26 March 2012

Yum Cha in Canberra?

| crabb
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A question for the hive mind that needs revisiting:

Where’s the best Yum Cha in Canberra, and the best on the northside if they don’t coincide?

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After a skim read, I didn’t see the Woden Hellenic Club mentioned anywhere. I doubt it’s the best in Canberra, but after a few visits to both, I probably prefer it over the Noble Palace in Woden.

There’s more queueing space, the food seems fresher, and you can buy your own drinks (which guarantees that you get them) at the Hellenic Club. On the other hand, I’ve had ‘eggplant fries’ only at the Noble Palace.

crabb said :

…nothing tasted like a factory-made product to me. Everything was fresh, …
Sesame prawn rolls…….

a. I can’t believe you eat that fried crud, it’s on about the same level as buying a Chico roll.
and
b. There is no way your fried sesame prawn toast was “fresh” or unfrozen.

crabb said :

All the dumplings, boiled and Pot Sticker, had fabulous flavour. Stir-fried Chinese broccoli – why can’t I cook it like that?

You’re kidding, right?
They aren’t boiled, they’re steamed.
And the greens are steamed, no wonder you can’t cook them like that if you’re trying to pan fry them.

Talk about poms and their palates, Aussies really aren’t much better.

Thought I’d report back that The Scholar was a winner last Sunday. While I’m not an expert on frozen shop-bought yumcha, nothing tasted like a factory-made product to me. Everything was fresh, and more importantly very tasty. (No ill effects afterwards either). Sesame prawn rolls and some fabulous meatballs with ribbons of cooked egg trailing were the favourites (anyone have a name? Want to find a recipe). All the dumplings, boiled and Pot Sticker, had fabulous flavour. Stir-fried Chinese broccoli – why can’t I cook it like that?

Despite booking, we still had to queue, but it didn’t take long and the small children in our party were entertained by the crabs and fish in the tanks.The place was absolutely packed, but once we were seated food started appearing immediately. There were gaps in the service, and some particularly tasty-looking dishes bypassed us twice – you need to speak up to get what you want.

Really, the experience was fun, very suitable for small kids, and the food really good. We’ll be back for sure. By the way, our second choice had been Prince’s Palace on Emu Bank – glad we didn’t trail out to Belco to find the Red Poster of Doom!

m@ said :

Little_Green_Bag said :

The xy Yum Cha at the Croatian soccer club in Deakin was recently named and shamed due to a dirty kitchen.

Just thought you’d like to know …

Does it really matter though, when all they’re doing is reheating packets of frozen precooked stuff? The commercial quantities of MSG will kill any nasties anyway…

Exactly my approach – I presume it’s all straight out of the freezer anywhere you go in Canberra anyway.

You just have to make sure you put pipe up and don’t let them put any deep-fried stuff on your table – especially not the chicken pieces!, plus you have to pipe up and ensure you ask for the steamed greens and the prawn-stuffed eggplant.

Little_Green_Bag said :

The xy Yum Cha at the Croatian soccer club in Deakin was recently named and shamed due to a dirty kitchen.

Just thought you’d like to know …

Does it really matter though, when all they’re doing is reheating packets of frozen precooked stuff? The commercial quantities of MSG will kill any nasties anyway…

Thanks for all the useful info, although a clear cut winner would’ve been handy! Think we’ll try The Scholar. The tip for East Ocean in Hypermarket is helpful for the next Sydney trip – have wandered around Chinatown several times overwhelmed by the number of choices.

Ex Warrior said :

Yuk Cha – Filthy food and walk out hardly feeling healthy!!!

Here I was thinking this was a post about where the best Yum Cha is, not who doesn’t like it?

Yuk Cha – Filthy food and walk out hardly feeling healthy!!!

G-Fresh said :

East Ocean, Haymarket. Long lunch.

Fully concur – at the moment, that one is my favourite. Very civilised. I think I’ve been to that one 3 out of my last 4 Yum Chas in Sydney.

koalathebear12:34 pm 27 Mar 12

Master So’s only does yum cha on the weekends – but to be honest, that’s the only time we have to have yum cha anyway 🙂

East Ocean, Haymarket. Long lunch.

JimCharles said :

As someone new to Oz, is Yum Cha the same as Dim Sum in parts of China…ie, a Tea House with mini selections and ever flowing green tea…neither breakfast, lunch or dinner….just turn up for a natter and order as you go on…

Do they do the hardened chinese food…..or more “normal” fare like pork, red bean, shrimp rolls etc…?
Cheers
.

No, Yum Cha here is Yum Cha in China.

Dim Sum is what they call it in the UK. In China Dim sum is not the name for the meal, but for the trolley full of small dishes.

Bearing in mind a dirty kitchen is good for your immune system, Deakin Yum Cha is excellent if you’re wanting a massive feed at an “all you can eat” price.
If you want a nice Yum Cha, go up to Sydney.

As someone new to Oz, is Yum Cha the same as Dim Sum in parts of China…ie, a Tea House with mini selections and ever flowing green tea…neither breakfast, lunch or dinner….just turn up for a natter and order as you go on…

Do they do the hardened chinese food…..or more “normal” fare like pork, red bean, shrimp rolls etc…?
Cheers
.

koalathebear said :

We like Dumpling Inn and also XY Dumpling (been there HEAPS and have never been sick). Am not a huge fan of Prince’s Palace – it’s kind of crowded and the atmosphere isn’t very cosy. Master So’s in Kippax is good and the So So Crispy dessert there is awesome. It’s quieter with nice surroundings so unlike a lot of noisy Chinese restaurants, you can actually hear yourself speak. XY Dumpling is also good on Saturdays as it’s not too crowded.

