Emperor's Garden Restaurant, Chinatown

Happy belated Chinese New Year!

This year Roxy and I celebrated the lunar new year in delicious frivolity at Emperor's Garden Restaurant in Chinatown. To me, Yum Cha is an excellent way to celebrate: you have elaborate dishes, friendly atmosphere, and a communal style of eating that just seems to lend itself beautifully to festivity.

When we arrived at the beginning of Dixon St, there was a large group of people waiting in line, and a lady behind a lectern was handing out tickets to people. When we reached the start of the line, she told us we had a 10 minute wait, but we were actually escorted upstairs in less than 5 minutes, which was great. Everyone looked very organised, and that they knew what they were doing.

We were seated at our table with little trouble, and just let the carts start a-coming:

Steamed Prawn Dumplings

The steamed prawn dumplings were STUFFED with large, juicy pieces of fresh prawn, in a light glutinous skin. They were quickly devoured before we even had time to order another dish.

Red Bean Fried Dumplings and BBQ Pork Buns

The red bean dumpling had a delicious, subtly sweet and thick red bean paste centre, which contrasted well with the light, crispy texture of the fried dumpling shell. Although I prefer a red bean steamed bun, this was a good dish.

The BBQ Pork dumplings were great, as always. Fluffy bun exterior, filled with tender little bits of pork and the sweet BBQ sauce.

Mixed Vegetable Dumpling

The vegetable dumplings were moist and flavoursome, but I did notice that the edges were a bit dry and chewy.

Pork and Mushroom Fried Dumplings

Every time I go for Yum Cha, I always scan the carts for these beauties. If they don't have them, I ask the ladies for my 'Football Dumplings'. They laugh a little, then tell me if they have them. These ones were full of tender pork mince and flavoursome, earthy mushroom, and the outside was crunchy yet chewy at the same time.

Steamed Brocollini and Beans

Feeling mildly guilty with all the steamed and fried dumplings we'd shared, we had a stab at eating healthier and ordered some greens. The brocollini would have benefited from a little less soy sauce: it was drenched, and a little unpleasant, but the texture and flavour of the actual vegetable was ideal.

The beans were good as well, but were served with a mince that was burned so that I couldn't quite tell if it was pork or beef. They were accompanied with hoy sin sauce, but I preferred them on their own.

Alas, we had no room for dessert, but the food here, while maybe not as varied as Iron Chef Cabramatta, was just as delicious. Also, because I can't decipher the prices of the dishes on those little bits of paper that the ladies stamp, I'll tell you that the total price for everything (we only drank water) was $44.60. Not expensive at all for two people and 7 dishes.

Emperor's Garden Restaurant

Level 1, 100 Hay St (Cnr Dixon St)
Haymarket, NSW
2000

Phone: (02) 9211 2135

Comments

[muppy]

I love yum cha, you chose two of my favourites - steamed vegetable dumpling and fried red bean dumplings!

[Heavenly Housewife]

I find Chinese dumplings so beautiful. I need to try to make them one of these days.
*kisses* HH

[Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella]

I always get quite anxious until I get my prawn dumplings. Once I get those I can rest and enjoy myself :P

[Jasmyne Tea]

I was actually looking forward to some fried noodles, but they didn't have any :(

HH, I would love to make some as well, but I'm kinda afraid that the magic of the dumplings would be ruined.

Thanks everyone for your comments!

[Carolyn Jung]

How funny! Those football dumplings were my favorite as a kid, too. You don't often see them on dim sum carts these days. I wonder why....or maybe it's that you're beating me to the punch. Hah.