Review | Baotime

I almost had a car accident the first time I drove past Baotime. Bao. Time. That time is always, because baos are AMAZING. I was so excited to try this cute little place out, I ducked there for a quick workday lunch.

The service we received was super friendly and helpful. My friend and I both ordered the same - the Captain Bao. It was at the top of the menu, and I now know that I will eventually make my way through each delicious sounding bao - over the course of the next couple of months.

Captain Bao had the softest, most tenderest, flavoursome pork belly, with crushed peanuts, lettuce and their 'special sauce'. Special pretty much can be read here as moreish, and so so good.

We also shared one serve of the Mister Potato Fries. In the short time that we waited for the chips to come out to the table after ordering, I was contemplating whether they belonged on this menu. Are we meant to be eating chips with baos? These kinds of questions raise important global issues, but as soon as I had my first taste of the crisp, golden fries, any hesitations I had were instantly gone. 

Wow. OMG. So good. This was true chip perfection. What is ON THESE CHIPS? These are some of the best fries ever. We just had to find out what the mysteriously familiar and incredible seasoning was.

We found out. It's amazing. Why has no one thought of this before?!?! I'm going to have to let you go to Baotime for yourself and taste the fries to see if you can pick it out. 

I definitely will be back for more Baotime. Hopefully that time will be soon, as yeah... bao time is any time really.

Best Burgers in Melbourne

Dear whoever invented burgers. We thank you. Where would we be without you? Probably a whole lot skinnier… but definitely a whole lot sadder.

With what seems like a new burger place opening every week here in Melbourne, I wanted to share my favourites!

Huxtaburger
Collingwood, CBD, Prahran, Hawthorn
Already a Melbourne institution, Huxtaburger’s success has allowed it to open up in a few locations. Brioche bun, juicy patties, is there much more to say? If you STILL have not tried one of these, go right now!

Andrew’s Burgers
144 Bridport Street, Albert Park
Now these are nothing but honest ol’ fashioned burgers, done right. They are so massive, the only way to eat a burger from Andrew's, is to actually put you face into it. Dress appropriately ladies and gents, if you don’t get any food on your chin (maybe even on your cheeks!) then you are doing it wrong.

Jus Burgers
364 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Starting out in Perth, these guys are all about promoting and using locally sourced ingredients. You can definitely taste the love here – and they also serve up a pretty good vegetarian option, if you are that way inclined. Cut and battered fresh daily, be sure not to overlook the onion rings here!

Parlour Diner
64 Chapel Street, Windsor
If you’re after a modern American style Diner… then this is IT! Be sure to try their milkshakes, and for something a little different, the Asian pork sliders are a definite winner. Obviously try the curly fries right?

The Beer and Burger Bar
112 Swan Street, Richmond
This is a great place to go before the footy, but be sure to allow plenty of time, as they get SUPER busy on game days (actually any day!). If you are feeling super adventurous then you might want to check out their burger challenge, otherwise, a regular sized burger will fill you up just fine. It is hard to go past their delicious Beef Burger, but if you are feeling… game… they do a fantastic Game Burger which changes regularly.

8 Bit Burger
8 Droop St, Footscray
Gamers and nerds, listen up, this is the burger place for you! Everyone else? It’s for you too! I doubt anyone could find something to complain about this awesome burger shop. Not only have they gone into great detail with the décor, but the food is to die for. These burgers have got some kind of magical sauce going on inside them. You must try. #Tbt #Retro

And, if you’re ever up for a bit of a drive, definitely check out the Igloo Roadhouse in Buxton, for a try of the famous Buxton burger!

So there it is! Have I missed any??

Why You Need To Check Out The Food Truck Park in Richmond

Alright, lunch and dinner is sorted for the rest of the month. The Food Truck Park are popping up in Richmond every Wednesday through Sunday until the end of May. Get on it. And get it in you.









If you have ever been to the food trucks at the Coburg drive-ins, then you know just how great this is. The selection of trucks rolling in changes each day, but you can rely on the fact that some serious delicious consumption will need to happen, into your belly.

The Food Truck game has changed so much since the early days, basically anything is available on wheels now. SO convenient! And the Food Truck Park has now eliminated the step of hunting down these trucks, and has plonked them in one easy location.

Here are some snaps of what we ate, but remember not all of these will be available every day- who KNOWS what other delicious options there could be?!

So what are you waiting for? Head down to Richmond right now and eat!

Best Cheap Dumplings Around Melbourne

Dumplings. God bless them. They are probably one of the yummiest foods out there, so quick and easy… to eat! I’ve compiled a list of our favourite go-to places for the CHEAPEST dumplings in this beautiful city of ours.

When ordering, my favourite menu items include fried pork or beef dumplings, steamed chicken and prawn (try it!!), steamed veggie dumplings, and also a plate or two of steamed Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce (prepare for the ultimate garlicness) and fried spring onion pancake. If you’re still hungry – definitely look for some egg custard buns for dessert!

Most of these places will be BYO beer and wine, which makes for an even cheaper night out! (Do check beforehand so you’re not left carrying bottles though!).

CBD
Camy Shanghai Dumpling & Noodle Restaurant – 23 Tattersalls Lane
This place has got to be the ultimate cheap dumpling restaurant. Most nights they have a $15 all you can eat banquet where they just bring out dumplings, noodles, veggies and other fried goodies to your table forever and ever. Until you tell them STOP! It’s pretty delicious, and great before a big night out. They take bookings too so it’s a great place to go with a big group of people, and as a bonus, they will come and embarrass anyone who’s birthday it is at the table.

Shanghai Village – 112 Little Bourke Street
While there is no all you can eat banquet here (that I know of!) the prices are still cheap for a pretty damn good level of food. This place also gets pretty busy so it’s best to book in advance, or know that you will have to queue up. I recommend ordering pretty quickly here so that your food is never too far away!

Hawthorn
Dumpling King – 656 Glenferrie Road
We are lucky to have some pretty great contenders in the ‘burbs as well. Dumpling King, just near the station on Glenferrie road is an absolute gem.

Glen Waverley
Raramen – 114 Kings Way
The Glen Waverley strip offers so so many options for eating, but when it comes to dumplings, there is one place that rings true in our hearts. Raramen is one of originals here, and they also handmake their noodles, so if you have some room on the table – I definitely recommend a serve of the Shanghai noodles. Also, don’t be fooled – the free slushies.. not worth it!

Carnegie
Auntie’s Dumplings – 68 Koornang Road & Eastern Dumpling House - 132 Koornang Road
I simply cannot choose between these two fine establishments. Both fighting strong dumpling fights, the only fair way to sort this one out is for us to recommend both! Usually if one place is too full, the other one will have a table free to satisfy your dumpling emergency in the Carnegie area.

Box Hill
David & Camy Noodle Restaurant – 605 Station Street
If you survive the eternal battle for car parking in Box Hill, you can rest assured that your stomach will soon be filled of cheap dumpling goodness. David & Camy’s is definitely a crowd pleaser. Best enjoyed on a cold wintery Melbourne night!

So there it is! Have I missed any??