QXY Dumplings Plants Its Flag in Wicker Park

Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings — better known as QXY, the Chinatown staple that's been packing in diners at 2002 S. Wentworth Ave. since it opened — just pulled a food license for a second location at 2018 W. Division St. in Wicker Park. The city's business license data shows the license issued April 3, 2026, under the legal entity Rong Tai Corporation. Staff are targeting a soft open sometime in fall 2026, though no official date has been announced.

What's Coming

The Wicker Park location will serve QXY's signature handmade dumplings — boiled, steamed, and pan-fried — alongside northern Chinese dishes that have made the Chinatown original a perennial favorite. The new spot is also pursuing a liquor license, meaning beer and wine pairings are on the menu. Per a March 2026 report from Hoodline, the restaurant had already passed inspections and was awaiting final licensing at the time of that report.

Why It Matters for the Neighborhood

Division Street in Wicker Park has seen its share of restaurant turnover in recent years, so a well-established brand with a loyal following is exactly the kind of anchor the corridor could use. QXY's Chinatown location draws from across the city — bringing that crowd to the Northwest Side is a genuine get for Ward 1. The addition of a liquor license also signals this isn't just a quick-service spinoff; it's a full sit-down expansion with a different vibe than the original.

The Bigger Picture

Chicago's dumpling scene has been quietly booming, and QXY has been at the center of it. The Chinatown location earns consistent 4.4-star ratings and operates on a walk-in-only basis — no reservations, just lines. Whether the Wicker Park crowd will embrace the same format (or whether the wine list softens the wait) remains to be seen. Either way, fall 2026 just got a little more interesting on Division Street.