Shanghai is a bustling little spot in Chinatown in Melbourne. Food is absolutely delicious. The line out front proves that. They have you pretty much write down your order while you are waiting in line so that service goes quickly. The pork belly with steamed buns is a must have. So good! I found the lamb cumin spiced noodles amazing as well. Don't think you can really go wrong here. read more

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Nice restaurant in chinatown and very busy even in late night. Looks like it is pretty well known restaurant. So many items on the menu. We ordered plenty dishes and food was ready pretty quickly. All the dishes are yummy. We left with tummy satisfied and full. As tips are not common, it is interesting to see the worker surprised and happy when we pave them the change. read more

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Food was okay. Service was fast. We were late arriving so we had to eat fast. The skin on the potsticker was thick.

Dinners be aware of multiple charge added to bill for dinning. First the place charge 10 percent extra on holidays snd weekends. 50 cents for boxes. And 2.5 percent extra for foreign credit cards. If all these charges were not added, I would say this place is wonderful except for line to get in. If you don't mind paying the charges noted above, the food is really. Very good flavors and freshly made! Note portions are large. read more

Shanghai Street - Chinese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Good Xiao long bao and other foods restaurant. Had pork and the pork and crab. Not as delicate as Din Tai Fung and low soup to filling ratio. Looks almost 50% crab in crab and pork version. Free self serve water and hot tea in back of restaurant. read more

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We actually found recommendation for this place on a blog and as visitors to the city, we thought we would give it a try. Chinatown is small but charming. We came later in the afternoon and I do believe they close at 3 PM so double check the time. As you review the menu, you will take the little slip of paper and write the menu item number and the quantity that you want. We opted for the xiao long bao, pork buns, beef noodle, pineapple, chicken fried rice, hot and sour soup and Kung pao chicken. We definitely over ordered. If you want water, there's a self-serve station in the back. We added a beer and two sodas. The soup dumplings were excellent. Very flavorful and had a delicious broth inside with a tender noodle on the outside. The fried rice was good, but lacked some flavor. We felt the hot and sour soup was good but not served hot in temperature and was rather spicy. The noodle dish was very good. The Kung pow chicken was also very good, fragrant and spicy. We were too full to enjoy all of the pork buns so we took them back to our hotel. They were excellent however. A very light and fluffy bun with a delicious pork mixture inside service was super friendly and helpful. It's a very casual environment with plenty of tables. There is a charge for takeout containers. We definitely would come back and try some other items as well. It was a good first experience in Melbourne Chinatown. read more

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We wandered around Shanghai Street looking for a special lunch. We found a modern, reasonable, cool & air conditioned restaurant. We ordered dumplings & beef with honey. Service was on point, lunch was delicious & portions were very generous. The restaurant is on the heart of Chinatown & we were the only non Chinese people dining here. read more

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This is the first place in Melbourne where we were impressed and satisfied with our meal. Shanghai Street is a popular spot for XLB's: it also has two other locations in the CBD district. We dropped in on a Tuesday evening (around 7:30pm) and the line wrapped around the corner. Luckily, they're a well oiled machine and have a great system. They give you menus in line and take your orders before you get seated. Line wasn't terrible, we waited about 20 minutes. The menu is massive but you only really need to focus on the XLB's and dumplings. - Stir fried green beans with minced pork and olive vegetables (#63) ($14.00 AUD) - green beans were tasty but the minced pork was really salty. A bit small for the price. - Noodle with spicy pork sauce (#76) ($9.80 AUD) - you can get it dry or in soup; we went with the former. Had a nice subtle spice level. Noodles were simple but good portion of pork and a few bok choy thrown in for good measure. - Pork, mushroom & shrimp wonton soup (#16) ($10.00 AUD for 12) - the wontons were fresh and filling was excellent. Soup pretty standard. - 2x Shanghai XLB (#1) ($11.80 AUD for 8) - these were pretty dang good. Juicy, good meat to skin ratio. - Homemade Shanghai mini fried pork buns ($10.80 AUD for 6) - be careful biting into these ones. Lots of soup inside and these came out piping hot. Good crispy bottom. Pork filling was a tad sweet. We were stuffed after our meal. Great spot for Shanghainese food. There's a reason there's a line on a weekday. read more

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We loved this place and would have returned for another meal had we stayed longer in Melbourne. The Yelp ratings are accurate and saw noodles being made as we approached the building. Lots of choices for noodles and dumplings with various fillings and cooking methods with many vegetarian options. Servers were friendly. read more

