New Shanghai Ashfield

Forget the fancy plating. When the dumpling cravings hit on Liverpool Road, savvy diners make a beeline for New Shanghai’s bustling open kitchen. Loud, chaotic, usually a wait—but watching the masters fold delicate xiao long bao at lightning speed is half the fun. Dim sum purists consistently point to the hong you chao shou—silky wontons drenched in fiery chili oil—as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the massive menu. Beyond the bamboo steamers, the woks are firing on all cylinders. Think sizzling plates of Mongolian beef packed with smoky wok hei, crispy pan-fried pork buns, and hearty roast duck. Pair it all with an ice-cold Tsingtao from the full bar. Service gets frantic when the room is packed to the rafters, but the staggeringly generous, wallet-friendly portions make it totally worth the hustle. A high-energy, unapologetic feast right in the heart of Ashfield.