North East China Family — Restaurant in Melbourne

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Google won't let me give more!)

As someone born and raised in Harbin, finding this place was an incredible surprise. Real Dong Bei food is hard to come by outside Northeast China, but this spot nails it. Every dish brought back memories of winter nights at home with family.

The moment you walk in, that familiar smell of simmering pickled vegetables and braised meats hits you - just like mom's kitchen back home. Their guo bao rou (锅包肉) is exactly how it should be - the sweet and sour pork stays crispy the whole meal, which is rare to find even back home.

Brought my family here and watching them dig in was pretty special - you could see they recognized the authentic flavors right away. The portions are proper Dong Bei style - meaning you definitely won't leave hungry, and the prices are fair for what you get.

Whether you're missing Northeast China like me or just want to try authentic regional Chinese food, this place delivers. It's not just dinner - it's like being back home in Harbin.

From one Harbin native to anyone reading this - if you want real Dong Bei cuisine, this is the place to go.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Speaking with the owner, she represents the epitome of a kind Harbin native. I asked to speak with her to let her know how delicious the food was and you could really see how happy she was to have made food that we enjoyed and how happy she was to meet a...

North East China Family is a Melbourne institution for classic no-frills Dongbei-style dumplings and hearty dishes at very affordable prices 💸 Unassumingly tucked away down Flinders Lane, you’ll find this spot bustling with customers looking for a quick cheap eat, a large family dinner, or a casual takeaway 🥡

The food here is top quality, and at very reasonable prices with dumplings coming in around $13-15 per plate (+$1 for fried) 🙌 A must-try are their dumplings which are all handmade - the pan-fried XLB definitely wow-ed us! Packed with soup on the inside, and all encased in an almost impossibly thin and delicate wrapper that didn’t break even when fried! 🥟

If you’re new to Dongbei cuisine I highly recommend giving some of their signature dishes a try - my top pick is their famous ‘Guo Bao Rou’, or fried pork in sweet and sour sauce 🥓 This is not your standard sweet and sour pork - these are thin pork cutlets coated in most uniquely crispy and crunchy potato starch batter 😍 The sauce is lighter and less sweet than the Cantonese version, with a very prominent tangy vinegar flavour that cuts through the oiliness 👏 Trust me, you’ll want to try this!

Another Dongbei classic to try is the ‘Di San Xian’, Fried Potato, Eggplant and Capsicum that are perfectly charred and crispy, tossed in a savory garlicky sticky sauce 🤤 Sounds simple but it’s seriously insanely...

🥢 Northeast China Family – Comfort Food That Hits Home Tucked along Little Lonsdale Street, @northeastchinafamily is one of Melbourne’s best-kept secrets for northeastern Chinese comfort food. No fuss, no frills — just flavour-packed, homestyle cooking that always satisfies.

This spot is all about flavour over flash. It’s cosy, casual, and always buzzing with regulars and Chinese expats (a very good sign). It used to be my go-to lunch place back when the office was nearby — and it still holds up. Dishes that arrive hot and full of bold, comforting flavours.

🍽 What We Ordered: Baked Pumpkin & Scallops with salted egg yolk – rich and buttery👍🏻 Yuxiang Sauteed Pork Shreds – packed with savoury-sour flavour👍🏻 Honey Chicken – crispy, sticky, and a must-order✨️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Xiao Long Bao – 10 dumplings for $13.50?! Insane value👍🏻 Chicken Prawn Dumplings – juicy and delicate Pork Sauce Noodles – a hearty, comforting slurp👍🏻👍🏻

🔥 Hot Tip: They’re currently running a Dumpling Happy Hour — $12.99 for select options! Check in-store for details 👀

Whether you’re dining in or grabbing a quick bite, Northeast China Family serves up reliable, flavourful dishes that feel like a warm hug from home.

✅ Huge portions, great for sharing ✅ Affordable pricing — most mains under $25 ✅ Great vegetarian...