The best thing about living in multicultural Sydney is the multicultural food.
Sydney offers food from almost every continent. Better yet, it's available from multiple establishments meaning that hunting out the best is an achievable past time. Current mission: dumplings.
Dumpling restaurants are popping up all over Sydney, providing for a cheap and authentic culinary experience. These restaurants offer an array of dumplings and other Asian treasures such as wontons, noodles and soup (or all three at once).
The current top three, in my books, are the established Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung, the understated Chinese Noodle House and the newly opened Chef's Gallery.
Din Tai Fung, the only one of its kind in Sydney, is situated in World Square. Come any night of the week and expect a long wait. My last visit on a Saturday evening saw me waiting outside for an hour and thirty minutes. On a positive note, Din Tai Fung delivers on its promise to have your food at your table in three minutes. Aside from the different varieties of dumplings, you'll find drunken chicken, a dish made famous by Masterchef's Alvin, on the menu. Furthermore, for dumpling newbies each table at Din Tai Fung houses an illustrated guide on how to eat dumplings.
The Chinese Noodle House, situated at 8 Quay Street Haymarket, offers equally delicious dumplings at ridiculously low prices. (Say around $8.80 for 12). The Chinese Noodle House embodies that old maxim "don't judge a book by its cover" - don't be put off by the dingy interior. The shredded pork pancakes are an absolute must-try.
The Chef's Gallery, sister restaurant to Din Tai Fung, has just opened on George Street near Town Hall and around the corner from KFC. The Chef's Gallery's menu bears not only delectable dumplings but the self-proclaimed (and I agree) must-try three egg fried rice (chicken, duck and century egg). I also spied some patrons on the next table eating a pork-bun style dessert decorated with tiny yet impeccable pink pig features. Try and get a seat near the "chef's gallery" where you can watch the talented chefs at work.
So the next time you're undecided on what to get for dinner, lunch or even afternoon tea, be adventurous and go get some dumplings.
