In a state as blessed with produce and diversity as Queensland, the competition for the best dumplings is fierce. Rich broth and wontons are the name of the game at Fortitude Valley’s Happy Boy and refined classics get top marks at Donna Chang. With so many outstanding options, narrowing it down to just five is no mean feat. Here are the best dumplings in Queensland, as crowned in the delicious. 100.
The spanner crab ravioli dumplings have become the synonymous dish of this dark and playful, Asian-influenced Gold Coast restaurant. Part- Italian, part-Chinese, the delicate circular pasta parcels burst with fresh scallops, prawns and water chestnuts, before being taken to signature status by the deeply complex coconut sambal bisque spooned over the top. The Oracle Blvd, Broadbeach; mamasanbroadbeach.com.
The lunchtime yum cha menu served at this Sunshine Coast stalwart has attracted high praise from locals and top chefs, including TV cook Peter Kuruvita. Choose vegetarian, meat or seafood dumplings, made using the finest locally sourced produce and delivered to the table in steam baskets, with the beef and crystal skin prawn incarnation unmissable. Cnr Duke and Bryan St, Sunshine Beach; embassyxo.com.au.
Normally chain-style restaurants require a bit of caution, but not New Shanghai. Birthed in Sydney and now spread elsewhere, its fast-casual eateries serve top notch dumplings using recipes passed down the generations. The Shanghainese xiao long bao has become the signature, with each of the soupy pleasures made fresh by chefs in front of diners. 23/226 Queen St, Brisbane City, Brisbane City Shop 2027/8 Westfield Garden City 4029, Logan Rd, Upper Mount Gravatt; newshanghai.com.au.
Served in a puddle of black vinegar and chilli sauce so good you’ll want to drink it, the scallop and prawn wontons at this glamorous contemporary Cantonese restaurant have become an undeniable bestseller. Prepared under the watchful eye of head chef Lyndon Tyers, they are packed with top-quality seafood and boiled until their skin is just al dente. 3/171 George St, Brisbane City; donnachang.com.au.
The slurpable prawn and pork wontons in chilli broth have been a Happy Boy menu must since launching in 2014. The Chinese-style soft parcels are filled with coarsely ground fatty pork, minced prawns, shallots and shiitake mushrooms, and served in a broth made from reduced pork bone stock, soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar and a housemade chilli oil. East St, Fortitude Valley; happyboy.com.au.