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Shanghai Street is one one those base dumpling places in Chinatown. We came an hour before they were closing on a Thursday night, and got a speedy service. They were sure about being prompt and our dining experience included warnings every now and then to order as soon as we knew what we wanted, and a ten minute warning that they'd be closing at nine. The staff was all really eager to close up shop. With that being said, the food arrived quick: salmon fried rice, fried pork dumplings, the Xiao Long Bao. With all of our time warnings, the second the food reached our table, we were all silently stuffing our faces. Tea and water is free at the self-serve station. Shanghai Street is a good place to come and satisfy your dumpling craves for cheap. We counted on it being open a little later than other restaurants in the CBD, as it is in Chinatown, but no matter. It was quick and fast service, and the food was all on point. So, l lately I've legit found myself craving their Shanghai Xiao Long Bao, twisted steamed vegetable dumplings. I'm sure that you can get them anywhere, but since the first time I tried them was at Shanghai Street, I'm kind of hooked. It's the tastiness of the veggies, it's all green in this broth, crunchy and softly wrapped in a beautiful twisted steamed dumpling. I didn't know these were a thing. But they are beautiful. Since I've been back a few times, I'll shout out to some other menu items, The red bean buns I like, they are so fluffy! The chicken and prawn was good, it is better fried versus steamed, but that's all up to you. The tofu is yummy too. Complete side note: I do like that the dumpling making is in the open for you to see. Makes me feel like they aren't hiding anything, and making dumplings appear out of thin air. Pro tip: And they usually have a cute line outside of people waiting to come in and dine, so watch out for their opening times. read more

Shanghai Street - Steamed pumpkin cakes - Chinese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

While we waited in a line outside the door and around the corner to get in, you have to wonder if the food here is that good or is the line due to the restaurant getting on some list of best of. The food as you can tell from the pictures was pretty good. Best of?? By the way as we left the line was still around the corner to get in. You should try it if you are in the area to make up your own mind. I've been here three times now so I will be coming back. read more

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I have been here many times over the years and even though it is very popular and busy, the service is very efficient. While we were in long line waiting outside the restaurant, the staff will bring each party a menu to pre order so once you are inside seated your order will be delivered. How great is that? I always recommend the Pork belly and the Dumplings, but every meal I have had is excellent. Water and Hot tea is self service. Great Shanghai food and service. read more

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Great value, great food. Fast but sometimes oblivious service you have to be bit loud or creative to get a attention. Pretty busy place during lunch/dinner hours. Come 30 minutes before or after rush hours and no need to wait in line. read more

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Um this is not xiao long bao by a long way. Dough is too thick and break easy. Inside is ok but not right either. It should smaller and more delicate. Honestly if they don't put xlb name on the menu then I wouldn't be so critical. Is there a din tai fung in Melbourne? I used to hate it while living in shanghai but it looks like it's the only safety net for xlb outside of china. The noodles so mushy in the other dish which I'm guessing is frozen lamb meat strips. Seriously everything so mediocre. Why are people lining up? read more

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I've just checked in for the 24th time. About time it became a 5 star review. Fun Fact - they do takeaway! $9.50 for 12 (I think) fried pork dumplings. Fantastic when you're feeling antisocial like I am right now :) read more

Shanghai Street - Watch the dumplings getting made while waiting for takeaway - Chinese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Wayyyyy too much MSG and too salty. I seriously don't know why there is a queue. The XLB was passable at best and their pan fried pork buns are chewy. Best to go to New Shanghai at the Emporium instead for those and if you want other dumplings, I would go to Shandong mama. Also ordered seafood fried rice where the "seafood" is fish tofu and crab sticks and a little bit of prawns. It's a bit of a joke really. read more

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Not sure why ppl line up for this. Can only speak to the crab XLB as that's all we ordered but it was mediocre. 2 of the 8 dumplings didn't even have soup/juice in them! Lots of crab meat in the dumplings though. read more

This is the more spacious of two Shanghai Street restaurants on Little Bourke St but you can still expect a line out the door at peak times. It's well organized though - someone will come out and give you a menu, then as soon as you put in your order you're in the queue for a table. This ensures that food arrives quickly and that they can turn over tables efficiently. (This isn't the place for a leisurely meal!) The food is delicious and affordable - xiao long bao are juicy and the fried dumplings are crispy. There's a wide variety of other non-dumpling dishes to choose from too. Be careful not to burn your tongue! Everything is perhaps slightly over seasoned - I was thirsty for hours after. But it's worth it! read more

Shanghai Street - Xiao long bao - Chinese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Excellent Kung Pao Shrimo!! Vegetarian XLB is ok. Not as juicy as it should be. Seafood fried house excellent as well as garlic butter prawns!! Worth the long wait in the que!! read more

