Shanghai Night Ashfield

Look for the black sign. Don't get distracted by the copycats along Liverpool Road—number nine is the genuine article. This tiny, bustling old-school joint skips the fancy decor, but dumpling fiends pack the room for a reason. Massive portions. Ridiculous value. Unapologetic Northern-style heft. The xiao long bao arrive dangerously juicy, but the undisputed heavyweights are the sheng jian bao—pan-fried pork buns crisped to absolute perfection. Noodle hounds consistently hype up the prawn and pork parcels wrapped in vibrant green dough, while the chili wontons (hong you chao shou) deliver a slick, fiery kick. Vegans aren't sidelined either—the dry-fried garlic eggplant is a textural triumph. Grab some drinks from the bottle-o down the street, squeeze into a table before the 7 pm rush, and brace for a serious feast. Expect thick, chewy wrappers, chunky fillings, and guaranteed leftovers.