I don’t really consider myself a gossip (ok celebrity gossip not included) but I suppose I tend to indulge in food gossip and if someone tells me about a great place and then tells me that I can’t blog about it, I doubt that I could resist blogging about it. Reader Phoebe told me about Dumpling King in Newtown and asked me not to blog about it, but that is like asking Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt to not seek publicity.
So one night, when our first choice was fully booked, Miss America (and yes Miss America is a he, he was a little hurt by the comments about his arms), Queen Viv, Mr NQN and I headed for a dumpling meal at Dumpling King on King Street, Newtown. As they are fellow Dumpling fiends, I knew I was in good company. We were all raring to go except when we got there, we saw that despite the name, there were only a few dumplings available: vegetarian, prawn or pork. These could be either pan fried or steamed which made for about 8 variations but all in all, not the dumpling fest we had envisaged given the name. No Xiao Long Baos or those puffy doughy pan fried dumplings. We settle on a few dumplings and some other dishes.
Shallot pancake $6
The Shallot Pancake comes first. It’s a deep fried and crispy buttery dough reminiscent of a buttery thicker roti.
Pan fried Northern Style Dumplings $8.80 for 12
These aren’t too bad although all of us have a packet of these in the freezer and you can buy them ready made at Asian supermarkets for a steal (600gram bags are $5). Despite that, they are good and we like the crispy pan fried bottoms.
Prawn Meat Dumplings $12.80 for 12
These are actually quite good. We had a debate as to whether the dumplings were made on the premises or not – certainly the absence of a man rolling dough in a cubicle which we always witness at Shanghai Night would suggest that they’re not. We figure the above dumplings are probably bought. These ones however do appear to be more hand made than the ones at Yum Cha but with more whole prawns than a lot of the frozen varieties from Asian grocery stores. We count 2 prawns in each dumpling and the dumplings are flavoursome indeed. A pleasant surprise for us.
Beijing Duck $22.80
The Beijing Duck is a small mound of duck with 8 panckes. We appreciate that they’ve given us 2 extra as there are 4 of us which is a thoughtful gesture. Despite the rather small looking pile of duck, there is enough to fill the pancakes sufficiently and it’s quite good with the duck skin having the signature crispiness. However there’s also a lot of meat there too.
Salt and Pepper Crab $19.80
The dish of the night is the salt and pepper crab. Two small mud crabs are lightly battered and deep fried and rolled in salt, pepper, garlic and chili. We relish the sweet meat and pick out the delicate meat from the crevices whilst nodding in unison that this was the best dish of the night.
Broccoli and Snow Peas
The green vegetables are also very well cooked with a pleasant light crunch to them.
Deep Fried Ice Cream $5
Sadly the deep fried ice cream is disappointing. With a very thin coating, it’s not crispy on the outside as it should be. we love cracking the thick outer and finding the cold vanilla ice cream inside and the cakey outer and the creamy cream is what we look for. With such a thin coating the ratios just aren’t right.
Dumpling King
194 King St, Newtown, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9557 2188
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28 Comments | Add your own
I dislike when the name of a restaurant lures me in to a false sense of security. But it sounds like you were still able to have a nice meal.
Oh noes! U’d think it was full of dumplings with a name like that =( Prawn ones sound TASTY tho!
We love this restaurant, but not for the dumplings… pepper chicken, salt & pepper anything are just brilliant! Lunch time specials are a great deal as well.
I think we need a Dumpling King in my neck of the woods!
Ahh too bad that the dumplings weren’t as great as the name claim!
But I guess it seems like a good place conveniently located in Newtown for quick chinese food fix.
SP crab looks good
he-he, funny about these restaurants that call themselves “Dumpling King” – Cho Dumpling King in Chinatown has stopped serving dumplings altogether (!) so much better known are they for their little dishes of snacks that have become their specialty… guess they couldn’t compete after all with the Northern China Dumpling house across the corridor in the arcade under the Burlington Centre that they share…
i went here earlier in the year and wasn’t particularly impressed with the dumplings as well, much prefer Shanghai Night and Sea Bay for taste factor, and the service was a little disorganised but hopefully they’ve settled in more now. the crab looks great though. i’d revisit just to try this dish. thanks for sharing the blog. telling a blogger not to blog is like waving a red flag to a bull isn’t it hehe
That looks AMAZING! I have been craving dumplings, good dumplings, SO bad here…Too bad I don’t have access to a car! :-<
I can't believe they have no xiaolongbaos though. Ain't that the KinG of Dumplings? jeez…
Now why would someone tell you abt a place and then tell you not to blog about it? I find that odd.
At least the crab made up for the lack of dumplings
The crab looks pleasing. But it’s a shame the ice cream was crunchy.
Yes, ‘Dumpling King’ must be quite a generic name – there was one in Beverly Hils a few years ago, and it didn’t have many dumplings either!
The salt and pepper crab looks great, and good value, too.
Shame the restaurant is at the ‘wrong’ end of King St, ie. away from the vintage and homewares shops at the southern end
It’s one of my local places though would have to agree with your experience, it’s close and reasonably priced (I’m a uni student). I’ve yet to visit Shanghai Night though can’t wait till I try the dumplings I’ve heard so much about.
the crab looks extremely nice, glad you managed a nice plate of greens too! Pity about the lack of dumpling choice though
That’s too bad about the fried ice cream! I haven’t had that in so long (my favorite restaurant to have it at went out of business). Those scallion pancakes look fantastic though…I’m a sucker for flat breads like that!
