Houhai Dumpling House

Very authentic northern China style food at really good prices. The boss is from Beijing, and the food definitely reflects that. We only had the dumplings and a cabbage salad this time but will be back to try the other dishes. The dumpling skins are made by hand and are exactly the way they should be, and the stuffing authentic flavours. Have a cold Tsingtao and a couple of plates of dumplings out the front!

I've lived in the area for years and walked past this place thinking wowowow what could this be. Ventured in tonight and had the best dumps I've ever had. Every post meal burp is a treat. Go there and eat dumplings or don't - I hope you choose the latter - all the more for me!

Didn't actually get my food. Waited an hour and decided to leave. Terrible waitress. Did not communicate cooking times or offer any alternatives. Super unprofessional. Basically took our order and then neglected us for the next hour. Wait staff should be informed of any delays and should know how to properly apologise to customers. Instead of the food coming all at once one person got their food after 20mins, the next at 40 minutes, and mine...well we already know I didn't eat. Food should arrive at the same time. But what was worse was watching the tables around us that ordered 20mins after us receiving plates and plates of dumplings. They got theirs so I don't understand why mine never came, even after I reminded the waitress 30mins in. Table was also filthy.

Walked past this place a few times of a morning and always wondered what the food would be like. I love dumplings and I am always on the look out for a new regular dumpling service. So, today (after a late breakfast at Mixed Business) I popped in for a plate of Pork and Chinese Chives, panfried dumplings. I am quite fussy about my dumplings, but these weren't bad. The dumpling wrapper was a bit thick for my liking, but they were still good. It hasn't replaced my regular, but I will keep it in mind for when the dumpling need grabs me whilst in Clifton Hill.

This place is awesome!! Charming decor, friendly service, and so affordable too – $8.50 for 10 dumplings! The mushroom & boc choy ones are amazing ♡

I’m very glad my first dumpling meal in Melbourne was here! 🥟 Absolutely delicious and the owner is very friendly.

I’m a big fan of dumplings, sometimes even make them myself. So trust me when I say that those are some really good dumplings! Will definitely return here.

This place is a wild and wonderful experience… The food is amazing some of the best dumplings in Melbourne hands down. The only thing is you have to come in with time on your side, it seems to a two person operation so getting a order in takes time and so does the food but just relax it is all worth it in the end! Also it is so cheep it doesn’t even make sense.

We were recommended Houhai Dumpling House by our next door neighbours and on a Tuesday evening with nothing organised for dinner, it seemed the perfect opportunity to test them for ourselves by ordering some take away. A simple online search revealed their menu (not just dumplings!) and brought about my ongoing internal struggle - making a decision on what to order! I ended up choosing the Prawn with Ginger and Onion, happily paying the $1 extra to have these pan fried. We called in our order for pick up and were advised it would be ready within 20 minutes, which it was close enough to, however I'm not too fussed on having to wait a few extra minutes - personally I'd rather leave the restaurant with my meal just being freshly cooked than it sitting on their counter awaiting collection. You get 15 dumplings per serve which is MORE than enough for one person, along with dipping sauce for your dumplings. I of course made the mistake of thinking I could finish one serving solo. Which I did, but I regretted immediately after - next time I think sharing two serves between three people would be ideal. Not two serves between two people! I loved the fresh and tasty dumplings that I received (and consumed too many of in a single sitting!) and cannot wait to return and try other items on their menu. However, how I'll stray from the dumpling section of the menu is an issue in an of itself! My only negatives would be the inability to mix and match flavours in the one serving (with 15 per serve, it would nice to be able to sample three different types) and also a lack of choice in dipping sauces (thankfully I always have sriracha at home). Very minor things and not something to deter you at all.

In America we're told our fortune cookie will only come true if we read it in a Chinese voice. Apparently they've never heard of this.

Nothing fancy but they do Dumplings well .... and tea. Can be hard to find, on the other side of the Restaurant strip. Doesn't look like a serious Dumpling House from the outside. Basic interior, nothing fancy ...... we've ordered a few Steam Dumplings to start with a bowl of Handmade Beijing Noodles. Handmade noodles is sublime, sauce was a little salty, once we've started munching on those Steam Dumplings, we know that we are in the right place. Added a few Pan-fried Pork Dumplings we are all happy that our Friday night was well spent. Jasmine tea is authentic, much better than your typical Chinese restaurants, even the high-end ones. $5 for a house Red (Shiraz) and Whites (Sauv Blanc) Less than $20/person for that many Dumplings and Wines. Just can't go wrong, worth the trip.

Worst dumplings I ever had. Through most of them out. Had to wait 30 mins and there were no customers in the shop when I arrived. The sweet and sour pork was $23 and was disgusting. Also through most of that out. As far as the fried rice with Shrimp, I have had better in a good court and at $13 it was unimpressive. I honestly feel like asking for a full refund.

Love places like Houhai: unpretentious, fresh delicious food and for not much money! Dumplings are delicious but home made noodles with pork and eggplant was the best pick! Definitively worth the walk to no man's land of Clifton Hill

I really tried to like this place. I have come here a handful or times and gotten take away but their service is BEYOND TERRIBLE. Extremely long wait times and my order is ALWAYS LOST OR INCORRECT. I am so sick of hearing excuses from the owner and not being properly reimbursed for his mistakes. This is a horribly run business and the attitude from staff is disgraceful. I will never be coming back and making sure no one I know has to witness this hot mess you call a business.

I have had takeaway meals delivered twice from here now and the food was fresh and tasty. I've had two different sorts of pan fried dumplings and two different types of rice and all were delicious.