10 Feb 2023
From hot pot to dim sum, smoke, grill and spice, Melbourne Chinese food scene provides them all.
Chinese food has been a constant feature of the Australian restaurant landscape since the 1970s. And whilst some of us may recall the lemon chicken, sweet and sour pork, and beef in black bean sauce of those early days, happily diners are now spoiled for choice when it comes to Chinese cuisine in Melbourne, where the eight great culinary traditions of China can be found.
Tim Ho Wan has its origins in Hong Kong circa 2009. Today, it is one of the best places to score fresh dim sum in the CBD.
The BBQ Pork Buns are the highlight at Tim Ho Wan; other culinary delights here, evocative of the old tea houses of the Silk Road, include silky vermicelli rolls, and dumplings with shrimp or chicken, steamed to order.
First established in South Yarra in 2009, Dainty Sichuan will feed your cravings for spicy hot pot in their beautifully appointed dining room.
Firm favourites here are the Kung Pao chicken, the cumin lamb slices, and the pan-fried pork buns, all lovingly prepared by Michelin chefs.
New Shanghai was once situated in Collins Street in the city; they have recently relocated to Chadstone. Now you can enjoy a decent feed of yum cha post-shopping spree.
Patrons of the city venue will recognise the Art Deco bar layout, albeit in different colours.
The food here is authentic Shanghainese. Order the signature 8 piece Xiao Long Bao (pan-fried pork dumplings), or try the braised pork belly, rainbow beef, or salt and pepper prawns.
And if you sign up, New Shanghai will shout you free dumplings on your birthday, which you gotta love.
Owners Ying Hou and her mama, Meiyan Wang, serve up traditional, authentic food from Shandong Province, in their Chinatown eatery where the interior is plain but the food is anything but.
Shandong Mama is derived from the Shandong Province that is famous for its fish dishes, which really showcases why their fish dumplings will not disappoint.
Umami flavours are captured beautifully in the signature Spanish Mackerel dumplings, which have hits of garlic chives, coriander, and ginger.
Struggling to decide on what to order at Shandong Mama? Get the $14.80 Melbourne (mixed seafood and chicken dumplings, 12 pieces) onto your order!
Din Tai Fung, initially established in Taiwan, now has outlets all around the globe that proclaim they serve the world’s best dumplings.
But dumplings are not all you will find here; Huaiyang goodies like wok dishes, noodles and soups.
Fancy dumplings include the pork with black truffle, while the braised beef soup with spinach will warm the cockles of your heart.
The lengthy list of noodle and fried rice dishes have something to suit all palates. Just make sure you save room for a chocolate lava mini bun for dessert.
If you’re asking us – the Vegetarian Wonton Noodle with Spicy Sauce gets your pick every time we’re at Din Tai Fung.
If hot pot and cocktails sound good to you, then check out Chef David. David Li has been experimenting with Sichuan flavours since he was a teenager, and today peppercorns and chilli are at the heart of his traditional dishes with a modern twist.
Menu highlights at Chef David are the whole fish (Barramundi or Murray Cod), which comes cooked with your choice of spice, sour and spice, tomato sauce, or black bean sauce.
Adventurous diners may want to give the wok-fried duck head a try, or perhaps the Sichuan-style bullfrog.
Chef David’s $20 Sichuan-style wok-fried Chinese sausage and cauliflower is a winner for any taste cravings!
This place takes its name from the 1970s London Chinese restaurant made famous by Warren Zevon’s song, “Werewolves of London.” It literally means “good fortune for your mouth.”
Lee Ho Fook’s creates modern Asian fusion dishes in their sleek modern eatery. The dishes here are packed with flavour, and spicy to boot, utilising Australian produce and prepared using a combination of traditional and modern techniques.
The chefs here only do a tasting menu, based on what is in season. Examples of what you may find are Yee Sang – raw fish in citrus with spring onion and ginger, Peking Wagyu beef, and mango pudding.
Check out Lee Ho Fook’s $90 Summer Lunch Menu (3 courses with one side dish) whilst you can.
The dishes of regional China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Xinjiang) are all incorporated in Spice Temple’s menu, where each banquet-style dish comes with a healthy dose of chilli and spice.
Signature dishes here include Kung Pao chicken with pepper, chillies, and cashews, and prawn wontons with aged black vinegar dressing.
If you do not wish to do an entire banquet, then Spice Temple has plenty of classics on their a la carte menu – think steamed markey fish with ginger and shallot, or stir fried beef eye fillet with black bean and bullhorn peppers.
Get the $99 Golden Banquet (per person) if you’re looking for the optimum experience at Spice Temple.