Shark Fin Inn: Yum Cha
Are you really a Melburnian if you've never gone to Shark Fin Inn for yum cha?
Shark Fin Inn is popular and for good reason. It's one of the few remaining eateries which does yum cha in the old-school style: trolleys full of steaming dumplings, baked treasures and fried cakes. When you see something you like, you request it rather than deciding ahead of time what you'll purchase. This makes yum cha here feel a bit like "choose your own adventure": what you eat next depends on the path which you've taken during the meal so far.
The food is good and reasonably priced (we paid far more going to a yum cha hall in Springvale). All pastries were satisfyingly flakey, showing that the pastry chefs at Shark Fin Inn have their technique down pat. The dumplings were plump with prawn, and the other dishes were satisfyingly moist without being damp.
The venue is crowded and chaotic - book in advance unless you arrive right upon opening.
