Today was the first day of Rita’s annual leave, so naturally some retail therapy was the order of the day. After a rigorous workout of the credit card, Rita took time out for a bite of lunch, and what better place than Dumpling World, opposite Fitzies (Harris Scarfe to Gen X & Y’ers) in Collins Street.
My attention was drawn to this little place (Dumpling World) ages ago, but being based on the Eastern shore, and spending much time travelling round the state hasn’t provided me with any spare time to catch a meal there.
I reckon I’d have to go there a few times to try a good cross section of the assortment of dumpling varieties available, but today I decided to try 2 different types. I had the Boiled Dumplings, seafood and vegetarian. They are priced at $7 for 8 pieces. For an extra $1, I was able to select the 2 different types of dumplings to have in my serving. I don’t quite understand that rationale of charging an extra dollar to have a variety of dumplings, but, hey, if that’s what it takes to sample a few different things, I’ll go with the flow! So - it was 8 dumplings for $8.
They're only just bigger than bite-sized, so not a huge lunch, but just right if all you want is a top-up.
I really liked them. They were filling enough for a quick lunch, and tasty enough to keep me interested. I would definitely return and eat regularly there if I worked in the city.
Quite appropriate food for today as well, given that the Olympic Games are currently in progress in Beijing. Little wonder I continued with my Olympian award-winning card-workout after scoffing down 8 dumplings!
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16 comments:
Maybe Dumpling World will now replace Schnitzels as my #1 place in Hobart that I always want to go to but never do because no one wants to go - but I do always call Harris Scarfe Fitzgeralds, the Santa Claus in Burnie would prefer it that way...
I visited once and never again. Steamed dumplings were OK (just), but the fried dumplings were deep fried, dripping of oil and terrible. I asked why they were not pan fried (normal gyoza style) and the response was "it takes too long".
Miles - you are one funny guy. I just spent ages reading your blog. It's great. I was starting to respond to you earlier, but have now caught the tread of what you're about, so won't worry. Where's this Schnitzel place you obviously love so much? Or have you had too many Tic Tacs in the past?
GL - bad luck about your shitty dumplings. I have to confess that I actually expected them to be crap, hence my surprise, and relatively positive review of Dumpling World! What a name! Abyway - I'm glad I had the steamed ones, and they WERE fine. Interesting your mentioning the gyoza style, as I watched a cooking segment on the Morning Show today where they did dumplings, and they did indeed highlight the fact that you pan fry ONE side of them first, then toss into the steamer to cook.
Just a guess, but perhaps Miles actually means Strudels? Now long gone - it was at the end of Salamanca Place and is now somethng else (La Porchetta, maybe). I was the same, I kept meaning to go there (lived in Vienna for years and missed strudels, schnitzels and the rest) but was actually very disappointed when I did go there.
Glad you finally made it to Dumpling World, Rita. It's become regular visit for us every couple of weeks for a quick lunch.
The steamed dumplings are always fresh and tasty as are some of the noodle dishes, the fried ones less so though the spring rolls are good. The staff are friendly though don't expect "service" in the traditional sense.
Hmmm...I thought it was called Schnitzels and every Wednesday was Strudel night? Maybe that's round the wrong way. It was on Salamanca and my grumpy mate would go "No, we aren't going there, we're Ball and Chaining" - I loved the radio ads, every Wednesday was Strudel night, the lady doing an Austrian accent sounded French, and everything seemed to be stuffed with pork...especially the pork.
And yes, too many Tic Tacs cause brain damage. Candy hearts, that's another big one, just say no kids...
I believe the menu has changed, and they do actually now do pan fried dumplings, as of several months ago. When did you visit, gl? It may be worth a revisit. I often order vegetable dumpling noodle soup which is delicious, although there seems to be some inconsistency with the vegetables etc included in the soup (sometimes very little, other times lots including fresh coriander and bean sprouts).
I preferred the dumplings from the funny place which sells sushi whilst also doubling as Steves Kebabs... in Liverpool street. Very strange concept, but their chicken & chinese chive panfried dumplings are delicious.
apparently the reason why it has Steve's Kebabs in the corner is because when they bought the business, there was a requirement that that the SK franchise contract be fulfilled. As soon as it has expired the SK corner will go!
LT
Well, I thought I'd go back and try again. Went for the boiled dumplings due to good review above - and they were crap. Cold in the middle FFS! I asked the guy behind the counter if they are microwaved (you could here it ping and then "Voila!" food appears) and he said yeah. -20/10 I mean how freakin hard is it to cook dumplings when you are called Dumpling World? Hobart deserves sooooo much better than this.
Try them once and never again, the food they serve is nothing like traditional Chinese food. The place is just sending the wrong message to tassie customers, if chinese food is as bad as this, they wouldn't be this popular in the world at the first place. The place has ruined the reputation of Chinese food. We are looking forward to see some competitors to show us the real chinese dishes.
"The place has ruined the reputation of Chinese food."
LOL now, now. That's being a bit over the top - it's hardly going to break China. It's pretty obvious from the tacky decor and cheap prices that it's just a fast food place. What do you expect?
A friend who works in la porchetta has to put up with that exact customer 'tude all the time. They expect to be treated like royalty, without realising it's just a family restaurant. Relax. If you don't like it, spend your duckets elsewhere.
Dumpling World is awesome. They make delicious pork buns.
Me Wah is awesome too. Especially the Roast Duck appetisers with black bean sauce.
I also think that authentic food cooked by my chinese friends in southeast asia is awesome.
My verdict: Dumpling World is not the best Chinese eatery, nor the most authentic. But hey, it's tasty. And I don't care if it has its flaws.
I do care that they no longer sell Bubble Tea though :(
Appreciate it for what it is... fast, quick and yummy! Meh Wah however is hands down the best yum cha about!
Went to Dumpling World because someone had told me they had an extensive range of gluten free food (myself having Coeliac Disease), and was pleasantly surprised to find that, indeed, about two thirds of their menu was listed as gluten free.
Ordered a chicken noodle dish that was listed as gluten free, and doubled checked when ordering that it was gluten free. When the dish arrived, it looked suspiciously un-gluten free like (could tell by the colour and thickness of the noodles), so I went up to the waitress and asked(again!) if she was sure it was gluten free. She assured me it was. I therefore had a bit of the meal, but stopped after only a few bites as a) I still thought the noodles may not have been gf, and b) the meal itself was actually quite uninspiring.
An hour later, and, wouldn't you know it, I started vomiting everywhere; evidently I was right, and the noodles were most definitely NOT (as I had been assured three times) gluten free. Pretty annoyed really, as I then spent the next three hours vomiting continuously, and was tired and lethargic for the next week.
Wish I had of rang up the next day and complained, but was pretty sick and basically couldn't face the conversation. Definately not impressed though, haha and now I can't even hear the name Dumpling World without dry retching!
Why make your illness their problem? I cant hear the words 'Gluten Free' without feeling an immediate pain in my backside
Go easy Anon 12.05 - you're not making your own personal illness someone else's problem if you're asking the appropriate questions prior to eating/buying the food. I know so many people with the gluten free issue, and lactose intolerances etc, it seems to have become second nature to assume someone eating at your table (at home, or in a restaurant) will require specific food, so it's always wise to ask these days. Never assume anything.
I was bought three steamed prawn dumplings from the newly relocated Dumpling World, cnr L'pool and Argyle (site of old Carlton Cafe) when I was in hospital earlier this week. Have to say the pastry was way too thick covering the minced prawn, so a bit disappointing.
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