Where Chefs Eat: Dumpling Pro Brendan Pang Shares His Top Spots for Yum Cha, Sweets and Big Groups

Brendan Pang knows dumplings. The author and Masterchef star is known for his handiwork with the little bites, with a million people tuning in to his kitchen videos online. His Chinese Mauritian roots inform his cooking – and the way he celebrates Lunar New Year.

“We usually get together for a big family dinner – eat really good Chinese Mauritian food,” he says. “My grandmere (grandmother) is always at the centre of it. She’ll make things like yue sang, which is our version of the prosperity toss salad with sashimi, and foo yong, a prawn omelette with bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms.”

There are noodles on the table for longevity too, along with whole fish for abundance and dumplings for wealth and prosperity. “I don’t get too caught up in strict rules, but the Year of the Horse is all about energy, movement and forward momentum. As long as you’re cooking food that brings people together, you’re doing it right.”

Here are Pang’s picks of Sydney – including his go-to supermarket in the city, top spots for yum cha and the street snack he loves in Strathfield.

Quick takeaway dinner: Chinese roast pork or char siu – either over rice or I’ll use it as a filling for rice paper rolls if I want something a bit fresher. I also love Henrietta in Surry Hills, because we live so close and the chicken is always great. And when I want proper comfort food, it’s Chinese Noodle Restaurant in Haymarket for dumplings and pan-fried chive pockets.

Lunch on the go: Sushi most days, because I try to be healthy during the week. If I’m feeling a bit naughty, Marrickville Pork Roll for a classic pork banh mi with extra chilli. Ho Jiak’s chicken rice is also amazing – though probably not the best on the go.

Coffee: Artificer Coffee.

Snack: Hotteok from a Korean street stall around Strathfield – they’re chewy, gooey and nostalgic. I also love barbeque skewers (especially cumin lamb or chicken) in Burwood Chinatown in the late afternoon, eaten standing up.

Ideal date: Ito on Crown Street is my favourite restaurant in Sydney. The vibe is perfect for a date – great atmosphere, beautiful space and the food is incredible, it’s a mix of Japanese and Italian. Always order the prawn and scallop ravioli, and I love their take on lasagne with eggplant and whipped tofu.

Special occasion: Grandfathers for fancy Chinese food – order the husband-and-wife salad, pippies, and scallop fried rice.

Chinese: Royal Palace Seafood Restaurant for yum cha. I get scallop and prawn siu mai, har gow, prawn cheung fun with youtiao inside, and crispy yam dumplings. I also love heading to Burwood for Apandim Uyghur, for cumin lamb skewers and their big, juicy dumplings.

Burger: Bar Luca or a Bunsik burger.

Snack and a drink: Bar Planet in Newtown. Dirty Martini – extra filthy. Always. To be honest, I really come here for the drink. For a snack and drink, it’s Bar Copains for the anchovy puff pastry or potato scallop with a nice chilled red or chardonnay.

Big group: Baba’s Place or Ho Jiak Town Hall.

Long lunch: Yum cha is my idea of a long lunch. Royal Palace or Emperor’s Garden in Haymarket, Pearl Eating House in Kogarah, or Vin Phat in Cabramatta. I’m always ordering chicken feet, har gow, siu mai, cheung fun and black-bean pork ribs.

Bucket list restaurant: Gaggan in Bangkok, for the experience and storytelling.

Something sweet: Khanom House for matcha plus all the baked goods. The pandan honey cake is unreal, and the Thai milk tea Basque cheesecake is a must.

Groceries: Gong Grocer at World Square. It’s my go-to for Asian staples. Sauces, snacks, fresh produce, meat, alcohol – I can always find what I need there.

Underrated: Harris Park. We love heading there for Indian food. Dosa from Dosa Hut, then a stop at Taj Indian Sweets for kulfi, jalebi and barfi.

Top late-night snack: Fried egg, leftover rice, soy sauce and chilli oil. Maybe a bit of butter. Always hits.

At-home kitchen hack: Prep like it’s a stir-fry. Cut everything first, line it up, then cook. Makes everything calmer and faster.

@brendan_pang