Shi Wei Zhong Dian is a Chinese bakery situated along Victoria Avenue, the main commercial strip in Chatswood. It first came to attention during the post-Christmas period, when the store appeared closed for an extended time—letters were wedged under the door and dead leaves had blown in, creating the impression that it had permanently shuttered. Months later, it unexpectedly reopened, with signs celebrating an anniversary. Despite lingering signs of neglect inside, such as scattered leaves, the shelves and display cases appeared adequately stocked, prompting a closer look.
Original Mochi Ball ($3.50)
The mochi ball featured a crisp, airy shell with a deeply golden, Maillard-rich exterior. Its sweetness was restrained, offering balance to the roasted character of the crust. However, the hollow centre was unexpected—rather than a chewy or filled mochi interior, the inside was largely empty, leaving a sense of incompleteness.
Traditional Beef Tongue Crispy ($3.50)
This item presented a flaky, lard-based pastry shell with a filling of sweet mung bean paste. The flavour leaned heavily toward the sweet, with strong notes of liquorice, and no savoury elements. The name referenced its visual resemblance to beef tongue, not its ingredients. The sweetness overwhelmed what might have otherwise been a more texturally interesting pastry.
Shi Wei Zhong Dian offered underwhelming products in a shop that felt neglected in presentation.
Shi Wei Zhong Dian is located at 326 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067.