This Chinatown hidey-hole makes one of the CBD’s best fish dumplings. Shandong Mama’s signature Spanish mackerel dumplings are best boiled (though the fried ones are great too), as the soft mousse-textured filling with ginger and coriander turns pillowy and super light after a flash in boiling water.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a local or a visitor: Melbourne is at its absolute best when you go in face first and let your tastebuds lead the way. But what are some of the dishes that set our city apart? We've put together a bucket list of 26 must-try Melbourne dishes, including award-winning soup dumplings, a degustation highlighting native bush ingredients and a fior di latte soft serve.