This is Chef Kev’s favourite place to eat. Period. He loves getting out, dressing up and eating fancy, but when asked where the best place to eat is in the city the answer is always the same: Dumpling House.

This Chinatown staple turns a quick crowd and it’s not hard to understand why. The food is heavy, quick to arrive and of a superior quality to most places in the area.

Chef Kev started eating at this Spadina institution with his friend, Dom, around the time that they arrived in the country. When they found the spot they were hooked and became seasoned regulars always ordering the same thing.

So what’s Chef Kev’s standard order?

Shrimp and pork fried dumplings. These hand-packaged flavour pockets are pan-fried at the front of the restaurant. A drizzle of batter is added at the bottom of the pan for easy flipping. The result is an instant cure to any rich and heavy craving.

Eggplant in garlic sauce. This colourful concoction comes out piping hot. A delicious add on to any meal. But, seriously we aren’t joking when we say “piping hot.” Mind your mouth.

And here is Chef Kev, completely content with his meal.