Asian Aisle Does Dim Sum
Dim sum is one of those things that, as soon as I’m done with it, I’m saying to myself, “I need to do this more often. And I need to do it again, soon.”
What I really like about this meal served at Chinese restaurants is that you can make it as hurried or leisured as you want, and you can eat as little or as much as you desire.
And the food, of course I like the food. Servers push rolling carts stacked high with metal tins/bamboo containers and small plates of freshly made savory items and pastries, from table to table.
Pointing at selections like this Crab and Shrimp Dumplings one is acceptable. It’ll be on your table seconds later. Another really nice aspect about dim sum? Instant gratification.
Shrimp Dumplings, a typical offering.
Another standard, Pork Shui Mai with Chinese Mushroom (has a pork, shrimp, and shiitake filling).
Steamed Prawns Rice Rolls.
The servers douse the rolls with soy sauce before setting the plate on the table. And no, they don’t ask you first if you want soy sauce, not that we minded.
This item isn’t listed on the paper menu of dim sum offerings I grabbed from the restaurant. I’m just going to call it Taro Balls. It’s my favorite thing to order.
Partly because it looks weird. Not all of my local restaurants offer this item; I’ve been told it’s time-consuming to make.
The balls are filled with mashed taro and shiitake.
Mini Sticky Rice in Lotus Wrap.
The ground pork, shrimp, and sticky/glutinous rice filling. I don’t know about you, but I like to pour soy sauce over the rice part. I find it bland, otherwise.
And the shrimp may look a bit strange to you because it’s been rehydrated.
One of the dessert offerings, Steamed Custard Creamy Buns.
Don’t get me started on the Egg Custard Tarts.
I embarrass myself with how many of these I can eat. I mean, they’re just so little. And flaky. And buttery. The warm custard is delicious, too.
So, some of you dim sum experts can probably discern that these offerings were average, maybe a bit better than that. I’ve had tastier, fancier dim sum. But when fresh food is served to you as fast as you can point to it, I’m not really going to complain. (Oh, and one tip: If you don’t see an item on the carts, ask the server for it. She will likely bring it from the kitchen when it’s available.)
And just one more thing to mention that I appreciate about dim sum—the selection. We ordered eight items, but there were dozens more to choose from. When I got home and was looking at the to-go menu, I realized that I had forgotten to order a few favorites (it’s easy to get distracted at dim sum). Oh well, next time, right?
Yum! Dim Sum is the most amazing thing ever.
It always amazes me that when you go with a group of 6 or 8 people it never costs you more than $20 each and you can barely walk after! Always good.
I love the Steamed Prawn Rice Rolls and also their steamed veges and stir fried seaweed (YUM).
I’m currently in Norway (one week left) and I have already told my significant other (more than once) that we are going to our favourite Chinese restaurant to eat an obscene amount of dumplings on our arrival in NZ!!!
Thanks for the mouth watering post
I always wanted to go to a Dim Sum restaurant when i was in toronto but I always chickened out because I was afraid I might not like what they served me and since they do your bill by the number of steamers you ordered. I’m always afraid to run a high bill.
One day I’ll try it
Hey, where are the chicken feet and tripe? You’re making me hungry!
Laura: I love hearing where readers are located. Norway? Awesome.
Yeah, between two people, we got totally stuffed from the eight items we ordered. And we had leftovers. Our bill came to about US$26 before tip (the Steamed Prawns Rice Rolls was one of the most expensive items at $4 something). While I do feel like I don’t go to dim sum enough, maybe that’s a good thing—the infrequency gives me something to anticipate and enjoy more when I finally do have dim sum. Enjoy your dumplings.
Sonya: Chinese restaurants usually offer a large enough dim sum selection that I think you could probably find something you like. There’s seafood, meat, and vegetable items in the form of dumplings, congee, noodles, egg rolls, etc. As well as pastries and desserts. I think you should give it a try one day, but only at a recommended restaurant…I wouldn’t want a poor one to ruin your first dim sum experience!
Slammie: Ha, I was wondering if someone would mention those items. Next time, eh?
Oh, I love everything that you talked about especially the “woo gawk” and the “dan tat” but I’ll eat several servings of chicken feet and tripe. LOL
Oh my gosh…..This post was absolutely drool-worthy. I love dim sum! Ah! I want it now! I’ve never seen that first item but it sounds really good. And I always LOVE to get those shrimp items. Har gow, I think it’s called. Also the other shrimp item (I love the savoriness of it. Although one time {and this was an isolated incident}, it turned out to be kind of spoiled ’cause I guess no one was getting it and so we got ones that were rotating around the restaurant for a while. I’ve had that taro thing also (only once because I think my uncle ordered it or something. I’d never had it before that.) It WAS really good. Though too greasy, of course because it’s deep-fried. But so delicious…And the sticky rice wrapped in the leaves…*drool* I love that SOOOO much. So savory. The egg custard (one of the few times I’ll want to eat sweets. It’s not too sweet, that’s why! Haha.) There’s also this jello thing that has flower petals in it. That’s good. And the other dessert item that has black/purple rice in it.
Lian: Yes, yes, and yes! There aren’t too many things I don’t like to eat at dim sum.
omfg! i LOVE the egg custard tarts! its so addicting! xD