With Saturday night to relax after a day full of apartment hunting, I figured I’d treat myself to a solo culinary night out and try out another Melbourne restaurant.  I’ve heard the name HuTong Dumpling Bar several times now, mostly referred to as the “best dumplings in town”. Personally I love dumplings, but I’ve never been one to’ seek out’ dumpling bars and I mostly just only eat them at Yum Cha which is pretty consistent no matter where you go.

I wander down to HuTong which is in an ally (surprise surprise) off Bourke Street quite early in the night, around 6PM and although I’ve been told to book ahead, it appears to be reasonably accommodating to walk ins. Most of these are directed upstairs, but given I’m alone, I’m seated at a sharing table with two duo’s of girlfriends. A tad awkward, but luckily I’m also seated facing the kitchen window where I can watch the chefs whipping up hundreds of dumplings right in front of me.

This place, more than any other I’ve been to is designed to share because I’ve been told I have to order the Shao-long Bao dumplings and although I ask for half a serve, I’m told they come with 8 as standard (a huge amount for one person!).  Luckily they’re just as amazing as they’ve been described: light pockets of pork filling with a hint of ginger flavoured broth welled in the bottom. I’m told by the waitress, “very hot” in her strong Chinese accent and when I poke my chopstick through the top, a perfect stream of steam pours out as if blowing at you from inside. Mixed with the sweet, soy vinegar, it’s seriously good and a novelty to the usual yum cha dumpling. I’m told by the adorable waiter who I assume is the owner from him presence in the restaurant, they’re from a different part of China, “where I’m from!” he says excitably, pointing to himself.

“Best Dumplings in Town”

At only $12 it’s a laughably cheap dinner in town. With a group of friends I’m sure the atmosphere would have been a lot more enjoyable in the upper levels and I make a mental note to bring anyone here next time I have visitors.

Craving something sweet, I figure I’d head to my old favourite Chin Chin to try a dessert there I’ve had my eye on since my first visit.  As always, I get straight in since I’m alone and order the Grilled Banana Roti with condensed milk and cinnamon sugar. Maybe the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Few people would understand and some may not like it at all, but one person in my family would 100% agree.  The dish immediately throws me back to my childhood when we would make pikelet batter, fry with banana until under cooked  bite in and taste the gooey sweet centre. I distinctly recall people seeing us do this and screw up their faces in disgust but we always loved it. Somehow the roti at Chin Chin captured this exact flavour but on steroids. Writing about it now has me salivating!

I ask for the bill (another $12) and laugh with the waiter about my amazing decision to ‘pop in’ for dessert – something only locals would do. With flavours like that, it won’t be the last time!