A cradle of deliciousness, South Australians are no strangers to the finer things in life. Wine from the Barossa, pie floaters at the AFL and dumplings as far as the eye can see. The state’s best dumplings know no geographical bounds and can be found the state over. Make the trip for avant garde pan-Asian in the McLaren then don your white coat for tasty bundles in Port Adelaide. These are the best dumplings in South Australia, as crowned in the delicious. 100.
“Take care,” the waiter warns as she delivers a basket of xiao long bao. It’s sound advice, for these innocent dumplings release a gush of soup like a natural defence mechanism, leaving behind an unctuous meaty ragu that, along with the wrapper, is textural heaven. It’s dumpling taken to the highest level; no one does it better than Ding Hao. 36 Wright St, Adelaide.
Emma Del Bono learnt the art of making dumplings at her grandmother’s elbow in Taiwan. She continues the family tradition, tempered with a few pragmatic modifications, at this little shop in the western suburbs. Fillings include standard pork and more exotic options such as black mushroom or curry chicken. Be sure to ask for a bottle of house-made chilli sauce. 4/597 Tapleys Hill Rd, Fulham; moonbeardumplingco.com.au.
The technicians in the ‘dumpling lab’ are an unexpected sight at this otherwise humble stall in Burnside Village shopping centre. Nab one of the tables where dumplings can be experienced straight from the steamer. The classic combo of pork, cabbage and coriander is very good but, for extra bite and freshness, try Vego Lover: carrot, chives, mushroom and black fungus. 447 Portrush Rd, Glenside; @dumplinglab.au.
This restaurant in the d’Arenberg Cube takes its name from a famous hawker’s market that inspires chef Jamie Steele’s pan-Asian menu. The dumplings are big-sellers, particularly those filled with a luxurious farce of Kangaroo Island lobster, bobbing about in a lobster dashi finished with brown rice miso. The pumpkin dumplings on braised leek and black bean are another winner. 58 Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale; darenberg.com.au.
The bamboo baskets stacked on the steamer at this stall near the Central Market are like a lucky dip. When you order, say, the pork, prawn and black fungus dumpling, the friendly manager starts lifting lids in search of your prize, and, if none are ready, a shout goes out to the kitchen. Forget the food hall plastic plates and clatter: the dumplings and yum cha from Seng Kee are gold standard. Market Plaza Food Court, Grote St, Adelaide.
