Review Bowl Bowl Dumpling - Collingwood

Bowl Bowl is our go-to in Collingwood. Not only are their traditional recipes consistently excellent (our faves are Shanghai noodles, chicken fried rice), we are always impressed by their "fusion" offerings. Shoutout in particular to the "Chitalian" dumpling and the squid ink honey fried chicken. I don't know came up with this stuff but I'm sure glad they did. Service is lovely and the space is also super comfy, try to nab a seat in the beer garden out the back if able.

WOW. Just WOW. Vegan flavour BOMB! I can't even explain how insanely delicious this food was. The chili oil is magnificent also! Get the dumplings and the fried rice. Very unique kind of fried rice- so fresh, packed with flavour and different kinds if vegetables. Thanks heaps!

Love the restaurant ambiance and food here! Lush plant of decor and stunned courtyard with refreshing space(next time Imma bring groups to here). The brisket beef noodles I’ve ordered is amazing, specifically spices can smell it from the soup and the briskets(spot light in my heart) is softer, tender and wasn’t need to chewy too much(it’s mean the briskets are positive like melted on your tongue) I believe they’ve been spending well time for make its delicious! Definitely will back again! Btw, try theirs handmade chili oil if you like have a hit. No disappoint!

Delicious food and drinks, lovely service and great atmosphere. Pricing is alright, could be better but the food is amazing. The staff here are so lovely too, they make you feel like a part of the family!

A very cute & warm place. Preference would be backyard seating, the ambiance is really nice and cute. Food and service were excellent. Tried the Lamb ribs, Mongolian beef shared platter, beef brisket noodle soup, chitalian & chicky prawns.

Waiter 30 mins for these… not authentic Sichuan flavour at all. If you like Panda Express kind of Chinese food, this is heaven for you…. Way too sweet and over priced. The staff was not nice as well.

The food was sensational! The chef was so nice and agreed to cook me the old fashioned Cumin Beef which is now no longer on the menu just for me today and it was so good ! Missed it for a long time. The Dry Dan Dan noodle plus some DIY sauces from the table was amazing as well !

The food is fantastic my partner and I ordered the dumplings. The ambiance is quirky, very Smith Street, love the Women's Weekly cookbooks on the shelves. The menu isn't huge but whatever we boarded from here is always delicious.

We ate lunch there on the way home from a weekend in the city. It was my 2nd time but l just a small snack last time which is why l returned, l wanted to try more. My husband and l had only a light tea at the football Saturday night and no breakfast that morning so we were hungry. The lovely polite staff were so helpful we ordered the Siung Chui bow or lettuce cups, the boiled signature dumplings the salt and pepper calamari and the sassy spring rolls OMG all were so delicious we went and ordered more this time the duck spring rolls and another lettuce cups yum yum my husband of course didn't stop there he went on to the dumpling dessert which he has never had before, l think he could have licked the bowl it was so delicious. A couple of wines and a coffee later we said our goodbyes fully satisfied with our choices (with the staff help) and the flavours. Bowl Bowl is a hidden gem the food, service, chef and staff were amazing! Do yourself a favour. Thanks

The food at Bowl Bowl is fantastic. It’s delicious beautifully presented and the menu not too big that you can’t make a decision. We arrived last night and after a mix up with our online booking the staff were very accommodating. They are courteous efficient and friendly. We have been here many times and always recommend it too our friends if they are going to be in town.

This has become a favourite!!!. Food is awesome, the staff exceptional and welcoming. Highly recommend the salt and pepper squid and chitalian dumplings for sure.!! Go. Enjoy. Dine well...!

The food was just amazing! We had the platter and all different kinds of dumplings they do, and 4 different beers and pale ales ... I'm gonna go again and again, and again!

Great food, very friendly and professional staff, on Smith Street so an awesome vibe. What more could you ask for? Highly recommend this place.

Delicious food and great service, even BYO wine from the shop across the road ;-) 10/10

� my Bowl Bowl. The food, environment and feel of the place is friendly-fantastic. Great staff and the owner Qin is just a total legend who's created an outstanding dining experience :)

I enjoyed a delicious meal, all the staff were beautiful, attentive & went out of their way to accommodate.. delish! Excellent on all levels!

The service was absolutely great friendly and a happy atmosphere. The food was also presented well and very tasty recommend a visit

Amazing food you must go. Beautiful food served by friendly staff

Great food and service. Purchased their home made jar of spicy sauce. Delicious! Will definitely return. �

We just popped into this gem of a place tonight! 8pm on a Saturday night, no reservation and got a table for 6. We shared some of the sharing plates and a lot of dumplings! My favourite was the prawn and scallop but they were all delicious � Lovely service and atmosphere, will definitely go back. Thanks for a lovely evening �

First time there, excellent food. Great, friendly staff. Wonderful atmosphere.

Second time being here, the foods are very nice, specially dumplings. Nice setup restaurant and friendly staff.

Good food but aggresive staff member pit a dampner on the evening

I had The Signature dumpling and the Chitalian dumpling. The signature was AMAZING! My meal was so awesome I'll be back for sure! Service was great, very helpful staff. Clean restaurant, fast and fresh meals.

Best damn dumplings I've had in a very long time. I'm addicted to their signature dumplings with it's delicious chili and nut and good things topping. Yum!

My favorite dumpling place outside of Footscray and the CBD with a little bit more style and friendly and attentive service. I haven't wanted to let out this little gem of a secret because I love that I can just walk in and don't need a reservation.

I got some take away from here. Initially the service was friendly and welcoming.<br/><br/>But unfortunately the dumplings weren't very good. <br/><br/>I ordered some vegetarian dumplings, some chicken dumplings and some pork dumplings. <br/><br/>The dumplings had little filling, and the dumplings skin was thick and gluggy and they were difficult to eat.<br/><br/>I didnt like any of them to be honest. There wasn't much flavour with the dumplings and all I could taste was dumpling skin. <br/><br/>Additionally I ordered some vegetarian fried rice and this was average. And for almost $17 it didn't represent good value. <br/><br/>Disappointing overall.

