Once again to Hutong we go! Hutong Dumpling Bar - Melbourne

It seemeth to I, that all my new postings should start with thus saying, "I'm a bit late, but here is the time when I visited...blah blah blah"



It is true that I have been of late, a little overwhelm with the activities of one's social and work life...



Once upon a time... on the back alleys and Hutongs of China... men sat on trishaws carried by other men...



And some men decided to go to Melbourne, Australia and open up a dumpling bar, in the local hutongs of Melbourne



Perhaps he had the dumpling dream... similar along the lines of the Noodle dream (which we shall discuss in some other post) from Kung Fu Panda...



I however, gathered comrades of past and present to revisit the famous Hutong Dumpling Bar... frequented and loved by Matt Preston...



Ushered to the top floor...



We were hurriedly seated, greeted and treated... with warm smiles and warm tea...



We of course, could not afford to not have this dish... the famous Xiao Long Bao... many have yearned... and now discern to learn...



Heavenly green Chinese Brocolli (Kai/Gai Lan) swimming in perfect harmony to the rhythm of the Oyster Sauce...



Deep Fried Squid and White Bait... ain't no better fate (OMG I can't stop, will this be a flop?)



Stir-Fried Ginger Lamb... a hit, miss and a sham...



I love Hutong for the food they offer and especially for their Dumplings... I would skip the stir-fried lamb though...

Overall Food Rating: 8/10 (I'd give their Xiao Long Bao a 9/10!)
Restaurant ambiance: 8/10 (I like the authentic oriental feel to this place)
Value for money: 8/10 (It cost us $20 each plus tips)

Address:
14-16 Market Lane
Melbourne 3000

Phone: (03) 9650 8128 (I highly recommend making reservations)

How to get there:

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Hutong Dumpling Bar - Melbourne

Ms Tinymouse asked if we wanted to go to Hutong? To which I replied, "What or Where on earth is Hutong?"

"It's right in front of Flower Drum."

To which I replied, "Isn't it that Korean place? Or that pub?"



Turns out Hutong, is a dumpling bar and apparently it's famed for it's fresh dumpling.

And it was right in front of Flower Drum right next to the Korean restaurant and the Pub (funny how I never paid any notice to it). I'm not a big dumpling fan and always kick up a fuss when the Boy suggests Shanghai dumplings... (and I only end up going for the La Mien)



Even with a booking, we were made to wait for a while. I found it a tad rude that the people who came in after me, were approached first (I find that sort of service rude).



(Apologies for the initial dark pictures, the Boy was frowning at my flash)

We started the dumpling ball rolling with the Prawn and Pork dumpling (steamed). It was normal, nothing fantastic... although I do have to admit, the skin was really fresh and soft...



Fried Shanghai noodles - again nothing to shout about. I've had better noodles in cheaper establishments ... but that's not to say that this was bad, just nothing special.



Xiao Long Bao - this was actually quite delicious, as I mentioned before, I'm not a huge dumpling fan and even when in Hong Kong, I refused to try XLB from Crystal Jade (silly I know, being a foodie)...

I had to try one... and it was quite yummy... the broth in the dumpling was really nice and tasty...

Ms Tinymouse kept assuring me that I did not have to "try" so that there would be more for her... lols

Much groaking was involved as well...



Pan Fried Pork Dumplings - an interesting version of it... we kept mentioning that it looked like Dumplings served on Apung (a type of light fluffy pastry found in Malaysia)... it was really crispy... but.. interesting



We also ordered chilli cuttlefish... very nicely done... not overcooked and the cuttlefish was soft and tender



We finished off with another round of Shanghai Noodles and Wan Tan's in Chilli Oil



Fun outing... good ambiance... fresh food... what more could we ask for?

Favourite words of the day? Husk (the word that started it all) and igloo... ahaha

Went on to Old Town Kopitiam for a good round of Ipoh White Coffee, bubur cha cha (mediocre) and Ice Kacang (interesting)

Ooh oh... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY BFF of mine!!! We have entered the perilous late 20's... and it's scary...


Overall Food Rating: 7/10
Restaurant ambiance: 8/10
Value for money: 7/10


Address:
14-16 Market Lane
Melbourne 3000

Phone: (03) 9650 8128