Just wow! This place beats a lot of the authentic Chinese restaurants I’ve been to, even those in China itself. Have no idea where the ‘tasteless’ reviews are coming from because the dishes here are flavourful and authentic. Service isn’t the best but that isn’t consequential. Cheap prices and really can’t beat the food. Highly recommend the xiao long bao and dumplings.
Awesome food. The staff here are not the friendliest, luckily the cost and quality makes up for it! Been here many times and will come again.
Vanessa (TheJumpingDumpling)
+4
Always come and visit this place when I’m craving dumplings (and low on cash :D ) Please note that this place gets RIDICULOUSLY crowded on the weekends or late evening and you might have to wait in a line to be seated. Pros: Amazingly low prices for dumplings and entrees. Generous portion sizes. Food tastes good and is flavourful. BYO Cons: Long waiting line on weekends and public holidays. Might be seated with loud and noisy groups and you can’t help it. On busy nights your food might take a...while... to arrive. Items we recommend:
•Pork and chives Dumplings (fried)
•Chicken and Prawn dumplings
•Prawn dumplings soup in chilli oil
•Fried Beef Dumplings
•Beef slices in chilli oil
•Shredded pork fried rice
•Chicken spicy strips (Schezwan)
•Diced chicken in Schezwan style sauce
First time coming here, the places offers high standard dumplings and food at really cheap prices. Will be back.
Ridiculously cheap and tasty dumplings. I could barely finish the one I ordered (pork and veg dumplings in chilli oil in soup. $8.90). BYO as well. Though, this manifested itself in a downside when I was there because we were put on the top floor with two large, rowdy groups, which left me with a headache after a while. Also would’ve liked the dumplings to be spicier. I could barely taste the chilli.
Of all the dumpling spots in Chinatown, this is one of my favourites because it's no frills and affordable but also offers a fun, lively atmosphere. Service can be a bit slow, but it's excusable when you're waiting on 16 steamed veggie dumplings for less than $10. The vegetable dishes also aren't bad.
The best dumplings in Melbourne, go here all the time. Super cheap and yummy
Had a really good time at this place. Food is cheap and tasty, fast service. Friendly waiters, really helpful when ordering. Highly recommended!
First time here with Uni friends. Waiters were friendly and helpful. Place was very busy on the weekend. So booking in advance is definitely recommended! Food was very good especially the pork dumplings. Big portions and cheap. Will be back!
Visited here on a Friday night. Great atmosphere, great dumplings. Especially the Chicken & Prawn and Pumpkin Cakes. Really had a good time here!
Ordered their fried duck with rice. Duck was crispy and tastes great. They xiaolongbao was not bad too.
Service was not great but didn't expect much from a chinese restaurant. Great value for money!
My favourite place to go for dumplings! Service is quick, the dumplings are cheap and delicious, and the fact you can BYO makes it the place to be every Friday and Saturday night. Highly recommend!
The Wandering Reviewer
+4
I needed rice for lunch so walking up Chinatown, there were too many choices. But Shanghai Village has a comprehensive menu out the front and the chicken with rice caught my eye. The interesting thing about these restaurants is they may not look like much outside but when I went inside it was packed with diners. At this was at 12.30pm on a Wednesday.
I was led upstairs to one of the few spare tables. Ordered the $9 chicken and rice with a drink - total cost $13.50.
Portion size was perfect and glad the waiter pointed out that the option was cheaper than ordering a main and rice.
Not wheelchair friendly as there are a few steps into the building. Pram and stroller would also be struggle as it's tight inside with so many tables.
Staff are extremely helpful. Takeaway available.
Dumplings (~$10/person)
⭐️ 3.5/5 ⭐️
🍴Very affordable and good variety of dumplings (including vegetarian options) at this cosy Chinese restaurant. The steamed dumplings ($8.80/15 pieces) had a yummy filling of pork & vegetables and were of substantial size, leaving us full and satisfied. The #xiaolongbao ($8.20/6 pieces) was also nicely done with a juicy pork filling and soup base. However, the dumpling skins were a bit too thick for our personal preference.
📍Shanghai Village Chinese Restaurant, 112 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I visited here with my partner for an early cheap Valentine's Day on 13.02.19. I have been here before with friends and it can get really noisy. We luckily were seated upstairs which was still a fair amount of noise but nothing like downstairs.
