We’ve all grabbed a dimmie at the footy or from a fish and chip shop, but have you ever stopped and wondered: who actually invented the dim sim? It’s one of those questions that seems simple, but the answer is tied up with migration, family stories, and a bit of Aussie ingenuity.

Meet William Chen Wing Young

The name you need to know is William Chen Wing Young, a Chinese-Australian businessman in Melbourne in the 1940s. At his restaurant, Wing Lee, he noticed Australians were curious about Chinese food, especially the little pork-and-prawn dumplings known as siu mai. Trouble was, they were fiddly, small, and not exactly built for mass appeal. Wing Young saw an opportunity.

Adapting Siu Mai for Australia

He took the siu mai idea and turned it into something heartier: bigger, pepperier, with thicker skins and a filling that mixed pork, beef, cabbage, and whatever meat was available during the war years (mutton, veal, even chicken at times). Unlike dainty yum cha dumplings, these were built tough: they could be steamed, fried, frozen, and shipped by the thousands.

The Fish and Chip Shop Moment

Here’s where the story really gets interesting. According to family legend, William’s son Tom dropped some of these dim sims off at a fish and chip shop in Mordialloc. The owner, Joe, decided to throw them in the deep fryer, and just like that, the fried dimmie was born. It was an instant hit. From there, dim sims went from Chinatown curiosity to a staple of suburban Australia.

A Family and Cultural Legacy

William’s daughter, Elizabeth Chong, later became one of Australia’s best-known cooking teachers and TV food presenters. She’s spent years telling the story of her father’s invention, pointing out that while he didn’t exactly “invent” dumplings, he made dim sims what they are today, a truly Australian food.

The original business, Wing Lee, didn’t last forever. After William retired, it was taken over by bigger brands like Marathon and Chien Wah. But the dim sim lived on, finding its way into every fish and chip shop, supermarket freezer, and sporting ground in Victoria.

An Aussie Icon

So, who invented the dim sim? The credit goes to William Chen Wing Young, a man who turned a traditional Chinese dumpling into something uniquely Australian. The next time you bite into a dimmie, whether steamed or fried, you’re tasting a little piece of history that’s as Melbourne as it gets.

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Ask any Melburnian about their favourite dimmies, and you’ll get a dozen different answers. That’s because the hunt for the best dimmies in Melbourne isn’t just about taste—it’s about tradition, nostalgia, and personal preference. Some people swear by peppery old-school giants, while others prefer lighter, cabbage-forward creations.

Where to Begin

If size matters, the South Melbourne Market dim sim is the classic starting point. These fist-sized dumplings have been feeding crowds for decades. Some argue they’ve lost a little of their magic since becoming a commercial brand, but fresh from the fryer at the market, they’re still a rite of passage.

Suburban Standouts

In Mentone, Tai Wah delivers a dimmie that’s dense, beefy, and unapologetically old-fashioned. Travel east to Bentleigh and you’ll find Seven Stars, praised for its perfect balance of pork and cabbage, while Fong’s offers a heavier, peppery bite that fills you up fast. Upwey locals still celebrate Pearl Garden, once crowned champion in the Australian Dim Sim Competition.

For something different, head to Berwick Palace, where the dimmies may not win beauty contests, but fried up they’re sensational—slightly sweet, meaty, and very moreish. Knoxfield’s Kanga Sushi is another surprise, producing delicate handmade dimmies with a subtle sweetness that rivals some of the city’s most famous names.

Northern Favourites

Further north, Moon Palace has earned legendary status, especially for its chili dimmies that pack just the right punch. Not far away, Preston Noodle has built a reputation for refined pork dim sims with thin skins and finely minced filling, considered by many to be the best pork dimmies in Melbourne.

Final Word

Finding the best dimmies in Melbourne depends on what you’re looking for: peppery, cabbagey, meaty, or sweet. The good news? With so many unique options across the city, there’s always another contender waiting to surprise you.

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Best Dimmies in Melbourne

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Iconic Institutions

No list of the best dim sims in Melbourne would be complete without mentioning South Melbourne Market Dim Sims. Famous for their peppery punch and tennis ball size, they’ve been feeding long lines of locals and tourists for nearly 60 years. Just around the corner, Mama Tran offers a handmade alternative with pork and chicken varieties, perfect for those who find South Melbourne’s a little too peppery.