Bowl Bowl is a little dumpling restaurant in Collingwood with lots of character. The mismatched colourful plating and wooden tables make this space unique. They have lots of Asian fare but specialise in dumplings. They even have vegetarian dumplings and gluten free ones too. Bowl Bowl - chilli chicken

Omgness Bowl bowl Dumpling is such a great place to hang and have a meal at. If you are ever in the area I would highly recommend a visit. <br/><br/>We ordered a not realising how much food we wouold get, we ended with a feast. The dishes may look very simple however the flavours are so well combined. I would highly recommend ordering some drinks with your meals. The cocktails were incredible. I would come back just for drinks! Although the food was just as good.

Amazing place for Sichuan food. We loved the duck pancakes, the dan dan noodles and the cocktails. Large selection of drinks on offer and some yummy veggie options!

I really miss visiting Bowl Bowl every week for lunch with my ex colleagues! Ever since I moved jobs, I haven’t had the chance to revisit 😊 I randomly found Bowl Bowl a few years without knowing the chef had previously trained at Silks. So glad I was able to go back with my girlfriend a few weeks ago! Everything was just as delicious as I remember it to be, but if you go, please do yourself a favour and order the wonton volcano in that warm and inviting soup and load of spring onion. We also tried a few new dishes such as the crispy egg plant chips and also double cooked pork which were both amazing and great for sharing. We then finished the night with some sesame and green tea mochi!<br/>Honestly could not recommend Bowl Bowl enough if you’re in the Collingwood area and looking for a place for authentic Chinese food with family and friends!

Bowl Bowl is vibrant and cheerful restaurant located in Collingwood. Their menu serves up a range of innovative Sichuan cuisine that's perfect for sharing. The dumplings here are especially worth trying out!

Signature dumplings are the best in Melbourne without a doubt!

Came for lunch on a weekday, was greeted and seated by staff. My parents and I selected the fried chicken and dumpling dish.<br/>Items came out around ~30min, quite standard for fried chicken dishes, however the dish was presented to me incomplete; <br/>- fried chicken strips with squid ink honey and whipped cream with a salad side of lettuce and avocado <br/><br/>As my image shows the avocado and lettuce was lacking, it was halfway through the meal which the rest of the dish was served. As a restaurant with a rather high rating I would have expected more organisation in ensuring the dish is complete before serving to the customer, and ensuring all stock availability when opening the restaurant for the day. <br/><br/>The Chicken tasted great, personally I was not too keen on the dumplings itself, however the sauce that it is supplied with has a very intriguing flavour and quality, which is interesting to try, this being my parents quite enjoyed them.

Love the signature dumplings. A really good atmosphere. Service was really quick. Our vegetarian friends didn't love there's as much however I enjoyed everything!

We came here after a very disappointing meal and was so impressed by their signature dan dan noodle! The soup was so flavoursome , a combo of spicy sour and salty and sweet - to die for! The dumplings were delicious too but not crispy enough

Came here with a big group, bowl bowl was very accommodating in making sure that food was only served when everyone was there and also accommodating dietaries. The set menu had huge portions - the food literally kept coming and coming but unfortunately the dumplings were very average (Shanghai street dumplings in the city do wayyy better dumplings!)<br/><br/>However, I definitely recommend this place for people who don't eat Asian food very often, as it's a tasty introduction to the cusine.

Have been there for many times. Best Dumpling in town! Lovely stuff, relaxing environment, and beautiful meals. So proud to be a Chinese and Sichuan-ness!

I’ve been here few weeks ago when raining and i saw this shop on the just street. It was so cold and need to some warm soup. Actually I didn’t expect this shop that nice or good taste but, This shop ramen was too good ever. Will be there with my partner coz really nice soup. ! Thanks bowl bowl staffs !

Saw some photos of this place few days ago, didn’t know they have two outlets next to each other. The one with backyard and garden is the newer one. But we went to the old shop, foods were really good, a little bit too salty to my liking though. Overall nice restaurant, good authentic Chinese food, a good place to have some drinks with the snacks and dumplings.

Confession: I’d tried Bowl Bowl once before and didn’t rate it, but had since heard from two different friendship groups that I had simply mis-ordered, which convinced me to give it another shot. Sadly, my opinion has not changed.

The signature dumplings were perfectly delicious- a must have. The chicken and prawn ones were also gorgeous; well balanced with whole large prawns in each. The wontons were also very good but did not blow my mind- the dish was not spicy enough! The Chinese broccoli was lovely but it’s the same in every Sichuan restaurant (which is not a bad thing!) and on the expensive side. Overall excellent, would come back.

Love the plates used at this place with beautiful varieties of birds.<br/>Tried the vegan Shanghai noodles and very veggie dumplings. Noodles were good with a few pieces of tofu. The dumplings were quite unusual with different beans inside which overpowered other ingredients. They tasted freshly made.<br/>Quite dim inside.<br/>Waiter wasn’t happy when we didn’t order any drinks to go with the meal...

Bowl bowl dumplings on Smith street. It is a very interesting Chinese fusion street food restaurant served traditional Chinese dumplings and ramen, fried dishes. I ordered the spicy beef brisket noodle. Smells like the authentic Sichuan cuisine but taste the broth was a bit weak. Kind of similar but fusion with Modern Australia style. Still not bad for a lunch and interesting place to dine in.

I've been here three times now and I haven't been disappointed! Highly recommend ordering the red hot cow dumplings, salt and pepper squid and the spring rolls!

A regular favourite for us. Excellent. Tried the function room just up the road as there was 7 of us last night. Same quality food and friendly service.

Whoa hold up this place dishes up amazing handmade dumplings and Classic Chinese dishes, and is set in the actual cutest backdrop of pretty china platters and prints? <br/><br/>Definite yes. The dumplings were all delish and perfectly made, the fried eggplant dish was so crisp and the sauce perfection! <br/>Cannot wait to come back! <br/><br/>Bit on the pricier side but quality begets quality 💙

I’ve tried dumplings in every hype dumpling restaurant in Melbourne, and whilst there are clearly some amazing dumplings out there, this is definitely the best and nobody barely talks about it.

It’s no surprise that the best dishes we sampled at Bowl Bowl Dumplings were, well, the dumplings. While their mains weren’t bad by any standard, the dumplings certainly stood out and most definitely should not be missed!<br/>It’s often difficult to retain the traditional Chinese flavours when taking on a modern interpretation on aged-old staples like Dumplings. However Bowl Bowl has managed to pull it off, offering patrons a creative and delicious take on dumplings that still manage to pay homage to China.

