Pel’meni

This place only serves one thing and it’s pelmeni or Russian dumplings but it makes that one thing very well. Very similar to pierogis which are Polish.

It is a very simple place with a limited menu, but it works. I’d never had Russian food before so I’m so glad I tried this place. The dumplings are delicious. The prices are very reasonable. I would definitely recommend!

Juneau is very well known because of this small and simple restaurant that sells Russian dumplings called Pelminis or pels for short. Locals here like to brag about the place and I see why. Although, the area might not seem sanitary to you but that shouldn’t matter, pels has a pretty laid back staff and I suggest you make an effort to create conversation with them, they’ve been there all day and probably just been staring at their phone (s) whenever there’s no one else to talk to, it may or may not be a bad idea to at least ask how they’re doing.
PELS– Such an amazing effortless but always surprisingly delicious dish, that moment when you take that first bite with sririacha sauce drizzled on top of those dumplings…
That is, this is the moment you’ll never forget.

Most definitely a Juneau staple.
I’ve always been a bit torn about Pel’meni. I’ve been coming here on-​and-​off since high school (JDHS class of ’03) and the joint really hasn’t changed a whole lot. Things have gotten a bit pricier over the years. I remember when each meal was $ 5 and the sour cream was free. But other than that, the vibe and the food has remained pretty much the same.
I used to seek this place out more frequently back when I was part of the night time downtown crowd. But since I quit being a night owl, I rarely find myself going here. But I can vouch that this is an awesome place to grub down in an inebriated state. Fairly limited space, but the containers are easy to transport elsewhere if there’s no room to sit.
As other reviewers have mentioned, two types, meat or potato, then you can dress it up a bit with sriracha and/​or sour cream depending on your tastes.
I’m not sure if the Pel’meni down in Bellingham is still considered a sister-​store or not, but if you make it to that location, the vibe is quite a bit different. This spot is still a nice place to come chill every now and then, listen to some old vinyl and people watch. If you ever have had Pel’meni from Russia, or have Russian friends, you’ll know that this isn’t true to the authentic pel’meni, but that’s okay, just different. Just don’t think that they’re one and the same.

BEST FOOD IN JUNEAU AK. Must visit if you’re in town. I recommend the potato pels with everything on it. Don’t forget the sour cream and Sriracha. Cash only!

Only got to try the beef, as they were out of potato. Great late night food spot. Selling just one thing, and doing it right. Sriracha and sour cream add just the right flavor to these hot little dumplins.

All I can say is amazing!!! Especially after drinks and when the bars close in Juneau! This is along the wharf and they only take cash so make sure to have some before ordering. Absolutely delicious! You can’t go to wrong and don’t be shy to give it a try! The perfect comfort food when you’ve had a few drinks …

Fast friendly pelmeni dive.
Place is crazy busy when the bars start closing.
Ducked in here while cruising the tourist shops during a fishing trip. Got one beef and one potato. I liked the potato best. Really good rainy weather munchies! Not the best I have ever had but still delicious!

Very good. Only two things on the menu were beef or potato dumplings. Add curry powder, Siracha, butter, and sour cream and they are all very tasty. One order is $ 7 for ~23 dumplings. One person working at a time but he was very friendly. Sodas in the fridge are $ 1 each. The juices were very tasty.

What the heck is a pel’meni??? Apparently its a Russian dumpling they serve at a hole-​in-​the-​wall in Juneau. Son really wanted to try them so off we went. It was around 4 so more of an afternoon snack. Ordered 2 beef and 1 potato. Dude cooks em up and serves them in a little syrofoam container.
The have some curry powder and mystery sauce that was real good. You eat it with sour cream. Super yummy and hit the spot on a cold & rainy Juneau day. So good, we went back the next day for more. Note: even though its close to the cruise ship tourist area, its more of a locals place, which we like.

Small place, basic menu, yummy dumplings. Make sure you get the sour cream, I think it goes well with the curry and cilantro. Good price for a filling meal.

My friend in DC told me to get dumplings in Juneau at this restaurant. I’m thinking, why are you telling an Asian person to get dumplings in Alaska??? Turns out, these are Russian dumplings and the only other sister store is in Madison, WI where she went to school and it was her late night hangover food :). This tiny dive serves delicious pel meni and was worth the stop! Yay Juneau for having authentic cultural foods!

I hade a professor who made some offhanded remarks from time to time. Once he said «that makes about as much sense as you posing for a picture with a black family.»
Well, curry powder on pelmeni makes about as much sense, to me.
I add one star for the vinyl records. Nowadays its 2015, and while they were the first, I‘ve had better pelmeni at other locations in town. *For Juneau* it might be a solid value, but that would not qualify as a soild value in most larger cities on the planet. Service leaves something to be desired, even by Juneau standards.

Definitely one of the best Lowkey food spots in town. These used to be $ 5 though. Still good and recommend it

The beef dumplings reminded me of high quality dim sum so they get a 5 star. I preferred them without any toppings at all. The potato dumplings were bland, so I used lots of sour cream to add flavor to the potato. 4 star there. The deal breaker was the smell of the restaurant– DEFINITELY an acquired smell. The curry mixed with the hot sauce made a pungent foot odor. Took me a few minutes to get used to. To clarify a review I read, they only accept cash. Drinks are $ 1 and dumplings are $ 7 for potato or beef. No mixed orders.

Mini pierogies! Didn’t think I’d find these in Juneau.
This place doesn’t take cash, but for $ 7 you get a styrofoam tub with about a dozen or so mini meat or potato/​cheese filled dumplings, sprinkled with cilantro, curry powder and butter. You also get 2 small cups with sour cream and there’s Sriracha available as well.
I should also note that this place is open late (even in the off-​season) so it’s a great place to grab a post-​bar snack.
Yum!

So simple, so amazing. The curry, sriracha, and cilantro seem like an unlikely combo (for me) but they work together perfectly with the dumplings for a satisfying meal. Pair it with a rainy day in Juneau and you have the perfect comfort food.

This is a hole in the wall place that makes good Russian dumplings. I never knew that Russia had dumplings. Always thought only Asia.
They only make two types. The beef dumplings and the potato dumplings. They both look the same, and both can be eaten without sauce, or with hot sauce. The dumplings are tiny, and they are wrapped with thick dumpling skin (flour). The beef ones are flavorful, as the potato ones might need some sauce.
As you are walking outside, this place is easily overlooked and passed. It has large windows, but you may think it’s a retail store. Yes it’s also a run down place that may need some work done.
The menu is simple! Only those two types of dumplings served along with a refrigerator of bottled water and sodas.
Let put it this way, if this place was in Los Angeles, I think it would be vacant by now. The looks of this hole in the wall is horrible. Yes, it’s a locals hangout place from what I saw.
Decent food. But may need a facelift to upgrade this eatery. Don’t expect lots of food and extravagance here either or anywhere in Alaska m
Three strong stars.

We were so glad that we stopped in here! We were quite hungry after our visit to crazy busy Mendenhall Glacier, so we stopped in here. It was quite a relief. Not busy at all and they had amazing food. They only have one thing on the menu, Pelmeni, and it is delicious! You get a large portion, so my husband and I shared. It was so good that we each wanted one though. I highly recommend a stop in here. Affordable, fast, friendly, and delicious!

Good, tasty, reasonably priced food.
I’ve had pelmeni a bunch of times before at home, but the addition of curry powder, butter, etc used here was a very nice touch of flavor.
Only negative is the dough is a bit thicker than I’m used to, though that does make for a slightly heartier meal.
Note that since they’re cooked to order, it can take 10−15min, so if you’re in a rush, factor that in.