The death of a yum cha

It’s a sad day when the Regal shuts up dumpling shop!

After a hefty 21-years in business The Regal has served its last dumpling, pushed their last trolley and spilled the last of their tea! However all is not lost...Should you arrive at The Regal and be confronted with their closed shutter just stroll down Sussex 5-mins to its parent restaurant, The Marigold. Arguably, just as good.

Address: Levels 4 & 5 Citymark Building, 683-689 George Street, Sydney

More info at http://www.regal.com.au/RegalMerging.php

Chinadoll rocks!

These pictures speak a thousand words.

Chinadoll on Sydney's Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo is hands down my favourite modern Chinese restaurant in Sydney. The delicate flavours combined with good quality ingredients makes Chinadoll a must try.

We had a superb lunch there on Sunday for Mother’s day / my Mum’s birthday. The sun was shining, the wharf was bustling and the food and service were bang on.

 

We started off with...

- Fried Tofu w Five Spice Salt & Ginger Soy (pictured) 

- Kurobuta Pork & Peanut San Choy Bau (pictured)

- Chilli Salt Squid (pictured)

- Steamed Prawn & Bamboo Wontons w an Asian broth

 

 

For mains the Crispy Pork Belly w Chilli Caramel & Nam Pla Phrik (pictured) and the Tea Smoked Free Range Thirlmere Duck w Tamarind & Plum (first pictured) were the highlight. And the BBQ Pork & Prawn fried rice is consistently good as are the sides.

Another stand out dish at Chinadoll is the Crab Omlette. We didn't eat it on this visit as its not on the regular menu. You need to pre-order with the restaurant to see if it’s available due to the best crabs being seasonal.

The bill for 7 adults and one child was $420 including 2 bottles of wine. At $60 a head including 10% Sunday surcharge its also good value.

Overall rating – 9/10. Fully licensed. Credit card. Price: $50+ per head plus booze.


Address: Shop 4, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
More info at www.chinadoll.com.au

Duck pies - Asian parcels of goodness

Finger licking good
Whilst these might not look like traditional dumplings perse they are still Asian parcels of goodness and are lip schmacking good! Oh and did I mention they're duck??
The filling consists of BBQ duck, stock, shallots, hoi sin/oyster/soy sauces and a small amount of corn flour.

These were a crowd pleaser on the weekend when I took them along as a starter to my lovely friend Skye Healey’s birthday dinner party (pictured). The theme was French but I can't escape Asian. Pastry is French right?!

East Ocean - my fave yum cha in Sydney!

Soup dumplings to die for and night time Yum Cha - what more could you want?!

As you can see from the picture these perfectly formed handmade morsels are the bomb! (and also the perfect hangover cure). The correct way to eat them is to...

1. Gently pick up with chopsticks and place on a to a soup spoon
2. Place a small amount of chinese vinegar on to the dumpling with a slither of ginger
3. Gently tear open the side and put it in to your mouth in one go and voila!...Instant party in your mouth!
   

The other dumplings at East Ocean are fantastic and always served hot. And this is only restaurant in Sydney (that I know of) that does night time Yum Cha from 10pm-2am.

The ordering is now bingo style and very efficient. You are given an extensive menu (complete with pictures), ordering cards and a pencil and you then select what you would like to eat and in what order. This helps to avoid neck craning and head swiveling when trying to flag down your favourite trollies. It also means you don't miss out on your favourites!

Also a highlight here is the soy & chopped chilli. It’s the perfect mix with a hint of shallot.

Overall rating – 8.5-9/10. Fully licensed. Credit card. Price: $20-$30 per head.

Address: 421 - 429 Sussex St. Haymarket NSW 2000
More info at www.eastocean.com.au/Yum-Cha

Vegetarian dumplings anyone?

If vegetarian dumplings are your thing get on down to Bodhi in the Park in Cook & Philip Park and let me know what you think (as I've not been)! Pics and review welcome.

Address: Cook and Phillip Park, College St, Sydney NSW 2000
See reviews at Eatability - 6.6 rating.

The Regal - The closest Yum Cha to The Rocks!

Perfect weather for some Yum Cha!

Nothing like a few rain drops and a visit from my sister (another fellow dumpling lover) to spur on a trip to Chinatown for some dumplings - yum cha style!
Today's yum cha rocked it! It was all bang on! All dumplings were perfectly cooked and tasted delish.
You know you've picked a good restaurant when you spot one of Sydney’s top chefs, Tony Bilson, at the table next to you!
An oldy and a goody but shame on you Regal for charging $2 for soy with fresh chopped chilli!
Overall rating - 8/10. Fully licensed. Credit card.
Price: $20-$25 per head.

Address: 347-353 Sussex Street, Sydney (Corner of Sussex and Liverpool Street)
More info at www.regal.com.au (don't let the design put you off!)

Bamboo Dumpling Bar - Kings Cross/Potts Point

New dumpling kid on the block!

Recently we checked out Bamboo Dumpling Bar in the middle of the bustling Kings Cross strip. Whilst the location was central I personally prefer the experience to be a little less hectic when dining out. There is however another newly opened BDB in Surry Hills. Whilst the Kings Cross experience was colourful, Surry Hills might be more relaxing and pleasurable.
The food is nice enough but from what I could tell the majority of the dumplings weren't homemade which was disappointing. They were of similar quality of the frozen variety purchased in Chinatown and steamed at home. BDB is probably best enjoyed whilst trying to banish a hangover.
The mains seemed to be the best value for money and flavour. We tried the Thursday special of BBQ pork, greens & rice for $10 which was delish! The standout dish of the night was the Peking duck pancakes - uber delicate and delectable! A tad pricey at $11.50 for 3 but worth it.
The service was very friendly and the soon to be wine sommelier knows his stuff.
Paying up front when you ordered at the counter also took the shine off the night a bit, but the staff were great and we did have a good night. Extra points for people watching!
Perhaps with their new wine list will also come EPTPOS.
Lets hope this is the first of many more dumpling bars for Sydney.
Overall rating: 6.5/10. BYO (for now). Cash only.
Price: $20 per head

Address: Address: Shop 6 / 23-31 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
More info at www.bamboodumplingbar.com.au

Dumpling King - Newtown

Great hand made prawn dumplings!

A funky little northern style eatery right amongst it on the busy King Street strip in Newtown. The highlight of both of my dining experiences is without a doubt the tasty handmade prawn dumplings (pictured). The salt & pepper squid was also a stand out. Avoid the Peking duck pancakes - the sauce wasn't right and best enjoyed in a Cantonese Chinese restaurant.
Overall rating - 7/10. BYO. Credit card.
Price: $20 per head

Address: 194 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
See more reviews on Eatability.

Night markets in Chinatown every Friday night!

Head on down to Friday night markets in Chinatowns Dixon Street. Wade your way through the hustle and bustle to check out food stalls, cheap fashion and niknaks under the stars. There's lots of pretty lights and you can try nibble on some handmade dumplings whilst picking up a few bargains! What better way to spend your Friday night!

From Friday 4th December 2009 - Friday 27 July 2010 - 4pm-11pm

Event website: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Image courtesy of Time Out Sydney