A long-standing favourite in the Chinatown end of the CBD, HuTong Dumpling Bar gets its name from the lanes and alleyways of ancient China — and it serves up delicious homestyle Chinese cooking in its honour.
With three levels of dining space and open for lunch and dinner every day of the week, Hutong is always a good choice for a midday or post-work feast. The restaurant is praised for its authentic Shanghainese food, though the menu does highlight dishes that originate from other provinces — like dry chicken in hot chilli from Sichuan and Dong Po Square soft pork from Hangzhou.
But it's the dumplings that everyone comes for, and many traditional styles are represented, from the soupy xiao-long bao from east China and boiled dumplings stuffed with spinach of the north to the Szechuan-style wontons swimming in hot chilli sauce and Shanghainese pan-fried bites.
And, of course, you're allowed to BYO wine at HuTong. Just be sure to make a booking so you don't miss out.