Ping's Dumpling Kitchen

330 Clayton Road 

Clayton, VIC 3168

It took four long years, but I’ve finally finished my pharmacy degree. I won’t be a legalised drug dealer until I finish my internship and register with the pharmacy board but, it still feels good to have a degree under my belt. And after my graduation ceremony, Chris and I went and filled our stomachs at Ping’s Dumpling Kitchen... but not before we raided the refreshments tables at the graduation reception.

Ping’s is one of those Northern-Chinese dumpling houses you see in every Asian suburb; there is no point in taking interior pictures here, as everyone knows what a utilitarian room filled with hungry diners looks like, but it is a lot cleaner than the other restaurants of the same variety.

Boiled Peking Pork Dumplings ($8.5, 15pcs)

My most favourite dumplings ever had to be those of Bob’s Kitchen, a restaurant in Glen Waverley that has long-since closed, but will always be fondly remembered. Luckily, we heard through an ex-hairdresser of ours that the head chef at Bob’s Kitchen (who just happened to be her brother), is now working at Ping’s, and it really does show in the Boiled Peking Pork Dumplings ($8.5, 15pcs). The skin was hearty but not stodgy, filled with a flavoursome nugget of minced pork and crunchy Chinese cabbage. And instead of chilli oil on the side, I ate these with house-made spicy caramelised onion sauce, and of course, a dash of black vinegar. 

Special Chilli Beef on Rice ($9)

Special Chilli Beef on Rice ($9) is another perennial favourite of mine. Our plate of beef and rice glistened with sauce and looked absolutely tantalising. The slices of beef were soft and tender, and the heat of the bean-based chilli sauce slowly built up on the tongue. The overall flavour of the dish could have been a little more robust, but it hit the spot nicely.

It’s late and I have work tomorrow, and I’m tired from an entire day of graduation biz, so no conclusion today.

Rating: 13.5/20 – almost a pharmacist!

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.