Follow your nose (and the queue) to one of Melbourne’s favourite dumplings houses. Its brisk, efficient service means you’ll often order while you’re in the queue so you’ll have time to consider the long menu. Our pick? The freshly made pork xiao long bao. 146 Little Bourke St, https://www.shanghaistreet.com.au/

No, you don’t need your eyes checked, that does say Drumpings. And yes, the name does indicate that this isn’t your usual dumpling house. The quirky restaurant serves cheeseburger dumplings, truffle mushroom dumplings and fish n’ chip dumplings. Conventional? No. But delicious? Absolutely. 227-229 Bourke Street, https://www.drumplings.com/

It’s no exaggeration to say these are some of the best dumplings we’ve ever tasted. Dedicated chefs from the renowned Taiwan-based empire create beautiful dumplings, each as precise as the one before. Don’t miss the xiao long bao (steamed for exactly three minutes). Emporium Shopping Centre, 4 Emporium, 287 Lonsdale St, https://www.dintaifung.com.au/stores/emporium-melbourne

Those with a sweet tooth tend to miss out when it comes to dumplings, but those who like a treat at the end of their meal should head to Hutong and order the steamed egg-custard bun. What could be a better way to end the night than with a generous, fluffy bun filled with rich, golden custard? 14-16 Market Ln, Melbourne, www.hutong.com.au/

If you only order one thing from Tim Ho Wang, the franchise of the Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant, go for the baked barbeque pork buns. Buttery and subtly sweet, we dare you to try and find a better one. 206 Bourke St, Melbourne, www.timhowan.com/

Locals love the dumplings at David & Camy, a laid back restaurant in the eastern suburb of Box Hill. A test of any good dumpling house is their xiao long bao and these are as good as any you’d find on the streets of Shanghai. 605 Station St, Box Hill,

Even the dumplings follow the seasons at this Collingwood restaurant known for its colourful plating of dishes. Filled with local, organic and free-range ingredients, the go-to dishes are the gluten-free, Italian-style chicken dumplings and the aromatic pork, cabbage and ginger dumplings. 88 Smith St, Collingwood, www.bowlbowl.com.au/

It seems Mama really does know best, especially when it comes to dumplings. This family-run Melbourne favourite is tucked inside an arcade in Chinatown and serves up traditional recipes from Yantai on China’s Shandong Peninsula. Seafood may be a specialty of this budget-friendly haven, but for a more parochial dish, locals may want to opt for the seafood and chicken-filled Melbourne or Aussie Lamb pot stickers. Or think outside the dumpling wrapper and go for ShanDong specialties such as pork-stuffed fried lotus roots or extra-large bao. Eat in, or take away dumplings, pot stickers and buns to make at home. Shop 7-8 Mid City Arcade, 200 Bourke St, Melbourne; facebook.com/shandongmama Mid City, 7/200 Bourke St, Melbourne; facebook.com/shandongmama.