I’ve put it on my list for the next visit in Sydney (whenever that will be…)
deep fried ice cream?? ive never tried deep fried ice cream before. sound like a great place. love the pancakes too
deep fried ice cream should NEVER be disappointing–what a bummer! i wasn’t even involved, and i’m finding myself a bit depressed about it.
Dumpling King is my local and all the dumplings are made on premises. The “puffy doughy pan fried dumplings” are called ShengJian Bao, and you are right, they don’t have them. Xiao Long Bao are actually photographed (your prawn meat dumplings) in the “little bamboo basket” (literal translation of Xiao Long Bao). You mentioned the shallot pancakes were deep fried. They are not, they are pan-fried. Had to leave a comment as I lived in North-East China for a number of years and I must say, what these guys do, they do well. Do try the cucumber salad, it might not be on the menu but it’s a must with the most standard of all dumplings, the “boiled garlic chives and pork”. This is the dumpling by which I judge any dumpling restaurant.
I’m such a sucker for dumplings. We make it at home at least once a fortnight. The Beijing duck wraps look good as well.
Looks like another good choice for the to-eat-at-list! I would have definitely ordered the crab too – sounds delicious!
Hmmm i hope DUMPLINGs doesnt become overpriced like the way chocolate/coffee/cupcakes (or the 3 c’s) have and become some type of justification of charging more than they should (well thats what i think anyway of Din Tai fung)
In the city, i just cant remember the exact names, there is another place which has DUMPLINGs in its name,yet it doesnt have any, but the place next door is known for its dumplings!! Maybe they should swap signs…….
I love this restaurant. It’s a 10 min walk from home, and we have never been dissapointed. I highly recommend the shreded pork with beijing sauce and pankakes. The only low point was the salt and pepper calamari.
As you mentioned, it is a little dissapointing not to have more variety on the dumplings. But the price and consistent level of quality keep us going back.
(p.s. keep up the good work)
What do you mean you can’t blog about it? Except it made me hungry for the pan fried dumplings and shallot pancake. I’m in the wrong town!
This makes me so jealous! We just moved to the UK and the asian food over here isn’t 1/2 as good as in Sydney! *sigh*
Ooh, I’ve passed this place SO many times, but never thought about going in. How sad that the fried ice cream was disappointing
Fried ice cream reminds me of school days! My mum used to take me to this Viet restaurant whilst we were waiting around for my brother and I ALWAYS used to get fried ice cream with caramel sauce – omg… so good!!
Hi sandra-Me too! I was thinking “no fair!”
But yes the prawn dumplings and crab were great 
Hi Brianna-Hah yes especially with the name “King”, not “Prince!”
Hi Mark-Oh good to know!
Hi Barbara-Hehe well I saw the dumplings you made for the Daring Cooks and I think you could open one!
HI Yas-Yes it’s good if you are nearby and just need a dumpling fix-stat!
Hi Kyle-Haha they need to take Dumpling out of their name if they don’t even serve them!
How funny that is…
Hi Simon-Yes you can tell they’re trying hard and they were packed so maybe it’s a good location for them to be in. Haha yes impossible!
Hi Sophia-Aww what a shame! Yes dumpling cravings sure hit hard don’t they!
I know, I was surprised too!
Hi Karen-Hehe I think she didn’t want it to get too busy!
Yes the crab definitely made up for the lack of dumplings
Hi ArtemisIII-yes I love the crunch of deep fried ice cream!
Hi Belle-How strange! They must get people asking for them
Ahhh yes no vintage homewares around there, just lots of restaurants!
Hi Tim-the Shanghai night dumplings are quite amazing (although service isn’t great
)
Hi Moya-They were really good! I know, so sad
Hi Faith-Me too! It was really good if a bit greasy but that’s part of the charm right?
Hi Lisbeth-Hehe cool!
I also recommend visiting Ashfield for some great dumplings 
Hi Nora-Oh really? It’s great when it’s done well (albeit a bit kitsch)
Hi grace-I know
Hehe you are too funny!
Hi Pedro-Xiao Long Bao aren’t prawn dumplings though, they ones we had were like Gow Gees. It really tasted deep fried I’m afraid, so unless you work there I’m sure they were deep fried. I judge dumpling restaurants by the Xiao Long Bao
Hi Nooschi-Oh great stuff making your own!
I always wish I did that more often 
Hi Forager-The crab was great, I think we were so close to ordering another
Hi sydneyguyrojoe-Hehe I’m not sure they would be, if there’s more places doing it then that’s only a good thing! Yes I think that’s the place that Kyle was talking about above
Hi Ashley-That’s great! Good to know what other dishes work and don’t. Thankyou!
Hi Angela-I don’t think she wanted me to blog about it in case it got too busy
You are, come to Sydney! 
Hi SarahKate-Oh no! Yes I’ve heard that about dumplings in the UK
Hi Betty -I know, if you sacrifice the calories it should be worth it
Oh yes caramel sauce only! 
Just writing to say I’m going here for dinner tonight here (thanks to this post)! Yay!
I too feel slightly cheated that I was ‘lured’ here (lol) for a dumpling feast, but there were only a few dumplings on the menu
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