Tasting The Best Dumplings on Melbourne Dumpling Walk

Last month, I went on Melbourne dumpling walk ━ eating more than ten dumplings around Melbourne.

The walk was fueled by Nina Mingya’s Tiny Moon: A Year of Eating in Shanghai. As the title suggested in the food memoir, she wrote about the food she ate while living as a student in Shanghai, including dumplings ━ many, many dumplings. I couldn’t stop thinking about dumplings after reading the book. A few minutes of Google later, I had a dumpling walk scheduled on my calendar.

Same-ish Dumpling, Different Culture

After rice, dumpling (a piece of dough wrapped with fillings inside) is the most common food item shared among cultures around the world. From Brazilian Empanadas and Indian Samosas to endless varieties of it in different regions in East Asia ━ surely you would be able to identify a dumpling from your culture. Mine is my Pastel, the Indonesian adaption of Portuguese Pastel brought over during Dutch Colonisation.

Melbourne Dumpling Walk

The most well-known dumplings in Melbourne, at least the ones I went to during the dumpling walk, were Chinese dumplings, with the majority made by Chinese immigrants who quickly gained popularity in the multicultural city.

Spanish Mackarel Pot Stickers in Shandong Mama Mini, Centre Lane Melbourne

The first stop coincidently was the first dumpling restaurant my colleagues took me to in Melbourne, Shandong Mama Mini, tucked away in an iconic Melbourne lane.

Shandong Mama was established in 2012 by a mother-daughter duo from the Shandong Peninsula, a coastal province of East China. Thus no surprise that their most famous dumpling is the Spanish Mackerel.

The dumplings were steamed and lightly fried. They came stuck together on the crispy tin bottom, which I learned is called “pot stickers”. I wonder whether it’s an Aussie or more widely spread slang.

The freshly made dumplings were juicy, tender and with an almost melt-in-mouth feeling.

Something to take note of:

Dumplings are best eaten with the concoction of condiments provided.

In Shandong Mama Mini, it’s a DIY of homemade chilli sauce (which can be bought as a take-home sauce separately), vinegar and soy sauce.

Shandong Mama also has other dumplings worth trying ━ I am keen to try their Squid Ink Dumplings. They also have another location where the original Shandong Mama is in Melbourne Chinatown. But in my opinion, Shandong Mama Mini is better if you want to experience a glimpse of Melbourne culture. Try to avoid the lunch and dinner peak hours.

Shandong Mama Mini’s Spanish Mackerel Dumpling is 🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟/5 stars.

Shandong Mama Mini address: 5 Centre Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Xiaolongbao Dumpling in Shanghai Flower, Terrace Melbourne

Our second stop was arguably the most well-known dumpling chain restaurant in Melbourne, Shanghai Street. I have been to Shanghai Street ━ years ago ━ warranting the craving for dumplings and doing the Dumpling Walk. But this particular branch is called not called Shanghai Street. With big round tables covered with white linen and beautiful decors, it operates under Shanghai Flower, the fancy version of the same chain.

There it was ━ a tray of Xiaolongbao dumplings. It simultaneously reminded me of the first time I had Xiaolongbao for my first meal in China and the last time I had it in London Din Tai Fung.

How To Xiaolongbao?

So, there is a technique for eating Xiaolongbao.

Put one gently on your spoon. Be careful, as it is sometimes lightly stuck onto the tray. You can also roll it to your spoon using your chopstick. Next, snip the top of the dumpling with a chopstick, or use your teeth if you are a novice like me. Fufu it for a few seconds to let out the steam. Then, slurp the soup from the dumpling softly. Finally, put a bit of the chilli sauce concoction into the open pocket of the dumpling before enjoying it in a bite or two.

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The Shanghai Flower Xiaolongbao were still steaming freshly made by the restaurant owner, Sam, who we could see working in the kitchen from the glass counter that day. It was above-average delicious, but the delightful chilli sauce made the real difference. Yes, chilli sauce is common in any dumpling restaurant, but here they add dried shrimp and fried shallot, elevating the taste to the next level.

If you are new to Melbourne and have your family visiting you in Melbourne, I recommend making a reservation in Shanghai Flower.

Shanghai Flower’s Xiaolongbao is 🥟🥟🥟🥟/5 stars with an additional 🥟 just for the chilli sauce.

Shanghai Flower address: 360 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Melbourne.

Prawn Bao in Din Tai Fung, Emporium Mall Level 4

A dumpling walk would not be complete without Din Tai Fung, which easily could be the first Chinese chain restaurant I have been to. First with my foodie cousin in Jakarta and then with Fafa, who quickly became a fan of it once introduced in Singapore.

Din Tai Fung Melbourne is located inside the Emporium Shopping Mall, accessible with a seperate elevator. It’s huge, spacious, loud and noisy – a typical Din Tai Fung restaurant. This one, though, had tiny robots delivering the food to the tables.

This is a restaurant you would want to come to for dumplings if you have kids who could easily be distracted and entertained by robots. It also has family-sized tables overlooking Melbourne lanes.

Here, I ordered the Prawn Bao. Again, not a traditional dumpling, but it was my first one, and I enjoyed it.

Now, if I were to suggest what to order here, I’d say go for their seasonal dumplings. Currently, it is Rabbit-themed dessert dumplings to celebrate the start of the Year of the Rabbit.

Prawn Bao in Din Tai Fung is 🥟🥟🥟.5/5 stars.

Din Tai Fung address: Level 4/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Spicy Pork Wontons in China Red, Melbourne Chinatown

China Red in Chinatown was the restaurant where Fafa took me out for dinner when I moved to Melbourne. I remember being fascinated by the iPad on the wall on every table.

I have been to China Red read at least a few times after, but I had never had their dumpling until that day. And it only took me one bite to regret not having it before.

The dumplings came floating with brownish sauce. They were juicy, tender and with soft, slippery skin. It was good but similar to the Xiaolongbao above; the sauce made all the difference. The sauce was like nothing I had tasted before. Apparently, it was Worcestershire sauce! I didn’t know they use Worcestershire in Chinese cooking. It was umami with a sweet undertone, maybe honey?

China Red’s Spicy Pork Wonton is 🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟/5 stars.

China Red address: 206 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Taiwanese Pan-fried Beef Dumplings in Mr Huang Jin, Melbourne CBD

It was my first time at Mr Huang Jin, another Taiwanese restaurant on this list. I was there for lunch with a colleague. I suggested we order the Pan-fried Beef dumpling because I had never eaten it before, and man, have I been missing out. It came out with no frills, just five pieces of basic-looking dumplings with a special sauce on the side, but it was tender, juicy and packed with flavour even without the sauce. But the sauce made it even better.

Equally as good was the Prawn and Pork Wontons my colleague ordered. It came in a bowl, generously drizzled with sesame seeds and lettuce soaked with sauce. Compared to China Red’s wontons above, the dumpling skin was more yellowish, and I am guessing the sauce’s sweetness came from peanut butter. Tastewise, it’s almost as good.

Mr Huang Jin’s Pan-fried Beef Dumplings  🥟🥟🥟🥟/5 stars.

Mr Huang Jin address: 24 Katherine Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Some of the dumplings above were parts of the Melbourne Dumpling Walk Tour. So if you are in Melbourne, have 3 hours to spare and love dumplings, this tour is an excellent way to learn a bit about Melbourne’s Chinese immigrant history and culture while eating more than an adequate amount of dumplings. Shout out to the fantastic tour guide, Monique, who is passionate about food and culture.

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