• Shanghai Village Dumpling

There is something about dirty dumplings.  Even the nick-name is typically Australian and affectionate.  My friend recently organised her birthday party: a dinner booked for 20, which turned out to be a table for 15 and a cast of 30 to celebrate at Shanghai Village.  She apologised, mistaking my love for fine food and blogging as restaurant snobbishness.  No, I love dumplings.

The unknown individuals of the party group squished onto the round upstairs table, only to squish around more as each new person arrived.  We were now “all friends here” with not so much as an elbow distance to stop my chopsticks hitting the guy next to me as I ate.

First, this place is cheap.  Steamed vegetarian dumplings are only $5.50 for a plate of nine, and $7 for a plate of 15.  They are heated fresh so that the skins are hot and pleasantly textured.  Although the veggies inside had no doubt been frozen and were limp and dull.

Thanks to my beautiful and willing hand model.


Pan fried dumplings were done traditionally with the oil in the bottom of the pan and water being added part way to steam the top.  I preferred the steamed.

Pumpkin pancakes were not done as I know them.  These little bite-sized goodies were made with a sticky rice based dough made sweet with pumpkin.  There was a rush for these as soon as they arrived.

The obligatory Chinese vegetables are also available.

It was a good meal.  Coincidentally the two now known guests to either side of me were vegetarian too, so the coincidental seating plan worked well.

Of course service is more about asserting your own needs, than having them waited for, but this quirk makes Shanghai Village all the more authentic.  Drinks are BYO – even beer.  The party was a success.

Shanghai Village Dumpling House
112-114 Little Bourke Street 
Melbourne 3000
03 9663 1878

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