Raramen is a recommended destination for families wanting to dine out on a budget. Even when it comes to value dining you still need the food to be above par. Raramen delivers in my opinion. We had a great family night at Raramen with both adults and kids satisfied.
Raramen has two restaurants - Glen Waverley and Box Hill. The fit out is modern with upmarket tall chairs and chunky tables. The longer tables are perfect for groups. The walls are plain without artwork - unlike other Asian restaurants. Staff greet you and hand out menus. They are trained to be attentive and will wait just back from your table during the dining experience.
It didn't worry me that I had to go and get my bowls and cutlery from a table at the back of the restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised that the kids (and adults if you want) get free slurpies, and there is also free Chinese tea - again just help yourself. My kids love the Chinese tea as well as the slurpies.
Where are the best dumplings in Melbourne? Dumplings should have superb fillings and broth, the casing shouldn’t be too thick, and there should not be piercings in the casing for the broth to escape. From my Melbourne food blog here are my Top 5 Dumpling Houses in Melbourne…
1.Shanghai Street Dumpling House – CBD
Superb dumplings at Shanghai Street Dumpling House on Little Bourke! Right up there with the best dumplings in Melbourne. Wonderful wrappings and skilfully put together. Having been there many times I can’t recall any dumplings having pierced skins for the broth to spill out. The quality is consistent! Fillings are great and burst with flavour! The Xiao Long Baos are sublime! The pan fried dumplings are superb – I love the golden colour on the outside and great fillings. I love the flavour of pork, fresh coriander, ginger and spring onions. Often a line up here! These guys are at the top of my list!
Hutong Dumpling Bar is a serious contender for Melbourne's best dumplings. The Xiao Long Baos are sublime and a well crafted and tasty dumpling. The food here is of a high quality for a reasonable price. Added with excellent ambience, this restaurant is a winner.
The dumplings are a class above most others. You can see the chefs preparing the dumplings by hand with fine skill through the kitchen window. The excellence of those Xiao Long Baos is in the fine casing that only takes a little bump or prick to break. Yet these dumplings hold together well. The meat filling inside is tasty and of quality. But the high note is the soup or broth that fills these dumplings. When you eat them they just explode in your mouth with wonderful flavours.
Dumpling Sisters is a great Chinese restaurant that serves great dumplings and other great Asian dishes! I’ve heard this is a Melbourne stalwart so I visited looking to compare their dumplings to some of the salubrious dumpling houses around Melbourne. These guys are right up there!
I arrived for a late lunch and tried to order the mixed dumplings – but no beef! The mix was to be pork and vegetables! So I ordered the pan fried pork dumplings as I often do in dumpling houses!
Shanghai Village Dumpling House is iconic and has been a Melbourne favourite for years. It is almost synonymous with Chinatown. It’s a favourite with broad appeal!
I wandered down to Shanghai Village Dumpling House to find a humble yet spacious restaurant. In some ways this is like a “family” restaurant. Mums, dads and kids everywhere! Probably not a place to come for quiet reflection. It’s noisy, alive, and full of action! Bustling waiters flit from table to table and up and down the stairs…
I was struck by the mismatching bright wall colours, the obligatory fish tank, and the dimly lit upstairs area. In fact I was ushered upstairs on arrival even though there were several empty tables downstairs. There must be a special place for single diners, as I was taken to a single chair at a table upstairs. Only problem was I was right next to the free water station and so a queue developed around my table. And when a family sat down next to me I actually couldn’t get out!
