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Shandong Mama
Shop 7, 200 Bourke St (Mid City Arcade)

My ignorant pursuit to tick places off my wishlist mean most only get one chance to jump onto the ‘potential returns’ list. The latter is further divided by price, convenience and a stellar menu offering/you-have-piqued-my-curiosity-circuit;Shandong Mama has definitely earned her place in the latter.

Friday lunch. They’re filled but there’s enough space for two until it’s brimmed. Regardless of what else is on the menu, I’ll always try pork dumplings first (they’re like my asian corn fritters). Ah but the call of the sichuan pepper beef is too strong and I submit ^^v

There’s about a 10 minute wait before the food appears before us. The dumplings are delicious. Thin, crispy skins that seem to have absorbed the juices and are flavoursome themselves. I confess that half way through the first one I stopped trying to register the different ingredients and kept a steady flow of food to stomach - ah they were so good!

The large chilies sitting by the side of the beef make it look scarier than it really is. This is great as well, each aromatic bite accompanied by a little spicy poke - I know where I’ll be taking my own Mother to eat at next :)

I’d prefer an option for smaller servings so I can cover more of the menu, but for once, I don’t mind making extra return trips :D

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China Red
Shop 6, 206 Bourke St