Another weakness of mine would have to be dumplings. There’s
just something about those delicately packed parcels that burst with flavour as
you take your first bite! I think ginger is the key ingredient here. It leaves
a refreshing trail of flavour in your mouth that keeps you wanting more. So, on
a midweek drive through Carlton
trying to find a quick bite to eat, there is no surprise that the bright red
logo of M.A’s Dumpling Den caught my eye. I normally order a variety of
dumplings in the one seating to share around and enjoy the different flavour
combinations, as most dumpling eateries I go to provide generous portions at
great prices (and M. A’s Dumpling Den was no different). On this particular
occasion, we saw fried lamb dumplings on the menu and thought we’d try
something different from our usual pork and prawn or vegetarian combinations…
and I’m sure glad we did! I’m not usually a fan of fried dumplings, I prefer the
steamed variety myself, but these fried lamb dumplings were done really well –
only lightly pan fried so they still kept their soft texture. I was very
impressed and so glad we took a chance on something you wouldn’t normally see
on your regular dumpling menu. It helped complete what was a great meal to get
through Wednesday – ‘hump day’ of the week.
Hutong Dumpling Bar is another great dumpling eatery that
I’ve dined at. Located in Chinatown , this
dumpling bar offers that authentic Chinese taste offering dumplings holding
flavoursome broth that burst with flavour. The pricing here is slightly dearer
to its surrounding dumpling eateries in Chinatown but the difference being that
its atmosphere holds a point of difference from the others. Here you can enjoy
a more intimate experience with a little extra touch on your regular casual
dining. The dish to try here is boiled dumplings with stuffed spinach. A Northern
Chinese inspired dish with a great green colour that brings excitement to your
plate. If you’re planning a night out to Hutong Dumpling Bar, be sure to make a
booking as, well… they actually take them so no need to line up and they
usually get quite busy, so be sure you don’t miss out.
Another great dumpling place I must recommend in Melbourne ’s Chinatown , is
the well known Shanghai Village Dumpling. If you live in Melbourne and love dumplings, you’ll know
this place – and if you don’t, I certainly recommend checking it out because it
will be the first of many visits to come. This fairly spacious eatery is a
family friendly venue with two levels of seating and ticks all the boxes for
hunting down that authentic taste. One dish I must recommend is the crispy
pumpkin cakes. Even though they’re not dumplings, they’re definitely worth
trying as an entrée. These crispy cakes with a sweet pumpkin filling are the
perfect start to your dumpling feast that awaits. I’ll admit, Shanghai Village
Dumpling is not your flashy fine dining setting but for that authentic taste
from the Asian cuisine of any sort, I believe this is certainly the way to go –
fast and friendly service, generous portions with affordable prices and most
importantly, great tasting dishes.
Another key in searching for a great dumpling place – if
it’s good, it’s always busy! So don’t let the line up at the door put you off,
take it as an enticement that this place must be worth trying.
Yum!!!
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