Hutong Dumpling Bar and MoVida Next Door

Another end of a semester, another basket of dumplings at HuTong Dumpling Bar. And because I’ve already reviewed everything else about the place here, let’s just hop, skip and jump straight to the food.

Xiao Long Bao (8 for $11.8)

Wontons with Hot Chilli Sauce (8 for $9.8)

Thankfully the Wontons with Hot Chilli Sauce (8 for $9.8) were just as fabulous as ever; tight little fists in a sweet and spicy sauce that’s scattered with toasted chilli and sesame seeds, though it is a little less meaty than it used to be.

Squid in Salt and Pepper ($8.8)

A twenty minute wait later, we found ourselves seated along a little bar overlooking Flinders Street, munching on some fantastic sourdough. It’s a wonderfully romantic corner that’s perfect for sneaking a few cheeky kisses, but it was also the darkest spot in the entire restaurant, absolutely awful for photos – You have been warned.

Boquerone ($3.5ea)

Not having tried the Boquerone($3.5ea) before, I ordered a single one to satisfy my curiosity. Shame, because I could have eaten a dozen. On top of a brittle disk of crouton sat a ruby orb of cherry tomato, draped with a criss-cross of white anchovy. Put the whole thing in your mouth and savour the sweetly acidic burst of tomato mingling with the dainty brininess of the anchovy slivers. It’s heaven I tell you.

Croqueta ($4ea)

And for Chris, a snack of Croqueta ($4ea). Neither of us could really fault this dish – mashed potato infused with sharp mahon cheese and hints of leek encased in a golden shell, it’s comfort food at its classiest.

Ventresca De Bonito ($13)

Ventresca De Bonito ($13)

Branching out into the conservas menu, we ordered some Ventresca De Bonito ($13), which were white tuna belly fillets in olive oil, served with some pickled garlic and toasted bread. We peeled the tuna slices off the neat layers inside the tin and draped them over some outrageously crunchy sourdough, topping it all off with white garlic petals. The olive oil oozes out from the tuna, and all down your fingers, the moment you sink your teeth into the flaky but firm flesh. The sweet and sour notes of the pickled garlic provide a counterpoint for the richness of the fish. Sometimes John West simple really is best.

Crema Catalana ($13.5)

And of course, the Crema Catalana ($13.5). I’ve already raved and raved about it here, so I won’t say anything more than that this is a must order!