There are many dumpling restaurants but Hutong tends to eclipse all others due to one dish: xiao long bao (pork and soup filled dumplings). Not that they’re the only items on the menu worth eating. You could tuck into all manner of dumpling – from plump prawn-stuffed nuggets to mixed vegetables wrapped in a silky skin – or delve further into the menu and order crispy-skin duck or a hotpot of scallops and eggplant in Szechuan sauce. Although the stairs to the top levels aren’t pram friendly, kids love eating here – dumplings seem to be a universal symbol of food love – and the friendly staff aren’t perturbed by rustling up a high chair. Make sure you book.

Location

Chinatown is one of the Melbourne CBD’s coolest hubs, with hidden bars and amazing restaurants on the doorstep. It’s also steps from theatres and great shopping.

Hutong Dumpling Bar | 14–16 Market Lane | +61 3 9650 8128

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