Shanghai Village Dumplings

112 Little Bourke St
Melbourne, VIC 3000

Shanghai Village Dumpling

 

Where do you go for your dumpling fix? My personal favourite spot would be Auntie’s Dumpling, but there are just as many people who swear by Shanghai Village Dumpling. Located in a white historical building in China town, it was one of the few places still open on New Year Eve. It was perfect for a cheap, quick feed before the 6 hour wait on Southbank for the fireworks.

Interior

The shockingly pink walls are almost a visual slap across the face first time you visit Shanghai Village. Some love it, and some only put up with it because of the insanely cheap food. I am situated firmly in the first camp, though the first time I brought Chris here 4 years ago, he was a bit intimidated to say the least.

Spring Rolls ($3)

We ordered a serve of Spring Rolls ($3) just because we could. They’re almost definitely the frozen supermarket variety, but being hot and crispy with blistered skin, how bad can they be?

Vegetarian Dumplings (10 for $4.8) / Pork and Vegetable Dumplings (8 for $4.8)

But of course, the dumplings are what we’re here for. We got Pork and Vegetable Steamed Dumplings ($4.8 for 8), as well as Steamed Vegetarian Dumplings ($4.8 for 10). The pork dumplings were on the smaller side and wasn’t quite traditional, but they still managed to be pleasant. The vegetable dumplings were good, and there was a decent vegetable mix with no dreaded cabbage to be seen.  However, I’m pretty sure these are the frozen variety as well, since the skin was thinner, more even, and just different to the pork ones. That and I’ve had these at home out of a packet. 

The dumplings here aren’t amazing; I’ve had better ones more often than not. But I’ll wager that most of Shanghai’s village’s customers come here for the cheap food. After all, where else can you get 15 pork dumplings for $6.8? And if dumplings aren’t your thing, you can always order one of their rice or noodles dishes, which start at around 7 dollars.

Rating: 12.5/20 – cheapest dumplings in Melbourne. I mean it this time.