Eastern Dumpling House in Victoria

"I've been to Eastern Dumpling House more times than I can count. Due to its close proximity, it's an easy choice. And the reason's twofold: One, they're the best Chinese place in the area, in my opinion. Two, to get something better, I’d have to go out further to Springvale or Box Hill. And I'd argue that Eastern Dumpling House is better than quite a few Chinese restaurants in those areas. This review is mainly for the dumplings (which were around $14 something), but I also got some custard buns ($8.50) and some pumpkin cakes ($8.50). Firstly, I don't recommend the pumpkin cakes. I thought they'd be soft on the inside, with the typical texture pumpkin has. But they were gooey and a little chewy. There was also a slightly bitter aftertaste I wasn't a huge fan of. The exterior was nice and crisp, so the gooey inside threw me off. The custard buns were nice, similar to their pork buns, with a soft and slightly pillowy exterior and a smooth, mildly sweet custard filling. Not bad, but a tad bland. The dumplings are always good. Never had a raw dumpling from them. Each dumpling was juicy, except for one, but it wasn’t dry. The pork mince was cooked to perfection, and the mince was crumbly and moist. The mince had a lovely pork flavor, with just enough saltiness to enhance the overall taste. And that saltiness was balanced out by the cabbage and chives, giving the dumplings a refreshing feel in the mouth. In fact, I would've preferred more cabbage, chives, or other aromatics. I think they're essential to a good dumpling. But otherwise, the mince itself was close to perfect. I've always believed these guys deserve more than a 3.9. Some reviews flag hygiene concerns, but there aren't as many issues mentioned as at some other places I've reviewed in the past, leading me to believe it's not something they're known for. That said, I'd still advise Eastern Dumpling House to exercise some caution. Otherwise, highly recommended, especially if you live in or near Carnegie."

"Delicious food, very authentic (from what we've tried - and we'll be back to try more!). Definitely worth popping in if you like Chinese food. Great for take away too! Recommend the chef-special lamb dish"

"Nice food Easy scan and order quick service No alcohol though"

"Good menu selection, very nice veg dumplings (loved the generous greens filling) and quick service. We ordered deep fried tofu with veges in Chili sauce, sauteed vegetable noodles medium spicy, veg dumplings fried and veg dumplings steamed. All servings were good and generous. Our deep fried tofu and noodles were tad too oily. I wouldn't say they were bad, but they were not how we like them to be. The dumplings were good. They ran out of the tea and their drink selection is limited. It was overall a good experience."

"Affordable and tasty, this place is great for a quick and fuss-free meal. The extensive menu has something for everyone, and you can't go wrong with the dumplings. Silky dumpling skin filled with a generous amount of fillings. The stir-fried dishes are executed well, as are the rice dishes that are good for solo diners. My go-to for a meal when I'm in the area."

"Surprised this has relatively low reviews. Moved to the area and been 3 times. Each time excellent food served quickly with no nonsense service. For the price it’s excellent."

"Every dish we ordered was so delicious that we couldn’t stop eating! The staff was friendly and helpful throughout our visit. The fried chicken strips with green chili are a must-try! The chicken was tender and juicy, and the sauce had just the right amount of spice. The pork soup dumplings were some of the best I’ve ever had. The dough was thin and delicate, and the filling was juicy and flavorful. And the eggplant with minced pork was so good that I could eat three bowls of rice with it! Overall, I would definitely recommend this restaurant to others. The food was delicious, the service was great, and the prices were reasonable. I can’t wait to go back!"

"Honestly this place is not only the best location for dumplings, but for other Chinese dishes as well. Usually we look for either value or taste, but this place stands strong on both. Would definitely recommend!"