I’m usually one to opt for vegan/vegetarian restaurants when I eat out, as I’ve had super awkward/traumatic experiences in the past when trying to order a safe veggie option at a non-veg eatery. I’ve seen bacon pieces snuck into a supposedly ‘vegan’ quinoa risotto, prawns in a ‘veggie’ fried rice and the inability of restaurant staff to understand that, no! Fish isn’t vegan!
This non vegan place, however, has been recommended by so many vegans in facebook groups I’m part of that I had to check it out. It’s pretty much a 10 minute walk from my house, like I’m going to pass THAT up!
Ping’s Dumpling Kitchen is a fairly new spot on the asian scene in Preston, but they are ALWAYS busy during lunch hour, any day of the week. Hidden amongst the thousand other asian restaurants on High street, Preston, they’re nothing less than a stand out. They serve a typical Chinese (I think!) menu, with noodle dishes and rice and soups. As the name prompts though, you have to order the dumplings. They have quite a few vegan options I’ll list here (courtesy of Sara Toucan from Friendly Vegans of Melbourne FB group):
>>Boiled vegetable dumplings<< >>Pan fried vegetable dumplings<< >>Vegetarian Fried Sliced Rice Cake<< >>Vegetarian Fried noodles<< >>Vegetarian Fried Rice<< >>Steamed Vegetarian Bun<< >>Steamed Red Bean bun<< >>Fried Chive Cake<< >>Spring Onion Pan Cake<< >>Red Bean Spring Rolls<< >>Vegetarian Pudding Rice<< >>Sliced Beancurd<< >>Fried Green vegetable<< >>Fried chinese broccoli in garlic sauce<< >>Ma-Po tofu<<
And from what I’ve heard soups can be ordered without chicken stock if you ask :)
[Our feast for the day… most of it mine!]
Also, I am obsessed with my new camera: it’s a Canon G7X and it’s become bae #1 in my life. The picture quality is stunning! It managed to beautifully capture my Boiled Vegetable Dumplings, Steamed Vegetable Buns and my friend’s non-vegan food. So yeah, all but one dish is mine mine mine. As I said in my Gong De Lin post, I’m usually not one for asian food, but veggie dumplings have literally become my favourite food. Maybe I’ll challenge myself to eat my way through every vegan dumpling shop in Melbs… after I get a real job, that is.
>>Steamed Vegetarian Buns (4 pcs) $4.80<<
My first little favourites are these small veggie buns: they are 100% worth it. They’re your typical steamed bread filled with greens, mushrooms and other tasty plant based bits, most restaurants serve the same ones (I wonder if they come in frozen and the restaurants just order them?). I’ve bought them frozen before from Asian grocers and I find that they all taste really similar with a similar filling but that’s all good because I LOVE THEM! I definitely recommend these ones, as long as you like your greens.
>>Boiled Vegetable Dumplings $8.80<<
This was probably the worst picture in the world on my part, as you can’t really see what’s in the dumplings at all… but ladies and gents these are the dumplings all the vegans are talking about (if you’re in Melbourne anyway). Suuuper different to the ones I’m used to at Gong De Lin! Instead of having a really green filling like the veggie buns from Ping’s, they are filled with cabbage and have a saltier flavour than Gong De Lin. The wrapper also isn’t as stretchy and chewy, it’s softer and a bit silkier. The dumplings are also mutherflipping huge! Awesome value and really quite good, I’m going to be a regular customer for sure. My boyfriend described them to have somewhat of a ‘dimsim’ taste in comparison to Gong De Lin where the boiled ones remind you of a spinach ravioli.
I always go for the steamed dumpling option rather than pan fried, as I always try and avoid fried food for the extra oil, and though these dumplings DO contain some oil (in the filling) it’s all about looking for your BEST option. Coming from an acne background and cutting out all added oils and fats to heal it up, I’m still eating a really clean diet at home, and choosing the healthiest food when I do choose to eat at a restaurant. If you’re still struggling with super severe cystic acne, it might be best to order some steamed rice with steamed no oil veggies and ask for some asian black vinegar or a sweet chilli sauce :)
Ping’s are a great option for quiet little catch ups or even a big meetup-- share the food around if you can bear to! There’s plenty of seating and as you can see, the food is spot on. I’d definitely suggest inviting your non vegan friends along so everyone can eat and be happy :) I’m thinking of taking my family here who aren’t vegan, so they can try the veggie options and if they insist on having their meat option (sigh), there’ll be no fussing at the table.
RATED: Success PRICE: Affordable MUST TRY: Steamed Vegetarian Buns/ Boiled Vegetable Dumplings NEXT TIME: More veggie buns!
Ping's Dumpling Kitchen Restaurant 358 High St Preston 3072 Phone (03) 9478 8846