Dim Sims Archives - Dave Hooper

September 3, 2025

Who Invented the Dim Sim?

The dim sim’s inventor was William Chen Wing Young, a Chinese restaurateur in 1940s Melbourne. He designed the hearty dumpling to suit Australian tastes—larger, peppery, and easy to fry or steam. His creation spread across markets and sporting venues, shaping how Aussies came to embrace Chinese-inspired food.

August 31, 2025

Dim Sims 4 Lyfe

Dim Sims 4 Lyfe is a Facebook community of over 64,000 members who share reviews, recipes, and sauce debates. Supportive and passionate, it’s the go-to hub for discovering Melbourne’s best dimmies and connecting with fellow fans of this Aussie classic.

August 28, 2025

Nickames for Dim Sims

Australians love giving nicknames to their favourite foods, and the humble dimmie is no exception. From “mystery bags” and “possum pockets” to “Cranbourne crayfish” and even “Dim Careys,” the list of playful names proves that when it comes to dim sims, creativity is part of the culture.

August 27, 2025

South Melbourne Market Dim Sims

South Melbourne Market Dim Sims are a Melbourne institution. Huge, peppery, and best enjoyed fried, they’ve delighted crowds for nearly 60 years. While some say commercialisation has softened their edge, eaten fresh from the market fryer with soy and chili, they remain an essential dimmie experience.

June 3, 2025

Why Are Dim Sims Popular in Melbourne?

Dim sims are popular in Melbourne thanks to their 1940s invention by William Chen Wing Young, their role in bridging cultures, and their nostalgic value. From South Melbourne Market queues to suburban gems like Moon Palace or Seven Stars, dimmies remain a beloved food ritual across the city.

May 27, 2025

Factory made dimmies

There are a large list of commercial dim sims available. I tend not to go for these, but if you’re on a budget, or just can’t justify the expense of a proper home made dimmie, then here’s a list of some of the commercial ones available. Kwok Cheung Sun Hing Mai Hong Chen Wah Marathon

March 8, 2025

Kanga Sushi Dim Sims, Knoxfield

Kanga Sushi in Knoxfield serves smaller, handmade pork and chicken dim sims with thin skins and a subtle sweetness. Best fried for crunch or steamed with soy, they’re lighter than Tai Wah but full of flavour. A hidden gem that rivals some of Melbourne’s most famous dimmies.

January 25, 2025

How to Make Dim Sim Wrappers

Making dim sim wrappers at home is easier than you think. With just flour, water, and oil, you can roll fresh, chewy skins perfect for steaming or frying. Homemade wrappers hold up better than store-bought and give your dimmies that authentic texture every Melbourne dim sim lover craves.

September 1, 2024

Fong’s Dim Sims, Bentleigh East

Fong’s is known for its large, dense dim sims that mix pork and beef with a peppery edge. Best fried for crunch, they’re hearty and filling, often too much for more than a few at once. A Golden Mile classic, Fong’s ranks high among Melbourne’s most satisfying dimmies.

August 27, 2024

Berwick Palace, Berwick

Berwick Palace offers big, beef-leaning dim sims with a hint of sweetness that sets them apart. Fried is the standout, delivering a crisp casing and juicy filling. Not the prettiest dimmies, but flavour wins over form. A divisive but memorable contender in Melbourne’s dim sim scene.

June 1, 2024

Pearl Garden Dim Sims, Upwey

Pearl Garden in Upwey was once a top contender in Melbourne’s dim sim scene, famous for its championship wins. Today, its beefy, cabbagey dimmies divide opinion. Some praise their flavour, others find them mushy, but they remain a beloved local classic worth trying fried or steamed.

April 21, 2024

Seven Stars, Bentleigh East

Seven Stars dim sims strike the perfect balance of pork and cabbage in a neat, golf-ball-sized package. Reliable skins, nostalgic flavours, and strong family heritage make them a local favourite. Softer and more approachable than heavyweights like Tai Wah, they’re a versatile dimmy loved both steamed and fried.

April 21, 2024

Moon Palace, Preston

Moon Palace is a humble Preston shop run by Colin and Jenny Choy, producing some of Melbourne’s finest dim sims. Smaller than rivals but packed with flavour, their beef and chili dimmies are consistent, balanced, and legendary. Fried or steamed, these gems have earned a loyal following over decades.

March 12, 2024

Dim Sims vs Dim Sum: What’s the Difference?

Though their names sound similar, dim sims and dim sum are worlds apart. Dim sum is a traditional Cantonese dining experience, while dim sims are an Australian invention from the 1940s—larger, peppery, and sold at markets and takeaways. Both are delicious, but only one is a true Aussie icon.

March 8, 2024

Tai Wah, Mentone

Tai Wah is an old-school Chinese restaurant serving some of Melbourne’s most beloved dim sims. Big, dense, and meaty, these hearty dimmies divide opinion but remain iconic. Best fried for texture, they’re a nostalgic taste of the 1960s and a must-try for anyone exploring Melbourne’s dimmie heritage.

November 8, 2023

History of Dim Sims in Australia

The dim sim was created in 1940s Melbourne by William Chen Wing Young. Larger and heartier than traditional dumplings, it quickly spread from Chinatown to fish and chip shops, markets, and footy grounds. The history of dim sims in Australia is a story of migration, adaptation, and cultural acceptance.

August 27, 2023

Mama Tran, South Melbourne

Mama Tran dim sims are handmade and cabbage-forward, offering pork and chicken varieties less peppery than the famous SMM dimmies. Big, bold, and best enjoyed fried, they divide opinion between mushy and delicate. For fans of a vegetable-driven dimmy, Mama Tran is a South Melbourne Market essential.

June 2, 2023

Preston Noodle Dim Sims, Preston

Preston Noodle on High Street serves some of Melbourne’s best pork dim sims. With thin skins, finely minced filling, and a subtle sweetness, they’re lighter than Tai Wah but full of flavour. Steamed or fried, these handmade dimmies have earned a reputation as the north’s pork dimmie benchmark.

May 30, 2023

Sauces for Dim Sims

From classic soy to fiery chili and even tomato sauce, Aussies love debating what belongs on a dim sim. Some insist dimmies don’t need sauce at all, while others won’t eat one without a drizzle. Here’s a look at the most popular — and controversial — sauces for dim sims.

May 20, 2023

South Melbourne Market Dim Sims History

The South Melbourne Market dim sim stall, founded in 1949 by Ken Cheng, is a Melbourne institution. Known for giant peppery dimmies, the stall grew so popular it spawned a commercial brand. Today, fresh from the fryer, they remain a must-try and part of Melbourne’s rich dim sim history.

Tag: Dim Sims