Tucked away on High Street in Preston, Moon Palace is no ordinary Chinese restaurant. Run by Colin Choy and his wife Jenny, the shop is little more than a counter, a fridge, and a small kitchen. There are no tables or chairs, but that doesn’t matter. People don’t come here for ambience, they come here for dimmies, and Moon Palace has earned a reputation as one of Melbourne’s finest purveyors. With regular beef dim sims and a fiery chili variation, Colin has built a loyal following over decades.

Size, Value and First Impressions

Moon Palace dim sims are smaller than heavyweights like Tai Wah or Berwick Palace, but what they lack in size, they more than make up for in flavour. They remain excellent value, solidifying their spot as a favourite for regulars and first-timers alike. The fried versions win many fans, with a crisp exterior that pairs perfectly with the rich, beefy filling. The steamed ones, especially with a dash of Pearl River mushroom soy, are equally beloved by long-time customers who have been ordering them for decades.

Flavour and Texture

Flavour is where Moon Palace truly shines. The beef filling is fresh, meaty, and consistent, striking a balance that few competitors manage. Unlike some dimmies that lean too heavily into dense meatballs, Moon Palace dim sims often include a subtle mix of vegetables that give them a lighter, more nuanced texture. This balance means the skins don’t slip off like at some competitors, holding together nicely while delivering a juicy bite. The regular beef dim sim is a Melbourne classic, but the chili dimmy is where Colin’s genius shows: just enough heat to complement the beef without overpowering it.

Tradition, Consistency and Community

For many, Moon Palace is more than just food, it’s tradition. Families have been visiting for 30 or even 40 years, always greeted warmly by Colin and Jenny. The consistency of quality over decades is remarkable, and many believe Moon Palace now rivals or even surpasses stalwarts like Tai Wah. Beyond the dimmies, their spring rolls are also worth a mention, crisp, flavourful, and the perfect companion to a box of steaming hot dim sims.

Ratings

Regular Dim Sim: 8/10

Chili Dim Sim: 10/10

Address

609 Gilbert Rd, Preston VIC 3072

Website

https://moonpalacechinesetakeaway.com.au

Here’s a video of them being made.

The post Moon Palace, Preston appeared first on Dave Hooper.

Preston Noodle on High Street is a small, unassuming takeaway that hides one of Melbourne’s great dim sim secrets. Known for their homemade pork dim sims, they’ve developed a loyal following among locals and travelling dimmie hunters alike. In a suburb full of food culture, Preston Noodle has carved out its place as the go-to spot for pork-based dimmies, with many calling them the best in the north.

Size, Value and First Impressions

Unlike the giant South Melbourne Market dim sims or the dense, meaty Tai Wah style, Preston Noodle offers a slightly smaller but refined dimmy. A standard serve of steamed comes as five, with fried options also available. At around $1.80 each, they represent strong value considering the quality. The skins are thin, almost like wonton wrappers but without the yellow hue, and hold together beautifully whether steamed or fried. Steamed, they’re light and juicy without going soggy; fried, they crisp up nicely with a satisfying crunch.

Flavour and Texture

Preston Noodle’s strength lies in its filling. Made with fresh sow (female) pork sourced from the adjacent Preston Market butcher, the filling avoids the gamey “boar taint” that can sometimes haunt pork dim sims. The result is finely minced, smooth, and subtly sweet, with cabbage and shallots blended in for balance. Unlike heavier dimmies that lean toward beefiness, these are lighter, more delicate, and refined. A faint flavour enhancer is noticeable, but it doesn’t overwhelm the natural taste. They pair beautifully with strong soy sauces like mushroom soy, or kecap manis for those who want extra punch.

Community and Comparisons

Preston Noodle is often praised as the benchmark pork dim sim, frequently ranked alongside Moon Palace (beef) and Seven Stars (pork-and-cabbage) as one of Melbourne’s dimmie elite. Some detractors find them a touch bland and needing soy to really shine, but for most fans, their lightness is exactly the point. They may not hit with the pepper of South Melbourne or the density of Tai Wah, but in their balance and clean finish, Preston Noodle dim sims stand tall.

Rating

7/10 steamed

7.5/10 fried

Address

417-419 High St, Preston VIC 3072

The post Preston Noodle Dim Sims, Preston appeared first on Dave Hooper.