Pure Dumplings 颜记云饺 — Restaurant in Sydney

This was honestly one of the hardest places to review. Throughout our dinner, our impressions swung wildly - at times it felt like a 2-star experience, but there were moments that hinted at 4-star potential.

Unfortunately, about half of what we ordered was sold out, and we only found out after paying. We had to reorder twice, which made the whole start of the evening feel disjointed. For a venue that freezes its dumplings, it’s hard to understand how so many items could be out of stock.

Service was stretched thin. With only two staff members (including the kitchen), things felt disorganised. We were given water but no cups until requested - and when the cups arrived, they had a faint damp cloth smell. It’s the little things that chip away at the experience.

Now the positives: the wonton soup broth was rich and full of flavour, though it was served with some fatty bits that hadn’t fully dissolved - possibly rushed plating? We also tried the Sweet and Sour soup, which was decent, but the wonton broth won out overall.

As for the dumplings, the flavour was definitely there - you could tell someone cared about seasoning - but the dough was thicker than we’d like. Due to the confusion with our reordered items, we weren’t even sure which dumpling was which, and with the staff so busy, asking for clarification felt like a chore we did not want to undertake.

Would we go back? Probably… but not anytime soon. We see the potential here, and hope things get more...

Was umm-ing and ahh-ing where to have lunch after attending the Sydney Artisan Christmas Makers Market in Marrickville on Sunday (20/10/2024) and chose Pure Dumplings.

Upon arrival, the busy period was already over. I had to wait a bit for someone to take my order as there was two people in the kitchen hand making dumplings from the glass window where customers can watch the action happen and one other manning the front counter and attending to serve customers.

So yes, it was a bit slow but I wasn't in a hurry to go anywhere and didn't mind waiting. I find out the Owner's name is Melody through coversation taking place with another customer. She was very apologetic about making me wait, in a way to make up for it, she offered a free iced drink. I also found out her mum is the one of the two people making all the dumplings in the back kitchen. That's so sweet!

I was conflicted on what to ordered, I finally decided on ordering the 10 piece Pan-fried Pork and Prawn Dumplings. There's self serve vinegar and chilli at the table. The dumpling skin was different to other dumplings I've had previously, the filling was generous with a small whole prawn, well...

I can see why this place has 4.9/5 stars absolutely everything we ordered was spectacularly delicious. The house made iced teas were also incredible and not too sweet just the right amount of natural sugar from the fruit you choose (we had passionfruit and it was YUM). Everyone we ate with got the pan fried dumplings and they were spectacular with a generous helping of crispy pastry on each dumpling. It assume it's family owned by a younger couple and their mum who was busy making the dumplings fresh the whole time we were there. The service itself was always brilliant they're a really lovely crew of people and...