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Somewhat overrated and the previous review with the MSG is absolutely on point. The line outside gives the appearance that there is a demand for the food but is is just a system of making you wait outside until a seat is available and taking your order while your standing so when you sit down your food starts coming out. Now the order came out in such disarray. Entrees came out before dim sum, soup came out after entrees. No service for drinks you had to get your own. After it was all said and done I forgot what I ordered. Now too the food the bacon fried rice was ok, the hot and sour was horrible. The sweet and sour chicken was the ok and the lemon chicken was the best part of the meal. The dim sum came so late I couldn't really enjoy it but from what i remember I had better. Too many options in this area to return read more

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This place is a great substitute if you don't want to make it all the way to Din Tai Fung. The dumplings were honest and well made from inside out. Prices were also very reasonable for a filling meal. Be sure to get there before open, otherwise you'll be waiting for 15-30mins since there's limited seating. read more

I always avoid the smaller Shanghai Street because of the long queues and totally forget that there is a larger one just up the street. This venue is a much nicer dinner experience, with a bit more breathing space and less of a hectic rushed feel. While not my fav Xiao Long Bao in town, they are pretty damned delicious and Shanghai Street is probably the better of the cheap and cheerful dumpling houses. You can very easily stuff yourself silly on $20 or less per head...and that is exactly why you come here. It's not for the service or for knock your socks off food, but for something fun, budget friendly and tasty. If you're a chilli fan, the dumplings in chilli soup were not quite what we were expecting. Tasty, but literally swimming in an enourmous bowl of chilli broth, which I managed to spill all over the place. Go for the smaller wanton dish with chilli and peanut sauce. Alternatively, order more XLB and load up on the table provisions of chilli and vinegar. Mmm. Ideal for: dinner with friends, cheap date, XLB fix. read more

Believe the hype! The queue out the door says everything. Hop in line, they'll give you a number and a menu and they'll take your order while you wait so that it comes pretty much as soon as you sit down. Their xiao long bao (shangai steamed dumplings, pork mini buns, soup dumplings, whatever you want to call them) are the best I've ever had. They're BIG, they're fat, juicy, fresh, tasty. Here's the trick to eating soup dumplings: put a little vinegar in to your rice bowl. Slip a dumpling out of the steamer, veeery carefully, and pop it in the vinegar. Let it sit for a minute or so BE PATIENT, don't eat it straight away. The dumpling will cool a little in the vinegar, and then you don't have to prick a hole in it to cool it down and let all the delicious juices run out. Use your chop sticks to grab the dumplings from the top and scoop the hole thing in to your mouth. Enjooooy! Also order the wontons in peanut and chilli sauce. Flippin' good. read more

Great dumplings. As the other reviews state get there early. We went there on a Wednesday and 15 min before the place even opened there was a large line. Xia long bao buns were great and the pork dumpling were great too. Avoid the spring rolls and vegetable dumplings basically just fried bok choy. read more

Yes, there could be a long queue on weekend nights, but it goes fast. Generally, you can be seated in 20 minuets. While you wait the waitress gives you a menu and paper to start the ordering process. Once its your turn to sit down she takes your paper with your order so you don't waste time in the restaurant reviewing the menu. This is fast Chinese food so our food started coming out within 5 minutes of being seated. Our favorites are the xiao long bao, spicy won tons, cold spicy peanut chicken, fried green beans and pan fried pork dumplings. The won tons are not as spicy as I like them, but that's ok because they have chili sauce and other condiments on each table. We ordered other things but they were average. If you're in town and you want dumplings, this place is pretty good. The dumplings are huge so try not to over order. How does this place compare to other dumpling houses? It's on par as being one of the better dumpling houses. There is nothing fancy here. It's noisy, a little dirty and not a sit down place. You eat and get out. If you want a place with a nicer atmosphere that's a little brighter, cleaner and good for families, you may want to go somewhere else. Regarding flavor the xiao long bao is huge and soupy compared to other dumpling houses. It's worth trying. read more

Lovely pork dumplings. Lovely xiao long bao (which certainly burnt the hell out of my tongue cause of my lack of patience) and a really fair price for the quality. Only downside is the consistent line, which moves quickly, and they take orders while you are waiting in line which is efficient. Would happily go to dumpling up again. read more

Best dumplings I've had in Melbourne thus far. They're also reasonably priced. I went after the lunch traffic. I ordered #2 and #11, one order of steamed and pan fried. I didn't think I'd finish all of it but I DID. All 20 of it! They were nicely wrapped and juicy on the inside. The consistency and sizes were good. I would definitely go back again and next time take people with me so I don't have to feel bad eating it all! The service was prompt and helpful. read more

