are a huge trend nationwide, particularly on TikTok.
Lines have been regularly forming outside the restaurant, so be prepared for a wait or go during off hours
You can watch the dumplings being made in the restaurant. Workers fill little rounds of dough with chilled meat filling and wrap them by hand. The dumplings are cooked in steamer baskets, which liquifies the filling.
Jingle Bao sells eight dumplings for between $14.95 and $22.95, depending upon the filling. The xiao long bao dumplings come with pork, crab and pork, or the most decadent, a version made with Berkshire pork and truffles.
Pan-fried buns and pot stickers, cucumber salad, noodle and rice dishes are also available.
The independently owned restaurant remodeled the interior of the former chicken eatery to give it a completely different vibe.
Details: Jingle Bao is at 110 E. Bullard Ave. Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. daily.
Starving Artists Bistro
Starving Artists Bistro, the restaurant and performance space, operated for 12 years at Friant and Fort Washington roads before it closed in 2024.
But now the bistro is back.
Bee reporter Joshua Tehee told us about how the rare space for performers in north Fresno reopened in mid January with new owners, a “new look, new menu and a whole new vibe.”
Although live entertainment is on hold for now, the restaurant is open and it’s serving cocktails. Its menu includes burgers, sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas and creative appetizers, such as potato bombs — mashed potato bites loaded with cheese and bacon.
Details: 9447 N. Fort Washington Road, #101.
Randy’s Donuts
Randy’s Donuts opened its first Clovis location Jan. 20 with lines and lots of freebies.
It serves all kinds of traditional donuts and others covered in Oreos, M&Ms, Fruity Pebbles and more. It also serves “Texas-sized” donuts that are about four times the size of a normal donut.
The Southern-California based donut shop has been hotly anticipated in the Fresno area. Randy’s original location is in Inglewood, with a 32-foot tall donut atop the roof. It’s been featured in multiple movies and TV shows.
Details: Randy’s at 1195 Shaw Ave. in Clovis, in the former Rita’s Italian Ice spot across from Sierra Vista Mall. Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Dumpling U
Yet another Chinese soup dumpling restaurant, Dumpling U, opened in January in Fresno.
Dumpling U opened Jan. 10 in the former Helen’s Gourmet Chinese Food spot at Fresno Street and Alluvial Avenue after its owner retired.
After a TikTok video went viral on opening day, the restaurant had lines of up to 2 hours on weekends. The crowds have since slowed.
Its menu includes several kinds of soup dumplings, beef rolls, pan-friend pork buns, and noodle and rice dishes.
The business is a third location, owned by one of the same partners of Dumpling Yo! in Sacramento and Stockton.
Details: Dumpling U is at 7444 N. Fresno St. Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, though it’s closed on Tuesdays. Dinner is from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and it’s open til 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
