Making this beautiful salad for the summer. 

Ingredients

• 200g chicken fillets
• 2 cup of (Chinese or Ordinary cabbage) finely shredded
• 1 carrots, peeled, cut into matchsticks
• 1 cup fresh Vietnamese mint, Thai Basil and Coriander
• 1/2 cup Vietnamese dressing (mix well 1/2 table spoon of fish sauce, 1/2 table spoon of rice vinegar, 1/4 limes and 1 table spoon of sugar, 2 table of hot water, 1 garlic clove -chopped and 1 small chilli chopped)
• 2 table spoons of roasted peanuts, chopped

Methods

1. Make dressing: Whisk lime juice, fish sauce, chilli and sugar together in a jug until sugar has dissolved.
2. Place chicken in a large saucepan. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover. Simmer, turning once, for 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from pan. Chill. Shred.
3. Place cabbage, carrot, mint, coriander and chicken in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with peanuts. Serve.

Eating Yu Sheng or Chinese New Year Prosperity Salad during the Chinese New Year is a cultural activity for Chinese residents in Singapore and Malaysia. To make the salad you will need over 20 ingredients and they are shredded white and green radish and carrots, ginger slices, onion slices, crushed peanuts, pomelo, pepper, essence of chicken, oil, salt, vinegar, sugar and more. 

If you’ve wondered how to make homemade ramen noodles, there’s a simple to make ramen noodles from scratch. You will need some plain flour, egg, salt, soda and some water. 

A Christmas lunch with all the trimmings can be a daunting prospect for many home cooks, sending them into panic mode leading up closer to the 25th December lunch for their family. The idea of working over a baking oven might be less than appealing for many, as Australia starts heat up during Summer sun and your thoughts of visiting a pool while refresher. Take the stress out of Christmas Day and opt to make fresher, healthier and simpler affairs. However you choose to celebrate, the most important aspect is spending time with family, loved ones and friends.

Here’s a few ideas on how to have a great Christmas Lunch.

ENTREE

• Selection of Seafood
• Vietnamese Summer Rolls
• Selection of BBQ skewers

MAIN

• Cold Turkey Salad
• Thai Beef Salad
• Glazed Ham and Asian Apple Salad
• Japanese Cold Soba Noodle 

DESSERT

• Mango and Sticky Rice
• Palova, Cream, Berries and Kiwi
• Summer Fruit With Coconut 

Melbourne is a food lover’s paradise, and dumplings are one of the city’s most beloved dishes. Whether you're after soup-filled xiao long bao, crispy pan-fried potstickers, or creative vegan options, there’s no shortage of incredible dumpling destinations across Melbourne. Here’s your ultimate guide to where to find the best dumplings in town.

Chinatown & City Classics

HuTong Dumpling Bar – Melbourne CBD

Address: 14-16 Market Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
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HuTong is a must-visit for traditional Shanghai-style dumplings. Their xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are some of the best in town, known for their delicate wrappers and rich, flavorful broth.

Must-try: Xiao Long Bao, Spicy Wontons

Shanghai Street – CBD

Address: 146 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
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This casual eatery is always packed, and for good reason. With handmade dumplings and quick service, it’s perfect for a tasty lunch or a late-night snack.

Must-try: Fried Pork Buns, Chicken Dumplings

Dumplings Plus – Swanston Street

Address: 269 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
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Located conveniently near Melbourne Central, Dumplings Plus is ideal for a quick, filling meal. Their handmade dumplings are served with a range of dipping sauces and sides.

Must-try: Chicken & Prawn Dumplings, Chilli Oil Wontons

Modern & Stylish Dumplings

New Shanghai – Emporium

Address: Emporium Melbourne, Shop 323, 287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
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New Shanghai offers a more upscale dumpling experience with vibrant, colourful dishes and beautiful presentation. It’s a great place to explore more adventurous dumpling flavours.

Must-try: Rainbow Dumplings, Crab Xiao Long Bao

Supernormal – Flinders Lane

Address: 180 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
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For a modern fusion take on Asian classics, Supernormal delivers a premium dining experience. Their signature lobster dumplings are a highlight and perfect for special occasions.

Must-try: Lobster & Prawn Dumplings, Pork Bao

Vegan & Gluten-Free Friendly

Vegie Tribe – Carlton

Address: 123 Swanston St (enter via Little Lonsdale), Melbourne VIC 3000
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This plant-based buffet includes an impressive selection of vegan dumplings. Their dumplings are packed with flavour, using tofu, mushrooms, and herbs to create satisfying fillings.

Must-try: Vegan Tofu Dumplings, Mushroom Dumplings

Loving Hut – Richmond

Address: 10/242 Victoria St, Richmond VIC 3121
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Loving Hut is a fully vegan restaurant with a variety of gluten-free options. Their dumplings are handmade and filled with fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Must-try: Steamed Vegan Dumpling Platter

Make Your Own Dumplings

Otao Kitchen – Dumpling Cooking Class

Address: 393 Victoria St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
Visit Website

Want to try your hand at dumpling making? Otao Kitchen offers hands-on dumpling cooking classes in Richmond. Perfect for beginners, foodies, and team-building events, the classes cover techniques, folding styles, and recipes to take home.

What to Expect:

• Learn how to make and fold three types of dumplings

• All ingredients and equipment provided

• Enjoy a shared meal with drinks included

Honourable Mentions

• Juicy Bao – 178 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
  Juicy Bao

• Din Tai Fung – Emporium Melbourne, 287 Lonsdale St
  Din Tai Fung

Final Bites

Whether you're chasing traditional dumplings in Chinatown or discovering vegan takes on the classic, Melbourne’s dumpling offerings are diverse and delicious. Better yet, take the experience home by learning to make your own. The next time you’re planning a night out—or in—let dumplings be the star.

If you have a favourite dumpling spot that should be on this list, let us know. We’re always happy to discover more places to eat well in Melbourne.

If you've mastered classic French tarts to Australia Palova, perhaps it's time to add some new flavours into your dessert. From Vietnam to Japan and Thailand, traditional Asian desserts are as varied as the cultures and peoples from which they come. With the former, a diversity of Japanese and Japanese cultures has yielded a wealth of ingredients used in desserts such as mochi, glutinous rice, and red beans. In the canon of Thai desserts, find a complex array of confectionary building blocks that range from pandan to cassava root and coconut.

It would be overwhelming to try to master such a vast collection of cuisines, but we've rounded out some of our favourites to help you get a taste. From Thailand's khanom chan to a Vietnamese ca phe sua  inspired ice cream and a Japanese mochi, here are some of the best Asian dessert recipes to try this weekend.