Smith Street, Collingwood is a food lover’s paradise. With so many good restaurants to choose from, it can be quite a confusing decision. That’s when I turn to fellow bloggers and sites like AGFG (Australian Good Food Guide), especially when trying out a place for the first time. And Bowl Bowl Dumpling was one such find, courtesy AGFG.

The kitchen is led by part owner and head chef Kun Fu who has an impressive resume working in kitchens since he was 17. Starting his culinary journey in his hometown of Chengdu, Sichuan in China, Fu studied and mastered many of the eight famous Chinese cuisines and has a resume including stints at some of Melbourne’s most respected restaurants with world-renowned chefs.

We came here for lunch on a Tuesday. The place started getting pretty busy after 12pm. I ordered 10 pieces of the signature dumplings. The dumplings were well made and the sauce that came with it was quite nice but it was a little too salty for me. I was extremely thirsty after the meal.

Still good but as this business has grown its lost a bit of its charm. Great dumlings (some new varities would be great). Reasonably fast and attentive service. Most likely you wont be dissaponinted. Its good value with signature dumplings a must order as is duck pancakes.

Average Chinese cuisine with quite reasonable price.. Salt and pepper tofu in a big portion only costs us $8.5.. not a bad choice when ur craving for some dumpling or noodles if live close by..

Food was way too spicy, to the point of mouth burning/tongue ulcers. It detracted from the enjoyment of the flavour of the foods. <br/>A little less spicy and I’m sure it would be enjoyed by more people. <br/>Dumplings were nice and service was good.

A good, authentic Chinese eatery in the northern suburbs isn't always easy to come by, but Bowl Bowl has tried to keep true to it's Sichuan roots while adding a modern flare. I was fortunate enough to be invited to sample their new sharing menu and it was fabulous!

This place is AMAZING! the food is superb! Very friendly staff! And the Dumplings.... omg DELICIOUS! Make sure to try the signature dumplings. Always soooo good! 🔝🔝

To be honest, paying $18.5 for a bowl of mediocre fried rice is a bit upsetting.<br/>Dumplings were okay but does not warrant the hype that I have heard from mates

mmmm, chicky prawn dumplings= amazing, could eat these every week. <br/>The wonton volcano's are full of flavour and bursting with chilli.  Quick service, great for a weekday work lunch. And a descent wine list to boot.

What a delight to be invited to Bowl Bowl dumpling last night. Located on bustling Smith st, there are actually two Bowl Bowl establishments within a few metres of one another. They serve the same menu but one has an outdoor area and a bit more of an extensive cocktail list. Depending on the type of atmosphere you prefer pick your destination. We started with a Sichuan blush cocktail which had a traditional liquor base with something like 50% alcohol. The waiter referred to as ‘Chinese vodka’ and it made for quite a delicious drink! <br/>Being a dumpling house we knew we had to try some dumplings. I chose the chitalian and the chicky prawn and took the waiters recommendation on which should be friend or boiled. The chicky prawn (boiled) had beautiful whole prawns inside and the chitalian was a bit of a take on Chinese Italian fusion with the addition of fennel. Something quite different and very tasty.<br/>The chef wanted us to try the street food platter which is a fantastic idea if you are sharing with friends or warning up with a few drinks. It features six dishes and changes weekly depending on the freshest ingredients in the kitchen. This was also a great opportunity to sample some more traditional fare. The waiter explained to us that while they do feature more commercialised Chinese food to cater to the masses they also want to showcase their culture with some really authentic Chinese dishes be it via a beautifully seasoned quail or duck liver both of which featured on our board. My favourite was actually the gorgeously silky tofu. I am not generally a tofu fan as I usually find it quite bland but this one packed a serious punch and presented just beautifully. Definitely keep the water on stand by for the ribs too!<br/>Next up duck spring rolls and salt and pepper calamari. My partner was loving the spring rolls and kept those to himself while I devoured the calamari. It was sensationally tender and insanely flavoursome with the most delicate of batters. I could have eaten buckets of it.<br/>By this stage we were already full but then out came the large plates. The eggplant was recommended and I’m glad it was for it was somehow perfectly crispy on the outside while managing to be super smooth on the inside and covered in a deliciously well balanced sauce. Luckily we’d had the foresight to ask for a smaller serve of Chinese broccoli as that arrived with both the honey chicken and the Mongolian beef. The Mongolian beef was sizzling and topped with a yummy sweet soy which was a bit of a respite from the spicier early dishes. <br/>The honey chicken was presented and composed differently to what the typical perception of this dish is. As detailed in the menu it’s strips of chicken with black honey sauce served with a side of lettuce and avocado and a whipped cream dipping sauce. I quite enjoyed this experience of compiling all the elements together and I appreciated the uniqueness of it too. <br/>Great location right by a tram stop and lovely interiors and supreme attention to detail right down to the pretty plates created a wonderful atmosphere. Definitely one to try the next time your craving Chinese, and don’t forget they offer so much more than dumplings!

This place is a must try if you’re in the area! We were spoilt for choice, even our newly vegan MBH foodie was delighted with what was on offer! <br/><br/>First off, the dumplings are a must. The different flavours mixed perfectly! Especially the ‘Chitalian’ We also tried the foodie adventure, Chicken Nirvana, the Very Veggie dumplings, among a few others! <br/><br/>Our favourite would have to be the double cooked pork dish, it blew us away 😱 <br/><br/>The customer service was top notch and really made us feel welcome, extra points! <br/><br/>Check out our photos, words alone can't explain just enough of the experience. <br/><br/>MBH approved!<br/><br/>P.S the function part of Bowl Bowl has that Brunswick feel and look, you can see the effort they have put in to this place.

Fantastic dumplings (especially the ‘signature’) and the manager Wy is very nice and funny. Other people in my office love the ‘salt and pepper tofu’ as well!

