Lee's Dumpling 小李汤包 — Restaurant in Sydney

Having noticed the constant buzz around this new dim sum spot, with its ever-present line of eager customers, my partner and I decided to give it a try for our Saturday brunch. Remember, this review is purely my personal take.

Quick Summary: Decent taste, efficient service, but on the pricier side. Worth trying at least once, though I have a preferred alternative in Darling Square.

Detailed Experience: The restaurant enjoys a prime location next to World Square, and we were lucky to snag a window seat. A staff member, initially resting there, graciously offered us the spot, which allowed us to enjoy both the meal and the view.

Our order included xiao long bao, shrimp & pork dumplings, siu mai, and wonton soup. As someone hailing from southern China, I found the wonton soup to be the highlight – the broth was flavorful with just the right seasoning, and the wontons were generously sized and juicy. However, the other dishes didn't quite hit the mark for me. The xiao long bao turned out to be a different style of soup dumpling from Henan, and both dumpling varieties were a tad too sweet for my liking, overshadowing the other flavors. The siu mai, priced at $8 for two, was unexpectedly made with sticky rice instead of the traditional pork and shrimp, leading to some disappointment. Flavor-wise, they were decent, but not exceptional.

The portion sizes were smaller than anticipated, and the total bill came to $76 for these four items, which felt steep. While the flavors were generally good, the value for money didn't quite match up for me.

Final Thoughts: Overall, it's a place worth visiting at least once for its ambiance and service. The wonton soup is a must-try, but the rest may depend on your personal taste...

SAVE THIS for your next dumpling craving 🥟🥟

With the hustle and vibe of an American diner from the future, @leesdumplings serves up some of the fattest xiaolongbao I’ve seen in Sydney. And not those water balloon xiaolongbao the size of a steamer that are pree inconvenient to eat. I’m talking about good, honest, substantial xiaolongbao that an Aunty packs full by hand through the window from across from your table 🥰🥰

Last week I got the chance to visit @leesdumplings with my mate and I was surprised with the niche menu of nanjing cuisine they served.

We got: 🥟 Xiao Long Bao - these were honestly such a standout for me. Clearly. They were packed, with a solidly large nugget of juicy pork in the middle, melting in the hot juice :) defs recommend

🥟Nanjing Duck - similar to the ‘roasts’ you get from Chinese restaurants with the siew yoke or the chicken rice. It’s salty and clean tasting, would recommend eating with rice!

🥟 Sweet and Sour Pork Rib Noodles - this dish was quite niche. It was uniquely sour and super savory! The noodles were delicious and I loved the sauce :)

🥟 tau foo fah - I LOVED the tau foo fah! I’m a sucker for soy bean desserts and this was a delightful surprise! A strong sugar syrup and some of the silkiest tau foo fah I’ve had in a while in Sydney!

Overall, I think Lee’s dumplings is perfect for a lunch feed when you’re craving Chinese food with a unique edge! They are decently priced for the city and what you get :) Definitely check them out!!

Thank you @leesdumplings for hosting us so well in the chaos of a Sunday lunch rush and @chels_eatravel and @vivifean for...

We picked Lee’s Dumpling House based on rave reviews, hoping to make the most of our limited time in Sydney. The small line outside was a good sign — always reassuring when people are willing to wait.

Ambience & Vibe:

It’s a small, super-cramped space that instantly gives off a Chinese street food vibe. Think communal dining, tight seating, and lots of hustle — we didn’t mind at all. It felt authentic. That said, some seats were too congested, making it hard to move around without squeezing past other diners. Rating: 4/5 (Loses a point for the extreme lack of space.)

Food: Now to the star of the show — the food was genuinely worth the hype. • Spicy Chicken with Rice – 5/5: Absolutely smashing. The chicken was tender, succulent, and packed just the right amount of heat. • Xiao Long Bao – 5/5: (Yep, that’s the correct spelling.) Filled to the brim with rich, soupy goodness. Unlike many places, the base didn’t stick to the steamer, which made a huge difference. • Shu Mai – 3/5: A bit unexpected. I’m used to prawn fillings, but this came stuffed with rice. Not bad, but not memorable either. • Cold Soy Milk – 4/5: Did its job perfectly — helped balance out the spice.

Overall: Great little spot if you’re after authentic dumplings and flavors without the frills. It’s not about comfort here — it’s about solid food. Will definitely visit again. Overall...