I ordered the Shanghai Fried Noodles with Diced Chicken, it was very soy sauced based and sometimes a bit too overwhelming. My partner ordered spicy chicken on rice and was pleased with the level of spice of the dish. We ordered pan fried pork dumplings to share.
Overall will return for the cheap eats and delicious food.
Better than the Empress. Free WiFi and they have the high ground. Their commitment to phone bookings despite customers arriving late resonates deep within my soul.
Cheap and Slightly Dingy. That’s how I like my Chinese dumpling restaurants. The less styling, the better the food! Try this devour worthy place and bring friends. Highly recommend the pumpkin cakes 🤤 I wish they did uber eats they’d make a killing (claiming 10% for this idea) Also a good tip BYO alcohol, its allowed and there’s a liquor store next door. This place can hold a lot of people, we had 25 of us last night but get in early the locals know this place all too well😁
+ cheap, authentic delicious food, can cater for large groups, byo alcohol, location and speedy service
- decor outdated, language barrier for service (but easy enough)
Came here with a group of 6. Food was great. Services were not exceptional but very friendly. Highly recommend chicken & prawn dumplings, salt and pepper squid, snow pea shoots with garlic. Food came out hot and fast. Definitely come back again.
Came here last thursday because we were drawn in by the architecture ♡_♡ really looks like those western buildings in shanghai china. Got a seat straight away and ordered the sichuan sauce noodle with minced pork, sliced pork with garlic chilli sauce noodle soup, and pumpkin pastry. Very satisfied with our food, although thought the pumpkin pastries would be bigger. They also have self serve hot tea (free). I liked the old and historic looking interior. But I think the toilets need to be updated. Overall, nice experience.
Went here with a group of 8 mates for a catch up it’s great that it’s byo. Was very busy so if there is a few of you going make sure you make a booking.food was pretty good and quick service and very cheap I can’t remember how many plates of food we got all I know it was heaps of food and the bill ended up being $210 so all in all a good cheap dumpling place to go.
Food: 4.5/5 Honestly fantastic dumplings and fried rice! We got so many of them because they were just that good that we couldn’t stop.
Service: 3.5/5 The service was a little scattered but they were really busy so you could tell they were stressed.
Aesthetic: 4/5 It has a nice little vibe to it, some of the tables are a little close together.
Price: 4/5 Compared to many of the places up this street it is very reasonably priced for the quality of food you receive.
This place is an institution in China Town. And on a Thursday night it was packed, despite being only half an hour before their advertised closing time. It was pretty noisy and super hot and sweaty - but definitely helps enhance the 'Asian' feel of the place!
The menu sounds pretty authentic, the prices are great and the dishes were all delicious - the fried pancake with spring onion ($4.20), pan-fried pork and vegetable dumplings ($7.80) and curry beef soup ($5.50)
I will definitely go back to try more of the menu :)
Some of the best dumplings I've had. Worth the wait. They get people in and out fairly quickly so don't be put off by the line. You can't go wrong with the steamed or fried vegetable dumplings. The soup dumplings are also amazing (how on earth they get so much liquid in one dumpling is beyond me). Very much no frills so don't expect too much from this place except for great dumplings!
I have been here a few times now and have always found the same things:
- the dumplings are tasty and easy to eat
- the service is fast and seating is efficient
- the nature of BYO means it is a lot cheaper to drink in the city alongside a decent Chinese, especially in preparation for a big night out
A couple of small things to look out for are that it is a small space so it tends to feel a bit claustrophobic, the toilet is very small and was pitch black last time I went as the light wasn’t working.
This place is definitely worth checking out if you’re in a Chinatown and looking for a decently priced feed!
Yummy dumplings! relaxed casual dining with byo. Great atmosphere for cheap yummy dinner out with friends and a few drinks..................
Stock standard Chinese. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. The space is dark and plainly fitted out and furnished. Nothing notable about it except that it has a very traditional looking street entrance. No issue with these things if you’re just here for a quick bite as I was. It’s all about the food. I ordered prawns and broccoli with a side of rice. The dish was fine. Nicely cooked, nicely flavoured. The broccoli was just right with a little bit of hardness still there. The rice was fluffy and satisfying. The tiny prawns were good. My upstairs server was brisk, offhandedly pleasant and patently overworked. I think that’s because he seemed to be doing downstairs completely on his own too. I liked him. The restaurant delivered what I was after. For that it’s gets a 3.5, a credit.
