South Melbourne Market Dim Sims

An Institution – South Melbourne Market Dim Sims Review

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.