Auntie’s Dumpling @ Carnegie, VIC – The Local Favourite

Ever wanted to go to the local Chinese down the road and know exactly what to order?

Ever had that satisfaction of knowing that whatever you ordered would always turn up good?

Dumplings, noodles, dishes?

Everything would be exactly the same as you remembered. There would be no surprises.

The same grumpy cashier would always be the same grumpy cashier, although I did get a smile from her today. I think I need to get myself a Powerball ticket

Of course, there’s no other place like this except for my famous neighbourhood aunty.

Auntie’s Dumplings to be exact.

It’s been open for a few years now, and I’ve been visiting its premises ever since it opened on a monthly basis at a minimum.

It’s quick, delicious and mighty affordable.

If you turn up past 6.30pm on any given night, you’ll have to enter the Battle of The Tables where there will be a fight to the death! (No, not really.) Usually there will be a steady queue curled into its tiny cramped entrance. It is usually filled with students and locals alike.

Strangely enough, even though we’ve been frequenting this joint since the very beginning, we haven’t been able to try everything as yet in the menu. But what we have tried, we’ve been very happy with, and hence we know it as the “safe options”. We love the ever so juicy and delicious, Shanghai Fried Pork Mini Buns – 5pcs ($7.50). Where, I’ve found the trick is to bite into the bottom just a little bit and suck up all the good pork broth within. It’s like a fried overgrown xiao long bao with a crispier texture.

We also have the old favourites. The deliciously crispy Fried Chicken and Prawn Dumplings – 10pcs ($8.30).

And the Fried Pork Dumplings – 15pcs ($8.30). Both of which I could happily eat a whole big serving of, right in front of the television whenever I buy take aways (or RAKE SWAYS for you Hannah!)

We’ve also tried to be healthy on more than one occasion and convinced ourselves to try the Boiled Chicken and Prawn Dumplings – 10pcs ($7.50). I wouldn’t go there unless you are particularly fond of boring tasteless dumpling skin.  I needed copious amounts of the delicious in-house chilli oil (which I suspect has dried anchovies/shrimp in them) to go through the whole plate.

There was also once when we tried the Steamed Shanghai Mini Pork Buns – 8pcs ($7.00) as we thought these would be quite similar to the XLB’s.

We were soon proven wrong. It was nice, but the dumpling skin was way too thick for my liking and I didn’t quite enjoy it as much as I have with the other dumplings.

Besides dumplings, we find that the dear old Aunty does quite a good rendition of Shanghai Fried Noodles ($7.80).

I really like the Fried Slice Rice Cake ($7.80) as well, which I find on occasions quite oily. But it really really fills the good old greasy oily Chinese meal I crave for sometimes. So no complaints there! The rice cakes are chewy in texture and goes well with the crunchy greens. Add a dollop of the in-house chilli and you’re good to go.

If you can stand super spicy food, then I would recommend the Dan-Dan Noodle with Spicy Pork Sauce (Dried) $7.50 as you are bound to have the SPICE factor turned on full blast!

Have I been adventurous enough to venture out of my safety net of dishes and try other things?

I can proudly say that I have! Today as a matter of fact. I’ve had the chance to try the two versions of noodle soups. One with braised belly pork and one with deep fried pork chops.

The broth was wonderfully flavoured with pickled salted vegetables, I was quite happy with the result

If you have the time, read Matt Preston’s review on Auntie’s Dumpling.

Auntie’s Dumpling will always be the local favourite dumpling/noodle joint just as long as they keep to their working formula.

*Disclaimer: All food ratings are purely based on my own experiences and how I feel about the service, food and quality at the time of visit

Food/ Cuisine: Shanghai (Chinese)
Dining Style: Restaurant
Overall Food Rating (Based on the Dining style): 7.5/10
Restaurant ambiance: 6/10 (It is cramped and it is noisy during peak times, but it’s the nature of the business)
Service/ Attitude: 5.5/10 (Service is really quite typical Chinese take away, which really means it’s non-existent or not when you expect it)
Value for money: 8/10

Address:
68 Koornang Rd
Carnegie VIC 3163

Tel: (03) 9568 6641

Auntie’s Dumpling is open
Monday, Thursday to Sunday from 11:00am to 9:30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm

How to get there: