Pelmeni Restaurant

Russian Dumpling Restaurant

Pel Meni in Bellingham bets everything on one dish and does it right: bite-size dumplings filled with beef, potato, or half of each, topped with butter, homemade hot sauce, and cilantro. The cozy, retro-styled spot is open every day, so it works for lunch and for a late-night stop alike.

The menu fits in a single sentence: beef, potato, or half and half, and that is it. Each order is roughly 15 to 20 bite-size dumplings served with rye bread and sour cream, and a pinch of curry powder and fresh cilantro add a flavor you would not expect from such a simple Russian dish. There is no long menu and no long wait: this is a quick lunch you can eat at a table or take with you.

What to know before you visit:
- The choice is simple: beef, potato, or a mix
- Each order comes with rye bread and sour cream
- The sour cream is best stirred right into the bowl
- Drinks are available from the fridge by the counter
- Takeout orders can be placed by phone