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Hutong Dumpling Bar,

Melbourne.

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Hutong Dumpling Bar,

Melbourne.

Down the Alleyway

Photography and words by HENRY HARGREAVES

Melbourne’s Chinatown is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the western world.

Hu Tong, translates to Alleyway or side street. The restaurant sits in a small side street between Bourke and Little Bourke street in the heart of Chinatown. We spoke with Manager Patrick about the restaurant’s staff meal.

THE DAILY RITUAL

At 4pm, before service begins, the staff meal is served. It is difficult to suit everyone so we serve the most popular style food, which is meat-focused. Some members of the staff have special health requirements or want to eat vegetarian so they will bring their own meal. The meal changes daily based on what’s fresh and in season. After the meal the staff are satisfied and full of energy and happy to serve the customers.

We always have it at the same table, so it’s very convenient as the staff know where they are going when they arrive. Also it is the table next to the window with outside light. We suggest that the staff sit together but some people want to be by themselves, listen to music, chat on their phone or are dealing with private matters they don’t want to go into...

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HOT TOPICS

All the staff have funny nicknames. We discuss funny things and incidents that happened the night before, exchange ideas about what we could do better. Today we also spoke about the special occasion of being exposed to the world by our special visitor with the camera.

"After the meal the staff are satisfied and full of energy and happy to serve the customers."

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THE AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE

Chinatown is a very friendly place. It gets lots of visitors coming specifically for the food and to experience a different culture. Melbourne is multicultural city and we are an authentic Chinese restaurant. By this I mean we keep original flavors. We want to show the culture of our home.

When I go to a restaurant I like to let them know that I also work in a restaurant and that I’m there to experience their culture, so I hope they can show me the best way to go about this. I also appreciate if customers ask the same of us, as I know they appreciate our culture. I will always do my best to fulfill their requirements.

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"Melbourne is multicultural city and we are an authentic Chinese restaurant. By this I mean we keep original flavors."

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"Today we also spoke about the special occasion of being exposed to the world by our special visitor with the camera."

THE MEAL

Basa fillet with bean sprouts, double boiled chicken soup, bok choy, fried chicken pieces.

Find them here!

special Thanks to Edward Pearse and Dana Drori of Aftertastes