The first thing I noticed when we sat down at our table in Bowl Bowl dumpling restaurant was the beautiful plates they had for each customer. The sauces were placed neatly on a large elaborate dish in the center of the lazy susan, which looked much better than the corner stand normally found in other Asian restaurants. <br/>For starters we ordered the Sichuan hot and sour soup, which was delicious. The Street food platter came out next & that was amazing. All six dishes on the platter were tasty, full of flavour and lots of chilli. Pan fried Vegetarian dumplings were next, and that was quite disappointing. The filling was bland & dry. The dumpling skin was hard, not sure if it was over cooked. For mains, we had mapo tofu, Shanghainese noodles & yu Xiang eggplants. All main dishes were quite average. The eggplants looked a lot like eggplant chips & considering it was under Big Plate dish, the eggplant portion wasn’t big except for the size of the plate. I do recommend the house ice tea, it was very refreshing.

Great modern take on Chinese. Very delicious, Fresh, Flavourful. Just booked in again to give it a second go. Definitely worth checking out.

Some of the best dumplings in Melbourne. The signature boiled dumplings are unreal and hard to go past - highly recommend. Service is always great and staff are friendly.  its a must try in collingwood.

Finally got to try the dumplings at Bowl Bowl. They’re really good! I would recommend The Signature dumplings. If looking for a spicy dumpling I would recommend the Signature dumplings over their Wonton Volcano. Seriously they were not spicy!! <br/><br/>Red Hot Cow was good despite the dumplings being a different shape. The hot spicy sauce was good. Definitely try it.<br/><br/>The vegetarian dumplings aka The Very Veggie were not that good. Boring and plain. Weird having beans in a dumpling as well.<br/><br/>Customer service was good and I like that customers are rewarded with a 5% discount if they pay with cash.

Love dumplings? This is a perfect place for you! They are so fresh, tasty and full of flavour. Hits the spot every time! <br/><br/>Must haves: the signature, chicky prawn, water bomb & wonton volcano. They will not disappoint!

Pretty great new spot! Busy for a Thursday lunch so glad we booked. Varied menu has something for everyone and I’d love to come back to try more.<br/><br/>Dan dan noodles were not as spicy as I expected but very tasty (and a huge portion for $14). Fried egg was perfection and the addition of chilli oil really elevated. Chinese broccoli a perfect side and spring rolls were crispy and fresh.<br/><br/>Others at my table had dumplings and seemed pretty impressed, despite the higher then normal price tag. Fit out was nice, lazy Susan is awesome and I think they even have a sister restaurant too

Ordered through Uber Eats for lunch at work. <br/>Had <br/>- The Signature (yum! with that sauce!) <br/>- Volcano dumplings - yes!! the spice!!!<br/>- Pork and cabbage (cabbage was well seasoned and not just strands of non-descript vege in a dumpling)<br/>- chicken and prawn<br/>- Eggplant main - jam packed with flavour, everything a true eggplant lover would like, and more!<br/>Dumplings were still nice and warm when it arrived!<br/>I'm a regular Dumpling-eater, and these dumplings were all unique and tasty!<br/><br/>Will try in-store next

Excellent dumplings! <br/>This Sichuan street food restaurant is delicious 💕<br/>Great big range on the menu so it suits spicy lovers and non spicy people ~<br/>Recommend the street food platter if you’re a indecisive person like me or if you simply want to try more dishes, it comes in six small servings of different dishes so you can try more flavors.<br/>Excellent customer service too definitely recommend this restaurant 💕

Decor here is tres on point with pretty crockery, faded timber pallet tables and cosy low lighting.<br/><br/>It was a shame to start the meal on a bad note but our cumin beef arrived about 10 minutes before the other dishes and it was extremely salty! I'd recommend getting rice to go with this or asking the kitchen to go easy on the salt. Personally I won't be ordering this again as the actual beef was lacklustre and not tender. <br/><br/>Finally our dumplings and Singapore fried rice noodles arrived and we all tucked in, trying 2 or 3 of each kind. The pork ones were okay, although much better ones can be found all over Chinatown. The vegan green ones were too al dente for me, both in regards to the filling and pastry. The noodles were tasty and thankfully not outrageously coated in curry powder.<br/><br/>Would return to try other dishes and desserts; I felt the dishes we had didn't justify why this place is so busy all the time.

Very busy which was good to see and got our hopes up , however we were slightly disappointed. The dumplings we ordered were very dry and tasteless which we were upset about as this was the main reason why we went here. Would try and find another place to go to for dumplings, but might try again and order different food.

Bowl Bowl rocks (& I'm not normally into Chinese food)! Yummiest dumplings. The water bomb and volcano and the signature dumplings  as well as the pork buns were were super delicious. The tiger skin beans with pork mince are worthy trying - really interesting flavours.  The Kung Pao and the double cooked pork were also great. The guy who owns this place is a dude. Slightly pricier then your standard asian restaurant & no BYO - but it is also a cut above your standard.

Found the service at Bowl Bowl to be really good, with staff very attentive. Finally a place that has a gluten free dumpling option! My husband also loved his non gluten free dumplings & meal. Great local find.

I'd describe this place as a westernized Asian restaurant. The food and service was decent. The Mongolian beef is a must try, it's full of flavour and melts in your mouth. Dumplings and Singarporian noodles are good also but not the best I've had. All the food that was ordered were very presentable and eye-catching. The plates were really pretty, I wanted to bring one home and made eating the dishes more enjoyable haha! Decor and interior was spot on, very cozy and dim-lit, making the dining experience on a cold night satisfying.

Yummm!!! Delicious dumplings! They have some classics but some slightly different ones too which are definitely worth trying! Great cosy and busy atmosphere! EXCELLENT friendly and very helpful service! Can't wait to visit again! And it's BYOW! Win!

Incredibly delicious and seemingly healthy. I had a big bowl of dan dan noodles. Cant wait to go back and try the dumplings and more of their dishes.

I'm on bit of a run here with great eateries after another so wondering how long my luck will last :)<br/>This place didn't disappoint! The beef dumplings were fantastic and the sauce was a killer ! <br/>Very busy on a Saturday night so booking is a must. Service by all staff attentive and friendly. <br/>Place is a little small so it may feel a little cramped however it's not too noisy so you can easily chat to each other.

Really impressed by vegetarian pan fried dumplings from bowl bowl. I always try dumplings with cabbage and all veggies but at bowl bowl I had dumplings with chickpeas,beans, corn etc that was really awsome. Restaurant was busy and they served us also very well. <br/>Thank you Guys.

We stumbled across Bowl Bowl when visiting Collingwood and we were quite excited by the great dumpling menu. If Dumplings is not your thing the menu is extensive and there are many different options to eat. We shared some dumplings and they were really enjoyable, if you order one dumpling make sure you get the Signature Dumpling! It's finger licking good! Note: the staff are very friendly and helpful and overall the service is great. I will definitely come back to eat here next time I am in the area.

Just heard about this slightly fusionized dumpling restaurant in Collingwood and went to have dinner here tonight. Very busy but we were fortunate to have a table almost immediately. This was arranged efficiently by a staff member. While we were waiting for the table, other staff members approached us to make sure that we were being served. Good first impressions.<br/><br/>We ordered the BBQ Pork Bun to start and then 2 5pcs servings of their handmade dumplings. We got pan fried for both which were The Signature which is had pork and the Chitalian which featured chicken. As we were feeling hungry (or was it greedy) we ordered a large dish which was the Do-It-Youself Crispy Duck.<br/><br/>Overall the food was yummy. The BBQ Pork Buns had fluffy dough but I wish there was a little more of the BBQ pork stuffing. No complaints about the dumplings. The Do-It-Youself Crispy Duck was a little disappointing as the 'pancakes' were a little tough like its been steamed for too long and the duck skin wasn't very crispy.<br/><br/>I would return to try other dumplings one of these days.

Terrible service. Had to ask for water and drinks after sitting at the table for at least 20 minutes. Was given two wine glasses for a table for 5. Went with a group of people and ordered the shared menu and left feeling VERY hungry. The dumplings were delicious but there was nowhere near enough. Most of the food was tasty but as I said nowhere near enough food for the price. Hopefully they can improve on the amount of food they serve in a shared menu and their service.

The salt and pepper tofu is so good! the zesty noodle salad was also really really good! The service was also very good! Looking forward to coming here more often <br/><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/><br/><br/><br/><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/>

Went there on a girls night out. Didn't really know what we wanted and therefore got the waiter to suggest dishes. The dumplings were delicious. BUT its the Tiger Skin Beans I am going back there for. Arguable the best beans I have ever eaten , smokey, with crunchy pork simply yummmo.  Great service too!

For me everything was unfortunately just average. I got some of the pan fried dumplings and noodles with chicken. The dumpling's casing was a bit doughy and the effort from the pan was zero. Little bit of colour but no love at all. The filling was under seasoned and required a lot of soy sauce to lift it. Pity.<br/><br/>The noodles came in a broth with a sad lettuce leaf. I get the idea of adding green items to create colour and freshness but this leaf had no purpose. The noodles were over cooked. The broth was akin to the look of water you get from a tap on Adelaide. Cloudy and tasteless.<br/><br/>The chicken bowl had a pretty mild taste to it. When added to to the noodles they improved but the chicken got watered down. Caught between a chicken and a bowl of cloudy water. Not the end of the world but my hunger was limp. Like that lettuce leaf now that it had time to sit in the hot liquid.<br/><br/>Interior looked and felt better the further you went in. There is however a mish mash of seats and tables and not much attention to decoration. Staff are friendly. <br/><br/>I'll keep searching.

Delicious dumplings and wonton soup. We had as a takeaway and service was quick and friendly. We would define go back and try some more food.

harmony environment, friendly staff who gave detail explanation of the menu and good suggestion in food ordering!<br/>Excellent house made pork dumplings, unlike other dumplings that i have tried in the city, their dumplings are with thin skin and juicy meat stuff!<br/>The sauce of the noodle appertizer is great, the hint of sweetness brings down the spicy flavour, well balanced.

Shared a big amount of vegan dishes, love the menu. My favourite dish was probably the dumplings, eggplant dish and salt n pepper tofu. Will be back was all very yum!

Because of so many great reviews about this restaurant so decided to eat there last night. The things I have noticed is great the atmosphere, the friendly staffs and the food is just amazing. It's my first time so didn't know what to order but it turns every dish is great! The signature dumplings is my favourite!! Definitely be back to try other dishes!

Second time in this restaurant and must say the food  and presentation is still fantastic. <br/>The balance of the dumpling meat and tasty sauce make it to be the signature dish in Bowl Bowl.<br/>Street food platter (the chef's selection of four fresh dishes) is done to perfection, with  nice presentation and beautiful ingredients, a must try for all food lover!<br/>Eggplant, Kung Pao Chicken and sliced fish with pickles are also appetising.<br/>Plus the home made Sichuan Bloody Mary is amazing!!!.<br/>Highly recommended Chinese restaurant with exquisite cuisine on their menu!! Warm decor and friendly staff. A must try!!

I don't spend a lot of time down Smith St and I really don't know why as there always such a great vibe and good choice of eateries. We stumbled across Bowl Bowl and we were seated straight away.  The menu is extensive and there are many different options to eat.  We shared some dumplings and they were really enjoyable.  Will definitely come back to eat here next time I am in the area.

Been there a few days ago, the food was great especially the signature boil dumpling. It's the most unique dumpling I ever had, couldn't have it anywhere else. The floor staff was really friendly and professional. I would recommend anyone to come here with their friends and families to dine in.

Food was excellent, highly recommend you check this place out. We had the duck spring rolls and signature dumplings. We followed their recommendations and had the dumplings boiled with their special sauce - delicious! I will be returning.

came here for dinner at 9pm for dinner. the waiter was very helpful and recommended me with the right dishes that i wont feel guilty for and at the same time still enjoy the meal. <br/>ordered their signature steam dumpling with special sauce and the  deep fried chicky prawn. although i didn't particularly find the special sauce being spectacular , however it was very appetizing (due to the vinegar and peanut) and went very well with the steam dumpling. <br/>i dont like the chinese style fried dumplings as they are always very doughy and oily. however, the fried chicky prawn from here are not too bad. the dumpling skin is  not as thick and heavy.  this restaurant is more of a upmarket dumpling place so don't expect a cheap price. the food is definitely decent and the service is good.  will be back to try other dishes.

Loved this place. We were visiting Melbourne and some friends who lived locally invited us to dine the night before NYE. Fabulous service and amazing dumplings. Great value too. Would highly recommend to any dumpling lovers.

Not too bad of a little place on smith st. Xiao long bao was nice but not worth the price tag. The street food platter was ok. Waiter should have warned about levels of spice in certain things IMO. Yes its sichuan cuisine but some warning would be nice. Overall its ok.