If you’re hungry and looking for a cheap, no fuss feed then Chinatown is always a good option. Our dumplings were a big serving and came out fast. We had a booking for 14 people which they shoved two round tables together making it squishy and awkward to eat so I wouldn’t recommend for a group larger than 6.
Love this place! Although the styling is super outdated and quite dodgy looking, their dumplings are as authentic as you can get! Food is really nice, staff is really quick at taking order, serving food.. and kick you out too! It's so busy you really need to leave as soon as you finish your meal. It can get really loud, especially upstairs but that's ok, it's all part of the fun. If you're looking for a cheap, authentic Asian experience go there!
Had a long dinner and drinks here last night and ordered 1-2 plates of food at a time to pace ourselves! The dumplings were delicious, and the spring rolls were very tasty. 2 things that annoyed me - they didn't have any ice buckets to put wine in and the waitress trying to hurry us up so they could have the table. Overall, would recommend eating here and would definitely return.
Great authentic Asian dishes at very reasonable price. Good atmosphere and quick service. Could definitely improve their cleanliness but overall good dinner. Would recommend salt and pepper calamari and fried dumplings.
So busy! We cued in line for about 15 mins at 9pm and we're lucky to get in just in time before close with a table. There are so many young people here drinking grog and eating the yummy food.
Best salt and pepper squid!! Do yourself a favor and order this.
Our go to order every time and can no stray away- never disappoints
Salt & pepper squid
pan fried beef dumplings
chicken fried rice
Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce
steamed vegetarian (if we are really hungry)
YUMMMM
The cheapest prices for amazing dumplings and very good value mains as well! Perfect for BYO - no corkage fee as far as we were aware. Very quick service and didn't feel rushed out the door like at some of the other cheap Chinatown places. Highly recommended!
Every time I come to Melbourne we always meet up with friends at this dumpling place. From the outside it's not impressed but it's like a wonderland when you go inside. Great dumplings and great atmosphere.
Great place, especially for big groups and BYO alcohol. Their deep fried chicken with salt and pepper is amazing, and so are their dumpling options.
I advise to book before you go as the line gets so long out the front. Would be good to have the soy and vinegar labelled so I didn't put vinegar on my dumplings other than that super yum
Don't expect 5 star service!!! Expect cheap but delicious dumplings and Hong Kong style atmosphere. I bring every interstate visitor to Shanghai Village! Not one has been left disappointed. Highly recommend the juicy pork buns and spring onion pancake!
Found this place on a stumble back to hotel! Had a line to wait, they quickly got us 4 in on the upstairs area! If you can get past the very very basic interior, it's totally worth it! Food was amazing!!! Flavour plus! Absolutely love this place for a quick in and out bite!
Popped by here for lunch as i havent been in ages. I used to come here quite often. Not the cleanest of places but they serve up chinese style dumplings and food at bargain prices. I ordered the steamed chicken and prawn dumplings and the salt and pepper fish with noodle soup. They were both just as good as i could remember.
Our go to cheap eat in the city. Usually come here with a group of 4 or 5. Seating hasn't been an issue. Service is always quick. My most recent visit was Wednesday night before seeing a musical around the corner. I was by myself and seated on the third level. After all these years I had no idea there was a third level! I was in & out in 30min. Asahi was cold & dumpling noodle soup was hot. Huge serve for only $7.80! Recommend dumplings & green veg in oyster sauce to share.
Pretty good dumplings. Chilli wontons were good as were the pot stickers and xiao long bao unfortunately some of them were broken which is not good enough. The duck was full of bones and too hard too eat. Everything was very cheap as expected but if you are going out for dumplings head to hutong
I always see people lining up outside this place, and none of them are Chinese. What a mysterious spot! The inside looks like some vintage restaurant in the Western movie, but serving dumplings. The food is not bad, wroth to eat. And the price is cheaper than average. Perfect for pre drink eating since the price is good and the location is nice too.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes