When it comes to impressing a Melbourne foodie, the bar is high: but this three-hour, self-guided dumpling degustation, designed by MasterChef Australia winner Diana Chan, might just do it.
“Melbourne has such an incredible multicultural food scene, and the diversity of dumplings reflects that,” she says. “You can find everything from traditional Chinese and Cantonese dumplings to Japanese gyoza, Korean mandu, Nepalese momo and more, all done to an incredibly high standard. It’s a city where chefs celebrate tradition while also putting their own creative spin on classic dishes.
It’s the ultimate shortcut to some of Melbourne’s best dumplings. I’ve done all the research, taste testing and planning, so all you have to do is turn up hungry. You’ll discover incredible food, hear the stories behind the dishes, enjoy exclusive menu items and explore parts of Melbourne’s dining scene you might never have found on your own. Whether you’re a local or visiting the city, it’s an experience that celebrates why Melbourne is one of Australia’s great food destinations.”
Four restaurants, bountiful dishes and a few surprises along the way: here’s what to expect on this culinary journey.
Every dish has been taste-tested by Diana Chan
Melbourne’s Asian dining scene is immense, but someone else has done the homework for you here, fitting some of its highlights neatly into one outing. From no-fuss Chinatown go-tos to upmarket Asian fusion, the curated menu covers the whole spectrum of the Melbourne dumpling scene. Pillowy Xiaolongbao served traditionally in a bamboo basket, steamed or crispy and pan-fried, pork, beef or seafood: every bite has been chosen by Chan, the Malaysian-born winner of MasterChef Australia series 9, who recognises a good dumpling when she sees one.
“I wanted to make sure the tour had a great mix of styles, flavours and dumpling traditions, so every stop offers something different rather than feeling repetitive,” she says. “If I had to put a number on it, I’d say I tested around 10 restaurants.”
Her go-to dumpling? It’s a tough choice, but it has to be Xiaolongbao. “There’s something so satisfying about the delicate wrapper and that burst of hot, flavourful broth inside. But I also love a crispy pan-fried dumpling for the contrast in texture – you really can’t go wrong with either.”
Tables are reserved for you with menus unavailable to walk-in diners
There are some buzzy, hard-to-book restaurants in the mix, but you’ll be escorted past the queue to a table already set aside for you. Be sure to arrive hungry, as the servings of are plentiful: many of the off-menu dishes have been designed specially for this tour, so can’t be ordered by regular diners.
“There are a couple of dishes that have been created exclusively for this tour, so the only way to try them is by joining us,” she hints. “I wanted people to walk away feeling like they’d experienced something truly unique.”
You’ll get to try the famous Masterchef ‘laksa bomb’ dumplings
Made famous by another MasterChef Australia alum, Malaysian-born chef Junda Khoo of Ho Jiak, these flavour-packed parcels are created using a complex alchemy of more than 40 ingredients, designed to capture the taste of laksa in one bite. While laksa itself is notoriously filling, it’s a clever take to enjoy its flavour in a lighter way.
It’s a food tour made fun: you’ll self-navigate with a mobile guide
Unlike a regular food tour, there’s no need to keep up with the group, or try to follow what the host is saying on the move. You’ll take it at your own pace, with a digital guide providing walking directions, fun trivia, games and personal recommendations from Chan herself.
“It’s much more than just a list of restaurants,” she says. “I’ve packed it with my personal recommendations, hidden gems, ordering tips and foodie secrets that even a lot of locals don’t know about.”
