A visit to Dumpling Mama is definitely a case of don't judge a book by it's cover. This unassuming little spot in Oakleigh has some of the best dumplings that I have ever had, and trust me, I've had a lot. Dumpling Mama is more of a take away place, but there are a couple of tables, and the family who run this restaurant will make you feel welcome. We aren't really here to talk about the decor though, as the food will do all the talking.

The menu basically covers dumplings, spring rolls, and a few rice and noodle dishes. We couldn't wait to dive in as the smells coming from the kitchen were amazing, and watching Mama make the dumplings was fun. Our spring rolls arrived piping hot, and were a generous size. Plenty of tasty filling made these a fantastic start, and the selection of dipping sauces and vinegars were a great balance.

We decided on fried dumplings, and selected pork and chicken and prawn. Wow!! Each plate of dumplings was huge, with the perfect dumplings all joined with a crispy web. So pretty and enticing. The dumplings themselves were so full of flavour and beautifully formed. It's evident that years of practice have perfected the craft, as each pillow of goodness was almost identical. I loved both flavours, and particularly enjoyed the chilli oil as a dipping sauce, as it was very spicy and hot.

We also chose to have the special fried rice and a tofu noodles, and these simple dishes also delivered excellent flavour and texture. Many fried rice that I have tried have been bland, dry and overcooked; but the fried rice at Dumpling Mama was just perfect. Loads of meat and veggies added to the rice, and it was definitely a flavour bomb. The noodles were completely different in texture. Glossy and silky smooth, with again, an abundance of veggies and tofu; the sauce coating the noodles was superb. This epic feast was absolutely delicious, and so generous in size that we happily took a heap home in doggy bags.

The hospitality at Dumpling Mama is second to none. It is clear that the family here love what they do, and they serve up their amazing food with lots of passion. The freshness and quality of the dishes here is outstanding, and you will be hard pressed to find better dumplings in the area. I can't wait to return for more of these delicious parcels of goodness.