Ten of the Best Dumpling Spots in Sydney

If you haven’t visited this institution, you’re either a Sydney newbie or not a true dumpling lover. From its iconic (and ironic) plastic grapes hanging from the ceiling to the hordes of UTS students tucking into its affordable feasts, Chinese Noodle Restaurant is one of the most recognisable — and frequented — dumpling spots in Haymarket. It’s a go-to for many Sydneysiders, and it’s as classic as you’ll get.

Hungry and on a budget? Order the 16-serve boiled dumplings for $14.80. Otherwise, the steamed pork and chive dumplings ($12.50) are a winner, as are the prawn har gow ($10.80) and pan-fried eggplant dumplings ($14.80). The handmade Xinjiang stir-fried noodles with beef ($15.80) are a definite must, too; the product of the chef, on display behind a glass window, who slaps and wraps the fresh dough for your viewing pleasure.

Chinese Noodle Restaurant is available for delivery via Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

Shanghai Night on Liverpool Road is one of Sydney’s oldest Shanghainese restaurants. The brightly lit, loud eatery remains one of the best spots to eat in Ashfield — a suburb known for its top-notch Chinese cuisine. So, that’s saying something. Just don’t confuse it for New Shanghai Nights, located a mere two doors down.

Settle in for piled-high plates of pan-fried pork dumplings ($9.80) and steamed chicken and shiitake mushroom dumplings (from $9.80). If you’re in need of a heartwarming bowl of wonton soup, it’s got plenty of those too, plus a heap of mains, including king prawns with eggplant ($29.80), shredded pork in Sichuan sauce ($16.80), and crispy skin duck ($18.80).

Shanghai Night is available for delivery and pick-up via Uber Eats and Menulog.

Sure, Din Tai Fung is an obvious choice, but we believe this list wouldn’t be complete without it. The Taiwanese chain was founded way back in the 70s and opened on Aussie shores in 2008. With eight Sydney outposts — MLC Centre, World Square, Westfield Chatswood, Westfield Miranda, The Star, Greenwood Plaza, Broadway Sydney and Gateway Sydney — Din Tai Fung is probably the best-known dumpling haunt in town. And although shopping centres may not create the best dining ambiance, Din Tai Fung’s venues are often bustling thanks to their convenient locations. It’s also BYO, which helps.

Walk into any of them and you’ll want to order the decadent black truffle and pork dumplings ($4.90 each), the signature xiao long bao ($14.90), shrimp and pork sui mai ($12.90), and spicy vegetarian wontons ($12.90). The mains are good, but let’s be honest you’re here for the dumplings, which are some of the best you can get, without spending a small fortune.

Din Tai Fung is available for delivery via Deliveroo, Uber Eats and DoorDash. It’s also offering frozen dumplings for you to cook at home via its website. 

Picture this: it’s date night and you’re craving dumplings. While cheap and cheerful dates are some of the best, sometimes you want to settle in for a while, rather than be rushed out the door as soon as you’ve slurped up your last noodle. If this is the case, head to Fei Jai in Potts Point. Fei Jai (Cantonese for ‘fat boy’) is run by a relative of Flower Drum’s Lau family.

The Challis Avenue venue is cosy, moody and has outdoor seating for long lunches and balmy nights. Food-wise, you’ll want to start off with some silky scallop and prawn wontons with black vinegar and chilli ($16), delicate xiao long bao ($15) and a serve of chicken potstickers ($15). Then, take your pick of starters like the sesame prawn toast ($18) and Fatboy Chicken Steamed Bun ($10). If you really want to live up to the restaurant’s moniker, tack on some mains. Or, head there for a weekend lunch and opt for Fei Jai’s yum cha ($55 per person), so you can feast away without making a single decision.

Fei Jai is available for delivery and pick-up via its website and Deliveroo.

You’ve been tasked with organising an after-work hang-out with your mates. You want chill pub vibes, but you’re also sick of schnitties and steaks. In fact, you’d do unquestionable things for a basket of dumplings. Enter: Bamboo Dumpling Bar. This cosy spot is inside Surry Hills’ Royal Albert Hotel, so you can grab an excellent craft brew (or few) to go with your feed. Order siu mai, pork and chive dumplings and veggie gow gee — all $12.50 for five serves — for the group. Or, roll the dice and get the mixed dumpling plate ($13.50 for six serves). There’s also chilli prawn spring rolls ($10.50), char siu pork buns ($12.50) and chinese broccoli ($10). For any mates craving classic pub grub, they can order from The Alby’s standard menu, so this is the spot if you want to please any stubborn eaters. 

The Royal Albert Hotel is offering its menu, including selected Bamboo Dumpling Bar dishes, for takeaway and delivery via Bopple.

