Delicate steamed soup dumplings filled with broth and pork, central to the city's vibrant Chinese culinary landscape.
5 top-rated spots found
Widely considered the 'OG' of Melbourne's XLB scene, HuTong offers a multi-level dining experience in a historic laneway. The open kitchen allows diners to witness the virtuosic display of dumpling folding, which is treated as performance art.
📍 14-16 Market Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 · View on Maps
Often cited by locals as the superior alternative to larger chains, Juicy Bao lives up to its name with an exceptionally high soup-to-meat ratio. The skins are noted for being 'immaculately steamed'—thin enough to be translucent but strong enough not to break.
📍 178 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 · View on Maps
Yulongfu brings a 100-year-old family recipe from Shanghai to Melbourne. They are celebrated for having perhaps the thinnest dumpling skins in the city, achieved through a specific heritage technique.
📍 136 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 · View on Maps
A Melbourne institution known for the permanent queue outside its doors. It offers a rustic, hearty version of the XLB that focuses on fresh ingredients and generous portions at a very accessible price point.
📍 342 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 · View on Maps
The global gold standard for precision. Every single dumpling is weighed and folded exactly 18 times. While pricier than its Chinatown neighbors, the consistency and 'cleanroom' kitchen standards are unmatched.
📍 Level 4, Emporium Melbourne, 287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000 · View on Maps