Take 5: Perth’s top dumplings, bao buns and dim sum delights

TAKE 5

COMPILED BY SIMON COLLINS

Heading to the city and keen for some bao buns or dumplings for lunch? Here’s our pick of the five best places to visit. Whether you’re into Shanghai soup dumplings (xiao long bao) or a fluffy pork bun, grab your chopsticks and let’s go. Just be ready for robots, iPad ordering systems and plenty of flavour.

JUICY BAO BAO (William Street, Northbridge)

The name says it all — the freshest, juiciest little dumplings in town, all made fresh to order and, if you’re lucky, delivered by a robot. Juicy Bao Bao’s xiao long bao are the best in Perth bar none, which is probably why this place always has a line.

LITTLE CHINA GIRL (Roe Street, Northbridge)

Home to Perth’s best squid tentacles, this contemporary dim sum diner also does brilliantly springy barbecue pork buns. Open one up and watch the steam rise. The kids love ‘em.

CANTON BAY CHINESE RESTAURANT & BAR (Roe Street, Northbridge)

One of Perth’s longest running dim sum restaurants delivers on bao buns as well as shumai and har gow dumplings — delivers on trolleys heaving with steaming goodies, all washed down with green tea.

AUTHENTIC BITES DUMPLING HOUSE (Newcastle Street, Northbridge)

Juicy Bao Bao’s sibling restaurant also attracts long lines for a good reason — the dumplings are delicious. I can’t go past the pork and prawn wontons in spicy sauce, but there are options for all levels of heat tolerance.

BAMBAMBOO (Perth and Floreat)

Less authentic than some of the others (pan-fried lamb dumplings, anyone?), BamBamBoo still has the goods when it comes to pillowy bao with either pork belly or soft shell crab. The chilly prawn wontons are also ace.