Chatswood’s elegant Chinese newcomer, Mama Mulan, is a yum cha must. Located in The Concourse, the 180-seater makes quite the impression, with its restaurant, bar and private dining areas boasting striking interiors — and next-level dishes. On the trolleys, expect classics such as prawn har gow ($12.50), shallot pancakes ($11.50), pork and cabbage potstickers ($13.50) and chicken feet with sesame sauce ($11.50). For non-yum cha affairs, you’ll be pleased to know there are ten types of dumplings to choose from, or you can opt for the mixed dumpling platter ($35) if you want to try a bit of everything. Other notable options include the Mama Mulan fried rice ($22), which is supercharged with asparagus, wagyu beef and XO sauce; the Sichuan hot and spicy chicken with dried chilli and peanuts ($28); and the sweet and sour fried eggplant ($23).

Mama Mulan is available for delivery via Uber Eats, Easi and Deliveroo.

If you did want to splash some cash, then Mr Wong is where to do so. The Merivale establishment is a go-to for fancy Cantonese feasts. Located on Bridge Lane in the CBD, the opulent diner seats more than 200 punters over two levels, with atmospheric buzz aplenty. So, settle into the plush, 1930s Shanghai-inspired space and prepare for a feast by way of head chef Dan Hong (Ms. G’s, Queen Chow and El Loco). If you like to pick your dumplings, you’ll want to head to Mr Wong at lunch and order off the dim sum menu — think wild mushroom dumplings ($14), crystal seafood dumplings with golden soup ($20.80) and pan-fried Sichuan-style lamb ones ($15.50).

Heading there for dinner? No worries, you can still get your dumpling hit with the steamed dim sum platter ($38 for eight pieces) and deep-fried dim sum platter ($32 for six pieces). Just be sure to save room for the honey-glazed Kurobuta pork ($39), wok-fried mudcrab with house-made XO sauce (MP) and braised wagyu shin with Shandon sauce ($58). And some deep-fried ice cream with butterscotch sauce ($23) for dessert, of course.

Mr Wong is available for pick-up only, with orders made via Hungry Hungry.

Head to the growing food mecca that is Burwood and make a beeline for Yang’s Dumpling. Part of the popular Shanghainese chain, it first opened in Burwood as a takeaway-only spot. Thankfully, it has since set up shop on Deane Street with space to dine in, and another neon-lit outpost on Enmore Road in Newtown. You’ll want to order its signature sheng jian bao (from $7.80) — doughy, crisp-bottom dumplings filled with spicy pork mince. The xiao long bao ($10.80) here are also exceptional, as are the sui mai ($9), deep-fried mini pork buns (from $8.80) and the Sichuan-style wontons in peanut sauce ($12.80). Hot tip: order extra peanut sauce and put it on everything. 

Yang’s is available for delivery and pick-up via Deliveroo, Uber Eats, DoorDash and Menulog.

While Haymarket and inner west suburbs such as Burwood and Ashfield populate much of Sydney’s dumpling scene, the northern beaches has something that isn’t found too widely across the city: momos. The dumpling, which originates from Tibet, is one of the most popular dishes in Nepal — and for good reason. These round- or crescent-shaped parcels are often stuffed with the likes of ground meat (chicken, pork, goat, buffalo, yak or lamb), veggies, tofu, paneer or soft chhurpi (a local Himalayan cheese).

And, luckily for Sydneysiders, Momo Bar serves up pretty good, hand-rolled iterations of these tasty treats. With two shops, located in Manly and Dee Why, Momo Bar is where you want to head for lamb momos ($12), ones stuffed with lentils ($11), chicken versions ($11) and even mushroom and parmesan dumplings ($11). It also offers some gluten-free alternatives, as well as poké bowls if you’re in the mood to circumnavigate the globe in one feast.

Momo Bar is available for delivery and pick-up via its website and app, and delivery services Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

Image: Leigh Griffiths

Alexandria’s Yulli’s Brews not only has a great range of beers, but its food also delivers. The menu walks the line of stomach-lining greatness and not-too-greasy feeds that work well for a group. And on that menu, you’ll find a couple of dumpling treasures: steamed kimchi dumplings with ginger, soy and crispy enoki mushrooms and pan-fried kale and eggplant gyoza with soy and crispy chickpeas. Both are delicious, cost $12.50 and are completely vegan. So, if you’re a plant-based dumpling fiend, you’ll want to make tracks here, stat.

While not technically dumplings, the massaman curry buns ($13.50) are also a huge hit. But, what really drew in the dumpling lovers was the brewery’s weekend yum cha sessions, with the venue booking out most sittings. So, here’s hoping they bring back the veg-heavy much-loved mid-morning dining occasion back. 

Yulli’s in Surry Hills has pivoted to an Italian-inspired takeaway menu for lockdown, which you can order via Cinch Ordering. For dumplings, its sister venue Yulli’s Brews in Alexandria is offering its steamed leek and ginger dumplings for takeaway and delivery via the website.