Hilltop Phoenix Chinese Restaurant, Yum Cha, Castle Towers

Yummy, authentic and very expensive. I don't mind paying the price for quality food however the service was extremely poor except for the one waitress who was nice enough though not very bright. With a two year old in tow, I had to ask for a high chair, a bowl and a spoon (three separate occasions). I was expecting a little common sense. It wasn't busy (being a Tuesday) and there were plenty of staff milling around however we found it frustrating trying to get anyone's attention. They brought our bill quick enough though. My friend and I were disappointed. Unless I am in a superbly good mood or happy to spend $50 again for lunch, I doubt I will be going back. 

Steamed chives dumplings, 韭菜餜, Gu Chai Gue

Garlic Chives

My mum makes the best garlic chives dumplings. It's a traditional recipe that has been passed down the generations but unfortunately it will probably stop with me. I am great at eating it. I can roll the dough. I know roughly the ingredients she uses (minced pork, dried shrimp, garlic chives). Shamefully, I fail when it comes to actually putting it all together. 

Steamed Chive Dumplings "Gu Chai Gue": Here is an awesome clip I found on youtube (thank goodness for youtube) because I can't begin to describe the skill (and art) involved in sculpting these dumplings.

Tea for Two Sisters Blog: This blogspot describes it perfectly for me. I remember when I visited my cousins overseas, making Gu Chai Gue would be something all the women in the village would do together. Of course, in the village, they milled their own flour. But that's another story.

Food World Gourmet Cafe, Wollongong

I am a bit biased when it comes to Food World. After all, I have been dining there since 1995 and saw the expansion from a small little takeaway shop with too few tables and the usual long line of customers queuing outside, to the size it is today. I do miss those days when they were open 7 days a week and I could buy a bowl of delicious suy kao or wonton soup for $5. Alas, their prices have increased over the last 15 years (not surprisingly) and their menu expanded considerably.

Spring Rolls (with pork and prawn)

Char Keow Tew (stir fried flat rice noodles)

I still order my old favourites (being a creature of habit) and Char Keow Tew and Spring Rolls being the first on my list even though I eat everything else on their menu. Their spring rolls remind me of the ones my mum makes with pork and prawn and they even look hand-made in that they are not perfectly shaped. That's what gives spring rolls their character! 

Their stir-fried noodles are always a hit. I have found myself asking for "less less oil" when I order though (just a little tip for those healthy conscious) but nothing beats the "char" taste of a stir-fry coming from a very hot wok. You just can't get that taste at home (never mind the sticky-oily feeling on the floor and walls and the smell in your clothes when you do try to cook it yourself).

This is the place to go if you're looking for affordable meals, generous sized servings and an extensive menu to choose from including entrees, soups, rice and noodles as well as a variety of drinks and desserts.

Bamboo Inn, Beverly Hills

Overall it was quite a pleasant experience. Friendly service and the food was good value for money. Tasted like home cooking with a modern touch.

Imperial Peking Restaurant, Blakehurst

This is our Number 1 restaurant for YUM CHA as the staff can actually speak English and the service is friendly (our favourite waiter always says "Hello Hello" in a jolly voice). Although I agree it's a bit over-priced compared to other YUM CHA places, they do have a good variety of tasty dim sims available and I never leave without having a classic Mango Pudding. We went once for dinner and the meals were quite ordinary (maybe it was what we ordered but everything turned out to be greasy). We will always go back for YUM CHA as we don't mind paying extra as the food and service is worth it.

Forest Court, Hurstville

For some reason I always end up at this restaurant. Not sure why but most of my friends and relatives prefer this place. Personally, I believe that for YUM CHA it is not the best. Then for DINNER there is not much to choose from if you don't like seafood or shy away from the more traditional dishes. Otherwise, I have to say that the steamed ginger & shallot fish (Morwong) is delicious if you can afford to celebrate. If not, start with an entree of steamed scallops & oysters which are very reasonably priced and taste superb.

Como Garden Chinese Restaurant, Como

My first dine-in experience was quite pleasant although since then we've only ordered take-away (not sure why, no reason except that it was just as quick and convenient to do so I guess). It was our default meal when we were too tired to cook after work. Good value for money.

Sunny's Seafood Restaurant, Hurstville

So far I'm rating this restaurant as the best YUM CHA in the area. There is so much variety, especially in the steamed dim sims that you want to try them all. Just a warning, in a group of 4 or less it can get quite expensive. It is worth it if you go in a large group so you can order more things and it almost always works out cheaper.

King's Chinese Restaurant, Wollongong

My dad absolutely loves this place. It's traditional chinese food with a handful of western dishes available. For a family of six, it's very affordable dining. One of my friend's even has his wedding reception here. This is the default restaurant we go to when we don't feel like trying something new and just want a good feed for a decent price. I have to recommend this but I'm not exactly sure what the dish is called. I just remember we ask for the tofu with the seafood on top.