In the southeast, Tai Wah in Mentone is a true classic. Their hefty, beef-leaning dimmies have an old-school flavour that divides opinion but keeps locals coming back. Meanwhile, Berwick Palace has built a reputation for slightly sweeter dimmies—ugly to look at but fantastic when fried.

Northern and Eastern Favourites

Over in Preston, Moon Palace is revered for its legendary chili dim sims, while Preston Noodle delivers what many consider the city’s best pork dimmies—light, finely minced, and perfectly balanced. Seven Stars in East Bentleighalso earns high praise for its pork-and-cabbage balance, consistently ranking near the top of dimmie steam-offs.

Head further east and you’ll find Fong’s in Bentleigh East, known for its big, dense, peppery dimmies, and Pearl Garden in Upwey, a former champion still beloved for its hearty pork and cabbage mix. Hidden away in Knoxfield, Kanga Sushi has surprised many by producing sweet, delicate handmade dimmies that rival the very best.

The Verdict

So where are the best dim sims in Melbourne? The answer depends on your taste—peppery, cabbagey, meaty, or sweet. What’s certain is that Melbourne’s dim sim culture is thriving, and whether you head to a famous market stall or a suburban takeaway, you’ll find a contender for the title of best dim sims in Melbourne.

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In recent years, I’ve been lucky enough to stumble across a community that matches my own obsession with dim sims: a Facebook group called Dim Sims 4 Lyfe. What started as a niche gathering of enthusiasts has now grown into a cultural hub boasting more than 64,000 members, making it the go-to destination online for anyone who loves a good dimmie.

A Collective Hunt for the Best Dimmies

At its heart, the group is about sharing knowledge and experiences. Members post daily about where to find the best home-made dim sims in Australia, with a heavy focus on Melbourne’s legendary dimmie scene. If a small takeaway in an industrial estate is serving handmade gems, odds are someone in Dim Sims 4 Lyfe has already tracked them down and shared the details. It’s become an invaluable resource for dimmie hunters who might otherwise never hear about places like Moon Palace, Seven Stars, or Kanga Sushi.

More Than Just Reviews

But the group is more than a rolling list of recommendations. It’s also a space where people swap dim sim recipes, compare steaming and frying methods, and debate the perfect condiments. Whether that’s traditional soy, mushroom soy, sweet chili, or even kecap manis. Members often post photos of their dimmie feasts, sparking lively discussions and the occasional good-natured argument about cabbage ratios, skin thickness, and meat-to-veg balance.

A Supportive Community

What makes Dim Sims 4 Lyfe stand out is the tone. For a group with such a large membership, it’s surprisingly well run, respectful, and supportive. New members are welcomed, debates rarely get out of hand, and the collective enthusiasm for the humble dim sim always shines through. It’s more than a Facebook group. It’s a community bound by a shared love of an Aussie food icon.

Rating

10/10 – A must-join for any true dimmie lover.

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Classic Nicknames for Dim Sims

The most common nickname is the simple “dimmies” (or “dimmys”). Then there are cheeky classics like mystery bags, road kill rissoles, and breathmints. They play on the idea of a dim sim being a mystery parcel of meat and veg, with a little Aussie irreverence sprinkled in.

Feline-Inspired Dimmie Names

Cat-themed names are a whole subculture of their own. Popular ones include cat coffins, cat sacks, cat bags, cat n cabbage, cat in a condom, cat caskets, cats in jackets, moggy mounds, moggie sacks, meow bags, pussy parcels, and pussy puffs. They all poke fun at the mystery of what actually goes inside a dimmie.

Animal-Related Nicknames

Other animals have crept into the mix too. Some call them rat sacks, rat coffins, rats heads, or ding rats. Others go with dog balls, dog nuts, gorilla eggs, roo nuts, donkey drops, horseballs, or even pole cats. Less appetising, maybe, but all part of the language of dimmies.

