Dim Sum is a Chinese cuisine involving a wide range of light dishes escorted by tea. It's usually served weekend mornings until mid afternoon at Chinese restaurants and specialty Dim Sum eateries.
Dishes come in small portions carted throughout the restaurant by a troop of Asian servers though a menu is usually made available for specialty or dinner items.
How it works:
Dim Sum reminds me of ordering peanuts at a baseball game from snack vendors.
When you see a dish that catches your eye, just wave the server over and point to the dish that you desire. The server will place the small plate on your table and stamp the bill at your table indicating your order.
It usually becomes a game of gathering one's sense of culinary adventure, pointing to random dishes and experimenting. I assure you that you will quickly learn what you like and dislike at a restaurant.
After the meal, a server will tabulate the number of dishes you asked for by organizing them by size and specialty on your bill.
Viola! You're done!
My recommendation for first timers:
1. Order tea. I usually prefer a mixture of jasmine and chrysanthemum. It helps with digestion.
2. Take your time when ordering your meal. Dim Sum is less about stuffing your face and more about enjoying an easy brunch with friends. There's no need to horde your food. Enjoy and sample each dish that come your way and catches your attention.
3. Keep an open mind. I'll warn you that there may be a few, occasional exotic dishes (chicken feet, baby octopus, tripe...ect) the majority of the foods are tame and made with mundane ingredients. I assure the first timer that they may only seem exotic in appearance.
It's my suggestion that a newbie stick to the basics and make an occasional leap of faith with an unknown dish. This kind of random selection will be the only way you will ever find out if you like something or not.
The Basics
1. Shrimp Dumpling-It's shrimp wrapped in cooked rice noodle. Good with soy sauce/ hot chilli oil.
2. Turnip Cake-It's turnip and rice flour compressed and made into a little cake. It's slightly salty, but overall pretty mute in flavor. I suggest asking for HOISIN SAUCE for dipping.
3. Rice Rolls-Pork or Shrimp wrapped Rice Noodle accompanied by a slightly sweet soy sauce.
4. Char Su Bao (Pork Bun)- Slightly sweet and salty pork slices wrapped in a fluffy bun. An alternative to this dish is one made with chicken instead of pork.
5. Su Mai- Usually ground chicken or ground pork occasionally mixed with minced shrimp, scallions, garlic and water chest nut. It's wrapped in basic won ton wrapper. Good with soy sauce/ hot chilli oil.
6. Egg Custard Tart- It's a traditional light dessert/ pastry made of egg and custard.
My recommendations for LA are:
The Empress Pavillion
in Chinatown on Hill
(take the escalator upstairs)
http://www.empresspavilion.com/
The website has a small sample of their dim sum menu and directions. I recommend showing up early as there is usually a wait on the weekends.
My recommendation for a more authentic place:
Ocean Star Seafood Restaurant
145 N Atlantic Blvd
Monterey Park, CA 91754-1581
(626) 308-2128
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