Very good dinner here. Flavours that we don't usually find. Dumplings, tofu, cumin beef, fish with picked veggies. Very attentive staff. Splashed out and had four balls of exploding black sesame deliciousness for desert. Walnuts, honey and fermented rice - a real highlight.

I would like to say first off that Im alone in this review, everyone else I ate with really enjoyed this place. I was pretty excited to try 'fusion' hipster dumplings, figured it'll be a nice change from your standard chinese place. I was wrong. I mean the dumplings were ok, nothing amazing, definitely not better than the cheaper places, just more expensive. The water bombs, which were a fave, were the worst. There was barely any soup in it at all, honestly, have people been to hu tong? The chilly chicken was dry and coated so thickly in salt my mouth felt powdery, the calamari batter was too thick and the salt and pepper tofu was a joke, 4 tiny pieces for $6.5? And don't even get me started on corkage.

The food and service were excellent, and the decor was nice and fit in well with the area. Great to see an authentic Chinese restaurant opening in Collingwood! Make sure you try the signature dumplings and salt and pepper tofu.

We had about 30 minutes for a quick bite to eat before attending a course in Collingwood, luckily where we parked and where right opposite Bowl, Bowl Dumpling so went across.<br/>We had the Signature boiled dumplings, Sassy spring rolls and Spicy Chicken a drink of lemon lime and bitters and a coke. All up cost $30 we absolutely loved our food, the sauces were delicious we could not have been happier with our choices.<br/>Will even got out on time and will definitely be back. Very happy diners thanks to the happy helpful staff.

Sichuan fusion food, interesting, tasty, and elegant. The dumplings are my favourite, pork, beef, steamed, pan fried, paired with special dipping sauce, juicy and flavoured perfect. Yum. For mains, we had yuxiang eggplant, double cooked pork belly, and Kung Pao chicken, meat tender and sauce perfect with rice. Hmm, if only the servings were bigger... Haha

Very enjoyable dinner with fusion Sichuan style food. Staff were very friendly and dishes were well executeed. Traditional Sichuan food with a modern touch. Recommended.

The signature dumplings - exceptionally good. Full of flavour and crunchy peanuts on top. Perfect amount of chilli. Best dumplings this side of town!

We enjoyed it but have to admit, having heard so many positive plaudits, expected better. The food was generally very tasty but overgenerous use of soy left most of the food way, way over salted (ironically, the least salty food we had was the excellent salt & pepper chicken). Vast amounts of water were consumed both during the meal and at home to counter!<br/><br/>Duck spring rolls (fresh and tasty, two large per serve) and The Signature (boiled) dumplings (10 in total) to start followed by that salt & pepper chicken, Kung Pao Chicken & Crispy Green Bean mains with rice (3 people). It was the sauces accompanying the dumplings and Kung Pao that were the 'problem', even though they were at the time incredibly enjoyable. Sensible sized portions meant our order was more than enough without being overly excessive. With wine, $65 per person.

Great food, great atmosphere, great staff- this place truly checks all the boxes. <br/><br/>I often have lunch here, I'm a huge fan of the signature dumplings- make sure you order them boiled. They come in an amazing sauce- spicy, but not too hot, with crushed nuts. Absolutely amazing. I've tried several dishes and they have all been great, but the signature dumplings truly take the prize for the yummiest!!<br/>Very clean, tidy place. Lots of sauces available on each table if you wish to enhance the flavours of whatever it is you may have ordered.<br/><br/>I just wish they'd open a store in the city- there's NOWHERE in town that has dumplings this good! And, the prices are great too.

Bowl bowl has great dumplings for a reasonable price. The signature boiled dumplings and the water bombs are my absolute favourite. The waiters are also very helpful and friendly, always recognising their regular customers!!

Lovely and authentic dumplings place. Good xiao long bao and siomay, the former rich in its juices and the latter filled with flavor and plenty of bite. The signature dumplings were also fine, we chose it to be boiled. With the mix of small and large dishes that are becoming more prevalent in Asian restaurants these days, BBD managed to balance the need for a nibble or a full dinner well. The myriad of condiments provided (involving Mexican sauces, why not) were a welcome add and the service was friendly and prompt. A cute, fun place to eat.

Ordered the signature dumplings and the honey chicken. Although the skin of the dumplings were a bit too thick, the stuffing and the sauce were excellent. However, I was very disappointed by the chicken, it is just basically fried pieces of chicken with a bit of sauce based on honey and whipped cream (why!?), it was definitely not worth to pay $24 for this dish. Maybe we should have only ordered dumplings? Staff was really nice and friendly.

The signature boiled dumplings are the best dumplings I have had. I regular here just for these. The food is great here and is definitely a must try. $10 is a bit steep for corkage though.

Unique dumplings, this restaurant has! The other dishes such as the Zesty Noodles Salad and "Yu Xiang" Eggplant were okay, perhaps because I am not used to Sichuan food. In any case, great ambience and friendly staff you can encounter there!

I went here today for a friends birthday lunch! The food is delicious and super affordable. Most of us ended up getting the signature dumpling, which was a pork dumpling in a tasty sauce. We also got the chips, spring rolls and calamari to share. All were lovely but beware the chips do have a kick to them. Staff were friendly and helpful, offering recommendations and explaining the menu to us. The restaurant is super busy during peak times, so book or arrive a smidge early to get yourself a table.

Delicious dumplings well worth the extra 1 or 2 bux more when compared to a standard China man special dumpling house. They have special or recommended sauces that match each type of dumpling, what a treat!

I loved this place, I have visited twice now, this time I had wonton volcano for a quick lunch stop on a cold winter day. It really did warm my belly and is extremely satisfying... Before eating I thought I'd need to get some hot crinkle cut seasoned chips from next door after I had finished, but totally didn't.. Very yummy won tons, their skins bright yellow and soft so they melt in your mouth and the ample filling is delicious with the soupy spicy broth. Could go another bowl bowl now!! Next time I want to try the water bombs.. Sound deelish

Upon the dumplings arriving at our table, we had little time to take photos because we were already stuffing or faces with them! However, the fried signature dumplings are fantastic. You can really taste the individual ingredients that are used in the filing and they leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth like some other dumplings. The vege dumplings are full of the good stuff! I've never treated a vegetarian dumpling like those as the filings had ingredients you could see and recognise. It wasn't a pulverised paste which was fresh. We also had the water bombs and they are phenomenal. The dipping sauce pairs perfectly.

