Gong De Lin

Noodles from the north and more.

November 18, 2024

1 / 7The Golden Treasure cold platter.Chris Hopkins

3 / 7The sizzling Szechuan lamb.Chris Hopkins

4 / 7Pan-fried dumplings.Photograph by Chris Hopkins

5 / 7Wonton vegetable soup.Chris Hopkins

6 / 7Hot and sour soup. Photograph by Chris Hopkins

7 / 7Stir-fried shitake. Photograph by Chris Hopkins

Critics' Pick

Vegetarian or vegan$

Spanning three floors of a modest Swanston Street building, this specialised spot offers plant-based takes on nearly 100 dishes from across China.

Head to the all you-can-eat buffet on level one to build your own hot pot. A spread of fresh vegetables is ready to join tom yum, mushroom or tomato broth, and dipping sauces that range from sesame to roasted chilli.

Level two holds a cosy a la carte dining room hung with golden lanterns. Boiled vegetable dumplings are stuffed to the seams with dazzlingly fresh greens. Soy-based pork is well-crusted and partnered by pineapple in a glossy sweet-and-sour sauce. Jiangxi-style claypot soup brims with tofu, snowpeas and radish. Gong De Lin is a vegetarian’s delight, hidden in plain sight.

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Melbourne CBD