+1 for Dumpling Inn.

I’ll have to give Master So’s a go, I didn’t realise they did Yum Cha.

there are 2 yumcha places near anu, i forgot the names but the first 1 is near the citywest bus stop. its new and has been open for a couple of months, haven’t tried it yet.
the 2nd is across from unilodge near anu, i love that place but i think they changed their menu… not sure yet but they were pretty good from what i remember.

koalathebear9:54 pm 26 Mar 12

We like Dumpling Inn and also XY Dumpling (been there HEAPS and have never been sick). Am not a huge fan of Prince’s Palace – it’s kind of crowded and the atmosphere isn’t very cosy. Master So’s in Kippax is good and the So So Crispy dessert there is awesome. It’s quieter with nice surroundings so unlike a lot of noisy Chinese restaurants, you can actually hear yourself speak. XY Dumpling is also good on Saturdays as it’s not too crowded.

enfoldeadgrrl9:00 pm 26 Mar 12

Discovered last weekend that Four Rivers in Dickson is no longer serving yum cha. 🙁

We were not the only punters that turned up looking for it on Sunday. We did enjoy our a la carte selections but were disappointed not to have yum cha.

I’ve enjoyed The Scholar at Dickson before, but the bill at the end of the meal was staggering (I am not sure whether to blame the beer-guzzling mates I was with!).

I’ve noticed Master So at the Kippax shops does yum cha but we haven’t tried it yet – will be interested to see if anyone on this thread has been there.

Little_Green_Bag said :

The xy Yum Cha at the Croatian soccer club in Deakin was recently named and shamed due to a dirty kitchen.

Just thought you’d like to know …

I thought it was worth going there just for the caucasian waitress who used to put on a chinese accent (seriously). I always felt like saying “you know you’re not chinese” but never had the courage.

Last time I went, Princes Palace was distinctly sub-standard. The Scholar gets my gurnsey for Canberra’s best, but I’ve only tried that one, Princes Palace, Noble Palace and the now closed one at the Italian club (which wasn’t bad!).

Couldn’t say whether it’s the best, but I enjoyed Yum Cha @ Dumpling Inn in Jamison and it wasn’t too pricey.

I found both Scholar (Dickson) and Noble Palace (Woden) OK. Noble Palace is closer, so I go there more often. Last time 2 adults paid $27 each. From memory the prices per item starts at $4.80 or $5.60.

shirty_bear said :

in_the_taratory said :

T2 headed along to Princes Palace a while back and wasnt impressed.

Same here … scarce/inattentive service, moderate food, serious pricetag. They seem to do a roaring trade though … maybe we did something wrong. Like … being Aussies … not knowing the code/language …

Yes I do agree, apart from the not being “family,” if you go on a day when it’s full of Aussies you get good service.

markus_k said :

Have had no problems with the XY dumpling house in Belco. Around $15 for all you can eat too.

buzz819 said :

apparently they have been shut down twice in the past 12 months for health reasons.

Wasn’t that the Canberra-Deakin club’s Yamcha place?

Same owners for the two restaurants, explains why it was shut 2 times last year for “renovations.”

rosscoact said :

Is Four Rivers still doing yum cha?

i believe so – and second jb’s comment about the chinese scholar – best of a mediocre lot in canberra… sad, really. we’d do well, in the climate, with more good northern chinese restaurants, too; a dearth at the moment.

Is Four Rivers still doing yum cha?

I’d just like to use this thread to voice my appreciation for yum cha in general. So many great experiances had.

Little_Green_Bag4:39 pm 26 Mar 12

The xy Yum Cha at the Croatian soccer club in Deakin was recently named and shamed due to a dirty kitchen.

Just thought you’d like to know …

Have had no problems with the XY dumpling house in Belco. Around $15 for all you can eat too.

buzz819 said :

apparently they have been shut down twice in the past 12 months for health reasons.

Wasn’t that the Canberra-Deakin club’s Yamcha place?

Thoroughly Smashed4:02 pm 26 Mar 12

I don’t know where the best is, I too would like to know, but I’ve found Noble Palace in Phillip to be a bit average considering how much it ends up costing.

in_the_taratory said :

T2 headed along to Princes Palace a while back and wasnt impressed.

Same here … scarce/inattentive service, moderate food, serious pricetag. They seem to do a roaring trade though … maybe we did something wrong. Like … being Aussies … not knowing the code/language …

johnboy said :

The Scholar in Dickson seems to be the gold standard of the inner north.

beware the long queues though.

It used to be OK when it was…something else…but after a couple of very disappointing visits to its present incarnation I’ve given up on it. I second Prince Palace in Emu Bank though – it’s great. The place next door – 2 Yummy – is amazingly good, though I don’t think they do yum cha.

in_the_taratory3:48 pm 26 Mar 12

T2 headed along to Princes Palace a while back and wasnt impressed. Admittedly they ordered off the menu, but did ask to see the cart and it was never brought around despite assurances it would be. You might need to go early to have attention paid to you. http://inthetaratory.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/lunching-ladies-at-prince-palace-chinese-restaurant/
We would be keen to try out others but agree it is usually a looong wait at Dickson.

Princes Palace on Emu Bank is great, wouldn’t go to XY Dim Sum Dumpling House, got really sick from them last year, apparently they have been shut down twice in the past 12 months for health reasons.

The Scholar in Dickson seems to be the gold standard of the inner north.

beware the long queues though.

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