Wow! Live in the area. This is gem. Food is so well presented and tastes better than it looks. Will definitely be back. If you're looking for a quick easy dinner this is a must. YUM.

My fave dumplings in Melbourne! The Signature Bowl is amazing, such a perfectly blended mix of chilli, peanut flakes and sauces. My mouth is watering just thinking about them!

YUM! Came here for a friends birthday, we haven't been here before so we were at little nervous! Once the first bit of food hit our mouths the nerves went completely! Food was very delicious!

Loved it. Reasonably priced. Great food. Ideal location. I'll be a return customer for sure. How good are dumplings!?! Sitting out front with a bowl full of dumplings, an Asahi and the perfect location to people watch. Thumbs up.

We visited Bowl Bowl on Saturday night at 7pm, there were 7 of us out celebrating one of the group's birthday. Absolutely delighted with how the night went. Fantastic service, friendly staff, really good fresh tasty food! Our highlights were the Chitalian dumplings(which ironically we were not sure of ordering and turned out to be everyone's favourite!), Sri Lankan Chicken Curry and the Mongolian Beef. All of a really high standard and at very reasonable prices. There's a really great vibe in the restaurant with a nice size and perfect noise level. We will go back here soon that's for sure! Thank you so much for such a special night :)

Veggie dumplings and chitalian dumplings... DELICIOUS!! One of the best quality tasting dumplings I've had to date, I was very impressed. Service was nice and quick. I WILL BE BACK TO TRY THE REST OF THE MENU

This place you must try if you love dumplings! Volcano, pan fried and specialty dumpling dishes are standouts. Cumin beef as good as Dainty Sichuan. Kids loved fried spicy chicken and the house made pickles. We ordered heaps, it came out quick even though restaurant was busy and worth every cent. Food beautifully presented and staff friendly.

Went for dinner on a Saturday night with five friends and loved the food. Xiao long bao were delicious, as was the signature dumplings, Tiger beans and eggplant. Some mild dishes available for those who don't like spice, and some tasty ones with sichuan heat! Great service and nice place to relax and chat. Looking forward to coming back to explore more of the menu!

Fantastic place for a quick but excellent lunch. Had the chicken dumplings plus the pork and cabbage dumplings. Both were plump and full of filling. But the absolute best dish and probably the best dumplings I've eaten were the Specialty dumplings. If you order them boiled they come in a beautiful spicy sauce which went perfectly with the dumplings. Service was quick and friendly. Definitely recommended.

A nice little dumpling place in Collingwood. Came here straight after a disappointing dinner experience at pabu grill and sake for our 2nd dinner. Was so much better. Dumplings are juicy and tasty (water bombs) known also as xiao long bao. Happily come here again for dumplings as it's the only real dumpling place in Collingwood.

Not worth the visit, hit and miss. Burnt pot sticker dumplings, and under cooked dumplings. Very inconsistent quality. On one occasion the burnt pot sticker dumplings were inedible and when I complained to the waitress she just walked away and didn't return. On both of my visits there, I have left hungry.

Easily the best xiao long bao my partner and I have had in Melbourne! Waiter also kindly advised us to get their Signature boiled so it comes with their sichuan sauce. I would definitely recommend you to do the same! Don't worry, it wasn't as hot traditional as your traditional one so more can enjoy. <br/><br/>A bit pricier than your typical dumpling house, but the atmosphere, service and quality of food mean I can't wait to go again!

Nicely positioned among the trendy shop fronts and cafe eateries of Smith St Collingwood is Bowl Bowl Dumplings. Please correct me if I am wrong but I believe that Bowl Bowl Dumplings is the only place in Melbourne to get gluten free dumplings. If I am wrong; I would love to go somewhere else and try their rendition of a gluten free dumpling.

As visitors to, and lovers of Melbourne, our group was not disappointed with the Bowl Bowl experience! Just delicious, fresh food, friendly wait staff, great atmosphere... Yuuummm

Love this place! Small menu but every item is done to perfection! <br/>At the moment this is my favourite dumpling house. Plus the choice of dipping sauces is the best! Worth a visit or three.

Absolutely delicious dumplings and wonderful service. Have been in quite a few times and have not been disappointed once. Now our regular Collingwood dumpling haunt. Would recommend first time dumpling eaters and those with high standards, neither will be disappointed.

Good dumplings, with a smattering of non-dumpling dishes that are also pretty good. Nice fit-out, fast service if a little curt. Not a bad spot for dumplings, particularly as there are not many other places that serve this kind of food around Smith Street.

My family are fairly regular customers at Bowl Bowl, but we won't return. I took my 2 children for dumplings a few days ago. When the dumplings arrived they were extremely burnt. It was obvious as soon as the plate was placed on the table (see photo - these are the best of them). With small children you don't have much of a window so I asked for a knife to cut the burnt parts off. The waitress said she would do it and took the remaining dumplings to the kitchen, returned with them on a smaller plate and gave me a knife and fork. They were so burnt and chewy that we could not persevere and decided to leave. I told the owner that the dumplings were extremely burnt and unsatisfactory. She replied that a couple of larger groups had arrived for lunch without a booking and they had not be prepared for that (the place was not exactly full) and any other time she would have remade the dumplings. She then accepted the total amount of the bill - despite the dumplings being barely touched. Very unprofessional and disappointing. This is Melbourne - we are spoilt for choice....theres always another place to eat.

The eggplant dish was amazing, so soft and lovely ! Plus really nice vegetarian fried rice, salt and pepper tofu. Can't wait to go back again!

I had the tofu noodle soup on my visit, so can't comment on the dumplings, which are the staple of this place. The soup was ok, nothing special, but the rest of the group raved about the various kinds of dumplings they'd ordered. My gluten-free friend was particularly impressed by the options on offer, and goes back. The servings were large (with leftovers able to be packed) and service was quick, which makes for a decent lunch-time stop. All in all, I'll be back again for the dumplings but probably not the soup.

Fabulous food & service. Stumbled across this place on a Monday lunch time. Straight away met with fabulous service, our waitress was as excited if not more excited about the food than we were. Let me say if definitely didn't disappoint. If you live dumplings give this place a go

Love this place! The best chilli sauce dumplings EVER! So moorish and addictive. Also tried their new mango dessert, to die for. Everything is so so fresh and prices are very cheap. Definitely Smith St's hidden gem.