Shanghai Street - Chinese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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I love my dumplings.. it's my go to food. So when Yelp suggested this place was the bomb, I diverted from my usual places (China Red- with iPad ordering) to try it. It's busy and clearly popular, but the Xia Long Bao.. well there's no soup in them soup dumplings.. the chilli wontons were .. I don't know what they were and I certainly don't want them. One of my kids, complained about the soup dumplings as well.. and as the food got cold she picked one up and bounced it.. that's was the best part of the meal. Their dumplings bounce. Anyway, I'm still a firm believer that good dumplings are never on the main drag, they are always the shops that are tucked away, so we won't be return here, it's not for us, but clearly many enjoy it. Good luck and try bouncing your dumpling.. endless amounts of fun.. read more

Wow this place is pretty darn good. Good value, big serving size and tasty Chinese dumplings. Came here for a weekend in Melbourne, and walked past this place around 5:30pm and there was already a line out the door. Decided, why not give it a try since my daughter loves dumplings. Needless to say it was a hit. Tried Xiao Long Bao tonight, big juicy and great tasting. Also had the fried dumplings, love the crispy bottoms, and it was a solid dumpling. Lots of stuffing and pastry tasted nice as well. Also had the Hot and Sour soup, the chilli used was not to my liking. I still prefer Ding Tai Fung's Hot and Sour soup. So this was the only downside to it. Overall definitely give this place a try. read more

Dumpling was moderately ok but service level was substandard. It was like take it or leave it with a minimum nonchalant waiters and waitress We ordered a prawn an pork dumpling with soup. It was ok at 9.50$ for 15 of them. If you want food and no frills, just pick any of them here read more

Not dim sum. This is a soup dumpling restaurant that opens later than most restaurants but is worth waiting and lining up for when the doors open at noon. It'll fill up within the first 10 minutes of opening so be prepared! The soup dumpling is unlike any other and there's a self service table with water, tea, bowls (no plates), and napkins. Service is comparable to typical Melbourne service. read more

I'm really not a big fan of the communal seating, so that's automatically minus one star for me. I agree with some of the other reviewers - the wrappers they use for the dumplings seem a bit too thick and I think they are too stingy with the soup in the xiao long bao. The food is okay but you really shouldn't waste your time waiting in line. read more

Non authentic. Ginger condiment and dark vinegar normally served as a dipping sauce was not available at all. Soup in the bun was completely missing. Not very serviceful. Would not go back and not recommend it to anyone else. read more

Lived up to its reputation as one of the better Xiao Long Bao's (小笼包) around. I found the soup in the xiao long bao to b a bit too salty but I guess this is up to personal taste. i have to say though that it is def up there in terms of taste. Any xiao long bao in this region must b compared to that of the famous Ting Tai Fung... IMHO it's gd but not as great. the mrs thinks it's the bees knees. The portion size here is huge in comparison and the skin slightly a bit thicker. Anyway it's still the best in Melbourne. read more

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Previously we had seen this place and the line outside was incredible. So we caught up with my partners (Michelle) family for lunch and they suggested this place as it's one of their favourites. We were pretty lucky we got there when we did as it got pretty busy and the lunch time rush started to arrive. We ordered some fried pork dumplings, steamed pork dumplings, pork ribs, fried rice and pork shanghai noodles. Everything we had was good but the stand out was definitely the fried dumplings, the servings are so generous for the prices as well. Can see why this place is so popular with many locals and people looking for some cheap eats. This place is a must... as they say if you see a line... it must be good :) read more

The dumplings are goooooood. Their portion is pretty big. So, be aware dont over kill. read more

Shanghai Street - Chinese Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Best dumpling joint in Australia according to my husband. I have to admit they were delicious. We reviewed the menu from line outside the restaurant and placed our order before we had a table assigned to us. The food came out pretty quickly, they did mess up our order (forgot to bring us an item - #1, highly recommended) but when we finally got their attention to explain why were were still waiting, it finally came and was delicious! #11 was great to. I forget the names... read more

This was our first restaurant when we got into town and it was a delicious lunch . The clay pot dumplings were to die for...yummy!

Still the best dumplings in aussieland. Third Melbourne trip in a row we went here and it still blows us away. So tasty and fresh and efficient and good and and and read more

Fried rice with bacon was pretty good. The pork dumplings tasted a bit like hot dogs in dumplings. They were good. The spring rolls were tasteless. My son like the chilies in oil for his rice. Staff was good. read more