Regional and Celebrity Nicknames

Aussies love slapping a local or pop culture spin on their food. Regionally, dim sims get called Moe crays, Moe oysters, Moe prawns, Moe hors d’oeuvres, Moe steaks, Cranbourne crayfish, Corio crayfish, and even Murray River oysters. Some have gone the celebrity route too: Grant Dimyas (Grant Denyer), Dim Careys (Jim Carrey), Harry Dimmelbergs (Harry Himmelberg), and Dimmadomenicos (Robert DiPierdomenico).

Other Creative Nicknames

Some nicknames don’t fit neatly into the categories above. These include yum bags, maggot bags, lucky dips, sticky sacks, Chinese bum nuts, scrote bags, bat sacks, deez nuts, oysters, and the tongue-in-cheek steamed and fried. A newer favourite is Centrelink oysters or Centrelink truffles, which reflect both humour and a bit of social commentary.

A Language of Their Own

Whether you prefer calling them dimmies, mystery bags, gorilla eggs, or Moe crays, the huge range of nicknames for dim sims shows just how embedded they are in Australian culture. They’re not just snacks, they’re icons with a dictionary’s worth of affectionate slang to their name.

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For nearly 60 years, the South Melbourne Market Dim Sim shop has been an essential stop for dimmie lovers. Established by the late Ken Cheng, the tiny stall has become a landmark of Melbourne food culture. Now run by Cheng’s sons, the shop continues to serve its famously oversized dim sims to long queues of locals and tourists alike. Their popularity has spread well beyond the market, with the brand now distributed commercially across Victoria.

Size, Value and First Impressions

The first thing you’ll notice about a South Melbourne Market dim sim is the size. These giants are closer to a tennis ball than the palm-sized suburban dimmies most people are used to. Available fried or steamed, they’re filling enough that one or two can make a meal. At the market, the line snakes out the door most days, but it moves quickly, and the ritual of waiting is part of the experience. Be warned, though: many fish and chip shops advertise “South Melbourne dim sims” that aren’t the real deal. If you want authenticity, you have to get them from the market itself.

Flavour and Texture

South Melbourne Market dim sims are pepper-forward, with a strong, savoury filling made from a mix of cabbage, beef, pork, and lamb. Fans love the punch of seasoning, though some say the pepper content has mellowed over the years. The skins are thick and chewy, better suited to frying than steaming, and the fried option is widely considered the superior way to enjoy them. While once unbeatable, some argue that the commercialisation of the brand has led to a decline in consistency, leaving them less special than in the days when Ken Cheng himself was at the helm. Still, when eaten fresh from the market fryer with soy and chili sauce, they remain a quintessential Melbourne food experience.

Heritage and Community

More than just a dim sim, the South Melbourne Market stall is an institution. The painted lines guiding eager customers to the counter, the bustle of the market, and the sheer satisfaction of biting into a steaming hot dimmie are all part of the ritual. Whether you rate them as the best or simply an Aussie icon past its prime, there’s no denying their cultural importance.

Rating

7/10

Address

91 Cecil St & Coventry Street, Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205

Website

https://www.southmelbournedimsims.com

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In my defense, as soon as I worked out what was causing it I stopped doing it immediately.

Children

Dylan
Meg
Maddison
———-
Hayley
Oliver

Grandchildren

Lily
John

Malakai
Aaliyah
Abigail
Spencer
Lucas
E

Ariana

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As most of you know, daverunner knows all about the grind. His entire being is all about grinding. Whether it’s grinding out deals, or just getting his immense, Sisyphean workload completed, the grind is just a part of life. So with that in mind, the Aglet Grind DAVERUNNER was born. Featuring the much-loved colorway from the original DAVERUNNER, including Aussie flag laces and tongue, 3138 postcode (Mooroolbark rocks!), “help” swing tag and green and gold Aussie colors, the Grind is sure to be another DAVERUNNER success story.

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Super exclusive, this Gold Aglet DAVERUNNER was originally going to be called “Friends and Family”. But then the team realised that daverunner has no friends, and his family have no interest in shoes. So that idea was canned, and it became a GA instead. Whatever the genesis, we’re sure you’ll agree that the combination of black, plus Aussie-themed green and gold, makes for a striking upgrade to the original DAVERUNNER. Not for everyone, but for those with Gold Aglet reserves, this one is sure to be a collectors piece.

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