Some of the best dumplings I've had in melbourne - definitely try the original pork dumplings (boiled) - best secret sauce ever. The XLB rival Hutong AND they're BYO.. All up for more than we could fit in our bellies, it was $30 per head. Def coming back.

Best dumplings on smith street. Period. Good prices, friendly staff that are happy to serve you their great food. Try the original if it's you first time, mix it with a Jasmine infused tea and you'll be happy and warm even on a winters day

along the gertrude end of smith street, bowl bowl occupies a cosy shop front, fashioned to look like someone's living room. the boyf's roommate has been raving about this dumpling joint since they moved in. one quiet saturday night, we decided to pop in for a meal. . a beautifully set up and simple space, it was evident that the owners took pride in their little restaurant, with a warm and friendly atmosphere. this is definitely not your typical dirty dumpling joint, with multiple groups gathering for a casual meal.

We had dinner here after the Gertrude Street Projection festival and loved it. We had the dumplings which were super delicious, the squid which was battered and crunchy on the outside while tender on the inside and the spring rolls which were also delicious. So reasonably priced, we are soooo going back

The best dumplings in Melbourne! Period. The food is excellent! The dumplings are plump and full of flavour and the sauce and broth's are amazing. <br/>

We've eaten here a few times, and had take away a few more, and the food is always fantastic. Plentiful, cheap and delicious, the dumplings are perfectly cooked and arrive at your table swiftly.

I like it but.... Prices have def jumped in the last few weeks. So less "value" but still v good, ie better than Vic St dross. Cold chicken "tapas" was heaven on a plate. Will try more of these sharing plates next time

Great food.. Ate there last night. Not a huge menu but interesting and different. The dumplings were really good.<br/>Good wine list also and a relaxed place to dine. We will certainly return.

Stunning dumplings. Only slightly more expensive than cheap city dumplings but such a world of difference!! These dumplings are the best! Really delicious food and friendly service. Restaurant is beautifully decorated and has a lovely relaxed feel. Will definitely come back soon. xx

Yum town. Best dumplings I have had in melbs.<br/>number 1..<br/>signature dish all the way.

Loved this place but they have just doubled their prices. Fried rice $18.50. Seriously !!!

This place has some of the best dumplings I've tasted! They are so wonderfully clean and fresh. The bowl bowl dumplings are beautiful, the chicky prawn a great size and a nice surprise to see a whole little prawn inside. The volcano wontons seemed to be the overall favorite. Hard choice between the mango sago and green tea ice cream - both were delish! All served quickly and by friendly staff. A great find! I'm surprised it was not busier for Saturday lunch. Highly recommend supporting this little gem because there's not much else like it around the area. Looking forward to returning soon.

OMG GF Dumplings!!!!. There are two types of GF dumplings on the menu! They are so yummy!!!

Yes Sir!!!!. Smith St needed a stand out dumpling joint, this is it! The dumpling dish listed as dish number 1 on the menu is perfection - get it!!!

Best takeaway dumplings. After reading other reviews I decided to drop in for an easy takeaway... the Xiaolongbao are dangerously tasty, i could have easily gone two serves if i were eating in... the spring rolls were crunchy perfection... The restaurant is comfortable and cheerful and the staff are friendly and took the time to stop for a chat. Highly recommended!

Great food at good price. I got the 10 bowl bowl dumplings and vegetarian spring rolls for $16, I got takeaway and the dumplings were still fantastic, and the spring rolls were also great. Service was also very nice. Very strongly recomend visiting

Yum!! We went there on the weekend for a friends birthday and we all agreed that the dumplings were some of the best we have ever had. Super cheap, really delicious and the service was amazing.

The fillings are delicious but the dough of the dumplings could be thinner, if they are going to rival places like mama shandong. The bowl bowl fried rice is highly recommended. I will return. It's a great addition to Smith Street.<br/><br/>Updated in early-September 2015: the food is scrumptious as before but prices have gone up by about 30-50% since we were last here 7 months ago. I'm not sure how I feel about it. While the price level is about right for what the restaurant aspires to be (i.e. not your cheap and cheerful), such a huge price hike in such a short span of time verges on gauging.

Amazing food and friendly staff. Reasonably priced too. The head chef is an ex-chef from Silk at Crown!

Dropped in for a quick lunch at this new establishment. Service is very friendly and menu is small but with enough dishes to come back for another visit. Crisp and tasty spring rolls with lots of veggies and a good selection of condiments and dipping sauces on the table. We sampled a number of the dumplings which you can order pan fried or boiled in broth. The prawn and chicken were very tasty and excellent value at $12 for 10 but perhaps the dumpling wrapper was a little thicker than necessary. The highlight of our meal was the house signature Bowl Bowl pork and chive dumplings. These were delicious, juicy morsels of tasty seasoned pork wrapped in a thin, delicate dumpling wrapper which were perfectly cooked. We couldn't get enough. This place is destined to become popular if they keep food standards high and their prices low.

Do not miss this one. Our family just had lunch here and as much as it hurts me to say this because it will be harder to get a table, this place is a must to try out. <br/><br/>Dumplings (about $12 for 10) are tasty and made fresh daily. Best spring rolls you will ever have but the must have is the mini pork ginger buns. Sublime.<br/><br/>The owner Xin is very friendly, accomodating and the Chef is ex Silk at Crown. <br/><br/>Need i say more?<br/><br/>We had a great time. Thanks Xin and James is still raving about the green tea ice cream.

... We order tsingtao and glance over the menu which offers dumplings, noodles, a couple of rice dishes and spring rolls. It’s clear this isn’t your average dumpling joint with descriptions like ‘ chicken and fennel leaf with ginger juice, rice wine, Szechuan pepper, chicken stock ‘, floating about. The wontons in red-chilli sauce are first to arrive- delicate parcels of chicken mince, ginger and spring onion. A handful of baby spinach has been added to the bowl, redundantly in my opinion as they don’t add much to the dish. The wontons float in a chicken soup which is devoid of chilli despite the dish’s description on the menu, but adding a dollop of house-made chilli oil (don’t miss this, it’s delicious) does the trick...