A little more relaxed than the Pakington Street restaurant, Geelong dumpling diner and bar Bahjong is dishing up homemade dumplings and pouring summery Asian-inspired cocktails in Little Malop Street.
Since opening in 2019, locals and visitors alike have fallen in love with the elegance, Singaporean flavours and techniques, and above all, delicious fare offered at Brian Anderson and Amy Evans’ Pakington Street restaurant Baah Lah. Channelling Anderson’s heritage and stamped with innovation and packed full of personality, the duo created a must-visit destination with a lavish menu boasting Singapore’s combination of Malay and Chinese cuisines with a focus on land and sea dishes that are ideal for sharing.
Now the talented pair have set out to challenge your palates with their new venture Bahjong, a retro-inspired modern-Asian hangout that’s a step up from street eats, a step down from fine dining, and a welcome addition to the bustling city centre strip.
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Taking inspiration from the classic Chinese game ‘Mahjong’, Asian hawkers/ street food, and mixing it with retro diners of the west, the new dumpling diner and bar is where you can park up with a plate of food and a cocktail, or grab a bite to take back to the office.
Located at 82 Little Malop Street, previously home to The Continental, this seemingly small space in fact seats approximately 40 indoors and at the bar with 12 more outdoors.
With a timber bar and furnishings set against bright red seats, neon lighting, a retro logo, and fun textures with a mural from South East Artwork, photography from Jane Fitzgerald and hand thrown ceramics from Anderson himself, this is a place that’s fresh and cool without taking itself too seriously. Just look out for the red glow of their gyoza shining bright in the front window and you’ll know exactly what we mean.
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As expected from the team at Baah Lah, plenty of thought has gone into the eating experience here with a menu that’s all about inspired combinations.
The menu boasts 12 different types of homemade dumplings with a traditionally untraditional twist, paying homage to the late-night classics like the lamb kebab, potato sour cream, and curry beef with hot sauce. Here, it’s not just lonely dumplings served up on a plate either. Instead, each type of dumpling comes with a more lavish touch. The lamb and cumin dumplings, for example, are topped with bread crisps, yoghurt, tomato and cucumber, while pork and cabbage dumplings are served with sweet soy and onion rings, truly changing the game of dumplings in Geelong.
Of course, gluten-free and vegan options are available, and side dishes come in the form of Bao Bread and Pickled Salad.
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Ensuring they create a more distinctive identity for the venue, you’ll also find a sweet option with coconut custard dumplings to finish (or start), complete with shredded coconut, condensed milk, puffed rice, ice-cream and strawberries.
Cocktails are Asian inspired, using as many Australian made spirits as possible, carrying that same bright-eyed idea into their beer and wine list.
Bahjong is located at 82 Little Malop Street, Geelong and is open Wednesday to Saturday from 5:30pm until late, and for lunch Thursday to Sunday from 12pm to 3pm. Bookings can be made online here, or phoning 0411 795 390.
